Search Results (11,987)

To address the problems of uneven stubble height and high missed-cutting rate caused by the insufficient profiling capability of traditional forage harvesters in complex hilly terrain, this paper designs a three-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) profiling header primarily for typical hilly terrain with gentle slopes of 8–15°. Through pitch, roll, and height adjustments, it stably maintains stubble height at 150 mm. Subsequently, geometric analysis and structural optimization achieved kinematic decoupling among all degrees of freedom, thereby overcoming the inherent limitations of the two-DOF header, such as poor adaptability to longitudinal slope and strong adjustment coupling. Three-dimensional modeling was completed in SolidWorks, multibody dynamics simulation was performed in ADAMS, and a profiling control system incorporating a hydraulic system, multi-source sensor fusion, and a fuzzy PID controller was built. The dynamics simulation results show that under the working conditions of 15° longitudinal and 10° transverse slopes, the stubble height error of the header is controlled within 10%, the attitude angle adjustment error is less than 0.5°, and the dynamic response is excellent. Prototype field tests showed that, compared with the two-DOF header, the three-DOF profiling header improved the stubble height stability by about 35%, reduced the missed-cutting rate by about 5%, and increased the operating efficiency by about 15%. No cutting blade contact with the soil occurred, verifying the rationality of the mechanism design and its adaptability to terrain. This study provides an effective technical solution for improving the mechanization level of forage harvesting in hilly and mountainous areas. Full article

Diamond bead wire saw cutting technology for coal seams is an effective approach for relieving pressure and enhancing permeability by forming internal slits within a coal seam. However, the current lack of solid theoretical guidance for cutting force models in loaded coal bodies makes it difficult to accurately predict cutting forces under underground conditions. This study established a three-dimensional cutting force model for wire saw cutting of loaded coal bodies. At the same time, comparative experiments were conducted using a self-developed experimental apparatus for cutting loaded coal with a wire saw. The research findings indicate that, during wire saw cutting of loaded coal bodies, increasing the cutting depth of the cutting force of a single abrasive grain by changing the load on both sides of the coal body changes the removal patterns of abrasive particles at different orientations on a single bead. This leads to a shift from plastic deformation to brittle deformation while widening the cutting contact area on both sides of the wire saw. The interaction of these aspects changes the cutting force exerted by the wire saw on loaded coal bodies. The experimental results revealed that under high-load conditions, the cutting force on the coal further increased during wire saw cutting. This suggests that the expansion of the cutting range plays a more significant role in increasing the cutting force than does the decrease resulting from changes in removal mode. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights for the process design of wire saw coal cutting technology. Full article

Integrating sustainability into higher education is a strategic priority of the 2030 Agenda, although its effective implementation remains uneven and understudied from internal institution comparative perspectives. This study analyzes the perceptions of faculty and students regarding the integration of sustainability at a higher education institution in Ecuador, using a convergent–complementary mixed-methods design that triangulates descriptive quantitative analysis and qualitative thematic content analysis. The quantitative component included 597 students and 88 faculty members, who responded to structured questionnaires of 15 items organized into five dimensions: curriculum and teaching, participation and engagement, resources and institutional support, impact and expectations, and vision for the future. The qualitative component was based on semi-structured interviews analyzed using thematic coding. The results show a generally favorable perception in both groups (Student Perception Index = 2.35; Faculty Perception Index = 2.23), with greater consensus in the impact and expectations dimension and significant gaps in resources and institutional support. Qualitative analysis revealed distinct relational models: faculty members articulate sustainability through professional responsibility and curriculum management, while students construct it from fragmented experiences and extra-university references. Triangulation of both components reveals a duality between solid normative legitimation and incipient structural institutionalization. These findings contribute to the debate on sustainable transition processes in Latin American universities and provide comparative empirical evidence for the design of institutional policies in emerging contexts. Full article

