Effect of alumina and titanium nitrides inclusions on mechanical properties in high alloyed steels

peer reviewedevery commercial steel product in varying amounts. Since inclusions significantly influence properties and behaviour of materials and at the same time give indications on the quality of the steel, it is quite interesting to precise their nature and their origin. In this paper concerning a project involved in the COST 517 framework, studied alloys are high alloy steels. The raw materials were obtained from the conventionally electrical cast ingot and the Electro Slag Refining processes. The purpose is to compare various inclusions produced by these different processes and their effect on the mechanical properties. The raw material because of the melting processes themselves, leads to a product with a good to a great cleanliness, and tiny inclusions, which are haphazardly distributed. The actual ASTM E45 chart seems to be inappropriate, as the inclusions founded are too small in size. Therefore, we manage to develop a specific procedure for the study of such inclusions. The different types of inclusions encountered are oxides, titanium nitrides, and manganese sulphides. Studying the effect on mechanical properties, oxides often seem to initiate fatigue fracture

A Red List of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Flanders (northern Belgium) and its implications for conservation

Although diversity and abundance of arthropods have been shown to decline globally, they are underrepresented in nature conservation efforts and policies. Belowground taxa are especially neglected, despite their key roles in ecosystem functioning. Terrestrial isopods are litter and soil dwelling and important contributors to litter decomposition and nutrient cycling among others. Yet their conservation status has hardly been assessed. We compared recent extensive citizen science data with historical records to assess a Red List status of the terrestrial isopods in Flanders (northern Belgium) according to the IUCN international standards. We calculated distribution trends (IUCN criterion A) and distribution ranges (IUCN criterion B) for all native species. In total, 34 species of terrestrial isopods occur in Flanders of which one is regionally extinct and ten are threatened. Threatened species are associated with old deciduous forests, coastal habitats, rivers and streams and ancient anthropogenic habitats. Implications for conservation Terrestrial isopods are important decomposers. Assessment of their regional Red List status can set conservation priorities for this rarely assessed trophic level, and facilitate developing local nature conservation and management policies that are complementary to other species groups. Additionally, they share their habitats with a number of threatened species characteristic of old farms and small-scale farming systems. Therefore, this list will be of importance for the assessment of the conservation value of cultural heritage and old farming practices and their associated biodiversity, which is rarely considered

A long-expected finding : the first record of the isopod Eluma caelatum (Miers, 1877) from Belgium (Crustacea: Isopoda: Armadillidiidae)

Since the discovery of Eluma caelatum (Miers, 1877) in the Netherlands close to the Belgium boarder in the mid 1990’s, various attempts have been made to find this isopod species in Belgium. However, these attempts have been unsuccessful until a joint excursion of Belgian and Dutch isopod researchers searched for this enigmatic species once more in autumn 2016. They discovered the first Belgian specimens of E. caelatum at the nature reserve “Zwin” near Knokke in West-Vlaanderen. One month later, another population was found near Sint-Laureins in Oost-Vlaanderen, also close to the Dutch border. Possibly E. caelatum colonised Belgium from the Netherlands since there are no connections with southern populations in France. In Belgium and The Netherlands the species is bound to coastal areas with a synantropic character, like levees of dikes and ditches while it is more of a forest species in southern Europe. Therefore, it is unclear if the species is an accidental import from the south or if the species is native at the edge of its distribution range

Emerging ecosystem services governance issues in the Belgium Ecosystem Services Community of Practice.

