Search Results (26,691)

The development of sustainable and efficient methods for carbon–carbon (C–C) bond formation remains the main objective in modern organic synthesis. In recent years, photocatalysis has developed as a suitable alternative to conventional transition-metal-catalyzed approaches, offering mild reaction conditions, high functional-group tolerance, excellent atom economy, and the ability to utilize visible light as a clean and renewable energy source. Through unique radical-mediated pathways, photocatalytic strategies allow the selective activation of traditionally unreactive substrates, including haloarenes, alkanes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and amines, thereby providing efficient routes to complex molecular architectures. Beyond organic synthesis, photocatalysis has also demonstrated significant potential in broader areas of applied chemistry. This review summarizes the major advances in photocatalytic C–C bond coupling reported from 2023 to early 2026, with special focus on C(sp³)–C(sp³), C(sp³)–C(sp²), and C(sp²)–C(sp²) bond-forming reactions. Representative catalytic systems, substrate scope, reaction mechanisms, and synthetic applications are critically discussed, including dual photoredox/transition-metal catalysis, metal-free photocatalysis, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), radical–radical coupling, decarboxylative and deaminative functionalization, and enantioselective transformations. Finally, current challenges, emerging trends, and future opportunities for developing more sustainable, scalable, and selective photocatalytic C–C bond-forming methodologies are highlighted, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers working in synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Full article

Engineering literacy research has been dominated by static, competence-based frameworks that fail to explain how attributes evolve dynamically and systematically underrepresent two critical dimensions: engineering consciousness as a cognitive precursor to decision-making, and engineering culture as a value-laden, inherited dimension sustaining professional identity across generations. These gaps are particularly consequential for STEM teacher preparation, where cultivating comprehensive engineering literacy in future educators is hypothesized to create a multiplier effect on societal STEM engagement. This study develops a theoretical model through a systematized literature retrieval and critical synthesis of engineering literacy literature (2005–2025; N = 113 publications), combined with theoretical deduction grounded in system theory and synergy theory. Two research questions guide the study: (1) How is the connotation of engineering literacy systematically reconstructed under multiple transformations? (2) What is the synergistic evolution logic among its constituent elements, and how can this logic inform curriculum design for STEM teacher preparation? The design utility of the model is illustrated through a curriculum design case. The analysis yields a “multi-driver, five-dimension synergy” dynamic model comprising five interconnected elements (knowledge, competence, consciousness, ethics, and culture) that co-evolve through a “consciousness–action–culture” spiral cycle, in which culture functions as the slow variable governing the long-term evolution of the entire system. The curriculum design case (a 64 h course for pre-service teachers centered on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge) illustrates how the model guided curricular decisions in four areas: consciousness activation before skill training, distributed cultural integration, multidimensional assessment, and operationalization of the multiplier effect through a teaching transformation module. The study advances engineering literacy theory by upgrading it from a static competence inventory to a culturally embedded, consciousness-driven adaptive ecosystem and provides a potentially transferable curriculum design framework for STEM teacher preparation. As a design case, the curriculum blueprint awaits implementation and empirical validation; claims about learning outcomes, multiplier effects, and cross-cultural applicability are theoretical hypotheses rather than empirically validated findings. Full article

Agricultural ammonium pollution from farmland drainage and low-value crop straw utilization are two critical rural environmental problems that cannot be solved by single remediation approaches. Herein, a novel composite was prepared by immobilizing effective microorganisms (EM) on corn straw biochar to construct a synergistic adsorption–biodegradation system, and its nitrogen removal mechanism was systematically investigated at structural and molecular levels. Metagenomic analysis detected a complete set of heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) functional genes (amoA, hao, napA, nirK, norB, nosZ) in the isolated strain Bacillus thuringiensis A1, revealing the genetic potential of this strain for ammonium biodegradation. EM modification optimized biochar pore structure and increased the equilibrium adsorption capacity to 1.215 mg/g, which was 66.4% higher than that of pristine biochar (0.73 mg/g). Sterilization control tests indicated that physicochemical adsorption occupied the dominant position in ammonium removal, while microbial biodegradation acted as an auxiliary removal pathway. Importantly, the synergistic relationship between the two pathways should be interpreted cautiously, since autoclaving may subtly alter biochar physicochemical properties, and direct paired characterization of viable composites before and after sterilization is technically unavailable. Kinetic and thermodynamic results further validated the improved adsorption performance after modification. Overall, EM immobilization promoted ammonium adsorption via pore optimization, while pore-confined microbes achieved sustainable HN-AD biotransformation, jointly realizing synergistic nitrogen removal. This study provides a mechanistic reference for the optimized design and application of biochar–microbe composites in agricultural nitrogen pollution control. Full article

