Compatibility Index Research Articles

Compatibility analysis of waste polymer recycling in asphalt binder using molecular descriptor and graph neural network

Recycling of waste polymers for valuable use is important for circular economy and environmental sustainability. This study introduces a novel approach to evaluating the compatibility between waste polymers and asphalt binders using advanced molecular representation models. The solubility parameters of waste polymers were predicted using traditional machine learning (ML) models and geometry-enhanced graph neural network (GeoGNN), respectively. The compatibility index was then calculated based on the absolute difference between the solubility parameters of polymers and asphalt. Results indicate that GeoGNN outperforms traditional ML and other GNN models due to its superior ability to capture complex spatial structures. The study also identifies key molecular descriptors that significantly influence solubility parameters of waste polymers. Given the variability in asphalt binder composition, the most compatible waste polymers differ across binders, making the data-driven approach especially valuable. The GeoGNN model greatly enhances the ability to assess compatibility in the polymer-asphalt system. This complements experimental techniques by integrating geometric information to analyze molecular features uncovering the structure-property relationship of material.

Components optimization of polyurethane-modified asphalt binder towards compatibility: Insight from molecular dynamics simulations

Polyurethane-modified asphalt demonstrated the enhanced durability and skid resistance, while remaining the drawback in the compatibility between the polyurethane modifier and asphalt binder in practical use. Herein, a molecular-dynamics-simulations based compatibility evaluation method is proposed for the polyurethane modifier and asphalt binder, thereby achieving the cost-effective and efficient components optimization. Twelve components asphalt molecular model was built in Molecular Dynamics to investigate the interaction of asphalt binder to the polypropylene glycol, toluene diisocyanate, and diphenylmethane diisocyanate, respectively. The molecular model of polyurethane modified asphalt binder was verified by the similar loss modulus temperature from the simulation and temperature scanning tests. The simulation outcomes indicate significant variations in the compatibility of different polyurethanes with asphalt, in which diphenylmethane diisocyanate-type polyurethane exhibits the superior compatibility. The compatibility of various polyurethane concentrations in asphalt shows considerable disparity, suggesting that the compatibility index can serve as a criterion for determining the optimal dosage of the modifier. Temperature also exerts an influence on the compatibility of polyurethane modified asphalt binder. Simulation results indicates that 130 °C potentially may be the optimal temperature for its preparation, which is corroborated by the microscopic characterization. This study provides a fundamental framework for the molecular dynamics simulation-based components optimization of polyurethane-modified asphalt, thereby inspiring the targeted design of asphalt materials.

Expression, Purification, and Evaluation of Antibody Responses and Antibody-Immunogen Complex Simulation of a Designed Multi-Epitope Vaccine against SARS-COV-2.

The spread of the COVID-19 disease is the result of an infection caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus. Four crucial proteins, spike [S], membrane [M], nucleocapsid [N], and envelope [E] in coronaviruses have been considered to a large extent. This research aimed to express the recombinant protein of a multiepitope immunogen construct and evaluate the immunogenicity of the multiepitope vaccine that was previously designed as a candidate immunogenic against SARS-Cov-2. Plasmid pET26b was transferred to the expression host E. coli BL21 [DE3] and the recombinant protein was expressed with IPTG induction. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA column affinity chromatography, and western blotting was used to confirm it. Finally, mice were immunized with recombinant protein in three doses. Then, the interaction of the 3D structure of the vaccine with the human neutralizing antibodies3D structures [7BWJ and 7K8N] antibody was evaluated by docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The optimized gene had a codon compatibility index of 0.96. The expression of the recombinant protein of the SARS-Cov-2 vaccine in an E. coli host led to the production of the recombinant protein with a weight of about 70 kDa with a concentration of 0.7 mg/ml. Immunization of mice with recombinant protein of SARS-Cov-2 vaccine-induced IgG serum antibody response. Statistical analysis showed that the antibody titer in comparison with the control sample has a significant difference, and the antibody titer was acceptable up to 1/256000 dilution. The simulation of vaccine binding with human antibodies by molecular dynamics showed that Root Mean Square Deviation [RMSD], Root Mean Square Fluctuation [RMSF], Radius of Gyration, and H-bond as well as van der Waals energies and electrostatic of Molecular mechanics Poisson- Boltzmann surface area [MM/PBSA] analysis have stable interaction. This recombinant protein can probably be used as an immunogen candidate for the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV2 in future research.

