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30 pages, 726 KB  
Article
When Confidence Becomes Risk: The Interplay of CEO Overconfidence, Strategic Risk-Taking, and Financial Performance in Indonesian Digital Banks
by Amerta Mardjono, Harris Maupa, Ignatius Roni Setyawan and Rizky Yusviento Pelawi
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(5), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19050317 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study examines the interplay between CEO overconfidence, strategic risk-taking, and financial performance within Indonesian digital banks. Grounded in Upper Echelons Theory and behavioral corporate finance, we investigate whether strategic risk-taking serves as an organizational pathway through which CEO overconfidence is more likely [...] Read more.
This study examines the interplay between CEO overconfidence, strategic risk-taking, and financial performance within Indonesian digital banks. Grounded in Upper Echelons Theory and behavioral corporate finance, we investigate whether strategic risk-taking serves as an organizational pathway through which CEO overconfidence is more likely to be associated with specific financial outcomes. We analyzed a census-based, longitudinal dataset of seven Indonesian digital banks from 2014 to 2024. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we tested a moderated mediation framework incorporating CEO age and gender as contextual characteristics. The empirical results reveal a nuanced pattern: while CEO overconfidence is positively associated with strategic risk-taking, such risk-taking tends to correlate negatively with financial performance. Since these direct and indirect pathways operate in opposite directions, the total association between overconfidence and performance is not statistically significant. This structure suggests that strategic risk-taking represents a primary channel through which the potential downside of CEO overconfidence may be translated into financial outcomes. Furthermore, this negative association appears more pronounced under male leadership, while CEO age exhibits no significant moderating association. Overall, the findings suggest that while CEO overconfidence may align with strategic ambition, its financial implications appear contingent upon the specific risk posture through which it is expressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Business and Entrepreneurship)
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26 pages, 1456 KB  
Article
Transgression of Planetary Boundaries: Are Multinational Firms Addressing the Emergent Risks?
by Arindam Das
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(5), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19050316 (registering DOI) - 27 Apr 2026
Abstract
The debate around corporate sustainability has become increasingly heated, with opinions ranging from denial of climate change to fatalistic acceptance of an impending collapse of civilization. This study examines how multinational enterprises, which contribute to nearly half of global GDP, internalize knowledge of [...] Read more.
The debate around corporate sustainability has become increasingly heated, with opinions ranging from denial of climate change to fatalistic acceptance of an impending collapse of civilization. This study examines how multinational enterprises, which contribute to nearly half of global GDP, internalize knowledge of planetary boundaries and take action within the organization or externally with investors, industry bodies, and policymakers. The research is grounded in empirical analysis of longitudinal data on two large samples of multinationals. It is found that, despite warnings from scientists about breaching planetary boundaries, multinationals, at best, follow an incremental approach to sustainability initiatives that collectively fail to drive positive global change. This well-entrenched practice remains unquestioned by external stakeholders, such as regulators, investors, and lenders. The research explains this behavior through (a) our inability to link global scientific findings to non-financial performance imperatives for individual businesses, and (b) our reliance on traditional enterprise risk management models that are less effective in a non-ergodic world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Finance and Governance in a Changing Global Environment)
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17 pages, 3146 KB  
Article
Corrosion Resistance of High-Entropy Alloys in Plateau Salt-Lake Environments
by Shucheng Yang, Jiahao Liu, Shuwen Guo, Jing Zhang, Huaikun Zhu, Zhenjie Ren, Yanting Pan, Lida Che, Zhanfang Wu, Xiangyang Li and Dianchun Ju
Metals 2026, 16(5), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16050469 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
The corrosion behavior of high-entropy alloys under cyclic wet–dry conditions simulating the salt-lake atmosphere was investigated. The composition, morphology, and electrochemical properties of the corrosion products formed on the alloy surface after corrosion were systematically analyzed. The results show that in a chloride-containing [...] Read more.
