Search Results (649)

The fractional thermoelasticity theory is presented for the thermal response of a circular cylinder. The basic equations of the cylinder are derived from a fractional theory in the context of the generalized Lord and Shulman theory. It is taken into consideration the variable thermal conductivity of the circular cylinder. A temperature-mapping function is used for this purpose. The cylinder is subjected to an exponential decay of temperature mapping over time at its outer surface. The governing equations are solved by using the Laplace transform technique, and its inversion is carried out numerically. Numerical outcomes are computed and represented graphically for the field variables along the radial direction of the cylinder. The effects of many parameters on all thermoelastic fields are investigated. The analysis highlights the relationship between the field quantities and the radial direction of the circular cylinder, the impact of the exponential decay time, the impact of the thermal conductivity parameter, the inclusion of the fractional parameter, and the difference between the refined thermoelasticity theories. Full article

A two-year (2023–2024) multifactorial field study was conducted under the agro-climatic conditions of Northern Kazakhstan, with the objective of refining cultivation practices for hayfields of perennial legumes and grasses, including alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and sainfoin (Onobrychis arenaria Kit). The elements targeted for optimization included the species composition and component ratios in the mixtures, as well as the regimes of pre-sowing and foliar applications of growth regulators (AminoMax, Black Jak, Miller Start, Lider-S). The integrated experimental design accounted for laboratory and field germination, biometric parameters (plant height, leafiness), phenophase dynamics, autumn survival and overwintering, indicators of photosynthetic activity, as well as yields of green biomass and dry matter, and chemical composition (crude protein, fiber, ash, fat, and nitrogen-free extract). Grass–legume mixtures ensured more stable progression of phenophases, improved overwintering, and enhanced protein value compared to monocultures; the inclusion of sainfoin contributed to improved forage quality without compromising yield. Growth regulators promoted accelerated initial plant development and enhanced the intensity of net photosynthetic productivity. The greatest effect of application was observed in the grass component with Miller Start, whereas in the legume species it was most pronounced with AminoMax. The results of the study revealed that the optimal proportion of legumes in the forage mixtures is 30–40%. Under contrasting hydrothermal conditions, the yield of fresh and dry matter ranged from 4.19 to 4.81 t ha⁻¹ and 1.27–1.51 t ha⁻¹ (2023) to 10.43–14.46 t ha⁻¹ and 3.05–4.63 t ha⁻¹ (2024). The greatest effect was observed with Miller Start and AminoMax treatments (p < 0.05), whereas the action of Black Jak and Lider-S was moderate, confirming differences in their mechanisms of action under contrasting weather conditions. Full article

Background: Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique providing high-resolution en-face and cross-sectional views of the epidermis and superficial dermis for in vivo characterisation of actinic keratosis (AK), Bowen’s disease (BD) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Despite its promise, standardised imaging protocols are lacking. Objective: This systematic review aims to assess the utility of LC-OCT for diagnosing AK, BD and SCC, with particular emphasis on workflow optimisation and protocol standardisation. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases (January 2018–October 2024). Two reviewers independently screened the records, extracted data and applied the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (CERQual) framework to assess confidence in key findings. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. LC-OCT reliably identified key histopathological correlates. Across studies, LC-OCT consistently visualised hyperkeratosis, keratinocytic atypia, parakeratosis, and acanthosis, as well as characteristic vascular alterations and dermal remodeling. LC-OCT also demonstrated its capacity to detect invasive features by revealing disruptions in the dermo-epidermal junction and the presence of tumour strands infiltrating the dermis. Multimodal imaging combined with technical optimisations such as minimal probe pressure, paraffin oil coupling, and dermoscopy-guided localisation, substantially improved image resolution and interobserver concordance. Conclusions: This systematic review provides a basis for establishing standardised LC-OCT imaging protocols in keratinocytic tumours. While LC-OCT shows promise as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, further multicenter studies are needed to refine imaging workflows and evaluate the integration of artificial intelligence-based analysis to improve diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility. Full article

