Search Results (47)

Due to the current climate situation, it is necessary to apply new methods that support environmental, social, and energy challenges to respond to global emergencies. In this regard, Living Labs have increased their popularity as a strategic tool to promote innovation from the local level and proximity. This study aims to detect the patterns, trends, and coherence of the so-called Living Labs. For this purpose, a characterisation of Living Labs has been undertaken that focuses on energy, environmental, and social issues in Europe to support urban transition. It concludes that Living Labs do not have a single solution. They are highly influenced by the current European trends and promoted topics. They can be multi-dimensional (digital and physical), multi-scale (from small, such as the product, to large, such as the territory) and multi-purpose. It is determined that there is an absence of working in real-life environments and some of the Living Lab’s principles. Among the topics, the most common ones are social inclusion, environment, energy, health, and IoT. The implemented scale in a building and the product on the application scale are the most frequent ones. Urban Living Labs are identified as a niche opportunity because of their low current development. Full article

Active inference under the Free Energy Principle has been proposed as an across-scales compatible framework for understanding and modelling behaviour and self-maintenance. Crucially, a collective of active inference agents can, if they maintain a group-level Markov blanket, constitute a larger group-level active inference agent with a generative model of its own. This potential for computational scale-free structures speaks to the application of active inference to self-organizing systems across spatiotemporal scales, from cells to human collectives. Due to the difficulty of reconstructing the generative model that explains the behaviour of emergent group-level agents, there has been little research on this kind of multi-scale active inference. Here, we propose a data-driven methodology for characterising the relation between the generative model of a group-level agent and the dynamics of its constituent individual agents. We apply methods from computational cognitive modelling and computational psychiatry, applicable for active inference as well as other types of modelling approaches. Using a simple Multi-Armed Bandit task as an example, we employ the new ActiveInference.jl library for Julia to simulate a collective of agents who are equipped with a Markov blanket. We use sampling-based parameter estimation to make inferences about the generative model of the group-level agent, and we show that there is a non-trivial relationship between the generative models of individual agents and the group-level agent they constitute, even in this simple setting. Finally, we point to a number of ways in which this methodology might be applied to better understand the relations between nested active inference agents across scales. Full article

This study applied response surface methodology (RSM) to optimise process parameters for rum fermentation. The primary aim was to enhance ethanol productivity through refined molasses conditioning and fermentation. Polyacrylamide flocculants were evaluated for molasses clarification, identifying an optimised blend which significantly outperformed individual flocculants. Statistical analyses revealed Flopam AN 956 SH as the top performer based on settling behaviour and mud qualities. Mixture modelling exposed optimised flocculant formulations that outperformed individual flocculants, indicating synergistic interactions. A central composite design (CCD) systematically evaluated the effects of temperature, oxygenation, and nutrient supplementation on yeast growth kinetics. It determined that 5 ppm O₂, 32.19 °C, and 2.5% nutrients maximised the specific growth rate at 0.39 h⁻¹ and ethanol yield at 9.84% v/v. The models characterised interactions, revealing nutrient–oxygen synergies that stimulated metabolism. Overall, fermentation efficiency and assurance for ethanol yield were increased through comprehensive multi-scale optimisation utilising factorial designs, validated analytics, and quantitative strain characterisation. Full article

Timber-clad facades, traditionally prevalent in North America and Scandinavia, are gaining popularity in central Europe and the UK for applications beyond low-rise buildings. Timber differs from typical cladding materials, such as masonry, due to its non-uniformity, combustibility, and moisture sensitivity, requiring unique design considerations to manage these characteristics. This paper investigates the fire hazards associated with timber cladding, particularly focusing on thermally modified timber, motivated by the 2019 Samuel Garside House fire in the UK. The study aims to address five key research questions: (1) the impact of thermal modification on external fire spread hazards, (2) the fire risk associated with slatted timber configurations, (3) the effectiveness of fire-retardant treatments, (4) the correlation between small-scale standard tests and large-scale behaviours, and (5) the adequacy of current fire safety guidance in addressing these hazards. The experimental campaign involved four timber sample variants: (i) virgin timber, (ii) new thermally modified timber, (iii) aged thermally modified timber, and (iv) fire-retardant-treated thermally modified timber. These samples were tested across four different methods, including the single-flame source test, mass loss cone test, single burning item (SBI) test, and an intermediate-scale test. Results indicated that thermal modification slightly increased the peak heat release rate (HRR) compared to virgin timber. The configuration of timber slats significantly impacted HRR, with vertically oriented slats demonstrating higher HRR than horizontally oriented flat cedar cladding. Fire-retardant treatments substantially reduced HRR, achieving Euroclass B in vertical slatted configurations. However, the long-term efficacy of these treatments under ageing and weathering conditions remains unexplored. This research underscores the need for clarifications in the guidance in timber cladding design, considering the observed fire hazards in different slat configurations and the efficacy of fire-retardant treatments. Full article

