Evaluation of mechanical properties of jute/glass/carbon fibers reinforced hybrid composites

A study on the tensile and flexural properties of jute-glass-carbon fibers reinforced epoxy hybrid composites in inter-ply configuration is presented in this paper. Test specimens were manufactured by hand lay-up process and their tensile and flexural properties were obtained. The effects of the hybridization, different fibers content and plies stacking sequence on the mechanical properties of the tested hybrid composites were investigated. Two-parameter Weibull distribution function was used to statistically analyze the experimental results. The failure probability graphs for the tested composites were drawn. These graphs are important tools for helping the designers to understand and choose the suitable material for the required design and development. Results showed that the hybridization process can potentially improve the tensile and flexural properties of jute reinforced composite. The flexural strength decreases when partial laminas from a carbon/epoxy laminate are replaced by glass/epoxy or jute/epoxy laminas. Also, it is realized that incorporating high strength fibers to the outer layers of the composite leads to higher flexural resistance, whilst the order of the layers doesn’t affect the tensile properties.     

Silage and total mixed ration hygienic quality on commercial farms: implications for animal production

Implications of silage hygienic quality for animal production were investigated on forty‐five dairy farms in South West England. Samples of grass and maize silages and of total mixed rations (TMR) were obtained together with information on silage technology, herd size and animal production. Samples were analysed for mycotoxins, bacteria, yeasts, moulds and chemical composition. Thirteen mycotoxins were assayed, but none were detected in the samples of grass silage. However, mycotoxins were found in 0·9 of all maize and other silage samples, with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone predominating. There was no relationship between total mycotoxin concentration and mean lactation milk yield per cow. Enterobacteria counts tended to be higher in maize silage than in grass silage and higher still in TMR – a cause for concern. There were no relationships between mould counts and mycotoxin concentrations in silages, implying that mycotoxins may have been produced in the field pre‐ensiling.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in response to a restoration of longitudinal connectivity

To examine the role of longitudinal connectivity on the spatial and temporal dynamics of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), we quantified movement and population dynamics following installation of the Landsburg Dam fishway, Cedar River, WA, USA. Mountain whitefish is widely distributed, poorly studied and not the focus of restoration. Before the fishway, mountain whitefish were not observed above the dam. Here, we focus on snorkel counts collected at reach and mesohabitat (e.g. pools) scales over 11 summers on the 20‐km above‐dam segment following restoration. A camera within the ladder provided number, size and movement timing, thereby informing on behaviour and recolonisation. Segment‐scale abundance increased following fish passage reaching an asymptote in 7 years, and mountain whitefish were detected throughout the main stem in 10 years. Annual movement through the ladder increased over time and was positively correlated with instream abundance and discharge, but negatively correlated with water temperature. About 60% of fish movements occurred in spring and early summer, potentially for foraging opportunities. Reach‐scale abundance peaked between 7 and 10 km from the dam; deep, cool (~10.6 to 11.6°C) conditions characterised these reaches. At the mesohabitat scale, mountain whitefish detection increased with depth and velocity after accounting for distance from the dam. Our results show how restoring longitudinal connectivity allowed this nontarget species to colonise newly available habitat. Their response supports the critical roles of longitudinal connectivity and environmental conditions, that manifest at different spatial scales, in dictating how freshwater fish respond to habitat disturbance.     

木材硅石改性剂的制备工艺

为了降低木材硅化改性成本促其应用,直接将固态硅石粉高效液态活化,通过正交试验和极差分析优化制备了木材硅石改性剂,测试分析了浸渍改性杨木的性能。结果表明:①反应时间和原料n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)对活化溶液的pH值、黏度和密度影响不显著,碱料种类和反应温度对活化溶液的黏度、密度、SiO2转化率、固体质量分数和生产成本影响显著,对溶液性能综合影响最大的是反应温度和碱料种类,其次是n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)和反应时间;②pH值随反应时间、温度和n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)增大而减小,密度、黏度、固体质量分数、SiO2转化率和模数随反应时间、温度和n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)增大而增大,KOH活化效果更好但价格较高,综合平衡优化工艺为:反应温度200℃、碱料为NaOH、n(SiO2)∶n(NaOH)=1.715∶1、反应时间4 h;③硅石改性剂能充分渗入杨木,使其吸药量达252%,密度提高81%,抗弯强度提高69.6%,炭化温度减小89℃,残炭率提高41%,改性效果优于硅溶胶。     

The ecosystem services concept: a new Esperanto to facilitate participatory planning processes?

