Application of integrated soft computing techniques for optimisation of hybrid CO2 laser–MIG welding process

In this paper, artificial neural networks (ANNs), genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) and Quasi Newton line search techniques have been combined to develop three integrated soft computing based models such as ANN–GA, ANN–SA and ANN–Quasi Newton for prediction modelling and optimisation of welding strength for hybrid CO₂ laser–MIG welded joints of aluminium alloy. Experimental dataset employed for the purpose has been generated through full factorial experimental design. Laser power, welding speeds and wires feed rate are considered as controllable input parameters. These soft computing models employ a trained ANN for calculation of objective function value and thereby eliminate the need of closed form objective function. Among 11 tested networks, the ANN with best prediction performance produces maximum percentage error of only 3.21%. During optimisation ANN–GA is found to show best performance with absolute percentage error of only 0.09% during experimental validation. Low value of percentage error indicates efficacy of models. Welding speed has been found as most influencing factor for welding strength.     

Interleukins 6 and 15 Levels Are Higher in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue,but Obesity Is Associated with Their Increased Content in Visceral Fat Depots

Excess adiposity is associated with chronic inflammation, which takes part in the development of obesity-related complications. The aim of this study was to establish whether subcutaneous (SAT) or visceral (VAT) adipose tissue plays a major role in synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of interleukins (IL): 1β, 6, 8 and 15 were measured at the protein level by an ELISA-based method and on the mRNA level by real-time PCR in VAT and SAT samples obtained from 49 obese (BMI > 40 kg/m²) and 16 normal-weight (BMI 20–24.9 kg/m²) controls. IL-6 and IL-15 protein concentrations were higher in SAT than in VAT for both obese (p = 0.003 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and control individuals (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively), while for IL-1β this was observed only in obese subjects (p = 0.047). What characterized obese individuals was the higher expression of IL-6 and IL-15 at the protein level in VAT compared to normal-weight controls (p = 0.047 and p = 0.016, respectively). Additionally, obese individuals with metabolic syndrome had higher IL-1β levels in VAT than did obese individuals without this syndrome (p = 0.003). In conclusion, concentrations of some pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher in SAT than in VAT, but it was the increased pro-inflammatory activity of VAT that was associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.     

Calcium phosphates grown on bacterial cellulose template

Bacterial cellulose membranes were employed as templates for calcium phosphates deposition by successive immersion in solutions of Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and (NH₄)₂HPO₄, under ultrasonication. During the wet chemical reaction, mineral phases were loaded on bacterial cellulose fibrils, leading to precursor hybrid composites. These were subjected to a lyophilisation procedure in order to preserve the 3D porous aspect and afterwards to a thermal treatment with the aim of removing the polymeric phase and generating well crystallized structures. Different types of morphologies were achieved by varying the heating rate, as well as the calcination temperature and period. The as-prepared samples and the final ones were investigated from compositional and structural point of view through X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and morphologically concerning by scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic properties were also evaluated in order to demonstrate the suitability of the obtained materials for the development of magnetic scaffolds dedicated to hard tissue applications.     

Effect of the composition and degree of crosslinking on the properties of poly(l‐lactic acid)/crosslinked polyurethane blends

Poly(l ‐lactic acid)/crosslinked polyurethane (PLLA/CPU) blends which were prepared via reactive blending of PLLA with poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL), glycerol and 4,4′‐methylenediphenyl diisocyanate showed excellent toughness. The effects of the composition of the mixture and degree of crosslinking of CPU on the toughness of the PLLA/CPU blends (80/20 w/w) were studied in detail. Dynamic mechanical analysis and rheological measurements were used to characterize the structure of the in situ formed CPU in the PLLA matrix. A novel netlike phase structure was observed when the average molecular weight of PCL and degree of crosslinking were 1 kDa and 10%, respectively. The impact strength of the blend was enhanced from 2.2 kJ m^?2 for pure PLLA to 62.4 kJ m^?2; meanwhile, the elongation at break was increased to 489.8%. Therefore, the mechanical properties of PLLA/CPU blends can be easily tailored by tuning the composition of the mixture and the degree of crosslinking of CPU. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

软岩与水相互作用研究综述

软岩是一类松散、破碎、软弱及风化膨胀性的强度较低的岩石,在水环境作用下软岩易产生大变形失稳破坏。大多数岩土工程事故都涉及到软岩与水的相互作用,研究软岩与水相互作用对于分析某些由软岩失稳引起的工程事故具有重要的理论和现实意义。针对软岩与水相互作用这一问题,从软岩与水相互作用的分类、软岩吸水特性的影响因素及其软岩吸水失稳机理等方面,对国内外具有代表性的研究成果进行了梳理。结果表明:软岩与水相互作用可分为力学作用、物理作用和化学作用。在各种影响软岩吸水特性的因素中,主要因素是黏土矿物的含量和种类、孔隙结构,其他影响因素有水压变化、软岩的干湿循环次数、软岩的块体尺度(尺度效应)和吸水时间等。软岩吸水失稳的根本原因是吸水后黏土矿物微观结构发生变化,而是否含蒙脱石等吸水性极强的黏土矿物并非直接原因;后者只是对软岩吸水过程起到促进作用。     

[学科发展]5D打印——生物功能组织的制造

生物制造是制造技术与生命科学技术交叉融合产生的新兴学科方向，这一学科方向的发展将为巨大的人体组织与器官市场提供新技术，同时也给制造技术变革带来新机遇。面向生物制造未来发展，提出5D打印制造概念，论述了5D打印的内涵，分析了其关键技术。结合生物制造技术的现有进展，介绍了研究团队在心肌组织支架的制造、类脑神经组织制造、爬行生命机械混合机器人方面取得的初步研究进展，为生物制造技术拓展新方向提供新思路。     

深部软岩巷道围岩变形特征及数值模拟分析

针对深部煤矿开采条件下软岩巷道围岩出现持续流变时间长、变形大、地压高、巷道难以维护等特点，首先分析了深部软岩巷道变形特征，采用FLAC^3D数值模拟软件，分析了不同埋深条件下巷道围岩垂直应力分布、水平应力分布以及巷道围岩塑性区扩展规律。研究得出，深部软岩巷道的围岩岩块呈松散破碎形态，相互翻转和滑移，岩体的模量和强度低；随着巷道埋深的逐渐增加，巷道围岩应力集中系数逐渐减小，巷道垂直、水平应力峰值逐渐变大，塑性破坏范围扩展速率逐渐增加。研究为深部软岩巷道支护提供理论基础。     

高大软岩边坡下开采程序研究

结合胜利煤田发生大型滑坡的露天矿地质赋存条件，以高大软岩边坡条件下松散物料压覆的煤炭资源安全高效回收为目标，提出采用“横采内排-尾随压脚”的开采程序方案将工作线从直线型变为“Π”字型。从地表水与地下水防治、边坡安全监测等方面提出了保证工程顺利实施的安全保障措施。计算分析了采用“横采内排-尾随压脚”开采程序方案的可观资源回收量及减少运距和提升高度带来的经济效益，同时对矿山实现可持续发展和安全开采的价值进行了预测。