Digital Commons Network^™

Influence Of Reflective Cracks On The Mesoscopic Mechanical Behavior Of Asphalt Pavement Structures, Ma Hui, Ren Zhongshan, Wang Min

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To gain an in-depth understanding of the mechanical behavior of existing asphalt pavement structures affected by reflective cracks, a macro-meso coupled model of a typical semi-rigid base asphalt pavement was established based on a continuum-discrete coupling method. By incorporating reflective cracks with varying vertical lengths, the stress transfer paths, mesoscopic particle stress states, and displacement evolution of the pavement structure were analyzed. The results indicate that the coarse aggregate skeleton and the surrounding mortar collectively bear more than 75% of the traffic load, forming a critical load transfer system, and that a significant linear correlation exists between the vertical stress …

Grading Evaluation Method For Road Section-Level Structural Cracks Based On 3d Ground-Penetrating Radar, Zhou Lei, Yin Long, Wu Dongsheng, Xu Huan, Chang Wei, Zhu Haoran

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Structural cracks are widely distributed in current expressways, yet there is a lack of targeted evaluation methods. To achieve a quantitative assessment of structural cracking conditions in semi-rigid base asphalt pavement, this study first analyzed the development process of structural cracks based on coring tests. Subsequently, combined with non-destructive testing technology using 3D ground-penetrating radar and on-site coring experience, the morphological characteristics of structural cracks at various development stages were analyzed, and the cracks were classified into mild, moderate, and severe levels according to their development layers. On this basis, road section-level evaluation indicators, namely structural cracking spacing (SD) and …

Research On Enhancement Of Toughness Performance In Polyurethane-Modified Epoxy Asphalt, Liang Bo, Liao Xintao, Liao Wei, Jiang Hui, Qin Ruiming

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To solve low toughness and high brittleness of epoxy asphalt under low-temperature conditions, in this study, polyether-type polyurethane (JMPU) and polyester-type polyurethane (JZPU) were employed to prepare modified epoxy asphalt. Firstly, the Brookfield viscosity test, infrared spectroscopy test, and fluorescence microscopy were utilized to characterize the curing process. The curing time and curing temperature of JMPU and JZPU modified epoxy asphalt were 3 h/140°C and 4 h/150°C, respectively. With styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), a common modifier, as the control, the performance changes of epoxy asphalt before and after modification with different toughening agents were evaluated through mechanical tensile test, rheological …

Performance Of High-Elastic Modified Asphalt For Paving-Type Recycled Stress Absorption Layer, Li Jing, Liu Linlin, Zhu Qiyang, Li Ning, Li Long

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To enhance the performance of recycled high-elastic modified asphalt binder and achieve high-quality and high-content utilization of RAP fine materials in the design of stress absorbing layers, a highly permeable recycled high-elastic modified asphalt (ZGT-R) was prepared by adding SBS modifier, light component oil, and penetrant to replenish the degraded SBS molecules and reduce intermolecular forces. The conventional properties, elastic recovery, degree of fusion between new and aged asphalt, rheological properties, and micro-modification mechanism of ZGT-R and ordinary recycled high-elastic modified asphalt before and after the addition of the rejuvenator were analyzed. The results show that, compared with the two …

Research On Fatigue Damage And Crack Propagation Of Pre-Cut Seam Asphalt Mixture Composite Beams, Huang Dengke, Liu Hongfu

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

This study investigated the influence of reflective cracking on the fatigue performance of asphalt pavements subjected to milling and resurfacing under varying service conditions. The fatigue life of composite beams was evaluated via four-point bending fatigue tests, considering the effects of different stress ratios, soaking durations, air void contents, and types of tack coat. Meanwhile, the digital image correlation (DIC) technique was employed to analyze the crack propagation behavior of composite beams. To accurately characterize the failure of composite beam specimens, the dynamic modulus was employed to define damage variables, enabling the calculation of critical fatigue damage for the composite …

High-Modulus Asphalt Mixtures With High Rap Content, Huang You, Feng Boxiong, Liu Zhaohui, Wang Shuai, Xiong Tianle

