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To mitigate UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) range limitation risks and scheduling disruptions caused by complex wind fields in urban instant delivery, this paper proposes a UAV–rider collaborative dispatching framework. By incorporating aerodynamic-based nonlinear energy dynamics, the model accurately characterizes power variations under stochastic wind conditions, significantly enhancing the operational reliability of urban delivery missions. First, an aerodynamic-based nonlinear energy function is constructed, coupling payload, airspeed, and random wind vectors to accurately characterize power variations. Second, a scenario-based two-stage stochastic programming framework is adopted, where the rider’s deterministic path is optimized in the first-stage decision to ensure stability, and the UAV’s scenario-dependent flight plan is resolved in the second stage to adapt to wind uncertainty. An improved branch-and-price (IBP) algorithm is designed to solve this large-scale model, where nonlinear energy is evaluated during label extension in the pricing sub-problem, effectively avoiding linearization errors. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed framework improves the mission success probability (the likelihood of completing delivery routes without battery exhaustion across all considered wind scenarios) by 25% under strong-wind conditions by effectively avoiding power failure risks. Furthermore, the IBP algorithm outperforms traditional exact solvers by over 40% in solution efficiency for large-scale cases. These findings demonstrate that energy-aware stochastic dispatching significantly improves the reliability and robustness of UAV-assisted last-mile delivery in windy urban environments, thereby providing an effective operational solution for real-world drone delivery logistics. Full article

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29 pages, 11493 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Lyapunov-Stable Direct Deadbeat Control Strategy for Grid-Current-Sensor-Only Active Power Filters

by Jianling Liao and Yankui Zhang

Electronics 2026, 15(5), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15051070 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

To improve the reliability and precision of shunt active power filters (APFs) under disturbances, this paper proposes an enhanced direct deadbeat control strategy requiring only grid-side current sensors. To this end, a sensor-lean yet robust framework is established by integrating PLL-less voltage estimation with online inductance identification. Specifically, the need for AC voltage sensors is eliminated by reconstructing the grid voltage from inverter outputs and consecutive current samples, while a load current feedforward mechanism further obviates the load current sensors. From an algorithmic perspective, the strategy utilizes the grid-side current as the direct controlled variable to minimize error propagation, while an online identification algorithm is incorporated to counteract parameter drift induced by magnetic saturation. Furthermore, system stability is rigorously guaranteed via Lyapunov theory. Validation through both simulation and experiments reveals that the grid current THD is reduced to 2.90% and 3.3%, respectively, with a dynamic response time within 20 ms. Ultimately, these findings confirm that the proposed scheme minimizes hardware dependency without compromising harmonic suppression or transient robustness. Full article

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19 pages, 2019 KB

Open AccessReview

Melatonin as a Redox Modulator in Developmental Programming: Implications for Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Risk

by Chien-Ning Hsu and You-Lin Tain

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052390 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Melatonin, a multifunctional hormone with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chronobiotic effects, is essential for a healthy pregnancy and fetal development. In the context of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), excessive oxidative stress acts as a key driver of maladaptive fetal programming, increasing lifelong susceptibility to cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) disorders. Importantly, most evidence derives from rodent models, and the protective effects of maternal melatonin supplementation appear partial and model-dependent rather than universal. Experimental studies indicate that maternal melatonin supplementation can prevent programmed hypertension, renal dysfunction, and metabolic derangements by restoring redox homeostasis, influencing epigenetic and nutrient-sensing pathways, and modulating the gut microbiome. Early clinical investigations in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction suggest that melatonin is well tolerated, improves placental function, and benefits neonatal outcomes. However, optimal dosing and long-term safety for offspring remain to be established. This review synthesizes mechanistic and translational evidence, framing melatonin as an integrative biological mediator with potential to guide preventive strategies and mitigate the intergenerational risk of CKM syndrome. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Melatonin and Related Indolic Agents)

