Multivariate optimization and comparison between conventional extraction (CE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid extraction from cashew apple

Carotenoids are an essential component of cashew and can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, natural pigment, food additives, among other applications. The present work focuses on optimizing and comparing conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. Every optimization step took place with a 1:1 (w:w) mixture of yellow and red cashew apples lyophilized and ground in a cryogenic mill. A Simplex-centroid design was applied for both methods, and the solvents acetone, methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether were evaluated. After choosing the extractor solvent, a central composite design was applied to optimize the sample mass (59–201 mg) and extraction time (6–34 min). The optimum conditions for the extractor solvent were 38% acetone, 30% ethanol, and 32% petroleum ether for CE and a mixture of 44% acetone and 56% methanol for UAE. The best experimental conditions for UAE were a sonication time of 19 min and a sample mass of 153 mg, while the CE was 23 min and 136 mg. Comparing red and yellow cashews, red cashews showed a higher carotenoid content in both methodologies. The UAE methodology was ca. 21% faster, presented a more straightforward composition of extracting solution, showed an average yield of superior carotenoid content in all samples compared to CE. Therefore, UAE has demonstrated a simple, efficient, fast, low-cost adjustment methodology and a reliable alternative for other applications involving these bioactive compounds in the studied or similar matrix.     

Mechanical characterization of a new Kevlar/Flax/epoxy hybrid composite in a sandwich structure

Natural fibers are inexpensive, biodegradable, and have similar specific properties to some synthetic fibers. Hardly any previous investigations exist of a composite made of multiple layers of pure Kevlar fiber fabric and pure Flax fiber fabric in a “sandwich structure”, but it only measured impact properties. The composite was made of 12 Flax/epoxy layers at the core in 3 possible configurations (i.e. [0]_12F, [0/90]_6F, or [±45]_6F) that were sandwiched by 2 Kevlar/epoxy layers (i.e. plain weave) on each side. This study showed maximum change in the mechanical properties with respect to Flax/Epoxy for tension (+137.85% in E_T, and +171.22% in σ_UT), compression (+171.22% in E_c, and −10.6% in σ_UC), 3-point bending (−11.54% in E_B, and +2.19 in σ_UB), torsion (−5.31% in G, and 395.82% in τ), and water absorption (60.04%). This novel hybrid composite may be useful for research and industry applications.     

一维纳米材料Cs0.2WO3和W18O49长度与红外吸收关联性的Mie散射理论推导及实验验证

研究表明二元、三元钨基氧化物的红外吸收性能具有尺寸和形貌依赖性,但还没有普适性的物理学机理及计算方法。本工作基于Mie散射理论,推导了一维材料的长度与光吸收性能之间的关系,通过理论推导计算和实验验证,探究了纳米钨基氧化物的红外吸收性能与颗粒长度的关联性。首先,基于Mie散射理论的推演和计算,揭示了增加纳米Cs_(0.2)WO_3和W_(18)O_(49)材料长度可适度提高其近红外吸收性能的规律。其次,测试了合成的不同长度Cs_(0.2)WO_3纳米棒和W_(18)O_(49)纳米线的红外吸收性能,结果与理论计算及模拟相吻合。其中在2 500～20 000 nm波长范围内Cs_(0.2)WO_3纳米棒和W_(18)O_(49)纳米线随长度的变化趋势不同,Cs_(0.2)WO_3纳米棒的红外吸收性能随长度的增加而增加,而W_(18)O_(49)纳米线的红外吸收性能随长度的增加而减弱。Cs_(0.2)WO_3纳米棒和W_(18)0O_9纳米线的光热效应均随长度的增加而增加,增幅分别达18.5%和12.7%,再次验证了长度效应。     

Characterization of derivations on B(X) by local actions

Let A be a unital algebra and M be a unital A-bimodule. A linear map δ : A →M is said to be Jordan derivable at a nontrivial idempotent P ∈ A if δ(A) ? B + A ? δ(B) =δ(A ? B) for any A, B ∈ A with A ? B = P, here A ? B = AB + BA is the usual Jordan product. In this article, we show that if A = Alg N is a Hilbert space nest algebra and M = B(H), or A = M = B(X), then, a linear map δ : A → M is Jordan derivable at a nontrivial projection P ∈ N or an arbitrary but fixed nontrivial idempotent P ∈ B(X) if and only if it is a derivation. New equivalent characterization of derivations on these operator algebras was obtained.     