Amazon açaí fibre–Portland cement compatibility: a challenge to produce cement-bonded fibreboards?

The açaí waste from the Amazon contains short fibres that show potential for reinforcing cement-bonded fibreboards (CBFBs), although their compatibility with the cement matrix is still unknown. The aim of this work was to characterise raw and pretreated açaí fibres and analyse their compatibility with Portland cement by different techniques, alongside developing a CBFB. The fibres were subjected to thermal (180, 200 and 220°C), cold and hot water, alkaline (NaOH) and bleaching (NaOH–H2O2) pretreatments. The chemical and water pretreatments raised the fibre crystalline indexes (28–57%). The chemical pretreatments individualised the fibre bundles and removed hemicelluloses. Alkali-pretreated and raw fibres had the highest (96%) and lowest (65%) cement compatibility indexes. Portlandite and ettringite appeared after 24 h for most pastes, but were delayed for raw and 220°C-pretreated fibres. In contrast, only the raw fibre specimens reached the required compression strength of 34 MPa after 28 days; hence, they were chosen to produce a CBFB. The boards showed proper thickness swelling (1.4%), but low bending strength (modulus of elasticity = 647.8 MPa; modulus of rupture = 1.9 MPa). Overall, the fibre modifications improved the compatibility with cement, but not the composite's mechanical strength. Açaí-fibre CBFB is a promising building material, but future studies must overcome its poor mechanical performance.

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with self-(in)compatibility in goji berries (Lycium barbarum)

BackgroundGoji (Lycium barbarum L.) is a perennial deciduous shrub widely distributed in arid and semiarid regions of Northwest China. It is highly valued for its medicinal and functional properties. Most goji varieties are naturally self-incompatible, posing challenges in breeding and cultivation. Self-incompatibility is a complex genetic trait, with ongoing debates regarding the number of self-incompatible loci. To date, no genetic mappings has been conducted for S loci or other loci related to self-incompatibility in goji.ResultsWe used genome resequencing to create a high-resolution map for detecting de novo single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in goji. We focused on 229 F1 individuals from self-compatible ‘13–19’ and self-incompatible ‘new 9’ varieties. Subsequently, we conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis on traits associated with self-compatibility in goji berries. The genetic map consisted of 249,327 SNPs distributed across 12 linkage groups (LGs), spanning a total distance of 1243.74 cM, with an average interval of 0.002 cM. Phenotypic data related to self-incompatibility, such as average fruit weight, fruit rate, compatibility index, and comparable compatibility index after self-pollination and geitonogamy, were collected for the years 2021–2022, as well as for an extra year representing the mean data from 2021 to 2022 (2021/22). A total of 43 significant QTL, corresponding to multiple traits were identified, accounting for more than 11% of the observed phenotypic variation. Notably, a specific QTL on chromosome 2 consistently appeared across different years, irrespective of the relationship between self-pollination and geitonogamy. Within the localization interval, 1180 genes were annotated, including Lba02g01102 (annotated as an S-RNase gene), which showed pistil-specific expression. Cloning of S-RNase genes revealed that the parents had two different S-RNase alleles, namely S1S11 and S2S8. S-genotype identification of the F1 population indicated segregation of the four S-alleles from the parents in the offspring, with the type of S-RNase gene significantly associated with self-compatibility.ConclusionsIn summary, our study provides valuable insights into the genetic mechanism underlying self-compatibility in goji berries. This highlights the importance of further positional cloning investigations and emphasizes the importance of integration of marker-assisted selection in goji breeding programs.

Factors associated with the enrollment of commercial medical insurance in China: Results from China General Social Survey.

