Macropores generated during shrinkage in two paddy soils using X-ray micro-computed tomography

Soil shrinkage curve represents a decrease of total porosity or an increase of bulk density with water loss. However, our knowledge of the dynamics of pores and their geometry during soil shrinkage is scarce, partially due to lack of reliable methods for determining soil pores in relation to change in soil water. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of macropores (>30 mu m) of paddy soils during shrinkage. Two, paddy soils, which were sampled from one paddy field cultivated for 20 years (YPF) and the other one for over 100 years (OPF), represented difference in crack geometry in the field. Macropore parameters (volume, connectivity, and orientation of pores) and soil shrinkage parameters were determined on the same undisturbed soil cores by X-ray microtomography and shrinkage curve, respectively. Macroporosity was on average four times larger in the YPF than in the OPF whereas the shrinkage capacity was lower in the YPF as compared to the OPF (0.09 vs. 0.15 COLE). Soil shrinkage increased the volume of pores by 3.7% in the YPF and by 1.6% in the OPF as well as their connectivity. The formation of macropores occurred mostly in the proportional shrinkage phase. As a result, the slope of the proportional shrinkage phase was smaller in the YPF (0.65) than in the OPF (0.89). New macropores were cracks and extended pre-existing pores in the range of 225-1215 pm size without any preferential orientation. This work provides image evidences that in paddy soils with high shrinkage capacity more macropores are generated in the soil presenting a smaller proportional shrinkage slope. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the Gaussian Many-to-One X Channel

In this paper, the Gaussian many-to-one X channel (XC), which is a special case of general multiuser XC, is studied. In the Gaussian many-to-one XC, communication links exist between all transmitters and one of the receivers, along with a communication link between each transmitter and its corresponding receiver. As per the XC assumption, transmission of messages is allowed on all the links of the channel. This communication model is different from the corresponding manyto- one interference channel (IC). Transmission strategies, which involve using Gaussian codebooks and treating interference from a subset of transmitters as noise, are formulated for the above channel. Sum-rate is used as the criterion of optimality for evaluating the strategies. Initially, a 3 x 3 many-to-one XC is considered and three transmission strategies are analyzed. The first two strategies are shown to achieve sum-rate capacity under certain channel conditions. For the third strategy, a sum-rate outer bound is derived and the gap between the outer bound and the achieved rate is characterized. These results are later extended to the K x K case. Next, a region in which the many-to-one XC can be operated as a many-to-one IC without the loss of sum-rate is identified. Furthermore, in the above region, it is shown that using Gaussian codebooks and treating interference as noise achieve a rate point that is within K/2 -1 bits from the sum-rate capacity. Subsequently, some implications of the above results to the Gaussian many-to-one IC are discussed. Transmission strategies for the many-to-one IC are formulated, and channel conditions under which the strategies achieve sum-rate capacity are obtained. A region where the sum-rate capacity can be characterized to within K/2 -1 bits is also identified. Finally, the regions where the derived channel conditions are satisfied for each strategy are illustrated for a 3 x 3 many-to-one XC and the corresponding many-to-one IC.

Investigations into the structural and down-shifting and up-conversion luminescence properties of Ba2Na1-3xErxNb5O15 (0 <= x <= 0.06) nanocrystalline phosphor synthesized via sol-gel route

The present work deals with the structural and efficient down-shifting (DS) and up-conversion (UC) luminescence properties of erbium ion (Er3+) doped nanocrystalline barium sodium niobate (Ba2Na1-3xErxNb5O15, where x = 0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) powders synthesized via novel citrate-based sol-gel route. The monophasic nature of the title compound was confirmed via x-ray powder diffraction followed by FT-IR studies. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) facilitated the establishment of the nanocrystalline phase and the morphology of the crystallites. The Kubelka-Munk function, based on diffused reflectance studies and carried out on nano-sized crystallites, was employed to obtain the optical band-gap. The synthesized nanophosphor showed efficient DS/PL-photoluminescence and UC luminescence properties, which have not yet been reported so far in this material. The material emits intense DS green emission on excitation with 378 nm radiation. Interestingly, the material gives intense UC emission in the visible region dominated by green emission and relatively weak red emission on 976 nm excitation (NIR laser excitation). Such a dual-mode emitting nanophosphor could be very useful in display devices and for many other applications.