The corrosion behavior of high-entropy alloys under cyclic wet–dry conditions simulating the salt-lake atmosphere was investigated. The composition, morphology, and electrochemical properties of the corrosion products formed on the alloy surface after corrosion were systematically analyzed. The results show that in a chloride-containing environment with alternating temperature and humidity, the Cr-containing oxide passive film formed on the alloy surface effectively inhibits the corrosion process in the early stages. In addition, electrochemical results show that the charge transfer resistance in the MgCl2 system reaches 4.96 × 105 Ω·cm2 at prolonged exposure, which is significantly higher than that in the NaCl system, indicating a lower corrosion rate. However, over time, the passive film undergoes localized rupture due to chloride ion attack and stress, leading to pitting corrosion and expansion toward the substrate. This study reveals the corrosion mechanism of high-entropy alloys in high-altitude salt-lake atmospheric environments and provides crucial insights for material design and performance optimization for their engineering applications in salt-lake scenarios. Full article
24 pages, 1080 KB  
Review
Clay-Based Composite Materials: A Review of Structural Advantages, Sustainability and Applications
by Moundher Mouaki Benani and Iasmina Onescu
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091711 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Clay-based composite materials offer a low-carbon pathway for improving the environmental performance of the construction sector while maintaining relevance for architectural and heritage applications. A structured qualitative literature review was conducted, supported by thematic classification and exploratory bibliometric mapping (VOSviewer), based on peer-reviewed [...] Read more.
Clay-based composite materials offer a low-carbon pathway for improving the environmental performance of the construction sector while maintaining relevance for architectural and heritage applications. A structured qualitative literature review was conducted, supported by thematic classification and exploratory bibliometric mapping (VOSviewer), based on peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 relevant to the topic of clay minerals, stabilization, fibers, polymers, alkali activation, properties, performance, and applicability in architecture. According to the results obtained from the synthesized literature, it is seen that clay-based composites achieve performance improvement through complementary mechanisms: fiber reinforcement improves ductility, crack behavior, and energy absorption, polymer modification helps improve cohesion and water resistance and alkali activation transforms calcined aluminosilicate precursors into high-strength binding systems. The synthesis identifies three dominant performance mechanisms governing clay-based composites. Selected alkali-activated clay composite materials are reported to exhibit compression strengths higher than 60 MPa, and certain optimized systems may be able to provide lower thermal conductivity and lower levels of carbon emission in comparison with ordinary cement-based materials. The contribution of this paper lies in the synthesis of these material modification techniques and resulting performance aspects for their applicability in architecture, clarifying the potential of clay-based composites for sustainable construction, heritage compatible interventions, and future material development. By integrating material science with architectural applications, this study identifies the potential of clay-based composites for sustainable and heritage-compatible approaches to contribute to sustainable and circular construction practices, while also outlining key challenges and future research directions focused on optimization, large-scale implementation, and heritage-compatible innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)
22 pages, 3199 KB  
Article
Slip Behavior and Bidirectional Mechanical Model of Angle Steel Bolted Connections Under Axial Load
by Yongping Li, Dongming Yang, Junling Wu, Weiguo Wu, Ruiyuan Han, Yuan Xiang and Zhisong Xu
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091709 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Transmission towers are typically composed of angle steel members connected by ordinary bolts to form spatial truss systems, in which joint slip under axial loading can significantly influence structural performance. In subsidence areas, corrective lifting of tilted towers may cause internal force redistribution, [...] Read more.
