Conventional Plots Research Articles

Integrated Weed Management Systems to Control Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in Soybean

As resistance to herbicides limits growers' weed management options, integrated weed management (IWM) systems that combine non-chemical tactics with herbicides are becoming critical. A 2 year integrated weed management (IWM) study was conducted at three locations in VA, USA. The factorial study evaluated: (1) soybean planting date (early or late planted) (2) with or without winter cover (cereal rye/wheat or no cover), and (3) with or without harvest weed seed control (HWSC). Prior to soybean planting in the first year, winter cover resulted in a 22% reduction in common ragweed density compared to no cover. At soybean harvest in the first year, the lowest common ragweed densities were in the late planted plots following winter wheat, and common ragweed aboveground biomass was reduced by 46 and 22% at two locations in late planted compared to early planted soybean. To evaluate the impact of the first year's treatments and HWSC, full season soybeans were planted across the trial in the second year. Prior to soybean planting in the second year, late planting in the first year common ragweed density was reduced by 83% at one location, but significant reductions were not observed elsewhere. When comparing winter cover to no cover, common ragweed densities were reduced by 31 and 49% at two locations and densities were similar at the third location. Harvest weed seed control reduced common ragweed density by 43% at one location compared to the conventional harvest plots but no significant reductions were observed at the other locations or at other rating timings. However, there was a significant location by planting date by winter cover interaction and the overall lowest common ragweed densities (4.1 to 10.3 plants m−2) were in the late planted plots with winter cover. This research indicated that winter cover, late planting, and HWSC can reduce common ragweed populations with late planting being the most influential. Therefore, double-cropping soybean after wheat is likely the most viable means to better control common ragweed using IWM as it combines both winter cover and late planting date.

Effect of Temperature on the Electrical and Current Transport Properties of Au/Nd2O3/n-GaN Metal/Interlayer/Semiconductor (MIS) Junction

The Au/Nd2O3/n-type GaN metal/interlayer/semiconductor (MIS) junctions were fabricated with high-k rare-earth oxide interlayer and explored its electrical properties in the wide temperature range of 150–400 K. An anomalous decrease in barrier height and an increase in the ideality factor with a decrease in the temperature were observed. The anomalous barrier height and ideality factor are ascribed to a role of barrier inhomogeneities at the interface of MIS junction assuming a double Gaussian distribution of barrier heights in the temperature ranges of 150–225 K and 225–400 K. Double Gaussian distribution giving mean barrier heights of 0.84 eV and 1.23 eV and standard deviations of 0.0085 V and 0.0187 V for the two temperature regions. A modified conventional energy plot gives mean barrier height $$\left( {\overline{\Phi }_{bo} } \right)$$ and Richardson constant (A*) as 0. eV and 13.44 Acm−2 K−2 (150–225 K) and 1.23 eV and 22.85 Acm−2 K−2 (250–400 K), respectively. The estimated A* value in the temperature range of 250–400 K was closely matched with the theoretical value of n-type GaN. Moreover, results express that the obtained interface state density of the MIS junction decreases with increasing temperature. Results explained that the reverse current conduction governed by Poole–Frenkel emission at the temperature range of 150–225 K and Schottky emission at 250–400 K, respectively.

Long-term tillage effect on with-in season variations in soil conditions and respiration from dryland winter wheat and soybean cropping systems

Soil respiration from agricultural soils is a major anthropogenic source of CO2 to the atmosphere. With-in season emission of soil CO2 from croplands are affected by changes in weather, tillage, plant row spacing, and plant growth stage. Tillage involves physical turning of soils which accelerate residue decomposition and CO2 emission. No-tillage lacks soil disturbance and residues undergo slower decomposition at the surface. In this study, we compared with-in season soil conditions (temperature and moisture) and soil respiration from two major crops (soybean and winter wheat) by making high temporal frequency measurements using automated chambers at half-hourly intervals. The experiment lasted for 179 days. Total number of measurements made from conventional and no-tillage soybean and winter wheat plots were 6480 and 4456, respectively. Average flux after the winter-dormancy period of wheat was 37% higher in tilled soil compared to no-till soil. However, average flux during the soybean growing season was 8% lower in conventional till compared to no-till soil. This differential response of soil respiration in wheat and soybean was primarily due to tillage-induced changes in surface characteristics (residue cover) and soil environmental conditions (soil temperature and soil moisture). Results from this study can help elucidate relationships for modeling and assessment of field-scale soil CO2 emissions from dryland wheat and soybean crops grown in sub-tropics.