Study of band offsets at the Cu2SnS3/In2O3: Sn interface using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Cu2SnS3 thins films were deposited onto In2O3: Sn coated soda lime glass substrates by spin coating technique. The films have been structurally characterized using x-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The morphology of the films was studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The optical properties of the films were determined using UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The electrical properties were measured using Hall effect measurements. The energy band offsets at the Cu2SnS3/In2O3: Sn interface were calculated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The valence band offset was found to be -3.4 +/- 0.24 eV. From the valence band offset value, the conduction band offset is calculated to be -1.95 +/- 0.34 eV. The energy band alignment indicates a type-II misaligned heterostructure formation.

Evolution of Jahn-Teller distortion, transport and dielectric properties with doping in perovskite NdFe1-xMnxO3 (0 <= x <= 1) compounds

We have carried out dielectric and transport measurements in NdFe1-xMnxO3 (0 <= x <= 1) series of compounds and studied the variation of activation energy due to a change in Mn concentration. Despite similar ionic radii in Mn3+ and Fe3+, large variation is observed in the lattice parameters and a crossover from dynamic to static Jahn-Teller distortion is discernible. The Fe/Mn-O-Fe/Mn bond angle on the ab plane shows an anomalous change with doping. With an increase in the Mn content, the bond angle decreases until x = 0.6; beyond this, it starts rising until x = 0.8 and again falls after that. A similar trend is observed in activation energies estimated from both transport and dielectric relaxation by assuming a small polaron hopping (SPH) model. Impedance spectroscopy measurements delineate grain and grain boundary contributions separately both of which follow the SPH model. Frequency variation of the dielectric constant is in agreement with the modified Debye law from which relaxation dispersion is estimated.

DIFFUSE X-RAY EMISSION FROM STAR-FORMING GALAXIES

We study the diffuse X-ray luminosity (L-X) of star-forming galaxies using two-dimensional axisymmetric hydrodynamical simulations and analytical considerations of supernovae-(SNe-) driven galactic outflows. We find that the mass loading of the outflows, a crucial parameter for determining the X-ray luminosity, is constrained by the availability of gas in the central star-forming region, and a competition between cooling and expansion. We show that the allowed range of the mass loading factor can explain the observed scaling of L-X with star formation rate (SFR) as L-X alpha SFR2 for SFR greater than or similar to 1 M-circle dot yr(-1), and a flatter relation at low SFRs. We also show that the emission from the hot circumgalactic medium (CGM) in the halo of massive galaxies can explain the large scatter in the L-X-SFR relation for low SFRs (less than or similar to few M-circle dot yr(-1)). Our results suggest that galaxies with small SFRs and large diffuse X-ray luminosities are excellent candidates for the detection of the elusive CGM.

Study of band offsets at the Cu2SnS3/In2O3: Sn interface using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Cu2SnS3 thins films were deposited onto In2O3: Sn coated soda lime glass substrates by spin coating technique. The films have been structurally characterized using x-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The morphology of the films was studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The optical properties of the films were determined using UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The electrical properties were measured using Hall effect measurements. The energy band offsets at the Cu2SnS3/In2O3: Sn interface were calculated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The valence band offset was found to be -3.4 +/- 0.24 eV. From the valence band offset value, the conduction band offset is calculated to be -1.95 +/- 0.34 eV. The energy band alignment indicates a type-II misaligned heterostructure formation.

Spin-glass state in nanoparticulate (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3)(1-x) (BaTiO3)(x) solid solutions: Experimental and density-functional studies

We report the transition from robust ferromagnetism to a spin- glass state in nanoparticulate La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 through solid solution with BaTiO3. The field- and temperature-dependent magnetization and the frequency-dependent ac magnetic susceptibility measurements strongly indicate the existence of a spin- glass state in the system, which is further confirmed from memory effect measurements. The breaking of long-range ordering into short-range magnetic domains is further investigated using density-functional calculations. We show that Ti ions remain magnetically inactive due to insufficient electron leakage from La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 to the otherwise unoccupied Ti-d states. This results in the absence of a Mn-Ti-Mn spin exchange interaction and hence the breaking of the long-range ordering. Total-energy calculations suggest that the segregation of nonmagnetic Ti ions leads to the formation of short-range ferromagnetic Mn domains.