Coastal boulder deposits (CBDs) are among the most striking geomorphic signatures of extreme wave activity, recording the action of both tsunamis and severe storms. Their significance extends beyond geomorphology, providing geological archives that capture rare but high-impact events beyond the scope of instrumental or historical records. This review critically examines the origins, emplacement mechanisms, diagnostic morphology, monitoring tools, and global case studies of CBDs with the aim of clarifying the storm–tsunami debate and advancing their application in coastal hazard assessment. A systematic literature survey of 77 peer-reviewed studies published between 1991 and 2025 was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science, with inclusion criteria ensuring relevance to extreme-wave processes, geomorphic analysis, and chronological methods. Multiproxy approaches were emphasized, integrating geomatics (RTK-GPS, UAV-SfM, TLS, LiDAR), geochronology (¹⁴C, U–Th, OSL, cosmogenic nuclides, VRM), and hydrodynamic modeling. Findings show that tsunamis explain the largest and most inland megaclasts, while modern storms have proven capable of mobilizing boulders exceeding 200 t at elevations up to 30 m. Many deposits are polygenetic, shaped by successive high-energy events, complicating binary classification. CBDs emerge as multifaceted archives of extreme marine forcing, essential for refining hazard assessments in a changing climate. Full article

As global urbanization accelerates and the challenges of an aging population and climate change intensify, the need for sustainable and inclusive urban design has never been more pressing. This study examines the intersection of low-carbon strategies and age-friendly walking environments, focusing on how collaborative approaches can optimize community spaces for elderly mobility while meeting sustainability goals. A comprehensive literature review, systematically conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, examines the role of walking networks, green spaces, and public facilities in creating low-carbon, accessible, and health-enhancing environments. The research reveals a gap in integrating low-carbon goals with elderly mobility needs, stressing the importance of collaborative governance in urban planning. This collaborative synergy—combining community input, urban policy, and low-carbon design solutions—can create environments that not only reduce emissions but also enhance elderly well-being. By exploring the synergies between these elements, the study proposes a framework for collaborative urban planning that ensures both environmental sustainability and the well-being of elderly populations. The results suggest that integrating low-carbon principles with age-friendly design can simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life for elderly residents. Future research should focus on refining this framework and addressing the barriers to effective collaboration in urban planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based practices for early cerebral palsy (CP) diagnosis and treatment are well established, their implementation remains inconsistent across care settings. This study sought to identify key research priorities related to early CP diagnosis and treatment and to develop an actionable framework through multi-collaborator consensus building. Methods: The 97 adult participants included 42 who have lived experience with CP. Before the conference, participants completed a survey rating the importance of research topics. During the conference, aggregated results were presented, followed by 16 focus group discussions to refine research priorities. A follow-up survey was conducted to validate the final priorities. Results: Six actionable items were identified: improving diagnosis communication, ensuring early referrals and interdisciplinary collaboration, creating inclusive education and training, scaling evidence-based therapies and researching new interventions, developing social support systems, and advocating for policy and cultural change. A research framework was developed that outlines how these priorities can be addressed through three main strategies: education and training, research expansion, and policy advocacy. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical need for comprehensive and compassionate care for families receiving a CP diagnosis. Key priorities include early detection, coordinated multidisciplinary teams, and well-trained professionals delivering evidence-based interventions. The comprehensive framework addressing these priorities lays the foundation for future patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Malignant pleural effusion is a common and distressing complication of advanced cancer, often resulting in severe symptoms such as dyspnoea, which significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of talc slurry pleurodesis as a palliative treatment for recurrent malignant pleural effusion and examines predictive factors for pleurodesis success and survival. Methods: A single-centre cohort study was conducted at the Thoracic Surgery Department of the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo between April 2022 and March 2024. The study included adult patients with recurrent and symptomatic malignant pleural effusion who met specific inclusion criteria for performing pleurodesis. Patients were followed prospectively with routine clinical evaluations until the conclusion of the study on 9 September 2024. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to evaluate the success of pleurodesis and its associated outcomes. Results: The study shows a success rate of 84.6% at 30 days post-procedure, with 57.6% achieving complete success and 42.4% partial success. Talc slurry pleurodesis was associated with minimal complications, with chest pain and fever being the most common adverse effects. The most significant predictors of survival post-pleurodesis identified were the Karnofsky Performance Status score and serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Patients with higher Karnofsky Performance Status scores and lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios had improved survival outcomes. Conclusions: This study suggests that talc slurry pleurodesis is an effective and safe option for managing malignant pleural effusions in patients with low-performance status, offering symptom relief and potentially extending survival in certain patients. Further research is required to refine predictive models for treatment success. Full article

The steel industry is responsible for 7–9% of global CO₂ emissions. Shifting from primary iron ore to recycled scrap in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking offers significant decarbonization potential, reducing carbon intensity by 60–70%. However, increased scrap use in EAF operations leads to higher nitrogen absorption, which can degrade mechanical properties. Nitrogen dissolves into molten steel, where it forms Cottrell atmospheres at dislocations in the following processing steps, intensifying strain aging and reducing ductility. This study establishes a precipitation criterion based on the TiN solubility product to prevent harmful liquid TiN formation, enabling effective nitrogen fixation via fine TiN precipitates (5–20 nm). Multiscale characterization techniques, such as TEM and EBSD, show that Ti reduces the number of mobile N atoms by 60–70%, evidenced by a 50–65% decrease in Snoek/SKK peak intensities. Excessive titanium can refine ferrite grain size and prevents harmful TiN inclusions. Titanium microalloying presents a cost-effective, sustainable strategy to reduce strain aging in scrap-rich EAF steels, enabling more sustainable steel production without sacrificing material properties. Full article

