Effect of fiber friction, yarn twist, and splicing air pressure on yarn splicing performance

The impact of fiber friction, yarn twist, and splicing air pressure on mechanical and structural properties of spliced portion have been reported in the present paper. The mechanical properties include the tensile and bending related properties and, in the structural properties, the diameter and packing density of the splices are studied. A three variable three level factorial design approach proposed by Box and Behnken has been used to design the experiment. The results indicate that there is a strong correlation between retained spliced strength (RSS) and retained splice elongation (RSE) with all the experimental variables. It has been observed that RSS increases with the increase in splice air pressure and after certain level it drops, whereas it consistently increases with the increase in yarn twist. The RSE increases with the increase in both fiber friction and yarn twist. It has also been observed that the yarn twist and splicing air pressure have significant influence on splice diameter, percent increase in diameter and retained packing coefficient, but the fiber friction has negligible influence on these parameters. Yarn twist and splicing air pressure has a strong correlation with splice flexural rigidity, where as poor correlation with retained flexural rigidity.     

Effects of material properties and fabric structure characteristics of graduated compression stockings (GCS) on the skin pressure distributions

Graduated compression stockings (GCS) have been widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous diseases. Their gradient pressure function largely related to their fabric structure and material properties. By combing fabric physical testing and wear trials, this study investigated the GCSs fabric structure and material properties at different locations along the stocking hoses, and quantitatively analyzed the effects of fabrics on skin pressure longitudinal and transverse distributions. We concluded that, Structural characteristics and material properties of stocking fabrics were not uniform along the hoses, but a gradual variation from ankle to thigh regions, which significantly influenced the corresponding skin pressure gradient distributions; Tensile (WT, EM) and shearing properties (G) generated most significant differences among ankle, knee and thigh regions along the stocking hose, which significantly influenced the skin pressure lognitudinal gradient distribution. More material indices generating significant gradual changes occurred in the fabric wale direction along stocking hose, meaning that materials properties in wale direction would exert more important impact on the skin pressure gradient performances. And, the greater tensibility and smoother surface of fabric in wale direction would contribute to put stocking on and off, and facilitate wearers’ leg extension-flexion movements. The indices of WT and EM of stocking fabrics in series A have strong linear correlations with skin pressure lognitudinal distribution, which largely related to their better performances in gradual changes of material properties. Skin pressure applied by fabric with same material properties produced pronounced differences among four different directions around certain cross-sections of human leg, especially at the ankle region; and, the skin pressure magnitudes at ankle region were more easily influenced by the materials properties, which were considered to be largely related to the anatomic structure of human leg.     

A nucleotide substitution at the 5′ splice site of intron 1 of rice HEADING DATE 1(HD1) gene homolog in foxtail millet,broadly found in landraces from Europe and Asia

We investigated genetic variation of a rice HEADING DATE 1(HD1) homolog in foxtail millet.First, we searched for a rice HD1 homolog in a foxtail millet genome sequence and designed primers to amplify the entire coding sequence of the gene. We compared full HD1 gene sequences of 11 accessions(including Yugu 1, a Chinese cultivar used for genome sequencing) from various regions in Europe and Asia, found a nucleotide substitution at a putative splice site of intron 1, and designated the accessions with the nucleotide substitution as carrying a splicing variant. We verified by RT-PCR that this single nucleotide substitution causes aberrant splicing of intron 1. We investigated the geographical distribution of the splicing variant in 480 accessions of foxtail millet from various regions of Europe and Asia and part of Africa by d CAPS and found that the splicing variant is broadly distributed in Europe and Asia. Differences of heading times between accessions with wild type allele of the HD1 gene and those with the splicing variant allele were unclear. We also investigated variation in 13 accessions of ssp. viridis, the wild ancestor, and the results suggested that the wild type is predominant in the wild ancestor.     

