Biological performance of particleboard incorporated with boron minerals

We compared resistance to decay, mold fungi, termites and insect larvae of particleboards incorporated with the raw boron minerals ulexite and colemanite to that of particleboards impregnated with the commercial boron preservative zinc borate, or boric acid plus a borax mixture. We also quantified water absorption, thickness swell and boron release of particleboards. Ulexite had the best decay resistance, and colemanite had the best termite resistance. However, ulexite and colemanite were not as effective as zinc borate or the boric acid/borax mixture in preventing mold growth. In general, the boric acid/borax mixture combination was more effective against Anobium larvae than the other treatments. Less boron was released by specimens containing zinc borate and colemanite than by those containing ulexite or the boric acid/borax mixture. In general, water absorption and thickness swell were similar among the different treatments, but both were slightly higher in the ulexite-incorporated specimens. Further mechanical tests will be needed to evaluate the particle- board properties and thereby the compatibility of these boron minerals with various manufacturing processes.

Biological performance,water absorption,and swelling of wood treated with nano-particles combined with the application of Paraloid B72~

We evaluated fungal decay and mold resistance,leaching, and water absorption of nano-compounds and Paraloid B72-（PB72） in treated wood specimens to develop new methods of consolidation by combining nanoparticles and consolidants. Scots pine wood specimens were treated with dispersions of nano-Cu O, nano-Zn O,nano-B2O3, nano-Ti O2, and nano-Ce O2. PB72 treatments of nano-particle-treated wood specimens were then carried out by either vacuum or immersion for 24 h. Previously,decayed wood specimens were also consolidated with the nano-compounds and PB72. PB72 treatments reduced element release from treated wood specimens. Nearly all nano-compounds ？ PB72 treatments increased the biological performance of treated wood specimens against decay fungi tested. PB72-only treated wood specimens had the highest weight losses in decay tests. No improvements were obtained in mold resistance tests when the nanocompounds and PB72 were combined. In nano-compoundonly treatments, unleached specimens showed slightly lower water absorption values compared to untreated control specimens. Incorporation of PB72 into nano-compound-treated wood specimens resulted in considerably lower water absorption and volumetric swell. In previously decayed specimens treated with the nano-compounds and PB72 solution, water absorption after 2-h immersion declined compared to control specimens.

Diurnal Variation in the Vertical Profile of the Raindrop Size Distribution for Stratiform Rain as Inferred from Micro Rain Radar Observations in Sumatra

The diurnal variation in the vertical structure of the raindrop size distribution(RSD)associated with stratiform rain at Kototabang,West Sumatra(0.20°S,100.32°E),was investigated using micro rain radar(MRR)observations from January 2012 to August 2016.Along with the MRR data,the RSD from an optical disdrometer and vertical profile of precipitation from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission were used to establish the microphysical characteristics of diurnal rainfall.Rainfall during 0000–0600 LST and 1800–2400 LST had a lower concentration of small drops and a higher concentration of large drops when compared to rainfall during the daytime(0600–1800 LST).The RSD stratified on the basis of rain rate(R)showed a lower total concentration of drops and higher mass-weighted mean diameter in 0000–0600 LST and1800–2400 LST than in the daytime.During the daytime,the RSD is likely governed by a riming process that can be seen from a weak bright band(BB).On the other hand,during 0000–0600 LST and 1800–2400 LST,the BB was stronger and the rainfall was associated with a higher concentration of midsize and large drops,which could be attributed to more active aggregation right above the melting layer with minimal breakup.Diurnal variation in the vertical profile of RSD led to a different radar reflectivity(Z)–R relationship in the rain column,in which Z during the periods 0000–0600 LST and1800–2400 LST was larger than at the other times,for the same R.

Roles of thermospheric neutral wind and equatorial electrojet in pre-reversal enhancement,deduced from observations in Southeast Asia

