Search Results (840)

Empirical research on the impact of the digital economy on sustainable development is hampered by severe methodological challenges. Discrepancies in the theoretical foundations and construction logic of measurement frameworks have led to diverse and often conflicting conclusions, hindering the systematic accumulation of knowledge. This study aims to address this critical gap by proposing a new, logically consistent measurement framework. To overcome the existing limitations, we construct a functional deconstruction framework grounded in General-Purpose Technology (GPT) theory and a “stock–flow” perspective. This framework deconstructs the digital economy into a neutral “digital infrastructure” (stock platform) and two forces reflecting its inherent duality: a “consumption force” (digital industrialization) and an “empowerment force” (industrial digitalization). Based on this, we develop a measurement system adhering to the principle of “logical purity” and apply a “two-step entropy weighting method with annual standardization” to assess 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2023. Our analysis reveals a multi-scalar evolution. At the micro level, we identified four distinct provincial development models and three evolutionary paths. At the macro level, we found that the overall inter-provincial disparity followed an inverted U-shaped trajectory, with the core contradiction shifting from an “access gap” to a more profound “application gap.” Furthermore, the primary driver of this disparity has transitioned from being “empowerment-led” to a new phase of a “dual-force rebalancing.” The main contribution of this study is the provision of a new analytical tool that enables a paradigm shift from “aggregate assessment” to “structural diagnosis.” By deconstructing the digital economy, our framework allows for the identification of internal structural imbalances and provides a more robust and nuanced foundation for future causal inference studies and evidence-based policymaking in the field of digital sustainability Full article

Mitochondrial reverse electron transport (RET) represents a fundamental but potentially hazardous metabolic process in eukaryotic cells. This review systematically examines current understanding of RET mechanisms and their pathophysiological consequences. RET occurs when electrons flow inversely from reduced coenzyme Q (CoQH₂) to complex I, driven by excessive reduction of the CoQ pool and elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in substantial superoxide production. While moderate RET contributes to physiological redox signaling, sustained RET activation leads to oxidative damage and activates regulated cell death pathways. Notably, RET demonstrates metabolic duality: it facilitates ATP generation through NAD⁺ reduction while simultaneously inducing mitochondrial dysfunction via reactive oxygen species overproduction. Pathologically, RET has been implicated in myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s diseases, and exhibits context-dependent roles in tumor progression. Emerging evidence also suggests RET involvement in microbial pathogenesis through modulation of host immune responses. These findings position RET as a critical regulatory node in cellular metabolism with broad implications for human diseases. Future investigations should focus on developing tissue-specific RET modulators and elucidating the molecular switches governing its activation threshold, which may yield novel therapeutic strategies for diverse pathological conditions. Full article

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has evolved from being considered solely a peripheral endocrine system for cardiovascular control to being recognized as a complex molecular network with important functions in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Here we examine the organization, mechanisms of action, and clinical implications of cerebral RAS in physiological conditions and in various neurological pathologies. The cerebral RAS operates autonomously, synthesizing its main components locally due to restrictions imposed by the blood–brain barrier. The key elements of the system are (pro)renin; (pro)renin receptor (PRR); angiotensinogen; angiotensin-converting enzyme types 1 and 2 (ACE1 and ACE2); angiotensin I (AngI), angiotensin II (AngII), angiotensin III (AngIII), angiotensin IV (AngIV), angiotensin A (AngA), and angiotensin 1-7 (Ang(1-7)) peptides; RAS-regulating aminopeptidases; and AT1 (AT1R), AT2 (AT2R), AT4 (AT4R/IRAP), and Mas (MasR) receptors. More recently, alamandine and its MrgD receptor have been included. They are distributed in specific brain regions such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and brainstem. The system is organized into two opposing axes: the classical axis (renin/ACE1/AngII/AT1R) with vasoconstrictive, proinflammatory, and prooxidative effects, and the alternative axes AngII/AT2R, AngIV/AT4R/IRAP, ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR and alamandine/MrgD receptor, with vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This functional duality allows us to understand its role in neurological physiopathology. RAS dysregulation is implicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. In brain aging, an imbalance toward hyperactivation of the renin/ACE1/AngII/AT1R axis is observed, contributing to cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation. Epidemiological studies and clinical trials have shown that pharmacological modulation of the RAS using ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and AT1R antagonists (ARA-II) not only controls blood pressure but also offers neuroprotective benefits, reducing the incidence of cognitive decline and dementia. These effects are attributed to direct mechanisms on the CNS, including reduction of oxidative stress, decreased neuroinflammation, and improved cerebral blood flow. Full article

