Plastic Sheet Research Articles

Gas check prevention during calendering of poly(vinyl chloride) films using poly(caprolactone)‐based additives

AbstractGas checks on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) calendered films are a common but not well understood surface quality defect that causes delays and resource wastage during the manufacturing of plastic sheets and films. Three modified poly(caprolactone) (PCL)‐based additives of differing molecular weights were used as a secondary plasticizer in PVC with the goal of preventing the formation of gas checks without modifying the calendering process conditions. To better understand gas check prevention processes, the effects of the PCL‐based additives on the thermal, mechanical, rheological, and chemical properties of PVC blends were assessed. A high molecular weight (2000 g/mol) PCL‐based additive was unable to prevent gas checks in PVC blends, unlike the lower molecular weight (540 g/mol and 900 g/mol) additives. Chemical and physicochemical properties affect the prevention or reduction of gas checks showing that the acid values and molecular weights of the PCL‐based additives are related to the number of gas checks. In contrast, physical properties, including rheological ones like complex viscosity or the storage and loss moduli that were previously hypothesized to be important factors in preventing gas check formation, were not significantly impacted by the addition of the secondary plasticizer. Furthermore, the acid value was observed to be related to the reduction in gas checks, likely due to the interaction of the dispersed functional acid groups with the entrapped air. Consequently, the effectiveness of the additive in eliminating gas checks declines as the acid value decreases.Highlights Low concentrations of PCL‐based additives prevent gas checks on PVC films. They do not significantly affect the physical/mechanical properties of films. Higher molecular weight additives are beneficial, but only below 2000 g/mol. The effectiveness of PCL‐based additives increases with acid value.

The Utility of Visual and Olfactory Maize Leaf Cues in Host Finding by Adult Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (FAW), is an invasive and destructive polyphagous pest that poses a significant threat to global agricultural production. The FAW mainly damages maize, with a particular preference for V3–V5 (third to fifth leaf collar) plant stages in northern China. How the FAW moth precisely locates maize plants in the V3–V5 stage at night remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the visual and olfactory cues used by the FAW to identify its host plant, maize, in order to select attractants with better trapping efficacy. Hyperspectral analysis of maize plants at different growth stages using the ASD Fieldspec 4 spectrometer was performed using mimics (moths or maize leaves sealed with transparent plastic sheets) and black cloth-covered plants for single visual and single olfactory attraction experiments. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze volatiles emitted from V3–V5 stage maize leaves. Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) were screened using electroantennography (EAG) and Y-tube. Attractor efficacy was validated using mimics + VOCs. Results showed very little variance in the spectral reflectance curve of the maize at different growth stages. Fifteen VOCs were identified in the V3–V5 stage leaves of three different maize varieties, of which cis-3-hexenyl acetate and myrcene were found in relatively high concentrations in these maize varieties. The frequency of visits attracted by single visual stimuli was significantly lower than that attracted by single olfactory or olfactory + visual cues. The attractiveness of foliar cis-3-hexenyl acetate increased as its concentration decreased. The combination of mimics + cis-3-hexenyl acetate (1 ng/μL) increased host detection efficiency and stimulated mating behavior. These results indicate that the nocturnal insect FAW primarily uses olfactory cues for host identification, with visual cues serving as a complementary modality. The synergistic effect of olfactory and visual cues increases the efficiency of host recognition. We found that cis-3-hexenol acetate at a concentration from maize leaves is a reliable olfactory signal for the FAW. When using host plant VOCs as attractants to control adult FAWs, the role of visual cues must be considered.

A scientific report on heat transfer analysis due to generated and absorbed heat over an oscillatory stretching sheet: a finite difference-based study

A non-Newtonian liquid motion across a stretchable surface is relevant to various industrial applications, including extruding plastic sheets and stretching plastic films. In connection with this, the impact of endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions on the flow of rate-type liquid via an oscillatory stretching sheet in the presence of permeable media with the Maxwell liquid model is elucidated in the present study. Scientists and engineers may enhance the efficiency of chemical reactions or heat transmission by optimising system flow and investigating the effect of reactions on flow dynamics. The present study’s governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into their non-dimensional form using similarity variables. The resulting equations are numerically solved using the finite difference method (FDM). Outcomes disclose that the temperature profile declines as the activation energy and unsteadiness parameters increase. The influence of the Maxwell and unsteadiness parameters on the fluid’s velocity with respect to time is represented. The rise in the values of chemical reaction parameter upsurges the thermal profile. As the activation energy and unsteadiness parameters upsurge, the thermal profile declines. As the chemical reaction parameter and the ratio of oscillation frequency to stretching rate values rise, the concentration profile falls.

