Programmable Integrator

ABSTRACT

The programmable integrator is a digital instrument used for estimating the area or coulombs rapidly and accurately in any portion of I-t curve (current-time). There are two ways by which programming can be done. In the first method, the scanning potential limits have to be set, The instrument measures the coulombs directly irrespective of scan rate. Integration can be carried out on any I-t curve which is got by varying sweep signal in a programmed mode. In the second method, starting potential and period of integration have to be set. Integration will be carried out from the instant the sweep reaches the starting potential for the programmed time period.     

The Response of First Flowering Dates to Abrupt Climate Change in Beijing

T Phenological data on the First Flowering Date (FFD) of woody plants in Beijing from 1963-2007 are analyzed. The correlation between each species' yearly FFD and the mean monthly temperatures for every year over a 45-year period is used to identify the month in which temperature has the most effect on FFD. Through further analysis, the FFDs of 48 woody plant species are shown to have advanced an average of 5.4 days from 1990-2007 compared to 1963-1989. The results indicate that 70.8% of species flowered significantly earlier (7 days on average) during the period 1990-2007, while only one species (2.1%) flowered significantly later. Moreover, the responses of FFD to climate change are shown to be different in two climatic stages, defined by an abrupt climate change point. Thirty-three species which first flower in March and April are sensitive to temperature are examined. The correlation coefficients between FFD and temperature for 20 species during the latter period (1990-2007) are shown to be larger than during the former period (1963- 1989), with a difference of around -0.87 days per 1℃ on average. The paper concludes that with the warming of climate, the linear trend of FFD variation, as well as its responsiveness to temperature, became more prominent during 1990-2007 than 1963-1989. The data analyzed in this study present a strong biological indicator of climate change in Beijing, and provide further confirmation of previous results from regional and local studies across the Northern Hemisphere. Phenophase variations indicate that the climate is changing rapidly.     

General phenological model to characterise the timing of flowering and veraison of Vitis vinifera L.

Background and Aims: Phenological models, which are based on responses of the plant to temperature, are useful tools to predict grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) phenology in various climate conditions. This study aimed to develop a single process‐based phenological model at the species level to predict two important stages of development for V. vinifera L.: flowering and veraison. Methods and Results: Three different phenological models were tested and the model that gave the best results was optimised for its parameters. The chosen model Spring Warming was found optimal with regard to the trade‐off between parsimony of input parameters and efficiency. The base temperature (Tb) of 0°C calculated from the 60th day (t₀) of the year (for the Northern hemisphere) was found to be the most optimal parameter set tested. This model henceforth referred to as the Grapevine Flowering Veraison model (GFV) was successfully validated at the varietal level using an independent dataset. Conclusions: A general phenological model, GFV, has been successfully developed to characterise the timing of flowering and veraison for the grapevine. Significance of the Study: The model is simple for the user, can be successfully applied to many varieties and can be used as an easy predictor of phenology for different varieties under climate change scenarios.     

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Terpenoids in Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in Relation to Feeding by Adelges tsugae

The terpenoid content of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) foliage was measured over an annual cycle of development from bud opening, shoot elongation, shoot maturation, to bud-break at the start of the next growing season. The objective was to determine if variation in terpenoid composition is linked with spatial and temporal feeding preferences of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA; Adelges tsugae). The HWA has two periods of feeding over the course of 1 yr spanning two complete generations. There are two periods of feeding separated by a nonfeeding period where the adelgid estivates. HWA prefers to feed on mature, rather than young, expanding tissue. Feeding occurs in the leaf cushion at the base of the needle. The needle is the only tissue in hemlock with resin canals that store terpenoids. The needle and leaf cushion of both the current and previous years’ growth were analyzed separately over a 1-yr period to examine the variation of terpenoid composition in space and time. Terpenoids were quantified by using headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME/GC/MS). New growth needles and leaf cushions do not resemble the previous year’s growth either visually or in chemical composition until October/November, when the adelgid breaks estivation and begins feeding. Nearly all of the 23 terpenoids present exceeding 0.1% varied significantly either temporally or spatially, usually with complex interactions. Ordination and factor analysis revealed that terpenoids are less variable in mature leaf cushions than in young tissue. By entering a nonfeeding diapause during the late spring and summer, HWA avoids the unstable, variable levels of terpenoids in the immature leaf cushion and needles.     

