Search Results (7,219)

The conceptual design phase in architecture establishes the foundation for subsequent design decisions and influences up to 80% of a building’s lifecycle environmental impact. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) demonstrates transformative potential for sustainable design, its application during conceptual design remains constrained by perceived technical complexity and limited support for abstract thinking. This research examines how BIM tools can facilitate conceptual design through diagrammatic reasoning, thereby bridging technical capabilities with creative exploration. A mixed-methods approach was employed to develop and validate a Diagrammatic BIM (D-BIM) framework. It integrates diagrammatic reasoning, parametric modeling, and performance evaluation within BIM environments. The framework defines three core relationships—dissection, articulation, and actualization—which enable transitions from abstract concepts to detailed architectural forms in Revit’s modeling environments. Using Richard Meier’s architectural language as a structured test case, a 14-week quasi-experimental study with 19 third-year architecture students assessed the framework’s effectiveness through pre- and post-surveys, observations, and artifact analysis. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements (p < 0.05) with moderate to large effect sizes across all measures, including systematic design thinking, diagram utilization, and academic self-efficacy. Students demonstrated enhanced design iteration, abstraction-to-realization transitions, and performance-informed decision-making through quantitative and qualitative assessments during early design stages. However, the study’s limitations include a small, single-institution sample, the absence of a control group, a focus on a single architectural language, and the exploratory integration of environmental analysis tools. Findings indicate that the framework repositions BIM as a cognitive design environment that supports creative ideation while integrating structured design logic and performance analysis. The study advances Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) by embedding critical, systems-based, and problem-solving competencies, demonstrating BIM’s role in sustainability-focused early design. This research provides preliminary evidence that conceptual design and BIM are compatible when supported with diagrammatic reasoning, offering a foundation for integrating competency-based digital pedagogy that bridges creative and technical dimensions of architectural design. Full article

Vibration loads during deep drilling are one of the main causes of reduced service life of drilling tools and emergency failure of downhole motors. This work investigates the adaptive operation of an original elastic element based on an open cylindrical shell used as part of a drilling shock absorber. The vibration protection device contains an adjustable radial clearance between the load-bearing shell and the rigid housing, which provides the effect of structural nonlinearity. This allows effective combination of two operating modes of the drilling shock absorber: normal mode, when the clearance does not close and the elastic element operates with increased compliance; and emergency mode, when the clearance closes and gradual load redistribution and increase in device stiffness occur. A nonconservative problem concerning the contact interaction of an elastic filler with a coaxially installed shaft and an open shell is formulated, and as the load increases, contact between the shell and the housing, installed with a radial clearance, is taken into account. Numerical finite element modeling is performed considering dry friction in contact pairs. The distributions of radial displacements, contact stresses, and equivalent stresses are examined, and deformation diagrams are presented for two loading modes. The influence of different cycle asymmetry coefficients on the formation of hysteresis loops and energy dissipation is analyzed. It is shown that with increasing load, clearance closure begins from local sectors and gradually covers almost the entire outer surface of the shell. This results in deconcentration of contact pressure between the shell and housing and reduction of peak concentrations of equivalent stresses in the open shell. The results confirm the effectiveness of the adaptive approach to designing shell shock absorbers capable of reliably withstanding emergency overloads, which is important for deep drilling where the exact range of external impacts is difficult to predict. Full article

