Journal articles on the topic 'Resistance moisture meter'

Moisture measurement of grain is an important aspect of its quality indicators. In this paper, a resistive grain moisture meter device was developed and the measuring principle and adopted scheme were illustrated. The structures and work principles of the resistance-to-frequency switching circuit and the temperature compensation circuit were introduced in detail. Finally, this paper gives a brief introduction to the mechanical grain sample. The resistive grain moisture meter has the advantages of fast testing speed, high precision and low cost, it’s one of the important tools in measuring grain moisture.

Aim of study: To obtain improved models to predict, with an error of less than ± 2.0%, the gravimetric moisture content in four different softwoods commonly present in the Spanish and European markets, based on electrical resistance measurements. This improved moisture content estimation is useful not only for assessing the quality of wood products, especially in the case of laminated products, during the transformation and delivery process, but also for accurately monitoring the evolution of moisture in wood present in bridges and buildings, which is of great importance for its maintenance and service life improvement.Area of study: The study was carried out on samples of Scots, laricio, radiata and maritime pines of Spanish provenances.Material and methods: On 50x50x20 mm3 solid wood samples (36 per species, 9 per condition), conditioned at 20ºC (±05ºC) and 40±5%, 65±5%, 80±5% or 90±5% Relative Humidity (RH), electrical resistance and oven-dry moisture content was measured. The Samuelsson's model was fitted to data to explain the relationship between the two variables. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by the use of an external sample.Main results: With the proposed mathematical functions the wood moisture content can be estimated with an error of ±0.9% in the four species, confirming the effectiveness of this nondestructive methodology for accurate estimation and monitoring of moisture content.Research highlights: our results allow the improvement of the moisture content estimation technique by resistance-type methodologies.Keywords: Resistance-type moisture meter; species correction.Abbreviations used: MC: Moisture content; RH: relative Humidity; R: electrical resistance; RP: wood electrical resistance measured parallel to the grain; RT: electrical resistance measured perpendicular (transversally) to the grain; GM-MC: gravimetrically measured moisture content.

Aim of study: To obtain improved models to predict, with an error of less than ± 2.0%, the gravimetric moisture content in four different softwoods commonly present in the Spanish and European markets, based on electrical resistance measurements. This improved moisture content estimation is useful not only for assessing the quality of wood products, especially in the case of laminated products, during the transformation and delivery process, but also for accurately monitoring the evolution of moisture in wood present in bridges and buildings, which is of great importance for its maintenance and service life improvement.Area of study: The study was carried out on samples of Scots, laricio, radiata and maritime pines of Spanish provenances.Material and methods: On 50x50x20 mm3 solid wood samples (36 per species, 9 per condition), conditioned at 20ºC (±05ºC) and 40±5%, 65±5%, 80±5% or 90±5% Relative Humidity (RH), electrical resistance and oven-dry moisture content was measured. The Samuelsson's model was fitted to data to explain the relationship between the two variables. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by the use of an external sample.Main results: With the proposed mathematical functions the wood moisture content can be estimated with an error of ±0.9% in the four species, confirming the effectiveness of this nondestructive methodology for accurate estimation and monitoring of moisture content.Research highlights: our results allow the improvement of the moisture content estimation technique by resistance-type methodologies.Keywords: Resistance-type moisture meter; species correction.Abbreviations used: MC: Moisture content; RH: relative Humidity; R: electrical resistance; RP: wood electrical resistance measured parallel to the grain; RT: electrical resistance measured perpendicular (transversally) to the grain; GM-MC: gravimetrically measured moisture content.

Abstract In wood moisture contents above fibre saturation point (FSP) the measuring accuracy of resistance type sensors starts decreasing and several side effects related to measuring wood moisture begin to occur. These side effects can be taken into account in the measuring process and can be eliminated. This research examined wood charging and discharging in the process of measurements, phenomena related to repeated measurements in both a single electrode insertion spot and different insertion spots in the specimen made of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood and black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.). The research presented approaching equations separately for the voltage and current of the polarization and depolarization process for the initial phase of the process. Empirical equations were found for wood electrical resistance and electrical capacitance in the polarization process. For black alder possibilities for calibration of a resistance meter and resistance type electrodes were explored. It was found that to improve the calibration accuracy of resistance type measuring electrodes an additional individual calibration with regard to the average moisture content of the specimen may be carried out with the electrodes above FSP. Research results can be implemented in monitoring the wood drying process using resistance type wood moisture sensors, but also in determining the electrical parameters of growing trees.

The current agricultural systems generally uses chemical fertilizers as a growth booster in order to meet the global food needs of 7 billion people and all of their livestock. But unfortunately not all are aware of the great danger behind such an overuse, unmetered application of chemical fertilizers, freely in an open field for the survival of the planet and its population. Thanks to technological advances, especially in the field of instrumentation and communication technology, the problem of increasing efficiency and avoiding such overuse should be minimized properly. In this study, the researchers tried to apply capacitive moisture sensor technology and serverless Internet of Things to the moisture meter instrument in the hydroponic drip fertigation system with roasted husk planting media. Capactive sensor technology has the advantage of corrosion resistance when applied to planting media containing high humidity and low alkalinity. By using a serverless IoT architecture, it is possible to monitor from anywhere via the internet, without involving complicated and expensive infrastructure. Based on the results of the prototype testing, it is known that the instruments built can work properly. The results of monitoring system conditions such as temperature and free heap appear stable. The reading results of the two sensors also run steadily, without fluctuations and variations in the reading that exceed 5%. The process of remote monitoring and data logging to serverless IoT is monitored to be stable with a data recording success rate of 99.8%.

