Blending Technique Research Articles

Analysis of BIM application trends in construction industry for waste reduction and sustainable outcomes

The examination has built up a structure for BIM-based authoritative abilities advancement for upgraded appropriation and compelling utilization of Building Data Demonstrating (BIM) inside the Indian engineering associations. In the past examination, a requirement for changing the conventional practices in Indian development area has been more than once communicated. A near concern has moreover been showed up to advocate for the use of lean and sustainable concepts to boost productivity and lead a group of development projects in India; to minimise flaws in the exercises and increase the hold subsidises related to capital, electricity, and cost. As a result, this review aids the plan partnership by recommending the use of BIM as a system that encourages them to consider lean and sustainable changes.BIM was identified as an empowering agent and a cycle for achieving lean and sustainable results on development projects in order to meet the examination objective. Examination was led through a successive blended technique method zeroing in on gathering and breaking down together subjective and quantifiable information. The examination was isolated in quaternion stages: Poll study information assortment and experimental investigation of information including partial Least Square (PLS-SEM) examination to comprehend the ebb and flow status of BIM selection, its drivers, inhibitors and suggestions inside compositional associations in India; Semi- organized meeting and centre gatherings for interpretive examination of local BIM capacities and BIM abilities through Interpretive structural modelling(ISM); broad writing audit to contemplate and recognize the lean and sustainable results; and contextual investigations examination through quantitative comparative analysis (QCA) to approve the proposed structure. The exploration discoveries demonstrate that BIM appropriation venture for designers is in experimentation phase and the contemporary use of BIM which is not investigated to maximum capacity. Structure was created by way of a component of this investigation bequeath empower design associations to effectively accept BIM on tasks headed for acquiring sustainable and lean advantages.

Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Bromo–Butyl Elastomers Filled with Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphene

AbstractIn this paper, the effects of graphene loading and processing technique on the morphological, mechanical, thermal, rheological, and barrier properties of bromo–butyl rubber, are explored. Bromo–butyl rubber composites with electrochemically exfoliated graphene (EEG) nanosheet filler are prepared via solvent casting and/or melt blending techniques, and their properties are compared against a carbon black control sample. Even though analysis of the EEG composites via microscopy reveals agglomeration problems not present in the carbon black controls, EEG composite samples are observed to have improved barrier properties over carbon black samples in exchange for slightly reduced stress and strain at break. Extensional rheological analysis of the bromo–butyl rubber composites reveals strain hardening phenomena in all the samples and higher extensional modulus in solvent casted‐melt blended (SCM) samples. As a result of better dispersion over the solely melt‐blended samples, the SCM rubber composites exhibit superior tensile modulus and extensional modulus compared to the samples that are solely melt‐blended.

Modification of Sensory Expression of 3-Isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine in Wines through Blending Technique.

Sensory interactions exist between 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines and various volatiles in wines. In this study, the binary blending of Cabernet Franc wines containing high levels of MPs and three monovarietal red wines with two proportions was conducted after fermentation. Volatiles were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and wines were evaluated by quantitative descriptive analysis at three-month intervals during six-month bottle aging. Results showed blending wines exhibited lower intensity of ‘green pepper’, especially CFC samples blended by Cabernet Sauvignon wines with an even higher concentration of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine (IBMP). Based on Pearson correlation analysis, acetates could promote the expression of ‘tropical fruity’ and suppress ‘green pepper’ caused by IBMP. Positive correlation was observed among ‘green pepper’, ‘herbaceous’, and ‘berry’. The concentration balance between IBMP and other volatiles associated with ‘green pepper’ and fruity notes was further investigated through sensory experiments in aroma reconstitution. Higher pleasant fruity perception was obtained with the concentration proportion of 1-hexanol (1000 μg/L), isoamyl acetate (550 μg/L), ethyl hexanoate (400 μg/L), and ethyl octanoate (900 μg/L) as in CFC samples. Blending wines with proper concentration of those volatiles would be efficient to weaken ‘green pepper’ and highlight fruity notes, which provided scientific theory on sensory modification of IBMP through blending technique.

