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Search Results (332)

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Keywords = close-to-nature transformation

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19 pages, 2135 KiB  
Article
Development of an Automotive Electronics Internship Assistance System Using a Fine-Tuned Llama 3 Large Language Model
by Ying-Chia Huang, Hsin-Jung Tsai, Hui-Ting Liang, Bo-Siang Chen, Tzu-Hsin Chu, Wei-Sho Ho, Wei-Lun Huang and Ying-Ju Tseng
Systems 2025, 13(8), 668; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13080668 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
This study develops and validates an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted internship learning platform for automotive electronics based on the Llama 3 large language model, aiming to enhance pedagogical effectiveness within vocational training contexts. Addressing critical issues such as the persistent theory–practice gap and limited [...] Read more.
This study develops and validates an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted internship learning platform for automotive electronics based on the Llama 3 large language model, aiming to enhance pedagogical effectiveness within vocational training contexts. Addressing critical issues such as the persistent theory–practice gap and limited innovation capability prevalent in existing curricula, we leverage the natural language processing (NLP) capabilities of Llama 3 through fine-tuning based on transfer learning to establish a specialized knowledge base encompassing fundamental circuit principles and fault diagnosis protocols. The implementation employs the Hugging Face Transformers library with optimized hyperparameters, including a learning rate of 5 × 10−5 across five training epochs. Post-training evaluations revealed an accuracy of 89.7% on validation tasks (representing a 12.4% improvement over the baseline model), a semantic comprehension precision of 92.3% in technical question-and-answer assessments, a mathematical computation accuracy of 78.4% (highlighting this as a current limitation), and a latency of 6.3 s under peak operational workloads (indicating a system bottleneck). Although direct trials involving students were deliberately avoided, the platform’s technical feasibility was validated through multidimensional benchmarking against established models (BERT-base and GPT-2), confirming superior domain adaptability (F1 = 0.87) and enhanced error tolerance (σ2 = 1.2). Notable limitations emerged in numerical reasoning tasks (Cohen’s d = 1.15 compared to human experts) and in real-time responsiveness deterioration when exceeding 50 concurrent users. The study concludes that Llama 3 demonstrates considerable promise for automotive electronics skills development. Proposed future enhancements include integrating symbolic AI modules to improve computational reliability, implementing Kubernetes-based load balancing to ensure latency below 2 s at scale, and conducting longitudinal pedagogical validation studies with trainees. This research provides a robust technical foundation for AI-driven vocational education, especially suited to mechatronics fields that require close integration between theoretical knowledge and practical troubleshooting skills. Full article
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22 pages, 338 KiB  
Article
Configuration of Subjectivities and the Application of Neoliberal Economic Policies in Medellin, Colombia
by Juan David Villa-Gómez, Juan F. Mejia-Giraldo, Mariana Gutiérrez-Peña and Alexandra Novozhenina
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080482 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
(1) Background: This article aims to understand the forms and elements through which the inhabitants of the city of Medellin have configured their subjectivity in the context of the application of neoliberal policies in the last two decades. In this way, we can [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This article aims to understand the forms and elements through which the inhabitants of the city of Medellin have configured their subjectivity in the context of the application of neoliberal policies in the last two decades. In this way, we can approach the frameworks of understanding that constitute a fundamental part of the individuation processes in which the incorporation of their subjectivities is evidenced in neoliberal contexts that, in the historical process, have been converging with authoritarian, antidemocratic and neoconservative elements. (2) Method: A qualitative approach with a hermeneutic-interpretative paradigm was used. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 inhabitants of Medellín who were politically identified with right-wing or center-right positions. Data analysis included thematic coding to identify patterns of thought and points of view. (3) Results: Participants associate success with individual effort and see state intervention as an obstacle to development. They reject redistributive policies, arguing that they generate dependency. In addition, they justify authoritarian models of government in the name of security and progress, from a moral superiority, which is related to a negative and stigmatizing perception of progressive sectors and a negative view of the social rule of law and public policies with social sense. (4) Conclusions: The naturalization of merit as a guiding principle, the perception of themselves as morally superior based on religious values that grant a subjective place of certainty and goodness; the criminalization of expressions of political leftism, mobilizations and redistributive reforms and support for policies that establish authoritarianism and perpetuate exclusion and structural inequalities, closes roads to a participatory democracy that enables social and economic transformations. Full article
16 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
The Transition to Caregiver in Advanced Alzheimer’s Disease: From Emotional Connection to Care Responsibility—A Grounded Theory Approach
by Federica Dellafiore, Orejeta Diamanti, Luca Guardamagna, Gloria Modena, Pierpaolo Servi, Donato Antonio Rotondo, Tiziana Nania, Andreina Saba and Giovanna Artioli
Nurs. Rep. 2025, 15(8), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15080284 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: The progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) deeply affects not only the diagnosed person but also their close relatives, who are often called to take on the role of informal caregivers. This transition is frequently unplanned and emotionally complex, yet poorly understood in [...] Read more.
