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28 pages, 924 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Small Firms, Big Shifts: A Systematic Review of How Hybrid Work Redefines the Small-and-Medium-Enterprise Workplace

by Richik Maity, Muhammad Yahya Hammad, Rita Devi, Syed Radzi Rahamaddulla, Khai Loon Lee, Altaf Hossain Molla and Thomas M. T. Lei

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16070346 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

This systematic review examines the impact of flexible work arrangements and hybrid work on small- and medium-sized enterprises, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 framework. A total of 35 peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2025 were analyzed [...] Read more.

This systematic review examines the impact of flexible work arrangements and hybrid work on small- and medium-sized enterprises, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 framework. A total of 35 peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2025 were analyzed from Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify global patterns, enabling factors, and organizational outcomes of workplace flexibility in small- and medium-sized enterprises. The findings reveal that flexible work arrangements and hybrid work have evolved from temporary responses during the COVID-19 pandemic into long-term organizational strategies in many contexts. Three key themes emerged from the analysis: workplace flexibility and employee outcomes, digital transformation as an enabling capability, and leadership as a driver of organizational resilience. Overall, the reviewed studies indicate that flexible work arrangements are generally associated with improvements in productivity, employee well-being, innovation, and organizational adaptability. However, these outcomes vary significantly across regions and are strongly influenced by digital readiness, leadership practices, and institutional support. Small- and medium-sized enterprises in developed economies demonstrate higher levels of digital maturity and more structured hybrid work adoption, while those in developing economies face constraints related to infrastructure, skills, and resources. The study concludes that flexible and hybrid work should be understood as integrated organizational strategies requiring strong digital capability, adaptive leadership, and supportive policy environments to ensure sustainable performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Resilient and Agile SMEs: Strategic Responses to Digital Disruption and Transformation)

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36 pages, 21044 KB

Open AccessReview

Covalently Modified Polyoxometalate Organic–Inorganic Hybrids for Visible-Light Photoactivation

by Yunliang Yu, Rui Bi, Weixian Wang, Xiaoxia Wang, Yuliang Liu and Chao Zou

Inorganics 2026, 14(7), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14070192 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are anionic metal oxide nanoclusters with rich redox chemistry, making them promising candidates for photocatalysis. However, their strong UV-light absorption and rapid charge recombination hinder visible-light applications. This review focuses on covalent organic–inorganic hybridization as a modular strategy to engineer POMs [...] Read more.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are anionic metal oxide nanoclusters with rich redox chemistry, making them promising candidates for photocatalysis. However, their strong UV-light absorption and rapid charge recombination hinder visible-light applications. This review focuses on covalent organic–inorganic hybridization as a modular strategy to engineer POMs for visible-light photoactivation. By grafting chromophoric ligands, metalloporphyrins, or organometallic complexes onto POM surfaces via robust covalent bonds (e.g., Si–C, P–C, C–C), two key photochemical pathways are enabled: (i) direct visible-light excitation of organic sensitizers followed by intramolecular charge transfer to/from POMs and (ii) modified ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transitions in POMs via ligand-induced electronic structure perturbation. We discuss how organic ligands regulate POM frontier orbital energy levels (HOMO/LUMO), redox potentials, and photoresponse range, supported by experimental and density-functional theory (DFT) studies. We also review hybrid systems with organic photosensitizers (e.g., pyrene, boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)), metalloporphyrins, and organometallic complexes (e.g., Ru(II), Ir(III)), emphasizing structure–activity relationships in electron-transfer efficiency, charge-separation lifetime, and catalytic performance (e.g., hydrogen evolution, selective oxidation). Finally, we outline current challenges and prospects for designing multifunctional POM hybrids with tailored visible-light photocatalytic properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polyoxometalate Chemistry: Structure, Synthesis, and Applications)

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19 pages, 1975 KB

Open AccessArticle

Macrofungal Diversity and Funga in Two Forest Types of Motuo Ecosystems, Southwest China

by An-Hong Zhu, Zhi Qu, Si-Yu Ma, Zhong-Xin Sun, Rong-Shen Li and Hai-Xia Ma

J. Fungi 2026, 12(7), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12070533 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

The study on macrofungi diversity in Motuo county, Xizang Autonomous Region, was conducted from 2021 to 2025, and 2286 vouchered fungal collections were obtained from local forest ecosystems. A total of 534 species, representing two phyla, eight classes, 28 orders, 96 families, and [...] Read more.

The study on macrofungi diversity in Motuo county, Xizang Autonomous Region, was conducted from 2021 to 2025, and 2286 vouchered fungal collections were obtained from local forest ecosystems. A total of 534 species, representing two phyla, eight classes, 28 orders, 96 families, and 241 genera were identified according to the morphological characters and molecular evidence. The orders Agaricales (174), Polyporales (91), Xylariales (74) and Russulales (69) were the dominant orders, collectively accounting for 76.40% of the total species listed. Fifteen dominant families with more 10 species each were identified, namely Russulaceae (58), Polyporaceae (37), Xylariaceae (34), Hypoxylaceae (30), Boletaceae (17), Psathyrellaceae (13), Mycenaceae (12), Agaricaceae (11), Hymenochaetaceae (11), Auriculariaceae (11), Stromphariaceae (11), Marasmiaceae (10), Omphalotaceae (10), Steccherinaceae (10), and Pleurotaceae (10), which occupied approximately 53.37% of the total species. Additionally, 21 dominant genera with more than five species each were recorded, including Russula (27), Xylaria (25), Hypoxylon (17), Lactarius (16), Lactifluus (15), and other 16 genera (101), accounting for around 37.64% of all species. We further compared species composition, distribution patterns, dominant taxa and trophic modes of macrofungi between tropical monsoon forest and evergreen broad-leaved forest. A total of 439 species (82.21%) were endemic to a single forest type, while only 95 species (17.79%) were shared by the two forest habitats. The evergreen broad-leaved forest exhibited slightly higher macrofungal species richness than the tropical monsoon forest in Motuo County. Moreover, it harbored a higher proportion of ectomycorrhizal fungi (25.32% vs. 14.06%) and a lower proportion of saprotrophic fungi (71.52% vs. 83.71%). This study fills the research gap in systematic macrofungal diversity investigation in Motuo County, and provides fundamental data for revealing the evolutionary mechanisms of macrofungi on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau margin and clarifying the biodiversity formation process across the Himalayan region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity, Phylogeny and Ecology of Forest Fungi, 2nd Edition)

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22 pages, 8486 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Public Experience of Waterfronts and Its Coupling with Urban Vitality: Evidence from Shanghai, China

by Xiangjun Lin, Lingge Zhai, Yaoyi Liu, Kgosietsile Velempini and Lingzhi Deng

Land 2026, 15(7), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15071297 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Urban waterfronts are important components of urban blue-green infrastructure, supporting ecological functions and public activities. However, existing assessments often examine waterfronts from separate perspectives, limiting an integrated understanding of waterfront experience. Building upon existing research on waterfront environments, this study develops an integrated [...] Read more.

