Search Results (30,386)

Meeting the rigorous performance standards of modern electrified transit necessitates the deployment of high-performance outer rotor PMSMs with elevated power-to-volume ratios. However, their unique internal heat source topology inherently restricts heat dissipation. This limitation risks permanent magnet demagnetization and winding insulation failure. To address these thermal bottlenecks, this paper proposes internal bio-inspired cooling channels. These channels feature micro-scale V-shaped ribs. This design targets a 60 kW outer rotor PMSM. The motor uses a fractional-slot concentrated winding. The analytical procedure commences with the formulation of a transient 2D numerical model utilizing the Time-Stepping Finite Element approach (TS-FEM). It is coupled with the Bertotti model to compute electromagnetic losses. This approach accurately determines losses under high-frequency rated conditions. Results reveal that stator iron loss constitutes the dominant heat source. It accounts for 76.4 percent of the total electromagnetic loss. Furthermore, these losses show severe spatial concentration at the stator teeth. Subsequently, a three-dimensional fluid-solid coupled CFD model is developed. This model evaluates the proposed internal cooling channels. The design integrates bio-inspired vein networks and V-shaped ribs. These internal ribs disrupt the near-wall thermal boundary layer. This disruption enhances the local convective heat transfer. Comparative multiphysics analyses indicate improved hydraulic and thermal performance of the bio-inspired design under the same numerical boundary conditions. The bio-inspired channel achieves a more uniform static pressure distribution and reduces severe fluid stagnation zones. In the numerical model, the maximum stator and permanent magnet temperatures are reduced to 48 °C and 42 °C, respectively. This work provides a numerical design reference for thermal management in high-performance electric aviation. Full article

The authors previously reported that 2-methylbenzimidazole derivatives (MBIs) exhibit insect growth-regulating activity against the silkworm, Bombyx mori. However, despite their unique effects on juvenile hormone (JH)-related endocrine pathways, the precise mode of action of MBIs remained unclear. In the present study, the interactions between MBIs and the lepidopteran hemolymph JH-binding protein (JHBP), a key regulator of JH transport and activity, were investigated using multiple approaches, including in vitro binding affinity assays, X-ray crystallography, and molecular docking simulations. A series of MBIs bearing a 1-(4-alkoxybenzyl) group, which exhibited potent insect growth-regulating activity, showed high binding affinity and structural compatibility with the JH-binding pocket of JHBP. In contrast, 1-(4-alkylbenzyl) MBIs, which displayed weak or negligible insect growth-regulating activity, exhibited low affinity for JHBP. These findings suggest that the insect growth-regulating activity of MBIs is mediated through inhibition of JHBP function, likely by disrupting the precise regulation of JH concentration in the hemolymph during larval development and pupal metamorphosis. Full article

Money laundering remains a critical challenge for financial systems because of the complex, hidden, and interlinked nature of illicit financial transaction networks. Understanding how these networks respond to targeted disruption is essential for exposing structural vulnerabilities and refining existing anti-money laundering (AML) prevention and intervention strategies. This study involves a social network analysis (SNA)-based resilience framework to evaluate the robustness of financial transaction networks through targeted node removal. In this approach, a network is represented as a directed graph, where nodes correspond to accounts and edges represent transactions. Centrality measures (i.e., degree, closeness, betweenness and pagerank), which capture local influence, global reach, and control over information flow, are applied to identify the most influential nodes. Network resilience is assessed by analyzing the variation in the size of the Largest Connected Component (LCC) under progressive node removal. An adaptive LCC-based resilience strategy is used, starting with large batches of nodes and gradually moving to smaller ones until the LCC drops below 50% of its original size, allowing for a more detailed analysis near the fragmentation threshold. The findings reveal that Betweenness centrality is the most effective metric in disrupting network connectivity under targeted attack scenarios, both outflow- and inflow-based analyses. Specifically, targeting only the top 2% of nodes by Betweenness centrality collapses the network’s core, reducing the Largest Connected Component (LCC) to 60% of its original size. In contrast, random attack strategy exhibit limited impact on overall network resilience compared to targeted approaches. Our findings provide actionable AML insights, showing that resilience-driven targeting of structurally critical accounts can effectively fragment money laundering networks and support more focused interdiction strategies. Full article

