Application of the Hsu model to soybean grain hydration

A comparative analysis of the theoretical-experimental study, developed by Hsu on the hydration of Amsoy 71 soybean grain, was performed through several soaking experiments using CD 202 soybean at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C, measuring moisture content over time. The results showed that CD 202 soybean equilibrium moisture content, Xeq, does not depend on temperature and is 21% higher than that found by Hsu, suggesting that soybean cultivar exerts great influence on Xeq. The Hsu model was numerically solved and its parameters were adjusted by the least squares method, with maximum deviations of +/- 10% relative to the experimental values. The limiting step in the mass transfer process during hydration corresponds to water diffusion inside the grain, leading to radial moisture gradients that decrease over time and with an increase in temperature. Regardless of the soybean cultivar, diffusivity increases as temperature or moisture content increases. However, the values of this transport property for Amsoy 71 were superior to those of CD 202, very close at the beginning of hydration at 20 °C and almost three times higher at the end of hydration at 50 °C.

Influence of xylanase addition on the characteristics of loaf bread prepared with white flour or whole grain wheat flour

The aim of this study was to verify the influence of the addition of the enzyme xylanase (four concentrations: 0, 4, 8, and 12 g.100 kg-1 flour) on the characteristics of loaf bread made with white wheat flour or whole grain wheat flour. Breads made from white flour and added with xylanase had higher specific volumes than those of the control sample (no enzyme); however, the specific volume did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) among the breads with different enzyme concentrations. All formulations made from whole grain wheat flour and added with xylanase also had specific volumes significantly higher than those of the control sample, and the highest value was found for the 8 g xylanase.100 kg-1 flour formulation. With respect to moisture content, the formulations with different enzyme concentrations showed small significant differences when compared to the control samples. In general, breads made with the addition of 8 g enzyme.100 kg-1 flour had the lowest firmness values, thus presenting the best technological characteristics.

Effects of genotype and environment on grain yield and quality traits in bread wheat (T. aestivum L.)

Genotype (G), environment (E) and their interaction (GEI) play an important role in the final expression of grain yield and quality attributes. A multi-environment trial in wheat was conducted to evaluate the magnitude of G, E and GEI effects on grain yield and quality of wheat genotypes under the three rainfed locations (hereafter environment) of Central Anatolian Plateau of Turkey, during the 2012-2013 cropping season. Grain yield (GY) and analyses of test weight (TW), protein content (PC), wet gluten content (WGC), grain hardness (GH), thousand kernel weight (TKW) and Zeleny sedimentation volume (ZSV) were determined. Allelic variations of high and low molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS and LMW-GS) and 1B/1R translocation were determined in all genotypes evaluated. Both HMW-Glu-1, 17+18, 5+10 and LMW-Glu-3 b, b, b corresponded to genotypes possessing medium to good quality attributes. Large variability was found among most of the quality attributes evaluated; wider ranges of quality traits were observed in the environments than among the genotypes. The importance of the growing environment effects on grain quality was proved, suggesting that breeders' quality objectives should be adapted to the targeted environments.

Tolerance level of green seed in soybean seed lots after storage

The occurrence of green soybean seed due to forced maturation or premature plant death caused by drought or foliar and/or root diseases has been common in several Brazilian production areas. Physiological quality of seed lots with green seed may have their germination and vigor potentials affected and therefore discarded by the grain industry. The objective of this experiment was to determine the maximum tolerated level of green seed in soybean seed lots, which is information of major importance for seed producers when taking the decision whether to sell these lots. Soybean seed of the cultivars CD 206, produced in Ubirata, Parana, and ‘FMT Tucunare,’ produced in Alto Garças, Mato Grosso, were used in the study. Green seed and yellow seed of both cultivars were mixed in the following proportions: 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Seed quality was evaluated by the germination, accelerated aging, tetrazolium and electrical conductivity tests. The contents of a, b and total chlorophyll in the seed were also determined. A complete randomized block design in a factorial scheme (two cultivars x 12 levels of green seed) was used. Seed quality was negatively affected and chlorophyll contents incremented with the increase in the percentage of green seed. Seed germination, viability and vigor, measured by the accelerated aging test, were not reduced with levels of up to 3% green seed, for both cultivars. Levels above 6% green seed significantly reduced the quality of the seed. The quality of seed lots with 9% or more green seed was significantly reduced to the point that their commercialization is not recommended.

