MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

18 pages, 2468 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pyrolysis Kinetics of Kerogen and Bitumen in Shahejie Shale: Implications for In Situ Heating Strategies

by Chenge Zheng, Yiwei Wang, Xiaowei Huang, Weijiao Ma, Jinzhong Liu, Qiang Wang, Cui Weng and Yong Li

Geosciences 2026, 16(3), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences16030117 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Unconventional shale resources remain crucial to energy security. In situ conversion technology (ICP) offers a promising pathway for exploiting low–maturity shale, yet the distinct roles of kerogen and bitumen during thermal conversion are not fully understood. This study investigates the decomposition behavior of [...] Read more.

Unconventional shale resources remain crucial to energy security. In situ conversion technology (ICP) offers a promising pathway for exploiting low–maturity shale, yet the distinct roles of kerogen and bitumen during thermal conversion are not fully understood. This study investigates the decomposition behavior of kerogen and extracted bitumen from the Shahejie Formation through gold–tube pyrolysis experiments at 50 MPa and heating rates of 2 °C/h and 20 °C/h. The results show that the yield curves of C₁, C₂–C₅, and C₆–C₁₄ generated from kerogen and bitumen exhibited similar trends. In contrast to the C₁₅₊ fraction from kerogen, which initially increased and then decreased, the yield of C₁₅₊ from bitumen began to decline from the onset of cracking. Additionally, the CO₂ generated from the kerogen continued to increase until the end of pyrolysis, whereas the CO₂ from the bitumen reached its maximum at an EasyRo of approximately 1.8%. The kinetic results show that bitumen has a higher activation energy for gas generation than kerogen, while kerogen has a higher activation energy for oil generation than bitumen. A heating program of 1 °C/day rate, 324 d duration, and a final temperature of 360 °C was applied to predict oil and gas generation during ICP. Below 326 °C, the proportion of C₁ and C₂–C₅ contributed by kerogen increased and exceeded 90%. Although kerogen’s contribution ratio of C₆–C₁₄ exhibited fluctuating variation characteristics, it remained above 50% across most of the intervals. The gas–to–oil ratio increased rapidly above 299 °C and reached 375 m³/m³ by the end of heating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Oil and Gas Exploration, Resources, and Production in China)

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16 pages, 1565 KB

Open AccessArticle

Shrimp Market Under Innovation Schemes: Hidden Markov Modeling

by Johnny Javier Triviño-Sanchez, Alexander Fernando Haro-Sarango, Julián Coronel-Reyes, Carlos Alfredo De Loor-Platón and Dayanna Soria-Encalada

J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(3), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19030214 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

This article models the Ecuadorian shrimp market as a nonlinear system with recurring latent regimes that affect margins and planning decisions. A multivariate Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with Gaussian emissions in log space is estimated via the Baum–Welch algorithm to segment the joint [...] Read more.

This article models the Ecuadorian shrimp market as a nonlinear system with recurring latent regimes that affect margins and planning decisions. A multivariate Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with Gaussian emissions in log space is estimated via the Baum–Welch algorithm to segment the joint dynamics of pounds produced, dollars invoiced, and average price. The analysis uses monthly data from January 2017 to May 2025 (T = 101). The selected four-state specification shows strong fit and outperforms linear alternatives (log likelihood = 480.9; AIC = 859.8; BIC = 729.5). The dominant regime (State 2) concentrates high prices (~USD 2.97/lb) with intermediate production and acts as an attractor (stationary probability ≈ 1), while States 0 and 1 capture orderly expansion and oversupply conditions, and State 3 reflects episodic demand rallies. Adverse regimes (States 0–1) exhibit expected durations of 6–8 months, suggesting natural reversion toward the profitable regime. These estimates enable probabilistic regime forecasting and Monte Carlo scenario simulation to support hedging, inventory management, and financial stress testing. Overall, the proposed HMM framework provides an operational decision tool for producers, traders, and policymakers seeking to anticipate regime shifts, mitigate oversupply cycles, and stabilize margins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Mathematics and Finance)

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16 pages, 263 KB

Open AccessReview

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Contemporary Therapeutic Options and Real-World Challenges in Treatment Selection

by Maria Tozzo Pesco, Gülru Zeynep Öztürk, Shivkumar C. Bhadola, Stephen M. Chrzanowski, Liubov V. Gushchina and Eleonora S. D’Ambrosio

Muscles 2026, 5(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles5010021 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to progressive muscle degeneration, motor decline, respiratory compromise, and cardiomyopathy. Diagnosis typically occurs in early childhood following recognition of motor delays, markedly elevated creatine [...] Read more.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked neuromuscular disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to progressive muscle degeneration, motor decline, respiratory compromise, and cardiomyopathy. Diagnosis typically occurs in early childhood following recognition of motor delays, markedly elevated creatine kinase, and confirmatory genetic testing. Over the past decade, the therapeutic landscape for DMD has expanded substantially, evolving from exclusively supportive care to patient-centric multifaceted treatment paradigms, including corticosteroids, mutation-specific therapies, small molecule disease-modifying approaches, and gene replacement strategies. Despite these advances, no currently available therapy restores full-length dystrophin or completely halts disease progression. This review provides a clinically oriented comprehensive overview of currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for DMD, with particular emphasis on corticosteroids, exon-skipping therapies, nonsense mutation readthrough agents, recently approved gene therapy, and select ongoing gene therapy trials. We summarize mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, safety considerations, regulatory status, and highlight the challenges of integrating these therapies into longitudinal care. Through illustrative clinical vignettes, we highlight the real-world complexity of treatment selection, shared decision-making, and longitudinal care planning in contemporary DMD management. Full article

13 pages, 1074 KB

Open AccessArticle

Age–Comorbidity Interactions and Clinical Outcomes in Septic Shock: An Emergency Department-Based Multicenter Cohort Study

by Seung Jin Maeng, Jong Eun Park, Gun Tak Lee, Sung Yeon Hwang, Minha Kim, Sejin Heo, Tae Ho Lim, Sung Phil Chung, Sung-Hyuk Choi and Tae Gun Shin

Healthcare 2026, 14(6), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14060722 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. This study evaluated the independent and combined effects of age and chronic comorbidities on clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study to evaluate the [...] Read more.

