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Eyes receive moisture and protection from the tear film each time one blinks, but several conditions can affect this tear film. A patient presenting in the pharmacy with the common condition of dry eyes may be advised to use one of the many lubricating eye drops on the market, but often a nutritional approach will complement and support the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aglaia duperreana, a species with a long cultivation history, is of high ornamental value. To understand the growth and photosynthetic changes of A. duperreana seedlings under variable environmental conditions, we conducted an experiment with light intensities adjusted at 70%, 50% and 30%, crossed with three moisture treatments at 70%, 50% and 30% of field capacity, and a control group which maintained 90% light intensity and 90% field capacity. The results showed that both drought stress and shading propensity significantly inhibited the growth of A. duperreana seedlings, with stronger impacts from drought stress. The increments in stem height and ground diameter, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content were decreased with the maximum declines by 71.4%, 81.2%, 93.2%, 71.5%, 70.6% and 30.4%, respectively. Under severe drought stress (30% of field capacity), partial shading (50% of translucency) appeared to lessen the detrimental effects of drought. The combination of 70% translucency and 70% field capacity was optimal, resulting in higher increments in stem height, leaf area, net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance. The maximum fluorescence, variable fluorescence, PS II potential activity, and PS II maximum light energy conversion efficiency increased and then decreased with decreasing moisture. These findings suggested that A. duperreana could adapt to drought and shading stress by modulating growth, enhancing chlorophyll content, and adjusting photosynthetic system. Maintaining translucency at 70% and field moisture capacity at 70% could promote photosynthesis, with positive consequences on growth of A. duperreana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate if engineered compression variations using moisture-responsive knitted fabric design can improve breast support in seamless knitted sports bras. Design/methodology/approach: An experimental approach was used to integrate a novel moisture-responsive fabric panel into a seamless knitted bra, and the resulting compression variability in dry versus wet conditions were compared with those of a control bra. Air permeability and elongation testing of between breasts fabric panels was conducted in dry and wet conditions, followed by three-dimensional body scanning of eight human participants wearing the two bras in similar conditions. Questionnaires were used to evaluate perceived comfort and breast support of both bras in both conditions. Findings: Air permeability test results showed that the novel panel had the highest variance between dry and wet conditions, confirming its moisture-responsive design, and increased its elongation coefficient in both wale and course directions in wet condition. There were significant main effects of bra type and body location on breast compression measurements. Breast circumferences in the novel bra were significantly larger than in the control bra condition. The significant two-way interaction between bra type and moisture condition showed that the control bra lost compressive power in wet condition, whereas the novel bra became more compressive when wet. Changes in compression were confirmed by participants' perception of tighter straps and drier breast comfort. Originality/value: These findings add to the limited scientific knowledge of moisture adaptive bra design using engineered knitted fabrics via advanced manufacturing technologies, with possible applications beyond sports bras, such as bras for breast surgery recovering patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Dalian University of Technology / Dalian Ligong Daxue Xuebao is the property of Journal of Dalian University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The essential properties of active sports fabrics are moisture management, quick-drying, body heat management and thermal regulations. Fibre type, blending nature, yarn and fabric structure and the finishing treatment are the key parameters that influenced the performance of the clothing meant for sportswear. This study aims to investigate the effect of fibre blending and structural tightness factors on bi-layer sport fabric's dimensional, moisture management and thermal properties. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, 12 different bi-layer inter-lock fabrics were produced. Polyester filament (120 Denier) yarn was fed to form the backside of the fabric, and the face side was varied with cotton, modal, wool and soya spun yarns of 30sNe. Three different types of structural tightness factors were considered, such as low, medium and high were taken for sample development. The assessment towards dimensional, moisture management and thermal properties was carried out on all the samples. Findings: The polyester-modal blend with a high tightness factor has shown maximum overall moisture management capability (OMMC) values of 0.73 and air permeability of 205.3 cm3/cm2/s. The same sample has shown comparatively higher thermal conductivity of 61.72 × 10–3 W m-1 °C-1(Under compression state) and 58.45 × 10–3 W m-1 °C-1 (under recovery state). In the case of surface roughness is concerned, polyester-modal blends have shown the lowest surface roughness, surface roughness amplitude and surface friction co-efficient. Among the selected fibre combinations, the overall comfort level of polyester-modal bi-layer knitted structure with a higher tightness factor is appreciable. Polyester-modal is more suitable for active sportswear among the four fiber blend combinations. Research limitations/implications: The outcome of this study will help to gain a better understanding of fibre blends, structural tightness factor and other process specifications for the development of bi-layer fabric for active sportswear applications. The dynamic functional testing methods (Moisture management and Thermal properties) were carried out to simulate the actual wearing environment of the sports clothing. This study will