Further evidence on the statistical properties of real GNP

The well-known lack of power of unit root tests has often been attributed to the shortlength of macroeconomic variables and also to DGP s that depart from the I(1)-I(0)alternatives. This paper shows that by using long spans of annual real GNP and GNPper capita (133 years) high power can be achieved, leading to the rejection of both theunit root and the trend-stationary hypothesis. This suggests that possibly neither modelprovides a good characterization of these data. Next, more flexible representations areconsidered, namely, processes containing structural breaks (SB) and fractional ordersof integration (FI). Economic justification for the presence of these features in GNP isprovided. It is shown that the latter models (FI and SB) are in general preferred to theARIMA (I(1) or I(0)) ones. As a novelty in this literature, new techniques are appliedto discriminate between FI and SB models. It turns out that the FI specification ispreferred, implying that GNP and GNP per capita are non-stationary, highly persistentbut mean-reverting series. Finally, it is shown that the results are robust when breaksin the deterministic component are allowed for in the FI model. Some macroeconomicimplications of these findings are also discussed.

Systematic study of the static electrical properties of the CO molecule: influence of the basis set size and correlation energy

The influence of the basis set size and the correlation energy in the static electrical properties of the CO molecule is assessed. In particular, we have studied both the nuclear relaxation and the vibrational contributions to the static molecular electrical properties, the vibrational Stark effect (VSE) and the vibrational intensity effect (VIE). From a mathematical point of view, when a static and uniform electric field is applied to a molecule, the energy of this system can be expressed in terms of a double power series with respect to the bond length and to the field strength. From the power series expansion of the potential energy, field-dependent expressions for the equilibrium geometry, for the potential energy and for the force constant are obtained. The nuclear relaxation and vibrational contributions to the molecular electrical properties are analyzed in terms of the derivatives of the electronic molecular properties. In general, the results presented show that accurate inclusion of the correlation energy and large basis sets are needed to calculate the molecular electrical properties and their derivatives with respect to either nuclear displacements or/and field strength. With respect to experimental data, the calculated power series coefficients are overestimated by the SCF, CISD, and QCISD methods. On the contrary, perturbation methods (MP2 and MP4) tend to underestimate them. In average and using the 6-311 + G(3df) basis set and for the CO molecule, the nuclear relaxation and the vibrational contributions to the molecular electrical properties amount to 11.7%, 3.3%, and 69.7% of the purely electronic μ, α, and β values, respectively

A further examination of the distinction between dependency-oriented and achievement-oriented parental psychological control: Psychometric properties of the DAPCS with French-speaking late adolescents

Psychological control refers to parental behaviors that intrude on the psychological and emotional development of the child. In 2010, Soenens and colleagues proposed a distinction between two domain-specific expressions of psychological control, that is, Dependency-oriented Psychological Control (DPC) and Achievement-oriented Psychological Control (APC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity of the French form of the Dependency-oriented and Achievement-oriented Psychological Control Scale (DAPCS; Soenens, Vansteenkiste, and Luyten, 2010) in a sample of late adolescents (N = 291, mean age = 21.65). Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the hypothesized two-factor solution of the DAPCS for paternal as well as for maternal ratings. Moreover, high indices of internal consistency indicated that both subscales produced reliable scores. Further, convergent validity was confirmed by theoretically consistent associations between the DAPCS' subscales and well-established assessments of general parenting style dimensions. Finally, results evidenced gender specific patterns supporting the relevance of domain differentiation in the assessment of psychological control. Overall, the results of this study indicated that the French form of the DAPCS might be a useful instrument to assess two domainspecific types of parental psychological control among French-speaking adolescents.

