Two-component Process Research Articles

Surface Treatments' Influence on the Interfacial Bonding between Glass Fibre Reinforced Elium® Composite and Polybutylene Terephthalate.

This study examines the process of using injection moulding to join two different materials to manufacture bi-component moulded products with improved performance characteristics. The two-component process, which combines the advantages of two different technologies-the high efficiency of the injection moulding process and the excellent mechanical properties of long glass fibre composites produced by resin transfer moulding (RTM) technology-offers a particular advantage and improved applicability of the prepared lightweight products in both the automotive and aerospace sectors. The composite studied here consists of Elium® thermoplastic resin (30%) reinforced with unwoven glass fibre fabric (70%) using the RTM process. The Elium® composite sample is consequently used as an insert overmoulded with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) homopolymer reinforced with 20% w/w of short glass fibre through injection moulding. The influence of different mould temperatures and surface treatments on the adhesion between the materials used is investigated by evaluating the mechanical performance using tensile shear strength tests. It was found that while an increase in mould temperature from 40 °C to 120 °C resulted in a doubling of the initial average bond strength between untreated Elium® RTM inserts and overmoulded PBT parts (0.9 MPa), sandblasting the inserts ensured a further tripling of the bond strength of the composites to a value of 5.4 MPa.

A mild increase in nutrient signaling to mTORC1 in mice leads to parenchymal damage, myeloid inflammation and shortened lifespan.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 controls cellular anabolism in response to growth factor signaling and to nutrient sufficiency signaled through the Rag GTPases. Inhibition of mTOR reproducibly extends longevity across eukaryotes. Here we report that mice that endogenously express active mutant variants of RagC exhibit multiple features of parenchymal damage that include senescence, expression of inflammatory molecules, increased myeloid inflammation with extensive features of inflammaging and a ~30% reduction in lifespan. Through bone marrow transplantation experiments, we show that myeloid cells are abnormally activated by signals emanating from dysfunctional RagC-mutant parenchyma, causing neutrophil extravasation that inflicts additional inflammatory damage. Therapeutic suppression of myeloid inflammation in aged RagC-mutant mice attenuates parenchymal damage and extends survival. Together, our findings link mildly increased nutrient signaling to limited lifespan in mammals, and support a two-component process of parenchymal damage and myeloid inflammation that together precipitate a time-dependent organ deterioration that limits longevity.

Affordable inline structuration measurements of printable mortar with a pocket shear vane

The control of mortar rheology is of paramount importance in 3D printing concrete by extrusion. This is particularly sensitive for two-component (2K) processes that use an accelerator to switch the printed mortar very quickly from a liquid behavior to a sufficiently solid behavior to be able to be printed (i.e. structuration). After some main key points about measuring the structuration of printed mortars, we propose an original and simple inline test using a pocket shear vane tester. The test is able to measure over several decades of yield stress range, mobilizes small quantities of mortar and enables in-situ measurements on freshly printed layers. The results highlight the difference of structuration between a benchtop-prepared printable material and a truly printed material, fostering the importance of inline measurements, and demonstrating the quality of the method. This pocket shear vane test appears as good contender for a light and affordable rheometer for 2K printable mortars.

Revisiting the role of transpiration in the variation of ecosystem water use efficiency in China

Efforts to develop effective climate strategies necessitate a better understanding of the relationship between terrestrial water and carbon cycles. Water use efficiency (WUE) has been often used to characterize this relationship, while the role of transpiration (T) in the variation of ecosystem WUE has been less investigated. Here, we partitioned WUEET (the ratio of gross primary productivity (GPP) to evapotranspiration (ET)) into a two-component process, i.e., the ratio of gross primary productivity to plant transpiration, GPP/T, that is WUET, and the ratio of plant transpiration to evapotranspiration, T/ET. Based on two GPP datasets (i.e., GPP based on the light use efficiency model or the vegetation index- NIRv) and the GLEAM ET dataset, this study investigated the role of T in the variation of WUE in the ecosystem level and how the role is affected by drought. We found that drought can lead to the change of ET partitioning, thus affecting the variability of WUE. The variability of WUEET was dominated by WUET. In general, the proportion of T increased gradually from humid to arid areas. To adapt to drought conditions, vegetation in arid areas tend to have a high stress resistance by increasing their WUE. We further found that WUET has stronger seasonal stability than WUEET. GPP dominated WUEET variability in humid/sub humid areas, while ET and GPP jointly dominated WUEET variability in semi-arid/arid areas. GPP dataset based on light use efficiency (LUE) could better reflect the impact of drought on vegetation. This study contributes to a better understanding of the change mechanism of ecosystem WUE and emphasizes the critical role of physiological process components in water-carbon cycling.

