Search Results (462)

An effective response to the socio-environmental crisis requires the education of critical citizens, capable of articulating local action with collective socio-political engagement. Teachers occupy a central position in educating for Environmental Citizenship (EC), yet in-service professional development models in this area remain scarce. Within a Design-Based Research framework, this article discusses the expert evaluation of a training prototype. 32 experts—comprising EC researchers, TPD researchers, and specialist teachers—responded to a qualitative questionnaire regarding the model’s design. Data underwent inductive content analysis, with categories emerging directly from the responses. While results strongly validate the prototype’s structure, crucial recommendations emerged for its improvement. Pedagogically, experts suggested focusing on structuring methodologies like Problem-Based Learning and Case Studies to avoid fragmentation. Conceptually, they highlighted the need to deepen critical theoretical foundations and incorporate explicit training in activism and communication skills, enriched by ethical considerations. These findings inform the redesign of a model whose implementation aims to reduce the gap between ecological awareness and transformative civic action, preparing teachers to foster genuine agency in their students. Full article

The poor stability of CsPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) caused by weak and dynamic ligand coordination severely limits their commercial applications. Herein, a dual-ligand synergistic modification strategy based on bromocarboxylic acids (BCAs) and oleylamine (OAm) was developed to mediate the surface structures and luminescent dynamics of CsPbBr₃ PNCs. The results reveal that carboxylate groups of BCA ligands modulate crystal growth, while its terminal Br atom forms a strong coordination with exposed Pb²⁺ on the PNCs surface, which can effectively passivate lead- and bromine-related defects. The synergistic protection of OAm ligands enhances the stability of PNCs via amino-halide electrostatic interactions and steric hindrance effects. Notably, based on the relatively dense surface coating of 4-bromobutyric acid (BBA) and OAm dual-ligands, the prepared CsPbBr₃ PNCs exhibit a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 85.2 ± 2.4% and remarkable storage stability, retaining 90.2 ± 1.7% of their initial PL intensity after being stored for 63 days under ambient conditions. Furthermore, a prototype white light-emitting diode (WLED) fabricated with these PNCs displays a wide color gamut covering 122.1% of the NTSC standard and a luminous efficacy of 64.6 lm/W. This work provides a facile and feasible ligand engineering strategy to obtain highly stable and emissive PNCs. Full article

This study investigates how cultural and natural heritage can inform surface design for fashion, focusing on the development of a capsule collection of geoproducts in the UNESCO Global Geopark of Caçapava do Sul, Brazil. The purpose is to expand the scope of existing geoproducts, often limited to food and souvenirs, by introducing textile-based items that reflect local identity and contribute to sustainability. The research employed an applied, qualitative, and descriptive approach, including bibliographic review, questionnaires with local artisans, and the mapping of existing geoproducts. Data were analyzed through content analysis, and the creative process followed the method of cross-fertilization, which stimulates innovation by combining knowledge from design, geology, and craftsmanship. The design process was organized into four phases—preparation, generation of alternatives, selection, and realization—culminating in the capsule collection Aflora. The collection comprised two thematic lines: Cactaceae, inspired by endemic flora, and Geo, based on local geomonuments. The results demonstrate that surface design can mediate the relationship between fashion and heritage, producing identity-driven and innovative textile products. Three surface-design modules were produced, six product mockups, and two geoproduct prototypes, developed with materials such as wool, felt, sarja, and cotton fabrics. The study contributes theoretically by linking apparel design with heritage valorization, and practically by proposing a replicable model for geoproduct development. Limitations relate to the single case study and qualitative scope, suggesting future research on replication, eco-friendly printing, and market feasibility. Full article

