bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Behaviour and Induced Microstructural Development upon Simultaneous and Balanced Biaxial Stretching of Poly(ethylene furandicarboxylate), PEF
Authors: Forestier Emilie , Combeaud Christelle , Guigo Nathanaël , Sbirrazzuoli Nicolas
Published: January 2023

The biaxial behavior of PEF has been analyzed for equilibrated and simultaneous biaxial stretching. The ability of PEF to develop an organized microstructure through strain induced crystallization (SIC) has been described. Upon biaxial stretching, SIC can be difficult to perform because the stretching is performed in two perpendicular directions. However, thanks to the time/temperature superposition principle and an accurate heating protocol, relevant stretching settings have been chosen to stretch the material in its rubbery-like state and to reach high levels of deformation. By the protocol applied, the mechanical behavior is easily transposable to the industry. This work has shown that PEF can, as in uniaxial stretching, develop well-organized crystals and a defined microstructure upon biaxial stretching. This microstructure allows the obtention of improved mechanical properties and thermal stability of the biaxially stretched samples. The crystals induced upon biaxial stretching are similar to the one that has been developed and observed after uniaxial stretching and upon static crystallization. Moreover, the furan cycles seem to appear in a state similar to the one of a sample crystallized upon quiescent condition. The rigidity is increased, and the α-relaxation temperature is increased by 15 °C.
Controllable Preparation of Eucommia Wood-Derived Mesoporous Activated Carbon as Electrode Materials for Supercapacitors
Authors: Su Hongyu , Lan Caining , Wang Zhouping , Zhu Lin , Zhu Mingqiang
Published: January 2023

Activated carbons (ACs) for supercapacitors were synthesized from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (EUO) wood by H3PO4 with systemic activation processes. The target structure of ACs could be prepared by adjusting the technological parameters. As the H3PO4 concentration was 25%, the mass ratio of feedstocks to activator was 1:4, the activation time was 6 h, and the activation temperature was 400 °C, the obtained AC revealed a high specific surface area (2033.87 m2·g−1) and well-developed mesoporous (the rate of mesoporous was 96.4%) with the best economic feasibility. Besides, it possessed excellent electrochemical performance: the maximum specific capacitance reached up to 252 F·g−1, the charging and discharging period was 3098.2 s at 0.2 A·g−1, and the retention rate of specific capacitance reached 92.3% after 10,000 cycles. This low temperature and convenience technology provide a valuable reference for synthesizing the EUO-based ACs, making high-value utilization on the EUO branches, and owning a broad application prospect in supercapacitors.
Biodegradable Microcapsules of Poly(Butylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate) (PBAT) as Isocyanate Carriers and the Effect of the Process Parameters
Authors: Aguiar António , Mariquito António , Gonçalves Diogo , Pinho Isabel , Marques Ana C.
Published: January 2023

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a biodegradable flexible, and tough polymer is herein used, for the first time, to encapsulate and protect isocyanate derivatives. Isocyanates are essential building blocks widely employed in the chemical industry for the production of high-performing materials. Microencapsulation of isocyanates eliminates the risks associated with their direct handling and protects them from moisture. In light of this, and having in mind eco-innovative products and sustainability, we present a straightforward process to encapsulate isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) using this biodegradable polymer. Spherical and core-shell microcapsules (MCs) were produced by an emulsion system combined with the solvent evaporation method. The MCs present a regular surface, without holes or cracks, with a thin shell and high isocyanate loadings, up to 79 wt%. Additionally, the MCs showed very good isocyanate protection if not dispersed in organic or aqueous solutions. Effects of various process parameters were systematically studied, showing that a higher stirring speed (1000 rpm) and emulsifier amount (2.5 g), as well as a smaller PBAT amount (1.60 g), lead to smaller MCs and narrower size distribution.
Molecular Weight-Dependent Oxidation and Optoelectronic Properties of Defect-Free Macrocyclic Poly(3-hexylthiophene)
Authors: Sato Ryohei , Utagawa Atsuo , Fushimi Koji , Li Feng , Isono Takuya , Tajima Kenji , Satoh Toshifumi , Sato Shin-ichiro , Hirata Hiroshi , Kikkawa Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Takuya
Published: January 2023

