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Infilled joints or faults are often subjected to long-term stable shear forces, and nature surface processes of normal unloading can change the frictional balance. Therefore, it is essential to study the sliding behavior of such granular materials under such unloading conditions, since they are usually the filling matter. We conducted two groups of normal unloading direct shear tests considering two variables: unloading rate and the magnitude of constant shear force. Dry sands may slide discontinuously during normal unloading, and the slip velocity does not increase uniformly with unloading time. Due to horizontal particle interlacing and normal relaxation, there will be sliding velocity fluctuations and even temporary intermissions. At the stage of sliding acceleration, the normal force decreases with a higher unloading rate and increases with a larger shear force at the same sliding velocity. The normal forces obtained from the tests are less than those calculated by Coulomb's theory in the conventional constant-rate shear test. Under the same unloading rate, the range of apparent friction coefficient variation is narrower under larger shear forces. This study has revealed the movement patterns of natural granular layers and is of enlightening significance in the prevention of corresponding geohazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance spot-welded joints are crucial parts in contemporary manufacturing technology due to their ubiquitous use in the automobile industry. The necessity of improving manufacturing efficiency and quality at an affordable cost requires deep knowledge of the resistance spot welding (RSW) process and the development of artificial neural network (ANN)- and machine learning (ML)-based modelling techniques, apt for providing essential tools for design, planning, and incorporation in the welding process. Tensile shear force and nugget diameter are the most crucial outputs for evaluating the quality of a resistance spot-welded specimen. This study uses ML and ANN models to predict shear force and nugget diameter responses to RSW parameters. The RSW analysis was executed on similar and dissimilar AISI 304 and grade 2 titanium alloy joints with equal and unequal thicknesses. The input parameters included welding current, pressure, welding duration, squeezing time, holding time, pulse welding, and sheet thickness. Linear regression, Decision tree, Support vector machine (SVM), Random forest (RF), Gradient-boosting, CatBoost, K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Ridge, Lasso, and ElasticNet machine learning algorithms, along with two different structures of Multilayer Perceptron, were utilized for studying the impact of the RSW parameters on the shear force and nugget diameter. Different validation metrics were applied to assess each model's quality. Two equations were developed to determine the shear force and nugget diameter based on the investigation parameters. The current research also presents a prediction of the Relative Importance (RI) of RSW factors. Shear force and nugget diameter predictions were examined using SHapley (SHAP) Additive Explanations for the first time in the RSW field. Trainbr as the training function and Logsig as the transfer function delivered the best ANN model for predicting shear force in a one-output structure. Trainrp with Tansig made the most accurate predictions for nugget diameter in a one-output structure and for shear force and diameter in a two-output structure. Depending on validation metrics, the Random forest model outperformed the other ML algorithms in predicting shear force or nugget diameter in a one-output model, while the Decision tree model gave the best prediction using a two-output structure. Linear regression made the worst ML predictions for shear force, while ElasticNet made the worst nugget diameter forecasts in a one-output model. However, in two-output models, Lasso made the worst predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unloading processes are common in natural systems. Intense unloading activities can alter the frictional equilibrium of faults and induce their instabilities. Understanding the slip behavior of faults under stress unloading conditions is helpful in guiding engineering practices. We conducted a series of direct shear experiments under linear-unloading normal force conditions considering the influences of initial normal forces, initial shear forces, and normal unloading rates on planar and rough granite fractures. The experimental results showed that planar fracture exhibits sudden slip events during normal unloading, while rough fracture mostly displays stable sliding behavior. The planar fracture demonstrates an exponential increase in sliding distance and velocity at the end of each slip event. The rough fracture usually exhibits a quasi-static stage before rapid slip events. In addition, the accumulative sliding distance at the slip activation moment (at the first moment when sliding velocity is greater than 0.05 mm/s) for the planar fracture decreases with lower normal unloading rate, larger shear force and larger normal force, while its variation trend for rough fracture is opposite. These findings provide valuable insights into fault slip behavior under stress unloading, aiding in mitigating associated risks in engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic performance of a long-span triple-tower suspension bridge is a critical consideration in engineering communities. To promote a better seismic design, this paper presents a parametric study on the structural seismic control using hysteretic steel dampers. The finite element model is firstly established, and an introduction to the mechanical properties of the E-shaped hysteretic steel damper is made. Then, a seismic analysis is conducted under uniform earthquake excitations. Considering the effect of wave passage, the performance of hysteretic steel dampers in seismic control is further analyzed. The results indicate that the travelling wave effect greatly affects seismic responses. Increasing the damper elastic stiffness can effectively reduce the relative displacement between the main girder and either the left or the central tower. This treatment is effective for the right tower only when the wave velocity is among 400–1600 m/s, while it makes little contribution in other ranges. At an arbitrary wave velocity, increasing the damper elastic stiffness would cause minor changes to the shear forces of side towers, while its influence on the central tower is significant. A reasonable damper design for the long-span triple-tower suspension bridge depends on an essential prior evaluation of the wave velocity based on soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archaeologiai Értesítő is the property of Akademiai Kiado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Post-slaughter chilling is essential for food safety in the meat industry. However, carcasses exposed to cold air in refrigerated chambers may undergo adverse effects on quality parameters. