Fiber Concentration Research Articles

Hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation effects on properties of cellulose fibers

The cellulose pulp refining process is crucial for achieving high-quality paper characteristics. This research aims to enhance energy efficiency while maintaining good fiber quality using hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation (HAC). Experiments were conducted with an in-house developed flow-through sonicator combined with a novel Venturi nozzle for hydrodynamic cavitation. The Venturi design was determined by analytical modeling and verified by CFD simulation with multi-phase turbulence models to balance cavitation intensity and turbulence against the acoustic cavitation effect. Experimental evaluation of two batches of CTMP fibers, pre-processed in different ways, showed significant improvements in paper strength and fiber properties. The best results for Batch 1 (HC and LC) were obtained with 386 kWh/bdt for AC and 350 kWh/bdt for HC (60 °C, 2 % concentration). The tensile strength index increased by 26 %, and the TEA-index, related to freeness, increased by 55 %. HAC treatment (750 kWh/bdt, 70 °C, 1.5 % concentration) of the less refined Batch2 (HC) yielded results better than the Batch 1 reference. These findings confirm the energy-efficient potential of the sonicator concept compared to traditional industrial processes. The conclusion is that HAC-refining of softwood pulp requires a proper balance between hydrodynamic and acoustic cavitation intensities. Both fiber concentration by weight and temperature are critical for an energy-efficient process.

EVALUATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STYRENE BUTADIENE RUBBER(SBR)/BANANA FIBRE(BF) COMPOSITES

Tensile strength, rip strength, abrasion loss, hardness, and thermal conductivity are the main characteristics of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) composites that are examined in this work as a function of increasing banana fibre loading. Because banana fibres are reinforcing, adding them to the SBR matrix initially increases tensile and tear strength. However, there is an ideal concentration at which fibre aggregation and poor interfacial bonding cause these qualities to drop. Abrasion loss increases with higher loadings because of insufficient fibre dispersion, but it decreases with moderate fibre concentration, indicating enhanced wear resistance. Fibre addition improves the composites' hardness up to a certain point, beyond which adding too many fibres causes inconsistent results and lower hardness. It is discovered that as fibre counts increase, thermal conductivity decreases. KEYWORDS—SBR composites, tensile strength, thermal conducutivty.

Coupling Response of Piezoelectric Semiconductor Composite Fiber under Local Temperature Change

This paper details the thermal–mechanical–electrical response of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) composite fiber composed of a PS layer and two piezoelectric layers under local temperature change. The phenomenological theory of thermal piezoelectric semiconductors (PSs) is adopted to obtain the analytical solution for each field in the composite fiber under local temperature change. Our findings reveal that such temperature fluctuations induce local polarization, leading to the formation of local potential barriers and potential wells that effectively impede the flow of low-energy electrons along the fiber. Furthermore, the initial carrier concentration and geometric parameters of the composite fiber exert significant influence on its individual fields. The results contribute to the structural design and practical application of piezoelectric semiconductor devices.

Effect of pore structure regulation on the properties of 3D cellulose nanofiber electret filtration materials

The properties, electret property and purification performance, of electret filter materials are closely associated with its pore structure, but the effect mechanism of pore structure on its electret property has not been clarified. Herein, the pore structure of 3D electret fiber materials which were prepared by freeze-drying technology and corona polarization technology based on dialdehyde cellulose nanofibers (DAMCC) and ethyl cellulose nanofibers (EC) was regulated by changing the DAMCC/EC mass ratio, solvent system, pre-freezing temperature and fiber concentration to explore the influence of pore structure on its electret properties and purification performance. The results show that the charge trapping and storage properties can be altered by the regulation of pore structure, and the 3D fiber material, prepared under the conditions of DAMCC/EC nanofiber mass ratio of 1/2, TBA content of 10 %, pre-freezing temperature of −40 °C and fiber concentration of 1.5 w/v%, presents a cellular porous structure with a complete fiber mesh wall. This structure is not only beneficial to the migration of space charge to the interior of the fiber material, but also can effectively prevent the escape behavior of space charge inside the material by extending the tortuous pore channel length, thereby improving the initial and stable surface potentials from 0.72 kV and 0.02 kV to 1.19 kV and 0.47 kV respectively. Moreover, the purification time of 3D electret fiber materials can be reduced from 51 min to 13 min owe to the improvement of electret property and pore structure. These will provide guidance for the investigation of pore structure regulation to alter the properties of electret fiber material for air purification.

