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The purpose of this narrative review is to examine women’s cognitive health and to highlight its association with four major pillars: (1) aging, (2) estrogen decline and loss, (3) diet, and (4) neuroinflammation, and their contribution to cognitive decline, with a focus on this combination to increase awareness and address the progression and potential amelioration of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Often overlooked, estrogen decline during perimenopause and loss of estrogen production from the ovaries after menopause negatively influences almost every tissue and organ in the body, including the brain. This estrogen loss leads to inflammation, as can poor nutritional choices, both of which have a profound impact on short- and long-term health and can increase the risk of dementia, including AD. Thus, this overview covers the following four pillars (1) a brief background on cognitive decline and AD with aging, (2) the importance of and changes in estrogen with aging, (3) influence of dietary choices on overall well-being and brain health, and (4) the biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which this combination of factors may lead to neuroinflammation, resulting in cognitive decline and AD. Finally, this review briefly presents a hypothesis on whether women during perimenopause should be administered estrogen to span the transition into menopause to protect against cognitive decline and possibly ameliorate the risk of AD. This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain new data/results (studies) of human participants or animals performed by the authors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Neurobiology 2025)

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27 pages, 14506 KB

Open AccessReview

Healing-Oriented Patient-Centered Care in the Healthcare Environment

by Yi Liu, Yiting Deng, Haoran Feng, Zhen Liu and Mohamed Osmani

Buildings 2026, 16(3), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030507 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Contemporary medical practitioners increasingly recognize the critical impact of healing-environment design on patients’ recovery, positioning it as a pivotal consideration in healthcare facility planning. While existing research has predominantly focused on enhancing the functionality and efficiency of healthcare environments, it has often overlooked the significance of individual patient needs and their distinct experiences. This paper aims to utilize the principles of epidemiology and empirical analysis to explore the application and research trends of the patient-centered care (PCC) concept in healthcare facility design, to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and achieve customized healthcare environments. Based on bibliometric analysis and key literature review methods, this paper systematically examines and interprets the research development trends of PCC in healing environment design, integrating both macro and micro perspectives, and reveals how design factors in therapeutic environments support the realization of PCC principles, thereby improving patients’ rehabilitation experiences and health outcomes. The results indicate that current research on PCC is trending towards increasingly diversified integration via high-frequency keywords such as recovery, healing environment, and evidence-based design, highlighting the shift from functional optimization to emotional care, technological integration, and nature-based interactions in design. Notably, patient-centered care has become a consensus and core integrating concept in this field. This paper not only reveals the key role of healing environments in constructing PCC practice pathways but also provides theoretical support and strategic reference for the planning of healthcare spaces and the collaborative design of nursing processes, and demonstrates that healing environments have evolved from passive spaces into active rehabilitation mediums through interdisciplinary collaboration, thereby facilitating the implementation of the patient-centered healthcare philosophy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Art and Design for Healing and Wellness in the Built Environment: 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 608 KB

Open AccessArticle

Parents’ Perceptions of Children’s Use of Apps on Mobile Devices and Development in Primary School-Aged Children

by Paolo Bozzato, Nicolas Leanza and Mauro Croce

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16020191 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Mobile devices are increasingly embedded in primary school-aged children’s daily lives, yet parents’ views of their developmental impact remain mixed. This study examined Italian parents’ perceived benefits and concerns about children’s use of apps on mobile devices and whether these perceptions vary by sociodemographic factors. The final analytic sample comprised 969 parents of children (6–10 years) who completed an online questionnaire assessing perceived impacts of children’s use of apps on mobile devices across motor, cognitive, language and communication, interpersonal, and emotional development domains, collecting sociodemographic information. Overall, parents reported moderate benefits alongside concerns. Benefits exceeded concerns for motor, cognitive, language and communication, and emotional domains, with the largest gap for the interpersonal domain alone, suggesting perceived support for social connection. Higher parental education levels and occupational status were associated with both higher perceived positive effects and higher concerns, suggesting a more engaged and reflective appraisal. Co-residing older siblings predicted higher perceived benefits and lower concerns, whereas higher perceived social status and living in a two-parent household predicted greater concerns. Overall, perceptions varied by social position and family composition, underscoring the need for guidance that helps families balance app-related opportunities and risks in coordination with schools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Education and Psychology)

