Search Results (1,606)

The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) is used for maxillary expansion in adolescents and young adults. Virtual planning using 3D models, CBCT and 3D printers help in case selection, appliance design and fabrication. Using the proposed digital workflow, the accuracy of the patient selection phase and appliance delivery are increased, and the required number of visits to the clinic is decreased. The MSE serves as a guide for the insertion of mini-implants, reducing the number of appointments needed for installation. (1) Introduction: Mini-Implant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) appliances, like the MSE, decrease the side effects that regular tooth-anchored appliances have on dental and periodontal structures, especially for skeletally mature patients, combining palatal anchorage with dental support for guidance. The digital planning of the insertion sites, length and angulation of the mini screws, and the fabrication of the 3D-printed appliance that stands as a mini-implant insertion guide give an undeniable precision. (2) Materials and methods: The laboratory steps used in the digital design and fabrication, and clinical steps needed for the insertion protocol are described. (3) Discussions: The individual assessment of the anatomical structures and the use of virtual integrated dental impressions and CBCT increase the accuracy of diagnosis, appliance fabrication and treatment progress. Implementing a digital workflow for mini-implant-supported expansion is a real advantage for both dental teams and patients. (4) Conclusions: The wide range of advantages and the ease of the process support the introduction of this digital workflow in every orthodontic practice. Full article

Lithium–iron disulfide (Li-FeS₂) batteries are plagued by the polysulfide shuttle effect and cathode structural degradation, which significantly hinder their practical application. This study proposes a dual-strategy design that combines a polyacrylonitrile–carbon nanotube (PAN-CNT) composite cathode and a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-conductive carbon-coated separator to synergistically address these bottlenecks. The PAN-CNT binder establishes chemical anchoring between polyacrylonitrile and FeS₂, enhancing electronic conductivity and mitigating volume expansion. Specifically, the binder boosts the initial discharge capacity by 35% while alleviating the stress-induced pulverization associated with volume changes. Meanwhile, the PVDF-conductive carbon-coated separator enables effective polysulfide trapping via dipole–dipole interactions between PVDF’s polar C-F groups and Li₂S_x species while maintaining unobstructed ion transport with an ionic conductivity of 1.23 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, achieving a Coulombic efficiency of 99.2%. The electrochemical results demonstrate that the dual-modified battery delivers a high initial discharge capacity of 650 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 C, with a capacity retention rate of 61.5% after 120 cycles, significantly outperforming the control group’s 47.5% retention rate. Scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirm that this synergistic design suppresses polysulfide migration and enhances interfacial stability, reducing the charge transfer resistance from 26 Ω to 11 Ω. By integrating polymer-based functional materials, this work presents a scalable and cost-effective approach for developing high-energy-density Li-FeS₂ batteries, providing a practical pathway to overcome key challenges in their commercialization. Full article

With the rapid development of China’s economy, the number and scale of infrastructure projects in energy, water conservancy, and transportation have expanded significantly. Anchoring technology has been widely applied, resulting in the formation of numerous rock slope–anchoring systems. This study proposes a novel method for evaluating the stability of rock slope–anchoring systems by introducing catastrophe theory into the stability assessment framework. Based on the characteristics of the rock slope–anchoring system and its stability-influencing factors, a hierarchical analytic structure for catastrophe-level evaluation is constructed, and relevant indicator data are collected. Catastrophe models are selected according to the identified state and control variables, and catastrophe levels are computed to establish a sample dataset. The relationship between catastrophe levels and the stability coefficients of rock slope–anchoring systems is verified to define stability grade intervals. Stability evaluation is then performed by calculating the catastrophe level of each system. The results indicate that: (1) the proposed method effectively considers the influence of multiple factors on the stability of rock slope–anchoring systems, ensuring high accuracy in the evaluation. (2) The method allows for the automatic quantification of the relative importance of indicators within the same hierarchy, reducing subjectivity caused by manual weighting. (3) By standardizing state variables and computing catastrophe levels, the method couples qualitative descriptions with mechanical parameters, enhancing the objectivity of the assessment. (4) The stability evaluation method for rock slope–anchorage systems based on mathematical catastrophe theory determines system stability through catastrophe-order analysis, featuring a concise process and clear results. It enables rapid evaluation of the stability of similar rock slope–anchorage systems and offers high efficiency for cluster assessments. Full article