Designing an Economical Water Harvesting System Using a Tank with Numerical Simulation Model WASH_2D

Newly incorporated module into the WASH_2D model has enabled simulating a rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) using a tank. The incorporated module in WASH_2D was tested for two field experiments to determine the optimal tank capacity and cultivated area that give the highest net income for farmers. The first experiment was composed of treatments A, B, and C having the same cultivated and harvested areas (plastic sheets) of 24 m2 and 12.5 m2, respectively. The capacity of the tanks for treatments A, B, and C was set at 500, 300, and 200 L, corresponding to storability of 21, 13, and 8 mm, respectively, while in the second experiment we carried out three treatments: F, G, and H having the same tank capacity of 300 L and harvested area of 12.5 m2 with variable cultivated areas as G and H were larger by two and three times than F (10.5 m2), respectively. Water was applied automatically through a drip irrigation system by monitoring soil water suction. Results of the first experiment showed that the optimal storability and seasonal net income simulated by WASH_2D were 17 mm and 5.82 USD yr−1, which were fairly close to 18 mm and 5.75 USD yr−1 observed from field data, respectively. Similarly, the results of the second experiment revealed that simulated net incomes for different cultivated areas agreed well with the observed data. We concluded that the use of the simulation model WASH_2D can be economically useful to promote small-scale irrigation in semi-arid regions and guide planning irrigation or rainwater harvesting investments.

Smoluchowski temperature and Maxwell velocity slip impacts on magneto-radiative Fe 3 O 4-Al 2 O 3-Cu/H 2 O tri-hybrid nanofluid flow over a shrinking surface with entropy generation: a stability performance

ABSTRACT This investigation aims to find entropy production and to determine the existence of a dual solution in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) thermal radiative tri-hybrid nanofluid flow over an exponentially shrinking surface by considering suction effects at the surface. Furthermore, the effects of Smoluchowski temperature and Maxwell velocity slip are considered. The products on various flow fields are examined for three different types of fluid: mono nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 / H 2 O ), hybrid nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 - A l 2 O 3 / H 2 O ), and tri-hybrid nanofluid ( F e 3 O 4 - A l 2 O 3 - Cu / H 2 O ). The similarity transformation translates the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The numerical MATLAB function bvp4c is utilized to construct and solve governing higher-order nonlinear ODEs. A tabular and graphical analysis is conducted on the impact of emergent factors on velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, Nusselt number, and entropy generation. The acceptable parameter ranges for the computation are as follows: 0.01 < ϕ 1 < 0.1 , 0.01 < ϕ 2 < 0.1 , 0.01 < ϕ 3 < 0.1 , − 0.7 < ξ < 1.6 , 2.0 < S < 3.0 , 0.0 < M < 0.2 , 0.5 < Nr < 1.5 , 0.1 < ω < 0.5 , and 0.1 < ε < 0.5 . Due to the contraction of the surface, dual solutions are found, but dual solutions cannot be found beyond the critical values. The critical values ξ λ are − 1.44285 , − 1.44804 , and 1.51550 for mono nanofluid, hybrid nanofluid, and tri-hybrid nanofluid, respectively. Including A l 2 O 3 and Cu nanoparticles inside F e 3 O 4 nanoparticles containing nanofluid depicted an accelerating effect on skin friction and Nusselt number rates. The skin friction coefficient and heat transference rate in both the solution branches improved as the suction parameter S was increased. It has been demonstrated that the fluid’s temperature is enlarged by the thermal radiation parameter Nr and increasing nanoparticle volume fractions ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3 . However, the temperature is reduced greatly by the suction parameter S and Smoluchowski temperature slip parameter ε . Since dual solutions are present, stability analysis is performed by finding the minimum eigenvalue. A positive minimum eigenvalue ( β 1 ) denotes the upper stable solution branch, whereas a minimal eigenvalue that is negative indicates the bottom branch is unstable. The entropy of the flow was found to increase with thermal radiation parameter Nr and magnetic field parameter M in a physically stable solution. Still, it decreased with a higher nanoparticle volume fraction ( ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 , ϕ 3 ). The current optimization technique offers a new and beneficial insight through numerous applications in various fields, i.e. polymer engineering, extrusion of polymer, plastic sheet compression, glass production, fiber, metallic furnace, medicine, and the field of biomedical technology.