Urban waterfronts are important components of urban blue-green infrastructure, supporting ecological functions and public activities. However, existing assessments often examine waterfronts from separate perspectives, limiting an integrated understanding of waterfront experience. Building upon existing research on waterfront environments, this study develops an integrated socio-ecological framework that incorporates multiple environmental and spatial attributes to assess the Public Experience of Waterfronts (PEW) across four dimensions: amenity, comfort, experiential diversity, and access equity. By applying this framework to river segments in central Shanghai, the study examines spatial variations in PEW and its spatial coordination with surrounding urban vitality within 15 min living circles. Results reveal clear differences across river groups and spatial locations. Large rivers generally exhibit higher PEW levels, while medium and small rivers show relatively lower performance. High PEW areas are mainly concentrated along major waterfront corridors, whereas urban vitality is stronger in inner urban areas and declines outward. The coordination between PEW and urban vitality follows similar spatial patterns, with large rivers showing higher coordination levels and smaller rivers more frequently experiencing spatial mismatches. These findings highlight the importance of integrated assessment of waterfront qualities and surrounding urban contexts, providing practical insights for differentiated waterfront planning and sustainable urban development. Full article

11 pages, 1073 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Effectiveness of Pleural Cholesterol Levels in Differentiating Transudate from Exudate and Comparison with Light’s Criteria

by Aziz Gumus, Elvan Senturk Topaloglu, Neslihan Ozcelik, Abdurrahman Kotan, Hasan Veysel Keskin, Omer Topaloglu and Songul Ozyurt

Life 2026, 16(7), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16071195 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background: Differentiating exudative from transudative pleural effusions is essential for accurate diagnosis and management. Although Light’s criteria remain the standard diagnostic method, they may incorrectly classify a substantial proportion of transudative effusions as exudates. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of [...] Read more.

Background: Differentiating exudative from transudative pleural effusions is essential for accurate diagnosis and management. Although Light’s criteria remain the standard diagnostic method, they may incorrectly classify a substantial proportion of transudative effusions as exudates. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of pleural fluid cholesterol and compare it with Light’s criteria. Methods: This retrospective study included 751 patients with pleural effusion who underwent diagnostic evaluation between 2015 and 2024 and had a definitive etiological diagnosis. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided thoracentesis with simultaneous pleural fluid and serum biochemical analyses. Based on final etiological diagnosis, effusions were classified as transudative or exudative. Results: The mean age was 68.6 ± 15.8 years. Of the pleural effusions, 516 (68.7%) were exudative and 235 (31.3%) were transudative. Malignant pleural effusion was the most common cause of exudates, whereas congestive heart failure predominated among transudates. Pleural fluid cholesterol levels were significantly higher in exudative than transudative effusions (91.1 ± 30.7 vs. 28.9 ± 13.5 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance for pleural fluid cholesterol (AUC = 0.976, 95% CI 0.965–0.987, p < 0.001). A pleural cholesterol cut-off value of ≥50 mg/dL demonstrated 92.2% sensitivity, 94.9% specificity, 97.5% positive predictive value, and 84.8% negative predictive value for identifying exudative effusions. Light’s criteria showed higher sensitivity (99.2%) but lower specificity (84.4%). Light’s criteria misclassified 15.6% of transudative effusions as exudates, whereas pleural cholesterol misclassified only 5.1%. Conclusions: Pleural fluid cholesterol measurement demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating exudative and transudative pleural effusions and substantially reduced false exudate classification compared with Light’s criteria. Routine assessment of pleural cholesterol may improve the diagnostic evaluation of pleural effusions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Signatures and Biomarkers in Human Diseases)

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17 pages, 2174 KB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond Yield Maximization: The Evolving Efficiency and Sustainability of Grain Production in Jiangsu Province, China, 1975–2024

by Zhiting Ji, Qi Jing, Tao Jin, Tingting Liu and Yipin Zhou

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7389; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147389 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Ensuring grain self-sufficiency through sustained yield growth is central to China’s food security policy. Yet, the long-term sustainability of this yield-centric model is in doubt. This study shifts the analytical focus from single-factor yield to a holistic measure of productive efficiency. We calculate [...] Read more.

Ensuring grain self-sufficiency through sustained yield growth is central to China’s food security policy. Yet, the long-term sustainability of this yield-centric model is in doubt. This study shifts the analytical focus from single-factor yield to a holistic measure of productive efficiency. We calculate Technical Efficiency (TE) scores for Jiangsu Province’s staple grains (rice, wheat, maize) from 1975 to 2024 using a Super-Slacks-Based Measure (Super-SBM) model, integrating physical output and output value. A Tobit regression identifies drivers of TE change. Results show that TE evolved in three phases aligned with major policy shifts: incentive restoration, market liberalization, and production support. While TE improved sequentially, the post-2004 support phase reveals a critical paradox: yields now exceed the economic efficiency frontier, yet this coincides with systematic input redundancy, particularly capital overuse, and suppressed profitability. This indicates that efficiency gains, driven mainly by pure technical efficiency, are being eroded by diminishing economic sustainability. Regression analysis shows that urbanization and cropping structure hinder TE, whereas market prices, irrigation, and mechanization enhance it. The study concludes that the prevailing yield-maximization paradigm undermines economic viability. A sustainable transition requires shifting from chasing maximum yields to optimizing productive efficiency through cost-saving technologies and market-conforming incentives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Multidimensional Synergy Measures to Achieve Sustainable Regional Socio-Economic Development)

29 pages, 2748 KB

Open AccessArticle

Marginal Abatement Costs and Pollution–Carbon Co-Governance in Sustainable Urban Transitions: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta

by Sifeng Zhu, Mingming Wen and Weihang Du

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7388; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147388 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Urban agglomerations concentrate activities that generate both PM2.5 pollution and carbon emissions, but the economic basis for governing them jointly remains unclear. Taking the Yangtze River Delta as a case, this study evaluates pollution–carbon co-governance from a marginal abatement cost (MAC) perspective. Using [...] Read more.

