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This paper aims to propose a suitable atomizing solidification chitosan (CS) gel liquid extrusion molding technology for the three dimensional (3D) printing method, and experiments verify the feasibility of this method.

This paper mainly uses experimental means, combined with theoretical research. The preparation method, solidification forming method and 3D printing method of CS gel solution were studied. The CS gel printing mechanism and printing error sources are analyzed on the basis of the CS gel ink printing results, printing performance with different ratios of components by constructing a gel print prototype, experiments evaluating the CS gel printing technology and the effects of the process parameters on the scaffold formation.

CS printing ink was prepared; the optimal formula was found; the 3 D printing experiment of CS was completed; the optimal printing parameters were obtained; and the reliability of the forming prototype, printing ink and gel printing process was verified, which allowed for the possibility to apply the 3 D printing technology to the manufacturing of a CS gel structure.

This study can provide theoretical and technical support for the potential application of CS 3 D printed gels in tissue engineering.

The purpose of this paper is to study and analyze the effects of fly ash (FA) as a mineral admixture on compressive strength (CS), carbonation resistance and corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete (RC). In addition, the utilization of inexpensive and abundantly available FA as a cement replacement in concrete has several benefits including reduced OPC usage and elimination of the FA disposal problem.

Reinforcement corrosion and carbonation significantly affect the strength and durability of the RC structures. Also, the utilization of FA as green corrosion inhibitors, which are nontoxic and environmentally friendly alternatives. This review discusses the effects of FA on the mechanical characteristics of concrete. Also, this review analyzes the impact of FA as a partial replacement of cement in concrete and its effect on the depth of carbonation in concrete elements and the corrosion rate of embedded steel as well as the chemical composition and microstructure (X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy) of FA concrete were also reviewed.

This review provides a clear analysis of the available study, providing a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge on this topic. Regarding concrete CS, the findings indicate that the incorporation of FA often leads to a loss in early-age strength. However, as the curing period increased, the strength of fly ash concrete (FAC) increased with or even surpassed that of conventional concrete. Analysis of the accelerated carbonation test revealed that incorporating FA into the concrete mix led to a shallower carbonation depth and slower diffusion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the concrete. Furthermore, the half-cell potential test shows that the inclusion of FA increases the durability of RC by slowing the rate of steel-reinforcement corrosion.

This systematic review analyzes a wide range of existing studies on the topic, providing a comprehensive overview of the research conducted so far. This review intends to critically assess the enhancements in mechanical and durability attributes (such as CS, carbonation and corrosion resistance) of FAC and FA-RC. This systematic review has practical implications for the construction and engineering industries. This can support engineers and designers in making informed decisions regarding the use of FA in concrete mixtures, considering both its benefits and potential drawbacks.

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize and characterize nano-ceramic blue pigment Co_0.5Zn_0.5Al₂O₄ via polyacrylamide gel method. Generally, the high cost and the environmental toxicity of cobalt aluminate pigments lead them to become less common and cause problems in production process. To significantly reduce this problem, it is required to reduce the cobalt in the pigment and replace the cobalt with some amounts of zinc in the structure.

In this paper, calcination temperature and its effects on phase specification and color properties of final product were investigated. The powders were studied by using XRD, FESEM, TG/DTA, FTIR, UV-Vis and colorimetric in CIELab space, in which the calcination temperatures were set to 600°C, 800°C and 1,000 °C, and the inert atmosphere was air.

According to the XRD patterns, single-phase spinel structure with a good crystallinity was formed even in the low temperature. The infrared spectra displayed vibrations at about 500, 560 and 680 cm⁻¹, which were ascribed to the spinel structure. FESEM images showed nanoscale particles with an average size of 32 nm. Regarding the Co²⁺ spin transitions in tetrahedral sites, the UV-Vis spectra presented three bands at 552, 598 and 628 nm.

The colorimetric data indicated the formation of blue pigments corresponding to negative values of b*. The color of pigments was affected by calcination temperature.

The characterization analysis shows that a blue pigment has been obtained in this research. Different degrees of blue color were obtained at different calcination temperatures.

The purpose of this work was to develop a new trispiperazido phosphate-based reactive diluent (diphosphate-piperazine hydroxyl acrylate [DPHA]) and used as a flame retardant with an epoxy acrylate (EA) in ultraviolet (UV)-curable wood coating.

The concentration of reactive diluent was varied from 0% to 20% in the UV-curable formulation with constant photoinitiator concentration. The effect of DPHA concentration on film properties was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, gel content, water absorption and limiting oxygen index.

