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by Antonio D’Errico, Rosarita Nasso, Mario Ruggiero, Rosario Rullo, Emmanuele De Vendittis, Mariorosario Masullo, Filomena Mazzeo and Rosaria Arcone

Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010022 (registering DOI) - 20 Dec 2025

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are multifactorial disorders causing severe disability, rising with the increase in life expectancy. Currently, the identification of natural compounds useful against these disorders is becoming an urgent necessity. In this study, we used polyphenol-enriched extracts obtained from leaves of Mediterranean plants, which are important in animal feeding (Lotus ornithopodioides, Hedysarum coronarium, Medicago sativa) and in the human Mediterranean diet (Cichorium intybus). Objectives: The aims of this study were as follows: (i) tentative identification of the organic compounds present in the extracts; (ii) determination of their effect on the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and MAO-B, key enzymes involved in the metabolism of aminergic neurotransmitters, as well as on protein expression level of these enzymes in cell lines expressing basal MAO-A and MAO-B. Methods: The ability of plant polyphenol extracts to inhibit MAO-A and MAO-B activity was assessed by in vitro enzyme assays. The protein expression level was analyzed by Western blotting. Results: Our data demonstrate that all the extracts behaved as MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors, although to a different extent and enzyme inhibition mechanism; among them, the extract from L. ornithopodioides induced a decrease in MAO-A protein level in human AGS gastric adenocarcinoma and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. Conclusions: These data reinforce the hypothesis that a plant-based diet and/or integrative supplementation of pharmacological treatments can be considered for preventing and relieving symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Diets Regulate Antioxidant-Inflammatory Balance)

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25 pages, 5834 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Erosion Boundary of a Blast Furnace Hearth Driven by Thermal Stress Based on the Thermal–Fluid–Structural Model

by Fei Yuan, Liangyu Chen, Lei Wang, Lei Zhao and Zhuang Li

Processes 2026, 14(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010019 (registering DOI) - 20 Dec 2025

Abstract

Irreversible erosion damage of the hearth lining determines the campaign life of a blast furnace (BF). Among the factors involved, structural thermal stress resulting from both internal and external temperature differences and external constraints is a key mechanism in the damage to the hearth lining. Based on a thermal–fluid–structural coupling model that accounts for molten iron flow and solidification, this study, building on thermal stress analysis of the hearth lining, proposes a method to determine the critical strength-based erosion boundary of the lining, using the compressive strength of carbon bricks as the criterion. It also investigates the influence of factors such as dead iron layer depth, tapping productivity, and molten iron temperature on the thermal stress-driven erosion boundary. The findings reveal that the depth of the dead iron layer determines the morphology of the hearth lining’s erosion. With increasing depth, the erosion pattern transitions from an elephant foot profile to a wide-face profile, while the radial erosion depth first increases and then decreases. Both increased tapping productivity and elevated molten iron temperature do not change the erosion shape but aggravate the erosion degree and induce axial displacement of the erosion zone. The research findings are of great significance for deepening the understanding of thermal stress damage in the hearth lining and provide an effective reference for long-term hearth design. Subsequent validation with a large amount of industrial data will further enhance the practical applicability of the proposed method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Chemical Processes and Systems)

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20 pages, 1978 KB

Open AccessArticle

Antibiofilm and Immunomodulatory Effects of Cinnamaldehyde in Corneal Epithelial Infection Models: Ocular Treatments Approach

by Ashraf Khalifa, Muthukumar Thangavelu, Krishnaraj Thirugnanasambantham and Hairul-Islam M. Ibrahim