Manure-derived biochar is a promising soil amendment, though its effectiveness is often constrained by limited structural stability and inconsistent nutrient retention. This study evaluated how the pyrolysis method (pre- vs. post-pyrolysis) and rate (5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% w/w) of bentonite incorporation influence the physicochemical properties, nutrient availability, and carbon stability of manure-derived biochar. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses revealed that pre-pyrolysis addition enhanced mineral integration, with silicon and aluminum contents increasing by up to 500% and 600%, respectively, while carbon content decreased by up to 34%. Water holding capacity (WHC) improved by approximately 102% with 5–10% bentonite, and carbon stability more than doubled (≥100% increase) at moderate application rates under pre-pyrolysis treatment. However, nitrate (NO₃⁻) and potassium (K) availability declined by up to 89% and 47%, respectively, in pre-pyrolysis treatments due to strong nutrient immobilization. In contrast, post-pyrolysis bentonite addition increased NO₃⁻ by ~44% and K by ~29%, while phosphorus (P) availability rose by 133% at 30% bentonite. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear distinction between pre- and post-pyrolysis bentonite-treated biochar. Pre-pyrolysis treatments were linked to higher pH, WHC, and carbon stability, while post-pyrolysis treatments were associated with greater nutrient availability (e.g., NO₃⁻, and K levels) and higher EC. These findings underscore the importance of the pyrolysis method, showing that pre-pyrolysis bentonite incorporation strengthens biochar’s structural integrity and long-term carbon sequestration potential, whereas post-pyrolysis addition enhances immediate nutrient availability. This duality enables the development of targeted biochar formulations tailored to specific agronomic needs—whether for sustained soil improvement or rapid fertility enhancement in climate-smart and sustainable land management systems. Full article

Due to the high cost of hydrogen utilization and the uncertainties in renewable energy generation and load demand, significant challenges are posed for the operation optimization of hydrogen-containing integrated energy systems (IESs). In this study, a robust operational model for an electric–heat–gas IES (EHG-IES) is proposed, considering the hydrogen energy system heat recovery (HESHR) and multiple uncertainties. Firstly, a heat recovery model for the hydrogen system is established based on thermodynamic equations and reaction principles; secondly, through the constructed adjustable robust optimization (ARO) model, the optimal solution of the system under the worst-case scenario is obtained; lastly, the original problem is decomposed based on the column and constraint generation method and strong duality theory, resulting in the formulation of a master problem and subproblem with mixed-integer linear characteristics. These problems are solved through alternating iterations, ultimately obtaining the corresponding optimal scheduling scheme. The simulation results demonstrate that our model and method can effectively reduce the operation and maintenance costs of HESHR-EHG-IES while being resilient to uncertainties on both the supply and demand sides. In summary, this study provides a novel approach for the diversified utilization and flexible operation of energy in HESHR-EHG-IES, contributing to the safe, controllable, and economically efficient development of the energy market. It holds significant value for engineering practice. Full article

Open-vocabulary semantic segmentation aims to label each pixel of an image based on text descriptions provided at inference time. Recent approaches for this task are based on methods which require two stages: the first one uses a mask generator to generate mask proposals, while the other one deals with segment classification using a pre-trained vision–language model, such as CLIP. However, since CLIP is pre-trained on natural images, the model struggles with segmentation masks because of their abstract nature. In this paper, we introduce OpenMamba, a novel approach to creating high-level guidance maps to assist in extracting CLIP features within the masked regions for classification. High-level guidance maps are generated by leveraging both visual and textual modalities and introducing State Space Duality (SSD) as an efficient way to tackle the open-vocabulary semantic segmentation task. Also, we propose a new matching technique for the mask proposals, based on IoU with a dynamic threshold conditioned by mask quality and we introduce a contrastive-based loss to assure that similar mask proposals achieve similar CLIP embeddings. Comprehensive experiments across open-vocabulary benchmarks show that our method can achieve superior performance compared to other approaches while managing to reduce memory consumption. Full article

