Abstract: The bulk properties of elementary metals and copper based binary alloys have been investigated using automated first-principles simulations to evaluate their potential to replace copper and tungsten as interconnecting wires in the coming CMOS technology nodes. The intrinsic properties of the screened candidates based on their cohesive energy and on their electronic properties have been used as a metrics to reflect their resistivity and their sensitivity to electromigration. Using these values, the 'performances' of the alloys have been benchmarked with respect to the Cu and W ones. It turns out that for some systems, alloying Cu with another element leads to a reduced tendency to electromigration. This is however done at the expense of a decrease of the conductivity of the alloy with respect to the bulk metal. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

Abstract: In this contribution, we report a fundamental study of the factors that set the contact resistivity between metals and highly doped n-type 2D and 3D semiconductors. We investigate the case of n-type doped Si contacted with amorphous TiSi combining first principles calculations with Non-Equilibrium Green functions transport simulations. The evolution of the intrinsic contact resistivity with the doping concentration is found to saturate at similar to 2 x 10(-10) Omega.cm(2) for the case of TiSi and imposes an intrinsic limit to the ultimate contact resistance achievable for n-doped Silamorphous-TiSi (aTiSi). The limit arises from the intrinsic properties of the semiconductors and of the metals such as their electron effective masses and Fermi energies. We illustrate that, in this regime, contacting heavy electron effective mass metals with semiconductor helps reducing the interface intrinsic contact resistivity. This observation seems to hold true regardless of the 3D character of the semiconductor, as illustrated for the case of three 2D semiconducting materials, namely MoS2, ZrS2 and HfS2. (C) The Author(s) 2018. Published by ECS.

Abstract: Si:C and Si:C:P alloys are potential candidates for source-drain stressor applications in n-type Fin Field Effect Transistors (FinFETs). Increasing the C content to achieve high strain results in the arrangement of C atoms as third nearest neighbors (3nn) in the Si: C lattice. During thermal annealing, the presence of C atoms as 3nn may promote clustering at the interstitial sites, causing loss of stress. The concentration of C atoms as 3nn is reduced by the incorporation of a small amount of Ge atoms during the growth, whereas in-situ P doping does not influence this 3nn distribution [J Solid State Sci. Technol vol 6, p 755, 2017]. Small amounts of Ge are provided during low temperature selective epitaxial growth scheme, which are based on cyclic deposition and etching (CDE). In this work, we aim to provide physical insights into the aforementioned phenomena, to understand the behavior of 3nn C atoms and the types of defects that are formed in the annealed Si: C films. Using ab-initio simulations, the Ge-C interaction in the Si matrix is investigated and this insight is used to explain how the Ge incorporation leads to a reduced 3nn distribution of the C atoms. The interaction between C and P in the Si: C: P films is also investigated to explain why the P incorporation has not led to a reduction in the 3nn distribution. We then report on the Raman characterization of Si: C layers subjected to post epi annealing. As the penetration depth of the laser is dependent on the wavelength, Raman measurements at two different wavelengths enable us to probe the depth distribution of 3nn C atoms after applying different annealing conditions. We observed a homogeneous loss in 3nn C throughout the layer. Whereas in the kinematic modeling of high resolution X-ray diffraction spectra, a gradient in the substitutional C loss was observed close to the epitaxial layer/substrate interface. This gradient can be due to the out diffusion of C atoms into the Si substrate or to the formation of interstitial C clusters, which cannot be distinguished in HR-XRD. Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy indicated that the prominent out-diffusing species was interstitial CO complex while the interstitial C defects were also prevalent in the epi layer. (c) 2019 The Electrochemical Society.

