Search Results (11,979)

Understanding diet–health linkages in endangered oriental storks (Ciconia boyciana) occupying non-traditional overwintering habitats is imperative for conservation prioritization. Integrated high-throughput sequencing and microscopic analyses revealed their food composition, gut microbiome profile, and critical associations between diet selection and health status. Dominant gut microbial phyla included Firmicutes (64.62%), Fusobacteriota (24.08%), and Bacteroidota (4.10%), with Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (21.93%), Paeniclostridium (14.21%), and Fusobacterium (12.58%) at genus level. Microscopic examination of fecal samples identified six plant species (three families, six genera), while sequencing detected five plant-derived and two animal-derived food families. Both methods confirmed Poaceae, Cannabaceae, and Apocynaceae; sequencing uniquely revealed Malvaceae and Leguminosae. There was a significant negative correlation between Cyprinidae and Bacteroidota (0.01 < p ≤ 0.05). Both diet composition and gut microbial structure of the Ciconia boyciana in this study reflect flexible adaptation in response to winter thermoregulation and local food availability, providing a scientific basis for evidence-based conservation of this endangered species as well as other ecologically similar species. This work offers practical guidance for habitat restoration and dietary supplementation in non-traditional wintering sites while informing conservation strategies for ecologically similar species. Due to the limited sample size, future efforts will expand sampling to more accurately characterize population-level dietary patterns and gut microbiota profiles, thereby strengthening conservation decision-making. Full article

Climate change and altered hydrological regimes are restructuring wetland habitats globally, triggering cascading effects on colonial waterbirds. This study investigates how environmental drivers, including thermal anomalies, water-level fluctuations, and aqueous surface extent, influence the distribution and size of waterbird colonies (Ardeidae, Threskiornithidae, and Phalacrocoracidae) in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. We integrated colony census data (2016–2023) with remote-sensing-derived habitat metrics, in situ meteorological and hydrological measurements to model colony abundance dynamics. Our results indicate that elevated early spring temperatures and water level variability are the primary determinants of numerical population dynamics. Spatial analysis revealed a heterogeneous response to hydrological stress: while the westernmost colony exhibited high site fidelity due to its proximity to persistent aquatic surfaces, the central colonies suffered severe declines or local extirpation during extreme drought periods (2020–2022). A discernible eastward shift in bird assemblages was observed toward zones with superior hydrological connectivity and proximity to anthropogenic hubs, suggesting an adaptive spatial response that was consistent with behavioral flexibility. We propose an adaptive management framework prioritizing sustainable solutions for maintaining minimum lacustrine water levels to preserve critical foraging zones. This integrative framework highlights the pivotal role of remote sensing in transitioning from reactive monitoring to predictive conservation of deltaic ecosystems. Full article

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has been widely adopted to solve decision-making problems in complex environments, demonstrating high performance across various domains. However, DRL-based FPS agents are typically trained with a traditional, monolithic policy that integrates heterogeneous functionalities into a single network. This design hinders policy interpretability and severely limits structural flexibility, since even minor design changes in the action space often necessitate complete retraining of the entire network. These constraints are particularly problematic in game development, where behavioral characteristics are distinct and design updates are frequent. To address these issues, this study proposes a Modular Reinforcement Learning (MRL) framework. Unlike monolithic approaches, this framework decomposes complex agent behaviors into semantically distinct action modules, such as movement and attack, which are optimized in parallel with specialized reward structures. Each module learns a policy specialized for its own behavioral characteristics, and the final agent behavior is obtained by combining the outputs of these modules. This modular design enhances structural flexibility by allowing selective modification and retraining of specific functions, thereby reducing the inefficiency associated with retraining a monolithic policy. Experimental results on the 1-vs-1 training map show that the proposed modular agent achieves a maximum win rate of 83.4% against a traditional monolithic policy agent, demonstrating superior in-game performance. In addition, the retraining time required for modifying specific behaviors is reduced by up to 30%, confirming improved efficiency for development environments that require iterative behavioral updates. Full article

