Search Results (3,101)

In this study, we study the trapping of linear water waves by infinite arrays of three-dimensional fixed periodic structures in a three-layer fluid. Each layer has an independent uniform velocity field with respect to the fixed ground in addition to the internal modes along the interfaces between layers. Dynamical stability between velocity shear and gravitational pull constrains the layer velocities to a neighbourhood of the diagonal $U_1=U_2=U_3$ in velocity space. A non-linear spectral problem results from the variational formulation. This problem can be linearized, resulting in a geometric condition (from energy minimization) that ensures the existence of trapped modes within the limits set by stability. These modes are solutions living the discrete spectrum that do not radiate energy to infinity. Symmetries reduce the global problem to solutions in the first octant of the three-dimensional velocity space. Examples are shown of configurations of obstacles which satisfy the stability and geometric conditions, depending on the values of the layer velocities. The robustness of the result of the vertical column from previous studies is confirmed in the new configurations. This allows for comparison principles (Cavalieri’s principle, etc.) to be used in determining whether trapped modes are generated. Full article

This study focuses on the long-standing issue of θ-assignment in the generative enterprise literature. Despite the asymmetry of θ-assignment regarding structural positions (Head–Complement/Specifier–Head) being sanctioned by the Duality of Semantics, I argue that it is possible to eliminate the asymmetry in full accordance with third-factor principles by proposing two independent frameworks. In the first framework, I propose that θ-assignment is executed by applying Minimal Search to locate the assigner and the assignee, where both the external argument and the internal argument receive the θ-role in the same way. In the second framework, which does not hinge on the assumptions or results of the first one, I propose that θ-assignment is a postsyntactical operation; thus, the Duality of Semantics, as well as concepts like θ-assignment in the syntax or θ-position, may be disregarded. For a proper θ-interpretation to be possible, the assigner and the assignee must be in the same transfer domain. Nonetheless, the empirical coverage of the Duality of Semantics is largely retained, suggesting merge can and must be simplest with respect to θ. Full article

This review focuses on CRISPR genome editing technology, particularly its application in the study of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii). It first elaborates on the basic principles and mechanisms of CRISPR–Cas9 technology, base editors, and prime editors. Then, it explores the application of this technology in M. rosenbergii breeding, including improving growth rate, enhancing disease resistance, and sex control. Additionally, it introduces the progress of genome editing technology in M. rosenbergii, epidemiology and pathogenesis, diagnostic techniques, analyzes the opportunities and challenges it faces, reviews the historical evolution, and looks ahead to future development directions. CRISPR technology has brought new opportunities to the research and industrial development of M. rosenbergii, but it also needs to address numerous technical and safety challenges. Full article

Biographies of Max Wilson and Gunnar Jungner were published in 2017 and 2020. An in-depth appreciation of the Wilson and Jungner principles, and the publication they were presented in, ‘Principles and Practice of Screening for Disease’, published as nr. 34 in the Public Health Paper-series of the World Health Organisation (W.H.O), called PHP-34 hereafter, was not published as yet. Here an analysis is given of PHP-34 and the ten screening principles, focusing on three subjects. First, by careful analysis of PHP-34, the literature published in the peer reviewed scientific literature, and other sources, the historical background and origin of the ten principles is determined. Second, the precise composition of PHP-34 is described, as parts of the monograph were derived from other seminal works published between roughly 1950 and 1965. Third, it is determined what the contributions of both authors of the monograph were. Results together are discussed in relation to the time PHP-34 was conceptualized and the importance of PHP-34 and the ten principles in the current era. Results show that in the 15 years preceding the publication of PHP-34, many principles of screening were published by authors in the United States of America, a selection of which ended up in PHP-34. Secondly, about 33% of the 145 pages of PHP-34 are drawn from other publications and studies on screening. Thirdly, the case can be made that the actual writing of PHP-34 was done (almost) entirely by Wilson. Regardless, Wilson and Jungner to this day should be applauded for their work. It is a testimony to the value of PHP-34 that we are still reflecting upon, discussing and seeking to intelligently apply the screening principles almost 60 years after their original publication. Full article