In this paper we will focus on how governance issues are being dealt with in the BElgium Ecosystem Services (BEES) Community of Practice and on some Belgian Ecosystem Services (ES) research projects aimed at policy or practice support. As ES governance is still mainly an aspect of policy or practice oriented research, we will specifically focus on method and methodological decision making. The system or systems we aim to govern are complex. But also the governance processes are inherently complex. How do we take this complexity into account in decision support? Do we acknowledge complexity in our approach or do we drastically simplify and reduce it to relatively simple proportions? The methodological approach of decision support methods is open for debate as neither crystal clear nor undisputed yardsticks for best practices exist. On an ambition level, BEES members generally seem to prefer transdisciplinary as well as inclusive valuation approaches, though not exclusively in all circumstances. In Belgium research projects, similar to the developments within BEES, from a research practice dominated by scientists, gradually research processes are opening up to transdisciplinary collaboration. Simultaneously these processes gradually shift from mainly top down approaches to bottom up approaches or hybrid combinations of both entry points. A closer and more nuanced view shows that real transdisciplinary collaboration in Belgian ES research still is only at the beginning. Partly this can be explained by the fact that inter- and transdisciplinary approaches are perhaps more realistic, but also have to deal with more social complexity. New balances have to be found between sophistication and pragmatics. Also the role of science can become more ambiguous: the closer to stakeholders, the more an independent role can be questioned. Regarding ES valuation methods, in general a trend towards more inclusive valuation is clearly noticeable in Belgian ES research, inclusive in the sense of a diversity of ES valuation aspects to be taken into account, diverse types of expression of value(s), a combination of quantifiable and qualitative information, and a diversity of valuators by way of more bottom-up approaches. Still, there are quite some differences between projects and challenges for integration.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Multiple conceptualizations of nature are key to inclusivity and legitimacy in global environmental governance

Despite increasing scientific understanding of the global environmental crisis, we struggle to adopt the policies science suggests would be effective. One of the reasons for that is the lack of inclusive engagement and dialogue among a wide range of different actors. Furthermore, there is a lack of consideration of differences between languages, worldviews and cultures. In this paper, we propose that engagement across the science-policy interface can be strengthened by being mindful of the breadth and depth of the diverse human-nature relations found around the globe. By examining diverse conceptualizations of “nature” in more than 60 languages, we identify three clusters: inclusive conceptualizations where humans are viewed as an integral component of nature; non-inclusive conceptualizations where humans are separate from nature; and deifying conceptualizations where nature is understood and experienced within a spiritual dimension. Considering and respecting this rich repertoire of ways of describing, thinking about and relating to nature can help us communicate in ways that resonate across cultures and worldviews. This repertoire also provides a resource we can draw on when defining policies and sustainability scenarios for the future, offering opportunities for finding solutions to global environmental challenges.Despite increasing scientific understanding of the global environmental crisis, we struggle to adopt the policies science suggests would be effective. One of the reasons for that is the lack of inclusive engagement and dialogue among a wide range of different actors. Furthermore, there is a lack of consideration of differences between languages, worldviews and cultures. In this paper, we propose that engagement across the science-policy interface can be strengthened by being mindful of the breadth and depth of the diverse human-nature relations found around the globe. By examining diverse conceptualizations of “nature” in more than 60 languages, we identify three clusters: inclusive conceptualizations where humans are viewed as an integral component of nature; non-inclusive conceptualizations where humans are separate from nature; and deifying conceptualizations where nature is understood and experienced within a spiritual dimension. Considering and respecting this rich repertoire of ways of describing, thinking about and relating to nature can help us communicate in ways that resonate across cultures and worldviews. This repertoire also provides a resource we can draw on when defining policies and sustainability scenarios for the future, offering opportunities for finding solutions to global environmental challenges.Peer reviewe

Multiple conceptualizations of nature are key to inclusivity and legitimacy in global environmental governance

Despite increasing scientific understanding of the global environmental crisis, we struggle to adopt the policies science suggests would be effective. One of the reasons for that is the lack of inclusive engagement and dialogue among a wide range of different actors. Furthermore, there is a lack of consideration of differences between languages, worldviews and cultures. In this paper, we propose that engagement across the science-policy interface can be strengthened by being mindful of the breadth and depth of the diverse human-nature relations found around the globe. By examining diverse conceptualizations of “nature” in more than 60 languages, we identify three clusters: inclusive conceptualizations where humans are viewed as an integral component of nature; non-inclusive conceptualizations where humans are separate from nature; and deifying conceptualizations where nature is understood and experienced within a spiritual dimension. Considering and respecting this rich repertoire of ways of describing, thinking about and relating to nature can help us communicate in ways that resonate across cultures and worldviews. This repertoire also provides a resource we can draw on when defining policies and sustainability scenarios for the future, offering opportunities for finding solutions to global environmental challenges