Step Bunches, Nanowires and Other Vicinal “Creatures”—Ehrlich–Schwoebel Effect by Cellular Automata

Different patterns can be created on the surface of growing crystals, among which the step bunches and/or step meanders are two of the most studied. The Ehrlich–Schwoebel effect at the surface steps is considered one of the “usual suspects” of such patterning. A direct step barrier is when it is easier to attach a particle to the step from the lower terrace than from the upper terrace. Thus, during the process of crystal growth leads to the formation of meanders, while an inverse barrier leads to step bunching. Based on our vicinal Cellular Automaton model, but this time in (2 + 1)D, we show that the combination of a direct and inverse step barrier and the proper selection of the potential of the well between them leads to the formation of bunched step structures. Following this is the formation of anti-bands. In addition, changing the height of the direct step barrier leads to the growth of nanocolumns, nanowires, and nanopyramids or meanders, in the same system.

Microscopic Identification of Surface Steps on SiC by Density-Functional Calculations

We have performed density-functional calculations in order to clarify atomic structures and energetics of surface steps on SiC. The obtained energetics of distinct step types on vicinal 3C-SiC(111) surfaces which correspond to 4H- and 6H-SiC(0001) surfaces reveals the atom-scale reason for the experimental observation in the past that the step morphology is straight for the SiC(0001) surfaces inclined toward the 〈1-100〉 direction while it is meandering for the 〈11-20〉 inclined surfaces. The calculations clarify the rebonding between upper- and lower-terrace edge atoms, which is decisive for the energetics of the atomic steps.

Peculiarities of apple fruiting on the lower terrace of the Krutovsky Botanical Garden

The paper provides an assessment of the frequency of apple fruiting of different maturation periods growing on the lower terrace of the Vs. M. Krutovsky Botanical garden in the period from 2015 to 2018 according to the following parameters: the number of fruit-bearing trees, the number of fruits on the tree, yield. In the conditions of the Botanical garden, located in the green zone of Krasnoyarsk, the timing of the onset of removable fruit maturity varies significantly. The variability of the fruit formation period depends on the weather conditions in the summer and primarily on the temperature regime. The optimal time for collecting varieties of the summer ripening period is August, and for winter varieties is September, since by this time the fruits of these groups acquire a characteristic color and size. It was found that during the research period, most of the trees of the presented varieties fruited annually. Varieties and individual specimens with an annual plentiful fruiting and maximum fruit weight of fruits are selected: Bismark, Belyy Naliv, General Orlov, Grushovka moskovskaya, Zolotoy Ship, Papirovka, which is a positive factor in a sharply continental climate. It was found that in Siberia, varieties adapted to the European zone have successfully adapted and can be grown in these and similar climatic conditions and can be recommended for further breeding.

3D mapping of Quaternary coral reef terraces on Curacao Island, Southern Carribean Sea

<p>Detailed geological field mapping is essential for the study of Relative Sea Level (RSL) indicators, that are in turn the only direct proxies to assess paleo sea level changes and long-term land movements. In the last decades, traditional mapping methods started to be complemented by small Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS, a.ka.a. drones) and high-resolution remote sensing datasets.</p><p>In this contribution, we show the results of geological mapping in the island of Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles). Here, we mapped a staircase sequence of coral reef terraces. In particular, we used TerraceM-2 Maptools (a Matlab<sup>®</sup> interface for mapping marine terraces) to extract wide-scale marine terrace elevations from TanDEM-X Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) (German Aerospace Center, DLR and Airbus). We detail the elevation information available for each single terrace with RPAS data processed with Agisoft Metashape, that allows obtaining as final products DEMs and orthophotos of selected sites at the inner margin of reef terraces. We then use land-based photogrammetry coupled with traditional facies analysis to identify geological discontinuities on the lower terrace.</p><p>The facies analysis allowed to precisely map the unconformity between the Hato (MIS 5.5) and Cortalein (MIS 7) Units (as identified by Muhs et al., 2012). The top of the Hato Unit forms the so-called “Curaçao Lower Terrace”. The top of the Hato Unit, extending few kilometres from the coast, has been mapped with both TanDEM-X and RPAS data up to the paleo-cliff of the Middle Terrace (formerly attributed to MIS 11), where a well-defined notch is preserved. We attribute this notch to the maximum sea ingression during MIS 5e. We compare its elevation with the RSL predicted by Glacio-Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) models.    </p><p>We discuss the new data and models for Curaçao in terms of long-term tectonic uplift and eustatic sea level.</p><p><strong>Reference: </strong>Muhs DR, Pandolfi JM, Simmons KR, Schumann RR (2012) Sea-level history of past interglacial periods from uranium-series dating of corals, Curaçao, Leeward Antilles islands. Quat Res 78:157–169. doi: 10.1016/j.yqres.2012.05.008</p><p><strong>Acknowledgments: </strong>TanDEM-X digital elevation data is used with permission within the Project DEM GEOL1210 (A. Rovere / M.E. Raymo). The fieldwork for this work was funded by the Helmholtz Exzellenznetzwerks “The Polar System and its Effects on the Ocean Floor (POSY)”. The authors acknowledge also the ZMT,  the Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, and the DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service.</p>

Determining the Age of Terrace Formation Using Luminescence Dating—A Case of the Yellow River Terraces in the Baode Area, China

