Search Results (5,488)

Evaluating urban mobility transitions is essential to determine whether local transport interventions support broader sustainability goals. Cities increasingly implement initiatives to promote public transport, active mobility, and low-carbon transport systems. Still, assessing their impact on city-scale structural change remains challenging. Existing evaluation approaches often rely on project-level monitoring or fragmented indicators, which limits cross-city comparison and the assessment of long-term system transformation. This paper proposes a dual-track methodology to evaluate sustainable urban mobility interventions. The first track uses city-defined key performance indicators to capture local implementation processes, governance dynamics, and perceived outcomes. The second track relies on publicly available open data to assess city-scale changes in mobility indicators, including public transport accessibility, cycling infrastructure provision, and traffic-related air pollution. The methodology is applied to ten European cities using open data and satellite-based environmental indicators. Results indicate that while cities report progress at the project level, external indicators show limited short-term structural change in city-wide mobility systems. These findings highlight the value of open data as an independent evaluation layer that contextualises local results and supports transparent assessment of urban mobility transitions. Full article

Nitrogen (N) availability is a critical determinant of grain yield and protein quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying nitrogen response associated with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), a comparative transcriptomic analysis of high grain protein content (HP) and low grain protein content (LP) wheat lines during N resupply at the seedling stage is conducted in this study, with sampling conducted at T1 (one day after treatment) and T3 (three days after treatment). Our results reveal that the HP line exhibits an early-responsive and well-coordinated metabolic pattern, whereas the LP line shows a distinct temporal response characterized by delayed adjustments. Integrated GSEA and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the HP line prioritized protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and diterpenoid biosynthesis, potentially associated with enhanced protein quality control and early signaling efficacy. This allows the HP line to synchronize its N assimilation machinery with the transient peak of N availability at T1 and establishes a robust foundation for protein accumulation. Conversely, the LP line redirected its metabolic resources toward glutathione metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis to mitigate N-induced oxidative instability. This metabolic shift increases the energetic usage required for antioxidant defense and subsequently deviates resources away from productive N assimilation. These divergent metabolic landscapes were orchestrated by a hierarchical network of transcription factors (TFs). In leaves, the MYB and NAC families showed a more disciplined and immediate increase in the HP line, whereas the LP line demonstrated a delayed peak at T3. In root tissues, while Dof and NAC families were rapidly induced and concluded in the HP line, the LP line exhibited a sluggish sensing-to-response mechanism with prolonged or specific late-stage activation at T3. These results indicate that the capacity for rapid metabolic synchronization and disciplined transcriptomic mobilization is a key physiological indicator of high-protein potential in wheat. This insight provides essential molecular targets for breeding programs aimed at improving NUE and grain quality. Full article

Objective: To determine which physical clinical test best differentiates minimally impaired people with MS (pwMS) from healthy controls and to compare the discriminatory value of upper limb clinical assessments with sensor-based gait and postural control measures. Methods: Forty-one participants (21 pwMS, 20 matched healthy controls) completed a single testing session including upper limb clinical assessments (Nine-Hole Peg Test [9HPT], grip strength), gait (Timed 25-Foot Walk, Six-Minute Walk Test, and cognitive–walking dual task), and static balance assessments using wearable inertial sensors (APDM Mobility Lab system). Dual-task costs (DTCs) were calculated for gait parameters. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests. Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine interrelationships among gait variables, and a parsimonious binary logistic regression model was constructed, including non-dominant 9HPT and dual-task walking speed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to evaluate discriminative performance and determine the optimal 9HPT cutoff. Results: PwMS performed significantly slower on the 9HPT for both hands (p ≤ 0.006) and demonstrated reduced walking performance and higher gait DTCs (p ≤ 0.041) compared with controls. No significant group differences were observed in grip strength or sensor-based postural control. In multivariable analysis, the overall model was significant (p < 0.001; Nagelkerke R² = 0.49), and the non-dominant 9HPT remained the only independent predictor of group status (OR = 1.75, 95% CI [1.17–2.61]), whereas dual-task walking speed was not significant after adjustment. ROC analysis demonstrated good discriminative ability for the non-dominant 9HPT (AUC = 0.84, 95% CI [0.71–0.97]) and acceptable discrimination for dual-task walking speed (AUC = 0.75, 95% CI [0.60–0.90]). The optimal 9HPT cutoff was ≥21.4 s, yielding 71% sensitivity and 100% specificity in this cohort. Conclusions: Manual dexterity of the non-dominant hand may serve as a sensitive screening marker of early functional impairment in MS, demonstrating greater discriminatory value than sensor-based gait and balance measures. These findings support the inclusion of upper limb dexterity testing in the routine assessment of minimally impaired pwMS. Validation in larger, longitudinal cohorts is warranted. Full article

