Search Results (10,677)

The aim of the research presented in the article is to develop a method for modifying compound curves, i.e. geometric systems composed of two (or more) circular arcs with different radii, directed in the same direction and directly connected to each other. These curves are used when connecting two directions of the railway route where one circular arc is impossible due to permanent terrain obstacles. To solve the problem, an analytical method of designing track geometric systems was used, in which individual elements of these systems are described using mathematical equations. The modification itself involves introducing appropriate transition curves between the connecting arcs. Three possibilities for such a connection were presented, resulting from the method of considering conditions related to horizontal curvature of the track axis. A comparative analysis of the obtained solutions was conducted using the developed geometric test system. The analysis was based on the curvature values determined for the considered transition curves, after assuming varying lengths of these curves. For the recommended solution to the problem, it was necessary to verify the practical feasibility of horizontal ordinate values, which could not be too small relative to the implementation error. As stated, to limit the effects of this error, the transition curve lengths should be adjusted to specific geometric situations and excessively short curves should be avoided. As a result of the conducted research, the transition curve determined with strict curvature conditions was determined to be the most advantageous. It maintains curvature continuity along its entire length, there are no abrupt changes in curvature at the edges, and the changes in curvature along the length are much smoother than in the other curves considered. Therefore, this curve should be recommended for practical use. Full article

Eczema is the most common skin disease among Hong Kong’s adults and children, affecting an estimated 30% of the total population. Western and Chinese medicinal ointments are the usual treatment for eczema. Conventional Western medicinal ointments are topical corticosteroids and non-steroidal agents. Eczema skin products include “Aveeno Parabens Lotion”, “Cerave Moisturizing Cream”, and “Cetaphil Lotion”. However, these are not a long-term solution for managing significant erythema. Chinese medicinal ointments are based on adjusting the formula, including the ingredients and amount, to address an individual’s skin condition and other factors that may be worsening symptoms. This approach aims to regulate the immune system and make it less reactive to environmental and food allergies. This approach is mainly for local topical use. The ingredients of eczema skin products should include Coptis chinensis Franch, Phellodendron chinense Schneid, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, Curcuma longa L., and sesame oil. Chinese medicinal ointments are natural ingredients, personalized formulas, and concerned with holistic healing, while Western medicinal ointments provide fast-acting relief, targeted action, and a standardized dosage. Methods: Nine electronic databases, such as WanFang Data, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Link, SciFinder, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were searched mainly within the past twenty years and without any language restrictions. The inclusion criteria were the keywords “Western medicine and ointment”, “Chinese medicine and ointment”, and “Western and Chinese medicines and ointment”. Differences in effectiveness between Western and Chinese ointments were evaluated to determine if they had functions against eczema. This review included an analysis and summary of all relevant papers. Results: Western medicinal ointments are topical corticosteroids, and they exert their pharmacological activities via many mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antiproliferative, and vasoconstrictive effects on eczema. Similarly, Chinese medicinal ointments have the same pharmacological functions, but they may focus on the immune system for the treatment of inflammatory and skin conditions, including erythema, edema, dryness, desquamation, and callus exfoliation. Conclusion: Based on the clinical research, the effectiveness rate of integrated Chinese and Western medicines was 88%, which was greater than the 70% rate for using Western medicine alone to treat eczema. Western and Chinese medicinal ointments have different active ingredients with advantages and disadvantages for eczema or when acting as skin care products. The most important thing is knowing “How” to use Western and Chinese medicinal ointments properly, especially for some formulations of Chinese ointments. It may be beneficial to consider the pharmacokinetic studies of herbal ingredients, which offer personalized formulas tailored to individual body constitutions and conditions, as well as to emphasize holistic healing, addressing both symptoms and underlying imbalances in the body. Much more work needs to be carried out, such as safety assessments of these ointments for use as skin care products for eczema. Full article

