Search Results (9,126)

Saline-affected soils exhibit poor mechanical properties and are prone to durability degradation under environmental disturbances, severely hindering infrastructure development in saline-affected regions. This study adopted a synergistic consolidation treatment for sulfate-salinized soils using a guar gum (GG) and Portland cement composite system, formulating 25 mix designs with GG content ranging from 0% to 2% and cement content from 0% to 12%. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS), dry–wet cycle durability, and repeated load fatigue performance of the stabilized soils were systematically tested. Combined with microstructural characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and CT scanning, the evolution patterns of the solidified soil’s mechanical properties and the macro-micro interaction mechanisms were revealed. Results indicate that cement is the primary strength source in cement-stabilized soil: at a cement dosage of 12%, the UCS reaches 2.53 MPa, a 41-fold increase compared to the native soil. A significant synergistic strengthening effect exists between cement and GG at the optimal GG dosage of 0.5%–1.0%, with the optimal mixture ratio being 6%–9% cement blended with 0.5%–1.0% GG. With this optimized ratio, the stabilized soil shows a strength retention rate of 87.2% after 10 dry–wet cycles, and its fatigue life extends to 1986 cycles (a 42.6% increase compared to pure cement-stabilized specimens). Microstructural analysis suggests that the stabilization process is fundamentally governed by interfacial micro-coating mechanisms. The reaction between cement aluminates and soil sulfates generates abundant ettringite, which is hypothesized to form a rigid skeletal framework. Simultaneously, GG forms a hydrogel network that acts as a dense, protective organic–inorganic micro-coating on the surface of soil aggregates and cement phases. This interfacial encapsulation optimizes the pore structure, reducing porosity to 1.43% and fundamentally blocking inward water infiltration pathways at the aggregate interface. However, excessive GG (>1.5%) coats cement particles, hinders hydration reactions and induces structural defects, ultimately leading to performance degradation. This study elucidates the macro-micro coupled mechanism of GG-cement composite consolidation for saline–alkali soils, providing theoretical foundations and technical solutions for saline–alkali soil consolidation engineering. Full article

This study analyses the Reformed liturgy as a site of ritual contestation that both shapes and facilitates the reconstruction and transformation of gender roles and identities in African contexts. Rooted in genealogical and decolonial scholarship, it examines how a ministry, long-reformed yet fundamentally integral to African-congregational communities, continues to express masculine forms of agency already present in reformed worship that influence perceptions of power, belonging, and identity. The emphasis is on Reformed communities in Southern Africa, where the arrangements of liturgical practices, preaching, eldership, sacramental administration, and life-cycle rites persist in grappling with a colonial past from an African epistemological perspective. This study examines the intersections of baptism, marriage, funerals, and ordination with customary rites such as lobola (bridewealth), initiation, and ancestor veneration, drawing on liturgical theology, ritual studies, and African gender scholarship to reveal both reproductive and resistant dynamics while simultaneously reshaping a new order within these practices. This article examines the ways in which worship facilitates continuity, rupture, and transformation within African gender identities, while seeking to situate Reformed liturgy within an African context of ritual ecologies rather than to contrast them. This approach may enhance decolonial discourse by illuminating contemporary discussions on liturgical studies and gender. Full article

Rapid urbanization, the pursuit of a higher quality of life, increasing energy and fuel demands, and remaining dependence on traditional fossil fuels, along with an increasingly pronounced negative impact on the environment, encourage society to seek new, lower-emission solutions. Among them, the biomass-to-biofuels process shows a promising pathway. Biomass, a renewable energy source, can be converted into a variety of biofuels in gas, liquid, or solid forms (e.g., syngas, bio-oil, biochar). There are two primary methods for converting biomass into biofuels: biochemical and thermochemical conversion. The latter is considered more flexible and efficient than biochemical conversion. Thus, this review aims to provide a summary of the most recent results from experimental research on biomass conversion to biofuels using various thermochemical conversion methods. Additionally, this review covers fundamentals and highlights the main evaluation parameters of thermochemical conversion systems, helping readers better understand the results reported by the researchers discussed in this article. This review also briefly addresses prospects and projections for future biofuel production, as well as measures to promote biofuel production. Full article