HighlightsA non-destructive prediction model for moisture content of wheat leaves was established based on electrical properties.The model based on a single property (capacitance or resistance) was improved by using both properties.The model accurately detected the moisture content of wheat leaves in real-time to avoid irrigation lag.The results provide a basis for real-time and targeted water-saving irrigation of winter wheat in an arid region.Abstract. In this study, we aimed to establish a non-destructive and rapid approach to monitor the moisture content of wheat leaves in Southern Xinjiang, China, and promptly acquire information on the physiological water demand of crops to guide precision irrigation. Wheat leaves were used as the research object. Using a custom-made clamped parallel-plate capacitor and LCR digital bridge meter, we determined the electrical properties (capacitance and resistance) of wheat leaves with various moisture contents within a frequency range from 0.12 to 100 kHz. Moreover, we explored the correlation between leaf moisture content and the electrical properties. Our data showed that leaf moisture exhibited the best correlation with the electrical properties at 50 kHz. Under these optimized conditions, a model for moisture measurement was established using a single-parameter method (capacitance or resistance). However, the estimated standard errors (RMSE) of this method were 3.29% (for resistance) and 3.49% (for capacitance), which were greater than the standard error of the measured moisture content (2%). Therefore, we developed an improved model using a two-parameter method (capacitance and resistance), and the estimated standard error was 2.68%, which was more feasible for predicting moisture content compared with the single-parameter method. The model was validated using eight groups of wheat leaf samples at the turning-green stage and the jointing stage, and the RMSE values were less than 2%. Our findings provide a scientific basis for real-time and targeted water-saving irrigation of wheat in arid areas of Southern Xinjiang. Keywords: Electrical property, Model, Moisture content, Precision irrigation, Wheat leaves.

This article about the moisture permeability test system of fire taking five outer fabric and five kinds of multi-layer fabric. Screening of fire suit multi-layer fabrics system, the water vapor permeability and fabric structure parameters of correlation analysis. The experimental results showed that, 3 # multi-layer fabric system is the best choice of the fire fighting service; Fabric thickness and i the square meter gram weight is inversely proportional to the fabric moisture permeability relationship; For the effect of PTFE membrane laminated fabric to fabric itself can also through the amount of water vapor has certain influence. While ensuring waterproof, Moisture permeability fabric may be appropriate to increase the resistance, in order to protect the user's comfort.

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) has been studied for visualizing variations of conductivity in concrete specimens. In recent years, unsaturated water flow through pores formed in concrete has been intensively examined though ERT systems to visualize the permeation front that gradually changes with elapsed time. This study examines water movement through internal cracks which are typically not observed on the surface of mortar or concrete specimens via ERT systems. The results indicate the gradual increase of saturated region owing to the ingress of water through cracked surface up to 120 hours. And, the region with higher conductivity estimated in uncracked parts is evidently in good agreement with higher moisture content measured by moisture meter on the split surface. In addition, the presence of crack in concrete specimen subjected to water ingress is clearly visualized via ERT images owing to rapid water movement in cracked zones. This study has provided the important insight that the ingress and the movement of water through pores and cracks formed in cementitious mixtures could be assessed via electrical measurements.

The authors reviewed the literature on the most commonly used devices for measuring skin parameters. The instruments were selected to measure: skin elasticity Cutometer® (Courage-Khazaka, Koln, Germany), Reviscometer® RVM600; hydration while using skin properties such as resistance, capacity, conductivity and impedance, the Corneometer CM 820 and CM 825 (Courage & Khazaka, Koln, Germany), Nova DPM 9003 (Nova Technology Corporation, Gloucester, MA, USA), DermaLab® USB Moisture Module (Cortex Technology, Hadsund, Denmark) and Scalar Moisture Checker MY-808S (Scalar Corporation, Japan), to test percutaneous water loss (TEWL) with Tewameter® TM 300 (Courage-Khazaka, Koln, Germany); high-frequency ultrasound scanners Dub®SkinScanner 75 (TPM Company, Lueneburg, Germany), DermaScan® C USB (Cortex Technology, Hadsund, Denmark); for pH measurement Skin-pH-Meter PH 905 (Courage-Khazaka, Koln, Germany), Skin-pH-Meter PH 900 (Courage-Khazaka, Koln, Germany, pH-Meter 1140 (Mettler Toledo, Urdorf, Switzerland); skin sebum is tested by Sebumeter® SM 815 (Courage-Khazaka, Koln, Germany); the Mexameter® MX 18 (Courage-Khazaka, Koln, Germany), CM-2600d Spectrophotometer (Konica Minolta, Tokyo, Japan) and Minolta Chromameter CR-200 (Konica Minolta, Tokyo, Japan. The analysis of measuring devices available on the market introduces the mechanism of their operation and application.

Concepts from electrical engineering can be introduced to nonmajor engineering students through lectures, laboratories, or even research experiences. Often the purpose of introducing nonmajors to these concepts is to highlight that engineering problems are not limited to skills from only a single discipline as well as improve their ability to communicate and collaborate with other disciplines. This case study discusses the experience of introducing a nonmajor undergraduate student to electrical engineering through an undergraduate research project at The University of Alabama investigating the electrical properties of bamboo, which required the characterization of a portable moisture meter. These exercises were successful at improving the student’s confidence and proficiency with electrical test equipment, highlighting the limitations of test equipment, and applying concepts of resistance to a real-world application that overlaps electrical, chemical, and biological disciplines. While this exercise was a component of an undergraduate research experience, similar exercises could be easily integrated into electrical engineering laboratories for nonelectrical engineering majors to introduce and reinforce concepts from electrical engineering using a multidisciplinary application.

