Search

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo. METHODS Data from the Sao Paulo Megacity study – the Brazilian version of the World Mental Health Survey multicenter study – were used. A total of 3,588 adults living in 69 neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil, including 38 municipalities and 31 neighboring districts, were selected using multistratified sampling of the non-institutionalized population. Multilevel Bayesian logistic models were adjusted to identify the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the past 12 months and presence of a regular physician for routine care. RESULTS The contextual characteristics of the place of residence (income inequality, violence, and median income) showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) with the use of health care services or with the presence of a regular physician for routine care. The only exception was the negative correlation between living in areas with high income inequality and presence of a regular physician (OR: 0.77; 95%CI 0.60;0.99) after controlling for individual characteristics. The study revealed a strong and consistent correlation between individual characteristics (mainly education and possession of health insurance), use of health care services, and presence of a regular physician. Presence of chronic and mental illnesses was strongly correlated with the use of health care services in the past year (regardless of the individual characteristics) but not with the presence of a regular physician. CONCLUSIONS Individual characteristics including higher education and possession of health insurance were important determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. A better understanding of these determinants is essential for the development of public policies that promote equitable use of health care services.

Colour changes, such as kiln brown stain, that develop in Pinus radiata boards during kiln drying can reduce the value of the final wood products and result in significant losses due to downgrade or waste of dried wood by removing the darkened surfaces. This study measured how colour developed in Pinus radiata sapwood boards under different drying schedules. The boards used in these experiments were 40×100×800mm, cut from the same log and were end- and edge-matched. Boards were dried at eight different schedules using temperatures from 50°C to 120°C and relative humidities from 14% to 67%. Separate boards were dried for 5 equal intervals through each schedule and colour profiles measured through the boards using a surface reflectance spectrophotometer. Lightness, L* on a greyscale was used as an indication of colour change (darkening). The results show that there is generally a greater decrease in lightness with higher temperature schedules and also with slower, higher relative humidity, schedules. This suggests that both temperature and drying time are significant factors in the formation of colour during drying. The most significant changes in colour occurred near the board surfaces, indicating kiln brown stain

ABSTRACT The plastic film materials are a widely used agricultural means of production. Recently, two types of new agricultural film mulches are developed and are used popularly. They are ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and polyolefin (PO) film mulches. The transmittances of film mulches are related to thermal reservation and plant photosynthesis. We experimentally measure transmittances of several EVA and PO film mulches under different wavelengths. We also find that the transmittances of mulches vary with light intensity change at one wavelength. The variable transmittances for these mulches are also measured in experiments. These data measured can provides help for agricultural production and accurate numerical simulation for the establishment microclimate of plastic greenhouse, even the degradation of plastic films.

À medida que as relações entre a China e o Brasil se aprofundam, as duas partes reforçam a sua cooperação nos domínios político, econômico e comercial. Neste processo, os intercâmbios culturais e educacionais têm sido valorizados por ambas as partes como uma via importante de promover o contato interpessoal e a aprendizagem mútua entre as duas culturas. Desde 1985, ano em que foi assinado o primeiro acordo de intercâmbio no domínio da educação entre os dois países, a cooperação educacional sino-brasileira começou a se expandir e têm se destacado as seguintes características: diversificação de conteúdos e formas de cooperação educacional; formação de um enquadramento de cooperação que engloba atores e níveis diversificados; aumento de quantidade e qualidade do ensino de línguas; e a ascensão da educação temática como instrumento de promover a aprendizagem mútua entre as culturas chinesa e brasileira. Nas últimas décadas, a cooperação educacional China-Brasil alcançou resultados variados, porém, esta continua enfrentando alguns desafios práticos, tais como a falta de institucionalização, a necessidade de alargar constantemente a sua quantidade e qualidade e a exigência de um conhecimento mútuo mais aprofundado sobre as realidades de educação das duas partes. No futuro, os dois países poderão reforçar a cooperação educacional e beneficiar ambos os povos por meio de promover a construção de mecanismos de cooperação relevantes, se focar mais na garantia de qualidade da cooperação, aprofundar os respetivos estudos sobre países e regiões, estabelecer banco de recursos de educação online e reforçar a cooperação no ensino profissional.

