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22 pages, 13705 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Eye Tracking Study on Visual Perception of Photovoltaic Panels in Various Landscape Types

by Urszula Marmol, Natalia Borowiec and Mariusz Twardowski

Sustainability 2026, 18(18), 9660; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18189660 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

The increasing number of photovoltaic installations being introduced into various types of landscapes creates a need to assess their impact on how space is perceived. At the same time, there is still a lack of objective, quantitative methods for evaluating changes in landscape [...] Read more.

The increasing number of photovoltaic installations being introduced into various types of landscapes creates a need to assess their impact on how space is perceived. At the same time, there is still a lack of objective, quantitative methods for evaluating changes in landscape perception based on the number of these elements. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of photovoltaic modules on landscape perception and to examine the usefulness of eye-tracking technology for this purpose. The database consists of AI-generated images representing natural areas and areas with varying degrees of urbanization. These scenes were modified by changing the number of photovoltaic elements. Eye-tracking analysis consisted of evaluating the resulting fixation, saccade maps, and heat maps. The results demonstrated a correlation between gaze fixation and the perceived acceptability of renewable energy sources (RES) installations, as well as a relationship between landscape type and the perceived presence of photovoltaic panels. Eye tracking has proven to be a useful tool for quantitative assessment of changes caused by the location of photovoltaic facilities in the surrounding area. The resulting measures can be used to compare different sustainability projects for selected areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interdisciplinary Design for Sustainable Well-Being)

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21 pages, 300 KB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding Filipino Special Education Parent Participation: A Qualitative Research Study

by Jackielyn D. Ruiz

Youth 2026, 6(3), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth6030136 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Parent participation is mandated in special education and transition planning for students. However, immigrant Filipino parents face numerous challenges related to immigration, navigating special education, and transitions. To understand their participation in their children’s education, it is important to understand their history, immigration [...] Read more.

Parent participation is mandated in special education and transition planning for students. However, immigrant Filipino parents face numerous challenges related to immigration, navigating special education, and transitions. To understand their participation in their children’s education, it is important to understand their history, immigration experiences, and beliefs. This study explores how immigrant Filipino parents advocated for their children in New York City’s public schools and how their immigration experience has shaped their participation. This qualitative research study conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with two Filipina immigrant mothers. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis informed by Bourdieu’s theory of capital. Two themes were identified from the data: (1) uncovering the mothers’ habitus through their ways of participation and use of capital and (2) communities and social networks as supports for parent participation and child-reading. The mothers possess capital, such as language, which is useful in accessing supports and services for their children. Their values and beliefs regarding education, disability, and their role as parents are shaped by Filipino values, which are also influenced by years of colonial influence on the Philippines. Educators and schools should be proactive in coordinating efforts of parents and families as they plan for the student’s education and transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contexts of International Migration and Multilingualism for Students with Disabilities in Transition to Postsecondary College and Career)

24 pages, 9299 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tripartite Evolutionary Game and Simulation Analysis of Regulating Service Value Realization: A Case Study of Yunnan Province, China

by Guifeng Gu and Xiufeng Ren

Sustainability 2026, 18(18), 9658; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18189658 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

The sustainable provision of regulating services—such as climate regulation, water purification, and soil conservation—is fundamental to both ecological integrity and human well-being, yet the market mechanisms required to sustain their value remain critically underdeveloped. To explore the sustainable process of realizing the value [...] Read more.

The sustainable provision of regulating services—such as climate regulation, water purification, and soil conservation—is fundamental to both ecological integrity and human well-being, yet the market mechanisms required to sustain their value remain critically underdeveloped. To explore the sustainable process of realizing the value of regulating services, this study introduces three stakeholders—environmental protection enterprises, the government, and residents—and constructs an evolutionary game model to analyze the behavioral decisions of each stakeholder and the key factors influencing system equilibrium. To validate the theoretical model, we further employed MATLAB R2023a to conduct simulation analyses using a real-world case study and data from Yunnan Province, examining the impact of various variables on the outcomes of the evolutionary game. The following results were obtained: (1) Multiple equilibrium solutions exist within the evolutionary game system, indicating that there is no single path to realizing the value of regulating services. Among these, full government support is key to realizing the value of regulating services. (2) A critical parameter exists in the multi-party game for realizing the value of regulating services, and this parameter exhibits a significant threshold effect; once the threshold is exceeded, the behavioral decisions of the participating actors will change. (3) The long-term sustainable realization of the value of regulating services requires multi-stakeholder collaboration. The contributions of this study lie in expanding the scope of research on the realization of ecosystem service value, strengthening the proactivity of participating stakeholders within the framework of sustainable value realization, overcoming the limitations of traditional static equilibrium analysis, and revealing the evolutionary conditions for the sustainable realization of the value of regulating services. Full article

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4 pages, 171 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Diseases in the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

by Kazuya Yoshida

Toxins 2026, 18(9), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18090404 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) therapy has developed from a treatment primarily used for neurological disorders into a versatile therapeutic modality applied across a broad range of medical and dental conditions [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Diseases in the Oral and Maxillofacial Regions)

27 pages, 823 KB

Open AccessArticle

Urbanization and Waste-Sector CO₂ Emissions in South America: Nonlinear Associations, Cross-Sectional Dependence, and Specification Sensitivity

by Santiago Ochoa-Moreno, Tania Torres-Gutierrez and Juan Diego Guerrero-Torres

Sustainability 2026, 18(18), 9657; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18189657 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Urbanization reshapes material throughput, infrastructure demand, and waste-service organization, but its association with waste-sector emissions need not be monotonic. Using a balanced panel of nine South American countries over 1990–2021 (288 country-year observations) from the World Development Indicators, we estimate two-way fixed-effects models [...] Read more.

Urbanization reshapes material throughput, infrastructure demand, and waste-service organization, but its association with waste-sector emissions need not be monotonic. Using a balanced panel of nine South American countries over 1990–2021 (288 country-year observations) from the World Development Indicators, we estimate two-way fixed-effects models with a mean-centered quadratic term in logged urbanization and Driscoll–Kraay inference after diagnosing serial and cross-sectional dependence. The preferred specification yields a positive quadratic term (β = 5.5168, SE = 2.3615, p = 0.0477) and a model-implied minimum at 76.44% urban population (95% CI 69.58–83.98). However, the result is specification-sensitive: country-specific trends reverse the curvature, first differences are insignificant, longer Driscoll–Kraay lag windows move the quadratic p-value above 0.05, and excluding Paraguay reduces the quadratic coefficient to 0.2735 (p = 0.4726). The paper’s added value is therefore the demonstration that nonlinear conclusions in small regional panels depend materially on trend and covariance choices. For Latin American decision-makers, firms, and households, the implications concern waste-system capacity, circularity, monitoring, and material-throughput management rather than urbanization as a policy target. The evidence is associational, not causal. Full article

