Search Results (12,477)

The terahertz waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 10 THz, exhibiting characteristics of both microwave and infrared, including fingerprint characteristics, coherence, and safety. Due to the weak interactions among most organic macromolecules in substances, the vibrational modes of molecular frameworks, as well as dipole rotation and vibration transitions, often correspond to the terahertz spectral region. Consequently, there has been growing interest in applying terahertz technology within the food industry. This review summarizes the fundamental principles of terahertz spectroscopy for substance detection and highlights recent advances and applications in food analysis. Key applications include harmful contaminant detection, component analysis, quality assessment, and adulteration identification. Additionally, this review discusses current challenges in applying terahertz spectroscopy to food analysis, such as strong water absorption, matrix interference, and the lack of comprehensive spectral databases. Finally, the paper outlines future prospects, including the development of lightweight and cost-effective terahertz sources and detectors for on-site analysis, as well as the integration of terahertz spectroscopy with other modern detection technologies to enhance analytical performance. This work aims to serve as a reference for further research and development of terahertz spectroscopy in the food sector. Full article

Plants, as sessile organisms, rely on sophisticated gene regulatory networks (GRNs) to adapt to dynamic environmental conditions. Among the central components of these networks are the interconnected pathways of light signaling and circadian rhythms, which together optimize growth, development, and stress resilience. While light and circadian pathways have been extensively investigated independently, their integrative coordination in mediating climate change adaptation responses remains a critical knowledge gap. Light perception via photoreceptors initiates transcriptional reprogramming, while the circadian clock generates endogenous rhythms that anticipate daily and seasonal changes. This review explores the molecular integration of light and circadian signaling, emphasizing how their crosstalk fine-tunes GRNs to balance resource allocation, photomorphogenesis, and stress adaptation. We highlight recent advances in systems biology tools, e.g., single-cell omics, CRISPR screens that unravel spatiotemporal regulation of shared hubs like phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs), ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), and CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1). Here, we synthesize mechanistic insights across model and crop species to bridge fundamental molecular crosstalk with actionable strategies for enhancing cropresilience. Moreover, we have tried to discuss agricultural implications in engineering light–clock interactions for the enhancement in crop productivity under climate change scenarios. Through synthesizing mechanistic insights and translational applications, this work will help underscore the potential for manipulating light–circadian networks to promote sustainability in agriculture. Full article

The ongoing energy transition and decarbonization efforts have prompted the development of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) capable of integrating multiple generation and storage technologies to enhance energy autonomy. Among the available options, hydrogen has emerged as a versatile energy carrier, yet most studies have focused either on stationary applications or on mobility, seldom addressing their integration withing a single framework. In particular, the potential of Metal Hydride (MH) tanks remains largely underexplored in the context of sector coupling, where the same storage unit can simultaneously sustain household demand and provide in-house refueling for light-duty fuel-cell vehicles. This study presents the design and analysis of a residential-scale HRES that combines photovoltaic generation, a PEM electrolyzer, a lithium-ion battery and MH storage intended for direct integration with a fuel-cell electric microcar. A fully dynamic numerical model was developed to evaluate system interactions and quantify the conditions under which low-pressure MH tanks can be effectively integrated into HRES, with particular attention to thermal management and seasonal variability. Two simulation campaigns were carried out to provide both component-level and system-level insights. The first focused on thermal management during hydrogen absorption in the MH tank, comparing passive and active cooling strategies. Forced convection reduced absorption time by 44% compared to natural convection, while avoiding the additional energy demand associated with thermostatic baths. The second campaign assessed seasonal operation: even under winter irradiance conditions, the system ensured continuous household supply and enabled full recharge of two MH tanks every six days, in line with the hydrogen requirements of the light vehicle daily commuting profile. Battery support further reduced grid reliance, achieving a Grid Dependency Factor as low as 28.8% and enhancing system autonomy during cold periods. Full article

