Search Results (2,097)

Non-exhaust particulate emissions are expected to remain a relevant source of traffic-related air pollution, including an increase in electrified vehicle fleets. Particle formation results from tribological interactions and is influenced by both operating conditions and friction material system. This study presents an extended measurement methodology under application-relevant tribological conditions for the reproducible quantification of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emissions from dry-running friction systems and applies it to a systematic investigation of operating parameter and friction pairing effects. A dry inertial brake test bench with an enclosed friction chamber and integrated aerosol measurement chain was used under controlled tribologically relevant conditions. Specific friction work and specific friction power were varied by adjusting sliding velocity, contact pressure, and inertial load. Six friction pairings, comprising four representative friction lining types combined with either C45 cast steel or GGG40 gray cast iron, were examined. In situ PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 measurements were complemented by gravimetric wear and microstructural analyses. The results show that specific friction work has a direct influence on PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 emissions, whereas the independent effect of contact pressure is secondary. Friction power exhibits material-dependent effects. Emissions also vary strongly with friction pairing, indicating that operating conditions and material system must be considered jointly when assessing low-emission brake systems. Full article

We report on X-ray-induced Sm³⁺ → Sm²⁺ reduction in SrF₂:Sm³⁺ nanocrystals of ~40 nm size synthesized via a co-precipitation method. Non-irradiated samples show characteristic Sm³⁺ f-f ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_5/2, ⁶H_7/2, ⁶H_9/2, and ⁶H_11/2 emissions, while X-irradiation induces intense low-temperature Sm^{2+ 5}D₀ → ⁷F₁ emission and other Sm²⁺ lines. The evolution of Sm³⁺ and Sm²⁺ photoluminescence intensities with X-ray dose (0–300 Gy) follows first-order kinetics, consistent with a trapping–detrapping mechanism. Compared to CaF₂:Sm³⁺, SrF₂:Sm³⁺ exhibits faster Sm³⁺ reduction due to the higher X-ray absorption cross section of strontium compared to calcium for Cu-Kα (8 keV) radiation, highlighting its potential as a nanoscale X-ray storage phosphor. Full article

Decarbonizing downstream steel logistics remains underexplored in sustainable supply chain management. This study proposes a machine learning-enhanced tri-objective optimization framework for the ship stowage planning problem (SSPP). The framework handles heterogeneous finished steel products, including coils, plates, ingots, tubes, and sections. The model simultaneously maximizes deadweight utilization and minimizes a novel Adaptive Weighted Moment Balance (AWMB) index. It also minimizes voyage carbon emissions through a trim-and-heel resistance penalty. A spatial-to-sequential discretization strategy transforms the NP-hard placement problem into a tractable permutation optimization. A deep neural network (DNN) surrogate achieves a 3.57-fold speedup with only 1.52% hypervolume degradation. An improved NSGA-III algorithm with adaptive operators ensures Pareto front exploration. Embedded step-wise moment verification guarantees dynamic stability throughout loading and unloading. Validated on real data from a Chinese steel enterprise, the framework achieves 99.88% deadweight utilization, reduces transverse and longitudinal imbalance by 48.27% and 90.54%, and cuts CO₂ emissions by 95.5% per voyage. SOLAS constraints, load line limits, and CII/FuelEU targets are addressed through embedded stability and capacity constraints. Multi-route and weather-dependent validation remains necessary before fleet-scale deployment. Full article

