Search

Understanding the interplay between the molecular structure of the ionic liquid (IL) subunit, the resulting nanostructure and ion transport in polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) is necessary for the realization of high-performance solid-state electrolytes required in various advanced applications. Herein, we present a detailed structural characterization of a recently synthesized series of acrylate-based PIL homopolymers and networks with imidazolium cations and chloride anions with varying alkyl spacer and terminal group lengths designed for organic solid-state batteries based on X-ray scattering. The impact of the concentrations of both the crosslinker and added tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBACl) conducting salt on the structural characteristics is also investigated. The results reveal that the length of both the spacer and terminal group influence the chain packing and, in turn, the nanophase segregation of the polar domains. Long spacers and terminal groups seem to induce denser polar aggregates sandwiched between more compact alkyl spacer and terminal group domains. However, the large inter-backbone spacing achieved seems to limit the ionic conductivity of these PILs. More importantly, our findings show that the previously reported general relationships between the ionic conductivity and the structural parameters of the nanostructure of PILs are not always attainable for different molecular structures of the IL side group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although micron‐sized microgels have become important building blocks in regenerative materials, offering decisive interactions with living matter, their chemical composition mostly significantly varies when their network morphology is tuned. Since cell behavior is simultaneously affected by the physical, chemical, and structural properties of the gel network, microgels with variable morphology but chemical equivalence are of interest. This work describes a new method to produce thermoresponsive microgels with defined mechanical properties, surface morphologies, and volume phase transition temperatures. A wide variety of microgels is synthesized by crosslinking monomers or star polymers at different temperatures using thermally assisted microfluidics. The diversification of microgels with different network structures and morphologies but of chemical equivalence offers a new platform of microgel building blocks with the ability to undergo phase transition at physiological temperatures. The method holds high potential to create soft and dynamic materials while maintaining the chemical composition for a wide variety of applications in biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of an analytical method for determining the properties of quantum dots (QDs) is crucial for improving the optical performance of QD‐based displays. Therefore, synchrotron‐based X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is designed here to accurately characterize the chemical and structural differences between different QDs. This method enables the determination of the reason for the minimal differences between the optical properties of different QDs depending on the synthesis process, which is difficult to determine using conventional methods alone. Combined with model simulations, the XPS spectra obtained at different photon energies reveal the internal structures and chemical‐state distributions of the QDs. In particular, the QD synthesized under optimal conditions demonstrates a relatively lower degree of oxidation of the core and more uniformly stacked ZnSe/ZnS shell layers. The internal structures and chemical‐state distributions of QDs are closely related to their optical properties. Finally, the synchrotron‐based XPS proposed here can be applied to compare nearly equivalent QDs with slightly different optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of the surrounding rock under high temperature is pivotal to the efficient and safe production of high-temperature fluidized mining engineering. To investigate the stability of rocks under high temperature, this paper takes the roof sandstone of Tongxin coal mine, examining changes in its physical parameters such as mass, dimensions, wave velocity, porosity, and permeability after treatment at various temperatures (20–700°C). The results showed that parameters like mass and wave velocity decreased with increasing temperature, while dimensions, porosity, fracture density, and permeability increased. The patterns of change in these physical properties with temperature exhibit a high degree of consistency. Additionally, composition analysis and thermal analysis were conducted to understand the physical and chemical changes occurred in sandstone. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe microstructural changes in the sandstone. After analysis, the evolution of the internal structure of Tongxin sandstone with heat treatment is categorized into three stages. (1) stable change Stage (20–450°C, 650–700°C): Dominated by dehydration and thermal stress, where pore and fracture structures develop slowly; (2) rapid change stage (450–550°C, 600–650°C): Dominated by the kaolinite dehydroxylation, leading to increased porosity but decreased average pore size; (3) intense change stage (550–600°C): Dominated by the quartz phase transitions, where the thermal stress generated by quartz phase transitions causes dramatic alterations in the internal structure of the sandstone. Furthermore, a correlation model between wave velocity and permeability of sandstone at high temperatures was established based on the interrelationship of these physical properties, providing a new method for real-time monitoring of permeability under high-temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: On 30 August 2022, a giant hail-bearing supercell hit Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula), producing stones 12 cm in diameter. This is the most severe episode ever recorded in the country. Seventy people were injured, resulting in one fatality; several buildings were severely damaged, which resulted in substantial financial losses (more than €6M). Methods: In the present study, we analyze the stones collected during fieldwork to gather information on their growth processes. This analysis was conducted considering two lines of investigation. In this paper we focus on the innovative and never-before-used technique of the Computed Tomography Scan, which was utilized to analyze hailstones and their interiors, the outcomes were groundbreaking. It makes it possible to obtain a complete 3D view of the interior of the stone, without producing any alteration in the structure. Through this technology, the different layer densities have been quantified. This is the main novelty of the study and opens a promising door to more analyses in this field. Results: The analysis has revealed some interesting results that help to verify previous theories. For instance, the nuclei can be placed far from the stone center, even if the hailstone is externally spherical. Discussion: Besides, a thicker hailstone layer in one direction indicates the falling direction. Finally, the different layer densities show growth process variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past several decades, the education, mental health, and social service fields have witnessed a significant shift in the focus of assessment of children moving from a solely deficit-based approach to a model incorporating strengths and competencies, which has been referred to as strength-based assessment. The Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS) is one of the first and most widely used strength-based assessments of behavioral and emotional functioning. While the BERS is widely used and researched, there is limited evidence supporting validity of test scores based on the internal structure or measurement invariance. The present study examined validity evidence based on internal structure and measurement invariance across White, Black, and Hispanic students for the BERS-3 Teacher Rating Scale using a national sample of 1,965 school-aged students. Results indicated empirical support for the hypothesized correlated factors structure as well as a bifactor structure with a strong general factor. Measurement invariance was also established for the correlated factors and bifactor CFA models, indicating that the scores consistently measured emotional and behavioral strength constructs across the three student groups, scores were comparable between groups, and scores were comparable to the same set of normative standards. Because of the test's emphasis on strengths and invariant measurement across groups, implications for students of color are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a defect-monitoring system with an artificial intelligence model, YOLOv7, which is tailored for processing image data from an ultrasonic visualization system within sodium fast reactor (SFR) internal structures. For the safety of SFR internal structures, although it is a crucial inspection for defect monitoring, it is difficult to identify structural defects because of the invisible environment. Therefore, we applied the YOLOv7 model in this study; however, we encountered challenges including decreased accuracy with complex defect shapes and complications from data augmentation during pre-training. To solve these problems, we additionally applied the enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network for higher resolution and a Sobel noise-filtering algorithm to enhance the defect detection accuracy. And we evaluated our system by comparing it with a confidence score. This underscores the effectiveness of the approach in enhancing the defect detection capabilities. Therefore, this defect-monitoring system should be designed to preemptively identify internal structure deformations and enhance SFR safety and maintenance practices.

