Effect of inoculating addition on machinability of gray cast iron

Gray cast irons were inoculated with FeSi75＋RE and FeSi75＋Sr inoculants. The changes of apex angle of the drills before and after being used were used to evaluate machinability of gray cast irons. Effect of FeSi75＋RE and FeSi75＋Sr inoculants on mechanical properties, machinability and sensibility of gray cast iron used in cylinder block were investigated. Experimental results showed that gray cast iron treated with 60%FeSi75＋40% RE inoculants exhibited tensile strength consistently at about 295 MPa along with good hardness and improved metallurgical quality. While gray cast iron inoculated with 20%FeSi75＋80% Sr inoculants exhibited the best machinability, the lowest cross-section sensibility and the least microhardness difference. The tool flank wear of the drill increased correspondingly with the increase of the microhardness difference of the matrix, indicating the great effect of homogeneity of the matrix on the machinability of gray cast iron.

Fluorescence spectroscopy characteristics of humic acid by inoculating white-rot fungus during different phases of agricultural waste composting

The white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium), was inoculated during different phases of agricultural waste composting, and its effect on the fluorescence spectroscopy characteristics of humic acid (HA) was studied. The results show that the emission spectra have a sharp peak at 400 nm and a broad shoulder with the maximum centered at 460 nm. The excitation spectra have two peaks and exhibit red shift (shift to longer wavelengths) at 470 nm. The synchronous scan spectra present a number of peaks and shoulders, and the peaks at shorter wavelengths disappear gradually and form a shoulder. At the final stage of composting, the fluorescence spectra have similar shapes, but the fluorescence intensities decrease. P. chrysosporium increases the degree of aromatization and polymerization of HA when it is inoculated during the second fermentation phase, while it does not produce an obvious change on the humification degree of HA when it is inoculated during the first fermentation phase. Compared with the fluorescence spectroscopy characteristics of HA from soil, the structure of HA from compost is simpler and the activity is higher.

High temperature oxidation of inoculated high Si/SiMo ductile cast irons in air and combustion atmospheres

The present work aims to investigate the effect of heating temperature(400,600 and 800°C)and inoculating elements(Ca,Ca-Ba,Ca-RE)on oxidation behavior of ductile irons containing 5.25%Si and 4.8%Si-2.3%Mo in dry air and combustion gas containing water vapour(natural gas burning).The oxidation is influenced by the gas atmosphere type,the iron alloying system,and the inoculating elements depending on the heating temperature.The weight gain increases from 0.001%-0.1%(400°C)to 0.05%-0.70%(600°C)and up to 0.10%-2.15%(800°C).No particular effects of the considered influencing factors are found when heating at 400°C,while at 600°C,mainly the oxidation gas atmosphere type shows a visible influence.At the highest heating temperature of 800°C,a limited increase of the weight gain is found for dry air atmosphere(up to 0.25%),but it drastically increases for combustion atmospheres(0.65%-2.15%).The water vapour presence in the combustion atmosphere is an important oxidising factor at 600-800°C.The alloying system appears to influence the oxidation behavior mainly at a heating temperature of 800°C in the combustion atmosphere,as evidenced by the lower weight gain in 5.25%silicon cast iron.Positive effects of inoculating elements increase with the heating temperature,with Ca and Ba-FeSi inoculation generally showing better performance.Irons inoculated with CaRE-FeSi exhibit a higher degree of oxidation.These results are in good relationship with the previous reported data:Ca-Ba-inoculation system appears to be better than simple Ca for improving the graphite parameters,while RE-bearing inoculant negatively affects the compactness degree of graphite particles in high-Si ductile irons.As the lower compactness degree is typical for graphite nodules in high-Si ductile irons,which negatively affects the oxidation resistance,it is necessary to employ specific metallurgical treatments to improve nodule quality.Inoculation,in particular,is a potential method to achieve this improvement.

