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6 pages, 254 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Molecular Advances in Biomarkers of Central Nervous System Diseases and Disorders”

by Chiara Villa and David Gurwitz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177941 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases and disorders have posed a substantial challenge to global health [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Biomarkers of Central Nervous System Diseases and Disorders)

17 pages, 343 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Projection Method for Common Solutions to Generalized Mixed Equilibrium Problems

by Ghada AlNemer, Rehan Ali, Shazia Akhtar and Mohammad Farid

Mathematics 2026, 14(17), 3224; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14173224 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

In this paper, we develop modified inertial hybrid projection methods to obtain common solutions of generalized mixed equilibrium problems involving monotone and Lipschitz continuous operators. The use of alternative half-space constructions reduces both projection steps and operator evaluations. Strong convergence is established under [...] Read more.

In this paper, we develop modified inertial hybrid projection methods to obtain common solutions of generalized mixed equilibrium problems involving monotone and Lipschitz continuous operators. The use of alternative half-space constructions reduces both projection steps and operator evaluations. Strong convergence is established under standard conditions. The proposed approach is further extended to common solutions of variational inequality problems, and numerical results are provided for illustration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Fixed Point Theory and Optimization Methods: Algorithms, Convergence Analysis, and Applications)

21 pages, 5118 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes Reveals Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetic Relationships in Fraxinus (Fraxinus mandshurica)

by Wenxuan Liu, Jiawei Wu, Haonan Zheng, Guanzheng Qu and Sui Wang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7939; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177939 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Fraxinus mandshurica (Manchurian ash) is an ecologically and economically valuable hardwood tree native to Northeast Asia, yet its genomic resources remain limited. We assembled its complete chloroplast (cp) genome (155,559 bp) using hybrid PacBio and Illumina sequencing and performed comparative, phylogenetic, and evolutionary [...] Read more.

Fraxinus mandshurica (Manchurian ash) is an ecologically and economically valuable hardwood tree native to Northeast Asia, yet its genomic resources remain limited. We assembled its complete chloroplast (cp) genome (155,559 bp) using hybrid PacBio and Illumina sequencing and performed comparative, phylogenetic, and evolutionary analyses. The cp genome exhibits a typical quadripartite structure encoding 132 gene copies, comprising 114 unique genes (80 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes), with 18 genes duplicated in the inverted repeat (IR) regions. Simple sequence repeat analysis revealed dominance of mononucleotide A/T repeats. Phylogenetic analysis of 53 complete cp genomes strongly supported the monophyly of Oleaceae and resolved F. mandshurica as sister to the North American F. nigra, consistent with previously proposed Miocene intercontinental dispersal scenarios between East Asia and North America. Most protein-coding genes were under strong purifying selection (Ka/Ks << 1), whereas petB, rpl2, and several ndh genes showed elevated Ka/Ks values that are suggestive of altered selective constraint but are based on very few substitutions and are therefore not, on their own, evidence of positive selection. Nucleotide diversity (Pi) analysis identified 15 hypervariable intergenic spacers (mean Pi = 0.067), among which trnM-CAU-rps14, ndhJ-ndhK, and petL-petG represent promising candidate barcode regions requiring further validation. This study provides a high-quality, fully annotated cp genome of F. mandshurica and a valuable genomic resource for future phylogenetic, population genetic, and conservation studies of this important genus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Plant Genetic Research)

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30 pages, 121088 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Park-Wide Cooling to Heat Stress Across Activity Spaces: Landscape Effects on Microclimate and Pedestrian Thermal Comfort

by Jiaxin Zhou, Ruotian Li and Bing Qiu

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 9141; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18179141 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

As nature-based solutions, urban parks mitigate urban heat, yet park-scale cooling can conceal heat stress within activity spaces. Combining field measurements, spatial analysis, and ENVI-met modeling, we examined landscape–microclimate associations in Mochou Lake Park, Nanjing. During 08:00–18:00, the park interior was on average [...] Read more.

As nature-based solutions, urban parks mitigate urban heat, yet park-scale cooling can conceal heat stress within activity spaces. Combining field measurements, spatial analysis, and ENVI-met modeling, we examined landscape–microclimate associations in Mochou Lake Park, Nanjing. During 08:00–18:00, the park interior was on average 1.30 °C cooler than the surrounding built-up area, with relative humidity 2.72 percentage points higher. Nevertheless, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) indicated at least strong heat stress at all internal points, and mean air temperature (

T_{a}

) differed by up to 2.22 °C among activity-space types. In fitted models, each 10-percentage-point increase in tree canopy cover corresponded to estimated decreases of 0.12 °C in

T_{a}

, 1.68 °C in mean radiant temperature (MRT), and 0.44 °C in UTCI, while

T_{a}

rose by 0.12 °C per 10 m of distance from the lake. Open space ratio was associated with higher MRT and UTCI, and near-ground permeability ratio with lower UTCI under the study-day wind conditions. A tree canopy cover of approximately 40% in activity spaces emerged as a case-specific, model-derived reference value at which the predicted daytime maximum UTCI remained below the 46 °C extreme heat stress threshold. These findings reveal thermal risks hidden by park-scale averages and can inform climate-adaptive park design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air, Climate Change and Sustainability)

19 pages, 567 KB

Open AccessProtocol

Clarifying Exercise Intolerance in Cardiovascular Disease: Protocol for a Scoping Review and Evolutionary Concept Analysis

by Joana Pereira Sousa, Paulo Santos-Costa, João Graveto, Paulo Ferreira and Maria Loureiro

Nurs. Rep. 2026, 16(9), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16090323 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Exercise intolerance is clinically important but conceptually unstable in cardiovascular care. Its relationship with exercise tolerance, exercise capacity, functional capacity and the nursing concept of activity intolerance remains unclear, and the term entered nursing from other disciplines without corresponding conceptual scrutiny. This [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Exercise intolerance is clinically important but conceptually unstable in cardiovascular care. Its relationship with exercise tolerance, exercise capacity, functional capacity and the nursing concept of activity intolerance remains unclear, and the term entered nursing from other disciplines without corresponding conceptual scrutiny. This protocol will examine how these concepts are used in adults with cardiovascular disease, how use varies across conditions, care settings, pathway phases and time, and which attributes, antecedents, consequences and related concepts are reported, to determine what these concepts can mean for nursing. Methods: The study has two interconnected phases: a scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR and PRISMA-S reporting, followed by Rodgers’ evolutionary concept analysis. Searches will cover MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus, complemented by gray literature and standardized nursing terminologies. Expected Results: The review will map how exercise intolerance, activity intolerance and neighboring terms are used and will chart which defining attributes and empirical referents are recognizable through routine nursing assessment, require instrumented testing or both. Whether a stable nursing formulation can be derived is treated as an open question: convergence, divergence, instability and insufficient evidence are all possible, and attributes recognizable only through instrumented testing will be reported as a null result for nursing operationalization. Conclusions: The review will determine how the concept has evolved for the discipline of nursing and whether nursing assessment can operationalize it. It will not establish professional consensus, diagnostic thresholds, measurement validity or device specifications. Registration: This study was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) Registries before screening and data charting commenced. Full article

