Process Cycle Research Articles

Correlational analysis of psychophysiological functions indicators, technical and physical readiness of young football players aged 12-13 at different training process stages

Background and purpose At the current stage, many teams in game sports have certain difficulties with stable success on the world sports arena. Football in this sense is no exception. The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between psychophysiological functions and indicators of physical and technical readiness of young football players aged 12-13 years in the preparatory and competitive periods of the annual cycle of the training process. Materials and methods 12 football players of the Kharkiv Junior High School, 12-13 years old, took part in the study. We used the next methods. Determining the level of physical fitness: Running for 60 m, 1000 m run, Shuttle race, Pull-ups on the crossbar, Jump from a place. Determination of the level of technical preparation: Juggling. The main task of this test, the player needs to kick the ball so that it does not fall to the ground, this is done with the feet, the athlete must kick the ball as many times as possible; Shot at range. Held from the line of the field, the football player must hit the ball as far as possible from the run, this distance is measured in meters. Results In the preparatory phase for young soccer players aged 12-13 years, the total number of reliable relationships between the psychophysiological index and the physical and technical readiness index was 12. In the competition phase, the total number of reliable relationships between psychophysiological indicators and physical and technical readiness indicators remained the same for young soccer players aged 12-13 years, also 12 relationships. Conclusion The data obtained reflect the formative process of a specific type of soccer player, in which the speed of neurodynamic processes is related to the physical qualities of speed and speed-power.

Evolution of Microstructure and Hardness during Carburization Heat Treatment of Heavy-duty Gear Steels: Numerical Prediction and Experimental Study

Abstract In order to solve the problems of long process cycle, low efficiency and high cost in the carburization heat treatment process of 18Cr2Ni4WA heavy-duty gear steel. The carbon concentration distribution of 18Cr2Ni4WA steel under conventional carburizing process at 930℃ was studied by combining numerical simulation with experimental research. The results show that the carbon concentration distribution predicted by the simulation is in good agreement with the experimental results. The microstructure of the surface layer after low-temperature tempering consists mainly of fine acicular tempered martensite, while the core consists mainly of lath tempered martensite and bainite. The increase in hardness after carburization is mainly attributed to the solid solution strengthening of the carbon atoms. The increase in hardness after cryogenic treatment is mainly attributed to the precipitation strengthening of the carbides. In addition, compared to the conventional carburization at 930°C, the high temperature carburizations at 950°C and 970°C reduced the carburization time by 37.2% and 53.5%, respectively.

Research on machining technology of stepped boring for intersecting holes in aircraft

Abstract During the assembly process of a large-scale aircraft fuselage, critical bearing areas require the drilling of intersecting holes, which are commonly processed using traditional single-edged reamers by most domestic manufacturers. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of the finishing process for these holes, enhance the quality of the assembly, and further shorten the construction cycle for precision processing, improvements need to be made to traditional single-edge reamer machining methods. This paper proposes a new approach that uses stepped reamers to machine intersecting holes. By setting up an experimental platform to simulate actual processing conditions and optimize processing parameters, the study analyzes and compares the quality and efficiency of traditional reaming and stepped reaming modes. The results show that stepped reaming can improve processing efficiency by 50.6% compared to traditional machining while also reducing human intervention and minimizing quality risks. The findings from this research project can be extended to various aircraft fuselages or wings for precise drilling of intersecting holes, providing significant guidance for efficient and high-quality delivery of aircraft.