Analysis of Small Hydropower Generation Potential: (1) Estimation of the Potential in Ungaged Basins

Small hydropower (SHP) plants are advantageous as they have a short construction period and can be easily maintained. They also have a higher energy density than other alternative energy sources as environmentally-friendly energy sources. In general, hydropower potential is estimated based on the discharge in the river basin, and the discharge can be obtained from the stage station in the gaged basin. However, if there is no station (i.e., ungaged basin) or no sufficient discharge data, the discharge should be estimated based on rainfall data. The flow duration characteristic model is the most widely used method for the estimation of mean annual discharge because of its simplicity and it consists of rainfall, basin area, and runoff coefficient. Due to the characteristics of hydroelectric power depending on the discharge, there is a limit to guaranteeing the accuracy of estimating the generated power with only one method of the flow duration characteristic model. Therefore, this study assumes the gaged basins of the three hydropower plants of Deoksong, Hanseok, and Socheon in Korea exist as ungaged basins and the river discharges were simulated using the Kajiyama formula, modified-TPM(Two-Parameter Monthly) model, and Tank model for a comparison with the flow duration characteristics model. Furthermore, to minimize the uncertainty of the simulated discharge, four blending techniques of simple average method, MMSE(Multi-Model Super Ensemble), SMA(Simple Model Average), and MSE(Mean Square Error) were applied. As for the results, the obtained discharges from the four models were compared with the observed discharge and we noted that the discharges by the Kajiyama formula and modified-TPM model were better fitted with the observations than the discharge by the flow duration characteristics model. However, the result by the Tank model was not well fitted with the observation. Additionally, when we investigated the four blending techniques, we concluded that the MSE technique was the most appropriate for the discharge simulation of the ungaged basin. This study proposed a methodology to estimate power generation potential more accurately by applying discharge simulation models that have not been previously applied to the estimation of SHP potential and blending techniques were also used to minimize the uncertainty of the simulated discharge. The methodology proposed in this study is expected to be applicable for the estimation of SHP potential in ungaged basins.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of High Strength Glass Fiber Reinforced Light Weight Aggregate Concrete

Over the past few decades, extensive studies were in progress all around the globe in concrete technology in finding sustainable alternative materials that can partially or fully replace OPC along with the requirements like durability and strength aspects. Among all the available alternative materials, the industrial waste exhausts like fly ash, silica fume, GGBS, metakaoline and rice husk ash etc., are found to be quite promising. In the present study, a mix design high strength grade concrete of M60 is produced by using binary blending technique by the utilization of Silica fume(SF) and Metakaoline(MK) as partial replacement by weight of cement at different blended percentages ranging from 0-30% in the increments of 10% along with glass fibers having aspect ratio of 100. The different proportions of glass fibers are added in the volume fraction percentages of 0.5-2% in the increments of 0.5%. The test results of fiber reinforced specimens with different percentages of binary blend are compared with control specimens to study the behavior of FRC properties with various percentages of the blends as partial replacement by weight of cement. The test results concluded that the optimum blended percentage of silica fume and metakaoline is 15% i.e., 7.5%SF+7.5%MK along with SP percentage as 1.5% and glass fiber percentage as 1.5% when compared with the control mix. Further, light weight aggregate i.e., pumice stone is replaced to this mix to coarse aggregate at percentages of 25%,50%,75% and 100% respectively and the compressive strength characteristic along with density of concrete was studied and reported

An updated global atmospheric paleo-reanalysis covering the last 400 years.