Previous studies have proposed that both the thermospheric neutral wind and the equatorial electrojet(EEJ)near sunset play important roles in the pre-reversal enhancement(PRE)mechanism.In this study,we have used observations made in the equatorial region of Southeast Asia during March–April and September–October in 2010–2013 to investigate influences of the eastward neutral wind and the EEJ on the PRE’s strength.Our analysis employs data collected by the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer(GOCE)satellite to determine the zonal(east-west direction)neutral wind at an altitude of~250 km(bottomside F region)at longitudes of 90°–130°E in the dusk sector.Three ionosondes,at Chumphon(dip lat.:3.0°N)in Thailand,at Bac Lieu(dip lat.:1.7°N)in Vietnam,and at Cebu(dip lat.:3.0°N)in Philippines,provided the data we have used to derive the PRE strength.Data from two magnetometers—at Phuket(dip lat.:0.1°S)in Thailand and at Kototabang(dip lat.:10.3°S)in Indonesia—were used to estimate the EEJ strength.Our study is focused particularly on days with magnetically quiet conditions.We have found that the eastward neutral wind and the EEJ are both closely correlated with the PRE;their cross-correlation coefficients with it are,respectively,0.42 and 0.47.Their relationship with each other is weaker:the cross-correlation coefficient between the eastward neutral wind and the EEJ is just 0.26.Our findings suggest that both the eastward neutral wind and the EEJ near sunset are involved in the PRE mechanism.Based on the weak relationship between these two parameters,however,they appear to be significantly independent of each other.Thus,the wind and the EEJ are likely to be influencing the PRE magnitude independently,their effects balancing each other.

Effects of salinity on the nail-holding power of dimension lumber used in light-frame wood building

We studied the effect of salinity on nail-hold- ing power in wood construction. In saline solution, the holding power of nails was less than in purified water. With the increase of salt concentration, the surface and side nail- holding power of the wood specimens both declined, but the differences between salinity treatments were not sig- nificant. However, compared to the surface and side nail- holding power, the power on the edge was generally less and the difference was not obvious in different salt con- centrations. In the same salt concentration, with the extension of the processing cycle, the performance of holding power of nails showed a downward trend, expect the temporary rise in the middle.

Evaluation of Isoflavones as Allelochemicals with Strong Allelopathic Activities of Kudzu Using Protoplast Co-Culture Method with Digital Image Analysis

The inhibitory allelopathic activity of Pueraria montana (Kudzu), and activities of two putative allelochemical isoflavones, puerarin and daidzein, were evaluated using the protoplast co-culture method with digital image analysis using lettuce as a recipient (DIA-PP method). Cotyledon protoplasts of Kudzu were isolated using Cellulase R10 and Driselase 20 in 0.6 M mannitol solution. Optimal hormonal condition and density for growth of Kudzu protoplasts were surveyed. Medium for co-culture of Kudzu or isoflavones with lettuce protoplasts was 50 μl liquid MS basal medium containing 1 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.1 μM benzyladenine, 3% sucrose, and 0.4 M or 0.6 M mannitol. Protoplast division of lettuce was strongly inhibited by Kudzu at a low density (104/ml). Slightly less inhibition by Kudzu on cell wall formation and yellow pigment accumulation stages of lettuce growth was also observed. Puerarin did not inhibit the growth of lettuce protoplasts at three growth stages but slightly stimulated growth at high concentrations. By contrast, daidzein, aglycon of puerarin, inhibited growth at three stages of lettuce protoplast growth and strongly inhibited cell division at 100 μM. Daidzein might be one cause of the strong inhibitory allelopathic activity of Kudzu. Grade of inhibitory activities was compared with that of other allelopathic plants including an invader plant and their allelochemicals studied using the DIA-PP method.

Movement of boron from ulexite and colemanite minerals in sapwood and heartwood of Cryptomeria japonica

This study evaluated boron diff usion from raw boron minerals ulexite and colemanite with low water solubility in comparison to disodium octaborate tetrahydrate(DOT).Tests were conducted using sugi(Cryptomeria japonica(L.)f.D.Don)sapwood and heartwood blocks conditioned to 30,60,and 90%target moisture content.The blocks were fi lled with the boron compounds through treatment holes and diff usion was observed at three assay zones across the blocks after 7,30,60 or 90-day incubation period at room temperatures.For comparison,ethylene glycol was also introduced into the holes to elevate boron diff usion.As expected,diff usion increased with increased moisture content and levels were higher at the 60%and 90%moisture levels compared to the 30%level.With some exceptions,boron levels did not follow consistent gradients with distance away from the treatment hole.Incorporation of ethylene glycol helped increase boron levels,even in heartwood blocks.Boron levels were higher from the ulexite source than from colemanite;however,DOT treatments resulted in the highest boron diff usion rates as a result of greater water solubility compared to both raw boron minerals.The results suggest that ulexite together with ethylene glycol may be useful in both sapwood and heartwood materials when kept at high moisture levels for extended periods.