Search Results (3,040)

Electrical cable insulation, mainly composed of polymeric materials, progressively deteriorates under thermal, electrical, mechanical, and environmental stress factors. This degradation reduces dielectric strength, thermal stability, and mechanical integrity, thereby increasing susceptibility to failure modes such as partial discharges, arcing, and surface tracking—recognized precursors of fire ignition. This review consolidates current knowledge on the degradation pathways of cable insulation and their direct link to fire hazards. Emphasis is placed on mechanisms including thermal-oxidative aging, electrical treeing, surface tracking, and thermal conductivity decline, as well as the complex interactions introduced by flame-retardant additives. A bibliometric analysis of 217 publications reveals strong clustering around material degradation phenomena, while underlining underexplored areas such as ignition mechanisms, diagnostic monitoring, and system-level fire modeling. Comparative experimental findings further demonstrate how insulation aging modifies ignition thresholds, heat release rates, and smoke toxicity. By integrating perspectives from materials science, electrical engineering, and fire dynamics, this review establishes the nexus between aging mechanisms and fire hazards. Full article

The complexity of tight sandstone reservoirs challenges effective oil and gas exploration. The Chang 8 Member of the Yanchang Formation in the Longdong area of the Ordos Basin has significant exploration potential. However, its reservoir characteristics are controlled by two distinct provenance systems and diverse sedimentary microfacies. The specific impacts of these factors on reservoir quality and their relative importance have remained unclear. This study employs an integrated analytical approach combining casting thin sections, conventional porosity-permeability measurements, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to systematically investigate the petrological characteristics, pore structure, and physical properties of the Chang 8 reservoirs. Our findings reveal that the entire section of Chang 8 is a delta front subfacies, with sub sections of Chang 8¹ and 8² developing microfacies such as underwater distributary channels, underwater natural levees, sheet sand and mouth bars. The tight sandstone reservoir is mainly composed of lithic arkose and feldspathic litharenite, with its porosity dominated by dissolution and intergranular types. These secondary pores, particularly those resulting from feldspar dissolution, are of great importance. The underwater distributary channels have the best pores, followed by sheet sands, and underwater natural levees the worst. Compaction in Chang 8² is stronger than in Chang 8¹, leading to smaller pores. The northwest provenance is characterized by high clay content and small pores, while the southwest provenance has coarser grain size and better-preserved intergranular pores. Reservoir properties improve toward the lake but deteriorate at the lake-proximal end due to more small pores. This study reveals the control laws of sedimentary microfacies, provenance, and diagenesis on the pore development of tight sandstone in the Longdong area, providing theoretical guidance for the exploration and development of tight sandstone oil and gas in the region. Full article

In recent years, metaheuristic optimization methods have been widely applied across various engineering disciplines, offering effective solutions to complex problems that require both efficiency and reliability. Within this context, this study has two primary objectives. The first is to apply the Dandelion Optimizer (DO), inspired by the three-stage flight of dandelion seeds, to the optimum design of spatial steel frames and to evaluate its performance as a structural optimization algorithm. The second is to investigate the influence of different soil types, as defined in the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC-2018), on the optimum design outcomes. For this purpose, three benchmark spatial steel frames consisting of 132, 428, and 720 members were optimized using DO. The algorithm was implemented in MATLAB R2017b and integrated with SAP2000 v19 via the Open Application Programming Interface (OAPI). The design process was performed in accordance with TBEC-2018 and the AISC-LRFD, with strength, stability, and serviceability constraints considered. The results indicate that deteriorating soil conditions from ZA to ZE lead to substantial increases in structural demands. In the three analyzed models, total weight increases within the range of 45–57%, whereas total seismic base shear shows a much sharper rise, ranging from 160% to 292% These findings demonstrate both the practical applicability of the DO in steel frame optimization and the critical impact of soil conditions on structural design, underlining the importance of incorporating geotechnical factors into optimization frameworks. Full article