This study investigates the role of spirituality/religiosity (S/R) in meaning-making processes following stressful life events (SLEs) within the framework of Crystal Park’s Meaning Making Model (MMM). A qualitative phenomenological design was applied, using semi-structured interviews with N = 27 German participants who had experienced psychological and/or physical SLEs. As the majority of the participants identified themselves primarily as spiritual rather than religious, the study initially focused on spirituality as a potential resource for meaning-making following SLEs. Data were analyzed using mainly ideal-type analysis. Participants were categorized into low-, moderate-, and high-spirituality groups based on dimensions derived from Anton Bucher’s conceptualization of spirituality. Contrary to what might have been expected from the predominantly spiritual orientation of the sample, the most extensive meaning-making processes and meanings made according to the MMM were observed not among participants with more individualized forms of spirituality but among those with a highly integrated spiritual and religious orientation. This group was characterized by coherent belief systems, regular spiritual practices, communal and institutional religious embeddedness, and strong trust in transcendent guidance. The results suggest that not spirituality alone but its integration with religiosity into a coherent spiritual–religious meaning system may be associated with more sustained meaning-making processes, meanings made, and participant-reported positive outcomes following SLEs. Beyond the study’s limitations, implications for future research and professional practice are also briefly outlined. Full article

Linpan in Chengdu Plain, a distinctive form of dispersed rural settlement on the Chengdu Plain, is composed primarily of traditional rural dwellings embedded within woodlands environments. These settlements play multifunctional roles related to agricultural production, daily life, ecological sustainability, and the preservation of folk culture, thereby holding significant ecological and cultural value. In recent decades, rapid urbanization has profoundly impacted the spatial patterns, ecological environments, and livelihood systems of Linpan in western Sichuan, posing severe challenges to their preservation and development. To investigate the extent and nature of these changes, this study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of Linpan in Chengdu over five time periods from 1980 to 2020, employing both macro- and micro-scale analyses. Settlement types were classified based on their transformation trajectories, and representative cases were selected to identify and interpret the key driving forces behind these changes. The results indicate that: (1) at the macro level, Linpans have undergone a clear transition from small-scale, widely distributed, and irregularly shaped patterns to more centralized, aggregated, and standardized spatial configurations, particularly in the peri-urban areas of Chengdu; (2) at the micro level, the internal composition of Linpan has changed substantially, with a marked decline in woodlands coverage. The original integration of buildings and trees has shifted towards a spatial arrangement characterized by peripheral and fragmented vegetation; (3) Changes in production methods have prompted the spatial restructuring of Linpan settlements, transitioning from uniformly dispersed arrangements to clustered formations along road-adjacent resource points. Concurrent population and housing migration has reduced the total number of Linpan, while individual settlements have increased in size and density. Additionally, planning and construction policies have guided the morphological transformation of Linpan from organically evolved forms to geometrically regular configurations. Full article

Romans 8 contains Paul’s most concentrated reflection on the human person transformed by the Spirit, and at its center stands the rare term φρόνημα. Appearing only four times in the New Testament, all in Romans 8 (6 [x2], 7, 27), φρόνημα is commonly translated as “mindset”, “disposition”, or “attitude”. These translations are useful but insufficient. They risk reducing Paul’s term to a merely psychological state, whereas in Romans 8 φρόνημα names the deep orientation of the human person before God. This study argues that φρόνημα functions as an ethical and anthropological key: it expresses the inner direction of a life either determined by σάρξ or shaped by πνεῦμα. Through linguistic analysis, rhetorical exegesis of Rom 8:5–8 and 8:27, and dialogue with Jewish and Greco-Roman moral discourse, this article proposes that φρόνημα denotes the deep structure of Christian orientation: the Spirit-formed disposition from which perception, desire, obedience, prayer, suffering, and hope are reordered toward God. Full article

