Soaking Rice Seeds in High Concentration Salt Solution Improved Salt Tolerance at the Seedling Stage

[Objectives]This study was conducted to enhance the salt tolerance of current rice varieties at the seedling stage and fulfill the urgent requirement for salt-tolerant rice varieties in coastal tidal flats.[Methods]Four high-generation stable rice lines with diverse salt tolerance were employed as test materials,and four NaCl concentration gradients were established for seed soaking treatment.[Results]The seedling survival rate of line 151465 underwent significant alterations after soaking with four different salt concentrations,and the survival rate was the highest after treatment with 1.8%NaCl for 1 d,reaching 65.2%.The average survival rate of other three lines with different salt tolerance reached 62%after soaking with 1.8%NaCl for 1 d,which was significantly higher than those of the 2.2%NaCl and 0%NaCl treatments.[Conclusions]This study provides a basis for reducing the effect of abiotic stress on rice growth and development and improving the utilization rate of saline-alkali land.

Effect of Mongolian Vinegar Soaked Licorice on Liver Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride Combined with High-fat Diet in Rats

[Objectives]To determine the improvement effect of vinegar soaked licorice on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))combined with high-fat diet in rats.[Methods]Subcutaneous injection of 40%-60%CCl_(4)olive oil solution(0.3 mL/100 g)combined with a high-fat diet was used for 5 weeks to establish the rat model with liver fibrosis.After the modeling,the rats were divided into a low dose(0.8 g/kg),a medium dose(2.5 g/kg),a high dose(5 g/kg)group,a colchicine(1.5 mg/kg)positive group,and a vinegar group(2 mL/kg).The serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels in the rats were measured automatically.The serum hyaluronic acid(HA)was detected by radioimmunoassay,and the serum laminin(LN)and procollagen type III peptide(PIIIP)levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay.Liver histopathological morphological changes were observed by HE and Masson staining,and expressions of cytochrome CYP2E1 and transcription factor Nrf2 were detected by immunohistochemistry.[Results]The rat liver fibrosis model was established successfully at the 6~(th)week.Compared with the model group,the levels of ALT,AST,HA,LA,PIIIP,CYP2E1 and Nrf2 of all the examined indexes in the dosing group were decreased(P<0.05).As shown in the pictures of liver pathological tissue sections,the liver fibrosis was significantly alleviated in the positive group and the 3 administration groups.[Conclusions]Vinegar soaked licorice can significantly improve the liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride combined with high-fat diet in rats,and the effect of the high-dose group was similar to that of the positive group.

Discussion on the Treatment of Palmoplantar Keratosis by TCM Soaking and Washing

By combing the mechanism and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)soaking and washing and combining TCM syndrome differentiation with western medicine differentiation of diseases,guided by the view that"the principle of external treatment is that of internal treatment",this article discusses the differentiation and treatment ideas of palmoplantar keratosis by TCM soaking and washing,which will provide a reference for clinical treatment.

Effects of Seed Soaking with Uniconazole and Substrate Formula on Seedling Quality of Rapeseed