A new nonlinear dot plots visualization based on an undirected reassignment algorithm

The original nonlinear dot plots were designed for dots of varying sizes by the two-way sweep algorithm. However, this algorithm uses the average of the starting point of the two-way sweep to determine the column position, which can lead to inaccurate position of the obtained data columns. Meanwhile, the two-way sweep algorithm has the shortcoming of unclear expression in high-density data area. In order to address this problem, we propose an improved nonlinear dot plot based on an undirected reassignment algorithm. The improved nonlinear dot plots can process and assign data in order to achieve an optimized layout that can identify the suitable dot position and data distribution. The proposed algorithm is more effective at displaying outliers and avoiding overlaps. Dots with large differences can be presented in the nonlinear dot plots. Our proposed method can further be combined with other data visualization attributions for data analysis purposes. Using a series of real datasets, the improved nonlinear dot plots are compared with both the conventional dot plots and the original nonlinear dot plots. Results show that our improved nonlinear dot plots not only allow for dots of varying sizes, but also clearly display the data with extremely high density.

Bio-intensive integrated control of tungro disease in the rice field

This research aims to gain the technology of bio-intensive integrated control of tungro. The experiments were done in a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot consisted of Bio-intensive integrated control, compared to Conventional control. The subplots are: 1) the susceptible varieties (TN1), 2) green leafhopper–resistant varieties (IR64), and 3) tungro resistant varieties (Inpari 9 Elo). The subplots are 10 m x 10 m, and every subplot is replicated three times. Variables observed were the population density of green leafhopper (GLH) and the predators, the percentage of tungro incidence, and the grain yield. The results showed that the population of GLH in the plots of bio-intensive integrated control (27.32, 2.34, 4.83, and 5.16) was lower than the population of GLH in conventional control (34.00, 21.17, 7.84, and 6.50). The GLH population density tends to be higher in varieties TN1 than the other varieties both in bio-intensive and conventional control. It is found that 12 species of predator exist in all varieties of bio-intensive control and conventional plots. At 8 WAT the infection of RTV on all varieties in bio-intensive plot control is lower (0.67 - 2.67%) than the incidence of tungro in conventional plot control (3.00 - 8.67%).

New Findings of Ancient Greek Silver Sources

Over the last 60 years, much analytical research has sought to determine the ore sources of ancient Greek silver artefacts. Lead isotopic analysis has played a key role in this endeavor. While most studies so far have limited their search to places mentioned in historical sources, the present study takes a different approach by first identifying Ag-bearing ore sources in the Aegean world based on their geological characteristics and then using Pb isotopes to determine whether they were exploited in antiquity. To this end, we have geolocated, sampled, and measured high-precision Pb isotopic compositions of 17 Ag-bearing mineralizations in Greece for which we have evidence of ancient mining activity, and a further 10 exhibiting minor Ag occurrences that may also have been exploited in ancient times. We found that Pb model ages provide better discrimination of ore sources than the more conventional plots of raw Pb isotope data. Our study establishes Lavrion, northeast Chalkidiki, Pangaeon, Thasos, Siphnos, Palaea Kavala, Angistron, and south Euboea as the most important ancient silver mining districts in Greece. Two previously undiscovered ancient mining areas in Pelion and in the Kroussia mountain range are also documented. The latter may be identified with ancient Mount Dysoron, from which King Alexander I of Macedon reportedly extracted the fabulous sum of a talent of silver per day. For the first time, we isotopically differentiate some of the mining districts in Thraco-Macedonia, and show that the mines of Thasos include geologically different silver-bearing ore sources. We further identify the hitherto unrealized importance of Euboean silver mines and demonstrate that they isotopically overlap those of Siphnos, with major implications for our understanding of ancient Greek history.

An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis with Colombian Studies on the Effect of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Parameters.

