Search Results (31,228)

Skin and its appendages form an integrated system of ectodermal mini-organs that rely on Wnt signaling for lifelong homeostasis and regeneration; yet, the pathway operates in a highly organ-specific manner in each compartment. In interfollicular epidermis, the Wnt activity is spatially graded, thus maintaining the balance between basal progenitor proliferation and terminal differentiation. The hair follicle is governed by an intrinsic oscillator based on cross-regulation between Wnt and BMP signaling, providing a cell-autonomous layer of control over hair cycle dynamics. Finally, the nail organ is characterized by the spatial compartmentalization of Wnt activity, with a distal matrix activation zone supported by specialized mesenchymal niche cells that sustain continuous nail plate growth and coordinate the digit tip regeneration. Understanding these divergent regulatory architectures provides a conceptual framework for targeted regenerative strategies aimed at enhancing repair in skin and its appendages. Therefore, in this review, we synthesize recent molecular studies on Wnt signaling in the adult skin, hair follicles, and nail mini-organs, highlighting appendage-specific features that underlie their distinct regenerative capacities. We further discuss how dysregulated Wnt signaling contributes to skin, hair, and nail pathologies such as alopecia, chronic wounds, excessive scarring, skin cancer, and nail deformations, and summarize the emerging strategies that target Wnt pathway to therapeutically enhance hair regrowth, wound repair, cancer treatment, and digit tip regeneration. Full article

The long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture is fundamentally constrained by the capacity, condition, availability, and governance of soil resources. Australian soils are among the oldest and most weathered globally, highly heterogeneous, and often slow or effectively irreversible to recover once degraded. Traditional approaches centred on soil health, while valuable at paddock scale, are insufficient to address national-scale challenges related to spatial variability, data continuity, economic valuation, and policy integration. This paper examines soil security as a policy-relevant framework for supporting more sustainable Australian agriculture. Building on the dimensions of soil security (capacity, condition, capital, connectivity, and codification), we synthesise recent Australian case studies to show how soil security extends beyond soil health to integrate biophysical properties, digital soil infrastructure, socio-economic value, and governance mechanisms. Drawing on recent Australian case studies, this review identifies advances in digital soil mapping, national soil assessments, economic valuation of soil capital, stakeholder connectivity, and emerging policy frameworks, while also identifying persistent gaps in regulation, data standardisation, and institutional coordination. The paper argues that soil security can help operationalise 3-N agriculture—Net-Zero, Nature-Positive, and Nutrient-Balanced systems—by translating sustainability goals into spatially explicit, place-based decisions grounded in soil realities. By explicitly accounting for soil capacity limits, condition trajectories, capital value, information flows, and codified rules, soil security can support more realistic climate mitigation strategies, targeted nature-positive interventions, and durable nutrient security outcomes. We conclude that embedding soil security more explicitly within Australian agricultural research, policy, and governance would strengthen efforts to deliver productive, resilient, and socially legitimate food and fibre systems. Without soil security, sustainability frameworks may remain difficult to operationalise consistently; with soil security, they can be translated more effectively into measurable, place-based, and durable decisions. Full article

Ubiquitination is a reversible post-translational modification crucial for cellular homeostasis and protein degradation. It is orchestrated by a cascade of ubiquitin-activating enzymes (E1), conjugating enzymes (E2), and ligases (E3) that tag proteins with ubiquitin, and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) that remove these tags. Through this tightly regulated ubiquitination/deubiquitination system, cells control protein turnover, localization, and activity, thereby governing processes ranging from cell cycle progression and DNA repair to immune and stress responses. Here, we review the structural and functional mechanisms of each class of enzymes in the ubiquitin–proteasome system, including E1, E2, E3, and DUBs, and highlight their roles in key signaling pathways and physiological processes. We further discuss how the dysregulation of these enzymes leads to diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immune diseases, underlining the potential of targeting ubiquitination pathways for therapeutic intervention. Full article

Against the backdrop of an accelerated green transition and increasingly stringent climate policies, climate transition risk has emerged as a significant exogenous shock to the financial system. Using a panel of 57 listed commercial banks in China over the period 2010–2024, this study investigates whether and how climate transition risk shapes bank risk-taking behavior and identifies the mechanisms involved. Empirical evidence shows that rising climate transition risk significantly lowers bank risk-taking, a conclusion that holds consistently under various endogeneity and robustness checks. Second, the evidence suggests that climate transition risk may indirectly reduce bank risk-taking by impairing growth capacity and increasing operational costs per unit. Third, moderating effect analysis reveals that higher levels of digital transformation and the implementation of the Paris Agreement help alleviate the adverse effects of climate transition risk, whereas increased economic policy uncertainty amplifies this effect. Fourth, heterogeneity analysis shows that large banks exhibit greater resilience, while banks with higher carbon-intensive exposure are more sensitive to climate transition risk. Overall, these findings provide empirical evidence and policy implications for enhancing climate-related financial regulation and facilitating the green transformation of the financial system. Full article