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21 pages, 1283 KB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond the Pocket: Clinical, Routine Biomarker, and Microbiological Associations with Systemic Versus Localized Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infection

by Dilek Karamanlıoğlu, Murat Akdoğan, Özcan Özdemir, Hamza Sunman, Tolga Han Efe, Engin Algül, Çağatay Tunca, Gülnur Kul, Yunus Gürbüz and Murat Karamanlıoğlu

Diagnostics 2026, 16(18), 3062; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16183062 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections range from localized pocket infection to systemic disease. This study evaluated clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and imaging findings associated with the final classification of systemic CIED infection and described device management and in-hospital outcomes. Methods: This [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections range from localized pocket infection to systemic disease. This study evaluated clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and imaging findings associated with the final classification of systemic CIED infection and described device management and in-hospital outcomes. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 75 adults with definite CIED infection after case-by-case diagnostic re-adjudication, comprising 61 patients with localized pocket infection and 14 with systemic infection. Exploratory univariable and Firth penalized logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations with systemic infection. Results: Of 75 patients with definite CIED infection, 14 (18.7%) had systemic infection and 61 (81.3%) had localized pocket infection. Fever was observed in 5/14 (35.7%) patients with systemic infection and 3/61 (4.9%) patients with localized infection (p = 0.005). Procalcitonin was available for 70 patients and was higher in systemic than in localized infection (0.23 [0.06–1.57] vs. 0.05 [0.03–0.12] ng/mL; p = 0.025). Chronic kidney disease stage G3a–G5 was more frequent in systemic infection (3/14 [21.4%] vs. 2/61 [3.3%]; p = 0.042), and estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower (64 [45–83] vs. 89 [73–99] mL/min/1.73 m²; p = 0.014). Among 33 culture-positive episodes, coagulase-negative staphylococci were recovered in 12/22 localized episodes, whereas Staphylococcusaureus was recovered in 6/11 systemic episodes. Complete system removal was documented in 12/14 (85.7%) systemic and 46/61 (75.4%) localized infections; the median interval from admission to first removal attempt was 10 [6–17] and 5 [3–8] days, respectively. In the exploratory Firth model including age, fever, and log₂-transformed procalcitonin, fever (aOR 6.17, 95% CI 1.02–37.52) and procalcitonin per doubling (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02–1.81) were associated with systemic infection. In the kidney-function sensitivity model, the procalcitonin estimate was attenuated (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 0.99–1.74). Two in-hospital deaths occurred, both among patients with systemic infection. Conclusions: In this small retrospective cohort, fever and higher procalcitonin concentrations were exploratory correlates of the systemic-infection classification. The study did not evaluate diagnostic accuracy, clinical prediction, calibration, or external validity. Larger prospective studies with standardized diagnostic work-up and external validation are needed before biomarker-based clinical decisions can be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiac and Respiratory Infections)

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15 pages, 2336 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Heavy Metals in Sediments of Erhai Lake: Spatial-Temporal Distributions, Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment

by Tong Liu, Biying Cui, Bo-Tao Zhang, Yue Wu, Yong Hou, Yiming Ma, Guangzhi Li, Fan Zhang and Shuang Zong

Processes 2026, 14(18), 3012; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14183012 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Spatial-temporal distribution patterns, contamination assessment and source apportionment of Cd, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr in sediments of Erhai Lake, a large plateau lake in southwest China, were investigated. The results indicated that elevated concentrations of Cr, As, Cu, and Zn were [...] Read more.

Spatial-temporal distribution patterns, contamination assessment and source apportionment of Cd, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr in sediments of Erhai Lake, a large plateau lake in southwest China, were investigated. The results indicated that elevated concentrations of Cr, As, Cu, and Zn were primarily distributed in the eastern and central regions of Erhai Lake, whereas Cd and Pb were mainly concentrated in the west-central region. Cd exhibited the most severe pollution, with 15.4% of samples reaching extremely high single factor pollution index levels, followed by As, for which 65.8% of samples showed high contamination. Cu and Cr presented moderate pollution levels. In contrast, the geoaccumulation index indicated that 70.0% of Zn and 84.6% of Pb samples were unpolluted. Tourism, agricultural activities, and industrial activities contributed 29.90%, 15.32%, and 54.78% respectively by positive matrix factorization model. Specifically, Cu, Zn, As, and Cr originated predominantly from industrial activities, Cd showed strong associations with agricultural practices, and Pb was mainly ascribed to traffic-related pollution. Industrial sources contributed the most to ecological risk (62.50%). The temporal trend derived from the sediment cores revealed a surge in pollution levels during the early 21st century, which may be related to rapid economic growth and non-ferrous metal production. Overall, the results provide a valuable baseline for environmental monitoring and management in Erhai Lake. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental and Green Processes)

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21 pages, 2264 KB

Open AccessReview

Alginate Oligosaccharides in Lipid Metabolism: A Dual-Action Marine Prebiotic

by Jiaqi Liang, Ruibo Zhang, Meiling Song, Wanghua Bi, Quancai Li and Zhen Chen

Nutrients 2026, 18(18), 3093; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18183093 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) are degradation products of brown seaweed alginate, known as dietary bioactive components and used as health-beneficial nutrients. Unlike conventional prebiotics such as fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, and xylo-oligosaccharides, AOS carry carboxyl groups and are negatively charged at physiological pH. This narrative review [...] Read more.

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) are degradation products of brown seaweed alginate, known as dietary bioactive components and used as health-beneficial nutrients. Unlike conventional prebiotics such as fructo-oligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides, and xylo-oligosaccharides, AOS carry carboxyl groups and are negatively charged at physiological pH. This narrative review uses charge as an organizing framework for understanding their lipid-regulating effects. Neutral oligosaccharides act mainly through gut microbial fermentation, whereas charged oligosaccharides can also act on host cells directly, although charge and backbone structure cannot be fully separated in the available studies. The gut-dependent actions of AOS (microbiota modulation, short-chain fatty acid production, bile acid metabolism, and barrier protection) and the direct actions supported mainly by in vitro evidence or parenteral administration in animals, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and candidate receptor-mediated effects, are discussed, although the systemic exposure achievable after oral intake remains to be established. The beneficial functions of AOS depend on structural parameters such as degree of polymerization, M/G ratio, and terminal unsaturation; the AOS product approved in China in 2026 is produced by acid hydrolysis, and its relationship to the more active unsaturated forms remains unresolved. Structurally defined AOS are to be developed for nutritional supplementation and as potential candidates for clinical evaluation. Full article

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32 pages, 2190 KB

Open AccessReview

Plant-Derived Protein Hydrolysates and Bioactive Peptides for Restoring Gut Health in Undernutrition: A Scoping Review of Intestinal Barrier Protection, Inflammatory Signaling, and Oxidative Stress Regulation

by Asad Abbas, Muhammad Khurram Afzal, Fahid Nazir, Ralf Weiskirchen, Muhammad Bilal, Ghalia Arshad, Farah Aftab, Elsa Malik, Shazia Akram, Nudrat Khursheed and Bipindra Pandey

Nutrients 2026, 18(18), 3094; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18183094 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Childhood undernutrition is associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal complications. This review examines whether plant-derived protein hydrolysates and bioactive peptides can influence gut barrier integrity, inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, nutrient absorption, and microbiota composition. Methods: A [...] Read more.

