Search Results (3,286)

Red blood cell (RBC) production from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (BMHSCs) in vitro overlooks the mechanical signals of the bone marrow niche and overly relies on growth factors. Considering that the fate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is determined by the natural bone marrow microenvironment, differences in mechanical microenvironments provide a reference for the regulation of HSC differentiation. This study seek to reveal the role of mechanobiology cues in erythropoiesis and provide a new perspective for the design of in vitro erythropoiesis platforms. The hydrogel platforms we designed simulate the stiffness gradient of the bone marrow niche to culture HSCs and induce their differentiation into the erythroid system. Cells on the low-stiffness scaffold have higher potential for erythrocyte differentiation and faster differentiation efficiency and promote erythrocyte differentiation after erythropoietin (EPO) restriction. In vivo transplantation experiments demonstrated that these cells have the ability for continuous proliferation and differentiation into mature erythrocytes. By combining mechanical cues with in vitro erythrocyte production, this method is expected to provide insights for in vitro hematopoietic design and offer a scalable cell manufacturing platform for transfusion medicine. Full article

Various parameters and observation conditions contribute to the emergence of color. This phenomenon poses a challenge in modern visual communication systems, which are continuously being enhanced through new insights gained from research into specific psychophysical effects. One such effect is the psychophysical phenomenon of simultaneous contrast. Nearly 90 years ago, Kurt Koffka described one of the earliest illusions related to simultaneous contrast. This study examined the perception of gray tone variations in the Koffka ring against different background color combinations (red, blue, green) displayed on a computer screen. The intensity of the effect was measured using lightness difference ΔL₀₀ across light-, medium-, and dark-gray tones. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while statistically significant differences were determined using the Friedman ANOVA and post hoc Wilcox tests. The strongest visual effect was observed the for dark-gray tones of the Koffka ring on blue/green and red/green backgrounds, indicating that perceptual organization and spatial parameters influence the illusion’s magnitude. The findings suggest important implications for digital media design, where understanding these effects can help avoid unintended color tone distortions caused by simultaneous contrast. Full article

The Millard’s rat (Dacnomys millardi), a threatened murid endemic to Southeast Asian montane rainforests and the sole member of its monotypic genus, faces escalating endangered risks as a Near Threatened species in China’s Biodiversity Red List. This ecologically specialized rodent exhibits diagnostic morphological adaptations—hypertrophied upper molars and cryptic pelage—that underpin niche differentiation in undisturbed tropical/subtropical forests. Despite its evolutionary distinctiveness, the conservation prioritization given to Dacnomys is hindered due to a deficiency of data and unresolved phylogenetic relationships. Here, we integrated morphological analyses with the first complete mitogenome (16,289 bp in size; no structural rearrangements) of D. millardi to validate its phylogenetic placement within the subfamily Murinae and provide novel insights into genetic diversity erosion. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenies robustly supported Dacnomys as sister to Leopoldamys (PP = 1.0; BS = 100%), with an early Pliocene divergence (~4.8 Mya, 95% HPD: 3.65–5.47 Mya). Additionally, based on its basal phylogenetic position within Murinae, we propose reclassifying Micromys from Rattini to the tribe Micromyini. Codon usage bias analyses revealed pervasive purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1), constraining mitogenome evolution. Genetic diversity analyses showed low genetic variation (CYTB: π = 0.0135 ± 0.0023; COX1: π = 0.0101 ± 0.0025) in fragmented populations. We propose three new insights into this genetic diversity erosion. (1) Evolutionary constraints: genome-wide evolutionary conservation and shallow evolutionary history (~4.8 Mya) limited mutation accumulation. (2) Anthropogenic pressures: deforestation-driven fragmentation of habitats (>20,000 km²/year loss since 2000) has reduced effective population size, exacerbating genetic drift. (3) Ecological specialization: long-term adaptation to stable niches favored genomic optimization over adaptive flexibility. These findings necessitate suitable conservation action by enforcing protection of core habitats to prevent deforestation-driven population collapses and advocating IUCN reclassification of D. millardi from Data Deficient to Near Threatened. Full article

