Search Results (5,601)

Hyperspectral imaging was used for qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the distribution of a flame retardant on polyester fabrics. NIR reflection spectra show a specific band related to the flame retardant, which rises with increasing application weight. Multivariate data analysis tools based on the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm were applied for quantification of the spectra. Gravimetry was used as a reference method for the characterization of the calibration samples. The calibration method was optimized by the application of several spectral pretreatments and variation in the spectral range considered in the various models, which finally resulted in a prediction error of about 1.3 g/m². The prediction performance of the developed calibration model was proven in external validations using independent samples with application weights between about 5 and 25 g/m². Apart from the quantification, the homogeneity of the distribution of the flame retardant was investigated. It was shown that non-uniform distributions (e.g., gradients, droplets, irregular) can be detected by hyperspectral imaging. Some fabric samples were finished using a special ink jet printing technology for application to the polyester fabric. The spectral images of printed samples based on the previous calibration model achieved for samples made by impregnation do not only clearly show the different degrees of functionalization, but also the outstanding homogeneity of the distribution of the flame retardant. Moreover, printed samples finished with two different agents were analyzed. Full article

Valorization of abundant agricultural residues, particularly lignin, provides the opportunity to divert waste streams while enabling materials to inherently exhibit durable functionalities, including UV-blocking, antioxidant properties and water repellency. This study reports the side-by-side valorization of hemp hurd (HL) and corn stover lignin (CL), extracted using the CELF process, into electrospun lignin/nylon 6 nanofiber membranes, establishing how lignin botanical origin, molecular weight (M_w), and blend ratio govern multifunctional performance relevant to protective membranes in textiles. Lignin–nylon 6 hydrogen bonding was regulated by the OH content and accessibility, M_w, and purity, and influenced the functional properties of the fibers. While stronger in low-M_w nanofibers, these interactions were weakest in low-M_w HL samples due to the lowest purity, despite the highest OH content. Fibers with low-M_w lignin yielded finer, brittle fibers with higher UV blocking, whereas high-M_w fractions showed higher antioxidant performance due to decreased interactions with nylon 6. Overall, lignin/nylon 6 nanofiber membranes delivered biobased UPF 50+ performance, 55–61% antioxidant activity at the optimal concentration, and exhibited tunable water repellency via fraction selection and the blend ratio. In combination with a nanofiber architecture, these membranes can impart durable inherent functionality onto textile substrates without affecting their existing properties, including water vapor permeability, without the use of chemical finishing, while utilizing renewable resources from agricultural residues. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex three-dimensional components with embedded internal flow channels, but the as-built inner surfaces often exhibit high roughness and poor surface-quality uniformity, particularly at non-coplanar corner regions such as sharp bends and junctions. Conventional abrasive flow machining (AFM) can improve the overall surface finish of such channels; however, corner regions commonly remain weak-removal zones because of local flow stagnation and insufficient abrasive action. To address this limitation, this study proposes a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) robotic-arm-assisted liquid metal-driven abrasive flow (LM-AF) polishing strategy in which robotic pose regulation is used to guide the liquid metal droplet to designated corner regions while preserving its responsiveness to the electric field. Numerical simulations and conventional AFM experiments on S-shaped and M-shaped spatial channels were first conducted to identify the corner regions as the primary sources of polishing non-uniformity. A robotic posture-control framework was then established through manipulator kinematics, point-cloud-based flow-direction identification, and Rodrigues-matrix-based pose transformation. On this basis, localized secondary polishing was experimentally performed on an S-shaped channel using an AC electric-field-driven liquid-metal abrasive system. The results show that corner-region roughness was significantly reduced and approached the straight-channel benchmark after secondary polishing, demonstrating a marked improvement in inner-surface uniformity. This study provides a practical route for targeted compensation polishing in complex three-dimensional internal channels and offers a new framework for robotic-assisted post-processing of AM-fabricated flow paths. Full article

