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25 pages, 12646 KB

Open AccessArticle

Electrical Response of a Piezoelectric Semiconductor PN Junction Under a Local Temperature Change: A Three-Interface Analytical Model

by Chengcheng Liu, Nenghui Huang, Jiale Jia and Wenbo Ren

Inorganics 2026, 14(9), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14090246 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Piezoelectric semiconductor PN junctions hold considerable promise for self-powered sensing, flexible electronics, energy harvesting, photodetection, and multifunctional micro/nanodevices. A local temperature change couples the built-in electrical response of the PN doping interface with the thermally induced response at the boundaries of the heated [...] Read more.

Piezoelectric semiconductor PN junctions hold considerable promise for self-powered sensing, flexible electronics, energy harvesting, photodetection, and multifunctional micro/nanodevices. A local temperature change couples the built-in electrical response of the PN doping interface with the thermally induced response at the boundaries of the heated region, thereby modifying the electric potential, electric field, electric displacement, and carrier distributions near the junction. To elucidate this coupling mechanism, a one-dimensional three-interface analytical model is developed for a piezoelectric semiconductor PN junction subjected to a local temperature change. The fiber is divided into cold P-type, heated P-type, heated N-type, and cold N-type regions, and the coupled response is determined using piecewise analytical solutions together with open-circuit end conditions, interface continuity conditions, global carrier-conservation constraints, and reference-point conditions. Within a linear small-perturbation framework for an ideal zero-thickness homojunction, numerical results show that the PN doping interface governs the baseline distributions of the built-in potential and electric field, whereas the temperature interfaces generate additional electric fields through temperature-induced electric-displacement compensation, leading to localized redistribution of holes and electrons. For the baseline ZnO case with a 0.5 K temperature increment, the potential span is 9.124 mV, the peak electric-field magnitude is 48.43 kV m⁻¹, and the maximum carrier perturbation is 0.180 of its regional reference concentration. Independent Galerkin finite-element calculations agree with the analytical solution, with a maximum normalized discrepancy of 0.553% on the finest mesh. The temperature-change amplitude, heated-region half-width, reference carrier-concentration level, P/N doping asymmetry, effective dielectric constant, and effective thermal electric-displacement coefficient modify the potential transition, electric-field peaks, and carrier-screening range near the junction. These results reveal the coupled interaction between the local temperature interfaces and the PN doping interface and provide a theoretical basis for thermally regulating piezoelectric semiconductor junction devices under localized thermal loading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Inorganic Semiconductor Materials, 5th Edition)

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30 pages, 2507 KB

Open AccessReview

Bladder Sensory Neurons as Regulators of Neuro-Immune-Urothelial Interactions: From Molecular Mechanisms to Targeted Therapy for Neurogenic Bladder and Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

by Shuaixiang Zheng, Jiaxin Wang, Xinqi Liu, Jiaming Liu, Abudukeremu Aierken and Qing Ling

Cells 2026, 15(18), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15181715 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Bladder sensory neurons are essential components of lower urinary tract sensory encoding and micturition reflex control. They detect bladder filling, stretch, inflammatory mediators, and pathogen-associated stimuli, and they communicate with urothelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells through neuropeptides such as calcitonin gene-related [...] Read more.

Bladder sensory neurons are essential components of lower urinary tract sensory encoding and micturition reflex control. They detect bladder filling, stretch, inflammatory mediators, and pathogen-associated stimuli, and they communicate with urothelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells through neuropeptides such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Under physiological conditions, this neuro-immune-urothelial axis contributes to bladder homeostasis. Under pathological conditions, including neural injury, infection, inflammation, or epithelial barrier disruption, TRP channels, purinergic signaling, neurotrophic factors, chemokines, and voltage-gated ion channels can induce peripheral sensitization, increased excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, spinal plasticity, and central sensitization, thereby contributing to urinary frequency, urgency, bladder pain, and detrusor overactivity in neurogenic bladder and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). This review summarizes the anatomical and functional organization of bladder sensory afferents, sensory neuron-associated molecular signaling, neuro-immune-urothelial interactions, disease-specific mechanisms, and targeted therapeutic strategies. We also discuss the translational potential and limitations of interventions targeting TRPV1/TRPV4/TRPA1, P2X3, CGRP, SP/neurokinin receptors, NGF, ion channels, botulinum toxin, and neuromodulation. These mechanisms provide a framework for understanding neurogenic mechanisms in bladder disorders and for developing targeted interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Neurological Disorders: Neuroinflammation, Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies)

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36 pages, 3911 KB

Open AccessArticle

Component-Wise Adaptive Joint EWMA Monitoring of Lifetime Quantiles and Entropy

by Mine Dogan, Ayse Bugatekin and Gökhan Gökdere

Mathematics 2026, 14(18), 3425; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14183425 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Statistical monitoring of lifetime processes is commonly based on a single process characteristic, which may fail to detect distributional changes that affect different aspects of process behavior. This study proposes a component-wise adaptive joint exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart for simultaneously [...] Read more.

Statistical monitoring of lifetime processes is commonly based on a single process characteristic, which may fail to detect distributional changes that affect different aspects of process behavior. This study proposes a component-wise adaptive joint exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart for simultaneously monitoring a Weibull lower quantile and Shannon entropy. Unlike conventional joint monitoring schemes that apply a common smoothing mechanism, the proposed framework preserves the quantile and entropy as separate standardized components, adaptively updates each according to its own departure, and subsequently combines them through a correlation-adjusted quadratic statistic that retains their dependence. Control limits are calibrated by Monte Carlo simulation to achieve a target in-control average run length of approximately 370. Extensive simulations consider scale, shape, and combined Weibull parameter shifts, together with quantile-preserving and entropy-preserving alternatives specifically designed to isolate changes in the individual characteristics. Comparisons with single-component Q-EWMA and H-EWMA charts and a fixed joint EWMA chart demonstrate that the proposed procedure maintains the desired in-control performance while providing robust and balanced detection across heterogeneous process changes. Its advantage is particularly evident when one monitored characteristic remains relatively stable while the other changes substantially, a setting in which single-characteristic charts may become insensitive. Practical applicability is demonstrated through two complementary real-data applications involving medical rehabilitation length-of-stay data and rolling-contact fatigue-life data under different lubrication conditions. In both settings, the proposed chart successfully identifies meaningful distributional departures, while the component-wise adaptive mechanism responds selectively to the relative magnitudes of quantile and entropy changes. Overall, the proposed framework provides a robust and flexible monitoring strategy for heterogeneous lifetime-process changes without requiring prior knowledge of whether deterioration will primarily affect lower-tail performance, distributional uncertainty, or both. Full article

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1 pages, 125 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Statement of Peer Review

by Wenbin Yu

Eng. Proc. 2026, 138(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026138017 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

In submitting conference proceedings to Engineering Proceedings, the volume editors of the proceedings certify to the publisher that all papers published in this volume have been subjected to peer review administered by the volume editors [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 1st International Online Conference on Designs)

32 pages, 671 KB

Open AccessReview

Mechanisms of Brain Aging and Their Links to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease Pathology

by Haiyi Yi, Haimeng Qin, Jo Aan Goon, Suzana Makpol and Jen Kit Tan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188426 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Brain aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders and is associated with a progressive loss of neuronal homeostasis. Rather than resulting from a single pathological event, brain aging involves coordinated changes across multiple biological processes, including neuroinflammation, proteostasis impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, [...] Read more.

