Eddy Current Probe Parameters Identification Using a Genetic Algorithm and Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation

This study tries to identify the coil parameters using numerical methods. The eddy current testing (ECT) is used for evaluation of a crack with the aid of numerical simulations by utilizing the identification of these parameters. In this study, a comparison of the performance of the GA and SPSA algorithms to identify the parameter values of the coil sensors are presented. So, the optimization probe geometry is introduced in the simulation with Three-dimensional finite element simulations (FLUX finite element code) were conducted to obtain eddy current signals resulting from a crack in a plate made of aluminium. The simulation results are compared with experimental measurements for the defect present in a plate.     

Flotation Process Water Recycling Investigation for the Complex Draa Sfar Sulphide Ore,Morocco

Mine Water and the Environment - The effect of water quality on the flotation of a complex polymetallic sulphide ore was studied using a Doehlert-based experimental design. Flotation tests were...     

Revisiting the conversion of muscle into meat and the underlying mechanisms

The conversion of muscle into meat is a complex process in which all mechanisms responsible for the development of meat qualities are very likely interdependent. Colour and flavour are thus both dependent on oxidative mechanisms. Oxidation and proteolysis are probably two processes involved in the development of meat tenderness. This paper reviewed the consequences of programmed cell death or apoptosis on muscle cells structure and biochemistry and on meat qualities as well. We therefore look at different new hypothesis susceptible to highlight the meat science field and provide new supports for a more dynamic meat research. One of them which would have appeared evident for our purpose since a decade, deals with the fact that, after animal bleeding, muscle cells have no other alternative to only enter the programmed cell death procedure or apoptosis. If we introduce an early phase corresponding to apoptosis, taking place before the rigor onset and overlapping it, we will see that the known consequences of that process bring forward possible answers to still unexplained observations. After an overview of the actual state-of-the-art in meat science, we will introduce the programmed cell death and its underlying mechanisms. We then described the strong analogies between the known consequences of apoptosis and the postmortem changes affecting a set of different muscle characteristics.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Conducting Properties of Nanocomposites of Intercalated 2-Aminophenol with Aniline in Sodium-Montmorillonite

A simple method was used to synthesize poly(2-aminophenol), poly(2-aminophenol-co-Aniline) and polyaniline nanocomposites with sodium-montmorillonite (Na-M) using in situ intercalative oxidative polymerization. Morphology and thermal properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal analysis shows an improved thermal stability of the nanocomposites in comparison with the pure poly(2-aminophenol). The intercalation of polymers into the clay layers was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, TEM images and FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, the room temperature conductivity values of these nanocomposites varied between 8.21 × 10^?5 and 6.76 × 10^?4 S cm^?1. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites, has been analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Good electrochemical response has been observed for polymer films; the observed redox processes indicate that the polymerization into Na-M produces electroactive polymers.     

Stabilization of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical fibre sensor with an ultra-thin organic film: application to the detection of chloro-fluoro-carbon (CFC)

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful technique for direct sensitive (bio) chemical detection. This phenomenon can be used to measure the refractive index of either bulk chemical samples or chemically sensing thin layers. In this work, a SPR fibre optic sensor has been developed. A 50 nm thick silver film is deposited by thermal evaporation onto the silica core of the optical fibre. To protect silver from oxidation, the evaporated silver film was covered with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of long-chain alkanethiols (1-octadecanethiol). To characterize these SAMs, silver films evaporated onto macroscopic glass surfaces as test samples and several techniques such as contact angle measurements (sessile drop method), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used. In the subsequent step, a chemically sensing thin layer (polyfluorosiloxane) was deposited onto the thiol surface. In such a configuration the SPR fibre optic sensor was able to detect a few percent of chloro-fluoro-carbon (CFC) vapours.     

Microporosities in 3D-Printed Tricalcium-Phosphate-Based Bone Substitutes Enhance Osteoconduction and Affect Osteoclastic Resorption

Additive manufacturing is a key technology required to realize the production of a personalized bone substitute that exactly meets a patient’s need and fills a patient-specific bone defect. Additive manufacturing can optimize the inner architecture of the scaffold for osteoconduction, allowing fast and reliable defect bridging by promoting rapid growth of new bone tissue into the scaffold. The role of scaffold microporosity/nanoarchitecture in osteoconduction remains elusive. To elucidate this relationship, we produced lithography-based osteoconductive scaffolds from tricalcium phosphate (TCP) with identical macro- and microarchitecture, but varied their nanoarchitecture/microporosity by ranging maximum sintering temperatures from 1000 °C to 1200 °C. After characterization of the different scaffolds’ microporosity, compression strength, and nanoarchitecture, we performed in vivo studies that showed that ingrowth of bone as an indicator of osteoconduction significantly decreased with decreasing microporosity. Moreover, at the 1200 °C peak sinter temperature and lowest microporosity, osteoclastic degradation of the material was inhibited. Thus, even for wide-open porous TCP-based scaffolds, a high degree of microporosity appears to be essential for optimal osteoconduction and creeping substitution, which can prevent non-unions, the major complication during bone regeneration procedures.     

Variations in the phytosterol and tocopherol compositions and the oxidative stability in seed oils from four safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) varieties grown in north‐eastern Morocco

Phytosterol and tocopherol contents and oxidative stability were evaluated from seeds oils of four safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) varieties originating from Spain (Rancho), India (Sharda) and Morocco (Cartamar and Cartafri), which were cultivated at the experimental station in Oujda (a semi‐arid region of eastern Morocco). Total phytosterols ranged from 3640 to 4140 mg kg^?1. GC analysis allowed the identification of nine compounds, of which β‐sitosterol was the major component. Total tocopherols ranged from 461.56 to 499.68 mg kg^?1. HPLC analysis allowed the identification of three compounds, α‐tocopherol (99.45%–98.84%), β‐tocopherol (0.94%–0.5%) and γ‐tocopherol (0.21%–0.01%). Oxidative stability study showed that Sharda had the lowest induction period of 2.3 h compared with 7.18, 7 and 6.67 h for Cartafri, Rancho and Cartamar, respectively. Likewise, we established a positive correlation between the oxidative stability and γ‐tocopherol; however, this difference was not significant.