Search Results (2,846)

Accurate pavement crack detection under adverse weather conditions is essential for road safety and effective pavement maintenance. However, factors such as reduced visibility, background noise, and irregular crack morphology make this task particularly challenging in real-world environments. To address these challenges, we propose CrackNet-Weather, which is a robust and efficient detection method that systematically incorporates three key modules: a Haar Wavelet Downsampling Block (HWDB) for enhanced frequency information preservation, a Strip Pooling Bottleneck Block (SPBB) for multi-scale and context-aware feature fusion, and a Dynamic Sampling Upsampling Block (DSUB) for content-adaptive spatial feature reconstruction. Extensive experiments conducted on a challenging dataset containing both rainy and snowy weather demonstrate that CrackNet-Weather significantly outperforms mainstream baseline models, achieving notable improvements in mean Average Precision, especially for low-contrast, fine, and irregular cracks. Furthermore, our method maintains a favorable balance between detection accuracy and computational complexity, making it well suited for practical road inspection and large-scale deployment. These results confirm the effectiveness and practicality of CrackNet-Weather in addressing the challenges of real-world pavement crack detection under adverse weather conditions. Full article

This research investigates the feasibility of producing eco-friendly self-compacting concrete (SCC) by partially replacing both fine and coarse natural aggregates with waste marble sludge (WMS), a byproduct of the marble industry. The objective is to evaluate whether this substitution enhances or compromises the concrete’s performance while contributing to sustainability. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted to assess fresh and hardened properties of SCC with varying WMS content. Fresh-state tests—including slump flow, T₅₀ time, and V-funnel flow time—were used to evaluate workability, flowability, and viscosity. Hardened properties were measured through compressive, flexural, and Brazilian tensile strengths, along with water absorption after 28 days of curing. The mix with 10% replacement of both sand and coarse aggregate showed the most balanced performance, achieving a slump flow of 690 mm and a V-funnel time of 6 s, alongside enhanced mechanical properties—compressive strength 48.6 MPa, tensile strength 3.9 MPa, and flexural strength 4.5 MPa—and reduced water absorption (4.9%). A complementary cost model quantified direct material cost per cubic meter and a performance-normalized efficiency metric (compressive strength per cost). The cost decreased monotonically from 99.1 $/m³ for the base mix to $90.7 $/m³ at 20% + 20% WMS (−8.4% overall), while the strength-per-cost peaked at the 10% + 10% mix (0.51 MPa/USD; +12% vs. base). Results demonstrate that WMS can simultaneously improve rheology and mechanical performance and reduce material cost, offering a practical pathway for resource conservation and circular economy concrete production. Full article

Industrial solid waste fly ash has been widely applied in various fields as a resource for waste repurposing. The use of fly ash can significantly reduce production costs and at the same time reduce environmental pollution to achieve sustainability. This study explores the feasibility of using fly ash as a raw material to formulate high-temperature ceramic glazes, examining the composition, surface phases, and texture patterns of the resultant glazes. This study systematically assesses the impact of formulation modifications on glazing qualities by XRF, XRD, and SEM testing methods. The results show that 1. in high-temperature glazes, the element that determines the degree of transparency in the surface phase is the Ti content; 2. Zinc and Ferrum are important factors that can fine-tune the color shade and crystal mention; and 3. controlling the fly ash content in the glaze can change its color and texture. The novelty of this paper lies in utilizing fly ash to create high-performance, high-value-added ceramic products that feature unique aesthetics and artistic effects. In the future, we can investigate the influence of fly ash on glaze coloration, and the formation of different texture effects, as well as achieve specific color mixing. Full article

Foam concrete is examined for use as a lightweight aggregate in concrete for building slabs. Crushed foam concrete should substitute LECAs in areas where LECAs are inaccessible. Suitable foam concrete mixes with and without admixtures and fine aggregates (limestone, stone dust, and micro silica) are tested to determine the densities (approx. range 550–1100 kg/m³), compressive strengths (approx. 0–8 MPa), and crushing potential measures as Percentage Mass of Useful Material After Crushing (approx. 70–90%). A mixing technique is developed using high revolutions. Some mixes show potential by providing a combination of density below 800 kg/m³, an adequately high compressive strength to be handled (>1 MPa), a low cement content (below 300 kg/m³), and a sufficiently high level of larger fragments above 4 mm when crushed (>80%). The results show that oven curing and curing beyond one day do not have a significant benefit. The investigation shows potential for two mixes, though developing the desired mixes further and studying a more consistent industrialised crushing method is recommended. Full article