Freshwater demand for cementing operations in the Delaware Basin continues to increase with expanding unconventional development, creating a high demand for an alternative source of water. This study develops a chemistry screening and operational framework to evaluate the reusability potential in cementing operations in the Delaware Basin. A three-tier screening system for the produced-water samples was established by using the major-ion chemistry, total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, and saturation index (SI) thresholds derived from the cement literature and American Petroleum Institute (API) guidelines. The results of the geochemical screening aid in classifying the water samples into four suitability categories: Excellent/Preferred, Good/Suitable, Moderate/Marginal, and Poor/Unsuitable. The results suggest that the samples obtained from the Loving, Pecos, Reeves, Eddy and Lea counties meet the criteria for reuse in cementing operations with minimal conditioning. To assess the feasibility of operational use, a probabilistic forecasting model was developed to predict the cement water demand in 2026 for the basin. Linear regression of historical drilling trends between 2015 and 2025 showcased that approximately 3595 new wells will be drilled, with an average well depth of 21,778 ft. To evaluate whether the produced-water volumes in the basin are adequate for reuse in cementing, a Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 iterations) estimated an annual cementing water requirement centered at 6.16 MMbbl/year (P50). Produced-water availability from wells classified as Excellent/Preferred was also modeled probabilistically, using uncertainty in the water–oil ratio (WOR), estimated ultimate recovery (EUR), and forecast duration. These results demonstrate the potential for produced-water reuse to reduce freshwater demand for cementing operations in the Delaware Basin. Full article

The prediction of dynamic responses of offshore wind turbine foundations under wind-wave-current multi-field coupled loads is the cornerstone of safety in offshore wind power engineering. The currently widely adopted equivalent load application method, while computationally efficient, simplifies loads into concentrated forces applied at the pile top and tower top, neglecting fluid-structure dynamic interaction mechanisms, which leads to deviations in response predictions. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a high-precision bidirectional fluid-structure interaction numerical framework. The fluid domain employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to construct an air-seawater two-phase flow model, utilizing the standard k-ε turbulence model and nonlinear wave theory to accurately simulate complex marine environments. The solid domain establishes a wind turbine-stratified seabed system via the finite element method (FEM), describing soil-rock mechanical properties based on the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model. Comparative studies indicate that the equivalent static method significantly underestimates the displacement response of pile foundations, particularly under the extreme shutdown conditions examined in this study. This value should be interpreted as a case-specific observation rather than a universal deviation, and the discrepancy may vary with sea state, wind speed, current velocity, and wind–wave misalignment, thereby leading to non-conservative estimates of stress distribution. In contrast, the fluid-structure interaction method can reveal key physical processes such as local flow acceleration and wake–interference effects around the tower and the parked rotor under shutdown conditions, and the nonlinear interaction and resistance-increasing mechanisms between waves and currents. This model provides a reliable tool for safety assessment and damage evolution analysis of wind turbine foundations under extreme marine conditions, promoting the transformation of offshore wind power structure design from empirical formulas to mechanism-driven approaches. Full article

Background: B7-H3, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the B7 superfamily, is an attractive target for antitumor therapies. B7-H3 demonstrates aberrant overexpression in various types of solid tumors while showing limited and low expression in normal human organs. Various types of treatment targeting B7-H3 have been reported. Among these treatments, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) have shown potent activity, and several clinical trials, including DS7300a and MGC018, are currently ongoing. Methods: Here, we constructed CD276-8 ADC, composed of the anti-B7-H3 antibody CD276-8 with moderate affinity, an enzymatically cleavable tetra-peptide-based linker and DXd. Characteristics, including in vitro binding affinity and internalization activity, were assessed by bio-layer interferometry (BLI), flow cytometry and high content analysis (HCA). The cytotoxicity of CD276-8 ADC was evaluated in cell lines expressing B7-H3. Pharmacokinetic profiles and antitumor activity were evaluated in mouse models in vivo. Finally, the developability of CD276-8 ADC was assessed with plasma stability, accelerated stability and freeze–thaw studies using LC-MS and HPLC. Results: Characterization in vitro demonstrated the moderate affinity and acceptable internalization activity of CD276-8 ADC. In addition, CD276-8 ADC exhibited potent antitumor activities in B7-H3-positive cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) models with acceptable pharmacokinetic profiles, although it showed less potent cytotoxicity in various cell lines in vitro, indicating acceptable developability. Conclusions: We developed CD276-8 ADC, a B7-H3-targeting ADC with moderate affinity, which delivers the TOP1 inhibitor DXd. This design combined moderate affinity and acceptable pharmacokinetics, resulting in potent antitumor efficacy in vivo. Our study suggests that affinity optimization could be a useful consideration for enhancing ADC efficacy, positioning CD276-8 ADC as a promising therapeutic for B7-H3-expressing solid tumors. Full article

