Numerical simulating the tensile behavior of 1×1 rib knitted fabrics using a novel geometrical model

A geometrical model to predict the tensile properties of conventionally knitted 1×1 rib fabric was created to be used for technical applications. Tensile stress-strain curve was numerically simulated in course and wale directions, using FEM method. The accuracy of the used geometrical model has been estimated comparing the simulated tensile stress-strain curve of the model to the measured one. The results showed that the stress-strain curve obtained from simulating method is very close to the experimental one.     

Comparison of effects of objective properties on subjective sensory images of spring · summer women’s suit fabrics off-line and on-line

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the fabric textures preferred by consumers for women’s spring·summer suits and the affecting mechanical properties of the fabrics off-line and on-line. Objective evaluations were done by measuring the mechanical properties of the fabrics using Kawabata’s Evaluation System, while subjective estimations were done by having 109 subjects evaluate the sensory image of suit fabrics off-line and on-line. Test results were statistically analyzed by the SPSS Win 11.0 program. The factors of the subjective sensory images for women’s suit fabrics were classified into six categories, and the off-line and on-line sensory image results were generally the same, but showed some differences in order. A t-test was used to compare the off-line and on-line fabric results. The evaluation scores for weight, stiffness, and flexibility off-line were higher than those of on-line. Fabrics were classified in three clusters based on mechanical properties, and each cluster showed differences between the off-line and on-line sensory ratings. In the relationships between objective properties and subjective images, shear and bending properties showed many correlations with subjective off-line results, while surface and compression properties showed correlations to on-line images. By analyzing the effects of mechanical properties on subjective images, it was seen that 2HB property had many effects on offline ratings, while SMD property influenced upon on-line results mostly. Additionally, L of color affected on stiffness for offline ratings and weight for on-line evaluations, in particular.     

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for the Recovery of Carotenoids from Guava’s Pulp and Waste Powders

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - In this work, lycopene- and β-carotene-rich extracts were obtained from guava’s pulp and waste powders using maceration (ME), ultrasonic bath (BUAE,...     

Cotton yarn engineering using robust regression and criteria of Mallow’s Cp

The main purpose of the present study was to predict yarn’s important properties i.e., tensile, unevenness, hairiness, and imperfections of cotton yarn with minimum random errors and maximum accuracy. In this work, cotton fiber properties were measured from rovings carefully untwisted. HVI system and evenness tester of Premier were used to measure the various properties. All yarns (108 samples) were spun at yarn counts of 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 Ne with optimum twist factor. The robust regression and criteria of Mallow’s Cp were used to evaluate the data. Optimal equations with appropriate variables and relative importance of various variables were also investigated. After the goodness of fit, desirable Cp and very large adjusted R² values were observed. Furthermore, the analysis of variance tables showed that the obtained equations were significant at usual significance levels.     

Evaluation of agricultural ecosystem services in fallowing land based on farmers’ participation and model simulation

Fallowing with green fertilizer can benefit agricultural ecosystem services (AES). Farmers in Taiwan do not implement fallow practices and plant green fertilizer because the current subsidy level (46,000 NT$ per ha) is too low to manage fallowing. This paper defines the objective of government agriculture policy or the farmer’s objective as maximization of farm productivity, approximated to the value of social welfare and AES. Farms, which do not follow proper fallowing practices, often have poorly maintained fallow land or left farmland abandoned. This results in negative environmental consequences such as cutworm infestations in abandoned land, which in turn can affect crops in adjacent farmlands. The objectives of this study are twofold. First, it determines the proper fallowing subsidy based on the concept of payment for ecosystem services to entice more farmers to participate in fallowing. Second, it simulates the benefit of planting green manure in fallow land to the supply of AES based on the rate of farmers who are willing to participate in fallow land practices and essential parameters that can affect soil fertility change. The approach involves a series of interviews and a developed empirical model. The value of AES when the rate of farmer participation is 100% represents a 1.5% increase in AES (448,317,000 NT$) over the value at the current participation rate of 14%. This study further concludes that the appropriate fallowing subsidy has a large positive impact on AES and social welfare (e.g., benefit from food and biofuel supplies) and is seen as a basis of ecological governance for sustainable agro-ecosystems.     