The incorporation of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixtures improves sustainability but significantly reduces the intrinsic self-healing capacity due to binder aging. This study aimed to quantify whether epoxy-coated rejuvenator microcapsules could restore and enhance the self-healing performance of RAP-containing recycled asphalt mixtures. Four mixture types (AC-10C, AC-13C, AC-16C, and SMA-13C) containing 20% RAP were evaluated using a fracture–healing–refracture bending test (Repair index, R_C) and a splitting healing strength ratio (S_HSR) test to determine the effects of healing time, temperature, and microcapsule dosage. R_C increased rapidly during the first 8 h of healing and then approached stabilization, with the growth rate falling below 2%, indicating 8 h as the practical optimum healing duration. R_C increased from 0 °C to 45 °C due to enhanced binder mobility and diffusion, and slightly decreased at 60 °C because temperature-induced softening reduced peak bending strength. The highest self-healing capacity was obtained at a microcapsule dosage of 4% (by RAP mass). Under the optimum healing condition (8 h and 45 °C), R_C increased by 10.38%–13.50% and S_HSR increased by 14.35%–25.27% compared with mixtures without microcapsules. Among the mixtures, SMA-13C exhibited the highest self-healing capacity, followed by AC-13C, AC-10C, and AC-16C. The contribution of this study lies in quantifying the healing enhancement in RAP-containing mixtures, identifying practical optimum healing conditions based on a growth-rate criterion, and demonstrating consistent trends between two healing indices across different mixture structures. Full article

This article presents the results of investigations into washed mineral waste (WMW) from grit chambers, fly ash generated during the thermal treatment of municipal sewage sludge (SSA), and their mixtures prepared in varying proportions. Their general physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations were presented. An experiment was conducted to assess the mobility of metals in the analyzed samples during extraction with distilled water and groundwater. The feasibility and safety of using the recovered materials in the ground environment, as soil backfills, and as materials for the construction of roads and flood embankments, were assessed. The feasibility of safely using materials in the indicated construction solutions was demonstrated for WMW and mixtures with a dominant WMW content. These results will be helpful in further research on solid waste applications. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to confirm the ecological safety of the analyzed wastes, as evidenced by assessments of heavy metal content and mobility. Furthermore, taking into account the laboratory and field costs associated with waste verification to obtain appropriate values for other physical and mechanical parameters (e.g., compaction index or shear strength), and the need to determine the level of waste contamination before practical application, the physicochemical tests carried out are economically justified. Full article

Listeria innocua is a bacterium frequently detected in food and food production plants (FPPs). Understanding the heterogeneity of L. innocua food isolates is essential for predicting potential food safety threats and developing preventive and control measures. This study aimed to characterize L. innocua isolated from raw drinking milk by investigating the genomic features related to virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and persistence using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), along with phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disk diffusion method. All ten isolates analyzed in this study belonged to sequence type (ST) 492 and were distantly related to the reference strain. A total of 80 virulence-associated genes were identified, including the complete Listeria Pathogenicity Islands-3 (LIPI-3) and LIPI-4 clusters typically found in virulent L. monocytogenes clones, as well as 66 additional genes involved in adhesion, invasion, motility, post-translational modification, regulation, immune modulation, and stress survival. Stress survival islet 2 (SSI-2) and genes encoding the Clp protease complex (clpC, clpE, clpP), which support both persistence and virulence, were also detected, whereas LIPI-1 and internalin genes were not detected. The antimicrobial resistance determinants included fosX, lin, norB, sul, and three multidrug efflux pumps (lde, mdrL and mdrM). Mobile genetic elements (plasmids, prophages, or transposons) were not detected. All isolates were phenotypically susceptible to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, meropenem, erythromycin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing genomic surveillance of L. innocua in food environments and highlight the need to assess the potential risk posed by specific lineages, such as ST492, to food safety. Full article