Organoid technology has emerged as a revolutionary tool in cancer research, offering physiologically accurate, three-dimensional models that preserve the histoarchitecture, genetic stability, and phenotypic complexity of primary tumors. These self-organizing structures, derived from adult stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or patient tumor biopsies, recapitulate critical aspects of tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, and microenvironmental interactions. Organoids serve as powerful systems for modeling tumor progression, assessing drug sensitivity and resistance, and guiding precision oncology strategies. Recent innovations have extended organoid capabilities beyond static culture systems. Integration with microfluidic organoid-on-chip platforms, high-throughput CRISPR-based functional genomics, and AI-driven phenotypic analytics has enhanced mechanistic insight and translational relevance. Co-culture systems incorporating immune, stromal, and endothelial components now permit dynamic modeling of tumor–host interactions, immunotherapeutic responses, and metastatic behavior. Comparative analyses with conventional platforms, 2D monolayers, spheroids, and patient-derived xenografts emphasize the superior fidelity and clinical potential of organoids. Despite these advances, several challenges remain, such as protocol variability, incomplete recapitulation of systemic physiology, and limitations in scalability, standardization, and regulatory alignment. Addressing these gaps with unified workflows, synthetic matrices, vascularized and innervated co-cultures, and GMP-compliant manufacturing will be crucial for clinical integration. Proactive engagement with regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines will be pivotal to ensuring safe, responsible, and equitable clinical translation. With the convergence of bioengineering, multi-omics, and computational modeling, organoids are poised to become indispensable tools in next-generation oncology, driving mechanistic discovery, predictive diagnostics, and personalized therapy optimization. Full article

Since H₂O and Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (EM) form a minimum-boiling azeotrope, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, and 1-heptanol are selected as entrainers to separate the azeotropic mixture (H₂O/EM) using azeotropic distillation. The binary vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were determined at 101.3 kPa, including H₂O/EM, EM/1-pentanol, EM/1-hexanol, EM/1-heptanol, H₂O/1-pentanol, H₂O/1-hexanol and H₂O/1-heptanol. Meanwhile, the Herington area test was used to validate the thermodynamic consistency of the experimental binary data. The VLE data for the experimental binary system were analyzed using the NRTL, UNIQUAC, and Wilson activity coefficient models, showing excellent agreement between predictions and measurements. Finally, molecular simulations were employed to calculate interaction energies between components, providing insights into the VLE behavior. The azeotropic distillation process was simulated using Aspen Plus to evaluate the separation performance and determine the optimal operating parameters. Therefore, this study provides guidance and a foundational basis for the separation of H₂O/EM systems at 101.3 kPa. Full article

Many scholars believe that the Yi Jing 易經 (the Book of Changes) and traditional Chinese medicine share common mathematical principles, which are both predicated on the ontological of qi 氣 and the cosmological of correlative between nature and human. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the systemic organization of organs, meridians, qi, and blood as central components by incorporating the mathematical principles, including the theory of “Chaos-Crack”, the infinite classification methods of yinyang 陰陽, the generative and restrictive interactions of wuxing 五行, and the metaphysical significance of special numbers such as one, two, three, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine also formulates many theories and methodologies by integrating these mathematical principles with the schemata of luoshu 洛書 and jiugong 九宮, as well as the special combination numbers such as tianliu diwu 天六地五. This research tries to explain the mathematical principles and applications from the body dimension in traditional Chinese medicine. Full article

Wnt signaling is an ancient developmental mechanism that drives the initial specification and patterning of the primary axis in many metazoan embryos. Yet, it is unclear how exactly the various Wnt components interact in most Wnt-mediated developmental processes as well as in the molecular mechanism regulating adult tissue homeostasis. Recent work in invertebrate deuterostome sea urchin embryos indicates that three different Wnt signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Wnt/JNK, and Wnt/PKC) form an interconnected Wnt signaling network that specifies and patterns the primary anterior–posterior (AP) axis. Here, we detail our current knowledge of this critical regulatory process in sea urchin embryos. We also illustrate examples from a diverse group of metazoans, from cnidarians to vertebrates, that suggest aspects of the sea urchin AP Wnt signaling network are deeply conserved. We explore how the sea urchin is an excellent model to elucidate a detailed molecular understanding of AP axis specification and patterning that can be used for identifying unifying developmental principles across animals. Full article

Bridges are critical nodes in freight networks, yet limited funding prevents agencies from maintaining all structures in good condition. This creates the need for a transparent and scalable method to identify which bridges pose the greatest risk to supply chain continuity. This study develops a bridge risk index using the threat–vulnerability–consequence (TVC) framework and validates its components with machine learning. Threat is defined as per-lane average daily traffic, vulnerability as effective bridge age (epoch), and consequence as detour distance, with traffic also contributing to disruption magnitude. The methodology applies log transformation and normalization to construct an interpretable multiplicative index, then classifies risk using Jenks natural breaks. The results show that epoch dominates vulnerability, detour distance amplifies consequence, and their interaction explains most of the risk variation. Specifically, effective age explains over three times more variation in bridge condition than any other attribute. The vulnerability–consequence interaction dominates with an R² = 0.98. The highest-risk bridges are concentrated in rural areas and near major freight gateways where detour options are limited. The proposed TVC index provides a transparent, data-driven decision-support tool that agencies can apply nationwide to prioritize investments, safeguard freight corridors, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Full article

