Search Results (1,143)

When the expansion rate of the Universe at recombination is used to infer the present expansion rate $H_0$, the value derived in the $\Lambda$CDM model, $H_0=67.4$ km s${}^{-1}$ Mpc${}^{-1}$, is about in 6$\sigma$ tension with the value measured locally, $H_0=74$ km s${}^{-1}$ Mpc${}^{-1}$. In this work, we consider instead the expansion history in the context of the symmetry of scale-invariant vacuum (SIV model). We first perform two major cosmological tests: the Hubble diagram for type-Ia supernovae and the fundamental relation between $H_0$, the age of the Universe, and the total density of matter, ${\Omega }_{\mathrm{m}}$. This allows us to constrain ${\Omega }_{\mathrm{m}}$ in SIV, with both tests giving the best agreement for ${\Omega }_{\mathrm{m}}$ = 0.20. We then study the physical connections of the dynamical and thermal states of the Universe at recombination with the present Hubble constant, $H_0$, and the present temperature, T, in the $\Lambda$CDM and SIV contexts. We find that, in SIV, the properties at recombination may be conveyed to the present ones ($T=2.726$ and $H_0$ at $z=0$) without any tension, indicating $H_0=74$ km s${}^{-1}$ Mpc${}^{-1}$ in spite of the anchoring on the CMB. This is due to the slightly different expansion and temperature histories of the two cosmological models. Importantly, this happens to occur for ${\Omega }_{\mathrm{m}}$ = 0.20, as constrained in SIV with supernovae and cosmic age. This suggests that the Hubble tension currently found between $H_0$ values in the early and late Universe may simply be the result of $\Lambda CDM$ ignoring the small but still measurable effects of scale invariance. Full article

Construction on soft, highly compressible soils increasingly requires reliable ground improvement solutions. Among these, Rigid Inclusions (RIs) have emerged as one of the most efficient soil-reinforcement techniques. This paper synthesizes evidence from over 180 studies to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of RI technology encompassing its governing mechanisms, design methodologies, and field performance. While the static behavior of RI systems has now been extensively studied and is supported by international design guidelines, the response under cyclic and seismic loading, particularly in liquefiable soils, remains less documented and subject to significant uncertainty. This review critically analyzes the degradation of key load-transfer mechanisms including soil arching, membrane tension, and interface shear transfer under repeated loading conditions. It further emphasizes the distinct role of RIs in liquefiable soils, where mitigation relies primarily on reinforcement and confinement rather than on drainage-driven mechanisms typical of granular columns. The evolution of design practice is traced from analytical formulations validated under static conditions toward advanced numerical and physical modeling frameworks suitable for dynamic loading. The lack of validated seismic design guidelines is high-lighted, and critical knowledge gaps are identified, underscoring the need for advanced numerical simulations and large-scale physical testing to support the future development of performance-based seismic design (PBSD) approaches for RI-improved ground. Full article

Dense and complex underground structures impose stringent requirements on shield tunneling. In the close-proximity construction of super-large-diameter shield tunnels, challenges may arise, including adverse impacts on the normal operation of existing structures, as well as difficulties in ensuring the bearing capacity and deformation control of these structures during excavation. This study, based on the stratigraphic conditions of the Chengdu area, employs FLAC3D 7.0 version software to simulate the section where the Shuanghua Road Tunnel underpasses both Metro Line 10 and the Chengdu-Guiyang High-Speed Railway. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Tunnel underpassing induces uneven settlement in the metro tunnel, with a maximum settlement reaching 47.7 mm. The settlement trough exhibits a twin-peak morphology during dual-line construction. When a single super-large-diameter tunnel line crosses the existing structural cluster, the maximum settlement is located directly above the crossing point. During dual-line crossing, the maximum settlement shifts towards the midpoint between the two new tunnel lines. (2) As the left line of the new tunnel approaches the existing structure, the cross-sectional deformation of the existing structure is “pulled” towards the direction of the excavated new tunnel. After the new left line moves away, the cross-sectional deformation gradually recovers to a bilaterally symmetrical state. (3) The tunnel cross-section undergoes dynamic “compression-tension” convergence changes during the construction process, with a maximum longitudinal tensile convergence of −1.28 mm. (4) During the underpassing of the existing structural cluster by the super-large-diameter tunnel, the maximum torsion angle is approximately −0.016°, occurring at the moment when the shield machine head first passes directly beneath, located directly above the new tunnel. The torsion angle of the existing structure is greatest during the first underpassing event, and the maximum torsion angle during the second underpassing is lower than that during the first. This study reveals the composite deformation mode of “settlement-convergence-torsion” during the underpassing of existing structural clusters by super-large-diameter shield tunnels, providing a theoretical basis for risk control in similar adjacent engineering projects. Full article

