Search Results (11,160)

Magnetic nanomaterials (MNMs), particularly magnetically recoverable systems with efficient regeneration capability, have emerged as highly efficient nanoadsorbents for water purification owing to their high surface area, tunable surface chemistry, and facile magnetic separation. This review critically analyzes recent advances (2022–2025) in the multi-cycle use of MNMs, with particular emphasis on regeneration strategies. The major syn-thesis approaches and adsorption mechanisms are discussed in relation to their influence on long-term stability. Recent studies demonstrate that many MNMs retain 85–90% of their removal efficiency over 3–6 cycles, although performance degradation due to aggregation, leaching, and surface passivation remains a key challenge. Regeneration techniques, including chemical, solvent-based, and thermal methods, are evaluated in terms of efficiency and feasibility. Moreover, bibliometric analysis reveals the increasing research focus on recyclable nanomaterial design. Overall, this review elucidates the structure–performance–stability relationships governing multi-cycle operation, with a particular focus on reusable and magnetically separable systems and provides insights into the economic feasibility of regenerable MNMs along with future perspectives for sustainable and scalable water treatment applications. Full article

In indoor thermal analyses, the effect of humid air as a radiatively participating medium that absorbs and emits energy is often neglected. This simplification can underestimate important values in the results. This study presents a numerical investigation of the humid air that participates radiatively in the conjugate heat and mass transfer convection into a room modeled as a two-dimensional square cavity with a semitransparent wall (glass). The governing equations for mass, momentum, energy, species transport, turbulence, and radiative heat transfer were solved using the Finite Volume Method and coupled with the SIMPLEC algorithm. Two scenarios were analyzed: a radiatively participating medium (RPM) and a non-participating medium (NPM), under two climatic conditions (hot and cold). Results show that considering the radiatively participating medium breaks the symmetric patterns observed in the case of NPM. The energy absorbed by humid air enhances turbulent viscosity, buoyant forces, and indoor temperature. Humid air absorbs approximately 30–32% of the incident energy entering the enclosure. Finally, a correlation for the average temperature is proposed. The results provide insight into the influence of radiatively participating humid air on indoor-like thermal behavior. The study focuses on the analysis of fundamental transport mechanisms. Full article

This study develops a stochastic degradation-based reliability framework for mechanical systems subject to interacting operational stresses and imperfect maintenance. The degradation dynamics are formulated in cumulative damage space and modeled using a geometric Itô diffusion process, in which the drift term incorporates a multiplicative degradation kernel representing the combined influence of load, speed, misalignment, and environmental exposure. Imperfect maintenance is represented through a continuous attenuation functional embedded within the drift structure, allowing maintenance actions to reduce degradation growth without restoring the system to an as-good-as-new condition. Using a logarithmic transformation, the multiplicative stochastic differential equation is converted into an additive diffusion process, enabling analytical treatment via Itô’s lemma. A closed-form reliability expression is then obtained through first-passage analysis, yielding a lognormal survival function governed directly by the degradation dynamics. Numerical evaluation demonstrates physically consistent wear-out behavior and confirms the stability of the derived reliability formulation. The model further enables reliability-based maintenance optimization through preventive replacement analysis. Sensitivity results indicate that system reliability is strongly influenced by the degradation growth parameter governing the stochastic drift. The proposed framework provides a mathematically tractable connection between stochastic degradation modeling, reliability theory, and maintenance optimization. Beyond its application to conveyor belt systems, the formulation offers a general analytical structure for reliability assessment of degrading engineering systems governed by multiplicative stochastic dynamics. Full article

