Search Results (6,514)

Background: Obesity is a multisystemic health problem causing chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, but also reproductive dysfunctions like infertility in adults or altered puberty onset in children. Exercise is a recognized intervention to control or prevent energy imbalance, thus deeply contributing to metabolic health in physiological and pathological conditions. The kisspeptin system (KS), the main gatekeeper of reproduction and puberty onset in mammals, is also an upcoming “metabolic sensor”, linking energy homeostasis to reproductive ability both centrally and peripherally. Objectives: This narrative review aims at summarizing recent evidence from animal models and human studies on the role of the KS in energy homeostasis, with a focus on the upcoming role of the KS as a metabolic sensor able to modulate the functionality of the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis in males as an adaptive response to exercise. Methods: PubMed and Scopus search (date: 2015–2025; keywords: kisspeptin and metabolism, male reproduction or exercise; kisspeptin and doping). Results and Conclusions: This review article illustrates the crucial role of the KS in linking energy homeostasis and male reproduction at the central and peripheral levels, and modulation of the KS by exercise in physiological and pathological conditions. Due to the large amount of data from animal models, knowledge gaps occur in the analysis of the relationship among KS, energy homeostasis, male reproduction and exercise in humans, particularly in the case of overtraining. Lastly, kisspeptin inclusion in the doping list is also discussed. Full article

The existing heterogeneity of the human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment imposes significant challenges in understanding their physiology and molecular constitution. The hematopoietic system is hierarchically organized, with HSCs at the apex, responsible for maintaining homeostasis by ensuring a life-long supply of blood cells. HSCs are highly potent but rare, making their pure isolation challenging. To address this, flow-cytometry-based methods are commonly used to isolate HSCs, bridging the gap between surface marker expression and understanding their functional and molecular properties. However, detailed methodology papers providing practical guidance for the prospective isolation of distinct human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) populations are rare, hindering reproducible applications across different research groups. Here, we present a comprehensive protocol for isolating multipotent long-term repopulating HSCs (LT-HSCs) and define multipotent progenitor populations (MPPs) from human mobilized peripheral blood (mPB) after leukapheresis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). By highlighting the workflow, outlining critical considerations and emphasizing recent advancements in the field, we provide an extensive overview of FACS-based human HSC isolation. This facilitates the enrichment of these rare cells for downstream analysis and enables researchers to improve our understanding of the heterogeneity within the HSC compartment. Full article

The current green building assessment system suffers from issues such as insufficient coverage of smart indicators, significant biases in subjective weighting, and weak dynamic adaptability, which restrict the scientific promotion of green buildings. This study focuses on the gaps in the quantitative assessment of smart technologies in China’s green building evaluation standards (such as the current Green Building Evaluation Standard). While domestic standards are relatively well-established in traditional dimensions like energy conservation and environmental protection, there are fragmentation issues in the assessment of smart technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and BIM. Moreover, the coverage of smart indicators in non-civilian building fields is significantly lower than that of international systems such as LEED and BREEAM. This study determined the basic framework of the evaluation indicator system through the Delphi method. Drawing on international experience and contextualized within China’s (GB/T 50378-2019) standards, it systematically integrated secondary indicators including “smart security,” “smart energy,” “smart design,” and “smart services,” and constructed dual-drive evaluation dimensions of “greenization + smartization.” This elevated the proportion of the smartization dimension to 35%, filling the gap in domestic standards regarding the quantitative assessment of smart technologies. In terms of research methods, combined weighting using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and entropy weight method was adopted to balance subjective and objective weights and reduce biases (the resource conservation dimension accounted for 39.14% of the combined weights, the highest proportion). By integrating the grey clustering model with the whitening weight function to handle fuzzy information, evaluations were categorized into four grey levels (D/C/B/A), enhancing the dynamic adaptability of the system. Case verification showed that Project A achieved a comprehensive evaluation score of 5.223, with a grade of B. Among its indicators, smart-related ones such as “smart energy” (37.17%) and “smart design” (37.93%) scored significantly higher than traditional indicators, verifying that the system successfully captured the project’s high performance in smart indicators. The research results indicate that the efficient utilization of resources is the core goal of green buildings. Especially under pressures of energy shortages and carbon emissions, energy conservation and resource recycling have become key priorities. The evaluation system constructed in this study can provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the promotion, industrial upgrading, and sustainable development of green buildings (including non-civilian buildings) under the dual-carbon goals. Its characteristic of “dynamic monitoring + smart integration” forms differentiated complementarity with international standards, making it more aligned with the needs of China’s intelligent transformation of buildings. Full article

