High Moisture Conditions Research Articles

Nitrification inhibitor addition to farm dairy effluent to reduce nitrous oxide emissions

ABSTRACT Increasing the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers will be necessary to enhance grain and pasture yields to satisfy the growing world demand for food. Organic amendments, such as farm dairy effluents (FDE), are an alternative to traditional synthetic fertilizers. However, part of the applied N could be lost as ammonia (NH 3 ) volatilization or nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emission, decreasing N availability to plants. Nitrification inhibitors, such as dicyandiamide (DCD), suppress the microbial process of nitrification, decreasing soil nitrate concentration and, therefore, N 2 O emission. Reducing N 2 O losses from agricultural soils is a key subject for sustainable production. This research aimed to quantify the effect of DCD addition to the FDE on the emissions of N 2 O and the volatilization of NH 3 from the soil. A field trial was carried out in which NH 3 volatilization and N 2 O emission were measured over 49 days after applying FDE, FDE with DCD (DCD), and control (C, without N added) treatments. The amount of N applied as FDE was 120 kg of N ha -1 . Accumulated N 2 O emission during the 49 days after the application was 526, 237, and 174 g N 2 O-N ha -1 from the soil in the FDE, DCD, and C treatments, respectively. No significant differences were observed in accumulated NH 3 volatilization. Pasture yield was higher in DCD treatment, followed by C and FDE. Under low temperatures and high soil moisture conditions, adding DCD to the FDE could be considered an effective alternative to increase pasture yields, decrease N 2 O emissions, and maintain NH 3 volatilization, reducing total N losses to the atmosphere by about 14 %. Adding DCD to the FDE is a promising alternative for the more efficient N use of farm dairy effluents as fertilizer to mitigate N losses, tending to reduce N losses as N 2 O emissions. More studies are necessary to verify the result of using FDE + DCD under different soils and climates.

Galvinol as ratiometric naked-eye colorimetric moisture sensor: Synthesis process development, applications and mechanistic studies

Moisture detection through a simple colorimetric approach using molecular materials has been a cost-effective and user-friendly technology of choice as high moisture and humidity conditions lead to serious issues across various fields. However, the poor availability of such efficient molecular systems is a serious concern, and hence the need is quite evident. In this regard, the galvinol (GALH) molecule has been explored as a highly responsive colorimetric moisture-sensing in liquid and gaseous systems. Notably, it has been synthesized in a multigram scale via an unexplored demethylative C-C coupling of butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). The deprotonated form of GALH (GAL-) has been investigated as a reversible colorimetric moisture sensing platform with limits of detection (LOD) for water (H2O) in acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran solvents as 0.0022 and 0.0031% v/v, respectively. The moisture sensing mechanism is based upon the competitive ion pairing of GALH with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride and H2O during the protonation/deprotonation process. The developed moisture sensing probe has shown its universal applicability during the fabrication of polystyrene resin anchored solid medium device for relative humidity detection, color indicating moisture absorbing silica gel preparation, paper strip-based moisture detection in organic solvents and soil as real sample analysis, moisture erasable inkjet-printing and inkless writing.

Assessing the hydroclimate changes in Western Himalayas during the Little Ice Age

The Little Ice Age (LIA) was a period of most recent glacial advancement and had pronounced cooling effect in the North Atlantic region. Synchronous hydroclimate changes are also reported from the Himalayas, however owing to the heterogeneity within the proxy reconstructions, their relationship with LIA cooling is unclear. Varied topography, huge glacial mass, and multiple moisture sources (both from the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and the Westerlies) makes understanding of the impact of LIA cooling on this region ambiguous. In this study, we review and assess the existing paleoclimatic proxy records for a comprehensive analysis of the regional response of the Western Himalayas to LIA cooling. Using the existing meteorological reanalysis data for back trajectory analysis for the last 20 years, the Western Himalayan region was classified into three different zones based on the relative percentage of moisture-bearing-wind-source contribution. The upper Western Himalayas receive most of the moisture from the Westerlies, both Middle and Lower Western Himalayas receive majority of rainfall from the ISM, with a relatively higher contribution of Westerlies in the Lower Western Himalayas. Comparison of reconstructions using Principal Component Analysis reveal consistent high moisture conditions during the LIA, with increased winter precipitation and decreased summer precipitation coherently in all the records. Spectral analysis of the available proxy records and various climate forcing for LIA cooling show similar dominant frequency, attesting that the LIA cooling drove the hydroclimate changes in the Western Himalayan region. External forcings such as decreased solar activity and increased volcanic activity caused cooling, influenced the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, and resulted in weaker summer rainfall during the LIA. Synchronous changes in the North Atlantic Oscillations and El Niño–Southern Oscillation records with precipitation records suggest a link between “monsoon breaks” and enhanced Westerly intensity and an intensified winter precipitation in this region.

