Search Results (354,445)

This study investigates the influence of PLA flowability and talc content on the performance of compostable thermoplastic starch/poly(butylene succinate) (TPS/PBS)-based systems for rigid applications. Different PLA grades with varying melt flow index (PLA23, PLA8 and PLA70) and talc contents (0, 5 and 10 wt%) were incorporated. Twelve formulations were compounded by twin-screw extrusion and processed by injection moulding. FTIR confirmed the coexistence of TPS, PBS and PLA phases without evidence of chemical interactions. Morphological analysis showed that PLA flowability plays a key role in phase distribution, with higher-flow PLA promoting improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion, while talc addition (5 and 10 wt%) increased structural heterogeneity; at higher loadings, particularly, DSC analysis revealed that talc acted as a nucleating agent for the PBS phase, increasing crystallisation temperatures from approximately 73 °C to 81 °C depending on formulation. Mechanical results showed that Young’s modulus increased from approximately 1.4 GPa to 2.7 GPa with decreasing PLA flowability and increasing talc content. Formulations containing low-flow PLA reached tensile strengths close to 32 MPa, although elongation at break decreased to values near 2%. In contrast, high-flow PLA formulations exhibited a more balanced mechanical response, with elongation values up to approximately 8%, associated with improved phase dispersion. Hybrid PLA systems showed intermediate behaviour, reaching elongations up to 22% while maintaining modulus values around 1.8 GPa. Talc provided additional reinforcement but reduced deformation capacity. HDT values remained relatively constant, indicating limited improvement in thermomechanical resistance despite increased stiffness. These results demonstrate that the combined control of PLA molecular characteristics and talc content enables tuning of the mechanical and thermomechanical performance of TPS/PBS/PLA/talc systems for rigid packaging applications. Full article

Two-dimensional heterostructures have attracted considerable attention in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution due to their pronounced interfacial effects, tunable electronic properties, and large specific surface areas. In this work, two representative oxygen-terminated transition metal carbides (MXenes) and three typical transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) were selected to construct six heterostructures. Using first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, their binding energies, structural stability, electronic structures, and HER catalytic performance were systematically investigated. The results showed that all heterostructures possessed good thermodynamic stability and favorable electronic properties. In particular, SnS₂/Ti₂CO₂, SnSe₂/Ti₂CO₂, SnTe₂/Ti₂CO₂, and SnTe₂/Zr₂CO₂ exhibited near-optimal hydrogen adsorption Gibbs free energy, indicating excellent HER activity. Moreover, the variation in Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption from isolated monolayers to heterostructures could be effectively correlated with the work function difference. The predicted trends provided a useful descriptor for catalytic performance. Overall, this study provides theoretical insights into the rational design of efficient, advanced HER catalysts and contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy conversion technologies. As this work is based solely on first-principles calculations, the predicted catalytic activity of the heterostructure should be regarded as a theoretical prediction and awaits experimental confirmation. Full article

Globally, Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is known as the most effective biological control agent due to its ability to parasitize insect pest eggs. However, identifying an appropriate host is vital for Trichogramma to prosper. Therefore, this study delves into the complex role of semiochemicals in shaping the host-seeking behavior of Trichogramma parasitoids, with a particular focus on their responses to both plant-derived and host-derived cues. The mechanism of semiochemical reception in Trichogramma wasps relies on a highly specialized, sensitive olfactory and gustatory system to locate host eggs and mates. Semiochemicals, which mediate ecological interactions, have been identified as pivotal in influencing the parasitic efficiency of Trichogramma species. Trichogramma’s host-seeking behavior is influenced not solely by ovipositional cues but also by the intrinsic physical attributes of Lepidopteran hosts, such as the scales on the wings and abdomen, which emit semiochemicals capable of eliciting positive chemotactic responses, thereby guiding parasitoids toward optimal sites for oviposition. Furthermore, the interplay between insect-derived and plant-derived chemical cues exhibits a synergistic effect, collectively enhancing the chemotactic attraction of Trichogramma, thereby fine-tuning its host-seeking behavior with greater precision and specificity. This study further underscores Trichogramma’s innate behavioral ability to discriminate between host eggs of varying developmental stages, facilitating the precise identification and selection of the most suitable host for parasitization. Age and experience both make Trichogramma more selective of hosts, but younger parasitoids may take a broader approach to host selection due to their greater life expectancy. Furthermore, the removal of these cues affects their host localization and learning abilities. Associative learning enables Trichogramma to exhibit flexible behaviors, providing them with a selective advantage; allows them to explore various hosts; and reduces environmental uncertainty. Plant structure, host density, and host age are the key factors that significantly influence the foraging and parasitism of Trichogramma. The searching speed of this parasitoid is significantly influenced by temperature. Heat stress increases VOC emissions in plants such as potato via stomatal opening, reducing herbivore attraction and enhancing parasitoid recruitment. Furthermore, air pollution, including CO₂, O₃, and NOx, impairs parasitoid efficiency by disrupting volatile-mediated host location and reducing biological control performance. Trichogramma wasps are generally effective biological control agents, but their success depends on the species used, target pest, crop, release density, and field conditions. Overall, species such as T. ostriniae, T. japonicum, and T. leucaniae show the strongest performance in several crops by increasing parasitism, reducing pest damage, and improving yield. This study highlights the successful integration of semiochemical cues in pest management programs and the effective utilization of Trichogramma in conjunction with entomopathogenic bacteria to control Lepidopteran pests. This approach contributes to the development of more effective pest management strategies, thereby promoting agricultural sustainability. Full article

