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21 pages, 3264 KB

Open AccessReview

Nutrient Release, Leaching, and Agronomic Performance of Additive-Enhanced Biochar-Based Fertilizers: A Global Meta-Analysis

by Jéssica da Luz Costa, José Ferreira Lustosa, Filho, Rhaila da Silva Rodrigues Viana, Jhon Kenedy Moura Chagas and Cícero Célio de Figueiredo

Agriculture 2026, 16(11), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16111147 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs), including formulations enriched with additives, are sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers, promoting waste reuse and controlled nutrient release. This study performed a global meta-analysis to evaluate nutrient dynamics (release and leaching in water and soil) and the agronomic performance of [...] Read more.

Biochar-based fertilizers (BBFs), including formulations enriched with additives, are sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers, promoting waste reuse and controlled nutrient release. This study performed a global meta-analysis to evaluate nutrient dynamics (release and leaching in water and soil) and the agronomic performance of additive-enhanced BBFs compared with unfertilized and/or conventionally fertilized controls. Thirty studies were selected, with 264 experimental pairs extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, and analyzed using a random-effects model. The results indicated that BBFs enriched with natural mineral additives promoted an average increase of 204.3% in nutrient release in water (p < 0.001), whereas in soil biotechnological additives showed the greatest increase, with 109.8% (p < 0.001). Leaching was reduced by up to 74.4% with BBFs enhanced with agricultural residue additives and by 46.9% with industrial additives, indicating greater nutrient retention and greater nutrient-use efficiency. In terms of agronomic performance, additive-enhanced BBFs resulted in average increases of 49.3% in plant height, 232.3% in aboveground biomass, 60.8% in root biomass, and 11.2% in grain yield, compared to unfertilized soil. Overall, the effectiveness of BBFs depends on both the type of additive and the application method, with industrial and mineral additives being the most promising for controlled nutrient release and increased crop productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)

6 pages, 207 KB

Open AccessEditorial

AI Technology and Security in Cloud/Big Data

by Ji Su Park

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5250; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115250 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Recent advancements in cloud computing and big data technologies have accelerated the integration of AI-based services as core infrastructure components in various industrial sectors [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI Technology and Security in Cloud/Big Data)

27 pages, 904 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reliability and Risk in Space-Based Data Centers: A Lifecycle Assessment of Orbital Cloud Infrastructure

by Mahmoud Al Ahmad, Qurban Memon and Michael Pecht

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5247; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115247 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining terrestrial data center infrastructure, motivating exploration of space-based data centers (SBDCs) as a scalable and energy-efficient alternative. While orbital platforms offer unique advantages, including continuous solar energy, radiative cooling, and global coverage, [...] Read more.

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining terrestrial data center infrastructure, motivating exploration of space-based data centers (SBDCs) as a scalable and energy-efficient alternative. While orbital platforms offer unique advantages, including continuous solar energy, radiative cooling, and global coverage, their practical deployment is constrained by unresolved reliability challenges across the mission lifecycle. This study presents a lifecycle-oriented reliability and risk assessment for SBDCs spanning launch, orbital operation, maintenance, and end-of-life phases, using a structured systems-level analysis of failure modes and operational dependencies. This paper focuses on compute-centric SBDC architectures, treating storage solely as a supporting resource. We identify and classify space-environment-specific risks, including launch-induced mechanical stress, radiation-driven degradation, thermal extremes, and single points of failure in power and communication subsystems. By integrating engineering constraints with economic considerations, we develop a unified risk-chain framework that shows how reliability limitations propagate from component design to system cost and operational viability. The analysis reveals a critical trade-off: achieving terrestrial-grade reliability in orbit requires substantial redundancy and radiation hardening, increasing mass and cost and reducing economic feasibility, whereas lower-reliability designs introduce operational and financial risks that challenge sustainability. These findings establish reliability as the central determinant of SBDC viability, providing an applied foundation for fault-tolerant, modular, and lifecycle-aware design strategies essential for transitioning orbital cloud infrastructure from concept to scalable reality. Full article

28 pages, 5551 KB

Open AccessArticle

Capacity-Aware Lightweight Object Detection for UAV Remote Sensing: Dynamic Coupling Regularity and the SP-YOLO Model Family

by Shihao Yin and Weiqiang Tang

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5249; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115249 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Object detection in UAV remote sensing imagery is confronted with three primary challenges: severe scale variation, densely clustered small targets, and constrained computational resources. This work introduces a family of lightweight detection models guided by the “Capacity-Aware Configuration Regularity” and incorporates a Feature-Refinement [...] Read more.

Object detection in UAV remote sensing imagery is confronted with three primary challenges: severe scale variation, densely clustered small targets, and constrained computational resources. This work introduces a family of lightweight detection models guided by the “Capacity-Aware Configuration Regularity” and incorporates a Feature-Refinement C2f module to enhance representational efficiency. A dynamic coupling mechanism is identified between detection head capacity and the representational quality of Backbone features, which is further validated through systematic ablation studies spanning three parameter magnitudes. Evaluated on the VisDrone2019 benchmark, the proposed model family exhibits a progressive parameter scaling from 1.67 M to 6.15 M. The nano variant achieves 31.7% mAP₅₀ using only 55% of the parameter budget of YOLOv8n, surpassing it by 0.7 percentage points. The small variant, with a parameter budget comparable to YOLOv8n, attains 36.7% mAP₅₀, exceeding it by 5.7 points. The medium variant reaches 43.1% mAP₅₀ with 58% of the parameters of YOLOv8s, outperforming it by 4.1 points. The improvements are pronounced under the stricter mAP_50–95 metric, where the small variant outperforms YOLOv8n by 3.3 points and the medium variant surpasses YOLOv8s by 2.8 points, demonstrating robust localization accuracy across a wide range of IoU thresholds. This consistent superiority in the accuracy–efficiency trade-off extends to the DIOR dataset, confirming the robust generalization of the proposed models across diverse remote sensing scenarios. Moreover, the uncovered capacity-matching regularity offers transferable methodological guidance for designing lightweight detection models tailored to resource-constrained platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Applied Industrial Technologies)

24 pages, 1809 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Cloud-to-Edge Deployment of Optimized nnU-Net for Ischemic Stroke Lesion Segmentation on Resource-Constrained Embedded Devices

by Daniel Alcaraz Ortiz, Juan Francisco Zapata Pérez and Juan Martinez-Alajarin

Sensors 2026, 26(11), 3322; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26113322 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of global mortality and long-term neurological disability, where the “Time is Brain” paradigm dictates that rapid and accurate lesion assessment is fundamental for effective clinical intervention. While the nnU-Net v2 framework has established a new state of [...] Read more.

Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of global mortality and long-term neurological disability, where the “Time is Brain” paradigm dictates that rapid and accurate lesion assessment is fundamental for effective clinical intervention. While the nnU-Net v2 framework has established a new state of the art in medical image segmentation, its high computational demands and reliance on data-center-grade GPUs hinder its translation into real-time, point-of-care clinical workflows. This study presents a technical feasibility analysis of a Cloud-to-Edge optimization pipeline designed to transfer a 3D nnU-Net v2 model from a high-performance cloud environment to a resource-constrained embedded device. Experimental results showed that edge deployment was associated with a reduction in overlap-based segmentation metrics compared with the cloud reference, with Dice decreasing from approximately 0.78 to 0.67. However, TensorRT FP32 and FP16 inference produced nearly identical mean segmentation metrics, suggesting that reduced-precision inference did not introduce additional measurable degradation under the evaluated conditions. The optimized FP16 configuration achieved a processing time of 10.2 s per 3D volume, representing a 33% reduction compared with embedded FP32 inference, while operating within a low-power envelope of approximately 10–13 W. These findings support the preliminary technical feasibility of executing advanced 3D volumetric segmentation models on low-power edge hardware. Nevertheless, the evaluation was limited to an internal 25-case test subset and did not include external validation, prospective clinical assessment, or reader studies. Therefore, the proposed system should be interpreted as a preliminary deployment framework rather than a clinically validated tool for autonomous stroke imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence Methods for Diagnostics in Medical Imaging and Sensing)

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19 pages, 2107 KB

Open AccessArticle

Behavioral Clustering and Load Characterization of EV Charging Stations: Revealing Hidden Grid Stress Patterns Using Machine Learning

by Ümit Yılmaz

Processes 2026, 14(11), 1692; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14111692 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

The explosive growth of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is increasingly straining power distribution networks, but the at-scale behavioral heterogeneity of charging stations remains poorly understood. In this study, we implement an unsupervised machine learning approach based on real data (encompassing 32,057 EV [...] Read more.

The explosive growth of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is increasingly straining power distribution networks, but the at-scale behavioral heterogeneity of charging stations remains poorly understood. In this study, we implement an unsupervised machine learning approach based on real data (encompassing 32,057 EV charging stations in the publicly available dataset of the Republic of Korea) to discover hidden load concentration patterns. We applied K-means clustering (k = 6) with the k-means++ initialization method to seven station-level features, which yielded six behavioral archetypes that were further evaluated using four supervised classifiers (Decision Tree, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and XGBoost), all achieving an F1 macro ≥ 0.994 and ROC-AUC ≥ 0.999. The SHAP analysis revealed that geographic variables mainly explain the differentiation among low-use slow-charging sub-clusters, whereas operational variables such as session frequency, output capacity, charger type, and charging speed are decisive for the load-relevant C3 and C5 archetypes. We introduced three new grid load metrics: cluster load contribution, load imbalance coefficient of variation (CV = 1.1247), and the hidden load effect. Results indicate that the high-power fast cluster (C5) and high-use slow cluster (C3) combine to contribute 66.7% of the network station load score-based load while representing only 19.2% of stations. Under the station load score proxy assumption, C3 demonstrates 14.4% greater per-station utilization intensity than C5 (293.6 vs. 256.7), challenging the notion that fast chargers are the key source of infrastructure pressures. These insights provide actionable guidance for demand-side management approaches. Full article

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17 pages, 561 KB

Open AccessArticle

DGAM: Dual-Guided Anomaly Mining for Semi-Supervised Graph Anomaly Detection

by Xingxuan Li, Ting Guo and Zhen Tian

Information 2026, 17(6), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17060521 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

For the challenging scenario in which only normal node labels are available in semi-supervised graph anomaly detection, existing generative methods usually synthesize abnormal nodes through random perturbation or feature interpolation. However, these methods fail to consider node abnormality comprehensively from both structural and [...] Read more.

For the challenging scenario in which only normal node labels are available in semi-supervised graph anomaly detection, existing generative methods usually synthesize abnormal nodes through random perturbation or feature interpolation. However, these methods fail to consider node abnormality comprehensively from both structural and attribute perspectives, resulting in generated pseudo-anomalies of limited quality and insufficient reliability. In order to address this problem, we propose DGAM (dual-guided anomaly mining) , a framework for selecting pseudo-anomaly nodes based on the dual-index measurement of topological anomaly and feature consistency. The core of the framework is the joint anomaly evaluation module, which quantifies node anomaly through two computable metrics. The topological boundary score (TBS) measures the boundary of a node’s topological position based on the proportion of connections between a node and labeled normal nodes in its K-hop neighborhood. The feature deviation score (FDS) evaluates the consistency of a node’s local features by calculating the average cosine similarity between its features and those of its K-hop neighbors. The module selects a fixed set of nodes with higher comprehensive anomaly scores from the labeled normal nodes as pseudo-anomalies, so as to construct a training set containing explicit supervision signals. The model adopts a shared encoder architecture and jointly optimizes the classification loss based on pseudo-labels and the embedding regularization loss of the graph nodes to learn a more discriminative node representation. Experimental results on multiple real-world graph datasets show that DGAM can stably improve anomaly detection performance, effectively verifying the effectiveness of the proposed screening mechanism and joint training strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence)

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15 pages, 760 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Driver Genetic Alterations on Survival in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients from a Genetically Homogeneous Sardinian Population: A Real-World Study

by Grazia Palomba, Luca Nuvoli, Maria Cristina Sini, Giovanni Battista Maestrale, Maria Grazia Doro, Laura Frogheri, Ivana Persico, Angelo Zinellu, Davide Adriano Santeufemia, Panagiotis Paliogiannis, Daniele Delogu, Fabrizio Scognamillo and Giuseppe Palmieri

Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1708; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111708 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Recent therapeutic advancements have significantly improved clinical management, underscoring the importance of routine molecular profiling to guide personalised treatment strategies. This study aims [...] Read more.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Recent therapeutic advancements have significantly improved clinical management, underscoring the importance of routine molecular profiling to guide personalised treatment strategies. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic impact of main molecular alterations—including allele frequency (AF) of RAS mutations—on survival outcomes in a real-world hospital-based cohort of patients with metastatic CRC. Methods: A total of 208 consecutive patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of CRC and complete clinical, molecular, and survival data were retrospectively analysed. Somatic mutations in KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and the occurrence of microsatellite instability (MSI) were assessed using pyrosequencing and real-time PCR assays, respectively, on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour samples. Associations between mutational status, clinicopathological parameters, and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Results: Overall, 138 patients (66.3%) harboured at least one somatic mutation: 115 (55.3%) in KRAS, 8 (3.8%) in NRAS, and 15 (7.2%) in BRAF. MSI was detected in 17/208 (8.2%) patients. A statistically significant improvement in OS was observed in patients lacking mutations in any of the three genes—referred to as wild-type (WT) patients—with BRAF mutated cases showing the worst survival (p = 0.041). Increasing age at the time of first-line therapy for advanced disease stage was associated with a statistically significant increase in the hazard of death (p = 0.031). Conclusions: In the advanced disease stage, RAS/BRAF wild-type colorectal cancers were significantly associated with a survival advantage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Research of Cancer)

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28 pages, 1709 KB

Open AccessArticle

A 0.002 cm⁻¹-Accurate PES for ¹⁴N₂¹⁶O

by Xinchuan Huang and David W. Schwenke

Molecules 2026, 31(11), 1793; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31111793 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

High-accuracy potential energy surface (PES) and rovibrational energy levels are essential for computational IR line lists used in (exo)planetary atmospheric spectroscopic analysis and modeling. We present a new ¹⁴N₂¹⁶O PES refinement achieving 0.001–0.002 cm⁻¹ statistical accuracy for E [...] Read more.

High-accuracy potential energy surface (PES) and rovibrational energy levels are essential for computational IR line lists used in (exo)planetary atmospheric spectroscopic analysis and modeling. We present a new ¹⁴N₂¹⁶O PES refinement achieving 0.001–0.002 cm⁻¹ statistical accuracy for E_vib ≤ 7000 cm⁻¹ and J_max = 88–100, relative to complete experiment-based rovibrational energy levels in RITZ, MARVEL, HITRAN2020, and NOSL-296 datasets. Building upon the high-quality ab initio Comp-I PES, the resulting D2n (and D2nB) PES outperform the Ames B1b PES, the UCL TYM PES, and the UCL 2025 PES series in both energy-resolved and J-resolved comparisons, exhibiting the smallest mean residuals and scatter below E_vib = 8000 cm⁻¹, as well as the highest fractions of |δ| < 0.0010 cm⁻¹ and |δ| < 0.0005 cm⁻¹. Robust analysis identified only seven outliers among the UCL-2025 reference level set; all remaining levels are retained to ensure resilient statistics. The D2n PES also shows stable IR intensities with the G10K dipole moment surface and reasonably consistent isotopologue accuracy. Analysis of J-resolved σ_rms highlights the critical role of reference-dataset accuracy and internal consistency. We discuss factors enabling (sub-)0.002 cm⁻¹ accuracy and prospects for extending similar accuracy to higher energies, additional isotopologues, and other molecules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Computational Spectroscopy, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 479 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploratory Analysis of Quantitative CT Metrics for Predicting Tumor Aggressiveness and Nodal Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study

by Ingrid-Denisa Barcan, Dan Costachescu, Ademir Horia Stana, Alexandru Catalin Motofelea, Alexandra Christa Sima, Dana Emilia Movila, Nadica Motofelea, Tudor Ciocarlie, Eugen Radu Boia and Delia Ioana Horhat

Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111706 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Preoperative assessment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) aggressiveness is often hindered by the sampling errors of incisional biopsies. While Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) is the standard for staging, its potential to serve as a non-invasive complementary radiological tool of [...] Read more.

Background: Preoperative assessment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) aggressiveness is often hindered by the sampling errors of incisional biopsies. While Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) is the standard for staging, its potential to serve as a non-invasive complementary radiological tool of the entire tumor volume remains underutilized. Objective: To evaluate the predictive performance of preoperative CECT-derived tumor volume, densitometric values, and morphological features as predictors of histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis (pN) in HNSCC. The primary outcome was predicting lymph node metastasis (pN+), and the secondary outcome was predicting histopathological grade. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 42 patients with SCC of the oral cavity, larynx, or maxilla. Quantitative (3D volume, Hounsfield Units [HU], HU Delta) and qualitative (margins, lobulations, necrosis) CT parameters were correlated with definitive histopathology. Diagnostic performance was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Spearman’s rank correlation. Results: High-grade tumors (G2/G3) demonstrated significantly larger median volumes (18.1 vs. 2.9 cm³, p = 0.006), lower contrast density (55 vs. 68 HU, p = 0.010), and reduced vascular wash-in (23 vs. 30 HU Delta, p = 0.008) compared to G1 lesions. ROC analysis identified a volume threshold of ≥ 9.43 cm³ for high-grade disease (AUC = 0.865; sensitivity 67.6%, specificity 100%). For regional metastasis (pN+), tumor volume was the only significant predictor (25.4 vs. 6.2 cm³, p = 0.036), with an optimal cut-off of ≥6.76 cm³ (AUC = 0.769; sensitivity 100%). Strong negative correlations were observed between contrast enhancement and internal necrosis (r = −0.812, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Preoperative CECT parameters show promise as non-invasive imaging surrogates of HNSCC aggressiveness. A paradoxical reduction in contrast enhancement characterizes high-grade biology, reflecting disorganized neo-angiogenesis and internal hypoxia. Integrating 3D volumetric analysis and morphological markers shows potential as a complementary exploratory tool that, pending future prospective validation, may support risk stratification and surgical planning alongside traditional histopathological assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancer: MRI and PET/CT Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment)

40 pages, 14972 KB

Open AccessReview

Caffeic Acid and Human Health: Evidence-Based Roles in Disease Prevention and Treatment

by Saleh A. Almatroodi and Arshad Husain Rahmani

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 4719; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27114719 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and coffee, with preclinical evidence demonstrating its important role in disease management through different mechanisms of action. This review aimed to explore CA’s pharmacological effects in different pathological conditions, and sources [...] Read more.

