Three series of monomers, polymers and thioester cyclic compounds containing 4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-thiol moiety were synthesized and examined for their liquid crystalline properties. All monomers, polymers and thioester compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and FTIR, 1 H-NMR and mass spectroscopy. The phase transition and mesomorphic properties were investigated by polarized optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The monomer with terminal phenyl substituent display dimorphism nematic and smectic A (SmA) mesophases. The corresponding polymers derived from acrylic and phenyl acrylic acid monomers show nematic mesophase. The only thioester cyclic compound derived from terephtaloyl chloride show nemati

In this work an experimental study is performed to evaluate the thermal performance
of locally made closed loop solar hot water system using a shell and helical coiled tube
heat exchanger as a storage tank. Several measurements are taken include inlet and outlet
temperatures of both collectors and supply water and temperature distribution within the
storage tank. This is beside the water flow rate in both collectors and load cycle. The
main parameters of the system are obtained.

Multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the intergenic region between estrogen receptor 1 and CCDC170 (especially at rs3757318) are thought to be associated with breast cancer risk. additionally, the serum level of vitamin D is believed to be linked to different aspects of breast carcinogenesis.

This article focuses on identity construction and social structures within the Sāmoan community as represented in Sia Figiel’s novel Where We Once Belonged. I argue that however the post/colonial Sāmoan identity is hybridized, the essence of the individual is still connected to Fa’a Sāmoa-the Sāmoan traditions and ways. However rapid are the colonial vicissitudes, the Sāmoan literature and lifestyle are developed to be a resistance platform. This resistance platform is dedicated not only to expose the colonial impact but also to assist the social and political reconstruction of post/colonial Samoa. To this end, this article studies identity construction, and the challenges that women face within Sāmoan social structures.

Recently, increasing material prices coupled with more acute environmental awareness and the implementation of regulation has driven a strong movement toward the adoption of sustainable construction technology. In the pavement industry, using low temperature asphalt mixes and recycled concrete aggregate are viewed as effective engineering solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change and sustainable development. However, to date, no research has investigated these two factors simultaneously for pavement material. This paper reports on initial work which attempts to address this shortcoming. At first, a novel treatment method is used to improve the quality of recycled concrete coarse aggregates. Thereafter, the treated recycled

Hard-grade asphalt binders like AC20-30 typically exhibit excessive stiffness, reduced penetration, and compromised workability, necessitating modification before use in paving applications. This study evaluates the efficacy of regular polyalphaolefin (PAO), a synthetic olefin-based lubricant, as a performance-enhancing modifying agent for such binders. AC20-30 was blended with PAO at dosages ranging from 2 wt.% to 10 wt.%, and the modified binders were characterized via penetration, ductility, softening point, and rotational viscosity measurements, alongside advanced rheological and chemical-morphological analyses. Incorporating PAO in AC20-30 asphalt progressively reduced the binder stiffness and enhanced its flexibility, with all modifie