Data assimilation techniques are becoming increasingly popular for climate reconstruction. They benefit from estimating past climate states from both observation information and from model simulations. The first monthly global paleo‐reanalysis (EKF400) was generated over the 1600 and 2005 time period, and it provides estimates of several atmospheric fields. Here we present a new, considerably improved version of EKF400 (EKF400v2). EKF400v2 uses atmospheric‐only general circulation model simulations with a greatly extended observational network of early instrumental temperature and pressure data, documentary evidences and tree‐ring width and density proxy records. Furthermore, new observation types such as monthly precipitation amounts, number of wet days and coral proxy records were also included in the assimilation. In the version 2 system, the assimilation process has undergone methodological improvements such as the background‐error covariance matrix is estimated with a blending technique of a time‐dependent and a climatological covariance matrices. In general, the applied modifications resulted in enhanced reconstruction skill compared to version 1, especially in precipitation, sea‐level pressure and other variables beside the mostly assimilated temperature data, which already had high quality in the previous version. Additionally, two case studies are presented to demonstrate the applicability of EKF400v2 to analyse past climate variations and extreme events, as well as to investigate large‐scale climate dynamics.

Influence of the blending method over the thermal and mechanical properties of biodegradable polylactic acid/polyhydroxybutyrate blends and their wood biocomposites

This study focused on the effect of the processing method on the thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation properties of polylactic acid/polyhydroxybutyrate (PLA/PHB) blends and their wood biocomposites. The blending techniques were dry‐blending or twin‐screw extrusion, both followed by compression molding. PLA/PHB blends were prepared using 15 and 25% wt. of PHB and biocomposites with 20 and 30% wt. of wood particles. Moreover, a compatibilizer was used during the extrusion process to achieve better matrix‐fiber adhesion. The results showed that the crystallinity of PLA significantly increased with PHB and wood, especially after twin‐screw extrusion. The best results in tensile, flexural, and impact strength were obtained with the extruded and compatibilized PLA/PHB blends, with values higher than the neat biopolymers. The compatibilized biocomposite with 15% wt. PHB, and 20% wt. wood particles showed higher tensile, flexural, and impact properties than PLA. The biodegradation test showed that all samples were disintegrated (above 40%) after 40 days in compost medium, observing slight decreases in the biodegradation rate when PHB or wood particles were added. Even when the lower mechanical properties were obtained with the dry‐blending technique, they are still competitive for different applications, providing the possibility to produce blends and biocomposites, avoiding the extrusion process that requires more energy consumption and longer processing times.

The effects of melt grafted maleated polybutylene succinate on the properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyhexanoate)/polybutylene succinate blends

AbstractPoly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHH)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blends were prepared using a melt blending technique. A compatibilizer of maleated PBS (PBSgMA) was produced using reactive melt grafting by varying the maleic anhydride (MA) monomer concentration ranging from 3 to 10 parts per hundred resin (phr). Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses confirmed the grafting reaction of the PBSgMA. The PBSgMA was incorporated in the 80PHBHH/20PBS and 50PHBHH/50PBS blends to investigate the effect of maleated compatibilizer on the tensile, flexural, drop weight impact, and water absorption properties of the blends with droplets dispersed and co‐continuous morphology. The incorporation of PBSgMA increased the tensile and flexural strength of both the 80PHBHH/20PBS and 50PHBHH/50PBS blends, where the optimum properties achieved at 5 phr concentration of MA. The drop weight impact test results showed that uncompatibilized and compatibilized 50PHBHH/50PBS blends had higher critical strain energy release rate (Gc) than the neat PHBHH. However, blending and compatibilizing did not have a positive effect on the critical stress intensity factor (Kc) of the neat PHBHH. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the improvement of interfacial adhesion and PBS polymer dispersion in PHBHH/PBS blends when incorporated with 5PBSgMA. The water absorption test results demonstrated that compatibilized blends absorbed slightly more water than uncompatibilized blends due to the presence of hygroscopic carboxyl groups of the PBSgMA. However, water absorption effects were reversible and did not result in severe permanent damage to the blends.

