Rosacea-associated erythema and flushing often remain inadequately controlled by standard therapies. Intradermal botulinum toxin A has emerged as a potential treatment targeting the neurovascular component of rosacea. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of intradermal letibotulinumtoxinA for persistent erythema and flushing in rosacea. Eleven patients with refractory erythematotelangiectatic rosacea received a single session of intradermal letibotulinumtoxinA (20 U total dose). Outcomes at 2 weeks included clinician- and patient-rated erythema severity, patient-reported flushing, skin hydration, sebum, elasticity, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Safety assessments included adverse events and pain. Two weeks post-treatment, 73% of patients showed improvement in Clinician’s Erythema Assessment score and 100% reported reduced flushing. Median hydration and elasticity increased, while the level of sebum decreased. Median DLQI improved from 9 to 2. No serious adverse effects occurred; mild, transient cheek heaviness and dryness were noted in three cases. Intradermal letibotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated, with few reported side effects/complications. The treatment demonstrated preliminary efficacy in reducing rosacea erythema and flushing, and improving skin physiology and quality of life; however, these require confirmation in a larger, controlled study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Botulinum Toxin in Facial Diseases and Aesthetics)

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24 pages, 3495 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hollow Auxetic Polymer Structures with Manufacturing-Constrained Design and Mechanical Validation

by Finlay Bridge, Rakan Albarakati, Hany Hassanin and Khamis Essa

Polymers 2026, 18(7), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18070828 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Hollow auxetic structures enable lightweight mechanical design by reducing mass while preserving architected deformation. However, hollow auxetic studies focus on LPBF metals. This study presents a manufacturing-constrained design and validation framework for a hollow hybrid re-entrant chiral lattice produced by stereolithography. The unit cell was parameterised by chiral angle, re-entrant strut length, and hollow internal diameter, with drainage features integrated into the CAD model to preserve hollow channels during printing and post-processing. A minimum internal diameter study defined the printable design window. Within these limits, a central composite design coupled with finite element analysis mapped the response surface and identified an optimised geometry of θ = 15°, L = 3.5 mm, and d = 1.68 mm, with a predicted unit-cell negative Poisson’s ratio of about −1.17. Compression testing confirmed that the printed unit cell and 3 × 3 × 3 lattice retained the intended rotation-dominated auxetic deformation mode. At the selected comparison strain, the unit cell showed a negative Poisson’s ratio of −0.68 and the 3 × 3 × 3 lattice showed −0.29. Relative to the solid lattice, the hollow lattice reduced density by 42.4% with only a 3.0% reduction in stiffness, increasing specific stiffness by 68.9% and specific peak strength by 5.2%, but reducing specific energy absorption by 25.6% due to earlier localisation and junction driven fracture. These results provide practical design guidance for manufacturable hollow SLA auxetic lattices, especially for lightweight and stiffness-limited applications where low mass and high specific stiffness are more important than energy absorption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Processing and Engineering)

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22 pages, 3647 KB

Open AccessArticle

Addressing Class Imbalance in Predicting Student Performance Using SMOTE and GAN Techniques

by Fatema Mohammad Alnassar, Tim Blackwell, Elaheh Homayounvala and Matthew Yee-king

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3274; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073274 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) have become increasingly popular in education, particularly with the rise of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessing student performance in VLEs is challenging, and the accurate prediction of final results is of great interest to educational institutions. Machine learning classification models have been shown to be effective in predicting student performance, but the accuracy of these models depends on the dataset’s size, diversity, quality, and feature type. Class imbalance is a common issue in educational datasets, but there is a lack of research on addressing this problem in predicting student performance. In this paper, we present an experimental design that addresses class imbalance in predicting student performance by using the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) and Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) technique. We compared the classification performance of seven machine learning models (i.e., Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Decision Trees (DT), Random Forests (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Categorical Boosting (CATBoost), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Support Vector Classifier (SVC)) using different dataset combinations, and our results show that SMOTE techniques can improve model performance, and GAN models can generate useful simulated data for classification tasks. Among the SMOTE resampling methods, SMOTE NN produced the strongest performance for the RF model, achieving a Region of Convergence (ROC) Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.96 and a Type II error rate of 8%. For the generative data experiments, the XGBoost model demonstrated the best performance when trained on the GAN-generated dataset balanced using SMOTE NN, attaining a ROC AUC of 0.97 and a reduced Type II error rate of 3%. These results indicate that the combined use of class balancing techniques and generative synthetic data augmentation can enhance student outcome prediction performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Explainable AI in Education)