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic wrapping on rabbit carcasses during post-slaughter chilling and its impact on the rabbit meat quality. Twenty whole carcasses of male Botucatu rabbits, slaughtered at 90 days of age, were used in a completely randomised design with a 2×2 factorial scheme [HDPE carcass wrapping (present and absent) vs. cut (loin vs. thigh)]. After 24 h of slow chilling at 4°C, the carcasses were deboned and physicochemical analyses were conducted to assess quality parameters: pH, colour (L*, a*, b*), water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), sarcomere length (SL), shear force (SF), myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) and lipid oxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The wrapping resulted in lower (P0.05). These findings demonstrated that HDPE wrapping maintained the light colour of rabbit meat, which is more appealing to white meat consumers due to its light pink appearance. Additionally, HDPE wrapping enhanced tenderness, a key attribute in consumers’ meat selection, as indicated by higher MFI values (P

There exists a special bidirectionally sheared flow field due to solitons in the South China Sea. An experimental study of the mean drag force of a flexible riser undergoing vortex-induced vibration under bidirectionally sheared flow is conducted. Modal analysis and the beam theory are applied to processing the strain signal measured in the experiment to obtain the mean drag force. The initial displacement, mean drag force, and mean drag coefficient are investigated, and the amplification of the mean drag coefficient is confirmed under bidirectionally sheared flow with comparable amplification to linear shear flow. Meanwhile, a unique phenomenon that the shear force reaches an extreme value in the center of the riser under bidirectionally sheared flow is found in the experiment. The shear force coefficient is proposed and fitted to obtain an empirical formula for the extreme value of the central shear force of the flexible riser under bidirectionally sheared flow, which will provide external load input for the design of the riser in the South China Sea.

Shear stress sensing represents a vital mode of mechanosensation. 1 Previous efforts have mainly focused on characterizing how various cell types—for example, vascular endothelial cells—sense shear stress arising from fluid flow within the animal body. 1,2 How animals sense shear stress derived from their external environment, however, is not well understood. Here, using C. elegans as a model, we show that external fluid flow triggers behavioral responses in C. elegans , facilitating their navigation of the environment during swimming. Such behavioral responses primarily result from shear stress generated by fluid flow. The sensory neurons AWC, ASH, and ASER are the major shear stress-sensitive neurons, among which AWC shows the most robust response to shear stress and is required for shear stress-induced behavior. Mechanistically, shear stress signals are transduced by G protein signaling in AWC, with cGMP as the second messenger, culminating in the opening of cGMP-sensitive cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels and neuronal excitation. These studies demonstrate that C. elegans senses and responds to shear stress and characterize the underlying neural and molecular mechanisms. Our work helps establish C. elegans as a genetic model for studying shear stress sensing. • C. elegans senses and responds to shear stress generated by fluid flow • AWC, ASH, and ASER neurons are the major shear stress-sensitive neurons in C. elegans • Shear stress transduction in AWC is mediated by G protein signaling • Shear stress sensors in AWC are likely GPCRs How animals sense shear stress derived from their external environment is not well understood. Zhang et al. report that C. elegans senses and responds to shear stress generated by fluid flow in the environment and does so through G protein signaling. These results help to establish C. elegans as a genetic model for studying shear stress sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (1006-2467) is the property of Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to compare the effects of incorporating fermented feed into daily diets on the slaughter performance, meat quality, and flavor compounds of 120 domestic chickens over a 140-day period. A total of five groups (n = 24), including the control group (CK) of the Guangxi Partridge chickens received a standard base diet. The other four groups were provided with pellets that had been added with 10% fermented banana peel (Pe-10), 20% fermented banana peel (Pe-20), 10% fermented banana pulp residue (Pu-10), and 20% fermented banana pulp residue (Pu-20). The flavor compounds in the meat samples of the chickens in these groups were determined using the gas chromatographic method. The results demonstrated that the chickens in the Pe-10, Pe-20, Pu-10, and Pu-20 groups exhibited pectoral muscle percentages, thigh muscle percentages, and total fatty acid content of chest meat that were higher than those observed in the CK group. The moisture content, meat color, carcass weight, total net weight, and abdominal fat percentage of the meat samples in these experimental groups exhibited no notable differences. The flavor compounds in the meat samples of the chickens fed with the two