Variation In Grain Research Articles

Interval mineral and fluid densities estimation from well-logs: Application to the Norne Field dataset

Formation evaluation techniques are the key to understand subsurface rocks properties from well-logs, especially those drilled in hydrocarbon exploration wells. Knowledge of the parameters related to different types of rocks is traditionally used in forward determination of lithology, porosity and water saturation, which can be refined by calibrating the input models. In this work, we perform well-log interval linear inversion with respect to formation density to investigate mineral and fluid properties in a real dataset. The method is based on an overdetermined problem, which supposes a homogeneous distribution of petrophysical parameters through stratigraphic layers and is applied in conventional reservoir rocks from the Norne Field (offshore Norway). Bulk density, gamma-ray and neutron porosity logs are employed in a workflow that relies on layer-by-layer least-squares regressions to estimate matrix, shale and fluid apparent densities. In this process, shale volume and the total density porosity are calculated depth by depth from empirical equations feed by the input logs. Therewith, the introduced inversion scheme stands as an alternative approach for well data interpretation that focuses on computing the densities of the rock constituents instead of fixing these parameters to invert fractional volumes. Furthermore, the application in two wellbores resulted in geological consistent individual densities in most intervals, except for a gas-bearing zone observed in one of the boreholes, where porosity uncertainty caused anomalous variation in grain and fluid densities.

High pressure densification behavior of alumina particles

Pressure is an important thermodynamic parameter in addition to temperature and chemical composition during material sintering process. However, few experimental images intuitively describing the densification process of grains during compression, especially for the high melting point ceramics. Here we observed deformation evolution and mechanical response of spherical alumina particles after high pressure treatment. By analyzing the plastic deformation and grain boundary characters of spherical alumina particles, and the boundary stress and yield stress variation of grains under various pressures and temperatures, a clear picture of the high-pressure powder densification and sintering process is depicted.

High Pressure Densification Behavior of Alumina Particles

Pressure is an important thermodynamic parameter in addition to temperature and chemical composition during material sintering process. However, few experimental images intuitively describing the densification process of grains during compression, especially for the high melting point ceramics. Here we observed deformation evolution and mechanical response of spherical alumina particles after high pressure treatment. By analyzing the plastic deformation and grain boundary characters of spherical alumina particles, and the boundary stress and yield stress variation of grains under various pressure temperature, a clear picture of the high-pressure powder densification and sintering process is depicted.

Leaf senescence did not account for variations in grain and oil yield observed in sunflower under radiation limiting conditions

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the decrease in incident solar radiation on leaf senescence, its consequence on the fraction of radiation intercepted by the leaves and on the grain and oil yield in sunflower. Five field experiments were conducted in Balcarce, with three hybrids, maintaining non limiting soil water conditions and nutritional status, and controlling weeds and insects. Treatments of different shading levels (50 or 80% of radiation interception) were applied during different periods of crop development (around flowering, during a window within the grain filling period or during the complete grain filling period). Shading levels were more intense than those expected by cloudiness in field conditions. The number, weight and oil concentration of grains, leaf area, incident radiation (I0) and the transmitted to incident radiation ratio (the fraction of radiation intercepted by leaves, I/I0) by different leaves strata were measured. Intercepted radiation (iPAR) was calculated as the product between I0 and I/I0. Shading treatments reduced grain and oil yield between 23 and 51%. No differences among periods or levels of shading were observed on grain and oil yield. Both the number and weight of grains decreased by shadings. Oil concentration decreased (between 5 and 21%) only when shading was applied during the window within the grain filling period or during the complete grain filling period. Shading accelerated leaf senescence but it did not affect the ratio I/I0. Intercepted PAR accumulated during the grain filling period was not related to the ratio I/I0. Incident radiation (I0) accounted for differences in grain and oil yield observed among treatments and experiments. It is concluded that the higher leaf senescence by decrease in I0 did not affect grain and oil yield through a decrease in the ratio I/I0.

