Experimental Study on the Properties of Banyan Stalks Reinforced Concrete

In this developing country day by day technology increasing rapidly “According to the development there is an increasing in the construction process”. In construction the major role placed by concrete and steel. Due to wide ranging of steel usage the ore is also decreasing in the earth crust, so to avoid this type of scarcity or problems by using natural resources we can manufacture a fine quality reinforcing material for binding. In this process banyan tree stalks are the main component and we are not cutting the tree, just using AERIAL ROOTS of the banyan tree. If we cut them also, they can reproduce again by that tree. Banyan tree scientific name is “FICUS BENGHALENSIS” an annual fibre plant has been found to be an important source of fibers for a number of applications since good olden days. The banyan fibers has high potential as a reinforcing fiber and common home and office house tree, but in the wild forest, it’s a giant tree of Indian Jungles. Banyan tree starts out life as an epiphyte growing on another tree where some eating birds deposited seed. Banyan tree can get 100 inches tall and, with its massive limbs supported by prop roots, spread over an area of several acres. A famous banyan tree near Poona, (India) is said to measure a half mile around its perimeter and be capable of sheltering 2000 peoples. Banyan trees are native to India, Srilanka and Pakistan. The literature review and tests we are conducting has shown scanty information on the application of this fibers as reinforcing material, keeping in view the easy availability of this new and a comprehensive research work has been initiated in our laboratory on synthesis study of properties of banyan tree stalks as a reinforcing binding material by adding some resins. The composites provide characteristics that are not obtained from any discrete material systems and cohesive structures made by combining two or more compatible materials, the present work presents the results of experimental investigations carried out to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of steel in the construction. To check the properties of the prepared specimen by the banyan tree stalks, we are doing Laboratory Tests i.e., Tensile and Hardness test. The test strength at 7, 14, 28 days then comparing the values with the steel and also materials tests are to be performed.

Paraphyly of the genus Boehmeria (Urticaceae): a response to Liang et al. ‘Relationships among Chinese Boehmeria species and the evolution of various clade’

Boehmeria, as currently circumscribed, comprises 52 species and has a pantropical distribution. Liang et al. propose a sectional classification of Boehmeria based on the phylogenetic analysis of SNP data for 20 species and an additional 10 subspecific taxa of these at the rank of variety or form. They restrict their sampling to species documented in China. We found many shortcomings in the sampling and analyses which we feel have resulted in a misleading phylogeny for the genus and the economically important fibre-plant, Boehmeria nivea. By sampling only Chinese species of this genus for their in-group and using a single distantly related outgroup, Liang et al. have failed to capture the diversity of the genus and so erroneously concluded that it forms a monophyletic group. Previous published research clearly demonstrates that Boehmeria is paraphyletic and polyphyletic, comprising at least four monophyletic groupings most closely related to several genera within the Boehmerieae. For these reasons, the sections that Liang et al. (Ind Crops Prod 148:112092, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112092) propose for Boehmeria are not effective tools for its classification. The important fibre-plant, Boehmeria nivea, should therefore not be considered as part of the genus Boehmeria for the purposes of crop breeding, but as sister to Archiboehmeria. Breeding programmes for ramie should therefore focus on populations and germplasm of Archiboehmeria atrata. We conclude that poor taxon sampling, overlooking relevant molecular and taxonomic literature, internal conflict within their SNP data and the overinterpretation of low support values has resulted in the erroneous conclusion that Boehmeria represents a monophyletic or ‘natural’ genus.

