Saved Queries

by Leonardo Fontes Bachá, Marcelo de Assis Passos Oliveira, Felipe Schwahofer Landuci, Cristiane Carneiro Thompson and Fabiano Lopes Thompson

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 4103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18084103 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

The blue economy contributes significantly to Brazil’s gross domestic product due to the country’s vast coastline and abundant natural resources. Oil royalties represent a major component of this wealth; yet, their association with improvements in quality of life remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the performance of 193 municipalities (coastal: 101; state of Rio de Janeiro: 92) that receive more than R$5 million in royalties per semester in 2022, using the socioeconomic indices IBP (Brazilian Deprivation Index), IDEB (Basic Education Index), and IQA (Water Quality Index). The results reveal conditional, non-linear, and regionally unequal relationships between oil revenues and socioeconomic indicators. Unsupervised learning identified four groups of municipalities. The group with the largest number of municipalities (n = 45) and the best performance in socioeconomic indices had a wide range of royalties (between R$7 and R$22 million). However, supervised analyses show that this group of municipalities, mainly from the south/southeast regions, receives relatively low oil revenues but performs well in the indices, suggesting a certain autonomy in relation to royalties. The municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro confirm the national trend, with cities with higher education levels benefiting, but with more specific aspects of the blue economy (water quality) not being well-represented. Policies are mandatory to redirect oil revenues to these sectors with the support of more appropriate indicators. Full article

25 pages, 956 KB

Open AccessReview

Biomarkers as Temporal Signals: A Decision-Linked Multi-Layer Framework for Exercise Recovery, Overload, and Adaptation

by Dan Cristian Mănescu, Camelia Daniela Plăstoi, Ancuța Pîrvan, Cristina Daniela Pașcan, Lucian Păun, Ionuț Eduard Sersea, Bogdan Niculescu, Viorela Elena Popescu, Andreea Voinea and Andreea Popescu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(8), 3675; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27083675 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Exercise adaptation and training maladaptation arise from overlapping metabolic, redox, inflammatory, endocrine, and tissue-remodeling processes, so the translational question is not whether biomarkers change but when, where, and for which decision they become informative. This narrative review develops a decision-linked framework for minimally invasive biomarkers across the recovery–overload continuum and treats biomarker meaning as a molecule–matrix–time–decision relationship rather than as a stand-alone peak. The framework is organized around five coupled layers: stimulus architecture, signaling and release biology, sampling matrix and pre-analytics, bout-relative kinetics, and the monitoring decision to be supported. Current evidence indicates that no single biomarker reliably separates productive remodeling from delayed recovery, tissue strain, non-functional overreaching, or early maladaptation. Classical chemistry remains useful for bounded tasks, especially delayed tissue strain and stress reactivity; cfDNA appears promising for rapid load sensitivity; targeted metabolite panels are strongest for recovery phenotyping; and circulating RNAs and extracellular-vesicle cargo add mechanistic depth but remain constrained by pre-analytical fragility and incomplete standardization. The central practical implication is that overload is better interpreted as progressive loss of signal resolution than as threshold-crossing and that sparse temporally staggered panels are more likely to aid monitoring decisions than isolated markers or untimed high-dimensional profiles. Progress will depend on purpose-specific panels, transparent analytical standards, and prospective validation against symptoms, performance, and established measures across sex, hormonal, circadian, and training contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms of Exercise)

22 pages, 1278 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Computational Framework for Load-Constrained Human Squat Motion with Nonlinear Joint Modeling

by Karol Nowak, Anna Szymczak-Graczyk, Aram Cornaggia and Tomasz Garbowski

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 4010; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16084010 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Human squat motion is commonly analyzed using inverse dynamics, where joint moments are computed from experimentally measured kinematics. Such analyses typically assume that the observed motion is mechanically feasible and do not explicitly account for limitations of joint moment capacity. In this study, a computational framework is proposed for the load-constrained reconstruction of squat motion that integrates kinematic motion generation with a mechanical model of moment-limited joints. The human body is represented as a multi-segment system consisting of feet, shanks, thighs, pelvis, and torso. Joint behavior is modeled using nonlinear rotational springs with bounded moment capacity, allowing elastic response followed by allowing bounded moment response and redistribution of mechanical demand as critical moment levels are approached. A reference squat trajectory is first generated kinematically, after which a constrained optimization problem is solved at each motion frame to obtain a mechanically admissible posture under external loading. The objective function combines trajectory tracking with joint energy contributions, while gravitational loading from a barbell applied at the shoulders introduces external work. The formulation enables automatic correction of the reference motion when joint moment limits are exceeded, resulting in mechanically admissible squat postures. Numerical examples illustrate the evolution of pelvis trajectory, torso inclination, lower-limb segment angles, and reconstructed body configurations throughout the squat cycle. The results confirm that joint moment capacity directly influences the reconstructed motion and leads to load-dependent adaptation of squat posture. Full article