Litopenaeus vannamei easily blackens during cold storage. To inhibit blackening and improve the storage quality of prawns, in this study, konjac glucomman (KGM)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) topological microgel was formed and used for storage and preservation of prawns to improve their antioxidant properties. The effect of KGM-EGCG topological microgel on inhibiting shrimp blackening was studied by measuring the sensory evaluation score, pH value, TVB-N value, K value, PPO activity, and the effect of changes in the total number of bacteria of KGM-EGCG-treated prawns during storage. SEM and FTIR results showed that during the KGM-EGCG binding process, the number of hydrogen bond connections and the intermolecular force increased. Results also showed that the KGM microgel can effectively embed EGCG and enhance its stability to achieve a better controlled release effect. Compared with the EGCG group and untreated group, KGM-EGCG microgel has better anti-PPO activity and can better maintain the organoleptic quality and inhibit bacterial growth of Litopenaeus vannamei. Therefore, the KGM-EGCG microgel could slow down the increase in pH value, the production of volatile base nitrogen, and the increase in K value, and effectively extend the shelf life of Litopenaeus vannamei from 3 d to 6 d, providing a theoretical basis for the research of KGM functional gel and a reference for the deep processing and value enhancement of green tea and shrimp.

Bioactive peptides have been extensively applied for developing health-promoting foods. To improve the value of Laminaria japonica proteins (LJPs), anti-hypertensive peptides were prepared by using controlled enzymatic hydrolysis along with response surface methodology to improve their yields. Eight anti-hypertensive peptides with tyrosine (Tyr) at the C-terminal were determined through an efficient RP-HPLC method and molecular docking was performed to reveal the underlying mechanisms behind their effectiveness of anti-hypertension. According to the results, the strongest activity of hydrolysates was achieved under enzyme ratio (papain: alcalase: trypsin) 1:2:1, pH 8.0, temperature 60°C, substrate concentration 1.7%, enzyme addition 4.4%, and hydrolysis time 5.1 h. Furthermore, molecular docking results displayed that anti-hypertensive peptides could bind with ACE active sites through forming a stable composite structure, thus causing a significant reduction to activities. These results demonstrated the potential applications of LJPs as a source of anti-hypertensive peptides and provided a reference for the industrialized anti-hypertensive productions.

The power of a compound is enhanced by the direct connection of nitrogen atoms, and its stability can be improved through conjugated structure. So novel high energy density materials N14 (1,6-dihydro-1,2,3,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8,8a,9,10,10a-tetradecazapyrene) and N18 (1,2,2a,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,9,10,10a,11,12a-octadecazacoronene) were designed, and their structures, detonation performance, and stabilities were calculated employing density functional theory (DFT). The detonation performance includes detonation pressure (P), detonation velocity (D), and heat of detonation (Q). Furthermore, the stability involves frontier molecular orbitals and impact sensitivity. Calculations reveal that they have an excellent power, detonation performance of N14 (P = 43.6 GPa, D = 10040 m s-1, Q = 2214 cal g-1) and N18 (P = 37.4 GPa, D = 9400 m s-1, Q = 2114 cal g-1) are comparable to CL-20. Besides, their impact sensitivities are slightly better than CL-20, therefore they are promising candidates in energetic materials.

The properties of manufactured nisin-ZrO2/poly (vinyl alcohol)-wheat gluten (ZPWG) films were characterized. The formation of hydrogen bonds among the PVA, WG, and ZrO2 units were detected and caused a decrease in the film crystallinity. Also, the degradation rate was increased with WG content. As expected, the addition of WG and ZrO2 influenced the light transmission, tensile properties, gas permeability and water vapor permeability of the films. Nisin-loaded films presented a low initial burst release of the antimicrobial agent, followed by a gradual release. The initial diffusion of nisin (Mt/M∞ 0.998) between Mt/M∞ and t1/2, and the diffusion coefficient D increased with increasing WG content. Antimicrobial activity testing of nisin-ZPWG films with 40 wt% WG showed excellent inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, indicating its potential as a new active food packaging material.

Beeswax-based oleogels with different types of vegetable oil, including camellia oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), sunflower oil (SFO), or flaxseed oil (FO), were prepared and their structure and thermal properties were evaluated. The critical concentration of oleogel obtained from each of CO, SO, and SFO at 25 °C was 3% (w/w), and that from FO was 4%. Thermal measurements revealed similar thermodynamic curves for oleogels in different lipid phases. X-Ray diffraction showed orthorhombic perpendicular subcell packing and characteristic peaks of the β’ form. Furthermore, a morphology analysis of the crystals showed that they were needle shaped. Fourier transform-infrared spectra revealed that beeswax-based oleogels were formed via non-covalent bonds and may be stabilized with physical entanglements. The oleogels showed oil type-dependent oxidative abilities, but they were all stable and showed no obvious changes in peroxide value during 90 days of storage at 5 °C.

