Search Results (25,697)

The integration of cultural heritage into sustainable urban development has garnered increasing attention, with a growing recognition of its role in fostering resilient, inclusive, and identity-rich cities. While surface-level monuments often receive the primary focus in heritage conservation, archaeological remains buried beneath cities face escalating threats—particularly from large-scale underground infrastructure projects. Among these, underground transit systems pose the most significant risk due to their spatial extent and physical disruption. This paper addresses the pressing challenge of balancing underground urban development with the preservation of subterranean cultural heritage. Using the Ancient Cultural and Communication Complex “Serdika” in Sofia, Bulgaria, as a case study, this study examines how integrated planning and interdisciplinary cooperation can harmonize heritage conservation with modern infrastructure development. The study explores strategies such as spatial integration, design coordination, and adaptive reuse to embed archaeological remains within transit-oriented public spaces. The Serdica project demonstrates that such approaches not only protect heritage sites but also enhance their accessibility and public value, contributing to strengthened urban identity and increased cultural tourism. The findings highlight the potential of underground heritage spaces to serve as dynamic nodes of cultural exchange and urban continuity. The study concludes that culturally sustainable design of underground public infrastructure-when guided by inclusive planning and heritage-informed strategies—offers a viable path toward sustainable urban futures that respect both development needs and historical continuity. Full article

The automated inspection of civil infrastructure with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is hampered by the challenge of accurately segmenting multi-damage in high-resolution imagery. While foundational models like the Segment Anything Model (SAM) offer data-efficient segmentation, their effectiveness is constrained by prompting strategies, especially for geometrically complex defects. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of deep learning strategies to identify an optimal deep learning pipeline for segmenting cracks, efflorescences, and exposed rebars. It systematically evaluates three distinct end-to-end segmentation frameworks: the native output of a YOLO11 model; the Segment Anything Model (SAM), prompted by bounding boxes; and SAM, guided by a point-prompting mechanism derived from the detector’s probability map. Based on these findings, a final, optimized hybrid pipeline is proposed: for linear cracks, the native segmentation output of the SAHI-trained YOLO model is used, while for efflorescence and exposed rebar, the model’s bounding boxes are used to prompt SAM for a refined segmentation. This class-specific strategy yielded a final mean Average Precision (mAP50) of 0.593, with class-specific Intersection over Union (IoU) scores of 0.495 (cracks), 0.331 (efflorescence), and 0.205 (exposed rebar). The results establish that the future of automated inspection lies in intelligent frameworks that leverage the respective strengths of specialized detectors and powerful foundation models in a context-aware manner. Full article

Cuproptosis is a newly identified type of copper (Cu)-dependent programmed cell death (PCD), triggered when Cu directly interacts with the lipoylated components of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and it has shown significant antitumor potential. However, challenges such as insufficient Cu accumulation in tumor cells, systemic toxicity, and the lack of specific carriers for effectively inducing cuproptosis hinder its practical application. Inorganic nanoparticles (INPs) present a promising solution due to their unique ability to target specific areas, potential for multifunctional modification, and controlled release capabilities. Their distinctive physicochemical properties also enable the integration of synergistic multimodal cancer therapies. Therefore, utilizing INPs to induce cuproptosis represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment. This review systematically elucidates the regulatory mechanisms of Cu homeostasis and the molecular pathways underlying cuproptosis, thoroughly discusses current INP-based strategies designed to trigger cuproptosis, and comprehensively examines the multi-modal synergistic antitumor mechanisms based on cuproptosis. Finally, we also address the current challenges and future perspectives in developing clinically applicable nanoplatforms aimed at harnessing cuproptosis for effective cancer therapy. Full article