‘Hainan Qingyou’ (Citrus maxima) Pomelo is one of the predominant local cultivars cultivated in Hainan Province, renowned for its high economic value and strong market competitiveness. However, during cultivation, it was observed that the fruit quality of ‘Hainan Qingyou’ grafted onto a ‘Sanhong’ interstock deteriorated, predominantly manifesting as vesicle granulation. This study was therefore conducted to investigate this phenomenon using ‘Sanhong’ Honey Pomelo as the interstock. Fruit quality indicators were measured, and pulp transcriptomic analysis was performed during the expansion and maturation stages. The results indicated that fruits grafted onto ‘Sanhong’ interstock (SHZ) exhibited increased peel thickness, yellower peel, reduced edible rate, higher pulp firmness, decreased total soluble solids (TSS), increased total acid content, and reduced total antioxidant capacity at maturity, all contributing to diminished fruit quality. Additionally, SHZ fruit accumulated higher lignin content in the pulp, leading to vesicle granulation, which severely compromised marketability. Transcriptomic analysis identified 42 structural genes involved in lignin biosynthesis in ‘Hainan Qingyou’ pulp, including 5 PAL, 2 C4H, 2 4CL, 6 CAD, 15 PER, 2 HCT, 1 C3′H, 1 CCoAOMT, 1 CCR, 1 COMT, 2 CSE, and 1 F5H genes. Most of these genes were highly expressed in SHZ fruit at maturity, with expression levels significantly higher than those in fruit grafted onto ‘Hainan Qingyou’ interstock (QYZ). The interstock also affected hormone signaling pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified transcription factors such as MYB, MIKC, ERF, and bZIP as key regulators involved in pulp lignin biosynthesis. This study provides insights into the effects of rootstocks on citrus fruit quality and offers valuable information for cultivar improvement in pomelo orchards. Full article

Under the combined effects of climate change, overexploitation, and intense grazing, temperate steppe in northern China is experiencing increasing deterioration, which is typified by a shift from structural degradation to functional disruption. Accurately tracking steppe degradation using remote sensing technology has emerged as a crucial scientific concern. Prior research failed to integrate ecosystem structure and function and lacked reference baselines, relying only on individual indicators to quantify degradation. To resolve these gaps, this study established a novel degradation evaluation index system integrating ecosystem structure and function, incorporating vegetation community distribution and proportions of degradation-indicator species to define reference states and quantify degradation severity. Analyzed spatiotemporal evolution and drivers across the temperate typical steppe (2013–2022). Key findings reveal (1) non-degraded and slightly degraded areas dominated (75.57% mean coverage), showing an overall fluctuating improvement trend; (2) minimal transitions between degradation levels, with stable conditions prevailing (59.52% unchanged area), indicating progressive degradation reversal; and (3) natural factors predominated as degradation drivers. The integrated structural–functional framework enables more sensitive detection of early degradation signals, thereby informing more effective steppe restoration management. Full article

This study investigated the role of miR-144 in mitigating oxidized fish oil (OFO)-induced muscle oxidative stress and quality deterioration in Megalobrama amblycephala. The feeding trial was conducted for 5 weeks, and four experimental diets were formulated, namely NC (fresh fish oil), OF (OFO), OF + ago (OFO and miR-144 agomir), and OF + anta (OFO and miR-144 antagomir). Histological results showed that OFO significantly reduced myofiber density (from 758.00 ± 13.69 to 636.57 ± 13.44 N/mm²) and decreased the percentage of myofibers with diameters > 50 μm (from 53.45% to 38.52%). OFO intake significantly increased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in muscle. OFO treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors (NF-κB, TNF-α, HO-1, and IL-6), significantly down-regulated NQO1. Moreover, OFO reduced muscle differentiation and maturation by down-regulating the expression of MyoG, MYHC1, and protein synthesis genes (AKT3, TOR, and S6K1), and up-regulating the expression of protein hydrolysis genes (FoxO3a, MuRF1, HSP70, Beclin-1, P62, and ATG8). Moreover, miR-144 agomir exacerbated OFO-induced muscle damage by suppressing Nrf2, whereas miR-144 antagomir mitigated these effects. Silencing miR-144 re-activates Nrf2, alleviating oxidative damage, enhancing protein deposition, and improving muscle quality. These findings suggest that targeting the miR-144/Nrf2 axis could counteract OFO-induced muscle deterioration. Full article