Melamine sponges have demonstrated significant application potential in the field of adsorption materials due to their unique three-dimensional porous network structure, excellent chemical/mechanical stability, and abundant amino active sites on the surface. However, the development of modified melamine sponges with efficient Congo red dye removal capabilities remains a substantial challenge. In this study, a stable linear polymer network structure was constructed on the surface of melamine sponges via an in situ polymerization strategy based on the Schiff base reaction mechanism. Characterization analyses reveal that the modified sponge not only retained the original porous skeleton structure but also significantly enhanced the density of surface active sites. Experimental data demonstrate that the modified sponge exhibited excellent adsorption performance for Congo red dye, with the adsorption process conforming to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and achieving a practical maximum adsorption capacity of 380.4 mg/g. Notably, the material also displayed favorable cyclic stability. This study provides an efficient adsorbent for Congo red dye-contaminated wastewater treatment through the development of a novel surface-functionalized sponge material while also offering new solutions for advancing the practical applications of melamine-based porous materials and environmental remediation technologies. Full article

Island electrical networks often face stability and resilience issues due to their weakly meshed structure, which lowers system inertia and compromises supply continuity. This challenge is further intensified by the increasing integration of renewable energy sources, promoted by decarbonization goals, whose intermittent and variable nature complicates grid stability management. To address this, Red Eléctrica de España—the transmission system operator of Spain—has planned several improvements in the Canary Islands, including the installation of new wind farms and a second transmission circuit on the island of La Palma. This new infrastructure will complement the existing one and ensure system stability in the event of N-1 contingencies. This article evaluates the stability of the island’s electrical network through dynamic simulations conducted in PSS^®E, analyzing four distinct fault scenarios across three different grid configurations (current, short-term upgrade and long-term upgrade with wind integration). Generator models are based on standard dynamic parameters (WECC) and calibrated load factors using real data from the day of peak demand in 2021. Results confirm that the planned developments ensure stable system operation under severe contingencies, while the integration of wind power leads to a 33% reduction in diesel generation, contributing to improved environmental and operational performance. Full article

Gibberellins (GAs) are essential phytohormones that regulate seed dormancy release and germination. Lomatogonium rotatum (L.) Fries ex Nym is a traditional medicinal plant whose seed germination is often hindered by physiological dormancy. In this study, we systematically investigated the effects of exogenous GA₃ on the seed germination of L. rotatum and elucidated the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms via transcriptomic analysis. GA₃ treatment (500 mg/L for 24 h) significantly improved the germination rate, vigor index, and other germination traits. RNA-seq analysis identified time-dependent transcriptional changes in GA₃-treated seeds across three developmental stages (24 h, 72 h, and 96 h). KEGG enrichment and K-means clustering revealed dynamic actiSvation of hormonal signaling, secondary metabolism, and DNA replication pathways. WGCNA uncovered two hormone-responsive co-expression modules (Red and Lightcyan) corresponding to early and late stages of germination, respectively. Key genes related to ABA and GA biosynthesis and signal transduction showed phase-specific expression, highlighting the coordinated hormonal regulation during seed germination. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of GA₃-regulated seed germination and offer theoretical support for the cultivation and utilization of L. rotatum. Full article

The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is a dangerous invasive insect. These ants rely on releasing an alarm pheromone, mainly composed of 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylptrazine (EDMP), to warn nestmates of danger and trigger group defense or escape behaviors. This study found two NPC2 proteins in the ant antennae: SinvNPC2a and SinvNPC2b. SinvNPC2a was highly expressed in the antennae; phylogenetic analysis also suggests that SinvNPC2 likely possesses conserved olfactory recognition functions. By knocking down the SinvNPC2a gene, we found that the electrophysiological response of ant antennae to EDMP became weaker. More importantly, ants lacking SinvNPC2a showed significantly reduced movement range and speed when exposed to EDMP, compared to normal ants not treated with RNAi. These ants did not spread out quickly. Furthermore, tests showed that the purified SinvNPC2a protein could directly bind to EDMP molecules. Computer modeling also showed that they fit together tightly. These findings provide direct evidence that the SinvNPC2a protein plays a key role in helping fire ants detect the EDMP alarm pheromone. It enables the ants to sense this chemical signal, allowing ant colonies to respond quickly. Understanding this mechanism improves our knowledge of how insects smell things. It also suggests a potential molecular target for developing new methods to control fire ants, such as using RNAi to block its function. Full article

