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The presence of α casing in beta titanium can be detrimental to various forming applications and can be eliminated through chemical milling. The effect of the chemical milling process on the removal of alpha casing from the surface of beta titanium has been investigated extensively. Chemical milling is performed at different solution concentration ratios, and the specimens are characterized using Vickers hardness and surface roughness. The optimum results for chemical milling with a high material removal rate of 3.85 mm3/min are obtained with HF (10%) and HNO3 (10%). The effect of chemical milling on the mechanical strength of beta titanium is studied through tensile tests at room temperature and at increased temperature (200 °C). The maximum percentage of elongation obtained after chemical milling is around 24.4%, compared to 1.7% observed with the as-received specimen. Comprehensive analysis through optical microscopy, XRD, and EBSD confirmed the successful removal of the α casing from the β-Ti alloy at both 0.7- and 0.5-mm chemical milling depths. The effectiveness of the chemical milling process is further investigated through fractography analysis of the tensile-tested specimens. Chemical milling with the specified solution proves to be an effective method for enhancing α casing removal and mechanical performance of β-Ti alloys, making it a promising technique for various industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis incorporates and elongates exogeneous short‐ and medium‐chain fatty acids to chains sufficiently long to enter membrane phospholipid synthesis. The acids are activated by the E. faecalis fatty acid kinase (FakAB) system and converted to acyl‐ACP species that can enter the fatty acid synthesis cycle to become elongated. Following elongation the acyl chains are incorporated into phospholipid by the PlsY and PlsC acyltranferases. This process has little effect on de novo fatty acid synthesis in the case of short‐chain acids, but a greater effect with medium‐chain acids. Incorporation of exogenous short‐chain fatty acids in E. faecalis was greatly increased by overexpression of either AcpA, the acyl carrier protein of fatty acid synthesis, or the phosphate acyl transferase PlsX. The PlsX of Lactococcus lactis was markedly superior to the E. faecalis PlsX in incorporation of short‐chain but not long‐chain acids. These manipulations also allowed unsaturated fatty acids of lengths too short for direct transfer to the phospholipid synthesis pathway to be elongated and support growth of E. faecalis unsaturated fatty acid auxotrophic strains. Short‐ and medium‐chain fatty acids can be abundant in the human gastrointestinal tract and their elongation by E. faecalis would conserve energy and carbon by relieving the requirement for total de novo synthesis of phospholipid acyl chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present data on the ability for organogenesis in 22 genotypes of grapevine and developed a direct organogenesis protocol for the cultivar Podarok Magaracha and the rootstock Kober 5BB. The protocol does not require replacement of culture media and growth regulators, and the duration is 11 weeks. The cultivation of explants occurs on modified MS medium with the addition of 2.0 mg L−1 benzyladenine and indole-3-butyric acid (0.15 mg L−1 for the rootstock Kober 5BB or 0.05 mg L−1 for the cultivar Podarok Magaracha). The direct organogenesis protocol consists of three time periods: (1) culturing explants for 2 weeks in dark conditions for meristematic bulk tissue, (2) followed by 4 weeks of cultivation in light conditions for regeneration, and (3) 5 weeks of cultivation in dark conditions for shoot elongation. Based on this protocol, conditions for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the Podarok Magaracha cultivar were developed with an efficiency of 2.0% transgenic plants per 100 explants. Two stably transformed lines with integration into the genome of the pBin35SGFP plasmid construction, confirmed by Southern blotting, were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a tunicated onion (Allium cepa) bulb leaf biochar-filled PVA-based composites were developed and characterized. The main aim of this study was to find the effect of tunicated onion bulb leaf biochar addition in activated and non-activated form into the PVA and its EMI shielding effect against high frequency bands. The composites were prepared by solution casting method and analyzed according to the ASTM standards. The results of this investigation reveal that the incorporation of non-activated biochar particle yields a maximum dielectric constant of 4.7, 2.1, 0.4, and 0.2 with a dielectric loss of 0.42, 0.44, 0.58, and 0.56 at 8, 12, 16, and 20 GHz for 5 vol.% of biochar in PVA (PB3). But the addition of activated biochar at 1, 3, and 5 vol.% increased the EMI shielding effect. The EMI shielding values are improved by 26%, 34%, 52%, and 40% at 8, 12, 16, and 20 GHz, for PB13 composite on compare with plain PVA. Similarly, the composite designation PB2 has highest tensile strength of 58 MPa, hardness of 74 shore-D, and the % of elongation of 84. SEM fractography reveals that the inclusion of activated biochar improved the interaction between matrix and particle with higher toughness. These agriculture wastes derived biochar-based flexible PVA EMI shielding composites could be used in telecommunication, aviation, medical gadgets, and electronic industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMost published works related to gas metal arc welding processes focus on quality criteria, while energy consumed has not been considered. In this study, key parameters of the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) operation of the AISI 1045 steel, including the current (I), voltage (V), flow rate (F), and nozzle stand-off distance (D) are optimized to minimize energy consumed (EC) and enhance the ultimate tensile strength (TS) as well as elongation (EL). The radial basis function network (RBFN) is employed to propose GMAW responses. The Entropy method, modified grey wolf optimizer (MGWO), and Multi-Attributive Border Approximation Area Comparison (MABAC) were utilized to compute the weights, generate feasible solutions, and determine the best optimality. As a result, the optimal I, V, F, and D were 137 A, 23 V, 12 L/min, and 12 mm, respectively. The EC was reduced by 5.8%, while the TS and