De-icing agents play a crucial role in winter road maintenance, yet their excessive application can result in pavement deterioration and environmental issues. Existing dosage guidelines lack comprehensive data on the dynamic response of de-icing agents under low-temperature conditions, particularly regarding stage-specific characteristics and multi-factor interactions. This research systematically evaluated the effectiveness of four de-icing agents (NaCl, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, CH₃COOK) within a temperature range of −5 °C to −25 °C, elucidating the two-phase ice-melting process (solid-phase followed by salt solution de-icing) with distinct kinetic mechanisms—a previously underexplored temporal pattern. The study quantified the differential impacts of particle size (small-particle CaCl₂ exhibiting 12% higher efficiency than sheet-like forms), dosage linear correlation, and negligible effects of ice layer thickness and road surface composition, which have not been systematically validated in prior studies. Temperature sensitivity was further refined: NaCl showed a 42.4% efficiency drop between −5 °C and −25 °C, while MgCl₂ maintained stable performance, supporting its potential as an environmentally sustainable alternative. This work provides a quantitative basis for dynamic dosage regulation by integrating stage characteristics and multi-factor optimization, addressing gaps in existing guidelines. Full article

Lubricants play a crucial role in improving the reliability of internal combustion engines. The deterioration of engine oil is influenced not only by mileage and usage time but also by subjective factors. Currently, engine oil is replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. At the time of a scheduled oil change, two situations may arise: the degree of lubricant wear may exceed normal levels, in which case the technical systems may also be damaged, with serious consequences for the environment and, implicitly, for human health; or the degree of wear may be low, consistent with normal engine operation, in which case prolonging oil use is recommended, thereby reducing consumption. In this paper, the authors propose a method for diagnosing the engine through periodic analysis of the physico-chemical properties of used engine oil, based on which appropriate vehicle maintenance strategies are issued. Also, recommendations are made for prolonged use of the oil on the condition of its periodic evaluation. Thus, for samples taken from 43 trucks the following physico-chemical properties were analyzed: kinematic viscosity, density, flash point, fuel content, water content, and metal content and their values, for all samples, were within the recommended limits. However, for some samples, more pronounced variations in the values of some properties were found and suitable preventive maintenance recommendations were issued. Full article

In light of escalating global environmental deterioration, studies on pro-environmental intention and behaviour with the ultimate goal of identifying contributing factors to minimise environmental issues are common. Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is widely used to study environmental intentions and behaviours. However, how quality of life (QoL) influences these intentions and interactions among TPB’s own variables within a single research framework has not been thoroughly explored. Therefore, this study extends TPB by incorporating the four dimensions of QoL, as measured by the Control, Autonomy, Self-Realisation, and Pleasure (CASP-19) scale, to understand pro-environmental intentions from Malaysian viewpoints. In this study, quantitative approach was applied, and the data were collected from Malaysians aged 18 and above (N = 182) in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), a two-step approach was employed to assess the measurement and structural models. The findings confirmed Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) is a robust model for environmental studies showing that subjective norm and perceived behavioural control significantly influence attitudes toward pro-environmental behaviour, ultimately leading to pro-environmental intention. Interestingly, this study found no relationship between QoL dimensions and pro-environmental intention. Lastly, both theoretical and managerial implications were discussed, and research limitations and suggestions for future research directions were put forward. Full article