Mulberry (Morus spp.) leaves, fruits, branches, and root bark are rich in bioactive compounds, including 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), supporting their potential use in food, medicinal, and feed applications. Their high moisture content, however, makes fresh materials highly susceptible to postharvest quality deterioration, making drying essential for stabilization and high-value utilization. Drying technologies involve trade-offs among efficiency, energy consumption, sensory quality, rehydration, and bioactive-compound retention. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pretreatment and drying technologies for mulberry materials, with particular attention to differences in raw-material characteristics, processing conditions, analytical methods, and reporting bases that limit direct comparisons among studies. Current evidence suggests that low-temperature, low-oxygen, or short-duration technologies, including vacuum freeze-drying, microwave drying, and microwave-vacuum drying, may better preserve quality in certain thermosensitive products, although their benefits remain product- and process-dependent. Hot-air, solar, infrared, heat-pump, and hybrid drying remain practical options for bulk products but require optimization to balance quality, energy efficiency, and scalability. For juice and functional powders, carrier selection, powder properties, and bioaccessibility require further study. Overall, the available evidence is heterogeneous, and some conclusions rely on limited mulberry-specific data or extrapolation from related plant matrices. Future research should emphasize standardized quality evaluation, harmonized reporting, kinetic modeling, multi-objective optimization, online monitoring, energy and carbon-footprint assessment, and industrial-scale validation. Full article

For image data, matrix-based clustering methods are gaining popularity because they can directly process two-dimensional (2D) data structures without vectorization. However, most existing approaches rely on squared Frobenius norms in their objective functions, making them sensitive to outliers and noise commonly encountered in real-world images. To overcome this limitation, we propose a novel robust ${\mathsf{\ell }}_p$-norm two-dimensional discriminative clustering method (R2DDC) specifically designed for image clustering. R2DDC utilizes the ${\mathsf{\ell }}_p$-norm to simultaneously minimize within-cluster distances and maximize between-cluster distances at the matrix level, thus preserving the inherent 2D spatial information of images while providing enhanced robustness against pixel-level outliers and noise. An efficient iterative optimization algorithm is designed to solve the proposed objective function. Extensive experiments on contaminated face image datasets demonstrate that R2DDC consistently surpasses conventional clustering approaches, highlighting its effectiveness for robust image analysis. Full article

The global shift toward cleaner energy has positioned hydrogen-enriched methane (CH₄/H₂) as a practical bridge fuel. While it burns more efficiently and produces fewer carbon emissions than traditional hydrocarbons, it introduces operational and safety challenges. Hydrogen’s high reactivity and rapid burning velocity increase risks such as flashback and premature ignition. This study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics to examine the combustion behavior of methane−hydrogen blends in a 2D axisymmetric chamber based on RANS equations. Using ANSYS Fluent 19.1, the research utilizes a validated equilibrium mixture-fraction/PDF framework to ensure accuracy against physical experiments. The simulation framework successfully captures the complexity of non-premixed turbulent combustion by combining a probability density function approach with a realizable k-ε turbulence model. Moreover, this research explores how varying hydrogen concentrations and air mass flow rates, covering the full spectrum from lean to fuel-rich conditions, affect fluid dynamics, turbulence, and the development of recirculation zones. The data show that adding hydrogen fundamentally reshapes velocity fields and thermal profiles, which in turn dictate combustion efficiency and pollutant formation. It has been demonstrated that the optimal blend for combustion performance is the case containing 30% hydrogen. Furthermore, evaluations involving higher-fraction blends (approaching the 70% enrichment range) suggest that configurations exceeding this level necessitate a redesign of the injector near field to mitigate localized heat release and accelerated NO_x emissions. By identifying the operational limits for CH₄/H₂ blends in industrial settings such as steam boilers, this study offers a technical roadmap for engineering more stable, high-performance, and low-carbon energy infrastructure. Full article

