Search Results (31,410)

Integrating bioluminescent organisms as passive lighting sources in the built environment is currently a hot topic. However, there are several limitations facing the implementation and up-scaling of these naturally bioluminescent organisms in the built environment on architectural and urban scales, such as the scale, sensitivity, enclosure, and difficulty of maintenance. Moreover, there are complex technicalities and operational aspects of conventional bioreactors that host these bioluminescent agents, especially in terms of managing their recharge and effluent, not to mention their high maintenance cost. The current work offers a sustainable, stand-alone, bioluminescent urban screen system employing Aliivibrio fischeri CECT 524 bioink on 3D-printed customized scaffolds as bioreceptive panel design based on a field-diffusion pattern to host the bioluminescent bacterial bioink. The field-diffusion pattern was employed thanks to its proven efficiency in entrapment of the various microbial cultures. Three different growth media were tested for culturing Aliivibrio fischeri CECT 524, including Luria Bertani Broth (LB), the Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB), and the standard Marine Broth (MB). The results revealed that the Marine Broth (MB) media achieved the highest bioluminescent intensity and duration. The maximum light emission typically in range of ~490 nm of blue–green light captured by a conventional reflex camera (human eye vision) was observed for 10 consecutive days in complete darkness after 3–10 s, at a room temperature of 25 °C. This was visible mainly at the thin curvilinear peaks of the 3D-printed field pattern. P1 achieved the highest performance in terms of visible blue–green light, and a duration of 10 days of active bioluminescence was achieved without the need for refilling, thanks to the high number of peaks and narrow wells at <0.5 cm of its field-diffusion pattern. This study proves the efficiency of this biomimetic pattern in terms of the bioreceptivity of the bioluminescent bacterial bioink. Furthermore, the proposed 3D-printed urban screens proved their economic sustainability in terms of affordability and their minimized production processes, in addition to their easy maintenance and recharge. These results qualify these 3D-printed bioluminescent urban screens for easy and decentralized adoption and application on an architectural and urban scale. Full article

This paper presents an automatic system for the classification of musical instruments from audio recordings. The project leverages deep learning (DL) techniques to achieve its objective, exploring three different classification approaches based on distinct input representations. The first method involves the extraction of Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) from the audio files, which are then fed into a two-dimensional convolutional neural network (Conv2D). The second approach makes use of mel-spectrogram images as input to a similar Conv2D architecture. The third approach employs conventional machine learning (ML) classifiers, including Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Random Forest, trained on MFCC-derived feature vectors. To gain insight into the behavior of the DL model, explainability techniques were applied to the Conv2D model using mel-spectrograms, allowing for a better understanding of how the network interprets relevant features for classification. Additionally, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) was employed on the MFCC vectors to visualize how instrument classes are organized in the feature space. One of the main challenges encountered was the class imbalance within the dataset, which was addressed by assigning class-specific weights during training. The results, in terms of classification accuracy, were very satisfactory across all approaches, with the convolutional models and Random Forest achieving around 97–98%, and Logistic Regression yielding slightly lower performance. In conclusion, the proposed methods proved effective for the selected dataset, and future work may focus on further improving class balance techniques. Full article

This paper examines the role of architects in identifying and implementing design strategies that enhance labour skills, facilitate technology transfer, and support capacity building in developing economies. It examines whether specific design approaches can introduce technological robustness to address the social, cultural, and economic challenges of construction in fragmented industrial environments. The study develops a normative framework for ‘technological robustness,’ which counteracts socio-technical fragmentation and promotes resilient, adaptable building practices in low-resource settings. Through a practitioner-researcher case study of a community library project in Sri Lanka, the paper illustrates how design strategies can expand operational capacity, adjust to variations in workmanship, and encourage organic skill development on real construction sites. The research offers two main contributions: a scalable, structured design methodology that guarantees technical adaptability, cultural relevance, and economic resilience; and an empirical example demonstrating how design can actively generate opportunities for capacity building within fragmented socio-technical systems. Overall, the framework provides practical pathways to enhance construction outcomes in developing economies. Full article

