MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

24 pages, 2660 KB

Open AccessArticle

SpaA: A Spatial-Aware Network for 3D Object Detection from LiDAR Point Clouds

by Jianfeng Song, Chu Zhang, Cheng Zhang, Li Song, Ruobin Wang and Kun Xie

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(8), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18081104 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Grid-based 3D object detection methods effectively leverage mature point cloud processing techniques and convolutional neural networks for feature extraction and object localization. However, unlike the 2D object detection domain, the unique characteristics of point cloud data being unevenly and sparsely distributed in space [...] Read more.

Grid-based 3D object detection methods effectively leverage mature point cloud processing techniques and convolutional neural networks for feature extraction and object localization. However, unlike the 2D object detection domain, the unique characteristics of point cloud data being unevenly and sparsely distributed in space necessitate that detection networks possess a certain level of spatial structural perception. Learning spatial information such as point cloud density and distribution patterns can significantly benefit 3D detection networks. This paper proposes a Spatial-aware Network for 3D object detection (SpaA). Based on the 3D sparse convolution network, we designed a Variable Sparse Convolution network (VS-Conv) capable of perceiving the importance of locations. To address the issue of set abstraction operations completely ignoring spatial structure during local feature aggregation, we proposed a Spatial-aware Density-based Local Aggregation (SDLA) method. Experiments demonstrate that enhancing the spatial-awareness capability of detection networks is crucial for complex 3D object detection. Detection results on the KITTI dataset validate the effectiveness of our method. The test set results of SpaA achieved 3D AP values of 82.20%, 44.04%, and 70.34% for the Car, Pedestrian, and Cyclist categories, respectively, and a competitive 3D mAP of 67.23%, outperforming several published methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Image Analysis: Advancing Remote Sensing with Artificial Intelligence)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 6506 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid VMD–Informer Framework for Forecasting Volatile Pork Prices

by Xudong Lin, Guobao Liu, Zhiguo Du, Bin Wen, Zhihui Wu, Xianzhi Tu and Yongjie Zhang

Agriculture 2026, 16(8), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16080827 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Accurate forecasting of pork prices is important yet challenging because pork price series are highly volatile and non-stationary. Existing hybrid forecasting models often rely on fixed-weight integration, which may limit their ability to adapt to multi-scale temporal variation and complex temporal dependencies. To [...] Read more.

Accurate forecasting of pork prices is important yet challenging because pork price series are highly volatile and non-stationary. Existing hybrid forecasting models often rely on fixed-weight integration, which may limit their ability to adapt to multi-scale temporal variation and complex temporal dependencies. To address these issues, this study proposes VMD–EMSA–HCTM–Informer, a hybrid forecasting framework that combines signal decomposition with an enhanced encoder–decoder architecture. Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) is first used to reduce signal non-stationarity by extracting intrinsic mode functions. Within the Informer backbone, an Enhanced Multi-Scale Attention (EMSA) encoder is introduced to capture local fluctuations at different temporal scales, while a Hybrid Convolutional–Temporal Module (HCTM) decoder is used to strengthen temporal feature extraction and channel interaction modeling. Empirical evaluation was conducted on daily pork price data from the China Pig Industry Network and a large-scale intensive breeding enterprise in southern China over the period 2013–2025. Under the current experimental setting, the proposed framework achieved the lowest average errors among the compared baselines across five independent runs, with an average MAE of 0.4875 and an average MAPE of 3.0540%. These results suggest that the proposed framework provides a useful and relatively stable univariate forecasting approach for volatile pork prices. However, the findings should be interpreted within the scope of the present dataset and experimental design, and future work will extend the framework to multivariate forecasting with exogenous drivers and uncertainty quantification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Economics, Policies and Rural Management)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 11172 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Overburden Lithology on Roof-Caving Behavior and Stress Concentration Shell Evolution in Longwall Mining

by Lili Xie, Zhibiao Guo, Jinglin You, Yuanxin Zhao and Junao Zhu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3621; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083621 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study integrates physical similarity experiments with numerical simulations to examine how overburden lithology influences roof caving behavior and stress field evolution at a longwall mining face. The results demonstrate that overburden strength significantly governs the timing, extent, and periodicity of roof caving, [...] Read more.

This study integrates physical similarity experiments with numerical simulations to examine how overburden lithology influences roof caving behavior and stress field evolution at a longwall mining face. The results demonstrate that overburden strength significantly governs the timing, extent, and periodicity of roof caving, while also strongly affecting the evolution of mining-induced stress. As lithological strength increases, both damage and displacement within the overburden strata decrease. High-strength roofs exhibit larger caving step distances and longer stress accumulation periods. In contrast, low-strength roofs enter the plastic deformation stage earlier, leading to shorter caving step distances, more frequent caving events, and a wider caving range. During coal seam extraction, roof deformation is accompanied by stress concentration and release, which are processes that are closely associated with dynamic disasters. Due to their higher elastic modulus and compressive strength, high-strength rock strata can accumulate greater elastic strain energy prior to failure. Once instability occurs, the rapid release of stored energy leads to intense stress redistribution and dynamic loading. As lithological strength increases, the stress concentration shell evolves from an arch-shaped structure to a flatter configuration. This transition results in higher internal stress levels and stronger stress concentration, thereby increasing the risk of dynamic disasters such as impact instability. Therefore, maintaining the stability of the stress concentration shell and preventing its migration into deeper strata are essential for ensuring surrounding rock stability and safe mining operations. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2131 KB

Open AccessArticle

Academic Perceptions of Sea Turtle Conservation in Sinaloa, Mexico: Evidence from an Exploratory Factor Analysis

by Manuel Alejandro Avendaño Leon, Héctor José Peinado Guevara, Jorge Saul Ramirez Perez, Víctor Manuel Peinado Guevara, Luz Isela Peinado Guevara, Ingmar Sosa Cornejo, Jesús Alberto Peinado Guevara, Jaime Herrera Barrientos, Andrea Alejandra Padilla Lafarga and Alejandro Urias Camacho

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3666; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083666 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Marine turtles are key species for the stability of coastal and oceanic ecosystems; however, their conservation faces increasing pressures derived from climate change and anthropogenic activities. This study analyzes the perception of the academic and scientific community in biology, environmental sciences, and marine [...] Read more.