Background: Childhood undernutrition is associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal complications. This review examines whether plant-derived protein hydrolysates and bioactive peptides can influence gut barrier integrity, inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, nutrient absorption, and microbiota composition. Methods: A scoping review of evidence published from 2010 and 2026 was conducted following a structured, multi-database search and screening process. Studies were assigned to defined evidence categories according to whether the intervention was an identified peptide sequence, a peptide fraction, a whole hydrolysate, an intact protein, or a complex food matrix. Results: Plant-derived protein hydrolysates, peptide fractions, and identified peptides were reported to increase occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 expression and reduce epithelial permeability in colitis models and in human-derived intestinal monolayers. Several interventions inhibited NF-κB and MAPK signaling, reducing TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Selected interventions lowered intestinal malondialdehyde and raised superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity; three studies demonstrated Keap1–Nrf2–ARE pathway activation directly. Microbiota effects were compositional, with increased short-chain fatty acid production, higher abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and reduced pathobionts. Evidence for nutrient absorption was weaker: no included study measured PEPT1 expression, transport activity, or peptide flux following hydrolysate administration, and most sequences reviewed exceeded the di- and tripeptide substrate limit of that transporter. Conclusions: No included study administered a plant-derived peptide in a model of undernutrition, and none assessed clinically diagnosed SIBO. Mechanistic evidence suggests plausible benefits for gut barrier integrity, redox balance, inflammation, and microbiota composition, but controlled trials in undernourished children are required before clinical claims can be made. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)

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15 pages, 3109 KB

Open AccessArticle

Embryonic Development, Early Ontogeny and Reproductive Performance Across Successive Spawning Cycles in Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)

by Xin Luo, Yadong Xie, Wei Zhang, Yuanyuan Dai, Lin Ma, Yu Wang, Qikang Bo, Zhongzhi Chen and Jufeng Jiang

Fishes 2026, 11(9), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11090557 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is an economically important ornamental cyprinid widely cultured in the global aquarium trade; however, comprehensive information on its early development and reproductive performance remains limited. This study characterized embryonic development, larval and juvenile ontogeny, and reproductive performance [...] Read more.

Tiger barb (Puntigrus tetrazona) is an economically important ornamental cyprinid widely cultured in the global aquarium trade; however, comprehensive information on its early development and reproductive performance remains limited. This study characterized embryonic development, larval and juvenile ontogeny, and reproductive performance under controlled hatchery conditions. Fertilized eggs were continuously observed from fertilization to hatching using stereomicroscopy, while larval development was monitored from hatching to 30 days post-hatching (dph). Reproductive performance was evaluated across five consecutive spawning cycles by determining estimated mean egg production per stocked female, fertilization rate, hatching rate, and larval survival. At 26.5–27.5 °C, embryonic development progressed through cleavage, blastula, gastrula, neurula, and organogenesis, and hatching commenced at 25 h 10 min post-fertilization; approximately 50% of viable embryos had hatched by 27 h 17 min, and hatching was completed by approximately 35 h 28 min. Newly hatched larvae measured 3.88 ± 0.56 mm in total length, and complete yolk-sac absorption occurred at approximately 7 dph. Characteristic vertical body pigmentation appeared at 15 dph, whereas juvenile characteristics were evident by approximately 20 dph, while complete scale coverage and adult-like coloration were observed by 30 dph. Reproductive performance declined significantly with successive spawning events, with fecundity decreasing from 182.33 ± 1.57 to 64.33 ± 3.52 eggs female⁻¹ between the first and fifth spawnings, accompanied by reductions in fertilization, hatching, and larval survival rates. These findings provide a morphological developmental reference and practical hatchery benchmarks that can support broodstock management, larval rearing, and seed production of tiger barb in ornamental aquaculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Aquaculture)

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14 pages, 10479 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Photochromic Property of a Dimeric Isofulgimide with an N-N Linkage

by Yingchun Li, Nattamai Bhuvanesh, Tefera Tesema, Tony D. Green, Jasmin E. Foster and Zhenhuan Yi

Crystals 2026, 16(9), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16090594 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Isofulgimides, characterized by a 5-iminodihydrofuran-2(3H)-one moiety, constitute a subgroup of fulgide derivatives that have received comparatively limited attention despite their potential photochromic applications. Herein, we report the synthesis, crystal structure, and preliminary photochromic characterization of a structurally unique dimeric isofulgimide in which two [...] Read more.

Isofulgimides, characterized by a 5-iminodihydrofuran-2(3H)-one moiety, constitute a subgroup of fulgide derivatives that have received comparatively limited attention despite their potential photochromic applications. Herein, we report the synthesis, crystal structure, and preliminary photochromic characterization of a structurally unique dimeric isofulgimide in which two conjugated systems are connected through a single N–N bond to form a more extensively conjugated system. The compound crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group P-1, with disorder of the phenyl groups in close intermolecular contact and strong interactions, including strong π-π stacking. the molecular structure of each half of the dimer closely superimposes on that of the starting fulgide. In solution, irradiation with a low-power 405 nm laser produced a new broad absorption band centered at approximately 510 nm, indicating photoinduced isomerization. After irradiation was discontinued, this band gradually disappeared within approximately 42 min, demonstrating thermal recovery of the initial form. Because isofulgimides remain relatively uncommon and crystallographic studies of dimeric isofulgimides have not previously been reported, these findings provide new structural and preliminary photochemical insights into this understudied class of photochromic compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Organic Crystalline Materials)

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14 pages, 1504 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mobility and Quality of Life in Unilateral Transtibial Prosthetic Users with Unmet Mobility Needs: A Multicenter Randomized Comparison of a Novel Prosthetic Foot and ESAR Feet

by Rémi Klotz, Eric Pantera, Laurine Roussillon, Marc Marty, Michèle Timsit and Noël Martinet

Prosthesis 2026, 8(9), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis8090096 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Prosthetic foot design continues to evolve to better address the functional needs and daily challenges of individuals with lower limb loss. Energy-Storing and Returning (ESAR) feet are widely prescribed for individuals with transtibial amputation; however, many users continue to report limitations. [...] Read more.

