Morphological Functions with Parallel Sets for the Pore Space of X-ray CT Images of Soil Columns

During the last few decades, new imaging techniques like X-ray computed tomography have made available rich and detailed information of the spatial arrangement of soil constituents, usually referred to as soil structure. Mathematical morphology provides a plethora of mathematical techniques to analyze and parameterize the geometry of soil structure. They provide a guide to design the process from image analysis to the generation of synthetic models of soil structure in order to investigate key features of flow and transport phenomena in soil. In this work, we explore the ability of morphological functions built over Minkowski functionals with parallel sets of the pore space to characterize and quantify pore space geometry of columns of intact soil. These morphological functions seem to discriminate the effects on soil pore space geometry of contrasting management practices in a Mediterranean vineyard, and they provide the first step toward identifying the statistical significance of the observed differences

Parallel sets and morphological measurements of CT images of soil pore structure in a vineyard

Important physical and biological processes in soil-plant-microbial systems are dominated by the geometry of soil pore space, and a correct model of this geometry is critical for understanding them. We analyze the geometry of soil pore space with the X-ray computed tomography (CT) of intact soil columns. We present here some preliminary results of our investigation on Minkowski functionals of parallel sets to characterize soil structure. We also show how the evolution of Minkowski morphological measurements of parallel sets may help to characterize the influence of conventional tillage and permanent cover crop of resident vegetation on soil structure in a Spanish Mediterranean vineyard

Fractal parameters of pore space from CT images of soils under contrasting management practices

Soil structure plays an important role in flow and transport phenomena, and a quantitative characterization of the spatial heterogeneity of the pore space geometry is beneficial for prediction of soil physical properties. Morphological features such as pore-size distribution, pore space volume or pore?solid surface can be altered by different soil management practices. Irregularity of these features and their changes can be described using fractal geometry. In this study, we focus primarily on the characterization of soil pore space as a 3D geometrical shape by fractal analysis and on the ability of fractal dimensions to differentiate between two a priori different soil structures. We analyze X-ray computed tomography (CT) images of soils samples from two nearby areas with contrasting management practices. Within these two different soil systems, samples were collected from three depths. Fractal dimensions of the pore-size distributions were different depending on soil use and averaged values also differed at each depth. Fractal dimensions of the volume and surface of the pore space were lower in the tilled soil than in the natural soil but their standard deviations were higher in the former as compared to the latter. Also, it was observed that soil use was a factor that had a statistically significant effect on fractal parameters. Fractal parameters provide useful complementary information about changes in soil structure due to changes in soil management. Read More: http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0218348X14400118?queryID=%24%7BresultBean.queryID%7D

Volume, Surface, Connectivity and Size Distribution of Soil Pore Space in CT Images: Comparison of Samples at Different Depths from Nearby Natural and Tillage Areas

The study of soil structure, i.e., the pores, is of vital importance in different fields of science and technology. Total pore volume (porosity), pore surface, pore connectivity and pore size distribution are some (probably the most important) of the geometric measurements of pore space. The technology of X-ray computed tomography allows us to obtain 3D images of the inside of a soil sample enabling study of the pores without disturbing the samples. In this work we performed a set of geometrical measures, some of them from mathematical morphology, to assess and quantify any possible difference that tillage may have caused on the soil. We compared samples from tilled soil with samples from a soil with natural vegetation taken in a very close area. Our results show that the main differences between these two groups of samples are total surface area and pore connectivity per unit pore volume

Implementación de estrategias BPM y TIC en la cadena de manipulación y distribución de productos agrícolas para la disminución del impacto generado por la pandemia COVID 19 en los municipios de Pasto, Ipiales y Tumaco

