Search

This paper presents an experimental study to explore the compressive properties of fiber recycled aggregate concrete. A total of 75 specimens with the replacement rate of recycled coarse aggregate and fiber type were conducted under a uniaxial compressive test. The failure modes, stress-strain whole curves, peak stress, peak strain, and energy dissipation capacity were systematically observed and revealed. Test results indicate that steel fiber has the best modification effect on energy dissipation capacity and the toughness index of recycled concrete, corresponding to the enhancement of 81.75% and 22.90% on average. The addition of polyvinyl alcohol fiber can effectively improve the compressive strength and energy dissipation capacity of recycled aggregate concrete by 28.49% and 29.43% on average, respectively. The compressive strength and energy dissipation capacity of recycled aggregate concrete is increased by an average of 16.5% and 24.4% by incorporating carbon fiber. The energy dissipation capacity of recycled aggregate concrete is increased by an average of 13.5% with the incorporation of polypropylene fiber. However, the addition of carbon fiber results in a slight reduction of toughness by 16.97%, and the effect of polyvinyl alcohol fiber on the energy dissipation capacity is limited. Besides, with the increase in replacement rate, the compressive strength and the energy dissipation capacity of recycled coarse aggregate concrete with fiber decreased, and toughness first decreased and then increased. Finally, based on the analysis of test data, a segment-based stress-strain model of fiber recycled aggregate concrete was proposed, which shows good agreement with the test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid development in the tourism sector of Pangandaraan raises various problems such as environmental degradation, environmental pollution and waste problems. Microplastic pollution in the oceans is a type of hazardous waste, with microscopic plastic particles less than 5 mm in size. Generally, easy-to-find microplastics include fragments, films, and fibers. Microplastic abundances are found in deep sea areas similar to those in the intertidal area. The purpose of this research is to know the microplastic composition which is sedimentation in various types of sediments and the factors that influence the changes to the microplastic sedimentation in the Pangandaran waters. This research uses the survey method. The most common microplastic particles in station 2 were 12.622 particles (fibers and fragments) and the lowest was found in station 4 of 1.809 particles (fiber, fragment and film). The highest number of microplastic particles trapped in mesh size sediment between 106 μm - 250 μm. Current, waves and tides are factors that cause microplastic movement in the sea. The distribution of microplastic particles is influenced by oceanography factor, density, shape and size of microplastic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of synthetic, free-amino acid diets, similar to those prescribed as supplements for (phenylketonuria) PKU patients, on gut microbiota and overall health are not well understood. In the current, multidisciplinary study, we examined the effects of a synthetically-derived, low-fiber, amino acid diet on behavior, cognition, gut microbiome composition, and inflammatory markers. A cohort of 20 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to either a standard or synthetic diet (n = 10) at post-natal day 21 and maintained for 13 weeks. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from fecal samples revealed decreased bacterial diversity, increased abundance of bacteria associated with disease, such as Prevotella, and a downward shift in gut microbiota associated with fermentation pathways in the synthetic diet group. Furthermore, there were decreased levels of short chain fatty acids and shortening of the colon in mice consuming the synthetic diet. Finally, we measured TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 in serum, the hippocampus, and colon, and found that the synthetic diet significantly increased IL-6 production in the hippocampus. These results demonstrate the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to future diet and microbiome studies, as diet not only impacts the gut microbiome composition but potentially systemic health as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional printable concrete requires further development owing to the challenges encountered, including its brittle behavior, high cement requirement for the buildability of layers, and anisotropic behavior in different directions. The aim of this study is to overcome these challenges. First, three-dimensional printable concrete mixtures were prepared using silica fume, ground blast furnace slag, and metakaolin, instead of cement, to reduce the amount of cement. Subsequently, the rheological and mechanical behaviors of these concretes were investigated. Second, three-dimensional printable concrete mixtures were prepared using 6-mm-long steel and synthetic fibers to eliminate brittleness and determine the effect of those fibers on the anisotropic behavior of the concrete. As a result of this study, it is understood that printable concretes with extremely low permeability and high buildability can be achieved using mineral additives. In addition, results showed that three-dimensional concrete samples containing short steel fibers achieve fracture energies up to 36 times greater than that of plain concrete. Meanwhile, its characteristic length values, as indicators of ductility, are 22 times higher than those of plain concrete. The weakest strength was recorded at the interfaces between layers. The bending and splitting tensile strengths of three-dimensional printed plain concrete samples were 15% and 19% lower than those of casted samples, respectively. However, the addition of fibers improved the mechanical strength of the interfaces significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society is the property of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society