Climate finance has become a major means of fostering sustainability in the construction industry, which encounters higher pressures to mitigate its environmental footprint without sacrificing economic viability. In line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this study employs a hybrid approach, integrating a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis, to provide a comprehensive overview of the role and mechanisms of climate finance for sustainable practices in the construction industry. From 2019 to 2025, 176 papers were identified in the Scopus (73) and Web of Science (103) databases. The SLR enables both systematic collection and qualitative analysis of financial instruments, policy frameworks, and sustainability performance metrics, and bibliometric analysis provides a report of publication behavior, geographic distribution, and thematic network. Findings suggest intense clustering of research in countries, with India, China, and the United States as key focus areas, and that construction firms predominantly accessed climate finance on instruments including green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, public–private partnerships, and multilateral climate funds. Sustainability performance is commonly assessed using indicators such as carbon emissions, energy efficiency, lifecycle costs, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. The findings also highlight the critical role of public policies, such as green procurement, carbon pricing, and fiscal incentives, in enabling sustainable construction practices. From a theoretical perspective, this study contributes to the understanding of how financial mechanisms, policy frameworks, and sustainability metrics interact to drive sectoral transformation. Future research should focus on standardizing sustainability metrics, evaluating financing impacts, and expanding studies in emerging economies. Full article

As climate conditions become increasingly extreme, greater emphasis should be placed on environmental considerations in outward investment to achieve sustainable green development for Chinese enterprises. Therefore, based on panel data of Chinese listed enterprises from 2008 to 2023, this study examines the impact of Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) and climate policy uncertainty (CPU) on corporate green total factor productivity (GTFP). The findings indicate that OFDI significantly enhances GTFP, but CPU weakens this positive effect. Mechanism analysis reveals that OFDI improves corporate GTFP through promoting green management innovation, deepening digital transformation, and increasing green investment, while CPU exerts negative effects by undermining these mechanisms. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of OFDI is more pronounced for enterprises in eastern regions, non-heavy-pollution enterprises, and low-carbon-intensity enterprises. Furthermore, spillover effect analysis demonstrates that OFDI’s impact on corporate GTFP exhibits significant spatial boundary characteristics and time-varying evolutionary patterns. Finally, external incentives (government environmental subsidies) and internal drivers (climate risk) can hedge against the negative effects of the interaction between CPU and OFDI. Full article

This paper investigates the mechanical characteristics of rockbolt under combined tensile–shear loading conditions. By studying the stress and deformation throughout the elastic and plastic stages of rockbolt, a failure model for rockbolt under different tensile–shear combination loadings was established. Key parameters, including the maximum bending moment M_A and total plastic deformation λ, were identified and quantified as they evolve with changes in the displacement angle (combined tensile–shear state). The main novelty lies in formulating the key control parameters governing the elastic–plastic transition and failure process of rockbolts under combined tensile–shear loading and further incorporating them into FLAC^2D to improve the simulation of tensile–shear failure of rockbolts. Numerical simulations of rockbolts under combined tensile–shear loading were performed using FLAC^2D. The influence of a rock mass’ Young’s modulus and uniaxial compressive strength on the mechanical response of the rockbolt was investigated. The results indicate that the ultimate load-carrying capacity of the rockbolt remains essentially constant as the displacement angle increases, while the axial tensile force gradually decreases and the shear force gradually increases. The influence of a rock mass’ Young’s modulus on the stress–strain characteristics of the anchor exhibits a nonlinear positive correlation. When the uniaxial compressive strength of the rock mass is low, the rockbolt is prone to slippage during loading. Full article