30 pages, 1938 KB

Open AccessArticle

Not All Immersive Technologies Are Equal: Bridging Teachers’ Instruction and Students’ Perceived Learning in Immersive Educational Environments

by Esti Schwartz and Ina Blau

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16020190 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Immersive technologies such as Desktop Virtual Reality (DVR), Immersive Rooms (IR), and fully immersive Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming K-12 education by enabling experiential, multisensory, and participatory learning. Yet their pedagogical impact depends not only on hardware fidelity but on the interplay between technological affordances, instructional design, and learner characteristics. Guided by the Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL), this mixed-methods study examined how these factors jointly shape affordances, challenges, students perceived learning, and self-assessment in authentic classroom contexts. Data were collected from 31 teachers and 252 students across 21 schools using teacher interviews, classroom observations, and student questionnaires. Findings revealed that agency and presence emerged as central affordances but also as potential challenges, depending on lesson design and cognitive load. DVR consistently supported higher perceived learning and stronger links between engagement and self-assessment, while IR showed the weakest outcomes and VR displayed trade-offs between immersion and control. The study proposes a revised CAMIL framework that integrates social co-presence, learner characteristics, and perceived learning as essential components for understanding immersive learning in schools. These results highlight that effective immersion arises from pedagogical orchestration, not technological intensity alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology-Based Immersive Teaching and Learning)

24 pages, 1217 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preliminary Biochemical, Physiological, and Yield Responses of Sweet Corn to Organic and Chemical Fertilization Across Genotypes

by Petru-Liviu Nicorici, Saad Masood Abdelnaby Elhawary, Jose Luis Ordóñez-Díaz, Mónica Sanchez-Parra, Georgiana Rădeanu, Gianluca Caruso, Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas, Oana-Raluca Rusu, Mihaela Roșca and Vasile Stoleru

Agronomy 2026, 16(3), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16030313 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) is a widely cultivated crop valued for its sweet flavor and high nutritional content. Over the past decade, the area devoted to sweet corn grain production has increased substantially, driven by both its nutritional qualities and its economic value. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the impact of three genotypes (Royalty F₁, Hardy F₁ and Deliciosul de Bacau,) under two fertilization types (chemical and organic) compared with a control version on yield, biometrical, biochemical, and quality parameters. This research was carried out between 2022 and 2023 at an experimental station situated in the North-East region of Romania. The results revealed significant influences of cultivar, fertilization method, and the interaction between these two experimental factors on most of the analyzed indicators. Regardless of the fertilization type, the genotype Hardy F₁ showed higher levels of photosynthetic activity, polyphenols (2.22 mg/g d.w.) and sucrose (6.7 g/100 g d.w.), leading to greater yield (13,995 kg/ha) than that of Deliciosul de Bacau and Royalty F₁. Research on fertilization has shown that sweet corn grains under an organic method have higher levels of lycopene, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total phenolic content (TPC), and fructose. In contrast, chemical fertilization more effectively supported growth, photosynthetic activity, yield, and the content of antioxidants and tannins. Regarding the combined influence of these factors, most of the nutritional characteristics of Royalty F1 were enhanced by organic fertilization, whereas those of the Hardy F1 genotype were improved by chemical fertilization. These findings provide practical guidance for selecting appropriate genotype–fertilization combinations to optimize the yield and nutritional quality of sweet corn and highlight key priorities for further research on sustainable fertilization strategies under climate change conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)

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33 pages, 21812 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Mechanical Properties and Durability of Cement Mortars Modified with Polyurethane Foam Waste

by Gabriela Rutkowska, Barbara Francke, Filip Chyliński, Mariusz Żółtowski, Hanna Michalak, Agnieszka Starzyk, Michał Musiał and Oskar Sierakowski

