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36 pages, 5016 KB  
Article
Effects of Water–Fertilizer Coupling on Growth, Cone Yield, and Soil Nutrient Dynamics of Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) Nut-Timber Plantations
by Xiaoyang Li and Xiaoyang Cui
Forests 2026, 17(9), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17091014 - 26 Aug 2026
Abstract
Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) nut-timber plantations are important for both timber and seed production, yet optimal water and fertilizer management for mature cone-bearing stands remains poorly understood. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of three fertilization levels [...] Read more.
Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) nut-timber plantations are important for both timber and seed production, yet optimal water and fertilizer management for mature cone-bearing stands remains poorly understood. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of three fertilization levels (F1, F2, and F3, corresponding to N:P2O5:K2O application rates of 50:75:25, 100:150:50, and 150:225:75 kg ha−1, respectively) and three soil moisture regimes corresponding to 80%, 60%, and 40% of field capacity (W1, W2, and W3, respectively) on tree growth, cone yield, and soil physicochemical properties in approximately 35-year-old Korean pine plantations established on Albeluvisol at Maoer Mountain, northeastern China. Tree growth and cone yield generally followed the order F2 > F3 > F1 and W2 > W1 > W3, with F2W2 (N:P2O5:K2O = 100:150:50kg ha−1 and 60% of field capacity) consistently producing the best performance. Compared with the control (CK, no fertilizer application, rainfed under natural ambient conditions), F2W2 increased height, diameter, and crown width increments by 46.2%, 71.4%, and 65.6%, respectively, in 2023. Per-tree cone number, total cone mass, and total pine nut mass increased progressively across years, reaching increases of 88.5%, 100.6%, and 132.4%, respectively, in 2024. In contrast, thousand-seed weight showed relatively small changes and a delayed water–fertilizer interaction. Water–fertilizer coupling significantly altered soil physicochemical properties by reducing soil pH under the optimal treatment, while also regulating inorganic nitrogen availability and soil nutrient distribution. Nitrate nitrogen was highest under W2, whereas ammonium nitrogen peaked under W1. Total nitrogen was highest under F3W1, while available phosphorus and potassium accumulated under high fertilization combined with non-optimal soil moisture, but were lowest under F2W2, indicating enhanced nutrient uptake under the optimal treatment. Cluster analysis showed that nitrate nitrogen was positively associated with growth and yield variables. Overall, F2W2 provided the most favorable balance between stand productivity and soil nutrient status, representing an effective water–fertilizer management strategy for mature Korean pine nut-timber plantations on Albeluvisol. These findings provide a scientific basis for precision water and nutrient management in northeastern China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Nutrient Cycling and Microbial Dynamics in Forests: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 6933 KB  
Article
Hydrochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Groundwater in Weibei Plain Based on Hydrogeological Zoning (China)
by Lin Gao, Yang Qiu, Aiguo Zhou, Hongwei Liu and Chuanming Ma
Water 2026, 18(17), 2077; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18172077 - 24 Aug 2026
Viewed by 210
Abstract
The Weibei Plain, characterized by its complex stratified aquifer system and extensive brine resources, faces severe groundwater salinization. Unraveling the precise evolutionary mechanisms of diverse hydrochemical types across varying depths and geomorphological zones remains a significant challenge. This study synthesizes a multi-batch hydrochemical [...] Read more.
The Weibei Plain, characterized by its complex stratified aquifer system and extensive brine resources, faces severe groundwater salinization. Unraveling the precise evolutionary mechanisms of diverse hydrochemical types across varying depths and geomorphological zones remains a significant challenge. This study synthesizes a multi-batch hydrochemical dataset with multi-isotopic tracers (δ2H, δ18O, δ11B, δ81Br, δ37Cl) to establish a comprehensive groundwater evolutionary model from the piedmont plain to the coastal marine plain. The results indicate distinct hydrochemical zonation governed by geographic geomorphology and historical marine transgressions. Salinization in transitional waters is primarily driven by physical mixing and reverse cation exchange rather than extreme evaporative fractionation. Crucially, isotopic mass balance definitively reveals that deep brine (depth > 60 m) originates not from modern seawater intrusion, but from the extreme surface evaporation of ancient paleo-seawater. This paleo-brine underwent profound isotopic exchange during its gravity-driven downward migration, evidenced by intense clay mineral adsorption (yielding extreme δ11B enrichment up to 64.42‰) and secondary evaporite dissolution. Furthermore, the regional cone of depression formed by intensive brine extraction has profoundly altered deep hydrodynamics, inducing overflow and membrane ultrafiltration across massively thick clay aquitards. This process distinctly drives the isotopic fractionation observed in deep brackish waters. The analysis process in this study combines the isotope method with the regional geomorphological zoning, which can provide a reference for the analysis of groundwater evolution characteristics in other coastal aquifers. Full article
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28 pages, 2715 KB  
Article
Bridging the Gap: A Human-Orchestrated Proto-AGI Workflow for Cross-Domain Structural Engineering Assessment
by Jawed Qureshi and Bala Karthika Balakrishnan
Buildings 2026, 16(16), 3324; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16163324 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 205
Abstract
Proto-AGI describes the intermediate stage of artificial intelligence between narrow task-specific tools and fully autonomous general intelligence. This paper presents the first formal operationalisation of Proto-AGI traits within a cross-domain digital workflow for structural engineering and demonstrates it through a four-domain computational ecosystem [...] Read more.
