A stiffness volume averaging based approach to model non-crimp fabric reinforced composites

A representative volume element (RVE) based model to evaluate the mechanical performance of non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites has been developed and presented hereafter. By means of the stiffness averaging method, the modelling procedure is able to simulate the NCF’s elastic properties taking into account the effects of process-induced defects and final geometrical configuration. Microscopy analysis has been used to quantitatively evaluate the effects of tow waviness, stitching geometrical parameters and matrix porosity; these features have been included as sub-models into the final model. Numerical predictions have been compared to the results of tensile tests performed on composite coupons. A geometrical parameter characterising the undulation of the tows has been introduced and a sensitivity analysis has been performed on the model with different undulations.     

Spectrophotometric Qualification of Italian Pasta Produced by Traditional or Industrial Production Parameters

Wheat durum pasta represents one of the most typical Italian food products. Many factories realize different class products regarding the use of organic wheat or not and the application of traditional or industrial production parameters. Being not subordinate to regulations, these classifications are only indicative of the real processes representing different quantitative levels for the same class. Aim of this study is to set up a rapid and nondestructive method to distinguish between different declared production parameters of pasta brands (spaghetti) such as industrial (high temperature, short-time drying, Teflon drawn) and traditional (low temperature, long-time drying, bronze drawn) processes and the use of organic wheat or not. A hyperspectral system operating within visible and near-infrared spectra was used to acquire images of spaghetti bundles (of two different years). Hyperspectral information was statistically analyzed by multivariate provisional soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA). The results report a percentage of correct classification equal to 75.3 % for the first year and to 73.9 % for the second year. For both sampling years, all the traditional brands are the most distant from the origin (i.e., full industrial model). The Spearman's cross-correlation test performed on the SIMCA distances indicates a statistically significant correlation between the 2 years of analysis confirming the system repeatability. The results demonstrate that the differentiation of pasta does not depend only on the raw material (i.e., organic and not) but also on the times and types of processing (i.e., short- and long-time drying, bronze or Teflon wire drawing).     

An Advanced Colour Calibration Method for Fish Freshness Assessment: a Comparison Between Standard and Passive Refrigeration Modalities

Freshness represents a pivotal aspect in fish product for both security and quality. Its evaluation still represents the key factor driving the consumer’ choices. Fish appearance is affected by many different factors that demand the contribution of different disciplines to be understood: from the physical and optical properties to the slaughtering and post-slaughtering conditions. An innovative preservation system is represented by the Passive Refrigeration PRS? developed for the preservation and transport of perishable food products. Scientific methods for product freshness evaluation may be conveniently divided into two categories: sensorial and instrumental. In this study, an instrumental method of colour calibration and discrimination is proposed at pilot scale for automatic evaluation of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) freshness. We propose a non-destructive method based on the colorimetric imaging of the whole external body of seabreams to evaluate through multivariate partial least squares which approach the differences in the freshness preservation under four refrigeration modalities. The matrix of the independent variables is represented by RGB values for each pixel belonging to an extracted region of interest (129,633 values). The dependent variable is composed by two dummy variable corresponding to fresh (T₀) or non-fresh (T₂) individuals. T₁ individuals were used as external test. The results quantified significant colorimetric differences between fresh and non-fresh fish. All fish used to create the model (T₀ and T₂) were correctly classified as fresh or non-fresh, while external test individuals (T₁) were all classified as fresh. The proposed imaging method merges different image analysis techniques: (a) colorimetric calibration, (b) morphometric superimposition and (c) partial least square discriminant analysis modelling. This innovative and non-destructive approach allows the automatic assessment of fish freshness.     

Mitigation of carbon deposits formation in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells fed with dry methane by anode doping with barium

The effect of barium doping on a fuel cell anode consisting of a Ni_0.53Cu_0.47 alloy and gadolinia doped ceria cermet (50:50 wt.) was investigated in an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) fed with dry methane. IT-SOFCs containing the same cathode-electrolyte configuration but equipped with different anodes were compared in terms of performance, steady state operation, and formation of carbon deposits on the anode surface. After proper cell conditioning, similar maximum power densities of 284 mW cm⁻² and 310 mW cm⁻² were obtained in dry methane fuel at 750 °C for the anodic compositions with and without barium, respectively. The anode containing barium did not show significant carbon deposits after a 200 h time-study in dry methane whereas the anode without barium showed the presence of carbon deposits as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Both anode formulations showed carbon deposits when exposed to dry CH₄ in ex-situ experiments. The electrochemical profile recorded during the time-study was different in the two systems. In the absence of barium, a slow and progressive increase in performance as a function of time was achieved. On the contrary, the Ba-doped anode achieved optimum performance in a short time. It is determined that the presence of barium reduces carbon deposition under fuel cell conditions and influences the electrochemical behaviour.     

Extraction of high added value biological compounds from sardine,sardine-type fish and mackerel canning residues — A review

Different valuable compounds, which can be employed in medicine or in other industries (i.e. food, agrochemical, pharmaceutical) can be recovered from by-products and waste from the fish canning industries. They include lipids, proteins, bio-polymers, minerals, amino acids and enzymes; they can be extracted from wastewaters and/or from solid residues (head, viscera, skin, tails and flesh) generated along the canning process, through the filleting, cooking, salting or smoking stages.In this review, the opportunities for the extraction and the valorisation of bioactive compounds from sardine, sardine-type fish and mackerel canning residues are examined and discussed. These are amongst the most consumed fishes in the Mediterranean area; moreover, canning is one of the most important and common methods of preservation. The large quantities of by-products generated have great potentials for the extraction of biologically desirable high added value compounds.     

"Esthetic" ambulatory phlebectomy per mini-incisions: indications and technique

An 8-year-old girl presented with coexistence of ganglioglioma and cortical dysplasia manifesting as intractable epilepsy. Preoperative computed tomography demonstrated a small calcified lesion in the left frontal lobe which was not diagnosed as ganglioglioma. Magnetic resonance imaging also failed to demonstrate positive evidence of ganglioglioma or cortical dysplasia. A calcified tumor and the surrounding epileptogenic areas were resected under electrocorticography (ECoG) guidance. Histological examination revealed coexistence of ganglioglioma and cortical dysplasia. The patient became seizure-free after surgery. Resection of the ganglioglioma together with the adjacent epileptogenic area under intraoperative ECoG guidance is important to achieve a successful surgical result in patients with ganglioglioma.     

Methanol oxidation on carbon-supported platinum-tin electrodes in sulfuric acid

A study is made of the electrooxidation of methanol in sulfuric acid on carbon-supported electrodes containing platinum-tin bimetal catalysts that are prepared by an in situ potentiometric-characterization route. The catalysts are investigated by employing chemical analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption-near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data in conjunction with electrochemical measurements. From the electrochemical data, it is inferred that while an electrode with (3:1) Pt-Sn/C catalyst involves a two-electron rate-limiting step akin to platinum-on-carbon electrodes, it is shifted to a one-electron mechanism on electrodes with (3:2)Pt-Sn/C, (3:3)Pt-Sn/C, and (3:4)Pt-Sn/C catalysts. The study suggests that the tin content in the platinum-tin bimetal catalyst produces: (i) a charge transfer from tin to platinum; (ii) an increase in the coverage of adsorbed methanolic residues with increase in the tin content, as indicated by the shift in rest potential of the electrodes towards the reversible value for oxidation of methanol (0.043 V versus SHE), and (iii) a decrease in the overall content of higher valent platinum sites in the catalyst.