Two casein plasteins were prepared from the Neutrase-catalyzed plastein reaction of casein hydrolysates in the presence of proline and phenylalanine, respectively, and assessed for their antihypertensive activities at 300 mg/kg body using rat model. After being oral administered, the two plasteins at initial time of 2–6 h resulted in the rats decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 10–23 and 8–19 mmHg, respectively; however, the measured antihypertensive activities showed decreasing trends as oral administrating time prolonged. The two plasteins also decreased serum levels of angiotensin II, angiotensin I converting enzyme, and aldosterone, but had unclear effect on serum angiotensinogen level. The two plasteins showed same antihypertensive activities without statistical difference (p > 0.05), and were more efficient than casein hydrolysates but less effective than captopril (p

Angela Carter’s masterpiece, Wise Children, highly controversial as it is, represents a strikingly new perspective on ethics, namely, the family ethic of non-blood kinship. This refers to abandoning the establishment of a family solely on the basis of legitimate blood kinship and constructing a new type of family kinship on the basis of Aristotle’s notion of “friendship”, rather than on the kinship of marriage and blood. It is through the connection between the characters and constructing the plot that Carter deconstructs the hegemony of blood kinship and rejects the blood-kinship family mode. It can be argued that this newly-constructed system of ethics proposes a new way out for modern people suffering from the predicament of loneliness.

The UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra, FL developed an in-laboratory calibration protocol for CS616 TDR sensors for sandy soils, which are typical of north central Florida. This new 7-page fact sheet discusses the reflectometer, field site, calibration protocol, and calibration coefficients. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Daniel Preston, Johanna Montanez, Courtnay Cardozo, Steven Feagle, and Jasmeet Judge, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2017. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae519

The UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra, FL developed an in-laboratory calibration protocol for CS616 TDR sensors for sandy soils, which are typical of north central Florida. This new 7-page fact sheet discusses the reflectometer, field site, calibration protocol, and calibration coefficients. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Daniel Preston, Johanna Montanez, Courtnay Cardozo, Steven Feagle, and Jasmeet Judge, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2017. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae519

The UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra, FL developed an in-laboratory calibration protocol for CS616 TDR sensors for sandy soils, which are typical of north central Florida. This new 7-page fact sheet discusses the reflectometer, field site, calibration protocol, and calibration coefficients. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Daniel Preston, Johanna Montanez, Courtnay Cardozo, Steven Feagle, and Jasmeet Judge, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2017. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae519

A Box-Behnken central composite design combined with the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters of a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of foxtail millet bran oil (FMBO). Results showed that a maximum oil yield of 7.97% was achieved under the optimal conditions with an extracting pressure of 30.03MPa, extracting temperature of 47.93 °C; and an extraction time of 2.3 h. The quality of the oil obtained from SFE and solvent extraction (SE) was evaluated by proximate analysis to include physicochemical properties, fatty acids and sterol compounds. The FBMO obtained from SFE showed a much lower phospholipid (0.188 mg/g) content and a preferable color compared to the oil from SE, while it contained a higher content of total sterols, 1.55%. The thermal gravimetric analysis results showed one major regime of weight loss over a temperature range of 300–500 °C. The results show that FBMO obtained by SFE can be a promising nutritional source for food fortification and is understood to have more potentially healthy biological properties.

Anisotropic shrinkage of 27-year old Pinus radiata wood was measured from green to oven-dry condition. The samples were prepared from 21 discs cut from seven trees at different stem heights of 0.1m, 5.2m and 10.3m above ground, respectively. Longitudinal shrinkage was found to vary from 0.02% to 2.34%, with peak values near the pith decreasing towards the bark. The variation was more pronounced at the 0.1m height. The longitudinal shrinkage also showed a trend of decrease with the stem height above the ground. Tangential and radial shrinkage was found to increase with growth ring number from the pith, but the variation along the stem height did not show a clear trend. The results confirmed that the pith-to-bark variation and vertical variation of the anisotropic shrinkage were significant for radiata pine. Large differences were also observed among corewood, transition wood and outerwood. Microfibril angle (MFA) was believed to the main reason for these variations.

