Behaviors of recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tubular columns under eccentric loadings

The paper investigates the behaviors of recycled aggregate concrete-filled steel tubular (RACFST) columns under eccentric loadings with the incorporation of expansive agents. A total of 16 RACFST columns were tested in this study. The main parameters varied in this study are recycled coarse aggregate replacement percentages (0%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%), expansive agent dosages (0%, 8%, and 15%) and an eccentric distance of compressive load from the center of the column (0 and 40 mm). Experimental results showed that the ultimate stresses of RACFST columns decreased with increasing recycled coarse aggregate replacement percentages but appropriate expansive agent dosages can reduce the decrement; the incorporation of expansive agent decreased the ultimate stresses of RACFST columns but an appropriate dosage can increase the deformation ability. The recycled coarse aggregate replacement percentages have limited influence on the ultimate stresses of the RACFST columns and has more effect than that of the normal aggregate concrete-filled steel tubular columns.     

Effect of microfluidization of heat-treated milk on rheology and sensory properties of reduced fat yoghurt

The effects of microfluidization at 150 MPa (MFz) and conventional homogenization at 20/5 MPa (CH) of heat-treated milk on the rheology and sensory properties of non- (0.1%) and low- (1.5%) fat stirred yoghurts were compared. Homogenization conditions clearly affected the sensory properties of reduced-fat yoghurts, but the effect was highly dependent on fat content. MFz of heat-treated milk yielded products with very different sensory profiles from the conventional yoghurts. For non-fat yoghurts, MFz of heat-treated milk enhanced the perception of buttermilk and soft cheese flavours, and natural yoghurt aroma and flavour, but also increased the intensity of undesirable mouthfeel characteristics such as chalkiness, mouth-dryness and astringency. For low-fat yoghurts, MFz significantly improved creaminess and desirable texture characteristics such as smoothness, cohesiveness, thickness, and oral and spoon viscosity. These differences in sensory profiles, especially textural properties, were partially related to rheological properties, particularly flow behaviour. MFz of heat-treated milk resulted in non- and low-fat yoghurts with higher yield stress, more pronounced hysteresis effect and higher viscosity than those of CH yoghurts of similar fat contents. These findings suggest that microfluidization may have applications for production of high-quality yoghurt with reduced-fat content.     

Relating video game exposure,sensation seeking,aggression and socioeconomic factors to school performance

ABSTRACT

The time displacement hypothesis has been widely used to explain the effects of media use on academic performance. This approach has been criticised for its monocausality and weak explanatory power. Utilising a combination of different theoretical perspectives is better suited than utilising only one. Considering displacement, excitement, attraction and third variable hypothesis, this paper argues that the relation between video game use and school performance is not the same for all types of gamers by considering the influence of socioeconomic, psychological and contextual factors. It investigates how gaming patterns (frequency, time of day) and psychological characteristics (sensation seeking, aggression) are related to academic performance for primary and secondary school students. Five hundred and seven students from five primary and four secondary schools in Singapore participated in a paper-pencil survey. Results showed support for a combination of displacement and third variable hypothesis, as overall time spent on video games was negatively associated with primary school children’s and active gamers’ school performances. There was no significant relationship for secondary school children. For primary school children who play games in the morning and afternoon, video game use was negatively associated with school performance. There was no support for the attraction and excitement hypotheses.     

Moisture‐Responsive Wrinkling Surfaces with Tunable Dynamics

The wrinkle dynamics (such as reversibility and stability) of human skin are affected by the external stimuli, as well as the skin's structure and mechanical properties. Inspired by these tunable responses, three types of moisture‐responsive wrinkle dynamics are achieved, for the first time, through a single film–substrate system. These dynamics include: (1) completely reversible wrinkles formation; (2) irreversible wrinkles formation I: the initially formed wrinkles can be permanently erased and never reappear; and (3) irreversible wrinkles formation II: once the wrinkles form, they can no longer be erased. The key to success is to control the stiffness and thickness ratios of the film and the substrate, and tailor the crosslink degree/gradient of the film to allow for moisture‐dependent changes of modulus and swelling degree. These unique responsive dynamics motivate the invention of a series of optical devices triggered by moisture, including anticounterfeit tabs, encryption devices, water indicators, light diffusors, and antiglare films. This study also paves the road for further understanding of the skin wrinkling dynamics and manipulation.     