Marine turtles are key species for the stability of coastal and oceanic ecosystems; however, their conservation faces increasing pressures derived from climate change and anthropogenic activities. This study analyzes the perception of the academic and scientific community in biology, environmental sciences, and marine sciences regarding marine turtle conservation along the coast of Sinaloa, Mexico. A quantitative cross-sectional survey-based study with an exploratory approach was employed, using a Likert-scale questionnaire administered to 358 participants. The instrument demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α = 0.836; ω = 0.827). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal component extraction identified four components explaining 55.51% of the total variance, corresponding to four dimensions: (1) commitment to conservation, (2) environmental and climatic impacts on reproductive processes, (3) key factors and threats in the reproductive cycle, and (4) conservation practices and knowledge. Results suggest a general tendency toward agreement on the ecological importance of marine turtles and the threats affecting their reproductive success, particularly climate-related and habitat degradation factors. However, greater variability was observed in perceptions related to applied practices and technical knowledge, indicating differences in perceptions related to the implementation of conservation strategies. These findings suggest the potential relevance of strengthening applied training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge transfer mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of conservation initiatives in priority nesting areas of Sinaloa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6105 KB

Open AccessArticle

FATP4 Switches Cellular Lipid Utilization via the PI3K-AKT Pathway in Goat Preadipocytes

by Haiyang Li, Qi Li, Wenyang Zhang, Yuling Yang, Yong Wang, Yaqiu Lin, Zhanyu Du, Changhui Zhang, Lian Huang, Jiangjiang Zhu and Hua Xiang

Animals 2026, 16(8), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081129 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

The role of fatty acid transporter 4 (FATP4) in regulating lipid metabolism has been well studied. However, how it affects IMF deposition, especially in goats, remains poorly understood. Here, we cloned the whole coding sequence of the goat FATP4 gene and [...] Read more.

The role of fatty acid transporter 4 (FATP4) in regulating lipid metabolism has been well studied. However, how it affects IMF deposition, especially in goats, remains poorly understood. Here, we cloned the whole coding sequence of the goat FATP4 gene and revealed its closest affinity to sheep by amino acid sequence blast analysis. In addition, we found that the FATP4 reached its highest expression level at day 6 of goat preadipocyte differentiation in vitro. Functionally, in cultured goat intramuscular preadipocytes, siRNA-induced FATP4 knockdown dramatically raised the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes and encouraged lipid deposition. At the same time, FATP4 deficiency inhibited cell proliferation and significantly decreased apoptosis. Unexpectedly, although the overexpression of FATP4 promoted cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis, it only slightly decreased cellular lipid deposition in goat intramuscular preadipocytes. For RNA-seq (performed on pooled cell samples with three technical replicates), a total of 467 differential genes (DEGs) were identified after silencing of FATP4 in goat preadipocytes, including 47 upregulated genes and 420 downregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the signaling pathways of Focal adhesion, HIF-1, and PI3K-Akt by KEGG analysis. To validate these findings, knockdown of FATP4 increased the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k) and vice versa. Convincingly, we rescued the phenotype observed in FATP4 knockout goat preadipocytes by blocking the PI3k-Akt signaling pathway with an AKT inhibitor (LY294002). In summary, in our in vitro model, FATP4 plays a crucial role in directing fatty acids toward cell proliferation (prioritized over cellular lipid deposition) via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in goat intramuscular preadipocytes. These findings provide preliminary mechanistic insights into the regulatory network of IMF formation at the cellular level, and offer theoretical clues for future research aimed at enhancing meat quality from the standpoint of IMF deposition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Small Ruminants)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 447 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Obesity, Overweight, and the Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Among University Students: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study in Greece

by Olga Alexatou, Konstantinos Papadimitriou, Exakousti-Petroula Angelakou, Sousana K. Papadopoulou, Myrsini Pappa, Apostolia Ntovoli, Aspasia Serdari, Konstantina Apostolidou, Theophanis Vorvolakos and Constantinos Giaginis

Diseases 2026, 14(4), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14040136 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Rates of obesity have been consistently increasing in recent years across all age groups, with a notable rise among young people. Obesity represents a persistent inflammatory condition and a key contributor to various chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disorders, [...] Read more.

Background and Objectives: Rates of obesity have been consistently increasing in recent years across all age groups, with a notable rise among young people. Obesity represents a persistent inflammatory condition and a key contributor to various chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disorders, metabolic abnormalities, cancer, and psychological conditions. The move from high school to university is a transitional phase accompanied by specific pressures that can affect both body weight control and mental health in students. This cross-sectional investigation aimed to investigate potential associations between excess weight and the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in university populations. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 5298 students enrolled at universities across ten geographic areas of Greece. Participants filled out questionnaires concerning demographic information and lifestyle behaviors. Levels of depression and anxiety were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the short form of the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6), respectively. Measurements of height and body weight were obtained to compute Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: The presence of overweight or obesity among students was significantly and independently related to female sex, urban residence, living independently, tobacco use, and lower academic performance (p = 0.0103, p = 0.0102, p = 0.0203, p = 0.0075, and p = 0.0168, respectively). Individuals reporting insufficient physical activity had 85% higher odds of being overweight or obese (p = 0.0068). Similarly, participants experiencing depressive or anxious symptomatology had more than double odds of excess body weight compared with those without such symptoms (p = 0.0015 and p = 0.0012, respectively). Furthermore, poor Mediterranean diet adherence was linked to more than a twofold increase in the odds of overweight or obesity (p = 0.0005). Conclusions: These findings offer considerable evidence that symptoms of depression and anxiety may serve as significant contributors to the development of overweight and obesity among university students. Additional longitudinal studies are strongly encouraged to substantiate these observations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neuro-psychiatric Disorders)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1612 KB

Open AccessArticle

DARNet: Dual-Head Attention Residual Network for Multi-Step Short-Term Load Forecasting

by Jianyu Ren, Yun Zhao, Yiming Zhang, Haolin Wang, Hao Yang, Yuxin Lu and Ziwen Cai

Electronics 2026, 15(8), 1548; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15081548 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Short-term load forecasting plays a pivotal role in modern power system operations yet it remains challenging due to the complex spatiotemporal dependencies in load data. This paper proposes a dual-head attention residual network (DARNet) that significantly advances STLF through three key innovations: (1) [...] Read more.