Transmission towers are typically composed of angle steel members connected by ordinary bolts to form spatial truss systems, in which joint slip under axial loading can significantly influence structural performance. In subsidence areas, corrective lifting of tilted towers may cause internal force redistribution, transforming some compression members into tension members and resulting in joints subjected to both compressive and tensile forces. To investigate the slip deformation behavior of angle steel bolted connections under bidirectional axial loading, a series of experiments was conducted on specimens with different angle sizes and bolt numbers, complemented by finite element analysis. The results show that the load–slip relationship exhibits distinct staged characteristics, which can be divided into an initial linear stage, a slip stage, and a hole-bearing stage. The initial slip displacement is generally less than 1 mm, while the slip load and ultimate capacity increase significantly with bolt number, with the ultimate capacity under tension increasing by up to approximately 160% as the number of bolts increases from one to three. Although the slip evolution under compression and tension is generally similar, pronounced differences appear near the ultimate state, indicating a clear directional asymmetry. Based on these findings, a three-stage piecewise mechanical model is established, and a simplified bidirectional slip model is proposed by introducing asymmetric ultimate displacement and capacity parameters. Finite element simulations reproduce the failure modes and load–slip responses with good agreement, confirming the validity of the proposed model. The findings provide a useful reference for the design and performance evaluation of angle steel bolted connections in transmission tower structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
19 pages, 1110 KB  
Article
Lived Experiences of Adoptive Parents Raising Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Israel: A Qualitative Study
by Natalia Zwilling, Liat Hen-Herbst and Liat Korn
Children 2026, 13(5), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13050597 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Despite high FASD rates in high-risk adoptive populations, little is known about the experiences of adoptive parents in Israel, where underdiagnosis and limited professional awareness persist. Drawing [...] Read more.
Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are lifelong neurodevelopmental conditions resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Despite high FASD rates in high-risk adoptive populations, little is known about the experiences of adoptive parents in Israel, where underdiagnosis and limited professional awareness persist. Drawing on ecological and family systems theory, this study explored the daily challenges, coping strategies, and service-related barriers encountered by adoptive parents raising children with FASD. Methods: Using a qualitative, exploratory design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 adoptive parents of children aged 9–18 years with a parent-reported clinical diagnosis of FASD made by a healthcare professional. The interviews focused on child-related difficulties, coping mechanisms, diagnostic experiences, and interactions with health, education, and welfare systems. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Five themes were identified: (a) child-related neurodevelopmental and behavioral challenges, (b) emotional and practical caregiving burden, (c) systemic barriers, including limited professional knowledge and fragmented diagnostic pathways, (d) coping strategies and family strengths, and (e) unmet needs and recommendations. Parents described fluctuating child functioning, chronic caregiving demands, and significant gaps in diagnostic and educational support. Conclusions: Adoptive parents raising children with FASD face substantial daily challenges compounded by systemic limitations. This study’s findings underscore the need for improved professional training, clearer diagnostic pathways, FASD-informed educational practices, and coordinated multidisciplinary services. These results provide direction for policy and service development to improve support for families affected by FASD. Full article
21 pages, 4670 KB  
Review
Toxicological Effects and Health Impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Humans
by Jie Ma, Ge Gao, Bitan Meng, Xinni Wei, Long Zhao and Zaiming Ge
Toxics 2026, 14(5), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14050374 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals notable for their high persistence and extensive applications. With the advancement of detection technologies in recent years, PFAS have been frequently identified in environmental media and human biological samples, raising significant global [...] Read more.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals notable for their high persistence and extensive applications. With the advancement of detection technologies in recent years, PFAS have been frequently identified in environmental media and human biological samples, raising significant global concerns about their potential health risks. PFAS exhibit distinctive toxicokinetic behaviors, including efficient absorption, strong protein binding, limited metabolism, and slow excretion, which lead to prolonged biological half-lives and considerable bioaccumulation in humans. These properties contribute to a range of adverse health outcomes, such as endocrine disruption, immune suppression, liver damage, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic potential, and cardiovascular disease. This review synthesizes evidence on PFAS-associated health risks from a multisystem, multitarget perspective, elucidating the key molecular pathways involved, thereby providing a scientific basis for understanding their complex toxicological effects and for developing targeted prevention and control strategies. Future research should prioritize characterizing the toxicological profiles of individual PFAS compounds, evaluating the health impacts of combined (mixture) exposures, and assessing risks associated with chronic, low-dose exposure to support the development of public health strategies and regulatory decisions. Full article
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22 pages, 535 KB  
Article
Adoption of MOOCs in Saudi Arabia for Health Administration and Informatics Education: Application of Self-Determination Theory and Media Richness to Behavioral and Actual Use
by Sohail Akhtar, Manahil Mohammed Alfuraydan, Yasir Hayat Mughal, Kesavan Sreekantan Nair and Yousif M. Elmosaad
Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4297; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094297 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Online courses and distance learning are playing a significant role nowadays. These open, massive online courses (MOOCs) have garnered significant attention from academics, scholars, and policymakers; however, the literature offers limited empirical evidence, especially from a Saudi Arabian perspective. MOOCs help educators gain [...] Read more.