Seasonal monitoring of biochemical variables in natural rangelands using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data

ABSTRACT Rangelands are natural ecosystems that serve as essential sources of forage for domesticated livestock and wildlife. Therefore, accurately mapping nutrient levels in rangelands is crucial for sustainable development and effective management of grazing animals. Remote sensing tools offer a reliable means to explore nutrient concentrations across large spatial areas. This study aimed to estimate and map seasonal foliar concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in mesic tropical rangelands of Limpopo using Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and the integration of S1 and S2 data. Fieldwork was conducted to collect samples for seasonal foliar nutrients (N, P, and NDF) during early-summer (November-January 2020), winter (July-August 2021), and late-summer (February-March 2022). Various conventional and red-edge-based vegetation indices were computed. The results demonstrate that integration data from S1 and S2 can effectively estimate and predict foliar concentrations of N, P, and NDF in mesic rangelands throughout the seasons, achieving R2 values of 0.76, 0.78, and 0.71, with corresponding RMSE values of 0.13, 0.04, and 2.52. Notably, red-edge variables emerged as the most significant parameters for predicting seasonal N, P, and NDF concentrations. Additionally, factors such as season and slope significantly influenced the distribution and occurrence of these foliage nutrients, with higher foliage production observed during late-summer and on steeper slopes. The study concludes that the integration of S1 and S2 data can effectively monitor the seasonal dynamics of biochemical parameters. This finding holds significant implications for policymakers and rangeland users, offering a comprehensive understanding of the intricate variations within rangeland ecosystems. Further research could expand on these findings by applying the knowledge to various datasets, exploring different rangelands, and examining additional ecological factors such as slope altitude to detect foliar fibre biochemicals. Finally, the applications of this research extend beyond individual properties, providing practical tools for sustainable rangeland management and informed decision-making in resource utilization and conservation.

Potential use of dried persimmon (Diospyros kaki) byproducts as feed sources for ruminants.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and palatability of dried persimmon byproducts (persimmon peel [PP] and damaged whole persimmons [WP]) ensiled with rice straw in different mixing ratios. PP and WP were ensiled with rice straw at ratios of 3:7 (PP3R7, WP3R7), 5:5 (PP5R5, WP5R5), 7:3 (PP7R3, WP7R3), and 8:2 (PP8R2, WP8R2) for 70 d. WP3R7 had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein and lactate contents compared to the other combinations. On the other hand, PP3R7 and PP8R2 had lower concentrations of neutral and acid-detergent fibers (p < 0.05) and produced lower amounts of ammonia-N (p < 0.05). The silages were compared to rice straw silage (RS), maize silage (MS), whole-crop rye silage (WCRS), and sorghum-sudangrass silage (SSGS) during an in vitro study. The results showed that PP8R2 and WP7R3 had higher (p < 0.05) dry matter digestibility values than RS, MS, WCRS, and SSGS in a 6 h incubation period. In addition, a palatability test of the silages was conducted on Hanwoo cattle, goats, and deer, using the cafeteria method. The palatability index rate of PP7R3 was the highest (p < 0.05) for the goats and the Hanwoo cattle, whereas PP8R2 had the highest (p < 0.05) rate for the deer and the Hanwoo cattle. In conclusion, dried persimmon byproducts in the form of PP and WPs can be used as ruminant feed when ensiled with RS at ratios of 7:3 and 8:2.

Post-consumer high-density polyethylene matrix reinforced by sugarcane bagasse fibers treated in stearic acid solution

The study aimed to advance composite technology by exploring the potential of recycled materials, specifically high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with sugarcane bagasse fibers. This research not only addresses environmental concerns by utilizing recyclable materials but also aims to offer significant technical, economic, and social advantages. The investigation focused on formulating and evaluating these composites, considering varying proportions of untreated sugarcane bagasse fibers and examining the effects of chemical treatment with stearic acid at different temperatures. Using a conical twin-screw extruder and injector, the researchers produced and analyzed the composites both morphologically and mechanically. The principal findings indicated that the inclusion of untreated fibers improved the stiffness and tensile strength of the composites. Nevertheless, adhesion between the fibers and the matrix was compromised, especially with higher fiber concentrations. Chemical treatment at 40 °C significantly improved fiber/matrix interactions, thereby enhancing the reliability and mechanical properties of the composites. This treatment led to substantial increases in tensile and compressive strengths, particularly noticeable in composites containing 10%–15% fiber by weight. These results not only demonstrate the feasibility of using recycled HDPE and sugarcane bagasse fibers in composite materials but also suggest avenues for further exploration. Future research could delve deeper into optimizing chemical treatment processes to achieve even better adhesion and mechanical performance. Moreover, exploring broader applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace, naval, civil engineering, and packaging could unlock new opportunities for these sustainable composites. This study thus paves the way for advancing composite technology towards more environmentally friendly and economically viable solutions.