18 pages, 2999 KB

Open AccessArticle

Etiology and Clinical Manifestations of Acute Respiratory Infections in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Study in Moscow, Russia

by Diana A. Grigoryan, Maria A. Gordukova, Elena V. Galeeva, Irina E. Turina, Ekaterina V. Ligskaya, Oleg B. Kovalev and Alina D. Matsvay

Diseases 2026, 14(9), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14090326 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) are the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and exhibit considerable clinical heterogeneity. The analysis of clinical and etiological associations, as well as the identification of factors linked to severe ARVI cases, is essential for effective epidemiological surveillance. [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) are the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and exhibit considerable clinical heterogeneity. The analysis of clinical and etiological associations, as well as the identification of factors linked to severe ARVI cases, is essential for effective epidemiological surveillance. Methods: A retrospective, single-center observational study was conducted including 1362 non-COVID-19 pediatric cases of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), registered between 2021 and 2024. Viral pathogens were detected using real-time PCR for broad-spectrum screening of respiratory viruses. Results: Viral etiology was established in approximately 50% of cases. The most frequently detected pathogen was Human rhinovirus (HRV) (35.6%), followed by Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Human adenovirus (HAdV). Despite its predominance, HRV did not demonstrate nosological specificity. The strongest associations with lower respiratory tract infections were identified for RSV (OR = 3.2) and Human bocavirus (HBoV; OR = 2.4), predominantly within the pneumonia category. RSV was also associated with bronchitis/bronchiolitis (OR = 1.8). Significant associations with upper respiratory tract infections were established for Influenza viruses (OR = 10.4) and HAdV, including nasopharyngitis (OR = 3.88) and acute tonsillitis (OR = 3.9). HAdV additionally demonstrated an association with otitis media (OR = 5.1). Severe disease was registered in 52.3% of all clinical observations and occurred most frequently among young children, particularly in cases associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV >80%), as well as with human bocavirus (HBoV) and Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) (~55–59%). Co-infections were not associated with increased disease severity compared with monoinfections (OR = 1.1). Conclusions: The obtained results highlight the contribution of specific etiological agents to severe respiratory infections in children. These findings support the prioritization of such pathogens in clinical diagnostics, including the design of diagnostic algorithms and the selection of patient management strategies in pediatric populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Disease)

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25 pages, 815 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nonlinear Vibration of Multi-Load Annular and Circular Plates: A Parametric Study of Loading-Agnostic Frequency Behavior

by Waleed Faris

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(17), 8860; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16178860 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

MEMS resonators vibrate about equilibria deflected by whatever combination of temperature, pressure, and bias voltage is present—not about the flat, unloaded plate—raising a basic design question: does the resulting natural frequency depend on the specific loads that produced the deflection, or mainly on [...] Read more.

MEMS resonators vibrate about equilibria deflected by whatever combination of temperature, pressure, and bias voltage is present—not about the flat, unloaded plate—raising a basic design question: does the resulting natural frequency depend on the specific loads that produced the deflection, or mainly on the deflection itself? We address this for annular and circular plates through a self-contained derivation of the governing multi-load equations and the linearized vibration eigenvalue problem about an arbitrary thermal, mechanical, and electrostatic equilibrium, validated against two classical benchmarks and applied to a parametric study spanning radius ratio, Poisson’s ratio, and five load combinations at matched deflection. The spread in squared frequency,

ω_{1}^{2}

, across combinations shrinks monotonically from

29 %

at

w / h = 0.4

to

6 %

at

w / h = 2.4

, a dynamic counterpart to a known static result in which the large-deflection boundary layer at a clamped edge depends only on the local membrane stress, not on which loads produced it. Going beyond the linear eigenfrequency, a single-mode Duffing-type reduction, compared against four independent classical benchmarks, reproduces the same asymmetry direction and hardening-to-softening crossover reported in the literature. For the one annular geometry and axisymmetric motion studied here, the results suggest that once deflection exceeds about twice the plate thickness, resonator frequency can be tabulated against deflection amplitude alone, rather than the full space of operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Applied Nonlinear Dynamics, Vibration, and Control)

24 pages, 590 KB

Open AccessArticle

BiLSTM with Asymmetric Huber Loss for 24 h PM_2.5 Forecasting and Early Exceedance Detection at an Industrial Monitoring Station in Bogotá, Colombia

by María Isabel David Otálvaro and Sonia Lucila Meneses Velosa

Atmosphere 2026, 17(9), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17090871 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Fine particulate matter (

{PM}_{2.5}

) pollution in Bogotá follows a strongly asymmetric temporal pattern: at the Puente Aranda industrial-corridor monitoring station, 98.7% of days whose daily mean exceeds the WHO 2021 guideline of 15

μ {g / m}^{3}

contain at [...] Read more.