This new report from UF/IFAS researchers provides another set of observation data that can be used to develop better models for accurate prediction of weather and near-term climate. It describes the observations conducted during the MicroWEX-11, a season-long experiment incorporating active and passive microwave observations for bare soil, elephant grass, and sweet corn using a variety of sensors to understand land–atmosphere interactions and their effect on observed microwave signatures. These observations match that of satellite-based passive microwave radiometers and NASA’s recently launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. This 96-page report was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Daniel Preston, Patrick Rush, Tim H.M. van Emmerik, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Susan Steele-Dunne, Roger De Roo, Ruzbeh Akbar, Ella Baar, Max Wallace, and Anthony England and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2015. AE514/AE514: Field Observations during the Eleventh Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-11): from April 25, 2012, through December 6, 2012 (ufl.edu)

This new report from UF/IFAS researchers provides another set of observation data that can be used to develop better models for accurate prediction of weather and near-term climate. It describes the observations conducted during the MicroWEX-11, a season-long experiment incorporating active and passive microwave observations for bare soil, elephant grass, and sweet corn using a variety of sensors to understand land–atmosphere interactions and their effect on observed microwave signatures. These observations match that of satellite-based passive microwave radiometers and NASA’s recently launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. This 96-page report was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Daniel Preston, Patrick Rush, Tim H.M. van Emmerik, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Susan Steele-Dunne, Roger De Roo, Ruzbeh Akbar, Ella Baar, Max Wallace, and Anthony England and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2015. AE514/AE514: Field Observations during the Eleventh Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-11): from April 25, 2012, through December 6, 2012 (ufl.edu)

This new report from UF/IFAS researchers provides another set of observation data that can be used to develop better models for accurate prediction of weather and near-term climate. It describes the observations conducted during the MicroWEX-11, a season-long experiment incorporating active and passive microwave observations for bare soil, elephant grass, and sweet corn using a variety of sensors to understand land–atmosphere interactions and their effect on observed microwave signatures. These observations match that of satellite-based passive microwave radiometers and NASA’s recently launched Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. This 96-page report was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Daniel Preston, Patrick Rush, Tim H.M. van Emmerik, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Susan Steele-Dunne, Roger De Roo, Ruzbeh Akbar, Ella Baar, Max Wallace, and Anthony England and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2015. AE514/AE514: Field Observations during the Eleventh Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-11): from April 25, 2012, through December 6, 2012 (ufl.edu)

For accurate weather prediction, accurate modeling of surface hydrological processes is very important. Most current models capture the biophysics of moisture and energy transport and of crop growth and development pretty well. However, model estimates of soil moisture in the root zone diverge from reality due to accumulated errors in initialization, forcings, and computation. Remotely sensed microwave observations can be assimilated into these models to improve root zone soil moisture and crop yield estimates. This 100-page report describes the observations conducted during a season-long experiment in elephant grass and sweet corn using active and passive microwave observations. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, April 2015. (Photo: J. Casanova, UF) AE512/AE512: Field Observations During the Tenth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-10): from March 1, 2011 through January 5, 2012 (ufl.edu)

For accurate weather prediction, accurate modeling of surface hydrological processes is very important. Most current models capture the biophysics of moisture and energy transport and of crop growth and development pretty well. However, model estimates of soil moisture in the root zone diverge from reality due to accumulated errors in initialization, forcings, and computation. Remotely sensed microwave observations can be assimilated into these models to improve root zone soil moisture and crop yield estimates. This 100-page report describes the observations conducted during a season-long experiment in elephant grass and sweet corn using active and passive microwave observations. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, April 2015. (Photo: J. Casanova, UF) AE512/AE512: Field Observations During the Tenth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-10): from March 1, 2011 through January 5, 2012 (ufl.edu)

For accurate weather prediction, accurate modeling of surface hydrological processes is very important. Most current models capture the biophysics of moisture and energy transport and of crop growth and development pretty well. However, model estimates of soil moisture in the root zone diverge from reality due to accumulated errors in initialization, forcings, and computation. Remotely sensed microwave observations can be assimilated into these models to improve root zone soil moisture and crop yield estimates. This 100-page report describes the observations conducted during a season-long experiment in elephant grass and sweet corn using active and passive microwave observations. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, April 2015. (Photo: J. Casanova, UF) AE512/AE512: Field Observations During the Tenth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-10): from March 1, 2011 through January 5, 2012 (ufl.edu)

A technique, useful for studying the formation of kiln brown stain in wood drying, has been developed to measure the surface colour change in a single board wood sample during drying. The wood sample is planed carefully in the green state to remove any surface wood that was damaged during cutting. The intact tracheids at the surface cause the evaporative front to remain at the surface during drying and therefore colour formation also occurs right at the surface. In this way, the colour can be measured using a spectrophotometer at various stages during drying without having to slice the sample. Experiments were carried out to measure the change in colour of wood from green to EMC corresponding to the drying schedule used. At the end of each schedule the boards were held at the EMC to determine how the colour changed below fibre saturation point. The results show that the colour of the wood continues to change below the fibre saturation point and the nature of the colour change indicates an increase in the complexity of the coloured compounds present. Further experiments were done to measure the rate of colour development at different temperatures using the technique developed. The results have shown a correlation between temperature and colour development over the range 50°C to 70°C with the rate increasing significantly above 60°C