create a new scope of research opportunities in the field of bi-layer sports textiles. Originality/value: This study was conducted to explore the influence of fibre blend and structural tightness factor on the comfort level of sportswear and to find the suitable fibre blend for active sportswear clothing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Notifications that related 1st degree burns to reflective striping and impermeable clothing elements did reach the investigators, while the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are still unclear. Material tests for thermal and evaporative resistance, and for heat transmission under dry and wet conditions at low radiation levels were done to evaluate the performance of protective clothing with and without printed logos or reflective striping. The results under the specified conditions showed reduction of heat loss capacity under impermeable elements from dry to wet conditions. Reflective surfaces, even when more impermeable, showed still lower heat transmission through the textile package than materials without striping under tested moisture and radiation combinations. It can be expected that the reported 1st degree burns were related to clothing design and tightness/fit rather than to reflective striping. However, due to the fine balance between clothing thermal and evaporative resistance, outer material emissivity, moisture quantity and location in clothing and applied radiation level, a different setup could lead to different results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of 6 different commercially available waterproof cast protectors in their ability to maintain a dry environment and evaluate whether cast protectors perform better than a plastic bag secured with tape in keeping casts dry. We enrolled 23 adult participants to test 6 different commercially available cast protectors and a plastic bag. Participants trialed all cast protectors twice, with and without motion, by fully submerging each cast protector in water with a paper towel held between their index and middle fingers. Moisture accumulation within the cast protectors was estimated by the change in weight of paper towel. An analysis of variance test was performed to compare differences between cast protectors in their ability to maintain a dry internal environment. The plastic bag showed an average moisture accumulation of 5.50 g without motion compared with all other cast protectors, which had 0.0 g of moisture accumulation. One cast protector and the plastic bag had an average moisture accumulation of 0.46 g and 4.51 g with motion compared to all other cast protectors. The plastic bag was ranked the worst by 100% of participants. Cast protectors appear to offer superior protection from moisture compared with a plastic bag. Therapeutic IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the heat and mass transfer characteristics of kiwifruit samples during vacuum freeze-drying process have been investigated numerically and experimentally. The numerical simulation with moving grid method is adopted to simulate the radial and axial moving sublimation interfaces during vacuum freeze-drying. The simulated average moisture content and temperature of kiwifruit during drying are validated with the measured data, with the mean average error (MAE) of 14.7%. The findings demonstrate that the sublimation interface shifts toward the center during the drying process and the sublimation rate and pressure gradient are significant in the early stage of drying. After 10 h of drying process, the sublimation rate dropped by 80% due to the increase of the thickness of the dried region and the decrease of the shelf plate heat transfer. In addition, it is noted that the increasing shelf plate temperature and chamber pressure would cause an increase of sublimation rate, thereby reducing the drying time. Although increasing the sample thickness can improve the sublimation rate, the drying time becomes longer due to the presence of more ice crystals in thicker kiwifruit samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industria Textila is the property of Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Textile si Pielarie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For a large variety of food products, the moisture content can be indirectly determined by measuring their dielectric properties. In the case of coffee, the permittivity knowledge can be applied to determine the moisture content indirectly or for online moisture meters in automatic control of coffee dryers. However, there is little data on the dielectric properties of roasted ground coffee near the 2.45 GHz ISM band. In this contribution, the permittivity was measured versus temperature, bulk density, and moisture content. A resonant technique based on a coaxial microwave cavity was employed to obtain the complex permittivity as a function of those magnitudes near the 2.45 GHz ISM band. In addition, the permittivity of the coffee particle kernel has been estimated from a complex refractive index mixture equation, thus calculating the permittivity of the coffee particle kernel from the permittivity values of the mixture air-coffee (ground coffee) at different bulk densities. The results showed that both dielectric constant and loss factor increase for increasing temperature, bulk density, and moisture content values. Furthermore, expressions fitting the experimental data were provided, thereby facilitating the estimation of the values throughout the studied temperature, bulk density, and moisture content ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Routine borescope examination is capable of identifying and internal damage. • Routine microbial cultures should be coupled with borescope examination to assure endoscopic safety. • Endoscopic dryness is rarely achieved after high level disinfection. Flexible endoscopes are highly versatile and useful medical instruments, and their proper reprocessing is critical to patient health and safety. The value of routine visual inspections and surveillance of endoscopes in a tertiary care hospital was assessed by performing borescope examinations and microbial sampling on respiratory, gastro-intestinal (GI), and urological endoscopes. A total of 42 endoscopes were cultured, and 36 endoscopes were examined with a borescope. The flush-brush-flush method was used to