bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Wetting on The Course of The Drum Granulation
Authors: Błaszczyk Michał , Heim Andrzej , Olejnik Tomasz P.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the results of experimental drum granulation of silica flour with the use of wetting liquids with different values of surface tension. Additionally, different liquid jet breakup and different residual moisture of the bed were applied in the tests. The process was conducted periodically in two stages: wetting and proper granulation, during which no liquid was supplied to the bed. The condition of the granulated material after the period of wetting (particle size distribution and moisture of separate fractions) and a change in the particle size distribution during the further conduct of the process (granulation kinetics) were determined.
Teaching as Creative Process: Perspectives From Personal Narratives
Authors: Doyle Charlotte L.
Published: July 2017

This paper explores the place of teaching in the landscape of creativity. It draws on analyses of interview narratives from dedicated teachers from various educational levels and teaching contexts; none had been singled out as creative by their institutions. Asked when teaching had been experienced as a creative process, rather than describing specific incidents, the teachers told of projects and goals that spanned a semester or year. Daily activities contributed to the projects, making creativity in teaching everyday creativity in both the technical and literal senses. Interview protocols were analyzed into meaning units and categorized into themes. Some themes were similar to those in studies of creative teachers and teaching, though no prior study explicitly put forward all of them. The interviewed teachers described practices previously suggested for nurturing student creativity. Most themes echoed features found in creativity studies of various other domains. Two unique features were the double nature of intrinsic motivation and the nature of the creative “product.”
Selected Concepts in The Development of Drawing Activity in Children Aged 3 to 12
Authors: Didkowska Bernadeta
Published: July 2017

More than a hundred years of research on the drawing activity of children and young people shows both a change in the way it is perceived and in its importance for healthy development. Numerous monographs, dissertations, research conducted by psychologists, pedagogues, aestheticians, art historians and visual artists has contributed to the popularity of terms such as “children’s art” or “children’s artistic work”. Children’s and young people’s drawings have not only been acknowledged for their artistic and aesthetic value, but also for their projective and psychometric qualities. Research on children’s drawing shows that the depiction is a result of knowledge and perception, which depends on personality and intelligence, as well as on emotions, persistent views and attitudes. Furthermore, the content, as well as the formal qualities of a drawing are subject to the constant influence of changing aesthetic conventions and cultural processes. This article deals with selected classic concepts of artistic development in children aged 3 to 12 defined by researchers such as Stefan Szuman, Georges Henri Luquet, Viktor Lowenfeld and Lambert Brittain, Rudolf Arnheim, Ernst H. Gombrich and Władysław Strzemiński. The crucial aspect of this disquisition was to emphasize the value of spontaneous children’s drawings and of the role of spontaneous drawing in their appropriate development. It was equally important to highlight the need for the students to do their own creative work with a teacher assisting them only as a guide, a discrete observer and potential advisor. This is why I pondered upon the following key notions in characterizing the drawing activity of children aged 3 to 12: the period of scheme in drawing development (ideoplastic art, S.Szuman), spontaneous drawing and drawing scheme.
From theory to practice of ecotourism: major obstacles that stand in the way and best practices that lead to success
Authors: Dimitriou Christina K.
Published: July 2017

Ecotourism has been described as the ideal kind of tourism, as it aims to conserve the natural, cultural and other tourist resources for continuous use for future generations whilst still bringing benefits to the present societies. Theoretically, it sounds so promising and attractive, but when it comes to its actual implementation, significant constraints bar the way to success. Various countries that attempted to foster sustainable development in their communities, either partially achieved their goals or their implementation totally lapsed. These fruitless efforts clearly reflect the huge gap that still exists between the theory and practice of ecotourism. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap that seems to have been growing in recent years by explaining what has been done wrong and what specific policies and procedures could help bring a positive change. This paper aims to move from theory to practice and concentrate on how the implementation of ecotourism can be achieved properly and lead to success. The key factors responsible for failure are addressed, so they can be avoided and mistakes of the past will not be repeated. It also serves as a guide to more effective strategies of promoting ecotourism successfully around the world.
Evaluation of Damage Degree of Inconel 718 using Nondestructive Indicators of Damage
Authors: Krysztofik Józef
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the results of the quantitative evaluation of the degree of damage caused by plastic strain accumulated in static tensile tests and creep tests. To detect changes in the structure of the material and in order to determine the degradation of the materials, nondestructive methods were used, namely the ultrasonic and eddy current methods. In ultrasonic testing, attenuation and acoustic birefringence were used as damage indicators. In the case of the eddy current method, changes in the phase angle of impedance were observed in the material. The material tested was Inconel 718 alloy. Inconel alloys are often find application in extreme working conditions including in the power engineering industry, aviation and aerospace. A new type of specimen with the variable cross-sectional area of the measuring part was used in the tests. This allowed researchers to obtain a continuous distribution of plastic strain and enabled analysis of the material with respect to different damage degrees. The correlation between the degree of damage, expressed by the measure of deformation, and the value of nondestructive indicators was determined. On the basis of it, the dependence indicating the ability to nondestructive evaluation of the degradation degree of the material, subjected to loads exceeding the yield limit was obtained.
The Elaboration of the Method of Fatigue Testing of the Rotor of the Mosups Plane Propulsion System
Authors: Głowacki Dominik , Rodzewicz Mirosław
Published: July 2017

