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This study investigates the optimization of process parameters for coating silk sutures with Acanthus ilicifolius leaf extract. The increasing awareness of surgical site infections is a critical concern associated with the use of sutures in medical procedure undertaking. Our study aimed to assess the impact of three crucial coating factors, namely extract content, temperature, and duration, on the mechanical and antibacterial characteristics of silk sutures braided together. Through Box–Behnken design, in conjunction with the response surface approach, we conducted a thorough analysis to refine the model. The result showed that extract concentration directly influences both antimicrobial activity and elongation, while temperature and time primarily affect tensile strength and bending stiffness. To achieve the maximum tensile strength, minimum breaking elongation, minimum bending stiffness, and lower friction, all while maintaining the important antimicrobial efficacy of the sutures, this study emphasizes the use of response surface methodology in optimizing coating parameters for A. ilicifolius leaf extract on silk sutures. The response models are developed on the complex relationships between these parameters and the properties of the sutures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries to tendons and ligaments are highly prevalent in the musculoskeletal system. Current treatments involve autologous transplants with limited availability and donor site morbidity. Tissue engineering offers a new approach through temporary load-bearing scaffolds. These scaffolds have to fulfill numerous requirements, the majority of which can be met using braiding combined with high-strength polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers. Considering regulatory requirements, several medical-grade PCL materials were assessed regarding their mechanical, degradational and cell biological properties. In the course of the investigation, an excellent fiber tensile strength of up to 850 MPa was achieved. The fibers were braided into multilayer scaffolds and scaled to match the human ACL. These were characterized regarding their morphology and their mechanical and degradational properties. Two strategies were followed to provide biological cues: (a) applying a chitosan-graft-PCL surface modification and (b) using non-circular fiber morphologies as topographical stimuli. Cell vitality assays showed generally positive cytocompatibility and no impairments due to the surface modification or material grade. The best cell vitality was achieved with a scaffold consisting of snowflake-shaped monofilaments combined with a 25° braiding angle. The surface modification equips the scaffold with a release platform for function molecules (as recently demonstrated) so that a holistic approach to addressing the numerous requirements is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular braiding of large-sized and complex irregular structural components is widely used in fields such as aerospace and rail transit. However, existing braiding process design and simulation algorithms lack applicability to mandrels with complex features, such as flanges, concave corners, holes, and hollows, which also have low calculation efficiency in the braiding process simulation. This study first proposes an optimization algorithm for the complex features on the mandrel surface, improving the applicability for the braiding process design of complex and irregular mandrels. Then the mandrel mesh was reconstructed, greatly improving the computational efficiency of the braiding process design process. Finally, a fast iteration method based on the mandrel reconstructed mesh was proposed to achieve the fast calculation of process control parameters, including traction trajectory and traction speed, as well as the prediction of forming quality for the braiding angle and coverage rate. The experiment shows that the algorithm improves the applicability of the multi-braiding angle process and shortens the sampling cycle of braiding process design by more than 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The choice of material, manufacturing process, and molding tool significantly affects the quality, environmental impact, and cost efficiency of composite components. Producing one-piece hollow profiles with smooth inner surfaces and undercuts presents major challenges for conventional mold concepts. There is yet no thorough review of shape-variable mandrels in composite manufacturing to be found in the literature. This paper provides an overview of research on shape memory polymers and other shape-variable materials used in tooling applications for composite manufacturing. This work covers shape memory, heat shrink, and other deformable tooling concepts that enable the production of one-piece Type V pressure vessels, air intake ducts, or curved struts and tubes. A systematic literature review in combination with a state-of-the-art open-source active learning tool ASReview is conducted. Fifteen relevant studies were identified. Research on shape-variable tooling is mainly conducted by three research groups in the USA and the PRC. The tooling is mostly made of unreinforced thermosets, especially styrene-based ones. Thermoplastic resins are less common, and reinforcements limit the usable elongation in the temporary shape. The shape variability is either a shape memory and/or a softening process, which, in all studies, is activated by heating. Release agents are widely used to ease demolding. No ecological or economical assessment of the manufacturing methods was conducted in the reviewed studies. Three fields for further research that could be identified are as follows: (1) thorough ecological end economical assessment of shape-variable mandrels in comparison with conventional tooling; (2) thermoplastic shape memory polymer mandrels; and (3) further investigation of simulation capabilities for shape memory mandrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensional paper‐based microfluidic devices have shown great potential in various applications, including point‐of‐care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and tissue engineering. However, their fabrication is still limited to stacking and origami methods. Inspired by the art of bamboo braiding in China, we developed a novel fabrication technique based on the braiding concept to create three‐dimensional paper‐based microfluidic devices with PDMS‐impregnated paper substrate as the building units. The resulting three‐dimensional