The phase distribution of water-oil flows was studied experimentally from a separated flow without mixer to a oil in water or water in oil dispersed in horizontal tubes. Under most conditions the pattern was oil continuous in water dispersed or water continuous in oil dispersed flow continuously and there is entrainment in the form of drops of phase into the other. The investigations were carried out through the cross-sectional phase distribution in the flow of mixtures of water and kerosene such as EXXSOL-D80 in a horizontal 25.4 mm bore stainless steel section. The phase fraction distribution was determined using a traversing beam gamma densitometer, with the beam being traversed in three directions (00, 450 and 900 of the vertical line passing through the axis of the tube). Measurements were made at three positions spaced along the 9.7 m test section length (1.0 m, 5.85 m and 7.72 m along the horizontal tube). The measurements were done in the Two-phase Oil Water Experimental Rig (TOWER) facility. This facility allows the two fluids to be fed to the test section before they are separated and returned once more to the test line. The flow developed naturally from an initial stratified flow in which the oil and water were introduced separately at the top and the bottom of the test section respectively. It was found that the liquids were fully inter-dispersed by the end of the test section. The results were also used to define the flow patterns in water-oil liquid-liquid flow system. The phase fraction distribution was shown to be homogeneously mixed near to the outlet of the test section.

A composite material is made of resin and fibers with different mechanical properties. The mechanical property of the composites is a mixture of the mechanical properties of the resin and fibers. The main goal of this research is determining the optimum fiber Volume fraction of unidirectional composites to achieve the best strength properties. Based on the results obtained in this research, the compressive strength in the fiber direction of the composites is used to measure the optimum fiber Volume fraction. In this research this idea is studied using the failure theories and the results are evaluated by conducting experiments, based on ASTM standard, on E-Glass/Epoxy composites. After comparing the analytical and experimental results, the optimum fiber Volume fraction of the composites is defined. Also, by applying the strength reduction factor, the allowable deviation from optimum fiber Volume fraction is achieved. This result can be used as a quality control criterion.

A modified model considering effects of density as well as conductivity of nanoparticles is used to investigate the instability of a binary nanofluid layer. It is assumed that Volume fraction of nanoparticles is small and remains constant at the initial state which leads to very interesting and useful results. The perturbed equations so found are analyzed using normal modes and weighted residual method. It is found that oscillatory motions are not possible and instability is invariably through stationary mode. After solving the problem analytically, numerical solutions are found for metallic (aluminium, copper, silver, iron) and non-metallic (alumina, silica, titanium oxide, copper oxide) nanoparticles using the software Mathematica. The effects of size of nanoparticles, difference in solute concentration, Volume fraction of nanoparticles, difference in temperature, conductivity and density of nanoparticles are studied on the onset of convection. The increase in density of nanoparticles destabilizes the fluid layer system where as increase in conductivity stabilizes the same. Lower density of aluminium makes it more stable than other nanoparticles in spite of having its lower conductivity. Metals are largely more stable than non-metals.

In this paper, Volume fraction optimization of Functionally Graded (FG) beams resting on elastic foundation for maximizing the first natural frequency is investigated. The two-constituent functionally graded beam consists of ceramic and metal. These constituents are graded through the beam thickness according to a generalized power-law distribution. One of the advantages of generalized powerlaw distribution is the ability of controlling the materials Volume fraction of FG structures for considered applications. The primary optimization variables are the four parameters in the power-law distribution. Since the optimization processes are complicated and time consuming, a novel meta–heuristic called Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are implemented to improve the speed of optimization problem. The performance of ICA is evaluated in comparison with Genetic Algorithm (GA). Results show the success of combination of ANN and ICA for design of material profile of FG beam. Results also show that the combination of ANN and ICA can reduce the run time considerably.

An investigation into the mixed mode fracture of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams with one percent Volume fraction of steel fiber is presented. A series of notched beams with different notch depths and locations are tested under three-point bending. The test results for apparent fracture toughness, crack trajectories, and fracture energy are presented. The crack paths for SFRC and plain concrete beams are compared. The apparent fracture toughness values were more scattered for SFRC than for plain concrete. The load-deflection curves were used to obtain the fracture energy.To this end, two methods were utilized for center notched beams, and the results were comparable to each other. It is observed that fracture energy is a more reliable material property than apparent fracture toughness, and its scatter is less.

Background and Aim: Prevalence of gallstones is higher in the patients with diabetes mellitus than in the non-diabetic patients. The pathophysiological mechanism of gallstone formation in type 2 diabetic patients is still unclear. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate gallbladder motor function as one of the contributing factors to gallbladder dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients by sonography of gallbladder. Materials and Methods: In this study our case group included 54 patients with diabetes mellitus and control group consisted of 51 healthy subjects. The groups were matched in regard to age, gender and BMI. Ultrasound was performed for all subjects in the two groups while fasting and also after eating light meals. Gallbladder Volume was measured in the fasting state (V1) and after eating (V2), and ejection fraction of the gallbladder was calculated. Also, in the subjects, demographic variables such as age, gender, BMI and number of childbirths were investigated. Results: Gender ratio, age, number of births and BMI were the same in both case and control groups (P> 0. 05). Independent t-test showed no significant relationship in the mean values of V1, V2 and EF between the case and control groups (P> 0. 05). Also, there was no significant difference between gender and mean values of V1, V2 and EF between the groups (P> 0. 05). The prevalence of gallstones was significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the control group (P = 0. 026). Conclusion: The results of the present study confirmed the high prevalence of gallstones in the diabetic patients but there were no statistical difference between the groups in relation to gallbladder motor function. However, other factors may be involved in the formation of gallstones in the diabetic patients.

This study investigates the influence of cereal dextrin on two kinetic parameters of methane hydrate formation. Methane hydrate, solid structure formed by gas and water molecules, are gaining attention for its energy potential and climate regulation. Overcoming challenges like high-pressure requirements, slow formation rates, and economic viability is crucial. The study introduces cereal dextrin as a biodegradable kinetic promoter. In order to explore the influence of cereal dextrin on the formation of gas hydrate, a series of experiments were conducted using a stirred batch cell with a total Volume of 169 cm3. The temperature of the cell was carefully controlled at 275.15 K, while the initial pressure was set at 7.5 MPa. Results show dextrin positively influences water to hydrate conversion (WHC) and hydrate Volume fraction (HVF). After 100 minutes of hydrate growth, 1% dextrin increases WHC by 150.5% and HVF by 127.8%. The findings suggest dextrin, at 1 wt%, is an optimal concentration for enhancing the kinetics of methane hydrate formation, offering potential applications in energy and environmental fields.