Background/Objectives: Age-related gut microbiota dysbiosis leads to systemic oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and multi-organ functional decline. However, there is limited evidence supporting microbiota-based therapies for aging. This study aimed to examine the effect of gut microbiota from young donors, particularly those with increasing Bifidobacteria levels through dietary intervention, on age-related declines in fertility, cognition, and reproduction. Methods: We conducted experiments using gut microbiota from young human donors, with or without pre-conditioning with barley leaves (BL), to transplant into aged male mice. Hippocampal metabolome and behavioral assessments were used to identify differences in recognitive regulation during aging. Moreover, testis tissue, semen quality, and offspring studies were determined to investigate the beneficial effects on fertility and underlying mechanism. Conclusions: This preliminary dietary treatment promotes the growth of Bifidobacterium in aged recipient mice. Aged male mice received young fecal microbiota transplants (yFMTs), BL-conditioned yFMTs (BLyFMTs), and a combined treatment of BLyFMT plus recipient BL supplementation. The combined approach significantly increased intestinal Bifidobacterium levels and effectively restored hippocampal metabolomic profiles and cognitive behavior. Additionally, yFMT-based treatments mitigated structural damage to the seminiferous tubules and prevented the germ cell depletion. Consistently, those interventions improved sperm quality and mechanistically enhanced hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis activity in aged recipients. These findings highlight Bifidobacterium as a key factor in microbiome-driven rejuvenation, enhancing the effectiveness of yFMTs in addressing aging-related declines. Full article

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-organ autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major complication and leading cause of mortality in SSc. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been implicated as a central mediator of fibrosis; however, while TGF-β1 has been extensively studied, the roles of TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 remain incompletely defined. Here, we systematically compared the effects of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 in dermal and lung fibroblasts, evaluating extracellular matrix synthesis and contraction, cytokine secretion, proliferation, and myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 induced greater profibrotic cytokine release of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-11 and increased collagen-I and fibronectin synthesis compared with TGF-β1 in dermal and lung fibroblasts (all p < 0.05). TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 stimulated greater collagen-I contraction in dermal fibroblasts (p < 0.05), but greater myofibroblast differentiation in lung fibroblasts (p < 0.05). The TGF-β isoforms did not affect proliferation. All TGF-β isoforms activated SMAD2/3 signalling; however, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 reduced expression of TGF-β Receptor II and the inhibitory regulator, SMAD7. In summary, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 have a more pronounced profibrotic effect than TGF-β1 on dermal and lung fibroblast functions, making them potential targets for treatment for skin and lung fibrosis in diseases such as SSc. Full article

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is cardinal to natural resource management, and its resilience in protected areas (PAs) depends on its continued practice. The changing socio-ecological landscape has given rise to new PAs that emphasise community participation, like Simalaha Community Conservancy (SCC), versus state-owned, like Liuwa Plain National Park (LPNP). Resilience was assessed by comparing TEK awareness, utilisation, and perceived effectiveness between LPNP and SCC. Three categories of TEK (rules and regulations; myths and taboos; and customs and rituals) were analysed using a blended analytical framework drawing on the knowledge–practice–belief complex and a social–ecological systems perspective. A structured questionnaire was administered to 427 respondents, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. TEK awareness was high, but significantly higher in LPNP than in SCC. Age and length of residence were strongly associated with knowledge, confirming older and long-term residents as key knowledge-holders. Rules and regulations were widely recognised and utilised, while customs and rituals, and myths and taboos, were variable. LPNP showed higher utilisation and perceived effectiveness of TEK, particularly among younger cohorts. These findings highlight the influence of conservation governance and intergenerational knowledge transmission on TEK resilience, underscoring the need to strengthen its integration in emerging PAs. Full article

The rational design and regulation of interfacial microenvironments represents an effective strategy for enhancing reaction performance. Previous studies have demonstrated that constructing air–liquid–solid triphase interfaces can substantially enhance catalytic reactions involving gaseous reactants. However, research on regulating the triphasic interfacial microenvironment remains limited and challenging. Herein, we fabricated a triphase photocatalytic system by depositing hydrophobic materials onto ordered TiO₂ porous (OTP), achieving significantly enhanced performance in visible-light-driven dye-sensitized photooxidation. Further, we regulated the triphasic microenvironment by systematically adjusting the chain length of hydrophobic molecules. It was found that the chain length greatly affects the interfacial properties, including O₂ concentration, the organic molecule adsorption and the interfacial electron transfer efficiency, thereby influencing photocatalytic reaction kinetics and pathways. We demonstrated a high-performance triphase photocatalytic system using 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane as the hydrophobic material, which optimized multiple interfacial properties through synergistic effects, leading to optimal photocatalytic performance. Full article

