Search Results (4,717)

Bone loss in the maxillofacial region arises from multiple causes, including periodontal disease, trauma, surgical procedures, infection, congenital anomalies, and cancer. Traditional treatment relies on bone grafting, either alone or in combination with biomaterials. Advances in tissue engineering have introduced synthetic or natural scaffolds to mimic the mineralized bone matrix. Natural scaffolds offer excellent biocompatibility and similarity to native tissue but often lack sufficient mechanical strength and exhibit poor degradation rates. Synthetic scaffolds provide tunable porosity and mechanical stability; however, their biological inertness makes them poor sources of osteogenic signaling. A key factor in the success of any scaffold is its interaction with the host immune system. Upon implantation, the innate immune response is initiated, with neutrophils and macrophages being the first cells to contact the scaffold. Macrophage polarization toward proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes determines whether the microenvironment favors inflammation or remodeling. The adaptive immune response also plays a critical role: T and B lymphocytes may promote tolerance and integration through Th2/Treg pathways and antibody-mediated regulation, or they may trigger chronic inflammation and rejection through Th1/Th17 activation. This review examines the natural and synthetic materials used for bone remodeling and their biological properties. It then outlines the sequence of immune events occurring from the moment a scaffold is implanted to its potential integration or failure. Finally, this study highlights the relevance of cellular models and in vitro assays for the early evaluation of immunogenicity and biocompatibility, which are essential for optimizing scaffold design and improving outcomes in maxillofacial bone regeneration. Full article

With environmental issues growing globally, action for environmental protection is necessary to prevent further loss of biodiversity. One avenue for addressing these issues is through civic action. While programs have been developed to introduce youth to civic action during adolescence with the help of trained educators, little is known about educator self-efficacy (SE) in facilitating this type of program. To assess the SE of pre-service educators (PSEs) in facilitating a civic action curriculum, a workshop was hosted to introduce 30 PSEs to the process of a civic action project. This workshop was used to conduct an exploratory study with a convenience sample of PSEs. A mixed-methods pre- and post-survey with no control group was used to compare SE before and after the workshop. A statistically significant increase in SE was observed from the pre- to the post-survey (p < 0.01), suggesting an increase in PSE SE in guiding youth through a civic engagement project. Additionally, open-ended questions about PSE’s understanding of civic engagement suggested that the educators had a limited understanding of civic engagement for youth prior to the workshop but improved their understanding following the workshop. While limited by the exploratory nature and small sample size, these findings suggest that PSEs may benefit from participation in similar workshops to support their self-efficacy to facilitate youth-led civic action projects. Full article

Large language models (LLMs) offer a flexible interface for human–machine interaction, but their direct use in embedded control remains difficult because low-cost microcontrollers cannot host such models locally and unconstrained language generation is not physically grounded. This paper presents EdgeTalk-MCU, a local host–microcontroller framework for low-latency natural-language control of resource-constrained devices. The system couples a locally deployed LLM on the host side with an ESP32-S3 microcontroller through a lightweight serial protocol and closes the loop with real-time state feedback. The reported end-to-end decision latency of ∼0.15 s refers to the host-side inference pipeline; physical platform latency additionally includes UART round-trip and servo actuation overhead. The design combines two complementary mechanisms: a state-aware prompt constraint that injects task progress and physical state into the host-side policy, and a runtime shield that enforces hard execution consistency before actuation. This decomposition separates raw policy quality from executed safety. Across representative obstacle scenarios in simulation, unshielded controllers remain unreliable—LLM-only and Prompt-only exhibit collision rates of 30.6% and 26.5%, respectively, in the Sudden Obstacle setting—whereas both shielded methods reduce collision to 0%. An ablation study confirms that the runtime shield is the decisive safety mechanism; the state-aware prompt constraint contributes primarily at the raw-proposal level by reducing the fraction of unsafe proposals submitted to the shield, rather than by independently guaranteeing safe execution. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) validation on a physical ESP32-S3 platform confirms that the same qualitative pattern holds under real sensing and communication conditions. Full article

