Search Results (2,094)

In this study, a new type of novel demountable connector is proposed to enable complete dry connections between concrete beams and slabs, facilitating the full demountable design of these components. To analyze and evaluate the flexural performance of the concrete beams with the novel demountable connectors, a finite element model was developed, which was then validated by previous tests. The results indicate that bolt diameter, bolt strength, channel spacing, and concrete slab thickness have a significant impact on peak load, while concrete beam strength, concrete slab strength, and flange width have minimal influence. Similarly, flexural stiffness is strongly affected by bolt diameter, channel spacing, concrete slab strength, slab thickness, and flange width, whereas bolt strength and concrete beam strength play a lesser role. Notably, the finite element analysis confirms the absence of plastic deformation in most bolts and end plates, ensuring that the flexural components are designed for effective disassembly. A theoretical model for calculating the ultimate flexural moment of demountable concrete beams under different conditions is also proposed, and it agrees with the ultimate flexural moment from numerical analysis. Full article

Complex wastewater matrices hinder the efficacy of conventional treatment methods due to the presence of various inorganic and organic pollutants, along with their intricate interactions. Leveraging the synergy between algae and bacteria, algal–bacterial symbiosis (ABS) systems offering an evolutionary and highly effective approach. The ABS system demonstrates 10–30% higher removal efficiency than conventional biological/physicochemical methods under identical conditions, especially at low C/N ratios. Recent advances in biology techniques and big data analytics have deepened our understanding of the synergistic mechanisms involved. Despite the system’s considerable promise, challenges persist concerning complex pollution scenarios and scaling it for industrial applications, particularly regarding system design, environmental adaptability, and stable operation. In this review, we explore the current forms and operational modes of ABS systems, discussing relevant mechanisms in various wastewater treatment contexts. Furthermore, we examine the advantages and limitations of ABS systems in treating complex wastewater matrices, highlighting challenges and proposing future directions. Full article

With the globalized deployment of cross-border vehicle location services and the trajectory data, which contain user identity information and geographically sensitive features, the variability in privacy regulations in different jurisdictions can further exacerbate the technical and compliance challenges of data privacy protection. Traditional static differential privacy mechanisms struggle to accommodate spatiotemporal heterogeneity in dynamic scenarios because of the use of a fixed privacy budget parameter, leading to wasted privacy budgets or insufficient protection of sensitive regions. This study proposes a reinforcement-learning-based dynamic noise optimization method (DNO-RL) that dynamically adjusts the Laplacian noise scale by real-time sensing of vehicle density, region sensitivity, and the remaining privacy budget via a deep Q-network (DQN), with the aim of providing context-adaptive differential privacy protection for cross-border vehicle location services. Simulation experiments of cross-border scenarios based on the T-Drive dataset showed that DNO-RL reduced the average localization error by 28.3% and saved 17.9% of the privacy budget compared with the local differential privacy under the same privacy budget. This study provides a new paradigm for the dynamic privacy–utility balancing of cross-border vehicular networking services. Full article

This study aims to clarify how different types of motivation influence employee retention by identifying the distinct roles of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in shaping job satisfaction, particularly under varying levels of urban stress and generational identity. Drawing on Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and Self-Determination Theory, we distinguish between intrinsic drivers (e.g., autonomy, achievement) and extrinsic hygiene factors (e.g., pay, stability). Using survey data from 356 Chinese employees and applying PLS-SEM with a moderated mediation design, we investigate how urbanization and Generation Z moderate these relationships. Results show that intrinsic motivation enhances satisfaction, especially in urban settings, while extrinsic factors negatively affect satisfaction when perceived as insufficient or unfair. Job satisfaction mediates the relationship between motivation and retention, although this effect is weaker among Generation Z employees. These findings refine motivational theories by demonstrating how environmental pressure and generational values jointly shape employee attitudes. The study contributes a context-sensitive framework for understanding retention by integrating individual motivation with macro-level moderators, offering practical implications for managing diverse and urbanizing labor markets. Full article