Spatial density, as a key indicator of the quality of the urban residential environment, comprises both physical and perceived dimensions. Physical density refers to objective spatial characteristics (e.g., building density and population density), whereas perceived density denotes residents’ perceptual evaluations (e.g., perceived crowding, visual openness, and overall environmental quality). Clarifying the relationship between physical and perceived density is therefore critical for advancing livability-oriented urban planning and design. This study examines the relationship through an empirical analysis of 50 representative high-density communities in Guangzhou. Using morphological classification, descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression, the analysis compares objective density indicators with residents’ perceptual evaluations and identifies key environmental factors that shape perceived density. Findings indicate that physical and perceived density are not fully aligned: compact but coherent spatial forms can enhance residents’ perceptual evaluations, whereas overcrowded and deteriorating environments intensify negative perceptions. The identified community typologies—for example, urban villages, traditional walk-up estates, and modern high-rise complexes—exhibit distinct perceptual patterns and influencing factors. These results highlight the need for density regulation to move beyond conventional physical indicators and to incorporate perceptual dimensions into planning frameworks. Overall, the study provides theoretical insights and practical guidance for tailored strategies in the renewal and management of high-density communities. Full article

In this paper, we present selected findings from a 2024/2025 study on the reading habits of students from two major Slovenian universities enrolled in teacher education programs and compare them with data from a similar study conducted in 2017/2018. Understanding the reading practices of future educators is essential for improving reading engagement in schools and society as a whole. The data obtained from a selected student sample corroborate previous research indicating that early reading socialization—particularly childhood reading within the family, maternal education, and attendance in preschool—are factors positively associated with the number of books read in adulthood. The findings also highlight the important compensatory role of preschools and schools in fostering adult readers, especially in cases where family support for reading is lacking. In certain respects, the reading habits of students have deteriorated compared to the initial study: the time devoted to reading has decreased, and students more frequently choose less demanding texts. Female students read a greater number of books than male students, though their chosen texts tend to be less demanding, while male students more often select more challenging texts. Reading for pleasure and intrinsic motivation to read significantly influence the number of books read. Full article

In this study, the impact of the electric motor size and the hybridization ratio of a Fuel Cell Electric Bus on its vehicle performance (i.e., gradeability and acceleration) and fuel consumption was investigated using the ADVISOR software. The investigation first involved a parametric analysis with different electric motor and fuel cell sizes for the dynamic performance metrics, specifically the 0–60 km/h vehicle acceleration and the maximum gradeability (%) at a constant speed of 20 km/h. The results revealed that the acceleration is most sensitive to fuel cell power. Regarding gradeability, a more complex relationship was observed: when the electric motor power was below 215 kW, gradeability remained consistently low regardless of the fuel cell size. However, for motors exceeding 215 kW, fuel cell power then became a significant influencing factor on the vehicle’s climbing capability. Subsequently, the analysis focused on the effect of the hybridization ratio, which represents the power balance between the fuel cell and the energy storage system, varied between 0 and 0.8. Results showed that increasing the hybridization ratio decreases gradeability and acceleration performance and increases total energy consumption. This trade-off is quantitatively illustrated by the results over the Central Business District (CBD) driving cycle. For instance, the pure battery-electric configuration (a hybridization ratio of 0), featuring a 296 kW battery system, recorded a gradeability of 12.4% and an acceleration time of 16.3 s, while consuming 28,916 kJ. At an intermediate hybridization ratio of 0.4 (composed of a 118.4 kW fuel cell and a 177.6 kW battery), performance remained high with a gradeability of 12.2% and an acceleration of 17.3 s, but the energy consumption increased to 43,128 kJ. Finally, in the fuel-cell-dominant configuration with a hybridization ratio of approximately 0.8 (a 236.8 kW fuel cell and a 59.2 kW battery), gradeability dropped to 8.4%, acceleration time deteriorated to 38.9 s, and total energy consumption increased further to 52,678 kJ over the CBD driving cycle. Full article

