Initial Growth Period Research Articles

Economics and Epidemics: Evidence from an Estimated Spatial Econ-Sir Model

Economic analysis of effective policies for managing epidemics requires an integrated economic and epidemiological approach. We develop and estimate a spatial, micro-founded model of the joint evolution of economic variables and the spread of an epidemic. We empirically discipline the model using new U.S. county-level data on health, mobility, employment outcomes, and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) at a daily frequency. Absent policy or medical interventions, the model predicts an initial period of exponential growth in new cases, followed by a protracted period of roughly constant case levels and reduced economic activity. Nevertheless, if vaccine development proved impossible, and suppression cannot entirely eradicate the disease, a utilitarian policymaker cannot improve significantly over the laissez-faire equilibrium by using lockdowns. Conversely, if a vaccine will arrive within two years, NPIs can improve upon the laissez-faire outcome by dramatically decreasing the number of infectious agents and keeping infections low until vaccine arrival. Mitigation measures that reduce viral transmission (e.g., mask-wearing) both reduce the virus's spread and increase economic activity.

Stomatal Functioning and Its Influence on Fruit Calcium Accumulation in Northern Highbush Blueberry

Accumulation of calcium (Ca) in fruit is largely caused by transpiration and varies depending on the concentration of Ca in the xylem fluid. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between fruit stomatal functioning and Ca accumulation during different stages of development in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Stomata were scarce on the berries and were concentrated primarily on the distal end near the calyx. The density of the stomata was greatest at petal fall, averaging 5 to 108 stomata/mm2 from the proximal end (pedicel end) to the distal end of the berries. Stomata were wide-open at the early green stage of berry development and had a slight deposit of wax along the guard cells. As the berries expanded during the initial period of rapid growth (stage I), most of the stomata remained near the distal segment of the berries; by the late green stage, almost none was found in the middle and proximal segments. The majority of these stomata were completely covered with wax when the berries began to change color and ripen (stage II and stage III). Stomatal conductance (gS) of the berries averaged 45 mmol·m−2·s−1 at petal fall and rapidly declined as the fruit developed. By the fruit coloring stage, conductance was low and remained less than 15 mmol·m−2·s−1 throughout the ripening period. In four cultivars, including Duke, Bluecrop, Aurora, and Elliott, Ca uptake in the berries increased rapidly during the early green stage; however, it slowed considerably between the late green and fruit coloring stages and stopped completely during fruit ripening. The results of this study strongly suggested that practices used to increase the Ca content of blueberries, such as the application of foliar fertilizers, should be performed early in the season during the first few weeks after flowering.

Comparison of Lysimeter-Derived Crop Coefficients for Legacy and Modern Drought-Tolerant Maize Hybrids in the Texas High Plains

HighlightsDaily maximum crop coefficient (Kc) values were similar for legacy hybrids and a modern drought-tolerant (DT) hybrid.Later planting dates for a DT hybrid resulted in average season lengths ~25 days shorter than those of legacy hybrids.Results illustrated the effects of environment, planting date, interannual variation in temperature, and the importance of climate-specific Kc functions.DT hybrids may be more effective at reproductive growth during periods of heat stress in semi-arid environments, although additional data are needed to support this conclusion.Abstract. Corn (Zea mays L.) is a major irrigated crop grown in the Southern High Plains including the Texas Panhandle. Irrigation from the Ogallala Aquifer is required to sustain profitable corn production in the region by supplementing inadequate and erratic rainfall. Effective irrigation scheduling works to extend limited groundwater resources by avoiding water losses associated with runoff and/or percolation below the root zone. The use of crop coefficient (Kc) and reference evapotranspiration (ETo) values to estimate daily crop water use (ETc) remains an effective scheduling tool that can complement other irrigation scheduling approaches. Both Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO-56) piecewise and curvilinear Kc values for corn are found in the literature. However, advances in corn genetics have led to questions about the applicability of Kc values developed using legacy corn hybrids to irrigation of modern drought-tolerant (DT) hybrids. Lysimeter-derived Kc values for legacy corn hybrids grown in large weighing lysimeter fields at the USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, Texas, were compared with those derived from a modern DT corn hybrid recently grown in the same fields. Results indicated that although midseason daily Kc values were similar for all hybrids, average season length was ~25 days shorter for the modern DT hybrid, characterized by a shortened initial growth period followed by more rapid increase of Kc during the development period. However, plots of Kc over thermal time illustrated that the differences in season length were likely attributable to later planting dates associated with the DT corn hybrids. Average seasonal water use was 730 and 811 mm for the legacy and modern DT hybrids, respectively (three years each), with corresponding average yields of 1.2 and 1.4 kg ha-1. Results suggest that published Kc and Kcb values developed with legacy corn hybrids remain largely applicable to modern DT corn hybrids when used with accurate estimates of effective canopy-based growth stages and climate-specific Kc functions. Keywords: Crop coefficients, Drought-tolerant, Evapotranspiration, Maize, Weighing lysimeters.