Performance of different drying methods and their effects on the physiological quality of grain sorghum seeds (S. bicolor (L.) Moench)

This experiment viewed to evaluate the physiological quality of grain sorghum seeds as well as to determine the respective drying curve of each of three drying methods. The seeds harvested at 18.9%, 18.1%, and 18.2% of moisture content were submitted to the following drying methods : a) under natural conditions, b) an intermittent dryer in which the combustion of firewood was the source of caloric energy, and c) a stationary dryer in which the source of caloric energy was the burning of liquefied petroleum gas. The experimental design was a completely randomized one with 25 repetitions of one hundred seeds each. The water contents and weight of one thousand seeds were evaluated. Seeds physiological quality was evaluated by germination and vigor tests. Seed drying rates were of 0.11, 1.25, and 0.55 percent points per hour (pph -1) for the natural, intermittent and stationary drying methods, respectively. The intermittent treatment permits the highest loss of water in the shortest period of time, and germination and vigor remaining unchanged.

Perceptions of green branding and identity building amongst small Finnish textile producers

The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The amount of air and water pollution it causes puts a burden on the environment. There are companies who have taken the environmental and social aspects into account in the their production and chosen to operate in a green manner. This thesis studies how the phenomenon of green branding is seen from the perspectives of small Finnish textile companies. The theory used in this thesis has to do with green branding and identity building. The theory is used to analyze the results of the empirical findings. The main research question that the thesis aims to answer is how green branding is perceived within the Finnish textile industry. In order to answer the main research question, empirical data was collected from five relevant companies within the Finnish textile industry. The companies interviewed for the study were WST, Saana ja Olli, RCM, R-collection and Tiensivu. The study was conducted as a multiple case based study where multiple experts from green companies were interviewed. The experts were all owners or employees of companies that have a so-called green brand identity. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, where the relevant experts from each company were interviewed either by themselves, in pairs or in groups. The data that was collected for this study was primary data, and the results of the study are mainly based on the experiences and opinions of the experts interviewed. The data collected does not cover the entire green textile industry within Finland, but study does however give a fairly comprehensive view of the phenomenon, as the textile industry in Finland is quite concise. The general findings of the study show that all experts from the companies interviewed agreed that a green brand identity does benefit their company in one way or the other. The findings also show contradictions with the older theory (eg. Charter et al. 1999, Pickett et al. 1995), and perhaps give a more modern view of the thoughts within the industry.

Pollen and grain size records in abyssal sediments of the northwest Pacific Ocean as proxies of Plio-Pleistocene climate change /

A distinctive period of global change occurred during the PUocene between the warm Miocene and subsequent Quaternary cooling. Samples from Ocean Drilling Project Site 11 79 (-5586 mbsl, 41°4'N, 159°57'E), Site 881 (-5765 mbsl, 47°6.133'N, 161°29.490'E) and Site 882 (-3255 mbsl, 50°22'N, 167°36'E) were studied to determine the magnitude and composition ofterrigenous flux to the western mid-latitude North Pacific and its relation to climate change in East Asia since the mid-Pliocene. Dust-sized particles (including pollen), sourced from the arid regions and loess plateaus in East Asia are entrained by prevailing westerly winds and transported to the midlatitude northwest North Pacific Ocean. This is recorded by peaks in the total concentration of pollen and spores, as well as the mean grain size of allochthonous and autochthonous silicate material in abyssal marine sediments. Aridification of the Asian interior due to the phased uplift of the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau created the modem East Asian Monsoon system dominated by a strengthening of the winter monsoon. The winter monsoon is further enhanced during glacials due to the expansion of desert and steppe environments at the expense ofwoodlands and forests recorded by the composition of palynological assemblages. The late Pliocene-Pleistocene glacials at ODP Sites 1 179, 881, and 882 are characterized by increases in grain size, magnetic susceptibility, pollen and spore concentrations around 3.5-3.3, 2.6-2.4, 1.7-1.6, and 0.9-0.7 Ma (ages based on magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic datums). The peaks during these times are relatively rich in pollen taxa derived primarily from steppe and boreal vegetation zones, recording cool, dry climates. The overall size increase of sediment and abundance of terrestrial palynomorphs record enhanced wind strength. The increase in magnitude of pollen and spore concentrations as well as grain size record global cooling and Northern Hemisphere glaciation. The peaks in grain size as well as pollen and spore abundance in marine sediments correlate with the mean grain size of loess in East Asia, consistent with the deflation of unarmoured surfaces during glacials. The transport of limiting nutrients to marine environments enhanced sea surface productivity and increased the rate of sediment accumulation.