The Chinese government has been promoting commercial medical insurance (CMI) in recent decades as it plays an increasingly important role in addressing disease burden, health inequities, and other healthcare challenges. However, compared with developed countries, the CMI is still less fledged with low coverage. This study aims to explore the factors associated with enrollment in CMI, with regards to explicit characteristics (including sociodemographic characteristics and family economic status), latent characteristics (including social security status), and the global incentive compatibility index (including health status), to inform the design of CMI to improve its coverage in China. Based on the principal-agent model, we summarized and classified the factors associated with the enrollment in CMI, and then analyzed the data generated from the Chinese General Social Survey in 2015,2018 and 2021 respectively. A comparison of factors regarding sociodemographic characteristics, family economic status, social security status, and health status was conducted between individuals enrolled and unenrolled in CMI using Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore factors influencing the enrollment status of CMI. Of all individuals, the proportion of enrolled individuals shows an increasing trend year by year, with 8.7%,11.8% and 14.1% enrolled in CMI in 2015,2018 and 2021, respectively. The binary regression analysis further suggested that the factors associated with the enrollment in CMI were consistent in 2015,2018 and 2021.We found that individuals divorced, obese, who had a higher level of education, had non-agricultural household registration, perceived themselves as the upper social status, conducted daily exercise, had more family houses, had a car, had investment activities, or did not have basic health insurance were more likely to be enrolled in CMI. We identified multidimensional factors associated with the enrollment of CMI, which help inform the government and insurance industry to improve the coverage of CMI.

Studies on pollen micro-morphology, pollen storage methods, and cross-compatibility among grape (Vitis spp.) genotypes.

The knowledge of pollen morphology, suitable storage condition, and species compatibility is vital for a successful grapevine improvement programme. Ten grape genotypes from three different species, viz., Vitis vinifera L., Vitis parviflora Roxb., and Vitis champini Planc., were studied for their pollen structure and pollen storage with the objective of determining their utilization in grape rootstock improvement programs. Pollen morphology was examined through the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The viability of the pollen was assessed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). In vitro pollen germination was investigated using the semi-solid medium with 10 % sucrose, 100 mg/L boric acid, and 300 mg/L calcium nitrate. The results revealed variations in pollen micro-morphology in 10 genotypes, with distinct pollen dimensions, shapes, and exine ornamentation. However, species-wise, no clear difference was found for these parameters. Pollen of V. parviflora Roxb. and Dogridge was acolporated and did not germinate. The remaining eight genotypes exhibited tricolporated pollen and showed satisfactory in vitro pollen germination. Storage temperature and duration interactions showed that, at room temperature, pollen of most of the grape genotypes can be stored for up to 1 day only with an acceptable pollen germination rate (>30 %). However, storage for up to 7 days was successfully achieved at 4 °C, except for 'Pearl of Csaba'. The most effective storage conditions were found to be at -20 °C and -196 °C (in liquid N2), enabling pollen storage for a period of up to 30 days, and can be used for pollination to overcome the challenge of asynchronous flowering. Four interspecific combinations were studied for their compatibility, among which V. parviflora Roxb. × V. vinifera L. (Pusa Navrang) and V. parviflora Roxb. × V. champini Planc. (Salt Creek) showed high cross-compatibility, offering their potential use for grape rootstock breeding. However, V. parviflora Roxb. × V. vinifera L. (Male Hybrid) recorded the lowest compatibility index among studied crosses. In the case of self-pollinated flowers from V. parviflora Roxb. and V. parviflora Roxb. × V. champini Planc. (Dogridge), pollen failed to germinate on the stigma due to male sterility caused by acolporated pollen. As a result, the flowers of these genotypes functioned as females, which means they are ideal female parents for grape breeding without the need for the tedious process of emasculation.

Development of self-compatible Chinese cabbage lines of Chiifu through marker-assisted selection.

The continuously refined genome assembly of the Chinese cabbage accession Chiifu is widely recognized as the reference for Brassica rapa. However, the high self-incompatibility of Chiifu limits its broader utilization. In this study, we report the development of self-compatible Chiifu lines through a meticulous marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategy, involving the substitution of the Chiifu allele of MLPK (M-locus protein kinase) with that from the self-compatible Yellow Sarson (YS). A YS-based marker (SC-MLPK) was employed to screen 841 B. rapa accessions, confirming that all eight accessions with the mlpk/mlpk (mm) genotype exhibited self-compatibility. Additionally, we designed 131 High-Resolution Melting (HRM) markers evenly distributed across the B. rapa genome as genomic background selection (GBS) markers to facilitate the introgression of self-compatibility from YS into Chiifu along with SC-MLPK. Genome background screening revealed that the BC3S1 population had a proportion of the recurrent parent genome (PR) ranging from 93.9% to 98.5%. From this population, we identified self-compatible individuals exhibiting a high number of pollen tubes penetrating stigmas (NPT) (>25) and a maximum compatibility index (CI) value of 7.5. Furthermore, we selected two individuals demonstrating significant similarity to Chiifu in both genetic background and morphological appearance, alongside self-compatibility. These selected individuals were self-pollinated to generate two novel lines designated as SC-Chiifu Lines. The development of these self-compatible Chiifu lines, together with the SC-MLPK marker and the set of HRM markers, represents valuable tools for B. rapa genetics and breeding.

