Proposal for a EU quality label for aerospace education

The paper presents a possible roadmap for the definition of a European quality label for aerospace related higher education degrees. The proposal is the result of a two-years long Horizon 2020 project that has involved a great portion of the European stakeholders in aerospace: Universities, research centres, industries (both small and large) networks, associations and accreditation agencies. The core concept established is that it is possible to establish a sector-specific, content based, quality system, that can complement the existing national or European accreditation systems, providing added value to the internal and/or external quality assurance processes that are in place in most EU countries. The tools and processes proposed are sufficiently simple to be manageable by Universities in addition to their national accreditation processes or as stand-alone assessment. The main goal of the proposed process is the evaluation of the quality of the aerospace curricula in the European context, whereas the accreditation of the programme can be seen as an optional extension of the process, subject to further national regulations. The process is proposed in view of the awarding of a sector-specific, content based, quality label, to be issued by an appropriate legally recognized and qualified institution. 8 field tests with volunteering universities throughout Europe have been performed. They experienced the method as very practical and to the point.Unión Europea H2020 64021

THE ISSUE. Traffic, Health, Environment; Intelligent Solutions Sustaining Urban Economies.

THE ISSUE is a project within the Regions of Knowledge scheme funded through the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme. THE ISSUE focuses on Traffic, Health and Environment to achieve Intelligent Solutions for Sustaining Urban Economies by bringing together innovative research-driven clusters to coordinate European research and technology development in six areas. These areas are Intelligent Transportation Systems; transport impacts on urban mobility; transport greening; intermodal regional transport; safety and security of citizens; and associated economic, health and environmental impacts. THE ISSUE project particularly addresses the use of space technologies from satellite remote sensing and navigation, as well as GIS and computer intelligence technologies in transport-related sectors. This paper looks into the general presentation of the project and the first results.EU FP7 Regions Of Knowledge projec

Intelligent Solutions Sustaining Urban Economies – Master Classes case study

This is an output from the FP7 Regions of Knowledge project THE-ISSUE. This project is developing an EU network in the field of Intelligent Transport Systems that deliver on multiple policy objectives, Transport Health & the Environment. More can be found at www.theissue.euTHE ISSUE is a project within the Regions of Knowledge scheme funded through the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme. THE ISSUE focuses on traffic, health and the environment to achieve intelligent solutions for sustaining urban economies by bringing together innovative research-driven clusters to coordinate European research and technology development in six areas. These comprise ITS; transport impacts on urban mobility; transport greening; intermodal regional transport; safety and security of citizens; and associated economic, health and environmental impacts. THE ISSUE project particularly addresses the use of space technologies from satellite remote sensing and navigation, as well as GIS and computer intelligence technologies in transport-related sectors. This paper specifically looks into the planned Master Classes program. THE ISSUE project comprises research clusters from the East Midlands Region in the UK, the Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine Regions in France, the Molise Region in Italy and the Mazovia Region in Poland. Each region has set up a three-way partnership between regional authorities, academic partners, and industry contributors working to draw together the industry and academic strengths in the regions and connect the research with the needs of managing traffic, transport, and air quality that the regional bodies are responsible for. The three-year project is supporting scientists, engineers and development agencies from the different regions to work together, using the latest space and information technologies, to develop more effective methods of easing road congestion and improving the urban environment. As part of THE ISSUE project "Master Class" knowledge exchange programmes will be developed using material from the earlier review of applicable technology and expertise within the THE ISSUE consortium. Two variants will be developed, one focussing on senior management and policy/strategy makers and the other with a focus on technical awareness and implementation. The "Master Classes" will be trailed and delivered through workshops for core partners and associates. The case studies, which will be part of the Master Classes, will present information on how cartography, GPS&GIS database applications, navigation and remote sensing are used in urban transport, health and air quality related data. The project is bringing together scientists, engineers, development agencies and bodies responsible for managing traffic, transport and air quality in four European regional clusters using advanced space and information technologies, to develop the most effective methods of easing urban congestion and improving the impact of transport on the local economy, urban environment, climate change and the health of citizens. These Master Classes materials will contribute for the exchange of knowledge and expertise in sustainable traffic solutions between academic, business and public sector partners within and across the five European regions.EU FP