Urban agglomerations concentrate activities that generate both PM2.5 pollution and carbon emissions, but the economic basis for governing them jointly remains unclear. Taking the Yangtze River Delta as a case, this study evaluates pollution–carbon co-governance from a marginal abatement cost (MAC) perspective. Using panel data for 41 cities from 2011 to 2023, we estimate shadow prices and MACs under joint and single-objective abatement scenarios with a non-radial directional distance function dual model. We then construct carbon-reduction and pollution-reduction cost-saving effects, classify synergy types, and examine their temporal, spatial, and nonlinear transition patterns. The results show that joint abatement generally lowers the MACs of both carbon mitigation and PM2.5 reduction, with stronger cost-saving on the pollution side. Under the baseline classification, the share of balanced synergy increases over time, and the balanced state shows high persistence in Markov transitions. Core cities show weaker measured cost-saving effects, which may reflect limited remaining low-cost co-abatement potential rather than weak governance. Semiparametric evidence further indicates that industrial upgrading, openness, and urbanization are nonlinearly associated with MACs and synergy balance. These findings suggest that urban pollution–carbon coordination should be guided by local cost structures and development stages. Full article

14 pages, 1902 KB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Freezing Point of Ice Cream Mix with Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

by Duy Thinh Trinh, David Mcintosh, Elizabeth Eckelkamp, Jiajia Chen, Alejandro Molina-Moctezuma and Tong Wang

Foods 2026, 15(14), 2549; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15142549 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has become an increasingly valuable analytical tool in the dairy industry due to its rapid, non-destructive nature and ability to capture complex chemical information. This study evaluated the feasibility of using FTIR in combination with chemometric modeling to [...] Read more.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has become an increasingly valuable analytical tool in the dairy industry due to its rapid, non-destructive nature and ability to capture complex chemical information. This study evaluated the feasibility of using FTIR in combination with chemometric modeling to predict the freezing point (FP) of ice cream mix (ICM), an important quality attribute that influences product texture, freezing behavior, and manufacturing efficiency. Traditional methods for FP determination are often labor-intensive and can present challenges when analyzing high-solids dairy systems. In this study, FP values were obtained through a cryoscopic method. FTIR spectra were collected for all samples, and partial least squares (PLS) regression models were developed to relate spectral information to FP values. Model performance metrics indicated that FTIR spectra contained information associated with FP variation; however, overall predictive performance was limited. The relatively weak model accuracy was attributed to the complex nature of FP as a colligative property influenced by multiple compositional factors, including sugars, salts, proteins, and stabilizers, as well as the narrow compositional range and limited sample size of the dataset. Despite these limitations, the results demonstrated the potential of FTIR as a rapid screening tool for FP estimation and provided a foundation for future model development using larger and more compositionally diverse datasets and improved reference methodologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spectroscopy and Intelligent Data Processing for Food Quality, Safety and Authenticity)

23 pages, 1028 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dialogic Artificial Intelligence in the Architectural Design Studio: An Empirical Study of the AI Sparring Model

by Mirko Stanimirovic, Jiaqi Wang, Domen Zupancic, Ana Momcilovic Petronijevic and Ivan Ciric

Buildings 2026, 16(14), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16142878 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Integrating generative artificial intelligence into architectural education raises a question not only of whether AI helps, but of how its use should be structured. This paper empirically examines the AI Sparring model—a dialogic, critical approach to student–AI interaction—through a workshop in which architecture [...] Read more.

Integrating generative artificial intelligence into architectural education raises a question not only of whether AI helps, but of how its use should be structured. This paper empirically examines the AI Sparring model—a dialogic, critical approach to student–AI interaction—through a workshop in which architecture students designed a pavilion in a fortress. The three self-selected groups differed in the role AI played in the formation of the concept, not in its final presentation: Group A developed concepts traditionally, through sketches and physical working models, with AI serving only as a rendering tool at the end; Group B used AI directly as a generative tool; and Group C worked through structured critical dialogue with AI. The works were independently rated by three evaluators from three countries, alongside keyword analysis and assessment of reflective depth and theoretical references. Group C produced the most consistent concept quality, with no weak works, yet the single highest-rated work came from the traditional group—Sparring raises the “floor” rather than the “ceiling” of quality. At the same time, Group C reported the lowest sense of authorship, and qualitative analysis revealed “simulated depth”: theoretical references cited without genuine engagement. Because of the small, self-selected samples, the findings are read as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. The paper sheds light on the limits of reflective AI pedagogy and proposes concrete revisions to the model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)

23 pages, 4652 KB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Invasive Trace Element Fingerprinting of the Lion Man, a Left Mammoth Tusk and Mammoth Ivory Fragments Found at the Hohlenstein-Stadel Cave, Swabian Alb, Germany

by Ina Reiche, Katharina Müller, Quentin Lemasson, Laurent Pichon and Kurt Wehrberger

Minerals 2026, 16(7), 755; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16070755 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

The Lion Man sculpture (UNESCO World heritage), a left mammoth tusk and mammoth ivory fragments from the excavations in the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave, Lone valley, Swabian Alb, Germany, were non-invasively analysed by means of external ion beam analysis (IBA) at the microfocus beamline at [...] Read more.

The Lion Man sculpture (UNESCO World heritage), a left mammoth tusk and mammoth ivory fragments from the excavations in the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave, Lone valley, Swabian Alb, Germany, were non-invasively analysed by means of external ion beam analysis (IBA) at the microfocus beamline at the particle accelerator AGLAE. The Lion Man was reconstructed from about three hundred mammoth ivory fragments, while the tusk is a separate find, and the fragments are individual pieces that could not be placed in the Lion Man. A characteristic trace element fingerprint, based on zinc, bromine and strontium contents, was established according to previous IBA studies of Aurignacian-era mammoth ivory and allowed for a comparison of the mammoth ivory objects. The specific Hohlenstein-Stadel cave trace element fingerprint could be distinguished from that of other Aurignacian sites in Europe but closely resembles that of the contemporary ivories from the neighbouring Hohle Fels cave. Although this study highlights that the Lion Man sculpture is chemically inhomogeneous due to diagenetic alterations, the left tusk and individual ivory fragments are chemically very similar to the Lion Man. However, further analyses are required to relate them to the same animal. Secondary minerals such as black manganese oxide dendrites and iron-rich aluminosilicates could be identified on the Lion Man and the other ivory objects at the surface. While dendrites are a characteristic diagenetic feature of mammoth ivory, the origin of iron-rich aluminosilicates can be linked either to sediment traces or surface treatment and use wear of the sculpture. Iron-rich zones are identified on particular parts of the Lion Man, namely, at the snout and at the left forearm with decorative signs. The snout is also particularly enriched in carbon, whose origin still needs to be clarified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogical and Geochemical Insights into Cultural Heritage Materials)

31 pages, 819 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bridging the Education–Employment Gap: Linking Labour Market Needs with University Programmes Through AI-Assisted Insights and Micro-Credentials

by Inga Jēkabsone, Līga Kamola, Anita Līce, Evija Liepa-Hazeleja, Zane Čulkstēna, Krista Kraupša and Līva Bileskalne

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16071156 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study explores how artificial intelligence (AI)-driven labour market analytics can support the alignment of university curricula with emerging skill demands and inform the development of targeted micro-credentials. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining AI-assisted analysis of approximately 30,000 online job advertisements in [...] Read more.

