Just-about-right and ideal scaling provide similar insights into the influence of sensory attributes on liking

Just-about-right (JAR) scaling is criticized for measuring attribute intensity and acceptability simultaneously. Using JAR scaling, an attribute is evaluated for its appropriateness relative to one’s hypothetical ideal level that is pre-defined at the middle of a continuum. Alternatively, ideal scaling measures these two constructs separately. Ideal scaling allows participants to rate their ideal freely on the scale (i.e., without assuming the “Too Little” and “Too Much” regions are equal in size). We hypothesized that constraining participants’ ideal to the center point, as is done in the JAR scale, may cause a scaling bias and, thereby, influence the magnitude of “Too Little” and “Too Much”. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the magnitude of “Too Little” and “Too Much” would influence liking to different extents.Coffee-flavored dairy beverages (n = 20) were formulated using a fractional, constrained-mixture design that varied the ratio of water, milk, coffee extract, and sucrose. Participants tasted 4 of 20 prototypes that were served in a monadic sequential order using a balanced incomplete block design. Data reported here are for participants randomly assigned to one of two research conditions: ideal scaling (n = 129) or JAR scaling (n = 132). For both conditions, participants rated overall liking using a 9-point hedonic scale. Four attributes (sweetness, milk flavor, coffee flavor and thickness) were evaluated. The reliability of an individual participant’s ideal rating for an attribute was evaluated using the standard deviation of their ideal ratings (n = 4). All data from a participant were eliminated from further analyses when his/her standard deviation of the ideal ratings for any of the four rated attributes was identified as a statistical outlier. This resulted in the elimination of 15 of 129 (12%) of participants in the ideal scaling group. Multiple linear regression was employed to model liking as a function of “Too Little” or “Too Much” attribute intensities.Mean ideal ratings (averaged across participants) for all four attributes were significantly different from the central point of the scale (i.e., 50). However, coffee flavor was the only attribute for which the mean ideal rating (57.2) fell outside the central 10% (45.0–55.0). Even so, the magnitude of “Too Little” and “Too Much” was not affected by the scaling method. The influence of the magnitude of “Too Little” and “Too Much” on liking was asymmetrical. Both scaling methods agreed that sweetness and coffee flavor were the main sensory attributes affecting liking. Overall, JAR scaling and ideal scaling were comparable for measuring “Too Little” and “Too Much”, and identifying the main factors affecting liking.     

DEM modelling analysis of tree root growth in street pavements

The coexistence of urban green spaces and infrastructure is often difficult. Trees find inhospitable environments in urban areas, whereas tree root systems can damage sidewalk, street and parking lot. The main form of failure concerns the growing of tree roots beneath the pavements, which produce upheavals and displacements on wearing course. The main objective of this study was a distinct element method modelling analysis of the potential interactions between tree root systems and street pavements. This calculation code allowed us to simulate the dynamic behaviour of the ground-pavement system as result of the roots growth. The performed modelling, representative of various planting strategies commonly used in urban contexts, have highlighted the progressive reduction of deformations with the increase of the roots penetration depth. Such displacements were strongly influenced by other factors such as the porosity and the grain-size distribution of the soil and the type of pavement considered.     

Crystalline damage in silicon wafers and 'rare event' failure introduced by low-energy mechanical impact

We used X-ray diffraction imaging to detect and characterize mechanical damage introduced to 300 mm silicon wafers by low impact energy exerted on the wafer edge. Maps of crystalline damage show a correlation between the damage size, the magnitude of the impact energy and the location of the impact point. We demonstrate the existence of crystalline non-visual defects; crystalline defects that appear in the X-Ray diffraction images but not in optical microscopy or scanning electron microscope. We propose a mechanism of crystalline damage formation at low impact energies based on finite element analysis and high-resolution synchrotron white beam transmission X-ray topography. Finally, we propose the concept of 'rare-event' to described relatively low rate of occurrence of wafer failure by fracture within semiconductor manufacturing facilities.     

A thermoelastic diffusion theory with microtemperatures and microconcentrations

This article is concerned with a nonlinear theory of thermodynamics for elastic materials in which the particles are subjected to classical displacement, temperature, and mass diffusion fields and whose microelements possess microtemperatures and microconcentrations. The equations of the linear theory are also obtained. It is shown that there exists coupling between temperature, chemical potential, microtemperatures, and microconcentrations even for isotropic bodies. With the help of the semigroup theory of linear operators, we prove the well-posedness of the linear anisotropic problem and we study the asymptotic behavior of the solutions.     