Fertilization Effects on Early Growth, Aboveground Biomass, Carbon Storage, and Leaf Characteristics of Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell. in South Sumatera

Fertilization is one of the nutrient management efforts that play an important role in improving the productivity of plantation forests. It was conducted to provide adequate nutrients for the plant at the initial growth period when the availability of soil nutrients is very limited. The optimum dose of fertilization for each plant is different depending on its requirement, climate, and soil properties. This study investigated the influence of fertilization on early growth, aboveground biomass, carbon storage, and leaf characteristics in Eucalyptus pellita in the sixth months after field establishment. An experiment comprising four treatments of fertilization, i.e., 0, 75, 133, and 167 kg ha -1 of triple superphosphate 46% P2O5 was set up using randomized complete block design with five replications. Four indicators were selected to evaluate the early growth of E. pellita, namely survival rate, height, the collar of diameter, and crown projection area. Aboveground biomass and carbon storage of E. pellita were estimated in each component, covering stem, bark, branches, and leaves. The leaf characteristics of E. pellita were described by individual leaf area, individual leaf dry weight, specific leaf area, and leaf area index. Results showed that the different treatment of fertilization did not have a meaningful effect on survival rate, individual leaf area, and specific leaf area. The treatments presented a substantial effect on other indicators such as height, diameter, crown projection area, aboveground biomass, carbon storage, individual leaf dry weight, and leaf area index. Despite the fact that the highest mean of height and collar of diameter were observed in the dose of 167 kg ha -1, the greatest average of aboveground biomass and carbon storage were noted in the rate of 133 kg ha -1. Nevertheless, this study did not find a highly different performance of E. pellita between both treatments statistically.

Effect of Sunny and Half-shaded Sites on the Growth of Plants and Anthocyanin Pigments Content in Leaves of Heuchera L. ‘Mysteria’ and ‘Peppermint Spice’ Cultivars

Two cultivars of Heuchera L. - ‘Mysteria’ and ‘Peppermint Spice’ were grown in a collection at a sunny site and a slightly shaded one. The access of sunlight was limited by shade nets, which were stretched on wooden scaffolding over the plants. The dynamics of growth of the plants in the sunny and half-shaded sites was assessed in the growth periods, in two consecutive years. After the second year, the content of anthocyanins in the leaves of different physiological maturity (young, mature and fully mature) was measured. Apart from August, during the whole growth period both cultivars formed more leaves during the first year of cultivation. Both the ‘Mysteria’ and ‘Peppermint Spice’ cultivars formed more leaves at the sunny site. The research showed that the highest content of anthocyanins in the Heuchera ‘Mysteria’ and ‘Peppermint Spice’ cultivars growing at the sunny and half-shaded sites was found in young leaves, whereas the lowest content was noted in fully mature leaves. The highest content of anthocyanins in both Heuchera cultivars was found at the initial growth period, i.e. between May and July, when the light intensity was the greatest, regardless of the place of cultivation. At the end of the growth period, the biosynthesis of anthocyanins decreased significantly. Anthocyanins accumulated in the vacuole are able to play a role as the screening pigments under intensive PAR and UV-B radiation.
 
