Search Results (77,664)

The built environment constitutes a significant factor influencing the physical and mental health of the elderly and has garnered sustained interdisciplinary attention in recent years. Based on 425 publications from the Web of Science database spanning 2001 to 2025, this study employed Citespace to conduct a quantitative analysis and synthesis of the relevant literature, aiming to explore the evolutionary trends, hotspot distributions, and pathways of influence regarding the impact of the built environment on elderly health. The results indicate a close positive correlation between the population ageing trend and annual publication growth. The total publication volume exhibited a shift from gradual to rapid growth, demonstrating a distinct phased evolutionary pattern. The research hotspots displayed a gradient structure of descending research intensity: “physical activity—quality of life—mental health.” The impact of the built environment (e.g., green space, street quality) on elderly health can be primarily categorised into three pathways: direct effects, physical activity, and mental health. Macro-level allocation of elderly care facilities and micro-level construction of age-friendly living circles represent the principal optimisation strategies currently employed to address elderly health needs. Finally, potential future research directions are discussed, encompassing aspects such as spatial scales, health representations, and mechanism expansion, with the aim of providing reference and insights for advancing the initiative of “healthy ageing.” Full article

Flapping-wing drones (FWDs), owing to their compact size and operation in cluttered and unsteady airflow environments, encounter significant aerodynamic and stability challenges. Studies of avian flight reveal that falcons and other raptors actively deflect their covert feathers to mitigate gusts and maintain stable flight. Drawing inspiration from this mechanism, this study presents a peregrine falcon-inspired Active Flow Control Unit (AFCU) integrated with a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG)-based deep reinforcement learning (DRL) controller for real-time disturbance attenuation. The AFCU employs mechanical covert feathers (MCFs) that actuate to dissipate gust loads during high wind conditions. A reduced-order bond graph model that encapsulates the nonlinear interaction between the primary wing and the feather-based active flow control surfaces is created which is used as a dynamic training environment for the DDPG agent. Utilizing closed-loop interactions, the successfully obtained learned policy produces optimal actuator forces to reduce feather-displacement error and aerodynamic load variations. The designed controller stabilizes the internally unstable open-loop AFCU, attaining near-zero steady-state error and settling times under 1.6 s for gust magnitudes ranging from 12.5 to 20 m/s. Simulations further illustrate a reduction of up to 50% in gust-induced loads compared to traditional approaches. This integration of bio-inspired design with learning-based active flow control offers a viable avenue for the development of highly adaptive and gust-resilient flapping-wing aerial systems. Full article

The emergence of membrane boundaries represents a decisive transition in the origin of life, yet the molecular nature of the earliest abiotic membranes remains uncertain. Existing models based on simple fatty acids, while experimentally tractable, often lack the environmental robustness required under fluctuating prebiotic conditions. Furthermore, the absence of clear pathways linking primitive amphiphiles to later phospholipid systems highlights the need for chemically continuous intermediate frameworks. Here, we explore borate-bridged amphiphile–carbohydrate conjugates as plausible intermediates between simple prebiotic surfactants and modern lipid bilayers. These conjugates arise from low-molecular-weight polyols—including glycerol, butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol, pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentaol, and hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexitol—reacting with long-chain alkyl ethers and borate species under alkaline conditions, enabling reversible coupling to ribose and other vicinal diol-containing sugars. This chemistry integrates three essential properties for early compartmentalization: hydrolytically robust ether-linked hydrophobic domains, multivalent and highly hydrated headgroups, and environmentally responsive borate coordination. Comparative physicochemical analysis suggests that single-tail alkylglycerol derivatives preferentially form micelles and interfacial films, while di- and tri-tail tetritol and pentitol conjugates favor lamellar assemblies and vesicle formation across realistic prebiotic pH and salinity ranges. Hexitol-based systems, particularly those bearing three hydrophobic chains, may act as membrane-stabilizing components that enhance rigidity and reduce permeability under extreme conditions. We propose that heterogeneous mixtures dominated by two-tail polyol diethers, supplemented by tri-tail stabilizers and surface-active alkylglycerols, could provide mechanically robust, pH-tunable, and sugar-decorated abiotic membranes. Such borate-mediated amphiphiles offer a chemically coherent framework linking carbohydrate stabilization, ether lipid persistence, and dynamic self-assembly, potentially representing a transitional stage in the evolutionary pathway from primitive amphiphilic films to biologically encoded membranes. Full article