Swarm Intelligence (SI) algorithms were applied widely in solving complex optimization problems because they are simple, flexible, and efficient. The current paper proposes a new SI algorithm, which is based on the bird-like actions of swallows, which have highly synchronized behaviors of foraging and migration. The optimization algorithm (SWSO) makes use of these behaviors to boost the ability of exploration and exploitation in the optimization process. Unlike other birds, swallows are known to be so precise when performing fast directional alterations and making intricate aerial acrobatics during foraging. Moreover, the flight patterns of swallows are very efficient; they have extensive capabilities to transition between flapping and gliding with ease to save energy over long distances during migration. This allows instantaneous changes of wing shape variations to optimize performance in any number of flying conditions. The model used by the SWSO algorithm combines these biologically inspired flight dynamics into a new computational model that is aimed at enhancing search performance in rugged terrain. The design of the algorithm simulates the swallow’s social behavior and energy-saving behavior, converting it into exploration, exploitation, control mechanisms, and convergence control. In order to verify its effectiveness, (SWSO) is applied to many benchmark problems, such as unimodal, multimodal, fixed-dimension functions, and a benchmark CEC2019, which consists of some of the most widely used benchmark functions. Comparative tests are conducted against more than 30 metaheuristic algorithms that are regarded as state-of-the-art, developed so far, including PSO, MFO, WOA, GWO, and GA, among others. The measures of performance included best fitness, rate of convergence, robustness, and statistical significance. Moreover, the use of (SWSO) in solving real-life engineering design problems is used to prove (SWSO)’s practicality and generality. The results confirm that the proposed algorithm offers a competitive and reliable solution methodology, making it a valuable addition to the field of swarm-based optimization. Full article

This study reports the development of a simple and sensitive electrochemical sensor based on activated screen-printed electrodes modified by electrodeposition of nickel(II) tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine film (poly-NiTSPc), denoted SPE-A-polyNiTSPc, for the direct determination of BPA in landfill leachate samples. BPA concentrations in raw landfill leachate solutions and in residual solutions after a reverse osmosis (RO) treatment were determined, using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on SPE-A-polyNiTSPc, to be 29.7 mgL⁻¹ and 6.4 µgL⁻¹, respectively. The obtained BPA concentrations were very close to those found by the accredited lab in the same samples, which were 29.6 mgL⁻¹ and 6.0 µgL⁻¹, respectively. The applicability of SPE-A-polyNiTSPc for BPA bioremediation was investigated in landfill leachate samples using Trichoderma harzianum fungus in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), where the kinetics data were modeled. The first results showed an IC₅₀ of 175 mgL⁻¹ BPA, indicating that the inhibition factor could be negligeable for MFC experiments at 30 mgL⁻¹ BPA. The biodegradation kinetics was found to be of first order, with a kinetic constant of 0.795 h⁻¹ at 22 °C and a half-degradation time of 0.872 h for an initial concentration of 29 mgL⁻¹. The developed MFC displayed higher stability, offering a maximum power of 100 mWm⁻³. Full article

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with a poor prognosis driven by late diagnosis, systemic toxicity of existing therapies, and rapid development of multidrug resistance (MDR) to agents such as paclitaxel and cisplatin. MDR arises through multiple mechanisms, including overexpression of efflux transporters, alterations in apoptotic pathways, and tumour microenvironment-mediated resistance. The application of nanotechnology offers a potential solution to the aforementioned challenges by facilitating the enhancement of drug solubility, stability, bioavailability, and tumour-specific delivery. Additionally, it facilitates the co-loading of agents, thereby enabling the attainment of synergistic effects. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are naturally occurring aluminosilicate nanocarriers with unique dual-surface chemistry, allowing hydrophobic drug encapsulation in the positively charged lumen and functionalisation of the negatively charged outer surface with targeting ligands or MDR modulators. This architecture supports dual-delivery strategies, enabling simultaneous administration of phytocannabinoids and chemotherapeutics or efflux pump inhibitors to enhance intracellular retention and cytotoxicity in resistant tumour cells. HNTs offer additional advantages over conventional nanocarriers, including mechanical and chemical stability and low production cost. Phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) show multitarget anticancer activity in lung cancer models, including apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, and oxidative stress modulation. However, poor solubility, instability, and extensive first-pass metabolism have limited their clinical use. Encapsulation in HNTs can overcome these barriers, protect against degradation, and enable controlled, tumour-targeted release. This review examined the therapeutic potential of HNT-based phytocannabinoid delivery systems in the treatment of lung cancer, with an emphasis on improving therapeutic selectivity, which represents a promising direction for more effective and patient-friendly treatments for lung cancer. Full article