Pear fruits host diverse microbial communities that influence postharvest quality, spontaneous fermentation, and susceptibility to microbial contamination. This study characterizes the fungal communities associated with naturally fallen overripe pears (Pyrus communis) using ITS2 amplicon sequencing combined with culture-dependent approaches. The fungal community exhibited low diversity and was dominated by Ascomycota (99%), primarily Saccharomycetes (91.8%), with Hanseniaspora, Aureobasidium, and Microcyclospora representing more than 90% of the total microbial community. Culture-dependent isolation confirmed Hanseniaspora uvarum as the dominant yeast species (~89%), followed by Metschnikowia spp. and Pichia spp. Pairwise co-culture assays, quantified using the Relative Interaction Index, demonstrated predominantly competitive interactions, with fast-growing H. uvarum exerting suppressive effects on slower-growing species. Among the isolated yeasts, Metschnikowia fructicola exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua and Salmonella typhimurium. The strongest antibacterial activity was exerted against the foodborne pathogen S. aureus. In a pear juice model system, co-cultivation with M. fructicola resulted in the elimination of S. aureus within four days, while yeast viability was maintained. These findings observe the fermentative yeasts distributed in overripe pears and demonstrate the potential of M. fructicola to inhibit bacterial growth under controlled conditions. The results provide a preliminary basis for further studies on fungal succession, yeast interactions, and the biocontrol potential of pear-associated yeasts. For broader ecological conclusions, larger-scale studies across locations, seasons, cultivars, and decay stages are required. Full article

Türkiye has many historically rich cities that host structures of significant cultural value. These structures, especially masonry bridges, reflect the construction techniques and materials of the periods in which they were built. However, studies on the origins of these bridges and the structural deteriorations that develop over time are limited. This situation may lead to damage and even the risk of collapse if necessary precautions are not taken. In this study, stone and mortar samples were first collected from the historic Pamukçular (Şifalısu) Bridge in Bitlis, and the collected materials were analyzed. The structural behavior of the bridge under seismic effects was then investigated using the Finite Element Method (FEM). A three-dimensional geometric model of the bridge was created, and material parameters were defined based on values from the material analyses. Static analysis under self-weight and modal analysis were performed in the ABAQUS software (Version 6.14) to obtain the natural frequencies. Under the bridge’s self-weight, local stress concentrations were concentrated at the arch crown and pier-arch connections, with maximum tensile and compressive stresses reaching approximately 0.15 MPa and 0.27 MPa, respectively. These low stress levels demonstrate that the structure remains fully stable under static loading conditions. Finally, dynamic analyses in the time domain were carried out. In these analyses, records from the 2011 Van Earthquake and the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake were used to identify the bridge’s critical regions and evaluate its seismic performance. The results indicate that the overall structural stability is adequate; however, local stress concentrations occur in the arch crown and pier connection regions. The study provides engineering-based recommendations for preserving and strengthening historic masonry bridges. Full article

Folate is a central nutrient in one-carbon metabolism, contributing to nucleotide biosynthesis, methionine cycling, methyl-donor supply, and epigenetic regulation. In animals, the intestine is both a principal site of folate absorption and a key target organ for folate action. This narrative review focuses primarily on livestock, poultry, aquaculture species, ruminants, and animal-source food enrichment, while also using rodent, human, and in vitro studies as mechanistic or translational evidence. We synthesize evidence on folate absorption, transport, and metabolism and evaluate the mechanisms through which folate influences intestinal health. Available evidence suggests that adequate folate supply may support epithelial renewal, tight-junction integrity, mucosal immune balance, antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota stability, short-chain fatty acid production, and epigenetic regulation of intestinal development. These effects have been reported in poultry, pigs, fish, ruminants, rodents, and maternal–offspring models. However, the evidence is uneven across species, and dose–response relationships, folate forms, bioavailability, and species-specific requirements remain major limitations for translating current knowledge into animal production. Future studies should compare folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, natural reduced folates, microbiota-derived folate, and folate-producing probiotics; quantify the contribution of microbiota-derived folate to host methyl-donor pools; and develop precision strategies that integrate folate with other one-carbon nutrients, probiotics, and product-enrichment technologies. Full article

