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Land can be characterized marginal either under economic or biophysical limitations. In the EU project OPTIMISC (Optimizing Miscanthus Biomass Production) miscanthus production systems for biophysically marginal production conditions, such as water limitations, chilling temperatures, frost and salinity are developed by screening elite germplasm under controlled conditions and trialling it over a range of sites across central Europe, Ukraine, Russia and China, analysing the key traits that currently limit the potential of Miscanthus. To reduce the risks and costs of growing Miscanthus under marginal site conditions specific establishment methods and harvest and logistic systems were developed. By the application of life cycle assessments (LCA) and cost analyses miscanthus-based value chains with the highest income and area-related GHG saving for different site conditions were identified. Compared to other crops, miscanthus-based value chains can be economically feasible under marginal site conditions because miscanthus benefits from the perennial growth and the availability of stress-tolerant genotypes., Proceedings of the 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 1-4 June 2015, Vienna, Austria, pp. 6-8

ID Contributo: #xbio-160 Malvolti ME*, Pollegioni P, Olimpieri I, Belisario A, Gras M, Van Der Linden G, Desimoni G, Moraldi M, Manzo A PROGETTO "JUGL'ONE": RICERCA E SPERIMENTAZIONE FLOROVIVAISTICA MULTIDISCIPLINARE PER LA COSTITUZIONE DI IBRIDI DI NOCE ITALIANI POLIFUNZIONALI Riassunto: Il noce comune (Juglans regia) è una specie di interesse vivaistico per le sue molteplici attitudini (cultivar da frutto; semenzale per l'arboricoltura da legno; pianta ornamentale per filari e per ombreggiamento; stabilizzatrice di suoli a rischio di erosione, ecc.). Il noce americano (Juglans nigra) e gli ibridi interspecifici tra le due specie (Juglans x intermedia) sono impiegati da tempo non solo per gli scopi suddetti (eccetto che per il frutto), ma anche per ottenere piante di notevole crescita in tempi relativamente brevi. Rispetto alla J. regia, l'ibrido è vigoroso, più resistente al marciume delle radici e del colletto (Phytophthora spp.) e più tollerante alle lesioni da nematodi (Pratylenchus vulnus). Per tali caratteristiche, gli ibridi vengono usati come portainnesti specialmente in USA e Cina. Tuttavia ottenere ibridi non è semplice perché non tutte le piante di J. nigra sono ibridogene e anche nel caso di compatibilità fenologica dei parentali, questa non sempre si mantiene in tutte le condizioni ambientali. Inoltre, l'identificazione dei semenzali ibridi può richiedere tempi abbastanza lunghi poiché i caratteri peculiari spesso si presentano dopo almeno due anni dalla nascita della piantina, mentre non c'è modo di distinguere il futuro potenziale ibrido solamente dall'esame del frutto. In fine, non tutti i semenzali ibridi presentano caratteristiche vantaggiose per essere un buon portinnesto poiché variano nella loro vigoria vegetativa e nella vitalità dei semi. Gli ibridi oggi in commercio sono francesi o americani, mentre non esiste ancora un ibrido di matrice italiana. Lo scopo del Progetto Jugl'One, finanziato dal MiPAAF, è stato quello di identificare in Italia piante J. nigra e J. regia in grado di dare ibridi adattati ai nostri ambienti e di ottenere progenie interspecifiche F1 per uso vivaistico. Durante il progetto sono stati condotti studi sulla biologia fiorale delle specie parentali e sono stati sviluppati marcatori molecolari funzionali per la selezione precoce di individui resistenti/sensibili all'antracnosi (importante malattia epigea del noce). I risultati ottenuti hanno permesso di approfondire le conoscenze sulle modalità di ibridizzazione tra J. nigra e J. regia, di selezionare presso la collezione agroforestale CNR-IBAF, una madre J. nigra ibridogena e di genotipizzare undici ibridi F1 J. x intermedia sia con marcatori microsatellitari che morfologici. Lo studio ha portato all'identificazione di un marcatore funzionale NBS profiling per la sensibilità nel genere Juglans alla Gnomonia leptostyla, fungo ascomicete responsabile dell'antracnosi. In fine, presso UMBRAFLOR, sono stati ottenuti cloni della pianta di J. nigra ibridogena per la valutazione della ibridogenicità del genotipo selezionato in ambienti diversi e semenzali back-cross verso la specie J. regia per saggiare la loro attitudine come portainnesti a confronto con gli ibridi F1.

