Search Results (14,744)

Textile materials represent a versatile class of engineering substrates widely used in apparel, domestic products, and medical protective systems. Despite their extensive application, large-scale textile production has seen limited integration of fundamentally new functionalization strategies. In recent years, however, advances in materials science have enabled the development of textiles with tailored electrical, adaptive, and biological functionalities. This review summarizes recent progress in the functionalization of textile materials with a focus on approaches relevant to engineering and industrial implementation. Particular attention is given to conductive textiles designed for operation under extreme environmental conditions, including low-temperature climates. Methods for integrating electrically conductive elements into fibrous structures are discussed, highlighting their potential for sensing, thermal regulation, and energy-related applications such as powering portable electronic devices. Inkjet printing is presented as a scalable technique for high-resolution deposition of conductive patterns while preserving the mechanical integrity and aesthetic properties of textile substrates. In addition, adaptive and stimuli-responsive textile systems are reviewed, including materials capable of responding to thermal, optical, or chemical stimuli, with applications in camouflage, wearable systems, and multifunctional surfaces. The review further addresses the development of bioactive textiles, emphasizing antibacterial functionalization using organic and inorganic agents to mitigate the spread of pathogenic microorganisms. The relevance of such materials has been underscored by recent global viral outbreaks. Overall, this work aims to provide a materials science perspective on emerging textile functionalization strategies and to facilitate the transition of these technologies from laboratory-scale research to practical engineering applications. Full article

The intermittent and variable nature of solar energy poses challenges for maintaining stable thermal performance in solar heating systems. One effective approach to mitigate this limitation is to store surplus thermal energy during periods of high solar irradiance and release it when solar input is insufficient. Phase change materials (PCMs) are particularly suitable for this purpose due to their ability to absorb and release large amounts of latent heat during phase transition. The aim of this work is to develop a mathematical model of a flow-through tank containing a phase change material in the form of a spherical packed bed. Including longitudinal dispersion in the model equations allows for a more accurate description of the heat transfer process in a tank containing PCM elements. Simulation calculations based on the model were carried out to demonstrate its potential applicability to practical problems. The influence of the following parameters on the process was investigated: tank volume, water flow rate, phase change temperature, process duration, dispersion coefficient during water flow, radius of the packed-bed elements, and cyclic variations of the inlet water temperature. A significant influence of the axial dispersion coefficient in the tank containing PCM on the outlet water temperature profile was demonstrated. It was found that the internal heat transfer coefficient within the packing elements containing PCM falls within the range of 58–145 W/(m²K). Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains understudied in China despite its public health significance. Previous research lacks comprehensive analysis of how Chinese media frames this issue, creating a gap in understanding the sociocultural factors shaping public discourse. This study employs corpus-based framing analysis of 603 news articles (435,581 words) from major Chinese newspapers spanning 2012–2022, a period encompassing significant legal developments including the 2016 Domestic Violence Law. We analyze how IPV is framed through examination of keyword frequencies, collocation patterns, and concordance analysis. Our findings reveal that IPV is predominantly framed as matrimonial conflict and family dispute rather than criminal violence requiring state intervention. We argue that framing IPV as a ‘family issue’ operates as a spatial containment strategy, relocating violence to the domestic sphere while rerouting intervention into administrative/civil channels rather than criminal accountability spaces. Our findings reveal significant imbalances in stakeholder representation, with government and legal voices dominating the public discourse domain while community support organizations are marginalized. Source attribution patterns produce uneven zones of legitimacy, where state actors occupy authorized public space while survivors’ experiences remain confined to private, silenced domains. This research enhances the understanding of IPV media coverage in China while highlighting the need for more inclusive public discourse. Full article