The Development of Dermal Self-Double-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems: Preformulation Studies as the Keys to Success.

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) are lipid-based systems that are superior to other lipid-based oral drug delivery systems in terms of providing drug protection against the gastrointestinal (GI) environment, inhibition of drug efflux as mediated by P-glycoprotein, enhanced lymphatic drug uptake, improved control over plasma concentration profiles of drugs, enhanced stability, and drug loading efficiency. Interest in dermal spontaneous emulsions has increased, given that systems have been reported to deliver drugs across mucus membranes, as well as the outermost layer of the skin into the underlying layers. The background and development of a double spontaneous emulsion incorporating four anti-tubercular drugs, clofazimine (CFZ), isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide (PZY), and rifampicin (RIF), are described here. Our methods involved examination of oil miscibility, the construction of pseudoternary phase diagrams, the determination of self-emulsification performance and the emulsion stability index of primary emulsions (PEs), solubility, and isothermal micro calorimetry compatibility and examination of emulsions via microscopy. Overall, the potential of self-double-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SDEDDSs) as a dermal drug delivery vehicle is now demonstrated. The key to success here is the conduct of preformulation studies to enable the development of dermal SDEDDSs. To our knowledge, this work represents the first successful example of the production of SDEDDSs capable of incorporating four individual drugs.

Exterior-productive indicators of Stavropol breed sheep aged 13–14 months with inbreeding selection

The article presents researches of intra-breed selection of sheep of the Stavropol breed of the Volga region in order to improve productive qualities.The experiment was carried out in CJSC "New Life" of the Novouzensky district of the Saratov region. The research material is purebred sheep of the Stavropol breed. The studied offspring were formed: group I — from queens of the strong type, II — from queens of the tender type, III — from queens of the loose type. The evaluation of the experimental young was carried out at the age of 13–14 months. When assessing the live weight, the advantage of young animals «loose x strong» type over «tender x strong» was 11.93%, over animals «strong x strong» — 3.58%. Group I outperformed group II by 8.06%. In terms of wool shearing, sheep of group I outperformed young animals of II and III by 9.61% and 5.04%, animals of group III prevailed over II by 4.34%. According to the exterior, the descendants of the combination «loose x strong» type surpassed «strong x strong», «gentle x strong» in chest width by 12.9% and 23.16%, in chest circumference by 11.45% and 17.54%, the young «strong x strong» prevailed over «gentle x strong» in chest width by 9%, chest circumference by 5.45%. According to the downed sheep compatibility index, «loose x strong» outperformed «strong x strong», «tender x strong» by 11.38% and 11.88%. The large breast index was distinguished by the animal combinations «loose x strong» in comparison with the analogues «strong x strong», «gentle x strong» by 3.47% and 3.95%. When using intrabreed selection of sheep of the Stavropol breed, the young of combinations of parent pairs of different constitutionally productive types have well inherited the exterior and productive features of the parent individuals, which is an important factor in conducting breeding work.

Relative compatibility index for evaluation of the compatibility of crude oil blends

A new relative compatibility index is proposed to evaluate the compatibility of blends of crude oils. The approach considers the calculation of solvent power of individual crude oil and their blends, the critical solvent power for blends of crude oils with required amount of n-heptane when precipitation of asphaltenes begins, and a graphical comparison of both parameters (solvent power and critical solvent power) to determine the maximum proportion of crude oils in the blend to avoid incompatibility problems. The proposed method requires experimental data that are commonly available, such as specific gravity, TBP (True Boiling Point) distillation, and S-value (fuels stability determination according ASTM D 7157). Eight crude oils with a wide range of API (American Petroleum Institute) gravity (10–52°) were used to validate the method. It was demonstrated that the proposed approach accurately predicts the compatibility of blends of crude oils, and that relative compatibility index is an effective parameter to define appropriate amounts of crude oils to avoid asphaltenes precipitation during blending.