Prescribed burning is important for reducing wildfire risk and regulating fuel loads, but its implementation in mountainous forests is strongly influenced by the coupled effects of the wind field and topography, making it difficult to control. This study focuses on Yunnan pine (Pinus yunnanensis) forests in southwestern China. A three-dimensional Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) combined with measured fuel characteristics was used to simulate 21 slope (0–35°) and wind speed (0–2 m s⁻¹) combinations to quantitatively analyze the fire spread, flame structure, and gaseous emission characteristics during downslope prescribed burning. The local fire spread rate (ROS), evaluated along three lateral lines (Y = 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 m), exhibits a non-monotonic dependence on slope over the tested range, with a minimum near 30° and a modest rebound at 35°. A downslope wind of 1 m s⁻¹ promotes near-surface heating and accelerates spread, whereas a stronger wind of 2 m s⁻¹ lifts flames away from the fuel bed and suppresses combustion. Thermal field analysis reveals that peak temperature decreases with increasing slope and that a late-stage secondary heating episode occurs at 35°. CO₂ emissions are significantly positively correlated with fuel consumption, reaching a peak of 717.5 kg under a 35° slope and no-wind conditions. CO emissions, as an indicator of combustion efficiency, reach their highest value of 2.23 kg at a 35° slope and a wind speed of 1 m s⁻¹, indicating that their trend is not entirely consistent with the ROS and temperature and that there is a certain degree of decoupling. The interaction between slope and wind speed transforms fire behavior from a cooperative to a competitive mechanism, and the topography–wind field coupling provides differentiated control over the combustion intensity and completeness. This study provides a scientific basis for the safe implementation of mountain burning programs and for regional carbon emission assessments. Full article

Sub-15 nm line structures are key building blocks for advanced device prototyping, nanoscale electrodes, and lithography templates such as etch/deposition masks. Although ultrahigh-voltage (≥100 kV) electron-beam lithography (EBL) can more readily achieve extremely small critical dimensions, its tool and infrastructure requirements limit widespread adoption in many laboratories. In contrast, 30 kV field-emission SEM platforms are far more accessible; however, resolution-limit patterning at 30 kV is more sensitive to beam current, exposure dose, and development conditions, motivating the establishment of a reproducible process flow and a well-defined process window. Here, we investigate the resolution limit of isolated lines using a Zeiss Gemini 460 system operated at 30 kV and an in-house pattern generator with 950 k PMMA C2 resist. To demonstrate device-level applicability, we develop a stable lift-off process, and all critical dimensions are evaluated on metal lines after e-beam evaporation and lift-off. By screening beam current and scanning dose to build the dose-to-size relationship, we show that reducing beam current significantly improves the achievable minimum line width. Under 35 pA, using CD ≤ 15 nm as the criterion for sub-15 nm window extraction, the usable dose range is [700, 804.3] µC/cm², corresponding to a dose latitude of ~14.9%. The best performance is obtained at 700 µC/cm², yielding a transferred metal line width of 13.85 nm after lift-off. This work provides a practical resolution-limit process flow and a quantitative process window for performing sub-15 nm patterning on accessible 30 kV platforms, supported by product-level lift-off validation. Full article

Honey authenticity control remains analytically challenging due to the complexity of its matrix and the increasing sophistication of adulteration practices. While chromatographic, spectrometric, and isotopic methods provide high confirmatory accuracy, their routine application is constrained by cost, time, and infrastructure requirements. In this context, fluorescence spectroscopy has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-efficient screening approach capable of capturing subtle matrix-level compositional variations. This review critically evaluates the application of steady-state and excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence in honey quality and authenticity assessment. Fluorescence is positioned within tiered analytical frameworks as a first-line or intermediate screening tool preceding confirmatory chromatographic or NMR-based analyses. Emphasis is placed on intrinsic fluorophore domains, excitation–emission measurement strategies, and chemometric interpretation, including multiway analysis and supervised classification models. Recent developments in portable LED-based systems, laser-induced fluorescence, nanoparticle-based probes, and data-fusion strategies are discussed alongside key limitations related to matrix effects, spectral overlap, reproducibility, and model transferability. The review provides a structured framework for the strategic integration of fluorescence spectroscopy into contemporary honey authentication workflows. Full article

