• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.458-462
• /
• 2005

The water content of skin was determined using a FT near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. NIR diffuse reflectance spectra were collected from hairless mouse, in vitro, and from human inner arm, in vivo. It was found that the variation of NIR absorbance band 1450 nm from OH vibration of water and 1940 nm from the combination involving OH stretching and OH deformation, depending on the absolute water content of separated hairless mouse skin, in vitro, using the FT NIR spectrometer. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was applied to develop a calibration model. The PLS model showed good correlation. For practical use of the evaluation of human skin moisture, the PLS model for human skin moisture was developed in vivo on the basis of the relative water content of stratum corneum from the conventional capacitance method. The PLS model predicted human skin moisture with a standard errors of prediction (SEP) of 3.98 at 1130-1830 nm range. These studies showed the possibility of a rapid and nondestructive skin moisture measurement using FT NIR spectrometer.

• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2001

The objective of this study was to develop a real-time soil moisture meter using RF impedance. The impedance suchas capacitance and resistance (or conductance) was analyzed using parallel cylinder type capacitance probe(C-probe) and Q-meter (HP4342). The capacitance and conductance of soil increased as volumetric water content increased. The 5 MHz of modified Colpitts type crystal oscillator was designed to detect the capacitance change of the C-probe with moist soil. A third order polynomial regression model was proposed to describe the relationship between RF impedance and volumetric water content. The prototype real time moisture meter consisted of the C-probe, sample container, oscillator, frequency counter and related signal processing units. The calibration equation for measurement of volumetric moisture content of soil was developed and validated. The correlation coefficient and root mean square error between measured volumetric water content by oven method and predicted values by prototype moisture meter for unknown soil samples were 0.984 and 0.032$cm^3$$cm\^3$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2009

It is strongly desired for coal-fired power plants to utilize not only low-rank coals with high moisture contents, but also lowering cost with diversifying fuel sources. In this study, combustion characteristics of low rank coal with high moisture, and standard pulverized coals are experimentally investigated using TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) and DTF (drop tube furnace). The coals tested are three kinds of coal with moisture content ranging from 8.32 to 26.82%. The results show that under the air combustion condition, the burn-out time at TGA rises as moisture content increases, and standard pulverized coal with 8.32% moisture content showed the lowest activation energy of 55.73 kJ/mol. In case of the high amount of moisture, the combustion efficiency decreases due to evaporation heat loss, and unburned carbon in ash produced at combustion process in DTF increased. Aslo, initial deformation temperature of slag attached in alumina tube of DTF decreased with lowering the crytallinity of anorthite and augite. To improve the combustion reactivity and efficiency, it is effective to upgrade through drying the high moisture coal to moisture level (less than 10%) of standard pulverized coal.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.99-109
• /
• 1990

Rough rice is subjected to a series of static and dynamic forces during mechanical harvesting, handling and processing operations. The mechanical properties such as bioyield point, compressive strength, and deformations at the bioyield point and rupture point are important engineering data needed to develop processing machines and to determine reasonable operating conditions for these machines. The objectives of this study were to determine the mechanical properties of the rough rice kernel at loading rate of 0.664 mm/min and 1.673 mm/min and at various moisture contents, and to examine the effect of the moisture content and the loading rate on these mechanical properties. The follwing results were obtained from the study. 1. Bioyield point, rupture point, bioyield strength and ultimate strength of the rough rice kernel generally decreased in magnitude with an increase in moisture content. A little larger values of these mechanical properties were obtained at the higher loading rate. The rough rice variety and the loading rate affected significantly these mechanical properties at low moisture content, but not at the higher moisture levels. 2. Bioyield point of the sample grains varied from 20 to 80 N, and rupture point varied from 45 to 130N. Bioyield point for Japonica-type rough rice was a little higher than that for Indica-type rough rice, but there were little differnces in rupture point between two types of rough rice. 3. Bioyield strength and ultimate strength of the Japonica-type rough rice varied from 10 MPa. to 39 MPa., and from 13 MPa. to 45 MPa. respectively. Those of the Indica-type rough rice varied from 12 MPa. to 42 MPa., and from 15 MPa. to 53 MPa. respectively. 4. Deformations at bioyield point and rupture point ranged from 0.18 mm/min to 0.26 mm, and from 0.28 mm to 0.53 mm respectively. These deformations decreased with an increase in moisture content up to moisture content of approximately 17% (w.b.) and increased again thereafter. 5. Regression equations were developed to predict these mechanical properties for the rough rice kernel as a function of moisture content.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.11
• /
• pp.776-780
• /
• 2013