Background: Prosthetic foot design continues to evolve to better address the functional needs and daily challenges of individuals with lower limb loss. Energy-Storing and Returning (ESAR) feet are widely prescribed for individuals with transtibial amputation; however, many users continue to report limitations. A novel prosthetic foot incorporates a pivot mechanism intended to enhance ankle motion and support a more natural gait. Objectives: We aimed to compare mobility, comfort, quality of life, and user satisfaction between a novel prosthetic foot and commonly prescribed ESAR feet in adults with unilateral transtibial amputation with unmet mobility needs. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, randomized cross-over trial was conducted across seven rehabilitation centers in France. Thirty adults with unilateral transtibial amputation, all regular ESAR users, were randomized to one of two sequences: their prescribed ESAR foot followed by the novel foot, or the reverse. Each device was worn for four weeks. The primary outcome was mobility assessed using the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M) T-score. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Secondary outcomes included comfort, quality of life, satisfaction, falls, participant preference, and adverse events. Results: All participants completed the study. Mobility scores were significantly higher with the novel foot compared to the prescribed ESAR foot (least squares mean PLUS-M/FC-12 T-score: 60.2 vs. 52.3; difference 7.9; p < 0.001). Participants reported greater comfort, improved quality of life (LS mean difference 5.7; p = 0.001), and higher satisfaction with the novel prosthesis (LS mean difference 0.4; p = 0.002). No falls occurred with the novel foot, compared with three falls with the ESAR foot. Most participants (96.7%) preferred the novel foot. No device-related adverse events were reported. Conclusions: In adults with unilateral transtibial amputation, the novel pivot foot was associated with improvements in mobility, comfort, quality of life, and satisfaction compared to commonly prescribed ESAR feet, supporting its potential benefits for individuals with higher mobility demands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Orthopedics and Rehabilitation)

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22 pages, 6564 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Analysis and Characterization of Two Detoxification Genes Responding to Imidacloprid in Aphis spiraecola

by Meng Zhang, Chunping Si, Hanjie Liu and Liting Chai

Insects 2026, 17(9), 973; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17090973 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Aphis spiraecola is a major pest of fruit trees worldwide, causing significant yield reductions and economic losses in apple production. Chemical control remains the primary and most effective method for managing A. spiraecola in the field. Imidacloprid, the first neonicotinoid insecticide, effectively targets [...] Read more.

Aphis spiraecola is a major pest of fruit trees worldwide, causing significant yield reductions and economic losses in apple production. Chemical control remains the primary and most effective method for managing A. spiraecola in the field. Imidacloprid, the first neonicotinoid insecticide, effectively targets piercing–sucking pests. However, the time-dependent response of A. spiraecola to imidacloprid exposure has not been well characterized. In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of an A. spiraecola population from Zhengzhou to imidacloprid. Enzymatic assays revealed that the activities of cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and carboxylesterases (CarEs) were significantly increased following imidacloprid treatment. A synergism assay further demonstrated that the P450 inhibitor PBO and the CarE inhibitor TPP significantly enhanced the imidacloprid toxicity against A. spiraecola. Transcriptome analysis revealed that LC₅₀ imidacloprid treatment induced time-dependent changes in gene expression at 12, 24, and 36 h. A total of 46 P450 genes, 42 esterase genes, and six GST genes were identified in the transcriptome of A. spiraecola. Five detoxification enzyme genes, CYP380C6, CYP6CY19, GSTS3, GSTL, and CarE6, were significantly overexpressed, as confirmed by both transcriptomic and qPCR analysis. Moreover, RNAi-mediated knockdown of CYP6CY19 and CarE6 substantially increased aphid sensitivity to imidacloprid compared with the dsGFP control group. These results demonstrate that CYP6CY19 and CarE6 play an important roles in determining A. spiraecola susceptibility to imidacloprid. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the rational and scientific use of imidacloprid in aphid management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant–Aphid Interaction Mechanism and Molecular Basis of Aphid Resistance to Insecticides)

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16 pages, 5080 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Prescription Barriers to Special Low Protein Foods and Protein Substitutes on PKU Care: Findings from a National Survey of Metabolic Dietitians

by Martina Tosi, Suzanne Ford, Anne Grimsley, Sarah Bailey and Anita MacDonald

Nutrients 2026, 18(18), 3092; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18183092 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Timely access to protein substitutes and special low-protein foods (SLPFs) is essential for effective dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU). As key healthcare professionals responsible for coordinating and delivering nutritional therapy, metabolic dietitians are directly involved in managing prescription-related issues that may [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Timely access to protein substitutes and special low-protein foods (SLPFs) is essential for effective dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU). As key healthcare professionals responsible for coordinating and delivering nutritional therapy, metabolic dietitians are directly involved in managing prescription-related issues that may arise within the access pathway. This study aimed to identify the main prescription-related barriers experienced by metabolic dietitians in the UK and to explore their implications for patient care, clinical workload, and the delivery of specialist PKU services. Methods: A structured questionnaire was distributed by the National Society for Phenylketonuria to dietitians involved in the care for individuals with PKU in the UK. Anonymised responses were analysed descriptively to identify the types, frequency, and impact of prescription-related issues. Results: A total of 448 responses were received from metabolic dietitians across the UK reporting prescription-related problems affecting dietary products. Most reported incidents involved children (306/446; 68.6%). Among responses specifying the affected product category (n = 443), SLPFs accounted for most reported problems (261/443; 58.9%), followed by protein substitutes (120/443; 27.1%) and finally combined protein substitute and SLPF issues (62/443; 14.0%). Qualitative analysis identified barriers across all stages of the prescribing pathway, with issues primarily relating to GP prescribing processes, home delivery and supply, pharmacy services, and broader administrative and system-related factors. These disruptions affected continuity of dietary management and metabolic care, with reported consequences including reduced access to prescribed dietary products, difficulties maintaining dietary adherence, increased patient and family burden, anxiety and frustration, and a substantial hidden workload for metabolic dietetic services. Conclusions: Prescription-related problems represented a significant barrier to timely access to essential medical foods for individuals with PKU in the UK. The findings highlight challenges across the prescribing and supply pathway that compromise access to both protein substitutes and SLPFs, impose additional burdens on patients and families, and increase workload for specialist metabolic dietetic services. Addressing these system-level barriers, alongside strengthening communication, coordination, and prescribing processes across stakeholders, may improve continuity of dietary treatment and enable more efficient delivery of specialist metabolic care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Management for Children with Inherited Metabolic Diseases)

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17 pages, 1852 KB

Open AccessArticle

Two Decades of Monitoring Tortrix viridana and Associated Oak-Defoliator Groups in the Republic of Moldova

by Nadejda Mocreac, Roxana Ciceoi, Vladimir Bulgaru, Serghei Vasiliciuc, Gheorghe Novac, Elena Erșova and Valentina Iordosopol

Forests 2026, 17(9), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17091128 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Long-term phytosanitary monitoring provides essential information on temporal changes in forest-insect populations, but conclusions depend on consistent sampling and accurate definition of the taxa included in the analysis. We examined the dynamics of Tortrix viridana L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and two associated operational groups, [...] Read more.

