Low-temperature pyrolysis on jute fibers as a thermochemical modification method

Low-temperature pyrolysis up to 200, 250, 300 °C was conducted in order to remove non-cellulosic compounds without damaging the structure of the cellulose in jute fibers. The chemical, morphological, and mechanical aspects of prepared low-temperature pyrolyzed jute fibers were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, the wettability test in water/dichloromethane system, moisture content measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and tensile test using universal testing machine (UTM). It was confirmed that hydrophilic compounds including absorbed water, low molecular weight compounds such as waxes, hemicellulose, and lignin were largely removed from the fibers. Increasing amounts of non-cellulosic compounds were removed as the maximum pyrolysis temperature was increased. The degree of hydrophilic nature of jute fibers were reduced by low-temperature pyrolysis and thus water absorptivity of pyrolyzed jute fibers was reduced as maximum pyrolysis temperature increased. Furthermore, XRD analysis and morphological studies by SEM indicated that the crystalline structure of native cellulose was rarely damaged after pyrolysis up to 300 °C. In case of mechanical properties, breaking tenacity and breaking strain of the fibers decreased with increasing maximum pyrolysis temperatures because flaws formed on the surface of pyrolyzed jute fibers acted as weak-links. In agreement with predictions made according to Weibull’s weakest-link theory, it was found that shortened pyrolyzed jute fibers could have higher breaking tenacities compared with raw jute fibers of the same length. In addition, the compatibility with hydrophobic matrix was investigated by the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) reinforced with jute fibers. Consequently, it was hypothesized that low-temperature pyrolysis could be used to process raw jute fibers for use as short fiber reinforcements in fiber-polymer systems or be a simple and effective pretreatment method for a wide range of further chemical treatments.     

Synthesis and flame-retardancy of UV-curable methacryloyloxy ethyl phosphates

Tris[2-methacryloyloxy ethyl] phosphate (TMEP), bis(2-methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphate (DMEP), and 2-(methacryloyloxy ethyl) phosphate (MMEP) were synthesized from phosphorous oxychloride and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, which can be used as flame retardant monomers for UV-curable coating systems. The characterization of the synthesized monomers was carried out by ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and the limited oxygen index (LOI) test. The thermal behavior of the cured films depended on phosphorous content and the methacrylate groups in the monomer. The UVcured films from TMEP, DMEP, and MMEP monomers showed LOIS of 28.5, 30.3, and 35.1 respectively. Also, LOI up to 25.4 was obtained for the UV-coated cotton fabrics, which presumably occur through a condensed phase mechanism as verified in the increased residue number. The higher performance of UV-coated cotton fabrics compared to PET was attributed to the facile dehydration and crosslinking of the cellulosic materials.     

Application of PU-sealing into Cu/Ni electroless plated polyester fabrics for e-textiles

Electroless metal plated fabrics are favorable to be used as e-textiles due to the excellent conductivity and peculiar properties of textiles such as flexibility. But, the electrical durability is not enough to be used as e-textiles. Therefore, we applied polyurethane(PU)-sealing (single-sealing vs. double-sealing) onto the electroless metal plated polyester fabrics (Ripstop vs. Mesh) to reinforce the electrical durability. We investigated the changes of electrical properties of the PU-sealed metal plated fabrics after laundering by a multi-meter, examined the surface changes using scanning electron microscope, and checked the metal existence using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. And, we finally proved the possibility of the fabric strips as transmission lines by alternating conventional earphone lines. PU double-sealing showed higher performance on Ripstop polyester fabrics even after being laundered 10 times, which was almost the same as Cu-based typical conductive lines did.     

Expression patterns of influenza virus receptors in the respiratory tracts of four species of poultry

The primary determinant of influenza virus infectivity is the type of linkage between sialic acid and oligosaccharides on the host cells. Hemagglutinin of avian influenza viruses preferentially binds to sialic acids linked to galactose by an α-2,3 linkage whereas hemagglutinin of human influenza viruses binds to sialic acids with an α-2,6 linkage. The distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the avian respiratory tracts are of particular interest because these are important for initial viral attachment, replication, and transmission to other species. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of influenza receptors in the respiratory tract of chickens, ducks, pheasants, and quails because these species have been known to act as intermediate hosts in interspecies transmission. Lectin histochemistry was performed to detect receptor-bearing cells. Cell-specific distribution of the receptors was determined and expression densities were compared. We observed species-, site-, and cell-specific variations in receptor expression. In general, receptor expression was the highest in quails and lowest in ducks. Pheasants and quails had abundant expression of both types of receptors throughout the respiratory tract. These results indicate that pheasants and quails may play important roles as intermediate hosts for the generation of influenza viruses with pandemic potential.     