This study explores how artificial intelligence (AI)-driven labour market analytics can support the alignment of university curricula with emerging skill demands and inform the development of targeted micro-credentials. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining AI-assisted analysis of approximately 30,000 online job advertisements in Latvia with ESCO-based skill mapping, curriculum analysis, and expert interviews. The study develops and validates a three-layer analytical framework integrating labour market demand, professional standards, and programme learning outcomes. Three occupations—Personnel Specialist, Finance Manager, and Organisation Manager—were analysed at Riga Technical University as proof-of-concept cases. The findings demonstrate that strict one-to-one ESCO matching overestimates curriculum gaps because labour market and educational actors often describe competencies at different levels of abstraction. Composite matching significantly improves alignment estimates by identifying functionally equivalent competencies embedded across curricula. Nevertheless, the analysis reveals a persistent under-representation of digital competencies across all programmes, confirmed by industry experts. Interviews further identify a “pedagogical transfer gap”, where formally acquired competencies are insufficiently applied in practice, and highlight employer support for high-quality micro-credentials focused on technical upskilling. The study contributes an AI-assisted curriculum-monitoring framework that combines large-scale skill extraction, semantic alignment, and stakeholder validation, offering universities a practical tool for evidence-based curriculum renewal and lifelong learning development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bridging the Gap: Higher Education, Skills, and Graduate Employability)

52 pages, 8425 KB

Open AccessArticle

PromptSentinel-X: A Leakage-Aware and Context-Aware Framework for Prompt-Injection Detection in Large Language Model-Powered Web Agents

by Lily Popova Zhuhadar

Future Internet 2026, 18(7), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi18070376 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Large language model (LLM)-powered web agents combine privileged instructions with user requests, webpages, retrieved documents, tool outputs, memory, and conversation history, creating prompt-injection risks that static text classification may not capture. This study presents PromptSentinel-X, a leakage-aware and context-aware screening framework. The primary [...] Read more.

Large language model (LLM)-powered web agents combine privileged instructions with user requests, webpages, retrieved documents, tool outputs, memory, and conversation history, creating prompt-injection risks that static text classification may not capture. This study presents PromptSentinel-X, a leakage-aware and context-aware screening framework. The primary benchmark contained 1581 English records from the Prompt Injection Malignant dataset; 30,015 external prompt-injection, jailbreak, and benign hard-negative records were reserved for transfer and stress testing. The framework uses prompt-family-aware partitioning, trusted–untrusted context segmentation, calibrated risk prediction, robustness analysis, and deployment-oriented routing. On a 465-record group-aware test set, PromptSentinel-X achieved 0.9849 accuracy, 0.8887 macro-F1, 0.9851 attack recall, a 0.0050 benign false-positive rate, 0.9971 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), 0.9836 area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC), and 0.0153 expected calibration error. Random splitting produced a higher baseline macro-F1 but 144 leakage warnings. Context-aware macro-F1 declined from 0.8301 for static prompts to 0.6306 for multi-turn, 0.3844 for retrieval-augmented generation, and 0.3200 for memory scenarios. PromptSentinel-X is positioned as a calibrated screening and escalation component, not a stand-alone authorization mechanism. Broader tool, memory, multimodal browser, multilingual, and end-to-end agent studies remain necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Agentic and Generative AI for Secure Software Systems and Cyber-Resilience in Future Internet)

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25 pages, 3678 KB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolites and Whole-Genome Analysis of the Lichenysin-Producing Bacillus licheniformis YC7

by Xun Liu, Zhen Tang, Han Li, Wenjing He, Yu Chen, Baoyi Guan and Wenli Quan

Foods 2026, 15(14), 2548; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15142548 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Lichenysin is a high-performance, environmentally friendly biosurfactant that also has antibacterial activity and flavor-regulating functions. During the solid-state fermentation of Baijiu, lichenysin plays key roles in inhibiting unwanted microbes and stabilizing quality. This study aims to explore the metabolic mechanisms and application potential [...] Read more.

Lichenysin is a high-performance, environmentally friendly biosurfactant that also has antibacterial activity and flavor-regulating functions. During the solid-state fermentation of Baijiu, lichenysin plays key roles in inhibiting unwanted microbes and stabilizing quality. This study aims to explore the metabolic mechanisms and application potential of lichenysin-producing bacteria. High surfactant-producing strain Bacillus licheniformis YC7 was selected through the oil spreading assay, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) confirmed that its fermentation broth contains multiple lichenysin homologs. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that strain YC7 can produce 35 volatile flavor compounds, with pyrazine compounds being the main components. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the genome size of YC7 was 4.31 Mb, containing 4590 protein-coding genes. A total of 10 secondary metabolite synthesis gene clusters were predicted, among which the complete lichenysin synthesis gene cluster was included. Gene annotation and functional analysis identified key genes and metabolic pathways related to the synthesis of pyrazine, acetoin, and 2,3-butanediol, indicating a high correlation between the genome and metabolome of strain YC7. In summary, this study revealed that strain YC7 had the dual potential to produce both biosurfactants and flavor compounds, providing a theoretical basis for its targeted applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Microbiology)

25 pages, 10963 KB

Open AccessArticle

Deformation and Control of Bridge Pile Adjacent to Excavation Under Superimposed Disturbances of Shield Tunneling and the Top-Down Method

by Jiarui Wang, Liya Zhang, Hongmei Zhang, Xianghong Ding and Biao Luo

Buildings 2026, 16(14), 2879; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16142879 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

The construction of deep foundation pits for urban metro systems, particularly when in close proximity to existing sensitive structures, can easily induce unacceptable settlement and deformation. When shield tunneling and the top-down method are superimposed in both space and time, the resulting disturbance [...] Read more.