Dynamique saisonnière des transferts particulaires dans les systèmes fluviaux-estuariens : application des radioisotopes à courtes périodes : 234 Th, 7 Be et 210 Pb

L’objectif de ce travail était de tester l’utilisation des radioisotopes naturels à courte période (234Th, 7Be et 210Pb) comme traceurs des transferts des particules dans le bassin versant de la Garonne-Dordogne-Gironde. Dans un premier temps, la faisabilité de la méthode basée sur le 234Th a été testée dans les rivières. Les résultats ont montré qu’une valeur de 5 mBq l-1 correspondant au seuil en 238UD est nécessaire pour l’application du 234Th en rivière. Dans un deuxième temps, le suivi sur deux années (2006-2007) des radioéléments naturels, 234Th, 7Be et 210Pb, et artificiels, 137Cs et 131I, dans le Lot, la Garonne et l’estuaire de la Gironde, a permis de distinguer les différentes étapes du transport des particules en relation avec l’hydrologie. L’atout de l’utilisation de ces traceurs est d’accéder à de premières estimations du temps de résidence des sédiments et du pourcentage des fractions anciennes et récentes. Dans le Lot et la Garonne, il existe une rétention des particules (2-89 jours) pendant l’étiage et les débits moyens, et de fortes remises en suspension des sédiments anciens à débits élevés. La moyenne du pourcentage des sédiments récents dans les rivières est d’environ 25 %, ce qui montre que les matériaux en suspension (MES) dans les rivières sont dominés par des sédiments anciens. Dans l’estuaire de la Gironde, le temps de résidence varie en fonction de l’hydrologie des rivières : pendant les périodes de forts débits, le temps de transit des particules de la Réole jusqu’à l’océan est seulement de quelque mois (~150 jours) ; alors que pendant les périodes d’étiage, l’âge des sédiments augmente dans la zone de turbidité maximum atteignant jusqu’à 400 jours.The main objective of this study was to develop short-lived radioisotopes (234Th, 7Be and 210Pb) as tracers of particle transport in the Garonne-Dordogne-Gironde watershed. Firstly, the possibility to use 234Th/238U pair to study particle residence time in the Gironde fluvial-estuarine system was tested. The results show that dissolved 238U should be greater than 5 mBq l-1 to permit this application in fluvial systems. Secondly, the two years monitoring of natural radioisotopes, 234Th, 7Be and 210Pb, and artificial radioisotopes, 137Cs and 131I, in the Garonne and Lot rivers and in the Gironde Estuary, had allowed to observe the dynamic of particle transport, linked to the river flow. Based on this database, preliminary particle residence times and percentages of the new and old sediments were estimated. In the Lot and Garonne rivers, the particle retention ranges between 2-89 days during low and mean river discharges. The percentage of the new sediments is average 25 %, which indicates that the old resuspended sediments are dominated the suspended particulate matters (SPM). In the Gironde estuary, the particle residence time is mainly controlled by river discharge. The particle residence time during low river discharge is about 400 days. When the river discharge is increasing, the freshwaters are predominant in the estuary, the maximum turbidity zone (TMZ) is dispersed and the old sediments transported toward the ocean. During this period the particle residence time is only few months

Dynamique saisonnière des transferts particulaires dans les systèmes fluviaux-estuariens : application des radioisotopes à courtes périodes : 234 Th, 7 Be et 210 Pb