Grasslands provide essential forage, fuel, and ecosystem services, underpinning regional livestock husbandry and ecological integrity. However, improper utilization drives structural degradation and functional decline of the vegetation–soil–microbe system, particularly on the ecologically sensitive and fragile Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). The differential impacts of diverse utilization practices on QTP grasslands remain inadequately understood, limiting scientific support for differentiated sustainable management. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to clarify effects of grazing, enclosure, and mowing on QTP grasslands, integrating studies from Web of Science, Google Scholar, and CNKI. We constructed disturbance intensity indicators to quantify utilization pressure and used multiple ecological metrics to characterize heterogeneous responses of the vegetation–soil–microbe system. Moderate grazing enhanced vegetation coverage, biomass, diversity, soil total phosphorus, and organic matter; high-intensity grazing reduced vegetation traits, soil bulk density, moisture, nutrients, and microbial biomass/diversity, while increasing soil pH. Early enclosure mitigated anthropogenic disturbance to improve grassland functions, but long-term enclosure exacerbated nutrient/moisture competition, lowering vegetation biomass/diversity and degrading soil properties. Moderate mowing improved vegetation communities by suppressing dominant species overexpansion; excessive mowing caused vegetation homogenization, soil carbon loss, and microbial destabilization. Impacts showed environmental heterogeneity linked to climate, soil, vegetation type, and elevation. In humid and fertile alpine meadows, moderate grazing more effectively promoted vegetation diversity and soil nutrient cycling, while in arid and nutrient-poor desert grasslands, even light grazing led to visible declines in vegetation coverage and soil moisture. Low-elevation alpine grasslands exhibited stronger positive responses to moderate grazing, whereas high-elevation alpine desert grasslands showed high vulnerability even to light grazing. Based on these mechanisms, regionally tailored strategies integrating multiple practices are required to balance ecological conservation and livestock production, promoting QTP grassland sustainability. In future research, we will strengthen quantitative exploration of how specific environmental factors regulate the magnitude and direction of grassland ecosystem responses to grazing, enclosure, and mowing, thereby providing more precise scientific basis for differentiated grassland management. Full article

The introduction of Poland (2004) and Croatia (2013) into the European Union presented the challenge of modernising ageing rail rolling stock equipped with DC traction motors, operating under limited financial and technical resources. In both countries, older and modernised vehicles remain largely equipped with DC traction motors: in Poland, about 86% of electric locomotives, 77% of EMUs, 68% of trams, 29% of metro trains (expected to fall to 0% by 2025), and 8% of trolleybuses use this technology. Although these numbers have declined rapidly over the last decade, DC traction motors have played a crucial transitional role, enabling effective modernisation and extending vehicle life while postponing the costly purchase of new AC-motor rolling stock. In 2022, Ukraine became an EU candidate country and faced similar challenges in aligning its transport sector with European standards. This review analyses the re-engineering strategies adopted in Poland and Croatia, focusing on the technical, organisational, and policy measures that supported sustainable fleet renewal. Using a comparative method based on documentation, case studies, and reports (2004–2024), this study shows that re-engineering can extend service life by 15–25 years, reduce energy use by up to 20%, and improve reliability by 30–40%. Recommendations are outlined for Ukraine’s future modernisation strategy. Full article

Periodontitis, a prevalent chronic infectious disease triggered by oral biofilm microbiota, results in progressive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues, and conventional treatments have limited therapeutic effects on it. Hydrogels, due to their excellent biocompatibility, three-dimensional extracellular matrix-like structure, and localized sustained-release properties, can provide support for cell attachment, promote cell proliferation and differentiation, and improve drug utilization efficiency, showing great promise for applications in treating periodontitis as well as promoting periodontal tissue regeneration. This article first introduces the limitations of current periodontitis treatments and the unique advantages of hydrogels in periodontitis treatment and periodontal tissue regeneration, and then provides an overview of the classifications of hydrogels, the active substances they can load, and the characteristics and functions of these active substances. Subsequently, the article introduces the latest advances in the application of several common natural polymer hydrogels in periodontal tissue regeneration. Finally, the article discusses the current limitations of hydrogels in terms of structure and properties, and proposes potential solutions and future development directions in periodontal tissue regeneration. Full article