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22 pages, 5632 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Sustainable Manufacturing Processes on the Rheological and Microstructural Stability of Biopolymer-Stabilized Oil-in-Water Emulsions

by Marlène Lartigue, Claire Dang, Céline Saure, Sophie Cambos and Alicia Roso

Gels 2026, 12(3), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12030211 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

This work investigated the impact of energy-efficient and water-saving manufacturing procedures—specifically one-pot and hot-cold processes—on the rheological and microstructural stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions (emulgels) stabilized by four distinct biopolymers and benchmarked against a synthetic polymer. Emulgels produced using these sustainable methods were directly compared against a traditional hot process. Results demonstrated that for most biopolymers, including tara gum, glucomannan, and cross-linked xanthan gum, the sustainable manufacturing procedures did not compromise overall stability and often provided beneficial polymer-specific flow profiles, such as reduced thixotropy or enhanced shear-thinning. A notable exception was the co-processed acacia/xanthan gum, where rheological data indicated that the one-pot process should be avoided due to structural degradation. Collectively, these findings broaden the applicability of sustainable manufacturing methods beyond traditional stabilizers like xanthan gum and provide additional data for process optimization, with tentative suggestions for transferability to food emulgel production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Hydrocolloids and Hydrogels: Rheology and Texture Analysis)

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Graphical abstract

24 pages, 2895 KB

Open AccessArticle

Age-Associated Metabolomic Changes in Human Spermatozoa

by Mohd Amin Beg, Md Shawkat Khan, Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda, Mohammad Imran Khan, Priyanka Sharma, Ali Hasan Alkhzaim, Kenaz Basem Abuzenada, Arif Mohammed, Abrar Ahmad, Adel Mohammad Abuzenadah and Erdogan Memili

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052386 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

The functional genomic mechanisms contributing to aging-associated decline in fertility in men remain insufficiently elucidated. This study investigated age-related alterations in the sperm metabolome of healthy fertile Arab men across three groups: young adult (21–30 years, n = 6), late adult (31–40 years, n = 7), and advanced age (41–51 years, n = 5). Metabolomics was performed using LC-MS/MS. Statistical/functional analyses were performed using MetaboAnalyst-Pro. A total of 380 metabolites were identified, of which 164 showed significant differences (p < 0.05) across age groups. Principal component analysis, partial least squares-discriminate (PLS-DA), and sparse PLS-DA consistently demonstrated distinct metabolomic clustering between young adult and advanced age groups. Notably, in the advanced-age spermatozoa, L-homocysteine was undetectable, while methyloctadecanoyl-CoA was uniquely abundant. Biomarker analysis identified 137 potential aging-sperm biomarkers (AUC = 1), including upregulated (e.g., pentadecanoyl-CoA, (3S)-3-hydroxylinoleoyl-CoA, CDP-DG(LTE4/20:4(8Z11Z14Z17Z)), uracil) and downregulated (e.g., (S)-hydroxyoctanoyl-CoA, DG(22:6/18:4), L-homocysteine, N-myristoyl serine) metabolites. These biomarkers participate in key sperm domains, including motility, energy metabolism, membrane remodeling, oxidative-stress regulation, and fertilization. In conclusion, advancing age disrupts sperm “metabolostasis” (metabolite homeostasis essential for normal function), compromising their physiological integrity and fertilization competence. The identified biomarkers offer promising targets for interventions to preserve sperm health and mitigate age-related fertility decline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Progress of Metabolomics in Health and Disease)