culture the endoscopes. Collected water was suctioned through a membrane filter device which was plated on a blood agar plate and incubated. A borescope was used to perform endoscope inspection in an antegrade and retrograde approach. Positive microbial cultures were seen in 28% of respiratory, 22% of GI, and 30% of urological endoscopes. Borescope examinations revealed multiple abnormalities and damage including channel shredding, filamentous debris, water retention, discoloration, dents, and red particles. Borescope examination and microbial culturing should be used routinely to assure endoscopic safety. Borescope examination enabled us to visualize structural damage, foreign material and moisture within endoscopes. The structural damages and the particles found in endoscopes resulted in timely repair and discontinuation of this type of distal end protectors in our facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Textile Leader is the property of China Textile Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Textile Leader is the property of China Textile Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Dalian University of Technology / Dalian Ligong Daxue Xuebao is the property of Journal of Dalian University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This investigation was carried out in Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Khumaltar area, Lalitpur, Nepal to document the seasonal bee flora and diversity patterns. Bees get enough choices to forage in an agro-ecosystem study area. Flowering plants visited by honeybees were observed and documented as per their preferences of foraging, distance away from the bee-hive and seasons. Each plant enlisted as bee-flora if a honeybee visited any flower and rested at least for a while. A total of 168 vascular plant species documented as bee flora in this study. These flora were classified according to season, distance away from the bee-hive, family, genera, species. Simpson and Shannon diversity indices were found higher (0.004 and 3.45) for summer16. Asteraceae family was found to be the most preferred species. Distance of each bee flora was not found significant but season and herbaceous flower were found highly significant contribution. Maximum abundance of Solanum virginianum L. appeared towards the positive end of non-metric multidimensional scaling axis (NMDS2) which was closer to summer16. It signified closer affinity to the beehive and high preferences during summer15. Likewise, the maximum abundance of Vitis vinifera L. towards summer16 and higher positive end of NMDS1 signified favoring more wet loving early blooming species. Relatively higher abundance of species such as Parthenium hysterophorus L., Solanum tuberosum L., Zinnia elegans Jacq., and Solanum melongena L. in the middle of the NMDS axis and spring 16 signified moderate moist loving species. Pattern of bee flora selection, contribution in term of nectar and pollen grain coincided to moisture gradient. This study supports bee farmers for better selection of wild as well as cultivated bee flora for better preference by bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dentin moisture (moist and dry) on the bonding of fiber posts to root dentin with different adhesive strategies (etch-and-rinse, self-etch, and self-adhesive). Seventy-two extracted single-rooted human teeth were endodontically treated and divided into six groups (n = 12) according to the moisture of dentin surface and adhesive systems as follows: a) etch-and-rinse/moist, b) etch-and-rinse/dry, c) self-etch/moist, d) self-etch/dry, e) self-adhesive/moist, and 6) self-adhesive/dry. The specimens were sectioned into six slices for push-out bond strength (BS), nanoleakage (NL) by SEM, and Vickers microhardness (VHN) of the resin cement. A universal testing machine (AG-I, Shimadzu Autograph) was used at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until post extrusion, with a load cell of 50 kg for evaluation of the push-out strength. Data on BS, NL, and VHN were evaluated by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Dentin moisture as the main factor was not significantly different for the push-out test. However, higher BS values can be observed for the etch-and-rinse group. A lower percentage of NL was found in the dry dentin groups. The moisture pattern was not significant in the hardness values for the pre-etching groups. Additional moisture did not increase the evaluated properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios is the property of Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Different moisture condition may affect the adhesion between obturation materials and root canal walls, thus further affect the quality of root canal obturation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dentin moisture conditions after different root canal drying protocols on the push-out strength of bioceramic root canal sealer. Twenty root canals from extracted human decoronated premolars were prepared in vitro to #30/0.09 taper and assigned to 4 moisture condition groups after using different root canal drying protocols: normal moisture (paper point) group: the canals were blot dried with paper points until the last one appeared dry. Ethanol dry group: the canals were dried with paper points followed by dehydration with 95% ethanol. Isopropanol dry group: the canals were dried with paper points followed by dehydration with 70% isopropanol. Complete dry group: the canals were dried in an air-blowing thermostatic oven for at least 6 h until there was no change in weight at an interval of 1 h. After drying, the canals were obturated with bioceramic sealer iRoot SP. Then, each root was sectioned into eight slices with 1-mm-thick using a diamond saw (40 slices each group). The push-out strength was tested for each slice between the sealer and dentin wall using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and failure modes were recorded. Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used to analyze the push-out strength. Logarithmic linear regression analysis was used to compare the failure modes. Push-out strength was statistically different in different moisture groups (P < 0.05). After drying using paper point, iRoot SP specimens showed the highest push-out strength (2.04 ± 0.03 MPa), followed by 95% ethanol, 70% isopropanol. The lowest push-out strength (0.68 ± 0.04 MPa) was observed under complete dry. For the failure modes, the majority were cohesive failures in the coronal and middle thirds of the root; while in the apical third, mixed failure was common. Different drying protocols influenced the push-out strength between bioceramic sealer and canal wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematode Pearsonema plica is a parasite infecting the urinary bladder of carnivores, with a described prevalence ranging from 1 to 90%. This parasite needs earthworms as intermediate host to complete its life cycle, being the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) a definitive host. The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence and intensity of P. plica in the red fox population from the Region of Murcia (SE Spain), an area with semi-arid Mediterranean climate. The urinary bladder, kidneys and ureters of 167 red foxes were collected at necropsy, opened and observed to detect adult parasites. The influence of host variables (sex, age and body condition using Kidney Fat Index) and environmental variables (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Moisture Index, Bare Soil Index, temperature, radiation, evapotranspiration, precipitation, Corine Land Cover categories and distance to urban areas) were evaluated using a Generalised Linear Model. Moran index was used to evaluate the parasite spatial aggregation. The prevalence found was very low (2.4%; median abundance 0 nematodes per fox; median intensity 7.5 nematodes per parasitized fox), which contrast with those described in other red fox populations in Europe. Environmental variables had a significant influence on the occurrence of P. plica , being NDMI, mean summer precipitation, percentage of forest and agricultural areas positively associated with P. plica abundance. The south-eastern Iberian Peninsula has a semi-arid climate that hinders the development of the life cycle of this nematode, which justifies its occurrence in specific areas where there are the suitable environmental conditions for the presence of earthworms. However, although semi-arid Mediterranean areas do not seem to be favourable carnivores to be parasitized by P. plica , we cannot underestimate the risk that exists in those areas where, either naturally or by human activity, there are environmental factors that favor the presence of this nematode. [Display omitted] • Semiarid areas are not suitable for Pearsonema plica occurrence. • The low prevalence in the red fox is consistent with dry bioclimatic areas. • Moisture is critical for the development of the indirect life cycle of P. plica. • Humid microclimate sites in semiarid Mediterranean areas are transmission hotspots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term performance of an engineering work depends on the quality and treatment of the underlying soils, which support the structure and, in the case of pavements, depends In addition, the characteristics of the other intermediate granular layers that are part of the structure, since an unstable soil can cause problems in the performance and stability of the works, so their improvement, through an adequate study and management of the situation, is usually the most expeditious way to obtain a structure that is capable of providing satisfactory support to the loads and the effect of some climatic factors to which it will be subjected during its service life. Through this study, which consisted in the characterization of a material for Granular Subbase from the Aggregates de Sucre Quarry, located in the municipality of Tolú Viejo (Department of Sucre), in northern Colombia, it was possible to obtain the curves of compaction, based on the moisture vs. dry density ratio, for various compaction energies. According to the results obtained, it was possible to establish that the maximum dry density increased as the compaction energy increased. Meanwhile, in the case of optimal compaction humidity, although it did not have such a marked behavior, a tendency to decrease was noted as the compaction energy increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uniformity of final moisture content within a drying timber batch is crucial. Lack of such uniformity leads to producing large percentages of over-dried and under-dried timber, resulting in significant quality degradation and value downgrade. This study aims to predict kiln-dried timber moisture content using its initial moisture value, timber weight, and density. The distribution of wood properties in different drying runs was analyzed, and the difference in their means was statistically assessed. Various machine learning models were used for moisture prediction. The performance of the group method of data handling network was compared with the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, support vector regression, decision tree, and random forest method. The best performance was achieved using random forest with the initial moisture content and weight of the wood as input parameters. Finally, the models' performances were compared and practical recommendations for employing the adopted methodology in industrial settings were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous development of technology and society, smart devices have filled people’ s lives and become an indispensable part of people’s lives. At the same time, smart clothing has also been greatly developed. This article introduces several smart clothing materials, analyzes the current research status of smart clothing materials, and further discusses the applications of smart clothing materials in military, medical, intelligent decoration, and sports and leisure fields. Then the problems of smart clothing in safety, environmental protection, and industrial technology are analyzed, and the corresponding solutions to these problems are proposed, so as to provide reference and guidance for the future development of smart clothing in China. And the research shows that smart clothing will develop in the direction of fashion and diversification, function and comfort, safety and environmental protection, convenience and low cost in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further optimise the bullet-proof performance of textile reinforced composites, multi-directional friction tests of aramid and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarns were carried out by the slope method. The influence of the included angle between the high-performance yarns on the static friction coefficient for aramid and UHMWPE yarns was studied by measuring the friction coefficient. The relationship between the static friction coefficient and the included angle among the high-performance yarns was discussed. The results showed that the friction coefficient of aramid yarns was higher than that of UHMWPE yarns. Especially, at the same included angle between high-performance yarns, the static frictional coefficient of aramid yarns is 50% higher than that of UHMWPE yarns. In accordance with expectations, the static friction coefficient decreases with the increased included angle between high-performance yarns, and the included angle of high-performance yarns changes from 0º to 90º. The trend of rapid decline appeared when the included angle between high-performance yarns changed from 0º to 15º. For the actual result, the static friction coefficient of aramid and UHMWPE yarns is less than 0.3, which needs to be improved to increase the bullet-proof performance of textile composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the spread of Covid-19 has created a fatal threat to human survival, a comfortable and virus-deactivated functional face mask is extremely necessary. Herein, an appropriate thermally comfortable and highly breathable as well as virus-protecting functional knit fabric face mask was developed that consisted of multichannel PE Coolmax® yarn with cotton yarn. Due to the multichannel structure (four and six channels) of PE Coolmax® yarn with cotton yarn blended fabric, the fiber showed good filtration efficiency, air permeability, water vapour permeability and moisture management properties. In addition, the thermal conductivity and absorptive properties of the blended fabric based on the properties of PE Coolmax® yarn with cotton yarn make the face mask more comfortable for the user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines precipitation associated with large-scale patterns of water vapor transport in the eastern United States. Daily 4 km gridded precipitation from PRISM (1981–2017) is sorted into a subset according to previously defined patterns of water vapor transport supplying the moisture on each day. These subsets are then analyzed to characterize the precipitation associated with each water vapor transport pattern. While each moisture transport pattern is associated with at least occasional precipitation, with seasonal variations, the highest precipitation averages are issued from near-coastal and coastal moisture transport patterns. Moisture transport patterns emanating from the Gulf of Mexico are associated with highest average precipitation inland. Each pattern has a spatially distinct contribution to annual and seasonal precipitation totals. The water vapor transport patterns of moderate intensity and moderate associated precipitation contribute the most to average annual precipitation. Most moisture transport patterns are associated with statistically significant increases in areas of very heavy precipitation (x ≥ 50 mm). By identifying which atmospheric moisture transport patterns are responsible for increasing areas of very heavy precipitation, and by characterizing the precipitation totals and contribution associated with each, this paper demonstrates the utility of examining precipitation variability through moisture transport patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology. Social Sciences Edition / Haerbin Gongye Daxue Xuebao. Shehui Kexue Ban is the property of Harbin Institute of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study investigated how the double application of adhesives and dentin moisture level influence the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of universal adhesives containing different hydrophilic monomers to bur-cut dentin. Four universal adhesives (Scotchbond Universal, Clearfil Universal Bond Quick, Prime&Bond Universal, BeautiBond Universal) were applied to wet and dry bur-cut dentin either in one or two layers. The µTBS test was performed after 25,000 thermal cycles, and scanning electron microscopy was used for the analysis of failure mode and interfacial ultrastructure. Double application significantly improved µTBS on wet dentin (p<0.001), but the effect was not significant on dry dentin (p>0.050). Double application also enhanced the formation of resin tags and limited voids within the adhesive layer of BeautiBond Universal. Dentin moisture had a significant effect on µTBS only if the adhesives were applied in a single layer (p=0.007). Except for Prime&Bond Universal, the tested universal adhesives performed better on dry dentin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the patch antenna for moisture content measurement of made tea. The patch antenna-based system uses an air gap between the ground plane and an electrically conductive patch. The tea sample is contained in the air gap. The patch antenna design has a resonance frequency of 5 GHz. The resonance frequency and S11 parameters are measured for tea samples in the moisture range of 2–10%. The resonance frequency of the patch antenna was observed to decrease with an increase in the moisture content of tea. However, the return loss of patch antenna was observed to increase with an increase in the moisture content of made tea. Linear model parameters were calculated for the prediction of the moisture content of tea leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A modified NRCS-CN model is proposed that eliminates quantum jumps in runoff computation arising due to changing AMC. • The CN-P relationship is significantly improved to characterize the hydrologic response of a watershed. • The empirical antecedent moisture approximates the in-situ soil moisture on the experimental plots of Roorkee, India. • The proposed model is also tested for its application to four natural sub-catchments of Godavari basin. The popular Natural Resources Conservation Service Curve Number (NRCS-CN) (earlier known as Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method of rainfall-runoff modeling has often faced the criticism of exhibiting quantum jumps in runoff computations because of the sudden jumps appearing in CN-values derived from NEH-4 tables for three antecedent moisture conditions (AMC), viz., AMC-I, AMC-II, and AMC-III valid for dry, normal, and wet conditions, respectively. The variability of antecedent soil moisture within an AMC category is responsible for the abrupt jump and other deficiencies in the CN method for runoff estimation. This paper suggests a novel procedure to account for the antecedent moisture (M), preventing quantum jumps and eliminating deficiencies in determination of CN and, in turn, estimation of direct runoff. Its validity was verified utilizing the observed rainfall (P)-runoff (Q) events from 36 US watersheds, four sub-catchments of the Godavari basin, and small agricultural plots at Roorkee, India. The performance of the proposed model (M5) for runoff prediction was compared with the existing NRCS-CN (M1), Mishra and Singh (2002) (M2), Singh et al. (2015) (M3), and Verma et al. (2021) (M4) model using various performance indices. Using the CNs derived from observed events, model M5 was seen to have performed better than M1-M4 in terms of Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Percent Bias (PBIAS) for the data of US watersheds, and CN-P correlation improved as the coefficient of determination (R2) enhanced. Similarly, using the RS & GIS-based CNs on natural watersheds of the Godavari basin and considering AMC-I, the performance of M5 was again better than M1-M4 in terms of RMSE, Mean Bias Error (mBIAS), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Normalized-Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency (NNSE). Interestingly, there existed a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between the in-situ water content (w) measured for the experimental plots of Roorkee and the model input variable antecedent moisture (M), offering a physical touch to the conceptual model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is a critical component in any given region's growth. India has the world's fourth-largest coal reserves. Therefore, energy generation from coal-based power plants is still a significant source of power in the country. However, the performance of Indian coals is poor compared to foreign coals such as South African, Indonesian, and US coals due to the high ash and moisture content. Seventy percent of country electricity need is still dependent on coal power even with known negative environmental consequences such as the production of CO 2 & greenhouse gases, and air pollution caused by SO x , NO x , coal sludge, coal dust, and by-products of coal combustion. In this work, effect of coal types, particle sizes, and furnace temperatures on the ignition delay time of pulverized coal particle is investigated. In the current study, the ignition delay time of four Indian coals (IS1, IS2, IS3, and IS4), two Indonesian coals (IAS1 and IAS2), and one South African coal (SA1) were examined for particle sizes ranging from 35 to 115 µm, furnace temperature ranging from 1000 to 1700 K, and oxygen concentrations ranging from 12 to 20% in gas. Furthermore, ignition delay analysis of different coal mixtures (Indian and foreign coals mixtures) has also been studied. Numerical analysis of ignition delay time has been performed using MATLAB. Results show that the ignition delay time of coal particles increases with a decrease in furnace temperature and an increase in particle size. Results also show that the Indian coals have a larger ignition delay time than other considered coals, and ignition characteristics of Indian coals can be enhanced by mixing with high-grade ones. An increase in oxygen concentration also reduces the ignition delay time of the coals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the sorption isotherms of three tropical woods from Cameroon to understand the conditions for their use and drying. The equilibrium moisture contents were experimentally determined using saturated salt solutions. Some anatomical parameters were also measured to assess the influence of the structure of these woods on their sorption behaviour. Among the sorption models tested, the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer model is the one that best fits the experimental points. Our results also reveal a strong correlation between EMCs and the size and number of anatomical parameters. Indeed, up to 40°C, Sipo which has the lowest wood density and larger vessel sizes and rays, contains more water at equilibrium that the two other woods. When temperatures increase above 50°C, Sapelli becomes more hygroscopic due to the expansion of its lumen cells. These findings highlight the need for specific data on the sorption behaviour of Central African woods, to efficiently manage their drying and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Moisture exclusion while treating dental caries can be challenging, and the glass ionomer cements (GICs) used for these procedures are susceptible to water. Few studies have examined the effects of the powder/liquid ratio (PLR) on the physical properties of GICs exposed to water. In this study, the hardness and thickness of the water-susceptible surface layer of three GICs were evaluated. Methods: Three conventional GICs were mixed in increasing PLRs, and hardness over time was measured under conditions of no water exposure, distilled water exposure, and saliva exposure. Furthermore, the thickness of the water-susceptible layer for each GIC was determined. Results: A water-susceptible layer of approximately 250 µm was evident for all GICs, and the thickness decreased with increasing PLR. GIC hardness increased with increasing PLR in conditions without water for all GIC types. Furthermore, the removal of the water-susceptible layer restored the physical properties of each GIC. Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that conventional GIC restoration with the removal of the water-susceptible surface layer is a feasible strategy for treating dental caries in individuals for whom exclusion of moisture can be difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Biotecnología is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research investigated how exposure to moisture influences the biodeterioration of facade finishes in the hot-humid tropics of Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. Physical observations and experimental research strategy were used to collect data from 383 buildings in the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive and logistic regression analyses. The results showed that 53.5% were residential buildings and 88.5% had cementitious façade finishes with 66.8% of them having their façade finishes exposed to moisture. Further, 64% of the facade finishes, mainly of cementitious materials and paints were colonized by microorganisms with the most common microbes being fungi. Façade finishes exposed to moisture we found to be four times more likely to experience biodeterioration. The study concludes that in order to curb microbial colonization of façade finishes and the attendant adverse effects, architects should engage in design strategies that can minimize the level of exposure of façade finishes to moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For batteries with high energy density and good fast-charge capability, NCM cathode active materials with ⩾80 mol% nickel are promising due to their high specific capacities. Unfortunately, the increase in nickel content is accompanied by a high susceptibility to moisture. Therefore, nickel-rich NCM is coated or doped by the manufacturers to increase its stability. However, it is unclear if special requirements regarding ambient humidity must still be met during the whole production chain, or only after post-drying and during cell assembly. Therefore, the structure and properties of three different nickel-rich NCM active materials (one doped monocrystalline, two coated polycrystalline materials) processed at ambient atmosphere were investigated. At every process step, moisture content and microstructure were examined. Prior to cell assembly, two different post-drying procedures were applied and investigated. As validation, electrochemical tests were performed. Both polycrystalline cathodes demonstrated good physical and electrochemical properties, despite the ambient process atmosphere. Higher moisture reduction led to improved electrochemical performances at higher C-rates. Finally, a comparison between dry and normal atmosphere of the best performing material indicates that a production of high-quality nickel-rich electrodes at ambient atmosphere is possible if their exposure to moisture is short and well-designed post-drying techniques are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eliminating Carbon Monoxide (CO) by oxidation using efficient and affordable catalysts holds significant potential for addressing various industrial and environmental challenges. In this study, we investigate the low-temperature oxidation of CO for a broad range of catalysts, while we investigate the effect of moisture and the presence of oxygen for the best -performing catalyst. Ceria oxide (CeO 2) and copper oxide (CuO) catalysts supported on niobium oxide (Nb 2 O 5) were synthesized at various loadings, characterized, and tested for the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Several different techniques were used including, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N 2 Adsorption-desorption (BET), and Raman spectroscopy, to investigate the physiochemical properties of the prepared catalysts and their effect on the desired catalytic activity. XRD findings indicated that there were synergistic interactions between copper oxide (CuO) and CeO 2 BET results revealed that synthesized catalysts have high surface area and uniform pore size distribution over supports. It was found that a 10% CuO-CeO 2 supported on Nb 2 O 5 shows a significantly improved performance among all the catalysts with full conversion observed at temperatures as low as 150℃. This catalyst endures high stability over a long reaction time (stability tests are performed up to 12 hours). Kinetics parameters were also determined where the fitted activation energy (23.1 kJ mol-1) follows the CO activity trends. The second best-performing catalyst CuO-CeO 2 demonstrated remarkable versatility in adapting to a wide range of space velocities, ranging from 14,400 to 25,200 cm3 g-1 h-1. The effect of excess oxygen (λ) in the feed was also determined and discussed in detail. DFT computations provided the energy profile for the surface oxidation of CO. Results from this work pave the way to formulate low-temperature catalytic operations for the oxidation of CO at practical conditions, i.e., to treat the effluents from internal combustion engines. [Display omitted] • The study investigated catalytic CO oxidation under practical combustion conditions using non-noble materials. • CuO addition enhances the catalytic capacity of CeO 2 /Nb 2 O 5 toward CO oxidation. • The best performing catalyst endures high stability over a relatively long reaction time. • Utilizing excess oxygen in the feed correlates positively with CO oxidative conversion. • Combined DRIFTS measurements and DFT computations explore the operating oxidation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide a critical analysis of official data obtained by Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária (IMA) regarding the compliance with minimum ripening time (MRT) and moisture criteria defined by the Minas Gerais state, Brazil, for Minas Artisanal Cheese (in Portuguese: Queijo Minas Artesanal, QMA), and how these parameters can influence the counts of hygiene indicator microorganisms. QMA samples collected between January 2010 to May 2023 (n = 1803) were analyzed. Few non-compliant samples were identified due to the denaturation of alkaline phosphatase and presence of starch. High relative frequencies of non-compliance with MRT were identified in QMA samples from producer regions of Cerrado, Serra do Salitre, Araxá and Serro (88.5%, 66.7%, 63.4% and 62.2%, respectively), and high relative frequencies of non-compliance to moisture were identified in QMA samples from Serro, Serra do Salitre and Cerrado (36.5%, 29.0% and 24.4%, respectively). Counts of total coliforms, Escherichia coli and coagulase positive staphylococci were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in samples in non-compliance to the MRT and moisture content; when these data were analyzed per producing region, this trend was observed only for QMA produced in Serro. The lack of data regarding ripening time hampered a more precise analysis over the years, as this information was absent for all QMA samples collected and processed since 2022 (n = 150): such information should be systematically recorded during QMA sampling for surveillance programs, due to its relevance