Background/Objectives: Denture stomatitis is closely associated with Candida albicans colonization of denture-base surfaces. This in vitro study compared early adhesion (1 h) and initial biofilm formation (24 h) of C. albicans across five denture-base-related material groups using adhered cell counts and adhered/inoculum proportions. Methods: A 5 × 2 factorial design (five material groups; 1 and 24 h) evaluated a comparator pattern resin, heat-polymerized acrylic resin, autopolymerizing acrylic resin, milled CAD/CAM PMMA, and microwave-polymerized acrylic resin. All specimens underwent standardized finishing and mechanical polishing before microbiological testing. Data were log10-transformed and analyzed by two-way ANOVA (material group, time) with Tukey’s post hoc test. An external SEM-based qualitative laboratory report was used as complementary documentation of C. albicans presence after 1 h and 24 h; representative micrographs and quantitative SEM image outputs were unavailable. Results: Material group, time, and their interaction significantly affected adhered C. albicans counts (p < 0.05). At 1 h, the comparator pattern resin showed the highest adhesion, whereas at 24 h, milled CAD/CAM PMMA showed the highest adhered load. For the adhered/inoculum fraction, both material group and time were significant; at 24 h, the heat-polymerized acrylic resin showed the lowest adhered fraction. Conclusions: Under the standardized finishing and mechanical polishing conditions of this in vitro model, the tested material groups showed different C. albicans adhesion/biofilm patterns over time; clinical extrapolation should be made with caution. Full article

This investigation uses polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tools for precision turning of D6AC (45CrNiMoVA) hardened steel, thereby enabling the manufacturing of components that meet the requirements of intelligent manufacturing lines. A Taguchi’s L16 (4³) orthogonal design was employed to systematically investigate the effects of cutting speed, depth of cut, and feed rate on cutting force, cutting temperature, surface roughness, and tool wear. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then conducted to quantify the contribution of each cutting parameter, and high-accuracy predictive models (R² > 0.86) were established for the key response variables, namely cutting force components (F_x, F_y, F_z), cutting temperature (T), and flank wear width (VB_max). The results show that excellent surface quality can be achieved within the investigated range, namely at cutting speeds of 100–250 m·min⁻¹, depths of cut of 0.05–0.2 mm, and feed rates of 0.05–0.125 mm·rev⁻¹, with surface roughness (Ra) below 0.8 μm and mostly around 0.4 µm. At a feed rate of 0.05 mm·rev⁻¹, the measured Ra was greater than the theoretical value (Ra*), whereas at a feed rate of 0.075 mm·rev⁻¹, Ra was lower than Ra*, with the difference increasing as feed rate increased. The ANOVA results showed that cutting forces were dominated by depth of cut, cutting temperatures by feed rate, and tool wear by depth of cut. The optimal process strategy was derived as follows: first, prioritize a lower feed rate; second, select an appropriate depth of cut based on tool failure or deformation control objectives; and third, choose a suitable cutting speed according to tool-life requirements or machining efficiency. This study provides process guidance and predictive tools for PCBN finishing of D6AC steel, thus promoting green, precise, and efficient machining of high-strength, high-hardness, and low-thermal-conductivity materials. Full article

We developed an ethogram of Conepatus chinga (South American hog-nosed skunk, chingue) from the continuous monitoring of a captive individual, with environmental enrichment, at a wildlife rehabilitation center in the O’Higgins Region, Chile. Using video camera traps, 17 days (408 h) of its activity were recorded, allowing us to identify daily activity patterns and times of exploration, locomotion, feeding, shelter use, and other relevant behaviors. The individual displayed a constant nocturnal activity pattern, starting around 9:00 P.M. and finishing at 5:00 A.M. The most frequent behaviors were walking and sniffing, evidencing active exploration guided by smell. No hunting/scavenging attempts were observed under these husbandry conditions. The primary refuge used was a small tunnel (approximately 30 cm deep) excavated under a wooden pallet covered with tree branches, which is consistent with refuges reported in wildlife. No visible defecation, urination, or musk release was recorded in the camera-trap footage. Given the limited observation coverage, we cannot determine whether these behaviors did not occur or occurred outside the recorded field of view. This study provides behavioral information and a descriptive baseline for this individual, including a pilot ethogram useful for research and captive management. Full article

Ball-end copy-milling is widely used for finishing complex components, yet its influence on surface integrity is generally overlooked and remains insufficiently addressed. Milling often generates tensile residual stresses at the machined surface, which are detrimental to fatigue performance and commonly require costly postprocessing, particularly in fatigue-critical parts such as turbine blades. In this context, the present study evaluates the capability of Prestress-Assisted Machining under uniform bending loads to improve the surface integrity of ball-end copy-milled Aluminium 5083 workpieces. Experimental tests were conducted on slender specimens with different thicknesses and curvature radii while maintaining constant cutting conditions. After machining and unclamping, surface residual stresses were measured by X-ray diffraction, and the effects of prestressing on geometry, cutting forces and surface roughness were also assessed. The results demonstrate that this method markedly increases compressive residual stresses in the prestressing direction, from approximately 30 MPa to about 180 MPa, and that this variation can be accurately described by subtracting the elastic prestressing stress from the residual stresses obtained without external loads applied. Moreover, no relevant adverse effects were observed in cutting forces or roughness, and corrected toolpaths allowed a uniform slot depth. These findings identify bending-based Prestress-Assisted Machining as an effective and predictable strategy for improving surface integrity in ball-end copy-milling and extend its applicability beyond previously reported pocket and slot milling operations. Full article