Yangjiatang Village traces its origins to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It has evolved over more than 400 years of history. There are 78 rammed-earth buildings left, making it one of the most complete and largest rammed-earth building complexes in East China. This study investigated the traditional rammed-earth houses in Yangjiatang Village, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province. By combining field investigation, microscopic characterization, and experimental simulation, we systematically revealed the erosion resistance of rammed earth in a subtropical humid climate was systematically revealed. Using a combination of advanced techniques including drone aerial photography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), microbial community analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and soil leaching simulations, we systematically revealed the anti-erosion mechanisms of rammed-earth surfaces in Yangjiatang Village. The study found that (1) rammed-earth walls are primarily composed of Quartz, Mullite, lepidocrocite, and Nontronite, with quartz and lepidocrocite being the dominant minerals across all orientations. (2) Regulating the community structure of specific functional microorganisms enhanced the erosion resistance of rammed-earth buildings. (3) The surface degradation of rammed-earth walls is mainly caused by four factors: structural cracks, surface erosion, biological erosion and roof damage. These factors work together to cause surface cracking and peeling (depth up to 3–5 cm). (4) This study indicates that the microbial communities in rammed-earth building walls show significant differences in various orientations. Microorganisms play a dual role in the preservation and deterioration of rammed-earth buildings: they can slow down weathering by forming protective biofilms or accelerating erosion through acid production. Full article

Particulate matter (PM) concentration, especially PM_2.5, is a major culprit of environmental pollution from unreasonable energy system emissions that significantly affects visibility, climate, and public health. The prediction of PM_2.5 concentration holds significant importance in the early warning and management of severe air pollution, since it enables the provision of guidance for scientific decision-making through the estimation of impending PM_2.5 concentration. However, due to diversified human activities, seasonal factors and industrial emissions, the air quality data not only show local anomalous mutability, but also global dynamic change characteristics. This hinders existing PM_2.5 prediction models from fully capturing the aforementioned characteristics, thereby deteriorating the model performance. To address these issues, this study proposes a framework integrating multi-scale temporal convolutional networks (TCNs) and a transformer network (called MSTTNet) for PM_2.5 concentration prediction. Specifically, MSTTNet uses multi-scale TCNs to capture the local correlations of meteorological and pollutant data in a fine-grained manner, while using transformers to capture the global temporal relationships. The proposed MSTTNet’s performance has been validated on various air quality benchmark datasets in the cities of China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, by comparing to its eight compared models. Comprehensive experiments confirm that the MSTTNet model can improve the prediction performance of 2.42%, 2.17%, 2.87%, and 0.34%, respectively, with respect to four evaluation indicators (i.e., Mean Absolute Error, Root Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, and R-square), relative to the optimal baseline model. These results confirm MSTTNet’s effectiveness in improving the accuracy of PM_2.5 concentration prediction. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is primarily a degenerative disease triggered by joint inflammation and oxidative stress. While Aster glehni is an edible and traditionally medicinal herb, the beneficial effect of A. glehni on OA progression remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of A. glehni extract (AGE) and its primary biological compound—3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA)—on inflammation and oxidative stress in chondrocytes. AGE effectively inhibited the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and MMP-13 in chondrocytes stimulated by IL-1β for 24 h. In contrast, 3,5-DCQA did not inhibit IL-6, COX-2, and MMP expressions under the same conditions. However, when chondrocytes were stimulated by IL-1β for a short duration (6 h), 3,5-DCQA suppressed IL-6, COX-2, and MMP expressions. The inhibition of IL-6, COX-2, and MMP expressions by AGE was associated with the p38 kinase and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways, but not ERK and JNK signaling pathways. Furthermore, AGE prevented cell apoptosis and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in chondrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). AGE restored the decreased superoxide dismutase 1 and catalase mRNA expressions caused by H₂O₂. Collectively, AGE may protect against cartilage deterioration by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, making it a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating OA. Full article