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Search Results (9,965)

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Keywords = decision support systems

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33 pages, 9054 KB  
Article
Bridging the Compliance Gap in Indonesia Green Building Projects Through a Systems Thinking Approach
by Dyah Puspagarini, Arfenia Nita and Irene Pluchinotta
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3243; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073243 (registering DOI) - 26 Mar 2026
Abstract
Despite pressure to scale green building (GB) adoption in Indonesia, many government building projects underperform against their initial intended design, creating a compliance gap between the design and construction phases and reducing the GB rating and its potential benefits. This study investigated the [...] Read more.
Despite pressure to scale green building (GB) adoption in Indonesia, many government building projects underperform against their initial intended design, creating a compliance gap between the design and construction phases and reducing the GB rating and its potential benefits. This study investigated the barriers and drivers affecting the Indonesian government’s GB projects’ compliance using a systems thinking (ST) approach. A causal loop diagram (CLD) was constructed from stakeholder interviews and literature scoping, followed by semi-qualitative analysis, combining systems archetype identification, eigenvector centrality (EC), and influence mapping to propose potential leverage points as a basis for policy analysis of the current regulatory scenario. Key findings show that knowledge development, sustained stakeholder integration, project documentation readiness, and government support reinforce GB compliance, but are undermined by financial constraints. CLD analysis identified that the more sustainable factors, including regulation alignment, capacity building, and enhancing collaboration, should become a focus of interventions in the system, instead of focusing solely on the provision of funding. This study presents a novel exploration of the GB adoption problem in an Indonesian governmental context through a comprehensive and systems approach. Further research might require narrowing the system boundaries, broadening the literature and stakeholder validation, and performing quantitative modelling to test intervention scenarios to support rigorous decision-making processes. Full article
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32 pages, 3153 KB  
Article
A Rough Set-Based Decision Framework for Customer-Driven Product Design: A Case Study on Public-Access Faucets
by Hong Jia and Jianning Su
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3193; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073193 (registering DOI) - 26 Mar 2026
Abstract
Translating heterogeneous user requirements (URs) into robust engineering specifications for public-access products is a critical challenge, often impeded by information uncertainty and fragmented design processes. To address this, we propose an integrated decision-making framework underpinned by Rough Set Theory (RST) as a unified [...] Read more.
Translating heterogeneous user requirements (URs) into robust engineering specifications for public-access products is a critical challenge, often impeded by information uncertainty and fragmented design processes. To address this, we propose an integrated decision-making framework underpinned by Rough Set Theory (RST) as a unified mathematical language for uncertainty management. The framework systematically guides customer-driven product development by integrating a series of RST-based methods: a Kano model analysis to screen URs, a novel rough-Shapley value model to determine their interdependent weights, a rough-QFD approach to translate them into weighted design requirements (DRs), and the rough-VIKOR method to select the optimal design alternative. A case study on public-access faucets validates the framework’s efficacy. The results demonstrate its capability to identify critical URs, derive robust DRs by systematically resolving technical attribute conflicts, and select a superior design solution that optimally balances hygiene, durability, and user experience. The application of the framework successfully identified Alternative A1 (Push-Activated Spout) as the optimal solution, demonstrating superior performance in proactive hygiene and core functionality. The results prove that maintaining data integrity through a unified RST pipeline effectively resolves early-stage design conflicts. This research contributes a rigorous, data-driven decision support system that enhances objectivity and information fidelity, providing a transparent and auditable methodology for designing human-centered public infrastructure. Full article
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27 pages, 1197 KB  
Review
Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Platelet Dysregulation in Atrial Fibrillation with Chronic Kidney Disease: Toward a Biology-Informed Anticoagulation Strategy
by Maria-Daniela Tanasescu, Andrei-Mihnea Rosu, Alexandru Minca, Maria-Mihaela Grigorie, Delia Timofte and Dorin Ionescu
Life 2026, 16(4), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16040547 (registering DOI) - 26 Mar 2026