paper device brings unique advantages, including compactness, facile disassembly, and real‐time flow visualization. The multiplexed glucose analysis with a braided device integrated with 16‐switchable valves for flow control was further fabricated to demonstrate the device's applicability. We envision braiding‐based fabrication technology opening new possibilities and bringing broad applications for three‐dimensional paper microfluidic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of tissue engineering to address the shortcomings of current procedures for tendons and ligaments is promising, but it requires a suitable scaffold that meets various mechanical, degradation-related, scalability-related, and biological requirements. Macroporous textile scaffolds made from appropriate fiber material have the potential to fulfill the first three requirements. This study aimed to investigate the biocompatibility, sterilizability, and functionalizability of a multilayer braided scaffold. These macroporous scaffolds with dimensions similar to those of the human anterior cruciate ligament consist of fibers with appropriate tensile strength and degradation behavior melt-spun from Polycaprolactone (PCL). Two different cross-sectional geometries resulting in significantly different specific surface areas and morphologies were used at the fiber level, and a Chitosan-graft-PCL (CS-g-PCL) surface modification was applied to the melt-spun substrates for the first time. All scaffolds elicited a positive cell response, and the CS-g-PCL modification provided a platform for incorporating functionalization agents such as drug delivery systems for growth factors, which were successfully released in therapeutically effective quantities. The fiber geometry was found to be a variable that could be manipulated to control the amount released. Therefore, scaled, surface-modified textile scaffolds are a versatile technology that can successfully address the complex requirements of tissue engineering for ligaments and tendons, as well as other structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial ligament products exhibit various drawbacks in clinical applications, including non-degradability, stress shielding, mid-to long-term fatigue relaxation, and chronic inflammation. Therefore, the development of biodegradable artificial ligament materials with excellent mechanical properties represents the future direction of new-generation artificial ligaments. In the present study, an artificial ligament (AL) prototype with "shell-core" structure was designed through the use of silk fibroin fibers as raw materials, and AL was coated with polyurethane(PU) solution mixed with nanohydroxyapatite( Hap) to obtain coated artificial ligament (CAL) materials. Furthermore, morphology, microstructure, mechanical properties, degradability, cell and tissue compatibility of the CAL were systematically characterized. The results demonstrate a regular "shell-core" structure, smooth surface, and uniform pores. Compared to AL, the mechanical properties of the CAL were significantly improved(P<0.05), and the degradation rate in vitro was significantly delayed. Furthermore, the results of cell and tissue compatibility tests indicate that the CAL exhibits satisfactory cell and tissue compatibility, and mild inflammatory reaction. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for development of new high-strength biodegradable artificial ligament products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite pressure vessels (CPVs) are lightweight and high-strength containers that can be used for the storage of compressed gases, including hydrogen. While hydrogen is a promising alternative energy source, storage of hydrogen comes with its significant challenges which requires a need for the efficient production of CPVs. Most commonly, CPVs are manufactured using filament winding technology. Due to the rise in the need for pressure vessels, there is a need for alternative high-throughput manufacturing techniques. Braided, in comparison to filament winding, has a high throughput and is less research manufacturing technology for CPVs. In this study, the applicability of braiding for the manufacturing of CPV is researched. Two types of 2D braids, namely the conventional and unidirectional, braiding were studied for their application in such structures, 24K and UD tanks, respectively. Dry carbon fiber (T700S – 24K) and HDPE liner were used to manufacture two different types of composite pressure vessels (CPVs), by robot-assisted radial braiding technique. After the preform of the braiding process was finished, CPVs were cured with a vacuum infusion process (VIP) by using a mold system. Produced braided CPVs were subjected to a hydrostatic burst test in order to determine their ultimate burst pressure point. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to optimize and correlate experimental burst pressure test results. Ansys ACP was utilized to design composite structures by dividing both tanks' domes into sub-sections. Results suggest that the experimental burst pressure test of 24K and UD tanks were identified as 200 bar and 150 bar, respectively. UD vessel ruptured close to the dome, whereas the 24K fracture point was located in the center of the dome. UD braided CPV was shown to have a smaller apparent burst deformation (rupture) scale than 24K CPV. In comparison to 24K, the UD braided CPV is 5.7% lighter and requires 20.9% less carbon fiber in production. FEA results were consistent with experimental results in terms of the burst pressure point. For both 24K and UD, the fiber failure starts at the point where the cylinder section and boss system are connected under pressure, and fiber failures continue to progress steadily as the pressure increases. [Display omitted] • The manufacturing process of braided preforms for the composite pressure vessels (CPVs) is successfully achieved. • Two kinds of braided CPVs were produced to evaluate the ultimate burst pressure. • Experimental burst points of 24K and UD tanks were identified as 200 bar and 150 bar, respectively. • Finite element analysis was in agreement with experimental results in terms of burst pressures. • 24K fracture location was situated near the center of the dome, whereas the UD ruptured close to the dome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay offers a framework for scholars and educators to use when considering graphic novel adaptations that is exemplified by a close-reading of P. Craig Russell's 2019 graphic novel adaptation of Lois Lowry's The Giver. I apply