Saved Queries

by Zdenka Sunjic Lovric, Jasminka Resic Karara, Vedran Stefanovic, Bianka Mimica, Marko Kumric, Daniela Supe-Domic, Roko Santic and Josko Bozic

Life 2026, 16(6), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16060896 (registering DOI) - 27 May 2026

Abstract

Catestatin is a chromogranin A–derived peptide involved in sympathetic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and metabolic regulation, but its longitudinal profile during pregnancy remains insufficiently defined. This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate changes in serum catestatin concentrations from the first to the third trimester and to explore their associations with blood pressure and metabolic parameters in initially low-risk singleton pregnancies. Fifty pregnant women were followed longitudinally from 11–13 + 6/7 to 30–41 + 5/7weeks of gestation. Clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed at both visits, and serum catestatin concentrations were measured using a commercial enzyme immunoassay. Serum catestatin concentrations were significantly lower in the third trimester than in the first trimester (median [IQR]: 9.4 [4.9–15.5] vs. 13.4 [9.9–24.6] ng/mL; p < 0.001). Longitudinal changes in catestatin were positively associated with third-trimester insulin concentrations after adjustment for selected covariates. Third-trimester catestatin concentrations were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.356, p = 0.011) and remained associated with systolic blood pressure in a limited multivariable model. These findings suggest that catestatin concentrations decline from early to late pregnancy and may reflect selected metabolic and hemodynamic changes. Larger longitudinal studies including pathological pregnancy cohorts are needed to clarify its clinical relevance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Reproductive and Developmental Biology)

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27 pages, 1555 KB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Microbial Dynamics During Composting on Product Quality and Soil Biological Enrichment Efficiency

by Laura Núñez-Rodríguez, Marco Suárez-Estrada, Daniel Torres-Cuesta, Karen Polanía-Hincapié, Jose Moreno-Bermúdez, Lady Molano-Chávez, Juan Chavarro-Bermeo and German Estrada-Bonilla

Microorganisms 2026, 14(6), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14061205 (registering DOI) - 27 May 2026

Abstract

Microbial communities regulate the transformation and stabilization of nutrients during composting; however, current knowledge on their specific functional roles across composting stages remains poorly integrated. This review examines the pivotal role of microbial mediation in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics during composting and their subsequent impact on soil health. We analyze how biotechnological interventions—specifically the inoculation of functional microbial consortia (phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, phosphate-accumulating bacteria, and nitrifiers) and the application of physicochemical additives such as biochar—reconfigure microbial succession patterns to mitigate gaseous losses and enhance nutrient bioavailability. Several studies have reported substantial reductions in ammonia (NH₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions under specific composting conditions, while simultaneously promoting the stabilization of labile P into more recalcitrant forms, including polyphosphates. Furthermore, the application of mature compost to agricultural systems induces a profound ecological reassembly of the soil microbiome, shifting community composition toward copiotrophic dominance (Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota) and increasing functional redundancy. These microbial and functional shifts enhance soil resilience to environmental stressors—such as drought and temperature fluctuations—by stabilizing extracellular enzyme activity and reinforcing microbial co-occurrence networks. We conclude that managing microbial interactions along the compost–soil continuum is essential for developing organic amendments optimized for specific soil and crop requirements. This integrated approach represents a cornerstone of precision sustainable agriculture and contributes to climate change mitigation through soil health restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Microbiology)

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30 pages, 7624 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hierarchical Adaptive Gear Shift Strategy Considering Transmission Operating States for Two-Speed Electric Vehicles

by Bolin He, Yong Chen, Qiang Wei and Changyin Wei

Actuators 2026, 15(6), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/act15060293 (registering DOI) - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Two-speed transmissions can regulate the motor operating point by changing the transmission ratio of drive systems and are an effective approach to improving both dynamic performance and energy efficiency of battery electric vehicles. However, existing gear shift strategies rarely consider the impact of transmission operating states on shift rationality and system stability, leading to limited adaptability under complex driving conditions. To address this issue, a hierarchical fuzzy evaluation and gear shift strategy matching method based on transmission operating states is proposed. First, three basic strategies are designed. Then, shift frequency and gear duty ratio are introduced to characterize transmission behavior, and a hierarchical decision framework consisting of driving demand evaluation, transmission behavior evaluation, and strategy matching is constructed to enable adaptive selection among different strategies. Furthermore, a fuzzy shift frequency correction strategy is proposed to adjust shift thresholds online, thereby reducing frequent and unnecessary shifting. Finally, simulations are conducted under multiple typical driving cycles based on a vehicle model, and experimental validation is carried out using a high-speed dual motor load test bench. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can effectively balance dynamic performance and energy efficiency while reducing unnecessary shifts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Intelligent Vehicle Dynamics and Control—2nd Edition)