Influence of ammonium,nitrate, and chloride on solution pH and ion uptake by ageratum and salvia in hydroponic culture

The influence of nitrogen (N) forms and chloride (Cl) on solution pH and ion uptake in the hydroponic culture of Ageratum houstonianum [ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)‐tolerant] and Salvia splendens (NH₄ ⁺‐sensitive) for a period of 216 hours was investigated. The pH of the hydroponic solution (initially 6.50) containing either NH₄ ⁺ or NH₄ ⁺+nitrate (NO₃ ^‐) was drastically lowered (3.08), whereas that of the same solution containing NO₃ ^‐ was raised (7.74). Solution pH changed more by ageratum than by salvia. The solution Cl^‐ concentration did not influence pH significantly. However, addition of Cl^‐ in the solution lowered transpiration rate in both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ treatments. Total N uptake was the greatest in the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ treatment and the lowest in the NO₃ ^‐treatment. In the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ treatment, NO₃ ^‐ uptake was suppressed by NH₄ ⁺ (to about 50%), while NH₄ ⁺ uptake was not affected by NO₃ ^‐. The rate of Cl^‐ uptake was the lowest in the NH₄ ⁺ treatment, but was similar in the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ and NO₃ ^‐ treatments. Uptake of potassium (K⁺), dihydrogen phosphate (H₂PO₄ ^‐), sulfate (SO₄ ^‐2), manganese (Mn⁺²), and zinc (Zn⁺²) was significantly enhanced in the NH₄ ⁺ treatment. The uptake rate of calcium (Ca⁺²) and magnesium (Mg⁺²) was the highest in the NO₃ ^‐ treatment. Absorption of copper (Cu⁺²) and boron (B) was not affected by N source. Ion uptake was more stable in the solution containing both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ than in the solution containing either NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^‐. The uptake rate of total N, NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^‐, Mn⁺², Cu⁺², and Zn⁺² was higher, whereas that of Cl^‐ and molybdenum (Mo) was lower in ageratum than in salvia. Amounts of total anion (TA) and total cation (TC) absorbed, the sum of TC and TA, and the difference between TC and TA (TC‐TA) were affected by N source, Cl^‐ level, and their interactions. The NO₃ treatment, as compared to the NH₄ ⁺ or the NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐treatment, reduced total cation and anion uptake while increasing TC‐TA, especially in the absence of Cl^‐. Plant tissue ion contents were also affected by N source and Cl^‐ level.     

Shallow lateral flow from a forested hillslope: Influence of antecedent wetness

A 5-m-wide soil pit at the base of a forested hillslope in coastal British Columbia was instrumented for studying subsurface flow processes during rainstorms. Three typical, low-intensity autumn rainfall events with different antecedent moisture conditions are assessed. Outflow from the organic horizon was captured and measured by a single trough, and outflow from the mineral horizon (above compact glacial till and bedrock) was measured separately for three adjacent sections of the soil pit. For two storms that were preceded by dry conditions, lateral outflow from the organic horizon occurred, although the water table did not rise up to the organic horizon. However, the calculated effective contributing area was small (<0.7 m²) and the effective contributing slope length was short (<0.15 m). Furthermore, volumes of outflow from the organic horizon during these storms were more than 400 times less than during a later storm with wet antecedent conditions. During this later storm, a portion of the outflow from the organic horizon may have been generated as saturated overland flow due to the rising water table. The calculated effective contributing area (>170 m²) and the effective contributing slope length (>36 m) were substantially greater for the “wet” antecedent storm compared to the “dry” storm events. Shallow lateral flow over unsaturated soil is therefore unlikely to be a significant contributor to storm runoff at such forested sites. Flow at the organic horizon–mineral soil interface may contribute to interconnected preferential flow pathways during wetter antecedent conditions.     

