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Paraffin-based phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as promising candidates for thermal energy storage (TES) applications due to their high latent heat, chemical stability, and low cost. However, their inherently low thermal conductivity and the risk of leakage during melting–solidification cycles significantly limit their practical performance. To address these limitations, numerous studies have investigated composite PCMs in which paraffin is incorporated into porous supporting matrices. Among these, diatomite has garnered particular attention due to its high porosity, large specific surface area, and chemical compatibility with organic materials. Serving as both a carrier and stabilizing shell, diatomite effectively suppresses leakage and enhances thermal conductivity, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the PCM. This review synthesizes recent research on paraffin–diatomite composites, with a focus on impregnation methods, surface modification techniques, and the influence of synthesis parameters on thermal performance and cyclic stability. The mechanisms of heat and mass transport within the composite structure are examined, alongside comparative analyses of paraffin–diatomite systems and other inorganic or polymeric supports. Particular emphasis is placed on applications in energy-efficient buildings, passive heating and cooling, and hybrid thermal storage systems. The review concludes that paraffin–diatomite composites present a promising avenue for stable, efficient, and sustainable phase change materials (PCMs). However, challenges such as the optimization of pore structure, long-term durability, and large-scale manufacturing must be addressed to facilitate their broader implementation in next-generation energy storage technologies. Full article

Magnesia-dolomite refractories have emerged as sustainable alternatives to traditional carbon- or chromium-containing linings in steelmaking and cement industries. Their outstanding thermochemical stability, high refractoriness, and strong basic slag compatibility make them suitable for converters, electric arc furnaces (EAF), and argon–oxygen decarburization (AOD) units. However, their practical application has long been constrained by hydration and thermal shock sensitivity associated with free CaO and open porosity. Recent advances, including optimized raw material purity, fused co-clinker synthesis, nano-additive incorporation (TiO${}_2$, MgAl${}_2$O${}_4$ spinel, FeAl${}_2$O${}_4$), and improved sintering strategies, have significantly enhanced density, mechanical strength, and hydration resistance. Emerging technologies such as co-sintered magnesia–dolomite composites and additive-assisted microstructural tailoring have enabled superior corrosion resistance and extended service life. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of physicochemical mechanisms, processing routes, and industrial performance of magnesia–dolomite refractories, with special emphasis on their contribution to technological innovation, decarbonization, and circular economy strategies in high-temperature industries. Full article

In an era of intensifying global technological competition and systemic disruptions, the resilience of metropolitan innovation networks has emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable regional development. Based on joint invention patents, this study employs a multi-method analytical framework integrating social network analysis, network motif analysis, a random walk algorithm, and the Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) to trace the evolution of resilience across node, structural, and community levels in the Shanghai Metropolitan Area (2011–2020). Our findings reveal a significant trajectory of strengthening resilience, marked not only by a shift from a monocentric to a polycentric structure at the node level but also by a qualitative change in collaborative patterns at the structural level, and enhanced integration at the community level. ERGM analysis identifies policy coordination and industrial upgrading as the most potent drivers of this evolution, with a pivotal finding being that digital connectivity, measured by information proximity, has superseded geographic proximity in facilitating collaboration. This study develops and applies a multi-scale resilience framework, while also extending proximity theory by highlighting the growing importance of policy and information dimensions over geographic distance. It offers actionable insights for building resilient innovation ecosystems in policy-driven metropolitan regions. Full article

Symbiosis and synergy among urban uses are key determinants of spatial quality, liveability, and resilience. While symbiosis denotes the coexistence of users and functions within specific places, synergy refers to the collective benefits emerging from their interaction. These dynamics are especially relevant in city centres and main streets, which serve as structural and social backbones of urban life. This article applies the SyM_SyN Method to Zwycięstwa Street in Gliwice, Poland, to assess the intensity and distribution of symbiotic and synergistic relations. The analysis identified significant spatial deficiencies that weaken the coherence and attractiveness of the street. The results demonstrate how a systematic, data-driven evaluation can expose hidden weaknesses in urban structures. Importantly, from the perspective of the smart city paradigm, liveability and responsiveness of urban spaces cannot be reduced to technology-driven systems of sensors and devices. They must also be understood in terms of human-scale interactions and the ability of urban form to support them. Beyond its methodological contribution, the study emphasises the practical implications for urban renewal: reinforcing positive interactions between adjacent uses enhances street vitality, improves social inclusiveness, and supports more sustainable development strategies. The SyM_SyN Method thus provides both an analytical framework and a decision-support tool for designing user-oriented, high-quality urban spaces within the broader smart and sustainable city paradigm. Full article