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that the tumor-associated microbiome may influence disease progression and therapy response. Methods: We investigated how the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, together with their cell wall components lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), modulate doxorubicin (DOX) efficacy in TNBC cells. Using gentamicin protection combined with flow cytometry of eFluor 450-labeled bacteria and CFU quantification, we assessed bacterial uptake, persistence, and effects on drug response in MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-453 cells. Results: Both bacteria entered TNBC cells and survived for several days in a cell line-dependent manner. Notably, bacterial infection and purified cell wall ligands (LPS and LTA) significantly increased DOX accumulation and enhanced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231, but not in MDA-MB-453. The similar effects of LPS and LTA implicate Toll-like receptor signaling (TLR2 and TLR4) in modulating drug uptake. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that bacterial infection and associated ligands can enhance doxorubicin uptake and cytotoxicity in TNBC cells, implicating TLR signaling as a potential contributor. Our results highlight the importance of host–microbe interactions in shaping chemotherapy response and warrant further investigation into their therapeutic relevance. Full article

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is a critical variable for understanding land–atmosphere interactions and is widely applied in urban heat monitoring, evapotranspiration estimation, near-surface air temperature modeling, soil moisture assessment, and climate studies. MODIS LST products, with their global coverage, long-term consistency, and radiometric calibration, are a major source of LST data. However, frequent data gaps caused by cloud contamination and atmospheric interference severely limit their applicability in analyses requiring high spatiotemporal continuity. This study presents a seamless MODIS LST reconstruction framework that integrates multi-source data fusion and a multi-stage optimization strategy. The method consists of three key components: (1) topography- and land cover-constrained spatial interpolation, which preliminarily fills orbit-induced gaps using elevation and land cover similarity criteria; (2) pixel-level LST reconstruction via random forest (RF) modeling with multi-source predictors (e.g., NDVI, NDWI, surface reflectance, DEM, land cover), coupled with HANTS-based temporal smoothing to enhance temporal consistency and seasonal fidelity; and (3) Poisson-based image fusion, which ensures spatial continuity and smooth transitions without compromising temperature gradients. Experiments conducted over two representative regions—Huainan and Jining—demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method under both daytime and nighttime scenarios. The integrated approach (Step 3) achieves high accuracy, with correlation coefficients (CCs) exceeding 0.95 and root mean square errors (RMSEs) below 2K, outperforming conventional HANTS and standalone interpolation methods. Cross-validation with high-resolution Landsat LST further confirms the method’s ability to retain spatial detail and cross-scale consistency. Overall, this study offers a robust and generalizable solution for reconstructing MODIS LST with high spatial and temporal fidelity. The framework holds strong potential for broad applications in land surface process modeling, regional climate studies, and urban thermal environment analysis. Full article

Conventional characterization of ultrasonic testing (UT) transducers primarily focuses on determining centre frequency and usable bandwidth. However, the relative amplitude distribution across different frequency components—particularly in low-frequency transducers used for civil engineering applications—remains largely overlooked. This paper introduces a comprehensive methodology to assess the influence of transducer coupling and specimen geometry on ultrasonic pulse velocity signals. The novel approach combines high-frequency laser Doppler vibrometry, real-time photoelastic imaging, and computer simulations using commercial semi-analytical wave-propagation software. The methodology is applied to the characterization of a 250 kHz UT transducer, with particular emphasis on how coupling with a solid test medium alters its frequency response. A glass specimen with an acoustic impedance comparable to that of concrete is used to simulate practical testing conditions. Vibration patterns recorded at the distal end of the specimen are analysed through computer simulations and validated experimentally using a novel photoelastic system capable of capturing wave–specimen interactions at ultrasonic frequencies in real time. The findings offer valuable insights into frequency-dependent signal behaviour and transducer–medium interactions, providing practical guidance for the design and optimization of UT inspections in concrete and other highly attenuative materials commonly encountered in civil engineering. Full article

The investigation into the complementary roles of essential oils (EOs) and organic acids in enhancing rumen physiology is increasingly gaining recognition within the field of animal nutrition. Essential oils are known for their antimicrobial effects, which can specifically target certain microbial populations in the rumen, thereby impacting fermentation processes, methane output, and nutrient digestion. In addition, the integration of organic acids plays a crucial role in stabilizing rumen pH and steering the metabolic activities of bacterial populations toward propionate production, a process essential for energy metabolism in ruminants. The concurrent use of essential oils and organic acids may yield synergistic benefits that could further optimize ruminal fermentation efficiency, enhance feed conversion rates, and lower methane emissions. This systematic review used the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The literature search was meticulously designed to encompass parameters related to ruminant species, feed additives, essential oils, organic acids, synergistic effects, and rumen physiology. The efficacy of both organic acids and essential oils is highly dependent on their concentration and the specific combinations utilized. When certain essential oils are used in conjunction with selected organic acids, they may mitigate any potential negative effects on fermentation, thereby fostering a more favorable environment for the proliferation of beneficial microbial communities. Understanding the relationship between essential oils and organic acids is essential for the formulation of diets that enhance rumen health while concurrently reducing environmental pressures through diminished methane emissions. Future research should prioritize long-term in vivo investigations to gain more comprehensive insights into the interactions among these dietary components and identify the optimal combinations for ruminant feeding strategies. Full article