With increasing wastewater treatment demands and decarbonization goals, synergistic reduction in pollutants and green house gas (GHG) emissions is crucial. High process emissions like N₂O pose significant challenges, yet optimized carbon reduction strategies for conventional plants are lacking. This study developed three mathematical models to quantify the impact of dissolved oxygen (DO), influent salinity, and C/N ratio on direct emissions (CH₄, N₂O) and indirect emissions. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimized these factors to minimize GHG emissions under three accounting scenarios: (1) plants with CH₄ reuse systems: salinity = 0.5 g L⁻¹, DO = 3.67 mg L⁻¹, C/N = 12.75; (2) plants focusing solely on direct emissions: salinity = 0.5 g L⁻¹, DO = 3.35 mg L⁻¹, C/N = 3; and (3) plants assessing total emissions: salinity = 0.5 g L⁻¹, DO = 2.5 mg L⁻¹, C/N = 7.18. Key findings indicated that increasing salinity exacerbated greenhouse gas emissions. Elevated DO levels in the aerobic stage reduced N₂O emissions but increased indirect emissions in the A²/O process. Higher C/N ratios promoted anaerobic CH₄ production, but sufficient carbon reduced N₂O by enabling complete heterotrophic denitrification. A 60−day continuous GHG emissions monitoring campaign was conducted at a WWTP to validate the actual emission reductions achievable under the identified optimal control conditions. An analysis and comparison of operational and economic costs were also performed. The findings provide practical insights into sustainable GHG emission management and offer potential solutions to advance the synergistic reduction in GHG emissions and pollutants. Full article

Ore blending plays a critical role in ensuring feed consistency and optimizing downstream processes in the mining industry. Despite its importance, effective blending remains challenging due to ore variability and operational constraints. This review focuses exclusively on modern, data-driven blending methodologies, with particular emphasis on the application of data science and machine learning (ML) in predicting key process variables and supporting real-time decision-making. It discusses core challenges such as data quality, feature engineering, and model generalization, alongside enabling technologies including sensor integration, automation platforms, and real-time data acquisition systems. By consolidating the recent literature and highlighting emerging trends, this work outlines future directions for advancing intelligent blending systems and underscores the importance of standardized, high-quality data in the development of robust digital solutions for mineral processing. Full article

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), as an eco-friendly biomineralization technology, has opened up an innovative path for the green and low-carbon development of the mining industry. Unlike conventional methods, its in situ solidification minimizes environmental disturbances and reduces carbon emissions during construction. This article reviews the research on MICP technology in various scenarios within the mining industry, summarizes the key factors influencing the application of MICP, and proposes a future research direction to fill the gap of the lack of systematic guidance for the application of MICP in this field. Specifically, it elaborates on the solidification mechanism of MICP and its current application in the solidification and storage of tailings, heavy metal immobilization, waste resource utilization, carbon sequestration, and field-scale deployment, establishing a technical foundation for broader implementation in the mining sector. Key influencing factors that affect the solidification effect of MICP are discussed, along with critical engineering challenges such as the attenuation of microbial activity and the low uniformity of calcium carbonate precipitation under extreme conditions. Proposed solutions include environmentally responsive self-healing technologies (the stimulus-responsive properties of the carriers extend the survival window of microorganisms), a one-phase low-pH injection method (when the pH = 5, the delay time for CaCO₃ to appear is 1.5 h), and the incorporation of auxiliary additives (the auxiliary additives provided more adsorption sites for microorganisms). Future research should focus on in situ real-time monitoring of systems integrated with deep learning, systematic mineralization evaluation standard system, and urea-free mineralization pathways under special conditions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, MICP offers significant potential for integrated scientific and engineering solutions in mine waste solidification and sustainable resource utilization. Full article