is the property of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The gut microbiome is a salient contributor to the development of obesity, and diet is the greatest modifier of the gut microbiome, which highlights the need to better understand how specific diets alter the gut microbiota to impact metabolic disease. Increased dietary fiber intake shifts the gut microbiome and improves energy and glucose homeostasis. Dietary fibers are found in various plant-based flours which vary in fiber composition. However, the comparative efficacy of specific plant-based flours to improve energy homeostasis and the mechanism by which this occurs is not well characterized. Methods: In experiment 1, obese rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) supplemented with four different plant-based flours for 12 weeks. Barley flour (BF), oat bran (OB), wheat bran (WB), and Hi-maize amylose (HMA) were incorporated into the HFD at 5% or 10% total fiber content and were compared to a HFD control. For experiment 2, lean, chow-fed rats were switched to HFD supplemented with 10% WB or BF to determine the preventative efficacy of flour supplementation. Results: In experiment 1, 10% BF and 10% WB reduced body weight and adiposity gain and increased cecal butyrate. Gut microbiota analysis of WB and BF treated rats revealed increases in relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria. 10% WB and BF were also efficacious in preventing HFD-induced obesity; 10% WB and BF decreased body weight and adiposity, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced inflammatory markers and lipogenic enzyme expression in liver and adipose tissue. These effects were accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiota including increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus and LachnospiraceaeUCG001, along with increased portal taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) in 10% WB and BF rats compared to HFD rats. Conclusions: Therapeutic and preventative supplementation with 10%, but not 5%, WB or BF improves metabolic homeostasis, which is possibly due to gut microbiome-induced alterations. Specifically, these effects are proposed to be due to increased concentrations of intestinal butyrate and circulating TDCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) fruit is mainly consumed fresh or after its transformation into juice, jam, candy, beverages, ice cream, powder, or wine. During processing, many leftovers are produced and released into the environment, contributing to pollution. This current study investigated the possible utilization of pineapple leftovers from two varieties (Smooth Cayenne and Sugarloaf) cultivated in West Africa. They were characterized individually (crown, bud end, peel, core, and pomace) regarding chemical composition, in vitro fermentation characteristics, and estimated metabolizable energy. As a result, the lipids and lignin content were at low levels and they would not negatively affect nutrient utilization in ruminants. However, the low dry matter and high sugar content in pineapples highlight preservation issues in their by-products. The core and pomace of pineapples showed low structural carbohydrate content, high in vitro degradability, and high volatile fatty acid production. This study suggests that pineapple by-products can be used in ruminant nutrition; the crown, bud end, and peel can be used as fiber sources, while core and pomace can be used as energy sources. In West Africa, these by-products could help farmers to supplement ruminants' diet during dry seasons characterized by the scarcity of natural pasture which represent the main feedstuff for ruminant in this region. Pineapple fruit, which is cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, is processed by the food industry, generating a large amount of waste. Using pineapple by-products in animal nutrition could reduce feeding costs and contribute to the containment of pollution. The chemical composition and the in vitro fermentation of five pineapple by-products (crown, bud end, peel, core, and pomace) from two West African pineapple varieties (Smooth Cayenne—SC and Sugarloaf—SL) were evaluated. Significant differences were observed between the varieties and by-products. The dry matter (DM) content was low and superimposable between varieties, averaging 17.7%. On a DM basis, pomace showed the highest protein content (SC 8.10% and SL 8.81%, p < 0.001), whereas the crown showed the highest (p < 0.001) NDF content (47.62% and 39.01% for SC and SL, respectively). Due the high sugar content, the core and pomace showed high in vitro organic matter degradability (SC: 85.09% and SL: 83.98%), estimated metabolizable energy (SC: 7.91 KJ/kg and SL: 7.66 KJ/kg), and volatile fatty acid production (96.86 mmol/g and 90.62 mmol/g). Based on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility results, this study suggests that pineapple by-products have the potential to be used in ruminants' diets, considering the crown, bud end, and peel as fiber sources and the core and pomace as substitutes or supplements to concentrate feedstuffs. Further research should be conducted on the storability of these by-products through in vivo trials evaluating animals' performances and the quality of their products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber-type electronics is a crucial field for realizing wearable electronic devices with a wide range of sensing applications. In this paper, we begin by discussing the fabrication of fibers from conjugated polymers. We then explore the utilization of these fibers in the development of field-effect and electrochemical transistors. Finally, we investigate the diverse applications of these fiber-type transistors, encompassing chemical and physical sensors. Our paper aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the use of conjugated polymers in fiber-type transistor-based sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the findings of a field experiment conducted in Himachal Pradesh to study the effectiveness of different herbicides in controlling grassy weeds and improving yields in dual-purpose linseed crops. The results showed that specific herbicides were successful in controlling grassy weeds and resulted in significantly higher yields of linseed. The study also highlighted the economic benefits of using herbicides for weed control. Overall, the findings suggest that selecting appropriate herbicides can help control grassy weeds and improve yields in linseed crops. [Extracted from the article]