Background It is postulated that cocoa solids possess cardioprotective capacity by various mechanisms. In the different cocoa studies evaluating cardiovascular disease, there are no conclusive data on the role it plays in controlling the lipid profile and anthropometric variables, perhaps because the concentration of cocoa, the geographical origin of the population, and the different concentrations supplied lead to a high heterogeneity of results. This study aims to estimate the effect of consuming cocoa-rich chocolate compared to placebo on the lipid profile and anthropometric variables based on data from three clinical trials conducted in Colombia. Methods Meta-analysis of individual data from three randomized clinical trials conducted in Colombia. The entire population of the primary studies was included, which was reassigned into intervention groups if they consumed 50 grams of 70% concentrated cocoa or placebo, which was considered to be cocoa-free or with a concentration less than 50 grams. The variables at the beginning of the study were analyzed with medians, interquartile ranges, means, and deviations according to whether they met the normality assumption. Multiple imputations were used to manage missing data and were analyzed using the two approaches proposed for this type of study, that of one and two stages. In the two-stage approach, the data were weighted on a conventional Forrest plot, while in the one-stage approach, linear regressions with mixed models were applied. This study is governed by the regulations described in the 2013 Declaration of Helsinki and by article 11 of Resolution 8430 of 1993, which classifies it as a risk-free study. Results A total of 275 participants were included, who consumed cocoa or placebo for 81 days on average; 52.7% were female and few smoked at the time of the intervention (31/275). Physical activity performed in number of hours per week was comparable between the intervention groups. When evaluating total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol (LDL), high-density cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides, abdominal circumference, and final body mass index with both the one-stage and two-stage approaches, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions According to the results obtained in the meta-analysis, the consumption of cocoa in the Colombian population does not seem to significantly modify variables such as lipid profile, abdominal circumference, and body mass index. This conclusion according to the quality of the evidence has a weak recommendation and a low-to-moderate certainty. However, the analysis through the two proposed approaches yielded similar results.

A Highly Sensitive Temperature Sensor Based on Au/Graphene-PVP/n-Si Type Schottky Diodes and the Possible Conduction Mechanisms in the Wide Range Temperatures

We report that the sensitive temperature response and possible Conduction Mechanisms (CMs) of Au/graphene-PVP/ ${n}$ -Si type Schottky diodes (SDs) are investigated using the standard Thermionic Emission (TE) theory at low temperatures (LTs) and high temperatures (HTs). The obtained results indicate that the zero-apparent barrier height ( $\phi _{\textit {Bo}}$ - $\phi _{\textit {ap}}$ ) increases while the ideality factor ( ${n}$ ), series and shunt resistances ( ${R} _{s}$ , ${R} _{\textit {sh}}$ ), rectifying rate (at ±2V) and surface states ( ${N} _{\textit {ss}}$ ) decrease with increasing temperature. The $\phi _{\textit {Bo}}$ , ${n}$ and ${R} _{s}$ values are also extracted from Cheung’s functions and, then compared with those obtained TE theory. The conventional Richardson plot ( $\ell {n}$ ( ${I} _{o}$ /T 2)- q/kT ) displays the deviation from the linearity at low-temperatures ( $T\le140$ K). Besides, the experimental value of Richardson constant ( ${A} ^{\ast }$ ) deduced from the intercept of plot was found to be several orders lower than the theoretical value. The discrepancies and higher values for the parameter of ${n}$ are important evidences for the deviation from TE theory. This is mainly attributed to the spatial inhomogeneities of the barrier height and potential fluctuations at the interface including low/high barrier areas. Hence the CMs across diode preferentially flows through these lower barriers/patches at the regions of LTs. The decrement in the ${N} _{\textit {ss}}$ with the enhancement in the temperature is in relation to the molecular restructuring-reordering under temperature and voltage effects. The SDs fabricated with graphene-PVP interlayer exhibit a higher sensitivity ( ${S}$ ) rather than many silicon/SOI-based structures. Numerically, the ${S}$ values are found to be in a range of 1.3 mV/K (LTs)/−1.93mV/K (HTs) in case of ${I} =0.1\,\,\mu \text{A}$ as against much greater values of −8.2 mV/K (LTs)/−7.9mV/K (HTs) for ${I} = 10\,\,\mu \text{A}$ .

