Search Results (16,039)

Limited by the computational performance limits of the CPU(Central Processing Unit), the traditional Spark architecture struggles to achieve high throughput and low latency under the dual pressure of a large data scale and real-time requirements in centralized control systems. This work uses a publicly available CNC(Computer Numerical Control) milling dataset as a functional validation proxy for time-series data processing, then extends validation to a large-scale synthetic power transmission grid dataset. Furthermore, Spark-GPU(Graphics Processing Unit) collaboration suffers from load balancing failure due to heterogeneous resource scheduling and communication overhead, thus failing to unleash its performance potential. This paper proposes a Spark-GPU fusion acceleration technology path. The path consists of three key components: first, it integrates the RAPIDS accelerator; second, it designs a GPU-aware partitioning and task co-scheduling strategy; and third, it optimizes the zero-copy data path. Together, these components realize an integrated collaboration of heterogeneous resources. Validation on real-world datasets yields the following results. In real-time aggregation scenarios, the proposed solution improves throughput by a factor of 3.7 over the pure CPU baseline and reduces end-to-end latency by 62%. Compared with the basic GPU solution, GPU utilization rises from 51.7% to 72.3%, representing a relative improvement of 39.8%. Furthermore, the solution meets industrial-grade high availability requirements. This research significantly improves the processing throughput and reduces end-to-end latency in typical centralized control scenarios, thus providing a feasible technical route for demanding concurrent centralized control scenarios such as electric power industry manufacturing with high real-time demands. Full article

To satisfy the demands of 5G communication and reliable data connectivity for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a novel two-element dual-band MIMO antenna with an inherent self-decoupling property based on orthogonal linear polarization diversity is proposed. Distinct from conventional designs relying on extra decoupling components, the antenna realizes isolation enhancement via coupled currents between annular strips and S-shaped strips without additional decoupling structures, representing the core design novelty. Fabricated on a low-cost 1.6 mm thick FR4 substrate, the antenna features compact overall dimensions of 60 mm × 30 mm × 1.6 mm, covering the 2.40–2.73 GHz ISM band and 3.38–3.63 GHz 5G Sub-6 GHz band. Measured results demonstrate that the reflection coefficient remains below −10 dB across the entire operating bands, with port isolation exceeding 27 dB for the 2.4 GHz band and 20 dB for the 3.5 GHz 5G band. The measured realized gain is 0.7–1.5 dB in the lower band and 2.3–2.9 dB in the upper band. The radiation efficiency, which is obtained exclusively from ANSYS HFSS 2025 R1 simulation, is higher than 90% for the lower band and over 80% for the upper band. The calculated envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) is less than 0.15 throughout the working bandwidth, which effectively suppresses inter-channel electromagnetic interference and mitigates channel fading caused by varying UAV attitudes to improve system channel capacity. Further verifications via epoxy encapsulation and co-simulation on an eight-rotor UAV platform prove slight frequency drift after packaging and installation, whereas its bandwidth and isolation still meet practical engineering requirements. Benefiting from a compact layout and omnidirectional radiation performance, the proposed low-cost MIMO antenna is convenient for conformal integration into a UAV fuselage, improving the practicability of UAV-aided emergency communication, equipment inspection and 5G network coverage. Full article

This study addresses the multi-objective optimization of characterizing a flat glass processing plant. To assess the operational conditions required for a flat glass processing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) to become a prosumer compatible with renewable energy community (REC) participation. This work is motivated by the presence of more than 300 SMEs in Italy, like this, where RECs represent one of the few viable strategies for achieving the European Union’s 2050 decarbonization targets. The research is carried out in two scenarios; Scenario-I includes Stage-i and Stage-ii with the mutual goal of forecasting and optimizing. Forecasting is used in Stage-i to optimize the factory load, and in Stage-ii to shift and curtail energy loads based on the forecast, considering the Italian national energy price and the regional price bands (“fasce orarie”) F1, F2, and F3. Forecasting and the indicators of environmental and social performance are the means to ensure the best energy utilization and management, as they prove that the reduction in CO${}_2$ emissions and benefits on the community level can be both obtainable. Subsequently, the techno-economic analysis and evaluation of prosumer-readiness conditions are carried out through the optimization of industrial energy demand: three optimization objectives are assessed in this study (i) energy cost, (ii) carbon emission, and (iii) load curtailment. Four algorithms are put into effect to solve the tri-objective optimization: multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO), multi-objective ant nesting algorithm (MOANA), non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), and multi-objective grey wolf optimization (MOGWO). The algorithms are validated in Stage-ii to find the desired optimum in the cost of energy, reduce peak formation, and carbon emissions. To achieve this goal, a stochastic approach based on Monte Carlo simulations and VIKOR is used to optimally select the results. The findings show that the NSGA-II, MOPSO, and MOANA are more effective in solving the problem, while the MOGWO algorithm more quickly finds the optimal solution. Based on the defined objectives, a new configuration for the energy community is introduced, together with a community well-being index and an evaluation of the resulting benefits for the factory. In Scenario-II, the PV plants’ installation on the factory is sized, and the excess energy shared with the grid is evaluated. The Scenario-II results show that 497.184 MWh (33.9%) of energy is shared with the grid. Both results suggest how optimized industrial demand profiles improve SME participation in future RECs. Full article

