On fractionality of the path packing problem

In this paper, we study fractional multiflows in undirected graphs. A fractional multiflow in a graph G with a node subset T, called terminals, is a collection of weighted paths with ends in T such that the total weights of paths traversing each edge does not exceed 1. Well-known fractional path packing problem consists of maximizing the total weight of paths with ends in a subset S of TxT over all fractional multiflows. Together, G,T and S form a network. A network is an Eulerian network if all nodes in N\T have even degrees. A term "fractionality" was defined for the fractional path packing problem by A. Karzanov as the smallest natural number D so that there exists a solution to the problem that becomes integer-valued when multiplied by D. A. Karzanov has defined the class of Eulerian networks in terms of T and S, outside which D is infinite and proved that whithin this class D can be 1,2 or 4. He conjectured that D should be 1 or 2 for this class of networks. In this paper we prove this conjecture.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures in .eps format, 2 latex files, main file is kc13.tex Resubmission due to incorrectly specified CS type of the article; no changes to the context have been mad

Release from polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules in solution and on polymeric surfaces

Release from polyelectrolyte multilayer microcapsules represents one of the most important steps enabling practical use of the microcapsules. A number of biological and non-biological applications are envisaged by proper encapsulation of molecules of interest and their release performance. Since the invention of the microcapsules at the Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in 1998 the work towards microcapsule assistant release has undergone tremendous progress. Almost simultaneously with development of release approaches an extensive base of applications has been advanced. In this progress report the release from the capsules in a solution and those immobilized on the surface of polymeric films is addressed

Testing climate-smart agricultural technologies and practices in Southeast Asia: a manual for priority setting

The project Integrated agricultural technologies for enhanced adaptive capacity and resilient livelihoods in climate-smart villages (CSVs) of Southeast Asia aims to provide climate-smart agriculture options to enhance adaptive capacity among CSV farmers and stakeholders, and contribute to more climate-resilient livelihoods, in selected sites in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. In order to facilitate a participatory process leading to the selection of the most effective technologies and practices, a team of CCAFS researchers worked on the development of a prioritysetting manual. This manual includes a number of principles and a sequence of six steps which were developed based on a critical review of past and ongoing participatory climate-smart technology selection experiences carried out as part of CCAFS in Africa and Asia, the experiences of the research team with similar processes and activities and were complemented by insights from the literature. A draft of the manual was put to test by the CIAT-Asia coordinated project research team in Ma village in the north of Vietnam in July 2015

Effet de la combinaison des fumures organo-minérales et de la rotation niébé-mil sur la nutrition azotée et les rendements du mil au sahel

Peu de données existent sur la contribution en azote des légumineuses, et leurs impacts en présence des fumures sur la nutrition azotée des  céréales. Ainsi, pour évaluer les effets du niébé et des fumures organo-minérales sur la nutrition azotée et les rendements du mil subséquent, une expérimentation a été conduite de 2008 à 2009 à Sadoré au Niger. Dans un dispositif en split-plot, trois doses de résidus, de fumier et d’engrais minéraux ont été appliquées dans une rotation niébé-mil. La méthode isotopique de 15N a été utilisée pour déterminer le coefficient réel d’utilisation d’engrais azoté (CRU). En présence de résidus, le CRU a varié de 16 à 23%. Les doses du fumier ont entraîné sa variation de 16 à 22%. Le CRU du mil subséquent était de 30% contre 22% pour le mil en monoculture. Le mil subséquent a prélevé du sol 54 kg N ha-1 contre 38 kg N ha-1 pour le mil en continu. Les doses des fumures et leur  combinaison dans les systèmes de culture, ont augmenté les rendements du mil de 17 à 272%. La nutrition azotée et la productivité des systèmes peuvent donc être améliorées en combinant les fumures organo-minérales et les rotations avec légumineuses.Mots clés : Céréale, légumineuse, rotation, azote, dilution isotopique, Niger

Dark Photocatalysis: Storage of Solar Energy in Carbon Nitride for Time-Delayed Hydrogen Generation

While natural photosynthesis serves as the model system for efficient charge separation and decoupling of redox reactions, bio-inspired artificial systems typically lack applicability owing to synthetic challenges and structural complexity. We present herein a simple and inexpensive system that, under solar irradiation, forms highly reductive radicals in the presence of an electron donor, with lifetimes exceeding the diurnal cycle. This radical species is formed within a cyanamide-functionalized polymeric network of heptazine units and can give off its trapped electrons in the dark to yield H$_{2}$ , triggered by a co-catalyst, thus enabling the temporal decoupling of the light and dark reactions of photocatalytic hydrogen production through the radical's longevity. The system introduced here thus demonstrates a new approach for storing sunlight as long-lived radicals, and provides the structural basis for designing photocatalysts with long-lived photo-induced states.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (project LO1801/1-1) and an ERC Starting Grant (B.V.L., grant number 639233), the Max Planck Society, the cluster of excellence Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), and the Center for Nanoscience (CeNS). We acknowledge support by the Christian Doppler Research Association (Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy, National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development) and the OMV Group (H.K., E.R.). V.W.-h.L. gratefully acknowledges a postdoctoral scholarship from the Max Planck Society

An approach to provide dynamic, illustrative, video-based guidance within a goal-driven smart home

The global population is aging in a never-before seen way, introducing an increasing ageing-related cognitive ailments, such as dementia. This aging is coupled with a reduction in the global support ratio, reducing the availability of formal and informal support and therefore capacity to care for those suffering these aging related ailments. Assistive Smart Homes (SH) are a promising form of technology enabling assistance with activities of daily living, providing support of suffers of cognitive ailments and increasing their independence and quality of life. Traditional SH systems have deficiencies that have been partially addressed by through goal-driven SH systems. Goal-driven SHs incorporate flexible activity models, goals, which partially address some of these issues. Goals may be combined to provide assistance with dynamic and variable activities. This paradigm-shift, however, introduces the need to provide dynamic assistance within such SHs. This study presents a novel approach to achieve this through video based content analysis and a mechanism to facilitate matching analysed videos to dynamic activities/goals. The mechanism behind this approach is detailed and followed by the presentation of an evaluation where showing promising results were shown