Strain‐hardening cement‐based composites or engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is concrete produced using randomly distributed short polymer fibers. It is very ductile compared to conventional concrete. Compressive strength (CS) is a critical property used as a quality control tool to evaluate the strength of concrete implemented in the structural provisions and mix designs. Accordingly, to save cost and time for testing, it is essential to provide a predictive model to forecast the CS of the concrete mixtures using machine learning and modeling techniques. In this study, different modeling tools are used to propose analytical models to predict the CS of ECC mixtures, such as linear regression (LR), multi‐expression programming (MEP), artificial neural network (ANN), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). A total of 210 data were collected from the literature and used to train and test the developed model. The fly ash‐to‐cement ratio ranged from 0 to 5.6, water to binder ratio from 0.19 to 0.56, different superplasticizer and fiber content, and curing times of 1 to 180 days. Based on the evaluation of the developed models, the ANN model is superior to other developed models with a high coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and scatter index (SI). The sensitivity analysis of the input parameters' effect on the CS prediction indicates that the curing time and the fly ash‐to‐cement ratio are essential in forecasting ECC's CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rumen is the main digestive organ of ruminants, hosting various microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and archaea. These rumen microbiota play an important role in the digestive system of ruminants. Rumen fungi account for a relatively small proportion of rumen microorganisms, and the vast majority are anaerobic fungi. Rumen fungi can fully degrade fiber substances. At the same time, fungi also participate in the degradation process of protein and starch to improve feed utilization. In addition, the number of rumen fungi is easily influenced by sulfur, nitrogen elements, and other microorganisms in the rumen. Therefore, regulating the feed can increase the number of fungi in the rumen, thereby improving the digestion ability of ruminants and the utilization of feed. The article reviews the characteristics, function influencing factors and applications of rumen fungi based on research progress both domestically and internationally, in order to provide reference for the healthy breeding of ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suitable sowing dates are crucial in plant production to cope with climate change and ensure high-quality crop production. We hypothesize that the analysis of the effect of sowing date and climatic resources on maize kernel nutritional quality (KNQ) (crude fiber, starch, crude fat, and crude protein) might contribute to selecting appropriate sowing dates according to different production requirements and meteorological conditions. The study was based on five main local varieties in three experimental stations (early-maturing variety: Zengyu1317, Hongshuo298, Keyu15; medium-maturing variety: Xianyu335; late-maturing variety: Danyu405) in Northeast China from 2018 to 2021. The results showed that: (1) the average starch content (67.7%) and crude protein content (9.1%) of early-maturing variety maize and the crude fiber content (3.3%) and crude fat content (3.6%) of late-maturing variety maize were the highest in Northeast China; (2) the sowing date had no significant effect on the starch content, but significantly affected the crude protein and crude fiber contents, the kernel protein content of early-maturing variety maize was the highest when the sowing date was delayed for 5 days (9.8%), and the crude fiber content of medium-maturing and late-maturing variety maize (4.3% and 5.39%, respectively) was the highest when the sowing date was advanced by 10 days; (3) during the reproductive growth stage, the more light and heat resources, the less starch content and crude protein content and the more crude fat content; when the diurnal temperature range increased by 1 °C, the crude fat content decreased by 0.28%, and the crude protein content increased by 0.77%; for every 100 mm more precipitation, crude fiber and crude protein content decreased by 0.68% and 0.73%, respectively, and fat content increased by 0.15%. Our results provide a meaningful reference for maize production to cope with climate change and improve kernel quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the possibility of producing sponge cake by replacing triticale flour (TF) (0-30%) and beta -glucan fiber (BG) (0-10%) was investigated by utilizing a two -level factorial design containing central points. According to the results, by increasing TF and BG replacement ratio in the cake formulation, moisture content, water activity, ash, fiber, and antioxidant capacity increased, whereas carbohydrates, calories, and lightness of cases decreased. Moreover, the specific volume of cakes in those samples containing TF decreased, while adding the BG fiber can lead to improving it . Meanwhile, as BG and TF levels increased, the hardness of the samples increased while their cohesiveness and springiness decreased. On the other hand, BG replacement did not have a significant effect on the chewiness and gumminess, whereas TF may lead to increasing them. The overall acceptance of the samples increased with the simultaneous replacement of TF and BG. Furthermore, the numerical optimization confirmed