High Fiber Research Articles

Marine biofilm formation on flax fibre reinforced biocomposites

Artificial reefs represent useful tools to revitalize coastal and ocean ecosystems. Their formulation determines the biofilm formation which is the prerequisite for the colonization process by marine micro- and macroorganisms. In comparison with concrete, biobased polymers offer improved characteristics, including architecture, formulation, rugosity and recycling. This article aims to explore a new scale of artificial reef made of biocomposites reinforced with a high flax fibre (Linum utilatissimum) content (30%). Cellular adhesion and resulting biofilm formation were assessed using two marine microorganisms: Pseudoalteromonas sp. 3J6 and Cylindrotheca closterium. The influence of flax fibre leachates and plastic monomers on the growth of those marine microorganisms were also evaluated. Results indicated that the introduction of flax fibres inside the polymer matrix modified its physicochemical properties thus modulating adhesion and biofilm formation depending on the microorganism. This study gives insights for further developments of novel functionalized artificial reefs made of biocomposites.

A Comparative Study of the Rheological Properties of a Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Reinforced with PP Fiber for 3D Printing: An Experimental and Numerical Approach

The present study investigates the flow characteristics of fly ash-based (FA) geopolymers reinforced with polypropylene (PP) fibers during the extrusion process in three-dimensional printing. By applying the Herschel–Bulkley rheological model, this research provides a sound theoretical basis to understand the flow behavior of these materials under various conditions. The Herschel–Bulkley model describes the relationship between shear stress and the shear rate in non-Newtonian fluids, capturing yield stress and flow consistency. A combination of experimental and numerical techniques based on the Finite-Element Method (FEM) in COMSOL has been used in this study. The results of both experimental and simulation approaches are compared to examine the material behavior during extrusion. The experimental results indicate that PP fiber content significantly affects the rheological properties. Mixtures with high fiber content encountered issues such as high static yield. However, mixtures with moderate fiber content showed smoother extrusion processes, suggesting an optimal fiber addition range that balances mechanical properties and extrudability. The numerical simulations generally agreed with the experimental data up to a certain fiber content level, beyond which more complex interactions necessitate further model refinements. The investigation identified a 0.25% to 0.5% fiber content range that enhances performance without complicating the extrusion process, facilitating the production of properly printed structures.

Paper fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites from nonwoven preforms: A study on compression molding optimization from a manufacturing perspective

This work optimizes compression molding manufacturing for wet-formed nonwoven paper and polypropylene fiber mats. A central composite designed experiment investigated the effects of fiber reinforcement concentration, compression molding temperature, pressure, and time on composite laminate performance. We assess the composites’ density, panel thickness, water uptake, flexural behavior, and Izod impact strength. Models predicted and optimized composite performance using objective function analysis with penalties applied for undesirable conditions, such as processing time or low reinforcement concentration. Paper fiber content has the largest impact on composite properties, followed by processing time, molding pressure, and temperature. Composite optimization depends on penalty conditions; low fiber content penalties favor low fiber content panels with short processing times, while high fiber content penalties favor high fiber content panels with long processing times. This work suggests that molding composites with a greater fraction of renewable feedstock requires a commensurate increase in processing intensity.

A novel approach integrating CFBG and optical filters to mitigate CD and PMD effects in high speed DWDM fiber optic links

A novel approach integrating CFBG and optical filters to mitigate CD and PMD effects in high speed DWDM fiber optic links

Utilising Banana Peel as a Food Ingredient for Enhancing Nutritional Value of Yellow Noodles and Beef Patties