Rhizosphere properties of maize genotypes with contrasting phosphorus efficiency

An experiment was conducted in a growth chamber to evaluate characteristics of the rhizosphere of maize genotypes contrasting in P-use efficiency, by determining length and density of root hairs, the rhizosphere pH and the functional diversity of rhizosphere bacteria. A sample of a Red Oxisol was limed and fertilized with N, K and micronutrients. In the treatment with the highest P level, 174 mg kg-1 P was added. Each experimental unit corresponded to a PVC rhizobox filled with 2.2 dm-3 soil. The experiment was completely randomized with three replications in a 5 x 2 factorial design, corresponding to five genotypes (H1, H2 and H3 = P-efficient hybrids, H4 and H5 = P-inefficient hybrids) and two P levels (low = 3 mg dm-3, high = 29 mg dm-3). It was found that 18 days after transplanting, the nodal roots of the hybrids H3 and H2 had the longest root hairs. In general, the pH in the rhizosphere of the different genotypes was higher than in non-rhizosphere soil, irrespective of the P level. The pH was higher in the rhizosphere of lateral than of nodal roots. At low P levels, the pH variation of the hybrids H2, H4 and H5 was greater in rhizospheric than in non-rhizospheric soil. The functional microbial activity in the rhizosphere of the hybrids H3 and H5 was highest. At low soil P levels, the indices of microbial functional diversity were also higher. The microbial metabolic profile in the rhizosphere of hybrids H1, H2, H3, and H5 remained unaltered when the plants were grown at low P. The variations in the rhizosphere properties could not be related to patterns of P-use efficiency in the tested genotypes.

Bulk and single-particle properties of hyperonic matter at finite temperature

Bulk and single-particle properties of hot hyperonic matter are studied within the Brueckner-Hartree-Fock approximation extended to finite temperature. The bare interaction in the nucleon sector is the Argonne V18 potential supplemented with an effective three-body force to reproduce the saturating properties of nuclear matter. The modern Nijmegen NSC97e potential is employed for the hyperon-nucleon and hyperon-hyperon interactions. The effect of temperature on the in-medium effective interaction is found to be, in general, very small and the single-particle potentials differ by at most 25% for temperatures in the range from 0 to 60 MeV. The bulk properties of infinite matter of baryons, either nuclear isospin symmetric or a Beta-stable composition that includes a nonzero fraction of hyperons, are obtained. It is found that the presence of hyperons can modify the thermodynamical properties of the system in a non-negligible way.

Dynamical properties of discrete breathers in curved chains with first and second neighbor interaction

We present the study of discrete breather dynamics in curved polymerlike chains consisting of masses connected via nonlinear springs. The polymer chains are one dimensional but not rectilinear and their motion takes place on a plane. After constructing breathers following numerically accurate procedures, we launch them in the chains and investigate properties of their propagation dynamics. We find that breather motion is strongly affected by the presence of curved regions of polymers, while the breathers themselves show a very strong resilience and remarkable stability in the presence of geometrical changes. For chains with strong angular rigidity we find that breathers either pass through bent regions or get reflected while retaining their frequency. Their motion is practically lossless and seems to be determined through local energy conservation. For less rigid chains modeled via second neighbor interactions, we find similarly that chain geometry typically does not destroy the localized breather states but, contrary to the angularly rigid chains, it induces some small but constant energy loss. Furthermore, we find that a curved segment acts as an active gate reflecting or refracting the incident breather and transforming its velocity to a value that depends on the discrete breathers frequency. We analyze the physical reasoning behind these seemingly general breather properties.

Physical-hydraulic properties of a sandy loam typic paleudalf soil under organic cultivation of 'montenegrina' mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Tenore)¹