The mechanically activated transition (MAT) from linear viscoelasticity to yielding is considered an essential part of the operational behavior of ductile materials. The MAT region is restricted by proportional limit at σ₀ and ε₀ and the yield point at σ_y and ε_y, or, in terms of this paper, $E_0={\sigma }_0/{\epsilon }_0$ and ε₀ and $E_y={\sigma }_y/{\epsilon }_y$ and ε_y, respectively. This stage precedes yielding and controls the parameters of the yield point. For bulk plastic (co)polymers and cellular polymeric foams, the quantitative correlations between $E_0$, ε₀, $E_y,$ and ε_y were determined. The ratios ${\displaystyle \raisebox{1ex}{$E_0$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$E_y$}\right.}=1.55\pm 0.15$ and ${\displaystyle \raisebox{1ex}{${\epsilon }_y$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{${\epsilon }_0$}\right.}=2.1\pm 0.2$ were specified as yielding criteria. For all the samples studied, their mechanical response within the MAT region was unified in terms of master curve constructed via re-calculation of the experimental “stress–strain” diagrams in the reduced coordinates ${\displaystyle \frac{\lg \mathrm{E}-\lg {\mathrm{E}}_0}{\lg {\mathrm{E}}_0-\lg {\mathrm{E}}_y}}=f\left({\displaystyle \frac{\mathit{lg}\epsilon -\mathit{lg}{\epsilon }_0}{\mathit{lg}{\epsilon }_y-\mathit{lg}{\epsilon }_0}}\right),$ where $E=\sigma /\epsilon$ and ε are the current modulus and strain, respectively. To generalize these regularities found for bulk plastics and foams, our earlier experimental results concerning the rheology of soil-based pastes and data from the literature concerning the computer simulation of plastic deformation were invoked. Master curves for (1) dispersed pastes, (2) bulk plastics, (3) polymeric foams, and (4) various virtual models were shown to be in satisfactory coincidence. For the materials analyzed, this result was considered as the unification of their mechanical response within the MAT region. An algorithm for the express analysis of the mechanical response of plastic systems within the MAT region is proposed. The limitations and advances of the proposed methodological approach based on correlation studies followed by construction of master curves are outlined. Full article

The increasing share of renewable energy sources in power grids demands greater load flexibility from thermal power plants. Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) combustion systems, while offering fuel flexibility and high thermal inertia, face challenges in maintaining hydrodynamic and thermal stability during load transitions. This study investigates partial flue gas recirculation (FGR) as a strategy to enhance short-term load flexibility in a 1 MW_th CFB pilot plant fired exclusively with solid recovered fuel. Two experimental test series were conducted. Under conventional operation, where fuel and fluidization air are reduced proportionally, load reductions to 86% and 80% led to operating regime shift. Particle entrainment from the riser to the freeboard and loop seal decreased, circulation weakened, and the temperature difference between bed and freeboard zone increased by 71 K. Grace diagram analysis confirmed that the system approached the boundary of the circulating regime. In contrast, the partial FGR strategy maintained total fluidization rates by replacing part of the combustion air with recirculated flue gas. This stabilized pressure conditions, sustained particle circulation, and limited the increase in the temperature difference to just 7 K. Heat extraction in the freeboard remained constant or improved, despite slightly lower flue gas temperatures. While partial FGR introduces a minor efficiency loss due to the reheating of recirculated gases, it significantly enhances combustion stability and enables low-load operation without compromising fluidization quality. These findings demonstrate the potential of partial FGR as a control strategy for flexible, waste-fueled CFB systems and supports its application in future low-carbon energy systems. Full article

This paper discusses whether the principal response features of composites subjected to fatigue loadings, including residual strength and lifetime statistics under variable amplitude (VA) loadings, can be resolved based on constant amplitude (CA) fatigue life data. The approach is based on the strength-residual strength-life equal-rank assumption (SRSLERA), providing a statistical correspondence between the static strength, residual strength, and fatigue life distribution functions under CA loadings. Under VA loadings, the strength degradation progression and then the fatigue lifetime are calculated by dividing the loading spectrum into a sequence of CA block loadings of given extents (including one cycle), and assuming that the strength at the end of a generic block loading equals the strength at the start of the consecutive one, namely the equivalent residual strength assumption (ERSA). The consequences of SRSLERA and ERSA are first discussed by re-elaborating a series of uniaxial, statistically sound CA residual strength and fatigue life data obtained under different loading ratios, R, ranging from pure tension to mixed tension–compression to pure compression. It is shown that the static strength Weibull’s shape and scale parameters, as well as the fatigue formulation parameters recovered under pure compression or tension loadings, represent the fingerprint of composite materials subjected to fatigue and characterize their uniqueness. The residual strength statistics, fatigue probability density functions (PDFs), and constant life diagram (CLD) construction are theoretically reported. Then, based on ERSA, the statistical lifetimes under VA loadings and the cycle-by-cycle damage progressions of block repeated loadings are analyzed, and a residual strength-based damage rule is compared to Miner’s rule. Full article

