Three amplification mechanisms of large accelerations over 20 m/s2 are related to various non-liner behaviors and explained by using the non-stationary Fourier spectra. The frequencies of dominant components are compared with the natural frequencies with the ratios (1:3:5:7) of a shear-spring model of the underground soil. Thus, one of the amplification mechanisms is supposed to result from the...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of weaning age on dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), feed cost (FC) and benefit index (BI) of Holstein calves reared under organic farming system. Thirty two Holstein calves were divided into two treatments: early weaning (EW) vs. late weaning (LW). Calves in the both groups were provided with whole mi...

The major objective of this study was to evaluate the human health risks of agricultural land use conversion to other purposes in Hong Kong, based on the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) and determined dioxin-like activity in soil using ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) bioassay. Hazard quotient showed soils of open burning site (OBS) and e...

Soils are viewed in the context of ecosystem services, soil processes and properties, and key attributes and constraints. The framework used is based on the premise that the natural capital of soils that underlies ecosystem services is primarily determined by three core soil properties: texture, mineralogy, and soil organic matter. Up-todate descriptions and geographical distribution of soil or...

the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of weaning age on dry matter intake (dmi), average daily gain (adg), feed efficiency (fe), feed cost (fc) and benefit index (bi) of holstein calves reared under organic farming system. thirty two holstein calves were divided into two treatments: early weaning (ew) vs. late weaning (lw). calves in the both groups were provided with whole mi...

Carbon (C) availability plays an essential role in tree growth and wood formation. We evaluated the hypothesis that a decrease in C availability (i) triggers mobilization of C reserves in the coarse roots of Picea abies to maintain growth and (ii) causes modification of wood structure notably under drought. The 6-year-old saplings were subjected to two levels of soil moisture (watered versus dr...

In order to mobilize shallow soil to participate in the interaction of piled raft foundation sufficiently, the concept of piled raft has been modified to new type of foundation named composite piled raft. In the system of composite piled raft, the short piles made of flexible materials is used to strengthen the shallow soft soil, while the long piles made of relatively rigid materials is used t...

An important scaling consideration is introduced into the formulation of the complementary relationship (CR) of land surface evapotranspiration (ET) by specifying the maximum possible evaporation rate (Epmax) of a small water body (or wet patch) as a result of adiabatic drying from the prevailing near-neutral atmospheric conditions. In dimensionless form the CR therefore becomes yB= f( Epmax Ep...

The effects of earthworm inoculation and cropping systems on upland rice were examined over a four-year period in the Highlands Madagascar. Each year, endogeic earthworms Pontoscolex corethrurus (Rhinodrilidae) inoculated (EW+) at density 75 ind m?2 or not (EW0). Inoculation was tested three systems: conservation agriculture (CA) traditional tillage with without residues restitution. Soil plant...

The ability of electrolyzed water (EW) to inactivate foodborne pathogens on the surfaces of lettuce and spinach was investigated. Lettuce and spinach leaves were inoculated with a cocktail of 3 strains each of Escherichia col O157:H7, Salmnonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes and treated with acidic electrolyzed water (AC-EW), alkaline electrolyzed water (AK-EW), alkaline electrolyzed...