TPH degrdation patterns in diesel contaminated soil was investigated with microwave radiation. When microwave radiation on the soil was applied, temperature increment of the aridic soil was quite low, but temperature in the moist soil was dramatically increased even if short period of running time. Up to 20% of the moisture content, the higher moisture content has more increment of temperature, whereas over 20% of the moisture content, temperature in the soil was rather decreased. when 100~700 W power of microwave radiation was applied into the contaminated soil, a lot of TPH removals was observed under 300 W, but negligible increment of TPH removal was detected over 300 W. 60% of TPH removal was achieved with initial 20% moisture content and microwave radiation. Additional 25% removal was accomplished when moisture content was kept constant during radiation period. It indicated that maintaining of constant moisture is an important factor for TPH removal with microwave radiation because moisture and temperature in the soil are decreased with reaction time.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.117-123
• /
• 2000

Changing patterns and the possibility of climate change in the area of Cheiudo island, the southernmost Island in Korea, were analyzed using daily temperature and Precipitation data observed at the Cheiu Regional Meteorological Office from May 1923 to December 1998. A hydrologic simulation model "BROOK" was used to simulate and analyze the dynamics of daily soil moisture content and soil moisture deficit by applying the daily weather data. During the period, significantly increasing pattern was observed in temperature data of both annual and monthly basis, while no significantly changing pattern was observed in precipitation data. During the last 76 years. mean annual temperature was observed to have risen about 1.4$^{\circ}C$, which may show the Possibility of the initiation of climate change on the island whose validity should be tested in future studies after long-term studies on temperature. Based on the simulation, due to increased temperature, significant increase was predicted in evapotranspiration. while no significant decrease was detected in simulated soil moisture content during the period. Changing pattern of annual soil moisture content was markedly different from those of precipitation. In some dominant trees, negative effects of the drought of the late season for the previous year were shown to be statistically significant to radial growth of the tree for the current year. As annual variation of radial growth of trees is mainly affected by the soil moisture content. the information on the dynamics of soil moisture deficit possibly provides us with useful information for the interpretation of tree growth decline on the mountain. mountain.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.201-211
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Designing equipment for processing, sorting, and other post-harvest operations of agricultural products requires information about their physical properties. This study was conducted to investigate some of the mechanical and physical properties of Moringa oleifera L. pods and seeds. Methods: Properties such as the length, width, thickness, bulk density, porosity, mass, static coefficient of friction, and angle of repose were determined as a function of moisture content. Statistical data and force-deformation curves obtained at each loading orientation and moisture level were analyzed for bioyield point, bioyield strength, yield force, rupture point, and rupture strength using a testrometric machine. Result: The basic dimensions (length, width, and thickness) of moringa pods and seeds were found to increase linearly from 311.15 to 371.45 mm, 22.79 to 31.22 mm, and 22.24 to 29.88 mm, respectively, in the moisture range of 12 to 49.5% d.b. The coefficient of friction for both pods and seeds increased linearly with an increase in moisture content on all the surfaces used. The highest value was recorded on mild steel, with 0.581 for pods and 0.3533 for seeds, and the lowest on glass for pods, with a value of 0.501, and of 0.2933 for seeds on galvanized steel. The bioyield and rupture forces, bioyield and rupture energies, and deformation of the pods decreased with an increase in moisture content to a minimum value, then increased with further decrease within the moisture content range, while the yield force increased to a maximum value and then decreased as the moisture content increased. Conclusion: These results will help to determine the most suitable conditions for processing, transporting, and storing moringa pods, and to provide relevant data useful in designing handling and processing equipment for the crop.