The main objective of this study was to develop short-lived radioisotopes (234Th, 7Be and 210Pb) as tracers of particle transport in the Garonne-Dordogne-Gironde watershed. Firstly, the possibility to use 234Th/238U pair to study particle residence time in the Gironde fluvial-estuarine system was tested. The results show that dissolved 238U should be greater than 5 mBq l-1 to permit this application in fluvial systems. Secondly, the two years monitoring of natural radioisotopes, 234Th, 7Be and 210Pb, and artificial radioisotopes, 137Cs and 131I, in the Garonne and Lot rivers and in the Gironde Estuary, had allowed to observe the dynamic of particle transport, linked to the river flow. Based on this database, preliminary particle residence times and percentages of the new and old sediments were estimated. In the Lot and Garonne rivers, the particle retention ranges between 2-89 days during low and mean river discharges. The percentage of the new sediments is average 25 %, which indicates that the old resuspended sediments are dominated the suspended particulate matters (SPM). In the Gironde estuary, the particle residence time is mainly controlled by river discharge. The particle residence time during low river discharge is about 400 days. When the river discharge is increasing, the freshwaters are predominant in the estuary, the maximum turbidity zone (TMZ) is dispersed and the old sediments transported toward the ocean. During this period the particle residence time is only few months.L’objectif de ce travail était de tester l’utilisation des radioisotopes naturels à courte période (234Th, 7Be et 210Pb) comme traceurs des transferts des particules dans le bassin versant de la Garonne-Dordogne-Gironde. Dans un premier temps, la faisabilité de la méthode basée sur le 234Th a été testée dans les rivières. Les résultats ont montré qu’une valeur de 5 mBq l-1 correspondant au seuil en 238UD est nécessaire pour l’application du 234Th en rivière. Dans un deuxième temps, le suivi sur deux années (2006-2007) des radioéléments naturels, 234Th, 7Be et 210Pb, et artificiels, 137Cs et 131I, dans le Lot, la Garonne et l’estuaire de la Gironde, a permis de distinguer les différentes étapes du transport des particules en relation avec l’hydrologie. L’atout de l’utilisation de ces traceurs est d’accéder à de premières estimations du temps de résidence des sédiments et du pourcentage des fractions anciennes et récentes. Dans le Lot et la Garonne, il existe une rétention des particules (2-89 jours) pendant l’étiage et les débits moyens, et de fortes remises en suspension des sédiments anciens à débits élevés. La moyenne du pourcentage des sédiments récents dans les rivières est d’environ 25 %, ce qui montre que les matériaux en suspension (MES) dans les rivières sont dominés par des sédiments anciens. Dans l’estuaire de la Gironde, le temps de résidence varie en fonction de l’hydrologie des rivières : pendant les périodes de forts débits, le temps de transit des particules de la Réole jusqu’à l’océan est seulement de quelque mois (~150 jours) ; alors que pendant les périodes d’étiage, l’âge des sédiments augmente dans la zone de turbidité maximum atteignant jusqu’à 400 jours

Dynamique saisonnière des transferts particulaires dans les systèmes fluviaux-estuariens (application des radioisotopes à courtes périodes)

L objectif de ce travail était de tester l utilisation des radioisotopes naturels à courte période (234Th, 7Be et 210Pb) comme traceurs des transferts des particules dans le bassin versant de la Garonne-Dordogne-Gironde. Dans un premier temps, la faisabilité de la méthode basée sur le 234Th a été testée dans les rivières. Les résultats ont montré qu une valeur de 5 mBq l-1 correspondant au seuil en 238UD est nécessaire pour l application du 234Th en rivière. Dans un deuxième temps, le suivi sur deux années (2006-2007) des radioéléments naturels, 234Th, 7Be et 210Pb, et artificiels, 137Cs et 131I, dans le Lot, la Garonne et l estuaire de la Gironde, a permis de distinguer les différentes étapes du transport des particules en relation avec l hydrologie. L atout de l utilisation de ces traceurs est d accéder à de premières estimations du temps de résidence des sédiments et du pourcentage des fractions anciennes et récentes. Dans le Lot et la Garonne, il existe une rétention des particules (2-89 jours) pendant l étiage et les débits moyens, et de fortes remises en suspension des sédiments anciens à débits élevés. La moyenne du pourcentage des sédiments récents dans les rivières est d environ 25 %, ce qui montre que les matériaux en suspension (MES) dans les rivières sont dominés par des sédiments anciens. Dans l estuaire de la Gironde, le temps de résidence varie en fonction de l hydrologie des rivières : pendant les périodes de forts débits, le temps de transit des particules de la Réole jusqu à l océan est seulement de quelque mois (~150 jours) ; alors que pendant les périodes d étiage, l âge des sédiments augmente dans la zone de turbidité maximum atteignant jusqu à 400 jours.The main objective of this study was to develop short-lived radioisotopes (234Th, 7Be and 210Pb) as tracers of particle transport in the Garonne-Dordogne-Gironde watershed. Firstly, the possibility to use 234Th/238U pair to study particle residence time in the Gironde fluvial-estuarine system was tested. The results show that dissolved 238U should be greater than 5 mBq l-1 to permit this application in fluvial systems. Secondly, the two years monitoring of natural radioisotopes, 234Th, 7Be and 210Pb, and artificial radioisotopes, 137Cs and 131I, in the Garonne and Lot rivers and in the Gironde Estuary, had allowed to observe the dynamic of particle transport, linked to the river flow. Based on this database, preliminary particle residence times and percentages of the new and old sediments were estimated. In the Lot and Garonne rivers, the particle retention ranges between 2-89 days during low and mean river discharges. The percentage of the new sediments is average 25 %, which indicates that the old resuspended sediments are dominated the suspended particulate matters (SPM). In the Gironde estuary, the particle residence time is mainly controlled by river discharge. The particle residence time during low river discharge is about 400 days. When the river discharge is increasing, the freshwaters are predominant in the estuary, the maximum turbidity zone (TMZ) is dispersed and the old sediments transported toward the ocean. During this period the particle residence time is only few months.BORDEAUX1-Bib.electronique (335229901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Effect of cropping system and peat amendment on strawberry growth and yield