The rapid advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing has driven continuous expansion of global data centers, resulting in increasingly severe energy consumption and carbon emission challenges. According to projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global electricity demand of data centers is expected to double by 2030. The construction of green data centers has emerged as a critical pathway for achieving carbon neutrality goals and facilitating energy structure transition. This paper presents a systematic review of the role of waste heat recovery technologies in data centers for achieving low-carbon development. Categorized by aspects of waste heat recovery technologies, power production and district heating, it focuses on assessing the applicability of heat collection technologies, such as heat pumps, thermal energy storage and absorption cooling, in different scenarios. This study examines multiple electricity generation pathways, specifically the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Kalina Cycle (KC), and thermoelectric generators (TEG), with comprehensive analysis of their technical performance and economic viability. The study also assesses the feasibility and environmental advantages of using data center waste heat for district heating. This application, supported by heat pumps and thermal energy storage, could serve both residential and industrial areas. The study shows that waste heat recovery technologies can not only significantly reduce the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of data centers, but also deliver substantial economic returns and emission reduction potential. In the future, the integration of green computing power with renewable energy will emerge as the cornerstone of sustainable data center development. Through intelligent energy management systems, cascaded energy utilization and regional energy synergy, data centers are poised to transition from traditional “energy-intensive facilities” to proactive “clean energy collaborators” within the smart grid ecosystem. Full article

Person Re-Identification (Re-ID), a critical component of intelligent surveillance and security systems, seeks to match individuals across disjoint camera networks under complex real-world conditions. While deep learning has revolutionized Re-ID through enhanced feature representation and domain adaptation, a holistic synthesis of its advancements, unresolved challenges, and ethical implications remains imperative. This survey offers a structured and critical examination of Re-ID in the deep learning era, organized into three pillars: technological innovations, persistent barriers, and future frontiers. We systematically analyze breakthroughs in deep architectures (e.g., transformer-based models, hybrid global-local networks), optimization paradigms (contrastive, adversarial, and self-supervised learning), and robustness strategies for occlusion, pose variation, and cross-domain generalization. Critically, we identify underexplored limitations such as annotation bias, scalability-accuracy trade-offs, and privacy-utility conflicts in real-world deployment. Beyond technical analysis, we propose emerging directions, including causal reasoning for interpretable Re-ID, federated learning for decentralized data governance, open-world lifelong adaptation frameworks, and human-AI collaboration to reduce annotation costs. By integrating technical rigor with societal responsibility, this review aims to bridge the gap between algorithmic advancements and ethical deployment, fostering transparent, sustainable, and human-centric Re-ID systems. Full article

Air cycle systems, once largely replaced by vapour-compression technologies due to efficiency concerns, are now re-emerging as a viable and sustainable alternative for highly dynamic thermal applications and excel in ultra-low temperature. By using air as the working fluid, these systems eliminate the need for synthetic refrigerants and comply naturally with evolving environmental regulations. This study presents the conceptual design and simulation-based analysis of a novel air cycle machine developed for advanced automotive testing environments. The system is intended to replicate a wide range of climatic conditions—from deep winter to peak summer—through the use of fast-responding turbomachinery and a flexible control strategy. A central focus is placed on the radial turbine, which is designed and evaluated using a modular, open source framework that integrates geometry generation, off-design CFD simulation, and performance mapping. The study outlines a potential operating strategy based on these simulations and discusses a control architecture combining lookup tables with zone-specific PID tuning. While the results are theoretical, they demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the proposed approach, particularly the turbine’s role within the system. Full article