This paper concerns fatigue testing of the rotor of the propulsion system for the MOSUPS – an unmanned aircraft designed in a joint wing configuration, and equipped with a ducted propeller. The work presents the analysis of the stresses and deformations of the rotor structure as well as the form of the loading cycle. The aim of the paper is to introduce the concept of a simplified method of fatigue testing of multi-blade rotors. With the sophisticated geometry of the rotor in mind – the authors applied the FEM tools and implemented the ANSYS and nCode programs. The prototype of the fatigue stand built by the authors is also presented in the paper.
Fatigue Cracks Detection using PZT Transducers under the Influence of Uncertain Environmental Factors
Authors: Dziendzikowski Michal , Klimaszewski Slawomir , Dragan Krzysztof
Published: July 2017

This paper presents technique for qualitative assessment of fatigue crack growth monitoring, utilizing guided elastic waves generated by the sparse PZT piezoelectric transducers network in the pitch – catch configuration. Two Damage Indices (DIs) correlated with the total energy received by a given sensor are used to detect fatigue cracks and monitor their growth. The indices proposed carry marginal signal information content in order to decrease their sensitivity with respect to other undesired non-controllable factors which may distort the received signal. The reason for that is to limit the false calls ratio which besides the damage detection capability of a system, plays a crucial role in applications. However, even such simplified damage indices can alter over a long term, leading to the misclassification problem. Considering a single sensing path, it is very difficult to distinguish whether the resultant change of DIs is caused by a damage or due to decoherence of these DIs. Therefore, assessment approaches based on threshold levels fixed separately for DIs obtained on each of the sensing paths, would eventually lead to a false call. An alternative approach is to compare changes of DIs for all sensing paths. Developing damage distorts the signal only for the sensing paths in its proximity. In order to decrease the misclassification risk, a method of compensating such DIs drift is proposed. The main features and damage detection capabilities of this method will be demonstrated by conducting a laboratory fatigue test of an aircraft panel. The proposed approach has been verified on a real structure during fatigue test of a helicopter tail boom.
Sensitivity of vegetation indices in relation to parameters of Norway spruce stands
Authors: Modzelewska Aneta , Stereńczak Krzysztof , Mierczyk Monika , Maciuk Sylwia , Bałazy Radomir , Zawiła-Niedźwiecki Tomasz
Published: July 2017

The main goal of this research is to shed further light on the sensitivity of the vegetation indices to spatial changes of stand parameters. The analysis was done within mountain forests in the Sudetes and the Beskids in southern Poland. Some 1327 stands were analysed with more than 70 percent of spruce contribution in the species composition. The response of selected vegetation indices was verified in relation to the alterations of spruce participation, stand height, volume, stand density and diameter. The following indices were analysed: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Red Edge Index, Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index. Indices were calculated based on the Rapid Eye (Black Bridge) images. All the analysed stand characteristics influence the values of vegetation indices. In general: mean height, diameter at breast height, volume and spruce participation are the most negatively correlated with the indices. Density is a variable that, in general, cannot directly be used for indices correction, because it is hard to find any stable trend. NDRE is the most stable index for the analysis of stand characteristics.
Soil moisture variation on the outlet area of devices dewatering forest roads in Beskid Sądecki
Authors: Gołąb Janusz , Urban Krzysztof , Badach Elżbieta
Published: July 2017

Water run-off - a natural part of water circulation in the natural environment - is a harmful and undesired phenomenon for humans. The most spectacular and most serious one is its erosive activity. In adverse conditions, such a runoff has high energy, it causes serious reshaping of a terrain and it destroys the natural environment and infrastructure. In the forest environment, a run-off process occurs basically on roads, skidding trails and in log storage sites, which are areas with soil cover properties changed by humans. The devices used for dehydrating a transport system direct water collected in the form of concentrated streams to a slope, which frequently causes serious linear damage or landslides. The objective of the tests carried out was to determine the spatial distribution of soil moisture on the area behind the outlet of devices dehydrating forest roads within the context of changes in selected soil properties affecting a risk of landslide formation. The tests included four water drains dehydrating a forest slope road with a soil surface. In the area located behind the outlet, according to the model accepted, soil samples were collected for testing a current moisture value, determining grain composition and a hydraulic conductivity coefficient, calculated based on the simplified Hazen formula. There were significant differences in the soil moisture means in the three-measurement series conducted; nevertheless, the highest moisture means were obtained after the lowest precipitation, and the lowest moisture means were obtained after the highest precipitation. It applies to all water drains observed, separately and collectively. Average moisture measures in all dehydrating facilities differed among one another, although in different sessions, this dependence was observed in various facility pairs. The statistical analysis did not demonstrate any significant differences in moisture in terms of the distance of moisture testing location from the road edge, or in locations with different distances from the water run-off line behind the outlet of dehydrating devices. Significant differences could be observed in the analysis of average moisture values in the soil layers. Such an analysis result could be explained by a relatively low soil permeability and low slope gradient on the area examined. Usually, a few percent fluctuation in soil moisture, despite precipitation diversity, in combination with a high amount of granular soil structure, does not create conditions facilitating the formation of landslides.
Application of selected molecular markers in studies on forest trees
Authors: Tereba Anna , Konecka Agata , Nowakowska Justyna A.
Published: July 2017