RNA degradation plays a vital role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. RNA stability is changed in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but its role and underlying mechanisms in sleeve gastrectomy (SG) effectively remodeling hepatocytes and improving MASLD is unclear. A high-fat diet-induced MASLD model for SG and a hepatocyte-specific Zfp36 knockdown mouse model were established to evaluate the role of zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) in MASLD. The expression of ZFP36 and TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) was examined in liver tissue samples from MASLD patients. Hepatic ZFP36 expression is downregulated in MASLD but is restored following SG. Hepatocyte-specific Zfp36 knockdown exacerbates high-fat diet-induced liver injury and impairs the therapeutic effect of SG on hepatic steatosis. Mechanistically, ZFP36 binds to TEAD4 mRNA to promote its degradation, thereby modulating the Hippo pathway. Inhibition of TEAD4 transcriptional activity reverses the aggravated MASLD phenotype caused by Zfp36 knockdown. In liver biopsy samples from MASLD patients, ZFP36 expression correlates negatively with TEAD4 expression. Collectively, these findings identify SG-induced upregulation of ZFP36 as a critical mechanism for alleviating MASLD through suppression of TEAD4. Full article

A Ce-doped photocatalytic composite with easy solid–liquid separation capability was prepared and a heterojunction was constructed between BiVO₄ and Fe₃O₄ via a co-precipitation method. A variety of characterization techniques were employed, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), as well as other related methods. Its photocatalytic performance for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) was also studied. The results indicate that the photocatalytic efficiency of BiVO₄/Fe₃O₄ is 1.4 times that of the pure BiVO₄ matrix. In particular, the photocatalytic efficiency of Ce_1.5%-BiVO₄/Fe₃O₄ was 2.2 times higher than that of the pure BiVO₄ matrix, and a 100% degradation rate of RhB was achieved within 30 min. The introduction of Fe₃O₄ not only forms a heterojunction with BiVO₄, increasing the active sites and surface oxygen vacancies of the material and effectively suppressing the recombination of photogenerated electron (e^-)-hole (h⁺) pairs, but it also enables the rapid separation of the material from the wastewater solution by the magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄. Additionally, the partial substitution of Ce for Bi in the BiVO₄ lattice reduces the bandgap energy, which enhances the utilization efficiency of visible light and improves the photocatalytic performance of the composite material. The mechanism of RhB degradation by Ce_1.5%-BiVO₄/Fe₃O₄ composite materials is also analyzed in this study. Quenching experiments and EPR tests revealed that h⁺ and ${·\mathrm{O}}_2^{-}$ were the primary reactive species in the degradation process. Full article

In today’s densely populated and technology-driven smart cities, natural and human-made disasters increasingly threaten the resilience of communication infrastructures, creating critical challenges for maintaining reliable connectivity. The failure of conventional networks during crises significantly hampers emergency response, coordination, and information dissemination. To address these challenges, this paper presents Weighted Average Algorithm-based Clustering and Routing (WAA-CR), a novel, secure, and adaptive UAV-based framework for disaster response and recovery. WAA-CR integrates three key components: shelters or Ground Control Stations (GCSs) as communication anchors and support hubs, survivable clustering and routing using a WAA-based metaheuristic optimizer, and secure and trustworthy drone communication enabled by a lightweight trust evaluation mechanism, and authentication model. The framework formulates a multi-objective optimization model that simultaneously minimizes the number of active UAVs and routing cost, while maximizing trust, communication reliability, and coverage. Cluster head (CH) election and routing decisions are guided by a composite fitness function that considers residual energy, link stability, mobility, and dynamic trust scores. Additionally, an adaptive maintenance mechanism enables dynamic reconfiguration to handle CH failures, trust degradation, or mobility-driven topology changes. Extensive simulations conducted in MATLAB R2020ademonstrate that WAA-CR significantly outperforms existing baseline FANET protocols in terms of energy efficiency, cluster stability, trust accuracy, and end-to-end delivery performance. These results validate the proposed framework’s effectiveness in building resilient, scalable, and secure UAV-based communication networks for post-disaster environments. Full article