Wood darkening and kiln brown stain (KBS) in kiln drying has caused significant economic loss to the wood processing industry which. Although extensive studies have been performed, feasible drying techniques have not yet been developed to economically produce bright, pale colour wood from commercial drying. The current work research has been conducted to dry radiata pine sapwood in hot air and in modified oxygen-free drying medium, namely, gases A, B and C. Four sets of matched samples were dried at three different temperatures of 50, 70 and 90°C, one set in a tunnel dryer simulating commercial hot air drying and three sets in a newly designed stainless steel cylinder, which was placed in an oven, for tests using the three oxygen-free drying media. The results show that no obvious KBS was detected near the surface of sample boards dried in all of the oxygen-free gases except for one run using gas B at 70°C. However, for hot air drying, the discolouration of wood could only be reduced by drying at the low temperature of 50°C. How kiln drying in air at or above 70°C induces surface darkening and KBS. These results indicate that using an alternative non-oxygen atmosphere to kiln dry wood could reduce surface discolouration and KBS

After experimental validation of a kiln-wide drying model, a single board drying model and a stress model for kiln drying of softwood timber, these models are integrated and used to investigate benefits of airflow reversals in smoothing moisture content distribution and in reducing drying stresses for commercial kiln drying. In the current study, a high temperature drying schedule (DB/WB of 120/70°C and air velocity of 5 m/s) was simulated and 5 strategies for airflow reversal were evaluated. These strategies are: airflow reversal every hour; airflow reversal every 2 hours; airflow reversal every 3 hours and airflow reversal after 2 and 10 hours of drying. The results are compared to ‘Control’ in which airflow is unidirectional (no reversal). It has been found that, for the moisture content distribution, the first reversal is critical and frequencies of subsequent flow reversals can be varied depending on the drying temperature used. However, more frequent airflow reversal has benefits in reducing drying stresses. These findings are consistent with observations in commercial kiln drying of softwood lumber.

The 9th IUFRO (International Union of Forestry Organisation) International Wood Drying Conference was held in August 21-26, 2005, in Nanjing, China. It attracted over 120 from 24 countries. At the conference, 58 papers were orally presented and 31 papers were presented as posters. This conference was another success following the eight previous conferences held, respectively, in Skelleftea (Sweden) in 1987, Seattle (USA) in 1999, Vienna (Austria) in 1992, Rotorua (New Zealand) in 1994, Quebec (Canada) in 1996, Stellenbosch (South Africa) in 1999, Tsukuba (Japan) in 2001 and Brasov (Romania) in 2003. The papers presented at the 9th IUFRO International Wood Drying Conference reflected the latest progresses and achievements in wood drying research and development. These papers covered fundamental research (heat and mass transfer, stress development and modelling), new technology development (microwave/radio frequency drying, vacuum drying) and drying related wood properties. The highlight was the research on quality control and energy saving which was the theme of the conference and attracted 14 papers orally presented.

A technique, useful for studying the formation of kiln brown stain in wood drying, has been developed to measure the surface colour change in a single board wood sample during drying. The wood sample is planed carefully in the green state to remove any surface wood that was damaged during cutting. The intact tracheids at the surface cause the evaporative front to remain at the surface during drying and therefore colour formation also occurs right at the surface. In this way, the colour can be measured using a spectrophotometer at various stages during drying without having to slice the sample. Experiments were carried out to measure the change in colour of wood from green to EMC corresponding to the drying schedule used. At the end of each schedule the boards were held at the EMC to determine how the colour changed below fibre saturation point. The results show that the colour of the wood continues to change below the fibre saturation point and the nature of the colour change indicates an increase in the complexity of the coloured compounds present. Further experiments were done to measure the rate of colour development at different temperatures using the technique developed. The results have shown a correlation between temperature and colour development over the range 50ºC to 70ºC with the rate increasing significantly above 60ºC.

