Sequential hydrolysis of hemicellulose and lignin in lignocellulosic biomass by two-stage percolation process using dilute sulfuric acid and ammonium hydroxide

To obtain the total fractionation and pretreatment of the corn stover, two-stage percolation process was investigated. This process consists of two steps: use of 0.07 wt% sulfuric acid for hemicellulose recovery in first stage and ARP (ammonia recycled percolation) in the following stage for lignin recovery. Among tested conditions, the best conditions of two-stage process were as follows: 1^st stage; 170 °C, 2.5 ml/min, 30 minutes using 0.07 wt% sulfuric acid and 2^nd stage; 170 °C, 5.0 ml/min, 60minutes using 15 wt% ammonium hydroxide. At above two-stage treatment conditions, the hemicellulose in corn stover was easily hydrolyzed (95%) and recovered with high yields (86%) and the extent of the lignin removal was 81%. After two-stage process, the treated biomass contained nearly pure glucan (85%). Two-stage treatment brought about enzymatic digestibility of 90% and 89% with 60 and 15 FPU/g glucan cellulase enzyme loadings, respectively.     

Deterministic global optimization approach to steady-state distribution gas pipeline networks

Natural gas is normally transported through a vast network of pipelines. A pipeline network is generally established either to transmit gas at high pressure from coastal supplies to regional demand points (transmission network) or to distribute gas to consumers at low pressure from the regional demand points (distribution network). In this study, the distribution network is considered. The distribution network differs from the transmission one in a number of ways. Pipes involved in a distribution network are often much smaller and the network is simpler, having no valves, compressors or nozzles. In this paper, we propose the problem of minimizing the cost of pipelines incurred by driving the gas in a distribute non-linear network under steady-state assumptions. In particular, the decision variables include the length of the pipes’ diameter, pressure drops at each node of the network, and mass flow rate at each pipeline leg. We establish a mathematical optimization model of this problem, and then present a global approach, which is based on the GOP primal-relaxed dual decomposition method presented by Visweswaran and Floudas (Global optimization in engineering design. Kluwer book series in nonconvex optimization and its applications. Kluwer, Netherlands, 1996), to the optimization model. Finally, results from application of the approach to data from gas company are presented.     

Investigation of thermoluminescence properties of metal oxide doped lithium triborate

In this study, lithium triborate (LiB₃O₅) doped with different metal oxides were investigated to explore its thermoluminescence properties. Solid-state reaction method was employed for the synthesis of the desired materials. The formation of the produced phases was confirmed by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared (IR), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) examinations. It was found that, CuO and Al₂O₃ doped lithium triborate samples exhibit very significant thermoluminescence glow curves to be promising dosimetric material.     

Fibroblast interaction with carboxymethylchitosan-based hydrogels

The interaction between L929 cells and carboxymethylchitosan (CM-chitosan)-based hydrogels, hydrogels from pure CM-chitosan and its blends, was examined in this study. Cytotoxicity of all materials was also assessed. The cellular morphology and behavior on the surfaces of the hydrogels were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of various parameters, e.g., type and content of blended polymers, surface structure of hydrogels, and steaming condition used for the preparation of the hydrogels, on the cell-material response were investigated. The results of the cytotoxicity test revealed that all hydrogels were non-cytotoxic. The SEM micrographs demonstrated that the cells proliferated and spread onto a porous CM-chitosan sample. Better cell spreading was found on a flat surface of a CM-chitosan film. Rounded cells were observed when poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was incorporated into CM-chitosan. Fewer cells were found when the content of PVA increased. Spherical clusters of the aggregated cells existed in the blends with ultra high viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CM-cellulose). In contrast, with the use of low viscosity CM-cellulose, the cells appeared more spreading. The attached cells on the CM-chitosan film steamed at the highest temperature and longest period appeared to spread the most among all tested steaming conditions.     

Combined effect of staining substances on the discoloration of esthetic Class V dental restorative materials

The purpose of this study was to determine the combined effect of an organic substance (mucin as a substitute for salivary organic substances), chlorhexidine, and an iron compound/tea solution on the changes in the color of esthetic Class V dental restorative materials. Color of a glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, compomer and flowable resin composite of A2 shade, respectively, was determined according to the CIELAB color scale relative to the standard illuminant D65. Color was measured at baseline, and after sequential immersion in the following substances: Step-1, mucin in PBS (MCP) for 48 h; Step-2, chlorhexidine (CHX) for 24 h; Step-3, iron compound (IRN) or tea solution (TEA) up to 7 days; and Step-4, ultrasonic cleaning for 1 h. Color change (ΔE _ab *) was calculated by the equation: Δ E _ab* = [(Δ L*)² + (Δ a*)² + (Δ b*)²]^1/2, of which ΔL ^∗ indicates changes in value, Δa ^∗ indicates changes in red-green parameter and Δb ^∗ indicates changes in yellow-blue parameter. Δ E _ab* values after immersion in MCP and CHX were compared, and Δ E _ab* values after immersion in IRN or TEA, and subsequent ultrasonic cleaning were compared with respect to the restorative material and immersion substance. Δ E _ab* and changes in the color parameters (ΔL ^∗, ΔC _ab* and ΔH _ab*) were analyzed by repeated measures, analysis of variance and a post-hoc test at the 0.05 level of significance. Color changes after immersion in MCP were acceptable (Δ E _ab* < 3.3), and those after immersion in CHX were generally acceptable. The range of Δ E _ab* values after immersion in IRN was 3.1–19.6, and that after ultrasonic cleaning was 2.4–9.6. The range of Δ E _ab* values after immersion in TEA was 10.7–21.1, and that after ultrasonic cleaning was 11.9–14.5. Color changes of four Class V restorative materials after combined treatment with mucin, chlorhexidine and an iron compound/tea solution were not acceptable. Colors did not recover to their original values after ultrasonic cleaning. Modifications on the surface of a restoration should be considered to reduce stain accumulation.     