EL were improved by 3.3% and 20.7%, respectively, at the optimality. The EC and EL models were primarily affected by the I, V, F, and D, respectively. The TS model was mainly influenced by the I, D, F, and V, respectively. The RBFN-MGWO could be employed to present non-linear data and achieve better optimal results, as compared to the traditional approach. The obtained outcomes could be used to produce high-quality welds with minimizing environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional method made polymer matrix composites found voids, inconsistency, and limited production reasons advanced fabrication techniques are referred to for polymer composite production. With the benefits of complex shape production, the hot compression moulding process is suitable for polymer composite fabrication, and thermo-plastic polymer grade polypropylene (PP) is the source of automotive components, including door panels, bumpers, and interior trim reasons. The PP based composites are fabricated with alkali-treated Curaua fiber (ACF) as 0, 6, 12, and 18 percentage of its weight (wt%) through hot compression method followed by 100 MPa compression pressure. The fabricated polypropylene composites like PP, PP/6% ACF, PP/12% ACF, and PP/18% ACF characteristics such as microstructure, interfacial strength, flexural strength, tensile stress, elongation at break, and fracture toughness are investigated. The effect of ACF fiber blend and compression processing on the behaviour of composites are compared. Microstructural studies revealed that the ACF is effectively dispersed in the PP matrix influences better composite behaviour, and the composite sample of PP/18% of ACF exploited superior interfacial strength, flexural strength, tensile stress, elongation at break, and fracture toughness, which values are 9.8 ± 0.1 MPa, 79 ± 1 MPa, 67 ± 2 MPa, 136 ± 2%, and 1.48 MPam0.5. It is more than the characteristics of PP prepared without ACF. However, the hot compression processing for PP and ACF found better enhancement in interfacial strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of laser beam welding (LBW) process parameters on the characteristics of Nd:YAG laser butt welding 1.5 mm thick 2205 duplex stainless steel. Specifically, the study focuses on the depth of penetration, bead width, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation. To achieve this, a parametric study is conducted using a central composite design (CCD) with response surface methodology (RSM) to establish mathematical regression equations that identify the key process parameters and their effects on the responses. The investigations showed that the size of the meltpool at the fusion zone (FZ) increases as the laser power increases. This leads to the formation of wider and deeper weld beads, ultimately leading to stronger and more flexible joints. Similarly, pulse width and scanning speed have a significant impact on the weld bead geometry, UTS, and elongation. It is observed that the FZ is free of any visible cracks, voids, or porosity. The LBW process parameters have been optimized to reduce operating costs by lowering the line energy, without compromising the welding quality. The optimal UTS value for the welded joint is around 865 MPa, which is almost equivalent to 99% of the UTS of the 2205 duplex stainless steel base material (BM). To obtain high-quality welded joints, it is recommended to use a laser power ranging from 423 to 425 W, scanning speed of 5.3 mm/s and pulse width of 5.4 ms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lamellarity and shape are important factors in the formation of vesicles and determine their role in biological systems and pharmaceutical applications. Cardiolipin (CL) is a major lipid in many biological membranes and exerts a great influence on their structural organization due to its particular structure and physico-chemical properties. Here, we used small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering to study the effects of CL with different acyl chain lengths and saturations (CL 14:0 , CL 18:1 , CL 18:2) on vesicle morphology and lamellarity in membrane models containing mixtures of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine with different acyl chain lengths and saturations (C 14:0 and C 18:1). Measurements were performed in the presence of Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS), at 37 °C, to better reflect physiological conditions, which resulted in strong effects on vesicle morphology, depending on the type and amount of CL used. The presence of small quantities of CL (from 2.5%) reduced inter-membrane correlations and increased perturbation of the membrane, an effect which is enhanced in the presence of matched shorter saturated acyl chains, and mainly unilamellar vesicles (ULV) are formed. In extruded vesicles, employed for SANS experiments, flattened vesicles are observed partly due to the hypertonic effect of PBS, but also influenced by the type of CL added. Our experimental data from SAXS and SANS revealed a strong dependence on CL content in shaping the membrane microstructure, with an apparent optimum in the PC:CL mixture in terms of promoting reduced correlations, preferred curvature and elongation. However, the use of PBS caused distinct differences from previously published studies in water in terms of vesicle shape, and highlights the need to investigate vesicle formation under physiological conditions in order to be able to draw conclusions about membrane formation in biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The friction stir welding of A365 and AZ91C alloys was conducted in this study to assess the effect of tilt angle, linear velocity and rotating speed on the elongation, hardness and tensile strength using the response surface method. Then, the weld microstructure was investigated by SEM, TEM and EDS analysis to deeply investigate the structure of A365–AZ91C weld. It was realized that the grain size of weld joint has grown and the crack and tunnel were formed when the rotating speed improved from 1000 to 2000 rpm, which produced a decline in the hardness and strength and a rise in the elongation. Moreover, an increment of linear velocity up to 60 mm/min led to the refinement of the weld microstructure, which was followed by an enhancement in the strength and hardness of the weld, whereas the elongation deteriorated. In the case of tilt angle, the highest elongation and strength were detected at a