Constructing high-density crack-microstructures within MXene interlayers for ultrasensitive and superhydrophobic cellulosic fibers-based sensors

Incorporating biopolymers into two-dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides (2D MXene) has been demonstrated as an effective strategy to improve the mechanical behaviors of MXene-based composites. However, the insulate nature of biopolymers inevitably deteriorated the electrical conductivity and the sensitivity of assembled sensors. Herein, a novel cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene/carbon black (CB) composite was demonstrated as the conductive layer in eco-friendly cellulose paper-based sensors by intercalating the CB into the MXene/CNF interlayer, followed by coating hydrophobic SiO2 for encapsulation. Befitting from the high-density crack-microstructures between CB and MXene, the fabricated superhydrophobic paper CB/CNF/MXene/SiO2 sensor delivered ultrahigh sensitivity of 729.52 kPa−1, low detect limit of 0.29 Pa, rapid response time of 80 ms and excellent stability over 10,000 cycles. Moreover, the fabricated sensor was capable of detecting the physiological parameter of human (e.g. huge/subtle movements) and spatial pressure distribution. Furthermore, the presence of SiO2 layer endowed the sensor with superhydrophobic performance (water contact angle ∼158.2 o) and stable electrical signals under high moisture conditions or even under water. Our work proposed a novel strategy to boost the sensitivity of MXene-based conductive layer in flexible electronic devices.

Structurally robust cellulosic triboelectric materials under high moisture conditions for self-powered sensing

Eco-friendly cellulosic fibers-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are enormously and increasingly demanded for self-powered flexible electronics. However, under high moisture conditions (e.g. sweat, sailing and rain day), the mechanical behaviors of hydrophilic paper were severely reduced due to the weak wet strength and the cellulosic paper-based sensors were easily destroyed under external force, leading to the device failure and invalid signal acquisition. Herein, an industrial-friendly polyethylenimine (PEI)-assisted pulping strategy was developed to produce advanced cellulosic papers, which possessed reinforced wet strength and tribopositive performance. During pulping procedure, the cationic PEI molecules could be quickly in situ bonded onto the surface of fibers under electrostatic interaction and the interfacial interaction between fibers was significantly enhanced through the formation of hydrogen bonds between the amino groups on PEI and the hydroxyl groups on cellulose fibers. The wet strength was significantly enhanced from 1.93 MPa for pristine paper to 8.33 MPa for cellulose/PEI1.5% with an enhancement of 4.32 times. Moreover, originating from the enhanced dielectric behaviors upon the introduction of PEI, the optimized cellulose/PEI1.5% TENG delivered the maximum VOC of 157.3 V, ISC of 3.47 μA, QSC of 42.73 nC and instantaneously maximum power density of 145.93 mW·m−2. Our findings proposed a new perspective for fabricating high-performance tribopositive cellulosic materials that withstand high humid conditions.

Assessing nitrous oxide emissions and productivity of cropping systems for biogas production using digestate and mineral fertilisation in a coastal marsh site

Significant greenhouse gas emissions during substrate cultivation reduces the potential environmental benefits of biogas production. This study investigates the productivity of different cropping systems and their environmental impact in terms of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions under the environmental conditions of the coastal marsh regions (Northern Germany) with heavy clay soils, in a 2-year field trial (April 2009-March 2011). Treatments included four cropping systems (perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, PR) ley, continuous maize (Zea mays), a rotation (CR1) of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum, IR) and maize, and a rotation (CR2) of maize, winter wheat and IR; two sources of N (nitrogen) fertilizers (calcium ammonium nitrate, and biogas residue (BR)), and three levels of N fertilizer applications (control, moderate, high). Nitrous oxide emissions were determined for the unfertilized and highly fertilized cropping systems comprising PR ley, CR1 and CR2. Cumulative annual N2O emissions varied across the treatments, ranging from 0.82 to 3.4 kg N2O-N ha−1 year−1. Under high N fertilizer applications, PR ley incurred higher N2O-N losses compared to other tested cropping systems, and IR cover crop caused relatively high N2O-N emissions in a short vegetation period. The study observed wide range of yield-scaled emissions (0.00–5.60 kg N2O-N (Mg DM)−1) for different crops, emphasizing the variability in N2O emissions linked to cropping systems. The N2O-N emission factors for the three cropping systems were found to be low to moderate for all treatments, ranging from 0.03% to 0.53% compared to IPCC default Tier 1 N2O-N EFs. The lower emissions in the study were associated with prolonged high soil moisture conditions (water filled pore space >70%.), indicated by its negative correlation with N2O-N fluxes. Low dry matter and N yield of PR and of the wheat-IR sequence after BR application compared to other crops indicated a low N use efficiency. The estimation of N2O-N emissions based on N surplus was not promising specifically for the coastal study site where high groundwater level and organic matter in the soils were the predominant drivers for N2O-N emissions.

