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On-board spindle and brush type stripper round module harvest systems were evaluated on commercial field scale for dryland Upland cotton in Australia over two harvest seasons. Observations on harvester performance, including harvesting efficiency, harvest loss, seed cotton yield and lint turn out were conducted at three locations, during the 2017 and 2018 cotton growing seasons, with a single variety. Fibre quality was measured by High Volume Instrumentation (HVI™) and Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) and analysed to determine if there were any significant differences between the two harvesting systems. The stripper harvesters had higher productivity (i.e. hectares per hour), harvested more material with lower harvest loss than the spindle harvesters. The seed cotton harvested by the stripper systems contained plant material which resulted in a lower lint turn out than the spindle harvester although the yield in bales ha−1 was still higher. There were no significant differences in fibre quality as measured by the HVI except for colour and trash. The significant differences in colour and trash did not affect the economic return to the grower as the visual colour and trash grades were below, i.e. better than, the Australian base grade. There were also no significant differences in the fibre quality as measured by AFIS. It is hypothesised that the reasons for this was due to the appropriate timing and application of defoliation, harvesting when moisture content ≤ 12%, reduced leaf allowing for gentler ginning and mature fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes an advanced undergraduate physics experiment which permits the measurement of ultrasound velocity and absorption in liquid systems. A description of the tasks the student is expected to perform is also included. (HM)

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness, in terms of cleaning efficiency and fiber quality, of the seed cotton cleaning stages installed in cotton gins that process predominately spindle-harvested, irrigated Upland cotton and to determine the effect of the various processing stages during ginning on gin turn out and fiber quality. The study showed that the average amount of trash content present in seed cotton was typically < 10%. The seed cotton cleaning process was able to remove 20 to 40% with the remainder of the trash removed by subsequent lint cleaning stages. The study also showed that the gin stand has no influence on fiber quality provided that the gin stand was not overloaded, maintained to manufacturers recommendations, and moisture levels maintained within the recommended levels. Flow-through air lint cleaners had no significant effect on fiber quality with minimal reduction in trash. The controlled-batt saw lint cleaners had positive and significant effects on color and trash; negative effects on length, length uniformity, short fiber and nep content, elongation; and no effect on strength, micronaire, fineness, maturity, number and size of SCN and fiber nep size. The batt-less saw lint cleaners had similar effects on fiber quality, although not as severe. The controlled-batt saw lint cleaners were more aggressive than the batt-less saw lint cleaners and removed more trash and hence achieved a better color grade, with this improvement resulting in notable reductions in lint turn out, fiber length, and increased short fiber and nep content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biggest discounts to the grower are for grade, length and micronaire. Since round modules do not blend cotton from multiple parts of a field as conventional modules did, some round modules may fall below base grade. This study was initiated as a preliminary evaluation to determine the effect of gin blending on fiber, yarn and fabric processing performance and quality and the potential economic return to the grower. One lot of irrigated and dryland stripper-harvested seed cotton, with different pre-determined micronaire and length properties, were blended together in four different ratios (80/20%, 60/40%, 40/60% and 20/80%) at the gin and at the textile mill. The resulting two cottons and four blends were carded, ring spun, knitted, scoured, bleached and dyed. Based on the 2016 CCC loan schedule, gin blending can benefit the grower with the biggest economic benefit, about $5 per bale, obtained from the 80/20 and 60/40 blend ratios when using seed cotton with these particular qualities from this one-year study. Processing performance and yarn and fabric quality of the gin blended product were not different from that of the unblended cotton and the mill blended fiber, indicating no serious consequences associated with gin blending, cotton with this micronaire and length range, to the spinner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of four questions was sent to members of cotton ginning associations in Australia and the U.S. to determine what issues and problems need to be addressed and where their respective research institutions should focus their time, money, and energy. Responses to each question were similar between the two countries as both have highly mechanized approaches to production, harvesting, and ginning. Thus, issues associated with automation, labor, moisture, fiber quality, utilization of cotton byproducts/ waste, and plastic contamination were raised. Responses that differed between the two countries were related to issues associated with the adoption or lack of adoption of certain technologies. The prime example is the adoption of the new John Deere onboard round-module building harvester, which the Australian industry has, in a relatively short period, implemented into its production and ginning systems. In contrast, the U.S. industry is starting to scale up adoption of this technology and as such is experiencing the challenges that come with the implementation of a new technology. Consequently, U.S. gins rated the handling of the plastic wrap used by the onboard module harvester of greater importance than the Australian industry, which has more experience with this issue. Overall, the survey should assist in focusing and coordinating the research efforts of both countries in addressing research and development priorities for their respective industries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is generally accepted that harvesting and storing of seed cotton above a moisture content of 12% prior to ginning will compromise fiber quality. This advice stems from research conducted on harvesting seed cotton with the conventional basket and separate module building system, which produces large rectangular modules. It is hypothesized that the 12% moisture content limit will also hold true for harvesting seed cotton in a high-production system using alternative harvesters. The latest generation of harvesters, such as the John Deere (JD) 7760 spindle harvester with on-board module building capacity producing smaller round modules, have greater horsepower, traction and fan capacity, which enables them to harvest cotton when field conditions would have made harvesting difficult with conventional systems. This study examined the fiber quality of saw ginned Upland cotton, harvested from one field using a JD 7760 at two moisture levels, <12% and >12%, and storing the harvested modules for 12 weeks prior to ginning. There was a significant difference between the two moisture levels for fiber color, with seed cotton harvested at >12% resulting in fiber that was yellower, with lower reflectance and a color grade of 52, compared to a 51 grade for seed cotton harvested at <12% treatment. The seed cotton harvested at >12% had more trash with a leaf grade of 3, compared to a leaf grade of 2 for the seed cotton harvested at the <12% level. There was no significant difference between the two moisture levels in terms of fiber length and strength, but fiber micronaire was higher for the higher moisture content. There was no significant difference between the moisture levels for total nep count, but the seed cotton harvested at >12% had larger neps and more seed coat neps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" focuses on the effect of fibre properties on neps. Coarser fibres tend to form neps more difficultly than finer cotton fibres because the latter are more easily bent buckled, and entangled during mechanical manipulation. Cottons with a lower micronaire produce a neppy low grade yarn, whereas cottons with a higher micronaire produce a less neppy higher quality yarn, according to various studies. The relation between fibre length and nep levels is not known till now.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" focuses on the measurement of neps. It is reported that there are adverse affect of neps on the appearance of cotton yarns and fabric and are usually linked with lower yarn strength, ends down in spinning and a less uniform yarn. The quality of yarn has generally improved over the period of 1964 and 1989, except in the case of neps, according to the Uster Statistics published during this period. Various methods for counting and sizing neps in cotton fibre are discussed.