Brain aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders and is associated with a progressive loss of neuronal homeostasis. Rather than resulting from a single pathological event, brain aging involves coordinated changes across multiple biological processes, including neuroinflammation, proteostasis impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotransmission deficit, cellular senescence, gut microbiota dysbiosis, extracellular vesicle dysregulation, nutrient-sensing disturbances, and metabolic drift. These processes interact across molecular, cellular, and systemic levels and may progressively increase neuronal vulnerability to neurodegenerative pathology. Age-related biological alterations may increase susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Disease-associated proteins, including amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein, may interact with age-related inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and loss of proteostasis. This review examines the evidence supporting these mechanisms, their interactions, and their relevance to normal brain aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Because much of the current mechanistic evidence derives from animal and cellular models, further longitudinal and human studies are needed to provide a more complete understanding of how these mechanisms operate during human brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Molecular Neurobiology in Malaysia)

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13 pages, 233 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Situation and Factors Associated with Dental Caries Among Preschool Children in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand

by Pastraporn Kaewpawong, Kiatkamjorn Kusol and Hasanah Pairoh

Children 2026, 13(9), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091282 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains a major public health concern and is influenced by interactions among children, environmental, and dental care factors. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and identify factors associated with dental caries among preschool [...] Read more.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains a major public health concern and is influenced by interactions among children, environmental, and dental care factors. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and identify factors associated with dental caries among preschool children in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 children aged 3–5 years and their primary caregivers. Oral health was assessed by preliminary visual screening, and caregivers completed structured questionnaires on demographic characteristics, oral health attitudes and practices, and dental service utilization. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to account for clustering within child development centers. Results: Dental caries was identified in 52.6% of children, and 55.6% had visible oral uncleanliness. In multivariable GEE analysis, higher caregiver oral health care practice scores were associated with lower odds of dental caries (AOR = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02–0.14; p < 0.001). Children whose caregivers had an educational level below a bachelor’s degree had higher odds of dental caries (AOR = 3.03; 95% CI: 2.09–4.41; p < 0.001). Children who were never or only sometimes taken to a dentist for toothache also had higher odds of dental caries (AOR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.31–2.90; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Dental caries remains common among preschool children in southern Thailand. Strengthening caregivers’ practical oral health care skills and promoting preventive rather than symptom-driven dental care may support caries prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Dentistry & Oral Medicine)

18 pages, 21043 KB

Open AccessArticle

Deep-Learning-Enabled Continuous Regression of Fractional Topological Charge from Speckle Patterns

by Shiva Shankar Mutupuri, Mohammad Haider Ansari, Ganesh Velagala, Satish Anamalamudi, Ganesh M. Balasubramaniam, Ravi Kumar and Salla Gangi Reddy

Algorithms 2026, 19(9), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/a19090809 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Optical vortex beams that carry orbital angular momentum are widely used in optical communication, quantum information, and optical manipulation, where precise detection of the topological charge is essential, but existing machine learning approaches treat topological charge detection as a discrete classification problem, which [...] Read more.

Optical vortex beams that carry orbital angular momentum are widely used in optical communication, quantum information, and optical manipulation, where precise detection of the topological charge is essential, but existing machine learning approaches treat topological charge detection as a discrete classification problem, which limits the extraction of fractional topological charge, as it varies continuously and requires a regression-based model. Here, we developed a customized model for extracting the charge of fractional optical vortices using their perturbed intensity distribution, i.e., speckles, obtained by scattering them through a rough surface. When evaluated on experimentally generated speckle patterns, the fully supervised model achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.0394 and an

R^{2}

value of 0.9997. To assess its interpolation capability, the model was trained using sparse data, specifically integer and half-integer charges, and successfully detected previously unseen fractional topological charges, achieving an MAE of 0.122 and a mean absolute percentage error of 3.11%. These results demonstrate the potential of the model as a non-interferometric method for fractional topological charge detection in scattering environments, particularly under data-scarce conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Algorithms for Multidisciplinary Applications)

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31 pages, 22113 KB

Open AccessArticle

WSF-YOLO: Wavelet-Guided Spatial–Frequency Joint Modeling for Aircraft Detection in SAR Images

by Tao Li, Jun Cao, Dongliang Peng and Sainan Shi

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(18), 3254; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18183254 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides all-weather and day-and-night imaging capabilities, but aircraft detection in SAR images remains challenging because of discontinuous target scattering responses, complex background clutter, shallow-detail attenuation, and unstable localization of small targets. In particular, high-frequency SAR components may contain both [...] Read more.

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides all-weather and day-and-night imaging capabilities, but aircraft detection in SAR images remains challenging because of discontinuous target scattering responses, complex background clutter, shallow-detail attenuation, and unstable localization of small targets. In particular, high-frequency SAR components may contain both target-related scattering discontinuities and clutter fluctuations, making direct frequency enhancement susceptible to background interference. To address these issues, this paper proposes WSF-YOLO, a wavelet-guided spatial–frequency joint detection method based on YOLO11n. First, a wavelet-guided spatial–frequency feature extraction module (WGStem) selectively incorporates frequency information through gated residual fusion, reducing structural-detail loss during downsampling. Second, a spatial–frequency collaborative feature enhancement module (SFC3k2) continuously strengthens aircraft contours, edge responses, and local scattering differences in the intermediate stages of the backbone. Finally, a dynamic-ratio joint regression loss (DRCN-Loss) combines complete intersection over union (CIoU) and normalized Wasserstein distance (NWD) with training-dependent weights to improve localization stability for small targets and low-overlap predictions. Experimental results show that WSF-YOLO achieves 95.6% mean average precision at an intersection-over-union threshold of 0.5 (

{mAP}_{50}

) and 71.2% mean average precision averaged over thresholds from 0.5 to 0.95 in increments of 0.05 (

{mAP}_{50 - 95}

) on SAR-AIRcraft-1.0, outperforming YOLO11n by 1.4 and 6.2 percentage points, respectively. Consistent improvements on another public SAR aircraft dataset further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Learning for SAR Target Detection and Instance Segmentation)