Abstract: The process of selecting attributes for inclusion in choice experiments frequently involves qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews. In order for a choice experiment to be successful and the results to be valid, this qualitative selection process is essential. It often lacks rigour and is poorly described, particularly in environmental choice experiments. We propose a meticulous attribute and attribute-level selection process consisting of a scoring exercise and an interactive discussion. This paper provides a case study describing how attributes and attribute-levels were identified and selected for the National Park Hoge Kempen in Belgium. We carried out four focus groups and thirteen semi-structured interviews with various park stakeholders to select attributes from six categories: the four categories of ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating, cultural), infrastructure, and land use types. The top-ranked characteristics were nature conservation, natural forests, biodiversity refuge, wetlands, landscape variety, heathlands, air purification, and education. Both the scoring exercise and the interactive discussion contributed to the attributes selected for the CE. Following these, an ultimate expert consultation stage is recommended to approve both the attribute and attribute-level selection. The semi-qualitative protocol proposed in this paper can help practitioners and demonstrates how the results guide choice experiment design.

Abstract: Prolonged drought is considered as a creeping natural hazard, which has created a financial burden and unsustainable environment in Iran. Moreover, the effect of drought phenomenon in rural areas is more extensive, causing significant challenges to the rural economy in general and agricultural production in particular. A common strategy to manage drought is based on crisis management (ex-ante). However, for effective drought management, risk management seems to be more in line with drought early warning systems. This quantitative study used risk assessment, which is the function of two elements such as hazard (SPI and SDI indices) and vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity). This study aims to build the foundations for drought early warning systems in limited resource areas such as Kermanshah Township in the northwestern part of Iran. The population of this study comprised of wheat farmers in which 293 farmers were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. In the next step, the drought risk map for Kermanshah Township was developed, which revealed that the majority of villages are at intense environmental risk. The result of this study has implications for drought management practitioners. For example, the results can aid policymakers in the design of an early warning system in order to reduce risk and thus empower farmers toward resilient farming.

Abstract: Groundwater fluxes in tidal marshes largely control key ecosystem functions and services, such as vegetation growth, soil carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling. In tidal marshes restored on formerly embanked agricultural land, groundwater fluxes are often limited as compared to nearby natural marshes, as a result of historical agricultural soil compaction. To improve the functioning of restored tidal marshes, knowledge is needed on how much certain design options can optimize soil-groundwater interactions in future restoration projects. Based on measured data on soil properties and tidally induced groundwater dynamics, we calibrated and evaluated a 2D vertical model of a creek-marsh cross-section, accounting for both saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow and solute transport in a variably saturated groundwater flow model. We found that model simulations of common restoration practices such as soil amendments (increasing the depth of porous soil on top of the compact layer) and creek excavation (increasing the creek density) increase the soil aeration depth and time, the drainage depth and the solute flux, and decrease the residence time of solutes in the porewater. Our simulations indicate that increasing the depth to the compact layer from 20 cm to 40 cm, or increasing the creek density from 1 creek to 2 creeks along a 50 m marsh transect (while maintaining the total creek cross-sectional area), in both cases more than doubles the volume of water processed by the marsh soil. We discuss that this may stimulate nutrient cycling. As such, our study demonstrates that groundwater modelling can support the design of marsh restoration measures aiming to optimize groundwater fluxes and related ecosystem services.

Abstract: An important issue in biodiversity valuation is gaining a better understanding of how biodiversity conservation affects economic activities and human welfare. Quantifying the economic benefits of biodiversity for human well-being is not straightforward. Here, we expand the ecosystem service cascade by (i) attributing a methodology to the different steps of the cascade to assess the effects of changes in functional group diversity on economic activities; (ii) including multiple attributes for defining functional diversity and (iii) integrating a dynamic ecological model simulating complex interactions and feedbacks between species with an economic model assessing the effects of changes in functional group diversity for gross revenues. The stepwise methodological framework integrates a production function approach with a market price-based approach in order to investigate the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem. The methodology is applied to estimate the relationship between the gross economic value of Chinook salmon (Pacific Northwest, United States) and the diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates. The results of our analysis emphasize the importance of biological diversity for sustaining ecosystem goods and services. The analysis provides a tractable framework for quantitatively exploring the economic consequences of changes in functional group diversity.