Behavior of laminated timber portal frames reinforced with fiber-reinforced plastic laminates under cyclic lateral load

This study aimed to enhance the structural performance of a drift joint with a slotted-in steel plate using laminated timber made from small- to medium-diameter timbers. An analysis was conducted to compare and evaluate the structural performance and seismic behavior of laminated timber portal frames reinforced with fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) laminates, such as glass fiber cloth (GFC), glass fiber reinforced plastic sheet (GS), and carbon-reinforced plastic sheet (CS), under low amplitude cyclic lateral loads, in comparison to unreinforced portal frames (UR). The reinforced portal frame, strengthened by FRP laminates, exhibited higher resistance to strength and stiffness strength degradation due to cyclic loading-induced degradation at low drift angles compared to the unreinforced frame affected by heterogeneous timber. The reinforced portal frame, particularly the GFC and GS, exhibited energy dissipation rates 32% and 17% higher than UR, respectively, making them the most effective in vibration damping. FRP laminates mitigated fiber direction cleavage from drift pin holes. The average maximum moment and average yield moment of the reinforced portal frame increased by 18% and 21%, respectively, due to the alleviation of joint failure. Finally, CS significantly affected the maximum moment, while GFC significantly influenced the yield moment.

Non-similar analysis of heat generation and thermal radiation on Eyring-Powell Hybrid nanofluid flow across a stretching surface

This paper portrays a two-dimensional mathematical model developed for the analysis of Eyring-Powell hybrid nanofluid flow, incorporating variable temperature and velocity profiles. This study investigates the flow through a porous media with a mixture of hybrid nanoparticles (copper dioxide, magnetite) integrated into ethylene glycol ([Formula: see text]) across a stretching sheet. The model takes magnetic effects, heat generation, and thermal radiation into account. Additionally, nonsimilar partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into ordinary differential equations using the local nonsimilarity approach. These equations are then numerically solved using the built-in Matlab function bvp4c. To examine the effects of adjusting parameters on heat, mass transfer, and skin friction, the results are displayed graphically. With an increase in the given values of magnetic field [Formula: see text], the velocity profile [Formula: see text] is seen to decay. Moreover, it is observed that the hybrid nanofluid density and dynamic viscosity increase as the volume fraction rises. It is estimated that the thermal conductivity and viscosity of the [Formula: see text] hybrid nanofluid are expected to increase to 4.1% and 12.35%, respectively, and to 71.55% and 78.01%, respectively, for volume concentrations ranging from 0.02% to 0.05%. It is also concluded that the local skin-friction coefficient has the opposite trend while the local Nusselt number rises monotonically with both the slip velocity parameter and the surface convection parameter. This research has broad applications In the glass and polymer industries, metallic plate cooling, plastic sheet contractions, etc.

Design and Fabrication of an Electrical Sheet by Waste Wood Fibre Reinforced Functionalized Polypropylene Composite

Abstract Utilizing natural resources is essential for sustainable development and circular economy. Polymeric composites reinforced with natural fibers are now being used to design commodity, commercial and engineering products. This study develops eco-friendlier composites of waste wood fibre (WWF) reinforced maleic anhydride functionalized (MAF) polypropylene (PP) composite (WWF/MAF-PP) by the Palsule process by extrusion followedby manufacturing by injection moulding. An electric bulb / electrical round sheet has been designed and fabricated using WWF/MAF-PP composites by injection moulding as a replacement for the existing commercial plastic sheet.