The redox behaviors of macrocyclic molecules with an entirely π-conjugated system are of interest due to their unique optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. In this study, defect-free cyclic P3HT with a degree of polymerization (DPn) from 14 to 43 was synthesized based on our previously established method, and its unique redox behaviors arising from the cyclic topology were investigated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that the HOMO level of cyclic P3HT decreases from –4.86 eV (14 mer) to –4.89 eV (43 mer), in contrast to the linear counterparts increasing from –4.94 eV (14 mer) to –4.91 eV (43 mer). During the CV measurement, linear P3HT suffered from electro-oxidation at the chain ends, while cyclic P3HT was stable. ESR and UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy suggested that cyclic P3HT has stronger dicationic properties due to the interactions between the polarons. On the other hand, linear P3HT showed characteristics of polaron pairs with multiple isolated polarons. Moreover, the dicationic properties of cyclic P3HT were more pronounced for the smaller macrocycles.
The Influence of the Structure of Cotton Fabrics on the Adhesion of Conductive Polymer Printed with 3D Printing Technology
Authors: Silvestre Rocio , Garcia-Breijo Eduardo , Ferri Josué , Montava Ignacio , Bou-Belda Eva
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional printing technology is being increasingly applied in a multitude of sectors. However, this technology is not generally applied in the same way as in other sectors, possibly due to the difficulty of adhesion between the polymer and the textile substrate. A textile garment is subjected to wear and tear during its lifetime, and a low tensile strength or rubbing resistance hinders a garment in most of the applications of this type of research. This study examined the influence of the characteristics of the cotton textile substrate, such as the weave structure and the yarn thickness, on the tensile strength of a 3D-printed element with conductive filament. Starting from the fabric with the highest tensile strength, different prints were made using this technology to incorporate conductive and heating properties into the fabric. The results validate the possibility of providing new properties to the textile by means of this technology; however, the correct selection of the textile used as a base substrate is important.
Accelerated Degradation of Poly-ε-caprolactone Composite Scaffolds for Large Bone Defects
Authors: Daskalakis Evangelos , Hassan Mohamed H. , Omar Abdalla M. , Acar Anil A. , Fallah Ali , Cooper Glen , Weightman Andrew , Blunn Gordon , Koc Bahattin , Bartolo Paulo
Published: January 2023

This research investigates the accelerated hydrolytic degradation process of both anatomically designed bone scaffolds with a pore size gradient and a rectangular shape (biomimetically designed scaffolds or bone bricks). The effect of material composition is investigated considering poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) as the main scaffold material, reinforced with ceramics such as hydroxyapatite (HA), β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and bioglass at a concentration of 20 wt%. In the case of rectangular scaffolds, the effect of pore size (200 μm, 300 μm and 500 μm) is also investigated. The degradation process (accelerated degradation) was investigated during a period of 5 days in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) medium. Degraded bone bricks and rectangular scaffolds were measured each day to evaluate the weight loss of the samples, which were also morphologically, thermally, chemically and mechanically assessed. The results show that the PCL/bioglass bone brick scaffolds exhibited faster degradation kinetics in comparison with the PCL, PCL/HA and PCL/TCP bone bricks. Furthermore, the degradation kinetics of rectangular scaffolds increased by increasing the pore size from 500 μm to 200 μm. The results also indicate that, for the same material composition, bone bricks degrade slower compared with rectangular scaffolds. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the degradation process was faster on the external regions of the bone brick scaffolds (600 μm pore size) compared with the internal regions (200 μm pore size). The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results show that the ceramic concentration remained constant throughout the degradation process, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that all scaffolds exhibited a reduction in crystallinity (Xc), enthalpy (Δm) and melting temperature (Tm) throughout the degradation process, while the glass transition temperature (Tg) slightly increased. Finally, the compression results show that the mechanical properties decreased during the degradation process, with PCL/bioglass bone bricks and rectangular scaffolds presenting higher mechanical properties with the same design in comparison with the other materials.
Tailoring of Novel Bile Salt Stabilized Vesicles for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Simvastatin: A New Therapeutic Approach against Inflammation
Authors: Khafagy El-Sayed , Almutairy Bjad , Abu Lila Amr
Published: January 2023

Simvastatin (SMV), a cholesterol-lowering agent, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the oral use of SMV is linked with poor systemic bioavailability owing to its limited aqueous solubility and extensive first-pass metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transdermal delivery of SMV using bile salt stabilized vesicles (bilosomes) for enhancing the anti-inflammatory potential of SMV. SMV-loaded bilosomes (SMV-BS) were prepared by the thin film hydration technique and optimized by 33 Box–Behnken design. The fabricated SMV-BS were assessed for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency (% EE) and cumulative drug release. The optimized formula was incorporated into HPMC gel and investigated for physical properties, ex vivo permeation, in vivo pharmacokinetic study and anti-inflammatory potential in inflamed paw edema rat model. The optimized SMV-BS showed vesicle size of 172.1 ± 8.1 nm and % EE of 89.2 ± 1.8%. In addition, encapsulating SMV within bilosomal vesicles remarkably sustained drug release over 12 h, compared to plain drug suspension. Furthermore, SMV-loaded bilosomal gel showed a three-fold enhancement in SMV transdermal flux, compared to plain drug suspension. Most importantly, the relative bioavailability of SMV-BS gel was ~2-fold and ~3-fold higher than those of oral SMV suspension and SMV gel, respectively. In carrageenan-induced paw edema model, SMV-BS gel induced a potent anti-inflammatory effect, as evidenced by a remarkable reduction in paw edema, which was comparable to that of the standard anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin. Collectively, bilosomes might represent a plausible transdermal drug delivery system that could enhance the anti-inflammatory activity of SMV by boosting its skin permeation and its systemic bioavailability.
Negative Temperature Coefficient of Resistance in Aligned CNT Networks: Influence of the Underlying Phenomena
Authors: Lomov Stepan V. , Akmanov Iskander S. , Liu Qiang , Wu Qi , Abaimov Sergey G.
Published: January 2023