The CO2/CH4 Separation Potential of ZIF-8/Polysulfone Mixed Matrix Membranes at Elevated Particle Loading for Biogas Upgradation Process

Biogas is a renewable energy that has been explored widely in Indonesia to substitute non-renewable energy. However, the presence of certain gas, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), can decrease the calorific value and generate greenhouse gas. Hence, the separation of CO2 from methane (CH4) occurs as a crucial step to improve the utilization of biogas. The separation of CH4/CO2 can be conducted using a polymeric membrane that needs no chemical, hence considered as an environmentally friendly technique. However, the utilization of polymeric membrane in gas separation processes is hampered by the trade-off between gas throughput and selectivity. To solve this problem, the incorporation of inorganic particles, such as Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) particles, into the polymer matrix to improve the gas separation performance of the membrane has been conducted recently. In this research, ZIF-8 has been incorporated into Polysulfone matrix to form ZIF-8/Polysulfone-based membrane by simple blending and phase inversion techniques in flat sheet configuration. The pure gas permeation tests showed an increase in gas permeability (26 Barrer compared to 17 Barrer) after the inclusion of ZIF-8 particles with a slight decrease in CO2/CH4selectivity for particle loading more than 15wt. %. Therefore, the membrane with 15wt. % of particles showed the best performance in terms of gas selectivity. This result was due to the aggregation of ZIF-8 particles at particle loading higher than 15wt. %. Chemical analysis indicated an interaction between filler and polymer, and there were increases in the degree of crystallinity after the incorporation of ZIF-8.

Modified team-based and blended learning perception: a cohort study among medical students at King Saud University

Background & ObjectiveMedical schools have evolved toward competency-based education and active learner-centered strategies. Medical informatics course was introduced in 2011 in the 3rd year at the College of Medicine (CoM), King Saud University (KSU), to enhance future medical graduates with technological and information competencies. Modified team-based learning and blended learning were emphasized using face-to-face lectures, various e-learning technologies, workshop and seminars. The current study’s main objective was to assess students’ perceptions towards blended and modified team-based learning at the CoM in KSU.MethodsA survey was distributed to medical students in three consecutive years: 2017–2019. The survey contains items regarding student perception of various types of blended learning techniques applied in the course. The survey was administered using i-Clicker; an interactive device that enables students to answer survey questions. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the perception of students on these blended learning dimensions investigated.ResultsSeven-hundred and one student responded to the questionnaire (male; 69.5%, female 30.5%). Out of which, 59.1% of students found team interactions positively supported discussions and asked questions freely, and 48.1% expressed that working in groups facilitated their learning process. However, 56.0% of students chose face-to-face lectures as the most preferred class activities followed by discussion 23.8%. More than 78% of participants agree that online quizzes are good experience and enjoyable. Grade center where students can check for marks and attendance also received high perception (66.3%).ConclusionIntroducing modified team-based and blended-learning are considered challenging, and therefore, investigating their perceptions can provide useful insights into how these methods could be used more effectively. The blended-learning technique is highly essential in teaching medical informatics to overcome challenges faced due to a large number of students and the need for various exposures to reach the course’s learning goals. Moreover, it is noticed that students were engaged in face-to-face and online activities, furthermore, modified team-based learning reported facilitating learning and asking questions without embarrassment.

Cross-Cultural Management Education: Core for Business Students in the 21st Century

ABSTRACT The study examines the impact of introducing several cross-cultural management courses in the undergraduate program of a business school on the students’ cultural intelligence level and on their ability to manage conflict more effectively. The experimental method is used where students in the experimental and the control groups respond to the same survey at three different times (240 students); the focus group method is used with a group of nine students from the experimental group to obtain a deeper understanding of the results of the statistical analysis. The findings suggest a positive and significant effect of the cross-cultural management courses on the cultural intelligence level and the conflict management styles of students with obvious differences between male and female students. The findings confirm the importance of these courses and recommend making cross-cultural management courses core for all students to support their future global employability. Furthermore, experiential and blended learning techniques can replace international exposure, which is timely considering the constraints imposed on international travel due to COVID19. The study suggests a helpful insight to international business educators that can support the process of developing their programs through introducing specific courses and complementary teaching techniques that are effective and timely.