This paper charts AI’s transformative path toward advancing sustainability within art museums, introducing a Human–AI compass as a conceptual framework for navigating its integration. It advocates for human-centric AI that optimizes operations, modernizes collection management, and deepens visitor engagement—anchored in meaningful human–technology synergy and thoughtful human oversight. Drawing on extensive literature review and real-world museum case studies, the paper explores AI’s multifaceted impact across three domains. Firstly, it examines how AI improves operations, from audience forecasting and resource optimization to refining marketing, supporting conservation, and reshaping curatorial practices. Secondly, it investigates AI’s influence on digital collection management, highlighting its ability to improve organization, searchability, analysis, and interpretation through automated metadata and advanced pattern recognition. Thirdly, the study analyzes how AI elevates the visitor experience via chatbots, audio guides, and interactive applications, leveraging personalization, recommendation systems, and co-creation opportunities. Crucially, this exploration acknowledges AI’s complex challenges—technical-operational, ethical-governance, socioeconomic-cultural, and environmental—underscoring the indispensable role of human judgment in steering its implementation. The Human-AI compass offers a balanced, strategic approach for aligning innovation with human values, ethical principles, museum mission, and sustainability. The study provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners and policymakers, enriching the broader discourse on AI’s growing role in the art and cultural sector. Full article

Background: Trelegy Ellipta is a widely prescribed triple inhaler therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although its clinical efficacy is well established, evidence on sex-specific differences in adverse event (AE) profiles from real-world pharmacovigilance data remains limited. In addition, some AEs may reflect underlying disease characteristics rather than drug exposure, which complicates interpretation of safety signals. Objective: To explore sex-related differences in AEs associated with Trelegy Ellipta using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). The study aimed to identify potential safety signals while accounting for alternative explanations, including comorbidity burden and disease-related variation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed FAERS reports from January 2018 to April 2025, identifying 4555 AEs attributed to Trelegy Ellipta. Events were coded by System Organ Class (SOC) and stratified by patient sex. Frequencies were compared between male (n = 1621) and female (n = 2934) patients using chi-square tests, and associations were expressed as reporting odds ratios (RORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Male patients more frequently reported hypertension (63.4% vs. 47.0%; p = 0.01), pneumonia (87.8% vs. 76.8%; p < 0.001), anxiety (91.0% vs. 66.9%; p < 0.001), sleep disorders (20.1% vs. 6.8%; p < 0.001), and hyperglycemia (92.7% vs. 52.1%; p < 0.001). Female patients more often reported headache (56.7% vs. 32.6%; p < 0.001), depression (33.1% vs. 9.0%; p < 0.001), and osteoporosis (41.7% vs. 2.4%; p < 0.001). Further variation was observed across neurological, musculoskeletal, and respiratory categories, suggesting a multidimensional pattern of sex differences. Conclusions: This FAERS-based analysis indicates distinct sex-specific safety signals for Trelegy Ellipta, particularly in cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and steroid-related domains. These findings are hypothesis-generating and highlight the importance of incorporating sex-disaggregated analyses into future pharmacovigilance and clinical studies. Full article

The human eye is a complex organ that is prone to visual impairment from both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. While some lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can negatively influence the eye’s visual system, others can have a positive impact. For instance, a healthy diet that includes nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin can have a beneficial effect on macular health. Similarly, exercise can have a beneficial effect not only on general health and wellbeing but also on ocular health. This article will provide an overview of the link between modifiable risk factors such as diet, exercise, psychological stress and others on ocular diseases including dry eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, myopia, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. It will also evaluate whether there is a need to raise awareness amongst the general population on how simple lifestyle changes can improve ocular health. Full article