SQSTM1/p62 is a multifunctional scaffold protein that plays important roles in selective autophagy and cellular redox homeostasis. While phosphorylation-dependent regulation of p62 has been extensively studied, the functional significance of oxidative modification remains incompletely understood. Our previous studies showed that the natural small compound Alternol induces cancer cell-specific killing via a xanthine oxidase-mediated strong oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated p62-associated oxidative responses under Alternol-induced oxidative stress conditions in prostate cancer cells. Using biochemical assays and cell-based models, we found that Alternol treatment was associated with the accumulation of oxidized and high-molecular-weight p62 species, accompanied by altered KEAP1 association and increased Nrf2-associated signaling. Furthermore, Alternol-induced p62 oxidative modification was associated with autophagy-related responses and adaptive cellular survival under oxidative stress conditions. Disruption of the Cys105/113-dependent oxidative modification response attenuated Nrf2-associated transcriptional activity and increased cellular sensitivity to Alternol treatment. Collectively, our findings support an association between p62 oxidative modification and redox-responsive autophagy- and antioxidant-associated signaling pathways under Alternol-induced oxidative stress conditions, providing new insight into adaptive stress responses in prostate cancer cells. Full article

Iron overload disrupts cellular homeostasis and drives ferroptosis through dysregulated iron metabolism. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are considered as key regulators of various biological functions and targets for a new generation of RNA therapeutics and biomarkers. However, few studies have investigated the regulatory roles of ncRNAs, particularly competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in iron overload. This study performed whole-transcriptome sequencing to characterize the ceRNA network in ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)-induced iron-overloaded HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells. A total of 208 differentially expressed mRNAs, 83 lncRNAs, and 170 circRNAs (q < 0.05) were identified, with hierarchical clustering revealing distinct expression patterns between control and iron-treated groups. KEGG enrichment implicated vitamin B6 metabolism (q < 0.001) and lysine degradation (q < 0.001) as key disrupted pathways. ceRNA network was conducted and further demonstrated lncRNA/circRNA-mediated regulation of ferroptosis genes via shared miRNA response elements. Notably, LINC-PINT-232 was implicated in the regulation of both ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), two ferroptosis-associated mRNAs. FTH upregulation mitigates iron toxicity through ferroxidase activity, while SQSTM1 modulates lipid peroxidation in ferroptosis. These findings provide a preliminary transcriptomic landscape for hypothesis generation regarding ncRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms in iron overload-induced ferroptosis and offer a computational foundation for future functional and therapeutic investigations. Full article

Male reproductive health has experienced an unprecedented decline over the past five decades, characterized by substantial reductions in sperm count and testosterone levels. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence on the global decline in sperm count and testosterone levels, examining epidemiological trends, underlying mechanisms, environmental drivers, and clinical implications. Sperm concentration declined by 51.6% globally between 1973 and 2018, with an accelerating trajectory post-2000 (from 1.16% to 2.64% per year). Concurrently, multiple independent studies document an age-independent secular decline in testosterone, averaging 1–2% per year across diverse populations. The etiology is multifactorial, involving endocrine-disrupting chemicals (bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides, dioxins), lifestyle factors (obesity, sedentary behavior, smoking, heat exposure), and disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. At the cellular level, mechanisms include Sertoli and Leydig cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and sperm DNA fragmentation. Integrated clinical management combining lifestyle optimization, antioxidant therapy, and targeted endocrine interventions is essential. Prevention through environmental policy and public health initiatives represents the most promising long-term strategy. Full article

Crafting STEM teaching into meaningful experiences can transform facts into knowledge. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) represents a significant pedagogical disruption, offering novel modalities of engagement with science content, extending beyond passive reception towards enhanced critical inquiry, reflective evaluation, and the cultivation of higher-order thinking skills. This study investigated how 20 Maltese students (mean age 12) adjusted their perceptions and acceptance of IVR when encountering it for the first time in formal STEM education. A quasi-experimental design was employed over six weeks, with data collected through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. The analytical framework combined the Technological Frames of Reference (TFR) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to capture perceptual snapshots and attitudinal shifts. While IVR initially stimulated enthusiasm, sustained exposure prompted critical reflections on its potential and limitations, particularly in relation to subject relevance, peer communication, and ease of use. Such deliberations are themselves suggestive indicators of reflective engagement. Rather than being demonstrated evidence of cognitive skill development, they are consistent with the early exercise of analytical and evaluative reasoning. These insights underscore the recursive dialog between technology-in-use and user contextualization, revealing how perceptions mature through experience. By examining how young learners engage with emergent technologies, this research highlights education’s role in cultivating adaptability, reflective judgment, and critical thinking capacities—central to innovative pedagogy and support for uncertain futures. Full article