[Objective] To cultivate blanket rapeseed seedlings suitable for automatic mechanical transplanting, the effects of seed soaking with uniconazole and substrate formula on seed germination and seedling quality of rapeseed were investigated using HY4 as the material. [Method] The rapeseed seeds were soaked in different concentrations（0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/L） of uniconazole for 0, 1, 2, 4 and8 h, respectively. Subsequently, they were dried naturally. After the preliminary screening carried out in petri dishes and in a laboratory, the optimum soaking concentration and time of uniconazole were obtained. On the other hand, the rapeseed seeds were soaked in different concentrations（0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L） of uniconazole for 0, 1 and 2 h, respectively for outdoor pot experiment. At the same time, the screening of optimum substrate formula for cultivating blanket rapeseed seedlings was carried out. The field test was carried out to verify the screened optimum substrate formula. [Result] The results of petri dish experiment showed that seed soaking with uniconazole could delay seed germination, reduce seed germination rate, inhibit hypocotyl elongation and promote root growth. When the soaking concentration exceeded 30 mg/L and soaking time exceeded 2 h, the effect of seed soaking with uniconazole on seed germination was greater, and the seed soaking inhibited root growth. The results of outdoor pot experiment showed that the soaking concentrations and times all significantly reduced seedling height, slowed shoot growth and promoted root growth, which all contributed to the cultivation of blanket rapeseed seedlings suitable for automatic mechanical transplanting. In the substrate formula, the lower the proportion of soil was, the better the seedling growth was. In the substrate with lower proportion of soil, the seed germination rate, plant height,root vigor and dry matter accumulation were all increased（P〈0.05）, which was verified by the field test. When the soaking concentration was less than 10 mg/L and soaking time was less than 1 h, the uniconazole showed weaker regulation effect on seedling growth, and the rapeseed seedlings were higher. In the substrate with soil proportion less than 50%, the adequate fertility relatively weakened the regulation effect of uniconazole on seedling growth, and the rapeseed seedlings were larger. [Conclusion] When the soaking concentration ranged within 15-20 mg/L and soaking time ranged within 1-2 h and the proportion of soil in substrate was 50%,the height of cultivated rapeseed seedlings was less than 18 cm, there were 5-6leaves remained on each plant and the nursing period was shortened to 30-40 d,which were all beneficial to industrial production.

Effect of Different Soak Treatments on Breaking Seed Dormancy in Soil Seed Bank from Different Degraded Grasslands

[Objective] The aim was to study the effect of different soak treatments on breaking seed dormancy in soil seed bank from different degraded grasslands. [Method] Different concentrations of H2SO4,GA3 and KNO3 were used for soaking the seeds in the soil seed bank from different degraded grasslands,and the germination number of seeds was detected. [Result] When the seeds from soil seed bank were soaked with 60%,70%,80% and 90% H2SO4,the germination number of seeds was 0,indicating that the germination of seeds was inhibited; when the seeds were soaked with GA3,the germination number of seeds increased with the concentration of GA3 increasing. When the concentration of GA3 increased to 0.10%,the germination of seeds was inhibited; when the seeds were soaked with 0.2% KNO3,the germination number of seeds was greater than the blank control. [Conclusion] The number of remaining seeds was more in the soil seed banks collected from moderately degraded grassland and heavily degraded grassland; while the number of remaining seeds was small in the soil seed banks collected from lightly degraded grassland and extremely degraded grassland.

Effect Analysis on the Soaking Technics of Corn Wet Milling in the Laboratory

[Objective] The research aimed to find the optimal condition of corn starch production in the laboratory and analyze the soaking effect.[Method] The orthogonal test was used to determine the suitable technological condition.By the light microscope and the scanning electron microscope,the soaking effect was analyzed.[Result] The suitable soaking condition was：soaking time 48 h,soaking temperature 55 ℃ and SO2 concentration 0.2%.The microscopic analysis result was that the protein matrix was sufficiently decomposed in the suitable soaking condition.The soaking effect had the positive correlation with the decomposed degree of protein matrix.[Conclusion] The research provided the basis for the soaking technics research of corn starch in the laboratory.

Effect of Seed Soaking with Rare Earth on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Tartary Buckwheat under Different Water Conditions

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of soaked seed with rare earth on the seed germination and seedling growth of tartary buckwheat under different water conditions. [Method] A hydroponic experiment was carried out with the seeds of tartary buckwheat variety ＂Heifeng No.1＂ in the year 2012. [Result] ①In the normal irrigation, suitable concentration of rare earth increased the germination rate, vital index, germination index and sprouting index of tartary buckwheat seed; at the same time, the leaf area, stem thickness, total root length, root weight,leaf relative water content, proline content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, root activity, SOD activity and POD activity of seedling were significantly enhanced, while the relative conductivity and MDA content of tartary buckwheat were decreased obviously. ② Compared with water stress and normal irrigation, the indices of germination potential, germination rate, vital index, germination index, the leaf area, stem thickness, total root length, root weight, leaf relative water content,proline content, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, root activity, SOD and POD activity were reduced, while relative conductivity and MDA content were increased, and the extents differed in the treatment of different chemical regulators,and the varied range increased with the higher severity of soil water stress. ③ Under water stress, soaking seeds with suitable concentration（200 mg/L） of rare earth could significantly improve the SOD and POD activity, leaf area, total root length,chlorophyll content and root activity compared with CK. They could increase leaf relative water content by 8.9% and 10.8%, proline content by 7.5% and 8.2%, TTC activity by 13.8% and 16.7%, and soluble sugar content by 10.4% and 7.9% under mild and severe water stress, separately. [Conclusion] The appropriate concentration of rare earth was 200 mg/L.