Caffeic acid (CA) is a phenolic compound commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and coffee, with preclinical evidence demonstrating its important role in disease management through different mechanisms of action. This review aimed to explore CA’s pharmacological effects in different pathological conditions, and sources were retrieved by using databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science and based on preclinical studies. CA notably protects cells and tissues from oxidative stress and inflammation, highlighting its therapeutic role in the management of pathogenesis. The neuroprotective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, and anti-obesity effects are reported through in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, its anticancer effects are linked to modulation of cell signaling pathways, together with angiogenesis, cell cycle, apoptosis, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. This article explores how caffeic acid influences health conditions, providing a comprehensive overview of its effects on disease processes. Reviewing the literature aims to enhance the understanding of caffeic acid’s role in disease management and as a natural therapeutic agent. Although several studies demonstrate the anticancer effects and its role in the management of various pathological conditions, most of the existing evidence is based on in vitro, in vivo, and xenograft models. Moreover, many natural compounds, including CA, that exhibit activity in preclinical settings fail to translate into clinical applications, due to restrictions of poor bioavailability, toxicity, rapid metabolism, and differences in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, future studies should emphasize well-designed in vivo studies as well as controlled clinical trials to better describe CA’s safety, efficacy, mechanism of action, and therapeutic application in humans. Further investigation of its interactions with other therapeutic agents may offer insights into synergistic effects that enhance treatment efficacy. Overall, a more comprehensive understanding of this compound will be indispensable for its development as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of chronic disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease)

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16 pages, 2128 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Various Interventions to Valorize Dry-Aged Waste Products in Ground Beef Formulations

by Peyton S. Arnold, Cameron C. Catrett, Palika Dias-Morse, Jennifer C. Acuff and Derico Setyabrata

Foods 2026, 15(11), 1853; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15111853 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of treated dry-aged crust inclusions on final ground beef quality. Ground beef (80 lean: 20 fat) was divided into: CON (beef only), NTC (non-treated crust), WW (warm-water-washed crust), DH (dehydrated crust), and SV (sous-vide crust). Treated crusts were [...] Read more.

This study evaluated the impact of treated dry-aged crust inclusions on final ground beef quality. Ground beef (80 lean: 20 fat) was divided into: CON (beef only), NTC (non-treated crust), WW (warm-water-washed crust), DH (dehydrated crust), and SV (sous-vide crust). Treated crusts were chopped, mixed with ground beef (10% inclusion), reground, formed into patties, and subjected to quality and microbial analyses. The pH for day 1 (d1) samples was lower than for day 7 (d7) samples regardless of treatment (p < 0.05). No differences were found for proximate analysis, cook loss, or display loss (p > 0.05). An interaction effect was observed for all color traits (p < 0.05), demonstrating rapid color decline during display in both NTC and WW treatments compared to other treatments. Greater lipid oxidation was observed in CON compared to other treatments before and after display (p < 0.05). The CON, DH, and SV treatments had lower microbial concentrations than NTC and WW (p < 0.05). Texture profile analysis showed elevated hardness values in SV compared to CON, NTC, and WW, while DH did not differ from any treatment (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that DH and SV interventions minimally impact product quality while reducing initial microbial concentrations, suggesting potential use as intervention methods for dry-aged crust. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Meat)

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26 pages, 11619 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Gaussian Mixture Model-Gated Mixture of Experts for Fine-Grained Insect Pest Classification

by Nurullah Şahin, Nuh Alpaslan and Davut Hanbay

Electronics 2026, 15(11), 2268; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15112268 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Fine-grained insect pest classification presents a particularly demanding visual recognition challenge due to severe class imbalance, pronounced intra-class morphological variability across developmental stages, and high inter-class visual similarity among taxonomically related species. Existing deep learning approaches typically rely on a single feature representation [...] Read more.

Fine-grained insect pest classification presents a particularly demanding visual recognition challenge due to severe class imbalance, pronounced intra-class morphological variability across developmental stages, and high inter-class visual similarity among taxonomically related species. Existing deep learning approaches typically rely on a single feature representation extracted from a single network depth, overlooking complementary discriminative cues distributed across multiple abstraction levels. Furthermore, classical attention mechanisms perform spatial weighting deterministically, without explicitly modeling the underlying statistical structure of the feature space, which is inherently multimodal on long-tailed benchmarks such as IP102. This study proposes a Multi-Scale Gaussian Mixture Model-Gated Mixture of Experts (GMM-MoE) architecture that operates as a plug-in module insertable into any convolutional backbone, evaluated here on DenseNet-121 at three distinct feature depths. The proposed module computes analytic GMM posterior responsibilities in closed form, softly assigning each spatial location to dedicated convolutional expert sub-networks. At the same time, a conditional prior mechanism π(x) adapts the routing strategy to individual image content rather than relying on fixed priors. The architecture is evaluated on the IP102 benchmark (102 pest classes, ~75,000 images) under a two-stage training protocol. Ablation experiments confirm that increasing the number of experts consistently improves accuracy across all three routing depths, and that multi-scale fusion surpasses any single-scale configuration. The proposed model achieves a mean top-1 accuracy of 74.12% (±0.25%, 95% CI) across three independent runs on the IP102 test set. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to employ GMM posterior responsibilities as a spatial routing mechanism within a multi-scale CNN feature hierarchy for fine-grained insect pest classification, establishing a principled probabilistic alternative to deterministic attention weighting in visual recognition systems. Full article

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20 pages, 2527 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digestive Tract Structure and Seasonal Dynamics of Gut Microbiota in Hypomesus nipponensis from Bosten Lake

by Xinnan Fu, Qian Xiao, Wenjie Ma, Sitong Li, Zhelan Wang, Kai Deng and Junjie Zhang

Animals 2026, 16(11), 1595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16111595 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Digestive tract structure is a key indicator of fish health and environmental adaptation, while seasonal dynamics of the gut microbiota reflect host responses to environmental changes. In this study, the digestive tract microstructure of Hypomesus nipponensis from Bosten Lake was characterized using H&E [...] Read more.

