Properties evolution of flax/epoxy composites under fatigue loading

The tension–tension fatigue behaviour of flax fibre reinforced epoxy matrix composites have been investigated for specimens having [0]12, [90]12, [0/90]3S and [±45]3S lay-ups. The Probabilized Stress–Number of cycles (P-S–N) curves have been determined for each laminate type. The measured stress and strain data allowed to quantify the evolution of the mechanical properties, i.e. stiffness, damping and permanent strain as a function of imposed cycles. Especially, the stiffening phenomenon of flax reinforcements oriented parallel to the loading direction has been confirmed. However, due to the competition between damage development and the fibre stiffening, the increase in the longitudinal Young’s modulus was noticed on the composites depending on the ratio of fibres parallel to load direction.Région Bourgogn

Heat Pump-Based Novel Energy System for High-Power LED Lamp Cooling and Waste Heat Recovery

Unlike incandescent light bulb, which radiates heat into the surroundings by infrared rays, light emitting diode (LED) traps heat inside the lamp. This fact increases the difficulty of cooling LED lamps, while it facilitates the recovery of the generated heat. We propose a novel energy system that merges high-power LED lamp cooling with the heat pump use; the heat pump can cool the LED lamp and at the same time recover the waste heat. In this way, a high percentage of the energy consumed by the LED lamp can be utilized. In this work, we developed a prototype of this energy system and conducted a series of experimental studies to determine the effect of several parameters, such as cooling water flow rate and LED power, on the LED leadframe temperature, compressor power consumption, and system performance. The experimental results clearly indicate that the energy system can lead to substantial energy savings

Etude de comportement en fatigue des composites renforcés par fibres végétales (prise en compte de la variabilité des propriétés)