Instrumental and Sensory Properties of Cowpea and Whey Protein Concentrate-Fortified Extruded Rice Snacks

Consumers are being encouraged to increase their protein and fibre consumption through convenient and healthy food products. Six samples of extruded rice snacks were developed by substituting rice flour with cowpea flour and whey protein concentrate (WPC). Texture and colour were assessed instrumentally, and sensory analysis was conducted by an untrained panel (N = 70) who rated overall liking using the nine-point hedonic scale, and a check-all-that-apply (CATA) question with 37 attributes and emotions. Hedonic scores of the texture, taste and overall liking were significantly different across samples (p < 0.05). The crispy and crunchy CATA attributes were associated with 10–15% cowpea and 5% WPC. Correlations between mechanical and sensory texture and colour were non-significant (p > 0.05). A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the positive associations between the groups, crispiness and L* value, and hardness b* and a* values, respectively. The results of the present study will help to guide innovative high-protein and high-fibre plant food designs and formulations.

Nutrient patterns and the skeletal muscle mass index among Polish women: a cross-sectional study

Ageing involves significant changes in skeletal muscle mass and its functioning. This study aimed to identify the major nutrient patterns (NPs) present in a sample of adult Polish women and evaluate their associations with the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). A cross-sectional study initially recruited 527 women, and a final analysis was carried out on 275 women aged 32–60 years. Nutrient intake was assessed using fourteen repetitions of 24-hour dietary recall. NPs were derived using principal component analysis. Associations between adherence to NPs and the SMI were evaluated using linear regression models. Three NPs were identified: ‘Animal Protein-Vitamins’, ‘Fibre-Plant Protein-Minerals’ and ‘Fats’. In the adjusted model, the upper tertile compared to the bottom tertile of the ‘Animal Protein-Vitamins’ NP was related to a higher SMI (β = 0.123 95% CI: 0.019; 0.227; P for 1-SD increase of NP score = 0.009). No associations between the SMI and the ‘Fibre-Plant Protein-Minerals’ and ‘Fats’ NPs were observed. Our results indicate that high adherence to animal product-rich patterns might be related to higher muscle mass in adult women. Research on the influence of dietary and nutrient patterns on the quality of muscle tissue may contribute to the setting of guidelines for nutritional protection of skeletal muscle with ageing and, consequently, dietary recommendations that would improve the quality of women’s lives at the later stage of life.

Field Trials Indicating the Potential of Abutilon Theophrasti (Medic.) As A New Fibre Crop in Southwest Germany

Natural fibre based composites are being used more frequently in the automotive industry because of their positive characteristics. Fibres currently used and mostly imported to Europe do not sufficiently meet all the demands for natural fibres. As a new fibre plant velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) has been taken into consideration. However, there is no knowledge about the cultivation of velvetleaf in Europe. Four field trials in southwest Germany were set up to investigate the potential of fibre yield in a temperate climate. The factors crop density, nitrogen fertilization, accessions, and different harvesting dates were tested. Across all experiments fibre yield ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 t ha-1 dry matter. The highest yields were achieved with a crop density of 30 plants m-2, and with N fertilization of 100-150 kg N ha-1 for the accession ‘Herbiseed’. For highest fibre yield, the date of harvest should be at the beginning of maturity. This study provides first insights into possibility and variation of cultivating velvetleaf and suggests adequate fibre yield when cultivated in proper plant density and appropriate accession. However, before the plant can be implemented as a new crop, more research on fibre quality and breeding activity to improve agronomic factors is required.

Rumenolith formation in a Bapedi ram

During a routine flock visit, a farmer observed that one of the eight tooth Bapedi rams had been losing body condition despite being separated from the flock and fed supplementary feed. The ram’s body condition score was assessed as 2 out of 5 (one point less than the average of the rest of the rams) and the teeth appeared normal with no excessive wear. The rumen was assessed by auscultation, palpation and ballottement where a foreign body (approximately 20 cm × 5 cm – 10 cm) was clearly palpated and ballotted. A rumenotomy was performed and a large mass of tightly compacted foreign matter and plant material was removed. The mass consisted of synthetic fibre, plant material and calcium phosphate (50.5%). It appeared to have formed as the result of the ingestion of a synthetic fibre which formed the nidus of a concretion. This was probably the result of deficient nutrition, with the rams eating the synthetic fibre in an attempt to increase feed intake. The ram recovered uneventfully after the rumenotomy was performed and supplementary feeding.