Proto-AGI describes the intermediate stage of artificial intelligence between narrow task-specific tools and fully autonomous general intelligence. This paper presents the first formal operationalisation of Proto-AGI traits within a cross-domain digital workflow for structural engineering and demonstrates it through a four-domain computational ecosystem applied to seismic vulnerability assessment. Viktor.ai processes cone penetration test data to stratify a three-layer soil profile, identifying a compressible intermediate stratum at 5 to 12 m depth with amplification characteristics in the 0.3 to 0.7 second period range, based on the depth and stiffness contrast of the weak layer rather than a formal site response analysis. The Fayaz RotD script computes orientation-independent RotD50 and RotD100 response spectra for two contrasting ground motion records: the near-fault Northridge record (RSN 1086, Mw 6.69) delivers RotD50 = 2.00 g and RotD100 = 2.79 g at the structural natural period of 0.41 s, a 39.6% directional uplift; the moderate-distance Kobe record (RSN 1107, Mw 6.9) delivers RotD50 = 0.591 g and RotD100 = 0.795 g at the same period. OpenSeesPy nonlinear dynamic analysis of a five-storey reinforced concrete frame produces peak inter-storey drifts of 0.45% and 0.34% under the two records respectively, both within the FEMA 356 Immediate Occupancy threshold of 1.0%. A 3.4-fold spectral demand difference produces only a 1.32-fold drift difference, reflecting the combined effects of frequency content, pulse characteristics, duration and nonlinear structural response under the two contrasting records. The Viktor.ai RC Section Analyzer yields a curvature ductility factor of 2.3 under ACI 318-25, identifying deformation capacity as the governing constraint under more severe future demands. These four findings form a causal chain connecting site conditions, spectral demand, structural response and sectional capacity that no single domain produces independently—the emergent ecosystem intelligence that defines Proto-AGI in structural engineering practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)
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12 pages, 1777 KB  
Article
Dissecting Missing Heritability in Rare Inherited Macular Dystrophies
by Deirdre Harford, Marcus Conway, Bridget Moran, Julia Zhu, Jacqueline Turner, Adrian Dockery, James J. O’Byrne, D. Ian Flitcroft, Tomás Burke, Kirk A. J. Stephenson, G. Jane Farrar and David J. Keegan
Genes 2026, 17(8), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17080979 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 281
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To describe the genetic resolution rate, molecular findings, and genotype–phenotype correlations of non-ABCA4 and non-BEST1 inherited macular dystrophies (IMDs) within an Irish inherited retinal disease (IRD) registry. Methods: Retrospective review of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of macular or cone [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To describe the genetic resolution rate, molecular findings, and genotype–phenotype correlations of non-ABCA4 and non-BEST1 inherited macular dystrophies (IMDs) within an Irish inherited retinal disease (IRD) registry. Methods: Retrospective review of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of macular or cone dystrophy. Comprehensive phenotyping (dilated ocular biomicroscopy, multimodal retinal imaging, visual electrophysiology) and genetic testing (panel-based next-generation sequencing, single-gene testing, whole exome/genome sequencing, WES/WGS). Variants were interpreted using ACMG AMP criteria, and genotype-phenotype match was confirmed through multidisciplinary review. Results: 232 patients with macular/cone dystrophies were identified. ABCA4 and BEST1 accounted for most molecular diagnoses (47.4%). Removing ABCA4 and BEST1, 59.0% of IMDs were genetically unresolved, higher than the rate in general IRD cohorts. Deep phenotyping enabled diagnostic reclassification in 13/72 (18.1%), namely achromatopsia, congenital stationary night blindness, and oculocutaneous albinism. Further genetic testing resolved 35/72 (48.6%) of those unresolved on first-line testing, with PRPH2 being most prevalent (n = 12), followed by GUCY2D, CRB1, PROM1, and CRX. Characteristic phenotypic signatures—such as CRB1-associated retinal thickening and retinoschisis or PROM1-associated Stargardt-like changes—supported known genotype–phenotype correlations. Conclusions: Genetic resolution rates for rare IMDs remain lower than pan-retinal IRD phenotypes. Beyond ABCA4 and BEST1, IMDs exhibit substantial genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity (24 genotypes in this cohort), with low molecular diagnostic rates despite comprehensive sequencing approaches. Detailed multimodal phenotyping (i.e., structural, functional and extra-ocular) is essential to refine diagnosis, guide genetic testing and interpret candidate variants. Genetic testing is challenging when the retinal phenotype is advanced (i.e., atrophy) or lacks pathognomonic features. Meticulous phenotyping (functional, structural and systemic) and broader genomic strategies (e.g., WES/WGS) may further increase diagnostic yield, though gene panel content is constantly improving. Consistently improving molecular diagnostic rates will ensure equitable access to emerging gene-specific therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases)