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26 pages, 8090 KB

Open AccessArticle

Eco-Socioeconomic Coordination and Driving Mechanisms in an Inland River Basin Under a Major Water Transfer Project: A Case Study of the Shiyang River Basin

by Mi Zhang, Zengchuan Dong, Daoli Wang, Yizhou Jiang, Jitao Zhang and Wenzhuo Wang

Water 2026, 18(11), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18111293 (registering DOI) - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Arid inland river basins are constrained by severe water scarcity and fragile ecosystems. Although large-scale water transfer projects are critical interventions, studies of their comprehensive impacts on eco-socioeconomic systems remain limited. To address this gap, this study proposes an integrated assessment framework. A global Remote Sensing Ecological Index (gRSEI) was developed by incorporating a salinity indicator, employing optimal indicator selection, and utilizing a full-period global normalization strategy. A Gridded Socioeconomic Index (GSEI) was constructed by integrating nighttime light (NTL), population (POP), and gross domestic product (GDP) data. The coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD) were applied to analyze spatial patterns across subregions. Focusing on the Shiyang River Basin (SYRB), this study analyzed the spatiotemporal responses and coupling coordination of the eco-socioeconomic system to the 2001 Jingdian Phase II Water Transfer Project. Results indicate that ecological quality improved significantly after the water transfer, with gRSEI increasing from 0.225 to 0.334. Socioeconomic development also improved overall. The eco-socioeconomic system exhibited high coupling but moderate coordination. The coupling degree (C) and coordination degree (D) increased from 0.824 and 0.370 to 0.852 and 0.442, respectively, with clear regional heterogeneity. The water transfer project shifted the dominant driver of coordinated development from water-related factors to land cover. This study provides a practical framework for assessing ecological and socioeconomic dynamics and their interactions in arid basins under major water transfer project interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Sustainable Hydrological Modelling and Smart Water Resource Management)

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24 pages, 4458 KB

Open AccessArticle

Energy-Efficient Pitch Control for a 1000 m-Class Underwater Glider: A Comparative Study of PID, Fuzzy, and ANFIS Controllers Based on Experimental Power Models

by Sung-Hyub Ko, Hyunjoon Cho, Daehyeong Ji, Jong-Wu Hyeon, Seom-Kyu Jung and Joon-Young Kim

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(11), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14110986 (registering DOI) - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Underwater gliders are suited for long-duration oceanographic observation, but their endurance is bounded by onboard energy capacity. An overlooked source of energy loss is the attitude control system, which repeatedly repositions the internal moving mass to hold the desired pitch angle throughout each gliding cycle. Conventional PID and manually tuned fuzzy controllers continue driving the actuator after pitch convergence and adapt poorly to nonlinear buoyancy variations at depth. To address this, we propose an ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System)-based pitch control strategy for a 1000 m-class underwater glider. A nonlinear 6-DOF dynamic simulator incorporating experimentally derived power models for the buoyancy engine and attitude controller was validated up to 100 bar. A 13-rule Sugeno-type fuzzy inference system was optimized through ANFIS hybrid learning using approximately 5500 samples from PID steady-state data. Simulation results show energy savings of 57.05% over PID and 4.98% over a manually tuned fuzzy controller, with no degradation in tracking accuracy. Sea trials confirm a reduction in moving mass displacement under real disturbance conditions, providing qualitative evidence consistent with the simulation results. Further quantitative validation of the energy reduction effect through free-running sea trials remains as future work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Marine Autonomous Vehicles)

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28 pages, 6579 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Algorithm Optimized Sliding Mode Control for 6-DOF Commercial Vehicle Piezoelectric Active Suspension with RBF Neural Network Compensation

by Junbiao Xie, Yuying Jiang, Chen Wang, Jingcheng Dai, Yiming Yu and Chenglong Pan