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11 pages, 513 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Dental Fear Across Dental Specialties: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Gizem Yazdan Özen, Başak Topdağı, Ali Kağan Özen, Nebiha Hilal Bilge and Kübra Aslantaş Akar

Healthcare 2026, 14(7), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14070870 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dental fear and mindfulness levels, and to examine how this relationship varies across different dental specialties. Methods: The Dental Fear Scale (DFS) and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were administered to 411 adult patients receiving treatment in six different clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry at Kafkas University. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, Chi-square, and Spearman’s correlation tests. Results: A moderate, significant, and negative correlation was found between MAAS and DFS scores (r = −0.41; p < 0.001). Mean scores differed significantly across clinics. Patients in the Prosthodontics Department exhibited the highest levels of fear (62.21 ± 4.62) and the lowest levels of mindfulness (3.22 ± 0.23), whereas patients in the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department demonstrated the lowest fear levels (40.60 ± 15.76) and the highest mindfulness levels (4.30 ± 1.00). Consistent with these score-level differences, the distribution of dental fear categories varied across clinics, with a significantly higher prevalence of high anxiety in the Prosthodontics clinic (75.7%) compared to the Orthodontics and Radiology clinics. Conclusions: Higher levels of mindfulness were associated with lower levels of dental fear, and this relationship was consistent across all clinical settings. The study highlights that clinical context significantly influences both mindfulness and fear levels, with invasive specialties showing a higher risk profile. Brief mindfulness-based interventions may serve as effective and feasible strategies to enhance patient cooperation and improve treatment outcomes, particularly in clinics where high levels of fear are prevalent. Full article

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14 pages, 2098 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Purple-Leaf Perillene Chemotype Line in Perilla frutescens Reveals Incomplete Linkage with Leaf Color

by Wei Wei, Bin Wang, Zhaoyuan Li, Yang Liu, Hongliang Ji, Zhou Wu, Guangyao Ma, Yuxuan Sun, Tiantian Zhang, Yanbing Liu, Longfeng Feng, Yue Jin, Tingting Wang, Qiuling Wang, Zhihui Gao and Jianhe Wei

Plants 2026, 15(7), 1044; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15071044 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Perilla frutescens(L.) Britt. (P. frutescens) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant, whose leaf color and chemotype strongly influence its medicinal quality and economic value. All the previously discovered perillene (PL)-type P. frutescens are double-sided green, and whether the PL-type trait is tightly linked with the green-leaf trait in genetics remains to be clarified. This study aimed to address this question and attempt to create purple-leaf PL-type germplasm through perillaldehyde (PA) × PL hybridization. Three parallel experiments were conducted using purple-leaf PA-type P. frutescens as male parents and green-leaf PL-type P. frutescens as female parents. Chemotypes were identified by gas chromatography (GC). Association analyses between leaf color and chemotype were performed in segregating F₂ populations. Genes involved in leaf color formation and PL biosynthesis were mapped onto the published Hoko-3 reference genome to provide genomic evidence for the genetic relationship between the two traits. All F₁ individuals were uniformly PA-type. The three F₂ populations exhibited distinct leaf color–chemotype association patterns: Z01 (n = 118) showed a strong association (Fisher’s exact p = 9.13 × 10⁻¹⁰; φ = 0.564), Z02 (n = 117) showed no detectable association (p = 0.9; φ = 0.012), and Z03 (n = 88) showed a moderate association (p = 0.00669; φ = 0.289). Importantly, purple-leaf PL-type recombinants were obtained in F₂ populations and stably maintained through subsequent generations (F₃–F₅), demonstrating that the PL-type trait is not tightly linked with the green-leaf trait in P. frutescens. Genomic mapping genes related to leaf color and PL biosynthesis are distributed across multiple chromosomes and usually present as multiple loci, which is consistent with the pattern of incomplete linkage. The PL-type trait is recessive and not genetically tightly linked to the green-leaf traits in P. frutescens. The successful creation of a purple-leaf PL-type germplasm breaks the historical phenotypic constraint and provides a novel material for further dissection of the molecular mechanisms regulating secondary metabolism and organ coloration in P. frutescens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Trends and Innovations in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and Specialty Crops, 2nd Edition)