I show here that if we construct D-branes not in the form of infinite superpositions of string modes, in order to satisfy the technical condition of coherence by means of eigenstates of annihilation operators, but instead insist on an approximate but much more physical and practical definition based on phase coherence, we obtain finite (and hence realistic) superpositions of string modes that would form realistic D-branes that would encode (at least as a semiclassical approximation) various quantum properties. Re-deriving the AdS/CFT duality by starting in the pre-Maldacena limit from such realistic D-branes would lead to quantum properties on the AdS side of the duality. Causal structures can be modified in various many-particle systems, including strings, D-branes, photons, or spins; however, there is a distinction between the emergence of an effective causal structure in the inner degrees of freedom of a material, in the form of a correlation-generated effective metric, for example, in a spin liquid system, and the emergence of a causal structure in an open propagating system by using classical light. I will show how an Uhlmann gauge construction would add stability to a modified causal structure that would retain the shape of a closed causal loop. Various other ideas related to the quantum origin of the string length are also discussed and an analogy of the emergence of string length from quantum correlations with the emergence of wavelength of an electromagnetic wave from coherence conditions of photon modes is presented. Full article

Spectrum map fusion has emerged as an effective technique to enhance the accuracy of spectrum map construction. However, many existing fusion methods fail to address the strong correlation between spectrum data, resulting in sub-optimal performance. In this paper, we propose a new multi-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spectrum map fusion method based on differential ridge regression. We first construct spectrum maps of UAVs by using differential features of spectrum data. Next, we present a spectrum map fusion model by leveraging the spatial distribution characteristic of spectrum data. To reduce the sensitivity of the fusion model to the strongly correlated data, a new map fusion regularization term is designed, which introduces $l_2$-norm to constrain the fusion regularization parameters and compress the ridge regression coefficient sizes. As a result, accurate spectrum maps can be constructed for the environments with highly correlated spectrum data. We then formulate a model-driven solution to the spectrum map fusion problem and derive its lower bound. By combining the propagation characteristics of the spectrum signal with the developed Lagrange duality, we can guarantee the convergence of map fusion processing while enhancing the convergence rate. Finally, we propose an accelerated maximally split alternating directions method of multipliers (AMS-ADMM) to reduce the computational complexity of spectrum map construction. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed method can effectively eliminate external noise interference and outliers, and achieve an accuracy improvement of more than 27% compared to state-of-the-art fusion methods in spectrum map construction with low complexity. Full article

We present an extension and generalization of Sahlqvist–van Benthem correspondence to the case of distribution-free modal logic, with, or without negation and/or implication connectives. We follow a reductionist strategy, reducing the correspondence problem at hand to the same problem, but for a suitable system of sorted modal logic (the modal companion of the distribution-free system). The reduction, via a fully abstract translation, builds on the duality between normal lattice expansions and sorted residuated frames with relations (a generalization of classical Kripke frames with relations). The approach is scalable and it can be generalized to other systems, with or without distribution, such as distributive modal logic, or substructural logics with, or without additional modal operators. Full article

Tensins (TNS1–4) are pivotal molecular scaffolds bridging the actin cytoskeleton to integrin-based adhesions, orchestrating signal transduction and governing cellular processes in cancer. Structurally, the N-terminal actin-binding domain (ABD) in TNS1–3 enables cytoskeletal regulation and interactions with regulators like the Rho GAP DLC1, while ABD-deficient TNS4 functions as a focal adhesion signal amplifier. Functionally, TNS1–3 exhibit context-dependent duality as tumor promoters or suppressors, dictated by tissue-specific microenvironments and signaling crosstalk. In contrast, TNS4 acts predominantly as an oncoprotein across carcinomas by stabilizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), driving epithelial–mesenchymal transition and invasion, and sustaining proliferation. Clinically, tensin dysregulation correlates with metastasis and poor prognosis: TNS2 serves as a diagnostic biomarker for gastrointestinal stromal tumors, aberrant TNS1/TNS3 expression predicts metastasis risk, and TNS4 is recurrently embedded in multi-gene prognostic signatures. This review synthesizes their structural basis, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical relevance, highlighting context-dependent switches and TNS4’s therapeutic potential. Full article

The center–periphery paradigm has impacted on multiple disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. While criticized and revised for its duality, this paradigm has been most instrumental in tracing shifts in the dynamic positioning of world ‘players’, be they states, societies, or sectors thereof. This article follows it in highlighting the historical development of Chile, a society whose inception, in one of the most remote regions of the world, seemed to determine its path toward remaining a place at the ‘end of the world’. Still, by the late twentieth century, Chile attracted global attention, concern, and debate. Understanding this shift from the world’s periphery to the core of Cold War confrontation and of the neoliberal macroeconomic turn followed by the third wave of democratization enables us to trace how the global system evolved in the course of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and how that Latin American country has been paradigmatic of those momentous changes. Full article

