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12 pages, 657 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prognostic Value of Treatment-Related Body Composition Changes in Metastatic NSCLC Receiving Nivolumab

by Erkam Kocaaslan, Ali Kaan Güren, Fırat Akagündüz, Ahmet Demirel, Mustafa Alperen Tunç, Burak Paçacı, Yeşim Ağyol, Pınar Erel, Abdüssamed Çelebi, Selver Işık, Ezgi Çoban, Nazım Can Demircan, Salih Özgüven, Zeynep Ceren Balaban Genç, Nargiz Majidova, Nadiye Sever, Murat Sarı, Osman Köstek and İbrahim Vedat Bayoğlu

Medicina 2026, 62(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62010098 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of baseline body composition measurements and changes in muscle and adipose tissue during treatment on overall survival (OS) in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with nivolumab. Materials and Methods: [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of baseline body composition measurements and changes in muscle and adipose tissue during treatment on overall survival (OS) in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with nivolumab. Materials and Methods: Eighty-eight metastatic NSCLC patients who were initiated on nivolumab between January 2022 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Body composition parameters were derived from baseline and 3-month ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scans at the L3 level, including psoas muscle index (PMI), skeletal muscle index (SMI), intramuscular adipose content (IMAC), and subcutaneous fat density (SFD). Treatment-related changes in body composition were evaluated, and survival analyses were performed using Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox regression models. Results: Overall, 34.1% (n = 30) of patients were classified as sarcopenic. Median OS was significantly longer in non-sarcopenic patients (19 months vs. 5 months, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, older age, higher comorbidity burden, liver metastasis, baseline sarcopenia, and adverse treatment-related changes in muscle and nutritional parameters were found to be associated with OS. In multivariate analysis, only unfavorable changes in skeletal muscle (ΔSMI; HR 3.39, p = 0.003) and subcutaneous fat radiodensity (ΔSFD; HR 2.45, p = 0.02) remained independent adverse prognostic factors. Baseline body composition parameters did not maintain their independence in multivariate models. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that muscle loss or insufficient gain and unfavorable changes in subcutaneous fat radiodensity during nivolumab treatment more strongly predict overall survival compared to baseline measurements. These findings highlight the clinical importance of monitoring dynamic body composition throughout treatment, rather than static assessments, in NSCLC patients receiving immunotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Oncology)

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29 pages, 1038 KB

Open AccessReview

Targeting the MAPK Pathway in Brain Tumors: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

by Dimitrios Vrachas, Elisavet Kosma, Angeliki-Ioanna Giannopoulou, Angeliki Margoni, Antonios N. Gargalionis, Elias A. El-Habr, Christina Piperi and Christos Adamopoulos

Cancers 2026, 18(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010156 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors consist of a diverse set of malignancies that remain clinically challenging due to their biological complexity, high morbidity, and limited responsiveness to current therapies. A growing body of genomic evidence has revealed that dysregulation of the mitogen-activated protein [...] Read more.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors consist of a diverse set of malignancies that remain clinically challenging due to their biological complexity, high morbidity, and limited responsiveness to current therapies. A growing body of genomic evidence has revealed that dysregulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is a recurrent and unifying characteristic across many pediatric and adult CNS tumor entities. Alterations affecting upstream receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), RAS GTPases, RAF kinases, and other associated regulators contribute to MAPK signaling pathway hyperactivation, shaping tumor behavior, therapy response and resistance. These aberrations ranging from hotspot mutations such as BRAF V600E and oncogenic fusions like BRAF–KIAA1549 are particularly enriched in gliomas and glioneuronal tumors, highlighting MAPK signaling as a key oncogenic driver. The expanding availability of molecularly targeted compounds, including selective inhibitors of RAF, MEK and ERK, has begun to transform treatment approaches for specific molecular subtypes. However, the clinical benefit of MAPK-directed therapies is frequently limited by restricted blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration, intratumoral heterogeneity, parallel pathway reactivation, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we synthesize current knowledge on MAPK pathway alterations in CNS tumors and evaluate the therapeutic landscape of MAPK inhibition, with emphasis on approved agents, emerging compounds, combination strategies, and novel drug-delivery technologies. We also discuss mechanisms that undermine treatment efficacy and highlight future directions aimed at integrating MAPK-targeted therapy into precision-based management of brain tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights from the Editorial Board Member)

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24 pages, 2130 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Cutting Technique on the Degree of Damage to Fruit Tree Shoots

by Tomasz Nowakowski, Karol Tucki and Łukasz Gruz

Agriculture 2026, 16(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16010115 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of various fruit tree shoot cutting techniques and variable wood moisture content on the formation of damage on the cut surface, using fractal dimension analysis. The experiments were conducted on shoots of two [...] Read more.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of various fruit tree shoot cutting techniques and variable wood moisture content on the formation of damage on the cut surface, using fractal dimension analysis. The experiments were conducted on shoots of two cultivars of apple and pear trees, at four levels of moisture content and using three cutting units: a chainsaw, a circular saw, and bypass loppers. The obtained cross-sectional images were digitally processed, and the degree of damage was evaluated using the fractal dimension. Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant effect of shoot moisture content, plant species, and cutting tool type on the fractal dimension value, which represents the complexity of the cut edge. The best cutting quality was observed for shoots with the highest moisture content and those cut with a pair of loppers and a circular saw, whereas the greatest damage was caused by the chainsaw. Apple cultivars exhibited the lowest susceptibility to damage, while pear cultivars showed the highest. These findings confirm the crucial role of both cutting technique selection and material moisture in determining cutting quality, and the applied fractal analysis proved to be a useful tool for the objective assessment of damage. The obtained results contribute to the optimisation of tool selection and to the design of orchard machinery, especially in relation to the development of mechanical pruning systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)

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20 pages, 3405 KB

Open AccessArticle

One-Pot Direct Synthesis of b-Axis-Oriented and Al-Rich ZSM-5 Catalyst via NH₄NO₃-Mediated Crystallization for CO₂ Hydrogenation

by Mohammad Rostamizadeh, Chi-Cong Tran, Trong-On Do and Serge Kaliaguine

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010047 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Al-rich NH₄-ZSM-5 with highly oriented crystals was directly synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal technique, using ammonium nitrate as a metal-free mineralizer. The samples were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption, SEM, FTIR, Py-FTIR, ²⁷Al MAS NMR, ²⁹Si MAS NMR, [...] Read more.