Inoculation Effects of Dendrobium officinale Mycorrhizal Fungi on Their Plantlets

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the inoculation effects of Dendrobium officinale mycorrhizal fungi on their plantlets. [Method] Endophytic strains Tj1, Tj2 and Tj3 were obtained by isolation and purification from mycorrhiza of wild Dendrobium officinale and inoculated on the root system of Dendrobium officinale for inoculation test. [Result] Under tissue-culture conditions, at early stage, Tj1 strain hadn＇t shown promotion effect on Dendrobium officinale, Tj2 strain had shown relatively strong promotion effects, and Tj3 strain had promoted the growth of roots; at late stage, Tj1 strain had shown relatively strong promotion effects, Tj2 strain had shown the best inoculation effects and the strongest promotion effects, while Tj3 strain had caused root and seedling rot problems of the plantlets; under outdoor conditions, after inoculation with Tj2 strain, the number of leaves and lateral buds were increased, the growth of lateral root and the increase of plant height were significant, the leaves of Dendrobium officinale plantlets were large and dark green and an obvious root enlargement phenomenon was observed. [Conclusion] The two inoculation methods both indicate that Tj2 strain has relatively strong promotion effects on the growth of Dendrobium officinale roots and shoots, the increase of plant number and plant height, and the germination of new shoots and roots, which proved the effective establishment of symbiotic relationship between Tj2 strain and Dendrobium officinale. Therefore, T2 strain has practical application values on the successful cultivation of Dendrobium officinale plantlets.

Grain refinement of pure aluminum by direct current pulsed magnetic field and inoculation

The combined effects of direct current pulsed magnetic field （DC-PMF） and inoculation on pure aluminum were investigated, the grain refinement behavior of DC-PMF and inoculation was discussed. The experimental results indicate that the solidification micro structure of pure aluminum can be greatly refined under DC-PMF. Refinement of pure aluminum is attributed to electromagnetic undercooling and forced convection caused by DC-PMF. With single DC-PMF, the grain size in the equiaxed zone is uneven. However, under DC-PMF, by adding 0.05% （mass fraction） Al5Ti-B, the grain size of the sample is smaller, and the size distribution is more uniform than that of single DC-PMF. Furthermore, under the combination of DC-PMF and inoculation, with the increase of output current, the grain size is further reduced. When the output current increases to 100 A, the average grain size can decrease to 113 μn.

Poisoning-free effect of calcium on grain refinement of Mg-3%Al alloy containing trace Fe by carbon inoculation

Mg-3%Al alloy was modified by combining Ca addition with carbon inoculation. The effects of Fe addition and addition sequence on the grain refinement were investigated. A higher grain refining efficiency could be obtained for the Mg-Al alloy modified by combining Ca addition with carbon inoculation. Fe addition and addition sequence had no obvious effect on the grain refinement. Ca addition could effectively avoid grain-coarsening resulting from Fe in the carbon-inoculated Mg-Al alloy. The Al-C-O particles, actually being Al4C3, should act as potent substrates for a-Mg grains in the sample treated by combining Ca addition with carbon inoculation. However, the duplex-phase particles of AI4C3 coated on Al-Fe or Al-C-Fe should be the potent substrates for a-Mg grains if Fe existed in the Mg-Al melt. Ca addition can contribute to the formation of the particles of Al4C3 coated on Al-Fe or Al-C-Fe, regardless of the Fe addition sequence. The poisoning effect of Fe was effectively inhibited in the carbon-inoculated of Mg-Al alloy due to Ca addition, namely, Ca has a poisoning-free effect.

Research of Synthetic Rules with Mechanical Properties vs Inoculation Degree on Gray Cast Iron

To fit the special needs of gray cast iron as a new engineering material,i.e.,higher σ b and lower HB,or lower σ b and higher HB,using the method of heat analyzing and polyparameters analytic figures,the synthetic rules of carbon saturation degree,inoculation degree and mechanical properties can be exposed.The result shows that,according to the needs of the part′s mechanical properties,referring to the synthetic rules of gray cast iron,the corresponding technological measure and composition proportion can be defined,by which we will get the exact mechanical properties that could achieve the result expected completely.Thus,the casting for gray cast iron might be 'designed'from'selected'.