This research examines the relationship between capital structure, intellectual capital, and financial performance among insurance companies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Anchored in a positivist paradigm, the study employed descriptive and quantitative methodologies, leveraging secondary panel data spanning from 2010 to 2022 across 122 insurance firms sampled from a population of 178 companies across 46 SSA countries. Utilizing a Panel Vector Error Correction Model (P-VECM), the analysis explored long-term equilibrium relationships and dynamic interactions among variables, including return on assets (ROAs), debt-to-equity ratio (DER), long-term debt (LTD), short-term debt (STD), Value-Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC™), and firm size (SIZE). Optimal lag lengths were determined through robust statistical criteria, ensuring model precision. The impulse response analysis revealed significant findings: variations in ROA negatively impacted intellectual capital (VAIC), leverage indicators (DER, LTD, and STD), and positively influenced firm size over a ten-period horizon. Specifically, decreases in ROA were consistently associated with reduced intellectual capital effectiveness and adverse financial liquidity conditions, while increased firm size correlated positively with improved financial performance. Full article

This study examines the role of cultural heritage sites as facilitators of place making within the evolving paradigm of smart city development. As cities worldwide adopt data-driven models of governance, integrating cultural identity and heritage becomes increasingly critical. This research addresses the conceptual and practical gap in understanding how heritage can support inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful urban transformation in smart city contexts. To do so, it selects Geelong in Australia as a case study. The study then employs a qualitative methodology drawing on semi-structured interviews with experts and professionals across urban planning, architecture, sustainability, and heritage management. Thematic analysis derived five key themes: heritage as an identity anchor, digital technologies enhancing cultural narratives, community engagement, adaptive reuse, and economic-policy integration. Findings highlight that heritage sites are dynamic assets that foster community identity, historical continuity, and digital storytelling. Digital tools enhance the visibility and accessibility of heritage, while adaptive reuse strategies align cultural preservation with environmental sustainability and economic growth. The resulting conceptual and assessment framework positions heritage both as a cultural and functional urban asset, offering actionable insights for planners, policymakers, and designers aiming to create smart cities that are not only technologically advanced but also socially inclusive and culturally grounded. Full article

As one of the mooring foundation types for floating wind turbine platforms, research on the anchor pullout bearing characteristics of mooring pile foundations remains insufficient, and the underlying mechanism of anchor pullout bearing capacity needs further investigation and clarification. This paper conducts a numerical study on the bearing characteristics of mooring pile foundations under tensile anchoring forces with loading angles ranging from 0° to 90° and loading point depths of 0.2L, 0.4L, 0.6L, and 0.8L (where L is the pile length). The research findings indicate that the anchor pullout bearing capacity decreases as the loading angle increases from 0° to 90°, and exhibits a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase in loading point depth. For rigid pile-anchors, the maximum anchor pullout bearing capacity occurs at a loading point depth of 0.6–0.8L, while for flexible piles, it appears at 0.4–0.6L. Both the bending moment and shear force of the pile shaft show abrupt changes at the loading point, where their maximum values also occur. This implies that the structural design at the loading point of the mooring pile foundation requires reinforcement. Meanwhile, the bending moment and shear force of the pile shaft gradually decrease with the increase in the loading angle, which is attributed to the gradual reduction of the horizontal load component. The axial force of the pile shaft also undergoes an abrupt change at the loading point, presenting characteristics where the upper section of the pile is under compression, the lower section is in tension, and both the pile top and pile tip are subjected to zero axial force. The depth of the loading point significantly influences the movement mode of the pile shaft. Shallow loading (0.2–0.4L) induces clockwise rotation, and the soil pressure around the pile is concentrated in the counterclockwise direction (90–270°). In the case of deep loading, counterclockwise rotation or pure translation of the pile shaft results in a more uniform stress distribution in the surrounding foundation soil, with the maximum soil pressure concentrated near the loading point. Full article

