Search Results (17)

Composite materials have experienced a significant increase in demand over the past five decades. This growing usage has led to a considerable production of waste, particularly from prepreg scraps, which can account for up to 35% of the purchased material. This paper explores the recycling of prepreg scraps by cutting them into smaller patches and reassembling them into new sheets. The study follows a dual approach: mechanical testing on two different types of samples is presented, along with numerical modeling strategies designed to capture not only the mechanical behavior of the new recycled material but also the failure modes of the samples. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed technique, with samples made from prepreg scraps retaining 85%, 57%, and 78% of the original flexural modulus, strength, and interlaminar strength, respectively. The numerical models not only fit closely to the experimental data but also successfully predict the failure modes of the new material under the two different loading conditions. The primary highlights of this work lie in (i) its innovative approach to recycling prepreg scraps, which is capable of successfully recovering material otherwise sent to landfill; (ii) an ordinated and easy-to-automate recovery process; and (iii) in the modeling strategies of the new material. The study eventually proposes the development of an “equivalent lamina” made of scrap material that can be used in standard lamination processes to manufacture components with load-bearing capabilities. Full article

While national museums focus on broader national narratives, regional museums function as vital community hubs, establishing deeper local connections and facilitating intimate interactions between local residents and their heritage. These regional museums face dual challenges in their sustainable digital transformation, including the following: technical barriers arising from the high costs of traditional digitization methods like Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) and humanistic challenges, including preserving distinctive multi-directional communication and balancing professionalism and authority with collaborative community engagement in the digitization process. This study addresses these challenges through a case study of the Ryushi Memorial Museum in Ota City, Tokyo. We present a comprehensive approach that integrates technical innovation with community engagement, including the following: (1) A cost-effective workflow combining photogrammetry with iPad LiDAR technology for spatial reconstruction, demonstrated through the digital reconstruction of the museum’s Atelier and Jibutsudo (family hall for worshipping Buddha); (2) a new Exhibition Co-Design framework that co-ordinates diverse stakeholders to create digital exhibitions while balancing professional guidance with community participation. Through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews with museum volunteers, we demonstrate how this approach enhances community engagement by enabling volunteers to incorporate their local knowledge into digital exhibitions while maintaining professionalism and authority. This cost-effective model for spatial reconstruction and community-driven digital design can serve as a reference for other regional museums to help them achieve sustainable digital innovation in the digital age. Full article

As global climate change becomes increasingly severe, industrial CO₂ emissions have received increasing attention, but the impact factors and driving mechanisms of industrial CO₂ emission intensity remain unclear. Based on panel data from 2010 to 2021 in Shandong Province, a key economic region in eastern China, the industrial CO₂ emission intensity under China’s dual carbon target was analyzed using multivariate ordination methods. The results showed that (1) total CO₂ emissions from industry are increasing annually, with an average growth rate of 3.74%, and electricity, coal, and coke are the primary sources of CO₂ emissions. (2) Total CO₂ emissions originated primarily from the heavy manufacturing, energy production, and high energy intensity industry categories, and the CO₂ emission intensity of different types of energy increased by 21.24% from 2010 to 2021. (3) CO₂ emission intensity is significantly positively correlated with the proportion of high energy intensive industry, energy consumption intensity, and investment intensity and significantly negatively correlated with gross industrial output. In addition, the effects of different types of energy on industrial CO₂ emission intensity varied, and coal, coke, electricity, and diesel oil were significantly positively correlated with CO₂ emission intensity. Therefore, to reduce the CO₂ emission intensity of the industrial sector in the future and to achieve China’s dual carbon target, it is necessary to adjust and optimize the industrial and energy structure, strengthen technological progress and innovation, improve energy utilization efficiency, improve and implement relevant policies for industrial carbon reduction, and then ensure the sustainable development of the economy, society, and environment. Full article

This paper investigates the formation of vibration fields in a mechatronic setup driven by dual induction motors, relying on the controlled synchronization of unbalanced rotors. The proposed algorithm enables precise control over rotor speeds and phase shifts. Experimental results from a multi-resonance vibration laboratory setup demonstrate this approach’s ability to form the vibration fields. The ability to control these fields is crucial for applications such as vibratory transportation and the mixing of bulk materials. The results obtained can ensure a diverse picture of the complex trajectories of motion for various points of the platform, primarily in the screens, making various useful effects for vibration technologies. Additionally, the practical value of this research is that in the case of double synchronous mode the ordinate of the lower point of the trajectory is lower than in the case of single synchronous mode, which improves the efficiency of unloading and prevents congestion formation. The experimental data highlight the practical advantages and potential improvements in efficiency and reliability offered by this method. Full article