Fungal inoculation induces agarwood in young Aquilaria malaccensis trees in the nursery

Fungi are often used to induce agarwood inAquilariatrees. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of several fungi on agarwood formation over time in youngAquilaria malaccensis （Lam.） trees. Typical changes in the length and light intensity of the resulting discoloration were observed after three and six month periods following inoculation. Wood samples were observed microscopically and classified into several light intensity groups. The discoloration length was meas-ured longitudinally. The duration after inoculation affected the mean of discoloration length： the 6-month old sample （1.70 cm） had a wider discoloration zone when compared to the 3-month old sample （1.17 cm）. When measuring the discoloration intensity, a positive relationship with time was perceived. Digital images, captured using a camera-equipped microscope, revealed that wood samples collected after six months appeared to be 1.8-times darker than after three months. We concluded that time, not the species of any of the tested fungi, had significant effect on discoloration length and intensity. Gas chromatography/mass spec-trometry （GCMS） analysis of the 6-month old sample yielded some important agarwood compounds such as benzylacetone, anisylacetone, guaiene and palustrol. This demonstrates that the tested fungi have the ability to induce agarwood formation in nurseryA. malaccensis trees.

Effect of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the degradation of DEHP in soil

The effect of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungi( Acaulospora lavis ) on the degradation of di(2 ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) in soil was studies. Cowpea plants (Pigna sinensis) were used as host plants and grown in a specially designed rhizobox. The experimental results indicated that, both in sterile and non sterile soil, mycorrhizal colonization rates were much higher in the mycorrhizal plants than in the non mycorrhizal plants. Addition of 4 mg/kg DEHP slightly affected mycorrhizal colonization, but the addition of 100 mg/kg DEHP significantly decreased mycorrhizal colonization. DEHP degradation in the mycorrhizosphere(Ms) and hyphosphere(Hs), especially in the Hs, increased after inoculation with Acaulospora lavis . It is concluded that mycorrhizal hyphae play an important role in the plant uptake, degradation and translocation of DEHP. The mechanism might be attributed to increased numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes and activity of dehydrogenase, urease and acid phosphatase in the Ms and Hs by mycorrhizal fungi.

A novel Al-10Si-2Fe master alloy and its ef ect on inoculation of eutectic cells in Sr-modii ed A356 alloy

To investigate the possibility of inoculating eutectic cells, a novel AI-10Si-2Fe master alloy was synthesized and tested in Sr-modified A356 alloy. The new master alloy that consists of reAl, Si andβ-AIsFeSi phases was prepared by a casting process, and the silicon phase was found to grow epitaxially from theβ-AIsFeSi particles. The inoculation efficiency of the new master alloy on Sr-modified A356 alloy has been investigated by quenching experiment and thermal analysis. With the addition of the new master alloy, the area density of eutectic cells is effectively increased by 100% and the eutectic growth temperature is increased by 1.5 ℃. Therefore, the new master alloy is deduced to introduce nucleating substrates for eutectic cells and to refine the eutectic cells in Sr-modifled A356 alloy. There is no poisonous interaction between the AI-10Si-2Fe master alloy and the Sr in this study. Consequently, the mechanical properties have been improved by the addition of the new master alloy.

Cultivation of aerobic granules for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification by seeding different inoculated sludge

Cultivation of aerobic granules for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in two sequencing batch airlift bioreactors was studied. Conventional activated floc and anaerobic granules served as main two inoculated sludge in the systems. Morphological variations of sludge in the reactors were observed. It was found that the cultivation of aerobic granules was closely associated with the kind of inoculated sludge. Round and regular aerobic granules were prevailed in both reactors, and the physical characteristics of the aerobic granules in terms of settling ability, specific gravity, and ratio of water containing were distinct when the inoculate sludge was different. Aerobic granules formed by seeding activated floc are more excellent in simultaneous nitrification and denitrification than that by aerobic granules formed from anaerobic granules. It was concluded that inoculated sludge plays a crucial role in the cultivation of aerobic granules for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.