A total of three variants of pellets from field bean and potato waste mixtures were investigated and analyzed. Their physical, mechanical and chemical properties were examined, and the burning emissions of pellets were measured. An experimental study was performed to determine the dependence of density and compressive strength. An empirical linear regression model was developed, allowing calculation of the density and compressive strength dependence of pellets with 84–91% accuracy. The lower calorific value of the dry waste pellets was similar across all tested samples. The chemical properties of pellet ash were determined, and its suitability for use as a fertilizer was assessed. The pellet density ranged from 1269.24 kg m⁻³ (potato pellets) to 1369.89 kg m⁻³ (potato and bean MIX DC pellets). The moisture content of the pellets varied from 6.14% to 7.37%. The moisture content of the pellets increased with the proportion of potato waste meal in the mixture. The ash contains elements magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, silicon, sodium and phosphorus. Potassium in potato pellet ash was found to have the highest concentration (60.42%), which has a direct effect on boiler slag. The share of potato waste in biofuels helps to remove soot from the chimney in the form of solid particles. It can therefore be stated that bean and potato waste can be used in the production of solid biofuels and that pellets produced with a 20% (1:4 ratio) potato waste fraction obtain the best properties. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive multi-objective optimization of sewage wastewater treatment using bio-based coagulants, guided by the Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) and its multi-objective variant (MOGWO). Experimental coagulation data, employing Citrullus lanatus and Cucumis melo as natural coagulants, were modeled using multivariate regression techniques, yielding high coefficients of determination (R² > 0.95) across key water quality parameters. The optimization process targeted maximal reductions in turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) through strategic manipulation of pH and coagulant dosage. The single-objective GWO achieved significant outcomes, including a 96.68% turbidity reduction at pH 5 and 50 mg/L dosage. The MOGWO algorithm identified Pareto-optimal solutions, such as a 94.2% turbidity reduction at pH 5 and 72 mg/L dosage, and a balanced BOD reduction of 52.7% at pH 7. The predictive models indicated that optimal treatment conditions could reduce chemical usage by up to 90% compared to conventional coagulants, resulting in potential cost savings of up to 30%. Moreover, the algorithms demonstrated rapid convergence, averaging 200 iterations, highlighting their computational efficiency and robustness. These findings illustrate that integrating bio-based coagulants with advanced optimization techniques can achieve high treatment efficiency while reducing chemical inputs, thus directly supporting environmental sustainability by minimizing sludge and secondary pollution. In this situation, the wastewater treatment plant will focus on resource-recovery systems with less or no waste at the end of the treatment process. This approach aligns with circular economy principles by promoting eco-friendly, cost-effective wastewater treatment solutions suitable for resource-limited settings. The study offers a forward-looking pathway for environmentally responsible wastewater management practices that significantly reduce chemical dependency and contribute to pollution mitigation efforts. Full article