Background: The progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) deeply affects not only the diagnosed person but also their close relatives, who are often called to take on the role of informal caregivers. This transition is frequently unplanned and emotionally complex, yet poorly understood in its deeper processual dimensions. This study aims to explore and theorize the transition experienced by a family member becoming the primary informal caregiver for a person with advanced AD. Methods: A qualitative study based on the Constructivist Grounded Theory according to Charmaz’s approach (2006) was conducted. In-depth interviews were carried out with 10 participants who had become informal caregivers for a loved one with advanced AD. Data were analyzed using initial coding, focused coding, the constant comparative method, and theoretical coding. Results: Ten caregivers (mean age 39 years, range 35–54; nine females) of patients with advanced AD participated in the study. The analysis revealed a complex, emotionally intense caregiving experience marked by sacrifice, feelings of powerlessness, identity loss, and the necessity of sharing caregiving responsibilities. A core category emerged: A Silent and Certain Willingness to Care, representing the caregivers’ deep, often unconscious commitment to prioritize the care of their loved ones above their own needs. Four interconnected phases characterized the caregiving process: (1) The Changing Daily Life—involving significant sacrifices in personal and social life; (2) Feeling Powerless—confronting the inevitable decline without means to alter the course; (3) Losing Oneself—experiencing physical and psychological exhaustion and a sense of identity loss; and (4) Sharing with Others—seeking external support to sustain caregiving. These findings highlight the evolving nature of becoming a caregiver and the enduring dedication that sustains this role despite the challenges. Conclusions: The progression of AD deeply transforms the lives of caregivers, who become co-sufferers and active participants in the disease’s management. The results underscore the urgency of designing integrative care strategies—including psychological, social, and potentially technological support—that can enhance both patient outcomes and caregiver resilience. Grounded in real-world experiences, this study contributes to the broader neurodegeneration discourse by emphasizing caregiving as a critical factor in long-term disease management and therapeutic success. Full article
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16 pages, 1143 KiB  
Article
AI-Driven Automated Test Generation Framework for VCU: A Multidimensional Coupling Approach Integrating Requirements, Variables and Logic
by Guangyao Wu, Xiaoming Xu and Yiting Kang
World Electr. Veh. J. 2025, 16(8), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16080417 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
This paper proposes an AI-driven automated test generation framework for vehicle control units (VCUs), integrating natural language processing (NLP) and dynamic variable binding. To address the critical limitation of traditional AI-generated test cases lacking executable variables, the framework establishes a closed-loop transformation from [...] Read more.
