Seasonal changes in dry matter yield from Karst pastures as influenced by morphoclimatic features

Pastures are strongly affected by local environmental variables in terms of their species richness, plant composition and herbage production. A multi-site monitoring study was conducted over three years to investigate the influence of morphoclimatic factors on the seasonal variations in dry matter (DM) yield from Karst pastures. Seven sites located on the Italian and Slovenian Karst regions were investigated that differed in terms of their geological and geomorphological features, as well as their soil types. At each site, the daily DM yield (kg ha-1 d-1) was determined using Corral-Fenlon method which permits to simulate herbage utilization from grazing herds. The morphoclimatic features were also analysed, with the aim to evaluate the link between seasonal DM yield and geomorphological and environmental factors. Generalized non-linear mixed models were built to study the observed seasonal variations in DM yield, using day of the year (DOY), growing degree days (GDD), and cumulative rainfall. Furthermore, environmental descriptors were included in the model in order to evaluate their effects on DM yield. The seasonal variations in yield showed two growing periods (spring and late summer), which were described by Gaussian curves. For the spring growing period, the model improved when the interaction between soil granulometry and growing degree days corresponding to the curve peak was taken into account. This confirms the influence of soil type and air temperature on pasture yield. For the late summer growing period, the interaction between the sand classes and the number of rainy days from the beginning of the period to the peak of the curve improved the model. The curve parameters of our models are correlated with environmental descriptors depending on the lithology and particle size of soils. The results are essential for the optimization of pasture management and avoiding degradation due to over- or under-grazing

Building a tuberculosis-free world: The Lancet Commission on tuberculosis

___Key messages___ The Commission recommends five priority investments to achieve a tuberculosis-free world within a generation. These investments are designed to fulfil the mandate of the UN High Level Meeting on tuberculosis. In addition, they answer

Morphology-driven parameters of engineered functional surfaces

The feasibility of correlating morphology to functional properties of engineered surfaces is today an issue in the characterization of surface features on large-area substrates to enable quality control in highly-parallel manufacturing. The study aims at investigating traceable parameters for determining the relationship between texture, form, sizes and resistance features of functional surfaces, e.g., printed electrodes on c-Si PV cells of standard design and test structure on a ceramic substrate. Test samples with electrodes of various sizes suitable to test surface features in a wide measurement range have been characterized by optical-confocal profilometry and by resistance measurements with dense data sampling. A significant correlation between cross-section-based calculated resistance from 3D topography measurements and local resistance measurements of fingers has been demonstrated either for PV cell and test structure. A roughness scaling of 0,7 with ceramic cell and of about 1 with c-Si cell has been determined from length-scale and log-log plots of Rq top roughness of surface finger. Fractal parameter of top finger profiles of test structure on ceramic substrate and of c-Si cell with standard design is of about 1,5

he importance of hydrogeological, geological and climatic features in the karst landscape for the protection of water resources and biodiversity. In: Biodiversity and Conservation of karst ecosystems.

The contribution aims to illustrate the importance of the main climatic, geological and hydrogeological features of the karst landscape, in relation to both floral and faunal biodiversity and to human activities (i.e. grazing management). The geomorphological features of the karst landscape derive from the interaction between climatic factors (e.g. meteorological agents), geological setting, and rock mass properties (mainly solubility). Water represents a key element in this landscape and the absence/scarcity of surface water bodies influences land use and human activities as well as the floral and faunal biodiversity. The high porosity and solubility of the calcareous rocks bring about a rapid and consistent infiltration of water into the ground with the development of cavities within which there is a rapid turnover of groundwater. The high vulnerability of this groundwater and the strategic importance of karst springs (often used for public water supply) demand a sound knowledge of the karst aquifer system in order to protect and preserve water resources. After a regional overview of the geographic, microclimatic, geological and hydrogeological context of the extended area, a test site for the BioDiNet project is presented with particular attention to water resource protection (the Rižana spring catchment, Koper, Slovenia) in relation to grazing activities. Finally the relation between the Karst and biodiversity is discussed and an example of the influence of geomorphological and hydrogeological factors on cave fauna biodiversity is provide

Optical measurements of morphology-to-functional parameters on electrical contacts of photovoltaic cells

Traceable parameters for determining the relationship between texture, form, sizes and resistance behaviour of functional surfaces’ features, such as screen-printed electrodes with grids of different design either on c-Si photovoltaic cells and on a ceramic substrate, are studied in this work. Test samples with electrodes of various sizes, suitable to study surface features in a wide measurement range, have been characterized by optical-confocal profilometry and by resistance measurements with dense data sampling. Quantitative measurements of these printed lines in terms of descriptors like the cross-section area and its variations along the segment, and of the top-profile roughness, scaling of roughness and fractal dimension, are presented and discussed either for photovoltaic cells and test structures. A good agreement between the resistance calculated from optical-based 3D morphology measurements and local resistance measurements on these electrodes is demonstrated

A function-driven characterization of printed conductors on PV cells

Nowadays the development in photovoltaic (PV) cells manufacturing requires increasingly sophisticated technologies, and in order to avoid efficiency losses in PV cell, printing techniques of the front contacts have to be well controlled. To this purpose, printed linear conductors (PLCs) on a PV standard cell are characterized by morphology- and resistance-based measurements, creating a well-calibrated test structure towards the development of an application-oriented material measure. It can be noticed that morphology and texture parameters determined by stylus and optical profilers are well in agreement, and the resistance calculated from the reconstructed cross-section area matches quite well the measured resistance of fingers. Uncertainties of about 14% to 17% are estimated for local measurements of morphology- based and measured resistance of finger segments up to 5 mm length. Fingers characterized by somewhat larger roughness/waviness values (Ra, Rq, Wt) show some local irregularities, which may degrade the electrical contact of the PV front surface