Background/Objectives: Since its emergence in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated remarkable genetic diversity driven by mutations and recombination events that shaped the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuous genomic monitoring is essential to track viral evolution, assess the spread of variants of concern (VOCs), and inform public health strategies. The present study aimed to characterize the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Greece from the first national case in February 2020 through early 2025. Methods: A total of 66 respiratory samples collected from hospitalized patients across Northern Greece were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ MinION Mk1C platform and the ARTIC protocol. Sequences were analyzed with PANGO, Nextclade, and GISAID nomenclature systems for lineage and clade assignment, and the WHO nomenclature for VOCs. Results: Across 66 genomes, 34 PANGO lineages were identified. Early introductions included B.1 (2/66), B.1.177 (3/66), and B.1.258 (1/66). Alpha (5/66) and Beta (5/66) circulated in February–June 2021. Delta (AY.43) was detected in early 2022 (2/66; Jan–Feb) but was rapidly displaced by Omicron and reached 100% of the sequences by May 2022. Omicron diversified into BA.1/BA.1.1 (3/66), BA.2 (6/66), BA.4/BA.5 (14/66), BF.5 (1/66), EG.5 (1/66; designated a WHO Variant of Interest in 2023), JN.1 (4/66; globally dominant lineage prompting vaccine updates in 2024–2025), KS.1 (2/66; together with KS.1.1 are recognized PANGO lineages that were tracked internationally but remained less prevalent), KP.3 (5/66; together with KP.3.1.1, prominent “FLiRT” descendants circulating in 2024), and recombinants XDK, XDD, and XEC (5/66), reported by their PANGO names in accordance with the WHO’s current framework, which reserves Greek letters only for newly designated VOCs. Conclusions: This five-year genomic analysis provides an insight into the continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Greece. The findings underscore the importance of sustained genomic surveillance, integrated with epidemiological data, to detect emerging variants, monitor recombination, and strengthen preparedness for future coronavirus threats. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant worldwide health challenge due to the limitations of conventional treatments and the rising incidence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. This review consolidates the advancements in nanotechnology-based therapeutics, inhalable formulations, CRISPR–Cas tools, host-directed therapies (HDTs), and nanoparticle-based vaccine development aimed at enhancing TB management. Novel nanocarriers such as liposomes, solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), dendrimers, and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) offer enhanced bioavailability of drugs, sustained release, as well as targeted delivery to infected macrophages, thereby reducing systemic toxicity and dosing frequency. Inhalable nanomedicines provide localized delivery to the pulmonary site, enhancing the concentration of the drug at the primary site of infection. CRISPR–Cas technology is emerging as a transformative approach to disabling drug-resistant genes and enhancing diagnostic precision. HDTs, including agents like vitamin D and metformin, show potential in modulating host immune responses and enhancing pathogen clearance. Nanoparticle-based vaccines, including mRNA and antigen-conjugated platforms, aim to overcome the limitations of the BCG vaccine by enhancing antigen presentation and eliciting stronger, longer-lasting immunity. Collectively, these modalities mark a shift toward more personalized, effective, and less toxic TB therapies. However, challenges such as regulatory approval, safety, scalability, and accessibility remain. This review highlights the integrated potential of nanomedicine, gene editing, and immunomodulation to transform TB care and combat drug resistance, paving the way for more robust and durable treatment strategies. Full article

The rapid integration of emerging technologies into organizational processes has fundamentally redefined the role of strategic human resource management (SHRM). This paper explores how digital innovations—such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), blockchain, and immersive technologies—are reshaping the workforce and transforming the way organizations attract, develop, and retain talent. In the context of the digital era, human capital is no longer a passive input but a strategic enabler of sustainable competitive advantage. The purpose of the study is to analyze how SHRM practices must evolve to align with technology-driven organizational models, combining insights from a systematic literature review, institutional reports, and illustrative corporate cases. Findings indicate that agility, continuous reskilling, ethical AI governance, and employee well-being are critical levers for sustainable advantage. Comparative tables highlight differences between traditional HRM and SHRM in the digital era, while case studies (IBM, Walmart, Unilever, and UiPath) demonstrate the strategic value of predictive analytics, diversity and inclusion programs, virtual training, and people analytics. By proposing a conceptual model that links emerging technologies, SHRM, and competitiveness, the paper contributes to current debates on the transformation of work and organizational resilience. The study offers practical implications for HR leaders, policymakers, and academics navigating digital transformation while reinforcing human-centric performance and sustainability. Full article

The electro-hydraulic hybrid system has emerged as a critical technology in new energy vehicles, owing to the remarkable power density and efficient energy regeneration capabilities of hydraulic technology, coupled with the high energy density of electric power. This system effectively enhances vehicle range and battery life. We developed an energy management strategy (EMS) for the electro-hydraulic hybrid system (EHHS) to ensure smooth energy conversion, while ensuring the full utilization of electrical and hydraulic energy within a reasonable and efficient range. To enhance the system’s overall performance, it is imperative to address pivotal technologies, including power coupling and energy management. In this research, the structure of an electro-hydraulic hybrid vehicle (EHHV) is classified, compared and discussed. The application of existing EHHVs is studied. Subsequently, an analysis and summary are conducted on the current status and development trends of EMSs and collaborative operation control strategies (COCSs), and a novel mechanical-electro-hydraulic power-coupled system (MEHPCS) is put forward that successfully converts mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic energy in performance. Simultaneously, other applications of the system are forecasted. Finally, some suggestions for the electro-hydraulic hybrid systems’ future development are made. This study can promote the development of sustainable transportation technologies. The system integrates mechanical engineering, control theory, and environmental science, enabling interdisciplinary methodological innovation. In addition, relevant studies provide data support for policy makers by quantifying energy consumption indicators. Full article