Nutritionally crucial unsaturated fatty acids, especially rich in high omega-3 bonds, are very prone to oxidation. This phenomenon makes oxidation stability a substantial challenge in every formulation, especially those which contain or at some stage of preparation contain water. Bigels and emulgels, which represent promising structured lipid systems for replacing saturated and trans fats in food formulations, pose significant oxidative stability challenges. This review examines oxidation mechanisms in such biphasic systems. Oxidation in bigels and emulgels proceeds through both free-radical-mediated autoxidation and metal-ion-catalysed pathways, with the oil–water interface serving as the primary reaction zone where pro-oxidants concentrate, and lipid substrates become accessible. Structural configuration critically determines oxidative stability, following the sequence W/O bigel > bicontinuous bigel > O/W bigel. The high viscosity of gel matrices provides substantial protection by restricting radical mobility and oxygen diffusion. Mass transfer occurs via diffusion, collision–exchange–separation, and micelle-assisted mechanisms, with association colloids forming localized interfaces that accelerate oxidation. Thermal processing presents particular challenges, as temperatures above 50 °C disrupt most gel structures and accelerate oxidative degradation. Effective protective strategies include interfacial engineering with emulsifiers to reduce oil–water interfacial tension, incorporation of natural antioxidants (e.g., phenolic compounds and tocopherols), and synergistic antioxidant combinations. This review provides a mechanistic framework for formulating oxidatively stable bigels and emulgels suitable for food applications. Full article

While pricing policy has emerged as a critical demand-side lever for decarbonizing mobility, its bidirectional effects on modal shift remain unexplored. Dynamic pricing in high-speed rail (HSR) creates a double-edged environmental outcome: advance discounts attract passengers from aviation, yet last-minute premiums may reverse these gains. Using 2.4 million price observations from Madrid–Barcelona (2019), we introduce a carbon leakage framework that quantifies this phenomenon within a multi-source validated framework. Our analysis reveals a structural tension: while early-bird pricing attracts 274,431 annual passengers from aviation—saving 23,650 tonnes CO₂/year—last-minute scarcity premiums systematically drive passengers back to air travel. Multi-source calibrated elasticity ($\epsilon =-0.95$, validated through triangulation across CNMC corridor data, meta-analytic evidence, and recent empirical studies within the range $[-1.91,-0.75]$) shows that 22.3% of last-minute tickets exceed the EUR 120 aviation threshold, creating 1511 tonnes CO₂ leakage annually (6.4% offset of gross savings). Critically, this leakage ratio is shown to be structurally independent of elasticity specification, being determined by the price distribution shape rather than demand parameters. Scenario analysis suggests that under static assumptions, price caps at EUR 110–120 would eliminate leakage while preserving an estimated 94% of operator revenue, though general equilibrium effects remain unmodeled. These findings identify illustrative scenario thresholds for carbon-aware revenue management, demonstrating that demand-side decarbonization requires not only attracting passengers to sustainable modes but also preventing their reversal to high-carbon alternatives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Joubert syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by congenital cerebellar and brainstem malformations affecting networks involved in predictive motor control, sensorimotor integration, and autonomic regulation, resulting in a heterogeneous motor phenotype. Functional impairment is typically described using global gross motor scores, which may not adequately reflect axial control, postural organization, musculoskeletal alignment, or respiratory–postural interactions. The objective of this descriptive pilot case series was to provide a multidimensional functional characterization of children with Joubert syndrome by integrating standardized motor assessments with postural, musculoskeletal, and thoracoabdominal measures. Methods: Six children with genetically and radiologically confirmed Joubert syndrome underwent a single standardized assessment session conducted by the same examiner. This cross-sectional, non-controlled study was based on feasibility sampling, and no a priori power calculation was performed. Gross motor function and postural control were evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 and the Balance Assessment Rating Scale. Additional measures included joint range of motion, sacral inclination angle, thoracic configuration, thoracic excursion during quiet breathing, and respiratory rate. Analyses were limited to descriptive statistics. Results: Gross motor performance varied widely across participants, whereas postural control scores did not parallel gross motor performance levels within the cohort. Inter-individual variability was observed in joint mobility, pelvic alignment, and thoracoabdominal configuration, including among children with relatively preserved gross motor scores. Thoracic excursion during quiet breathing demonstrated a relatively narrow and low within-cohort range. Conclusions: In this small exploratory case series, functional characteristics observed in this cohort extended beyond global motor scores. Axial control, postural organization, and thoracoabdominal configuration may represent relevant descriptive domains of functional presentation within a multidimensional framework. Larger, longitudinal, and controlled studies are required to determine their clinical and neurodevelopmental significance. Full article