Voucher #22 to James McCoppen (copy) which includes a letter from James McCoppen regarding a claim for having water backed up into his grain and grass by the embankment of the railroad. The letter is dated June 24, 1857 and the voucher is dated Jul. 1, 1857

Voucher #22 to James McCoppen (copy) which includes a letter from James McCoppen regarding a claim for having water backed up into his grain and grass by the embankment of the railroad. The letter is dated June 24, 1857 and the voucher is dated Jul. 1, 1857.

Évaluation de la vulnérabilité des fermes productrices de maïs-grain du Québec aux variabilités et changements climatiques : les cas de Montérégie-Ouest et du Lac-Saint-Jean-Est

Réalisées aux échelles internationales et nationales, les études de vulnérabilité aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques sont peu pertinentes dans un processus de prise de décisions à des échelles géographiques plus petites qui représentent les lieux d’implantation des stratégies de réponses envisagées. Les études de vulnérabilité aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques à des échelles géographiques relativement petites dans le secteur agricole sont généralement rares, voire inexistantes au Canada, notamment au Québec. Dans le souci de combler ce vide et de favoriser un processus décisionnel plus éclairé à l’échelle de la ferme, cette étude cherchait principalement à dresser un portrait de l’évolution de la vulnérabilité des fermes productrices de maïs-grain des régions de Montérégie-Ouest et du Lac-St-Jean-Est aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques dans un contexte de multiples sources de pression. Une méthodologie générale constituée d'une évaluation de la vulnérabilité globale à partir d’une combinaison de profils de vulnérabilité aux conditions climatiques et socio-économiques a été adoptée. Pour la période de référence (1985-2005), les profils de vulnérabilité ont été dressés à l’aide d’analyses des coefficients de variation des séries temporelles de rendements et de superficies en maïs-grain. Au moyen de méthodes ethnographiques associées à une technique d’analyse multicritère, le Processus d’analyse hiérarchique (PAH), des scénarios d’indicateurs de capacité adaptative du secteur agricole susmentionné ont été développés pour la période de référence. Ceux-ci ont ensuite servi de point de départ dans l’élaboration des indicateurs de capacité de réponses des producteurs agricoles pour la période future 2010-2039. Pour celle-ci, les deux profils de vulnérabilité sont issus d’une simplification du cadre théorique de « Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change » (IPCC) relatif aux principales composantes du concept de vulnérabilité. Pour la dimension « sensibilité » du secteur des fermes productrices de maïs-grain des deux régions agricoles aux conditions climatiques, une série de données de rendements a été simulée pour la période future. Ces simulations ont été réalisées à l’aide d’un couplage de cinq scénarios climatiques et du modèle de culture CERES-Maize de « Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer » (DSSAT), version 4.0.2.0. En ce qui concerne l’évaluation de la « capacité adaptative » au cours de la période future, la construction des scénarios d’indicateurs de cette composante a été effectuée selon l’influence potentielle des grandes orientations économiques et environnementales considérées dans l’élaboration des lignes directrices des deux familles d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) A2 et A1B. L’application de la démarche méthodologique préalablement mentionnée a conduit aux principaux résultats suivants. Au cours de la période de référence, la région agricole du Lac-St-Jean-Est semblait être plus vulnérable aux conditions climatiques que celle de Montérégie-Ouest. En effet, le coefficient de variation des rendements du maïs-grain pour la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est était évalué à 0,35; tandis que celui pour la région de Montérégie-Ouest n’était que de 0,23. Toutefois, par rapport aux conditions socio-économiques, la région de Montérégie-Ouest affichait une vulnérabilité plus élevée que celle du Lac-St-Jean-Est. Les valeurs des coefficients de variation pour les superficies en maïs-grain au cours de la période de référence pour la Montérégie-Ouest et le Lac-St-Jean-Est étaient de 0,66 et 0,48, respectivement. Au cours de la période future 2010-2039, la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est serait, dans l’ensemble, toujours plus vulnérable aux conditions climatiques que celle de Montérégie-Ouest. Les valeurs moyennes des coefficients de variation pour les rendements agricoles anticipés fluctuent entre 0,21 et 0,25 pour la région de Montérégie-Ouest et entre 0,31 et 0,50 pour la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est. Néanmoins, en matière de vulnérabilité future aux conditions socio-économiques, la position relative des deux régions serait fonction du scénario de capacité adaptative considéré. Avec les orientations économiques et environnementales considérées dans l’élaboration des lignes directrices de la famille d’émission de GES A2, les indicateurs de capacité adaptative du secteur à l’étude seraient respectivement de 0,13 et 0,08 pour la Montérégie-Ouest et le Lac-St-Jean-Est. D’autre part, en considérant les lignes directrices de la famille d’émission de GES A1B, la région agricole du Lac-St-Jean-Est aurait une capacité adaptative légèrement supérieure (0,07) à celle de la Montérégie-Ouest (0,06). De façon générale, au cours de la période future, la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est devrait posséder une vulnérabilité globale plus élevée que la région de Montérégie-Ouest. Cette situation s’expliquerait principalement par une plus grande vulnérabilité de la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est aux conditions climatiques. Les résultats de cette étude doivent être appréciés dans le contexte des postulats considérés, de la méthodologie suivie et des spécificités des deux régions agricoles examinées. Essentiellement, avec l’adoption d’une démarche méthodologique simple, cette étude a révélé les caractéristiques « dynamique et relative » du concept de vulnérabilité, l’importance de l’échelle géographique et de la prise en compte d’autres sources de pression et surtout de la considération d’une approche contraire à celle du « agriculteur réfractaire aux changements » dans les travaux d’évaluation de ce concept dans le secteur agricole. Finalement, elle a aussi présenté plusieurs pistes de recherche susceptibles de contribuer à une meilleure évaluation de la vulnérabilité des agriculteurs aux changements climatiques dans un contexte de multiples sources de pression.

