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Water Uptake (water + uptake)
Terms modified by Water Uptake Selected AbstractsWATER DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT AND MODELING OF WATER UPTAKE IN PACKAGED YERBA MATEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 4 2007LAURA A. RAMALLO ABSTRACT Effective water diffusion coefficient (Deff) was determined from the kinetics of moisture gain in a yerba mate bed. A value of 1.5 × 10,9 ± 0.4 × 10,9 m2/s was obtained at 40C and 90% relative humidity, by fitting experimental data to the series solution of Fick's second law. A model was developed to predict moisture profile and water uptake in packaged yerba mate. In order to simulate moisture gain in the packaged food, the model considers that the global process of humidity gain is controlled by combined mechanisms of package permeability, product sorption balances and water diffusion within the food bed. The explicit finite difference method was used to numerically solve the resulting equations. The validity of the model was tested by comparing predicted and experimental moisture profiles for high (WVTR , 20 g/m2/day) and low (WVTR , 400 g/m2/day) barrier packages. The model was found to adequately predict the profile of moisture content. [source] Correlation between Morphology, Water Uptake, and Proton Conductivity in Radiation-Grafted Proton-Exchange MembranesMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 6 2010Sandor Balog Abstract An SANS investigation of hydrated proton exchange membranes is presented. Our membranes were synthesized by radiation-induced grafting of ETFE with styrene in the presence of a crosslinker, followed by sulfonation of the styrene. The contrast variation method was used to understand the relationship between morphology, water uptake, and proton conductivity. The membranes are separated into two phases. The amorphous phase hosts the water and swells upon hydration, swelling being inversely proportional to the degree of crosslinking. Hydration and proton conductivity exhibit linear dependence on swelling. Proton conductivity and volumetric fraction of water are related by a power law, indicating a percolated network of finely dispersed aqueous pores in the hydrophilic domains. [source] Structure and Properties of Poly(, -caprolactone) Networks with Modulated Water UptakeMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 23 2006Jorge L. Escobar Ivirico Abstract Summary: A PCL macromonomer was obtained by the reaction of PCL diol with methacrylic anhydride. The effective incorporation of the polymerizable end groups was assessed by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. PCL networks were then prepared by photopolymerization of the PCL macromonomer. Furthermore, the macromonomer was copolymerized with HEA, with the aim of tailoring the hydrophilicity of the system. A set of hydrophilic semicrystalline copolymer networks were obtained. The phase microstructure of the new system and the network architecture was investigated by DSC, IR, DMS, TG, dielectric spectroscopy and water sorption studies. The presence of the hydrophilic units in the system prevented PCL crystallization on cooling; yet there was no effect on the glass transition process. The copolymer networks showed microphase separation and the , relaxation of the HEA units moved to lower temperatures as the amount of PCL in the system increased. Ideal structure, compatible with the experimental results, for the hydrophilized poly(, -caprolactone) networks with modulated water uptake. [source] Leaf Epidermal Hydathodes and the Ecophysiological Consequences of Foliar Water Uptake in Species of Crassula from the Namib Desert in Southern AfricaPLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000C. E. Martin Abstract: Epidermal hydathodes were found on leaves of 46 of 48 species of Crassula collected from the Namib Desert in southern Africa. The possibility that these structures might allow the absorption of surface water was investigated in 27 species (including subspecies). The presence of hydathodes on leaf epidermi correlated, in most cases, with increases in leaf thickness and enhanced rates of nocturnal, and sometimes diurnal, CO2 uptake following wetting of the leaves during the night. The precise nature of these responses varied depending on the species. In addition, wetting only the older leaves on the lower portion of the shoot of C. tetragona ssp. acutifolia not only resulted in increased thickness of these leaves, but also effected an increase in leaf thickness and stimulation of CO2 uptake rates in the distal, younger portion of the shoot that was not wetted. Overall, foliar hydathodes were implicated in the absorption of surface water in many species of Crassula such that the ecophysiology of these desert succulents was positively affected. Although rainfall in the Namib Desert is infrequent, surface wetting of the leaves is a more common occurrence as a result of nighttime dew or fog deposition. Presumably, species with hydathodes benefit directly from this source of moisture. These findings have important implications in understanding a relatively unexplored adaptation of some xerophytes to an extremely arid environment. [source] Water uptake and nutrient concentrations under a floodplain oak savanna during a non-flood period, lower Cedar River, Iowa,HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 21 2009Keith E. Schilling Abstract Floodplains during non-flood periods are less well documented than when flooding occurs, but non-flood periods offer opportunities to investigate vegetation controls on water and nutrient cycling. In this study, we characterized water uptake and nutrient concentration patterns from 2005 to 2007 under an oak savanna located on the floodplain of the Cedar River in Muscatine County, Iowa. The water table ranged from 0·5 to 2·5 m below ground surface and fluctuated in response to stream stage, plant water demand and rainfall inputs. Applying the White