This review synthesizes the state of the art in flapping foil technology and bridges the distinct engineering domains of bio-inspired propulsion and power generation via flow energy harvesting. This review is motivated by the observation that propulsion and power-generation studies are frequently presented separately, even though they share common unsteady vortex dynamics. Accordingly, we adopt a unified unsteady-aerodynamic perspective to relate propulsion and energy-extraction regimes within a common framework and to clarify their operational duality. Within this unified framework, the feathering parameter provides a theoretical delimiter between momentum transfer and kinetic energy extraction. A critical analysis of experimental foundations demonstrates that while passive structural flexibility enhances propulsive thrust via favorable wake interactions, synchronization mismatches between deformation and peak hydrodynamic loading constrain its benefits in power generation. This review extends the analysis to complex and non-homogeneous environments and identifies that density stratification fundamentally alters the hydrodynamic performance. Specifically, resonant interactions with the natural Brunt–Väisälä frequency of the fluid shift the optimal kinematic regimes. The present study also surveys computational methodologies and highlights a paradigm shift from traditional parametric sweeps to high-fidelity three-dimensional (3D) Large-Eddy Simulations (LESs) and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) to resolve finite-span vortex interconnectivities. Finally, this review outlines the critical pathways for future research. To bridge the gap between computational idealization and physical reality, the findings suggest that future systems prioritize tunable stiffness mechanisms, multi-phase environmental modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital twin frameworks for real-time adaptation. Full article

Ocean current energy, owing to its predictability and stability, is regarded as an ideal power source for distributed marine observation networks and underwater intelligent equipment. However, conventional ocean current energy devices that rely on rigid turbines and electromagnetic generators generally suffer from high cut-in flow velocity, bulky size, high maintenance costs, and significant environmental disturbance, making them unsuitable for deep-sea, miniaturized, and long-duration power supply scenarios. These limitations highlight the urgent need for flexible and low-speed energy harvesters capable of autonomous, long-term operation. In recent years, nanogenerator technology has provided new opportunities for distributed and low-power ocean current energy harvesting. PENGs and TENGs can directly convert weak mechanical energy into electricity, enabling energy harvesting in small-scale and low-velocity flow fields. PENGs offer high durability and mechanical robustness, whereas TENGs exhibit superior output performance in low-speed and intermittent flows. This paper provides a comprehensive review of structural designs, material innovations, interface engineering, hybrid energy-conversion architectures, and power-management strategies for PENG- and TENG-based ocean current energy harvesters. Overall, future progress will rely on the integration of intelligent materials, multi-field coupling mechanisms, and system-level engineering strategies to achieve durable, scalable, and autonomous ocean current energy harvesting for distributed marine systems. Full article

Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), including thymic carcinomas and thymomas, are rare malignancies originating in the mediastinum. Therapeutic options remain limited for patients experiencing disease progression following platinum-based chemotherapy. High tumor mutational burden (TMB) is uncommon in thymic malignancies but may predict response to immunotherapy. We report a patient with TMB-high TET who participated in the KOSMOS-II study in South Korea and achieved a durable response to atezolizumab without developing immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Case presentation: A 73-year-old woman who had been treated for thymoma 20 years ago presented with a left neck mass. A biopsy of the neck mass confirmed recurrent thymoma, type B3, and her disease progressed despite platinum-based chemotherapy and subsequent pemetrexed treatment. TMB-high thymoma is very rare, but based on the next-generation sequencing (NGS) results, she was diagnosed with TMB-high (20.3 mutations/Mb) thymoma. As TMB-based immunotherapy is not approved in Korea, she was enrolled in the KOSMOS-II study and initiated on atezolizumab following molecular tumor board review. She achieved stable disease after three cycles and has remained progression-free for 14 months, completing 20 cycles without significant irAEs. Notably, her underlying myasthenia gravis did not worsen during treatment. Conclusions: This case demonstrates a favorable outcome with biomarker-directed ICI treatment in recurrent thymoma with limited treatment options, highlighting the importance of appropriate molecular markers to predict drug response. Although TMB-based immunotherapy is FDA-approved in the U.S., it remains unavailable in Korea, underscoring the need to explore flexible access pathways, including the potential use of immunotherapy beyond current indications, to improve treatment options for patients with life-threatening conditions. Full article

