M. Tazi¹, F. Erchiqui^1,*, F.Godard¹, H. Kaddami²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 258-263, 2014, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634120

Abstract This article evaluates the mechanical properties and biodegradability of wood-plastic composite materials made from sawdust and thermoplastic polymer (HDPE). For the preparation of the composites, sawdust in different proportions with Maleic Anhydride grafted Polyethylene (MAPE) as the coupling agent was used. The mechanical properties and biodegradability of the biocomposites were successively characterized. The results indicate that adding sawdust particles to a polymer matrix improves the mechanical strength and stiffness of composites. The tensile strength of a composite with 3% coupling agent was improved by 13%, 34% and 54% respectively when 20%, 30% and 40% wood… More >

Blazquez FR^1,2,3, DV Peláez^1,3,4, RJ Andrioli¹, OR Elia^1,2,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.83, pp. 397-405, 2014, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2014.83.397

Abstract The interaction between woody and grass species in semi-arid rangelands of central Argentina was assessed through the evaluation of the impact of woody species on grass growth over a 2-y period. The study comprised two morpho-physiologically different woody species and two cool-season perennial grass species highly preferred by domestic livestock. The study involved the assessment of total green length (TGL) and number of green leaves (NGL) per tiller in grasses growing beneath the canopy of woody species and in open rangeland areas. Soil temperature, pH and water, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter content were estimated… More >

Q.W. Yang^1,2, S.G. Du¹, C.F. Liang¹, L.J. Yang¹

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.100, No.3, pp. 223-248, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2014.100.223

Abstract Although the model-independent damage localization algorithms have been extensively developed in recent years, the theoretical relationship between these damage indicators and the definition of damage is not clear. Moreover the existing damage localization methods are usually dependent on the boundary conditions and the type of structure. In view of this, the paper presents a universal model-independent algorithm for structural damage localization. To this end, the explicit relationship between the damage and damage-induced displacement variation is firstly clarified by using the well-known Sherman-Morrison and Woodbury formulas. A theorem is then presented for structural damage localization. According More >

T. Ganier, J. Hu, A. Pizzi^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 79-82, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634101

Abstract Linear vibration welding of extractive rich Paduk wood from central Africa containing a high proportion of a native mixture of water-insoluble extractives, or of low water solubility, has been shown to yield joints of much upgraded water resistance. This has been shown to be due to the protecting infl uence the extractives from the wood itself has on the welded interphase, due to their inherent water repellence. Joints of unusually high percentage wood failure but modest strength were obtained; Paduk wood brittleness apparently yielding weld line strengths always higher than that of the surrounding wood More >

Wang XL^1,2, Z Zhao¹, JE Quan¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.80, pp. 93-100, 2011, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2011.80.093

Abstract Robinia pseudoacacia (locust hereafter) is an ornamental tree with various uses. Both homologous tetraploid (tetraploid hereafter) and diploid cultivars are commercially available. The tetraploids have advantageous traits, but poor germinability, and cuttings are difficult to root. Since auxin applications can promote rooting, we evaluated the effects of dipping cuttings in various indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations for four hours on rooting parameters. IBA significantly affected all measured parameters of both tetraploid and diploids cuttings. Tetraploid cuttings produced no roots without IBA. The effects were strongest at 1000 and 800 mg/L IBA for tetraploids and diploids, respectively. Values… More >

Peláez¹ DV, HD Giorgetti², OA Montenegro², OR Elia³, GD Rodríguez², RM Bóo^1,*, MD Mayor^4,*,*, CA Busso³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.79, pp. 169-176, 2010, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2010.79.169

Abstract Fire is a major ecological process within most terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, understanding the vegetation response to fire is essential to its management. Our objective was to study the effect of a controlled fire, conducted at the end of summer season, on cover and density of the most common woody and herbaceous species in Phytogeographical Province of the Monte, Argentina. In general, after the control fire, the woody species mean percentage cover was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the fire treatment than in the control (no controlled fire). This effect was persistent during the study period. No… More >

M. Daian¹, A. Taube², G. Torgovnikov³, G. Daian⁴, Y. Shramkov⁵

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.8, No.3, pp. 165-172, 2008, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2008.008.165

Abstract Microwave wood modification and treatment technologies become more and more essential within the wood industry due to their technical and economical advantages. Microwave processing of wood involves many complicated physical phenomena and requires a very careful control of variables (such as intensity of microwave power, loading period, maximum temperature, etc.) in order to reduce structural deformations of the processed wood. To optimise and minimise the project design engineers' work, modelling and simulation of the microwave energy-wood interaction represents an indispensable tool.
This research work has been undertaken with the aim to design and optimise microwave… More >