Changes in Chlorophyll Fluorescence of Rice Mutants Induced by High Hydrostatic Pressure

Three mutants of rice (Oryza sativa L. ), Mutant 1, Mutant 2 and Mutant 3, which were selected by high hydrostatic pressure (75 MPa), and their parent Yuexiangzhan were used to study the changes in chlorophyll fluorescence during different growth stages. In all the three mutants, the function of PS Ⅱ was improved, Fv/ Fm ratio of mutants increased compared to their parent at tillering and heading stage, and ФPS Ⅱ also improved except for Mutant 2 at heading stage. Similar to their parent, the mutants exhibited slight photoinhibition at noon and almost complete recovery to initial levels of 6:00 after 18:00 at heading stage. At milking stage, the photoinhibition in the mutants was obvious, and recovered rapidly compared to the parent. Yields of individual plant and grain/straw ratio were also higher in three mutants than the parent. Results indicated that characteristics of chlorophyll fluorescence in leaves of mutants and their photoinhibition in the field had changed. It is suggested that high hydrostatic pressure induction could be applied as a new effective approach in high-yield rice breeding in the future.     

Age and sex related variations in protein and carbohydrate levels of Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in constant lightness and darkness

Variations in protein and carbohydrate levels correlated with the age and sex of Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in constant lightness and darkness were investigated. Tests were conducted under laboratory conditions at 28 +/- 2 degrees C temperature and 65 +/- 5% relative humidity. Insects were fed on combs without honey. Protein level in 100 mg of adults increased in the first days of adult life of females in connection with their age and then decreased. No difference was observed in males. Carbohydrate level in 100 mg of adults increased in both sexes in connection with their age. In all tests carbohydrate and protein levels of females were found higher than males. Protein and carbohydrate levels of adult G. mellonella varied in connection with the photoperiod regimes implemented. Decrease in the nutrient levels was observed in constant darkness.     

动态超高压改性芒果皮渣膳食纤维对果酱流变特性的影响

本研究以芒果皮渣为研究对象,采用动态超高压技术处理芒果皮渣膳食纤维,研究其粒度、膳食纤维含量以及添加了该膳食纤维对果酱流变特性的影响。结果表明：超高压改性提高了芒果皮渣膳食纤维的溶解性;随着压力的增大,膳食纤维粒径先增大后减小再增加,120 MPa时粒径达到18.218 μm。流变特性研究发现,芒果皮渣膳食纤维/果酱复配体系为非牛顿流体,具有假塑性流体特征;果酱粘度随着剪切速率的增大而减小,存在明显的剪切稀化现象;动态粘弹性测试结果表明,果酱复配体系的贮能模量（G′）与损耗模量（G′′）均随角频率的增加而呈上升趋势,损耗正切值也随着压力的增加而增加,在150 MPa时流体性质最明显。     

Impregnation modification of sugar palm fibres with phenol formaldehyde and unsaturated polyester

This study investigated the effects of impregnation modification via vacuum resin impregnation on physical and mechanical properties of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibres. The fibre was evacuated at a constant impregnation pressure of 1000 mmHg impregnation times (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min) with two different impregnation agents: phenol formaldehyde (PF) and unsaturated polyester (UP). A notable improvement in the physical properties of sugar palm fibres was observed after they were impregnated with PF and UP for 5 min, shown by the reduction of their moisture content (91 % and 89 %, respectively) and water absorption (43 % and 41 %, respectively) compared to the control sample. However, no significant improvement (p≤0.05) in the physical properties of fibre was observed when the impregnation time was extended (from 10 to 25 min) using both impregnation agents. As for the mechanical properties of the fibre, significant improvement was observed after they were impregnated for 5 min. The fibres impregnated with UP resulted in better fibre toughness and improved mechanical properties as shown in their higher tensile strength and elongation at break compared to the fibres impregnated with PF. Both the physical and mechanical properties showed no significant improvement (p≤0.05) after time for impregnation was extended (from 10 to 25 min) using both impregnation agents. Therefore, it can be concluded that the physical and mechanical properties of sugar palm fibre could be enhanced by impregnating the fibre with thermosetting polymer (PF and UP) for 5 min. It was shown that impregnation with unsaturated polyester (UP) showed better improvement than phenol formaldehyde (PF). In addition, this study also concluded that the unsatisfactory enhancement of the properties of sugar palm fibre even after the impregnation time was extended from 10 to 25 min was due to the use of low impregnation pressure of 1000 mmHg.     