To address the challenges of deep excavations adjacent to existing buildings—such as restricted anchor installation angles, construction disturbances, and excessive deformations—a novel pile–anchor intersecting retaining system is proposed. This study employs three-dimensional finite-element simulations via ABAQUS to analyze the mechanical behavior and deformation control performance of this new system. Four comparative models (cross-anchor with/without adjacent buildings, single-anchor with/without adjacent buildings) are established to investigate pile displacement, anchor axial force, and ground settlement during staged excavation. The results demonstrate that the proposed system exhibits superior mechanical behavior. It effectively reduces pile displacement and ground settlement, with reductions of up to 31.7% in final settlement compared to a conventional single-anchor system. The system’s design successfully avoids conflicts with adjacent foundations while providing high structural redundancy. In scenarios adjacent to existing buildings, the system performs safely, with maximum displacements well within code-specified limits. This study confirms that the pile–anchor intersecting system is a robust and practical solution for deep excavations in complex urban environments, offering enhanced safety and deformation control for projects near sensitive infrastructure. Full article

Reliable anchorage of cast-in-place headed bolts in unreinforced concrete is vital in structural and industrial applications, where inaccurate strength predictions can compromise safety and efficiency. This study develops and validates an elastic–plastic concrete model within LS-DYNA to assess the tensile performance of headed anchors with varying embedment depth-to-diameter ratios. A parametric analysis is conducted, considering different concrete strengths, anchor sizes, and steel yield strengths. The results show notable deviations from the Concrete Capacity Design (CCD) method, particularly under high-strength concrete and reduced embedment ratios. The CCD method underestimates capacity at 30–40 MPa and overestimates it at 20 MPa. A correction coefficient is proposed to improve embedment depth estimation. The findings offer practical guidance for safer and more accurate anchor design. Full article

(1) Background: Virtual Reality (VR) films challenge traditional visual cognition by offering novel perceptual experiences. This study investigates the applicability of Gestalt grouping principles in dynamic VR scenes, the influence of VR environments on grouping efficiency, and the relationship between viewer experience and grouping effects. (2) Methods: Eye-tracking experiments were conducted with 42 participants using the HTC Vive Pro Eye and Tobii Pro Lab. Participants watched a non-narrative VR film with fixed camera positions to eliminate narrative and auditory confounds. Eye-tracking metrics were analyzed using SPSS version 29.0.1, and data were visualized through heat maps and gaze trajectory plots. (3) Results: Viewers tended to focus on spatial nodes and continuous structures. Initial fixations were anchored near the body but shifted rapidly thereafter. Heat maps revealed a consistent concentration of fixations on the dock area. (4) Conclusions: VR reshapes visual organization, where proximity, continuity, and closure outweigh traditional saliency. Dynamic elements draw attention only when linked to user goals. Designers should prioritize spatial logic, using functional nodes as cognitive anchors and continuous paths as embodied guides. Future work should test these mechanisms in narrative VR and explore neural correlates via fNIRS or EEG. Full article