The paper describes a number of molecular methods used in the past and now to analyze forest tree species. Taking into account the economic importance of forest trees and in view of the timber economy, wood properties and characteristics are essential factors subjected to control, observation and research. Molecular techniques that support traditional selection methods allow for genetic diversity analyses considering a range of research aspects. The development of these techniques at the turn of the last two decades has enabled wide-ranging use of molecular data in studies on forest tree populations. On the example of pine (Pinus L.), the paper presents data based on molecular studies as well as a variety of possibilities to apply the obtained results.
First confirmed record of Elodea canadensis Michx. (Hydrocharitaceae) in Greece
Authors: Poulis Georgios , Zervas Dimitrios
Published: July 2017

The paper confirms the presence of Elodea canadensis Michx. in Greece and outlines the history of contradictory relevant reports. This is also the first report of the species′ presence in the transboundary lake Great Prespa.
Endophytic fungi residing in medicinal plants have the ability to produce the same or similar pharmacologically active secondary metabolites as their hosts
Authors: Venieraki A. , Dimou M. , Katinakis P.
Published: July 2017

Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years in folk medicines and still are used for their health benefits. In our days medicinal plants are exploited for the isolation of plant-derived drugs as they are very effective and have relatively less or no side effects. However, the natural resources of medicinal plants are gradually exhausted and access to plant bioactive compounds is challenged by the low levels at which these products accumulate in native medicinal plants. For instance, to meet the market demands of 3 Kg per year of vinca alkaloids, powerful plant-derived anticancer drugs, 1.5×106 Kg dry leaves are required. In this regard, this review aims to highlight the fact that endophytic fungi residing in medicinal plants are capable to biosynthesize pharmacologically active secondary metabolites similar or identical to those produced by their host medicinal plant. Furthermore, the evolutionary origin of the genes involved in these metabolic pathways as well as the approaches designed to enhance the production of these metabolites by the isolated endophytic fungi are also discussed.
A catalogue of the Coleoptera of the G.P. Moazzo Collection in the Goulandris Natural History Museum. Part III (Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Tylianakis J. , Dimaki M. , Perdiou V.
Published: July 2017

This is a detailed list of 223 species (727 specimens) of the family Scarabaeidae, the subfamilies Dynastinae (21 species), Melolonthinae (11 species), Rutelinae (29 species), Aphodiinae (104 species), Cetoniinae (59 species), represented in G.P. Moazzo’s collection at the Goulandris Natural History Museum. All label data for each specimen are given. The aim of this paper is to present this collection as reference data for comparison with recent entomological material.
Ordinal versus nominal regression models and the problem of correctly predicting draws in soccer
Authors: Hvattum L. M.
Published: July 2017

Ordinal regression models are frequently used in academic literature to model outcomes of soccer matches, and seem to be preferred over nominal models. One reason is that, obviously, there is a natural hierarchy of outcomes, with victory being preferred to a draw and a draw being preferred to a loss. However, the often used ordinal models have an assumption of proportional odds: the influence of an independent variable on the log odds is the same for each outcome. This paper illustrates how ordinal regression models therefore fail to fully utilize independent variables that contain information about the likelihood of matches ending in a draw. However, in practice, this flaw does not seem to have a substantial effect on the predictive accuracy of an ordered logit regression model when compared to a multinomial logistic regression model.
A Pilot Study on Offensive Success in Soccer Based on Space and Ball Control – Key Performance Indicators and Key to Understand Game Dynamics
Authors: Perl J. , Memmert D.
Published: July 2017

The intention of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is to map complex system-behaviour to single values for scaling, rating and ranking systems or system components. Very often, however, this mapping only reduces important information about tactical behaviour or playing dynamics without replacing it by useful ones. The presented approach tries to bridge the gap between complex dynamics and numerical indicators in the case of offensive effectiveness in soccer in two steps. First, a model is developed which visualises offensive actions in a process-oriented way by using information units to represent offensive performance – i.e. Key Performance Indicators. Second, this model is organised in relation to time intervals, which enables to measure the effectiveness for a whole half-time as well as for arbitrary intervals of any desired lengths.