Al-rich NH₄-ZSM-5 with highly oriented crystals was directly synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal technique, using ammonium nitrate as a metal-free mineralizer. The samples were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption, SEM, FTIR, Py-FTIR, ²⁷Al MAS NMR, ²⁹Si MAS NMR, ¹H MAS NMR, and TGA techniques. The impact of aluminum source, ammonium source, and H₂O/SiO₂ molar ratio was studied. XRD results showed that the ZSM-5 catalyst with a low Si/Al ratio (13) was successfully synthesized without any amorphous phase, including a microporous/mesoporous structure. A low H₂O/SiO₂ molar ratio (75) resulted in coffin-shape surface morphology, large b-axis-oriented particles (ca. 19 µm), and high specific surface area (>300 m² g⁻¹), providing a large portion of straight channels (90.5%). The catalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated in the CO₂ hydrogenation reaction in tandem configuration with a Na/Fe₂O₃ catalyst. The results confirmed that highly b-oriented crystals improved the product shape selectivity to p-xylene by affecting the diffusion resistance. Therefore, the developed catalyst provided high CO₂ conversion (45%) and high aromatic selectivity (77%), with p-xylene accounting for 82% of the produced xylene compounds, over a long-term time on stream (17 h). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the direct synthesis strategy in producing Al-rich ZSM-5 catalysts with tailored textural and acidic properties for tandem and shape-selective catalysis. Full article

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22 pages, 4118 KB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change and the Potential Expansion of Rubus geoides Sm.: Toward Sustainable Conservation Strategies in Southern Patagonia

by Ingrid Hebel, Estefanía Jofré, Christie V. Ulloa, Inti González, Ricardo Jaña, Gonzalo Páez, Margarita Cáceres, Valeria Latorre, Andrea Vera, Luis Bahamonde and Julio Yagello

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010444 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

(1) Background: Rubus geoides Sm., a native species of southern Patagonia, faces increasing threats due to climate change and anthropogenic land-use changes. Historically widespread, its distribution has become restricted by overgrazing, urban expansion, extractive industries, and direct harvesting from natural populations driven by [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Rubus geoides Sm., a native species of southern Patagonia, faces increasing threats due to climate change and anthropogenic land-use changes. Historically widespread, its distribution has become restricted by overgrazing, urban expansion, extractive industries, and direct harvesting from natural populations driven by interest in its nutraceutical potential since the first European settlements. (2) Methods: To assess its resilience and conservation prospects, we analyzed the morphological variability, genetic diversity, and population structure, complemented by species distribution modeling under past and future climate scenarios. (3) Results: Our findings reveal moderate genetic differentiation and private alleles in specific populations, alongside significant variation in flowering phenology. Paternity analysis indicates a tendency toward self-pollination, although this conclusion is constrained by the limited number of microsatellite markers employed. These results suggest post-glacial dispersal patterns and highlight the species’ potential for expansion under certain climate scenarios. (4) Conclusions: This study provides critical insights for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management, directly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals SDG 15 (Life on Land). Indirectly, this study contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by highlighting the importance of threatened species that hold value for human consumption and food security. Land-use changes, particularly mining and green hydrogen industry settlements, may represent stronger limitations to species expansion than climate change itself. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation)

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12 pages, 848 KB

Open AccessArticle

Kinesiology Taping in Grade I–II Meniscus Injuries: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

by Eren Arabacı, Kübra Okuyucu and Fatih Erbahçeci

Medicina 2026, 62(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62010097 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Meniscus injuries, particularly Grade I and II, are common knee injuries that can affect pain, joint function and quality of life, but the effectiveness of non-invasive treatments like Kinesiology taping (KT) in this population remains limited. This pilot randomized [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: Meniscus injuries, particularly Grade I and II, are common knee injuries that can affect pain, joint function and quality of life, but the effectiveness of non-invasive treatments like Kinesiology taping (KT) in this population remains limited. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to explore the short-term effects of KT on pain, fear of movement, muscle strength, proprioceptive force sense, joint range of motion, joint position sense and quality of life in individuals with Grade I/II meniscus injuries. Materials and Methods: 26 participants diagnosed with Grade I-II meniscus injury were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group was applied ‘Y shaped’ kinesiology taping on quadriceps femoris muscle, based on facilitation technique with 25–50% tension. The control (placebo) group was applied a tape without tension, perpendicular to the quadriceps femoris muscle. Outcomes were evaluated before and 48–72 h after taping. Results: Between-group analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in joint position sense at 60° flexion with eyes closed in KT group compared with placebo (p = 0.002). Additionally, the KT group showed significantly greater improvements in the physical function (p = 0.006) and energy (p = 0.013) subdomains of the SF-36 quality of life scale. No significant between-group differences were observed for pain, fear of movement, muscle strength, proprioceptive force sense, or joint range of motion. Conclusions: In this pilot study, KT showed acute benefits in proprioception and quality of life in grade I-II meniscus injuries, but no advantage over placebo taping for pain, fear of movement, joint range of motion or muscle strength. Given the exploratory nature and limited sample size, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Larger trials should confirm these results and determine the role of KT within multimodal rehabilitation programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sports Medicine and Sports Traumatology)

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17 pages, 724 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Confidence Intervals in Differential Abundance Analysis of Microbiome Data

by Elizaveta Vinogradova, Almagul Kushugulova, Samat Kozhakhmetov and Maxim Baltin

Appl. Microbiol. 2026, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol6010007 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Differential abundance analysis (DAA) is a critical task in microbiome research aimed at identifying microbial signatures that reliably characterize groups. Research suggests that microbiome systems are relatively stable and resilient, yet even small changes under certain conditions can trigger dysbiosis. The high dimensionality [...] Read more.