Ionic Liquid-Based Green Solvents for Extraction and Purification of Natural Plant Products

Introduction: This research paper explores the environmental sustainability of ionic liquid-based green solvents in the extraction and purification of natural plant products, with a focus on their entire life cycle. The objectives of the study were to assess the environmental impact of ionic liquid synthesis, energy consumption, water usage, emissions, recycling rates, policy effects, and stakeholder perceptions. Methods: Methodologically, we conducted a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that involved primary data collection through field surveys and interviews with key stakeholders in the ionic liquid production and usage industry across various regions in India. The data were analyzed using specialized LCA software tools to quantify environmental impacts. Key findings include the identification of synthesis as a major contributor to environmental impact, emphasizing the need for greener synthesis methods. Results: The study revealed the significant carbon footprint, energy consumption, and water usage during production, highlighting opportunities for improvement. Emissions data underscored the importance of emission control measures, particularly for greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds. Recycling and reuse were identified as environmentally friendly disposal methods. Policy compliance varied among stakeholders, indicating room for stricter regulations. Stakeholder perceptions varied, with researchers having the most positive outlook. Implications of the findings extend to sustainable chemistry practices, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of considering the entire life cycle of chemical processes. Conclusion: This research contributes to a deeper understanding of green solvents and provides a foundation for promoting sustainable practices in industrial processes in India and globally.

Protopanaxadiol triggers G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells through the PPER pathway

Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is considered to be the most active pharmacological element in ginseng and has been widely studied for its anticancer effects. However, the detailed anticancer mechanism of this compound in cervical cancer (CC) HeLa cells has yet to be thoroughly understood. In this research, we discovered that PPD effectively inhibits CC HeLa cell proliferation and cause morphological changes, with an IC50 measured at 34.18 μM. Based on mRNA-seq analysis, we revealed the mechanism by which PPD inhibits HeLa cell proliferation. The results from Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichment of DGEs in the cell cycle and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (PPER) pathway. By inducing DNA damage, PPD resulted in G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, inhibited Bcl-2 to cause ROS production, upregulated cytochrome c (Cyto-c) expression, thereby further reducing mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), activated the caspase family, and induced cell apoptosis. In addition, PPD promoted Ca2+ leakage, downregulated the PPER pathway (PERK, ATF6, and IRE1α), increased Chop expression levels, and mediated programmed cell death. These observations imply that PPD can induce apoptosis in HeLa cells, highlighting its potential as a novel natural therapeutic for cervical cancer.

Accuracy of repaired maxillary dentures from two different repairing techniques: In vitro study

BackgroundDenture fracture is a common problem with acrylic dentures. The fractured denture can be repaired using various techniques such as self-cure acrylic resin acrylic resin and fiber-reinforced acrylic resin. PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of dentures repaired with self-cure acrylic resin and fiber-reinforced acrylic resin processed using two different techniques (long-cure and microwave processing). Materials and methodsA total of 20 maxillary complete dentures were processed with two techniques; heat (long cycle) processing (10 dentures) and microwave processing (10 dentures). The maxillary cast and denture surface were scanned with Medit intraoral (Medit i700, Medit, South Korea) and STL files were created. Then, the dentures were sectioned at the midline and repaired using self-cure acrylic resin and fiber-reinforced acrylic resin and scanned with Medit intraoral. Finally, adaptation deviations were analyzed from computer software (Geomagic Control X, 3D Systems Inc., USA). The adaptation deviations in each group (long cure and microwave) were compared using an Independent T-test. Two-way ANOVA was done to see whether curing techniques and repairing methods affect the accuracy of repair. A P-value of 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsThe adaptation deviation was slightly higher in the fiber-reinforced acrylic resin group (0.565 ± 0.093) than in the self-cure acrylic resin group (0.536 ± 0.066). However, there was no statistical difference in the adaptation deviations of repaired dentures with self-cure acrylic resin and fiber-reinforced acrylic resin in the long-curing (P-value 0.245) and the microwave (P-value 0.638). Similarly, the adaptation deviation was slightly higher in the long-curing group (0.577 ± 0.075) than in the microwave group (0.524 ± 0.079). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the adaptation deviation of repaired dentures between long-curing and microwave techniques with self-cure acrylic resin (P-value 0.016) but no difference in fiber-reinforced acrylic resin (P-value 0.127). The result of Two-way ANOVA shows that there is no statistically significant interaction between curing techniques (long curing and microwave) and repairing methods (self-cure acrylic resin and fiber-reinforced acrylic resin) for adaptation deviations (P-value 0.646). However, the curing techniques show statistically significant differences (P-value 0.039). ConclusionAcrylic dentures can be repaired with self-cure resin or fiber-reinforced self-cure resin using various processing methods. The accuracy of the denture after repair is unaffected by the repairing method (self-cure acrylic resin and fiber-reinforced acrylic resin) but the accuracy of the denture after repair is affected by the curing techniques (long-curing and microwave). In self-cure resin, the microwave processing showed higher adaptation deviation and less accuracy, whereas the long-curing processing showed lower adaptation deviation and high accuracy.