超高压处理对作物的生物学效应研究进展

超高压技术作为一种新的诱变技术,在作物育种中得到越来越多的应用.超高压技术具有诱导产生的变异可遗传、后代易稳定、设备简单、成本低、对人和环境无污染等特点,是产生新基因源和创造新种质的有效方法之一.本文简要介绍了超高压技术、超高压处理对作物生长发育、农艺性状、生理生化特性、分子遗传学影响的最新研究进展,分析了存在的问题,并对超高压技术在作物育种上的应用前景进行了讨论和展望.     

The effect of biodegradable organic acids on the improvement of cotton ink-jet printing and antibacterial activity

In this study, various biodegradable organic acids with varying numbers of carboxylic acid groups were incorporated into the ink formulation both in the presence and absence of sodium hypophosphite (SHP) to investigate the colour yield and antibacterial properties. Ink-jet prints on cotton fabric, which were either pretreated (industry standard practice) or non-pretreated, were analyzed to determine if there is a significant difference in their properties. Antibacterial activities and dye fixation of printed cotton fabrics were also tested. The results indicated that at optimum pH, the non-pre-treated samples printed with ink formulations containing more carboxylic acid groups in their structure (BTCA) in the absence of SHP, demonstrated higher levels of reactive dye fixation and antibacterial properties than pre-treated samples containing no biodegradable organic acid in the ink formulation. The printed cotton fabrics with ink formulation that contained BTCA without dye were characterized by ATR-FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and their morphology was investigated through the use of SEM to determine if cross-linking had taken place.     

The influence of corona discharge treatment on the properties of cotton and polyester-cotton knitted fabrics

In this study, the effect of corona discharge treatment on the physical and mechanical properties of bleached cotton and polyester-cotton fabrics were investigated. For this purpose, the samples were treated by corona discharge at two levels of voltage 5 and 10 kV, and at various duration times of plasma, ca. 1.4, 2.1 and 3.5 min. The corona discharge treatment was applied on the fabric samples before and after bleaching treatment. The results show that the corona influences on the surface morphology, breaking strength, air permeability, abrasion resistance, and pilling of cotton and polyester-cotton fabrics. Moreover, the levels of voltage and duration of plasma have a different effect on the properties of fabrics.     

Prediction models for audible distance using mechanical and psychoacoustic parameters of combat uniform fabrics

A short audible distance for the rustling sound of combat uniform fabric helps to reduce soldiers’ exposure to the enemy forces. The objectives of this study were to evaluate mechanical properties and sound characteristics of combat uniform fabrics, to investigate their influence on audible distance at which fabric’s rustling sound can be reached to human ear, and to establish prediction models for audible distance using mechanical and psychoacoustic parameters. Six types of combat uniform fabrics were used as test specimen. Mechanical properties of the specimens were measured according to the KES-FB system and the acoustic characteristics of the fabrics were analyzed by the Sound Quality System. Audible distances of the fabric sounds were assessed by 30 male soldiers. The audible distances were determined by the distance of which the participants walked away from a starting point in a straight line until they could not hear the sound. Water repellent finished fabric (W-WR), which showed the highest values of bending rigidity, shear stiffness, sound pressure level, loudness(Z) and sharpness(Z) among all fabrics, had the longist audible distance. Fabric for summer season (W-S) had the shortest audible distance in all frictional speed levels, which indicates the best auditory camouflage performance. Coefficient of friction was chosen as the variable affecting loudness(Z) of fabric sounds. Loudness(Z) was finally chosen as the prediction parameter for the audible distance by path analysis.     

