Weight Of Mat Research Articles

Optimizing mat quality and transplanter performance using soil mix with vermicompost and farmyard manure in paddy tray nursery: A sustainable smart farming approach in India

In order to improve transplanter performance and mat characteristics in mat-type paddy tray nurseries in paddy cultivation and to increase the paddy seedling quality and yield, a soil mix fertilizer with vermicompost and farmyard manure was optimized in different proportions. The investigation provides valuable insights for optimizing paddy cultivation practices, with emphasis on the potential of a specific treatment TC7, composed of 50% vermicompost, 30% farmyard manure, and 20% soil, to contribute to more robust and productive paddy cultivation systems. The TC7 treatment showed notable results, including highest average paddy seed germination (93.00 ​± ​2.24%), significant paddy seedling height (16.85 ​± ​1.72 ​cm), balanced root-to-shoot ratio (0.72 ​± ​0.013), robust seedling vigour index (1567.05 ​± ​121.45), substantial biomass production (0.481 ​± ​0.0010 ​g), and significant dry matter production (0.0422 ​± ​0.0029 ​g). The highest mat thickness of 28.10 ​± ​0.05 ​mm and the lowest mat weight per m2 area of 22.30 ​± ​1.56 ​kg/m2 was recorded in TC4 treatment containing 44% vermicompost, 44% farmyard manure, and 12% soil. The highest rolling quality of the mat with a rolling score of 10.00 ​± ​0.027 in TC8 treatment containing 30% vermicompost, 50% farmyard manure, and 20% soil, and the maximum mat strength of 54.90 ​± ​3.82 ​kg/m2 in TC10 treatment (soil alone). Mechanical transplanter performance exhibited superiority maximum planted hills per meter run (7 ​± ​1), optimum seedlings per hill (3), minimum occurrences of missing hills (1), and a maximum plant population per m2 (116 ​± ​5) utilizing seedling mats prepared with TC7 treatment. The highest grain yield of 4180 ​± ​449 ​kg/ha and grain straw ratio of 0.88 ​± ​0.0317 was recorded in the TC7 treatment. Thus, this study recommends fine-tuning and adopting the TC7 treatment combination to facilitate sustainable smart farming practices in India. Farmers are encouraged to consider implementing TC7 treatment combinations to elevate the quality and productivity of paddy cultivation.

Cultural, morphological and pathogenic variability among the different isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important pulse crop, which belongs to family Leguminaceae, chickpea having 2n=16 number of chromosomes. Chickpea is native of India and tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. It is ranked 3rd after common bean. Pulses play an important role not only from economical point of view but also due to their nutritional value. Chickpea is valued for their nutritive seeds with high protein content, 25.3-28.9 per cent after dehulling. Carbohydrate 61.5 per cent, fat 4.5 per cent and vitamins 2.44 per cent. Variability among the ten isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC), collected from different locations of Parbhani district in Maharashtra. Ten isolates were studied in respect of cultural, morphological characters and Pathogenic variability. Result of the above study reveals that pathogenic variability has been established by inoculating ten days old seedlings of different cultivars individually with the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri isolates. JG 62 exhibited susceptible reactions to FOC isolates with highest percentage of seedling mortality whereas, JG 315 and BCP-160 were exhibited resistant reactions to the FOC isolates with lowest mortality percentage due to wilt varied within the cultivars. Cultural studies of all isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri resulted that isolates differ in the growth rate, types of colony, sporulation, and pigmentation on Potato Dextrose Agar is being favorable for luxuriant growth for all the isolates and dry weight of mycelia mat growing them on Potato Dextrose Broth medium. Morphological studies of different isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri concluded resulted in the variations in size, septation and formation of chlaymadospores.