Short-term load forecasting plays a pivotal role in modern power system operations yet it remains challenging due to the complex spatiotemporal dependencies in load data. This paper proposes a dual-head attention residual network (DARNet) that significantly advances STLF through three key innovations: (1) a hybrid encoder combining 1D-CNN and GRU architectures to simultaneously capture the local load patterns and long-term temporal dependencies, achieving a 28% better locality awareness than that of conventional approaches; (2) a novel dual-head attention mechanism that dynamically models both the inter-temporal relationships and cross-variable dependencies, reducing the feature engineering requirements; and (3) an autocorrelation-adjusted recursive forecasting framework that cuts the multi-step prediction error accumulation by 33% compared to that with standard seq2seq models. Extensive experiments on real-world datasets from three Chinese cities demonstrate DARNet’s superior performance, outperforming six state-of-the-art benchmarks by 21–35% across all of the evaluation metrics (MAPE, SMAPE, MAE, and RRSE) while maintaining robust generalization across different geographical regions and prediction horizons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2276 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Reactant Addition Sequence on Maleic Anhydride Grafting onto Polylactic Acid During Peroxide-Initiated Melt Processing

by Seán Mulkerins, Guangming Yan, Noel Gately, Declan M. Devine, Keran Zhou, Caolan Jameson, Ciara Buckley, Amin Abbasi, Soheil Farshbaf Taghinezhad and Declan Mary Colbert

Materials 2026, 19(8), 1488; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081488 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Maleic anhydride (MAH) grafting is widely employed to compatibilise polylactic acid (PLA) in fibre-reinforced composites; however, the influence of reactant addition sequence during melt processing varies widely across the literature, with no clear consensus on an optimal approach. In this study, the effect [...] Read more.

Maleic anhydride (MAH) grafting is widely employed to compatibilise polylactic acid (PLA) in fibre-reinforced composites; however, the influence of reactant addition sequence during melt processing varies widely across the literature, with no clear consensus on an optimal approach. In this study, the effect of reactant addition sequence on the graft yield of MAH onto PLA was investigated using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an initiator. Four loading protocols were examined in which the order of addition of PLA, DCP, and MAH was varied using approaches commonly reported in the literature, while all other processing conditions were held constant. A strong dependence of grafting yield on addition sequence was observed, with values ranging from 0.12% to 0.51%, corresponding to more than a four-fold variation under otherwise identical processing conditions. Simultaneous addition of PLA, DCP, and MAH produced the highest grafting yield, attributed to a more effective utilisation of peroxide-derived radicals. These results demonstrate that the reactant addition sequence is a critical processing variable governing MAH grafting efficiency and that simultaneous addition represents the most effective processing strategy under the conditions examined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Synthesis and Properties of Novel Polymer Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 3713 KB

Open AccessArticle

Incorporation of Lignin Binder from Agricultural Waste to Enhance Sustainability and Performance of Asphalt Pavements

by Joan G. Lynam, Nazimuddin Wasiuddin, Mostafa A. Elseifi, Syed Ashik Ali, Musharraf Zaman, Md Reazul Islam, Nafisa Tarannum and Kenneth Hobson

Biomass 2026, 6(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass6020028 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Utilizing lignin from agricultural wastes as a partial replacement for asphalt binder used in pavement presents a sustainable option, as it is abundant in nature. The effects of the addition of lignin on the properties and performance of asphalt binder and asphalt mixes [...] Read more.

Utilizing lignin from agricultural wastes as a partial replacement for asphalt binder used in pavement presents a sustainable option, as it is abundant in nature. The effects of the addition of lignin on the properties and performance of asphalt binder and asphalt mixes were studied. Lignin was produced from rice husks, using a hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) treatment process. The rice husk-derived lignin was then mixed with a PG 67-22 binder at 0%, 5% and 10% of the mass of the total binder. The HTC treatment of rice husks at 250 °C created a powdery substance with an increased acid-insoluble lignin content and a reduced cellulose and hemicellulose content. The addition of 10% lignin was found to produce an unstable modified binder due to phase separation between the lignin and binder, thus requiring continuous stirring before use. Asphalt mixes prepared with 5% lignin exhibited better moisture-induced damage resistance compared to the control mix. Also, an improved rutting resistance of asphalt mixes was observed with the use of a lignin-modified binder. Lignin from rice husks may constitute a sustainable partial substitute for a crude-oil-based binder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass and Waste to Fuels, Chemicals and Materials)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

27 pages, 2963 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evolutionary Game Analysis of Industrial Robot-Driven Air Pollution Synergistic Governance Incorporating Public Environmental Satisfaction

by Hao Qin, Xiao Zhong, Rui Ma and Dancheng Luo

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3664; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083664 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Against the dual backdrop of worsening air pollution and industrial intelligent transformation, industrial robot technology has become an important means to promote air pollution synergistic governance. This study innovatively incorporates public environmental satisfaction and industrial robot application as dynamic mechanism variables, constructing an [...] Read more.