Conceptual frameworks for creating an automated potato harvester with a digital system for identifying soil lumps and separating them from commercial potato products

FSC VIM has developed the conceptual basis for creating an automated potato harvester with a digital system for identifying soil lumps and separating them from marketable products. Existing machines carry out the technological process in conditions of high soil moisture, which negatively affects the quality of harvesting as a result of a decrease in the completeness of separation. To determine the optimal values of the developed separating system and recommendations for subsequent changes in the design and technological parameters of the machines, a design diagram of an automated harvester is presented, a schematic diagram of modeling a system for identifying soil lumps in the Matlab/Simulink environment, data selection from field studies of the operation quality of the harvesting machine separating system, as well as the work of the neural network system and the neuron error surface for identifying soil lumps while moving along the separating surface are shown.

Influence of light, nutrients, and soil moisture on the growth and resource allocation of Arundo donax

AbstractUnderstanding how invasive species respond to changes in abiotic factors and what influences their ability to colonise newly disturbed areas is necessary to predict species expansion, prioritise management efforts, and develop ecological models. We conducted a fully factorial greenhouse experiment using rhizome fragments to examine the effects of four nutrients levels, three soil moisture levels, and two light levels (with five replicates, n = 120) on the growth and resource allocation patterns of Arundo donax, a large‐statured invasive wetland species. We predicted that A. donax's performance‐related traits—traits that directly influence the functionality and fitness of an individual—such as aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (BGB), net photosynthesis, and average stem height, would be highest under high light, high soil moisture and high nutrient conditions due to the ability of aggressive invasive species to capitalise on greater resource availability. Analyses using general linear mixed‐effects models revealed significant interactions between soil moisture and light. Plants grown in saturated, high light conditions exhibited the highest values for performance‐related traits. However, contrary to predictions, nutrients did not significantly influence these traits. Multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated that nutrients did influence biomass allocation patterns, with plants grown with added nitrogen and phosphorus displaying higher AGB:BGB and stem:leaf ratios. This research highlights A. donax's unique response to nutrient addition and the plasticity of biomass allocation patterns. By understanding how invasive species respond to common abiotic factors, we can better predict their expansion and prioritise management efforts, such as focusing on areas of low overstory shading, while also providing crucial information for ecological model development.

First report of Leaf Blight of Liquidambar formosana Hance caused by Alternaria tenuissima in China.