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 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Two Stages of Thermal Evolution of the Continental Lithosphere

The evolution of the continental lithosphere, unlike the oceanic one, lasts more than 3.5 Ga. This evolution was largely determined by thermal factors, such as the removal of heat from the Earth’s surface, the interaction of the conductive layer of the lithosphere with mantle thermal convection, and the strong dependence of the viscosity of the upper layers of the Earth on temperature. The aim of this work was to simulate the long-term interaction of these factors over a period of several Ga on the basis of the whole-mantle thermal convection equations. In our evolutionary model, the nucleus of continental lithosphere with a thickness of 50 kilometers was inserted in the mantle, which then began to grow in depth due to the reorganization of convection under the continental lid with a conductive heat transfer mechanism. For the self-consistent modeling of the lithosphere thickness changes in time we set the condition of viscosity jump by three orders of magnitude with a decrease in local temperature below 1200°C. The results of successive calculations demonstrated that the initial period of growth of the continental lithosphere due to its cooling, which takes about one Ga, is subsequently replaced by its slow thinning due to the accumulation of heat under a thick heat-insulating lithospheric cover. The calculated maximum of the average thickness of the growing lithosphere, estimated by temperature and viscosity, is 162 kilometers, however, when estimated by the conventional point of intersection of the lithospheric geotherms with mantle adiabat, it is 100 kilometers more. The increase in the average mantle temperature from the heat-insulating effect is about 100 K/Ga and continues both at the stage of the lithosphere thickening and at the subsequent stage of its slow thinning. The mantle warming up due to the presence of continents is one of the competing factors in the global process of the Earth’s secular cooling. The conclusion about the presence of two stages in the evolution of the continental lithosphere clarifies existing ideas about the formation of the current state of the outer layers of the Earth.

Effectiveness of Growth-regulator Energy-M By Seedlings of Tomatoes in Strict Arid Conditions of the Low Volga Region

The complicated conditions of the modern period of intensification of agricultural production cause the necessity in the development of new technologies adapted to current conditions of land use. Thereby we have developed the concept of “The system of technological measures for growing of vegetable cultures providing the rational effective use of material and energy resources and getting of economically profitable yields”. The paper presents the results of research on the effectiveness of growth-regulator for getting of high-quality yield of tomatoes. It was approved that the organosilicone product Energy-M stimulated plants‘ growth and development, and increased the productivity of tomatoes in strict arid conditions of the Low Volga region. The object of research was the tomato grade Hercules. The highest yields of tomatoes with the formation of big quantity of large fruits with pretty good eating characteristics were harvested when planting of the grade Hercules on the site with pre-sowing treatment of seeds and foliar nutrition of plants during the initial period of growth and the phase of budding-blossom. The application of the growth-regulator Energy-M on tomato sowings is an effective measure. The producers of high-quality vegetable production are recommended to use the said product widely when sufficient mineral nutrition by moistening of the seeds prior to sowing and by the treatment of the plants during the whole vegetation period.