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexists with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and their combination confers a disproportionate risk of both thromboembolic and bleeding events. Conventional anticoagulation strategies rely primarily on creatinine clearance-based dosing, which reflects pharmacokinetic safety but does not fully capture the biological [...] Read more.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently coexists with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and their combination confers a disproportionate risk of both thromboembolic and bleeding events. Conventional anticoagulation strategies rely primarily on creatinine clearance-based dosing, which reflects pharmacokinetic safety but does not fully capture the biological processes underlying thrombohemorrhagic instability. This narrative review synthesizes recent mechanistic and translational evidence regarding the bidirectional cardio–renal axis in AF and CKD, focusing on systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, platelet dysregulation, and altered coagulation. A structured literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science (2018–2026) was performed, complemented by manual review of key references and guidelines. The evidence indicates that inflammatory cytokine activation, oxidative stress, glycocalyx degradation, von Willebrand factor dysregulation, uremic platelet dysfunction, and enhanced thrombin generation converge to create a disrupted vascular interface in which stroke and bleeding arise from shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Renal trajectory and selected circulating biomarkers further highlight the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of risk in advanced CKD. These findings support reframing anticoagulation decision-making in AF with CKD from a static filtration-based model toward a biology-informed approach that integrates renal dynamics, endothelial and platelet phenotype, and clinical context to better align thromboembolic protection with hemorrhagic safety. Full article
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20 pages, 293 KB  
Article
Integrating Clinical, Functional, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Haemophilia Care: A Delphi-Based Consensus on a New Monitoring Tool
by Angelo Claudio Molinari, Erminia Baldacci, Giovanni Barillari, Antonella Coluccia, Antonio Coppola, Anna Chiara Giuffrida, Gaetano Giuffrida, Chiara Gorio, Silvia Linari, Matteo Luciani, Alessandro Catini, Ilaria Nichele, Flora Peyvandi, Berardino Pollio, Annarita Tagliaferri, Federica Valeri, Maria Rosaria Villa, Ezio Zanon and Mariasanta Napolitano
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(7), 2533; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15072533 (registering DOI) - 26 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background: An appropriate and effective management of haemophilia is currently based on a multidimensional evaluation of treatment adequacy. Current clinical practice however is still lacking standardised tools able to combine clinical, functional, and patient-reported outcomes. In this study a structured Monitoring Tool [...] Read more.
Background: An appropriate and effective management of haemophilia is currently based on a multidimensional evaluation of treatment adequacy. Current clinical practice however is still lacking standardised tools able to combine clinical, functional, and patient-reported outcomes. In this study a structured Monitoring Tool for haemophilia A and B was developed and validated through a Delphi-based expert consensus process. This study represents an expert consensus-based validation of a monitoring framework, rather than a clinical validation in patient cohorts. The tool is intended for use by haemophilia treaters during routine follow-up visits to support structured treatment reassessment. Score categories reflect the need for clinical re-evaluation or potential treatment optimisation, rather than disease severity. Methods: Italian haemophilia specialists were asked to participate to a panel over a two-round Delphi process. Experts rated the relevance of several predefined clinical domains—pharmacokinetics, bleeding episodes, joint health, adherence and quality of life (QoL)—and the individual items within each domain for patients on prophylactic or on-demand treatment. Consensus was defined by responses within an interquartile range (IQR) < 8. Section and item weights and Likert-based scoring values were used to reach a composite score between 0 and 100. Results: Consensus was achieved for all domains and items across haemophilia types and treatments, prophylaxis and on demand (Haemophilia A: 16 and 12 participants; Haemophilia B: 12 and 9, respectively). With reference to prophylaxis domains, bleeding episodes received the highest domain weight (31–32%), followed by joint health (27–29%) and adherence/QoL (21–23%) and pharmacokinetics (18–19%). For on-demand treatment, pharmacokinetics was excluded; bleeding episodes (38–40%) and joint health (35–37%) remained dominant. At the item level, dynamic joint health indicators (HJHS and HEAD-US changes) and longitudinal QoL changes consistently received the highest weights. The final scoring system categorised results as Excellent (0–25), Suboptimal (26–50), Poor (51–75), or Critical (76–100). Conclusions: The Delphi-validated Monitoring Tools provide a structured, weighted, and clinically relevant framework for assessing treatment adequacy in haemophilia A and B across prophylactic and on-demand settings. These tools allow multidimensional outcome assessment and may support a more consistent, personalised therapeutic decision-making. A prospective validation of the tool in clinical cohorts is warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hematology)
22 pages, 526 KB  
Article
From Hazard Prioritization to Object-Level Risk Management in Drinking Water Systems: A Class-Based FPOR Framework for Priority Premises
by Izabela Piegdoń, Barbara Tchórzewska-Cieślak and Jakub Raček
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3176; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073176 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Risk-based management of water quality in drinking water supply systems requires decision-support tools that extend beyond parameter-level hazard assessment and enable prioritization at the level of physical system objects. In this context, hazard assessment refers specifically to drinking water quality parameters and their [...] Read more.
