Acoustic emission on failure analysis of rubber-modified epoxy resin

Rubber-modified epoxy resins have been employed as adhesive and matrix materials for glass and corbon-fiber composites. The behavior of fracture around a crack tip for rubber-modified epoxy resin is investigated through the acoustic emission (AE) analysis of compact tension specimens. Damage zone and rubber particles distributed around a crack tip were observed by a polarized optical microscope and an atomic force microscope (AFM). The damage zone in front of pre-crack tip in rubber-modified specimen (15 wt% rubber) began to form at about 13 % level of the fracture load and grew in size until 57 % load level. After that, the crack propagated in a stick-slip manner. Based on time-frequency analysis of AE signals and microscopic observation of damage zone, it was thought that AE signals with frequency bands of 0.15–0.20 MHz and 0.20–0.30 MHz were generated from cavitation in the damage zone and crack propagation, respectively.     

A study of the measurement of fracture toughness in cohesive soil – relationship between the size of initial crack and diameter of specimen

The phenomenon of hydraulic fracturing is considered to be one of the causes of leakage in fill-type dams. In recent years, it has been found that an estimate of the fracture toughness of a given type of soil could be used as an indicator of the soils resistance to hydraulic fracturing. One of the problems encountered in its estimation is the assumption that fracture toughness has been theoretically defined for samples of infinite sizes. In this study, laboratory tests were conducted to determine the fracture toughness of samples (of the same size) prepared with initial cracks of various lengths. The main objective was to investigate the relationship of the initial crack length to fracture toughness. The stress distribution around the crack tip for each laboratory test sample was estimated by FEM analysis and by a theoretical equation. These analytical results corresponded reasonably well to results from laboratory tests to determine the appropriate length of the initial crack for the test specimens.     

An asymmetrical dynamic crack model of bridging fiber pull-out of composite materials

When a crack occurs in composite materials, the fibrous system will form bridges, and the crack extends asymmetrically as a rule. In this paper an asymmetrical dynamic crack model of bridging fiber pull-out of composite materials is presented for analyzing the distributions stress and displacement under the loading conditions of an applied nonhomogenous stress and the traction forces. Thus the fiber failure is ascertained by maximum tensile stress, the fiber ruptures and hence the crack propagation should also appear in the modality of self-similarity. The formulation involves the development of a Riemann-Hilbert problem. Analytical solution of an asymmetrical propagation crack of composite materials under the conditions of an increasing force Px ²/t ², Pt ²/x is obtained respectively. After those analytical solutions were utilized by superposition theorem, the solutions of arbitrary complex problems could be gained.     

Impact properties of glass-fiber/polypropylene composites: The influence of fiber loading, specimen geometry and test temperature

Glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were compounded with a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Fiber length distribution study showed that more fiber degradation occurred during processing of the composites with higher fiber loading. Dynamic mechanical analysis carried out showed that magnitudes of storage and loss modulus of composites are improves with the presence of the glass fiber in the system. The incorporation of fibers into the composites has slightly shifted the glass transition temperature to lower values. On the other hand, the presence of the glass fiber reduces the magnitude of tan δ at α-transition dramatically due to the strengthening effect by the fibers. From impact test, it was found that increment in glass fiber loading leads to an increase in peak load, critical strain energy release rate and critical stress intensity factor indicating the improvement in the material toughness. However, there was no significant change observed in fracture energy. With respect to increasing in specimen geometry, despite an improvement in peak load and fracture energy of the impact specimen, the critical strain energy release rate and critical stress intensity factor values were decreased. On the other hand, increase in test temperature resulted in reduction of peak load and critical stress intensity factor due to increment in material ductility, whereby fracture energy and critical strain energy release rate improved.     

Single Kernel Wheat Hardness and Fracture Properties in Relation to Density and the Modelling of Fracture in Wheat Endosperm