Long-term phytosanitary monitoring provides essential information on temporal changes in forest-insect populations, but conclusions depend on consistent sampling and accurate definition of the taxa included in the analysis. We examined the dynamics of Tortrix viridana L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and two associated operational groups, other Tortricidae and Pyralidae, in Quercus robur L. stands at Molești–Răzeni and Tigheci–Cociulia in the Republic of Moldova. Monitoring covered the 2005–2025 calendar interval and provided 20 annual larval observations per site; larval data were unavailable for Molești–Răzeni in 2015 and for Tigheci–Cociulia in 2014 because of phytosanitary treatments. Annual larval densities showed pronounced interannual variability and distinct site-specific peaks. Other Tortricidae had the highest mean larval density at both sites, whereas T. viridana represented a smaller and temporally variable component of the three-group assemblage. After correction for temporal autocorrelation and multiple testing, significant decreasing trends in T. viridana and Pyralidae larval densities were detected at Molești–Răzeni, whereas no focal group showed a significant temporal trend at Tigheci–Cociulia. The results do not support a uniform regional decline of T. viridana or any other focal group. Instead, they demonstrate spatially heterogeneous population dynamics and show that operational forest surveillance should consider multiple defoliator groups rather than relying exclusively on T. viridana. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Monitoring and Management of Tree Pathogens, Forest Insects and Other Biotic Stressors in Forest Ecosystems)

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22 pages, 5120 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation Study on CO₂–CH₄ Cross-Layer Migration and CO₂ Retention-Assisted Gas Recovery in High-CO₂ Gas Reservoirs

by Jin Liao and Hao Liang

Processes 2026, 14(18), 3011; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14183011 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

High-CO₂ natural gas reservoirs present a dual challenge: recovering methane economically while retaining CO₂ securely. The capacity of overlying saline aquifers to combine in situ CO₂ retention with CH₄ recovery remains poorly quantified. This study proposes a CO₂ [...] Read more.

High-CO₂ natural gas reservoirs present a dual challenge: recovering methane economically while retaining CO₂ securely. The capacity of overlying saline aquifers to combine in situ CO₂ retention with CH₄ recovery remains poorly quantified. This study proposes a CO₂ retention-assisted gas recovery scheme for Block D in the Yinggehai Basin. The upper T18A saline aquifer serves as the retention interval, and a lower high-pressure interval supplies CO₂–CH₄ mixed gas. A CMG-GEM compositional model incorporating gas–water relative permeability hysteresis was used to evaluate aquifer pressure, injection–production well spacing, gas source interval, reinjection strategy, and component migration over 30 years. Depleting the T18A pressure to below 1 MPa strengthened self-driven migration; after 30 years, aquifer pressure increased by approximately 3 MPa, compared with 0.5 MPa under the original approximately 9 MPa condition. CO₂ migrated more slowly than CH₄ because of dissolution and residual trapping. A well spacing of 3–5 km delayed CO₂ breakthrough while maintaining CH₄ supply. Direct connection to the Huangliu Formation aquifer induced upward water channeling and weakened gas mobility. By contrast, produced-gas reinjection avoided this effect and yielded 9.3 × 10⁹ gmole (approximately 2.1 × 10⁸ m³ at standard conditions) of cumulative gas production by 2055, nearly one order of magnitude above self-driven injection. Reinjection from the Y2 II gas group increased cumulative CH₄ production by 76–80% relative to the A5 interval. These results provide a practical operating window for coordinating methane recovery with subsurface CO₂ retention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Petroleum and Low-Carbon Energy Process Engineering)

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31 pages, 1771 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rhenium in Wild Mushrooms: Environmental Occurrence and Censoring-Aware Quantification

by Antonio Peña-Fernández, Borja Martínez-Alonso, Rafael Moreno-Gómez-Toledano and Tomás Cámara-Pastor

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8405; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188405 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Rhenium (Re) is a scarce technology-critical transition metal used in high-temperature superalloys, catalysts and other advanced materials, yet its occurrence in terrestrial biota and potential relevance to environmental exposure remains poorly characterised. This study investigated total Re in wild mushroom fruiting bodies collected [...] Read more.

Rhenium (Re) is a scarce technology-critical transition metal used in high-temperature superalloys, catalysts and other advanced materials, yet its occurrence in terrestrial biota and potential relevance to environmental exposure remains poorly characterised. This study investigated total Re in wild mushroom fruiting bodies collected from selected green spaces in Leicester and Leicestershire, United Kingdom, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) and censoring-aware statistical analysis. The analytical dataset comprised 157 records. After exclusion of four unmatched tissue-only records, 153 analytical portions were reconstructed into 121 fruiting-body-level biological units, avoiding pseudoreplication from separately analysed cap and stem tissues. The analysis incorporated procedural digestion blanks, sample-specific dry-weight analytical limits and interval censoring. Under the primary analytical scenario, 73/121 units (60.3%) were non-detects, 21 (17.4%) were detected below the operational lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), seven (5.8%) were partially quantified and 20 (16.5%) were fully quantified. Overall, 48/121 units (39.7%) contained at least one Re signal above the operational detection threshold, whereas 27/121 (22.3%) contained at least one quantitatively valid component. Fully quantified concentrations ranged from 3.91 to 163.70 ng g⁻¹ dry weight. The complete dataset comprised 73 left-censored, 28 interval-censored and 20 exact observations. An interval-censored lognormal model estimated a population median of 1.055 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (95% bootstrap confidence interval: 0.672–1.571), with all 1000 bootstrap refits converging successfully. Classification was identical for all 59 units directly comparable under the primary and stricter same-batch procedural-background definitions. These findings extend the limited evidence for Re occurrence in wild fungal fruiting bodies and should be interpreted as environmental-occurrence data rather than as evidence of either adverse risk or safety. Because total elemental Re does not resolve chemical form, gastrointestinal bioaccessibility or internal dose, the measured concentrations do not support quantitative estimates of dietary exposure or human-health risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heavy Metal Exposure on Health)

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22 pages, 24490 KB

Open AccessArticle

Imatinib Mesylate and Sirolimus Inhibit Vascular Fibroproliferative Remodeling in Pulmonary Vein Stenosis

by Julia Gaal, Sophie C. Doettl, Kerstin Saraci, Cindy Zajac, Alexa von Mueffling, Peter E. Hammer, Magnus von Piechowski, Verena Gebert, Andrei-Antonio M. Caracioni, Daniel Diaz-Gil, Viktoria Weixler, Pedro J. Del Nido, Kathy Jenkins and Ingeborg Friehs

Children 2026, 13(9), 1280; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091280 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a progressive disease characterized by neointimal hyperplasia with poor outcomes. Clinical observations show that adjunctive therapy with imatinib mesylate and sirolimus is associated with improved survival and reduced rates of reintervention. In this study, we aimed to [...] Read more.