The results showed that the viscosity of the prepared formulation decreased by increasing reactive diluent (DPHA) concentration which leads to improving the coating efficiency. A high concentration of reactive diluent (DPHA) of the cured films shows good resistance against stain, mechanical and thermal properties, which results in an increased glass transition temperature (T_g) and cross-linking density of the films.

The new trispiperazido phosphate-based reactive diluent was used in wood coating formulation, which resulted in excellent flame-retardant properties with higher cross-linked density with good stain resistance. This material can provide a wide range of application for coating industries to produce a glossy finish.

Hardened cement paste is a heterogeneous system resulting from the grouping of particles, films, microcrystals and other solid structural elements bounded in a porous mass. The cement paste microstructure must be understood firstly due to its influence on concrete properties. The behaviour of concrete greatly depends on the conformation of localised special structures rather than on general structures found in the mass cement paste. The objective of this paper was to study the cement paste microstructure, as a function of the water–cement ratio, in order to interpret the variations of the steel–mortar bond strength and the developing of the corrosion process in steel–mortar specimens kept in tap water and 3 percent sodium chloride solutions for 1 year. A description of the steel–mortar interface was also provided.

Present study focuses on scope of developing sustainable heat resistant concrete by adding steel fibre (Sf) and polypropylene fibre (PPf) along with partially replacement of ordinary portland cement (OPC) and natural fine aggregate with fly ash (FA) and granular blast furnace slag (GBFS). Replacement percentages of FA and GBFS were 40% and 50%, whereas Sf and PPf for fibre-added mixes were 1% by volume of concrete and 0.25% by weight of cement, respectively.

An experimental work had been carried out to make comparison between control mix (CM), fibre-added sustainable mix (SCMF) and fibre-added control mix (CMF) with reference to weight loss, mechanical strength (compressive, split and flexure) after exposed to room temperature (27°C) to 1000°C at the interval of 200°C for 4 h of heat curing followed by furnace cooling and then natural cooling. Furthermore, microstructural analysis was executed at 27°C, 400°C and 800°C, respectively.

Colour change and hair line cracks were started to appear at 600°C. Fibre-added control mix and sustainable mix did not exhibit any significant cracks as compared to control mix even at 1000°C. Major losses were occurred at temperature higher than 600°C, loss in compressive strength was about 70% in control mix, while 60% in fibre-added mixes. SCMF exhibited the highest retention of strength with respect to all cases of mechanical strength.

Present study is based on the slow heating condition followed by longer duration of heat curing at target temperature.

Present work can be helpful for the design engineer for assessing the fire deterioration of concrete structure existing near the fire establishment such as furnace and ovens. Building fire (high temperature for short duration) might be the further scope of work.

Concept of incorporating pozzolanic binder and calcareous fine aggregate was adopted to take the advantage pozzolanacity and fire resistivity. To the best of author’s knowledge, there is a scope for fill the research gap in this area.

The construction industries at present are focusing on designing sustainable concrete with less carbon footprint. Considering this aspect, a Fibre-Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete (FGC) was developed with 8 and 10 molarities (M). At elevated temperatures, concrete experiences deterioration of its mechanical properties which is in some cases associated with spalling, leading to the building collapse.

In this study, six geopolymer-based mix proportions are prepared with crimped steel fibre (SF), polypropylene fibre (PF), basalt fibre (BF), a hybrid mixture consisting of (SF + PF), a hybrid mixture with (SF + BF), and a reference specimen (without fibres). After temperature exposure, ultrasonic pulse velocity, physical characteristics of damaged concrete, loss of compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (TS), and flexural strength (FS) of concrete are assessed. A polynomial relationship is developed between residual strength properties of concrete, and it showed a good agreement.

The test results concluded that concrete with BF showed a lower loss in CS after 925 °C (i.e. 60 min of heating) temperature exposure. In the case of TS, and FS, the concrete with SF had lesser loss in strength. After 986 °C and 1029 °C exposure, concrete with the hybrid combination (SF + BF) showed lower strength deterioration in CS, TS, and FS as compared to concrete with PF and SF + PF. The rate of reduction in strength is similar to that of GC-BF in CS, GC-SF in TS and FS.

Performance evaluation under fire exposure is necessary for FGC. In this study, we provided the mechanical behaviour and physical properties of SF, PF, and BF-based geopolymer concrete exposed to high temperatures, which were evaluated according to ISO standards. In addition, micro-structural behaviour and linear polynomials are observed.

The importance of nutraceuticals and functional foods has been a topic of interest in nutrition research for many years. This review aims to summarize the findings on the nutritive value and health benefits of chia, as well as its use as a food fortificant.