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide, with proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) playing a central role in its pathogenesis. Under hyperglycemic conditions, PTECs drive a pathological triad of inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Recent advances reveal that these processes interact synergistically to form a self-perpetuating vicious cycle, rather than operating in isolation. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying this crosstalk in PTECs. Hyperglycemia induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), which collectively activate key inflammatory pathways (NF-κB, NLRP3, cGAS-STING). The resulting inflammatory milieu triggers apoptosis via death receptor and mitochondrial pathways, while apoptotic cells release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that further amplify inflammation. Concurrently, fibrogenic signaling (TGF-β1/Smad, Hippo-YAP/TAZ) promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Crucially, the resulting fibrotic microenvironment reciprocally exacerbates inflammation and apoptosis through mechanical stress and hypoxia. Quantitative data from preclinical and clinical studies are integrated to underscore the magnitude of these effects. Current therapeutic strategies are evolving toward multi-target interventions against this pathological network. We contrast the paradigm of monotargeted agents (e.g., Finerenone, SGLT2 inhibitors), which offer high specificity, with that of multi-targeted natural product-based formulations (e.g., Huangkui capsule, Astragaloside IV), which provide synergistic multi-pathway modulation. Emerging approaches (metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic regulation, mechanobiological signaling) hold promise for reversing fibrosis. Future directions include leveraging single-cell technologies to decipher PTEC heterogeneity and developing kidney-targeted drug delivery systems. We conclude that disrupting the inflammation–apoptosis–fibrosis vicious cycle in PTECs is central to developing next-generation therapies for DN. Full article

Speech recognition, as a key driver of artificial intelligence and global communication, has advanced rapidly in major languages, while studies on low-resource languages remain limited. Tongan, a representative Polynesian language, carries significant cultural value. However, Tongan speech recognition faces three main challenges: data scarcity, limited adaptability of transfer learning, and weak dictionary modeling. This study proposes improvements in adaptive transfer learning and NBPE-based dictionary modeling to address these issues. An adaptive transfer learning strategy with layer-wise unfreezing and dynamic learning rate adjustment is introduced, enabling effective adaptation of pretrained models to the target language while improving accuracy and efficiency. In addition, the MEA-AGA is developed by combining the Mind Evolutionary Algorithm (MEA) with the Adaptive Genetic Algorithm (AGA) to optimize the number of byte-pair encoding (NBPE) parameters, thereby enhancing recognition accuracy and speed. The collected Tongan speech data were expanded and preprocessed, after which the experiments were conducted on an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU (16 GB) using CUDA 11.8 under the Ubuntu 18.04 operating system. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieved a word error rate (WER) of 26.18% and a word-per-second (WPS) rate of 68, demonstrating clear advantages over baseline methods and confirming its effectiveness for low-resource language applications. Although the proposed approach demonstrates promising performance, this study is still limited by the relatively small corpus size and the early stage of research exploration. Future work will focus on expanding the dataset, refining adaptive transfer strategies, and enhancing cross-lingual generalization to further improve the robustness and scalability of the model. Full article

Natural killer (NK) cells are the main cytotoxic lymphocytes of the natural immune system, which play an important role in tumor immune surveillance and anti-viral response. The surface receptor NKG2D can recognize NKG2D ligands on the surface of tumor or metabolism-stressed cells, thereby activating immune responses and mediating cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity of NK cells. However, NKG2D-positive NK cells are regulated by metabolites, and play a negative role in metabolic diseases. Various metabolites, including lipids, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose and amino acids, regulate NKG2D expression and NK cell activity and decide the immune microenvironment of pathological tissue. Thus, targeted therapies based on NKG2D-positive NK cell have entirely different strategies in the treatment of tumor or metabolic diseases. This article focuses on the metabolic regulation of NKG2D-positive NK cells and their opposite roles in disease progression, including of cancer and metabolic disease. In the future, in-depth studies of the regulatory mechanisms of the NKG2D signaling pathway by metabolites and the optimization of the safety and efficacy of targeted therapeutic strategies will lead to new breakthroughs in the treatment of tumors and metabolic diseases, providing patients with more effective treatment options. Full article