that it is possible to produce enriched and desirable cakes through a combination of 30% TF and 8.3% BG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here a novel strategy for the chemical recycling of bio-based poly(ethylene furanoate)s (PEF) to value-added high-performance bio-based poly(ethylene-co-isosorbide furanoate) (PEIF) copolyesters by the combination of cyclodepolymerization method with rapid cascade polycondensation-coupling ring-opening polymerization (PROP). The solution cyclodepolymerization of commercially available PEF affords cyclic oligo(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)s (COEFs), and the effects of reaction conditions on the yield of COEFs were studied. PEIF copolyesters with different isosorbide (IS) contents were synthesized via the cascade PROP of COEFs with IS, which show significant enhanced glass transition temperature. By melt spinning, PEIF fibers with different orientation factors were prepared, with excellent thermal stability and mechanical performance. The obtained PEIF fibers can lift a weight ∼25000 times higher than its weight. The PEIF fibers are stable under ambient conditions but are biodegradable following the "surface erosion" mechanism. These sustainable value-added biodegradable PEIF fibers offer a solution to the environmentally friendly fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is one of the most abundant residues in the beer industry and has a high nutritional content, such as proteins, fibers, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. It has a high fiber and protein content, and thus it is commonly used in animal feed production or discarded in the environment. However, due to its nutritional value, low cost, and being made available in large quantities throughout the year, BSG can be reused for other purposes, whether in the preparation of new products or in the recovery of its constituents. Several studies are being carried out for the application of this human food, and it has been reported that some components of BSG have bioactive properties and can be used as health promoters. This review addresses the main data on how BSG is generated, its chemical composition, and the latest methods that apply to information on the recovery of compounds of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the concept of green geopolymer, a good start would be if all/many of the geopolymer components were made from recycled materials. In this research, high recycled material consumption was aimed for forming a geopolymer. Binder materials were selected as 40% metakaolin, 20% fly ash, 20% granulated ground furnace slag, and 20% red mud, and, also the aggregates were selected as recycled material (50% recycled aggregate powder and 50% marble powder). In addition, different types of fibers (brass-coated steel fiber, polyamide fiber and polypropylene fiber) at different ratios (0–0.25–0.50–0.75–1.00%) were used. Compressive strength, bending strength, ultrasound pulse velocity were obtained in the tests and nonlinear fracture parameters such as initial fracture toughness and unstable fracture toughness were determined by equations. Besides, the durability properties (abrasion resistance, high-temperature (up to 600 °C) resistance, freeze–thaw (up to 300 cycles) resistance, and sodium/magnesium sulfate attack) of the best geopolymers were considered and the best series for each fiber type was determined by a decision support system. According to the test results, the bending strength was improved by curing age and all types of fibers. Besides, the first crack and unstable crack propagation are delayed by fibers. 0.75% polypropylene fiber with a high curing time (up to 56 days) can be proposed for higher performance of geopolymer. In addition, consideration of a decision support system eases finding the best solution among the huge experimental data and gives better results instead of the conventional singular evaluation approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transverse impact of a pulsed water microjet on individual cylindrical fibers is studied. The stages of ejection, breakup, and collision of the microjet were recorded by high-speed photography. A significant deceleration of the microjet by the fiber and its splitting into two parts were revealed. The mechanisms of the observed phenomena and the influence of various factors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of açaí bran (AB) inclusion in diets for laying hens on performance, quality and sensory characteristics of the eggs. A bromatological analysis of AB (seed and peel, resulting from pulping of açaí fruit) was carried out for formulation of experimental diets, which was evaluated in terms of bird performance, quality and sensory characteristics of the eggs. The study lasted 105 days divided into five periods of 21 days. A total of 180 Hisex White laying hens (65-wks-old) were distributed in a completely randomized design with control treatment (without inclusion) and five inclusion levels (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 %) of AB in the diets with five replicates of six birds. The results of the present study indicated that is possible to include until 10% of AB in diets for laying hens with a positive effect (p<0.05) on performance and egg quality, presenting better eggs sensory characteristics. AB presents a great content of fiber, however, its inclusion above 10% caused a negative effect (p<0.05) on performance, quality and sensory characteristics of eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective was to analyze associations between dietary intake of multiple nutrients and altered cognitive function and/or decline. Methods: Observational analyses of participants (n = 6334) in two randomized trials of nutritional supplements for age‐related macular degeneration: Age‐Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2. Results: In AREDS, for 4 of 38 nutrients examined, higher intake quintiles were significantly associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment on the Modified Mini‐Mental State