The fracture properties of small, cylindrical samples of endosperm machined from single kernels of several varieties of wheat were measured using three methods: compression, wedge fracture and indentation. In addition, dynamic compression tests were also performed in impact loading. Density measurements using a variable density liquid gradient were carried out on machined endosperm samples that had previously been tested for fracture properties, enabling direct comparisons between their density and fracture properties. Within each variety, a distribution of density and hardness values was found. Soft wheat varieties (Riband, Apollo) showed a broad distribution of density with medians in the range 1340 to 1395 kg/m³, whilst hard varieties such as Mercia and a durum wheat exhibited much narrower distributions and higher mean densities, Mercia being skewed towards higher densities, with a median at around 1410 kg/m³. A considerable amount of overlap in density between the soft and hard variety occurred, with both containing a significant proportion of harder and higher density wheat grains, and the major difference appearing to be the presence in the soft wheat of a large proportion of lower density endosperm in the range 1280 to 1360 kg/m³. The differences in density between endosperm samples were attributed to variations in endosperm porosity, which were correlated with the fracture properties of the endosperm. It is proposed that increased levels of porosity weaken the endosperm structure and are responsible in part for soft endosperm texture. The relationship between endosperm density and fracture properties was non-linear, the failure stress and fracture toughness increasing rapidly as the density approached a limiting value corresponding to the density expected for pore-free endosperm. This indicates that endosperm is a notch sensitive material, where the pores concentrate applied stresses and can act as sites of crack initiation. It was shown that the notch sensitivity of endosperm is qualitatively consistent with models of brittle fracture based on fracture mechanics theory, i.e. stress concentration by voids.     

Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm using the loading–unloading bending test

Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the fragmentation process. Fracture mechanical characterization was based on the three-point bending test which enables stable crack propagation to take place in small rectangular pieces of wheat endosperm. The crack length can be measured in situ by using an optical microscope with light illumination from the side of the specimen or from the back of the specimen. Two new techniques were developed and used to estimate the fracture toughness of wheat endosperm, a geometric approach and a compliance method. The geometric approach gave average fracture toughness values of 53.10 and 27.0 J m⁻² for hard and soft endosperm, respectively. Fracture toughness estimated using the compliance method gave values of 49.9 and 29.7 J m⁻² for hard and soft endosperm, respectively. Compressive properties of the endosperm in three mutually perpendicular axes revealed that the hard and soft endosperms are isotropic composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the fracture surfaces and the energy–time curves of loading–unloading cycles revealed that there was a plastic flow during crack propagation for both the hard and soft endosperms, and confirmed that the fracture mode is significantly related to the adhesion level between starch granules and the protein matrix.     

Failure characterisation in polymer matrix composite for un-notched and notched (open-hole) specimens under tension condition

This paper presents an investigation of the influences causing failure in the materials comprising polymer matrix composites. Structures with differences in stacking sequences and design configuration are analysed. The objective of this study is to investigate and evaluate the reasons for the failure of composite lamination structures in terms of stress, strength, strain, and Young modulus within a morphology observation of composite materials. The materials selected for the study were a chopped strand mat (CSM) and a woven roving (WR) fabric. These materials are used as reinforcement and are produced by the hand lay-up technique using epoxy and polyester matrix resin. The experiment was performed using specimens made of notched (open-hole; OH) tension and un-notched (UN) shapes. The characteristics of different shapes, materials, and lamination structures are studied in this research. The results showed the failure phenomenon in the structure of the polymer matrix composite is dependent on the characteristics of the material used and the design configuration of both structures.     

Growth,stomatal resistance,and transpiration of Aloe vera under different soil water potentials

Aloe vera (Sábila) is used in folklore medicine and commercial cosmetology products in many countries. Little is known about the plant's physiological, growth, and yield responses under different irrigation regimes. The plant has a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) that allows water conservation within the tissue, and therefore, resistance to high water stress. A. vera plants were submitted to different irrigation regimes in a greenhouse experiment to evaluate the response of the physiologic processes such as stomatal resistance and transpiration as well as leaf growth and yield. The experiment consisted of three irrigation regimes under a completely randomized design. No initial effect on stomatal resistance or transpiration was exhibited, but as time elapsed changes in these variables were noted. We suggest that the high water content in the parenchyma maintains stomatal opening despite water stress. In a subsequent period, the leaves that were submitted to water stress at the beginning, showed stomatal opening reduction related to low soil water potential. The low soil water potential reduced leaf weight, plant growth rate, and leaf number, mainly in leaf growth during the experiment confirming the sensitivity of new leaves to water stress. The results suggest that the low leaf temperature increases stomatal resistance, decreases plant and leaf growth rates. This behavior is opposite to other CAM species in semiarid condition.     