for identity, quality and safety. Our data also indicate the need to implement educational programs to improve the adequacy of QMA to official criteria. • High relative frequencies of cheese samples non-compliant with ripening time and moisture. • Counts of hygiene indicators were significantly higher in samples non-compliant to ripening time and moisture. • Educational programs are need to improve cheese adequacy to official criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture content and flowability of metal powders used in powder-bed based additive manufacturing processes are both critical properties for successful and controllable AM part production. The interconnectivity of these two properties can vary from subtle to significant, depending on alloy type, initial state, recycled powder content, and ambient atmospheres. There are currently no standard test methods specific to metal powders for measuring moisture content or for characterizing their dynamic flow behavior. In this study, the use of Karl Fischer titration in combination with oven desorption was examined for measuring ppm-level moisture content in seven common alloy powders in various states. Avalanche (or drum) rheometry was then used to quantify the flow behavior of dried and hydrated powders. Coulometric Karl Fisher titration was shown to provide repeatable results at moisture levels as low as about 20 ppm. Upon exposure to 50% relative humidity, the powders adsorbed moisture to varying degrees, but all exhibited decreased apparent flowability according to one or more of the dynamic rheometer parameters. The diminished flowability was shown to be dependent not on absolute water content, but the powders' relative moisture uptake, which is a function of the material type (and thus native surface oxide). A Ni-625 powder exhibited the highest sensitivity to moisture, while a Ti-6Al-4V powder exhibited the lowest sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nitrogen cycle is regulated by managing physical and chemical soil properties. The soil management, directly or indirectly, affects the microbialactivity and consequently N2O releasing. In this study, the effects of long-term zero tillage (Tz) and conventional tillage (Tc) practices on N2O emissions at three levels of soil moisture (1D, 3D, and 5D), with and without earthworm existence (Ew and Nw) were determined in a farm of wheat in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, U.K. From the experimental results, the highest N2O emission mean values produced at 3D, Tz, and Eware (0.339μmol m-2 hr-1, 0.312μmol m-2 hr-1, and 0.306μmol m-2 hr-1 respectively) as a single factor effect, while in the binary interaction factors the most significant effect to release N2O appeared at 3DTz, 3DEw, and TzEw. Finally maximum different values in N2O emission (ranging between 0.172μmol m-2 hr-1 and 0.463μmol m-2 hr-1) were observed (at 1DNwTc and 3DEwTz) among triple interaction treatments which created a wide domain of conditions (aerobic and anaerobic) for microorganisms, which led to contribute both process (nitrification and denitrification) in N2O production. For treatments 3D, Tz, Ew, and their combinations, the soil environment enhances the nitrification and denitrification processe, this suggests that managing tillage, moisture, and earthworm existence can minimize N2O emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of present work was mainly to study the influence of blanching-freezing pre-treatment on moisture removal characteristics of potato during microwave drying process. The influence of microwave power and the samples thickness was also assessed. For this purpose, microwave powers of 100, 350 and 550 W were practiced to dry discoid shape samples of fresh and blanched-frozen potatoes with a constant diameter of 20 mm and different thicknesses of 5, 10 and 15 mm. The obtained results revealed that time required to dehydrate treated potatoes was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than the fresh ones. The moisture diffusivity of the fresh and blanched-frozen potatoes was determined to be in the range of 9.13 × 10−9‒7.93 × 10−8 and 9.89 × 10−9‒9.36 × 10−8 m2 s−1, respectively where enhanced with the both increasing power level and samples thickness. The average energy required to instigate water diffusion inside the treated samples with 5, 10 and 15 mm thickness was obtained to be 0.463, 0.379 and 0.331 W g−1, respectively while the values for fresh samples were 0.505, 0.466 and 0.413 W g−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Textile Leader is the property of China Textile Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Soil moisture has continued to occupy the forefront of several interdisciplinary debates globally, particularly in agriculture, climatology, hydrology and civil engineering for several decades. Climate smart and precision farming depend extensively on knowledge of the volumetric pattern and trend in water content of the soil particularly at the root zone. This study evaluated the temporal and spatial variation of soil moisture (0–40 cm depth) in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. It used time series soil moisture data (1982–2019) sourced from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) and Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS). Descriptive and inferential statistics as well as geographical information system (GIS) were used in data analysis. Results showed that Nitisols (Iyuku) had mean soil moisture of 9.0285 m3/m3, Lixisols (Ugieda) recorded 9.0574 m3/m3 whereas Acrisols (Idegun) was 9.1307 m3/m3. September emerged as month with peak soil moisture of 0.9 m3/m3 in Lixisols and Acrisols while January and February were the months with the lowest value of 0.5 m3/m3 across the three soil classes. Soil moisture in all the soil classes also exhibited a rising trend in the climatic period with annual increase of 0.002 m3/m3 in Nitisols, 0.002 m3/m3 in Lixisols and 0.001 m3/m3 in Acrisols. Temporal pattern of soil moisture was not statistically significance while spatial variation was statistical significant across the soil classes. In a spatial data-driven society, this study has therefore unlocks the potentials of GIS and remote sensing resources in assessing global environmental change indicators in data sparse regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]