Field-Scale Electrical Conductivity Mapping for Delineating Soil Condition

Traditional sampling methods are inadequate for assessing the interrelated physical, chemical, and biological soil properties responsible for variations in agronomic yield and ecological potentials across a landscape. Recent advances in computers, global positioning systems, and large-scale sensors offer new opportunities for mapping heterogeneous patterns in soil condition. We evaluated field-scale apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) mapping for delineating soil properties correlated with productivity and ecological properties. A contiguous section of farmland (250 ha), managed as eight fields in a no-till winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–corn (Zea mays L.)–millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)–fallow rotation, was ECa mapped (≈0- to 30-cm depth). A geo-referenced soil-sampling scheme separated each field into four ECa classes that were sampled (0- to 7.5- and 7.5- to 30-cm depths) in triplicate. Soil physical parameters (bulk density, moisture content, and percentage clay), chemical parameters (total and particulate organic matter [POM], total C and N, extract- able P, laboratory-measured electrical conductivity [EC1:1], and pH), biological parameters (microbial biomass C [MBC] and N [MBN], and potentially mineralizable N), and surface residue mass were significantly different among ECa classes (P ≤ 0.06) at one or both depths (0–7.5 and 0–30 cm). Bulk density, percentage clay, EC1:1, and pH were positively correlated with ECa; all other soil parameters and surface residue mass were negatively correlated. Field-scale ECa classification delimits distinct zones of soil condition, providing an effective basis for soil sampling. Potential uses include assessing temporal impacts of management on soil condition and managing spatial variation in soil-condition and yield-potential through precision agriculture and site-specific management

Solid state reaction of ruthenium with 6H-SiC under vacuum annealing and the impact on the electrical performance of its Schottky contact for high temperature operating SiC-based diodes

Thin films and Schottky diodes dots of ruthenium (Ru) on bulk-grown n-type-6-hexagonal-silicon carbide (6H-SiC) were annealed isochronally in a vacuum furnace at temperatures ranging from 500-1,000 °C. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy analysis of the thin films showed formation of ruthenium silicide (Ru2Si3) at 800 °C, while diffusion of Ru into 6H-SiC commenced at 800 °C. Raman analysis of the thin films annealed at 1,000 °C showed clear D and G carbon peaks which was evidence of formation of graphite. At this annealing temperature, the Schottky contact was observed to convert to an ohmic contact, as evidenced by the linearity of current-voltage characteristic, thereby, rendering the diode unusable. The transformation from Schottky contact to ohmic contact is attributed to graphite formation at the interface

The Cloning of a Rapidly Evolving Seminal-Vesicle-Transcribed Gene Encoding the Major Clot-Forming Protein of Mouse Semen

Approximately 30 kb of the mouse genome, containing the gene for a major seminal vesicle transcript, has been cloned. The gene was identified by the similarity to members of a family with rapidly evolving genes that includes the gene encoding the major clot protein in rat semen, SVS II, and the human semenogelin genes. The nucleotide sequence of 16.9 kb was determined; this sequence encompasses the gene of 2215 bp plus 9-kb and 5.6-kb regions flanking the 5' and 3' ends of the gene. The transcription unit is divided into three exons, of which the first encodes the signal peptide, the second the secreted protein, while the third exon contains 3'-nontranslated nucleotides only. The transcript encodes a protein of 375 amino acid residues, including a signal peptide of 22 residues. The secreted polypeptide is a protein of Mr 38442 and is similar in sequence but smaller than the major clot-forming protein of rat semen, SVS II. It is highly charged at pH 7 and it has an isoelectric point of 10.68. The central part of the protein consists of tandem repeats that might serve as a substrate for transglutaminase

Odor detection thresholds and enantiomeric distributions of several 4-alkyl substituted gamma-lactones in Australian red wine

The individual enantiomers of γ-octalactone (1), γ-nonalactone (2), γ-decalactone (3) and γ-dodecalactone (4) have been synthesized. The (R) series of enantiomers was prepared from l-glutamic acid by a strategy involving deamination and reduction to (S)-5-oxo-2-tetrahydrofurancarboxaldehyde (S)-7. The different length side chains were introduced by a series of Wittig reactions, varying in the choice of phosphorane used. Hydrogenation then gave the final γ-lactones 1−4. The (S) series of enantiomers was prepared in an analogous fashion beginning with d-glutamic acid. Aroma detection thresholds for all eight enantiomers were determined in a “bag in a box” dry red wine by the application of ASTM method E 679, employing a panel of 25 members. The lowest threshold determined was 8 μg/L for (R)-dodecalactone (4) while the highest threshold was 285 μg/L for (R)-nonalactone (2). With the exception of γ-decalactone (3) there were statistically significant differences (at the 5% level) in aroma detection thresholds between the two enantiomers of the same lactone. A stable isotope method developed for quantification of the lactones 1−4 has been extended for use with chiral phase GC (Rt-βDEXcst capillary column) allowing quantification of the individual enantiomers. The enantiomeric distribution of γ-octalactone (1) and γ-nonalactone (2) in seven botrytized wines and of 2 in a total of 34 red wines were thus determined; with few exceptions, the (R) enantiomer of γ-nonalactone (2) was found to be more prevalent than its (S) counterpart in the dry red and botrytized white wines analyzed. The same was true for γ-octalactone (1) in the botrytized white wines.Rachel C. Cooke, Katryna A. van Leeuwen, Dimitra L. Capone, Richard Gawel, Gordon M. Elsey and Mark A. Sefto