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36 pages, 28430 KB  
Article
Robot-Centric Elevation Map Completion with Sensor Geometry-Aware Augmentation and Uncertainty Estimation
by Jozef Goga, Michal Kovac, Martin Dekan, Jarmila Pavlovicova and Frantisek Duchon
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8262; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168262 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 173
Abstract
Robot-centric elevation maps built from onboard sensing are always incomplete: occlusions, a limited field of view, and range limits leave large unobserved regions that traversability analysis and motion planning must still reason about. We present a supervised framework that completes these maps and [...] Read more.
Robot-centric elevation maps built from onboard sensing are always incomplete: occlusions, a limited field of view, and range limits leave large unobserved regions that traversability analysis and motion planning must still reason about. We present a supervised framework that completes these maps and reports a per-cell uncertainty. Its core is a ray-cone augmentation that removes angular sectors anchored at the sensor origin during training; unlike the random masks of image inpainting, these sectors match the coverage gaps of real deployments, such as camera failures or reduced camera configurations. Partial maps generated from four depth cameras along legged-robot trajectories in the TartanGround dataset are paired with dense ground truth, yielding 32,329 samples across five outdoor environments. An encoder–decoder network is trained with a masked β-NLL loss and evaluated with a five-fold leave-one-environment-out protocol. The augmentation lowers the completion error on missing sensor sectors by 8.3 to 9.7%, depending on the sector width, at no measurable cost on uncorrupted partial inputs. The completed maps reach a hole root-mean-square error of 2.86 m, a 45% improvement over the strongest classical interpolation baseline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Computer Science in Mobile Robots, 3rd Edition)
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25 pages, 412 KB  
Article
Optimal Risk-Managed Dispatch of Multi-Terminal High-Voltage Direct Current Systems Integrating Renewable Energy and Battery Storage Through Mixed-Integer Convex Chance-Constrained Programming
by Mario Useche-Arteaga, Oscar Danilo Montoya, Walter Gil-González, Jesús C. Hernández and Luis Fernando Grisales-Noreña
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8472; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168472 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 239
Abstract
This paper proposes a stochastic dispatch framework for multi-terminal high-voltage direct current (MT-HVDC) systems that explicitly accounts for uncertainty in photovoltaic (PV) generation and electrical demand while preserving computational tractability. The economic–environmental dispatch problem is formulated as a mixed-integer second-order cone programming (MI-SOCP) [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a stochastic dispatch framework for multi-terminal high-voltage direct current (MT-HVDC) systems that explicitly accounts for uncertainty in photovoltaic (PV) generation and electrical demand while preserving computational tractability. The economic–environmental dispatch problem is formulated as a mixed-integer second-order cone programming (MI-SOCP) model, where the SOCP relaxation provides a convex representation of the network constraints, and the mixed-integer component captures the discrete charging/discharging states of battery energy storage systems (BESS). This formulation ensures that, for any fixed set of binary decisions, the remaining problem reduces to a standard convex SOCP, enabling efficient solution via branch-and-bound methods with tight continuous relaxations. Uncertainty is incorporated through a chance-constrained optimization (CCP) approach, where forecast errors are modeled using bounded truncated distributions and reformulated into deterministic convex constraints