The Role of Automation in Enhancing Cybersecurity: a Technical Analysis

Intelligent automation, a convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation (RPA), is reshaping modern business operations across various sectors. This article examines the transformative impact of intelligent automation on organizational efficiency, cost structures, and innovation capabilities. Recent industry surveys indicate a significant increase in adoption rates, with 67% of business leaders implementing intelligent automation at scale in 2023, up from 48% in 2020. The integration of AI and ML with RPA has enabled businesses to automate complex, cognitive tasks, leading to an average 35% reduction in operational costs and a 50% improvement in process cycle times. While challenges such as data privacy, ethical considerations, and workforce reskilling persist, the potential benefits of intelligent automation are substantial. This article explores quantifiable impacts across industries, examines real-world case studies, and anticipates future trends including hyperautomation, autonomous decision-making, and integration with emerging technologies like blockchain and edge computing. The article concludes that strategic implementation of intelligent automation solutions will be crucial for organizations to maintain competitiveness and drive innovation in the increasingly digital business landscape.

Modeling and Simulations in Latin-American Generic Markets: Perspectives from Chilean Local Industry, Regulatory Agency, and Academia.

In the last 20 years, modeling and simulations (M&S) have gained increased attention in pharmaceutical sciences. International industry and world-reference agencies have used M&S to make cost-efficient decisions through the model-informed drug development (MIDD) framework. Modeling tools include biopredictive dissolution models, physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK), biopharmaceutic models (PBBM), and virtual bioequivalence, among many others. Regulatorily, health agencies are becoming more and more open to accept the use of M&S to support regulatory applications, including setting dissolution specifications, quality-by-design (QbD), postapproval changes (SUPAC), etc. Nonetheless, the potential of M&S has been only barely explored in Latin America (Latam) across different actors: industry, regulatory agencies, and even academia. In this manuscript, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for implementing M&S approaches in Latam. Perspectives of regional experts were shared in a workshop. Attendance (professionals from industry, regulator, academia, and clinicians) also shared their views via survey. The rational development of bioequivalent generics was considered the main opportunity for M&S in regional market, particularly the use of PBPK and PBBM. Nonetheless, a critical mass of modeling scientists is needed before Latin American industry and regulators can actually benefit from M&S. Collaborations (e.g., Academia-Industry and Academia-Regulatory) may be a path to develop applied research projects and train the future modelers. Reaching that critical mass, scientists from industry may apply modeling across generic drug development process and life cycle, while regulatory scientists may issue guidelines in local language to support regional industry. Only at that stage could the full potential of MIDD be reached in Latin American generic markets.

Interfacial Interaction between Zn2+ and Surface Functional Groups Impacting Self-Assembly of ZnO on Cellulose Nanofibrils.