As the key technology of space exploration, space power has been a major area of international research focus. A lot of research work has been carried out around the world for the space nuclear reactor using the heat pipe, liquid metal and gas cooling methods. With the development of molten salt reactor in the Generation IV reactor system, molten salt dissolving fissile material and acting as a coolant at the same time has become a new cooling scheme, which provides new ideas for the design of space nuclear reactors. In this study, a novel reactor, the liquid-solid dual-fuel space nuclear reactor (LSSNR) was preliminarily proposed, combining the molten salt fuel and cross-shaped spiral solid fuel to achieve the design goals of 30-year lifetime and an active core weight of less than 200 kg. Monte Carlo neutron transport code OpenMC based on ENDF/B-VII.1 library was employed for neutronics design in the aspect of fuel type, cladding material, reflector material and the spectral shift absorber. Then, the thickness of the control drum absorber was optimized to meet the requirement of the sufficient shutdown margin, lower solid fuel enrichment, and 30-effective-full power-years (EFPY) operation lifetime. Finally, UC solid fuel with U-235 enrichment of 80.98 wt.% and B₄C thickness of 0.75 cm were adopted in LSSNR, and BeO was adopted as the reflector and the matrix material of the control drum. A spectral shift absorber Gd₂O₃ was used to avoid the subcritical LSSNR returning to criticality in a launch accident. The k_eff with the control drum in the innermost position is 0.954949, and the k_eff reaches 1.00592 after 30 EFPY of operation. The total mass of the active core is 158.11 kg. In addition, the thermal-hydraulic feasibility of LSSNR using cross-shaped spiral fuel was analyzed based on a 4/61 reactor core model. The structure of cross-shaped spiral fuel achieves enhanced heat transfer by generating turbulence, which leads to a uniform temperature distribution of the coolant flow field and reduces local temperature peaks. Based on the LSSNR scheme, some neutronic characteristics were analyzed. Results demonstrate that the LSSNR has strongly negative reactivity coefficients due to the thermal expansion of liquid fuel, and the fission gas-induced pressure meets safety requirements. One hundred years after the end of core life, the total radioactivity of reactor core is reduced by 99% and is 7.1305 Ci. Full article

In municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), anaerobic digestion of municipal mixed sludge (MMS) often yields low energy recovery and operational instability due to imbalances between primary and secondary sludges. Anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) with readily biodegradable wastes, such as fruit and vegetable waste (FVW), can enhance process stability and biogas production. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used in this study to evaluate the environmental performance of implementing AcoD of MMS and FVW in a municipal WWTP, compared with a business-as-usual scenario combining mono-digestion of MMS and incineration of FVW. The LCA was modelled in openLCA 2.5 using the ecoinvent 3.9.1 database (cut-off allocation approach), and impacts were assessed with the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method, focusing on climate change, terrestrial acidification, fossil fuel depletion, and marine eutrophication. Results indicate that AcoD reduces impacts across all environmental categories, mainly due to higher biogas yields that increase on-site electricity generation and decrease reliance on grid electricity. Improved total solids removal also lowers digestate production and composting-related burdens. Electricity consumption remains the main hotspot in both scenarios, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency and electricity mix. Sensitivity analysis on methane content (61–65% v/v) confirms the robustness of AcoD’s environmental benefits. Full article

CAR-T cell therapy has shown substantial efficacy in haematological malignancies, but its application to solid tumours remains limited by poor effector-cell infiltration, functional exhaustion, antigenic heterogeneity, and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this study, we develop a new spatiotemporal mathematical model of CAR-T therapy for solid tumours that integrates these resistance mechanisms within a single reaction–diffusion framework. The model is formulated as a system of partial differential equations describing functional and exhausted CAR-T cells, antigen-positive and antigen-low tumour subpopulations, and chemokine, immunosuppressive, and hypoxic fields. Steady-state analysis and finite-difference simulations showed that therapeutic outcome is governed by the interplay between CAR-T cell infiltration, exhaustion, and antigen escape. The model reproduces partial tumour regression followed by residual tumour persistence, therapy-driven enrichment of antigen-low cells, and reduced efficacy under stronger immunosuppressive and hypoxic conditions. In the combination therapy scenario considered here, repeated simulated CAR-T cell administration together with attenuation of the suppressive microenvironment improves tumour control. The proposed model provides a mechanistic basis for analysing resistance and for future optimisation studies of CAR-T therapy in solid tumours. Full article