Fusarium fungi are known to infect table beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) plants at various stages of development worldwide. Fusarium root rot, which develops post-harvest during long-term storage, is of particular economic significance. In Russia, there is no up-to-date information about the species diversity of pathogens causing this disease of table beets, which determined the purpose of this study. A total of 28 Fusarium isolates were collected from affected beet roots grown in the Moscow region of the Russian Federation from 2018 to 2023 years. Molecular phylogeny based on the TEF-1α and RPB2 genes in combination with morphological characterization showed that five Fusarium species were involved in the pathogenesis of Fusarium root rot of table beet during storage: F. acuminatum (43% of the total number of isolates), F. avenaceum, F. campestre (FTSC); F. sporotrichioides (FSAMSC) and F. solani (FSSC). At the same time, the species F. acuminatum, F. campestre, and F. sporotrichioides were first discovered on beet root in the Russian Federation. Temperature sensitivity of the identified species was studied at 5 °C and 25 °C. According to the value of the cold sensitivity index (CTI) on the nutrient medium and native substrate, the isolates were distributed differently: F. campestre (0.32) > F. acuminatum (0.22) > F. avenaceum (0.21) > F. sporotrichioides (0.19) > F. solani (0.20) and F. acuminatum (0.32) > F. campestre (0.21) > F. solani (0.03) > F. avenaceum and F. sporotrichioides (0.01), respectively. This confirms the need to study the pathogenic properties of isolates on a natural substrate (host plant) under different temperature conditions. When infected with the dominant and most aggressive species F. acuminatum, there was a high variation in the size of the affected area, depending on the genotype of the lines, under both temperature conditions (Va = 2–8 mm³ at 5 °C and Va = 31–1760 mm³ at 25 °C). Therefore, this species can be considered to be the most objective differentiating factor in assessing the resistance of table beet roots to fusarium rot, which determines the need to include it in the breeding process for creating resistant varieties and hybrids for the Central region of Russia. The data obtained in this study are of great importance for developing strategies for managing Fusarium fungi associated with Fusarium rot of beet-root during storage. The research results will also be relevant for other vegetable crops that remain fresh for long periods of time or undergo vernalization in the case of seed production at low temperatures. Full article

Orthohepacivirus glareoli (RHVJ, Hepaciviridae) and its natural host, the bank vole (Myodes glareolus), have been proposed as a model system for human hepatitis C research, yet the mode of transmission remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated spatial patterns of RHVJ sequence diversity and evolutionary relationships using novel sequences from dense regional sampling alongside all published NS3 gene sequences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed mostly local clustering of RHVJ sequences, resulting in isolation-by-distance patterns at regional geographic scales. This suggests primarily local transmission of the virus. However, nucleotide sequence divergence of up to 19% within bank vole populations is difficult to reconcile with local transmission of RHVJ alone, implying that mechanisms beyond local evolution shape the extensive sequence diversity of RHVJ at local scales. Using spatially explicit computer simulations of sequence evolution, we contrasted the phylogenetic relationships resulting from exclusively short-distance transmission, e.g., from vole to vole, with those resulting when rare long-distance transmission events were included. The latter produced phylogenetic patterns comparable to those of RHVJ, including monophyletic clustering of samples from distant locations and unresolved basal nodes. We suggest that the transmission of RHVJ likely involves at least occasionally a vector, as the mobility of its natural rodent host is strongly limited. Full article

Identifying beryl within muscovite host rocks is a challenging task for traditional X-ray transmission (XRT) separation due to the proximity of their effective atomic numbers (Z_eff) and densities. In this paper, an improved dual-energy X-ray transmission (DE-XRT) method using second-order polynomial calibration is proposed to compensate for the beam hardening effect in massive samples. To verify the accuracy of the method, natural beryl and muscovite intergrowths were investigated on an experimental DE-XRT setup (160 kV), and the results were compared with computed tomography (CT) data. The results confirm that the polynomial model reliably identifies both exposed and hidden (internal) beryl inclusions. It was established that at a sample thickness of approximately 20–30 mm, the system confidently detects inclusions constituting more than 15% of the total thickness; this threshold serves as a preliminary quantitative estimate given the finite sample set. With an increase in thickness beyond 40 mm, the detection threshold rises due to significant absorption of the low-energy spectrum component, which leads to a loss of dual-energy contrast and a critical reduction in the signal-to-noise ratio. The proposed approach creates a basis for effective beryl pre-concentration, ensuring the preservation of large crystals from mechanical damage during crushing. Full article