method to diurnal water table fluctuations, daily ET from groundwater averaged more than 3·5 mm/day in June and July and approximately 2 mm/day in May and August. Total annual ET averaged 404 mm for a growing season from mid-May to mid-October. Savanna groundwater concentrations of nitrate-N, ammonium-N, and phosphate-P were very low (mean <0·18, <0·14, <0·08 mg/l, respectively), whereas DOC concentrations were high (7·1 mg/l). Low concentrations of N and P were in contrast to high nutrient concentrations in the nearby Cedar River, where N and P averaged 7·5 mg/l and 0·13, respectively. In regions dominated by intensive agriculture, study results document valuable ecosystem services for native floodplain ecosystems in reducing watershed-scale nutrient losses and providing an oasis for biological complexity. Improved understanding of the environmental conditions of regionally significant habitats, including major controls on water table elevations and water quality, offers promise for better management aimed at preserving the ecology of these important habitats. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Protective organic-inorganic hybrid coatings on mild steel derived from Ti(OC4H9)4 -modified precursorsMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 9 2004V. Nguyen Abstract Titania-poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) hybrids prepared by a sol-gel method were deposited by dip coating on mild steel. Transparent and defect free coatings with titania content ranging between 0 and 12.7 wt.% have been prepared. Barrier properties and dry adherence have been tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the vertical pull-off test, respectively. The pull-off test results suggest that the titanium alkoxide precursor must intercede on the substrate/coating interphase during film formation to create specific adhesive bondings with the substrate. In this paper, two capacitance models are used to estimate the water uptake, one based on a uniform and one on a heterogeneous distribution of sorbed water. Water uptake determined from these two models is compared to the gravimetry results. It is suggested that a reliable determination of the actual water uptake in coatings from capacitance measurements require an extensive experimental work. The variations in the state of sorbed water with the specimen type or immersion time, the leaching of organics during immersion or the slow diffusion of ions are fundamental factors that must be considered when comparing the water uptake determined from gravimetry and capacitance models. [source] A new composite sorbent for water and dye uptake: Highly swollen acrylamide/2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid/clay hydrogels crosslinked by 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylatePOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 1 2009Semiha Kundakci A novel type of highly swollen hydrogels based on acrylamide (AAm) with 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and clay such as bentonite (Bent) crosslinked by 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA) was prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous media. Water uptake and dye sorption properties of polyelectrolyte AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels were investigated as a function of composition to find materials with swelling and sorption properties. FTIR analyses were made. Swelling experiments were performed in water and dye solution at 25°C, gravimetrically. Highly swollen AAm/AMPS and AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogels were used in experiments on sorption of water-soluble monovalent cationic dye such as Lauths violet "LV, (Thionin)." Swelling of AAm/AMPS hydrogels was increased up to 1,920,9,222% in water and 867,4,644% in LV solutions, while AAm hydrogels swelled 905% in water and swelling of AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogels was increased up to 2,756,10,422% in water and 1,200,3,332% in LV solutions, while AAm/Bent hydrogels swelled 849% in water. Some swelling kinetic and diffusional parameters were found. Water and LV diffusion into hydrogels was found to be non-Fickian in character. For sorption of cationic dye, LV into AAm/AMPS and AAm/AMPS/Bent hydrogel was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The amount of the dye sorbed per unit mass removal effiency and partition coefficient of the hydrogels was investigated. The influence of AMPS content in the hydrogels to sorption was examined. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] In situ generated diphenylsiloxane-polyimide adduct-based nanocompositesPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005Manisha G. Goswami Arylsiloxane was incorporated into polyimide (PI) via electronic interaction with polyamic acid (PAA)/PI, and a wide spectrum of properties were evaluated for different compositions. The samples prepared with relatively low concentrations (0.0001,0.1%) of oligomers showed unusual synergism, which is attributed to the generation of nanostructures dispersed in the continuous PI matrix. The incorporation of siloxane with bulky phenyl groups contributed to enhanced thermal stability as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. Water uptake and methanol absorption by these composites were evaluated and correlated with the underlying micro- and nanostructures. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to elucidate the probable reaction mechanism (including in situ polymerization of arylsilanol), and to study the synthetic aspects associated with the molecular composites and nanocomposites formation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:142,152, 2005. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Modification of Nafion membrane using poly(4-vinyl pyridine) for direct methanol fuel cellPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2006Jeon Chan Woong Abstract Perfluorinated membrane such as Nafion (from Du-Pont) has been used as a polymer electrolyte membrane. Nafion 117 membrane, which was usually used as the electrolyte membrane for the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), was modified by using poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) to reduce the methanol crossover, which cause fuel losses and lower power efficiency, by the formation of an ionic crosslink structure (sulfonic acid-pyridine complex) on the Nafion 117 surface. Nafion film was immersed in P4VP/N -methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) solution. P4VP weight percent of modified membrane was controlled by changing the concentration of P4VP/NMP solution and the dipping time. P4VP weight percent increased with increasing concentration of dipping solution and dipping time. The thickness of the P4VP layer increased with increasing concentration of dipping solution and dipping time when the concentration of the dipping solution was low. At high P4VP concentration, the thickness of the P4VP layer was almost constant owing to the formation of acid,base complex which interrupted the penetration of P4VP. FTIR results showed that P4VP could penetrate up to 30 µm of Nafion 117 membrane. Proton conductivity and methanol permeability of modified membrane were lower than those of Nafion 117. Both decreased with increasing concentration of dipping solution and dipping time. Methanol permeability was observed to be more dependent on the penetration depth of P4VP. Water uptake of the modified membrane, the important factor in a fuel cell, was lower than that of Nafion 117. Water uptake also decreased with increasing of P4VP weight. On the basis of this study, the thinner the P4VP layer on the Nafion 117 membrane, the higher was the proton conductivity. Methanol permeability decreased exponentially as a function of P4VP weight percent. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Physicochemical and electrochemical characterizations of organic montmorillonite (OMMT)/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) composite membranesASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010R. Gosalawit Abstract Physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the organic montmorillonite (OMMT)/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) composite membranes are considered for their use as proton conducting membranes. The paper presents the preparation and characterization of SPEEK and its composite membranes with OMMT as well as their comparison to the reference Nafion® 117 membrane. Water uptake and thermal property (Td1) are improved when the OMMT loading content increases. Methanol permeability decreases as OMMT loading content increases up to as high as 53% (5 wt% OMMT/SPEEK composite membrane). For proton conductivity, all membranes show improvement when the operating temperature increases from 25 to 90 °C. The proton conductivity at 100 °C of 3 wt% OMMT/SPEEK composite membrane (5.6 × 10,2 S/cm) is one order of magnitude higher than that of Nafion® 117 (2 × 10,3 S/cm). Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Understanding the properties of aerobic sludge granules as hydrogelsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Thomas Seviour Abstract Aerobic sludge granules are larger, denser microbial aggregates than activated sludge flocs with a smoother and more regular surface, which facilitates greater wastewater treatment intensity. Factors important in their growth are still poorly understood, which is an impediment to the construction and operation of full-scale aerobic sludge granule processes. Data in this article obtained with granules treating an abattoir wastewater provide evidence that aerobic sludge granules are hydrogels. The results also demonstrate a method for characterizing macromolecular associations. The rheological profile of these granules was found to be analogous with that of typical polymer gels. Water uptake or swelling reflects an equilibrium between granule elastic modulus and osmotic pressure, whereby uptake is increased by reducing solute concentration or the elastic modulus. A weakening of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix as demonstrated with mechanical spectroscopy was induced by several environmental factors including temperature, pH and ionic strength. Uniform and elastic deformation was observed at low strain. Enzymatic degradation studies indicate that proteins and ,-polysaccharides were the major granule structural materials. The aerobic sludge granules in the current study were therefore protein,polysaccharide composite physical hydrogels. While aerobic sludge granules treating an abattoir wastewater are used as a case study, many of the fundamental principles detailed here are relevant to other granulation processes. The paradigm established in this study can potentially be applied to better understand the formation of aerobic sludge granules and thus overcome a hurdle in the acceptance of aerobic sludge granulation as an alternative to more traditional wastewater treatment processes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1483,1493. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Ericaceous shrubs on abandoned block-cut peatlands: implications for soil water availability and Sphagnum restorationECOHYDROLOGY, Issue 4 2009Kegan K Farrick Abstract Following harvesting by manual block-cut methods and subsequent abandonment, Cacouna bog has undergone a natural vegetation succession, with ericaceous shrubs covering more than 90% of the surface. The abundance of shrubs plays a major role in the soil water flux and availability at the site, impacting Sphagnum regeneration. From June 1 to August 22, 2007, field measurements indicate that transpiration represented the largest water loss from the shrubs at 1·7 mm day,1, comprising 142 mm (42%) of rainfall, compared to 93 mm of evaporation (28%) from bare soil. The rainfall interception from the canopy (62 mm) and litter (15 mm) accounted for 23% of seasonal rainfall. Thus after transpiration and interception losses are accounted for, only 115 mm of the 334 mm of rain (34%) remained available for other processes (recharge/soil evaporation). In the field, the litter layer prevented 17 mm from being lost over the summer as it reduced evaporation by 18%. Laboratory experiments using intact soil monoliths with and without shrubs and litter indicate that at depths below 10 cm the water content from the shrub monoliths decreased 27% versus 20% in the bare peat monoliths because of root water uptake. As a management prescription, raising the water table within 20 cm of the surface would provide water to the most active root uptake zones, reducing the need for extraction from the upper 10 cm of the peat. At this level sufficient water can be supplied to the surface through capillary rise, providing adequate water for the reestablishment/survival of Sphagnum. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Local hydrologic effects of introducing non-native vegetation in a tropical catchmentECOHYDROLOGY, Issue 1 2008Maite Guardiola-Claramonte Abstract This study investigates the hydrologic implications of land use conversion from native vegetation to rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) in Southeast Asia. The experimental catchment, Nam Ken (69 km2), is located in Xishuangbanna Prefecture (22°N, 101°E), in the south of Yunnan province, in southwestern China. During 2005 and 2006, we collected hourly records of 2 m deep soil moisture profiles in rubber and three native land-covers (tea, secondary forest and grassland), and measured surface radiation above the tea and rubber canopies. Observations show that root water uptake of rubber during the dry season is controlled by day-length, whereas water demand of the native vegetation starts with the arrival of the first monsoon rainfall. The different dynamics of root water uptake in rubber result in distinct depletion of soil moisture in deeper layers. Traditional evapotranspiration and soil moisture models are unable to simulate this specific behaviour. Therefore, a different conceptual model, taking in account vegetation dynamics, is needed to predict hydrologic changes due to land use conversion in the area. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Hydraulic lift in a neotropical savannaFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2003M. Z. Moreira Summary 1We report hydraulic lift in the savanna vegetation of central Brazil (Cerrado). Both heat-pulse measurements and isotopic (deuterium) labelling were used to determine whether hydraulic lift occurred in two common species, and whether neighbouring small shrubs and trees were utilizing this water. 2Both techniques showed water uptake by tap-roots and reverse flow of water in lateral roots. Roots transferred hydraulically lifted water to the soil, and small shrubs and trees neighbouring the labelled individuals were labelled by deuterated water. 3Isotopic mass-balance equations and sap-flow measurements showed that water taken up by the central tap-root in each individual constituted only a small percentage of total flux of water through the treated plants. Mass-balance equations also indicated that small shrubs and trees neighbouring the treated plants utilized only a few thousandths of a per cent of the label. 4The small proportion of water uptake by the tap-root of these two species may be limiting hydraulic lift in this system, unless sinker roots descending from lateral roots contribute to hydraulic lift. [source] Defoliation alters water uptake by deep and shallow roots of Prosopis velutina (Velvet Mesquite)FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2003K. A. Snyder Summary 1Prosopis velutina Woot. (Velvet Mesquite) at a site with limited groundwater availability derived a greater percentage of water from shallow soil at the onset of the summer rainy season than did trees at a site with greater availability of groundwater. Predawn leaf water potentials (,pd) were not a strong indicator of shallow water use for this species with roots in multiple soil layers. 2We experimentally defoliated P. velutina plants to determine if reduced-canopy photosynthesis would alter vertical patterns of root activity. After natural rain events, hydrogen isotope ratios of xylem sap indicated that defoliated P. velutina took up a greater percentage of its water from shallow soils than did undefoliated plants. 3Irrigation with deuterium-labelled water further demonstrated that undefoliated plants were able to use shallow soil water. Defoliation appeared to affect the ability of trees to use deep-water sources. 4Reduced carbon assimilation limited water uptake from deep soil layers. These data highlight that there are internal physiological controls on carbon allocation that may limit water uptake from different soil layers. During periods of high vapour pressure deficit or soil drought, when leaf gas exchange and carbon assimilation decline, this may create positive feedbacks where plants are unable to forage for deep water due to carbon limitations. [source] Environmental factors during seed development of narrow-leaved bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus tenuis) influences subsequent dormancy and germinationGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2003A. A. Clua Abstract Narrow-leaved bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus tenuis) is a perennial forage legume adapted to waterlogged and heavy and infertile soils and can replace alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in areas with these soils in Argentina. Its seeds are hard and water-impermeable but the effects of environmental factors on seed dormancy and germination are not known. The objective was to evaluate the hypothesis that water availability during seed development and maturation affects the degree of hardseededness in L. tenuis by changing seed coat properties, conditioning water uptake through the seed coat; and subsequently affecting dormancy, germination and speed