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29 pages, 7940 KB

Open AccessReview

From Association to Causality: Next-Generation GWAS, Pangenomes, and Multi-Omics Driving Gene Discovery and Precision Breeding in Cereal Crops

by Helmy M. Youssef, Radwa Y. Helmi, Andreas Börner, Mahmoud M. Sakr and Mohamed El-Soda

Biology 2026, 15(18), 1673; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15181673 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have become a central tool in plant genomics, providing high-resolution access to the genetic architecture of complex traits in cereal crops. This review observes the application of GWASs to biotic and abiotic stress responses and nutritional quality in rice [...] Read more.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have become a central tool in plant genomics, providing high-resolution access to the genetic architecture of complex traits in cereal crops. This review observes the application of GWASs to biotic and abiotic stress responses and nutritional quality in rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays), and barley (Hordeum vulgare). However, conventional SNP-based GWASs may overlook structural and presence–absence variation, and significant associations do not by themselves identify the causal gene or variant. Recent methodological developments, including multi-locus and environment-aware models, can improve the detection of complex genetic effects, while pan-genomic and graph-based references broaden the range of genomic variation available for association analysis. Integrating GWASs with transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics provides additional functional evidence for candidate-gene prioritization and interpretation of associated loci. Fine mapping and functional validation, including genome-editing approaches, further help to test candidate-gene function. Together, these advances strengthen the progression from statistical association to biological interpretation and breeding-relevant genetic variation. This review discusses their current applications, limitations, and potential for improving cereal breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)

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32 pages, 70149 KB

Open AccessArticle

Targeted Chemical Monitoring and Integrated Preclinical Evaluation of Zishui Qinggan Yin in 4-NQO-Induced Esophageal Precancer: Histopathological and PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Associated Changes

by Yueheng Ouyang, Jianxin Guo, Jianfeng Yuan, Zhongbing Wu and Jing Li

Life 2026, 16(9), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16091574 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma frequently develops through a prolonged precancerous phase, creating an opportunity for intervention. Zishui Qinggan Yin (ZSQGY) is a multi-component botanical preparation, but its effects in esophageal precancer and its formulation-level chemical profile remain incompletely defined. We monitored a predefined [...] Read more.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma frequently develops through a prolonged precancerous phase, creating an opportunity for intervention. Zishui Qinggan Yin (ZSQGY) is a multi-component botanical preparation, but its effects in esophageal precancer and its formulation-level chemical profile remain incompletely defined. We monitored a predefined 40-analyte panel by UPLC-Q Exactive/MS in three independently extracted aliquots from the same formulation batch administered to mice. A 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide model was then evaluated by consensus histopathology, mouse-grouped whole-slide digital pathology, network-based target prioritization, molecular docking, exploratory drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), Western blotting, qPCR, and serial-section immunohistochemistry. Signals corresponding to 38 predefined analytes were reported. ZSQGY treatment was associated with a lower-grade lesion pattern in the evaluated mouse-level specimens. Exploratory DARTS was analyzed in two independent n = 6 tissue-background datasets. In the original 4-NQO model-background cohort, ex vivo ZSQGY (100 μg/mL) increased the AKT1-immunoreactive relative-protection signal in five of six lysates (mean 2.04 ± 1.15). In an additional cohort from mice that had received ZSQGY in vivo, ex vivo ZSQGY produced mean relative-protection values of 1.21, 1.75, and 1.92 at 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL, respectively. The nominal exact p value for the 100 μg/mL versus vehicle contrast in the additional exploratory dataset was 0.0313; This exploratory result should be interpreted cautiously. Neither dataset establishes direct binding or in vivo target occupancy. PI3K p110α DARTS was technically inconclusive. Endpoint tissues showed lower AKT, mTOR, S6K1, and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation, together with PTEN-associated changes, reduced Ki-67, increased cleaved caspase-3 staining, and selected downstream transcript changes, including a non-significant downward trend in PARP1. These findings support a preclinical association between ZSQGY treatment, attenuation of esophageal precancer progression, and AKT-centered PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway modulation. They do not establish direct binding, in vivo target occupancy, pathway necessity, active constituents, or causal mediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Natural Products: From Exploration to Therapeutic Potential)

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33 pages, 4496 KB

Open AccessArticle

Campus Built Environment and University Student Health in a Cold-Climate City: Mediating Roles of Daily Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Perceived Environment

by Caili Li, Jing Lu, Hongxun Zhang and Sreetheran Maruthaveeran

Buildings 2026, 16(18), 3761; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16183761 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

The relationship between campus built environments and university student health has received considerable attention; however, this issue remains systematically underexplored in the context of cold-climate cities, particularly during winter, and the mediating roles of daily leisure physical activity and the perceived built environment [...] Read more.

The relationship between campus built environments and university student health has received considerable attention; however, this issue remains systematically underexplored in the context of cold-climate cities, particularly during winter, and the mediating roles of daily leisure physical activity and the perceived built environment remain unclear. Taking four universities in Harbin, China, as examples, this study analyzed self-reported questionnaire data from 1232 students using structural equation modeling. The built environment was differentiated into two dimensions: the physical built environment, referring to self-reported physical and functional characteristics, and the perceived built environment, referring to students’ subjective evaluations. The study further examined the direct, indirect, and sequential pathways through which these two dimensions, together with daily leisure physical activity, were associated with student health. The results showed that the physical built environment, perceived built environment, and daily leisure physical activity were all significantly and positively associated with student health, and that the direct association between the perceived built environment and health was stronger than that of the physical built environment. Daily leisure physical activity also functioned as a partial mediator in the relevant pathways. Given the cross-sectional self-reported design, these findings should be interpreted as associative pathways within a theory-based model rather than as established causal effects. The findings provide empirical support for health-oriented campus design in cold-climate cities: the physical built environment serves as a foundational factor for health, but its influence is largely transmitted indirectly through the perceived environment and daily leisure physical activity. The results further suggest that cold-climate campuses should prioritize investment in environmental qualities that can be meaningfully perceived by students and ensure that improvements to the physical environment are translated into perceptible experiential benefits, thereby providing transferable evidence for health-oriented design in campuses under similar climatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)

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16 pages, 8110 KB

Open AccessReview

Epigenetic Regulation of Ferroptosis in Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives

by Nana Li, Chonkit Lio, Zhenlian Lu and Jinfang Luo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8427; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188427 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxides and has emerged as an important contributor to the initiation, progression, and amplification of inflammatory responses. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated regulation influence ferroptosis [...] Read more.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by the lethal accumulation of lipid peroxides and has emerged as an important contributor to the initiation, progression, and amplification of inflammatory responses. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated regulation influence ferroptosis by modulating multiple molecular pathways, thereby shaping the inflammatory microenvironment. Active constituents and compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibit multi-target, multi-pathway regulatory properties that enable the simultaneous regulation of epigenetic modifications, ferroptosis, and inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms linking these processes have not been systematically summarized. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis, the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate ferroptosis, and the reciprocal interplay between ferroptosis and inflammation. It further highlights recent advances in understanding how active constituents and compound formulas of TCM modulate ferroptosis through epigenetic regulation to alleviate inflammatory injury. By integrating current evidence, this review provides mechanistic insights into the epigenetic basis of the anti-inflammatory actions of TCM and underscores the therapeutic potential of epigenetic modulation of ferroptosis for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

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16 pages, 2296 KB

Open AccessArticle

Flavor Symmetry and Scale Invariance Properties of Singly Ionized Helium Ions

by Eugene Oks

Symmetry 2026, 18(9), 1577; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18091577 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Hydrogen atoms possess flavor symmetry (as shown in our previous paper) and scale invariance symmetry (as shown in our other previous paper). The existence of the second flavor of hydrogen atoms (SFHA) is evidenced by three different types of atomic experiments: the SFHA-based [...] Read more.