Disinfection during Iron Electrocoagulation: Differentiating between Inactivation and Floc Entrapment for Escherichia coli and Somatic Coliphage ØX174

Electrochemical water treatment is gaining increasing popularity due to its wide range of potential applications, its decreasing costs, and its suitability as a decentralized treatment alternative, but mainly due to it being considered a ”green technology”. In the field of municipal wastewater treatment, the use of iron electrocoagulation (Fe-EC) has been marginal and although disinfection has been reported, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, for which significant controversy remains. In this study, microbial inactivation during Fe-EC was evaluated as a two-component process, namely, physical removal by microbial floc sorption/entrapment, and inactivation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by (semi)Fenton reactions. Using the fecal indicators Escherichia coli WR1 and somatic coliphage ØX174 suspended in a synthetic water matrix, the role of ROS and the role of flocculation were quantitatively evaluated. Fenton inhibitor TEMPOL was used to quench ROS production during Fe-EC. At circumneutral pH, ROS were found to be highly detrimental to E. coli, yet only mildly damaging for phage ØX174 (≈3.9 log10 and ≈0.8 log10 inactivation, respectively). Inactivation for both indicators increased under acidic conditions (pH 5.5), likely due to the formation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), exceeding 5.1 log10 for E. coli and 1.5 log10 for phage ØX174. The ROS inactivation pathway is linked to the oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe2+), being independent of flocculation settings. Experiments involving different flocculation settings demonstrated that there is a strong positive correlation between orthokinetic-like flocculation conditions, floc sedimentation, and microbial removal, meaning that floc entrapment is a major removal pathway following Fe-EC. When compared to control experiments in which no proper flocculation stage was introduced, orthokinetic flocculation produced additional 3.1 log10 and 4.4 log10 removal for E. coli and phage ØX174, respectively. We conclude that ROS production is not a prerequisite for removal of E. coli and phage ØX174, however, it does offer an additional disinfection barrier, which increases the robustness of Fe-EC for water treatment.

575-P: Screening, Selecting, and Training Peers to Deliver Mental Health Support via a Virtual Care Platform to Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Living in Rural and Remote Communities

Introduction: While the diabetes distress (DD) experience is unique for adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) , DD interventions involving peer support have focused largely on the T2D population. This study describes the process of screening, selecting, and training peers to provide mental health support to adults with T1D living in geographically marginalized settings. Methods: Peer Supporter (PS) candidates (n=65) underwent a two-component screening process involving an online personality assessment and a semi-structured interview. Individuals who passed participated in a 6-hour Zoom-based Peer Supporter Training (PST) consisting of three parts: (1) identifying internal motivation, boosting resilience, and expressing empathy; (2) exercising mindfulness, sitting with difficult emotions, and exploring DD; and (3) practicing active listening, avoiding advice giving (including clinical) . Candidates were assigned a standardized patient (SP) with T1D and invited to complete a 5-day peer support trial. To graduate successfully, trainees needed to score ≥ 4 of a 5-point Likert scale for each of 8 competencies criteria. Results: Of the 65 participants screened, 52 participated in PST. For the 5-day trial, candidates facilitated a values exercise and explored the SP’s DD profile. Mean scores for the 8 competency domains were: listening actively (4.55) ; no passing judgment (4.67) ; asking open-ended questions (4.12) ; making reflections (4.5) ; expressing empathy (4.42) ; sitting with strong emotions (4.44) ; avoiding advice giving (4.38) ; and deferring medical questions (4.58) . Forty-six of 52 participants graduated successfully. Conclusions: A rigorous process is feasible for screening, selecting and training peers to deliver mental health support to adults with T1D. The next step is to examine the impact of this peer support intervention on DD outcomes. Disclosure T.S.Tang: None. K.Yip: None. L.Moore: None. G.Klein: None. Funding Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (2-SRA-2020-986-S-B)