The global shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCOs) has led to significant challenges. One of them is the high workload of ATCOs, often resulting in flight delays. This makes it essential to develop solutions that reduce ATCOs’ workload in order to increase capacity. One promising approach is the integration of decision-support systems. A typical task for which these systems are used for is the resolution of aircraft conflicts in the upper airspaces. A key challenge in implementing these support systems is to ensure a high acceptance and adoption rate of the proposed advisories. One potential solution to this problem is to personalize the advisories, aligning them with individual ATCOs’ preferences and conflict resolution strategies. As this approach offers many promising research directions, this literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of existing research in this domain and highlight potential opportunities and open challenges. Overall, 16 papers are discussed in detail to examine the diversity of conflict resolution strategies among ATCOs, the impact of personalization on the acceptance rate of advisories, the technical feasibility of implementing personalization, and the balance between personalized advisories and operational efficiency. Additionally, this paper highlights the opportunities such personalization presents, along with the unresolved challenges that should be addressed in future research. Full article

Tokamak technology, as the cornerstone of nuclear fusion energy, holds immense potential in achieving efficient plasma confinement and high energy densities. To comprehensively map the rapidly evolving landscape of this field, this study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically examine the research and development trends of tokamak technology from 2014 to 2024. The data are drawn from 7702 academic publications in the Scopus database, representing a global research effort. Additionally, the study incorporates 2299 tokamak-related patents from Google Patents over the same period, analyzing their technological trends to highlight the growing significance of tokamak devices. Using the R language and the Bibliometric package, the analysis explores research hotspots, institutional influences, and keyword evolution. The results reveal a multifaceted global landscape: China leads in publication output, and the United States maintains a leading role in citation impacts and technological innovation, with other notable contributions from Germany, Japan, South Korea, and various European countries. Patent trend analysis further reveals the rapid expansion of tokamak applications, particularly with significant innovations in high-temperature superconducting magnets and plasma control technologies. Nevertheless, the study identifies major challenges in the commercialization process, including plasma stability control, material durability, and the sustainability of long-term operations. To address these, the study proposes concrete future directions, emphasizing international collaboration and interdisciplinary integration. These efforts are crucial in accelerating tokamak commercialization, thereby providing a strategic roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance the global deployment of clean energy solutions. Full article

This paper investigates distributed optimization problems for multi-agent systems with parametric uncertainties over unbalanced directed communication networks. To settle this class of optimization problems, a continuous-time algorithm is proposed by integrating adaptive control techniques with an output feedback tracking protocol. By systematically employing Lyapunov stability theory, perturbed system analysis, and input-to-state stability theory, we rigorously establish the asymptotic convergence property of the proposed algorithm. A numerical simulation further demonstrates the effectiveness of the algorithm in computing the global optimal solution. Full article

The iron and steel industry is one of the main industrial contributors to air pollution. The aim of our study is to analyze modern studies on air pollution by the iron and steel industry, as a result of which the geography and research directions and the degree of development of current issues will be assessed, and the most cited articles and journals will be identified. A review of contemporary research (2018–2024) was conducted on the basis of articles with a digital object identifier (DOI) using machine learning methodologies (VOSviewer software version 1.6.20). The number of articles selected was 80. The heat map of study density clearly showed that the geographic distribution of studies was extremely uneven. A total of 65% of the studies were conducted in China, 9% in Nigeria, 6% in Russia, 3% in Poland, and 3% in Turkey. The remaining 14% of articles represent a series of single studies conducted in 11 countries. The revealed geographical imbalance between countries with developed production and the number of studies conducted in them shows a significant shortcoming in monitoring research. Most of the studies (20%) were devoted to the assessment of multicomponent emissions. A special place among them was occupied by the inventory of emissions using various methods. The next main directions in terms of the number of articles were aimed at studying the toxic metal emissions (19%), at the analysis of organic emissions (19%), at the modeling and forecasting of emissions (18%), and at particulate matter studies (15%). The main features of the articles for each direction are briefly noted. Citation analysis made it possible to compile a rating of articles of greatest scientific interest and the most authoritative journals. Citation network analysis revealed important insights into the structure of scientific communication in the monitoring of atmospheric pollution from the iron and steel industry. The results of our review will contribute to the consolidation of scientists, the identification of gaps in scientific knowledge, and the improvement of environmental policy and technological solutions. Full article

