Controllable Kerr nonlinearity with perfect transparency in the existence of spontaneously generated coherence

We investigate the Kerr nonlinearity of a V-type three-level atomic system where the upper two states decay outside to another state and hence spontaneous generated coherence may exist. It is shown that dark state and hence perfect transparency present under certain conditions. Meanwhile, the Kerr nonlinearity can be controlled by manipulation of the decay rates and the splitting of the two excited states. Therefore, enhanced Kerr nonlinearity without absorption can be obtained under proper parameters.

Análise Comparativa de Conversores do Sistema Monofásico para o Sistema Trifásico com Número Reduzido de Componentes.

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo comparativo do desempenho de três topologias de conversores do sistema monofásico para o sistema trifásico com número reduzido de componentes, para o acionamento de um motor de indução do tipo rotor gaiola de esquilo. O funcionamento de cada topologia é descrito e simulado digitalmente. O desempenho desses conversores é avaliado em diferentes modos de operação, com sequência de fase positiva ou negativa, com ênfase na qualidade de energia em termos de redução da distorção harmônica total e da melhoria do fator de potência na fonte. Com vistas à redução de custos, foi desenvolvido um protótipo experimental baseado no uso de módulo integrado de chaves semicondutoras de potência e de um microcontrolador de baixo custo. Os resultados experimentais se equiparam aos resultados obtidos por simulação.

Factor intensity and economic returns of alternate shrimp crop and shrimp-salt farming in the coastal areas of Bangladesh

The paper examines the factor intensity and economic returns of alternate shrimp-crop and shrimp-salt farming in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Data were collected from 30 shrimp-crop and 30 shrimp-salt farmers, 30 shrimp farmers and 30 rice farmers from three selected coastal districts of Bangladesh. Cobb-Douglas production function model was used to determine the effect of various factors on alternate shrimp-crop farming. The chosen variables were stocking of juveniles, paddy seed, labour, fertilizers, feed and farm size of respective type of farming. The results indicated that the production function exhibited increasing remrns to scale for alternate shrimp-rice, alternate shrimp-salt and year round shrimp farming while it indicated decreasing returns for year round rice farming. Economic analysis of same system of farming indicated that higher amount of input use produced higher level of yield, gross return and net return for each type of production system.

Time-optimal control of a 3-level quantum system and its generalization to an n-level system

We solve the problem of steering a three-level quantum system from one eigen-state to another in minimum time and study its possible extension to the time-optimal control problem for a general n-level quantum system. For the three-level system we find all optimal controls by finding two types of symmetry in the problem: ℤ2 × S3 discrete symmetry and S1 continuous symmetry, and exploiting them to solve the problem through discrete reduction and symplectic reduction. We then study the geometry, in the same framework, which occurs in the time-optimal control of a general n-level quantum system. © 2007 IEEE.

Time-optimal control of a 3-level quantum system and its generalization

We solve the problem of steering a three-level quantum system from one eigen-state to another in minimum time and study its possible extension to the time-optimal control problem for a general n-level quantum system. For the three-level system we find all optimal controls by finding two types of symmetry in the problems: ℤ × S3 discrete symmetry and 51 continuous symmetry, and exploiting them to solve the problem through discrete reduction and symplectic reduction. We then study the geometry, in the same framework, which occurs in the time-optimal control of a general n-level quantum system. Copyright ©2007 Watam Press.

A multi-standard active-RC filter with accurate tuning system

A low-power, highly linear, multi-standard, active-RC filter with an accurate and novel tuning architec-ture is presented. It exhibits 1EEE 802. 11a/b/g (9.5 MHz) and DVB-H (3 MHz, 4 MHz) application. The filter exploits digitally-controlled polysilicon resistor banks and a phase lock loop type automatic tuning system. The novel and complex automatic frequency calibration scheme provides better than 4 comer frequency accuracy, and it can be powered down after calibration to save power and avoid digital signal interference. The filter achieves OIP3 of 26 dBm and the measured group delay variation of the receiver filter is 50 ns (WLAN mode). Its dissipation is 3.4 mA in RX mode and 2.3 mA (only for one path) in TX mode from a 2.85 V supply. The dissipation of calibration consumes 2 mA. The circuit has been fabricated in a 0.35μm 47 GHz SiGe BiCMOS technology; the receiver and transmitter filter occupy 0.21 mm~2 and 0.11 mm~2 (calibration circuit excluded), respectively.