Liquidambar formosana Hance is widely planted in urban landscapes in China owing to its ornamental red leaves. In June 2020, a distinctive leaf spot disease was observed on L. formosana in Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu Province of China (32°4'49"N, 118°48'56"E). Approximately 61% (14 out of 23) of the trees displayed leaf spots. The diseased symptoms included irregularly distributed spots that showed black or dark brown, and occasionally with pale green halo. Two representative trees were selected for sampling and five leaves with typical symptoms were selected randomly for isolation. The tissues from the margin of the lesions (0.2 cm × 0.2 cm) were cut and disinfected in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 90 s, rinsed in sterile water twice for 30 s, and dried with sterile paper. Then, 20 tissues were incubated on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented with 100 mg/L Ampicillin Sodium and incubated in the dark at 25℃ for 4 days. Seventeen single-spore fungi were isolated from lesion tissues as described by Woudenberg et al. (2013). The colony morphology of 17 isolates was extremely similar, so 3 isolates (NFUA01, NFUA02, and NFUA03) were selected randomly for further study. Colonies on PDA were circular, gray, and slightly raised loose cotton mycelium, while the reverse side was olive green in the center with white margins. Conidiophores were brown, simple or branched, and produced numerous conidia in short chains. Conidia were obclavate or ellipsoid, brown, with 1-5 transverse septa and 0-3 longitudinal septa, and measured 7.1 to 32.5 × 3.3 to 13.3 μm (n=50). The morphological observations were consistent with the description of the genus Alternaria sp. (Woudenberg et al. 2013). Six gene fragments, including SSU, LSU, ITS, GAPDH, RPB2 and EF-1 region, were amplified and sequenced. The primers of six nuclear loci were used by NS1 / NS4((White et al. 1990), LSU1Fd (Crous et al. 2009)/ LR5 (Vilgalys & Hester 1990), V9G (De Hoog & Gerrits van den Ende 1998)/ ITS4 (White et al. 1990), gpd1 / gpd2 (Berbee et al. 1999), RPB2-5F2 / fRPB2-7cR (Liu et al. 1999), and EF1-728F / EF1-986R (Carbone & Kohn 1999). The sequences were submitted in GenBank (SSU, ON237470 to ON237472; LSU, ON237464 to ON237466; ITS, ON197354 to ON197356; GAPDH, ON237476 to ON237478; RPB2, ON237467 to ON237469; EF-1, ON237473 to ON237475). BLAST result showed that SSU, LSU, ITS, GAPDH, RPB2, and EF-1 sequences of NFUA01, NFUA02, and NFUA03 were identical to A. tenuissima at a high level (>99%, Table 1). A maximum likelihood and Bayesian posterior probability analysis were performed by IQtree v. 1.6.8 and Mr. Bayes v. 3.2.6 with the concatenated sequences (Guindon et al. 2010; Ronquist et al. 2012). The representative strains which selected for Phylogenetic analyses were chosen from the strains which mentioned by Woudenberg et al (2013) and obtained the sequences from NCBI. The concatenated sequences placed NFUA01, NFUA02 and NFUA03 in the clade of Alternaria tenuissima with a high confidence level (ML/BI= 100/1). A pathogenicity assay was done using isolate NFUA01 on 3-year-old L. formosana seedlings. L. formosana leaves were wounded by a sterilized needle (0.5-mm-diam), and inoculated with spore suspension (106 conidia/mL), and L. formosana leaves inoculated with sterile water were used as the control. Each treatment had 5 leaves, and incubated at 25℃ under high moisture conditions. The experiments were conducted three times. Seven days after inoculation, leaves inoculated with spore suspension showed brown leaf blights resembling the original disease symptoms, whereas the control remained healthy. The fungus was reisolated from the lesions and was confirmed as A. tenuissima based on morphologically characteristics and ITS sequence analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. tenuissima associated with leaf blight on L. formosana. The finding provides clear pathogen information for further evaluation of the disease control strategies.

Oxygenation and ozonation of irrigation water and a soil microbial inoculant did not influence tomato plant growth and yield and soil microbiota

ABSTRACT Compacted soils and high soil moisture conditions restrict soil aeration reducing oxygen availability to roots. Low oxygen, or hypoxia, in soils may harm root function, plant growth, yield, and the soil microbiota in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The objective was to evaluate the effect of oxygenated and ozonated irrigation water and a microbial inoculant, on plant growth, physiology, fruit yield, and soil microbiota in conventional tomato at Tifton, Georgia. Irrigation water treatments were: 1) untreated water, 2) oxygenated water, 3) oxygenated water + ozone, 4) control water + inoculant, and 5) oxygenated water + inoculant. Immediately after oxygenation, or ozonation, water was injected into the drip irrigation system. The inoculant was a microbial consortium of 12 microbial species. Irrigation water treatments did not affect leaf gas exchange, leaf mineral nutrients, plant growth, fruit yield, and incidence of tomato yellow leaf curl and southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii). Soil bacterial and fungal distributions were unaffected by treatments. Oxygenation plus ozonation of irrigation water and the soil microbial inoculant did not affect tomato plant growth, soil-borne diseases, fruit yield, or soil microbiota.

Encapsulation Alleviates the Auto-browning of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate in Aqueous Solutions through Regulating Molecular Self-Aggregation Behavior.