Reducing toxic effect of seed-soaked Cu fertilizer on germination of wheat

A laboratory incubation experiment (20℃) was conducted to find if the detrimental effects of seed-soaked Cu on wheat seedlings can be minimized by reducing time duration of seed in contact with Cu EDTA fertilizer solution. The 24 treatments in a 6 x 4 factorial arrangement included 6 rates/amounts of Cu (0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 g Cu 100 kg-1 seed) and 4 seed-soaking time durations (0, 4, 8 and 16 h). The germination of wheat seed was 100% in the zero-Cu control treatments, irrespective of the duration of seed soaking time. However, seed germination decreased with increasing amount of fertilizer Cu in the seed-soaking solution, and the magnitude of reduction in seed germination due to Cu toxicity increased with increasing duration of seed-soaking time in the Cu fertilizer solution. For the seed-soaked treatments, the detrimental effect of Cu on germination was greatest with 16 h soaking, where only 13% - 18% of the seeds germinated with Cu applied at 15 to 30 g Cu 100 kg-1 seed. For the 4 and 8 h seed soaking treatments, germination of wheat seed ranged from 73% to 83% with 15 g Cu 100 kg-1 seed treatment and 42% to 62% with 30 g Cu 100 kg-1 seed. The findings suggest that the detrimental effect of Cu on germination of wheat seed soaked in Cu EDTA solution can be decreased by reducing duration of soaking time from 16 h to 4 or 8 h, but this needs further investigation using soil under growth chamber and/or field conditions in order to make valid recommendations for use of this new technology on a commercial scale.

Biochemical changes in phenols,flavonoids,tannins,vitamin E,β-carotene and antioxidant activity during soaking of three white sorghum varieties

Objective:To investigate the changes in total phenols,flavonoids,tannins,vitamin E, β-carotene and antioxidant activity during soaking of three white sorghum varieties.Methods: The changes in total phenols,total ilavonoids,tannins,phenolic acids compounds,flavonoid components,vitamin E,P-carotene and antioxidant activity during soaking of sorghum grains were determined.Results:Total phenols,total flavonoids,tannins,vitamin E,P-carotene and antioxidant activity in raw sorghum were ranged from 109.21 to 116.70,45.91 to 54.69,1.39 to 21.79 mg/100 g,1.74 to 5.25,0.54 to 1.19 mg/kg and 21.72%to 27.69%and 25.29%to 31.97%,respectively. The above measured compounds were significantly decreased after soaking.p-Hydroxybenzoic acid,vanillic acid,syringic acid and cinnamic acid represent the major phenolic acids in Dorado variety.While ferulic acid,p-coumaric acid,gallic acid and caffeic acid represent the major phenolic acids in Shandaweel-6.On the other hand,protocatechuic acid represents the major phenolic acids in Giza-15.Regarding flavonoids components,Dorado was the highest variety in kampferol and naringenin while Shandaweel-6 was the highest variety in luteolin, apigenin,hypersoid,quercelin and christen.Finally,Giza-15 was the highest variety in catechin. Phenolic acids,flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activities were decreased after soaking. Conclusions:Sorghum varieties have moderate quantities from total phenols,total flavonoids, tannins,phenolic acids compounds,flavonoid components,vitamin E,P-carotene and antioxidant activity which decreased after soaking.