Differential abundance analysis (DAA) is a critical task in microbiome research aimed at identifying microbial signatures that reliably characterize groups. Research suggests that microbiome systems are relatively stable and resilient, yet even small changes under certain conditions can trigger dysbiosis. The high dimensionality of microbiome datasets exacerbates the challenge of detecting such changes by posing a multiple comparison problem that requires hypothesis filtration. Standard filtration using multiple comparison correction procedures is designed for scenarios with a high number of true positives and is often too conservative for microbiome data, where the proportion of true signals can be very low. Therefore, there is a substantial need for hypothesis filtration methods tailored to microbiome data. Confidence intervals (CIs) for between-group differences offer a powerful alternative to p-value filtration, as their range simultaneously conveys information about the significance, potential magnitude, and direction of the effect, as well as the certainty of the estimate itself. Microbial data can be adequately modeled using a negative binomial (NB) distribution, and its location parameter can be robustly estimated with the Hodges–Lehmann estimator (HLE). Using synthetic and experimental data, we demonstrate that hypothesis filtration based on CIs for the two-sample HLE is a robust method for comparing microbial data. Our analysis demonstrates that the HLE-CI approach provides the same level of precision as filtration using multiple-adjustment methods while achieving significantly higher recall in microbiome DAA. The results of this study suggest that HLE-CI-based filtration can be an effective step in the search for microbiome biomarkers. Full article

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12 pages, 4029 KB

Open AccessArticle

Triaxial Compression of Anisotropic Voronoi-Based Cellular Structures

by Sofia Kavafaki and Georgios Maliaris

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010471 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

This study examines the effect of geometrically controlled anisotropy on the compressive behaviour of additively manufactured Voronoi cellular structures. Three configurations—an isotropic reference and two anisotropic variants generated by scaling the design domain along the Z-axis—were fabricated by stereolithography using a tough photopolymer [...] Read more.

This study examines the effect of geometrically controlled anisotropy on the compressive behaviour of additively manufactured Voronoi cellular structures. Three configurations—an isotropic reference and two anisotropic variants generated by scaling the design domain along the Z-axis—were fabricated by stereolithography using a tough photopolymer resin. All specimens exhibited an approximate nominal porosity of 80%. Compressive tests were conducted along the X, Y, and Z directions in accordance with ASTM D1621. The elongated structure showed enhanced stiffness and strength when loaded parallel to the scaling axis, whereas the compressed structure exhibited improved performance in the transverse directions. The isotropic structure displayed similar responses in all axes. These results demonstrate that geometric scaling effectively induces directional mechanical anisotropy without altering relative density, offering a simple route to tailor the load-bearing behaviour of lightweight architected materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Additive Manufacturing in Material Processing)

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36 pages, 15146 KB

Open AccessArticle

Laboratory Evaluation of ARMIE, a Portable SPS30-Based Low-Cost Sensor Node for PM_2.5 Monitoring

by Asbjørn Kloppenborg, Louise B. Frederickson, Rasmus Ø. Nielsen, Clive E. Sabel, Tue Skallgaard, Jakob Löndahl, Jose G. C. Laurent and Torben Sigsgaard

Sensors 2026, 26(1), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26010280 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background: Low-cost particulate matter sensors have enabled new opportunities for exposure monitoring but require evaluation before application in epidemiological studies. This study assessed the performance of the SPS30 sensor integrated into the ARMIE portable monitoring sensor-node under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Sensors were [...] Read more.

Background: Low-cost particulate matter sensors have enabled new opportunities for exposure monitoring but require evaluation before application in epidemiological studies. This study assessed the performance of the SPS30 sensor integrated into the ARMIE portable monitoring sensor-node under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Sensors were co-located with two comparison instruments—the optical DustTrak photometer and the combined Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) and Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS)—across multiple aerosol sources, including candle burning, cooking, cigarette smoke, and clean air, under both regular and high-humidity conditions. Calibration performance was evaluated using leave-one-sensor-out and leave-one-source-out approaches. Results: The ARMIE node demonstrated strong agreement with the DustTrak (r = 0.93–0.98) and maintained linear response characteristics across emission types. Calibration reduced mean errors and narrowed the limits of agreement. Agreement with the SMPS + APS was moderate (r = 0.74–0.94) and characterized by systematic underestimation at higher concentrations. Conclusions: Overall, the ARMIE node achieved high correlation with the DustTrak, demonstrating that low-cost optical sensors can reliably capture temporal variability in particle concentrations relative to mid-cost photometers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sensing)

25 pages, 4900 KB

Open AccessArticle

Strength and Ductility Enhancement in Coarse-Aggregate UHPC via Fiber Hybridization: Micro-Mechanistic Insights and Artificial Neural Network Prediction

by Jiyang Wang, Yalong Wang, Shubin Wang, Yijian Zhan, Yu Peng, Zhihua Hu and Bo Zhang

Materials 2026, 19(1), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19010157 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Incorporating coarse aggregates into ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC-CA) can reduce material costs, yet reliably predicting its strength-related behavior and overall performance remains challenging. This study examines UHPC-CA through a two-stage orthogonal experimental program comprising 18 mixtures with coarse aggregate, fly ash, and hybrid fiber [...] Read more.