Catechins are widely recognized for superb antioxidant capability, but their application as food antioxidants is hindered by susceptibility to auto-browning under high-moisture conditions. Here, we proposed a strategy of ordered encapsulation with cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) to alleviate the auto-browning phenomenon of catechins while preserving their antioxidant capability and demonstrated the feasibility of this strategy via selecting epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a model. Even in aqueous solutions, EGCG@CD-MOFs still possessed delayed browning, in contrast with pristine EGCG, characterized by suppressed efficiencies on the generation of oxidative dimers (theasinensin A) and semiquinone radicals. Mechanism insights revealed that ordered encapsulation brought dual regulations on the self-aggregation behavior of EGCG: EGCG@CD-MOFs exhibited a gradual structural collapse from the framework toward irregular aggregates as O-K bonds broke progressively, which restricted molecular mobility of EGCG, and EGCG molecular conformations became constrained by the structure of EGCG@CD-MOFs as well as rich intermolecular forces, even after structural collapse.

A facile strategy for highly efficient perovskite crystals fabricated in a high moisture environment via solvent engineering process

BackgroundHybrid organic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have recently gained recognition for their excellent photovoltaic properties. However, most PSCs were fabricated in a nitrogen-filled glovebox to prevent damage from moisture. Overcoming humidity damage is crucial for PSC fabrication in an ambient atmosphere. Fabricating perovskite solar cells (PSCs) under ambient atmosphere conditions needs the aid of substrate heating or air-knife flow to rapidly evaporate solvents. MethodsHerein, we propose a facile solvent engineering method without extra equipment or processes for fabricating highly efficient PSCs in a high moisture condition by a one-step spin-coating process. Acetone incorporation into the perovskite precursor solution not only prevents the ingress of moisture, but also accelerates the volatilization of solvents during the crystallization process. Significant findingsThe as-prepared PSCs feature low trap-state density, high charge recombination resistance, low hysteresis, and long charge lifetime. Little MABr and PbBr2 are separated out to passivate interface/grain-boundary defects. At a 10% acetone incorporation, the highest power conversion efficiency can reach 17.75% for the PSC fabricated in 70% relative humidity. The work provides a facile, promising method to prepare highly efficient PSCs in an ambient atmosphere.

Moisture Regime of Leached Chernozem, the Yield and Quality of Sugar Beet Root Crops under Different Weather and Agrotechnical Conditions in the Сentral Сhernozem Region

The efficiency of moisture use and the yield of sugar beet increased with the use of fertilizers, combined tillage and an increase in the moisture coefficient (according to Ivanov) for 2 months before cleaning. A more favorable soil moisture regime and a lower density of addition in sugar beet crops were formed in conditions of high moisture during combined tillage. The best technological qualities of the root fruits are determined with average moisture and combined processing. The share of the influence of weather conditions on crop yield was 51, fertilizers – 30, tillage – 3%. The highest yield of sugar beet (48.3–48.5 t/ha), energy efficiency (4.6) and profitability of production (95%) were established with multi-depth dump and combined tillage in crop rotation, fertilization and high soil moisture.

A self-powered, high-precision and minimum-channel touch panel coupling triboelectrification and uniform resistance film

Touch panels utilizing surface-capacitive mechanism are ubiquitous in our daily life. However, the need for an additional probe signal generator and receiver module to detect the resistance distribution and variation caused by finger touching adds complexity and energy consumption to the system. Herein, we propose a self-powered and high-precision tribo-touch-position sensor (TPS) that can operate without an external probe signal generator and receiver module. By detecting the contact electrification signal and extracting the signal ratio between the edges of a uniform resistance film, TPS exhibits precise touch position detection with minimal channels. The mechanism and feasibility of this sensor is systematically analyzed from theory and experiment. Moreover, the resistance range and parameters that affect the sensing performance are discussed in depth. Compared to traditional capacitive touch panels, TPS can function in high moisture conditions and is not limited to grounded objects. Finally, the designed TPS achieves spatial resolutions of 0.001 and 1 mm in touching space and size, and a prototype 2D touch panel is fabricated experimentally. The signals ratio of 2D touch panel changes more obviously in the middle than on the sides while the fingers touch various positions. This work provides an alternative platform for simple and diverse contact localization using triboelectric effect.