A simple new screening tool for diagnosing imported schistosomiasis

ObjectivesWe sought to test the sensitivity and feasibility of a Schistosoma infection screening process consisting of a scored patient consultation questionnaire and a serological diagnostic test. Study designProspective cross-sectional study. MethodsWe collected from Schistosoma-exposed individuals a 14-point check list of clinical and laboratory data related to Schistosoma infection, alongside a serological test to detect Schistosoma spp infection. A check list score was created and compared with the risk of infection and clinical recovery through an agreement analysis. ResultsTwo-hundred and fifty individuals were enrolled, of whom 220 (88%) were male and 30 (12%) female. The median age was 39 (range 18–78). One hundred-fifty (60%, 95% CI 54.9%–65.1%) had a check-list score ≥2. Serology test results were positive for 142 (56.8%, 95% CI 51.6%–62%). Chronic complications compatible with long-term Schistosoma infection were detected in 29 out of these 142 (20.4%, 95% CI 13.8%–27%).,. The median score value was 3, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve against serology results was 0.85 and the estimated intercept check-list questionnaire score value was 1.72 (95%, CI: 1.3–2.2). Participants with a positive serological test had a substantially higher check-list score (Cohen's kappa coefficient: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54–0.70). Ninety four percent patients empirically treated showed a subsequent improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters. ConclusionsA two-component process consisting of a scored patient consultation questionnaire followed by serological assay can be a suitable strategy for screening populations at high risk of schistosomiasis infection.

Surface Layer Formation at Dynamic Combined Exposure by Two-Component Electrode

This article is devoted to the study of workpieces surface layer state, resulting from dynamic exposure of a two-component electrode with imposition of electric field. The objects considered in the work are details with complex profile. Such parts are used in aviation, rocket and space technology and in oil and gas industry. They include impellers and flow part of turbopump bodies, augers, blade wheels, which have areas of variable curvature with limited tool access to treatment area. The authors show that mixture in combined process of two-component processing media from current-carrying granules and conductive liquid medium supplied at high speed to the treatment area, provides the required quality of surface layer due to the combined dynamic exposures on the material being treated. The parameters combination of electric field and kinetic energy of conductive granules allows you to control the magnitude and depth of material hardened layer in treatment area. Experimental studies have shown the increase in resource and durability of critical assemblies for aerospace equipment and oil and gas apparatus.

Dynamic Combined Treatment of Curved Surfaces by Two-Component Processing Media

This article is devoted to the tool usage as conductive filler with application of electric field for dynamic dimensional finishing combined treatment of hard-to-reach surfaces with high degree of curvature. The area of its technological use is shown in relation to aircraft engineering, rocket and space technology component parts and oil and gas industry. The common criterion for method applicability is that such parts have sections with variable curvature and limited tool access to the treatment area. The authors show that in dynamic combined process control of the required technological and operational indicators is possible due to the combination of current-carrying granules kinetic energy and surface anodic dissolution in treatment area. Methods for remote control of dimensional processing with the creation of required reinforced surface layer due to the dynamic mechanical action of solid granules and surface roughness due to anodic dissolution of work surface are presented. The resulting effect is increase in service life and durability in critical assemblies of aerospace equipment and oil and gas apparatus.

