Search Results (1,964)

Against the backdrop of accelerating global low-carbon transition, the construction sector has emerged as a critical domain for carbon reduction. This paper establishes a carbon footprint calculation model for the materialisation phase of prefabricated residential buildings, grounded in the theory of whole-life-cycle carbon and the carbon emission factor method. It delineates phase boundaries and carbon source composition, while integrating project data to formulate computational expressions. Using Building 1 of YT Apartments as a case study for phased assessment, results indicate that the building material production phase accounts for the highest proportion of emissions (90.76%), followed by on-site construction (3.83%), material transportation (2.92%), on-site assembly (1.27%), component manufacturing (0.86%), and component transportation (0.36%). This demonstrates that the building material production phase holds the greatest potential for emissions reduction, providing theoretical support for low-carbon strategies in prefabricated housing. Full article

Bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising materials for next-generation field-effect transistors (FETs) due to their atomically thin structure and favorable transport properties. In this study, we employ density functional theory (DFT) to compute the electronic band structures and phonon dispersions of bilayer WS${}_2$, WSe${}_2$, and MoS${}_2$, and the electron-phonon scattering rates using the EPW (electron-phonon Wannier) method. Carrier transport is then investigated within a semiclassical full-band Monte Carlo framework, explicitly including intrinsic electron-phonon scattering, dielectric screening, scattering with hybrid plasmon–phonon interface excitations (IPPs), and scattering with ionized impurities. Freestanding bilayers exhibit the highest mobilities, with hole mobilities reaching 2300 cm${}^2$/V·s in WS${}_2$ and 1300 cm${}^2$/V·s in WSe${}_2$. Using hBN as the top gate dielectric preserves or slightly enhances mobility, whereas HfO${}_2$ significantly reduces transport due to stronger IPP and remote phonon scattering. Device-level simulations of double-gate FETs indicate that series resistance strongly limits performance, with optimized WSe${}_2$ pFETs achieving ON currents of 820 A/m, and a 10% enhancement when hBN replaces HfO${}_2$. These results show the direct impact of first-principles electronic structure and scattering physics on device-level transport, underscoring the importance of material properties and the dielectric environment in bilayer TMDs. Full article

Wheeled mobile robots (WMRs) are being increasingly integrated into various sectors such as logistics and transportation. However, their accurate trajectory tracking remains a challenge. To address this control issue, this study proposes a trajectory correction technique for a wheeled mobile robot (WMR). This proposal uses a functional-link neural network (FLNN) that adjusts the trajectory error with the aim of minimizing it. This error is propagated backward by adjusting the different parameters of the controller. The controller was designed using a combination of linearization feedback, sliding mode control, and FLNN, where the latter provides adaptability to the controller. Using the Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of the proposal was demonstrated. Experiments and simulation analyses were also carried out to demonstrate the practical feasibility of the proposal. Full article

Television commercials (TVCs) play a critical role in shaping and reflecting societal understandings of gender roles. Guided by cultivation theory and framing theory, this study examines gender representation in Indian TVCs, focusing on the gender distribution of primary characters, voiceovers, settings (home, outdoor, workplace), and product categories. A quantitative content analysis of 120 Indian TVCs from 2011 to 2020 was conducted, with coding performed by the researcher. Findings show that men were primary characters in 54.6% of ads, while women featured in 45.4%. Male voiceovers dominated at 70.1%, compared to 29.9% for females. Women appeared in home settings in 66.7% of TVCs, while men were predominant in workplace contexts (100%). No significant gender disparity was observed in outdoor settings. Product-wise, women were mostly linked with household and healthcare items, whereas men dominated sectors like banking, technology, and transport. The study highlights how repetitive portrayals of certain gender framings in TVCs contribute to the normalization of traditional gender roles, offering insights into the symbolic structures that reinforce these norms in Indian media culture. Full article

With their considerable capacity and structurally favorable characteristics, layered transition metal oxides have become strong contenders for cathode use in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Nevertheless, their practical deployment is challenged by pronounced capacity loss, predominantly induced by unstable cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI) at elevated voltages. In this study, difluoroethylene carbonate (DFEC) is introduced as a functional electrolyte additive to engineer a robust and uniform CEI. The fluorine-enriched CEI effectively suppresses parasitic reactions, mitigates continuous electrolyte decomposition, and facilitates stable Na⁺ transport. Consequently, Na/NaNi_1/3Fe_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ (Na/NFM) cells with 2 wt.% DFEC retain 78.36% of their initial capacity after 200 cycles at 1 C and 4.2 V, demonstrating excellent long-term stability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm the higher oxidative stability of DFEC compared to conventional solvents, further supporting its interfacial protection role. This work offers valuable insights into electrolyte additive design for high-voltage SIBs and provides a practical route to significantly improve long-term electrochemical performance. Full article

