pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Conservation Agriculture Under Mediterranean Conditions in Spain

19 Pag., 2 Tabl., 2 Fot.  The definitive version is available at: http://www.springerlink.com/Intensive agriculture with deep tillage and soil inversion causes rapid soil deterioration with loss of soil organic matter content. This practice leads to a decrease of soil biological activity, a damage of the physical properties and a reduction of crop yields. Conservation agriculture aims to achieve sustainable and profitable agriculture through the application of three basic principles: minimal soil disturbance by conservation tillage, permanent soil cover and crop rotations. Any practice of conservation agriculture must maintain on the soil enough surface residues throughout the year. Conservation tillage is thus any tillage and planting system that maintains at least 30% of the soil surface covered by residues after planting to reduce soil erosion by water. Here we review the main advances about the adoption of conservation agriculture under Mediterranean conditions in Spain. There are major cost savings, e.g. fuel and fertilizer costs, compared with conventional agriculture. Conservation tillage has been proven to be highly efficient for water storage, to increase moderately the organic matter in the soil top layer, and to improve soil physical properties and aggregation. However, no tillage may induce greater soil compaction in some cases. In this case, an occasional tillage is advised. Furthermore, conservation tillage can reduce soil CO2 emissions, mobility and persistence of herbicides. In general, conservation tillage enhances biodiversity compared to conventional tillage. Crop yields under conservation tillage are similar or even greater than yields of traditional tillage. All these benefits show that ­conservation agriculture in Spain is a more sustainable alternative than conventional agriculture. Nonetheless, we have found from the literature analysis some constraints for its adoption, mainly due to inadequate extension and technology transfer systems and lack of access to specific inputs.This work was carried out with the support of the projects GOCE-CT-2004–505582–KASSA (EU), AGL2004–07763–CO2–01–AGR, AGL2007–66320–CO2–01–AGR and AGL2008–00424 from the Spanish CICYT, and the Research Group AGR 151 (Junta de Andalucía).Peer reviewe
Factors affecting metal mobilisation during oxidation of sulphidic, sandy wetland substrates

Most metals accumulate as sulphides under anoxic conditions in wetland substrates, reducing their bioavailability due to the solubility of metal sulphides. However, upon oxidation of these sulphides when the substrate is occasionally oxidised, metals can be released from the solid phase to the pore water or overlaying surface water. This release can be affected by the presence of carbonates, organic matter and clay. We compared changes of Cd, Cu and Zn mobility (CaCl2 extraction) during oxidation of a carbonate-rich and a carbonate-poor sulphidic, sandy wetland substrate. In addition, we studied how clay with low and high cation sorption capacity (bentonite and kaolinite, respectively) and organic matter (peat) can counteract Cd, Cu and Zn release during oxidation of both carbonate-rich and carbonate-poor sulphidic sediments. CaCl2-extractability of Cu, a measure for its availability, is low in both carbonate-poor and carbonate-rich substrates, whereas its variability is high.  The availability of Cd and Zn is much higher and increases when peat is supplied to carbonate-poor substrates. A strong reduction of Cd and Zn extractability is observed when clay is added to carbonate-poor substrates. This reduction depends on the clay type. Most observations could be explained taking into account pH differences between treatments, with kaolinite resulting in a lower pH in comparison to bentonite. These pH differences affect the presence and characteristics of dissolved organic carbon and the metal speciation, which in turns affects the interaction of metals with the solid soil phase. In carbonate-rich substrates, Cd and Zn availability is lower and the effects of peat and clay amendment are less clear.  The latter can also be attributed to the high pH and lack of pH differences between treatments
Cusp points in the parameter space of RPR-2PRR parallel manipulators

International audienceThis paper investigates the existence conditions of cusp points in the design parameter space of the R\underline{P}R-2P\underline{R}R parallel manipulators. Cusp points make possible non-singular assembly-mode changing motion, which can possibly increase the size of the aspect, i.e. the maximum singularity free workspace. The method used is based on the notion of discriminant varieties and Cylindrical Algebraic Decomposition, and resorts to Gröbner bases for the solutions of systems of equations
Associative latching dynamics vs. syntax

We model the cortical dynamics underlying a free association between two memories. Computationally, this process may be realized as the spontaneous retrieval of a second memory after the recall of the first one by an external cue, what we call a latching transition. As a global cortical model, we study an associative memory Potts network with adaptive threshold, showing latching transitions. With many correlated stored patterns this unstable dynamics can proceed indefinitely, producing a sequence of spontaneously retrieved patterns. This paper describes the informational properties of latching sequences expressed by the Potts network, and compares them with those of the sentences comprising the corpus of a simple artificial language we are developing, BLISS. Potts network dynamics, unlike BLISS sentences, appear to have the memory properties of a second-order Markov chain
Modelling the Stroop Effect: Dynamics in Inhibition of Automatic Stimuli Processing