Road freight transport (RFT) faces growing pressure from increasing freight demand, stricter environmental requirements, and persistent driver shortages. Automation technologies (ATes)—especially semi-autonomous driving—are increasingly viewed as a practical pathway toward improving the sustainability performance of freight operations; however, their effects depend strongly on infrastructure and operational conditions. This study evaluates the sustainability potential of autonomous and semi-autonomous trucks through an integrated framework combining (i) a structured review of technical and regulatory developments, (ii) surveys of transport enterprises (TEes) and road users (RUs), (iii) SWOT/TOWS analysis, and (iv) a cost minimization logistics model that links operational feasibility to infrastructure readiness (IR). The proposed model minimizes cost per tonne-kilometre and introduces an Infrastructure Readiness Score (IRS) to represent the share of a route that can be operated in automated mode; it also accounts for fuel savings from platooning and higher maintenance and capital costs of semi-autonomous vehicles (SAVs). Results indicate that, as IRS increases, semi-autonomous operations achieve higher daily mileage and lower unit costs, with a break-even point at approximately IRS ≈ 0.125. Beyond this threshold, unit costs decline from EUR 0.0433 to EUR 0.0348 per tonne-kilometre as IRS rises toward 0.6, after which further infrastructure improvements yield diminishing mileage gains. These cost and utilization improvements imply sustainability benefits via improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions intensity per tonne-kilometre. Nevertheless, survey evidence highlights major adoption barriers, including insufficient IR, regulatory uncertainty, technological reliability concerns, and limited public trust in fully autonomous systems. Overall, the findings support semi-autonomous trucking as the most feasible near-term stage of transition, while emphasizing that infrastructure upgrades and governance mechanisms are critical for scaling sustainability gains. Full article

Rotary-percussive drilling is extensively used for efficient hard rock breakage, and the performance of impregnated diamond bits (IDBs) is primarily governed by matrix characteristics and diamond parameters. However, under impact conditions, diamonds do not behave as static cutting elements. Instead, they undergo a continuous cycle of microfracture (creating fresh sharp edges), intact retention (maintaining stability), and matrix wear-induced exposure (renewal). This work reveals this impact-driven dynamic balance mechanism. Fe-based matrix IDBs with different carbon fiber contents (regulating matrix hardness) and diamond parameters (concentration, particle size) were fabricated to study the effects of relevant parameters on bit wear and drilling performance under rotary-percussive drilling conditions. Within the experimental scope, it was found that carbon fiber can reduce the torque during drilling. The optimal balance of the three phases occurs at a matrix hardness of 95.8 HRB, where the combined proportion of micro-fracture and whole diamonds reaches 69.9% and emerging diamonds 12.9%, yielding the highest wear performance index α = 0.236. With increasing diamond concentration, the rate of penetration (ROP) and diamond exposure height decreased and the proportion of blunt diamond increased; the best balance is at an 80% concentration (α = 0.213). When the diamond mesh size increases, the ROP decreases rapidly, the torque first decreases and then increases, the proportion of whole diamonds first increases and then decreases, and the proportion of pull-out diamonds first decreases and then increases. The optimal mesh size is #50/60 (α = 0.241). This study not only provides parameter optimization, but also offers a mechanical understanding of how impact controls diamond self-sharpening and renewal, providing a new foundation for designing IDBs for impact rotary drilling. Full article

Given the urgent need for corporate green transformation in the context of global climate governance, the sustainable development goals, and China’s dual carbon goals, this study examines the spillover effects of venture capital networks formed through common shareholder ties on green technology innovation from a complex network perspective. Based on regression analysis of panel data from Chinese A-share STAR and ChiNext Market listed companies between 2015 and 2023, we find the following: (1) Within venture capital networks, enterprises with higher centrality and structural hole positions exhibit more significant green technology innovation performance. (2) This facilitation effect varies across firm types. Private enterprises, foreign-invested enterprises and enterprises with weaker ESG performance rely more heavily on network advantage for innovation. (3) The mechanism analysis shows that occupying advantageous positions in venture capital networks enables firms to increase R&D personnel and R&D expenditure, thereby strengthening their ability to absorb external knowledge and transform innovation resources, which further enhances green technology innovation output. Full article