Vibration 2026, 9(2), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration9020038 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

To address the vibration reduction problem of the six-degrees of freedom(6-DOF) half-vehicle model and to improve ride comfort and handling stability, a piezoelectric stack actuator based on the inverse piezoelectric effect was introduced. A 6-DOF half-vehicle dynamic model coupling the cab, body, and wheels was established based on the Lagrange equation. Based on this model, a vertical-pitch dual sliding surface RBF neural network sliding mode control strategy was proposed, with two independent RBF neural networks designed to separately approximate, online, the comprehensive uncertainties in the vertical and pitch channels associated with unmodeled dynamics, external disturbances, and modeling simplifications. The variable-speed reaching law (dsat) function was used to design the sliding mode reaching law, balancing sliding surface convergence speed and vibration suppression. Six indicators, including vertical acceleration of the cab and vertical acceleration of the vehicle body, were selected as performance evaluation metrics to establish the fitness function. Combined with a genetic algorithm, the dual sliding surface coefficients, RBF network parameters, adaptive update rates, and variable-speed reaching law parameters were globally optimized. The vibration reduction effects of four schemes—passive control, traditional sliding mode control, RBF sliding mode control, and genetic algorithm optimized RBF dual-sliding-mode control—were compared and analyzed. Simulation results show that the genetic algorithm optimized RBF dual-sliding-mode control achieves improved vibration suppression in several key ride-comfort-related indices and provides better overall coordination among ride comfort, suspension working space, and tire dynamic deflection. The research results validate the effectiveness of this method and provide a new solution for addressing vehicle vibration reduction problems. Full article

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21 pages, 8753 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Vegetation Condition at a Closed Municipal Solid Waste Landfill in Kokshetau (Kazakhstan)

by Zulfiya E. Bayazitova, Aigul S. Kurmanbayeva, Natalya M. Safronova, Sayagul B. Zhaparova, María-Elena Rodrigo-Clavero, Javier Rodrigo-Ilarri, Aida B. Akhmetova and Anar M. Ibrayeva

Environments 2026, 13(6), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13060294 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Municipal solid waste landfills may remain sources of environmental concern long after closure because heavy metals can persist in soils and affect ecosystem recovery. This study presents an integrated assessment of a closed municipal solid waste landfill in Kokshetau, Northern Kazakhstan, by combining field-based soil geochemical analysis with remote sensing monitoring of vegetation dynamics. A radial-gradient sampling design was used to characterize spatial patterns of contamination and to distinguish zones with different levels of anthropogenic impact. The results showed a clear concentration of heavy metals, particularly Zn and Pb, in the central part of the landfill, where integrated pollution and ecological risk indices indicated the highest levels of technogenic pressure. Time-series analysis of Landsat-derived vegetation indices for 2017–2025 revealed poorer vegetation condition in the most contaminated areas, with NDVI and EVI values increasing toward the landfill periphery. The observed negative association between vegetation indices and ecological risk suggests that remote sensing indicators can provide useful information on the ecological condition of closed landfill sites, although they should be interpreted together with field measurements. The novelty of this study lies in the combined use of geochemical contamination indices and long-term vegetation-index monitoring to assess post-closure landfill conditions in an arid continental region of Central Asia, where such integrated studies remain limited. The findings highlight the persistence of environmental risks after landfill closure and support the use of vegetation indices as non-invasive tools for monitoring rehabilitation and prioritizing further field investigations. Full article

25 pages, 7077 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Assessment of Storm-Induced Seabed Morphodynamics and Liquefaction for Offshore Pipeline Burial Design in a Tropical Coastal Zone