The construction of deep foundation pits for urban metro systems, particularly when in close proximity to existing sensitive structures, can easily induce unacceptable settlement and deformation. When shield tunneling and the top-down method are superimposed in both space and time, the resulting disturbance to the surrounding environment is more complex. A metro station project in Shenzhen was selected as the case study. Field monitoring and numerical simulation were combined to analyze the deformation of nearby bridge piers during different construction stages. The settlement-control effects of different reinforcement measures were also compared. The results indicate that the maximum settlement of the bridge piers throughout the monitored construction period reaches 31.81 mm. In the third stage, the cumulative settlement exceeded 10 mm. After the left-line shield passed through the station, the differential settlement between adjacent piers exceeded 5 mm. In the fourth stage, upon completion of the south section of the negative third floor, the differential settlement within the same pair of piers exceeded 4 mm. The maximum differential settlement between adjacent piers on the side closer to the foundation pit is 8.92 mm, whereas that on the side farther from the pit is 12.53 mm. The maximum values of both the differential settlement between adjacent piers and that within the same pair of piers occur during stages where multiple construction processes overlap. The connections between successive construction procedures are thus identified as weak links in deformation control. The discrepancy in cumulative settlement between symmetrically located piers arises primarily from the different reinforcement methods adopted. Supplementary pile reinforcement provides better performance than sleeve-valve-pipe grouting reinforcement. Because its reinforcement depth is insufficient to extend below the foundation pit excavation surface, the latter method fails to effectively restrain deformation in deep soils. The results describe the spatio-temporal development of pier deformation under combined construction disturbances. They also help identify critical construction stages and compare the settlement-control effects of different reinforcement measures. In addition, the numerical results provide a possible interpretation of pile load-transfer behavior under the combined effects of shield tunneling and top-down excavation. These findings serve as a practical reference for the design, construction sequencing, and risk management of similar metro station projects adjacent to bridges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)

31 pages, 841 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Subgrid-Scale Parameterization in Burgers’ Equation Using Structure-Preserving Neural Networks and Entropy Variables

by Aijaz Nazir and Ilya Timofeyev

Mathematics 2026, 14(14), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14142627 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

We present a machine learning approach for developing subgrid-scale (SGS) parameterizations in coarse simulations of partial differential equations. We utilize structure-preserving neural networks and entropy variables to learn subgrid fluxes in coarse simulations of the Burgers’ equation. In particular, we employ a decoupled [...] Read more.

We present a machine learning approach for developing subgrid-scale (SGS) parameterizations in coarse simulations of partial differential equations. We utilize structure-preserving neural networks and entropy variables to learn subgrid fluxes in coarse simulations of the Burgers’ equation. In particular, we employ a decoupled neural network architecture explicitly separating the subgrid corrections into two distinct components: a conservative Flux Potential network and an Eddy Viscosity network. We demonstrate that this reduced-order framework maintains high physical fidelity, accurately reproducing the energy spectrum, spatial and temporal correlation functions, and dynamical characteristics of the full-scale system. Furthermore, we show that our approach is robust and applicable to parameters outside the training regime. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Models and Numerical Simulation in Engineering)

23 pages, 2827 KB

Open AccessArticle

Life-Cycle Diphenyl Phosphate (DPhP) Exposure Reveals Sex-Differential Functional Alterations in the Zebrafish Gut Microbiota

by Tong Zhou, Ruiqi He, Ya Li, Yuwei Xie, Linyan Deng, Meng Xia, Xiaolong Lian, Jingjing An, Yufeng Gong and Qiliang Chen

Biology 2026, 15(14), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15141192 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Fish gut microbiota is essential for maintaining host physiological health but is constantly threatened by environmental chemicals. Diphenyl phosphate (DPhP), a major degradation product of organophosphate flame retardants and an environmental pollutant widely detected in aquatic ecosystems, is a chemical of emerging concern; [...] Read more.

Fish gut microbiota is essential for maintaining host physiological health but is constantly threatened by environmental chemicals. Diphenyl phosphate (DPhP), a major degradation product of organophosphate flame retardants and an environmental pollutant widely detected in aquatic ecosystems, is a chemical of emerging concern; however, few studies have addressed its effects on the gut microbiota. In this study, zebrafish were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of DPhP (0.8, 3.9, or 35.6 μg/L) from the embryonic stage to adulthood over 120 days. Using V3-V4 region 16S rRNA gene sequencing and functional gene prediction, we systematically analyzed the sex-specific responses of the gut microbiota. The results showed that life-cycle DPhP exposure exerts markedly different effects on the gut microbiota of male and female zebrafish. In females, DPhP induced concentration-dependent, stepwise Tax4Fun2 predicted functional shifts suggestive of compensation: at the low concentration (0.8 μg/L), energy metabolism and cofactor/vitamin metabolism functions were predicted to be enhanced; at the medium concentration (3.9 μg/L), Fusobacteria (mainly Cetobacterium ceti) became dominant, accompanied by structural remodeling; at the high concentration (35.6 μg/L), genetic information processing and amino acid biosynthesis pathways were upregulated, suggesting active substance synthesis. In contrast, the gut microbiota of male zebrafish did not exhibit significant changes in diversity but showed widespread predicted functional impairment. Core energy metabolism and cofactor/vitamin metabolism functions were significantly suppressed, while taxa associated with pro-inflammatory phyla (Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia) expanded. Functional compensation in males was limited to xenobiotic degradation and fatty acid metabolism, suggesting a potential pathological shift. These findings suggest a sex-differential response of DPhP from the perspective of the gut microbiota, providing new evidence for the environmental risk assessment of organophosphorus flame retardants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances in Aquatic Omics)

24 pages, 5430 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Numerical Study on Shear Performance of a Full-Scale Thin-Walled Retard-Bonded Prestressed Concrete Box Girder

by Liya Jia, Yihang Yan, Shaoxiang Zhong and Jiongyi Zhu

Buildings 2026, 16(14), 2877; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16142877 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

In order to produce long-span precast bridge members and reduce the transport pressure of precast members, the lightweight design of bridge components has become a key area of research. In this study, utilizing retard-bonded prestressing technology and high-strength concrete, a full-scale thin-walled box [...] Read more.