concentrations of fermented banana peel and banana residue were found to be significantly different from those in the control group, with p-values less than 0.05. As the quantity of fermented banana peel incorporated into the daily ration was increased from 10% to 20%, a notable alteration in the flavor compounds present in the chicken samples was observed. The chickens that were provided with fermented banana peels and pulps in their diets exhibited superior slaughter performance and meat quality, particularly in the case of the Pu-10 group, in comparison to the control chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of age and sex on carcass and meat characteristics of one of Thailand’s major indigenous chicken breeds, the white-tailed yellow native chicken (NC). A total of 120 one-day-old NC (60 males and 60 females) were raised, and harvested at either 16, 20 or 24 weeks. The results showed that body, carcass, breast and fillet weights did not differ (P > 0.05) between 16- and 20-week-old NC, but were lower (P < 0.05) than those of 24-week-old NC. Male NC had higher (P < 0.05) body, carcass, wing, back and thigh weights than female NC. Neither sex nor age affected muscle pH, sarcomere length, redness and yellowness, guanosine monophosphate, and hypoxanthine. The interaction between age and sex was significant (P < 0.05) for %dressing, %leg, L*, C14:1, C18:1n9 and C20:4n6. Shear force was lower in 16-week-old NC (P < 0.05). The 24-week-old NC had lower (P < 0.05) C13:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:2n6t, C20:4n6, C22:6n-3, intramuscular fat and inosine 5’-monophosphate levels and higher (P < 0.05) C18:2n6c, C18:3n-3 and C20:3n-6 levels than the 16- and 20-week-old NC. Male NC had higher (P < 0.05) C13:0-, C14:0-, C18:2n6t-, C20:3n-6- and lower inosine levels than female NC. In conclusion, these data highlight age- and sex-specific differences in carcass and meat quality of NC and provide relevant information to support consumer-oriented decisions on the production, processing and nutritional value of NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXene stands out as a rising family of transition metal carbides/nitrides with exceptional size-dependent properties and versatile potential applications. However, the realization of large MXene with a controllable surface at atomic level remains challenging to keep the balance among the conductivity, stability and activity. Herein, the horizontal oscillation-induced delamination (HOD) strategy is proposed to acquire Ti3C2 flakes with large size and low Ti–Ti coordination (HO-Ti3C2). The average size of the as-obtained flakes can reach 6.48 µm to keep the overall conductive skeleton and merits from large size. Simultaneously, metal atoms at surface can be partially removed due to the enhanced local vibrational turbulence during the reciprocating horizontal oscillation process. Such MXenes with clear and unique surface states exhibit high potentials in ion adsorption together with satisfied electric conductivity and stability. As proof of concept, HO-Ti3C2 anode exhibits remarkable rate capability and long-term stability during sodium storage. A capacity of 100.5 mAh g−1 with a long-life cycle (4,500 cycles) at a high rate of 1.0 A g−1 originates from the increased s-d interaction between Na and Ti. Therefore, the HOD strategy provides a controllable surface design to promote the clear criteria into size-dependent research on MXene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the effect of mechanical shear force on the final fat retention in the preparation of stromal vascular fraction (SVF)/ extracellular matrix (ECM) gel from a cytological perspective. Methods Fat aspirates from patients undergoing liposuction were prepared into standard Coleman fat grafts or further isolated using mechanical shear force to prepare the SVF/ECM gel. In the control group, fat aspirates from patients undergoing liposuction were prepared into standard Coleman fat grafts, while in the experimental group, Coleman fat was further separated by mechanical shear force to prepare SVF/ECM gel. The fat retention rate, cell composition and phenotype of the two groups were compared. The fat retention rate, cell composition and phenotype of the two groups were compared. Results The retention rate of the SVF/ECM gel was significantly higher than that of the Coleman fat at 3, 14, 28, and 60 days following transplantation on the backs of nude mice. The viscosity of the fat was directly proportional to the shearing force. Although the mechanical isolation did not affect the total number of cells, it significantly decreased the number of living cells. Flow cytometry showed a greater number of mesenchymal stem cells, supra-adventitial adipose stromal cells, and adipose-derived stem cells but lower number of endothelial progenitor cells in the SVF/ECM gel than in the Coleman fat. Conclusion Mechanical isolation of fat can increase the pluripotency of adipocytes, which can improve graft retention in cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While evaluating the seismic performance of existing buildings according to TBC2018, a difficulty and complexity arouses in estimating the rotations that occur at both ends of the load carrying elements under seismic forces. Therefore, in this study, it is aimed to develop a reliable method for estimating the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings using simplified displacement-based formulations. Within the scope of this study, 4 RC buildings having same symmetrical floor plan but with varying number of stories, different material strengths were designed, and 3 existing RC buildings were taken into consideration. All the 7 buildings were modeled using common structural analysis software like SAP2000v20, Sta4CADv14.1, İdeCADv10 and ProtaStructure2022 and linear seismic performance analysis were performed. The data obtained as a result of the analysis were processed into the displacement-based formulations created within the framework of this study to determine the damage state of the columns and associated seismic performance of the existing RC buildings considering the general principles and rules given in TBC2018. It was determined that the compatibility between the column damage conditions determined according to the proposed method and the column damage status determined as a result of the hand calculation made according to the calculation principles specified in TBC2018 was 100% in both principal directions. In addition, it is found that the results found from the proposed method were conservative and generally compatible with the results obtained from the common structural analysis software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-slaughter chilling is essential for food safety in the meat industry. However, carcasses exposed to cold air in refrigerated chambers may undergo adverse effects on quality parameters. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic wrapping on rabbit carcasses during post-slaughter chilling and its impact on the rabbit meat quality. Twenty whole carcasses of male Botucatu rabbits, slaughtered at 90 days of age, were used in a completely randomised design with a 2×2 factorial scheme [HDPE carcass wrapping (present and absent) vs. cut (loin vs. thigh)]. After 24 h of slow chilling at 4°C, the carcasses were deboned and physicochemical analyses were conducted to assess quality parameters: pH, colour (L*, a*, b*), water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss (CL), sarcomere length (SL), shear force (SF), myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) and lipid oxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). The wrapping resulted in lower (P<0.05) ultimate pH, red intensity, waterholding capacity and shear force, and higher MFI (P<0.05). Sarcomere length was shorter in the unwrapped thigh compared to both wrapped thigh and unwrapped loin (P<0.05). The thigh exhibited higher redness, yellowness and shear force (P<0.05), while the loin showed greater lightness (P<0.05). The unwrapped loin also demonstrated a greater MFI than the unwrapped thigh (P<0.05). Notably, no significant effect of either wrapping or cut type was observed on TBARS (P>0.05). These findings demonstrated that HDPE wrapping maintained the light colour of rabbit meat, which is more appealing to white meat consumers due to its light pink appearance. Additionally, HDPE wrapping enhanced tenderness, a key attribute in consumers' meat selection, as indicated by higher MFI values (P<0.05) and lower shear force measurements (P<0.05). In conclusion, wrapping carcasses in high-density polyethylene during the first 24 h post-mortem positively influences the rabbit meat quality, particularly in terms of colour and tenderness, with the loin cut showing superior tenderness compared to the thigh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIntroductionMaterial and MethodsResults and discussionConclusion\nIMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATIONMost people with a spinal cord injury are concerned by pressure injuries (PrI). Since dynamic activities may involve distributions of forces over time that are different from static and given the significant impact of PrIs on healthcare costs, it is, important to study these sitting forces. We aim to investigate sitting forces (overall normal, shear forces and Peak Pressure Index (PPI)) assessed in both able-bodied and wheelchair users (WCU) under static and dynamic conditions. Our hypothesis is that wheelchair sitting forces encountered by able-bodied participants are significantly different from those of WCUs.An experimental seat and a pressure mapping system were used to investigate forces in two different populations, 102 able-bodied and 15 WCUs, in static conditions and during synchronised hand-cycling. The analysis includes statistical comparisons of the sitting conditions (static/dynamic) and of the populations (able-bodied/WCUs).Significant differences in normal forces and PPI were observed between able-bodied and WCUs; conversely, differences in shear forces were non-significant. This suggests that contrary to shear forces, no conclusion on normal forces drawn from trials with healthy participants can directly be applied to WCUs. Secondly, the present results indicate significant reduced averaged: normal force, PPI, and shear forces for able-bodied performing a dynamic activity compared to static sitting. WCUs experienced non-significant lower averaged normal force and PPI but significant lower averaged shear forces.While the present results seem to indicate lower forces for able-bodied performing a dynamic activity compared to static sitting, due to reduced averaged forces, this conclusion is less clear-cut for WCUs.The present observational study can help understand the specific characteristics of wheelchair users concerning the biomechanical sitting load in rest and during propulsive activity: the shear forces are reduced during activity compared to static conditions.From the data collected in the present study, it seems that no conclusion on normal sitting forces drawn from trials with healthy participants can directly be applied to wheelchair users.The present observational study can help understand the specific characteristics of wheelchair users concerning the biomechanical sitting load in rest and during propulsive activity: the shear forces are reduced during activity compared to static conditions.From the data collected in the present study, it seems that no conclusion on normal sitting forces drawn from trials with healthy participants can directly be applied to wheelchair users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterizes rosé veal from 412 Danish Blue × Holstein heifer and bull calves and beef from 183 highly marbled culled Holstein dairy cows. Furthermore, it investigates the potential for breeding higher meat quality in dairy crossbreeds via genetic parameter estimation. Carcasses were split between the 5th and 6th thoracic vertebra and the meat quality of M. longissimus thoracis was evaluated for pH, color, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and chemical intramuscular fat concentration (IMF%). Genetic parameters were estimated using an animal model. The crossbred bull calves outperformed heifers in carcass characteristics, while heifers were superior in redness, cooking loss, WBSF and IMF%. Heritability was significant for WBSF, cooking loss, and IMF%, indicating that meat quality can be improved through selective breeding. The meat quality of highly marbled Holstein cows did not vary across parities, highlighting them as an under-utilized potential source of high-quality beef from a beef-on-dairy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Meat tenderness is crucial for eating quality, particularly in Australia, where it is a top palatability trait, with 50% consumer acceptance when shear force is below 42.6 N. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for guaranteed meat quality, making tenderness a priority for industry producers. Research has focused on the genetic and environmental factors affecting meat's biological, structural and physiological characteristics. Objective evaluation methods like shear force are commonly used but can be influenced by pH–temperature interactions. Our findings indicate that controlling pH–temperature decline during processing enhances tenderness. Additionally, genetics can impact the risk of cold shortening. Shear force is commonly used to evaluate tenderness, one of the most crucial eating quality aspects of sheep meat. The effect size of various factors on tenderness is still unknown. Studies have suggested that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the variation in meat tenderness, and there are possible interactions between these factors. An extensive data set (n = 23,696) was analyzed to examine genetic and non-genetic influences on the shear force at 5 days postmortem (SF5). SF5 was measured on lamb loins (Longissimus lumborum) taken from lambs reared over 12 years at eight sites across Australia. The results showed that all carcass traits had a significant (p < 0.001) impact on SF5, with the largest effect on SF5 associated with intramuscular fat (IMF %) (f = 1035). There was also a significant effect of sex, cold shortening at 18 °C, sire type and cohort on SF5 (p < 0.001), with a large variation observed between the minimum cohort at 15.9 ± 1.5 N and maximum at 51.2 ± 2.1 N. In conclusion, a complex matrix of production, processing and genetic factors impact lamb tenderness as measured by shear force. This experiment helps identify the size of the contribution of these factors towards lamb tenderness, enabling the sheep industry to enhance consumers' satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, epoxy was added into commercial Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solder paste to enhance the thermal cycling reliability of the joint. The microstructure and fracture surface were observed using a scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS), and a shear test was performed on the thermally cycled joint samples. The results indicated that during the thermal cycling test, the epoxy protective layer on the surface of the epoxy-enhanced SAC305 solder joint could significantly alleviate the thermal stress caused by coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, resulting in fewer structural defects. The interfacial compound of the original SAC305 solder joints gradually coarsened due to the accelerated atomic diffusion, but epoxy-enhanced SAC305 solder joints demonstrated a thinner interfacial layer and a smaller IMC grain size. Due to the reduced stress concentration and the additional mechanical support provided by the cured epoxy layer, epoxy-enhanced SAC305 solder joints displayed superior shear performance compared to the original joint during the thermal cycling test. After 1000 thermal cycles, Cu-Sn IMC regions were observed on the fracture surfaces of the original SAC305 solder joint, exhibiting brittle fracture characteristics. However, the fracture of the SAC305 solder joint with 8 wt.% epoxy remained within the solder bulk and exhibited a ductile fracture mode. This work indicates that epoxy-enhanced SAC305 solder pastes display high thermal cycling reliability and could meet the design needs of advanced packaging technology for high-performance electronic packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beam-to-column connection is a particularly vulnerable element in frame structures under seismic action and is often responsible for building damages. Experimental investigations carried out over the past six decades on shear strength in frame joints have not led to the establishment of a uniform procedure in the design codes of different countries. The reason lies probably in the varied nature of the investigated parameters and in the varied configurations of beam–column connections. A good knowledge of the forces passing through the frame joints in the beam–beam and column–column direction would allow both their adequate computation in new buildings and the verification of existing ones without requiring experimental studies. In the design codes of the leading countries in seismic engineering, the shear force is determined by the capacitive method, considering only the area of the longitudinal reinforcement of the beam passing through the column. This method shows us how much shear force the beam reinforcement can take, but not what the magnitude of the resulting forces actually is as a result of the acting loads. In addition, the method of the codes does not indicate the contribution of the concrete to the total magnitude of the shear force in the beam–column connection. In the proposed mathematical model for calculating the forces that leave the beam, the full dimensions of the cross-section of the beam were taken into account. The material properties and cross-sectional shape were also taken into account. A determining factor for the magnitude of forces entering the beam–column joint is the acting load on the beam. In this paper, the load of two transverse forces was considered. The forces are applied in different possible positions, while remaining symmetrically located on the beam. The calculations are based on Menabrea's theorem to determine the hyperstatic unknowns. The results of the proposed method for the considered beam show that the magnitude of the shear force differs from that accepted in the literature and the norms by 2% to 27%, depending on the stage of development of the crack. In comparison, the Eurocode-recommended method shows differences in the order of 27% to 40% for the adopted beam under static loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of treatment with different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the characteristics of intramuscular collagen and related endogenous enzyme activities in beef during 72 h postmortem in order to provide theoretical evidence that NaCl contributes to improving postmortem beef tenderness. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the changes in the level of mature collagen cross-linking and endogenous enzyme activities in bovine longissimus dorsi muscle after being treated with 1% or 3% (m/m) NaCl solution. At the same time, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), endogenous and exogenous fluorescence spectroscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were used to determine physicochemical properties such as thermal solubility, thermal stability, surface hydrophobicity to characterize the structural changes and degradation status of collagen. The results showed that treatment of NaCl at both concentrations could regulate the activity of lysine oxidase, β-glucuronidase and β-galactosidase in beef during 72 h postmortem, thereby enhancing the thermal solubility of intramuscular collagen, reducing the thermal stability, promoting conformational changes and degradation of collagen and ultimately contributing to improving the tenderness of postmortem beef.

Ultrasonic wire bonding is a highly automated production process that is used billions of times a year in the electronics and electromobility industries. Due to the complexity of the process and the large number of influencing parameters, there are currently no automated methods that can be used without additional sensors to evaluate the shear force bond quality quantitatively and non-destructively with sufficiently high precision. For this reason, this paper presents a new methodology that uses machine learning to enable quantitative, non-destructive prediction of bond quality without additional sensors. For this purpose, a machine learning algorithm was developed that uses various machine data and process data from existing sensors to quantitatively predict the shear force of the bonded joint. In addition, features are extracted from process time series, such as current, power, and frequency of the ultrasonic generator as well as deformation during bonding. Of the total of 2,090 features considered, the number of features could be reduced to 26 by recursive feature elimination, while maintaining the prediction accuracy. By using optimized deep neural networks, on average, a prediction precision of the regression on the shear force of the source bond of over 89.6% R2-score and a mean absolute error of 241 cN can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the development history and advantages and disadvantages of measurement methods for soft tissue properties of the plantar foot. The measurement of soft tissue properties is essential for understanding the biomechanical characteristics and function of the foot, as well as for designing and evaluating orthotic devices and footwear. Various methods have been developed to measure the properties of plantar soft tissues, including ultrasound imaging, indentation testing, magnetic resonance elastography, and shear wave elastography. Each method has its own strengths and limitations, and choosing the most appropriate method depends on the specific research or clinical objectives. This review aims to assist researchers and clinicians in selecting the most suitable measurement method for their specific needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific progress within the last few decades has revealed the functional morphology of an insect's sticky footpads—a compliant pad that secretes thin liquid films. However, the physico‐chemical mechanisms underlying their adhesion remain elusive. Here, we explore these underlying mechanisms by simultaneously measuring adhesive force and contact geometry of the adhesive footpads of live, tethered Indian stick insects, Carausius morosus, spanning more than two orders of magnitude in body mass. We find that the adhesive force we measure is similar to the previous measurements that use a centrifuge. Our measurements afford us the opportunity to directly probe the adhesive stress in vivo and use existing theory on capillary adhesion to predict the surface tension of the secreted liquid and compare it to previous assumptions. From our predictions, we find that the surface tension required to generate the adhesive stresses we observed ranges between 0.68 and 12 mN m−1${\rm m}^{-1}$. The low surface tension of the liquid would enhance the wetting of the stick insect's footpads and promote their ability to conform to various substrates. Our insights may inform the biomimetic design of capillary‐based, reversible adhesives and motivate future studies on the physico‐chemical properties of the secreted liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study aims to analyze the characteristics of soil shear strength parameters obtained by strain-controlled direct shear apparatus and micro-vane shear apparatus, respectively (soil cohesive forcec, internal friction angle, and soil shear force τ), and then establish the relationship between c, and t. This can deepen the understanding of soil shear strength, and have important significance for improving the efficiency of soil shear strength measurement. [Methods] Three typical texture types of soil (Yangling clayey soil, Ansai loessial soil, Dingbian sandy soil) from the Loess Plateau, and five levels of soil moisture (12%, 16%, 20%, 24% and 28%) were designed to obtained their soil shear strength using the above mentioned apparatuses. The responses of soil shear strength to soil types and soil moisture, as well as relationships between c, and were then analyzed. [Results] (1) Under experiment conditions, the values of c, and range between 16.88~27.12 kPa, 5.03°~21.30°, 1.76~7.72 kPa, respectively. (2) In the three soil types, the cand firstly increase and then decrease with the increase of soil moisture. While, the decreases gradually with the soil moisture increase. (3) The c., and of Ansai loessial soil are similar or slightly higher than those in Dingbian sandy soil, while they are