Effects of temperature and humidity on the contact angle of pesticide droplets on rice leaf surfaces

The effects of external factors such as temperature, humidity, pesticide formulation, and pesticide concentration on the contact angle of pesticide droplets on rice leaf surfaces were analyzed. The experiments showed that there were significant differences in the contact angles of droplets on the leaf surfaces under different temperatures and humidity. As the ambient temperature increased, the contact angle first decreased and then increased, reaching a minimum value at 25°C. With a gradual increase in humidity, the contact angle significantly increased and reached a maximum at 100% humidity. Finally, it was concluded that both the formulation and concentration of the pesticide had a significant effect on the contact angle of droplets on rice leaf surfaces. The experiments also illustrated that the effects of the pesticide formulation and concentration on the contact angle were more significant than those of temperature and humidity.     

机械结合面切向接触阻尼的神经网络结构化建模

为了使机械结合面切向接触阻尼实验数据便于在机械结构CAD中应用，本文基于人工神经网络的非线性映射能力，提出了机械结合面切向接触阻尼基础数据的神经网络结构化建模方法，并进行了实例建模。结果表明，该方法实用、有效，建模精度和建模效率较高，而且集传统建模与建库思想于一体，实现了多种结合条件下的机械结合面切向接触阻尼基础数据的统一建模。     

A review of non-chemical weed control on hard surfaces

Weed control research to date has mainly focused on arable land, especially regarding herbicides, but also regarding non‐chemical methods. Some of these experiences can be applied to hard surface areas. However, weeds on hard surface areas cause problems that are different from those on arable land. Additionally, crop tolerance does not need to be considered when choosing an appropriate weed control method on these areas. The aim of this review is to describe current knowledge of weeds and weed control methods on hard surface areas and reveal potential ways of advancement. One of the shortcomings of non‐chemical weed control on hard surfaces thus far, is a lack of proper definition of efficiency of the weed control methods. To obtain effective control, more frequently repeated treatments are required than chemical weed management, thereby increasing the costs of labour and fuel. One way to reduce costs can be by adjusting the level of control to the required visual street quality. Weeds are adapted to the hard surface environment and may be less susceptible to certain control methods. This review indicates that for efficient weed control on hard surfaces there is a need for combining weed control techniques, applying sensors for detecting weeds, adapting the energy dose to type of weed flora and prevention of weeds by improved construction of new surfaces.     

The potential environmental impact of pesticides removed from sprayers during cleaning

BACKGROUND: There is concern that pesticide residues on the external surfaces of sprayers could have an adverse impact on the environment if they are washed off, yet there is a need to remove these residues for health reasons. The aim of this study was to quantify pesticide residues contained in washings from cleaning discrete parts of a sprayer and to assess their likely environmental impact. RESULTS: The boom/rear of the sprayer and the spray tank accounted for 80% of the total pesticide load in the washings. Predicted environmental pesticide concentrations from sprayer washings were lower than predictions from the FOCUS surface water model for pesticides used under normal agricultural conditions, although for tebuconazole this difference was smaller than for the other compounds investigated. The field area over which the residues may need to be uniformly deposited to avoid overdosing during infield cleaning was typically less than 0.5 m(2), with a maximum value of 4 m(2). CONCLUSIONS: It is unlikely that infield cleaning will lead to overdosing. External residues are not insignificant, so any adverse impact on the environment must be mitigated. Appropriate measures include cleaning in the field away from surface waters and other sensitive areas, and cleaning machines over bunded areas or similar.     

Comparison of spinetoram,imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole against life stages of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on concrete

Spinetoram, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole are new insecticides with novel mode of actions, low mammalian toxicity and low impact to environment. In the present study, the efficacy of these insecticides was tested against Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val on concrete. Among the tested insecticides, spinetoram proved to be more effective, providing complete control of T. confusum adults and young larvae after 14 days of exposure. For the young larvae, thiamethoxam at the highest dose and chlorantraniliprole at both doses were equally effective with spinetoram. On the other hand, none of the tested insecticides were able to control T. confusum pupae. Moreover, none of the insecticides had ovicidal effect, with the exception of chlorantraniliprole in some combinations. From the mobile life stages, the most tolerant life stages were old larvae and the most susceptible young larvae. The presence of food (flour) moderated T. confusum mortality. From the results of the present study, we can conclude that spinetoram, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole showed potential and need be further evaluated for surface treatments in stored product facilities. Our work underlined the need for good cleaning and sanitation procedures in warehouses and food processing facilities.     