Wood darkening and kiln brown stain (KBS) in kiln drying has caused significant economic loss to the wood processing industry which. Although extensive studies have been performed, feasible drying techniques have not yet been developed to economically produce bright, pale colour wood from commercial drying. The current work research has been conducted to dry radiata pine sapwood in hot air and in modified oxygen-free drying medium, namely, gases A, B and C. Four sets of matched samples were dried at three different temperatures of 50, 70 and 90ºC, one set in a tunnel dryer simulating commercial hot air drying and three sets in a newly designed stainless steel cylinder, which was placed in an oven, for tests using the three oxygen-free drying media. The results show that no obvious KBS was detected near the surface of sample boards dried in all of the oxygen-free gases except for one run using gas B at 70ºC. However, for hot air drying, the discolouration of wood could only be reduced by drying at the low temperature of 50ºC. How kiln drying in air at or above 70ºC induces surface darkening and KBS. These results indicate that using an alternative non-oxygen atmosphere to kiln dry wood could reduce surface discolouration and KBS.

Anisotropic shrinkage of 27-year old Pinus radiata wood was measured from green to oven-dry condition. The samples were prepared from 21 discs cut from seven trees at different stem heights of 0.1m, 5.2m and 10.3m above ground, respectively. Longitudinal shrinkage was found to vary from 0.02% to 2.34%, with peak values near the pith decreasing towards the bark. The variation was more pronounced at the 0.1m height. The longitudinal shrinkage also showed a trend of decrease with the stem height above the ground. Tangential and radial shrinkage was found to increase with growth ring number from the pith, but the variation along the stem height did not show a clear trend. The results confirmed that the pith-to-bark variation and vertical variation of the anisotropic shrinkage were significant for radiata pine. Large differences were also observed among corewood, transition wood and outerwood. Microfibril angle (MFA) was believed to the main reason for these variations.

A dynamic kiln-wide wood drying model was developed previously to solve the integral form of the unsteady-state mass, momentum and energy balance equations in the air side. For the wood side, an empirical model, characteristic drying curve, for the internal moisture movement is used, which was obtained for low and medium temperature drying of Pinus radiata, with a medium velocity of 1.4- 4.1 m s–1. As part of the research programme to improve the design and control of dehumidifier wood drying kilns, the wood drying model has been assessed using the experimental data measured under drying conditions similar to those in dehumidifier kiln. It is noted that close agreement between the modelled results and the experimental data can be obtained for Pinus radiata drying processes with a medium air velocity (< 5 m s–1). However, larger discrepancy between the modelled results and the measured data has been observed with a higher velocity (8 m s–1). To solve this problem a new characteristic drying curve, based on a two-zone diffusion model, has been used in the kiln-wide wood drying model and more accurate results have been obtained.

Colour changes, such as kiln brown stain, that develop in Pinus radiata boards during kiln drying can reduce the value of the final wood products and result in significant losses due to downgrade or waste of dried wood by removing the darkened surfaces. This study measured how colour developed in Pinus radiata sapwood boards under different drying schedules. The boards used in these experiments were 40x100x800mm, cut from the same log and were endand edge-matched. Boards were dried at eight different schedules using temperatures from 50°C to 120°C and relative humidities from 14% to 67%. Separate boards were dried for 5 equal intervals through each schedule and colour profiles measured through the boards using a surface reflectance spectrophotometer. Lightness, L*, on a greyscale was used as an indication of colour change (darkening). The results show that there is generally a greater decrease in lightness with higher temperature schedules and also with slower, higher relative humidity, schedules. This suggests that both temperature and drying time are significant factors in the formation of colour during drying. The most significant changes in colour occurred near the board surfaces, indicating kiln brown stain.

In this paper, dynamic MOE and static MOE of short-length radiata pine specimens produced for finger jointing were measured using non-destructive technique and correlated to each other. In order to obtain reliable static MOE data, 36 mm thickness shooks as well as the matched samples of reduced thickness (15mm) were tested, and the effect of annual growth rings on dynamic and static MOE is also addressed. Mathematical correlations were fitted between the dynamic MOE for the 36 mm thick shooks and the static MOE of the 15 mm thick samples. The coefficient of determination for dynamic MOE group 4,00-7,99 GPa was the strongest (R2 = 0,82) and the correlation strength was further improved for sorted quarter sawn samples (R2 = 0,92). Finally, the correlation between static modulus of rupture (MOR) and dynamic MOE is discussed.