Shifts in ecosystem water use efficiency on china's loess plateau caused by the interaction of climatic and biotic factors over 1985–2015

Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE), defined as the ratio of gross primary productivity (GPP) to total ecosystem evapotranspiration (ET), is an important indicator of the coupling between the terrestrial carbon and water cycles. China's Loess Plateau (CLP) has been experiencing climatic warming in recent decades and large-scale revegetation since the early 2000s. Understanding the combined effects of revegetation and climate change on ecosystem WUE patterns is important for a better prediction of future changes of the water and carbon cycles in the region. In this study, we decompose ecosystem WUE into a two-component process, i.e., the ratio of carbon uptake to plant transpiration, GPP/T, and the ratio of plant transpiration to total evapotranspiration, T/ET. Based on this, we investigate the temporal variations of ecosystem WUE and examine the underlying controls of WUE dynamics on CLP during 1985–2015. We find that ecosystem WUE on CLP remains more or less unchanged during 1985–1999 as a result of an increased T/ET that is largely offset by a decreased GPP/T induced by increases in atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. In comparison, ecosystem WUE significantly increases during 2000–2015, owing to the increased leaf area index, which promotes the fraction of plant transpiration over total ET (i.e., T/ET). In facing the upcoming peak of greenness and continuing climate warming, our results suggest that CLP's ecosystem WUE may experience a downward trend in the future due to diminishing positive effects of leaf area index but increasing negative effects of atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. Our study highlights the importance of decomposing ecosystem WUE into component processes to better understand the mechanisms that underlying the changes of ecosystem WUE and to predict future ecosystem WUE dynamics.

Strain-Dependent Kinetics in the Cis-to-Trans Isomerization of Azobenzene in Bulk Elastomers.

The cis-to-trans isomerization of azobenzene is accelerated in a bulk PDMS elastomer under uniaxial tension. The kinetics are cleanly described by a single-exponential first-order process (k = 2.7 × 10-5 s-1) in the absence of tension but become multiexponential under constant strains of 40-90%. The complex kinetics can be reasonably modeled as a two-component process. The majority (∼92%) process is slower and occurs with a rate constant that is similar to that of the unstrained system (k = 2.3-2.7 × 10-5 s-1), whereas the rate constant of the minority (∼8%) process increases from k = 10.1 × 10-5 s-1 at 40% strain to k = 21.3 × 10-5 s-1 at 90% strain. Simple models of expected force-rate relationships suggest that the average force of tension per strand in the minority component ranges from 28 to 44 pN across strains of 40-90%.

Stabilisation of coupled delayed regime‐switching diffusion with continuous‐state‐dependent switching via intermittent control

Motivated by Markovian regime-switching diffusion (MRSD), time-varying delays and non-linear coupling forms, this study is concerned with stabilisation of coupled regime-switching diffusion with time-varying delays (CRSDTD) under periodically intermittent control. Compared with most papers investigating MRSD, a striking feature of regime-switching diffusion is that in the two-component process ( x ( t ) , α ( t ) ) , switching process α ( t ) depends on the diffusion x ( t ) , which can be regarded as the x-dependent process briefly. It is worth mentioning that time-varying delays and non-linear coupling forms are taken into consideration when modelling, which makes their work more realistic. Moreover, a periodically intermittent controller is adopted to guarantee that CRSDTD can achieve the pth moment exponential stability and some sufficient conditions are derived by using the Lyapunov method and Kirchhoff's matrix tree theorem. Furthermore, to illustrate the applicability of their theoretical results, an application to regime-switching coupled oscillators with time-varying delays (RSCOTD) is presented and a stability criterion is given. Conclusively, numerical simulations on RSCOTD are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