tilt angle of 2∘, but the highest hardness was observed at a tilt angle of 4∘ because of the nucleation of Al3Mg2 and Al 1 2 Mg 1 7 intermetallics. Results of optimization exhibited that the concurrent improvement of the strength, hardness and elongation can be acquired with the tilt angle of 3∘, rotating speed of 1600 rpm and linear velocity of 53 mm/min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A destructive degradation model was applied on films made from different concentrations of starch, glycerol and nanoclay using various elongation levels as a stress variable at different stress times and stretch cycles. The log tensile quotient (logarithm of the tensile strength to the corresponding break cycle) was recorded as the response variable. The log tensile quotient increased, and the log exact break time decreased, as the elongation level increased. The treatment containing the highest starch and nanoclay and lowest glycerol content proved to be the most resistant to stress conditions and the most versatile in relation to the varying log tensile quotients, while the treatments containing the lowest nanoclay and highest glycerol contents, regardless of the starch concentration, manifested the lowest log tensile quotient at higher levels of log exact break time. According to multiple regression findings, the break cycle governed mostly the stress conditions in the degradation model, followed by the sample ID and the log exact break time. The term log tensile quotient, attempted for the first time on data concerning biodegradable films enhanced with nanoclay, seems very promising for deeper research due to its ability to retrieve predictive information from survival equations and to discriminate the difference between film structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical sutures play a crucial role in wound closure, facilitating the tissue-healing process across various fields of medicine. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of seasoning time during the initial days/weeks of seasoning in Ringer's solution on the mechanical properties of five commercial absorbable sutures: SafilQuick+®, Novosyn®, MonosynQuick®, Monosyn® and Monoplus®, each with different absorption periods. The results demonstrated that the SafilQuick+ and MonosynQuick sutures lost strength within 9–12 days, as evidenced by statistically significant changes in tensile strength. In contrast, the Novosyn and Monoplus sutures did not exhibit significant changes in strength during the study period. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in the behaviour of the individual sutures, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate suture material in the context of the specific medical procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are remnants of ancient parasitic infections and comprise sizable portions of most genomes. Although epigenetic mechanisms silence most ERVs by generating a repressive environment that prevents their expression (heterochromatin), little is known about mechanisms silencing ERVs residing in open regions of the genome (euchromatin). This is particularly important during embryonic development, where induction and repression of distinct classes of ERVs occur in short temporal windows. Here, we demonstrate that transcription-associated RNA degradation by the nuclear RNA exosome and Integrator is a regulatory mechanism that controls the productive transcription of most genes and many ERVs involved in preimplantation development. Disrupting nuclear RNA catabolism promotes dedifferentiation to a totipotent-like state characterized by defects in RNAPII elongation and decreased expression of long genes (gene-length asymmetry). Our results indicate that RNA catabolism is a core regulatory module of gene networks that safeguards RNAPII activity, ERV expression, cell identity, and developmental potency.

The effect of prerolling before artificial aging on the mechanical properties of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu–Sc–Zr–Mn alloy with 12.4 wt% Zn (Zn/Mg ratio >1.3 at.%) is studied. The alloy sheets are prepared via casting, homogenization, hot rolling, and solution treatment. The sheets are further cold rolled to reduce their thicknesses by 0%–50% before being artificially aged. Yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation are increased from 648 to 697 MPa, from 662 to 712 MPa, and from 2.2% to 4.4% by prerolling up to 30%, and prerolling again by 50% reduces both the strength and elongation. Changes in the microstructural features, such as grain morphology, dislocation density, and defect characteristics, are attributed to the variations in the strength and elongation of the alloy. Work hardening during prerolling is responsible for the increase in strength, while pore closure and shear band formation induced by prerolling either increase or decrease the elongation. Furthermore, precipitation kinetics are accelerated by applying prerolling, which facilitates a faster aging response, lesser processing time to reach the peak hardness, and better mechanical properties.

The mechanical properties, texture transformation, and mechanism of Al–Cu–Mn alloy during annealing were studied using three-dimensional orientation distribution function (ODF), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the increase in yield strength after annealing at 200 °C is due to the decrease in the proportion of P and M textures and the increase in the proportion of Goss texture. The increase in the change rate of mechanical properties observed during annealing at 250 and 350 °C can be attributed to the higher proportion of M and P textures and the reduced proportion of Goss textures. Among them, the proportion of M texture increased significantly, and the Goss texture decreased significantly after annealing at 350 °C. This is because the structural energy density (Ev) value of the Goss texture is higher than that of the M texture at 250 °C and 350 °C. The Goss texture is in an unstable state of high energy order. The deformed Goss texture is unstable at high temperatures, leading to conversion into M and other textures. The EBSD and TEM analysis revealed that the hardness is mainly related to the change in dislocation density. When the annealing temperature is increased from 250 to 350 °C, the hardness is significantly reduced from 62 HV to 52 HV, and the dislocation density is reduced from 4.0 × 1014 ρ/m−2 to 2.4 × 1014 ρ/m−2.