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34 pages, 3023 KB

Open AccessArticle

Thermochemical Valorisation of Apple Pomace-Derived Biochar: Temperature-Driven Structural Evolution, Soil Chemical Modulation, and Agronomic Performance in Wheat Germination

by Ramona-Raluca Handolescu, Violeta-Carolina Niculescu, Nadia Paun, Claudia Sandru, Antoaneta Roman, Daniela Ion-Ebrasu and Sina Niculina Cosmulescu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3273; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073273 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Apple pomace represents an important agro-industrial residue with high moisture content and significant environmental burden if improperly managed. This study investigated its thermochemical valorisation into biochar via two processes, followed by comprehensive physicochemical characterization and agronomic evaluation. Elemental analysis revealed carbon enrichment from 47.89% in raw material to 77–78% after the thermal process, evidencing a progressive aromatization. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman analysis confirmed a temperature-dependent transition from partially amorphous carbon (400 °C) to more ordered aromatic structures (450 °C), while excessive thermal treatment (550 °C) increased structural defects. ICP-OES revealed an enrichment in thermally stable metals (Fe, Al, Mn) and limited Cd accumulation. Germination assays using Triticum aestivum L. demonstrated that biochar produced at 400 °C significantly improved the germination uniformity and seedling height (14.1 mm), as well as biomass accumulation compared to the control soil sample. The fertilizer addition increased the soluble Na and electrical conductivity (up to 643 µS/cm), potentially inducing transient salinity stress. Soil chemical analysis indicated increased K availability in soils amended with biochar produced at 400 °C, whereas the combination of biochar obtained at 450 °C with fertilizer conducted to elevated concentrations of certain trace metals, mainly Ni and Cr, highlighting the demand for careful monitoring. Overall, the biochar produced at 400 °C yielded to an optimal balance between structural stability, nutrient enrichment, and agronomic performance, evidencing that apple pomace may be a viable feedstock for sustainable biochar production within circular bioeconomy frameworks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technical Advances in Biomass Conversion)

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18 pages, 861 KB

Open AccessReview

Sotatercept in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension—A Narrative Review

by Johanna Schulz, Veronika C. Stark, Lars Harbaum, Rainer Kozlik-Feldmann, Thomas S. Mir, Fridrike Stute and Jakob Olfe