Incorporating coarse aggregates into ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC-CA) can reduce material costs, yet reliably predicting its strength-related behavior and overall performance remains challenging. This study examines UHPC-CA through a two-stage orthogonal experimental program comprising 18 mixtures with coarse aggregate, fly ash, and hybrid fiber reinforcements (steel, polypropylene, and composite fibers). Microstructural characterization using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) was conducted to assess interfacial features and crack evolution and to link these observations to the measured mechanical response. Experimentally, fiber reinforcement markedly enhanced post-cracking performance. Compared with the fiber-free control mixture, the optimal hybrid configuration increased flexural strength from 6.9 to 23.5 MPa and compressive strength from 60.1 to 90.5 MPa. The steel–composite fiber system outperformed the steel–polypropylene system, which is consistent with the tighter composite-fiber interfacial bonding observed by SEM/X-CT and supports the feasibility of partially substituting steel fibers. An artificial neural network (ANN) model trained on 50 mixtures and evaluated on 10 unseen mixtures achieved an R² of 0.9703, an MAE of 1.22 MPa, and an RMSE of 2.11 MPa for compressive strength prediction, enabling sensitivity assessment under multi-factor coupling. Overall, the proposed experiment–characterization–modeling framework provides a data-driven basis for performance-oriented mix design and rapid screening of UHPC-CA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling and Mechanical Analysis of Materials and Structures in Civil Engineering)

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27 pages, 4774 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Mechanical Performance and Enhancement Effect of Steel-Polypropylene Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

by Xianggang Zhang, Junke Huo, Xuanxuan Zhang, Junbo Wang, Jixiang Niu, Qin Zhou, Shengli Zhang and Lei Shi

Coatings 2026, 16(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16010046 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

As research on fiber-reinforced concrete progresses, investigating the enhancement effect of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete becomes increasingly crucial. In the present research, the contents of steel fiber (SF) and polypropylene fiber (PP) were set as variable parameters to study the mechanical performance of steel-polypropylene [...] Read more.

As research on fiber-reinforced concrete progresses, investigating the enhancement effect of hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete becomes increasingly crucial. In the present research, the contents of steel fiber (SF) and polypropylene fiber (PP) were set as variable parameters to study the mechanical performance of steel-polypropylene hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (SPFRC). Mechanical performance tests were undertaken on 16 groups of standard specimens. The failure modes were observed, the strength variation patterns were analyzed, and both a strength prediction equation and a complete stress–strain curve equation were established. Research results indicated that the specimen containing 1.5% SF and 0.25% PP exhibited the maximum strength enhancement compared with plain concrete: cube compressive strength improved by 27.78%, and splitting tensile strength surged by 41.18%. When the SF content was 1.5% and that of PP was 0.5%, the specimen’s elastic modulus experienced the greatest enhancement, reaching 58.59%. Hybrid fibers significantly enhanced the mechanical performance of SPFRC, simultaneously exerting strengthening, crack-resistance, and toughening effects. The research findings offer both experimental evidence and theoretical support for promoting research and engineering applications of SPFRC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Aspects in Colloid and Interface Science)

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17 pages, 7028 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Study on the In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Three Plant-Derived Polysaccharides with Different Structural Compositions

by Xingyue Gao, Xinming Zhao, Jie Huang, Huan Liu and Jielun Hu

Foods 2026, 15(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15010137 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the structure–activity relationship between the structural characteristics of three plant-derived polysaccharides, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), citrus pectin (CP) and peach gum polysaccharide (PGP), and their prebiotic functionalities. Structural analysis indicated that LBP exhibited a medium molecular weight and [...] Read more.

This study aimed to elucidate the structure–activity relationship between the structural characteristics of three plant-derived polysaccharides, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), citrus pectin (CP) and peach gum polysaccharide (PGP), and their prebiotic functionalities. Structural analysis indicated that LBP exhibited a medium molecular weight and was rich in galactose and rhamnose, which contributed to its high uronic acid content, strong antioxidant activity, and sustained fermentation profile with enhanced butyrate production. In contrast, CP, with its low molecular weight and neutral linear glucan backbone, was rapidly utilized by gut microbiota, leading to accelerated propionate accumulation. Meanwhile, PGP, characterized by an ultra-high molecular weight and a highly branched arabinogalactan configuration, acted as a specific substrate that promoted mid- to late-stage fermentation and significantly increased butyrate yield, highlighting its prebiotic property driven by structural complexity. The functional differences among these polysaccharides were determined by their monosaccharide composition, molecular weight distribution, and chain conformation. These findings provide a scientific basis for the targeted development of plant-derived prebiotics aimed at specific metabolic functions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Nutrition)