This study evaluates the impact of drafting systems and variables on yarn quality, emphasising tenacity and elongation. The study tries to determine the best drafting system setup and how spacer size and roller load affect yarn qualities. The investigation used PK 1500 3/3, 1600 4/4, and 1500 4/4 drafting systems. The front top roller load and spacer size varied for yarn samples. We examined and analysed yarn tenacity and elongation to evaluate their impacts. Statistics were used to evaluate the results and find relationships between drafting system setups and yarn quality. The PK 1500 3/3 drafting system produced the best average yarn tenacity, followed by PK 1600 4/4 and PK 1500 4/4. Spacer size had a smaller effect on tenacity than front top roller load, increasing and then decreasing with load. The 3/3 system was most affected by the front top roller load. The drafting system and overhang affected yarn elongation more than the front roller load, back roller load, and spacer size. The PK 1500 3/3 process produced the highest-breaking-elongation yarn. Lower R² results suggest ring frame specifications have a greater impact on yarn quality than roving quality. The research helps optimise drafting system settings and emphasises ring frame process parameters. The foundation for future research on textile manufacturing yarn quality factors is laid by this research.

Bifilms have been proposed to be critical for forming casting defects. The reduced pressure test (RPT) and bifilm index (BI) have been widely studied and used in industry for melt quality assessment. However, the BI remains challenged in predicting the mechanical properties. This work investigated the usage of RPT for elongation prediction by analyzing the melt in two foundries. The results showed that the BI could be valid when the bifilms exist as fully inflated pores. In reality, bifilms present as pores with various morphology and distribution, generating local stress concentrations under tension. Consequently, the parameter areaeff, which considers the pores’ morphology and distribution, was proposed, and the resultant f eff showed a good correlation with the elongation of the castings. These results guide the foundry to predict the elongation of the final castings and give directions for further research on the bifilm defects.

Ultrasound speckle tracking enables in vivo measurement of soft tissue deformation or strain, providing a non-invasive diagnostic tool to quantify tissue health. However, adoption into new fields is challenging since algorithms need to be tuned with gold-standard reference data that are expensive or impractical to acquire. Here, we present a novel optimization approach that only requires repeated measurements, which can be acquired for new applications where reference data might not be readily available or difficult to get hold of. Soft tissue motion was captured using ultrasound for the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of three quasi-statically loaded porcine stifle joints, and medial ligamentous structures of a dynamically loaded human cadaveric knee joint. Using a training subset, custom speckle tracking algorithms were created for the porcine and human ligaments using surrogate optimization, which aimed to maximize repeatability by minimizing the normalized standard deviation of calculated strain maps for repeat measurements. An unseen test subset was then used to validate the tuned algorithms by comparing the ultrasound strains to digital image correlation (DIC) surface strains (porcine specimens) and length change values of the optically tracked ligament attachments (human specimens). After 1500 iterations, the optimization routine based on the porcine and human training data converged to similar values of normalized standard deviations of repeat strain maps (porcine: 0.19, human: 0.26). Ultrasound strains calculated for the independent test sets using the tuned algorithms closely matched the DIC measurements for the porcine quasi-static measurements (R > 0.99, RMSE < 0.59%) and the length change between the tracked ligament attachments for the dynamic human dataset (RMSE < 6.28%). Furthermore, strains in the medial ligamentous structures of the human specimen during flexion showed a strong correlation with anterior/posterior position on the ligaments (R > 0.91). Adjusting ultrasound speckle tracking algorithms using an optimization routine based on repeatability led to robust and reliable results with low RMSE for the medial ligamentous structures of the knee. This tool may be equally beneficial in other soft-tissue displacement or strain measurement applications and can assist in the development of novel ultrasonic diagnostic tools to assess soft tissue biomechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Al or Cu content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of continuous casting and extrusion Zn alloys has been studied by a room temperature tensile test, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope. With the increase in Al content, the microstructure of continuous casting and extrusion Zn alloys slightly coarsens, and the lamellar eutectic structure increases. The changes in the above structural factors result in a slight decrease in strength and a significant increase in the elongation of Zn-Al alloys. The strength of Zn alloys increases as the Cu content increases due to the increased content and size of the second phase in the Zn alloys. This means that the mechanical properties of Zn alloys can be adjusted by a continuous casting and extrusion process, and the improvement of equipment capacity can improve the structure and morphology of the alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cork, the outermost tissue of bark, plays an important role in protecting trees from the surrounding environment and is used for various purposes, including flooring and insulation materials for buildings. This study focused on the amount and distribution of hydrophobic substances such as suberin and lignin in cork, as well as moisture conditions, to understand the mechanical properties of Cerasus jamasakura cork. Strips of cork were subjected to tensile tests after exposure to various moisture conditions (water-saturated, air-dried and oven-dried), and also after the desuberinisation and delignification of specimens. Cork with a high moisture content showed significant strain to the tensile load, whereas oven-dried specimens showed little toughness. The increased toughness of cork at higher moisture contents was due to the continued elongation in the plastic region, especially in the inner cork. The fibre length of the highly deformed cork differed significantly before and after the tensile test. Tensile tests of cork after desuberinisation and delignification indicated that the removal of suberin caused an earlier reduction in tensile properties than the removal of lignin. The presence of suberin in cork, distributed mainly in the inner cork, is believed to affect the tensile properties of cork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was motivated by the recent raising interest for the sustainable plastic-free dry 3D formable materials. 