Temperature dependence of electrical conductivity/resistivity of CNT networks (dry or impregnated), which is characterised by a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), is experimentally observed to be negative, especially for the case of aligned CNT (A-CNT). The paper investigates the role of three phenomena defining the TCR, temperature dependence of the intrinsic conductivity of CNTs, of the tunnelling resistance of their contacts, and thermal expansion of the network, in the temperature range 300–400 K. A-CNT films, created by rolling down A-CNT forests of different length and described in Lee et al., Appl Phys Lett, 2015, 106: 053110, are investigated as an example. The modelling of the electrical conductivity is performed by the nodal analysis of resistance networks, coupled with the finite-element thermomechanical modelling of network thermal expansion. The calculated TCR for the film is about −0.002 1/K and is close to the experimentally observed values. Comparative analysis of the influence of the TCR defining phenomena is performed on the case of dry and impregnated films. The analysis shows that in both cases, for an A-CNT film at the studied temperature interval, the main factor affecting a network’s TCR is the TCR of the CNTs themselves. The TCR of the tunnelling contacts plays the secondary role; influence of the film thermal expansion is marginal. The prevailing impact of the intrinsic conductivity TCR on the TCR of the film is explained by long inter-contact segments of CNTs in an A-CNT network, which define the homogenised film conductivity.
New Hybrid PVC/PVP Polymer Blend Modified with Er2O3 Nanoparticles for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Alshammari Alhulw H. , Alshammari Majed , Ibrahim Mohammed , Alshammari Khulaif , Taha Taha Abdel Mohaymen
Published: January 2023

Polymer blend hybrid nanocomposites are of great importance for future optoelectronic applications. This paper presents the preparation of new polymer blend hybrid nanocomposites based on PVC/PVP modified with Er2O3 nanoparticles. A low-cost solution casting method has been used to prepare the polymer nanocomposites at 0.0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 wt% of Er2O3. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) measurements have all been used to examine the impact of a varying wt% of Er2O3 on the structural and optical characteristics of PVP/PVC polymer blends. The PVC/PVP polymer blend and Er2O3 nanoparticles showed a strong interaction, which was validated by XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectrum investigations. The SEM micrographs showed a remarkable complexation among the components of the polymer nanocomposites. The activation energies for thermal decomposition of PVC/PVP doped with different Er2O3 concentrations were less than that of the pure polymer film. The linear and nonlinear refractive indexes, dispersion energy, optical susceptibility and the energy gap values were found to be Er2O3 concentration-dependent. With an increase in Er2O3 concentration to 0.1 and 0.3 wt%, the dispersion energy and nonlinear refractive index improved, and thereafter decreased when the concentration was further increased to 0.6For the film doped with 0.1 wt% Er2O3, the optical band gap (Eopt) of the composite film enhanced by about 13%. The optical absorption measurements revealed clear improvements with the addition of erbium oxide. Higher refractive index values of PVC/PVP/Er2O3 films qualify the polymer blend as a cladding for electro-optic modulators. Our results indicated that the PVC/PVP/Er2O3 polymer films could be suitable for optoelectronic space applications.
Effect of Impact Angle on the Impact Mechanical Properties of Bionic Foamed Silicone Rubber Sandwich Structure
Authors: Zhang Di , Dong Hui , Zhao Shouji , Yan Wu , Wang Zhenqing
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a red-eared slider turtle is used as the prototype for the bionic design of the foamed silicone rubber sandwich structure. The effect of impact angle on the performance of the foamed silicone rubber sandwich structure against low-velocity impact is studied by the finite element method. The numerical model uses the intrinsic structure model of foamed silicone rubber with porosity and the three-dimensional Hashin fiberboard damage model. The validity of the model was verified after experimental comparison. Based on the finite element simulation of different impact angles and velocities, the relationship between impact velocity and residual velocity, as well as the penetration threshold at various impact angles are obtained, and the change law of impact resistance of foamed silicone rubber sandwich structure with impact angle and velocity, as well as the damage pattern of sandwich structure at different impact angles and velocities are given. The results can provide a basis for the impact resistance design of the bionic foamed silicone rubber sandwich structure. The results show that, at a certain impact speed, the smaller the impact angle, the longer the path of the falling hammer along the plane of the sandwich structure, the lighter the damage to the sandwich structure and the greater the absorbed energy, so that avoiding the impact from the frontal side of the sandwich structure can effectively reduce the damage of the sandwich structure. When the impact angle is greater than 75°, the difference in impact resistance performance is only 2.9% compared with 90°, and the impact angle has less influence on the impact resistance performance at this time.
Experimental Study on the Manufacturing of Functional Paper with Modified by N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide Surfaces
Authors: Khomutinnikov Nikolay V. , Govyazin Igor O. , Ivanov Gennady E. , Fedorova Elena M. , Makarov Igor S. , Vinogradov Markel I. , Kulichikhin Valery G.
Published: January 2023