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010005 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Background: Bacterial keratitis, a major cause of corneal blindness, is frequently associated with biofilm-forming pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) controls biofilm development, which increases antibiotic resistance and makes treatment more difficult, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Methods: This study investigated cinnamaldehyde as a potential ocular therapeutic using combined computational and experimental approaches. Molecular docking and in vitro assays (XTT, resazurin reduction, crystal violet staining, qRT-PCR, and fluorescence microscopy) were used to evaluate the anti-biofilm and immunomodulatory activities of cinnamaldehyde (CA) against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results: CA inhibited biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner (≈89% at 1000 µM; >50% at 250 µM), reduced bacterial attachment to contact lenses, and downregulated key biofilm genes (mrkA, mrkC, ybtS, bolA). Docking analysis revealed strong binding affinity to the mrkH regulator (−5.46 kcal/mol. CA maintained more than 80% corneal cell viability by increasing IL-10, suppressing inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and improving bacterial clearance. Conclusions: This study combines computational docking, biofilm quantification, immune cell assays, and functional gene expression analyses to reveal the ability of cinnamaldehyde not only to suppress biofilm formation but also to enhance macrophage-mediated clearance and modulate corneal immune responses, a multi-target approach not previously described in the context of bacterial keratitis. Such effects highlight its potential as a novel ocular drug candidate for protecting corneal integrity in infectious keratitis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ophthalmic Drug Delivery, 3rd Edition)

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19 pages, 2037 KB

Open AccessArticle

Glucosinolate–Myrosinase Formulations for Adult Obesity: Toward Next Generation of Bioactive Therapies

by Concepción Medrano-Padial, Cassidy Bo Harris, Verónica Mellado-Romero, Raúl Domínguez-Perles and Diego A. Moreno

Foods 2026, 15(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15010013 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

The rising global prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders calls for innovative dietary strategies that can modulate key enzymatic pathways involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study uncovers the effects of sulforaphane (SFN)-rich broccoli-derived formulations—including liquid and lyophilised forms, as well as two commercial prototypes, Sulforaphan^® BASIC and Sulforaphan^® SMART, the latter being characterised by the inclusion of an enteric-coated myrosinase enzyme designed to enhance the in situ conversion of glucosinolates (GSL) into bioactive isothiocyanates (ITC)—on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Across the formulations, total GSL content ranged widely, with GS0 showing the highest levels. Functionally, all SFN-rich formulations significantly reduced intracellular triglyceride content, with the SMART formulation achieving the strongest reduction (11% compared with untreated controls). Across enzymatic assays, we recorded that every formulation inhibited lipoprotein lipase and α-glucosidase activities, with Sulforaphan^® BASIC and Sulforaphan^® SMART leading to moderate inhibition (40–50%). The potent effect of SMART formulation may be associated with the presence of enteric-coated myrosinase, which enhances the conversion of GSL into bioactive ITC. The gathered evidence provides further insights into the potential of bioactive compounds in cruciferous foods to modulate metabolic health, underscoring their potential role in complementary therapeutic strategies for obesity and its comorbidities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Ingredients in Functional Foods—Their Role in Lipid Metabolism)

23 pages, 10222 KB

Open AccessArticle

Aqueous Extract of Fructus Choerospondiatis Peel Suppresses Vascular Inflammation and Alleviates Atherosclerosis via AKT/c-FOS/IL-6 Axis

by Andong Wu, Jiayi Dong, Jiankun Liu, Xueting Gong, Xueer Li, Bingbing Zhou, Ming Wan, Weixin Lv, Jiayu Qiu, Ya Zhao, Yu Fang, Jie Huang and Xiao-Li Tian

Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010021 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is the pathological basis for lethal cardio-cerebral vascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and stroke. Fructus Choerospondiatis (FC) has demonstrated cardiac protective effects in multiple ethnomedicine. Whether these protective effects are attributed to the prevention of vascular atherosclerosis, however, remains unknown. We aim to examine the anti-atherosclerotic effect of FC aqueous extract and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Methods: FC was separated into peel and pulp, and the aqueous extract was obtained separately by boiling in water to mimic decocting. Atherosclerosis model was established in ApoE^−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet, and histological analysis were utilized to evaluate the development of atherosclerosis. Various inflammatory models were constructed in mice to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of FC extract systemically, including acute local inflammation induced by traumatic injury (ear/foot swelling), acute systemic inflammation triggered by pathogenic infection (LPS- and POLY (I:C)-induced), as well as chronic inflammatory conditions associated with oxidative stress (D-galactose-induced), metabolic disorder (db/db mice), and aging. LC-MS and network pharmacology identified bioactive components and targets. Western blotting, ELISA, qPCR, and immunofluorescence were utilized to analyze the key genes involved in the mechanisms. Results: FC peel extract reduced serum IL-6 level, atherosclerotic plaque area, and macrophage content in the plaque, while pulp extract showed no protective effects. Peel extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in all models. The integrative application of LC-MS and network pharmacology identified ellagic acid as the major bioactive component and AKT as its target protein. Mechanistically, FC peel extract inhibits AKT phosphorylation, suppresses c-FOS expression and nuclear translocation, reduces IL-6 transcription and inflammation, and thus alleviates atherosclerosis. Conclusions: FC peel aqueous extract exerts anti-atherosclerotic effect by inhibiting inflammation through AKT/c-FOS/IL-6 axis. This study provides novel insights into the protective effects against atherosclerosis of FC peel and highlights its potential application in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive and Therapeutic Nutraceuticals)

20 pages, 2835 KB

Open AccessArticle

Discovering Potential OryR Inhibitors via Structural Modeling and Virtual Screening: A Computational Strategy to Control Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Virulence

by Jongkeun Choi

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010046 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Bacterial blight in rice, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), poses a serious threat to global rice production. The ability of Xoo to form biofilms is a key factor for its virulence. The OryR protein is a LuxR-type quorum-sensing regulator essential for biofilm formation and Xoo pathogenicity. However, the three-dimensional structure of OryR remains poorly understood. This study integrates homology modeling, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and virtual screening to elucidate the structure of OryR and identify potential inhibitors that target its ligand-binding domain. MD simulations confirmed the structural stability of OryR, and comparative analysis with experimentally determined structures of ligand- or inhibitor-bound homologs revealed a binding site in OryR with a distinct hourglass-like shape for long-range contacts. Virtual screening of over 200,000 compounds from four chemical libraries identified several promising inhibitor candidates, with the top compounds showing strong binding energies in both molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (−68.3 kcal/mol) and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (−19.3 kcal/mol) calculations. Overall, this study provides insights into the OryR structure and highlights potential inhibitors that can be developed as novel agents to control bacterial blight. However, additional experimental validations are required to refine and optimize these leads for drug development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)

19 pages, 600 KB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Footprint Analysis of Alcohol Production in a Distillery in Three Greenhouse Gas Emission Scopes

by Magdalena Wróbel-Jędrzejewska, Łukasz Przybysz, Ewelina Włodarczyk, Filip Owczarek and Łukasz Ściubak

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010057 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

The study presents a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the carbon footprint (CF) of high-percentage spirit production in a Polish distillery. The analysis followed the GHG Protocol and ISO 14067:2018 standards, covering direct and indirect emissions across three Scopes. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) with a gate-to-gate boundary, emissions were across key technological processes. Verified operational data for 2022–2024 included detailed records of energy and fuel consumption. Electricity use was identified as the dominant emission source, accounting for 70–93% of total GHG emissions, followed by natural gas and transport fuels. The integration of renewable energy sources, including biomass and photovoltaic installations, resulted in a significant decrease in GHG emissions. The average carbon footprint of spirit production declined from 1.02 kg CO_2eq/L in 2022 to 0.12–0.15 kg CO_2eq/L in 2023–2024, representing an over 85% reduction in emission intensity. Production increased, but the company implemented better practices, including the use of biomass and photovoltaics as energy sources, which translated into a reduction in its carbon footprint. Scenario analysis showed that implementing the replacement of conventional fuels with renewables could lower total GHG emissions by up to 35%. The results confirm that renewable energy implementation and energy-efficiency improvements are effective decarbonization strategies for the spirits industry, supporting compliance with European Green Deal objectives and the transition toward climate-neutral production. Full article