3D forming processes are capable to produce large unit quantities, but the process conditions for packaging applications have been typically very demanding for cellulose-based materials. This study covers some of the key factors affecting the extensibility of cellulose fibre-based materials and presents a laboratory-scale development study of a press-formable material concept. The investigation focused on comparisons of two refining concepts for bleached softwood kraft (BSK) pulp and two sheet forming concepts, namely water-laid and foam-laid forming. Additionally, influence of thermoplastic additives on the extensibility and 3D forming performance were investigated. In-plane compaction was applied with Expanda® laboratory device. Performance of the materials was evaluated by tensile tests and depth of the 3D formed shapes. In this study, in-plane compaction at first in cross-machine direction (CD) and then in machine direction (MD) led to over 30% elongation with BSK-based laboratory sheets containing latex as a binder and foaming agent. In addition to high elongation, optimal strength was needed for the best press-forming performances. In-plane compaction was the most significant factor regarding the elongation, but it also decreased the strength of the materials. Similar press-forming performance was found with two materials with either highly anisotropic or more isotropic elongation. The elongation anisotropy was created by one-way and two-way in-plane compactions. The results indicate that a reasonable performance for BSK-based materials for 3D forming applications can be reached using the presented concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the feasibility of fabricating a dynamic foot prosthesis for lower knee amputees using a composite material composed of polypropylene (PP), fresh cow bone powder (FCBP), and silicon rubber (Si). Nine samples with variable compositions of these components were prepared and subjected to mechanical testing to evaluate their compression strength, elongation, factor of safety, impact energy, and energy storage efficiency. The results demonstrated that the innovative composite made up of 68% PP, 18% FCBP, and 14% Si has exhibited the highest foot energy storage efficiency of 67.83%, which is within the standards of 63–100%. Furthermore, the synthesised dynamic foot has obtained excellent mechanical properties and a maximum factor of safety of 2.71. Accordingly, this study proposes that the developed composite material has the potential to be utilised for the fabrication of dynamic foot prostheses, as it offers a set of improved mechanical properties and potentially enhances the mobility and quality of life for lower knee amputees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence of relative elongation on mechanical stress in polyvinyl chloride samples of various widths and working lengths was experimentally studied. The purpose of the study was to study the dependence of deformation on mechanical stress of polyvinyl chloride films of various sizes (width and length). The scientific and practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the data can serve as the basis for future research. Polyvinyl chloride film with a thickness of 100 microns was chosen as the material under study. The film sheets were cut into strips 3, 5, 7, 10 mm wide using a special cutting device with adjustable sample cutting width and length. The working length of the samples was: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 cm. The tests were carried out on a special tensile testing machine RU-50. This setup is designed to study the dependence of strain (relative elongation) ε on stress σ. Significant changes in the mechanical properties of the material were discovered depending on various geometric parameters. The data obtained are satisfactorily described by the authors' models. The value of this study lies in the fact that the results of the work, according to the authors, will serve as an incentive to improve the mechanical properties of the research object. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is one of the world’s main staple crops with nearly 2.5 billion people depending on it for food. However, seed germination becomes very difficult and erratic a short period of time after harvesting. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of hydro-priming durations on germination, growth and seed yield of two rice varieties (Jasmine 85 and Amankwatia). The experimental design was 2x3 factorial arrangement in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Factor one was two varieties (Amankwantia and Jasmine 85) and factor two was three hydro-priming durations (24 hours, 48 hours and no priming). The study revealed that seeds which were hydro-primed for 24 and 48 hours took shorter days to emerge. Amankwatia variety which was hydro-primed for 24 hours gave the highest germination percentage and vigour index. Highest tiller numbers at week eleven and tallest plants measured at sixth, ninth, tenth and eleventh weeks after sowing were produced by Amakwatia variety which was not hydro-primed. Highest number of leaves at six, eight and nine weeks after sowing as well as number of tillers at weeks ten were produced by Jasmine 85 variety which was hydro-primed for 48 hours. Additionally, highest number of productive panicles and the resultant seed yield were produced by Jasmine 85 variety which were hydro-primed for 48 hours. A relationship analysis showed that there was strong significant and negative correlation between number of productive panicles and unproductive panicles as well as a strong significant and positive correlation between seed yield and productive panicles. Number of productive panicles significantly affected seed yield such that 82% of variation in the seed yield was attributed to the productive panicles. The study concluded that to obtain highest viability, best growth and resultant seed yield, Jasmine 85 variety hydro-primed for 48 hours should be highly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The available experimental data focusing on the differences between bubble and drop breakages are still scarce in the literature. This work conducts the experiments of single bubble and