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is a progressive disease characterized by neointimal hyperplasia with poor outcomes. Clinical observations show that adjunctive therapy with imatinib mesylate and sirolimus is associated with improved survival and reduced rates of reintervention. In this study, we aimed to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying PVS development and progression and to elucidate how these targeted therapies modulate these processes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cardiac catheterization and computed tomography, and lung scan data from three patients with PVS to estimate wall shear stress (WSS) at multiple time points. Tissue specimens resected during anatomical repair surgery were analyzed for tissue composition and fibrosis using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, and flow cytometric analysis of endothelial cell (ECs) and fibroblast markers to determine endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). The safety and efficacy of imatinib mesylate and sirolimus were evaluated in healthy and PVS-derived ECs using cellular viability and proliferation assays, and by assessing fibrotic marker expression indicative of EndMT. Results: Patients exhibited severely elevated WSS estimates at multiple time points throughout disease progression. Disproportionate fibrotic remodeling driven by ECs transitioning into mesenchymal cells through EndMT was the cellular substrate of resected tissue in PVS. Targeted therapy with clinically relevant concentrations of imatinib mesylate and sirolimus was safe and significantly inhibited fibroproliferation and EndMT. At follow-up, all patients were alive and free of surgical and stent-based reintervention after anatomic repair surgery and adjunctive imatinib mesylate and sirolimus therapy. Conclusions: Fibroproliferative ECs undergoing EndMT are likely the cellular substrate underlying PVS development and progression. A multimodal approach consisting of anatomically focused surgical repair with adjunctive imatinib mesylate and sirolimus therapy may attenuate fibroproliferative remodeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pulmonary Vein Stenosis in Neonates and Infants: Etiology, Diagnosis and Management (2nd Edition))

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15 pages, 6314 KB

Open AccessArticle

Systematic Profiling of ssODN Determinants Establishes Optimized LbCas12a-Mediated HDR for Precise Genome Editing in Flammulina filiformis

by Dinghong Jia, Xun Liu, Di Wang, Xiaolan He, Xinmin Liang and Weihong Peng

J. Fungi 2026, 12(9), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12090705 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Although gene editing technologies have advanced considerably, research on gene editing in Flammulina filiformis remains in its infancy, and a systematic evaluation of how ssODN donor properties affect HDR efficiency in this species is still lacking. To enable precise genome editing in the [...] Read more.

Although gene editing technologies have advanced considerably, research on gene editing in Flammulina filiformis remains in its infancy, and a systematic evaluation of how ssODN donor properties affect HDR efficiency in this species is still lacking. To enable precise genome editing in the edible mushroom F. filiformis, we established an LbCas12a ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) platform in protoplasts and systematically evaluated key ssODN donor design parameters: PAM-site mutation, homology arm distance, RAD51-preferred sequences (RPSs), truncated Cas target sequences (tCTSs), the RS-1 enhancer, and thermodynamic stability (ΔG). A PAM-disrupting mutation greatly increased HDR efficiency, up to 58.5%. Extending the left homology arm 174 bp upstream of the break still yielded 20.2% HDR, expanding the tolerable distance. RPSs showed context-dependent effects: enhancing HDR up to 287.8% in some designs but reducing it by 61.9% in another. Both tCTS and RS-1 consistently suppressed HDR. No strong linear correlation between ΔG and HDR efficiency was observed. Collectively, from experiments conducted at a single genomic locus, our results not only establish a versatile precision-editing platform for F. filiformis through optimized ssODN design, but also offer tentative and transferable insights into the HDR-mediated genome editing of other heterokaryotic basidiomycetes facing similar genetic operation challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Edible Mushrooms: Advances and Perspectives)

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17 pages, 465 KB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy and Safety of Microvascular Decompression in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia Previously Treated with Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery

by Sebastian Dzierzęcki, Grzegorz Turek, Michał Turek, Zenon Mariak, Wojciech Czyżewski, Jan Gajewski, Jakub Litak, Magdalena Rybaczek, Mateusz Ząbek, Aleksandra Giba, Patrycja Zabrocka and Mirosław Ząbek

Brain Sci. 2026, 16(9), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16090997 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKS) controls classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in 70–90% of patients, but pain recurs in a substantial minority, and these patients are then considered for microvascular decompression (MVD). Whether radiation-induced arachnoid thickening, vessel–nerve adhesion and nerve atrophy compromise [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKS) controls classical trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in 70–90% of patients, but pain recurs in a substantial minority, and these patients are then considered for microvascular decompression (MVD). Whether radiation-induced arachnoid thickening, vessel–nerve adhesion and nerve atrophy compromise the safety or efficacy of subsequent MVD remains unresolved, and the available series are small. The objective of this study was to determine whether prior GKS alters the efficacy or the safety of subsequent MVD. Methods: We performed a retrospective, two-center cohort study of consecutive patients with classical TN who underwent MVD between 2015 and 2025. Of more than 1571 patients treated with GKS for TN during this period, 35 subsequently underwent MVD for insufficient pain relief (GKS+); they were compared with 60 consecutive patients who underwent primary MVD without prior radiosurgery (GKS−). The primary outcome was pain control on the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) scale at last follow-up, dichotomized as good (BNI I–III) or poor (BNI IV–V). Secondary outcomes were postoperative adverse events, medication-free status, intraoperative findings, intradural operative time and length of stay. Results: Good long-term pain control was achieved in 31 of 35 GKS+ patients (88.6%) and 55 of 60 GKS− patients (91.7%; p = 0.725) over a mean follow-up of 31.2 and 39.7 months, respectively. Radiation-related intraoperative changes—most often arachnoid thickening (62.9%)—were present in all GKS+ patients. Composite adverse events occurred in 31.4% of GKS+ and 36.7% of GKS− patients (p = 0.660), but the majority were trigeminal sensory disturbances (22.9% and 25.0%, respectively); non-sensory complications occurred in 3 GKS+ patients (8.6%) and 7 GKS− patients (11.7%; p = 0.741). At long-term follow-up, 48.6% of GKS+ and 60.0% of GKS− patients were medication-free (p = 0.294). There were no major neurological deficits and no surgery-related deaths in either cohort. Conclusions: Prior Gamma Knife radiosurgery did not reduce the efficacy or the safety of subsequent microvascular decompression, despite consistently more demanding intraoperative conditions. MVD remains an appropriate rescue option for persistent or recurrent trigeminal neuralgia after failed radiosurgery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Evolving Landscape of Trigeminal Neuralgia: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond)

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19 pages, 681 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multidimensional Symptom Burden Among Institutionalised Older Adults: Associations with Functional Status, Psychological Factors and Quality of Life

by Lucinda Marques, Lara Guedes de Pinho, Elisabete Alves, Isabel Bico and Manuel José Lopes