Fine particulate matter (

{PM}_{2.5}

) pollution in Bogotá follows a strongly asymmetric temporal pattern: at the Puente Aranda industrial-corridor monitoring station, 98.7% of days whose daily mean exceeds the WHO 2021 guideline of 15

μ {g / m}^{3}

contain at least one hourly concentration above 25

μ {g / m}^{3}

, with a median peak-to-mean ratio of 1.90. Conventional forecasting models, trained to minimise average error, systematically underpredict these critical episodes. To address this structural bias, we trained a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network for 24 h

{PM}_{2.5}

forecasting using three complementary mechanisms: an asymmetric Huber loss that penalises underprediction

α

-fold more than overprediction, sample weighting that amplifies gradients from exceedance windows, and Bayesian hyperparameter optimisation (Optuna-TPE, 100 trials). Evaluating four model configurations on hourly records from 2022 to 2025 (n = 31,961), we identify an inherent regression–detection tension: among the

α

values examined (

α \in {1.5, 2.5, 2.80}

), no single value simultaneously minimised global MAE and peak MAE. Bayesian optimisation (Optuna-TPE, 100 trials) selected

α = 2.80

and

w_{high} = 10

, achieving the nominally highest sequence-level detection quality (AP = 0.724, 95% bootstrap CI [0.582, 0.821]) and the lowest

{MAE}_{peaks}

(10.64

μ {g / m}^{3}

), but at the cost of near-zero global regression (

R^{2} \approx 0

). BiLSTM-A1.5 (

α = 1.5

) constitutes the best overall compromise (AP = 0.718, CI [0.575, 0.819]; RMSE = 6.65

μ {g / m}^{3}

;

R^{2} = 0.372

; sequence F1 = 0.674); the AP difference (

Δ = 0.006

) is within overlapping bootstrap confidence intervals. All models localise the daily peak within 6 h in at least 88% of exceedance sequences. These results support reframing early-warning system evaluation around exceedance detection rather than regression error. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)

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31 pages, 10990 KB

Open AccessArticle

Satellite–UAV Collaborative Off-Road Traversability Mapping and Incremental Updating for Unmanned Ground Vehicles

by Lieyun Hu, Jindi Wang, Honghao Zeng, Zixuan Ni, Jianxun Wang, Chaoxian Liu and Haigang Sui

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(17), 3045; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18173045 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Large-area remote-sensing data provide essential pre-mission information for unmanned ground vehicles, but their spatial support and temporal latency may obscure local terrain changes. A remaining challenge is to translate heterogeneous regional evidence and recent local observations into a consistent, updateable, and planner-ready map. [...] Read more.

Large-area remote-sensing data provide essential pre-mission information for unmanned ground vehicles, but their spatial support and temporal latency may obscure local terrain changes. A remaining challenge is to translate heterogeneous regional evidence and recent local observations into a consistent, updateable, and planner-ready map. This study presents a satellite–unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) workflow for constructing and incrementally maintaining an off-road traversability map for mission-level global planning. A common H3 index organizes satellite imagery, terrain, soil, road evidence, and local UAV semantic observations while retaining their native spatial support and provenance. The map separates environmental-prior, semantic, and traversability-cost layers to support interpretable fusion and independent updating. A confidence-hierarchical conflict resolution mechanism resolves inconsistencies in the regional prior, while an observer-agnostic interface projects UAV semantic observations onto local map cells. RGB imagery is used by the primary UAV observer, and digital surface model (DSM) is evaluated as an optional semantic-observation modality. Evaluation included a manually reviewed regional benchmark, a unified buffered spatial holdout, cell-level update assessment, and 40 fixed replanning tasks. Conflict resolution reduced high-risk omissions. RGB-only SegFormer-B2 achieved the highest semantic accuracy with moderate computational complexity. UAV override achieved a cell-level F1 score of 96.96% and limited the false-positive accumulation associated with conservative union. Replanning further revealed a trade-off between hazardous-cell avoidance and search-graph connectivity. The proposed workflow provides a maintainable interface between multi-source remote sensing and global UGV planning rather than a replacement for onboard perception, local obstacle avoidance, or vehicle control. Full article

24 pages, 1692 KB

Open AccessArticle

Generalized Exchange Option Pricing and Empirical Analysis Based on Asset Liquidity Risk

by Sisi Wan, Qing Wang and Zi Wang

Mathematics 2026, 14(17), 3223; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14173223 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

In this paper, we integrate liquidity risk into the generalized exchange option pricing model. Based on Esscher’s transformation theory, we calculate the expectation and variance of random variables to derive an explicit expression of the generalized exchange option pricing formula considering the liquidity [...] Read more.

In this paper, we integrate liquidity risk into the generalized exchange option pricing model. Based on Esscher’s transformation theory, we calculate the expectation and variance of random variables to derive an explicit expression of the generalized exchange option pricing formula considering the liquidity risk of underlying assets, which avoids the complicated calculation of the optimal parameter vector

h^{*}

. In addition, we plot time-series liquidity curves to screen underlying stocks that fit the model framework, and employ the simulated annealing algorithm to estimate model parameters based on historical data. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted with the estimated parameters and actual market data as inputs, confirming the internal consistency of the model. Relevant parameters are then adjusted to intuitively illustrate how liquidity risk affects option pricing and the associated price movements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Methods for Economics, Finance and Actuarial Sciences)

29 pages, 3849 KB

Open AccessArticle

Federated OMR for Automated Examination Paper Digitization and Assessment

by Duc Thuan Le, Huy Hoang Nguyen, Thi Thu Trang Duong and Thi Hong Ngan Nguyen

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(17), 8859; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16178859 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

In the context of educational digital transformation, automated grading of paper-based examinations faces two challenges: data privacy concerns and data heterogeneity across educational institutions. Existing Optical Mark Recognition systems are predominantly designed under centralized learning paradigms, requiring examination data to be collected and [...] Read more.

In the context of educational digital transformation, automated grading of paper-based examinations faces two challenges: data privacy concerns and data heterogeneity across educational institutions. Existing Optical Mark Recognition systems are predominantly designed under centralized learning paradigms, requiring examination data to be collected and processed at a central server, which may expose sensitive student information. To address this limitation, this paper proposes a federated OMR framework for automated examination paper digitization and assessment in distributed environments. The proposed system consists of five stages, employing YOLO26 for answer-region localization, ORB-based image registration for geometric alignment, and EfficientNet-B0 for answer-state classification, automated grading, and result aggregation. Federated Averaging is utilized to train a global model across five clients representing heterogeneous data domains with different answer-sheet layouts, ink characteristics, and marking styles, without sharing raw data. Experimental results demonstrate that the federated model achieves an ROI-level accuracy of

99.42 %

and a Macro F1-score of

95.82 %

. Furthermore, the proposed system attains a Sheet-level accuracy of

84.62 %

, outperforming local training approaches while achieving performance comparable to centralized learning. These findings suggest the feasibility of Federated Learning for developing privacy-preserving and highly generalizable OMR systems for large-scale educational assessment. Full article

16 pages, 1685 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Performance of Copper-Tailings Concrete with Steel Fibers for Potential Underground Support Applications

by Cristopher Hernández, Belén Barraza, René Gómez, Krzysztof Skrzypkowski, Jerzy Stasica and Zbigniew Rak

Materials 2026, 19(17), 3794; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19173794 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

The increasing accumulation of mine tailings has motivated the development of sustainable strategies for their reuse within the framework of the circular economy. This study evaluates the mechanical performance of four laboratory-cast concrete mixtures: a reference mixture, a mixture in which copper tailings [...] Read more.