Materials 2026, 19(3), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19030491 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

In the era of growing demand for sustainable solutions in construction, increasing attention is being paid to the potential use of waste materials as components of building composites. This article presents the results of a study on the impact of ground polyurethane foam waste on the mechanical properties and durability of cement mortars. The waste, derived from industrial production processes, was used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in various proportions. The analysis included bulk density, compressive and flexural strengths, water absorption, and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles. The results indicate that adding waste reduces the density of the mortar, which can be advantageous in applications requiring lightweight materials. The most favourable balance of strength retention, density reduction, and frost resistance was observed with a 1% addition, as the mortar maintained good mechanical performance and freeze–thaw durability while achieving reduced weight. Higher waste content (2–3%) led to significant deterioration of the mechanical properties due to increased porosity. All samples exhibited increased strength after 25 freeze–thaw cycles, possibly due to continued hydration under moist low-temperature conditions. The analysis of the microstructure of cement coatings with the addition of polyurethane foam enabled the explanation of the causes of the observed changes in physico-mechanical properties resulting from ageing factors. This study suggests that small amounts of waste can be effectively used to produce lightweight and environmentally friendly construction materials, supporting circular economy practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resource Recovery in Building Materials: Developing Eco-Friendly Driven Sustainable Binders or Aggregates from Solid Waste)

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44 pages, 1082 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Bridging the Implementation Gap in AI-Powered Personalized Education: A Systematic Review of Learning Style Prediction and Recommendation Systems

by Maryam Khanian Najafabadi, Katholiki Kritharides, Claudia Choi, Saman Shojae Chaeikar and Hamidreza Salarian

AI 2026, 7(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/ai7020041 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

The integration of artificial intelligence into education has driven growing interest in predicting student learning styles and developing recommendation systems that personalize learning pathways. While previous reviews examined these domains, most focus on pre-2023 research, overlooking recent methodological shifts. We conduct a systematic literature review of 40 studies published between 2017 and 2025, with emphasis on publications from 2023 to 2025 (70% of reviewed studies). Our analysis identifies three qualitative shifts: adoption of ensemble and deep learning methods over single classifiers, emergence of multimodal inputs including physiological signals, and evolution from isolated prediction to integrated adaptive systems. Beyond methodological synthesis, this review critically examines factors underlying observed trends and barriers to deployment. The Felder-Silverman Learning Style Model dominates research (58.3%) due to historical path dependency and instrument availability rather than demonstrated pedagogical superiority. While ensemble methods achieve high reported accuracy (87–98%), methodological concerns emerge: 65% of studies employ random rather than temporal validation, potentially inflating performance, and only 23% address production-level requirements, including privacy, scalability, and integration. We systematically analyze implementation barriers spanning computational requirements, LMS integration, educator acceptance, ethical considerations, and scalability—revealing that the gap between research prototypes and deployable systems remains substantial. Our contributions include a stakeholder impact framework, evaluation metrics taxonomy, critical analysis of reported performance claims, and identification of five research gaps with actionable recommendations. This review offers researchers and practitioners both a comprehensive synthesis of advances and a critical roadmap for bridging the implementation gap in AI-powered personalized education. Full article

31 pages, 2114 KB

Open AccessReview

Molecular Insights into Carbapenem Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae: From Mobile Genetic Elements to Precision Diagnostics and Infection Control