The manufacturing of paper with new functional properties is a current problem today. A method of modifying the surface layer of paper by the partial dissolution of cellulose on its surface is proposed. N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) is proposed for use as a solvent, the regeneration of which provides an environmentally friendly process. It was shown that among the possible hydrate forms of the solvent, the monohydrate and higher-melting forms are optimal for modifying the paper surface. The temperature–time modes of processing were revealed and the weight gain and density increase in the course of modification were estimated. The structural and morphological features of the original and modified paper were studied by X-ray imaging and scanning microscopy. The NMMO surface treatment makes it possible to vary the air permeability of the paper, making it practically non-permeable. The capillary and pore system were radically transformed after the partial dissolution of cellulose and its coagulation, as the formed cellulose film isolates them, which leads to a decrease in surface absorbency. The processing conditions allowing for the optimization of the optical and strength properties of the modified paper samples are revealed. The resulting paper with a modified N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide surface layer can be used for printing valuable documents.
Role of Shear Flow on Structure Development during Post-Processing Annealing for Poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Vo Hoang-Giang Dai , Kida Takumitsu , Yamaguchi Masayuki
Published: January 2023

The effect of shear history on structure development during post-processing annealing was studied using poly(lactic acid) PLA. Since PLA shows a low crystallization rate, quenched films had no crystallinity. Moreover, molecular orientation was not detected in the films. During the annealing procedure beyond its glass transition temperature, however, molecular orientation to the flow direction occurred with the crystallization growth in the films having an appropriate shear history. This peculiar crystal growth during the annealing was most probably attributed to the crystallization from extended chain crystals generated during the applied shear history, although the amount of extended chain crystals was low. The results obtained in this study should be noted because the molecular orientation proceeded due to the annealing history applied. Furthermore, this phenomenon will be used to suppress dimensional change and increase product rigidity.
Ag/Cu-Chitosan Composite Improves Laundry Hygiene and Reduces Silver Emission in Washing Machines
Authors: Qiang Mengdan , Wu Jianrong , Zhang Hongtao , Zhan Xiaobei
Published: January 2023

Textiles can be contaminated with pathogens during household laundering, potentially leading to human sickness. In this work, chitosan (CTS) was used as a substrate to prepare Ag/Cu-CTS composite, which was applied in laundering and showed a remarkable antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The mechanical strength of Ag/Cu-CTS composite beads was higher than 400 MPa. The Ag/Cu-CTS composite were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. This composite had a strong inhibitory effect on several laundry pathogens, such as Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Using a standard laundering program and 15 g of Ag/Cu-CTS composite beads, the antibacterial rates reached 99.9%, and no silver emission was detected, thereby satisfying the Chinese requirement for washing machines. After 160 runs of laundering tests, this composite still has an excellent antibacterial effect. For the first time, chitosan is successfully applied as an antibacterial material on household electric appliances.
Relaxation Model of the Relations between the Elastic Modulus and Thermal Expansivity of Thermosetting Polymers and FRPs
Authors: Korolev Alexander , Mishnev Maxim , Ulrikh Dmitrii , Zadorin Alexander
Published: January 2023

This research was completed in the development of studies devoted to relations between the elastic modulus (MoE) and thermal expansivity (CTe) of different materials. This study, based on experimental data, confirmed the models of the relations between MoE and CTe under normal and heating temperatures for thermosetting epoxy polymers and glass-fiber FRPs in two variants (unfilled and filled by mineral additives), after the usual glassing and prolonged thermal conditioning (thermo-relaxation). The experiment was based on dilatometric and elastic deformation testing. Two models of MoE/CTe were tested: Barker’s model and our authors relaxation model (MoE = f(CTe)), which is based on previous modelling of the non-linearity of the physical properties of polymers’ supramolecular structures. The result show that the models’ constants depend on composition; Barker’s model is applicable only to polymers with satisfying agreement degrees in the range 10–20%; our model is applicable to polymers and FRPs with satisfying agreement degrees in the range of 6–18%.
Study on Mechanical Properties and Micro Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Ecological Cementitious Coal Gangue Materials
Authors: Pang Shuai , Zhang Xiangdong , Zhu Kaixin , Li Jiaze , Su Lijuan
Published: January 2023