Plastics at an Offshore Fish Farm on the South Coast of Madeira Island (Portugal): A Preliminary Evaluation of Their Origin, Type, and Impact on Farmed Fish

Plastic pollution is a global problem affecting all ecosystems, and it represents most of the marine litter. Offshore aquaculture is a sector particularly vulnerable to this issue. To investigate this concern, the present study employed videography to monitor macroplastics at an offshore fish farm on Madeira Island (Portugal) and analysis of fish gut content to evaluate macroplastic ingestion by farmed sea bream Sparus aurata. Our analysis revealed that the majority of identified plastic debris originated from domestic use (66.66%) and fisheries/aquaculture activities (24.99%). While the number of dead fish suitable for sampling was limited (1.05% of the total mortality), macroplastic debris ingestion was identified in 5.15% of the total mortalities and reported for the first time in species in offshore farming conditions. Fish ingested fragmented plastic sheets, with the amount positively correlated with fish weight (r = 0.621, p = 0.031, n = 12). Notably, the stretched length of these fragments exceeded 50% of the standard length of most fish. Inconsistencies were observed in the number of samples collected per cage and per week. To ensure robust results, these discrepancies should be rectified in future studies. Additionally, extending the sampling period to encompass all seasons would be beneficial for a more comprehensive understanding of seasonal variations in plastic occurrence.

Magnetized dissipative Soret-Dufour effects on Walter’s-B fluid flow over a stretching sheet with nonuniform heat source/sink and thermal radiation under chemical reaction

The main motivation behind this numerical analysis is to disclose the salient magneto-thermo characteristic features of two-dimensional viscous incompressible magnetized Soret and Dufour effects on the boundary layer flow of Walter’s-B fluid over a stretching sheet under the influence of viscous dissipation. The novel physical effects such as nonuniform heat source/sink and magnetic Ohmic heating are included in the governing equations. Further, prescribed surface temperature condition is introduced in the boundary conditions to describe the thermal transport features. However, the deployed non-Newtonian Walter’s-B fluid rheology model finds its innumerable applications in numerous areas of science and engineering including electronic cooling, polymer processing, nuclear reactor cooling, extraction of polymer sheet, plastic sheet drawing, chemical engineering, metallurgy, injection molding and many more. Therefore, authors have motivated with these applications and advantageous of considered fluid model. Hence, an effort is made to describe the dynamic characteristic features of non-Newtonian Walter’s-B rheology model about a stretching sheet. However, present physical flow model produces highly nonlinear coupled two-dimensional partial differential equations and which are not acquiescent to available analytical methods. Owing to this, a robust MATLAB-based BVP4C technique is deployed to produce the appropriate numerical solutions through suitable similarity transformations. The graphical representations of velocity, temperature and concentration profiles along with skin-friction coefficient, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are presented. Magnifying magnetic number decays the velocity profile and enhances the thermal and concentration fields. Rising viscoelastic parameter diminishes the thermal and concentration fields and magnifies the velocity field. Rising the radiation parameter diminish the thermal field. Magnifying Soret number raises the concentration field. Rising the space and temperature dependent heat source/sink coefficient amplifies the thermal diffusion field. Magnifying Dufour and Eckert numbers amplifies the thermal field. Finally, the guarantee and accuracy of the investigated problem is presented through a comparison with previous studies.

Nutritional characterization of banana by-products under irrigation (In case of Arba Minch, South Ethiopia)

The present study evaluated the nutritional values of banana by-products (BBP) obtained from irrigated areas of Arba minch, Gamo Zone Southern Ethiopia. By-product fractions (leaf, shoot, rhizome, fruit bunch and whole mixture) were collected from farmers' gardens during fruit harvesting. Collected fractions were separately chopped and air-dried in shades lined with plastic sheets until transported to Hawassa University, Animal Nutrition Laboratory, where chemical composition and existence of associative effects were evaluated using an in vitro system. The dry matter (DM) content of BBP was 18.5, 7.6, 8.3, 6.2 and 10.2% for leaves, pseudostem, rhizome, FB-stem and whole mixture, respectively. The CP values obtained ranged from 2.5 to 8.6%, the lowest for the pseudostem, while the highest was for the leaf. The IVDMDs of leaves, pseudostem, rhizome, FB-stem, and the whole BBP mixture were 35.5, 41.3, 35.4, 46.21, and 39.6%, respectively. Potential gas production (a+b) was rated highest for Wmix (41.3 ml) and rhizome (40.0 ml) and lowest for leaf (18.8 ml). The ranges of metabolisable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) values were 2.7 to 4.5 MJ/kg dry weights, 29.26 to 33.27% and 0.22 to 0.33 µmol, respectively. ME, OMD and SCFA values ranked as, pseudo stem &gt; Wmix &gt; rhizome &gt; Fb stem &gt; leaf. The higher values obtained for potential gas production (a+b), ME, OMD and SCFA in pseudostem and Wmix could mean higher availability of nutrients for rumen microorganisms. The results showed that pseudostem and Wmix could have higher nutritional value in ruminant feed than other fractions, but appropriate treatment/supplementation with high-quality feed or additives is needed to balance nutrients.

