RELATION OF SEVERAL PEDOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS TO ENGINEERING QUALITIES OF SOIL

An attempt to predict engineering qualities which are needed in soil evaluation and to enhance nonagricultural use of soil survey data was made. Data from a variety of soils were subjected to simple correlation and multiple regression analyses to relate three pedologic characteristics: clay content, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), and organic matter content to two engineering qualitites: plasticity index, and optimum moisture. Simple correlation coefficients showed that clay content and CEC correlated significantly with the engineering determinations. The relationship between organic matter content and these engineering determinations was weaker. Multiple regression analyses showed that the three pedologic characteristics accounted for most of the variation in each of the engineering qualities, and that prediction was feasible.     

Influences of quaternary climatic changes on processes of soil development on desert loess deposits of the Cima volcanic field, California

Soils formed in loess are evidence of both relict and buried landscapes developed on Pliocene-to-latest Pleistocene basalt flows of the Cima volcanic field in the eastern Mojave Desert, California. The characteristics of these soils change systematically and as functions of the age and surface morphology of the lava flow. Four distinct phases of soil development are recognized: phase 1 - weakly developed soils on flows less than 0.18 M.y. old; phase 2 - strongly developed soils with thick argillic horizons on 0.18 – 0.7 M.y. old flows; phase 3 - strongly developed soils with truncated argillic horizons massively impregnated by carbonate on 0.7 to 1.1 M.y. old flows; and phase 4 - degraded soils with petrocalcic rubble on Pliocene flows. A critical aspect of the development of stage 1 soils is the evolution of a vesicular A horizon which profoundly affects the infiltration characteristics of the loess parent materials. Laboratory studies show that secondary gypsum and possibly other salt accumulation probably occurred during the period of phase 1 soil development. Slight reddening of the interiors of peds from vesicular-A horizons of phase 1 soils and presence of weakly developed B horizons indicates a slight degree of in situ chemical alteration. However, clay and Fe oxide contents of these soils show that these constituents, as well as carbonates and soluble salts, are incorporated as eolian dust. In contrast to phase 1 soils, chemical and mineralogical analysis of argillic horizons of phase 2 soils indicate proportionally greater degrees of in-situ chemical alteration. These data, the abundant clay films, and the strong reddening in the thick argillic horizons suggest that phase 2 and phase 3 soils formed during long periods of time and periodically were subjected to leaching regimes more intense than those that now exist. Flow-age data and soil-stratigraphic evidence also indicate that several major loess-deposition events occurred during the past 1.0 M.y. Loess events are attributed to past changes in climate, such as the Pleistocene-to-Holocene climatic change, that periodically caused regional desiccation of pluvial lakes, reduction of vegetational density, and exposure of loose, unconsolidated fine materials. During times of warmer interglacial climates, precipitation infiltrates to shallower depths than during glacial periods. Extensive, saline playas which developed in the Mojave Desert during the Holocene are a likely source of much of the carbonates and soluble salts that are accumulating at shallow depths both in phase 1 soils and in the formerly noncalcareous, nongypsiferous argillic horizons of phase 2 and 3 soils.     

Reproductive performance of beef cow herds in New Zealand

AIM: To describe the reproductive performance of beef cow herds in New Zealand and to develop reference ranges for assessing the reproductive performance of individual herds from in-calf rates, that take into account variation in the length of mating periods. METHODS: Veterinary practices throughout New Zealand involved in beef cattle work were asked to collect reproductive data from seasonally calving beef cow herds mated in the spring of 2001 through to the end of summer of 2002. An estimate of conception rate (termed calculated conception rate: CCR) was determined for each herd, assuming that the conception rate was constant for each 21-day interval of the mating period. The algebraic relationship between CCR and in-calf rate at pregnancy testing was defined for mating periods of different durations and, therefore, given the in-calf rate and the duration of the mating period, a CCR could be determined for each herd. Expected pregnancy rates were recalculated from CCR data for a range of mating period durations to produce a look-up table for assessing herd reproductive performance. Reproductive data describing regional differences in in-calf rates and CCRs, bull:cow ratios, breed characteristics, start dates of mating and durations of mating periods were summarised. The effect of study variables in explaining CCRs was examined using a general linear model (GLM). RESULTS: Data were collected from 1,005 beef cow herds distributed throughout New Zealand. The median in-calf rate for all herds was 91%, the lower quartile was < or =88% and the upper quartile > or =94%. The mean CCR for herds with complete reproductive data (862) was 55% (SD 11), the lower quartile was < or =48% and upper quartile > or =61%. Median in-calf rates for 2-year-old heifers (mated at approximately 15 months of age), 3-year-old heifers (mated at approximately 27 months of age), and mixed-age cows were 90%, 91% and 92%, respectively. The study variables that accounted for significant variation in breeding group CCR in a multivariate GLM were 'region' (p<0.01) and 'date mating commenced' (<0.01). The adjusted R2 for the model was 0.055. CONCLUSIONS: The reproductive reference range produced provides veterinarians and herd managers with a quantitative method for assessing reproductive performance of beef cow herds compared with industry averages, from in-calf rates at the time of pregnancy testing and durations of mating periods.     