Background/Objectives: Quality indicators are essential for evaluating and improving primary health care (PHC), but existing indicator sets differ considerably in their definitions, development methods, data requirements, and applicability across healthcare systems. This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize quality indicators used to assess PHC services, describe the principal areas and methodological approaches represented, and identify persistent measurement gaps. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL were searched from inception to December 2025, with an updated search conducted on 27 August 2026. Targeted grey-literature searches of World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development sources were also undertaken. Two reviewers independently screened the records and assessed potentially eligible full texts. Data were synthesized narratively and interpreted using the Donabedian structure–process–outcome framework, the seven World Health Organization dimensions of healthcare quality, and PHC-specific functions and content areas. Results: Twenty-three sources were included, comprising empirical studies, indicator-development and consensus studies, methodological reviews, national quality-improvement programmes, and international performance-measurement frameworks. Recurring areas included chronic disease management, preventive care, medication safety, access, continuity, service delivery, patient safety, efficiency, and healthcare utilization. Patient-reported outcomes and experiences, equity, social determinants of health, structural capacity, and broader outcomes meaningful to patients and populations were less consistently represented. Substantial heterogeneity in indicator definitions, reporting levels, data sources, and methodological approaches limited direct comparison across frameworks. Conclusions: PHC quality measurement remains extensive but fragmented. Future frameworks should balance structure, process, and outcome indicators, incorporate outcomes that matter to people, and combine standardized core measures with context-specific, feasible, valid, and actionable indicators. Full article

As a vital ecological security barrier and climate regulator in northwestern China, the Qinghai Lake Basin (QLB) holds significant strategic value for regional ecological conservation and national park development. This study, utilizing land use data from 2010 to 2023 and integrating the InVEST and GeoDetector models, systematically investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil conservation (SC) and its underlying driving mechanisms. The results indicate the following: (1) During the study period, SC services exhibited a gradual declining trend across the selected years, with total SC decreasing from 14.64 × 10³ t to 7.49 × 10³ t. Spatially, high-value areas were predominantly concentrated in the high-altitude forest–grassland ecotones along the basin margins, whereas low-value areas were mainly distributed in the low-altitude zones surrounding the lake and in the northwestern corner of the basin. (2) Among different land use types, forestland, bare land, and grassland constituted the dominant contributing categories, with bare land exhibiting the highest sediment export (SE) intensity (ranging from 8.93 to 19.13 t·hm⁻²·a⁻¹), thereby serving as the primary erosion source area. Along the elevational gradient, the mid-to-high elevation zones (3500–4500 m) contributed the most to total SC, with SC intensity increasing progressively with rising elevation. With respect to slope classes, total SC was predominantly concentrated in the gentle-to-moderate slope zones (5–25°), whereas SC intensity exhibited a non-linear increase with increasing slope steepness. (3) Slope was identified as the single factor with the strongest explanatory power regarding the spatial heterogeneity of SC, and the coupled interactions of “topography–soil–vegetation” exerted a synergistic regulatory effect on SC function. It is recommended that priority attention be given to the mid-to-high elevation contribution zones (3500–4500 m), the total SC contribution zones on gentle-to-moderate slopes (5–25°), and the extremely steep slope areas (>35°) with high erosion risk, so as to implement differentiated soil and water conservation measures. These findings provide a scientific basis for ecological protection, soil and water conservation strategy formulation, and sustainable development in the QLB. Full article

CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol is a key route for carbon recycling within the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) framework. Cu-based catalysts are widely employed because of their low cost and high methanol selectivity, yet monometallic Cu suffers from sintering, limited CO₂ activation, and competing reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reactions. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in Cu-based bimetallic catalysts, categorized as Cu-p-block, Cu-noble metal, Cu-transition metal, and Cu-rare-earth metal systems. Throughout this review, the term “bimetallic catalysts” broadly refers to Cu-based systems containing a second metallic element, which may be present as a metallic alloy, an intermetallic compound, an atomically dispersed promoter species, or an oxide promoter or support component that forms Cu-M or Cu-MO_x interfacial structures. Experimental findings and density functional theory calculations are integrated to clarify how second metals regulate electronic structures, interfacial sites, oxygen vacancies, and hydrogen activation, thereby governing the competition between the formate pathway and RWGS. The dynamic evolution of active sites and the concentration-dependent role of reaction-generated water are also discussed. Finally, current challenges in machine learning-assisted catalyst development are assessed, and future directions involving operando characterization, hydrophobic interface engineering, reactor-level water management, and interpretable data-driven catalyst design are proposed to guide catalyst optimization and practical implementation. Full article

