Search Results (600)

French political scientist Olivier Roy maintains that the West is undergoing a ‘crisis of culture’. The crisis derives from a process of ‘deculturation’ where superficial, deterritorial subcultures become the basis for shared understanding, rather than values. Roy maintains that this is a ‘dehumanising’ process. This paper seeks to understand by what means the West might recover a culture. This question demands understanding the concept itself, including its relationship to things material and transcendent. Drawing on the work of the 20th century Jesuit priest and theologian Henri de Lubac, as well as contemporary theologians like John Milbank and Carmody Grey, the paper will base its conclusions on the idea that nature and grace are correlative terms, and culture is not opposed to either. Such a conclusion, however, requires a certain religious logic that is rare in current philosophical discourse. A catholic understanding of the human can help to weave back nature, grace and culture into a proper relationship which does not isolate the natural from the supernatural, and informs the remaking of a culture shaped by Christian humanism. Full article

In this duoethnography, we examine our own experiences of multiracial fatherhood to disrupt metanarratives about race, multiraciality, and privilege. By synthesizing critical multiracial theory and critical race parenting, we advance three propositions of critical multiracial parenting to attend to the permanence of (mono)racism, the shifting salience of multiraciality across time and space, and the possibilities of expansive pedagogical approaches to challenge racial rigidity. We weave together and disrupt each other’s narratives by presenting two scenes of multiracial fatherhood, complicating our understanding and assumptions of White privilege, multiracial identity, and generational proximity to an interracial union. Our hope is that our duoethnography is not a beginning nor an end; rather, we call on readers to continually add their voices to disrupt and complicate how whiteness works in family systems and multiraciality discourses. Full article

This study investigates the influence of fabric weave design and adhesive type on the adhesion quality and mechanical properties of Kevlar woven fabric-reinforced laminates (FRLs). Three adhesives (EVA, EVOH, and TPU) and three weave structures (plain, 2/2 twill, and crowfoot) were analyzed while keeping other fabric parameters constant. Both weave structure and adhesive type, as well as their interactions, significantly influenced adhesion and mechanical performance. Combinations like the crowfoot weave with EVOH adhesive enhanced adhesion due to increased surface contact, while the 2/2 twill weave with EVA adhesive improved tear strength but resulted in weaker adhesion, highlighting the trade-offs in material design. A negative correlation between yarn pullout force and tear resistance was observed, particularly for EVA and EVOH adhesives, where improved adhesion often coincided with reduced tear resistance. Tensile strength varied significantly across weaves, with twill exhibiting the highest strength, followed by plain and crowfoot weaves. This study highlights the critical role of weave design and adhesive choice in FRLs, providing valuable insights for optimizing material selection to meet specific industrial performance criteria. Full article

Artificial muscles underlie exciting, novel technologies that have many wide-reaching applications: exoskeleton actuation, walker robots, prosthetics and stealthy underwater propulsion. Actuating these muscles via electrostatic forces promises excellent energy efficiency and output force density and a high strength-to-weight ratio. Building these muscles through 3D-printed and conductive microfluidics promises fast mass production at a low cost. A microfluidic double-helix weave as a potential solution for the architectural design of these actuators has previously been reported. However, more recent experimental work showed that a weave architecture was not manufacturable at the necessary scale, given the limitations of current 3D-printing technology. Herein, several alternative architectures are presented. They are more advanced and more compatible with current manufacturing requirements, and offer additional benefits. The presented experimental results confirm their improvements in manufacturability. These advanced architectures represent a significant step towards the experimental proof of principle and the practical implementation of electrostatic microfluidic 3D-printed artificial muscles. Full article

Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) alloy is widely utilized in the aerospace industry due to its high strength, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and cryogenic properties. However, its high raw material costs and machining difficulties necessitate the development of efficient manufacturing processes. This study evaluates the mechanical reliability and microstructure of Ti64 components fabricated using wire laser additive manufacturing (WLAM) and subsequently joined via tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. The WLAM process produces refined microstructures with superior mechanical properties by minimizing defects; however, insufficient process optimization may result in a lack of fusion (LOF) and porosity. Microstructural analysis revealed that the WLAM deposits exhibited a fine basket-weave α structure with an average α-lath width of 1.27 ± 0.69 μm, while the TIG-welded region exhibited a coarsened α-lath, reaching 3.02 ± 2.06 μm, which led to a reduction in ductility. Tensile testing demonstrated that the WLAM deposits exhibited superior mechanical properties, with a yield strength of 910 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 1015 MPa, and elongation of 12.8%, outperforming conventional wrought Ti64 alloys. Conversely, the TIG-welded joints exhibited reduced mechanical properties, with a yield strength of 812 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 917 MPa, and elongation of 7.5%, primarily attributed to microstructural coarsening in the weld region. The findings of this study confirm that WLAM enhances the mechanical properties of Ti64, whereas TIG welding may introduce structural weaknesses. This research provides insight into the microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior of WLAM-fabricated Ti64 components, with valuable implications for their application in aerospace structures. Full article