Oral implantology faces a multitude of technical challenges in light of current clinical experience, underlining the need for innovation in implantable medical devices in both mechanical and biological terms. Objectives: This study explores the influence of the thickness factor of calcium-doped zirconia (Ca-SZ) coatings deposited by PVD on their intrinsic mechanical properties and the determinism of the latter on adhesion to the TA6V alloy substrate after mechanical loading for applications in dental implantology. Methods: Three separate thicknesses of 250 nm, 450 nm and 850 nm were evaluated in terms of mechanical strength, modulus of elasticity and adhesion to the substrate, in accordance with ISO 20502:2005. Results: The results show an increase in apparent modulus of elasticity with thickness, reaching values of around 25.05 GPa and 36.3 GPa, close to the cortical bone for the 250 nm and 450 nm thick coatings, respectively. Adhesion tests show a progressive improvement up to 450 nm, followed by a similar observation at 850 nm, underlining the importance of optimal thickness to balance mechanical protection and biomechanical compatibility. Furthermore, the initial roughness and topography of the substrate were not influenced by the different thicknesses of the Ca-SZ coating. Conclusions: Together, these results reinforce the potential of Ca-SZ coatings to minimise stress shielding in dental implants. Full article

This paper discusses the evolution of human settlement in ancient Macedonia from the Neolithic to the Late Roman periods, based on the results of a new multi-disciplinary and multi-scale archaeological survey in northern Grevena (NW Greece). Building upon an unpublished (legacy) survey, we developed a GIS-structured workflow that integrates site-revisiting and surveying strategies (material collection and test pits) with multi-temporal remote-sensing analyses, offering analytical information about site distribution, characterisation, dating, and taphonomy. Notably, the new study led to a 64% increase in the number of known sites. The combined results indicate that prehistory is less represented in the surface record than historical periods, likely due to the impact of soil erosion episodes. The Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age saw increased site numbers and the emergence of a settlement structure that characterised the area until the Hellenistic period. During the Roman period, the pattern shifted from a seemingly limited use of the landscape towards a model of more extensive habitation. This was driven by the appearance of new rural sites that introduced a land-use regime designed to support agricultural intensification by implementing anti-erosion measures, such as field terraces. Full article

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is gaining importance as sensing tool. However, wide application of the SERS technique suffers mainly from limitations in terms of uniformity of the plasmonics structures and sensitivity for low concentrations of target analytes. In this work, we present SERS specimens based on periodic arrays of 3D-structures coated with silver, fabricated by silicon top-down micro and nanofabrication (10 mm × 10 mm footprint). Each 3D-structure is essentially an octahedron on top of a pyramid. The width of the top part—the octahedron—was varied from 0.7 µm to 5 µm. The smallest structures reached an analytical enhancement factor (AEF) of 3.9 × 10⁷ with a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 20%. According to finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the origin of this signal amplification lies in the strong localization of electromagnetic fields at the edges and surfaces of the octahedrons. Finally, the sensitivity of these SERS specimens was evaluated under close-to-reality conditions using a portable Raman spectrophotometer and monitoring of the three vibrational bands of 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT). Thus, this contribution deals with fabrication, characterization and simulation of multiscale 3D-structures with SERS activity. Full article