The increasing accumulation of mine tailings has motivated the development of sustainable strategies for their reuse within the framework of the circular economy. This study evaluates the mechanical performance of four laboratory-cast concrete mixtures: a reference mixture, a mixture in which copper tailings were incorporated at 8% of the base mixture mass to replace an equivalent mass of natural coarse sand, and two tailings-based mixtures reinforced with 0.4% and 1.2% steel fibers. Their compressive strength and elastic modulus were evaluated after 7, 14, 28, and 100 days of curing to assess the mechanical performance of the proposed mixtures and their potential relevance for underground mining support applications. The results showed that after 100 days, the 8% copper tailings mixture reached a compressive strength of 41.6 MPa, compared with 39.6 MPa for the conventional mixture. The addition of steel fibers produced a slight reduction in compressive strength and stiffness at early curing ages; however, comparable mechanical performance was achieved after extended curing. The observed improvements are primarily consistent with the filler effect and improved particle packing associated with the fine tailings fraction, although the underlying microstructural mechanisms were not directly evaluated in this study. Overall, the results provide preliminary evidence that copper tailings can be incorporated into laboratory-cast concrete mixtures with steel fibers, supporting their further evaluation for potential underground support applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Construction and Building Materials)

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34 pages, 1398 KB

Open AccessReview

Redox Regulation in Glioblastoma: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Implications

by Salma Lamrabet, Asmae Squalli Houssaini, Sanae Bennis and Rabii Ameziane El Hassani

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7940; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177940 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system, characterized by high invasiveness, rapid progression, and a poor prognosis despite the current treatment modalities. Molecular stratification, using biomarkers such as IDH1, TERT, and MGMT, is a crucial [...] Read more.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system, characterized by high invasiveness, rapid progression, and a poor prognosis despite the current treatment modalities. Molecular stratification, using biomarkers such as IDH1, TERT, and MGMT, is a crucial step in the 2021 WHO classification for improving diagnosis and prognosis. Oxidative stress, a feature of GB, has been identified as an important factor in the initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment. It occurs due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species generated by mitochondrial metabolism, NADPH oxidases, and exogenous sources such as ionizing radiation and xenobiotics and antioxidant defense. This imbalance leads to DNA damage, genomic instability, and deregulation of signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor progression. This review provides an overview of key oxidative stress biomarkers and their dual roles in tumor suppression and progression. It highlights how oxidative stress contributes to treatment responses and resistance to current GB treatments, including redox-adaptive mechanisms such as the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway, which promotes radioresistance. Finally, it discusses the potential of understanding these mechanisms to develop therapeutic strategies that target redox balance and homeostasis, aiming to overcome resistance and improve survival outcomes for glioblastoma patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms Fueling Glioblastoma Progression and Resistance: Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities)

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20 pages, 20063 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sarcosine Remodels DNA Methylation-Linked Transcriptional Networks During Epileptogenesis in the Rat Rapid Hippocampal Kindling Model

by Nicole Ferris, Lan Phung, Wakaba Omi, Guoku Hu and Hai-Ying Shen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177938 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

DNA methylation is implicated in epileptogenesis. Sarcosine, a glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitor and methyl donor, attenuates behavioral progression during rapid hippocampal kindling and alters hippocampal DNA methylation, but its locus-specific epigenetic effects remain poorly understood. Here, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) was [...] Read more.

DNA methylation is implicated in epileptogenesis. Sarcosine, a glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitor and methyl donor, attenuates behavioral progression during rapid hippocampal kindling and alters hippocampal DNA methylation, but its locus-specific epigenetic effects remain poorly understood. Here, reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) was combined with targeted gene expression analysis in the hippocampi of sarcosine-treated kindled rats. RRBS identified 563, 533, and 390 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), corresponding to 521, 499, and 374 DMR-associated genes, in vehicle-kindled versus sham (vKD vs. vSH), sarcosine-kindled versus sham (sKD vs. vSH), and sarcosine-kindled versus vehicle-kindled (sKD vs. vKD) comparisons, respectively. Pathway enrichment analysis identified 217 significantly affected pathways, including glutamatergic signaling, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, chromatin regulation, axon guidance, and apoptotic processes. Eleven candidate genes involved in epigenetic regulation, excitatory neurotransmission, and ECM remodeling were selected for transcriptional validation. All 11 genes were significantly upregulated in kindled hippocampi, whereas sarcosine was associated with reduced expression relative to vehicle-kindled rats for eight genes (Hdac9, Fos, Smad7, Unc5a, Grik2, Gpr37l1, Cacna2d2, and Yy1). Collectively, these findings indicate that sarcosine remodels DNA methylation-associated transcriptional networks during rapid hippocampal kindling and support GlyT1 inhibition as a potential disease-modifying approach in experimental epileptogenesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Glia: New Insights into Neurobiology and Therapeutic Potential)

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15 pages, 6819 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Evidence-Informed Framework for Practice-Oriented Geographical Fieldwork Education: Lessons from Environmental Analysis and Resource Assessment of China’s Eight Major Deserts

by Shun Xiao, Zijing Wang and Wentao Du

Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 9142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18179142 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Drawing on ERA5 reanalysis data for 2005–2025, this study examines long-term environmental change across China’s eight major deserts and on this basis develops a data-informed framework for integrating geoscientific evidence into geographical fieldwork education. Temperature change, surface radiation and vertical soil moisture profiles [...] Read more.