The mechanism underlying the interfacial interaction between ZnO and surface functional groups, which drives the self-assembly of ZnO nanoflowers on the cellulose nanofibril (CNF) surface, remains inadequately understood. Moreover, the ideal sites for the loading and growth of ZnO nanoflowers on the oxygen atoms (Os) of various surface functional groups on the CNF surface are not well-defined. This work addressed these gaps by systematically regulating the size and surface charge density of CNF templates through minor surface modifications and adjustments in processing cycles by using an ultrafine grinder. Physicochemical analyses demonstrated that the ZnO nanoflowers exhibited sizes (μm)/pieces/thickness (nm) of 0.86/16/20.1 for ZnO/TOCNFs, 0.88/17/20.4 for ZnO/ACNFs, and 0.89/16/20.5 for ZnO/ECNFs, respectively. Simulation calculations revealed that the interaction between Zn2+ ions and the Os of hydroxyl (-OH) groups exhibited the most favorable binding energy of -31.7 kcal/mol. These findings suggested that the surface charge density rather than specific surface functional groups primarily governs the loading and growth of ZnO nanoflowers on the CNF surface. The OS from -OH groups on the surface of CNF templates were optimal for both the loading and growth of ZnO nanoflowers. Overall, this study provides crucial theoretical insights into the design and optimization of the ZnO/CNF composites.

Processing-induced reduction in dianthrones content and toxicity of Polygonum multiflorum: Insights from ultra-high performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry analysis and toxicological assessment.

Polygonum multiflorum-induced liver injury (PM-DILI) has significantly hindered its clinical application and development. This study investigates the variation in content and toxicity of dianthrones, the toxic components of P. multiflorum, during different processing cycles. We employed the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method to quantify six dianthrones in raw P. multiflorum and formulations processed with a method called nine cycles of steaming and sunning. Additionally, toxicity assessments were conducted using human normal liver cell line L02 and zebrafish embryos. Results indicate a gradual reduction in dianthrones content with increasing processing cycles. Processed formulations exhibited significantly reduced cytotoxicity in L02 cells and hepatotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. Our findings elucidate the relationship between processing cycles and P. multiflorum toxicity, providing theoretical support for its safe use.

Comparative Study of Evaluation Indicators for Learning Cities and the Implications

With the development of society, more and more cities are participating in the initiative to build learning cities. Constructing an evaluation indicator system for learning cities to monitor the progress and promote their growth has become increasingly important. This paper analyzes the preliminary framework of the UNESCO Global Learning City Index and R3L+ Quality Framework. The comparison is made from the aspects of design philosophy, criteria of indicator, and the cycle of evaluation process. The findings suggest that the construction of an evaluation indicator system should be focused more on the diversity of learning city development, the construction of an evaluation process cycle, and the significance of building cooperative networks.

The effects of environmental evolution on runoff and hydrological health variations in the upper Shule River, Northwest China

Promptly grasping the process of runoff change and the mechanism of hydrological health (H) variation in inland river basins is essential for the optimal use of water resources in the arid area of Northwest China. In this study, the upper Shule River (USR) was selected as the research area. The Budyko equation and the slope changing ratio of cumulative quantity method (SCRCQ) were used to analyze the response of environmental changes to the evolution of runoff and hydrological health during 1956–2022. The findings showed that the streamflow at various time scales in the USR showed a significantly increased trend from 1956 to 2022. The change rate of annual maximum runoff (Rmax) was 3.3 times that of annual runoff (R), the change rate of R in the flood period was 2.4 times that in the non-flood period, and the change rate in summer was 5 times that in winter. The H of the USR indicated a downtrend during 1956–2022, and the H in the Ta period was better than that in the Tb period. June and August were the main periods of runoff increase and hydrological health evolution, and precipitation (P) was the main driving factor. The response of Rmax increased to climate variability and anthropogenic stressors was 50.42 % and 49.58 %, respectively. The response degrees of H to climate variability and anthropogenic stressors were 62.89 % and 37.11 %, respectively. In general, climate variation was the major factor in the increase of R and the decrease of H in the USR. The findings are useful for getting the streamflow evolution process and hydrologic cycle mechanism and playing a supporting role in the sustainable management of water resources in the future.