Development of Toughened Flax Fiber Reinforced Composites. Modification of Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Blends by Reactive Extrusion Process.

The presented study focuses on the development of flax fiber (FF) reinforced composites prepared with the use of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)—PLA/PBAT blend system. This type of modification was aimed to increase impact properties of PLA-based composites, which are usually characterized by high brittleness. The PLA/PBAT blends preparation was carried out using melt blending technique, while part of the samples was prepared by reactive extrusion process with the addition of chain extender (CE) in the form of epoxy-functionalized oligomer. The properties of unreinforced blends was evaluated using injection molded samples. The composite samples were prepared by compression molding technique, while flax fibers reinforcement was in the form of plain fabric. The properties of the laminated sheets were investigated during mechanical test measurements (tensile, flexural, impact). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was used to determine the thermal properties, while dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and heat deflection temperature (HDT) measurements were conducted in order to measure the thermomechanical properties. Research procedure was supplemented with structure evaluation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The comparative study reveals that the properties of PLA/PBAT-based composites were more favorable, especially in the context of impact resistance improvement. However, for CE modified samples also the modulus and strength was improved. Structural observations after the impact tests confirmed the presence of the plastic deformation of PLA/PBAT matrix, which confirmed the favorable properties of the developed materials. The use of PBAT phase as the impact modifier strongly reduced the PLA brittleness, while the reactive extrusion process improves the fiber-matrix interactions leading to higher stiffness and strength.

Microwave Absorption Properties of Unripe Plantain Husk, Polycaprolactone and Charcoal Powder Hybrid Nanocomposites Using Numerical Simulation at X-Band Frequency

Single bulk materials have lesser advantages compared to nano materials in the area of mechanical, electrical, dielectric, optical and thermal properties enhancement of polymer and hybrid of bio-composites. In this work, charcoal (CH), unripe plantain husk (UPH), and polycaprolactone (PCL) based microwave absorber were synthesized using both mechanical alloy and melt blend techniques, respectively. Different percentages of the prepared charcoal nanoparticles was introduced into the hybrid composites to study the effect on dielectric properties, shielding effectiveness, reflection loss and structural morphology in the frequency range of 8–12 GHz.. Findings showed that the sample with the highest amount of charcoal percentage had the best shielding effectiveness and dielectric constant. The value of dielectric constant gradually increased from 3.06 to 5.45 at the frequency range measured. The charcoal average particle size was estimated to be 21.42 nm using TEM analysis while the mean deviation of surface roughness ranged from 5.45 to 25.56 nm using atomic force microscope. The highest shielding effectiveness of the hybrid composites was obtained for the 30 wt% nano charcoal content with a value of -48.78 dB at 10 GHz. The complete dispersion and interaction of the charcoal with the PCL and UPH enhanced the dielectric constant, loss factor, hence making it potent in microwave absorption, shielding and radar applications.

Extraction and utilization of biodiesel from tannery fleshing waste in a diesel engine equipped with common rail direct injection system for cleaner emission

ABSTRACT Escalating energy requirements and concerns over the climate changes entail the researchers to find a viable alternate fuel. Energy derived from waste offers two advantages (i) it compensates the energy demand and (ii) reduces the pollution caused by dumped waste products. In the present study fleshing waste from tanneries is used as feedstock to produce biodiesel which was used as a fuel to partially replace fossil diesel. Three binary blends viz., D90WLB10, D80WLB20, and D70WLB30 were prepared using splash blending technique and utilized in a compression ignition engine to assess its influence on various characteristics of diesel engine. Results show that WLB blends presented lower PCP and higher HRR than baseline diesel fuel. The engine performance deteriorated with WLB blends against diesel operation. Among the blends, D90WLB10 showed 4% and 6% higher BTE than D80WLB20 and D70WLB30, respectively. Addition of 10% by vol of WLB to diesel increased the NOx emission, however, it suppressed as the proportion of WLB increases. D90WLB10 presented lower smoke, HC, and CO emission when compared to the other blends. The study revealed that D90WLB10 blend exhibit better engine performance with lower emissions and can be utilized in diesel engines without any engine modifications.