via quantile-based approximations, yielding a risk-aware dispatch strategy that avoids optimistic bias. Numerical studies on an 11-bus MT-HVDC test system demonstrate that accounting for uncertainty increases total operating costs by up to 31.87% and CO2 emissions by up to 37.41% when both PV and demand uncertainties are considered simultaneously at a confidence level of 0.9, compared to the deterministic solution. Power demand uncertainty has a substantially greater impact than PV generation uncertainty, leading to cost increases of 28.09% versus 3.85% at the highest confidence level. Validation on a modified IEEE 24-bus MT-HVDC system confirms the scalability and computational efficiency of the proposed approach, achieving global optimality in a pure solver time of 1.34 s with a maximum relative relaxation gap of 5.81×109, demonstrating numerical exactness and suitability for day-ahead scheduling. The results also highlight the critical role of BESSs in providing operational flexibility, with storage strategies differing significantly under uncertainty during early hours while converging to deterministic behavior later. The findings reveal a clear trade-off between economic performance and operational reliability as the confidence level increases, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed approach for integrating renewables and storage in modern HVDC grids, while also identifying important limitations regarding independence assumptions and scalability to larger systems. Full article
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41 pages, 12518 KB  
Article
Load Reduction and Fragmentation Behavior of Ultrasonic-Assisted Pick Cutting: A Calibrated EDEM–Experimental Study
by Qianmiao Cheng, Tianjin Wang, Yasi Duan, An Wang, Qiyuan Fan, Yuanyuan Shi, Xikang Xiao and Yizhe Huang
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 8085; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16168085 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 189
Abstract
Cantilever roadheaders are widely used in medium-soft rock tunneling. However, conventional pick cutters suffer from high rock-breaking load, excessive energy consumption, and severe abrasion, which restrict the performance of roadheader vehicle-end intelligent control systems. Existing ultrasonic rock-breaking studies mainly focus on drilling and [...] Read more.
Cantilever roadheaders are widely used in medium-soft rock tunneling. However, conventional pick cutters suffer from high rock-breaking load, excessive energy consumption, and severe abrasion, which restrict the performance of roadheader vehicle-end intelligent control systems. Existing ultrasonic rock-breaking studies mainly focus on drilling and polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters, while calibrated EDEM simulation and experimental studies of synchronous ultrasonic-vibration-assisted pick cutter cutting remain limited. This study investigates the rock-breaking behavior of synchronous ultrasonic vibration coupled with pick cutter cutting using 21 MPa artificial rock-like specimens. A calibrated EDEM simulation model was developed based on the Hertz–Mindlin with Bonding contact model and validated by uniaxial compression and Brazilian splitting tests. Meta-particle technology was applied to analyze fragmentation characteristics. The effects of ultrasonic frequency, cutting angle, and cone angle on rock-breaking load, debris production, and specific energy consumption were investigated through simulations and experiments. An ultrasonic-assisted cutting test system equipped with force sensors was established for validation. Results show that 30 kHz ultrasonic vibration effectively reduces rock-breaking load under the investigated operating conditions. A relatively favorable parameter combination obtained from the numerical simulations consists of an ultrasonic frequency of 30 kHz, a cutting angle of 40°, and a cone angle of 60°. Compared with conventional cutting, the optimized scheme reduces average cutting load by 74.69%, increases debris yield by 54.71%, and decreases mass-specific mechanical cutting energy consumption by 83.63%. This study provides quantitative data support for roadheader vehicle-end intelligent control systems. Full article
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11 pages, 1165 KB  
Review
Success After Endodontic Microsurgery: A Critical, Time- and Modality-Dependent Interpretation
by Hadar Better, Thabet Asbi, Gavriel Chaushu, Keren Better, Joshua Moshonov and Doron Haim
Dent. J. 2026, 14(8), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14080502 - 8 Aug 2026
Viewed by 257