single drop breakages in agitated turbulent flows. The effects of fluid particle size and agitation speed on daughter fragment number, breakage time, breakage probability, breakage frequency, and daughter size distribution (DSD) are analyzed. The breakage frequencies of bubble and drop show the monotonic and non‐monotonic variation trends with increasing fluid particle size, respectively. The variations of bubble and drop DSDs exhibit opposite trends, the probability of equal‐sized breakage of bubble increases while that of drop decreases when agitation speed or fluid particle size increases. These different trends cannot be predicted by most of the existing models simultaneously. The processes of elongation and internal flow redistribution during deformation may be the important factors causing these differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents issues related to selected errors accompanying spatial measurements of surface roughness using contact profilometry. The influence of internal heat sources, such as engines or control electronics, on the thermal expansion of the drive responsible for the measurement probe's movement in the X-axis direction was investigated. In terms of starting measurements on a thermally unstable device, the synchronization error of individual profile paths was 16.1 µm. Based on thermographic studies, the time required for full thermal stabilization of this drive was determined to be 6–12 h from when the device was turned on. It was demonstrated that thermal stabilization of the profilometer significantly reduced positioning errors of the measurement probe on the X-axis. Thermal stabilization time should be determined individually for a specific device variant. This research also determined how changes in the center of gravity caused by the measurement probe's movement affected the overall rigidity of the profilometer structure and the leveling of the tested surface. Laser interferometry was used for this purpose. The determined vulnerability of the profilometer structure was 0.8 µm for a measurement section of 25 mm. Understanding the described relationships will reduce errors associated with conducting measurements and preparing equipment for tests. Additionally, it will enable the correct evaluation of surface geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton fiber, a crucial and sustainable resource for global textile production, undergoes a complex five-stage developmental process, encompassing initiation, elongation, transition, secondary cell wall biosynthesis, and maturation. These elongated single-cell fibers originate from the outer ovule epidermis. The development of cotton fibers involves intricate changes in gene expression and physiological processes, resulting in a nearly pure cellulose product that is vital for the global cotton industry. Decoding the genes associated with fiber development enhances our understanding of cotton fiber mechanisms and facilitates the cultivation of varieties with enhanced quality. In recent decades, advanced omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, have played a pivotal role in identifying the genes and gene products linked to cotton fiber development, including the MYB transcription factor family, which coordinates cotton fiber development. Molecular studies have revealed the transcription factors, like MYB, WRKY, Homeodomain Leucine Zipper (HD-ZIP), and basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH), influencing fiber initiation and elongation. The intricate interplay of phytohormones, like auxin, gibberellic acid (GA), brassinosteroids (BRs), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinin, is explored, providing a comprehensive perspective on the shaping of cotton fibers. Numerous candidate genes and cellular processes affecting various aspects of fiber development hold promise for genetic engineering or marker-assisted breeding to improve fiber quality. This review presents a comprehensive overview of key achievements in cotton molecular biology, with a specific emphasis on recent advancements in understanding the transcription factors and phytohormones involved in cotton fiber initiation and elongation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanical properties of a series of Fe-Cr-Mn (Mo)-N alloys. The chromium content ranged from 16 to 18 mass%. The test alloys were produced by adding nitrided ferroalloys during melting in an induction furnace. Test specimens of each alloy were prepared for mechanical testing and microstructural observation. Tensile strength (TS) and elongation (EL) were determined. By increasing or decreasing the content of the chromium, it can directly affected on the values of the mechanical properties and the final microstructure. A series of experiments showed that increasing the chromium content by 1.46 mass% in the Fe-16Cr-8Mn (Mo)-N alloy led to a decrease in the TS value by 12% and in the EL value by 16.1%, while increasing the chromium content by 0.72 mass% in the Fe-16Cr-11Mn (Mo)-N alloy caused a decrease in the TS value by 6.1% and in the EL value by 16%. The chromium content of 16 mass % in the studied alloys was found to provide sufficient strength and a relatively high elongation value. The alloys can also contain a higher mass fraction of chromium, but to obtain a complete austenitic structure it is necessary to increase the content of manganese and nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aquaculture industry is a substantial user of wild‐sourced fish oil to supply omega‐3 (n‐3) long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) in fish diets, which are required by many economically important farmed fish species, particularly Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Fish oil is commonly replaced with plant‐based oils as more environmentally and economically sustainable substitutes due to concerns regarding over‐fishing of wild stocks and increasing demand. One potential strategy to meet the physiological requirement for n‐3 LC‐PUFA is to improve n‐3 LC‐PUFA biosynthesis in salmon through selective breeding and strain enhancement. The objective of this review is to discuss strategies to supply sufficient levels of n‐3 LC‐PUFA to Atlantic salmon through the diet and de novo biosynthesis through selective breeding and salmon strain enhancement. This review provides an overview on the functions of n‐3 LC‐PUFA in Atlantic salmon, dietary requirements, source and supply of n‐3 LC‐PUFA in aquaculture feeds, and biosynthesis of n‐3 LC‐PUFA in fish. Several relevant studies have revealed the genetic influences on n‐3 LC‐PUFA biosynthesis and storage in Atlantic salmon. The results of the present review show that selective breeding