China’s government has adopted several carbon emission reduction policies to strive to achieve the dual carbon goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”. In practice, various multi-objective policy instruments are implemented in a staggered manner, which might lead to the overestimation or underestimation of single-policy effect evaluation. This paper evaluates the combined effect of the Low-carbon City Pilot (LCP) and Comprehensive Demonstration City of Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policy (CCEEFP), investigating whether their carbon emission reduction effects are complementary and achieve collaborative outcomes. The empirical results indicate that the LCP, the CCEEFP, and their nested implementation could all promote carbon emission reduction. Their collaborative policy effects are sustained, being more obvious in higher-grade cities. Furthermore, there is a greater adoption of the source treatment technology for carbon emissions. And the implementing order of these policies could affect governance performance because of the “path dependence” of local government’s attention towards multi-objective policy intentions. The empirical evidence demonstrates that policymakers should carefully design policy mix particulars towards a common purpose and carefully co-ordinate their implementation process. Full article

Inflammatory mediators constitute a recently coined term in the field of metal-based complexes with antiplatelet activities. Our strategy targets Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) and its receptor, which is the most potent lipid mediator of inflammation. Thus, the antiplatelet (anti-PAF) potency of any substance could be exerted by inhibiting the PAF-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs), which internationally is a well-accepted methodology. Herein, a series of mononuclear (mer-[Cr(pqx)Cl₃(H₂O]) (1), [Co(pqx)Cl₂(DMF)] (2) (DMF = N,N′-dimethyl formamide), [Cu(pqx)Cl₂(DMSO)] (3) (DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide), [Zn(pqx)Cl₂] (4)) and dinuclear complexes ([Mn(pqx)(H₂O)₂Cl₂]₂ (5), [Fe(pqx)Cl₂]₂ (6) and [Ni(pqx)Cl₂]₂ (7)) incorporating the 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline ligand (pqx), were biologically evaluated as inhibitors of the PAF- and thrombin-induced aggregation in washed rabbit platelets (WRPs). The molecular structure of the five-co-ordinate analog (3) has been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealing a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. All complexes are potent inhibitors of the PAF-induced aggregation in WRPs in the micromolar range. Complex (6) displayed a remarkable in vitro dual inhibition against PAF and thrombin, with IC₅₀ values of 1.79 μM and 0.46 μM, respectively. Within the series, complex (5) was less effective (IC₅₀ = 39 μM) while complex (1) was almost 12-fold more potent against PAF, as opposed to thrombin-induced aggregation. The biological behavior of complexes 1, 6 and 7 on PAF’s basic metabolic enzymatic pathways reveals that they affect key biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of PAF underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of the relevant complexes. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of all complexes in HEK293T (human embryonic kidney cells) and HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells) are described via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results reveal that complex 3 is the most potent within the series. Full article

In marine ecological environment monitoring, the acquisition of node location information is crucial, and the absence of location information can render the collected data meaningless. Compared to the rest of the distance-based localization methods, the received signal strength (RSS)-based localization technique has gained significant interest due to its low cost and the absence of time synchronization. However, the acoustic signal propagates in the complex and changeable aqueous medium, and, in addition to the time-varying path loss factor (PLF), there is often a certain absorption loss, which seriously deteriorates the localization accuracy of the RSS-based technique. To address the above challenges, we propose a novel high-precision and high-robustness localization (NHHL) algorithm that introduces an estimation parameter to conjointly estimate the marine node location and the ambient PLF. Firstly, the original non-convex localization problem is converted into an alternating nonnegative constrained least squares (ANCLS) framework with the unknown PLF and absorption loss, and a two-step localization method based on the primitive dual interior point method and block co-ordinate update method is presented to find the optimal solution. In the first step, the penalty function is utilized to reformulate the localization problem and find an approximate solution. Nevertheless, due to inherent errors, it is unable to approximate the constraint boundary and the global optimum solution. Subsequently, in the second step, the original localization problem is further transformed into a generalized trust region sub-problem (GTRS) framework, and the approximate solution of the interior point method is utilized as the initial estimation, and then iteratively solved by block co-ordinate update to obtain the precise location and PLF conjointly. Furthermore, the closed-form expression of the Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB) for the case of the unknown path loss factor and absorption loss is derived to evaluate the our NHHL algorithm. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the presented NHHL algorithm compared with the selected benchmark methods in various marine simulation scenarios. Full article