This paper proposes an AI-driven automated test generation framework for vehicle control units (VCUs), integrating natural language processing (NLP) and dynamic variable binding. To address the critical limitation of traditional AI-generated test cases lacking executable variables, the framework establishes a closed-loop transformation from requirements to executable code through a five-layer architecture: (1) structured parsing of PDF requirements using domain-adaptive prompt engineering; (2) construction of a multidimensional variable knowledge graph; (3) semantic atomic decomposition of requirements and logic expression generation; (4) dynamic visualization of cause–effect graphs; (5) path-sensitization-driven optimization of test sequences. Validated on VCU software from a leading OEM, the method achieves 97.3% variable matching accuracy and 100% test case executability, reducing invalid cases by 63% compared to conventional NLP approaches. This framework provides an explainable and traceable automated solution for intelligent vehicle software validation, significantly enhancing efficiency and reliability in automotive testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Electric Vehicle Control, Testing and Evaluation)
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34 pages, 24111 KiB  
Article
Natural and Anthropic Constraints on Historical Morphological Dynamics in the Middle Stretch of the Po River (Northern Italy)
by Laura Turconi, Barbara Bono, Carlo Mambriani, Lucia Masotti, Fabio Stocchi and Fabio Luino
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6608; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146608 - 19 Jul 2025
Viewed by 409
Abstract
Geo-historical information deduced from geo-iconographical resources, derived from extensive research and the selection of cartographies and historical documents, enabled the investigation of the natural and anthropic transformations of the perifluvial area of the Po River in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). This territory, significant [...] Read more.
Geo-historical information deduced from geo-iconographical resources, derived from extensive research and the selection of cartographies and historical documents, enabled the investigation of the natural and anthropic transformations of the perifluvial area of the Po River in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). This territory, significant in terms of its historical, cultural, and environmental contexts, for centuries has been the scene of flood events. These have characterised the morphological and dynamic variability in the riverbed and relative floodplain. The close relationship between man and river is well documented: the interference induced by anthropic activity has alternated with the sometimes-damaging effects of river dynamics. The attention given to the fluvial region of the Po River and its main tributaries, in a peculiar lowland sector near Parma, is critical for understanding spatial–temporal changes contributing to current geo-hydrological risks. A GIS project outlined the geomorphological aspects that define the considerable variations in the course of the Po River (involving width reductions of up to 66% and length changes of up to 14%) and its confluences from the 16th to the 21st century. Knowledge of anthropic modifications is essential as a tool within land-use planning and enhancing community awareness in risk-mitigation activities and strategic management. This study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary geo-historical studies that are complementary in order to decode river dynamics in damaging flood events and latent hazards in an altered river environment. Full article
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17 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
Becoming God in Life and Nature: Watchman Nee and Witness Lee on Sanctification, Union with Christ, and Deification
by Michael M. C. Reardon and Brian Siu Kit Chiu
Religions 2025, 16(7), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070933 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 719
Abstract
This article examines the theological trajectories of Watchman Nee (1903–1972) and Witness Lee (1905–1997) on sanctification, union with Christ, and deification, situating their contributions within recent reappraisals of the doctrine of theosis in the academy. Though deification was universally affirmed by the early [...] Read more.
This article examines the theological trajectories of Watchman Nee (1903–1972) and Witness Lee (1905–1997) on sanctification, union with Christ, and deification, situating their contributions within recent reappraisals of the doctrine of theosis in the academy. Though deification was universally affirmed by the early church and retained in various forms in medieval and early Protestant theology, post-Reformation Western Christianity marginalized this theme in favor of juridical and forensic soteriological categories. Against this backdrop, Nee and Lee offer a theologically rich, biblically grounded, and experientially oriented articulation of deification that warrants greater scholarly attention. Drawing from the Keswick Holiness tradition, patristic sources, and Christian mysticism, Nee developed a soteriology that integrates justification, sanctification, and glorification within an organic model of progressive union with God. Though he does not explicitly use the term “deification”, the language he employs regarding union and participation closely mirrors classical expressions of Christian theosis. For Nee, sanctification is not merely moral improvement but the transformative increase of the divine life, culminating in conformity to Christ’s image. Lee builds upon and expands Nee’s participatory soteriology into a comprehensive theology of deification, explicitly referring to it as “the high peak of the divine revelation” in the Holy Scriptures. For Lee, humans become God “in life and nature but not in the Godhead”. By employing the phrase “not in the Godhead”, Lee upholds the Creator–creature distinction—i.e., humans never participate in the ontological Trinity or God’s incommunicable attributes. Yet, in the first portion of his description, he affirms that human beings undergo an organic, transformative process by which they become God in deeply significant ways. His framework structures sanctification as a seven-stage process, culminating in the believer’s transformation and incorporation into the Body of Christ to become a constituent of a corporate God-man. This corporate dimension—often overlooked in Western accounts—lies at the heart of Lee’s ecclesiology, which he sees as being consummated in the eschatological New Jerusalem. Ultimately, this study argues that Nee and Lee provide a coherent, non-speculative model of deification that integrates biblical exegesis, theological tradition, and practical spirituality, and thus, present a compelling alternative to individualistic and forensic soteriologies while also highlighting the need for deeper engagement across global theological discourse on sanctification, union with Christ, and the Triune God. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christian Theologies of Deification)