A dynamic kiln-wide wood drying model was developed previously to solve the integral form of the unsteady-state mass, momentum and energy balance equations in the air side. For the wood side, an empirical model, characteristic drying curve, for the internal moisture movement is used, which was obtained for low and medium temperature drying of Pinus radiata, with a medium velocity of 1.4-4.1 m s-1. As part of the research programme to improve the design and control of dehumidifier wood drying kilns, the wood drying model has been assessed using the experimental data measured under drying conditions similar to those in dehumidifier kiln. It is noted that close agreement between the modelled results and the experimental data can be obtained for Pinus radiata drying processes with a medium air velocity (

After experimental validation of a kiln-wide drying model, a single board drying model and a stress model for kiln drying of softwood timber, these models are integrated and used to investigate benefits of airflow reversals in smoothing moisture content distribution and in reducing drying stresses for commercial kiln drying. In the current study, a high temperature drying schedule (DB/WB of 120/70°C and air velocity of 5 m/s) was simulated and 5 strategies for airflow reversal were evaluated. These strategies are: airflow reversal every hour; airflow reversal every 2 hours; airflow reversal every 3 hours and airflow reversal after 2 and 10 hours of drying. The results are compared to ‘Control’ in which airflow is unidirectional (no reversal). It has been found that, for the moisture content distribution, the first reversal is critical and frequencies of subsequent flow reversals can be varied depending on the drying temperature used. However, more frequent airflow reversal has benefits in reducing drying stresses. These findings are consistent with observations in commercial kiln drying of softwood lumber

Flatsawn and quartersawn Pinus radiata (radiata pine) sapwood boards were dried in a tunnel dryer in three runs using three drying schedules. These schedules represented low temperature (LT), accelerated conventional temperature (ACT) and high temperature (HT) drying. In each run, the boards were assembled in the dryer in two vertically matched layers with the flatsawn and the quartersawn boards being alternatively placed side by side. The samples were weighed at pre-set drying times. After drying, all of the samples were cut to two halves, one half for oven drying to determine the moisture content during drying and the remaining half for stress assessments. For LT and ACT drying, the quartersawn boards dried slower than the flatsawn boards, but for HT drying the difference between the quartersawn and the flatsawn boards was not statistically significant. The transverse residual drying stress in the quartersawn boards was, in general, lower than the flatsawn boards and the difference was most apparent for the LT drying

The goal of MicroWEX-9 was to conduct a season-long experiment that incorporated passive microwave observations as well as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) observations for a growing season of elephant grass. The variety of sensors would allow for further understanding of the land-atmosphere interactions during the growing season, and their effect on observed passive microwave signatures at 6.7 GHz and 1.4 GHz, as well as LiDAR scans. This 72-page fact sheet was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Daniel Preston, Tyler Cheney, Jason Motsinger, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae494

The goal of MicroWEX-9 was to conduct a season-long experiment that incorporated passive microwave observations as well as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) observations for a growing season of elephant grass. The variety of sensors would allow for further understanding of the land-atmosphere interactions during the growing season, and their effect on observed passive microwave signatures at 6.7 GHz and 1.4 GHz, as well as LiDAR scans. This 72-page fact sheet was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Daniel Preston, Tyler Cheney, Jason Motsinger, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae494

The goal of MicroWEX-9 was to conduct a season-long experiment that incorporated passive microwave observations as well as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) observations for a growing season of elephant grass. The variety of sensors would allow for further understanding of the land-atmosphere interactions during the growing season, and their effect on observed passive microwave signatures at 6.7 GHz and 1.4 GHz, as well as LiDAR scans. This 72-page fact sheet was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Daniel Preston, Tyler Cheney, Jason Motsinger, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae494

In order to really accurately predict weather and near-term climate, it is necessary to take into consideration soil moisture in the top meter of soil: it governs moisture and energy fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface, and it plays a significant role in partitioning of the precipitation into runoff and infiltration. This 68-page report presents the observations of an experiment using remotely sensed microwave observations with a view towards incorporating the findings into the models used to estimate energy and moisture fluxes and improve root zone soil moisture estimates. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Heather Enos, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Blaire Colvin, Karthik Nagarajan, Jasmeet Judge, Pang-Wei Liu, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Roger De Roo, Yuriy Goykhman, Xueyang Duan, Daniel Preston, Ramesh Shrestha, Clint Slatton, Mahta Moghaddam, and Anthony England, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2011. AE476/AE476: Field Observations During the Eighth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-8): from June 16 through August 24, 2009 (ufl.edu)

In order to really accurately predict weather and near-term climate, it is necessary to take into consideration soil moisture in the top meter of soil: it governs moisture and energy fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface, and it plays a significant role in partitioning of the precipitation into runoff and infiltration. This 68-page report presents the observations of an experiment using remotely sensed microwave observations with a view towards incorporating the findings into the models used to estimate energy and moisture fluxes and improve root zone soil moisture estimates. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Heather Enos, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Blaire Colvin, Karthik Nagarajan, Jasmeet Judge, Pang-Wei Liu, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Roger De Roo, Yuriy Goykhman, Xueyang Duan, Daniel Preston, Ramesh Shrestha, Clint Slatton, Mahta Moghaddam, and Anthony England, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2011. AE476/AE476: Field Observations During the Eighth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-8): from June 16 through August 24, 2009 (ufl.edu)