A Low-Cost, Wide-Range, CCT-Tunable, Variable-Illuminance LED Lighting System

ABSTRACTThis article proposes a cost-effective, wide-range, open-loop, and decoupled control scheme of correlated color temperature (CCT) and illuminance of a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, based on two-component color blending. Light from a phosphor-converted white LED source is blended with that from a blue/cyan LED or a red/amber LED to get a CCT value higher or lower than that of the phosphor-converted white LED CCT. Based on Grassmann’s law of color mixing and McCamy’s formula of CCT, a simple control algorithm has been implemented to manipulate the duty cycles for driving two different LED strings in pulse-width modulation (PWM) mode. The prototype lighting system has the capability to independently produce a flexible CCT ranging from 2500 K to 12,500 K and a flexible illuminance ranging from 1 lx to 100 lx at a distance of 1 m. The algorithm is experimentally validated by hardware implementation. Experimental results show that although the system is an open-loop one, it is quite accurate with respect to set point CCT and illuminance. In this two-component color blending process, mixing is possible on a straight chromatic line. A deviation from the ideal black-body radiator (i.e., increase in Duv) may be noticeable based upon the two selected LEDs’ color coordinates. This kind of dynamic LED lighting system can be used in diverse applications like road lighting, mood lighting, human photobiology research, museum lighting, etc.

Technologies for the integration of miniaturised silicon sensor systems in fibre-reinforced composites

Functional integration processes gain more and more importance in lightweight engineering. In this paper we discuss how to improve fibre-reinforced composites with structurally integrated condition monitoring systems, suitable for predicting failure behaviour. Especially commercially available and tested silicon sensors, but also new developments are well-suited for this intention. We present a smart semi-finished textile with integrated silicon sensors for in-situ conditions and process monitoring in fibre-reinforced composites. It consists of a textile substrate tape with integrated electrically conductive fibres and various silicon sensors, applied by micro-injection moulding. A so-called “interposer” is used as an electrical adapter between the microstructures of the sensor system and the mesostructures of the textile. The key technology used for the encapsulation and electrical contacting of the sensor nodes is a two-stage two-component micro injection moulding process, allowing for a cost efficient and application specific mass production. As proof of concept we chose the injection moulding process to investigate the influence of the fabrication process on all electronic components with a silicon stress measurement chip. We performed in-situ measurements of temperature and in-plane mechanical stress for different glass fibre contents of the PA6 melt and tool temperatures and compared the results with a finite element simulation.

End-Member Selection in Two-Component Isotope-Based Hydrograph Separation

The science that underpins our knowledge and understanding of Isotope-Based Hydrograph separation (IHS) has gained grounds, over the last few decades, in the identification of streamflow sources. However, challenges still exist in identifying appropriate tracers and the right combination of end-members for the IHS process. In a two-component IHS analysis, the application of the dual isotopes tracers, δ18O and (or) δ2H, is regarded as the simplest method. We undertook an IHS study within a nested system of eight Prairie watersheds located in South central Manitoba, Canada. The work evaluated about 17,000 results emanating from the application of a combination of two potential tracers (δ18O and δ2H) and eight each of potential “old” and “new” water end-members in a two-component IHS process. The outcome showed occurrences of many mathematically possible but hydrologically unacceptable IHS results. The observation was particularly predominant within relatively larger perennial sub-catchments of the watershed. It is also shown that inter-site sub-catchment isotopic end-member transferability is possible within watersheds of similar physio-hydrographic characteristics. We suggest that a careful evaluation of the physio-hydrographic characteristics of catchments be considered in IHS studies in addition to the recommended guidelines in the selection of tracers and end-members.

Nano-Transformations in the Surface Layer of Materials Under Combined Processing by Unbound Granules

The article considers nano-transformations of the surface layer, occurring in combined dimensional finishing with an electric field applied by a tool in the form of unbound metal granules. The object of study are geometrically-complex parts, used in aviation, rocket and space engineering, as well as in oil-and-gas industry, namely, rotors and flow parts of turbopump unit casings, screw conveyers and impellers with sections of various curvature, providing limited access of the tool to the processing zone. It is shown that the combined process involving the fusion of two-component processing media, composed from current-carrying granules, and an electrically conductive liquid medium, supplied to the processing zone at high speed, helps to achieve the required quality of the surface layer. The action of the electric field from a high-voltage source makes it possible to achieve the required peening against the strikes of solid granules in the process of dimensional finishing. This gives the possibility to increase the service life and durability of critical units of aerospace and oil-and-gas equipment, and broaden the scope of using combined processing by unbound granules, as to comprise the components with sections, inaccessible for processing by a profiled electrode.