Analysis of the effect of copper on the virulence of a pathogenic Edwardsiella tarda strain

Aim: To investigate the effect of copper on the virulence of Edwardsiella tarda. Methods and Results: The pathogenic Edw. tarda strain TX5 was cultured under copper-stressed conditions and examined for any potential alteration in capacities that are associated with pathogenicity. The results showed that compared to untreated TX5, Cu-treated TX5 exhibits reduced planktonic and biofilm growth, an impaired ability to adhere to host mucus, modulation of host immune response, and dissemination in host blood and liver. Consistent with these observations, the overall bacterial virulence of Cu-treated TX5 is significantly attenuated. SDS-PAGE analyses of whole cell protein production showed that Cu-treated TX5 differs from the untreated TX5 in its production of at least one protein. Quantitative real time reverse transcriptase PCR analyses showed that copper treatment decreased the expression of virulence-associated genes encoding components of the type III and type VI secretion systems, the Eth haemolysin system, and the LuxS/AI-2 quorum-sensing system. Conclusions: Prolonged exposure to copper has multiple effects on TX5 and results in significant attenuation of bacterial virulence. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this study demonstrate that copper treatment has a broad and profound effect on the virulence-associated capacities of TX5, which is exerted at least in part at the transcription level. These findings provide new insights to the antimicrobial mechanism of copper.