The coal mining sector in Indonesia faces a high level of risk of disasters; however, to date, there is no specific evaluation framework to measure Emergency Management Capability. This research aims to develop a conceptual model of EMC that applies to the context of the coal mining industry. Using an exploratory qualitative approach, this study employed regulatory analysis and in-depth interviews, which were then thematically analyzed using the NVivo application. The results identified four challenges to EMC implementation, namely the absence of a minimum index standard for assessment, policy and implementation gaps, illegal mining activities, and risk dynamics. In response to these challenges, three strategic approaches were proposed: utilizing the InaRISK platform, adapting the IKD model, and developing standardized EMC instruments. Furthermore, this research formulates seven main components in the mining sector EMC framework, namely (1) risk and threat identification, (2) physical capacity, (3) human resource capacity, (4) prevention, (5) emergency response capability, (6) evaluation and improvement, and (7) recovery and restoration. This framework is expected to serve as a reference for evaluating the preparedness of mining organizations in a systematic, adaptive, and integrated manner within the national safety management system. Full article

While synthetic biology has traditionally focused on creating biological systems often through genetic engineering, emerging technologies, for example, implantable pacemakers with integrated piezo-electric and tribo-electric materials are beginning to enlarge the classical domain into what we call symbiotic synthetic biology. These devices are permanently attached to a body, although non-living or genetically unaltered, and closely mimic biological behavior by harvesting biomechanical energy and providing functions, such as autonomous heart pacing. They form active interfaces with human tissues and operate as hybrid systems, similar to synthetic organs. In this context, the present paper first presents a short summary of previous in vivo studies on piezo-electric composites in relation to their deployment as battery-less pacemakers. This is then followed by a summary of a recent theoretical work using a damped harmonic resonance model, which is being extended to mimic the functioning of such devices. We then extend the theoretical study further to include new solutions and obtain a sum rule for the power output per cycle in such systems. In closing, we present our quantitative understanding to explore the modulation of the quantum vacuum energy (Casimir effect) by periodic body movements to power pacemakers. Taken together, the present work provides the scientific foundation of the next generation bio-integrated intelligent implementation. Full article

Traffic flow forecasting plays a significant role in intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) and is instructive for traffic planning, management and control.Increasingly complex traffic conditions pose further challenges to the traffic flow forecasting. While improving the accuracy of model forecasting, the parameter effectiveness of the model is also an issue that cannot be ignored. In addition, existing traffic prediction models have failed to organically integrate data with well-designed model architectures. Therefore, to address the above two issues, we propose the STAE-BiSSSM model as a solution. STAE-BiSSSM consists of Spatio-Temporal Adaptive Embedding (STAE) and Bidirectional Selective State Space Model (BiSSSM), where STAE aims to process features to obtain richer spatio-temporal feature representations. BiSSSM is a novel structural design serving as an alternative to Transformer, capable of extracting patterns of traffic flow changes from both the forward and backward directions of time series with much fewer parameters. Comparative tests between baseline models and STAE-BiSSSM on five real-world datasets illustrates the advance performance of STAE-BiSSSM. This is especially so on METRLA and PeMSBAY datasets, compared with the SOTA model STAEformer. In the short-term forecasting task (horizon: 15min), MAE, RMSE and MAPE of STAE-BiSSSM decrease by 1.89%/13.74%, 3.72%/16.19% and 1.46%/17.39%, respectively. In the long-term forecasting task (horizon: 60min), MAE, RMSE and MAPE of STAE-BiSSSM decrease by 3.59%/13.83%, 7.26%/16.36% and 2.16%/15.65%, respectively. Full article