This study explores how aristolochic acid I (AAI) drives hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We first employ network toxicology and machine learning to map the key molecular target genes. Next, our research utilizes molecular docking to evaluate how AAI binds to these targets, and finally confirms the stability and dynamics of the resulting complexes through molecular dynamics simulations. We identified 193 overlapping target genes between AAI and HCC through databases such as PubChem, OMIM, and ChEMBL. Machine learning algorithms (SVM-RFE, random forest, and LASSO regression) were employed to screen 11 core genes. LASSO serves as a rapid dimension-reduction tool, SVM-RFE recursively eliminates the features with the smallest weights, and Random Forest achieves ensemble learning through decision trees. Protein–protein interaction networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1, and key genes were validated through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, an immune infiltration analysis, a drug sensitivity analysis, and a survival analysis. Molecular-docking experiments showed that AAI binds to each of the core targets with a binding affinity stronger than −5 kcal mol⁻¹, and subsequent molecular dynamics simulations verified that these complexes remain stable over time. This study determined the potential molecular mechanisms underlying AAI-induced HCC and identified key genes (CYP1A2, ESR1, and AURKA) as potential therapeutic targets, providing valuable insights for developing targeted strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with AAI exposure. Full article

Amylose content significantly influences the technological, quality, and nutritional properties of starchy foods. This study developed a rapid, non-destructive method to quantify amylose content in starch using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques. Manually prepared starch mixtures with varying amylose levels were scanned to obtain MIR spectra, which were preprocessed using smoothing and z-score normalization to reduce operational variability. Three variable selection methods, including bootstrap soft shrinkage (BOSS), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), and uninformative variable elimination (UVE), were applied to select the useful spectra. A partial least square (PLS) model was then constructed to correlate selected spectral data with amylose content. The results revealed that the number and position of selected variables differed across different optimization methods, which influenced the model’s performance. It is worth noting that the optimized PLS model significantly reduced the root mean squared error of cross-validation (RMSECV) and improved prediction accuracy in 50 runs. In particular, the CARS-PLS model showed superior performance, achieving a correlation coefficient (R_p) of 0.964 and a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of 4.59, a 60% improvement over the original PLS model, which had an RMSEP of 11.56. These results highlight MIR spectroscopy’s potential, combined with optimized chemometric models, for accurate amylose quantification in food quality control. Full article

Kelp is a natural hydrogel material, which has been widely used in food industry. However, as a natural material, its properties have not been well explored. In this work, the surface and mechanical properties of kelp were investigated. The surface of kelp exhibited superoleophobicity and a self-clean property. The friction coefficient (COF) of the kelp surface was also low (<0.1). Interestingly, kelp demonstrated anisotropic mechanical properties either with or without metal ions. The tensile strength and toughness of kelp along with the growth direction (H) were better than those at the direction vertical to the growth direction (V). The adsorption of metal ions would significantly enhance the mechanical properties and ionic conductivity. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was assembled using kelp with NaCl, which showed excellent output performance (open-circuit voltage of 30 V, short-circuit current of 0.73 μA and charge transfer on contact of 10.5 nC). A writing tablet was prepared to use as the kelp-based self-powered tactile sensor. This work provides a new insight into natural kelp, which may be used as a renewable material. Full article

Soft soils, characterized by high compressibility, low shear strength, and high water sensitivity, pose serious challenges to geotechnical engineering in infrastructure projects. Traditional stabilization methods such as lime and cement face limitations, including environmental concerns and poor durability under chemical or cyclic loading. Ionic soil stabilizers (ISSs), which operate through electrochemical mechanisms, offer a promising alternative. However, their long-term performance—particularly under environmental stressors such as acid/alkali exposure and cyclic wetting–drying—remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluates the strength and durability of ISS-modified soil through a comprehensive experimental program, including direct shear tests, permeability tests, and cyclic wetting–drying experiments under neutral, acidic (pH = 4), and alkaline (pH = 10) environments. The results demonstrate that ISS treatment increases soil cohesion by up to 75.24% and internal friction angle by 9.50%, particularly under lower moisture conditions (24%). Permeability decreased by 88.4% following stabilization, resulting in only a 10–15% strength loss after water infiltration, compared to 40–50% in untreated soils. Under three cycles of wetting–drying, ISS-treated soils retained high shear strength, especially under acidic conditions, where degradation was minimal. In contrast, alkaline conditions caused a cohesion reduction of approximately 26.53%. These findings confirm the efficacy of ISSs in significantly improving both the mechanical performance and environmental durability of soft soils, offering a sustainable and effective solution for soil stabilization in chemically aggressive environments. Full article