Against the dual backdrop of worsening air pollution and industrial intelligent transformation, industrial robot technology has become an important means to promote air pollution synergistic governance. This study innovatively incorporates public environmental satisfaction and industrial robot application as dynamic mechanism variables, constructing an evolutionary game model involving the government, industrial enterprises, and the public. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the study reveals the influence mechanism of key cost–benefit parameters on stakeholders’ strategic interaction and the system’s evolution path. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The government’s environmental supervision directly affects enterprises’ green transformation willingness, and enterprises’ behavior reversely impacts public satisfaction and supervision effectiveness, forming a “supervision–response–feedback” closed-loop. (2) The cost and benefit parameters related to industrial robots are crucial for the evolution of the game system, and there is significant heterogeneity in their impact on the strategic choices of the three parties. The robot adaptation transformation of enterprise industrial depends on the comprehensive consideration of the transformation cost and the green benefits. Public supervision is regulated by both the supervision cost and the incentive benefit. The government regulation takes into account both the regulatory cost and the loss of social reputation. Various parameters dynamically regulate the system’s equilibrium by altering the party’s cost–benefit structure. (3) The application of industrial robots and the feedback of public environmental satisfaction form a coupling effect, jointly determining the long-term evolution direction of the game system. When the cost benefit and supervision incentives are well-matched, enterprises will actively promote the green transformation of industrial robots in order to achieve intelligent pollution control. The effectiveness of public supervision has also been fully realized. The dynamic adaptation of the two components can lead the system towards an efficient and stable equilibrium in air pollution governance. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1645 KB

Open AccessShort Note

1-Phenyl-4-p-tolyl-[1,2,3]triazole

by Eder Y. Nolasco-Terrón, David Gómez-Colín, Nelly González-Rivas, Diego Martínez-Otero and Erick Cuevas-Yañez

Molbank 2026, 2026(2), M2160; https://doi.org/10.3390/M2160 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

1-Phenyl-4-p-tolyl-[1,2,3]triazole was obtained via a CuAAC reaction involving phenyl azide and 1-ethynyl-4-methylbenzene. The NMR spectra of the compound are discussed, and its crystal structure was studied by X-ray analysis. According to the latter analysis and a Hirshfeld surface analysis, the predominant intermolecular C-H⋅⋅⋅N [...] Read more.

1-Phenyl-4-p-tolyl-[1,2,3]triazole was obtained via a CuAAC reaction involving phenyl azide and 1-ethynyl-4-methylbenzene. The NMR spectra of the compound are discussed, and its crystal structure was studied by X-ray analysis. According to the latter analysis and a Hirshfeld surface analysis, the predominant intermolecular C-H⋅⋅⋅N and C-H⋅⋅⋅π interactions in this molecule are responsible for crystal packing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Structure Determination)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 489 KB

Open AccessReview

Local Antibiotic-Loadable Carriers for the Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis: A Narrative Review

by Andrea Sambri, Alessandro Bruschi, Cristina Scollo and Massimiliano De Paolis

Bioengineering 2026, 13(4), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13040436 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Local antibiotic delivery has gained a central role as an adjunct to radical debridement in chronic osteomyelitis, allowing high antimicrobial concentrations at the infection site while reducing systemic toxicity. This narrative review summarizes the current clinical evidence on commercially available antibiotic-loadable bone substitutes, [...] Read more.

Local antibiotic delivery has gained a central role as an adjunct to radical debridement in chronic osteomyelitis, allowing high antimicrobial concentrations at the infection site while reducing systemic toxicity. This narrative review summarizes the current clinical evidence on commercially available antibiotic-loadable bone substitutes, with particular focus on calcium sulfate (CaSO₄)-based systems and biphasic calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite (CaS/HA) composites. Nineteen studies were included. Differences in formulation, resorption kinetics, antibiotic elution profile and osteoconductive behavior are discussed, alongside clinical outcomes including recurrence of infection, reoperation rates and complication patterns. Finally, based on the currently available evidence and expert recommendations, practical guidance is proposed to support carrier selection in different clinical scenarios (cavitary vs. corticomedullary defects; high-risk soft tissue; polymicrobial or resistant infections). Across published series, although heterogeneous, infection eradication rates are generally high when local carriers are integrated into structured surgical protocols. Calcium sulfate carriers provide rapid resorption and robust early antibiotic release but are associated with higher rates of sterile wound drainage. In contrast, CaS/HA biocomposites demonstrate more gradual remodeling and radiographic integration, potentially improving defect consolidation and reducing wound-related morbidity, although leakage and cost considerations remain relevant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 564 KB

Open AccessArticle

Flavonoid Composition and Molecular Basis of the Potential Sexual-Enhancing Properties of a Turnera diffusa Extract (Liboost^®)

by Iván Benito-Vázquez, María Inés Morán-Valero, Marina Díez-Municio and Adal Mena-García

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(4), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19040597 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent and multifactorial condition affecting a large proportion of the global population, with limited therapeutic options beyond pharmacological approaches primarily targeting erectile dysfunction. This has increased interest in botanical supplements for sexual health, although mechanistic evidence and clear [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Sexual dysfunction is a prevalent and multifactorial condition affecting a large proportion of the global population, with limited therapeutic options beyond pharmacological approaches primarily targeting erectile dysfunction. This has increased interest in botanical supplements for sexual health, although mechanistic evidence and clear links between phytochemical composition and biological activity remain scarce. The present study provides an integrative evaluation of a commercial Turnera diffusa extract (Liboost^®) formulated to support sexual health by combining detailed phytochemical characterization with targeted in vitro mechanistic assays. Methods: The extract was characterized by HPLC-DAD-HRMS, enabling the identification and semi-quantification of its major constituents. A total of 49 compounds were detected, predominantly flavonoids, including luteolin- and apigenin-derived glycosides, flavonols, methoxyflavones, flavanones, and coumaroyl derivatives, with a total quantified flavonoid content of 15.9 mg·g⁻¹. Biological activity was evaluated in human cell models without cytotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. Results: Liboost^® significantly reduced PDE5 expression, inhibited aromatase activity, and moderately increased nitric oxide production. These complementary effects suggest a multi-target modulation of pathways involved in sexual function, integrating vascular, endocrine, and nitrergic mechanisms. Conclusions: Although limited to in vitro models, the findings provide mechanistic support for the biological activity of T. diffusa extracts and highlight the importance of linking phytochemical composition with functional evidence when evaluating botanical supplements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Pharmacons: Biologically Active Plant-Based Pharmaceuticals—4th Edition)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

22 pages, 1792 KB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Carbon Economic Optimization and Collaborative Management of Virtual Power Plants Based on a Stackelberg Game

by Bing Yang and Dongguo Zhou

Energies 2026, 19(8), 1821; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19081821 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

To address the challenges of low-carbon economic optimization and collaborative management for multiple Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), this paper proposes a low-carbon economic optimization and collaborative management method based on a Stackelberg game framework. Firstly, a Stackelberg game model is constructed with the [...] Read more.