In order to produce long-span precast bridge members and reduce the transport pressure of precast members, the lightweight design of bridge components has become a key area of research. In this study, utilizing retard-bonded prestressing technology and high-strength concrete, a full-scale thin-walled box girder measuring 30,000 mm in length and 1600 mm in height was designed and fabricated. A shear test with a shear-span ratio of 2.5 was conducted to investigate the failure mode and shear carrying capacity. Subsequently, an Abaqus finite element (FE) model was established and validated with experimental data. Based on the FE model, numerical investigations were conducted to examine the influence of bonding between prestressed steel strands and concrete, stirrup ratio, web thickness and bottom flange thickness at the end of the box girder, concrete strength and length of UHPC end zone on the shear performance of thin-walled box girder. The results indicate that the retard-bonded prestressed box girder exhibits acceptable mechanical performance. Additionally, intensifying the ends of the box girder with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) can further reduce the wall (i.e., web and bottom flange) thickness of the girder, enhance its shear carrying capacity, and achieve lightweighting. This discovery provides new insights into the lightweight design of bridge components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)

13 pages, 1138 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Comparison of Two Antibiotic Combinations for Conservative Treatment of Non-Complicated Appendicitis in Children

by Mohit Kakar, Georgijs Kulibaba, Zahraa Merchant, Astra Zviedre, Timurs Zurmutai, Lasma Asare, Peteris Tretjakovs, Arnis Engelis and Aigars Petersons

Medicina 2026, 62(7), 1399; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071399 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. The standard of care has been appendectomy for many years. However, in recent years, studies investigating antibiotic therapy alone have increased rapidly, suggesting that non-operative management may be an effective [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. The standard of care has been appendectomy for many years. However, in recent years, studies investigating antibiotic therapy alone have increased rapidly, suggesting that non-operative management may be an effective alternative with a lower risk of complications. In this study, we compared two antibiotic regimens (ceftazidime/metronidazole and ampicillin/metronidazole) to evaluate the effectiveness of two antibacterial strategies. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 children aged 7–18 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups, with the follow-up conducted over one year to assess recurrence. For the evaluation of antibiotic effectiveness, inflammation was assessed using leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and the biomarkers IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, which were measured on each of the three days of inpatient antibiotic therapy. Results: Analysis of the collected data revealed no statistically significant difference in inflammatory markers between the two treatment groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both antibiotic regimens offer comparable clinical outcomes and may be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pediatrics)

25 pages, 2166 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Ultra-Short-Term Wind Farm Power Forecasting Method Incorporating Spatial Features for Sustainable Energy Integration

by Yanxia Wang, Weilong Yu, Minghan Ma, Yongqiang Kang, Yunyun Yun, Xiping Ma and Shuaibing Li

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 7387; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18147387 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Accurate wind power forecasting is imperative for ensuring grid stability and facilitating the large-scale integration of renewable energy—both central pillars of the global energy transition and the Dual Carbon strategic goals. However, existing methods often fail to fully capture the spatial heterogeneity and [...] Read more.

Accurate wind power forecasting is imperative for ensuring grid stability and facilitating the large-scale integration of renewable energy—both central pillars of the global energy transition and the Dual Carbon strategic goals. However, existing methods often fail to fully capture the spatial heterogeneity and interdependencies among individual turbines, limiting their effectiveness for sustainable grid operation. To address this gap, this paper proposes an ultra-short-term wind power forecasting framework that incorporates explicit multi-dimensional spatial features. At the feature level, a 12-dimensional spatial feature system is constructed to quantify the microscale topology of wind farms. These static spatial attributes are seamlessly fused with dynamic temporal data using a dimensionality-balance factor strategy. Finally, a hybrid deep learning network comprising a multi-scale CNN, a multi-layer BiLSTM, and a multi-head self-attention mechanism is developed to capture complex spatiotemporal patterns. Experimental results on three real-world datasets show that the proposed method significantly outperforms baseline models, reducing the Mean Absolute Percentage Error by up to 11.09% and improving the coefficient of determination R² up to 0.9120. By improving forecast accuracy and robustness, the method directly supports more reliable grid dispatching, reduces curtailment of wind energy, and thus contributes to the sustainable utilization of renewable resources. These findings demonstrate that incorporating explicit spatial correlation effectively enhances the accuracy and robustness of ultra-short-term wind power forecasting, providing robust decision support for power grid dispatching and advancing the sustainability of modern power systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Energy Sustainability)

30 pages, 4097 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Photoperiods on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters, Slaughter Performance, Skeletal Development, and Meat Quality of Yellow-Feathered Broilers

by Jiasheng Li, Ziying Rong, Shuangchun Zhang, Chunyan Luo, Xiaohang Nie, Yong Chen and Jiancheng Liu

Animals 2026, 16(14), 2240; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16142240 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different lighting cycles on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices, slaughter performance, skeletal development, and meat quality of yellow-feathered broiler chickens. A total of 256 10-day-old Liangfenghua yellow-feathered male broilers were randomly assigned to four [...] Read more.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different lighting cycles on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices, slaughter performance, skeletal development, and meat quality of yellow-feathered broiler chickens. A total of 256 10-day-old Liangfenghua yellow-feathered male broilers were randomly assigned to four groups, each with 8 replicates, and each replicate contained 8 chickens. The four lighting cycles used were 18L:6D, 20L:4D, 22L:2D, and 23L:1D (hours of light:dark), and the chickens were fed until 63 days of age. The results indicate that with increasing light exposure duration, the average daily gain and live weight of yellow-feather broilers from 10 to 21 days of age (p = 0.07), the average daily feed intake from 42 to 63 days of age (p < 0.01), as well as the average daily feed intake, daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio from 1 to 63 days of age (p < 0.05), all showed linear changes. The live weight, daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio from 42 to 63 days of age exhibited both linear and quadratic variations (p < 0.01). The 22L:2D group achieved the highest live weight and daily gain at 63 days, with the lowest feed-to-gain ratio. Serum glucose levels displayed quadratic variation, while phosphorus levels showed both linear and quadratic changes; the 22L:2D group had the lowest serum glucose and the highest phosphorus levels. The semi-eviscerated rate and the bursa of Fabricius index varied linearly, whereas the leg muscle rate showed quadratic variation. The 20L:4D group had the highest total eviscerated rate, breast muscle rate, and leg muscle rate (p < 0.05), with the lowest Fabricius and thymus indices. The length, width, and volume of the femur and tibia, as well as the tibia bone volume and tissue volume, all changed linearly (p < 0.05). The tibia bone volume fraction exhibited both linear and quadratic changes, with the 18L:6D group showing the highest femur length, width, tibia bone volume, tissue volume, and bone volume fraction. Light exposure significantly affected meat pH, colour, shear force, drip loss, and cooking loss. The crude protein content in the breast muscle showed quadratic variation, while ash and cysteine contents displayed both linear and quadratic changes. The 22L:2D group had the highest crude protein content, pH at 24 h, shear force, and drip loss, but the lowest amino acid and ash contents (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were significant differences in the flavour of the breast muscle under different light cycles. In summary, the photoperiod significantly affects the production performance, skeletal development, meat quality, and flavor of yellow-feathered broilers. The 22L:2D photoperiod yielded the best outcomes in promoting growth, improving feed efficiency, and enhancing meat quality; however, it may adversely affect skeletal development and structural integrity, and caution should be exercised for long-term rearing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Sustainable Animal Nutrition: From Feed Evaluation to Precision Feeding)