In this study, we simulate the dynamics of suppressing an automatic stimulus processing which interferes with a different non-automatic target task. The dynamics can be observed in terms of interference and facilitation effects that influence target response processing time. For this purpose, we use Hopfield neural network with varying attention modulation in a colour-word Stroop stimuli processing paradigm. With the biologically realistic features of the network, our model is able to model the Stroop effect in comparison to the human performance
A maximum degree self-stabilizing spanning tree algorithm

25th International Symposium on Computer and Information Sciences, ISCIS 2010; London; United Kingdom; 22 September 2010 through 24 September 2010Spanning trees are fundamental topological structures in distributed environments which ease many applications that require frequent communication between nodes. In this paper, we examine and compare two spanning tree construction algorithms which rely on classical and self stabilization approach. Then, we propose a new self-stabilizing spanning tree construction algorithm which uses maximum degree heuristic while choosing the root node. We show experimentally that our new algorithm provides smaller tree diameters than the two existing approaches with favorable run-times. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V
The CERME spirit: issues of quality and inclusion in an innovative conference style

This book chapter was published in the book Mapping Equity and Quality in Mathematics Education [© Springer]. The publisher's website is at: http://www.springer.com/This chapter presents findings from an analysis of data from participants in a bi-annual international mathematics education conference with regard to the practical realization of objectives relating to inclusion and quality in the conference.  The chapter presents the context and objectives of the organizing Society and its interpretation of objectives in operationalizing a conference.  It examines, theoretically, issues relating to inclusion of participants and quality of scientific work in the context of such a conference.  It presents findings related to analysis of three sources of data – evaluation questionnaires from participants at the end of a conference, interviews with participants during a conference, and comments from group leaders written during and after a conference.  Finally it synthesizes from issues raised and relates these to theoretical issues, presenting a tentative framework for creating and evaluating a conference which has principled objectives with relation to quality and inclusion
Water Resources Allocation:Policy & Socioeconomic Issues in Cyprus

This book does not only aim to present and analyze the Cyprus experience in water resources management, using both local and world experts in the field. It also opts to communicate this experience to other countries that can inform, develop and improve their water resources policies by understanding the strong and weak elements of the Cyprus experience.   The dilemma facing Cyprus—that of limited water supplies (both in terms of quantity and quality) in the face of steadily increasing water demand, coupled with a fragmented institutional structure of the water sector—is characteristic of most arid and semi-arid countries all over the world. Another common characteristic of Cyprus is that the water management administrative boundaries there do not coincide with the hydrological ones, while the ongoing political problem of the island creates significant administration problems.   Finally, Cyprus’s way towards implementing the EU WFD can be instructive for newly-accessing EU countries.
The Economics of Water Resource Allocation: Valuation Methods and Policy Implications

In this chapter a ‘watershed economics approach’ that could be applied in Cyprus is proposed which is composed of two important stages. In Stage I economic valuation techniques are used to establish the economic value of the competing
demands for surface and groundwater, incorporating where necessary an analysis of water quality. The valuation exercise allows the objective balancing of demands based upon the equi-marginal principle to achieve economic efficiency. In Stage II a policy impact analysis is proposed which addresses issues of social equity and the value of water for environmental/ecological purposes. The analysis is undertaken within the confines of the watershed; the most natural unit for the analysis of water allocation and scarcity since it determines the hydrological links between competing users and thus the impacts of one user upon another. The methodology is encapsulated by a case study of the Kouris watershed in Cyprus.
How Mediterranean Deciduous Trees Cope with Long Summer Drought? The Case of Quercus pyrenaica Forests in Western Spain.

The functional characteristics of Mediterranean deciduous trees provide an interesting model for\ud
investigating adaptative mechanisms to drought, useful to understand future changes of northern forests\ud
in scenery of climate change. In this article we analyse how a Mediterranean deciduous oak, Quercus\ud
pyrenaica, with a short vegetative period coincident with summer drought, cope with water deficit in\ud
that period. We revised published data on temporal dynamic of soil moisture and physiological status of\ud
tree leaves of several forest stands of Central–Western Spain and discuss the significance of soil water\ud
reserve and deep rooting system on the maintenance of tree transpiration and physiological activity of\ud
the trees along summer drought. Results revealed that (i) Q. pyrenaicaoak is only slightly water-limited\ud
during summer drought, (ii) Q. pyrenaicaoaks depend on thick weathered, porous bedrocks, and (iii) Q.\ud
pyrenaicais a well-performing deciduous oak to cope with increasing summer drought.Peer reviewe
Magnetic observatory data and metadata : types and availability