13 pages, 274 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pedagogical Approaches to Enhance Positive Youth Development: An Observational Study Among Hungarian Youth Coaches

by Tamás Berki

Youth 2026, 6(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth6020051 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study examined how youth sport coaches support positive youth development (PYD) through their pedagogical practices, focusing on the following key PYD outcomes: Competence, Confidence, Contribution, and Character. A total of 113 youth sport coaches were systematically observed, involving athletes aged between 12–18 years. The coaches (M = 38.64 years; Male = 74; Female = 39) represented both individual and team sports and had an average coaching experience of 12.92 years. Our results showed that coaches put the most effort on Competence, followed by Confidence, while Character and Contribution received comparatively less attention. Competence development was mainly supported through verbal instruction, Confidence through general feedback, Contribution through active listening, and Character through role modeling. Regarding sport types, coaches in individual sports demonstrated higher levels of Competence and Contribution than team sport coaches. Furthermore, all four PYD dimensions were positively correlated, suggesting that gains in one dimension may support the others. Overall, Hungarian coaches emphasize technical and tactical competence, with less focus on social skills and value development. Confidence is mainly supported through general rather than specific feedback. Coaches in individual sports showed higher PYD engagement than team sport coaches. These findings highlight the need for more balanced, developmentally intentional coaching approaches. Full article

18 pages, 745 KB

Open AccessArticle

Systemwide Social and Emotional Learning in Action: Insights from a Research-Practice Partnership with Leaders, Educators, and Students

by Zi Jia Ng, Cheyeon Ha, Almut Zieher, Britney Foster, Troya Ellis, David Adams and Christina Cipriano

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040659 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Systemwide Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) promotes a host of academic and behavioral benefits for K-12 students. Yet, many schools face barriers to SEL implementation. Through a research–practice partnership, this study provides insights into facilitators of and challenges to systemwide SEL implementation. We collected 652 field notes of SEL in action across twelve schools in the Northeast and Western regions of the United States between December 2022 and May 2024. All field notes were analyzed with Dedoose using thematic inductive coding. Key facilitators of systemwide SEL include prioritization/support from leadership, professional development for educators, integration into students’ daily experiences, and engagement with parents/caregivers and the community. Key challenges to systemwide SEL involve leadership ambiguity, educator burnout, and student disengagement. Implications for optimizing SEL implementation in educational practice and policy are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social and Emotional Learning and Wellbeing in Education)

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18 pages, 1642 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship Between Xonotlite Crystallite Size and Strength Degradation of Silica-Enriched Oil Well Cement Under 240 °C Curing Conditions

by Guodong Cheng, Lei Chen, Qian Tao, Haoguang Wei, Fuzhu Xie, Jixiang Wang and Jun Lu

Materials 2026, 19(8), 1651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081651 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

The strength degradation of silica-enriched oil well cement under high-temperature curing conditions poses a challenge to wellbore integrity. Using the single-peak Scherrer equation, this study evaluated xonotlite crystallite size evolution in cements cured at different setting temperatures. Low-temperature setting (80 °C) maintained stable crystallite size (≈35–36 nm), accompanied by strength gain and pore refinement. High-temperature setting (240 °C) induced crystallite coarsening (up to 40 nm), concurrent with strength degradation and pore coarsening. Similar crystallite sizes led to divergent mechanical performance depending on crystal morphology, highlighting the need for combined size-morphology assessment. These findings identify xonotlite crystallite coarsening as a key indicator of high-temperature cement retrogression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Construction and Building Materials)

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21 pages, 757 KB

Open AccessArticle

Jewish–Arab Relations on Campus: How War Reshapes Student Attitudes

by Mahmood Sindiani, Devora Hellerstein, Sigal Ben-Zaken and Bosmat Sky

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040656 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study presents a longitudinal examination of intergroup relations between Arab and Jewish students in an Israeli higher education institution, focusing on their willingness for intergroup closeness and actual intergroup interactions. Building upon previous data collected in 2023, the 2025 findings reveal both persisting views in certain attitudes and behaviors and changes in others. Arab students consistently reported higher levels of willingness for academic, friendship, and acquaintanceship relations, as well as more frequent intergroup interactions. In contrast, Jewish students demonstrated a significant decline in both willingness and engagement, particularly following the 7 October 2023 attacks and ensuing war between Hamas and Israel. The study highlights the gap between expressed willingness and actual behavior, emphasizing the need for structured institutional interventions to foster meaningful intergroup contact. Differences were also observed across gender and friendship status, with Arab students showing increased openness over time. The findings underscore the critical role of higher education institutions in promoting intercultural competence and suggest practical recommendations for enhancing intergroup relations in conflict-affected societies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Teacher Preparation in Multicultural Contexts)