Citrus plants are the most important fruit species in the world, with emphasis to oranges, mandarins and lemons. In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, most fruit production is found on small properties under organic cultivation. Soil compaction is one of the factors limiting production and due to the fixed row placement of this crop, compaction can arise in various manners in the interrows of the orchard. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil physical properties and water infiltration capacity in response to interrow management in an orchard of mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Tenore 'Montenegrina') under organic cultivation. Interrow management was performed through harrowing, logs in em "V", mowing, and cutting/knocking down plants with a knife roller. Soil physical properties were evaluated in the wheel tracks of the tractor (WT), between the wheel tracks (BWT), and in the area under the line projection of the canopy (CLP), with undisturbed soil samples collected in the 0.00-0.15, 0.15-0.30, 0.30-0.45, and 0.45-0.60 m layers, with four replicates. The soil water infiltration test was performed using the concentric cylinder method, with a maximum time of 90 min for each test. In general, soil analysis showed a variation in the physical-hydraulic properties of the Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico arênico (sandy loam Typic Paleudalf) in the three sampling sites in all layers, regardless of the management procedure in the interrows. Machinery traffic leads to heterogeneity in the soil physical-hydraulic properties in the interrows of the orchard. Soil porosity and bulk density are affected especially in the wheel tracks of the tractor (WT), which causes a reduction in the constant rate of infiltration and in the accumulated infiltration of water in this sampling site. The use of the disk harrow and mower leads to greater harmful effects on the soil, which can interfere with mandarin production.

The Prediction of Creep and Shrinkage Properties of Concrete, HR-136, 1970

This report is concerned with the prediction of the long-time creep and shrinkage behavior of concrete. It is divided into three main areas. l. The development of general prediction methods that can be used by a design engineer when specific experimental data are not available. 2. The development of prediction methods based on experimental data. These methods take advantage of equations developed in item l, and can be used to accurately predict creep and shrinkage after only 28 days of data collection. 3. Experimental verification of items l and 2, and the development of specific prediction equations for four sand-lightweight aggregate concretes tested in the experimental program. The general prediction equations and methods are developed in Chapter II. Standard Equations to estimate the creep of normal weight concrete (Eq. 9), sand-lightweight concrete (Eq. 12), and lightweight concrete (Eq. 15) are recommended. These equations are developed for standard conditions (see Sec. 2. 1) and correction factors required to convert creep coefficients obtained from equations 9, 12, and 15 to valid predictions for other conditions are given in Equations 17 through 23. The correction factors are shown graphically in Figs. 6 through 13. Similar equations and methods are developed for the prediction of the shrinkage of moist cured normal weight concrete (Eq. 30}, moist cured sand-lightweight concrete (Eq. 33}, and moist cured lightweight concrete (Eq. 36). For steam cured concrete the equations are Eq. 42 for normal weight concrete, and Eq. 45 for lightweight concrete. Correction factors are given in Equations 47 through 52 and Figs., 18 through 24. Chapter III summarizes and illustrates, by examples, the prediction methods developed in Chapter II. Chapters IV and V describe an experimental program in which specific prediction equations are developed for concretes made with Haydite manufactured by Hydraulic Press Brick Co. (Eqs. 53 and 54}, Haydite manufactured by Buildex Inc. (Eqs. 55 and 56), Haydite manufactured by The Cater-Waters Corp. (Eqs. 57 and 58}, and Idealite manufactured by Idealite Co. (Eqs. 59 and 60). General prediction equations are also developed from the data obtained in the experimental program (Eqs. 61 and 62) and are compared to similar equations developed in Chapter II. Creep and Shrinkage prediction methods based on 28 day experimental data are developed in Chapter VI. The methods are verified by comparing predicted and measured values of the long-time creep and shrinkage of specimens tested at the University of Iowa (see Chapters IV and V) and elsewhere. The accuracy obtained is shown to be superior to other similar methods available to the design engineer.