of germination. Seeds were harvested in December/January and in February in both 1993/1994 and 1994/1995 from a permanent pasture of L. tenuis growing in a Hapludol soil in San Miguel del Monte province of Buenos Aires. Environmental conditions of each anthesis-harvest period were determined. Seeds of each harvest were subjected to chilling, washing and mechanical scarification. After 12 months seeds from each harvest were observed in a scanning electron microscope. The water deficit of the soil and relative humidity were greater in the second than the first anthesis-harvest period in both seasons. In 1993/1994 the control treatment in December had a higher germination rate than the February control seeds (0·40 vs. 0·20) and a faster germination rate. Mechanical scarification and chilling significantly enhanced the germination rate (0·95) and its speed in seeds of both harvests. Low temperatures significantly enhanced germination rate, starting after 60 d for the seeds harvested in December, and 90 d for the seeds harvested in February. In 1994/1995 the results were similar but both the January and February control treatments had higher germination rates (0·60 vs. 0·40) than in the previous year. Seeds harvested in February were more dormant in both years. These differences could be explained by the conditions in February anthesis-harvest period in both years that could have hastened the natural dehydration process of seed, changing integument structure and enhancing its impermeability. [source] Development of Saline Ground Water through Transpiration of Sea WaterGROUND WATER, Issue 6 2007T. Fass As vegetation usually excludes salt during water uptake, transpiration will increase the salinity of the residual water. If the source water is sea water, then the residual water may become highly saline. In the unconfined coastal aquifer of the tropical Burdekin River delta, northeastern Australia, areas of highly saline ground water with chloride concentrations up to almost three times that of sea water occur up to 15 km from the present coastline, and are attributed to transpiration by mangrove vegetation during periods of high sea level. Radiogenic (14C) carbon isotope analyses indicate that ground water with chloride concentrations between 15,000 and 35,000 mg/L is mostly between 4000 and 6000 years old, at which time sea level was 2 to 3 m higher than present. Stable isotope analyses of oxygen-18 and deuterium show no evidence for evaporative enrichment of this water. Oxygen-18, deuterium, and stable (,13C) carbon isotope analyses of ground water and soil water point to a recharge environment beneath the mangrove forests during this postglacial sea level high stand. During that period, transpiration of the mangrove forests would have led to high chloride concentrations in the residual ground water, without inducing isotopic fractionation. Due to the higher density, this hypersaline water moved downward through the aquifer by gravity and has formed lenses of highly saline ground water at the bottom of the unconfined aquifer. [source] Water uptake and nutrient concentrations under a floodplain oak savanna during a non-flood period, lower Cedar River, Iowa,HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 21 2009Keith E. Schilling Abstract Floodplains during non-flood periods are less well documented than when flooding occurs, but non-flood periods offer opportunities to investigate vegetation controls on water and nutrient cycling. In this study, we characterized water uptake and nutrient concentration patterns from 2005 to 2007 under an oak savanna located on the floodplain of the Cedar River in Muscatine County, Iowa. The water table ranged from 0·5 to 2·5 m below ground surface and fluctuated in response to stream stage, plant water demand and rainfall inputs. Applying the White method to diurnal water table fluctuations, daily ET from groundwater averaged more than 3·5 mm/day in June and July and approximately 2 mm/day in May and August. Total annual ET averaged 404 mm for a growing season from mid-May to mid-October. Savanna groundwater concentrations of nitrate-N, ammonium-N, and phosphate-P were very low (mean <0·18, <0·14, <0·08 mg/l, respectively), whereas DOC concentrations were high (7·1 mg/l). Low concentrations of N and P were in contrast to high nutrient concentrations in the nearby Cedar River, where N and P averaged 7·5 mg/l and 0·13, respectively. In regions dominated by intensive agriculture, study results document valuable ecosystem services for native floodplain ecosystems in reducing watershed-scale nutrient losses and providing an oasis for biological complexity. Improved understanding of the environmental conditions of regionally significant habitats, including major controls on water table elevations and water quality, offers promise for better management aimed at preserving the ecology of these important habitats. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Diversity examination based on physical, technological and chemical traits in a locally grown landrace of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. major)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009Giovanni Avola Summary Fifteen accessions of a locally adapted Sicilian population (,Larga di Leonforte') of faba bean were evaluated for their physical and technological properties and chemical composition. Results showed a high seed weight (1000 seed weight around 2500 × g) along with a great seed size with wide variability among accessions. When all data were combined, the seeds initial water uptake was 0.21 g min,1. Differences between accessions were found in hydration capacity (ranging between 133% and 160%) and retainable firmness after 40 min of cooking (ranging between 18.8 and 13.6 N cm,2). In addition, the average contents of 46.0, 25.2 and 2.6 g 100 g,1 dry weight basis were ascertained for starch, protein and tannin, respectively, with considerable variation among accessions. The result's interpretation, carried out