Search Results (776)

The integration of electric buses into urban transportation networks is a priority for policymakers aiming to promote sustainable public mobility. Among available technologies, electric Bus Rapid Transit (eBRT) systems offer an environmentally friendly and operationally effective alternative to conventional modes. This study introduces a Machine Learning Decision Support Framework designed to assess the feasibility of deploying eBRT systems in urban environments. Using a dataset of 28 routes in the Athens Metropolitan Area, the framework integrates diverse variables such as land use, population coverage, proximity to public transport, points of interest, road characteristics, and safety indicators. The XGBoost model demonstrated strong predictive performance, outperforming traditional approaches and highlighting the significance of points of interest, land use diversity, green spaces, and roadway infrastructure in forecasting travel times. Overall, the proposed framework provides urban planners and policymakers with a robust, data-driven tool for evaluating the practical and environmental viability of eBRT systems. Full article

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune-mediated nonscarring alopecia with limited therapeutic options and frequent relapses. Exosomes, nanosized extracellular vesicles secreted by various cell types, have recently emerged as potential regenerative and immunomodulatory therapies. The aim of the study is to review the clinical and preclinical evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of EV-based therapies for alopecia areata. a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was performed from 2020 to 2 October 2025. Inclusion criteria were original studies (clinical, preclinical, in vivo, in vitro) investigating exosome-derived interventions for AA. Outcomes of interest were hair regrowth, immune modulation, follicular regeneration, and safety. A total of 499 records were retrieved from electronic database searches. After deduplication and application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 40 studies met the eligibility criteria for the review. Of these, two were clinical studies (one retrospective cohort, one case report), while the remainder comprised five animal (in vivo) studies, six in vitro studies, and sixteen mixed translational studies (in vitro/in vivo ± clinical). Experimental studies reported hair coverage improvements of 50–99% and, in one instance, 30% regrowth in totalis and 16% in partialis, with nearly complete regrowth in incipient alopecia. Clinical reports noted density increases of 9–31 hairs per cm² (e.g., from 121.7 to 146.6 hairs/cm², p < 0.001) and improvements in hair count, length, and thickness. Several studies detailed activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway along with enhanced dermal papilla and hair follicle stem cell function, as well as anti-inflammatory effects. Reported safety profiles were favorable; when adverse events occurred, they were limited to mild, transient local reactions with no severe systemic issues. EV-based therapy is a novel and biologically plausible approach for AA, but robust randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking. Standardization of small EV sources, doses, and delivery methods is essential before clinical translation. Full article

Precise lagoon bathymetry remains scarcely available for most tropical islands despite its importance for navigation, resource assessment, spatial planning, and numerical hydrodynamic modeling. Hydrodynamic models are increasingly used for instance to understand the ecological connectivity between marine populations of interest. Island remoteness and shallow waters complicate in situ bathymetric surveys, which are substantially costly. A multisource strategy using historical point sounding, multibeam surveys and well calibrated satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) can offer the possibility to map entirely extensive and geomorphologically complex lagoons. The process is illustrated here for the rugose complex lagoon of Gambier Islands in French Polynesia. The targeted bathymetry product was designed to be used in priority for numerical larval dispersal modeling at 100 m spatial resolution. Spatial gaps in in situ data were filed with Sentinel-2 satellite images processed with the Iterative Multi-Band Ratio method that provided an accurate bathymetric model (1.42 m Mean Absolute Error in the 0–15 m depth range). Processing was optimized here, considering the specifications and the constraints related to the targeted hydrodynamic modeling application. In the near future, a similar product, possibly at higher spatial resolution, could improve spatial planning zoning scenarios and resource-restocking programs. For tropical island countries and for French Polynesia, in particular, the needs for lagoon hydrodynamic models remain high and solutions could benefit from such multisource coverage to fill the bathymetry gaps. Full article