Abstract: In spite of global actions, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Despite the need for objectively comparable monetary standards to include biodiversity arguments in policymaking, research on the relationship between species diversity and its valuation from a societal perspective is still scarce. In this paper, a methodological framework for the valuation of natural predators based on their ecological role in the agroecosystem is introduced. The framework integrates a dynamic ecological model simulating interactions between species with an economic model, thereby quantifying the effect of reduced numbers of natural predators on the net farm income. The model attributes an objective monetary value to increased species diversity through the changes in the provisioning of a marketable good. Results indicate that the loss of three predators could decrease net farm income with 88.86 ha− 1 to 2186.5 ha− 1. For the pear production sector in Flanders in 2011, this constitutes to an indirect use value of 0,68 million for one predator and 16.63 million for the presence of three predators. The aim is to provide a justification for the argument for biodiversity conservation, based on the ecological function of species, through the delivery of comparable monetary standards.

Abstract: Despite the importance of biosphere reserves in Iran's livelihood and welfare, the economic significance of Hara Biosphere Reserve has never been comprehensively studied. This study examines the current importance of Hara Biosphere Reserve (HBR) in local livelihood and welfare. Using a household survey, data were collected through a questionnaire, key informant interviews and direct observations. Two hundred and forty-four households were randomly selected from 10 villages through proportional sampling. Results showed that non-environmental income was the first driver of the total income, poverty alleviation and narrowing income inequality gap. Park income was the second. The results also showed that excluding park income from total income would significantly increase headcount poverty, widen the poverty gap, and raise the Gini coefficient. Wealthier households had the greatest absolute income from the environment, including forest, fishing and fodder. However, the poorest group had smallest absolute income from these sources. Thus, the study demonstrated that wealthier households are responsible for the overharvesting of environmental resources. Interestingly, the study showed that wealthier households are more dependent on profitable environmental incomes sources while the poorest are more dependent on non-profitable ones. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Sustainable Value approach integrates the efficiency with regard to environmental, social and economic resources into a monetary indicator. It gained significant popularity as evidenced by diverse applications at the corporate level. However, its introduction as a measure adhering to the strong sustainability paradigm sparked an ardent debate. This study explores its validity as a macroeconomic strong sustainability measure by applying the Sustainable Value approach to the EU-15 countries. Concretely, we assessed environmental, social and economic resources in combination with the GDP for all EU-15 countries from 1995 to 2006 for three benchmark alternatives. The results show that several countries manage to adequately delink resource use from GDP growth. Furthermore, the remarkable difference in outcome between the national and EU-15 benchmark indicates a possible inefficiency of the current allocation of national resource ceilings imposed by the European institutions. Additionally, by using an effects model we argue that the service degree of the economy and governmental expenditures on social protection and research and development are important determinants of overall resource efficiency. Finally, we sketch out three necessary conditions to link the Sustainable Value approach to the strong sustainability paradigm. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Despite substantial policy efforts made by the French government to reduce dependence on pesticides, farming practices are only changing slowly. This paper analyses the socio-economic trade-offs that 110 farmers are currently facing in the transition to agro-ecological practices. A mixed-method approach – a quantitative discrete choice experiment (DCE) and qualitative interviews – was set up to understand these farmers' motivations and perspectives, and how policy can improve to accompany them on the road to low chemical input farming. Results of the DCE indicate that the majority of the farmers in our sample are keen to change practices but are at a loss as to how this can be done, as a number of preferences for this transition came out as inconclusive. Qualitative interviews with a representative sample of the farmers that took part in the DCE complemented this result by illustrating a deep uncertainty for the future and a disconnect felt between authorities and themselves as a group. We argue that this uncertainty contributed to a lack of clear-cut solutions established through the DCE. The indepth discussions with farmers illustrated the wish for concrete and local policy measures based on farmers' networks and peer support.