The transition from conchocelis to conchosporangia in Pyropia haitanensis represents a pivotal stage in its life cycle. As a commercially vital red alga, P. haitanensis plays a dominant role in global nori production. The transition governing its sporulation efficiency is pivotal for aquaculture success, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms, especially their integration with metabolic cues such as polyamines, remain poorly understood. This study uncovered a critical role for the polyamine spermine (SPM) in promoting conchosporangial formation, mediated through the signaling activity of superoxide anions (O₂·⁻). Treatment with SPM markedly elevated O₂·⁻ levels, an effect that was effectively inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyliodonium chloride (DPI), underscoring the role of O₂·⁻ as a key signaling molecule. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that SPM enhanced photosynthesis, carbon assimilation, and respiratory metabolism, while simultaneously activating antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT), to regulate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels and maintain redox homeostasis. Furthermore, SPM upregulated genes associated with photosynthetic carbon fixation and the C₂ oxidative photorespiration pathway, supplying the energy and metabolic resources necessary for this developmental transition. These findings suggested that SPM orchestrated O₂·⁻ signaling, photosynthetic activity, and antioxidant defenses to facilitate the transition from conchocelis to conchosporangia in P. haitanensis. Full article

Currently, most studies evaluating storm surges are conducted at the provincial level, and there is a lack of detailed research focusing on cities. This paper focuses on the urban scale, using some fine-scale data of coastal areas obtained through remote sensing images. This research is based on the Hazard–Exposure–Vulnerability (H-E-V) framework and PPRR (Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery) crisis management theory. It focuses on 52 Chinese coastal cities as the research subject. The evaluation system for the disaster response capabilities of Chinese coastal cities was constructed based on three aspects: the stability of the disaster-incubating environment (S), the risk of disaster-causing factors (R), and the vulnerability of disaster-bearing bodies (V). The significance of this study is that the storm surge capability of China’s coastal cities can be analyzed based on the results of the evaluation, and the evaluation model can be used to identify its deficiencies. In this paper, these storm surge disaster response capabilities of coastal cities were scored using the entropy weighted TOPSIS method and the weight rank sum ratio (WRSR), and the results were also analyzed. The results indicate that Wenzhou has the best comprehensive disaster response capability, while Yancheng has the worst. Moreover, Tianjin, Ningde, and Shenzhen performed well in the three aspects of vulnerability of disaster-bearing bodies, risk of disaster-causing factors, and stability of disaster-incubating environment separately. On the contrary, Dandong (tied with Qinzhou), Jiaxing, and Chaozhou performed poorly in the above three areas. Full article

Cities serve as the primary arenas for achieving the strategic objectives of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality”. This study employed the LMDI method to systematically analyze the evolution trend of energy-related carbon emissions in Hong Kong and their influencing factors from 1980 to 2023. The main findings are as follows: (1) Hong Kong’s energy consumption structure remains dominated by coal and oil. Influenced by energy prices, significant shifts in this structure occurred across different periods. Imported electricity from mainland China, in particular, has exerted a promoting effect on the optimization of its energy consumption mix. (2) Economic output and population concentration are the primary drivers of increased carbon emissions. However, the contribution of economic growth to carbon emissions has gradually weakened in recent years due to a lack of new growth drivers. (3) Energy consumption intensity, energy consumption structure, and carbon intensity are the primary influencing factors in curbing carbon emissions. Among these, the carbon reduction impact of energy consumption intensity is the most significant. Hong Kong should continue to adopt a robust strategy for controlling total energy consumption to effectively mitigate carbon emissions. Additionally, it should remain vigilant regarding the potential implications of future energy price fluctuations. It is also essential to sustain cross-border energy cooperation, primarily based on electricity imports from the Pearl River Delta, while simultaneously expanding international and domestic supply channels for natural gas. Full article