Online courses and distance learning are playing a significant role nowadays. These open, massive online courses (MOOCs) have garnered significant attention from academics, scholars, and policymakers; however, the literature offers limited empirical evidence, especially from a Saudi Arabian perspective. MOOCs help educators gain not only knowledge but also promote sustainability. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of self-determination theory on the behavioral intention and actual use of MOOCs through the mediation of behavioral intention and media richness. For this purpose, convenience sampling was used, and data were collected from 145 respondents, including faculty members and students, across public and private sector universities. Smart PLS-SEM and CB-SEM were used to investigate the reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity by developing and testing measurement models using a confirmatory factor analysis. The hypotheses were tested using bootstrapping by developing structural models. The findings indicate that all the scales are reliable and valid, meeting the required threshold levels. Furthermore, all hypothesized relationships are positive and significant, except for the effect of perceived relatedness on the behavioral intention and actual use of MOOCs. Behavioral intention does not mediate the relationship involving perceived relatedness; however, it does mediate the relationships among perceived autonomy, competence, and actual use. Media richness also mediates the relationship between behavioral intention and actual use of MOOCs. The results suggest that MOOC providers should offer courses through renowned universities and adopt self-paced learning formats rather than fixed schedules. Additionally, learners should receive credits upon course completion, and these credits should be recognized by employers to enhance motivation for the continued use of MOOCs. Full article
16 pages, 2329 KB  
Article
A First-Principles Study of Copper-Deficient Layer and Its Effect in Chalcopyrite-Based Solar Cells: Carrier Dynamics Characteristics
by Qinmiao Chen, Yi Ni and Hongcun Yuan
Inorganics 2026, 14(5), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics14050122 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
CuIn5Se8 is reported as a remarkable copper-deficient layer that contains ordered vacancy compounds (OVCs) for high-efficiency chalcopyrite-based solar cells; however, the understanding of its carrier characteristics has remained limited. OVCs could naturally form on the surface of chalcopyrite absorber. In [...] Read more.
CuIn5Se8 is reported as a remarkable copper-deficient layer that contains ordered vacancy compounds (OVCs) for high-efficiency chalcopyrite-based solar cells; however, the understanding of its carrier characteristics has remained limited. OVCs could naturally form on the surface of chalcopyrite absorber. In this study, the carrier dynamics characteristics of OVCs were investigated by constructing a junction consisting of chalcopyrite absorber and CdS buffer layer. At first, the band structure of CuIn5Se8 was studied to determine the bandgap properties. Then, thermodynamic stability, defect formation energy, defects and carrier concentration, defect transition energy level of CuIn5Se8 and its Cd doping state (caused by CdS) were comparatively studied. The results suggest that Cd doping has different effects on the defect and carrier characteristics of OVCs with various chemical potentials. However, the OVC always remains n-type under the whole thermodynamically stable region, with contribution from the hallow-level InCu donor defect. Finally, the OVC’s carrier dynamics characteristics were assessed using the collected defect and carrier data. It is indicated that the OVC layer may contribute to the formation of a p-n homojunction in solar cells. Under selenium-rich conditions, the OVC layer increases the carrier density on the n-type side of p-n junction nearly 30-fold, which helps reduce the difference in carrier density and minority current density between two sides of the p-n junction. The conversion efficiency of the solar cell with OVC shows a 7.25% improvement when compared to the control. The distinct behavior of OVCs may serve as a valuable reference for the creation or improvement of a related functional film layer or device. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Inorganic Solid-State Chemistry 2026)
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15 pages, 6271 KB  
Case Report
Comorbidity Between Anti-GAD65 Autoimmune Encephalitis and Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case Report
by Sergiu Băjan, Anastasia Kateryna Sikora-Medvid, Simona Claudia Tămășan, Alina Murariu and Virgil Radu Enătescu
Reports 2026, 9(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports9020133 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Background and clinical significance: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is an inflammatory brain disorder that manifests through a diverse, unspecific range of neuropsychiatric symptoms. When AE occurs alongside a primary neurodegenerative disorder, the shared symptoms can create a mixed clinical profile, making diagnosis more [...] Read more.
