Assessment of microbial biocontrol agent (BCA) viability to mechanical and thermal stress by simulating spray application conditions

Background

In order to improve the biological control agent (BCA) efficacy, stress factors threatening the viability of microorganisms during spray application need to be determined. The effect of spray mixture temperature and exposure time on Trichoderma harzianum T 22 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 viability were tested. Concurrently the combined effect of mechanical and thermal stress effect on BCA viability were tested at two initial spray mixture temperatures (14 and 25 °C) by simulating a spray application using airblast sprayers featured by different tank capacity and a spray liquid circuit (without and with hydraulic agitation system). To assess the BCA microorganism viability, spray mixture samples were collected at time intervals along trials and plated to count the colony forming units (CFU).

Results

The critical temperature threshold that inhibited BCA viability was 35 °C with 30 min of exposure. The sprayer type, the initial temperature of the spray mixture and the temperature increment during the trials significantly decreased the number of CFU recovered. When simulating a spray application, the spray mixture temperature increase rate was determined mainly by the residual amount of spray mixture in the tank. Even if the tank capacity does not substantially affect the final temperature reached by the spray mixture, the higher residual spray mixture in bigger tanks can expose the BCAs for a longer time to critical temperatures.

Conclusions

Experimental trials allowed us to identify the effect of factors affecting the viability of tested BCAs, providing information about the actual chance to guarantee the biological efficacy of BCA treatments. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

认真实施农机装备结构调整项目推动新疆农机装备结构进一步优化

总结了新疆实施农机装备结构调整项目的步骤．措施和取得的效果及效益，提出目前存在的问题及对策建议。     

明甪直天王殿松木斗拱振动台试验研究

以甪直保圣寺天王殿斗拱为参考对象,进行无缩尺松木斗拱模型的地震台试验研究。通过对斗拱的加速度与动力放大系数变化趋势、斗拱在振动过程中位移响应变化特征、斗拱变形最大时刻和各构件变形最大时刻的滑移位移和回转位移数值对比分析,得出以下结论：地震加速度用于衡量地震烈度,并不能直接反映斗拱试件的最大变形;振动频率的变化对斗拱回转变形的变化起重要作用,振幅是决定各构件水平滑移的主要因素;各构件变形最大值与斗拱整体变形最大值具有很强相关性,其中栌斗和华拱的回转变形对斗拱的整体变形而言,处于支配地位;斗拱的华拱连下昂部分主要起装饰作用,其榫卯连接节点位置在振动过程中较为薄弱,在对实际文物维护修缮过程中应引起重视并采取相关加固措施。     

An Overview on Fiberoptic Sensing Technology in Smart Civil Structure

The paper discuss the concept of fiberoptic smart civil structure,and analysis the principle of non destructive evaluation of civil structure with the help of embeded fiberoptic sensor in sensing the inner state and integrity of the structure.The typical experiment and development of fiberoptic sensing system in the health monitoring of dam,highway,bridge and buildings are overriewed.     

Performance and Slip Control of Torque Converter Lock-up Clutch

The application of lock-up clutch slip control balances the fuel economy and drivability, and greatly improves the performance of hydraulic automatic transmission. The structure of the lock-up clutch and the friction material of lock-up clutch lining are discussed, a detailed research on varying characteristic due to engaging time during the lock-up clutch engagement is developed, too. By applying the slip control, lower fuel consumption is achieved.     

A Furry Synthetic Evaluation Model in Capital Structure Decisions

This paper analyzes the limitation of regarding the weighted average cost of capital as the optimal standard of capital structure in the traditional capital structure decision-making method, and analyzes the view that the capital structure is affected by many factors,such as earning power, long-term stability of operating, the attitudes held by owners and operators, the attitudes held by creditors and financial risk. With the example, the affecting factors of the capital structure is analyzed. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation model are employed to decision-making of the capital structure. This article also shows the key point of its application.     

Nonlinear Characteristic Modeling of Servo Value on Hydraulic Bending Roll System''s Dynamic Characteristic

Nonlinear characteristic of servo value is the important factor influencing hydraulic system, the model of electro-hydraulic servo pressure control system is designed. In this model, flux-equation of servo valve is specially applied and some non-linear characteristics are considered. Furthermore, SIMULINK toolbox of MATLAB language software is applied to solve mathematic model and simulation curves of some variables are obtained. The calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Physical simulation of fluid field and structure optimization in two-strand tundish

The influence of the structure and location of dam and weir on fluid flow state in a two-strand tundish is studied, and a set of optimal structure, combining with the average residence time calculated from RTD curve, is obtained. The result indicates that the fluid flow state can be changed and the path of the fluid flow can be prolonged as well as the average residence time is improved after using dam and weir. But there are some dead zones after fluid passed through the dam and weir. Combination scheme of No. one dam and weir is better than the others. Its average residence time is 299 s and the volume fraction of dead zone is 31.0%. After the optimization of flowing control parameters in tundish, the best case is that the distance between dam and weir is 290 mm and the distance between weir and the long nozzle is 383 mm. The longest average residence time is 351 s and the minimum volume fraction of dead zone is 19.0% under the above situation. Compared with that of no dam and weir, the average residence time increases by 65 s and the dead zone volume fraction decreases by 15.0%. Based on Newton formula, the calculated results show that the inclusions with diameter larger than 17.5 μm can float up within 351 s under this optimization situation.