To address the challenges of low-carbon economic optimization and collaborative management for multiple Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), this paper proposes a low-carbon economic optimization and collaborative management method based on a Stackelberg game framework. Firstly, a Stackelberg game model is constructed with the Distribution System Operator (DSO) as the leader and multiple VPPs as followers. The leader (DSO) guides the followers’ behavior through dynamic pricing strategies to maximize its own utility. Meanwhile, the followers (VPPs) develop energy management strategies to minimize their individual costs, taking into account factors such as energy transaction costs, fuel costs, carbon trading costs, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, compensation costs, and renewable energy generation revenues. Furthermore, the strategy spaces of all participants are defined, and an optimization model is established subjected to constraints including energy balance, energy storage operation, power conversion, and flexible load response. The CPLEX solver and Nonlinear-based Chaotic Harris Hawks Optimization (NCHHO) algorithm are employed to solve the proposed game model. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively facilitates collaboration between the DSO and multiple VPPs. While ensuring the safe operation of the system, it balances the profit between the DSO and VPPs, and incentivizes renewable energy consumption and indirect carbon reduction, thereby validating the effectiveness and superiority of the method and providing reliable technical support for the low-carbon collaborative operation of multiple VPPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Control and Operation of Distributed Energy Resources in Modern Power Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1368 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Decolorization of Methylene Blue by Bacillus cereus: A Genomic and Analytical Approach

by Fatima Hamadeh, Thibaut Armel Chérif Gnimadi, Mano Joseph Mathew, Charbel Al-Bayssari, Mounir Kassir, Rana El Hajj and Dalia El Badan

Appl. Microbiol. 2026, 6(4), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol6040052 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Synthetic dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), constitute a major category of environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence, and resistance to standard treatment methods. In this study, Bacillus cereus BC WW Saida was isolated from the heavily polluted Saida dumpsite in Lebanon [...] Read more.

Synthetic dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), constitute a major category of environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence, and resistance to standard treatment methods. In this study, Bacillus cereus BC WW Saida was isolated from the heavily polluted Saida dumpsite in Lebanon and evaluated for its MB degradation efficiency. The isolate was identified through whole-genome sequencing, which revealed the presence of key enzymatic systems involved in azo dye degradation. Under optimized conditions, the strain achieved 82% decolorization, as determined by optical density measurements using a microplate reader. The process was further examined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), which revealed a significant reduction in the original dye peak and the emergence of new intermediate products. These findings suggest the strong biodegradation capability of B. cereus BC WW Saida isolated from contaminated environments and highlight its potential application in the eco-friendly treatment of azo dye-contaminated wastewater. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2065 KB

Open AccessArticle

Local Institutions Mediate Effects of Land Scarcity in Indigenous Territories in Amazonia

by Ana Lucía Araujo Raurau and Oliver T. Coomes

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3665; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083665 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Indigenous territories in Amazonia sustain forest cover through the practice of swidden-fallow agriculture, yet declining land availability threatens both the ecological sustainability of this agricultural system and its contributions to community livelihoods. While scholars recognize land scarcity’s potential to drive transformations in shifting [...] Read more.

Indigenous territories in Amazonia sustain forest cover through the practice of swidden-fallow agriculture, yet declining land availability threatens both the ecological sustainability of this agricultural system and its contributions to community livelihoods. While scholars recognize land scarcity’s potential to drive transformations in shifting cultivation systems, we lack a systematic understanding of how local institutional frameworks shape heterogeneous responses to resource constraints. This study examines how land access mechanisms, distribution dynamics and property regimes among Indigenous communities mediate experiences of and adaptations to land scarcity in the Peruvian Amazon. We conducted a comparative case study of Solidaridad and Tamboruna, two land-scarce Indigenous communities in Peru’s Napo River basin, employing mixed methods including household surveys (n = 74), plot-level assessments, and qualitative interviews with community leaders. Our findings reveal three critical pathways through which institutions mediate scarcity outcomes. First, land access mechanisms determine whether scarce resources produce equitable constraint or acute land inequality. Second, land use intensification emerges not from scarcity alone but from accumulated inequality and household labor capacity, with land accumulated over lifecycles showing stronger associations with management practices than initial endowments. Third, where scarcity manifests as extreme polarization, it precipitates renegotiation of land property norms shaped by Indigenous sociability and moral economies, defying straightforward trajectories toward either resource privatization or collective governance. These results demonstrate that land scarcity produces divergent trajectories mediated by community-specific institutions, with swidden-fallow systems likely diminishing their capacity to sustain forest regeneration in Indigenous communities where scarcity leads to acute land inequality. Rather than uniform solutions, sustainability policy must therefore tailor interventions to local institutional contexts—prioritizing territorial expansion, facilitating communities’ own governance development, and supporting household adaptive capacity to resource scarcity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolving Indigenous Nations and Communities: Sustainable Territories and Social Ecology in a Changing Geopolitical Context)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3434 KB

Open AccessArticle

Berberine-Loaded Chitosan-Succinylated Pullulan Composite Films for the Preservation of Fresh-Cut Apples

by Xinyu Zhang, Chu Gong, Yujie Liu, Jun Wang, Zhizhou Yang and Jun-Li Yang

Polymers 2026, 18(8), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18080908 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Biopolymer-based packaging films possess outstanding performances and are being developed as the alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastic packaging films with many non-ignorable shortcomings. In this study, chitosan, succinylated pullulan (SP), and berberine (BBR) were combined to fabricate novel biopolymer-based composite films (CSSPB) via [...] Read more.