D-Tagatose is a rare sugar of interest as a low-calorie sweetener, and enzymatic isomerization of D-galactose is a practical production route. L-arabinose isomerase (L-AI; EC 5.3.1.4) is a promising catalyst for the above process, but many characterized L-AIs perform best at alkaline pH and high temperature and often require substantial divalent metal supplementation (e.g., Mn²⁺/Co²⁺), which complicates food-grade processing. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are attractive sources of food-compatible enzymes, yet structural information for LAB-derived L-AIs has been limited. Here, we report the 2.6 Å X-ray crystal structure of L-AI from Latilactobacillus sakei 23K (LsAI) and define its oligomeric assembly. Although the asymmetric unit contains a single monomer, crystallographic symmetry reconstructs a D₃-symmetric homohexamer composed of two face-to-face trimers, consistent with a higher-order assembly in solution. Interface analysis shows predominantly polar interaction networks, and normalized B-factor mapping reveals localized flexibility near active-site-proximal regions. These findings provide a structural basis for understanding LAB-derived L-AIs and support structure-guided engineering toward food-grade, low-metal biocatalysts for rare-sugar production. Full article

Traditional flexible polyurethane (PU) foams frequently exhibit limited mechanical support and suboptimal moisture–heat regulation, which can compromise the microenvironmental comfort required for high-quality sleep. In this study, natural luffa fibers (LF) were incorporated as a microstructural modifier to simultaneously enhance the mechanical and moisture–heat regulation performance of PU foams. PU/LF composite foams with varying LF loadings were prepared via in situ polymerization, and their foaming kinetics, cellular morphology evolution, and physicochemical characteristics were systematically investigated. The results indicate that LF functions both as a reinforcing skeleton and as a heterogeneous nucleation site, thereby promoting more uniform bubble formation and controlled open-cell development. At an optimal loading of 4 wt%, the composite foam developed a highly interconnected porous architecture, leading to a 7.9% increase in tensile strength and improvements of 19.4% and 22.6% in moisture absorption and moisture dissipation rates, respectively, effectively alleviating the heat–moisture accumulation typically observed in unmodified PU foams. Ergonomic pillow prototypes fabricated from the optimized composite further exhibited enhanced pressure-relief performance, as evidenced by reduced peak cervical pressure and improved uniformity of contact-area distribution in human–pillow pressure mapping, together with an increased SAG factor, indicating improved load-bearing adaptability under physiological sleep postures. Collectively, these findings elucidate the microstructural regulatory role of biomass-derived luffa fibers within porous polymer matrices and provide a robust material basis for developing high-performance, sustainable, and ergonomically optimized sleep products. Full article

:The growing demand for smart electronic devices in daily life requires sustainable, renewable energy sources that reliably power portable and wearable systems. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as a promising platform for smart textile-based energy harvesting due to their material versatility and mechanical compliance. In this work, electrospun poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fiber mats incorporating boron nitride (BN) nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were investigated to elucidate the roles of insulating and conductive nanofillers in governing the structural and electroactive properties of PVDF-based triboelectric materials. Electrospun PVDF mats containing 5 wt.% BN exhibited enhanced β-phase content (82%), attributed to the nucleating effect of BN and strong interfacial interactions between the nanofiller and the PVDF matrix. In contrast, 7 wt.% rGO demonstrated a high electroactive β-phase fraction (81%), arising from filler-induced dipole alignment and enhanced charge transport within the fibrous network. A comparative analysis of BN and rGO highlights filler-driven mechanisms influencing the electroactive phase formation and triboelectric charge generation in PVDF mats. The corresponding triboelectric power density reached 231 μWcm⁻² for the 7 wt.% rGO/PVDF and 281 μWcm⁻² for the 5 wt.% BN/PVDF-based TENGs, providing valuable insights for the rational design of high-performance, flexible triboelectric materials for wearable energy-harvesting applications. Full article

Studies on two-dimensional materials (such as topological insulators or transition metal dichalcogenides) have shown that they exhibit unique properties, including high charge carrier mobility and tunable bandgaps, making them attractive for next-generation electronics. Some of these materials (e.g., HfSe${}_2$) also offer thickness-dependent bandgap engineering. However, the standard device fabrication techniques often introduce processing contamination, which reduces device efficiency. In this paper, we present a modified mechanical exfoliation technique, the Reversed Structuring Procedure, which enables the fabrication of hybrid systems based on 2D microflakes with improved interface cleanness and contact quality. Hall effect measurements on Bi${}_2$Se${}_3$ and HfSe${}_2$ devices confirm enhanced electrical performance, including the decrease in the measured total resistance. We also introduce a novel Star-Shaped Electrode Structure, which allows for accurate Hall measurements and the exploration of geometric magnetoresistance effects within the same device. This dual-purpose geometry enhances the flexibility and demonstrates broader functionality of the proposed fabrication method. The presented results validate the Reversed Structuring Procedure method as a robust and versatile approach for laboratory test-platforms for electronic applications of new types of layered materials whose fabrication technology is not yet compatible with CMOS. Full article