E-scooters aspire to provide flexibility to their users while covering the first/last mile of a multimodal trip. Yet, their dual travel behavior, i.e., utilizing both vehicles’ roadways and pedestrians’ sidewalks, creates new challenges to transport modelers. This study aims to model e-scooter riding behavior in comparison to traditional urban transport modes, namely car and walking. The new modeling approach is based on perceived safety that is influenced by the road environment and affects routing behavior. An ordinal logistic model of perceived safety is applied to classify road links in a 7-point Likert scale. The parametric utility function combines only three basic parameters: time, cost, and perceived safety. First/last mile routing choices are modeled in a test road network developed in Athens, Greece, utilizing the shortest-path algorithm. The proposed modeling approach proved to be useful, as the road environment of an urban area is heterogenous in terms of safety perceptions. Indeed, the model outputs show that the flexibility of e-scooters is limited in practice by their low-perceived safety. To avoid unsafe road environments where motorized traffic dominates, e-scooter riders tend to detour. This decision-making process tool can identify road network discontinuities. Nevertheless, their significance regarding routing behavior should be further discussed. Full article

This paper focuses on ordination procedures specific to women in Chinese Buddhism, and on the positions adopted by bhikṣuṇīs regarding the procedures’ asymmetrical nature in contemporary China. Dual ordinations, according to which aspiring bhikṣuṇīs must present themselves in front of both an assembly of fully ordained nuns and of monks in order to be “properly” ordained, were restored by Longlian (隆莲 1909–2006) in 1982. Śikṣamāṇā ordinations, which postulate that women should train for an additional two years before receiving full ordination when their male counterparts do not have to, have also become increasingly common since the 1980s. Based on fieldwork conducted between 2015 and today, both on-site and online, this paper asks whether asymmetry should be considered similar to subordination with regard to ordination procedures. It looks into Rurui’s (如瑞, 1957–) position on the matter, as Longlian’s student and one of the most influential bhikṣuṇī of her generation. While recent survey data will be useful in addressing the issue of representation, qualitative data will question the role of vertical networks in perpetuating a teacher’s legacy, ultimately leaving us to wonder if asymmetry might not be actively sought after by contemporary Chinese Buddhist bhikṣuṇīs in order to improve their status. Full article

The “Dual Ordination” (erbuseng jie 二部僧戒) is a Vinaya-based ordination procedure introduced to China from Śrī Laṅkā in the fifth century; in the late imperial period it came to be included in the main ordination system. It stipulates that full ordination for nuns is to be carried out first in front of an assembly of bhikṣuṇīs and then another assembly of bhikṣus. However, contrary to this stipulation, ordinations have mainly been conferred to women by bhikṣus alone in China since the tenth century. The Dual Ordination procedures became a topic of discussion during the Republic of China (1911–1949) with the result that it was eventually reintroduced on the Mainland at the beginning of the 1980s, mainly due to the efforts of bhikṣuṇīs Longlian 隆蓮 (1909–2006) and Tongyuan 通願 (1913–1991). The article traces the roots of the restoration of Dual Ordinations during the Republican era and provides an account of their history since the 1980s. Finally, Longlian’s views about bhikṣuṇī ordination are discussed. The objective is to probe the historical and ideological context for the reestablishment of this ordination system in modern and contemporary China, which ultimately strengthened the role and position of Chinese bhikṣuṇīs. Full article

The South African traditional medicine sector is estimated to accommodate millions of citizens, despite it being informal. The existence of such a healthcare system embodies the dual system of both primary and traditional healthcare, with some preferring one and others utilising both systems. The gathering, harvesting, and selling of medicinal plant and animal species have inevitable environmental effects. The paradox between biodiversity conservation and livelihood sustenance is eminent in South Africa’s contemporary environmental legislation. The purpose of the study was to highlight and examine the dynamics between prominent stakeholders involved in biodiversity conservation and the traditional medicine sector. The stakeholder analysis and political ecology approach were adopted and applied respectively to guide the study. The study was conducted in 2020 and a questionnaire was used to capture the realities and experiences of prominent stakeholders in the biodiversity sector. Common legal mandates such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act No. 10 of 2004; Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) regulations; and the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance 15 of 1974 are used to control and enforce legislation by biodiversity stakeholders. The main findings of the study are as follows: (a) Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) do not have adequate training and knowledge on the environmental and legal aspects of their system; (b) Biodiversity stakeholders are treated with violence and hostility when they attempt to enforce legal mandates at the Warwick Herb Market; (c) There is a significant gap in communication and co-operation between municipal officials and biodiversity stakeholders. There is evidently, a need for environmental educational initiatives and improved methods of enforcement and communication between biodiversity stakeholders, municipal officials and THPs. Full article