Hydrogen atoms possess flavor symmetry (as shown in our previous paper) and scale invariance symmetry (as shown in our other previous paper). The existence of the second flavor of hydrogen atoms (SFHA) is evidenced by three different types of atomic experiments: the SFHA-based explanations eliminated huge discrepancies—up to several orders of magnitude—between the experiments and the corresponding previous theories, while alternative explanations were never provided. The existence of the SFHA is also evidenced by the SFHA-based explanation of the long-standing neutron lifetime puzzle, while alternative explanations were off by several orders of magnitude. The SFHA has only the S-states, so that due to the selection rules of quantum mechanics, the SFHA does not interact with electromagnetic radiation: it remains dark. Theoretically, the SFHA is based on the second solution of the Dirac equation for hydrogen atoms, which becomes legitimate after allowing for experimental charge density distribution inside protons. In the present paper, we bring to the attention of the research community that the experimental charge density distribution in alpha-particles satisfies the conditions under which the second solution of the Dirac equation for He⁺ ions becomes legitimate for the S-states. This constitutes the theoretical basis of the proposed existence of the second flavor of He⁺ ions (SFHeI), analogous to the existence of the SFHA; therefore, He⁺ ions have flavor symmetry. We also show that the second exterior solution (i.e., outside the He nucleus) and the matching interior solution are scale-invariant with respect to the change in the boundary R between them. In addition, we demonstrate that there is experimental evidence for the existence of the SFHeI from the experiments on the excitation of the 2S state of He⁺ ions by electron impact. It is the existence of the SFHeI that removes the 2.4-times discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical cross-sections for this process, while alternative explanations were never provided. The primary feature of the SFHeI is the same as for the SFHA: due to the quantum selection rules for atoms/ions having only the S-states, both the SFHeI and SFHA do not interact with the electromagnetic radiation as they remain dark. The engagement of the SFHA previously explained the observed anomalous absorption (both qualitatively and quantitatively) in the 21 cm line from the early Universe and made the SFHA a candidate for baryonic dark matter. It was previously shown that the SFHA constitutes most of baryonic dark matter. Now, since the experimental ratio of the SFHeI to the usual He⁺ ions turned out to be of the same order as the experimental ratio of the SFHA to the usual hydrogen atoms, and given that the combined abundance of hydrogen and helium is about 98%, the combination of the SFHA with the SFHeI could possibly constitute an even larger share of baryonic dark matter than just the SFHA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section C: Physics)

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25 pages, 7643 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity with Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Machine Learning Analysis Based on NHANES and CHARLS

by Yunxiu Wu, Ye Yuan, Yaoyao Li, Ruizhao Li and Juan Pang

Healthcare 2026, 14(18), 3125; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14183125 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) is a non-invasive marker of arterial stiffness with potential relevance for chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate the association between ePWV and CKD risk in the US and Chinese populations and to [...] Read more.

Background: Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) is a non-invasive marker of arterial stiffness with potential relevance for chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk assessment. This study aimed to investigate the association between ePWV and CKD risk in the US and Chinese populations and to evaluate its discriminative performance using machine learning approaches. Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005–2018, weighted n ≈ 100.9 million) and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2015, n = 21,853). In NHANES, CKD was defined according to the 2021 KDIGO criteria as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g; in CHARLS, where urinary albumin was not measured, CKD was defined by the eGFR criterion alone, and this difference in case definition was taken into account when interpreting the results. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were used to examine the association between ePWV and CKD, with subgroup analyses stratified by demographic and clinical characteristics. Multiple machine learning models were developed in NHANES and externally validated in CHARLS; model discrimination was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and feature importance was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values. Results: Higher ePWV was consistently associated with higher odds of CKD in both cohorts (NHANES: odds ratio [OR] = 1.505 per 1 m/s, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.459–1.552; CHARLS: OR = 1.434 per 1 m/s, 95% CI = 1.368–1.503; both p < 0.0001), with dose–response relationships observed. Formal interaction tests confirmed significant effect modification by sex (both cohorts) and by BMI and diabetes (NHANES only). Point estimates were higher in men and in NHANES obese and diabetic subgroups, but interactions across smoking and alcohol strata were not statistically significant. Among the machine learning models evaluated, discrimination was moderate and comparable across algorithms (LightGBM: AUROC = 0.804 in internal validation and 0.793 in external validation), and DeLong tests showed no significant difference between LightGBM and XGBoost (p = 0.0655 and 0.0684, respectively). SHAP analysis identified ePWV as the highest-ranking feature, surpassing uric acid, lipid levels, and diabetes history. Using the Youden index, the optimal ePWV cutoff for identifying CKD was 10.15 m/s in NHANES (sensitivity 0.658, specificity 0.695) and 10.568 m/s in CHARLS (sensitivity 0.658, specificity 0.718). Conclusions: Elevated ePWV is significantly associated with eGFR-defined CKD across the US and Chinese populations studied. These findings support ePWV as a potentially useful marker for CKD risk stratification; however, given the cross-sectional design of both cohorts, its predictive value requires confirmation in prospective studies. It is important to emphasize that no non-invasive calculated metric can replace direct measurement of serum creatinine and urinalysis for identifying individuals at risk of CKD in routine clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Public Health and Preventive Medicine)

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21 pages, 952 KB

Open AccessArticle

Expert Authority and Commenter Responses in Weight-Management Communication on Weibo: A Corpus-Assisted Critical Discourse Analysis

by Xiangyu Wang, Marlina Jamal and Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(9), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15090647 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Weight management has become an important domain of digital health communication, yet how expert authority is constructed and negotiated in associated comment discourse on Chinese social media remains underexplored. Using Sina Weibo as a case study, this study employed a corpus-assisted critical discourse [...] Read more.