of high n‐3 PUFA‐producing Atlantic salmon could be an effective strategy to improve the amount of EPA and DHA stored in tissues and reduce reliance on dietary sources of n‐3 LC‐PUFA such as fish oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for prefabricated tailor-welded blanks in aircraft panel manufacturing stems from their ability to streamline assembly, reduce material usage, save time, and cut costs. Friction stir welding, known for overcoming common defects in conventional methods, is explored in this study. Similar materials with varying thicknesses are welded, evaluating performance with surface response methodology. Central composite design of experiments, with tool rotation speed and welding speed as factors, yields tensile strength, percentage elongation, and hardness as output responses. ANOVA confirms experimental design adequacy, and mathematical models reveal response surface trends. Microstructural analysis investigates material deposition in varying thickness workpieces. Tensile strength response surfaces show significant variations, with the peak of 149 MPa achieved at 900 rpm and 80 mm/min, approximately 80% of the base metal's strength. The highest and lowest tensile strength weld joints exhibit average grain sizes of 7.78 and 13.6 µm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a combination of Ni elemental and Al2O3 ceramic reinforcing phases was introduced through an electroless plating method to address the issue of load-bearing and wear in dental implants resulting from friction within the oral environment and during food mastication. This was followed by combining CoCrMo powder and reinforcing phase powder. Subsequently, SLM processing was employed to form CoCrMo, Al2O3–CoCrMo (CCMA), and Ni@Al2O3–CoCrMo (CCMN) composites. The samples' hardness, wear resistance, and strength were determined. Employing FIB technology, the samples were examined for morphology, energy spectrum, and electron diffraction patterns. The results indicated that the CCMN sample displayed optimal hardness and friction resistance. While the tensile strength of the CCMN sample was slightly below international standards, an enhancement in elongation was observed, effectively striking a balance between strength and plasticity. The preparation process flow chart of the composite material (CCMN, CCM, CCMA) and the characterization of the morphology composition and properties, as well as the mechanism of Ni enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to provide references for the safe use in engineering applications, the corrosion behavior and post-corrosion mechanical properties of HRB400 reinforcement steel, exposed to a 3.5% NaCl solution in two distinct environments-bare and embedded in concrete were investigated through immersion corrosion test. For HRB400 reinforcement steel embedded in concrete, two approaches were employed: the fabrication of reinforced concrete and the simulation of concrete pore fluid. Initially, HRB400 reinforcement steel, both in bare form and embedded in concrete, was immersed in a 3.5% (mass fraction, the same below) NaCl solution. And soaking the HRB400 reinforcement steel in a saturated calcium hydroxide solution (with addition of 3.5% NaCl solution). The weight loss rate and corrosion rate of the HRB400 reinforcement steel under different corrosion times were calculated separately. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of the corroded HRB400 reinforcement steel were assessed using MTS testing machine. Results showed that as the immersion corrosion time prolonged, the average corrosion rate of HRB400 reinforcement steel across the three environments gradually decreased, while the rate of weight loss increased. Additionally, there was a decline in yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation rate. In the 3.5%NaCl solution, the elongation of HBR400 reinforcement steel in bare form and embedded in concrete decreased with the extension of soak time. However, in the saturated calcium hydroxide solutionl (with addition of 3.5%NaCl solution), the elongation showed a trend of mcreasing and decreasing.

Steel bars are part and parcel of reinforced concrete used in the construction projects, ranging from single family houses to super tall buildings and long span bridges. Maintaining the quality of the steel bars has always been challenging especially in developing countries. Low quality steel bars result in serviceability issues and reduce useful life of structures. This research work is focused on examining and investigating some basic facts about the quality of the steel bars produced in Pakistan. Pakistan being 5th most populous country in the world has huge consumption of steel. Laboratory testing data of steel bars are statistically analysed to have an insight in to the quality of bars. These steel bars were tested over a period of two years, which belong to several real-life projects. Properties like weight per unit length, yield strength, ultimate strength and percentage elongation were mainly analysed. Findings show that out of the stock of 4782 bars, 17.4 % failed to meet the minimum requirements provided by American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM A615). Quality of grade 60 bars was found better than those of grade 40.

Splicing stands as the preeminent technique employed for the seamless joining of yarn fibers. In stark contrast to traditional knotting methods, splicing achieves a level of seamlessness that closely mirrors the inherent structure of the yarn itself. The evolution of splicing techniques witnessed a significant breakthrough, resulting in the development of three distinct methodologies: pneumatic, mechanical, and electrostatic splicing. Among these, pneumatic splicing emerged as the frontrunner, owing to its exceptional performance when measured against its counterparts. The effectiveness of splicing lies in the appearance and mechanical attributes. These properties of a splice serve as the prerequisite in determining its overall quality. However, it is worth noting that comprehending the intricacies of splice structures, particularly within the intricate context of yarn fiber structures, poses a formidable challenge. This has necessitated a slew of experimental research endeavors, undertaken with the intent of unraveling the properties inherent to splicing. These investigations delve into the multifaceted interplay between yarn characteristics, splice parameters, and their collective impact on the quality of spliced yarn. In the forthcoming review article, we shall embark on a comprehensive exploration of various research papers within the domain of mechanical properties and the visual allure of splicing techniques.

The positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) is composed of cyclins T1 or T2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 9 that regulate the elongation phase of transcription by RNA polymerase II. By antagonizing negative elongation factors and phosphorylating the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, P-TEFb facilitates the elongation and co-transcriptional processing of nascent transcripts. This step is critical for the expression of most eukaryotic genes. In growing cells, P-TEFb is regulated negatively by its reversible associations with HEXIM1/2 in the 7SK snRNP and positively by a number of transcription factors, as well as the super elongation complex. In resting cells, P-TEFb falls apart, and cyclin T1 is degraded by the proteasome. This complex regulation of P-TEFb has evolved for the precise temporal and spatial regulation of gene expression in the organism. Its dysregulation contributes to inflammatory and neoplastic conditions.

Living organisms have the ability to self-shape into complex structures appropriate for their function. The genetic and molecular mechanisms that enable cells to do this have been extensively studied in several model and non-model organisms. In contrast, the physical mechanisms that shape cells and tissues have only recently started to emerge, in part thanks to new quantitative in vivo measurements of the physical quantities guiding morphogenesis. These data, combined with indirect inferences of physical characteristics, are starting to reveal similarities in the physical mechanisms underlying morphogenesis across different organisms. Here, we review how physics contributes to shape cells and tissues in a simple, yet ubiquitous, morphogenetic transformation: elongation. Drawing from observed similarities across species, we propose the existence of conserved physical mechanisms of morphogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To evaluate the mechanical properties of a newly formulated vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression material. Materials and Methods: Experimental, Capture (S&C Polymer), Express, Imprint 3 and Imprint 4 (3M ESPE), Start VPS (Danville), Honigum (DMG), Virtual (Ivoclar Vivadent), Elite HD+ (Zhermack) were evaluated for tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break. Un-nicked specimens with a 90° angle on one side (type C) for tear strength were prepared and tested according to ASTM-D624. Dumbbell-shaped specimens (type 1) for tensile strength and elongation at break were prepared and tested according to ISO 37. All tests were carried out at 500 mm/min on a Shimadzu (AGS-X-10 KN-table top) tester. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results: Experimental material showed significantly higher or higher tear strength and elongation at break compared to other impression materials for both light body (LB) and heavy body (HB). For tensile strength, Experimental is similar to most impression materials; however, significantly lower than Imprint 3 and Start VPS for LB. This parameter for HB is higher or significantly higher than other impression materials except Start VPS. Tear strength and tensile strength were not correlated for LB but have a weak or moderate correlation for HB. Elongation at break is inversely proportional to tensile strength moderately for LB; however, there is no or very weak relation for HB. Conclusions: Experimental VPS impression material demonstrated a significantly higher tear strength and adequate tensile strength with higher elongation compared to other commercially available VPS impression materials. Adequate mechanical properties can provide accurate impressions for successful clinical fabrication of restorations. Experimental VPS impression material is suitable for use in dental impressions for fabrication of restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue injuries are frequently repaired using various suture material. The ideal suture should have the biomechanical properties of low displacement, high maximum load to failure, and high stiffness to avoid deformation. Since tendon healing occurs over a period of months, it is important for the surgeon to select the proper suture with certain biomechanical properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to qualitative summarize the published literature on biomechanical properties of different suture materials used in orthopaedic procedures. Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed and Cochrane databases were queried for original articles containing "biomechanic(s)" and "suture" keywords. Following screening for inclusion and exclusion, final articles were reviewed for relevant data and collected for qualitative analysis. Data collected from each study included the tissue type repaired, suture material, and biomechanical properties, such as elongation, maximum load to failure, stiffness, and method of failure. 17 articles met final inclusion criteria. Two studies found No.2 Fiberwire™ to have the lowest elongation and 4 studies found No. 2 Ultrabraid™ to have the greatest. 12 studies reported Maximum load to failure was highest in No. 2 Fiberwire™, No. 2 Ultrabraid™, and FiberTape™ while No. 2 Ethibond ™ had the lowest in 5 studies. 3 of the 5 studies that evaluated No. 2 Fiberwire™ found it to have the highest stiffness. No. 2 Ethibond™, No. 2 Orthocord™, and No. 2 PDS™ were reported as the least stiff sutures in 2 studies each. Fiberwire™, FiberTape™, and Ultrabraid™ demonstrated the highest load to failure while Ethibond™ consistently was the weakest. Fiberwire™ was found to have the lowest elongation while Ultrabraid™ had the highest. Fiberwire™ was also noted to be the stiffest while PDS, Ethibond™, and Orthocord™ were found to be the least stiff. Final treatment decisions on which suture to utilize to optimize repair integrity and healing are complex, and rarely solely dependent upon the biomechanical properties of the materials used. Systematic Review, Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]