Background: Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. This study evaluated the independent and combined effects of age and chronic comorbidities on clinical outcomes in patients with septic shock. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study to evaluate the factors associated with 28-day mortality in the Korean Shock Society registry between 2015 and 2023. Adults with suspected infection and refractory hypotension or hypoperfusion within 6 h of emergency department (ED) arrival were included. Patients were grouped by age (<50, 50–74, and ≥75 years) and comorbidity status. Comorbidities encompass major chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, history of organ transplant, dementia, nursing home residence, chronic disease of cardiac, lung, liver, and kidney. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Results: Among 8787 patients (median age 70.2 years), the 28-day mortality rate was 22.9% (n = 2018). Elderly patients with comorbidities had the highest mortality (27.5%). Additionally, patients aged over 50 with at least one comorbidity accounted for 18% of the total cohort (n = 1605) but accounted for nearly 80% of all 28-day deaths. Although younger patients without comorbidities represented a small subgroup, their mortality was not negligible (7.3%) and was substantially higher with comorbidities (22.2%). Compared with patients <50 years, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of 28-day mortality were 1.81 (95% CI, 1.08–3.03) for 50–74 years and 3.21 (95% CI, 1.92–5.37) for ≥75. The presence of any comorbidities was independently associated with higher odds of 28-day mortality compared with no comorbidity (aOR 2.67; 95% CI, 1.57–4.54). A significant interaction between age and comorbidity status (p for interaction = 0.008) suggested that the age-related gradient in mortality differed depending on comorbidity burden. Conclusions: Age and comorbidities were both significantly associated with septic shock mortality, and their significant interaction demonstrates effect modification, indicating that the prognostic impact of comorbidities differs by age group and that age-related mortality gradients are influenced by comorbidity burden. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Care)

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16 pages, 618 KB

Open AccessReview

Epigenetic Mechanisms in Early Life Viral Respiratory Infections

by Juliana Poppe, Katarzyna Placek and Ana Paula Duarte de Souza

Viruses 2026, 18(3), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18030345 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Early-life respiratory viral infections represent a major global health burden and are key determinants of long-term susceptibility to chronic respiratory diseases. In neonates the immaturity of the immune system contributes to the high incidence and severity of these infections. Because humans are born [...] Read more.

Early-life respiratory viral infections represent a major global health burden and are key determinants of long-term susceptibility to chronic respiratory diseases. In neonates the immaturity of the immune system contributes to the high incidence and severity of these infections. Because humans are born with a mainly naive adaptive immune system, the host protection in early life greatly relies on the innate immune cells. Interestingly, innate immune cells have been recently shown to develop traits of immune memory. Both adaptive and innate immune memory formation are, among others, mediated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. This review comprehensively analyzes evidence of the changes in epigenetic modifications before and after respiratory infection in childhood. Understanding how epigenetic programming modulates immune cells in early life may open new avenues for preventive interventions to respiratory viral infection, enhancing antiviral defense in infancy and reducing the long-term consequences of respiratory infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lung Immunity to Viral Infections)

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21 pages, 627 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Gene Variants in Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitors with Intraventricular Haemorrhage in Preterm Infants

by Dawid Szpecht, Karolina Żyto, Gabriela Ciszek, Karolina Duczmal, Zofia Kowal, Kornelia Kręciszewska, Zuzanna Słowińska, Grażyna Kurzawińska, Anna Sowińska and Agnieszka Seremak-Mrozikiewicz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2596; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062596 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to examine the association between the presence of various forms of matrix metalloproteinase genes (MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) and their tissue inhibitors, and the incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in premature [...] Read more.

The objective of the present study is to examine the association between the presence of various forms of matrix metalloproteinase genes (MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) and their tissue inhibitors, and the incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in premature neonates. The data for this study were obtained from samples of peripheral venous blood, which were collected and stored post-delivery. The techniques employed for the purpose of genotyping were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The population that was examined comprised 100 patients with a gestational age (GA) ranging from 22 to 33 weeks and birth weight (BW) ranging from 432 to 2100 g. In the cohort of enrolled patients, 48 cases of IVH were observed. As indicated by the findings of this study, the majority of observed correlations between MMP-1, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 variants and IVH did not demonstrate statistical significance, with the exception of the T allele of TIMP1 rs4898. Nevertheless, the findings of this study indicated a potential impact of these variants on the incidence of IVH. The present study suggests that further research is required to elucidate the role of MMP/TIMP polymorphisms in the aforementioned disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic and Molecular Basis of Diseases in Preterm Infants)

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17 pages, 2790 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic Analysis of High and Low Lipid Droplet Deposition Subpopulations of Chicken Preadipocytes Based on SSC Sorting

by Boyu Wang, Yantao Li, Yake Wang, Jiayi Chen, Jiali Wang, Xiaoping Li and Zhenhui Li

Animals 2026, 16(6), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16060885 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Fat deposition plays a crucial role in regulating the production performance and meat quality of broilers. Although the heterogeneity of mammalian adipocytes has been extensively studied, research on the molecular mechanisms underlying differences in lipid droplet accumulation in avian adipocytes remains limited. This [...] Read more.