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28 pages, 2675 KB

Open AccessReview

Cellular Senescence Triggered by Food and Environmental Genotoxins

by Bernd Kaina, Maja T. Tomicic and Markus Christmann

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052389 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Cellular senescence (CSEN) is caused by a variety of factors that trigger complex molecular pathways. These include telomere shortening, oncogene activation and replicative stress, as well as DNA damage caused by genotoxic anticancer drugs and endogenous and exogenous genotoxins. Here, we review the induction of CSEN by exogenous genotoxic insults resulting from food and environmental exposures. The available data show that genotoxins/carcinogens in tobacco smoke and smokeless tobacco, in the environment, in food, beverages and life-style products induce CNS. The exposures include N-nitroso compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic aromatic amines, acrylamide, heavy metals, fine dust, mycotoxins, phytotoxins, and phycotoxins. Also, heme in red meat contributes to CSEN as it catalyzes the formation of genotoxic species in the colon. Induction of CSEN by external genotoxins/carcinogens is bound on the DNA damage response pathway (DDR), which relies on activation of the ATM/ATR-CHK2/CHK1-p53-p21 axis and the p53-independent p16/p14 axis, eliciting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition and permanent cell cycle arrest. Other factors that can be involved are DREAM, MAPK, cGAS/Sting, and NF-κB. The accumulation of non-repaired DNA damage triggering CSEN following external genotoxic exposures may contribute significantly to the amelioration of senescent cells and organ failure with age in humans. Senescent cells drive, via the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), inflammation that is involved in many diseases, including cancer. Although most of the studies were performed with in vitro cell systems, the consequences of CSEN induction by genotoxic nutritional components and environmental exposures seem to be underestimated. Since CSEN correlates with aging, it is reasonable to conclude that exogenous genotoxic pollutants contribute significantly to the aging process through CSEN induction. In light of these findings, it is deduced that reducing genotoxin exposures and using “rejuvenation” supplements (senotherapeutics) are reasonable strategies to counteract cellular senescence and the aging process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Genotoxicity)

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25 pages, 1526 KB

Open AccessReview

An Evolution of Our Understanding of Decomplexification Estimation for Early Detection, Monitoring and Modeling of Human Physiology

by Milena Čukić Radenković, Camillo Porcaro and Victoria Lopez

Fractal Fract. 2026, 10(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract10030169 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Human physiology is among the most complex systems in nature, characterized by intricate structural and functional networks and rich temporal dynamics. Electrophysiological signals produced by different tissues/organs reflect physiological activity, and are inherently non-stationary, non-linear, and noisy. This work focuses on fractal analysis, a framework that captures the self-similar and scale-free properties of electrophysiological signals, which is considered to act as an output of complex physiological structures that generate complex processes. Central to this approach is the principle of ‘decomplexification’, whereby aging and disease are associated with a loss of physiological complexity. We discuss key algorithms, particularly Higuchi’s fractal dimension, which is often combined with other nonlinear measures and machine-learning models for real-time analysis of electrophysiological signals. Evidence shows that fractal metrics enable the early detection and monitoring of neurological and psychiatric disorders, outperforming traditional spectral measures. In movement disorders and mood disorders, fractal and nonlinear features show high diagnostic accuracy. Beyond diagnostics, we discuss therapeutic applications, including the prediction of responsiveness to non-invasive brain stimulation. Here, we envisage the evolution of one fractal or nonlinear measure use, to several measures applied, then use it as a feature for machine learning, and then realize that a whole cluster of biomarkers must be used to reflect the state of autonomic profile, which then can be used for ontology-based application profiles that can be machine-actionable. In addition, we discuss the fractal and fractional description of transport processes, which offer innovative improvement for a much more accurate description of physiological reality as a prerequisite for further modeling: for example, this is needed for digital twins to support the clinical translation of fractal analysis for personalized medicine. In essence, if one is trying to mathematically describe or quantify structures or processes in human physiology, fractal and fractional are the supreme and adequate approach to accurately model that reality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fractal Dimension Analysis in Brain Function: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Frontiers)