Global data center electricity demand is projected to double to 945 TWh by 2030, yet no optimization framework jointly sizes renewable generation, battery storage, hydrogen export infrastructure, and flexible computing loads within a single industrial hub. This paper develops a two-layer techno-economic workflow for an integrated renewable–hydrogen–data center hub in Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. HOMER Pro provides baseline capacity sizing and dispatch across four scenarios; a Pyomo-based mixed-integer linear program, calibrated to within 2% of the baseline, then extends the system to include a 60 MW data center (30 MW critical, 30 MW flexible), multi-sink hydrogen allocation (domestic, ammonia, methanol), and low-grade waste heat recovery. Battery storage emerges as the dominant cost–carbon lever: its removal raises the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) from 0.052 to 0.181 USD/kWh (+250%) and increases CO₂ emissions from 1.83 to 2763 kt/yr, a factor of 1510. The Integrated Hub reduces annualized costs by 8.2% (36.9 M USD/yr) and emissions by 28% relative to a separate-build counterfactual, driven by shared PV–battery infrastructure and hydrogen export revenues of 58.5 M USD/yr. Export demand raises the electrolyzer capacity factor from 8.65% to 24.3%, cutting the levelized cost of hydrogen from 10.5 to 6.8 USD/kg. Waste heat recovery reduces the levelized cost of heat by 17%, and co-location lowers the levelized cost of compute by 23% (from 0.055 to 0.042 USD/GPU/hr). These results provide quantitative design principles for industrial hub planners considering data center co-location in high-solar regions with hydrogen export ambitions. Full article

Fructokinase (FRK) initiates fructose phosphorylation, channeling carbon into central metabolic pathways, yet its functional diversity and regulatory networks in C₄ cereals remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a comprehensive pan-genome analysis of the FRK gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica), identifying 697 SiFRKs across 110 accessions and revealing extensive presence–absence variation shaped by evolution and domestication. Among nine characterized members in the reference genome, SiFRK4 exhibited broad and high expression, a diurnal rhythm, and substantial natural variation. Biochemical assays confirmed its fructokinase activity in vitro. We discovered a novel physical interaction between SiFRK4 and the key photoreceptor Phytochrome C (SiPhyC), which co-localized in the cytoplasm. Functional analysis of SiPhyC mutants demonstrated that loss of SiPhyC disrupted carbohydrate homeostasis, elevating fructose while depleting sucrose and starch. Our findings reveal a physical and genetic link between the light-signaling component SiPhyC and the metabolic enzyme SiFRK4, suggesting their interaction influences carbon partitioning. This study provides foundational insights into the sugar metabolism network of a resilient C₄ model crop and identifies potential targets for metabolic engineering and breeding. Full article

Horizontal transfer of mitochondrial DNA into the nuclear genome generates nuclear mitochondrial sequences (NUMTs), which serve as molecular fossils reflecting long-term mitochondrial–nuclear interactions and genome evolution. However, the biological mechanisms governing NUMT integration, retention, and evolutionary fate remain incompletely understood in domesticated animals. Here, using the latest pig reference genome assembly (Sscrofa11.1), we present a comprehensive genome-wide characterization of NUMTs in pigs and provide new insights into their genomic distribution and evolutionary constraints. We identified 513 high-confidence NUMTs, of which 460 were chromosomally mapped, accounting for 0.0106% of the nuclear genome. Beyond increased detection, our analyses reveal that pig NUMTs exhibit non-random origins, preferentially integrate into genomic regions under weak selective constraint, and are frequently associated with repetitive elements, consistent with a DNA repair-mediated insertion mechanism. NUMTs predominantly occur as short, fragmented sequences and show signatures of long-term neutral evolution, while insertions disrupting coding sequences are strongly selected against. Synteny-based analyses further identified clustered NUMT regions and duplicated NUMTs, suggesting secondary genomic duplication events following initial integration. Comparative analysis with the earlier Sscrofa10.2 assembly demonstrates that improved genome quality substantially enhances NUMT detection, particularly in repetitive and GC-rich regions, clarifying previously ambiguous sequence-context associations. Together, this high-quality pig NUMT map provides a robust foundation for future functional, evolutionary, and population-level investigations and contributes to the conservation and utilization of pig genetic resources. Full article