On the relationship between large-deformation properties of wheat flour dough and baking quality

Baking performance for bread and puff pastry was tested for Six European and two Canadian wheat cultivars and related to the rheological and fracture properties in uniaxial extension of optimally mixed flour–water doughs and doughs to which a mix of bakery additives was added. Extensive baking tests were performed as a function of water addition for puff pastry and as a function of water addition and mixing time for bread. For optimum baking performance, puff pastry doughs required lower water additions than bread doughs. Baking performance of the flours differed for the two products. For puff pastry, higher volumes were obtained per gram of flour than for bread. Puff pastry volume was positively correlated with optimum bread dough mixing time, while bread volume was not. Instead, bread volume was positively correlated with gluten protein content.All doughs exhibited strain hardening, a more than proportional increase of the stress with the strain. For all doughs fracture, stress and strain increased with increasing displacement speed of the hook and decreasing temperature. Large differences were observed between the cultivars regarding stress, strain hardening, strain rate-dependency of the stress, fracture stress and fracture strain. At both 25 and 45 °C, addition of a mix of bakery additives resulted in a decrease of the stress at relatively small strains and a significant increase of the strain hardening coefficient. Fracture strains remained the same or increased as a result of addition of the mix. Differences between flours regarding the strain rate and temperature-dependency of the fracture strain remained. The weaker the dough, the stronger the strain rate and temperature-dependency of the fracture strain.Puff pastry volume was positively correlated with strain hardening and negatively with the strain rate-dependency of the stress. In short, the stronger the dough, the higher the puff pastry volume. For bread, it were not the strongest doughs that gave the highest loaf volumes, but those with intermediate dough strength. Low volumes for puff pastry and bread were found for doughs having a low fracture stress and low strain hardening coefficients. Loaf volumes of flours with high dough strength (i.e. high stress-level and high strain hardening) gave intermediate loaf volumes. We concluded that a high stress can hamper the extensibility of dough films between gas cells, thus limiting the expansion of gas cells during fermentation and baking and hence the loaf volume that can be obtained.     

Electrospinning of cellulose nanofibers mat for laminated epoxy composite production

In this study, a new approach consisting of chemical treatment steps followed by electrospinning process was applied to produce cellulose nanofibers from wheat straws. Wheat straws were initially pretreated by NaOH solution to open the complex structure of raw materials and remove non-cellulosic materials. Then, acid and alkali hydrolysis was separately performed to eliminate hemicellulose and soluble lignin. Also, bleaching processes were implemented to remove the insoluble lignin. Cellulose nanofibers were produced by electrospinning of various concentrations of cellulose in different solvents including sodium hydroxide/urea/thiourea, pure trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), and TFA/methylene chloride. Images obtained by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed long and uniform nanofibers produced from electrospinning of cellulose/TFA/methylene chloride solution. An epoxy based laminated composite was prepared by a lamina of cellulose microfiber and electrospun nanofiber mat using hand lay-up composite manufacturing method. The fracture surface of the epoxy nanocomposite was analyzed by SEM images. In addition, the mechanical properties of laminated epoxy composites were compared with pure epoxy by conducting tensile and impact tests. Tensile test results showed that the ultimate tensile strength, elongation, and modulus of laminated epoxy nanocomposites were significantly increased. Moreover, it was found that by adding a nanofiber lamina in the epoxy composite, the impact resistance was significantly improved as a result of crack growth prevention.     

Comparison study of therapeutic results of closed tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary nails inserted with and without reaming

Tibia fractures are the most common type of long bone fractures in US. This study aimed at comparing the therapeutic results of closed tibial shaft fracture with intramedullary nails inserted with and without reaming. In this randomized clinical trial study, 60 patients with a fracture of the tibia were examined. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty patients treated through inserting intramedullary nail with reaming technique (group A). The other 30 patients treated through inserting intramedullary nail without reaming technique (group B). After operation physical examination and control radiography were taken up to 6 month and results were compared. Sixty patients suffering from closed tibial diaphysis fractures were studied. Mean age of the group A and B were 40.24 +/- 12.32 and 38.42 +/- 14.28, respectively. Group A consisted of 24 (80%) males and 6 (20%) females while group B consisted of 24% females and 76% males. Considering fracture based on OTA criteria (p = 0.4) and severity of soft tissue damage based on Tscherne classification (p = 0.6), there was no statistically meaningful difference between groups A and B. The study demonstrated that degree of horizontal displacement, mean time of surgery, post-operation infection, organ shortness at the end of the follow-up period, organ deviation in patients of the group A was significantly more than that of the group B. Time required for callus formation (mean time of union), mean time of full weight bearing time and mean time of return to normal activities in group B was significantly more than that of the group A.     