A survey analysis of grassland dairy farming in Ireland,investigating grassland management,technology adoption and sward renewal

The objective of this study was to identify and understand grassland management practices employed on dairy farms in the Republic of Ireland, including grazing‐season length, concentrate‐feed input, uptake of new grassland‐management technologies and frequency and methods of sward renewal. The sample population for the survey was chosen from a proportionate representation of all milk suppliers taken from three of the largest dairy processors in the Republic of Ireland. The sample was subsequently broken down into three stocking rate (SR) and three size categories of milk quota (Qcat) to investigate their effects on the survey variables. Both SR and Qcat had significant effects on the proportion of participants adopting grass‐based technologies and on the amount of supplementary feed offered. Grazing‐season length increased from 228 d in Qcat1 to 249 d in Qcat 3 but was unaffected by SR (241 d; s.d. 3·05). The proportion of the grazing area reseeded annually was significantly affected by SR, increasing from 0·044 to 0·095 of the grassland area as SR increased from SR1 to SR3, with no effect of Qcat (0·068). The results show that on‐farm grass utilization is low, with significant potential for expansion and increased efficiency through increased SRs, greater adoption of grassland‐management technologies and higher levels of sward renewal.     

Insecticidal efficacy of phosphine fumigation at low pressure against major stored-product insect species in a commercial dried fig processing facility

We investigated the application of phosphine at low pressure for various exposure durations against major stored-product insects in a commercial dried fig processing facility in Central Greece. Trials were carried out inside a chamber, in which phosphine, in the form of aluminium phosphide pellets, was introduced with the use of a phosphine generator. The generator unit was also equipped with a vacuum pump to achieve low pressure inside the chamber. The chamber was filled with pallets with boxes containing figs. The insects tested were Tribolium confusum (all life stages), Ephestia elutella (eggs and larvae), Sitophilus oryzae (adults), Sitophilus granarius (adults), Rhyzopertha dominica (adults), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (adults) and Prostephanus truncatus (adults). Moreover, wheat grains containing immature stages of S. oryzae were also used. All insect-life stage combinations were exposed to phosphine at low pressure for 18, 48 and 72 h. In most cases, significant differences in mortality of insects treated with phosphine at low pressure compared to the control treatments were recorded. However, complete control (100%) was recorded only in the case of O. surinamensis adults and T. confusum larvae after exposure for 48 and 72 h, respectively. We conclude that the combined application of phosphine and low pressure at short exposure durations (up to 72 h) cannot provide sufficient control at least against the stored-product insect species and life stages tested in the present study.     

Effect of medium hydrostatic pressure on the properties of wheat flour main biopolymers

In our work, the effect of medium hydrostatic pressure on the properties of wheat flour's main ingredients, starch and proteins, is presented and discussed. The symbiotic effect of the different constituents via size exclusion chromatography, water binding, gelatinization experiments as well as atomic force microscopy measurements and X-ray diffraction is elucidated. From results of size exclusion chromatography and protein content analysis, prolamin fractions seemed to be most sensitive to pressure. Hydrostatic pressure, however, had a significant influence on the amount of bound water and gelatinization enthalpy, especially at moderate pressures and higher temperatures. In this case, an optimal interaction between macromolecules and water occurs. This was also confirmed by atomic force microscopy images and X-ray diffraction patterns. Amorphous and crystalline regions of starch granules were modified, depending on pressure and temperature. At medium pressure (200 MPa), water was pressed into the starch cavities remaining there, whereas higher pressure (600 MPa) led to complete flattening of the surface. With X-ray diffraction, it was shown that medium pressure had nearly no effect on molecular structure, whereas higher pressure caused thermal-like molecular modifications.     

Genetic variability of transpiration response to vapor pressure deficit among soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) genotypes selected from a recombinant inbred line population

Limited observations of soybean plant response of transpiration rate (TR) to vapor pressure deficit (VPD) have indicated the existence of genotypes with nearly constant TR at high VPD. The range of expression of this trait in a given population within a species has not been explored. To initiate study of this possibility, 22 genotypes from a RIL population derived from a cross of PI 416937 and Benning were characterized for their VPD response. Genotype PI 416937 has been shown to reach a maximum TR at a VPD as low as 2 kPa. Surprisingly, Benning was not found to have a continually increasing TR with VPD, but rather it had a two-segment TR response very similar to PI 416937. Unexpectedly, only one of the studied RILs had a TR response similar to the parents. Thirteen RILs had a continually increasing TR with increasing VPD. Eight RILs reached a maximum TR occurring at VPD of about 1.3 kPa, significantly lower value than that of the parents. While the inheritance of the maximum TR trait is clearly complex, these results offer encouragement that the VPD at which plants limit TR might vary so that the trait can be tailored to maximize potential yield increase in different water-deficit environments.     

