In the field of hybrid natural fiber polymer composites, there has been a recent surge in research and innovation for structural applications. To expand the strengths and applications of this category of materials, significant effort was put into improving their mechanical properties. Hybridization is a designed technique for fiber-reinforced composite materials that involves combining two or more fibers of different groups within a single matrix to manipulate the desired properties. They may be made from a mix of natural and synthetic fibers, synthetic and synthetic fibers, or natural fiber and carbonaceous materials. Owing to their diverse properties, hybrid natural fiber composite materials are manufactured from a variety of materials, including rubber, elastomer, metal, ceramics, glasses, and plants, which come in composite, sandwich laminate, lattice, and segmented shapes. Hybrid composites have a wide range of uses, including in aerospace interiors, naval, civil building, industrial, and sporting goods. This study intends to provide a summary of the factors that contribute to natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites’ mechanical and structural failure as well as overview the details and developments that have been achieved with the composites.

No abstract

The hydatid cyst is a frequent pathology in Morocco. All localizations are possible. However, renal hydatid cyst is still rare; it constitutes about 2.5 % of all localizations. We report 4 cases admitted at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of the University Hospital of Fes in the period running from February 2004 to January 2008. The four patients were of ages ranging from 8 to 11 years old. Two of them had double localization in the kidney and liver. The imaging was the diagnostic tool of choice. The patients benefited from surgical treatment; two were treated using standard surgery while laparoscopic surgery was used in the next two. Anti-parasitic medication was associated in the post-surgery stage for a period of six months. The evolution was good for all the patients.

Peritoneal echinococcosis can cause a large variety of specific and complex anatomic lesions. The disseminated form is the most common, and therefore the surgical treatment is challenging in most cases.

BackgroundSchwannoma is a benign tumor arising from Schwann cells of the peripheral nerve sheath. Perineal schwannomas are exceptional, and rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of a perineal schwannoma, close to the anal sphincter, and provide a short summary of clinical, radiological and surgical features of this rare entity.Case presentationA 62 year-old male patient was admitted for a suspected perineal mass. At clinical examination, he had a soft mass, located on the right of the anus. Computed tomography showed a perineal mass, located on the right side of the anal sphincter that enhanced after injection of the contrast medium. Complete surgical excision of the tumor was performed. The most challenging part during the surgery was the dissection and preservation of the anal sphincter to avoid anal incontinence. Pathologic examination revealed a completely excised schwannoma.ConclusionsPerineal schwannomas are very rare tumors that are usually asymptomatic, and which present as large masses. Complete excision is necessary to avoid recurrences. Surgical resection may be difficult depending of proximity to the anal sphincter. A cautious dissection in such cases is required in order to reduce the risk of incontinence.

Mechanical properties of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and polylactic acid (PLA) blend reinforced with Dura and Tenera palm press fibers were studied. Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) was used as compatibilizer in the blend composites. Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used to study the effect of treatment on the fibers and fiber/matrix adhesion respectively. The uncompatibilized blend composites exhibited higher Young's modulus than the compatibilized blend composites. Impact strength of compatibilized blend composites of Tenera fibers (FM) increased by 161% at 10 wt% fiber load more than the uncompatibilized blend composites at same fiber load. The Dura fibers (FN) enhanced impact strength by 133% at 10 wt% fiber load. Tensile strength increased by 40% for compatibilized FM blend composites. In conclusion, it was observed that DCP incorporation resulted in good interfacial adhesion as revealed by the FESEM micrographs and evidenced in the improved mechanical properties.

This research investigates the simultaneous impact of two different types of steel fibers, nanometakaolin, and nanosilica on the mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete (GPC) mixes. To achieve this aim, different geopolymer concrete mixes were prepared. Firstly, with and without nanomaterials (nanosilica and nanometakaolin) of 0, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% from ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were used. Secondly, steel fiber (hooked end and crimped) content of (0, 0.5%, 1, and 1.5%) was used. Thirdly, optimum values of nanomaterials with the optimum values of steel fiber were used. Crimped and hooked-end steel fibers were utilized with an aspect ratio of 60 and a length of 30 mm. Geopolymer mixes were manufactured by using a constant percentage of alkaline activator to binder proportion equal to 0.45 with GGBFS cured at ambient conditions. For alkaline activator, sodium hydroxide molar (NaOH) and sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) were used according to a proportion (Na2SiO3/NaOH) of 2.33. The hardened concrete tests were performed through the usage of splitting tensile strength, flexural, and compressive experiments to determine the impact of steel fibers, nanometakaolin, and nanosilica individually and combined on performance of GPC specimens. The results illustrated that using a mix composed of the optimum steel fibers (1% content) accompanied by an optimum percentage of 6% nanometakaolin or 4% nanosilica demonstrated a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties of GPC specimens compared to all other mixtures. Besides, the impact of using nanomaterials individually was found to be predominant on compressive strength on GPC specimens especially with the usage of the optimum values. However, using nanomaterials individually compared to using the steel fibers individually was found to have approximately the same splitting tensile strength and flexural performance.

Background Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy is extremely rare. This unusual location represents a great challenge for clinicians due to the difficulties of diagnosis and high risk of life-threatening complications. Case Report We report the case of a spontaneous early pregnancy of undetermined location in a patient with a history of previous laparoscopic surgery. Diagnosis steps using clinical examination, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging led to the localization of the pregnancy, in the left side of the para-aortic region, in the retroperitoneal space. Conclusion Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy is an uncommon entity with rather complex pathogenesis. Clinicians should carefully interpret clinical signs, biological findings, and imaging features and be aware of unusual locations such as the retroperitoneum for ectopic pregnancies. Early diagnosis and appropriate management strategy are conditio sine qua non for successful treatment outcomes.