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits around the world. There are more than 150 different countries that have banana plantations. Most of the bananas can be either eaten raw or processed to become tasty banana products such as banana chips, banana cake or banana milk. However, a lot of consumption will make a lot of waste at the same time. Therefore, the high demand for bananas in the market causes the problem of environmental pollution due to the higher production of banana peel waste which is becoming serious nowadays. The wastes derived from bananas can be transformed into other useful products. Based on the result from proximate analysis, the chemical compositions of the banana peel are ash (7.0%), carbohydrate (71.0%), moisture content (8.9%), fat (13.0%), dietary fibre (35.9%), crude fibre (16.6%), and finally the protein (6.5%). From its chemical composition, the carbohydrate content of the banana peel is the highest among other components. Because of this high carbohydrate and fibre content, banana peels have the potential to become a nutritional ingredient to produce healthy food or beverage products. In this paper, the fibre content can be observed by the increase in the carbohydrate content. The results show that the addition of banana peel powder had helped to improve the nutritional value of fibre content for yellow noodles from 19.4% to 21.3% after 10% of banana peel powder (BPP) was added. However, the results of fibre content for each beef patties sample were not consistent and this may be due to the agglomeration of BPP in the patties. Nevertheless, the fibre content of patties which contain the highest value of BPP (6%) achieved the highest fibre content at the same time. In short, the pollution issue caused by the banana peel can be solved efficiently if humans can learn to manage the banana peel as a material, not a waste.

HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA PEEL MEAL FOR GROWING PIGS: IMPLICATIONS ON CARCASS, MEAT QUALITY, ORGAN WEIGHTS, HEPATIC AND JEJUNUM HISTOLOGY

The global increase in the production and processing of cassava tubers generates a lot of peel as waste. However, the effect of processing methods to increase the quality of the peel as an animal feed resource must look at the quality of the resultant food products. These effects are insufficiently studied. The study aimed to assess the impact of the processed peel on carcass quality, meat quality, organ weight and organ histology of growing pigs. Thirty (30) male growing pigs (Landrace × Large white) were randomly distributed to five groups with six (6) animals per group in a completely randomized design. Maize was substituted with high quality cassava peel meal (HQCPM) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% for the experimental diets ranging from diets V to Z. The pigs fed HQCPM diets had higher carcass weights, resulting in an improved carcass yield. The colour, flavour, tenderness, juiciness, texture, and overall acceptability were statistically superior in the pigs fed diet Z. High feed fibre influenced organ weights: the HQCPM diets reduced (P<0.05) the organ weights. More so, the HQCPM diets affected (P<0.05) the histology of the liver and intestine with varying degrees of inflammation, shortened villi length, and reduced surface area. HQCPM diets enhanced the carcass weight and meat quality of growing pigs up to 100% replacement for maize. Nevertheless, the diets reduced organ weights and villi lengths, leading to reduced absorptive function.

Characterization of Bubble Pearls from a Mixture of Tapioca and Glucomannan

Boba is a drink originating from Taiwan that has become popular in the Indonesian beverage industry in recent years. This drink consists of a mixture of tea with fruit or milk flavors, with the addition of tapioca-based black chewy textured balls called bubble pearls/boba. Bubble pearls made from tapioca are known to have low nutrition and fiber, so it is necessary to improve their functional characteristics by utilizing local commodities, one of which is porang. Porang (Amorphophallus oncophyllus Prain) as one of the local commodities has the potential to improve the characteristics of bubble pearls. Glucomannan flour from porang tubers has high glucomannan content, quite high fiber content, and can form a gel. This study aims to determine the characteristics of bubble pearl products with the addition of glucomannan flour and to determine the optimum percentage of glucomannan flour and tapioca. The formulation of bubble pearls was carried out using the Simplex Lattice Design method and their physical, chemical, and hedonic characteristics were analyzed. The optimization parameters included water absorption capacity, gumminess level, and dietary fiber content. The optimum formula produced by the Simplex Lattice Design method is in formula 2, bubble pearls with the addition of 25% glucomannan flour which has the highest desirability value of 0.862. Formula 2 consists of a water absorption capacity of 37.08%, a gumminess level of 45.72 gf, and a dietary fiber content of 5.65%. The hedonic values are 5.73 for color (slightly like), 5.7 for aroma (slightly like), 4.8 for hardness (neutral), 4.73 for chewiness (neutral), 5.23 for taste (slightly like), and 5.4 overall (slightly like). Additionally, the water content is 59.97% and the ash content is 1.41%.