Background: Cucurbitacin E (CuE), a natural tetracyclic triterpenoid compound extracted from the melon stems of Cucurbitaceae plants, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, along with the ability to enhance cellular immunity. However, its role and molecular mechanism in regulating lipid metabolism and adipogenesis remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the potential anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity effects of CuE in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Materials and Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured and induced to differentiate using a standard adipogenic cocktail containing dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and insulin (DMI). CuE was administered during the differentiation process at various concentrations. Lipid accumulation was assessed using Oil Red O staining, and cell viability was evaluated via the MTT assay. To determine whether CuE induced apoptosis or necrosis, flow cytometry was performed using annexin V/PI staining. Additional molecular analyses, such as Western blotting and RT-PCR, were used to examine the expression of key adipogenic markers. Results: Treatment with CuE significantly reduced lipid droplet formation in DMI-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as shown by decreased Oil Red O staining. Importantly, CuE did not induce apoptosis or necrosis in 3T3-L1 cells at effective concentrations, indicating its safety toward normal adipocytes. Moreover, CuE treatment downregulated the expression of adipogenic markers such as PPARγ and C/EBPα at both mRNA and protein levels. Discussion: Our findings suggest that CuE exerts a non-cytotoxic inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. This anti-adipogenic effect is likely mediated through the suppression of key transcription factors involved in adipogenesis. The absence of cytotoxicity supports the potential application of CuE as a safe bioactive compound for obesity management. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the upstream signaling pathways and in vivo efficacy of CuE. Conclusions: Cucurbitacin E effectively inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without inducing cytotoxic effects, making it a promising candidate for the development of functional foods or therapeutic agents aimed at preventing or treating obesity. This study provides new insights into the molecular basis of CuE’s anti-obesity action and highlights its potential as a natural lipogenesis inhibitor. Full article

In the present study, the electronic structure and optical properties of P-2B co-doped diamond have been analyzed using first-principles calculations based on HSE06 generalized functions. Of the 15 complexes that we considered, the five most stable structures—BCPCB system, PCCBCB system, PCBCCB system, PCBBCB system, and PBCB system were identified and studied, and the bandgap was found to reduce from 5.496 eV of intrinsic diamond to 3.610, 3.210, 3.210, 3.210, and 3.250 eV, respectively. Notably, the BCPCB-doped system exhibited significant changes in optical properties: the static dielectric constant increased from 4.18 to over 45, the real part of the conductivity showed a new peak at 2.0 eV (11) with a red-shifted spectrum, the light absorption edge was red-shifted, the static refractive index rose from 2 to 25, and a pronounced peak at 2.5 eV (16) was observed. These theoretical studies aim to support experimental research on P-2B doping in diamond to achieve p-type conductivity and enhanced optical properties. Full article

In the context of industrial digitalization, the Industry 5.0 paradigm introduces digital twins as a cutting-edge solution. This study explores the concept of digital twins and their integration with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), offering insights into how these technologies bring intelligence to industrial settings to drive both process optimization and sustainability. Industrial digitalization connects products and processes, boosting the productivity and efficiency of people, facilities, and equipment. These advancements are expected to yield broad economic and environmental benefits. As connected systems continuously generate data, this information becomes a vital asset, but also introduces new challenges for industrial operations. The work presented in this article aims to demonstrate the possibility of generating advanced tools for process optimization. This, which ultimately impacts the environment and empowers people in the processes, is achieved through data integration and the development of a digital twin using open tools such as NodeRed v4.0.9 and Python 3.13.5 frameworks, among others. The article begins with a conceptual analysis of IIoT and digital twin integration and then presents a case study to demonstrate how these technologies support the principles of the Industry 5.0 framework. Specifically, it examines the requirements for applying the golden batch concept within a biological production environment. The goal is to illustrate how digital twins can facilitate the achievement of quality standards while fostering a more sustainable production process. The results from the case study show that biomaterial concentration was optimized by approximately 10%, reducing excess in an initially overdesigned process. In doing so, this paper highlights the potential of digital twins as key enablers of Industry 5.0—enhancing sustainability, empowering operators, and building resilience throughout the value chain. Full article