The transition to university is a critical period of academic, social, and emotional adjustment. Social media plays a central yet complex role, offering opportunities for connection while also posing risks to wellbeing, productivity, and social integration. This study explores how first-year undergraduates experience and interprets their social media use during this transition. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, nine focus groups were conducted with 40 first-year students at a UK university. Analysis generated a model conceptualising social media as a ‘double-edged sword’ within the broader social transition. Five interrelated themes were identified: social transition, polarised attitudes, quality of social connection, wellbeing support, and quantity and form of use. Social media supported early connection-building, maintaining peer ties, and accessing support, yet excessive or passive use intensified social comparison, fear of missing out, and academic distraction. Students recognised problematic use themselves, often prompting peer intervention to restore balance. Form, purpose, and perceived impact shaped experiences more than time spent. Findings highlight the importance of student agency, peer networks, and institutional support, offering implications for promoting healthy social media practices, wellbeing, and smoother transitions to university life. Full article

To solve the drawbacks of conventional long-cycle wear tests for miniature standing- wave linear ultrasonic motors, an accelerated equivalent wear model and test system were proposed in this work. After primary screening of multiple pair materials, graphite and Al₂O₃ were adopted to modify epoxy films. The optimal friction pair is composed of 6061 hard anodic oxidation film and ECA105 composite film. The matched pair exhibits excellent driving stability and low wear loss, with fatigue wear as the main wear form. Graphite and Al₂O₃ exert synergistic anti-wear and load-bearing effects via forming a stable transfer film on the friction interface. Experimental results confirm that the accelerated test is equivalent to a full-life durability test. The presented method and optimized friction pair can effectively guide the development of high-performance ultrasonic motors. Full article

Transitional waters—such as estuaries, lagoons, deltas, and coastal wetlands—are dynamic environments where freshwater and seawater interact, forming highly productive and biologically diverse ecosystems. Shaped by temperature and salinity gradients, tidal influence, sediment transport, and nutrient-rich conditions, these habitats support diverse ecological functions. Their structural complexity—including seagrass beds, salt marshes, mudflats, and mangroves—provides essential habitats for many fish species. These areas are crucial for fish life cycles, serving as nurseries, spawning grounds, feeding zones, and refuges from predators. Many commercially important species depend on them during early life stages before moving offshore, making them vital for both commercial and recreational fisheries. Beyond food provision, they deliver key ecosystem services, including water purification, coastal protection, and carbon storage. Research on the fish community of the Ria Formosa lagoon in Portugal since the 1980s highlights long-term changes in the fish community and the dominant role of habitat structure and temporal dynamics. Subtidal seagrass beds support higher fish abundance and diversity than unvegetated areas, acting as key nursery habitats and provide important fish provisioning services. Seasonal variation is also central, driven by recruitment pulses of marine migrants in late winter–spring. Recent pressures on this system have been driven by human activity and environmental change. Seagrass loss reduces nursery and feeding areas, while pollution degrades water quality. Overfishing (including illegal fishing), recreational activities, and aquaculture expansion add stress. Climate warming and invasive species such as Caulerpa prolifera, further disrupt ecosystem balance and threaten biodiversity. Sustainable management—such as habitat restoration, protected areas, and integrated policies—is essential to preserve the ecological and economic value of this unique lagoon. Ongoing research, monitoring, habitat restoration, and stakeholder engagement remain critical for ensuring resilience. Full article