Visco-elastic response of combined footings on earth beds with geocell-geomembrane inclusions

Visco-elastic response of combined footings lying on earth beds with geocell-geomembrane inclusions has been studied using a simple lumped parameter model. The earth bed has been simulated with the help of series of Burgers model, i.e., Maxwell and Kelvin models coupled in series, connected by an elastic member. Overlying the soft visco-elastic bed, there exists a geocell layer with soil infill idealized by a beam having finite flexural rigidity. On top of this, granular mat has been laid and idealized as Pasternak shear layer underlying the combined footing considered as a beam. The footing has been subjected to equi-spaced columnar loads. The weight of granular mat has been considered on top of reinforcing beam. A lumped-parameter model has been used for idealizing the physical problem. Thereafter the governing differential equations have been developed and solved numerically with the help of suitable boundary conditions. Validation of the proposed model has been done before taking up the detailed study to exhibit the influence of various model parameters on the response of footing-soil system. Magnitude of columnar loads, location of geocell layer, relative elastic and viscous coefficients of Burgers model, and tension in elastic membrane have been found to have significant impact on deflection and bending moment in both footing and the geocell. All the analyses and results have been presented in terms of non-dimensional parameters. Many parameters combining together forms a number (non-dimensional) and the same number can be used in designing a typical case of combined footings using the charts developed.

Optimal design of needlepunched nonwoven fiber reinforced epoxy composites using improved preference selection index approach

Viscose and polypropylene fiber-based needlepunched nonwoven fabric mat reinforced epoxy composites with varying mass per unit area (200, 400 and 600g/m2) and varying fabric mat weight percentage (20, 30, and 40wt.%) were fabricated. The manufactured composites were characterized for physical (density, void content), mechanical (impact energy, flexural, tensile and inter-laminar shear strength) and erosive wear properties. The evaluated properties were considered as performance defining attributes (PDAs) for the assessment of the composites. The experimental results indicate that there was no single composite which satisfied all the selected PDAs. Therefore, the improved preference selection index (PSI) approach was proposed to select the best composite alternative which yielded optimized physico-mechanical and erosive wear properties by considering all the PDAs at a single time. It was found that the composite alternative containing 40wt.% of 600g/m2 polypropylene fiber displayed the optimal physico-mechanical and erosive wear properties.

Properties of Particleboard in Correlation with Mat Weight and Press Factor

The influence of resin types on board properties and the correlation to mat weight and press factor on commercial production of particleboard were investigated. These factors could be used as the control mechanism for board making in order to predict final board properties. The resins used in this study were the lower emission resin E0, E1 and EC. Rubberwood and mix tropical species were used as raw material for manufacturing particleboard with thickness of 18mm. This research was done at Mieco Chipboard Bhd. The boards were tested for their mechanical properties which are modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bonding (IB) and screw withdrawal. Overall, the result shows that board made from E0 resin had better MOE, MOR and IB. Meanwhile the result of screw edge showed that board made from E1 resin is better with the value of 510N. The result also showed high correlation between mat weight and press factor (0.937) and contributed in particleboard manufacturing control

Electro spun nanomats strengthened glass fiber hybrid composites: Improved mechanical properties using continuous nanofibers

Hybrid multiscale fiber reinforced epoxy composite laminates were developed and characterized from woven glass fiber mats reinforced with nonwoven PAN nanofibers (diameters of 200 nm) produced via electrospinning. An electrospinning setup was designed and developed to produce continuous E‐spun nonwoven nanofiber (NWNF) mats, which were then used as interlaminar reinforcements for producing multiscale hybrid composites. A detailed study for producing E‐spun nanomats considering both solution and operation parameters was undertaken discussed and optimum spinning parameters were obtained. These parameters were used to produce the E‐spun NWNF mats, which were inserted into the interlaminar region of glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminates. The impact absorption energy, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the hybrid multiscale composites were found to increase with an increase in E‐spun NWNF mat weight fraction. These properties were compared to those of a conventional glass fiber composite laminates prepared from the neat epoxy resin with 32% glass fiber volume fraction. The effectiveness of the strengthening/toughening strategy formulated in this study indicates that the feasibility of using the E‐spun NWNF mat reinforcements for improving the mechanical properties of structured high‐performance composites. In addition, the present study provides motivation for the long‐term development of high‐strength high toughness bulk structural nanocomposites for broader engineering applications.

Thalassodendron ciliatum (Cymodoceaceae) in Palau: occurrence, typhoon impacts and changes over time

Abstract The seagrass Thalassodendron ciliatum (Cymodoceaceae) is uncommon in Palau, Micronesia, but remnant beds occur in an area of less than 1 km2 on the northern tip of Velasco Reef, a sunken atoll, plus small areas on its western rim. The ridges are lengthy, consisting of rhizome mat and seagrass up to 1 m high, and 4–8 m wide forming curving elongate shapes (arcs, concentric curves, circles, patches). Most occur on a gently sloping limestone bottom 22–27 m deep, with some as shallow as 15 m on the Western Rim, and ridges sit directly on top of the limestone pavement, with only the weight of mat and its incorporated rock materials holding them in place. Photographic monitoring over time has indicated they are actively eroding on their edges, but the passage of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 caused much greater damage to the beds. Small patches occur in shallow water on the east side of Babeldaob Island slightly behind the fringing reef crest and have not changed significantly over recent decades.