Agroindustrial residues represent an abundant and underutilized source of carbon-rich materials for environmental remediation. In this study, annatto processing waste (Bixa orellana), a largely unexplored lignocellulosic by-product generated during pigment extraction, was converted into hydrochar via hydrothermal carbonization at 200 °C for 3 h. The resulting hydrochar (HC-AW) exhibited a predominantly amorphous carbon structure with retained oxygen-containing surface functionalities, and a solid yield of 44%, indicating efficient biomass conversion under subcritical conditions. Adsorption performance toward tetracycline was evaluated through pH-dependent experiments, kinetic modeling, equilibrium isotherms, and thermodynamic analysis. Maximum adsorption occurred under near-neutral conditions (pH ≈ 7), consistent with the interplay between tetracycline speciation and the hydrochar surface charge (pH_PZC ≈ 6.3), highlighting its potential applicability under realistic water treatment conditions without pH adjustment. Kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-second-order model, while equilibrium results were best fitted by the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 14.94 mg g⁻¹ at 30 °C. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and slightly endothermic adsorption process. Overall, the results highlight the potential of annatto-derived hydrochar as a low-cost adsorbent and provide insight into the relationship between surface properties and adsorption behavior governing antibiotic removal from aqueous systems. Full article

This study investigated the extraction and characterization of pectin from the peel and the pulp of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) cladodes, aiming to define sustainable and optimized extraction conditions and to evaluate the applicability of the extracted pectin in film development for food packaging. Cladodes were chemically characterized, confirming their richness in sugars, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds. Different solvents (citric acid, acetic acid, and acidified water) and pH values (1.5–7) were evaluated, with citric acid (1% w/v) selected as the most suitable solvent due to its extraction efficiency and food-grade nature. Process optimization was performed using response surface methodology (RSM), considering liquid-to-solid ratio (5–15 v/w), extraction time (40–60 min), and temperature (70–90 °C). The regression models showed good fit, with R² values of 88.79% for peel and 89.20% for pulp. Extraction yield was mainly influenced by liquid-to-solid ratio, time, and temperature, with optimal conditions defined as 10 v/w, 40 min, and 80 °C. Pectin obtained under optimized conditions was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, showing functional groups consistent with commercial citrus pectin, while galacturonic acid content and degree of esterification confirmed its purity and classification as low-methoxyl pectin, supporting its suitability for further film production. Additionally, the extracted pectin was successfully incorporated into blended films with commercial pectin, resulting in films with improved water resistance and water vapor barrier performance. Overall, OFI cladodes represent a promising and sustainable source of pectin for biodegradable food packaging applications. Full article

Traditional Chinese paper cutting represents an important intangible cultural heritage. Can artificial intelligence (AI) reactivate the heritage in a new style? The aim of this study was to use AI to reactivate temple arts and paintings by converting them into the style of traditional Chinese paper cuttings. Thirty sets of old images taken 18 years ago and 10 images of ancient paintings from the National Palace Museum were restyled in Nano Banana (Pro)^®. Related design elements included integrated isolated parts, visual depth, details, and solid and void alternation. Three-dimensional stone and wood sculptures were reconstructed using Rodin^® or Meshy^® and converted into AR models in Sketchfab^®. From the generated 2D images and their 3D representations, a reactivated style of Chinese paper cutting was developed that can be interacted with in the AR smartphone platform or RP in the physical world. Approximately 370 images were regenerated, and 167 versions of models were reconstructed. AI should be considered part of culture. Rethinking traditional folk art highlights demand for the cross-reference and cross-reactivation of heterogeneous art forms. This AI model interprets novel 3D structural and visual details and creates a unique 2D and 3D identity for each subject. Full article

This article presents a systematic literature review on methane (CH₄) emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal sites and their implications for footprint outcomes. This review followed a PRISMA 2020 screening logic using Scopus and ScienceDirect (2019–2024); English and Spanish; subject areas: engineering and environmental, earth sciences), yielding a final sample of 30 studies for qualitative synthesis. This review focuses on how landfill CH₄ is quantified and how system boundaries and functional units shape reported CO₂ results. Evidence indicates that reported CH₄ estimates are sensitive to methodological choices and key assumptions and site-context drivers (degradable organic carbon (DOC)/model first-order decay (FOD) and constant k, the methane correction factor (MCF), gas collection, oxidation, waste composition, landfill age/type, and climate), limiting direct comparability between studies. Mitigation and waste-to-energy pathways (capture/utilization, anaerobic digestion, and incineration) are summarized in terms of the reported climate benefits. Finally, reporting gaps are identified, and the minimum information set is outlined to improve the reproducibility of landfill-related carbon footprint estimates for planning and future research. Full article