Growth, yield and fiber morphology of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) grown on sandy bris soil as influenced by different levels of carbon

The effects of carbon levels on plant growth, yield and fiber morphological properties are not available for kenaf that is considered as a potential source of low cost natural fiber and feedstock for energy production as well. A pot-culture experiment was conducted in shade house to determine the effects of carbon levels on plant growth, yield and fiber morphology of different kenaf varieties. The plants of five kenaf varieties were grown in pots containing sandy beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil. Organic carbons at the levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1 were applied to pots using organic fertilizer. At harvest, stem diameter, plant height, leaf number, leaf area, plant components biomass, bast and core fiber yield and fiber dimensional properties were determined. Maximum growth, dry matter and fiber yield, and morphological characters were achieved at the carbon levels 20 t ha-1 but the values of these parameters decreased with additional increase in carbon levels. Among the varieties, HC2 had the highest plant height, leaf biomass, total dry matter and fiber yield. The longest bast fiber was observed in variety HC2. The variety G4 showed the widest fiber and higher lumen width among others. The bast fibers of all the kenaf verities were longer than core fiber. The core fiber was wider and higher in lumen width than the bast fiber. The above results keep a significant role and would be useful to select better varieties of kenaf for the purpose of making quality paper and paper products and to grow kenaf on BRIS soil with adequate yield and fibre quality using better management of organic carbon.Key words: Kenaf varieties, carbon levels, growth, yield, fiber morphology, beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil

Effects of carbon levels on shoot growth and root characteristics of different kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) varieties grown on sandy bris soil

The effects of carbon levels on shoot growth and root characteristics of five kenaf varieties were assessed in a shade house experiment. The kenaf plants were grown in pots containing sandy beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil. Organic carbons at levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha-1 were applied to pots using organic fertilizer. The plants at carbon levels 20 t ha-1 had the highest plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry matter, total root length, root surface area, total root volume, and number of root tips. Increasing carbon levels had negatively affected shoot growth and root morphology of all varieties under study. There was an obvious difference in response to carbon levels among the five varieties with HC2 showing the highest performance in terms of shoot growth and root characteristics. These results provide significant insights into limitations and opportunities for growing of kenaf in BRIS soil with better organic carbon management.Key words: Kenaf varieties, carbon levels, root traits, root and shoot growth, sandy BRIS soil

Debinding process of ss316L metal injection moulding under argon atmosphere

Solvent and thermal debinding acted as binder in removing Restaurant Waste Lipid (RWL) and Polypropylene (PP) from the stainless steel 316L. This investigation was carried out to determine the effect of thermal debinding variables on density, shrinkage and surface morphology of the brown parts other than to remove the binder from the SS316L under the Argon atmosphere with flow rate of 5 ml/min. The parameter used for solvent debinding process was solvent temperature at 60°C for six hours, while thermal debinding process was conducted at various temperature of 400°C, 500°C and 600°C, heating rate of 10 °C/min, 20 °C/min and 30 °C/min, dwell time of 30 min, 60 min and 90 min, and cooling rate of 5 °C/min, 10 °C/min and 15 °C/min. Analysis of weight loss percentage was done on the brown part after the solvent debinding and thermal debinding processes. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to confirm the removal of RWL and PP from the compacts based on the porosity form, and attachment of PP in the powder particles. This investigation showed that debinding parameters were important in terms of their effects on the physical properties. Based on the observation through SEM and consideration of the factors that affected the physical properties of the parts, it was found that RWL was completely extracted out at 60°C for six hours, while the thermal temperature of 500°C with heating rate of 10 °C/min, dwell time of 60 min and cooling rate of 15 °C/min were the optimal thermal debinding parameters in PP removal

Large spin-orbit coupling in carbon nanotubes

It has recently been recognized that the strong spin-orbit interaction present in solids can lead to new phenomena, such as materials with non-trivial topological order. Although the atomic spin-orbit coupling in carbon is weak, the spin-orbit coupling in carbon nanotubes can be significant due to their curved surface. Previous works have reported spin-orbit couplings in reasonable agreement with theory, and this coupling strength has formed the basis of a large number of theoretical proposals. Here we report a spin-orbit coupling in three carbon nanotube devices that is an order of magnitude larger than measured before. We find a zero-field spin splitting of up to 3.4 meV, corresponding to a built-in effective magnetic field of 29 T aligned along the nanotube axis. While the origin of the large spin-orbit coupling is not explained by existing theories, its strength is promising for applications of the spin-orbit interaction in carbon nanotubes devices

The Potential of Treated Palm Oil Mill Effluent (Pome) Sludge as an Organic Fertilizer

Palm oil mill contributed a significant benefit to agro-based industry and social-economic for Malaysia. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is considered as a polluted wastewater and the treated POME sludge was produced from the open treatment ponds. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of treated POME sludge and its potential as an organic fertilizer. It was collected from the dumping ponds in Felda Jengka 8, palm oil mill. Physicochemical characteristics, sampling and preparation of samples were analyzed according to the standard method of soil and the wastewater. The samples were collected after one and six month of age with different depths (one, two and three meters). The statistical analysis revealed that the depth was not significant on the physicochemical characteristics. The characteristics of the treated POME sludge was measures using CHNS-O, C/N ratio, solid analysis, heavy metal, macro and micronutrient, moisture content, and pH. However, the elements of oxygen, iron and pH were shown an interaction effects with time. In conclusion, the treated POME sludge has shown significant effect and the potential used as an organic fertilizer. Indeed, further studies on crops response are being conducted to prove the findings

Effects of December

Abstract Heavy rain falling on land at the upper reaches of the Kelantan River, Malaysia, on December 2014, had resulted in severe soil erosion and untold damages to croplands. The lower reaches of the river were heavily silted with infertile materials considered unfit for crop production. A study was conducted to explain why the flood phenomenon occurred, to determine the physico-chemical properties of the sediments silted in the Kelantan Plains and to propose measures for soil mitigation. Results showed that the silted sediments were characterized by the presence of quarts, mica, feldspars, kaolinite, gibbsite and hematite believed to come from the top-and subsoil of the upland areas. The sediments' pH was very low and Al and/or Fe contents were very high, while nitrogen and carbon contents varied from area to area. Soils in the Kelantan Plains badly affected by this great flood needed to undergo proper ameliorative program. The most appropriate measure would be to apply ground magnesium limestone in combination with bio-fertilizer fortified with beneficial microbes that would increase their pH to a level above 5, which consequently eliminates Al 3+ and/or Fe 2+ that causes toxicity to the crops growing on them. The organic material so added would enhance the formation of soil structures. It is advised that the farming communities in the upper reaches of the Kelantan River would have to follow the advice advocated by the Department of Agriculture, Peninsular Malaysia, via MyGAP initiative, in order to sustain agricultural production on their land

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with bone anchor fixation: short-term anatomic and functional results

Contains fulltext : 108485.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term anatomic and functional outcomes and safety of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with bone anchor fixation. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of women undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy between 2004 and 2009. Anatomic outcome was assessed using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification score (POP-Q). Functional outcomes were assessed using the Urogenital Distress Inventory, Defecatory Distress Inventory, and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to test differences between related samples. RESULTS: Forty-nine women underwent laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. The objective success rate in the apical compartment was 98%, subjective success rate was 79%. One mesh exposure (2%) was found. One conversion was necessary due to injury to the ileum. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with bone anchor fixation is a safe and efficacious treatment for apical compartment prolapse. It provides excellent apical support and good functional outcome 6 months postoperatively.1 april 201