Bioactive properties of Citrus unshiu’s essential oil for its application to textiles

This study was aimed to analyze chemical components of essential oil from whole fruits of Citrus unshiu and its fragrance and to investigate its bio-functions as a skin-health finishing agent to textiles. The components of oil and fragrance were respectively determined by using both FT-IR and GC-MS. As for bioactive properties, the skin irritancy from oil was assessed by Kawai’s method and antimicrobial activity was evaluated by MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration). As results, major component of the citrus oil was identified as D1-limonene which also constituted most of its fragrance. Any skin reaction was not found by Kawai’s method, which means that the citrus oil does not cause irritancy on human skin. As for microbial activity against S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and P. acnes, the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations were 0.50 mg/ml, 0.28 mg/ml, and 0.23 mg/ml, respectively. These results suggest that Citrus unshiu’s essential oil could be utilized as a bioactive natural finishing agent for skin-healthcare textiles.     

Studies on the seed production properties of Hunong 5s／Teqing 2

From Nongken 58s/Laser 4 // Xiandang, a photoperiod-sensitive genie male sterile indica rice line, Hunong 5s was developed, and authorized by Hubei Province in 1992, and by the Committee of the State Science Foundation of China in 1993, Hunong 5s was crossed to a indica restorer line Teqing 2 to produce a twoline F1 hybrid Hunong 5s/Teqing 2.     

Prediction of the fabric’s crease recovery property with Taguchi design of experiment

The creasing characteristic of fabrics is affected by many factors like yarn twist, fabric density, fabric constructions, fabric thickness apart from the fiber type. In the first part of this study, the effect of yarn fineness, yarn twist, fabric tightness and weave construction factors on crease recovery was studied. In the second part of the study, in order to improve the creasing recovery of the fabrics, shape memory alloy (SMA) wires were used and the effect of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire on the crease recovery of cotton fabrics produced with different types of weave constructions were determined. Due to the high cost of SMA wire and the weaving operation adversity the two experimental plans were designed according to Taguchi design of experiment (TDOE). From the analysis of the first part, it was found that the yarn linear density had the greatest effect on fabric crease recovery compare to others. Twist coefficient was the second, weft density was third and the weave construction had the least significant effect on the crease recovery. The fabrics produced with coarser and low twisted yarns with high tightness and longer floats in the weave construction have higher crease recovery property. In the second part of the study, the application of the SMA wire significantly increased the crease recovery angle of the fabrics. The thickness of the SMA wire is very important and the effect depends on the wire thickness. The increase of the SMA wire thickness increases the crease recovery significantly. However it must be appropriate with the yarn and fabric properties. The distance between the SMA wire distances was expected to increase the crease recovery however the effect was found not significant. The fabrics produced with coarser yarns with longer floats in the weave construction have higher crease recovery property. However, statistically the effects of these parameters were found not significant due to the dominant effect of the wire thickness.     

An economic evaluation of Kanazawa and Shichika irrigation water’s multi-functional roles using CVM

In order to confirm that the regional function of Kanazawa’s irrigation water is representative of the urban type, and that Shichika’s irrigation water is representative of the rural, the contingent valuation method (CVM) was applied to determine the economic value of the functions aside from agricultural production, that is, the multi-functional roles of the irrigation water. The economic value of the regional function in Kanazawa was significantly lower than in the Shichika area, reflecting a difference in charge for irrigation water and people’s preference or consciousness in urban and rural areas. In urban areas, people tend to place a higher value on ground view, peace of mind and environmental friendliness. In contrast, in rural areas, irrigation water is presently used for domestic purposes. In other words, in urban areas people see water as public goods, while in rural areas the people see water as private goods. In addition, differences in the economic value of each item that was statistically significant for CVM were estimated using the Turnbull model comparing the items approved or rejected by the respondent.     

