Otpornost borovine i bukovine impregnirane ekstraktima biljaka R. luteum i R. ponticum na propadanje i promjenu boje

In this study, the effect of impregnation with natural extracts on decay resistance and color change of pine and beech wood was analyzed. Flowers of Rhododendron luteum and Rhododendron ponticum plants were extracted according to the decoction method and aqueous solutions were prepared at different concentration levels (2 %, 4 % and 7 %). In addition, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate and aluminum sulfate mordants were added to the solution to improve the properties of the extracts. Then the wood specimens were impregnated with the prepared solutions. The results indicated that the effect of plant species on the mass loss of specimens exposed to T. versicolor (white-rot fungus) was insignificant. Non-mordant extracts had a slight effect on the mass loss of the specimens. However, in pine and beech specimens impregnated with mordant-added (especially ferrous sulfate-added) extracts, mass loss was significantly reduced and resistance to fungal rot was almost completely achieved. The concentration level did not have a significant effect on the mass loss of specimens treated with mordant-added extracts. After impregnation, the L* value of all specimens (especially those treated with ferrous sulfate-added extracts) decreased and the specimens darkened. The a* and b* values increased in specimens treated with non-mordant and aluminum sulfate-added extracts and these specimens tend to have a red-yellow color. The a* value decreased and the b* value increased in wood specimens treated with copper sulfate-added extracts. The green-yellow color trend of these specimens increased. Both the a* and b* values of the specimens treated with ferrous sulfate-added extracts decreased and the green-blue color tendency increased in these specimens. The increase in the concentration level positively affected the determined color changes. The total color change (ΔE*) was higher in wood specimens (especially pine) treated with ferrous sulfate-added R. ponticum extracts.U istraživanju je analiziran utjecaj impregnacije borovine i bukovine biljnim ekstraktima na otpornost na propadanje. Cvjetovi biljaka Rhododendron luteum i Rhododendron ponticum ekstrahirani su metodom dekocije te su pripremljene vodene otopine različitih koncentracija (2 %, 4 % i 7 %). Osim toga, otopini su dodani fiksatori željezov sulfat, bakrov sulfat i aluminijev sulfat radi poboljšanja svojstava ekstrakata. Zatim su uzorci uzoraka izloženih djelovanju T. versicolor (gljivi bijele truleži) bio neznatan. Ekstrakti bez fiksatora imali su mali učinak na gubitak mase uzoraka. Međutim, znatno je smanjen gubitak mase uzoraka borovine i bukovine impregniranih ekstraktima s dodatkom fiksatora (osobito željezova sulfata), a postignuta je gotovo potpuna otpornost na gljive truležnice. Koncentracija otopine nije imala znatniji utjecaj na gubitak mase uzoraka zaštićenih ekstraktima s dodatkom fiksatora. Nakon impregnacije smanjila se L* vrijednost svih uzoraka (posebno onih zaštićenih ekstraktima s dodatkom željezova sulfata) i uzorci su potamnjeli. Povećale su se vrijednosti a* i b* uzoraka impregniranih ekstraktima bez dodatka fiksatora i ekstraktima s dodatkom aluminijeva sulfata i ti su uzorci poprimili crvenožutu boju. Vrijednost a* uzoraka drva premazanih ekstraktima s dodatkom bakrova sulfata smanjila se, a vrijednost b* se povećala. Udio žutozelene komponente na tim se uzorcima povećao. Vrijednosti a* i b* uzoraka premazanih ekstraktima s dodatkom željezova sulfata smanjile su se i povećao se udio zelenoplave komponente. Povećanje koncentracije otopine kojom su uzorci impregnirani pozitivno je utjecalo na promjenu boje. Ukupna promjena boje (ΔE*) bila je veća na uzorcima drva (osobito borovim) impregniranim ekstraktima R. ponticum s dodatkom željezova sulfata

Changes in the chemical structure and decay resistance of heat-treated narrow-leaved ash wood

We analyzed the effects of heat treatment on the chemical structure of wood from narrow-leafed Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), a fast-growing and economically valuable species. We also analyzed the effects of heat treatment on the wood’s resistance to four decay fungi. Narrow-leafed Ash wood samples were heated with saturated steam to 140, 180, 200, and 220°C for 2, 4, and 6 h. The relative contents of extractable components were analyzed, as well as the levels of holocellulose, cellulose, and lignin. In addition, the density, equilibrium moisture content, and pH of the samples were measured. To determine the effects of heat treatment on resistance to decay fungi, the samples were exposed to the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor, dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans, and the brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana and Gloeophyllum trabeum. Changes in the chemical composition of the wood due to heat treatment were correlated with increased resistance to fungal decay. While the hemicellulose content was dramatically reduced with increasing temperature and treatment duration, the lignin content increased proportionately. Thus, heat treatment is an environmentally friendly method of preserving narrow-leafed Ash wood against various decay fungi

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO nanoflakes: structural, optical and dielectric characterization

In this study, we produced ZnO nanoflakes (ZnO-Nfs) by using microwave-assisted techniques. The structural properties of ZnO-Nfs were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Raman scattering spectroscopy and field-emission scanning microscopy (FESEM). The Crystallite size (D) and lattice constants of ZnO-Nfs were calculated. The optical properties of ZnO-Nfs were investigated by using UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Also, dielectric constants of ZnO-Nfs were calculated as related to the refractive index (n) an extinction coefficient (k)