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29 pages, 3139 KB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal-Spatial Waveform Fault Attention Design for PEMFC Fault Diagnosis via Permutation Feature Importance in Smart Terminal

by Jian Liu, Wenqiang Xie, Xiaolong Xiao, Ziran Guo and Xiaoxing Lu

Processes 2026, 14(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010018 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Accurate and rapid fault diagnosis is paramount to stabilizing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). To achieve this, this study proposes a novel fault diagnosis method that integrates a convolutional neural network (CNN), a bi-directional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM), and a waveform fault attention (WFA) mechanism. In the proposed framework, data are classified into five distinct categories utilizing a hierarchical clustering algorithm. Additionally, data augmentation techniques are implemented to bolster model performance. The introduction of amplitude attention and temporal difference attention, in conjunction with the construction of WFA, enables the accurate extraction of temporal-spatial features, significantly improving the distinguishability of fault diagnosis. Furthermore, feature contribution is evaluated using permutation feature importance (PFI) to identify key features, enhancing the interpretability of the model. Experimental findings verify that the proposed method enables high-precision fault identification, with precision values spanning 97–100% and an average stability of 98.3%, demonstrating robust performance even when the volume of original sample data is limited. This performance markedly surpasses that of extant methodologies. The comprehensive approach augments the accuracy, reliability, and interpretability of PEMFC fault diagnosis, and introduces a novel research paradigm for feature extraction, thereby possessing significant theoretical and practical application value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Power Science and Technology, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 428 KB

Open AccessProtocol

NutriWomen, Novel Evidence-Based Web Platform to Support Women’s Health, Nutrition Decisions and Address Nutrition Misinformation on Social Media: Protocol for a Digital Tool Development

by Mireia Bosch Pujadas, Andreu Prados-Bo, Alessandra Wagner, Bradley C. Johnston, Andreu Farran-Codina and Montserrat Rabassa

Nutrients 2026, 18(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010020 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Background: Social media, especially Instagram, spreads nutrition-related information that often lacks scientific rigor. Many women report feeling inadequately informed about women’s health by healthcare professionals, turning to social media, increasing exposure to misinformation. Objectives: The NutriWomen platform aims to assess the quality, methodological soundness, and credibility of nutritional health claims and dietary recommendations on Instagram targeting women across different life stages. Its goal is to develop a systematic and scientifically grounded evaluation framework to assess Instagram nutrition-related claims and the methodological quality and interpretability of their supporting evidence, and to translate the results into accessible outputs that help women make informed nutrition decisions across life stages. Methods: This study follows a five-stage design Stage 1 involves a retrospective content analysis of Instagram posts containing nutrition-related claims targeted at women, identified through the “Top posts” function and screened using predefined criteria. Stage 2 assesses information quality using a validated 14-item tool. Stage 3 evaluates the scientific accuracy of claims by formulating PI(E)CO(TS) questions, selecting key outcomes, retrieving evidence from PubMed and the Cochrane Database, and appraising systematic reviews with a modified AMSTAR-2 tool incorporating GRADE ratings, when available. Stage 4 develops the NutriWomen website platform to translate assessments into accessible visual summaries. Stage 5 conducts a mixed-methods study with peri-, meno-, and postmenopausal women to explore information needs and evaluate platform usability through focus groups. Conclusions: The NutriWomen platform will be the first website to systematically publish the results of evaluations assessing the scientific quality of nutritional health claims on Instagram targeted at women across different life stages. It will provide a replicable methodology, and a digital tool designed to empower women with trustworthy nutrition information, with the potential to enhance health literacy and promote better health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing the Health Impacts of Dietary Exposure: Enhancing Public Health Through Dietary Literacy and Experimental Methodologies)