Eco-gelled coal gangue materials (EGCGMs) are usually produced using coal gangue, slag, and fly ash in a highly alkaline environment. Herein, to improve the mechanical properties of such materials, polypropylene fibers were uniformly mixed with them. An unconfined compressive strength test and a three-point bending test of the fiber-reinforced EGCGMs under different conditions were conducted. Based on the performance degradation control technology of the fiber structure, the interface mechanism of the composite materials was analyzed from the micro level using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the mechanical test, the 28 d UCS and flexural properties of the fiber-reinforced EGCGMs were analyzed using the Box–Behnken design response surface design method and orthogonal design method, respectively. The order of significance was as follows: sodium hydroxide, fiber length, and fiber content. Within the scope of the experimental study, when the NaOH content is 3, the fiber content is 5 ‰, and the fiber length is 9 mm, the mechanical properties are the best. Based on the microscopic equipment, it was discovered that the amorphous ecological glue condensation product formed by the reaction of slag and fly ash in the alkaline environment was filled between the coal gangue particles and the fibers, and several polymerization products accumulated to form a honeycomb network topology. The distribution of fibers in the EGCGM matrix could be primarily divided into single embedded and network occurrences. The fiber inhibits the crack initiation and development of the matrix through the crack resistance effect, and improves the brittleness characteristics through the bridging effect during the failure process, which promotes the ductility of the ecological cementitious coal gangue matrix.The results presented herein can provide a theoretical basis for improving the mechanical properties of alkali-activated geopolymers.
Advances in the One-Step Approach of Polymeric Materials Using Enzymatic Techniques
Authors: Herman Richard Ansah , Zhu Xuan , Ayepa Ellen , You Shuai , Wang Jun
Published: January 2023

The formulation in which biochemical enzymes are administered in polymer science plays a key role in retaining their catalytic activity. The one-step synthesis of polymers with highly sequence-controlled enzymes is a strategy employed to provide enzymes with higher catalytic activity and thermostability in material sustainability. Enzyme-catalyzed chain growth polymerization reactions using activated monomers, protein–polymer complexation techniques, covalent and non-covalent interaction, and electrostatic interactions can provide means to develop formulations that maintain the stability of the enzyme during complex material processes. Multifarious applications of catalytic enzymes are usually attributed to their efficiency, pH, and temperature, thus, progressing with a critical structure-controlled synthesis of polymer materials. Due to the obvious economics of manufacturing and environmental sustainability, the green synthesis of enzyme-catalyzed materials has attracted significant interest. Several enzymes from microorganisms and plants via enzyme-mediated material synthesis have provided a viable alternative for the appropriate synthesis of polymers, effectively utilizing the one-step approach. This review analyzes more and deeper strategies and material technologies widely used in multi-enzyme cascade platforms for engineering polymer materials, as well as their potential industrial applications, to provide an update on current trends and gaps in the one-step synthesis of materials using catalytic enzymes.
On the Response to Aging of OPEFB/Acrylic Composites: A Fungal Degradation Perspective
Authors: Valle Vladimir , Aguilar Alex Darío , Yánez Paola , Almeida-Naranjo Cristina E. , Cadena Francisco , Kreiker Jerónimo , Raggiotti Belén
Published: January 2023

Biological agents and their metabolic activity produce significant changes over the microstructure and properties of composites reinforced with natural fibers. In the present investigation, oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber-reinforced acrylic thermoplastic composites were elaborated at three processing temperatures and subjected to water immersion, Prohesion cycle, and continuous salt-fog aging testing. After exposition, microbiological identification was accomplished in terms of fungal colonization. The characterization was complemented by weight loss, mechanical, infrared, and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as scanning electron microscopy. As a result of aging, fungal colonization was observed exclusively after continuous salt fog treatment, particularly by different species of Aspergillus spp. genus. Furthermore, salt spray promoted filamentous fungi growth producing hydrolyzing enzymes capable of degrading the cell walls of OPEFB fibers. In parallel, these fibers swelled due to humidity, which accelerated fungal growth, increased stress, and caused micro-cracks on the surface of composites. This produced the fragility of the composites, increasing Young’s modulus, and decreasing both elongation at break and toughness. The infrared spectra showed changes in the intensity and appearance of bands associated with functional groups. Thermogravimetric results confirmed fungal action as the main cause of the deterioration.
Characterization of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Broiler Breeders with Colibacillosis in Mississippi
Authors: Joseph Jiddu , Jennings Madalyn , Barbieri Nicolle , Zhang Li , Adhikari Pratima , Ramachandran Reshma
Published: January 2023