This research focuses on analyzing the determinants of financial performance for the companies included in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index over the period from 2014 to 2023. To guide managerial decisions aimed at enhancing company performance, this study examines, as key drivers, the main financial indicators, core corporate governance characteristics, and U.S. public governance indicators. The investigation begins with a retrospective review of the specialized literature, highlighting the findings of previous studies in the field and providing the basis for selecting the variables used in the present empirical analysis. The research method employed is fixed-effects panel-data regression. The dependent variables are financial performance measures, such as the EBITDA margin, EBIT margin, net profit margin, and ROA. This study’s main results show that the price-to-book ratio, liquidity, sales growth, CEO duality, board gender diversity, ESG score, and U.S. regulatory quality exert a positive influence on financial performance. In contrast, the price-to-earnings ratio, net debt, capital intensity, R&D intensity, weighted average cost of capital, board independence, and the COVID-19 pandemic crisis have a negative impact on the financial performance of U.S. companies. The findings of this investigation could serve as benchmarks for supporting managerial decisions at the company level regarding the improvement of their financial performance. Full article

Inflammation, malignant tumors, and age-related disorders are all associated with oxidative DNA damage. 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), which recognizes and repairs intracellular oxidative damage, was initially thought to play a pivotal role in cellular repair of such damage. However, a growing body of evidence now indicates that OGG1 not only participates in DNA oxidative damage repair but also possesses transcription factor activity, closely linked to the development and progression of oxidative DNA damage-related diseases. We propose that OGG1 can repair damaged DNA, while in certain diseases, OGG1 promotes transcription and exacerbates disease progression. This review discusses the mechanisms of action of OGG1 and proposes it as an emerging therapeutic target for curing the aforementioned diseases. Full article

Temporary architecture, as an expression of the concept of impermanence, offers adaptable and time-sensitive spatial interventions that promote community engagement and encourage experimentation within the urban environment. Beyond its physical and functional qualities, this architectural approach acts as a social mediator, fostering dialogue, networking, and the exchange of ideas between local communities and professionals, while contributing to the development of a socio-cultural common ground. This paper explores the Greenfeel Architecture wooden pavilion as a case study of small-scale architecture embedded within a landscape dedicated to urban agriculture and community-driven activities. The design process was guided by the need to balance functional requirements—providing shelter from the sun and rain and facilitating social interactions—with the protection of the existing vegetation and the enhancement of local biodiversity, with particular emphasis on supporting bee populations. In line with sustainable construction principles, the pavilion was built through the reuse of recovered materials, including used bricks for pavement, wooden slabs for the facade and roof, and several structural components sourced from previous building projects. Since its completion, the pavilion has acted as an urban acupuncture point within the surrounding area and has become a host for various outdoor activities and educational workshops aimed at diverse groups, including children, adults, professionals, and laypersons alike. The duality between the scale of the pavilion and the scale of its social, cultural, or ecological influence highlights the potential of temporary architecture to become a tool for both physical and socio-cultural sustainability in an urban environment. Full article

The purpose of education, viewed as a wicked problem, requires critical examination, particularly in the context of policy that may shape leadership in schools and systems. Given that purpose is a complex and multidimensional construct, it requires multiple frameworks for a comprehensive exploration. We build on Gert Biesta’s three domains of education, qualification, socialisation and subjectification, by developing a novel typology of different perceived benefits of educational purpose and then explore the tensions inherent within these. The benefits typology is derived from the literature specifically exploring educational purpose since 2000, and we employ a tensional analysis framework to untangle competing and interrelated benefit perspectives and identify the paradoxes, dilemmas, dualities and dialectics inherent in purpose statements, which in turn have significant implications for the challenges educational leaders must navigate. We apply this new lens and language for reflection and consideration of purpose by using the framework to examine purpose statements from four international contexts (Australia, Singapore, Finland and Japan), illustrating new ways of conceptualising and analysing the complexity of educational purpose. By extending Biesta’s framework with additional theoretical and practical approaches for educational leaders and researchers seeking to critically examine dominant purpose narratives, this paper makes a small but significant contribution to development of more holistic, sustainable and equitable conceptions of educational purpose in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex global landscape. Full article