The global antimicrobial resistance crisis demands innovative strategies to combat bacterial infections, including those caused by drug-sensitive pathogens that evade treatment through biofilm formation or metabolic adaptations. Here, we demonstrate that Squama Manitis extract (SME)—a traditional Chinese medicine component—exhibits broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against clinically significant pathogens, including both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) species (MIC = 31.25 mg/mL), achieving significant reduction in bacterial viability within 24 h. Through integrated multi-omics analysis combining scanning electron microscopy and RNA sequencing, we reveal SME’s unprecedented tripartite mechanism of action: (1) direct membrane disruption causing cell envelope collapse, (2) metabolic paralysis through coordinated suppression of TCA cycle and fatty acid degradation pathways, and (3) inhibition of DNA repair systems (SOS response and recombination downregulation). Despite its potent activity, SME shows low cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells (>90% viability) and can penetrate Gram-negative outer membranes. These features highlight SME’s potential to address drug-resistant infections through synthetic lethality across stress response, energy metabolism, and DNA integrity pathways. While advocating for synthetic alternatives to endangered animal products, this study establishes SME as a polypharmacological template for resistance-resilient antimicrobial design, demonstrating how traditional knowledge and modern systems biology can converge to guide sustainable anti-infective development. Full article

Highway accessibility plays a vital role in supporting local economic development, particularly in regions lacking access to sea or river ports. Recognizing the functional transformation of road infrastructure, the Chinese government has made substantial investments in its expansion. Nevertheless, a theoretical gap remains in justifying whether such investments yield significant economic returns. Drawing on the theory of economic externalities, this study investigates the causal relationship between highway development and regional economic growth, and assesses whether highway construction leads to an acceleration in growth rates. Utilizing panel data from 14 Chinese cities spanning 2000 to 2014, the synthetic control method (SCM) is employed to evaluate the economic externalities of highway investment. The results indicate a positive impact on surrounding industries. Furthermore, a growth rate forecasting analysis based on Back-Propagation Neural Networks (BPNNs) is conducted using industrial enterprise data from 2005 to 2014. The growth rate in the treated city is 1.144%, which is close to the real number 1.117%, higher than the number for the weighted control group, which is 1.000%. The findings suggest that the growth rate of total industrial output improved significantly, confirming the existence of positive spillover effects. This not only enriches the empirical literature on transport infrastructure but also provides targeted enlightenment for the sustainable development of urban economy in terms of policy guidance. Full article

Aiming at the goal of preparing high-quality coatings, this paper reviews the progress on circular arc source structure and magnetic field arc controlling technology in arc ion plating (AIP), with a focus on design characteristics of the different structures and configuration optimization of the corresponding magnetic fields. The circular arc source, due to its simple structure, convenient installation, flexible target combination, high cooling efficiency, and high ionization rate and deposition rate, has shown significant application potential in AIP technology. In terms of magnetic field arc controlling technology, this paper delves into the design progress of various magnetic field configurations, including fixed magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets, dynamic rotating magnetic fields, axially symmetric magnetic fields, rotating transverse magnetic fields, and multi-mode alternating electromagnetic coupling fields. By designing the magnetic field distribution reasonably, the trajectory and velocity of the arc spot can be controlled precisely, thus reducing the generation of macroparticles, improving target utilization, and enhancing coating uniformity. In particular, the introduction of multi-mode magnetic field coupling technology has broken through the limitations of traditional single magnetic field structures, achieving comprehensive optimization of arc spot motion and plasma transport. Hopefully, these research advances provide an important theoretical basis and technical support for the application of AIP technology in the preparation for high-quality decorative and functional coatings. Full article

Microbial communities are crucial to maintaining the ecological health of lakes, but their response to water quality and eutrophication is poorly understood. This study analyzed seasonal variation in the effect of water quality parameters on microbial community structure and function at southern Lake Taihu. We observed poor water quality in autumn (low dissolved oxygen concentration and water transparency) with severe eutrophication (high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and microcystins). Microcystins were a major indicator of water quality that affected total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen concentrations. Redundancy analysis revealed that total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate, ammonium, and microcystins, temperature, and dissolved oxygen all significantly influenced the microbial community. Microbial co-occurrence networks revealed significant seasonal variations, with autumn and winter exhibiting a more complex structure than other seasons. Additionally, we identified microcystin-sensitive microbial species as eutrophication indicators; they are involved in bacterial community components and metabolic function and fluctuate under seasonal changes to water quality. In conclusion, our findings provide insight into the relationship between water quality and microbial communities, offering an empirical basis for improving the sustainable management of Lake Taihu. Full article