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The old asphalt mixtures are characterized by high hardness and fine aggregate, which is aligned with the characteristics of high-modulus asphalt mixtures. In view of the current problem that the utilization rate of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) is generally low, research on high-modulus asphalt mixtures with high RAP content was carried out. Three kinds of asphalt mixtures were prepared, including RAP addition with the content of 0%, 30%, 50% and 70% respectively, the addition of the high-modulus agent (2% asphalt mixture mass), and the addition of both RAP and the high-modulus agent with low content (1% asphalt mixture mass). Comparative …

Performance And Application Of Viscosity Recovering Recycled Micro Overlay Based On Fine Separated Rap Fines, She Zhaoyu, Chen Xianghui, Li Ning, Xie Zhiwei, Tang Wei

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The key to asphalt recycling lies in the appropriate selection of the recycling agent. To improve the recycling value of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) fine materials, based on fine separated RAP fines and combined with viscosity recovering rejuvenator for recycled micro overlay mixture design, the performance of recycled asphalt binder and mixture was studied, and the influence of different rejuvenator types and RAP content was analyzed. The results show that: considering the recoverable degree of aggregate gradation and recycled asphalt performance requirements, the maximum content of fine separated RAP fines in SMA-5 recycled micro overlay is determined to be 30%; …

Influence Of Rap Content On Performance Of Micro-Surfacing Mixture, Zhang Dabin, Huang Jianhong, Yue Aijun, Lin Yian

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To evaluate the influence of different recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content on the mix design and performance of micro-surfacing mixtures, mixing tests and torque shear tests were conducted to assess their workability. The mechanical and road performance were evaluated using load wheel tests, rutting tests, water immersion Marshall tests, freeze-thaw splitting tensile tests, SCB tests, fatigue durability tests, and cohesion tests. The study shows that, at the optimal asphalt-to-aggregate ratio, increasing RAP content leads to a decrease in the optimal emulsified asphalt content of the recycled micro-surfacing mixture and a reduction in workability. Correspondingly, the high-temperature rutting resistance, moisture damage …

Optimal Design And Engineering Practice For Plant-Mixing Hot Recycled Asphalt Mixture Based On Performance Control, Zhang Wuxing, Cai Haiquan, Wang Weiwei, Zhou Rui, Wang Luyue, Li Qiang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To address the difficulty of balancing high-and low-temperature performance in hot recycled asphalt mixture design and the performance imbalance revealed during long-term service, wheel tracking test, repeated creep loading test, multiple-sequence repeated load test (MSRL), bending beam test, and semi-circular bending test were conducted under different recycled material content and asphalt content conditions. A performance-controlled mix design method was established for plant-mixed hot recycled asphalt mixture (PHM) and verified through engineering trials. The results show that under recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) contents of 25% and 30%, the optimal asphalt content can be determined using flow number (Fn), composite creep strain …

Effects Of Rap Pretreatment Methods On Durability And Carbon Reduction In High-Proportion Plant-Produced Hot-Recycled Asphalt Mixtures, Zhang Dongying, Li Ning, Liu Xincheng, Liu Mingfeng, Xie Tangfei

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To address the poor performance of plant-produced hot recycled asphalt mixtures with high recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content, this study employed a refined separation technology to treat RAP materials. The effectiveness of this technology in enhancing the durability of high-RAP-content recycled asphalt mixtures was verified through trial pavement construction and performance testing. In addition, the carbon reduction potential as well as the economic and social benefits of the refined separation technology were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the refined-separation recycled asphalt mixture performs significantly better than conventional crushed-and-screened recycled asphalt mixtures in terms of water-temperature cycling resistance, long-term aging resistance, …

Single Local Injection Of 3s-Hmgb1 Enhances Early Bone Healing And Titanium Implant Osseointegration In Type 2 Diabetic Mice, Bhuvana L. Chandrashekar, Alexandra Arteaga, Evelin Rios, Jimena Mora, Gustavo P. Garlet, Danieli Rodrigues, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Diabetes significantly impairs bone healing via several mechanisms, including sustained inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor osteogenic responses. Fully reduced isoform of High Mobility Group Box 1 with three serine substitutions (3S-HMGB1) has shown regenerative properties while being resistant to oxidative degradation.

Objective: This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of a single local injection of 3S-HMGB1 in early osseointegration under diabetic conditions in mice.