This contribution is meant as an introduction to a new modelling idea, where examples are calculated as case studies to demonstrate how it works. Therefore, only two games have been exemplarily analysed yet: The first one, which is used to demonstrate the method, is an example for similar quantitative indicators but different dynamic behaviour. The last one is used to demonstrate the results in the case of teams with extreme different strengths.
Degradation rates of alachlor, atrazine and bentazone in the profiles of Polish Luvisols
Authors: Paszko Tadeusz , Muszyński Paweł
Published: July 2017

The degradation rates of three herbicides (alachlor, atrazine, and bentazone) were examined according to OECD Guideline 307 in three profiles of grey-brown podzolic soil (Luvisol) in a laboratory experiment. The aim of the experiment was to determine herbicide degradation parameters and their relationships with soil properties. Degradation processes were effectively described by a first-order model. However, in some cases, the best results were produced by bi-phasic kinetics (hockey-stick and bi-exponential model). The degradation rates of the tested herbicides at 25°C and 40% maximum water holding capacity, established based on half-life values in the Ap horizon, increased in the following order: atrazine (32.6-42.8 days) < bentazone (3.4-16.6 days < alachlor (4.4-5.7 days). The correlation analysis and the Principal Component Analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the herbicide degradation rates and the organic matter content of soils. The depth-dependent degradation factors obtained for topsoil and two subsoil horizons (1: 0.42: 0.11 – based on average values, and 1: 0.31: 0.12 – based on median values) reflect the degradation abilities of Polish Luvisols. The values noted are soil-specific; therefore, they can also be applied to other pesticides in Polish Luvisols.
Quantifying soil hydraulic properties and their uncertainties by modified GLUE method
Authors: Yan Yifan , Liu Jianli , Zhang Jiabao , Li Xiaopeng , Zhao Yongchao
Published: July 2017

Nonlinear least squares algorithm is commonly used to fit the evaporation experiment data and to obtain the ‘optimal’ soil hydraulic model parameters. But the major defects of nonlinear least squares algorithm include non-uniqueness of the solution to inverse problems and its inability to quantify uncertainties associated with the simulation model. In this study, it is clarified by applying retention curve and a modified generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation method to model calibration. Results show that nonlinear least squares gives good fits to soil water retention curve and unsaturated water conductivity based on data observed by Wind method. And meanwhile, the application of generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation clearly demonstrates that a much wider range of parameters can fit the observations well. Using the ‘optimal’ solution to predict soil water content and conductivity is very risky. Whereas, 95% confidence interval generated by generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation quantifies well the uncertainty of the observed data. With a decrease of water content, the maximum of nash and sutcliffe value generated by generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation performs better and better than the counterpart of nonlinear least squares. 95% confidence interval quantifies well the uncertainties and provides preliminary sensitivities of parameters.
Methanogenic community composition in an organic waste mixture in an anaerobic bioreactor
Authors: Gryta Agata , Oszust Karolina , Brzezińska Małgorzata , Ziemiński Krzysztof , Bilińska-Wielgus Nina , Frąc Magdalena
Published: July 2017

The aim of the study was to elucidate the substantial relationship between the compositions of methanogen community that assembles in the anaerobic digester mass and link it to methane production activity. The results of the metagenomic studies were used to evaluate how the methanogen structure changes during an anaerobic digestion process under various waste retention times (21, 23, 25, 29, 33, 39, 47 and 61 days). Phylogenetically coherent populations of methanogens were assessed by 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting of a specific molecular marker, themcrAgene. The results indicated multiple phylogenetically diverse methanogen populations associated with the various steps of anaerobic digestion. The stages of the anaerobic digestion process and waste retention times determine the microbial composition. The most dominant and acclimated microbial communities in all samples belonged to the generaMethanosaetaandMethanobacterium.The methane yield was consistent with the results of the microbial community structure, which indicated that acetotrophicMethanosaetawas the most active and most important during the methanogenic stage.
Effect of wheat and Miscanthus straw biochars on soil enzymatic activity, ecotoxicity, and plant yield
Authors: Mierzwa-Hersztek Monika , Gondek Krzysztof , Klimkowicz-Pawlas Agnieszka , Baran Agnieszka
Published: July 2017

The variety of technological conditions and raw materials from which biochar is produced is the reason why its soil application may have different effects on soil properties and plant growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of wheat straw andMiscanthus giganteusstraw (5 t DM ha−1) and biochar obtained from this materials in doses of 2.25 and 5 t DM ha−1on soil enzymatic activity, soil ecotoxicity, and plant yield (perennial grass mixture with red clover). The research was carried out under field conditions on soil with the granulometric composition of loamy sand. No significant effect of biochar amendment on soil enzymatic activity was observed. The biochar-amended soil was toxic toVibrio fischeriand exhibited low toxicity toHeterocypris incongruens. Application of wheat straw biochar andM. giganteusstraw biochar in a dose of 5 t DM ha−1contributed to an increase in plant biomass production by 2 and 14%, respectively, compared to the soil with mineral fertilisation. Biochars had a more adverse effect on soil enzymatic activity and soil ecotoxicity toH. incongruensandV. fischerithan non-converted wheat straw andM. giganteusstraw, but significantly increased the grass crop yield.
Least limiting water range of Udox soil under degraded pastures on different sun-exposed faces
Authors: Passos Renato Ribeiro , Marciano da Costa Liovando , Rodrigues de Assis Igor , Santos Danilo Andrade , Ruiz Hugo Alberto , Guimarães Lorena Abdalla de Oliveira Prata , Andrade Felipe Vaz
Published: July 2017

