This study investigated the influence of high silicon (4.2 wt%) and varying aluminum (3.5–4.8 wt%) content on the high temperature oxidation behavior and thermophysical properties of SiMoAl vermicular graphite cast iron for hot-end exhaust components. Isothermal oxidation tests at 800 °C and nonisothermal oxidation tests in a dry-air atmosphere were conducted on SiMo nodular iron, along with two SiMoAl vermicular graphite cast iron variants alloyed with 3.5 wt% Al and 4.8 wt% Al. The investigations revealed the formation of a thin duplex layer of oxide scale, consisting of an iron-rich external oxide layer and continuous aluminum oxide at the metal/oxide interface. Although aluminum oxide acted as a protective barrier by impeding the solid-state diffusion of oxygen, severe subsurface oxidation was observed due to the interconnected vermicular graphite covered by aluminum oxides after decarburization. Furthermore, based on nonisothermal oxidation experiments, the effective activation energy of oxidation was found to be significantly increased by the addition of aluminum, even though the oxidation activation energies of SiMoAl samples exhibited small changes in comparison to each other. Additionally, thermophysical analysis demonstrated a substantial decrease in the thermal conductivity and a slight increase in the thermal expansion with the addition of aluminum. Full article

As climate change accelerates, urban areas are becoming increasingly inhospitable, with rising heat island effects and overall unhealthy environmental conditions. In this context, historic villages, due to their proximity to nature and lower population density, can represent a valuable alternative to unsustainable urban areas, providing better quality of life (i.e., through healthier environment, better work–life balance). They are “populated” by historic buildings characterized by high cultural value but are often in a state of abandonment. Nowadays, the adaptive reuse of cultural heritage represents an efficient strategy to adapt it to new needs/requirements and, at the same time, to preserve its historical and intrinsic values for present and future generations. In this framework, this study proposes a multidimensional evaluation framework for assessing cultural heritage adaptive reuse projects, covering all sustainability dimensions and capturing both tangible and intangible values. This framework, consisting of multiple criteria and multidimensional indicators, has been applied to evaluate alternative scenarios related to the regeneration of the abandoned Seminary in Sant’Agata de’ Goti (historic village), Benevento, Italy. In particular, three different scenarios have been evaluated by the SOCRATES (SOcial multi Criteria Assessment of European policies) method, a multicriteria decision method developed by the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission. Full article

Carbon dots (CDs), owing to their excellent photoluminescent features, have been extensively studied for physics preparation methods and for biomedical and optoelectronic device applications. The assessment of the applicability of CDs in the production of luminescent polymeric composites used in LEDs, displays, sensors, and wearable devices is being pursued. The present study reports on an original, environmentally friendly, and low-cost route for the production of carbon dots with an average size of 4 nm by laser ablation in liquid. Jointly, to prove the significance of the study for a wide range of applications, a free-standing flexible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite containing photoluminescent carbon dots was manufactured. CDs were prepared using targets of porose charcoal with a density of 0.271 g/cm³ placed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) liquid solution and irradiated for 30 min by pulsed IR diode laser. The optical properties of the obtained suspension containing carbon dots were studied with UV-ViS and FTIR spectroscopies. The photoluminescence of the produced carbon dots was confirmed by the emission peak at 480 nm in the luminescence spectrum. A narrow luminescence band with a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of less than 40 nm could be an asset in spectral emission analysis in different applications. Atomic force microscopy confirms the feasibility of manufacturing CDs in clean and biocompatible environments, paving the way for an easier and faster production route, crucial for their wider applicability. Full article

The co-evolution between supermassive black holes and their environment is most directly traced by the hot atmospheres of dark matter halos. The cooling of the hot atmosphere supplies the central regions with fresh gas, igniting active galactic nuclei (AGN) with long duty cycles. The outflows from the central engine tightly couple with the surrounding gaseous medium and provide the dominant heating source, preventing runaway cooling. Every major modern hydrodynamical simulation suite now includes a prescription for AGN feedback to reproduce the realistic populations of galaxies. However, the mechanisms governing the feeding/feedback cycle between the central black holes and their surrounding galaxies and halos are still poorly understood. Galaxy groups are uniquely suited to constrain the mechanisms governing the cooling–heating balance, as the energy supplied by the central AGN can exceed the gravitational binding energy of halo gas particles. Here, we provide a brief overview of our knowledge of the impact of AGN on the hot atmospheres of galaxy groups, with a specific focus on the thermodynamic profiles of the groups. We then present our on-going efforts to improve on the implementation of AGN feedback in galaxy evolution models by providing precise measurements of the properties of galaxy groups. We introduce the XMM-Newton Group AGN Project (X-GAP), a large program on XMM-Newton targeting a sample of 49 galaxy groups out to $R_{500c}$. Full article