Fat deposition plays a crucial role in regulating the production performance and meat quality of broilers. Although the heterogeneity of mammalian adipocytes has been extensively studied, research on the molecular mechanisms underlying differences in lipid droplet accumulation in avian adipocytes remains limited. This study confirmed a significant positive correlation (R² > 0.81, p < 0.001) between the SSC signal and lipid droplet content via fluorescence staining of lipid droplets, Oil Red O staining, and triglyceride (TG) quantification. Based on this, a label-free sorting strategy using SSC signals was established to sort differentiated chicken preadipocytes, obtaining high lipid droplet (H) and low lipid droplet (L) subpopulations, which were subsequently subjected to transcriptome sequencing and differential gene expression (DEG) analysis, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The results indicated no significant differences in the expression of adipogenesis marker genes (PPARG, LPL, CD36, PLIN1, PLIN2) between the high lipid droplet (H) and low lipid droplet (L) groups, suggesting that both groups are at similar stages of differentiation. KEGG analysis revealed that both the H vs. NC and L vs. NC comparisons were enriched in common pathways, including the PPAR signaling pathway, ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion, cytokine–receptor interaction, and calcium–Apelin signaling pathway, suggesting that both groups of cells had activated the adipogenesis program. GO analysis showed that, in both H vs. NC and L vs. NC comparisons, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in biological processes (BPs) related to cell adhesion, nucleosome assembly, chromatin remodeling, and receptor activity, as well as cellular components (CCs) such as the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, and nucleosome organization, indicating extensive gene reprogramming and activation of signaling transduction during differentiation. In the H vs. L comparison, enriched pathways included ABC transporters, ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion, gap junctions, microtubule-related processes, and neuroactive ligand–receptor interactions, involving lipid transmembrane transport, cytoskeleton stabilization, and signal transduction regulation, suggesting that high lipid droplet cells are more mature in lipid droplet transport, storage, and homeostasis maintenance. GO enrichment results further supported this conclusion, as H vs. L specifically enriched processes related to microtubule-related processes, cell cycle, and redox reactions (BPs), as well as chromosome organization, cytoskeleton, and motor activity (CC/MF), indicating that high lipid droplet cells maintain lipid droplet fusion and metabolic homeostasis via enhanced microtubule transport and antioxidant regulation. Differential gene analysis revealed that the L group upregulated genes associated with fatty acid synthesis and elongation (ACACA, FASN, SCD, FADS2, ELOVL1), cholesterol and isoprenoid biosynthesis (HMGCR, SQLE, MSMO1, DHCR7, DHCR24, FDPS, LSS), and fatty acid oxidation (PPARA, PPARD, ACAD11, SIRT5), reflecting a metabolic characteristic of concurrent lipid synthesis and mobilization; the H group, conversely, upregulated genes associated with lipid droplet formation and storage (G0S2, MOGAT1, GPAT4, PLIN4, AUP1), lipid transport (ABCA1, ABCA2, ABCG1, OSBPL3, VLDLR), and antioxidant defense (GPX3, GPX4, HMOX1), exhibiting a storage and homeostasis-oriented metabolic state. In the NC, L, and H groups, the expression of five genes—GEM, SPP1, ABCA1, PDLIM3, and ITGA8—showed a gradual increase, suggesting that these genes were associated with preadipocyte differentiation and lipid droplet deposition. In summary, although the high and low lipid droplet subpopulations of chicken preadipocytes exhibit similar differentiation states, they form distinct metabolic orientations. The L group is characterized by active lipid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation, and membrane lipid remodeling, while the H group predominantly features lipid droplet storage, lipid transport, and antioxidant homeostasis. This study highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic heterogeneity of avian adipocytes and provides a theoretical basis for poultry fat deposition regulation and genetic improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Poultry)

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26 pages, 2565 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Combination of a BCL-xL PROTAC and an mTOR Inhibitor Sensitizes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma to KRAS^G12D Inhibitor Treatment

by Javed Miyan, Vignesh Vudatha, Lin Cao, Peiyi Zhang, Guangrong Zheng, Lei Zheng, Jose Trevino, Daohong Zhou and Sajid Khan

Cancers 2026, 18(6), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18060920 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer with a five-year survival rate of approximately 13%, partly because of limited treatment options and resistance to therapies. Although the recently discovered KRAS G12D inhibitor MRTX1133 has shown promising efficacy in preclinical models, [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer with a five-year survival rate of approximately 13%, partly because of limited treatment options and resistance to therapies. Although the recently discovered KRAS G12D inhibitor MRTX1133 has shown promising efficacy in preclinical models, its clinical efficacy as a single agent is expected to be limited, as is the case with KRAS G12C inhibitors. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated potential combination strategies to enhance the therapeutic effect of MRTX1133. We combined MRTX1133 with the BCL-xL proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) DT2216 and the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. Methods: The sensitization of MRTX1133 by the combination of DT2216 + everolimus was tested in KRAS G12D-mutant PDAC cell lines using colony formation and apoptosis assays. The effects of MRTX1133 and/or DT2216 + everolimus on KRAS signaling and BCL-2 family proteins were assessed by immunoblotting and/or RT-PCR. The functional roles of BIM/NOXA were elucidated via immunoprecipitation (IP) and siRNA knockdown. Triple combination efficacy was evaluated in AsPC1 parental and MRTX1133-resistant xenografts, with pharmacodynamic effects confirmed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: The triple combination leads to significantly greater colony growth inhibition and apoptosis induction as compared with single agents or two-drug combinations in multiple KRAS G12D-mutant PDAC cell lines. Mechanistically, MRTX1133 treatment increased BIM and decreased NOXA levels, and the combination of DT2216/everolimus simultaneously enhanced BIM release and stabilized NOXA. In vivo, DT2216/everolimus combination significantly potentiated the anti-tumor activity of MRTX1133 in the AsPC1 PDAC xenograft model. Furthermore, the triple combination effectively overcame acquired MRTX1133 resistance in vitro and in the AsPC1 xenograft model. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings suggest that the combination of DT2216/everolimus potentiates the anti-tumor efficacy of MRTX1133 associated with enhanced apoptosis induction and inhibition of compensatory survival signaling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of BCL-2 Family Proteins in Cancer: Therapeutic Advancements and Challenges)

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20 pages, 6282 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chloride Ion Transport in Reinforced Concrete Structures Considering the Barrier Effect of Reinforcing Steel

by Ying Chen, Zhimiao Ye, Yaping An and Xinhui Xiao

Materials 2026, 19(6), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19061090 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

A mesoscale model for chloride diffusion in reinforced concrete was established by considering the blocking effect of reinforcing steel. This model improved the accuracy of chloride concentration prediction and enhanced the reliability of durability-based service-life assessment. First, a series of chloride transport experiments [...] Read more.

A mesoscale model for chloride diffusion in reinforced concrete was established by considering the blocking effect of reinforcing steel. This model improved the accuracy of chloride concentration prediction and enhanced the reliability of durability-based service-life assessment. First, a series of chloride transport experiments under wetting–drying cycles was carried out on reinforced concrete specimens. These experiments were used to evaluate the effects of exposure condition, rebar blocking, and concrete compressive strength on chloride transport. Then, a mesoscale chloride diffusion model including the rebar-induced blocking effect was developed and validated. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the key parameters was conducted. The results showed that, compared with concrete without longitudinal reinforcement, wetting–drying cycles had a stronger influence on reinforced concrete with longitudinal bars. The enhancing effect of wetting–drying cycles on chloride ingress was the strongest, followed by compressive strength and then the rebar-induced blocking effect, although the latter was still non-negligible. As the rebar diameter increased, the peak chloride concentration increased, and the chloride concentration around the aggregates also increased more rapidly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Friendly and Low-Carbon Cement-Based Materials)

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19 pages, 4411 KB

Open AccessArticle

Citrulline Modulates the Antioxidant Machinery of Two Faba Bean (Vicia faba) Cultivars: A Sustainable Biostimulant Strategy for Improving Crop Growth and Productivity

by Hebat-Allah Ali Hussein

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2766; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062766 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Citrulline (CIT), a natural non-protein amino acid and nitric oxide (NO) precursor, plays a vital role in plant physiological regulation. Its use as an eco-friendly biostimulant aligns with global efforts to reduce dependence on synthetic agrochemicals and strengthen sustainable crop production systems. This [...] Read more.

