Static and free vibration analysis of functionally graded plates based on a new quasi-3D and 2D shear deformation theories

In this study, two dimensional (2D) and quasi three-dimensional (quasi-3D) shear deformation theories are presented for static and free vibration analysis of single-layer functionally graded (FG) plates using a new hyperbolic shape function. The material of the plate is inhomogeneous and the material properties assumed to vary continuously in the thickness direction by three different distributions; power-law, exponential and Mori–Tanaka model, in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. The fundamental governing equations which take into account the effects of both transverse shear and normal stresses are derived through the Hamilton's principle. The closed form solutions are obtained by using Navier technique and then fundamental frequencies are found by solving the results of eigenvalue problems. In-plane stress components have been obtained by the constitutive equations of composite plates. The transverse stress components have been obtained by integrating the three-dimensional stress equilibrium equations in the thickness direction of the plate. The accuracy of the present method is demonstrated by comparisons with the different 2D, 3D and quasi-3D solutions available in the literature.     

The control of sea lice in Atlantic salmon by selective breeding

Sea lice threaten the welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon and the sustainability of fish farming across the world. Chemical treatments are the major method of control but drug resistance means that alternatives are urgently needed. Selective breeding can be a cheap and effective alternative. Here, we combine experimental trials and diagnostics to provide a practical protocol for quantifying resistance to sea lice. We then combined quantitative genetics with epidemiological modelling to make the first prediction of the response to selection, quantified in terms of reduced need for chemical treatments. We infected over 1400 young fish with Lepeophtheirus salmonis, the most important species in the Northern Hemisphere. Mechanisms of resistance were expressed early in infection. Consequently, the number of lice per fish and the ranking of families were very similar at 7 and 17 days post infection, providing a stable window for assessing susceptibility to infection. The heritability of lice numbers within this time window was moderately high at 0.3, confirming that selective breeding is viable. We combined an epidemiological model of sea lice infection and control on a salmon farm with genetic variation in susceptibility among individuals. We simulated 10 generations of selective breeding and examined the frequency of treatments needed to control infection. Our model predicted that substantially fewer chemical treatments are needed to control lice outbreaks in selected populations and chemical treatment could be unnecessary after 10 generations of selection. Selective breeding for sea lice resistance should reduce the impact of sea lice on fish health and thus substantially improve the sustainability of Atlantic salmon production.     

Nonlinear response in glass fibre non-crimp fabric reinforced vinylester composites

This paper addresses the nonlinear stress-strain response in glass fibre non-crimp fabric reinforced vinylester composite laminates subjected to in-plane tensile loading. The nonlinearity is shown to be a combination of brittle and plastic failure. It is argued that the shift from plastic to brittle behaviour in the vinylester is caused by the state of stress triaxiality caused by the interaction between fibre and vinylester. A model combining damage and plasticity is calibrated and evaluated using data from extensive experimental testing. The onset of damage is predicted using the Puck failure criterion, and the evolution of damage is calibrated from the observed softening in plies loaded in transverse tension. Shear loading beyond linear elastic response is observed to result in irreversible strains. A yield criterion is implemented for shear deformation. A strain hardening law is fitted to the stress-strain response observed in shear loaded plies. Experimental results from a selection of laminates with different layups are used to verify the numerical models. A complete set of model parameters for predicting elastic behaviour, strength and post failure softening is presented for glass fibre non-crimped fabric reinforced vinylester. The predicted behaviour from using these model parameters are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results.     

Alloying behavior and novel properties of CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering

An equiatomic CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). During MA, a solid solution with refined microstructure of 10 nm which consists of a FCC phase and a BCC phase was formed. After SPS consolidation, only one FCC phase can be detected in the HEA bulks. The as-sintered bulks exhibit high compressive strength of 1987 MPa. An interesting magnetic transition associated with the structure coarsening and phase transformation was observed during SPS process.     

Electromagnetic shielding properties of iron oxide impregnated kenaf bast fiberboard

The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of kenaf fiber based composites with different iron oxide impregnation levels was investigated. The kenaf fibers were retted for removing the lignin and extractives from the fibers and magnetized. Using the unsaturated polyester and the magnetized fibers, kenaf fiber based composites were manufactured by the compression molding process. The transmission energies of the composites were characterized when the composite samples were exposed under the irradiation of electromagnetic (EM) wave with a variable frequency from 9 GHz to 11 GHz. Using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the iron oxide nanoparticles were observed on the surfaces and inside the micropore structures of single fibers. As the Fe content increased from 0% to 6.8%, 15.9% and 18.0%, the total surface free energy of kenaf fibers with the magnetizing treatments increased from 44.8 mJ/m² to 46.1 mJ/m², 48.8 mJ/m² and 53.0 mJ/m², respectively, while the modulus of elasticity reduced from 2875 MPa to 2729 MPa, 2487 MPa and 2007 MPa, respectively. Meanwhile, the shielding effectiveness was increased from 30–50% to 60–70%, 65–75% and 70–80%, respectively.     