20 pages, 7174 KiB  
Article
The Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in the Qinling-Daba Mountains
by Tianshu Chu and Chenchen Liu
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2397; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142397 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 260
Abstract
Traditional villages are irreplaceable cultural heritages, embodying complex human–environment interactions. This study uses historical geography analysis, kernel density estimation, centroid migration modeling, and Geodetector techniques to analyze the 2000-year spatiotemporal evolution and formation mechanisms of 224 nationally designated traditional villages in China’s Qinling-Daba [...] Read more.
Traditional villages are irreplaceable cultural heritages, embodying complex human–environment interactions. This study uses historical geography analysis, kernel density estimation, centroid migration modeling, and Geodetector techniques to analyze the 2000-year spatiotemporal evolution and formation mechanisms of 224 nationally designated traditional villages in China’s Qinling-Daba Mountains. The findings are as follows: (1) These villages significantly cluster on sunny slopes of hills and low mountains with moderate gradients. They are also closely located near waterways, ancient roads, and historic cities. (2) From the embryonic stage during the Qin and Han dynasties, through the diffusion and transformation phases in the Wei, Jin, Song, and Yuan dynasties, to the mature stage in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the spatial center of these villages shifted distinctly southwestward. This migration was accompanied by expansion along waterway transport corridors, an enlarged spatial scope, and a decrease in directional concentration. (3) The driving forces evolved from a strong coupling between natural conditions and infrastructure in the early stage to human-dominated adaptation in the later stage. Agricultural innovations, such as terraced fields, and sociopolitical factors, like migration policies, overcame environmental constraints through the synergistic effects of cultural and economic networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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17 pages, 1326 KiB  
Review
State-Dependent Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Synchronized with Electroencephalography: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Directions
by He Chen, Tao Liu, Yinglu Song, Zhaohuan Ding and Xiaoli Li
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(7), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15070731 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) has emerged as a transformative tool for probing cortical dynamics with millisecond precision. This review examines the state-dependent nature of TMS-EEG, a critical yet underexplored dimension influencing measurement reliability and clinical applicability. By integrating TMS’s neuromodulatory [...] Read more.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) has emerged as a transformative tool for probing cortical dynamics with millisecond precision. This review examines the state-dependent nature of TMS-EEG, a critical yet underexplored dimension influencing measurement reliability and clinical applicability. By integrating TMS’s neuromodulatory capacity with EEG’s temporal resolution, this synergy enables real-time analysis of brain network dynamics under varying neural states. We delineate foundational mechanisms of TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs), discuss challenges posed by temporal and inter-individual variability, and evaluate advanced paradigms such as closed-loop and task-embedded TMS-EEG. The former leverages real-time EEG feedback to synchronize stimulation with oscillatory phases, while the latter aligns TMS pulses with task-specific cognitive phases to map transient network activations. Current limitations—including hardware constraints, signal artifacts, and inconsistent preprocessing pipelines—are critically analyzed. Future directions emphasize adaptive algorithms for neural state prediction, phase-specific stimulation protocols, and standardized methodologies to enhance reproducibility. By bridging mechanistic insights with personalized neuromodulation strategies, state-dependent TMS-EEG holds promise for advancing both basic neuroscience and precision medicine, particularly in psychiatric and neurological disorders characterized by dynamic neural dysregulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurotechnology and Neuroimaging)
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25 pages, 8764 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Study on the Applications of NTIM and OAFM in Analyzing Fractional Navier–Stokes Equations
by Siddiq Ur Rehman, Rashid Nawaz, Faisal Zia and Nick Fewster-Young
Axioms 2025, 14(7), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms14070521 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 220
Abstract
This article introduces two enhanced techniques: the Natural Transform Iterative Method (NTIM) and the Optimal Auxiliary Function Method (OAFM). These approaches provide a close approximation for solving fractional-order Navier–Stokes equations, which are widely employed in domains such as biology, ecology, and applied sciences. [...] Read more.