To address the issues of low efficiency and repeated soil compaction caused by segregated pre-sowing operations for residual film recovery and soil preparation in Xinjiang’s long-term film-mulched cotton fields, this study developed a sowing-layer residual film recovery machine integrated with soil preparation functionality. The modular machine sequentially performs harrowing, film-pickup, removal, collection, soil crushing, and leveling operations. An orthogonal experiment focusing on film-pickup rate and film-removal rate was conducted using forward speed, roller speed, and working depth as experimental factors to evaluate the residual film recovery performance. Simultaneously, the effectiveness of the soil preparation operation was quantitatively validated. The results indicated that the order of factor influence significance on the film-pickup rate was forward speed > working depth > rotational speed of the film-removal roller, while the film-removal rate was primarily affected by the rotational speed of the film-removal roller. The optimal parameter combination was identified as a forward speed of 4 km/h, a film-removal roller speed at 300 r/min, and a working depth of 120 mm. Validation tests under these conditions yielded a pickup rate of 71.23% and a removal rate of 95.06%. Regarding soil preparation, the surface evenness was maintained at 1.23 cm after operation, demonstrating significant performance improvement over previous machine prototypes. This study promises to deliver crucial advancements for combined pre-sowing operations, offering support for future agricultural machinery innovation. Full article

Objectives: The injection of bioactive compounds into the delicate urethral sphincter muscle to facilitate sphincter regeneration in incontinent patients poses a surgical challenge. In previous preclinical animal studies, approximately half of the 96 pigs treated by transurethral needle injection exhibited misplaced cells or cell loss. We, therefore, investigated whether pressure-controlled waterjet injections delivered nano- and microparticles or liquids more precisely in the urethra and without a risk of full penetration. Methods: Fresh cadaveric urethrae were prepared from 12 female pigs. Nano- and microparticles or liquids were injected by waterjet in a proximal (i.e., H5) and distal (i.e., H10) position of the urethral tissue samples employing waterjet pressures of effect 40 (E40), E60, and E80. The injection depths and widths were investigated by histochemistry. Results: E40 injections were not sufficient to inject particles into the tissue, while E60 and E80 injections delivered the components into the urethral mucosa, submucosa and close to the urethral muscle. However, employing E80 increased the risk of full penetration of the urethrae. Significant differences in injection depth were not observed between nano- and microparticles. Liquids, however, penetrated the tissue somewhat deeper. Using the optimised pressure protocols facilitated the injection of cells by a novel waterjet prototype with excellent viability into capture fluid. Conclusions: Target-specific and pressure-controlled waterjet injections deliver liquids and particles with high precision in the urethra. For future injections of bioactive components, including cells, waterjet injections into the urethrae of incontinent pigs with a pressure of E60 are most promising to investigate the efficacy of regenerative therapies in animal models of urinary incontinence and other diseases or malfunctions. Full article

The paper presents methods for organizing decision-making and the functioning of deceptive multi-computer systems based on prior operational experience and multiple task execution options. A formal representation of system components and their interconnections is developed, distinguishing between the system center and the decision-making controller. The system center prepares possible task execution options, while the decision-making controller evaluates these options considering past performance and selects one. Analytical expressions are proposed to describe processes within multi-computer systems, enabling autonomous decision-making in task execution. A method is developed for organizing the decision-making controller’s operation to ensure the selection of a task option based on prior experience, component security levels, and system topology. This approach allows for the formation of polymorphic responses to external and internal actions in corporate networks. Additionally, a method for organizing system functioning enables systems to adapt their properties, structure, and interconnections in response to functional and cybersecurity conditions. This can be used especially in cybersecurity of critical infrastructure systems like electrical power grids, smart grid infrastructure, energy plants and industrial control systems. A prototype was developed and tested under two scenarios: choosing among five task options and having only one option. Results showed greater operational stability in the first case, confirming that incorporating prior experience enhances resilience and creates polymorphic responses that hinder attackers’ attempts to study and exploit corporate networks. Full article

