Gilding threads collected from Spanish and Portuguese palaces and from the embroideries and adornments of sculptures of the Virgin and Christ that form part of Sevillian Holy Week were analyzed and compared (20 artifacts were evaluated). The study covered a broad time period with examples from the 13th to 14th centuries, 18th to 20th centuries, and also including modern embroideries. A combination of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used. The knowledge of the layered structures of the threads has provided very valuable information regarding the manufacturing techniques. The different metal threads found in the embroidery studied consisted of gold, silver, copper, and alloys of these metals and aluminium. The fabrication procedures often differed in the different workshops and changed with time. In the modern embroideries, a decrease of precious metal concentration was detected. The threads were wound around a core of silk threads.

Introduction. Pitaya peel has been applied as a functional ingredient for food due to the presence of betacyanins. However its polysaccharides can also contribute as a texture agent for food. The aim of this work was to evaluate the chemical characteristics and rheological behavior of the pitaya peel. Materials and methods. The samples were analyzed with regard to moisture and mineral content, protein, lipids, sugar, fiber, vitamin C, titratable acidity, soluble solids content and pH. Rheological measurements were performed on rheometer through flow curve, stress sweep, frequency sweep and the variation of temperature. Results and discussion. The results showed that pitaya peel is rich in insoluble fibers and exhibits non-Newtonian behavior, characteristic of a strong gel with a predominance of solid character. Furthermore, samples showed thermal resistance at the conditions of frequency, tension and temperature analyzed. Conclusion. Considering our results, in addition to use as a natural colorant in food, pitaya peel can also contribute to the nutritional value and texture of the products.

The infrared emissivity properties of carbon fibers with different treatments were investigated in the wave length range 6–15 μm from 1273 to 1873 K. The heat treatment affected the infrared emissivity of carbon fibers through the microstructure evolution. The Raman investigation about the microstructure indicated that the increase of the graphitization degree in carbon fibers degenerated the infrared emissivity of carbon fibers, especially under high temperatures. For the coated carbon fibers, the infrared emissivity properties were decreased for carbon fibers coated pyrolytic carbon (PyC) due to the lamellar structure of PyC and increased for carbon fibers deposited carbon nanotubes (CNTs) owing to the skeleton-like structure of CNTs. The study also illustrated that the PyC coating thickness from 0.5 to 1.0 μm had few effects on the infrared emissivity properties of carbon fibers.

This study deals with evaluation of mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact strength), that verified reinforcing potential of nanofibres in polymeric composites and their applicability in dependence on the filler content of nanofibres of natural and synthetic origin. Considering the hydrophilic nature of natural nanofibres and hydrophobic polypropylene matrix was applied chemical modification that ensures effective interlock of nanofibres with the matrix, namely maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene and ionic modifier. Polymeric nanocomposites were prepared by twin screw extrusion that made possible mixing of all three components together. After cooling in water bath the composites were cut on pellets and dried for further injection moulding. The specimens were made of two- or three-phase component systems that included PP matrix, coupling agent in the volume of 4 wt.% and reinforcing nanofillers in the volume of 2, 4 and 6 wt.%. The presence of nanoparticles and coupling agents had not unambiguous impact on analysed mechanical properties. Coupling agent presence was dominant for impact strength, however, flexural and tensile properties were influenced mainly by the nanofiller type and origin. The dispersed phase and compatibilizer improved flexural modulus but tensile modulus of pure PP were not achieved by three-phase composite, not even with the highest analysed nanoparticle load. Cellulose fibres proved as more proper than the synthetic ones not only for their biodegradability and renewability but for their better toughness as well.