Published literature on the nutritive value and therapeutic properties of chia has been reviewed.

Chia, an ancient grain, belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and was cultivated in Mexico and Guatemala by the Mayas and Aztecs of a pre-Columbian era. In addition to being gluten-free, chia seeds are concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids (mainly α-linolenic acid), fiber (insoluble) and polyphenolic compounds (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, chlorogenic and caffeic acids), which were found to be comparatively higher than many other grains, cereals and oily seeds. Chia supplementation has potential to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, pruritus and celiac disease. Because of its nutraceutical and physiochemical properties, chia has been widely used as a whole seed, flour, seed mucilage, gel and oil for developing various enriched food products, such as bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, chips, cheese, yoghurt, meat, fish and poultry.

With advancement in nutrition research, chia would have a great future perspective as feed, food and medicine. However, further research is needed to validate the potential therapeutic effect of chia supplementation on human health.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of different dietary protein and lipid origins on serum HDL₂ and HDL₃ compositions and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in growing rats fed a 0.5 per cent cholesterol‐enriched diet with either 20 per cent casein (C), chick pea (CP) or lentil (L) proteins combined to 10 per cent olive (O) or salmon (S) oil for 28 days.

HDL₂ and HDL₃ separation according to Sjöblom and Eklund and LCAT activity according to Glomset and Wright.

Serum total cholesterol was 1.3‐fold lower in CPS than in CPO group. HDL₃ amounts were 2‐ and 1.5‐fold higher in CPO and LO groups, respectively, compared to CO group. HDL₃‐unesterified cholesterol values were, respectively, 2‐ and 5‐fold lower in CPO and LO groups than in CO group, and were threefold decreased in CPS and LS groups vs CS group. HDL₃‐phospholipids in LO group represented 12 and 51 per cent of the CO and CPO group values, respectively. HDL₂‐triacylglycerol amounts were decreased in LO group vs CO group (−67 per cent) and in CPS and LS groups (−62 per cent) compared to CS group. HDL₃‐apolipoprotein A‐I values were lower in LO group vs CO and CPO groups, and in CPS group vs CS group. However, LCAT activity was similar in all the studied groups.

The paper shows that when diets containing casein, chick pea or lentil proteins combined with olive or salmon oil are supplemented with cholesterol, HDL₂ and HDL₃ compositions are impaired despite unchanged LCAT activity. Moreover, if oils modify HDL compositions, dietary proteins play a critical role in these modifications.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of elevated temperature on mechanical and physical properties of concrete specimens obtained by substituting the river sand with copper slag (CS) at proportions of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The specimens were heated in an electric furnace up to 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 C and kept at these temperatures for 2 h duration. After the specimens were cooled in the furnace, mass loss, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), compressive strength, split tensile strength (STS), flexural strength (FS) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values were determined. No spalling occurred in the specimens after subjected to elevated temperature. The surface cracks were observed only in specimens exposed to 600 C. The maximum reduction in compressive strength and STS at 600C is 50.3% and 36.39% for referral mix (NC), 18% and 16% for specimens with 100% CS (MCS4). The reduction in MOE of specimens is observed to be high as copper slag content increases with increasing temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies are carried out to examine the changes in micro-structures of specimens after exposed to elevated temperatures.

After casting of concrete specimens, it is cured for 28 days. After attainment of 28 days age, the concrete specimens is taken out from the curing tank and allowed to dry for 2 days to remove any moisture content in the specimens to prevent explosive spalling during the time of heating. The prepared concrete specimen is subjected to temperatures of 100^°C, 200^°C, 300^°C, 400^°C, 500^°C and 600^°C up to 2 h duration. The physical test, mechanical test and SEM studies are carried out after cooling of specimens to room temperature (RT). The quality of concrete specimens is measured by conducting UPV test after cooling to RT.

The post-thermal strength properties of concrete specimens with copper slag contents are higher than referral mix concrete. The reduction of MOE of concrete specimens is more with incremental in copper slag content with increase in temperatures. Furthermore, the quality of concrete specimens is ranging from “good to medium” up to 500C temperatures based on UPV test.

In this research work, the natural sand is fully replaced with copper slag materials in the concrete mixes. The post-thermal strength properties like residual compressive strength, residual STS, residual FS and residual MOE is higher than referral mix after subjected to elevated temperature conditions. Higher density and toughness properties of copper slag materials will contribute to concrete strength. The effect of elevated temperature is more on MOE of concrete specimens having higher copper slag contents when comparing to specimens compressive strength.