The southern pine beetle (SPB) is a serious pest of pine forests from Central America to the eastern United States, with a recent range expansion into the northeastern United States. Efforts to detect and monitor SPB activity began in 1960 as part of an overall integrated pest management system to limit its impact to southern pine forests. The ubiquity of SPB’s pine hosts in the southern United States, in the form of plantations and natural mixed stands, along with the regular occurrence of SPB outbreaks over a vast region, makes SPB a leading driver of overall forest health across this region. We review the past and current methodology for collecting SPB-related pine mortality and outbreak data using aerial and ground survey techniques and remote sensing via satellite imagery. We show how historical and ongoing measurements of SPB abundance, from pheromone-baited traps and aerial surveys, are used to forecast near-term probabilities of outbreaks with a statistical model (actualized through a public URL) that captures the natural tendency of SPB populations to be very high or very low. Insect forecasts can also be combined with maps of the host distributions to generate predictions of short-term regional risks and longer-term tree mortality forecasts via the US Forest Service’ National Insect and Disease Risk Map (NIDRM). Because the measurements of insect abundance and impact outcomes have become part of continuing forest management operations, statistical models can continue to be improved and there is self-reinforcing feedback between models and management. Improved understanding and monitoring of prominent insect pests that impact abundant tree species is a pathway to managing forest health more broadly. Full article

Traditional petroleum-based packaging suffers from pollution and functional limits, making it unsuitable for next-generation food systems. In contrast, bio-based smart packaging—combining renewable substrates with responsive components—transforms packaging from a passive shell into an active quality monitor and supply chain information node through three interconnected pillars: renewability, real-time responsiveness to freshness markers, and digital traceability. Market figures confirm this shift, with the smart food packaging sector projected to reach USD 48.97 billion by 2028 (CAGR 4.49% from 2023). This review covers recent progress in natural polymers (cellulose, chitosan, alginate, gelatin) and bio-based polyesters (PLA, PHA). Their multiscale structures enable tunable mechanical and barrier properties while serving as hosts for intelligent functions. Two functional directions stand out: active preservation (antimicrobial, antioxidant, gas-regulating, stimulus-controlled release) and intelligent sensing (colorimetric indicators, bio-based sensors, nano-amplified signals for real-time freshness monitoring). Beyond material functions, digital tools such as IoT and blockchain turn packaging into interactive data nodes, linking material intelligence with full traceability to enhance food safety and supply chain efficiency. Key challenges remain with long-term operational stability, production costs, scalable manufacturing, and life cycle assessments. Nevertheless, bio-based smart packaging is expected to evolve through biomimetic design, process innovation, and system-level integration toward adaptability, multifunctionality, and intelligence, ultimately supporting safer, more transparent, efficient, and sustainable food systems. Full article

The sealing behavior of fracture-filling minerals in the near-field of the deep geological repository (DGR) is critical for the safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). In granite host rocks, natural fractures are often filled with polymineralic assemblages of calcite, quartz, and clay minerals; however, their coupled compaction–pressure solution mechanisms under thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical (THMC) conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, 12 fracture sealing tests were conducted on Beishan granite and its typical fracture fillings at 90 °C and 15 MPa effective stress, using different pore fluids and systematically varying grain size (75–250 μm), mineral proportions, and clay content. The results indicate that stress-assisted dissolution–precipitation of calcite in saturated CaCO₃ solution is a key process contributing to porosity reduction and chemo-mechanical densification of the fracture filling, achieving a compaction strain of 24.6%—substantially higher than those obtained in deionized water (20.6%) and under dry conditions (14.8%). Fine-grained calcite compacts more effectively than its coarse-grained counterpart, reaching a porosity as low as 4.8%; rigid quartz locally redistributes contact stress at quartz–calcite interfaces, promoting preferential deformation or dissolution of adjacent calcite, although increasing quartz abundance reduces the bulk compaction efficiency. A moderate amount of clay minerals (~20 wt%) further reduces porosity to 2.1% through lubrication and micropore filling. The study reveals a multi-stage process transitioning from mechanical compaction to chemo-mechanical sealing, and a synergistic mechanism dominated by calcite compaction–pressure solution, augmented by quartz stress redistribution and clay lubrication. These findings provide direct experimental evidence for the progressive chemo-mechanical densification of mineral-filled granite fractures, and offer quantitative constraints for long-term THMC modeling of fracture sealing behavior in HLW repositories. Full article