Adsorption and degradation of the herbicide nicosulfuron in a stagnic Luvisol and Vermic Umbrisol cultivated under conventional or conservation agriculture

The main goals of conservation agriculture are to enhance soil fertility and reduce soil degradation, especially through erosion. However, conservation agriculture practices can increase the risk of contamination by pesticides, mainly through vertical transfer via water flow. Better understanding of their sorption and degradation processes is thus needed in conservation agriculture as they control the amount of pesticide available for vertical transfer. The purpose of our study was to investigate the sorption and degradation processes of nicosulfuron in soil profiles (up to 90 cm deep) of a Vermic Umbrisol and a Stagnic Luvisol managed either in conventional or in conservation agriculture. Two laboratory sorption and incubation experiments were performed. Low sorption was observed regardless of the soil type, agricultural management or depth, with a maximum value of 1.3 ± 2.0 L kg-1. By the end of the experiment (91 days), nicosulfuron mineralisation in the Vermic Umbrisol was similar for the two types of agricultural management and rather depended on soil depth (29.0 ± 2.3% in the 0-60-cm layers against 7.5 ± 1.4% in the 60-90 cm). In the Stagnic Luvisol, nicosulfuron mineralisation reached similar value in every layer of the conservation agriculture plot (26.5% ± 0.7%). On the conventional tillage plot, mineralisation decreased in the deepest layer (25-60 cm) reaching only 18.4 ± 6.9% of the applied nicosulfuron. Regardless of the soil type or agricultural management, non-extractable residue formation was identified as the main dissipation process of nicosulfuron (45.1 ± 8.5% and 50.2 ± 7.0% under conventional and conservation agriculture respectively after 91 days). In our study, nicosulfuron behaved similarly in the Vermic Umbrisol regardless of the agricultural management, whereas the risk of transfer to groundwater seemed lower in the Stagnic Luvisol under conservation agriculture.

On the electrical and charge conduction properties of thermally evaporated MoOx on n- and p-type crystalline silicon

In this work, the electrical and charge conduction characteristics of a contact structure featuring thermally evaporated MoOx, deposited on n- and p-type crystalline silicon (c-Si), are extensively investigated by room temperature current–voltage (I–V), transmission line measurements (TLM), and temperature-dependent current–voltage measurements (I–V–T). XRD diffraction spectrum shows that the deposited MoOx film exhibits amorphous nature. From TLM measurements, the values of contact resistivity are calculated to be $${\rho_{\rm {c}}}$$ : 55.9 mΩ-cm2 for Ag/MoOx/n-Si and $${\rho_{\rm {c}}}$$ : 48.7 mΩ-cm2 for Ag/MoOx/p-Si. The barrier parameters such as barrier height ( $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{e}}}$$ ) and ideality factor ( $${n}$$ ) are investigated by the thermionic emission theory for I–V and I–V–T measurements. The $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{e}}}$$ , $${n}$$ , and conventional Richardson plot demonstrate resolute temperature dependency, obeying the barrier height of Gaussian distribution model. The uniform barrier height values are calculated to be $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{b}}}$$ :1.24 eV for Ag/MoOx/n-Si and $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{b}}}$$ :0.66 eV for Ag/MoOx/p-Si from the extrapolation of $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{e}}}$$ at $${n}$$ $${=}$$ 1 of the linear fitting of the variation with the experimental barrier height $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{e}}}$$ with ideality factor. The activation energy ( $${{E}_{\mathrm{a}}}$$ ) and Richardson constant (A*), obtained from Richardson plot, are much smaller than $${{\phi }_{\mathrm{b}}}$$ and the theoretical values of n- and p-type c-Si. The modified Richardson plot yields more reliable Richardson constant and homogeneous barrier height values of 106.2 Acm−2 K−2 and 1.21 eV, 23.4 Acm−2 K−2 and 0.63 eV for Ag/MoOx/n-Si and Ag/MoOx/p-Si heterostructures, respectively. The results demonstrate that thermally evaporated MoOx has particular advantages due to its good rectifying characteristics such as the extra enhancement to barrier height and low contact resistivity for interfacial layer applications.

Can Androids Write Science Fiction? Ian McEwan’s Machines like Me

ABSTRACT McEwan’s novel Machines Like Me was met with lukewarm reviews and open hostility of the sci-fi genre adherents. It seemed to have appropriated some of the key issues of the genre discourse – the question of what constitutes humanity, of the possibility of coexistence between humans and AI, of the problems of morality and consent. It also made use of time-honored devices of alternative history without treating it too seriously. Instead, the characters are enmeshed in personal problems and conundrums of science and politics, justice and empathy – and love. McEwan’s commentary on the novel in various interviews only aggravated the critics who were all too ready to conclude that Machines Like Me offered little originality. This essay will demonstrate that the text is carefully layered as if to protect its own novelty hidden beneath rather conventional love triangle plot, ponderous political commentary, and genre-specific topicality. It will be an effort to understand the complex relation between the writer and conventions which come into play in his novel, and it will proceed to read the text against the authorial comments, finding suppressed hints that invite an interpretation of the text as narrated by its android hero rather than human subject.