Transmission properties of high barrier coated paperboard packages

High barrier materiaaleilla pyritään pidentämään pakattujen elintarvikkeiden hyllyikää. Barrierin tärkein tehtävä on elintarvikkeen suojaaminen hapelta ja kosteudelta. Alumiinin käyttöä barriermateriaalina pyritään vähentämään korvaamalla alumiini polymeereillä, jotka täyttävät elintarvikkeiden asettamat korkeat säilyvyysvaatimukset. Etyylivinyylialkoholin (EVOH) hapenläpäisevyys on kuivissa olosuhteissa alhaisin kaupallisista muovilaaduista. EVOH tarjoaa myös erinomaisen suojan muita kaasuja, rasvoja, hajuja ja aromeja vastaan ja sitä on helppo prosessoida. Polyamideilla on erinomainen kaasutiiveys sekä hyvä lujuus ja sitkeys. Eri muovilaatuja sekoittamalla voidaan vähentää hapenläpäisyä ja parantaa prosessointia. Polyolefiineja käytetään yleisesti päällystysmateriaaleina, koska ne suojaavat tuotetta erinomaisesti kosteudelta. Hapenläpäisyllä tarkoitetaan hapen kulkeutumista materiaalin läpi joko permeaation kautta tai reikien ja vuotojen läpi. Kaasun permeoitumiseen materiaalin läpi vaikuttavat materiaalin vapaa tilavuus, kiteisyysaste, orientaatio, substituointi, suhteellinen kosteus, lämpötila, barrierkerroksen paksuus, paine-ero ja permeoituvan molekyylin ominaisuudet. Kokeellisessa osassa analysoitiin ja vertailtiin kartonkipohjaisia mehutölkkejä, joissa käytettävät high barrier materiaalit olivat EVOH ja PA. Kartonkipohjaisia alumiinitölkkejä käytettiin referenssinä. Pakkausten hapenläpäisevyysmittauksissa saatiin samasta näytteestä toistettavia tuloksia, vaikka vuotomittauksissa saadut tulokset eivät olleet vertailukelpoisia hapenläpäisytulosten kanssa. Tölkkien valmistus vaikutti oleellisesti pakkausten tiiveysominaisuuksiin. Hapenläpäisy vuotojen ja reikien läpi oli merkittävämpää kuin hapenläpäisy materiaalin läpi. Pakkausten tiiveysominaisuuksia analysoitiin mittaamalla appelsiinimehun askorbiini-happopitoisuus. Askorbiinihapon hajoaminen mitattiin koetölkkeihin pakatusta appelsiinimehusta, ja lämpötilan, valon ja hapen vaikutusta askorbiinihapon hajoamiseen tutkittiin 12 viikon ajan. Lämpötilalla oli suurin vaikutus askorbiinihapon hajoamiseen huolimatta käytetystä pakkausmateriaalista.

Spectral properties of the Laplacian of multiplex networks.

One of the more challenging tasks in the understanding of dynamical properties of models on top of complex networks is to capture the precise role of multiplex topologies. In a recent paper, Gómez et al. [ Phys. Rev. Lett. 110 028701 (2013)], some of the authors proposed a framework for the study of diffusion processes in such networks. Here, we extend the previous framework to deal with general configurations in several layers of networks and analyze the behavior of the spectrum of the Laplacian of the full multiplex. We derive an interesting decoupling of the problem that allow us to unravel the role played by the interconnections of the multiplex in the dynamical processes on top of them. Capitalizing on this decoupling we perform an asymptotic analysis that allow us to derive analytical expressions for the full spectrum of eigenvalues. This spectrum is used to gain insight into physical phenomena on top of multiplex, specifically, diffusion processes and synchronizability.

CNDOL: A fast and reliable method for the calculation of electronic properties of very large systems. Applications to retinal binding pocket in rhodopsin and gas phase porphine.

Very large molecular systems can be calculated with the so called CNDOL approximate Hamiltonians that have been developed by avoiding oversimplifications and only using a priori parameters and formulas from the simpler NDO methods. A new diagonal monoelectronic term named CNDOL/21 shows great consistency and easier SCF convergence when used together with an appropriate function for charge repulsion energies that is derived from traditional formulas. It is possible to obtain a priori molecular orbitals and electron excitation properties after the configuration interaction of single excited determinants with reliability, maintaining interpretative possibilities even being a simplified Hamiltonian. Tests with some unequivocal gas phase maxima of simple molecules (benzene, furfural, acetaldehyde, hexyl alcohol, methyl amine, 2,5 dimethyl 2,4 hexadiene, and ethyl sulfide) ratify the general quality of this approach in comparison with other methods. The calculation of large systems as porphine in gas phase and a model of the complete retinal binding pocket in rhodopsin with 622 basis functions on 280 atoms at the quantum mechanical level show reliability leading to a resulting first allowed transition in 483 nm, very similar to the known experimental value of 500 nm of "dark state." In this very important case, our model gives a central role in this excitation to a charge transfer from the neighboring Glu(-) counterion to the retinaldehyde polyene chain. Tests with gas phase maxima of some important molecules corroborate the reliability of CNDOL/2 Hamiltonians.

