A side-sensitive synthetic coefficient of variation chart

Control charts for monitoring the coefficient of variation (γ) are useful for processes with an inconsistent mean (μ) and a standard deviation (σ) which changes with μ, by monitoring the consistency in the ratio σ over μ. The synthetic-γ chart is one of the charts proposed to monitor γ, and its attractiveness lie in waiting until a second point to fall outside the control limits before a decision is made. However, existing synthetic-γ charts do not differentiate between the points falling outside the upper control limit (UCL) and lower control limit (LCL). Hence, this paper proposes a side-sensitive synthetic-γ chart, where successive nonconforming samples must either fall above the UCL or below the LCL. Formulae to compute the average run length (ARL), the standard deviation of the run length (SDRL) and expected average run length (EARL) are derived using the Markov chain approach, and the algorithms to obtain the optimal charting parameters are proposed. Subsequently, the optimal charting parameters, ARL, SDRL and EARL values for various numerical examples are shown. Comparisons show that the side-sensitive synthetic-γ chart consistently outperforms the existing synthetic-γ chart, especially for small shifts. The proposed chart also consistently outperforms the Shewhart-γ chart, while showing comparable or better performance than the Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) chart for most shift sizes, except for very small shifts. Finally, this paper shows the implementation of the proposed chart on an industrial example.     

Sustainable biocarbon as an alternative of traditional fillers for poly(butylene terephthalate)-based composites: Thermo-oxidative aging and durability

Sustainable biocomposites have gained considerable interest as an alternative to conventional composites in recent years due to their cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance and durability behavior of biocomposites from sustainable biocarbon (BC) as compared to conventional established fillers. The poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and its composites reinforced with BC, talc, and glass fiber (GF) were prepared and the durability performances was investigated. The study showed that BC/PBT biocomposites provided a lighter weight alternative to traditionally used fillers. After undergoes thermo-oxidative aging, the mechanical properties of BC/PBT biocomposite were deteriorated. The GF/PBT showed the most stable in retaining its mechanical properties in comparison to the talc/PBT and BC/PBT. The aging behavior and mechanism of the PBT composites were discussed. This study provides further insight on the durability-related properties progression of biocomposites as compared to traditional used fillers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47722.     

A Flexi-PEGDA Upconversion Implant for Wireless Brain Photodynamic Therapy

Near-infrared (NIR) activatable upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) enable wireless-based phototherapies by converting deep-tissue-penetrating NIR to visible light. UCNPs are therefore ideal as wireless transducers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of deep-sited tumors. However, the retention of unsequestered UCNPs in tissue with minimal options for removal limits their clinical translation. To address this shortcoming, biocompatible UCNPs implants are developed to deliver upconversion photonic properties in a flexible, optical guide design. To enhance its translatability, the UCNPs implant is constructed with an FDA-approved poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) core clad with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). The emission spectrum of the UCNPs implant can be tuned to overlap with the absorption spectra of the clinically relevant photosensitizer, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). The UCNPs implant can wirelessly transmit upconverted visible light till 8 cm in length and in a bendable manner even when implanted underneath the skin or scalp. With this system, it is demonstrated that NIR-based chronic PDT is achievable in an untethered and noninvasive manner in a mouse xenograft glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) model. It is postulated that such encapsulated UCNPs implants represent a translational shift for wireless deep-tissue phototherapy by enabling sequestration of UCNPs without compromising wireless deep-tissue light delivery.     

Nitrogen-doped graphene-supported zinc sulfide nanorods as efficient Pt-free for visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production

Nitrogen-doped graphene-ZnS composite (NG-ZnS) was synthesized by thermal treatment of graphene-ZnS composite (G-ZnS) in NH₃ medium. In the second step, the as-synthesized samples were deposited on indium tin oxide glass (ITO) by electrophoretic deposition for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. The as-prepared NG-ZnS-modified ITO electrode displayed excellent photocatalytic activity, rapid transient photocurrent response, superior stability and high recyclability compared to the pure ZnS and G-ZnS-modified ITO electrode due to the synergy between the photocatalytic activity of ZnS nanorods and the large surface area and high conductivity of N-graphene.     