through a methodological approach based on multivariate analysis, seem to support the view that parameters such as seed dimension, starch, protein and tannin content, can be effectively adopted as elements of comparison among landraces in grain legumes. [source] Structure and properties of phase change materials based on HDPE, soft Fischer-Tropsch paraffin wax, and wood flourJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010M. E. Mngomezulu Abstract Phase-change materials based on high density polyethylene (HDPE), soft Fischer-Tropsch paraffin wax (M3), and alkali-treated wood flour (WF) were investigated. The blend and composite samples were prepared by melt mixing using a Brabender Plastograph, followed by melt pressing. They were characterized in terms of their morphology, as well as thermal, mechanical, thermo-mechanical, and water absorption properties. Although SEM micrographs showed some evidence of intimate contact between the WF particles and the HDPE matrix as a result of alkali treatment, poor filler dispersion, and interfacial adhesion were also observed. Partial immiscibility of the HDPE and the M3 wax was noticed, with the WF particles covered by wax. There was plasticization of the HDPE matrix by the wax, as well as partial cocrystallization, inhomogeneity and uneven wax dispersion in the polymer matrix. The HDPE/WF/M3 wax composites were more homogeneous than the blends. The presence of wax reduced the thermal stability of the blends and composites. Both the presence of M3 wax and WF influenced the viscoelastic behavior of HDPE. The HDPE/M3 wax blends showed an increase in the interfacial amorphous content as the wax content increases, which resulted in the appearance of a ,-relaxation peak. The presence of M3 wax in HDPE reduced the mechanical properties of the blends. For the composites these properties varied with WF content. An increase in wax content resulted to a decrease in water uptake by the composites, probably because the wax covered the WF particles and penetrated the pores in these particles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Application of hydrophilic finished of synthetic fabrics coated with CMC/acrylic acid cured by electron beam irradiation in the removal of metal cations from aqueous solutionsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2010Sayeda M. Ibrahim Abstract Modified textile fabrics were used to remove Cu+2 and Cr+3 ions from aqueous solutions. For this purpose, modified Nylon-6, polyester woven and knitted fabrics were prepared by coating the surface with a thin layer of aqueous solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and acrylic acid (AAc) of thickness 25 ,m. Radiation crosslinking of the coated layer was carried out by electron beam irradiation with a constant dose of 30 kGy. Morphology of the coated fabrics was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) which indicated the compatibility between the coated layer and fabrics. Properties attributed to the hydrophilicity, especially water uptake and weight loss before and after several washing cycles were followed up. The effect of AAc concentration on the hydrophilic properties of the coated fabrics was studied. A considerable enhancement in water uptake has been attained on increasing AAc content in solution in case of nylon-6 followed by polyester woven followed by polyester knitted fabrics. The performances of the modified textile fabrics were evaluated for the recovery of Cu+2 and Cr+3 from aqueous solution. The metal ion absorption efficiency of the modified textile fabrics was measured using UV Spectrophotometer analysis and EDX. Parameters affecting the efficiency of these textile fabrics in the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution namely, concentration of AAc and the immersion time were studied. It was found that there was a marked increase in the recovery of metal ions on increasing both immersion time and concentration of AAc. This study evidences that the modified textile fabrics can be used for the purpose of removal of some heavy metals such as Cu and Cr. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Controlled release of argatroban from PLA film,Effect of hydroxylesters as additives on enhancement of drug releaseJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Akira Mochizuki Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a drug eluting stent that prevents vein restenosis. For this, we selected argatroban as the study drug and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as the matrix. To enhance the release of argatroban from PLA film, the addition of hydroxylesters (additives) was investigated. The additives investigated were diethyl tartrate (DET), diethyl malate (DEM), and triethyl citrate (TEC). Marked enhancement of drug release was observed in DET-added film, while TEC- or DEM-added film showed little enhancement. To clarify the effect of DET, the release profile based on the contents of the drug and DET in the film and the effect of alkyl chain length of tartrate were studied. Tartrates used were dimethyl, di- i -propyl, and di- n -butyl esters (DMT, DiPT, and DnBT, respectively), and the enhancement order was DMT , DET , DiPT , DBT , PLA alone. The reasons for enhancement were discussed from the viewpoint of drug release behavior, degradation of PLA, water uptake within the film, and SEM observations. It was concluded that enhancement of drug release was due to large amounts of water uptake within the film which resulted in the formation of open pores at its surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] MODELING VARIETAL EFFECT ON THE WATER UPTAKE BEHAVIOR OF MILLED RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) DURING SOAKINGJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2007B.K. YADAV ABSTRACT Milled rice is soaked until saturation before cooking and other processing. The soaking behavior of the milled rice is affected by varietal factor as well as initial moisture content (M0) of the