Sustainable CO₂ capture can be achieved using photosynthetic microorganisms such as Arthrospira platensis. This work investigates CO₂ capture and O₂ generation efficiency by employing multiple column-type bubbled photobioreactors with Arthrospira platensis pre-adapted long-term to enhanced CO₂ concentrations. Thirty photobioreactors (10 L each) were placed inside a sealed chamber (2 × 2 × 3 m). Three 12-day experiments under constant illumination (225 μmol/m²·s) and temperature (27 °C) and different CO₂ concentration were conducted at 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 vol.%. During the experiments, the gas composition within chamber, biomass accumulation, and chemical composition of the culture medium (pH, concentrations of carbonates, bicarbonates, nitrates and phosphates) were monitored. With an increase in CO₂ concentration from 1.5 to 6%, the biomass growth rate increased from 321 to 344 mg/(L·day), while CO₂ capture and O₂ generation efficiency estimated from biomass accumulation changed from 432 to 480 mg/(L·day) and from 371 to 412 mg/(L·day), respectively. Increasing CO₂ concentration effectively suppressed medium alkalinization (pH maintained at 8.75–9.30 at 6.0% CO₂ vs. >9.8 at 1.5% CO₂) and sustained bicarbonate availability. Microscopic analysis confirmed high culture viability (>85% live trichomes) at all studied concentrations. The obtained results can be used for Arthrospira platensis-based CO₂-enhanced biofixation and accumulation of valuable biomass. Full article

The role of pedestrian movement in urban environments is often overlooked, despite its critical importance in supporting effective city functioning and long-term sustainability. While there has been growing scholarly interest in this area, research on pedestrian mobility remains fragmented across various disciplines and lacks a unified framework. For urban planners and designers to collaborate more effectively, a clearer understanding of the key themes shaping pedestrian mobility is needed. This paper addresses that gap by organizing and analysing existing research through a bibliometric review of 1934 articles published between 1994 and 2023 in the Web of Science database. This article explores the evolution of pedestrian mobility research between 1994 and 2023, highlighting key topics and potential future directions. The bibliometric analysis draws on a range of indicators, including published papers, citation data, journal impact factors, h-index scores, top-cited authors and papers, and regional trends in research output. Most importantly, science mapping was conducted using the SciMAT software, with co-occurrence networks helping to reveal how research themes have evolved over time. The extensive body of work on pedestrian mobility made it possible to develop a conceptual map that traces the field’s intellectual development. From this analysis, five key thematic areas were identified: health, methods, environmental–social, city, and mobility. Full article

Excessive concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere lead to adverse environmental effects. Biologically assisted processes that rely on organisms such as microalgae (i.e., Chlorella vulgaris) are common in capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Microalgae are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, microalgae production serves both health and environmental sectors. Varying light intensity and temperature are shown to influence algae growth. To quantify algae production under different light intensity and temperature conditions, and monitoring or scaling-up of biological reactors, reliable mathematical models are required. In this work, mathematical models that incorporate light intensity and temperature effects on algae growth in batch and continuous bioreactors are developed. Based on the modeling, the growth rate is maximum at T_opt = 25 °C, reaching the value of μ_max = 0.14 day⁻¹. The growth rate exponentially increases until light intensity (I) reaches around 150 ${\displaystyle \frac{\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}}{{\mathrm{m}}^2\mathrm{s}}}$, which is approximately the optimal light intensity for Chlorella vulgaris. The effect of T on growth rate is found to be more sensitive than light intensity (I) in both batch and continuous reactor systems. When there are too many parameters in models, uncertainties exist and parameter estimation and model predictions become cumbersome. For these reasons analytical solutions to the models are presented in simplified forms and these models are more practical and easier to implement. The novelty of the work is also the presentation of the models in analytical forms. Analytical solutions to the two reactor models (batch and continuous) will help quantify biomass production as a function of time under the varying light intensity and temperature conditions encountered. Full article