Drawing on ERA5 reanalysis data for 2005–2025, this study examines long-term environmental change across China’s eight major deserts and on this basis develops a data-informed framework for integrating geoscientific evidence into geographical fieldwork education. Temperature change, surface radiation and vertical soil moisture profiles are used to construct inquiry tasks on regional warming, land–atmosphere interactions and dryland hydrology. A four-dimensional resource assessment integrating solar resource abundance, thermal stability, soil moisture support and wind exposure stability is then applied using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to compare relative resource characteristics and ecological constraints across desert regions. The contrasting resource profiles of the Taklimakan, Tengger, and Kubuqi Deserts provide the basis for a scenario-based decision-making activity incorporating equal-weight, energy-priority, and ecology-priority perspectives on renewable energy development and ecological protection. Rather than treating deserts as static landscapes, the proposed framework positions them as dynamic coupled human–environment systems and is designed to engage students in interpreting long-term datasets, comparing regional processes and evaluating sustainability trade-offs. The study illustrates how environmental datasets can be organised into fieldwork questions, analytical tasks and decision scenarios, offering an adaptable framework in which quantitative reasoning, systems thinking and evidence-based sustainability learning are specified as intended educational outcomes in higher geographical education. Full article

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17 pages, 611 KB

Open AccessArticle

Income Inequality and Mortality from Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertensive Diseases Among Adults Aged 30–69 Years in Brazilian Federative Units: A Longitudinal Analysis, 2012–2024

by Miguel Medeiros da Silva, Luiz Alves Morais Filho, Janmilli da Costa Dantas Santiago, Isaque Augusto Rosendo Costa, Richardson Augusto Rosendo da Silva and Cristiane da Silva Ramos Marinho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(9), 1164; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091164 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between income inequality and age-standardized mortality from diabetes mellitus and hypertensive diseases among adults aged 30–69 across Brazilian Federative Units (2012–2024). Methods: Ecological longitudinal study using balanced panel data from the 27 Federative Units. Data were retrieved from [...] Read more.

Objective: To analyze the association between income inequality and age-standardized mortality from diabetes mellitus and hypertensive diseases among adults aged 30–69 across Brazilian Federative Units (2012–2024). Methods: Ecological longitudinal study using balanced panel data from the 27 Federative Units. Data were retrieved from the Mortality Information System and IBGE/IPEA databases. Mortality rates were standardized using the direct method (WHO population). Trends were evaluated via Joinpoint regression, and associations were analyzed using mixed linear models with random intercepts and first-order autoregressive covariance structure. Results: Inequality decreased in 25 Federative Units, accompanied by rising income and declining poverty, whereas national aggregated analysis showed a linear increase in inequality (APC = 0.514%; p < 0.001). Overall mortality trends were stationary for diabetes (AAPC = −1.507%; p = 0.102) and hypertension (AAPC = −0.881%; p = 0.524), despite significant declines from 2021 to 2024. In adjusted mixed models, higher per capita household income was independently associated with lower diabetes mortality (β = −0.012; p = 0.031), while hypertension displayed an upward adjusted linear trend (β = 0.289; p = 0.001). Neither the Gini Index nor poverty rates maintained significant independent associations with mortality. Conclusions: After structural adjustment, only absolute per capita household income maintained an independent protective association with diabetes mortality, highlighting the relevance of material living conditions beyond inequality measures alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Care Sciences)

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13 pages, 4926 KB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Implementation of a Quartz Cilia MEMS Vector Hydrophone

by Ziming Ren, Shijie Yang, Rushan Xie, Zhonggang Zhang, Libo Gao and Chenyang Xue

Micromachines 2026, 17(9), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17091061 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

The cilium avoids energy loss due to bending deformation during vibration, thereby efficiently transmitting the acoustic driving force to the cross-beam. Meanwhile, a hollow cylindrical structure is adopted instead of the traditional solid one. While maintaining the same external geometry, this hollow design [...] Read more.

The cilium avoids energy loss due to bending deformation during vibration, thereby efficiently transmitting the acoustic driving force to the cross-beam. Meanwhile, a hollow cylindrical structure is adopted instead of the traditional solid one. While maintaining the same external geometry, this hollow design not only increases the effective acoustic area to enhance the acoustic driving force but also reduces the added mass of the cilium. This material–structure synergistic optimization improves the acoustic-to-mechanical transfer efficiency of the cilium in low-frequency acoustic fields, thus enhancing the device’s acoustic sensitivity in the low-frequency range. Parametric simulations are conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics 6.3 platform to systematically optimize key geometric parameters such as the outer radius and height of the quartz cilium, and the optimal dimensions are determined. The sensitivity and directivity of the prototype are measured in the 20–1000 Hz frequency range using the standard hydrophone comparison method. Experimental results show that the quartz cilium vector hydrophone achieves a sensitivity of –179.1 dB (1 kHz, 0 dB = 1 V/μPa) at 1000 Hz. The frequency response curve exhibits good flatness in the low-frequency range and agrees well with the theoretical 6 dB per octave increase characteristic of pressure gradient sensors. Directivity tests reveal a typical figure-8 pattern at both 315 Hz and 630 Hz, with null depths exceeding 30 dB, demonstrating excellent vector detection capability. This study provides an effective approach for improving the low-frequency sensitivity of MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical System) vector hydrophones, and the designed device meets the requirements for underwater target detection with promising prospects for engineering applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro/Nano Technologies for Ocean Sensing and Instrumentation)

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28 pages, 5939 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physics-Informed Cascaded Learning for Predicting and Optimizing Geometry and Quality in Laser Cladding Repair of Carburized Gear Steel

by Yingjie Xu, Peng Zheng, Zhongming Liu, Linfan Du, Shidang Yan, Miaomiao Xie, Zhanqi Gao and Yangyang Luo

Materials 2026, 19(17), 3793; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19173793 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Laser cladding is promising for use in repairing carburized gear steels, but parameter selection is challenging when clad geometry, substrate thermal disturbance, and morphological quality must be considered. Fifteen tracks of NHT.22.A01 iron-based powder were deposited on carburized-quenched 18CrNiMo7-6 steel with varying laser [...] Read more.

Laser cladding is promising for use in repairing carburized gear steels, but parameter selection is challenging when clad geometry, substrate thermal disturbance, and morphological quality must be considered. Fifteen tracks of NHT.22.A01 iron-based powder were deposited on carburized-quenched 18CrNiMo7-6 steel with varying laser powers, scanning speeds, and powder feed rates. A physics-informed cascaded-learning framework predicted track width, height, Ac₁-boundary depth, and quality. Leave-one-out out-of-fold width predictions were transferred to height and depth models to prevent target leakage. An auxiliary continuous quality index enabled the bi-objective optimization of quality and high-hardness layer depth, while multi-indicator process maps with local sensitivity analysis supported rapid parameter adjustment. Leave-one-out (R²) values for three geometric responses ranged from 0.934 to 0.968, and the maximum relative error at an unseen boundary condition was 4.3%. The fitted HAZ-depth/track width scaling coefficient (0.211) lay within the Rosenthal theoretical range (0.15–0.25), confirming the physical consistency of the cascade relationship. The optimization revealed a trade-off between quality and high-hardness layer depth ; maximizing predicted high-hardness layer depth under selected a condition already represented in the training set. Repeatability was supported by an independent batch replicate. By integrating leakage-controlled cascading, physically interpretable validation, constrained optimization, and sensitivity-resolved process mapping, the framework provides a transparent and practically applicable approach to small-sample laser cladding process design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multi-scale Modeling and Optimisation of Materials)