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition leading to declining lung function, dyspnea, and reduced quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) remains a cornerstone in COPD management; however, access remains limited, with less than 3% of eligible patients participating. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT), especially through novel methods like the Test of Incremental Respiratory Endurance (TIRE), offers a potential home-based alternative to traditional rehabilitation services. Despite growing interest, a key knowledge gap persists: few randomized trials have directly compared TIRE with threshold loading IMT over extended, largely unsupervised home-based periods while concurrently evaluating inspiratory muscle endurance and adherence. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of TIRE IMT compared to traditional threshold IMT and sham training in COPD patients. The study also assessed adherence to these home-based interventions, focusing on unsupervised periods without additional motivational support. Methods: A total of 52 COPD patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: TIRE IMT, Threshold IMT, or Sham IMT. The study consisted of an 8-week supervised Phase I followed by a 24-week unsupervised Phase II. Training details: TIRE—session template set to 50% of the day’s maximal sustained effort; 6 levels × 6 inspirations (total 36) with preset inter-breath recoveries decreasing from 60 s to 10 s. Threshold IMT—spring-loaded valve set to 50% MIP (re-set at week 4); 36 inspirations completed within ≤30 min. Sham—valve set to minimal resistance (9 cmH₂O); 36 inspirations within ≤30 min. Primary outcomes included changes in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and sustained maximal inspiratory pressure. Secondary outcomes focused on adherence rates and correlations with functional capacity. Results: Of the 52 participants, 36 completed the study. Participant details: TIRE n = 12 (mean age 60.9 ± 12.9 years), Threshold n = 12 (67.4 ± 6.9 years), Sham n = 12 (67.3 ± 8.7 years); overall 21/36 (58%) men; mean BMI 30.0 ± 7.5 kg/m². The TIRE IMT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in MIP (31.7%) and SMIP compared to both the Threshold and Sham groups at 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Despite a decline in adherence during the unsupervised phase, the TIRE group maintained superior outcomes. No adverse events were reported during the intervention period. Conclusions: In this randomized trial, TIRE IMT was associated with greater improvements in inspiratory muscle performance than threshold and sham IMT. While adherence was higher in the TIRE group, it declined during the unsupervised phase. The clinical interpretation of these findings should consider the relatively wide confidence intervals and modest sample size. Nevertheless, the mean change in MIP in the TIRE arm exceeded a recently proposed minimal important difference for COPD, suggesting potential clinical relevance; however, no universally accepted minimal important difference exists yet for SMIP. Further adequately powered trials are warranted. Full article

Seed-sown wildflower meadows are becoming increasingly important in our cities. One of the best methods is to design low-maintenance green spaces with an ecological approach. They can be used either to create perennial beds or to enrich and replace larger areas of regularly mown grass. Seeded surfaces are closer to a functioning ecosystem. The seed mixtures available in Hungary include seeds of native and non-native species, but due to a lack of time or resources, they have not been tested and have been in the field almost immediately. With our research, launched in autumn 2023, we tried to fill this gap and established seed-sown perennial beds in Budapest (Hungary), in ten plots in different media, using a seed mix of native species (96 taxa). Our experiment is an attempt to answer the question of what makes a seed-sown herbaceous plantation successful in the long term in an urban environment. Which species will emerge first, in which medium and which will persist in the long term? What will be the cover, diversity of the plots, the phenology of each species at different times of the year and to what extent does this depend on the medium and the frequency of irrigation? Which taxa will appear in each growing medium, and will there be taxa that can only develop in certain media? The study reports on the first experiences of the long-term study, according to which there were dynamically developing stands, but we observed a basically negative correlation between rapidly developing media and diversity. The most diverse species set was provided by the andesite aggregate medium, followed by green roof substrate, then demolition rubble with sand and sand. Full article