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24 pages, 1715 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Comprehensive Community Approach to Preventing Youth Gun Violence: A Longitudinal Study of the ThrYve Initiative

by Jomella Watson-Thompson, Valerie M. Thompson, Jerry A. Schultz, Jeanne Hayes, Kandace Fleming and Lauratu Bah

Youth 2026, 6(3), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth6030096 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Youth violence, particularly gun-related, is a pressing public health concern influenced by key risk factors and broader structural inequities that shape community conditions. The ThrYve (“Together Helping Reduce Youth Violence”) initiative, a multisector, multilevel community strategy in Kansas City, targeted social and structural [...] Read more.

Youth violence, particularly gun-related, is a pressing public health concern influenced by key risk factors and broader structural inequities that shape community conditions. The ThrYve (“Together Helping Reduce Youth Violence”) initiative, a multisector, multilevel community strategy in Kansas City, targeted social and structural determinants of youth violence. Guided by the Institute of Medicine’s Model for Collaborative Action in Communities, the ThrYve approach supported five evidence-informed components including: (1) coalition development with over 40 partners; (2) youth violence prevention programs in hospitals, schools, and the community; (3) out-of-school time supports for youths; (4) education, college, and career readiness initiatives; and (5) youth/family navigation supports. A mixed-method, quasi-experimental design examined pre/post changes in youth risk and behavior, longitudinal youth homicide trends, and documented coalition-facilitated community and systems changes. Between 2018 and 2024, the ThrYve coalition implemented 243 new or modified programs, policies, and practices promoting safer, supportive community environments. During the intervention phase, youth homicide rates in the intervention catchment area declined by 42.3% from baseline, and significant within-group improvements were observed in selected risk factors among ThrYve participants. Findings suggest the value of coalition-based, systems-level, community- and youth-engaged strategies for youth violence prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis: Understanding Risk, Resilience, and Recovery)

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17 pages, 1388 KB

Open AccessArticle

Aspergillus flavus bZIP-Type Transcription Factors as Promising Novel Targets for Future Aflatoxin Control Strategies

by Ágnes Kata Mondok, Tünde Pusztahelyi, Szilvia Kovács, Barbara Brendzsák, Tamás Emri, István Pócsi and Éva Leiter

J. Fungi 2026, 12(7), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12070532 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

The bZIP type transcription factors (bZIPs) are global regulators governing vegetative growth, development, stress defense and secondary metabolism, including mycotoxin production in filamentous fungi. In this work, we constructed and phenotypically characterized gene deletion and complementation mutants of some bZIPs, including Afap1, [...] Read more.

The bZIP type transcription factors (bZIPs) are global regulators governing vegetative growth, development, stress defense and secondary metabolism, including mycotoxin production in filamentous fungi. In this work, we constructed and phenotypically characterized gene deletion and complementation mutants of some bZIPs, including Afap1, AflatfA, LziP, AflatfB and bZIP6 in Aspergillus flavus. Environmental and fungicide stress responses, as well as aflatoxin production of the mutants in both surface cultures and infected maize kernels, were studied. Phenotypic characterization of the mutants revealed that Afap1 and AflatfA were involved in the oxidative (H₂O₂, menadione, tert-butyl hydroperoxide), cell wall integrity (Congo Red) and heavy metal (CdCl₂) stress responses of A. flavus. In addition, the Afap1 and AflatfA gene deletions decreased the diamide and prothioconazole tolerances of the fungus, respectively. The ΔLziP strain showed increased growth in the presence of diamide, while reduced colony diameters were observed after exposure to CdCl₂ and fludioxonil. The ΔAflatfB gene deletion mutant was also sensitive to tBOOH, while azoxystrobin and prothioconazole fungicides significantly inhibited the growth of ΔbZIP6. When aflatoxin (AFB1) production was measured in surface cultures, decreased AFB1 levels were detected only in the ΔAflatfA gene deletion mutant strain. However, in corn kernel infection assays, the ΔAfap1, ΔAflatfA, and ΔAflatfB mutants were characterized by significantly reduced aflatoxin production, while the deletion of bZIP6 almost completely abolished AFB1 biosynthesis. Our results suggest that Afap1 and AflatfA appear to be promising targets for the development of new antifungal agents, as their inhibition may increase the sensitivity of A. flavus to environmental stress, simultaneously reducing the aflatoxin production of the fungus and the use of azoles (AflatfA) in the antifungal protection of maize. In addition, bZIP6 may also be considered as an attractive target for further studies when aiming to eliminate aflatoxin production and minimize the use of azoxystrobin and prothioconazole in maize crop protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress Research in Filamentous Fungi and Yeasts—2nd Edition)

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17 pages, 3422 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Design and Simulation Testing of Rope Pollination Equipment for Hybrid Rice Seed Production

by Zhide Ma, Jianbo Zhou, Jibing Chen and Yiping Wu

Machines 2026, 14(7), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14070821 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

In view of the urgent need for pollination equipment for existing hybrid rice and the practical problems of traditional manual pollen-driving, such as high labor intensity, low efficiency, and easy-to-break rice stems, an automatic pollen-driving system combining traditional manual and mechanical auxiliary control [...] Read more.