基于冻融损伤的重力坝抗冻耐久性分析

为进一步了解混凝土的抗冻耐久性,分析了基于Loland混凝土损伤模型推导的混凝土冻融损伤模型,并结合试验数据拟合得到了混凝土弹性模量、泊松比与冻融循环次数的关系,利用ABAQUS分析混凝土重力坝渗流场、温度场,并以此确定了混凝土大坝发生冻融损伤的区域,最终采用场变量模拟重力坝随冻融次数增加的稳定性。结果表明,混凝土大坝并非所有区域均发生冻融损伤,且试验得到材料抗冻耐久性并不等同于混凝土重力坝抗冻耐久性。     

周期性荷载作用下岩石力学特性数值模拟研究

为研究周期性荷载作用下岩石的力学特性,开展了基于离散单元法(DEM)的岩石疲劳数值模拟试验,通过模拟单轴压缩试验研究了数值模型中微观参数对试样宏观参数的影响,再通过数值疲劳试验研究了砂岩的疲劳变形特性。结果表明,砂岩的疲劳应力—应变曲线受控于单轴应力—应变过程曲线,疲劳破坏时的轴向应变即为周期性荷载最大应力在单轴应力—应变曲线中所对应的峰后部分应变。通过分析砂岩的疲劳渐进破坏过程发现,最大应力和平均应力是影响砂岩疲劳寿命的两个重要因素。研究成果对于了解岩体疲劳破坏机理、合理评价工程稳定性有重要意义。     

Study of using aluminum hypophosphite as a flame retardant for low‐density polyethylene

Aluminum hypophosphite (AHP) was first used to improve the flame retardance of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). The flame‐retardant properties of LDPE composites were investigated by the limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test (UL‐94), microscale combustion calorimetry, and cone calorimeter tests. The results showed that the incorporation of AHP could improve the flame retardancy of LDPE dramatically, the limiting oxygen index of LDPE containing 50 phr AHP reached 27.5%, and the UL‐94 could pass V‐0 rating. The cone calorimeter test results indicated that PP/AHP composite exhibited superior performance, and the heat release rate and the total heat release of composites were significantly reduced. In addition, the strength of the char was improved with the load of AHP increased. The structure of the char was researched by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive spectrometer, and the results revealed that AHP promoted the formation of compact char layer. The TG‐FTIR analyses proved that AHP could react with LDPE to reduce the production of olefin in gas phase. Moreover, the structure of P–O–C was found, and the effective mechanism of AHP in LDPE composites was also hypothesized in this work.     

Alginate gel particles–A review of production techniques and physical properties

The application of hydrocolloid gel particles is potentially useful in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Alginate gel particles are one of the more commonly used hydrocolloid gel particles due to them being biocompatible, nontoxic, biodegradable, cheap, and simple to produce. They are particularly valued for their application in encapsulation. Encapsulation in alginate gel particles confers protective benefits to cells, DNA, nutrients, and microbes. Slow release of flavors, minerals, and drugs can also be achieved by encapsulation in gel particles. The particle size and shape of the gel particles are crucial for specific applications. In this review, current methods of producing alginate gel particles will be discussed, taking into account their advantages, disadvantages, scalability, and impact on particle size. The physical properties of alginate gel particles will determine the effectiveness in different application conditions. This review will cover the current understanding of the alginate biopolymer, gelation mechanisms and factors affecting release properties, gel strength, and rheology of the alginate gel particle systems.     

Experimental and numerical study of oblique impact on woven composite sandwich structure: Influence of the firing axis orientation

During flight, aircrafts can be submitted to complex loadings. The reliability of their structure is an essential aspect in ensuring passenger safety. In the specific case of helicopters, blades are subjected to impact loading. The following work will focus on the experimental and numerical study of an oblique impact on the skin of the blade. It is equivalent in a first approach to an impact on a sandwich panel comprising a foam core and a thin woven composite skin. This study aims to identify the mechanisms of damage to the skin for different orientations of the firing axis, and to develop a representative model of the damage kinetics adapted to the modeling of the complete structure. Thus, an F.E. semi-continuous explicit model has been developed. It relies on the development of a specific damageable element at the woven mesh scale. Numerical results obtained are accurate, allowing the identification of the damage mechanism of the woven skin for different firing orientations.     

荫营煤矿综放工作面回风顺槽矿压显现特征分析

通过矿山压力观测的方法分析了荫营煤矿15号煤层综放面回风顺槽的矿山压力显现,应用了巷帮表面收敛观测、锚杆锚索受力变化、顶板离层观测的综合手段,得出了荫营煤矿15号煤层综放面回风顺槽的矿山压力特征,为该巷道大变形的治理提供相应理论依据.