The ability of Ribes species to survive the fluctuating winter and early spring conditions, relies on the regulation of transcription factors (TFs) and other key genes involved in the abiotic stress response. In this study, we developed specific primers for 33 stress-responsive genes, which may facilitate future functional studies in Ribes and other less-characterized lineages within the Saxifragales order. These genes were selected based on a comparative transcriptomic analysis of R. nigrum cv. Aldoniai and are known to function in cold acclimation and stress signaling pathways. We analyzed expression profiles of these 33 genes in R. aureum, R. hudsonianum, and R. nigrum microshoot cultures exposed to controlled cold stress, deacclimation and reacclimation treatments. Our results revealed species-specific genetic responses across acclimation cycles of varying durations (24–96 h). Cold stress induces molecular changes in three Ribes spp.; however, deacclimation triggered by transient warming significantly reduced freezing tolerance in R. nigrum, had a moderate effect on R. hudsonianum, and minor impact on R. aureum. Gene expression profiling revealed distinct, species-specific regulatory patterns among species during different stress cycles, highlighting conserved and specific genes in acclimation mechanisms within the Ribes spp. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of transcriptional regulation under acclimation cycles in currants and provide molecular tools that may support breeding strategies aimed at enhancing cold tolerance in Ribes crops amid increasing climate variability. Full article

Ovarian follicular fluid (FF) is a metabolically active and biomarker-rich medium that mirrors the oocyte microenvironment. Its analysis is increasingly recognized in infertility diagnostics and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for assessing oocyte competence, understanding reproductive disorders, and guiding personalized treatment. However, FF’s high viscosity, complex composition, and biochemical variability challenge reproducibility in sample preparation and molecular profiling. Sonication-based extraction has emerged as an effective approach to address these issues. By exploiting acoustic cavitation, sonication improves protein solubilization, metabolite release, and lipid recovery, while reducing solvent use and processing time. This review synthesizes recent advances in sonication-assisted FF analysis across proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, emphasizing parameter optimization, integration with advanced mass spectrometry workflows, and emerging applications in microfluidics, automation, and point-of-care devices. Clinical implications are discussed in the context of enhanced biomarker discovery pipelines, real-time oocyte selection, and ART outcome prediction. Key challenges, such as preventing biomolecule degradation, standardizing protocols, and achieving inter-laboratory reproducibility, are addressed alongside regulatory considerations. Future directions highlight the potential of combining sonication with multi-omics strategies and AI-driven analytics, paving the way for high-throughput, standardized, and clinically actionable FF analysis to advance precision reproductive medicine. Full article

This study presents a novel approach to intensifying the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge through enzymatic pretreatment using hydrolytic enzymes—cellulase and lysozyme. It aims to determine how enzymatic activation affects the efficiency of methane fermentation, defined as the degree of organic matter decomposition and yield and composition of biogas. An experiment was carried out under mesophilic conditions over 20 days, analyzing the physicochemical properties of sludge, biogas production, methane content, and sanitary parameters. The addition of cellulase and lysozyme significantly enhanced process efficiency, increasing both the rate of organic matter degradation and biogas yield. The highest biogas production values (0.73 L·g⁻¹ d.m. for cellulase and 0.72 L·g⁻¹ d.m. for lysozyme) were obtained at a 4% (w/w) enzyme concentration, with a corresponding increase in the degree of organic matter decomposition to 78.7% and 80.0%, respectively. The produced biogas contained 58–61% methane, exceeding the values observed in the control sample, which indicates a positive effect of enzymatic activation on methane selectivity. Enhanced biogas production was attributed to improved hydrolysis of complex organic compounds, resulting in greater substrate bioavailability for methanogenic microorganisms. Moreover, methane fermentation led to the complete elimination of E. coli from all supernatants, confirming the hygienization potential of the process. The results of this study indicate that enzymatic pretreatment may serve as a viable strategy to improve both the energy efficiency and hygienic safety of anaerobic digestion processes, with relevance for future optimization and full-scale wastewater treatment applications. Full article