Weight management has become an important domain of digital health communication, yet how expert authority is constructed and negotiated in associated comment discourse on Chinese social media remains underexplored. Using Sina Weibo as a case study, this study employed a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of 856 expert-mediated weight-management posts and a cleaned analytic corpus of 4265 associated comments. The analysis combined TF–IDF keyword extraction, document-level co-occurrence analysis, topic modelling, automated polarity classification, and qualitative discourse coding to examine how authority was constructed in verified-account health communication and how sampled commenters responded. The findings show that authority was constructed through medicalised explanations, clinical lexicons, biometric parameters, and quantified norms that translated bodily variation into health risks and behavioural targets. Automated classification labelled 91.54% of the cleaned comments as positive, but manual validation of 100 stratified comments identified 31 neutral/mixed cases and substantially weaker performance for negative than for positive comments (macro-F1 = 0.603 on 69 unambiguous positive/negative cases). Model confidence is therefore treated as classification certainty rather than as emotional intensity, and positive labels are not interpreted as compliance or trust. Qualitative analysis assessed compliance, tactical negotiation, embodied resistance, criticism of expert knowledge, and continued biometric self-monitoring. Some commenters challenged particular advice through bodily experience while continuing to use quantified vocabularies of weight, duration, and measurement. We interpret this coexistence as recurring discursive reliance on expert-derived metrics, not as a directly measured psychological effect. The findings show how medicalised and quantified language can structure weight-management communication while remaining open to situated negotiation and embodied counter-evidence. Full article

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36 pages, 1085 KB

Open AccessReview

Postharvest Management of Fruits: Navigating the Affordability, Efficacy, and Non-Destructive Quality Evaluation of Thermal Versus Non-Thermal Interventions

by Kishenthi Kerisnan, Kivaandra Dayaa Rao Ramarao, Sze-Looi Song, Chandran Somasundram, Zuliana Razali, Sarmila Muthukrishan, Saiful Irwan Zubairi and Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui

Foods 2026, 15(18), 3349; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15183349 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Postharvest losses (PHLs) present a critical bottleneck to global food security, with fresh fruit losses reaching 23–40% due to rapid physiological deterioration, mechanical stress, and microbial decay. This review evaluates the metabolic cascades, including respiration kinetics, transpiration, and hormone-mediated factors, that govern fruit [...] Read more.

Postharvest losses (PHLs) present a critical bottleneck to global food security, with fresh fruit losses reaching 23–40% due to rapid physiological deterioration, mechanical stress, and microbial decay. This review evaluates the metabolic cascades, including respiration kinetics, transpiration, and hormone-mediated factors, that govern fruit degradation. We reviewed thermal and non-thermal treatments for affordability, including thermal interventions such as hot water treatment (HWT), microwave treatment, and radio frequency treatment, alongside emerging non-thermal preservation modalities such as edible coatings, cold plasma atmospheric treatments, and ultrasound processing. The review places particular emphasis on climacteric tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, banana, and citrus, for which postharvest losses and preservation challenges are especially acute due to their climacteric nature. To address the quality tracking highlighted by modern commercial chains, this review integrates an assessment of non-destructive quality evaluation technologies, focusing on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), and electronic noses (E-noses). Overall, this review seeks to deliver a unified blueprint, arguing that sustainable postharvest preservation can benefit from context-specific hurdle-technology concepts that align accessible postharvest treatments with monitoring networks. We synthesise current evidence on individual thermal, non-thermal, and sensing technologies and use this to motivate potential hurdle strategies and treatment–monitoring pairings for diverse fruit supply chains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Post-Harvest Technologies and Comprehensive Evaluation of Quality in Fresh and Processed Fruits and Vegetables)

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37 pages, 4642 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Subsystem-Level Validation and Simulation Framework for a 12-DoF Biped Robot with Deep Reinforcement Learning Locomotion

by Michael Felipe Cifuentes-Molano, Kevin David Ortega-Quiñones, Byron Hernandez, Germán Andrés Holguín-Londoño and Mauricio Holguín-Londoño

Future Internet 2026, 18(9), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi18090498 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Simulation-based reinforcement-learning locomotion depends on the physical fidelity of the underlying model. This work presents a subsystem-level modelling, validation, and control framework for a 12-DoF biped robot, combining Denavit–Hartenberg kinematics, Euler–Lagrange dynamics, a Discrete Euler–Lagrange reference integrator, Hunt–Crossley contact, and Soft Actor-Critic training [...] Read more.

Simulation-based reinforcement-learning locomotion depends on the physical fidelity of the underlying model. This work presents a subsystem-level modelling, validation, and control framework for a 12-DoF biped robot, combining Denavit–Hartenberg kinematics, Euler–Lagrange dynamics, a Discrete Euler–Lagrange reference integrator, Hunt–Crossley contact, and Soft Actor-Critic training in PyBullet. Validation is scoped. For the fixed-hip leg, numerical damped-least-squares inverse kinematics achieved a round-trip error of 0.017 ± 0.022 mm, while a gravity path-integral test produced a residual of 0.006 J. On a one-DoF reference problem, DEL bounded energy error under a coarse-step stress test, whereas at the 1 ms training step, RK4 was more accurate; no RL-scale DEL advantage was established. Contact realism remained inconclusive because the available prescribed-penetration analysis was not a dynamically consistent whole-body impact test. The same nominal parameters were used in PyBullet for locomotion training, without establishing numerical equivalence between the two simulators. Across three asymmetric-reward runs, forward walking dominated final evaluations, but sustained velocity ranged from 0.62 to 1.24 m/s under unequal training budgets. An exploratory hybrid architecture reached 2.38 m/s in one run without controlled ablation. These results demonstrate subsystem-level diagnostics while identifying full-body validation, contact calibration, equal-budget replication, and architectural ablation as necessary future work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Cyber–Physical Systems)

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19 pages, 4262 KB

Open AccessArticle

BCDC-YOLO: A Lightweight Detection Network for Anti-Corrosion Coating Surface Defects on Bridge Prestressed Corrugated Ducts

by En-He Wu, Jun Peng, Qing-Shuang Xu, Bing Tang, Zhong-Bo Chen and Hua-Lin Song

Coatings 2026, 16(9), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16091121 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

During the long-term service and construction of bridges, various types of surface defects frequently occur in the anti-corrosion coating on the surface of prestressed metallic corrugated ducts, severely threatening the overall durability of the bridge structure. To address the challenges of uneven optical [...] Read more.