Digestive tract structure is a key indicator of fish health and environmental adaptation, while seasonal dynamics of the gut microbiota reflect host responses to environmental changes. In this study, the digestive tract microstructure of Hypomesus nipponensis from Bosten Lake was characterized using H&E staining and scanning electron microscopy, followed by 16S rDNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing and analysis of the gut microbiota in spring, summer, and autumn. The results showed that the esophageal mucosa of H. nipponensis is a stratified columnar epithelium, with abundant gastric glands, and the circular muscle layer of the stomach caeca is significantly thickened (244.84 ± 49.01 μm). The pyloric caeca resemble the gut in structure; both are covered with dense microvilli on the luminal surface. Collectively, these features constitute the structural basis for its carnivorous diet. Microbiota analysis revealed that the diversity of gut microbiota fluctuated significantly with season: the Chao, Ace, and Sob indices in spring (144.63 ± 30.27) were significantly higher than in summer (82.13 ± 21.45) and autumn (83.25 ± 15.30) (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between summer and autumn (p > 0.05). The dominant marker genera of H. nipponensis in spring, summer, and autumn were Bacillus (31.60%), Clostridium (32.20%), and Sarcina (29.32%), respectively. This study describes the adaptive characteristics of the digestive tract structure and feeding habits of H. nipponensis and reveals the seasonal changes in its gut microbiota. Importantly, since the digestive tract structure data were collected only in summer, the direct relationship between the structure and seasonal microbial dynamics cannot be determined, and multi-season histological sampling is needed for further investigation. Nevertheless, these findings provide preliminary morphological and microbiological references for the ecological adaptation of this species in Bosten Lake and offer a scientific basis for water resource management in this area. Full article

16 pages, 944 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Co-Loaded with Curcumin and Amphotericin B: A Drug Delivery Approach for Photodynamic Inhibition of Dual-Species Biofilms

by Shima Afrasiabi, Mohammad Reza Karimi, Sepideh Khoee, Stefano Benedicenti and Antonio Signore

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(6), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060644 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Metabolic dormancy in biofilms leads to reduced drug efficacy in these communities. Different pharmacokinetics and adverse side effects complicate the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs at appropriate concentrations to the infection site. This study aimed to develop chitosan-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Metabolic dormancy in biofilms leads to reduced drug efficacy in these communities. Different pharmacokinetics and adverse side effects complicate the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs at appropriate concentrations to the infection site. This study aimed to develop chitosan-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with curcumin and amphotericin B (CS@MSNs-Cur-AmB) and to evaluate their antibiofilm activity combined with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans dual-species biofilms. Methods: CS@MSNs-Cur-AmB were developed. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles were evaluated using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Cytotoxicity toward human gingival fibroblasts was assessed. Colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) were determined. The metabolic activity of biofilm-forming cells was measured using the tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results: Physicochemical analyses confirmed the synthesis of CS@MSNs-Cur-AmB, revealing a particle size of 228 nm and thermal stability up to 600 °C. Cytotoxicity assays showed that CS@MSNs-Cur-AmB exhibited good biocompatibility (> 90%). CS@MSNs-Cur-AmB improved antimicrobial activity, which was further enhanced by blue light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation. CS@MSNs-Cur-AmB under LED irradiation showed the strongest effect, reducing metabolic activity to 27.74 ± 4.08% (1 W/cm², 1 min), p < 0.001). Conclusions: Formulating two drugs in nanocarrier systems may improve therapeutic efficacy by increasing local concentration and reducing systemic exposure. This offers an effective strategy for combating oral biofilms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Drug Delivery Systems for Natural Products)

17 pages, 5649 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combined BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq Analyses Identify Candidate Genes Associated with Self-Incompatibility in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

by Tong Zhao, Yingjie Li, Zhiliang Xiao, Yulun Zhang, Jialei Ji, Yong Wang, Mu Zhuang, Limei Yang, Yangyong Zhang, Ryo Fujimoto, Xiaochun Wei, Xueling Ye and Honghao Lv

Horticulturae 2026, 12(6), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12060656 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. Self-incompatibility (SI) in cabbage is a key trait that prevents self-fertilization and inbreeding, thereby maintaining genetic diversity within populations. Although several genes related [...] Read more.

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an important vegetable crop grown worldwide. Self-incompatibility (SI) in cabbage is a key trait that prevents self-fertilization and inbreeding, thereby maintaining genetic diversity within populations. Although several genes related to SI have been reported, its genetic control remains unclear. In this study, we developed an F₂ population from the highly self-compatible (SC) cabbage line 87-534 and the highly self-incompatible (SI) line 01-20, both of which exhibit the S5 haplotype. The segregation analysis of the F₂ population revealed the possible control of SI by a major gene with additional modifying genetic factors. Bulk segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-Seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) were performed on SI and SC samples selected from the F₂ population. BSA-Seq revealed a candidate region on chromosome 7 (C07: 7.45 Mb to 8.93 Mb), including 32 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). RNA-Seq identified a total of 2400 DEGs between the two pools, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses suggested that plant hormone biosynthesis and signaling, plant immune response were significantly enriched and may be involved in SI. The combined analysis of BSA-Seq and RNA-Seq identified six candidate genes associated with SI, and their expression was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Among them, Bol023956 encodes fructokinase, Bol023986 is involved in plant defense response, Bol024018 is related to pollen development, Bol024012 encodes a transport protein for phytohormones, Bol023943 encodes chorismate mutase 3, and Bol012515 is an important regulatory gene for chloroplast synthesis. These six genes, potentially linked to SI, should be targets for further validation. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of SI in cabbage and the selection of superior cabbage varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Decade of Research on Vegetable Crops: From Omics to Biotechnology)

26 pages, 2546 KB

Open AccessReview

NMDA Receptor Mediated Mechanisms in the Post-Stroke Brain: From Physiology to Pathology

by Han Gong, Xiang-Zheng Wang, Dan Liu, Wei-Jin Liu, Xiao-Xia Du and Jia-Sheng Rao