The advent of generative AI (GenAI) and its growing use in education has sparked a renewed wave of school digital transformation. School principals are pivotal in advancing and shaping school digital transformation, yet little is known about how they understand and lead digital transformation in the age of GenAI, particularly within China’s complex educational system. This study employed Q methodology to identify the perceptions and leadership styles of Chinese K–12 school principals toward school digital transformation in the age of GenAI. An analysis of a 30-item Q set with a P sample of 23 principals revealed four leadership types: Cautious Observation–Technological Gatekeeping Leadership, Moderate Ambition–Culturally Transformative Leadership, Moderate Ambition–Emotionally Empowering Leadership, and High Aspiration–Strategy-Driven Leadership. Overall, principals’ stances on GenAI formed a continuum, ranging from cautious observation and skeptical optimism to active embrace. These perceptions and leadership styles were shaped by Confucian cultural values, a flexible central–local governance arrangement, and parents’ high expectations for students’ academic achievement. Furthermore, structural constraints in resource provision further heightened principals’ reliance on maintaining guanxi-based relationships. This study enhances the understanding of the diversity of principals’ leadership practices worldwide and offers actionable insights for governments and principals to more effectively advance AI-enabled school digital transformation. Full article

Conductive hydrogels that simultaneously exhibit high mechanical robustness, reliable electrical conductivity, and interfacial adhesion are highly desirable for flexible sensing applications; however, achieving these properties in a single system remains challenging due to intrinsic structure–property trade-offs. Herein, a multifunctional conductive hydrogel (ASP hydrogel) is developed based on a polyacrylamide (PAM)/sodium alginate (SA) double-network architecture using a gallic acid (GA)–Fe³⁺–pyrrole (Py) coupling strategy. In this design, GA provides metal-coordination sites for Fe³⁺, while Fe³⁺ simultaneously serves as an oxidant to trigger the in situ polymerization of pyrrole, enabling the homogeneous integration of polypyrrole (PPy) conductive networks within the hydrogel matrix. The resulting ASP hydrogel exhibits a markedly enhanced fracture strength of 2.95 MPa compared with PAM (0.26 MPa) and PAM–SA (0.22 MPa) hydrogels, together with stable electrical conductivity and reproducible strain-dependent electrical responses. Moreover, the introduction of dynamic metal–phenolic coordination and hydrogen-bonding interactions endows the hydrogel with intrinsic self-healing capability and strong adhesion to diverse substrates. Rather than relying on simple filler incorporation, this work demonstrates an integrated network design that balances mechanical strength, conductivity, and adhesion, providing a versatile material platform for flexible strain sensors and wearable electronics. Full article