Miscanthus is a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass originating from Eastern Asia that has become a leading candidate crop for production of a lignocellulosic feedstock for a biobased economy in Europe. Research over the past 20 years has shown that a few key species and their interspecific hybrids have a high yield potential for bioenergy as well as other biomass-derived products requiring low inputs. At present the production of miscanthus is dominated by one genotype, Miscanthus x giganteus. The main objective of the OPTIMISC project is to broaden the genetic base for miscanthus. For this purpose promising germplasm from M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and M. x giganteus and cross-breeds thereof have been selected and will be tested for their tolerance and suitability to adverse soil and climatic conditions and for the suitability of the biomass to provide feedstock for energetic use or higher quality products. Major activities within OPTIMSC are the screening of traits for salinity, drought, cold and freezing stress in controlled environments and in field trials as well as testing the performance of novel genotypes on small to large scale. Options for using the biomass of different miscanthus genotypes for energetic and material uses are explored. Recommendations will be made with regard to cost reduction and environmental performance (LCA) of specific value chains. Decision support will be given for the selection and cultivation of suitable genotypes intended for different applications in different environments., Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 18-22 June 2012, Milan, Italy, pp. 651-654

Although the aerospace production process is much better controlled than in other industries, it remains true that very small manufacturing tolerances exist in the geometrical parameters such as flange thickness and hole diameters. In the current design process, the effect of this manufacturing variability on the structural durability and safety cannot be accurately assessed and is hence compensated for by applying safety factors. This is not an ideal situation, because it may lead to slightly overdesigned structures. A much more promising approach is to include probabilistic models of design variables into the mechanical simulation process. With a new methodology based on reliability analysis, engineers can obtain a better understanding of the actual effect of the manufacturing tolerances and of variability in material properties. Based on the analysis results, the robustness and reliability of the design can be assessed and improved if needed. In this paper, the aforementioned probabilistic approach is demonstrated on a slat-track structure. Measurements of different geometrical properties were collected during the manufacturing process and their variability was characterized probabilistically with statistical models. Then a reliability analysis was carried out using mesh morphing technology and fatigue life predictions with an industrial-sized finite element model of the slat track to assess the reliability of the structure in terms of fatigue life. The outcome of the analysis consists of a probabilistic model of the structural performance (e.g., fatigue life for the slat track), given the variability in the geometrical parameters. Then a reliability-based design optimization procedure was carried out to improve the design of the slat track while maintaining the same reliability of the nominal design. Copyright © 2007 by LMS International. ispartof: AIAA Journal vol:46 issue:1 pages:154-165 ispartof: location:RI, Newport status: published

Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for adverse late effects due to the tumour itself or secondary to treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In the Netherlands paediatric oncology centres have established dedicated late effects clinics. Here specialised care is offered to the survivors, who are also screened for unknown late effects. If necessary, survivors are referred for further diagnostic work-up and treatment. Furthermore the paediatric oncology centres are exploring ways to provide adequate care for adult survivors. Finally, the centres are initiating research in the field of late treatment effects. Two representative case histories are presented.

