Multi-Scaled Modeling the Mechanical Properties of Tubular Composites Reinforced with Innovated 3D Weft Knitted Spacer Fabrics

Textile composites of 3D integrated spacer configurations have been recently focused by several researchers all over the world. In the present study, newly-designed tubular composites reinforced with 3D spacer weft knitted fabrics were considered and the effects of their structural parameters on some applicable mechanical properties were investigated. For this purpose, two different samples of 3D spacer weft knitted textile types in tubular form were produced on an electronic flat knitting machine, using glass/nylon hybrid yarns. Thermoset tubular-shaped composite parts were manufactured via vacuum infusion molding process using epoxy resin. The mechanical properties of the produced knitted composites in term of external static and internal hydrostatic pressures were evaluated. Resistance of the produced composites against the external static and internal hydrostatic pressures was numerically simulated using multi-scale modeling method. The finding revealed that there is acceptable correlation between experimental and theoretical results.     

An investigation on the physicochemical characterization of interesterified blends of fully hydrogenated palm olein and soybean oil

In this study, the effect of interesterification (using sodium methoxide) on physicochemical characteristics of fully hydrogenated palm olein (FHPO)/soybean oil blends (10 ratios) was investigated. Interesterification changed free fatty acid content, decreased oil stability index, solid fat content (SFC) and slip melting point (SMP), and does not affected the peroxide value. With the increase of FHPO ratio, oil stability index, SFC and SMP increased in both the interesterified and non-interesterified blends. Fats with higher FHPO ratio had narrower plastic range, as well. Compared to the initial blends, interesterified fats had wider plastic ranges at lower temperatures. Both the non-interesterified and interesterified blends showed monotectic behavior. The Gompertz function could describe SFC curve (as a function of temperature, saturated fatty acid (SFA) content or both) and SMP (as a function of SFA) of the interesterified fats with high R² and low mean absolute error.     

Hexadecylpyridinium surfactant modified zeolite A as an active component of a polymeric membrane sulfite selective electrode

Zeolite A was synthesized from waste porcelain and modified by hexadecylpyridinium surfactant to change the cation exchanger property of the raw zeolite to anion exchanger property in the obtained surfactant modified zeolite (SMZ). The SMZ was used as an active ingredient component of a membrane selective sulfite electrode. The electrode was fully characterized in terms of composition, response time, thermal stability and usable pH range. The sensor showed suitable response to sulfite in the concentration range of 8.0 × 10^? 7 to 1.0 × 10^? 1 mol L^? 1, with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10^? 7 mol L^? 1 and a slope of ? 29.5 ± 0.8 mV per decade of sulfite concentration.     

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Studies, Crystal Structure and Electrochemical Properties of New Cobalt(III) Complex Derived from 2-Aminophenol and 4-(Dimethylamino)Cinnamaldehyde: Nano-Sized Complex Thin Film Formation via Surface Layer-by-Layer Chemical Deposition Method

New Schiff base (HL) ligand is prepared via condensation of 2-aminophenol and 4-(dimethylamino) cinnamaldehyde. The cobalt complex with the formula of [Co(L)₂(MePy)₂]PF₆ is prepared in good yield from the reaction of the ligand with cobalt(II) acetate. The compounds were characterized by the analytical and spectroscopic methods. The ligand (HL) behaves as a bidentate ligand and coordinates to the cobalt ions via the nitrogen and oxygen atoms with mononuclear structure. The ligand (HL) has been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. There is O–H···N–H bond linking the molecules together. FT-IR spectra show that HL is coordinated to the cobalt ion in a mono-negative bidentate manner with ON donor sites of the azomethene N and deprotonated phenolic-OH. There are two methylpyridine molecules apically coordinated to Co(III) ion in octahedral environment. Electrochemical properties were investigated as metal centres in the dimethylformamide solvents. The Co(III) complex exhibit both irreversible reductive (CoIII/CoII; Epc, −1.24 V) and oxidative (CoII/CoIII; Epa, +0.79 V, respectively) responses in cyclic voltammetry. Thin film of nano-sized [M(L)₂(MePy)₂]PF₆ complex was formed by surface layer-by-layer chemical deposition method. The formation of uniform thin films of nano-crystalline metal complex is dependent on metal and ligand concentrations.     

Comparative electrooxidation of C1–C4 alcohols on Pd|CC nanoparticle anode catalyst in alkaline medium

The comparative studies of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and 2-butanol electrooxidation were carried out on carbon-ceramic electrode (CCE) potentiostatically modified with Pd nano-particles. The Characterization of catalytic layer by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that well-dispersed catalytic particles with high density have been formed on CC substrate. Voltammetry, Chronoamperometry (CA), Polarization study and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to investigate the alcohols oxidation reactions. The relevant parameters such as the Tafel slope and activation energy (E_a) were determined. This study upholds the fact that 2-propanol is a promising fuel candidate for a direct alkaline alcohol fuel cell.     

The impacts of tomato residuum extract with Arabic gum and dill essential oil on the shelf life improvement of trout fillets stored at chilly condition

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of tomato residuum extract (TRE) dipping and Arabic gum (AG) coating enriched with dill essential oil (DEO) on the shelf life extension of refrigerated trout fillets. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the main constituents of DEO were alpha-phellandrene (30.17%), limonene (28.31%), and carvone (21.31%). Antioxidant activities of acetone, ethanol, methanol, cold, and hot water extracts of tomato residuum were examined using reducing power and 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assays in maceration, ultrasound, and combined ultrasound and maceration extraction methods. The strongest antioxidant activities were found in the ultrasound-assisted extraction with ethanol 50%. Thiobarbituric acid, total volatile basic nitrogen, and peroxide values indicated that TRE 3%–AG–DEO 2% and TRE 6%–AG–DEO 2% treatments could significantly (p ≤ .05) extend the shelf life of the fillets. Also, sensory evaluation showed that TRE along with DEO had significant (p ≤ .05) pleasant effects on the sensory characteristics of the fillets. It was concluded that TRE dipping along with AG coating containing DEO could be a suitable alternative for the synthetic preservative in the refrigerated trout fillets.     

A Model of Mechanotransduction in Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Composite Hydrogels for Regulating Musculoskeletal Differentiation

In regenerative medicine, extracellular matrix (ECM)-inspired materials are currently being explored to imitate mechanotransduction pathways and control cell fate. In musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, enhancing mechano-biological signals require biomaterials that are both biocompatible and viscoelastic and can retain water content. Herein, based on these requirements, various polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based composite hydrogels, reinforced by polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) nanofibers, are proposed to differentiate equine adipose-derived stem cells for musculoskeletal regeneration. To study the role of fiber embedding in improving scaffold properties, different nanofiber assemblies, including chopped short ones with random orientation (PVA_S), single-layer (PVA_L1), and double-layer membranes (PVA_L2) are positioned into the PVA matrix. PHB reinforcements negatively affect swelling and positively enhanced phase transition temperatures and crystallinity of PVA hydrogel. According to mechanical analysis results, compositing with PHB nanofibrous layers strengthen the PVA matrix due to some restrictions on PVA chain mobility. Gene expression investigations also reveal that higher matrix stiffness after layering with two PHB membranes (PVA_L2) promotes osteogenesis, while the random addition of short-chapped fibers (PVA_S) facilitate tenogenic differentiation. As a consequence of the findings, fiber placement is crucial to the mechanical properties of composite hydrogels that ultimately control musculoskeletal differentiation signals through mechanosensing pathways.