A Snapshot of Glycemic Response to Food Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Understanding how specific foods affect one’s blood glucose levels can help diabetic patients make better meal choices. A 35-year-old male diabetic patient was monitored for 6 months using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The obtained glycemic response curves for various types of food were analyzed. Meal composition played a crucial role in determining the glucose spike. Foods with high carbohydrate content increased sugars much higher than foods with balanced macronutrients. Combining protein and fat-rich foods with high-carbohydrate foods lowered the sugar spikes caused by a pure carbohydrate meal. Fruits, due to their high fiber and water content, although loaded with carbohydrates, did not spike the sugars much. Commercially available diabetic nutrition powders also had a good glycemic profile. Thus, CGM plays a crucial role in improving the health outcomes of people with diabetes by allowing them to choose the right quantity and quality of food to eat.

Investigation on Reinforced Concrete Beams with High-Strength FRP Composite

This study examines an advanced material called High Strength Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite (HSFRPC). The flexural characteristics of RC beams with dimensions of 2000 × 100 × 150 mm, strengthened with a HSFRPC overlay were investigated. The control RC beam was tested under four-point bending until failure. Two test RC beams were subjected to a preload of 70% of their ultimate load, while the third one was subjected to a preload of 65% of the ultimate load of the control beam. The preloaded RC beams were reinforced by applying a HSFRPC overlay to the lower surface. The overlay was applied across the whole width of one of 70% preloaded RC beams. The overlay was applied only in the area for the other 70% preloaded and the 65% preloaded RC beam, where the bending moment is constant. Strengthened beams underwent testing using a four point bending load. During the testing process, many factors like load, deflection, cracks and failure patterns were closely monitored. The experimental investigation revealed that beams with HSFRPC overlay showed enhanced load carrying capacity and ductility compared to conventional RC beams.

Examination of Strength and Sorpitivity Characteristic of High Strength Hybrid Fiber Reinforced SCC

Examination of Strength and Sorpitivity Characteristic of High Strength Hybrid Fiber Reinforced SCC

Low-velocity impact localization on a full composite wing of UAV using fiber optic sensors under operating environments

In this paper, low-velocity impact localization algorithms were suggested using fiber optic sensing system. In order to obtain high frequency signals due to low-velocity impact, a commercial high speed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing system (a sampling speed of 100 kHz) was adopted. The test article is a full-scale composite wing box structure as the main wing of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The multiplexed FBG sensor array was attached on the lower surface of the upper skin. Low-velocity impact experiments were performed to obtain the impact signals for the reference data set. The reference data set is composed of the impact signals from the impacts on the reference points. The suggested algorithm in this study is based on the comparisons between impact signals and the reference signals in the database set. The main idea is to determine the reference point which has the most similar data set as the impact location. This idea was validated from the experiments of the non-reference points. As the next step, operational environments were considered to enhance the reliability of the suggested algorithm. The considered environments are the static loads and vibrations. These days, most of UAVs use the electric motors and propellers as the main propulsion system. Thus, harsh vibrations inherently occur and affect the performance of impact localization algorithms. From the experiments under these operating environments, it can be checked that the suggested algorithm has sufficient robustness to such environments.

Dietary Fiber Intake and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Report From the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study

ObjectiveDietary interventions are the mainstay of chronic diseases prevention in general population, but the evidence to support such therapeutic approaches in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is less robust. The objective of this study is to examine the association between dietary fiber intake and adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes and all-cause mortality in participants with CKD enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. Design and MethodsA total of 3791 CRIC participants with self-reported dietary fiber intake were included in the analyses stratified by tertiles of dietary fiber at study baseline. Hazard Ratios for occurrence of all-cause mortality, composite cardiovascular events and composite kidney events were calculated using Cox Proportional Hazards models adjusted for demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics, including levels of inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). ResultsMean daily dietary fiber intake was 15.2 g/d. During a median (SD) follow up of 14.6 (4.4) years, 1074 deaths from any cause occurred. In multivariable adjusted models, participants in the middle and low dietary fiber tertiles had a 19% (HR [95%CI]), 1.19 [1.02, 1.39]) and 11% (1.11 [0.95, 1.31]) greater risk of death respectively, compared to those in the highest fiber intake tertile. No statistical significant associations were observed between dietary fiber intake and adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. Higher dietary fiber intake was not significantly associated with lower levels of CRP and IL-6. ConclusionA lower intake of dietary fiber was not associated with all-cause mortality in participants with CKD after adjustments for kidney function and inflammatory biomarkers. There was no significant association between dietary fiber intake and adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. Future randomized intervention trials are needed to identify whether a high dietary fiber intake translates into improved clinical outcomes in CKD.