CHANGES OVER TIME IN THE ALLELOCHEMICAL CONTENT OF TEN CULTIVARS OF RYE (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale cereale</Emphasis> L.)

Published studies focused on characterizing the allelopathy-based weed suppression by rye cover crop mulch have provided varying and inconsistent estimates of weed suppression. Studies were initiated to examine several factors that could influence the weed suppressiveness of rye: kill date, cultivar, and soil fertility. Ten cultivars of rye were planted with four rates of nitrogen fertilization, and tissue from each of these treatment combinations was harvested three times during the growing season. Concentrations of a known rye allelochemical DIBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-(2H)benzoxazine-3-one) were quantified from the harvested rye tissue using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phytotoxicity observed from aqueous extracts of the harvested rye tissue correlated with the levels of DIBOA recovered in harvested tissue. The amount of DIBOA in rye tissue varied depending on harvest date and rye cultivar, but was generally lower with all cultivars when rye was harvested later in the season. However, the late maturing variety Wheeler retained greater concentrations of DIBOA in comparison to other rye cultivars when harvested later in the season. The decline in DIBOA concentrations as rye matures, and the fact that many rye cultivars mature at different rates may help explain why estimates of weed suppression from allelopathic agents in rye have varied so widely in the literature.     

1980~2019年北疆积雪时空变化与气候和植被的关系

利用1980~2019年中国长时间序列的AVHRR逐日无云积雪面积产品和气象站实测雪深资料计算积雪日数、积雪初日、积雪终日、积雪期、雪深等积雪物候参数,研究积雪物候的时空分布变化,同时结合ECMWF-ERA5再分析资料和GIMMS NDVI3g数据集分别提取气象因子（气温、降水）和植被因子（返青期、枯黄期、生长期）,探究北疆积雪物候变化对气象因子和植被因子的响应。结果表明：北疆近40 a间的平均积雪日数为81.62 d/a,73%的区域为稳定积雪区,积雪初日在11月、终日在3月,积雪期为每年11月初至次年3月底4月初;空间上呈现不均匀分布,其中阿勒泰山地区、天山地区、大部分塔城盆地和额尔齐斯谷地区为主要积雪区,1980~2019年间北疆积雪覆盖面积比例、积雪日数和积雪期逐年降低,积雪初日基本没变,但积雪终日显著提前;ECMWF-ERA5再分析资料表明1980~2019年北疆积雪期降水量无明显变化,但积雪覆盖面积比例显著降低,说明降雪区雪深可能增加,这与北疆气象站实测雪深逐渐增加结果相吻合;平均气温与积雪期积雪覆盖面积比例、积雪日数、积雪期长度相关性较大,呈现显著负相关,积雪期降水量与积雪物候参数呈现正相关;积雪物候及其气候效应引起北疆自然植被返青期显著提前,植被生长期延长的特征。     

基于NDVI数据的江苏省植被物候变化及其影响因子分析

以气候变暖为主要特征的全球气候变化与生态系统的相互作用成为影响可持续发展的重要因素。植被作为陆地生态系统的主要组成部分,在生态环境评价及碳水循环等方面具有重要作用。以江苏省为研究区,利用长时间序列的GIMMS NDVI3g数据集和气象数据,采用Logistic函数法提取该区域过去34 a(1982~2015年)植被生长期物候(Start Of Season SOS,End Of Season EOS)变化的时空分布特征,并用相关性分析法定量确定主要气象因子(温度、降水)对物候变化的贡献。结果表明：①空间上,从江苏省南部到北部,SOS呈递增趋势,EOS呈递减趋势;②时间上,大部分(83.1%)像元的SOS提前,主要分布在江苏省中部及北部地区,大多提前1~2 d/a,69.2%像元的EOS延后,大多延后0~1 d/a;③植被生长期开始SOS/EOS对温度、降水有明显响应,70.5%像元的SOS与温度呈负相关,主要位于江苏省北部及少部分南部地区,55.5%像元的SOS与降水呈负相关,55.2%像元的EOS与温度呈正相关,71.2%像元的EOS与降水呈负相关。整体上,温度的升高导致生长期提前,降水对SOS具有双向作用,秋季物候的影响因子更为复杂,温度和降水的变化并不能导致EOS的提前或者推迟。本研究加深对气候变化与植被生态系统相互作用过程的认识,为未来植被及气候变化分析提供参考。