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is widely promoted as a driver of economic output through mechanisms such as technology transfer, capital accumulation, and productivity spillovers. However, the empirical literature shows highly inconsistent results known as the “FDI-output puzzle.” We argue that these inconsistencies arise because the output-level effects of FDI are non-linear and depend crucially on the host country’s absorptive capacity. By analyzing a global panel of 172 sovereign nations from 2000 to 2022, we demonstrate that FDI’s output impact depends on a country’s financial development and institutional quality. Our baseline fixed effects models yield a positive and significant within-country FDI-output elasticity of 0.019–0.047. Furthermore, interaction models reveal that deeper financial markets and stronger legal institutions amplify FDI’s effect on real GDP levels. Two-stage least squares estimation confirms these relationships are not due to reverse causality. Following I employ a levels specification—regressing the natural logarithm of real GDP on the natural logarithm of FDI—that directly estimates output-level elasticities, capturing the steady-state relationship between FDI and the level of economic output. This dual-specification design is complemented by dynamic panel GMM estimation, which confirms the positive FDI–output relationship in a dynamic setting. Our findings show that attracting FDI alone is insufficient for expanding output; countries must also develop robust financial infrastructure and effective governance to fully benefit from foreign capital. Full article

Given the ongoing global decline in biodiversity, species reintroduction has become an important strategy for the conservation of endangered wildlife. Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), a historically extinct-in-the-wild species successfully reintroduced in China, represents a useful model for evaluating ecological responses following reintroduction into different habitats. Increasing evidence suggests that fecal microbiota can serve as a non-invasive indicator of host-associated microbial communities and their variation under different conditions. In this study, we investigated the fecal microbiota of a reintroduced population in the Daqingshan National Nature Reserve (Inner Mongolia). A total of 90 fresh fecal samples were collected between December 2021 and October 2023 across different seasonal periods. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize microbial community structure, and comparative analyses were conducted alongside published datasets from populations in Beijing and Shishou. The results revealed significant seasonal variation in microbial community composition and diversity, with distinct clustering of rainy, dry, and transitional (October) samples. Several taxa exhibited differential enrichment between seasons, suggesting temporal shifts in microbial community structure. A comparative analysis with other populations (Beijing and Shishou) revealed differences in microbial composition at broad taxonomic levels, suggesting potential variations related to regional environmental conditions, diet, and management practices. Overall, the observed patterns are consistent with seasonal variation in plant resource availability and highlight the potential influence of geographic context on microbial community structure. This study provides baseline data on the fecal microbiota of Père David’s deer in a semi-arid steppe environment and the potential indication of host suitability from the perspective of the microbiome. Full article

Aspergillus nidulans, a model filamentous fungus endowed with well-established genetic tools and a repertoire of cryptic secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), is extensively exploited as a microbial chassis for heterologous biosynthesis. Mining of its secondary metabolites facilitates the discovery of novel bioactive compounds and the development and application of chassis cells. In the course of heterologous expression of exogenous genes in A. nidulans, we unexpectedly observed the activation of cryptic host BGCs, which resulted in substantial alterations to its secondary metabolic profile. Four previously undescribed compounds (1–4), together with six known analogs (5–10), were isolated from three recombinant A. nidulans strains. Notably, compounds 1–3 are the first naturally occurring examples of diketopiperazine–isoindolinone hybrid alkaloids, while compound 4 is a previously unreported benzofuran carboxylic acid derivative. Their structures and absolute configurations were assigned by interpretation of a combination of spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited potent DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀, 6.01 and 7.00 μg·mL⁻¹, respectively). This study uncovers a “metabolic perturbation” effect on the host metabolic network during heterologous expression and offers a new strategy for activating silent gene clusters and discovering novel natural products through genetic manipulation. Full article