The efficient use of water is increasingly important and proper soil management, within the specificities of each region of the country, allows achieving greater efficiency. The South and Caparaó regions of Espírito Santo, Brazil are characterized by relief of ‘hill seas’ with differences in the degree of pasture degradation due to sun exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the least limiting water range in Udox soil under degraded pastures with two faces of exposure to the sun and three pedoenvironments. In each pedoenvironment, namely Alegre, Celina, and Café, two areas were selected, one with exposure on the North/West face and the other on the South/East face. In each of these areas, undisturbed soil samples were collected at 0-10 cm depth to determine the least limiting water range. The exposed face of the pasture that received the highest solar incidence (North/West) presented the lowest values in least limiting water range. The least limiting water range proved to be a physical quality indicator for Udox soil under degraded pastures.
Water infiltration in an aquifer recharge basin affected by temperature and air entrapment
Authors: Loizeau Sébastien , Rossier Yvan , Gaudet Jean-Paul , Refloch Aurore , Besnard Katia , Angulo-Jaramillo Rafael , Lassabatere Laurent
Published: July 2017

Artificial basins are used to recharge groundwater and protect water pumping fields. In these basins, infiltration rates are monitored to detect any decrease in water infiltration in relation with clogging. However, miss-estimations of infiltration rate may result from neglecting the effects of water temperature change and air-entrapment. This study aims to investigate the effect of temperature and air entrapment on water infiltration at the basin scale by conducting successive infiltration cycles in an experimental basin of 11869 m2 in a pumping field at Crepieux-Charmy (Lyon, France). A first experiment, conducted in summer 2011, showed a strong increase in infiltration rate; which was linked to a potential increase in ground water temperature or a potential dissolution of air entrapped at the beginning of the infiltration. A second experiment was conducted in summer, to inject cold water instead of warm water, and also revealed an increase in infiltration rate. This increase was linked to air dissolution in the soil. A final experiment was conducted in spring with no temperature contrast and no entrapped air (soil initially water-saturated), revealing a constant infiltration rate. Modeling and analysis of experiments revealed that air entrapment and cold water temperature in the soil could substantially reduce infiltration rate over the first infiltration cycles, with respective effects of similar magnitude. Clearly, both water temperature change and air entrapment must be considered for an accurate assessment of the infiltration rate in basins.
Impacts of thinning of a Mediterranean oak forest on soil properties influencing water infiltration
Authors: Di Prima Simone , Bagarello Vincenzo , Angulo-Jaramillo Rafael , Bautista Inmaculada , Cerdà Artemi , del Campo Antonio , González-Sanchis María , Iovino Massimo , Lassabatere Laurent , Maetzke Federico
Published: July 2017

In Mediterranean ecosystems, special attention needs to be paid to forest–water relationships due to water scarcity. In this context, Adaptive Forest Management (AFM) has the objective to establish how forest resources have to be managed with regards to the efficient use of water, which needs maintaining healthy soil properties even after disturbance. The main objective of this investigation was to understand the effect of one of the AFM methods, namely forest thinning, on soil hydraulic properties. At this aim, soil hydraulic characterization was performed on two contiguous Mediterranean oak forest plots, one of them thinned to reduce the forest density from 861 to 414 tree per ha. Three years after the intervention, thinning had not affected soil water permeability of the studied plots. Both ponding and tension infiltration runs yielded not significantly different saturated,Ks, and unsaturated,K−20, hydraulic conductivity values at the thinned and control plots. Therefore, thinning had no an adverse effect on vertical water fluxes at the soil surface. MeanKsvalues estimated with the ponded ring infiltrometer were two orders of magnitude higher thanK−20values estimated with the minidisk infiltrometer, revealing probably soil structure with macropores and fractures. The input of hydrophobic organic matter, as a consequence of the addition of plant residues after the thinning treatment, resulted in slight differences in terms of both water drop penetration time, WDPT, and the index of water repellency,R, between thinned and control plots. Soil water repellency only affected unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity measurements. Moreover,K−20values showed a negative correlation with both WDPT andR, whereasKsvalues did not, revealing that the soil hydrophobic behavior has no impact on saturated hydraulic conductivity.
Mapping topsoil field-saturated hydraulic conductivity from point measurements using different methods
Authors: Braud Isabelle , Desprats Jean-François , Ayral Pierre-Alain , Bouvier Christophe , Vandervaere Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2017