Physical properties and crystal structure of near end-member oxy-dravite from the Beluga occurrence, Nunavut territory, Canada

AbstractOxy-dravite, ideally Na(Al2Mg)(Al5Mg)(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(O), was found in a composition near its ideal end-member at the Beluga occurrence, Nunavut territory, Canada. It occurs in retrograde albite–muscovite–corundum–calcite domains in a calc-silicate rock. This uncommon oxy-dravite occurs as dark brown, equant to short-prismatic, idiomorphic crystals with vitreous lustre and up to ca. 4 × 3 cm in size. The oxy-dravite is optically uniaxial (–), with ω = 1.6453(5) and ɛ = 1.6074(18); its calculated density is 3.069 g.cm–3 with a compatibility index of 0.016. The Beluga oxy-dravite has trigonal symmetry, space group R3m with a = 15.9121(2) Å, c = 7.1788(10) Å, V = 1574.12(5) Å3 and Z = 3. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 1.45 using 1613 unique reflections. The empirical crystal-chemical formula is X(Na0.88Ca0.08□0.03K0.01)Y(Al1.49Mg1.31Fe0.15Ti0.04Zn0.01)Z(Al5.42Mg0.58)T(Si5.84Al0.16O18)B(BO3)3V(OH2.95O0.05)W(O0.84OH0.01F0.15).Oxy-dravite in nature commonly occurs in a solid solution with foitite, schorl and oxy-schorl. At the Beluga occurrence, its minor contents of Al, vacancy [□], and Ca are most likely compensated by (□Al)(NaR2+)–1 and (CaMg)(NaAl)–1 exchanges of the oxy-magnesio-foitite and magnesio-lucchesiite components. The Beluga occurrence of oxy-dravite is characterised by an Mg-rich environment related to a metamorphic overprint of the original sedimentary sequence. This sequence of marine dolomitic argillaceous marl was influenced by (B,Cl)-rich fluids, probably proximally-derived from mineral breakdown reactions in the calc-silicate during the retrograde stage of metamorphism. The locality is a rare example of a tourmaline + corundum assemblage.

Smart nesting: estimating geometrical compatibility in the nesting problem using graph neural networks

Reducing material waste and computation time are primary objectives in cutting and packing problems (C &P). A solution to the C &P problem consists of many steps, including the grouping of items to be nested and the arrangement of the grouped items on a large object. Current algorithms use meta-heuristics to solve the arrangement problem directly without explicitly addressing the grouping problem. In this paper, we propose a new pipeline for the nesting problem that starts with grouping the items to be nested and then arranging them on large objects. To this end, we introduce and motivate a new concept, namely the Geometrical Compatibility Index (GCI). Items with higher GCI should be clustered together. Since no labels exist for GCIs, we propose to model GCIs as bidirectional weighted edges of a graph that we call geometrical relationship graph (GRG). We propose a novel reinforcement-learning-based framework, which consists of two graph neural networks trained in an actor-critic-like fashion to learn GCIs. Then, to group the items into clusters, we model the GRG as a capacitated vehicle routing problem graph and solve it using meta-heuristics. Experiments conducted on a private dataset with regularly and irregularly shaped items show that the proposed algorithm can achieve a significant reduction in computation time (30% to 48%) compared to an open-source nesting software while attaining similar trim loss on regular items and a threefold improvement in trim loss on irregular items.

Gladstone-Dale compatibility, electronic polarizability and vibrational spectroscopy of minerals and inorganic compounds with V4+O and V4+O2 vanadyl groups.

VO and VO2 vanadyl groups with short (typically 1.57-1.68 Å), essentially covalent, V-O bonds are common for V4+-bearing oxysalts with [5]- and [6]-coordinated vanadium. There is a clear negative correlation between vanadyl bond lengths and wavenumbers of the bands of V-O stretching vibrations in infrared spectra (in the range 1000-880 cm-1). Optical, structural and chemical data for vanadyl minerals are used to calculate Gladstone-Dale compatibility coefficients. Gladstone-Dale compatibility indices of minerals containing vanadyl bonds are compared with total electronic polarizabilities of V4+. Unlike compounds of [5]-coordinated Ti4+, for most minerals with V4+=O (vanadyl) bonds there is good agreement between measured refractive indices and those calculated based on the polarizability concept.