samples. In the present study, tests were performed for milled whole kernels of 10 rice varieties ranging from low to high amylose content (16,29% d.b.) with three initial moisture levels (approximately 8, 12 and 16% d.b.) for monitoring water uptake in rice kernels during soaking at room temperature (25 ± 1C), in relation to the varietal differences manifested by the physicochemical properties. The water uptake by milled rice kernels took place at a faster rate in the beginning and was followed by a diminishing rate finally leading to a saturated value during soaking. The water uptake of the kernels during soaking could be best expressed by a modified exponential relationship with R2 values ranging from 0.971 to 0.998 for all varieties. The slope of the fitted straight line between actual and estimated moisture contents of milled rice during soaking using a modified exponential relationship was about unity (0.998) with a high R2 value of 0.989 and a root mean square error of 1.2% d.b. The parameters of the fitted model were the function of the M0 and the physicochemical properties of the milled rice. Using developed relationship, the water uptake of the milled rice during soaking could be estimated from its M0 and the physicochemical properties within±10% of the actual values. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This information would be useful for the scientific world working on the soaking characteristics of various varieties of rice, mainly for the modeling of the soaking process. It could also be used as a tool in selecting the rice varieties to meet their desired water uptake properties in relation to their psychochemical properties by rice breeder scientists. [source] REHYDRATION OF FREEZE-DRIED STRAWBERRIES AT VARYING TEMPERATURESJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2005LAETITIA MEDA ABSTRACT Strawberries (var. Seascape), cut in halves or 5-mm slices, were freeze-dried at a heating plate temperature of 55C for 28 h. Freeze-dried products were then rehydrated at 0, 20, 40 and 80C in distilled water. The progression of the rehydration coefficient (RC) was followed as a function of time (up to 25 min). Less than 2 min were necessary to fully rehydrate the slices and less than 5 min for half strawberries. The results showed that halved and sliced freeze-dried strawberries had higher RCs when rehydrated at a temperature near 0C. A simple diffusive-type equation was used to represent water uptake during rehydration. Effective diffusion coefficients were modeled as a function of temperature using an Arrhenius-type relationship. [source] WATER DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT AND MODELING OF WATER UPTAKE IN PACKAGED YERBA MATEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 4 2007LAURA A. RAMALLO ABSTRACT Effective water diffusion coefficient (Deff) was determined from the kinetics of moisture gain in a yerba mate bed. A value of 1.5 × 10,9 ± 0.4 × 10,9 m2/s was obtained at 40C and 90% relative humidity, by fitting experimental data to the series solution of Fick's second law. A model was developed to predict moisture profile and water uptake in packaged yerba mate. In order to simulate moisture gain in the packaged food, the model considers that the global process of humidity gain is controlled by combined mechanisms of package permeability, product sorption balances and water diffusion within the food bed. The explicit finite difference method was used to numerically solve the resulting equations. The validity of the model was tested by comparing predicted and experimental moisture profiles for high (WVTR , 20 g/m2/day) and low (WVTR , 400 g/m2/day) barrier packages. The model was found to adequately predict the profile of moisture content. [source] Role of Reduced Ionic Strength and Low pH in Gelation of Chicken Breast Muscle ProteinJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2005S. Ke And ABSTRACT: Elastic gels with a high moisture content of 88% were prepared at an acidic pH and low ionic strength. The relationship among pH, ionic strength, water-holding capacity, and fold score of gels was investigated. A decrease of pH from 4.1 to 3.7 or below increased gel elasticity and significantly decreased water loss under pressure (P < 0.05). In the presence of sodium chloride, gels made at pH 3.5 to 3.7 had decreased elasticity and increased water loss under pressure. Prior freezing increased the water loss of gels under pressure. Gels made with phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid lost less water under pressure than those made with citric acid. The percentage loss of water from cylindrical gels was inversely related to the height of the cylinders, suggesting that surface effects were involved. These results suggest that net positive charges on the protein molecules at low pH produced electrostatic repulsion, which was a major driving force for water uptake in the low-salt gels. [source] Role of pH and Ionic Strength on Water Relationships in Washed Minced Chicken-breast Muscle GelsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2003H.G. Kristinsson ABSTRACT The relationship between pH, ionic strength, and water balance of chicken-breast muscle gels was investigated. An increase in gel pH (pH 6.4 to 7.4) without added NaCl led to dramatic increases in water-holding capacity and water uptake (P < 0.05). Gels at 150 mM NaCl exhibited less ability to adsorb water than salt-free gels (P < 0.05 at pH 6.8 to 7.4) and had lower water-holding capacities (P < 0.05) and fold scores at and below pH 7. Varying salt concentration of the gel-bathing solutions had dramatic effect on the water uptake of the gels. The results show that strong water-absorbing gels can be produced at low ionic strengths and suggest that the negative charge of the muscle proteins is the driving force for water uptake and retention. [source] Ecophysiological Response of Plants to Combined Pollution from Heavy-duty Vehicles and Industrial Emissions in Higher HumidityJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 12 2006Hong-Xia Cui Abstract Pollution can be aggravated in industrial areas if traffic exhausts are mixed with industrial emissions under high humidity conditions. Plants growing in such environments may suffer from severe stress. The impact of vehicle emissions on urban vegetation in an industrial area in Qingdao, China, was investigated by studying seven plant species at visible, physiological and chemical levels. The traits of plant species in certain environmental conditions were compared between a clear area, Badaguan (BDG), and polluted area, Roadside (RS). We found that foliar sulfur uptake for all species was not significantly high at RS compared with BDG, although the sulfur content of atmosphere and surface soils at RS were much higher than those at BDG. For Ailanthus altissima Swingle, the content of foliar pigment and net photosynthesis rate (PN) decreased by 20%. Meanwhile, leaves became incrassate and no visible leaf damage was noted, suggesting this species could adapt well to pollution. A 50% decrease in PN occurred in Hibiscus syriacus L., but there was no statistical change in content of chlorophyll a and b and water uptake. Also, thickened leaves may prevent the pollutant from permeation. Foliar water content was still at a low level, although a water compensation mechanism was established for Fraxinus chinensis Rosb. reflected by low water potential and high water use efficiency. More adversely, a 65% decrease in PN happened inevitably with the significant decomposition of photosynthetic pigments, which exhibited visible damage. We also noted in one evergreen species (Magnolia grandiflora L.) that water absorption driven by low water potential should be helpful to supply water loss induced by strong stomatal transpiration and maintain normal growth. Furthermore, photosynthetic pigment content did not decline statistically, but supported a stable net assimilation. Two herbaceous species, Poa annua L. and Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gawl., were very tolerant to adverse stress compared to other woody species, especially in assimilation through a compensatory increase in leaf area. A more remarkable decline in PN (decrease 80%) was noted in the exotic but widespread species, Platanus orientalis L., with serious etiolation and withering being exhibited on the whole canopy. Our results suggested, special for woody species, that most native species are more tolerant to pollution and therefore should to be broadly used in a humid urban industrial environment with heavy-duty vehicle emissions. (Managing editor: Ya-Qin Han) [source] Mathematical modeling of water uptake through diffusion in 3D inhomogeneous swelling substratesAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2009L. R. van den Doel Abstract Diffusion-driven water uptake in a substrate (imbibition) is a subject of great interest in the field of food technology. This is a particular challenge for rice grains that are preprocessed to accelerate the water uptake, i.e., to reduce the cooking time. Rice preprocessing disrupts the mesostructural order of starch and induces a microporous structure in the grains. The meso- and microstructural length scales have not been considered in joint approach until now. The (re)hydration of rice grains can be modeled by free (concentration-driven) diffusion or by water demand-driven diffusion. The latter is driven by the ceiling moisture content related to the extent of gelatinization of the rice substrate network. This network can be regarded as a fractal structure. As the spatial resolution of our models is limited, we choose to model the apparent water transport by a set of coupled partial differential equations (PDEs). Current models of water uptake are often limited to a single dimension, and the swelling of the substrate is not taken into account. In this article, we derive a set of PDEs to model water uptake in a three-dimensional (3D) inhomogeneous substrate for different types of water diffusion as well as the swelling of the substrate during water uptake. We will present simulation results for different 3D (macroscopic) structures and diffusion models and compare these results, qualitatively, with the experimental results acquired from magnetic resonance imaging. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Effect of cooling procedure on final denture base adaptationJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 8 2002S. M. Ganzarolli Summary Well-fitted dentures prevent hyperplasic lesions, provide chewing efficiency and promote patient's comfort. Several factors may affect final adaptation of dentures, as the type of the acrylic resin, the flask cooling procedure and the water uptake. This investigation evaluated the effect of water storage and two different cooling procedures [bench cooling (BC) for 2 h; running water (RW) at 20 °C for 45 min] on the final adaptation of denture bases. A heat-cured acrylic resin (CL, Clássico, Clássico Artigos Odontológicos) and two microwave-cured acrylic resins [Acron MC, (AC) GC Dent. Ind. Corp.; Onda Cryl (OC), Clássico Artigos Odontológicos] were used to make the bases. Adaptation was assessed by measuring the weight of an intervening layer of silicone impression material between the base and the master die. Data was submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (0·05). The following means were found: (BC) CL=0·72 ± 0·03 a; AC=0·70 ± 0·03 b; OC=0·76 ± 0·04 c//(RW) CL= 1·00 ± 0·11 a; AC=1·00 ± 0·12 a; OC=0·95 ± 0·10 a. Different labels join groups that are not statistically different (P > 0·05). Comparisons are made among groups submitted to the same cooling procedure (BC or RW). The conclusions are: interaction of type of material and cooling procedure had a statistically significant effect on the final adaptation of the denture bases (P < 0·05); water storage was not detected as a source of variance (P > 0·05) on the final adaptation. 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