35 pages, 3299 KB

Open AccessReview

Key Inflammatory Pathways, Biomarkers, and Targeted Management Strategies in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review

by Adelina-Elena Moise, Mihai Emanuel Gherghe, Alex-Gabriel Grigore, Iosif-Aliodor Timofticiuc, Matei Todor, Patricia Balaban, Constantin-Adrian Andrei, Serban Dragosloveanu, Constantin Caruntu and Cristian Scheau

Medicina 2026, 62(9), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62091713 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Total joint arthroplasty is a surgical procedure with rising global incidence. Although a strong postoperative inflammatory response is necessary for tissue repair following primary arthroplasty, it may prove to be harmful if excessive or prolonged. This could compromise osseointegration, increase pain, and delay [...] Read more.

Total joint arthroplasty is a surgical procedure with rising global incidence. Although a strong postoperative inflammatory response is necessary for tissue repair following primary arthroplasty, it may prove to be harmful if excessive or prolonged. This could compromise osseointegration, increase pain, and delay the detection of periprosthetic joint infection. This narrative review examines the principal inflammatory pathways activated by primary arthroplasty. Damage-associated molecular patterns produced by injury and cell death, such as High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein, cell-free DNA, extracellular ATP, histones, and heat shock proteins, trigger innate immune activation following surgical trauma. These mediators use inflammasome pathways and pattern recognition receptors to intensify inflammatory signaling. The acute-phase trajectory, characterized by increases in C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alongside the role of interleukin-6 as a precursor factor, is examined together with synovial markers to facilitate the differentiation between septic and aseptic inflammation. Cytokine signaling cascades (JAK-STAT, NF-κB, MAPK) and the RANK/RANKL/OPG axis at the bone-immune interface are also considered. This manuscript highlights relevant inflammatory pathways, clinically significant biomarkers, and pathway-guided management strategies to provide an overview of the current research on the biological mechanisms underlying perioperative inflammation in primary arthroplasty. No inflammatory biomarker has yet been validated as a predictor of aseptic loosening. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Orthopedics)

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31 pages, 6087 KB

Open AccessArticle

Zero-Sum Game-Based Reinforcement Learning Tracking Control with Predefined-Time Prescribed Performance for Highly Flexible Aircraft

by Hanwen Zhang, Chi Peng, Yuxin Zhang, Jianjun Ma and Meiping Wu

Aerospace 2026, 13(9), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13090811 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

This paper develops a zero-sum game-based reinforcement learning tracking controller with predefined-time prescribed performance (ZG-RL-PP) for highly flexible aircraft. The disturbed tracking-error dynamics are first transformed into a min–max optimal control problem, where the control input and the disturbance are treated as two [...] Read more.

This paper develops a zero-sum game-based reinforcement learning tracking controller with predefined-time prescribed performance (ZG-RL-PP) for highly flexible aircraft. The disturbed tracking-error dynamics are first transformed into a min–max optimal control problem, where the control input and the disturbance are treated as two players with opposite objectives. To guarantee the prescribed transient and steady-state tracking performance, logarithmic barrier Lyapunov functions are incorporated into the value function and the Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs equation. For higher-relative-degree tracking-error channels, recursive auxiliary constraint variables are introduced to preserve the prescribed bounds on the original errors and enable constraint enforcement through the derivative channels in which the control inputs appear. A critic neural network is employed to approximate the value function online, and a predefined-time fractional-power learning law is adopted for critic weight updating. It is shown that the critic weight-estimation error is practically predefined-time convergent and that all closed-loop signals are uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of ZG-RL-PP in terms of tracking accuracy, disturbance attenuation, prescribed-performance satisfaction, and predefined-time learning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resilient and Intelligent Autonomous Flight: Dynamics, Guidance, and Control Systems)

32 pages, 34249 KB

Open AccessArticle

Object-Aware Loss for Mask-Guided Mesh Reconstruction Based on 2D Gaussian Splatting

by Sunghyun Woo, Jeongil Seo and HeeKyung Lee

Mathematics 2026, 14(17), 3221; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14173221 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Gaussian Splatting has emerged as a powerful representation for high-fidelity novel view synthesis. However, existing methods typically optimize the entire scene and require postprocessing to obtain object-level meshes. This process incurs unnecessary computational costs and can introduce background artifacts into the resulting object [...] Read more.

Gaussian Splatting has emerged as a powerful representation for high-fidelity novel view synthesis. However, existing methods typically optimize the entire scene and require postprocessing to obtain object-level meshes. This process incurs unnecessary computational costs and can introduce background artifacts into the resulting object mesh. To address this problem, we propose an object-aware loss for mask-guided mesh reconstruction based on 2D Gaussian Splatting, which combines three complementary terms. First, the Masked L1 Loss restricts photometric supervision to the target-object region. Second, the Alpha Polarization Loss encourages high accumulated alpha values on the object and low values on the background. Third, the ObjectMark Polarization Loss supervises a learnable ObjectMark score, and Gaussians with scores at or below a predefined threshold are periodically pruned during optimization. By suppressing background-contributing Gaussians and focusing optimization on the target object, the proposed method enables efficient object-level reconstruction with fewer background artifacts. Among the compared methods, the proposed method achieves the highest surface reconstruction accuracy. It reduces the Chamfer Distance on the DTU dataset from 0.92 to 0.74, a 19.6% improvement, while producing cleaner object-level meshes. These results show that the proposed method enables direct and efficient object-level mesh reconstruction while reducing the need for postprocessing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mathematical Methods for Image Processing and Computer Vision)