comic book and adaptation theories to argue that Russell's adaptation refocuses the narrative from the novel's philosophical societal questions toward a heartfelt emotional core: what can two people who care about each other do to help a community that has been lost? Russell shifts focus from the cerebral to the emotional by leveraging a limited color palette and a color braid throughout the text to deepen the relationship between Jonas and The Giver. The limited color palette allows Russell to comment editorially throughout the narrative. His graphic novel adaptation shifts focus to emphasize reflection, relationships, and emotions. While students love graphic novels, teachers are often at a loss as to how to utilize them in a classroom. Drawing on picture book and comic book code and adaptation theory, my work provides a framework for teaching graphic narrative in the classroom to support teachers in the inclusion of graphic narrative into the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comparative article brings together the works of two painters of Tokyo: Francophone writer Michaël Ferrier and his hybrid collection of poetic essays, Tokyo, petits portraits de l'aube (2004), and Japanese mangaka Jirō Taniguchi and his contemplative bande dessinée, L'homme qui marche (2017, 1995). Through a close study of their explorations of Tokyo, I argue that fragmentation and detour, foundational motifs of the authors' aesthetics, are carriers of a common ethical project that offers a decentralization of the gaze, one that embraces multiplicity and contradictions, to grasp the human and non-human in a common gesture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Braiding technology is attracting attention as a forming method for fiber-reinforced composite preforms. The square braider called the multi-braider can produce braiding preforms with various cross-sectional shapes. In the multi-braider, as the number of carriers increases and the carrier paths become more complex, it becomes more difficult to think about how to prevent carriers from colliding with each other. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop simulation software for efficiently designing the carrier paths on the multi-braider when manufacturing a braiding preform with complex structure. We developed a simulator for the behavior of carriers when horn gears rotate continuously, using the carrier’s initial position and path or track as input values. The collisions can be identified in advance because the simulator indicates an error if the input values are not suitable. By introducing the carrier track simulation for the multi-braider, the work time to devise carrier paths and arrangements could be reduced to 1/3 for simple carrier paths and to less than 1/4 for complex carrier paths, making it possible to perform initial carrier placement efficiently. The results of this research will also improve the efficiency of design on the carrier’s initial placement and track and the safety of multi-braider operation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key obstacle to the realization of a scalable quantum computer is overcoming environmental and control errors. Topological quantum computation attracts great attention because it emerges as one of the most promising approaches to solving these problems. Various theoretical schemes for building topological quantum computation have been proposed. However, experimental implementation has always been a great challenge because it has proved to be extremely difficult to create and manipulate topological qubits in real systems. Therefore, topological quantum computation has not been realized in experiments yet. Herein, the first experimental simulation of topological quantum computation with classical circuits is reported. Based on the proposed new scheme with circuits, not only Majorana‐like edge states are simulated experimentally, but also T junctions are constructed for simulating the braiding process. Furthermore, the feasibility of simulated topological quantum computing through a set of one‐ and two‐qubit unitary operations is demonstrated. Finally, the simulation of Grover's search algorithm demonstrates that simulated topological quantum computation is ideally suited for such tasks. The developed circuit‐based topological quantum‐computing simulator can provide important references for developing future topological quantum circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper surveys the long-standing connections and impact between Vaughan Jones's theory of subfactors and various topics in mathematical physics, namely statistical mechanics, quantum field theory, quantum information, and two-dimensional conformal field theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated esophageal covered stent was designed and prepared by braiding with polyester filament and nickel-titanium alloy wires as raw materials. With poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as he carrier and rapamycin as the anti-proliferative drug, a drug-eluting coating was constructed on the surface of the coated stents by impregnation. The results show that the integrated coated stents prepared have a regular and stable structure, and the graft strength is significantly higher than that of traditional silica grafts. The radial support is satisfying and stable, and the radial support force does not decrease significantly after the fatigue tests. The surface of drug eluting covered stent is hydrophilic. The drug release is affected by pH and PLGA specification. The drug release profile follows Higuchi model, and the R² values are 0.995 (PLGA75/25) and 0.953 (PLGA50/50), respectively. The results of cell experiments in vitro show that the drug-loaded film has a significant inhibitory effect on fibroblasts and tumor cells. On the 7th day, the cell inhibition rates reach over 86%. Therefore, in addition to the tissue shielding effect of high-intensity membrane, the anti-proliferative function of the drug eluting covered stent can further prevent esophageal restenosis. The research results can provide a reference for the development of a new generation of esophageal covered stent products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Effects of heavy hair braiding on facial anthropometrics have raised concerns in recent times. These concerns arise from the potential impact on cultural practices and the implications for physical appearance and self-perception. This study aimed to investigate the effects of braiding on the soft anthropometrics in face and head among students in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 503 healthy participants, aged 19 to 25 years, were randomly recruited from an institution. Measurements of total facial length and face width were taken. A structured questionnaire was used, that contain anatomical, theatrical, and socio-psychological questions to evaluate the effects of braiding on the face and head. Participants responded using a Likert scale. Results: Mesocephalic shape was the commonest classification of the skulls based on cephalic indices. Relationship between age and facial parameters of the study population showed significant positive correlation (r = 0.17, p