Nanomechanical evaluation of poly (vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites reinforced with hybrid graphene nanoplatelets and titanium dioxide

This study further enhanced nanomechanical properties of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) using hybrid graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanopowder. The hybrid nanocomposites were prepared via solution blending and melt-mixing techniques. GNPs and TiO2 nanopowder were surface modified to promote compatibility with the PVDF matrix. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed high degree of dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The nanomechanical properties were examined using Anton Paar Instrumented Nanoindenter. By incorporation of GNPs-TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles in the matrix, there were increase in nanomechanical behaviors such as hardness, elastic modulus, stiffness and resistance to plastic deformation. For instance, hardness of 3.34wt%GNPs-10wt%TiO2 (115.2 MPa) increased by 79.7% and 17.2% compared to PVDF (64.1 MPa) and 3.34wt%GNPs (98.3 MPa) nanocomposite, respectively. The enhanced properties of the hybrid nanocomposites were due to network strengthening and hardening and restriction of polymer chains mobility offered by rough surfaces of GNPs-TiO2 hybrid nanoparticles.

Graphene oxide/epoxy acrylate nanocomposite production via SLA and importance of graphene oxide surface modification for mechanical properties

PurposeTraditional nanocomposite production methods such as in situ polymerization, melt blending and solvent technique, have some deficits. Some of these are non-homogeneous particle distribution, setup difficulties, time-consuming and costly. On the other hand, three-dimensional printing technology is a quite popular method. Especially, Stereolithography (SLA) printing offers some benefits such as fast printing, easy setup and smooth surface specialties. Furthermore, surface modification of Graphene Oxide (GO) and its effects on polymer nanocomposites are quite important. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of surface modification of GO nanoparticles on the mechanical properties and morphology of epoxy acrylate (BisGMA/1,6 hexane diol diacrylate) matrix nanocomposites.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, Ultraviolet (UV) curable end groups of synthesized resin were linked to functional groups of graphene oxide, which are synthesized by the Tour method, which is a kind of modified Hummer method. In addition, synthesized GO nanoparticle’s surfaces were modified by 3-(methacryloyloxy) propyl trimethoxysilane. Significant weight percentages of GO were added into the epoxy acrylate resin. Different Wt.% of modified graphene oxide/acrylate resins was used to print test specimens with SLA type three-dimensional printer.FindingsSurface modification has a significant effect on tensile strength for graphene oxide nanoparticles contained composites. In addition, a specific trend was not observed for tensile test results of non-modified graphene oxide. The tendency of impact and hardness test finding were similar for both surfaces modified and non-modified nanoparticles. Finally, the distribution of particles was homogeneous.Originality/valueThis paper is unique because of the inclusion of both surface modifications of graphene oxide nanoparticles and SLA production of nanocomposites with its own production of three-dimensional printer and photocurable polymer resin.

Plasticizing effect of biodegradable dipropylene glycol bibenzoate and epoxidized linseed oil on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A based epoxy resin

AbstractMajor limitation for use of epoxy thermosets in engineering applications is its sudden brittle failure. In the present study dipropylene glycol dibenzoate (DPGDB) based plasticizer is used to modify diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DEGEBA) based epoxy resin system via simple blending technique. Bio‐based epoxidized linseed oil was also used to modify epoxy resin system and compared with DPGDB modified resin. For DPGDB modified resin storage modulus and loss modulus of the epoxy system modified with 10% plasticizer increased by 7.54% and 12.24%, respectively. The primary mechanism responsible for such behavior is improved crosslinking density. With 5% plasticizer loading, flexural strength increased by 21%. There was an improvement of 312.74% in strain at failure for 10% plasticizer loading, while preserving its mechanical strength. It was found that DPGDB based modification was better than epoxidized linseed oil modification.