东天山镁铁-超镁铁岩铜镍硫化物矿床通道式成矿机制与岩体含矿性评价研究

A mafic-ultramafic complex belt well developed in Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang, NW China, which contains a series of Cu-Ni sulfide deposits. This area is the important production basis for Cu-Ni deposits, including Tulargen deposit, Hulu deposit, Huangshan-Huangshandong deposit, Hulu deposit, Xiangshan deposit, Tianyu deposit, Chuanzhu deposit. In China, especially Eastern Tianshan, it is prevalent that large Cu-Ni deposits occurred in small intrusions, typically including Jinchuan, Kalatongke, et al., so the ore-forming mechanism and evaluation rule for those small intrusions are very meaningful and of universal significance. On the basis of the research to typical Cu-Ni deposits, ore-forming conditions and processes are summarized through which to evaluate the ore-bearing potential for barren intrusions and unexplored mafic-ultramafic intrusions. By the contrast, metallogenic rule and mechanism of ore genesis are concluded, and evaluation system is preliminarily set up on the basis of these conclusions. Quantitatively simulation for the composition of olivine is introduced for the first time in China to discuss the interaction between magma and sulfide, and a new method to calculate the Mg-Fe composition of primitive magma is developed. Interaction between magma and sulfide liquid is used to get the Ni content in sulfide liquid. Sulfur isotopic characteristics in sulfide minerals in country rocks and ores are used to judge crustal sulfur introduction, which is applied for the first time in China. Re-Os isotopic characteristics are related to the ore-forming process, to interpret the process of enrichment of chalcophile elements. On the basis of the evaluation system, Mati, Chuanzhu, Luodong, Xiadong, those intrusions are evaluated to their ore-bearing potential. According to the studies to typical Cu-Ni deposits, conduit-type ore-forming model is set up, and the characteristics of the model are concluded systematically. The evaluation system and conduit-type ore-forming model can be helpful to the evaluation of mafic-ultramafic intrusions in this and similar mafic-ultramafic intrusion belts. The studied typical deposits and mafic-ultramafic intrusion include Tulargen deposit, Hulu deposit, Huangshandong deposit, Chuanzhu deposit, Mati intrusion，Luodong intrusion, Xiadong intrusion, and others. Through studies, there are similar characteristics for Tulargen and Hulu deposits in magma origin, composition of primitive magma（MgO=12.5%, FeO=12% and MgO=11%, FeO=10.5% respectively）, magma evolution, mechanism of sulfide segregation and conduit-type ore-forming process. By Re-Os isotopic system, the ore forming date of Tulargen deposit is 265.6±9.2Ma, which is consistent to regional metallogenic event, but little younger. The Mg-Fe composition of primitive magma of Baishiquan, Huangshandong area, Kalatongke is lower than that of Tulargen and Hulu deposit, showing common basalt composition. The Mg# value（Mg#=(Mg/Mg+Fe）increases gradually from Kalatongke to Baishiquan to Huangshan-Huangshandong East. Baishiquan intrusions show relatively higher crustal contamination by evidence of trace element, which indicates the lower magma original source, from depleted mantle to crust. One break is the discovery of komatiitic intrusion, Xiadong intrusion, which shows characteristics of highly magnesium (Max Fo=96). The primitive magma is calculated of MgO=28%，FeO=9%, belonging to komatiitic magma. Tectonic evolution of Eastern Tianshan is discussed. By the statistics of ore-forming data of porphyry copper deposits, magmatic sulfide Cu-Ni deposits, orogenic hydrothermal gold deposits, we believe that those deposits are the successive products of oceanic subduction, are and back-arc basin collision and post-orogenic extention. And Cu-Ni sulfide deposits and orogenic gold deposits occurred in the stage of post-orogenic extention. According to the conclusions, the conduit-type ore-forming mechanism of magmatic sulfide deposit is set up, and its characteristics and conditions are concluded as well. The conduit-type ore-forming system includes magma generation, sulfide segregation, enrichment of chalcophile elements, interaction of sulfide and magma, sulfide collection in limited space in magma conduit and bottom of the chamber, which make a whole ore-forming system.The ore-forming process of Cu-Ni sulfide deposits is concluded as three steps: 1. mantle derived magma rises upward to the middle-upper crust; 2. magma suffers crustal contamination of different degrees and assimilates crustal sulfur, which leads to sulfur saturation and sulfide segregation. Sulfide liquid interacts with magma and concentrates chalcophile elements; 3. enriched sulfide located in the conduit(Tulargen) or bottom of the chamber (Hulu). Depleted magma rises upward continuously to form barren complexes. For the practical cases, Tulargen deposit represents the feeding conduit, and Hulu deposit represents the bottom of the staging magma chamber. So the deeper of west of Tulargen and southwest of Hulu are the favorite locate for ore location. The evaluation for ore potential can be summarized as follows: (1) Olivine can be served as indicator for magma evolution and events of sulfide segregation; (2) Sulfur isotopic characteristics is an efficient method to judge sulfur origin for magmatic sulfide deposit; (3) Re-Os content of the ores can indicate interaction between sulfide and silicate magma and crustal contamination; (4) PGE mineralization is effected by degree of partial melting of mantle; (5) Cu/Zr is efficient parameter to judge sulfide segregation; (6) The effects of multiple magma fractionation and emplacement are important, for inverse order shows the destruction to previous solid lithofacies and orebodies. Mati, Chuanzhu, Xiadong, Luodong, mafic-ultramafic intrusions are evaluated using evaluation system above. Remarkable Ni depletion is found in olivine of Mati, and southwest of the intrusion can be hopeful location for ore location. Chuanzhu intrusion has remarkable evidence of sulfide segregation, but the intrusion represents the narrow feeder conduit, so the wide part of the conduit maybe the favorite location for sulfide to deposit. The ore potential of Luodong and Xiadong is not good. Both the intrusions show no Ni depletion in olivine, and there is no sulfide in country rocks, so no crustal sulfur is added into the magmatic system. For Sidingheishan, a very large intrusion, the phenomenon of sulfide segregation is found, but there are no favorite places for sulfide to deposit. So the Cu-Ni ore potential maybe not good, but PGE mineralization should be evaluated further.