Phytoremediation of nitrate contaminated water using ornamental plants

Abstract This work aims at evaluating the potential of two ornamental plant species, i.e., money plant (Epiprennum aureum) and arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum), to treat nitrate containing wastewater. Statistically designed experiments were performed to ascertain the effect of initial nitrate concentration (40–120 mg/L), growth period (1–12 days) and plant density (20–80 g/L) on nitrate removal. Based on the results of analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was observed that the individual effects (F = 78.04 and P = 0.013) of process parameters influenced the nitrate removal efficiency by money plant stronger than the 2-way (F = 0.2 and P = 0.89) and 3-way interaction effects (F = 0.46 and P = 0.569). In the case of the arrowhead plant, the individual effects significantly affected the nitrate removal efficiency than the 2-way and 3-way interaction effects. Low nitrate concentrations (40 mg/L) and high plant density (80 g/L), showed ∼88% nitrate removal by arrowhead plant, during a growth period of 6 d. On the contrary, under similar conditions, the money plant showed a nitrate removal efficiency of ∼93% during a growth period of 12 d. Concerning the removal kinetics, an increase in the growth period increased the nitrate removal rate for both the plants.

2-DE-based proteomic analysis of protein changes associated with etiolated mesocotyl growth in Zea mays

BackgroundThe mesocotyl connects the coleoptilar node and the basal part of the seminal root of maize (Zea mays) seedling. The mesocotyl pushes the shoot of the seedling out of the soil during seed germination; thus, its growth is highly related to deep-sowing tolerance. Although many studies on the maize mesocotyl have been carried out at physiological and molecular levels, the proteomic changes associated with cellular and physiological activities during mesocotyl growth are still unknown.ResultsIn the present study, the maize hybrid Zhengdan 958 was used to study mesocotyl growth and accompanying protein changes. The dark-grown etiolated mesocotyls exhibited a slow-fast-slow feature, with significant changes in the levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cellulose and the activity of peroxidase (POD). In particular, POD activity increased with mesocotyl growth, showing higher activity at the mature (lower) end of the mesocotyl. For the proteomic analysis, soluble proteins were extracted from etiolated mesocotyls dark-grown for 48 h, 84 h, and 132 h, corresponding to the initial, rapid, and slow growth periods, respectively, and subjected to separation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). As a result, 88 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified using MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis. At 48 h, most DAPs were stress proteins, heat shock proteins and storage proteins; at 84 h, oxidation/reduction proteins, carbohydrate biogenesis-related proteins and cytoskeleton-related proteins were highly accumulated; at 132 h, the most striking DAPs were those involved in the synthesis and modification of the cell wall and the biogenesis of carbohydrates. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that changes in the abundance and proportion of DAPs were consistent with cellular and physiological activities and biological processes during mesocotyl growth. The accumulation of nine DAPs of interest was verified by immunoblotting and RT-qPCR.ConclusionsThe present study revealed that the protein patterns in 2-D gels differed greatly with mesocotyl growth. At different growth periods, a specific set of DAPs participate in various biological processes and underlie the cellular and physiological activities of the mesocotyl. These results contributed to the understanding of mesocotyl growth and the cultivation of maize lines with deep-sowing tolerance.

ABIOTIC STRESSORS AND THEIR EFFECT ON THE ACCUMULATION OF ASSIMILATES BY PLANTS AND THE YIELD OF VEGETABLE PEA

Background. Abiotic stressors, such as prolonged dry conditions, oversupply or lack of moisture, frost, etc., are spontaneous, and their impact causes significant damage to plants. This is also true for the common and leafless morphotypes of vegetable pea, which are most widely used in large-scale crop production.Objectives. Eleven cultivars with leaves of the usual type (common morphotype) and 6 semi-leafless ones (leafless morphotype) were studied.Materials and methods. The experiments were performed on the breeding fields of Krymsk Experiment Breeding Station of VIR (Krasnodar Territory, 2015–2016). The plot area was 10 m2. There were 3 replications. Dry matter content was measured by drying the aerial parts of plants (axial organs, foliar apparatus [leaf, stipules], flowers, unripe beans, pod valves, grain) to constant dry matter at 105°C. Dry matter contents were compared using the t-test. Multifactorial analysis of variance (MANOVA, LSD test) was used to assess the yield of vegetable pea cultivars.Results. Vegetable pea plants are subject to the negative effect of abiotic stressors. With excessive moisture in the initial period of growth, there was a decrease in the accumulation of dry matter in plants. A similar effect is exerted by long absence of precipitation during the growth period of vegetable pea plants from the phase of 2–3 leaves to technical ripeness. The effect of weather conditions during cultivation on the yield of vegetable peas was estimated at 13.3%; and the interaction of the genotype٭environment factors, at 33.3%.Conclusion. No significant differences were observed between the groups of common leafy cultivars and semi-leafless ones in the content of dry matter in the aboveground biomass of plants and the yield. During the two years of research, the cultivars that exceeded the reference in yield were identified: ‘Prima’ (i-155213, Russia) and ‘Ambassador’ (k-9946, Germany), both belonging to the common morphotype.