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17 pages, 3550 KB

Open AccessArticle

Auricularia auricula Polysaccharide Modulates Rheological, Thermal, and Structural Properties of Wheat Gluten via Selective Regulation of Glutenin and Gliadin

by Haowei Li, Jialu He, Yingxu Liu, Xiaolong Liu and Tingting Liu

Foods 2026, 15(1), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15010136 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Auricularia auricula Polysaccharide (AAP) concentrations on the rheological and thermal properties of gluten and its subunit components. We used multiple techniques, including dynamic rheology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), free thiol group analysis, and [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of Auricularia auricula Polysaccharide (AAP) concentrations on the rheological and thermal properties of gluten and its subunit components. We used multiple techniques, including dynamic rheology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), free thiol group analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that AAP increased the storage (G′) and loss (G″) modulus of gluten, glutenin, and gliadin, promoting compact elastic protein networks. DSC and free thiol group analysis demonstrated that AAP enhanced thermal stability and disulfide bond cross-linking in gluten and glutenin, but reduced thermostability and inhibited disulfide formation in gliadin. Secondary structure analysis showed 31.93% and 17.72% increases in α-helix and β-sheet content, respectively, in glutenin at 8% AAP, thereby enhancing the orderliness of the gluten structure and improving structural rigidity, while reducing gliadin’s structural order. Microscopy confirmed AAP narrowed gluten matrix pores, forming uniform honeycomb structures (though high concentrations caused disruption). In summary, AAP primarily stabilizes gluten conformation by modulating glutenin structure, thereby enhancing rheological and thermal properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cereal and Cereal Product Chemistry, Nutrition and Technology: 3rd Edition)

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12 pages, 303 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Eden to the New Jerusalem: Migration as a Narrative Arc in Scripture

by Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III

Religions 2026, 17(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17010049 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

This essay argues that a canonical reading of Scripture that is attentive to the experiences it portrays must notice the centrality of the migrant experience throughout both the Old and New Testaments. We begin by tracing patterns of displacement, forced migration, and exile [...] Read more.

This essay argues that a canonical reading of Scripture that is attentive to the experiences it portrays must notice the centrality of the migrant experience throughout both the Old and New Testaments. We begin by tracing patterns of displacement, forced migration, and exile that define the lives of biblical figures such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Ruth, Jesus, Paul, and the Early Christians. We also explore contemporary uses of the Bible that justify anti-immigrant policies and the dehumanization of immigrants, arguing that such interpretations contradict the text’s narrative. By reading Scripture through the lens of migration, Christians can better identify how the migration experience is both a theological and hermeneutical key to understanding God’s redemptive work in history. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forced Migration and the Bible: Displacement, Statelessness, and Resiliency in Sacred Texts)

22 pages, 9913 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of BirdNET Configuration and Performance Applied to the Acoustic Monitoring of a Restored Quarry

by Carlos Iglesias-Merchan, Raquel Sanchez-Torres and Raúl Alonso

Environments 2026, 13(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13010031 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

In the global context of biodiversity loss, increased demand for natural resources, and major efforts to restore ecosystems altered by human activities, the widespread use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and acoustic recording devices allows for the collection of enormous amounts of data [...] Read more.

In the global context of biodiversity loss, increased demand for natural resources, and major efforts to restore ecosystems altered by human activities, the widespread use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and acoustic recording devices allows for the collection of enormous amounts of data for monitoring the health of ecosystems. BirdNET Analyzer is a freely accessible machine learning tool that has had a great impact on the scientific community due to its apparent ease of use for identifying animals by sound. However, the literature shows some gaps regarding the influence of certain BirdNET configuration parameters on the results of its predictions. This study applies PAM and uses BirdNET in a real acoustic monitoring project and analyzes the potential impact of the configuration parameters Overlap and Sensitivity on the results of the bird inventory of a wetland created on the site of a former limestone quarry in Spain. Our results guide other researchers in the optimal combination of configuration parameters at the community level. Higher Sensitivity configuration values provided the optimal solution for minimizing the loss of species in the bird inventory. On the other hand, we identified that Recall is the best indicator to identify all combinations of BirdNET configuration parameters that cause the lowest species loss, in line with the goal of this monitoring program. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Noise Research)

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23 pages, 902 KB

Open AccessArticle

Data-Driven Cross-Lingual Anomaly Detection via Self-Supervised Representation Learning

by Mingfei Wang, Nuo Wang, Lingdong Mei, Yunfei Li, Xinyang Liu, Surui Hua and Manzhou Li

Electronics 2026, 15(1), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15010212 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Deep anomaly detection in multilingual environments remains challenging due to limited labeled data, semantic inconsistency across languages, and the unstable distribution of rare abnormal patterns. These challenges are particularly severe in low-resource scenarios—characterized by scarce labeled anomaly data and non-standardized terminology—where conventional supervised [...] Read more.

Deep anomaly detection in multilingual environments remains challenging due to limited labeled data, semantic inconsistency across languages, and the unstable distribution of rare abnormal patterns. These challenges are particularly severe in low-resource scenarios—characterized by scarce labeled anomaly data and non-standardized terminology—where conventional supervised or transfer-based models suffer from semantic drift and feature mismatch. To address these limitations, a data-driven cross-lingual anomaly detection framework, LR-SSAD, is proposed. Targeting paired text and behavioral data without requiring parallel translation corpora, the framework is built upon the joint optimization of complementary self-supervised objectives. A cross-lingual masked prediction module is designed to capture language-invariant semantic structures to align semantic spaces, while a Mamba-based sequence reconstruction module leverages its linear computational complexity (

O (N)

) to efficiently model long-range dependencies in transaction histories, overcoming the computational bottlenecks of quadratic attention mechanisms. To further enhance robustness under noisy supervision, a noise-aware pseudo-label refinement mechanism is introduced. Evaluated on a newly constructed real-world financial dataset (spanning January–June 2023) comprising 1.2 million multilingual texts and 420,000 transaction sequences, experimental results demonstrate that LR-SSAD achieves substantial improvements over state-of-the-art baselines. The model achieves an accuracy of 0.932, a precision of 0.914, a recall of 0.891, and an F1-score of 0.902, with the Area Under the Curve (AUC) reaching 0.948. The proposed framework provides a scalable and data-efficient solution for anomaly detection in real-world multilingual environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Data-Driven Artificial Intelligence)

