Search Results (15)

The deepening of the “Belt and Road” Initiative urgently requires breaking through the dilemmas of symbolization, unidirectionality, and contextual de-embedding in the export of traditional cultural heritage. This paper takes the 2023 China-Germany “Tracing the Belt and Road” cultural heritage exchange project as the research object, employing a single-case exploratory research method to construct a theoretical model of “narrative carrier innovation—cultural heritage dimension adaptation” aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cultural heritage dissemination. The study finds that international communication projects for cultural heritage can systematically deconstruct the cultural core (“Dao”) and innovatively adapt modernized, localized dissemination forms familiar to the audiences in the host regions (“Qi”), thereby achieving a paradigm shift from passive introduction to active resonance. The paper specifically elucidates how four types of innovative carriers-digital narrative, public participatory, competitive co-creative, and academic artistic-adapt to the dimensions of historical cognition, aesthetic experience, creative interaction, and value identification in Han Dynasty cultural heritage. This adaptation ultimately forms effective cross-cultural dissemination pathways. This research provides an operable theoretical framework and practical paradigm for “Belt and Road” humanistic exchanges, offering insights for the international dissemination of cultural heritage. Full article

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide, with the highest incidence and mortality among women. Early precise diagnosis and the development of efficient treatment regimens remain major clinical challenges. Harnessing the programmable size, surface chemistry, and tumor microenvironment (TME) responsiveness of nanomaterials, there is tremendous potential for their applications in breast cancer diagnosis and therapy. In the diagnostic arena, nanomaterials serve as core components of novel contrast agents (e.g., gold nanorods, quantum dots, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) and biosensing platforms, substantially enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of molecular imaging modalities—such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and fluorescence imaging (FLI)—and enabling high-sensitivity detection of circulating tumor cells and tumor-derived exosomes, among various liquid biopsy biomarkers. In therapy, nanoscale carriers (e.g., liposomes, polymeric micelles) improve tumor targeting and accumulation efficiency through passive and active targeting strategies, thereby augmenting anticancer efficacy while effectively reducing systemic toxicity. Furthermore, nanotechnology has spurred the rapid advancement of emerging modalities, including photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and immunotherapy. Notably, the construction of theranostic platforms that integrate diagnostic and therapeutic units within a single nanosystem enables in vivo, real-time visualization of drug delivery, treatment monitoring, and therapeutic response feedback, providing a powerful toolkit for advancing breast cancer toward personalized, precision medicine. Despite challenges that remain before clinical translation—such as biocompatibility, scalable manufacturing, and standardized evaluation—nanomaterials are undoubtedly reshaping the paradigm of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Full article

Coagulation–flocculation, historically reliant on simple inorganic salts, has evolved into a technically sophisticated process that is central to the removal of turbidity, suspended solids, organic matter, and an expanding array of micropollutants from complex wastewaters. This review synthesizes six decades of research, charting the transition from classical aluminum and iron salts to high-performance polymeric, biosourced, and hybrid coagulants, and examines their comparative efficiency across multiple performance indicators—turbidity removal (>95%), COD/BOD reduction (up to 90%), and heavy metal abatement (>90%). Emphasis is placed on recent innovations, including magnetic composites, bio–mineral hybrids, and functionalized nanostructures, which integrate multiple mechanisms—charge neutralization, sweep flocculation, polymer bridging, and targeted adsorption—within a single formulation. Beyond performance, the review highlights persistent scientific gaps: incomplete understanding of molecular-scale interactions between coagulants and emerging contaminants such as microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and engineered nanoparticles; limited real-time analysis of flocculation kinetics and floc structural evolution; and the absence of predictive, mechanistically grounded models linking influent chemistry, coagulant properties, and operational parameters. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for transitioning from empirical dosing strategies to fully optimized, data-driven control. The integration of advanced coagulation into modular treatment trains, coupled with IoT-enabled sensors, zeta potential monitoring, and AI-based control algorithms, offers the potential to create “Coagulation 4.0” systems—adaptive, efficient, and embedded within circular economy frameworks. In this paradigm, treatment objectives extend beyond regulatory compliance to include resource recovery from coagulation sludge (nutrients, rare metals, construction materials) and substantial reductions in chemical and energy footprints. By uniting advances in material science, process engineering, and real-time control, coagulation–flocculation can retain its central role in water treatment while redefining its contribution to sustainability. In the systems envisioned here, every floc becomes both a vehicle for contaminant removal and a functional carrier in the broader water–energy–resource nexus. Full article