Nutritional Value Evaluation of Corn Silage from Different Mesoregions of Southern Brazil

Corn silage is widely used in livestock farming; however, its quality is easily altered, and one of the factors that has a high influence in this regard is the region of production. The objective was to evaluate the chemical–bromatological composition of 498 samples of corn silage from mesoregions in Southern Brazil during the 2022/2023 summer harvest. The following were studied in relation to our objective: nutritional composition, dry matter, mineral matter, ether extract, starch, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, total digestible nutrients, total carbohydrates, and fractions of carbohydrates. The silages from Central South-PR had higher levels of starch and ether extract (30.68% ± 6.24% and 3.41% ± 0.92%, respectively), whereas in West-SC, the silages had higher levels in the A + B1 fraction of carbohydrates (49.59% ± 6.34%). Silages in North-PR had higher concentrations of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (49.86% ± 5.92% and 29.70% ± 4.38%, respectively), while in Northwest-RS and West-PR, silages had higher levels of the B2 carbohydrate fractions (46.25% ± 1.98% and 44.55% ± 3.84%, respectively). The nutritional composition differences presented were due to the variables of each mesoregion, interfering in the scenario of formulating diets and animal nutrition.

Determination of Carbohydrate Composition in Lentils Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Carbohydrates are the main components of lentils, accounting for more than 60% of their composition. Their content is influenced by genetic factors, with different contents depending on the variety. These compounds have not only been linked to interesting health benefits, but they also have a significant influence on the techno-functional properties of lentil-derived products. In this study, the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the concentration of total carbohydrate, fibre, starch, total sugars, fructose, sucrose and raffinose was investigated. For this purpose, six different cultivars of macrosperm (n = 37) and microsperm (n = 43) lentils have been analysed, the samples were recorded whole and ground and the suitability of both recording methods were compared. Different spectral and mathematical pre-treatments were evaluated before developing the calibration models using the Modified Partial Least Squares regression method, with a cross-validation and an external validation. The predictive models developed show excellent coefficients of determination (RSQ > 0.9) for the total sugars and fructose, sucrose, and raffinose. The recording of ground samples allowed for obtaining better models for the calibration of starch content (R > 0.8), total sugars and sucrose (R > 0.93), and raffinose (R > 0.91). The results obtained confirm that there is sufficient information in the NIRS spectral region for the development of predictive models for the quantification of the carbohydrate content in lentils.

Evaluation of airborne asbestos concentrations associated with the maintenance of brakes on an industrial overhead crane

Objectives To evaluate potential airborne asbestos exposures during brake maintenance and repair activities on a P&H overhead crane, and during subsequent handling of the mechanic’s clothing. Methods Personal (n = 27) and area (n = 61) airborne fiber concentrations were measured during brake tests, removal, hand sanding, compressed air use, removal and reattachment of chrysotile-containing brake linings, and reinstallation of the brake linings. The mechanic’s clothing was used to measure potential exposure during clothes handling. Results All brake linings contained between 19.9% to 52.4% chrysotile asbestos. No amphibole fibers were detected in any bulk or airborne samples. The average full-shift airborne chrysotile concentration was 0.035 f/cc (PCM-equivalent asbestos-specific fibers, or PCME). Average task-based personal air samples collected during brake maintenance, sanding, compressed air use, and brake lining removal tasks ranged from 0 to 0.48 f/cc (PCME). The calculated 30-minute time-weighted average (TWA) airborne chrysotile concentration associated with 5-15 minutes of clothes handling was 0–0.035 f/cc PCME. Conclusion The results indicated that personal and area TWA fiber concentrations measured during all crane brake maintenance and clothes handling tasks were below the current OSHA 8-h TWA Permissible Exposure Limit for asbestos of 0.1 f/cc. Further, no airborne asbestos fibers were measured during routine brake maintenance tasks following the manufacturer’s maintenance manual procedures. All short-term airborne chrysotile concentrations measured during non-routine tasks were below the current 30-minute OSHA excursion limit for asbestos of 1 f/cc. This study adds to the available data regarding chrysotile exposure potential during maintenance on overhead cranes.