This paper addresses the persistent failure of major digital investments to achieve sustained smart technology adoption in developing countries, limiting productivity and business growth. Although existing research identifies institutional weaknesses as a central barrier, it provides limited guidance on how progress can occur within such constraints. To address this gap, the Institutional Framework for Smart Technology Adoption (IFSTA), pronounced Eye-f-sta, is developed as a contingent institutional framework linking digital transformation theory with practical assessment tools. IFSTA argues that adoption success depends not on technology alone, but on strategic alignment with specific institutional contexts. The framework is built around three core pillars, governance architecture, socio-technical infrastructure, and adaptive capacity, and explains how their interactions generate differentiated adoption outcomes across five institutional contexts. Localization is conceptualized as a cross-cutting mediating mechanism through which governance arrangements, standards, platforms, and capabilities are adapted to domestic realities, shaping both current performance and future transformation potential. Three questions guide the analysis: how institutional contexts moderate the impact of infrastructure investment; what complementarities and compensatory mechanisms enable progress under institutional constraints; and how digital investments can be sequenced according to institutional starting points. To operationalize this logic, the Performance–Knowledge Index (PKI) is introduced as a context-sensitive diagnostic tool that identifies binding constraints and supports sequenced intervention design. The study contributes a contingent institutional model, a methodological bridge between diagnosis and implementation, and a structured, actionable framework for advancing sustainable digital adoption in developing economies. Full article

Cellular survival and adaptability depend on the dynamic regulation of proteins—the central actors of biological systems. Through mechanisms such as post-translational modifications, protein turnover, and the formation of membraneless organelles, cells can sense and respond to a variety of stressors. Recent advances in artificial intelligence and chemical biology have provided powerful tools to study and manipulate these processes, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies in cancer. This review explores how cells “tame” their proteome in response to stress by coordinating protein synthesis, modification, degradation, and structural organization to maintain functional resilience. Full article

This paper provides a comprehensive survey of Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) for indoor mobile robots operating in human-centered environments such as hospitals, laboratories, offices, and homes. We review interaction modalities—including speech, gesture, touch, visual, and multimodal interfaces—and examine key user experience factors such as usability, trust, and social acceptance. Implementation challenges are discussed, encompassing safety, privacy, and regulatory considerations. Representative case studies, including healthcare and domestic platforms, highlight design trade-offs and integration lessons. We identify critical technical challenges, including robust perception, reliable multimodal fusion, navigation in dynamic spaces, and constraints on computation and power. Finally, we outline future directions, including embodied AI, adaptive context-aware interactions, and standards for safety and data protection. This survey aims to guide the development of indoor mobile robots capable of collaborating with humans naturally, safely, and effectively. Full article

This paper presents qualitative findings from a broader study conducted with beneficiaries of social assistance grants in Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa, guided by Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach and a Feminist Political Economy perspective. It specifically examines the impact of the Child Support Grant (CSG) on women residing in rural areas with limited economic opportunities. Drawing on the narratives of twenty-five female beneficiaries, the study explores the grant’s role beyond child welfare outcomes. Despite its small monetary value, the CSG demonstrated significant and unintended transformative effects. Within contexts of persistent poverty, unemployment, and inequality, the grant contributed to alleviating household hardship and enhancing women’s empowerment. Participants reported increased economic agency, autonomy, and decision-making capacity. The CSG also served as a critical resource for women seeking to exit abusive relationships by providing a measure of financial independence, often lacking among survivors of domestic violence. These findings contribute to broader debates on welfare services as tools for equality, diversity, and democracy, highlighting the CSG’s potential to advance gender empowerment and social inclusion. However, the grant alone remains insufficient to ensure sustainable economic security. The paper recommends that the CSG be strengthened through increased value and complemented by active labour market interventions that promote women’s economic participation. Full article

