Search Results (129)

High-viscosity sodium alginate solutions (4.5% by mass, apparent viscosity 1 × 10⁴–2 × 10⁴ cP) are widely used in the preparation of hydrogels, wet spinning, and biomedical materials. Residual bubbles can cause internal voids in hydrogels, mechanical heterogeneity, fiber breakage during spinning, and reduced strength, and can severely affect the cell compatibility and clinical safety of biomaterials. Due to the difficulty of bubble migration, coalescence, and rupture in high-viscosity systems, traditional vacuum-standing degassing takes up to 24 h and is extremely inefficient, severely limiting the quality of subsequent processing. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel vacuum-assisted centrifugal recirculating degassing method for highly viscous sodium alginate solutions and aims to establish a kinetic framework for describing its overall degassing behavior. Using the number density of bubbles larger than 0.5 mm in diameter as an evaluation metric, we conducted vacuum-standing control experiments and univariate experiments with different screen mesh apertures (5, 1.5, 0.3, and 0.07 mm). We experimentally verified a continuous kinetic model of bubble number decay based on vacuum bubble expansion, centrifugally enhanced migration, and removal probability during the cycle. The results indicate that the bubble removal effect of 40 min of vacuum–centrifugal cyclic degassing is equivalent to that of 4 h of vacuum static settling, representing a 450% increase in degassing efficiency. There is an optimal range for a screen aperture, with the best degassing effect observed at 0.3 mm, achieving a bubble removal rate of 83.69%. The established kinetic model exhibits good fitting accuracy (RMSE = 0.17, MAPE = 5.9%) and can accurately predict degassing efficiency under different process conditions. This study provides a quantifiable, modelable, and optimizable process scheme for rapid degassing of high-viscosity sodium alginate solutions, and offers a theoretical reference for the development of degassing technologies for high-viscosity polysaccharide fluids. Full article

The ocean–atmosphere turbulent heat exchange plays a critical role in the energy and moisture budgets of the Tropical Atlantic Ocean (TAO) and in weather and climate forecasts. However, its estimation strongly depends on the choice of bulk parameterization, as direct in situ measurements are sparse. This study evaluates sensible (Hs) and latent (Hl) heat fluxes derived from three bulk parameterization schemes used operationally in models at the Brazilian Center for Weather Forecast and Climate Studies (CPTEC) of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil: the Brazilian Atmospheric Model (BAM), the Modular Ocean Model version 6 (MOM6), and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Using daily in situ observations from seven Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA) buoys across the TAO during 1997–2023, we computed monthly mean fluxes and compared them against the Coupled Ocean–atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) algorithm version 3.0b (COARE 3.0b) reference. COARE version 3.6 (COARE 3.6) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) Reanalysis 5th generation (ERA5) data were included as additional benchmarks. All offline schemes were forced with identical buoy data, isolating differences in internal physical assumptions. Hl is approximately one order of magnitude larger than Hs across all sites, and inter-scheme differences are substantially larger for Hl (±50 W∙m⁻²) than for Hs (±5 W∙m⁻²). All schemes reproduce the seasonal cycle linked to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) migration and trade-wind variability, with correlations generally exceeding 0.8 (p < 0.001) for most buoys. However, systematic magnitude biases remain. The Coordinated Ocean Research Experiments (CORE) bulk formulation implemented in MOM6 (MOM6-CORE) shows high temporal correlation (often r ≈ 1.0) but a persistent negative bias for both Hs and Hl (e.g., B1 Hl bias = −24.0 W∙m⁻²), indicating weaker turbulent exchange relative to COARE 3.0b. BAM overestimates Hs (by 1–3 W∙m⁻²) and underestimates Hl at most northern and southern sites, while the parametrization of the Yonsei University (YSU) implemented in the WRF model (WRF-YSU) amplifies Hs variability intermittently, particularly at the equator (B4). As expected, COARE 3.6 remains the closest to the reference (differences < 1 W∙m⁻² for Hs and <7 W∙m⁻² for Hl; r ≈ 0.99). ERA5 captures temporal variability well (r ≈ 0.7–0.9) but systematically overestimates Hl (positive bias up to +47.6 W∙m⁻² at B7), implying stronger evaporative cooling. Buoy-specific regimes modulate skill. The choice of bulk formulation thus remains a first-order source of uncertainty in turbulent heat flux estimates over the TAO, with direct implications for mixed-layer heat budgets, SST evolution, and coupled ocean–atmosphere variability. MOM6-CORE provides the most consistent performance relative to the COARE reference and emerges as the most robust option for operational applications at CPTEC/INPE. The findings also provide guidance for improving the representation of ocean–atmosphere turbulent exchanges in MONAN (Model for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Prediction), the new Brazilian Earth System Model under development for weather and climate prediction. Full article