This study conducts a comparative content analysis of media coverage of the Russia–Ukraine war by China Global Television Network (CGTN) and Voice of America (VOA), focusing on emotional content and framing strategies. Analyzing 4997 articles from CGTN and 4975 articles from VOA, the study examines how each outlet emphasizes emotions such as neutrality, anger, fear, and hope. The findings reveal that CGTN predominantly adopts a neutral and analytical tone, prioritizing geopolitical implications; in contrast, VOA employs a more emotionally charged approach, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and expressing solidarity with Ukraine. While CGTN emphasizes hope and diplomatic solutions, VOA underscores anger and fear to justify international intervention and support for Ukraine. The contrasting framing strategies reflect the geopolitical interests of China and the U.S., with CGTN positioning China as a mediator advocating for peace and stability, and VOA framing Russia as the aggressor to bolster Western democratic values. By leveraging divergent emotional narratives, both media outlets serve the strategic objectives of their countries, shape global perceptions, and garner public support for their respective policies. This study contributes to understanding how emotional framing functions as a strategic tool in international media coverage during geopolitical conflicts. Full article

Most low- and middle-income governments are unwilling and unable to adequately fund their health systems using tax resources. Despite this route’s popularity in public discourse, it is neither a feasible nor a desirable route for financing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), given competing public finance priorities and limited citizen demand, among other challenges. It thus becomes essential to study the underlying mechanisms behind commercial health insurance and offer citizens the best possible product, which ensures that they not only receive a high degree of protection from health and financial risk on a sustained basis but also find reasonable access and support to improve their health outcomes. In this paper, we build a system-dynamics model that simulates the aggregate behavior of the Indian health-insurance industry, with interacting feedbacks between decisions by stakeholders such as the insurer, healthy and chronically ill populations, and the regulator to outcomes like insurance penetration among segments, overall coverage, health status over the long run, a mechanism of market-discovered premium, and financial viability of the private insurer. We then investigate policy choices and scenarios to explore contrast between design choices and ideal or targeted states of this market, such as a market with 100% enrollment, risk selection by insurers, group insurance models, and managed care, and study the impact on our outcomes of interest, i.e., insurance penetration and pricing, the financial sustainability of the insurers, and the population’s health outcomes. The simulations show that even while insurers and the different population segments optimize for their respective near-term objectives, the best outcomes for all come from the managed-care policy option, which has greater insurance penetration, lower premiums, higher profitability for insurers, and better long-term health outcomes. All other choices and scenarios yield suboptimal, imbalanced systemic outcomes. We thus recommend managed care as a desirable policy alternative for low-income countries intending to improve UHC by leveraging commercial health insurance. Full article

This study evaluates Limassol’s readiness to adopt the 15-minute city model through a spatial accessibility and urban-form analysis. Using openly available geo-referenced Points of Interest (POIs), road network data, land-use records, and census information, we generated 15-minute walking and cycling isochrones for eight essential urban functions: Education, Food, Green Areas, Health, Services, Shopping, Tourism, and Transport. Residential coverage within each isochrone was calculated to assess accessibility equity across the city. Urban sprawl was quantified using size, density, and fragmentation metrics derived from historical planning zones. Results show that while cycling accessibility is high for most categories (85–95% of residential areas), walking accessibility is considerably lower and unevenly distributed, with several critical functions, particularly Green Areas, Education, and Transport, serving less than half of the residential zones. The analysis also reveals increasing spatial fragmentation and outward population shifts consistent with low-density sprawl, driven by planning policies and development pressures. These findings indicate that Limassol is only partially aligned with the principles of the 15-minute city, with significant gaps in walkable access and decentralized service provision. The study concludes that targeted planning reforms, improved active-mobility infrastructure, and polycentric redistribution of amenities are necessary for enhancing accessibility equity and advancing the city’s transition toward a more sustainable and human-scaled urban model. Full article