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31 pages, 373 KB

Open AccessArticle

Institutional Investors’ Green Attention and Corporate Environmental Information Disclosure: Evidence from Site Visits

by Biao Yi, Xiaoyu Yang, Bao Yang and Xueman Xiang

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2508; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052508 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Institutional investors play an increasingly important role in promoting corporate environmental governance and green transformation. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2012 to 2023, this study examines how institutional investors’ green attention influences the quality of corporate environmental information disclosure. Leveraging mandatory disclosures of institutional investor site visits, we construct a text-based measure of investor green attention. The results show that higher institutional investor green attention significantly improves firms’ environmental information disclosure quality, primarily by promoting managerial long-term orientation and increasing firms’ environmental investment. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that the effect is stronger among firms with higher executive green awareness, weaker internal governance structures, more stable institutional investor ownership, and in regions with lower levels of marketization and government environmental attention. Environmental information disclosure is linked to enhanced green innovation, higher firm valuation, and lower cost of capital. Furthermore, institutional investors’ green attention toward upstream suppliers generates a positive spillover effect on downstream firms’ environmental disclosure. Overall, our findings highlight the governance role of institutional investors in enhancing environmental information disclosure. Full article

16 pages, 4889 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Humidification on Bran Layer Mechanics and Microstructure of Brown Rice: Mechanism and Optimization

by Yadong Zhu, Zhongqiu Mu, Yifan Lu and Xiangyi Meng

Foods 2026, 15(5), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15050875 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Humidification conditioning has been increasingly applied in brown rice milling to improve processing performance. However, the underlying mechanisms by which humidification alters the mechanical behavior and microstructure of the bran layer remain insufficiently understood. In this study, the effects of humidification on the mechanical properties and surface microstructure of the brown rice bran layer were investigated, and the optimal conditioning parameters were further determined based on milling performance. Brown rice samples were conditioned to different moisture levels, and the corresponding changes in bran layer tensile strength, surface roughness, and microstructural features were analyzed using tensile testing, three-dimensional surface profilometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that humidification significantly disrupts the continuity of the fibrous matrix in the bran layer, leading to reduced tensile strength and wear resistance. Moderate humidification (around 16% moisture content) promotes the formation of micro-pores and weakens structural integrity, facilitating bran removal during milling and improving head rice yield (HRY), whereas excessive humidification results in over-softening and increased kernel breakage. On this basis, a quadratic orthogonal rotatable composite design was employed to optimize the combined effects of moisture content, humidification time, and equilibration time on HRY and specific energy consumption. The optimal conditioning parameters were identified as 16% moisture content, 30 s humidification time, and 36 min equilibration time. This study provides the mechanistic insights into the humidification-induced structural and mechanical evolution of the brown rice bran layer, through experimental optimization of humidification operating parameters, offering practical guidance for improving milling quality and energy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application and Recent Advances of Intelligent Machines for Improving the Quality of Agri-Food Products)

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14 pages, 1293 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated with Semaglutide in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Gianmarco Adinolfi, Valeria Milia, Boris Dinkov and Galya Stavreva

Endocrines 2026, 7(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines7010009 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular complications are a leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) semaglutide has shown cardiometabolic benefits in individual studies, but a comprehensive analysis of its effects in both oral and subcutaneous formulations is lacking. Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the impact of semaglutide, in oral and subcutaneous formulations, on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with T2D. Methods: This review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and included a comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar from November 2016 to June 2025. High-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing semaglutide with placebo in patients with T2D were included. The primary endpoint was MACE, defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Results: Of the 127 articles screened, 3 trials involving 16,130 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled HR for MACE across the SOUL, SUSTAIN-6, and PIONEER-6 trials was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.76–0.92; I² = 25%), indicating a 17% relative risk reduction with low heterogeneity. Adverse event profiles were comparable between the semaglutide and placebo groups. Conclusions: Semaglutide use was associated with a significant and consistent reduction in MACE in patients with T2D, supporting its role as a valuable therapeutic option for combined glycemic control and cardiovascular risk reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome)