A name index for the March 1999 issue, "Neps in Cotton Lint," is presented.

References for the March 1999 issue, "Neps in Cotton Lint," are presented.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" presents information on the process of cotton spinning. The formation of neps is due to the opening and cleaning processes in the spinning mill. According to a study, using a cotton with good cleanability produces ringspun and rotor yarns with fewer neps and higher strength. Nep levels can be influenced by transport fans turning at excessive speed and conveyors moving too slowly. It is recommended that nep testing should be carried out on the cards on a weekly basis due to the importance of the carding machine in a spinning mill.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" presents information on cotton ginning. Ginning is used to convert seed cotton into a saleable commodity. Ginning is said to be an important link between the cotton grower and the cotton spinning mill. Drying. cleaning, and extracting are the three process that is subjected to seed cotton before it enters the gin stand. Gins are classified into two types namely roller gins, and saw gins. It should be ensured that the gin stands are adjusted and maintained properly.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" presents information on cotton harvesting. Harvesting is defined as the process of removing the opened bolls from the cotton plant. It is reported that harvesting helps in increasing the number of neps, hand-picked cottons generally having fewer neps than cottons that are mechanically picked. According to studies conducted by researchers, the methods of harvesting and ginning has a large effect on the observed level of neps in the fabric, with hand-picked cotton, which results in much lower nep levels.

Abstract Background Insight in parental energy balance-related behaviours, their determinants and parenting practices are important to inform childhood obesity prevention. Therefore, reliable and valid tools to measure these variables in large-scale population research are needed. The objective of the current study was to examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the parent questionnaire used in the ENERGY-project, assessing parental energy balance-related behaviours, their determinants, and parenting practices among parents of 10–12 year old children. Findings We collected data among parents (n = 316 in the test-retest reliability study; n = 109 in the construct validity study) of 10–12 year-old children in six European countries, i.e. Belgium, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and percentage agreement comparing scores from two measurements, administered one week apart. To assess construct validity, the agreement between questionnaire responses and a subsequent interview was assessed using ICC and percentage agreement. All but one item showed good to excellent test-retest reliability as indicated by ICCs > .60 or percentage agreement ≥ 75%. Construct validity appeared to be good to excellent for 92 out of 121 items, as indicated by ICCs > .60 or percentage agreement ≥ 75%. From the other 29 items, construct validity was moderate for 24 and poor for 5 items. Conclusions The reliability and construct validity of the items of the ENERGY-parent questionnaire on multiple energy balance-related behaviours, their potential determinants, and parenting practices appears to be good. Based on the results of the validity study, we strongly recommend adapting parts of the ENERGY-parent questionnaire if used in future research.

Abstract Background The efficacy of a single dose of an inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) - Parainfluenaza type 3 (PI3) - Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) combination vaccine, in calves positive for maternal antibodies, was established in a BRSV infection study. Results As expected the single vaccination did not have any effect on the decline of BRSV-specific neutralising or ELISA antibody. The cellular immune system was however primed by the vaccination. In the vaccinated group virus excretion with nasal discharge was reduced, less virus could be re-isolated from lung tissues and the lungs were less affected. Conclusions These results indicate that a single vaccination with an inactivated BRSV vaccine was able to break through the maternal immunity and induce partial protection in very young calves. It can be speculated that the level and duration of protection will improve after the second dose of vaccine is administered. A two-dose basic vaccination schedule is recommended under field conditions.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" focuses on the significance of maintaining product quality in the global textile market. The effect which different variations in fibre properties have on processing performance, cost and product quality, makes it important to determine the variations in fiber properties. Development of High-Volume Instruments (HVI) for replacing the traditional ways of cotton fibre quality determination and classing is discussed. Currently around 20 million bales, has been evaluated and classed with the help of HVI systems since 1991.

References for the March 1999 issue, "Neps in Cotton Lint," are presented.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" presents information on nep which is defined as a small cluster of entangled fibres consisting either entirely of fibres or of foreign matter attached with fibres. It is reported that approximately 1 mm is the length measurement of a small yam nep with its mass somewhere around double that of the average yarn. The formation of neps is dependent on cotton lint characteristics and on the mechanical handling of the fibre. A large nep can have a mass of +200% that of the mean linear density of the yarn with a length of up to 2 mm.

Publishers that the author would like to thank for their assistance in the creation of the March 1999 issue, "Neps in Cotton Lint," are presented.

The section of "Neps in Cotton Lint" focuses on advances made in the field of cotton processing in the textile industry. It states that neps or the knot like mass of unorganized fibres adversely affect the cotton processing performance. It refers to the advances made by searchers in the direction of characterizing neps and states that such researches have helped in understanding the know how and understanding in the field. Amongst the recent advances are said to be devising the ability to count fibrous neps separately.