Rapeseed straw and peanut vine are abundant agricultural by-products in China, but their low digestibility has largely restricted their application in ruminant production. Extrusion processing has been shown to improve the fiber structure and nutrient availability of roughages, yet the underlying metabolic mechanisms by which extruded rapeseed straw (ERS) influences growth performance remain insufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to explore the metabolic mechanisms of average daily gain (ADG) affected by rapeseed straw feeding through studying metabolites from four biological matrices (rumen fluid, serum, liver and muscle) collected from 24 Hu lambs fed extruded rapeseed straw (ERS, n = 12) and peanut vine hay (PVH, n = 12). The Hu lambs fed ERS exhibited greater ADG during the late finishing stage (60–90 d) than those fed PVH (p = 0.03). A total of 666, 274, 147, and 96 metabolites were identified in the rumen fluid, liver, serum and muscle, respectively. In addition, nine, 12, seven, and three significantly different metabolites (VIP > 1 and p < 0.05) related to eight significant pathways (starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, Gly, Ser, and Thr metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and purine metabolism) were identified in the four biological matrices between the ERS- and PVH-fed Hu lambs. Further integrated key metabolic pathway analysis showed that the ERS-fed Hu lambs may have more comprehensive amino acid and energy metabolisms with relatively fewer carbohydrate metabolisms, suggesting enhancing protein deposition and energy utilization efficiency with associated metabolites and pathways serve as key biomarkers for a higher ADG of Hu lambs when fed ERS. Full article

The effect of Yucca schidigera extract (YSE; 10.8% saponins) on in vitro caecal disappearance (IVCD) was tested by incubating pre-digested feed with 0, 150, or 300 mg YSE/kg using caecal inocula from male and female pigs (Experiment 1). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and fermentation products were assessed in vivo in 40 crossbred finishing pigs fed with 0 or 300 mg YSE/kg for 42 days (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, YSE did not affect IVCD or gas production, but reduced caecal ammonia-N across sexes (p < 0.05). Caecal pH decreased progressively with increasing YSE in female-derived inocula only (p = 0.015), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) were suppressed in females at the highest dose (p = 0.013), while male-derived inocula remained unaffected. Entire males exhibited higher IVCD (p < 0.001) and lower ammonia-N (p = 0.034) and VFA production (p < 0.10) than females. In Experiment 2, YSE did not influence faecal ammonia-N, or VFA profile (p > 0.10), but reduced the ATTD of crude protein (p < 0.001) and organic matter (p < 0.001) relative to the control diet. YSE selectively modulated in vitro caecal fermentation in pigs, but these effects were not confirmed in vivo. Full article

Outdoor thermal comfort in university courtyards is a key factor influencing students’ environmental experience and the usability of outdoor spaces in hot-arid climates. Courtyard design may also affect the environmental conditions of adjacent classrooms by modifying solar exposure, shading, air movement, and surface heat gain. Accordingly, this study aims to develop optimized design scenarios for improving outdoor thermal comfort in university courtyards through hybrid passive strategies, including vegetation, shading systems, and cool pavements. To achieve this goal, the research adopted a combined field-based and simulation-based methodology. Field measurements and student questionnaires for 292 students were conducted in courtyards and classrooms of three university buildings in Luxor, Egypt. These buildings represent different urban morphologies, courtyard aspect ratios, geometric configurations, and student densities. In parallel, simulation models were developed using ENVI-met V5.6.1 and Rhinoceros V8 with Grasshopper, to test and compare various design scenarios. Field monitoring revealed that wider courtyards with low aspect ratios (0.28–0.38), lacking trees and finished with concrete paving, recorded lower CO₂ concentrations (around 800 ppm), but experienced higher surface and air temperatures. These elevated temperatures negatively affected outdoor thermal comfort and increased heat gain in classrooms overlooking the courtyards. In contrast, courtyards with higher aspect ratios (0.63–0.82) demonstrated better microclimatic moderation and improved comfort conditions. Simulation results indicate that integrating a belt vegetation pattern of Cassia leptophylla, combined with textile shading and cool pavements with an albedo of 0.5, can reduce the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) by up to 14.7 °C, shifting conditions toward moderate heat stress. The findings provide practical design guidance for upgrading existing university courtyards and designing future educational buildings in hot-arid climates to enhance student comfort and environmental performance. Full article