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis in poultry, a leading cause of poultry mortality worldwide. It is crucial to control APEC in broiler breeders as it is vertically transferred to progeny via eggs. However, there is only limited knowledge on the current APEC population in breeders. This study characterized 28 APEC strains isolated from broiler breeders with colibacillosis. The genotypic-virulence characteristics as well as antimicrobial and heavy-metal resistance patterns of the isolates were determined. Results showed that O88 is the most prevalent serogroup and B2 is the predominant phylogenetic group. Among virulence genes, genes for iron acquisition (iroN and iutA), protectins (iss and ompT), and toxin production (hlyF) exhibited the highest prevalence. Further, 93% of the isolates carried at least one antimicrobial resistance gene with highest prevalence for tetracycline gene tetA. Among the isolates, 10.71% exhibited multidrug resistance. All isolates carried at least one heavy-metal resistance gene with the highest prevalence for arsenic gene arsC and the highest resistance towards silver. Our findings provide insight into the characteristics of current APEC populations in broiler breeders in Mississippi. This will help future research on the pathogenesis of APEC and the development of effective prevention and control strategies against APEC in broiler breeders.
Machine Learning-Based Method for Predicting Compressive Strength of Concrete
Authors: Li Daihong , Tang Zhili , Kang Qian , Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Youhua
Published: January 2023

Accurate prediction of the compressive strength of concrete is of great significance to construction quality and progress. In order to understand the current research status in the concrete compressive strength prediction field, a bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature published in this field in the last decade was conducted first. The 3135 journal articles published from 2012 to 2021 in the Web of Science core database were used as the database, and the knowledge map was drawn with the help of the visualisation software CiteSpace 6.1R2 to analyse the field at the macro level in terms of spatial and temporal distribution, hotspot distribution and evolutionary trends, respectively. Afterwards, we go into the detail and divide concrete compressive strength prediction methods into two categories: traditional and machine-learning methods, and introduce the typical methods of each. In addition, a boosting-based ensemble machine-learning algorithm, namely the gradient boosting regression tree (GBRT) algorithm, is proposed for predicting the compressive strength of concrete. 1030 sets of concrete compressive strength test data were collected as the dataset, of which 60% were used to train the model, 20% to validate the model and 20% to test the trained model. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the GBRT model was 0.92, the mean square error (MSE) was 22.09 MPa, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was 4.7 MPa, which is an excellent prediction accuracy compared to prediction models constructed by other machine-learning algorithms. In addition, a five-fold cross-validation analysis was carried out, and the eight input variables were analyzed for their characteristic importance.
Understanding Civilizational Populism in Europe and North America: The United States, France, and Poland
Authors: Morieson Nicholas
Published: January 2023

This article tests the salience of the concept of “civilizational populism” in the European and North American contexts. Right-wing populism is increasingly successful across a range of countries in Europe and North America. While right-wing populism is oriented toward nationalism and nativism, many right-wing populist parties increasingly perceive, as Brubaker puts it, the “opposition between self and other” and “the boundaries of belonging” not in narrow “national but in broader civilizational terms”. Yilmaz and Morieson describe this phenomenon as “civilizational populism”. Using Cas Mudde’s ideological/ideational definition of populism, Yilmaz and Morieson describe civilizational populism as “a group of ideas that together considers that politics should be an expression of the volonté générale (general will) of the people, and society to be ultimately separated into two homogenous and antagonistic groups, ‘the pure people’ versus ‘the corrupt elite’ who collaborate with the dangerous others belonging to other civilizations that are hostile and present a clear and present danger to the civilization and way of life of the pure people”. Civilizational populism appears to be widespread across Europe, and it is also present in the United States, although there is curiously little research on this phenomenon, and Yilmaz and Morieson’s conception of civilizational populism has not been extensively tested. To test the salience of this concept, this article examines three distinct manifestations of civilizational rhetoric in three different countries: the Trump administration in the United States, National Rally in France, and PiS in Poland. The article asks the following two questions. What role does civilizationalism play in populist discourses? How do the civilizational populists in France, Poland, and the United States define “the people”, “elites”, and “others”, and what are the similarities and differences between the parties/movements examined? The article finds that all three parties/movements may be termed “civilizational populists” under the definition given by Yilmaz and Morieson. It finds that the civilizational populists examined in the article posit that “elites” are immoral insofar as they have both turned away from the “good” religion-derived cultural values of “the people” and permitted or desired the immigration of people who do not share the culture and values as “the people”, instead belonging to a foreign civilization—Islam—with different and even antithetical values. However, the article finds that “the people”, “elites”, and “others” are described by Trump, Le Pen, and Kaczyński in significantly different ways.
Killing Pharaohs in Exodus: The Anonymity of the Egyptian Kings, the Deconstruction of Their Individuality, and the Egyptian Practice of Damnatio Memoriae
Authors: Lee Sanghwan
Published: January 2023

Scholars have understood the anonymity of the Egyptian kings in Exodus in various ways. Some argue that the Israelite author intentionally anonymized the foreign kings for possible rhetorical effects. Others believe that the anonymity was a simple case of inadvertent forgetting. Although these approaches have merit in contributing to a more robust understanding of the anonymity of Pharaohs, a different approach may also have something to offer in grasping a fuller understanding of the absence of the Pharaonic names. In this regard, this article seeks to examine the anonymity in conversation with the Egyptian practice of damnatio memoriae (i.e., damnation of memory). According to this method, the proto-Israelite transmitters of the Exodus traditions deliberately obliterated the names of the Egyptian kings for the purpose of terminating their existence and memory from the proto-Israelite community.
One Out of Many: The Civic and Religious in American Muslim Life
Authors: Coolidge R. David
Published: January 2023