According to the production process requirements of oriented silicon steel in a certain steel mill, optimization of the slag composition ratio is studied through thermodynamic calculations. The CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-FeO-MgO slag system is studied using FactSage thermodynamic software (FactSage 8.1), and a slag optimization plan is proposed based on industrial experiments involving changes in the composition ratio of the slag, calculation and analysis of the melting characteristics of RH refining slag, further verification through orthogonal experiments, and observations of the slag state, temperature, and composition relationship through phase diagrams. This study provides theoretical guidance for finding a suitable slag composition ratio based on the influence of slag on dissolved aluminum in steel liquid. Research has shown that, combined with thermodynamic analysis, slag melting characteristics, component content calculations, and industrial experiments, the range of RH refining slag composition suitable for production in this steel mill is slag in the range of 1.3~1.5 alkalinity, 25~30% Al₂O₃, 5~6% MgO, and 1–2% FeO. Full article

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamics behavior and practical realization of a V/Heart-shape chaotic system. Nonlinear analysis contemporary tools, including bifurcation diagram, Lyapunov exponents, phase portraits, power spectral density (PSD) bicoherence, and spectral entropy (SE), are employed to investigate the system’s complex dynamical behaviors. To discover the system’s versatility, two case studies are presented by varying key system parameters, revealing various strange attractors. The system is modeled and implemented using an industrial-grade programmable logic controller (PLC) with structured text (ST) language, enabling robust hardware execution. The dynamics of the chaotic system are simulated, and the results are rigorously compared with experimental data from laboratory hardware implementations, demonstrating excellent agreement. The results indicate the potential usage of the proposed chaotic system for advanced industrial applications, secure communication, and dynamic system analysis. The findings confirm the successful realization of the V-shape and Heart-shape Chaotic Systems on PLC hardware, demonstrating consistent chaotic behavior across varying parameters. This practical implementation bridges the gap between theoretical chaos research and real-world industrial applications. Full article

Polymeric vesicles, characterized by enhanced colloidal stability, excellent mechanical properties, controllable surface functionality, and adjustable membrane thickness, are extremely useful in nano- and bio-technology for potential applications as nanosized carriers for drugs and enzymes. However, a few preparative steps are necessary to achieve a unilamellar vesicle with a narrow size distribution. Herein, we report the spontaneous formation of unilamellar polymeric vesicles with nanometer sizes (<50 nm), fabricated by simply mixing diblock copolymers (P(EO-AGE)(2K-2K) and P(EO-AGE)(0.75K-2K)) with differing hydrophilic mass fractions in aqueous solutions. Depending on the mixing ratio of block copolymers and the temperature, the block copolymer mixtures self-assemble into various nanostructures, such as spherical and cylindrical micelles, or vesicles. The self-assembled structures of the block copolymer mixtures were characterized by small-angle neutron scattering, resulting in a phase diagram drawn as a function of temperature and the mixing condition. Notably, the critical temperature for the micelle-to-vesicle phase transition can be easily controlled by altering the mixing conditions; it decreases with an increase in the concentration of one of the block copolymers. Full article

This study examines the accessibility of tourism facilities in the Banská Bystrica region of Slovakia for visitors with disabilities and explores the attitudes of service providers toward inclusive tourism. Accessibility remains a key challenge in developing equitable tourism services, and this research aims to evaluate the current state of barrier-free infrastructure while identifying opportunities for improvement. A survey of 45 tourism facilities was conducted to assess compliance with accessibility standards, revealing that only 22.22% of the facilities meet the required criteria. To complement these findings, structured interviews with representatives from eight facilities were carried out, with responses analyzed using ATLAS.ti software (Version 24.0.0) to visualize patterns through diagrams and Sankey networks. The results highlight significant shortcomings in physical accessibility as well as mixed attitudes of service providers toward the needs of disabled visitors. The study concludes that while awareness of inclusive practices is growing, substantial efforts are still required to improve infrastructure and foster positive engagement from service providers. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and service operators, offering practical recommendations for enhancing accessibility and promoting a more inclusive tourism environment in the region. Full article

