An improved transmitter system to accurately measure wet-bulb temperature of air

A cost-effective measurement of wet-bulb temperature of air has great benefits to fulfill a growing demand of industry, cultivation agriculture, and medication. Applying an appropriate algorithm to wet-bulb temperature of air measurement can effectively improve the accuracy and speed of its measurement. The study aims to research how an improved transmitter system along with the latent heat–based iteration algorithm is used to precisely measure wet-bulb temperature of air. The work consists of (1) simulation of the iteration algorithm and (2) validation via experimental protocol. The simulation results through latent heat–based iteration algorithm were in good agreement (R2 5 0.99) with the reference. The performance of the improved wet-bulb temperature of air transmitter system was tested by a latent heat–based iteration algorithm experimental setup. The experimental results demonstrate that the improved wet-bulb temperature of air in a good consistency with commercial wet-bulb temperature of air in a range of temperature (15C–34C) and relative humidity (28.8%–76.2%). The Bland–Altman plot also shows that the mean value and the standard deviation of the differences between these two systems are 0.14C and 0.29C, respectively, which indicates that the improved wet-bulb temperature of air has a good agreement as well. Compared with the commercial wet-bulb temperature of air transmitter system, an advanced processor (STM32F103C8T6) and real-time operating system was applied in the improved wetbulb temperature of air transmitter system. The experimental results show that its measurement accuracy is closer to the previous study. This study provides an alternative and cost-effective solution to accurately and real-time measure wet-bulb temperature of ai

Noncentrosymmetric Inorganic Open-Framework Chalcohalides with Strong Middle IR SHG and Red Emission: Ba₃AGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ (A = Cs, Rb, K)

Novel SHG effective inorganic open-framework chalcohalides, Ba₃AGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ (A = Cs, Rb and K), have been synthesized by high temperature solid state reactions. These compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group <i>I</i>4̅ (No.82) with <i>a</i> = <i>b</i> = 8.7348(6) – 8.6341(7) Å, <i>c</i> = 15.697(3) – 15.644(2) Å, <i>V</i> = 1197.6(3) – 1166.2(2) ų on going from Cs to K. The polar framework of ³_∞[Ga₅Se₁₀]^5– is constructed by nonpolar GaSe₄^5–tetrahedron (T1) and polar supertetrahedral cluster Ga₄Se₁₀^8– (T2) in a zinc-blende topological structure with Ba/A cations and Cl anions residing in the tunnels. Remarkably, Ba₃CsGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ exhibits the strongest intensity at 2.05 μm (about 100 times that of the benchmark AgGaS₂ in the particle size of 30–46 μm) among chalcogenides, halides, and chalcohalides. Furthermore, these compounds are also the first open-framework compounds with red photoluminescent emissions. The Vienna ab initio theoretical studies analyze electronic structures and linear and nonlinear optical properties

PbMnIn₂S₅: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties

The first manganese member in a Pb–M–In–Q system, PbMnIn₂S₅, has been discovered by a high-temperature solid-state reaction. It adopts a Sr₂Tl₂O₅ structure type in orthorhombic space group <i>Cmcm</i> (No. 63) with <i>a</i> = 3.896(2) Å, <i>b</i> = 12.731(7) Å, <i>c</i> = 15.770(9) Å, and <i>Z</i> = 1. The structure consists of corrugated layers made by (In1/Mn1)­S₆ octahedra that are further interconnected by chains of edge-sharing (In2/Mn2)­S₆ octahedra into a three-dimensional framework; Pb²⁺ cations are coordinated in PbS₈ bicapped triangular prisms that are face-shared along the <i>a</i> direction. The crystallographically distinguished octahedrally coordinated 8<i>f</i> and 4<i>b</i> sites are disordered by Mn and In atoms. Such a structure allows antiferromagnetic interactions between the high-spin Mn²⁺ anions. The optical band gap is measured to be about 1.45 eV

Noncentrosymmetric Inorganic Open-Framework Chalcohalides with Strong Middle IR SHG and Red Emission: Ba₃AGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ (A = Cs, Rb, K)

Novel SHG effective inorganic open-framework chalcohalides, Ba₃AGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ (A = Cs, Rb and K), have been synthesized by high temperature solid state reactions. These compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group <i>I</i>4̅ (No.82) with <i>a</i> = <i>b</i> = 8.7348(6) – 8.6341(7) Å, <i>c</i> = 15.697(3) – 15.644(2) Å, <i>V</i> = 1197.6(3) – 1166.2(2) ų on going from Cs to K. The polar framework of ³_∞[Ga₅Se₁₀]^5– is constructed by nonpolar GaSe₄^5–tetrahedron (T1) and polar supertetrahedral cluster Ga₄Se₁₀^8– (T2) in a zinc-blende topological structure with Ba/A cations and Cl anions residing in the tunnels. Remarkably, Ba₃CsGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ exhibits the strongest intensity at 2.05 μm (about 100 times that of the benchmark AgGaS₂ in the particle size of 30–46 μm) among chalcogenides, halides, and chalcohalides. Furthermore, these compounds are also the first open-framework compounds with red photoluminescent emissions. The Vienna ab initio theoretical studies analyze electronic structures and linear and nonlinear optical properties