Globally, the transport sector accounts for almost a quarter of CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion and generates large amounts of pollutants, placing significant pressure on the environment and human health. By 2050, the European Green Deal requires a 90% reduction in transport-related emissions, making sustainability necessary across all modes of transport. Based on the relevant literature, this study examines the role and potential of railways in decarbonising the EU transport sector. Railway is highly efficient, consuming just 1.9% of transport sector energy while handling 16.9% of freight and 5.1% of passenger transport in the EU, yet is responsible for only 0.4% of total emissions. According to studies, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by improving energy efficiency, using low-carbon or renewable energy, and expanding train electrification. The greatest potential for decarbonisation lies in a modal shift to rail. However, this requires significant infrastructure investment: raising line speeds to at least 160 km/h, expanding networks, building terminals, digitalisation, and alignment with TEN-T standards. Although the EU supports the modal shift with funding programmes, the transition is not progressing as expected—the share of road freight transport increased from 74% in 2013 to 78% in 2023. Stronger investment is needed in Member States’ national policies for the development and modernisation of railways. The authors developed a Path Evaluation Matrix (PEM), a quantitative decision framework integrating the fields of energy, transport, politics, and economics. The PEM results indicate that BEMU (battery electric multiple units) is optimal for 68% of secondary lines in south-eastern Europe. Full article

Amid the global decarbonization of urban transportation, the large-scale deployment of electric buses faces major challenges, including concentrated charging demand, increased peak electricity demand, and inefficient energy utilization at transit depots. Existing studies usually optimize depot energy system configuration and bus scheduling separately, which often leads to biased system-level decisions. To address this limitation, this study proposes a collaborative optimization framework that integrates cross-line scheduling with the configuration of photovoltaic–storage–charging systems at depots to improve overall resource utilization. Specifically, this study formulates a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model to minimize the total daily system cost. The proposed model comprehensively captures multiple factors, including the costs of bus investment, charging infrastructure, photovoltaic deployment, energy storage deployment, and carbon emissions. In this study, Benders decomposition is used as a solution framework to handle the coupling structure of the model. Case studies show that, compared with conventional operation modes, the combination of cross-line scheduling and fast charging technology produces a significant synergistic effect. This combination reduces the required fleet size from 17 to 14 buses and substantially lowers investment in depot infrastructure, thereby minimizing the total system cost. Sensitivity analysis further shows that the deployment scale of photovoltaic systems has a clear threshold effect on electricity costs, whereas the core economic value of energy storage systems depends on peak shaving and arbitrage under time-of-use electricity pricing. Overall, this study demonstrates the critical role of integrated planning in improving the economic efficiency and operational feasibility of electric bus systems. It provides important theoretical support and practical guidance for depot design and resource scheduling in low-carbon public transportation networks. Full article

In this work, the light curve of the Seyfert galaxy Mrk 6 constructed from photometric observations in the B, V, and $R_{\mathrm{c}}$ filters over the period from 5 April 2016 to 1 February 2026 is presented and analyzed. Over the entire monitoring interval (2016–2026), the variability amplitude of the light curve reaches $\mathrm{\Delta }B=1.9$ mag, $\mathrm{\Delta }V=1.5$ mag, and $\mathrm{\Delta }{R}_{\mathrm{c}}=1.4$ mag. During 2024–2026, the galaxy exhibits synchronous photometric variability in the B, V, and $R_{\mathrm{c}}$ filters with an amplitude of ∼0.3 mag. The study also uses spectroscopic observations obtained on 15 and 22 November 2025 and 16 February 2026 at the Shamakhy Astrophysical Observatory (Azerbaijan), as well as on 9 January 2026 at the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute (Kazakhstan). The fluxes in the H$\beta$ emission line were calibrated using the [O III] $\lambda 5007$ Å line, ensuring consistent relative calibration of the spectral data. A comparison of the optical spectra reveals a pronounced transformation of the H$\beta$ line profile between November 2025 and January 2026. The broad component, clearly present in November 2025, becomes strongly suppressed and nearly disappears in January 2026, while the narrow emission lines remain stable. This behavior is consistent with a changing-look transition, indicating a temporary weakening of the broad-line region emission. The radius of the broad-line region $R_{\mathrm{BLR}}$ was taken to be equal to the average time delays (lags), amounting to ≈20 light days for the H$\beta$ emission and ≈28 light days for the H$\alpha$. Full article