The growing demand for products made of polymeric materials, including the commonly used polypropylene (PP), is accompanied by the problem of storing and disposing of non-biodegradable waste, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and the creation of toxic products that constitute a health hazard of all living organisms. Moreover, most of the synthetic polymers used are made from petrochemical feedstocks from non-renewable resources. The use of petrochemical raw materials also causes degradation of the natural environment. A potential solution to these problems is the use of biopolymers. Biopolymers include biodegradable or biosynthesizable polymers, i.e., obtained from renewable sources or produced synthetically but from raw materials of natural origin. One of them is the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) biopolymer, whose properties are comparable to PP. Unfortunately, it is necessary to modify its properties to improve its processing and operational properties. In the work, hybrid polymer nanobiocomposites based on P3HB, with the addition of chain, uncross-linked polyurethane (PU) and layered aluminosilicate modified with organic salts (Cloisite®30B) were produced by extrusion process. The introduction of PU and Cloisite®30B to the polymer matrix (P3HB) influenced the processing parameters beneficially and resulted in a decrease in the extrusion temperature of more than 10 °C. The influence of the simultaneous addition of a constant amount of PU (10 m/m%) and the different amounts of nanoadditives (1, 2 and 3 m/m%) on the compatibility, morphology and static mechanical properties of the resulted nanobiocomposites were examined. The component interactions by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, nano- and microscale structure studies using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out, and the hardness and tensile strength of the obtained polymer nanobiocomposites were determined. FTIR analysis identified the compatibility of the polyester matrix, PU, and organomodified montmorillonite, the greatest being 3 m/m% Cloisite30B content. The addition of PU to the polyester elasticizes the material and decreases the material's strength and ductility. The presence of nanoclay enhanced the mechanical properties of nanobiocomposites. The resulting nanobiocomposites can be used in the production of short-life materials applied in gardening or agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a central domain in education, there is still a lack of clarity in the underlying conceptual models guiding educational efforts and insufficient empirical evidence supporting these models. The Chilean Agency for Quality in Education developed a socioemotional questionnaire as part of the Comprehensive Learning Diagnosis (DIA), administered in educational institutions nationwide. Its underlying conceptual model considers nine SEL competencies structured into three dimensions: Individual, Communal, and Civic, mapping onto the Chilean educational curriculum and learning goals relative to SEL. Even though this model was built based on a thorough revision of existing approaches to SEL and assessment tools, this dimensional structure has not been empirically tested. This study explores a dimensional model of SEL based on a large‐scale sample of Chilean students assessed through the DIA (882,553 7th–12th graders). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to determine the dimensional structure, also testing for invariance by educational level (basic vs. secondary education) and gender. EFA evidenced a three‐dimensional structure, with factors labeled as individual, relational, and socio‐moral based on their composition. CFA confirmed these dimensions with adequate fit indices. Factorial invariance of the identified model was found between basic and secondary school students, and between boys and girls. The study allowed for the construction of a theoretical model of SEL based on a large‐scale sample. The identification of a moral factor as a key dimension of SEL constitutes a novel and promising perspective, in line with recent research providing new insights into SEL. Further evidence regarding the reliability and validity of the instrument should be analyzed. Also, the proposed SEL model should be tested in different countries and populations to broaden our understanding of SEL and inform educational policies and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rock glaciers are characteristic landforms in alpine environments originating from the movement of permanently frozen ground. Hereby, rock glacier velocity (RGV) is an important parameter for understanding the effects of climate change on mountain permafrost. Although understanding of rock glacier dynamics has increased during the last decades, linking small‐scale surface kinematics to sub‐surface properties and heterogeneities remains a challenge. To address this gap, we conducted geophysical surveys (electrical resistivity tomography [ERT] and ground‐penetrating radar [GPR]) along two profile lines of 450 and 950 m in length on a rock glacier in the Central Swiss Alps. Additionally, RGV was derived from Sentinel‐1 differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (DInSAR) to quantify annual east–west displacement and elevation change as well as seasonal acceleration during the snow‐free summer months with a ground sampling distance of 5 m. Our results show that movement angle and seasonality are highly associated with different patterns in sub‐surface structure. These different movement patterns are linked to subunits of different morphological origins. Thereby, we can upscale the geophysical results based on the DInSAR surface movement parameters and outline an area within the study site probably affected by ice of glacial origin. Hence, DInSAR movement angle and seasonality can help to bring