Background: Although POLD1 exhibits oncogenic properties in multiple malignancies, its precise role and regulatory mechanisms in cisplatin resistance of bladder cancer (BC) remain elusive. This study aims to elucidate the functional involvement and upstream regulatory axis of POLD1 in BC chemoresistance. Methods: We evaluated the impact of POLD1 on chemoresistance and DNA damage repair (DDR) using public clinical databases and cisplatin-resistant cell lines, employing CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and comet assays. Protein interactions were examined via Co-IP, molecular docking, and truncation mutant analysis. ChIP-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assays were utilized to identify the upstream transcription factor. In vivo functionality was further validated in a nude mouse xenograft model. Results: POLD1 was markedly upregulated in BC tissues and cisplatin-resistant BC cells, and its elevated expression was tightly associated with advanced tumor stage, high pathological grade, and poor patient prognosis. Functional experiments verified that POLD1 knockdown aggravated cisplatin-induced DNA damage and drastically sensitized BC cells to cisplatin in vitro, and attenuated tumor growth under cisplatin treatment in vivo, indicating that POLD1 is a key driver of cisplatin resistance. Mechanistically, POLD1 physically interacted with and activated ATM, thereby initiating homologous recombination (HR) repair signaling. Moreover, transcription factor MAZ directly bound the promoter region of POLD1 to transcriptionally upregulate its expression. Rescue experiments in vitro further validated that the MAZ-POLD1 axis facilitates cisplatin resistance by modulating the DDR pathway in BC. Conclusions: Therapeutic targeting of the POLD1-regulated DDR pathway holds great promise as an effective strategy to reverse acquired cisplatin resistance in BC. Full article

Background: The zebrafish model is extensively utilized for phenotypic screening, particularly in heart failure research. However, traditional photography-based data collection requires tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) anesthesia, which can suppress cardiac function and introduce artifacts. This study presents a microfluidic platform designed to facilitate anesthesia-free, noninvasive in vivo photography of zebrafish heart failure models. Methods: Isoproterenol (ISO) induced heart failure in 1 day post-fertilization (dpf) zebrafish embryos. Larvae were assigned to three groups: Control (E3 embryo medium only), Model (1 mM ISO for 48 h from 1 dpf), and Positive (1 mM ISO + 10 μM propranolol for 48 h from 1 dpf). Subsequently, a microfluidic chip featuring tapered immobilization channels was adopted. The chip facilitated the photography and collection of cardiac function parameters from lateral and supine positions, including cardiac output (CO), blood flow velocity (BFV), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), and fractional shortening (FS). All imaging was performed in completely independent parallel experiments, with no individual larva shared between the two imaging methods. Data obtained under hydrodynamic confinement were compared with those acquired under MS-222 anesthesia. Results: Cardiac parameters measured using the microfluidic platform were significantly higher than those under MS-222 anesthesia: CO (0.339 ± 0.032 vs. 0.279 ± 0.023 nL/s, p < 0.001), BFV (681 ± 53 vs. 604 ± 38 μm/s, p < 0.001), EF (10.3 ± 0.7% vs. 6.6 ± 0.7%, p < 0.001), SV (184,519 ± 12,822 vs. 97,979 ± 5306 μm³, p < 0.001), and FS (7.3 ± 1.8% vs. 3.7 ± 0.9%, p < 0.001). Strong correlations (R² > 0.85, p < 0.0001) revealed that anesthesia underestimated parameters by 11.3–49.3%. Conclusions: Compared with the traditional anesthesia-based method, the microfluidic platform enables more precise cardiac parameter collection in a zebrafish heart failure model than when anesthesia is used, offering a reliable tool for phenotypic screening of zebrafish embryos. Full article

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) studies are frequently organized around comparisons—disease versus control, treatment response, or genetic perturbation—yet biological interpretation still depends on integrating multiple independent downstream analyses for differential expression, functional enrichment, regulatory network inference, and cell–cell communication analysis. Applying these tools consistently across comparisons typically requires substantial custom scripting, and their heterogeneous outputs must be manually harmonized before the results can be compared or reported together. We present scFlowReport, a lightweight, configuration-driven workflow that propagates a single user-defined comparison across cell-level and sample-aware pseudobulk differential expression, over-representation and ranked functional enrichment, transcription-factor regulon export for SCENIC, and group-resolved LIANA cell–cell communication analysis, starting from an already annotated Seurat object. The workflow automatically compiles complementary downstream results into standardized figures, summary tables, and a self-contained static HTML report that can be readily inspected and shared without requiring a persistent server. Application of scFlowReport to a publicly available Atopic Dermatitis scRNA-seq dataset demonstrated its utility by enabling researchers to obtain complementary biological evidence from multiple established downstream analyses. By coordinating complementary downstream analyses under a shared comparison framework, scFlowReport provides a practical and reproducible workflow for systematic interpretation of comparative single-cell transcriptomic data. Full article