Topsoil field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, Kfs
, is a parameter that controls the partition of rainfall between infiltration and runoff and is a key parameter in most distributed hydrological models. There is a mismatch between the scale of local in situ Kfs
measurements and the scale at which the parameter is required in models for regional mapping. Therefore methods for extrapolating local Kfs
values to larger mapping units are required. The paper explores the feasibility of mapping Kfs
in the Cévennes-Vivarais region, in south-east France, using more easily available GIS data concerning geology and land cover. Our analysis makes uses of a data set from infiltration measurements performed in the area and its vicinity for more than ten years. The data set is composed of Kfs
derived from infiltration measurements performed using various methods: Guelph permeameters, double ring and single ring infiltrotrometers and tension infiltrometers. The different methods resulted in a large variation in Kfs
up to several orders of magnitude. A method is proposed to pool the data from the different infiltration methods to create an equivalent set of Kfs
. Statistical tests showed significant differences in Kfs
distributions in function of different geological formations and land cover. Thus the mapping of Kfs
at regional scale was based on geological formations and land cover. This map was compared to a map based on the Rawls and Brakensiek (RB) pedotransfer function (mainly based on texture) and the two maps showed very different patterns. The RB values did not fit observed equivalent Kfs
at the local scale, highlighting that soil texture alone is not a good predictor of Kfs
.
Estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity from ring infiltrometer test taking into account the surface moisture stain extension
Authors: Réfloch Aurore , Gaudet Jean-Paul , Oxarango Laurent , Rossier Yvan
Published: July 2017

A large single-ring infiltrometer test was performed in order to characterize the saturated hydraulic conductivity below an infiltration basin in the well field of Lyon (France). Two kinds of data are recorded during the experiment: the volume of water infiltrated over time and the extension of the moisture stain around the ring. Then numerical analysis was performed to determine the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil by calibration.

Considering an isotropic hydraulic conductivity, the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the alluvial deposits is estimated at 3.8 10−6 m s−1. However, with this assumption, we are not able to represent accurately the extension of the moisture stain around the ring. When anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity is introduced, experimental data and simulation results are in good agreement, both for the volume of water infiltrated over time and the extension of the moisture stain. The vertical saturated hydraulic conductivity in the anisotropic configuration is 4.75 times smaller than in the isotropic configuration (8.0 10−7 m s−1), and the horizontal saturated hydraulic conductivity is 125 times higher than the vertical saturated hydraulic conductivity (1.0 10−4 m s−1).
Evaluation of Aerial Biomass Yield and Essential Oil Content of Seven Species of Tanacetum
Authors: Alizadeh Mohammad Ali , Jafari Ali Ashraf , Sayedian Sayed Esmaiel
Published: July 2017

To evaluate the seven species of Tanacetum genus - Tanacetum balsamita, T. parthenium, T. pinnatum, T. polycephalum, T. tabrisianum, T. uniflorum, and T. vulgare - an experiment was conducted in Karaj Iran. Data were recorded for plant canopy cover, plant height, flower number per plant, aerial biomass yield, time required for flowering, growing degree days to flowering (GDD), essential oil percentage and yield. Results showed that T. parthenium had higher mean values for plant canopy cover, plant height and flower number per plant whereas the species of T. parthenium, T. balsamita and T. vulgare had higher aerial biomass yield in comparison to the other species. The T. balsamita coupled with aerial biomass yield had the highest essential oil concentration. The T. tabrisianum and T. uniflorum were earliest ripening species due to lowest GDD. Essential oil yield was positively and significantly correlated with the traits that are components of aerial mass, indicating that selection for breeding new cultivars should focus on increased aerial biomass yield, late flowering and high flower number.
In Vitro Regeneration of Shoots From Nodal Explants of Dendrobium Chrysotoxum Lindl
Authors: Kaur Saranjeet
Published: July 2017

Transverse sections (2 mm thickness) of stem-nodes from in vitro raised seedlings had morphogenic potential on semisolid and liquid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with cytokinins N6-benzyladenine (BA 4.44 μM), furfurylaminopurine (KIN 4.65 μM) and auxin α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA 5.37 μM) individually and in combinations. The regeneration response was influenced by both the type of growth regulator and physical state of the medium. The explants produced either shoot buds on cytokinincontaining media or protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) on NAA containing media both solid and liquid. More neo-formations were produced on liquid media, especially those containing only NAA. They were formed at nodal and inter-nodal regions. The secondary buds were produced on the surface of primary PLBs. The plantlets were developed on MS medium containing banana homogenate 50 g·dm-3. The current study is the first ever report on successful regeneration of Dendrobium chrysotoxum from stem-node segments.
Prediction of the Harvesting Time for Four Apple Cultivars On the Basis of Beginning of Flowering and Attaining of T-Stage of Fruitlets and Dependence of Diameter of Fruitlets at T-Stage and Fruits at Ripening Stage
Authors: Blažek Jan , Pištěková Ivana
Published: July 2017

The growth of fruits was evaluated during three growing seasons on four apple cultivars ‘Angold’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Rubinola’ and ‘Topaz’. The follow-up period was defined by the start of flowering, the date of attaining of T-stage by fruitlets and the start of optimal harvest ripening, which for each cultivar was determined on the basis of starch index, flesh firmness and soluble solids. The close relationships were detected between time of attaining the T-stage and term of harvest maturity for three of four studied cultivars.
Evaluation of the Possibility of Shaking Off Raspberry Fruits with a Pulsating Air Stream
Authors: Rabcewicz Jacek , Białkowski Paweł , Konopacki Paweł
Published: July 2017