In this work, the interactions between tungsten (W) and silicon carbide (SiC) in SigmaTM SiC fibers at high temperatures were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These fibers could have the potential for use in fusion-related applications owing to their high thermal conductivity compared with pure SiC-based fibers. The as-received fibers were composed of a 100-μm-thick shell of radially textured β-SiC grains and a 15-μm-thick tungsten core, composed of a few hundreds of nm-sized elongated tungsten grains. The interfaces between the tungsten and the SiC and the SiC and the outer coatings were sharp and smooth. After heat treatment at 1,600°C for 3 h in Ar, the tungsten core reacted with SiC to form a rough interface surface. Inside the core, W5Si3, W3Si, and W2C phases were detected using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron-diffraction techniques. The mechanical properties of the fibers deteriorate after the heat treatment.

The composite fiber materials of polymers (FRP) have physical properties, which are exploited recently for the reinforcement and rehabilitation of the structures, in mechanical, civil engineering and biomedical field, subjected to degradation or default risks. Since a beam without any form of reinforcement will fail when subjected to a relatively small tensile load. Therefore the use of the FRP to strengthen the structures is an effective solution to increase the overall strength technique. In this paper, a new theoretical approach model to estimate shear and peel-off stresses is proposed. Axial stresses and bending moment coupled with shear deformation and thermal effect in an FRP-strengthened beam are considered, including the variation in FRP plate fiber orientation.

For decades it has been postulated that the main environmental factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) was the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Nevertheless, confirmation of the role of SFA in CHD through intervention trials has been disappointing. It was only when the diet was enriched in n-3 fatty acids that CHD was significantly prevented, especially cardiac death.

In addition to n-3 fatty acids, many other foodstuffs or nutrients such as fibers, antioxidants, folic acid, calcium and even alcohol contribute to prevent CHD. Thus the relationship between diet and CHD morbidity and mortality appears to be much more complex than formerly suspected considering as key factors only SFA, linoleic acid, cholesterol and atherosclerosis. Some of the mechanisms are briefly described, but many additional nutrients (or non nutrients) may also play an important role in the pathogenesis of CHD.

Finally, as a result of the most recent epidemiologic studies the ideal diet may comprise: 8% energy from SFA, 5% from polyunsaturated fatty acids with a ratio 5/1 of linoleic/alpha-linolenic acid+longer chains n-3, oleic acid as desired, large intake of cereals, vegetables, legumes and fruits, fish twice a week, cheese and yogurt as dairy products, rapeseed and olive oils as edible fat. Without side effects, such a diet can be highly palatable, easily enjoyed by many populations and may prevent effectively and rapidly (within a few weeks or months) CHD.

Dans un premier temps, les phénomènes à l'origine des contraintes résiduelles en injection de thermoplastique sont décrits, avec les spécificités liées aux polymères renforcés de fibres. Le refroidissement hétérogène associé à une variation de comportement mécanique conduit aux contraintes d'origine thermique, auxquelles il faut ajouter les contraintes dues à la pression dans la phase fluide figée par la solidification. Les fibres de renfort introduisent une hétérogénéité et une anisotropie de comportement mécanique et de retrait. Dans un deuxième temps, une méthode de mesure des contraintes résiduelles basée sur l'enlèvement de couches et la mesure des moments de flexion est présentée. Elle permet la mesure des contraintes résiduelles pour des matériaux anisotropes comme les thermoplastiques renforcés de fibres. En général, on obtient des contraintes de traction en cœur, et de compression en peau. L'effet du fraisage pour enlever les couches est évalué. La pression et le temps de maintien, la température de régulation du moule, le taux de fibres influencent les profils de contraintes.

Fibers and coatings with unique optical, magnetic, and electrical properties are being widely studied for use in both military and commercial applications. New materials are being developed in this research effort, with unique tunable coloration properties across the visible spectrum as well as spanning the infrared and ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These dynamic color-responsive “chameleon” fiber systems will have wide application to a variety of new textile products. These new materials will also allow penetration into markets normally not dependent on textile materials. New markets, such as the optical communication and electronics market areas, will include bio-sensors, detector applications for textile materials, and “smart materials” that can change their color, hue, or depth of shade by application of a static or dynamic electric field for applications such as smart uniforms.