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.     

Simulating the dynamic behavior of planetary gearbox based on improved Hanning function

Planetary gearboxes are widely used in industrial machines. They usually work in harsh environments giving rise to damages and high maintenance costs. Condition monitoring is a key action allowing one to detect the presence of such damage ensuring healthy running conditions. The knowledge of the dynamic behavior of such a gearbox can be achieved using modeling tools as a primary step before conditioning the monitoring subject. In addition, modeling a gear set can help in the stage of design in order to optimize physical and geometric parameters of the system. Therefore, in this work, a two-dimensional lumped parameter model is adopted to build all vibration sources. The time-varying mesh stiffness is approximated as a square wave form. A novel mathematical formulation is proposed to model the amplitude modulation phenomenon due to the rotational motion of the planets around the center of the gearbox. Finally, the overall vibration signal is concluded as a summation of all vibration components influenced by the modulation function.     

Optimization of cadmium adsorption from aqueous solutions by functionalized graphene and the reversible magnetic recovery of the adsorbent using response surface methodology

Novel functionalized graphene adsorbent was prepared and characterized using different techniques. The prepared adsorbent was applied for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solution. A response surface methodology was used to evaluate the simple and combined effects of the various parameters, including adsorbent dosage, pH, and initial concentration. Under the optimal conditions, the cadmium removal performance of 70% was achieved. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data in this study was observed. The experimental results revealed of cadmium adsorption with high linearity follow Langmuir isotherm model with maximum adsorption capacity of 502 mg g^?1, and the adsorption data fitted well into pseudo‐second order model. Thermodynamic studies showed that adsorption process has exothermic and spontaneous nature. The recommended optimum conditions are: cadmium concentration of 970 mg L^?1, adsorbent dosage of 1 g L^?1, pH of 6.18, and T = 25 °C. The magnetic recovery of the adsorbent was performed using a magnetic surfactant to form a noncovalent magnetic functionalized graphene. After magnetic recovery of the adsorbent both components (adsorbent and magnetic surfactant) were recycled by tuning the surface charges through changing the pH of the solution. Desorption behavior studied using HNO₃ solution indicated that the adsorbent had the potential for reusability.     

Thermally Responsive Materials for Bioimaging

The last decade has witnessed multiple thermally responsive materials emerge as a significant class of stimuli‐responsive materials. These materials are elaborately designed and exert interesting properties. Herein, an overview of thermally responsive materials with respect to design strategies, fabrication procedures, and their applications is presented. Recently reported thermally responsive materials are highlighted. Then, applications of thermally responsive materials in bioimaging are summarized.     

Relationship of nanostructure and thermo-chemical response/thermal ablation of carbon aerogels

In this work, the interfacial mass balance relations combined with the non-parametric kinetic (NPK) analysis results were used for evaluating the thermo-chemical ablation process and oxidation mechanism of carbon aerogels with various porous structure. It was found that the two-parameter model of Nomen–Sempereis was able to describe the kinetics of the oxidation reaction and to reveal the structure-dependent contribution of two main processes with chemical and physical nature. The porosity of the carbon aerogel, rather than the other microstructural features, was realized more effective on the rate of ablation.     

利用拖线阵运动特性的阵形估计方法

有效估计阵形是提高机动条件下拖线阵声呐探测性能的关键,流体力学类阵形估计方法稳定性和可靠性欠佳,导致其难以应用于工程实际,该文针对此问题提出一种基于拖线阵运动特性的阵形估计方法。利用稳态振荡响应公式计算拖船回转机动时拖线阵稳态阵形特性,将转向机动过程中阵上各点运动状态划分为若干阶段,进而依据偏微分方程特征线理论计算各阶段的分界时刻,探究阵上相邻两点的沿阵切线方向差变化规律,最后通过计算当前阵上各点的沿阵方向实现阵形估计。计算机仿真和海上实验数据验证表明算法可行且有效,与传统的流体力学类阵形估计方法相比具有更高的稳定性和更好的工程应用前景。     

数字状张拉整体结构的构型设计与力学性能模拟

针对大型张拉整体结构的设计问题,选取四棱柱状张拉整体结构和截角正八面体状张拉整体结构作为基本胞元,采用节点连接节点的方式建立球柱组合式数字状张拉整体结构,并使用基于结构刚度矩阵的大变形非线性数值求解方法对其进行力学性能分析.在两类胞元满足各自的自平衡条件和稳定性条件的前提下,组合得到的数字状张拉整体结构亦处于自平衡稳定状态,搭建了实物模型进行验证.以数字8状张拉整体结构为例,模拟研究了结构承受自重等分布载荷和单轴拉压等端部载荷时的静力学响应,以及结构无阻尼振动时的固有频率和模态等动力学性能.结果表明,结构在自重作用下的变形行为受初始预应力、压杆密度和拉索刚度的影响较大,对其进行合理配置方可确保结构具有足够刚度抵抗自重;结构在单轴拉压作用下呈现非线性的载荷-位移曲线,拉伸刚度随变形量的增大而增大,压缩刚度随变形量的增大而减小;结构的固有频率随初始预应力的增大而增大,而模态振型基本不变.研究结果丰富了大型张拉整体结构的外形种类,有望推动此类结构在土木建筑、结构材料等领域的应用.      

混凝土重力坝爆炸荷载数值分析及抗爆性能研究

利用LS-DYNA非线性有限元程序，基于Eulerian和Lagrangian耦合的方法，研究了RHT本构模型模拟的混凝土板在爆炸荷载下的动力反应，并且将数值结果与现场实验结果进行比较，由此说明了RHT本构模型模拟爆炸荷载下混凝土动力反应的有效性。研究了2 t TNT炸药在距离坝体上游面10 m不同起爆深度的情况下，有泡沫混凝土保护层和无泡沫混凝土保护层的坝体动力响应及其损伤状况。计算结果表明，无泡沫混凝土保护层时，坝体上游面主要损伤区域位置总是随起爆深度的增加向坝体底部移动；当上游表面有泡沫混凝土保护层时，坝体上游表面的损伤明显变小，下游面的损伤较无保护层情况也明显减小。表明泡沫混凝土能够有效减小混凝土大坝在爆炸荷载下的损伤，在提高混凝土大坝的抗爆性能方面起到很好的保护作用。