Levo-Carnitine Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Contractile Functions of Fast Muscles in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Background: Metabolic derangements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are likely to affect skeletal muscle contractile functions adversely. Levo-carnitine improves muscle contractile functions in healthy humans and rats and corrects metabolic derangements in T2DM. Therefore, it is likely to improve muscle contractile functions in T2DM as well. This study was designed to determine the effect of levo-carnitine on serum levo-carnitine levels, oxidative stress and contractile parameters of fast muscle in T2DM. Methods: Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Healthy rats served as the controls, while T2DM was induced in diabetic and carnitine groups. The carnitine group was administered levo-carnitine 200 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 6 days. At 28^th day, extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed and their functions were assessed using iWorx data acquisition unit (AHK/214). Blood obtained by intra-cardiac sampling at 28^th day was used for estimation of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and levo-carnitine levels. Results: Maximum isometric twitch tension, time-to-peak twitch tension and time-to-relax to 50% of the peak twitch tension were not significantly different amongst the groups. Carnitine group showed significant improvement in maximum fused tetanic tension, maximum fused tetanic tension after fatigue protocol and recovery from fatigue after 5 minutes of rest period compared to the diabetic group. Serum MDA levels were reduced, while serum levo-carnitine levels were elevated significantly in carnitine group as compared to the diabetic group. Conclusion: Levo-carnitine supplementation increases serum levo-carnitine levels which decreases oxidative stress. This action improves contractile force but delays fatigue in fast muscles of diabetic rats. Key Words: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Levo-carnitine, Fast muscles, Contractile functions, Oxidative stress     

Chlorophyll meter to predict nitrogen sidedress requirements for short-season cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A two-location experiment was carried out at five to six nitrogen levels to study the relationship between chlorophyll-meter readings (SPAD values) and physiological or yield traits in short-season cotton. The results showed that there were highly significant (P<0.01) linear relationships between SPAD values and contents of both nitrogen and chlorophyll at each growth stage, and as well as with the daily increase in plant height during early flowering. The relationship between nitrogen concentration and SPAD was stronger when nitrogen was expressed on a leaf area (N_a) rather than on a dry weight (N_dw) basis. Significant curvilinear relationships were found between SPAD values at various stages and photosynthetic intensity, lint yield, and total boll number per hectare, respectively. Furthermore, the linear regressions between SPAD values and N fertilizer levels were highly significant (P< 0.01), and before the boll opening stage, the slopes of these regressions were similar (0.040–0.041) at the two locations. These data provided evidence that the chlorophyll meter could be used to determine sidedress N requirements of short-season cotton before boll opening stage. Critical SPAD levels for maximum lint yield were established as 32.4, 33.1, 35.0, 43.55, and 39.7 at early flowering, flowering peak, boll forming, the beginning of boll opening and boll opening stages, respectively. It was also established that 24.2–25.0 kg ha⁻¹ increase in N application should be necessary for each unit decrease in SPAD value below the critical level.     

Functional feed assessment on Litopenaeus vannamei using 100% fish meal replacement by soybean meal, high levels of complex carbohydrates and Bacillus probiotic strains

Functional feed supplemented with alternative-economic nutrient sources (protein, carbohydrates, lipids) and probiotics are being considered in shrimp/fish aquaculture production systems as an option to increase yield and profits and to reduce water pollution. In this study the probiotic potential to formulate functional feeds have been evaluated using four dietary treatments: Treatment 1 (B + Bs); Bacillus subtilis potential probiotic strain was supplemented to a soybeanmeal (SBM)-carbohydrates (CHO) basal feed. Treatment 2 (B + Bm); Bacillus megaterium potential probiotic strain was supplemented to the same SBM-CHO basal feed. In Treatment 3 (B); SBM-CHO basal feed was not supplemented with probiotic strains. Treatment 4 (C); fishmeal commercial feed (FM) was utilized as positive control. Feeding trials evaluated the survival, growth, and food conversion ratio and stress tolerance of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) Pacific white shrimp. Best overall shrimp performance was observed for animals fed with Treatment 1 (B+Bs); additionally, stress tolerance and hemolymph metabolites also showed the best performance in this treatment. SBM-CHO basal feed not supplemented with probiotic strains (B) presented smaller growth and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR). Shrimps fed with the fishmeal commercial feed (C) presented the lowest stress tolerance to high ammonia and low oxygen levels. Specifically selected B. subtilis strains are recommended to formulate functional and economical feeds containing high levels of vegetable; protein and carbohydrates as main dietary sources in L. vannamei cultures.     