The acceleration method has been significant in past studies that sought to reduce overtime in repetitive projects. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel optimization model that minimizes total overtime hours while achieving a specified project deadline for repetitive construction projects. To achieve this objective, the study develops a dual-model algorithm. The proposed method offers unique capabilities for identifying an optimal/near-optimal schedule that minimizes overtime utilization while meeting the project deadline. The method computations are organized into two main models: (1) an optimization model that searches for and identifies an optimal schedule that minimizes the overtime hours and (2) a scheduling mdoel that presents novel algorithms to determine the project duration and start and finish times of each repetitive unit while providing the flexibility of (a) utilizing multiple crews to perform the work in an activity, (b) considering any feasible crew assignment strategy, (c) utilizing unique crew assignment strategy for each activity, and (d) complying with crew work continuity constraint. To demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the proposed method, a case study is presented to illustrate the study concept, method, and computations, and to highlight the method’s novel capabilities by comparing its results with previous algorithms in the literature. The main findings reveal that the proposed method reduces overtime utilization by at least 86.4% compared with previous models. The results demonstrate the algorithm’s effectiveness in optimizing repetitive projects and achieving stakeholder satisfaction, instilling confidence in the proposed methodology’s potential to improve project outcomes. Full article

Ti-6Al-4V internal flow channels are difficult to finish because direct liquid metal-driven abrasive slurry polishing is constrained by both the limited driving capability of the liquid metal and the continuous formation of a dense surface reaction layer in alkaline electrolytes. In this study, the direct polishing behavior of Ti-6Al-4V flow channels was first investigated, and a distinct polishing capability boundary was identified through the evolution of surface morphology and areal roughness $S_a$. Although $S_a$ decreased with polishing time, the reduction rate gradually diminished and eventually approached a plateau, indicating pronounced attenuation in effective material removal. Mechanistic analysis revealed that this limitation was governed by the dynamic formation and disruption of the oxide/reaction layer, which progressively shields the metallic substrate from direct abrasive action. To address this issue, an electric-field-assisted chemical pretreatment was introduced prior to the liquid metal-driven abrasive polishing stage, forming a two-step route (AB + P). Comparative experiments among direct polishing (P), chemical pretreatment followed by polishing (B + P), and electric-field-assisted chemical pretreatment followed by polishing (AB + P) showed that AB + P produced more homogeneous surface morphologies, lower $S_a$, and a significantly weaker plateauing tendency than direct polishing. In addition, the attainable limiting surface quality was shifted to a lower level, indicating an extension of the polishing capability boundary. The influence of pretreatment electrification time further revealed the existence of an effective time window, beyond which the polishing improvement gradually saturated. These results demonstrate that electric-field-assisted chemical pretreatment is an effective strategy for mitigating polishing attenuation and enhancing the finishing capability of liquid metal-driven abrasive slurry polishing for Ti-6Al-4V internal flow channels. Full article