Effects of the epitaxial layer thickness on the noise properties of Schottky barrier diodes

An analytical theory to describe the combined effects of the epitaxial layer thickness and the ohmic contact on the noise properties of Schottky barrier diodes is presented. The theory, which provides information on both the local and the global noise properties, takes into account the finite size of the epitaxial layer and the effects of the back ohmic contact, and applies to the whole range of applied bias. It is shown that by scaling down the epitaxial layer thickness, the current regime in which the noise temperature displays a shot-noise-like behavior increases at the cost of reducing the current range in which the thermal-noise-like behavior dominates. This improvement in noise temperature is limited by the effects of the ohmic contact, which appear for large currents. The theory is formulated on general trends, allowing its application to the noise analysis of other semiconductor devices operating under strongly inhomogeneous distributions of the electric field and charge concentrations.

Effects of the epitaxial layer thickness on the noise properties of Schottky barrier diodes

An analytical theory to describe the combined effects of the epitaxial layer thickness and the ohmic contact on the noise properties of Schottky barrier diodes is presented. The theory, which provides information on both the local and the global noise properties, takes into account the finite size of the epitaxial layer and the effects of the back ohmic contact, and applies to the whole range of applied bias. It is shown that by scaling down the epitaxial layer thickness, the current regime in which the noise temperature displays a shot-noise-like behavior increases at the cost of reducing the current range in which the thermal-noise-like behavior dominates. This improvement in noise temperature is limited by the effects of the ohmic contact, which appear for large currents. The theory is formulated on general trends, allowing its application to the noise analysis of other semiconductor devices operating under strongly inhomogeneous distributions of the electric field and charge concentrations.

The physico-chemical properties of 2-methoxyphenoxyacetates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)

The complexes of 2-methoxyhenoxyacetates of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)with the general formula: M(C9H9O4)3·4H2O, where M(II) = Mn, Co, Ni and Cu have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, magnetic and thermogravimetric studies and also X-ray diffraction measurements. The complexes have colours typical for M(II) ions (Mn(II) - a pale pink, Co(II) - pink, Ni(II) - green, and Cu(II) - blue). The carboxylate group binds as monodentate and bidentate ligands. On heating to 1273K in air the complexes decompose in the same way. At first, they dehydrate in one step to anhydrous salts, that next decompose to the oxides of respective metals with the intermediate formation of the oxycarbonates. Their solubility in water at 293K is of the order of 10-5 mol·dm-3. The magnetic moments of analysed complexes were determined in the range of 76-303K. The results reveal them to be high-spin complexes of weak ligand fields.

Impact of mineral fillers on the properties of extruded wood-polypropylene composites

The main aim of this thesis is to study the effect of mineral fillers on the properties of extruded wood-polypropylene composites (WPC). The studied minerals are Talc, Calcite (CaCO3), two quantities of Wollastonite and Soapstone, and the level of mineral addition is 20 w-%. The study shows that mineral fillers can be used to modify and improve the properties of woodplastic composites. Especially the moisture-related properties of WPCs were found to be improved significantly by mineral addition. As the WPCs of the studied type are commonly used in outdoor applications, this is of importance in terms of usability. In machining, the addition of two minerals retained the surface roughness at same level throughout the test, indicating a favorable effect on machinability. The use of hard minerals shortened the tool life in machining. In general, a modest increase in density was observed. In many of the studied properties, no apparent influence of mineral addition was found, indicating that the properties were not weakened. An overall result was that talc showed the best overall performance, indicating that it can be used as an active filler improving most of the studied properties, especially moisture resistance. Calcite was found to have nearly similar performance. According to the findings, mineral addition to wood-plastic composites appears to be beneficial; especially moisture resistance can be enhanced without diminishing the other properties or usability in general.