The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of harvesting raspberries with a pulsating air stream that causes the shoots of plants to vibrate. Two tractor-driven test devices were developed under this specific objective. The first one was a high capacity compressor, and the stream of air produced by it was directed onto one side of a row of plants. The second one was a device producing two counter-flowing air streams colliding in the middle of a row of plants. The frequency of the air pulses was adjusted steplessly by varying the rotational velocity of the shutters closing and opening the outlets of the fans. In the field trials with the device based on a compressor-generated air stream, two air pulse frequencies were used: 500 and 540 pulses per minute (8.3 and 9 Hz). The mean detachment force was 0.727 N. About 50% of ripe raspberries were removed from the bushes. The results achieved during harvesting with the device operating on the principle of colliding two pulsating air streams were markedly better and put the harvesting effectiveness within the range achieved in the trials with combine harvesters with mechanical finger shakers conducted by other researchers. For two pulse frequencies (8 and 9 Hz), almost 62% of fruits were harvested. Increasing the pulse frequency of the counter-flowing air streams above 9 Hz did not improve the effectiveness of detaching raspberry fruits from shoots.
Impact of Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizer On Soil Physical Properties and Growth and Yield of Carrot
Authors: Agbede Taiwo Michael , Adekiya Aruna Olasekan , Eifediyi Ehiokhilen Kevin
Published: July 2017

A field experiment was conducted in the forest-savanna transition zone of Nigeria from May to July 2014 and September to November 2015 to determine the impacts of poultry manure (PM) and NPK fertilizer on soil physical properties, and growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L.). The five treatments included no manure or fertilizer (control); 10, 20, and 30 megagrams (Mg)·ha-1 of PM; and 300 kg·ha-1 of 15 N-15 P-15 K fertilizer. All levels of PM reduced soil bulk density and temperature, and improved total porosity and moisture content compared to the NPK fertilizer and the control. Plant height, number of leaves, root diameter, root length, and fresh root yield in the PM and NPK fertilizer treatments were improved compared to the control. Growth and yield parameters of carrot plants treated with 20 and 30 Mg·ha-1 PM were higher than the other treatments. The 10 Mg·ha-1 PM and NPK fertilizer treatments produced similar growth and yield responses. There was an interaction for year (Y) × fertilizer (F) on plant height, number of leaves, and fresh root yield. Relative to the control 10, 20, or 30 Mg·ha-1 PM and NPK fertilizer increased fresh root yield of carrot by 39.9%, 62.0%, 64.9%, and 37.3%, respectively. The 20 Mg·ha-1 PM treatment best improved soil properties and carrot productivity as indicated by the benefit-to-cost ratio.
The Effects of Silica Fertilizer as an Anti-Herbivore Defense in Cucumber
Authors: Callis-Duehl Kristine L. , McAuslane Heather J. , Duehl Adrian J. , Levey Douglas J.
Published: July 2017

This study aims to improve our understanding of silicon’s role in deterring herbivores from Cucumis sativa. We hypothesized that silicon’s role in plant defense is due to the presence of silica augmenting other physical and/or chemical defenses used by the plant. Using C. sativa plants treated with either a silica fertilizer treatment (Si+) or a control solution (Si-), we monitored feeding preferences of two types of herbivores, a chewing herbivore (Diabrotica balteata) and a piercing/sucking herbivore (Bemisia tabaci). Leaves from treatment plants were visited less and eaten less than leaves from control plants. We then assessed the differences in physical defenses by comparing the leaf structural components, nutrient and water content, and trichome density between treatment and control plants. For chemical plant defenses, we measured leaf carbon and nitrogen levels in, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from treatment and control plants. We found no significant difference between treatment and control plants in: lignin content, most elemental plant nutrients, water content, trichome density, and quantity of carbon and nitrogen. We did see an increase in the VOC Indole, known for plant defense priming, an increase in phosphorous levels and a decrease in cellulose levels in silica treated plants.
Evaluation of Resistance, Enzymatic Response, and Phenolic Compounds in Roots of F1Cucumber Hybrids to Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Radicis-Cucumerinum
Authors: Moghbeli Ecehagh , Nemati Seyed Hossein , Aroiee Hossein , Olfati Jamal-Ali
Published: July 2017

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is widely cultivated in many parts of the world. Its production is significantly affected by Fusarium root and stem rot, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum, a major disease of cucumber in some regions. Most of the management programs for the control of Fusarium root and stem rot are not successful; therefore, growing resistant cultivars may be the best solution. Use of disease-resistant cultivars is a key to environmentally friendly and economically sustainable disease control in modern crop production. To find resistance sources, 10 F1cucumber hybrids were screened against F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum. Total phenolic content (PC), soluble peroxidase (POX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were evaluated at 0, 4, and 8 days after inoculation. Significant differences were observed between resistant and susceptible genotypes in increase of total PCs and enzymatic activities at fourth day after inoculation. These findings can be used in breeding programs of cucumber aiming at creating F1cultivars resistant to Fusarium root and stem rot.
Alcaeus and Antimenidas: Reassessing the Evidence for Greek Mercenaries in the Neo-Babylonian Army
Authors: Fantalkin Alexander , Lytle Ephraim
Published: July 2017