The use of pressure-sensitive paints (PSPs), an optical oxygen sensing technique, to visualise and measure the surface pressure on vehicle models in wind tunnel testing is becoming increasingly prevalent. Porphyrins have long been the standard luminophore for PSP formulations, with the majority employing the red-emitting platinum(II)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorphenyl)-porphyrin. nIR-emitting luminophores, such as Pt(II) tetraphenyl tetrabenzoporphyrins, possess distinct advantages over visible emitting luminophores. In particular, they have wider spectrally useful ‘windows’, facilitating the insertion of a secondary visible emitting temperature-sensitive luminophore to be used for internal calibration without spectral crosstalk that detrimentally impacts PSP performance. In this work, we explore the effect of changing the loading quantity of an nIR-emitting para-CF₃ Pt(II) benzoporphyrin luminophore on the performance of PSP formulations. An optimal luminophore loading of 1.28% wt/wt benzoporphyrin luminophore to polystyrene binder was identified, resulting in a low temperature sensitivity at 100 kPa of 0.61%/K and a large pressure sensitivity at 293 K of 0.740%/kPa. These strong performance metrics, for a polystyrene-based PSP, demonstrate the efficacy of benzoporphyrin luminophores as an attractive luminophore option for the development of a new generation of high-performance PSP formulations that outperform current commercially available ones. Full article

Accurate estimation of erupted lava volumes is essential for understanding volcanic processes, interpreting eruptive cycles, and assessing volcanic hazards. Traditional methods based on Mid-Infrared (MIR) satellite imagery require clear-sky conditions during eruptions and are prone to sensor saturation, limiting data availability. Here, we present an alternative approach based on the post-eruptive Thermal InfraRed (TIR) signal, using the recently proposed VRP_TIR method to quantify radiative energy loss during lava flow cooling. We identify thermally anomalous pixels in VIIRS I5 scenes (11.45 µm, 375 m resolution) using the TIRVolcH algorithm, this allowing the detection of subtle thermal anomalies throughout the cooling phase, and retrieve lava flow area by fitting theoretical cooling curves to observed VRP_TIR time series. Collating a dataset of 191 mafic eruptions that occurred between 2010 and 2025 at (i) Etna and Stromboli (Italy); (ii) Piton de la Fournaise (France); (iii) Bárðarbunga, Fagradalsfjall, and Sundhnúkagígar (Iceland); (iv) Kīlauea and Mauna Loa (United States); (v) Wolf, Fernandina, and Sierra Negra (Ecuador); (vi) Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo (DRC); (vii) Fogo (Cape Verde); and (viii) La Palma (Spain), we derive a new power-law equation describing mafic lava flow thickening as a function of time across five orders of magnitude (from 0.02 Mm³ to 5.5 km³). Finally, from knowledge of areas and episode durations, we estimate erupted volumes. The method is validated against 68 eruptions with known volumes, yielding high agreement (R² = 0.947; ρ = 0.96; MAPE = 28.60%), a negligible bias (MPE = −0.85%), and uncertainties within ±50%. Application to the February-March 2025 Etna eruption further corroborates the robustness of our workflow, from which we estimate a bulk erupted volume of 4.23 ± 2.12 × 10⁶ m³, in close agreement with preliminary estimates from independent data. Beyond volume estimation, we show that VRP_TIR cooling curves follow a consistent decay pattern that aligns with established theoretical thermal models, indicating a stable conductive regime during the cooling stage. This scale-invariant pattern suggests that crustal insulation and heat transfer across a solidifying boundary govern the thermal evolution of cooling basaltic flows. Full article