29 pages, 2341 KB

Open AccessArticle

Social Value Measurement and Attribute Impact of Urban Complex Parks: A Case Study of Shanghai

by Junyu Pan, Siyuan Xue and Yanzhe Hu

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010056 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Amidst the paradigm shift in park city development from quantitative metrics to spatial performance, urban complex parks—a novel green space type developed privately yet fulfilling public functions—present an innovative approach to park provision in high-density urban areas. However, systematic empirical evidence on their social value remains scarce. This study characterizes urban complex parks as a new form of green public space that provides key ecosystem services and proposes a three-dimensional evaluation framework integrating “usage vitality, place attractiveness, and user satisfaction.” Analyzing 19 park-equipped complexes among 75 cases in Shanghai using LBS data and online reviews through controlled linear regression and comparative analysis, our results indicate complexes with parks were associated with significantly outperforming others in place attractiveness and user satisfaction. Key findings include associations with a 413.7 m increase in average OD distance, a 3.4–4.0% higher city-level visitor share, and 5.24 percentage points greater median positive review rate. Crucially, spatial location outweighs green ratio and size in determining social value. Ground-level parks, through superior spatial integration, function as effective “social-ecological interfaces,” significantly outperforming rooftop parks in attracting long-distance visitors, stabilizing foot traffic (≈3% lower fluctuation), and enhancing per-store visitation. This demonstrates that green space quality (experiential quality and spatial configuration) matters more than quantity. Our findings suggest that urban complex parks can create social value through perceivable naturalness and restorative environments, providing an empirical basis for optimizing park city implementation in high-density contexts and highlighting the need to reconcile broad attractiveness with equitable local access. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Landscape and Ecosystem Services for a Sustainable Urban System)

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22 pages, 389 KB

Open AccessReview

Advancements in Genetic Transformation of Grapevine (Vitis spp.)

by Wenbo Liang, Xiaoyue Wang, Huiling Wang, Ailing Yan, Jiancheng Ren, Zhenhua Liu and Lei Sun

Horticulturae 2026, 12(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010007 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Traditional methods for grapevine (Vitis spp.) breeding are marked by lengthy breeding cycles with usually low efficiency, rendering them inadequate for the demands of the rapidly evolving grapevine industry. While grapevine genetic transformation holds significant potential for improvement, its application is hampered by bottlenecks in efficiency, speed, and genotype dependence. In this context, this review systematically examines the factors influencing and challenges associated with key steps in grapevine genetic transformation—specifically, gene delivery and plant regeneration. It posits that the development and application of marker genes, the exploration and utilization of developmental regulators, and the establishment of novel genetic transformation systems are effective strategies to overcome current limitations. In this paper, we present a foundation and methodological guidance for creating efficient and stable genetic transformation systems for grapevine, with significant theoretical and practical implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Viticulture)

20 pages, 424 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Emotion Regulation and Illness Identity Shape Mental Health in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

by Anna-Lena Ehmann, Daniel T. Marggrander, Janina Semmler, Felix Berger, Paul C. Helm and Constanze Pfitzer

Med. Sci. 2026, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14010002 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at increased risk for mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence suggests that psychological rather than purely medical factors may play a decisive role in explaining individual differences in emotional adjustment. However, comprehensive models integrating multiple cognitive and emotional domains remain scarce. This study aimed to identify the psychological variables most strongly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in ACHD when considered simultaneously to inform priorities for psychosocial interventions. Methods: A total of 1136 ACHD (aged 18–85 years; 59.7% female) from the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, completed an online survey assessing depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, illness perceptions, and illness identity. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were conducted, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, CHD severity, and secondary diseases. Significance level for regression models was set at p < 0.025 due to Bonferroni correction. Results: Rumination showed the strongest positive correlations with both depression and anxiety, whereas acceptance was most negatively correlated. In multiple regression analyses, rumination (highest unique variance explanation with semi-partial R² = 0.068 resp. 0.072) and illness engulfment emerged as the most strongly associated predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Illness-related concerns were not significant predictors. Conclusions: The findings highlight the key role of repetitive negative thinking and an engulfed illness identity in the development of emotional distress among ACHD. Psychotherapeutic interventions targeting rumination, fostering psychological distance from illness identity, and promoting a multifaceted self-concept may be particularly beneficial in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cardiovascular Disease)