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19 pages, 3591 KB

Open AccessArticle

Latilactobacillus curvatus IM01 Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation Through Microbial and Metabolic Crosstalk Along the Gut–Lung Axis

by Yujia He, Jing Liu, Tao Yang, Yuanming Huang, Liqiong Song and Zhihong Ren

Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 834; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050834 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Gut microbiota dysbiosis is critically implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation (AAI) via the gut–lung axis. While Latilactobacillus curvatus is a promising probiotic candidate, its specific immunomodulatory mechanisms in respiratory diseases remain poorly understood. Objective: In this study, we investigated the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of L. curvatus IM01 in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine AAI model using an integrated multi-omics approach. Results: Our results demonstrated that oral administration of L. curvatus IM01 significantly attenuated airway inflammation, suppressed Th2-type immune responses, and reduced serum IgE levels. Crucially, our multi-omics integration revealed a coherent gut–lung axis narrative driven by microbial and metabolic crosstalk. Specifically, 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that L. curvatus IM01 was closely linked to structural shifts in the gut microbial community, notably characterized by an enrichment trend for beneficial genera such as Odoribacter and Lactobacillus. This microbial restructuring was closely associated with a modulated cecal metabolic profile, as untargeted metabolomics exhibited a clear trend toward the restoration of key systemically active immunoregulatory metabolites, including indolelactic acid (ILA) and choline, which have been previously linked to the alleviation of AAI symptoms. Further linking this metabolic shift to respiratory immune tolerance, lung transcriptomic analysis showed that the treatment is strongly associated with the promotion of the differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells into Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest a novel potential pathway by which L. curvatus IM01 modulates the gut–lung axis through coordinated microbial and metabolic interventions, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic functional food ingredient for AAI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Prebiotics, Probiotics and Postbiotics)

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21 pages, 4940 KB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating Carbon Sequestration Potential of Salix chaenomeloides Using Allometric Models and Stem Analysis

by Jieun Seok, Bong Soon Lim, Seung Jin Joo, Gyu Tae Kang and Chang Seok Lee

Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2496; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052496 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Allometric equations are essential tools for estimating sustainable biomass and carbon dynamics in riparian tree species. This study derived and validated log–log transformation regression equations that relate diameter at breast height (DBH) to the dry weight, stem volume, and total biomass of Salix chaenomeloides Kimura across five river systems in Korea (Byeongcheon, Andong, Boseong, Topyeong, and Yeongdong). DBH was significantly correlated with biomass components and whole-tree biomass, with explanatory power ranging from 0.47 (Byeongcheon-root) to 0.99 (Topyeong-stem) (R²). Model evaluation metrics (RMSE, MAE, MPE) indicated high predictive accuracy across sites. Using the derived allometric equations, net primary productivity (NPP) of individual was 9.40 kg·tree⁻¹·yr⁻¹ and 2.45 ton C·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹ at the stand level, with site-specific variability reflecting environmental differences. Biomass conversion coefficients, expansion factors, and root-to-aboveground biomass ratios were also obtained, with mean values of 0.29 (branches/stem), 0.10 (leaves/stem), and 0.25 (roots/AGB), a wood density of 0.63 g·cm⁻³, and a biomass expansion factor of 1.37. Independently derived NPP estimates based on stem analysis were comparable (9.02 kg tree⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 2.43 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ at individual and stand levels, respectively), supporting the robustness of the approach. These findings provide robust, site-calibrated allometric models for S. chaenomeloides, supporting accurate biomass estimation, carbon accounting, and the evaluation of riparian ecosystems in climate change mitigation and restoration contexts. From a sustainability perspective, these results highlight the development of tools for evaluating the carbon budget of riparian vegetation, which are not yet incorporated into the Korean national IPCC report. They also demonstrate progress in carbon budget assessment by integrating both allometry and stem analysis. Full article

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49 pages, 6601 KB

Open AccessReview

Relevance of EGFR-HER2 Dual Inhibition in Breast Cancer

by Vidhi Jain, Saloni Bage, Nitisha Dhiman, Shaifali Singh, Arpana Yadav, Daniela Brünnert, Devesh M. Sawant and Pankaj Goyal