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a type of stroke caused by bleeding into the subarachnoid space. SAH is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment to prevent complications such as seizures, stroke, or other brain damage. Treatment options may include surgery, medication, or a combination of both. 2-Cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO), a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for various diseases, including chronic kidney disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this study, the effects of CDDO on rats subjected to SAH were evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): (1) control group, (2) SAH group, (3) SAH + low-dose CDDO (10 mg/kg injected into the subarachnoid space at 24 h after SAH) group, and (4) SAH + high-dose CDDO (20 mg/kg) group. CDDO improved SAH-induced poor neurological outcomes and reduced vasospasm in the basal artery following SAH. It also decreased the SAH-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in both the cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples as determined by ELISA. A Western blot analysis confirmed an increase in the p-NF-κB protein level after SAH, but it was significantly decreased with CDDO intervention. Immunofluorescence staining highlighted the proliferation of microglia and astrocytes as well as apoptosis of the neuronal cells after SAH, and treatment with CDDO markedly reduced the proliferation of these glial cells and apoptosis of the neuronal cells. The early administration of CDDO after SAH may effectively mitigate neuronal apoptosis and vasospasm by suppressing inflammation. Full article

The cider market has been significantly expanding and gaining momentum in Eastern Europe. As such, the aim of this study was to obtain sparkling cider via the Champenoise method using two Romanian apple varieties (Topaz and Red Topaz) alongside the employment of two fermentations. Four yeast strains were used in the first fermentation, while encapsulated Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used in the second fermentation. The resulting cider was subjected to a comprehensive investigation to quantitatively determine the carbohydrates, organic acids, volatile and phenolic compounds, and amino acids from all the cider samples. A trained panel evaluated the sensory profile of the samples, and a chemometric analysis was used to interpret the data. Secondary fermentation increased the accumulation of malic acid and lactic acid, as well as the volatile profile complexity. The total polyphenol content in the sparkling cider samples increased by almost 20% in the S. cerevisiae sample and over 217% in the P. kluyveri + S. cerevisiae sample compared to the base cider. Additionally, studying the production and consumption trends of sparkling cider offers valuable insights for both producers and consumers. By understanding consumer preferences and refining production techniques, the industry can deliver higher-quality products that better align with market demands. Full article

Advancements in cell culturing techniques have allowed the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models sourced directly from patients’ tissues and tumors, faithfully replicating the native tissue environment. These models provide a more clinically relevant platform for studying disease progression and treatment responses compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) models. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and patient-derived xenograft organoids (PDXOs) emerge as innovative 3D cancer models capable of accurately mimicking the tumor’s unique features, enhancing our understanding of tumor complexities, and predicting clinical outcomes. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive nature, propensity for early metastasis, and limited treatment options. TNBC PDOs and PDXOs have significantly contributed to the comprehension of TNBC, providing novel insights into its underlying mechanism and identifying potential therapeutic targets. This review explores the transformative role of various 3D cancer models in elucidating TNBC pathogenesis and guiding novel therapeutic strategies. It also provides an overview of diverse 3D cell culture models, derived from cell lines and tumors, highlighting their advantages and culturing challenges. Finally, it delves into live-cell imaging techniques, endpoint assays, and alternative cell culture media and methodologies, such as scaffold-free and scaffold-based systems, essential for advancing 3D cancer model research and development. Full article

The health status of Hungary’s population is unfavorable, with significant differences in health indicators not only compared to the EU15 but also to the Visegrad countries. Unfavorable health indicators can be disproportionate and particularly affect vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities. In this study, we set out to compare the health behavior of disabled youth and youth with typical development in Hungary. We also aimed to compare the health behavior of adolescents in the Visegrad countries. The eating habits of both groups of young people we examined are unfavorable. Adolescents with disabilities experience a significantly higher rate of school stress than children with typical development in Hungary. The prevalence of somatic complaints and parameters of poor mental well-being are significantly higher in Hungary than in the other Visegrad countries. The results indicate that additional interventions are needed in Hungary and that differentiated, professional health promotion is needed for young people with disabilities. The researchers recommend extending the study to disabled adolescents living in Visegrad countries, on the basis of which an injury-specific health promotion methodology could be developed with international interprofessional cooperation. Full article

Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the living conditions of the population were dramatically altered, with social distancing measures and the looming threat to public health leaving a profound impact on people’s lives. This study aims to assess the influence of COVID-19 on subjective well-being and overall quality of life in Mexico. A structural model with latent variables was used. Data were extracted from the National Self-Reported Well-being Survey (SWLS) from October 2020 and January 2021, featuring a robust sample size of 3615 residents from urban areas in Mexico, all aged 18 and above. Findings revealed that around 38% of the variance in overall life satisfaction in October 2020 and January 2021 could be attributed to Personal well-being (0.231), Personal satisfaction (0.320), Satisfaction with the environment (0.076), and Negative emotional states (−0.116). In comparison, October 2019 to January 2020 saw a lower 20% explained variance, primarily associated with Personal well-being (0.184), Personal satisfaction (0.270), and Satisfaction with the environment (0.052). Reliability assessments, including Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, Rho_a, and Composite Reliability, all surpassed 0.70 for each subscale. In addition, our study confirmed convergent validity, as the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) consistently exceeded 0.50 across all subscales, while the discriminant coefficient exceeded 0.70. Full article

In order to shorten the length of satellite thermal testing and reduce the cost of satellite development, a new method of satellite thermal testing using a heat sink to simulate space heating flow has been proposed. First, based on the characteristics of low-orbit satellites and the current research of thermal tests, the necessity of studying high-efficiency thermal test methods for satellites is expounded, and the advantages of the heat sink equivalent thermal tests compared to conventional tests are explained. Then, the principle of the heat sink equivalent thermal tests is described, the formula to calculate the heat sink temperature is given, and an error analysis of the formula is conducted. It is found that when the emissivity of the heat sink surface is greater than 0.9 and the ratio of the heat sink’s surface area to the satellite’s is greater than 10, the error of the heat sink equivalent tests should be within 1 °C. Next, the application of the heat sink equivalent thermal test is described using the Jilin−1 GF02F satellite as an example. Finally, the test results and the flight temperature of the GF02F satellite are acquired and analyzed. The results show that the error of the heat sink equivalent thermal test is 0.9 °C, the test time is shortened by one-third compared to traditional thermal tests, and the cost of the thermal test is reduced by more than 70%. Full article

There is an essential clinical need to develop rapid process scaffolds to repair bone defects. The current research presented the development of calcium zirconium silicate/polycaprolactone for bone tissue engineering utilising melt extrusion-based 3D printing. Calcium zirconium silicate (CZS) nanoparticles were added to polycaprolactone (PCL) porous scaffolds to enhance their biological and mechanical properties, while the resulting properties were studied extensively. No significant difference was found in the melting point of the samples, while the crystallisation temperature points of the samples containing bioceramic increased from 36.1 to 40.2 °C. Thermal degradation commenced around 350 °C for all materials. According to our results, increasing the CZS content from 0 to 40 wt.% (PC40) in porous scaffolds (porosity about 55–62%) improved the compressive strength from 2.8 to 10.9 MPa. Furthermore, apatite formation ability in SBF solution increased significantly by enhancing the CZS percentage. According to MTT test results, the viability of MG63 cells improved remarkably (~29%) in PC40 compared to pure PCL. These findings suggest that a 3D-printed PCL/CZS composite scaffold can be fabricated successfully and shows great potential as an implantable material for bone tissue engineering applications. Full article

This paper aims to offer an interpretation of Ham Sok Hon’s views on the dynamic relationship between religion and politics. While considerable discussion has already taken place in the Korean academic community across various fields, including philosophy, theology, and political science, many of which propose ssial philosophy as the metaphysical foundation of his political thoughts, there still remains a need for a more systematic understanding of their relationship, which I argue is closely linked to his concept of jeonilhwa gwajeong (the process of unification/integration). By exploring Ham’s unique analysis, particularly in relation to the notion of ipcheseong (stereoscopic/multi-dimensional), this paper will underscore their shared roots and objectives across different spheres of life: one pertaining to salim (human affairs) seeking the pursuit of fairness and equality, and the other dealing with spirituality, aspiring to grasp the sublime aspects of human existence. Both religion and politics, as these movements are termed, are mutually dependent, with their culmination promising peace and harmony in historical reality. Through highlighting Ham’s integrated perspective on religion and politics, I will ultimately suggest a specific discourse—civil religion—as a theoretical framework to effectively unravels Ham’s viewpoints. Full article