To mitigate the risks posed by uncertainties in renewable energy output and Electric Vehicle (EV) travel patterns on the scheduling of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), this paper proposes an optimal scheduling model for a VPP incorporating EVs based on Information Gap Decision Theory (IGDT). First, a Monte Carlo load forecasting model is established based on the behavioral characteristics of EV users, and a Sigmoid function is introduced to quantify the dynamic relationship between user response willingness and VPP incentive prices. Second, within the VPP framework, an economic optimal scheduling model considering multi-source collaboration is developed by integrating wind power, photovoltaics, gas turbines, energy storage systems, and EV clusters with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities. Subsequently, to address the uncertain parameters within the model, IGDT is employed to construct a bi-level decision-making mechanism that encompasses both risk-averse and opportunity-seeking strategies. Finally, a case study on a VPP is conducted to verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively achieve a 7.94% reduction in the VPP’s comprehensive dispatch cost under typical scenarios, exhibiting superiority in terms of both economy and stability. Full article

The karst region is highly ecologically fragile due to its unique geology and poor water and nutrient retention. Despite long-term restoration, vegetation often remains in the secondary shrubland stage. Soil microorganisms play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem functions, but how microbial communities respond to combined water and nitrogen-phosphorus nutrient changes in karst shrubland remains poorly understood. This knowledge gap hinders effective restoration strategies in karst shrublands. Here, the effects of water, nitrogen, and phosphorous additions and their interactions on soil physico-chemical properties, soil microbial abundance, diversity, community composition, and the co-occurrence network were explored. A full factorial experiment (water × nitrogen × phosphorous, each at two levels) was conducted in a karst shrubland with over 20 years of vegetation restoration, with treatments including control, water (+120 mm yr⁻¹), nitrogen (+20 g N m⁻² yr⁻¹), phosphorus (+16 g P m⁻² yr⁻¹), and their four combinations. Our results suggested that water addition significantly increased soil water content and soil microbial abundance but reduced fungal diversity. Nitrogen addition significantly increased soil nitrate nitrogen content and fungal diversity, and fungal diversity showed an increasing trend under phosphorous addition. The addition of nitrogen and phosphorous did not significantly alter the soil microbial community composition, while water addition showed a tendency to change the soil fungal community composition. Network topological properties, robustness, and vulnerability analyses indicated that individual nitrogen or phosphorous additions, as well as their interactions, reduced network complexity and stability. In contrast, water addition alone or in combination with nitrogen and/or phosphorous alleviated these negative effects, and the water and phosphorous interaction exhibited the highest levels of network complexity and stability. Further analysis showed that the soil pH, available phosphorous, ratio of carbon to phosphorous, and ammonium nitrogen were explanatory variables contributing significantly to soil microbial abundance, diversity, community composition, and network complexity. Overall, these findings highlighted the pivotal role of water availability in enhancing soil microbial stability under nutrient enrichment, offering valuable insights into ecological restoration in karst ecosystems. Full article

Graphene quantum dots (QGDs), as nascent carbon-based materials, demonstrate remarkable promise in many different applications. Thanks to excellent electrical and thermal properties, great biocompatibility, feasibility of surface functionalization and low cytotoxicity, QGDs can be any material and have many applications, from elastic PV panels to drug delivery. This paper concentrates on relating the structure of the QGD (which is the result of the synthesis method used and consequently the variable degree of defect, the possible presence of functional groups especially in the defect region, etc.) to the resulting physicochemical properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to theoretically relate and determine the effect of defect amount and type on the value of the HOMO–LUMO gap with respect to possible QGD luminescence colors. Finally, it presents a direction in new graphene-based materials synthesis, where every single defect has a huge impact on its properties. Full article