local sub‐surface information derived from time‐consuming geophysical investigations into the spatial domain. In this way, a better understanding of the current morphodynamics as well as the past and future evolution of the landform can be reached. Applying the approach to other sites with available geophysical investigations could enhance our knowledge about systematic links between surface kinematics and the internal structure of rock glaciers and other ice‐rich glacial and peri‐glacial landforms, as well as their response to a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous polymeric microspheres are among the most effective adsorbents. They can be synthesized from numerous monomers using different kinds of polymerization techniques with a broad selection of synthesis factors. The main goal of this study was to prepare copolymeric microspheres and establish the relationship between copolymerization parameters and the porosity and thermal stability of the newly synthesized materials. Porous microspheres were obtained via heterogenous radical copolymerization using 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMPSM) as functional monomers and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as the crosslinker. In the course of the copolymerization, toluene or chlorobenzene was used as the pore-forming diluent. Consequently, highly porous microspheres were produced. Their specific surface area was established by a nitrogen adsorption/desorption method and it was in the range of 382 m2/g to 457 m2/g for toluene and 357–500 m2/g in the case of chlorobenzene. The thermal degradation process was monitored by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry methods in inert and oxidative conditions. The copolymers were stable up to 269–283 °C in a helium atmosphere, whereas in synthetic air the range was 266–298 °C, as determined by the temperature of 5% mass loss. Thermal stability of the investigated copolymers increased along with an increasing TMPSM amount in the copolymerization mixture. In addition, the poly(TMSPM-co-TRIM) copolymers were effectively used as the stationary phase in GC analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grains make up a large proportion of both human and animal diets. With threats to food production, such as climate change, growing sustainable and successful crops is essential to food security in the future. Germination is one of the most important stages in a plant's lifecycle and is key to the success of the resulting plant as the grain undergoes morphological changes and the development of specific organs. Micro-computed tomography is a non-destructive imaging technique based on the differing x-ray attenuations of materials which we have applied for the accurate analysis of grain morphology during the germination phase. Results: Micro Computed Tomography conditions and parameters were tested to establish an optimal protocol for the 3-dimensional analysis of barley grains. When comparing optimal scanning conditions, it was established that no filter, 0.4 degrees rotation step, 5 average frames, and 2016 × 1344 camera binning is optimal for imaging germinating grains. It was determined that the optimal protocol for scanning during the germination timeline was to scan individual grains at 0 h after imbibition (HAI) and then the same grain again at set time points (1, 3, 6, 24 HAI) to avoid any negative effects from X-ray radiation or disruption to growing conditions. Conclusion: Here we sought to develop a method for the accurate analysis of grain morphology without the negative effects of possible radiation exposure. Several factors have been considered, such as the scanning conditions, reconstruction, and possible effects of X-ray radiation on the growth rate of the grains. The parameters chosen in this study give effective and reliable results for the 3-dimensional analysis of macro structures within barley grains while causing minimal disruption to grain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of the surrounding rock under high temperature is pivotal to the efficient and safe production of high-temperature fluidized mining engineering. To investigate the stability of rocks under high temperature, this paper takes the roof sandstone of Tongxin coal mine, examining changes in its physical parameters such as mass, dimensions, wave velocity, porosity, and permeability after treatment at various temperatures (20–700°C). The results showed that parameters like mass and wave velocity decreased with increasing temperature, while dimensions, porosity, fracture density, and permeability increased. The patterns of change in these physical properties with temperature exhibit a high degree of consistency. Additionally, composition analysis and thermal analysis were conducted to understand the physical and chemical changes occurred in sandstone. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe microstructural changes in the sandstone. After analysis, the evolution of the internal structure of Tongxin sandstone with heat treatment is categorized into three stages. (1) stable change Stage (20–450°C, 650–700°C): Dominated by dehydration and thermal stress, where pore and fracture structures develop slowly; (2) rapid change stage (450–550°C, 600–650°C): Dominated by the kaolinite dehydroxylation, leading to increased porosity but decreased average pore size; (3) intense change stage (550–600°C): Dominated by the quartz phase transitions, where the thermal stress generated by quartz phase transitions causes dramatic alterations in the internal structure of the sandstone. Furthermore, a correlation model between wave velocity and permeability of sandstone at high temperatures was established based on the interrelationship of these physical properties, providing a new method for real-time monitoring of permeability under high-temperature conditions.