A technique based on the heat flow meter method is proposed for measuring the thermal conductivity of moist earthen and granular loose-fill materials. Although transient methods have become popular, this steady-state approach offers an uncertainty that can be reliably estimated and a test method that is widely accepted for building certification purposes. Variations to the standard method are proposed, including the use of a rigid holding frame with stiff base and silicone sponge buffer sheets, in conjunction with difference measurement to factor out the contributions from base, buffers and contact resistance. Using this approach, results are presented for green-roof substrates based on scoria, terracotta and furnace-ash at different moisture contents. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.13 to 0.80 W/m K and fitted well to linear regression plots against moisture content. Further comparative measurements of a single specimen showed that direct measurement was less consistent than difference measurement and thus indicated that thermal resistance was higher by 0.023 m2 K/W, attributable to the presence of contact resistance.

The presented paper is divided into two levels. On the first level, the research is focused on development of a material that includes a smart fabric membrane (nanofiber) and is waterproof and vapour-permeable. On the second level, it deals with the development of an apparatus which is able to evaluate the resistance of the building composite against water. A new device is presented that can measure how waterproof the building material is, with a thickness between five to 20 centimetres. The tested samples are in the shape of a square or circle, they have a width of 20 centimetres, or a diameter of 20 centimetres. All of the building composite samples were tested using a water column that is one meter high. Experiments simulate floods on this new apparatus. It was found that materials can be evaluated not only according to the amount of water flow per unit of time, but also according to the shape of the flow curves.

An IML-Resi PD-400 drilling tool with two types of spade drill bits (IML System GmbH, Wiesloch, Germany) was used to evaluate the internal conditions of 3 m wooden poles made from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Drilling tests were performed on poles that were industrially vacuum-pressure-impregnated with a copper-based preservative (Korasit KS-M) and untreated reference poles. Both types of poles were subject to 10.5 years of in-ground exposure. Wood moisture content (MC) was measured using a resistance-type moisture meter. MC varied between 15% and 60% in the radial and axial directions in both treated and untreated poles. A higher MC was detected in the underground, top, and outer (sapwood) parts of the poles. Typical drilling-resistance (DR) profiles of poles with internal defects were analyzed. Preservative treatment had a significant influence on wood durability in the underground part of the poles. Based on DR measurements, we found that untreated wood that was in contact with soil was severely degraded by insects and wood-destroying fungi. Conversely, treated wood generally showed no reduction in DR or feeding resistance (FR). DR profiling is a potential method for the in-situ or in vitro assessment and quality monitoring of preservative treatments and wood durability. The technological benefits of using drill bits with one major cutting edge, instead of standard drill bits with center-spiked tips and two major cutting edges, were not evident. A new graphical method was applied to present DR data and their spatial distribution in the poles. Future studies should focus on the impact of preservative treatments, thermal modification, and chemical modification on the DR and FR of wood. This may further elucidate the predictive value of DR and FR for wood properties.

Coking with low moisture coal is an important link of energy conservation and coke quality improvement in the coking industry. Aiming at the problems of dust emission and bad accumulation in the coking chamber during coal charging, a new system of coking coal charged into 6 m top-charge coke oven was studied and designed, in which a cylinder with telescopic and high temperature resistance was used to fill the coking chamber with a dense phase continuous flow. The coal transport characteristics, dust emission, and accumulation characteristics were studied through the actual operation of the equipment. The results found that the matching of spiral feeding speed and cylinder lifting speed had an important influence on the transport characteristics, when moisture was 5%, and the control dense phase transport conditions were—cylinder lifting speed of 0.02 m/s and spiral feeding speed control range of [0.31 m/s, 0.50 m/s]. The new device was found to reduce dust emission by 90% per square meter, compared to the traditional. The influence of controllable factors on the accumulation characteristics of coal was studied, and the essential conditions for optimal repose angle and bulk density were obtained through an orthogonal test, the prediction model of accumulation characteristics was established.

In the past, most of the soil electrical resistivity charts were developed based on stand-alone geomaterial classification with minimal contribution to its relationship to some of geotechnical parameters. Furthermore, the values cited a very wide range of resistivity with sometimes overlapping values and having little significance to specific soil condition. As a result, it created some ambiguities during the interpretation of observations which were traditionally based on qualitative anomaly judgments of experts and experienced people. Hence, this study presents soil resistivity values based on laboratory experiment with a view to predict the soil moisture content and density in loose and dense soils. This study used a soil box and a resistivity meter to test a clayey silt soil, increasing its water usage from 1-3% based on 1500 gram of dry soil. All the moisture contents and density data were observed concurrently with 25 electrical soil resistance observations being made on the soil. All testing and formula used were in accordance with that specified in BS1377 (1990). It was apparent that the soil resistivity value was different under loose (L) and compact (C) condition with moisture content (w) and density (ρbulk) correlations being established as follows; ρbulk(C) = 2.5991ρ-0.037, ρbulk (L) = -0.111 ln (ρ) + 1.7605, w(L) = 109.98ρ-0.268, and w(C) = 121.88ρ-0.363 with determination coefficients, R2 that ranged between 0.69 0.89. This research therefore contributes a means of predicting these geotechnical parameters by related persons such as geophysicist, engineers and geologist who use these resistivity techniques in ground exploration.