In view of the urgent need for pollination equipment for existing hybrid rice and the practical problems of traditional manual pollen-driving, such as high labor intensity, low efficiency, and easy-to-break rice stems, an automatic pollen-driving system combining traditional manual and mechanical auxiliary control was designed. According to the analysis of the driving process, the driving speed v and the rope height h are the main factors affecting the bending degree of rice stems (the cross-section angle θ of rice stems). Through shear and extrusion tests, the characteristic parameters of rice stems and the bonding parameters of the rice stem bonding model were obtained. The test results showed that when the bending angle of the rice stem was 47°, the maximum shear force of the rice stem was 5.42 N. A quadratic orthogonal rotation combination simulation test was carried out using the discrete element method (EDEM), and the optimal parameter combination of powder driving speed and rope height was determined. The angle error between the measured angle value and that obtained by the constraint solving tool of Design-Expert software was less than 5%. Furthermore, combined with field experiments, through the optimization of the pollen-driving operation parameters, the phenomenon of rice breakage was reduced in the process of pollen-driving. Therefore, the research in this paper can provide certain references for the design of hybrid rice powder-driven systems and the optimization of operating parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent and Cooperative Agricultural Machines: Adapting Robots and AI to Agricultural Environments)

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19 pages, 3470 KB

Open AccessArticle

Immunomodulatory Effects of Poly-D,L-Lactic Acid on LL-37-Driven Rosacea-like Inflammation via Suppression of mTORC1 Signaling

by Kyung-A Byun, Jeyoung Park, Seyeon Oh, Jiyeon Shin, Suk Bae Seo, Kuk Hui Son and Kyunghee Byun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(14), 6425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27146425 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by dysregulated cathelicidin processing and excessive LL-37, which triggers a circuit involving Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/kallikrein-5 (KLK5)-dependent amplification and downstream mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), NF-κB, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 [...] Read more.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by dysregulated cathelicidin processing and excessive LL-37, which triggers a circuit involving Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/kallikrein-5 (KLK5)-dependent amplification and downstream mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), NF-κB, and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathways. We hypothesized that poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) could attenuate this inflammatory cascade by inducing macrophage-derived interleukin (IL)-10. PDLLA increased IL-10 secretion from THP-1-derived macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. In LL-37-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes, LL-37 decreased phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (pSTAT3)/STAT3, DNA damage-inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4), and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK)/AMPK while increasing phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAKT)/AKT and mTORC1 activation; conditioned media from PDLLA-treated macrophages (CM_PDLLA) restored pSTAT3/STAT3, DDIT4, and pAMPK/AMPK, reduced pAKT/AKT, and suppressed pmTOR/mTOR. CM_PDLLA attenuated downstream inflammatory responses, including NF-κB nuclear translocation, VEGF production, and NLRP3-inflammasome-mediated IL-18 secretion. These findings were validated using an intradermal LL-37-injected mouse model. Compared with the normal control/saline group, LL-37/saline decreased IL-10, pSTAT3/STAT3, DDIT4, and pAMPK/AMPK while increasing pAKT/AKT, pmTOR/mTOR, pS6K/S6K, TLR2/KLK5/LL-37, NF-κB, VEGF, and NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-18 signaling; PDLLA partially restored the STAT3/DDIT4–AMPK regulatory pattern and suppressed these disease-associated signals. Consequently, PDLLA treatment led to a pronounced reduction in clinical lesion area. Overall, PDLLA may attenuate LL-37-driven cutaneous inflammation by promoting an IL-10-linked STAT3/DDIT4–AKT/AMPK program that suppresses mTORC1 and disrupts cathelicidin amplification, supporting its potential as an injectable immunomodulatory approach for rosacea-like skin inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

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15 pages, 3031 KB

Open AccessArticle

Community Structure and Functional Prediction of Gut Microbiota in Mandarin Fish (Siniperca Chuatsi) Under Different Culture and Feeding Conditions

by Yayu Wang, Chen Niu, Xiaoyu Jiang, Jinpeng Zhang, Shu Wang, Cuiping Gong and Dayan Hu

Life 2026, 16(7), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16071194 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of culture systems and feed types on the gut microbiota of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi), using three production culture modes: pond–live bait (CE), pond–artificial feed (CS), and RAS–artificial feed (GS). Under identical pond culture conditions, CS [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of culture systems and feed types on the gut microbiota of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi), using three production culture modes: pond–live bait (CE), pond–artificial feed (CS), and RAS–artificial feed (GS). Under identical pond culture conditions, CS fish fed compound feed had higher relative abundances of carbohydrate-metabolizing Bacteroidota and Firmicutes than CE. The CS group showed higher α-diversity, but β-diversity analysis indicated no significant community difference (p = 0.36), demonstrating that feed replacement only induced mild microbial shifts. LEfSe analysis uncovered 17 differential taxa: homeostasis-related genera enriched in CS, while the lipid-adapted Macellibacteroides prevailed in CE. Under identical artificial feed conditions, switching culture mode from pond (CS) to industrial RAS (GS) drastically reduced gut microbial diversity and simplified community structure. GS exhibited a sharp rise in Fusobacteriota, with Cetobacterium (64.94%) becoming the single dominant genus. α-diversity was lower in GS than CS, and β-diversity confirmed highly distinct community profiles between the two groups (p = 0.004). LEfSe detected 43 differential taxa with diverse metabolic genera abundant in CS. No PICRUSt2-inferred KEGG pathways remained significant after FDR correction in the above two comparison groups, so these functional trends are only for reference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Responses of Aquatic Organisms to Environmental Stress)

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35 pages, 140088 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relational Contiguity and Socio-Spatial Networks for Cluster-Based Conservation of Traditional Village Heritage in Mountainous China

by Dengxing Chen, Jinping Wang, Jiasen Li, Yizhe Jin and Shuaiqi Li

Buildings 2026, 16(14), 2876; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16142876 (registering DOI) - 19 Jul 2026

Abstract

Conservation units for traditional village clusters are often delineated by administrative boundaries or spatial proximity. Yet rural built heritage is shaped by historical routes, terrain conditions, cultural homology, settlement morphology, and rural landscape settings. This mismatch is especially evident in mountainous regions, where [...] Read more.

Conservation units for traditional village clusters are often delineated by administrative boundaries or spatial proximity. Yet rural built heritage is shaped by historical routes, terrain conditions, cultural homology, settlement morphology, and rural landscape settings. This mismatch is especially evident in mountainous regions, where conservation relevance does not necessarily follow planar distance. To address this issue, this study proposes relational contiguity as an operational concept for cluster-based conservation of traditional village heritage. Using 61 nationally recognized traditional villages in Gaoping City, Shanxi Province, China, as a case, we develop a socio-spatial network framework. The framework integrates composite node quality, cultural homology, MCR-based cost distance, inter-village association strength, and node-role differentiation into a modified spatial interaction model. This allows conservation relations to be identified as culturally meaningful, spatially plausible, and governance-relevant. The results show that only 167 of 1830 village pairs form effective links. This selective heritage conservation network is structured by the Dan River corridor, historical trade routes, high-value heritage nodes, and culturally homologous village groups. Four differentiated conservation units are identified: the fortified landscape conservation unit, the Dan River trade-corridor coordination unit, the landscape-ritual continuity unit, and the peripheral authenticity conservation unit. The study provides a planning support framework for translating inter-village heritage relations into coordinated conservation units for rural built heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)

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