This article introduces two enhanced techniques: the Natural Transform Iterative Method (NTIM) and the Optimal Auxiliary Function Method (OAFM). These approaches provide a close approximation for solving fractional-order Navier–Stokes equations, which are widely employed in domains such as biology, ecology, and applied sciences. By comparing the solutions derived from these methods to exact solutions, it is clear that they provide accurate and efficient outcomes. These findings highlight the straightforward yet effective use of these methodologies in modeling engineering systems. Navier–Stokes equations have numerous practical uses, including analyzing fluid flow in pipelines and channels, predicting weather patterns, and constructing aircraft and vehicles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equations: Theory and Applications)
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24 pages, 3541 KiB  
Review
Towards Intelligent Wound Care: Hydrogel-Based Wearable Monitoring and Therapeutic Platforms
by Yan Niu, Ziyao Zhao, Lihong Yang, Dan Lv, Rui Sun, Ting Zhang, Yuhan Li, Qianqian Bao, Mingqing Zhang, Lanzhong Wang, Wei Yan, Fei Han and Biwei Yan
Polymers 2025, 17(13), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17131881 - 6 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1022
Abstract
Chronic wounds present clinical challenges due to persistent inflammation, infection, and dysregulated tissue repair, often exacerbated by the passive nature of conventional wound dressings. Recent advancements in hydrogel-based wearable technologies have transformed these biomaterials into multifunctional platforms capable of integrating real-time monitoring and [...] Read more.
Chronic wounds present clinical challenges due to persistent inflammation, infection, and dysregulated tissue repair, often exacerbated by the passive nature of conventional wound dressings. Recent advancements in hydrogel-based wearable technologies have transformed these biomaterials into multifunctional platforms capable of integrating real-time monitoring and targeted therapy, ushering in a new era of intelligent wound care. In this review, we show innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including wound-monitoring devices and multifunctional healing-promoted platforms, highlighting integrated closed-loop systems that dynamically adapt treatments to wound microenvironments, thus merging diagnostics and therapeutics. Challenges in fabrication engineering and clinical application are discussed, alongside emerging trends like AI-driven analytics and 3D-bioprinted technology. By bridging fragmented research, this work underscores the potential of hydrogels to enable intelligent wound management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Progress in the Polymer-Based Biomaterials)
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34 pages, 3501 KiB  
Systematic Review
How Digital Development Leverages Sustainable Development
by Albérico Travassos Rosário, Paula Rosa Lopes and Filipe Sales Rosário
Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 6055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17136055 - 2 Jul 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
This academic article seeks to clarify the state of the literature on a very pertinent topic that is based on how digital innovation, considering emerging technologies and how they could be used in business management and marketing, could increase sustainable development. The sustainable [...] Read more.