Accurate online tracking of state of charge (SOC) inconsistency in lithium-ion battery packs is essential for safety. It is equally critical for effective battery management in real-world operation. To achieve robust performance in dynamic battery environments characterized by temperature fluctuations and cell aging, a method combining enhanced Rime optimized-unscented particle filter (ERIME-UPF) with cubature smooth variable structure filter-varying boundary layer (CSVSF-VBL) is proposed. The cell mean-difference model is used to simulate the behavior characteristics of the battery module, including the hysteresis effect dynamic migration model, and the Rint model. First, module SOC is estimated using an ERIME-UPF, which adaptively adjusts the noise covariances of UPF via the enhanced RIME optimizer. Simultaneously, CSVSF-VBL employs the Rint model to estimate cell SOC inconsistencies, incorporating capacity and internal resistance coefficients into the second-order performance chattering to better capture cell inconsistency. Experiments focus on LiFePO₄ batteries under various inconsistencies, temperature, and aging states. The results show that ERIME-UPF achieves an average mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.33% for module SOC estimation, while CSVSF-VBL achieves a peak MAE of 3.28% for cell SOC estimation. Demonstrating superior accuracy and robustness in tracking SOC inconsistency under dynamic and degraded operating conditions. Full article

Municipal leadership has become increasingly central to addressing global challenges such as war-related displacement, migration governance, and climate change, reflecting a broader shift toward polycentric and networked forms of multilateralism. This study examines how cities have expanded their international roles over the past decade, responding to governance gaps with pragmatic, people-centred action. Using a qualitative, theory-informed comparative case study design, it draws on three original case studies grounded in direct practitioner experience: European municipal cooperation supporting Ukraine during war; city engagement in shaping the Global Compact for Migration; and municipal leadership in advancing climate action and the emerging climate mobility agenda. Across these cases, the analysis identifies consistent patterns of multi-scalar municipal agency, including decentralized humanitarian action, norm-setting in international negotiations, and innovations in multilevel climate governance. Cities leverage transnational networks—such as the Mayors Migration Council and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group—to amplify political influence, exchange solutions, and secure resources, even as fiscal pressures and political polarization increasingly constrain local capacity. It concludes that cities are becoming important actors in shaping global governance, yet their effectiveness depends on institutionalized representation, enhanced fiscal autonomy, and stronger protections for local leaders. Embedding municipalities more fully within evolving multilateral architectures can better align global commitments with local implementation and improve the resilience and legitimacy of international policy coordination. Full article

This study examined the critical sustainability challenge of regional demographic decline in South Korea by analyzing how young people’s mobility decisions are intricately influenced by structurally and socially constructed meaning systems. Countering strictly economic deterministic views, this research posited that youth out-migration is a complex socio-cognitive process mediated by social representations of place—collectively constructed and circulated meanings attached to regions. Applying a secondary analysis of Q-sort data from 24 undergraduate students at a regional national university, the study integrated Q methodology with Social Representation Theory to systematically identify youth typologies regarding regional identity, territorial stigma, and local extinction. Participants sorted 44 statements encompassing place attachment, local consumption, cultural experiences, and policy effectiveness. Rigorous factor analysis revealed four distinct perception typologies: identity-based strategic mobility, conditional leaving based on internalized success norms, re-anchoring toward alternative lifestyles, and skeptical leaving rooted in profound institutional distrust. The findings empirically demonstrated that identical structural constraints can produce highly divergent mobility trajectories—ranging from active retention to complete resignation—depending entirely on the region’s socio-cognitive representation. This study demonstrates that local extinction is not merely a demographic condition, but a socially constructed framework of meaning and an object of social representation that shapes youth perception typologies and mobility judgments. Accordingly, moving beyond conventional technical interventions, meaning governance, and strategic communication are needed to help reimagine regional futures. Full article