Risk-based management of water quality in drinking water supply systems requires decision-support tools that extend beyond parameter-level hazard assessment and enable prioritization at the level of physical system objects. In this context, hazard assessment refers specifically to drinking water quality parameters and their possible operational and health-related implications, particularly in facilities serving sensitive user groups. This study proposes a class-based extension of the FPOR (Fuzzy Priority of Objects at Risk) framework to support object-level operational prioritization under conditions of limited data availability. Hazard importance is adopted from prior hazard prioritization using the Fuzzy Priority Index (FPI), while priority premises (PP) are represented as object classes reflecting typical functional and operational characteristics. Class-based profiles of local hazard relevance and object vulnerability are defined using expert-informed fuzzy representations and aggregated into FPOR scores to produce a relative ranking of priority premises classes. The results demonstrate how hazard prioritization can be systematically propagated to object-level decision units without reliance on site-specific monitoring data. The proposed framework provides a transparent and scalable basis for early-stage risk-based planning and supports the operational implementation of object-oriented management strategies in drinking water systems, while maintaining a clear conceptual separation from health risk assessment addressed in subsequent studies. Full article
36 pages, 5862 KB  
Article
Reliability Analysis of Aerospace Blade Manufacturing Equipment: A Multi-Source Uncertainty FMECA Method for Five-Axis CNC Machine Tool Spindle Systems
by Muhao Han, Yufei Li, Hailong Tian, Yuzhi Sun, Zixuan Ni, Yunshenghao Qiu and Haoyuan Li
Machines 2026, 14(4), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines14040360 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Five-axis Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools play a pivotal role in the precision manufacturing of aeroengine turbine blades, where ultra-high reliability and accuracy are essential. Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) has been widely applied in the reliability assessment of such [...] Read more.
Five-axis Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools play a pivotal role in the precision manufacturing of aeroengine turbine blades, where ultra-high reliability and accuracy are essential. Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) has been widely applied in the reliability assessment of such advanced machining systems due to its systematic evaluation of potential failure modes. However, traditional FMECA approaches often overlook the ambiguity of human cognition and the interdependence among expert evaluations, limiting their effectiveness in complex aerospace manufacturing environments. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel FMECA framework based on generalized intuitionistic linguistic theory. A new Generalized Intuitionistic Linguistic Weighted Geometric Average (GILWGA) operator is introduced to couple multi-source expert information and quantify the fuzziness inherent in subjective assessments. Additionally, an intuitionistic linguistic entropy-based weighting scheme is developed to dynamically evaluate key risk factors, including severity, occurrence, detectability, and controllability. The proposed framework is applied to a case study involving the spindle system of a five-axis CNC machine tool used in aeroengine blade production. The results demonstrate that the proposed method offers more robust and consistent failure mode prioritization, providing effective decision support for reliability-centered maintenance in aerospace equipment manufacturing. Full article
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28 pages, 1349 KB  
Article
HAAU-Net: Hybrid Adaptive Attention U-Net Integrated with Context-Aware Morphologically Stable Features for Real-Time MRI Brain Tumor Detection and Segmentation
by Muhammad Adeel Asghar, Sultan Shoaib and Muhammad Zahid
Tomography 2026, 12(4), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography12040044 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background: The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based tumor segmentation remains a challenging problem in medical imaging due to tumor heterogeneity, unpredictable morphological features, and the high complexity of calculations needed to implement it in clinical practice, putting it out of the scope of real-time [...] Read more.