During the thermal assessment of buildings, proper understanding and knowledge of the thermal behavior of the materials is required. Certain indoor and outdoor conditions can cause moisture transfer and could change the thermal properties of buildings (e.g. thermal conductivity, resistance, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, etc.). In this technical note, a research report can be found on the measured thermal conductivity after drying and wetting the samples. For the measurements, we used a dry-heat laboratory oven (Venticell 111) apparatus to dry the samples and a climatic chamber (Climacell 111) to wet the materials in order to get the values. By applying these two chambers, we were able to reach the moisture content of different humidity levels and create the kinetic wetting curves for each sample. To measure the thermal conductivity, a heat flow meter type Holometrix 2000 was used. During the measurements, five different types of materials were used (solid brick, lightweight and foam concrete, plasterboard, corkboard). In order to reach acceptable accuracy, three measurement series were carried out on the samples at each wetting times. During one series, the thermal conductivity was measured 10 times, and the average of the 13 thermal conductivity results gave the final value. Moreover, from the measurement results, new equations and functions were created to show the relationship between the thermal conductivity and the moisture content of the materials. Our results showed that after wetting the samples in a climatic chamber at 293 K and at 90% relative humidity, the kinetic function (time dependence) of adsorbed water increased in the cases of all the materials used; however, thermal conductivity only increased considerably in the cases of the two different types of concrete and of the plasterboard. Practical application: The role of insulation materials in the building energy and moisture balance is more significant compared to the other materials of the building structures. The high moisture load will require the change of the thermal parameters of the materials. Moisture is a common cause of building degradation. In fact, much of what we know about applied building science today originates from early work investigating moisture impact on buildings, while the severity of moisture problems varies greatly depending on climate. These estimations based on the laboratory measurements of these values of the insulating materials are very important either for the manufacturers or the contractors, planners, and designers.

The article presents the results of three-year studies to determine the effectiveness of local chisel, ultra-deep chisel, chisel conventional and disk tillage when growing winter wheat after fallow in the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. It has been established that changing the plowing of local or disking soil tillage leads to an increase in the density and hardness of the arable layer. Solid chisel tillage ensures the agrophysical state of the soil at the level of plowing. Chisel loosening improves the structure of the arable layer due to an increase in the number of water resistance aggregates by 2.5–3.4 % in comparison with plowing. The methods of soil tillage in fallow have little effect on the change in the moisture content of the arable and meter layers, which is facilitated by the accumulation and retention of moisture during the maintenance of fallow. Chisel tillage contributes to an increase in soil protection efficiency of the surface by 5–7 % in comparison with plowing due to the partial preservation of crop residues in the period after harvesting the predecessor to the beginning of summer, improvement of the structure of the upper layer and differentiated redistribution of the root system. The highest level of soil protection efficiency is provided by local chisel loosening. All non-moldboard tillage in fallow contributed to an increase in the yield of wheat grain in comparison with plowing, especially after solid loosening with a chisel plow at 33-35 cm, where an increase in yield was recorded by 0.36 t/ha (9 %). An increase in the level of profitability by 16–25 % makes it possible to recommend chisel local and solid loosening by 33–35 cm in a fallow when growing winter wheat in the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Keywords: winter wheat, chisel loosening, local loosening, efficiency, density, hardness, water resistance, yield.

Soil moisture status can be measured using neutron probes, time domain reflectometry, tensiometers, gravimetric methods, and electrical resistance blocks. Most methods have limitations; they may be time-consuming (gravimetric), expensive (neutron probe, time domain), or fixed in place (tensiometer, gypsum block, and neutron probe) (Schmugge, 1980; Weems, 1991). Water management in droughty, urban areas of the country would benefit from identification of a portable, fast, and relatively inexpensive soil moisture measuring device suitable for use in urban lawns and gardens. In this study, we have identified an instrument that may be suitable for this purpose.

The relationships between penetrometer resistance (qp) and volumetric moisture content (�v) measured using the neutron method in an undisturbed transitional red-brown earth and after an~elioration by application of surface gypsum and slotted gypsum were examined. A very highly significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation was obtained between qp and �v in all treatments. The low r2 values of the regressions were attributed to heterogeneity in strength characteristics of the soil matrix, due to presence of cracks and macropores and the associated wetting patterns. The qp at any given e, was significantly reduced in the slots with lower bulk density compared to the undisturbed soil. The differences in qp- �v relationship of the undisturbed part of the soil under different ameliorative practices were attributed to changes in the swelling characteristic, and hence in the bulk density at any given �v of the undisturbed soil, caused by the presence of gypsum and the slots. Regression equations between qp and neutron count rate (n) for the undisturbed soil and for the slots were developed by combining the qp on �v relationships with the neutron meter calibration for �v measurements. The use of these regression equations and measured n values to predict changes in soil strength profiles during a wheat crop drying cycle in an undisturbed and ameliorated transitional red-brown earth was evaluated on another experimental site. There were no significant differences between the predicted and measured qp values in the non-ameliorated soil and the gypsum-slotted soil. Significant differences were observed between the predicted and measured qp values in the surface gypsum applied soil. The study shows the potential for using the neutron method as a convenient in-situ field technique to predict qp profile changes, preferably using qp on n relationships developed at the experimental site.