Several studies have shown that supplementation with 100 to 130 mg of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP)/kg diet acts as a mitigating factor of enteric CH₄ production in ruminants. From an energy perspective, this effect could indicate improved feed energy utilization. Feed additives that reduce the acetate-to-propionate molar ratio and/or CH₄ production generally increase the efficiency of feed energy utilization and can alleviate the negative impact of high ambient heat loads on ruminant productivity. In seeking to test this assumption, the impact of supplementing 3-NOP in growing–finishing diets was evaluated in 24 intact male lambs (31.92 ± 3.77 kg). The experiment lasted 61 days. Treatments consisted of supplementing a total mixed growing–finishing diet (30:70 forage-to-concentrate ratio) with zero or 115 mg 3-NOP/kg diet. Lambs were assigned to 12 pens (two lambs/pen, six replicates per treatment). The temperature–humidity index (THI) during the experiment averaged 83.37 ± 6.4. The inclusion of 3-NOP tended to increase final weight (2.6%, p = 0.06) but increased dry matter intake by 10.6% (p = 0.03), thus decreasing the efficiency of dietary net energy utilization by 2.3% and 3%, respectively (p = 0.04). Lambs fed with 3-NOP showed greater (6.2%, p = 0.04) carcass weight and dressing percentage (3.3%, p = 0.03) without effects on the tissue shoulder composition. Supplemented lambs showed lower gastrointestinal (GIT) fill (9.3%, p = 0.02) and greater (1.3%) empty body weight (EBW, p < 0.01). Visceral organ mass (expressed as g/kg EBW) was not affected by 3-NOP supplementation. It was concluded that supplemental 3-NOP did not improve feed efficiency nor the efficiency of dietary energy utilization, but did improve carcass weight and dressing percentage in lambs fattened under high ambient heat load. The greater carcass weight observed in the present experiment was due mainly to a tendency for a greater final weight (p = 0.06) for 3-NOP lambs, whereas the improvement in dressing percentage was due mainly to a lower (p = 0.02) GIT fill. It is crucial to highlight that this is a pioneering study on the effect of 3-NOP on the productive efficiency of lambs subjected to high ambient heat loads. It is also important to note that enteric methane production was not measured in this experiment. Although the doses used in this experiment have consistently reduced methane production in several studies conducted under favorable climatic conditions, we cannot precisely determine the role of CH₄ production in the dietary net energy efficiency observed in lambs that received 3-NOP. The results presented here provide a basis for future research evaluating the anti-methanogenic and productive responses to the use of 3-NOP under high ambient temperature conditions. Full article

This 2 × 2 factorial study examined the welfare and performance of finishing pigs at two group sizes (9 or 18 pigs) over 12 weeks. For each set of groups of either 9 or 18 pigs, half of the pigs in each group size were fed ad libitum, while the others received a mildly restricted ration. Treatments were assigned to 16 partially slatted floor pens in a randomized block design, with a floor space of 1.15 m²/pig. Except in Week 1, there were proportionally fewer pigs with ear (p = 0.020) and tail (p < 0.0001) bite marks in groups of 18 than in groups of 9. Ear bite marks declined over time in both group sizes (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant interaction between group size and week regarding severe bite marks on the ears (p < 0.0002). Tail bite mark prevalence increased over time in the smaller groups but decreased in the larger groups (interaction: p < 0.001). A higher proportion of pigs in smaller groups sought human contact in Weeks 1 and 6, but this measurement equalized by Week 10 (interaction: p = 0.008). There were proportionally more pigs with tucked tails in the smaller groups in Week 1 but not in later weeks (interaction: p < 0.0001). Group size did not influence pig cleanliness or locomotion disorders. Ad libitum (vs. restricted) feeding increased average daily gain (p < 0.001), feed intake (p = 0.002), and slaughter weight (p = 0.030). Results suggest better welfare in the larger than in the smaller groups. Full article

As global demand grows for natural health-promoting food ingredients, the agri-food industry’s organic wastes are emerging as promising alternatives thanks to attributes such as biocompatibility, nutritional value and nutraceutical effect. During saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production, approximately 53 kg of petals are obtained as a by-product for every 1 kg of saffron spice. The use of saffron petals and petal extracts in bakery products improves products’ shelf life due to the petals’ high content of nutraceuticals and minerals acting as natural preservatives. Petal-enriched bakery products contain high levels of fiber, minerals and antioxidants. Addition of saffron petals into bread dough reduces gluten network strength, increases crumb hardness, enhances acidity, improves water retention, alters color profiles and increases the duration of the shelf life. The formulation for incorporating saffron petals or petal extracts into food products must address three primary criteria: the maximum concentration of bioactive compounds per 100 g of the finished matrix, the thermal stability of these compounds during the baking process, and their bioavailability (in the food matrix) within the human gastrointestinal tract. Nutraceuticals with pharmacological potential are also influenced by the compositional profile: the proximate composition, minerals, phenolic content, flavonols, and antioxidant capacity of saffron petals and bakery products containing saffron petals. Saffron petals exhibit diverse therapeutic potentials, acting as antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and neuroprotective agents. They also offer metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective benefits, along with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities. This article proposes a roadmap for developing bakery products enriched with saffron petals or petal extracts, targeting both pharmacological applications and consumer goods focused on disease prevention and general wellness. This study investigates the biochemical composition of saffron petals and their integration into bakery products. It evaluates the influence of petal-derived additives on rheological properties, shelf stability, and organoleptic characteristics, alongside an assessment of their bioactivity and toxicological profiles. Furthermore, the analytical methodologies employed for ingredient and biological sample characterization are discussed, emphasizing their role in verifying the authenticity, safety, and nutritional functionality of both raw materials and finished formulations. Full article