Landscape Ecology - Several case studies investigated the role of ecosystem services in participatory planning processes. However, no systematic study exists that cuts across a large number of...     

The advantages of the use of vitamin E and selenium for the prevention and therapy of porcine stress syndrome

In a feeding trial lasting for months Halothane-positive fattening pigs were put on a diet containing different concentrations of vitamin E and selenium. After a Myostress application vitamin E and selenium were additionally injected in order to examine stress resistance (CK-test) and regenerative capacity (histological examination of Musculus longissimus dorsi) of skeletal muscle. The study revealed that neither high dietary levels of vitamin E/selenium nor a vitamin E/selenium treatment applied after stress are capable of preventing stress related myopathy nor can they influence its healing up favourably.     

Epidermal growth factor-like activity in mares' milk.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like activity was measured in mares' colostrum and milk by radioreceptor assay. Milk samples were collected from 22 mares 1 or more times during early lactation. Samples of colostrum were taken after parturition and before the foal first suckled (presuckle), within 6 hours after the foal first suckled (postsuckle), and on days 1, 2, 4, and 8 of lactation. In the 5 mares from which milk samples were obtained at each sampling time, presuckle colostral mean EGF-like activity (17.8 ng/ml) was greatest (P less than 0.05). The mean values for EGF-like activity at all other sampling times were not significantly different from each other (postsuckle colostrum, 9.7 ng/ml; day 1, 9.6 ng/ml; day 2, 8.5 ng/ml; day 4, 8.0 ng/ml; day 8, 7.8 ng/ml).     

Immunodeficiency associated with lymphosarcoma in a horse.

Immune system dysfunction and immunoglobulin deficiency was diagnosed in a 2-year-old horse with disseminated lymphosarcoma. Prolonged (35 days) parenteral nutrition was delivered to support the horse during a period in which immune function studies could be performed. Correction of nutritional compromise by use of parenteral nutrition did not correct the immunoglobulin deficiency, and results of lymphocyte phenotype testing did not indicate abnormal proportions of leukocytes. Lymphoblast transformation studies were suggestive of a circulating immunosuppressive factor in the horse's serum. Normal cell function was detected when the cells were stimulated in precolostral equine serum.     

Effect of a supply of raw or extruded rapeseeds on digestion in dairy cows.

The influence of extruded oilseeds on total tract digestibility and ruminal digestion in dairy cows was studied in three cows fed a hay-concentrate (60.5/39.5; 3.7% fatty acids in diet on DM basis) control diet (C) or the same diet supplemented with raw (R) or extruded (ER) rapeseeds (8.0% fatty acids in diet DM). The experimental design was a 3 x 3 Latin square design. Compared with diet C, diets containing rapeseed decreased ruminal OM digestibility (9.5%, P less than .10) and increased (P less than .05) the proportion of propionate in ruminal fluid VFA. Extrusion had no effect on DM and OM total tract digestibilities and increased (P less than .10) N digestion. Microbial N flow at the duodenum was calculated taking into account solid-adherent bacteria (SAB) and liquid-associated bacteria (LAB). Duodenal flows of total, SAB, and LAB of OM and N did not change with diet. Extrusion of the rapeseeds did not modify (P less than .10) the proportion of bacterial N at the duodenum and had no effect on crude fiber digestibility. This trial demonstrates that rapeseeds in hay-based diets can be fed at levels of up to 14% of the diet without adversely affecting crude fiber digestibility.