Relational thinking, as both an ontological and epistemological approach, is inherently intertwined with the discipline of architecture. Yet, despite its growing visibility in the information age, its conceptual depth and theoretical implications remain systematically underexplored within architectural discourse. This study investigates how relational thinking is reflected in 21st-century architecture by analyzing the relevant literature and identifying both commonalities and divergences. Methodologically, the research follows a qualitative framework structured in three phases. First, 40 texts engaging with relationality in architecture were systematically selected via JSTOR and SCOPUS using the PRISMA protocol. Second, a descriptive content analysis was conducted, resulting in five thematic clusters: theoretical, methodological, technological, ecological, and social. Finally, an interpretive synthesis was developed by analyzing the convergence and divergence across these clusters. The findings demonstrate that relational thinking in architecture manifests through complex, multi-scalar integrations of knowledge, practice, and context. Each cluster foregrounds specific aspects of relationality, yet their overlaps reveal underlying patterns of cross-disciplinary resonance. This study suggests that relational thinking is reshaping architectural epistemology—moving it beyond static, form-based paradigms toward dynamic, interconnected systems thinking. These insights underline the necessity of further theoretical engagement with relationality as a core principle of contemporary architectural knowledge. Full article

The structural, elastic, electronic, magnetic, and half-metallic properties of full-Heusler ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiSi and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiGe compounds were investigated using first-principles calculations. Among the studied configurations, the cubic XA structures in the ferromagnetic state for both compounds are the most stable. They exhibit mechanical stability, elastic anisotropy, and ductility. Compared to ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiGe, ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiSi demonstrates higher stability, stronger anisotropy, greater brittleness, higher Debye and melting temperatures, and a smaller Grüneisen parameter. Both compounds exhibit metallic majority-spin channels and semiconducting minority-spin channels. At the equilibrium lattice constant, ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiSi and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiGe exhibit half-metallic gaps of 0.141 eV and 0.179 eV, respectively. Both compounds exhibit 100% spin-polarization ratio in specific lattice constant ranges. The total magnetic moment per formula unit (3.000 ${\mu }_{\mathrm{B}}$) follows the generalized Slater–Pauling rule and depends on Fe atomic magnetic moments. These properties indicate that ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiSi and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_2$LiGe hold promise for spintronic applications. Full article

The environmental impact of first-generation biodiesel production, particularly deforestation and soil degradation caused by palm and soybean cultivation, has raised concerns about sustainability. In contrast, second-generation biodiesel utilizes waste as feedstock, offering a more sustainable alternative. Used cooking oil (UCO), a significant waste stream, represents a viable feedstock for biodiesel production, reducing pollution and mitigating economic, environmental, and social challenges. While Europe has demonstrated successful UCO waste management strategies, many regions lack efficient systems, leading to improper disposal that causes water eutrophication, soil degradation, and increased wastewater treatment costs. This study develops a comprehensive strategy for UCO management to optimize its energy potential in biodiesel production, using Barranquilla, Colombia, as a case study. Transesterification, identified as the most efficient conversion method, achieves conversion rates of up to 90%. A pilot project in the Barranquilla area estimates that 963,070.95 kg of UCO is generated annually, with the potential to produce 902,108.56 kg of biodiesel. These findings contribute to the advancement of circular economy principles, offering an adaptable framework for sustainable biofuel production in other regions. Full article

Group IV element-based topological semimetals (TSMs) are pivotal for next-generation quantum devices due to their ultra-high carrier mobility and low-energy consumption. However, germanium (Ge)-based TSMs remain underexplored despite their compatibility with existing semiconductor technologies. Here, we propose a novel I229-Ge₄₈ allotrope constructed via bottom-up cluster assembly that exhibits a unique porous spherical Fermi surface and strain-tunable topological robustness. First-principles calculations reveal that I229-Ge₄₈ is a topological nodal line semimetal with exceptional mechanical anisotropy (Young’s modulus ratio: 2.27) and ductility (B/G = 2.21, ν = 0.30). Remarkably, the topological property persists under spin-orbit coupling (SOC) and tensile strain, while compressive strain induces a semiconductor transition (bandgap: 0.29 eV). Furthermore, I229-Ge₄₈ demonstrates strong visible-light absorption (10⁵ cm⁻¹) and a strong strain-modulated infrared response, surpassing conventional Ge allotropes. These findings establish I229-Ge₄₈ as a multifunctional platform for strain-engineered nanoelectronics and optoelectronic devices. Full article