This research work is based on the need to create new alternatives for the economic reactivation of the agricultural sector in the department of Nariño, since the COVID 19 pandemic generated great economic and product losses. The objective is to implement GMP and ICT strategies to strengthen the commercialization of products in the municipalities of Pasto, Ipiales and Tumaco; where an analysis was carried out with studies and data collection, of the commercialization dynamics and utility that these generate; concluding that the product is not valued and causes great losses to the farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the producer through training in GMP and ICT tools to give added value to their products, as well as implementing Packing House in these municipalities, where post-harvest handling processes will be carried out on the products, which will be marketed through the AgroTIC virtual platform, improving sales and distribution.Este trabajo de investigación , parte de la necesidad de crear nuevas alternativas para la reactivación económica del sector agrícola del departamento de Nariño, ya que la pandemia COVID 19 generó grandes pérdidas económicas y de producto. El objetivo es implementar estrategias BPM y TIC para fortalecer la comercialización de los productos en los municipios de Pasto, Ipiales y Tumaco; donde se realizó análisis con estudios y recolección de datos, de la dinámica de comercialización y utilidad que estos generan; concluyendo que el producto no es valorado y ocasiona grandes pérdidas a los campesinos. Por lo anterior es necesario fortalecer al productor mediante capacitaciones en BPM y herramientas TIC para darle un valor agregado a sus productos, además implementando Packing House en estos municipios, donde se realizarán procesos de manejo postcosecha a los productos, los cuales serán comercializados por medio de la plataforma virtual AgroTIC, mejorando la venta y distribución. This research work is based on the need to create new alternatives for the economic reactivation of the agricultural sector in the department of Nariño, since the COVID 19 pandemic generated great economic and product losses. The objective is to implement GMP and ICT strategies to strengthen the commercialization of products in the municipalities of Pasto, Ipiales and Tumaco; where an analysis was carried out with studies and data collection, of the commercialization dynamics and utility that these generate; concluding that the product is not valued and causes great losses to the farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the producer through training in GMP and ICT tools to give added value to their products, as well as implementing Packing House in these municipalities, where post-harvest handling processes will be carried out on the products, which will be marketed through the AgroTIC virtual platform, improving sales and distribution

LA FILIAL UNIVERSITARIA EN LA SOLUCIÓN DE PROBLEMAS DEL TERRITORIO

Este  resultado forma parte de una investigación desarrollada por profesores de la Filial Universitaria. Pertenece al proyecto de investigación: Contribución a la producción local de materiales de la construcción desde una perspectiva ambientalista. Se centra en la necesidad de capacitar a los constructores desde la perspectiva ambientalista y potenciar el desarrollo de la producción local de materiales de la construcción como alternativa necesaria actual para preparar a los recursos humanos a un imprescindible proceso de cambio eficaz en el desarrollo local del territorio. Se ha identificado que las construcciones realizadas sin asesoría técnica causan  alteraciones  comunes asociadas a  las obras que se ejecuten  en los diferentes Consejos Populares  y que estas no se proyectan ni construyen de forma que la cantidad de energía necesaria para su utilización sea moderada y que los productos no han de desprender contaminantes ni residuos susceptibles de dispersarse en el medio y de modificar la calidad del mismo, comportando así riesgos para la salud de las personas, animales o plantas, comprometiendo el equilibrio de los ecosistemas. Se realizó un diagnóstico a constructores de las diferentes Mini Industrias de la localidad y a trabajadores pertenecientes a UEB, comprobándose que existe inexistencia de conocimientos sólidos para contribuir a potenciar el desarrollo de la producción local de materiales de la construcción desde una perspectiva ambientalista. Los resultados parciales se han presentado en el Fórum de Ciencia y Técnica a escala municipal, así como en el evento  provincial UNICA 201

Orientation of Pterin-6-Carboxylic Acid on Gold Capped Silicon Nanopillars Platforms: Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Studies

The orientation of pterin-6-carboxylic acid on gold nanopillars was investigated by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory methods. The experimentally vibrations from pterin-6-COOH free and attached to the Au surface display vibration features indicating chemical interaction of the pterin with the metal surface. The spectral feature evidenced that the pterin would adsorb on gold surface with a "lying down" configuration through the high intensity vibration of NH scissoring and rocking OH modes. The orientation study of pterins on gold nanopillars presented herein is believed to lead to new applications in biosensing field for detecting pterins of physiological importance