Objective: To overcome the extremely low oral bioavailability of ginsenosides in traditional ginseng preparations, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel ginseng-derived carbon quantum dots (G-CQDs) delivery system and to elucidate its core bioactive constituents and integrated mechanisms of action. Methods: G-CQDs were prepared from ginseng roots via ultrahigh-speed nitrogen jet pulverization combined with far-infrared pulse-assisted hydrothermal carbonization. Their physicochemical properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The in vivo effects of G-CQDs versus traditional ginseng aqueous extract (G-AE) were compared in C57BL/6 mice (n = 12/group) using the PRO-MRRM-8 Comprehensive Laboratory Animal Monitoring System for real-time, non-invasive phenotyping of energy metabolism parameters (respiratory quotient, heat production, and oxygen consumption). Systemic exposure to ginseng bioactives was profiled using UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap/LTQ high-resolution mass spectrometry, followed by bivariate correlation analysis to identify key bioactive components linked to efficacy. Results: Compared with G-AE, G-CQDs significantly enhanced whole-body energy metabolism—respiratory quotient +2.8%, heat production +6.7%, and locomotor activity +22.9% (p < 0.05). A total of 110 in vitro constituents, 35 blood prototypes, and 29 metabolites were identified. Correlation analysis revealed eight core bioactive clusters linked to the metabolic benefits; all showed higher systemic exposure with G-CQDs (range +9.2% to +265.8%), notably ginsenoside Re +69.6%, cinnamic acid + O + SO₃ +157.4%, and linolenic acid–GSH conjugate +265.8%. Conclusions: Carbon quantum dot technology significantly enhances the systemic exposure of ginseng bioactivities by improving solubility and enhancing gastrointestinal absorption, providing a molecular basis for its superior efficacy in regulating energy metabolism compared to conventional extracts. This study establishes a novel framework for developing high-value, bioavailability-enhanced nano-preparations from traditional medicines. Full article

Metal anodes promise improvements in energy density and cost; however, their performance is determined within the first several nanometers at the interface. This review reports on how polymer-based artificial solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) are engineered to stabilize Li and aqueous-Zn anodes, and how these designs are now evaluated against operando readouts rather than post-mortem snapshots. We group the related molecular strategies into three classes: (i) side-chain/ionomer chemistry (salt-philic, fluorinated, zwitterionic) to increase cation selectivity and manage local solvation; (ii) dynamic or covalently cross-linked networks to absorb microcracks and maintain coverage during plating/stripping; and (iii) polymer–ceramic hybrids that balance modulus, wetting, and ionic transport characteristics. We then benchmark these choices against metal-specific constraints—high reductive potential and inactive Li accumulation for Li, and pH, water activity, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for Zn—showing why a universal preparation method is unlikely. A central element is a system of design parameters and operando metrics that links material parameters to readouts collected under bias, including the nucleation overpotential (η_nuc), interfacial impedance (charge transfer resistance (R_ct)/SEI resistance (R_SEI)), morphology/roughness statistics from liquid-cell or cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), stack swelling, and (for Li) inactive-Li inventory. By contrast, planar plating/stripping and HER suppression are primary success metrics for Zn. Finally, we outline parameters affecting these systems, including the use of lean electrolytes, the N/P ratio, high areal capacity/current density, and pouch-cell pressure uniformity, and discuss closed-loop workflows that couple molecular design with multimodal operando diagnostics. In this view, polymer artificial SEIs evolve from curated “recipes” into predictive, transferable interfaces, paving a path from coin-cell to prototype-level Li- and Zn-metal batteries. Full article

The high material waste, long execution times, and lack of adoption of technological solutions hinder the construction process in the building sector. In response, this project proposes the development and validation of parametric digital tools to optimize the design and CNC fabrication of WikiHouse prototypes, an open-source modular system that enables precise assemblies without the need for additional metal joints. The main objective is to optimize the architectural design process through tools such as Grasshopper and Python, increasing precision, reducing material waste, and shortening the manufacturing times of CNC components for WikiHouse. The results include drastic time reductions when shifting from manual workflows to CAD–CAM parameterized workflows, with processing times of approximately 1 min (≈0:32–1:16) compared to 63–109 min using manual methods. This study demonstrates that parameterization—rather than robotization—is a realistic pathway to transfer open systems like WikiHouse to low-tech contexts: it reduces preparation times to minutes, cuts waste, and decreases variability among operators. Full article