Background and clinical significance: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is an inflammatory brain disorder that manifests through a diverse, unspecific range of neuropsychiatric symptoms. When AE occurs alongside a primary neurodegenerative disorder, the shared symptoms can create a mixed clinical profile, making diagnosis more difficult and potentially postponing effective management and treatment. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 58-year-old female with a one-year history of progressive behavioral and personality changes who presented a subacute confusional state, psychomotor retardation alternating with psychomotor agitation, apathy, visual hallucinations, and motor symptoms. Examination revealed Parkinsonian symptoms and frontal lobe signs. Neuroimaging showed frontotemporal atrophy, while cerebrospinal fluid analysis excluded infection but demonstrated elevated phosphorylated tau, supporting an underlying neurodegenerative process. An electroencephalogram revealed asymmetric temporal slowing without overt epileptiform activity. An initial diagnosis of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) was established. Due to rapid clinical deterioration and fluctuating cognition, autoimmune testing was expanded to a full antibody panel, which identified elevated serum anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (anti-GAD65) antibodies (60 UI/mL, reference range 0–5 UI/mL), establishing a possible coexisting diagnosis of anti-GAD65 autoimmune encephalitis. Initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin produced minimal improvement; however, therapeutic plasma exchange led to the remission of psychosis and significant improvement in rigidity, bradykinesia, and attention, with modest amelioration in global cognition. Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by overlapping AE and bvFTD clinical pictures, especially when neurodegenerative features obscure an underlying autoimmune process. Early, panel-based neural antibody testing—and consideration of AE even in patients already diagnosed with a major neurocognitive disorder—is critical for avoiding delays in immunotherapy. Prompt recognition and treatment of AE may substantially improve clinical outcomes, even in complex cases with suspected overlap. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mental Health)
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19 pages, 7224 KB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Low-Velocity Impact Response and Damage Behavior in Mono, Bi- and Tri-Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Composites
by Md. Mominur Rahman, Al Emran Ismail, Muhammad Faiz Ramli, Azrin Hani Abdul Rashid, Tabrej Khan, Omar Shabbir Ahmed and Tamer A. Sebaey
J. Compos. Sci. 2026, 10(5), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs10050230 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
The need to create lightweight materials with better mechanical properties has led to the use of Fiber Reinforced Composites (FRCs)s in the aerospace and automotive industries. The mechanical behavior of FRCs is heterogeneous, especially in conditions of low-velocity impact (LVI). The impact events [...] Read more.