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16 pages, 3885 KB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Evaluation of an Additively Manufactured UAV Fixed-Wing Using Gradient Thickness TPMS Structure and Various Shells and Infill Micro-Porosities

by Georgios Moysiadis, Savvas Koltsakidis, Odysseas Ziogas, Pericles Panagiotou and Dimitrios Tzetzis

Aerospace 2026, 13(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13010050 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become indispensable tools, playing a pivotal role in diverse applications such as rescue missions, agricultural surveying, and air defense. They significantly reduce operational costs while enhancing operator safety, enabling new strategies across multiple domains. The growing demand for [...] Read more.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become indispensable tools, playing a pivotal role in diverse applications such as rescue missions, agricultural surveying, and air defense. They significantly reduce operational costs while enhancing operator safety, enabling new strategies across multiple domains. The growing demand for UAVs calls for structural components that are not only robust and lightweight, but also cost-efficient. This research introduces a novel approach that employs a pressure distribution map on the external surface of a UAV wing to optimize its internal structure through a variable-thickness TPMS (Triply Periodic Minimal Surface) design. Beyond structural optimization, the study explores a second novel approach with the use of filaments containing chemical blowing agents printed at different temperatures for both the infill and shell, producing varying porosities. As a result, the tailoring of density and weight is achieved through two different methods, and case studies were developed by combining them. Compared to the conventionally manufactured wing, a weight reduction of up to 7% was achieved while the wing could handle the aerodynamic loads under extreme conditions. Beyond enabling lightweight structures, the process has the potential to be substantially faster and more cost-effective, eliminating the need for molds and advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber sheets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in UAVs: Design Methods, Performance Enhancement Techniques and Technologies)

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32 pages, 7785 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interactive Stress and Synergistic Response of Ecological Security and Environmental Carrying Capacity in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration

by Meihong Chen, Peng Chen and Chunhui Xu

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010443 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Against the backdrop of national policies promoting coordinated regional development and ecological civilization construction, the contradiction between ecological security and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has become increasingly prominent. However, the interaction mechanisms between these two systems remain [...] Read more.

Against the backdrop of national policies promoting coordinated regional development and ecological civilization construction, the contradiction between ecological security and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has become increasingly prominent. However, the interaction mechanisms between these two systems remain insufficiently explored. This study constructs a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for ecological security and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Delta. A double exponential function is employed to examine the intensity of interaction pressure and reveal their nonlinear relationship. The coupling coordination model is applied to assess coordinated development trends, while a vector autoregression (VAR) model is used to identify the dynamic response relationships among system variables. The results indicate that the overall levels of both systems have improved, with core areas maintaining a leading position and southeastern, northeastern, and western regions remaining in a catching-up stage, accompanied by low-level convergence. Regional coordination exhibits a positive temporal evolution from imbalance to coordination, while its spatial pattern evolves from core dominance toward multi-regional convergence. Significant regional heterogeneity is observed in shock responses, with peripheral cities facing stronger industrial restructuring pressures showing greater ecological volatility. Overall, the dynamic interaction between ecological security and environmental carrying capacity demonstrates a stage-specific transition from mutual constraint to mutual promotion. This study provides empirical support for ecological restoration and regional sustainable development policymaking. Full article

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11 pages, 206 KB

Open AccessArticle

Content and Dietary Contribution Assessment of Mineral Elements in Dairy from Henan Province of China

by Chuanyou Su, Han Li, Yi Li, Chunyu Feng, Tong Fu, Tianliu Zhang and Tengyun Gao

Foods 2026, 15(1), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15010135 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

To fill the gap in systematic data on mineral contents and their dietary contributions in four mainstream dairy products (sterilized, pasteurized, fermented, modified milk) from Henan Province, China, this study aimed to characterize the mineral profiles [magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium [...] Read more.

To fill the gap in systematic data on mineral contents and their dietary contributions in four mainstream dairy products (sterilized, pasteurized, fermented, modified milk) from Henan Province, China, this study aimed to characterize the mineral profiles [magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu)] and clarify the mineral nutritional disparities between domestic and imported sterilized milk. A total of 150 samples were analysed via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results revealed significant mineral content differences across dairy types: fermented milk had significantly lower Mg and Zn than sterilized and pasteurized milk (p < 0.05). Imported sterilized milk exhibited higher Mg (160.10 ± 31.88 mg/kg) than domestic counterparts (147.41 ± 32.47 mg/kg, p < 0.05). In terms of mineral intake contribution rates (defined as the percentage of mineral intake from dairy products relative to the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI), unit: %), the rates are ranked in descending order as follows: Se (11.68–25.32%) > Mg (11.11–20.76%) > Zn (5.88–16.33%) > Cu (0.62–1.81%) > Fe (0.25–1.00%). This study elucidates the mineral profiles of Henan’s dairy products, supporting residents’ dairy choices and optimisation of dairy processing technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrients and Functional Ingredients in Dairy Products)

15 pages, 663 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of SERS Detection for Sulfathiazole Residues in Chicken Blood Using GA-SVR

by Gaoliang Zhang, Zihan Ma, Chao Yan, Tianyan You and Jinhui Zhao

Foods 2026, 15(1), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15010134 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

The extensive use of sulfathiazole in poultry farming has raised growing concerns regarding its residues in poultry-derived products, posing risks to human health and food safety. To overcome the limitations of conventional detection methods and address the analytical challenges posed by inherent complexity [...] Read more.