The choice of material, manufacturing process, and molding tool significantly affects the quality, environmental impact, and cost efficiency of composite components. Producing one-piece hollow profiles with smooth inner surfaces and undercuts presents major challenges for conventional mold concepts. There is yet no thorough review of shape-variable mandrels in composite manufacturing to be found in the literature. This paper provides an overview of research on shape memory polymers and other shape-variable materials used in tooling applications for composite manufacturing. This work covers shape memory, heat shrink, and other deformable tooling concepts that enable the production of one-piece Type V pressure vessels, air intake ducts, or curved struts and tubes. A systematic literature review in combination with a state-of-the-art open-source active learning tool ASReview is conducted. Fifteen relevant studies were identified. Research on shape-variable tooling is mainly conducted by three research groups in the USA and the PRC. The tooling is mostly made of unreinforced thermosets, especially styrene-based ones. Thermoplastic resins are less common, and reinforcements limit the usable elongation in the temporary shape. The shape variability is either a shape memory and/or a softening process, which, in all studies, is activated by heating. Release agents are widely used to ease demolding. No ecological or economical assessment of the manufacturing methods was conducted in the reviewed studies. Three fields for further research that could be identified are as follows: (1) thorough ecological end economical assessment of shape-variable mandrels in comparison with conventional tooling; (2) thermoplastic shape memory polymer mandrels; and (3) further investigation of simulation capabilities for shape memory mandrels.

The key obstacle to the realization of a scalable quantum computer is overcoming environmental and control errors. Topological quantum computation attracts great attention because it emerges as one of the most promising approaches to solving these problems. Various theoretical schemes for building topological quantum computation have been proposed. However, experimental implementation has always been a great challenge because it has proved to be extremely difficult to create and manipulate topological qubits in real systems. Therefore, topological quantum computation has not been realized in experiments yet. Herein, the first experimental simulation of topological quantum computation with classical circuits is reported. Based on the proposed new scheme with circuits, not only Majorana‐like edge states are simulated experimentally, but also T junctions are constructed for simulating the braiding process. Furthermore, the feasibility of simulated topological quantum computing through a set of one‐ and two‐qubit unitary operations is demonstrated. Finally, the simulation of Grover's search algorithm demonstrates that simulated topological quantum computation is ideally suited for such tasks. The developed circuit‐based topological quantum‐computing simulator can provide important references for developing future topological quantum circuits.

Cardiovascular disease is a major threat to human health worldwide, and vascular transplantation surgery is a treatment method for this disease. Often, autologous blood vessels cannot meet the needs of surgery. However, allogeneic blood vessels have limited availability or may cause rejection reactions. Therefore, the development of biocompatible artificial blood vessels is needed to solve the problem of donor shortage. Tubular fabrics prepared by textile structures have flexible compliance, which cannot be matched by other structural blood vessels. Therefore, biomedical artificial blood vessels have been widely studied in recent decades up to the present. This article focuses on reviewing four textile methods used, at present, in the manufacture of artificial blood vessels: knitting, weaving, braiding, and electrospinning. The article mainly introduces the particular effects of different structural characteristics possessed by various textile methods on the production of artificial blood vessels, such as compliance, mechanical properties, and pore size. It was concluded that woven blood vessels possess superior mechanical properties and dimensional stability, while the knitted fabrication method facilitates excellent compliance, elasticity, and porosity of blood vessels. Additionally, the study prominently showcases the ease of rebound and compression of braided tubes, as well as the significant biological benefits of electrospinning. Moreover, moderate porosity and good mechanical strength can be achieved by changing the original structural parameters; increasing the floating warp, enlarging the braiding angle, and reducing the fiber fineness and diameter can achieve greater compliance. Furthermore, physical, chemical, or biological methods can be used to further improve the biocompatibility, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and endothelialization of blood vessels, thereby improving their functionality. The aim is to provide some guidance for the further development of artificial blood vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Braided preforms are now used for structural composite parts. They have made their way into the aeronautic and the automotive sectors. With the development of variable carriers' paths braiding machines, the braid geometry can now be tailored to specific needs and be fabricated to a near net shape of the final product. However, the carrier's path variability brings complexity to the manufacturing process: carriers can collide with each other while braiding the desired structure. Manual trial and error is still needed to program a collision-free braiding process, which is time and resource consuming. We proposed a method, based on graph theory, to automatically prevent collisions during