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a conductive water-processable polymer with many important applications in organic electronics. The electrical conductivity of PEDOT:PSS layers is very diverse and can be changed by changing the processing and post-deposition conditions, e.g., by using different solvent additives, doping or modifying the physical conditions of the layer deposition. Despite many years of intensive research on the relationship between the microstructure and properties of these layers, there are still gaps in our knowledge, especially with respect to the detailed understanding of the charge carrier transport mechanism in organic semiconductor thin films. In this work, we investigate the effect of acid doping of PEDOT:PSS thin films on the intra-chain and inter-chain conductivity by developing a model that treats PEDOT:PSS as a nanocomposite material. This model is based on the effective medium theory and uses the percolation theory equation for the electrical conductivity of a mixture of two materials. Here its implementation assumes that the role of the highly conductive material is attributed to the intra-chain conductivity of PEDOT and its quantitative contribution is determined based on the optical Drude–Lorentz model. While the weaker inter-chain conductivity is assumed to originate from the weakly conductive material and is determined based on electrical measurements using the van der Pauw method and coherent nanostructure-dependent analysis. Our studies show that doping with methanesulfonic acid significantly affects both types of conductivity. The intra-chain conductivity of PEDOT increases from 260 to almost 400 Scm⁻¹. Meanwhile, the inter-chain conductivity increases by almost three orders of magnitude, reaching a critical state, i.e., exceeding the percolation threshold. The observed changes in electrical conductivity due to acid doping are attributed to the flattening of the PEDOT/PSS gel nanoparticles. In the model developed here, this flattening is accounted for by the inclusion shape factor. Full article

Tactical production–distribution planning in paper manufacturing involves hierarchical decision-making under hybrid uncertainty, where aleatory randomness (demand fluctuations, machine variations) and epistemic uncertainty (expert judgments, market trends) simultaneously affect operations. Existing approaches fail to address the bi-level nature under hybrid uncertainty, treating production and distribution decisions independently or using single-paradigm uncertainty models. This research develops a bi-level dependent-chance goal programming framework based on uncertain random theory, where the upper level optimizes distribution decisions while the lower level handles production decisions. The framework exploits structural symmetries through machine interchangeability, symmetric transportation routes, and temporal symmetry, incorporating symmetry-breaking constraints to eliminate redundant solutions. A hybrid intelligent algorithm (HIA) integrates uncertain random simulation with a Reinforcement-Learning-enhanced Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (RL-AOA) for bi-level coordination, where Q-learning enables adaptive parameter tuning. The RL component utilizes symmetric state representations to maintain solution quality across symmetric transformations. Computational experiments demonstrate HIA’s superiority over standard metaheuristics, achieving 3.2–7.8% solution quality improvement and 18.5% computational time reduction. Symmetry exploitation reduces search space by approximately 35%. The framework provides probability-based performance metrics with optimal confidence levels (0.82–0.87), offering 2.8–4.5% annual cost savings potential. Full article

Concealed smartphone use while driving (CSUWD), a prevalent and covert form of distracted driving, poses significant threats to road safety. However, the psychological determinants underlying this illegal behavior remain underexplored. A two-wave longitudinal study based on the expanding theory of planned behavior (TPB) investigates the intention and prospective behavior of CSUWD in China. In the first wave, 256 respondents assessed the standard TPB constructs, alongside extended constructs of descriptive norms, moral norms, and perceived risks. Subsequently, 156 participants reported their actual behavior in the second wave. Hierarchical multiple regression results revealed that the traditional TPB variables accounted for 57.1% of intention variance and 45.2% of behavior variance, while extended variables contributed an additional 11.7% to intention variance. All variables, except perceived crash risk, emerged as significant determinants of intention. Notably, the perceived risk of being caught and fined inversely correlated with intention, suggesting a potential disinhibition effect. Both perceived behavioral control and intention were significant determinants of subsequent behavior. The findings underscore the validity of TPB in predicting CSUWD, informing the design of non-legal interventions (e.g., public education advertisement, road awareness campaigns, and technological interventions) to mitigate CSUWD-related distracted driving and promote sustainable transportation systems. Full article