test (<80): β‐carotene, copper, docosahexaenoic acid, and insoluble fiber. In AREDS2, for 13 of 44 nutrients, higher intake quintiles were associated with decreased risk on the Telephone Interview Cognitive Status‐Modified (<30). Rate of cognitive decline over up to 10 years was not significantly different with higher intake of any nutrient. Discussion: Higher dietary intake of multiple nutrients, including specific vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, fatty acids, and fiber, was associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment but not slower decline in cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in phenotyping techniques have substantially improved the ability to mitigate type-II errors typically associated with high variance in phenotyping data sets. In particular, the implementation of automated techniques such as the High-Volume Instrument (HVI) and the Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) have significantly enhanced the reproducibility and standardization of various fiber quality measurements in cotton. However, micronaire is not a direct measure of either maturity or fineness, lending to limitations. AFIS only provides a calculated form of fiber diameter, not a direct measure, justifying the need for a visual-based reference method. Obtaining direct measurements of individual fibers through cross-sectional analysis and electron microscopy is a widely accepted standard but is time-consuming and requires the use of hazardous chemicals and specialized equipment. In this study, we present a simplified fiber histology and image acquisition technique that is both rapid and reproducible. We also introduce an automated image analysis program that utilizes machine learning to differentiate good fibers from bad and to subsequently collect critical phenotypic measurements. These methods have the potential to improve the efficiency of cotton fiber phenotyping, allowing for greater precision in unravelling the genetic architecture of critical traits such as fiber diameter, shape, areas of the secondary cell wall/lumen, and others, ultimately leading to larger genetic gains in fiber quality and improvements in cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Million tons of food is wasted annually in the EU, and one of the possibilities how to decrease it, is in transformation of food waste into products of commercial use. The aim of this work was to evaluate by-products (BP) of plant processing as a potential source of biologically valuable substances for its further utilization in food/feed processing. Several kinds of BP were tested: apple, buckwheat, grape (Alibernet, Cabernet, Irsai Oliver, Traminer red), chilli and tomato for their content of individual phenolic substances, fiber and nitrogen substances. After their drying and grinding, BP were analyzed and applied as the powder into the food products. Nitrogen substances were analyzed by Kjeldahl method, the crude fiber by the Hennenberg-Stohmann method and phenolic substances by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC - DAD). Having in mind that BP can be an good source of selected nutrients for food/feed industry, we tested their application into gluten free food products such as corn bread and rice muffins in order to evaluate their sensory properties (sensory panel) and texture analysis (TA.XT Plus). Nitrogen substances ranged from 1.7% (buckwheat) to 15% (chilli), fiber from 11% (Tramin red) to 54.11% (buckwheat). High contents of resveratrol (up to 1781.01) were monitored in white varieties of grape BP. Irsai Oliver contained relatively high content of gallic acid (284.11 mg x kg-1), it was also present in Tramin BP (34.48 mg.kg-1). Another interesting component detected was rutin (116.21 mg x kg-1 in tomato BP), but also other phenolics were found. Model gluten free rice muffins with Cabernet grape BP (3%) and cornbread with apple BP (3%) were well evaluated by sensory panel, detected firmness of the products was comparable (1423 vs. 1339 g). We prepared very well accepted gluten free muffins based on rice flour and xylitol with Cabernet BP addition, showing an interesting violet color of products and supposing to have higher content of fiber, protein and phenolic substances as well corn bread with oligofructose and apple BP, both products without any synthetic food additive application that is common for all gluten free products. We can conclude that observed BP are still an excellent source of selected nutrients for food/feed industry. When speaking about BP application into gluten free food products such as corn bread and rice muffins, it is known that in patients with celiac disease, nutrient malabsorption is often observed and deficiencies in several nutrients is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fingerprints are a vital and unique identity of a person. These are impressions left by the friction ridges of a human finger on contact with any surface. The primary advantage of a fingerprint is that it does not change over time. Fingerprint identification is a method of identification using the impression formed by the minute ridges seen on the fingertips. Fingerprints have certain individual characteristics that are unique. Fingerprints are most generally recovered from crime scenes. Such prints are obtained when natural oils and perspiration (sweat) existing between the fingertip ridges are transferred to the surface by any contact. Fingerprints are invisible and are much harder to detect and preserve. These prints are obtained by physical and chemical methods. In this paper, my research focuses on detecting latent fingerprints or invisible fingerprints using ophthalmic fiber glass powder on different surfaces. Here I used the ophthalmic fiber glass and turned it into powder which is used for obtaining latent fingerprints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date pits (DP) have been researched as a potential alternative source of fibre for food products, so the experiment was conducted to ascertain the rheological properties and physical characteristics