准噶尔盆地中拐东北斜坡油气成藏条件研究——西部压性盆地含油气系统理论的研究与实践

This paper builds the model of oil accumulation and achieves the prediction of exploration goal. It uses multiple subject means, the ways of synthetic research and the viewpoint of analyzing genesis, with the academic guidance of sedimentology, structural geology, petroleum geology and geochemistry, the basis of strata sequence frame and structural frame, the frame of "four history" - the burying history, the structural history, the filling history and the evolving history of oil, the masterstroke of hydrocarbon's generation, migration and accumulation, the aim of revealing the genetic relation between mature source rock and oil reservoir in space and time. Some achievements and viewpoints in this study are following. 1. It is proposed that the structural evolution in this area had many periods, and the structural movement of the Xiazijie group telophase formed the structural pattern for the first time. 2. The character of strata sequence in this area is divided by the character of episodic cycle firstly. The study of dividing the facies of single well and the facies of well tie is based on the data of single well. The character of sedimentary facies is con-structed initially. 3. It is believed that Jiamuhe group is the main source rock, which can supply considerable oil and gas resources for the first time. Some criterions of source rock such as the type ,the abundance in Jiamuhe group are analysed. Using the thermal history of source rock, we drawn a conclusion that the original type of source rock in Jiamuhe group is II_1-III, and the abundance achived the level of good source rock, and this set of source rock had contributed to this area. 4. The reservoir strata in this area are assessed and analysed with the reservoir evaluation. There are multi-type reservoirs, such as volcanic lava facies, sedimentary clast facies, continental belch facies. The physical property in reservoir strata is characterized by low porosity and low permeability. The study of diagenetic stage show that the diageneses in Jiamuhe group is A-Bsubage, and the reservoir room is mainly secondary corroded hollow and cleft. 5. The synthetic research on oil system in Jiamuhe group is made for the first time. The type of petroleum system is divided , and we consider that the petroleum system of Jiamuhe group is at the reliable rank. There are two critical time in oil accumulation through studying the critical time of oil accumulation : the early generation of hydrocarbon is oil, and the later is gas. 6. The mechanism of accumulation is analysed. We consider that the accu-mulation of oil in this area has many periods, and the early generated hydrocarbon is expeled by the later , and formed the character of zonal distribution in planar. 7. A bran-new model of oil and gas is proposed. Beneficial enrichment area of oil and gas is analyzed, which can be divided into three sections: Section I can be divided into two sections: I_1 and I_2. The lower subgroup of Jiamuhe is covered by the triassic layer of I_1 section. Fault zone and near the foot wall of fault are charactered with thick phase belt. Then the cover capability in this area is relatively poor, oil can migrate into triassic layer by vertical or lateral migration , and forms I_1 Kelamayi triassic oil pool consequently. The lower subgroup of Jiamuhe is covered by the triassic layer of I_2 section ,which is charactered with thin phase belt. Then the cover capability in this area is relatively good, and forms I_1 Kelamayi triassic oil pool consequently. Section II can be divided into two sections: II_1-I_(I~2). The cover of Jiamuhe group in section II_1 is the low resistivity segment in Wuerhe group, which has thin lithology and poor porosity and permeability. Oil and gas in Jiamuhe group can be covered to form beneficial accumulation area. There are some wells in this area, such as Ke 007 well, 561 well. The thick phase belt layer of Wuerhe high resistivity segment in section II_2 has unconformable relation with Jiamuhe group. The cover ability of the high resistivity segment is poor, petroleum in Jiamuhe can migrate into Wuerhe layer vertically. This area is the beneficial area for accumulating petroleum in Wuerhe layer. there are some wells in this area, such as Ke 75 well, Ke 76 well, Ke 77 well, Ke 78 well, Ke 79 well. Section III can also be divided into two sections: III_1 and III_2. Wuerhe group in section III_1 has unconformable relation with Jiamuhe group. There is thick lithology and poor cover in Wuerhe group, but the strata sequence evolution character of upper subgroup in Jiamuhe group has determined that it has lateral and vertical cover ability. thus, this area is petroleum abundant belt of jiamuhe group, which has the trap. Section III_2 is an area controled by wedgeout of Fengcheng group, Fengcheng group in this area has quite thick lithology so that It has beneficial resevoir phase belt. It can accumulate oil in itself or accept some oil in Jiamuhe group. Jiamuhe group has some oil accumulation condition in this area. Thus, section III_2 is jiamuhe-Fengcheng multiple petroleum accumulation belt, such as Ke 80 well. 8. The goal of exploration is suggested: Depositional trap or combination trap is the important aspect in later exploration. Both types of traps are the goal of the next drilling: Fault block trap in the east of 576 well and the NO. 2 fault block trap in the north of Ke 102 well It is suggested that we should study the law of oil and gas in Jiamuhe group and enhance the study of combination in forming reservoir and trap scale. We do some lithology forecast and reservoir diatropic forecast in order to know the area of oil and gas.

Typability and Type Checking in the Second-Order Λ-Calculus Are Equivalent and Undecidable (Preliminary Draft)

We consider the problems of typability[1] and type checking[2] in the Girard/Reynolds second-order polymorphic typed λ-calculus, for which we use the short name "System F" and which we use in the "Curry style" where types are assigned to pure λ -terms. These problems have been considered and proven to be decidable or undecidable for various restrictions and extensions of System F and other related systems, and lower-bound complexity results for System F have been achieved, but they have remained "embarrassing open problems"[3] for System F itself. We first prove that type checking in System F is undecidable by a reduction from semi-unification. We then prove typability in System F is undecidable by a reduction from type checking. Since the reverse reduction is already known, this implies the two problems are equivalent. The second reduction uses a novel method of constructing λ-terms such that in all type derivations, specific bound variables must always be assigned a specific type. Using this technique, we can require that specific subterms must be typable using a specific, fixed type assignment in order for the entire term to be typable at all. Any desired type assignment may be simulated. We develop this method, which we call "constants for free", for both the λK and λI calculi.