Physical Treatments Modified the Functionality of Carrot Pomace.

This study addressed the critical issue of food waste, particularly focusing on carrot pomace, a by-product of carrot juice production, and its potential reutilization. Carrot pomace, characterized by high dietary fiber content, presents a sustainable opportunity to enhance the functional properties of food products. The effects of physical pretreatments-high shearing (HS), hydraulic pressing (HP), and their combination (HSHP)-alongside two drying methods (freeze-drying and dehydration) on the functional, chemical, and physical properties of carrot pomace were explored. The results indicated significant enhancements in water-holding capacity, fat-binding capacity, and swelling capacity, particularly with freeze-drying. Freeze-dried pomace retained up to 33% more carotenoids and demonstrated an increase of up to 22% in water-holding capacity compared to dehydrated samples. Freeze-dried pomace demonstrated an increase of up to 194% in fat-binding capacity compared to dehydrated samples. Furthermore, HSHP pretreatment notably increased the swelling capacity of both freeze-dried (54%) and dehydrated pomace (35%) compared to pomace without pretreatments. Freeze-drying can enhance the functional properties of dried carrot pomace and preserve more carotenoids. This presents an innovative way for vegetable juice processors to repurpose their processing by-products as functional food ingredients, which can help reduce food waste and improve the dietary fiber content and sustainability of food products.

SOLIDWORKS™ Design, fabrication and performance analysis of a banana fiber extraction machine and its components

Banana cultivation is a prominent agricultural activity in Pakistan, particularly in the lower Sindh districts such as Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad, Sanghar, and Mirpur Khas. Each banana plant bears fruit only once in its lifetime, resulting in a significant amount of waste biomass from the pseudo stems after harvest. Utilizing these waste stems can enhance environmental sustainability and increase economic benefits for farmers. Traditional methods of extracting banana Fiber are plagued by inefficiencies, including lengthy processing times and subpar Fiber quality. This study possesses the design and development of a mechanized solution to extract high quality banana Fiber efficiently. The process encompasses the selection of suitable material, detailed design, mathematical analysis, and the assembly of machine components, aiming to address the shortcomings of conventional extraction methods. The performance analysis was conducted for the machine successfully handled banana stems up to 155mm in width and 22mm in thickness, demonstrating its robust capacity and versatility in processing various sizes. The positive simulation results provide a theoretical validation of the design before physical testing, suggesting the machine components are well designed and capable of enduring typical operational stresses. This study addressed Sustainable development goal 8 Decent work and economic growth, 9 industry innovation and infrastructure, 12 Responsible consumption and production and 13 climate action.

Optimal design of an in-situ variable component 3D printhead for SCF/PEEK composite

ABSTRACT Screw-based material extrusion 3D printing technology offers the potential for manufacturing fibre-reinforced composites with component gradients by mixing materials within the printhead. However, mixing composites with high fibre content sufficiently in a limited range for rapid component switching presented a challenge. Herein, an in-situ variable component screw-based printhead was developed. Pins with different geometries were added to 8, 12, and 16 mm diameter extrusion screws, to enhance the mixing efficiency. A particle tracking model based on computational fluid dynamics simulations was used to optimise the geometry and distribution of pins by taking 0-40 wt% short carbon fibre-reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (SCF/PEEK) as an example. The incorporation of pins enhanced the mixing efficiency but aggravated the dead zone, which decreased the variable component response rate. An optimal design of pins that balanced mixing efficiency and response rate was developed, by which the variable component response rate was promoted by 369%, while the degree of mixing was improved by 50%. Benefitting from the enhanced mixing, the tensile strength of in-situ mixed 20 wt% SCF/PEEK composites was increased by 23%. The in-situ variable component screw-based extrusion printhead developed and optimised in this investigation provided a novel approach to fabricating fibre-reinforced composites with variable components.