Studies on grain refinement and alloying additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Zn-4Al alloy

MAGNESIUM ALLOYS have strong potential for weight reduction in a wide range of technical applications because of their low density compared to other structural metallic materials. Therefore, an extensive growth of magnesium alloys usage in the automobile sector is expected in the coming years to enhance the fuel efficiency through mass reduction. The drawback associated with the use of commercially cheaper Mg-Al based alloys, such as AZ91, AM60 and AM50 are their inferior creep properties above 100ºC due to the presence of discontinuous Mg17A112 phases at the grain boundaries. Although rare earth-based magnesium alloys show better mechanical properties, it is not economically viable to use these alloys in auto industries. Recently, many new Mg-Al based alloy systems have been developed for high temperature applications, which do not contain the Mg17Al12 phase. It has been proved that the addition of a high percentage of zinc (which depends upon the percentage of Al) to binary Mg-Al alloys also ensures the complete removal of the Mg17Al12 phase and hence exhibits superior high temperature properties.ZA84 alloy is one such system, which has 8%Zn in it (Mg-8Zn-4Al-0.2Mn, all are in wt %) and shows superior creep resistance compared to AZ and AM series alloys. These alloys are mostly used in die casting industries. However, there are certain large and heavy components, made up of this alloy by sand castings that show lower mechanical properties because of their coarse microstructure. Moreover, further improvement in their high temperature behaviour through microstructural modification is also an essential task to make this alloy suitable for the replacement of high strength aluminium alloys used in automobile industry. Grain refinement is an effective way to improve the tensile behaviour of engineering alloys. In fact, grain refinement of Mg-Al based alloys is well documented in literature. However, there is no grain refiner commercially available in the market for Mg-Al alloys. It is also reported in the literature that the microstructure of AZ91 alloy is modified through the minor elemental additions such as Sb, Si, Sr, Ca, etc., which enhance its high temperature properties because of the formation of new stable intermetallics. The same strategy can be used with the ZA84 alloy system to improve its high temperature properties further without sacrificing the other properties. The primary objective of the present research work, “Studies on grain refinement and alloying additions on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Zn-4Al alloy” is twofold: 1. To investigate the role of individual and combined additions of Sb and Ca on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZA84 alloy. 2. To synthesis a novel Mg-1wt%Al4C3 master alloy for grain refinement of ZA84 alloy and investigate its effects on mechanical properties.