During the long-term service and construction of bridges, various types of surface defects frequently occur in the anti-corrosion coating on the surface of prestressed metallic corrugated ducts, severely threatening the overall durability of the bridge structure. To address the challenges of uneven optical imaging, high difficulty in coating defect detection, and low manual interpretation efficiency caused by the periodic linear groove structure of the corrugated ducts, this paper proposes the BCDC-YOLO (Bridge Corrugated Duct Coating defect detection–YOLO) method, which is tailored for inspecting surface defects in corrugated duct coatings. First, the captured images of coating surface defects are augmented and processed to construct a standardized dataset suitable for training deep learning models. Second, aiming at the limitations of the original YOLO network in detecting tiny and low-contrast defects within complex corrugated groove backgrounds, four improvement strategies are introduced to optimize the network model from both microscopic and macroscopic dimensions: deformable convolution, the contrast-enhanced adaptive SiLU (CE-ASiLU) activation function, the efficient channel attention (ECA) module, and an improved dual-index Gaussian Wasserstein distance loss function. Finally, the optimized network model is utilized to train and predict the surface coating defect dataset, and the identification outcomes are thoroughly compared and discussed with existing mainstream detection methods. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of 95.42 across all coating damages, with an inference speed of 66.8 FPS, which far surpasses the industrial real-time detection threshold. Notably, for hidden and extremely elusive tiny pitting defects, the single-class average precision (AP) yields an improvement of 12.46 compared with the baseline network. Ablation experiments confirm the effectiveness of the four introduced optimization strategies. Compared with other mainstream detection frameworks, the proposed BCDC-YOLO achieves the optimal balance between detection precision and real-time computational efficiency, thereby providing solid methodological and technical support for the intelligent inspection of surface coating defects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corrosion Characteristics and Surface Protection of Coastal Infrastructure)

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23 pages, 885 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan-Based Active Films Enriched with Thyme Essential Oil for Extending the Shelf Life of Refrigerated Chicken Meat

by Miriam Sánchez-Ordóñez, Irene Orts, Sara Martillanes, María del Rosario Ramírez-Bernabé and Jonathan Delgado-Adámez

Foods 2026, 15(18), 3347; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15183347 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

The development of biodegradable active packaging systems incorporating natural antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds represents a promising strategy for improving the quality and shelf life of fresh meat. This study aimed to develop chitosan (CH)-based active films containing thyme essential oil (TEO) at 0%, [...] Read more.

The development of biodegradable active packaging systems incorporating natural antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds represents a promising strategy for improving the quality and shelf life of fresh meat. This study aimed to develop chitosan (CH)-based active films containing thyme essential oil (TEO) at 0%, 2.5%, and 3%, and to evaluate their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and effectiveness in preserving chicken breast fillets during refrigerated storage. The chemical composition of TEO was characterised by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, identifying 29 compounds, with p-cymene (30.56%) and thymol (24.59%) as the predominant constituents. Undiluted TEO showed strong antimicrobial activity against E. coli and L. innocua. The incorporation of 2.5% and 3% TEO into CH films increased the inhibition percentage and microbial susceptibility and also enhanced their antioxidant activity. The performance of the films was subsequently assessed using chicken breast fillets stored at 5 °C for 1, 3, and 5 days. All CH-based systems reduced microbial growth compared with uncoated controls, which exceeded 6–7 log CFU g⁻¹ for several microbial groups after 5 days. CH-based packaging also reduced protein oxidation and maintained low lipid oxidation. However, 3% TEO caused significant colour deterioration by day 5. These results demonstrate the potential of CH-based active films enriched with TEO as a natural and biodegradable packaging alternative to enhance the shelf life and safety of refrigerated chicken meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Packaging and Preservation Technologies for Improving Fresh Product Shelf Life: 2nd Edition)

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16 pages, 280 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Competence in Nutrition Care Among Hospital Nurses and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Sung-Yoon Jo, Kyung-Sook Bang and Eunjung Kim

Healthcare 2026, 14(18), 3124; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14183124 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Hospital malnutrition is a prevalent and clinically significant issue associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased complications, and mortality. Although nurses play a key role in monitoring nutritional status and delivering nutrition care, many lack confidence and do not perceive nutrition care as [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Hospital malnutrition is a prevalent and clinically significant issue associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased complications, and mortality. Although nurses play a key role in monitoring nutritional status and delivering nutrition care, many lack confidence and do not perceive nutrition care as part of their primary responsibilities. This study assessed nurses’ self-perceived nutrition care competence, identified associated factors, and examined their objectively scored nutrition knowledge alongside self-reported nutrition care competence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among unit nurses providing direct patient care at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing participant characteristics, nutrition education–related characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and self-perceived nutrition care competence. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Among 206 recruited nurses, data from 185 were analyzed. The mean self-perceived nutrition care competence score was 72.24 ± 12.48 (possible range: 24–120). Greater clinical experience, pediatric unit practice, previous nutrition-related education, and higher nutrition knowledge were independently associated with self-perceive nutrition care competence. The mean nutrition knowledge score was 13.81 ± 2.69 (69.1% correct). Notably, although nurses recognized the importance of nutrition care and expressed willingness to receive education, participation in nutrition-related training was limited. Conclusions: Self-perceived nutrition care competence was associated with both individual and practice environment factors. Despite the high perceived need for and willingness to participate in nutrition education, previous participation in nutrition-related education was limited. These findings support consideration of educational and organizational strategies to facilitate nutrition care in nursing practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Care)

20 pages, 1000 KB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Associated with Uninterpretable Spirometry During Asthma Screening in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: An Expanded Multicenter Study in French Guiana

by Gabriel Bafunyembaka, Joddy Mafema, Christian Kinsiona, Nadia Nathan and Narcisse Elenga

Children 2026, 13(9), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091281 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Spirometry is essential for objective asthma assessment in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), but technically uninterpretable examinations may reduce the effectiveness of systematic screening. This study aimed to determine their frequency and identify associated demographic, clinical, social, disease-related, and center-level factors [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Spirometry is essential for objective asthma assessment in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), but technically uninterpretable examinations may reduce the effectiveness of systematic screening. This study aimed to determine their frequency and identify associated demographic, clinical, social, disease-related, and center-level factors in French Guiana. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational study involving children and adolescents with confirmed SCD who underwent systematic asthma screening at Cayenne, Kourou, and Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni hospitals between January 2025 and May 2026. Spirometry technical quality was assessed according to the 2019 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society technical standards and classified as interpretable or technically uninterpretable according to the acceptability, usability, and repeatability of the recorded maneuvers. Across the three sites, spirometry was performed on the recorded MicroLab platform using GLI-2012 reference equations. Salbutamol was delivered by pressurized metered-dose inhaler with a valved holding chamber when bronchodilator testing was technically feasible; the exact device submodel/manufacturer metadata, center-specific software versions, and administered salbutamol dose were not retained in the exported analytical dataset. Participant characteristics were compared between groups, and associated factors were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: After removal of duplicate records, 143 unique children were included. Spirometry was technically uninterpretable in 34 participants (23.8%). Children with uninterpretable examinations were significantly younger than those with interpretable spirometry (8.9 ± 3.0 vs. 10.5 ± 4.0 years; p = 0.015). In univariable analysis, each additional year of age was associated with a 12% reduction in the odds of uninterpretable spirometry (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.99; p = 0.036). After adjustment for sex, recruitment center, and health-insurance status, the inverse association persisted in direction and magnitude but did not reach conventional statistical significance (adjusted OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79–1.01; p = 0.075). Given the limited number of outcome events, this attenuation may reflect reduced statistical power. No other investigated factor was independently associated with non-interpretability. Conclusions: Nearly one-quarter of children had technically uninterpretable spirometry. Younger children may benefit from enhanced preparation, age-adapted coaching, experienced operators, and planned repeat testing to improve asthma-screening yield and reduce missed respiratory disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine)