Effect of carbon fibers and graphite particles on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of cement composite

The utilization of self-sensing concrete for structural monitoring is currently a significant research focus. This study involves fabricating self-sensing cement-based composites(SCC) with different carbon fiber contents; the graphite powder content remains fixed at 20 % by mass. The investigation focuses on assessing the influence of carbon fiber on the mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and piezoresistive properties of cement-based composites incorporating graphite. Furthermore, the study examined the modification mechanisms of carbon fiber in SCC through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The compressive strength initially increases and then decreases with the addition of carbon fibers, reaching a peak of 43.01 MPa at a carbon fiber concentration of 0.6 vol%. SEM analysis revealed that the primary failure mode of carbon fibers is pull-out behavior, which enhances the damage pathway of SCC, thereby improving their mechanical properties. According to NMR results, the porosity of the SCC decreases to varying degrees with the inclusion of carbon fibers, showing an 11.36 % reduction at a carbon fiber concentration of 0.6 vol%. Under cyclic compressive loading within the elastic range, the change in resistivity can reach up to −76.8 %, with a strain sensitivity factor of 1300. Based on the results, it was determined that the addition of 0.6 vol% carbon fibers can significantly improve the mechanical, electrical conductivity, and piezoresistive properties of SCC with a graphite-modified cement matrix.

Synergetic effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on mechanical and deformation properties of engineered cementitious composites: RSM modelling and optimization

Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) have outstanding energy absorption and ductility, but their primary drawbacks continue to be their poor elastic modulus and severe drying shrinkage. Therefore, the incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to mitigate the stated drawbacks and also the influence of MWCNTs on the mechanical characteristics of ECC has been examined. However, the primary goal of this research investigation is to apply the response surface methodology (RSM) modelling for optimizing multiple objectives, effectively handling variable interactions, and achieving significant improvements. A total of thirteen mixtures were produced through RSM modelling using two input factors including different concentrations of MWCNTs at 0.05 %, 0.065 %, and 0.08 %, as well as varying concentrations of PVA fiber at 1 %, 1.5 %, and 2 %. The central composite design (CCD) technique of RSM modelling was used in the production of these mixtures. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of 0.05 % MWCNTs and 1 to 1.5 % PVA fiber together considerably enhanced all of the characteristics of the ECC. The optimum compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity of the ECC were recorded by 74.28 MPa, 14.14 MPa, 5.51 MPa, and 31.10 GPa at 0.05 % MWCNTs at 28 days correspondingly. Furthermore, the drying shrinkage is getting decreased as the extent of MWCNTs increases in ECC. It has been concluded that the use of 0.05 % of MWCNTs and 1 % to 1.5 % of PVA fiber provided good outcomes for construction purposes.

Microstructural and thermal characterization of polyethylene fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites

The use of geopolymer (GPL) as a non-combustible mineral matrix for fiber-reinforced composites and environmentally acceptable building materials is growing. When fibers are added to GPL, its brittle behavior changes to ductile or quasi-ductile, producing fiber-reinforced GPL composites that function well. The novelty in the present research involves analyzing the effects of high temperature and polyethylene (PE) fiber content on mechanical and microstructural properties to determine how PE fiber reinforcement influences the thermal performance of GPL composites. In this study, the main objective is to assess various GPL mixes to investigate how the inclusion of PE fiber and exposure temperature affect the material's performance after being subjected to elevated temperatures. These included compression tests, flexural tests, scanning electron microscopy, bubble parameter testing, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, and mass loss measurement. The PE fiber concentrations varied between 0 % and 1.5 % by volume of the mix, and the exposure temperatures were established at 25, 200, 400, 600, and 800 °C. A two-way ANOVA analysis was performed to examine the significance of variation in the results due to the addition of PE fibers and elevated temperatures. According to the results, the GPL mortar observed a significant mass loss as the temperature rose from 25 °C to 250 °C. But from 250 °C to 710 °C, there was very little mass loss, and from 710 °C to 800 °C, there was no more loss. The GPL mortar thickened as the temperature increased, but more pores and cracks appeared. At 25 °C, adding PE fibers to GPL improved compressive strength by 16.2 %–35.55 % for 0.25 %–1.50 % dosages. Over 1.0 % led to a significant reduction because of uneven distribution, compromising homogeneity, and increasing porosity. The melted fiber defects had a minor effect on the strength of the mortar, even if the PE fiber broke down at higher temperatures. With an ideal fiber content of 1.50 % below 200 °C, PE fibers greatly enhanced the flexural properties of GPL mortar, resulting in a 6.30 %–58.00 % increase in flexural strength. Conclusively, incorporating PE fibers improves the flexural strength of GPL up to 200 °C, but beyond this temperature, there is a significant decline of the flexural strength, showing the fibers' effectiveness up to a specific temperature.