This study examines the transformation of the Balaton region in Hungary from a traditional tourist destination into an international retirement migration destination for older adults from Western Europe. Migration theories and models are applied to illustrate the relationships between migration and development and to explore how tourism, lifestyle aspirations, and socio-economic factors influence the settlement decisions of older migrants. Empirical findings suggest that prior tourism experience can mitigate the uncertainty associated with migration and foster belonging. However, many retirees move to Hungary with limited knowledge of the country, relying on social networks and real estate agents for information. These retired migrants also utilize local services and infrastructure, including healthcare and community spaces, which shape their daily lives and help them integrate into the community. The migration of older adults stimulates the development of peripheral rural areas through real estate purchases, renovations, and small-scale entrepreneurial activities, particularly in the accommodation sector. This challenges the traditional perception of older-age migrants as inactive. Full article

This study integrates physical similarity experiments with numerical simulations to examine how overburden lithology influences roof caving behavior and stress field evolution at a longwall mining face. The results demonstrate that overburden strength significantly governs the timing, extent, and periodicity of roof caving, while also strongly affecting the evolution of mining-induced stress. As lithological strength increases, both damage and displacement within the overburden strata decrease. High-strength roofs exhibit larger caving step distances and longer stress accumulation periods. In contrast, low-strength roofs enter the plastic deformation stage earlier, leading to shorter caving step distances, more frequent caving events, and a wider caving range. During coal seam extraction, roof deformation is accompanied by stress concentration and release, which are processes that are closely associated with dynamic disasters. Due to their higher elastic modulus and compressive strength, high-strength rock strata can accumulate greater elastic strain energy prior to failure. Once instability occurs, the rapid release of stored energy leads to intense stress redistribution and dynamic loading. As lithological strength increases, the stress concentration shell evolves from an arch-shaped structure to a flatter configuration. This transition results in higher internal stress levels and stronger stress concentration, thereby increasing the risk of dynamic disasters such as impact instability. Therefore, maintaining the stability of the stress concentration shell and preventing its migration into deeper strata are essential for ensuring surrounding rock stability and safe mining operations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. This study aimed to identify mitochondrial-related prognostic genes and elucidate their functional mechanisms in HCC. Methods: Mitochondrial-related prognostic genes were screened from the TCGA and ICGC-LIHC cohorts. A prognostic risk model was constructed and validated in three external cohorts. Immunotherapy sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups was assessed using somatic mutation and immune infiltration analyses. Underlying molecular mechanisms were further validated through in vitro experiments in HCC cell lines. Results: Transcriptome analysis identified 15 mitochondrial-related prognostic genes, from which 10 candidates were refined using LASSO regression. Among them, LPCAT1 and MRPL9 were significantly associated with overall survival. The 2-MRG model (comprising LPCAT1 and MRPL9) demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy and better survival stratification across both internal and external cohorts. Functional enrichment analysis revealed significant metabolic dysfunction in the high-risk group. The high-risk group also exhibited a significantly higher tumor mutation burden and an enhanced predicted responsiveness to immunotherapy. In vitro, knockdown of MRPL9 or LPCAT1 inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells by inducing G1/S arrest and G2/M arrest, respectively. Moreover, they also suppressed the AKT phosphorylation. Conclusions: We developed a robust 2-MRG prognostic model based on LPCAT1 and MRPL9 that effectively predicts HCC outcomes and supports individualized therapeutic decision-making. Both genes promote HCC progression by modulating the AKT phosphorylation and cell-cycle checkpoints, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets. Full article