Defective seed filling, which manifests as seed wrinkling, severely impairs the yield and commercial quality of soybean crops. Soybean varieties independently developed in Heilongjiang Province exhibit distinct phenotypic variations in seed wrinkling across diverse ecological planting regions, whereas the molecular and physiological mechanisms driving such differences remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, two soybean genotypes with divergent heat resistance, namely, the heat-sensitive cultivar HH43 and the heat-tolerant cultivar HN76, were planted in three distinct ecological sites for comparative analysis. Statistical results indicated that ecological conditions serve as the predominant factor regulating seed-wrinkling variation, with high temperatures occurring during the seed-filling stage identified as the key abiotic stress trigger. Excessively high ambient temperatures triggered abnormal sucrose accumulation in the pod husks of heat-vulnerable HH43, disrupting the coupling relationship between sucrose metabolism and energy supply and thereby restricting starch biosynthesis in developing seeds. Transcriptome profiling combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further demonstrated that heat stress significantly suppressed the expression of energy transport-related genes and induced the dysregulated expression of starch synthesis-associated genes in susceptible soybean plants, and these transcriptional alterations were further verified via qRT-PCR assays. Collectively, short-term extreme high temperatures interrupt the carbon transport and allocation process from pod husks to seeds in heat-sensitive soybean cultivars. By contrast, heat-tolerant genotypes can sustain a stable physiological metabolism and molecular regulatory networks to effectively cope with high-temperature stress during the seed-filling period. Full article

Introduction: The discharge of treated wastewater into coastal and marine environments represents a continuous source of pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and plastic additives with endocrine-disrupting (ED) potential. These compounds are of increasing concern for the European Union due to their capacity to interfere with hormonal systems and their inclusion in current environmental monitoring priorities. ED compounds may induce sublethal effects in aquatic organisms, particularly in vertebrates, where endocrine pathways are highly conserved. In this context, the use of Cyprinodon variegatus, a euryhaline fish species, provides a suitable model to assess potential risks in marine ecosystems. Despite advances in wastewater treatment technologies, the persistence of biologically active substances in treated effluents remains a concern. Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether treated effluent water still contains compounds with endocrine-disrupting activity and to assess their potential effects on marine organisms. Methodology: Larvae of C. variegatus from a laboratory stock maintained at ECIMAT (University of Vigo), one of the few available stocks of this species in Europe, were exposed for 48 h to environmentally relevant dilutions (1:10, 1:30, and 1:100) of wastewater treatment plant effluent collected after UV disinfection as the final treatment step. Pools of 10 larvae were used for each condition. Sublethal effects were assessed through gene expression analysis using quantitative PCR (qPCR), targeting biomarkers involved in endocrine regulation. Two housekeeping genes (tbp and hprt) were used for normalization. Estrogenic responses were evaluated through vtgab and zp2, while androgenic responses were assessed using 17hsd and 11hsd. Results: Preliminary results indicate significant alterations in estrogen-related gene expression, particularly in vitellogenin (vtgab) and zona pellucida (zp2), highlighting the activation of estrogenic pathways and supporting the presence of endocrine-disrupting activity in treated effluent water. Conclusions: This study highlights the relevance of assessing endocrine disrupting activity in treated effluents and supports the use of molecular biomarkers as sensitive tools for evaluating their potential impact on marine ecosystems, contributing to the improvement of wastewater monitoring and management strategies. Full article

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key antigen-presenting cells essential for the initiation of immune responses. Their migration is tightly regulated by adhesive structures, including podosomes and focal adhesions (FAs), allowing for interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) for coordinated cell movement. The organization and dynamics of these structures are controlled by actin and microtubule cytoskeletons; however, the mechanisms governing their balance in distinct DC subsets are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated cytoskeletal regulation of the interplay between podosomes and FAs in GM-CSF-derived inflammatory-like DCs (GM-BMDCs) and Flt3L-derived conventional DCs (FL-BMDCs). GM-BMDCs showed a higher capacity to form podosomes compared with FL-BMDCs, which exhibited fewer and less prominent structures. Actin depolymerization resulted in the complete loss of podosomes, whereas disruption of microtubules induced podosome reorganization and altered the structure of FAs. Importantly, cytoskeletal perturbation in both DC subsets led to podosome dissolution, highlighting the requirement of cytoskeletal integrity for their maintenance. Furthermore, actin integrity was essential for podosome-mediated ECM degradation and efficient migration of GM-BMDCs, while microtubules fine-tuned the balance between podosome and focal adhesion dynamics, thereby regulating DC motility. Full article

