Maize/peanut intercropping increases photosynthetic characteristics, ~(13)C-photosynthate distribution,and grain yield of summer maize

Intercropping is used widely by smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase land productivity and profitability. We conducted a maize/peanut intercropping experiment in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in Shandong, China. Treatments included sole maize(SM), sole peanut(SP), and an intercrop consisting of four rows of maize and six rows of peanut(IM and IP). The results showed that the intercropping system had yield advantages based on the land equivalent ratio(LER) values of 1.15 and 1.16 in the two years, respectively. Averaged over the two years, the yield of maize in the intercropping was increased by 61.05% compared to that in SM, while the pod yield of peanut was decreased by 31.80% compared to SP. Maize was the superior competitor when intercropped with peanut, and its productivity dominated the yield of the intercropping system in our study. The increased yield was due to a higher kernel number per ear(KNE). Intercropping increased the light transmission ratio(LTR) of the ear layer in the maize canopy, the active photosynthetic duration(APD), and the harvest index(HI) compared to SM. In addition, intercropping promoted the ratio of dry matter accumulation after silking and the distribution of ~(13) C-photosynthates to grain compared to SM. In conclusion, maize/peanut intercropping demonstrated the potential to improve the light condition of maize, achieving enhanced photosynthetic characteristics that improved female spike differentiation, reduced barrenness, and increased KNE. Moreover, dry matter accumulation and ~(13) C-photosynthates distribution to grain of intercropped maize were improved, and a higher grain yield was ultimately obtained.     

Variability in concentrations of zinc in serum and feed when using zinc oxide as a supplement for the prevention of facial eczema

AIMS: To determine the variability of concentrations of Zn in feed, when used as a supplement to prevent facial eczema, and to determine the variability in concentrations of Zn in serum between cows and herds that are being supplemented with ZnO in feed, using in-shed feeders or on a feed pad.

METHODS: Sixteen commercial dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand were enrolled, that were supplementing cows with ZnO in the feed using either an automatic in-shed feeder (ASF) or a feed pad (FP) using a feed-out or mixer wagon. On each farm 10 cows were selected by the farmer, that were assumed to be representative of the age and liveweight of the herd. Four hours after supplement feeding, each cow was weighed and a blood sample collected for measurement of concentrations of Zn in serum. Three samples of feed were collected from each farm for Zn analysis, from the beginning, middle and end of the feed being distributed. Levene’s test for homoscedasticity was used to analyse whether there were differences in variation of individual concentrations of Zn in serum, and in the feed, between the two feeding systems. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between age, feeding method or liveweight and concentrations of Zn in serum, after accounting for the variability between farms.

RESULTS: Of the 163 cows sampled, concentrations of Zn in serum were between 20–35?µmol/L in 75/163 (46 (95% CI=38–54)%) cows; were <20?µmol/L in 71/163 (44 (95% CI=36–52)%) cows, and >35?µmol/L in 17/163 (10 (95% CI=6–16)%) cows. The variation in concentrations of Zn in serum in individual cows differed between farms (p<0.001), and the variability was greater for cows fed using a FP than ASF (p<0.001). There was no difference in the variation of concentrations of Zn in feed between the two feeding methods (p=0.54), but concentrations of Zn in serum were associated with the amount of Zn offered in feed (p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICIAL RELEVENCE: There was significant variability between farms in the concentrations of Zn in the serum of cows being supplemented with ZnO in feed. Only 46% of cows sampled had concentrations of Zn between 20–35?µmol/L. Effective management of facial eczema should include monitoring Zn in the feed and in serum to ensure cows are receiving the correct dose they require.     

ASVCP guidelines: quality assurance for portable blood glucose meter (glucometer) use in veterinary medicine

Portable blood glucose meters (PBGM, glucometers) are a convenient, cost effective, and quick means to assess patient blood glucose concentration. The number of commercially available PBGM is constantly increasing, making it challenging to determine whether certain glucometers may have benefits over others for veterinary testing. The challenge in selection of an appropriate glucometer from a quality perspective is compounded by the variety of analytic methods used to quantify glucose concentrations and disparate statistical analysis in many published studies. These guidelines were developed as part of the ASVCP QALS committee response to establish recommendations to improve the quality of testing using point‐of‐care testing (POCT) handheld and benchtop devices in veterinary medicine. They are intended for clinical pathologists and laboratory professionals to provide them with background knowledge and specific recommendations for quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC), and to serve as a resource to assist the provision of advice to veterinarians and technicians to improve the quality of results obtained when using PBGM. These guidelines are not intended to be all‐inclusive; rather they provide a minimum standard for management of PBGM in the veterinary setting.     