Aiming at the technical pain points of traditional manhole covers with low intelligence high cost and excessive power consumption, this study designs a TENG-based alarm device to enhance the safety and maintenance efficiency of urban infrastructure. The device integrates a water immersion sensor and a displacement sensor enabling real-time status monitoring through a unique TENG mechanism. The solid–liquid mode water immersion sensor detects seepage through the triboelectrification effect. Water droplets contact electrodes on the surface of FEP film and generate electric energy to trigger the detection circuit. The displacement sensor adopts the independent layer mode of TENG and combines with a mechanical tumbler mechanism to realize displacement detection. External force-induced manhole cover displacement drives internal balls to roll and rub against electrodes. Electric energy is then generated to activate the detection circuit. On the basis of the two sensors, an efficient and reliable intelligent alarm system is constructed. The system receives and analyzes displacement and water immersion-sensing signals in real time. It rapidly identifies potential safety hazards including displacement offset water accumulation and leakage. Signal analysis and early warning prompts are completed synchronously. This system provides accurate and real-time data support for public facility monitoring, pipe network operation and maintenance, and regional security in smart cities. It helps achieve early detection and early disposal of hidden dangers and improves the intelligent and refined level of smart city monitoring. Full article

Antarctica’s extreme cryospheric conditions impose severe thermodynamic constraints on the natural attenuation of hydrocarbon pollutants. Despite the Antarctic Treaty System’s protections, the footprint of human logistics has left persistent reservoirs of petroleum hydrocarbons that threaten endemic biodiversity. This review critically synthesizes the state-of-the-art in Antarctic bioremediation, moving beyond traditional culture-dependent studies to integrate recent multi-omics breakthroughs (2020–2025). We analyze the molecular mechanisms limiting bioavailability in frozen soils and highlight the adaptive strategies of psychrophilic consortia, including the modification of membrane fluidity and the expression of cold-active enzymes (e.g., RHDs, AlkB). Notably, we discuss emerging findings on novel long-chain alkane degradation genes (almA, ladA) identified in 2025, which challenge previous assumptions about recalcitrance. Furthermore, the review evaluates the engineering bottlenecks of in situ versus ex situ strategies, emphasizing the synergistic potential of bacterial–fungal co-cultures and the ecological necessity of “climate-smart” remediation to mitigate methane emissions from thawing permafrost. By bridging the gap between fundamental microbial genetics and applied field engineering, we propose a roadmap for the next generation of biotechnological solutions in the warming polar environment. Full article

The efficient recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from decoppered anode slimes is essential for sustainable resource management, yet the atomic-level mechanisms underlying their capture remain unclear. Herein, first-principles calculations were employed to elucidate the microscopic interactions by which bismuth acts as a trapping agent for PGMs (Ru, Ir, Pt, Rh, Os, Pd) and to determine the effects of four representative impurities (As, Sb, Pb, Si). The results demonstrate that pristine Bi(001) exhibits strong chemisorption toward all six PGMs, as proved by the large charge transfer, significant electron sharing and pronounced p-d orbital hybridization. Furthermore, these impurities spontaneously incorporate into the Bi(001) surface due to the large binding energy. Crucially, some impurities such as As and Si function as potent surface activators rather than detrimental contaminants. These dopants significantly enhance the PGM binding strength by inducing intense localized charge redistribution and establishing strong orbital hybridizations among the Bi-5d, PGM-d and p orbitals of dopants. Overall, this work provides a theoretical foundation for strategically utilizing the impurities to optimize the recovery of PGMs in complex smelting systems. Full article