by Ayman Elbehiry, Eman Marzouk and Adil Abalkhail

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031229 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has become one of the most serious problems confronting modern healthcare, particularly in intensive care units where patients are highly susceptible, procedures are frequent, and antibiotic exposure is often prolonged. In this review, carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae is presented not as a fixed feature of individual bacteria, but as a process that is constantly changing and closely interconnected. We bring together evidence showing how the spread of successful bacterial lineages, the exchange of resistance genes, and gradual genetic adjustment combine to drive both the rapid spread and the long-lasting presence of resistance. A major focus is placed on mobile genetic elements, including commonly encountered plasmid backbones, transposons, and insertion sequences that carry carbapenemase genes such as blaKPC, blaNDM, and blaOXA-48-like. These elements allow resistance genes to move easily between bacteria and across different biological environments. The human gut plays a particularly important role in this process. Its microbial community serves as a largely unseen reservoir where resistance genes can circulate and accumulate well before infection becomes clinically apparent, making prevention and control more difficult. This review also discusses the key biological factors that shape resistance levels, including carbapenemase production, changes in the bacterial cell membrane, and systems that expel antibiotics from the cell, and explains how these features work together. Advances in molecular testing have made it possible to identify resistance more quickly, supporting earlier clinical decisions and infection control measures. Even so, current tests remain limited by narrow targets and may miss low-level carriage, hidden genetic reservoirs, or newly emerging resistance patterns. Finally, we look ahead to approaches that move beyond detection alone, emphasizing the need for integrated surveillance, thoughtful antibiotic use, and coordinated system-wide strategies to lessen the impact of CRKP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights in Antimicrobial Resistance)

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23 pages, 1177 KB

Open AccessArticle

Scenario-Based Analysis of the Future Technological Trends in the Automotive Sector in Southeast Lower-Saxony

by Armin Stein, Lars Everding, Henrik Münchhausen, Björn Krüger, Bassem Hichri, Maximilian Flormann, Axel Wolfgang Sturm and Thomas Vietor

Appl. Syst. Innov. 2026, 9(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/asi9020028 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

The automotive industry faces radical technological change, driven by the adoption of electrification, automation, and digitalization. As a leading industrial hub with key OEMs and suppliers, such as Volkswagen, Southeast Lower Saxony is disproportionately impacted by this structural transformation. As a consequence of these trends, the region’s automotive base faces economic uncertainties, local regulatory lag, and technological disruptions. In this study a scenario planning methodology is conducted, to identify three potential mobility futures for 2035: a Best-Case scenario, where innovation and favorable policies enable a stable growth environment for the local automotive industry; a Trend scenario, marked by incremental yet uneven progress, while maintaining the current status quo; and a Worst-Case scenario, defined by economic stagnation and regulatory impediments, leading to a slow degradation of the regional automotive industry. The scenarios are then evaluated based upon their impact and probability of occurrence, while individual impact factors were also prepared and categorized to support future decision-making on a topical basis. This study offers an overview of potential scenarios for the Southeast Lower Saxon automotive industry, supporting the strategic decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering)

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13 pages, 234 KB

Open AccessArticle

Disparities in Survival After In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest by Time of Day and Day of Week: A Single-Center Cohort Study

by Maria Aggou, Barbara Fyntanidou, Marios G. Bantidos, Andreas S. Papazoglou, Athina Nasoufidou, Aikaterini Apostolopoulou, Christos Kofos, Alexandra Arvanitaki, Nikolaos Vasileiadis, Dimitrios Vasilakos, Haralampos Karvounis, Konstantinos Fortounis, Eleni Argyriadou, Efstratios Karagiannidis and Vasilios Grosomanidis

