The effect of soil conditioner on the spatial variability of soil environment

ArticleThe aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the effect of soil conditioner on the spatial variability of soil environment. Activator PRP-SOL conditioning soil properties was selected as a field of study. Assessment of soil environment was done through the evaluation of selected soil properties, namely, tensile resistance of the soil and soil infiltration ability. Two dose of PRP-SOL application was done twice in year 2015 (Autumn and Spring) and once in 2016 (Spring) with application rates 150 kg ha-1 and 140 kg ha-1 , respectively. The area was divided into blocks where stimulators were applied and none treated as a control. The evaluation of recorded values showed that treatability and tillage itself was significantly better on the area which was treated by application of PRP-SOL activators. In addition, tensile resistance was decreased by 5.71% in comparison with non-treated area of experimental field. Since the infiltration ability is among the very important soil properties which have an effect on soil moisture regime as well as surface runoff and therefore soil erosion. The evaluation of recorded values has revealed the effect of treatment by PRP-SOL activators on soil infiltration ability and therefore it results in increases infiltration of precipitation as well. Overall increase of infiltration was recorded at value 2 mm h -1 . It can be concluded that application of soil activators may increase the soil conditions and therefore not only conserve soil fertility but even increase it from the long term perspective

A new demo modelling tool that facilitates model transformations

The age of digitization requires rapid design and re-design of enterprises. Rapid changes can be realized using conceptual modelling. The design and engineering methodology for organizations (DEMO) is an established modelling method for representing the organization domain of an enterprise. However, heterogeneity in enterprise design stakeholders generally demand for transformations between conceptual modelling languages. Specifically, in the case of DEMO, a transformation into business process modelling and notation (BPMN) models is desirable to account to both, the semantic sound foundation of the DEMO models, and the wide adoption of the de-facto industry standard BPMN. Model transformation can only be efficiently applied if tool support is available. Our research starts with a state-of-the-art analysis, comparing existing DEMO modelling tools. Using a design science research approach, our main contribution is the development of a DEMO modelling tool on the ADOxx platform. One of the main features of our tool is that it addresses stakeholder heterogeneity by enabling transformation of a DEMO organization construction diagram (OCD) into a BPMN collaboration diagram. A demonstration case shows the feasibility of our newly developed tool.http://www.springer.com/series/7911hj2021Industrial and Systems Engineerin

Alpine Crossroads or Origin of Genetic Diversity? Comparative Phylogeography of Two Sympatric Microgastropod Species

The Alpine Region, constituting the Alps and the Dinaric Alps, has played a major role in the formation of current patterns of biodiversity either as a contact zone of postglacial expanding lineages or as the origin of genetic diversity. In our study, we tested these hypotheses for two widespread, sympatric microgastropod taxa – Carychium minimum O.F. Müller, 1774 and Carychium tridentatum (Risso, 1826) (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata, Carychiidae) – by using COI sequence data and species potential distribution models analyzed in a statistical phylogeographical framework. Additionally, we examined disjunct transatlantic populations of those taxa from the Azores and North America. In general, both Carychium taxa demonstrate a genetic structure composed of several differentiated haplotype lineages most likely resulting from allopatric diversification in isolated refugial areas during the Pleistocene glacial periods. However, the genetic structure of Carychium minimum is more pronounced, which can be attributed to ecological constraints relating to habitat proximity to permanent bodies of water. For most of the Carychium lineages, the broader Alpine Region was identified as the likely origin of genetic diversity. Several lineages are endemic to the broader Alpine Region whereas a single lineage per species underwent a postglacial expansion to (re)colonize previously unsuitable habitats, e.g. in Northern Europe. The source populations of those expanding lineages can be traced back to the Eastern and Western Alps. Consequently, we identify the Alpine Region as a significant ‘hot-spot’ for the formation of genetic diversity within European Carychium lineages. Passive dispersal via anthropogenic means best explains the presence of transatlantic European Carychium populations on the Azores and in North America. We conclude that passive (anthropogenic) transport could mislead the interpretation of observed phylogeographical patterns in general

Comparison of alloying concepts for Low Transformation Temperature (LTT) welding consumables

Fatigue cracks often initiate at welds as a consequence of large residual stresses and changes in geometry acting as stress concentrators. A concept showing promise in improving the fatigue life of welded components is the use of so called Low Transformation Temperature (LTT) welding consumables. These reduce the accumulation of residual stresses in welded joints by exploiting transformation plasticity to compensate for thermal contraction. This in turn enhances fatigue life. Three LTT alloys, based on different combinations of mainly Ni and Cr to produce low martensite- start (Ms) temperatures, have been studied. Fatigue testing showed similar results with a significant increase in fatigue strength for fillet and butt weld configurations for all three compositions. There was a pronounced interdependence between a lower transformation temperature, lower residual stresses and improved fatigue strength. The LTT effect was clearly related to the weld metal transformation temperature rather than the alloying concept per se. Dilution was an important factor in single-pass applications with Ms temperatures increasing by up to 70°C compared to the corresponding all-weld metals. A 13Cr 6Ni alloy was identified as the most promising LTT-alloy considering not only fatigue performance but also aspects such as safety against hot and cold cracking, strength, toughness and ductility. This alloy is crack safe thanks to its ferritic solidification and as a bonus offers some corrosion resistance. Further optimisation is needed, though, to compensate for dilution effects in single-pass applications