Drawing from interviews with tsunmas (Tib. btsun ma, nun) living and practicing in Geluk, Kagyu, and Sakya institutions in Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Uttarakhand, India, between March 2017 and February 2019, this case study foregrounds tsunmas’ heterogenous insights into the most ideal and acceptable ways for restoring gelongma (Tib. dge slong ma, Skt. bhikṣunī, fully ordained nun) vows. I argue that fragility, the quality of being breakable, underlies the history of gelongma vows in Tibet. Fragility, however, can also be generative. In this regard, fragility also signifies the possibility of restoring gelongma ordination for some tsunmas who are interested in receiving gelongma vows in India. This article examines Tibetan and Himalayan tsunmas’ perspectives on the possible ways of restoring gelongma ordination for women in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Since the lineage of gelongmas ceased in Tibet, some tsunmas see this fragility as prohibiting restoration of gelongma ordination unless there is a way to re-establish these vows through the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, the monastic code adopted in Tibet, whereas other tsunmas perceive this fragility as an opportunity for other possibilities for gelongma vow restoration through innovative ritual practices such as dual-Vinaya ordination. Full article

City-level decisions are crucial for delivering a low carbon transition, particularly as urban population dynamics and environments change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring appropriate governance structures, mechanisms and resources to facilitate these decisions is therefore essential. Based on a systematic literature review by van der Heijden (2019), this paper develops a simple framework to assess the state of ten enabling factors for effective urban climate governance, and applies it to low-carbon passenger mobility in London. Drawing on documentary evidence and a series of semi-structured expert interviews, it finds that London’s city authorities have a strong capacity for autonomy, stakeholder participation, local leadership and coordination on climate action and mobility, of which they make extensive use. The national legal and political framework remains broadly supportive following the UK’s departure from the EU, but multi-level co-ordination is thin, and funding issues have intensified conflict over political jurisdiction since the pandemic began. Spatial variation in urban form and infrastructure, coupled with dual-layer city administration, complicate the socio-political landscape and drive for climate action in mobility. Full article

Background: Patients with Crohn’s disease are at increased risk for fractures due to low bone mineral density (BMD). Real-world data are necessary to optimize surveillance and treatment strategies. Methods: Patients with Crohn’s disease who underwent at least one dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were recruited. The primary study endpoints were (1) prevalence of osteoporosis, and (2) factors influencing changes of BMD. To identify potential risk factors for reduced BMD, Mann–Whitney U-test was used for ordinal and continuous variables and x²-tests for categorical variables. Results with p < 0.05 were included in a multivariable analysis. To identify potential factors influencing changes in BMD, a generalized linear mixed model was applied. Results: 39.9% of the patients were diagnosed with normal BMD, 40.2% with osteopenia, and 19.8% with osteoporosis. The main risk factors for osteoporosis were low body mass index (BMI), previous bowel resections and male sex. The main risk factors for reduced BMD during further along the disease course were steroid use, history of immunomodulator treatment, female sex and decreased BMI. Conclusion: Low BMI, previous bowel resections and male sex were the main risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. Steroid use reduced BMD even under anti-inflammatory therapy, underlining that they should be used with great care in that patient group. Full article

Distributed generators (DG) using renewable energy sources (RESs) have been attracting special attention within distribution systems. However, a large amount of DG penetration causes voltage deviation and reverse power flow in the smart grid. Therefore, the smart grid needs a solution for voltage control, power flow control and power outage prevention. This paper proposes a decision technique of optimal reference scheduling for a battery energy storage system (BESS), inverters interfacing with a DG and voltage control devices for optimal operation. Moreover, the reconfiguration of the distribution system is made possible by the installation of a loop power flow controller (LPC). Two separate simulations are provided to maintain the reliability in the stable power supply and economical aspects. First, the effectiveness of the smart grid with installed BESS or LPC devices is demonstrated in fault situations. Second, the active smart grid using LCPs is proposed. Real-time techniques of the dual scheduling algorithm are applied to the system. The aforementioned control objective is formulated and solved using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with an adaptive inertia weight (AIW) function. The effectiveness of the optimal operation in ordinal and fault situations is verified by numerical simulations. Full article