Search Results (1,076)

This study focuses on the transfer of architectural facade styles. Using the node-based visual deep learning platform ComfyUI, the system integrates the Flux Redux and Flux Depth models to establish a modular workflow. This workflow achieved style transfer of building facades guided by deep perception, encompassing key stages such as style feature extraction, depth information extraction, positive prompt input, and style image generation. The core innovation of this study lies in two aspects: Methodologically, a modular low-code visual workflow has been established. Through the coordinated operation of different modules, it ensures the visual stability of architectural forms during style conversion. In response to the novel challenges posed by generative AI in altering architectural forms, the evaluation framework innovatively introduces a “semantic inheritance degree” assessment system. This elevates the evaluation perspective beyond traditional “geometric similarity” to a new level of “semantic and imagery inheritance.” It should be clarified that the framework proposed by this research primarily provides innovative tools for architectural education, early design exploration, and visualization analysis. This workflow introduces an efficient “style-space” cognitive and generative tool for teaching architectural design. Students can use this tool to rapidly conduct comparative experiments to generate multiple stylistic facades, intuitively grasping the intrinsic relationships among different styles and architectural volumes/spatial structures. This approach encourages bold formal exploration and deepens understanding of architectural formal language. Full article

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is characterized by aggressive growth, extensive vascularization, high metabolic malleability, and a striking capacity for therapy resistance. Current treatments involve surgical resection and concomitant radiation therapy and chemotherapy, prolonging survival times marginally due to the therapy resistance that is built up by the tumor cells. A growing body of research has identified exosomes as critical enablers of therapy resistance. These nanoscale vesicles enable GBM cells to disseminate oncogenic proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that collectively promote angiogenesis, maintain autophagy under metabolic pressure, and suppress apoptosis. As interest grows in targeting tumor communication networks, exosome-based therapeutic strategies have emerged as promising avenues for improving therapeutic outcomes in GBM. This review integrates current insights into two complementary therapeutic strategies: inhibiting exosome biogenesis and secretion, and engineering exosomes as precision vehicles for the delivery of anti-tumor molecular cargo. Key molecular regulators of exosome formation—including the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) protein, ceramide-driven pathways, and Rab GTPases—govern the sorting and release of factors that enhance GBM survival. Targeting these pathways through pharmacological or genetic means has shown promise in suppressing angiogenic signaling, disrupting autophagic flux via modulation of autophagy-related gene (ATG) proteins, and sensitizing tumor cells to apoptosis by destabilizing mitochondria and associated survival networks. In parallel, advances in exosome engineering—encompassing siRNA loading, miRNA enrichment, and small-molecule drug packaging—offer new routes for delivering therapeutic agents across the blood–brain barrier with high cellular specificity. Engineered exosomes carrying anti-angiogenic, autophagy-inhibiting, or pro-apoptotic molecules can reprogram the tumor microenvironment and activate both the intrinsic mitochondrial and extrinsic ligand-mediated apoptotic pathways. Collectively, current evidence underscores the potential of strategically modulating endogenous exosome biogenesis and harnessing exogenous engineered therapeutic exosomes to interrupt the angiogenic and autophagic circuits that underpin therapy resistance, ultimately leading to the induction of apoptotic cell death in GBM. Full article

Tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivation is a major global industry that faces sustainability challenges due to soil degradation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from intensive management. Biochar—charcoal designed and used as a soil amendment—has emerged as a potential tool to improve soil health, enhance carbon sequestration, and mitigate GHG fluxes in agroecosystems. However, field-scale evidence of its effects on GHG dynamics in woody crops like tea remains limited, particularly regarding methane (CH₄). Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first field assessment of biochar impacts on CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O vapour fluxes in a subtropical tea agroforestry system with and without shade trees in northeastern Bangladesh. Using a closed dynamic chamber and real-time gas analysis, we found that biochar application (at 7.5 t·ha⁻¹) significantly enhanced average soil methane (CH₄) uptake by 84%, while soil respiration (CO₂ efflux) rose modestly (+18%) and water-vapour fluxes showed a marginal increase. Canopy conditions modulated these effects: biochar strongly enhanced CH₄ uptake under both shaded and open canopies, whereas biochar effects on water-vapour flux were detectable only when biochar was combined with a shade-tree canopy. Structural equation modelling suggests that CH₄ flux was primarily governed by biochar-induced changes in soil pH, moisture, nutrient status, and temperature, while CO₂ and H₂O fluxes were shaped by organic matter availability, temperature, and phosphorus dynamics. These findings demonstrate that biochar can promote CH₄ uptake and alter soil carbon–water interactions during the dry season in tea plantation systems and support operational biochar use in combination with shade-tree agroforestry. Full article