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27 pages, 4477 KB

Open AccessArticle

In-Store Cosmetic Testers Harbour Resistant Bacteria: A Pilot Survey of Microbial Contamination and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Portuguese Pharmacies

by Sónia Ribeiro, Jéssica Duarte Silva, Patrícia Pacheco and Célia Fortuna Rodrigues

Microorganisms 2026, 14(9), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14092120 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Cosmetic testers in community pharmacies may act as a source of microbial transmission, but their microbiological safety remains poorly characterised. This study assessed microbial contamination of 42 cosmetic testers (eight product categories) from community pharmacies in northern Portugal using culture-based methods, identification and [...] Read more.

Cosmetic testers in community pharmacies may act as a source of microbial transmission, but their microbiological safety remains poorly characterised. This study assessed microbial contamination of 42 cosmetic testers (eight product categories) from community pharmacies in northern Portugal using culture-based methods, identification and Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion. We characterised the antimicrobial susceptibility of the recovered isolates. Microbial growth was detected in 25/42 testers (59.5%), with polymicrobial contamination in 16.7% of samples. Out of the 25 positive growth products, 33 characterised bacterial isolates were yielded. Staphylococcus sp. predominated (22/33; 66.7%), followed by Pseudomonas sp. (4/33; 12.1%), Streptococcus sp. (3/33; 9.1%), Acinetobacter sp. (2/33; 6.1%) and Bacillus sp. (2/33; 6.1%). Among categories represented by more than one tester, anti-ageing products showed the highest proportion of microbial growth (7/8; 87.5%), followed by sunscreens (10/16; 62.5%). Overall, 12/33 bacterial isolates (36.4%) met the study-defined operational multidrug-resistance criterion, all of which were Staphylococcus sp. (12/22; 54.5%). These findings demonstrate that viable bacteria exhibiting phenotypic antimicrobial resistance can be recovered from in-use cosmetic testers in community pharmacies and support further investigation of their microbiological and antimicrobial-resistance characteristics. This reinforces that pharmacy cosmetic testers may harbour a diverse, and often multidrug-resistant, microbial population of clinical relevance, supporting the need for strengthened tester hygiene and control practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance)

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26 pages, 22213 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Monthly Population-Exposure-Based Flash-Flood Risk Mapping Using an Explainable XGBoost Framework

by Jingyi Jia, Qing Li, Naizheng Shen, Haoran Yang, Zhiwei Shi, Jinqi Wang, Haonan Deng, Yingbo Dong, Xiaoxuan Xia and Meihong Ma

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(18), 3253; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18183253 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Flash floods are sudden and highly destructive, posing serious threats to human life. Conventional annual-scale or static susceptibility assessments cannot adequately capture intra-annual dynamics, while susceptibility alone does not directly represent potential population risk. This study integrated a 1990–2016 flash-flood inventory, monthly precipitation, [...] Read more.

Flash floods are sudden and highly destructive, posing serious threats to human life. Conventional annual-scale or static susceptibility assessments cannot adequately capture intra-annual dynamics, while susceptibility alone does not directly represent potential population risk. This study integrated a 1990–2016 flash-flood inventory, monthly precipitation, multisource topographic and environmental factors, and population exposure to develop an XGBoost- and SHAP-based monthly flash-flood susceptibility (FFS) model for Hunan Province, China. As a retrospective application, population exposure was then incorporated to map population-exposure-based flash-flood risk (FFR) from January to December 2024. Independent temporal testing for 2013–2016 showed good model performance (AUC = 0.82). SHAP identified monthly maximum 1-day precipitation (M1P) as the most important factor (23.0%), followed by elevation (21.1%) and the topographic wetness index (14.7%). FFR increased markedly in June–July, peaking in July, when high- and very-high-risk areas covered 26.86% of the province, and declined sharply in August, remaining relatively stable thereafter. High-risk areas were mainly concentrated in eastern, southeastern, and parts of central Hunan. Jaccard similarity between high-to-very-high FFS and FFR ranged from 0.478 to 0.687, indicating that population exposure reshaped the spatial priority of susceptibility hotspots. The framework provides insights into seasonal variations in population-exposure-based flash-flood risk and supports improved understanding of spatial risk patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Remote Sensing for Geohazard Detection, Monitoring, and Prediction)

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17 pages, 10173 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lifetime Prediction of Talc-Reinforced Virgin/Recycled Hybrid Polypropylene Composites Using the Arrhenius Model

by Se-Jun Oh, Kyu-Hwan Kwon, Hui-Tae Yang and Namil Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188425 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

The thermal durability of virgin/recycled polypropylene (PP) hybrid composites containing post-consumer recycled PP (PC-rPP) and end-of-life vehicle recycled PP (ELV-rPP) at various blending ratios was evaluated, with emphasis on the effect of a long-term thermal stabilizer (LTTS). The formulations were designed with a [...] Read more.

The thermal durability of virgin/recycled polypropylene (PP) hybrid composites containing post-consumer recycled PP (PC-rPP) and end-of-life vehicle recycled PP (ELV-rPP) at various blending ratios was evaluated, with emphasis on the effect of a long-term thermal stabilizer (LTTS). The formulations were designed with a fixed talc content of 20 wt%, and the recycled series contained 50 wt% recycled feedstock. Accelerated thermal aging was conducted at 135, 145, and 155 °C to determine the time required to reach a 50% retention of the initial tensile strength. A common-slope Arrhenius model yielded an apparent activation energy (

E_{a, i n t}

) of 139.86 kJ/mol (95% Confidence Interval: 123.74–155.98 kJ/mol). Using the model-derived time to 50% retention (

t_{R 50}

) at 135 °C as a reference, direct extrapolation to 100 °C yielded

t_{R 50,100}

values ranging from 5.11 to 14.04 years. At equivalent blending ratios, the rPP composites incorporating LTTS exhibited significantly extended lifetimes compared to their unstabilized counterparts. Specifically, the

t_{R 50,100}

values for rPP composites with high ELV-rPP content (above 20 wt%) were comparable to that of the virgin PP (vPP) composite. To supplement the evaluation with absolute strength criteria, an 18 MPa tensile strength threshold was introduced. The resulting

t_{18,100}

values spanned 2.59–9.14 years, with all recycled formulations remaining below the performance of vPP under this criterion. These values serve as conditional comparative indices because an activation energy transfer to the 18 MPa endpoint is assumed, and direct validation at 100 °C is absent. The validity of the common-slope approximation is further limited by temperature-dependent residuals and an upper-tail departure in the normal Quantile-Quantile plot. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Composite Materials: Molecular Design and Applications)

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24 pages, 2663 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanism of Rescue of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase Function in Neurological Disease Revealed by New Super-Efficient Second-Site Mutations

by Rikke Holm, Mads S. Toustrup-Jensen, Hang N. Nielsen, Jens Peter Andersen and Bente Vilsen

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8424; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188424 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Serious neurological disorders are caused by mutation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α1–α3 isoforms. Several disease mutations reduce the affinity for Na⁺, which in vivo results in an increase in the intracellular Na⁺ concentration with a secondary rise in [...] Read more.