The rapid advancements in wireless technology and digital electronics have led to the widespread adoption of compact, intelligent devices in various aspects of daily life. These advanced systems possess the capability to sense environmental changes, process data, and communicate seamlessly within interconnected networks. Typically, such devices integrate low-power radio transmitters and multiple smart sensors, hence enabling efficient functionality across wide ranges of applications. Alongside these technological developments, the concept of the IoT has emerged as a transformative paradigm, facilitating the interconnection of uniquely identifiable devices through internet-based networks. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of sensor technologies, detailing their integral role within IoT frameworks and examining their impact on optimizing efficiency and service delivery in modern wireless communications systems. Also, it presents a thorough review of sensor technologies, current research trends, and the associated challenges in this evolving field, providing a detailed explanation of recent advancements and IoT-integrated sensor systems, with a particular emphasis on the fundamental architecture of sensors and their pivotal role in modern technological applications. It explores the core benefits of sensor technologies and delivers an in-depth classification of their fundamental types. Beyond reviewing existing developments, this study identifies key open research challenges and outlines prospective directions for future exploration, offering valuable insights for both academic researchers and industry professionals. Ultimately, this paper serves as an essential reference for understanding sensor technologies and their potential contributions to IoT-driven solutions. This study offers meaningful contributions to academic and industrial sectors, facilitating advancements in sensor innovation. Full article

Electrospun alginate nanofibers are emerging as versatile materials for biomedical, environmental, and packaging applications due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functional tunability. However, the direct electrospinning of alginate remains a significant challenge, mainly due to its polyelectrolytic nature, rigid chain structure, and limited chain entanglement. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent strategies developed to overcome these limitations, including polymer blending, chemical modification, the addition of surfactants, multi-fluid techniques, and process optimization. We systematically discuss the integration of nanofibers with functional agents such as microorganisms, bioactive compounds, plant extracts, and nanoparticles, highlighting their potential in wound healing, active packaging, bioremediation, and controlled release systems. This review also examines the scalability of alginate electrospinning, summarizing recent patents, industrial solutions, and challenges related to the standardization of the process. Key knowledge gaps are identified, including the need for long-term stability studies, structure–function correlations, green processing approaches, and expansion into novel application domains beyond healthcare. Addressing these research directions will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of alginate nanofibers as sustainable, high-performance materials for industrial use. Full article

Air pollution is causing a global health, climate, and environmental crisis. Air quality (AQ) in hyper-arid regions, such as the Arabian Peninsula, remains under-explored, posing significant concerns for public health and the scientific community. Both long-term and short-term exposure to high pollutant levels, whether from anthropogenic or natural sources, can pose serious health risks. This paper offers a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of urban AQ literature published in the region over the past decade (2013–June 2025). We aim to provide guidance and highlight key directions for future research in the field. This paper examines key pollutants, emission sources, implications of urban sources, and the most studied countries, methodologies, limitations, and recommendations from different case studies. Our analysis reveals a significant research gap highlighting insufficient recent literature. Saudi Arabia was the most studied country with 20 papers, followed by the broader Arabian Peninsula (sixteen), Qatar (twelve), the United Arab Emirates and Iraq (seven each), Kuwait (four), Oman (three), Jordan, and Bahrain (one each). The primary methods employed included measurements and sampling (28%) and remote sensing (24%), with a focus on pollutants such as dust (23.1%), NO_x/NO₂/NO (17.2%), PM_2.5 (17.6%), and PM₁₀ (12%). Industrial emissions (27%) and natural dust (24%) were identified as significant emission sources. Monitoring methods included grab sampling (19%), integrated sampling (34%), and continuous monitoring (47%). Notably, 13.3% of AQ sensors were linked to a station, 27.6% were self-referenced, and 59.1% did not specify calibration methods. The findings highlight the need for further research, regular calibration of air quality monitors, and the integration of advanced modeling approaches. Moreover, we recommend exploring the links between air pollution and urban development to ensure cleaner air and contribute to the global dialogue on sustainable and cross-border AQ solutions. Full article