Dating fluvial terraces has long been a challenge for geologists and geomorphologists, because terrace straths and treads are not usually directly dated. In this study, the formation ages of the Yellow River terraces in the Baode area in China were determined by dating fluvial deposits overlying bedrock straths using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating techniques. Seven terraces (from the lowest terrace T1 to the highest terrace T7) in the study area were recognized, and they are characterized by thick fluvial terrace deposits overlaid by loess sediments. Twenty-five samples from nine terrace sections were dated to about 2–200 ka. The OSL ages (120–190 ka) of the fluvial samples from higher terraces (T3–T6) seem to be reliable based on their luminescence properties and stratigraphic consistency, but the geomorphologic and stratigraphic evidence show that these ages should be underestimated, because they are generally similar to those of the samples from the lower terrace (T2). The formation ages of the terrace straths and treads for the T1 terrace were deduced to be about 44 ka and 36 ka, respectively, based on the deposition rates of the fluvial terrace deposits, and the T2 terrace has the same strath and tread formation age of about 135 ka. The incision rate was calculated to be about 0.35 mm/ka for the past 135 ka, and the uplift rate pattern suggests that the Ordos Plateau behaves as a rigid block. Based on our previous investigations on the Yellow River terraces and the results in this study, we consider that the formation ages of terrace straths and treads calculated using deposition rates of terrace fluvial sediments can overcome problems associated with age underestimation or overestimation of strath or fill terraces based on the single age of one fluvial terrace sample. The implication is that, for accurate dating of terrace formation, terrace sections should be systematically sampled and dated.

Deglacial landforms and Holocene vegetation trajectories in the northern interior cedar-hemlock forests of British Columbia

The northern Rocky Mountain Trench of eastern British Columbia is a broad valley mantled by glaciolacustrine terraces supporting a complex mix of mesic-temperate (“interior wetbelt”) forests that are strongly affected by terrain and substrate. Neither the geomorphic history during early-Holocene deglaciation nor the vegetation history of the origin of the Tsuga heterophylla and Thuja plicata populations in the interior wetbelt forest is well understood. Sediment cores were obtained from two lakes, 10 km apart and occupying different terraces (83 m elevational difference) and compared to existing fire-history and paleoclimate reconstructions. Radiocarbon dates and a mapped terrain classification indicate the upper terrace formed as a lacustrine and glaciofluvial kame terrace hundreds of years prior to a lower terrace formed by glaciolacustrine sediments of a proglacial lake. The minimum limiting ages of these terraces correlate with dated jökulhlaup deposits of the Fraser River. The upper site’s first detectable pollen at > 11.0 ka was dominated by light-seeded pioneer taxa (Poaceae, Artemisia, and Populus) followed by a peak in Pinus and finally dominance by Betula at 10.2 ka. Pollen data suggest an earlier invasion of T. heterophylla than previously understood. Wetlands on extensive poorly drained glaciolacustrine soils promoted the persistence of boreal taxa and open forests (e.g., Picea mariana) while the better-drained upper kame terrace promoted development of closed-canopy shade-tolerant taxa. Invasion and expansion of mesic cedar-hemlock taxa progressed since at least the middle Holocene but was highly constrained by edaphic controls.

Researches on Some Biological and Ecological Characteristics of Sweet Corn

Lately, genetic factor involvement in climate change response is of great importance. Addressing some issues regarding the behavior of agronomic characters of production in a set of hybrids may lead to recommendations on the choice of the most suitable hybrids for growing in Transylvanian Plateau. Thus, in 2016, we set up an experience in two locations of Cluj county, Turda and Viişoara, on the lower terrace of Arieş river. Biological material chosen for this study was represented by seven hybrids, of which six indigenous Prima, Estival, Estival M, Dulcin, Deliciul Verii (released by SCDA Turda), Delicios (INCDA Fundulea) and foreign hybrid Jubilee (produced by Syngenta). The earliest hybrids Prima and Estival, have the lowest average number of grains/row, with very significant differences compared to control (experience average). Estival, Estival M and Jubilee hybrids show the highest number of rows of grains/cobs, with very significant differences over the average.

Pembuatan Alat Pencuci Kaki Otomatis Berbasis Mikrokontroler AtMega16

Prayer is an obligation that must not be abandoned except because of aging or obstruction that is justified by religious law, such as; women who have menstruation or postpartum. The person who leaves the prayer without a reason that is justified in the shari'ah of the law is an infidel. One of the conditions of prayer is in a holy and clean condition, but researchers can see the condition of a prayer house or mosque, the condition of the lower floor is dirty because many people pass by stepping on the floor of the lower terrace with the condition of using shoes. There is also a new one from the bathroom with no feet who then stepped on the floor. Stepping on a dirty floor will cause doubts. To cancel these doubts, it is better for researchers to maintain proper ablution conditions. Therefore, researchers made Automatic Foot Washers with Pear Sensors Based on Atmega Microcontroller 16. PIR (Pasive Infra Read) is one tool that can be used as a sensor to detect human presence which is then developed into an automatic footwashing device. And with the addition of an automatic door, the pilgrims will be orderly to wash their feet before entering the mosque. As well as the drying fan that the researcher added after the doorstop will make the pilgrim's feet dry immediately before stepping on the prayer area at the mosque.