The availability of magnetic observatory\ud
data has evolved rapidly with the transition of observatories\ud
from analogue photographic magnetograms\ud
to digital electronic recordings, and the advent of\ud
the internet for instant global access to information\ud
of every sort. Metadata (information about the\ud
data) is undergoing its own transformation in order to\ud
accompany the rapid and extensive dissemination of\ud
these data. This chapter describes the types of data\ud
historically and currently produced by geomagnetic\ud
observatories and introduces new data types such as\ud
one-second and quasi-absolute data recently discussed\ud
at the 11th IAGA Scientific Assembly in Sopron,\ud
Hungary.We review the availability of these data types\ud
from the World Data Centres, INTERMAGNET and\ud
other sources. Finally, we discuss developments in\ud
metadata describing the current efforts in the geomagnetism\ud
community to gather, store and distribute this\ud
information about the data to better assist scientific\ud
discovery
Investing in others: Prosocial spending for (pro)social change

In this chapter we explore whether prosocial spending - spending money on others - can have postive outcomes for spenders, recipients, and the broader community. We begin by briefly summarizing the literature on the relationship between money and happiness. Next, we review our research on the benefits of prosocial spending for happiness, along with other components of well-being. we present our findings at four levels, starting first with the consequences of prosocial spending for individuls, and then extending this discussion outward to dyads, and organizations. Finally, we offer several practical strategies for utilizing the lessons our research. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V
Fifty Years of Stiffness

The notion of stiffness, which originated in several applications of a
different nature, has dominated the activities related to the numerical
treatment of differential problems for the last fifty years. Contrary to what
usually happens in Mathematics, its definition has been, for a long time, not
formally precise (actually, there are too many of them). Again, the needs of
applications, especially those arising in the construction of robust and
general purpose codes, require nowadays a formally precise definition. In this
paper, we review the evolution of such a notion and we also provide a precise
definition which encompasses all the previous ones.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figure
Disentangling Legal Quagmires: The Legal Characterization of the Armed Conflicts in Afghanistan and the Prisoners of War Status

The September 11 attacks and the ensuing military operations in Afghanistan have raised a multitude of complex and disturbing problems for the existing humanitarian normative order. Much of the legal scholarship on recent events concerning Afghanistan has focused on the issues of the legal status of captured Taliban and Al Qaeda soldiers under humanitarian law, their detention conditions at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba and the inadequacy of procedural safeguards for judicial proceedings of the proposed Military Commissions under the US Presidential Order and the Department of Defence Order. This paper takes a somewhat different approach, looking first at the legal characterisation of the armed conflicts in Afghanistan since 6/7 October 2001 and particularly the internecine hostilities that have continued since the apparent end of the war, before examining the status of combatants and that of prisoners of war. Clarification of the nature of the armed conflicts and of the scope of application of the rules on prisoners of war is essential for disentangling the legal quagmire surrounding the controversy over the legal status of both Taliban and Al Qaeda soldiers under the jus in bello
Splendid isolation : international humanitarian law, legal theory and the international legal order.

International humanitarian law (IHL) is one of the oldest and most distinctive sectors of the international legal order. IHL’s historical development has been unique; from one of the original focal points of international law it has since become a highly specialised area, isolated from the broader international legal academic debate. The most obvious example of this isolation is the lack of discussion of the place of IHL in contemporary debates on the future of international law such as fragmentation and constitutionalisation. The reasons for this isolation are manifold, however, given IHL’s position as a prime example of fragmentation and the issues it raises for constitutionalisation it is questionable whether these debates can be conclusive until they tackle the issues presented by this particular body of law. This ‘splendid isolation’ is detrimental to both the contemporary international legal debate and IHL
Flow of a blood analogue solution through microfabricated hyperbolic contractions

The flow of a blood analogue solution past a microfabricated hyperbolic contraction followed by an abrupt expansion was investigated experimentally. The shape of the contraction was designed in order to impose a nearly constant strain rate to the fluid along the centerline of the microgeometry. The flow patterns of the blood analogue solution and of a Newtonian reference fluid (deionized water), captured using streak line imaging, are quite distinct and illustrate the complex behavior of the blood analogue solution flowing through the microgeometry. The flow of the blood analogue solution shows elastic-driven effects with vortical structures emerging upstream of the contraction, which are absent in Newtonian fluid flow. In both cases the flow also develops instabilities downstream of the expansion but these are inertia driven. Therefore, for the blood analogue solution at high flow rates the competing effects of inertia and elasticity lead to complex flow patterns and unstable flow develops
Magnetic Nanostructures