Biomolecules 2026, 16(6), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060770 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a context-dependent role in ischemic stroke (IS), contributing to acute excitotoxic injury while also supporting subsequent neuroplasticity. This functional divergence has constrained the therapeutic efficacy of non-selective NMDAR antagonists. During the acute phase, neuronal injury is associated with the [...] Read more.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play a context-dependent role in ischemic stroke (IS), contributing to acute excitotoxic injury while also supporting subsequent neuroplasticity. This functional divergence has constrained the therapeutic efficacy of non-selective NMDAR antagonists. During the acute phase, neuronal injury is associated with the redistribution of NMDARs toward extrasynaptic sites and the activation of aberrant non-ionotropic signaling pathways. As the disease progresses, NMDAR-dependent signaling becomes increasingly involved in activity-dependent plasticity, including motor engram consolidation, dendritic remodeling, and large-scale network reorganization. Post-stroke cognitive impairment and depression are increasingly recognized as potential consequences of sustained NMDAR dysregulation, involving interactions with immune signaling and metabolic processes. These observations support a shift toward activity-dependent modulation of NMDAR function, in which neurotoxic signaling is selectively dissociated from physiological receptor activity. Emerging strategies aimed at subunit-specific modulation and disruption of pathological receptor complexes provide a basis for more targeted intervention. Preservation of physiological excitation–inhibition balance may therefore represent a key requirement for optimizing functional recovery after stroke. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Significance)

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32 pages, 737 KB

Open AccessReview

Anticoagulation for Cancer Patients in Special Situations: A Narrative Review of Guidelines and Literature

by Pilar Sotoca Rubio, Juan José Serrano Domingo, Patricia Guerrero Serrano, Patricia Pérez de Aguado Rodríguez, Ana María Barrill Corpa, Jaime Moreno Doval, Coral García de Quevedo Suero, Juan Carlos Calvo Pérez, Carlos González-Merino, Guillermo González Martín, Jesús Chamorro Pérez, Ana Gómez Rueda and Pilar Garrido López

Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111707 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. The management of special situations—including recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), thrombosis at unusual sites, and central venous catheter-associated thrombosis (CVC-AT)—remains particularly challenging because of the limited availability of high-quality [...] Read more.

Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. The management of special situations—including recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), thrombosis at unusual sites, and central venous catheter-associated thrombosis (CVC-AT)—remains particularly challenging because of the limited availability of high-quality evidence. This narrative review synthesizes recommendations from major international and Spanish clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus documents, including those from SEOM, ESMO, ASCO, NCCN, ITAC and SEMI, to provide a structured framework for the management of these complex scenarios. Our analysis identified substantial heterogeneity across guidelines, particularly regarding anticoagulant selection, dosing strategies, and treatment duration. Although some convergence exists in the management of CVC-AT, important discrepancies and evidence gaps persist in areas such as splanchnic vein thrombosis, hepatic impairment, central nervous system involvement, and recurrent VTE despite treatment. In many cases, recommendations are based primarily on expert opinion rather than robust trial data, and several clinical scenarios are addressed by only a limited number of guidelines. These findings underscore the need for more standardized management strategies and prospective clinical studies to better inform decision-making in daily practice. Overall, this review highlights the growing importance of individualized anticoagulant management aimed at balancing thrombotic and bleeding risks in high-risk oncology patients, thereby helping to bridge the gap between expert consensus and evidence-based precision anticoagulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer-Associated Thrombosis, Arterial and Venous Thromboembolism)

14 pages, 1986 KB

Open AccessArticle

Vented Explosion Characteristics of Gasoline Vapor–Air Mixtures in Confined Spaces Under Different Ignition Modes

by Run Li, Xinsheng Jiang, Shimao Wang, Guangqiang Yuan, Tang Tang, Keyu Lin, Sai Wang and Junjie Lin

Fire 2026, 9(6), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9060215 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

In a weakly constrained, confined space, four common ignition sources—electrical spark, open flame, tungsten filament, and electrochemical igniter—were employed to investigate how the ignition mode influences the overpressure and flame-propagation characteristics during the vented explosion of gasoline vapor. The results show that the [...] Read more.

In a weakly constrained, confined space, four common ignition sources—electrical spark, open flame, tungsten filament, and electrochemical igniter—were employed to investigate how the ignition mode influences the overpressure and flame-propagation characteristics during the vented explosion of gasoline vapor. The results show that the explosion process can be divided into four stages, featuring three typical overpressure peaks. The flame velocity exhibits two pronounced accelerations: one upon rupture of the vent membrane and another when the flame reaches the vent opening. Among the ignition sources tested, the electric spark produced the most severe destructive effects associated with overpressure, while the electrochemical igniter yielded the fastest flame propagation, and the tungsten filament ignition generated the longest external flame, constituting the greatest external fire threat. Explosions initiated by the tungsten filament and electrochemical igniter experience flame instability at the outset, induced by disturbances from the ignition source itself. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fire and Explosion Hazards in Energy Systems)

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17 pages, 580 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Positive mHealth Engagement with Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Total KAP Among Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

by Huy Le Ngoc, Giang Le Minh, Hoa Nguyen Binh and Luong Dinh Van

Healthcare 2026, 14(11), 1447; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14111447 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Mobile health has been increasingly integrated into tuberculosis care to support patient education, communication, and treatment engagement. However, evidence remains limited regarding whether positive engagement with mHealth is associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. This study aimed [...] Read more.