Theoretical study of fiber tension distribution at Solospun spinning triangles

Spinning triangle is a critical region in the spinning process of staple yarn. Its geometry influences the distribution of fiber tension in the spinning triangle and affects the properties of spun yarns. Taking appropriate measures to influence the spinning triangle geometry and improve the quality of yarn has attracted great interesting recently. Solospun technology is one of the most important representatives, which is implemented by dividing ring spinning triangle into several small primary triangles and one final triangle using a Solospun roller. Therefore, theoretical study of fiber tension distributions at Solospun spinning triangles is presented in this paper. First, a theoretical model of the fiber tension distributions in Solospun spinning triangles is given by using the principle of minimum potential energy. Second, the relationships between fiber distributions and spinning triangle parameters are analyzed theoretically. Especially, the effects of horizontal offset of the twisting point to triangle symmetric axis of nip line d on fiber tension distributions are discussed and numerical simulations are given. Finally, the properties of spun yarns are evaluated and analyzed by using the simulation results.     

Growth and yield responses of upland NERICAs to variable water management under field conditions

This study aimed to investigate the possible causes for inconsistent performances of upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties in uplands and lowlands, while identifying important determinants in grain yield under deficient soil moisture. We compared the growth and yield of NERICA 1 and NERICA 5 to those of Yumenohatamochi, a Japanese upland variety, and Hinohikari, a Japanese lowland variety, subjected to different water management regimes (continually flooded, supplementary irrigation, and non-irrigation). Under conditions of deficient soil moisture, panicle number per square meter, spikelet number per panicle, and 1000-grain weight of NERICAs decreased, whereas the panicle number of the Japanese varieties experienced little change. In contrast, the grain filling ratio was unaffected by water management, irrespective of variety. The primary source of yield reduction under low soil water conditions was a decrease in spikelet number per panicle, and water stress intensity was the primary factor for the degree of this reduction. Variation in the abortion of secondary rachis-branches caused differences between NERICAs in their spikelet number response to soil moisture deficiency. The inconsistency in NERICA performance across uplands vs. lowlands can be partially attributed to variation in yield response to low soil water conditions. Moreover, water stress intensity and the presence of a water gradient along the vertical soil profile may combine to affect the fluctuation in NERICA performance under upland conditions.     

干旱胁迫影响玉米穗发育的研究进展

气候变化引起干旱等极端天气高强度、高频率发生。玉米的生长发育,尤其是穗的分化与发育,对干旱胁迫的敏感性也同时增加。因此,研究干旱胁迫对玉米穗发育的影响具有重要意义。本文根据调查研究和前人的研究成果,从玉米雌雄穗分化、开花吐丝授粉、子粒发育等3个阶段,对不同程度的干旱胁迫如何影响玉米穗发育进程展开讨论,为玉米的高产、稳产提供理论指导,同时也为玉米抗旱研究提供参考。     

Waterlogging effects on growth and yield components in late-planted soybean

A major agronomic problem in the southeastern USA is low yield of late-planted soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. This problem is aggravated by the adverse effect of waterlogging on crop growth. Our objectives were to identify soybean growth stages sensitive to waterlogging; identify yield components and physiological parameters explaining yield losses induced by waterlogging; and determine the extent of yield losses induced by waterlogging under natural field conditions. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted during 1993 and 1994 near Baton Rouge, LA, (30 degrees N Lat) on a Commerce silt loam. Waterlogging tolerance was assessed in cultivar Centennial (Maturity Group VI) at three vegetative and five reproductive growth stages by maintaining the water level at the soil surface in a greenhouse study. Using the same cultivar, we evaluated the effect of drainage in the field for late-planted soybean. Rain episodes determined the timing of waterlogging; redox potential and oxygen concentration of the soil were used to quantify the intensity of waterlogging stress. Results of the greenhouse study indicated that the early vegetative period (V2) and the early reproductive stages (R1, R3, and R5) were most sensitive to waterlogging. Three to 5 cm of rain per day falling on poorly drained soil was sufficient to reduce crop growth rate, resulting in a yield decline from 2453 to 1550 kg ha-1. Yield loss in both field and greenhouse studies was induced primarily by decreased pod production resulting from fewer pods per reproductive node. In conclusion, waterlogging was determined to be an important stress for late-planted soybean in high rainfall areas such as the Gulf Coast Region.