Seed germination is a complex process that can be negatively affected by numerous stresses. Trichoderma spp. are known as effective biocontrol agents as well as plant growth and germination stimulators. However, understanding of the early interactions between seeds and Trichoderma spp. remains limited. In the present paper, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were used to reveal the nature of tomato seed germination as stimulated by Trichoderma. A rapid response of tomato seeds to Trichoderma spp. was observed within 48 h on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) substrate, preceding any physical contact. Raman analysis indicated that both Trichoderma species stimulated phenolic compound synthesis by triggering plant-specific responses in seed radicles. The impact of T. harzianum and T. brevicompactum on two tomato cultivars resulted in alterations to the middle lamella pectin, cellulose, and xyloglucan in the primary cell wall. The Raman spectra indicated increased xylan content in NA with T9 treatment as well as increased hemicelluloses in GZ with T4 treatment. Moreover, T4 treatment resulted in elevated conjugated aldehydes in lignin in GZ, whereas the trend was reversed in NA. Additionally, FTIR analysis revealed significant changes in total protein levels in Trichoderma spp.-treated tomato seed radicles, with simultaneous decreases in pectin and/or xyloglucan. Our results indicate that two complementary spectroscopic methods, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, can give valuable information on rapid changes in the plant cell wall structure of tomato radicles during germination stimulated by Trichoderma spp. Full article

There is an issue in the building stock, especially in Europe, concerning energy efficiency and climate change adaptation. Due to insufficient thermal insulation and passive solutions, the majority of the existing buildings are not only ill-prepared for the negative effects of climate change, but they also contribute to higher energy consumption. The combination of smart materials and 4D printing for hygrothermal rehabilitation of building facades is the main topic of this review paper. The paper examines the application of smart materials in construction to overcome problems with moisture and heat transfer and other issues in the building envelope. It discusses numerous instances of this printing technology’s applications, such as particular responsive elements, identifies trends and draws attention to knowledge gaps in the field, and assesses environmental and economic impacts. The objective is to offer comparable data to aid in upcoming studies concerning the creation of 4D-printed building façade solutions. Additionally, the paper can be interpreted as a collaborative attempt to influence the direction of future hygrothermal building rehabilitation practices. It also aims to assist designers and other relevant parties in understanding the advantages, restrictions, and difficulties related to 4D printing and smart materials for the sustainable management of buildings. Full article

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft represent a crucial aviation technology to transform future transportation systems. The unique characteristics of eVTOL aircraft include reduced noise, low pollutant emission, efficient operating cost, and flexible maneuverability, which in the meantime pose critical challenges to advanced power retention techniques. Thus, optimal takeoff trajectory design is essential due to immense power demands during eVTOL takeoffs. Conventional design optimizations, however, adopt high-fidelity simulation models in an iterative manner resulting in a computationally intensive mechanism. In this work, we implement a surrogate-enabled inverse mapping optimization architecture, i.e., directly predicting optimal designs from design requirements (including flight conditions and design constraints). A trained inverse mapping surrogate performs real-time optimal eVTOL takeoff trajectory predictions with no need for running optimizations; however, one training sample requires one design optimization in this inverse mapping setup. The excessive training cost of inverse mapping and the characteristics of optimal eVTOL takeoff trajectories necessitate the development of the regression generative adversarial network (regGAN) surrogate. We propose to further enhance regGAN predictive performance through the transfer learning (TL) technique, creating a scheme termed regGAN-TL. In particular, the proposed regGAN-TL scheme leverages the generative adversarial network (GAN) architecture consisting of a generator network and a discriminator network, with a combined loss of the mean squared error (MSE) and binary cross-entropy (BC) losses, for regression tasks. In this work, the generator employs design requirements as input and produces optimal takeoff trajectory profiles, while the discriminator differentiates the generated profiles and real optimal profiles in the training set. The combined loss facilitates the generator training in the dual aspects: the MSE loss targets minimum differences between generated profiles and training counterparts, while the BC loss drives the generated profiles to share analogous patterns with the training set. We demonstrated the utility of regGAN-TL on optimal takeoff trajectory designs for the Airbus $A^3$ Vahana and compared its performance against representative surrogates, including the multi-output Gaussian process, the conditional GAN, and the vanilla regGAN. Results showed that regGAN-TL reached the 99.5% generalization accuracy threshold with only 200 training samples while the best reference surrogate required 400 samples. The 50% reduction in training expense and reduced standard deviations of generalization accuracy achieved by regGAN-TL confirmed its outstanding predictive performance and broad engineering application potential. Full article