This academic article seeks to clarify the state of the literature on a very pertinent topic that is based on how digital innovation, considering emerging technologies and how they could be used in business management and marketing, could increase sustainable development. The sustainable economy, which should maintain long-term development through efficient resource management, has as allies emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things that can help reduce waste, reduce the carbon footprint, and automate tasks. Additionally, they could present themselves as a solution to improve aspects of digital communication between companies and their consumers in remote training, distribution chain, e-commerce, and process optimization in different sectors of activity. These advances will, on the one hand, allow the possibility of conducting a greater amount of professional training, increasing the number of qualified professionals and, on the other hand, facilitate trade exchanges, promoting the economy. Based on a systematic bibliometric review of the literature using the PRISMA framework, this study investigates how digital tools catalyze transformative changes in different sectors of activity. The results indicate that, overall, the academic articles analyzed in this literature review present studies focused on digitalization and sustainability (approximately 50%). In second place are topics related to digitalization and other topics such as: smart cities; Sustainable Development Goals; academia; the digital economy; government policies; academic education; and sustainable communication (29%). Finally, in third place, there are academic articles closely linked to digitalization and the environment, more specifically to sustainable practices and the management of natural resources (21%). The article concludes that digital development, when used wisely, serves as a crucial lever to address the world’s most pressing sustainability imperatives. Future research should emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive governance to ensure that these digital changes produce lasting impacts for people and the planet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enterprise Digital Development and Sustainable Business Systems)
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17 pages, 2101 KiB  
Article
Enhancing DDoS Attacks Mitigation Using Machine Learning and Blockchain-Based Mobile Edge Computing in IoT
by Mahmoud Chaira, Abdelkader Belhenniche and Roman Chertovskih
Computation 2025, 13(7), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/computation13070158 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 444
Abstract
The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has been accompanied by a remarkable rise in both the frequency and intensity of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which aim to overwhelm and disrupt the availability of networked systems and connected infrastructures. [...] Read more.
The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has been accompanied by a remarkable rise in both the frequency and intensity of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which aim to overwhelm and disrupt the availability of networked systems and connected infrastructures. In this paper, we present a novel approach to DDoS attack detection and mitigation that integrates state-of-the-art machine learning techniques with Blockchain-based Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) in IoT environments. Our solution leverages the decentralized and tamper-resistant nature of Blockchain technology to enable secure and efficient data collection and processing at the network edge. We evaluate multiple machine learning models, including K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Transformer architectures, and LightGBM, using the CICDDoS2019 dataset. Our results demonstrate that Transformer models achieve a superior detection accuracy of 99.78%, while RF follows closely with 99.62%, and LightGBM offers optimal efficiency for real-time detection. This integrated approach significantly enhances detection accuracy and mitigation effectiveness compared to existing methods, providing a robust and adaptive mechanism for identifying and mitigating malicious traffic patterns in IoT environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computational Engineering)
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28 pages, 9583 KiB  
Article
Eco-Engineered Biopolymer–Clay Composite for Phosphate IonRemoval: Synergistic Insights from Statistical and AI Modeling
by Rachid Aziam, Daniela Simina Stefan, Safa Nouaa, Mohamed Chiban and Mircea Stefan
Polymers 2025, 17(13), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17131805 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 379
Abstract
This research aims to synthesize a novel hydrogel bio-composite based on natural clay, sodium alginate (Na-AL), and iota-carrageenan as adsorbents to remove phosphate ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents were characterized by a variety of techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning [...] Read more.
This research aims to synthesize a novel hydrogel bio-composite based on natural clay, sodium alginate (Na-AL), and iota-carrageenan as adsorbents to remove phosphate ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents were characterized by a variety of techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-rays (SEM-EDX), and the determination of point zero charge (PZC). This research investigated how the adsorption process is influenced by parameters such as adsorbent dose, contact time, solution pH, and temperature. In this study, we used four isotherms and four kinetic models to investigate phosphate ion removal on the prepared bio-composite. The results showed that the second-order kinetic (PSO) model is the best model for describing the adsorption process. The findings demonstrate that the R2 values are highly significant in both the Langmuir and Freundlich models (very close to 1). This suggests that Langmuir and Freundlich models, with a diversity of adsorption sites, promote the adsorption of phosphate ions. The maximum adsorbed amounts of phosphate ions by the bio-composite used were 140.84 mg/g for H2PO4 ions and 105.26 mg/g for HPO42− ions from the batch system. The positive ∆H° confirms the endothermic and physical nature of adsorption, in agreement with experimental results. Negative ∆G° values indicate spontaneity, while the positive ∆S° reflects increased disorder at the solid–liquid interface during phosphate uptake. The main parameters, including adsorbent dosage (mg), contact time (min), and initial concentration (mg/L), were tuned using the Box–Behnken design of the response surface methodology (BBD-RSM) to achieve the optimum conditions. The reliability of the constructed models is demonstrated by their high correlation coefficients (R2). An R2 value of 0.9714 suggests that the model explains 97.14% of the variability in adsorption efficiency (%), which reflects its strong predictive capability and reliability. Finally, the adsorption behavior of phosphate ions on the prepared bio-composite beads was analyzed using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the process efficiency. The ANN model accurately predicted the adsorption of phosphate ions onto the bio-composite, with a strong correlation (R2 = 0.974) between the predicted and experimental results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Composites II)
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18 pages, 6678 KiB  
Article
HIEN: A Hybrid Interaction Enhanced Network for Horse Iris Super-Resolution
by Ao Zhang, Bin Guo, Xing Liu and Wei Liu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7191; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137191 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 264
Abstract
Horse iris recognition is a non-invasive identification method with great potential for precise management in intelligent horse farms. However, horses’ natural vigilance often leads to stress and resistance when exposed to close-range infrared cameras. This behavior makes it challenging to capture clear iris [...] Read more.