the braiding process. This method can be applied onto variable carriers' paths braiding machines. To do so, the bedplate of the braiding machine is modeled as a graph. Faces represent horngears and edges represent carriers' path. Vertices can represent one of the following three: a horngear's slot, a track intersection, or possible stationary carrier's position. A collision is prevented by delaying the displacement of one or more carriers. A prevention algorithm is presented, which prescribe a delay to each carrier in order to achieve a collision-free process. To demonstrate the algorithm, a case study is carried out on a 3D textile printing braiding machine. The algorithm offers an automatic and efficient method to prevent collisions in variable carriers' paths braiding machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally manufactured for ropes and fishing lines, braids are now found in structural composite parts used in the transportation industries and the medical sector. Braiding machines are increasing in size and complexity. However, engineers mostly rely on expertise and on trials and errors to select a collision-free carrier arrangement, which is inefficient in terms of both time and resources. In this paper, we propose a method, based on graph theory, to detect collisions between carriers for any braiding machine configuration and for any number of carriers. To do so, the braiding machine is modeled as a graph. Each horngear is represented by a face and each horngear slot is represented by a vertex. A collision detection algorithm is developed, which validates or invalidates the proposed carrier arrangement. Two case studies are carried out to demonstrate the algorithm. The first one is carried out on a traditional maypole braiding machine, while the second one is done on a T-shape braider. The T-shape braider has a more complex configuration with horngears having different number of slots and diameters. The developed solution is an efficient method to detect collisions based on any carrier arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern Norway's population comprises many different cultural groups. According to the Norwegian Education Act, education must give students insight into and a firm foundation in history and culture. This paper aims to present a proposal for how to start working with the creation of local rural mathematics curricula for which Sámi culture in particular, and Northern Norwegian culture in general, is the basis and foundation. It examines three activities that are examples of intangible cultural heritage from different non-urban Northern Norwegian cultures: i) Sámi traditional measuring, ii) fishermen's traditional navigation at sea and iii) ruvden (a Sámi way of braiding). The activities are analysed with respect to the framework cultural symmetry, which was developed in research in Māori mathematics education. The analysis shows that the three activities are of great significance to local cultural reasoning to such an extent that they should be included in local rural mathematics education. Each of the three activities provides opportunities for developing a culture-based mathematics teaching that values the language and culture in which the activities are embedded. We conclude that cultural symmetry seems to function as a tool for developing a Sámi mathematics curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their inherent soft wet nature and the capacity to offer tunable emission color/intensity responses, multicolor fluorescent polymeric hydrogels (MFPHs) are attracting tremendous research interests. However, most of the reported MFPHs suffer from poor stretchability, thus restricting their versatile uses in artificial muscles, soft robotics, and so on. In this study, a robust type of lanthanide coordinated MFPHs with an ultra‐stretchability of over 1200% is designed and prepared. It is found that the ultra‐stretchability originates from the unique polymer network structure, in which a small quantity of strong crosslinking interactions (polymer chain entanglement/fixation around the nano‐clay and lanthanide coordination) are utilized to ensure the polymer network integrity, and a large quantity of hierarchical (single, double, and quadruple) hydrogen‐bonding interactions are designed to efficiently dissipate energy. Furthermore, a braiding strategy is proposed to tightly twist several hydrogel stripes into mechanical strong hydrogel ropes that still keep the ultra‐stretchability (>1000%) but can lift heavy weights >350 times their own weight. This study provides new insights into the design of ultra‐stretchable fluorescent hydrogels, and is expected to inspire the future development of multifunctional artificial hydrogel muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese braids known as Naiki, which are distinguished by their hollow interior, have a simple structure shared by many other fiber arts and crafts. The way in which this structure forms a cylindrical braid imposes a particular set of symmetries on the final product. This paper uses enumerative combinatorics, including de Bruijn's Monster Theorem, to count the number of two-color Naiki braids under equivalence by this natural set of symmetries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical responses of three-dimensional braided composites under mechanical loads are important for the design of structural health monitoring in real time. Here we reported electrical properties and electrical-mechanical behaviors of three-dimensional braided composites with different braiding angles under three-point bending load, and investigated the correlation between electrical resistance and damage of the three-dimensional braided composites. We found that change of resistance reflected damage modes of the composite. In addition, we proposed an electrical-mechanical model to explain the resistance changes of three-dimensional braided composites based on the Weibull distribution function. The results of the model verify the effectiveness and rationality of the experimental results under bending load, which provides a theoretical basis for the structural health monitoring of three-dimensional braided composites through a electrical resistance change method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Offender Rehabilitation Act (ORA) 2014 has extended post-release supervision to all individuals serving short sentences in England and Wales – a cohort who previously faced neglect within the criminal justice system. This empirical study uses a case study approach to explore the resettlement