Transcriptomic Insights into Molecular Response of Butter Lettuce to Different Light Wavelengths.

Lettuce is a widely consumed leafy vegetable; it became popular due to its enhanced nutritional content. Recently, lettuce is also regarded as one of the model plants for vegetable production in plant factories. Light and nutrients are essential environmental factors that affect lettuce growth and morphology. To evaluate the impact of light spectra on lettuce, butter lettuce was grown under the light wavelengths of 460, 525, and 660 nm, along with white light as the control. Plant morphology, physiology, nutritional content, and transcriptomic analyses were performed to study the light response mechanisms. The results showed that the leaf fresh weight and length/width were higher when grown at 460 nm and lower when grown at 525 nm compared to the control treatment. When exposed to 460 nm light, the sugar, crude fiber, mineral, and vitamin concentrations were favorably altered; however, these levels decreased when exposed to light with a wavelength of 525 nm. The transcriptomic analysis showed that co-factor and vitamin metabolism- and secondary metabolism-related genes were specifically induced by 460 nm light exposure. Furthermore, the pathway enrichment analysis found that flavonoid biosynthesis- and vitamin B6 metabolism-related genes were significantly upregulated in response to 460 nm light exposure. Additional experiments demonstrated that the vitamin B6 and B2 content was significantly higher in leaves exposed to 460 nm light than those grown under the other conditions. Our findings suggested that the addition of 460 nm light could improve lettuce's biomass and nutritional value and help us to further understand how the light spectrum can be tuned as needed for lettuce production.

Noninvasive bipolar radiofrequency - vaginal application on swine model

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of collagen and elastin fibers, the number of fibroblasts/fibrocytes and vessels, as well as depth of action in the vaginal wall in a swine model before and after intravaginal 480 kHz bipolar radiofrequency heating created by a 360-degree intravaginal applicator (Berger and Kraft Medical). Three swine’s were treated with a bipolar radiofrequency vaginal probe. Exposure to RF was administered twice, every 4 weeks, and then the vaginas were removed after slaughter, four weeks after the last RF exposure. Histology specimens were obtained from control and exposed areas. Tissue samples were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, orcein, and Mallory trichrome. The concentration of elastin and collagen fibers increased distinctly after a treatment protocol: elastin, on average, was 52.8%, and collagen, on average, was 103.6%. After the treatment protocol, we revealed a significant dispersion of fibroblasts-fibrocytes nuclei for particular animals in segmented areas, with a slightly marked falling trend. A degree of data variability cannot lead to a conclusion concerning the influence of RF heating on several vessels in evaluated areas. The depth of action of the RF heating, measured by collagen concentration, reached up to 1.3 mm of the vaginal wall thickness. Results imply that heating of the vaginal wall, created by radiofrequency, induces neocollagenogenesis and neoelastogenesis, leading to a distinctive rise of collagen and elastin fibers concentration at a depth of up to 1.3 mm of the thickness of the vaginal wall in the animal model.

PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN INDIGOFERA SP TERHADAP KUALITAS KIMIA FERMENTASI BATANG PISANG SEBAGAI PAKAN TERNAK

A livestock business's ability to succeed is influenced by a number of variables, one of them being feed, which accounts for over 50% of production expenditures. Feeding is necessary for animals to achieve their fundamental requirements for survival, development, reproduction, and output. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of indigofera sp addition on the chemical quality of fermentation of banana stems. This study is an experiment with four repeats and five treatment levels. banana stem + 0% indigofera sp in treatment P0 control; banana stem + 10% indigofera sp in treatment P1; banana stem + 20% indigofera sp in treatment P2; banana stem + 30% indigofera sp in treatment P3; and banana stem + 40% indigofera sp in treatment P4. Dry matter (BK), organic matter (BO), crude protein (PK), and crude fiber (SK) are the characteristics that are measured. The findings indicated that there was no significant change (p&gt;0.05) in the DM and BO concentrations caused by the addition of indigofera sp. Additionally, the addition markedly (p&lt;0.01) reduced the crude fiber concentration and increased the crude protein level. This investigation discovered that the highest-quality banana stem fermentation was achieved when 40% indigofera sp was added.