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15 pages, 4902 KB

Open AccessArticle

VO₂–Graphene Terahertz Multifunctional Metasurface with Switchable Broadband Waveplates and Absorber

by Hong Su, Tao Huang, Gaozhao Liu, Wentao Chen, Jiarong Zi, Chenglong Zhang, Shiping Feng, Min Zhang, Ling Li, Huawei Liang and Shixing Wang

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(8), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16080490 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

A terahertz multifunctional metasurface based on vanadium dioxide (VO₂) and graphene that can switch between waveplate and absorber functionalities is proposed. As the temperature is below 300 K, by electrically controlling the Femi energy of the graphene it can realize half-wave plate (HWP) and quarter-wave plate (QWP) functionalities in the operating bandwidths of both 1.39–2.34 THz and 0.92–2.68 THz, respectively. While the temperature is above 340 K, the dipole resonance between VO₂ and a gold reflector induces absorption. Furthermore, by applying the voltage to graphene, dual-parameter modulation of the amplitude of the transverse electric (TE) waves and the resonance frequency of the transverse magnetic (TM) waves is achieved, the absorption bandwidths of which are 3.65–3.78 THz and 1.41–3.12 THz, respectively. The operating frequencies for HWP, QWP, TE and TM waves can be tuned by changing the electrical field and working temperature. In addition, the incident angles are not sensitive to the performance of the metasurface, confirming its effectiveness even under large-angle incidence. The metasurface with simplicity in design, mature fabrication processes, and comprehensive functionality, has certain promising applications in terahertz optical switches, terahertz spectroscopy systems, modulators, and communication systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section 2D and Carbon Nanomaterials)

23 pages, 369 KB

Open AccessArticle

School Assessment Policy, Teacher Assessment Practice and Training, and Reading Achievement: A Multi-Level Analysis of PISA 2018 Data

by Zi Yan, Ming Ming Chiu, Jiahe Gu, Lan Yang and Ying Zhan

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040658 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Grounded in the assessment ecology framework, we examine how assessment components (school assessment policies, teacher assessment practices and training) are linked to the reading achievements of 151,969 students from 19 countries. Analyses of the 2018 PISA survey and test data yielded these results. Schools that posted assessment results for accountability, or teachers who often clarified learning goals, tracked student progress or accordingly adapted their teaching had students with higher reading scores. By contrast, schools mostly using assessment data to evaluate, teachers trained in reading comprehension assessment, or giving more feedback had students with lower reading scores. Students in richer countries or with better relationships with their teachers had higher reading scores. These findings show the complexity and interactions within assessment ecologies that shape learning outcomes. Full article

16 pages, 1782 KB

Open AccessStudy Protocol

Higher Education as a Driver for the Humanization of Pediatric Pain Care (HUPEDCARE): Protocol of a Multicenter Study

by Sagrario Gómez-Cantarino, Henrique Ciabotti Elias, Miriam Hermida-Mota, Pablo Pando Cerra, Deisa Salyse dos Reis Cabral Semedo, Ana Suzete Baessa Moniz, Sonsoles Hernández-Iglesias, Ana Maria Aguiar Frias, Tuğba Erdem, Maria da Conceição Fernandes Santiago, Inmaculada García-Valdivieso, Amelia Marina Morillas Bulnes, Jahit Sacarlal and Renata Karina Reis

Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16040056 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Pediatric pain remains a highly prevalent and under-addressed health problem worldwide, largely due to educational gaps, limited humanization of care, and insufficient integration of digital and pedagogical innovations in higher education, and the purpose of this study is to describe and implement an international, higher education–driven model to improve training in humanized pediatric pain management. This multicenter mixed-methods study involves 15 universities from Europe, Africa, and Latin America and includes the development and cross-cultural validation of the HUPEDCARE-Q questionnaire to identify knowledge gaps, the design of an open-access, multilingual digital learning platform (PEDCARE) that integrates learning management and social networking functions, and the implementation of capacity-building workshops based on a training-the-trainers model for students, educators, health professionals, and families. The expected outcomes of the project include the establishment of a standardized instrument for assessing educational needs, the creation of a scalable digital educational environment, and the feasibility of international academic collaboration to strengthen competencies in pediatric pain care. The study suggests that higher education, combined with digital transformation and culturally sensitive approaches, may support the humanization of pediatric pain management and address educational and health inequities, although further research is needed to confirm these potential impacts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Teaching Innovation in Higher Education: Areas of Knowledge)