This article investigates the intricate interplay between ressentiment—as social emotion—social love, and solidarity in democratic societies, focusing on the urban environment as the primary stage where these processes materialize. Far from being a marginal emotion, ressentiment is deeply intertwined with democratic life, arising from the gap between proclaimed values and lived conditions. It represents an affective reaction to the perceived betrayal of the promise of equality inscribed in democratic ideals. The discussion explores how perceptions of injustice can fracture trust and intensify divisions, but also how they, under certain conditions, can be redirected toward political engagement and common action. The city, characterized by density, diversity, and the continuous negotiation of difference, can serve as a privileged arena for this transformation. Urban space does not merely reflect inequalities; it actively shapes social processes and provides the infrastructure through which collective sentiments are articulated. In this context, “social love” is conceptualized not as a sentimental aspiration, but as a relational force capable of redirecting the moral indignation of ressentiment, far from strategies of grievance politics toward constructive forms of social and political belonging. Cities can function as laboratories of solidarity where grievances are reframed into collective projects that strengthen social cohesion. Mitigating the destructive potential of ressentiment requires addressing its structural roots through inclusive urban policies and dialogical spaces. An approach grounded in social love can counter fragmentation, mobilizing emotions in the service of substantive equality. In this perspective, the city can become a space and a laboratory for change, where resentment can be channeled as a generative force capable of sustaining widespread forms of social love and a sense of the common good. Full article

With the advancement of systematic ecological protection and restoration, ecosystem coordination assessment and multi-scale differentiation analysis have become increasingly important for regional ecological governance. In this context, this study develops a multi-scale coupling coordination evaluation framework for the mountain–water–forest–farmland–lake (MWFFL) system in Dangtu County, Anhui Province. The framework integrates 14 indicators across five subsystems, uses a combined weighting method based on the Entropy Weight Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process, and applies the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and trend analysis to characterize inter-system coordination and its spatiotemporal patterns at the regional and ecosystem scales. The results indicate that land use is dominated by arable land, with water bodies forming the structural backbone and construction land distributed in clusters. From 2020 to 2024, the mean CCD remained stable around 0.675, indicating that the overall coupling coordination level was relatively stable. Spatially, the CCD pattern remained higher in the southwest and lower in the northwest, with a new high-value clustering zone emerging in the south. At the ecosystem scale, the four ecological restoration units showed distinct spatiotemporal patterns of coupling coordination. This multi-scale MWFFL evaluation framework supports regional ecological monitoring and provides a reference for restoration effectiveness assessment in similar regions under the life community concept. Full article

The selection of an appropriate occlusal pattern for prosthodontic and orthodontic rehabilitation remains a subject of ongoing debate within the scientific literature. A potential resolution to this controversy involves investigating the prevalence of various dynamic occlusal schemes in the natural permanent dentition. This cross-sectional study was designed to assess the typical dynamic occlusion patterns observed in both younger and older populations and to examine whether these patterns are influenced by age. The study included a total of 207 participants possessing natural dentition with no prosthetic restorations. The age of the individuals ranged from 15 to 73 years. Dynamic occlusal patterns were recorded in all participants through a clinical assessment of lateral and protrusive mandibular excursions guided by the teeth. Dynamic occlusion was categorized into five types: (O1) bilateral canine guidance, (O2) unilateral canine guidance, (O3) group function, (O4) balanced occlusion, and a category labeled “other occlusions” (O5). The overall distribution of occlusal patterns was similar between male and female participants. “The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dynamic occlusal patterns in subjects with natural dentition and to determine whether these patterns are associated with age.” Because occlusal wear accumulates throughout life, it was hypothesized that the prevalence of canine-guided occlusion would decrease with age, while group function occlusion would become more frequent. The study group consisted of 207 patients, 112 women (54.1%) and 95 men (45.9%), ranging in age from 15 to 73 years (mean = 32.79 ± 13.87). Informed consent was first explained to the participants, who then signed a consent form. We performed Pearson’s chi-square test to determine the association between demographic variables (gender and/or age) on the dynamic occlusion models (DINs) described above. The association between age groups and occlusal patterns was assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared test. The strength of the association was estimated using Cramer’s V coefficient. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The analysis using Pearson’s chi-squared test did not show a statistically significant association between age groups and dynamic occlusion patterns (χ² = 15.17; df = 12; p = 0.232). The effect size, assessed using Cramer’s V coefficient, was 0.156, indicating a weak association between the two variables. Although descriptive differences were observed in the distribution of some occlusal patterns among the age groups, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Full article