Background: Mobile health has been increasingly integrated into tuberculosis care to support patient education, communication, and treatment engagement. However, evidence remains limited regarding whether positive engagement with mHealth is associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. This study aimed to examine the association between positive mHealth engagement and knowledge, attitude, practice, and total KAP among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the engagement score used as the primary exposure variable. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. A positive mHealth engagement score was constructed from 12 mHealth-related items after harmonizing item directionality so that higher scores indicated more favorable engagement. The 12 items reflected five behavioural domains: intensity of use, ease and acceptability of use, functional engagement (communication with providers, access to health information, and perceived benefit for disease self-management), continuity of use, and barriers to sustained engagement. The composite score was computed as the mean of the 12 standardised items, with higher values indicating more positive engagement. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and corrected item–total correlations, and structural validity was explored using principal component analysis. Adjusted linear regression models were used to examine associations between the engagement score and Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and total KAP scores, controlling for age, sex, and occupation. Sensitivity analyses were performed after excluding a poorly performing item, and tertile analyses were used to assess dose–response patterns. Results: The positive mHealth engagement score showed good internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.852. One item demonstrated poor psychometric performance, and Cronbach’s alpha increased to 0.864 after its exclusion. The data were suitable for dimensionality assessment, with a Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value of 0.870 and a significant Bartlett’s test. Principal component analysis identified a dominant first component explaining 43.29% of the total variance. Using the refined score, higher positive mHealth engagement was significantly associated with higher Knowledge scores (β = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.28–2.85; p < 0.001), higher Attitude scores (β = 4.68; 95% CI: 3.30–6.06; p < 0.001), and higher total KAP scores (β = 6.68; 95% CI: 4.62–8.74; p < 0.001), whereas no significant association was observed for the Practice score (β = −0.07; 95% CI: −0.63 to 0.49; p = 0.804). In tertile analyses, Knowledge, Attitude, and total KAP scores increased significantly across engagement levels, while Practice scores did not. Conclusions: Positive mHealth engagement was associated with better knowledge, attitudes, and overall KAP among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, but not with practice. These findings are associative; the cross-sectional design does not permit causal conclusions. The engagement score demonstrated good reliability and acceptable structural validity and may be a useful summary measure for evaluating patient interaction with mHealth interventions in tuberculosis care. Integrated strategies combining mHealth with clinical follow-up, adherence counseling, and structural support may be needed to translate informational and attitudinal gains into practice change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Health Technologies)

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29 pages, 2422 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rethinking Micro-Hubs for Active Mobility in Peri-Urban Areas

by Luca Velo, Stefano Munarin and Mina Ramezani

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115265 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Active mobility in peri-urban areas is influenced by sprawl, limited public transportation, and reliance on private vehicles. This study redefines active mobility in peri-urban and low-density contexts from a territorial perspective and reframes micro-hubs as socially oriented, network-integrated elements rather than scaled-down urban [...] Read more.

Active mobility in peri-urban areas is influenced by sprawl, limited public transportation, and reliance on private vehicles. This study redefines active mobility in peri-urban and low-density contexts from a territorial perspective and reframes micro-hubs as socially oriented, network-integrated elements rather than scaled-down urban hubs. This study adopts a qualitative, theory-driven methodology combining a multidisciplinary review of the active mobility concept with thematic analysis to identify mobility hub characteristics, followed by analytical synthesis, the classification of mobility hub types, and a set of social indicators for analyzing their performance. These methods are used to develop a framework for understanding micro-hubs as socio-spatial components of active mobility networks. Results indicate that a network of minor roads and micro-hubs can support shifts toward active mobility when aligned with daily mobility patterns and supported by multi-level governance. This study conceptualizes micro-hubs as socio-spatial nodes embedded within dispersed mobility networks and, drawing on the Veneto region as an analytical context, employs an existing typological classification—network, welfare, and civic—to interpret their roles in shaping a context-sensitive framework for active mobility in peri-urban and low-density areas. Micro-hubs become socially integrated spaces that may contribute to strategies for reducing car dependency while providing transferable policy-oriented actions for similar peri-urban and low-density areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies—2nd Edition)

18 pages, 7982 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Practical Approach to Platelet Phenotype Profiling Using Microplate Aggregometry

by Cezary Watala, Jacek Golański and Magdalena Boncler

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060821 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Blood platelets exhibit substantial functional heterogeneity, yet no established principles exist for distinguishing their subpopulations. The present study proposes a methodology for the evaluation of platelet reactivity and inhibitor sensitivity, with the aim of facilitating the expeditious identification of platelet phenotypes [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Blood platelets exhibit substantial functional heterogeneity, yet no established principles exist for distinguishing their subpopulations. The present study proposes a methodology for the evaluation of platelet reactivity and inhibitor sensitivity, with the aim of facilitating the expeditious identification of platelet phenotypes under standard laboratory conditions. Methods: The phenotyping of healthy subjects was based on the study of platelet aggregation in response to agonists and inhibitors of P2Y₁₂, PAR-1 and GPVI receptors. The classification of variants was conducted on the basis of the similarities and differences in EC₅₀/IC₅₀ values obtained for individual ligands. Subsequently, the values were subjected to two- and six-variable cluster analyses. Results: Two major clusters (variants) were identified with consistent reliability across the range of analytical strategies employed. Cluster 1 comprised individuals with low EC₅₀ values and moderate to high IC₅₀ values, indicating high agonist responsiveness and relatively low inhibitor sensitivity. Conversely, cluster 2 exhibited the inverse pattern, characterised by moderate to high EC₅₀ values and moderate to low IC₅₀ values. Cluster 1 constituted a significant proportion of individuals (29–78%, depending on the analysis). The study did not identify a “low responder group”. Conclusions: The proposed methodology is distinguished by two features: its flexibility and its accessibility. These characteristics enable the identification of any platelet phenotype associated with selected signalling pathway(s). The application of this approach has the potential to facilitate the identification of individuals at elevated cardiovascular risk, thereby informing personalised antiplatelet therapy in the context of primary prevention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Discovery and Development of Drugs for Civilization Diseases, 2nd Edition)

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40 pages, 1357 KB

Open AccessReview

Why Graphene Oxide and Nano-SiO₂ Continue to Face Challenges in Architectural Coatings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Kseniia Burkovskaia, Michał Strankowski and Krzysztof Szafran

Coatings 2026, 16(6), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16060634 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Graphene derivatives and nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO₂) have been widely studied as functional nanofillers for architectural coatings. They have the potential to improve mechanical performance, barrier properties, durability, and versatility. However, despite encouraging results in laboratory settings, their use in commercial coating [...] Read more.