Analysis of an elasto-piezoelectric system of hemivariational inequalities with thermal effects

In this paper we prove the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution for a dynamic electo-viscoelastic problem that describes a contact between a body and a foundation. We assume the body is made from thermoviscoelastic material and consider nonmonotone boundary conditions for the contact. We use recent results from the theory of hemivariational inequalities and the fixed point theory.     

Characterization of 3D angle-interlock thermoplastic composites under high strain rate compression loadings

In the present work, dynamic compression response of polypropylene (PP) based composites reinforced with Kevlar/Basalt fabrics was investigated. Two homogeneous fabrics with Kevlar (K3D) and Basalt (B3D) yarns and one hybrid (H3D) fabric with a combination of Kevlar/Basalt yarns were produced. The architecture of the fabrics was three-dimensional angle-interlock (3D-A). Three different composite laminates were manufactured using vacuum-assisted compression molding technique. The high strain rate compression loading was applied using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) set-up at a strain rate regime of 3633–5235/s. The results indicated that the dynamic compression properties of thermoplastic 3D-A composites are strain rate sensitive. In all the composites, the peak stress, toughness and modulus were increased with strain rate. However, the strain at peak stress of Basalt reinforced composites (B3D, H3D) decreased approximately by 25%, while for K3D specimens it increased approximately by 15%. The K3D composites had a higher strain rate as compared to the B3D and H3D composites. In the case of K3D composite, except strain at peak stress, remaining dynamic properties were lower than the B3D composite, however, hybridization increased these properties. The failure mechanisms of 3D-A composites were characterized through macroscopic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Influence of hybridization on in-plane shear properties of 2D & 3D thermoplastic composites reinforced with Kevlar/basalt fabrics

This paper investigates the characterization of in-plane shear properties of thermoplastic composites reinforced with Kevlar/basalt fabrics. Different fabrics had architectures of two dimensional plain woven (2D-P) and three dimensional angle-interlock (3D-A). Intralayer hybridization was performed during the weaving of the fabrics with the combination of Kevlar and basalt yarns. Five 2D-P and three 3D-A composite laminates were manufactured with polypropylene (PP) as a matrix, using compression molding. Iosipescu shear tests were carried out to evaluate the in-plane shear properties. The experimental results revealed that the shear properties including shear modulus, shear strength and shear failure strain of homogeneous composites were improved by 6.5–14.9%, 4.3–19.7%, and 3.2–46.7%, respectively. Similarly, change in the fabric architecture from 2D-P to 3D-A also enhanced the shear strength and shear failure strain by 32.0–41.6% and 7.2–22.5%, respectively. Intralayer hybrid composites had better in-plane shear properties than the interlayer hybrid composites. The fracture morphologies of the specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Free boundary minimal hypersurfaces with spherical boundary

We first prove that a compact embedded minimal annulus in meeting two concentric spheres perpendicularly along the boundaries is part of a plane. We also prove that an embedded minimal hypersurface lying outside of a ball is part of either a catenoid or a hyperplane if it is perpendicular to the sphere along the boundary and has only one end that is asymptotic to either a catenoid if , or a hyperplane if .     

On Dual Configurational Forces

The dual conservation laws of elasticity are systematically re-examined by using both Noether's variational approach and Coleman–Noll–Gurtin's thermodynamics approach. These dual conservation laws can be interpreted as the dual configurational force, and therefore they provide the dual energy–momentum tensor. Some previously unknown and yet interesting results in elasticity theory have been discovered. As an example, we note the following duality condition between the configuration force (energy–momentum tensor) and the dual configuration force (dual energy–momentum tensor) ,

A semi-inverse shape optimization problem in linear anti-plane shear

The design of a semi-infinite fillet for efficient stress transmission is considered. The problem is treated within the context of anti-plane shear deformations of a homogeneous, isotropic, linearly elastic solid. Under a remote state of simple shear, it is desired to determine the shape of the traction-free lateral boundaries of a symmetric plane domain so that the shear stress distribution on the finite end is as uniform as possible. A semi-inverse approach for a particular class of semi-infinite profiles is used to examine this issue.