Weissella, a genus of Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic lactic acid bacteria, has emerged as a significant component of human microbiota with diverse biotechnological and therapeutic applications. This narrative review examines the current state of knowledge regarding Weissella taxonomy, physiological characteristics, and functional properties based on research spanning from 1993 to present. Weissella species demonstrate remarkable versatility, producing bioactive metabolites including exopolysaccharides (EPS), bacteriocins, and organic acids that confer antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These bacteria show significant potential in food fermentation, probiotic applications, and therapeutic interventions for gut health, obesity, and inflammatory conditions. However, challenges persist regarding strain-specific pathogenicity, particularly with W. confusa as an opportunistic pathogen, and the need for comprehensive safety evaluations. Current limitations include variability in probiotic efficacy, incomplete understanding of host-microbe interactions, and gaps in metabolic pathway characterization. This review provides a foundation for advancing Weissella research and applications while highlighting critical areas requiring further investigation to fully harness their biotechnological and therapeutic potential. Full article

In the context of public space research, numerous studies highlight its vital role in fostering public life and social interaction. With urbanization on the rise and most people living in cities, acknowledging public spaces, and especially public squares, as key components of the urban realm is more important than ever. The success of space is frequently determined by its capacity to meet human needs, a condition that, in turn, is largely contingent upon specific design qualities. Literature identifies key qualities such as inclusiveness, accessibility and connectivity, sociability, vitality, perceptual and esthetic satisfaction, and participatory characteristics. While many studies explore these factors, little attention has been given to whether users and designers assign equal importance to them. This research addresses the question: To what extent do experts’ and users’ perceptions converge regarding the variables that determine the success of public spaces? To explore this, the study applies MICMAC method structural analysis that prioritizes variables based on their interdependence and dependence. The method is used with both design experts and public space users. Findings reveal convergence in perceptions regarding key parameters; specifically, strong convergence is observed in the qualities of participation and vitality, followed by sociability and perceptual and esthetic satisfaction. Moreover, the expert group prioritizes parameters related to sociability, accessibility and connectivity, and inclusiveness, reflecting contemporary design principles aimed at creating equitable, easily accessible, and inclusive spaces. In contrast, the user group focuses more on the experiential and esthetic dimension of space, adding variables related to perceptual and esthetic satisfaction and vitality. The study aims to inform more user-responsive public space design by bridging gaps between expert and user perspectives. Full article

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software has long served as a foundation for planning and modeling in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). In recent years, the introduction of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) has significantly reshaped the CAD landscape, offering novel interaction paradigms that bridge the gap between digital prototypes and real-world spatial understanding. These technologies have enabled users to engage with 3D architectural content in more immersive and intuitive ways, facilitating improved decision making and communication throughout design workflows. As digital design services grow more complex and span multiple media platforms—from desktop-based modeling to immersive AR/VR environments—evaluating usability and User Experience (UX) becomes increasingly challenging. This paper presents a longitudinal usability and UX study of a multiplatform house design pipeline (i.e., structured workflow for creating, adapting, and delivering house designs so they can be used seamlessly across multiple platforms) comprising a web-based application for initial house creation, a mobile AR tool for contextual exterior visualization, and VR applications that allow full-scale interior exploration and configuration. Together, these components form a unified yet heterogeneous service experience across different devices and modalities. We describe the iterative design and development of this system over three distinct phases (lasting two years), each followed by user studies which evaluated UX and usability and targeted different participant profiles and design maturity levels. The paper outlines our approach to cross-platform UX evaluation, including methods such as the Think-Aloud Protocol (TAP), standardized usability metrics, and structured interviews. The results from the studies provide insight into user preferences, interaction patterns, and system coherence across platforms. From both participant and evaluator perspectives, the iterative methodology contributed to improvements in system usability and a clearer mental model of the design process. The main research question we address is how iterative design and development affects the UX of the heterogeneous service. Our findings highlight important considerations for future research and practice in the design of integrated, multiplatform XR services for AEC, with potential relevance to other domains. Full article