Study on the differential gene expression of elm leaves fed on by Tetraneura akinire Sasaki.

To study the essential molecular mechanism of gall formation is very important. To investigate the differential gene expression in leaves fed on by Tetraneura akinire Sasaki and to provide a basis for the better understanding of the essential molecular mechanism of gall formation. The infected leaves of the elm were divided into three periods: initial formation period (T2), growth and differentiation period (T3), and cracking period (T4). The untouched leaves were used as the control (T1). RNA-Seq was performed, and the high-quality sequences were mapped to the reference genome and the elm gene database to obtain the gene expression profiles. The expression level of each gene was calculated by the RPKM method. A combination of FDR ≤ 0.01 and the absolute value of |log2 ratio (T/CK)| ≥ 2 was used as the threshold to determine the significance of gene expression. Finally, GO and pathway enrichment analyses were used to identify the significantly enriched functional classification and metabolic pathways in DEGs. The results revealed that approximately 244 mRNAs were detected between T1 and T2, including 192 up-regulated and 52 down-regulated mRNAs; approximately 175 mRNAs were detected between T1 and T3, including 145 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated mRNAs; and approximately 372 mRNAs were detected between T1 and T4, including 360 up-regulated and 12 down-regulated mRNAs. Approximately 34 differentially expressed genes were identified by Venn analysis. Comparing the three infection periods to the control, there were 28 up-regulated and six down-regulated mRNAs. Additionally, 562 genes were used for cluster analysis, which revealed that the gene expression in T2 and T3 changed greatly. Genes related to cell proliferation and respiration, such as microtubulin and 6-phosphoric acid fructose kinase were mainly up-regulated during the T2 period. Genes encoding lipoxygenase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and protease inhibitor were up-regulated during T2 and T3. Genes encoding lignocellulose synthase were up-regulated during T4, which suggests the reinforcement of the cell wall to improve the resistance to the damage of the Tetraneura akinire Sasaki. The results showed that the feeding of Tetraneura akinire Sasaki caused the differential expression of elm genes and influenced cellular energy metabolism. These changes in physiological response and gene expression of the elm compose the physiological and molecular basis of the gall formation and may improve the resistance of elm to Tetraneura akinire Sasaki.

Roles of Mechanical Stress and Lower-Valent Oxide in the Formation of Anodic TiO2nanotube Layers