CO₂ methanation with renewable hydrogen is a promising strategy for carbon valorization and synthetic natural gas (SNG) production. However, the molecular mechanisms behind catalyst-dependent adsorption and mass transport in zeolite-confined spaces are still not fully elucidated. Herein, we performed comparative molecular simulations on HZSM-5, Ni/ZSM-5 and Ru/ZSM-5 by combining density functional theory (DFT), grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) methods, aiming to clarify the thermodynamic and mass transport mechanisms of reactant enrichment and product desorption in CO₂ methanation. The electronic structures of the three systems were systematically evaluated via Mulliken charge analysis, differential charge density mapping, and frontier molecular orbital calculations. We further quantified the adsorption thermodynamics and diffusion kinetics of reactants and products, focusing specifically on the effects of temperature and framework Si/Al ratio for Ni/ZSM-5. The results show that Ni doping greatly modulates the local electronic environment of the ZSM-5 framework, enhancing the adsorption of CO₂ (−121.9 kJ·mol⁻¹) and H₂ (−81.6 kJ·mol⁻¹) and weakening the adsorption of CH₄ and H₂O. A higher Si/Al ratio reduces CO₂ adsorption capacity, while elevated temperatures inhibit reactant adsorption and lower the diffusion selectivity of CH₄. This demonstrates that moderately low temperatures and moderate Si/Al ratios can optimize the adsorption and diffusion behaviors of reactants and products. This work provides molecular-level insights into the adsorption and diffusion behaviors of Ni/ZSM-5 and offers theoretical references for the rational development of high-performance CO₂ methanation catalysts. Full article

In the context of a constantly deteriorating environmental situation, in particular due to the uncontrolled accumulation of plastic waste, the search for effective ways to recycle plastic is an urgent task. Pyrolysis of plastic waste followed by the hydrosaturation of liquid products may become a promising method for obtaining components of motor gasoline. The aim of this study is to obtain motor gasoline components from plastic waste through pyrolysis, followed by hydrogenation of the fuel fractions for their use in the production of commercial fuels. The scientific novelty of this study consists of establishing the influence of hydrosaturation process parameters on an Al-Co-Mo hydrotreating catalyst (temperature and feedstock flow rate) on the transformation of hydrocarbons present in the gasoline fraction separated from the liquid pyrolysis products of polypropylene waste. The most preferred conditions for obtaining feedstock for subsequent hydrosaturation of polypropylene waste turned out to be the pyrolysis process carried out at a temperature of 450 °C and atmospheric pressure. Based on calculations in the Compounding software, promising blending components were identified. Based on the obtained results, two samples were identified as having the greatest potential for blending commercial gasolines in terms of hydrocarbon composition and performance characteristics. The sample obtained at the hydrosaturation process parameters of 350 °C and a feedstock flow rate of 0.51 mL/min is the most preferable in terms of its composition, since it demonstrates a minimal content of olefins (18.7% vol.) and benzene (0.87% vol.) but has a relatively low octane number (RON 58.7). The sample obtained at the hydrosaturation process parameters of 300 °C and a feedstock flow rate of 0.85 mL/min has relatively higher octane characteristics (RON 72.9) and can be used as a high-octane component but requires blending with components that compensate for the increased olefin content. Also, it is shown in this work that hydrosaturation of the gasoline fraction separated from the liquid pyrolysis products of polypropylene waste enables the production of motor gasoline components whose blending rate in commercial gasolines recipes can reach up to 35% by volume. Full article

