Effect of different knitted structure on the mechanical properties and damage behavior of Flax/PLA (Poly Lactic acid) double covered uncommingled yarn composites

Double faced plain and rib knitted fabric (DFPKF & DFRKF) were produced by using double covered uncommingled yarn (DCUY), where the flax fiber is used as reinforcement and PLA (Poly Lactic acid) as matrix. DCUY was fabricated by the hollow spindle spinning machine with a flax core yarn, which were wrapped around PLA sheath yarns. DFPKF & DFRKF fabrics were produced by flat knitted machine. Composites were fabricated with film stacking technique by hot pressing machine from DFPKF & DFRKF. Flexure and Izod impact test were carried out for DFPKF & DFRKF reinforced composites. Fractography examination was done by digital camera. The influence of different knitted structures on the mechanical properties of the composites is demonstrated in this research work.     

Rotational quotient procedure: A tracking control continuation method for PDEs on radially symmetric domains

Continuation methods are capable of finding multiform solutions by tracking solution curves. However, these methods may fail to track some desired solution curves due to the interference of the rotational equivalent solutions on a radially symmetric domain. We propose a rotational quotient procedure that applies extra constraints to standard continuation which overcomes this difficulty. We solve a time-independent nonlinear Schrödinger equation on a disk domain to demonstrate the functionality of the proposed method.     

Debugging Finite Element Programs Input Data with Machine Learning

Abstract: Debugging of the input data of a structural analysis program is a troublesome task which is heavily dependent on empirical knowledge. The paper describes an effort that applies machine learning to build an expert system for debugging faults in structural analysis program input data. ID3 decision tree induction algorithm is employed to build the automatic learning mechanism. This method Oflkrs an attractive potential for knowledge acquisition in the civil engineering domain in which expertise plays a dominant role. This paper is novel in at least three aspects: (1) machine learning is employed to build expert systems automatically; (2) a novel impurity function is proposed for splitting the decision tree; (3) a formulated comparison is proposed for evaluating learning results.     

主编心语(代)

自从加入了《中国园林》杂志编委会后,很高兴认识了祖国大陆诸多园林界之先进们,以及许多在学术界与业界表现卓越之新生代,几次会议可以深切感受园林界在学术上之箴言,以及对国内外趋势之重视与关怀.2011年4月初,金荷仙常务副主编来台参访并与台湾园林界交流,她也很希望能通过《中国园林》这个平台让祖国大陆的读者了解台湾专业界之发展.为此,我即衔命企划了台湾印象,作为12月之专集.这其中包括了景观政策、景观规划以及专业设计作品,其中景观总顾问机制是自政策面及执行面介绍各级政府的景观优化促进平台.而有3个规划作品是大尺度(1 000hm2以上)平地森林园区之转化,有3个设计作品是2010台北花博之作品,同时也涵盖了河川水岸之自行车绿道规划设计、大尺度运动公园设计.     

Home ownership policy in Singapore: An assessment

Since independence in 1965, housing conditions in the city‐state of Singapore, with a population of 2.6 million in 1988, have improved considerably. Much of the credit for this must be attributed to the government's policy of building homes for the lower income groups. One objective of the housing policy is 100 per cent home ownership for public housing. In pursuing this policy the political and social aspects are often emphasised. This paper attempts an economic evaluation of the 100 per cent home ownership target. It examines the demand and supply side policies that are employed to achieve the target. In analysing the economic implications of the policy, it is observed that such a policy distorts household expenditure, leads to overconsumption of housing and results in a thinner rental market and constrains tenure choice. These economic losses need to be recognised even while accepting the political and social importance of the policy.     

Effect of different high pressure treatments on shucking,biochemical, physical and sensory characteristics of oysters to elaborate a traditional Taiwanese oyster omelette

BACKGROUND: Whole oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were processed using high‐pressure (HP) treatment (150–300 MPa) to determine their shucking and biochemical properties. Subsequently, HP‐treated oysters were cooked at 160 °C for 90 s, as when preparing the oyster omelette dish, to evaluate their physical and sensory characteristics as compared to raw oysters. RESULTS: The treatments of 250 and 300 MPa for 2 min and 0 min, respectively, resulted in 100% release. The pH of HP‐treated oysters increased slightly from 6.50 to 6.82, and the moisture contents of the HP‐treated oysters with or without further cooking were all higher than those of the control. The brightness, yellowness and cutting strength of HP‐treated oysters with further cooking changed insignificantly, while the redness decreased compared to the control. Sensory evaluation showed that oysters treated at 250 and 300 MPa oysters after cooking received higher quality scores than the control. CONCLUSIONS: HP processing at 250 and 300 MPa proved to be a good method for oyster shucking. The HP‐treated oysters cooked in the oyster omelette are acceptable to consumers. Overall, the application of HP as a processing method to improve the quality and acceptability of oysters and their related products would be possible. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Blended Nafion/SPEEK direct methanol fuel cell membranes for reduced methanol permeability

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s (SPEEKs) were substituted on a polymer main chain that had previously been prepared by sulfonation of poly(ether ether ketone)s in concentrated sulfuric acid for a specified time. The product was then blended with Nafion^® to create composite membranes. The blended SPEEK-containing membranes featured flaky domains dispersed in the Nafion^® matrix. These blends possessed a high thermal decomposition temperature. Additionally, owing to the more crystalline, the blended membranes had a lower water uptake compared to recast Nafion^®, the methanol permeability was reduced to 1.70 × 10⁻⁶ to 9.09 × 10⁻⁷ cm² s⁻¹ for various SPEEK concentrations, and a maximum proton conductivity of ∼0.050 S cm⁻¹ was observed at 30 °C. The single-cell performances of the Nafion^®/SPEEK membranes, with various SPEEK concentrations and a certain degree of sulfonation, were 15–25 mW cm⁻² for SPEEK53 and 19–27 mW cm⁻² for SPEEK63, at 80 °C. The power density and open circuit voltage were higher than those of Nafion^® 115 (power density = 22 mW cm⁻²). The blended membranes satisfy the requirements of proton exchange membranes for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications.     

Optimization Process of Black Soybean Natto Using Response Surface Methodology

ABSTRACT:  Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum combinations of 3 factors, cooking time (40 to 120 min), inoculated bacteria populations (10¹ to 10⁹ cells/100 g), and fermentation time (12 to 36 h) for producing black soybean natto. All of the responses (hardness, viscosity, and trichloacetic acid-soluble nitrogen) were significantly affected by the 3 factors. Fermentation time was the most important factor affecting quality of black soybean natto. Optimum combinations were cooking time 110 min, inoculated bacteria populations 10² to 10⁴ cells/100 g, and fermentation time 30 to 33 h.     

Protective effect of Pracparatum mungo extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Pracparatum mungo is a traditional and functional food in Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially for treating a variety of liver disorders. In this study, we first report the in vivo hepatoprotective effect of P. mungo extract (PME) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Pre-treatment with PME for 56 days significantly reduced the impact of CCl₄ toxicity on the serum markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The results were confirmed histopathologically. In addition, an increased lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), a decreased glutathione (GSH) concentration and a decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) were observed in the hepatic tissues. On the contrary, treatment of PME prior to the administration of CCl₄ resulted in markedly decreased lipid peroxidation, increased the levels of GSH and SOD in rats. The results indicated that PME has a protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by the administration of CCl₄ in rats, and that the hepatoprotective effects of PME may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase of antioxidant activity.