Agricultural enterprises serve as the cornerstone of food security. However, they operate under significant resource constraints and environmental risks. Adopting a systems lens, this study examines digitalization as a critical variable reshaping the input–output logic of agribusinesses. Using a longitudinal panel dataset of Chinese listed agricultural firms from 2013 to 2022 and Ordinary Least Squares regression, the study empirically identifies the mechanisms driving ESG performance. The results demonstrate that digitalization significantly enhances overall ESG performance, functioning as a governance mechanism that improves internal resource integration and transparency. Critically, the moderation analysis reveals a dynamic substitution relationship among system elements. Traditional inputs, specifically management expenses, financial slack, and intangible assets, exert significant negative moderating effects. This confirms the logic of factor substitution, suggesting that as digitalization advances, traditional governance modes relying on high administrative costs face diminishing marginal returns. In the environmental dimension, digitalization facilitates a transition from post-event remediation to whole-process control through intelligent traceability, effectively internalizing external constraints and reducing waste emissions. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis highlights significant structural variations. The ESG-enhancing effect of digitalization is more pronounced in firms characterized by high financial leverage, low long-term debt, and low industry concentration. Spatially, the marginal improvement is stronger in Western regions compared to the East, underscoring the Hu Huanyong Line as a critical structural boundary. Ultimately, digitalization serves as a core governance element that drives the structural transformation from traditional operating paradigms to digital governance architectures, thereby providing a robust pathway for corporate sustainability. Full article

Experimental studies on the spontaneous nucleon emission in nuclei around the drip line enable us to explore new isotopes or resonant states, and to reveal exotic structures and decay properties of nuclei located far from the $\mathsf{\beta }$ stability line; consequently, they are of critical importance for probing limits of nuclear stability and understanding nucleon–nucleon interactions under extreme conditions of isospin asymmetry. With the radioactive isotope beam ²⁰Mg provided by the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University, we studied the proton decays of nuclei around the proton drip line at $A\sim 20$ mass region. Complete-kinematics measurements were performed for proton decays of one-proton resonant states in ¹⁸Na, two-proton resonant states in ²⁰Mg, three-proton resonant states in ²¹Al, and four-proton resonant states in ¹⁸Mg, yielding decay energy spectra for all four nuclei. With the invariant mass method, the ground state of ¹⁸Na was firmly identified, clarifying previous ambiguities of its position. The isotope ¹⁸Mg, which is located two neutrons beyond the proton drip line, was experimentally observed for the first time. Multi-body correlation analysis of emitted protons from ²⁰Mg, ²¹Al, and ¹⁸Mg, combined with Monte Carlo simulations, reveals that the identified resonant states in ²⁰Mg and ²¹Al predominantly decay via two and three sequential steps of $1p$ emission, respectively, whereas the ¹⁸Mg ground state decays mainly through a two-step cascade of prompt $2p$ emission. Full article

Spatially resolved absolute intensities of the atomic lines $H_{\alpha }$, $H_{\beta }$, $H_{\gamma }$, and $H_{\delta }$ have been measured and analyzed in pure hydrogen plasma in the linear plasma device PSI-2. Two regimes have been investigated, with nominal (0.04 Pa) and elevated (0.5 Pa) gas pressure in the sample chamber. The measurements have been compared with local 0D calculations taking into account radiation from $H(n=1)$, $H_2$, and $H_2^{+}$ channels. A baseline plasma chemical mechanism developed in magnetic fusion research was applied to calculate the $H_2^{+}$ density. Both the plasma chemical mechanism and the population factors applied are based on Sawada–Fujimoto collision-radiative model of atomic and molecular hydrogen. The calculations were found to reproduce both the absolute radiation and the line radiation intensity ratios measured in the 0.04 Pa experiment with electron temperature $T_e$ = 2–10 eV and electron density ∼5 × 10¹⁷ m⁻³. An exception is the $H_{\alpha }/H_{\gamma }$ intensity ratio, which tends to be overestimated by the model. The calculations suggest that the majority of the observed Balmer radiation in this regime is due to the $H_2^{+}$ channel. At the same time, both the applied simplified approach without detailed transport modeling and the baseline mechanism were found to be inappropriate for the 0.5 Pa experiment with reduced $T_e$ = 1–5 eV. This experimental regime can serve as a benchmark of more sophisticated hydrogen plasma models. Full article