The Abundance of Toxic Genotypes Is a Key Contributor to Anatoxin Variability in Phormidium-Dominated Benthic Mats.

The prevalence of benthic proliferations of the anatoxin-producing cyanobacterium Phormidium are increasing in cobble-bed rivers worldwide. Studies to date have shown high spatial and temporal variability in anatoxin concentrations among mats. In this study we determined anatoxin quotas (toxins per cell) in field samples and compared these results to the conventionally-used concentrations (assessed per dry weight of mat). Three mats were selected at sites in two rivers and were sampled every 2–3 h for 24–26 h. The samples were lyophilized and ground to a fine homogenous powder. Two aliquots of known weights were analyzed for anatoxin congeners using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, or digital droplet PCR with Phormidium-specific anaC primers to measure absolute quantities of gene copies. Anatoxin concentrations in the mats varied 59- and 303-fold in the two rivers over the study periods. A similar pattern was observed among gene copies (53- and 2828-fold). When converted to anatoxin quotas there was markedly less variability (42- and 16-fold), but significantly higher anatoxin quotas were observed in mats from the second river (p < 0.001, Student’s t-test). There were no obvious temporal patterns with high and low anatoxin concentrations or quotas measured at each sampling time and across the study period. These results demonstrate that variability in anatoxin concentrations among mats is primarily due to the abundance of toxic genotypes. No consistent modulation in anatoxin production was observed during the study, although significant differences in anatoxin quotas among rivers suggest that site-specific physiochemical or biological factors may influence anatoxin production.

Diagnosing Postpartum Hemorrhage: A New Way to Assess Blood Loss in a Low-Resource Setting.

Introduction Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The largest barriers to treating PPH are symptom recognition and timely diagnosis. The SAPHE (Signaling a Postpartum Hemorrhage Emergency) Mat was constructed so that each square on the Mat absorbs up to 50mL of blood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation of visually estimated blood loss (EBL) using the SAPHE Mat with actual blood loss. Methods Thirty-six patients gave birth via vaginal delivery using the SAPHE Mat. Visual estimation of blood loss using the SAPHE Mat was calculated by multiplying the number of blood- saturated squares or partial squares by 50mL. The visual EBL was compared with the actual blood loss calculated based on Mat weight before and after use (volume blood loss). Results Visual blood loss estimations were within 100mL of the volume blood loss 69% of the time and within 200mL 97% of the time. The mean difference between the visual EBL and volume blood loss (Mat weight change) was 80.91mL. The Pearson correlation coefficient for visual EBL and volume blood loss was positive at 0.96 (p<0.001). Discussion The SAPHE Mat is able to provide a visual estimate of blood loss that is highly correlated with the actual blood loss on the mat. Future studies will assess the ability to deploy the SAPHE Mat in low-resource settings as a potential guide for estimating blood loss to assist in improved management of PPH.

Electrospun Ultrafine Fiber Composites Containing Fumed Silica: From Solution Rheology to Materials with Tunable Wetting.

Fumed silica (FS) particles with hydrophobic (R805) or hydrophilic (A150) surface functionalities are incorporated in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers by electrospinning to produce mats with controlled wettability. Rheological measurements are conducted to elucidate the particle-polymer interactions and characterize the system while microscopic and analytic tools are used to examine FS location within both fibers and films to aid in the fundamental understanding of wetting behavior. Unlike traditional polymers, we find these systems to be gel-like, yet electrospinnable; the fumed silica networks break down into smaller aggregates during the electrospinning process and disperse both within and on the surface of the fibers. Composite nanofiber mats containing R805 FS exhibit an apparent contact angle over 130° and remain hydrophobic over 30 min, while similar mats with A150 display rapid surface-wetting with a static contact angle of ∼30°. Wicking experiments reveal that the water absorption properties can be further manipulated, with R805 FS-impregnated mats taking up only 8% water relative to mat weight in 15 min. In contrast, PAN fibers containing A150 FS absorb 425% of water in the same period, even more than the pure PAN fiber (371%). The vastly different responses to water demonstrate the versatility of FS in surface modification, especially for submicron fibrous mats. The role of fumed silica in controlling wettability is discussed in terms of their surface functionality, placement on nanofibers and induced surface roughness.