Porous ceramics have garnered widespread attention in high-temperature insulation, aerospace, and other fields due to their excellent thermal stability, low density, and superior thermal insulation performance. However, traditional preparation technologies suffer from limitations such as poor pore structure controllability, unstable mechanical properties, and long production cycles. In recent years, 3D printing (additive manufacturing) technology has emerged as a disruptive approach to address these challenges, enabling precise fabrication of porous ceramics with complex structures and tailored properties. This review comprehensively summarizes the research progress on 3D-printed porous ceramics, focusing on preparation technologies, structure optimization, and performance regulation. First, the principles and drawbacks of traditional preparation methods are analyzed. Then, four mainstream 3D printing technologies (Binder Jetting, Material Extrusion, Vat Photopolymerization, and Material Jetting) for porous ceramics are elaborated on in terms of forming mechanisms, process characteristics, typical cases, and performance advantages/disadvantages. Additionally, the structure–property optimization strategies, including the design of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface structures and the application of computational modeling and simulation, are discussed to achieve the balance between thermal insulation and mechanical properties. Finally, current challenges and future development trends of 3D-printed porous ceramics are prospected. This review provides a systematic reference for the rational selection of preparation technologies, structural design, and performance optimization of porous ceramics, promoting their engineering applications in high-value fields. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of free and protected acid protease on productive performance, milk composition, metabolic profile, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal environment in lactating Jersey cows. Fifteen multiparous cows (67 ± 7.5 days in milk; 27.5 ± 3.5 kg/day) were assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square (5 squares) design with 21-day periods. Treatments consisted of: control (no enzyme), free protease (4.4 g/day), and protected protease (4.4 g/day). The protected form was developed using alginate-based encapsulation to enhance enzyme stability under ruminal conditions. Protease inclusion did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield, or feed efficiency (p > 0.05). However, free protease increased lactation persistency (p = 0.05) and improved fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk yields (p ≤ 0.02), with intermediate responses observed for protected protease. Milk fat and protein contents were higher in enzyme-fed cows (p ≤ 0.05), while other compositional parameters remained unchanged. Apparent crude protein digestibility was greater in cows receiving free protease (p = 0.037), with no effects on dry matter or fiber digestibility. Protease intake increased total volatile fatty acid concentrations and major fermentation products (acetate, propionate, and butyrate; p ≤ 0.01), indicating enhanced ruminal fermentation. Blood metabolites showed increased total protein and globulin levels in cows fed free protease (p ≤ 0.05), suggesting improved protein metabolism. Microbiota analysis revealed no differences in alpha or beta diversity; however, specific microbial taxa and predicted metabolic pathways were modulated by treatments, particularly in post-ruminal compartments. In conclusion, exogenous protease, especially in free form, improved protein utilization and corrected milk production without disrupting microbial stability. These findings highlight the potential of protease as a nutritional strategy to enhance efficiency in dairy systems through targeted modulation of ruminal function and nutrient metabolism. Full article

Educational information systems have evolved into highly interconnected digital landscapes that support learning management platforms, student information systems, institutional repositories, and online assessment environments. As these systems increasingly operate across cloud infrastructures and mobile devices, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA Triad) of educational data is critical for safeguarding institutional operations and maintaining trust in digital education services. This paper investigates how next-generation security protocols, such as adaptive multi-factor authentication and advanced access control and data protection mechanisms, can reinforce ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements within contemporary educational information systems. The analysis maps emerging protocol capabilities to relevant new ISO/IEC 27001:2022 control domains, illustrating how they mitigate threats associated with unauthorized access, data manipulation, and service disruption. The proposed framework is further supported by an implementation-oriented mapping and an illustrative operational architecture that demonstrates the feasibility of translating prioritized security determinants into practical mechanisms. The FAHP analysis identifies access control mechanisms, backup and recovery, and data validation as the three highest-weighted determinants, with aggregate weights of 0.061, 0.059, and 0.057, respectively. These determinants are translated into a determinant-driven Security Operationalization Matrix that connects ISO/IEC 27001:2022 control domains, CIA dimensions, and technology recommendations, and is complemented by implementation feasibility considerations tailored to the budgetary, infrastructural, and resource constraints characteristic of educational institutions. Based on the prioritization results and conceptual operationalization, the proposed integrative approach provides a structured and progressively adoptable foundation for CIA-oriented security governance in digital educational environments. Full article