The effectiveness of transit-oriented development (TOD) in achieving emission reductions and energy savings is highly influenced by policy frameworks, the accessibility of sustainable transport systems, and the degree of land use integration. This study investigated the implementation of TOD in Dukuh Atas along the Sudirman–Thamrin corridor in Jakarta to assess its role in promoting energy efficiency and lowering emissions. The analysis incorporated carbon emission calculations, annualized traffic volumes, and emissions data, alongside land use metrics such as the floor area ratio (FAR), job-to-housing ratio, and point-of-interest (POI) density. The findings indicate that while TOD implementation in the corridor is still evolving, there were positive outcomes in several key areas. Energy efficiency measures have been partially realized through the operation of electric buses in the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, electrified rail modes, such as commuter lines, mass rapid transit (MRT), and light rail transit (LRT), and improved pedestrian infrastructure, as reflected in a favorable Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI). Public transport ridership has significantly increased, contributing to a measurable reduction in emissions from private vehicle use. The land use analysis showed that medium- to high-density housing dominated (78.94% FAR), with a job-to-housing ratio of approximately 1:2. This study also found that the emission estimates were moderately sensitive to changes in both emission factors (EFs) and vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT). Overall, the results suggest that TOD can effectively contribute to energy savings and emission reductions by enhancing public transport usage and reducing dependence on motorcycles. Moreover, the efficacy of modal shifting in the Global South is significantly influenced by population mobility characteristics, which are intricately linked to socio-cultural factors, alongside government initiatives to improve the quality of mass public transportation systems (e.g., integration, availability, service coverage, affordable fares, and inclusive design). Full article

It is crucial to control and comprehend the interaction between elemental adsorbates and two-dimensional materials to drive future generations of electronic, sensing, and energy applications. One such material, particularly interesting from the perspective of tunability, is silicene—the silicon-based cousin of graphene. In this work, we investigate nearly 2000 atomic adsorption models on silicene via a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning (ML). Different systems with varied adsorption geometries, element identities, and surface coverages were optimized using spin-polarized DFT, and the most stable configurations were selected based on adsorption energy. This information was used to train various ML models, including tree-based models and artificial neural networks, to predict adsorption geometry (classification) and adsorption energy (regression). The current hybrid DFT + ML approach provides a transferable framework for high-throughput screening of element-functionalized silicene and other 2D surfaces, which is of immense importance in directing surface modification strategies in electronic and catalytic device engineering. Full article

Fractional calculus provides powerful tools for modeling nonlocality, dissipative systems, and, when defined in the time representation, provides an interesting memory effect in mathematical physics. In this paper, we review four standard fractional approaches: the Riemann–Liouville, Gerasimov–Caputo, Grünwald–Letnikov, and Riesz formulations. We present their definitions, basic properties, Weyl–Marchaud, and physical interpretations. We also give a brief review of related operators that have been used recently in applications but have received less attention in the physical literature: the fractional Laplacian, conformable derivatives, and the Fractional Action-Like Variational Approach (FALVA) for variational principles with fractional action weights. Our emphasis is on how these operators are, and can be, applied in physical problems rather than on exhaustive coverage of the field. This review is intended as an accessible introduction for physicists working in diverse areas interested in fractional calculus and fractional methods. For deeper technical or domain-specific treatments, readers are encouraged to consult the works in the corresponding fields, for which the bibliography suggests a starting point. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable alternatives to animal and synthetic leathers has accelerated interest in mycelium-based materials as an eco-friendly solution for the fashion industry. This study explores the potential of mushroom mycelium to create leather-like materials that align with circular fashion principles. Five species of edible and medicinal mushrooms were cultivated on sawdust substrates and evaluated for their growth performance, physical properties, and suitability as leather substitutes. Growth analysis revealed distinct species-specific behaviors: Cubamyces flavidus and Lentinus squarrosulus exhibited rapid colonization, achieving full substrate coverage within five days and forming dense mycelial networks at 14 days. In contrast, despite growing more slowly, Sanghuangporus vaninii and Ganoderma gibbosum formed thicker, more compact mats that might be suitable for strong leather-like materials. Visual and structural assessments showed diverse textures, colors, and hyphal architectures resembling natural leather. Physical characterization revealed shrinkage ranging from 13.17% to 24.09%, higher than for cow tanned leather (>5%) and PU microfiber (0.1–1.2%), suggesting a need for stabilization treatments. Apparent densities ranged from 0.13 g/cm³ to 0.30 g/cm³, lower than those of cow leather (0.49 g/cm³) and PU leather (0.38 g/cm³), highlighting species-specific hyphal structures that influence flexibility, porosity, and strength. SEM imaging confirmed the presence of interwoven hyphal mats resembling the fibrous architecture of natural leather, with S. vaninii showing the most uniform and continuous structure. Water absorption was significantly higher in mycelium sheets, consistent with their microporous nature, though S. vaninii showed the lowest uptake, reflecting possible natural water absorption. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed three-stage degradation profiles, with S. vaninii and G. gibbosum retaining >35% mass at 400 °C, indicating strong thermal stability for processing techniques such as hot pressing and finishing. Overall, the results demonstrate mycelium-based leathers as a biodegradable, low-impact alternative that can replicate the visual and functional characteristics of traditional leather, with opportunities for further improvement in substrate optimization, eco-tanning, surface coating, and scalable production toward a sustainable fashion future. Full article