Characteristic results of magnetism in small particles and thin films are
presented. As a consequence of the reduced atomic coordination in small
clusters and thin films the electronic states and density of states modify.
Thus magnetic moments and magnetization are affected. In tunnel junctions
interplay of magnetism, spin currents and superconductivity are of particular
interest. Results are given for single transition metal clusters, cluster
ensembles, thin films and tunnel systems. Interesting behavior of tunnel
currents and currents induced by Aharonov-Bohm effect into mesoscopic rings
etc. are discussed.Comment: 67 pages, 47 figures. Note: A pdf-file with better quality figures is
  available on my homepage.
  http://www.alice-dsl.net/prof.dr.k.bennemann/page3.htm
Low temperature transport in tunnel junction arrays: Cascade energy
  relaxation

A theory of far-from-equilibrium transport in arrays of tunnel junctions is
developed. We show that at low temperatures the energy relaxation ensuring
tunneling current can become a cascade two-stage process. First, charge
carriers lose their energy to a bosonic environment via non-phonon energy
exchange. The role of such an environment can be taken by electromagnetic
fluctuations or dipole excitations (electron-hole pairs). The environment, in
its turn, relaxes the energy to the thermostat by means of phonon irradiation.
We derive the current-voltage characteristics for the arrays and demonstrate
that opening the energy gap in the spectrum of the environmental excitations
completely suppresses the tunneling current. The consequences of the cascade
relaxation in various physical systems are discussed.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure
Synchronized Andreev Transmission in Chains of SNS Junctions

We construct a nonequilibrium theory for the charge transfer through a
diffusive array of alternating normal (N) and superconducting (S) islands
comprising an SNSNS junction, with the size of the central S-island being
smaller than the energy relaxation length. We demonstrate that in the
nonequilibrium regime the central island acts as Andreev retransmitter with the
Andreev conversions at both NS interfaces of the central island correlated via
over-the-gap transmission and Andreev reflection. This results in a
synchronized transmission at certain resonant voltages which can be
experimentally observed as a sequence of spikes in the differential
conductivity.Comment: http://www.springer.com/materials/book/978-94-007-0043-
Empirically-grounded development of legal ontologies: a socio-legal perspective

This paper shows the multiple relationships between empirical data and semantic content in the legal field. One of the well-known problems of ontology construction is the “knowledge acquisition bottleneck problem” pointed out by Edward Feigenbaum and others, many years ago. In the next generation of Semantic Web developments this problem has not been completely solved. It is our con-tention that an accurate description of the legal environment, and well-grounded previous sociological studies may help to face it in a more satisfactory way. This means adopting a user-centered approach for legal ontologies, in what we will call an “iterative and integrated pragmatic circle” involving legal theorists, socio-legal researchers, professional people (lawyers, magistrates, prosecutors…) and com-puter scientists. We put the example of how the ontology of IURISERVICE was built up
When Does Eddy Viscosity Damp Subfilter Scales Sufficiently?

Large eddy simulation (LES) seeks to predict the dynamics of spatially filtered turbulent flows. The very essence is that the LES-solution contains only scales of size ≥Δ, where Δ denotes some user-chosen length scale. This property enables us to perform a LES when it is not feasible to compute the full, turbulent solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. Therefore, in case the large eddy simulation is based on an eddy viscosity model we determine the eddy viscosity such that any scales of size <Δ are dynamically insignificant. In this paper, we address the following two questions: how much eddy diffusion is needed to (a) balance the production of scales of size smaller than Δ; and (b) damp any disturbances having a scale of size smaller than Δ initially. From this we deduce that the eddy viscosity νe has to depend on the invariants q = ½tr(S^2) and r =−⅓tr(S^3) of the (filtered) strain rate tensor S. The simplest model is then given by νe = 3/2(Δ/π)^2|r|/q. This model is successfully tested for a turbulent channel flow (Reτ = 590).
Equivalent thermo-mechanical parameters for perfect crystals

Thermo-elastic behavior of perfect single crystal is considered. The crystal
is represented as a set of interacting particles (atoms). The approach for
determination of equivalent continuum values for the discrete system is
proposed. Averaging of equations of particles' motion and long wave
approximation are used in order to make link between the discrete system and
equivalent continuum. Basic balance equations for equivalent continuum are
derived from microscopic equations. Macroscopic values such as Piola and Cauchy
stress tensors and heat flux are represented via microscopic parameters.
Connection between the heat flux and temperature is discussed. Equation of
state in Mie-Gruneisen form connecting Cauchy stress tensor with deformation
gradient and thermal energy is obtained from microscopic considerations.Comment: To be published in proceedings of IUTAM Simposium on "Vibration
  Analysis of Structures with Uncertainties", 2009; 14 pages