17 pages, 1405 KB

Open AccessArticle

Early-Stage Evaluation of a Novel Sexual Health Care Model for Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Endocrine Therapy: A Case Series

by Wakako Yachi

Nurs. Rep. 2026, 16(9), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16090324 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Women undergoing endocrine therapy after breast cancer often experience sexual-health concerns, but opportunities for individualized nursing support are limited. This case series implemented and preliminarily evaluated a novel sexual health-care model for women undergoing endocrine therapy after breast-cancer treatment. Methods: A care [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Women undergoing endocrine therapy after breast cancer often experience sexual-health concerns, but opportunities for individualized nursing support are limited. This case series implemented and preliminarily evaluated a novel sexual health-care model for women undergoing endocrine therapy after breast-cancer treatment. Methods: A care model was developed from Comfort Theory, a literature review, and clinical experience and underwent content-validity review by experts, including one nurse with lived experience of breast cancer. It was implemented individually for 6 months in five premenopausal women receiving endocrine therapy after breast-conserving surgery or total mastectomy. Data included baseline characteristics, care records, final interviews, and Self-affirmation Scale scores. Nursing goal attainment and final interviews were evaluated qualitatively. Results: All nursing goals appeared to have been achieved based on provider assessment and participants’ narratives. Participants gradually expressed distress, questions, and sexual health needs related to bodily and sexual changes, developed greater understanding of treatment-related changes, identified individualized coping strategies, and showed greater self-worth and self-care. Self-affirmation scores were descriptively higher after care. Phenomenological analysis identified four constituents: having a place to discuss a body marked by breast and fertility loss; sharing with a midwife who accepted them as they were; reconnecting with their changed bodies; and discovering new meaning in life with altered fertility and bodily integrity. Conclusions: The care model may provide a safe, individualized space for women undergoing endocrine therapy after breast cancer to express concerns, understand bodily changes, and reconstruct meaning. The findings are preliminary and represent provider-assessed observations rather than evidence of effectiveness. Full article

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30 pages, 3575 KB

Open AccessArticle

Determining the Optimal Dietary Barley-to-Corn Ratio for Arbas White Cashmere Goats: Insights from Rumen Fermentation, Meat Metabolomics, and Gastrointestinal Microbiota

by Lu Jin, Chunhua Zhang, Shengli Li, Chula Sa, Min Nuo, Ding Yang, Wenting Li, Le Fu, Panliang Chen, Yaxing Zhao, Bo Wang and Haizhou Sun

Animals 2026, 16(17), 2800; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16172800 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of graded dietary barley replacement for corn on growth performance, rumen fermentation, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid profiles, and the rumen microbiome in Arbas White Cashmere goats, and further applied untargeted muscle metabolomics to elucidate the metabolic [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of graded dietary barley replacement for corn on growth performance, rumen fermentation, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid profiles, and the rumen microbiome in Arbas White Cashmere goats, and further applied untargeted muscle metabolomics to elucidate the metabolic mechanisms underlying meat quality alterations. Growth performance was monitored for all goats (n = 10 per group); rumen fermentation, carcass traits, serum biochemistry and meat quality were determined in six randomly selected goats per group (n = 6); and rumen microbiota profiling and muscle metabolomics were performed on three selected goats per group (n = 3). Partial barley substitution (33% and 67% of starch from barley) significantly improved final body weight and average daily gain (p < 0.05), whereas total replacement (100% barley starch) did not confer additional growth advantages. Moderate barley inclusion increased ruminal propionate concentration (p = 0.001) and enriched the fiber-degrading bacterium Prevotella, while total barley replacement markedly reduced rumen microbial diversity (Sobs, Chao1, ACE, and Shannon indices; p < 0.01) and depleted multiple fibrolytic and hydrogenotrophic genera, including Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, NK4A214_group, and Methanobrevibacter. The 33% barley group exhibited elevated serum total bile acids, FGF-19, and CYP27A1 levels (p < 0.05), suggestive of modulated bile acid metabolism, along with decreased glucose-6-phosphatase (p < 0.05), pointing to suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis. Muscle metabolomics revealed that moderate barley substitution predominantly affected glycerophospholipid metabolism, with upregulation of PE(P-18:1/20:4) and PC(16:0/16:0), whereas total replacement induced extensive metabolic reprogramming characterized by downregulation of glycine and glutathione-related metabolites, indicative of compromised antioxidant defense. The 33% barley group also exhibited the highest muscular C18:3n-3 content (p < 0.01), while the 67% and total replacement groups showed increased C22:6n-3 deposition (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis confirmed that PE(P-18:1/20:4) and PC(16:0/16:0) were significantly positively correlated with ruminal propionate and ADG (r = 0.841–0.986; p < 0.05), and Prevotella abundance showed a strong negative trend with G-6-Pase (r = −0.771). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that replacing one-third of dietary corn starch with barley starch optimally balances productivity, rumen health, and meat quality through enrichment of Prevotella, enhanced propionate production, and modulation of bile acid metabolism, while excessive barley inclusion destabilizes the rumen ecosystem and triggers muscle oxidative stress, providing a theoretical basis for precision grain formulation in intensive cashmere goat production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)

26 pages, 13219 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Threshold-Based Framework for Spatial Pre-Assessment of Coastal Salt Marsh Restoration Suitability

by Yan Zheng, Wenhai Lu, Lijing Deng, Chang Liu, Xiaoqian Li and Xiaoxia Hu

Land 2026, 15(9), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15091652 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Coastal salt marsh restoration can support blue carbon sequestration, but spatial pre-assessment is needed to identify where environmental conditions support vegetation establishment before restoration design and carbon accounting. This study developed a threshold-based framework for spatial pre-assessment of coastal salt marsh restoration suitability. [...] Read more.

Coastal salt marsh restoration can support blue carbon sequestration, but spatial pre-assessment is needed to identify where environmental conditions support vegetation establishment before restoration design and carbon accounting. This study developed a threshold-based framework for spatial pre-assessment of coastal salt marsh restoration suitability. The framework combines species-specific limits for tidal inundation duration, seawater salinity and sediment salinity with sediment type in a geographic information system workflow. Tidal inundation limits are translated into critical-elevation boundaries, and retained polygons are examined against planning, historical-distribution and use-right conditions. A general threshold library was compiled for five representative native salt marsh species, while regional records define the candidate set for each application. In Yingkou, China, Suaeda heteroptera and Phragmites australis formed the candidate set. For S. heteroptera, the 3 h d⁻¹ inundation limit corresponded to a critical elevation of 1.90 m. July 2024 sediment salinity (0.96–1.08%) and September 2025 seawater salinity (29.715–29.825‰) met the corresponding screening limits for S. heteroptera and excluded P. australis. The integrated restoration-suitability area covered 76.5 ha, and 99.5% of the mapped current S. heteroptera distribution fell within it. The framework identifies candidate restoration space for field verification, restoration planning and subsequent carbon accounting. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Cycling and Carbon Sequestration in Wetlands)

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22 pages, 1105 KB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Electricity Shifting with the Compressed Air Energy Storage Utilizing Depleted Gas Reservoirs

by Yuwei Jiao, Yuzheng Gong, Xinmao Zhou, Chuangang Bai and Zhan Liu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(17), 8856; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16178856 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Seasonal energy storage effectively addresses seasonal electricity supply–demand imbalances. This study proposes a cross-seasonal compressed air energy storage system using a depleted gas reservoir as the storage reservoir. A six-stage compression–expansion system with intercooling and reheating is designed. Also, the heat of compression [...] Read more.

