Effects of spinning processes on HVI fiber characteristics and spun yarn properties

The effects of opening, carding, and repeated drawings on single fiber and bundle cotton characteristics were studied by employing Mantis®, AFIS® and HVI Testers. Some of the significant changes in single fiber properties were found to be due to process parameters as well as the changes in the fiber crimps, parallelness of fibers within HVI beards, and the actual changes in the tensile properties of the fibers. The study showed that the HVI test data taken just prior to spinning had the highest correlation with the yarn tensile properties. Based on the study results, we point out the potential of HVI for future quality and process control in spinning by recommending a set of expanded HVI output that is more scientific and comprehensive for the future control needs.     

A hybrid swarm population of Pinus densiflora × P. sylvestris inferred from sequence analysis of chloroplast DNA and morphological characters

To confirm a hybrid swarm population of Pinus densiflora × P. sylvestris in Jilin, China, we used needles and seeds from P. densiflora, P. sylvestris, and P. densiflora × P. sylvestris collected from natural stands or experimental stations to study whether shoot apex morphology of 4- year old seedlings can be correlated with the sequence of a chloroplast DNA simple sequence repeat marker (cpDNA SSRs). Total genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to sequence analysis of the pine cpDNA SSR marker Pt15169. Results show that morphological characters from 4-year old seedlings did not correlate with sequence variants of this marker. Marker haplotypes from all P. sylvestris trees had a CTAT element that was absent from all sampled P. densiflora trees. However, both haplotype classes involving this insertion/deletion element were found in a P. densiflora × P. sylvestris population and its seedling progeny. It was concluded that the P. densiflora × P. sylvestris accessions sampled from Jilin, China resulted from bi-directional crosses, as evidenced by both species’ cpDNA haplotypes within the hybrid swarm population.     

In vivo metabolism of Talosin A, new isoflavonol glycoside from Kitasatospora kifunensis, in rats

The isoflavonol glycoside Talosin A, genistein (GT)-7-α-L-6-deoxy talopyranose (GT-Tal), was first isolated from the culture broth of Kitasatospora kifunensis MJM341. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral absorption and metabolism of the newly isolated isoflavonol glycoside, GT-Tal compared to genistin (GT-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside; GT-Glu). Free GT-Glu and GT-Tal could not be detected prior to enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding conjugates in rat plasma. Following oral administration of GT-Tal (15 min), GT-Tal was rapidly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized into GT-Tal conjugates with a mean C_max of 2.74 µg/mL. GT-Tal was further metabolized to its aglycone, free GT and conjugated GT. After oral administration, GT-Glu was absorbed after being convereted to its aglycone and then further metabolized into its conjugate metabolites (free GT with a mean C_max of 0.24 mg/mL at 1.25 h; conjugated GT with a mean C_max of 1.31 mg/mL at 2.00 h). Significant differences in absorption and metabolism of GT-Tal and GT-Glu were observed. GT-Tal was metabolized into its corresponding conjugates or underwent deglycosylation to form GT, whereas GT-Glu was metabolized into its aglycone, GT.     

Characterizing yarn thickness variation by correlograms

The surface evenness and texture are closely related with the irregularity of yarn thickness. Besides, yarn thickness variation has an important role to influence the yarn performance and the textile process efficiency. Thus, the information not only on the yarn thickness, but also on the short- term irregular characteristics that have not been known before is required for enhancing the qualities of textile products. This paper reports the results of a study about the yarn thickness and its variation for various types of yarn on the basis of a new measurement system applying a laser slit beam as a light source. The new method delivers effective information on the irregularity. The analysis of the measured signal confirms that the visual shade created by the yarn doubling and twisting can be measured and the yarn thickness characteristics can be represented by correlograms. Depending on yarn types, correlograms have different shapes and can be approximated to an exponentially decaying function with or without fluctuating magnitude. In addition, the effective information on the yarn irregularity can be influenced by the sampling length interval of the measuring device used for tests.     