To improve the pumping performance of biomimetic flapping-wing devices in small river channels, this study introduces high-frequency disturbances in the heave direction based on traditional pitch–heave motion. A systematic investigation of the forces and hydrodynamic performance is conducted using numerical simulations, with vortex contour analysis to explore the evolution mechanism of the wake vortex structure. The results show that high-frequency disturbances cause the instantaneous thrust to exhibit an amplitude modulation feature, with thrust oscillating approximately f_p/f_b times within one base frequency cycle. As the disturbance frequency increases, the average thrust also increases. There is a significant frequency-dependent difference in performance: at low disturbance frequencies (f_p/f_b ≤ 16), changes in thrust, pressure difference, and flow rate are limited, with little improvement in pumping efficiency; at intermediate frequencies (16 < f_p/f_b ≤ 32), wake coherence and jet momentum flux are significantly enhanced, and both thrust and pumping efficiency reach their maximum (up to 47%); at high disturbance frequencies (f_p/f_b > 32), although the vortex structure is further strengthened, input power increases sharply, leading to a decrease in efficiency. Overall, moderate disturbance frequencies can effectively enhance the thrust and pumping performance of the flapping wing, while excessively high frequencies do not offer an advantage due to the high energy cost. Full article

Age-related osteoporosis is driven in part by senescence-associated rewiring of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from osteogenic toward adipogenic fates. Accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic drift and reduced autophagy are not isolated lesions but are mechanistically coupled through a bidirectional DNA methylation and autophagy axis. Here, we summarize how promoter hypermethylation of genes involved in autophagy and osteogenesis suppresses autophagic flux and osteoblast lineage transcriptional programs. Conversely, autophagy insufficiency reshapes the methylome by limiting methyl donor availability, most notably S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and by reducing the turnover of key epigenetic regulators, including DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), ten-eleven translocation (TET) dioxygenases, and histone deacetylases (HDACs). This self-reinforcing circuitry exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation driven by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), thereby stabilizing adipogenic bias and progressively impairing marrow niche homeostasis and bone remodeling. We further discuss therapeutic strategies to restore balance within this axis, including selective modulation of epigenetic enzymes; activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with downstream engagement of Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1) and transcription factor EB (TFEB); targeting sirtuin pathways; mitochondria- and autophagy-supportive natural compounds; and bone-targeted delivery approaches or rational combination regimens. Full article

Canopy ammonia (NH₃) exchange is a major contributor to agricultural NH₃ emissions and is closely linked to nitrogen-use efficiency. Glutamine synthetase (GS) mediates plant NH₃ assimilation, yet the specific roles of different GS isoenzymes in regulating wheat canopy NH₃ exchange remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the functional differences of wheat TaGS isoenzymes in modulating canopy–atmosphere NH₃ exchange dynamics using two wheat cultivars (Yumai 49-198 and Xinong 509) under two nitrogen application levels (120 and 225 kg N ha⁻¹). Field experiments combined with FTIR-based NH₃ flux measurement, biochemical assays, and molecular analyses were conducted at anthesis and 16, 24, and 30 days after anthesis (DAA). Results showed that the leaf NH₃ compensation point, determined by apoplastic NH₄⁺ concentration, is a key factor influencing canopy NH₃ exchange. Leaf NH₃ sources exhibited distinct temporal specificity: photorespiration and nitrate reduction dominated at anthesis to 16 DAA, whereas nitrogenous compound degradation prevailed at 24–30 DAA. This temporal partitioning was highly coordinated with TaGS isoenzyme expression: TaGS2 was highest in early grain filling, potentially supporting assimilate NH₃ from photorespiration/nitrate reduction, while TaGS1;1 expression increased progressively, aligning with the scavenging of NH₃ from organic nitrogen degradation. These coordinated patterns suggest that the TaGS isoenzymes play differentiated roles in influencing wheat canopy NH₃ exchange. This study thus provides correlative insights that point to potential molecular targets for breeding nitrogen-efficient wheat cultivars and mitigating agricultural NH₃ emissions sustainably. Full article