Osbana, also known as Osbane, is a cooked sausage-like product prepared from edible by-products and is one of the most popular Algerian traditional meat products. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding its culinary preparation and consumption habits. Therefore, this study explores these aspects within the Algerian population. Using an online questionnaire, we surveyed the people who prepare (n = 581) along with those who consume Osbana (n = 928 consumers). The survey allowed us to establish a preparation diagram of Osbana following the traditional methods involving cleaning, boiling, confecting balls/sausages, cutting, seasoning, stuffing, closing balls/sausages, conserving, and cooking. Overall, the results showed that Osbana is usually prepared from lamb, using mainly white offal (intestines, stomach, and lungs) as the main component, generally stuffed in a cleaned rumen that is not scraped of its dark layer. The rough side of the rumen is frequently put on the outside of the balls/sausages. However, regional variations in its preparation have been observed. Osbana seemed to be well appreciated by 51.7% of respondents, owing to its typical sensory properties. Interestingly, it is frequently consumed at home, at most 3 times a year (79% of consumers), but mainly served during religious and social celebrations, especially for Eid El-Adha. The common dishes used for its consumption depend on the region, but overall, it is consumed with Couscous or in a sauce. Variations in the preparation of Osbana influence the way it is consumed, hence creating typical recipes in each region. Also, these differences in its preparation may lead to differences in its nutritional and sensory properties, which require further investigation. Full article

Given the great proportion of CO₂ emissions from electricity generation in total energy-related CO₂ emissions, this article constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model consisting of vertical governments and power generation groups (PGGs), where the vertical governments include the central government (CG) and local governments (LGs), considering the externalities of different power generation modes on energy security and the environment. This article analyzes the stable strategies of the three players through replicator dynamics equations, draws the evolutionary phase diagrams, and analyzes the asymptotic stability of equilibrium points by using Jacobian matrices. To validate and broaden the results, this article also provides a numerical simulation. This article concludes that (1) a reduction in the supervision, enforcement, or low-carbonization costs of the CG, LGs, or PGGs motivates it or them to choose “supervision”, “enforcement”, or “low-carbonization” strategies; (2) an increase in penalty incomes or expenses encourages the CG or LGs to choose the “supervision” or “enforcement” strategies; (3) a rise in extra tax expenses motivates PGGs to choose the “low-carbonization” strategy; (4) a change in the externalities of energy security or the environment has no impact on the CG’s strategy. The above conclusions offer the CG and LGs with references for making effective low-carbon policies and provide PGGs with references for choosing an appropriate power generation mode. Full article

Groundwater is a vital water source for human survival and regulates the hydrological cycle within the uppermost strata. Through the processes of recharge and discharge, as well as solute exchange, it interacts with surface water systems in Zhengzhou, e.g., the Yellow River and the Jialu River. Therefore, systematically assessing its hydrochemical characteristics, driving factors, and health risks is crucial for ensuring the safety of public drinking water and regional development. This study focuses on shallow (45~55 m), medium-deep (80~350 m), deep (350~800 m), and ultra-deep (800~1200 m) groundwater in Zhengzhou City. A descriptive statistical analysis was employed to identify the primary chemical constituents of groundwater at various depths within the study area. Piper diagrams and the Shukarev classification method were employed to determine the hydrochemical types of the groundwater. Additionally, Gibbs diagrams, correlation coefficient methods, ion ratio coefficient methods and chlorine–alkali indices were employed to investigate the formation mechanisms of the chemical components of the groundwater, and the health risks in the study area were evaluated. Results: Ca²⁺ dominates the shallow/medium-deep groundwater, Na⁺ dominates the deep/ultra-deep groundwater; HCO₃⁻ (70~82%) is the dominant anion. Water chemistry shifts from HCO₃-Ca to HCO₃-Na with depth. Solubilisation, cation exchange, counter-cation exchange, and mixed processes primarily govern the formation of the groundwater’s chemical composition in the study area. Nitrate health risk assessments indicate significant differences in non-carcinogenic risks across four population groups (infants, children, young adults, and adults). Medium-depth groundwater poses a potential risk to all groups, while shallow and deep groundwater threaten only infants. Ultra-deep groundwater carries the lowest risk. Full article