Cover crops and mulches are widely used techniques for limiting weeds and pests’ effects on crops. This study compared six practices over two growing seasons in two organic farms in Cuneo province, North-West Italy: two bio-based biodegradable mulch sheets (BM01 and BM02), dead mulch (hazelnut shells), living mulch (Trifolium repens L.), mechanical control, and an untreated control. Spring crops included Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata, Allium cepa L. cv. ‘Tropea’, and Brassica oleracea L. var. italica, while autumn crops were Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata, Allium fistulosum L., and Brassica oleracea L. var. italica. Weed infestation was evaluated through density (n/m²), biomass (g/m²), and diversity (Shannon Index), alongside crop yield and quality. Biodegradable mulch sheets provided the greatest weed suppression, followed by hazelnut shells, while living mulch and untreated control showed the highest weed pressure. Crop yield varied significantly among practices and species: BM01 and BM02 resulted in the highest yields, while living mulch consistently produced the lowest. Lettuce displayed the best quality across both farms, whereas onion quality varied by site. The highest quality scores were observed under biodegradable mulches and mechanical control, while living mulch and untreated control yielded the poorest results. Overall, biodegradable mulches emerged as the most effective balance between weed suppression, crop yield, and quality in organic systems. Full article

Despite the health concerns regarding alcohol and its link to cancer, moderate consumption of red wine has been associated with healthy aging and longevity, defined as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men (approximately 142 mL or 5 oz per drink). Previous research has revealed the health benefits of red wine, particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease. However, the influence of genetic factors on these benefits remains to be elucidated. In this study, we explored genes linked to red wine and created a curated gene set that intersects with those related to centenarians, which are markers of exceptional longevity. By analyzing literature from over 190 databases, we identified and validated a curated list of 43 genes associated with red wine and centenarians. We conducted gene set enrichment analysis as well as enrichment analysis of diseases and their tissue distributions. The results suggest that these genes play a crucial role in stress response and apoptosis, which are essential for cell survival and renewal. Additionally, these genes were enriched in pathways associated with smooth muscle cell proliferation, neuroinflammation, nucleotide excision repair, and lipoprotein metabolism (false discovery rate, FDR < 3 × 10⁻⁷). Gene set enrichment analysis indicated significant tissue distribution in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Furthermore, the disease–gene enrichment analysis pointed to associations with diseases related to tissues and organs, including cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic diseases, immune diseases, and cancer (FDR < 9.37 × 10⁻⁶); notably, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer are leading causes of death, suggesting that these genes may be protective against those diseases. Our review of the literature indicates that individuals who do not currently drink alcohol should not be encouraged to start. However, we propose that moderate consumption of red wine, especially for middle-aged to older adults after 40 years old, can provide significant health benefits due to its components and the positive effects of hormesis. Although further research is necessary to uncover additional genes, this study provides the first genetic overview of the health benefits of red wine, emphasizing its potential in supporting healthy aging and longevity. Full article

This study presents detailed microstructural observations of the mouthparts and sensory organs of adult cicadomorphan species, obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Despite microstructural variation, the overall morphology of the mouthparts, comprising a three-segmented labium and a bundle of interlocking stylets (maxillae and mandibles), is highly conserved across species, supporting its evolutionary significance in sap feeding from floem, xylem, or epidermis cells. Variations in the number and shape of mandibular stylet barbs likely reflect adaptations to different host plant tissues. The presence of an identical dual interlocking system between the maxillary stylets, which is found consistently across taxa, enhances functional stability during feeding and indicates a conserved mechanism among cicadomorphans. The species studied exhibit two distinct types of salivary canal closure: hooked and T-shaped. The latter potentially represents a state linked to specialised feeding strategies, such as sap xylem feeding. On the labial tip, there are different shapes of the anterior sensory fields. This area hosts a complex array of sensilla of different numbers, including gustatory (sensilla peg, PS1 and PS2, basiconica, BS3, double basiconica, DB), olfactory (finger–like, FLS) and thermo-hygroreceptive (sensillum dome-shaped, DS, and coeloconicum, CS) types, which facilitate host detection and feeding site selection. In the posterior sensory field, sensilla contact-chemosensory (sensilla basiconica, BS1 and BS2, and sensillum trichoideum, TS) are present. Mechanosensilla chaetica (CH1–CH3) are widely distributed on the last labial segment and may contribute to labium positioning. These findings emphasise the presence of both conserved and specialised morphological traits reflecting evolutionary and ecological diversification within Cicadomorpha. Full article