The oral pathogen Filifactor alocis encodes a repeats-in-toxin (RTX) protein, FtxA, that is encoded by the ftxA gene; it is present in approximately 50% of known isolated strains from various infected oral sites, including periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and root canal infections. It has been determined from PCR assessment of periodontally diseased cohorts in Ghana and Australia. Based on current knowledge, ftxA appears to be associated with both the progress and severity of periodontitis. This finding could potentially be linked to enhanced levels of ftxA-positive F. alocis, relative to ftxA-negative strain, and/or, in addition, a synergy between ftxA-positive strains and other periodontal pathogens. The exact mechanism remains unclear but may depend on an FtxA-mediated shifting of the host cell response toward immunosuppression. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the prevalence and loads of F. alocis and the presence of ftxA in subgingival plaque in patients recruited for periodontal treatment in Sweden. This observational study included all samples that were received from external clinics over one full year (n = 71 patients). Our findings revealed that F. alocis was carried by 49 (69%) of the individuals, with the prevalence of ftxA amounting to 42.9% (n = 21). In 32 of the 71 samples, F. alocis could be quantitatively assessed. In this sub-population of F. alocis-positive patients, high loads of the bacterium were not related to age, and high loads were more frequently observed upon carriage of ftxA. The presence of, and co-colonization with, F. alocis with four additional periodontal pathogens was also evaluated. F. alocis was notable in that it co-colonized with all of the other species. Moreover, it was detected alongside two and even three of the other species within the same sample. Full article

²¹²Pb is an important medical radionuclide for targeted alpha therapy, and its reliable supply depends on the efficient production of parent nuclides such as ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Th, and ²²⁴Ra. Natural thorium resources are abundant and represent a potential source of these radionuclides. However, the separation and enrichment of trace radium from thorium-rich high-salinity systems remain challenging due to extremely low radium concentrations and Th/Ra mass ratios on the order of 10⁹. In this work, a radium separation strategy based on BaSO₄ co-precipitation was developed. The precipitation behavior of BaSO₄, precipitation kinetics, radium co-precipitation efficiency, and thorium recovery in concentrated thorium nitrate solutions were systematically investigated. The results show that elevated ionic strength and competitive interactions between Th⁴⁺ and SO₄²⁻ reduce the effective sulfate activity under high-thorium conditions, making excess sulfate necessary to achieve efficient BaSO₄ precipitation. Under optimized conditions, the radium co-precipitation recovery exceeded 80% at a Ba²⁺ concentration of 3 mM. Meanwhile, thorium exhibited negligible incorporation into the BaSO₄ phase and could be almost completely recovered via subsequent hydroxide precipitation. The proposed method features operational simplicity, use of common reagents, low cost, and compatibility with high-salinity matrices. It provides a feasible technical pathway for the subsequent production of high-purity ²²⁸Th or ²²⁴Ra and the preparation of ²²⁸Th/²¹²Pb or ²²⁴Ra/²¹²Pb generator systems. Full article

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms that produce bioproducts of commercial interest and are efficient sequestering CO₂. The monitoring and control processes are areas for improvement to increase the efficiency of its production. There are sensor options for monitoring microalgae cultures, but the vast majority rely on microcontrollers, often lacking the robustness required for applications in more demanding conditions. Also, commercial systems with industrial capabilities can fit the above purpose, but they require licensing and are expensive. Therefore, this work presents the technical details of developing an open-source platform to monitor environmental variables using Modbus industrial sensors and Python used to control the photoperiod and for measuring pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, water and air temperatures, photosynthetic photon flux density, irradiance, and turbidity in three photobioreactors containing the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. The resulting time series showed that the platform preserved data and had a low outlier rate. pH measurements showed that during photosynthesis, the microalgae used CO₂ as their carbon source. Dissolved oxygen and culture medium temperature had an almost perfect Pearson’s anticorrelation with air-sparging. However, with aeration interruption, the correlation was $-0.804$, because dissolved oxygen depends on illumination, aeration, temperature, and biomass quantity, as shown in the time series. Full article

Fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP7) is a multifunctional lipid chaperone that is enriched in radial glia and astrocytes within the central nervous system (CNS) and is frequently upregulated in glioma. Beyond its established roles in glial development, lipid homeostasis, and circadian regulation, growing evidence positions FABP7 at the intersection of tumor metabolism, neuronal activity, and immune modulation in the brain. In this review, we integrate the physiological functions of FABP7 in glial cells with its tumor-intrinsic and microenvironmental roles in glioma. We summarize how gliomas co-opt FABP7-dependent metabolic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional programs to promote stemness, lipid remodeling (e.g., altered fatty acid composition, lipid droplet formation, and lipid peroxidation resistance), inflammatory signaling, and invasive growth, including nuclear FABP7-mediated transcriptional activation linked to oncogene status. Furthermore, we discuss the role of FABP7 in shaping the tumor–neuro–immune interface, including regulating immunosuppressive gene networks, pro-tumoral macrophage polarization, resistance to T-cell-induced ferroptosis and immunotherapy, and tumor microtube-mediated integration into neuronal circuits to support glioma progression. Finally, we highlight therapeutic opportunities and challenges, including small-molecule FABP7 inhibitors, brain-directed delivery strategies, chronotherapeutic considerations, and combination approaches with immunotherapy. Collectively, this work positions FABP7-centered metabolic, circadian, and neuro-immune networks as potential vulnerabilities in glioma, linking fundamental glial biology to glioma therapeutics. Full article