of pan bread, after undergoing rheological analysis, blends of ground date pits and wheat flour2 and 4% DPPwere utilized to make bread. The results indicated that adding date pit powder had a detrimental impact on stability, development time and water absorption, the date seed powder's moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash and fibre contents were determined to be 7.66±.88192, 6.33±.33333, 51.68±.57735, 8±.57735 and 2±57735% respectively, DP was used in place of the wheat flour at 2 and 4%contraction, and the approximate composition of date seeds was ascertained, due to its high nutritious content, date seed powder can be utilized to create creative goods. Therefore, it is crucial for the date industry in the nations that produce dates to make use of this inexpensive agricultural by-product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twisted, coiled polymer actuators (TCPAs) are a promising type of fiber-based actuators with high energy density, low material costs, and good recyclability; however, current manufacturing methods limit the length and stability of TCPAs, hampering their potential for large-scale textile applications. To overcome this limitation, we propose a textile manufacturing method based on the false-twisting principle, allowing for continuous and rapid production of highly twisted monofilaments. Additionally, this process enables the plying of two or more twisted monofilaments together, as well as the integration of wires for heating and sensing purposes. The resulting twist-stable plies can then be mandrel-coiled and annealed to create a new class of TCPAs with three superimposed levels of helicity, in contrast to the usual two levels. In this study, we investigate the impact of the additional helix level and various factors, including twist density, annealing temperature, cooling speed, and chirality, on the contractility of these TCPAs. Furthermore, due to the twist-stability of the plied yarns, they can be processed on standard textile machines, enabling the manufacture of TCPAs with multiple active yarns that can form contracting artificial muscles using a circular braiding machine. Our key findings reveal that the twisted monofilament coils can contract up to 60%, and higher twist density leads to improved performance for monofilament TCPAs. Notably, this phenomenon is not observed in plied-yarn TCPAs, where varying levels of twist on the monofilament and yarn helix level result in enhanced contractile performance. Overall, this work presents a novel textile manufacturing method for producing twist-stable TCPAs with good contractile performance, providing insights into the design and fabrication of advanced fiber-based actuators for potential applications in large-scale textiles, robotics, and biomedical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many degumming methods for fibrilia fiber have been established, the reaction priority of the gums and the influence of single gummy component removal/retention on the fiber property and the reaction behavior of the other components remain unclear. This study analyzed the above issues by the observing the change of fiber in microbial-mechanical 'enzyme peeling' and gas phase ozone treatment. Results showed that pectin removal could increase the fiber density significantly (∼60.3%) but would not cause damage to the fiber tenacity. The 2.5–4.5% pectin in untreated fiber could strongly restrict the removal of lignin and hemicellulose. Lignin had less influence on fiber density than pectin. The detailed composition of hemicellulose had a significant effect on fiber tenacity: the retention of xylan and mannan caused damage and benefit, respectively, to fiber tenacity. After the removal of 90.0% pectin and 23.0% hemicellulose, a deep delignification rate (>70.0%) could be obtained. The delignification rate of 70.0–80.0% was beneficial for the density decreasing and tenacity increasing of the fiber, while a delignification rate over 80.0% would cause the collapse of the cellulose structure and thus damage the fiber property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strength of experimental samples of SiC/SiC composite pipes is studied during axial and ring tension under normal conditions. The samples are fabricated from a three-dimensional Hi-Nicalon Type S wicker fiber frame with an interphase pyrocarbon layer and a SiC matrix produced by PIP and CVD. The fracture mechanism of the SiC/SiC composite is found to be quasi-plastic. The strength during axial and ring tension is 283 and 244 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to utilize the commonly discarded pea processing industrial waste (pea pods) for the development of popularly consumed food as cookies. Sweet and salted cookies were prepared by substituting refined and whole wheat flour with pea pod powder at the levels of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The effect of incorporation of pea pod powder on pasting properties of flour, dough characteristics, physical properties and organoleptic attributes of cookies was studied. With the increase in the level of incorporation of pea peel to wheat flour, water absorption capacity increases by 11–14% and dough development time by 1.8 to 2.3 min but decreased final viscosity by 39–49% and dough stability time by 3 min. Addition of pea peel powder to wheat flour improved the physical properties of cookies. On the basis of organoleptic score and physical properties, 10% substitution of whole wheat flour with pea peel powder was accepted. Addition of 10% pea peel powder to the cookies increased fiber content by 49%, insoluble fiber by 118% and soluble fiber by 77.5%. The optimized sweet and salty cookies were packed in different packaging materials and were stored at ambient conditions for 4 months. Cookies packed in aluminum laminate had shelf life beyond 4 months than other packaging materials. The cookies were organoleptically acceptable among the consumers and were rich in fiber. Thus, pea processing waste could be utilized as an ingredient for the development of nutritionally