Abstract: Effective CO2-storage in the shallow solid Earth mainly occurs by the formation of carbonates. Although the possibility of transport and storage of carbonates to great depth is demonstrated experimentally, ultra-deep mantle carbonates have not been found before. Applying several in situ analytical techniques on inclusions in diamonds from Juina (Brazil) originating from the lower part of the transition zone (> 580 km) or even the lower mantle (> 670 km), reveal the existence of deep Earth carbonates. These finding unquestionably show that at least locally carbonates exist within the deep Earth and may indicate that the Earth's global CO2-cycle has an ultra-deep extension.

Abstract: Lakes based on Eosin-Y are extensively used by 19th century artists. Unfortunately, the identification of these pigments in paintings is a difficult task because Eosin-Y degrades very fast under the influence of light. The characterization of the (photo)degradation products of Eosin-Y can be very useful for the identification of these pigments in historic works of art and related cultural heritage artifacts. Furthermore, knowledge on how different factors influence the discoloration process (e.g. different types of irradiation sources and presence/absence of oxygen) is a valuable tool for preventive conservation. To this aim we performed a study on the photodegradation of Eosin-Y in solution under different illumination and in both oxic and anoxic conditions. The photodegradation of Eosin-Y was monitored by UV-VIS spectrophotometry, LC-QTOFMS and electrochemistry techniques. Results indicated higher degradation rates, by a factor of 20 or higher, under illumination with wavelengths near to the main absorbance band of the red pigment. Two different degradation pathways are observed under the conditions studied. LC-QTOFMS and electrochemistry suggested that in the presence of oxygen the degradation mechanism is an oxidative process where the breakdown of the structure causes the total discoloration. Meanwhile under anoxic conditions, a debromination process takes place while the chromophore, and consequently the color of the molecule in solution, remains essentially intact.

Abstract: Eosin Y has an extraordinary capacity to form complexes with metallic elements, that have applications in many different fields, from photovoltaics and photocatalysis to historical artists? pigments. To unravel the complexes reactivity, it is essential to have a precise knowledge of their structure and composition, as well as how these can be affected by the synthesis protocol, an often underestimated factor. This manuscript presents a thorough investigation of the structure and composition of eosin Y complexes based on Al and Pb, by FTIR, XRPD and Raman spectroscopy, with a particular focus on the effect of the synthesis conditions. Results clearly show the change of the coordination mode in Pb complexes depending on the protocol, while the structure of Al complexes remains stable. In both cases, the formation of by-products was observed. Additionally, a detailed band assignment of the FTIR and Raman spectra of eosin Y and Pb and Al complexes is described, providing interesting details such as the interaction between the metallic ion and the xanthene moiety (chromophore). This is extremely important for the analysis of historical paintings where eosin Y is bonded to metallic ions, as well as for other materials in dye-sensitized solar cells, wastewater treatment or photocatalysis.

Abstract: Traditionally, fast screening for the presence of cocaine in unknown powders is performed by means of colour tests. The major drawbacks of these tests are subjective colour evaluation depending on the operator (50 shades of blue) and a lack of selectivity. An alternative fast screening technique is Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometry. This technique provides spectra that are difficult to interpret without specialized expertise and showing a lack of sensitivity for the detection of cocaine in mixtures. To overcome these limitations, a portable FTIR spectrometer using Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) sampling was combined with a multivariate technique, called Support Vector Machines (SVM). Representative street drug powders (n = 482), seized during the period January 2013 to July 2015, and reference powders (n = 33) were used to build and validate a classification model (n = 515) and a quantification model (n = 378). Both models were compared with the conventional chromatographic techniques. The SVM classification model showed a high sensitivity, specificity and efficiency (99%). The SVM quantification model determined cocaine content with a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 6% calculated over a wide working range from 4 to 99 w%. In conclusion, the developed models resulted in a clear output (cocaine detected or cocaine not detected) and a reliable estimation of the cocaine content in a wide variety of mixtures. The ATR-FTIR technique combined with SVM is a straightforward, user-friendly and fast approach for routine classification and quantification of cocaine in seized powders.