Background: The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based tumor segmentation remains a challenging problem in medical imaging due to tumor heterogeneity, unpredictable morphological features, and the high complexity of calculations needed to implement it in clinical practice, putting it out of the scope of real-time applications. Although neural networks have significantly improved segmentation performance, they still struggle to capture morphological tumor features while maintaining computational efficiency. This work introduces Hybrid Adaptive Attention U-Net (HAAU-Net) framework, combining context-aware morphologically stable features and spatial channel attention to achieve high-quality tumor segmentation with less computational cost. Methods: The proposed HAAU-Net framework integrates multi-scale Adaptive Attention Blocks (AAB), Context-Aware Morphological Feature Module (CAMFM) and Spatial-Channel Hybrid Attention Mechanism (SCHAM). CAMFM is used to maintain the stability of morphological features by hierarchical aggregation and dynamic normalization of features. SCHAM enhances feature representation by modelling channels and spatial regions where the strongest feature are determined to use in segmentation. On the BRaTS 2022/2023 data, the proposed HAAU-Net is evaluated using four modalities including T1, T1GD, T2 and T2-FLAIR sequences. Results: The proposed model able to obtain 96.8% segmentation accuracy with a Dice coefficient of 0.89 on the entire tumor region, outperforming the alternative U-Net (0.83) and conventional CNN methods of segmentation (0.81). The proposed HAAU-Net architecture cuts the computational complexity of the standard deep learning models by 43% and still achieve real-time inference (28 FPS on a regular GPU). The hybrid model used to predict survival has a C-Index of 0.91 which is higher than the traditional SVM-based methods (0.72). Conclusions: Spatial-channel attention, combined with morphologically stable features, can be combined to allow clinically significant interpretability in attention maps. The proposed framework significantly improves segmentation performance while maintaining computational effeciency. This broad system has a serious potential of AI-enabled clinical decision support system and early prognostic diagnosis in neuro-oncology with practical deployment capability. Full article
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22 pages, 4755 KB  
Article
Comparative Assessment of Supervised Machine Learning Models for Predicting Water Uptake in Sorption-Based Thermal Energy Storage
by Milad Tajik Jamalabad, Elham Abohamzeh, Daud Mustafa Minhas, Seongbhin Kim, Dohyun Kim, Aejung Yoon and Georg Frey
Energies 2026, 19(7), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19071619 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
In this study, supervised machine learning (ML) regression models are employed to predict water uptake during the sorption process in a sorption reactor for thermal energy storage applications. Two main methods are used to study sorption storage systems: experimental studies and numerical simulations. [...] Read more.
In this study, supervised machine learning (ML) regression models are employed to predict water uptake during the sorption process in a sorption reactor for thermal energy storage applications. Two main methods are used to study sorption storage systems: experimental studies and numerical simulations. Experimental studies involve physical testing and measurements but are often costly and time-consuming. Numerical simulations are more flexible and cost-effective, though they can require significant computational resources for large or complex systems. To address these challenges, researchers are increasingly employing various machine learning techniques, which offer strong potential for data analysis and predictive modeling. In this study, CFD-based sorption simulations are integrated with machine learning models to predict the spatiotemporal evolution of water uptake. Several ML techniques including support vector regression (SVR), Random Forest, XGBoost, CatBoost (gradient boosting decision trees), and multilayer perceptron neural networks (MLPs) are evaluated and compared. A fixed-bed reactor equipped with fins and tubes is considered within a closed adsorption thermal storage system. Numerical simulations are conducted for three different fin lengths (10 mm, 25 mm, and 35 mm) to generate a comprehensive dataset for training the ML models and capturing the complex temporal evolution of water uptake, thereby enabling predictions for unseen fin geometries. The results indicate that neural network-based models achieve superior predictive performance compared to the other methods. For water uptake training, the mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination R2 are approximately 2.83, 4.37, and 0.91, respectively. The predicted water uptake shows close agreement with the numerical simulation results. For the prediction cases, the MAE, MSE, and R2 values are approximately 1.13, 1.2, and 0.8, respectively. Overall, the study demonstrates that machine learning models can accurately predict water uptake beyond the training dataset, indicating strong generalization capability and significant potential for improving thermal management system design. Additionally, the proposed approach reduces simulation time and computational cost while providing an efficient and reliable framework for modeling complex sorption processes in thermal energy storage systems. Full article
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19 pages, 2924 KB  
Perspective
Transition Towards a Circular and Resource-Efficient Economy: An Artificial Intelligence Perspective
by Muhammad Mohsin, Stefano Rovetta, Francesco Masulli and Alberto Cabri
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3167; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073167 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
The transition from a linear to a circular, resource-efficient economy is crucial in order to address the growing scarcity of resources, environmental degradation and the rapid increase in electronic waste and end-of-life products. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key enabling technology, [...] Read more.