Improving the interface compatibility and mechanical performances of the cementitious composites by low-cost alkyl ketene dimer modified fibers

Natural fibers-reinforced cement composites have recently attracted more interest due to the trend in the development of sustainable construction materials. However, the poor fiber–matrix interface compatibility, which is caused by the swelling-shrinking behavior of hydrophilic natural fiber, negatively affects the mechanical properties of the composites thereby hindering their practical application. In order to promote interfacial compatibility, a new fiber surface treatment is needed. A low-cost alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) is adopted in this work, aiming at replacing the relatively expensive silane agents. This study focuses on fiber surface treatment and the resulting effects on the interface compatibility and mechanical performances of the composites. The effect of the fiber modification was characterized by FTIR and water absorption test; The interfacial compatibility of the composites was evaluated by the compatibility index calculation and SEM observation; A series of strength properties of the composites were carried out considering the influence of interface compatibility on mechanical performance. Results show a clear improvement in both interface compatibility and mechanical properties of the composites when AKD-modified fibers are used as reinforcement. The compressive and flexural strength are effectively increased up to 53 MPa and 8 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the approach of the low-cost AKD modification could further be applied to any natural fibers in cementitious composites, allowing cost-effectiveness in practical applications.

Contrasting the major characteristics of pinewood and Amazon hardwoods to provide high-quality cement-bonded particleboards

The combined effect of wood chemical composition, anatomical traits, and density on cement curing, matrix-reinforcement interface, and final performance of cement-bonded particleboards (CBPBs) needs deeper investigation. Besides, many uncharacterized Amazon hardwoods challenge softwoods' often-reported superiority for producing CBPBs. Certified Cordia goeldiana, Brosimum parinarioides, Parkia gigantocarpa, and Pinus oocarpa woods were characterized by histology, cell biometry, basic density, and chemical composition. The hydration kinetics of the Portland cement pastes was evaluated by isothermal heat conduction. The CBPBs production parameters were wood:cement ratio of 1:2.75, water:cement ratio of 1:2.5, 4% of CaCl2 additive (based on cement mass), and target density of 1.25 g cm−3. They were submitted to physical and mechanical tests, and the polished surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The cement kinetics showed that wood's higher contents of extractives and hemicelluloses harmed the initial dissolution stage of Portland cement curing but not the essential stages of acceleration and deacceleration. C. goeldiana wood showed the highest compatibility indexes with cement, and all hardwoods surpassed P. oocarpa. Thin-walled fibers, big-diameter fibers, and big-diameter pores favored cement impregnation. Debonding at wood-cement interfaces of CBPBs reinforced with higher-density woods was critical for crack propagation throughout the matrix. Less critical inter-particle cracks occurred in CBPBs reinforced with lower-density woods. The better interface and the highest volume of wood particles of the lowest-density P. gigantocarpa wood provided the CBPBs with the best physical and mechanical performance overcoming the chemical incompatibility relevant only in the initial dissolution stage of cement curing.

Chemical structure of rubber powder on the compatibility of rubber powder asphalt

The sedimentation problem of waste rubber powder in asphalt not only restricts the engineering application of rubber powder asphalt, but also impedes the recycling of waste rubber. To solve this industry malady, this study designs and prepares three different chemical structures of rubber powder, and systematically investigates the influence of the chemical structure of rubber powder on the compatibility of rubber powder asphalt by cigar tube test, dynamic shear rheology test, microscopic characterization analysis, and molecular dynamics method. The microstructure results indicate that new characteristic peaks (such assulfonic acid groups, thiol groups, and amino groups) appeared in the infrared spectra of each of the modified rubber powder. The elemental analysis further proves that the sulfur and hydrogen contents of the mechanochemical modified rubber powder (AR) have been reduced, the carbon and hydrogen contents of the sulfonated modified rubber powder (SR) have been reduced, and the nitrogen contents of the tetraethylenepentamine with mechanochemical co-modified rubber powder (NR) have been increased. These facts indicate that different chemically structured rubber powder have been successfully prepared. The macroscopic results show that NR and asphalt blends has a lower softening point difference (2.1 ℃) and segregation index (12%), followed by SR and AR, and waste rubber powder (WR) and asphalt blends is the highest in softening point difference (6.3 ℃) and segregation index (35%). Microscopic characterization results show that NR, SR, and AR can form a fuzzy phase interface with asphalt, and further quantitative analysis finds that NR has the highest compatibility index with asphalt (80%), followed by SR and AR, and WR has the lowest compatibility index with asphalt (36%). Molecular dynamics simulation indicates that the solubility parameter of NR and asphalt is the closest and its difference is the smallest (0.4 (J/cm3) 1/2) as well as the strongest intermolecular interactions (-563.93 kJ/mol), followed by SR, AR, and WR. All the above results reveal that the order of compatibility between four types of chemical structure rubber powder and asphalt is NR > SR > AR > WR. Furthermore, based on macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular dynamics simulation, the compatibility mechanism of different chemically structured rubber powder with asphalt could be that the acidic groups in SR and the thiol functional groups in AR can be dissolved with the acidic groups in asphalt based on the principle of similar solubility, which improves the compatibility of the rubber powder with asphalt. The NR contains strong polar alkaline groups, which can be combined with the acidic components of asphalt based on the principle of acid-base neutralization reaction, thereby improving the compatibility of the rubber powder with asphalt. In view of the above, it is not difficult to see that the combination of tetraethylenepentamine and mechanochemically co-modified rubber powder and asphalt has a promising application in the future construction of pavement engineering and recycling of waste tire resource.