Pelto- ja puutarhakasvien sato on yleensä ollut vähäisempi luonnonmukaisessa viljelyssä kuin tavanomaisessa. Syynä on luomuviljelyyn hyväksyttyjen lannoitusaineiden (esim. lannat, kompostit, viherlannoitus) vähäisempi ravinnesisältö, sekä rajoitetut keinot rikkakasvien, kasvitautien ja tuholaisten torjumiseksi. Luomuviljelyssä käytetyt menetelmät kuitenkin todennäköisesti ylläpitävät pellon monimuotoisuutta sekä suojaavat peltomaata eloperäisen aineksen hävikiltä ja eliötoiminnan heikentymiseltä. Tässä julkaisussa verrataan mansikan kasvua ja sadontuottokykyä pellossa, jossa on takana 18 vuoden luonnonmukainen tai tavanomainen viljelyhistoria. Tämä MTT:n koekenttä sijaitsi hiesumaalla Laukaassa, Keski- Suomessa. Koealueella oli vuosina 1982 1993 viljelty viljakasveja tavanomaisin menetelmin sekä omavaraisen, ulkomaisista tuotantopanoksista riippumattoman, viljelyn periaattein. Käytännössä omavaraisen viljelyn menetelmät olivat hyvin lähellä luomuviljelyä. Vuosina 1994 1999 omavaraisesti viljellyt ja osa tavanomaisesti viljellyistä ruuduista siirrettiin luomuviljelyyn. Koeruutuja oli yhteensä 36 ja koeasetelmana osaruutukoe, jossa osaruutuja oli neljä (1 tavanomainen ja 3 luonnonmukaista viljelytapaa), pääruutuja kolme (viljelykierto aloitettu 3 eri kohtaa) ja toistoja kolme. Alkukesällä 2000 yhdelle pääruuduista, eli rinnakkaisista viljelykierroista, levitettiin 500 m3 ha-1 maanparannusturvetta. Kesäkuussa koealueelle istutettiin mansikkakasvusto mustalla muovilla katettuihin ja tihkukastelujärjestelmällä varustettuihin harjuihin. Tavanomaisen viljelyhistorian omaaville ruuduille annettiin kivennäislannoitus perustettaessa ja liuoslannoitusta kasvukausien aikana tihkukastelujärjestelmän kautta. Luomuviljelyhistorian omaaville ruuduille annettiin karjanlantakompostia perustettaessa ja vettä tihkukasteluna. Mansikan talvehtiminen arvioitiin ja sato määritettiin kukkavana-analyysin avulla vuosina 2001 ja 2002. Loppukesällä 2002 määritettiin myös mansikan lehvästömassa. Syksyllä 2001 määritettiin liukoisten ravinteiden pitoisuudet sekä orgaanisen aineksen määrä maassa. Luonnonmukaisin menetelmin viljellyssä maassa mansikkasadot olivat suurempia kuin tavanomaisen viljelyhistorian omaavassa maassa. Myös mansikan lehvästön kasvu oli rehevintä luomuviljellyssä maassa. Luomuviljely vaikutti maan ravinnetilaan siten, että fosforiluku laski hyvästä tyydyttävään ja kaliluku välttävästä huononlaiseksi, mutta ammoniumtypen määrä lisääntyi (tavanomaisesti viljellyssä 40 ja luomuviljellyssä maassa 60 kg/ha). Maanparannusturve ei selvästi vaikuttanut mansikkasatoihin, vaikka se paransikin mansikan talvehtimista. Turve nosti huomattavasti koealueen lähtökohtaisesti alhaista humuspitoisuutta, luomuviljely puolestaan nosti sitä hieman. Tulosten perusteella voidaan todeta, että luonnonmukaisella viljelyllä voidaan saada aikaan hiesupellossa edullisia muutoksia, jotka näkyvät monivuotisten puutarhakasvien sadontuottokyvyssä. Mansikan kasvuun ja satoisuuteen on saattanut pitkäaikaisen viljelyhistorian lisäksi vaikuttaa erot mansikkakasvuston lannoituskäytännössä (luomussa karjanlanta, tavanomaisessa rakeinen ja liuoslannoitus).Comparative studies have usually shown higher yields in conventional cropping systems (CCS) than in organic cropping systems (OCS). By utilizing a long-term field experiment