L étude présentée porte sur la caractérisation et la comparaison des propriétés quasi-statiques et en fatigue de composites à fibres de lin et de verre avec une matrice époxy. Une importante campagne d essais de fatigue a été réalisée à partir des propriétés quasi-statiques de traction et cisaillement plan mesurées. Il apparaît que les caractéristiques en statique et en fatigue du verre/époxy sont supérieures à celles du lin/époxy à taux de fibres et stratification identiques. Cependant, en raison de la faible densité des renforts de lin, les écarts entre les propriétés spécifiques des deux matériaux sont faibles. La mesure de l évolution des propriétés en fatigue a mis à jour des comportements phénoménologiques particuliers tels que la diminution de l amortissement et l augmentation de la rigidité des lin/époxy ayant des fibres parallèles à la direction du chargement, au cours de la vie des éprouvettes. Le suivi de l endommagement par la mesure des densités de fissures montre que celle-ci augmente avec le chargement et le nombre de cycles appliqués. Les simulations par éléments finis de la durée de vie des composites lin/époxy, intégrant la variabilité des paramètres du modèle par la méthode Monté-Carlo, donnent des courbes de Wöhler conservatives par rapport aux données expérimentales. Conformément aux mesures expérimentales, la variabilité des durées de vie calculées diminue lorsque le chargement baisseThe present study focuses on the characterization and comparison of the quasi-static and fatigue properties of flax and glass fibre reinforced composites with an epoxy matrix. An extensive experimental campaign of fatigue tests have been performed using the measured quasi-static tension and in plane-shear properties. It appears that the static and fatigue characteristics of the glass/epoxy composites are higher than that of flax/epoxy ones with similar fibre volume fraction and lay-ups. However, due to the low density of flax reinforcements, the differences between the specific properties of the two materials are low. The measurement of the evolution of the fatigue properties has highlighted particular phenomenological behaviours such as the decrease of the damping and the increase of the stiffness of flax/epoxy composites having fibres parallel to the loading direction, during specimens life. The monitoring of material damage by measuring the crack density showed its increase with the loading level and the number of cycles applied. Finite elements simulations of the life cycle of flax/epoxy composites, incorporating the variability of the model s parameters by Monte Carlo method, gave conservative Wöhler curves compared with experimental data. In agreement with the experimental measurements, the variability of lifetimes calculated decreases when the load decreasesDIJON-BU Doc.électronique (212319901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Utility of EST-derived SSR in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and Arachis wild species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lack of sufficient molecular markers hinders current genetic research in peanuts (<it>Arachis hypogaea </it>L.). It is necessary to develop more molecular markers for potential use in peanut genetic research. With the development of peanut EST projects, a vast amount of available EST sequence data has been generated. These data offered an opportunity to identify SSR in ESTs by data mining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we investigated 24,238 ESTs for the identification and development of SSR markers. In total, 881 SSRs were identified from 780 SSR-containing unique ESTs. On an average, one SSR was found per 7.3 kb of EST sequence with tri-nucleotide motifs (63.9%) being the most abundant followed by di- (32.7%), tetra- (1.7%), hexa- (1.0%) and penta-nucleotide (0.7%) repeat types. The top six motifs included AG/TC (27.7%), AAG/TTC (17.4%), AAT/TTA (11.9%), ACC/TGG (7.72%), ACT/TGA (7.26%) and AT/TA (6.3%). Based on the 780 SSR-containing ESTs, a total of 290 primer pairs were successfully designed and used for validation of the amplification and assessment of the polymorphism among 22 genotypes of cultivated peanuts and 16 accessions of wild species. The results showed that 251 primer pairs yielded amplification products, of which 26 and 221 primer pairs exhibited polymorphism among the cultivated and wild species examined, respectively. Two to four alleles were found in cultivated peanuts, while 3–8 alleles presented in wild species. The apparent broad polymorphism was further confirmed by cloning and sequencing of amplified alleles. Sequence analysis of selected amplified alleles revealed that allelic diversity could be attributed mainly to differences in repeat type and length in the microsatellite regions. In addition, a few single base mutations were observed in the microsatellite flanking regions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study gives an insight into the frequency, type and distribution of peanut EST-SSRs and demonstrates successful development of EST-SSR markers in cultivated peanut. These EST-SSR markers could enrich the current resource of molecular markers for the peanut community and would be useful for qualitative and quantitative trait mapping, marker-assisted selection, and genetic diversity studies in cultivated peanut as well as related <it>Arachis </it>species. All of the 251 working primer pairs with names, motifs, repeat types, primer sequences, and alleles tested in cultivated and wild species are listed in Additional File <supplr sid="S1">1</supplr>.</p> <suppl id="S1"> <title> <p>Additional File 1</p> </title> <text> <p><b>List of EST-SSR primers developed from cultivated peanut ESTs</b>. The file contains a table that lists primer names, repeat motifs, primer sequences, allele number and product length for the newly developed EST-SSR markers.</p> </text> <file name="1471-2229-9-35-S1.xls"> <p>Click here for file</p> </file> </suppl

Detection of BRAF Mutations on Direct Smears of Thyroid Fine Needle Aspirates through Cell Transfer Technique

Objectives: To determine the utility of the cell transfer technique (CTT) for BRAF molecular testing on thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based BRAF molecular testing was performed on tissues obtained through CTT from both air-dried and ethanol-fixed direct smears of thyroid FNA specimens and then compared with the corresponding thyroidectomy formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues on 30 cases. Results: BRAF testing was successfully performed on 29 of 30 air-dried CTT, 27 of 30 ethanol-fixed CTT, and 27 of 30 FFPE tissues. The results exhibited 11, 13, and 13 BRAF mutations and 18, 14, and 14 wild types for the air-dried CTT, the ethanol-fixed CTT, and the FFPE tissues, respectively. The concordance rate was 96% between air-dried and ethanol-fixed CTT tissues, 88% between air-dried CTT and FFPE tissues, and 92% between ethanol-fixed CTT and FFPE tissues. Conclusions: PCR-based BRAF mutational testing can be reliably performed on the direct smears of the thyroid FNA specimens through the application of CTT

Diagnostic Utility of IDH1/2 Mutations to Distinguish Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma from Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of Bone