Erosive wear behavior and dynamic mechanical analysis of textile material reinforced polymer composites

The present analysis intends to look into the needlepunched nonwoven textile material reinforced polymer composites. The solid particle erosion wear behavior of needlepunched nonwoven fabric mat reinforced epoxy composites were assessed using silica sand particles with the size of 250, 350, and 450 μm. Taguchi analysis was also carried out on the basis of design of experiments (DoE) approach to establish the interdependence of operating parameters. Mechanical and physical properties of composites were also evaluated experimentally, and the storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping factor (tan δ) characteristics were analyzed with the help of dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) in the temperature range of 20–200°C. Surface morphology of the eroded surfaces of composites were also analyze by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) to discuss the feasible erosion mechanism on composite surfaces. The result reveals that fiber content and impact velocity has an invulnerable impact on the erosion rate of needlepunched nonwoven fabric mat‐epoxy composites. The mechanical and physical properties are meliorating with incorporation of fabric mat weight percentage in composites, and the measured damping factor (tan δ) peaks of Tg for needlepunched nonwoven fabric mat epoxy composites ranged from 100 to 110°C. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2201–2211, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

Obesity and chronic stress are able to desynchronize the temporal pattern of serum levels of leptin and triglycerides

Disruption of the circadian system can lead to metabolic dysfunction as a response to environmental alterations. This study assessed the effects of the association between obesity and chronic stress on the temporal pattern of serum levels of adipogenic markers and corticosterone in rats. We evaluated weekly weight, delta weight, Lee index, and weight fractions of adipose tissue (mesenteric, MAT; subcutaneous, SAT; and pericardial, PAT) to control for hypercaloric diet-induced obesity model efficacy. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: standard chow (C), hypercaloric diet (HD), stress plus standard chow (S), and stress plus hypercaloric diet (SHD), and analyzed at three time points: ZT0, ZT12, and ZT18. Stressed animals were subjected to chronic stress for 1h per day, 5 days per week, during 80 days. The chronic exposure to a hypercaloric diet was an effective model for the induction of obesity and metabolic syndrome, increasing delta weight, Lee index, weight fractions of adipose tissue, and triglycerides and leptin levels. We confirmed the presence of a temporal pattern in the release of triglycerides, corticosterone, leptin, and adiponectin in naïve animals. Chronic stress reduced delta weight, MAT weight, and levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and leptin. There were interactions between chronic stress and obesity and serum total cholesterol levels, between time points and obesity and adiponectin and corticosterone levels, and between time points and chronic stress and serum leptin levels. In conclusion, both parameters were able to desynchronize the temporal pattern of leptin and triglyceride release, which could contribute to the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.

EFFECT OF COMPOS OF SAME COMPONENTS WHICH WAS LOCALY PREPAED ON OYSTER MUSHROOM(PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS) PRODUCTION

This study was conducted to determine the possibility of using the wild reed and different paper wastes which are pollutants in the environment to produce of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. The study included assessment of rapid growth of spinning and biomass of mushrooms in cartoons and Paper abstracts, And the possibility of introducing the best transactions in components by consolidation with the automatic Center rock phospate with 0% , 5% and 10% on the growth and productivity of mushroom althmret objects. The results revealed the following: Best in vitro growth effect (mycelia growth rate) of the P. ostreatus on culture medium was obtained with cardboard extract 88.6 mm within 10 days and high dry mat weight of 4.72 g/ l compared to 3.52 g/ l on PDA medium. Growth and production characteristics–Treatment of 80% common reed + 20% paper, showed shorter incubation period of 27.83 days and the difference was significant compared to other treatments. Treatment of 70% common reed + 30% paper gave shorter period in the formation of buds primoridea (5.58 days) and this treatment with the amendment of 5% rock phosphate showed higher significantly increased in the yield (545.6 g/ kg) compared with the non- amendment rock phosphate, which gave 327.7 g/kg. in addition the highest stem length (4.22 cm) was noticed with the treatment of 70% common reed + 30% paper with 5% rock phosphate. The treatment of 80% common reed + 20% cardboard with 10% rock phosphate gave larger diameter cap of fruit bodies (5.27 cm). Farther more highest content of protein 23.68% in fruit bodies was noticed on treatment of 70% common reed + 30% cardboard with 10% rock phosphate. While the highest content of carbohydrates (52.71%) was observed on the treatment of 70% common reed + 30% cardboard with 5% rock phosphate. Amendment rate of 10% rock phosphate increased the proportion of fiber in the fruit bodies to 6.59% in the treatment of common reed alone. On the other hand treatment of 70% common reed + 30% paper without rock phosphate gave lower phenolic compounds of 0.140%.