This study explores the early-age performance of eco-efficient alkali-activated slag–fly ash (AASF) mixtures using high-calcium fly ash (HCFA) and low-calcium fly ash (LCFA) at varying alkali activator-to-slag cement (AL/SC) ratios (15%, 20%, and 25%) under steam, water, and ambient curing conditions. Mix designs were developed with a fixed water-to-slag cement ratio of 50%, while fly ash partially replaced fine aggregate at a 20% substitution level. Fresh and hardened properties were investigated. The results revealed that increasing the AL/SC ratio led to reduced workability and increased flow loss, especially in HCFA mixtures, due to their higher calcium content and finer particle size, which promoted early stiffening. In contrast, LCFA mixtures exhibited greater slump flow and better workability retention owing to their slower dissolution rate. Regarding compressive strength, steam curing produced the highest performance. At 25% AL/SC, HCFA mixtures achieved 70 MPa at 28 days, while LCFA mixtures reached 68 MPa. Water curing showed moderate strength development, whereas ambient curing resulted in slower gains. These findings emphasize the influence of fly ash type, AL/SC ratio, and various curing conditions in enhancing the performance of eco-efficient AASF mixtures. Full article

This study investigates the use of suberinic acid residues (SARs), derived from birch outer bark, as a bio-based additive in high-density fiberboard (HDF). Boards with target densities of 800 kg m⁻³ were produced with SAR contents of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50%. Standardized tests evaluated mechanical properties: screw withdrawal resistance, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and internal bond, as well as moisture resistance through surface water absorption, water absorption, and thickness swelling. Density profiles were also analyzed. SAR content influenced HDF performance in a concentration-dependent manner. The most notable improvements in mechanical properties occurred at 5% SAR, where fine particles likely enhanced internal bonding and stiffness. However, higher SAR levels led to reduced mechanical strength, possibly due to an excessive particle surface area exceeding the adhesive’s bonding capacity. Moisture resistance declined with increased SAR, attributed to its hydrophilic nature and process parameters, although SAR-modified boards still outperformed those with other biodegradable additives like starch. SAR also affected the density profile, improving core densification at moderate levels. Overall, SAR shows potential as a renewable additive for enhancing HDF performance, particularly at low concentrations, balancing mechanical strength and environmental benefits. Full article

This study illustrates the complex interaction between environmental parameters and carbonate distribution in marine sediments along the Tarfaya–Boujdour coastline (26–28° N) of Northwest Africa. Analysis of 21 surface sediment samples and their associated bottom water properties (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients) reveals CaCO₃ content ranging from 16.8 wt.% to 60.5 wt.%, with concentrations above 45 wt.% occurring in multiple stations, especially in nearshore deposits. Mineralogy indicates a general decrease in quartz, with an arithmetic mean and standard deviation of 52.5 wt.% ± 19.8 towards the open sea, and an increase in carbonate minerals (calcite ≤ 24%, aragonite ≤ 10%) with depth. Sediments are predominantly composed of fine sand (78–99%), poorly classified, with gravel content reaching 6.7% in energetic coastal stations. An inverse relationship between organic carbon (0.63–3.23 wt.%) and carbonates is observed in upwelling zones, correlated with nitrate concentrations exceeding 19 μmol/L. Hydrological gradients show temperatures from 12.41 °C (offshore) to 21.62 °C (inshore), salinity from 35.64 to 36.81 psu and dissolved oxygen from 2.06 to 4.21 mL/L. The weak correlation between carbonates and depth (r = 0.10) reflects the balance between three processes: biogenic production stimulated by upwelling, dilution by Saharan terrigenous inputs, and hydrodynamic sorting redistributing bioclasts. These results underline the need for models integrating hydrology, mineralogy and hydrodynamics to predict carbonate dynamics in desert margins under upwelling. Full article

In this study, a full factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of different red-to-blue light ratios (with R–B ratios of 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4) and photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs of 200, 250, 300, and 350 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) on the growth, biomass accumulation, and nutritional quality of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in a plant factory using substrate cultivation. The results demonstrated that both LED light quality and light intensity had significant regulatory effects on spinach’s morphological development, pigment biosynthesis, photosynthetic activity, and nutritional quality. The treatment combining an R–B ratio of 1.2 with a PPFD of 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ produced the most favorable outcomes, resulting in the largest leaf area (98.3 cm²), the highest net photosynthetic rate (16.4 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹), and the greatest shoot fresh mass (48.7 g·plant⁻¹). Moreover, this treatment also led to the highest vitamin C content in the leaves and a notable reduction in nitrate accumulation. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships (r ≥ 0.70) between leaf number and shoot fresh mass, chlorophyll content, and vitamin C content. Principal component analysis further indicated that PC1 and PC2 jointly accounted for 83.4% of the total variance, with growth-related and quality-related traits contributing primarily to PC1 and PC2, respectively. Among all treatment combinations, the R–B ratio of 1.2 and 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ condition achieved the highest comprehensive performance score. These findings underscore the critical role of finely tuned LED light environments in optimizing spinach productivity and nutritional quality in a controlled environment. Based on the results, an R–B ratio of 1.2 combined with a PPFD of 300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ is recommended as the optimal lighting strategy for spinach cultivation in plant factories. Full article