In this paper, we examine the existing artificial intelligence policy documents in aviation for the following three regions: the United States, the European Union, and China. These global economic leaders were selected for their dominance in economic activity; as a result, their influence on aviation policy direction is a logical assumption. Historically, the aviation industry has always been a first mover in adopting technological advancements. This early adoption offers valuable insights because of its stringent regulations and safety-critical procedures. Consequently, the aviation industry provides an optimal platform to address AI vulnerabilities through its stringent regulations, standardized processes, and certification of new technologies. Our research aims to compare AI regulations across these regions to guide other sectors in shaping effective policies. The findings of our comparative analysis show that there are vastly differing approaches to the application of AI regulations in the aviation sector, thus weakening desired prospects for global cooperation and worsening existing geopolitical tensions. Therefore, we propose a hybrid model approach as a way forward. Under this model, regions maintain their distinctive AI policies but collaborate on high-risk aviation applications through joint working groups, shared safety intelligence, or mutual recognition agreements. This would preserve incentives for innovation but also reduce regulatory friction. Full article

Accurately characterizing the structural state of membrane reflector antennas (MRA) remains challenging due to the difficulty in determining stress distribution through geometric measurement alone. Although photogrammetry provides high-precision geometric data, it falls short of capturing mechanical pre-tension and is notably influenced by gravity, which limits its utility in guiding surface accuracy adjustments. This paper proposed an integrated approach combining photogrammetry with a nonlinear finite element method (NFEM) to achieve high-fidelity imaging and effective shape adjustment of electrostatically formed MRA, explicitly accounting for gravity effects during ground-based measurement and shape control. The proposed method establishes a mechanical model that incorporates real-world geometric data under gravity and performs force–shape matching to reconcile discrepancies between physical and simulation models. Experimental validation demonstrates that the gravity-corrected NFEM model closely aligns with the physical antenna, with a deviation in surface accuracy within 9.9%. Using this refined model, we successfully optimized electrode voltages and cable tensions, improving the surface accuracy of the physical model from an initial 0.7033 mm to 0.5723 mm. This work provides a reliable and efficient strategy for the shape control and adjustment of membrane space structures under gravity, with potential applications in large deployable antennas, solar sails, and other tension-controlled flexible systems. Full article

The use of open educational resources (OERs) is on the rise in higher education. Open pedagogy, as a learner-centered approach, provides students with opportunities to create, design, or adapt openly licensed materials or resources. With the potential of open pedagogy to enhance student learning, this study investigated the effect of an open pedagogy project on minority students’ motivation and perceived learning in the computer game programming course. An experimental design was implemented to compare minority students’ learning in programming through the open pedagogy approach versus the traditional approach. Participants were fifty-eight minority students enrolled in game courses from an institution in the southeastern United States. Thirty students received the instruction with open pedagogy, while twenty-eight students were in the traditional instruction. Quantitative approaches were performed to analyze the collected data. The results indicated that minority students in the open pedagogy group perceived significantly higher levels of motivation on the aspect of pressure/tension than those receiving the traditional approach. Minority students participating in the open pedagogy project had significantly higher levels of computational thinking and perceived learning performance in computer programming, compared to the students with the traditional instruction. Major findings and limitations of this study (i.e., short intervention period, small sample size, etc.) were reported and discussed. Full article

This study examines the tension between “substance” and “form” in standardized sustainability reporting within an emerging market context. Using 21,964 firm-year observations from Chinese A-share listed companies (2018–2023), we investigate whether the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework enhances substantive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and creates firm value. While baseline regressions suggest a positive link between GRI and ESG performance, rigorously applying Propensity Score Matching (PSM) reveals a critical nuance: the effect of mere framework adoption attenuates after controlling for selection bias, whereas independent assurance remains a robust driver of substantive governance quality. Furthermore, mediation analysis using bootstrap resampling documents a distinct “Labeling Effect”: GRI adoption directly enhances market valuation (Tobin’s Q), yet the indirect path via ESG scores is statistically insignificant. This indicates that investors utilize GRI as a heuristic signal of legitimacy rather than pricing granular performance metrics. We also identify a “Valuation Latency”, where substantive ESG improvements significantly boost operational profitability (ROA) but are not yet fully incorporated into stock prices. Heterogeneity analysis shows these effects are stronger for non-state-owned enterprises (Non-SOEs), supporting the view that private firms leverage standardized reporting and verification to mitigate legitimacy deficits. These findings provide empirical evidence for regulators and investors to distinguish between the “label” of adoption and the “substance” of verification. Full article