Urban areas are growing, often at the expense of native ecosystems. As a result, indigenous lands (ILs) have become critical refuges for biodiversity, essential for sustainability and sit at the intersection of cultural, economic, and environmental interests. ILs play a double role in this context: they protect native biodiversity but are often framed as barriers to economic growth. In Brazil, nearly 14% of the territory is demarcated as ILs. This has led to conflicts with Brazil’s agricultural sector, particularly in the southernmost states, where agribusiness drives the economy. We hypothesize that this conflict leads to agricultural encroachment of ILs, which might become extension of farms, compromising their sustainability. We analyzed two decades of public data on soy coverage within ILs in Brazil’s southernmost states (Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul) and found that soy cultivation in ILs increased by over 116% in the last two decades, peaking in 2019 at 177% above the 2001 baseline. We argue that ILs urgently need a framework that enables the communities therein to benefit from income originating from land lease, while ensuring that encroachment is limited and does not pose threats to native biodiversity. This can be challenging due to growing political pressure to weaken socioenvironmental protection and ILs’ demarcation but is nevertheless essential for the sustainable coexistence of urban areas, farms, and ILs. Full article

Jiangnan water towns, as distinctive cultural landscapes in China, are confronting the dual challenge of surging tourist flows and imbalances in spatial distribution. Research on pedestrian dynamics has so far offered narrow coverage of influencing factors and limited insight into underlying mechanisms, falling short of a systemic perspective and an interpretable theoretical framework. This study uses Nanxun Ancient Town as a case study to address this gap. Pedestrian trajectories were captured using temporarily installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras within the scenic area and extracted using the YOLOv8 object detection algorithm. These data were then integrated with quantified environmental indicators and analyzed through Random Forest regression with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpretation, enabling quantitative and interpretable exploration of pedestrian dynamics. The results indicate nonlinear and context-dependent effects of environmental factors on pedestrian dynamics and that tourist flows are jointly shaped by multi-level, multi-type factors and their interrelations, producing complex and adaptive impact pathways. First, within this enclosed scenic area, spatial morphology—such as lane width, ground height, and walking distance to entrances—imposes fundamental constraints on global crowd distributions and movement patterns, whereas spatial accessibility does not display its usual salience in this context. Second, perceptual and functional attributes—including visual attractiveness, shading, and commercial points of interest—cultivate local “visiting atmospheres” through place imagery, perceived comfort, and commercial activity. Finally, nodal elements—such as signboards, temporary vendors, and public service facilities—produce multi-scale, site-centered effects that anchor and perturb flows and reinforce lingering, backtracking, and clustering at bridgeheads, squares, and comparable nodes. This study advances a shift from static and global description to a mechanism-oriented explanatory framework and clarifies the differentiated roles and linkages among environmental factors by integrating video-based trajectory analytics with machine learning interpretation. This framework demonstrates the applicability of surveillance and computer vision techniques for studying pedestrian dynamics in small-scale heritage settings, and offers practical guidance for heritage conservation and sustainable tourism management in similar historic environments. Full article