Noncentrosymmetric Inorganic Open-Framework Chalcohalides with Strong Middle IR SHG and Red Emission: Ba₃AGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ (A = Cs, Rb, K)

Novel SHG effective inorganic open-framework chalcohalides, Ba₃AGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ (A = Cs, Rb and K), have been synthesized by high temperature solid state reactions. These compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group <i>I</i>4̅ (No.82) with <i>a</i> = <i>b</i> = 8.7348(6) – 8.6341(7) Å, <i>c</i> = 15.697(3) – 15.644(2) Å, <i>V</i> = 1197.6(3) – 1166.2(2) ų on going from Cs to K. The polar framework of ³_∞[Ga₅Se₁₀]^5– is constructed by nonpolar GaSe₄^5–tetrahedron (T1) and polar supertetrahedral cluster Ga₄Se₁₀^8– (T2) in a zinc-blende topological structure with Ba/A cations and Cl anions residing in the tunnels. Remarkably, Ba₃CsGa₅Se₁₀Cl₂ exhibits the strongest intensity at 2.05 μm (about 100 times that of the benchmark AgGaS₂ in the particle size of 30–46 μm) among chalcogenides, halides, and chalcohalides. Furthermore, these compounds are also the first open-framework compounds with red photoluminescent emissions. The Vienna ab initio theoretical studies analyze electronic structures and linear and nonlinear optical properties

Average changes in root dry weight at silking of maize from China (a, high planting density; b, water stress; c, N deficiency) and US Corn Belt (d, high planting density; e, water stress; f, N deficiency) in response to various stresses.

<p>The data derived from individual experiments from China and US Corn Belt were used. The values above columns indicate the reduction (%) under stresses compared with the optimum conditions. The solid line and square within the box represents the median and mean values of all data, the top and bottom edges of the box represent 75 and 25 percentiles and the top and bottom bars represent 95 and 5 percentiles of all data, respectively.</p

Root dry weight and root/shoot ratio at silking and maturity in unpaired data derived from field experiments using maize varieties in China and western countries.

<p>The solid line and square within the box represents the median and mean values of all data, the top and bottom edges of the box represent 75 and 25 percentiles and the top and bottom bars represent 95 and 5 percentiles of all data, respectively.</p

Comparisons of root dry weight at silking (silking RDW) between four dominant Chinese maize varieties and US pioneer variety.

<p>The solid line and square within the box represents the median and mean values of all data, the top and bottom edges of the box represent 75 and 25 percentiles and the top and bottom bars represent 95 and 5 percentiles of all data, respectively.</p

Root dry weight (RDW) and root/shoot ratio (R/S) at silking (76 DAS in 2011 and 82 DAS in 2012), and grain yield, total N uptake and N-use efficiency (NUE) at physiological maturity (148 DAS in 2011 and 153 DAS in 2012) of maize varieties from China (ZD 958 and XY 335) and US (P32D79).

<p>Field trials were performed at the Shangzhuang Experimental Station of the China Agricultural University, Beijing in 2011 and 2012.</p><p>Values in the column in each year followed by different letters had significant difference between varieties (<i>P</i>< 0.05).</p><p>Root dry weight (RDW) and root/shoot ratio (R/S) at silking (76 DAS in 2011 and 82 DAS in 2012), and grain yield, total N uptake and N-use efficiency (NUE) at physiological maturity (148 DAS in 2011 and 153 DAS in 2012) of maize varieties from China (ZD 958 and XY 335) and US (P32D79).</p

A Large and Deep Root System Underlies High Nitrogen-Use Efficiency in Maize Production

<div><p>Excessive N fertilization results in low N-use efficiency (NUE) without any yield benefits and can have profound, long-term environmental consequences including soil acidification, N leaching and increased production of greenhouse gases. Improving NUE in crop production has been a longstanding, worldwide challenge. A crucial strategy to improve NUE is to enhance N uptake by roots. Taking maize as a model crop, we have compared root dry weight (RDW), root/shoot biomass ratio (R/S), and NUE of maize grown in the field in China and in western countries using data from 106 studies published since 1959. Detailed analysis revealed that the differences in the RDW and R/S of maize at silking in China and the western countries were not derived from variations in climate, geography, and stress factors. Instead, NUE was positively correlated with R/S and RDW; R/S and NUE of maize varieties grown in western countries were significantly greater than those grown in China. We then testified this conclusion by conducting field trials with representative maize hybrids in China (ZD958 and XY335) and the US (P32D79). We found that US P32D79 had a better root architecture for increased N uptake and removed more mineral N than Chinese cultivars from the 0-60 cm soil profile. Reported data and our field results demonstrate that a large and deep root, with an appropriate architecture and higher stress tolerance (higher plant density, drought and N deficiency), underlies high NUE in maize production. We recommend breeding for these traits to reduce the N-fertilizer use and thus N-leaching in maize production and paying more attention to increase tolerance to stresses in China.</p></div