The color of flowers in Osmanthus fragrans is regulated by carotenoid metabolism. The orange-red variety, Dangui, is believed to have evolved from the yellow variety, Jingui, through a natural bud mutation. This study uses the Jingui cultivar ‘Jinqiu Gui’ (JQG) and its bud mutation cultivar ‘Huolian Jindan’ (HLJD) as materials, combining genome resequencing, ultrastructural observation, targeted metabolomics, and transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying flower color variation. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that HLJD is a natural bud mutation of JQG. Ultrastructural observations reveal that during petal development, chromoplasts are transformed from proplastids. In HLJD petals, starch granules degrade more slowly and exhibit abnormal morphology, resulting in chromoplasts displaying crystalline, tubular, and fibrous composite structures, in contrast to the typical spherical plastoglobuli found in JQG. Targeted metabolomics identified 34 carotenoids, showing significant increases in the levels of ε-carotene, γ-carotene, α-carotene, and β-carotene in HLJD petals compared to JQG, with these levels continuing to accumulate throughout the flowering process, while the levels of the cleavage products α-ionone and β-ionone decrease. Transcriptomic analysis indicates that carotenoid metabolic pathway genes do not correlate directly with the phenotype; however, 49 candidate genes significantly associated with pigment accumulation were identified. Among these, the expression of genes such as glycoside hydrolases (LYG036752, etc.), sucrose synthase (LYG010191), and glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase (LYG003610) are downregulated in HLJD. This study proposes for the first time the pathway of “starch degradation delay → chromoplast structural abnormalities → carotenoid cleavage inhibition” for deepening flower color, providing a new theoretical model for the metabolic regulation of carotenoids in non-photosynthetic tissues of plants. This research not only identifies key target genes (such as glycoside hydrolases) for the color breeding of O. fragrans but also establishes a theoretical foundation for the color enhancement of other ornamental plants. Full article

Abies nebrodensis L. is a critically endangered conifer endemic to Sicily (Italy). Its residual population is confined to the Madonie mountain range under challenging climatological conditions. Despite the good adaptation shown by the relict population to the environmental conditions occurring in its habitat, Abies nebrodensis is subject to a series of threats, including climate change. Effective conservation strategies require reliable and versatile methods for monitoring its health status. Combining high-resolution remote sensing data with reanalysis of climatological datasets, this study aimed to identify correlations between vegetation indices (NDVI, GreenDVI, and EVI) and key climatological variables (temperature and precipitation) using advanced machine learning techniques. High-resolution RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and IrRG (infrared, Red, Green) maps were used to delineate tree crowns and extract statistics related to the selected vegetation indices. The results of phytosanitary inspections and multispectral analyses showed that the microclimatic conditions at the site level influence both the impact of crown disorders and tree physiology in terms of water content and photosynthetic activity. Hence, the correlation between the phytosanitary inspection results and vegetation indices suggests that multispectral techniques with drones can provide reliable indications of the health status of Abies nebrodensis trees. The findings of this study provide significant insights into the influence of environmental stress on Abies nebrodensis and offer a basis for developing new monitoring procedures that could assist in managing conservation measures. Full article

As compared to red wine technology, where pomace is macerated, the grape juices and musts are obtained by pressing the grapes and removing the pomace, thus removing an important source of antioxidant molecules. The objective of this study was to exploit the bioactive compounds from the black grape pomace and obtain a new food product, namely pasteurized red must with improved health-promoting properties. The study was conducted on four grape varieties for red wines—Fetească Neagră, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blauer Zweigelt, and Arcaș—each coming from a certain recognized Romanian vineyard, as follows: Murfatlar, Dealu Mare, Ștefănești-Argeș, and Iași, respectively. Both the must and the pomace extract used for each product were from the same variety and region. The recovery of polyphenols was achieved by macerating the pomace at ambient temperature, using solutions of ethanol in concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 75%. The results showed that the most efficient method of polyphenol recovery was obtained by using the ethanolic solution of 50%, which was selected for the subsequent stages of the study. The selected hydroalcoholic extract was concentrated by eliminating the solvent by roto evaporation and used as a source of supplementary bioactive compounds for the pasteurized must. The phenolic profiles of the musts enriched with phenolic extracts were determined by liquid chromatography, UHPLS-HRMS, revealing significant increases in the content of individual phenolic acids and other polyphenols. The phenolic extract recovered from the pomace significantly optimized the phenolic quality of the pasteurized must, thus contributing to the improvement of its nutritional value. The new product has a phenolic profile close to that of a red wine, but does not contain alcohol. Also, this technology is a sustainable method to convert grape waste into a safe, antioxidant-rich grape juice with potential health benefits. Full article