experiences of individuals subject to this new legislation, understanding how individuals circulate and re-cycle between a range of services and agencies in the community, further illuminating upon the reality of repeat 'revolving door' imprisonment. Drawing upon Cohen's 'net widening' analogy, this article posits that collectively the array of services involved in an individual's resettlement form a 'resettlement net', which segregates individuals in the community through control and surveillance functions, extending the carceral boundary of the prison firmly into the community. Welfare-orientated organisations become compelled to 'braid' welfare responses alongside penal functions in order to operate within the resettlement net. This article also explores some of the difficulties that individuals experience as they navigate the resettlement net, including informal forms of exclusion, and the wear and tear of the net, which undermines the rhetoric of care envisioned by this legislation, and drives individuals deeper into the mesh of carceral control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research signifies a new modeling method for calculating the stiffness of braided composites. In previous works, the modeling approach has been related to repetitive unit cells for analysis of braided composites based on a single area or a few added areas. Also, no confirmed modeling method has recently been available for braided composites because of different fibers' configuration considerations. Therefore, there is no preferred one, and fiber bundle arrangements are complex in practicality; it is unclear whether their shape is straight or curved. Also, the previously proposed mesoscale repetitive unit cell models have many elements and nodes in the finite element analysis phase, so applying periodic boundary and mesh conditions can mislead the results when they are used. So current research proposes a multi-cell multi-domain strategy and verifies it for modeling and computation of mechanical properties while showing the significance of braiding path and manufacturing process. The currently proposed method is tested with selected sections' configuration and shown for actual braided composites' scenario. So, according to the literature, the section is modeled as a complex shape with a squeezing effect. Then, that model is analyzed, and calculated properties are verified by the existing methods and found results with a maximum and minimum difference of 2.7% and 0.25%, respectively. Afterward, it is divided into cells, which are then analyzed and checked to determine which number of simplistic division stages can represent a section. It is found that a minimum of 15 divisions can be defined with a maximum 2% difference, and over that has approximately the same results as of the current considered section model. Additionally, the study examines how the elastic constants of 2D braided composites are influenced by the braiding angle and fiber volume fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algebraic models of connected homotopy 3‐types such as quadratic modules, 2‐crossed modules, crossed squares, and their relations are studied in various ways. In this work, we obtain another natural equivalence for quadratic modules. That is, we define functors between quadratic modules and our candidate category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coaxial structure fiber supercapacitor has received extensive attention due to its good integrity and excellent electrochemical performance. However, the complicated preparation process, precise technical requirements and low yield restricted its development. A coaxial structure fiber supercapacitor with an operating voltage of 1.6 V was prepared by braiding a core yarn of AC@CNT (AC is activated carbon and CNT is carbon nanotubes) negtive electrode and a braided yarn of NiCo2S4@CNT positive electrode. This braiding strategy is simple and efficient, and the fabricated fiber supercapacitor has a high energy density (energy density of 35.1 mW·h/cm³ at power density of 233.2 mW/cm³) and outstanding flexibility (no obvious change after bending 1 000 cycles in cyclic voltammetry curve). The braided fiber supercapacitors show excellent integrability. The output voltage of 2-unit tandem fiber supercapacitors reaches 3.2 V, which can light up the "DHU 70" pattern composed of 65 LEDs. This work provides a new strategy for the preparation of coaxial structure fiber supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cell‐free scaffold tissue engineering (TE), an essential prerequisite is the scaffold design to promote cellular activities and tissue formation. The success is greatly dependent upon the nature of the scaffold including the composition, topography, and mechanical performance. Recent TE approaches use textile technologies to create biomimetic and functional scaffolds similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM). The hierarchical architecture of fiber to yarn to fabric allows precise size‐to‐scale design. Moreover, textile technologies offer a high degree of manufacturing precision, reproducibility, and potential industrial scalability. Although research in industry and academia has increased significantly over the past years, current fibrous scaffold designs don't fully exploit the potential and diversity of yarn and fabric structures. This review emphasizes hollow tubular textile‐based scaffolds that aim to replace vasculature and respiratory tissues. The different techniques, that is, electrospinning, weaving, knitting, and braiding are discussed and the effect of the fiber, yarn, and fabric assembly is highlighted. The design of multi‐layer hybrid structures, combining conventional textile techniques and electrospinning can address current challenges. Prospects of structural design in TE scaffold fabrication can anticipate profiled fibers, and complex pattern designs to fully exploit the potential of textile technologies for tissue‐engineered scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composite group investigates endlessly the features of natural fiber/thermoplastic matrix composite materials to improve recyclability, use of renewable sources, and reduce material costs. In this context, the development and use of biodegradable polymers for composites is considered one of the important strategies for reducing environmental challenges. Here, axially oriented fibers incorporated in conforming matrices make up fiber-reinforced composites. Due to the high viscosity of molten Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), impregnating