Low ethyl caproate and high ethyl lactate contents pose a significant challenge in producing Chinese nong-xiang baijiu. The formation of these esters depends on the metabolism of their precursors—caproic acid and lactic acid—within the pit mud (PM) microbiome. However, the specific taxa driving the metabolic flux from lactate accumulation to caproate synthesis remain unclear. This study aimed to identify potential functional microbes capable of caproate biosynthesis and lactate utilization by systematically analyzing PM samples from the upper, middle, and lower layers of three different pit ages (0, 20, and 50 years). Results showed that 50-year-old PM exhibited significantly higher caproic acid and ammonium nitrogen levels, but lower lactic acid content, compared to the 0- and 20-year-old counterparts. Notably, Petrimonas, Caproiciproducens, and Sedimentibacter were significantly enriched in the 50-year-old PM. Their relative abundances correlated positively with caproic acid and negatively with lactic acid. Furthermore, PICRUSt2 analysis indicated higher abundances of genes associated with caproate synthesis and lactate utilization in the 50-year-old microenvironment. We propose that Petrimonas, Caproiciproducens, and Sedimentibacter are potential functional candidates for lactate degradation and caproate generation. These findings provide a scientific basis for modulating the microbiome for “increasing ethyl caproate and reducing ethyl lactate”, thereby enhancing baijiu quality. Full article

Semitransparent perovskite photovoltaic (sPV) covers offer an attractive route for agrivoltaics, but their spectrally selective transmittance must be validated on plants cultivated under panel or in simulated conditions. Here, an AVA–MAPI perovskite module transmission profile was replicated using a programmable multi-channel LED platform and compared with a Reference McCree-adapted LED spectrum at identical photon flux density. Two lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L.; ‘Canasta’ and ‘Trocadero’) were grown hydroponically in a light-sealed phytotron for 30 days (300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹; 16/8 h photoperiod) under uniform temperature and humidity. Leaf gas exchange was quantified by fitting photosynthetic light-response curves, and plant performance was concurrently evaluated through growth metrics, biomass partitioning, and pigment-related traits (chlorophyll a/b, total carotenoids). The perovskite-emulated spectrum measurably reshaped net CO₂ assimilation across the PAR domain—yielding higher A_N at selected irradiances in post hoc contrasts—yet these physiological shifts did not translate into differences in leaf area, shoot or root biomass, or pigment concentrations—demonstrating spectral plasticity and agricultural compatibility of field-characterized perovskite transmission spectra. Overall, perovskite-emulated light sustained agronomically equivalent lettuce performance under moderate irradiance, supporting the feasibility of semitransparent perovskite PV covers, while underscoring the need for validation under natural sunlight. Full article

Acetate esters, synthesized by alcohol acyltransferase (AATases) encoded primarily by the ATF1 gene, are pivotal for the desirable fruity aroma in fermented foods. However, the role and regulatory impact of ATF1 in solid-state fermented meat remain largely unexplored. This study engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae by knocking out and overexpressing ATF1 to investigate its influence on flavor formation in a sour meat model system. Compared to the wild-type strain, ATF1 overexpression (SCpA group) increased ethyl acetate content by 70.15% and uniquely produced significant levels of isoamyl acetate. Conversely, ATF1 deletion (SCdA group) led to a 61.23% reduction in ethyl acetate. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ATF1 overexpression triggered a systemic metabolic shift, not only activating the final esterification step but also upregulating key genes in central carbon metabolism (SUC2, ICL1), amino acid biosynthesis, and precursor supply pathways (ACS2, ADH1). This synergistic regulation redirected metabolic flux towards the accumulation of both alcohol and acyl-CoA precursors, thereby amplifying acetate ester synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that ATF1 is a critical engineering target for flavor enhancement in fermented meats and uncover a broader metabolic network it influences, providing a robust strategy for the targeted modulation of food flavor profiles. Full article