Changes in anthropogenic impervious surfaces,precipitation and daily streamflow discharge: a historical perspective in a mid-atlantic subwatershed

Aerial photography provides a historical vehicle for determining long-term urban landscape change and, with concurrent daily streamflow and precipitation records, allows the historical relationship of anthropogenic impervious surfaces and streamflow to be explored. Anthropogenic impervious surface area in the upper Accotink Creek subwatershed (near Annandala, Virginia, USA) was mapped from six dates of rectified historical aerial photography ranging from 1949 to 1994. Results show that anthropogenic impervious surface area has grown from approximately 3% in 1949 to 33% in 1994. Coincident to this period, analysis of historical mean daily streamflow shows a statistically significant increase in the streamflow discharge response (per meter of precipitation) associated with normal and extreme daily precipitation levels. Significant changes were also observed in the frequency of daily streamflow discharge at given volumes above and below the historical daily mean. Simultaneously, the historical magnitude, frequency and pattern of precipitation values 0 mm, 6.0 mm and 35.0 mm show either no statistically significant change or influence on streamflow. Historical changes in streamflow in this basin appear to be related to increases in anthropogenic impervious surface cover. Historical aerial photography is a viable tool for revealing long-term landscape and ecosystem relationships, and allows landscape investigations to extend beyond the temporal and spatial constraints of historical satellite remote sensing data.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

破坏准则的描述新方法

提出了一种描述破坏准则的新方法。它特别适合对混凝土破坏准则的描述。各种应力组合只能在一个有限的平行四边形区域上变化。采用这种描述方法，能够指导试验数据的选取和破坏曲面的拟合。     

离体培养植物细胞的表面与农杆菌介导基因转化频率的研究

以玉米、黑麦、烟草为材料 ,对细胞表面进行了扫描电镜观察 ,研究了离体培养植物细胞的细胞壁外表面的结构及其变化与农杆菌介导转化频率之间的关系。正常继代培养的烟草细胞 ,其细胞壁外表面光滑 ,大部分细胞在扫描电镜下坍陷或皱折 ;经处理用于农杆菌介导转化的烟草细胞 ,其表面有很多颗粒状突起和纤丝状物或纤丝状网 ;光滑的表面很少见到菌 ,而粗糙表面则有很多菌。玉米和黑麦愈伤组织中 ,浅黄色、疏松易散的胚性细胞团 ,其表面细胞有很多未坍陷 ,相当一部分未坍陷细胞的细胞壁外表面与烟草细胞一样 ,具有很多较小的颗粒状突起和纤丝状物或纤丝状网 ;白色松软的愈伤组织 ,其外层细胞大多坍陷或呈柱状 ,未坍陷细胞的表面光滑 ,有些似有一层膜状物。对植物细胞壁上的农杆菌结合位点和基因转化频率进行了讨论     

Reduced weed growth with different paving constructions

The recent phaseout of herbicide use on public pavements in Flanders has triggered the development of alternative weed control strategies. Besides the search for effective non‐chemical curative methods, there is also a need for strategies that prevent or reduce weed growth on pavements. In this study a paving experiment was set up under a rain shelter to investigate the effects of four construction factors on weed growth: joint filling material, joint width, organic pollution of the joint filling material and type of bedding layer. Paving mini‐plots were oversown with a mixture of dominant, hard‐to‐control weed species found on pavements. The inhibitory effect on weeds was determined by examining initial weed density and weed coverage over a 2‐year period. More weed growth was found in pavings with wide joints and organically polluted joint filling materials. High permeability of the bedding layer resulted in higher weed cover. The coarse‐grained filling materials and the sodium silicate‐enriched sand Dansand^® were associated with less weed cover than the fine‐grained filling materials. Our results show there is potential for preventing weed growth using suitable paving materials and appropriate high‐standard construction and maintenance of pavements.     

Effect of track maintenance on mechanical properties of a dirt racetrack: A preliminary study

When Thoroughbred racehorses experience catastrophic injuries, the track surface is often discussed as a factor. The present study investigated the mechanical properties of the surface and found that significant changes in a track occur during routine maintenance. Questions regarding the relative importance of track variability and hardness require further investigation.