Developing classical three-dimensional consolidation theories considers the small-strain assumption. This small-strain assumption is inappropriate when studying the consolidation process of soft or very soft clay layers. Instead, this study derives a novel generalized mathematical model describing a three-dimensional finite-strain consolidation process and applies the deep Galerkin method to deduce its novel numerical solution. Developing this mathematical model uses the Reynolds transport theorem to describe mass and momentum balances for clay grain and pore water phases. The governing equation is the sum of the resulting mass and momentum balance equations. Next, the deep Galerkin method is applied to train a deep neural network to minimize the loss function defined by the governing equation and available initial and boundary conditions. The unknowns are the average velocity, effective stress, and pore water pressure. Predicting consolidation settlements is implemented by updating the problem domain using the resulting average velocity. Beneficial from the deep Galerkin method, two real-world examples demonstrate that the current mathematical model provides accurate predictions of consolidation settlements caused by the self-weight of two very soft clay layers. The deep Galerkin method helps resolve ill-posed problems by fitting a family of fields constrained by sampling/regularization rather than physics if the physics is under-determined. Full article

To investigate the flow characteristics of movable water in coal under the influence of micro-nano pore fractures with multiple fractal structures, this study employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and multifractal theory to analyze gas–water seepage under different injection pressures. Then, the scale threshold for mobile water entering coal pores and fractures was determined by clarifying the relationship among “injection pressure-T₂ dynamic multiple fractal parameter seepage resistance-critical pore scale”. The results indicate that coal samples from Yiwu (YW) and Wuxiang (WX) enter the nanoscale pore size range at an injection pressure of 8 MPa, while the coal sample from Malan (ML) enters the nanoscale pore size range at an injection pressure of 9 MPa. During the water injection process, there is a significant linear relationship between the multiple fractal parameters log X(q, ε) and log(ε) of the sample. The generalized fractal dimension D(q) decreases monotonically with increasing q in an inverse S-shape. This decrease occurs in two distinct stages: D(q) decreases rapidly in the low probability interval q < 0; D(q) decreases slowly in the high probability interval q > 0. The multiple fractal singularity spectrum function f(α) has an asymmetric upward parabolic convex function relationship with α, which is divided into a rapidly increasing left branch curve and a slowly decreasing right branch curve with α₀ as the boundary. Supporting evidence indicates the feasibility of a methodology for identifying the variation in multiple fractal parameters of gas–water NMR seepage and the critical scale transition conditions. This investigation establishes a methodological foundation for analyzing gas–water transport pathways within porous media materials. Full article

Background: Cities worldwide face continuous challenges in sustainable development, particularly in transportation systems where decisions have long-lasting impacts on urban infrastructure and quality of life. The evaluation of sustainable transportation alternatives requires careful consideration of multiple indicators, making it a complex multi-criteria decision-making process. Existing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) frameworks often overlook the dual uncertainties introduced by both fuzzy expert judgments and probabilistic performance measures, hindering robust evaluation of transportation alternatives in developing countries. Methods: In response, this study introduces a novel hybrid methodology combining fuzzy set theory and Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate transportation alternatives through 14 comprehensive sustainability indicators. Addressing the critical need for sustainable public transportation assessment in rapidly urbanizing developing countries, where existing assessment frameworks frequently prove inadequate, we present a case study from Amman, Jordan. Results: The results reveal that a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system outperforms both conventional automobiles and small buses in 87.06% of simulation scenarios, underscoring its robust sustainability profile. The sensitivity analysis highlights that a BRT system is highly robust, with minimal sensitivity to changes in most criteria and strong responsiveness to critical factors such as land usage. Conclusions: This research provides decision-makers with a comprehensive, evidence-based tool for evaluating public transport investment under uncertainty. The methodology’s ability to account for multiple stakeholder perspectives while handling uncertainty makes it particularly valuable for urban planners and policymakers facing complex transportation infrastructure decisions in rapidly evolving urban environments. Full article

Background: Although most amputations caused by diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are preventable, current limb preservation efforts in the United States remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify key barriers and facilitators to limb preservation from the primary care provider (PCP) perspective. We plan to use the insights from this work to promote targeted intervention strategies. Methods: Using a mixed-methods design, an online 5–10 min survey was distributed to Oklahoma primary care providers who could elect to participate further in a semi-structured, audio-recorded interview. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize survey results. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory. Donabedian’s structure, process, and outcome framework was used to categorize how each identified barrier and facilitator increases or reduces the risk of limb loss for at-risk patients at the practice level. Finally, we compared and contrasted survey and interview findings. Results: Thirty surveys were completed (approximately 14% response rate), and seven interviews were conducted with PCPs geographically dispersed across Oklahoma. Most clinicians reported in the survey that they see at-risk limbs at least once every 1–2 months (n = 29, 96.7%). Half of clinicians were satisfied or very satisfied with access to vascular surgery (n = 15, 50.0%), interventional specialists (n = 13, 43.3%), and endocrinologists (n = 12, 40.0%). Finally, survey respondents reported that social needs most often affecting their patients with a limb at risk of amputation include income, health education, transportation, and health insurance. Interviews confirmed PCPs frequently see at-risk limbs. We identified thematic barriers to limb preservation that included limited access to specialty care, limited PCP and patient amputation prevention education, and patient social struggles surrounding transportation, finances, and insurance. Patient advocates (community, clinical, or personal), affordable medications, and more time with patients were reported as facilitators in amputation prevention. Conclusions: Oklahoma PCPs frequently see at-risk feet, realize poor access to care, and desire structural change to support excellent preventive care in diabetes and PAD. Limb preservation in Oklahoma is contingent upon shifting from disempowerment to engagement that requires systemic reform, clinical innovation, and community engagement. We identified several intervention strategies, including increasing education for PCPs to empower them to initiate early prevention, improving early identification and preventive therapy for patients at risk for limb loss, and cultivating specialty care access via networking and policy change. Full article