ANN and RSM Prediction of Water Uptake of Recycled HDPE Biocomposite Reinforced with Treated Palm Waste W. filifera

ABSTRACT This study examined the water uptake (WU) behavior of recycled high-density polyethylene (RHDPE). The biocomposites made of palm waste Washingtonia (PWW) fibers were treated with 3% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) for 24 h. Several RHDPE materials reinforced with different concentrations of PWW fibers (5 to 30 wt.%) until saturation, or roughly 25 days, were developed to investigate the WU kinetics and diffusion in biocomposites. An artificial neural network (ANN) and the response surface methodology (RSM) methods were applied to model the behavior of uptake measured in experiments and optimize the immersion period and PWW fiber content in RHDPE/PWW biocomposite WU. The WU moved swiftly during the first test phase and was completed after 400 h of soaking. The outcomes demonstrated a perfect fit between the observed and anticipated data. Findings showed that the ANN models’ training, test, and validation correlation coefficients were 0.9984, 0.9955, and 0.9723, respectively, for predicting WU. Concerning accuracy and reliability, the ANN model outperformed the RSM model, making it suitable for various industrial uses. The results offer helpful information for professionals to consider when developing and implementing PWW fiber biocomposites.

Fluorometric study of molecular association of pectin and algin with ferulic and p-coumaric acids: Evaluation of association capacity of dietary fibers towards antioxidants

Antioxidants undergo molecular association with dietary fibers in plant foods, and the actual nutritional functions depend on the conditions of association. As an approach to quantitative interpretation of the association effects, the present study proposes a method to evaluate association capacity, based on fluorometric titration of ferulic and p-coumaric acids with pectin and algin. The titration curve is formulated on the model that active sites on a fiber chain consist of segments each capable of binding to a single antioxidant molecule. The average segment sizes NS determined from observed curves range from 5 to 12 monomer units, and the mean association constant KA from 5 × 104 to 18 × 104 M−1 per segment, depending on fiber–antioxidant combinations. These parameters suggest that, although individual monomer units have weak binding forces, each segment involves multiple binding sites so that accumulating forces lead to the high thermodynamic stability of the molecular associates; the association capacity is presented by the half association concentration of antioxidant CG1/2 = 2Cm/NS – 2/KA at a monomer-based fiber concentration Cm. The extended application of the method to selected fiber–nutrient combinations would help to describe the association at molecular levels and to design better nutritional agents.

Effects of increasing the concentration of neutral detergent fiber in roughage and bulk density of steam-flaked corn on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscesses of finishing beef steers fed diets without tylosin phosphate*†

Effects of increasing the concentration of neutral detergent fiber in roughage and bulk density of steam-flaked corn on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscesses of finishing beef steers fed diets without tylosin phosphate*†

Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Assessment of Wastepaper Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Containing Metakaolin.

This study evaluates the potential use of discarded plasterboard paper as fibers from buildings to reinforce concrete. Various concentrations of wastepaper fibers (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% by weight of the binder) were investigated in this research. To mitigate the water absorption effect of the paper fibers, metakaolin was employed as a partial cement replacement. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of the wastepaper fiber enhances the mechanical and durability performance of the concrete. The optimal fiber proportion was identified as 1%, leading to a 29% increase in the compressive strength, a 38% increase in the splitting tensile strength, a 12% decrease in the water absorption, and a 23% decrease in the drying shrinkage with respect to the concrete containing 20% metakaolin. However, exceeding this optimal fiber content results in decreased mechanical and durability properties due to the fiber agglomeration and non-uniform fiber distribution within the concrete matrix. Based on the microstructural analysis, the improved performance of the concrete is ascribed to decreased porosity, more refined pore structure, and reduced propagation of microcracks within the concrete matrix in the presence of wastepaper fiber. According to the results, concrete containing 20% metakaolin and 1% wastepaper fiber exhibits durability and mechanical properties comparable to those of the traditional concrete. This finding highlights the significant promise of reducing dependency on conventional cement and incorporating suitable recycled materials, such as discarded plasterboard, and secondary by-products like metakaolin. Such a strategy encourages the preservation of resources, reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and a decrease in the ecological footprint resulting from concrete production.