The influence of carbon support and Cu loading on the structural, surface, and catalytic properties of Cu-based catalysts for furfural hydrogenation was systematically investigated. Two activated carbons with distinct textural and chemical characteristics were evaluated: a biomass-derived carbon (ACS) and commercial carbon (ACC). The ACC support exhibited a higher density of thermally stable oxygen-containing functional groups, which promoted stronger metal-support interactions and an increased proportion of surface reduced Cu species (Cu⁰/Cu⁺), resulting in superior catalytic performance compared to ACS. Based on these results, the effect of Cu loading (5–20 wt.%) was further studied on the ACC support. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, XRD, TEM, H₂-TPR, He-TPD, NH₃-TPD, and XPS. Increasing Cu loading enhanced the amount and reducibility of Cu species; however, excessive loading led to particle growth, pore blockage, and reduced metal dispersion. Catalytic activity exhibited volcano-type behavior, reaching a maximum at 15 wt.% Cu, where an optimal balance between reduced availability of Cu species and metal-support interaction was achieved. Selectivity toward furfuryl alcohol remained essentially unchanged across all catalysts, indicating that the catalytic performance is closely related to the surface chemistry and relative concentration of reduced Cu sites and is not significantly affected by acidity. These results highlight the critical role of support properties and metal loading in controlling catalyst performance, providing insights for the rational design of efficient Cu-based catalysts for biomass valorization. Full article

The rational design of metal-free catalysts capable of efficiently converting CO₂ under atmospheric pressure remains a significant challenge in sustainable chemistry. Herein, we report a series of clamp-shaped dihydrogen-bonded iodide catalysts (CDBI catalysts) featuring a preorganized bifunctional framework that integrates dual hydrogen-bond donors and an intrinsic iodide nucleophile within a single molecular scaffold. Systematic structural variation revealed that catalytic activity is highly sensitive to electronic modulation, steric accessibility, and precise spatial arrangement between the hydrogen-bonding units and the iodide center. The optimal catalyst enabled solvent-free cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxides at 1 atm CO₂, affording up to 99% conversion and >99% selectivity at 80 °C within 12 h. Substrate scope studies demonstrated efficient transformation of a wide range of terminal epoxides, while sterically demanding substrates exhibited reduced reactivity consistent with a confined activation mode. Mechanistic investigations support a cooperative pathway in which dual hydrogen-bond activation and proximal halide nucleophilicity operate synergistically within a preorganized clamp-shaped pocket. Comparative analysis with representative catalytic systems highlights the ability of this metal-free design to achieve high efficiency under atmospheric CO₂ without cocatalysts or solvents. These findings demonstrate that structural preorganization represents an effective strategy for promoting sustainable CO₂ utilization under operationally simple conditions. Full article

This paper investigates whether transcendent worldviews—those oriented toward a beyond—decline while immanent worldviews—those oriented toward this world—increase. We draw on an inventory spanning positions from theism and deism to naturalism and existentialism, administered seven times in West Germany (1982–2023) and six times in East Germany (1992–2023). In West Germany, existentialist worldviews ranked first, followed by naturalist, theist, and deist ones. While existentialist worldviews remained stable, transcendent worldviews declined and immanent ones grew, producing a substantial and growing advantage for immanent over transcendent orientations. In East Germany, existentialist and naturalist worldviews were markedly dominant, well above transcendent ones throughout the observation period. Both remained stable, while transcendent worldviews increased only minimally, leaving the gap largely intact. To test whether these period effects persist under controls, we employ OLS regressions with robust standard errors, accounting for cohort, age, church attendance and belonging, community size, parenthood, work engagement, education, and gender. In West Germany, transcendent worldviews declined and immanent ones increased non-monotonically. In East Germany, the pattern reversed: transcendent worldviews increased and immanent ones decreased non-monotonically. While mean levels do not differ significantly between the two regions, the direction and structure of effects do. The discussion addresses why transcendent worldviews are better explained than immanent ones, and what accounts for the divergent trajectories between East and West Germany. Full article

