The Role of Maize Tassels in Amelioration of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Soils and its Effects on Vegetables.

Vegetables depend on water as solvent for their growth and have greater potential of accumulating in their edible parts heavy metals which are dangerous to human health.  Maize tassel was applied to soil to determine its role in removal of heavy metals such as Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) from the contaminated soil with cabbage as the test crop. The average mean concentration of the heavy metals after twenty one and fifty one days were; Mn (0.402 mg/kg and 7.427 mg/kg), Fe (0.894 mg/kg and 4.838 mg/kg) and Zn (0.155 mg/kg and 1.073 mg/kg) respectively. The concentration of cadmium in the wastewater sample used was 0.680mg/l, and its concentrations in tap water (<0.002mg/l), in soil (<0.002mg/kg) were below the detection limit. The enrichment factor for Mn, Fe and Zn in soil treated with maize tassel (T1) are 9.73, 10.70 and 5.23 respectively, whereas treatment without (T2) are 1.05, 1.86 and 4.52 respectively. The high enrichment of T1 is attributed to the availability of the active site within the tassel absorbent. Keywords: Heavy metals, maize tassel, contaminated soil, wastewater

Ultra narrow AuPd and Al wires

In this letter we discuss a novel and versatile template technique aimed to the fabrication of sub-10 nm wide wires. Using this technique, we have successfully measured AuPd wires, 12 nm wide and as long as 20 $\mu$m. Even materials that form a strong superficial oxide, and thus not suited to be used in combination with other techniques, can be successfully employed. In particular we have measured Al wires, with lateral width smaller or comparable to 10 nm, and length exceeding 10 $\mu$m.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Pubblished in APL 86, 172501 (2005). Added erratum and revised Fig.

Recent development and challenges in enhancing fire performance on wood and wood-based composites: A 10-year review from 2012 to 2021

Due to their durability, versatility, and aesthetic value, wood and wood-based composites are widely used as building materials. The fact that these materials are flammable, however, raises a major worry since they might cause fire hazards and significant loss of life and property. The article investigates the variables that affect fire performance as well as the various fire-retardant treatments and their mechanisms. The current developments and challenges in improving the fire performance of wood and wood-based composites treated with fire-retardant materials are summarized in this paper. Nanoparticles, organic chemicals, and densification are some recent developments in fire-retardant treatments that are also emphasized. Key points from the review are summarized, along with potential areas for further research and development

Effect of viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) treatment on density and moisture content of laminas from Paraserianthes falcataria

Paraserianthes falcataria, a low-density wood species underwent viscoelastic thermal compression (VTC) treatment, which was the combination of pre-steaming and compression by hot-pressing, in order to increase its density and mechanical performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of VTC treatment on the density and moisture content of Paraserianthes falcataria laminas. Several process conditions which consisted of pre-steaming duration (0–30 minutes) and hot-pressing pressure (0–8 MPa) were applied on Paraserianthes falcataria laminas. Density and moisture content of Paraserianthes falcataria laminas were measured for 7 days. This study found out that process condition of 30 minutes pre-steamed combined with 8 MPa pressing pressure obtained the highest percentage of densification degree (83.71%) based on time period of before the treatment until the next 7 days after VTC process; and the lowest percentage of density improvement was recorded on non-pre-steamed combined with 4 MPa pressing pressure (54.23%). In terms of moisture content, process condition of non-pre-steamed combined with non-hot-pressed recorded the highest equilibrium moisture content (9.5%); while non-pre-steamed combined with 4 MPa pressing pressure had the lowest equilibrium moisture content (6.3%)

Contact Angles of Viscoelastic-Thermal Compression (VTC) Modified Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Laminas

Wood is recognized as hygroscopic material, which tends to absorb moisture from surrounding, thus affecting both physical and mechanical properties of the material itself. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of viscoelastic-thermal compression (VTC) on the contact angles of modified laminas of Paraserianthes falcataria (L.), in correlation with density and wettability of the wood. This low-density wood species was subjected to densification treatment in order to improve its density as well as mechanical properties. VTC is a densification treatment which involved pre-steaming for softening purpose and compression via hot pressing. There were four different pre-steaming durations alongside one control (NS/D: no pre-steaming (control); S1/D: 10 minutes; S2/D: 20 minutes; S3/D: 30 minutes). The laminas underwent contact angle test (sessile drop method) by referring to ASTM D7334- 08: Surface Wettability of Coatings, Substrates and Pigments by Advancing Contact Angle Measurement. In addition, basic morphological feature of the laminas was determined by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The contact angle of S1/D (10 minutes) laminas indicated the lowest degree of contact angle, which means it had better wettability; while S3/D (30 minutes) laminas recorded the highest degree of contact angle, therefore having poor wettability

Hog Manure and Domestic Wastewater Management Objectives (2007)

The objective of this publication is to identify the differences and similarities between managing municipal wastewater and managing the manure from grow-finish pig systems.New 2/07/1

Determining structural performance

An overview of the methods and concepts developed to enhance and predict structural dynamic characteristics of advanced aeropropulsion systems is presented. Aeroelasticity, vibration control, dynamic systems, and computational structural methods are four disciplines that make up the structural dynamic effort at LeRC. The aeroelasticity program develops analytical and experimental methods for minimizing flutter and forced vibration of aerospace propulsion systems. Both frequency domain and time domain methods were developed for applications on the turbofan, turbopump, and advanced turboprop. In order to improve life and performance, the vibration control program conceives, analyzes, develops, and demonstrates new methods for controlling vibrations in aerospace systems. Active and passive vibration control is accomplished with electromagnetic dampers, magnetic bearings, and piezoelectric crystals to control rotor vibrations. The dynamic systems program analyzes and verifies the dynamics of interacting systems, as well as develops concepts and methods for high-temperature dynamic seals. Work in this field involves the analysis and parametric identification of large, nonlinear, damped, stochastic systems. The computational structural methods program exploits modern computer science as an aid to the solutions of structural problems