Effects of blanching conditions on the mechanical properties of french fry strips

Control of the various processing operations is crucial for achieving optimal texture in french fries. This, in turn, requires precise measurement of the effect of each processing operation on the mechanical properties of the fries. A puncture test was used to measure the effects of blanching and freezing on peak force of french fry strips. Potatoes (cv. Russet Burbank) were grown at two locations in Manitoba in 1994 and 1995. Two blanching treatments (a 1-stage process, and a 2-stage process with a low-temperature long-time step) were followed by blast freezing. Strip position within the tuber was found to be a major source of variation for mechanical properties. Because peak force varied widely within and between tubers, it was necessary to compare the efficacy of the two blanching regimes using a pair of strips taken from as close a position as possible in the tuber. For both locations and crop years, blanched french fry strips taken from the pith of the tuber (referred to as inner strips), exhibited higher peak force than outer strips taken from the cortex. The 2-stage blanching process decreased the variation seen in the mechanical properties of different potato strips. Overall, strips blanched by the 2-stage process had significantly higher peak force than strips blanched by a single blanching process. The effect of blanching was evident in the mechanical properties of strips even after freezing and thawing. Microstructural analysis revealed that cells in the outer strips had a “balloon-like” appearance due to the degree of starch swelling pressure generated by swollen granules. For inner strips, this “balloon-like” appearance was less evident. Such appearance is in support of the starch swelling pressure hypothesis. The research shows that measurement of the effect of processing can be achieved by comparing treatments on adjacent strips in order to minimize variation between strips, and that a 2-stage blanching treatment can ameliorate texture differences between strips taken from different parts of the tuber.     

茶树橙花叔醇合成酶CsNES基因两个可变剪接转录本的功能分析

茶树橙花叔醇合成酶CsNES是催化(E)-橙花叔醇生物合成的关键酶。基于茶树全长转录本及基因组数据分析显示,橙花叔醇合成酶基因CsNES除全长转录本外,还存在两个较短的可变剪接基因亚型。利用5′RACE方法验证了CsNES基因分别在第二、三个外显子上存在可变的转录起始位点,并命名为CsNES-2和CsNES-3。体外蛋白重组显示,CsNES-2和CsNES-3表达产物均能够催化底物法尼基焦磷酸FPP生成(E)-橙花叔醇。基因表达分析显示,CsNES-2和CsNES-3在花中的表达量较高,在叶片中的表达水平较弱,而在嫩叶中的表达水平显著高于成熟叶片。在激素GA和MeJA处理下,CsNES-2和CsNES-3能够被MeJA诱导并上调表达。结果表明,CsNES基因存在5′端可变剪接事件,且其可变剪接产物具有催化活性,这为后续研究基因可变剪接机制对茶树萜类代谢的调控有重要指导意义。     

Numerical simulation of internal stress profiles and three-dimensional deformations of lower extremity beneath medical graduated compression stocking (GCS)

The most significant medical function of graduated compression stocking (GCS) is to provide controlled support and pressure to the skin surface and the underlying tissues of the lower extremity, to prevent and treat venous disease, thus improving the blood circulation. However, due to lack of suitable technologies for the experimental measurements, the transfer mechanisms of the external pressure applied by GCS and internal stress states within the leg soft tissue were not well examined, which bring some difficulties to GCS compression design. The present study numerically simulated and analyzed surface pressure applied by GCS and the cross-sectional deformations at the target region of leg. The underlying tissues stress profiles as well as their dynamic alterations with time processing were presented and quantitatively investigated. Moreover, the medical significance of the cross-sectional inner stress distributions was discussed. The validation results indicated that the simulated pressure profiles applied by GCS agreed reasonably well with the measured ones. The developed biomechanical model can be used for prediction and analysis of the pressure functional performances applied by GCSs, thus helping us more understanding mechanisms of compression action and improving their medical functions.