The transition from a linear to a circular, resource-efficient economy is crucial in order to address the growing scarcity of resources, environmental degradation and the rapid increase in electronic waste and end-of-life products. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key enabling technology, capable of enhancing decision making, automation and optimization across Circular Economy (CE) pathways, including reuse, remanufacturing and recycling. This perspective paper presents a comprehensive and critical overview of AI’s role in supporting the transition to a circular, resource-efficient economy, introducing the Digital CE Architecture (DCEA-4) as a novel framework for integrating AI across the circular value chain. Recent advances in machine learning, deep learning and data-driven optimization are analyzed in the context of electronic waste and used battery management. This highlights how AI-based solutions can improve material recovery rates, reduce environmental impact and enhance system-level efficiency. Additionally, we examine major challenges concerning data availability, model generalization, industrial deployment, and explainability, together with relevant industrial case studies. Although AI offers substantial potential for optimizing circular resource systems, its environmental benefits must be balanced against the computational energy demands of large-scale AI models. This perspective discusses the potential rebound effects associated with AI deployment and emphasizes the importance of energy-efficient algorithms and sustainable digital infrastructures. By bringing together current developments and highlighting future opportunities, this paper aims to help researchers, practitioners and policymakers leverage AI to speed up the transition to sustainable, circular and resource-efficient systems. Full article
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38 pages, 2551 KB  
Article
Optimization Consensus Model Considering Minimum Cost and Maximum Consensus Objectives for Social Network Group Decision-Making
by Shuping Zhao, Xue Jiang and Wenxing Lu
Axioms 2026, 15(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms15040245 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
In social network-based group decision-making, achieving consensus often entails costs, leading to an inherent trade-off between cost and consensus. To address this issue, we propose a dual-semantic, multi-objective consensus optimization model that simultaneously minimizes cost and maximizes consensus. The resulting Pareto set offers [...] Read more.
In social network-based group decision-making, achieving consensus often entails costs, leading to an inherent trade-off between cost and consensus. To address this issue, we propose a dual-semantic, multi-objective consensus optimization model that simultaneously minimizes cost and maximizes consensus. The resulting Pareto set offers decision makers (DMs) multiple trade-off solutions between cost and consensus. Specifically, we first develop a 2-tuple trust propagation model that incorporates path knowledge and path length to improve the completeness and accuracy of indirect trust inference. Building on this foundation, we adaptively adjust DM weights by combining trust relationships with dynamic incentive weights. This design balances individual influence and adjustment willingness throughout the consensus-reaching process. Finally, we formulate a multi-objective decision optimization model. This model integrates minimum cost and maximum consensus to generate a modified decision matrix for efficiently aggregating group opinions. A multi-physician collaboration case in a medical diagnostic decision-support system validates the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article
22 pages, 13466 KB  
Article
On-Premise Multimodal AI Assistance for Operator-in-the-Loop Diagnosis in Machine Tool Mechatronic Systems
by Seongwoo Cho, Jongsu Park and Jumyung Um
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3166; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073166 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Modern machine tools are safety-critical mechatronic systems, yet shop floor maintenance from abnormal events still relies heavily on scarce expert know-how and time-consuming manual searches across heterogeneous controller documentation. This paper presents an on-premise multimodal AI assistant. It integrates large language models with [...] Read more.
