High pressure diamond-like liquid carbon

We report density-functional based molecular dynamics simulations, that show that, with increasing pressure, liquid carbon undergoes a gradual transformation from a liquid with local three-fold coordination to a 'diamond-like' liquid. We demonstrate that this unusual structural change is well reproduced by an empirical bond order potential with isotropic long range interactions, supplemented by torsional terms. In contrast, state-of-the-art short-range bond-order potentials do not reproduce this diamond structure. This suggests that a correct description of long-range interactions is crucial for a unified description of the solid and liquid phases of carbon.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

A Simple Model of Liquid-liquid Phase Transitions

In recent years, a second fluid-fluid phase transition has been reported in several materials at pressures far above the usual liquid-gas phase transition. In this paper, we introduce a new model of this behavior based on the Lennard-Jones interaction with a modification to mimic the different kinds of short-range orientational order in complex materials. We have done Monte Carlo studies of this model that clearly demonstrate the existence of a second first-order fluid-fluid phase transition between high- and low-density liquid phases

Progress in Identifying High Nature Value Montados: Impacts of Grazing on Hardwood Rangeland Biodiversity

Due to their complex structure and traditional low-intensity management, Portuguese oak woodland rangelands known as montados are often considered high nature value (HNV) farming systems, and as such, they may be deemed eligible for subsidies and incentives by governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Too little is known about how the HNV concept might be applied to conserve complex silvopastoral systems. These systems, due to their structural and functional complexity at multiple scales, tend to support high levels of biodiversity. Montados are in sharp decline as a result of the rapid specialization of land management that, through simplification, undermines multifunctionality. Understanding how changes in management influence these systems and their biodiversity is needed for prioritizing conservation efforts and for ensuring they remain HNV systems. On the basis of a field survey in 58 plots distributed among 29 paddocks on 17 farms, we conducted an integrated analysis of the relationship between grazing intensity and biodiversity in montados of similar biophysical and structural characteristics. Data on management were obtained through interviews, and biodiversity data (vegetation, macrofungi, birds, herpetofauna) were obtained through specific field protocols. Additional spatial data, such as soil characteristics, slope, land cover, and linear landscape elements, were also analyzed. The results show no overall biodiversity variation as a result of different management practices. However, different groups of species react differently to specific management practices, and within a pasture, grazing impacts are heterogenous. In low grazing intensity plots, macrofungi species richness was found to be higher, while bird species richness was lower. Using tree regeneration as proxy for montado sustainability, results show less tree regeneration in areas with higher forage quality and more intense grazing. Pathways for future progress are proposed, including creating areas within a paddock that attract grazing away from where regeneration is desired

Alginate-nanohydroxyapatite hydrogel system: Optimizing the formulation for enhanced bone regeneration

Ceramic/polymer-based biocomposites have emerged as potential biomaterials to fill, replace, repair or regenerate injured or diseased bone, due to their outstanding features in terms of biocompatibility, bioactivity, injectability, and biodegradability. However, these properties can be dependent on the amount of ceramic component present in the polymer-based composite. Therefore, in the present study, the influence of nanohydroxyapatite content (30 to 70 wt%) on alginate-based hydrogels was studied in order to evaluate the best formulation for maximizing bone tissue regeneration. The composite system was characterized in terms of physic-chemical properties and biological response, with in vitro cytocompatibility assessment with human osteoblastic cells and ex vivo functional evaluation in embryonic chick segmental bone defects. The main morphological characteristics of the alginate network were not affected by the addition of nanohydroxyapatite. However, physic-chemical features, like water-swelling rate, stability at extreme pH values, apatite formation, and Ca2+ release were nanoHA dose-dependent. Within in vitro cytocompatibility assays it was observed that hydrogels with nanoHA 30% content enhanced osteoblastic cells proliferation and expression of osteogenic transcription factors, while those with higher concentrations (50 and 70%) decreased the osteogenic cell response. Ex vivo data underlined the in vitro findings, revealing an enhanced collagenous deposition, trabecular bone formation and matrix mineralization with Alg-nanoHA30 composition, while compositions with higher nanoHA content induced a diminished bone tissue response. The outcomes of this study indicate that nanohydroxyapatite concentration plays a major role in physic-chemical properties and biological response of the composite system and the optimization of the components ratio must be met to maximize bone tissue regeneration.This work was financed by FEDER – Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Operacional Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020, by Portuguese funds through FCT/MCTES in the framework of the project “institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274), by Project Biotherapies (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012) and by Joana Barrosʼ PhD grant (SFRH/BD/102148/2014). The authors would also like to acknowledge Rui Rocha (CEMUP), Rui Fernandes (HEMS), Rossana Correia (HEMS) and Liliana Grenho (FMDUP).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Períodos de dessecação de urochloa ruziziensis e seu reflexo na produtividade da soja RR

Two field trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of burn-down timing of Urochloa ruziziensis on transgenic soybean establishment and yield under the no-tillage system. One experiment was conducted in Colina, SP - Brazil, in 2007/2008 season, and the other in Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil, 2009/2010 season. In 2007/2008, the experiment was carried out in a 7-year-old grass pasture of U. ruziziensis, with four burn-down timings of vegetation cover being tested 30, 20, 10, and 0 days in advance to soybean sowing. In 2009/2010, the experiment was conducted in an old grass pasture of U. ruziziensis cropped with maize the summer before. After maize harvesting, a natural re-infestation of U. ruziziensis occurred, corresponding to more than 80% of the vegetation cover. In this experiment, treatments corresponded to six burn-down timings of vegetation cover 25, 20, 16, 7, and 0 days in advance to soybean sowing. In all experiments, 1.44 kg a.e. ha-1 of herbicide glyphosate was applied, and the soybean cultivar M-SOY 7908 RR was used. The experiments were arranged in a randomized block design, with four replicates. The evaluations were carried out by measuring crop stand 20 days after sowing and pre-harvest, plant height, first pod insertion height, number of pods per plant, grain yield, and estimated yield. Data were submitted to ANOVA and the Tukey test at 5% of probability. Burn-down of U. ruziziensis performed at the same day of crop sowing reduced plant height, number of pods per plant, and crop grain yield. Burn-down timing of U. ruziziensis using glyphosate was recommended to be between 10 and 20 days in advance to crop sowing. In conclusion, soybean yield was affected by burn-down timing of U. ruziziensis