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a major global health challenge with limited treatment options and high relapse rates. Vaccines that induce drug-sequestering antibodies have shown promise, but their efficacy is hindered by the poor immunogenicity of small-molecule haptens. Adjuvants, substances that enhance immune responses, are critical for overcoming this limitation and improving vaccine efficacy. This review synthesizes over two decades of preclinical and clinical research to guide rational adjuvant design for SUD vaccines. Five major adjuvant classes are examined: aluminum-salt adjuvants, emulsion adjuvants, toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, protein immunopotentiators, and cytokine modulators. Their physicochemical properties, innate immune activation profiles, and applications in nicotine, stimulant, and opioid vaccines are discussed. Comparative analyses reveal pronounced drug-specific and carrier-specific variability. Case studies illustrate the superior performance of a complementary TLR-agonist pair in a nicotine nanovaccine versus its limited effect in oxycodone vaccines. They also reveal the differential efficacy of an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant across antigen types. Four principles emerge: (i) no adjuvant is universally optimal; (ii) drug pharmacology influences immune signaling; (iii) adjuvant-carrier compatibility is important; (iv) complementary adjuvant pairings often outperform single agents. These insights support a precision-vaccinology paradigm that tailors adjuvant strategies to each drug class and the delivery vehicle, advancing the development of next-generation SUD vaccines. Full article

As vital material carriers of human civilization, earthen sites are experiencing continuous surface deterioration under the combined effects of weathering and anthropogenic damage. Traditional surface conservation techniques, due to their poor compatibility and limited reversibility, struggle to address the compound challenges of micro-scale degradation and macro-scale deformation. With the deep integration of digital twin technology, spatial information technologies, intelligent systems, and sustainable concepts, earthen site surface conservation technologies are transitioning from single-point applications to multidimensional integration. However, challenges remain in terms of the insufficient systematization of technology integration and the absence of a comprehensive interdisciplinary theoretical framework. Based on the dual-core databases of Web of Science and Scopus, this study systematically reviews the technological evolution of surface conservation for earthen sites between 2000 and 2025. CiteSpace 6.2 R4 and VOSviewer 1.6 were used for bibliometric visualization analysis, which was innovatively combined with manual close reading of the key literature and GPT-assisted semantic mining (error rate < 5%) to efficiently identify core research themes and infer deeper trends. The results reveal the following: (1) technological evolution follows a three-stage trajectory—from early point-based monitoring technologies, such as remote sensing (RS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS), to spatial modeling technologies, such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and geographic information systems (GIS), and, finally, to today’s integrated intelligent monitoring systems based on multi-source fusion; (2) the key surface technology system comprises GIS-based spatial data management, high-precision modeling via LiDAR, 3D reconstruction using oblique photogrammetry, and building information modeling (BIM) for structural protection, while cutting-edge areas focus on digital twin (DT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) for intelligent monitoring, augmented reality (AR) for immersive visualization, and blockchain technologies for digital authentication; (3) future research is expected to integrate big data and cloud computing to enable multidimensional prediction of surface deterioration, while virtual reality (VR) will overcome spatial–temporal limitations and push conservation paradigms toward automation, intelligence, and sustainability. This study, grounded in the technological evolution of surface protection for earthen sites, constructs a triadic framework of “intelligent monitoring–technological integration–collaborative application,” revealing the integration needs between DT and VR for surface technologies. It provides methodological support for addressing current technical bottlenecks and lays the foundation for dynamic surface protection, solution optimization, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Full article