Localized Charge Carrier Transport Properties of Zn1-x Ni (x) O/NiO Two-Phase Composites

We report the localized charge carrier transport of two-phase composite Zn1-x Ni (x) O/NiO (0 a parts per thousand currency sign x a parts per thousand currency sign 1) using the temperature dependence of ac-resistivity rho (ac)(T) across the N,el temperature T (N) (= 523 K) of nickel oxide. Our results provide strong evidence to the variable range hopping of charge carriers between the localized states through a mechanism involving spin-dependent activation energies. The temperature variation of carrier hopping energy epsilon (h)(T) and nearest-neighbor exchange-coupling parameter J (ij)(T) evaluated from the small poleron model exhibits a well-defined anomaly across T (N). For all the composite systems, the average exchange-coupling parameter (J (ij))(AVG) nearly equals to 70 meV which is slightly greater than the 60-meV exciton binding energy of pure zinc oxide. The magnitudes of epsilon (h) (similar to 0.17 eV) and J (ij) (similar to 11 meV) of pure NiO synthesized under oxygen-rich conditions are consistent with the previously reported theoretical estimation based on Green's function analysis. A systematic correlation between the oxygen stoichiometry and, epsilon (h)(T) and J (ij)(T) is discussed.

Ionothermal Synthesis of High-Voltage Alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-x(SO4)(3) Sodium Insertion Compound: Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Insights

Exploring future cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, alluaudite class of Na2Fe2II(SO4)(3) has been recently unveiled as a 3.8 V positive insertion candidate (Barpanda et al. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 4358). It forms an Fe-based polyanionic compound delivering the highest Fe-redox potential along with excellent rate kinetics and reversibility. However, like all known SO4-based insertion materials, its synthesis is cumbersome that warrants careful processing avoiding any aqueous exposure. Here, an alternate low temperature ionothermal synthesis has been described to produce the alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-xII(SO4)(3). It marks the first demonstration of solvothermal synthesis of alluaudite Na2+2xM2-xII(SO4)(3) (M = 3d metals) family of cathodes. Unlike classical solid-state route, this solvothermal route favors sustainable synthesis of homogeneous nanostructured alluaudite products at only 300 degrees C, the lowest temperature value until date. The current work reports the synthetic aspects of pristine and modified ionothermal synthesis of Na2+2xFe2-xII(SO4)(3) having tunable size (300 nm similar to 5 mu m) and morphology. It shows antiferromagnetic ordering below 12 K. A reversible capacity in excess of 80 mAh/g was obtained with good rate kinetics and cycling stability over 50 cycles. Using a synergistic approach combining experimental and ab initio DFT analysis, the structural, magnetic, electronic, and electrochemical properties and the structural limitation to extract full capacity have been described.

Liquid phase epitaxy growth of AlxGayIn1-x-yPzAs1-zGaAs with direct band gap up to 2.0 eV

III-V pentenary semiconductor AlGaInPAs with a direct band gap of up to 2.0 eV has been grown successfully on GaAs substrates by liquid phase epitaxy;(LPE). With the introduction of the energy bowing parameters of quaternaries, the theoretical calculations agree well with the measured PL peak energy data from pentenary samples.

Gal(1-x)Mn(1-x)Sb Grown on GaSb with Mass-Analyzed Low-Energy Dual Ion Beam Deposition

The Ga1-xMnxSb samples were fabricated by the implantation of Mn ions into GaSb (1 0 0) substrate with mass-analyzed low-energy dual ion beam deposition system, and post-annealing. Auger electron spectroscopy depth profile of the Ga1-xMnxSb samples showed

Evaluación productiva y reproductiva del hato de la finca "San Benito" Telica, León, Nicaragua