Targets 2026, 4(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/targets4010010 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are key members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. Under normal physiological conditions, they play crucial roles in regulating cellular homeostasis and development, including cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. However, when dysregulated due to mutation, amplification, or overexpression, these receptors become potent drivers of tumorigenesis, especially in breast cancer (BC). BC, being the second most prevalent cancer globally, remains a major contributor to female mortality. The EGFR and HER2 overexpression are present in nearly 15–30% of all BC cases and are a hallmark of aggressive BC and drug resistance, correlating with poor prognosis. Over the years, multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed, showing promising responses against previously limited treatment options. This review focuses on strategies for designing dual EGFR-HER2 inhibitors for the treatment of BC and on insights into the development of new dual inhibitors. Full article

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Graphical abstract

15 pages, 2505 KB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Validation of ORTHOSEG, a Novel Artificial Intelligence Tool for the Segmentation of Orthopantomographs and Intra-Oral X-Rays

by Giuseppe Cota, Gaetano Scaramozzino, Marco Chiesa, Lelio Gennaro, Maurizio Pascadopoli, Andrea Scribante and Marco Colombo

Clin. Pract. 2026, 16(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract16030054 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Dental radiographs are essential for diagnosis and treatment planning in modern dentistry. However, their manual interpretation is time-consuming and subject to variability, highlighting the need for automated tools to improve efficiency and consistency. This study aims to validate ORTHOSEG, a deep learning-based system designed to automate the segmentation of anatomical, pathological, and non-pathological elements in radiographs, including orthopantomograms, bitewings, and periapical images. Methods: ORTHOSEG’s performance was evaluated using a rigorously curated dataset of 150 dental radiographs, including 50 orthopantomograms, 50 bitewings, and 50 periapical images, with manual annotations by expert clinicians serving as the ground truth. The system’s segmentation performance was assessed using standard evaluation metrics, including mean Dice Similarity Coefficient (mDSC) and mean Intersection over Union (mIoU), and inference time was also recorded. Results: The system achieved high accuracy, with mDSC and mIoU values of 0.635 ± 0.233 and 0.576 ± 0.214, respectively. In particular for orthopantomograms, it achieved an mDSC of 0.756 ± 0.174 and an mIoU of 0.684 ± 0.172, surpassing existing benchmarks. Its segmentation capabilities extend to approximately 70 distinct elements, underscoring its comprehensive utility. The system demonstrated efficient computational performance, with processing times of 19.745 ± 3.625 s for orthopantomograms, 8.467 ± 0.903 s for bitewings, and 5.653 ± 0.897 s for periapical radiographs on standard clinical hardware. Conclusions: ORTHOSEG demonstrates efficiency suitable for integration into routine workflows. This study confirms ORTHOSEG’s reliability and potential to improve diagnostic workflows, offering clinicians a valuable tool for faster and more detailed radiograph analysis. Future research will focus on extending validation across diverse clinical scenarios to ensure broader applicability. However, this study has limitations, including the use of a dataset derived from a European population and the absence of usability and clinical workflow evaluation, which should be addressed in future studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Outcome Research in the Head and Neck: 2nd Edition)

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36 pages, 14302 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Earthquake and Hydrostatic Water Pressure on the Seismic Stability of Slopes Supported by Mechanically Stabilized Earth Retaining Walls

by Zeinab Bayati, Arash K. Pour, Ali Saeidi and Ehsan Noroozinejad Farsangi

GeoHazards 2026, 7(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/geohazards7010034 (registering DOI) - 4 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study evaluates the stability of slopes supported by mechanically stabilized earth walls under combined hydrostatic and seismic loading conditions. Limit equilibrium, pseudo-static methods and permanent displacement approaches, including the Newmark rigid block method as well as coupled and decoupled techniques, are employed to assess the static and seismic performance of the soil slope under investigation. Parametric analyses are conducted using the Slide2 software package (Version 9.041) and verified against geotechnical design criteria to examine the effects of groundwater level and seismic intensity on factors of safety, failure mechanisms, and seismic-induced displacements of the slope. Results based on multiple strong ground motion records indicate that elevated water tables and hydrostatic pressures behind the wall, up to levels near the wall toe, do not significantly increase the failure potential or slope displacement. This behavior is attributed to the MSE wall acting as a rigid stabilizing system that enhances overall slope stability. Full article

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