Comparison Study on Clinical and Neuropathological Characteristics of Hamsters Inoculated With Scrapie Strain 263K in Different Challenging Pathways

Objective To understand the infectious characteristics of a hamster-adapted scrapie strain 263K with five different routes of infection including intracerebral (i.e.), intraperitoneal (i.p.), intragastrical (i.g.), intracardiac and intramuscular (i.m.) approaches. Methods Hamsters were infected with crude- or fine-prepared brain extracts. The neuropathological changes, PrPSc deposits, and patterns of PK-resistant PrP were analyzed by HE stain, immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay and Western blot. Reactive gliosis and neuron loss were evaluated by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) specific IHC. Results The animals inoculated in i.m. and Lp. ways with crude PrPSc extracts showed clinical signs at the average incubation of 69.212.8 and 65.5±3.9 days. Inoculation in i.c. and intracardiac ways with fine PrPSc extracts (0.00035 g) caused similar, but relative long incubation of around 90 days. Only one out of eight hamsters challenged in i.g way with low dosage (0.01 g) became ill after a much longer incubation (185 d), while all animals (4/4) with high dosage (0.04 g) developed clinical signs 105 days postinfection. The most remarkable spongiform degeneration and PrPSc deposits were found in brain stem among the five challenge groups generally. The number of GFAP-positive astrocytes increased distinctly in brain stems in all infection groups, while the number of NSE-positive cells decreased significantly in cerebrum, except i.c. group. The patterns of PK-resistant PrP in brains were basically identical among the five infection routes. Conclusion Typical TSE could be induced in hamsters by inoculating strain 263K in the five infection ways. The incubation periods in bioassays depend on infective dosage, administrating pathway and preparation of PrPSc. The neuropathological changes and PrPSc deposits seem to be related with regions and inoculating pathways.

Effect of leachate recycling and inoculation on the biochemical characteristics of municipal refuse in landfill bioreactors

Activity development of key groups of enzymes involved in municipal refuse decomposition was measured in laboratory landfill bioreactors with and without leachate recycling and inoculation for about 210 days. The results showed that the enzymes (amylase, protease, cellulase, lipase and pectinase) were present in fresh refuse but at low values and positively affected by leachate recycling and refuse inoculation. The total average of cellulase activity in digesters D3 operated with leachate recycling but no inoculation, D4 and D5 operated with leachate recycling and inoculation was much higher than that in digesters D1 and D2 without leachate recycling and inoculation by 88%—127%, 117%—162% and 64%—98%. The total average of protease activity was higher in digester D4 than that in digesters D1, D2, D3 and D5 by 63%, 39%, 24% and 24%, respectively, and the positive effect of leachate recycling and inoculation on protease activity of landfilled refuse mainly was at the first two months. The total average of amylase activity was higher in digesters D3, D4 and D5 than that in digesters D1 and D2 by 83%—132%, 96%—148% and 81%—129%. During the early phase of incubation, the stimulatory effect of inoculation on lipase activity was measured, but refuse moisture was the main factor affecting lipase activity of landfilled refuse. The inoculation, initial and continuous inoculation of microorganisms existing in leachate, was the mainly stimulatory factor affecting pectinase activity of landfilled refuse.

Effect of leachate inoculum on biopretreatment of municipal solid waste by a combined hydrolytic-aerobic process

The biopretreatment of municipal solid waste by a combined hydrolytic-aerobic process has become of great interest for biostabilization or biodrying. The study aimed at investigating the effect of leachate inoculurn on the biopretreatment. During the hydrolytic stage, the inoculum addition at the ratio of leachate to waste （LWR） of 5% and 7% stimulated the start-up of hydrolysis and enhanced the hydrolysis rate by 27.4% and 24.2%, respectively; whereas the inoculation at LWR of 1% had almost no effect on the hydrolysis rate and the inoculation at LWR of 10% reduced the hydrolysis rate by 12.7%. During the subsequent aerobic stage, the inoculations at LWRs greater than 5% decreased organics degradation rate. As a whole, compared with none inoculation, the total degradation rates of organics for inoculating trials at LWRs of 5%, 7% and 10% decreased by 14.5%, 14.3% and 32.7%, respectively. Correspondingly, their net water removal rates were reduced by 4.4%, 5.8% and 19.0%. The inoculation at LWR of 1% could not significantly affect the biopretreatment. The inoculum addition at LWR of 5% and 7% could shorten hydrolytic stage and thus accelerate the whole combined process. Moreover, the inoculations at LWRs greater than 5% were favorable for lignocelluloses degradation.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria inoculants on alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) silage quality:assessment of degradation(in situ) and gas production(in vitro)