This study analyzes the performance of the double robust estimator to compute the treatment effect, not only at the mean but also in the tails in a Monte Carlo experiment. While previous research focused on shifting the regression component of the double robust estimator toward the tail, here we focus on the behavior of the propensity score away from the mean. Investigating the tails of the regression outcome allows for a closer look at the observations that are either highly or poorly responsive to treatment. Examining the tails of the propensity score distribution scrutinizes the observations with a higher or lower probability of being treated, which can be non-constant and even asymmetric. The goal is to assess the behavior of the double robust estimator when both components are computed away from the sample mean, in the tails of the treatment and control distributions. A case study on Italian education concludes the analysis. We find a positive double robust difference in higher education across regions, larger at the top location, due to the significant internal migration of qualified workers toward the northern regions. Women’s employment is higher for highly educated women, and gender has a significant impact: the analysis of the mismatch between probabilities and outcomes signals that women achieve higher education at rates exceeding their probabilities; they are more likely to exceed their predicted likelihood of attaining higher education. Full article

Existing studies have extensively investigated sand-rich shallow-water deltas. However, the sedimentary characteristics and internal architecture of mud-rich deltas remain poorly understood. In this study, two comparative flume experiments were conducted with sand–mud ratio as the key variable. High-resolution topographic data were acquired using a laser scanner to extract geometric parameters of the architectural elements. Three-dimensional architectural models were established and validated against the Ganjiang Delta (sand-rich) and the Ouchi River Delta (mud-rich) in China. The results reveal contrasting depositional styles: sand-rich deltas develop dense, laterally migrating braided channels with broad fan-shaped morphologies, forming blanket-like geometries that consist of vertically stacked and laterally amalgamated channel complexes with good connectivity; mud-rich deltas are characterized by stable channels with limited bifurcation, forming elongated finger-like morphologies with isolated, ribbon-like channel–mouth bar complexes that exhibit strong lateral heterogeneity and poor connectivity. These contrasting behaviors are governed by sediment cohesion: non-cohesive sands promote channel migration and dispersion, whereas cohesive silt and mud stabilize channels and focus sediment transport along main conduits. The experimental models successfully reproduce natural delta end-members, confirming the universal control of the sand–mud ratio. The established quantitative relationships provide a predictive basis for subsurface reservoir characterization and the formulation of differentiated development strategies. Full article

Particle migration is a pore-scale process that fundamentally controls pore-structure evolution and seepage behavior in granular porous media. This study investigates fine particles migration in coarse-grained sediments and its effects on pore structure and permeability by combining low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) experiments with coupled CFD–DEM simulations. The evolution of fine particles migration rate, porosity variation, and permeability was analyzed under different fluid injection velocities and fines concentrations. Higher injection velocities accelerate fines initiation and early-stage migration by increasing hydrodynamic drag forces, whereas their influence diminishes at later stages due to pore-structure confinement and localized particle retention. At a constant injection velocity, increasing fines concentration suppresses early fines mobilization owing to enhanced interparticle interactions and pore throat blockage. As seepage continues, progressive fines release and export enlarge pore space and enhance permeability. Spatial analyses reveal that fines migration is governed by localized retention and rearrangement within pore throats. Within the investigated parameter ranges and timescales, system evolution is dominated by internal erosion and pore unclogging rather than sustained macroscopic clogging. These results provide mechanistic experimental–numerical insight into fines migration and seepage stability in granular porous media, with direct relevance to hydrate-bearing sediments and other fine-sensitive geological systems. Full article

Earth–rock dams provide cost-effective flood control and water storage through the utilization of locally available materials, making them essential infrastructure for regional safety, agricultural development, and sustainability. Electrical resistivity methods offer an efficient, non-destructive means to detect internal defects and potential hazards within dam bodies, thereby supporting dam safety assessment and service life extension. In this review, we focus on sand and clay, the most commonly used materials in earth–rock dams. We summarize the main methods and instruments for measuring soil resistivity and comparatively analyze the applicability and limitations of different approaches. Emphasis is placed on the key factors influencing soil resistivity, and recent progress in modeling the resistivity of soil materials is reviewed. The results show that soil resistivity parameters can effectively characterize physical and mechanical properties, structural features, and moisture migration behavior, providing an important basis for soil property evaluation. However, current studies are largely based on macroscopic experiments, with limited investigation of microscopic mechanisms and a lack of unified testing standards, leading to discrepancies between theoretical models and measured data. In this review, we aim to provide a theoretical reference for research and engineering applications of resistivity characteristics in earth–rock dam materials. Full article