It is well-known that activation functions are crucial in determining spectral expressiveness, training dynamics, and reconstruction accuracy in implicit neural representations (INRs), which employ coordinate-based multilayer perceptrons to represent continuous signals. Despite showing excellent performance, sinusoidal activations, for example SIREN, are limited in their adaptability to diverse signal types due to their fixed harmonic structure. In this paper, we propose two novel periodic activation functions for INRs. (1) Harmonic generalizes sinusoidal activations by combining the fundamental frequency with learned second and third harmonics through per-neuron trainable amplitude coefficients, resulting in a richer spectral basis within the SIREN initialization framework. (2) PM-FINER (Phase-Modulated FINER) extends the variable-periodic FINER activation by embedding frequency modulation synthesis directly into the instantaneous phase, enabling data-driven phase distortion via a learnable modulation index and carrier ratio. We conducted comprehensive experiments spanning nine architectural configurations (including SIREN, WIRE, FINER, Gaussian, Harmonic, PM-FINER, and an additional direct comparison against the Subtractive Modulative Network (SMN)), using six natural images, three learning rate schedulers, and three random seeds, totaling 486 main training runs (534 runs total including an ${\omega }_0$ sensitivity sweep). Our evaluation combined peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and rigorous statistical analysis, such as paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Cohen’s d effect sizes, and Friedman rank tests. Under cosine annealing, Harmonic achieves a mean PSNR gain of 6.08 dB over SIREN and 2.57 dB over FINER (both $p<0.001$, Cohen’s $d>3.7$), while PM-FINER ranks statistically on par with Harmonic (mean difference $0.17$ dB, $p=0.36$), outperforming all of the other baselines. Compared with SMN, Harmonic outperforms it by $+7.94$ dB under cosine annealing (Bonferroni-adjusted $p<{10}^{-5}$, Cohen’s $d=12.3$), winning on all six images. Additionally, the Friedman ranking across the six images confirmed Harmonic (with mean rank $=1.33$) and PM-FINER (with mean rank $=1.67$), being the top two methods under cosine annealing. Our results establish interpretable multi-harmonic and phase-modulated activations as real alternatives to the existing INR activation functions. Full article

The manuscript deals with the bending behavior of beams with relatively less investigated cellular topologies based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs). Three types of sandwich-type specimens (namely Schoen IWP, Fischer–Koch S, and Schoen F-RD) with five different volume fractions of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 35% (±1%) made of aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg by selective laser melting (SLM) technology were investigated. Three-point bending tests were performed at room temperature on a Zwick/Roell 1456 universal testing machine. The force–deflection dependences were plotted, while in addition to nominal stresses, the effective flexural stiffness and energy absorption to failure were evaluated to compare the properties of the investigated cellular beams. In the preparatory phase, critical aspects of possible premature failure of the samples with the smallest and highest selected volume fractions were addressed, while the manufacturability and fracture surfaces of the samples were assessed in order to improve the input conditions of the setup. By comparing the results obtained in the experimental testing in the second phase, it was found that the highest nominal bending stresses were achieved by the Schoen F-RD structure (although not significantly higher than Fischer–Koch S), but in terms of stiffness and amount of absorbed energy, the Fischer–Koch S structure showed the highest values. The improvement of input parameters led to an increase in the achieved nominal bending stresses by at least 100 MPa for all types of investigated structures compared to the first phase. The combined use of preliminary SLM process optimization, bending tests, and fracture surface/EDX analysis made it possible to relate the flexural response of the investigated TPMS topologies to manufacturing-related defects and premature-failure mechanisms in thin-walled AlSi10Mg cellular structures. The presented specimen configuration is intended as a comparative experimental benchmark for flexural performance of sandwich-type TPMS beams under quasi-static loading. Full article