Citrulline (CIT), a natural non-protein amino acid and nitric oxide (NO) precursor, plays a vital role in plant physiological regulation. Its use as an eco-friendly biostimulant aligns with global efforts to reduce dependence on synthetic agrochemicals and strengthen sustainable crop production systems. This study represents the first report investigating the effects of exogenous citrulline (0, 0.5, and 1 mM) as a biostimulant/eustressor in two faba bean (Vicia faba) cultivars (Giza 843 and Sakha 1) and the first report to evaluate the variety and dose-dependent responses to foliar CIT application. The morphological, biochemical, and antioxidant responses were assessed. CIT significantly improved several growth and yield attributes in a cultivar-dependent manner, with Giza 843 performing best at 1 mM and Sakha 1 showing optimal shoot performance at 0.5 mM. CIT increased H₂O₂ levels, flavonoids, and catalase activity, which modulate the response mechanisms of treated plants of two varieties of faba bean. In contrast to Giza 843, Sakha 1 increased proline and the activities of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase, which is parallel with decreasing soluble sugars and proteins in response to CIT application. These results showed that Sakha 1 had more effective defense mechanisms than Giza 843. These findings demonstrate that CIT at an optimal dose is a promising, eco-friendly biostimulant. It may be suitable to integrate into sustainable crop management programs to enhance crop resilience and productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Sustainability, Soil Biodiversity, and Environmental Restoration)

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19 pages, 5400 KB

Open AccessArticle

Image Deblurring via Frequency-Domain Feature Enhanced Convolutional Neural Networks

by Yecai Guo, Lixiang Ma and Yangyang Zhang

Sensors 2026, 26(6), 1784; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26061784 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

To address the issues of insufficient restoration of texture details in deblurred images and inadequate learning of frequency domain features, an image deblurring algorithm based on frequency domain feature enhancement and convolutional neural networks is proposed. In this architecture, firstly, a Fourier residual [...] Read more.

To address the issues of insufficient restoration of texture details in deblurred images and inadequate learning of frequency domain features, an image deblurring algorithm based on frequency domain feature enhancement and convolutional neural networks is proposed. In this architecture, firstly, a Fourier residual module with a parallel structure is constructed to achieve collaborative learning and modeling of spatial and frequency domain features, aiming to improve frequency domain feature learning capability and the restoration effect of the texture details; secondly, a gated controlled feed-forward unit acts on the Fourier residual module to further enhance the nonlinear expression ability of the algorithm; thirdly, a supervised attention module is improved and added to the decoder to promote more effective capture of key features for image reconstruction; finally, the weighted sum of spatial domain Charbonnier loss function and frequency domain loss function is defined as a novel total loss function. In addition, to verify the performance of our proposed algorithm, we conducted experiments on the GOPRO and HIDE datasets. Through experiments on the GOPRO, we obtained an SSIM and an LPIPS of 0.961 and 0.0278, respectively. With regard to the experiments on the HIDE datasets, we obtained an SSIM and an LPIPS of 0.941 and 0.0286, respectively. As for parameter count and running time, their values were 1.197 and 9.15 × 10⁶, respectively, obtained by the experiments on the GOPRO. In all algorithms, the values of our proposed algorithm are optimal. However, the PSNR of our proposed algorithm is very close to that of the latest comparison algorithm and is suboptimal. In a word, experimental results have demonstrated that our proposed algorithm effectively removes blur while better preserving the details and edges of the image. Therefore, it has more practical value and prospects in computer vision tasks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sensing and Imaging)

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25 pages, 7558 KB

Open AccessReview

A Bibliometric Study on Machine Learning-Based Quantification of Agricultural Soil Respiration and Implications for the Management of Agricultural Soil Carbon Sinks

by Tongde Chen, Lingling Wang, Xingshuai Mei, Jiarong Hou and Fengqiuli Zhang

Agriculture 2026, 16(6), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16060646 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study used bibliometric methods to systematically analyze the development trend, knowledge structure and evolution path of the field of “quantitative research on agricultural soil respiration based on machine learning” from 2021 to 2025, and further explored its implications for agricultural soil carbon [...] Read more.

This study used bibliometric methods to systematically analyze the development trend, knowledge structure and evolution path of the field of “quantitative research on agricultural soil respiration based on machine learning” from 2021 to 2025, and further explored its implications for agricultural soil carbon sinks. Based on 966 articles included in the core collection of Web of Science, this paper comprehensively uses tools such as Biblioshiny, CiteSpace and VOSviewer to carry out multi-dimensional analysis from the aspects of annual publication trends, international and institutional cooperation networks, keyword clustering and emergent evolution. It is found that this field has shown phased evolution characteristics of “technology-driven mechanism deepening–application expansion” in the past five years. At the beginning of the 5-year period of research, the introduction of machine learning methods and model verification were the core, then gradually expanding to multi-algorithm comparison, environmental factor coupling mechanisms and multi-source data fusion. Recently, the field has focused on regional-scale simulation, uncertainty quantification and model interpretability research. Keyword clustering identifies three thematic clusters—machine learning algorithm and model optimization, environmental driving factors and process mechanism, and remote sensing fusion and regional application—which form a knowledge system of “method–mechanism–application” collaborative evolution. The national cooperation network presents a pattern of “Asia-led, China–US dual-core, and European connectivity”. China dominates in scientific research output, and the United States plays a key role in international cooperation. This study further points out that the development of this field provides important methodological support and a scientific basis for accurate assessment, intelligent management and carbon neutralization decision-making for agricultural soil carbon sinks. Based on the above findings, future research should focus on the development of intelligent models of mechanisms and data fusion, the construction of multi-source data assimilation and uncertainty assessment frameworks, the expansion of global diversified agricultural system cases, and the promotion of an open and shared international scientific research cooperation ecology. This study provides empirical evidence and a direction reference for academic development, scientific research layout, carbon sink management and international collaboration in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Ecosystem Respiration in Global Carbon Cycle: Digital Application in Agriculture)

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16 pages, 5145 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Demo Building for the Energy-Efficient Renovation of Historical Thai Wooden Houses and Computational Assessment of the Measures

by Martin Krus, Beyza Akay, Stefan Bichlmair, Ralf Kilian, Jakob Richtmann, Sinsamutpadung Natdanai and Henrik Beermann

Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061124 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study investigated energy-efficient renovation strategies for traditional Thai wooden houses through constructing a demo building and computational assessments. The study addresses the challenges posed by climate change and increasing comfort demands, which have led to increasing use of air conditioning in these [...] Read more.