Alfalfa （Medicago sativa） is difficult to ensile successfully because of the low content of moisture and water-soluble carbohydrates （WSC） in fresh alfalfa and the high buffering capacity in fresh alfalfa. Here, we conducted a study to evaluate the effects of three lactic acid bacteria （LAB） inoculants （Lactobacillus case/, lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus） on silage quality, in sitE/ruminal degradability, and in vitro fermentation of alfalfa silage. The first cut of alfalfa was wilted, chopped, and randomly divided into four groups： the control （CON） and control mixed with three separate LAB inoculants （106 cfu g-1）. Simmental steers with a body weight of （452±18） kg and with installed rumen fistulas were prepared for in situ degradation and for in vitro gas production. LAB inoculants had a lower （P〈0.05） content of butyric acid than the CON group. Among them, the L. casei inoculated silage had a higher （P〈0.05） content of water-soluble carbohydrate （WSC） and a lower （P〈0.05） NH3-H content. The effective degradation （ED） of crude protein in LAB inoculation decreased （P〈0.05）, while the ED of acid detergent fiber increased （P〈0.05） in situ fermentation. The alfalfa silage with LAB inoculants produced more carbon dioxide （P〈0.05）. The NH3-H content of mixed incubation fluid in L. casei inoculated silage was lower （P〈0.05） compared with other groups. Therefore, this study showed that LAB inoculants could improve both ensiling quality and degradation. In particular, the L. casei inoculations exhibited better performance by limiting proteolysis during ensiling.

Effect of ferrovanadium inoculation on microstructure and properties of high speed steel

The effect of ferrovanadium inoculation on the microstructure and properties of high speed steel (HSS) used for rolls was studied. The results showed that the as-cast eutectic carbide network tends to be broken after ferrovanadium inoculation, and the carbides are changed to rod-like or nodular shape. After heat treatment, the carbides in the inoculated HSS are spheroidized and distributed more uniformly in the matrix. The impact toughness of high speed steel with ferrovanadium inoculation is obviously improved. The action mechanism of ferrovanadium inoculation on the microstructure of the alloy is also discussed.

The Effect of Microbial Inoculants Applied at Ensiling on Sorghum Silage Characteristics and Aerobic Stability

Whole crop forage sorghum (Saccharatum) cultivar FS5 was harvested at the soft dough stage of maturity. The sorghum was chopped to approximately 2 cm pieces and ensiled under laboratory conditions in 1.5 L Weck glass jars. At ensiling, it was treated with two commercial microbial inoculants: inoculant A and inoculant B. The inoculants were applied at 2 × 105 colony forming units g-1 DM. Silage with no additives served as a control. Three jars per treatment were opened on days 2, 4, 8, 15 and 60 post-ensiling to study fermentation dynamics. After 60 days of ensiling, the silages were analyzed and subjected to an aerobic stability test lasting 5 days. Results showed that both inoculants caused a more rapid rate of pH decline and a higher amount of lactic acid production. Silages treated with each inoculant produced a little more CO2 and resulted in more glucose loss as compared with the control. Addition of inoculants did not influence (P > 0.05) the ash and crude protein contents, but tended to decrease the concentration of acetic acid (P < 0.05), butyric acid (P<0.01) and propionic acid (P<0.01), and increase the lactic acid concentration (P<0.01). Silages treated with inoculant A possess the more DM loss, and the higher yeast counts upon aerobic exposure. Silage treated with inoculant B had the most DM (P<0.05), lactic acid contents (P<0.01), the least acetic acid content (P<0.05). Inoculant B reduced the ADF (P<0.01), ADL and NDF (P<0.05) contents. It was concluded that lactic bacteria inoculants may improve the fermentation but might impair the aerobic stability for sorghum ensilage.