Objective: Although information technology’s impact on social inequality has attracted widespread attention, existing research remains divided on whether technology generates “digital dividends” or exacerbates the “digital divide”. Most studies assume uniform effects across all life domains; yet, the mechanisms through which technology affects different aspects of social stratification may vary substantially. Method: Using data from the 2023 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) covering 5332 respondents, we examine information technology’s differential effects on economic income and health outcomes between urban and rural residents through multiple regression, interaction analysis and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition. Result: Our findings reveal that information technology significantly enhances both income and health status, validating the digital dividend hypothesis. However, technology effects exhibit domain-specific patterns: urban–rural differences are modest in economic domains but pronounced in health domains, where rural residents benefit significantly more than urban counterparts. Information technology contributes 10.8% to urban–rural income gaps but plays larger roles in health disparities. Conclusion: We propose a digital dividend differentiation theory, whereby technology effects tend toward homogenization in standardized economic domains governed by market logic while exhibiting compensatory functions in health domains dependent on geographic proximity. These findings challenge the assumptions of technological uniformity and provide foundations for differentiated digital development policies. Moreover, by revealing how digital technologies can reduce structural inequalities in income and health, this study advances the understanding of digital inclusion as a core driver of sustainable urban–rural development, offering both academic contributions to sustainability scholarship and practical guidance for achieving inclusive development goals. Full article

In the pursuit of a circular economy, the substitution of conventional polymers with compostable materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) has emerged as a primary strategy. However, the environmental performance of these materials is highly dependent on the post-consumer system. Based on a systemic analysis methodology, this paper investigates this performance paradox. Using a compostable coffee capsule made from PLA as a case study, the research compares its designed, ideal end-of-life (EoL) pathway (industrial composting) with its probable real-world fate within existing waste management infrastructures (landfilling and recycling stream contamination). The analysis of these scenarios reveals a significant gap between the product’s intended function and its actual environmental impact, showing that in realistic contexts, intended benefits are often unrealized and negative outcomes may occur. This study yields results that can inform more robust and systemic sustainable design strategies, highlighting the need to align product design with real-world infrastructural capabilities. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is advancing rapidly and is increasingly integrated into educational settings. How to effectively leverage GenAI to support instructional design has thus become a critical issue in teacher education. While existing studies have validated the technical potential and functional value of GenAI in instructional design, there remains a notable gap in qualitative investigations into pre-service teachers’ subjective willingness to adopt GenAI and its underlying influencing factors. To address this gap, this present study employed grounded theory to explore the factors that shape pre-service teachers’ intention to use GenAI for instructional design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 pre-service teachers from Shaanxi Normal University, and the data were analyzed through open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. A theoretical model comprising four major dimensions was developed as follows: (1) technical factors (relative advantage and ease of use), (2) environmental factors (social impact, opinion leader, and facilitating conditions), (3) usage characteristics (purpose of use and method of use), and (4) psychological factors (trust, perceived risk, and a professional self-concept). The findings reveal that pre-service teachers’ intention to use GenAI is not shaped by a single factor but is instead the result of dynamic and interrelated interactions among the four dimensions. This study extends current technology acceptance theories and offers practical insights for the effective integration and promotion of GenAI in instructional design. Full article

Solute carrier family 12 (SLC12) encodes electroneutral cation-coupled chloride cotransporters responsible for transmembrane ion transport (Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl⁻), which play a critical role in aquatic osmoregulation. However, the SLC12 gene of Exopalaemon carinicauda (EcSLC12) has not been systematically identified or functionally characterized. In this study, six EcSLC12 genes were identified across the genome and classified into N(K)CC, KCC, CCC9, and CIP subfamilies. Three NKCC1 homologous genes (EcSLC12A2.1, EcSLC12A2.2, and EcSLC12A2.3) were reported for the first time in crustaceans. The EcSLC12 family exhibited distinct expression patterns in response to low-salinity, high-alkalinity, and saline–alkaline stress. EcSLC12A2.2 was highly expressed in the gill, and its expression was closely correlated with saline–alkaline acclimation. Additionally, EcSLC12A2.2 knockdown decreased E. carinicauda survival under saline–alkaline stress. Thus, EcSLC12A2.2 plays critical roles in osmotic regulation and saline–alkaline acclimation. This study provides crucial insights into E. carinicauda’s saline–alkaline tolerance mechanisms, and the discovery of multiple NKCC1 homologs fills a gap in the crustacean SLC12 gene family research. Full article