This study investigated energy-efficient renovation strategies for traditional Thai wooden houses through constructing a demo building and computational assessments. The study addresses the challenges posed by climate change and increasing comfort demands, which have led to increasing use of air conditioning in these historically significant structures. A demo building, designed to replicate a traditional Thai house, was constructed, featuring two rooms: one insulated with magnesium-bonded Typha boards and the other uninsulated. The effectiveness of the insulation was evaluated through hygrothermal simulations and real-time temperature and humidity measurements. The frequently occurring problem of missing measurement data was solved by approximately determining unknown variables through iterative adjustment and comparison of simulation results with measured data. The results indicate that the Typha-insulated room maintained a stable indoor climate, with significantly lower energy consumption from air conditioning than the uninsulated room. Since the air conditioning system was insufficiently powerful in the uninsulated room, it is not possible to quantify the energy savings precisely using measurement technology. However, subsequent hygrothermal simulations enabled a comparative assessment of the energy-saving potential of various measures. Depending on insulation measures and manner of room use, savings of 75–80% could be achieved. Such computational and practical studies can contribute to the preservation of historic buildings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Lightweight Materials and Systems for Sustainable Construction: Innovations and Future Directions)

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18 pages, 3999 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Ambient and Injection Pressure on Droplet Size of Ammonia Sprays in a Constant Volume Chamber

by Li Shen and Felix Leach

Fuels 2026, 7(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels7010018 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Ammonia, a zero carbon energy vector, is under consideration for decarbonising marine and energy storage applications due to its high mass-based energy density compared to many alternatives. In addition, there is widespread existing supply and transportation infrastructure due to ammonia’s use as a [...] Read more.

Ammonia, a zero carbon energy vector, is under consideration for decarbonising marine and energy storage applications due to its high mass-based energy density compared to many alternatives. In addition, there is widespread existing supply and transportation infrastructure due to ammonia’s use as a fertiliser. When injected in its liquid form, however, ammonia behaves quite differently to traditional fuels due to its high saturation pressure and enthalpy of vaporisation, amongst other things. This means that fundamental data on ammonia sprays need to be collected in order to understand ammonia spray behaviour and calibrate models of ammonia sprays needed for design in the virtual world. Previous work on ammonia sprays has mostly focused on spray morphology at a macroscopic level (such as liquid penetration length). However, there are fewer studies of ammonia sprays at a microscopic level. In this study, liquid ammonia was injected into a constant-volume chamber using a direct injector at two injection pressures (100 bar and 150 bar) and a range of ambient pressures from 3–13 bar. This range of ambient conditions spans regimes from flash-boiling to non-flash-boiling, thereby enabling systematic investigation of the transition between these regimes. A laser diffraction technique was used for measuring the droplet sizes of the spray at different locations (in a cylindrical volume with a diameter of 10 mm) within the spray plume at 10 kHz, and the nominal droplet sizes were quantified by the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD). These SMD values provided, at a microscopic level, an insight of the atomisation of the spray as it left the nozzle and penetrated into an environment with different densities. It was found that the tested injector leads to a breakup dominant spray behaviour with liquid ammonia and hence the SMD values decrease as ambient pressure increases. In addition, the droplets are generally smaller at the outer edge of the spray plume compared to the inner part and both the injection pressure and injection duration have a strong effect on the droplet sizes. Full article

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13 pages, 800 KB

Open AccessReview

Radiation-Induced Carotid Artery Disease: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management

by Alfredo Mauriello, Adriana Correra, Anna Chiara Maratea, Giovanni Benfari, Federica Ilardi, Giuseppe Giugliano, Matteo Lisi, Alessandro Malagoli, Giulia Elena Mandoli, Maria Concetta Pastore, Simona Sperlongano, Vincenzo Russo, Matteo Cameli and Antonello D’Andrea

Diagnostics 2026, 16(6), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060841 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancers (HNCs) face a significantly increased risk of developing carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). This condition, known as accelerated or radiation-induced carotid atherosclerosis, represents a long-term toxicity that profoundly impacts patients’ quality [...] Read more.

Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancers (HNCs) face a significantly increased risk of developing carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). This condition, known as accelerated or radiation-induced carotid atherosclerosis, represents a long-term toxicity that profoundly impacts patients’ quality of life and survival. Pathogenesis is complex, involving mechanisms such as direct endothelial damage, oxidative stress, chronic inflammatory activation, peri-adventitial fibrosis, and the acceleration of pre-existing atherosclerotic processes. Despite this elevated risk, universal screening and treatment are not yet standardized across all international guidelines. This narrative review summarizes the epidemiology, pathological mechanisms, and clinical implications of accelerated radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS) after neck irradiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Diagnostics in Head and Neck Oncology)

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23 pages, 4526 KB

Open AccessReview

Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (RPTPs): Structure and Biological Roles in Cancer

by Abigail E. Conklin, Colin L. Welsh and Lalima K. Madan

Kinases Phosphatases 2026, 4(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/kinasesphosphatases4010007 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are transmembrane enzymes that counterbalance protein tyrosine kinase activity by catalyzing the removal of phosphate groups from tyrosine residues on target proteins. Despite their critical roles in regulating cellular proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and survival, RPTPs remain significantly understudied [...] Read more.

Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are transmembrane enzymes that counterbalance protein tyrosine kinase activity by catalyzing the removal of phosphate groups from tyrosine residues on target proteins. Despite their critical roles in regulating cellular proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and survival, RPTPs remain significantly understudied compared to their kinase counterparts. Contrary to early assumptions that PTPs function as constitutive housekeeping enzymes, emerging evidence demonstrates that RPTPs exhibit highly context-dependent roles in cancer, functioning as tumor suppressors or tumor promoters, or displaying dual activities depending on tissue type, cellular environment, and the specific signaling networks involved. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of RPTP structure, catalytic mechanisms, regulatory processes, and interactions with signaling effectors in cancer. Through a systematic examination of RPTP expression patterns across ten cancer types using Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) and International Cancer Proteogenome Consortium (ICPC) datasets, we identify subfamily-specific and cancer-type-specific expression alterations that correlate with established functional classifications. PTPσ and PTPμ emerge as uniformly downregulated tumor suppressors across diverse malignancies, whereas PTPα and PTPε display oncogenic potential by activating Src family kinases. Context-dependent RPTPs, such as LAR and DEP-1, exhibit variable expression patterns that reflect their complex, multifaceted signaling roles. These findings establish RPTPs as critical regulators of cancer signaling with significant therapeutic potential while underscoring the need to understand tissue-specific signaling architectures when developing RPTP-targeted interventions. Full article

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31 pages, 1497 KB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advance in the Sample Pretreatments for Drug Analysis in Zebrafish

by Ting Wang, Chuyu Wang, Mingjing Luo, Xinyu Wang, Yiwen Chen, Zhi Yang, Guang Hu and Weikang Liu

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(3), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19030465 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Zebrafish, as an emerging model organism, are widely used in in vivo pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies. Unlike direct chemical analyses that require no sample preparation, most biological samples must undergo preprocessing steps—procedures that profoundly affect analytical outcomes. This paper systematically summarizes the main [...] Read more.

Zebrafish, as an emerging model organism, are widely used in in vivo pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies. Unlike direct chemical analyses that require no sample preparation, most biological samples must undergo preprocessing steps—procedures that profoundly affect analytical outcomes. This paper systematically summarizes the main methods and types of zebrafish sample pretreatment currently in use, aiming to provide a reference for future research in zebrafish sample analysis and preparation. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI for studies published between 2014 and 2024 focusing on liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), solid phase extraction (SPE), and related techniques for zebrafish drug analysis. The results indicate that traditional methods, including LLE and protein precipitation, remain prevalent due to their operational simplicity, but are limited by low enrichment efficiency and pronounced matrix effects (MEs). In contrast, advanced SPE techniques, particularly solid phase microextraction (SPME), are increasingly favored for complex biological sample processing, with key trends including technique hyphenation (e.g., SPME–high-performance liquid chromatography (SPME-HPLC), and micro-SPE–mass spectrometry (µSPE-MS)) and the development of novel sorbents. Despite these advances, current challenges persist, such as immature rapid on-site pretreatment protocols, the difficulty of balancing analytical efficiency with operational simplicity, and the lack of standardized procedures across studies. Overall, zebrafish sample pretreatment techniques are evolving toward higher efficiency, selectivity, and automation. Future research efforts should prioritize the development of intelligent, eco-friendly pretreatment methods and the establishment of unified standards to enhance the reproducibility and comparability of zebrafish-based pharmacological studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Zebrafish Model in Pharmacology and Toxicology)

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18 pages, 1934 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reproductive Diversity in Cultivated Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.): Relationships Among Floral, Fruit and Seed Traits

by Fabrizio Olivieri, Lorenzo Mancini, Barbara Farinon, Maurizio Enea Picarella and Andrea Mazzucato

Plants 2026, 15(6), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15060878 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

The extensive diversification of flower shape and organs underpins the adaptive success of angiosperms. Despite substantial knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling flower induction and development, few studies have quantified the variability in floral traits within species or explored their correlation with other [...] Read more.

The extensive diversification of flower shape and organs underpins the adaptive success of angiosperms. Despite substantial knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling flower induction and development, few studies have quantified the variability in floral traits within species or explored their correlation with other reproductive traits. In cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), human selection has driven fruit diversification in terms of size and shape. In the present study, 48 landraces representing tomato diversity in reproduction-related characteristics were phenotyped for 18 flower structural or dimensional traits. Flower traits exhibited lower coefficients of variation compared to other reproductive traits, though organ numbers showed high heritability values. Flower organ number and size were tightly correlated, but the correlation between dimensional traits was weaker. This likely reflects the selective pressures on pistil traits during domestication, including specific mutations affecting carpel number and ovary morphology. While ovary and fruit size were positively correlated, no relationship was found between ovule and seed size, suggesting that genes related to seed size generally act after fruit set. The collection was genotyped at the Fasciated (Fas) locus, and 13 floral traits were significantly different in fas mutants. The phenotypic variability described in this study could help breeders select for more fertile flowers and assist reproductive biologists in linking genes to flower development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Floral Biology, 4th Edition)

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32 pages, 2401 KB

Open AccessReview

Birth and Death in the Universe

by Douglas S. Glazier

Sci 2026, 8(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8030065 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Diverse natural systems in the universe from stars to organisms have finite “life cycles” (durations of existence). In my review, I attempt to answer fundamental but little explored questions about birth-death cycles, including “why do they exist?”, “what do they have in common?”, [...] Read more.

Diverse natural systems in the universe from stars to organisms have finite “life cycles” (durations of existence). In my review, I attempt to answer fundamental but little explored questions about birth-death cycles, including “why do they exist?”, “what do they have in common?”, and “how/why do they vary?” Various physical and biological systems have life cycles because they cannot avoid “death”, metaphorically speaking. Thus, if their type is to persist, they must replace themselves. All systems with life cycles are dissipative structures with a generative phase of growth and increasing order driven by energy uptake/use and a degenerative phase of degrowth and decreasing order driven by entropy production and accidental damage. Life cycles vary in rapidity and duration, often in relation to system size. The life cycles of living systems also differ from those of non-living systems in using information to regulate their birth and death, at least in part. Living systems are born via self-production, whereas non-living systems are “born” de novo. Thus, living systems perpetuate themselves by means of branching ancestor–descendant lineages, thereby enabling the cumulative evolution of their relatively high levels of diversity and complexity. Living systems (from cells to societies) are also extraordinary in having multi-layered compound cycles, i.e., “cycles within cycles”. Based on my comparative analysis of living and non-living systems across the universe, I propose a preliminary, multi-mechanistic theory of life cycles and their origins. Full article

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18 pages, 314 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship Between Academic Engagement and Social Media Addiction in Ecuadorian University Students

by Yosbanys Roque Herrera, Santiago Alonso García, Anabela del Rosario Criollo Criollo and Juan Antonio López Núñez

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16030416 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

The overuse of social media is a multidimensional phenomenon with the capacity to influence the academic environment. Thus, this study aimed to establish the relationship between social media addiction and academic engagement in university students. The research employed a quantitative approach, a non-experimental [...] Read more.