IntroductionOn 30 August 2022, a giant hail-bearing supercell hit Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula), producing stones 12 cm in diameter. This is the most severe episode ever recorded in the country. Seventy people were injured, resulting in one fatality; several buildings were severely damaged, which resulted in substantial financial losses (more than €6M).MethodsIn the present study, we analyze the stones collected during fieldwork to gather information on their growth processes. This analysis was conducted considering two lines of investigation. In this paper we focus on the innovative and never-before-used technique of the Computed Tomography Scan, which was utilized to analyze hailstones and their interiors, the outcomes were groundbreaking. It makes it possible to obtain a complete 3D view of the interior of the stone, without producing any alteration in the structure. Through this technology, the different layer densities have been quantified. This is the main novelty of the study and opens a promising door to more analyses in this field.ResultsThe analysis has revealed some interesting results that help to verify previous theories. For instance, the nuclei can be placed far from the stone center, even if the hailstone is externally spherical.DiscussionBesides, a thicker hailstone layer in one direction indicates the falling direction. Finally, the different layer densities show growth process variations.

This study primarily discusses the influence of internal structure on the performance of sludge concentrators. The focus is to evaluate the influence of internal structural changes on the improvement of sludge settling and clarifying efficiency through numerical simulation, so as to achieve the optimal design of sludge settling equipment parameters. The results show that with the increase of the bottom outlet width of the cone guide blade, the turbulence decreases, and the sludge thickening efficiency is significantly increased by about 27.1%, from 0.01036 at 300 mm to 0.0132 at 500 mm, which significantly improves the sludge settling and thickening efficiency. Also, the addition of the extended deflector significantly increased the bottom sludge settling concentration from 0.0129 to 0.0134 by about 3.87% and reduced the outlet suspended matter by about 13.6%. Obviously, the influence of effluent width and extended diversion length on sludge settling efficiency and water purification cannot be ignored. Therefore, an optimal design that takes into account the outlet width and the length of the extended deflector is critical to achieve optimal sludge concentration and water quality in the sludge concentrator. These findings provide numerical theoretical insights for improving the performance of sludge thickeners and the efficiency of water treatment. HIGHLIGHTS The baffle structure has a significant impact on the sludge settling effect.; Optimization of the baffle structure can accelerate the speed of sludge settling and aggregation.; The bottom width of the guide cone and the extended baffle plate are key factors that affect the purification effect and sludge settling efficiency.;

Objectives The article aims to explore theolinguistics, a discipline at the intersection of theology and linguistics, with a focus on developing it as a distinct academic field. It examines the conditions that foster conceptual meanings within religious language and delves into analyzing religious discourse (RD) and its variants like religious popular discourse (RPD) in the context of theolinguistics. Material and methods The study utilizes a comparative etymological approach to understand the conceptual-semantic shifts influenced by religious beliefs. The methodology encompasses examining RD through various perspectives, including the analysis of religious texts in communicative scenarios and the interplay of genre, language, and religion. Additionally, the study focuses on the criteria for distinguishing different institutional types of discourse, particularly RD and RPD. Results The article identifies theolinguistics as a field deeply rooted in fideism, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming the original meanings of linguistic units in religious contexts. It exposes the significant transformations in religious terms due to secularization trends and discusses the concept of RD within academic discussions. The study categorizes RD into various forms such as missionary, fideistic, and sermon-like discourses. It also delineates the core and variant parameters in the organization of RPD, highlighting its sociolinguistic nature and its role in status-oriented institutional communication. Conclusions The article concludes that religious discourse constitutes a distinct category of institutional discourse, crucial for disseminating ethical values and religious beliefs. It sets forth criteria for identifying RD as an independent form, emphasizing its unique communicative structure, thematic focus, and methodological aspects.

Copyright of Revista Ingeniería e Investigación is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ingenieraia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the current challenging energy storage and conversion landscape, solid‐state lithium metal batteries with high energy conversion efficiency, high energy density, and high safety stand out. Due to the limitations of material properties, it is difficult to achieve the ideal requirements of solid electrolytes with a single‐phase electrolyte. A composite solid electrolyte is composed of two or more different materials. Composite electrolytes can simultaneously offer the advantages of multiple materials. Through different composite methods, the merits of various materials can be incorporated into the most essential part of the battery in a specific form. Currently, more and more researchers are focusing on composite methods for combining components in composite electrolytes. The ion transport capacity, interface stability, machinability, and safety of electrolytes can be significantly improved by selecting appropriate composite methods. This review summarizes the composite methods used for the components of composite electrolytes, such as filler blending, embedded framework, and multilayer bonding. It also discusses the future development trends of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase contrast is widely used in all fields for visualization of the internal structure of objects using Xray radiation. The paper proposes a new approach to modeling a phase-contrast X-ray image by the method of free propagation using the Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction theory. A simple calculation model was developed, which makes it possible to determine the value of the change in the intensity of X-rays on three-dimensional models of objects of arbitrary shape with macroscopic dimensions. It also allows you to establish the conditions for observing a contrast image with known characteristics of the detector system and the intensity of the radiation source. The possibility of obtaining clear images of objects with small decrements of refraction of matter, determining their geometric dimensions and thickness was shown. A method of calculating the optical properties of metal alloys in the X-ray range has been developed. The approaches presented in the paper can be useful to developers of compact devices for detecting structural inhomogeneities inside the studied objects by a non-destructive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a prototype approach to emotion concepts, we mapped the internal structure and content of the everyday concept of envy (as used in the United States) and its translation equivalents of envidia in Spanish and Neid in German. In Study 1 (total N = 415), the features of the concept of envy, envidia, and Neid were generated via an open‐ended questionnaire. In Study 2 (total N = 404), participants rated the degree of typicality of the constitutive features on a forced‐choice questionnaire. The prototype analysis of envy, supplemented with network analyses, revealed that the largest connected set of features of envy, envidia, and Neid shared a group of central features, including features related to success or to people with a better appearance. Still, envy, envidia, and Neid did differ with respect to their constituent peripheral features as well as the density of their networks, their structure, and the betweenness centrality of the nodes. These results suggest that a prototype approach combined with network analysis is a convenient approach for studying the internal structure of everyday emotion concepts and the degree of overlap with respect to the translation equivalents in different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D food printing (3DFP) provides an excellent opportunity to deposit layers of multiple food materials to create unique complex structures of products with more engaging visuals, specific textures, and customized nutritional properties. Many printed products require post-printing processing which can result in sensory variance, texture changes, and even nutritional modification. Hence it is necessary to implement the design of the complex internal structure to ensure the desired quality of the printed products following post-printing. 