Modern machine tools are safety-critical mechatronic systems, yet shop floor maintenance from abnormal events still relies heavily on scarce expert know-how and time-consuming manual searches across heterogeneous controller documentation. This paper presents an on-premise multimodal AI assistant. It integrates large language models with retrieval augmented generation and real-time machine signals to support operator-in-the-loop fault diagnosis. The proposed system provides three tightly coupled functions: (1) alarm-grounded guidance, which answers controller alarms and recommends corrective actions by grounding generation on manuals, maintenance procedures, and historical alarm cases; (2) parameter-aware reasoning, which injects live process and health indicators (e.g., spindle temperature, vibration, and axis states) into the reasoning context through an industrial data pipeline, enabling context specific troubleshooting; and (3) vision enabled support, which retrieves similar visual cases and generates concise visual instructions when text alone is insufficient. The assistant is deployed within an intranet environment to satisfy industrial security and privacy requirements and is orchestrated via lightweight tool calling for seamless integration with existing shop floor systems. Experiments on real machine tool alarm scenarios demonstrate that the proposed system achieves 82% answer correctness for alarm Q&A and improves response consistency and time-to-resolution compared with baseline keyword search and template-based guidance. The results suggest that grounded, multimodal chatbot assistants can act as practical AI-based feedback and decision support mechanisms for mechatronic production equipment, bridging human skill gaps while enhancing reliability and maintainability. Full article
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50 pages, 14824 KB  
Review
Convergence of Multidimensional Sensing: A Review of AI-Enhanced Space-Division Multiplexing in Optical Fiber Sensors
by Rabiu Imam Sabitu and Amin Malekmohammadi
Sensors 2026, 26(7), 2044; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26072044 - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
The growing demand for high-fidelity, multi-parameter, distributed sensing in critical domains such as structural health monitoring, oil and gas exploration, and secure perimeter surveillance is pushing traditional optical fiber sensors (OFS) to their performance limits. Although conventional multiplexing techniques such as time-division and [...] Read more.
The growing demand for high-fidelity, multi-parameter, distributed sensing in critical domains such as structural health monitoring, oil and gas exploration, and secure perimeter surveillance is pushing traditional optical fiber sensors (OFS) to their performance limits. Although conventional multiplexing techniques such as time-division and wavelength-division multiplexing (TDM, WDM) have been commercially successful, they are rapidly approaching fundamental bottlenecks in sensor density, spatial resolution, and data capacity. This review argues that the synergistic convergence of space-division multiplexing (SDM) and artificial intelligence (AI) represents a paradigm shift, enabling a new generation of intelligent, high-dimensional sensing networks. We comprehensively survey the state of the art in SDM-based OFS, detailing the operating principles and applications of multi-core fibers (MCFs) for ultra-dense sensor arrays and 3D shape sensing, as well as few-mode fibers (FMFs) for mode-division multiplexing and enhanced multi-parameter discrimination. However, the unprecedented spatial parallelism provided by SDM introduces significant challenges, including inter-channel crosstalk, complex signal demultiplexing, and massive data volumes. This paper systematically explores how AI, particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), is being leveraged not merely as a tool but as an indispensable core technology to mitigate these impairments. We critically analyze AI’s role in digital crosstalk suppression, intelligent mode demultiplexing, signal denoising, and solving complex inverse problems for parameter estimation. Furthermore, we highlight how this AI–SDM synergy enables capabilities beyond the reach of either technology alone, such as super-resolution sensing and predictive analytics. The discussion is extended to include the critical supporting pillars of this ecosystem, such as advanced interrogation techniques and the associated data management challenges. Finally, we provide a forward-looking perspective on the trajectory of the field, outlining a path toward cognitive sensing networks that are self-calibrating, adaptive, and capable of autonomous decision-making. This review is intended to serve as a foundational reference for researchers and engineers at the intersection of photonics and intelligent systems, illuminating the pathway toward tomorrow’s intelligent sensing infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Artificial Intelligence in Sensors Technology)
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24 pages, 3524 KB  
Article
An Intelligent Micromachine Perception System for Elevator Fault Diagnosis
by Li Lai, Shixuan Ding, Zewen Li, Zimin Luo and Hao Wang
Micromachines 2026, 17(4), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17040401 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Elevator fault diagnosis heavily relies on high-precision sensing of microscopic physical states. Although Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors can capture such subtle features, they are constrained by high-frequency data streams, environmental noise, and the semantic gap between raw sensor data and actionable maintenance decisions. [...] Read more.