Electron beam irradiation shortened the processing cycle of Chinese solo-bulb black garlic: Changes in critical physicochemical properties

Electron beam irradiation (EBI) was used to pretreat the solo-bulb fresh garlic (SBFG) to shorten the production cycle of solo-bulb black garlic (SBBG). The critical physicochemical indicators were analyzed and compared between EBI pretreated and commercial SBBG in this study. The results showed that EBI pretreatment significantly accelerated the browning reactions by destroying the cell structure of SBFG, and obviously shortened the production cycle of SBBG to 9 days. The total acid (TA), total polyphenol (TP), and total flavonoid (TF) contents in the EBI pretreated SBBG were all obviously increased compared with those of the control without EBI pretreatment, which were beneficial to improving the quality of SBBG. Meanwhile, the 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) and acrylamide contents as potentially harmful substances to human health were also significantly increased within the safe levels. The alliin content was more affected by the EBI pretreatment than other amino acids in SBBG as the irradiation dose exceeded 6 kGy. These results indicate that EBI pretreatment can be an alternative technology to improve the production efficiency of SBBG and apply in industrial production.

Investigations on color quality improvement through laser-induced surface oxidation for coloration

This study focuses on laser-induced oxidation of TC4 alloy surfaces and achieves precise color control on TC4 surfaces at room temperature using laser post-processing. The current research lacks an in-depth understanding of the mechanism responsible for color changes due to the number of processing cycles. This study aims to improve the quality of coloration through secondary processing and establish a color control mechanism based on accumulated energy density. Statistical analyses revealed notable reductions in ΔE, ΔC∗, and Δh∗, indicating enhanced color uniformity. Surface morphology and reflectance data further confirmed these findings, demonstrating the effectiveness of secondary processing in achieving consistent and uniform coloration.

Calendula Flowers (Calendulae officinalis flos): Methods to Obtain Fractions of Biologically Active Substances

INTRODUCTION. The pharmaceutical industry aims at developing sustainable resource-saving technologies for manufacturing medicines. Approaches to the effective use of herbal drugs include applying technologies yielding compounds with various pharmacological effects in one production cycle. To date, no standardised herbal drug processing technology has been designed to produce calendula flower-based medicinal products with various pharmacological effects. The Member States of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) process calendula flowers by extraction methods yielding one fraction of biologically active substances per cycle (either only flavonoids or only carotenoids).AIM. This article aimed to investigate the possibility of stepwise processing of calendula flowers to obtain biologically active substances with different polarities (carotenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides) per cycle.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The authors extracted carotenoids using hexane. The study included additional thermal pretreatment of the herbal drug. Carotenoids and flavonoids were quantified by spectrophotometry, and polysaccharides were quantified by gravimetric analysis. After hexane removal, the dry oily residue was dissolved in oil with mechanical stirring to obtain the oil extract. The study included a three-step processing method that comprised hexane extraction (extraction of carotenoids with a low-polarity organic solvent), extraction with a water–organic solvent system (extraction of flavonoids), and aqueous extraction (precipitation of polysaccharides).RESULTS. The lipophilic extracts obtained by single hexane extraction or by single hexane extraction and heat treatment had the maximum carotenoid content (~4%), which was 10 times the carotenoid content in the extracts obtained using a water– organic solvent system. Oil extracts were prepared from the dry residue left after removing hexane by distillation at its boiling point. The content of biologically active substances in the oil extracts was comparable to that in the intact herbal drug. Water–organic solvent extraction yielded 68.5% more flavonoids from the herbal drug extracted with hexane than from the intact herbal drug. In contrast, aqueous extraction applied to the intact herbal drug yielded 1.7 times the amount of flavonoids obtained by aqueous extraction preceded by hexane extraction. The water-soluble polysaccharide fraction extracted from the intact herbal drug had 10 times the flavonoid content observed in the fraction extracted from the processed herbal drug. Each subsequent processing step decreased the total polysaccharide content and the content of individual polysaccharide fractions and increased their purity. The ratio of polysaccharide fractions remained unchanged across all processing methods tested.CONCLUSIONS. Stepwise processing of calendula flowers ensured that one processing cycle provided three fractions containing increased amounts of carotenoids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Relative to the intact herbal drug, there was a 3.3-fold increase in the yield of carotenoids, and the yields of flavonoids and polysaccharides increased by 44.8 and 41.3%, respectively. The resulting product had a higher degree of purity than the products obtained by pretreatment and double hexane extraction or by using the intact herbal drug. The stepwise processing method is advisable for the production of medicines that are enriched with a specific group of biologically active substances or contain smaller amounts of impurities.