Background: The morphology of the acromion has long been implicated in shoulder pathology, particularly in relation to subacromial impingement and rotator cuff disease. More recently, interest has shifted toward the posterior acromion, with studies examining its potential role in posterior instability, eccentric glenohumeral osteoarthritis, and massive rotator cuff tears. Methods: A critical literature review of nine studies assessing sagittal acromial tilt, posterior coverage, and acromial height was conducted, emphasizing reproducibility and clinical significance across different shoulder disorders. Results: In posterior instability and eccentric osteoarthritis, the acromion is generally described as more horizontally oriented, less covering posteriorly, and positioned higher. Conversely, in massive cuff tears, it tends to appear more posteriorly covering without consistent change in tilt. Although these trends suggest a possible biomechanical role for the acromion, reported values vary widely between studies, and significant overlap exists between pathological and control groups. Such variability is compounded by differences in imaging modality, definitions of anatomical landmarks, and the frequent reduction of three-dimensional structures into two-dimensional projections. These methodological inconsistencies undermine reproducibility and limit the clinical applicability of posterior acromial parameters. Conclusions: Posterior acromial morphology appears to influence shoulder biomechanics, but existing measurements should be considered population-level markers rather than diagnostic thresholds. Future research should adopt standardized, three-dimensional, pathology-independent reference models anchored to stable scapular landmarks and validated across imaging modalities to improve reproducibility and clinical utility. Full article

The detection of high-consequence viral pathogens is essential for spillover prevention and reduction in transmission but is limited by the low sensitivity of next-generation sequencing technology. Low-titer field samples from a variety of hosts are primarily composed of non-viral genomic material, reducing the probability of obtaining usable sequence data. Targeted enrichment, such as VirCapSeq-VERT, removes background genomic material to improve virus detection but is mainly used for sequencing clinical samples. We customized the VirCapSeq-VERT probe system to aid in the detection of zoonotic viruses of interest and adapted it for use on the Oxford Nanopore sequencing platform. We validated the method on a variety of samples, including a mock virome consisting of seven RNA viruses, samples from an animal laboratory study, and a set of animal field samples. We also developed Nanite, a lightweight bioinformatics pipeline, to perform bioinformatic analyses. Results indicated that the optimized enrichment protocol improved sequencing by enhancing the detection of viruses, increasing read lengths, and, in some cases, improving genomic coverage. Most importantly, the sequencing of zoonotic viruses was improved in field samples with low titers, suggesting that this protocol is a useful tool for increasing the efficacy of Oxford Nanopore sequencing for field-oriented applications. Full article

There is growing interest in utilising urban parks as nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and rising temperatures by improving thermal comfort. Nonetheless, understanding remains limited on how different park configurations influence summer thermal comfort, particularly under future warming scenarios. This novel study evaluates park configurations across different neighbourhood layouts within Perth’s Mediterranean climate under both present and future conditions. Study precincts were modelled and simulated using ENVI-met version 5.5 for an average current summer day, based on 25 years of local weather data and climate projections for 2090 under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario, representing the worst-case scenario. Results showed that park surfaces were consistently cooler than surrounding streets based on LST; however, this did not always translate into improved thermal comfort, as exposed grass areas often exhibited high Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) values. PET has been confirmed as the most suitable outdoor human thermal comfort index. Canopy cover and vegetation type, particularly tall trees and bushland, were more influential than park size or configuration in enhancing thermal comfort. These findings provide evidence-based insights, highlighting the importance of strategies that prioritise tree canopy coverage to enhance urban cooling and resilience to climate change. Full article