This study investigates the novel role of yarn-level fibre hybridisation in tailoring thermomechanical properties and thermal residual stress (TRS) fields in the resin at both micro- and meso-scales of 3D orthogonal-woven flax/E-glass hybrid composites. Unlike previous studies, which primarily focus on macro-scale composite behaviour, this work integrates a two-scale homogenisation scheme. It combines microscale representative volume element (RVE) models and mesoscale repeating unit cell (RUC) models to capture the effects of hybridisation from the fibre to lamina scale. The analysis specifically examines the cooling phase from a curing temperature of 100 °C down to 20 °C, where TRS develops due to thermal expansion mismatches. Microstructures are generated employing a random sequential expansion algorithm for RVE models, while weave architecture is generated using the open-source software TexGen 3.13.1 for RUC models. Results demonstrate that yarn-level hybridisation provides a powerful strategy to balance mechanical performance, thermal stability, and residual stress control, revealing its potential for optimising composite design. Stress analysis indicates that under in-plane tensile loading, stress levels in matrix-rich regions remain below 1 MPa, while binder yarns exhibit significant stress concentration, reaching up to 8.71 MPa under shear loading. The study quantifies how varying fibre hybridisation ratios influence stiffness, thermal expansion, and stress concentrations—bridging the gap between microstructural design and macroscopic composite performance. These findings highlight the potential of yarn-level fibre hybridisation in tailoring thermomechanical properties of yarns and laminae. The study also demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing TRS in composite laminae post-manufacturing. Additionally, hybridisation allows for adjusting density requirements, making it suitable for applications where weight and thermal properties are critical. Full article

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are associated with awkward postures, causing health problems for workers. MSDs impact physical activity levels and decrease professional work capacity. The objective of this study is to investigate the ergonomic risks in a handicraft community enterprise group using Krajood as the main raw material. The sample group consisted of craftsmen who engage in woven bags, and it was selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected with a general information questionnaire, a risk assessment questionnaire for musculoskeletal disorders, and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) worksheet. The results indicate that musculoskeletal disorders were experienced by all the workers during the past year, with pain or discomfort in all 12 body parts. Moreover, most commonly, the pains were in the shoulders, upper back, lower back, and hands/wrists on both the left and the right side. The lower back exhibited a 100% prevalence of symptoms. The risk assessment by RULA indicated that the jobs had the highest possible total risk score at 7 points (45%), which needs to improve immediately. The top three high-risk work processes were the product line hammering steps, using a sewing machine to form the product, and the weaving and forming stage. Therefore, this study provides critical information for the craftsmen and their employers to improve workers’ health and production efficiency. Full article

Roundabouts generally offer better traffic safety than other intersections, yet severe crashes still occur. They serve as a viable option to enhance intersection safety and reduce crash severity. Improving crash prediction models enhances the precision of prioritization and safety evaluation, ultimately lowering crash-related costs. This study examines the impact of geometric factors on crash frequency and severity in roundabouts. The equivalent property-damage-only (EPDO) index, which considers both severity and frequency, was included as an independent parameter. Increasing traffic volume significantly affects crash numbers, often overshadowing other contributing factors. This study investigates the effects of central island radius (R), average weaving section width (AWWS), and average entry width (AEW) on crashes. To achieve this, data from four roundabouts were analyzed using Gene Expression Programming (GEP) to develop a predictive model. The model achieved a 99% correlation coefficient, effectively capturing data dispersion. The results showed that R accounted for over 75% of the variance, making it the most influential geometric parameter. The proposed procedure can significantly assist traffic safety engineers in enhancing roundabout safety predictions, particularly in small-scale models where traditional methods may be impractical. Full article