Lithium is a critical mineral for traction batteries and a cornerstone of the sustainable transition toward low-carbon transportation. Understanding the supply–demand dynamics and resource-saving potential of lithium is essential for advancing circular economy goals and ensuring the long-term stability of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This study develops an integrated lithium forecast framework by coupling a System Dynamics (SD) model with dynamic Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and multi-scenario pathways. To ensure robust conclusions, the model is validated against historical data, and a multi-level sensitivity analysis is conducted to address the inherent uncertainties of evolving socio-technical assumptions over a ten-year horizon. The simulation results reveal that under the baseline scenario, China’s EV stocks and annual lithium demand will grow by 8.3 and 4.7 times from 2024 to 2035, respectively. This rapid expansion poses a significant sustainability challenge, as cumulative demand will deplete 50–71% of China’s domestic lithium reserves by 2035. Despite a projected supply–demand gap of 110–120 kt/yr, the study identifies critical pathways for resource decoupling and circularity. Technology-driven interventions, such as enhancing energy density and extending battery lifespan, can reduce primary lithium demand by up to 18.9%. Furthermore, optimizing the closed-loop recycling system can contract the supply–demand gap by 31–39%, demonstrating the pivotal role of secondary resource recovery in building a resilient supply chain. Despite this reduction, a persistent reliance on international markets remains inevitable. These findings provide a quantified scientific foundation for policymakers, emphasizing that lithium security requires a synergistic transition from volume-based subsidies to resource efficiency mandates and standardized, formal closed-loop recycling systems. Full article

Understanding the composition and amount of waste is crucial for the health and development of communities. Panic and the unpredictable situation of COVID-19 caused significant demands for food, which resulted in high pressure on food waste and waste management systems. To determine the change in waste composition in Northern Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic, questionnaires were prepared and distributed through the media and via email. This study found that household waste generation per capita was 0.91 kg with a 6% error when compared with a conventional waste composition study performed by the European Union in 2016. According to the results, the quantity of domestic waste decreased during the pandemic, while garden waste increased. Additionally, the results show that 27% of plastic waste came from cleaning purposes. As face mask usage and tea consumption increased during the pandemic, these materials were incorporated as additives into marble-dust-modified cement paste to develop sustainable construction composite. The mechanical performance of the proposed material was evaluated by measuring the flexural and compressive strengths of specimens cured for 7, 28, and 56 days. Eco-efficiency metrics derived directly from mechanical data provided strong environmental engineering insight. When assessed per unit of compressive function, cement intensity increased with mask dosage, indicating reduced binder efficiency despite batch-level cement savings. Furthermore, waste diversion per unit strength increased with mask content, but progressively larger compressive penalties accompanied this benefit. Within this trade-off, low to intermediate mask dosages offered the most validified balance between waste diversion and mechanical performance. Full article

This paper presents the design and analysis of solar systems for agricultural applications and the sustainable energy supply of villages, based on a case study of a rural settlement comprising 30 households. The village energy demand is quantified through a detailed assessment of hourly load profiles for daytime and nighttime operation, identifying peak loads and total daily energy consumption. Energy usage patterns are established for residential buildings, agricultural water pumping, public lighting, healthcare facilities, and commercial services. To meet these energy requirements sustainably, a 60 kW photovoltaic (PV) system is proposed in combination with a solar thermal water heating system designed to supply domestic and agricultural hot water. This study details the design methodology and simulation of the solar thermal system, including heat transfer modeling and system dimensioning. MATLAB (V.22b) simulations are conducted to evaluate system performance, covering PV energy generation, battery charge–discharge cycles, and thermal behavior over a 24 h period. Comparative analyses of standalone PV, hybrid PV/T, and combined PV and solar thermal configurations demonstrate that separate PV and thermal systems provide superior cost-effectiveness, operational reliability, and reduced maintenance requirements. The results confirm the technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental benefits of solar-based solutions for rural electrification and agricultural applications. The results indicate that the analyzed rural settlement has an estimated daily electricity demand of approximately 590 kWh. Based on this demand, a 60 kW photovoltaic system was selected to ensure sufficient daytime electricity production while also allowing battery charging for nighttime consumption. In addition, the solar thermal system can increase the water temperature from approximately 10 °C to 55–80 °C, depending on solar irradiance conditions. The combined PV and solar thermal configuration demonstrates the potential to provide a reliable and sustainable energy solution for rural off-grid communities. Full article