This paper takes the interaction between late-Ming Jesuits and Chinese City God (chenghuang, 城隍) worship as a case study, employing the “Great Tradition/Little Tradition” framework to examine the confrontation between “humans-becoming-gods” and “God-creating-angels”. It argues that the Confucian Great Tradition integrated popular beliefs through using the divine way to implement moral instruction (shendao shejiao, 神道設教), maintaining state–religion unity and a monistic cosmology. By contrast, Catholicism, centered on monotheism and a transcendent God, reallocated mystical power from imperial and local deities to the Christian God, thus implicitly reconstructing traditional Chinese knowledge systems under an apparent compromise. The article concludes that Catholicism in late Ming China signified not merely religious transmission but also the penetration of a transcendent God-concept and a dualistic cosmology dividing the otherworldly from the this-worldly into China’s this-worldly monistic cosmology, thereby clarifying the intellectual tensions revealed by the Jesuit encounter with Chinese cosmology. Full article

Crucial regulators of gamete metabolism and signaling, mitochondria synchronize energy generation with redox equilibrium and developmental proficiency. Once thought of as hazardous byproducts, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are now understood to be vital signaling molecules that provide a “redox window of competence” that is required for oocyte maturation, sperm capacitation, and early embryo development. This review presents the idea of mitochondrial metabolic checkpoints, which are phases that govern gamete quality and fertilization potential by interacting with cellular signaling, redox balance, and mitochondrial activity. Recent research shows that oocytes may sustain a nearly ROS-free metabolic state by blocking specific respiratory-chain components, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial remodeling in gamete competence. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies shows that ROS act as dynamic gatekeepers at critical points in oogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilization, and early embryogenesis. However, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) may inadvertently disrupt this redox–metabolic equilibrium. Potential translational benefits can be obtained via targeted techniques that optimize mitochondrial function, such as modifying oxygen tension, employing mitochondria-directed antioxidants like MitoQ and SS-31, and supplementing with nutraceuticals like melatonin, CoQ10, and resveratrol. Understanding ROS-mediated checkpoints forms the basis for developing biomarkers of gamete competence and precision therapies to improve ART outcomes. By highlighting mitochondria as both metabolic sensors and redox regulators, this review links fundamental mitochondrial biology to clinical reproductive medicine. Full article

Growing interest in food sustainability education aims to increase awareness of food distribution systems, environmental degradation, and the connectivity of sustainable and ethical food practices. However, recent scholarship has questioned whether such pedagogical efforts are meaningfully internalized by students or lead to sustained behavioral change. Prior studies document persistent gaps in students’ understanding of sustainability impacts and the limited effectiveness of existing instructional approaches in promoting transformative engagement. To address these concerns, the Food Ethics, Sustainability and Alternatives (FESA) course was implemented with 21 undergraduate and graduate students at Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ, USA). Course outcomes were evaluated using a mixed-methods design integrating qualitative analysis with quantitative measures informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, to identify influences on students’ attitudes, and a Transtheoretical Model (TTM) panel survey to address progression from awareness to action, administered pre- and post-semester. Qualitative findings revealed five central themes: increased self-awareness of food system contexts, heightened attention to animal ethics, the importance of structured classroom dialogue, greater recognition of food waste, and increased openness to alternative food sources. TTM results indicated significant reductions in contemplation and preparation stages, suggesting greater readiness for change, though no significant gains were observed in action or maintenance scores. Overall, the findings suggest that while food sustainability education can positively shape student attitudes, the conversion of attitudinal shifts into sustained behavioral change remains limited by external constraints, including time pressures, economic factors, culturally embedded dietary practices, structural tensions within contemporary food systems, and perceptions of limited individual efficacy. Full article

In recent years, global supply chains have become increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, pandemics, and energy crises, particularly in resource-constrained regions characterized by weak infrastructure and high transaction costs. Using panel data on A-share listed firms in China’s central and western regions from 2010 to 2022, this study examines the effect of firm-level digital transformation on supply chain resilience. We construct a digital transformation index and employ an instrumental-variable approach based on the interaction between terrain ruggedness and lagged digital transformation to address endogeneity concerns. Empirical results show that the digital transformation of enterprises has significantly enhanced the resistance and recovery capabilities of the supply chain, verifying its effectiveness in resource-constrained environments. Mechanism analyses reveal that this effect operates through increased supply chain diversification—especially customer diversification—and improved supply–demand matching enabled by more accurate demand forecasting and inventory management. Heterogeneity tests indicate that the resilience-enhancing effects are more pronounced among non-state-owned firms, manufacturing enterprises, and firms in less technology-intensive industries. Overall, our findings provide empirical support for transaction cost economics, dynamic capability theory, and the resource-based view, highlighting the strategic role of digital investment in strengthening supply chain resilience in infrastructure-constrained settings and contributing to the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 9. Full article