The spinning industry makes a major contribution to environmental pollution due to the excessive use of natural assets and the generation of remarkable amounts of waste during manufacturing processes. Now, the spinning industries are concentrating on sustainable activities due to environmental issues. While textile recycling efforts have been widely explored, the utilization of soft waste (process waste) in yarn production remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating a sustainable approach incorporating soft waste into producing sustainable yarn using the ring-spinning technique. The research explores the properties of yarns manufactured from a blend of virgin cotton and soft waste, and 100% virgin cotton yarn is produced for comparison. The results indicate that incorporating soft waste leads to an increase in CVm% (13 vs. 11), hairiness (6.9 vs. 5.1), and IPI (165 vs. 125) compared to virgin cotton yarn. However, the elongation percentage (7.1% vs. 8%) and tensile strength (12.6 cN/tex vs. 16.2 cN/tex) showed a reduction, highlighting potential trade-offs in mechanical properties. The statistical analysis applies one-way ANOVA to evaluate the significance of variations in yarn characteristics made from the mixture of soft waste + virgin cotton and only virgin cotton. The manufactured yarns were examined in a modern weaving machine as weft yarn for fabric (denim) manufacturing and found to be perfect for normal operation. The article focuses on reducing negative impacts on the fabric (denim) manufacturing environment by incorporating soft waste to produce sustainable yarn. This research provides important insights into the production of sustainable yarns, focusing on environmental concerns. Full article

The concept of intertextuality often remains a catchphrase for many different phenomena, but it is really a crucially important concept involving all narrative processes from the past to the present. What writer would not borrow from a plethora of sources, whether s/he does it deliberately or unconsciously? In fact, we could identify literature as an infinite fabric of narrative threads, and the more closely we examine a literary work, and the denser its composition, the more we can recognize the essential weave it is composed of. This can be powerfully illustrated in the case of the many different narratives involving the water nixie Undine (or Melusine), who was already popular in the Middle Ages, then was discussed in the sixteenth century, subsequently entered the fantasy of Romantic writers, and has most recently become the subject of a major modern movie. The cultural-historical arc from the past to the present powerfully demonstrates the fundamental working of intertextuality on both the vertical and horizontal axes. Writing, whether creative or factual, constantly operates within a web of narrative exchanges. On this basis, we are on firm ground when we claim that ancient or medieval literature is just as important for us today as nineteenth- or twentieth-century literature as a source of inspiration and influence, shaping both our worldview and value system and this through an intertextual chain of narratives. Of course, we move (hopefully) forward in our own time, but many of the analytic tools available to us are historically grounded. Full article

Recycling polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) from packaging materials consumes a vast amount of energy and incurs significant economic and environmental costs. This study proposes directly recycling rPET into woven fabrics to eliminate reprocessing while still preserving the mechanical performance of the material. The mechanical properties of rPET were tested along two orthogonal directions, and the resulting test data were used to calibrate an elasto-plastic model in order to capture the constitutive behaviour of the material. Additionally, the virtual weaving of rPET fibres into fabrics was modelled using finite element analysis (FEA) to replicate the actual manufacturing process. The results show that rPET that is directly recycled into woven fabrics exhibits superior performance to the same material derived from reprocessing. A strong anisotropy of rPET materials was observed, with distinct elastic and ductile behaviours. The FEA simulation also revealed the critical role of the ductility of rPET fibres when used as warp yarns. The process parameters to achieve a successful weaving operation for different yarn configurations, taking into account the motion and tension of the fibres during manufacture, were also identified. A further sensitivity study highlights the influence of friction between the fibres on the tension force of warp yarns. The virtual manufacture-by-weaving model suggests that utilising rPET with a simplified recycling approach can lead to the sustainable manufacture of fabrics with broad industrial applications. Full article