Methodology: A total of 48 male 129/Sv mice (24 non-diabetic [ND], 24 diabetic [D]) received titanium implants following maxillary first molar extraction. ND and D mice (n:12) were injected with either saline (control) or 3S-HMGB1 (0.75 mg/kg) …

Salinity Response In Tunisian Durum Wheat Genotypes: Genetic Relationships, Phenotypic Variation, And Ssr Marker-Based Computational Modelling, Rim Mzid, Rayda Ben Ayed, Imène Ayachi, Elyès Babay, İnci̇ Tolay, Lamia Hamrouni, Abdullah Eren, Mohsen Hanana

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study identifies salt-tolerant durum wheat genotypes for breeding programmes by integrating phenotypic, genotypic, and computational analyses of 27 Mediterranean varieties. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed two distinct genetic groups: modern genotypes (high-yielding Tunisian/Italian cultivars) and ancient genotypes (traditional Tunisian landraces). Among tested cultivars, JnehKhottifa and Grécale exhibited exceptional salinity tolerance, maintaining >80% germination at 200 mM NaCl, while Om Rabiaa and Agili showed sensitivity (<50% germination). Bayesian network modelling was used to explore the probabilistic relationships between simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (e.g., CFD40 and GWM182, PIC = 0.561) and important traits such as root length and germination rate under stress. Genetic diversity analysis (average PIC = 0.407) highlighted the potential of SSR markers for trait-marker associations. These findings establish a valuable platform for enhancing marker-assisted selection salt- tolerant durum wheat varieties, essential for securing yields in saline-prone Mediterranean regions.

Nitrogen Management In Enhancing Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus L.) Productivity And Sustainable Development In Fruit Cultivation, Aleksandar Leposavić, Žaklina Karaklajić-Stajić, Sezai̇ Erci̇şli̇, Darko Jevremović, Ivana S. Glišić, Branko Popović, Olga Mitrović

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study investigated the effect of reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer dosage on the vegetative and generative potential, physical and chemical characteristics, and fruit yield of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). Two raspberry cultivars (Willamette and Meeker) were treated with low and high doses of calcium ammonium nitrate and urea over 3 consecutive years (2021–2023) in Western Serbia. Basic floricane traits and fruit quality parameters were analyzed using widely accepted methodologies. The results showed significant variations in primocane growth, floricane traits, and berry quality in response to different N fertilizer doses, whereas soluble solid content (SSC) was more stable. Lower N fertilizer …

The Impact Of Endogenous And Exogenous Fungi In Saline-Alkali Soil On The Growth And Root System Of Pine Trees, Chunfeng Shi, Zhixin Ju, Kan Gao, Wenzhong Fan, Bo Yang

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The objective is to explore planting methods that enhance the ability of black pine to cope with salt stress environments, improve its growth under such conditions, and observe its growth and physiological characteristics under various experimental conditions. For this purpose, endophytic mycorrhizal Indian pear-shaped fungus and ectomycorrhizal two-colored wax mushrooms were selected and inoculated onto potted black pine seedlings, and a control group was set up. After inoculation, the mycorrhizal infection rate, salt damage symptoms, growth rate, root parameters, and various physiological indicators under different salt stress durations were evaluated. Results showed that as the salt concentration was raised to …

Study On The Flow Field Characteristics Of The Air-Suction Jujube Harvester Pipeline Based On Magnetohydrodynamic Airflow Control, Jing Nie, Qi Zhang, Jiashun Jiang, Jingbin Li, Longpeng Ding, Shufeng Li, Liming Xu, Mehmet Çeçen, Savaş Tanrisever

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study aimed to address the issue of suction force attenuation in the air-suction jujube (red date) harvester due to pipeline pressure loss. The active flow control method based on magnetohydrodynamics was used to optimize the pipeline flow field and reduce pressure loss. Through multiphysics field coupling theory modeling and numerical simulation, the regulatory effects of different electromagnetic field parameters on the pipeline flow field were characterized. An experimental platform was established to verify that the optimized electrode tip density, electrode voltage, and magnetic induction intensity could significantly increase the outflow gas velocity, pressure difference, and harvesting efficiency of the …

Fostering Sustainability Literacy And Action Through Language Education: Perspectives And Practices Across Regions, Maria-José De La Fuente, Odette Gabaudan, Kiley Kost, Owain Llewellyn, Pilar Molina, Seth Peabody