The energy transition represents a complex, multi-level system subject to profound uncertainty and recurrent shocks. Current policy design approaches predominantly rely on static optimization frameworks (centralized, calculative models that presume stable conditions and predictable technological trajectories). Yet evidence from the 2021–2023 energy crisis in Europe, coupled with structural challenges in market liberalization and renewable integration, demonstrates persistent challenges in policy implementation. Price interventions affect competitive dynamics; subsidies influence technology selection; capacity mechanisms create coordination tensions; and rigid tariff structures create misalignments with evolving grid needs. This paper argues that these recurrent policy tensions stem not from implementation gaps, but from an inadequate theoretical foundation: the treatment of energy systems as optimizable rather than as complex, adaptive systems operating under Knight–Mises uncertainty and Huerta de Soto dynamic efficiency. This work explores an alternative framework grounded in dynamic efficiency, complex–uncertain systems, decentralized incentives, and adaptive governance (international–domestic, public–private, etc.). This review uses the theoretical and methodological framework of the Heterodox Synthesis, an alternative to the Neoclassical Synthesis. There is a reinterpretation of some insights from Knight and Mises (uncertainty), Hayek (distributed knowledge), Huerta de Soto (dynamic efficiency) and contemporary complexity economics into operational criteria applicable to energy policy design: (1) robustness to deep uncertainty; (2) preservation of price signals and risk-bearing mechanisms; (3) alignment of incentives across distributed actors; (4) institutional adaptability; and (5) minimization of ex post policy corrections. Through illustrative application to four critical policy instruments (price caps, renewable subsidies, capacity mechanisms, and network tariff design), it is shown how this framework identifies systematic tensions and consequences that conventional analysis overlooks. The contribution is exploratory in a bootstrap way: theoretical, by integrating classical and contemporary economics into energy governance; methodological, by operationalizing dynamic efficiency into evaluable criteria distinct from existing adaptive governance frameworks; and sectorial, by providing policymakers and regulators with diagnostic tools for assessing design robustness in conditions of deep uncertainty and rapid transition. According to this review, improved energy policy design under uncertainty is not achieved through more sophisticated optimization (in a calculative way), but through institutional architectures that preserve creative and adaptive learning, maintain distributed decision-making capacity, and remain functional when assumptions prove incorrect or not well-known. Full article

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a rare but potentially fatal opportunistic infection in renal transplant recipients receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy. It may result from donor-derived transmission or reactivation of latent infection. We report the case of a 70-year-old female who underwent kidney transplantation from a deceased donor in 2004 for end-stage renal disease due to glomerulonephritis. She was maintained on cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. In September 2024, she presented with headache, mood changes, and right-sided hemiparesis. Brain multislice computed tomography revealed a large temporoparietal lesion initially suspected to be glioblastoma. Craniotomy and histopathological analysis demonstrated encysted Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites within gliotic tissue. Polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed the presence of T. gondii DNA, while human immunodeficiency virus testing was negative. The patient reported frequent contact with domestic cats. Treatment with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and leucovorin, alongside adjustment of immunosuppressive therapy, led to marked neurological improvement and radiological regression of the lesion. However, nine months later, she succumbed to multidrug-resistant urosepsis. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of cerebral toxoplasmosis in transplant recipients, as radiological findings are often nonspecific and can mimic neoplastic or lymphoproliferative lesions. Polymerase chain reaction and histopathological analysis remain essential for definitive diagnosis. Awareness of this rare complication is critical for early recognition and prompt initiation of anti-toxoplasma therapy, which can significantly improve outcomes. Although cerebral toxoplasmosis is uncommon after kidney transplantation, it should be considered in immunosuppressed patients presenting with neurological symptoms. Early detection and targeted therapy are key to reducing morbidity and mortality in this population. Full article