Background/Objectives: Incorporating parent training into cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxious youth has not been shown to significantly improve outcomes perhaps because these interventions have not addressed potential interfering psychological barriers to implementing parenting changes and rarely offer between-session support. There is growing evidence that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can target these psychological barriers and generate more flexible and adaptive behavioral repertoires in parents of children with a variety of presenting challenges. Methods: Following a pilot trial of “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Parents of Anxious Children (ACT-PAC)” a six-week group-based intervention focused on targeting psychological barriers to parenting change using mindfulness and acceptance approaches, we collected qualitative feedback from participants in two post-treatment phases by conducting individual interviews and a focus group with participants that completed the intervention. Results: Analysis of interview responses revealed that parents found ACT principles and processes to be helpful, and many also appreciated the ACT-PAC group setting that allowed parents to recognize their experiences were shared by others and to self-disclose in a non-judgmental space. Feedback from the focus group further provides preliminary evidence that ACT-PAC is acceptable to and feasible for parent participants and suggests modifications such as involving additional caregivers, making resources more readily available, and creative structural changes that may facilitate between-session practice. Conclusions: Results suggest that the group-based intervention can be both maintained and improved for future participants. Limitations to generalizability in light of possible selection bias and the small focus group sample size are addressed. Full article

The fractal characteristics of coal pore–fracture networks and their evolution under compression are essential for predicting rock mass failure and fluid transport. This study combines micro-CT scanning with fractal theory and seepage mechanics to investigate the structural evolution of coal under uniaxial compression and its impact on fluid transport. CT scans were performed at four characteristic stages (initial, elastic, plastic, and failure) to reconstruct three-dimensional fracture networks. Quantitative analysis reveals that fracture porosity increases sequentially from 0.44% to 5.01%, with the failure stage reaching 11.4 times the initial value. Fracture length and aperture distributions follow power-law scaling, and their fractal dimensions exhibit distinct evolution patterns: length dimension increases from 2.43 to a peak of 2.56 in the plastic stage and then drops to 2.47 at failure, while aperture dimension decreases from 2.29 to a trough of 2.12 before rebounding to 2.26. These patterns reflect a dynamic adjustment of network complexity, transitioning from primary fractures to micro-fracture dominance and finally to main fracture coalescence. Based on the Knudsen number, three diffusion regimes of Fick, transition and Knudsen are identified. A fractal permeability model is developed by idealizing the pore space as tortuous capillaries, showing that permeability scales with the fourth power of the maximum pore diameter and is positively influenced by the fractal dimension and the number of large pores. Furthermore, a coupled seepage–stress model is derived, incorporating pressure transmission, shear transmission, and crack opening coefficients. The damage variable is expressed as a function of stress level and fractal dimension. These findings provide theoretical support for predicting gas transport and failure behavior in coal under coupled hydro-mechanical conditions. Full article

Accurate prediction of overpressured formations in deepwater is important for drilling safety and reservoir evaluation. However, conventional two-step inversion workflows are affected by cumulative errors and parameter crosstalk, which limits their ability to characterize the sharp pressure-transition interfaces at the top of overpressured zones. In this study, we propose a direct prestack nonlinear inversion method for the formation pressure coefficient (λ), a dimensionless and drilling-relevant indicator of overpressure intensity. Unlike previous exact-Zoeppritz direct inversions that target effective stress or elastic moduli, here a single formation pressure coefficient drives the pressure-sensitive rock-physics chain—linking pore pressure, effective stress, and pore-space stiffness to the seismic response—thereby reducing the number of free inversion variables. This single-parameter mapping is then coupled with the exact Zoeppritz equation to build a nonlinear prestack forward operator, helping to reduce the parameter coupling and error propagation associated with conventional multiparameter inversion workflows. To describe the typical blocky structural features of overpressured strata, a nonconvex Lp-norm (0 < p < 1) regularization is introduced as a structural prior, and a decoupled optimization strategy combining the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) and iteratively reweighted least squares (IRLS) is developed for a stable solution. In a single pseudo-well synthetic test, the proposed method achieved a higher correlation coefficient and lower root mean square error (RMSE) than the indirect workflow, indicating improved agreement with the reference formation-pressure-coefficient profile. Application to field seismic data from the Yinggehai Basin, South China Sea, shows that the method produces clearer pressure-transition boundaries and pressure-coefficient profiles more consistent with the available well constraints. These results suggest that, under the tested conditions, the proposed method can provide useful geophysical support for pressure prediction and the characterization of deepwater overpressured reservoirs. Full article