Passive immunity, the acquisition of specific immune protection through external antibodies or immune components, is critically important for neonatal survival. In ruminants, however, neonatal hypogammaglobulinemia, a consequence of their epitheliochorial placental structure preventing prenatal antibody transfer, often leads to high morbidity and mortality. Consequently, neonatal ruminants are entirely dependent on the timely consumption of colostrum to acquire sufficient immunoglobulin G (IgG) for protection. Establishing robust passive immunity is therefore a cornerstone for their survival, healthy development, and future production efficiency. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the establishment of passive immunity in neonatal ruminants. We first outline the fundamental principles of passive immunity transfer, then delve into the specific pathways and molecular mechanisms in ruminants. Key factors influencing this process are subsequently discussed. Furthermore, we highlight the long-term impact of passive immunity on adult production performance. This review aims to provide a scientific foundation for optimizing colostrum management strategies and to stimulate future research into the intricate mechanisms of IgG absorption. Full article

In recent years, European cities have implemented numerous initiatives to reduce the use of resources and improve the resilience of climate change by promoting shifts toward the circular economy (CE). This comparative case study investigated the results of the applications of the CE model in the built environment from two different national approaches and perspectives of strategic planning in capitals that represent the “old” (Copenhagen) and “new” (Ljubljana) European Union (EU) member states. This paper introduces the original methodology to assess the implementation of the strategic approaches in the adaptation of the CE in architecture and urban design using a set of 10 selecting indicators. Although both cities have ambitious strategic goals and are undertaking actions aimed at shifting to the CE, they are driven by different motivations (climate crisis vs. urban revitalization and zero waste policy) and exhibit different implementation patterns (top-down systemic/institutional vs. gradual/sectoral). The results highlight the key role of a comprehensive approach to CE implementation, particularly the development of institutional frameworks and dedicated infrastructure and digital tools for transition management, the involvement of external stakeholders in the circular vision, wide-range educational activities, and the promotion of CE initiatives. However, limitations resulting from the lack of a comprehensive and standardized measurement framework pose a challenge to effectively accelerate progress in the shift toward a CE in the built environment. The main contributions of this study are: (1) to identify and verify the methods and strategies undertaken by European cities for the adaptation of a CE in the built environment and (2) demonstrate the different dimensions, levels, and the most relevant factors in the strategic management of the processes of transformation toward the CE. In addition, recommendations for future implementations based on CE systems are indicated. Full article

Precision Feeding Systems (PFS) demonstrate transformative potential in advancing sustainable and efficient production within modern animal husbandry. However, existing research lacks a synthesis of PFS applications in livestock farming and offers little targeted guidance for China’s rapidly growing rabbit industry. The objective of this review is to bridge this gap by synthesizing current knowledge on PFS technologies—including sensor networks, artificial intelligence (AI), automated controls, and data analytics—and providing a structured framework for their implementation in rabbit production. This study selects and analyzes 112 core references, establishing a foundational database for comprehensive evaluation. The key contributions of this work are threefold: first, it outlines the core components and operational mechanisms of PFS; second, it identifies major challenges such as sensor reliability in dynamic environments, data security risks, limited explainability of AI models, and interoperability barriers; and third, it proposes a customized strategy for PFS adoption in rabbit farming, emphasizing phased implementation, cross-system integration, and iterative optimization. The primary outcomes and advantages of adopting such a system include significant improvements in feed efficiency, resource utilization, animal welfare, and waste reduction—critical factors given rabbits’ sensitive digestive systems and precise nutritional needs. Furthermore, this review outlines a future research agenda aimed at developing resilient sensors, explainable AI frameworks, and multi-objective optimization engines to enhance the commercial scalability and sustainability of PFS in rabbit husbandry and beyond. Full article