Exploring the molecular basis of resistance to Botrytis cinerea in chickpea genotypes through biochemical and morphological markers.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop around the globe and a valuable source of protein in the human diet. However, it is highly susceptible to various plant pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses, which can cause significant damage from the seedling phase until harvest, leading to reduced yields and affecting its production. Botrytis cinerea can cause significant damage to chickpea crops, especially under high humidity and moisture conditions. This fungus can cause grey mould disease, which can lead to wilting, stem and pod rot, and reduced yields. Chickpea plants have developed specific barriers to counteract the harmful effects of this fungus. These barriers include biochemical and structural defences. In this study, the defence responses against B. cinerea were measured by the quantification of biochemical metabolites such as antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, glutathione (GSH), H2O2, ascorbic acid (AA) and total phenol in the leaf samples of chickpea genotypes (one accession of wild Cicer species, viz. Cicer pinnatifidum188 identified with high level of resistance to Botrytis grey mould (BGM) and a cultivar, Cicer arietinumPBG5 susceptible to BGM grown in the greenhouse). Seedlings of both the genotypes were inoculated with (1 × 104 spore mL-1) inoculum of isolate 24, race 510 of B. cinerea and samples were collected after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-inoculation (dpi). The enhanced enzymatic activity was observed in the pathogen-inoculated leaf samples as compared to uninoculated (healthy control). Among inoculated genotypes, the resistant one exhibited a significant change in enzymatic activity, total phenolic content, MDA, proline, GSH, H2O2, and AA, compared to the susceptible genotype. The study also examined the isozyme pattern of antioxidant enzymes at various stages of B. cinerea inoculation. Results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed that BGM had a more significant impact on susceptible genotypes compared to resistant ones when compared to the control (un-inoculated). In addition, SEM and FTIR spectroscopy analyses confirmed the greater severity of BGM on susceptible genotypes compared to their resistant counterparts. Our results suggest the role of antioxidant enzymes and other metabolites as defence tools and biochemical markers to understand compatible and non-compatible plant-pathogen interactions better. The present investigation will assist future plant breeding programs aimed at developing resistant varieties.

Diatom evidence for late Holocene environmental change in a permafrost peatland in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China

High-latitude permafrost peatlands are sensitive to global warming, and understanding their paleohydrological evolution is critical for assessing future hydrological and environmental changes. This paper presents a diatom record from a peat deposit covering the past 3300 years to reconstruct the moisture and acidity conditions in the Tuqiang permafrost peatland in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains of northeast China. Our findings are integrated with previously published records of plant macrofossils, palynology, and geochemistry from the same profile. From 3300 to 2800 cal yr BP, planktonic and benthic diatoms were equally abundant, indicating relatively high moisture conditions, while the low abundance of acidophilous diatoms reflects relatively high pH during this interval. Pollen data show dominance by sedges with input from the surrounding Pinus forest, while LOI data and lithology suggest that the site was a non-peat accumulating wetland. During the period 2800–1100 cal yr BP, the dominance of planktonic diatoms indicates a wetter local environment, concurrent with the dominance of peat-forming sedges (Eriophorum), indicating the development of a peatland. Between 1100 and 500 cal yr BP, a short-lived increase in acidophilous diatoms (Eunotia) marks a decrease in pH. Since 500 cal yr BP, the dominance of benthic diatoms reflects a drier environment, while a vegetation shift from an Eriophorum-dominated rich fen to a Sphagnum- and Ericaceae-dominated poor fen. An increase in Eunotia diatoms prior to the Sphagnum peak may indicate that diatoms are more sensitive to local acidified habitats than moss. Peatland development in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains was likely induced by the onset of a cooler and wetter climate starting at approximately 2800 cal yr BP, a scenario supported by regional paleoclimate records. Since 700 cal yr BP, the peatland has been affected by both anthropogenic activities and climatic changes, as a drying climate and intensified human activities around the study area reduced diatom species diversity and peat accumulation. Under the background of future global warming and enhanced human activities, the decreasing species diversity and carbon accumulation rate of peatlands in high-latitude permafrost regions need more attention.

“Cold-Dry” and “Cold-Wet” Events in the Late Holocene, Southern Russian Far East

Two late Holocene cold events were described for the Southern Russian Far East: 2800–2600 year BP and the Little Ice Age (LIA) (~1300–1850 CE). The synthesis is based on multi-proxy records on profile “the mainland (Primorye)-islands (Sakhalin-Kurils)”. Main archives are sediments of small lakes and peat bogs that recorded the high-resolution environmental changes. The temporal resolution of reconstructions here is up to 26–40 years. During the cold event of 2800–2600 year BP, the humidity decreased sharply, there were long-term dry seasons without strong floods, and buried soil formed on floodplains. The LIA was wet in the mainland and the Kurils, with frequent strong floods, but was drier in Sakhalin. The cooling was characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations where high moisture conditions alternated with short-term drier periods. The shift in geographical position and intensity of the main centers of atmospheric action caused a paleoclimatic interpretation of these events (Aleutian Low, Siberian and North Pacific Highs, the summer Okhotsk anticyclone and the Far East depression). Changes in the North Pacific oscillations played an important role in the alternation of cold-dry and cold-wet periods. Anomalies in the intensity of El Niño and the monsoon system led to changes in tropical and extratropical cyclone trajectories and cyclogenesis in general.