Biopolymer-based packaging films possess outstanding performances and are being developed as the alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastic packaging films with many non-ignorable shortcomings. In this study, chitosan, succinylated pullulan (SP), and berberine (BBR) were combined to fabricate novel biopolymer-based composite films (CSSPB) via the layer-by-layer assembly method. The effects of the incorporation of BBR on the physicochemical properties of the film were investigated. It was found that after BBR was added, the tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), hydrophobicity, and antioxidant capacities of the film were enhanced. The chemical bonding, crystalline properties, elemental composition, and thermal stability of the films were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The in vitro antifungal tests revealed the antifungal activities of the films with a relatively high BBR content against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (CG). In the preservation experiments, the CSSPB films exhibited preservation effects on fresh-cut apples, which manifested as delaying browning, weight loss, an increase in the soluble solids content, and a decrease in hardness. The new CSSPB composite films were opined to hold application potential in the field of food packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biobased Polymers and Its Composites)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 3986 KB

Open AccessReview

Periodontal Endoscopy-Assisted Minimally Invasive Nonsurgical Therapy Versus Regenerative Surgery for the Treatment of Intrabony Defects: A Narrative Review

by Sylwia Jakubowska and Jan Kowalski

Healthcare 2026, 14(8), 977; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14080977 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present narrative review is to synthesize the available scientific evidence comparing periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy with established surgical regenerative procedures for the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. While regenerative surgery—including papilla-preserving techniques—remains the standard approach for achieving predictable clinical [...] Read more.

Background: The aim of the present narrative review is to synthesize the available scientific evidence comparing periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy with established surgical regenerative procedures for the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. While regenerative surgery—including papilla-preserving techniques—remains the standard approach for achieving predictable clinical attachment gain, these procedures may potentially compromise papillary integrity and healing dynamics. Periodontal endoscopy enables enhanced visualization and debridement without surgical access. This review evaluates available studies and discusses whether endoscopy-assisted therapy can achieve outcomes comparable to surgical regeneration while reducing tissue trauma and preserving interdental anatomy. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus, supplemented by manual searching. The search was performed up to 1 November 2025. Results: Two studies were included. Overall, there is a substantial lack of RCTs directly comparing periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy with surgical regenerative procedures. However, EASD (Endoscopic- assisted subgingival debridement) was found not to be inferior to papilla-preservation surgery (PPFS) for treating residual pockets in intrabony defects. Both PPFS and EASD were effective, although PPFS showed more consistent microbial modulation. Conclusions: Periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy may be considered a promising minimally invasive approach for selected intrabony defects, potentially reducing surgical morbidity and preserving interdental tissues. Although early data suggest that endoscopy-guided approaches may offer comparable clinical improvements with less invasiveness, the evidence base is too small to support definitive recommendations. Robust, well-designed randomized trials are needed to define its clinical indications and compare it directly with established regenerative procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Treatment and Management of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 4126 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Dual-Modal Framework Integrating SAR-Based Change Screening and Optical-Scene-Informed Identification for High-Frequency Monitoring of Construction-Ready Bare Land

by Wenxuan Song, Qianwen Lv, Zihao Ding, Shishu Hong and Zhixin Qi

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(8), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18081103 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Rapid urbanization necessitates high-frequency monitoring of construction-ready bare land to timely detect and prevent illegal construction. However, the utility of optical imagery is often compromised in cloud-prone regions. While Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) offers all-weather capabilities, it struggles to distinguish construction-ready bare land [...] Read more.

Rapid urbanization necessitates high-frequency monitoring of construction-ready bare land to timely detect and prevent illegal construction. However, the utility of optical imagery is often compromised in cloud-prone regions. While Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) offers all-weather capabilities, it struggles to distinguish construction-ready bare land from recently harvested agricultural land, leading to severe false alarms. To address the conflict between high-frequency monitoring and semantic identification, this study proposes the SAR-based Change Screening and Optical-Scene-Informed Identification (SCS-OI) framework. The first stage performs high-recall candidate screening based on SAR backscattering changes, while the second stage incorporates historical cloud-free optical imagery as semantic guidance, enabling refined identification without requiring synchronous optical data. Experiments in Guangzhou demonstrate that the framework achieves a False Alarm Rate of 13.31%, Recall of 90.63%, Precision of 74.81%, F1-score of 81.95%, and IoU of 69.43%. Compared with the SAR-only baseline (FR = 22.4%), the two-stage design reduces false alarms while maintaining high recall. Other deep learning baselines exhibit lower F1-scores (59–73%), highlighting the effectiveness of the overall framework. These results show that the proposed two-stage framework effectively integrates high-recall candidate screening and semantic-guided refinement, providing a robust solution for high-frequency monitoring of construction-ready bare land in cloud-prone regions of Guangzhou. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing for Urban Land Use and Land Cover Mapping)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 944 KB

Open AccessArticle

Early Functional Impairment in Smokers with CT-Detected Emphysema: Spirometry Provides Complementary Physiological Information in Lung Cancer Screening

by Sanja Dimic-Janjic, Ivana Buha, Jelena Cvejic, Nikola Kostadinovic, Slavko Stamenic, Anka Postic, Ana Ratkovic, Kristina Stosic-Markovic, Ivana Sekulovic-Radovanovic, Marija Vukoja, Nikola Trboljevac, Lidija Isovic, Ruza Stevic, Nikola Colic, Katarina Lukic, Spasoje Popevic, Natasa Djurdjevic, Milan Savic, Nikola Subotic and Mihailo Stjepanovic

Biomedicines 2026, 14(4), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14040847 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening (LCS) frequently identifies emphysema in high-risk smokers. However, the extent to which CT-detected emphysema reflects underlying physiological impairment remains uncertain. We evaluated whether spirometry can detect functional abnormalities in this population beyond structural imaging [...] Read more.