into reinforced fiber strands is challenging. So, continuous hybrid flax and hemp fibers were produced using a braiding technique by considering the fiber aspect ratio (AR). The resulting braided yarns were parallel aligned with PCL filaments before being compression molded into unidirectional composite laminates. The flax and PCL blend had better mechanical properties than the other produced composites. Temperatures for the glass transition, melting, and crystallization, were much greater than for neat PCL. However, mechanical properties were barely altered due to the ductile nature of PCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Finite element simulation of the braiding process at the fiber scale. • A penalty stiffness optimization method is proposed to solve the contact penetration problem of the fibers during modeling. • The mesoscopic geometry predictions of models with four kinds of pitch lengths are validated by quantitative comparison with micro-CT scans. This paper presents a fiber-level finite element model (FE) based on the digital element approach (DEA) for simulating the braiding process and predicting the geometry of tubular braided ropes. The braided yarn is modeled as a bundle of virtual fibers, using chains of truss (rod) elements. In the simulation of the braiding process, a penalty stiffness optimization method is proposed to solve the fiber penetration. The optimization studies show that fiber penetration caused by the combination of insufficient standard penalty stiffness and different number of fibers in the discretized yarn are effectively eliminated until the penetration rate dropped close to 1.85 %. The mesoscopic geometry predictions of models with four kinds of pitch lengths (24 mm, 36 mm, 48 mm, and 60 mm) are validated by quantitative comparison with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans of braided polyarylate fiber ropes. It is shown that geometric convergence of the models can be achieved when each yarn contains 30 fibers. The predicted results of pitch lengths, braiding angles, outer diameters, inner diameters and cross-sectional areas correlate well with those obtained from micro-CT scans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone tissue generates many biological signals during self-repair and regeneration, of which the transmission of electrical signals is critical to the success of bone repair. Therefore, in this study, barium titanate/hydroxyapatite(BT/HA) composite nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method at 170°C, and BT/HA scaffolds with piezoelectric stimulation were prepared by blending them with sodium alginate in combination with two-dimensional braided tubes. The scaffolds were distributed with a pore size of 30–100 μm, a porosity of 60-70 %, a swelling rate of more than 300 %, and output voltages and currents of about 800 mV and 2.4 μA. The degradation rate reached 3.59 % after 21 days, and in vitro cell cultures confirmed that polarised scaffolds could further promote cell proliferation and differentiation. The cell survival rate on the polarised scaffold was 174.77 %. This study provides a new idea for the combination of piezoelectric materials and woven structures, which can be potentially applied to the field of bone repair. [Display omitted] • BT/HA nanocomposites synthesized by hydrothermal method. • Braided structures were used as scaffold carriers with high porosity and inter-crosslinked pore structures to provide a suitable environment for cell adhesion and growth. • The prepared BT/HA scaffolds have the ability of piezoelectric stimulation, which can output a voltage of about 800 mV and a current of 2.4 μA. • The BT/HA scaffold has good biodegradability and can degrade 3.59 % of its own weight within 21 days. • The cell survival rate on the scaffold was 174.77 %. In vitro cell culture confirmed that the enhanced electrical output further promoted cell proliferation and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease is a major threat to human health worldwide, and vascular transplantation surgery is a treatment method for this disease. Often, autologous blood vessels cannot meet the needs of surgery. However, allogeneic blood vessels have limited availability or may cause rejection reactions. Therefore, the development of biocompatible artificial blood vessels is needed to solve the problem of donor shortage. Tubular fabrics prepared by textile structures have flexible compliance, which cannot be matched by other structural blood vessels. Therefore, biomedical artificial blood vessels have been widely studied in recent decades up to the present. This article focuses on reviewing four textile methods used, at present, in the manufacture of artificial blood vessels: knitting, weaving, braiding, and electrospinning. The article mainly introduces the particular effects of different structural characteristics possessed by various textile methods on the production of artificial blood vessels, such as compliance, mechanical properties, and pore size. It was concluded that woven blood vessels possess superior mechanical properties and dimensional stability, while the knitted fabrication method facilitates excellent compliance, elasticity, and porosity of blood vessels. Additionally, the study prominently showcases the ease of rebound and compression of braided tubes, as well as the significant biological benefits of electrospinning. Moreover, moderate porosity and good mechanical strength can be achieved by changing the original structural parameters; increasing the floating warp, enlarging the braiding angle, and reducing the fiber fineness and diameter can achieve greater compliance. Furthermore, physical, chemical, or biological methods can be used to further improve the biocompatibility, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and endothelialization of blood vessels, thereby improving their functionality. The aim is to provide some guidance for the further development of artificial blood vessels.

The aim of this study is to broaden the field of investigation of empirical research on the reading of comics by including aspects related to narrative rhythm and non-linear paths, while associating them with a narrative genre, in this case, the Franco-Belgian humorous comic strip. On the basis of this corpus, on one hand we are interested in the retrograde reading operations induced by visual gags in one page, and on the other hand, we investigate the impact of sequences that we call “chronophotographic”, the latter having received little attention until our study.