Impurity profiling is of significant analytical and regulatory importance, particularly in the context of lifecycle quality management. A robust chaotropic chromatography method was developed for the determination of olanzapine and its two oxidative degradation products in tablets, in accordance with the ICH Q14 guideline and the principles of Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD). Risk assessment was performed using a combination of the Ishikawa diagram, CNX (Control, Noise and eXperimental) classification, and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). This multistep evaluation identified the critical analytical procedure parameters (APPs) as the acetonitrile content in the mobile phase, the concentration of perchloric acid in the aqueous phase, and the pH of the aqueous phase. These APPs were studied using an experimental design approach to model their effects on key analytical procedure attributes and to compute a multidimensional design space. Robust optimization supported by Monte Carlo simulations ensured compliance with predefined acceptance criteria with a probability of at least 95%. Method validation demonstrated adequate selectivity, limits of quantification of 0.75 µg/mL and 0.5 µg/mL for impurities B and D, linearity with correlation coefficients ≥0.990, accuracy of 98–102% for olanzapine and 70–130% for impurities, and repeatability with RSD ≤2% for the assay and ≤10% for impurities. The method was successfully applied to commercial tablet analysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plasmids are key vehicles for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), yet their contribution to the global resistome architecture of Escherichia coli remains poorly resolved. This study aimed to quantify how plasmid backbones shape the distribution, mobility, and stabilization of resistance genes across diverse phylogenetic backgrounds. Methods: We analyze 9700 high-quality genomes spanning major phylogroups and sequence types. Plasmidome reconstruction was integrated with lineage-resolved antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) mapping to characterize plasmid–ARG associations and evolutionary patterns. Results: Although most antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are chromosomal, plasmids disproportionately encode clinically important determinants including bla_NDM-5, mcr-1.1, and multiple bla_CTX-M alleles that show strong, recurrent associations with a restricted set of backbone families, most notably IncX3, IncX4, IncI, and IncF. These conserved plasmid–gene modules recur across phylogenetic backgrounds and continental scales. We identify a marked divergence in evolutionary strategies: generalist phylogroups (A, B1, D) maintain plasmid-rich and highly diverse resistomes, whereas globally dominant Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) clones such as ST131 and ST410 exhibit reduced plasmid dependency and frequent chromosomal integration of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes, particularly bla_CTX-M-15, consistent with a shift toward vertically stabilized resistomes. By integrating plasmidome reconstruction with lineage-resolved ARG mapping, this study delivers the most extensive plasmid-focused resistome analysis to date, revealing highly modular plasmid–ARG networks structured around a small number of high-risk backbone types. These backbones account for the majority of globally relevant ARGs, including 64.6% of bla_NDM-5 and 76.4% of mcr-1.1 detections. Conclusions: Together, our findings establish plasmid lineages rather than individual genes or clones as central units of AMR dissemination and critical targets for future genomic surveillance and intervention strategies. Full article

With the deepening of fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) commercialization and the surge in demand for intelligent connectivity of all things, the sixth-generation mobile communication technology (6G) has entered a phase of technological breakthroughs. The innovation in antenna design will determine the upper limits of 6G communication. This paper systematically reviews the research progress on antenna technology for 6G communications, focusing on operating frequency bands, antenna structure design, and materials and packaging technologies. The development of 6G communication technology drives antenna research toward higher-frequency bands, with the current research focus extending from the millimeter wave (mmWave) band to the terahertz (THz) band. Compared to the traditional mmWave band, the THz band shows significant advantages in performance indicators. At the antenna structure level, its development trend is mainly reflected in the following three aspects: size miniaturization, scale expansion and distributed deployment, and expansion of frequency bands and functions. New materials and advanced packaging have become key enabling technologies: materials with low-loss characteristics and tunable surface conductivity have become research focuses. Meanwhile, advanced packaging processes achieve miniaturization and high-performance integration of antenna systems. This review aims to provide a systematic technical reference for the research and engineering development of next-generation 6G antennas. Full article