The evolving bitumen market is increasingly complex due to variations in crude sources and transitions in refining processes, affecting the properties of bitumen. Unexpected additions of materials to alter bitumen’s properties could occur, where traditional PEN grade testing fails to detect modifications by inclusion of, for example, Re-refined Engine Oil Bottoms. This is the first study to comprehensively compare REOBs from European vs. North American sources and assess their effects on binder performance in a unified framework, performed by assessing the REOB-modified binders by identification, stability, compatibility, ageing susceptibility, and low-temperature properties. Two series of REOB-modified bitumen were prepared by blending 5, 10, and 15 wt.% REOB into hard grade bitumen. Results showed increased carbonyl formations (likely caused by lubricant additives) and phase instability during storage which can be attributed to saturates exudation. Rheological assessment demonstrated that REOB softens bitumen, although ageing causes a pronounced gain in stiffness. Low temperature rheological measurements showed that REOB-modified bitumen is prone to brittle fracture, suggesting a loss of relaxation properties. This study highlights that REOB is a material of inconsistent nature, with complex interactions with molecular groups of the base bitumen, causing increased ageing, phase instability, and brittle fracture susceptibilities. Full article

Background: Bone defects resulting from trauma, infection, or benign tumors pose major challenges in orthopedic surgery. Traditional approaches, such as autologous bone grafting, are limited by donor site morbidity and graft availability. CERAMENT™, a synthetic bone substitute composed of calcium sulfate and hydroxyapatite, offers an alternative with osteoconductive properties, controlled resorption, and injectability. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus through 3 July 2025, using the terms “CERAMENT™” and “Orthopedics.” Studies were selected based on the PICO framework, focusing on clinical applications of CERAMENT™ in human orthopedic procedures. Results: Out of 480 initial records, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. CERAMENT™ demonstrated favorable outcomes in a range of orthopedic settings. In the CERTiFy trial, it was non-inferior to autologous grafting in tibial plateau fractures. CERAMENT™ achieved full wound healing and bone remodeling in chronic osteomyelitis. Additional studies reported positive outcomes in tumor-related defect reconstruction, spinal augmentation, and foot and ankle surgery, highlighting reduced surgical morbidity and faster recovery. Conclusions: CERAMENT™ offers a versatile, effective solution for bone reconstruction across multiple orthopedic domains. Its clinical performance, ease of use, and antimicrobial capabilities support its integration into routine orthopedic practice. Further research may refine its indications and long-term benefits. Full article

The use of nanomaterials (NMs) in 3D printing concrete (3DPC) has shown significant advancements in enhancing both fresh and hardened properties. This review finds that their inclusion in printable concrete has altered the rheological properties of the mix by promoting thixotropy, extrudability, and buildability while simultaneously refining the microstructure to enhance mechanical strength. Studies further highlight that these additives impart functional properties, such as the photocatalytic activity of nano-TiO₂, which enables self-cleaning ability and assists pollutant degradation. At the same time, carbon-based materials enhance electrical conductivity, thereby facilitating the development of innovative and multifunctional structures. Such incorporation also mitigates anisotropy by filling voids, creating crack-bridging networks, and reducing pore interconnectivity, thereby improving load distribution and structural cohesion in printed structures. Integrating topology optimisation with 3DPC has the potential to enable efficient material usage. Thus, it enhances both sustainability and cost-effectiveness. However, challenges such as efficient dispersion, agglomeration, energy-intensive production processes, high costs, and ensuring environmental compatibility continue to hinder their widespread adoption in concrete printing. This article emphasises the need for optimised NM dosages, effective dispersion techniques, and standardised testing methods, as well as sustainability considerations, for adapting NMs in concrete printing. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) drive economic growth but face barriers in adopting AI for creative digital marketing, particularly in underserved U.S. markets. This study investigates an AI-driven unified advisory platform to enable strategic digital marketing in these communities. Integrating modules such as MarketRadar (customer insights, benchmarking) with StrategicCoaching and ComplianceTools, it supports data-driven campaign design, pricing, and engagement. Using mixed methods, we interviewed 13 SME owners/managers in Houston’s underserved neighborhoods and surveyed 172 platform users across three U.S. states. Results show that SMEs using multiple modules achieved higher customer acquisition and revenue than standalone users, with qualitative insights revealing creative repositioning and refinement despite limited budgets. Trust elements like PeerBenchmarks and ComplianceAlerts boosted uptake. Our study advances digital marketing literature by evidencing how AI platforms and cross-module collaboration catalyze innovation, decision-making, and sustainable growth in U.S. contexts, with caution for broader extrapolation. It offers recommendations for policymakers and SaaS providers on inclusive transformation in resource-constrained settings. Full article