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Meta-analyses of endodontic microsurgery (EMS) report pooled success rates of 90–94%, which is now a reference point for clinical decisions. These estimates are often applied beyond the follow-up intervals and imaging conditions in which they were derived. This review defines the temporal [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Meta-analyses of endodontic microsurgery (EMS) report pooled success rates of 90–94%, which is now a reference point for clinical decisions. These estimates are often applied beyond the follow-up intervals and imaging conditions in which they were derived. This review defines the temporal and imaging boundaries within which such a rate can be applied with confidence. Methods: We reviewed the core meta-analyses establishing these benchmarks, together with primary studies comparing periapical radiography (PA) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) within the same cohort or across follow-up intervals. Sources from MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were selected purposively, not by systematic screening. Results: Reported success varied with both imaging modality and follow-up time. In within-cohort comparisons, PA consistently yielded higher success than CBCT, being less sensitive to residual cancellous defects; in one cohort, CBCT found a defect in 28% of sites PA had judged healed. A long-term meta-analysis reported 91.3% success in randomized trials but 78.4% in prospective cohorts over 2 to 13 years, with 5 to 25% of early successes later reverting. Conclusions: Success after EMS is neither temporally stable nor modality-neutral. Meta-analytic estimates are valid within their stated follow-up and imaging context; applying them outside that context risks misclassification with direct consequences for clinical decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Preventive Dentistry)
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31 pages, 927 KB  
Article
Coordinated Scheduling of Distribution Networks and PEDF Microgrids via a Stackelberg Game with Wasserstein-DRO Reserve Requirements
by Haotian Zheng and Jing Lian
Energies 2026, 19(15), 3685; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19153685 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 217
Abstract
High photovoltaic penetration increases reserve needs in active distribution networks, while PEDF microgrid flexibility is seldom coordinated as a reserve product. This study develops a complete-information Stackelberg framework in which a distribution system operator posts bounded prices for energy exchange, reactive support, and [...] Read more.
High photovoltaic penetration increases reserve needs in active distribution networks, while PEDF microgrid flexibility is seldom coordinated as a reserve product. This study develops a complete-information Stackelberg framework in which a distribution system operator posts bounded prices for energy exchange, reactive support, and directional reserve. A Wasserstein ambiguity set centered on the empirical source–load error distribution supports a worst-case conditional value-at-risk calculation of hourly requirements. PEDF reserve offers are constrained by available battery energy, flexible-load headroom, recoverable photovoltaic curtailment, shared converter capacity, and activated feeder states. KKT conditions and Big-M linearization yield a mixed-integer second-order cone program. On a modified IEEE 33-bus feeder, joint PEDF and external reserve procurement reduces system cost by 2.455% and aggregate PEDF net cost by 10.402%, with zero reserve shortages and a minimum voltage of 0.951284 p.u. Fixed-ratio, SAA-CVaR, Box-RO, and WDRO-CVaR comparisons reveal an economy–reliability tradeoff. Rolling out-of-sample tests identify 0.1 as the smallest tested radius multiplier meeting a 5% violation target in all three training windows. An IEEE 69-bus extension reduces system cost by 4.233%, and all 144 nonlinear AC power-flow states converge. The results support one-interval steady-state reserve coordination under the tested assumptions. Full article
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40 pages, 1374 KB  
Article
Symmetry-Preserving Physics-Informed Neural Network Framework for Relativistic Charged-Particle Dynamics in 3+1 Dimensions
by Nikolai S. Akintsov, Artem P. Nevecheria, Gaoteng Yuan, Vladislav S. Igumnov, Stepan N. Andreev and Qing-Hua Qin
Symmetry 2026, 18(8), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18081303 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Standard pushers for the relativistic equations of motion of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field—Boris, Vay, Higuera–Cary—do not, in general, preserve the full symplectic structure of the underlying Hamiltonian system, while high-order non-symplectic schemes such as Runge–Kutta accumulate secular error over long [...] Read more.