Waste glass recycling generates waste streams such as fine glass fraction, waste ceramics containing fine glass, and waste polyethylene plastics. All of the aforementioned streams contain contaminants of organic and inorganic origin that are difficult to remove. This research was conducted to determine technological processes aimed at achieving a circular economy (CE) in the recycling of waste glass. Foam glass was made from the fine-grained, multicolored fraction of contaminated glass, an effective method for recycling glass waste at a low cost. A frothing system based on manganese oxide (MnO₂) and silicon carbide (SiC) was proposed, and an optimum weight ratio of MnO₂/SiC equal to 1.0 was determined. The possibility of controlling the process to achieve the desired foam glass densities was demonstrated. Statistical analysis was used to determine the effect of the MnO₂/SiC ratio and MnO₂ content on the density of the resulting foam glass products. Waste ceramics contaminated with different-colored glass were transformed into ceramic–glass granules. The characteristic temperature curve of the technological process was determined. The metal content in water extracts from ceramic–glass granules and pH value indicate their potential use for alkalizing areas degraded by industry and agriculture. Waste polyethylene-based plastics were converted into polyethylene waxes by thermal treatment carried out in two temperature ranges: low temperature (155–175 °C) and high temperature (optimum in 395 °C). The melting temperature range of the obtained waxes (95–105 °C) and their FTIR spectral characteristics indicate the potential application of these materials in the plastics and rubber industries. The integrated management of all material streams generated in the glass recycling process allowed for the development of a CE model for the glass recycling plant. Full article

To address challenges posed by waste tires and greenhouse gas emissions associated with ordinary Portland cement, exploring eco-friendly construction materials is critical for sustainability. This study examines the workability and mechanical properties of straight steel fiber-reinforced rubberized geopolymer concrete (SFRRGC), where rubber powder is derived from recycled waste tires. The experimental variables included rubber powder (RP) content (0%, 6%, 12%, and 20% by volume of fine aggregate) and steel fiber (SF) content (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% by volume). The results show that incorporating RP and SFs reduced the workability of SFRRGC but increased its peak strain. Specifically, RP addition decreased the elastic modulus, compressive strength, and toughness; increasing the SF content enhanced energy dissipation, while the effects of SF and RP contents on Poisson’s ratio were negligible. The specimens showed that a higher RP content would weaken the crack-bridging effect of SF. For example, specimens with 1.0% SF and 6% RP achieved 49.56 MPa compressive strength and 4.04 × 10⁻³ maximum peak strain; those with 0.5% SF and 20% RP had 118.40 J compressive toughness, which was 5.53% lower than that of the reference specimens (125.33 J). Furthermore, a constitutive model for SFRRGC was proposed, and its theoretical curves aligned well with the experimental results. This proposed model can reliably predict the stress–strain curves of geopolymer concrete with different SF and RP mixture proportions. Full article

To facilitate the high-value utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), this study investigated the efficacy of fine separation technology as a pre-treatment method. This technology significantly reduced the variability of RAP, controlling the coefficients of variation for asphalt content and aggregate gradation within 5% and 10%, respectively, and minimized false particle content (agglomerates of fines and aged asphalt). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the mix design for ultra-high-RAP- content mixtures (50–70%). A predictive regression model was developed to determine the Optimal Binder Content (OBC) based on RAP and rejuvenator dosage. The road performance of the resulting mixtures was comprehensively evaluated. Results showed that the technology markedly enhanced the overall performance of recycled asphalt mixtures. While high-temperature rutting resistance improved with increasing RAP content, low-temperature performance declined. The mixture with 70% RAP failed to meet low-temperature cracking requirements. Consequently, an optimal RAP content of 60% is recommended. Furthermore, the generalized sigmoidal model effectively constructed dynamic modulus master curves, accurately predicting the viscoelastic behavior of these ultra-high-RAP mixtures. This study demonstrates that fine separation is a critical pre-processing step for reliably producing high-quality, sustainable asphalt mixtures with RAP content far exceeding conventional limits. Full article