The paper presents development of the experimental stand for investigation of heating and drying phenomena in the porous building materials with one surface of the sample exposed to the flowing air. Moreover, results of preliminary measurements which verify the range of operating conditions achieved by the stand are shown. These conditions were assumed in the following range: 15℃-60℃, 10-90% and 0.1-10 m/s for temperature, relative humidity and velocity of the flowing air, respectively. In order to control the parameters of air used for heating and drying of porous materials, a closed-loop concept of the stand was proposed and equipped with several elements, i.e., the cooler (vapour condenser), fan with variable rotational speed, humidifier and heater. Furthermore, two parallel measurement ducts which allow to obtain two air streams with identical parameters were proposed. This enables two measurements at one time as well as faster verification of the repeatability of the performed measurements. The temperature measurements at the top surface and inside the sample are carried out applying the IR thermography and several K-type thermocouples, respectively, while overall moisture amount and the moisture content distribution in the specimen are found using tensometric force and electrical resistance meters, respectively.

Granite rock has powerful alterations at several meters of depth. The clayed sand resulting is commonly known as jabre. This “in situ” mixture of cement-stabilized soil requires a laboratory formula. Even when the test section is correctly verified, the mechanical properties of the homogeneous mixture of jabre exhibit high degrees of dispersion. The laboratory work undertaken included particle-size analysis and screening, defini­tion of liquid and plastic limits, compressive strength, dry density and moisture content over stabilized samples, modified Proctor, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and the determination of the workability of the hydrauli­cally bound mixtures. The stress resistance curve was analyzed by means of a multilinear model of unconfined compressive strength (UCS). Since practical engineering only requires UCS for 7 days, in order to gain greater knowledge of the material, other UCS transformations were used at other curing times such as 7, 14 and 28 days.

The paper assesses the effect of transformation of soil physical properties on the abundance of micromolluscs in the conditions of an urban park. The studies were carried out in Novooleksandrivskiy Park (Melitopol, Ukraine). An experimental polygon was represented by 7 transects with 18 sampling points in each. The interval between the points in the transect, as well as the interval between transects, was 3 meters. The total area of the polygon was 1,134 m2. The tree species growing within the polygon were Quercus robur, Sophora japonica, and Acer campestre. Shrubs were represented by Ulmus laevis, Tilia cordata, Celtis occidentalis, and Morus nigra. The locations of the trees and shrubs were mapped. The crowns of tree and shrub plants formed a dense canopy and a shady light regime. The grass cover was practically absent. The soil mechanical resistance, soil aggregate-size distribution, electrical conductivity of soil, soil moisture and bulk density were measured. We recorded 618 individuals of Vallonia pulchella, 120 individuals of Cochlicopa lubrica, and 58 individuals of Acanthinula aculeata within the surveyed polygon. We extracted three principal components, which could explain 60.9% of the variation in the feature space of the soil properties. The principal component 1 explained 42.0% of the variation of the feature space and depended on the soil penetration resistance throughout the whole profile, aggregate composition, density, electric conductivity and moisture content of soil. This component reflected a tendency for soil penetration resistance and soil density to increase near recreational trails. The principal component 1 was used to indicate the gradient of recreational transformation of the soil. The principal component 2 was able to explain 10.6% of the variation in the feature space. It negatively correlated with the distance from the recreational trail, soil penetration resistance at the depth of 35 cm or more, soil electrical conductivity, and the proportion of aggregates greater than 3 mm in size. This component positively correlated with soil penetration resistance at 0–5 cm depth and the proportion of aggregates less than 0.5 mm in size. This component can be interpreted as a "halo" from the recreational trail, or a gradient of indirect soil transformations adjacent to the zone of intense recreational load. The principal component 3 was able to explain 8.3% of the variation in the feature space. It positively correlated with soil penetration resistance at the depth of 20–40 cm, the proportion of 0.5–7.0 mm aggregates, and soil moisture. It negatively correlated with the proportion of aggregates larger than 7 mm and smaller than 0.25 mm. This component indicated a variation in soil properties that was induced by causes independent of recreational exposure. The extracted gradients of soil properties significantly influenced the abundance of micromollusc populations. The abundance of all species decreased after increase in recreational load. Micromollusc species responded to direct recreational exposure as plateau (C. lubrica) and asymmetric unimodal responses (V. pulchella and A. aculeata).

The importance of renewable energy for our world’s energy supply is steadily increasing. Starting last year, offshore wind parks are being developed along the German coastline following the success achieved in the onshore wind energy. The first German offshore wind energy park is be erected on the Alpha Ventus test field near the isle of Borkum, where the depth of the sea amounts to 30 meters. Due to the hazardous conditions associated with the sea water, many challenges regarding corrosion control have to be met. With the combined effects of sea water, varying moisture conditions and impact damages caused by ice and flotsam, the conventional methods of corrosion protection with mean thicknesses of 1000 μm will not suffice to protect the steel for an operating life expectancy of 25 years. As a result, the thickness of the various construction elements need to be increased beforehand leading to an excessive usage of steel. For the new corrosion protection system presented in this paper, a layer made of high performance mortar with a thickness of about ten millimeters will be sufficient to protect the steel. To unfold its protecting effect, the mortar needs to comply with stringent requirements such as exhibiting high resistance to chloride ingress, frost and abrasion.