American Muslims regularly encounter a tacit distinction between the civic and religious spheres of their daily lives. Islamic legal norms are not invoked incessantly to highlight the differences between Muslims and their fellow citizens, but instead are considered relevant for particular issues at particular times. Through examining examples of how Muslims engage with the American economic and legal system, it is shown that much of one’s engagement with the civic structures of American life is seen as unproblematic. Understanding this distinction helps Muslims participating in American life to properly conceptualize the relationship between their religious faith and their roles as citizens in the larger body politic.
From Power to Pleasure: Homosexuality in the Arab-Muslim World from Lakhi’a to al-mukhannathun
Authors: Almarai Akeel , Persichetti Alessandra
Published: January 2023

We propose a historical-philological analysis of the attitudes in Islam and Arab culture toward practices of masculine homosexuality (from the pre-Islamic period until end of the first century of Hijra) based on a review of scriptural (Qur’an, Sunnah, fiqh) and literary sources. We hypothesize the existence of a historical dialectic between two ideological models: on the one hand, the heterosexual norm intertwined with patriarchal domination and Islam; on the other, the existence of homosexual love and other forms of sexuality and gender. First we have discovered that the earliest myth concerning sodomy dates back to a much earlier era than has been assumed in modern studies of homosexuality. Then we propose the thesis according to which in pre-Islamic times homosexuality was associated to power relations, but that homosexual imagery and practices linked to pleasure already emerged at the time of the Prophet. In the prophetic era, the visibility of male homosexuality—which we have been able to analyze only indirectly, i.e., through the treatment reserved for the mukhannathun—was regulated through a socio-political compromise aimed at mediating between hadith of explicit condemnation and tolerance of sexual attitudes and behaviors considered less subversive. Starting from the following era (after Othman’s admission of the mukhannathun to Medina), homosexual practices would begin to conquer more and more spaces of visibility and freedom.
Comparing Machine Learning Algorithms for Pixel/Object-Based Classifications of Semi-Arid Grassland in Northern China Using Multisource Medium Resolution Imageries
Authors: Wu Nitu , Crusiol Luís Guilherme Teixeira , Liu Guixiang , Wuyun Deji , Han Guodong
Published: January 2023

Knowledge of grassland classification in a timely and accurate manner is essential for grassland resource management and utilization. Although remote sensing imagery analysis technology is widely applied for land cover classification, few studies have systematically compared the performance of commonly used methods on semi-arid native grasslands in northern China. This renders the grassland classification work in this region devoid of applicable technical references. In this study, the central Xilingol (China) was selected as the study area, and the performances of four widely used machine learning algorithms for mapping semi-arid grassland under pixel-based and object-based classification methods were compared: random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and naive Bayes (NB). The features were composed of the Landsat OLI multispectral data, spectral indices, Sentinel SAR C bands, topographic, position (coordinates), geometric, and grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture variables. The findings demonstrated that (1) the object-based methods depicted a more realistic land cover distribution and had greater accuracy than the pixel-based methods; (2) in the pixel-based classification, RF performed the best, with OA and Kappa values of 96.32% and 0.95, respectively. In object-based classification, RF and SVM presented no statistically different predictions, with OA and Kappa exceeding 97.5% and 0.97, respectively, and both performed significantly better than other algorithms. (3) In pixel-based classification, multispectral bands, spectral indices, and geographic features significantly distinguished grassland, whereas, in object-based classification, multispectral bands, spectral indices, elevation, and position features were more prominent. Despite the fact that Sentinel 1 SAR variables were chosen as an effective variable in object-based classification, they made no significant contribution to the grassland distinction.
Multifactorial Evaluation of Spatial Suitability and Economic Viability of Light Green Bridges Using Remote Sensing Data and Spatial Urban Planning Criteria
Authors: Wuit Yee Kyaw Hnin , Chatzidimitriou Angeliki , Hellwig Jocelyne , Bühler Michael , Hawlik Johannes , Herrmann Michael
Published: January 2023

Multi-faceted stresses of social, environmental, and economic nature are increasingly challenging the existence and sustainability of our societies. Cities in particular are disproportionately threatened by global issues such as climate change, urbanization, population growth, air pollution, etc. In addition, urban space is often too limited to effectively develop sustainable, nature-based solutions while accommodating growing populations. This research aims to provide new methodologies by proposing lightweight green bridges in inner-city areas as an effective land value capture mechanism. Geometry analysis was performed using geospatial and remote sensing data to provide geometrically feasible locations of green bridges. A multi-criteria decision analysis was applied to identify suitable locations for green bridges investigating Central European urban centers with a focus on German cities as representative examples. A cost-benefit analysis was performed to assess the economic feasibility using a case study. The results of the geometry analysis identified 3249 locations that were geometrically feasible to implement a green bridge in German cities. The sample locations from the geometry analysis were proved to be validated for their implementation potential. Multi-criteria decision analysis was used to select 287 sites that fall under the highest suitable class based on several criteria. The cost-benefit analysis of the case study showed that the market value of the property alone can easily outweigh the capital and maintenance costs of a green bridge, while the indirect (monetary) benefits of the green space continue to increase the overall value of the green bridge property including its neighborhood over time. Hence, we strongly recommend light green bridges as financially sustainable and nature-based solutions in cities worldwide.
Frequency Domain Electromagnetic System Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Platform for Detecting Shallow Subsurface Targets
Authors: Li Shiyan , Xing Kang , Zhang Xiaojuan
Published: January 2023