Histologically it is nearly impossible to distinguish the dedifferentiated component of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma from undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone when the low-grade cartilaginous component is absent. Previous studies have revealed that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 mutations are present in a significant number of cartilaginous tumors including the majority of conventional chondrosarcoma and dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas. These mutations have not been studied in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas of bone. We sought to investigate whether an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation signature could be used as a clinically diagnostic marker for the distinction of dedifferentiated component of chondrosarcoma from undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone. Sixty-eight bone tumor cases, including 31 conventional chondrosarcomas, 23 dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas, and 14 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas of bone, were collected for IDH1/2 mutation analysis either using the Qiagen IDH1/2 RGQ PCR Kit or using whole exome sequencing. IDH1/2 mutations were detected in 87% (20/23) of dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas and 30% (6/20) of conventional chondrosarcomas. No mutations were detected in the IDH1/2 codon 132 or codon 172 among 14 UPS of bone. Identification of IDH1 or IDH2 mutations supports the diagnosis of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma rather than undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone while also providing some insight into the pathogenesis of these two lesions

Solitary fibrous tumour of the genitourinary tract: a clinicopathological study of 11 cases and their association with the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene

Aims To characterise clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes of the genitourinary tract solitary fibrous tumours, incorporating NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion status. Methods The presence of the molecular hallmark NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion and for the defining fusion partner product STAT6 was assessed in 11 cases of the genitourinary tract solitary fibrous tumours. NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion analysis was performed using a break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probe using a probe cocktail with Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones for STAT6 and NAB2. Results Eleven solitary fibrous tumours were diagnosed in eight male patients and three female patients with a mean age of 46 years (range: 11–64 years). Four of the tumours had malignant histological features, and three were considered moderate risk for metastasis. With a mean follow-up time of 61 months, 1 recurred locally and 2 presented at distant metastatic sites. Using a break-apart FISH probe cocktail, we found the NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion and nuclear STAT6 expression in 58% and 91% of cases, respectively. However, the NAB2-STAT6 fusion status was not correlated with STAT6 expression or useful in discriminating between malignant histological features or subsequent clinical outcomes in the genitourinary solitary fibrous tumours. Conclusions A subset of solitary fibrous tumours of the genitourinary tract behaved aggressively. Using a break-apart FISH probe cocktail, we found the NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion in 64% of cases. However, the NAB2-STAT6 fusion status was not correlated with STAT6 expression or useful in discriminating between low-risk or high-risk tumours and subsequent clinical outcomes

A comparative study of fatigue behaviour of flax/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites

Experimental investigations on flax and glass fabrics reinforced epoxy specimens, i.e. FFRE and GFRE, submitted to fatigue tests are presented in this paper. Samples having [0/90]3S and [±45]3S stacking sequences, with similar fibre volume fractions have been tested under tension–tension fatigue loading. The specific stress-number of cycles to failure (S–N) curves, show that for the [0/90]3S specimens, FFRE have lower fatigue endurance than GFRE, but the [±45]3S FFRE specimens offer better specific fatigue endurance than similar GFRE, in the studied life range (<2 × 10^6). Overall, the three-stage stiffness degradation is observed in all cases except for [0/90]3S FFRE specimens, which present a stiffening phenomenon of around 2–3% which could be related to the straightening of the microfibrils.Financial support of the FABER fund from the Bourgogne Regio

Study of fatigue behavior of plant fiber reinforced composites : taking into account the variability of properties