This study proposes an innovative design strategy for molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) optoelectronic devices based on three-dimensional folded configurations. A “Z”-shaped folded MoS₂ device was fabricated through mechanical exfoliation combined with a pre-strain technique on elastic substrates. Experimental investigations reveal that the geometric folding deformation induces novel photocurrent response zones near folded regions beyond the Schottky junction area via band structure reconstruction, achieving triple polarity switching (negative–positive–negative–positive) of photocurrent. This breakthrough overcomes the single-polarity separation mechanism limitation in conventional planar devices. Scanning photocurrent microscopy demonstrates a 40-fold enhancement in photocurrent intensity at folded regions compared to flat areas, attributed to the optimization of carrier separation efficiency through a pn junction-like built-in electric field induced by the three-dimensional configuration. Voltage-modulation experiments show that negative bias (−150 mV) expands positive response regions, while +200 mV bias induces a global negative response, revealing a dynamic synergy between folding deformation and electric field regulation. Theoretical analysis identifies that the band bending and built-in electric field in folded regions constitutes the physical origin of multiple polarity reversals. This work establishes a design paradigm integrating “geometric deformation-band engineering” for regulating optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional materials, demonstrating significant application potential in programmable photoelectric sensing and neuromorphic devices. Full article

Block copolymer (BCP) surfaces permit an exquisite level of nanoscale control in biomolecular assemblies solely based on self-assembly. Owing to this, BCP-based biomolecular assembly represents a much-needed, new paradigm for creating nanobiosensors and nanobiomaterials without the need for costly and time-consuming fabrication steps. Research endeavors in the BCP nanobiotechnology field have led to stimulating results that can promote our current understanding of biomolecular interactions at a solid interface to the never-explored size regimes comparable to individual biomolecules. Encouraging research outcomes have also been reported for the stability and activity of biomolecules bound on BCP thin film surfaces. A wide range of single and multicomponent biomolecules and BCP systems has been assessed to substantiate the potential utility in practical applications as next-generation nanobiosensors, nanobiodevices, and biomaterials. To this end, this Review highlights pioneering research efforts made in the BCP nanobiotechnology area. The discussions will be focused on those works particularly pertaining to nanoscale surface assembly of functional biomolecules, biomolecular interaction properties unique to nanoscale polymer interfaces, functionality of nanoscale surface-bound biomolecules, and specific examples in biosensing. Systems involving the incorporation of biomolecules as one of the blocks in BCPs, i.e., DNA–BCP hybrids, protein–BCP conjugates, and isolated BCP micelles of bioligand carriers used in drug delivery, are outside of the scope of this Review. Looking ahead, there awaits plenty of exciting research opportunities to advance the research field of BCP nanobiotechnology by capitalizing on the fundamental groundwork laid so far for the biomolecular interactions on BCP surfaces. In order to better guide the path forward, key fundamental questions yet to be addressed by the field are identified. In addition, future research directions of BCP nanobiotechnology are contemplated in the concluding section of this Review. Full article

FXTAS is a neurodegenerative disorder occurring in some Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene premutation carriers (PMCs) and is characterized by cerebellar ataxia, tremor, and cognitive deficits that negatively impact balance and gait and increase fall risk. Dual-tasking (DT) cognitive-motor paradigms and challenging balance conditions may have the capacity to reveal markers of FXTAS onset. Our objectives were to determine the impact of dual-tasking and sensory and stance manipulation on balance in FXTAS and potentially detect subtle postural sway deficits in FMR1 PMCs who are asymptomatic for signs of FXTAS on clinical exam. Participants with FXTAS, PMCs without FXTAS, and controls underwent balance testing using an inertial sensor system. Stance, vision, surface stability, and cognitive demand were manipulated in 30 s trials. FXTAS participants had significantly greater total sway area, jerk, and RMS sway than controls under almost all balance conditions but were most impaired in those requiring vestibular control. PMCs without FXTAS had significantly greater RMS sway compared with controls in the feet apart, firm, single task conditions both with eyes open and closed (EC) and the feet together, firm, EC, DT condition. Postural sway deficits in the RMS postural sway variability domain in asymptomatic PMCs might represent prodromal signs of FXTAS. This information may be useful in providing sensitive biomarkers of FXTAS onset and as quantitative balance measures in future interventional trials and longitudinal natural history studies. Full article