The overuse of social media is a multidimensional phenomenon with the capacity to influence the academic environment. Thus, this study aimed to establish the relationship between social media addiction and academic engagement in university students. The research employed a quantitative approach, a non-experimental design, a correlational scope, and a cross-sectional analysis. The population comprised 1200 students (65.3% female) with an average age of 21.4 years from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the National University of Chimborazo, in Riobamba, Ecuador, during the first academic term of 2023. Data were collected using the Utrecht Academic Engagement Scale and the Social Media Addiction Questionnaire. A total of 95.8% of participants had sufficient academic engagement, and 93.7% had a medium level of social media addiction. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.01) negative correlation between the variables of academic engagement and social media addiction (including their respective dimensions), with a mild-to-moderate intensity, as indicated by Pearson r values ranging from −0.101 to −0.297. Significant associations were found between the social media used by participants and their connection frequency, and significant associations were also found between their primary use of social media and the main reason perceived by participants for controlling their use. Full article

23 pages, 3347 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nutrient Profiling and Water Repellency of Cover Crop Residues in Southern United States Agroecosystems

by Payton B. Davis, Dara M. Park, Brook T. Russell and Debabrata Sahoo

Soil Syst. 2026, 10(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems10030040 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Integrating cover crops (CCs) into crop rotations has gained interest in the Southeastern United States due to the benefits that CCs offer, which improve soil health for agricultural production. However, more information is needed on how CCs may affect the development of soil [...] Read more.

Integrating cover crops (CCs) into crop rotations has gained interest in the Southeastern United States due to the benefits that CCs offer, which improve soil health for agricultural production. However, more information is needed on how CCs may affect the development of soil water repellency (SWR), which can negatively impact soil hydrology. The development of SWR threatens crop yields, food security, and farmer livelihoods. To address this knowledge gap, a field experiment measured the water repellency (WR) of four common CC species and a fallow treatment. CC samples were oven-dried, ground, and analyzed for WR using the water drop penetration time (WDPT) test. The mean WDPTs of the CC residues collected at termination and four weeks post-termination ranged from 49 to 4174 and 8 to 2627 s, respectively. Large WDPTs (>5 s) indicate that CC residues can potentially influence the development of SWR. All CC residues exhibited WR. The results suggest that farmers may need to consider alternative CC species depending on when they plant their cash crops in relation to CC termination. Considering the effects of CCs on SWR will enable farmers to make informed management decisions to mitigate SWR development and maintain soil health in a changing climate. Full article

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23 pages, 2472 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ghedhabna Beach (Tunisia) as a Newly Confirmed Nesting Site for Loggerhead Sea Turtles in the Central Mediterranean: Implications for Conservation

by Olfa Chaieb, Ahmed Ghedira, Menel Kraiem, Ahmed Souki, Amjed Khiareddine, Malek Chaarana, Lobna Ben Nakhla and Hechmi Missaoui

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2765; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062765 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Endangered sea turtles are highly vulnerable to environmental pressures and human activities, resulting in major shifts in their population and distribution. Identifying and managing new nesting sites are essential for their reproduction and survival. This study identifies the presence of an unrecorded loggerhead [...] Read more.

Endangered sea turtles are highly vulnerable to environmental pressures and human activities, resulting in major shifts in their population and distribution. Identifying and managing new nesting sites are essential for their reproduction and survival. This study identifies the presence of an unrecorded loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting population at Ghedhabna Beach in Tunisia. A mixed-methods study based on intensive field monitoring over three consecutive nesting seasons (2023–2025) and interviews with 120 local residents was conducted to assess reproductive parameters and community perceptions of sea turtles. An annual mean of 39.33 ± 12.56 nests (range 30–54) and a mean nesting density of 3.93 ± 1.29 nests km⁻¹yr⁻¹ were recorded, highlighting Ghedhabna as the second most important loggerhead nesting site in Tunisia. Incubation durations suggested a potential male-skewed hatchling production, a key factor for the Mediterranean population sustainability under climate warming. The interviews revealed a history of consistent nesting activity in the area and a limited public awareness. The main threats to nesting success include marine debris, uncontrolled beach activities, and predation by the ghost crab (Ocypode cursor). The mixed ecological and social approaches highlighted the urgent need to develop sustainable conservation measures in this zone, based on integrated management, to mitigate existing pressures and ensure population resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Marine Ecosystem: Conservation, Functioning, and Resilience)

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19 pages, 1642 KB

Open AccessArticle

Conjugated Linolenic Acids Induce Ferroptosis in Human and Zebrafish Melanoma Cells

by Zhuo Zhang, Alice Valembois, Caroline Rosier, Renaud Bonnevie, Ineke Neefs, Aurélien Warnant, Perrine Vermonden, Melissa M. Page, Olivier Feron, Cathy Debier and Yvan Larondelle

Antioxidants 2026, 15(3), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15030360 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Conjugated linolenic acids (CLnAs) are emerging as promising agents to trigger ferroptosis, a cell death driven by excessive lipid peroxidation, in cancer cells. Given the aggressive nature and treatment resistance of malignant melanoma, exploring CLnAs as therapeutic agents may offer a novel strategy [...] Read more.

Conjugated linolenic acids (CLnAs) are emerging as promising agents to trigger ferroptosis, a cell death driven by excessive lipid peroxidation, in cancer cells. Given the aggressive nature and treatment resistance of malignant melanoma, exploring CLnAs as therapeutic agents may offer a novel strategy to overcome these challenges. Here, we investigated the toxicity of four CLnA isomers on human (A375, WM266.4) and zebrafish (ZMEL1) melanoma cell lines. We observed a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability across all three tested cell lines. While human melanoma cells were more sensitive to CLnAs than ZMEL1 cells, treatment with ferroptosis inhibitors mitigated cell death in all models, confirming ferroptosis as the consistent primary mechanism of cell death. In addition, chemical inhibitors of ACSL4 and GPX4 modulated CLnA toxicity, further substantiating the ferroptotic mechanism by highlighting the role of these key regulators. Furthermore, fatty acid analysis revealed that CLnAs were effectively incorporated into phospholipids, generating substrates for lethal lipid peroxidation. At the transcriptional level, CLnA treatment significantly upregulated the pro-ferroptotic gene acsl4a in ZMEL1 cells. Overall, our study identifies specific CLnAs as potent ferroptosis inducers in both human and zebrafish melanoma cells and underscores the translational relevance of the zebrafish model based on a shared ferroptotic mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lipid Peroxidation and Cancer)

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19 pages, 1016 KB

Open AccessReview

Aging and Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Impaired Repair, Inflammaging Impact, and Regeneration Resistance

by Xi Gu, Mengsi Lin, Yiming Xia, Xiangyu Cheng, Hongke Pan, Min Cai, Maorong Jiang and Dengbing Yao

Biomedicines 2026, 14(3), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14030636 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Population aging is significantly altering the clinical conditions of peripheral nerve injury (PNI); however, the age-specific mechanisms that affect nerve regeneration remain unclear. Although the peripheral nervous system has the potential for regeneration, functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury is unsatisfactory [...] Read more.