Emotional (mental) pain can precipitate a suicidal intention in humans. In contemporary society characterized by an increase in international migrations, the potential impact of immigration remains among the controversial and even quite complex topics in the sociology of suicidal behavior. In other respects, our understanding of the potential impact of immigration status on emotional pain in adults with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenic and comorbid substance use disorders remains unclear. This cross-sectional survey aimed to examine the potential impact of immigration status on the experience of emotional pain. All study participants (N = 93) gave written and signed consent before beginning to complete this individual survey. The analysis revealed significant main effects of both immigration and gender on emotional pain intensity, with the native-born and females reporting a higher intensity of emotional pain. However, no significant effects were found for immigration or gender concerning general self-efficacy. Additionally, significant interactions were found between immigration and gender for both emotional pain intensity and general self-efficacy, with native-born females exhibiting higher emotional pain intensity and general self-efficacy compared to non-native-born females. Regarding the unique contribution of general self-efficacy, the analysis showed that it (but not the lifetime patterns of psychoactive substance use) solely and significantly explained participants’ emotional pain intensity, with higher general self-efficacy associated with lower emotional pain. A mediation analysis revealed that general self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between immigration and emotional pain among females, but not males, suggesting that general self-efficacy played a key role in explaining how immigration influenced emotional pain for females with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenic and comorbid substance use disorders. This is the first evidence of the potential impact of immigration status on the experience emotional pain among adults with a dual diagnosis. The general self-efficacy played a key role in explaining how immigration status influenced current emotional pain for females, and not for males, with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenic and comorbid substance use disorders. Full article

Automated code translation plays an important role in improving software reusability and supporting system migration, particularly in scenarios where Python implementations need to be converted into efficient C++ programs. However, existing approaches often rely heavily on large external models or static inference pipelines, which limits their ability to improve translation quality over time.To address these challenges, this paper proposes ODEL, an On-Demand Experience-enhanced Learning framework for Python-to-C++ code translation. ODEL adopts a hybrid inference architecture in which a lightweight internal model performs routine translation, while a more capable external model is selectively invoked upon verification failure to conduct error analysis and generate structured experience records. These experience records are accumulated and reused across subsequent translation phases, enabling progressive improvement through a closed-loop workflow that integrates generation, verification, consideration, and experience refinement. Experiments on the HumanEval-X benchmark demonstrate that ODEL significantly improves translation accuracy compared with competitive baselines. Specifically, the framework increases Pass@1 from 71.82% to 81.10% and Pass@10 from 74.30% to 89.02%, and exhibits a consistent performance improvement across multiple translation phases. These results indicate that experience reuse within a continuous task stream can effectively enhance automated code translation without modifying model parameters. Full article

The present study explores the role of food as a symbolic, material, and relational device in identity construction and community processes. This study draws on a qualitative case study of a community-based social restaurant located in a mid-sized city in central-northern Italy. The initiative’s objective is to promote the social and labor inclusion of migrant women through training and experiential programs. The research, conducted over a period of nine months from October 2024 to June 2025, was based on a participatory qualitative design, which integrated semi-structured interviews, ecological maps, photointervention, world café, and affective cartography, involving 35 participants including operators, trainees, local community members, and politicians. The results demonstrate the multifaceted role of food practices at the restaurant, which serve to strengthen internal relationships, regulate community life, construct intercultural narratives, and establish spaces of recognition and agency for the women involved. Moreover, the restaurant has been shown to have the capacity to influence the broader social representations of migration in the urban context, thereby promoting processes of cohesion and belonging. It is evident that food-related activities manifest as quotidian micro-political practices, which have the capacity to subvert stereotypes, recognize frequently unseen abilities, and generate new forms of inclusive citizenship. The present study underscores the transformative capacity of initiatives that employ food practices as innovative instruments for fostering empowerment; well-being; and social participation; through the third element of food. The limitations and future prospects of the present situation are discussed; with particular reference to the need to ensure continuity and institutional sustainability for similar experiences. Full article