Assessing temperature signal in X-RAY densitometric data of norway spruce and the earliest instrumental record from the Carpathi

Radiodensity data derived from Norway spruce were studied from a southern Carpathian site. Maximum density record showed significant positive relationship (r=0.59) with the growing season (April-September) air temperature and minimum density (MND) record showed clear and significant negative response (r=-0.41) to June-July mean air temperature. This significant MND response to climate is a novel result as traditionally this densitometric parameter was regarded not to carry any meaningful climatic signal. Derived temperature sensitive proxy records were compared to instrumental data of Sibiu (Nagyszeben/Hermannstadt) the oldest available regional station. Results of the running window correlation analysis pointed out notable inhomogeneities in the instrumental data before 1906. The Sibiu temperature series should be subjected to scrutiny revision to clean it from inhomogeneities

STUDY ON EXPERT STATUS IN THE EUROPEAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

In some European countries, expert status is defined by the legislation, whereas, inothers, by the membership of a professional group or specialized institution under theMinistry of Justice and Police, this subordination being of a financial nature, withoutaffecting the expertise itself.This article contain a point of view regarding the European judicial system, the termexpert’s different meanings and the criteria that define an expert’s status and which aredifferent from one state to another

Improving the Performances of Asynchronous Search Algorithms in Scale-Free Networks Using the Nogood Processor Technique

The scale-free graphs were proposed as a generic and universal model of network topologies that exhibit power-law distributions in the connectivity of network nodes. In recent years various complex networks were identified as having a scale-free structure. Little research was done concerning the network structure for DisCSP, and in particular, for scale-free networks. The asynchronous searching techniques are characterized by the occurrence of nogood values during the search for a solution. In this article we analyze the distribution of nogood values to agents and the way how to use the information from the nogood; that is called the nogood processor technique. We examine the effect of nogood processor for networks that have a scale-free structure aiming to develop search algorithms specialized for scale-free networks of constraints, algorithms that require minimum costs for obtaining the solution. We develop a novel way for distributing nogood values to agents, thus obtaining a new hybrid search technique that uses the information from the stored nogoods. The experiments show that it is more effective for several families of asynchronous techniques; we perform tests with the model running on a cluster of computers. Also, we examine the effect of synchronization of agents' execution and of processing messages by packets in scale-free networks

An allometry-based approach for understanding forest structure, predicting tree-size distribution and assessing the degree of disturbance

Tree-size distribution is one of the most investigated subjects in plant population biology. The forestry literature reports that tree-size distribution trajectories vary across different stands and/or species, while the metabolic scaling theory suggests that the tree number scales universally as -2 power of diameter. Here, we propose a simple functional scaling model in which these two opposing results are reconciled. Basic principles related to crown shape, energy optimization and the finite size scaling approach were used to define a set of relationships based on a single parameter, which allows us to predict the slope of the tree-size distributions in a steady state condition. We tested the model predictions on four temperate mountain forests. Plots (4 ha each, fully mapped) were selected with different degrees of human disturbance (semi-natural stands vs. formerly managed). Results showed that the size distribution range successfully fitted by the model is related to the degree of forest disturbance: in semi-natural forests the range is wide, while in formerly managed forests, the agreement with the model is confined to a very restricted range. We argue that simple allometric relationships, at individual level, shape the structure of the whole forest community.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figure

BRIEF CONSIDERATIONS ON THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND INSOLVENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL UNITS IN THE VIEW OF THE NEW REGULATIONS

The reason for which the Government Emergency Ordinance No 46/2013 regardingthe financial crisis and insolvency of administrative-territorial units is the fulfillment of theobligations assumed by Romania in order to reduce the overdue registered by theadministrative-territorial units to their suppliers of goods, services and works. The articleaims to analyze the general framework and the procedures regarding the coverage of theliability and the financial recovery of the administrative-territorial units which are in afinancial crisis or in insolvency, relating to the general framework for insolvency, namelyLaw No 85/2006, as well as the Law No 273/2006 regarding local public finances updatedand amended by Law No 13/2011

Synthesis, structural and magnetic characterization of nanocrystalline nickel ferrite-NiFe2O4 obtained by reactive milling

International audienceNanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) has been synthesized from a stoichiometric mixture of oxides NiO and alpha-Fe2O3 in a high energy planetary mill. An annealing at 350 degrees C, after milling, was used to improve the solid state reaction. The obtained powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The particles size distribution was analyzed using a laser particle size analyser. The nickel ferrite begins to form after 4 h of milling and continuously form up to 16 h of milling. The obtained nickel ferrite has many inhomogeneities and a distorted spinel structure. The mean crystallites size at the final time of milling is 9 +/- 2 nm and the lattice parameter increases with increase the milling time. DSC measurements revealed a large exothermic peak associated with cations reordering in the crystalline structure. The magnetization of the obtained powder depends on the milling time and annealing. After the complete reaction between the starting oxides the milling reduces the magnetization of the samples. The magnetization increases after annealing, due to the reorganization of the cations into the spinel structure

Height-diameter models for mixed-species forests consisting of spruce, fir, and beech

Height-diameter models define the general relationship between the tree height and diameter at each growth stage of the forest stand. This paper presents generalized height-diameter models for mixed-species forest stands consisting of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.), Silver fir (Abies alba L.), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) from Slovakia. The models were derived using two growth functions from the exponential family: the two-parameter Michailoff and three-parameter Korf functions. Generalized height-diameter functions must normally be constrained to pass through the mean stand diameter and height, and then the final growth model has only one or two parameters to be estimated. These "free" parameters are then expressed over the quadratic mean diameter, height and stand age and the final mathematical form of the model is obtained. The study material included 50 long-term experimental plots located in the Western Carpathians. The plots were established 40–50 years ago and have been repeatedly measured at 5 to 10-year intervals. The dataset includes 7,950 height measurements of spruce, 21,661 of fir and 5,794 of beech. As many as 9 regression models were derived for each species. Although the "goodness of fit" of all models showed that they were generally well suited for the data, the best results were obtained for silver fir. The coefficient of determination ranged from 0.946 to 0.948, RMSE (m) was in the interval 1.94–1.97 and the bias (m) was –0.031 to 0.063. Although slightly imprecise parameter estimation was established for spruce, the estimations of the regression parameters obtained for beech were quite less precise. The coefficient of determination for beech was 0.854–0.860, RMSE (m) 2.67–2.72, and the bias (m) ranged from –0.144 to –0.056. The majority of models using Korf's formula produced slightly better estimations than Michailoff's, and it proved immaterial which estimated parameter was fixed and which parameters were free. This record was migrated from the OpenDepot repository service in June, 2017 before shutting down