High friction and drag are among the challenging subjects for constructing water-based drilling fluids available in horizontal drilling. Lubricants play a major role in mitigating friction of water-based drilling fluids, and thus, developing new lubricants is necessary for efficient horizontal drilling. In this work, a generation 1.5 (1.5G) hyperbranched polyamide-amine P(EDA-MA-OA), which serves as a candidate for a traditional lubricant with linear conformation, was newly synthesized via a divergent approach. A set of physicochemical characterizations was carried out on P(EDA-MA-OA) to confirm its effective synthesis. The results indicated that P(EDA-MA-OA) has a nanoparticulate morphology with a size of approximately 100 nm. Its molecular structure shows strong thermal stability, with initial thermal decomposition occurring at 146 °C. The water-based drilling fluid formulated with P(EDA-MA-OA) as the lubricant exhibits effective comprehensive properties and, in particular, the lubrication coefficient was 0.067, comparable to that of the oil-based drilling fluid, indicating enhanced lubricity by the incorporation of the hyperbranched polymer. The results of molecular simulations show that P(EDA-MA-OA) possesses a unique “basket-like” architecture, with C18 long chains enveloping the central active segments, namely the carbonyl (-C=O) and amide (-CO(NH₂)) groups. When interacting with montmorillonite (MMT) particulates, the active groups can interact with MMT, allowing the eight C18 branched terminal chains to form a “molecular brush” with a normal orientation toward the MMT interface, which can serve as a hydrophobic lubricating film to improve lubricity. A lubrication model was finally proposed to rationalize the enhanced lubricity from the hyperbranched polymers in the water-based drilling fluid. Full article

In this work, ZnO, WO₃, and MgO were doped into InSnZnO (ITZO) films via co-sputtering to enhance the mobility and stability of ITO-based thin film transistors (TFTs). ITZO, InSnWO (ITWO) and InSnMgO (ITMO) films were fabricated, and the effect of cation dopants on the oxygen stoichiometry in ITO films was investigated. We further discussed their influence on the electrical parameters of corresponding TFTs, including threshold voltage ($V_{\mathrm{th}}$), subthreshold swing (SS), and field-effect mobility (${\mu }_{\mathrm{FE}}$). Additionally, the positive and negative bias stress stability of these devices was evaluated. The results demonstrate that ITWO TFTs exhibit superior stability despite a reduction in mobility. This is attributed to the high electronegativity of W⁶⁺ and the strong W-O bonding, which effectively mitigate the formation of oxygen vacancies and suppress the adsorption of impurities at the back channel. The findings provide valuable insights for the material design of high-performance TFTs. Full article

This study investigates the application of the Co-Flow Jet (CFJ) active flow-control methodology to an automotive rear wing through a combined CFD and experimental campaign conducted on a modified McLaren 765LT. The work evaluates the aerodynamic response, energy performance, and practical integration of embedded Co-Flow systems under representative on-track conditions. An extensive CFD design campaign assessed multiple Co-Flow architectures, from which three representative configurations incorporating embedded ducted axial fans were selected for experimental testing. The results indicate that aerodynamic performance is strongly influenced by the interaction between momentum injection, vehicle conditions, and duct architecture. The most effective configuration achieved drag reductions of up to 9% together with downforce increases of approximately 15% under highly loaded conditions, significantly exceeding the repeatability levels of the measurements. The efficiency analysis further showed that, under selected operating conditions, the aerodynamic benefits obtained from the Co-Flow system can exceed the electrical power required by the actuation system. However, increased mass-flow capability alone was not found to guarantee improved aerodynamic performance or efficiency. The results demonstrate the successful integration and operation of a fan-driven Co-Flow system on a production-based vehicle and highlight the importance of momentum injection level and duct design. The findings should be interpreted within the scope of the investigated vehicle and operating envelope. Due to confidentiality constraints, part of the absolute aerodynamic data could not be disclosed, and the results are therefore presented primarily as relative variations. Full article