In 2001, at the Prefecture’s request an investigation was carried out by OPRI at Isotopchim (Ganagobie), an industrial firm specialized in organic radioactive molecule synthesis (mainly carbon-14), in order to evaluate the dosimetric and consequently the health impact related to the site’s contamination and its geographical spreading. The study of the carbon-14 air spreading brought to the fore high radioactivity levels in different areas of the plant especially in the laboratory where the surface contamination reached a level higher than 20 000 Bq/cm(formula notation="TeX"). The study also demonstrated the association of strongly radioactive materials with highly inflammable chemicals stored in critical conditions. As a result of OPRI’s recommendations, a security perimeter was set up around the plant in order to avoid any uncontrolled spreading of the radioactivity. The cartographic study showed the decrease of the specific marking proportionally to the distance with regard to the point of release and to the atmospheric spreading linked to local climatic conditions. A significant radioactive marking was measured in the soils (66 000 Bq/kg C) and in the plants (25 000 Bq/kg C) within a 50 meters radius around the facility. In spite of the extreme scenario, the values showed after the dose calculations were much inferior to the authorized limit set out by Directive Euratom 96/29 (1mSv/year). The site features a rather rare example of manifest carbon-14 contamination. Therefore, it can lead to a further in situ study of the repartition, elimination or concentration of the carbon-14 in the soil and in the biological indicators. © 2003 EDP Sciences.; Implantée à Ganagobie, la société Isotopchim était spécialisée dans la synthèse de molécules organiques radioactives (carbone-14). En 2001, l'OPRI est intervenu à la demande de la Préfecture afin d'évaluer l'impact dosimétrique et par conséquent le risque sanitaire lié à la contamination du site et son extension géographique. L'étude de la répartition spatiale du carbone-14 a mis en évidence des niveaux de radioactivité très importants dans différentes parties de l'usine et notamment le laboratoire avec une contamination surfacique supérieure à 20 000 Bq/cm2. Cette étude a également révélé l'association de matières fortement radioactives avec des produits chimiques très inflammables stockés dans des conditions critiques. Suite aux recommandations de l'OPRI, un périmètre de sécurité a été mis en place autour de l'usine afin d'éviter toute dispersion incontrôlée de la radioactivité. La cartographie de l'activité massique du 14C a mis en évidence un marquage spécifique décroissant en fonction de la distance par rapport au point de rejet d'effluents gazeux et de la dispersion atmosphérique liée aux conditions climatiques locales. Dans un rayon de 50 mètres autour de l'usine, le marquage radioactif est important dans les sols (66 000 Bq/kg C) et les végétaux (25 000 Bq/kg C). Néanmoins, malgré des scénarii extrêmes, les calculs de dose ont révélé des valeurs très inférieures à la limite réglementaire fixée par la directive Euratom 96/29 (1 mSv/an). Ce site représente un cas assez rare de contamination manifeste par le 14C. Il peut donc conduire a posteriori à une étude in situ des processus de répartition, d'élimination ou de concentration du carbone-14 dans les sols et les indicateurs biologiques.

The radiological assessment carried out by the Office of Protection Against Ionizing Radiation (OPRI) during 2000 and 2001 at the site of the Clairvivre (Dordogne) Health Care Centre was exemplary for several reasons. First of all, it took place in a region where traces of previous nuclear activity are rare. The site itself is atypical, since the Health Care Centre, built in 1933 by veterans, embodies most of the humanistic utopian ideals of the period between the two World Wars. The unexpected radioactive pollution found presents the occasion to remember the scientists who fled the Nazis at the beginning of World War II as well as the methods used at that time to extract some relatively rare radioelements. This study also merits discussion because it confirms the multiple aspects and technical importance of so-called «operational» radioprotection and because of its public utility: the goal was not only to identify the pollutant but also to aid the victims by offering realistic solutions for their protection.

International audience; On the french territory which levels are characteristic of ionising radiation and which of radionuclides natural in origin? Is it possible to distinguish the portion of a measurement readily attributable to man-made sources? In an attempt to answer these questions, a questionnaire was sent to the various bodies measuring environmental radioactivity in France. Information contained in this paper relates solely to observation of the environment (open spaces) outside buildings and beyond the perimetre of nuclear facilities. Further more, it concerns the measurement of radiation or of radionuclides natural in origin where the results have not been influenced by human activity, with the exception of specifically mentioned cases. The survey illustrates the present difficulty of assessing the acquired data on the characteristics of natural radioactive background noise in the environment in France. Efforts exerted in France in the area of natural radioactivity lack coordination and a shared setting of priorities. In this regard, the measurement of 238U and 232Th precursors to 226Ra and 228Ra of solid alpha-emitting radon daughters (by measuring PAE of 22Rn and 220Rn), of post-emanation gamma emitters (214Pb, 214Bi, 212Pb) and of 210Pb, 210Po and 14C should be given top priority. © 2002 EDP Sciences.