Background: Paediatric pelvic and acetabular fractures are rare and usually the consequence of high-energy trauma, often associated with life-threatening injuries. The majority are managed non-operatively; however, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is indicated in selected, complex, or displaced, acetabular fractures. The modified Stoppa approach is well established in adults, but has been rarely reported in skeletally immature patients, and evidence guiding surgical approach and fixation in children remains limited. Methods: We report the case of an 11-year-old girl who sustained a transverse acetabular fracture following a high-energy trauma. The fracture was treated with ORIF through a modified Stoppa approach. We also performed a systematic review of the literature, focusing on ORIF of acetabular fractures in children. Results: In our patient, ORIF of the acetabular fracture was performed, achieving an anatomical reduction, 10 days after initial damage-control fixation of a concomitant open tibial plateau fracture. Postoperative management consisted of four weeks of non-weight bearing, followed by progressive weight bearing. At six months, she had returned to full daily activities and sports. The review of the literature identified 16 studies (retrospective series and case reports) describing paediatric acetabular fractures treated with ORIF using plates, screws, or flexible nails. In the literature, good to excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes were reported when anatomical reduction and stable fixation were achieved, although growth disturbance and avascular necrosis were described, particularly in cases with delayed reduction or severe triradiate cartilage injury. Conclusions: Our case illustrates the technical feasibility of the modified Stoppa approach in a skeletally immature patient with a complex acetabular fracture, with excellent mid-term outcome. Although it is not contraindicated in paediatric patients, it should be reserved for treating this type of complex fracture. The available literature supports that satisfactory results are reported after ORIF in children, but the heterogeneity and low level of evidence preclude firm recommendations on the optimal approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: Primary health care (PHC) is the cornerstone of any high-quality healthcare system. For PHC to work well, healthcare professionals need to be skilled in critical thinking, self-reflection, and patient-centered care. However, few studies have explored the potential interplays between these factors. Therefore, this cross-sectional study evaluated the critical thinking disposition and training needs of PHC professionals, alongside patient experiences and satisfaction with PHC services. Methods: The study involved 54 PHC professionals and 100 patients from sixteen PHC facilities in Crete, Greece. Professionals completed the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale (CTDS) and Training Needs Assessment (TNA) questionnaires, while patients filled out the Quality-of-Life Instrument of Chronic Conditions in Primary Health Care (QUALICOPC) questionnaire. Results: Our findings indicated that PHC professionals exhibited high critical thinking levels (CTDS, mean score of 46.46 ± 4.24). However, TNA scores suggested moderate training needs, particularly in relationships/investigations [median: 0.50 (0, 1.50)], communication/patient-centered [median: 0.30 (0, 1.1)], and flexibility and application of knowledge [median: 0.40 (0, 1.0)]. Nevertheless, no significant correlation was found between CTDS and TNA (ρ = 0.08, p > 0.05). Patients mostly rated their health as poor (40%), and 26% lacked a family physician. Although patients were highly satisfied with communication and patient-centered care (>95% reporting positive experiences), continuity and empowerment had room for improvement. Only 37% felt their GP knew their living conditions, and 26% lacked a personal physician. Patients with chronic conditions reported significantly different experiences. Specifically, patients with chronic conditions had better continuity of care (84% vs. 59%, p = 0.01) and more comprehensive care (70% vs. 43%, p = 0.01) compared to controls. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that targeted training is needed for PHC professionals to address skill gaps. These initial findings could guide the creation of customized professional development initiatives and point to areas where PHC services could be structurally improved. Additional studies, including longitudinal ones, are required to further validate these associations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Imatinib, the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor, marks the beginning of a revolution in clinical oncology. Disrupting oncogenic kinase-dependent signaling pathways represents a key strategy for advancing targeted cancer therapies. Terpene analogues of imatinib were developed to probe the influence of terminal ring modifications on BCR-ABL inhibition and downstream oncogenic signaling. Methods: Nine novel imatinib analogues bearing bulky aliphatic moieties were designed, synthesised, and structurally characterized by ¹H/¹³C NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Molecular docking calculations were performed to assess the binding modes and intermolecular interactions. The cytotoxicity of the newly synthesized imatinib derivatives was evaluated across a panel of BCR-ABL+ leukemia cell lines. Results: Molecular docking analyses demonstrated conserved interactions within the ATP-binding site of BCR-ABL for all derivatives, with calculated docking scores ranging between 123 and 128, while modifications at the terminal ring introduced subtle changes in electrostatic and steric profiles. Biological evaluation using MTT-based cytotoxicity assays in BCR-ABL+ leukemic cell lines revealed enhanced antiproliferative activity compared with imatinib, with compounds 6a (flexible cyclohexyl) and 6d (rigid camphane-type (+)-isopinocampheyl) exhibiting the lowest micromolar activity in the AR-230 model (IC₅₀ values of 1.1 and 1.2 μM, respectively). Proteome-wide phosphokinase profiling demonstrated shared suppression of STAT5/3/6, RSK1/2, S6K1/p70, and Pyk2, confirming effective disruption of canonical BCR-ABL pathways. Critically, the terpene moiety dictated downstream pathway bias: 6a preferentially attenuated CREB activation, whereas 6d more effectively suppressed the PI3K/Akt oncogenic axis and strongly activated proapoptotic p53-mediated stress responses. Conclusions: Our findings establish terpene-engineered imatinib analogues as tunable modulators and promising candidates for targeting downstream BCR-ABL signaling pathways in leukemia treatment. Full article