Standard pushers for the relativistic equations of motion of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field—Boris, Vay, Higuera–Cary—do not, in general, preserve the full symplectic structure of the underlying Hamiltonian system, while high-order non-symplectic schemes such as Runge–Kutta accumulate secular error over long times. We propose a two-stage, symmetry-preserving framework (SP-PINN) for the 3+1-dimensional relativistic dynamics of a charged particle in a prescribed field, including a focused Gaussian laser pulse, that pairs a physics-informed neural network with an explicit symplectic integrator: the network learns a surrogate relativistic Hamiltonian, while the integrator—which is not itself learned—advances it. In Stage 1, an unsupervised physics-informed neural network learns the surrogate from the covariant equations of motion using a Lorentz-invariant loss that enforces the mass-shell constraint H=mc2γ; in Stage 2, the surrogate is advanced with an explicit symplectic map built on Tao’s extended phase space, valid for the non-separable relativistic Hamiltonian. To isolate the geometric integrator from neural-network approximation error, every benchmark figure advances the analytic relativistic Hamiltonian through Stage 2, the learned Stage-1 surrogate being assessed separately. We benchmark against the Boris pusher and Runge–Kutta on three core test problems (adding the Higuera–Cary pusher in the symplecticity diagnostic), supplemented by plane-wave, ensemble, and pulse-family studies, and we measure the first Poincaré–Cartan loop invariant directly as a quantitative diagnostic of symplecticity. The magnetic-field test illustrates the contrast between bounded and secular error growth: Runge–Kutta drifts secularly, the Boris pusher conserves the invariants to machine precision as a volume-preserving gyro-integrator, and the symplectic map keeps the error bounded for all time; on a non-integrable magnetic trap, where no exact volume-preserving rotation exists, the symplectic map alone keeps the energy error bounded. The learned surrogate is the current accuracy bottleneck—not yet competitive with the conventional pushers for the static cases—but for the demanding laser case, a vector-potential light-cone reformulation reduces this surrogate error to (3.0±0.1)×104 (three seeds) and yields learned trajectories that remain phase-coherent over essentially the whole interaction. The framework targets laser–plasma acceleration, synchrotron-radiation modeling, and particle tracking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section C: Physics)
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23 pages, 1426 KB  
Article
Dynamic Resource Allocation and Coordinated Dispatch of Wind–Solar-Storage Energy Systems Based on a Source–Load Association Graph
by Xiuyu Wu, Honghua Xu, Zijian Hu and Ye Ji
Processes 2026, 14(15), 2469; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14152469 - 31 Jul 2026
Viewed by 327
Abstract
This study proposes dynamic resource allocation and coordinated dispatch based on a source–load association graph for an electric–gas–heat system with wind, photovoltaics, fixed and mobile storage, power-to-gas (P2G), combined heat and power (CHP), and soft open points (SOPs). At each operating update, storage [...] Read more.
This study proposes dynamic resource allocation and coordinated dispatch based on a source–load association graph for an electric–gas–heat system with wind, photovoltaics, fixed and mobile storage, power-to-gas (P2G), combined heat and power (CHP), and soft open points (SOPs). At each operating update, storage states, mobile-storage location and availability, and forecast profiles determine five typed relations and the subgraph classifications. Capacity-weighted centering then maps the state scores to time-varying device bounds without changing installed capacities or locations. The coordinated dispatch is formulated as a mixed-integer second-order cone program with SOC DistFlow constraints and an SOS2 gas-flow approximation. For the normal operating day, graph-guided dispatch yields an operating cost of 51,996.84 CNY, compared with 52,294.33 CNY for static equal-budget allocation and 52,829.05 CNY for topology-only allocation. The corresponding reductions are 0.5689% and 1.5753%, respectively, while all three policies serve 100% of demand and use 100% of available renewable energy within numerical tolerance. The graph-guided solution reaches a 0.0340% optimality gap, supporting its operating-cost advantage for the tested day. Full article
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19 pages, 6110 KB  
Article
Flame Retardancy of Vinyl Acetate–Ethylene Emulsion Adhesives Modified with Intumescent Flame Retardants and Fly Ash
by Qianqian Wang, Jing Luo, Yan Sun, Wei Liu, Xucai Wang and Peng Jiang
Polymers 2026, 18(15), 1884; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18151884 - 31 Jul 2026
Viewed by 516
Abstract
Vinyl acetate–ethylene copolymer emulsion (VAE) adhesives are widely used in formaldehyde-free wood-based panels and coating systems, but their inherent flammability limits broader application in fire-safety-demanding fields. In this work, fly ash (FA), an industrial solid waste rich in Si- and Al-containing inorganic components, [...] Read more.