The convergence of climate change, migration, and health represents a critical global challenge, with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region illustrating acute vulnerabilities while offering insight relevant beyond the region. Increasing exposure to extreme heat, droughts, and floods drives displacement, constrained mobility, and adaptive migration, placing additional pressure on already stretched health systems. This paper proposes an integrated Nexus Action Framework for Climate Change, Migration, and Health (NAF-CMH) to address these interlinked dynamics and move beyond fragmented, sector-specific responses. The framework conceptualizes human mobility both as a potential resilience strategy and as a determinant of health, encompassing climate-affected migrants, displaced populations, and those experiencing involuntary immobility across diverse pathways and settings. It promotes systematic integration of health considerations into climate adaptation and migration governance and situates these interventions within the broader agenda of climate-resilient health systems. Drawing on a non-systematic narrative review of peer-reviewed and grey literature, complemented by the authors’ expertise, the paper identifies seven interrelated pillars for coordinated policy and operational action. While grounded in MENA-specific vulnerabilities, the framework is flexible and adaptable to other regions facing climate-driven mobility challenges. By providing an operational architecture for multisector collaboration, the NAF-CMH supports policymakers, public health authorities, and migration actors in strengthening resilience, reducing vulnerability and safeguarding health amid accelerating climate impacts and evolving mobility patterns. Full article

Extant literature captures the benefits and risks concerning young adults’ use of digital technologies and platforms, but it does not unilaterally recognize the drivers of problematic digital behavior. Those drivers might differ across dimensions of young adults’ digital lives, their socioeconomic backgrounds, and other demographic determinants. In this study, we analyze the determinants of addictive digital behavior of economics and business students from a Southeast European (SEE) sample of 372 participants. We measure digital addictive behavior regarding Internet use, with a focus on mobile phones, using established psychological scales. Our results show that age is generally associated with lower problematic digital behavior (significant in the full sample), while female students report higher PRIUSS-3 scores than male students. Higher ICT proficiency is associated with lower PRIUSS-3 and MPPUS-10 scores. Daily screen time is associated with higher MPPUS-10 scores, but it does not significantly predict PRIUSS-3 in the multivariable model. The empirical results can be used to frame the higher education policies and targeted interventions in the SEE region. Full article

Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is essential for mobility, metabolic homeostasis, and clinical outcomes across a wide spectrum of physiological and pathological conditions. While muscle atrophy and hypertrophy have traditionally been interpreted through upstream anabolic–catabolic signaling and proteolytic pathways, accumulating evidence indicates that ribosome biogenesis and translational control represent rate-limiting determinants of muscle plasticity. However, this regulatory layer remains insufficiently integrated into current models of muscle adaptation and disease. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in ribosomal RNA transcription, ribosomal protein dynamics, and translational regulation in skeletal muscle, with particular emphasis on signaling networks governed by mTORC1, c-Myc, AMPK, and FOXO. We highlight ribosome biogenesis as a central hub linking mechanical loading, nutrient availability, inflammatory stress, and metabolic status to protein synthesis capacity. Evidence from human and animal studies demonstrates that impaired ribosome production and translational efficiency precede and predict muscle atrophy in disuse, aging, cancer cachexia, and chronic disease, whereas ribosome expansion is a prerequisite for sustained hypertrophy. Beyond quantitative regulation, we discuss the emerging concept of ribosome heterogeneity as a qualitative layer of translational control that may enable selective mRNA translation during muscle growth, stress adaptation, and degeneration. We further examine ribosome–mitochondria crosstalk as a critical but underexplored mechanism coordinating anabolic capacity with cellular energetics. Finally, we outline therapeutic implications, highlighting exercise, nutritional strategies, and indirect pharmacological interventions that preserve ribosomal competence, and propose ribosome-based biomarkers as promising tools for precision management of muscle-wasting disorders. Collectively, this review positions ribosome biology as a translationally relevant framework bridging molecular mechanisms with therapeutic perspectives in skeletal muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. Full article