Thermal analysis control of in-mould and ladle inoculated grey cast irons

The effect of addition of 0.05wt.% to 0.25 wt.% Ca,Zr,Al-FeSi alloy on in-ladle and in-mould inoculation of grey cast irons was investigated.In the present paper,the conclusions drawn are based on thermal analysis.For the solidification pattern,some specific cooling curves characteristics,such as the degree of undercooling at the beginning of eutectic solidif ication and at the end of solidifi cation,as well as the recalescence level,are identif ied to be more influenced by the inoculation technique.The degree of eutectic undercooling of the electrically melted base iron having 0.025% S,0.003% Al and 3.5% Ce is excessively high(39-40℃),generating a relatively high need for inoculation.Under these conditions,the in-mould inoculation has a more signif icant effect compared to ladle inoculation,especially at lower inoculant usage(less than 0.20 wt.%).Generally,the eff iciency of 0.05wt.% -0.15wt.% of alloy for in-mould inoculation is comparable to,or better than,that of 0.15wt.% -0.25wt.% addition in ladle inoculation procedures.In order to secure stable and controlled processes,representative thermal analysis parameters could be used,especially in thin wall grey iron castings production.

Improving Acacia auriculiformis seedlings using microbial inoculant(Beneficial Microorganisms)

A microbial inoculant, known as effective microorganisms （EM）, was applied to determine its efficacy on seed germination and seedling growth in the nursery of Acacia auriculiformis A Curm. ex Benth. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soil and cow dung （3：1） and kept in polybags; EM was poured at different concentra- tions （0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%）. Seed germination rate and growth parameters of seedlings - shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, vigor, volume, and quality indices and stur- diness - were measured. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed, along with the measurement ofpigrnent contents in leaves. The highest germination rate （72%） was observed in 2% EM solution while the lowest （55%） was found in control treatment. The highest shoot and root lengths （30.6 cm and 31.2 cm respectively） were recorded in 2% EM and were significantly （p 〈0.05） different from control. Both fresh and dry weights of shoots were maximum （8.66 g and 2.99 g respectively） in 2% EM, whereas both fresh and dry weights of root were maximum （2.56 g and 1.23 g respectively） in 5% EM solution. Although the highest vigor index, volume index, and sturdiness （4450, 628 and 67.5 respec- tively） were found in 2% EM, the highest quality index （0.455） was found in 5% EM solution. The nodule number was higher at a very low （0.5%） concentration of EM but it normally decreased with the increase of concentration. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid were maximum （43.26 mg.L-1, 13.56 mg.L-1 and 17.99 mg.L-1 respectively） in 2% EM. Therefore, low concentration of EM （up to 2%）can be recommended for getting maximum seed germination and seed- ling development ofA. auriculiformis in the nursery.

Two stages kinetics of municipal solid waste inoculation composting processes

In order to understand the key mechanisms of the composting processes, the municipal solid waste(MSW) composting processes were divided into two stages, and the characteristics of typical experimental scenarios from the viewpoint of microbial kinetics was analyzed. Through experimentation with advanced composting reactor under controlled composting conditions, several equations were worked out to simulate the degradation rate of the substrate. The equations showed that the degradation rate was controlled by concentration of microbes in the first stage. The degradation rates of substrates of inoculation Run A, B, C and Control composting systems were 13 61 g/(kg·h), 13 08 g/(kg·h), 15 671 g/(kg·h), and 10 5 g/(kg·h), respectively. The value of Run C is around 1 5 times higher than that of Control system. The decomposition rate of the second stage is controlled by concentration of substrate. Although the organic matter degradation rates were similar to all Runs, inoculation could reduce the values of the half velocity coefficient K \-m and could be more efficient to make the composting stable. Particularly, for Run C, the degradation rate is high in the first stage, and K \-m is low in the second stage. The results indicated that the inoculation was efficient for the composting processes.