The need to create lightweight materials with better mechanical properties has led to the use of Fiber Reinforced Composites (FRCs)s in the aerospace and automotive industries. The mechanical behavior of FRCs is heterogeneous, especially in conditions of low-velocity impact (LVI). The impact events cause structural damage, where most of the available literature deals with mono- or bi-composites in controlled situations. This work will present the results of studying the behavior of mono, bi- and tri-hybrids with carbon, glass and Kevlar fiber-reinforced epoxy. The sequences of the laminate stacks, number of plies and laminate thickness in the drop weight testing were across velocities of 1.91 to 3.91 m/s at drop heights of 19 to 79 cm. The dominant pillars of LVI, such as peak load, energy absorption and the modes of damage, were analyzed. The glass-dominated laminates peaked at 5.67 kN, while the Kevlar-dominated laminates reached peak flow in ductile collapse with greater quantities of absorbed energy. The leaders in strength and energy were the hybrids of Kevlar–glass (KG) cross-ply at 8.08 kN and 47.28 J and quasi-isotropic Kevlar–carbon–glass (KCG) at 9.12 kN and 47.25 J, showcasing a balance of strength and toughness. The rest, holding a greater quantity of Kevlar, ranging in thickness and cross-plies, were shaped with a load center. The experimental conclusion is that hybridization improved impact resistance and ductility, which is best supported by the glass/carbon rigidity-layered laminates. Such understanding directs the design work of future composite materials for better impact control. Full article
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17 pages, 1262 KB  
Article
Leech Diversity in the Maghreb (North Africa): A Checklist and a Case Report of Parasitism on a Berber Toad (Sclerophys mauritanica) in Algeria
by Noureddine Rabah-Sidhoum, Mehdi Boucheikhchoukh, Bouthaina Hasnaoui, Mohammed Lamine Bendjeddou, Konstantinos Kostas, Noureddine Mechouk and Michail Kotsyfakis
Biology 2026, 15(9), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15090681 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Leeches (Hirudinea) are ecologically important annelids that interact with a wide range of aquatic vertebrates, yet their diversity, distribution, and epidemiological relevance remain poorly documented in North Africa. Here, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of freshwater and marine leech species reported from the [...] Read more.
Leeches (Hirudinea) are ecologically important annelids that interact with a wide range of aquatic vertebrates, yet their diversity, distribution, and epidemiological relevance remain poorly documented in North Africa. Here, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of freshwater and marine leech species reported from the Maghreb (Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco), based on an extensive review of the available literature. In total, 21 species belonging to 13 genera and four families (Glossiphoniidae, Erpobdellidae, Hirudinidae, and Piscicolidae) are documented, with updated information on their ecology, host associations, and geographic distribution. In addition to this regional checklist, we report the first confirmed case of Batracobdella algira heavy parasitism on the Berber toad (Sclerophrys mauritanica) in Algeria. A single adult toad was found heavily infested by multiple leeches (n = 17), some of which bore spermatophores attached near the reproductive opercula, suggesting possible in situ mating behavior on the host. The high infestation observed in this single specimen may constitute an outlier, requiring further sampling to assess the effect of leeches on the anuran population in the region. By integrating faunistic data with a novel field observation, this study highlights the overlooked leech biodiversity in the Maghreb and suggests their possible ecological and epidemiological significance. Our findings emphasize the need for further investigations into leech–host interactions, pathogen carriage, and their implications for amphibian conservation and One Health in North Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Conservation Biology and Biodiversity)
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16 pages, 14748 KB  
Article
Long-Term Functional Stability of Organic and Inorganic Modified Luminescent Lyocell Fibers for Security Applications
by Aleksandra Erdman, Jadwiga Gabor, Natalia Brzezińska, Maciej Pyza, Magdalena Popczyk, Piotr Kulpiński and Andrzej S. Swinarew
Materials 2026, 19(9), 1767; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19091767 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Luminescent cellulose-based fibers are promising materials for anti-counterfeiting applications because they can provide covert and spectrally distinguishable optical signatures compatible with paper- and textile-based authentication systems. In this study, Lyocell fibers modified with selected inorganic and organic luminescent compounds were subjected to accelerated [...] Read more.