L’étude présentée porte sur la caractérisation et la comparaison des propriétés quasi-statiques et en fatigue de composites à fibres de lin et de verre avec une matrice époxy. Une importante campagne d’essais de fatigue a été réalisée à partir des propriétés quasi-statiques de traction et cisaillement plan mesurées. Il apparaît que les caractéristiques en statique et en fatigue du verre/époxy sont supérieures à celles du lin/époxy à taux de fibres et stratification identiques. Cependant, en raison de la faible densité des renforts de lin, les écarts entre les propriétés spécifiques des deux matériaux sont faibles. La mesure de l’évolution des propriétés en fatigue a mis à jour des comportements phénoménologiques particuliers tels que la diminution de l’amortissement et l’augmentation de la rigidité des lin/époxy  ayant des fibres parallèles à la direction du chargement, au cours de la vie des éprouvettes. Le suivi de l’endommagement par la mesure des densités de fissures montre que celle-ci augmente avec le chargement et le nombre de cycles appliqués. Les simulations par éléments finis de la durée de vie des composites lin/époxy, intégrant la variabilité des paramètres du modèle par la méthode Monté-Carlo, donnent des courbes de Wöhler conservatives par rapport aux données expérimentales. Conformément aux mesures expérimentales, la variabilité des durées de vie calculées diminue lorsque le chargement baisseThe present study focuses on the characterization and comparison of the quasi-static and fatigue properties of flax and glass fibre reinforced composites with an epoxy matrix. An extensive experimental campaign of fatigue tests have been performed using the measured quasi-static tension and in plane-shear properties. It appears that the static and fatigue characteristics of the glass/epoxy composites are higher than that of flax/epoxy ones with similar fibre volume fraction and lay-ups. However, due to the low density of flax reinforcements, the differences between the specific properties of the two materials are low. The measurement of the evolution of the fatigue properties has highlighted particular phenomenological behaviours such as the decrease of the damping and the increase of the stiffness of flax/epoxy composites having fibres parallel to the loading direction, during specimens’ life. The monitoring of material damage by measuring the crack density showed its increase with the loading level and the number of cycles applied. Finite elements simulations of the life cycle of flax/epoxy composites, incorporating the variability of the model’s parameters by Monte Carlo method, gave conservative Wöhler curves compared with experimental data. In agreement with the experimental measurements, the variability of lifetimes calculated decreases when the load decrease

Etude de comportement en fatigue des composites renforcés par fibres végétales : prise en compte de la variabilité des propriétés

The present study focuses on the characterization and comparison of the quasi-static and fatigue properties of flax and glass fibre reinforced composites with an epoxy matrix. An extensive experimental campaign of fatigue tests have been performed using the measured quasi-static tension and in plane-shear properties. It appears that the static and fatigue characteristics of the glass/epoxy composites are higher than that of flax/epoxy ones with similar fibre volume fraction and lay-ups. However, due to the low density of flax reinforcements, the differences between the specific properties of the two materials are low. The measurement of the evolution of the fatigue properties has highlighted particular phenomenological behaviours such as the decrease of the damping and the increase of the stiffness of flax/epoxy composites having fibres parallel to the loading direction, during specimens’ life. The monitoring of material damage by measuring the crack density showed its increase with the loading level and the number of cycles applied. Finite elements simulations of the life cycle of flax/epoxy composites, incorporating the variability of the model’s parameters by Monte Carlo method, gave conservative Wöhler curves compared with experimental data. In agreement with the experimental measurements, the variability of lifetimes calculated decreases when the load decreasesL’étude présentée porte sur la caractérisation et la comparaison des propriétés quasi-statiques et en fatigue de composites à fibres de lin et de verre avec une matrice époxy. Une importante campagne d’essais de fatigue a été réalisée à partir des propriétés quasi-statiques de traction et cisaillement plan mesurées. Il apparaît que les caractéristiques en statique et en fatigue du verre/époxy sont supérieures à celles du lin/époxy à taux de fibres et stratification identiques. Cependant, en raison de la faible densité des renforts de lin, les écarts entre les propriétés spécifiques des deux matériaux sont faibles. La mesure de l’évolution des propriétés en fatigue a mis à jour des comportements phénoménologiques particuliers tels que la diminution de l’amortissement et l’augmentation de la rigidité des lin/époxy  ayant des fibres parallèles à la direction du chargement, au cours de la vie des éprouvettes. Le suivi de l’endommagement par la mesure des densités de fissures montre que celle-ci augmente avec le chargement et le nombre de cycles appliqués. Les simulations par éléments finis de la durée de vie des composites lin/époxy, intégrant la variabilité des paramètres du modèle par la méthode Monté-Carlo, donnent des courbes de Wöhler conservatives par rapport aux données expérimentales. Conformément aux mesures expérimentales, la variabilité des durées de vie calculées diminue lorsque le chargement baiss