Родовой комплекс Robinia L. представляет большой интерес для мобилизации генетических ресурсов в аридные регионы Европы, Азии и Северной Америки. Различные темпы расширения культигенных ареалов некоторых видов рода RobiniaL. несомненно связаны с особенностями их адаптации и жизненными стратегиями выживания в новых условиях существования. В связи с этим, целью данной работы являлся анализ механизмов адаптации и жизненных стратегий различных видов рода Робиния в условиях интродукции. Объектами исследований стали виды и формы родаRobinia L.: R. neomexicana Gray. (syn. Robinia luxurians (Dieck.) C. K. Shneid.); R. pseudoacacia L.; R. pseudoacacia f. pyramidalis (Pepin) Rehd.; R. pseudoacacia f. umbraculifera (DC) Rehd.; Robinia viscosa Vent. var. hartwegii (Koehne) Ashe, произрастающие в кластерных коллекционных участках ФНЦ агроэкологии РАН, кадастр №34:34:000000:122, 34:34:060061:10. Проведенные исследования позволили выявить у различных представителей родаRobinia L. целый ряд филогенетических адаптаций к воздействию неблагоприятных факторов среды, таких как сильно разветвленная корневая система, ксероморфное строение листьев, ажурность и ветропроницаемость крон, способность переносить продолжительные засухи, симбиотические связи с азотфиксирующими бактериями. Результаты исследований показали, что в процессе интродукции все виды рода Robinia L. используют ряд фенотипических онтогенетических приспособлений. Наиболее важные из них – это смена жизненной формы (дерево - кустарник, одноствольное - многоствольное дерево), а также снижение темпов роста и уменьшение общей высоты растений в зависимости от почвенного плодородия, влагообеспечения и повреждающего воздействия низких зимних температур. Так, на обыкновенных черноземах в условиях Украины в возрасте 20-и лет насаждения из Робинии псевдоакации достигают высоты 14-15 м, тогда как на светло-каштановых почвах в условиях Нижнего Поволжья в этом же возрасте они достигают всего 6 м. Кроме этого, на протяжении последних столетий представители рода Robinia L. выработали ряд генотипических адаптации к новым условиям существования. Данные приспособления являются одними из самых важных, т.к. приводят к появлению качественно новых адаптаций, расширяющих границы экологической пластичности вида. У всех видов сократились сезонные циклы фенологического развития и в настоящее время они укладываются в оптимальные сроки развития древесных интродуцентов в регионах с относительно суровым для них климатом. По показателю фенологической атипичности в условиях Нижнего Поволжья они находятся в нижней половине области нормы (от +1 до 0) по реализации фенологических фаз, что свидетельствует от том, что цикл их развития успешно адаптировался и соответствует вегетационному периоду места интродукции. Как показали наши исследования, все виды рода Robinia L. в процессе акклиматизации, перешагнула температурный порог в - 37°С. Генотипическую природу сформировавшихся адаптаций к низким зимним температурам доказывает сравнительный анализ литературных данных по морозостойкости различных видов рода Robinia L. полученных в начале XX века с данными визуальных и физиологических методов оценки проведенных на протяжении последних десятилетий. Вторым важным доказательством появления адаптаций, закрепленных на генетическом уровне является разница в зимостойкости между формами R. pseudoacacia f. pyramidalis (Pepin) Rehd., R. pseudoacacia f. umbraculifera (DC) Rehd. и типичными представителями R. pseudoacacia L. Отсутствие генетической неоднородности при вегетативном размножении указанных форм остановило процессы микроэволюции, не позволив им адаптироваться в новых условиях существования. Анализ жизненных (экологических) стратегий показал, что в растительных сообществах Робиния псевдоакация может с одинаковым успехом выступать в роли патиента или эксплерента. При этом виалентные свойства у нее выражены намного слабее. Анализ r/K стратегий выживания позволяет отнести ее к r-видам, с высоким генеративным потенциалом, коротким ювенильным и виргинильным этапом развития, способностью к натурализации. Однако, в оптимальных условиях существования в отсутствии конкуренции она, как и многие К-виды может достигать значительного возраста до 400 лет. Все виды рода Robinia L. способны к натурализации в тех или иных регионах вторичного ареала. Однако рекордсменом по этому показателю несомненно является Робиния псевдоакация. По нашему мнению, данный факт объясняется высоким генеративным потенциалом R. pseudoacacia L. по отношению к родственным видам и его высокой хозяйственной значимостью для целей лесозащитного разведения. Представители рода Robinia L. не имеют приспособлений для активного распространения семян на значительные расстояния. Натурализация (вхождение в естественные растительные сообщества) происходит, как правило, в непосредственной близости от искусственных лесозащитных насаждений. Розовоцветковые виды рода Robinia L., ввиду небольшого роста, не представляют особого интереса для целей агролесомелиорации. Данные виды используются обычно в озеленении населенных пунктов как декоративные растения. Искусственная территориальная изоляция от естественных растительных сообществ и относительно низкий генеративный потенциал не позволяют им активно проявлять инвазивные свойства. The Robinia L. genus is of great interest for mobilizing genetic resources in arid regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The different rates of expansion of cultigen areasof some species of the Robinia L. genus are undoubtedly related to the peculiarities of their adaptation and life strategies for survival in new conditions of existence. In this regard, the purpose of this work was to analyze the mechanisms of adaptation and life strategies of various species of the Robinia genus under the conditions of introduction. The objects of research were species and forms of the Robinia L. genus: R. neomexicana Gray. (syn. Robinia luxurians (Dieck.) C.K. Shneid.); R. pseudoacacia L.; R. pseudoacacia f. pyramidalis (Pepin) Rehd.; R. pseudoacaciaf. umbraculifera (DC) Rehd.; Robinia viscosa Vent. var. hartwegii (Koehne) Ashe, growing in cluster collection sites of the Federal Centerfor Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, cadastre No. 34:34:000000:122, 34:34:060061:10. Studies have revealed a number of phylogenetic adaptations to adverse environmental factors in various members of the Robinia genus, such as a highly branched root system, xeromorphic structure of leaves, opennessand wind permeability of crowns, the ability to tolerate prolonged droughts, and symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The research results have shown that all species of the Robinia L. genus use a number of phenotypic ontogenetic devices during introduction. Among them, the most important ones are the change of life form (tree – shrub, single-trunk tree – multi-trunk tree), as well as a decrease in growth rates and a decrease in the overall height of plants, depending on soil fertility, moisture supply, and the damaging effects of low winter temperatures. For example, on ordinary chernozems in Ukraine at the age of 20 years, plantings ofRobinia pseudoacacia reach a height of 14-15 m, while on light chestnut soils in the Lower Volga region at the same age, they reach only 6 meters. In addition, over the past centuries, representatives of the Robinia L. genus have developed a number of genotypic adaptations to new conditions of existence. These adaptations are among the most important ones, because they lead to the appearance of qualitatively new adaptations that expand the boundaries of ecological plasticity of the species. All species have reduced their seasonal cycles of phenological development and currently meetthe optimal time frame for the development of introduced trees in regions with a relatively harsh climate for them. According to the indicator of phenological atypicality, they are in the lower half of the normal range (from +1 to 0) in terms ofthe implementation of phenological phases, which indicates that the cycle of their development has successfully adapted and corresponds to the vegetation period of the place of introduction. As shown by the authors’research, all species of the Robinia L. genus in the process of acclimatization crossed the temperature threshold of –37°C. The genotypic nature of the formed adaptations to low winter temperatures is proved by a comparative analysis of the literature data on the frost resistance of various species of the Robinia L. genus obtained at the beginning of the 20thcentury with the data of visual and physiological assessment methods conducted over the past decades. The second important proof of the appearance of adaptations fixed at the genetic level is the difference in winter hardiness between the forms of R. pseudoacacia f. pyramidalis (Pepin) Rehd.; R. pseudoacacia f. umbraculifera (DC) Rehd. and typical representatives of R. pseudoacacia L. The absence of genetic heterogeneity in the vegetative reproduction of these forms of Robinia stopped the processes of microevolution, not allowing them to adapt to the new conditions of existence. Analysis of life (environmental) strategies has shown that in plant communities,Robiniacan equally well act as a patient or an explerent. At the same time, the violent properties of Robinia are much less pronounced. Analysis of r/K survival strategies allows classifying it as an r-species with high generative potential, short juvenile and virginal stages of development, and the ability to naturalize. However, in optimal conditions of existence in the absence of competition, Robinia, like many K-species, can reach a significant age of up to 400 years. All Robinia species are capable of naturalization in certain regions of the secondary range. However, the record holder for this indicator is undoubtedly Robiniapseudoacacia. In the authors’opinion, this fact is explained by the high generative potential of R. pseudoacacia L. in relation to related species and its high economic significance for the purposes of forest protection breeding. Representatives of the Robinia L. genus do not have adaptations for active seed propagation over long distances. Naturalization (entering natural plant communities) usually occurs in the immediate vicinity of artificial forest protection stands at a distance. Pink-flowered species of the RobiniaL.genus,due to their small growth, are not of particular interest for agroforestry purposes. These types are usually used in landscaping settlements as ornamental plants. Artificial territorial isolation from natural plant communities and relatively low generative potential do not allow them to actively exhibit invasive properties.