Vinyl acetate–ethylene copolymer emulsion (VAE) adhesives are widely used in formaldehyde-free wood-based panels and coating systems, but their inherent flammability limits broader application in fire-safety-demanding fields. In this work, fly ash (FA), an industrial solid waste rich in Si- and Al-containing inorganic components, was introduced into a conventional ammonium polyphosphate/melamine/pentaerythritol (APP/MEL/PER) intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) system to prepare flame-retardant VAE emulsion adhesives. The results showed that the incorporation of IFR effectively improved the flame retardancy of VAE, while FA further enhanced the condensed-phase protective effect. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of VAE/IFR/FA increased to 28.5% from 18.3% for neat VAE, and the sample achieved a UL-94 V-0 rating. Cone calorimetry results showed that the peak heat release rate and total heat release were significantly reduced after flame-retardant modification, accompanied by an increase in residual char. The VAE/IFR/FA sample exhibited the highest char residue and the lowest total smoke production, indicating the positive role of FA in promoting char formation and smoke suppression. The addition of KH403 further regulated the combustion behavior, mainly improving early-stage heat release suppression and fire performance index rather than increasing the final char yield. The KH403-containing formulation also showed improved tensile properties and plywood bonding strength, indicating its potential as a flame-retardant adhesive for wood-based panels. The KH403-containing formulation also showed improved tensile properties and plywood bonding strength, indicating its potential as a flame-retardant adhesive for wood-based panels. SEM-EDS, XPS, Raman, and TG-FTIR analyses confirmed that FA and KH403 contributed to the formation of a phosphorus-rich organic–inorganic hybrid char layer containing Si/Al inorganic structures. This reinforced char layer effectively inhibited heat transfer, oxygen diffusion, and the release of combustible volatiles. This study provides a feasible strategy for developing low-cost flame-retardant VAE adhesives while promoting the high-value utilization of fly ash. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Behavior and Properties of Polymer Composites)
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15 pages, 3118 KB  
Article
Preclinical Optimization of Magnetotactic Bacteria Therapy for the Treatment of Pancreatic and Rectal Cancer
by Charles Tremblay, Miriam Santos Dutra, Gilles Soulez, Sylvain Martel, Gerald Batist and Corey S. Miller
Cancers 2026, 18(15), 2427; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18152427 - 28 Jul 2026
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Magnetotactic bacteria therapy is an emerging active intratumoral drug delivery platform in which drug-loaded, magnetically responsive bacteria are injected into a tumor and navigated through its microenvironment toward defined targets using an external magnetic field, fundamentally distinct from passive intratumoral injection. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Magnetotactic bacteria therapy is an emerging active intratumoral drug delivery platform in which drug-loaded, magnetically responsive bacteria are injected into a tumor and navigated through its microenvironment toward defined targets using an external magnetic field, fundamentally distinct from passive intratumoral injection. No endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)- or ultrasound (US)-guided delivery workflow for MTBT has been described, and five critical technical prerequisites for clinical translation remain unaddressed: three-body image registration, minimum contrast concentration for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) bolus localization, needle repositioning accuracy, optimal fiducial strategy, and EUS/US procedural feasibility within the magnetic guidance apparatus. Methods: In three healthy female swine, we tested an image-guided intratumoral workflow at pancreatic and rectal sites. Gold rod fiducials were implanted under EUS in two animals and via transabdominal/endorectal US in one animal. A needle was navigated toward the implanted fiducial group using real-time gold-fiducial shine-through, and 2 mL of saline mixed with iodine contrast (Isovue-370) at 15%, 10%, or 5% v/v (one concentration per animal) was injected. Scan with CBCT was acquired before and after injection; fiducials, needle tip, and contrast bolus were segmented in 3D Slicer and their centroids compared to quantify targeting accuracy. Contrast visibility and artifact were scored by an expert radiologist on a five-point Likert scale. EUS feasibility within the magnetic apparatus was assessed using a full-scale cardboard replica of the CuraDrone PolarTrak. Results: Five percent v/v Isovue-370 was the minimum concentration for reliable CBCT bolus identification (280–360 HU; 1:1 injection-to-volume ratio). Needle repositioning accuracy was ≤2 cm in 5/6 sites using fiducial shine-through guidance. Gold rod fiducials served a dual role: CBCT tumor registration and real-time EUS/US navigation, not previously described for intratumoral injection. EUS was feasible within the PolarTrak with defined workflow adaptations. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the technical feasibility of an EUS/US–CBCT workflow for MTBT, yielding quantitative, actionable parameters for first-in-human trial design. These feasibility findings, obtained in a small healthy animal cohort, are intended to inform the design of subsequent clinical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Methods and Technologies Development)
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18 pages, 7881 KB  
Article
Bridging Targeting Precision and Oncologic Safety: Localization Accuracy for Margin Adequacy in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Guided Pulmonary Nodule Resection