Innovation in the field of bioinspired therapeutic anticoagulants, as an alternative to heparin and its derivatives, is increasingly focused toward the discovery of new molecules from natural sources. Inspired by the compelling observation that marine organisms possess a wide array of acidic polysaccharides (APs) within their extracellular matrix (ECM) with promising anticoagulant potential, this study investigates AP topographic distribution, content, and bioactivity in the body of seven phylogenetically distant Mediterranean sponge species. Tissue architecture was evidenced by Alcian Blue histological staining whereas biochemical analyses were carried out on APs purified from papain-digested tissue extracts using anion-exchange chromatography. Four polysaccharide fractions were obtained and assessed for hexuronic acid content. The two most abundant ones, up to 98% of the total, were characterized by electrophoretic analyses, and assessed in vitro for inhibitory activity on blood coagulation. Histology evidenced a heterogeneous distribution of APs within the sponge’s ECM, along with marked interspecific variability in both concentration and electrophoretic profiles. Neither Tethya aurantium nor Crambe crambe showed any significant in vitro effects on coagulation, whereas the other species exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on both activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT), comparable to standard heparin (Hep). Concerning aPTT, both I. retidermata and H. communis reached the endpoint of 300 s at 5 µgUA/mL, whereas S. spinosulus, O. lobularis, A. aerophoba reached it at 10 µgUA/mL. With reference to TT, A. aerophoba, I. retidermata, S. spinosulus and H. communis had comparable effects on coagulation time with respect to Hep (endpoint at 5 µgUA/mL), whereas O. lobularis was less effective (endpoint at 100 µgUA/mL). These findings show that Porifera, one of the most basal Metazoa, have an ECM rich in APs with anticoagulant properties towards both intrinsic and common pathways of coagulation, consistent with known inhibitory mechanisms reported for certain marine sulfated polysaccharides derived from other invertebrate taxa. These molecules, obtainable through sustainable blue technology, represent compelling candidates for bioinspired next-generation anticoagulant therapeutics, with broader applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Full article

Background: Crocodilians rarely develop cancer despite long lifespans and continuous exposure to environmental carcinogens, suggesting robust natural anti-tumor defense mechanisms. Methods: We investigated the anti-cancer activity of sera derived from phylogenetically related species—alligators, crocodiles, and chickens—and studied their underlying immune mechanisms. The anti-tumor activity of alligator serum was tested in murine models of melanoma and lymphoma. Results: Alligator serum (AS) and its (NH₄)₂SO₄-precipitated fraction (ASa) showed rapid and potent cytotoxicity toward multiple murine and human cancer cell lines while sparing non-malignant human cells. Importantly, ASa attenuated melanoma and lymphoma tumor growth in mice. Electrophysiological analyses in PN71 cancer cells treated with ASa revealed rapid membrane depolarization and formation of high-conductance pores consistent with Complement-mediated membrane attack complex (MAC) activity. Proteomic analyses identified the Complement component C5 as a major protein enriched in active fractions, implicating the Complement system in cancer cell killing. Based on phylogenetic similarity of C5, crocodile and chicken sera exhibit alligator-like comparable anti-cancer activity. Mechanistic studies in chicken serum showed that the anti-cancer activity depends on Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions, terminal Complement components (C5–C8), and IgM antibodies that initiate Complement activation. Immunodepletion of IgM significantly reduced cytotoxicity, whereas purified chicken IgM activated human Complement to induce cancer cell death. Conclusions: These findings identify a conserved IgM–Complement immune mechanism capable of selectively targeting malignant cells. The evolutionary conservation and cross-species functionality of this pathway highlight its potential as a bio-inspired strategy for developing novel Complement-based cancer immunotherapies. Full article

Landmark epidemiological studies and clinical trials, such as the Seven Countries Study, the Lyon Diet Heart Study, the PREDIMED Study and the CORDIOPREV Study, have shown significant reductions in cardiovascular events in those following the Mediterranean diet (MD). The aim of the present work is to summarize the most robust available evidence and the major biological pathways underlying the protective effects of the MD, with particular emphasis on the role of PAF inhibitors. Mechanistically, MD functions through a complex synergy of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects that collectively improve lipid profiles, enhance endothelial function, optimize postprandial metabolism and cell membrane signaling, making it a functional model for human longevity. The PAF-Implicated Atherosclerosis Theory has emerged as a key unifying framework, proposing that Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF)—a highly potent lipid inflammatory mediator—plays a central role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL promotes the production of PAF and PAF-like lipids, leading to endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Traditional Mediterranean foods are rich in natural PAF inhibitors, particularly the polar lipid fractions of extra virgin olive oil, as well as wine, fish, vegetables, onions, and garlic. Animal studies demonstrate that these compounds can reduce or even regress atherosclerotic lesions, independently of serum cholesterol levels. Human dietary interventions have further shown that MD-based meals and functional foods enriched with PAF inhibitors reduce PAF activity and improve thrombosis-related biomarkers. This mechanistic framework helps explain phenomena such as the “French Paradox” and the cardio-protective effects associated with fish consumption. Moreover, the extraction of PAF inhibitors from Mediterranean food by-products, such as olive pomace, offers promising ecological and economic advantages. Collectively, targeting PAF and increasing dietary intake of PAF inhibitors represent promising strategies for the prevention and management of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases, supporting the view that PAF may function as a major, modifiable risk factor in these conditions. Full article