Healthcare 2026, 14(18), 3117; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14183117 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Population ageing has increased the number of institutionalised older adults with multimorbidity, frailty, a high symptom burden, and complex care needs. However, data on symptom burden in residential care facilities remains limited. This study aimed to characterise the epidemiological profile of [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Population ageing has increased the number of institutionalised older adults with multimorbidity, frailty, a high symptom burden, and complex care needs. However, data on symptom burden in residential care facilities remains limited. This study aimed to characterise the epidemiological profile of institutionalised older adults and examine the associations between symptom burden assessed using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS) and sociodemographic characteristics, functional status, multimorbidity, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted between March and October 2023 in 19 residential care facilities in Portugal. Residents with preserved cognitive capacity according to education-adjusted MMSE cut-off scores completed validated instruments assessing symptom burden, functional status, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and quality of life. Results: The final sample comprised 306 institutionalised older adults (mean age: 85.1 years; 68.6% women). Participants had a moderate symptom burden (mean IPOS score: 18.0 ± 14.0). Depressive symptoms showed the most consistent associations with symptom burden across IPOS outcomes, while functional status showed domain-specific associations. Other associations were less robust after correction for multiple testing. Multimorbidity was not independently associated with IPOS score. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive multidimensional assessment and support the integration of palliative care principles into long-term residential care to better address the complex needs of institutionalised older adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Later Life: Psychosocial Determinants, Care Needs and Intervention Strategies)

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24 pages, 917 KB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Simulation of Hyperbolic Problems with Interface Discontinuities via Multi-Resolution Collocation Method

by Nadeem Haider, Muhammad Asif, Naveed Ullah, Muhammad Adil, Zeeshan Ali and Ioan-Lucian Popa

Math. Comput. Appl. 2026, 31(5), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/mca31050197 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Hyperbolic interface problems are widely applied to model wave propagation and shock transmission across discontinuous media, such as acoustic waves in layered materials, seismic waves in the Earth’s crust, and stress or electromagnetic waves in composite structures. This study introduces a novel computational [...] Read more.

Hyperbolic interface problems are widely applied to model wave propagation and shock transmission across discontinuous media, such as acoustic waves in layered materials, seismic waves in the Earth’s crust, and stress or electromagnetic waves in composite structures. This study introduces a novel computational framework for hyperbolic interface problems, specifically designed to unify and extend the treatment of regular interfaces within partial differential equations. The proposed hybrid approach combined Haar wavelet-based spatial discretization with finite difference schemes for temporal integration. By employing truncated Haar series to approximate spatial derivatives and leveraging finite difference techniques for time evolution, the method delivers accurate solutions for both linear and nonlinear systems regardless of whether the governing coefficients are constant or spatially variable. In addressing linear problems, the resulting algebraic equations are solved efficiently using Gaussian elimination. For nonlinear formulations, the method incorporates a quasi-Newton linearization strategy, effectively transforming the system into a linear one. Extensive validation is performed through a suite of benchmark problems, with performance assessed via metrics including maximum absolute errors (MAEs), root mean square errors (RMSEs), and convergence behavior as a function of collocation point (CP) density. Numerical experiments highlight the method’s superior stability and accuracy, particularly in scenarios marked by discontinuities or sharp gradients in the solution. The approach proves especially effective in bridging inconsistencies between boundary and initial conditions, offering a robust alternative to existing techniques. Theoretical soundness, strong convergence properties, and comprehensive numerical validation collectively underscore the method’s reliability and adaptability across a broad spectrum of applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Mathematical and Computational Applications (MCA))

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23 pages, 4082 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Cognitive Load and Foreign-Language Anxiety in Second-Language Learning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Hong Yi, Wenqian Tang, Qiang Chen and Zhuo Wang

J. Intell. 2026, 14(9), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence14090228 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Cognitive load and foreign-language anxiety are often examined separately in second-language learning, although both may arise when limited processing resources are strained. This meta-analysis examined whether the two constructs covary and why their association matters for models of L2 performance. A PRISMA-guided review [...] Read more.

Cognitive load and foreign-language anxiety are often examined separately in second-language learning, although both may arise when limited processing resources are strained. This meta-analysis examined whether the two constructs covary and why their association matters for models of L2 performance. A PRISMA-guided review identified eleven eligible studies (N = 1250), which were synthesised using a random-effects model. Two independent machine coders repeated the full-text eligibility assessment, effect-size extraction, and quality appraisal; two of the authors then verified every coding against the source reports and resolved all discrepancies. This process recovered one wrongly excluded study and corrected one misextracted coefficient. Greater load was associated with greater anxiety, r = 0.41, 95% CI [0.29, 0.52], and the estimate was r = 0.37, 95% CI [0.27, 0.46], after the most influential study was removed. All included estimates were positive. A specification analysis that substituted every available alternative component, wave, subscale, subgroup, and path yielded pooled estimates from 0.38 to 0.45; setting all eleven studies simultaneously to their least and most favourable alternatives widened the range to 0.29–0.52. Heterogeneity was high, I² = 80.1%, and the 95% prediction interval [0.03, 0.69] extended almost to zero. The pooled estimate therefore represents the centre of a dispersed literature rather than an expected result for a new study. An exploratory contrast between real-time and self-paced tasks was not significant and was confounded with language skill. The review also identified a reporting gap: thirteen additional reports measured both constructs but provided no statistic linking them. Conventional publication-bias diagnostics cannot address this form of selective non-reporting, which means that the pooled estimate is best regarded as an upper bound. This first construct-specific synthesis of the load–anxiety association connects cognitive architecture and attentional control with research on L2 anxiety and indicates why instructional studies should assess cognitive and affective outcomes together. Because the evidence is concurrent, predominantly self-reported, and drawn almost entirely from Chinese-speaking settings, it cannot establish that either construct causes the other or that both reflect a single mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognitive Foundations of Language Comprehension and Production)

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13 pages, 670 KB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Contrast Fat-Saturated FLAIR MRI: Utility for Detecting Posterior and Seronegative-Associated Lesions in Optic Neuritis