by Honglin Niu, Chenghao Wang, Yabin Sun, Na Zhang and Zhangyi Zhao

Water 2026, 18(11), 1291; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18111291 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Offshore pipeline landfall sections in tropical coastal zones are often exposed to dynamic hydrodynamic forcing, which may induce seabed erosion and wave-driven liquefaction and thereby affect burial stability. This study presents an integrated assessment of seabed stability for an offshore gas pipeline along the Sarawak coast of the South China Sea, aiming to support burial-depth design in the nearshore surf zone. A multi-model framework was applied to simulate regional hydrodynamics, sediment transport, storm-induced seabed morphodynamics, and wave-induced liquefaction. Model performance was evaluated using field observations, bathymetric survey data, and laboratory experimental results. The results indicate that the seabed remains generally stable under normal environmental conditions, whereas extreme storm-wave forcing may induce localized surf-zone erosion and shallow seabed weakening. Under the 100-year storm-wave scenarios, the maximum simulated erosion depth reaches approximately 0.82 m, and the potential liquefaction response is mainly confined to the upper approximately 1.0 m of the seabed. These results suggest that storm-induced morphodynamic cover loss and wave-induced degradation of near-surface soil support should be evaluated jointly. Based on this integrated process envelope, a minimum burial depth of 2 m is recommended as a conservative engineering requirement for the examined landfall conditions. This process-integrated assessment workflow offers an applicable reference for the design and risk mitigation of analogous offshore pipeline projects in tropical coastal zones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Marine Geology and Sedimentology, 2nd Edition)

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25 pages, 2032 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Feature Selection Method Based on an Improved Sand Cat Swarm Optimization Algorithm with Multi-Strategy Fusion

by Zhouheng Wu, Tao Zhou, Jianyong Fan, Ruimin Zhang, Zhigang Li and Kang Hu

Entropy 2026, 28(6), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28060595 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Feature selection (FS) plays a crucial role in high-dimensional data analysis by improving model performance and reducing computational complexity. However, existing metaheuristic-based FS methods often suffer from insufficient population diversity, premature convergence, and limited capability to escape local optima, which substantially constrains their effectiveness in complex search spaces. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel Improved Sand Cat Swarm Optimization algorithm with multi-strategy fusion (ISCSO) for feature selection. The proposed method introduces a hybrid initialization mechanism based on the Hénon chaotic map and lens imaging reverse learning to enhance population diversity. A golden sine-based phase adjustment strategy is further incorporated to achieve a more effective balance between global exploration and local exploitation. In addition, a nonlinear adaptive weight mechanism is designed to dynamically regulate the search process, while a simulated annealing-based acceptance criterion is integrated to improve the ability to escape local optima. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on the CEC2017 benchmark suite and 18 real-world datasets from the UCI repository. The results demonstrate that ISCSO achieves superior performance over state-of-the-art algorithms, obtaining the optimal results on 82.76% of benchmark functions. In feature selection tasks, ISCSO achieves the optimal average fitness on 94.44% of datasets, reduces feature dimensionality significantly, and consistently improves classification accuracy. These findings indicate that ISCSO provides a competitive and reliable solution for high-dimensional feature selection and complex optimization problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Multidisciplinary Applications)

22 pages, 1656 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pareto Optimization of Power Consumption and Transmission Power for IoT and Wireless Sensor Networks in Dynamic Temperature Environments

by Nikola Zogović, Miloš D. Jevtić, Dragana Bajić and Goran Dimić

Smart Cities 2026, 9(6), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities9060093 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Temperature has a significant impact on the operation and performance of electronic systems. Conventional approaches focus on stabilizing electronic systems to maintain functionality under unfavorable thermal conditions, typically at the expense of increased consumption. This paper adopts a multi-objective approach to identify the Pareto-optimal (PO) trade-off across varying temperatures between functionality and consumption of low-power radio transceivers used in the Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless sensor networks. Building upon the established two-segment PO trade-off controlled by supply voltage and output power settings, between engaged and achieved transmission power, parameters directly associated with energy consumption and transmission quality, we analyze the influence of temperature on the Pareto front. We find that decreasing the temperature improves both engaged power and achieved transmission power simultaneously. Therefore, we propose a novel Pareto-optimal temperature-opportunistic wireless communication approach that exploits temperature variability by selecting favorable temperature conditions for transmission. We also identify the spatio-temporal potential of temperature variations across a four-dimensional network deployment space, particularly in temperature-dynamic urban environments of smart city infrastructure supporting massive IoT. Experiments on a modern Texas Instruments CC1200 transceiver confirm that the power savings of approx 30% and nearly 450 times increase in achieved transmission power are attainable for a temperature difference of 60 °C, corresponding to realistic conditions between the ambient air and a black-painted surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative IoT Solutions for Sustainable Smart Cities)

