Image analysis of the luster of fabrics with modified cross-section fibers

We have investigated the luster of modified cross-sectional fiber fabrics as one of the essential quality estimates for clothing development. We have confirmed an objective evaluation method, and have determined the experimental luster characteristics of modified cross-section fibers. The cross-section of the fibers in a fabric affects the appearance of a textile. We used the image analysis method to investigate the luster to determine the critical factors influencing the appearance of modified cross-section fiber fabrics. For similarly structured textiles in a component fabric, clear differences were observed in the fabric weave, density, percentage, and total area of blobs, which is image region. Color played a decisive role in the luster of the textiles, and luster was not significantly influenced by the modified cross-section fabric weave. In addition, the degree of luster did not increase in the order plain to twill to satin for modified cross-sectional fiber fabrics. All the split-type microfibers exhibited higher numerical luster values (percentage of pixels, and number and total area of blobs) than sea-island microfibers did. The degree of luster of the modified cross-sectional fiber fabrics was not high at specular reflection angles.     

Re-examination of the standard cultivation practices of rice in response to climate change in Korea

The impact of climate change has been simulated or estimated to bring about yield decline and quality deterioration of rice in Korea, a temperate country. To cope with these negative impacts, here we propose likely changes in the standard cultivation practices of rice in consideration of the current information on the progress/prediction of climate change and related physiological aspects of rice. Shifting grain-filling period could be a promising choice to optimize temperature for rice grain-filling, a crucial growth stage to productivity, hence providing rice plants with sufficient duration and solar radiation for the period. This choice, however, shortens days to flowering by the additive combined effects of high temperature by delayed transplanting, temperature rise itself by climate change, and accelerated phase change of rice by high temperature and short day-length. These combined effects may delay the time of transplanting in a great extent, hence reducing biomass accumulation of rice before flowering. In these conditions, recovering decreased biomass production is the key concern for rice productivity. This includes raising healthy seedlings by omitting the covering process, dense planting, and nutrient management to enhance plant’s uptake activity. Current standard water management, especially mid-term drainage and intermittent irrigation, would have more importance in the future since they mitigate methane emission from the paddy. Field monitoring for weeds and pests would be an important first step to identify newly developing or thriving species for establishing subsequent controlling strategies. Earlier weed control should be emphasized through adjusting time of herbicide application.     

Antimicrobial Property of 2-Hydroxypropane-1,2,3-Tricarboxylic Acid Isolated from Citrus microcarpa Extract

This article described antimicrobial property and structure analysis of 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid isolated from the crude extract of Citrus microcarpa. Presently, there was no report on compound from C. microcarpa that possessed antimicrobial property against fish pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, in this study, the bioactive principle in C. microcarpa extract was isolated using thin layer chromatography. It＇s structure was elucidated based on nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） spectroscopic data, such as proton NMR （1HNMR）, correlation spectroscopy, carbon 13 NMR, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation data. This study showed that the bioactive compound isolated from C. microcarpa was 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid monohydrate. The minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） values of crude C. microcarpa extract and its bioactive component, 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid as well as commercially available synthetic 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, were determined against 18 isolates of Edwardsiella tarda and 7 bacterial reference strains, namely, Escherichia coli （ATCC 25922）, Citrobacter freundii （ATCC 8090）, Aeromonas hydrophila （ATCC 49140）, Pseudomonas aeruginosa （ATCC 35032）, Streptococcus agalatiae （ATCC 13813）, E. tarda （ATCC 15947）, and Yersinia enterocolitica （ATCC 23715）, using two-fold microdilution method. The MIC values for both the natural 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid and the synthetic one were ranging from 15.6 to 62.5 mg mL-1, whereas that of the crude extract was ranging from 7.8 to 31.3 mg mL-1. These findings showed that both the crude extract and its bioactive component might have potential as antimicrobial agent for aquaculture use.     

Objective wrinkle evaluation system of fabrics based on 2D FFT

Drying is one of the main processes in the course of washing laundry. During the washing and drying processes in an electric or gas dryer, wrinkles can form on garments. To minimize the wrinkles on the clothes after the processes, a reliable and objective method of assessment of wrinkles should be devised. Wrinkles have been assessed with visual inspection methods by human observers, which were defined by AHAM or AATCC. This method cannot provide objective data for wrinkles because people judge the same things differently according to their own subjective criteria. Thus, this paper is focused on the development of an objective and quantitative system for grading fabric wrinkles based on the 2D-FFT. The system developed in this study has been proven to be objective and quantitative in comparison with the existing test methods.     