Since composite materials are light and corrosion-resistant, they have replaced many traditional materials in the aviation and marine industries. Composite materials have the advantages of a much higher strength–weight ratio, lower maintenance requirements, and the ability to form complex shapes, such as bodies, compared to carbon steel. In this study, the mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced (GFRP) and carbon fiber reinforced (CFRP) composite materials were investigated in marine applications in which composite materials had been used. In this study, 0/90 oriented twill weave eight-ply GFRP and eight-ply CFRP composite materials were used, incorporating the hand lay-up method and hot-pressing method. Seawater was taken from the Aegean Sea, Izmir Province (Balçova/İnciraltı), and had an average temperature of 22.43 °C. This seawater was kept in different containers for 30 days and 60 days (a total of 1440 h of keeping in seawater) with the intent to test the GFRP and CFRP composite samples separately. The produced CFRP and GFRP sheets were then cut with a wet (circular) saw in accordance with the standard procedure in the Composite Research and Testing Laboratory of the Dokuz Eylul University Department of Mechanical Engineering. Moisture retention percentages and Charpy impact tests were carried out. Then, three-point bending tests were carried out according to TS EN ISO 14125. The damage in the material was examined using a ZEISS Stereo Discovery.V12 imaging microscope (Oberkochen, Germany). The mechanical properties of CFRP- and GFRP-reinforced composite samples before and after aging were investigated using the Charpy impact test and three-point bending test. Then, the effects of the seawater environment on the mechanical properties of the CFRP and GFRP composite materials were evaluated by comparing the results. The aim was to better understand what kind of damage would occur in GFRP and CFRP composite materials given the effects of seawater and at what stages changes would occur in the mechanical properties of these materials. Moisture retention rates (%) in the tested samples after the Charpy impact test were 2.56% in GFRP and 0.47% in CFRP after 30 days. In the tested samples after the three-point bending test, these values were 1.41% in GFRP and 0.31% in CFRP after 30 days. Subsequent to the Charpy impact tests, the fracture toughness values of the CFRP samples tested at the 30 J impact energy level before aging in seawater conditions for 30 days or 60 days were found to be increased by 15.79% and 21.08%, respectively. The fracture toughness values of the GFRP tested at the 30 J impact energy level in dry conditions and kept in seawater for 30 days or 60 days were found to be 27.69% and 29.23%, respectively. The energy absorbed during the impact tests by the GFRP samples was higher than in the CFRP samples. This showed that the GFRP samples were more brittle. Subsequent to the three-point bending tests, the CFRP composite samples kept in seawater for periods of 30 days and 60 days showed changes in the modulus of elasticity of 7.48% and 7.46%, respectively, compared to the dry samples. The GFRP composite samples kept in seawater for periods of 30 days and 60 days showed changes in the modulus of elasticity of 7.015% and 11.53%, respectively, compared to the dry samples. The change in the modulus of elasticity was less in the CFRP samples than in GFRP. All of these results showed that the mechanical properties of CFRP were better than those of GFRP. Full article

Currently, the digitization of heritage has become a research hotspot, but there remain gaps in evaluating the effectiveness of its digital dissemination. This qualitative study explores the indicators influencing the effectiveness of digital dissemination of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), with a special focus on Shu brocade weaving techniques, which is the national ICH item of China and has a high cultural, economic, and artistic value. Original data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews with the most representative stakeholders. Based on the grounded theory, interviews were further analyzed through NVivo software 14, and 30 indicators were identified. The results of this study reveal the importance of indicators related to the authenticity and integrity of cultural connotations as well as the transmission of traditional skills, especially through stakeholder participation, in the digital dissemination of ICH. This study emphasizes the significance of improving the effectiveness of digital dissemination for the sustainable development of ICH and the preservation of precious culture for future generations. Full article

This publication highlights the strategic combination of the preservation of heritage and innovation for supporting the sustainability of traditional crafts in Europe. Demonstrating both challenges and opportunities faced by artisans, there is a need to balance cultural authenticity and the pressures of current markets and environmental imperatives. The research has explored interventions at three levels of craft practice, education, and training and recommends practical directions on short- and long-term bases. Key findings include new materials and technologies to revitalize crafts, the integration of digital tools in education, and cross-border collaboration, which are considered vital for enhancing the visibility and viability of traditional crafts. The circular economy principles and eco-certifications emerge as key to aligning traditional crafts with global sustainability goals. The analysis also highlights cultural policies and funding mechanisms as a means of encouraging innovation and promoting the resilience of the craft sector. The publication, by weaving together case studies, policy analysis, and strategic recommendations, provides a comprehensive roadmap for stakeholders—from artisans and educators to policymakers and researchers—to ensure that the legacy and relevance of Europe’s rich craft heritage continue. Full article

Recent national and international emergencies have repeatedly highlighted the role of information, and local information in particular, in synthesising various social and cultural policies proposed by public authorities and providing a correct representation of the living conditions of citizens on the ground, overcoming national media logics that are often based on the speed and spectacularisation of disasters. In fact, citizens have an “innate need” to know what is happening beyond their direct experience, to be aware of events that affect them or that are not happening in front of their eyes. A sociographic approach can be a supportive methodology to remember victims and report on disasters, but also to reconstruct new narratives by socially anticipating future environmental emergencies with the support of the media. Sociography as social narrative weaves together scientific analysis and journalistic storytelling, an old qualitative method that needs to be rediscovered, updated and integrated with new tools and methods. In this study, disaster narratives and analyses are supported by visual journalistic sources. In part, it takes up the gauntlet that Bruno Latour throws down to sociologists in Down to Earth, arguing that the latter should shift the focus of inquiry from theoretical analyses of social problems to descriptions of the existence of problems in experimental contexts, local shared spaces and common practices. This paper considers the description of (and within) the journalistic field as a methodological problem, examines the strengths and limitations of existing descriptive approaches and develops a different way of using a sociographic imagination in an attempt to make sense of changing journalistic practices with reference to specific Italian crisis events. Full article