Background: Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy couples direct tumor lysis with systemic immune priming, yet clinical benefit remains heterogeneous and the predictive biomarker landscape is poorly defined. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the efficacy and safety of OV therapy in solid tumors and to synthesize current evidence on response-modulating biomarkers. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, ProQuest and Scopus were searched from inception to May 2025. Phase II–III randomized trials of genetically engineered or naturally occurring OV reporting objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) or biomarker data were eligible. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (OR) were pooled with random-effects models; heterogeneity was assessed with I² statistics. Qualitative synthesis integrated genomic, immunologic and microbiome biomarkers. Results: Thirty-six trials encompassing around 4190 patients across different tumor types met inclusion criteria. Compared with standard therapy, OV-based regimens significantly improved ORR nearly three-fold (pooled OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.85–4.16), prolonged PFS by 11% (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.80–0.99) and reduced mortality by 16% (OS HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72–0.97; I² = 59%). Benefits were most pronounced in melanoma (ORR 26–49%; OS HR 0.57–0.79) and in high-dose vaccinia virus for hepatocellular carcinoma (HR = 0.39). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events were not increased versus control (risk ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.89–1.24); common toxicities were transient flu-like symptoms and injection-site reactions. Biomarker synthesis revealed that high tumor mutational burden, interferon-pathway loss-of-function mutations, baseline CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration, post-OV upregulation of IFN-γ/PD-L1, and favorable gut microbial signatures correlated with response, whereas intact antiviral signaling, immune-excluded microenvironments and myeloid dominance predicted resistance. Conclusions: OV therapy confers clinically meaningful improvements in tumor response, PFS and OS with a favorable safety profile. Integrating composite genomic–immune–microbiome biomarkers into trial design is critical to refine patient selection and realize precision viro-immunotherapy. Future research should prioritize biomarker-enriched, rational combination strategies to overcome resistance and extend benefit beyond melanoma. Full article

With the designation of the first cohort of national parks and the continued operation of remaining pilots, China’s national park reform has entered a critical stage requiring consolidation and adaptive improvement. A key challenge lies in the ambiguous status of five pilot zones, which lack a standardized evaluation mechanism to guide decisions on future inclusion or exit. This study develops a comprehensive indicator system specifically tailored to assess the construction and development of national park pilots, thereby supporting evidence-based governance beyond initial entry criteria. Drawing on relevant theories and China’s institutional context, the framework employs Analytic Hierarchy Process, expert consultation, and fuzzy scoring to determine indicator weights and evaluation standards. The resulting system integrates three dimensions—ecological protection system, management system, and public service system. Nanshan National Park was selected as a case study, scoring 87.77 in 2024 (Class II, “Proficient”), with strong overall performance but notable weaknesses in landscape connectivity, recreational product diversity, and regional integration. These findings suggest the need for targeted improvements in ecological corridors, service enrichment, and community benefit-sharing. Overall, the proposed framework provides a replicable tool for evaluating pilot zones, offering practical insights for refining China’s national park development and enhancing governance effectiveness. Full article

In pigeon farming, manure cleaning is predominantly manual, a method that is both slow and costly, and exposes workers to harsh conditions. Addressing these challenges, this paper introduces a cleaning robot for pigeon farms utilizing magnetic strip navigation combined with RFID signal recognition and derives the magnetic-navigation control model. This method can improve operational stability and accuracy. Given the farm’s unstable environment, a control algorithm based on fuzzy PID with Kalman filtering was developed. This algorithm mitigates input disturbances and measurement noise by integrating Kalman filtering into the fuzzy PID feedback loop, thereby refining signal accuracy. Numerical simulations conducted in Matlab/Simulink demonstrate that the inclusion of Kalman filtering reduces the time of target signal tracking by nearly 1 s compared to fuzzy PID and by almost 2 s relative to standard PID under identical disturbances. Experimental tests confirm that this algorithm significantly improves the robot’s operational stability and reduces magnetic-navigation deviation, underscoring its advancement and practicality over traditional PID and fuzzy PID methods. Full article