Due to the advantages of being nondestructive, rapid, and convenient, the electromagnetic detection method has attracted growing interest in the field of shallow subsurface detection. With the rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, the use of the UAV platform for measurement can not only improve work efficiency but also avoid the significant losses that may be caused by humans working in dangerous areas. Therefore, we propose a broadband frequency domain electromagnetic system AFEM-3 based on a UAV platform for shallow subsurface targets detection (within less than 2 m). The sensor head adopts a concentric planar coil structure with a high spatial resolution, and a bucking coil connected in reverse series with the transmitting coil is used to suppress the primary field at the receiving coil. We designed a transmitting module based on unipolar frequency multiplication sinusoidal pulse width modulation technology that can generate multi-frequency arbitrary combination transmitting waveforms with low total harmonic distortion. It can also be matched to a variety of different transmitter coils by using the same hardware circuit. In addition, the global navigation satellite system and inertial measurement unit are integrated on the sensor head. The measurement response value, position, and attitude information can be displayed in real-time through the host computer. Through the static experiment of a standard coil, we verified the consistency between the AFEM-3 system with the theory. The performance of the system was evaluated through field experiments. The experimental results show that the system can effectively detect multiple metal targets in shallow subsurface areas. For different metal targets, the AFEM-3 system can provide obvious frequency domain characteristics.
A Multi-Level Distributed Computing Approach to XDraw Viewshed Analysis Using Apache Spark
Authors: Dong Junduo , Zhang Jianbo
Published: January 2023

Viewshed analysis is a terrain visibility computation method based on the digital elevation model (DEM). With the rapid growth of remote sensing and data collection technologies, the volume of large-scale raster DEM data has reached a great size (ZB). However, the data storage and GIS analysis based on such large-scale digital data volume become extra difficult. The usually distributed approaches based on Apache Hadoop and Spark can efficiently handle the viewshed analysis computation of large-scale DEM data, but there are still bottleneck and precision problems. In this article, we present a multi-level distributed XDraw (ML-XDraw) algorithm with Apache Spark to handle the viewshed analysis of large DEM data. The ML-XDraw algorithm mainly consists of 3 parts: (1) designing the XDraw algorithm into a multi-level distributed computing process, (2) introducing a multi-level data decomposition strategy to solve the calculating bottleneck problem of the cluster’s executor, and (3) proposing a boundary approximate calculation strategy to solve the precision loss problem in calculation near the boundary. Experiments show that the ML-XDraw algorithm adequately addresses the above problems and achieves better speed-up and accuracy as the volume of raster DEM data increases drastically.
Spatio-Temporal Changes in Water Use Efficiency and Its Driving Factors in Central Asia (2001–2021)
Authors: Qin Shaofeng , Ding Jianli , Ge Xiangyu , Wang Jinjie , Wang Ruimei , Zou Jie , Tan Jiao , Han Lijing
Published: January 2023

Although understanding the carbon and water cycles of dryland ecosystems in terms of water use efficiency (WUE) is important, WUE and its driving mechanisms are less understood in Central Asia. This study calculated Central Asian WUE for 2001–2021 based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and analyzed its spatial and temporal variability using temporal information entropy. The importance of atmospheric factors, hydrological factors, and biological factors in driving WUE in Central Asia was also explored using a geographic detector. The results show the following: (1) the average WUE in Central Asia from 2001–2021 is 2.584–3.607 gCkg−1H2O, with weak inter-annual variability and significant intra-annual variability and spatial distribution changes; (2) atmospheric and hydrological factors are strong drivers, with land surface temperature (LST) being the strongest driver of WUE, explaining 54.8% of variation; (3) the interaction of the driving factors can enhance the driving effect by more than 60% for the interaction between most atmospheric factors and vegetation factors, of which the effect of the interaction of temperature (TEM) with vegetation cover (FVC) is the greatest, explaining 68.1% of the change in WUE. Furthermore, the interaction of driving factors with very low explanatory power (e.g., water pressure (VAP), aerosol optical depth over land (AOD), and groundwater (GWS)) has a significant enhancement effect. Vegetation is an important link in driving WUE, and it is important to understand the mechanisms of WUE change to guide ecological restoration projects.