Graphene derivatives and nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO₂) have been widely studied as functional nanofillers for architectural coatings. They have the potential to improve mechanical performance, barrier properties, durability, and versatility. However, despite encouraging results in laboratory settings, their use in commercial coating formulations is still limited. This is mainly due to challenges with dispersing nanoparticles, ensuring compatibility with polymer binders, maintaining long-term durability, and achieving formulation stability. In this work, we conducted a thorough review and meta-analysis of 20 peer-reviewed studies to evaluate the performance and limitations of graphene-based materials and nano-SiO₂ in architectural and protective coatings. Our literature search followed PRISMA guidelines and included studies that provided quantitative data on dispersion methods, surface functionalization strategies, nanofiller loading levels, and coating performance metrics. This review highlights key relationships between structure, properties, and processing. It points out ongoing challenges that prevent practical use and suggests future research directions to enhance formulation design, improve dispersion stability, and extend the long-term performance of graphene- and nano-SiO₂-modified architectural and protective coatings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Innovative Polymer Coatings and Films)

34 pages, 3599 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

CD4⁺ T Lymphocytes—From Their Multiple Immunological Roles to New Sensing Strategies Using Marine Magnetotactic Bacteria—A Systematic Review

by Natalia Lorela Paul, Catalin Ovidiu Popa and Rodica Elena Ionescu

Sensors 2026, 26(11), 3324; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26113324 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

CD4⁺ T lymphocytes are important regulators of immune homeostasis, and their dysregulation is closely linked to a wide range of diseases. For this reason, their reliable detection remains a major challenge. Despite the fact that current methods are analytically robust, they rely [...] Read more.

CD4⁺ T lymphocytes are important regulators of immune homeostasis, and their dysregulation is closely linked to a wide range of diseases. For this reason, their reliable detection remains a major challenge. Despite the fact that current methods are analytically robust, they rely mainly on laboratory infrastructure, limiting their flexibility and wider applicability. The present review analyzes established and emerging approaches for CD4⁺ T-cell detection, with a focus on their practical limitations regarding portability, flexibility and applicability. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the authors are examining the possibility of exploring marine magnetotactic bacteria (MTBs) as active biological elements in immune cell detection due to their intrinsic magnetic properties, biological organization, and surface biofunctionalization potential. Rather than offering an immediate technological solution, the use of MTBs serves as a challenging biological framework that could provide more adaptable and sensitive detection strategies. At the same time, the limitations of this concept are acknowledged, emphasizing the need for further experimental validation, considering that this strategy, although promising, remains an exploratory concept. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biosensors)

29 pages, 57899 KB

Open AccessArticle

Extreme Precipitation in China (1960–2020): Spatiotemporal Evolution and Atmosphere–Ocean Circulation Drivers

by Runhe Zheng, Fenli Zheng, Shouzhang Peng, Ximeng Xu and Jinxia Fu

Climate 2026, 14(6), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14060112 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Amid the ongoing acceleration of climate change over recent decades, extreme precipitation events have become more frequent and intense on a global scale, triggering severe natural hazards and considerable socioeconomic damage. Nevertheless, how extreme precipitation has evolved at the national level over long [...] Read more.

Amid the ongoing acceleration of climate change over recent decades, extreme precipitation events have become more frequent and intense on a global scale, triggering severe natural hazards and considerable socioeconomic damage. Nevertheless, how extreme precipitation has evolved at the national level over long time spans, and what role atmosphere–ocean teleconnections play in driving regional differences, remains insufficiently explored. This study addresses that knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive assessment of eight ETCCDI-based extreme precipitation indices (PRCPTOT, CWD, R20, R95p, R99p, RX1day, RX5day, and SDII) across six climatic sub-regions of China (Northeast, North, East, Central South, Northwest, and Southwest) over 1960–2020, drawing on daily records from 695 quality-controlled meteorological stations. Key atmospheric and oceanic circulation drivers were further diagnosed and their joint influence was quantified via multiple wavelet coherence (MWC). The analysis shows that five of the eight indices (CWD, R95p, R99p, RX1day, and RX5day) underwent statistically significant fluctuating changes (p < 0.05) throughout the 61-year record. Seven indices, all except CWD, demonstrated upward tendencies, with mutation points clustering after 2010, most notably between 2011 and 2016. Wavelet power spectra indicates elevated energy concentrations at multiple time scales, although only CWD exhibited a statistically significant periodicity of approximately 8–10 a (p < 0.05 against red noise). In terms of spatial patterns, index magnitudes generally increased along a northwest-to-southeast gradient. Stations registering significant upward shifts were concentrated in East and Central South China, whereas significant downward shifts appeared mainly in North China and the northern portion of East China. An altitude-dependent pattern was also detected: CWD rose with elevation, while the remaining indices declined sharply below 1288 m, fluctuated in the 1288–2090 m band, and dropped again above 2090 m. Wavelet coherence analysis uncovered significant resonance between extreme precipitation and four circulation indices—SCSMMI, WPSHI, PNA, and NAO. MWC further identified three driver combinations—ENSO-PNA, SCSMMI-WPSHI, and ENSO-NAO-EASMI—as the most influential, acting both individually and synergistically. These results furnish an empirical basis for forecasting, preventing, and managing precipitation-related disasters across China under future climate scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Weather, Events and Impacts)

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21 pages, 17392 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dauricine Mitigates Hypoxia Through Targeting ESR1, PIK3CA, and MTOR: A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation

by Zengxun Ni, Zineng Zhou, Feipeng Jia, Jingcheng Wu, Junhao Qiu, Kangrui Yuan and Zhicheng Jia

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(6), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48060550 (registering DOI) - 23 May 2026

Abstract

Hypoxia is a prevalent pathophysiological condition. Prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia can lead to maladaptation, increasing the risk of chronic hypoxic diseases such as high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC). Dauricine, an alkaloid derived from the root of Menispermum dauricum DC, has been demonstrated to possess [...] Read more.

Hypoxia is a prevalent pathophysiological condition. Prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia can lead to maladaptation, increasing the risk of chronic hypoxic diseases such as high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC). Dauricine, an alkaloid derived from the root of Menispermum dauricum DC, has been demonstrated to possess anti-hypoxic properties; however, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, a potential multi-target anti-hypoxic mechanism of dauricine was proposed and computationally evaluated using an integrated approach combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Common targets between dauricine and hypoxia-related genes were identified through network pharmacology screening. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify core targets, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Molecular docking was subsequently employed to evaluate the binding affinities between dauricine and the candidate core targets, while molecular dynamics simulations were performed to assess the dynamic stability of the resulting complexes. Additionally, the drug-likeness and safety profiles of dauricine were assessed. The results suggest that dauricine may exert its anti-hypoxic effects by modulating candidate core targets, including ESR1, PIK3CA, and MTOR, and by acting on key signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and mTOR. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the further investigation of dauricine as a multi-target candidate for intervention in hypoxia and establishes a bioinformatics basis for subsequent experimental validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology in Drug Design and Precision Therapy, 2nd Edition)

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