35 pages, 9651 KB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of PHBV Nanocomposites via TiO₂ Incorporation for Sustainable Food Packaging

by Karlo Grgurević, Martina Miloloža Nikolić, Dajana Kučić Grgić and Vesna Ocelić Bulatović

Polymers 2026, 18(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010011 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable polyester considered for food packaging, though its mechanical and barrier limitations pose challenges. This study assessed PHBV/TiO₂ nanocomposites for packaging applications. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed reduced crystallinity and lower melting points with an increase in TiO₂ content. Thermal stability improved at 1% and 3% TiO₂, raising onset temperatures to 283 °C and 284 °C, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR confirmed uniform nanoparticle dispersion without agglomeration. Tensile tests showed decreasing strength and modulus from 1% to 7% TiO₂, with peak elongation at 3%, whereas viscosity behavior declined with higher nanoparticle loading. Low portions of nanoparticles (1% and 3%) induced the improvement in barrier properties against oxygen and water vapor. The highest biodegradation rate occurred at 7% TiO₂. Overall, the nanocomposites’ properties tend to deteriorate with the addition of higher portions of TiO₂. Thus, despite some improvements, the nanocomposites did not deliver consistent, multi-property enhancements to justify use in food packaging. Key metrics like sealability and appearance were not evaluated. Future research should explore surface-treated TiO₂, alternative fillers, compatibilizers, and optimized processing, alongside standardized safety assessments for food-contact applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Biopolymer-Based Composites in Food Technology)

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24 pages, 519 KB

Open AccessArticle

Navigating the Green Transition: Drivers, Barriers, and Policy Implications for Circular Economy Adoption Among Logistics SMEs in an Emerging Economy

by Thi Nhu Quynh Vu, Ngoc Anh Nguyen, Khac Huy Nguyen and Van Kiem Pham

Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010055 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

The global shift toward a Circular Economy (CE) presents both significant challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the logistics sector of emerging economies. This study aims to empirically identify and analyze the key drivers and barriers to the adoption of CE practices among logistics SMEs in Vietnam. Drawing on an integrated theoretical framework that combines the Technology—Organization—Environment (TOE) framework, the Resource-Based View (RBV), and Institutional Theory, a questionnaire survey was conducted with a sample of 160 logistics SMEs. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal that external environmental factors exert the strongest influence, with supply chain partner support (β = 0.355) and competitive pressure (β = 0.331) emerging as the most significant predictors. Leadership commitment (β = 0.237) and regulatory pressure (β = 0.164) also have positive and statistically significant effects. Notably, the study found no significant impact from internal factors such as financial capacity or cognitive factors, suggesting that ecosystem pressures may play a dominant role for SMEs. Based on the findings, the paper offers valuable practical implications for both managers and policymakers. Full article

23 pages, 869 KB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Policies, Crop Type, Tillage Systems and Fertilization as Drivers of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Romania

by Geta-Mirela Ispas, Oana Coca and Gavril Stefan

Agriculture 2026, 16(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16010012 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025

Abstract

Soil carbon (C) sequestration is a key component of European climate change mitigation strategies, and it forms part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) standards. Using national data for Romania (2005–2024), this paper aims to quantify how crop type, tillage system (conventional, minimum-till and no-till), and nitrogen fertilization influence soil humic carbon (Ch) in wheat, maize, sunflower and rapeseed cropping systems. Carbon inputs from residues, roots, and rhizodeposition were calculated in R based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) coefficients, then tested in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (factorial ANOVA, multiple regression, Pearson correlations). The results showed that both crop type and tillage systems significantly influence humic carbon values, with the highest values obtained in oilseed crops and in conservation systems (minimum-till and no-till). Among the quantitative factors, nitrogen fertilization had the most pronounced positive effect on carbon fluxes, while yield and precipitation had less influence. The conclusions indicate that the adoption of conservative soil management, in line with CAP objectives and GAEC standards, can support the increase of carbon stocks, with the need for contextual assessment of economic performance and pedoclimatic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ecosystem, Environment and Climate Change in Agriculture)

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