We present a simplified phenomenological computational framework that integrates the GABA shunt into established metabolic mechanisms underlying pancreatic beta cell insulin secretion. The GABA shunt introduces carbon into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle via succinate, thereby functioning as an anaplerotic pathway. This anaplerotic input is coupled to oscillatory cataplerotic fluxes, primarily involving α-ketoglutarate, whose effective extrusion requires coordinated counter-fluxes of malate and aspartate. Within the model, these cataplerotic exchanges are facilitated by UCP2-mediated transport processes and necessitate complementary anaplerotic replenishment through pyruvate carboxylase (PC). Based on this functional interdependence, we introduce the Dual Anaplerotic Model (DAM), which conceptually links two anaplerotic routes—the GABA shunt-mediated pathway and the glucose-dependent PC pathway—into a unified metabolic response module. DAM describes a coordinated, breathing-like redistribution of carbon between mitochondrial and cytosolic metabolite pools, while efficient oxidative metabolism of glucose-derived carbon entering the TCA cycle via pyruvate dehydrogenase is maintained. The model is driven by experimentally observed ATP/ADP and Ca²⁺ dynamics and is not intended to generate autonomous oscillations. Instead, it enables qualitative, phase-dependent visualization of how dual anaplerotic fluxes constrain and shape oscillatory metabolic states in beta cells. DAM provides an integrative conceptual scaffold for interpreting experimental observations and for motivating future quantitative modeling and experimental studies addressing metabolic regulation in physiological and pathophysiological contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages, with metastasis driven by spheroid dissemination within the peritoneal cavity. We previously demonstrated that autophagy supports spheroid cell survival and suggest that it contributes to chemoresistance. Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), a key regulator of autophagy, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. Here, we evaluated the effects of ULK1 inhibition via MRT68921, alone and in combination with afatinib—a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) known to induce pro-survival autophagy—in EOC. Methods: High-grade serous (HGSOC) and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) cell lines were cultured under adherent and spheroid conditions. Immunoblotting confirmed on-target effects and modulation of autophagy. Autophagic flux was assessed using mCherry-eGFP-LC3 reporter assays. We assessed 96 dose combinations of MRT68921 and afatinib using drug combination matrices, with synergy evaluated via Synergy Finder. Promising combinations were evaluated across multiple EOC spheroid models and patient ascites-derived organoids. Results: MRT68921 inhibited ULK1 activity and reduced autophagic flux in a context-dependent manner while afatinib alone induced autophagy. Their combination produced synergistic effects at select concentrations, impairing spheroid reattachment and viability. However, MRT68921 alone significantly reduced viability across multiple EOC models, including patient ascites-derived organoids. Conclusions: This study is the first to evaluate the combined effects of MRT68921 and afatinib in epithelial ovarian cancer. Our findings demonstrate that ULK1 inhibition via MRT68921 consistently reduces cell viability across multiple ovarian cancer models, supporting ULK1 as a promising therapeutic target. In contrast, combination with afatinib produced limited and context-dependent effects, indicating that further investigation is needed to identify optimal combination strategies for ULK1-targeted therapies. Full article

In this study, we aimed to develop a high-performance, anti-fouling ultrafiltration membrane by integrating photocatalytic and Fenton-like functions into a polymer matrix, in order to address the critical challenge of membrane fouling and achieve simultaneous separation and degradation of organic pollutants. To this end, a novel Fe-V_O-TiO₂-embedded polyethersulfone (PES) composite membrane was designed and fabricated using a facile phase inversion method. The key innovation lies in the incorporation of Fe-V_O-TiO₂ nanoparticles containing abundant bulk-phase single-electron-trapped oxygen vacancies, which not only modulate membrane morphology and hydrophilicity but also enable sustained generation of reactive oxygen species for the pollutant degradation under light irradiation and H₂O₂. The optimized Fe-V_O-TiO₂-PES-0.04 membrane exhibited a significantly enhanced pure water flux of 222.6 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ (2.2 times higher than the pure PES membrane) while maintaining a high bovine serum albumin (BSA) retention of 93% and an improved hydrophilic surface. More importantly, the membrane demonstrated efficient and stable synergistic Photocatalytic-Fenton activity, achieving 82% degradation of norfloxacin (NOR) and retaining 75% efficiency after eight consecutive cycles. A key finding is the membrane’s Photocatalytic-Fenton-assisted self-cleaning capability, with an 80% flux recovery after methylene blue (MB) fouling, which was attributed to in situ reactive oxygen species (·OH) generation (verified by ESR). This work provides a feasible strategy for designing multifunctional membranes with enhanced antifouling performance and extended service life through built-in catalytic self-cleaning. Full article