As a result of the high safety, low cost, and environmental benignity, aqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for next-generation large-scale energy storage systems. However, their further development is constrained by performance bottlenecks in existing cathode materials, including capacity, cycle life, and reaction kinetics. In this study, a high-entropy design strategy is employed to synthesize the metal oxide (FeNiMnMgCuCo)₃O₄ with a cubic spinel structure, and its electrochemical performance as a cathode for zinc-ion batteries is systematically evaluated. The prepared (FeNiMnMgCuCo)₃O₄ high-entropy cathode exhibits high reversible capacity (341.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹) and remarkable long-term cycling stability (76.1% retention after 1000 cycles at 3 A g⁻¹). This work not only demonstrates a high-entropy cathode material with practical potential but also provides new research insights for optimizing zinc-ion storage performance through composition design and entropy regulation. Full article

In this article, the motion control of ferromagnetic particles through varying a non-invasive magnetic field is addressed. Within an experimental test bench, three experiments are proposed to verify motion control, which consist of control of the distance between electromagnets, retention of particles over the flow, and manipulation of the direction of particle flow at a “Y”-type bifurcation emulating an “OR” gate. At each experimental stage, instrumented test benches were integrated with current, distance, and flow sensors, enabling measurement and feedback of the system’s physical variables. These benches were configured using pulse-width-modulation (PWM) and Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controllers to regulate the current supplied to the electromagnets and, thereby, control the intensity of the induced electromagnetic field according to the requirements of each experiment. Different study cases were defined to analyze the operational limits of the system by varying the current influencing the electromagnetic field and the configuration of the electromagnets. The results describe the response of the magnetic field, the induced force, and the behavior of the suspended particles under each condition, providing elements to characterize the performance of the electromagnetic system in operational scenarios and contributing to the understanding of the phenomena associated with the non-invasive manipulation of ferromagnetic particles by means of controlled magnetic fields. Full article

This paper examines the effect of trade openness on corporate tax revenue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where increased economic integration might incite more business activity and expand taxable corporate income but also intensify losses due to practices such as profit shifting. The study follows a quantitative empirical approach and applies a panel ARDL model to secondary data collected from international databases (World Bank and IMF), such as GDP, trade openness (exports and imports as % of GDP), inflation, corporate tax revenues, foreign direct investment inflows and tax evasion via informal economies, for a sample of ten developing countries from the MENA region, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, over the period 2010–2023. We employ a PMG ARDL model to study our panel data, allowing the analysis of both short-run and long-run effects to investigate the relationship between trade openness and tax revenues. Our results show that in the long run, export-driven economies generate higher corporate tax revenues by expanding profitability and the tax base, and imports also positively affect revenues, indicating that trade openness stimulates economic activity. Conversely, FDI inflows reduce corporate tax revenues, consistent with profit shifting and tax incentives in developing countries. GDP growth does not necessarily increase tax receipts, likely due to tax elasticity effects and growth-oriented tax structures. Also, tax evasion appears to decline, likely reflecting improved compliance, and no significant short-run effects are observed. The results contribute to the literature on tax compliance and economic integration in the case of open economies in developing countries. From a practical perspective, our findings have implications for policymakers and tax regulators in the MENA region, as they highlight the dual nature of globalization for developing countries and their tax systems and underscore the need for effective compliance measures in trade and investment policies. Full article

Demographic decline in many Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is widely considered the principal source of hurling public pension disbursements, whilst trade unions are often blamed for staunch antagonism towards any transformations that might alleviate the fiscal encumbrance. If financialization is state-acquiesced, with the state being considered fundamental for market integration and social regulation of markets to protect against market failures, how then should inter-generational equity be addressed? This work tests the hypothesis that deindustrialization (measured as the declining proportion of employment in manufacturing) and lower trade-union density are quintessential channels through which demographic change translates into ascending pension outlays. Using OECD data from 1960 to 2013, we utilize longitudinal and panel quantile statistical methods to dissect these links across assorted pension system clusters (total, mandatory private, mandatory public, mandatory public & voluntary, and mandatory public & private). This study highlights the mediating role of labor market structure in pension financing. Full article