Background: Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening (LCS) frequently identifies emphysema in high-risk smokers. However, the extent to which CT-detected emphysema reflects underlying physiological impairment remains uncertain. We evaluated whether spirometry can detect functional abnormalities in this population beyond structural imaging findings. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 323 individuals with LDCT- detected emphysema and no lung cancer or prior chronic respiratory diseases within a screening cohort (n = 3076). Participants underwent pre-bronchodilator spirometry and symptom assessments (COPD Assessment test (CAT) and Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale). Pre-bronchodilator airflow limitation was defined as forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV₁/FVC) < 0.70. Small airways dysfunction was defined by ≥2 reduced mid-expiratory flow parameters (<60% predicted). Flow–volume curve morphology was assessed qualitatively. Results: Pre-bronchodilator airflow limitation was observed in 45.2% of participants, predominantly mild. Small-airway dysfunction was present in 52%, and an abnormal flow–volume curve morphology in 67.5%. Notably, functional abnormalities were frequently observed despite preserved FEV₁. Symptom burden was low, with only 7.7% of participants reporting clinically significant symptoms. Functional impairments often overlapped and were common in minimally symptomatic individuals. Conclusions: In a lung cancer screening (LCS) cohort with CT-detected emphysema, functional abnormalities are frequently observed, including in individuals with preserved FEV₁ and minimal symptoms. Spirometry provides additional physiological insight beyond structural imaging; however, these findings are descriptive and should not be interpreted as diagnostic of COPD. Further studies are needed to determine their clinical relevance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrative Insights into Biology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 7549 KB

Open AccessArticle

Unseen-Crop Plant Disease Classification via Disentangled Representation Learning

by Zhenzhen Wu, Jianli Guo, Wei Hou, Kun Zhou, Kerang Cao and Hoekyung Jung

Electronics 2026, 15(8), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15081553 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Deep learning has accelerated progress in plant disease recognition, providing strong technical support for early diagnosis and precision management. However, models often lack robustness and generalization when confronted with novel crops absent from the training set, leading to a marked performance drop in [...] Read more.

Deep learning has accelerated progress in plant disease recognition, providing strong technical support for early diagnosis and precision management. However, models often lack robustness and generalization when confronted with novel crops absent from the training set, leading to a marked performance drop in cross-unseen-crop scenarios. Cross-crop generalization for plant disease recognition requires models to identify known disease categories in crop domains never observed during training. A central challenge is that disease symptoms are strongly coupled with crop-specific appearance cues, which severely degrades generalization. Here, TDC (Text-guided feature Disentanglement Contrast) is introduced as a feature-disentanglement framework for cross-crop plant disease recognition. The proposed method employs a dual-branch visual encoder to separately capture disease semantic representations and crop-domain representations, and it leverages a frozen CLIP text encoder to use disease and crop prompts for text-guided semantic anchoring. A semantic-anchor-only contrastive disentanglement strategy is further formulated under a hybrid label space, where crop-branch features are incorporated as stop-gradient hard negatives to suppress semantic–domain information leakage and strengthen the intra-class aggregation of the same disease across crops. Residual domain-discriminative cues are mitigated via domain-adversarial learning. During inference, only the disease branch is retained for classification, improving generalization while reducing deployment overhead. Experiments demonstrate that under the PlantVillage cross-crop setting, the method achieves 98.04% and 74.29% Top-1 accuracy on seen and unseen crop domains, respectively. Moreover, it attains 81.99% on a real-world field dataset of strawberry powdery mildew and 76.31% on a low-illumination degradation set, validating robustness under realistic imaging distribution shifts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Data-Driven Artificial Intelligence, 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2635 KB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Behavior and Stability of PVC/TPU Blends Plasticized with a Bio-Based Plasticizer

by Yitbarek Firew Minale, Ivan Gajdoš, Tamas Szabo, Annamaria Polyákné Kovács, Andrea Ádámné Major, Kálmán Marossy and Grzegorz Janowski

Thermo 2026, 6(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo6020026 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used in engineering applications; however, its inherent thermal instability associated with dehydrochlorination limits its processing window and long-term performance. While blending with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and plasticization are common strategies to improve flexibility, their combined influence on the [...] Read more.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used in engineering applications; however, its inherent thermal instability associated with dehydrochlorination limits its processing window and long-term performance. While blending with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and plasticization are common strategies to improve flexibility, their combined influence on the thermal behavior and stability of PVC, particularly when bio-based plasticizers are employed, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, the thermal behavior and stability of PVC/TPU blends plasticized with glycerol diacetate monolaurate, a bio-based plasticizer derived from waste cooking oil, were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to examine segmental mobility and intermolecular interactions, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insight into microstructural organization. Thermal stability was evaluated through conductivity-based dehydrochlorination measurements, complemented by thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analyses (TGA/DTG) to assess degradation behavior. The results showed that neither TPU nor the bio-plasticizer alone improved the resistance of PVC to dehydrochlorination. In contrast, ternary PVC/TPU/bio-plasticizer blends exhibited a pronounced delay in HCl evolution, accompanied by a more homogeneous phase distribution and interaction-driven modification of the molecular environment. TGA/DTG analysis indicated that this stabilization arises from altered degradation kinetics rather than a simple shift in degradation onset. Overall, the findings clarify the thermal behavior of PVC-based blends and demonstrate a sustainable formulation approach for achieving flexible and thermally balanced PVC materials while reducing reliance on potentially toxic phthalate plasticizers. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1638 KB

Open AccessReview

Advances and Challenges in Protection Coordination of Modern Microgrids

by Emanuel Palacio Urrego, Carlos D. Pabón Zapata, Samuel García Bonilla, Jesús M. López-Lezama and Nicolás Muñoz-Galeano

Electronics 2026, 15(8), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15081552 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, distributed generation, and advanced control technologies has transformed microgrids into complex, dynamic systems that pose significant challenges for protection coordination. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on protection strategies in modern [...] Read more.

The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, distributed generation, and advanced control technologies has transformed microgrids into complex, dynamic systems that pose significant challenges for protection coordination. This paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on protection strategies in modern microgrids. Using a curated dataset from the Scopus database, four types of analyses were conducted: trend topic analysis, dendrogram clustering, co-occurrence network mapping, and thematic map analysis. The trend topic analysis highlights the temporal evolution of specific topics. The dendrogram analysis reveals thematic groupings and highlights concepts that have received limited attention. The co-occurrence network analysis reveals interactions between terms, and the thematic map analysis identifies basic, niche, and motor themes, as well as emerging or declining themes. These insights provide a structured overview of current knowledge and potential future research directions in microgrid protection. This study serves as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to understand and address the evolving challenges associated with protection coordination in modern microgrids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Communication Technologies for Smart Grid Application)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1438 KB

Open AccessCase Report

A Case of Avian Influenza Co-Infection and Multifactorial Diseases in a Broiler Chicken Farm in Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia

by Tyagita Hartady, Sarah Darmawan Sugandi and Muhammad Viqih

Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040364 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Poultry disease outbreaks are frequently multifactorial, involving complex interactions between infectious agents and environmental stressors. This report describes a case of avian influenza (AI) co-infection in a commercial broiler farm located in Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia, where a total of 11,000 birds exhibited [...] Read more.