Seasonal energy storage effectively addresses seasonal electricity supply–demand imbalances. This study proposes a cross-seasonal compressed air energy storage system using a depleted gas reservoir as the storage reservoir. A six-stage compression–expansion system with intercooling and reheating is designed. Also, the heat of compression is recovered for district heating, and the expansion of cold energy is for cooling supply, thereby avoiding cross-seasonal heat storage costs. For the YD1 depleted gas reservoir case, the system achieves a round-trip efficiency of 57.85% and an exergy efficiency of 70.9%. The total energy utilization ratio, which represents the combined utilization of the electricity, heating, and cooling outputs relative to the corresponding energy input, reaches 166.6%. Incorporating revenue from the heating and cooling sales, the dynamic payback period is 2.38 years, and the investment recovery ratio reaches 4.40. Parametric analysis indicates that thermodynamic performance improves with the increase in discharge pressure and decrease in discharge power. Economic performance improves with longer daily operating hours and plant lifetime. This study demonstrates that depleted gas reservoirs combined with well-designed surface combined cooling, heating, and power systems offer a new research and development direction for large-scale, long-duration seasonal storage, facilitating renewable energy integration and grid stability. Full article

29 pages, 4024 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Temperature-Resistant and Salt-Resistant Zwitterionic Polymer Gel

by Meilong Fu, Shoufei Lu, Yangjie Fan and Yuxin Bai

Gels 2026, 12(9), 819; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12090819 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

To address the susceptibility of polymer gels to syneresis and failure under high-temperature, high-salinity (HTHS) reservoir conditions, a zwitterionic terpolymer was synthesized from acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC), and subsequently crosslinked with a phenolic system to produce an intramolecular [...] Read more.

To address the susceptibility of polymer gels to syneresis and failure under high-temperature, high-salinity (HTHS) reservoir conditions, a zwitterionic terpolymer was synthesized from acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC), and subsequently crosslinked with a phenolic system to produce an intramolecular salt-structured polymer gel with exceptional thermal and saline tolerance. Through systematic formulation optimization, the optimal composition was established as 0.3 wt% zwitterionic polymer, 0.03 wt% resorcinol, 0.3 wt% hexamethylenetetramine, and 0.1 wt% thiourea. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements confirmed that quaternary ammonium cations and sulfonate anions on the polymer chains associate via electrostatic attraction to form intramolecular salt bridges, which induce an anti-polyelectrolyte effect and thereby confer superior salt tolerance and thermal stability. Following aging for 140 days at 115 °C in formation water, the gel exhibited a syneresis rate below 30%, demonstrating favorable long-term stability under the tested high-temperature and high-salinity conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry further characterized the thermal-transition behavior of the gel under programmed heating conditions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a homogeneous honeycomb-like porous crosslinked network. Rheological testing demonstrated a storage modulus (G′) of 1.115 Pa and a loss modulus (G″) of 0.205 Pa, indicating an elasticity-dominated viscoelastic response and strong resistance to shear deformation. Single-core plugging experiments showed that at an injection volume of 0.2 PV, the gel achieved a plugging efficiency of 85.15% and a breakthrough pressure gradient of 18.6 MPa/m, with significant secondary plugging capability. In a heterogeneous dual-core model with a permeability contrast of approximately 10, the diversion rate into the low-permeability layer increased to 73.6%, effectively improving the water injection profile. This intramolecular salt-structured molecular design demonstrates potential for deep-profile control under high-temperature and high-salinity reservoir conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Technology for Oil and Nature Gas Exploration)

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25 pages, 1171 KB

Open AccessArticle

Toward Interpretable Voice-Based Parkinson’s Disease Screening via Joint Transfer Function–Feature–Classifier–Ensemble Selection

by Xiaolei Yuan, Xinyue Zhang, Hui Xu, Qing Ye, Canxing Yuan and Hui Li

Bioengineering 2026, 13(9), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13091037 (registering DOI) - 6 Sep 2026

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis relies on subjective clinical examination of motor signs that can be mild, intermittent, or absent early in the disease course, motivating objective, low-cost, non-invasive markers for earlier, more consistent detection. Voice recordings, acquirable with nothing more than a microphone, [...] Read more.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis relies on subjective clinical examination of motor signs that can be mild, intermittent, or absent early in the disease course, motivating objective, low-cost, non-invasive markers for earlier, more consistent detection. Voice recordings, acquirable with nothing more than a microphone, are a strong candidate, and this study develops a machine learning pipeline for voice-based PD screening built on the Competitive Swarm Optimizer (CSO), which jointly searches the acoustic feature subset, classifier configuration, and binarization transfer function, instead of optimizing the feature subset alone as most prior pipelines do. Evaluated on two public, subject-grouped voice datasets, Oxford and Naranjo, against five baselines under an identical protocol across 20 runs per method, our proposed pipeline attains the highest mean balanced accuracy on Naranjo with 0.847 and the second-highest on Oxford with 0.810, accuracies consistent with the wider voice-based PD screening literature; because this evidence comes from two small, single-recording-protocol, retrospective public datasets of 31 and 80 subjects each, we present it as an initial, encouraging step toward a first-pass triage or between-visit monitoring tool, pending external validation on a prospectively collected, multi-site cohort, not as a standalone diagnostic instrument. As an initial step toward clinical interpretability, we check which acoustic features are selected most consistently across 20 repeated runs of the proposed pipeline against established physiological correlates of Parkinsonian dysphonia; agreement between any two runs’ complete feature subsets is weak, but pitch period entropy, a nonlinear-dynamical measure of aperiodic pitch period variability, is selected far more often than chance on both datasets, consistent with the underlying pathophysiology and not merely predictive. These results support voice-based, metaheuristic-optimized screening as a plausible, interpretable, low-burden tool for telemedicine and home monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Voice Analysis Techniques for Medical Diagnosis)

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