Agriculture is Ireland’s largest sector with agri-food exports amounting to EUR 15.2B in 2021. However, agriculture is also Ireland’s largest contributor to GHGs, accounting for 37.4% of emissions in 2020. Developing indigenous renewable energy sources is a national objective towards reducing GHG emissions. The National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy of Ireland advises a cascading principle of biomass use, where higher-value applications are derived from biomass before energy generation. This research quantifies and characterises biomass wastes at farms, food production, and forestry settings in counties Monaghan and Tipperary, Ireland. Value chains, along with Sankey diagrams, are presented, which identify biomass that can be exploited for valorisation and show their fates in industry/environment. The quantity of biomass wastes available for valorisation under Business as Usual (BAU) vs. Best-Case Scenario (BCS) models is presented. BCS assumes a co-operative system to increase the feedstock available for valorisation. In Monaghan, 73 t of biomass waste vs. 240 t are available for valorisation under Scenario A vs. Scenario B, respectively. In contrast, in Tipperary, a 7-fold increase in biomass waste is achieved, comparing Scenario A (126 t) against Scenario B (905 t). This highlights the importance of engaging local stakeholders to build co-operative models for biomass valorisation. Not only is this environmentally beneficial, but also socially and economically advantageous. Creating indigenous fertiliser and energy sources is important for the island of Ireland, not only in meeting market demand, but also in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving emission reduction targets. Full article

Objectives: The current work aimed to formulate and optimize a self-emulsifying microemulsion drug delivery system (SEME) for acemetacin (ACM) to increase ACM’s aqueous solubility, improve oral bioavailability, and reduce gastrointestinal complications. Methods: Screening of components capable of enhancing ACM solubility was performed. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were performed to choose the optimal formulation ratio. The ACM-SEME formulation’s composition was optimized using D-optimal design. Oil, S_mix, and water percentages were used as independent variables, while globule size, polydispersity index, ACM content, and in vitro ACM release after 90 min were used as dependent variables. Also, thermodynamic stability and transmittance percentage tests were studied. Zeta potential was assessed for the optimized ACM-SEME formulation, which was then subjected to spray drying. The dried ACM-SEME was characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The dried ACM-SEME formulation was filled into hard gelatin capsules and coated with Eudragit L100 to achieve pH-dependent release. Results: The antinociceptive activity of ACM-SEME was evaluated in vivo using Eddy’s hot plate test in rats, revealing a significant prolongation of the noxious time threshold compared to control groups. Ex vivo permeation studies across rat intestinal tissue confirmed the enhanced permeation potential of the ACM-SEME. Conclusions: It was concluded that the developed ACM-SEME system demonstrated improved physicochemical properties, enhanced release behavior, and superior therapeutic performance, highlighting its potential as a safer and more effective oral delivery platform for ACM. Full article

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes the human stomach and is linked to various gastroduodenal diseases. The severity of different clinical outcomes may be determined by the combination of virulence genes. The aim of this study was to assess the combinations of the cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA), the vacuolating cytotoxin A gene (vacA), the outer inflammatory protein A gene (oipA), and the blood group antigen-binding adhesin gene (babA2) genotypes in H. pylori and their associations with the clinical outcomes of infection in patients from Central Brazil. This cross-sectional study included 106 patients who underwent endoscopy or gastrectomy. The presence and genotypes of H. pylori were confirmed using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Gastropathies were classified according to established severity criteria. Multivariate logistic regression and Venn diagrams were used to evaluate gene combinations. In this study, the infection prevalence was 65.1%. The cagA/vacA/oipA/babA2 combination showed a protective effect against erosive esophagitis (p = 0.002), erosive duodenitis (p = 0.003), and general duodenitis (p < 0.001). No significant association was observed between this gene combination and severe gastric diseases, although a trend toward protection against gastric atrophy was noted (p = 0.049). These findings suggest that the coexistence of cagA/vacA/oipA/babA2 may play a protective role against inflammatory lesions. Further studies should explore the functional role of these gene combinations, also considering the immunogenetic profile of the host. Full article