Self-organized anodic oxide nanotube layers are produced by anodization of titanium in fluoride-containing electrolyte solutions that dissolve the oxide. Extensive research on TiO2nanotubes has explored applications such as solar cells, photocatalysis, batteries, and biomaterials. However, the growth mechanism of nanotube layers is still actively debated. Nanotube arrays are formed by a morphological instability after an initial period of conformal barrier oxide growth. Stress-driven flow of TiO2in nanotubes is suggested by evidence that the oxide volume expansion exceeds that expected from the stoichiometry of the anodization reaction (Pilling-Bedworth ratio) (1-3). Stress measurements during anodizing can reveal the mechanical driving force for oxide flow-assisted nanotube growth (4). The initial growth or TiO2nanotube layers was investigated using in situ stress measurements by curvature interferometry (5). Anodization was carried out at constant potentials of 10 to 30 V in typical baths consisting of water and ammonium fluoride in ethylene glycol. Compressive stress was detected during initial growth of barrier oxide at times less than 2 min (Fig. 1). The initiation of nanotubes coincided with a tensile stress increase to about 20 min, followed by a large compressive stress change that continued for the duration of anodization and subsequently on open circuit. The tensile and second compressive transients were also observed on open circuit after interrupted anodization, when the interruption time was after the time of nanotube initiation (Fig. 1). Apparently, the tensile and second compressive transients during anodization are due to a chemical reaction between the solution and the oxide in the nanotube walls. Evidence for non-electrochemical reactions during anodization was also found in measurements of metal consumption, which revealed an apparent Ti oxidation valence of between 2 and 3 at times after nanotube initiation (2). From both types of experiment, we conclude that the direct product of anodization is an oxide with valence lower than 4, which is then chemically oxidized to TiO2in the tube walls by H+ions. The accompanying compressive stress increase is attributed to absorption of charge-compensating anions. Lower-valent Ti oxides play an important role in the electronic and catalytic properties of titanium oxide nanomaterials (6). The previously unrecognized involvement of such oxides in the anodization process itself may suggest new approaches to control the properties of nanotube layers. REFERENCES D. J. LeClere et al., J. Electrochem. Soc., 155, C487 (2008).S. Berger et al., Electrochim. Acta, 54, 5942 (2009).S. P. Albu and P. Schmuki, Electrochim. Acta, 91, 90 (2013).Ö. Ö. Çapraz, P. Shrotriya, P. Skeldon, G. E. Thompson, K. R. Hebert, Electrochim. Acta, 167, 404 (2015).Q. Dou, P. Shrotriya, W. F. Li, K. R. Hebert, Electrochim. Acta, 292, 676 (2018).S. Mohajernia et al., Chem. Eur. J., 23, 12406 (2017). ACKNOWLEDGMENT Qi Dou received support from the China Scholarship Council. Figure 1. Force per width during anodization (solid lines) followed by open circuit (dashed lines). Anodization was at 20 V in ethylene glycol with 0.1 M NH4F and 1.6 wt.% H2O. The legend gives times of current interruptions. Figure 1

Bone histology of two pareiasaurs from Russia (Deltavjatia rossica and Scutosaurus karpinskii) with implications for pareiasaurian palaeobiology

Abstract Pareiasaurs were one of the main clades of large herbivorous tetrapods in Middle–Late Permian continental ecosystems. Despite abundant pareiasaur material, many aspects of their biology remain poorly known. This paper provides a description of ontogenetic changes in long-bone and rib microanatomy/histology of two Upper Permian pareiasaurs from Russia, Deltavjatia rossica and Scutosaurus karpinskii. Analysis of a growth series of bones of Deltavjatia and Scutosaurus revealed rapid and cyclical growth early in ontogeny (as indicated by fast-growing fibrolamellar bone with lines of arrested growth). This was followed by a change in the growth pattern (as indicated by an outer avascular layer of lamellar bone in the cortex) and a decrease in the growth rate after 50% of maximum body size was reached in Deltavjatia and 75% in Scutosaurus (larger body sizes in Scutosaurus were attained through an extended initial period of fast skeletal growth). The study confirms that the bones of all pareiasaurs are histologically and microanatomically uniform [spongious (porous) microstructure and a very thin compact cortex] and indicate a similar growth strategy (a short initial period of rapid and cyclical growth followed by a long period of slow growth). The microanatomical characteristics of pareiasaurs do not provide a clear indication of their lifestyle.