From Rome to Rabat: Carla Accardi’s Encounters with Moroccan Modernism

Abstract In December 1972, the Sicilian, Rome-based artist Carla Accardi landed in Rabat for an exhibition at the Galerie de l’Atelier. The exhibition included her Tent (1965–1966), a nomadic dwelling built with see-through plastic sheets and adorned with arabesque signs and luminous waves, as well as a series of paintings on canvas made of similar colourful signs. This essay contextualises Accardi’s journey from Rome to Rabat, the first of her frequent travels to Morocco, within a series of encounters with an art group known as the School of Casablanca. The group included Moroccan artists Farid Belkahia, Mohammed Chabâa and Mohamed Melehi, the gallerist Pauline De Mazières, founder of l’Atelier, and the Sicilian anthropologist and art critic Toni Maraini. It ultimately seeks to contribute to a wider disciplinary call to reorient modern Italian studies away from Euro-American paradigms, and towards the politics and poetics of the South, here used in its more fluid definition to denote the wider Mediterranean region.

Epidemiologic Assessment of Scabies: Actuality of Airborne Transmission and Additional Standards to Reduce Spread of Contagion and Reinfestation

Scabies are caused by parasites that live their entire life within the outer layers of the epidermis. When dislodged either by gravity, friction, motion, wind, or static electricity, they assume great risks to survival. Innate abilities to sense human smell and heat, to move over short distances, and to penetrate the skin quickly allow them a fighting chance to find a new host if they land within 4 inches of a human. Females store sperm, allowing one mite to begin a colony. Transmission is by person-to-person, fomite, and airborne. They are aerodynamic, light, and balloon-shaped, all making airborne transmission easier than previously understood, as well as explaining the dissemination of mites beyond the normal zones of activity of the index case. Presently, the bulk of the medical literature suggests that transmission from inanimate objects poses little concern in common scabies. However, as mites can navigate through cloth gowns, one might consider protection with more protective garb. Mites cannot penetrate through waterproof clothing, and thus, this attire should be recommended to avoid reinfestation and infesting others. Sofas, chairs, office furniture, and car seats on which an index case might sit need to be covered with plastic sheeting. Given that the half-life of ivermectin is 18 hours and that mites dehydrate within 96 hours, strict transmission controls are only needed for 3 days to avoid reinfestation as well as infesting others. Key Points Scabies is an intensely itchy skin rash caused by a burrowing mite that infects the outer layers of the skin. Scabies is contagious and usually spread by direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person; however, fomite and airborne transmission are also operative. Precautions should be in place to avoid direct skin-to-skin contact between a patient with scabies and visitors. Water-proof clothing would be advisable, especially in cases involving Norwegian scabies. Success rates with oral ivermectin would more closely approach 100% if all transmission factors, including fomite and airborne, were addressed.

Grain refinement and phase precipitation simultaneously improve the strength and ductility of ultra-high strength titanium alloy sheets

The simultaneous high strength and high plasticity of metastable-β titanium alloy sheets remains a difficult challenge. In this work, a 1.2 ​mm thick sheet of Ti–15Mo–3Al-2.7Nb-0.25Si titanium alloy was obtained after rolling and annealing, and then subjected to a duplex-ageing treatment. The pre-ageing temperatures fell in the range of 300–390 ​°C for 0.5–2h. The re-ageing temperatures were in the range of 500–600 ​°C. After characterization, it was found that the alloy precipitates ω-phases during the pre-ageing process, and the distribution of such ω-phases evolves unevenly and increases in number with the increase of the pre-ageing temperature. Therefore, the strengthening mechanism of the alloy sheet is mainly α-phase nucleation assisted by ω-phase. Moreover, grain refinement appears as a mechanism to ensure the plasticity of the alloy. Finally the ω-phase evolution law is discussed in detail and the strengthening mechanism of the alloy sheet is also analyzed. At this work, a metastable-β titanium alloy sheet with strength of 1445.75 ​MPa and elongation of 6.55 ​% was obtained. This study provides a new idea for the microstructure design and process improvement of the metastable-β titanium alloy sheet.