Exposed water ice deposits on the surface of comet 9P/Tempel 1

We report the direct detection of solid water ice deposits exposed on the surface of comet 9P/Tempel 1, as observed by the Deep Impact mission. Three anomalously colored areas are shown to include water ice on the basis of their near-infrared spectra, which include diagnostic water ice absorptions at wavelengths of 1.5 and 2.0 micrometers. These absorptions are well modeled as a mixture of nearby non-ice regions and 3 to 6% water ice particles 10 to 50 micrometers in diameter. These particle sizes are larger than those ejected during the impact experiment, which suggests that the surface deposits are loose aggregates. The total area of exposed water ice is substantially less than that required to support the observed ambient outgassing from the comet, which likely has additional source regions below the surface.     

喀斯特地区烟田土壤有效态微量元素的空间变异特征——以贵州省毕节地区为例

以典型的喀斯特地区——贵州省毕节地区为研究区域,采用地统计学和地理信息系统(GIS)相结合的方法,对烟田土壤中有效态微量元素Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn、B和Mo含量的空间变异特征进行研究。结果表明,烟田土壤中各微量元素的变异系数在45.75%～82.45%,均属于中等变异。半方差函数分析表明,烟田土壤微量元素中Cu、Zn、Fe的最适模型是线性模型,而Mn、B和Mo的最适模型为指数模型;各微量元素的块基比〔C0/(C0+C)〕均在25%～75%,表现为中等空间相关性,其空间变异受结构性因素(土壤母质、地形地貌、气候)和随机性因素(施肥、耕作措施、工业污染等)的共同影响。烟田土壤微量元素的空间分布表明,除有效铁含量分布呈现连续空间分布特点外,其他几种微量元素的空间分布并未呈现明显的分布规律。     

有机氮部分替代无机氮对香料烟产量、产值及品质的影响

为了提高香料烟的产量、产值和品质,采用田间小区试验研究了有机氮部分替代无机氮(取代比例分别为0、25%、50%)对香料烟产值及品质的影响。结果表明,有机氮取代部分无机氮对烤烟的产量、产值、上等烟比例和化学成分协调程度及矿质营养元素含量有很大的影响。其中,产量、产值和上等烟比例以有机氮取代50%无机氮处理最高,分别达到2 212.00kg/hm2、53 362.00元/hm2和70.22%。有机氮部分取代无机氮对香料烟叶片中化学成分、矿质元素的影响比较复杂,不同部位叶片以及不同化学成分的响应不同,但总体表现为有机氮取代无机氮改善了烤烟化学成分的协调程度,促进了有益矿质元素的积累。总之,对浙江省绍兴香料烟烟区来说,在施氮水平为105kg/hm2情况下,有机氮取代50%的无机氮时香料烟的经济产量、产值和烟叶品质较好。     

Spectroscopic characterization of mineralogy and its diversity across Vesta

The mineralogy of Vesta, based on data obtained by the Dawn spacecraft's visible and infrared spectrometer, is consistent with howardite-eucrite-diogenite meteorites. There are considerable regional and local variations across the asteroid: Spectrally distinct regions include the south-polar Rheasilvia basin, which displays a higher diogenitic component, and equatorial regions, which show a higher eucritic component. The lithologic distribution indicates a deeper diogenitic crust, exposed after excavation by the impact that formed Rheasilvia, and an upper eucritic crust. Evidence for mineralogical stratigraphic layering is observed on crater walls and in ejecta. This is broadly consistent with magma-ocean models, but spectral variability highlights local variations, which suggests that the crust can be a complex assemblage of eucritic basalts and pyroxene cumulates. Overall, Vesta mineralogy indicates a complex magmatic evolution that led to a differentiated crust and mantle.     

青藏高原东北部唐古特铁线莲种子萌发特性的研究

唐古特铁线莲是中国一种珍贵药用植物,青海省是其主要分布区。针对唐古特铁线莲野生资源受到严重破坏的情况,对其人工引种栽培过程中种子发芽率进行了研究,旨在为唐古特铁线莲的栽培和野生资源的保护提供理论依据。研究表明:自然状态下唐古特铁线莲种子萌发率低;经变温、温汤浸种、KNO3和GA3处理后种子发芽率显著提高。     

蒙古斑点马黑、白毛色区域皮肤中相关基因的表达研究

本试验以蒙古斑点马为研究对象,分别对蒙古斑点马体躯白色区域和黑色区域皮肤的表型和差异表达基因进行分析并验证,试图解析蒙古斑点马毛色形成的分子机制,为今后保护和开发利用蒙古斑点马奠定基础.选择蒙古斑点马体躯白色和黑色区域皮肤制作组织切片,HE染色后在显微镜下观察其表型差异;对白色和黑色区域皮肤组织进行转录组测序,比较差异...     

娟姗牛与西杂牛杂交后代生长发育观测

[目的]旨在繁育适于牦牛杂交改良的乳肉兼用父本.[方法]在海拔相对较低的半农半牧区,用娟姗牛与西杂牛杂交,观察杂交后代的生长发育和配种情况.[结果]娟姗牛与西杂牛的杂交后代在甘南州高海拔地区具有较好的适应性,表现出明显的杂交优势,能与甘南牦牛自然交配.