A Taguchi approach for investigation of solid particle erosion response of needle-punched nonwoven reinforced polymer composites: Part II

In the present work, the effect of fabric mat loading at different impingement angle and impact velocity were reported through solid particle erosion test rig on viscose fiber based needle-punched nonwoven fabric mat reinforced polymer composites. Three types of viscose fiber based fabric mats (VS200, VS400 and VS600 g/m2) were used as reinforcing material. The solid particle erosion wear behavior of viscose fiber based needle-punched nonwoven reinforced composites were evaluated using irregular shape silica sand particles of the size of 250, 350 and 450 µm with a varying stand-off distance (65, 75 and 85 mm), impingement angle (30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°) and impact velocity (45, 54 and 65 m/s). Taguchi analysis was also carried out on the basis of design of experiments approach to establish the inter-dependence of operating parameters on erosion rate of the composites. Analysis of variance and signal-to-noise ratio have been performed on the measured data. The eroded surfaces of these composite samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy to examine the wear modes of the composites. However, Part I discussed the physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical characterization of the same series of composites and concluded that all the mechanical properties were improving with the increase in fabric mat weight percentages. Furthermore in thermo-mechanical analysis, in the temperature range of 50–60℃ the damping factor (tan δ) values was found to increase and the peak values of tan δ was observed in the temperature range of 70–90℃ for all the composites.

Mechanical and visco-elastic analysis of viscose fiber based needle-punched nonwoven fabric mat reinforced polymer composites: Part I

Composites were fabricated using viscose fiber-based needlepunched nonwoven fabric mat as a reinforcement material, with varying mass per unit area of fabric mat (VS200 gsm, VS400 gsm and VS600 gsm) and varying fabric mat weight percentage. The effect of varying mass per unit area of fabric mat and weight percentage loading of these different fabric mats were reported on mechanical, physical and visco-elastic properties of needlepunched nonwoven reinforced epoxy composites. The mechanical and physical characterization was analyzed experimentally, and thermo-mechanical stability studied via the dynamic mechanical analysis, to measure the storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping factor (tan δ) of nonwoven fabric mat-reinforced composites over a temperature range of 20℃ to 200℃ at 1 Hz frequency. The storage modulus (E′) diminish with increase in temperature, with a significant fall in the temperature range 50–80℃ for all the composites. Loss modulus (E″) shows the variation from 60 MPa to 150 MPa, whereas glass transient temperature ( Tg) from the tan δ peaks, varies from 70℃ to 85℃. The comparative analysis shows that with the incorporation of nonwoven fabric mat weight percentage in composites, all mechanical and physical properties of composites improve significantly. These mechanical and physical properties are also improving with raise in mass per unit area of fabric mats from VS200 gsm to VS600 gsm.

In vitro TAXOL production, by Pestalotiopsis breviseta — A first report

Coelomycetous fungi were screened for the production of TAXOL. TAXOL production of Pestalotiopsis breviseta fungi is confirmed by Ultra Violet (UV) spectroscopic analysis, Infra Red (IR) analysis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC–MASS spectroscopy. TAXOL isolated from the P. breviseta fungus was identical with authentic TAXOL and produces 0.064mg/L (0.128% dry weight of fungal mat).