High effectiveness and high reliability are two fundamental concerns in data transmission. Non-orthogonal multiple-access (NOMA) technology presents a promising solution for high-speed data transmission, which has long been pursued by academia and industry. However, there is still a significant road ahead for it to effectively support a wide range of applications. This paper provides a comprehensive study, comparison, and classification of the current advanced NOMA schemes from the perspectives of single-carrier (SC) systems, multicarrier (MC) systems, reconfigurable-intelligent-surface (RIS)-assisted systems, and deep-learning (DL)-assisted systems. Specifically, system implementation issues such as the transition from SC-NOMA to MC-NOMA, the relaxation of distinct channel gains, the consideration of imperfect channel knowledge, and the mitigation of error propagation/intra-group interference are involved. To begin with, we present an overview of the state-of-the-art developments related to the advanced design of SC-NOMA. Subsequently, a generalized MC-NOMA framework that provides the diversity–multiplexing gain by enhancing users’ signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is proposed for better system performance. Moreover, we delve into discussions on RIS-assisted NOMA systems, where the receiver’s SINR can be enhanced by intelligently reconfiguring the reflected signal propagations. Finally, we analyze designs that combine NOMA/RIS-NOMA with DL to achieve highly efficient data transmission. We also identify key trends and future directions in deep-learning-based NOMA frameworks, providing valuable insights for researchers in this field. Full article

The last Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) assessment report highlighted how actions to reduce CO₂ emissions have not been effective so far to achieve the 1.5 C limit and that radical measures are required. Solutions such as the upgrading of waste biomass, the power-to-X paradigm, and an innovative energy carrier such as hydrogen can make an effective contribution to the transition toward a low-carbon energy system. In this context, the aim of this study is to improve the hydrogen production process from wet residual biomass by examining the advantages of an innovative integration of anaerobic digestion with thermochemical transformation processes. Furthermore, this solution is integrated into a hybrid power supply composed of an electric grid and a photovoltaic plant (PV), supported by a thermal energy storage (TES) system. Both the performance of the plant and its input energy demand—splitting the power request between the photovoltaic system and the national grid—are carefully assessed by a Simulink/Simscape model. The preliminary evaluation shows that the plant has good performance in terms of hydrogen yields, reaching 5.37% kg_H2/kg_biomass, which is significantly higher than the typical value of a single process (approximately 3%). This finding demonstrates a good synergy between the biological and thermochemical biomass valorization routes. Moreover, thermal energy storage significantly improves the conversion plant’s independence, almost halving the energy demand from the grid. Full article

Terahertz (THz) meta-devices are considered to be a promising framework for constructing integrated photonic circuitry, which is significant for processing the upsurge of data brought about by next-generation telecommunications. However, present active metasurfaces are typically restricted by a single external driving field, a single modulated frequency, fixed switching speed, and deficiency in logical operation functions which prevents devices from further practical applications. Here, to overcome these limitations, we propose a hybrid THz metasurface consisting of vanadium dioxide (VO₂) and germanium (Ge) that enables electrical and optical tuning methods individually or simultaneously and theoretically investigate its performance. Each of the two materials is arranged in the meta-atom to dominate the resonance strength of toroidal or magnetic dipoles. Controlled by either or both of the external excitations, the device can switch on or off at four different frequencies, possessing two temporal degrees of freedom in terms of manipulation when considering the nonvolatility of VO₂ and ultrafast photogenerated carriers of Ge. Furthermore, the “AND” and “OR” logic operations are respectively achieved at two adjacent frequency bands by weighing normalized transmission amplitude. This work may provide an auspicious paradigm of THz components, such as dynamic filters, multiband switches, and logical modulators, potentially promoting the design and implementation of multifunctional electro-optical devices in future THz computing and communication. Full article

Network slicing is a powerful paradigm for network operators to support use cases with widely diverse requirements atop a common infrastructure. As 5G standards are completed, and commercial solutions mature, operators need to start thinking about how to integrate network slicing capabilities in their assets, so that customer-facing solutions can be made available in their portfolio. This integration is, however, not an easy task, due to the heterogeneity of assets that typically exist in carrier networks. In this regard, 5G commercial networks may consist of a number of domains, each with a different technological pace, and built out of products from multiple vendors, including legacy network devices and functions. These multi-technology, multi-vendor and brownfield features constitute a challenge for the operator, which is required to deploy and operate slices across all these domains in order to satisfy the end-to-end nature of the services hosted by these slices. In this context, the only realistic option for operators is to introduce slicing capabilities progressively, following a phased approach in their roll-out. The purpose of this paper is to precisely help designing this kind of plan, by means of a technology radar. The radar identifies a set of solutions enabling network slicing on the individual domains, and classifies these solutions into four rings, each corresponding to a different timeline: (i) as-is ring, covering today’s slicing solutions; (ii) deploy ring, corresponding to solutions available in the short term; (iii) test ring, considering medium-term solutions; and (iv) explore ring, with solutions expected in the long run. This classification is done based on the technical availability of the solutions, together with the foreseen market demands. The value of this radar lies in its ability to provide a complete view of the slicing landscape with one single snapshot, by linking solutions to information that operators may use for decision making in their individual go-to-market strategies. Full article