Energy band management of corn-like ZnO/Ag2S heterojunctions for efficient light harvesting and enhanced photocatalysis.

Corn-like ZnO/Ag2S heterojunctions are designed and prepared by the solvothermal method and the subsequent covering process. They construct a type II core-shell heterojunction structure. This structure adjusts the relative positions of electron energy levels and generates a strong and broad absorption band, while emitting weak visible light. It also facilitates the transfer of photoexcited carriers through the interface and the confinement of the same by the different components of the nanostructure. Separation of electrons and holes makes them possible to drift to the surface of ZnO and Ag2S and to participate in the redox reactions. In addition, the presence of many defects produces many active sites on the surface of the lattice. So, the ZnO/Ag2S heterojunctions exhibit excellent photocatalytic properties in the first and second cycles of the photocatalytic process. It degrades 97.7% Rhodamine B only in 18min. This study plays a significant role in promoting visible light catalysis, the efficiency of wastewater treatment technology, and the water environment on the earth.

7861 Estrogen Receptor Alpha Regulates the Sex Difference in Jet Lag in Mice

Abstract Disclosure: M.A. Venegas: None. N. Westray: None. J.S. Pendergast: None. The circadian system aligns 24-hour cycles of internal biological processes with the environmental light-dark cycle. Abrupt shifts in the timing of the light-dark cycle that occur during travel across time zones misalign internal circadian clocks with the environment and cause jet lag. The symptoms of jet lag subside when circadian clocks resynchronize to the new light-dark cycle. Female mice in proestrus resynchronize to shifted light-dark cycles faster than males. The objective of this study was to investigate the estrogen signaling mechanisms underlying this sex difference in jet lag in mice. We measured wheel-running activity rhythms in C57BL/6J male and female wild-type (WT) and ERα knockout (ERαKO) mice. Female WT mice had 2-fold greater daily activity than male mice. Disabling the function of ERα ablated the sex difference in daily activity; both male and female ERαKO mice had markedly reduced activity compared to WT mice. Next, we advanced the timing of the light-dark cycle by 6 hours to simulate eastward travel. Female WT mice resynchronized to the new light-dark cycle faster than WT males. This sex difference was abolished in ERαKO mice. The rate of resynchronization was slower in female ERaKO mice compared to WT females and was indistinguishable from males. We next investigated 2 putative mechanisms underlying the accelerated rate of resynchronization in WT females. First, mice with faster endogenous clocks resynchronize to new light-dark cycles faster. However, we found that the velocity of the endogenous clock (circadian period) did not differ between WT and ERαKO male and female mice. Second, mice with greater phase advances to light exposure in the late night also resynchronize faster. To determine the magnitude of phase advances, we housed mice in constant darkness and then exposed them to a 15-minute light pulse during the late subjective night. We found no differences in the magnitudes of phase shifts between WT and ERαKO male and female mice. Together these studies show that ERα regulates the rate of resynchronization to shifted light-dark cycles in female mice but does not do so by altering conventional circadian rhythm parameters. Uncovering the mechanisms underlying the sex difference in resynchronization to shifted light-dark cycles can be used to develop strategies to alleviate jet lag and shift work symptoms. Presentation: 6/3/2024

A statistical physics-based methodology for evaluating the efficiency of an adsorption refrigeration cycle using C3H2F4/Maxsorb III