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This activity report explores the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in language pedagogy, focusing on its potential to equip students with both linguistic proficiency and the competencies needed to address complex global challenges. Rooted in the context of TU (Technical University) Dublin’s commitment to embedding sustainability in Higher Education curricula, the activity report builds on insights from a 2023 roundtable discussion convened by two of the authors in collaboration with CercleS and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on the occasion of its first Research conference. Featuring perspectives from scholars in sustainability and language education, …

The Echo: October 27, 2025, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Nonprofit Regulation In The United States: Three Dynamic Trends, Lloyd H. Mayer

Journal Articles

Nonprofit regulation in the United States is strongly influenced by society-wide political trends. This influence is especially evident today with respect to racial justice debates, partisan political divides, and significant changes in federal tax law. This commentary explores both how these trends are already affecting nonprofit regulation and how they might affect nonprofit regulation in the near future.

Chan V. Encalada

All Decisions

In a nonpayment proceeding, the landlord's petition was dismissed. After a trial on tenant's counterclaims, the court found for the tenant, awarding a $20,000 rent abatement for breach of warranty of habitability due to conditions like damaged floors, mold, lack of heat/cooking gas, and pests. The tenant also proved harassment, receiving $1,000 in compensatory damages and $35,000 in punitive damages, citing the landlord's omission of essential services demonstrating intent or malice, including physical assaults. The court also ordered the landlord to correct all outstanding DHPD violations.

Friends In Our Lives: Perspectives Of Young People Who Participated In A Professional Mentoring Program, Kristian Jones, Karryn Satchell, Lakindra Mitchell Dove, Julissa Muñiz, Erik Hulman, J Mark Eddy, Kevin Haggerty, Deborah Cohen, Martie Skinner, Koren Hanson

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mentoring programs are popular interventions to support holistic development for young people. One specific model of mentoring that has emerged over the past few decades in the United States is professional mentoring. Research has illustrated that this model of mentoring may be particularly helpful for young people who could benefit from extra support in their lives that a volunteer mentoring program does not have the capacity to provide. Despite the emerging utilization of professional mentoring programs, little is known about the ideal characteristics of a professional mentor and young people's experiences in these professional mentoring programs. This study interviewed 12 …

An Affinity For Alignment: Spontaneous Convergence Of Stance-Taking In Topical Conversations, Carmen Tu, Stacey Zoutis, Steven Brown

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Alignment in stance-taking is a foundational behavior in conversation, but few studies have quantified the degree to which conversationalists converge in their attitudes toward a topic. We attempted to quantify this convergence in terms of three parameters related to alignment: intensity (low to high), prevalence (percentage of time in alignment), and content (use of open-ended versus closed-ended statements). To examine the utility of these parameters, we compared the content of conversations between unacquainted dyads in either a free conversation condition or a topical condition in which the individuals were mismatched for their attitude toward the topic to maximize disalignment between …

Genetic Characterization And High-Resolution Total Mrna Sequencing Of The Millipede Cherokia Georgiana Bollman, 1889, Elena Cruz

Biology Theses

There are approximately 12,000 described species within the class Diplopoda. Only six species, falling within four of sixteen orders, have fully sequenced genomes. No whole genomes are available for incredibly diverse families like Xystodesmidae. Many interesting characteristics in this group are poorly defined at the genetic level, such as the production of a defensive hydrogen cyanide secretion and UV fluorescence in the order Polydesmida. Here, we present a genetic characterization of the polydesmid millipede Cherokia georgiana Bollman, 1889. We include tissue-specific sequencing metrics, alignment and assembly of mitochondrial DNA consensus sequence according to tissue type, and phylogenetic tree construction using …

How Sociologist Paul F. Lazarsfeld Became An Influencer: 80 Years Of Opinion Leader Research, Amelie Duckwitz, Hermann Strasser

Sociology Between the Gaps: Forgotten and Neglected Topics

No abstract provided.