Determination of Planting Time of Watermelon Under a Shallow Groundwater Table in Tidal Lowland Agriculture Areas of South Sumatra, Indonesia

AbstractWatermelon cultivation is one of the appropriate alternatives in order to increase farmers' income from tidal lowland agriculture. Research into crop adaptation to wet soil conditions is required to enable farmers to decide the best planting time under various conditions within the existing land classification. The research to determine crop physiological response during the initial growth period was conducted in a greenhouse. This was combined with field treatments based on groundwater table depths at 15, 10 and 5 cm‐surface, respectively. Analysis of crop potential based on the water status conditions in the root zone was conducted by using secondary and primary data (daily records). Results of crop adaptation at shallow groundwater table depth showed that the treatments with groundwater table depth of 10 and 5 cm‐surface were not significantly different in terms of plant height, with a size of 12.6 and 12.3 cm, having three leaves. However, it had a significant effect on root length, with a length of 11.9 and 3.1 cm, respectively. Maximum plant height of 15.2 cm and four leaves were found for the treatment with a groundwater table depth of 15 cm‐surface. It may be concluded that it is best for farmers to plant at a groundwater table depth of 10 cm‐surface. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

STUDY OF SAMPLES OF VEGETABLE PEA COLLECTION TO RESISTANCE OF ASCOCHYTA IN THE CONDITIONS OF SOUTHERN WOOD STEPPE OF WESTERN SIBERIA

The yield of vegetable peas in the conditions of the Omsk region is largely limited to the defeat of plants by a complex of diseases and damage by phytophages. The aim of the research was to study the collection of pea vegetable samples in Western Siberia and to identify among them the most resistant to Ascochyta. The object of research was 70 samples of vegetable peas from the collections of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center, Odintsovo, Federal Research Centre All-Russian institute of plant genetic resources on the name of N.I. Vavilov (VIR), St. Petersburg, as well as obtained in the framework of cooperation with foreign breeding institutions. The experiments were conducted in the forest-steppe zone of the Omsk region in 2014-2017. As a result of the experiments, it was established that the defeat of peas by Ascochyta occurs annually, but with different intensity, depending on weather conditions. The maximum resistance of plants was observed in 2016 under conditions of severe drought (5.8 points on average), the minimum – in 2015 with moderately humid and warm weather (3.9 points on average). Late sowing contributes to a greater damage to plants by Ascochyta and reduced productivity. The relationship between resistance to Ascochyta and conditions characterizing heat and moisture supply is strong negative in the initial period of plant growth: with the CGT (r = -0.98 0.13), the amount of precipitation (r = -0.86 0.35), air temperature (r = -0,67 0,24); strong positive in the second half of the growing season: with SCC (r = 0.82 0.33), amount of precipitation (r = 0.68 0.35). Most of the samples during the research retained a high (29%) and medium (48%) resistance to Ascochyta. As a result of the collection's assessment, samples of vegetable peas resistant (7-8 points) to the pathogen were distinguished: B-1295 ( к -8907, Bashkiria), Chinese (PRC), Terrace 888 (k-9376, Ukraine). These samples can be recommended as sources of resistance to Ascochyta for the selection of vegetable peas in Western Siberia.

Kinetics of sII and Mixed sI/sII, Gas Hydrate Growth for a Methane/Propane Mixture Using Neutron Diffraction

Gas hydrates are solid solutions formed from water and enclathrated gas molecules. The hydrate types sI and sII are formed from pure methane or propane, while mixtures of these gases can form either type. In this study, eight experiments are presented of gas hydrates grown under semibatch conditions using D2O ice powder and a feed gas of methane (90%)–propane (10%). In situ neutron scattering was used to measure the phase fractions of sI and sII hydrates, ice, and liquid–water components during hydrate growth and dissociation. The composition of the free gas and the methane/propane cage occupancies were derived from the observed phase fractions using mass-balance equations and Gibbs energy calculations. In all cases, the sII hydrate was formed before, or concurrent with, the sI phase. After an initial period of hydrate growth from ice, the temperature was increased to release liquid water by melting the ice particles. Different reaction mechanisms were observed; two occurred while the ice was melting and ...