Recently, the statistical physics modeling found a great success in the description of various aspects of adsorption phenomena such as olfaction, depollution, and photovoltaic processes. Therefore, we attempted here to apply this treatment in the domain of refrigeration by an adsorption/ desorption process cycle, using the grand canonical formalism of the statistical physics as a working tool. So, for this study, four advanced equations based on statistical physics treatment are used to clarify the adsorption process at molecular level and define its physico-chemical parameters for refrigeration applications. Our results showed that the double layer model with two energies provides useful details concerning this phenomenon by determining the number of captured HFO-1234ze (E) (C3H2F4) molecules per site nAM, the density of receptor site Drs, the adsorption quantity at saturation N a sat and two energetic parameters Phs1 and Phs2. The steric results revealed that the adsorbed C3H2F4 molecules tended towards a parallel position when the temperature increased. Evaluations of the adsorption energies and enthalpy values indicated that the anchoring process is exothermic and of a physisorption nature. In order to improve the thermodynamic efficiency, the coefficient of performance was calculated by analyzing changes in thermodynamic functions, giving a value of 0.58 for the C3H2F4 / Maxsorb III. Also, the COP value can be enhanced by using the same adsorbate with high compressibility to minimize the machine size but changing the present adsorbent by activated carbon derived from biomass such as: Waste Palm Trunk (WPT-AC) and Mangrove wood (M−AC).

A Numerical Framework of Simulating Flow-Induced Deformation during Liquid Composite Moulding

Fibre deformation (or shearing of yarns) can develop during the liquid moulding of composites due to injection pressures or polymerisation (cross-linking) reactions (e.g., chemical shrinkage). On that premise, this may also induce potential residual stress–strain, warpage, and design defects in the composite part. In this paper, a developed numerical framework is customised to analyse deformations and the residual stress–strain of fibre (at a micro-scale) and yarns (at a meso-scale) during a liquid composite moulding (LCM) process cycle (fill and cure stages). This is achieved by linking flow simulations (coupled filling–curing simulation) to a transient structural model using ANSYS software. This work develops advanced User-Defined Functions (UDFs) and User-Defined Scalers (UDSs) to enhance the commercial CFD code with extra models for chemorheology, cure kinetics, heat generation, and permeability. Such models will be hooked within the conservation equations in the thermo-chemo-flow model and hence reflected by the structural model. In doing so, the knowledge of permeability, polymerisation, rheology, and mechanical response can be digitally obtained for more coherent and optimised manufacturing processes of advanced composites.

Application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to quantify the changes in plasma characteristics in calcite-precipitated soils

The changes in calcium carbonate precipitation of modified soil by Enzyme Induced Calcite Precipitation (EICP) were investigated using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). This experiment enabled elemental composition analysis of the soil samples. The plasma electron density and temperature were also extracted from the collected spectra of distinct soil samples i.e., W1 and W2 treated with EICP. The type of the crystal of CaCO3 deposited during the treatment process was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. This research was conducted by utilizing an Nd: YAG laser with a wavelength of 532 nm, a pulse duration of 6 ns, and an energy of 25 mJ, from where the plasma temperature and electron density of modified soil throughout several treatment cycles were analyzed. The spectra were collected from different locations within the sample and the spectral range considered for the study was 370 nm-800 nm. The plasma electron density and plasma temperature determined using LIBS spectral data increase with the increase in the treatment cycle. With the increase in the treatment cycle, the deposition of CaCO3 was found to increase and correspondingly plasma temperature increased by 220 % for soil W1 and 117.3 % for soil W2. A similar rise in plasma electron density was noticed at the highest cycle of the treatment process; plasma electron density is augmented by 106.4 % for W1 and 21.50 % for W2. This investigation of the LIBS spectral data information indicates a positive correlation between the number of treatment cycles and the plasma temperature, meaning that as the treatment cycles rise, the plasma temperature also increases indicating a larger deposition of CaCO3. The findings are valuable in the domain of geotechnical engineering, where lasers are extensively employed for the examination of the soil profile and can prove to be a useful method for the characterization of the modified soils.