Computational studies on the radiative and nonradiative processes of luminescent N-heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes

Three N-heteroleptic Pt(II) complexes, [Pt(C^C)(O^O)] [O^O = acetylacetonate, C^C = 1-phenyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (1), C^C = 4-phenyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2), C^C = 2-phenylpyrazine (3)] have been investigated with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The radiative decay rate constants of complexes 1–3 have been discussed with the oscillator strength (f_n), the strength of spin–orbit coupling (SOC) interaction between the lowest energy triplet excited state (T₁) and singlet excited states (S_n), and the energy gaps between E(T₁) and E(S_n). To illustrate the nonradiative decay processes, the transition states between triplet metal-centered (³MC) and T₁ states have been optimized and were verified with the calculations of vibrational frequencies and intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC). In addition, the minimum energy crossing points (MECPs) between ³MC and ground states (S₀) were optimized. At last, the potential energy curves relevant to the nonradiative decay pathways are simulated. The results show that complex 3 has the biggest photoluminescence quantum yield because the complex 3 has the biggest radiative decay rate constant and the smallest nonradiative decay rate constant in complexes 1–3.     

Structure and phase-composition of Ti-doped gas atomized Raney-type Ni catalyst precursor alloys

Raney-type Ni precursor alloys containing 75 at.% Al and doped with 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0 at.% Ti have been produced by a gas atomization process. The resulting powders have been classified by size fraction with subsequent investigation by powder XRD, SEM and EDX analysis. The undoped powders contain, as expected, the phases Ni₂Al₃, NiAl₃ and an Al-eutectic. The Ti-doped powders contain an additional phase with the TiAl₃ DO₂₂ crystal structure. However, quantitative analysis of the XRD results indicate a far greater fraction of the TiAl₃ phase is present than could be accounted for by a simple mass balance on Ti. This appears to be a (Ti_xNi_1−x)Al₃ phase in which higher cooling rates favour small x (low Ti-site occupancy by Ti atoms). SEM and EDX analysis reveal that virtually all the available Ti is contained within the TiAl₃ phase, with negligible Ti dissolved in either the Ni₂Al₃ or NiAl₃ phases.     

In vivo evaluation of a mucoadhesive polymeric caplet for intravaginal anti-HIV-1 delivery and development of a molecular mechanistic model for thermochemical characterization

Context and objective: The aim of this study was to develop, characterize and evaluate a mucoadhesive caplet resulting from a polymeric blend (polymeric caplet) for intravaginal anti-HIV-1 delivery.

Materials and methods: Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, ethylcellulose, poly(vinylalcohol), polyacrylic acid and modified polyamide 6, 10 polymers were blended and compressed to a caplet-shaped device, with and without two model drugs 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). Thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and microscopic analysis were carried out on the caplets employing temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectrometer and scanning electron microscope, respectively. In vitro and in vivo drug release analyses as well as the histopathological toxicity studies were carried out on the drug-loaded caplets. Furthermore, molecular mechanics (MM) simulations were carried out on the drug-loaded caplets to corroborate the experimental findings.

Results and discussion: There was a big deviation between the T_g of the polymeric caplet from the T_g's of the constituent polymers indicating a strong interaction between constituent polymers. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of specific ionic and non-ionic interactions within the caplet. A controlled near zero-order drug release was obtained for AZT (20 d) and PSS (28 d). In vivo results, i.e. the drug concentration in plasma ranged between 0.012–0.332?mg/mL and 0.009–0.256?mg/mL for AZT and PSS over 1–28 d.

Conclusion: The obtained results, which were corroborated by MM simulations, attested that the developed system has the potential for effective delivery of anti-HIV-agents.     

Experimental study to assess the effect of carbon nanotube addition on the through-thickness electrical conductivity of CFRP laminates for aircraft applications

The present paper tests experimentally the through-thickness electrical conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites laminates for aircraft applications. Two types of samples were prepared: Type A samples with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Type B samples without CNTs. During the electrical experiments, electrical currents of several mA were injected through the specimens. Electrical resistance was monitored simultaneously in order to deduce the changes in the through-the-thickness electrical conductivity caused by the addition of CNTs. Improvement of electrical conduction by two orders of magnitude was achieved through the addition of 1 wt% carbon nanotubes as compared to classic CFRP without CNTs. For moisture saturated samples, the influence of moisture absorption on such measures was found to be negligible.