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The subject of this thesis has been to study the interaction of a metallic cobalt catalyst with zeolite supports and alkali as promoter in the CO hydrogenation reaction. For this purpose molecular sieves of the types of zeolite 4A, chabazite/erionite, ZSM-5, silicalite, mordenite and zeolite $\gamma$ as well as two silica carriers have been impregnated with aqueous cobalt-nitrate solution and reduced. The obtained catalysts were characterized by CO- and H$_{2}$-chemisorption, thermogravimetric analysis, X-Ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The catalytic activities of the Co/zeolite-catalysts were determined to be all about 6x10$^{-4}$converted CO per reduced Co per second. This value was half an order of magnitude less than those measured for the Co/silica-catalysts. Model calculations showed that a possible electrostatic field effect inside zeolite pores should be rather small. The hydrocarbon composition of the Fischer-Tropsch products followed the Schulz-Flory distribution. Chain growth, olefin-to-paraffin ratio and CO$_{2}$-selectivity grew in the order ZSM-5 < chabazite/erionite < mordenite < zeolite Y < zeolite 4A < silicalite and they correlated best with the basicity of the carriers increasing in the Same order. Experiments with Co/silica as well as with a Co-foil showed that alkali(Na, K) lowers the specific CO-hydrogenation activity and acts as an inhibitor for all the other hydrogenation reaction steps. The ratio between branched and linear hydrocarbons increased with increasing Si/Al-ratio of the zeolites in the order zeolite 4A

The fate of decalcified bone and dentine implanted in muscle and beneath the kidney capsule has been studied in young rats. Quantitatively speaking there was a great deal of variation, but in general the implants became surrounded and invaded by young vascular connective tissue; then tunnels were eroded and cavities enlarged by multi-nucleated giant cells; then the matrix around erosion chambers became recalcified; and finally new bone was induced on the eroded recalcified surfaces. Erosion was much more extensive, and bone was much more readily induced in the intramuscular than in the subcapsular implants. It is concluded that the presence of an eroded, recalcified surface is a pre-requisite for bone induction under these conditions.

Redactioneel, Chris Bogaert, Kathleen Lanclus en Guido Deseyn – Van winkelen en puien. [About shopping and shopfronts.], B. Baillieul, G. Van der Linden en H. Van den Bossche – Het Citadelpark in Gent. [The Citadel Park in Ghent.], Guido Deseyn – Geo Henderick. [Geo Henderick, profile of an architect.], Paul van den Bremt en Regi de Meirsman – Een aanzet tot een beheersplan voor een gerangschikt landschap, het staatsbos Berlare-Broek. Luik I: de natuurwetenschappelijke waarde. [Toward a management plan for a protected landscape, the state forest of Berlare-Broek. Part I: scientific value.], M&L Binnenkrant

Redactioneel, W. Claes, A. De Haeck en G. Van der Linden – De Japanse honingboom te Sint-Truiden (Kerkom). Boomverzorging als beheersmaatregel voor het behoud van ons onroerend patrimonium. [The Sophora japonica at Sint-Truiden (Kerkom). Tree care as preservation measure of our heritage.], Miek Goossens – Het Oud Stadhuis van Blankenberge. [The old town hall of Blankenberge.], C. Vermeersch – Het verdriet van Brugge. [The sorrow of Bruges.], Brussels detail, Roger Deneef – De Demervallei tussen Aarchot en Werchter. Deel 2. [The Demer valley between Aarschot and Werchter (part 2).], Summary, M&L Binnenkrant

In this paper the use of several automatic damage detection techniques will be validated with respect to their use for on-line structural health monitoring during fatigue tests. The overview of techniques considered in the paper contains both low-frequency (1-100 Hz), middle-frequency (10 Hz-1 kHz) and high-frequency (1-10 MHz) techniques. Moreover, both linear and non-linear damage indicators are investigated. From the experimental results in the paper it can be concluded that a combined use of the static stiffness and the transmitted ultrasonic energy leads to the best results. Indeed, in that case both small, medium and large size cracks can be monitored with a simple experimental set up. In addition, valuable information on the size of the crack is available.