Poultry disease outbreaks are frequently multifactorial, involving complex interactions between infectious agents and environmental stressors. This report describes a case of avian influenza (AI) co-infection in a commercial broiler farm located in Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia, where a total of 11,000 birds exhibited increased mortality during the grow-out period. Diagnostic investigations included pathological examination, serological testing—such as hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays for AI H5 and H9, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for infectious bronchitis, and rapid testing for Mycoplasma gallisepticum—Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, fecal flotation for coccidiosis, and an environmental assessment measuring ammonia levels, humidity, and heat stress index. Pathological findings revealed tracheitis, airsacculitis, thymitis, bursitis, perihepatitis, ascites, petechial hemorrhages, nephromegaly, and enteritis, indicating a complex disease process. Serological results demonstrated exposure to AI H9 and H5, with differing infection dynamics, while the uneven distribution of infectious bronchitis antibodies suggested field challenges. Additionally, partial exposure to Mycoplasma gallisepticum was observed. PCR results were negative at the time of sampling, consistent with post-infection phases. Environmental evaluation revealed elevated ammonia levels, excessive humidity, and a high heat stress index. In conclusion, the increased mortality was associated with avian influenza co-infection, complicated by secondary infections and adverse environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Immune Responses of Viral Infections in Poultry and Wild Birds)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

25 pages, 6291 KB

Open AccessArticle

Strange Realms in Late Ming Landscape: The Visual Production of Daoist Space in Wu Bin’s 吳彬 Fanghu Tu 方壺圖

by Xiangyang Zhang and Danke Zhang

Religions 2026, 17(4), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17040462 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

In late Ming China, landscape (shanshui 山水) painting could function not only as a scenic representation but also as a pictorial means of making sacred space perceptible. This article examines Wu Bin’s hanging scroll Fanghu Tu 方壺圖 (1626; Palace Museum, Beijing) and [...] Read more.

In late Ming China, landscape (shanshui 山水) painting could function not only as a scenic representation but also as a pictorial means of making sacred space perceptible. This article examines Wu Bin’s hanging scroll Fanghu Tu 方壺圖 (1626; Palace Museum, Beijing) and asks how the painting renders Daoist sacred space visible through relations of distance, access, concealment, and uneven disclosure. To avoid treating “Daoist aesthetics” as a general label, the analysis uses schema and pictorial organization as limited descriptive terms for the structuring of spatial experience within the image. The close reading identifies two recurrent pictorial formations brought into relation in Fanghu Tu: a sea-boundary, distant-view configuration that emphasizes separation and delay, and a pavilion-centered enclosure that produces a more concentrated middle field. It then shows how layered waves and broken shoreline, cloud and mist, middle-zone enclosure, and the thinning legibility of the upper peaks prevent the scene from stabilizing into a single resolved destination. Read in relation to late Ming discussions of cultivated “strangeness” (qi 奇) in landscape painting, these features suggest that Daoist sacred space in Fanghu Tu takes shape as an uneven and mediated experience, structured through provisional concentration, interrupted visibility, and renewed distance. The article argues that late Ming landscape painting could render Daoist-inflected sacred spatial experience visible not only through iconography, but also through the pictorial distribution of visibility, access, and reorientation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape (山水) as Transcendent Existence)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1792 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sphericity Control of UO₂ Fuel Kernels Through Gelling Media Coupling with Multi-Field Washing

by Laiyao Geng, Hui Jing, Yanli Zhao, Jia Li, Xiaolong Liu, Yongjun Jiao, Yong Xin, Yuanming Li, Hailong Qin, Xin Li and Shan Guo

Materials 2026, 19(8), 1484; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081484 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026

Abstract

Nuclear energy has emerged as a crucial technological solution for ensuring energy security and achieving carbon neutrality goals, given its ultra-high energy density and near-zero carbon emissions against the backdrop of rapid socioeconomic development, increasing energy demands, and accelerated global transition toward low-carbon [...] Read more.

Nuclear energy has emerged as a crucial technological solution for ensuring energy security and achieving carbon neutrality goals, given its ultra-high energy density and near-zero carbon emissions against the backdrop of rapid socioeconomic development, increasing energy demands, and accelerated global transition toward low-carbon energy structures. As the core component for energy conversion in nuclear reactors, fuel elements critically determine reactor efficiency and safety performance, with the fission product retention capability of silicon carbide layers in multilayer-coated fuel particles having been thoroughly validated through high-temperature gas-cooled reactor irradiation tests. The precise sphericity control of large-sized UO₂ fuel kernels represents a fundamental requirement for enhancing tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particle performance and advancing Generation IV nuclear power plant development. This study presents a sphericity control strategy based on sol–gel processing that synergistically integrates physicochemical regulation of gelling media with multi-field washing flow field optimization. By implementing silicone oil-mediated interfacial tension gradient control, we effectively suppressed gel sphere destabilization while developing an innovative three-phase sequential washing technique involving kerosene washing, anhydrous ethanol interfacial transition, and ammonia solution replacement, which significantly enhanced mass transfer diffusion in stagnant liquid films and revolutionized fuel microsphere washing technology with improved efficiency and quality. Experimental results demonstrate that this integrated approach increases kernel sphericity qualification to 99.8%, reduces washing solution consumption by 79%, and achieves an average sphericity of 1.03. The research establishes a coupling mechanism between gelling media and multi-field washing processes, elucidating the synergistic effect between interfacial tension regulation and washing optimization, thereby providing both theoretical foundations and engineering application basis for the precision manufacturing of high-performance nuclear fuels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Related Materials: Structure Design, Fabrication and Application)

► Show Figures