Flooding poses a significant threat to commercial real estate investment, disrupting business operations, escalating maintenance costs, and heightening investment uncertainty, particularly in coastal and low-lying urban environments. This study examines the social dimensions of climate vulnerability by investigating how flood risk shapes stakeholders’ decisions to invest in commercial properties within flood-prone urban areas, with a focus on Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria. A quantitative survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 87 commercial property investors through a structured questionnaire (FIIFRZQ) measured on a four-point Likert-type scale. The instrument demonstrated acceptable overall internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.72), with subscale α values ranging from 0.62 to 0.81. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the joint and individual contributions of seven factor categories (environmental, legal, economic, neighbourhood, structural, locational and behavioural) to investors’ willingness to invest in commercial property that is at risk of flooding. The seven predictors collectively explained 61.2% of the variance in investment willingness (R² = 0.612; F(7, 79) = 17.91; p < 0.001). Five factors, namely legal, environmental, structural, economic, and locational, were statistically significant contributors to investment willingness, while neighbourhood and behavioural factors were not. Johnson’s relative weights analysis confirmed legal and environmental considerations as the dominant drivers. The findings illuminate the interplay between climate vulnerability and investor behaviour in urban real estate markets, with actionable implications for policymakers, real estate practitioners, and investors navigating decision-making in flood-exposed urban environments. Full article

Globally, Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is known as the most effective biological control agent due to its ability to parasitize insect pest eggs. However, identifying an appropriate host is vital for Trichogramma to prosper. Therefore, this study delves into the complex role of semiochemicals in shaping the host-seeking behavior of Trichogramma parasitoids, with a particular focus on their responses to both plant-derived and host-derived cues. The mechanism of semiochemical reception in Trichogramma wasps relies on a highly specialized, sensitive olfactory and gustatory system to locate host eggs and mates. Semiochemicals, which mediate ecological interactions, have been identified as pivotal in influencing the parasitic efficiency of Trichogramma species. Trichogramma’s host-seeking behavior is influenced not solely by ovipositional cues but also by the intrinsic physical attributes of Lepidopteran hosts, such as the scales on the wings and abdomen, which emit semiochemicals capable of eliciting positive chemotactic responses, thereby guiding parasitoids toward optimal sites for oviposition. Furthermore, the interplay between insect-derived and plant-derived chemical cues exhibits a synergistic effect, collectively enhancing the chemotactic attraction of Trichogramma, thereby fine-tuning its host-seeking behavior with greater precision and specificity. This study further underscores Trichogramma’s innate behavioral ability to discriminate between host eggs of varying developmental stages, facilitating the precise identification and selection of the most suitable host for parasitization. Age and experience both make Trichogramma more selective of hosts, but younger parasitoids may take a broader approach to host selection due to their greater life expectancy. Furthermore, the removal of these cues affects their host localization and learning abilities. Associative learning enables Trichogramma to exhibit flexible behaviors, providing them with a selective advantage; allows them to explore various hosts; and reduces environmental uncertainty. Plant structure, host density, and host age are the key factors that significantly influence the foraging and parasitism of Trichogramma. The searching speed of this parasitoid is significantly influenced by temperature. Heat stress increases VOC emissions in plants such as potato via stomatal opening, reducing herbivore attraction and enhancing parasitoid recruitment. Furthermore, air pollution, including CO₂, O₃, and NOx, impairs parasitoid efficiency by disrupting volatile-mediated host location and reducing biological control performance. Trichogramma wasps are generally effective biological control agents, but their success depends on the species used, target pest, crop, release density, and field conditions. Overall, species such as T. ostriniae, T. japonicum, and T. leucaniae show the strongest performance in several crops by increasing parasitism, reducing pest damage, and improving yield. This study highlights the successful integration of semiochemical cues in pest management programs and the effective utilization of Trichogramma in conjunction with entomopathogenic bacteria to control Lepidopteran pests. This approach contributes to the development of more effective pest management strategies, thereby promoting agricultural sustainability. Full article