3-D printing of various types of food products, for example, chocolate, cheese, meat, vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs, cereal-based products, and so on, has been examined with regard to post-printing requirements. This review aims to summarize the current work on the latest developments in 3DFP technology concerning the internal structure design of 3D printed products and its effect on quality during post-printing. The quality parameters include: textural, physical, morphological, and dimensional characteristics as well as nutritional properties. Furthermore, post-printing modifications such as 4D are also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional digital image analysis (DIA) considered a cost-effective method for characterizing the microstructure of asphalt mixtures. In this study, a more sophisticated method for defining the internal structure of aggregates was utilized to reveal performance-related properties that serve as quality indicators of mixtures. Software architecture-wise, Avizo19 is both modular and object-oriented has been used in this study. Modules and data objects are its key components. Metadata can be identified as or computational actions performed using modules. The study's goal is to assess the influence of laboratory vs. field compaction on the engineering qualities of several kinds of aggregates in different locations in central, northern, and southern Iraq including AlDoz, AlNibaa'e, Dyala, Jalawlaa, AlKut, AlSimawa, and Southern AlRumela quarries. Aviso analysis have been classified into two groups of parameters: geometric forms involving geometry, shape, and texture indicators, also the internal structure of aggregate interlocking, including orientation, anisotropy, homogeneity, and directional distribution of aggregate. The results of statistical comparisons of average, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CoV) demonstrate the fact that the Roller compacting approach predicts the asphalt mixture formation indicators more significantly than the Marshall technique and is most effective within field compaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this investigation was to assess the structural validity of the Arabic Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) in individuals suffering from upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, utilizing both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A group of participants with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders attending physical therapy clinics were recruited. Upon their initial visit to physical therapy, participants were requested to complete the Arabic versions of the QuickDASH, as well as the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. In order to determine the number of factors, parallel analysis was employed in the EFA, while maximum likelihood was utilized for extraction. The fit of the model identified using EFA was subsequently examined using CFA, incorporating multiple fit indices. The outcomes of the EFA indicated the existence of a one-factor structure, accounting for a considerable 50.22% of the total variance. It was observed that all of the QuickDASH items displayed loadings on the single factor, with values ranging from 0.35 to 0.77. However, the multiple fit indices obtained from the CFA did not provide sufficient support for the fit of the initially proposed unidimensional structure. The data showed good fit to the unidimensional model after adding error covariance: chi-square = 100.52 [degrees of freedom (df) = 40, P < 0.001], chi-square/df = 2.51, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.94, comparative fit index = 0.95, root mean square error of approximation = 0.077 [90% confidence interval (CI) = 0.058-0.096], and standardized root mean residual = 0.048. Ultimately, the findings from the EFA provided evidence supporting the unidimensionality of the Arabic QuickDASH, while the CFA supported the unidimensionality of the QuickDASH after addressing the issue of local dependency between some scale items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The article aims to explore theolinguistics, a discipline at the intersection of theology and linguistics, with a focus on developing it as a distinct academic field. It examines the conditions that foster conceptual meanings within religious language and delves into analyzing religious discourse (RD) and its variants like religious popular discourse (RPD) in the context of theolinguistics. Material and Methods: The study utilizes a comparative etymological approach to understand the conceptual-semantic shifts influenced by religious beliefs. The methodology encompasses examining RD through various perspectives, including the analysis of religious texts in communicative scenarios and the interplay of genre, language, and religion. Additionally, the study focuses on the criteria for distinguishing different institutional types of discourse, particularly RD and RPD. Results: The article identifies theolinguistics as a field deeply rooted in fideism, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming the original meanings of linguistic units in religious contexts. It exposes the significant transformations in religious terms due to secularization trends and discusses the concept of RD within academic discussions. The study categorizes RD into various forms such as missionary, fideistic, and sermon-like discourses. It also delineates the core and variant parameters in the organization of RPD, highlighting its sociolinguistic nature and its role in status-oriented institutional communication. Conclusions: The article concludes that religious discourse constitutes a distinct category of institutional discourse, crucial for disseminating ethical values and religious beliefs. It sets forth criteria for identifying RD as an independent form, emphasizing its unique communicative structure, thematic focus, and methodological aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous Asphalt Mixtures (PAMs) improve resilience of flexible pavements in the context of climate change. PAM application in coastal cities like Chicago is of interest; however severe winters compromise the durability of PAMs given their susceptibility to freeze-thaw. This work aimed to evaluate the to-date experience with PAMs in Chicago, exploring benefits and limitations to be considered for future projects in the Southern Lake Michigan region. Full-depth PAM cores were obtained from seven sections, constructed in different years. Tests were conducted to assess the evolution of surface texture, internal structure, and multi-scale material properties. Regarding surface texture, consistent change over time was observed, such as loss of the “channel” structure, and increase in mean profile parameters because of raveling. Also, binder content varies with time within different layer depths. An aging gradient in terms of stiffness from top to bottom within the layer does not necessarily occur. However, binder ductility shows drastic and consistent reduction throughout the layer as aging increases. Analysis of internal structure using a CT scan revealed that there is also a lack of homogeneity in the air void and particle size distributions. Finally, this study suggests that full-depth PAM viscoelastic behavior is sensitive to saturation level, and this is a relevant subject to be considered, since partial saturation may be a condition often observed in the field.