Direct and Indirect Selection for Grain Yield in Bread Wheat (Triticum aesitivum L.)

Direct and indirect selection for grain yield through 1000grain weight, spikelet fertility and spike density were achieved in bread wheat at the Exper. Farm Fac. Agric., Minia Univ. Egypt during the three successive seasons of 2016/17 to 2018/19. After two cycles of pedigree selection phenotypic variation of grain yield/plant, 1000grain weight, spikelet fertility and spike density decreased rapidly from F2 base population to F4. Indirect selection through high 1000 grain weight resulted in the highest grain yield/plant (23.62g) followed by direct selection for grain yield/plant (20.66 g). Average direct gain for the ten selected families of direct selection for grain yield showed highly significant increase in percentage of the bulk sample of 62.95% and the better parent of 39.25%. Pedigree selection was effective in detecting the high yielding families. Family No. 145 gave significant (P≤0.01) grain yield in percentage of the better parent and bulk sample by 77.09 and 107.23%, respectively. Average direct response in percentage of the bulk sample was significant and reached 21.08% for 1000 grain weight, 31.12% for spikelet fertility and 7.27% for spike density. Three families; No. 15, No. 72 and No. 153 surpassed significantly the bulk sample by 33.83, 43.01 and 29.28%, respectively, when selection practiced for 1000 grain weight. Family No. 145 considered to be a promising line in grain yield and spikelet fertility. High strong positive genotypic correlation was found between grain yield with each of weight of spikes/plant (0.81), no. of grains/spike(0.71), weight of grains/spike (0.91), 1000grain weight(0.92) and spikelet fertility(0.70).

Nitrogen management impact on winter wheat grain yield and estimated plant nitrogen loss

AbstractMethod of N application in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its impact on estimated plant N loss has not been extensively evaluated. The effects of the pre‐plant N application method, topdress N application method, and their interactions on grain yield, grain protein concentration (GPC), nitrogen fertilizer recovery use efficiency (NFUE), and gaseous N loss was investigated. The trials were set up in an incomplete factorial within a randomized complete block design and replicated three times for 5 site‐years. Data collection included normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), grain yield, and forage and grain N concentration. The NDVI before and after 90 growing degree days (GDD) were correlated with final grain yield, grain N uptake, GPC, and NFUE. At Efaw location, NDVI after 90 GDDs accounted for 58% of variation in grain yield and 51% variation in grain N uptake. However, NDVI was found to be a poor indicator of both GPC and NFUE. Grain yield was not affected by the method and timing of N application at Efaw. Alternatively, at Perkins, topdress applications resulted in higher yields. The GPC and NFUE were improved with the topdress applications. Generally, topdress application enhanced GPC and NFUE without decreasing the final grain yield. The difference method used in calculating gaseous N loss did not always reveal similar results, and estimated plant N loss was variable by site‐year, and depended on daily fluctuations in the environment.

Protein content variation in grain of soft spring wheat under the influence of meteorological conditions in the Krasnoyarsk territory

The article analyzes the closeness and links form in long-term data about the protein content in the soft spring wheat grain with the weather conditions of vegetation, which allowed to reveal its variability nature under the influence of meteorological indicators and to outline ways to improve the newly derived varieties. It was found that the protein content variation in the studied samples during the analyzed period was low and the indicator was relatively stable. The most positive effect on the protein content in the grain of soft spring wheat had temperatures in July and August, and on the contrary the precipitation in August had a negative effect on it.