Biomass and water storage dynamics of epiphytes in old-growth and secondary montane cloud forest stands in Costa Rica

Epiphytic biomass, canopy humus and associated canopy water storage capacity are known to vary greatly between old-growth tropical montane cloud forests but for regenerating forests such data are virtually absent. The present study was conducted in an old-growth cloud forest and in a 30-year-old secondary forest (SF) on wind-exposed slopes in the Cordillera de Tilaran (Monteverde area) in northern Costa Rica. Epiphytic vegetation in both forests was dominated by bryophytes. Epiphyte mat weight (epiphyte biomass and canopy humus) at the stand level was 1,035 kg ha−1 in the SF and 16,215 kg ha−1 in the old-growth forest (OGF). The water contents of epiphytic bryophytes in the OGF were determined gravimetrically in situ and showed maximum values of 418% ± 74 (SD)% of dry weight and minimum values of 36% ± 10 (SD)%. Maximum stand water storage of non-vascular epiphytes and canopy humus at Monteverde was estimated at 0.36 mm for the SF and 4.95 mm for the OGF. Epiphytic bryophytes exhibited more dynamic wetting and drying cycles compared to canopy humus. Maximum water loss through evaporation was 251% of dry weight (bryophytes) and 117% of dry weight (canopy humus) within 3 days of sunny weather without precipitation. Despite the high potential water storage capacity of epiphytic bryophytes and canopy humus the actually available storage is likely to be much smaller depending on antecedent rainfall and evaporative conditions.

Kraft lignin as fiber treatment for natural fiber-reinforced composites

Pine kraft lignin was sedimented from an aqueous NaOH solution (pH 13) onto flax fibers by submerging flax fiber mats in the alkaline solution for 5 min. This treatment has been used to improve the interfacial interactions between the hydrophilic flax and a hydrophobic soy-oil-based liquid molding resin. The flax fiber mat weight increase as a function of the lignin content in the alkaline treatment solution was determined and visualized using electron microscopy. Lignin sedimentation was found to decrease the contact angle between the resin and the treated flax fibers. Tensile and flexural properties of the composite samples showed an increase in mechanical properties with increasing lignin sedimentation, with a positive deviation for low lignin sedimentation. These results are in line with previous published data with hemp fiber composites [Thielemans et al. (2002), J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 83, 323]. Improved properties are attributed to the improved wettability, while the low lignin content deviation is due to small lignin deposits protruding from the surface and thus improving mechanical interlocking. Features on the fracture surfaces, visualized by electron microscopy, are consistent with these findings. The soy-oil-based resin behaves similar to existing petroleum-based unsaturated polyester and vinylester resins and its use is not inherent to the success of the lignin treatment. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:695–705, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers

Some studies on mechanical properties of wood flour/continuous glass mat/polypropylene composite

AbstractThe mechanical properties and the surface property of wood flour/continuous glass mat/polypropylene composites have been investigated. The suitability of wood flour as a filler for continuous glass mat–reinforced polypropylene has been tested using different mesh sizes (e.g., 20 and 40 mesh), as well as by varying the weight percentage of wood flour from 0%– 30%. Moreover, different treatments such as coupling agent A‐1100 and functionalized polypropylene grafting with maleic anhydride, and so forth, have also been used to improve the compatibility of wood flour and glass fiber with the polymer resin. In addition, the effects of the surface weight of glass mat and matrix resin have been studied. The extent of the improvement in mechanical properties depends on the wood flour content and size, the surface weight of the glass mat, the matrix resin, and the surface treatment of wood flour. After adding wood flour, the contact angle of distilled water on the composite surface decreases and the polar component of surface tension increases. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 536–544, 2002

Changes in mutagenicity during crude oil degradation by fungi.

Two fungal strains, Cunninghamella elegans and Penicillium zonatum, that grow with crude oil as a sole carbon source were exposed to three crude oils that exhibit a range of mutagenic activity. At regular time intervals following fungal incubation with the various crude oils, extracts were tested for the presence of mutagenic activity using the spiral Salmonella assay. When the most mutagenic of the oils, Pennsylvania crude oil, was degraded by C. elegans or by P. zonatum, its mutagenicity was significantly reduced; corresponding uninoculated (weathered) controls of Pennsylvania crude remained mutagenic. West Texas Sour crude oil, a moderately mutagenic oil, exhibited little change in mutagenicity when incubated with either C. elegans or P. zonatum. Swanson River Field crude oil from Cook Inlet, Alaska is a slightly mutagenic oil that became more mutagenic when incubated with C. elegans; weathered controls of this oil showed little change in mutagenicity. Mycelial mat weights measured during growth on crude oils increased corresponding to the biodegradation of about 25% of the crude oil.