In this study, the hyperbaric (2 bar) laser chemical vapor deposition of TiC fibers grown under various percent pressures of hydrogen and ratios of ethylene and titanium tetrachloride (2:1 or 1:1) are reported. In the hydrogen-rich (85%) condition, sequential fiber depositions became stunted as a result of a loss of hydrogen, which served as a reducing agent for the metal halide as hydrogen evolved with the hydrocarbon gas in the reaction zone because of the Le Chatelier principle. For the hydrogen-lean (25%) condition, the intrinsic fiber growth rate was invariant, but gas phase nucleation resulted in the hydrocarbon forming carbon soot in the chamber which subsequently deposited and coated on the fibers. In the hydrogen-balanced composition (50%), the 2:1 precursor ratio resulted in inconsistent intrinsic growth rates which ranged from approximately 30 μm/s to 44 μm/s. However, for the hydrogen-balanced (50%) 1:1 condition, the intrinsic growth rate variation was reduced to approximately 12 μm/s. The differences in fiber uniformity, composition, and structure under these process conditions are discussed in terms of hydrogen’s ability to serve as a reducing agent, a fluid to transport heat from the deposition zone, and alter the structure of the fiber through thermophoresis. Full article

In this paper, we address scheduling methods for queue stabilization and appropriate power allocation techniques in downlink dense user-centric scalable cell-free multiple-input multiple-output (CF-MIMO) networks. Scheduling is performed by the central processing unit (CPU) scheduler using Lyapunov optimization for queue stabilization. In this process, the drift-plus-penalty is utilized, and the control parameter V serves as the weighting factor for the penalty term. The control parameter V is fixed to achieve queue stabilization. We introduce the dynamic V method, which adaptively selects the control parameter V considering the current queue backlog, arrival rate, and effective rate. The dynamic V method allows flexible scheduling based on traffic conditions, demonstrating its advantages over fixed V scheduling methods. In cases where UEs scheduled with dynamic V exceed the number of antennas at the access point (AP), the semi-orthogonal user selection (SUS) algorithm is employed to reschedule UEs with favorable channel conditions and orthogonality. Dynamic V shows the best queue stabilization performance across all traffic conditions. It shows a 10% degraded throughput performance compared to V = 10,000. Max-min fairness (MMF), sum SE maximization, and fractional power allocation (FPA) are widely considered power allocation methods. However, the power allocation method proposed in this paper, combining FPA and queue-based FPA, achieves up to 60% better queue stabilization performance compared to MMF. It is suitable for systems requiring low latency. Full article

Considering the negative effects of wetland degradation, various measures have been implemented to restore wetland habitats for aquatic organisms, and their effectiveness levels must be assessed. To reduce the effects of aquaculture on aquatic communities, pen culture facilities, which are widely distributed in Yangtze-connected lakes, were removed in 2018. We surveyed and compared waterbird communities in Caizi Lake during the four months before (2017–2018) and after net pen removal (2021–2022) to evaluate their effect on the diversity and species composition of wintering waterbirds. After net pen removal, the richness and number of individual waterbird species increased, whereas the Shannon–Wiener diversity index did not change because the increase in the bird number throughout the year was mostly associated with a few species. The response of individual numbers of different guilds to the removal of net pens differed. The number of deep-water fish eaters, seed eaters, and tuber feeders increased, whereas that of invertebrate eaters decreased. The species composition also changed, particularly in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the lake. Differences in waterbird communities between the winters of 2017–2018 and 2021–2022 indicated that net pen removal had a positive impact on waterbird communities. Full article

Background: Peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) is an oxidant linked with several human pathologies. Apigenin, a natural flavonoid known for its health benefits, remains unexplored in relation to ONOO⁻ effects. This study investigated the potential of apigenin to structurally protect fibrinogen, an essential blood clotting factor, from ONOO⁻-induced damage. Methods: Multi-approach analyses were carried out where fibrinogen was exposed to ONOO⁻ generation while testing the efficacy of apigenin. The role of apigenin against ONOO⁻-induced modifications in fibrinogen was investigated using UV spectroscopy, tryptophan or tyrosine fluorescence, protein hydrophobicity, carbonylation, and electrophoretic analyses. Results: The findings demonstrate that apigenin significantly inhibits ONOO⁻-induced oxidative damage in fibrinogen. ONOO⁻ caused reduced UV absorption, which was reversed by apigenin treatment. Moreover, ONOO⁻ diminished tryptophan and tyrosine fluorescence, which was effectively restored by apigenin treatment. Apigenin also reduced the hydrophobicity of ONOO⁻-damaged fibrinogen. Moreover, apigenin exhibited protective effects against ONOO⁻-induced protein carbonylation. SDS-PAGE analyses revealed that ONOO⁻treatment eliminated bands corresponding to fibrinogen polypeptide chains Aα and γ, while apigenin preserved these changes. Conclusions: This study highlights, for the first time, the role of apigenin in structural protection of human fibrinogen against peroxynitrite-induced nitrosative damage. Our data indicate that apigenin offers structural protection to all three polypeptide chains (Aα, Bβ, and γ) of human fibrinogen. Specifically, apigenin prevents the dislocation or breakdown of the amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, lysine, arginine, proline, and threonine and also prevents the exposure of hydrophobic sites in fibrinogen induced by ONOO⁻. Full article