Soil heavy metal contamination has emerged as a global environmental and public health challenge. Among them, cadmium (Cd) is of particular concern due to its high mobility and ecotoxicity. To identify the key limiting factors and their nonlinear threshold effects for Cd accumulation in maize grains (Grain-Cd) in heterogeneous soil environments, a coordinated sampling campaign of soil and maize was conducted at the municipal scale in Chongqing, China. A total of 499 paired soil–maize samples were obtained, and the correlations between Grain-Cd concentrations and soil physicochemical properties, as well as soil Cd pollution characteristics, were quantitatively evaluated using the integrated Random Forest (RF) model and SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) algorithm instead of traditional linear statistical methods. The results showed that the average Cd content in the soil of maize-growing areas in Chongqing City was 0.30 mg·kg⁻¹, with a variation coefficient (CV) of 53%, and the spatial heterogeneity was significant. The average Cd content in maize grains was 0.03 mg·kg⁻¹, with an exceedance rate of 9.6% over the Chinese National Standard (0.10 mg·kg⁻¹), indicating a certain food safety risk. The RF model achieved a high predictive accuracy for Grain-Cd (R² = 0.815, RMSE = 0.028 mg·kg⁻¹, MAE = 0.013 mg·kg⁻¹), which was significantly superior to the traditional linear regression model (R² = 0.526, RMSE = 0.0459 mg·kg⁻¹). The available Cd (avlCd) in the soil was identified as the core controlling factor for the Grain-Cd content, while total soil Cd (SCd) only showed its positive contribution at contents higher than 0.5 mg·kg⁻¹. Soil pH, CEC (cation exchange capacity), and total phosphorus (TP) exerted significant influences on the Grain-Cd by regulating soil avlCd. The dependence of Grain-Cd on these soil factors was typically nonlinear, and an obvious turning point (threshold) existed for each factor with its occurring level in soil, determined by SHAP analyses as avlCd: 0.29 mg·kg⁻¹, pH: 6.58, CEC: 18.9 cmol (+)/kg, and TP: 0.5 g·kg⁻¹, respectively. This study clarifies the nonlinear regulatory mechanisms of key soil factors on Cd accumulation in maize grains in Chongqing, and the established RF-SHAP framework and identified soil factor thresholds lay a scientific foundation for the interpretable quantification of the soil–maize Cd system, while providing a scientific basis for the precise, targeted remediation of Cd-contaminated dryland farmland and the assurance of regional maize production safety. Full article

The increasing penetration of Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)-based wind energy systems raises major concerns regarding voltage stability and Fault Ride-Through (FRT) capability under grid disturbances and wind speed variations. This paper proposes a coordinated control framework for a grid-connected DFIG system, where a Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) based on discrete-time deadbeat current control is integrated with a Supercapacitor Energy Storage System (SCES) connected to the DC link through a bidirectional DC-DC converter governed by cascaded Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC). The deadbeat-controlled STATCOM provides fast reactive current injection for voltage support during sag and swell events, while the cascaded ADRC enhances DC-link voltage regulation and suppresses rotor-speed oscillations. Comprehensive MATLAB/Simulink simulations are carried out under variable wind speed and severe grid disturbances up to 80% voltage sag and 50% voltage swell. For voltage regulation, the proposed method is compared with SVC and PI-based STATCOM. In addition, SCES control performance is evaluated by comparing PI, single ADRC, and cascaded ADRC in terms of DC-link voltage overshoot, undershoot, and ripple. The results show clear improvements in voltage response and transient performance. Under a 20% voltage sag, the proposed deadbeat-controlled STATCOM significantly improves the dynamic response, where the undershoot is reduced from 0.125 p.u. (with SVC) to 0.04 p.u., and the settling time is shortened from 0.04 s to 0.025 s. Under a severe 80% sag, the overshoot is limited to 0.02 p.u., compared with 0.13 p.u. for the SVC and 0.15 p.u. for the PI-based STATCOM. Similarly, under a 50% voltage swell, the overshoot is reduced to 0.20 p.u., compared with 0.46 p.u. for the SVC and 0.27 p.u. for the PI-based STATCOM. Regarding the DC-link performance under 80% sag, the proposed cascaded ADRC-based SCES limits the overshoot and undershoot to 6 V and 2 V, respectively, compared with 39 V and 32 V for the PI-based SCES. These results confirm the superior damping, disturbance rejection, and FRT enhancement achieved by the proposed strategy. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) present a promising solution for urban logistics, where an effective energy management strategy guided by optimal path planning is crucial for reducing operational costs and extending system lifespan. This study begins by analyzing the wind field distribution in a specific urban area of Chengdu using Computational Fluid Dynamics, and establishes a data-driven power prediction model to evaluate UAV energy consumption. A hybrid wind-field-aware A* with Ant Colony Optimization algorithm is subsequently proposed to compute the optimal flight path that balances energy consumption and distance, generating corresponding power demand profiles for the ensuing energy management strategy. Finally, a Deep Q-Learning (DQN)-based energy management strategy is implemented to regulate power distribution between the fuel cell and the battery, aiming to minimize hydrogen consumption and stabilize the power output of the primary source. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed path planning method can effectively reduce energy consumption across different scenarios while causing only a marginal increase in travel distance. In addition, the DQN-based strategy significantly suppresses fuel cell power fluctuations at the cost of only a slight increase in hydrogen consumption, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of the path-planning-informed energy management strategy. Full article