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13 pages, 514 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Protective Role of Emotional Intelligence Against Occupational Burnout in Oncology Nursing: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Saudi Arabian Hospitals

by Abdulaziz M. Alodhailah, Bandar S. Alharbi, Faihan F. Alshaibany, Norah M. Alyahya, Thurayya Eid and Albandari Almutairi

Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(4), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33040233 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Oncology nursing is one of healthcare’s most emotionally demanding specialties, characterized by sustained exposure to patient suffering and mortality. While global burnout rates reach 40–60%, emotional intelligence (EI) is a potential protective resource that remains underexamined in Middle Eastern contexts. Despite growing global evidence, little is known about these relationships in Middle Eastern healthcare systems, where cultural norms and workforce structures may shape emotional processes differently. This study examined whether EI was significantly associated with lower burnout across personal, work-related, and client-related dimensions among oncology nurses in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study enrolled 172 oncology nurses from three tertiary hospitals in Riyadh. Participants completed validated Arabic versions of the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Hierarchical regression analyses examined predictive relationships while controlling for age and experience. Results: EI demonstrated significant inverse correlations with personal (r = −0.41), work-related (r = −0.38), and client-related burnout (r = −0.33, p < 0.001). In hierarchical models, EI emerged as a significant predictor of lower scores across all dimensions, explaining 11–17% of unique variance beyond demographic factors. The strongest association was with personal burnout. Causality cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional design. Conclusion: EI functions as a significant protective factor against burnout. Healthcare organizations should integrate EI development into professional training to strengthen workforce resilience and sustain care quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Oncology Nursing)

33 pages, 1296 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Hidden Burden of Keywords: Cognitive Load and Language Differences in Novice Python Programming

by Raina Mason and Carolyn Seton

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040657 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

Keyword recognition represents a fundamental skill in programming, yet little research has examined how novices develop this ability or how language background affects keyword learning. This study investigated cognitive load and keyword recognition accuracy amongst 27 novice programming students (15 English as an additional language [EAL] and 12 English as a native language [ENL]) during an intensive six-week Python course. Students completed a keyword recognition task at Weeks 1 and 6, identifying and classifying 23 Python keywords while reporting cognitive load using the Klepsch instrument. The results revealed no significant improvement in identification accuracy (Week 1: 39.80%; Week 6: 48.16%) or classification accuracy (40% at both time points) despite intensive instruction. The reported extraneous cognitive load significantly increased from Week 1 to Week 6 (p = 0.039, d = 0.99), contradicting Cognitive Load Theory predictions that schema automation reduces extraneous load with experience. EAL students reported a significantly higher intrinsic cognitive load (p = 0.030, d = 0.91) and a marginally lower keyword identification accuracy (p = 0.058, d = −0.54) than ENL students. All students (100%) who identified keywords also missed duplicate instances, indicating universal incomplete processing. These findings challenge assumptions about schema development timelines in programming education and document measurable linguistic barriers that persist even after substantial instruction, with implications for inclusive computing pedagogy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in STEM Education)

25 pages, 5500 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physics–Data-Driven Crashworthiness Design of Slotted Circular Tubes for Airdrop Cushioning Energy Absorption in Transport Vehicles

by Guangxiang Hao, Bo Wang, Jie Xing, Ping Xu, Shuguang Yao, Xinyu Gu and Anqi Shu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 4005; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16084005 (registering DOI) - 20 Apr 2026

Abstract

When ground transportation is disrupted by natural disasters, airdropped rescue vehicles require energy-absorbing cushioning devices to prevent landing impact damage. Thin-walled circular tubes are preferred for their high energy absorption capacity and structural efficiency. However, to reduce platform force fluctuations and decrease residual stroke after compression, thereby avoiding unbalanced loading and ensuring post-landing mobility, slots are introduced into the tube wall, which renders the mean crushing force (MCF) difficult to predict accurately using conventional methods. To address this issue, this paper proposes a physics–data-driven method for predicting the energy absorption characteristics of slotted thin-walled circular tubes. The engineering scenario is introduced, followed by comparative validation via drop weight tests and impact simulations to obtain a sample set via design of experiments (DOE). A multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network then augments the samples to generate a dataset. Dimensional analysis yields candidate MCF prediction equations, whose forms and coefficients are determined via a physics–data-driven approach. Weighted graph encoding transforms the equation-solving problem into a graph optimization problem to reduce the computational complexity, and an improved differential evolution (DE) algorithm with a dual-adaptive mutation operator (DSADE) adjusts the parameters and accelerates convergence. The resulting MCF prediction formula, combined with drop test requirements as the optimization objective, achieves a simulation relative error below 5%. These parameters also satisfy engineering requirements in actual airdrop tests, confirming the method’s effectiveness in predicting the energy absorption characteristics of slotted thin-walled tubes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Applied Industrial Technologies)

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