enriched cheap food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fly Ash Comprehensive Utilization is the property of Hebei Fly Ash Comprehensive Utilization Magazine Co., Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society is the property of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Self-oscillating systems can directly convert ambient energy to mechanical work, and new type self-oscillating systems are worth designing for applications in energy harvesters, engines, and actuators. Taking inspiration from the hand drill, we have developed a novel self-rotating drill system, which is consist of a turnplate and a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) fiber under steady illumination. To investigate the self-rotating behaviors of the LCE drill, we have proposed a nonlinear theoretical model of the LCE drill under steady illumination based on the well-established dynamic LCE model. Numerical calculation reveals that the LCE drill can undergo a supercritical Hopf bifurcation between the static regime and the self-rotation regime. The self-rotation of drill originates from the contraction of winding portion of LCE fiber in illumination at winding state, and its continuous periodic motion is sustained by the interrelation between light energy and damping dissipation. The Hopf bifurcation conditions are also investigated in detail, as well as the vital system parameters affecting its frequency and amplitude. In contrast to the abundant existing self-oscillating systems, this self-rotating drill stands out due to its simple and lightweight structure, customizable dimensions, and high speed, and thus facilitates the design of compact and integrated systems, enhancing their applicability in microdevices and systems. This bears great significance in fields like micro-robotics, micro-sensors, and medical instruments, enabling the realization of smaller and higher-performance devices.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of solid-state fermentation, utilizing Saccharomyces boulardii on brown rice husk, black rice husk, and smoked rice husk substrates in terms of the availability of different compounds. The fermentation process was carried out at 37 °C for a maximum of 12 h, using yeast (2.5 % w/w) and water (25 %). During fermentation, black rice husks (BLRH) exhibited an increase in vitamins, protein, and fiber content, whereas brown rice husks (BRRH) showed an increase in carbohydrate and fiber, and smoked rice husks (SRH) decreased lipid and fiber content. The solid-state fermentation process also enhanced the availability and accessibility of minerals, except for smoked rice husk. The levels of phenolic compounds in fermented black, brown, and smoked rice husks were 1165, 1108, and 1051 μg per gram of sample, respectively. Importantly, black rice husk fermented for 8 h demonstrated the most favorable results in terms of nutrient and bioactive compound availability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed correlations among the variables, which could be manipulated to improve the accessibility of diverse compounds.

The development of hydrogels has a significant impact in fields such as tissue engineering and biomedical devices. The present study tests different cellulose particles extracted from plants to produce hydrogels and identify if these particles and hydrogels have antimicrobial properties. Nine cellulose particles from Ecuadoran biodiversity were obtained using an established chemical extraction protocol, characterized using known techniques, and evaluated for bacterial growth in-vitro. In addition, two particles of nine were selected to perform bacterial growth rates and bacterial adhesion assays. The bacterial growth rates with cellulose F1 and F53 were similar to the positive control (with antibiotic) with both Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and TG1 strains. However, the results showed that the bacterial growth rate with seven of the nine cellulose particles was lower than the negative control (without antibiotics) suggesting antifouling properties. Based on the results using cellulose particles and hydrogels with antifouling properties, we prepared a plant extract to test the bactericide properties against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922) bacteria, evidencing the highest inhibitory effect at 40 and 60 mg/mL against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Lastly, we encapsulated the bactericide plant extract into the anti-fouling hydrogel. The results demonstrated that the combination of antifouling and bactericide properties could be an alternative approach for surface-modified cellulosic materials applications in the future.

Abstract Dry residue of cassava was studied on the digestibility, performance, intestinal measurements, with or without inclusion of carbohydrases, of slow-growing broilers. 160 Label Rouge broiler chickens, 21-d-old, were distributed in a randomized, 2x5 factorial arrangement (male and female x 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% residue) (metabolism trial). 1,100 male chicks were distributed in a 2x5 factorial arrangement (with/without carbohydrases x 0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; and 10.0% residue), with five replicates (performance trial). Increasing residue levels led to increases in energetic values. Feed intake from 1–21-d-old and 1–63-d-old decreased linearly. At 42 d-old, feed intake and weight gain levels exhibited a quadratic response, which predicted a highest value at 3.32% and 4.77%, respectively, for diets without carbohydrases. For 21- and 42-d-old chickens, the inclusion of carbohydrases reduced the weight and length of the small intestine. The energetic values of the diets were positively influenced by the residue and had similar digestibility values for both sexes. Inclusion of up to 10% of residue in slow-growing broiler diets does not impaired performance and intestinal morphology. The addition of carbohydrases reduced the viscosity of the digesta but it was not enough to improve the performance of the birds.