by Buhuan Zhang, Yuru Dong, Jinfeng Huang and Xuetao Mu

Diagnostics 2026, 16(18), 3061; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16183061 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To compare the lesion detection rates of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery with fat saturation (FLAIR-FS) versus T2-weighted short tau inversion recovery (T2WI-STIR) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI) in detecting lesions across antibody-defined subtypes (AQP4-ON, MOG-ON, seronegative ON) and anatomic segments of optic neuritis [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: To compare the lesion detection rates of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery with fat saturation (FLAIR-FS) versus T2-weighted short tau inversion recovery (T2WI-STIR) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI) in detecting lesions across antibody-defined subtypes (AQP4-ON, MOG-ON, seronegative ON) and anatomic segments of optic neuritis (ON). Methods: Forty-two patients (56 eyes) aged 5–57 years with acute/subacute optic neuritis underwent orbital MRI (T2WI-STIR, FLAIR-FS, and CE-T1WI). Two blinded neuroradiologists independently reviewed the images to assess lesion detectability and inter-observer reliability (kappa statistics). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to account for within-patient correlation, with Bonferroni correction for pairwise comparisons. Results: FLAIR-FS demonstrated the highest detection rate (96.4%, 54/56 eyes), numerically higher than T2WI-STIR (80.4%, 45/56 eyes; corrected p = 0.051) and significantly higher than CE-T1WI (76.8%, 43/56 eyes; corrected p = 0.006). Inter-observer agreement was highest for FLAIR-FS (κ = 0.791), followed by CE-T1WI (κ = 0.729) and T2WI-STIR (κ = 0.681). In the posterior visual pathway, FLAIR-FS detected significantly more lesions than T2WI-STIR (corrected p = 0.024) and CE-T1WI (corrected p = 0.024). The Sequence × ON subtype interaction was not significant (p = 0.158); descriptively, FLAIR-FS showed the highest detection rate across all subtypes. Conclusions: FLAIR-FS demonstrated the highest lesion detection rate among the three sequences, particularly in the posterior visual pathway. FLAIR-FS should be regarded as a useful complementary non-contrast sequence, particularly when gadolinium cannot be administered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging and Theranostics)

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25 pages, 506 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Digital-Twin-Oriented Framework for Candidate-Locker Demand and Road-Risk Prediction

by Mohamed-Ali Ejjanfi, Kadim Lahcen Nadime and Jamal Benhra

Future Transp. 2026, 6(5), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp6050200 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Last-mile planning benefits from two complementary predictive signals before routing: expected package demand at candidate consolidation nodes and area-level road risk. This study develops a retrospective, digital-twin-oriented framework for a Los Angeles case study. It aligns delivery, weather, map, and collision records in [...] Read more.

Last-mile planning benefits from two complementary predictive signals before routing: expected package demand at candidate consolidation nodes and area-level road risk. This study develops a retrospective, digital-twin-oriented framework for a Los Angeles case study. It aligns delivery, weather, map, and collision records in a provenance-aware analytical state, preserves candidate-node demand and grid-day collision occurrence as separately defined and validated prediction tasks, and exposes both outputs through a common planning interface. Chronological evaluation across statistical, machine learning, neural, rule-based, and spatial-frequency methods identifies complementary strengths: the LSTM provides the strongest package-unit demand accuracy, while frequency-based road-risk models lead discrimination, classification, and probability performance. A held-out counterfactual planning experiment further shows that using both predictive signals improves service reliability and lowers average route-risk intensity while making the associated fleet and distance trade-offs explicit. The principal contribution is an auditable dual predictive architecture that connects heterogeneous urban data, task-specific validation, and operational planning without collapsing distinct demand and safety targets into a single model. Full article

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24 pages, 8651 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrochemical Evidence of Groundwater Transfer Between Karst Aquifers in Southern Spain: Implications for Climate Resilience and Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems

by Antonio Lope Morales González, Jorge Jódar, Antonio González Ramón, Francisco Moral Martos, Rosario Jiménez Espinosa and Fernando Gázquez

Water 2026, 18(18), 2349; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18182349 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

The Upper Cretaceous and Jurassic karst aquifers of Sierra de Segura (southern Spain) represent an important groundwater resource within Sierras de Cazorla, Segura, and Las Villas Natural Park (the largest protected area in Spain). The two carbonate aquifer systems are separated by the [...] Read more.

The Upper Cretaceous and Jurassic karst aquifers of Sierra de Segura (southern Spain) represent an important groundwater resource within Sierras de Cazorla, Segura, and Las Villas Natural Park (the largest protected area in Spain). The two carbonate aquifer systems are separated by the low-permeability Utrillas Formation, composed mainly of sands, sandstones, and clay-rich sediments. Hydraulic connectivity between these aquifers remains poorly constrained in the literature. This study evaluated the hydrochemical and isotopic evidence of connectivity between the Upper Cretaceous and Jurassic aquifers using major ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, and HCO₃⁻) and stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) from 464 groundwater samples collected from 20 springs between May 2020 and October 2023. The hydrochemical results show a progressive increase in electrical conductivity and temperature from the Upper Cretaceous to the Jurassic aquifer, together with higher Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻ concentrations in the Jurassic system, indicating greater hydrochemical evolution. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified mineralization as the dominant controller of groundwater variability and revealed a hydrochemical gradient from relatively homogeneous Upper Cretaceous groundwater toward more mineralized Jurassic groundwater, with partial overlap between both groups. The convergence of hydrochemical, isotopic, multivariate, and temporal evidence is consistent with the hydraulic connectivity between the two aquifer systems. We propose the “SHOWER EFFECT” as a conceptual hypothesis involving potential groundwater transfer through the Utrillas Formation. However, alternative explanations cannot be excluded, and further tracer, groundwater age, and numerical modeling studies are required to test the proposed mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Isotope Geochemistry in Hydrological Research)

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39 pages, 470 KB

Open AccessReview

Targeting the Gut Microbiome in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Therapeutic Strategies and Future Perspectives

by Diana Elena David, Cringuta Mariana Paraschiv, Laura Elisabeta Checherita, Stefan Andrei Chiriac, Gabriela Raluca Grigorasi, Vasile Valeriu Lupu, Ancuta Lupu, Leonard Iosif Pertea, Gabriela Paduraru, Anca Adam Raileanu, Elena Tataranu, Oana-Raluca Temneanu, Tatiana Dramba, Ana-Maria Casapu and Irina Mihaela Esanu

Nutrients 2026, 18(18), 3091; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18183091 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as an important modulator of cardiovascular health, demonstrating complicated interactions among diet, metabolism, immunology and host physiology. Evidence is accumulating that changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiome may contribute to the pathogenesis of [...] Read more.

The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as an important modulator of cardiovascular health, demonstrating complicated interactions among diet, metabolism, immunology and host physiology. Evidence is accumulating that changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiome may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, thrombosis and other cardiovascular phenotypes through mechanisms involving microbial metabolites, intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. In this context, the key question of this narrative review is: how far can modulation of the gut microbiome and its metabolic functions be a clinically meaningful approach in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and which of the currently available microbiome-targeted approaches have sufficient mechanistic and clinical evidence to justify translation into cardiovascular practice? To answer this question, we review the evidence linking the gut microbiome to major cardiovascular phenotypes, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart failure, thrombosis and atrial fibrillation, with particular focus on the mechanisms through which microbial metabolites, intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammation and metabolic dysregulation may affect cardiovascular risk. We then review current and emerging strategies for microbiome modulation, including dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation and targeted inhibition of microbial metabolic pathways such as trimethylamine (TMA)/trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) production. We also examine bidirectional interactions between cardiovascular drugs and gut microbiome and the role of these interactions in the development of precision methods to cardiovascular prevention and treatment. Finally, we outline the major limitations of the current evidence and highlight goals for future mechanistic, translational and clinical research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics on Human Health (3rd Edition))

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