The aim of this study is to broaden the field of investigation of empirical research on the reading of comics by including aspects related to narrative rhythm and non-linear paths, while associating them with a narrative genre, in this case, the Franco-Belgian humorous comic strip. On the basis of this corpus, on one hand we are interested in the retrograde reading operations induced by visual gags in one page, and on the other hand, we investigate the impact of sequences that we call “chronophotographic”, the latter having received little attention until our study.

Auxetic textiles with a negative Poisson's ratio show significant energy absorption and synclastic curvature characteristics and potential application value in sportsmen protection material. The stability and reliability of the structure and properties of auxetic textiles is also an important factor to assess and promote the application. Thus, auxetic yarns with multiple core/wrap structure were prepared by a 16-spindle braiding machine. It mainly focused on the axial stretching behavior and the relationship between the structure and auxetic effect of yarn samples. The maximum Poisson's ratio of auxetic yarns was −3.26. The experimental results also showed that the complex yarns still presented an auxetic effect during 30 repeats of cycle stretching. According to the study about the repeatable stretchability and auxetic effect of complex yarns, it could be expected to provide more comfortable, safer, and smarter protective textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article documents a year-long collaborative self-study of three teacher educators engaged in a practicum innovation in a teacher education program. This study, which is part of a larger study examining practicum-based seminars called Particulars of Practice (POP), focuses on exploring our own practices and identities within this innovation. Given this new structure in the program, we had many questions about how we each engaged with mentoring within this innovation, and what conceptions and assumptions were being surfaced for us about our roles, identities, and practices in practicum mentoring. The data included an email thread, personal reflections, and collaborative meeting transcripts that represented our experiences with the POP innovation. Using braiding as a methodological approach to honour all three sets of data, we were able to generate results that fell into two categories: reflections on the nature of self study and the knowledge gained about our identities, practices and roles from this research. We assert that the nature of self study involves vulnerability, difficult conversations, and multiplicity of perspectives. The knowledge gained from our collaborative self-study is identified as challenging preconceptions, seeing teacher candidates in new ways, and learning as a mirroring process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the effect of material type and braiding angle on the performance characteristics of the reinforced multi-layered hose, to manufacture a high-pressure fuel hose. For this purpose, NBR (Acrylo-Nitrile Butadiene rubber)/CPE (chlorinated polyethylene) fuel hose was manufactured using a single-screw extruder and for the production of the reinforcement layer, braiding technology was used. With an attempt to discuss the effect of braiding angle on the performance characteristics of the reinforced multi-layered hose, the take-up speed of the radial braiding machine was altered. E-glass, aramid, carbon, polyester, and basalt yarns were used for the production of the braided layer. Then CPE (chlorinated polyethylene) rubber was extruded for the cover application. Performance properties of the fuel hose such as hardness, ply adhesion, vacuum collapse bursting pressure, and diametric expansion were measured and evaluated according to the requirements of the related standards. The results revealed that, with increased braiding take-up speed, ply adhesion, vacuum collapse, and diametric expansion properties of hoses increase, while hardness, permanent deformation, and bursting pressure of hoses decrease. It has been determined that NBR/Basalt/CPE fuel hose produced in 4m/min braiding take-up speed provided optimum functional and adhesion properties, because of its hardness, permanent deformation, bursting, and vacuum test values at 25°C are within the limit. Additionally, the results were verified by running finite element analysis (FEA) using the ANSYS simulation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents, tests and validates a method for generating representative unit cells of braided composites based on a geometrical approach. The method focuses on the geometry of the tows and uses surface minimization to obtain the minimal equivalent area of a central surface that is used for the generation of volumes and orthotropic mechanical properties of the tows. The homogenization of the yarns is solved using analytical equations and the homogenization of the cell is solved using a representative volume element technique. The robustness of the method is evaluated using a benchmark comparison with experimental and numerical results to validate the generated ge.ometry. The method is also tested and shown to be robust in modeling the geometry for several values of geometrical parameters of the tows without user intervention, including for configurations yielding a high cover factor. • A generator of braided composite unit cells is developed using a geometrical approach. • The method uses surface minimization to generate compatible tow geometries. • The robust method can generate cells of different parameters with high cover factor. • Homogenization is performed analytically/numerically at the yarn/cell level. • Homogenized properties are compared with literature experimental, numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified vertical braiding machine and closed annular axis mandrels with a special-shaped cross section were used to braid annular axis preforms under four different technical parameters. After measuring the braiding angles and yarn spacing of the braided preform in different areas of the mandrels, it was found that the braiding angle increased by 20.9% and the yarn spacing decreased by 19.8% when the speed of the yarn carrier was doubled. The braiding angle decreased by 31.1% and the yarn spacing increased by 28.6% when the rotation speed of the mandrels was doubled. The results show that the rotation speed of the mandrel has a slightly greater influence on the braiding angle and the yarn spacing. By using the modified braiding machine to braid the annular axis preforms, multi-layer continuous braided preforms can be achieved on compact equipment. And the structure of the annular axis braided preforms can be changed by changing the technical parameters.