The Free Press Vol. 57, Issue 6, 10-27-2025, Julz Levesque, Caraline Squires

Free Press, The

Voting Rights Forum and November Election--How Can YOU Vote--Dangers of Undercooked Chicken on Campus--Special Education Cuts--Ocean Ridge Farm's Makers Market--Deering Oaks Hosts No Kings Day Protest--Journalists Leave Pentagon in Response to New Restrictions--EA to Be Acquired by an Investor Consortium

Cultivating Deia Skills In Open Education Research: The Impact Of Targeted Fellowship Support, Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Jasmine Roberts-Crews

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

In order to conduct effective research in open education, one needs skills in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. To address this need, a DEIA expert provided consultation to the members and mentor of a fellowship for open education researchers. After completing the fellowship, the researchers were asked to complete a survey about DEIA research skill development during the fellowship and their perceived challenges in DEIA research. Fellows (N = 42) across cohorts indicated growth in DEIA research skills during the fellowship. Notably, fellows who received DEIA consultation described more sophisticated development of DEIA research skills than fellows without the consultation. …

Pediatric Vs Adult Invasive Aspergillosis In Cancer And Hematopoietic Transplant Patients: Insights From A Matched Cohort At A Tertiary Cancer Center, Saliba Wehbe, Ramia Zakhour, Ray Hachem, Ying Jiang, Hiba Dagher, Roseen Salman, Anne-Marie Chaftari, Issam I Raad

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised patients, including those with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplants. While adult IA has been well characterized, data on pediatric populations remain limited, and potential age-related differences are often overlooked in current management guidelines.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study at a tertiary cancer center, evaluating IA cases diagnosed over a 31-year period. Pediatric patients (≤18 years) with proven or probable IA were matched 1:3 with adult IA cases based on year of diagnosis, underlying disease, and history of hematopoietic cell transplantation. We compared demographics, clinical presentation, …

Process-Driven Manufacturability Constraints In Design For Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, Monsuru Ramoni, Sampson Gholston, Albert E. Patterson

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has emerged as a useful option for large-scale metal additive manufacturing. It has gained widespread use in the aerospace industry and other applications that require large and complex custom parts. The process is a combination of a precise control system and a welding process, typically GTAW or MIG welding. It is a member of the directed energy deposition (DED) family of AM processes. Compared with many metal AM processes, it is relatively simple and cost-effective but almost always requires a significant amount of postprocessing before parts can be used. The AM-based nature of the process …

A Novel Approach To Calculating Expected Total Fetal Lung Volume In Fetuses With Isolated Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia And Fetal Growth Restriction: A Theoretical Computational Simulation, Pamela M Ketwaroo, Amy R Mehollin-Ray, Roopali Donepudi, Alice King, Joseph Hagan, Sundeep G Keswani, Sharada H Gowda, Caraciolo J Fernandes

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) often coexists with fetal growth restriction (FGR). The observed-to-expected (O/E) total fetal lung volume (TFLV) is used to assess CDH severity, predict outcomes, and direct fetal interventions. Expected TFLV measurements traditionally rely only on gestation age (GA). This simulation assesses how incorporating weight-adjusted GA norms affects O/E TFLV calculations in patients with isolated CDH and FGR.

Methods: A simulated dataset (n=1,005) utilized published mean fetal weight and TFLV references. Computer-generated variables included observed weights (3rd-10th %ile), O/E TFLV (10-65 %), and percent liver herniation (0-42 %). GA estimates were corrected by weight and used to …

Signs, Symptoms, And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Melas: Measuring What’S Important From The Patient And Clinician Perspectives, Lily Settel, Sari Berger, Alan Shields, Amy Goldstein, Amel Karaa, Austin Larson, Sumit Parikh, Fernando Scaglia, Karra Danyelle Harrington, Chris James Edgar, Pamela Ventola, Matthew Webster, Jennifer Chickering, Chad Gwaltney, Phebe Wilson, Chad Glasser

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background and objectives: Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a rare genetic syndrome mostly associated with pathogenic variants in mitochondrial DNA. As there is limited research on the life experience of patients with MELAS, this study aimed to develop an understanding of the patient experience of MELAS through qualitative interviews to identify, describe, and substantiate important and relevant signs, symptoms, and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) impact (S/S/I) concepts.

Methods: Clinician and patient interviews were conducted virtually using semi-structured interview guides. During 60-minute interviews with five experts in the United States, clinicians were asked for their perspective on …

Surface Roughness And Microbial Adhesion On Four Provisional Prosthodontic Restorative Materials

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.