significantly higher than those in Yangling clay soil. (4) In the three types of soil, there is a significant linear correlation between the and c (R²> 0.93), while there is no significant correlation between the and r. Without considering the difference of soil type, there is still a strong linear correlation between and c, and its relation can be described by c=1.59τ+ 14.10 (R=0.51, p<0.01). [Conclusion] The responses of c to soil type and soil moisture were similar to that of r. and a significant relation are found between c and r. It implies that researchers can use r. conveniently obtained by micro-vane shear apparatus, to assess obtained by strain-controlled direct shear apparatus slowly under some conditions. The results can provide reference for improving the measurement efficiency of soil shear strength under extreme field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat preservation is necessary to prevent harmful changes caused by microbiological, chemical, and physical processes in order, among other things, to extend storage life. In this study, we investigated how the duration (4, 8, 12, and 24 h) and temperature (50 °C, 55 °C, 60 °C) of SV (sous-vide) treatment for horse meat influence the sensory properties and quality of m. longissimus thoracis specimens. The SV temperature and time of heat treatment demonstrated notable enhancements of most texture parameters. Increasing the duration of heat treatment from 4 h to 8, 12, and 24 h at all applied temperature values resulted in an improvement in the shear force, hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of horse meat (however, the differences were not statistically significant in every case). Increasing the duration of heat treatment from 4 to 24 h, but only at a temperature of 60 °C, improved the scent (intensity and desirability) and flavor desirability. Multiple regression analysis showed that many texture parameters could be effectively described by the cooking time and process temperature. The most accurate representation of the empirical data (R2 > 0.903) was attained for adhesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness, which exhibited the highest coefficients of determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex on final live weight, carcass characteristics meat quality traits and sensory properties of a specific cross breed pig line (Landrace 75% x Yorkshire 25% "Degesa"). Eight randomly selected barrows (CM) and eight gilts (F) were used in the present study. No differences (P=0.05) between sexes for carcass characteristics, shear-force value or sarcomere length were observed. However, back fat thickness, pH@45, pH@24, water-holding capacity, marbling score and intramuscular fat content were higher (P=0.05) in CM than in F. Meat from CM had lower (P=0.04) lightness than F but similar (P=0.34) redness and yellowness. Total saturated fatty acids (SFA) proportion as well as individual SFAs (C16:0 and C18:0) were greater in CM than in F, but n-6:n-3 ratio was lower in males than females. In general, meat from males were better scored than meat from females by the trained panel in flavor attributes but the result was opposed when textural properties were evaluated. In addition, greater overall color score as well as flavor attributes were positively associated with intramuscular fat content and rate of monounsaturated FA but negatively associated with rate polyunsaturated FA proportion. In conclusion, results suggest that pork quality from Degesa crossbred pigs showed marked sexrelated differences and therefore, it could be deferentially commercially by sex in the meat market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue strength of concrete decks for large composite bridges In the support area of large composite bridges, tensile stresses occur in the concrete deck slab due to the negative bending moment of the main girders, leading to cracks in the concrete deck. Transverse steel cantilever beams are arranged under the deck at the transverse frame spacing in order to support e. g. prefabricated concrete elements, so that the deck slab predominantly spans in the longitudinal direction. Cyclic transverse forces due to local wheel loads caused by high variable traffic loads must then be transferred to the cross girders via the cracked concrete slab, as a result of the tensile loading. Up to now, no tests have been carried out to determine the fatigue strength of the cracked concrete deck slab. Based on tests from the literature (whereby so far only well documented tests without longitudinal tensile loading have been available) and own experiments (with longitudinal tensile loading), a database has been developed which formed the basis for the derivation of S‐N‐lines and which allowed the evaluation of the influence of specific parameters on the fatigue strength. Since the fatigue strength of reinforced concrete elements without shear reinforcement is dependent on the static load‐bearing capacity, the influence of the scatter of the static shear capacity on the fatigue strength is discussed in particular. Based on the results and the current state of standardization, a design concept for the fatigue strength of the concrete deck slab is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the shape of the back support adjustment on the shear force applied to the buttocks when tilt-in-space and reclining functions are combined in wheelchairs. Fourteen healthy adult men were included in the study. The force plate was used to measure the parallel force as shear force. The measurement posture, leaning against the back support of an experimental chair, was a comfortable sitting posture. The tilt-in-space angle was set to 15°. The back support was inclined at increasing angles, starting from the upright position (IUP), proceeding to a fully reclined position (FRP), and returning to the upright position (RUP). The experimental conditions were as follows: adjusting the back-support shape (aBS) and non-adjusting the back support shape (non-aBS). Positive values indicate a parallel force applied to the buttocks posteriorly. The average values in the aBS condition were 3.4 ± 2.3, 13.6 ± 2.2, and −7.1 ± 2.4% body weight in the IUP, FRP, and RUP, respectively. The average values in the non-aBS condition were 3.8 ± 2.5, 11.4 ± 2.1, and −6.2 ± 3.1% body weight in the IUP, FRP, and RUP, respectively. There were significant differences between the two conditions in FRP (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that the shape of the back support adjustment function increased the shear force applied to the buttocks posteriorly when the back support was inclined backwards using both the tilt-in-space and reclining functions. When utilizing both the tilt-in-space and reclining functions to incline the back support, the shear force applied to the buttocks is greatly affected by the shape of the back support. The shape of back support adjustment is a function that can stabilize elderly persons' sitting posture, but it may increase the external force applied to the buttocks and back. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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On the shear load‐bearing capacity of thin‐walled box girders with unreinforced joints in the webs As part of the LT bridge construction method (L: Longitudinal, T: Transversal), which is being developed at TU Wien, thin‐walled hollow concrete box girders are used longitudinally and are combined with deck slab elements and in‐situ concrete. Due to the construction process, unreinforced joints remain in the webs of these box girders, while the bottom and deck slabs can be continuously reinforced due to the in‐situ concrete layers. The question arose as to how this joint configuration affects the shear load‐bearing capacity of the box girders. In order to gain a fundamental understanding, two large‐format test specimens, one with joints in the webs and one without, were investigated experimentally. The shear force capacity of the girder with joints corresponded approximately to the one of the girder without joints, showing that it was possible to transfer significant shear forces despite the joints. The joint opening proved to be characteristic for the shear load‐bearing behaviour, as the stirrups adjacent to the joint act like a suspension reinforcement. A local increase in the stirrup reinforcement in this area is therefore recommended. Non‐linear finite element analyses were carried out to analyze the effects of post‐tensioning, as used in the LT method, on the load‐bearing behavior. It was shown that the load‐bearing behavior of the post‐tensioned girder with joints largely corresponds to the one without joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ergosterol, as a precursor for synthesising useful molecules like vitamin D2, possesses significant physiological functions in both fungal and human systems. In fungi, ergosterol plays a crucial role in stress responses. In contrast to Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, the changes in specific ergosterol content of Kluyveromyces marxianus under various stress conditions are less known. This study investigated how ergosterol content changes in response to different stress factors. Carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio was examined using experimental design. The effects of aeration and shear force beside constant overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient (KLa) were examined. Cell growth and specific ergosterol content were investigated using ethanol stress during a two-stage fermentation. Based on the results, contradictory settings regarding C/N ratio and shear force were found to be favourable for cell growth and specific ergosterol content. However, increased aeration consistently elevated specific ergosterol content and favoured cell growth as well (2.5-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively). In K. marxianus fermentations, higher ergosterol yield can be achieved through a two-stage fermentation (138.9 mg L−1 compared to 52.9 mg L−1), where the first stage provides favourable conditions for cell growth, and the second stage involves stress (beneficial for ergosterol production) conditions. Conclusions drawn from the two-stage fermentation results suggest that early transitioning of cell growth to the second phase will not result higher adaption and specific ergosterol content compared to the transition at the end of exponential growth phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioaccessibility of tannins as antioxidants in meat is essential to maximise their effectiveness in protecting the product. This property determines the amount of tannins available to interact with meat components, inhibiting lipid and protein oxidation and, consequently, prolonging shelf life and preserving the sensory quality of the product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioaccessibility of condensed tannins (CT) from Acacia mearnsii extract (AME) and their effect on the physico-chemical characteristics of fattened lamb meat. Thirty-six Dorset × Hampshire lambs (3 months old and 20.8 ± 3.3 kg live weight) were used. The lambs were distributed equally (n = 9) into four treatments: T1, T2, T3 and T4, which included a basal diet plus 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% of CT from AME, respectively. At the end of the fattening period, bioaccessibility was evaluated, the animals were slaughtered and a sample of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was collected to assess colour, lipid oxidation, cooking weight loss and shear force on days 1, 4, 7 and 14 of shelf-life, in samples preserved at −20 °C. In addition, the long chain fatty acid profile was analysed. A completely randomised design was used, and the means were compared with Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The mean lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and hue (H*) values were higher for T3 and T4. The addition of CT did not affect (P > 0.05) redness (a*), cooking weight loss (CWL) or shear force (SF). T4 decreased (P < 0.05) stearic acid and increased cis-9 trans-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Bioaccessibility was higher in the supplemented groups (T1 < T2, T3 and T4). In conclusion, supplementing CT from AME in the diet of lambs did not reduce lipid oxidation, but T3 or T4 improved some aspects of meat colour and CLA deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]