Mathematical model of indicators determination of quality root crops harvesting and potato energy saving technology in high humidity soil condition

Existing machines for harvesting root crops and potato tubers perform the technological process in conditions of high soil moisture, which negatively affects to the quality of harvesting as a result of a decrease in the completeness of separation of marketable products. To increase the separating capacity of slotted devices for cleaning root crops, it is proposed to improve the method of heating the separating surface with hot exhaust gas from the power plant of a harvesting machine or drive. The FSC VIM has developed a separating system for harvesting root crops and potatoes at high humidity using the heat of the exhaust gases of the power plant. In order to determine the optimal values of the developed separating system, as well as recommendations for subsequent changes in the design and technological parameters of harvesting machines, a mathematical model has been developed for calculating the quality of harvesting root crops and potatoes using energy-saving technology in conditions of high soil moisture. The values of finding the completeness of separation by expression are presented, depending on the heap mass of the root crops and potatoes coming from the digging to the separating working bodies, as well as the coefficient K_С of the change in the structural moisture of the soil.

Waterproof and ultrasensitive paper-based wearable strain/pressure sensor from carbon black/multilayer graphene/carboxymethyl cellulose composite

Huge electronic wastes motivated the flourishing of biodegradable electrically conductive cellulosic paper-based functional materials as flexible wearable devices. However, the relatively low sensitivity and unstable output in combination with poor wet strength under high moisture circumstances impeded the practical application. Herein, a superhydrophobic cellulosic paper with ultrahigh sensitivity was proposed by innovatively employing ionic sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as bridge to reinforce the interfacial interaction between carbon black (CB) and multilayer graphene (MG) and SiO2 nanoparticles as superhydrophobic layer. The resultant paper-based (PB) sensor displayed excellent strain sensing behaviors, wide working range (−1.0 %–1.0 %), ultrahigh sensitivity (gauge factor, GF = 70.2), and satisfied durability (>10,000 cycles). Moreover, the superhydrophobic surface offered well waterproof and self-cleaning properties, even stable running data without encapsulation under extremely high moisture conditions. Impressively, when the fabricated PB sensor was applied for electronic-skin (E-skin), the signal capture of spatial strain of E-skin upon bodily motion was breezily achieved. Thus, our work not only provides a new pathway for reinforcing the interfacial interaction of electrically conductive carbonaceous materials, but also promises a category of unprecedentedly superhydrophobic cellulosic paper-based strain sensors with ultra-sensitivity in human-machine interfaces field.

Enhanced mite grazing leads to pattern shifts in soil N2O emissions after organic fertilizer application

Studies have reported inconsistent (or even opposing) effects of soil mesofauna, such as mites, on net soil N2O emissions. Here we show that whether mites affect net N2O emissions positively, negatively, or neutrally depends on the microbial guild that dominates the emissions. We found that enhanced mite grazing, following artificially elevated mite populations, led to shifts in N2O emission patterns in soils applied with organic fertilizer: N2O emissions decreased under low soil moisture conditions, whereas those under high soil moisture conditions increased. Since the dominant microbial processes underlying N2O emissions shift from fungal to bacterial denitrification with increasing soil moisture, our results imply that enhanced mite grazing tends to decrease net soil N2O emissions dominated by fungi, whereas increase those dominated by bacteria. Furthermore, we observed that mite grazing largely suppressed fungal mycelial growth after organic fertilizer application but promoted the dispersal and decomposition of fertilizer granules and N mineralization. These findings suggested that the distinct effect of enhanced mite grazing on N2O emissions dominated by fungi and bacteria could occur because high-intensity mite grazing affects fungi-derived N2O emissions mainly by consuming the biomass of N2O-producing fungi, which has a negative effect, whereas affects bacteria-derived N2O emissions mainly by stimulating bacterial N2O-producing processes via the promotion of N diffusion from the fertilizer to the soil, which has a positive effect.