Neurodegenerative disorders are increasingly linked to a progressive decline in lysosomal function. Activating Transcription Factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy, has therefore emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance cellular clearance in these conditions. In this study, we identified KHS-101 as a novel TFEB activator through a high-throughput screen of blood–brain-barrier-permeable small molecules. We demonstrated that KHS-101 promotes TFEB nuclear translocation, enhances lysosomal biogenesis and proteolytic activity, and increases autophagic flux. Furthermore, KHS-101 significantly accelerates the degradation of pathogenic A53T mutant α-synuclein in a cellular model of Parkinson’s disease, suggesting its potential to mitigate α-synuclein-mediated proteotoxicity and hold neuroprotective potential. Our findings identify KHS-101 as a potent TFEB activator and highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating the autophagy-lysosomal pathway for treating Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Full article

High regeneration energy demand remains a critical barrier to the large-scale deployment of ethanolamine-based (MEA-based) CO₂ capture. This study adopts an Al₂O₃ ceramic-membrane heat exchanger (CMHE) to recover both sensible and latent heat from the stripped gas. Experiments confirm that heat and mass transfer within the CMHE follow a coupled mechanism in which capillary condensation governs trans-membrane water transport, while heat conduction through the ceramic membrane dominates heat transfer, which accounts for more than 80%. Guided by this mechanism, systematic structural optimization was conducted. Alumina was identified as the optimal heat exchanger material due to its combined porosity, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance. Among the tested pore sizes, CMHE-4 produces the strongest capillary-condensation enhancement, yielding a heat recovery flux (q value) of up to 38.8 MJ/(m² h), which is 4.3% and 304% higher than those of the stainless steel heat exchanger and plastic heat exchanger, respectively. In addition, Length-dependent analyses reveal an inherent trade-off: shorter modules achieved higher q (e.g., 14–42% greater for 200-mm vs. 300-mm CMHE-4), whereas longer modules provide greater total recovered heat (Q). Scale-up experiments demonstrated pronounced non-linear performance amplification, with a 4 times area increase boosting q by only 1.26 times under constant pressure. The techno-economic assessment indicates a simple payback period of ~2.5 months and a significant reduction in net capture cost. Overall, this work establishes key design parameters, validates the governing transport mechanism, and provides a practical, economically grounded framework for implementing high-efficiency CMHEs in MEA-based CO₂ capture. Full article

This work presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a three-dimensional FeCo-based flux-modulator microwinding intended for integration into high-torque axial-flux Vernier micromotors. The proposed micromotor architecture modulates the stator magnetic flux using 12 magnetically isolated FeCo teeth interacting with an 11-pole permanent-magnet rotor. The design requires the manufacturing of complex three-dimensional micrometric parts, including three teeth and a cylindrical core. Such a complex design cannot be manufactured using conventional micromanufacturing lithography or 2D planar methods. The flux-modulator envelope dimensions are 250 μm outer diameter and 355 μm height. It is manufactured using a femtosecond laser-machining process that preserves factory-finished surfaces and minimizes heat-affected zones. In addition, this micrometric part has been wound using 20 μm diameter enamelled copper wire. A dedicated magnetic clamping fixture is developed to enable multilayer microwinding of the integrated core, producing a 17-turn inductor with a 60.6% fill factor—the highest reported for a manually wound ferromagnetic-core microcoil of this scale. Geometric and magnetic characterization validates the simulation model and demonstrates the field distribution inside the isolated core. The results establish a viable micromanufacturing workflow for complex 3D FeCo microwindings, supporting the development of next-generation high-performance MEMS micromotors. Full article