The alleged testimony of Alcaeus about the mercenary service of his brother Antimenidas in the Neo-Babylonian army has long served as the inspiration for a range of theories concerning the possible employment of Greek mercenaries in Near Eastern armies and their assumed role in the transfer of eastern influences to Greece during the Archaic period. A careful reassessment of Alcaeus’ fragments and Strabo’s testimony as well as the historical and archaeological evidence at hand suggests that there is little reason to believe that Antimenidas served Nebuchadnezzar II as a mercenary, and the evidence is certainly insufficient to conclude that Greek mercenaries were routinely employed in the Neo-Babylonian army.
Mégabyze de Zopyros et le roi Artoxerxès Ier
Authors: Biondi Ennio
Published: July 2017

La section desPersikàconsacrée à la vie d’Artoxerxès est en réalité l’histoire des exploits de Mégabyze, un aristocrate qui rivalise avec le roi pendant toute sa vie. L’analyse de la source nous amène à réfléchir sur les motivations qui poussèrent Ctésias à donner une grande importance à Mégabyze et en même temps nous renseigne sur certaines dynamiques historiques et politiques de l’histoire perse du milieu du Vesiècle av. J. -C.
Symmachus und die Ortsgebundenheit der Götter Roms
Authors: Franco Chiai Gian
Published: July 2017

Die Gebundenheit einer Gottheit an einen Ort oder an eine Stadt stellt eines der wichtigsten und am wenigsten erforschten Elemente der klassischen Religion dar. Im Rahmen des Nachdenkens über das Wesen Gottes im philosophischen und literarischen Diskurs der Spätantike werden die traditionellen Gottheiten häufig gemäß dem plotinianischen Modell als Emanationen und Manifestationen eines höchsten göttlichen Wesens betrachtet. Auch Symmachos teilte diese Ansicht und fasste die Gebundenheit der göttlichen Wesen an einen Ort als von derdivina mensgewollt auf. Diese Vorstellung wird im Rahmen seiner bekannten drittenrelatiogeäußert, als der Rhetor die Dea Roma in Gestalt einer alten und schutzflehenden Frau vor dem Kaiser auftreten lässt, die ihn bittet die Ausübung der traditionellen Riten zu erlauben, welche Rom die Gunst der Götter sicherte. Diese unkonventionelle Darstellung der Dea Roma, die einen Bruch mit der herkömmlichen Ikonographie der Göttin darstellt, ist nicht zufällig: Hiermit konnte der Rhetor metaphorisch den Status der Stadt, die vom Kaiser verlassen und vernachlässigt wurde, zur Sprache bringen.
Experiencia, aburrimiento y legibilidad en tres cuentos de Roberto Bolaño
Authors: Rocco Núñez Bernardo Patricio
Published: July 2017

El presente artículo estudia el conjunto de cuentos “Últimos atardeceres en la tierra”, “Días de 1978” y “Vagabundo en Francia y Bélgica” pertenecientes al libro Putas Asesinas (2001) de Roberto Bolaño, con el objetivo de comprender la representación de la crisis de la experiencia moderna. En este sentido, se exploran las relaciones que el escritor establece entre la temática de la locura, el trauma del exilio chileno y el estado de aburrimiento. En consecuencia, se muestra cómo el viaje del sujeto moderno manifiesta una genealogía conceptual que haría legible la historia chilena contemporánea.
Benito Fernández de Elena Garro: una mirada crítica sobre la historia mexicana
Authors: Bustamante Bermúdez Gerardo
Published: July 2017

En 1957, Elena Garro escribió la obra teatral Benito Fernández, texto en el que hace una revisión crítica a la historia nacional, el poder, la simulación y la búsqueda de la identidad personal en medio de la sociedad creada a partir de la posrevolución mexicana. La obra de la escritora es un contradiscurso a la oficialidad, a la mitificación de los hechos y héroes nacionales; lo que le interesa es resaltar el carácter racista y clasista de una nueva sociedad dirigente en busca del bienestar personal y de grupo por encima del bien colectivo, para ello, opta porque en su obra los personajes se preocupen por comprar una cabeza, es decir, una ideología que les haga saber que existen.
El temido infierno de la autonomía
Authors: Benítez Pezzolano Hebert Daniel
Published: July 2017

Me propongo afrontar el reto de una conceptualización amparada en cierto empleo metafórico de la “infernalidad”, orientando de esa forma una reflexión sobre los fenómenos literarios y el campo de la teoría literaria en tiempos actuales. Entiendo a dichos fenómenos, es decir a los hechos literarios materializados en obras, como entidades complejas de proposición estética y de postulación artística originadas históricamente en la poiesis por la palabra