Interfacial performance and durability of textile reinforced concrete

The aim of this work is to understand the bonding characteristics between various yarn structures and cement matrix which was studied by yarn pull out test. In this work, the effect of accelerated ageing under alkaline environment for different types of fibers i.e. Basalt, Polypropylene, Polyester, and Jute is studied in order to comparatively evaluate their weight loss and reduction of tensile strength. SEM images are also used for studying the morphology of alkali degraded fibers. Material characterization can also be done by FTIR, XRD, ICP, Zeta potential, and UV spectrometer.     

Aerogels for thermal insulation in high-performance textiles

For many garment applications where protection is needed against hostile environments, part of the requirement is for insulation to shield the wearer from extremes of temperature. For an insulating garment to be fully effective, it needs to allow the wearer to move freely so that they can carry out their intended activity efficiently. Traditional materials achieve their insulation by trapping air within the structure thereby not only limiting heat loss by convection but also making good use of the low thermal conductivity of air to cocoon the wearer within a comfortable environment. To achieve effective protection with conventional textiles, it is usually necessary to have a thick fibrous layer, or series of layers, to trap a sufficient quantity of air to provide the required level of insulation. Several disadvantages arise as a result. For example, thick layers of insulating textile materials reduce the ability of the wearer to move in a normal manner so that the conduct of detailed manual tasks can become very difficult; the layers lose their insulating capacity when the trapped air is lost as they are compressed; the insulating capacity falls rapidly as moisture collects within the fibrous insulator – it does not have to become sensibly wet for this to happen; just 15% moisture regain can give a dramatic reduction in insulating capacity. Not surprisingly therefore, there has been continued interest in developing insulators that might be able to overcome the disadvantages of conventional textile materials and improve the mobility of the wearer by allowing the use of only a very thin layer of extremely-high insulating performance to provide the required thermal protection. One class of materials from which suitable candidates might be drawn is aerogels; their attractiveness derives from the fact that they show the highest thermal insulation capacity of any materials developed so far. Despite sporadic high levels of interest, commercialisation has been slow. Aerogels have been found to possess their own set of disadvantages such as fragility; rigidity; dust formation during working and cumbersome, expensive, batch-wise manufacturing processes. They may well have been destined to become a product of minor interest, confined to very specialist applications where cost was of little concern. However, methods have been developed to combine aerogels and fibres in composite structures which maintain extremely high insulating capacity whilst demonstrating sufficient flexibility for use in garments. Ways have been found to prevent the formation of powder as aerogel composite fabrics are worked. Most significant though, is the achievement, arising from a project supported by the Korean Government, of a simplified one-step production process developed with the express aim of providing a substantial reduction in the cost of aerogels. Suitably-priced aerogel is now available and this should provide fresh stimulus for research and development teams to engage in new product development work utilising aerogels in textiles and garments for thermal insulation. The mechanisms through which aerogels achieve their outstanding thermal insulating ability is unconventional, at least in terms of materials used in textiles. This issue of Textile Progress therefore includes detail about thermal transport in aerogels before reviewing the various forms in which aerogels can now be made, some of their applications and the research priorities that are now beginning to emerge.     

Differential Regulation of Interferon Signaling Pathways in CD4+ T Cells of the Low Type-2 Obesity-Associated Asthma Phenotype

In the era of personalized medicine, insights into the molecular mechanisms that differentially contribute to disease phenotypes, such as asthma phenotypes including obesity-associated asthma, are urgently needed. Peripheral blood was drawn from 10 obese, non-atopic asthmatic adults with a high body mass index (BMI; 36.67 ± 6.90); 10 non-obese, non-atopic asthmatic adults with normal BMI (23.88 ± 2.73); and 10 healthy controls with normal BMI (23.62 ± 3.74). All asthmatic patients were considered to represent a low type-2 asthma phenotype according to selective clinical parameters. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was conducted on peripheral blood CD4⁺ T cells. Thousands of differentially expressed genes were identified in both asthma groups compared with heathy controls. The expression of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes associated with IFN-related signaling pathways was specifically affected in obese asthmatics, while the gap junction and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligand binding pathways were enriched in both asthma groups. Furthermore, obesity gene markers were also upregulated in CD4⁺ T cells from obese asthmatics compared with the two other groups. Additionally, the enriched genes of the three abovementioned pathways showed a unique correlation pattern with various laboratory and clinical parameters. The specific activation of IFN-related signaling and viral infection pathways might provide a novel view of the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of the low type-2 obesity-associated asthma phenotype, which is a step ahead in the development of new stratified therapeutic approaches.     

Particle Swarm Optimization for Solving Sine-Gordan Equation

The term ‘optimization’ refers to the process of maximizing the beneficial attributes of a mathematical function or system while minimizing the unfavorable ones. The majority of real-world situations can be modelled as an optimization problem. The complex nature of models restricts traditional optimization techniques to obtain a global optimal solution and paves the path for global optimization methods. Particle Swarm Optimization is a potential global optimization technique that has been widely used to address problems in a variety of fields. The idea of this research is to use exponential basis functions and the particle swarm optimization technique to find a numerical solution for the Sine-Gordan equation, whose numerical solutions show the soliton form and has diverse applications. The implemented optimization technique is employed to determine the involved parameter in the basis functions, which was previously approximated as a random number in the work reported till now in the literature. The obtained results are comparable with the results obtained in the literature. The work is presented in the form of figures and tables and is found encouraging.     