Children 2026, 13(4), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13040465 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but life-threatening disease that presents particular therapeutic challenges in children. It is characterized by pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, leading to right ventricular strain and eventually right heart failure. Although advances in pharmacotherapy have improved outcomes, treatment options remain limited. This review aims to evaluate the potential role of sotatercept, a novel fusion protein recently approved for adult PAH, and to assess the translatability of adult data to the pediatric population. Methods: A narrative synthesis of preclinical studies and randomized controlled trials was conducted to summarize the current evidence on sotatercept. In addition, pathophysiological, developmental, and therapeutic differences between adult and pediatric PAH were critically examined to assess relevance and applicability to younger patients. Results: Clinical trials in adults (PULSAR, STELLAR, ZENITH, HYPERION) confirm sotatercept’s efficacy on background therapy, with significant reductions in pulmonary vascular resistance, improvements in 6 min walk distance, enhanced right ventricular function, and risk reductions in clinical worsening events. However, extrapolation to pediatric PAH faces challenges including etiological differences (e.g., PAH-CHD predominance, PPHN in infants), age-inappropriate endpoints (e.g., 6MWD infeasible in young children), variable growth-related pharmacokinetics, and compensatory RV physiology delaying overt failure. Safety concerns are manageable in adults but raise pediatric-specific alarms: activin inhibition’s theoretical tumorigenic potential (dual tumor suppressor/promoter role), pubertal/fertility disruption (FSH suppression, gonadal maturation delay), and skeletal growth interference—unproven clinically yet demanding long-term monitoring. The ongoing MOONBEAM trial will provide initial pharmacokinetic/safety data in children. Conclusions: Sotatercept represents a promising, first-in-class therapeutic option for PAH with the potential to transform disease management. Nevertheless, dedicated pediatric studies are crucial to confirm safety, efficacy, and appropriate dosing and to define its role in the long-term treatment of children with PAH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treatment and Management of Cardiopulmonary Failure in the Pediatric Population)

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15 pages, 489 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Are Preschool-Aged Children Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines? A Systematic Review Covering 43,000 Participants Worldwide

by Markel Rico-González, Adrián Moreno-Villanueva, Iago Portela-Pino, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia and Ricardo Martín-Moya

Healthcare 2026, 14(7), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14070869 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Since sedentary habits have become a growing global public health concern, the promotion of physical activity (PA) from early childhood could help children live healthy lifestyles. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the level of compliance with PA in preschoolers in relation to the reference guidelines. Method: A systematic review of relevant articles was carried out using four databases (PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, and FECYT (Web of Sciences, CCC, CIDW, KJD, MEDLINE, RSCI, and SCIELO)) until 14 May 2025. The methodological assessment process was performed by using an adapted version of the MINORS assessment criteria. Results: A total of 623 studies were initially found and 23 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Conclusions: The results revealed that the average in most contexts usually ranges between 30% and 65% of the child population. Due to different operational criteria, compliance was generally higher when PA was assessed separately using single-behavior guidelines as opposed to when integrated 24 h movement frameworks were used. However, these results should be considered with caution because establishing the level of adherence to PA guidelines is difficult due to the different outcomes and guidelines used to compare the level of children’s PA. In future research, it is important to establish common baseline criteria (specifying more specific ages, common questionnaires, and criteria for calculating PA quantity and intensity) to facilitate more objective and reliable comparisons between studies. This systematic review is important because it highlights the need for healthy educational habits from the first years of a person’s life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Physical Activity and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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22 pages, 3370 KB

Open AccessArticle

Phylogenetic Analyses of RdRp Region and VP1 Gene in Human Norovirus Genotype GII.17[P17] Variants

by Fuminori Mizukoshi, Yen Hai Doan, Asumi Hirata-Saito, Hiroyuki Tsukagoshi, Takumi Motoya, Ryusuke Kimura, Tomoko Takahashi, Yuriko Hayashi, Yuki Matsushima, Kei Miyakawa, Naomi Sakon, Kenji Sadamasu, Kazuhisa Yoshimura, Nobuhiro Saruki, Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Masashi Uema, Kosuke Murakami, Kazuhiko Katayama, Akihide Ryo, Tsutomu Kageyama and Hirokazu Kimura Show full author list Hide full author list

Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040770 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the long-term evolutionary dynamics of human norovirus GII.17[P17] using the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region and the VP1 capsid gene, integrating phylogenetics, time-scaled inference, phylodynamics, and structure-based analyses. Maximum-likelihood phylogenies of both genomic regions consistently resolved four major clades (Clades 1–4). VP1 patristic-distance distributions indicated higher within-clade diversity in the phylogenetically basal Clades 1 and 3, whereas Clades 2 and 4 showed lower diversity, consistent with recent demographic expansion. Similarity-plot analysis identified pronounced variability in the VP1 P2 domain, while the S and P1 domains remained comparatively conserved, supporting P2 as the primary hotspot of diversification. Bayesian time-scaled analyses estimated the most recent common ancestor around 1993 (VP1) and 2000 (RdRp) and revealed two major lineages (Clade 1/2 and Clade 3/4), with the split between Clades 3 and 4 occurring around 2016–2017. Bayesian skyline plots showed a marked increase in effective population size after 2013, and substitution-rate estimates indicated faster evolution in VP1 than in RdRp, with higher VP1 rates in the Clade 3/4 lineage than in Clade 1/2. Capsid dimer modeling further mapped high-confidence conformational B-cell epitopes and positively selected residues predominantly to the distal surface of P2, with broadly conserved spatial patterns across clades. Compared with the Clade 1 reference (Kawasaki323), Clade 2 accumulated numerous P2 substitutions, whereas Clades 3 and 4 retained fewer changes and remained closer to Clade 1 at the amino-acid level. Together, these results suggest lineage turnover within GII.17[P17] driven by constrained diversification at the P2 surface, potentially contributing to the recent predominance of the Clade 3/4 lineage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics in Pathogen Surveillance)

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24 pages, 11322 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrodynamic Influence of Circular Piles with a Surface Patterned with Hexagonal Dimples

by Angelica Lizbeth Álvarez-Mejia, Humberto Salinas-Tapia, Carlos Díaz-Delgado, Juan Manuel Becerril-Lara, Jesús Ramiro Félix-Félix, Boris Miguel López-Rebollar and Juan Antonio García-Aragón

Water 2026, 18(7), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18070807 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

The interaction between circular piers and turbulent open-channel flow generates complex three-dimensional structures, including horseshoe vortices at the pier base and wake vortices downstream. These structures increase vertical velocities, pressure fluctuations, and shear stresses, contributing to erosion and structural instability. Although these phenomena have been widely studied, limited attention has been given to surface geometric modifications as a flow-control strategy. This study employs Large Eddy Simulation (LES) to evaluate the influence of a hexagonal dimple pattern on circular piles in a free-surface channel. The dimples were defined by varying diameter, depth, and spacing to reduce vertical velocity and alter vortex formation. The computational domain represents a 0.40 m wide, 12 m long, and 1.2 m high rectangular channel, with an inlet mass flow of 9.4 kg/s and 0.10 m water depth. Model validation against particle image velocimetry (PIV) data showed 99% correlation, confirming numerical accuracy. Results demonstrate that textured surfaces modify flow dynamics by enhancing kinetic energy dissipation and generating micro-vortices that weaken dominant structures. The optimal configuration (6 mm diameter, 2 mm depth, 1 mm spacing) reduced downward vertical velocity by 42% and wake vortex shedding frequency by 24%, indicating improved hydraulic stability and erosion mitigation potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Environmental Hydraulics, 2nd Edition)

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23 pages, 2262 KB

Open AccessArticle

Probe-Ultrasonicated Thyme Essential Oil Nanoemulsions: Physicochemical Characterization and Application in Chicken Burgers

by Tamires Soares Schug, Marcia Foster Mesko, Larissa Riberas Silveira Teixeira, Thiago Castanho Pereira, Erico Marlon Moraes Flores, Elessandra da Rosa Zavareze, Carla Rosane Barboza Mendonça, Mariano Michelon and Eliezer Avila Gandra

Foods 2026, 15(7), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15071154 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