Microstructural evolution of primary crystallization in diffusion-controlled grain growth

A model has been developed for evaluating grain size distributions in primary crystallizations where the grain growth is diffusion controlled. The body of the model is grounded in a recently presented mean-field integration of the nucleation and growth kinetic equations, modified conveniently in order to take into account a radius-dependent growth rate, as occurs in diffusion-controlled growth. The classical diffusion theory is considered, and a modification of this is proposed to take into account interference of the diffusion profiles between neighbor grains. The potentiality of the mean-field model to give detailed information on the grain size distribution and transformed volume fraction for transformations driven by nucleation and either interface- or diffusion-controlled growth processes is demonstrated. The model is evaluated for the primary crystallization of an amorphous alloy, giving an excellent agreement with experimental data. Grain size distributions are computed, and their properties are discussed.

Grain refinement studies on Mg and Mg-Al based alloys

Demand on magnesium and its alloys is increased significantly in the automotive industry because of their great potential in reducing the weight of components, thus resulting in improvement in fuel efficiency of the vehicle. To date, most of Mg products have been fabricated by casting, especially, by die-casting because of its high productivity, suitable strength, acceptable quality & dimensional accuracy and the components produced through sand, gravity and low pressure die casting are small extent. In fact, higher solidification rate is possible only in high pressure die casting, which results in finer grain size. However, achieving high cooling rate in gravity casting using sand and permanent moulds is a difficult task, which ends with a coarser grain nature and exhibit poor mechanical properties, which is an important aspect of the performance in industrial applications. Grain refinement is technologically attractive because it generally does not adversely affect ductility and toughness, contrary to most other strengthening methods. Therefore formation of fine grain structure in these castings is crucial, in order to improve the mechanical properties of these cast components. Therefore, the present investigation is “GRAIN REFINEMENT STUDIES ON Mg AND Mg-Al BASED ALLOYS”. The primary objective of this present investigation is to study the effect of various grain refining inoculants (Al-4B, Al- 5TiB2 master alloys, Al4C3, Charcoal particles) on Pure Mg and Mg-Al alloys such as AZ31, AZ91 and study their grain refining mechanisms. The second objective of this work is to study the effect of superheating process on the grain size of AZ31, AZ91 Mg alloys with and without inoculants addition. In addition, to study the effect of grain refinement on the mechanical properties of Mg and Mg-Al alloys. The thesis is well organized with seven chapters and the details of the studies are given below in detail.

Depinning transition of dislocation assemblies: Pileups and low-angle grain boundaries

We investigate the depinning transition occurring in dislocation assemblies. In particular, we consider the cases of regularly spaced pileups and low-angle grain boundaries interacting with a disordered stress landscape provided by solute atoms, or by other immobile dislocations present in nonactive slip systems. Using linear elasticity, we compute the stress originated by small deformations of these assemblies and the corresponding energy cost in two and three dimensions. Contrary to the case of isolated dislocation lines, which are usually approximated as elastic strings with an effective line tension, the deformations of a dislocation assembly cannot be described by local elastic interactions with a constant tension or stiffness. A nonlocal elastic kernel results as a consequence of long-range interactions between dislocations. In light of this result, we revise statistical depinning theories of dislocation assemblies and compare the theoretical results with numerical simulations and experimental data.

Grain boundaries in vortex matter

We explore the statistical properties of grain boundaries in the vortex polycrystalline phase of type-II superconductors. Treating grain boundaries as arrays of dislocations interacting through linear elasticity, we show that self-interaction of a deformed grain boundary is equivalent to a nonlocal long-range surface tension. This affects the pinning properties of grain boundaries, which are found to be less rough than isolated dislocations. The presence of grain boundaries has an important effect on the transport properties of type-II superconductors as we show by numerical simulations: our results indicate that the critical current is higher for a vortex polycrystal than for a regular vortex lattice. Finally, we discuss the possible role of grain boundaries in vortex lattice melting. Through a phenomenological theory we show that melting can be preceded by an intermediate polycrystalline phase.