Luminescent cellulose-based fibers are promising materials for anti-counterfeiting applications because they can provide covert and spectrally distinguishable optical signatures compatible with paper- and textile-based authentication systems. In this study, Lyocell fibers modified with selected inorganic and organic luminescent compounds were subjected to accelerated xenon-lamp aging in order to evaluate their functional durability under simulated environmental exposure. The effects of aging on the mechanical properties and luminescent behavior of the fibers were investigated. The results showed that accelerated aging led to a reduction in tensile strength and elongation at break for all fiber variants, although the extent of these changes depended on the type of modifier. Spectroscopic analysis indicated that, despite changes in emission intensity, the characteristic luminescent responses of the modified fibers remained detectable after aging. These findings suggest that luminescent Lyocell fibers can retain their practical identification potential under the applied test conditions and may be considered promising candidates for use as covert security elements. The observed stability is attributed to the immobilization of luminophores within the cellulose matrix and the intrinsic photostability of the applied luminescent systems. At the same time, the study highlights the need for further investigations into the structural and photophysical stability of such systems under long-term environmental exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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30 pages, 6414 KB  
Article
Research on Distracted and Fatigue-Related Driving Behavior Detection Based on YOLOv12-LAD
by Xiyao Liu, Zhiwei Guan, Qiang Chen and Yi Ren
Electronics 2026, 15(9), 1838; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15091838 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Distracted and fatigue-related driving behaviors are major causes of road traffic accidents, creating an urgent need for reliable driver monitoring systems. Vision-based detection methods have garnered widespread attention due to their low cost of deployment and practical applicability. However, existing lightweight models often [...] Read more.
Distracted and fatigue-related driving behaviors are major causes of road traffic accidents, creating an urgent need for reliable driver monitoring systems. Vision-based detection methods have garnered widespread attention due to their low cost of deployment and practical applicability. However, existing lightweight models often suffer from limited global contextual perception and insufficient preservation of fine details. Motivated by these challenges, this study introduces an improved distracted and fatigue-related driving behavior detection model, YOLOv12-LAD, built on the YOLOv12 architecture. The proposed framework integrates a Large Separable Kernel Attention module (LSKA) to enhance global contextual perception, an Adaptive Downsampling module (ADown) to mitigate information loss during feature compression, and a Dynamic Sampling module (DySample) to enable content-adaptive feature reconstruction and improve multi-scale behavior representation. Experimental results show that YOLOv12-LAD achieved 97.5% precision, 96.3% recall, and 98.4% mAP@50 with only 2.5 million parameters, 6.2 GFLOPs, and an inference speed of 249 FPS. Ablation studies, comparisons with representative models, cross-dataset evaluation, and real-vehicle tests further verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. The proposed method demonstrates strong performance while maintaining computational efficiency, making it suitable for real-time vision-based driver monitoring applications. Full article
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17 pages, 1087 KB  
Article
The Role of ChatGPT in Job Crafting: A Study of IT Professionals in Pakistan
by Seema Gul, Sajeela Rabbani and Aqsa Jaleel
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16050655 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
The wake of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has witnessed a lot of changes at workplaces. Job crafting (JC) has also embraced the predictive quality of using AI tools such as ChatGPT. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory, this study was conducted in is [...] Read more.
The wake of artificial intelligence (AI) tools has witnessed a lot of changes at workplaces. Job crafting (JC) has also embraced the predictive quality of using AI tools such as ChatGPT. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory, this study was conducted in is an effort to understand the role that ChatGPT plays in job crafting by enhancing work engagement (WE) in the presence of work-related curiosity (WRC). Time-lagged data from 314 employees from the information technology (IT) sector was used to test the relationship by using partial least square structural equation modeling. The results showed that ChatGPT and job crafting are linked to each other in the presence of work engagement. The results further showed that WE mediated and work-related curiosity moderated the relationship between ChatGPT and job crafting. These results are instrumental in understanding the significance of AI adoption in business and can be used as a potential tool for crafting jobs toward other work-related outcomes. The research holds significance for mangers and policymakers of the IT sector in terms of establishing AI adoption to Predict positive behaviors in employees, and it also highlights future avenues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)
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