Injection bonding of structural components with fast-curing two-component PUR-systems

When someone joins large structural components, the importance of the joining technology increases. Well-known joining processes such as welding and classic adhesive bonding reach their limits with respect to cycle times and tolerances. A new two-component polyurethane injection process based on the reaction in mold technology, offers an alternative and has the potential to reduce costs and compensate tolerances. The objective of this paper is to characterize and evaluate this process for potential applications so that it is possible to set the parameters as necessary. The example that was chosen for this research is the battery housing for electric vehicles. The advantage that this process does not only join the parts within seconds, but also will seal or fill long gaps if necessary, makes it particularly interesting for the industry. Classic adhesive technology applies the adhesive on one part, then takes the second part for the joining process, grouts the adhesive to a defined gap and afterwards, it still has to cure in a geometrically-defined tool. The PUR injection process fixes the two components in a tool with a defined gap and afterwards, injects the PUR that then reacts in the gap and joins the two parts within seconds. The adhesion and as well the rheology decreases with an increase in crosslinkings. These two parameters are therefore described relative to time and temperature. A steep increase in viscosity is detected after just a few seconds. With higher adherend temperatures the increase in viscosity appears earlier and steeper. The property for adhesion to the surface is decreasing the longer the PUR takes to hit the surface. These dependencies are described in this paper to develop a reproducible application process with a battery housing for electric vehicles as a case study.

The neuroscience of perceptual categorization in pigeons: A mechanistic hypothesis.

We are surrounded by an endless variation of objects. The ability to categorize these objects represents a core cognitive competence of humans and possibly all vertebrates. Research on category learning in nonhuman animals started with the seminal studies of Richard Herrnstein on the category "human" in pigeons. Since then, we have learned that pigeons are able to categorize a large number of stimulus sets, ranging from Cubist paintings to English orthography. Strangely, this prolific field has largely neglected to also study the avian neurobiology of categorization. Here, we present a hypothesis that combines experimental results and theories from categorization research in pigeons with neurobiological insights on visual processing and dopamine-mediated learning in primates. We conclude that in both fields, similar conclusions on the mechanisms of perceptual categorization have been drawn, despite very little cross-reference or communication between these two areas to date. We hypothesize that perceptual categorization is a two-component process in which stimulus features are first rapidly extracted in a feed-forward process, thereby enabling a fast subdivision along multiple category borders. In primates this seems to happen in the inferotemporal cortex, while pigeons may primarily use a cluster of associative visual forebrain areas. The second process rests on dopaminergic error-prediction learning that enables prefrontal areas to connect top down the relevant visual category dimension to the appropriate action dimension.

Recurrence for switching diffusion with past dependent switching and countable state space

This work continues and substantially extends our recent work on switching diffusions with the switching processes that depend on the past states and that take values in a countable state space. That is, the discrete component of the two-component process takes values in a countably infinite set and its switching rate at current time depends on the value of the continuous component involving past history. This paper focuses on recurrence, positive recurrence, and weak stabilization of such systems. In particular, the paper aims to providing more verifiable conditions on recurrence and positive recurrence and related issues. Assuming that the system is linearizable, it provides feasible conditions focusing on the coefficients of the systems for positive recurrence. Then linear feedback controls for weak stabilization are considered. Some illustrative examples are also given.

Scaling Limit of Symmetric Random Walk in High-Contrast Periodic Environment

The paper deals with the asymptotic properties of a symmetric random walk in a high contrast periodic medium in $\mathbb Z^d$, $d\geq 1$. We show that under proper diffusive scaling the random walk exhibits a non-standard limit behaviour. In addition to the coordinate of the random walk in $\mathbb Z^d$ we introduce an extra variable that characterizes the position of the random walk in the period and show that this two-component process converges in law to a limit Markov process. The components of the limit process are mutually coupled, thus we cannot expect that the limit behaviour of the coordinate process is Markov. We also prove the convergence in the path space for the said random walk.