A 3.2 kW Single Stage Narrow Linewidth Fiber Amplifier Emitting at 1050 nm.

In this paper, we have demonstrated a narrow linewidth high power fiber laser emitting at a short wavelength of ~1050 nm. The fiber laser is based on a structure of master oscillator power amplification (MOPA) with an optimized fiber Bragg-grating-based laser cavity as the seed. Both stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effects have been effectively suppressed by using a long passive fiber between the seed and the amplifier. Based on the fiber amplifier, we have ultimately boosted the narrow linewidth laser from ~40 W to 3.2 kW with a slope efficiency of 85.1% and a 3-dB linewidth of ~0.1 nm. The SRS suppression ratio of the laser is ~29.7 dB at maximum power. Due to our fiber mode control strategies, the beam quality always stays near-diffraction-limited while amplifying, and the measured M2 factor is ~1.4 at the maximum power. Further increase in output power is limited by the SBS effect.

Impact of the Mediterranean Diet (Med-Diet) on Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention and Management: A Narrative Review

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Dietary patterns play a crucial role in the prevention and management of these life-threatening diseases. Moreover, the Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) is consistently associated with health benefits. Therefore, the current study attempted to synthesize the contemporary scientific evidence, outlining the impact of Med-Diet on CVD. The key components of this dietary pattern include a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, olive oil, and moderate consumption of poultry and dairy products which interact to provide protective effects against these diseases. The Med-Diet emphasizes the use of monounsaturated fats from olive oil and polyunsaturated fats from seafood, which significantly contribute to cardiovascular health. This diet is also rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, offering potential protective qualities against cancer through combating inflammation and oxidative stress. High fiber content contributes to a healthy digestive system and potentially reduces the incidence of colorectal cancers. While, the Med-Diet alone cannot guarantee complete immunity against these diseases, it is an essential element of a holistic approach to disease prevention and management. Moreover, it also reinforces the importance of incorporating dietary patterns into public health strategies. To strengthen the evidence base, future research should focus on long-term randomized controlled trials in diverse populations.

High Output Power Holmium-Doped Fiber Laser at 2100 nm

A theoretical model of three levels describing Holmium-doped fiber lasers pumped by Laser-diodes 1150nm is present. Based on the model, efficiency as well as output power depend on the length of active media, are investigate, using the MATLAB program (R 2019 a). The results shows that output power and efficiency of optical fibers are exponential inverse relationship with increment fiber length, for 1m output power have highest value 100.4W, while efficiency have 44.6% at 0.05m.

High Output Power Holmium-Doped Fiber Laser at 2100 nm

A theoretical model of three levels describing Holmium-doped fiber lasers pumped by Laser-diodes 1150nm is present. Based on the model, efficiency as well as output power depend on the length of active media, are investigate, using the MATLAB program (R 2019 a). The results shows that output power and efficiency of optical fibers are exponential inverse relationship with increment fiber length, for 1m output power have highest value 100.4W, while efficiency have 44.6% at 0.05m.

Deciphering the genetic architecture of β-glucan content in oats (Avena sativa L.) through QTL mapping

Oat is a cereal grain grown for human and animal nutrition. It is known for its high dietary fibre content, phytochemicals, and nutritional value. The primary component of oat fibre is β-glucan, a group of polysaccharides comprising mixed-linkage (1,3) (1,4)-D-glucose units. The β-glucan concentrations of oat cultivars usually range from 3 to 6% and are considered a polygenic trait controlled by multiple genes with additive effects. The primary goal of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for β-glucan content. Two contrasting parents for β-glucan content, OL10 (5.8%) and OL11 (0.8%), were selected from 91 germplasm lines, and an F2:4 mapping population was generated for QTL mapping. Five genotypes with the highest levels of β-glucan content were observed. The QTLs affecting β-glucan content were identified using QTL cartographer, employing single marker analysis (SMA) and composite interval mapping (CIM). Two putative QTL regions were identified, one on linkage group (LG) 1 and the other on LG 4, with LOD (logarithm of the odds) scores of 3.7 and 4.3, respectively, explaining 31 and 33% of the phenotypic variation. The information generated is important in identifying the genomic regions responsible for β-glucan content in oats.