Distributed Power Flow Method Based on Ward Equivalent

With interconnecting and developing of power system, the problem of power flow computation on dispersed data resource need to be solved. A new distributed computation method of power flow based on Ward equivalent is presented. According to master-slaver splitting principle, multi-area interconnected power system is divided into master-slaver areas. Boundary buses in different areas are defined as different bus-types. Neighborhood areas are equivalent by Ward equivalent principle, and the equivalent injection power and equivalent impedance are worked out. Power flows from master area to slaver areas are solved by Newton method, and the equivalent injection power and equivalent impedance on the boundary are modified by their solutions. The process above repeats until to convergence. The proposed distributed power flow method takes full advantage of the information of power, voltage, network configuration in neighborhood areas, so it is better on convergence and quality of solution. The proposed algorithm is testified by IEEE 14-bus system and a practical 181-bus system.     

A Model of Venture Capital Project''s NPV Formula with Introducing Debt Capital

Improves investment decision method NPV method by introducing risk. This paper CAPM and certainty equivalent wealthare applied because of NCF'S volatility of venture capital projects, on the basis of which, debt capital is introduced. the dissertation derives a levered risky project's NPV formula, which broadens applying range and lessens constrain conditions. For risky projects investment decision, the research provides a new theoretical basis.     

Calculation of Maintenance Cost Based on the Proportional Life Setback Model

Maintenance cost is one of the most difficult parts to calculate in variant-cost, for it s decided by the reliability of components. As an important factor of reliability, life is largely affected by maintenance. The proportional life prolonged model based on maintenance is presented firsdy. Based on this model, the function of Mainenance--Life--Cost is deduced. Which provides a new method for power plant to calculate maintenance cost more accurately.     

The Optimization Design for the Parameters of Capacitor Welding

Through the analysis in this paper,the optimum relation of the discharging current peak interval t m ,the discharging loop equivalent inductance L and equivalent resistance R is obtained.This paper analyze the original discharging loop equivalent inductance L ,which provides an effective method for adjustment and selection of inductance L to realize the optimization energy saving design of the welding machine.     

Study on Mechanism of the Reinforcing Effect of Geogrid in Soil Dam

An experimental study on consolidation and drainage of two gravels with different grading was carried out using high - pressure large - scale tri - axial testing facility. A concept of equivalent surrounding pressure is introduced. An analysis was carried out on the effect and mechanism of reinforcement, experimental surrounding pressure and soil properties. Results show that the reinforcement can improve the strength and failure strain of the material and delay the failure of the soil. The effect of reinforcement of soil - gravel depends on the surrounding pressure and weathering of the gravel.     

补偿式滴头的研制

补偿式滴头是微灌设备中最理想的灌水器,它除能保持滴水量衡定、提高灌水质量外。还具有减缓堵塞、自身清洗之功能,而且能降低工程造价。国产补偿式滴头研制成功,填补了国内空白,也为进一步开展补偿式灌水器研究积累了经验。     

秸秆还田对东北半干旱区玉米‖花生轮作系统土壤水热特性及作物产量的影响

以东北半干旱区玉米‖花生轮作系统为研究对象,试验设传统玉米单作、花生单作、不同秸秆还田量下(30%、60%和100%)玉米‖花生轮作5个处理。通过连续3年田间定位试验,研究玉米秸秆不同还田量对农田土壤水热特性、产量及土地当量比(LER)的影响。结果表明,与传统单作相比,秸秆还田处理玉米区播前0～40 cm土壤平均含水量提高了1.9%～3.9%,花生区提高了11.0%～13.9%;成熟期,秸秆还田花生区0:00～8:00平均地温比传统单作提高了0.2℃～1.1℃,10:00～22:00平均地温较传统单作降低了0.5℃～1.0℃。2016年和2017年玉米‖花生轮作系统LER为1.05～1.16,2018年各处理LER均小于1。吉林半干旱区玉米‖花生轮作系统进行秸秆还田改善了作物播前的土壤水分状况,但对于作物产量的影响在不同年份有所差异。