The reconstruction of high-fidelity radio maps is pivotal for wireless network planning but remains challenging due to the tension between physical accuracy and computational efficiency. We propose HiFiRadio, a novel framework that achieves a breakthrough in this balance by integrating centimeter-resolution 3D environmental meshes with semantic-aware propagation modeling. At its core, HiFiRadio introduces a semantic-enhanced 3D indexing structure that efficiently manages complex terrain data, enabling real-time classification of signal paths into line-of-sight, non-line-of-sight, and vegetation-obstructed categories. This classification directly guides a hybrid propagation model, which dynamically applies dedicated loss calculations for buildings and foliage, grounded in physical principles. Extensive experiments demonstrate that HiFiRadio attains an accuracy comparable to commercial ray-tracing tools while being orders of magnitude faster. It also significantly outperforms existing learning-based baselines in both accuracy and scalability, a claim further validated by field measurements. By making high-fidelity, real-time radio map reconstruction practical for large-scale scenes, HiFiRadio establishes a new state of the art with immediate applications in network planning, UAV pathing, and dynamic spectrum access. Full article

We revisit the status of quantum probabilities in light of Kolmogorovian Censorship (KC) and the Contexts, Systems, and Modalities (CSM) framework, and we discuss KC-based ideas with respect to superdeterminism, counterfactuality, and predictive incompleteness. After briefly recalling the technical content of KC and its scope, we show that KC correctly identifies that probabilities are classical within a fixed measurement context but does not by itself remove the conceptual tension that motivates nonlocal or conspiratorial explanations of Bell inequality violations. We argue that predictive incompleteness—the view that the quantum state is operationally incomplete until the measurement context is specified—provides a simple, minimal, and explanatory framework that preserves relativistic locality while matching experimental practice. Finally we clarify logical relations among these positions, highlight the assumptions behind them, and justify the move from Kolmogorov’s to Gleason’s framework for quantum probabilities. Full article

Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) has evolved in the past fifteen years from a whimsical, projection-based approach to a socially nuanced medium of interpretative scholarship for culture, education, and storytelling. This paper presents a critical literature review on SAR systems and cases in arts and culture, based on 52 papers selected over the last decade. The perspective of the review is that of interaction design, which is concerned in general with the practice of designing interactive digital products, environments, systems, and services, and in particular with how the specific characteristics of a physical space, the interaction modality, and the narrative impact the design and efficacy of SAR in art and heritage contexts. This paper reports on the technology landscape, the physical contexts and scales of deployment, interaction modalities, audiences, and evaluation methods of SAR in arts and culture. Then, we present our reflections on the current state-of-the-art in terms of sketching out a historic trajectory of the field, SAR-oriented narrative design patterns, issues of inclusion and accessibility, and several design tensions, constraints, and recommendations for interaction design. Finally, we discuss potential further work in several dimensions of designing SAR for arts and culture, and we present a research agenda. Full article

This review provides a systematic critique of the debate between two paradigms in the philosophy of mind—the Naturalist–Externalist Research Program (NERP) and the Phenomenal Intentionality Research Program (PIRP)—with particular focus on Uriah Kriegel’s reconciliation project. Following Kriegel’s view, attention is given to rational agents’ awareness of their mental states—a key issue since most current artificial intelligence systems aim to model rational thinking and action. Naturalist accounts derive mental content from brain activity and environmental interaction, emphasizing a constitutive dependence of the former on the latter. In contrast, phenomenological theories assert that the object of mental states is an internal semblance presented to the subject. Within this framework, I maintain that Kriegel attempts to naturalize mental content within the framework of a Same Order theory, but this limits his ability to demonstrate that intentionality is grounded in consciousness in the sense of the Phenomenal Intentionality Research Program. Compounding this issue, the idea that the mind arises from manipulating representations has been challenged by dynamical approaches to cognitive science, yet advanced representational models persist, often simulating phenomenological qualities through forms of internal data organization. Methodologically, the approach is primarily comparative and reconstructive, focusing on the structural tensions and theoretical commitments that distinguish NERP and PIRP. Full article