Evaluations of existing waste recycling methods: A Hong Kong study

Environmental problems have been considered as a serious situation in Hong Kong construction. Waste management is pressing harder with the alarming signal warning the industry. Reuse, recycling and reducing the wastes are considered as the only methods to recover the wastes generated; however, the implementations still have much room for improvement. In order to ameliorate the existing situations, evaluations of the existing waste recycling methods are studied in this research. A telephone interviewing to the recyclers, site visits to the construction and demolition sites (including the Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate Phase 1) and the centralized recycling plant in Tuen Mun Area 38 are under investigation. Difficulties encountered for various recycling parties are investigated. Rather than the poor quality found from the recyclable materials, they found the high investment cost, lengthy demolition period and limited space caused the major barriers for them. Therefore, some recommendations are suggested: (i) proposing a higher landfill charging scheme; (ii) setting up a centralized centre for recycling the materials; (iii) examining the Hong Kong government should be supported in the provision of land for recycling plants; (iv) implementing innovative demolition methods; (v) allowing some locations in town for residents’ easy access to drop-off recyclable materials; (vi) allowing flexible demolition periods; (vii) setting up recycling plant in town or in the form of mobile installations; (viii) reusing the reusable components as donations to the charity organization; (ix) providing higher flexibility in receiving concrete waste in Tuen Mun Area 38 recycling plant; and (x) balancing the supply and demand of recycled materials through legislations or incentive schemes.     

The dance of molecules: new dynamical perspectives on highly excited molecular vibrations

At low energies, molecular vibrational motion is described by the normal modes model. This model breaks down at higher energy, with strong coupling between normal modes and onset of chaotic dynamics. New anharmonic modes are born in bifurcations, or branchings of the normal modes. Knowledge of these new modes is obtained through the window of frequency-domain spectroscopy, using techniques of nonlinear classical dynamics. It may soon be possible to "watch" molecular rearrangement reactions spectroscopically. Connections are being made with reaction rate theories, condensed phase systems, and motions of electrons in quantum dots.     

Thermal diffusion and diffusion thermo effects of Eyring‐Powell nanofluid flow with gyrotactic microorganisms through the boundary layer

In this article, the effects of thermal diffusion and diffusion thermo on the motion of a non‐Newtonian Eyring Powell nanofluid with gyrotactic microorganisms in the boundary layer are investigated. The system is stressed with a uniform external magnetic field. The problem is modulated mathematically by a system of a nonlinear partial differential equation, which governs the equations of motion, temperature, the concentration of solute, nanoparticles, and microorganisms. This system is converted to nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using suitable similarity transformations with the appropriate boundary conditions. These equations are solved numerically by using the Rung‐Kutta‐Merson method with a shooting technique. The velocity, temperature, concentration of solute, nanoparticles, and microorganisms are obtained as functions of the physical parameters of the problem. The effects of these parameters on these solutions are discussed numerically and illustrated graphically through figures. It is found that the velocity decreases with the increase in the non‐Newtonian parameter and the magnetic field, whereas, the velocity increases with a rise in thermophoresis and Brownian motion. Also, the temperature increases with an increase in the non‐Newtonian parameter, magnetic field, thermophoresis, and Brownian motion. These parameters play an important role and help in understanding the mechanics of complicated physiological flows.     

Promoting energy-saving behaviour: formal social groups as promising middle actors for municipal interventions

City governments worldwide are trying to motivate their citizens to reduce their energy use—a particular challenge as they try to reach individual households. A promising strategy to engage the public broadly entails collaborating with middle actors to multiply the effects of municipal interventions. Some of these middle actors are formal social groups (e.g. sports clubs and neighbourhood associations). We conducted an online experiment (N = 136) to determine whether such interventions were more effective when they are communicated through formal social groups than when communicated through city governments. Participants received letters containing advice for saving energy in the household. Willingness to participate was higher when the letters came from formal social groups than when they came from a city agency. Furthermore, actual members of formal social groups generally were more willing to participate. Our evidence suggests that formal social groups are promising middle actors for energy conservation campaigns and that city governments should engage more often with these groups to communicate with residents.     

Farrerol Induces Cancer Cell Death via ERK Activation in SKOV3 Cells and Attenuates TNF-α-Mediated Lipolysis

Farrerol (FA) is a flavanone isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine “Man-shan-hong” (Rhododendron dauricum L.). In the present study, FA decreased the viability of SKOV3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and it induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Cell cycle distribution analysis via flow cytometry showed that FA decreased G1 populations and increased G2/M populations in SKOV3 cells. Additionally, Western blotting confirmed an increase in the expression level of proteins involved in the cell cycle, e.g., CDK and cyclins. FA-induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells was also investigated using a TUNEL assay, and increased expression levels of proapoptotic factors, including Caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), through the Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK pathway were investigated. Proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1) have been identified as a driver of the pathological mechanisms underlying involuntary weight loss and impaired physical function, i.e., cachexia, during cancer; in the present study, we showed that farrerol attenuates TNF-α-induced lipolysis and increases adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Thus, farrerol could potentially be used as an anticancer agent or anticachetic drug.