Changes in Check Plot Yields over Time in Three Long-Term Winter Wheat Experiments

ABSTRACTLong-term trials conducted by Oklahoma State University convey relevant information on the changes of yield over time. These changes might be due to different factors such as weather, soil organic matter or available nutrients. In long-term experiments, yield of the check plot (no fertilizer) can reveal added information about the environment when studied alone. Long-term trials can be used to evaluate trends that cannot be understood over short periods. Three long-term experiments (Experiment 502, Experiment 222 and Magruder Plots) were used to evaluate changes in check plot yields over time in continuous winter wheat. These changes were expected to provide a better understanding of fertilizer N response and yield potential. Check plots and nitrogen fertilized plots had similar variability over the years, with coefficient of variations (CVs) for both near 30%. Overall means for the check plot (Magruder Plots, Experiment 222 and Experiment 502) were 1072, 1078 and 1674 kg ha−1,respectively. The unpredictable variability in grain yields from year to year in both fertilized and unfertilized plots was further documented and that highlights the need for mid-season determination of fertilizer nitrogen rates. Unpredictable variability is thus expected and should be internalized at the outset of every planting season.

Barley grain (1,3;1,4)-\u03b2-glucan content: effects of transcript and sequence variation in genes encoding the corresponding synthase and endohydrolase enzymes

The composition of plant cell walls is important in determining cereal end uses. Unlike other widely consumed cereal grains barley is comparatively rich in (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan, a source of dietary fibre. Previous work showed Cellulose synthase-like genes synthesise (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan in several tissues. HvCslF6 encodes a grain (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan synthase, whereas the function of HvCslF9 is unknown. Here, the relationship between mRNA levels of HvCslF6, HvCslF9, HvGlbI (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan endohydrolase, and (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan content was studied in developing grains of four barley cultivars. HvCslF6 was differentially expressed during mid (8–15 DPA) and late (38 DPA) grain development stages while HvCslF9 transcript was only clearly detected at 8–10 DPA. A peak of HvGlbI expression was detected at 15 DPA. Differences in transcript abundance across the three genes could partially explain variation in grain (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan content in these genotypes. Remarkably narrow sequence variation was found within the HvCslF6 promoter and coding sequence and does not explain variation in (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan content. Our data emphasise the genotype-dependent accumulation of (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan during barley grain development and a role for the balance between hydrolysis and synthesis in determining (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan content, and suggests that other regulatory sequences or proteins are likely to be involved in this trait in developing grain.

Cyclic Yield Stability of Ley Farming System in Northern Quebec

Predicted climate change is a threat to dairy farming operations in northern Quebec. Soil conservation measures and the timeframe of crop management may contribute to reducing yield variability and also support dairy herd populations. Our objective was to compare annual and cyclic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and forage yield stability for 3‐yr ley farming system (barley‐mixed, forage‐mixed, forage) over 24 yr of experimentation under contrasting soil conservation practices. Treatments were chisel or moldboard plowing, and mineral fertilization (MIN) or liquid dairy manure (LDM) applied cyclically (across eight 3‐yr cycles) at 85 to 209 kg LDM‐N ha−1 and 90 to 146 kg MIN‐N ha−1 to forage and 87 to 127 kg LDM‐N ha−1 and 70 kg MIN‐N ha−1 to barley. Yield stability assessment was initialized in 1993, 1994, and 1995 and ended in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. While the cyclic assessment showed no significant effect of tillage practice, LDM outperformed MIN, confirming the benefits of manure‐based ley farming systems for dairy farming. Coefficients of variation ranged from 7.8% to 14.4% for barley grain yield, 14.4% to 18.7% for barley straw yield, and 11.8% to 15.3% for forage yield. Coefficients of variation were reduced by factors of 1.86 ± 0.57, 1.87 ± 0.24, and 2.00 ± 0.25 for grain, straw, and forage, respectively, using cyclic assessments. To face the more frequent extreme meteorological events predicted by regional climatic models, feed supply could be stabilized locally and regionally at cyclic rather than yearly timescales to support dairy farming.Core Ideas Long term 24‐year experiment comparing annual and cyclic grain and forage yield stability. Cyclic assessment of yield stability provide low coefficient of variation for grain, straw, and forages. Crop supply and storage could be managed on a cyclic, rather than yearly basis.