Potato growers 1961 yearbook acclaimed one of the nation’s finest

American Journal of Potato Research -     

Analysis of water balance by surface–groundwater interaction using the SWAT model for the Han River basin,South Korea

The water balance and groundwater dynamics due to surface–groundwater interactions for watershed health assessment were investigated for the Han River basin (34,148 km²) of South Korea using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model was established considering 4 multipurpose dams and 3 multifunction weirs. The SWAT was spatially calibrated and validated using daily observed inflows for the dam (2005–2014) and weir (2012–2014) as well as evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and groundwater level data (2009–2013). The simulation results revealed the impact of surface–groundwater exchange fluxes on the water balance and baseflow by evaluating the vertical water budget and horizontal water transfer. Evapotranspiration in the surface and return flows from the shallow aquifer for the dry season was estimated to be 29 and 10% higher than for the wet season, respectively. Percolation’s role was also significant, providing approximately 24% of the annual groundwater recharge to shallow aquifers in the rainy season. On average, the February to August period (A) was characterized by a net flux of infiltration into the groundwater. For the September to January period (B), the proportion of groundwater flow into the river of the basin was nearly balanced by a slight increase in surface water infiltration. During period A of average surface water infiltration into the groundwater, the net groundwater recharge was positive and up to 20% of the infiltration during this period resulted from groundwater recharge. These results showed that groundwater recharge is strongly affected by the surface water and groundwater interactions.     

Switchable Wettability of the Honeybee’s Tongue Surface Regulated by Erectable Glossal Hairs

Various nectarivorous animals apply bushy-hair-equipped tongues to lap nectar from nectaries of flowers. A typical example is provided by the Italian honeybee (Apis mellifera ligustica), who protracts and retracts its tongue (glossa) through a temporary tube, and actively controls the erectable glossal hairs to load nectar. We first examined the microstructure of the honeybee’s glossal surface, recorded the kinematics of its glossal hairs during nectar feeding process and observed the rhythmical hair erection pattern clearly. Then we measured the wettability of the glossal surface under different erection angles (EA) in sugar water of the mass concentration from 25 to 45%, mimicked by elongating the glossa specimens. The results show that the EA in retraction approximately remains stable under different nectar concentrations. In a specific concentration (35, 45, or 55%), the contact angle decreases and glossal surface area increases while the EA of glossal hairs rises, the glossa therefore could dynamically alter the glossal surface and wettability in foraging activities, not only reducing the energy consumption for impelling the nectar during tongue protraction, but also improving the nectar-trapping volume for feeding during glossa retraction. The dynamic glossal surface with switchable wettability regulated by erectable hairs may reveal the effective adaptation of the honeybee to nectar intake activities.     

Honey as the Potential Natural Source of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Alzheimer’s Disease

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized, among others by abnormal levels of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase in...     

Neuroprotective Effects of the Cultivated Chondrus crispus in a C. elegans Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly people, currently with no cure. Its mechanisms are not well understood, thus studies targeting cause-directed therapy or prevention are needed. This study uses the transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans PD model. We demonstrated that dietary supplementation of the worms with an extract from the cultivated red seaweed Chondrus crispus decreased the accumulation of α-synulein and protected the worms from the neuronal toxin-, 6-OHDA, induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration. These effects were associated with a corrected slowness of movement. We also showed that the enhancement of oxidative stress tolerance and an up-regulation of the stress response genes, sod-3 and skn-1, may have served as the molecular mechanism for the C. crispus-extract-mediated protection against PD pathology. Altogether, apart from its potential as a functional food, the tested red seaweed, C. crispus, might find promising pharmaceutical applications for the development of potential novel anti-neurodegenerative drugs for humans.     