Horse iris recognition is a non-invasive identification method with great potential for precise management in intelligent horse farms. However, horses’ natural vigilance often leads to stress and resistance when exposed to close-range infrared cameras. This behavior makes it challenging to capture clear iris images, thereby reducing recognition performance. This paper addresses the challenge of generating high-resolution iris images from existing low-resolution counterparts. To this end, we propose a novel hybrid-architecture image super-resolution (SR) network. Central to our approach is the design of Paired Asymmetric Transformer Block (PATB), which incorporates Contextual Query Generator (CQG) to efficiently capture contextual information and model global feature interactions. Furthermore, we introduce an Efficient Residual Dense Block (ERDB), specifically engineered to effectively extract finer-grained local features inherent in the image data. By integrating PATB and ERDB, our network achieves superior fusion of global contextual awareness and local detail information, thereby significantly enhancing the reconstruction quality of horse iris images. Experimental evaluations on our self-constructed dataset of horse irises demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. In terms of standard image quality metrics, it achieves the PSNR of 30.5988 dB and SSIM of 0.8552. Moreover, in terms of identity-recognition performance, the method achieves Precision, Recall, and F1-Score of 81.48%, 74.38%, and 77.77%, respectively. This study provides a useful contribution to digital horse farm management and supports the ongoing development of smart animal husbandry. Full article
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21 pages, 8179 KiB  
Article
Evolution and Mechanism of Population and Construction Land Decoupling in China: A Case Study of Shandong Province
by Ziyi Yuan, Qingsong Ni, Zongfeng Chen, Bo Hu, Jiaxin Zhong and Pingan Liu
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5651; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125651 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 518
Abstract
With the accelerated urbanization in China, the irrational utilization of land resources has triggered a series of ecological challenges. In this context, exploring the decoupling relationship between population and construction land is crucial for achieving land sustainable development. This paper applied Tapio and [...] Read more.
With the accelerated urbanization in China, the irrational utilization of land resources has triggered a series of ecological challenges. In this context, exploring the decoupling relationship between population and construction land is crucial for achieving land sustainable development. This paper applied Tapio and Geodetector models to Shandong Province, analyzing population–land decoupling evolution and mechanism. The results show the following: (1) Significant spatiotemporal differences exist, with a total of eight decoupling types identified; the main decoupling types of Shandong include strong negative decoupling, expansive negative decoupling, weak decoupling, and strong decoupling. (2) A strong negative decoupling type characterized by “population decline and land expansion” was predominant, though coordination trends are emerging. (3) Weak decoupling townships were primarily influenced by resource factors and transportation; strong decoupling townships were mainly affected by economic activities and transportation; strong negative decoupling townships were closely related to resource factors and economic activities. (4) Multi-factor interactions have a considerable impact on the formation of the population–land decoupling relationship, with natural constraints and economic transformation drivers jointly contributing to diverse decoupling patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature-Based Solutions for Landscape Sustainability Challenges)
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