Van der Waals Multi‐Heterostructures (PN, PIN, and NPN) for Dynamic Rectification in 2D Materials

AbstractHere, van der Waals multi‐heterojunctions (PN, NP, PIN, and NPN) are fabricated by stacking of MoTe2, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), and MoSe2 nanoflakes using a mechanical‐exfoliation technique where the dynamic rectification is examined. Low‐resistance metal contacts Al/Au and Pt/Au are applied to MoSe2 and MoTe2, respectively, and gate‐dependent rectifying behavior is achieved, with a rectification ratio of up to 105 in PN devices. It is found that the performance of the device is enhanced by placing an interfacial layer h‐BN between two opposite layers of 2D materials where the rectification ratio is found to be >106 with the ideality factor ≈1.3 in the PIN devices. Also, using the conventional Richardson's plot, the barrier heights of PN and PIN diodes are calculated to be 260 and 490 meV at zero gate bias, respectively. As well, the devices exhibit good performance with a built‐in electric field observed in both PN and PIN diodes, which gives rise to an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and short‐circuit current (Isc) under zero external bias. Remarkably, it is found that the performance of the devices also gets better by forming double heterojunction (NPN) layer than PN or NP layers. The device is also tested for a rectification application, and it successfully rectifies an input alternating‐current signal. These findings are important for the development of nano‐ and optoelectronics devices.

Synthesis and crystal structures of novel alkali rare-earth orthoborates K3RE3(BO3)4 (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm–Lu)

We report a series of novel alkali rare-earth orthoborates K3RE3(BO3)4 (RE = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) prepared by high-temperature solid-state syntheses. Single crystals of K3Pr3(BO3)4, K3Er3(BO3)4, K3Tm3(BO3)4, K3Yb3(BO3)4 and K3Lu3(BO3)4 are obtained by spontaneous crystallization using a flux. Complementary single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction measurements followed by structure refinements reveal that both Pr- and Nd-containing phases crystallize in the space group P $$\overline{1}$$ (Z = 4), whereas the other K3RE3(BO3)4 members with higher atomic number (RE = Sm–Lu) crystallize in the higher symmetry space group P21/c (Z = 8). Amid differences in the space groups, each member of the series keeps close structural correlations in their motif and connectivity. The crystal structures of K3RE3(BO3)4 (RE = Sm–Lu) consist of quasi-two-dimensional [RE8(BO3)8] layers parallel to the ab-plane which are connected by out-of-layer RE2O12 and RE2O14 dimers as well as BO3 groups in the c-direction, forming a 3D framework. On the other hand, both K3Pr3(BO3)4 and K3Nd3(BO3)4 phases are comprised of the [RE4(BO3)4] layers, indicating the absence of 21 screw axis along the b-axis. The K+ cations are located between the [RE8(BO3)8] and [RE4(BO3)4] layers, occupying the interstitial voids. All samples exhibit characteristic absorption features in the UV/Vis range relevant to the rare-earth cations, and their optical band gaps are evaluated by both conventional Tauc plot and derivation of absorption spectrum fitting (DASF) methods. The geometric deviations away from the D3h symmetry of the BO3 planar groups are verified using Fourier transformed infrared and Raman spectra, and supported by the X-ray diffraction results.

Identification of long-term evolution of ozone sensitivity to precursors based on two-dimensional mutual verification

Tropospheric ozone pollution has been continuously worsening in China during the past decade. Identification of long-term evolution of ozone sensitivity to precursors is essential to evaluating the impact of emission reduction measures on ozone pollution. Traditional observation-based model and 3-d numerical model are not suitable for analyzing long-term variation of ozone sensitivity to precursors. In this study, by transforming the conventional ozone isopleth plot into a VOCR isopleth plot in the functional space of NOx and ozone concentrations, we developed a novel approach to identify ozone sensitivity to precursors by simply using long-term monitoring data of ozone, NOx and temperature. This approach estimated ozone formation regimes (OFR) by ozone sensitivity to NOx and temperature separately, and the convergence of OFR serves as a way of mutual verification. We found that ozone formation was generally in the VOCR-limited or transitional regime in Shanghai, the largest metropolitan area in China. However, OFR was shifted to NOx-limited at Pudong station during 2017–19 due much to the stringent NOx emission control. OFR was also shifted to NOx-limited along with the increasing temperature. When temperature was over 30 °C, Shanghai was mostly in a NOx-limited OFR. This highlights that the NOx emission control measures need to be strengthened to reduce peak ozone levels more efficiently. Jinshan station exhibited a different trend with OFR shifted to VOCR-limited in 2017–19, which proved the effectiveness of VOCs emission control on petrochemical sector. However, OFR was shifted to NOx-limited when temperature was over 30 °C, suggesting more stringent VOCs emissions control should be targeted on days with higher temperature.