Background: Population aging is significantly altering the clinical conditions of peripheral nerve injury (PNI); however, the age-specific mechanisms that affect nerve regeneration remain unclear. Although the peripheral nervous system has the potential for regeneration, functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury is unsatisfactory in elderly people. The current research mainly focuses on young organisms, leaving a crucial gap in our understanding of how aging fundamentally alters the regenerative microenvironment and affects final therapeutic outcome. This review aims to integrate the latest evidence on aging-related changes in peripheral nerve repair and clarify the underlying mechanism of failed nerve regeneration in elderly people. Summary: An increasing amount of data indicates that aging not only delays the regenerative process but also significantly affects the nervous system’s microenvironment. In an aging environment, chronic low-level inflammation (known as “inflammaging”) caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, Schwann cell senescence, and abnormal macrophages impedes axon regeneration. Moreover, aging cells secrete pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, strengthening the paracrine aging process and establishing a positive feedback inflammatory cycle. We therefore integrated a metabolic–immune-aging framework to explain age-related regenerative resistance and emphasize the transformation barriers limiting clinical applications. Conclusions: Understanding the systems-level interactions within the aging nerve microenvironment is essential for developing age-tailored therapeutic strategies. Targeting metabolic dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and cellular senescence may offer new avenues for improving functional recovery in elderly patients with PNI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience)

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23 pages, 4782 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Simplified Mechanical Model for Welding Deformation in Multi-Pass Welding

by Wenda Wang, Shintaro Maeda, Kazuki Ikushima and Masakazu Shibahara

J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2026, 10(3), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp10030096 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

This paper proposes a simplified mechanical model to estimate transverse shrinkage and angular distortion in multi-pass butt welding. The simplified mechanical model is first derived for an I-groove joint by representing the heated weld region with one-dimensional bar elements and by enforcing force [...] Read more.

This paper proposes a simplified mechanical model to estimate transverse shrinkage and angular distortion in multi-pass butt welding. The simplified mechanical model is first derived for an I-groove joint by representing the heated weld region with one-dimensional bar elements and by enforcing force equilibrium to obtain closed-form expressions for pass-by-pass deformation increments and cumulative deformation. For non-I-groove joints, the same simplified mechanical model is applied by updating the layer partition and geometric parameters for each pass based on the pass-wise high-temperature region; the inherent shrinkage of each pass is evaluated from the heat input and an equivalent heated-layer thickness. The simplified mechanical model is validated for V-groove multi-pass joints by comparison with thermo-elastic-plastic finite element (FE) analyses and available experimental data, and for X-groove multi-pass joints by comparison with thermo-elastic-plastic FE analyses. In addition, a parametric study on the V-groove angle (40°–70°) for SUS316L demonstrates that the model captures the increasing trend of final transverse shrinkage with groove angle without a pronounced degradation in prediction accuracy. The results show that the simplified mechanical model reproduces both deformation histories and final values with good accuracy while using only a small set of input parameters and negligible computational cost, making it useful for early-stage welding procedure planning and quick parameter studies. Full article

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21 pages, 2479 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of a Marine Diesel-Ignited Ammonia Engine Blended with Ammonia-Derived Hydrogen-Containing Fuel

by Liang Yang, Lin Lyu, He Yang, Junjie Liang, Chuang Xiang and Neng Zhu

Energies 2026, 19(6), 1423; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19061423 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

The application of ammonia decomposition technology for hydrogen production enables hydrogen-enriched combustion in marine diesel-ignited ammonia engines. This study presents experimental and simulation investigations of a diesel-ignited ammonia engine operating with hydrogen-containing fuels derived from ammonia decomposition at various blending ratios. The combustion [...] Read more.

The application of ammonia decomposition technology for hydrogen production enables hydrogen-enriched combustion in marine diesel-ignited ammonia engines. This study presents experimental and simulation investigations of a diesel-ignited ammonia engine operating with hydrogen-containing fuels derived from ammonia decomposition at various blending ratios. The combustion and emission characteristics of the engine were systematically examined, and a comparative analysis was conducted on the combustion behavior of the engine between using ammonia decomposition-derived hydrogen-containing fuel and pure hydrogen. The result shows that under constant engine output power, at 1200 rpm and 75% load, increasing the hydrogen energy rate results in largely unchanged cylinder pressure and heat release rate. The diesel substitution rate exhibits an initial increase followed by a decrease, while the energy consumption rate demonstrates the opposite trend. At 1500 rpm and 75% load, an increase in hydrogen enrichment leads to an earlier rise in cylinder pressure and heat release rate, a continuous increase in diesel substitution rate, and a consistent decrease in energy consumption rate. The early stage of in-cylinder combustion is dominated by diesel combustion, followed predominantly by the combustion of ammonia and hydrogen. Regarding the difference between using decomposition-derived hydrogen-containing fuel and pure hydrogen, within the hydrogen enrichment range of 0–20%, the discrepancies in intake composition and equivalence ratio between the two hydrogen-addition modes gradually widen but remain within 1.3%. Taking a hydrogen energy rate of 10.56% as an example, the differences in in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate between the two hydrogen-addition modes are not significant, indicating that the N₂ generated from ammonia decomposition has a relatively weak influence on the engine. With increasing hydrogen enrichment, NH₃ emissions gradually decrease, while NO emissions increase. For N₂O, hydrogen enrichment promotes its consumption, resulting in lower emissions. Under various hydrogen enrichment conditions, equivalent greenhouse gas emissions are mainly influenced by CO₂ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section I: Energy Fundamentals and Conversion)

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