Mechanisms and capacity of high-pressure soaking after hydraulic fracturing in tight/shale oil reservoirs

Huff-n-puff by water has been conducted to enhance oil recovery after hydraulic fracturing in tight/shale oil reservoirs.However,the mechanisms and capacity are still unclear,which significantly limits the application of this technique.In order to figure out the mechanisms,the whole process of pressurizing,high-pressure soaking,and depressurizing was firstly discussed,and a mechanistic model was established.Subsequently,the simulation model was verified and employed to investigate the significances of high-pressure soaking,the contributions of different mechanisms,and the sensitivity analysis in different scenarios.The results show that high-pressure soaking plays an essential role in oil production by both imbibition and elasticity after hydraulic fracturing.The contribution of imbibition increases as the increase in bottom hole pressure(BHP),interfacial tension,and specific surface area,but slightly decreases as the oil viscosity increases.In addition,it first decreases and then slightly increases with the increase in matrix permeability.The optimal soaking time is linear with the increases of both oil viscosity and BHP and logarithmically declines with the increase in matrix permeability and specific surface area.Moreover,it shows a rising tendency as the interficial tension(IFT)increases.Overall,a general model was achieved to calculate the optimal soaking time.

Evolution of plasticized MnO–Al2O3–SiO2-based nonmetallic inclusion in 18wt%Cr-8wt% Ni stainless steel and its properties during soaking process

The properties of MnO–Al2O3–SiO2-based plasticized inclusion are likely to change during soaking process due to its low melting point. In this study, the evolution of the MnO–Al2O3–SiO2-based inclusion of 18 wt%Cr-8 wt%Ni stainless steel under isothermal soaking process at 1250°C for different times was investigated by laboratory-scale experiments and thermodynamic analysis. The results showed that the inclusion population density increased at the first stage and then decreased while their average size first decreased and then increased. In addition, almost no Cr2O3-concentrated regions existed within the inclusion before soaking, but more and more Cr2O3 precipitates were formed during soaking. Furthermore, the plasticity of the inclusion deteriorated due to a decrease in the amount of liquid phase and an increase in the high-melting-pointphase MnO–Cr2O3 spinel after the soaking process. In-situ observations by high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) confirmed that liquid phases were produced in the inclusions and the inclusions grew rather quickly during the soaking process. Both the experimental results and thermodynamic analysis conclude that there are three routes for inclusion evolution during the soaking process. In particular, Ostwald ripening plays an important role in the inclusion evolution, i.e., MnO–Al2O3–SiO2-based inclusions grow by absorbing the newly precipitated smaller-size MnO–Cr2O3 inclusions.

Influence of soaking time on nonlinear electrical behavior and dielectric properties of TiO_2-based varistor ceramics

The influence of soaking time on the nonlinear electrical behavior and dielectric properties of TiO2-based varistor ceramics was investigated. Based on single sintering process, six disk samples of （Sr, Bi, Si, Ta）-doped TiO2-based varistor ceramics were fabricated by sintering at 1 250 ℃ for 0.5-5.0 h. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, voltage-current characteristics, energy spectra, metallographs, breakdown voltages, and apparent dielectric constant. It is found that the breakdown electrical field intensity at a current density of 10 mA/cma decreases from 5.5 to 4.1 V/mm first and then increases to 7.0 V/mm, the nonlinear coefficient increases from 2.39 to 2.62 first and then decreases to 2.42, and the apparent dielectric constant increases from 98 200 to 1l5 049 first and then decreases to 73 865 with the soaking time increasing from 0.5 to 5.0 h. These indicate that the optimal soaking time is 2.0-3.0 h considering both nonlinear electrical behavior and dielectric properties.

Effects of soaking process on arsenic and other mineral elements in brown rice

One of the main food crops in the world,rice can accumulate high levels of arsenic from flooded paddy soils,which seriously threatens human health.Soaking,a common processing method for brown rice products,especially for brown rice noodles,was investigated in this study.Japonica rice(Dao Hua Xiang No.2)and Indica rice(Ye Xiang You No.3)were selected for studying the effects of soaking on arsenic concentrations,species,and distributions.Results revealed that soaking can efficiently remove arsenic in these two rice varieties,and the main part of removal is endosperm with the maximal rate of about 40%.Inorganic arsenic(I-As)(about 85%)is the main species of arsenic reduction.Meanwhile,the variations of four other elements(i.e.,Mg,Ca,Zn,and Fe)were analyzed.Collectively,the findings of this study indicate that soaking can efficiently remove arsenic in brown rice under controlled soaking conditions,which thereby reduces the arsenic intake for brown rice customers.