Treatment of estrogens and androgens in dairy wastewater by a constructed wetland system.

Constructed wetland systems (CWS) have been used as a low cost bio-filtration system to treat farm wastewater. While studies have shown that CWS are efficient in removing organic compounds and pathogens, there is limited data on the presence of hormones in this type of treatment system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the CWS to reduce estrogenic and androgenic hormone concentration in dairy wastewater. This was achieved through a year long study on dairy wastewater samples obtained froma surface flow CWS. Analysis of hormonal levels was performed using a solid phase extraction (SPE) sample clean-up method, combined with reporter gene assays (RGAs) which incorporate relevant receptors capable of measuring total estrogenic or androgenic concentrations as low as 0.24 ng L1 and 6.9 ng L1 respectively. Monthly analysis showed a mean removal efficiency for estrogens of 95.2%, corresponding to an average residual concentration of 3.2 ng L1 17b-estradiol equivalent (EEQ), below the proposed lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) of 10 ng L1. However, for one month a peak EEQ concentration of 115 ng L1 was only reduced to 18.8 ng L1. The mean androgenic activity peaked at 360 ng L1 and a removal efficiency of 92.1% left an average residual concentration of 32.3 ng L1 testosterone equivalent (TEQ). The results obtained demonstrate that this type of CWS is an efficient system for the treatment of hormones in dairy wastewater. However, additional design improvements may be required to further enhance removal efficiency of peak hormone concentrations.

The suhB gene of Burkholderia cenocepacia is required for protein secretion, biofilm formation, motility and polymyxin B resistance

Burkholderia cenocepacia is a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a group of Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens that cause severe lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and display extreme intrinsic resistance to antibiotics including antimicrobial peptides. B. cenocepacia BCAL2157 encodes a protein homologous to SuhB, an inositol-1-monophosphatase from Escherichia coli, which was suggested to participate in posttranscriptional control of gene expression. In this work we show that a deletion of the suhB-like gene in B. cenocepacia (?suhBBc) was associated with pleiotropic phenotypes. The ?suhBBc mutant had a growth defect manifested by an almost 2-fold increase in the generation time relative to the parental strain. The mutant also had a general defect in protein secretion, motility and biofilm formation. Further analysis of the Type-2 and the Type-6 secretion systems activities revealed that these secretion systems were inactive in the ?suhBBc mutant. In addition, the mutant exhibited increased susceptibility to polymyxin B but not to aminoglycosides like gentamicin and kanamycin. Together, our results demonstrate that suhBBc deletion compromises general protein secretion including the activity of T2SS and T6SS, and affects polymyxin B resistance, motility, and biofilm formation. The pleiotropic effects observed upon suhBBc deletion demonstrate that suhBBc plays a critical role in the physiology of B. cenocepacia.

Estudo de caso de malformação congénita, com quantificação do êmbolo em 4 sistemas de suspensão para próteses endosqueléticas transtibiais com encaixe TSB

Introdução – O efeito de êmbolo é um dos principais problemas relacionados com a eficácia de uma prótese. Uma diminuição do mesmo pode levar a uma marcha mais natural através do aumento da propriocetividade. Objetivos – Verificar se existe diferença de valores do efeito de êmbolo entre vários sistemas de suspensão para próteses transtibiais com a utilização de Liners e testar a aplicação de testes de imagiologia na análise da melhor solução protésica para um determinado indivíduo. Metodologia – Foi obtida uma radiografia da prótese em carga na posição ortostática, mantendo o peso do indivíduo igualmente distribuído pelos dois pés. Seguidamente foi realizada outra radiografia no plano sagital com o joelho com 30° de flexão, com a prótese suspensa e um peso de 5kg aplicado na extremidade distal da mesma durante 30 seg. Através destes dois exames efetuaram-se as medições do êmbolo para cada tipo de sistema de suspensão. Resultados – Dos quatro sistemas estudados apenas três apresentam valores de êmbolo, visto que um dos sistemas não criou suspensão suficiente para suportar o peso colocado na extremidade distal da prótese. Através das medições realizadas nos exames imagiológicos dos três sistemas pudemos encontrar variações de efeito de êmbolo que vão dos 47,91mm aos 72,55mm. Conclusão – Através da realização do estudo imagiológico verificaram-se diferenças a nível do efeito de êmbolo nos vários sistemas de suspensão, provando que esta é uma ferramenta viável na avaliação do mesmo. Também através da análise dos resultados ficou notório que o sistema de suspensão Vacuum Assisted Suspention System (VASS) é o que apresenta menos êmbolo.