As environmental regulations have been strengthened worldwide since the Paris Climate Agreement, the automobile industry is shifting its production paradigm to focus on eco-friendly vehicles such as electric vehicles and hydrogen-battery vehicles. Governments are banning fossil fuel vehicles by law and expanding the introduction of green vehicles. The energy efficiency of electric vehicles that use a limited power source called batteries depends on the driving environment. Applying a two-speed transmission to an electric vehicle can optimize average speed and performance efficiency at low speeds, and achieve maximum speed with minimal torque at high speeds. In this study, a two-speed transmission for an electric vehicle has been developed, to be used in a compact electric vehicle. This utilizes a planetary gear of a total of three pairs, made of a single module which was intended to enable two-speed. The ring gear was removed, and the carrier was used in common. When shifting, the energy used for the speed change is small, due to the use of the simple method of fixing the sun gear of each stage. Each gear was designed by calculating bending strength and surface durability, using JGMA standards, to secure stability. The safety factor of the gears used in the transmission is as follows: all gears have been verified for safety with a bending strength of 1.2 or higher and a surface pressure strength of 1.1 or higher. The design validity of the transmission was verified by calculating the gear meshing ratio and the reference efficiency of the gear. The transmission to be developed through the research results of this paper has a simple and compact structure optimized for electric vehicles, and has reduced shift shock. In addition, energy can be used more efficiently, which will help improve fuel economy and increase drive range. Full article

This article provides an overview of the fifth generation of cellular communications (5G) and beyond. It presents the transmission techniques of current 5G communications and those expected of future developments, namely a brief study of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) using the single carrier with frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) block transmission technique, evidencing its added value in terms of spectral efficiency. An introduction to the sixth generation of cellular communications (6G) is also provided. The insertion of 5G and 6G within the Fourth Industrial Revolution framework (also known as Industry 4.0) is also dealt with. Consisting of a change in paradigm, when compared to previous generations, 5G supports a myriad of new services based on the Internet of things (IoT) and on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, supporting technologies such as autonomous driving, smart cities, and remote surgery. The new services provided by 5G are supported by new techniques, such as millimeter waves (mm-wave), in addition to traditional microwave communication, and by massive multiple-input multiple-output (m-MIMO) technology. These techniques were not employed in the fourth generation of cellular communications (4G). While 5G plays an important role in the initial implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, 6G will address a number of new services such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), holographic services, the advanced Internet of things (IoT), AI-infused applications, wireless brain–computer interaction (BCI), and mobility at higher speeds. The current research on systems beyond 5G indicates that these applications shall be supported by new MIMO techniques and make use of terahertz (THz) bands. Full article

Projections indicate that current plant breeding approaches will be unable to incorporate the global crop yields needed to deliver global food security. Apomixis is a disruptive innovation by which a plant produces clonal seeds capturing heterosis and gene combinations of elite phenotypes. Introducing apomixis into hybrid cultivars is a game-changing development in the current plant breeding paradigm that will accelerate the generation of high-yield cultivars. However, apomixis is a developmentally complex and genetically multifaceted trait. The central problem behind current constraints to apomixis breeding is that the genomic configuration and molecular mechanism that initiate apomixis and guide the formation of a clonal seed are still unknown. Today, not a single explanation about the origin of apomixis offer full empirical coverage, and synthesizing apomixis by manipulating individual genes has failed or produced little success. Overall evidence suggests apomixis arise from a still unknown single event molecular mechanism with multigenic effects. Disentangling the genomic basis and complex genetics behind the emergence of apomixis in plants will require the use of novel experimental approaches benefiting from Next Generation Sequencing technologies and targeting not only reproductive genes, but also the epigenetic and genomic configurations associated with reproductive phenotypes in homoploid sexual and apomictic carriers. A comprehensive picture of most regulatory changes guiding apomixis emergence will be central for successfully installing apomixis into the target species by exploiting genetic modification techniques. Full article