The quality of living environments for older adults represents a critical component of social sustainability in an ageing society. Among various housing options, nursing homes are the most institutionalised form of elderly care and demand special attention regarding architectural design. This paper explores the impact of architectural and open space features on social sustainability in living environments for older adults. A comparative analysis of three Slovenian nursing homes is presented. The first two, built in the post-war period, were based on elevated architectural criteria inspired by Swedish human-centred housing design. The third was completed in 2021 in the post-COVID-19 era, which revealed the vulnerability of such housing typologies. An integrated methodological framework was developed by applying two complementary assessment tools: the Safe and Connected, developed by the authors to evaluate the spatial, health, and social resilience of nursing home environments, and the Well-being and Integration, addressing the role of open space with a particular emphasis on the identification of older adults with their environment and the facilitation of social resilience. Both tools evaluate indicators linked to the social dimension of quality of life for older adults. The results show a gradual improvement in architectural quality from the 1960s to the 1980s, followed by a partial decline in the contemporary case. The Swedish example scored highest across both tools. In contrast, the newest Slovenian facility scored surprisingly low in social integration, highlighting critical gaps in current nursing home design. This study demonstrates the value of applying interdisciplinary, tool-based evaluations in identifying design strategies that foster resilient and inclusive LTC environments, and the proposed framework may serve as a decision-making aid for architects, planners, and policymakers. This research highlights the importance of reintroducing human-oriented design principles to support socially sustainable nursing home environments. Full article

The thermal environment problem is one of the main focuses of current urban environment research. At present, there are various methods used in urban space thermal environment (USTE) research. As a simulation method to quantify the USTE, the urban weather generator (UWG) has undergone great development and achieved many progressive results. It is necessary to establish and review its current research status by synthesizing UWG multi-scale applications. This review adopts a literature review approach, leveraging the Web of Science Core Collection to obtain previous relevant publications from 2010 to 2025 using “urban weather generator” and “thermal environment” as keywords. The literature is categorized by research themes, including model development, parameter optimization, and application cases. Through innovative analyses of spatio-temporal-scale classification, parameter optimization, the integration of anthropogenic heat emissions, and the multi-domain simulation potential of the UWG, this review synthesizes the application outcomes of the UWG model in multi-scale research, addressing gaps in current urban climate studies. The paper aims to elaborate and analyze the model’s current research status considering the following six aspects. First, the basic parameters in UWG simulation are introduced, including the data and parameter determination settings used in such simulations. Secondly, we introduce the simulation model and its basic principles, the simulation process, and the main steps of this process. Third, we classify and define UWG simulations of spatial thermal environments at different time scales and spatial scales. Fourth, regarding how to improve the accuracy of the UWG model, the deterministic parameters and uncertainty parameters settings are analyzed, respectively. Then, the impacts of anthropogenic heat during the simulation process are also discussed. Fifth, the applications of the UWG model in some major fields and its possible future development directions are addressed. Finally, the existing problems are summarized, the future development trends are prospected, and research on possible expected mitigation measures for the USTE is described. Full article

Walter Henry Medhurst’s translation of The Shoo King (尚書/書經) represents the first complete English rendering of this classic Chinese text. However, limited attention has been given to how Medhurst navigated the tension between Confucian thought in The Shoo King and his own religious beliefs, as well as his treatment of this tension in comparison to James Legge, Joseph de Prémare, Walter Gorn Old, and his interpretation in contrast to Cai Shen’s annotated edition of The Shoo King. This study adopts a “history of the book” approach to examine how Medhurst, as a Protestant missionary, translated key Confucian anthropocentric concepts, including “Ren” (仁), the Doctrine of Mind-Nature, people-centered governance, and religious ideas related to the divine. Through extensive textual analysis and comparison with other scholars’ translations, this study finds that Medhurst adhered to the principle of textual fidelity, striving to minimize the interference of his religious stance with the original meaning of Confucian philosophy. His translation of terms varied according to the context, especially reflecting the shift in The Shoo King from the idea of “Heaven’s mandate is inviolable” to “Heaven is not trustworthy.” Additionally, he enhanced the communication of the original text’s meanings through paratextual elements such as illustrations and footnotes, while retaining Cai Shen’s historical background interpretations and significantly reducing the philological commentary, presenting a “concise and focused” annotation approach. These findings highlight Medhurst’s unique contribution to the cross-cultural transmission of the Confucian canonical text. Full article

