The interactions with water and the physical properties of microfibrillated celluloses (MFCs) and associated films generated from wood pulps of different yields (containing extractives, lignin, and hemicelluloses) have been investigated. MFCs were produced by combining mechanical refining and a high pressure treatment using a homogenizer. The produced MFCs were characterized by morphology analy...

Water content affects mortar properties and the quality of the resultant masonry, however, it is often subjectively determined by the mason by assessing workability. This lack of explicit methodology and data, can lead to lack of mortar consistency and field performance, adversely affecting full uptake of lime mortars into mainstream technology. The aim of this research is to assist develop con...

eight genotypes of spring safflower (carthamus tinctorius l.) were evaluated for several physiological traits under stress and non-stress water regimes. data were analyzed using principal factor analysis. the factor analysis technique extracted six factors under non-stress conditions. six factors explained about 80% of the total variation, and only 40% of the variance was accounted for by the f...

BACKGROUND Climate change scenarios that include precipitation shifts and nitrogen (N) deposition are impacting carbon (C) budgets in arid ecosystems. Roots constitute an important part of the C cycle, but it is still unclear which factors control root mass loss and nutrient release in arid lands. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Litterbags were used to investigate the decomposition rate and nu...

Wilson’s disease (WD) or hepato-lenticular degeneration is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder. A prevalence rate of 30 cases per million and a birth incidence rate of one per 30,000 to 40,000 are often quoted. In 40 to 50% of individuals with WD, hepatic dysfunction is the initial clinical manifestation. With the exception of liver transplantation, treatment of WD is only palliative and intend...

In an effort to determine which biological reactions can occur in relation to the water content of seeds, the regulation of lettuce seed dormancy by red and far red light was determined at various hydration levels. Far red light had an inhibiting effect on germination for seeds at all moisture contents from 4 to 32% water. Germination was progressively stimulated by red light as seed hydratio...