Abstract Background The presence and persistence of water on the leaf can affect crop performance and thus might be a relevant trait to select for or against in breeding programmes. Low-cost, rapid and relatively simple methods are of significant importance for screening of large populations of plants for moisture analysis of detached leaves. Leaf moisture can be detected using an electric circuit, where the resistance changes are proportional to the moisture of the measured surface. In this study, we present a protocol to analyse genotypic differences through the electrical properties of living or stored tissues, performed using a commercial device. Expanded and non-expanded leaves were compared to determine the effects of leaf maturity on these data. Two wheat genotypes that differ in tissue affinity for bound water were used to define the influence of water status. Results The device indirectly estimates leaf moisture content using two electrodes applied to the leaf lamina of fresh and stored samples. Single moisture readings using this moisture meter had mean execution time of ~ 1.0 min. Exponential associations provided good fits for relationships between the moisture meter reading (MMR) and the electrical resistance applied to the electrodes. MMR normalised for the water/ dry matter ratio (MMRnorm) was lower for mature leaves of the water-mutant than those of wild-type, for the fully hydrated fresh leaves. MMR of fully mature leaves when partially dehydrated and measured after 10 min at 27 °C and 40% relative humidity was greater for the water-mutant than the wild-type. Conclusions This case study provides a low-cost tool to compare electrical-resistance estimates of leaf moisture content, together with a promising and rapid phenotyping protocol for genotypic screening of wheat under standard environmental conditions. Measurement of changes in MMR with time, of fresh and partially dehydrated leaves, or of MMR normalised to tissue water content allowed for differentiation between the genotypes. Furthermore, the differences observed between genotypes that here relate particular to tissue affinity for bound water suggest that not only the free-water fraction, but also other water fractions, can affect these electrically estimated leaf moisture measures.