Rapeseed is a valuable oilseed crop, and efficient drying plays a crucial role in preserving its quality. Because of the high moisture content in rapeseed, drying using the conventional methods may cause it to overheat. The benefit of energy-efficient sorption drying is that it allows one to carefully remove moisture from seeds without using heat, thus ensuring better quality. This study focuses on the characteristics of rapeseed drying using fine crystalline magnesium sulfate MgSO₄·nH₂O as a desiccant. The properties of the desiccant were analyzed using the SEM–EDS, XRD, ATR–MIR, and DSC-TG techniques before and after contacting rapeseed. The findings demonstrate that the desired moisture content of 7–8% can be achieved within 60–240 min, depending on the initial moisture content of rapeseed (ranging from 12% to 16%) and the desiccant-to-rapeseed ratio (1:2, 1:4, or 1:6). An analysis of crystalline hydrates after sorption drying indicates that the desiccant can be reused without intermediate regeneration during multi-stage drying of two to three rapeseed batches. The germination capacity of the seeds after sorption drying was as high as 90%, meeting the standards for elite rapeseed categories. This research demonstrates that sorption drying using magnesium sulfate is an efficient method for reducing moisture content in oilseeds, while maintaining their quality. Full article

The article focuses on verifying the potential of using cellulose obtained from waste cardboard to improve the soil’s water retention capacity, depending on its texture and type, in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The study compares reference cellulose (RFC) and waste carton-extracted cellulose (WCC) in terms of their structure and water-holding capacity (WHC), using FTIR spectroscopy and experiments across various soil types. Results showed that WCC has a significantly higher WHC (12.6 g/g) than RFC (0.75 g/g) due to its greater proportion of amorphous sections and the presence of lignin and hemicellulose. In contrast, the high crystalline content of RFC limits its water sorption capabilities. Soil texture and soil organic matter (SOM) play a crucial role in water retention. The highest WHC values were observed in fine-grained soils classified as silt loam. The study confirms that SOM has a stronger influence on WHC than texture alone. Applying WCC led to a linear increase in WHC across different soil types. Even soils with initially low WHC showed notable improvement with low doses of WCC (1%). The findings highlight the potential of waste carton-extracted cellulose as a soil amendment to enhance water retention in agricultural soils, especially in adapting to climate variability and drought conditions. Full article

Laser cladding with ultrafast cooling rates enables effective fabrication of metallic glass matrix composite (MGMC) coatings, significantly enhancing the hardness, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties of metallic substrates. In this study, a multi-layer Zr₆₅Al_7.5Ni₁₀Cu_17.5 (at. %) MGMC coating was successfully fabricated by laser cladding technology. The effects of the region-dependent microstructural evolution on micro-mechanical properties and corrosion resistance were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the high impurity content of the powder feedstock promoted the crystallization of the coating during laser cladding. Moreover, coarse columnar crystals in the bottom region of the coating nucleated epitaxially at the coating/substrate interface and propagated along the thermal gradient parallel to the building direction, while dendritic crystals dominated the middle region under moderate thermal gradients. In the top region, fine dendritic and equiaxed crystals deposited in the amorphous matrix, due to the lowest thermal gradient and the highest cooling rate. Correspondingly, nanoindentation results revealed that the top region exhibited peak hardness (H), maximum elastic modulus (E), and optimal H/E ratio, exceeding values in both the bottom region and substrate. Simultaneously, the metallic glass matrix composite coating demonstrated significantly better corrosion resistance than the substrate due to its amorphous phase and protective passive film formation. This work advances amorphous solidification theory while expanding applications of metallic glasses in surface engineering. Full article

The proliferation of online gambling promotions on social media platforms, particularly YouTube, poses a significant challenge in digital security and regulation. This study evaluates the performance of IndoBERT in detecting online gambling-related spam in YouTube comments. The research utilizes YouTube Data API to collect comments, preprocess the text through cleaning and tokenization, and fine-tune IndoBERT for classification. The model’s performance is assessed using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score metrics. IndoBERT achieves outstanding results with an accuracy of 98.26%, proving its effectiveness in detecting online gambling promotion. The confusion matrix analysis highlights a low error rate, with minimal false positives and false negatives. IndoBERT is a promising tool for combating online gambling spam, offering high reliability for automated content moderation. Future improvements should focus on handling implicit promotional language, enhancing dataset diversity, and integrating rule-based filtering. This study contributes to NLP advancements in Indonesian text classification, supporting efforts to maintain a safer digital environment. Full article