Scientific objectives, instruments, and measurement program of the scientific instrumentation of the Kazachok stationary landing platform of the State Corporation Roscosmos and the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars-2022 project are presented. The scientific objectives of research on the landing platform included the long-term climate monitoring, the studies of the atmospheric composition, the mechanisms for dust lifting and related electrical phenomena, atmosphere–surface interactions, the subsurface water abundance, monitoring the radiation situation, and the study of Mars internal structure. To address these problems, 11 Russian and two European instruments with a total mass of 45 kg were built, tested and integrated into the spacecraft. These include a television camera system, meteorological complexes, a suite for studying dust and related electrical phenomena, optical spectrometers and an analytical complex for studying the atmospheric composition, a microwave radiometer, the neutron and gamma spectrometers for surface research, a seismometer, magnetometers and a Mars proper motion experiment to study its internal structure. Although the ExoMars-2022 project has been discontinued, the scientific objectives of the landing platform have not lost their relevance, and the technical solutions and developments implemented in scientific equipment are of interest and promising for further Mars exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the attracting set of an ant colonies model with bounded noisy perturbation. This perturbation is modeled by the well-known Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process and the arc tangent function. For the random model, we first verify the existence and uniqueness of the global positive solution, and then prove the existence of the deterministic attracting set. Furthermore, in order to reveal more detailed information about the long-time behavior of the ant colonies system, we analyze the internal structure of the attracting set and provide some conditions under which coexistence (or extinction) of the ant species exists in the ant colonies system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have a growing interest in measuring the role of bystanders in cyberbullying. Two independent studies with Mexican adolescents (Sample 1 and Sample 2; N1 = 612, N2 = 612) were used to analyze the psychometric properties of the Styles of Bystander Defender Intervention Scale (SBDI) in adolescents. In two samples, confirmatory factorial analyses revealed that a first-order two-dimensional factor structure comprising constructive and aggressive intervention factors was equivalent. The results demonstrated configural, metric, and scalar measurement invariance in the SBDI across gender and education level (secondary vs. high school). Latent mean comparisons indicate differences by gender and education level in the model dimensions. Finally, the results indicate that defenders' aggressive interventions are positively correlated with cyberbullying and negatively associated with moral identity. On the other hand, constructive interventions were negatively related to cyberbullying and positively related to moral identity. The findings suggest that the SBDI is a helpful measure of the styles of bystander defender intervention in cyberbullying events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ERA5 dataset from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Foreceasts is the first global reanalysis to reach a horizontal resolution of 31 km and thus provides a unique opportunity to look at tropical cyclones (TC), and in particular at the 3D fields associated with observed TCs. To that end, a specifically calibrated TC tracking scheme is applied on ERA5 along with a track pairing algorithm to match the detected tracks with the IBTrACS catalog in order to investigate how well TCs are represented in the reanalysis. After tuning of the tracking scheme and the application of a dynamic mid-latitude system filtering technique, it is shown that the majority of IBTrACS TCs are detected in ERA5 and that the amount of false alarms is kept reasonably low in most regions. By comparing detected tracks with their IBTrACS counterparts, it is found that TC intensity is still strongly underestimated in ERA5 but that the minimum sea-level pressure distribution is better represented than maximum wind speed. The comparison between the life cycles from both datasets highlights key differences between ERA5 and the best-track catalog, showing in particular that the delay with which TCs from ERA5 reach their peak intensity compared to IBTrACS increases significantly with real TC intensity increase. Finally, the internal structure of TCs in the reanalysis for each intensity class are analyzed and reveal distinct intensification patterns up to Category 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knots in wood have a substantial impact on both the physical and mechanical properties of derived products. It is necessary to study their effect on the mechanical properties of wood and understand the mechanisms behind the effect. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of specimens without knots and with knots are measured using the three-point bending test. The size and position of knots are recorded. The specimens with knots are analyzed according to failure not at knots and failure at knots. For specimens with failure at knots, they are further divided into two sub-groups, i.e., failure around knots (FK-A) or failure in knots (FK-I). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated a suspension composed of spherical magnetic Janus particles in thermodynamic equilibrium. The magnetic moment of Janus particles treated here is located at a position shifted from the particle centre, which is on the line perpendicular to the magnetic moment direction. We conducted quasi-2D Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the change in the regime of aggregate structures and the dependence of the regime on various factors, such as the strength of the magnetic particle-particle interaction, magnetic particle-field interaction, and the distance of the magnetic moment from the particle centre. In the absence of an applied magnetic field, the Janus particles aggregate to form stable clusters composed of a few particles with increased values of the magnetic particle-particle interaction strength. As the strength of the magnetic field is increased, these clusters collapse, and chain-like clusters are formed aligned in the direction of the magnetic field. The appearance of this regime change requires a stronger magnetic field as the position of the magnetic moment approaches the particle surface. This can be attributed to the fact that the magnetic interaction between neighbouring particles becomes more dominant as the magnetic moments of the constituent particles in the cluster units approach each other. Highlights We have