Rural areas in Tibet, with its complex terrain, fragile ecology, and poor facilities, are subject to a combination of social–ecological system elements, facing the typical risks of recurrent, marginal, and potential poverty. At present, the spatial differentiation and driving mechanism of rural spatial poverty risk in Tibet are not clear, which adversely affects the formulation of differentiated and precise governance strategies. Thus, based on the social–ecological system perspective, 967 poor rural villages in eastern Tibet were taken as an example, using intelligent techniques such as random forest, geographic detector, and multi-scale geographically weighted regression to identify the spatial differentiation characteristics and the driving mechanism of poverty. The results indicated that (1) the high poverty incidence of rural areas in eastern Tibet showed a scattered block distribution, of which approximately 37% of the villages presented a spatial distribution characterised by a high degree of clustering of the high poverty incidence. (2) Topography and the level of public facilities were key factors influencing the poverty levels of rural areas in eastern Tibet, in which the coupling explanatory power between the construction land slope index (CLSI) and several poverty-causing factors was high. (3) Geological disaster, land surface temperature, CLSI, traffic accessibility, livestock resources, cropland per capita, and tourism resources differentially drove the poverty incidence of rural areas in eastern Tibet, forming spatial partitions dominated by the risks of potential, marginal, and recurrent poverty. For different partitions, differentiated governance strategies of upgrading ecological environments, optimising geographical locations, and revitalising social resources were proposed to provide references for solving the problem of relative poverty in the new period. Full article

Composite materials, valued for their adaptability, face challenges associated with degradation over time. Characterising their durability through traditional experimental methods has shown limitations, highlighting the need for accelerated testing and computational modelling to reduce time and costs. This study presents an overview of the current landscape and future prospects of multi-scale modelling for predicting the long-term durability of composite materials under different environmental conditions. These models offer detailed insights into complex degradation phenomena, including hydrolytic, thermo-oxidative, and mechano-chemical processes. Recent research trends indicate a focus on hygromechanical models across various materials, with future directions aiming to explore less-studied environmental factors, integrate multiple stressors, investigate emerging materials, and advance computational techniques for improved predictive capabilities. The importance of the synergistic relationship between experimental testing and modelling is emphasised as essential for a comprehensive understanding of composite material behaviour in diverse environments. Ultimately, multi-scale modelling is seen as a vital contributor to accurate predictions of environmental effects on composite materials, offering valuable insights for sustainable development across industries. Full article

The Rif Cordillera, an Alpine orogen in the Western Mediterranean, was developed by the interaction of Eurasian and African (Nubia) plates. Neotectonic deformations of the Rif foreland influence the relief, especially in post-nappe basins and their boundaries with Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate mountain massifs, and they contribute to highlighting the recent evolution of the Cordillera. The topographic and hydrological lineaments of these basins were characterised on the basis of multi-scale morphostructural data analysis, supported by digital mapping and GIS. They were correlated with geological structures, essentially with fractures. The outcrops of the Upper Tortonian and Messinian deposits depict well-defined geometric shapes with roughly rectilinear boundaries, as defined by their contacts with the massive and rigid rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous series. Upper Tortonian deposits evidence major regional N70°E and N40°E lineaments, which are obliquely intersected by late structures. Messinian N120°E and N25°E lineaments, associated with N140°E lineaments, are also recognised. The interpretation of these lineaments as faults indicates the activity of two systems of transtensive sinistral and then dextral brittle shearing that correspond to two episodes of neotectonic deformation that played a decisive role in shaping the reliefs of the Eastern Rif. These deformations are particularly relevant to isolate basins and likely have a key role during the closure of the South Rifian corridor during the Mediterranean Messinian Salinity crisis. Full article

Understanding complex carbonate fracture networks and karstification at various geological scales is challenging, especially with limited multi-scale datasets. This paper aims to reduce uncertainty in the fracture architecture of Central Luconia karstified reservoirs by narrowing observational gaps between seismic and well data by using the discrete fracture models of exposed limestone outcrops as analogues for the subsurface carbonate reservoir. An outcrop-based fracture network characterisation of a near-surface paleo-karst at Subis Limestone combined with lineament analysis was conducted to extract fracture parameters. The karst structure was first delineated using a digital elevation map and outcrop examination. Then, topology analysis was performed, following the creation of two-dimensional discrete fracture models. Two main fracture sets oriented northeast–southwest and northwest–southeast and 79 potential dolines were identified. Fracture intersections, northeast–southwest major orientations, and drainage systems highly influenced the karst features. The Subis Limestone fracture model revealed that the highest number of fractures and total length of fractures were concentrated in the northern part of the Subis Limestone build-up (X: 250–350, Y: 150–250) and became denser towards the northwest direction of the outcrop (X: 600–800). The fractures in the Subis paleo-karsts appear isolated, with I-nodes ranging from 0.74 to 0.94. Hence, it is crucial to incorporate matrix porosity into multiple scales of fracture network modelling to improve upscaling and the modelling of fracture–vug networks, as well as to minimise the underestimation of discrete fracture networks in fractured and karstified limestone. Full article