The extensive use of sulfathiazole in poultry farming has raised growing concerns regarding its residues in poultry-derived products, posing risks to human health and food safety. To overcome the limitations of conventional detection methods and address the analytical challenges posed by inherent complexity of chicken blood matrix for the detection of sulfathiazole residues in chicken blood, a rapid and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method was developed for detecting sulfathiazole residues in chicken blood. Four colloidal substrates, i.e., gold colloid A, gold colloid B, gold colloid C, and silver colloids, were synthesized and evaluated for their SERS enhancement capabilities. Key parameters, including electrolyte type (NaCl solution), colloidal substrate type (gold colloid A), volume of gold colloid A (550 μL), volume of NaCl solution (60 μL), and adsorption time (14 min), were systematically optimized to maximize SERS intensities at 1157 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, a genetic algorithm-support vector regression (GA-SVR) model integrated with adaptive iteratively reweighted penalized least squares (air-PLS) and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) preprocessing demonstrated superior predictive performance with a prediction set coefficient of determination (R²_p) value of 0.9278 and a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 3.1552. The proposed method demonstrated high specificity, minimal matrix interference, and robustness, making it suitable for reliable detection of sulfathiazole residues in chicken blood and compliant with global food safety requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemometrics in Food Authenticity and Quality Control)

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13 pages, 4263 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Biomacromolecule-Regulated Biomimetic Mineralization for Efficiently Immobilizing Cells to Enhance Thermal Stability

by Shuyi Yao, Haichang Xu, Yankun Jin, Jinjing Zhang, Yaru Zhao, Yilin Kang, Haoyue Wang and Hao Liang

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010046 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

The industrial application of free sucrose phosphorylase (SPase) is significantly limited due to cost, stability issues, and poor reusability. In this study, we employed organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers to achieve cell immobilization by co-assembling metal ions with cells. The surface of cells was coated [...] Read more.

The industrial application of free sucrose phosphorylase (SPase) is significantly limited due to cost, stability issues, and poor reusability. In this study, we employed organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers to achieve cell immobilization by co-assembling metal ions with cells. The surface of cells was coated with nanoflowers via chitosan-regulated biomimetic mineralization, thereby enhancing the activity of immobilized cells while providing a protective structure to improve stability. The relative activity of the immobilized cells was 30% higher than that of the free cells. After placing at 4 °C in 15 days, the relative activity of immobilized cells (80%) was substantially higher than that of free cells (40%). Moreover, the immobilized cells retained approximately 85% of their relative activity after 10 cycles. In summary, the novel biocatalysts developed in this study combine high catalytic performance with excellent reusability, demonstrating significant advantages in E. coli cell immobilization and providing a solid foundation for their application in industrial biocatalysis and related fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue (Bio)nanomaterials in Catalysis)

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14 pages, 2015 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Improve Dry Matter Production and Fruit Yield in Ever-Bearing Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Under High Temperatures

by Nanako Aomura, Ryuta Ninohei, Mana Noguchi, Midori Sakoda, Eiichi Inoue, Kazuhiko Narisawa and Yuya Mochizuki

Plants 2026, 15(1), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010129 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

In Japan, strawberries are produced in the off-season (June to November) in cool regions; however, the high temperatures and strong sunlight limit fruit production. Dark septate endophytic fungi (DSEs) support growth and flower bud formation of plants grown in environments unsuitable for plant [...] Read more.

In Japan, strawberries are produced in the off-season (June to November) in cool regions; however, the high temperatures and strong sunlight limit fruit production. Dark septate endophytic fungi (DSEs) support growth and flower bud formation of plants grown in environments unsuitable for plant growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of DSE on dry matter production and flower bud formation in strawberry plants grown in the summer and autumn. The seeds were sown in soil mixed with DSE on 5 February 2024. The DSEs used were Cladophialophora chaetospira SK51 (S) and Cc. MNB12 (M), and Veronaeopsis simplex Y34 (Y). Plants were planted in a plastic house on April 18. The total dry weight was significantly increased by DSEs. This is because S and Y-cultured plants did not show a significant decrease in leaf emergence under high temperatures, unlike those grown with M; however, its leaf area was larger than that of the control. This resulted in a larger leaf area for receiving light and higher cumulative light reception and light-use efficiency. Although the DSEs increased cumulative fruit yield, the harvest period was limited to July because of the extreme summer heat. In addition, there was no difference in the budding date or flowering date between the treatments. These results suggest that DSEs improve light use efficiency, thereby increasing total dry matter weight and contributing to increased fruit yield in summer-autumn cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Horticultural Plant Cultivation in the Climate Change Era: From Genotypes to Environment)

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31 pages, 1263 KB

Open AccessArticle

CASA in Action: Dual Trust Pathways from Technical–Social Features of AI Agents to Users’ Active Engagement Through Cognitive–Emotional Trust

by Qinbo Xue, Magdalena Dzitkowska-Zabielska, Liguo Wang and Jiaolong Xue

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2026, 21(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer21010011 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) agents become deeply integrated into fitness systems, trustworthy human–AI agent interaction has become pivotal for user engagement in smart home fitness (SHF) e-commerce platforms. Grounded in the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) framework, this study empirically investigates how, acting [...] Read more.