Development and Evaluation of Biodegradable Weed Control Mulch Mats from End-of-Use Cotton Waste

This research used end-of-use cotton apparel to develop mulch mats, a type of agrotextiles. The researchers collected and sorted end-of-use garments to obtain cotton textile waste. These end-of-use garments were deconstructed to obtain shredded textiles and big pieces of textiles. Using the textiles from deconstructed end-of-use garments, together with a small amount of new cotton fibers, the researchers used a Feltloom to develop needle-punched nonwoven fabrics that can be used as mulch mats. The researchers tested textile properties of these mulch mats and conducted agricultural field tests for weed control and pot tests for biodegradation. The researchers also tested the mulch mats’ soil moisture infiltration, and impact on water evaporation. The nonwoven mulch mats made from end-of-use garments have excellent weed inhibition capability and biodegradability. Compared to plastic mulch sheet, the nonwoven mulch mats are better for water utilization in rainfall watering and sprinkle irrigation but poorer in water conservation in drip irrigation. Considering durability, biodegradability, and soil temperature regulation, it is recommended to use 100% cotton and felt four times to produce mulch mats from end-of-use garments.

Surface physics and chemistry of carbon fibers enhance dissimilar sheet joining of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic by copper electrodeposition

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets were dissimilarly edge-joined with anodized A6061 Al alloy sheets by copper electrodeposition. A high bonding strength of 137 MPa was attained following a series of pretreatments including etching in KMnO4 + NaOH hot aqueous solution, anodization at 2 V vs. SUS316 cathode in 1 mol L˗1 H2SO4, and sulfonation in hot concentrated H2SO4. The anodization physically cleaned the carbon fiber (CF) surface in CFRP. The chemical surface properties of the CFs were modified by the anodization, introducing crystallographic defects and CO groups. This physical and chemical modification of CFs in CFRP resulted in good adhesion of the electrodeposited copper.

Above- and Below-Ground Interactions and Interspecific Relationships in Wheat/Maize Systems

Above- and below-ground interactions play a crucial role in achieving higher yields in intercropping systems. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how these interactions impact intercropping crop growth and regulate interspecific relationships. This study aimed to quantify the impact of above- and below-ground interactions on crop yield by determining the dynamics of dry matter accumulation, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance, and leaf area index (LAI) in intercropped wheat and maize. Three below-ground intensities were set for an intercropping system: no root separation (CI: complete interaction below ground), 48 μm nylon mesh separation (PI: partial interaction below ground), and 0.12 mm plastic sheet separation (NI: no interaction below ground). Two densities were set for maize: low (45,000 plants hm−2) and high (52,500 plants hm−2). At the same time, corresponding monoculture treatments were established. The grain yields in the CI and PI treatments were, on average, 23.7% and 13.7% higher than those in the NI treatment at high and low maize densities, respectively. Additionally, the grain yield for high density was 12.3% higher than that of low density in the CI treatment. The dry matter accumulation of intercropped wheat under the CI and PI treatments was, on average, 9.1%, 14.5%, and 9.0% higher than that in the NI treatment at the flowering, filling, and maturity stages, respectively. The dry matter accumulation of intercropped maize at the blister, milk, and physiological maturity stages increased by 41.4%, 32.1%, and 27.8%, respectively, under the CI treatment compared to the NI treatment. The PAR transmittance and LAI of maize at the V6 stage were significantly increased by increasing the intensity of below-ground interactions. This study showed that complete below-ground interaction contributed to a significant increase in the competitiveness of intercropped wheat with respect to maize (Awm) under the high-density maize treatment, especially at the filling stage of wheat. Moreover, the CI treatment enhanced the recovery effects of maize (Rm) after wheat harvesting. Increasing the intensity of below-ground interactions can significantly enhance the Awm and Rm in intercropping systems, favoring the accumulation of crop dry matter mass and light energy utilization to increase system yields.