Quality Assessment of Frozen Solenocera crassicornis Treated with Sodium Metabisulphite by Soaking or Spraying

The present work was carried out to evaluate the safety of shrimp(Solenocera crassicornis)treated with different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite(SMB)by soaking or spraying during frozen storage.Shrimps soaked in higher concentrations of SMB showed higher sensory scores,lower total color differences,and better anti-melanosis effects than shrimps in the control and other treatment groups throughout frozen storage(−18℃).Lower total volatile basic nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and higher salt soluble protein contents were detected in shrimp soaked with high doses of SMB compared with other samples.In addition,lower counts of total aerobic plates and psychrotrophic bacteria were observed in shrimp treated by soaking with higher doses of SMB than those in control shrimp and shrimp treated with other methods during frozen storage(−18℃).However,the SO2 content of 5%SMB-soaked samples exceeded the maximum allowable limit of 100mgkg−1.Overall,the use of 1.5%SMB soaking to treat shrimp results in good antioxidant and antimicrobial effects and,thus,may be suggested to preserve S.crassicornis under frozen conditions.The results of this study present important guidance on the use of SMB to maintain the quality of marine-trawling shrimp from manufacturing to consumption.

Soaking Induced Changes in Chemical Composition, Glycemic Index and Starch Characteristics of Basmati Rice

An attempt was made to determine the qualitative changes in basmati rice （Pusa Basmati 1121, PBl121） during soaking at 40 ℃ to 80 ℃. Soaking temperature had significant effect （a = 0.01） on chemical composition, glycemic index and starch characteristics of rice. Starch content, apparent amylose content, crude protein content and crude fat content in un-soaked rice were found to be 73.24%, 27.26%, 8.79% and 2.56%, respectively, but differences in these traits were observed after soaking. Amylose to amylopectin ratio （Am/Ap） decreased from 0.59 to 0.52 （soaked at 80 ℃）. Crude fibre and crude ash contents increased after soaking. The mineral composition （K, P, S, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn） in soaked rice was found to be 16.46% higher than un-soaked rice at the same degree of polishing. Glycemic index of un-soaked rice was found to be 58.41, but decreased to 54.31 after soaking at 80 ℃. Pasting properties, scanning electron microscope images, and X-ray diffractograms suggested partial gelatinization of starch in the temperature range of 60 ℃ to 80 ℃. Based on qualitative changes in rice （apparent amylose content, Am/Ap ratio and crystallinity rate）, it was concluded that intermediate soakincl temperatures （60 ℃ to 70 ℃） would be useful for soaking of PB1121.

The Effect of Soaking with Wooden Ash and Malting upon Some Nutritional Properties of Sorghum Flour Used for Impeke,a Traditional Burundian Malt-Based Sorghum Beverage

The objective of the present work was to determine the effect of wooden ash extract on anti-nutritional factors and to assess the effect of soaking with malting on nutritional properties of sorghum flour used for impeke. The addition of wooden ash extract during 24 h of soaking resulted in significant decrease in tannin by 50.2% and the decrease was observed to be progressive as malting time increases. 5 d of malting resulted in significant decrease in tannin by 69.3% and in phytic acid by 66.4% with slight decrease in ash, lipid, fiber, and starch. Malting showed an increased percentage of protein, essential amino acids, and then in vitro protein digestibility were markedly improved with increasing malting time. Sugars analysis proved a significant increase in maltose, glucose, fructose, and structural analysis of sorghum starch displayed porosity on granule＇s surface susceptible to the amylolysis.

