Stress field and damage evolution in C/SiC woven composites: Image-based finite element analysis and in situ X-ray computed tomography tests

The construction and examination of meso-structural finite element models of a Chemical-Vapor-Infiltrated (CVI) C/SiC composite is carried out based on X-ray microtomography digital images (IB-FEM). The accurate meso-structural features of the C/SiC composites, which are consisted of carbon fiber tows and CVI-SiC matrix, in particular the cavity defects, are reconstructed. With the IB-FEM, the damage evolution and fracture behaviors of the C/SiC composite are investigated. At the same time, an in situ tensile test is applied to the C/SiC composite under a CT real-time quantitative imaging system, aiming to investigate the damage and failure features of the material as well as to verify the IB-FEM. The IB-FEM results indicate that material damage initially occur at the defects, followed by propagating toward the fiber-tow/SiC-matrix interfaces, ultimately, combined into macro-cracks, which is in good agreement with the in situ CT experiment results.     

多模态影像学检查在诊断早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节疾病中的效果

目的:探究在早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节疾病诊断中不同放射影像学检查方法的应用效果。方法:抽取2018年5月-2020年1月本院收治的早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节疾病患者65例作为研究对象,所有患者均开展X线、CT、MRI影像学检查,对比三种不同影像学检查方法的检出率、影像学特征。结果:X线、CT、MRI检出率分别为38.46%(25/65)、60.00%(39/65)、76.92%(50/65),检出率相比,MRI、CT明显高于X线,P<0.05;X线、CT、MRI影像学特征,发现关节间隙出现不同的异常,如关节面出现侵蚀、骨质囊变现象,关节面下骨质出现硬化与关节软骨出现肿胀,其中MRI、CT检查,阳性率高于X线,P<0.05。而对于软组织肿胀、骨髓水肿、滑膜炎症、关节滑膜增厚等现象,只能通过MRI检查才能诊断。结论:在早期强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节疾病诊断中,X线、CT、MRI影像学检查均具有一定的指导意义,而MRI不仅可以提高检出率,还能准确反映微小病灶及其软组织病变,对于早期发现骶髂关节炎值得推荐。     

成型温度对PBX装药内部质量及性能的影响

针对压制成型的PBX炸药装药，选择CT无损检测、巴西实验和扫描电镜检测等技术，对比研究了室温和加热两种温度下压制成型的炸药装药内部质量、静态力学性能和细观破坏形式。结果表明，加热压制有利于改善炸药装药的内部质量，可避免产生初始损伤，且提高了装药的力学性能。细观尺度上，室温压制成型的装药主要发生界面脱黏破坏，加热压制成型装药的主要破坏形式是穿晶断裂。     

CT/MR-compatible physical human-robotized needle interactions: From modeling to percutaneous steering

In recent years a number of robotic steering systems have been proposed that are geared towards improving interventional radiology procedures such as tumor ablation and biopsy. These solutions have introduced new safety challenges in the physical human–robot interaction domain. This study presents a new 3D robotized needle steering algorithm compatible with CT and MR-imaging guidance. The steering algorithm is featured with an adaptive self-correction mechanism that works as a failure contingency tool that could be adapted online at each insertion step. The developed pHRI solution was designed to be compatible to ferro-magnetic issues and a reduced workspace inside the scanner bore. As far as we know, this is the first approach designed to steer rigid needles free of force sensors and which meets the challenges that prevail in our context. Our proposed approach helps overcome safety issues regarding the physical interaction between robotized needles and patients. Validation testing highlighted the feasibility of the new needle steering algorithm, while its accuracy revealed the potential of the approach under the proposed scope of application.     

Comparison of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra species inhibited in Pakistan based on microscopic studies: Light microscope and scanning electron microscope

The anatomical variations of two plants from the Nyctaginaceae family, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea glabra, were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy methods in this work. Bougainvillea is a dicotyledonous with defensive traits that can withstand extreme (hot and dry) settings; according to the findings, crystal inclusions in cells, woody spines, and an abnormal development pattern are all features that help them survive against predators and are unique to this species. The Bougainvillea plant's leaves are arranged in simple pattern, alternate to each other along stem having an undulate leaves edge and an oval form. The xylem and phloem, palisade, parenchyma midrib, spongy mesophyll, raphide crystal bundles, and trichomes were all visible when bracts and leaves were transversally sectioned and dyed with toluidine blue O (TBO). The presence of crystals was confirmed by a detailed examination of the transverse leaves by using bright-field and cross-polarizing microscopy. Dissecting microscopic examination showed that all the leaves revealed leaves venation pattern that had midvein, lateral veins areoles, and trichomes. Although trichomes have been identified on both sides, a closer look at a cleaned leaf dyed with TBO showed multicellular abundant trichomes on adaxial surface. Stomata complexes were typically found on the abaxial surface of the leaf according to epidermal peels. Present studies also showed that on adaxial side, stomata were lesser in number or were absent and also showed that the morphologies of the pavement cells on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf differed.     