Microstructures, properties, and applications of laser sintered 17‐4PH stainless steel

AbstractThe effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the densification, mechanical properties, and microstructures of laser‐powder bed fusion (L‐PBF) 17‐4 PH stainless steel parts were studied using gas‐ and water‐atomized powders. The % theoretical density, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness of as‐printed and HIP‐ed L‐PBF parts were sensitive to energy density and starting powder shape, size, and type. At low‐energy densities of 64 and 80 J/mm3, densification was significant for water‐atomized L‐PBF parts when subjected to HIP treatment and density increased from 90% to 97%. For all the energy densities, the gas‐atomized L‐PBF parts after the HIP treatment showed significantly higher tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness when compared to water‐atomized L‐PBF parts properties. At low‐energy densities of 64 and 80 J/mm3, long columnar grains in the as‐printed L‐PBF parts did not change significantly after the HIP treatment whereas the columnar grains present in as‐printed gas‐atomized L‐PBF parts completely disappeared when subjected to HIP treatment. However, at high‐energy densities of 84 and 104 J/mm3, the columnar grains in as‐printed L‐PBF gas‐ and water‐atomized L‐PBF parts were changed to equiaxed grains and showed a higher level of homogenization when subjected to HIP treatment. This variation in grains and grain size had significantly affected the yield strength and elongation of HIP‐treated gas‐ and water‐atomized L‐PBF parts.

A note on variation in grain and straw fodder quality traits in 437 cultivars of rice from the varietal groups of aromatic, hybrids, Indica, new planting types and released varieties in the Philippines

Four hundred and thirty-seven different cultivars (59 Aromatics, 53 Hybrids, 172 Indica, 92 New Planting Types and 61 Varieties) were analyzed for grain yield (GY), straw nitrogen (N) content, neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin (ADL), silica, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) and for relationships between GY and these straw fodder quality traits. Highly significant (P < 0.0001) differences between the groups were observed for all traits with hybrid having the highest GY and also the highest mean straw N, IVOMD and ME. With the exception of NDF and ADL in Aromatics highly significant (P = 0.002 to 0.0001) differences were found for all traits among the cultivars in the different groups. Variations in GY and straw fodder quality traits were greater within cultivar groups than among cultivar types. The variations in straw quality traits between cultivars were of livestock nutritional significance. For example, key straw quality traits such as IVOMD varied between cultivars by at least 6.9% units in New Planting Types and up to 12.0% units in Varieties. Cultivar differences in straw quality can be exploited without detriment to GY since inverse relationships were largely absent. Weak overall inverse associations between GY and straw fodder quality traits, that is inverse relationships between straw N, IVOMD and ME and positive relationship between NDF, AD, ADL and silica and GY, were due to two obvious outliers with very low GY.

YIELD VARIABILITY OF GRAIN CROP VARIETIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE STEPPE ZONE OF WESTERN SIBERIA

The work presents the results of research into the yield and quality of grain obtained from crop varieties of different maturity types, namely spring common wheat varieties (mid-early Pamyati Aziyeva, mid-late Baganskaya 95 and Omskaya 28), spring barley (early-ripening Bagan, mid-ripening Acha and Signal) and spring oats (early-ripening Krasnoobsky, mid-ripening SIG, mid-late Ural 2). The study was conducted in the conditions of the steppe zone of Western Siberia (North Kulunda), the climate of which is extremely continental, and is characterized by signifi cant variability of agrometeorological conditions of the vegetation period by years and a drought during the fi rst half of summer. It was established that sowing of midripening and mid-late varieties of wheat and barley resulted in the increase of the grain yield by 0.47-1.07 t/ha or by 24-30%, compared with the more early-ripening varieties. Among various biotypes of oats, the highest yields of grain were formed by sowing of the mid-ripening variety, which was by 0.60-0.87 t/ha or 19-30% higher than the early and mid-late varieties, whereas the highest yield of green mass was achieved by sowing of the mid-late variety. All varieties of barley, oats and mid-early wheat were characterized by signifi cant variability in grain yields by years (with coeffi cient of variation being 24-38%), while midlate varieties of wheat were characterized by medium or small variability in grain yields (coeffi cient of variation being 3-12%). The content of crude gluten in the grain of wheat varieties varied considerably depending on agrometeorological conditions (coeffi cient of variation being 20-25%). On average, over the years of research, the highest content of gluten (34.0%) was in the grain of the mid-early variety Pamyati Aziyeva, the lowest content (27.4%) was in the mid-late Baganskaya 95. The maximum amount of crude gluten in the wheat grain (33.6-40.0%) was observed in the dry year, the minimum (19.9-26.4%) was in the year with favorable humidity. The content of crude protein in the barley grain varied in the experiment from 11.6 to 14.9% (coeffi cient of variation being 9-14%) and did not differ signifi cantly by varieties (12.5-12.9%). The greatest amount of crude protein in the grain of all varieties of barley (13.7-14.9%) was recorded in the dry year.