The pursuit of universal, symmetric semantic representations within large language models (LLMs) faces a fundamental challenge: the inherent asymmetry of natural languages. Different languages exhibit vast disparities in syntactic structures, lexical choices, and cultural nuances, making the creation of a truly shared, symmetric embedding space a non-trivial task. This paper aims to address this critical problem by introducing a novel framework to forge robust and symmetric multilingual sentence embeddings. Our approach, named DACL (Dynamic Asymmetric Contrastive Learning), is anchored in two powerful asymmetric learning paradigms: Contrastive Learning and Dynamic Curriculum Learning (DCL). We extend Contrastive Learning to the multilingual context, where it asymmetrically treats semantically equivalent sentences from different languages (positive pairs) and sentences with distinct meanings (negative pairs) to enforce semantic symmetry in the target embedding space. To further refine this process, we incorporate Dynamic Curriculum Learning, which introduces a second layer of asymmetry by dynamically scheduling training instances from easy to hard. This dual-asymmetric strategy enables the model to progressively master complex cross-lingual relationships, starting with more obvious semantic equivalences and advancing to subtler ones. Our comprehensive experiments on benchmark cross-lingual tasks, including sentence retrieval and cross-lingual classification (XNLI, PAWS-X, MLDoc, MARC), demonstrate that DACL significantly outperforms a wide range of established baselines. The results validate our dual-asymmetric framework as a highly effective approach for forging robust multilingual embeddings, particularly excelling in tasks involving complex linguistic asymmetries. Ultimately, this work contributes a novel dual-asymmetric learning framework that effectively leverages linguistic asymmetry to achieve robust semantic symmetry across languages. It offers valuable insights for developing more capable, fair, and interpretable multilingual LLMs, emphasizing that deliberately leveraging asymmetry in the learning process is a highly effective strategy. Full article

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and often deadly disease that poses a major threat to swine production worldwide. The lack of a commercially available vaccine underscores the critical need for innovative immunization strategies to combat ASF. Methods: Six ASFV antigenic proteins (K78R, A104R, E120R, E183L, D117L, and H171R) were fused with the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 surface anchor LP3065 (LPxTG motif) to generate recombinant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NC8 (rNC8) strains. The surface expression was confirmed using immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays. Additionally, the dendritic cell-targeting peptides (DCpep) were co-expressed with each antigen protein. Mice were immunized at a dosage of 10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU) per strain per mouse via intragastric (I.G.), intranasal (I.N.), and intravenous (I.V.) routes. The bacterial mixture was heat-inactivated by boiling for 15 min to destroy viable cells while preserving antigenic structures. I.V. administration caused no hypersensitivity, confirming the method’s safety and effectiveness. Results: Following I.G. administration, rNC8-E120R, rNC8-E183L, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R induced significant levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in fecal samples, whereas rNC8-H171R and rNC8-D117L failed to induce a comparable response. Meanwhile, rNC8-D117L, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R also elicited significant levels of sIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Following I.N. immunization, rNC8-E120R, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R significantly increased sIgA levels in both fecal and BALF immunization. In contrast, I.V. immunization with heat-inactivated rNC8-K78R and rNC8-A104R induced robust serum IgG titers, whereas the remaining antigens elicited minimal or insignificant responses. Flow cytometry analysis revealed expanded CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells in mice immunized via the I.N. and I.G. and CD3⁺CD4⁺ T cells only in those immunized via the I.N. route. Th1 responses were also significant in the sera of mice immunized via the I.G. and I.N. routes. Conclusions: The rNC8 multiple-antigen cocktail elicited strong systemic and mucosal immune responses, providing a solid foundation for the development of a probiotic-based vaccine against ASF. Full article

In recent years, the increasing complexity of shield tunneling environments has made it critical to control the deformation of adjacent excavation structures and surrounding soils. This study employs numerical simulation using MIDAS GTS/NX to comprehensively analyze the spatial interaction factors between shield tunnels and wall-pile-anchor-supported foundation pits. Structural parameters of the retaining system and tunneling conditions are also evaluated to identify the key factors influencing construction-induced deformation. The results show that the maximum settlement of the adjacent retaining wall occurs when the tunnel burial depth reaches 1.4L, where L is the height of the diaphragm wall. In addition, when the horizontal distance between the tunnel and the excavation is less than 0.75D (D being the tunnel diameter), significant settlement deformation is observed in the nearby support structures. A linear correlation is also identified between the variation in tunnel crown settlement and the excavation depth of the overlying pit during tunnel undercrossing. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis indicates that increasing the embedment depth of the diaphragm wall effectively reduces horizontal displacement at the wall base. Increasing the wall thickness decreases displacement in the upper section of the wall. Similarly, increasing pile diameter and anchor length and diameter, while reducing the inclination angle of anchors, are all effective in minimizing the lateral displacement of the support structure. Full article