Background: Atherosclerosis preferentially develops at arterial regions exposed to low shear stress (LSS), highlighting the critical role of local hemodynamic forces in disease initiation and progression. Emerging evidence indicates that endothelial lipid metabolism is a key determinant of vascular homeostasis; however, whether LSS directly regulates endothelial lipid droplets’ (LDs) dynamics remains unclear. In particular, the mechano-transduction pathways linking shear stress to lysosome-mediated lipid processing within the endothelium have yet to be defined. Methods: Complementary in vitro flow systems and in vivo atheroprone models were employed to examine the effects of LSS on endothelial lipid metabolism. Endothelial LDs accumulation, lysosome-dependent lipophagy, and atherosclerotic lesion development were systematically assessed under LSS conditions. Mechanistically, molecular profiling and rapamycin-mediated functional rescue were conducted to delineate the role of the KLF4/TFEB/ATP1A1 signaling axis in LSS-induced impairment of lysosome-dependent lipophagy. Results: We found that LSS induced pathological accumulation of LDs in vascular endothelial cells, accompanied by a marked suppression of lysosome-dependent lipophagy. Elucidation of the mechanism showed that LSS downregulated the shear-responsive transcription factor KLF4, resulting in aberrant phosphorylation of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and impaired TFEB nuclear translocation. Consequently, the TFEB transcriptional program governing lysosomal function was disrupted, including reduced expression of the TFEB target ATP1A1, leading to defective lysosomal acidification and blockade of lipid autophagic flux. Restoration of the KLF4/TFEB/ATP1A1 axis reactivated lipophagy, alleviated endothelial lipid burden, and significantly attenuated atherosclerotic lesion development. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that disruption of the KLF4/TFEB/ATP1A1 signaling pathway mediates LSS-induced impairment of endothelial lipophagy, thereby driving pathological LDs accumulation. This highlights the potential of restoring this axis as a therapeutic strategy to attenuate atherosclerotic progression. Full article

Precise assessment of commercial service facilities (CSFs) is a vital pillar for megacity governance. However, existing evaluations rely on static population and 2D metrics, overlooking behavioral heterogeneity and 3D spatial supply at the micro scale. This study constructs a “3D Supply–Group Demand–Matching” framework at the community level. On the supply side, a Building Coupling Entropy (BCE) model integrates 3D volume and morphology to characterize service capacity. On the demand side, a dynamic behavioral model measures multi-group needs. Mismatch patterns are identified using the Entropy-modified Spatial Disparity Ratio (ESDR). Using Guangzhou as a case, the results reveal three paradigms: (1) Core districts exhibit rigid path dependency, where first-tier sub-districts rose from 48 to 51, and elderly service shortages in old areas plummeted by nearly 80% via micro-regeneration; (2) Growth poles show spatial fragmentation, with core labor demand spilling over but infrastructure lagging, creating a fast production–slow urbanism mismatch; (3) Far-suburban areas reduced extreme-shortage sub-districts from 38 to 34, identifying resource islands besieged by residential demand. Overall, the framework elucidates the shape–flow mismatch mechanism and provides a transferable basis for precision zonation governance, supporting a shift from static quantity-based allocation to dynamic quality-oriented provision in high-density megacities. Full article

In oil and gas development, the oil displacement efficiency of single surfactants is inherently constrained. While synergistic interactions between salt ions and surfactants can enhance displacement performance by modulating interfacial properties and wettability, the underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study systematically investigated the synergistic effects of two monovalent salts (NaCl, KCl) and four surfactants through macroscopic characterization of interfacial property and microfluidic displacement experiments using microfluidic device with dead-end structures. The results show that salt type and concentration significantly influence interfacial dynamics. The four selected surfactants exhibit gel-like behavior through molecular self-assembly in aqueous solutions, and their synergistic interaction with salt ions enhances oil displacement efficiency by modulating interfacial characteristics. High-salinity solutions reduce interfacial tension, with CTAB exhibiting a concentration-dependent decrease, while NP-10 behavior is governed by both surfactant and salt concentrations. The presence of Na⁺ generally resulted in lower IFT, improved interfacial viscoelasticity, and more favorable wettability alteration compared to K⁺. One-way analysis of variance confirmed that salt type is the main factor affecting recovery rate (p < 0.05). Notably, 0.2% CTAB+50,000 mg/L NaCl combination achieved the highest recovery rate owing to an optimal balance between interfacial adsorption, film viscoelasticity, and wettability alteration. This investigation elucidates the mechanisms driving surfactant–salt synergism and proposes an optimized surfactant and salt formulation to enhance oil recovery through tailored interfacial properties. Full article