Over the 21st century, the confluence between engineering and universal accessibility has emerged as a key research domain, reflecting the growing awareness of the importance of inclusive layout in technological innovation. Despite the growing number of studies on sustainability and inclusion, there is still a lack of comprehensive analyses exploring how engineering contributes to universal accessibility within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study addresses this gap by providing the first large-scale mapping of research trends, collaborations, and thematic evolution in this field. The present bibliometric analysis examines the evolution of engineering research in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, stressing its role in encouraging universal accessibility. Through a systematic review of scholarly works produced over the last twenty years, this study uncovers dominant issues, evolving research fronts, and the global relevance of engineering-based approaches to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. Analyzing citation dynamics, publication trajectories, and institutional involvement, this study underlines the contribution of engineering to building inclusive societies and ensuring equitable access to technology and infrastructure. Discoveries underscore that cross-sector collaboration and technological innovation are essential to overcoming accessibility challenges among disfavored populations, directly advancing SDG 10 on reducing disparities and SDG 11 on sustainable urban development. Full article

Global coastal reclamation areas face significant land subsidence, threatening infrastructure and sustainable development. China’s large-scale projects show particularly severe subsidence. For example, Tianjin’s Binhai New Area contains 413.6 km² of reclaimed land, and subsidence is driven by soft soil consolidation, industrial loads, and dynamic land use changes. This study addresses the unique geology of coastal reclamation zones: thick, soft clay layers; high porosity; and low soil strength. We employed optimized Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technology using 48 Sentinel-1A radar images (2019–2022), which generated high-resolution annual deformation rate maps revealing a north-high, south-low subsidence gradient. Crucially, validation against leveling data confirmed reliability. The systematically quantified results demonstrate built areas and the bare ground intensifies subsidence through structural loads and soil compression. Land use transitions also exacerbate differential settlement. For coastal cities and reclamation zones, key strategies emerge, including regulating structural loads in high-subsidence areas, managing soft soil consolidation, and implementing dynamic monitoring. Aligning development intensity with geological capacity is essential, and adopting adaptive spatial planning can mitigate subsidence hazards. This approach offers a scientific framework for enhancing global coastal resilience. Full article

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a toxic secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium graminearum in infected cereal crops, has emerged as a major global contaminant in food and feed due to its stable physicochemical properties and resistance to degradation during conventional processing. This contamination poses a serious threat to livestock production and animal health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of DON contamination, its transmission through the food chain, metabolic pathways in animals, and the comparative toxicity of its metabolites. Furthermore, we analyze DON-induced toxic effects, including acute toxicity, cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and hepatotoxicity. By integrating domestic and international regulatory thresholds with current mitigation strategies, we highlight future research directions focusing on biodegradation technologies and genetic regulation approaches to alleviate DON contamination in livestock feeds. Advancing efficient DON-degradation strategies could open new avenues for sustainable feed management and mycotoxin detoxification technologies. Full article

Disposable diapers contribute significantly to municipal solid waste, with non-biodegradable polymers such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) persisting in landfills for centuries. Biodegradable alternatives, including polylactic acid (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), bamboo, and organic cotton, offer reduced environmental persistence, although challenges remain regarding cost, mechanical performance, and scalability. This review synthesizes current literature on these materials, highlighting their properties, biodegradation mechanisms, environmental performance, and commercial feasibility. In addition, we examine emerging biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), such as polysaccharide-based hydrogels, chitosan, and nanocellulose, essential for fully compostable diapers. Our review uniquely integrates material performance, tropical high-humidity degradation, cost considerations, and consumer acceptance, providing insights into both technological advances and barriers to adoption. Key challenges include high production costs, supply chain limitations, and maintaining performance parity with conventional diapers. Finally, we discuss sustainable waste management strategies, including industrial composting, and identify future research directions focused on optimizing biopolymer properties, safety, and life-cycle impacts. This synthesis informs researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers seeking to advance environmentally responsible diaper products. Full article