Large Language Models (LLMs) exhibit remarkable generative capabilities but remain vulnerable to hallucinations—outputs that are fluent yet inaccurate, ungrounded, or inconsistent with source material. To address the lack of methodologically grounded surveys, this paper introduces a novel method-oriented taxonomy of hallucination mitigation strategies in text-based LLMs. The taxonomy organizes over 300 studies into six principled categories: Training and Learning Approaches, Architectural Modifications, Input/Prompt Optimization, Post-Generation Quality Control, Interpretability and Diagnostic Methods, and Agent-Based Orchestration. Beyond mapping the field, we identify persistent challenges such as the absence of standardized evaluation benchmarks, attribution difficulties in multi-method systems, and the fragility of retrieval-based methods when sources are noisy or outdated. We also highlight emerging directions, including knowledge-grounded fine-tuning and hybrid retrieval–generation pipelines integrated with self-reflective reasoning agents. This taxonomy provides a methodological framework for advancing reliable, context-sensitive LLM deployment in high-stakes domains such as healthcare, law, and defense. Full article

Accelerated artificial aging of zinc oxide (ZnO)-based acrylic artists’ paint, filled with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) as an extender, was carried out for a total of 1963 h (~8 × 10⁷ lux·h), with assessments at specific intervals. The total color difference ΔE* was <2 (CIELab-76 system) over 1725 h of aging, while the human eye notices color change at ΔE* > 2. Oxidative degradation of organic components in the paint to form volatile products was revealed by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). It appears that deep oxidation of organic intermediates and volatilization of organic matter may be responsible for the relatively small value of ΔE* color difference during aging of the samples. To elucidate the degradation pathways, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the spectral data, revealing: (1) the catalytic role of ZnO in accelerating photodegradation, (2) the Kolbe photoreaction, (3) the decomposition of the binder to form volatile degradation products, and (4) the relative photoinactivity of CaCO₃ compared with ZnO, showing slower degradation in areas with a higher CaCO₃ content compared with those dominated by ZnO. These results provide fundamental insights into formulation-specific degradation processes, offering practical guidance for the development of more durable artist paints and conservation strategies for acrylic artworks. Full article

Bone immunity represents a dynamic interface where skeletal homeostasis intersects with systemic immune regulation. We synthesize emerging paradigms by contrasting two functionally distinct microenvironments: the marrow cavity, a hematopoietic and immune cell reservoir, and cancellous bone, a metabolically active hub orchestrating osteoimmune interactions. The marrow cavity not only generates innate and adaptive immune cells but also preserves long-term immune memory through stromal-derived chemokines and survival factors, while cancellous bone regulates bone remodeling via macrophage-osteoclast crosstalk and cytokine gradients. Breakthroughs in lymphatic vasculature identification challenge traditional views, revealing cortical and lymphatic networks in cancellous bone that mediate immune surveillance and pathological processes such as cancer metastasis. Central to bone immunity is the neuro–immune–endocrine axis, where sympathetic and parasympathetic signaling bidirectionally modulate osteoclastogenesis and macrophage polarization. Gut microbiota-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and polyamines, reshape bone immunity through epigenetic and receptor-mediated pathways, bridging systemic metabolism with local immune responses. In disease contexts, dysregulated immune dynamics drive osteoporosis via RANKL/IL-17 hyperactivity and promote leukemic evasion through microenvironmental immunosuppression. We further propose the “brain–gut–bone axis” as a systemic regulatory framework, wherein vagus nerve-mediated gut signaling enhances osteogenic pathways, while leptin and adipokine circuits link marrow adiposity to inflammatory bone loss. These insights redefine bone as a multidimensional immunometabolic organ, integrating neural, endocrine, and microbial inputs to maintain homeostasis. By elucidating the mechanisms of immune-driven bone pathologies, this work highlights therapeutic opportunities through biomaterial-mediated immunomodulation and microbiota-targeted interventions, paving the way for next-generation treatments in osteoimmune disorders. Full article