Mining activities can generate effluent contamination with potentially toxic elements such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), posing environmental and technological challenges, particularly during mine closure and the decommissioning of mining structures. Constructed wetlands have been proposed as a nature-based, passive, and low-cost alternative for treating mining effluents; however, the mechanisms, controlling factors, and performance patterns governing Fe and Mn removal remain insufficiently synthesized across different wetland configurations and effluent types. This study performs a systematic review combined with a meta-analysis to synthesize Fe and Mn removal mechanisms, quantify removal performance, and identify the operational, hydraulic, physicochemical, and biological factors influencing system performance. A total of 55 primary studies were analyzed, comprising 155 observations for Fe and 96 for Mn. The results indicate that Fe removal is generally high (medianln(RR)ln(RR) = −1.89), whereas Mn removal is more variable and less efficient (medianln(RR)ln(RR) = −0.59), highlighting the greater complexity of Mn removal processes. Fe removal was mainly associated with hydraulic retention time and pH, while Mn removal was more strongly influenced by redox conditions and the type of support material, particularly mineral substrates. Overall, wetland performance is governed by the interaction among hydraulic retention time, pH buffering, redox conditions, support media reactivity, vegetation-mediated rhizosphere processes, and influent geochemistry. A significant research gap remains regarding neutral mine drainage (NMD), since this effluent category was not explicitly reported in the primary studies and could not be robustly isolated as an independent subgroup, especially in relation to Mn removal efficiency. Full article

The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into corporate and financial decision-making has become one of the most significant transformations in today’s financial markets. Growing regulatory pressure, stakeholder expectations and increased awareness of sustainability challenges have led companies and investors to incorporate ESG considerations into strategic and investment decisions. Despite the rapid spread of ESG practices, the academic literature presents conflicting and sometimes contradictory evidence regarding their economic implications and practical effectiveness. This article provides a review of the literature on the main academic contributions to ESG integration, focusing on three key dimensions: the economic benefits associated with ESG practices, the methodological and credibility challenges relating to ESG measurement, and the organisational and technological factors that enable effective ESG implementation. The findings indicate that ESG integration is generally associated with positive organisational outcomes, including improved financial performance, lower cost of capital, greater stakeholder trust and a reduction in firm-specific risk. However, the realisation of these benefits is not automatic and depends to a large extent on the credibility of ESG practices and information. Rather than endorsing the widely held view that ESG criteria are inherently capable of creating value, the analysis shows that the value-creating effect of ESG criteria depends crucially on the credibility of ESG practices and the quality of their implementation. The literature highlights significant methodological challenges, including rating divergence, the lack of standardised metrics, methodological opacity and the growing risk of greenwashing, which can undermine the reliability of ESG information. This paper proposes an deductive conceptual framework in which ESG effectiveness emerges from the interaction between value creation mechanisms, credibility constraints, and enabling organisational and technological factors. Full article

Sloshing in partially filled tanks generates significant impact pressures that threaten the structural integrity of LNG cargo containment systems, and accurate scaling of these impacts remains a critical issue. Although Froude-based scaling has been widely applied, its validity may be limited under conditions where multiple impact mechanisms coexist. In this study, sloshing impact pressures measured across different scales were analyzed based on individual impact events. Distribution-based representative metrics, including mean and upper-percentile values, were introduced, and scale dependency was quantified using a power-law relationship. The results show that under low filling conditions, impact responses exhibit relatively consistent distributions, and gravity-based scaling yields nearly scale-independent results. In contrast, high filling conditions lead to increased variability and a pronounced expansion of the upper tail, resulting in stronger scale dependency, particularly for high-intensity events. The increase in the power-law exponent indicates that extreme impacts are more sensitive to scale variation. These findings demonstrate that sloshing impact scaling is governed not by a uniform change in pressure magnitude, but by a redistribution of impact intensity across events. Consequently, reliable scaling requires consideration of both distribution characteristics and underlying impact mechanisms. Full article