Comparative Assessment of Enzyme Activities and Characteristics during Composting of Two Types of Composts

Characteristics in composts were determined during composting of chitinous source-amended compost (Cscom) and no chitinous source-amended compost (Ncom). At the end of the composting, moisture content, organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (T-N), and carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) decreased in both the composts, whereas the phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) content increased. pH of the compost was adversely changed with electrical conductivity (EC). Enzyme activities declined until the end of composting except phosphatase. In the final-stage, Cscom has higher number of chitinolytic bacteria than in Ncom. One bacterium predominant was isolated and identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Growth of the plant pathogens were suppressed by Cscom and Ncom water extracts, with the suppression being higher in Cscom. Paenibacillus ehmensis, known for high antifungal potential, was isolated from Cscom. From our study, it can be concluded that amendment of chitin material improves the chemical, biological properties, and disease suppression ability of compost.     

Enzymatic preparation of kaempferol from green tea seed and its antioxidant activity

Among the flavonols in green tea, kaempferol has many biological activities but kaempferol of plant origin is too expensive to be used in commercial products. Recently, we confirmed that green tea seed (GTS) contained a reasonable amount of kaempferol glycoside. After conducting structure analysis, two kaempferol glycosides were identified, kaempferol-3-O-[2-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (compound 1) and kaempferol-3-O-[2-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (compound 2), respectively. Also, a commercially useful method for kaempferol preparation was suggested by enzymatic hydrolysis using these two flavonoids. After several enzyme reactions were performed for the complete bioconversion of compounds 1 and 2 to kaempferol, we found that the optimum enzyme combination was reaction with beta-galactosidase and hesperidinase. Finally, we produced pure kaempferol with over 95% purity. We also compared the antioxidant effect of these two GTS flavonoids and its aglycone, kaempferol. Kaempferol is a more efficient scavenger of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals and a better inhibitor of xanthine/xanthine oxidase than the two glycosides.     

The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on Vitamin D Activation in Hemodialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

The high incidence of cardiovascular disease and vitamin D deficiency in chronic kidney disease patients is well known. Vitamin D activation by omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation may explain the cardioprotective effects exerted by omega-3 FA. We hypothesized that omega-3 FA and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) supplementation may increase 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)₂D) levels compared to 25(OH)D supplementation alone in hemodialysis (HD) patients that have insufficient or deficient 25(OH)D levels. We enrolled patients that were treated for at least six months with 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01596842","term_id":"NCT01596842"}}NCT01596842). Patients were randomized to treatment for 12 weeks with cholecalciferol supplemented with omega-3 FA or a placebo. Levels of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)₂D were measured after 12 weeks. The erythrocyte membrane FA contents were also measured. Levels of 25(OH)D were increased in both groups at 12 weeks compared to baseline. The 1,25(OH)₂D levels at 12 weeks compared to baseline showed a tendency to increase in the omega-3 FA group. The oleic acid and monounsaturated FA content decreased, while the omega-3 index increased in the omega-3 FA group. Omega-3 FA supplementation may be partly associated with vitamin D activation, although increased 25(OH)D levels caused by short-term cholecalciferol supplementation were not associated with vitamin D activation in HD patients.     

Expression of KA1 kainate receptor subunit in the substantia gelatinosa of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis in mice

The KA1 kainate receptor (KAR) subunit in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) has been implicated in the processing of nociceptive information from the orofacial region. This study compared the expression of the KA1 KAR subunit in the SG of the Vc in juvenile, prepubescent and adult mice. RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to examine the expression level in SG area. The expression levels of the KA1 KAR subunit mRNA and protein were higher in juvenile mice than in prepubescent or adult mice. Quantitative data revealed that the KA1 KAR subunit mRNA and protein were expressed at levels approximately two and three times higher, respectively, in juvenile mice than in adult mice. A similar expression pattern of the KA1 KAR subunit was observed in an immunohistochemical study that showed higher expression in the juvenile (59%) than those of adult (35%) mice. These results show that the KA1 KAR subunits are expressed in the SG of the Vc in mice and that the expression level of the KA1 KAR subunit decreases gradually with postnatal development. These findings suggest that age-dependent KA1 KAR subunit expression can be a potential mechanism of age-dependent pain perception.