• Magazine of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 1996

Cellulose fibers, being fairly strong and stiff as well as cheap and plentiful with low energy demand during manufacture, are strong contenders for the reinforcement of cement-based materials. Cellulose fiber-cement composites, generally manufactured by slurry-dewatering procedure, can find applications in the production of flat and corrugated cement sheets and many other thin-sheet cement products. This paper presents the results of an experimental study concerned with the effects of fiber content and moisture conditions on the flexural performance of these composites. An effort was also made to study the effect of pozzolanic admixtures on the flexural performance in different moisture conditions. The test results obtained were analyzed statistically using the analysis of variance in order to derive reliable conclusions. The results generated in this study were indicative of significant effects of fiber content and moisture condition of flexural performance. There is a tendency in flexural strength to increase in increase in fiber content up to 8%: flexural toughness values continue to increase even at higher fiber contents. Moisture content has a significant effect on the flexural performance. There is a tendency in flexural strength to decrease and flexural toughness to increase with increasing moisture content Composites incorporating pozzolans showed an increase in the flexural strength while slightly reducing the flexural toughness and were sensitive to variations in moisture content.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.255-265
• /
• 2020

Background and objective: The purpose of this study was to provide guidelines for irrigation management by analyzing the effects of soil moisture on the growth characteristics of herbaceous plants in green infrastructure. Methods: In a rain shelter greenhouse, the growth performance of nine species of experimental plants was assessed under different soil moisture contents (20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, and 1%) for about 5 months to analyze plant growth characteristics due to soil humidity. Methods to determine plant growth conditions include surveying growth conditions of the crowns, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits on the aerial part and surveying growth conditions of the roots in the underground part. Results: The results showed that Mukdenia rossii and Astilbe rubra grew well at 15% moisture content with irrigation intervals of 10 and 13 days, respectively. Soil moisture content of 10% with irrigation intervals of 13 and 17 days was appropriate for Sedum kamtschaticum and Pachysandra terminalis. Similarly, Aquilegia japonica and Liriope platyphylla grew well at 15% moisture content with irrigation intervals of 10 and 17 days. However, Ligularia stenocephala grew well-developed stems and roots at 1% soil moisture content and an irrigation interval of 25 days, while the optimum conditions for Lythrum anceps were 5% moisture content and an irrigation interval of 8 days. Conclusion: Although a limited number of experimental plants were used in this study, this study could propose an appropriate irrigation cycle for planting on artificial soil substrates. Based on these results, it is possible to plan suitable planting designs considered irrigation cycles.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2018

Reproductive phenology and physiological responses of Epilobium hirsutum L. to moisture content and nutrient content of soil were analysed in order to obtain basic data for effective conservation and restoration. Epilobium hirsutum L. is a perennial plant. But Epilobium hirsutum L. grew reproductively in all moisture and nutrient gradients. Flower bud, flowers and peduncle were respectively ripened in earlier under highest moisture condition and highest nutrient condition. And, number of flowers and peduncle were more quickly increased under highest moisture condition and highest nutrient condition. Chlorophyll content was high under highest moisture condition and higher middle moisture condition. However, we found no significant difference of chlorophyll content regard to nutrient gradients. There was no difference in minimum chlorophyll fluorescence among all moisture and nutrient gradients. The photochemical efficiency values of PS II were 0.75 in all moisture gradients, and it was 0.78 in highest nutrient gradient. The chlorophyll content of Epilobium hirsutum L. increased as the moisture content increased, and the Fv/Fm value increased as the organic matter increased. Our results showed that high moisture and nutrient content of soil advance their breeding season and promote reproductive growth. It might be important basic informations for the maintenance of population and the management of habitat of Epilobium hirsutum L. an endangered plant species.