PURPOSE Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a treatment for keratoconus that eliminates the need for keratoplasty in most patients. However, its molecular mechanisms remain under study. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been suggested by many studies as the causative strengthening agent during CXL, though no studies to date have directly tested this hypothesis. METHODS Corneas of young r...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the moisture effect on the strength of concrete specimens that has completely cured. This study is also aimed to develop relations that can be used to determine the properties of concrete with different moisture contents that are normally experienced in outside conditions. Numerous compressions and split tensile tests are performed. In order to better unders...

This paper reports the results of an experimental investigation into the effects of incorporating varying amounts of expanded polystyrene beads on the engineering properties of high-strength concrete. It was observed that a density reduction of 8.3% caused compressive strength, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity to reduce by 48%, 39% and 15%, respectively. Drying shrinkage was marginall...

Single crystal specimens of Fe-17 at. % Ga were tested in tension at room temperature. Specimens with a tensile axis orientation of [110] displayed slip lines on the specimen faces corresponding to slip on the {110}with a critical resolved shear stress of 220 MPa. Yielding began at 0.3% elongation and 450 MPa. An ultimate tensile strength of 580 MPa was observed with no fracture occurring throu...

Response surface methodology was used to optimize preparation of biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) and durian peel cellulose. The effects of cellulose loading, mixing temperature, and mixing time on tensile strength and impact strength were investigated. A central composite design was employed to determine the optimum preparation condition of the biocomposites to obtain the highest tensi...

Polyurethane/zeolite 13X nanocomposite films were fabricated using solution casting method. The synthesized nanocomposite films were structurally characterized using SEM, TGA and tensile analysis. SEM images showed appropriate distribution of nanocrystalline zeolite particles within polyurethane matrix. Better thermal stability of nanocomposite films in comparison to neat polyurethane was shown...

Cement-based composite materials like Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECCs) are applicable in the strengthening of structures because of the high tensile strength and strain. Proper mix proportion, which has the best mechanical properties, is so essential in ECC design material to use in structural components. In this paper, after finding the best mix proportion based on uniaxial tensile st...

We examined macroscopically and microscopically 55 cadaver rotator-cuff tendons attached to their humeral heads to determine the distance between the edge of the articular cartilage and the tendon insertion of the supraspinatus (the width of the sulcus) and the score of regressive changes at the sulcus. In 33 specimens we measured the tensile strength. The width of the sulcus was correlated wit...

Objectives: To evaluate the micro-tensile repair bond strength between aged and new composite, using silane and adhesives that were cured or left uncured when new composite was placed. Methods: Eighty Filtek Supreme XLT composite blocks and four control blocks were stored in water for two weeks and thermo-cycled. Sandpaper ground, etched and rinsed specimens were divided into two experimental g...

Mercerisation is a common chemical treatment for sisal fibres since it can be used to increase their interfacial adhesion to various polymeric matrices. The influence of this treatment on fibre tensile strength from the point of view of a Weibull distribution is reported. A hundred non-treated sisal fibres were individually tested and the accordance of their tensile strength to a Weibull distri...