The acceleration of industrialization and urbanization have led to the increasingly serious problem of waste gas pollution. Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH₃), formaldehyde (HCHO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emitted from industrial production, transportation, and agricultural activities have posed a major threat to the ecological environment and public health. Although traditional physical and chemical treatment methods can partially reduce the concentration of pollutants, they face three core bottlenecks of high cost, high energy consumption, and secondary pollution, and it is urgent to develop sustainable alternative technologies. In this context, probiotic waste gas treatment technology has become an emerging research hotspot due to its environmental friendliness, low energy consumption characteristics, and resource conversion potential. Based on the databases of PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library, this paper systematically searched the literature published from 2014 to 2024 according to the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria (such as research topic relevance, experimental data integrity, language in English, etc.). A total of 71 high-quality studies were selected from more than 600 studies for review. By integrating three perspectives (basic theory perspective, environmental application perspective, and waste gas treatment facility perspective), the metabolic mechanism, functional strain characteristics, engineering application status, and cost-effectiveness of probiotics in waste gas bioconversion were systematically analyzed. The main conclusions include the following: probiotics achieve efficient degradation and recycling of waste gas pollutants through specific enzyme catalysis, and compound flora and intelligent regulation can significantly improve the stability and adaptability of the system. This technology has shown good environmental and economic benefits in multi-industry waste gas treatment, but it still faces challenges such as complex waste gas adaptability and long-term operational stability. This review aims to provide useful theoretical support for the optimization and large-scale application of probiotic waste gas treatment technology, promote the transformation of waste gas treatment from ‘end treatment’ to ‘green transformation’, and ultimately serve the realization of sustainable development goals. Full article

With the rapid advancement of urbanization, urban migrants’ willingness to participate in community affairs plays a vital role in urban social governance. However, existing studies have paid insufficient attention to the psychological mechanisms through which urban migrants translate perceptions of their residential environment into participation intentions, particularly lacking systematic examinations of the mediating role of residential satisfaction. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory, this study develops a mediation model of “environmental perception → residential satisfaction → community participation intention” to explore how urban migrants’ perceptions of their living environment shape their intention to participation in community affairs via residential satisfaction. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 315 urban migrants in Nanjing, China, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results reveal that (1) housing conditions, supporting facilities, property management, and the humanistic environment significantly enhance residents’ residential satisfaction, thereby stimulating their intention to participate in community affairs; (2) while location attributes and transportation have no significant direct effects on community participation intention, they can promote participation indirectly through residential satisfaction; and (3) policy perception neither directly influences community participation intention nor indirectly affects it via residential satisfaction. This study uncovers the underlying mechanisms of urban migrants’ community participation, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications for improving the effectiveness of community governance. Full article

Maritime ship transportation is not only the core infrastructure of the global logistics system but also is closely related to national security and sustainable development. However, the human factor remains the primary source of risk leading to maritime accidents during ship navigation. In recent years, multi-source data has been recognized as an important means to improve the efficiency of ship operations and navigation safety. In this paper, the major research methods and technical pathways of maritime multi-source data in recent years have been systematically reviewed, and a comprehensive technical framework from data acquisition and preprocessing to practical application has been constructed. Focusing on the data layer, application layer, and system layer, this paper comprehensively analyzes the key technologies of maritime navigation based on multi-source data. At the same time, this paper also highlights the advantages and cutting-edge methods of multi-source data in typical application scenarios—such as track extraction, target recognition, behavior detection, path planning, and collision avoidance—and analyzes their performance and adaptation strategies in different usage contexts. Through the combination of theory and engineering practice, this paper looks forward to the future development of ship intelligence and water transportation systems, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for the construction of intelligent shipping systems. Full article