Impact on Bulk density, infiltration rate and organic carbon as influenced by tillage practices and irrigation schedule of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) grown after Rice of Chhattisgarh plain

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum (L.) Griesb.) also known as flaxseed, is one of the most versatile and useful crop grown either for oil from seed or for fibre from stem. Linseed yields seed which is a rich source of both non-edible and edible oil. Ph.D research on “Agro-resource management studies on growth, yield, quality and economics of linseed (Linum usitatissimum Linn.) grown after rice in Alfisols of Chhattisgarh plains” was conducted during rabi seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Research cum Instructional Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur with the specific objectives to study the effect of different tillage with varying levels of irrigation on growth, yield, nutrient uptake and economics of linseed. Two different experiments on linseed crop were undertaken during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2009-10 & 2010-11. The experiment was divided into horizontal and vertical plots under strip plot design. The horizontal plot was further divided into four tillage practices viz. zero tillage (T0), harrowing once (T1), rotavator once (T2) and conventional tillage (T3) and vertical plots were divided into four irrigation schedules viz. one irrigation after seeding (I0), one irrigation at 35 DAS (I1), two irrigations at 35 and 75 DAS (I2) and three irrigations at 0, 35 and 75 DAS (I3).

Contrasting latest Permian intracontinental gabbro and Late Triassic arc gabbro–diorite in the Gangdese constrain the subduction initiation of the Neo-Tethys

ABSTRACT When the Neo-Tethys subduction initiated has been a subject of debate, perhaps due to the lack of reliable evidence. This paper reports geochronological, geochemical, and Hf isotopic data for recently identified gabbro as well as diorite exposed in the Chanv area of the Gangdese in the southernmost margin of the western Lhasa block, western China. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates the Chanv magmatic rocks formed in two stages: latest Permian (gabbro, 254.8 ± 1.5 Ma) and Late Triassic (gabbro, 214.2 ± 2.0 Ma; diorite, 202.8 ± 1.1 Ma). Geochemical and Hf isotopic analyses reveal that the Chanv magmatic rocks of both stages have contrasting characters. The latest Permian gabbro has apparently higher TiO2 concentrations (> 3 wt.%) than the Late Triassic gabbro (0.86–1.24 wt.%). Although they all are enriched in light rare-earth elements (LREEs), the latest Permian gabbro displays no depletions in Nb and Ta, while the Late Triassic gabbro and diorite are apparently depleted in these two elements. In addition, the zircons from the latest Permian gabbro are all characterized by positive εHf(t) values whereas those from the Late Triassic gabbro dominantly by negative εHf(t) values. Conventional plots using multi-elements or elemental ratios all indicate the latest Permian gabbro has inherent resemblance to intraplate oceanic-island basalt (OIB) whereas the Late Triassic gabbro and diorite are of distinct arc affinity. Therefore, The Chanv latest Permian–Late Triassic magmatic rocks testify a switch of the tectonic environment in the southernmost Eurasian margin from latest Permian post-break-up to Late Triassic arc-related setting and thus constrain the initiation of the Neo-Tethys subduction between 255 Ma and 214 Ma.

Alternating wide ridges and narrow furrows with film mulching improves soil hydrothermal conditions and maize water use efficiency in dry sub-humid regions