Constitutive description of distortional hardening in a TWIP steel: Addressing differential hardening under nonlinear strain paths

The present study aims to describe the in-plane differential hardening behaviour of the twinning induced plasticity sheet metal TWIP980 under various stress states, including uniaxial tension, plane strain tension, and pure shear, particularly focusing on non-proportional loading conditions. The true stress–strain curves for each stress states were inversely obtained from their corresponding load–displacement curves and modeled using a differential hardening model that can accommodate all three stress states simultaneously on plastic work (density) contours. For non-proportional loading tests, oversize specimens were initially stretched under uniaxial tension up to a 10% pre-strain along the rolling, diagonal, and transverse directions, respectively. Subsequently, the three stress states were applied to subsize specimens cut from the deformed oversize specimens along the rolling direction. To describe the hardening behaviours during non-proportional loading, a homogeneous anisotropic hardening model was adopted and calibrated using two-step uniaxial tension tests. Subsequently, the differential hardening model was successfully incorporated into the homogeneous anisotropic hardening model to describe both the differential hardening and the strain path change-induced hardening behaviours under the two-step loadings, i.e., uniaxial tension to pure shear and uniaxial tension to plane strain tension. Both experimental and simulation results underscore the necessity to consider differential hardening under non-proportional loading conditions.

Environmental Influences on the Drying Rate of Spray-Applied Disinfestants from Horticultural Production Surfaces

Drying rates of disinfestants commonly applied to horticultural plant production surfaces were evaluated under cool to hot weather and under laboratory conditions to characterize the range of drying times and how this relates to contact times specified on product labels. Drying rates of six disinfestants (isopropyl alcohol [IPA], two quaternary ammonium compounds [QACs], two peroxygen compounds [PXs], and sodium hypochlorite [bleach]) and water were evaluated when applied to six substrate materials (concrete, galvanized metal, polypropylene ground fabric, polyethylene plastic sheet, pressure-treated pine, and twin-wall clear polycarbonate) based on the weather variables of solar radiation, temperature, and relative humidity. Differences were evident at the point of application. Disinfestants with low (IPA, both QACs, and one PX) and high (bleach, one PX, and water) surface tension provided approximately 100 and 60% coverage, respectively, when applied to horizontal, nonporous solid materials. Disinfestants applied to horizontal porous materials (concrete, fabric, and wood) persisted on the surface for a mean of only 9 to 113 s because solutions were actively drawn into the substrates’ internal structure. Disinfestants applied to vertical twin-wall greenhouse material flowed off, while retaining only a maximum beaded wetness coverage of 14%. A Bayesian analysis procedure was used to model drying effects of disinfestants correlated with substrate and weather variables based on posterior marginal and prediction trends. Generally, the fastest drying rate occurred in the first 2.5 min, and approximately 50% of coverage was retained by 5 min. The evaporative process was variable with distinct interactions occurring among the experimental variables. [Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2024.

An exploration of diffusion-thermo and radiation absorption impacts on non-Newtonian MHD flow towards two distinct geometries with biot number

Temperature and liquid flow monitoring are required in many industrial applications in order to maximize machine performance. When exploring polymers, fabricating synthetic films and transparent materials, and manufacturing metal-based equipment, frictional forces and thermal flow rates need to be controlled. The significance of the study of prominent characteristics of Diffusion-Thermo, Quadratic thermal radiation and radiation absorption over a permeable stretching geometry are discussed. Similarity transformations reduced the boundary layer partial differential to an ODE. The acquired system of ODEs is solved in numerical-manner using MATLAB bvp4c. The distributions f '(η), θ(η) and φ(η) are described graphical aspect, with specified governed parameters. As Diffusion thermo parameter raises, temperature field enhances. As radiation absorption raises, the temperature and velocity enhance and concentration decreases. A rise in radiation absorption parameter causes a raise in the buoyancy, which in turn raises the flow rate, and that this is reflected in the velocity profiles. The radiation absorption parameter raises temperatures nearer porous boundary layer and lowers concentration. Rising temperature ratio parameter θw values were accompanied by rising temperatures. Temperature is enhancing when improving of Biot parameter. The skin-friction is heightened with raising ‘n’ values. Nusselt number is declined, raising values of Df. The Sherwood number is enhanced with raising values of ‘Sc’. An incorporation of Diffusion thermo, Quadratic thermal radiation and radiation absorption effects in a nano-Carreau flow across Wedge and Cone is the novelty. The flow of a boundary-layer across a wedge gets made growingly significant, not long ago, owing to its many practical applications, including those in medical, bioengineering, crude oil extraction, nuclear power plants, a polymer extrusion process, production of plastic sheet, metal spinning, friction drag of a ship, and electronic gadgets, etc. This study will be extended by incorporating micro-polar, tangent hyperbolic, Sutterby, with distinct non-Newtonian fluids.