El presente trabajo se realizó con el objetivo de estudiar el efecto de los diferentes factores ambientales y genético (RAZAV, NUMPA, AÑOP, EPOCA), sobre el comportamiento productivo y reproductivo de un hato bovino del municipio de Telica, departamento de León, en la finca "San Benito". Además se caracterizó la curva general de lactancia para la cual se utilizó el modelo Yx = axb e-ex. En donde "a" es el parámetro asociado con la producción inicial, "b" señala el ascenso al pico, "c" es la declinación de la producción post-pico y Yx es la producción diaria en el período "x". Se analizaron los registros productivos y reproductivos correspondiente al período de 1990 a 1992, las características estudiadas fueron: PLTOT, PL305, LARLA e IEP. En el análisis se utilizó el procedimiento de mínimos cuadrados mediante el análisis de varianza DEVA>, se evaluó el efecto de raza, nOmero de parto, año de parto y época de parto. Este análisis mostró un efecto altamente significativo (p<0.01) del año de parto sobre las características PLTOT, PL305 y LARLA. La época de parto resultó altamente significativa (p<0.01), para las características PL305 y LARLA, y resultó significativa (p<0.05), para PLTOT. EL efecto de la raza de la vaca y el número de parto resultó no significativo para todas las variables estudiadas, así mismo, el estudio de las características: intervalo entre parto resultó no significativa Las medias de mínimos cuadrados reportados en este estudio fueron: 1287.30±464.77 kg, 1392.99±554.53 kg ,277.72 días y 468.06±32.62 días para PLTOT, PL305, LARLA e IEP respectivamente, resultando estos valores superiores a los reportados a nivel nacional. Las medias de mínimos cuadrados para los parámetros de la curva de lactancia fueron: 3.37±3.17, 0.36±0.24" 0.005±0.004 para “a”, "b" y "c" respectivamente.

Thermal mismatch stress in SiC whisker reinforced aluminium composite: new measurement method by X-ray diffraction

A new X-ray diffraction method for characterising thermal mismatch stress (TMS) in SiC_w–Al composite has been developed. The TMS and thermal mismatch strain (TMSN) in SiC whiskers are considered to be axis symmetrical, and can be calculated by measuring the lattice distortion of the whiskers. Not only the average TMS in whiskers and matrix can be obtained, but the TMS components along longitudinal and radial directions in the SiC whiskers can also be deduced. Experimental results indicate that the TMS in SiC whiskers is compressive, and tensile in the aluminium matrix. The TMS and TMSN components along the longitudinal direction in the SiC whiskers are greater than those along the radial direction for a SiC_w–Al composite quenched at 500&deg;C.

Producción de biomasa y concentración de nutrientes en el pasto cubano (Pennisetum purpureum x P. tiphoides) CV CT - 115. Finca la Tigra, Cárdenas, Rivas, Nicaragua

Con el propósito de determinar la producción de la biomasa forrajera y la concentración de nutrientes del pasto cubano CT - 115, se realizó un estudio en la Finca la Tigra, Cárdenas, Rivas, para ello se utilizó un área de 48 m2, subdividida en tres parcelas de 16 m2, donde se realizaron cortes a los 15, 30, 45, 60 y 75 días. Se evaluaron las variables altura de la planta, producción de biomasa fresca y seca por hectárea, en cada muestreo se tomaron muestras de plantas de 1,000 g, las que fueron remitidas al laboratorio de suelo y planta de la UNA, donde se hicieron las determinaciones de contenido de materia seca, % de nitrógeno, % fósforo, % potasio, % calcio, % magnesio, hierro (ppm), manganeso (ppm) y zinc (ppm). Se realizarón análisis de correlación usando el programa SAS (Sistema de Análisis Estadístico) versión 9. para los elementos de la composición nutritiva de la planta y las variables rendimiento de biomasa y altura, a través del programa CVEXPT (Experto de Curvas) versión 1.4, se determinaron las curvas de mejor ajustes para dichas relaciones. Encontrándose que a medida que aumentaba la edad de corte, la producción de biomasa fresca y seca así como la altura tendían a incrementar, inversamente a ello los niveles de nutrientes en las plantas, las ecuaciones de mejor ajustes para la producción de biomasa fresca, seca y altura fueron el Lineal, Logístico y Rotacional, con r2 de 94, 98 y 99% respectivamente, para el caso de los nutrientes las ecuaciones de mejor ajuste fueron: los modelos de función Rotacional, Logístico, Polinomial y Harris también con r2 de 92 a 99%, evidenciándose con esto que las tendencias de los incrementos de la biomasa seca, altura, y la concentración de nutrientes no presentan comportamiento lineal. Únicamente para el caso de la biomasa fresca se presentó una tendencia lineal.