This paper evaluates a novel series-type suspension mount designed for electric vehicles (EVs), in which the spring and damper are arranged in series rather than in a conventional parallel configuration. This structurally simple yet innovative design avoids the need for additional mechanical components, such as inerters or costly active devices, while effectively mitigating vibration. Comparative quarter-car simulations demonstrated that the series-type configuration provided a faster reduction in transmissibility across the analyzed frequency range, highlighting its superior isolation capability compared to conventional mounts. An extended series-type model was also investigated by incorporating auxiliary sub-mount elements to assess the parametric effects. The results showed that damping variations had a limited influence, whereas the sub-mount stiffness played a decisive role in shaping the transmissibility curves and generating the secondary resonance behavior. To validate the concept experimentally, a prototype consisting of four coil springs and a vibration isolation pad was prepared and tested using impact-hammer excitation. The measured transmissibility confirmed improved vibration isolation up to 100 Hz under the given specimen conditions, with resonance features attributable to the inherent stiffness of the isolation pad. Overall, the findings verified that a simple series-type mount can provide efficient and practical vibration isolation tailored to EV applications. Full article

As modern industrialization accelerates, traditional metallic materials face challenges in meeting critical surface protection requirements. Constrained by their physicochemical properties, these materials exhibit significant performance degradation. This leads to frequent peeling of surface coatings on critical components. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance semi-crystalline thermoplastic used in advanced engineering applications. Its composite coating systems have emerged as a promising alternative to metallic coatings. This paper systematically reviews the recent advances in coating preparation techniques for PEEK composites. The current status of the use of mainstream preparation methods such as thermal spray technology, rapid prototyping and electrophoretic deposition is highlighted. The strengths and weaknesses of each method are also compared. Critical parameters including substrate roughness, temperature, and substrate elasticity are systematically examined. The effects of these variables are evaluated with respect to critical performance indicators, including porosity levels and interfacial bonding strength of PEEK composite coatings. A comparative investigation was carried out on different reinforcement materials. Their interfacial interactions with the matrix are examined in detail at the microscopic level. The impact of these modification strategies on coating performance was comprehensively evaluated. Full article

The secondary contamination of nodularin disinfection by-products (NOD-DBPs) is a problem worthy of attention. In this study, prototypical NOD-R-DBPs were prepared, and their toxicity was assessed using conventional protein phosphatase (PPs) inhibition assay, confirming that structural changes in “Adda³” during chlorination are key factors leading to a significant reduction in NOD-R toxicity. However, some NOD-R-DBPs still exhibit certain levels of toxicity (2.8–81% of NOD-R). To elucidate the mechanism underlying the potential inhibitory effect of NOD-R-DBPs on protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), molecular simulations were employed to establish interaction models between prototypical NOD-R-DBPs and PP2A using homology modeling strategies, and molecular docking was used to obtain candidate interaction parameters between prototypical NOD-R-DBPs and PP2A. Structural changes in “Adda³” weakened the hydrogen bonds “Adda³”Asn₁₁₇ and “Adda³”His₁₁₈. Subsequently, the disruption of “Adda³” altered key interactions between NOD-R-DBPs and PP2A (hydrogen bond Mdhb⁵ ← Arg₈₉, ionic bond Glu⁴-Arg₈₉, metal bond His₂₄₁-Mn₁²⁺, etc.). The changes in these interactions further altered the interactions between conserved amino acids and the catalytic center Mn²⁺ (ionic bond Asp₅₇-Mn₂²⁺), thereby increasing Mn²⁺ exposure. Meanwhile, the retained interactions promoted the binding of -PO₄ with the conserved amino acids His₁₁₈ and Arg₈₉. Prototypical NOD-R-DBPs retained the aforementioned key interactions and thus exhibit potential inhibitory effects on PP2A. The varying degrees of damage to the Adda³ structure led to significant differences in the inhibitory effects of different NOD-R-DBPs on PP2A. Full article