addressed the aggregation phenomena in a suspension composed of spherical magnetic Janus particles. We have investigated the regime change in the aggregate structures of the Janus particles under various conditions. In a strong magnetic field, thick chain-like clusters are formed as the magnetic moment is shifted away from the particle centre. The present results are useful for elucidating the internal structure of complex aggregates in 3D systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dark Triad is a term used to describe a group of three aversive personality traits – Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. This study evaluates the utility of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen for Peruvian adolescents through the evaluation of its psychometric properties; specifically, its factorial structure, measurement invariance according to gender and age group, and reliability. A total of 440 adolescents participated in the study (female: 48.2%; male: 51.8%); their ages ranged from 12 to 17 (Mage = 14; SDage = 1.38). The results showed a three-factor structure invariant by gender and age group and adequate internal consistency, although it was necessary to eliminate item 8. The findings suggest that the 11-item version of the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen is a measure with adequate psychometric properties, reliable and useful for the study of Peruvian adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application deployment of 3D-printed products represents a progressive area of industrial use of specific metal alloys. In parallel with starting points based on mechanical characteristics in the static and cyclic areas, dilation behavior is an important parameter. A typical application is, for example, components in the aerospace sector, where the components are exposed for a short period to a significant temperature difference in both positive and negative values. Current industrial trends lead to the deployment of additive technologies for producing aircraft system components and instrument parts. Testing of AlSi10Mg alloy samples prepared by direct metal laser sintering, in the past DMLS, now according to the standard laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) method, is carried out by measuring dilation during a controlled temperature course. The AlSi10Mg alloy is used for mechanically less stressed components, from which a high accuracy of functional dimensions is usually required, which can be affected by dilation characteristics in a wide temperature range. Additively produced components have different dilation characteristics within an identical alloy, often dependent on the production method and orientation during 3D printing. The article presents the testing results and subsequent application characteristics of an additively produced aluminum alloy, considering dilation characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining detailed information about the design and construction of ancient stone pagodas is challenging due to their significant age. Due to this, the internal structure is still unknown, and the analysis of their structural safety lacks a solid foundation. The purpose of this paper is to research ancient stone pagodas and propose adequate methods for identifying their internal structure and assessing their damage status using ground-penetrating radar nondestructive detection technology. The internal structure of the pagoda is inferred through a comprehensive process of layer-by-layer scanning using shielded antennas of varying frequencies, incorporating distance correction. The results demonstrate that by selecting suitable radar antenna frequencies, both test profiles become visible, and the position and characteristics of the internal substantial reflection area exhibit a high degree of consistency, mutually reinforcing each other. The White Pagoda in Hangzhou is believed to have both a mortise and tenon joint structure and a column structure. The ground penetrating radar detection method proves to be effective and has valuable applications.

IntroductionHuman morality is an important topic because the fact that human beings can determine if a behavior is correct or incorrect, good or bad, shows that they are endowed with moral conscience, but In the Peruvian context, there are no valid and reliable scales to measure moral disengage trend. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Propensity to Morally Disengage Scale in Peruvian university students.MethodThe number of university students who participated in the study was 591 (women = 71.7%; Mage = 21.5; SDage = 3.60), and the data analysis was carried out under a factor analysis approach.ResultsThe results showed a unidimensional structure in both men and women. As for the invariance results according to sex, there is favorable evidence of configural and weak invariance; however, there is no evidence of strong invariance. Furthermore, the reliability of the construct (coefficient ω) and its scores (coefficient α) reached acceptable dimensions in each group and positive associations with the dark triad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism).DiscussionThe Propensity to Morally Disengage Scale is a unidimensional measurement that shows acceptable psychometric evidence in men and women separately. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

This study investigated the feasibility of applying a polyurethane-bonded mixture (PUM) on the pavement overlay for construction or maintenance. Styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) asphalt and epoxy asphalt, the two most common and widely adopted mix designs for highway steel bridge pavement, were selected for a comparative study. First, the performance evaluations and failure analysis of the asphalt mixture and PUM were investigated comprehensively, in terms of low-temperature property, rutting, fatigue, and freeze-thaw resistance. The results showed that the dynamic stability of PUM was over 30,000 cycles/mm and fatigue life was over one million cycles under 800 με. The tensile strength ratio (TSR) value was higher than 90%, which also indicated an excellent freeze-thaw resistance. Then, bond and shear strengths between the steel plate and the mixture were evaluated for the interlayer of the steel bridge pavement structure. X-ray CT scan analysis was adopted to visualize the internal structure of various mixtures, and the average void diameter of PUM was 0.569 mm. Finally, a statistical analysis was conducted for Kendall consistency and Grey correlation. This research established that PUM is a cost-effective and long-lasting solution for pavement overlay on highway steel-bridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese steamed bread (CSB) is a traditional food of the Chinese nation, and the preservation of its quality and freshness during storage is very important for its industrial production. Therefore, it is necessary to study the storage characteristics of CSB. Non-destructive CT technology was utilized to characterize and visualize the microstructure of CSB during storage, and also to further study of quality changes. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of CSBs were obtained through X-ray scanning and 3D reconstruction. Morphological parameters of the microstructure of CSBs were acquired based on CT image using image processing methods. Additionally, commonly used physicochemical indexes (hardness, flexibility, moisture content) for the quality evaluation of CSBs were analyzed. Moreover, a correlation analysis was conducted based on the three-dimensional morphological parameters and physicochemical indexes of CSBs. The results showed that three-dimensional morphological parameters of CSBs were negatively correlated with moisture content (Pearson correlation coefficient range−0.86~−0.97) and positively correlated with hardness (Pearson correlation coefficient range−0.87~0.99). The results indicate the inspiring capability of CT in the storage quality evaluation of CSB, providing a potential analytical method for the detection of quality and freshness in the industrial production of CSB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgels are water‐swollen, crosslinked polymers that are widely used as colloidal building blocks in scaffold materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Microgels can be controlled in their stiffness, degree of swelling, and mesh size depending on their polymer architecture, crosslink density, and fabrication method—all of which influence their function and interaction with the environment. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of how the polymer composition influences the internal structure of soft microgels and how this morphology affects specific biomedical applications. In this report, we systematically vary the architecture and molar mass of polyethylene glycol‐acrylate (PEG‐Ac) precursors, as well as their concentration and combination, to gain insight in the different parameters that affect the internal structure of rod‐shaped microgels. We characterize the mechanical properties and diffusivity, as well as the conversion of acrylate groups during photopolymerization, in both bulk hydrogels and microgels produced from the PEG‐Ac precursors. Furthermore, we investigate cell‐microgel interaction, and we observe improved cell spreading on microgels with more accessible RGD peptide and with a stiffness in a range of 20 kPa to 50 kPa lead to better cell growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are serious contradictions between the geophysical and geochemical classes of models of the chemical composition and internal structure of the Moon, associated with the assessment of the abundance of the main oxides. The search for a potential consensus between the models was carried out on the basis of a set of geophysical and geochemical data using the Monte-Carlo method using the Markov chain scheme in combination with a method of minimization of the Gibbs free energy. The influence of the chemical composition and mineralogy of several conceptual models on the internal structure of the Moon has been studied. Two classes of chemical composition models are considered—the E models with terrestrial values of Al2O3 and CaO and M models with their higher content, as well as two classes of the most popular geochemical models, the Taylor Whole Moon (TWM) and Lunar Primitive Upper Mantle (LPUM) models, with ~45 wt % SiO2, but with different concentrations of refractory oxides and FeO. In both classes of E and M models, the lunar mantle is enriched in silica (~50 wt % SiO2) and FeO (11–13 wt %, Mg# 79–81) relative to the bulk composition of the silicate Earth (BSE, ~45 wt % SiO2, ~8 wt % FeO, Mg# 89). Such high concentrations of SiO2 and FeO become the determining factors for understanding the features of the mineral, velocity, and density structure of the lunar mantle. For the E and M models and geochemical models TWM and LPUM, the speed of sound and the density of stable phase associations are calculated. For E and M models, good agreement was obtained between the velocities of P- and S-waves and seismic sounding data from the Apollo program, which supports the idea of a silica-rich (olivine-pyroxenite) upper mantle. Unlike the Earth's upper mantle, the dominant mineral in the Moon's upper mantle is low-calcium orthopyroxene, not olivine. In contrast, the sound velocities of silica-unsaturated compositions, both FeO and Al2O3 enriched (TWM) and depleted (LPUM) models, do not match the seismic signatures. Thermodynamically justified restrictions on the chemical composition, mineralogy, and physical characteristics of the mantle based on the E and M models make it possible to eliminate some contradictions between the geochemical and geophysical classes of models of the internal structure of the Moon. Simultaneous enrichment in ferrous iron and silica is difficult to reconcile with the hypothesis of the formation of the Moon as a result of a giant impact from the substance of the Earth's primitive mantle or from the substance of a shock body (bodies) of chondrite composition. Limitations on lunar concentrations of FeO and SiO2 probably correspond to the parent bodies of some achondrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human nails play an important role in transmitting force to the fingertips, and their mechanical properties are important indices. The nail has a three‐layered structure consisting of top dorsal, middle intermediate, and under ventral plates, and its internal structure is believed to affect its mechanical properties. However, this has not been investigated in previous studies. Methods: The Young's moduli of the top, middle, and under plates were measured using nanoindentation, and a theoretical model was developed to estimate the structural elasticity for the bending deformation of human nails, which is an index describing the deformability of the nail without depending on its external dimensions. The structural elasticity of human nails was compared with that of human hair collected from the same person. The effect of the softening treatment on the nails was also evaluated. Results: The Young's moduli of the top, middle, and under plates measured using nanoindentation were 2.9, 3.1, and 2.8 GPa, respectively. The structural elasticity of the nail was estimated to be 2.9 GPa, approximately 75% that of hair. Moreover, softening treatment with a urea cream reduced the structural elasticity of the nail to 70%. Conclusion: This paper proposed a method for estimating the structural elasticity of a human nail with a three‐layered structure. This index is a mechanical property with "Pa" as a unit, and is useful for comparing deformability with the Young's modulus of other homogeneous materials or for investigating the effect of various treatments quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]