Optimizing Approach of Water Allocation to Off-Takes During Reduced Flows

Multi-objective optimization models with an index were developed based on farmers’ preferences, local requirements, supplies available at the head of the canal, system losses, crop demand about different growth stages, and field soil moisture balance. The models were applied using linear programming. The Model 1 determines the cropping pattern by maximizing net economic benefits using a monthly basis lumped volume available at the head of the canal and is set to the minimum and maximum area constraints along with the constraint of minimum main crop area. The areas for different crops given by the first model form input for the Model 2. The other inputs of Model 2 included periodic supply available at the head of the primary canal (7-day period in this study), root growth depth, demand, and soil moisture constants. The Model 2 optimizes the sum of relative yields of all the crops and provide the irrigation levels of various crops for specified periods. Finally, the distributed area and irrigation levels determined by Model 2 are used in conjunction with the losses to decide flow rates of off takes. The complete program was implemented in the West branch irrigated area of Mirpurkhas subdivision. The results showed that the resources were allocated to off-takes in a competitive and conflict-free manner.

     

Preliminary Structural Data Revealed That the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 Variant's RBD Binds to ACE2 Receptor Stronger Than the Wild Type to Enhance the Infectivity

The evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants around the globe has made the COVID-19 pandemic more worrisome, further pressuring the health care system and immunity. Novel variations that are unique to the receptor-binding motif (RBM) of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) spike glycoprotein, i. e. L452R-E484Q, may play a different role in the B.1.617 (also known as G/452R.V3) variant's pathogenicity and better survival compared to the wild type. Therefore, a thorough analysis is needed to understand the impact of these mutations on binding with host receptor (RBD) and to guide new therapeutics development. In this study, we used structural and biomolecular simulation techniques to explore the impact of specific mutations (L452R-E484Q) in the B.1.617 variant on the binding of RBD to the host receptor ACE2. Our analysis revealed that the B.1.617 variant possesses different dynamic behaviours by altering dynamic-stability, residual flexibility and structural compactness. Moreover, the new variant had altered the bonding network and structural-dynamics properties significantly. MM/GBSA technique was used, which further established the binding differences between the wild type and B.1.617 variant. In conclusion, this study provides a strong impetus to develop novel drugs against the new SARS-CoV-2 variants.     

Extracellular Vesicles and Asthma—More Than Just a Co-Existence

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous structures, which are secreted by almost every cell type analyzed so far. In addition to their importance for cell-cell communication under physiological conditions, EVs are also released during pathogenesis and mechanistically contribute to this process. Here we summarize their functional relevance in asthma, one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases. Asthma is a complex persistent inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and, from a long-term perspective, airway remodeling. Overall, mechanistic studies summarized here indicate the importance of different subtypes of EVs and their variable cargoes in the functioning of the pathways underlying asthma, and show some interesting potential for the development of future therapeutic interventions. Association studies in turn demonstrate a good diagnostic potential of EVs in asthma.     

The implementation of an energy brokerage system using linearprogramming

The authors focus on the economics involved in energy transfers. The function of an energy brokerage system is to establish interchange schedules between participating utilities in such a manner as to maximize the resulting savings. A brokerage system that uses linear programming (LP) is presented to maximize the savings or profits to each utility subject to import and export constraints. The cost quotations can also be determined using an LP formulation. Two examples to illustrate this formulation are given     

Super-Thermite (Al/Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) Fluorocarbon Nanocomposite with Stimulated Infrared Thermal Signature via Extended Primary Combustion Zones for Effective Countermeasures of Infrared Seekers

Super-thermites can offer large amount of energy up to 16736 J/g. Flares based on super-thermites can offer superior thermal signature to countermeasure infrared (IR) guided missile seekers. This study reports on the sustainable fabrication of mono-dispersed Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles of 3 nm average particle size. Colloidal Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were harvested from their synthesis medium and re-dispersed in acetone. Fluorocarbon polymers (teflon and viton) as well as aluminum metal fuel were integrated into Fe₂O₃/acetone colloid. The colloid mixture was granulated and mold pressed to develop the desired grain. The impact of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles on thermal signature was assessed using (FT-MIR 1–6 µm) spectrometer. Flame propagation was investigated by video imaging of combustion wave. Combustion zones were quantified using image analysis. Quantification of flame temperature and main IR emitting species was performed using ICT thermodynamic code (virgin 2008). Nanocomposite flare with 12 wt% Fe₂O₃ offered an increase in the intensity of β band by 230% to that of reference formulation. The primary reaction zone was extended by 164%. Super-thermite particles not only offered superior spectral performance but also altered the combustion mechanism.     

Efficiency Effect of Obstacle Margin on Line-of-Sight in Wireless Networks

Line-of-sight clarity and assurance are essential because they are considered the golden rule in wireless network planning, allowing the direct propagation path to connect the transmitter and receiver and retain the strength of the signal to be received. Despite the increasing literature on the line of sight with different scenarios, no comprehensive study focuses on the multiplicity of parameters and basic concepts that must be taken into account when studying such a topic as it affects the results and their accuracy. Therefore, this research aims to find limited values that ensure that the signal reaches the future efficiently and enhances the accuracy of these values’ results. We have designed MATLAB simulation and programming programs by Visual Basic .NET for a semi-realistic communication system. It includes all the basic parameters of this system, taking into account the environment's diversity and the characteristics of the obstacle between the transmitting station and the receiving station. Then we verified the correctness of the system's work. Moreover, we begin by analyzing and studying multiple and branching cases to achieve the goal. We get several values from the results, which are finite values, which are a useful reference for engineers and designers of wireless networks.