In order to really accurately predict weather and near-term climate, it is necessary to take into consideration soil moisture in the top meter of soil: it governs moisture and energy fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface, and it plays a significant role in partitioning of the precipitation into runoff and infiltration. This 68-page report presents the observations of an experiment using remotely sensed microwave observations with a view towards incorporating the findings into the models used to estimate energy and moisture fluxes and improve root zone soil moisture estimates. Written by Tara Bongiovanni, Heather Enos, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Blaire Colvin, Karthik Nagarajan, Jasmeet Judge, Pang-Wei Liu, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Roger De Roo, Yuriy Goykhman, Xueyang Duan, Daniel Preston, Ramesh Shrestha, Clint Slatton, Mahta Moghaddam, and Anthony England, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2011. AE476/AE476: Field Observations During the Eighth Microwave Water and Energy Balance Experiment (MicroWEX-8): from June 16 through August 24, 2009 (ufl.edu)

Introducción Los hombres políticos del Imperio Brasil (1822-1889) han servido de inspiración para una abundantísima producción historiográfica. Sin embargo, los estudiosos han experimentado dificultades al intentar generalizaciones validas con respecto a las características de carrera, de los políticos imperiales: su procedencia, entrenamiento, integración y promoción dentro de las filas de la elite política. Las buenas biografías suministran detalles útiles acerca de ciertos políticos en particular y de su carrera pero no permiten identificar el sistema adaptado por la monarquía, con el propósito de desarrollar su elite política propia. Las generalizaciones se han basado en casos individuales y no existe ningún estado adecuado sobre las normas colectivas de la carrera política.

Los hombres políticos del Imperio Brasil (1822-1889) han servido de inspiración para una abundantísima producción historiográfica. Sin embargo, los estudiosos han experimentado dificultades al intentar generalizaciones validas con respecto a las características de carrera, de los políticos imperiales: su procedencia, entrenamiento, integración y promoción dentro de las filas de la élite política. Las buenas biografías suministran detalles útiles acerca de ciertos políticos en particular y de su carrera pero no permiten identificar el sistema adaptado por la monarquía, con el propósito de desarrollar su élite política propia. Las generalizaciones se han basado en casos individuales y no existe ningún estado adecuado sobre las normas colectivas de la carrera política.

ABSTRACT In this study, POU1F1 gene polymorphism was detected in five sheep populations (large-tailed Han, small-tailed Han, Yuxi fat-tailed, Lanzhou large-tailed, and Mongolian sheep), using DNA pooling and sequencing, to provide theoretical basis for the breeding of excellent sheep varieties. Three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci of POU1F1 gene were detected in five sheep populations, namely C355T (C/T), C71G (C/G), and C330G (C/G). C and T frequencies of C355T were 0.67/0.33, 0.81/0.19, 0.67/0.33, 1.00/0.00, and 0.93/0.07, respectively, in large-tailed Han, small-tailed Han, Yuxi fat-tailed, Mongolian, and Lanzhou large-tailed sheep. C of C355T locus was the dominant allele in five sheep populations. C and G allele frequencies of C330G locus were detected in Yuxi fat-tailed sheep; their frequencies were 0.75 and 0.25, respectively. C and G allele of C71G locus were only detected in Yuxi fat-tailed and large-tailed Han sheep; their frequencies were 0.87/0.13 and 0.87/0.13, respectively. The cluster analysis based on POU1F1 gene sequence showed that bactrian camel, dromedary, and wild camel clustered first, and dolphin and killer whales clustered according to taxonomy. Although the four species Tibetan antelope, buffalo, goat, and sheep were alone, they got close and the relative genetic relationship was intimate according to the dendrogram. The mutation site analysis of the POU1F1 gene in five sheep populations in this study would be favorable for uncovering the function of POU1F1 gene deeply.

Abstract The mature larva and pupa of the Australian silvanid species, Macrohyliota militaris (Erichson) are described from laboratory reared material. This is the first description of immature stages of Silvanidae from Australia. The larva of M. militaris conforms to the general body shape and apparent morphological features of known Brontini and is very similar to the Asian M. sculptus Yoshida & Hirowatari. Larval and pupal features of M. militaris are compared with other known larvae and pupae of Brontini described in the literature.