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe infectious disease affecting cardiac valves (either native or prosthetic) or implantable cardiac devices, and it is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Recent data from the Global Burden of Disease study have shown a significant increase in both the incidence and mortality of IE. One-year mortality following diagnosis can reach up to 30%. IE can present with a wide range of clinical manifestations, and its course may be complicated by systemic embolic events or intracardiac complications such as abscess formation or prosthetic valve dehiscence. Echocardiography remains the first-line imaging modality; however, an integrated multimodality imaging approach is increasingly adopted in contemporary practice, incorporating both cardiac computed tomography and positron emission tomography. A multidisciplinary approach involving cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, internists, infectious disease specialists, and nuclear medicine physicians is often required to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of IE. The prognosis of infective endocarditis depends on early diagnosis, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and timely surgical intervention when indicated. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on IE, from pathophysiological insights to surgical strategies. It also focuses on practical recommendations to address the most pressing unmet clinical needs through a multidisciplinary approach. Full article

The management of hazardous municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues represents a critical challenge for sustainable development due to their increasing generation and environmental risk. At the same time, the cement industry faces urgent pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions associated with clinker production, creating a demand for alternative supplementary cementitious materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of valorising hazardous municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) air pollution control fly ash (EWC 19 01 07*) as a constituent of Portland composite cement, in line with circular economy principles and the need to reduce CO₂ emissions associated with clinker production. The investigated fly ash, originating from flue gas cleaning processes, is characterised by high alkalinity and elevated concentrations of heavy metals, which currently necessitate controlled landfilling. To enable its safe reuse, the ash was subjected to high-temperature thermal treatment following granulation and subsequently incorporated into cement formulations under semi-industrial conditions. Two Portland composite cements were produced with different ash contents, corresponding to CEM II/A-07 and CEM II/B-07, while a Portland cement manufactured from the same clinker was used as a reference material. The chemical and phase composition of the ash before and after thermal treatment was analysed using XRF and XRD, supported by SEM/EDS observations. The results demonstrate that thermal treatment at 1150 °C induces partial phase stabilisation of APC fly ash without full vitrification, allowing its integration into cement systems under semi-industrial conditions. The incorporation of ash significantly alters hydration behaviour through increased water demand governed by particle porosity, CaO-rich phase composition, and early ionic interactions in the pore solution, leading to reduced workability and mechanical performance. While immobilisation efficiencies exceeding 99.5% were achieved for most heavy metals due to precipitation and incorporation into hydration products, barium exhibited persistent leaching controlled by its solubility under highly alkaline conditions and limited incorporation into C–S–H phases. These findings define both the technological feasibility and the key environmental constraints of APC fly ash utilisation in Portland composite cement. From a sustainability perspective, the proposed approach contributes to the reduction in hazardous waste landfilling and supports clinker substitution in cement production. The results demonstrate the potential of integrating waste management and low-carbon material design within a circular economy framework while highlighting current environmental limitations related to barium leaching. Full article

Historically, the electricity sector in Greece was based on local lignite, which provided a stable and affordable base for electricity production. However, current European policy directions, including decarbonization and climate neutrality by 2050, have accelerated the transformation of traditional energy models, resulting in a gradual phasing-out of fossil fuels and an increasing integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). In line with EU policy priorities and in light of the new dynamics shaped by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), lignite gradually became unprofitable for the national economy, leading the Greek government to announce an accelerated lignite phase-out plan. However, the phase-out of domestic lignite, although consistent with climate objectives, rapidly increased the country’s energy dependency on natural gas and its exposure to natural gas price volatility. At the same time, increased investment in solar and wind technologies has reshaped the electricity mix; yet market design, limited system flexibility and inadequate infrastructure and storage capacity have not allowed the full utilization of RES benefits. This structural gap, in turn, raises critical questions about resilience and affordability. The paper provides evidence on these issues and offers a critical evaluation of the decarbonization pathway that has reshaped the country’s energy dependency. Full article