The structural efficiency of orthotropic stalks,stems and tubes

An optimised structure is one which uses the smallest quantity of the best material to perform its function, with adequate safety factor or margin for error. Structural optimisation occurs not only in mechanical engineering, but also in nature: plants with hollow stems or stalks gain a height advantage, and are thus more efficient, by approaching the optimum shape. Here we consider the optimisation of orthotropic tubes, typifying, in a mechanical sense, stalk and stem. The stiffness and strength of orthotropic tubes of initially circular section are reviewed, and diagrams are proposed which allow the optimum section shape to be selected.     

Development and characterization of magnesium composites containing nano-sized silicon carbide and carbon nanotubes as hybrid reinforcements

Magnesium based hybrid composites containing nano-sized silicon carbide and carbon nanotubes reinforcements with minimal porosity were successfully fabricated using powder metallurgy technique with microwave sintering and hot extrusion. It was found that the addition of nano-sized silicon carbide and carbon nanotubes reinforcements lowered the coefficient of thermal expansion of magnesium. Moreover, increasing presence of silicon carbide particles led to a progressive reduction in coefficient of thermal expansion for a constant overall amount of reinforcements indicating that carbon nanotubes lowered the coefficient of thermal expansion to a lesser extent when compared to silicon carbide. Micro-hardness, 0.2% YS and UTS (except for Mg+1%CNT) showed improvement, while failure strain decreased when nano-sized silicon carbide and carbon nanotubes were added to magnesium. The failure mode of magnesium and magnesium composites was predominantly brittle exhibiting the presence of cleavage steps.     

Assessment of durability of recycled aggregate concrete produced by two-stage mixing approach

As more than 50% construction and demolition (C&D) wastes are composed of concrete debris in Hong Kong, recycling this debris into Recycled Aggregate (RA) for production of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) is an efficient way to alleviate the burden on landfill areas. Since RA is generated from concrete debris which has undergone years of services, the resulting RAC bears the weaknesses of lower density, higher water absorption, and higher porosity that limit them to lower-grade applications. Pinpointing to these weaknesses, Tam et al. [2005, Cement Concrete Res 35(6):1195–1203] developed the Two-Stage Mixing Approach (TSMA) for improving the strength of RAC, leading to the possibility in applying RAC for higher-grade applications. While the improvement in strength by TSMA has been proven in Tam et al.’s work [2005, Cement Concrete Res 35(6):1195–1203], the durability, in terms of deformation (shrinkage and creep) and permeability (water, air and chloride permeability), remains to be verified. In this paper, 0%, 20% and 100% of RA substitutions have been experimented to compare the durability performance of the Normal Mixing Approach (NMA) and the TSMA. Experiment results highlight that: (i) the higher the substitutions of RA, the weaker the performance of RAC; and (ii) the deformation and permeability of RAC can be enhanced when adopting TSMA. Therefore, it demonstrates that TSMA can help to improve the durability of RAC, on top of the previously verified strength improvement, and thus opening up wider applications of RAC.     

Influence of Surface Modification on Tribo-Performance of Hybrid Glass/PTFE Fabric Composite with Phenolic Resin Binder

The fabric/phenolic composites with the pure and silanized hybrid glass/PTFE fabric were prepared by dip-coating of the hybrid glass/PTFE fabrics in a phenolic resin. The friction and wear performances of the resulting fabric composites were evaluated using pin-on-disc wear tester. The composition change of the glass fabric in hybrid glass/PTFE fabric after silanization was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. The morphologies of the composite structures and the worn surfaces of the composites were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the fabric/phenolic composite with the β-aminoethyltrimethoxylsilane silanized hybrid glass/PTFE fabric can obtain the highest load-carrying capacity and the best wear-resistance, followed by the composite with γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane silanized hybrid glass/PTFE fabric. Chemical reactions have achieved as the hybrid glass/PTFE fabric was silanized with β-aminoethyltrimethoxyl silane or γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane, which contribute to strengthen the bonding strength between the fabric and the adhesive and hence to improve the tribological properties of the hybrid glass/PTFE fabric composites.     

Validating behavioral models for reuse

When using a model to predict the behavior of a physical system of interest, engineers must be confident that, under the conditions of interest, the model is an adequate representation of the system. The process of building this confidence is called model validation. It requires that engineers have knowledge about the system and conditions of interest, properties of the model and their own tolerance for uncertainty in the predictions. To reduce time and costs, engineers often reuse preexisting models that other engineers have developed. However, if the user lacks critical parts of this knowledge, model validation can be as time consuming and costly as developing a similar model from scratch. In this article, we describe a general process for performing model validation for reused behavioral models that overcomes this problem by relying on the formalization and exchange of knowledge. We identify the critical elements of this knowledge, discuss how to represent it and demonstrate the overall process on a simple engineering example.