ABSTRACT The determination of moisture content gradients is one of the most important steps for assessing the quality of wood drying. The general aim of this work was to study the quality of air-dried teakwood boards according to the gradients of moisture content in thickness and length. Six representative boards (40 × 180 × 2,300 mm) were sampled from a stack air-dried under shelter, divided into 30 equal parts in length and measured with a resistance moisture meter, resulting in four treatments: two depths (1/4 and 1/2 thickness) and two surfaces (inner and outer) of measurement. As main results, we can conclude that the air-drying quality can be considered good, mainly for two reasons: i) the average moisture content gradients in thickness were comparable to those reported in literature for kiln-drying of less thick boards; ii) the range of average moisture content among boards (2.5 p.p.) was satisfactory for a drying process carried out without environment control. Length moisture content gradient was completely different from that reported in literature, in which no board tops had smaller moisture content than the parts comprehended in between the tops.

The objectives were to study the behavior of fifteen pre-commercial upland maize hybrids, analyze their agronomic performance regarding grain yield, and evaluate productivity components, as well as morpho-agronomic characteristics, in the Midwest Region of Brazil. Two experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Formosa-GO and Planaltina-DF, 2016/17 crop year. Both consisted of five pre-commercial maize hybrid platforms (HPA252, HPB262, HPB621, HPB646, and HPD354). Each platform consisted of three different versions: conventional, transgenic with a Bt gene that expresses the protein Cry1F, and transgenic with two Bt genes that express the proteins Cry1F and Cry1AB. The experiment was randomized blocks with four replications. The experimental plot was four lines five meters long considering the two central lines as useful. The lines were spaced 0.75 meters apart, and the final density was five plants per linear meter. To estimate grain yield, the plots were harvested, and the weight was extrapolated to kg.ha-1. The moisture was standardized at 14%. Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability using the Sisvar software. Grain yield between treatments ranged from 8,381 to 12,908 kg.ha-1, and the average yield was 11,234 kg.ha-1. The parameters evaluated were divided into two groups. The first group contained parameters determining grain yield: grain depth, thousand grains weight, number of rows of grains, number of grains per row, and grain yield. The second group contained morpho-agronomic parameters that directly interfere with resistance to lodging and plant breaking: plant height, ear insertion height, and mean stem diameter. There was no direct effect of the transgenes on the evaluated hybrids since the classification of productivity was not divided into conventional and transgenic classes. It is suggested that the HPA252YH, HP621H and HP646H versions be discarded because grain yield performance was unsatisfactory compared to their respective conventional and transgenic counterparts. The parameters GD and W1000 are more effective for grain yield estimation than NR and NG. It was observed for HP621H that, in addition to a lower grain yield, there was a significant reduction in stem diameter, indicating a possible reduction in lodging tolerance and/or plant breaking when exposed to adverse climatic conditions such as windstorms. For the HPD354H version, the release of the transgenic counterpart HPD354YH is preferentially indicated since the H version had a significant reduction in stem diameter and a possible greater tolerance to lodging and/or plant breaking under the same conditions.

ABSTRACT One might expect yeasts in soil to be highly dispersed via water or insects, forming ephemeral, genetically heterogeneous populations subject to competition and environmental stochasticity. Here, we report persistence of genotypes of the yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus in space and time. Within 1 km 2 in a mixed hardwood forest on scales from centimeters to tens of meters, we detected persistence over 3 years of native genotypes, identified by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genome-wide, of the wild yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus growing around Quercus rubra and Quercus alba . Yeasts were recovered by enrichment in ethanol-containing medium, which measures only presence or absence, not abundance. Additional transplantation experiments employed strains marked with spontaneous defects in the URA3 gene, which also confer resistance to 5-fluoroorotic acid (5FOA). Plating soil suspensions from transplant sites on 5FOA-containing medium permitted one-step quantification of yeast CFU, with no interference from other unmarked yeasts or microorganisms. After an initial steep decrease in abundance, the yeast densities fluctuated over time, increasing in association with rainfall and decreasing in association with drought. After 18 months, the transplanted yeasts remained in place on the nine sites. In vitro transplantation experiments into nonsterile soil in petri dishes showed similar patterns of persistence and response to moisture and drought. To determine whether Saccharomyces cerevisiae , not previously recovered from soils regionally, can persist in our cold climate sites, we transplanted marked S. cerevisiae alone and in mixture with S. paradoxus in the fall of 2017. Five months later, S. cerevisiae persisted to the same extent as S. paradoxus . IMPORTANCE Saccharomyces yeasts are intensively studied in biological research and in their domesticated roles in brewing and baking, and yet, remarkably little is known about their mode of life in forest soils. We report here that resident genotypes of the yeast S. paradoxus are persistent on a time scale of years in their microhabitats in forest soils. We also show that resident genotypes can be replaced by transplanted yeast genotypes. The high inoculum levels in experimental transplantations rapidly decreased over time, but the transplanted genotypes persisted at low abundance. We conclude that, in forest soils, Saccharomyces yeasts exist at very low abundance and that dispersal events are rare.