Digestive problems, both those with a clear pathogenic origin (e.g., Escherichia coli) and those without obvious pathogen involvement [e.g., syndromes like epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE)], are common in production rabbits and account for the majority of losses in meat rabbit production. A multitude of nutritional, genetic and housing factors have been found to play a role in the occurrence of digestive problems. However, the exact early pathophysiological mechanism, including the links between aforementioned risk factors and subsequent development and expression of gastrointestinal disease, is less clear, especially in non-specific enteropathies without obvious pathogen involvement. In this review, we aim to shed more light on the derailment of the normal gastrointestinal functioning in rabbits. We discuss a conceptual integrated view of this derailment, based on an “overload” pathway and a “chymus jam” pathway, which may occur simultaneously and interact. The “overload” pathway centers around exposure to excess amounts of easily fermentable substrate (e.g., starch and protein) that might be incompletely digested prior to entering the caecum. Once there, hyperfermentation may result in changes in caecal pH and inhibition of the normal microflora. The second pathway centers around a chymus jam resulting from a compromised passage rate. Here, reduced hindgut motility (e.g., resulting from stress or limited fiber supply) leads to reduced flow of digesta and increased caecal retention times, which might lead to the production of abnormal caecal fermentation products and subsequent inhibition of the normal microflora. A central role in the presumed mechanism is attributed to the fusus coli. We discuss the suggested mechanisms behind both pathways, as well as the empirical substantiation and alignment between theoretical concepts and observations in practice. The proposed hypotheses may explain the effect of time-based restriction to prevent ERE, which is widely applied in practice but to date not really understood, and suggest that the particle size of fiber may be a key point in the normal functioning of the colon and fusus coli. Further insight into the circumstances leading to the derailment of physiological processes in the rabbit hindgut could provide a meaningful starting point to help improve their gastrointestinal resilience.

Background Jute fiber is one of the most versatile natural fibers that is widely used as a raw material for packaging, textiles, and construction; and as a reinforcement in composite materials for heavy-duty applications. In the past, acid hydrolysis and mechanical treatment via the ball milling method were common in the extraction of cellulose nanofiber (CNFs) from natural plant fibers. However, there are some drawbacks of using those methods where there will be a huge quantity of acidic wastewater generated when the acid hydrolysis method is performed. Method This study investigated the potential use of a combination of chemical and mechanical methods in the extraction of jute CNFs. Through this method, the jute fibers were first chemically treated using sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) to remove the non-cellulosic elements followed by mechanical milling by using a planetary ball mill. Results The shape and size of the obtained CNFs were observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). This study revealed that jute CNFs were successfully extracted through the combination of chemical and mechanical treatment methods where the obtained CNFs reveal themselves in smooth fibrous morphology with a diameter of 23 nm and 150-200nm in length. Conclusions Jute cellulose nanofibers were successfully drawn out from raw jute fibers by means of a combination of chemical and mechanical treatment. The results obtained confirmed that the chemomechanical method is an effective technique for isolating the CNFs and its potential use as reinforcement material was explained.

The molecular complexity of the carbohydrates consumed by humans has been deceptively oversimplified due to a lack of analytical methods that possess the throughput, sensitivity, and resolution required to provide quantitative structural information. However, such information is becoming an integral part of understanding how specific glycan structures impact health through their interaction with the gut microbiome and host physiology. This work presents a detailed catalogue of the glycans present in complementary foods commonly consumed by toddlers during weaning and foods commonly consumed by American adults. The monosaccharide compositions of over 800 foods from diverse food groups including Fruits, Vegetables, Grain Products, Beans, Peas, Other Legumes, Nuts, Seeds; Sugars, Sweets and Beverages; Animal Products, and more were obtained and used to construct the "Davis Food Glycopedia" (DFG), an open-access database that provides quantitative structural information on the carbohydrates in food. While many foods within the same group possessed similar compositions, hierarchical clustering analysis revealed similarities between different groups as well. Such a Glycopedia can be used to formulate diets rich in specific monosaccharide residues to provide a more targeted modulation of the gut microbiome, thereby opening the door for a new class of prophylactic or therapeutic diets.