Analysis of Non-motorised Transport and Public Transport Facilities Using Bicycle Compatibility Index and Stop Coverage Ratio, in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru

Transportation development is one of the parameters indicating the development of any country. Due to improper maintenance of infrastructure, non-eco-friendly designs and practices etc. have led to congestion, accidents and environmental depletion. These problems can be addressed by developing a structured transportation system integrated with sustainability and safety. The aim of this study is to analyze the existing facilities in the study area and to suggest integration of non-motorised transport and public transport through questionnaire survey. The bicycle compatibility index is calculated to find the bicycle level of service of the study area. The bus stop coverage analysis was done by calculating the ideal stop accessibility index, actual stop accessibility index and stop coverage ratio index. From bicycle compatibility index, it can be concluded that the compatibity of the surveyed region was moderately high for bicyclists. Based on bus-stop coverage analysis, Kalyan nagar bus stop is said to have good accessibility whereas ITI layout has poor accessibility.

Reducing incompatibility in a local AHP-group decision making context

In the context of local analytic hierarchy process-group decision making (AHP-GDM), this paper presents a theoretical framework and a semi-automatic procedure for reducing incompatibility between the actors involved in the decision making process and the collective position. The row geometric mean is employed as the prioritisation procedure and the geometric compatibility index (textrm{GCOMPI}) as the incompatibility measure; individual pairwise comparison matrices are considered as the input of the reduction process, whilst the collective vector is the output. The reduction is attained by slightly modifying, in relative terms, the judgements of the collective pairwise comparison matrix, irrespective of the method used to obtain it, that further improve the textrm{GCOMPI}. The resulting judgements of the collective matrix and the associated collective priorities are close to the initial collective values. The procedure does not modify the judgements of the initial individual matrices and this simplifies the process of reaching consensus. A simulation analysis is utilised to study the performance of the algorithm along with an illustrative numerical example. The analysis proves that the proposed algorithm is easy to implement and efficient, it provides mathematically closed results and significantly reduces the textrm{GCOMPI} associated with the precise consistency consensus matrix which is one of the AHP-GDM tools. The framework allows the procedure to be adapted to specific interests.

The effect of functional bacterial consortium on nutrient content of liquid organic

Bacterial compatibility testing is very important to determine which bacteria will be consorted as bio activators when making liquid organic fertilizer. Bacteria that are inoculated into the manufacture of liquid organic fertilizers must have a cooperative and synergistic relationship with fellow bacteria to be efficient in their role as bio activators. To obtain this potential, a compatibility test against bacterial isolates needs to be carried out so that liquid organic fertilizers will be made efficient and effective. The research purposes are to obtain the compatible properties of functional bacterial isolates and their impact on liquid organic fertilizer’s nutritional content. The study was carried out at the Plant Protection Laboratory and Greenhouse of the Payakumbuh State Agricultural Polytechnic, West Sumatra from July to September 2022. The research method began with the rejuvenation of the dry bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis. Followed by the compatibility test using the double culturing method, a total of 20 treatments with three replications. The bacterial consortium is inoculated into the manufacture of fertilizer. The results of the compatibility test against P. aeruginosa and genera of Bacillus showed all treatments were compatible which was indicated by the absence of a halo inhibition zone with a compatibility index value between 0.67-1 and could be combined in a consortium as a bio activator. The best P2O5, K2O, and Ca nutrient content is found in the formula of fertilizer with bone meal additives.