The incorporation of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose into solid dispersion systems

While the use of amorphous solid dispersions to improve aqueous solubility is well documented, little consideration has traditionally been given to the finished dosage form. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dissolution performance of amorphous solid dispersions containing a dispersed superdisintegrant with binding properties. KinetiSol® dispersing was used to thermally process hypromellose acetate succinate-based compositions containing the drug substance nifedipine (NIF) and a highly compressible grade of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (New Binder Disintegrants; NBD-grade). Solid-state analysis demonstrated that compositions were rendered amorphous during processing. Tablets containing intra-dispersion NBD were found to exhibit non-sink dissolution performance similar to milled intermediate, demonstrating excellent disintegration characteristics. Conversely, tablets without intra-dispersion NBD were found to release significantly less NIF during dissolution analysis due to particle agglomeration. It was determined that compressibility and particle wetting increased as the level of intra-dispersion NBD increased.     

Effect of a Small Amount of Synthetic Fiber on Performance of Biocarbon-Filled Nylon-Based Hybrid Biocomposites

Advanced hybrid biocomposites are engineered from nylon 6, waste wood biosourced carbon (biocarbon) with a low content of synthetic fiber for lightweight auto-parts uses. The novel engineering process through direct injection molding of only 2 wt% synthetic fibers in the form of masterbatch with 20 wt% biocarbon, results outstanding performance of the resulting nylon biocomposites. Such uniquely developed biocomposites show tensile strength of 105 MPa and tensile modulus of 5.14 GPa with a remarkable heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 206 °C. The direct injection molding of synthetic fiber retains the length ≈3 times higher as compared to traditional extrusion and injection molding; resulting greater degree of entanglement and composite reinforcement effectiveness in the hybrid biocomposites. Highly dimensionally stable nylon 6 biocomposites with a very low coefficient of linear thermal expansion results through reinforcing ability of the sustainable biocarbon and small amount of synthetic fiber.     

Feasibility study of large-scale mass customization 3D printing framework system with a case study on Nanjing Happy Valley East Gate

At present, the development and implementation of digital transformation are the keys to promoting high-quality industry development. The new digital fabrication method of robotic 3D printing is a research area being studied by many to tackle the issue of the declining productivity of traditional construction methods. Although many studies have been done, most of the current 3D printing projects are facing limitations in terms of scale. In order to bridge the gap, this article proposed a mass customization 3D printing framework system for large-scale projects. This article discusses how mass customization is made possible through the joint operation of the FUROBOT software and 3D printing hardware. By taking the east gate of Nanjing Happy Valley Plaza as a case study, the article demonstrates and studies the feasibility of the large-scale mass customization 3D printing framework system.     

Toxicity to Daphnia of the end products of wet oxidation of phenol and substituted phenols

The process of wet oxidation breaks down organic substances in aqueous solution at elevated temperatures and pressures. Experimental wet oxidations were carried out on pure solutions of phenol, 2-chlorophenol and 4-nitrophenol. After 1-h wet oxidation, final concentrations of these compounds averaged 3% of their concentrations in the starting solutions. The toxicities of the starting compounds and the residual toxicity of the end-product solutions were measured with 48-h acute toxicity tests using Daphnia magna. The solutions of end products were all less toxic than the starting solutions by factors ranging from 10 to 120. However, the end-product solutions were somewhat more toxic than would be predicted from the known concentration of initial compound remaining in the solution of end products.     

Quarry site selection in Malaysia

To cater for the demands for various rock aggregates for the numerous engineering construction projects in Malaysia, such as dams, highways, housing developments, etc., the location of suitable quarry sites at or in the immediate vicinities of the project sites has been the responsibility and constant duty of the engineering geologist. This paper summarises the various engineering geologic factors that are considered in the location of potential quarry sites, in particular with reference to the practices in Malaysia. The factors considered include, among other things, the lithology, degree of weathering, overburden soil cover, geologic structures such as jointing or fracturing, engineering properties of the aggregates, operational difficulties such as benching, blasting and rock slope stability, and environmental considerations. Various case studies from Malaysia are presented, emphasis being on the problems that are often encountered here such as the high degree of weathering, inability to do benching in quarry sited on limestone cliffs, conflict with other landuse, etc.