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18 pages, 5023 KB

Open AccessArticle

Virtual State Coupled Sliding Mode Control: An Energy Exchange Approach with Tunable Performance Trade-Off

by Jialong Wang, Jianli Wang, Jiaxin Jing, Canyang Zhao and Lei Zhang

Sensors 2026, 26(11), 3381; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26113381 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Traditional sliding mode control (SMC) lacks an active mechanism for redistributing energy among state channels during transient convergence, resulting in a rigid trade-off between response speed, overshoot suppression, and energy efficiency. This paper proposes a virtual state coupled SMC method that introduces a [...] Read more.

x_{1} x_{2}

into the sliding surface. Unlike conventional virtual states that serve as static linear combinations or observer-based estimates, the proposed virtual state evolves dynamically and establishes an active energy exchange channel between the real and virtual state dynamics. Linearization and Lyapunov-based analyses prove local asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. The coupling strength

γ

is shown to be decoupled from the linearized local eigenvalues and thus governs the energy–performance trade-off independently, while the condition

c > γ / 4

guarantees a non-vanishing domain of attraction. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed method achieves up to 53.2% control energy reduction under disturbance-free conditions compared with conventional SMC. Under persistent high-frequency disturbances, increasing

γ

reduces oscillations by 54.2% at a controllable energy cost of 45.7%. Systematic parameter selection guidelines are provided, and Monte Carlo simulations (500 trials,

\pm 30 %

parameter perturbations) confirm 100% convergence. The proposed method offers an independently adjustable energy–performance trade-off mechanism suitable for sensor-based motion systems with stringent transient and energy requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sensors and Robotics)

20 pages, 3350 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Fastener Failure and Support Block Hanging Void on the Dynamic Characteristics of the Vehicle–Track Coupled System in Low Vibration Track in Curved Section of Heavy-Haul Railway

by Marui Han, Zhiping Zeng, Zijie Li, Peicheng Li, Guangzhao Peng, Weidong Wang and Abdulmumin Ahmed Shuaibu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5351; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115351 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

The wheel–rail impact effect is prominent in the low vibration track (LVT) in the curved sections of heavy-haul railways, where fastener failure and the support block hanging void are prone to occurring. To investigate the impact of these issues on the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle–track coupled system, this study establishes a coupled dynamics model of a heavy-haul train and LVT, taking into account the topological relationships of vehicle components, multipoint wheel–rail contact, and track irregularities. Comparative analyses are conducted to evaluate the effects of the location, quantity, and failure degree of fastener failure and support block hanging voids on running safety and stability. The results show that (1) compared to the normal condition, fastener failure and support block hanging voids lead to varying degrees of increases in response indicators, thereby intensifying the wheel–rail impact; (2) bilateral failure exhibits more pronounced dynamic responses than unilateral failure, and when the number of failed fasteners or hanging voids exceeds one, the maximum wheel load reduction rate increases significantly; (3) as the gap of the hanging void increases, the dynamic response also increases, and when the gap reaches approximately 3 mm, the support block can be considered fully suspended; and (4) comprehensive analysis indicates that fastener failure poses a greater threat to running safety than support block hanging voids and thus warrants greater attention in practical engineering applications. This study provides theoretical support for the maintenance and repair of heavy-haul railways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Transportation and Future Mobility)

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23 pages, 3381 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrodynamic Response and Safety Thresholds for Ships in Ultra-Confined Ship Lift Chambers: A Large-Scale Experimental Study

by Lei Wang, Yaan Hu, Zhanhui Liu, Yongle Li, Muhammad Shahid Khan and Chen Fang

Water 2026, 18(11), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18111289 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Ship transit in vertical ship lift chambers represents a highly confined flow regime characterized by extreme blockage (N < 2), where ship-induced piston effects can significantly influence navigational safety and structural loads. This study presents an experimental investigation of the unsteady hydrodynamic responses of a 1000 t class ship operating in the Baise vertical ship lift. A 1:10 large-scale physical model was constructed to reproduce the ship lift chamber and auxiliary lock geometry under Froude similarity. Tests were conducted for prototype water depths of 3.7–3.9 m and sailing velocities between 0.4 and 1.1 m/s. Ship sinkage, free-surface oscillations, and dynamic chamber weight variations were synchronously measured. Results revealed a profound process asymmetry: the exit maneuver induced significantly higher sinkage (0.92 m at 1.1 m/s) and chamber weight fluctuations (810 t) than the entry process due to restricted return flow replenishment. A non-dimensional predictive P–K relationship was derived with a regression coefficient α = 1.9121. Based on safety margins and mechanical load limits, critical speed thresholds were established at 0.6 m/s for exit and 0.7 m/s for entry to ensure a minimum safety clearance of 0.48 m even under docking error conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Hydraulic Machinery and Its Application in Marine Engineering)