To address the actuator fault problem faced by underactuated surface vessels (USVs), this study develops an active fault-tolerant control scheme based on finite-time output feedback. First, a finite-time neural terminal homogeneous state observer with a portional-integral structure is established. High-precision pose reconstruction enables finite-time synchronous reconstruction of unmeasured states. This allows unknown nonlinearities to be explicitly expressed online and incorporated into the compensation channel, significantly reducing the sensitivity of modeling errors to control performance. A neural damping mechanism is used to structurally reconstruct uncertain dynamics and loss-of-effectiveness (LOE) fault factors within the system, thereby constructing an online approximator to achieve real-time identification and compensation of composite uncertainties. This integrates the unknown nonlinearities and fault effects of the original system into an online-updatable estimation channel. Adopting a backstepping-based design methodology, a finite-time hybrid event-triggered control (ETC) architecture is further constructed. By introducing an event-triggered update mechanism at the control layer, the real-time continuous control signal is transformed into a discrete update. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, a comprehensive analysis is carried out to verify the stability of the proposed control scheme. Numerical simulations are finally carried out to validate the effectiveness of the scheme. Simulation results show that the tracking error is reduced by about $93\%$ and $60\%$ compared to the comparison scheme. Full article

Background: Colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia (CR-EN) is a precursor lesion of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). This study investigated the interventional effects and molecular mechanisms of Rhapontici Radix extract on CR-EN. Methods: An azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced mouse model of colonic intraepithelial neoplasia, bioinformatics analysis, organoid models, and HCT116 cell experiments were employed, coupled with histopathological examination, inflammatory cytokine detection, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and HPLC-MS/MS. Results: The results showed that the YAP/AKT-PI3K signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in CRC. Rhapontici Radix extract ameliorated colonic pathology, suppressed inflammatory responses, and remodeled gut microbiota composition in model mice. The extract selectively inhibited the proliferation of CR-EN organoids by downregulating Ki67 and β-catenin while upregulating p53, and suppressed the proliferation, colony formation, and migration of HCT116 cells. Mechanistically, the extract modulated the YAP/PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP) and downregulating phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), and their downstream targets p-SRC and c-MYC. Conclusions: This study suggests that Rhapontici Radix extract intervenes in inflammation-associated carcinogenesis through a multi-pathway, multi-target strategy, offering potential therapeutic targets for CAC prevention and treatment. Full article

Ferroptosis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a critical bottleneck restricting the efficiency of ruminant biological breeding. Phloretin, a natural bioactive polyphenol, exhibits potential ferroptosis-inhibitory activity. However, the regulatory effects and underlying mechanisms of phloretin on ruminant MSCs remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phloretin on ferroptosis and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Herein, we isolated and cultured adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) from adipose tissue of a 9-day-old Leizhou goat and established a ferroptosis model in these cells using RSL3. We detected cell viability, proliferation, migration, ferroptosis-related indexes and key protein expression. The results showed that phloretin (25 and 50 μM) dose-dependently inhibited ferroptosis in goat AD-MSCs, reducing intracellular ferrous ion (Fe²⁺), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation levels, restoring glutathione content, and ameliorating mitochondrial structural damage. Mechanistically, phloretin exerted its anti-ferroptosis effects through direct antioxidant activity, activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway and Fe²⁺ chelation. Nrf2 and GPX4 were key targets in this process. These results provide preliminary in vitro evidence and a theoretical basis for the potential application of phloretin in future research related to meat goat production and ruminant breeding. Full article