Maximizing the exploitation of phosphogypsum wastes using soaking technique with citric acid, recovering rare-earth and residual phosphate contents

Phosphogypsum(PG), the main by-product of phosphoric acid production industries, is considered one of the most important secondary sources of rare earth elements(REEs). The current study focuses on the recovery of REEs content and the residual phosphate content existing in the PG with preserving on the CaSO_(4)skeleton to be used in other various applications. These attainments are carried out using citric acid leaching process via soaking technique. Several dissolution parameters for REEs using citric acid were studied, including soaking time, soaking temperature, citric acid concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio, and recycling of the citrate leaching solutions in the further REEs dissolution experiments. The best-operating conditions were 14 d of soaking time, 7.5% citric acid concentration, and the solid-toliquid ratio of 1/5 at ambient temperature. About 79.57% dissolution efficiency of REEs was achieved using the optimal conditions. Applying four soaking stages by mixing different fresh PG samples with the same citrate solution sequentially, cumulative dissolution efficiency for REEs was found to be 64.7% under optimal soaking conditions. REEs were recovered using Dowex 50X8 resin from citrate solutions with 96% extraction efficiency. Dissolution kinetics proved the pseudo-first-order nature, reversible reactions, and two activation energies for all REEs.

Influence of soaking time on semi-conductivity and nonlinear electrical properties of TiO_2-based varistor ceramics

We investigated the influence of soaking time on the semi-conductivity and nonlinear electrical properties of TiO2- based varistor ceramic samples. We used a single sintering process and fabricated six disk samples of （Sr, Bi, Si, Ta）-doped TiO2- based varistor ceramics sintered at 1 250℃ for 0.5 h, 1.0 h, 2.0 h, 3.0 h, 4.0 h, and 5.0 h, respectively. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, breakdown voltage, and complex impedance. The results show that as the soaking time increases from 0.5 h to 5.0 h, the breakdown voltage drops before rising while the nonlinear coefficient increases and then decreases. We suggest that, considering both grain semi-conductivity and nonlinear electrical properties of the TiO2-based varistor ceramics, the optimal soaking time is between 2.0 h and 3.0 h.

Shallow Analysis on the First Spring Soaking Rain Weather and Its Precipitation Enhancement Potential Forecast in Jinzhou Area in 2010

[Objective] The research aimed to study the first spring soaking rain weather and its precipitation enhancement potential forecast in Jinzhou area in 2010. [Method] From the weather situation characteristics, main influence system, forecast service, artificial precipitation enhancement operation and so on, the first spring soaking rain weather process in Jinzhou area in 2010 was summarized comprehensively. [Result] The weather situation characteristics of soaking rain were that the high-altitude cold air was weak, and the low-level warm wet airflow was obvious. The main influence systems were the high-altitude trough, the high-altitude shear line and the ground Mongolian cyclone. The ground inverted trough system advanced northward and got through with the same phase of Mongolian cyclone, which provided the certain energy and water vapor for the precipitation in Jinzhou area. It was one of key reasons for generating the soaking rain. The numerical forecast product played the certain guidance role in the forecast service work. The situation field forecast was accurate, but the precipitation forecast deviation was big. Therefore, the forecast service couldn’t depend on the numerical forecast product simply and totally, and should combine with the actual monitoring data to analyze and apply comprehensively. [Conclusion] The research played the safeguarding role in carrying out the large-scale artificial precipitation enhancement operation successfully in the whole area of Jinzhou.

Steam Flooding after Steam Soak in Heavy Oil Reservoirs through Extended-reach Horizontal Wells

This paper presents a new development scheme of simultaneous injection and production in a single horizontal well drilled for developing small block reservoirs or offshore reservoirs. It is possible to set special packers within the long completion horizontal interval to establish an injection zone and a production zone. This method can also be used in steam flooding after steam soak through a horizontal well. Simulation results showed that it was desirable to start steam flooding after six steam soaking cycles and at this time the oil/steam ratio was 0.25 and oil recovery efficiency was 23.48%. Steam flooding performance was affected by separation interval and steam injection rate. Reservoir numerical simulation indicated that maximum oil recovery would be achieved at a separation section of 40-50 m at steam injection rate of 100-180 t/d; and the larger the steam injection rate, the greater the water cut and pressure difference between injection zone and production zone. A steam injection rate of 120 t/d was suitable for steam flooding under practical injection-production conditions. All the results could be useful for the guidance of steam flooding projects.