Designing amorphous formulations of polyphenols with naringin by spray-drying for enhanced solubility and permeability

Naringin (NAR), a major flavanone (FVA) glycoside, is a component of food mainly obtained from grapefruit. We used NAR as a food additive to improve the solubility and permeability of hydrophobic polyphenols used as supplements in the food industry. The spray-dried particles (SDPs) of NAR alone show an amorphous state with a glass transition temperature (T_g) at 93.2 °C. SDPs of hydrophobic polyphenols, such as flavone (FVO), quercetin (QCT), naringenin (NRG), and resveratrol (RVT) were prepared by adding varying amounts of NAR. All SDPs of hydrophobic polyphenols with added NAR were in an amorphous state with a single T_g, but SDPs of hydrophobic polyphenols without added NAR showed diffraction peaks derived from each crystal. The SDPs with NAR could keep an amorphous state after storage at a high humidity condition for one month, except for SDPs of RVT/NAR. SDPs with NAR enhanced the solubility of hydrophobic polyphenols, especially NRG solubility, which was enhanced more than 9 times compared to NRG crystal. The enhanced solubility resulted in the increased membrane permeability of NRG. The antioxidant effect of the hydrophobic NRG was also enhanced by the synergetic effect of NAR. The findings demonstrated that NAR could be used as a food additive to enhance the solubility and membrane permeability of hydrophobic polyphenols.     

Nucleation‐controlled dual semicrystalline morphology of polyamide 11

Crystallization of polyamide 11 at low supercooling of the melt proceeds via heterogeneous nucleation and spherulitic growth of lamellae, while at temperatures close to the glass transition homogeneous nucleation prevails, preventing spherulite formation and leading to formation of a large number of nanometer‐sized mesophase domains. It is shown that spherulitic and non‐spherulitic crystallization at low and high supercooling of the melt, respectively, can be enforced by tailoring the cooling conditions, causing a twofold semicrystalline morphology at ambient temperature. Analysis of non‐isothermal crystallization as a function of the cooling rate, using fast scanning chip calorimetry, reveals that in the case of polyamide 11 such twofold semicrystalline morphology is predicted when cooling at rates between about 20 and 200 K s^?1, since then two separate crystallization events are observed. The prediction has been confirmed by preparation of films crystallized during ballistic cooling at different rates which then were analyzed regarding their structure using optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and calorimetry. The study is completed by discussion of implications of twofold non‐isothermal crystallization for structure evolution in polymer processing, as well as by providing information that such behavior is not only typical for polyamide 11 but also for isotactic polypropylene or poly(butylene terephthalate) as two further examples. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of Cr3C2/C composite powders synthesized via molten-salt method in low-carbon MgO–C refractories

High-performance and low-carbon MgO–C refractories are important refractories for smelting ultra-low carbon steel and clean steel. Based on this, Cr₃C₂/C composite powders were synthesized by the molten-salt method, and used as an additive to prepare low-carbon MgO–C refractories under nitrogen atmosphere. The phase, morphology and oxidation kinetics of Cr₃C₂/C composite powders were studied. In addition, the effect of Cr₃C₂/C composite powders on the morphology, mechanical properties, thermal shock resistance, and corrosion resistance of MgO–C refractories was investigated. The results indicated that the Cr₃C₂/C composite powders exhibited superior oxidation resistance than flake graphite. Moreover, the Cr₃C₂/C composite powders were introduced into the MgO–C refractories. Compared with the sample without Cr₃C₂/C composite powders, the introduction of 1 wt% Cr₃C₂/C composite powders significantly improved the thermomechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the material, its CMOR, CCS before and CCS after thermal shock were 9.06 MPa, 50.40 MPa and 32.60 MPa, respectively, and the corrosion index was significantly reduced from 44.6% to 26.5%.     

The use of recycled low-density polyethylene films from protective prepreg for the development of nanocomposites with bentonite clay

Prepreg is a pre-impregnated composite fiber where a thermoset polymer matrix material is present. Before being used, these materials are kept at low temperatures and have a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film for your protection. The increase in the use of structural composites based on prepregs causes an increase in the amount of protective LDPE film. This material is usually discarded or incinerated and can cause great damage to the environment. Thus, the present work aimed to study the feasibility of recycling up to 100% of protective LDPE (rLDPE) to develop blends-based nanocomposites with rLDPE/virgin LDPE (60/40, 70/30, 80/20, 90/10 and 100/0) with the addition of 5 wt% of compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride grafted LDPE, LDPE-g-MA), and 1 wt% of bentonite (BNT) using a co-rotational twin-screw extruder, followed by hot pressing in a hydropneumatic press and die-cutting. Water absorption test, thermal aging resistance, morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties by Izod impact strength and tensile tests, and differential scanning calorimetry were performed. By the results, it was possible to verify the viability of 100% of the recycling of rLDPE. The results showed a good distribution of 1 wt% of BNT in the matrix, better mechanical properties when compared with virgin LDPE. Furthermore, the thermal properties, water absorption test, and thermal aging resistance showed no statistical differences between the samples. These results confirm the effectiveness and the environmental gain in the use of the recycled material.