Serious neurological disorders are caused by mutation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α1–α3 isoforms. Several disease mutations reduce the affinity for Na⁺, which in vivo results in an increase in the intracellular Na⁺ concentration with a secondary rise in intracellular Ca²⁺. Current treatments are ineffective, as they do not address Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase function. Hence, a platform for the development of a rational therapeutic approach that restores Na⁺ affinity is needed. Using the COS-1 cell expression system, one of the most conspicuous reductions in Na⁺ affinity of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase has been reported for the neurological disease mutation α3-D923N of the α3 isoform. We describe here second-site mutations (“rescue mutations”) that fully restore Na⁺ affinity of α3-D923N and the corresponding rat α1-D928N and reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. Paradoxically, this insight evolved from investigation of a rapid-onset ataxia Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase mutant, α3-G316S, that exhibits an increased affinity for Na⁺. When applied as second-site mutations, α3-G316S and the corresponding rat α1-G321S are super-efficient rescuers of the reduced Na⁺ affinity of α3-D923N and rat α1-D928N. Replacement of the glycine with serine leads to a clash between transmembrane helices in the K⁺-bound E₂ state of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase but not in the Na⁺-bound E₁ state. A similarly strong rescuing power is observed for second-site mutations breaking a salt bridge present only in the E₂ state. The rescue is due to a structural change resembling the rearrangement of the ion binding sites occurring during the normal Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase transport cycle as part of the E₂-to-E₁ conformational transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Na, K-ATPase in Health and Disease: 2nd Edition)

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31 pages, 13431 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Calibration of a Segmented Variable-Diameter Flexible Discrete Element Model of Green Foxtail Stems for Orchard Mowing Simulations

by Hao Guo, Shuo Xu, Jianping Li, Xin Yang and Longzhe Jia

Agronomy 2026, 16(18), 1865; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16181865 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) is a common orchard weed, but discrete element simulations of mowing operations lack geometric, contact, and flexible-connection parameters for its stems. This study measured the geometry and physical and contact properties of post-mowing regrowth stems and developed [...] Read more.

Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) is a common orchard weed, but discrete element simulations of mowing operations lack geometric, contact, and flexible-connection parameters for its stems. This study measured the geometry and physical and contact properties of post-mowing regrowth stems and developed a segmented, variable-diameter bonded sphero-cylinder model based on five internodes. Contact parameters were calibrated against the measured 20.97° angle of repose of 15-mm stem segments using Plackett–Burman, steepest-ascent, and Box–Behnken designs. Bonding V2 parameters were screened with a single-stem lateral push-over test. From IN1 to IN5, mean internode lengths were 183.9, 124.2, 82.7, 55.7, and 36.5 mm, and mean diameters were 0.8, 1.0, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 mm. The optimized equivalent Poisson’s ratio and stem–stem static and rolling friction coefficients were 0.338, 0.339, and 0.010, respectively. The simulated angle of repose was 21.20°, with a relative error of 1.10%. With normal and tangential stiffnesses per unit area of 5.0 × 10¹¹ and 2.5 × 10¹¹ N m⁻³ and a Bonded Disk Scale of 1.1, errors in horizontal tip displacement and tip angle were 1.31% and 2.88%. The model reproduced short-stem accumulation and macroscopic bending under the specified conditions and supports DEM studies of orchard mowing component–stem interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)

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35 pages, 49487 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Color Attribute–Organization–Perception (CAOP) Framework for Assessing Urban Building Color Perception Based on Street-View Images: A Case Study of Shenyang, China

by Qiqi He, Ruiying Zhang and Xinrui Liu

Buildings 2026, 16(18), 3759; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16183759 (registering DOI) - 21 Sep 2026

Abstract

Urban building color is a key environmental factor shaping visual identity and public spatial experience. However, the relationships among basic color attributes, objective color organization, and public perception remain poorly integrated, and the applicability of cross-regional perception models to local settings requires clearer [...] Read more.

Urban building color is a key environmental factor shaping visual identity and public spatial experience. However, the relationships among basic color attributes, objective color organization, and public perception remain poorly integrated, and the applicability of cross-regional perception models to local settings requires clearer boundaries. We propose a Color Attribute–Organization–Perception (CAOP) framework that evaluates building color through three progressive layers: basic attributes, objective organization, and public perception. Using Shenyang, China, as a case study, we collected 56,520 street-view images and applied a SegFormer model with ADE20K-trained weights to extract building façades. Evaluation against locally annotated samples yielded a building-class IoU of 0.75, an F1-score of 0.82, and an overall mIoU of 0.71. After quality control, 38,274 valid samples entered statistical analysis and K-means clustering. For cluster-number selection, the elbow method indicated approximately K = 4, while the silhouette coefficient and Calinski–Harabasz index supported K = 2. The Davies–Bouldin index favored larger K values, and equal-weight rank aggregation produced a tie between K = 2 and K = 5. Considering model parsimony and repeated-subsample stability (ARI = 0.944 ± 0.026), we used K = 2 as a coarse-grained typology. Building color in Shenyang showed pronounced spatial heterogeneity and road dependence. The central urban area generally had higher color complexity, effective number of colors, and contrast. Peripheral areas were more stable, although local hotspots remained near transport corridors and functional nodes. Lightness dispersion was strongly associated with color contrast, while dominant color share was positively associated with hierarchy clarity and negatively associated with complexity and effective number of colors. Clustering identified two patterns, “dominant-color control–clear hierarchy” and “multicolor composition–continuous richness”, accounting for 24.8% and 75.2% of the samples, respectively. The absolute Cliff’s δ values for all six perception indicators were below 0.08, and the difference in perceived liveliness was not significant (q = 0.396). These indicators were inferred from images by a Place Pulse 2.0-derived model and were used only for within-sample comparisons. They do not represent direct evaluations by Shenyang residents. The study establishes a continuous analytical pathway from machine-recognized basic color information and objective color organization to model-inferred perception. It supports quantitative diagnosis of urban building color and preliminary screening of candidate street segments, while specific renewal strategies require field investigation and local public evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Urban Analytics and Sensing for Sustainable Cities)

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