Massive Open Online Courses-based blended versus face-to-face classroom teaching methods for fundamental nursing course.

An increasing number of studies focus on the effectiveness of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)-based blended learning, whereas none have yet studied using it for teaching fundamental nursing skills at an undergraduate level.To evaluate the effectiveness of MOOC-based blended learning versus face-to-face classroom teaching techniques within the fundamental nursing course at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Xiang Nan, China.This cluster randomized controlled trial enrolled 181 students and assigned them into either an MOOC-based blended or a face-to-face classroom teaching group, both involving the Fundamental Nursing course for undergraduate nursing students. The analyzed outcomes included test scores, critical thinking ability, and feedback received from the students on the Fundamental Nursing course.MOOC-based blended techniques versus face-to-face classroom teaching methods demonstrated higher daily performance (P = .014), operational performance (P = .001), theoretical achievements (P < .001), and final grades (P < .001) in Fundamental Nursing.Moreover, the mean change in the participants’ critical thinking ability items between groups were, mostly, statistically significant. The items focusing on the feedback from the students demonstrated significant differences between the groups in terms of their satisfaction with the teaching they received (P < .001) and the overall learning effects (P = .030).This study confirmed that receiving MOOC-based blended learning was superior when compared against face-to-face classroom teaching techniques for learning within the Fundamental Nursing course.

Degradation behaviour of plasticized PLA/CNTs nanocomposites prepared by the different technique of blending

The present research goals to investigate how the preparation technique became the factor to develop materials with a good combination of properties and optimum degradation ability. PLA/CNTs nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending and solution blending that were involved of unmodified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and modified CNTs (mCNTs) at 1.5 wt.% loading. The surface morphology of nanocomposites was viewed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The effect of 5 wt.% poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) as plasticizer on nanocomposites were determined. The weight loss in soil degradation study was run for 6 months. The morphology study by FESEM confirmed the finding through the existence of a smooth fracture surface especially when PEG was loaded. In soil degradation analysis, neat PLA exhibited a low weight loss rate after 6 months. The maximum weight loss for both techniques was shown by PLA/PEG/CNTs from melt blending technique and PLA/PEG/mCNTs from solution blending, believed from the pore occurred bring to poor properties.

PET/Bio-Based Terpolyester Blends with High Dimensional Thermal Stability.

To improve the dimensional thermal stability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a poly(ethylene glycol 1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene (CHDM) isosorbide (ISB) terephthalate) (PEICT) known as ECOZEN®T110 (EZT) was introduced into PET using a melt blending technique. The miscibility, morphology, and thermal properties of the PET/EZT samples were investigated. The introduction of amorphous EZT into semi-crystalline PET increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) but decreased the crystallinity, which could be related to the transesterification reaction. By adding EZT contents up to 20%, the PET/EZT samples showed a single Tg, which indicated the miscibility between PET and EZT. However, two Tg values were observed in the PET/EZT samples with higher EZT contents (30–70%), indicating partial miscibility. This may have been due to the slightly different rheological and thermodynamic parameters that were affected by a higher ratio of bulky (rigid ISB and ductile CHDM) groups in EZT. However, the heat distortion temperature of the PET/EZT samples remarkably increased, which indicated that the dimensional stability was truly enhanced. Although the crystallinity of the PET/EZT samples decreased with increasing EZT content, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus decreased slightly. Based on these results, the as-prepared PET/EZT samples with high dimensional stability can be used as a high-temperature polymeric material in various applications.