The bioactive compounds in thyme essential oil (TEO) have been investigated as natural preservatives. However, their direct application in foods is limited by their poor water solubility and high volatility. In this context, nanoemulsions represent promising delivery systems for bioactive compounds due to their improved physicochemical stability and functional performance. This study aimed to develop and characterize TEO nanoemulsions prepared by ultrasound-assisted encapsulation using an ultrasonic probe and whey protein concentrate as a surfactant, with potential application in chicken burgers. Different sonication times (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 min) were evaluated, and ultrasonication time was evaluated as the experimental variable. The formulation processed for 3 min presented the smallest hydrodynamic diameter (289 nm) and a homogeneous spherical morphology. The nanoemulsions showed low cytotoxicity, maintaining cell viability above 90% at all evaluated concentrations. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated activity against Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal effects against Aspergillus and Penicillium species. When applied to chicken burgers, the treatment containing 100 ppm of nanoencapsulated TEO contributed to reductions in S. aureus and mesophilic aerobic microorganism counts during 7 days of refrigerated storage. These findings indicate that TEO nanoemulsions present potential as natural antimicrobial systems for food preservation applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications and Trends for Ultrasound in Food Processing)

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15 pages, 2942 KB

Open AccessArticle

When Wholes Resist Decomposition: A Spectral Measure of Epistemic Emergence

by Mark Bailey and Susan Schneider

Entropy 2026, 28(4), 380; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28040380 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Multi-agent and distributed dynamical systems can exhibit coordinated behavior that is difficult to summarize in terms of independent parts. Integrated Information Theory (IIT) provides one influential notion of system-level irreducibility, but exact computation of causal

Φ

remains intractable except in very small systems. [...] Read more.

Φ

remains intractable except in very small systems. In this work, we introduce

Φ_{spectral}

, a scalable observer-relative statistic defined on pairwise mutual information networks extracted from multivariate time-series data. A normalized graph Laplacian and its Fiedler vector identify a bipartition of the mutual information graph, and

Φ_{spectral}

reports the normalized weight of informational coupling crossing that cut. The measure is inspired by IIT’s concern with irreducibility but is not equivalent to intrinsic causal

Φ

: it is pairwise, undirected, and functional/statistical rather than intervention-based. We evaluate it on four exploratory simulation regimes: random oscillators, a transitional Kuramoto-like synchronization regime, a perfectly synchronized regime, and a combinatorial threshold-linear network (CTLN). Across these cases,

Φ_{spectral}

is most useful as a measure of observer-relative integration under second-order dependencies, separating redundancy-dominated from transiently differentiated regimes. The current results should be read as a proof-of-concept rather than as a formal validation against exact IIT. We discuss relations to weak IIT, Integrated World Modeling Theory (IWMT), and the perturbational complexity index (PCI), and we outline the stationary benchmarking and small-system validation needed for stronger causal claims. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Complexity)

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22 pages, 6161 KB

Open AccessArticle

Remote Sensing Data-Based Modelling for Analyzing Green Tide Proliferation Drivers in the Yellow Sea

by Jing Yang, Enye He, Xuanliang Ji, Qianqiu Guo, Shan Gao and Yuxuan Jiang

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(7), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18071014 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Since 2007, green tides have recurrently occurred in the Yellow Sea during spring and summer, with a massive outbreak recorded in 2021. Given the critical significance of green tide monitoring and prediction for marine ecological security and sustainable development, this study developed a satellite remote sensing-validated coupled simulation system for green tide drift and growth, by integrating multi-source satellite remote sensing data and oceanographic reanalysis datasets. Leveraging this system, we systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and underlying driving mechanisms of both routine green tide processes in 2014–2015 and the extreme 2021 event. Satellite images with low cloud cover and extensive green tide distribution were screened to confirm the accuracy of green tide drift trajectories and distribution ranges for validating the model’s reliability, and the results demonstrated the spatial consistency between simulation results and satellite observations. The validated model was used to track the drift and growth–decline processes of green tides and investigate the underlying cause of high-biomass appearance in 2021. Combined with environmental parameters, our analyses revealed that variations in attachment substrates alter wind resistance coefficients, thereby potentially accelerating the northward drift velocity of green tides. Furthermore, substrate properties may exert a significant regulatory effect on the attachment, germination, and biomass accumulation of Ulva prolifera spores, which could be a leading factor driving the massive green tide outbreak. Full article