This study presents a high-performance external strengthening strategy for reinforced concrete (RC) beam–column joints, integrating near-surface mounted (NSM) Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (C-FRP) ropes with externally bonded C-FRP sheets. The X-shaped ropes, anchored diagonally on both principal joint faces and complemented by vertical ropes at column corners, provide enhanced core confinement and shear reinforcement. C-FRP sheets applied to the beam’s plastic hinge region further increase flexural strength and delay localized failure. Three full-scale, shear-deficient RC joints were subjected to cyclic lateral loading. The unstrengthened specimen (JB0V) exhibited rapid stiffness deterioration, premature joint shear cracking, and unstable hysteretic behavior. In contrast, the specimen strengthened solely with X-shaped C-FRP ropes (JB0VF2X2c) displayed a markedly slower rate of stiffness degradation, delayed crack development, and improved energy dissipation stability. The fully retrofitted specimen (JB0VF2X2c + C-FRP) demonstrated the most pronounced gains, with peak load capacity increased by 65%, equivalent viscous damping enhanced by 55%, and joint shear deformations reduced by more than 40%. Even at 4% drift, it retained over 90% of its peak strength, while localizing damage away from the joint core—a performance unattainable by the unstrengthened configuration. These results clearly establish that the combined C-FRP rope–sheet system transforms the seismic response of deficient RC joints, offering a lightweight, non-invasive, and rapidly deployable retrofit solution. By simultaneously boosting shear resistance, ductility, and energy dissipation while controlling damage localization, the technique provides a robust pathway to extend service life and significantly enhance post-earthquake functionality in critical structural connections. Full article

Background/Objectives: Long-term obesity management consistently fails due to two major barriers: poor adherence, exacerbated by ultra-processed foods with addictive potential, and post-weight loss metabolic adaptation that reduces energy expenditure by approximately 500 kcal/day. Current paradigms—static diets and GLP-1 receptor agonists—address these barriers only partially. The objectives of this thesis-driven review are: (1) to conduct a focused evidence-mapping of Ketogenic–Mediterranean Diet (KMD) protocols; (2) to analyze why existing protocols have not explicitly countered metabolic adaptation; and (3) to present the Adaptive Ketogenic–Mediterranean Protocol (AKMP). Methods: Hybrid methodology—an argumentative narrative review anchored by a structured evidence-mapping search (PRISMA-style flow for transparency). Results: We identified 29 studies implementing KMD protocols with significant weight loss and superior adherence. However, none of the published protocols explicitly implement anti-adaptive strategies, despite an estimated ketogenic metabolic advantage (≈100–300 kcal/day), context-dependent and more consistently observed in longer trials and during weight-maintenance settings. Conclusions: Unlike GLP-1 receptor agonists—which primarily suppress appetite, require ongoing pharmacotherapy, and do not directly mitigate the decline in energy expenditure—the AKMP couples a Mediterranean foundation for adherence with a ketogenic metabolic advantage and a biomarker-guided adjustment system explicitly designed to counter metabolic adaptation, aiming to improve the durability of weight loss and patient self-management. As a theoretical construct, the AKMP requires confirmation in prospective, controlled studies; accordingly, we outline a pragmatic 24-week pilot design in “Pragmatic Pilot Trial to Validate the AKMP–Incretin Sequencing”. Full article

More and more chemosensors and biosensors are turning to electronic transistors, as they are ideal transducers, precise in current response, miniaturized in size and capable of providing sub-picomolar detection limits. Among these devices, ISFET transistors—Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistors—have the capacity of integrating ion-sensitive layers together with field effect transistors of ultimate generations. Recent studies have indicated that nanoporous materials deposited or grown within the transistor gate space offer a dual advantage—a favorable environment for an optimal capture of liquid state receptors through capillary effects, but also of direct anchoring of these nanoporous structures on a Si wafer. This article aims to review the constructive evolutions of ISFET transistors, along with some newer nanowire devices, as well as their co-integration techniques with nanoporous materials, which are beneficial in the optimization of many chemosensors but of enzymatic biosensors in particular. Full article