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Influence of conventional and supramolecular gellants on the rheological properties of JP-10 gel fuels
No full textThe effects of a conventional gellant and different types of supramolecular gellants on the rheological properties of JP-10 gel fuels are studied. Various concentrations of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-mannitol (IPM) and 1,2:5,6-di-O-cyclohexylidene-D-mannitol (CHM) supramolecular gellants are utilized for the preparation of JP-10 based gel fuels, and their rheological properties are compared with those of a conventional molecular gellant (Thixatrol ST (TST)) based gel fuel. Rheological characterization results show that all gellant types can create a gel structure within JP-10 fuel, including the TST-based gel fuel with a gellant concentration of 1.0 wt%, since their tans values are significantly lower than 1. The lowest tans values, hence the most significant solid-like behavior, were obtained for the TST-based gel fuels. However, the highest stiffness values were obtained for the CHM gellant-based JP-10 gel fuels, and the lowest stiffness values were obtained for the TST-based JP-10 gel fuels
MIP-on-the-flow: Molecularly imprinted polymers in microfluidic sensing systems
No full textThe integration of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with microfluidic systems has emerged as a powerful strategy for developing selective and sensitive analytical platforms. As "artificial receptors," MIPs offer robustness, reusability, and cost-effectiveness, while microfluidics enable precise fluid handling and miniaturized analysis. Together, they yield hybrid sensors capable of real-time detection. Recent advances in polymerization, nanoimprinting, and surface functionalization have tailored MIPs for seamless microfluidic integration. In parallel, innovations in soft lithography and 3D printing have expanded design possibilities for lab-on-chip architectures. Cutting-edge detection modalities, including electrochemical, optical, and mass-based transduction, have unlocked applications in biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Examples include continuous biomarker monitoring, trace pollutant detection, and rapid food contaminant identification. Despite progress, challenges in reproducibility, large-scale fabrication, and commercialization remain. Addressing these through material innovations and scalable engineering will accelerate translation into point-ofcare testing, environmental protection, and global food security
From comfort zone to growth zone: Experiential projects as catalysts for creativity in pre-service teachers
Full text linkThis study aimed to analyze the creative experiences of early childhood pre-service teachers enrolled in a semester-long course designed to enhance their creative potential through experiential projects. Using a qualitative research design, this study explored the subjective experiences of 16 pre-service teachers, aged 21 to 23-years-old, who participated in a 14-week course focused on integrating creativity into early childhood education. Data were collected through weekly reflections, project reports, and multimedia documentation, capturing each pre-service teacher's creative journey. The findings revealed four key themes which characterized the pre-service teachers' creative experiences: (1) learning a new skill, (2) expressing creativity and experiencing a sense of accomplishment, (3) overcoming challenges related to fear and insecurity, and (4) achieving personal fulfillment and professional growth. These open-ended projects fostered an environment where the pre-service teachers could take risks, embrace failure, and reflect on their development, building essential skills such as problem-solving, creative confidence, and resilience. This approach equipped pre-service teachers with the skills and mindset necessary to foster creativity in their future classrooms, supporting both their personal and professional growth
HESITANT FUZZY LINGUISTIC MATRIX GAME AND ITS APPLICATION IN MCDM PROBLEM
No full text. This study focuses on how to establish a connection between game theory and decision making under an uncertain environment. To tackle this uncertainty, an expansion of the hesitant fuzzy set and linguistic term set, i.e., the hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (HFLTS), is considered here. The HFLTS is an effective technique for addressing ambiguity or uncertainty in multiple criteria decision making (MCDM). MCDM is a technique of evaluating multiple criteria for the sake of selecting the best alternative. It is an emerging topic in game theory and decision making. Nowadays, researchers are paying more attention to MCDM games with HFLTS. Numerous MCDM techniques are presented in the literature, but very few studies take into account MCDM challenges by using game theoretic models to ascertain the decision makers' preferences and attribute weights. Our main objective is to build the methods for solving an HFLTS-MCDM game. First, we present a novel HFLTS distance measure. To address the hesitant fuzzy linguistic-MCDM game, three novel distance measures, namely HFL-TOPSIS, HFL-VIKOR, and lambda-fuzzy measure, are devised. The resulting outcomes from the three methodologies are compared and contrasted. To exhibit the viability and effectiveness of the suggested measures, we illustrate a real-world example. The numerical results depict that lambda-fuzzy measure is the most suitable approach to find the best alternative among the set of alternatives. Moreover, the Spearman correlation coefficient and p-value between HFL-VIKOR and lambda-fuzzy measure (0.574125and0.045893, respectively) demonstrate the validity and robustness of the results
The social reactive and/or reasoned acceptance of the intelligent speed adaptation system in Türkiye and Israel
No full textTechnology has become important in solving the problem of speeding. One technological advancement aimed at overcoming the speeding problem is the Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) system. Although the ISA systems enhance traffic safety, the standard role of drivers in driving is challenged by these systems. Therefore, driver acceptance of such systems is essential for their implementation, which may be dependent on the country's driving climate and other characteristics, such as road fatality rates and gross national income. The current study therefore examines the utility of an integrative model of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM), which are two popular decision-making frameworks, comparing participants from two different countries which may differ in their driving climate and which is important to the external validity of the results. This study is the first to test this model in two countries. A total of 334 drivers from T & uuml;rkiye and 359 drivers from Israel completed a questionnaire by way of an online link. The results show that the integrative model explains the highest variance in preference for using the informative type of the ISA in both countries. In addition, the model explains a higher variance in preference for using the informative and intervening types of the ISA in Israel and the supportive type of the ISA in T & uuml;rkiye. Although the integrative model differed between the two countries, intention was the strongest predictor of preference in using all types of the ISA. However, as control of the system increases, the socialreactive path becomes more prominent in T & uuml;rkiye, whereas the reasoned path becomes significant in Israel. Finally, attitude is an additional important predictor of preference in Israel, whereas prototype perceptions are more prominent in T & uuml;rkiye. The results and the implications are discussed in light of the literature