The ridge-furrow mulching system (RFMS) is widely used to improve crop yields and water use efficiency in arid and semi-arid rainfed agricultural regions. However, the effects of RFMS on hydrothermal states and maize (Zea mays L.) yields in dry sub-humid regions remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of ridge-furrow construction and plastic film mulching on soil moisture and temperature, evapotranspiration (ET), maize growth and yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and thermal time use efficiency (TUE) in dry sub-humid regions of the Loess Plateau. A three-year field study was conducted in which four different planting practices were evaluated: (1) alternating wide ridges and narrow furrows with film mulching (WRM), (2) alternating equal-width ridges and furrows with film mulching (ERM), (3) equal row spacing in flat plot with half film mulching (EFM), and (4) conventional flat plot without mulching (CK). The results demonstrated that at early maize growth stages, soil water storage within the 0–200 cm soil profile and soil temperatures were increased for mulching treatments compared with CK. RFMS utilized soil water efficiently by increasing rainwater harvesting efficiency and transpiration while decreasing soil evaporation. RFMS significantly increased soil temperature in the ridges by 4.0–4.4 °C and reduced diurnal soil temperature amplitude in the furrows, thereby increasing soil thermal time. These positive effects of RFMS compared with CK improved maize growth and crop yields because of adequate absorption and utilization of water and thermal resources. RFMS increased average maize yield by 24.9–32.8%, WUE by 34.1–45.7%, and TUE by 15.9–21.1%. The highest grain yield, WUE, and TUE were observed with WRM due to its favorable soil hydrothermal conditions. The WRM treatment is a promising water-saving and high-yielding maize cultivation practice to improve grain yields and resource use efficiency in dry sub-humid regions.

A local-neighborhood Lassen plot filter for creating occupancy and non-displaceable binding images

For radioligands without a reference region, the Lassen plot can be used to estimate receptor occupancy by an exogenous drug (). However, the Lassen plot is not well-suited for spatial variation in . To overcome this limitation, we introduce a Lassen plot filter, i.e. a Lassen plot applied to local neighborhoods in PET images. Image data were simulated with regional variation in , , both, or neither and analyzed using the change in binding potential (), the conventional Lassen plot, and the Lassen plot filter at the region of interest (ROI) and voxel level. All methods were also applied to a human [11C]flumazenil occupancy study using PF-06372865. This combination of a non-selective radioligand and selective drug should lead to varying provided the distribution of subtypes varies spatially. In contrast with and the conventional Lassen plot, ROI-level and voxel-level Lassen plot filter estimates remained unbiased in the presence of regional variation in or . In the [11C]flumazenil data-set, was shown to vary regionally in accordance with the distribution of binding sites for [11C]flumazenil and PF-06372865. We demonstrate that a local-neighborhood Lassen plot filter provides robust and unbiased estimates of and without the need for any user intervention.

Effect of tillage and irrigation on Southeastern U.S. soils under cellulosic sorghum feedstock production

ABSTRACT Sorghum may be a good cellulosic material for bioenergy production because it can be cultivated in current row-crop systems. However, the production of sorghum for bioenergy and its impacts on Southeastern U.S. soils should be investigated to determine the most environmentally sustainable system. The objective of this study was to evaluate tillage (conventional vs. conservation systems), and irrigation effect (irrigated vs. non-irrigated) on soil characteristics when producing cellulosic feedstock from three forage sorghums and one forage corn (control) in 2008 and 2009. Results showed that soil organic carbon (SOC) increased at a depth of 0.10–0.15 m, but decreased at a depth of 0.40–0.45 m with higher losses being found using conventional tillage as opposed to conservation tillage. Total nitrogen (TN) and bulk density (Bd) increased at all evaluated soil depths (0–0.50 m) after 2 years. Conventional tillage plots also showed higher Bd at 0.15–0.30 m. Higher Bd in conventional tillage plots might restrict water drainage which could explain higher volumetric soil water content (SWC) at 0.10, 0.20 and 0.40 m soil depths. Cone Index (CI) values also showed improved soil conditions at in-row positions for conservation plots.

Tauc-plot scale and extrapolation effect on bandgap estimation from UV–vis–NIR data – A case study of β-Ga2O3

The effect of the Tauc plot scale and bandgap extrapolation technique on estimated optical bandgap values is often not strongly emphasized. Herein, we demonstrate that the scale of the conventional Tauc plot and the extrapolation technique poses significant influence on the determined value of bandgap. The nanomaterial used for this study was prepared by the CVD method using different H2 reducing gas flow rates. XRD measurements confirmed polycrystalline β-Ga2O3 with high crystalline quality. FE-SEM analysis revealed nanohump-like morphology. UV–vis–NIR measurements generally showed increasing bandgap with rising H2 supply into the horizontal reactor. Specifically, it was observed that the proper extrapolation technique for bandgap estimation is more appropriate as compared to the values obtained from the traditional direct extrapolation method. It is established that direct extrapolation technique has the potential to either under - or over-estimate bandgap values, whereas the proper extrapolation method is promising for more reasonable values of optical energy gap.