As artificial intelligence (AI) agents become deeply integrated into fitness systems, trustworthy human–AI agent interaction has become pivotal for user engagement in smart home fitness (SHF) e-commerce platforms. Grounded in the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) framework, this study empirically investigates how, acting as AI fitness coaches, AI agents’ technical and social features shape users’ active engagement in the in-home social e-commerce context. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining computational text mining of 17,582 user reviews from fitness e-commerce platforms with a survey (N = 599) of Chinese consumers. The results show that (1) the technical–social features of AI agents serving as AI fitness coaches include visibility, gamification, interactivity, humanness, and sociability; (2) these five technical–social features of AI agents positively influence user compliance via both cognitive and emotional trust in AI agents; (3) these five technical–social features of AI agents serving as AI fitness coaches positively impact active engagement via both cognitive and emotional trust in AI agents. This study extends the CASA framework to the domain of AI coaching by demonstrating the parallel roles of cognitive and emotional trust in AI agents. For designers and managers in the fitness e-commerce industries, this study offers actionable insights for designing AI agents integrating functional and social features that foster trust and drive behavioral outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations in New Media: Shaping the Future of Interactive Marketing)

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30 pages, 4494 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Uncertainty-Aware Bayesian Deep Learning Method for Automatic Identification and Capacitance Estimation of Compensation Capacitors

by Tongdian Wang and Pan Wang

Sensors 2026, 26(1), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26010279 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges of misclassification and reliability assessment in compensation capacitor detection under strong noise in high-speed railway track circuits. A hierarchical Bayesian deep learning framework is proposed, integrating multi-domain signal enhancement in the time, frequency, and time–frequency (TF) domains with [...] Read more.

This paper addresses the challenges of misclassification and reliability assessment in compensation capacitor detection under strong noise in high-speed railway track circuits. A hierarchical Bayesian deep learning framework is proposed, integrating multi-domain signal enhancement in the time, frequency, and time–frequency (TF) domains with bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) sequence modeling for robust feature extraction. Bayesian classification and regression based on Monte Carlo (MC) Dropout and stochastic weight averaging Gaussian (SWAG) enable posterior inference, confidence interval estimation, and uncertainty-aware prediction, while a rejection mechanism filters low-confidence outputs. Experiments on 8782 real-world segments from five railway lines show that the proposed method achieves 97.8% state-recognition accuracy, a mean absolute error of 0.084 μF, and an R² of 0.96. It further outperforms threshold-based, convolutional neural network (CNN), and standard BiLSTM models in negative log-likelihood (NLL), expected calibration error (ECE), and overall calibration quality, approaching the theoretical 95% interval coverage. The framework substantially improves robustness, accuracy, and reliability, providing a viable solution for intelligent monitoring and safety assurance of compensation capacitors in track circuits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence of Things for Future Networks and Service Management)

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13 pages, 2151 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Infrared Thermal Imaging as a Predictor of Lumbar Paravertebral Block Effectiveness in Cattle

by Jaime Viscasillas, Elsa Rave, Ariel Cañón-Pérez, María De Los Reyes Marti-Scharfhausen, Eva Zoe Hernández-Magaña, Agustín Martínez, José Ignacio Redondo and Angel García-Muñoz

Animals 2026, 16(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010127 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

In the daily clinical practice of cattle, the use of locoregional anaesthesia is needed to provide analgesia during standing surgical procedures. It is important to ensure the success of the blockade before starting the surgery. One of the most used techniques is the [...] Read more.

In the daily clinical practice of cattle, the use of locoregional anaesthesia is needed to provide analgesia during standing surgical procedures. It is important to ensure the success of the blockade before starting the surgery. One of the most used techniques is the paravertebral lumbar block. In this pilot study we evaluated the efficacy of thermography in assessing this block. For this matter, 12 cows from our university research and teaching farm, with similar characteristics, were included and in which an ultrasound-guided technique of lumbar paravertebral block (T₁₃/L₁) or (L₁/L₂) with lidocaine was performed. Thermal photographs were taken with a FLIR^® One camera at 0, 15, 30 and 45 min and at the same time a test to evaluate the response to a painful stimulus was performed in each dermatome (T₁₃, L₁, L₂ and L₃). The data was collected in predesigned cards and placed in the Excel programme for further statistical analysis with the R programme. The analysis determined a correlation between the increase in skin temperature of the dermatomes that had been blocked and the increase in skin temperature and the negative response to the painful stimulus test. Although the pilot study has some limitations, this allows us to assess the use of thermography as an efficient method for assessing the success of lumbar paravertebral blockade in cattle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anaesthesia and Pain Management in Large Animals—Second Edition)

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14 pages, 4563 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Direct Fluorination on the High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

by Yu Wang, Jae-Ho Kim and Susumu Yonezawa

Materials 2026, 19(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19010156 (registering DOI) - 2 Jan 2026

Abstract

Fluorination has been proposed as an effective surface modification method for magnesium. The high-temperature oxidation behavior and protective mechanism of fluorinated AZ31 magnesium alloys, especially under prolonged isothermal conditions, have not been systematically investigated. In this study, an efficient and safe surface fluorination [...] Read more.

Fluorination has been proposed as an effective surface modification method for magnesium. The high-temperature oxidation behavior and protective mechanism of fluorinated AZ31 magnesium alloys, especially under prolonged isothermal conditions, have not been systematically investigated. In this study, an efficient and safe surface fluorination method that requires no post-treatment was developed to directly fluorinate the surface of AZ31 machining chips using F₂ gas. By adjusting the fluorination parameters, including fluorine gas pressure, temperature, and reaction time, the content and uniformity of the surface MgF₂ layer were effectively improved. High-temperature isothermal oxidation tests demonstrated a remarkable enhancement in oxidation resistance after fluorination; specifically, the weight change of the fluorinated samples decreased from 64.65% for the untreated alloy to 0.68% after oxidation at 450 °C for 12 h. To verify the formation of the MgF₂ layer and its protective mechanism, all samples were systematically characterized before and after heat treatment using XPS, SEM/EDS, and XRD. The results confirm that direct fluorination with F₂ is an effective approach for improving the high-temperature stability of AZ31 magnesium alloy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Metals and Alloys)

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