On the relationship of money supply, consumer demand, demographics and debt

We show that consumer-based economies tend to suffer from demand saturation after an initial and prolonged period of growth. Saturation triggers a Minsky super-cycle, characterised by high debt, high income inequality and financial instability. We argue that monetary policies such as negative interest rates and yield curve targeting can be effective in combating recessionary conditions in an unsaturated economy, but yield to problems in a saturated economy as misallocations may generate bubbles. We find that maintaining a growth rate which corresponds to the demand growth rate at which consumers replenish their stock of goods, smooth out the business cycle in an unsaturated economy, while technological development and demographic modification is the only possible way to prevent or combat the saturation of an economy.

3D simulations of pool boiling above smooth horizontal heated surfaces by a phase-change lattice Boltzmann method

Pool boiling heat transfer from smooth horizontal hydrophilic and hydrophobic heaters having a finite thickness under constant bottom wall temperature conditions is simulated numerically with a three-dimensional liquid-vapor phase-change lattice Boltzmann method. For a small heater, single bubble dynamics and temporal variations of heater’s top wall temperature in contact with the bubble are investigated. It is found that top wall temperature drops during initial bubble growth period at low wall superheats on a hydrophilic heater due to the microlayer evaporation process. Because of a residual bubble is left on the top of the heater after bubble departure, no wall temperature drop is found on a hydrophilic surface at high wall superheats nor on a hydrophobic surface at any wall superheats. 3D pool boiling curves in dimensionless forms for smooth horizontal heaters of infinite extent from nucleation to critical heat flux through transition boiling to stable film boiling are presented. It is found that 2D and 3D simulated heat fluxes are identical in nucleate boiling and stable film boiling regimes, although transition boiling heat fluxes differ greatly. It is also found that the 3D simulated CHF is in better agreement with existing theories and correlation equations than 2D simulated CHF. Detailed 3D multiple bubbles dynamics above hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces and temporal variations of dry spots distribution on these surfaces at CHF are presented. Effects of wettability and thickness of the heater on boiling curves for smooth heaters are investigated. It is founded that only wettability play predominate roles in nucleate boiling regime from smooth superheated surfaces while all factors influence the transition boiling regime (including maximum and minimum heat fluxes) greatly.

Assessing the physical validity of highly-resolved simulation benchmark tests for flows undergoing phase change

Highly-Resolved Simulation (HRS) studies aimed at solving flows undergoing phase change commonly make the following two assumptions: (i) a constant interface temperature and (ii) an incompressible flow treatment in both the gas and liquid regions, with the exception of the interface. The physical validity of these assumptions is examined in this work by studying a canonical, spherically symmetric bubble growth configuration, which is a popular validation exercise in HRS papers. The reference solutions that are used to examine HRS results are based on a compressible saturated treatment of the bubble contents, coupled to a generalized form of the Rayleigh–Plesset equation, and an Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian solution of the liquid phase energy equation. Results show that HRS predictions are inaccurate during the initial period of bubble growth, which coincides with the inertial growth stage. Furthermore, this initial period becomes more significant with increasing Jakob number. A closed-form expression for a threshold time, tthreshold, is derived, beyond which the commonly employed HRS assumptions hold. Based on this threshold time, a corresponding bubble radius is obtained, namely 2βαLtthreshold. This radius together with a corresponding Scriven-based temperature profile provide appropriate initial conditions such that HRS treatment based on the aforementioned assumptions remains valid over a broad range of operating conditions.

Analysis on Sustainable Development of Tire Industry Cluster Based on Life Cycle Theory

Abstract:Â The research on the tire industry cluster based on life cycle theory can be carried out by a four stages period namely as Initial Period, Growth Period, Maturity Period and Recession Period. This paper analyzes on the possible risks taken in each life cycle period as well as proposing corresponding suggestions to strengthens the research by looking into the conditions and factors of the continuous sustainable development process in a tire industry.