ACTIVITY OF COMMERCIAL STILL WATERS FROM VOLATILE OILS PRODUCTION AGAINST WOOD DECAY FUNGI

The antifungal properties of some commercial plant waters obtained as side products in producing distilled oils were investigated. Paper disc samples were impregnated with various plant waters and exposed to wood decay fungi for 3 months in Petri dishes. Ten types of plant water (Laurus nobilis, Calluna vulgaris, Lavandula stoechas, Thymus vulgaris, Myrtus communis, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha pulegium, Urtica dioica, Melissa officinalis, and Matricaria chamomilla were examined. Seven fungi were used (Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Ceriporiopsis subvermisphora, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Trametes versicolor, Oligoporus placenta, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Coniophora puteana). The antifungal activities of the plant waters obtained from thyme and lavender were particularly high

Morphological and chemical analysis of Hylotrupes bajulus (old house borer) larvae-damaged wood and its FTIR characterization

In this study, the biodegradation of wood and chemical changes caused by the Hylotrupes bajulus beetle were revealed for the first time using FTIR spectroscopy. In the study, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), fir (Abies nordmanniana), and spruce (Picea orientalis) wood species were exposed to damage by H. bajulus larvae for four months. Morphological measurements and chemical analysis were carried out for the fine powdery dust (FPD) and frass (FR) produced by H. bajulus and compared to control samples. In addition, the FPD and FR of the larvae were examined by FTIR analysis and changes in the wood structure were determined. According to the morphological measurement data obtained from the study, the dimensions of the larval FR were 1 x 0.55 mm screened at 20-mesh, and 0.37 x 0.24 mm at 60-mesh. Holocellulose analysis showed that less holocellulose was detected in the FR and FPD than in the control wood. In the sugar analysis performed via HPLC, the glucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, and arabinose components decreased compared to the control wood, whereas the content of acid-insoluble lignin increased. The FTIR spectra of the wood species (especially in Scots pine) showed that the carbohydrate band intensity at 1735, 1370, 1321, and 897 cm(-1) decreased and the carbohydrate bands at 1735, 1321, 1369, and 897 cm(-1) were nearly absent in the FPD and FR after H. bajulus larva degradation. However, absorption band intensity at 1508, 1458, 1268, and 1031 cm(-1) related to the lignin bands increased significantly. According to these results, H. bajulus larvae degraded cellulose and hemicellulose from the wood components, but they did not degrade lignin.WOS:0006055418000292-s2.0-8509905163

Changes in the chemical structure and decay resistance of heat-treated narrow-leaved ash wood

We analyzed the effects of heat treatment on the chemical structure of wood from narrow-leafed Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), a fast-growing and economically valuable species. We also analyzed the effects of heat treatment on the wood&#8217;s resistance to four decay fungi. Narrow-leafed Ash wood samples were heated with saturated steam to 140, 180, 200, and 220°C for 2, 4, and 6 h. The relative contents of extractable components were analyzed, as well as the levels of holocellulose, cellulose, and lignin. In addition, the density, equilibrium moisture content, and pH of the samples were measured. To determine the effects of heat treatment on resistance to decay fungi, the samples were exposed to the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor, dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans, and the brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana and Gloeophyllum trabeum. Changes in the chemical composition of the wood due to heat treatment were correlated with increased resistance to fungal decay. While the hemicellulose content was dramatically reduced with increasing temperature and treatment duration, the lignin content increased proportionately. Thus, heat treatment is an environmentally friendly method of preserving narrow-leafed Ash wood against various decay fungi

EFFECTS OF HOT-COLD OIL TREATMENT ON BIOLOGICAL RESISTANCE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BRUTIA PINE SAPWOOD

This study investigated the physical properties of hot-cold oil-treated Brutia pine sapwood (Pinus brutia) and its biological resistance against wood-decay fungi. Weight percent gain, density, water absorption, and volumetric shrinking were chosen as the physical properties of the wood. White rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown rot (Neolentinus lepideus) were selected as the wood-decay fungi. Two different temperatures and two different time intervals were determined for the hot-cold oil treatment. Castor oil (Ricinus communis), flaxseed oil (Oleum linii), and a mixture of the two were used as the treatment oils (the medium of the hot-cold treatment). The results showed that the physical properties of the hot-cold oil-treated samples improved significantly compared to those of the control samples. In addition, after exposure to the decay fungi, the mass loss of the hot-cold flaxseed oil-treated samples decreased significantly more than in either the untreated samples or those treated with the other oils. There was a significant increase in the water repellent effectiveness and dimensional stability of the Brutia pine sapwood with all hot-cold oil treatments, but the hot-cold castor oil treatment appeared to have had no effect on decay resistance. A hot-cold oil treatment using flaxseed oil or a mixture including it could be a suitable method for improvement of the water repellent effectiveness, dimensional stability, and decay resistance of Brutia pine sapwood, as they both reduced the water uptake and the mass loss against the wood-decay fungi compared to the results of the control samples.TR TUBITAK-Directorate of Science Fellowships and Grant Programs (BIDEB) [2209-A: 1919B011601622]The authors are grateful for the support from the TR TUBITAK-Directorate of Science Fellowships and Grant Programs (BIDEB) (Grant No. 2209-A: 1919B011601622).WOS:0006726383000422-s2.0-8510912752