Comparison of three types of analyzers for urine protein-to-creatinine ratios in dogs

BackgroundQuantitation of urine protein is important in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Various analyzers are used to measure urine protein-to-creatinine ratios (UPCR).ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the UPCR obtained by three types of analyzers (automated wet chemistry analyzer, in-house dry chemistry analyzer, and dipstick reading device) and investigate whether the differences could affect clinical decision process.MethodsUrine samples were collected from 115 dogs. UPCR values were obtained using three analyzers. Bland-Altman and Passing Bablok tests were used to analyze agreement between the UPCR values. Urine samples were classified as normal or proteinuria based on the UPCR values obtained by each analyzer and concordance in the classification evaluated with Cohen''s kappa coefficient.ResultsPassing and Bablok regression showed that there were proportional as well as constant difference between UPCR values obtained by a dipstick reading device and those obtained by the other analyzers. The concordance in the classification of proteinuria was very high (κ = 0.82) between the automated wet chemistry analyzer and in-house dry chemistry analyzer, while the dipstick reading device showed moderate concordance with the automated wet chemistry analyzer (κ = 0.52) and in-house dry chemistry analyzer (κ = 0.53).ConclusionsAlthough the urine dipstick test is simple and a widely used point-of-care test, our results indicate that UPCR values obtained by the dipstick test are not appropriate for clinical use. Inter-instrumental variability may affect clinical decision process based on UPCR values and should be emphasized in veterinary practice.     

Hematological adverse effects and pharmacokinetics of ribavirin in pigs following intramuscular administration

Ribavirin (RBV) is a synthetic guanosine analog that is used as a drug against various viral diseases in humans. The in vitro antiviral effects of ribavirin against porcine viruses were demonstrated in several studies. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the adverse effects and pharmacokinetics of ribavirin following its intramuscular (IM) injection in pigs. Ribavirin was formulated as a double‐oil emulsion (RBV‐DOE) and gel (RBV‐Gel), which were injected into the pigs as single‐dose IM injections. After injection of RBV, all of the pigs were monitored. The collected serum and whole blood samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and complete blood count analysis, respectively. All of the ribavirin‐treated pigs showed significant decreases in body weight compared to the control groups. Severe clinical signs including dyspnea, anorexia, weakness, and depression were present in ribavirin‐treated pigs until 5 days postinjection (dpi). The ribavirin‐treated groups showed significant decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration until 8 dpi. The mean half‐life of the RBV‐DOE and RBV‐Gel was 27.949 ± 2.783 h and 37.374 ± 3.502 h, respectively. The mean peak serum concentration (C_max) and area under the serum concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC_inf) of RBV‐DOE were 8340.000 ± 2562.577 ng/mL and 16 0095.430 ± 61 253.400 h·ng/mL, respectively. The C_max and AUC_inf of RBV‐Gel were 15 300.000 ± 3764.306 ng/mL and 207526.260 ± 63656.390 h·ng/mL, respectively. The results of this study provided the index of side effect and pharmacokinetics of ribavirin in pigs, which should be considered before clinical application.     

Quantitative trait locus analysis for soybean (Glycine max) seed protein and oil concentrations using selected breeding populations

Soybean seed protein and oil concentrations are important traits that directly affect the quality of soyfoods. Many studies and breeding programmes have been conducted to find major quantitative trait loci (QTL) that regulate protein and oil concentrations and to develop soybean cultivars with high protein and/or oil content. The purpose of this study was to identify these QTL using a selected breeding population. The population was tested in field conditions over a period of 3 years. Seed protein and oil concentrations were measured each year. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to construct genetic map using a 180K SoyaSNP array, which identified 1,570 SNPs. We identified 12 QTL for seed protein, 11 for seed oil concentration and four for both traits. Among these, 17 QTL were closely mapped to previously reported QTL, whereas ten sites were novel. Several QTL were detected across at least two experimental years. These loci are good candidate QTL for optimal seed protein and oil concentrations. Our results demonstrate that favourable target QTL can be successfully identified using selected breeding populations.     

Comparison of Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infection in light and heavy pigs of market age on farms with routine PCV2 vaccination

Commercial vaccines against Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) are widely used on swine farms. Marked body weight variation at marketing age is a problem on conventional pig farms using all-in/all-out barn management. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PCV2 infection could be a factor influencing body weight variation. Seven conventional farms that routinely used PCV2 vaccination were selected, and 60 serum samples from light and heavy pigs at each site were tested for PCV2 antibody titers and viremia. At 3 farms the mean antibody titer, proportion of viremic pigs, and virus load differed significantly between the light and heavy groups. These preliminary results suggest that PCV2 infection may be a factor contributing to weight variation in vaccinated market-age hogs.