Comparative stomach contents and growth of the juvenile black rockfish Sebastes inermis reared in illuminated and unilluminated cages

ABSTRACT:   The principal objective of the present study was to determine the positive effects of artificial illumination on the juvenile black rockfish Sebastes inermis by comparing stomach contents and growth between juveniles exposed to light and those maintained in the absence of light. The major prey items of juvenile black rockfish in illuminated cages were: copepods (% IRI  = 62.6); amphipods (% IRI  = 36.7); and polychaetes (% IRI  = 0.3), whereas those in unilluminated cages were: copepods (% IRI  = 93.3); amphipods (% IRI  = 6.1); and polychaetes (% IRI  = 0.4). The specific growth rates of the juveniles reared in illuminated cages (0.67%) were significantly higher than those juveniles maintained in the unilluminated cages (0.27%).     

Use of grain-size and elemental normalization in the interpretation of trace metal concentrations in soils of the reclaimed area adjoining Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia

Cobalt, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and As concentrations in the grain size and elemental normalization using Fe in gravel-free total soil ((X_m/Fe)_{total sample}; X_m = Cu, Pb, Zn, etc.) were used to determine the influence of variable grain size on the concentration of anthropogenic trace metal contaminants in the reclaimed area adjacent to Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia. Trace metal concentrations in soils in reclaimed area are greatly influenced by the heterogeneous nature of the waste materials buried at the site. The confounding effects of variable grain size in soils can be reduced by analyzing the contaminant concentration of the material after removing > 2 mm size in sample. An example from Sydney Harbour is used to demonstrate the comparability between grain size normalized data and elemental normalized data using Fe in soils from reclaimed areas. Results from the current study reveal that the vertical distribution of trace metal concentrations in soils is remarkably similar between the grain size and elemental normalization, using Fe. Normalization methods might be beneficial in overcoming texturally driven variations of contaminant concentrations in soils in the reclaimed or infilled land area.     

Effect of night humidity on the vegetative growth and the mineral composition of tomato and strawberry plants

Conditions of low night humidity (50–55%) and high night humidity (90–95%) were imposed on tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Young-Kwang) for 30 days, and on strawberry plants (Fragaria grandiflora Ehrh. cv. Bogyo) for 40 days. Shoot dry weight and leaf area in tomato plants increased with high night humidity whereas the strawberry plants did not show any such increases. The concentrations of five major nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) were reduced in tomato plants under high night humidity, with the calcium content in younger leaves being the most severely affected. For the strawberry plants, however, high night humidity tended to increase the concentrations of major nutrients, including calcium in the younger leaves. Possible reasons for the differences in response of these two species to night humidity are discussed.     

Galanin-immunoreactive cells and their relation to calcitonin gene-related peptide-, substance P- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia

We report upon the distribution of galanin-immunoreactive (GAL-IR) cells in the lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the rat, and upon the distribution of GAL-IR cells, which also contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, substance P (SP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-immunoreactivity. Neuropeptide-immunoreactive lumbar DRG cells were 55.8% for CGRP, 12.7% for SP, and 6.5% for GAL in lumbar DRG cells. There was no significant difference between the right and left DRGs (L1-L6) for any neuropeptide-immunoreactive cell (P < 0.01). In terms of size distribution, CGRP-immunoreactive cells were identified below 1500 microm2, and SP-, and GAL-IR cells below 600 microm2. Neuropeptide immunoreactive cells showed various immunoreactivities in the cytoplasm according to each neuropeptide. CGRP and SP immunoreactive cells were colocalized with GAL immunoreactive cells in the serial sections about 83.3 and 60% respectively, but SOM colocalizing with GAL-IR cells were not in evidence. The current results confirm and extend previous results, and show that neuropeptides can coexist in single sensory neurones of the rat DRG. In addition, our results demonstrate that the normal distribution of some neurotransmitters modulating sensory action in Wistar Kyoto rat, make this model more prone to develop neuropathic pain than Sprague-Dawley rat.