Elevator fault diagnosis heavily relies on high-precision sensing of microscopic physical states. Although Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors can capture such subtle features, they are constrained by high-frequency data streams, environmental noise, and the semantic gap between raw sensor data and actionable maintenance decisions. This study proposes a collaborative edge–cloud intelligent diagnosis framework specifically designed for elevator systems. On the edge side, a lightweight temporal Transformer model, ELiTe-Transformer, was designed and deployed on the Jetson platform. This model enhances sensitivity to event-driven MEMS signals through an industrial positional encoding mechanism and by integrating linear attention and INT8 quantization techniques, achieving a real-time inference latency of 21.4 ms. On the cloud side, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology was adopted to integrate physical features extracted at the edge with domain knowledge, generating interpretable diagnostic reports. The experimental results show that the overall accuracy of the system reaches 96.0%. The edge–cloud collaborative framework improves the accuracy of complex fault diagnosis to 92.5%, and the adoption of RAG reduces the report hallucination rate by 71.4%. This work effectively addresses the bottlenecks of MEMS perception in elevator fault diagnosis, forming a closed loop from micro-signal acquisition to high-level decision support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Centred Intelligent Wearable Devices)
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17 pages, 335 KB  
Review
The Role of the Cardiothoracic Surgeon in the Age of AI—Are the Robots Going to Take Our Jobs?
by Caius-Glad Streian, Vlad-Alexandru Meche, Horea Bogdan Feier, Dragos Cozma, Ciprian Nicușor Dima, Constantin Tudor Luca and Sergiu-Ciprian Matei
Med. Sci. 2026, 14(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14020164 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) and robot-assisted platforms are increasingly influencing cardiothoracic surgery. AI enhances risk prediction, imaging interpretation, and early complication detection, while robotics improves visualization, dexterity, and minimally invasive access. This systematic review evaluates the current evidence supporting these technologies and [...] Read more.
Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) and robot-assisted platforms are increasingly influencing cardiothoracic surgery. AI enhances risk prediction, imaging interpretation, and early complication detection, while robotics improves visualization, dexterity, and minimally invasive access. This systematic review evaluates the current evidence supporting these technologies and their implications for clinical practice. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (January 2000–May 2025) following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. After screening and eligibility assessment, 67 studies met predefined inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the qualitative synthesis. Additional high-impact reviews and consensus documents were consulted for contextual interpretation. Results: Machine learning models demonstrated modest but consistent improvements in predictive performance compared with EuroSCORE II and STS scores, particularly in high-risk cohorts. Robot-assisted mitral and coronary procedures showed reduced postoperative pain, blood loss, ICU stay, and recovery time in experienced centers, though early learning phases were associated with longer operative, cross-clamp, and bypass times. AI-enabled intraoperative tools, such as video analysis, workflow recognition, and real-time anatomical segmentation, emerged as promising adjuncts for surgical precision. Structured robotic training programs, especially simulation-based and dual-console pathways, accelerated proficiency acquisition. Conclusions: AI and robotic systems act as augmentative technologies that enhance rather than replace the surgeon’s role. Their safe and effective adoption requires standardized training, transparent AI decision pathways, and clear ethical and medico-legal governance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cardiovascular Medicine)
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23 pages, 27743 KB  
Review
A Framework for Safe Mobile Manipulation in Human-Centered Applications
by Pangcheng David Cen Cheng, Cesare Luigi Blengini, Rosario Francesco Cavelli, Angela Ripi and Marina Indri
Robotics 2026, 15(4), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics15040068 (registering DOI) - 25 Mar 2026
Abstract
In recent years, applications with robots collaborating actively with humans have been increasing. The transition from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 rearranges the focus of fully automated processes to a human-centered system that allows more customization and flexibility. In human-centered systems, the robot is [...] Read more.
In recent years, applications with robots collaborating actively with humans have been increasing. The transition from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 rearranges the focus of fully automated processes to a human-centered system that allows more customization and flexibility. In human-centered systems, the robot is expected to safely assist or provide support to the human operator, avoiding any unintentional harm, while the latter is focused on tasks that require human reasoning, since current decision-making systems still have some limitations. This survey reviews all the main functionalities required to make a robot (collaborative or not) act as an assistant for human operators, analyzing and comparing solutions proposed by the authors (based on previous works) and/or the ones available in the literature. In this way, it is possible to combine those functionalities and build a complete framework enabling safe mobile manipulation while interacting with humans. In particular, a mobile manipulator is used to receive requests from a user, navigate in a human-shared environment, identify the requested object, and grasp and safely deliver such an object to the user. The framework, which is completed by a user interface designed using Android Studio, is developed in ROS1, tested, and validated on a real mobile manipulator in real-world conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human–Robot Collaboration in Industry 5.0)
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