by Yu-Hsiang Wang, Hsu-Chih Huang, Chih-Yi Chen, Jiun-Yi Hsia, Guo-Zhi Wang, Ming-Chih Chou and Frank Cheau-Feng Lin
Cancers 2026, 18(14), 2356; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18142356 - 21 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ground-glass pulmonary nodules are often nonpalpable and not visible during thoracoscopic surgery, making accurate localization important for achieving adequate pathological margins. However, no clinically validated localization-error threshold has been established. We evaluated the association between Dmn and pathological margin adequacy after image-guided [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Ground-glass pulmonary nodules are often nonpalpable and not visible during thoracoscopic surgery, making accurate localization important for achieving adequate pathological margins. However, no clinically validated localization-error threshold has been established. We evaluated the association between Dmn and pathological margin adequacy after image-guided thoracoscopic pulmonary nodule resection and sought to identify a clinically relevant localization-accuracy threshold. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 169 patients in a predefined peripheral-lesion cohort who underwent cone-beam computed tomography-guided pulmonary nodule localization using hook-wire placement or dye marking in a hybrid operating room, followed by thoracoscopic wedge resection. Dmn was defined as the shortest three-dimensional Euclidean distance from the localization needle tip to the tumor margin. Pathological margin adequacy was defined as a resection margin equal to or greater than the maximum tumor diameter. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of pathological margin inadequacy, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal Dmn cutoff. Results: Dmn was independently associated with pathological margin inadequacy (odds ratio, 1.617; 95% confidence interval, 1.356–1.928; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.827 and an optimal Dmn cutoff of 4.90 mm, with a sensitivity of 71.0% and specificity of 94.2%. Pathological margin inadequacy occurred more frequently in patients with Dmn ≥ 4.9 mm than in those with Dmn < 4.9 mm (73.3% vs. 6.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this single-center cohort, a Dmn of approximately 4.9 mm was associated with pathological margin inadequacy after cone-beam computed tomography-guided pulmonary nodule localization and thoracoscopic wedge resection. This value may serve as a candidate intraoperative warning threshold for margin reassessment; however, prospective external validation is required before routine clinical implementation. Full article
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16 pages, 2235 KB  
Article
Adjacent Maxillary Bone Microarchitecture in Patients with Asymmetric Bilateral Lund–Mackay Scores: A Pilot Retrospective Within-Subject Analysis Using CBCT
by Ersen Bilgili and Kaan Orhan
Diagnostics 2026, 16(14), 2270; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16142270 - 20 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: The study aims to investigate whether lateral asymmetry in the inflammatory burden of the maxillary sinus is associated with measurable differences in adjacent non-alveolar maxillary bone structure, as observed on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Additionally, this study aims to examine [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The study aims to investigate whether lateral asymmetry in the inflammatory burden of the maxillary sinus is associated with measurable differences in adjacent non-alveolar maxillary bone structure, as observed on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Additionally, this study aims to examine the relationship between sinus inflammation severity and trabecular bone characteristics using microarchitectural parameters. Methods: A total of 100 patients with asymmetric bilateral Lund–Mackay scores were included, yielding 200 maxillary sinuses and exceeding an a priori power requirement of 184 sinuses. Standardized cubic volumes of interest were sampled from the zygomatic process of the maxilla, outside the alveolar process, and analyzed using ImageJ 1.54p and BoneJ+ 0.0.12. Evaluated parameters were trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, bone volume fraction, connectivity, connectivity density, degree of anisotropy, cortical porosity, cortical thickness, and ellipsoid factor. Paired comparisons were performed between the less severe and more severe sinus sides. Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess associations with LM score, age, sex, and etiology of the inflammation as odontogenic or rhinosinusitis. Results: Compared to the less severe side, the more severe side showed significantly lower Tb.Th, BV/TV, Cort.Th, and EF and significantly higher Tb.Sp and cortical porosity (all p ≤ 0.05). However, Conn., Conn.D, and DA did not differ significantly. An increasing LM score was associated with lower Tb.Th, BV/TV, DA, and EF, as well as higher cortical porosity. Odontogenic and non-odontogenic inflammatory patterns were both associated with less favorable bone characteristics compared to non-inflamed sides. However, the magnitude and distribution of the effects differed across parameters. Conclusions: Greater sinus inflammatory burden was associated with measurable alterations in adjacent non-alveolar maxillary bone architecture across multiple morphometric domains. Although not a validated index, the cortical porosity score may reflect the resorptive effects of maxillary sinusitis on the adjacent cortex. The findings support the idea that sinus inflammation may have an osseous correlate beyond the sinus cavity. Further validation in larger, clinically phenotyped cohorts is warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging)
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