Background: Despite the increasing use of vibration therapy (VT) in neurorehabilitation, its efficacy on post-stroke gait recovery remains controversial due to substantial heterogeneity in study protocols and outcome assessments. Previous systematic reviews have often aggregated disparate gait metrics and stroke stages, potentially obscuring domain-specific therapeutic effects and limiting clinical applicability. Furthermore, the specific influence of vibration parameters, such as frequency and amplitude, on gait outcomes has not been sufficiently quantified. Objective: This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-regression analysis designed to rigorously evaluate the clinical efficacy of VT on the multidimensional recovery of gait function in stroke survivors. Unlike prior reviews, this study aims to decipher the heterogeneity of treatment effects by analyzing outcome variations based on specific gait domains and exploring associations between individual vibration parameters and treatment effect estimates. Methods: In adherence to PRISMA-P guidelines, a comprehensive search will be conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus for randomized and non-randomized controlled trials involving adult stroke survivors. Interventions will include whole-body vibration (WBV) and focal muscle vibration (FMV) compared to sham or standard care. To address the multidimensional nature of gait, outcomes will be strictly categorized into four domains: (1) gait speed, (2) gait endurance, (3) functional mobility, and (4) spatiotemporal parameters. Methodological quality will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) and Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools. Data synthesis will utilize random-effects models, and prespecified meta-regression analyses will be employed to investigate the influence of key moderators, including vibration frequency, amplitude, and session duration. Discussion: This review aims to move beyond simple efficacy verification by exploring potential moderators of treatment effects and generating hypotheses regarding vibration parameters that may be associated with more favorable gait outcomes. By providing granular evidence across distinct gait domains and analyzing parameter-specific effects, this study is expected to resolve existing conflicting evidence and offer precise guidance for the clinical application of VT in post-stroke gait rehabilitation. Full article

Orosanga japonica (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) is an invasive, polyphagous planthopper established in Türkiye since 2007 that threatens economically important perennial and field crops across the Black Sea region. Although its establishment and rapid spread suggest considerable adaptive capacity, the genomic basis of this potential remains unexplored. We combined whole-genome sequencing with RNA-Seq data to generate a functionally annotated genome, recovering 92.5% of conserved single-copy orthologs. Utilizing these resources, we performed comparative genomic analyses across 20 additional hemipteran and thysanopteran species, investigating gene family dynamics and genome-wide positive selection. These analyses revealed 52 gene families with statistically significant, lineage-specific size changes (24 expansions and 28 contractions): expanded families were enriched for C2H2 zinc-finger transcription factors, α/β-hydrolases, major facilitator transporters, serpins, and chemosensory proteins, whereas contracted families included a cytochrome P450 family. Additionally, branch site tests identified 122 candidate genes under lineage-specific positive selection. These loci fall into three functional categories potentially associated with invasion-related traits: host detection and neuronal excitability, stress tolerance (xenobiotic, oxidative, and proteostatic), and barrier remodeling. Together, these genomic signatures highlight candidate molecular mechanisms that may contribute to host detection, xenobiotic tolerance, and ecological plasticity, providing a framework for evolutionary analysis and the targeted management of this emerging agricultural pest. Full article

Horsehair generated during seasonal coat shedding represents an underutilized biogenic by-product with potential for textile valorization. In this Communication, we present a first proof-of-concept investigation of the suitability of equine body hair as a raw material for nonwoven production. Hair samples collected during the spring shedding period (March–May) were analyzed for their morphology, fiber dimensions, elemental composition, lipid content, and processing behavior. Pretreatment methods included cleaning and washing, solvent-based degreasing using methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and lipid extraction using supercritical CO₂. Fiber processing trials were conducted using manual and industrial nonwoven formation techniques, followed by mechanical consolidation through needle punching and hydroentanglement. While the results demonstrate that horsehair can be processed into nonwoven structures, pure horsehair webs showed limited fiber cohesion and surface fiber shedding. Blended nonwovens containing Lyocell and sheep wool as well as multilayer structures were therefore produced and showed improved handling and reduced fiber release. In addition, preliminary supercritical CO₂ extraction trials demonstrated the recovery of a substantial lipid-rich fraction, indicating the potential to combine extraction and subsequent fiber utilization within a preliminary cascade valorization strategy. Our study establishes the technical feasibility of this approach while identifying limitations requiring further investigation, particularly quantitative mechanical and functional characterization, optimization of fiber cohesion, chemical characterization of the recovered extract, and environmental and economic assessment. Full article