Environmental sustainability has become a critical priority for higher education institutions, which play a key role in promoting awareness and shaping students’ perceptions of sustainable practices. Understanding students’ awareness and perceptions is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of institutional sustainability initiatives. This study aimed to assess students’ awareness and perceptions of environmental sustainability at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University and to examine the influence of demographic factors and the relationship between awareness and perception. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 323 university students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring environmental awareness (18 items) and perception of sustainability practices (14 items) on a 5-point Likert scale. Composite scores were computed as the means of item responses. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed. Students demonstrated a moderate level of environmental awareness (mean = 3.116 ± 0.403) and moderate perceptions of sustainability practices (mean = 2.887 ± 0.199). Environmental awareness was significantly higher among female students and those in science-related disciplines (p < 0.001). Perception of sustainability was significantly associated with field of study and level of study (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, gender and field of study remained significant predictors of awareness, while gender, field of study, and level of study predicted perception. A significant but negative association was observed between awareness and perception of environmental sustainability (B = −0.496, p < 0.001). While students demonstrated a moderate level of environmental awareness, perceptions of sustainability practices were inconsistent. The findings highlight the need for enhanced sustainability education and engagement initiatives within universities. Future research should explore how awareness and perception translate into meaningful engagement with sustainability practices. Full article

The legalization of euthanasia in Spain through Organic Law 3/2021 has intensified debates concerning the relationship between patients’ autonomy, the protection of life, and the freedom of conscience of healthcare professionals. In a context marked by increasing moral and religious pluralism, conscientious objection has emerged as a particularly sensitive issue in the practical implementation of assisted dying. This article adopts a legal and socio-religious approach to analyze the role of conscientious objection in the Spanish euthanasia framework. First, it examines the constitutional foundations of freedom of conscience and its specific regulation under Organic Law 3/2021, with particular attention to the guarantees and limits established for healthcare professionals. Second, it analyses the official positions of the main religious traditions present in Spain regarding euthanasia, assisted suicide, and end-of-life care, identifying both points of convergence and doctrinal diversity. Finally, the article assesses the practical impact of religious and moral convictions on the exercise of conscientious objection, drawing on the limited empirical evidence currently available. The analysis shows that, although most religious traditions oppose active euthanasia while accepting palliative care and the withdrawal of futile treatments, analysis of available empirical evidence suggests that objections are more often grounded in secular ethical or professional reasons than explicitly religious ones. The article concludes that conscientious objection should be understood as a structural feature of pluralist healthcare systems, requiring legal and organizational arrangements capable of safeguarding both freedom of conscience and effective access to legally recognized rights. Full article

The high energy consumption of conventional mixers equipped with active mixing elements necessitates the development of more efficient technologies for mixing bulk materials and feed mixtures. This study presents a gravity-driven mixing approach based on the rotation of an inclined cylindrical chamber, eliminating the need for active mixing elements. During chamber rotation, the mixture components move toward both end walls while simultaneously undergoing a circular motion along the inner cylindrical surface. This movement intensifies the mixing process and reduces energy consumption, thereby providing an energy-efficient gravity-based mixing approach that operates without active mixing elements. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the key physical and mechanical properties of the sapropel, organic fertilizer, and compound feed (formulation K-60-1). The measured values were as follows: velocity on an inclined steel surface, 0.65–1.21 m/s; coefficient of friction, 0.40–0.91; bulk density, 453–1166 kg/m³; and angle of repose, 36–39°. The experimental results confirmed the validity and adequacy of the developed analytical relationships. A structural and technological design of the gravity mixer was developed, and an experimental prototype was manufactured. Analytical relationships were obtained to determine the critical rotational speed of the chamber, particle movement velocity, and the power required for the mixing process. Under optimal operating conditions, the mixture uniformity reached 95.7% after 4 min of mixing. The mixer productivity was 0.95 t/h, while the specific energy consumption was 0.5 kWh/t, which is 2.5 times lower than that of conventional mixers equipped with active mixing elements. The obtained results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed gravity-based mixing method for the preparation of feed and organomineral mixtures under the operating conditions of small-scale farms. Full article

The growing availability of genomic resources is changing how genetic diversity is studied in Vitis vinifera L. At the same time, it has become increasingly clear that a single reference genome cannot fully represent the complexity of a species characterised by high heterozygosity, clonal propagation and a long history of diversification. Recent grapevine pangenomes, super-pangenomes and graph-based resources have revealed forms of variation that are often overlooked in conventional reference-based analyses, including structural variants and gene presence–absence variation. Rather than providing another inventory of available datasets, this review examines how continued reliance on a single reference genome may influence the interpretation of grapevine diversity and what can be gained from a broader pangenomic perspective. Drawing on recent studies in grapevine and other crops, we discuss how these approaches are beginning to improve the representation of genetic diversity, uncover biologically relevant variation and strengthen links between genomic information and adaptive traits. We also examine the challenges that still limit their practical use, particularly the integration of genomic resources with functional studies and breeding programmes. In the end, the value of pangenomics will probably depend not only on generating additional genomic resources, but also on how effectively these can be translated into tools that support grapevine conservation, climate adaptation and varietal improvement. Full article