This study developed an innovative active vibration canceling (AVC) system designed to mitigate non-periodic vibrations during road driving to enhance passenger comfort. The macro-fiber composite (MFC) used in the system is a smart material that is flexible, soft, lightweight, and applicable in many fields as a dual-purpose sensor and actuator. The target vibrations are road vibration data that were collected while driving on standard urban (Seoul) and highway roads at 40 km/s. To predict and cancel the target vibration accurately before passing it, we modeled the vibration prediction algorithm using a long short-term memory recurrent neural network (LSTM RNN). We regenerated vibrations on Seoul and highway roads at 40 km/s using MFCs and measured the displacements of the measured, predicted, and AVC vibrations of each road condition. To evaluate the vibration, we computed the root mean squared error (RMSE) and compared standard deviation (SD) values. The accuracies of LSTM RNN vibration prediction algorithms are 97.27% and 96.36% on Seoul roads and highway roads, respectively, at 40 km/s. Although the vibration ratio compared with the AVC results are different, there was no difference between the values of the AVC vibrations. According to a previous study and the principle of the AVC system, the target vibrations decrease by canceling the inverse vibration of the MFC actuator. Full article

The advancements in deep learning have significantly enhanced the capability of image generation models to produce images aligned with human intentions. However, training and adapting these models to new data and tasks remain challenging because of their complexity and the risk of catastrophic forgetting. This study proposes a method for addressing these challenges involving the application of class-replacement techniques within a continual learning framework. This method utilizes selective amnesia (SA) to efficiently replace existing classes with new ones while retaining crucial information. This approach improves the model’s adaptability to evolving data environments while preventing the loss of past information. We conducted a detailed evaluation of class-replacement techniques, examining their impact on the “class incremental learning” performance of models and exploring their applicability in various scenarios. The experimental results demonstrated that our proposed method could enhance the learning efficiency and long-term performance of image generation models. This study broadens the application scope of image generation technology and supports the continual improvement and adaptability of corresponding models. Full article

This narrative review aims to examine the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of plant extracts in preventing and treating alopecia (baldness). We searched and selected research papers on plant extracts related to hair loss, hair growth, or hair regrowth, and comprehensively compared the therapeutic efficacies, phytochemical components, and modulatory targets of plant extracts. These studies showed that various plant extracts increased the survival and proliferation of dermal papilla cells in vitro, enhanced cell proliferation and hair growth in hair follicles ex vivo, and promoted hair growth or regrowth in animal models in vivo. The hair growth-promoting efficacy of several plant extracts was verified in clinical trials. Some phenolic compounds, terpenes and terpenoids, sulfur-containing compounds, and fatty acids were identified as active compounds contained in plant extracts. The pharmacological effects of plant extracts and their active compounds were associated with the promotion of cell survival, cell proliferation, or cell cycle progression, and the upregulation of several growth factors, such as IGF-1, VEGF, HGF, and KGF (FGF-7), leading to the induction and extension of the anagen phase in the hair cycle. Those effects were also associated with the alleviation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, cellular senescence, or apoptosis, and the downregulation of male hormones and their receptors, preventing the entry into the telogen phase in the hair cycle. Several active plant extracts and phytochemicals stimulated the signaling pathways mediated by protein kinase B (PKB, also called AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), Wingless and Int-1 (WNT), or sonic hedgehog (SHH), while suppressing other cell signaling pathways mediated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Thus, well-selected plant extracts and their active compounds can have beneficial effects on hair health. It is proposed that the discovery of phytochemicals targeting the aforementioned cellular events and cell signaling pathways will facilitate the development of new targeted therapies for alopecia. Full article