Image analysis: A novel technique to determine the efficiency of wiping cloths

The ability to absorb liquid and the dust removal performance are important factors for wiping cloths used to remove contaminants. We have developed a method that can determine the contaminant removal performance of wiping cloths. In the gravimetric method, experimental errors are unavoidable because the contaminant plate is much heavier than the contaminant material. However, we used image analysis to reduce the experimental errors, and did not use the heavy contaminant plate. The correlation coefficient between the image analysis and the gravimetric methods was very high, at R=0.97, with a significance level of 95 %. From the correlation analysis and empirical data, the image analysis method is a useful tool for measuring wiping efficiency. The wiping efficiency measured using image analysis has a close relationship to the wiping speed, viscosity of the contaminant, and wiping pressure, at the significance level of 95 %.     

Enhanced electrical properties of electrospun nylon66 nanofibers containing carbon nanotube fillers and Ag nanoparticles

In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of electrospun Nylon66 composite nanofibers incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNT) fillers and silver nanoparticles. We have incorporated the composites in to Nylon66 nanofibers to enhance the characteristics of the resultant composite nanofibers. The resultant composite nanofibers were characterized by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and current-voltage (I–V) measurement analysis. The morphology of the composite nanofibers exhibited densely arranged mesh-like ultrafine nanofibers which were strongly bound in between the main fibers. From I–V characteristics, it was observed that the incorporation of CNT fillers and Ag nanoparticles in to electrospun Nylon66 composite nanofibers can be significantly enhanced the electrical properties.     

Thermal effects on the development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactrocera dorsalis</Emphasis> (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and model validation in Taiwan

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a major polyphagous insect pest with a worldwide distribution. The effects of temperature on stage-specific development in B. dorsalis were investigated at eight constant temperatures (13.0 °C, 14.4 °C, 16.2 °C, 19.5 °C, 23.8 °C, 27.7 °C, 31.8 °C and 34.8 °C). B. dorsalis developed successfully from the egg stage to the adult stage at all the tested temperatures, except at the lowest temperatures (13.0 °C and 14.4 °C). Stage-specific lower developmental thresholds and thermal constants were determined using linear regression. The lower and higher temperature threshold (TL and TH, respectively) were estimated using the Sharpe-Schoolfield-Ikemoto model. The lower developmental threshold and thermal constant from egg to adult emergence were 9.8 °C and 325.5 degree-days, respectively. The intrinsic optimum temperatures of the egg, larval, pupal and egg to pupal stage were 20.7 °C, 21.8 °C, 21.1 °C, and 22.4 °C, respectively. The temperature range of the B. dorsalis total immature stage from TL to TH was 20.4 °C (13.8 °C - 34.2 °C). The stage-specific developmental completion of B. dorsalis was determined using a two-parameter Weibull function. The daily adult emergence frequency of B. dorsalis was estimated in relation to adult age and temperature using non-linear developmental rate functions and the Weibull function. The date of cumulative 50% adult emergence estimated using non-linear functions was approximately one day earlier than the experimentally observed date. Thermal performance was compared among B. dorsalis populations from different locations.     

多酶制剂能使猪饲料营养最大化

由猪传统日粮所用饲料原料带来的成本和供应问题促使人们寻找更新的饲料原料,并以求最大程度地利用所选原料中的养分。     

Effect of LDPE microplastics on chemical properties and microbial communities in soil

The accumulation of plastics in the soil ecosystem poses an increasing environmental concern worldwide. However, little is known about the effect of plastic concentrations on soil properties and soil biota. In this study, we investigated the effect of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (MPs) on the chemical and microbial properties of agricultural soil using a set of microcosm experiments. The soil was incubated for 100 days with LDPE at concentrations of 0%, 0.1%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% at 25°C with 70% water-holding capacity. Along with soil chemical analysis, we conducted an analysis of soil microbial properties on the first day and again after 100 days of incubation. LDPE concentrations of ≥1% significantly (p < .05) decreased the pH but increased the electrical conductivity of the soil in comparison with the control (0% LDPE at 100 days). Increasing the LDPE concentration did not affect the soil exchangeable cation content or the available Pb concentration. Firmicutes were the most abundant phyla in the soil on the first day, whereas Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria became dominant in all treatments after 100 days. An increasing LDPE concentration increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and decreased Proteobacteria. Principal component analysis demonstrated that only 7% LDPE was positively correlated with Actinobacteria, indicating that higher concentrations of LDPE contributed to the growth of this phylum. The findings of this study imply that MP contamination could affect soil chemical properties and microbial activity and that these effects primarily depend on MP concentrations in soil.     

Effects of Steeping Temperatures and Periods of Waxy Rice on Expansion Properties of Gangjung (a traditional Korean oil‐puffed rice snack)

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of steeping conditions of waxy rice, temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C) and time periods (1, 11, and 21 days) on the expansion ratio of gangjung (a traditional Korean oil‐puffed rice snack). Physicochemical properties of waxy rice flour steeped under various conditions and expansion properties of gangjung made of the steeped waxy rice flour were investigated, and multiple regression analyses were applied between those properties to identify major physicochemical factors that optimally predict the expansion ratio of gangjung. As steeping temperature and time periods of waxy rice changed from the lowest to the highest, the expansion ratio of gangjung markedly increased (from 1,022 to 2,533%). Yet, the expansion ratio of the waxy rice sample steeped for 11–21 days at 35°C was not significantly different from the sample steeped for 21 days at 25°C, indicating that the lengthy steeping process for gangjung making can be shortened by increasing the steeping temperature. Physicochemical properties include moisture (γ = 0.85), protein (γ = –0.91), ash (γ = –0.84), potassium (γ = –0.89), magnesium (γ = –0.88), phosphorous (γ = –0.91), peak viscosity (γ = 0.77), and breakdown (γ = 0.94) of steeped waxy rice flour. These properties were highly correlated with expansion ratio (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that the expansion ratio of gangjung was predicted successfully by the phosphorous content and breakdown value of steeped waxy rice flour.     

Combined effect of biochar and soil moisture on soil chemical properties and microbial community composition in microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil

Accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural environments has caused growing concern in recent years because of its detrimental impacts on soil quality, crop productivity and ecosystem function. This study was conducted to assess the impact of biochar on soil chemical and microbial properties in a MP-contaminated soil under two moisture regimes. Soil was contaminated with 1% (w/w) of low-density polyethylene MPs. Four types of standard biochar, that is, oil seed rape (OSR) biochar produced at 550°C (OSR 550) and 700°C (OSR 700) and soft wood pellet (SWP) biochar produced at 550°C (SWP 550) and 700°C (SWP 700), were applied at a rate of 5% (w/w). The control was maintained without MP addition. The samples were incubated in soil with two moisture regimes, that is, at 30% and 70% of the water holding capacity, and the soil chemical and microbiological properties were assessed after 100 days of incubation. OSR biochar application significantly increased soil pH (8.53–8.81) and electrical conductivity (0.51–0.58 dS/m) in both moisture regimes. The effect of biochar application on soil enzyme activity and microbial community composition did not show a clear trend. However, SWP 700 biochar improved soil enzyme activity compared with that of the control and improved bacterial diversity and evenness compared with those of other biochars, which was attributed to the high surface area available for microbial colonization. Low soil moisture content significantly reduced enzyme activity and bacterial richness even with biochar amendment, except for SWP 550 biochar. This study implies the suitability of biochar for improvement of soil quality in MP contaminated soil under both moisture regimes. However, further long-term studies are needed to get a clear understanding on the impact of different types of biochar on MP-contaminated soil.