Mechanical properties of nanocrystalline nanoporous gold complicated by variation of grain and ligament: A molecular dynamics simulation

A series of large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations has been performed to study the effects of grain size and ligament diameter on the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline nanoporous gold. Such simulations indicate that the principal deformation mechanism is a combination of grain boundary sliding, grain rotation and dislocation movement. The results of uniaxial tensile tests reveal the presence of a reverse Hall-Petch relation between strength and nominal grain size, rather than the conventional Hall-Petch relationship in the present range of nominal grain size (7.9–52.7 nm). An increase of flow stress may possibly attribute to the lower total proportion of grain boundary sliding and grain rotation in the deformation of samples with larger grain size. The Young’s modulus shows a linear relation with the reciprocal of nominal grain size, which depends largely on the volume fraction of grain boundaries and thus decreasing grain size leads to relatively lower Young’s modulus. MD simulations on samples with ligament diameter ranging from 4.07 to 8.10 nm are also carried out and results show that the increasing ligament diameter resulted in decreased flow stress and increased Young’s modulus.

Microstructural investigation of Al-Mg/B4C composite deformed at elevated temperature

The microstructure evolution of Al-3wt.%Mg reinforced with 10 vol% B4C during isothermal compression at temperatures ranging 300–500 °C at strain rates of 0.001–10 s−1 was investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). According to the results, at strain rates lower than 0.01 s−1 and temperatures higher than 400 °C, the grain size distribution in the microstructure is uniform, dynamic recovery is the predominant softening mechanism and continues recrystallization through lattice rotation is responsible for grain refinement. However, during deformation at higher strain rates or lower temperatures, deformation zones appeared in special locations around particles where microstructure is formed by recovered and hardened grains, and particle stimulating nucleation leaded to partially discontinues dynamic recrystallization which in turns promoted finer average grain and sub-grain size than those in single phase Al-Mg alloy. Moreover, it was found that the variation of grain and sub-grain size with deformation parameters (Zener-Holloman parameter (Z)) can be described by a power law type equation rather than by an initially expected exponential expression.

Electron CHanneling ORientation Determination (eCHORD): An original approach to crystalline orientation mapping

We present a proof-of-concept attesting the feasability to obtain orientation maps of polycrystalline materials within a conventional Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) using a standard goniometer and Back Scattered Electron (BSE) detector. The described method is based on the analysis of the contrast variation of grains due to the channeling of incident electrons on a rotating sample. On each pixel of the map, experimental intensity profiles as a function of the rotation angle are obtained and compared with simulated ones to retrieve the orientation. From first results on aluminum polycrystals, the angular resolution is estimated to be better than one degree.