on silt soil with 18 years of cropping history (1982 1999), including three OCSs and one CCS, we studied if this is true also for strawberry. The strawberry experiment was conducted in 2000 2002. The experiment had one CCS (A) and three OCSs (B,C,D). The impact of pre-planting peat amendment was also studied. The degree of overwintering, fruit yields, yield components and some soil nutrients were determined. Total and marketable fruit yields were estimated using a peduncle analysis based on weights of fruits of different orders in the peduncle, numbers of healthy and injured fruits in the peduncle and the number of peduncles per plant. The shoot growth, total and marketable fruit yields, as well as all yield components estimated were significantly higher in the OCS rotation D than in the CCS rotation A. The peat amendment, but not the cropping system, decreased the percentage of strawberry plants suffering from or killed by winter damage. However, peat amendment did not affect yield. The cropping system had no impact on soil pH, or the amount of extractable calcium, magnesium and nitrate. Extractable phosphorus and potassium were higher and soil organic carbon (Corg) slightly higher in the OCS than in the CCS. The peat amendment increased Corg by 2%. The amounts of extractable nutrients in soil were not a limiting factor for strawberry growth and yield as they were of sufficient levels both in CCS and OCS. It remains unclear whether the higher yield in the OCS was due to a long-term cropping history or to a short-term effect of composted manure, or to a combination of these two. The importance of soil organic management in strawberry production is emphasized.v2008okViljelyjärjestelmän ja turpeenlisäyksen vaikutus mansikan kasvuun ja satoisuutee

Proposal for a EU quality label for aerospace education

The paper presents a possible roadmap for the definition of a European quality label for aerospace related higher education degrees. The proposal is the result of a two-years long Horizon 2020 project that has involved a great portion of the European stakeholders in aerospace: Universities, research centres, industries (both small and large) networks, associations and accreditation agencies. The core concept established is that it is possible to establish a sector-specific, content based, quality system, that can complement the existing national or European accreditation systems, providing added value to the internal and/or external quality assurance processes that are in place in most EU countries. The tools and processes proposed are sufficiently simple to be manageable by Universities in addition to their national accreditation processes or as stand-alone assessment. The main goal of the proposed process is the evaluation of the quality of the aerospace curricula in the European context, whereas the accreditation of the programme can be seen as an optional extension of the process, subject to further national regulations. The process is proposed in view of the awarding of a sector-specific, content based, quality label, to be issued by an appropriate legally recognized and qualified institution. 8 field tests with volunteering universities throughout Europe have been performed. They experienced the method as very practical and to the point.Flight Performance and Propulsio