As rural populations age at an accelerating pace, the role of public spaces in enhancing the quality of life and promoting social engagement among older adults has become increasingly important. However, a significant cognitive gap persists between the actual needs of elderly users and the intentions of designers, often resulting in suboptimal design outcomes and underutilized spaces. This study centers on the concept of user–designer cognitive synergy, aiming to establish a systematic framework to bridge this cognitive divide and improve the design quality of age-friendly rural public spaces. Employing Grounded Theory, the FKANO model, and the DEMATEL method, this study systematically elicited user needs, classified their attributes, and mapped causal relations to determine priority drivers. Applied in a representative rural case, the framework identified Environmental and Operations Management and Spatial Accessibility as the most critical needs, while Smart-Friendliness and Safety Organization were also shown to play significant roles. These findings directly informed targeted spatial strategies such as barrier-free circulation, robust nighttime safety systems, intergenerational hubs, and an operations backbone. Post-occupancy evaluation confirmed high satisfaction across safety, accessibility, functionality, social participation, and environmental comfort. The results demonstrate the framework’s effectiveness in translating complex needs into actionable design strategies, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for age-friendly rural public space development. Full article

In South Africa, small enterprise development is at the top of the government agenda. However, a significant issue lies in the type of skills and support necessary to develop SMMEs through the various phases of the business cycle. This study addresses a knowledge gap regarding whether SMME support interventions comprehensively address all managerial functions as per the P-O-L-C model. Guided by the Resource-Based Theory (RBT), and the Human Capital Theory (HCT), data was collected from 350 SMMEs in the Eastern Cape province using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Multiple regression analyses revealed that non-financial support from both the public (R² = 0.089, p = 0.215) and private (R² = 0.161, p = 0.207) sectors was not significantly associated with SMME success. Furthermore, while private sector support explained 14.8% (R² = 0.148, p < 0.001) and public sector support 7.6% (R² = 0.076, p < 0.001) of the variation in meeting SMME needs, support in key functional areas remains fragmented and poorly targeted. These findings highlight a systemic disconnect between the supply and demand sides of the SMME support ecosystem. To address this, this study proposes an integrative support model that aligns RBT and HCT within the P-O-L-C managerial framework, ensuring phase-appropriate, function-specific support. This framework departs from prior applications by reconceptualizing managerial support not as a generic intervention, but as a strategically sequenced process aligned with the business lifecycle. The model contributes a new lens for theorizing support efficacy and offers practical guidance for more targeted intervention design. This framework offers both theoretical and practical contributions toward improving the design and implementation of business interventions in South Africa. Full article

This study examines the role of cultural heritage sites as facilitators of place making within the evolving paradigm of smart city development. As cities worldwide adopt data-driven models of governance, integrating cultural identity and heritage becomes increasingly critical. This research addresses the conceptual and practical gap in understanding how heritage can support inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful urban transformation in smart city contexts. To do so, it selects Geelong in Australia as a case study. The study then employs a qualitative methodology drawing on semi-structured interviews with experts and professionals across urban planning, architecture, sustainability, and heritage management. Thematic analysis derived five key themes: heritage as an identity anchor, digital technologies enhancing cultural narratives, community engagement, adaptive reuse, and economic-policy integration. Findings highlight that heritage sites are dynamic assets that foster community identity, historical continuity, and digital storytelling. Digital tools enhance the visibility and accessibility of heritage, while adaptive reuse strategies align cultural preservation with environmental sustainability and economic growth. The resulting conceptual and assessment framework positions heritage both as a cultural and functional urban asset, offering actionable insights for planners, policymakers, and designers aiming to create smart cities that are not only technologically advanced but also socially inclusive and culturally grounded. Full article