III-Nitride semiconductors (BN, AlN, GaN, and InN) exhibit exceptional electronic and mechanical properties that render them indispensable for high-performance optoelectronic, power, and high-frequency device applications. This study implements first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate the influence of hydrostatic pressure on the electronic, elastic, and mechanical properties of these materials in the wurtzite crystallographic configuration. Our computational analysis demonstrates that the bandgap energy exhibits a positive pressure coefficient for GaN, AlN, and InN, while BN manifests a negative pressure coefficient consistent with its indirect-bandgap characteristics. The elastic constants and derived mechanical properties reveal material-specific responses to applied pressure, with BN maintaining superior stiffness across the pressure range investigated, while InN exhibits the highest ductility among the studied compounds. GaN and AlN demonstrate intermediate mechanical robustness, positioning them as optimal candidates for pressure-sensitive applications. Furthermore, the observed nonlinear trends in elastic moduli under pressure reveal anisotropic mechanical responses during compression, a phenomenon critical for the rational design of strain-engineered devices. The computational results provide quantitative insights into the pressure-dependent behavior of III-N semiconductors, facilitating their strategic implementation and optimization for high-performance applications in extreme environmental conditions, including high-power electronics, deep-space exploration systems, and high-pressure optoelectronic devices. Full article

The seismicity levels in Oklahoma and southern Kansas have increased dramatically over the last 15 years. Past studies have identified the massive disposal of wastewater co-produced during oil and gas extraction as the driving force behind some earthquake clusters, with a small number of events directly linked to hydraulic fracturing (HF) stimulations. The present investigation is the first one to examine the role both of these activities played throughout the two states, under the same framework. Our findings confirm that wastewater disposal is the main causal factor, while also identifying several previously undocumented clusters of seismicity that were triggered by HF. We were able to identify areas where both causal factors spatially coincide, even though they act at distinct depth intervals. Overall, oil and gas operations are probabilistically linked at high confidence levels with more than 7000 felt earthquakes (M ≥ 2.5), including 46 events with M ≥ 4.0 and 4 events with M ≥ 5. Our analysis utilized newly compiled regional earthquake catalogs and established physics-based principles. It first hindcasts the seismicity rates after 2012 on a spatial grid using either real or randomized HF and wastewater data as the input, and then compares them against the null hypothesis of purely tectonic loading. In the end, each block is assigned a p-value, reflecting the statistical confidence in its causal association with either HF stimulations or wastewater disposal. Full article

In the field of mechanical motion, friction loss and material wear are common problems. As one of the essential components for enhancing the lubricating performance of gel-like lubricants, nano-additives leverage their unique physical and chemical properties to form an efficient protective film on friction surfaces. This effectively reduces friction resistance and inhibits wear progression, thereby playing a significant role in promoting energy conservation, emissions reduction, and the implementation of green development principles. This study first introduces the physical and chemical preparation processes of gel-like lubricant nanoadditives. It then classifies them (mainly based on metal bases, metal oxides, nanocarbon materials, and other nanoadditives). Then, the performance of gel-like lubricant nano-additives is evaluated (mainly in terms of anti-wear, friction reduction, oxidation resistance, and load carrying capacity), and the surface analysis technology used is described. Finally, we summarize the application scenarios of gel-like lubricant nano-additives, identify the challenges faced, and discuss future prospects. This study provides new insights and directions for the design and synthesis of novel gel-like lubricants with significant lubricating and anti-wear properties in the future. Full article

In this study, we aim to analyze the dispersion of ultrasonic waves due to second-gradient contributions and attenuation within the framework of continuum mechanics. To investigate dispersive behavior and attenuation effects, we consider the influence of both higher-order gradient terms (second gradients) and Rayleigh-type viscoelastic contributions. To this end, we employ the extended Rayleigh–Hamilton principle to derive the governing equations of the problem. Using a wave-form solution, we establish the relationship between the phase velocity and the material’s constitutive parameters, including those related to the stiffness of both standard (first-gradient) and second-gradient types, as well as viscosity. To validate the model, we use data available in the literature to identify all the material parameters. Based on this identification, we observe that our model provides a good approximation of the experimentally measured trends of both phase velocity and attenuation versus frequency. In conclusion, this result not only confirms that our model can accurately describe both wave dispersion and attenuation in a material, as observed experimentally, but also highlights the necessity of simultaneously considering both second-gradient and viscosity parameters for a proper mechanical characterization of materials. Full article