Background/Objectives: degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the leading cause of spinal cord impairment in adults, often resulting in disability and reduced quality of life (QoL). Surgery is recommended for moderate and severe cases, while its role in mild DCM remains debated. Emerging evidence suggests that early surgery may improve outcomes, particularly QoL. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center observational study of a cohort of patients undergoing cervical spine surgery for DCM between January 2020 and August 2023 at a single institution (Policlinico di Monza, Italy). Demographic, clinical, radiological and surgical data, as well as complications and outcomes, were analyzed. Neurological status was assessed using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score and QoL was evaluated using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire preoperatively, at discharge, and at follow-up. Results: 51 patients were included (mean age 58.1 years; 41% female), with anterior surgery performed in 67%. Mild preoperative mJOA score was observed in 74% of patients. At follow-up, 65% achieved complete recovery, 29% improved, and 6% remained stable. No neurological deterioration was recorded. Univariate analysis identified age, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), and mild preoperative mJOA score as significant predictors of recovery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified mild preoperative mJOA score as a strong independent predictor of complete clinical recovery (OR = 240.64, 95% CI: 6.82–8496.22, p = 0.002). SF-36 showed significant improvements in emotional well-being, social functioning, pain, and general health, particularly in mild cases. Complications were low (5.8%) and limited to transient dysphagia. Conclusions: early surgical treatment in selected patients with mild DCM may be associated with favorable neurological and quality-of-life outcomes, although larger prospective studies are needed. Full article

The abnormal effect of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the fatigue properties of DD6 single crystal superalloy was investigated. The results showed that HIP combined with standard heat treatment (SHT) reduced the fatigue life under 880 °C and 800 MPa. HIP treatment eliminated inner shrinkage porosity effectively; however, the amount of micropores increased in the subsequent SHT. Moreover, HIP treatment enlarged the size of γ′ precipitates gradually and altered the morphology of carbides greatly. Small MC carbides decomposed into M₂₃C₆ carbides, and a serrated structure formed on the surface of large-size MC carbides, which led to the positive and negative effects on fatigue properties, respectively, depending on the morphology and size of carbides. Recrystallized microstructures were observed after HIP treatment, accompanied by fine, continuous precipitates along recrystallized grain boundaries. This led to a sharp decline in the elevated-temperature fatigue properties of DD6 superalloy fabricated at a drawing velocity of 150 μm/s. The abnormal decrease in fatigue life of DD6 single crystal superalloy was attributed to micropore formation, coarsening of γ′ precipitates and recrystallization. Thus, it is essential to optimize the HIP treatments in the future development of single crystal superalloy blades. Full article

The rapid expansion of urbanization in recent decades has intensified the urban heat island effect, driven by reduced vegetation cover, widespread use of heat-absorbing materials, and increases in surface and atmospheric temperature that may reach 5–6 °C. These conditions negatively impact well-being, quality of life, and human health. In response, numerous studies have examined mitigation strategies based on high-albedo materials and urban vegetation. This systematic review analyzes 225 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2025 addressing urban heat mitigation, surface thermal conditions, urban vegetation, outdoor thermal comfort and microclimate simulations. It provides a comprehensive synthesis, highlighting key findings and implications for future research. According to the Köppen–Geiger classification, most studies were conducted in humid subtropical and warm Mediterranean climates. The analysis focuses on urban canyon interventions, where vegetation is primarily modeled as shading trees (79.2%), along with other forms such as grass or shrubs (27.1%), mainly during the summer season. Results indicate that integrated mitigation strategies combining vegetation and high-albedo surfaces (≈0.8) generally provide greater cooling benefits than isolated interventions. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of the interaction between vegetation shading and surface properties for mitigating urban heat in outdoor spaces. Full article