The aim of this study was to characterise the microstructural organisation of staple carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites and to investigate their mechanical properties. Conventionally, fibre-reinforced materials are manufactured using continuous fibres. However, discontinuous fibres are crucial for developing sustainable structural second-life applications. Specifically, aligning staple fibres into yarn or tape-like structures enables similar usage to continuous fibre-based products. Understanding the effects of fibre orientation, fibre length, and compaction on mechanical performance can facilitate the fibres’ use as standard engineering materials. This study employed methods ranging from microscale to macroscale, such as image analysis, X-ray computed tomography, and mechanical testing, to quantify the microstructural organisations resulting from different alignment processing methods. These results were compared with the results of mechanical tests to validate and comprehend the relationship between fibre alignment and strength. The results show a significant influence of alignment on fibre orientation distribution, fibre volume fraction, tortuosity, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, different characteristics of the staple fibre tapes were identified and attributed to kinematic effects during movement of the sliver alignment unit, resulting in varying tape thicknesses and fuzzy surfaces. Full article

In elite endurance sports, marginal differences in finishing times drive ongoing equipment improvement to enhance athlete performance. In cross-country skiing, researchers, since the 1930s, have faced the challenge of minimising the resistance caused by friction in the contact between skis and snow. This study was designed to evaluate the multi-scale interaction between the macro-scale ski-camber profile and the micro-scale ski-base texture. Considerations included real contact area, average interfacial separation, and total reciprocal interfacial separation between the ski and snow, which are properties that are intimately coupled to ski–snow friction. We found that both the profile of the ski camber and the texture of the ski base play decisive roles in determining viscous friction. At the same time, the texture of the ski base exerts a greater impact on the average real contact pressure, real contact area, and minimal average interfacial separation between the ski and snow than the ski-camber profile. Full article

There is a growing interest for complex in vitro environments that closely mimic the extracellular matrix and allow cells to grow in microenvironments that are closer to the one in vivo. Protein-based matrices and especially hydrogels can answer this need, thanks to their similarity with the cell microenvironment and their ease of customization. In this study, an experimental design was conducted to study the influence of synthesis parameters on the physical properties of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). Temperature, ratio of methacrylic anhydride over gelatin, rate of addition, and stirring speed of the reaction were studied using a Doehlert matrix. Their impact on the following parameters was analyzed: degree of substitution, mass swelling ratio, storage modulus (log(G’)), and compression modulus. This study highlights that the most impactful parameter was the ratio of methacrylic anhydride over gelatin. Although, temperature affected the degree of substitution, and methacrylic anhydride addition flow rate impacted the gel’s physical properties, namely, its storage modulus and compression modulus. Moreover, this experimental design proposed a theoretical model that described the variation of GelMA’s physical characteristics as a function of synthesis conditions. Full article

Sarcoidosis is a complex inflammatory multisystem disease of unknown etiology that is characterised by epithelioid cell granulomatous lesions affecting various organs, mainly the lungs. In general, sarcoidosis is asymptomatic, but some cases result in severe complications and organ failure. So far, no accurate and validated modelling for clinical and pathohistological manifestations of sarcoidosis is suggested. Moreover, knowledge about disease-specific diagnostic markers for sarcoidosis is scarce. For instance, pulmonary granulomatosis is associated with the upregulated production of proinflammatory molecules: TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL1, CCL2, CCL18, CD163, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE), lysozyme, neopterin, and serum amyloid A (SAA). Quantum dots (QDs) are widely applied for molecular diagnostics of various diseases. QDs are semiconductor nanoparticles of a few nanometres in size, made from ZnS, CdS, ZnSe, etc., with unique physical and chemical properties that are useful for the labelling and detection in biological experiments. QDs can conjugate with various antibodies or oligonucleotides, allowing for high-sensitivity detection of various targets in organs and cells. Our review describes existing experimental models for sarcoidosis (in vitro, in vivo, and in silico), their advantages and restrictions, as well as the physical properties of quantum dots and their potential applications in the molecular diagnostics of sarcoidosis. The most promising experimental models include mice with TSC2 deletion and an in silico multiscale computational model of sarcoidosis (SarcoidSim), developed using transcriptomics and flow cytometry of human sarcoid biopsies. Both models are most efficient to test different candidate drugs for sarcoidosis. Full article