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21 pages, 5293 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prenatal Edible Bird’s Nest Supplementation Attenuates Offspring Skin Pigmentation via Dual Inhibition of CREB and ERK Signaling to Downregulate MITF-TYR Axis

by Wenrui Zhang, Yijia Zhang, Xinyuan Wang, Yujuan Chen, Liqin Chen, Jie Gao, Yixuan Li, Dongliang Wang and Yanan Sun

Nutrients 2026, 18(7), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18071083 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Edible bird’s nest (EBN) benefits skin, but its transgenerational effects are unknown. This study investigated whether maternal EBN or its key component, sialic acid (SA), could program offspring skin pigmentation and antioxidant capacity. Methods: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were supplemented with EBN or equi-sialic acid SA. Offspring skin brightness (L*, ITA°), melanin content, and key molecular targets (e.g., MITF, TYR, TRP1/2, PMEL, RAB27A, p-CREB, p-ERK, CAT, GCS, MDA) were assessed at postnatal days 0–21. Results: Maternal EBN induced a dose-dependent skin-brightening effect in offspring. High-dose EBN increased skin L* by 10.46% and ITA° by 14.28%, while reducing total melanin by 26.77%. This was mediated by downregulation of the MITF-TYR/TRP axis and its upstream CREB/ERK signaling, suppression of melanosome transport proteins (PMEL, RAB27A), and enhancement of antioxidant defenses (increased CAT/GCS, decreased MDA). SA alone showed similar but weaker effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that maternal EBN intake programs offspring skin towards a lighter phenotype and enhanced antioxidant status through multi-faceted regulation of melanogenesis. The superior efficacy of whole EBN over pure SA highlights the value of the intact food matrix, suggesting EBN as a promising functional food for maternal nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)

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17 pages, 1562 KB

Open AccessArticle

Thickness Effects on Acoustic Parameters of TiO₂ Layers on SiO₂, Ti, Al₂O₃, and Si Substrates

by Houssem Eddine Doghmane, Elfahem Sakher, Djamila Nebti, Ibtissem Touati, Djemâa Ben Othmane, Tourkia Tahri, Talia Tene, Cristian Vacacela Gomez, Lala Gahramanli, Rana Khankishiyeva and Abdellaziz Doghmane

Coatings 2026, 16(4), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16040410 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2026

Abstract

We investigated the effect of film thickness d on the acoustic response of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) layers deposited on Ti, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Si substrates. For each TiO₂ thickness–substrate pair, we computed reflection coefficients and acoustic signatures under normal operating conditions of a conventional scanning acoustic microscope, then deduced the Rayleigh-wave velocity V_R from spectral analysis of the oscillatory layer–substrate signatures. As d increased, V_R either rose or fell, depending on the layer/substrate pair, and eventually approached a saturation value. For TiO₂/SiO₂ and TiO₂/Ti, V_R increased from those of the bare substrates (SiO₂: 3415 m/s; Ti: 2965 m/s) toward 3830 m·s⁻¹, the bulk TiO₂ value. For TiO₂/Al₂O₃ and TiO₂/Si, V_R decreased from the substrate values (Al₂O₃: 5700 m/s; Si: 4712 m/s) toward the same TiO₂ saturation. These dispersion trends are consistent with stiffening (V_R (TiO₂) > V_R (Substrate)) or loading (V_R (TiO₂) < V_R (Substrate)) effects. The resulting V_R–d dispersion charts provide theoretical reference trends relating thickness and Rayleigh-wave velocity for the idealized TiO₂/substrate systems considered here. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thin Films and Nanostructures Deposition Techniques)

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