27 pages, 3579 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Street Canyon Microclimate: Insights from Cross-Seasonal Field Measurements and Coupled CFD Simulations

by Jiaqi Wang, Ye Min, Jing Tan and Zijing Tan

Buildings 2026, 16(11), 2134; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16112134 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Urban street canyons exert a critical influence on local microclimates; however, the dynamics of mixed convective airflow under unsteady wind and thermal forcing remain poorly quantified. This study systematically investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of airflow within symmetric and asymmetric street canyons through integrated long-term field measurements and complementary CFD simulations. Field data collected over 120 monitoring days at the Weishui Campus of Chang’an University were analyzed using the Levenberg–Marquardt nonlinear curve-fitting algorithm. The analysis demonstrates that sine functions accurately represent diurnal surface temperature variations during consecutive clear sky periods, whereas polynomial functions of varying orders are required to characterize meteorologically complex episodes, including cold-wave cooling and seasonal transitions. Ambient wind patterns outside the canyon were further classified into two characteristic variation modes: stepwise and gradual. Complementary unsteady RANS simulations, with wall boundary conditions derived directly from the fitted field data, reveal that canyon geometry and meteorological forcing jointly govern the evolution of airflow structures and thermal distributions across seasons. In the symmetric canyon, the flow transitions from complex multi-vortex activity in spring and summer to a more stable regime in autumn, with two well-defined counter-rotating vortices emerging during winter cold-wave events. In the asymmetric canyon, strong summer solar heating sustains a dominant leeward vortex with a strengthening secondary structure, whereas winter cold wave intrusion generates a hierarchically nested vortex system in which secondary and tertiary vortices progressively develop and detach. By coupling empirical surface temperature functions with CFD boundary conditions, this study advances the precision of predictive microclimate models and provides an evidence-based framework for optimizing street canyon geometry to enhance ventilation performance, energy efficiency, and outdoor thermal comfort. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)

11 pages, 1244 KB

Open AccessArticle

i-Factor™ Bone Graft Versus Demineralized Bone Matrix for Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

by Dong Hun Kim, Jung-Woo Hur, Jin-Young Kim and Jae-Taek Hong

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(11), 4120; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114120 - 26 May 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: i-Factor™ Bone Graft is a composite bone substitute containing P-15 synthetic collagen fragment that has demonstrated noninferiority to local autograft in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF); however, direct head-to-head comparisons with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) using contemporary 3D-printed titanium cages are lacking. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare radiographic fusion rates, segmental stability, and clinical outcomes between i-Factor™ and DBM in single-level ACDF, with a particular focus on the early time course of fusion. Methods: A retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted in patients with single-level cervical degenerative disc disease (cervical disc herniation, cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, or cervical spondylotic myelopathy) operated between December 2021 and January 2024 at a single tertiary care hospital. Seventy-six consecutive patients undergoing single-level ACDF with 3D-printed titanium cages were matched 1:1 (i-Factor™ vs. DBM) on age, sex, and operative level. Fusion status was assessed by serial dynamic radiographs at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and by 3D-CT at 12 months in all patients (with additional CT at earlier timepoints when plain films were equivocal), by two independent spine surgeons blinded to graft type; inter-rater agreement (Cohen’s κ) was computed. Results: Mean follow-up was 18.1 months. Fusion rates for i-Factor™ at 3, 6, and 12 months were 94.7%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, compared to 71.1%, 84.2%, and 94.7% for DBM. The differences were statistically significant at 3 months (p = 0.047) and 6 months (p = 0.012), but not at 12 months (p = 0.493). Inter-rater agreement was almost perfect (κ = 0.86–1.00). No adverse reactions or device-related complications were observed. Conclusions: In this matched cohort, i-Factor™ was associated with significantly faster fusion than DBM in single-level ACDF, with similar 12-month fusion rates. No adverse reactions were observed, although the sample size is insufficient to exclude rare complications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision and Innovation in Spine Surgery: Advanced Techniques for Spinal Disorders)

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