Observation of bond enthalpy dependence of insulating character in rare earth substituted BiFeO3

The temperature dependence of impedance and dielectric properties of BiFeO3 (BFO) and Bi0.90R0.10FeO3 (where R = La, Nd, Eu, Gd and Ho) compounds were investigated. The detailed impedance studies indicated that substitution of rare earth elements significantly enhanced the insulating character of BFO. The enhancement of insulating character was attributed to the improved grain and grain boundary resistances in the substituted compounds. A systematic variation of grain and grain boundary resistances, relaxation times and activation energies in Bi0.90R0.10FeO3 compounds was observed and explained based on the concept of bond enthalpy. The dielectric anomaly in BFO around the temperature 493 K got suppressed with the substitution of rare earth elements and the amount of suppression was discussed on the strength of R–O bond enthalpies. The impedance, ac conductivity and dielectric data corroborated with the idea that the insulating character in Bi0.90R0.10FeO3 compounds was strongly dependent on the strength of bond enthalpies of R–O bonds.

Identification of inter- and intra-species variation in cereal grains through geometric morphometric analysis, and its resilience under experimental charring

The application of morphometric analysis in archaeobotany has the potential to refine quantitatively identifications of ancient plant material recovered from archaeological sites, most commonly preserved through charring due to exposure to heat. This paper uses geometric morphometrics, first, to explore variation in grain shape between three domesticated cereal species, einkorn (Triticum monococcum), emmer (Triticum dicoccum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare), both before and after experimental charring at 230 and 260 °C. Results demonstrate that outline analysis reliably reflects known variations in grain shape between species and differences due to charring observed in previous experimental work, and is capable of distinguishing the species, with near-perfect results, both before and after charring. Having established this, the same method was applied to different accessions of the same species, which indicated that three different grain morphotypes of einkorn and two, possibly three, of emmer could be identified in the uncharred material, and that at least two different morphotypes for each species could be distinguished even after charring at temperatures up to 260 °C. This opens up the possibility of tracking evolutionary change in crops, both chronologically and geographically, through morphometric analysis.

Can Protein Quantity and Quality Predict the Breadmaking Quality of South African Wheat?

The breadmaking quality of South African wheat to a large extent is a reflection of the diverse production regions and environments in which the wheat is grown. Bread loaf volumes from wheat produced in the cooler irrigated regions of the Northern Cape and dryland production regions of the Western Cape suggest that grain protein content was not the primary factor determining loaf volume. The milling and baking industrial standard for loaf volume was achieved with 11–12% (grade 2) and 10–11% (grade 3) grain protein content. The primary factor responsible for variation in grain and flour protein contents and loaf volume for irrigated wheat and dryland wheats from both the summer and winter rainfall regions was environment, which complicates the selection of wheat for breadmaking quality. Although glutenin, gliadin, and albumin/globulin concentrations, which define protein quality, correlated significantly with grain protein content and loaf volume for wheat grown in all three production regions, trends were...

Cedrus atlantica pollen morphology and investigation of grain size variability using laser diffraction granulometry

ABSTRACTThe morphology and size variability of pollen grains of Cedrus atlantica were investigated using a novel approach employing laser diffraction granulometry. We provide new insights into size variability and present high-quality light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imagery of Cedrus atlantica pollen. Grains have an average size of 59.1 ± 4.0 µm, measured on millions of grains from 91 samples. Analysis showed there is high variability of grain size within individual samples, although variability between samples is not significant. We found no significant relationships between grain size and climate (including temperature, precipitation and aridity), and suggest that grain size of fossil Cedrus pollen would not be a good proxy for climate reconstruction. Grain size may be influenced by a number of complex factors such as genome size or adaptations to support wind pollination, while variability within individual samples may result from the irregular development of pollen. The laser diffraction method produced repeatable, robust measurements on millions of pollen grains which are highly correlated with measurements taken using LM (r = 0.91, p = 0.002). Where grain size information is crucial for pollen identification, for developing isolation techniques for geochemical analysis, for investigating climatic and environmental influence, or for investigating links between genomes and grain size, particle size analysis by laser diffraction provides a reproducible and robust method for quickly determining pollen grain size on many samples.