The Effect of Consumption of Selenium Enriched Rye/Wheat Sourdough Bread on the Body’s Selenium Status

The potential of selenium-enriched rye/wheat sourdough bread as a route for supplementing dietary selenium intakes is reported. In addition to their normal diets, 24 female volunteers (24 to 25 years old) were fed either selenium-enriched bread or non-enriched bread each day (68.02 and 0.84 μg selenium day⁻¹ respectively) for 4 weeks. The chemical form of the selenium in the bread had been characterised using HPLC-ICP-MS, which showed that 42% of the extractable selenium was present as selenomethionine. Plasma selenium levels and plasma platelet glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) activity were measured in the volunteers’ blood over a 6-week period. A statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was observed in the mean percentage change data, calculated from the plasma selenium level measurements for the enriched and control group, over the duration of the study. A comparable difference was not observed for the platelet GPx1 activity (p = 0.756), over the same period. Two weeks after cessation of the feeding stage, i.e., at t = 6 weeks, the mean percentage change value for the selenium plasma levels in the enriched group was still significantly elevated, suggesting that the absorbed selenium had been incorporated into the body’s selenium reserves, and was then being slowly released back into the volunteers’ blood.     

Nuclear and chloroplast diversity and phenotypic distribution of rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm from the democratic people’s republic of Korea (DPRK; North Korea)

Background

Rice accounts for 43% of staple food production in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The most widely planted rice varieties were developed from a limited number of ancestral lines that were repeatedly used as parents in breeding programs. However, detailed pedigrees are not publicly available and little is known about the genetic, phenotypic, and geographical variation of DPRK varieties.

Results

We evaluated 80 O. sativa accessions from the DPRK, consisting of 67 improved varieties and 13 landraces. Based on nuclear SSR analysis, we divide the varieties into two genetic groups: Group 1 corresponds to the temperate japonica subpopulation and represents 78.75% of the accessions, while Group 2 shares recent ancestry with indica varieties. Interestingly, members of Group 1 are less diverse than Group 2 at the nuclear level, but are more diverse at the chloroplast level. All Group 2 varieties share a single Japonica maternal-haplotype, while Group 1 varieties trace maternal ancestry to both Japonica and Indica. Phenotypically, members of Group 1 have shorter grains than Group 2, and varieties from breeding programs have thicker and wider grains than landraces. Improved varieties in Group 1 also show similar and/or better levels of cold tolerance for most traits, except for spikelet number per panicle. Finally, geographic analysis demonstrates that the majority of genetic variation is located within regions that have the most intensive rice cultivation, including the Western territories near the capital city Pyungyang. This is consistent with the conscious and highly centralized role of human selection in determining local dispersion patterns of rice in the DPRK.

Conclusions

Diversity studies of DPRK rice germplasm revealed two genetic groups. The most widely planted group has a narrow genetic base and would benefit from the introduction of new genetic variation from cold tolerant landraces, wild accessions, and/or cultivated gene pools to enhance yield potential and performance.     

Development of production management strategies for a long-duration rice variety: Rajendra Mahsuri—using crop growth model,DSSAT, for the state of Bihar,India

Paddy and Water Environment - Increasing crop production is an inevitable demand of a current growing population all over the world. Implementation of best field crop practices potentially enables...     

Climate change’s impact on irrigation system and farmers’ response: a case study of the Plaichumpol Irrigation Project,Phitsanulok Province,Thailand

The Plaichumpol Irrigation Project, in Nan Basin of Thailand, is selected as a case study of impact study, where farmers depended on both surface and groundwater sources (especially in the dry year), to assess the impact on irrigation systems. The study used the MRI-GCM data to project the future climate condition and assess the impact on irrigation systems focusing on water shortage and groundwater pumping aspects in the selected consecutive dry years. The responses from farmers on the impact and adaptation were also gathered via site interviews and analyzed. Based on the bias-corrected MRI-GCM data, the annual rainfall in Nan Basin will decrease in the near future (2015–2039), compared with the past average data (1979–2006), while the rainfall will increase in the far future (2075–2099) compared with past. Water supply from dam will decrease in wet season and dry season, while water demand in both of near future and far future will increase in wet season and dry season. Less water shortage and groundwater pumping in both near-future and far-future periods are expected in the future consecutive dry years compared with the past, though the groundwater is still an important supplementary irrigation water source in the dry year. From the field interview, the farmers are ready to adapt to the changing situations and join in the water use meeting to follow up with irrigation officers about the adjustment of plant calendar and water allocation due to the climate change and to prepare adaptation measures as necessary.