ROBOtic Replicants for Optimizing the Yield by Augmenting Living Ecosystems
Full text linkAs the world’s most successful pollinators, bees play a huge part in every aspect of the ecosystem. So, any decline in bee populations could pose a threat to global agriculture. In this context, the EU-funded RoboRoyale project is developing and combining micro-robotic, biological and machine learning technologies into a system that can support the well-being of the honeybee queen, which is responsible for the reproductive success and efficiency of a colony. Specifically, the micro-robotic system will operate around the queen. For instance, this multi-robot system will replace the court bees that are in charge of feeding, grooming and cleaning of the queen as well as the facilitation of pheromone transfer from the queen to the workers.Funded under Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, H2020-FETOPEN-2020-0
In situ growth of S-scheme Zn2SnO4/Tb2O3 heterostructures for highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation and bacterial inactivation
No full textIt is critical to develop highly effective photocatalysts capable of efficiently utilizing visible light and promoting the rapid movement of photoinduced charge carriers to effectively eliminate the infection-causing bacteria. For this reason, we developed S-scheme Zn2SnO4/Tb2O3 heterostructures through in situ growth by incorporating terbium (Tb3+) ions to Zn2SnO4 host matrix. We also explored in detail their photodynamic activities on the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) organic pollutant and elimination of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria. Photodegradation experiments demonstrated that the Tb5@ZTO sample exhibited a superior photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 99.7 % under visible light within just 80 min, along with excellent reusability. This performance is 2.6 times higher than that of the pristine Tbfree@ZTO sample. Notably, Tb5@ZTO sample demonstrated 100 % and 96.5 % antibacterial activity under visible light after 3 h of incubation against E. coli, and for 5 h of incubation against S. aureus, representing 2.78- and 2.53-fold improvements compared to the pristine sample. The strong antibacterial activity was attributed to the efficient separation of photoinduced electron-hole (e−/h+) pairs, suppression of recombination, increased oxygen vacancies, and the high surface area of the porous structures, all of which collectively enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of the heterostructures was confirmed. Based on these findings, Zn2SnO4/Tb2O3 heterostructures are regarded as promising antibacterial therapeutic agents and may possess significant potential in the healing of bacteria-infected wounds
Integrating solutions for enabling the sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems
No full textThe world has reached 1.24 degrees C of global warming above pre-industrial levels when averaged over the last decade, necessitating time-saving options for the mitigation of climate change. Within a long-term scientific pursuit for integrating solutions, the 19th Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems was organised in Rome, Italy, in 2024 alongside the regional 4th Latin American and 2nd Asia Pacific Conferences in Chile and Australia, respectively. The thematic coverage of this review-style editorial represents the key findings of the 22 original articles in this special issue, synthesized into six themes. Demand flexibility within decarbonisation processes includes end-use electrification scenarios in renewable energy communities, probabilistic load coordination, and optimising district heating and/or cooling systems. Securing cross-sectoral benefits with renewable energy extends to locating data centres based on community infrastructure needs for clean energy access and clean drinking water, better interconnector capacity, solutions for maritime transport, and tackling environmental pollution and electronic waste. Advances in green hydrogen supply and value chains span a co-simulation framework with solar energy and repurposing for green hydrogen stations, among others. For improving energy storage and waste heat utilisation, new battery energy storage systems, an energy targeting approach linking industry and buildings, and the utilisation of waste heat from water electrolysis are explored. Technological advances and enhanced heat transfer are then supported by findings for parabolic trough solar collectors with nanofluids, building thermal energy load prediction, and optimising heat exchanger design. These advances take place alongside those for marine energy by optimising large-scale, multi-gigawatt offshore wind farms, also considering aspects of public acceptance and options for energy system restructuring. The integrated solutions that are represented within these advances and their broader synthesis provide ample opportunities for mitigating climate change, providing benefits for improving livelihoods, and securing a safer climate future on this shared planet
Mitigation of Mutual Coupling in Bent Monopole Arrays
Full text linkABSTRACTSufficient electromagnetic isolation between antenna array elements is necessary in low‐profile arrays, where elements are closely spaced. This study examines techniques to reduce mutual coupling in a flexible monopole antenna array, which may need to be bent depending on the application. Mutual coupling is more significant in arrays when they are bent. Three parasitic geometric shapes are introduced and combined to reduce mutual coupling in arrays of various aperture sizes. The flexible array is optimized using a combination of the three parasitic structures, yielding an average mutual coupling of dB in a planar configuration. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed structure, an array has been manufactured using cotton as a substrate. The bent array has demonstrated a bandwidth of 23% with mutual coupling reduced from to dB by adding the proposed structures. The flexible design with low coupling between adjacent elements makes the proposed antenna array a promising candidate for wearable multiantenna wireless communication applications