The use of analytical hierarchy process in spatial decision support system for land use management

Geographic information systems give us the possibility to analyze, produce, and edit geographic information. Furthermore, these systems fall short on the analysis and support of complex spatial problems. Therefore, when a spatial problem, like land use management, requires a multi-criteria perspective, multi-criteria decision analysis is placed into spatial decision support systems. The analytic hierarchy process is one of many multi-criteria decision analysis methods that can be used to support these complex problems. Using its capabilities we try to develop a spatial decision support system, to help land use management. Land use management can undertake a broad spectrum of spatial decision problems. The developed decision support system had to accept as input, various formats and types of data, raster or vector format, and the vector could be polygon line or point type. The support system was designed to perform its analysis for the Zambezi river Valley in Mozambique, the study area. The possible solutions for the emerging problems had to cover the entire region. This required the system to process large sets of data, and constantly adjust to new problems’ needs. The developed decision support system, is able to process thousands of alternatives using the analytical hierarchy process, and produce an output suitability map for the problems faced.

Alley cropping of willows and grassland for bioenergy provision: productivity, tree-crop interactions and energy balance

The demand for biomass for bioenergy has increased rapidly in industrialized countries in the recent years. Biogenic energy carriers are known to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the resource-inefficient production of biomass often caused negative impacts on the environment, e.g. biodiversity losses, nitrate leaching, and erosion. The detrimental effects evolved mainly from annual crops. Therefore, the aim of modern bioenergy cropping systems is to combine yield stability and environmental benefits by the establishment of mixed-cropping systems. A particular emphasis is on perennial crops which are perceived as environmentally superior to annual crops. Agroforestry systems represent such mixed perennial cropping systems and consist of a mix of trees and arable crops or grassland within the same area of land. Agroforestry practices vary across the globe and alley cropping is a type of agroforestry system which is well adapted to the temperate zone, with a high degree of mechanization. Trees are planted in rows and crops are planted in the alleyways, which facilitates their management by machinery. This study was conducted to examine a young alley cropping system of willows and two grassland mixtures for bioenergy provision under temperate climate conditions. The first part of the thesis identified possible competition effects between willows and the two grassland mixtures. Since light seemed to be the factor most affecting the yield performance of the understory in temperate agroforestry systems, a biennial in situ artificial shade experiment was established over a separate clover-grass stand to quantify the effects of shade. Data to possible below- and aboveground interactions among willows and the two grassland mixtures and their effects on productivity, sward composition, and quality were monitored along a tree-grassland interface within the alleys. In the second part, productivity of the alley cropping system was examined on a triennial time frame and compared to separate grassland and willow stands as controls. Three different conversion technologies (combustion of hay, integrated generation of solid fuel and biogas from biomass, whole crop digestion) were applied to grassland biomass as feedstock and analyzed for its energetic potential. The energetic potential of willow wood chips was calculated by applying combustion as conversion technique. Net energy balances of separate grassland stands, agroforestry and pure willow stands evaluated their energy efficiency. Results of the biennial artificial shade experiment showed that severe shade (80 % light reduction) halved grassland productivity on average compared to a non-shaded control. White clover as heliophilous plant responded sensitively to limited radiation and its dry matter contribution in the sward decreased with increasing shade, whereas non-leguminous forbs (mainly segetal species) benefited. Changes in nutritive quality could not be confirmed by this experiment. Through the study on interactions within the alleys of the young agroforestry system it was possible to outline changes of incident light, soil temperature and sward composition of clover-grass along the tree-grassland interface. Nearly no effects of trees on precipitation, soil moisture and understory productivity occurred along the interface during the biennial experiment. Considering the results of the productivity and the net energy yield alley cropping system had lower than pure grassland stands, irrespective of the grassland seed mixture or fertilization, but was higher than that for pure willow stands. The comparison of three different energetic conversion techniques for the grassland biomass showed highest net energy yields for hay combustion, whereas the integrated generation of solid fuel and biogas from biomass (IFBB) and whole crop digestion performed similarly. However, due to the low fuel quality of hay, its direct combustion cannot be recommended as a viable conversion technique, whereas IFBB fuels were of a similar quality to wood chip from willow.