Mg₂TiO₄:Mn⁴⁺ (MTO:Mn⁴⁺) red phosphor has important applications in areas such as red LEDs and forensic science, but the preparation of MTO:Mn⁴⁺ through the solid-state reaction method requires a high sintering temperature. Herein, MTO:Mn⁴⁺ red phosphor was synthesized using the solid-state reaction method with LiCl flux, and its crystallographic structure and photoluminescence properties were studied to determine the influence of experimental parameters like the amount of fluxing agent added and sintering temperature in producing a bright red phosphor suitable for LEDs. The experimental results showed that samples with added LiCl could form pure MTO after sintering at 950 °C, whereas those without LiCl still contained a mixture of MTO and MgTiO₃, even when sintered at 1400 °C. The optimal performance was achieved with a sample doped with 0.2 mol% Mn⁴⁺, synthesized using 50 wt% LiCl flux and sintered at 950 °C for 12 h. This sample exhibited a broad excitation band and a narrow red emission band peaking at 662 nm, confirming its excellent luminescence properties. Furthermore, a prototype red LED fabricated with a 377 nm chip and MTO:0.2% Mn⁴⁺ phosphor achieved photoelectric conversion efficiency of 78.5% at a 100 mA drive current, confirming its viability for high-performance red LED manufacturing. Full article

Greywater can be a valuable energy source in buildings. Its advantages over other renewable energy resources include its daily availability, regardless of weather conditions. Consequently, wastewater heat exchangers are increasingly used in domestic hot water preparation systems. This article presents the results of tests on three DHW installation variants, including two integrated with various drain water heat recovery exchangers. A horizontal DWHR exchanger (a prototype of a new exchanger design) reduced the energy demand for hot water preparation by up to 29.6%, while a commercially available vertical DWHR unit (“tube-in-tube”) reduced this demand by up to 64.7%. This reduction was primarily influenced by the flow rate from the shower head and the mixed water temperature. Furthermore, a Life Cycle Cost analysis showed that, despite the additional costs associated with implementing DWHR exchangers, the traditional water heating method was the least cost-effective solution in all calculation cases. Furthermore, the tested wastewater heat exchangers significantly reduced CO₂ emissions compared to traditional water heating. This indicates the great potential of wastewater heat recovery systems in decarbonizing the building sector. Full article

Inspired by the free swing of coral tentacles driven by water currents to actively repel microbial attachment, we have identified a unique physical anti-fouling strategy: coral “swinging effect” anti-fouling. Taking the fleshy soft coral (Sarcophyton trocheliophorum) as an example, its surface is covered with numerous soft tentacles. These coral tentacles utilize the force of water current fluctuations to freely sway, resembling a “feather duster” waving to repel microorganisms attempting to settle and establish themselves. Based on this characteristic, this study delves into the living habits of corals, observing the expansion and contraction cycles of their tentacles. Simultaneously, simulations of the anti-fouling performance of coral tentacles were conducted. It demonstrates that the “swinging effect” of the tentacles can effectively prevent the attachment of fouling organisms. Furthermore, this study uses S. trocheliophorum as a biomimetic prototype to design and prepare an artificial coral-mimic substrate (ACMS). It employs the common marine Gram-negative bacterium Paracoccus pantotrophus as a microbial sample to test anti-fouling performance in both pure static water environments and low-flow water environments. The results showed that the 13 mm-long ACMS could bend and overlap the surface of the rear tentacles to the greatest extent under the unidirectional scouring action of low-speed water flow (3.5 m/s), forming an anti-fouling protective layer. Additionally, the “swinging effect” phenomenon generated by the tentacles under water flow scouring demonstrated excellent anti-fouling effects. This study not only provides further evidence for research on coral antifouling performance but also offers new concepts and ideas for antifouling strategies in low-flow water environments, such as stationary ships in ports and underwater infrastructure facilities at docks. Full article