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15030987 (registering DOI) - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background: In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) constitutes a high-impact clinical event, associated with substantial mortality, frequent neurological and functional impairment. There is a pressing need for primary IHCA studies that evaluate risk predictors, given the inherent challenges of IHCA data collection, previously unharmonized reporting frameworks, and the predominant focus of prior investigations on other domains. Among potential contributors, the “off-hours effect” has consistently been linked to poorer IHCA outcomes. Accordingly, we sought to examine whether in-hospital mortality after IHCA varies according to the time and day of occurrence within a tertiary academic center in Northern Greece. Methods: We conducted a single-center observational cohort study using a prospectively maintained in-hospital resuscitation registry at AHEPA University General Hospital, Thessaloniki. All adults with an index IHCA between 2017 and 2019 were included, and definitions followed Utstein-style recommendations. Results: Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for organizational, patient, and process-of-care factors demonstrated that afternoon/night arrests, weekend arrests, heart failure comorbidity, and need for mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of higher in-hospital mortality. Conversely, arrhythmia as the cause of IHCA and arrests occurring in the intensive care unit or operating room were associated with improved survival. Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent off-hours differences, with weekend events showing reduced 30-day and 6-month survival and worse functional status at discharge. Afternoon/night arrests were more frequent, characterized by longer response intervals and lower survival at both time points. Conclusions: Organizational factors during nights and weekends, rather than patient case mix, drive poorer IHCA outcomes, underscoring the need for targeted system-level improvements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acute Medical Threats: Evidence-Driven Strategies in Emergency Medicine)

14 pages, 664 KB

Open AccessArticle

Operating Ethnicity-Focused Senior Long-Term Care Homes in Ontario, Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Anukrati Nigam, Robert Chin-See, Kirolos Nour and Akshaya Neil Arya

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020152 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Canada’s ageing population continues to grow rapidly and significantly more diverse, which will require unique health and home service needs. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges in Canada’s healthcare system and demonstrated the need for long-term care (LTC). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 decision makers, managers, and leaders in long-term ethnically focused facility care. Braun & Clarke’s six-stage process of thematic analysis was applied using an iterative, deductive approach to examine the experiences of stakeholders involved in the operational, managerial, financial, and clinical aspects of an ethnicity-focused LTC. Findings highlighted salient characteristics of impactful ethnicity-focused care and factors were uniquely shaped by the delivery of culturally specific care. Key subthemes included social isolation and emotional impact, operational and logistic difficulties during COVID-19, mitigation measures implemented in response, and the social, behavioural, and health benefits observed among seniors living in these LTC homes. Participants identified political and economic constraints (e.g., provincial funding) to establishing ethnicity-focused care homes but proposed several solutions and highlighted potential benefits that could support successful implementation. Analysis of experiences of operational challenges in safely and adequately running ethnicity-focused LTC reinforces the value of ethnicity-focused LTC during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as they provide a culturally safe and familiar space with preventive measures applied in a timely manner for seniors to engage with their peers in an environment that meets their health needs, ensuring safety standards. Full article

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13 pages, 1281 KB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Performance of Bayesian Methods to Forecast Vancomycin Concentration for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients

by Ha T. Pham, Cuc T. Nguyen, Tien T. N. Nguyen, Linh H. Hoang, Minh N. Tran, Thao P. Nguyen, Tuan N. Do, Ha T. H. Nguyen, Anh H. Nguyen, Phuc H. Phan, Dien M. Tran and Hoa D. Vu

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020160 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate different Bayesian algorithms and the first-order pharmacokinetics (PK) equation approach for forecasting vancomycin concentrations in critically ill pediatric patients and to identify influencing factors. Methods: A cohort of 110 patients with 568 therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) blood samples was included. Three Bayesian algorithms, i.e., conventional, flattened, and weighted-flattened, using one or two historical values of either blood concentrations measured at the peak, trough, or middle (mid) of the dosing interval, were applied to forecast the concentrations of the next TDM occasion. The first-order PK approach, according to the Sawchuk–Zaske method, was used with two levels. The forecasting performance was assessed via relative bias (rBias) and relative root mean squared error (rRMSE) between the forecasted and observed levels. A linearmixed-effects model was employed to identify potential influencing factors on the rBias and rRMSE. Results: All methods showed negative rBias values of less than −20% and had relatively similar rRMSE of about 40%. First-order PK had lower bias than the conventional and flattened Bayesian algorithm (−10% vs. −15%), but higher bias than the weighted-flattened Bayesian algorithm (rBias −5%). Multivariate analysis using the linear mixed-effects model revealed that the type of forecasting algorithms significantly impacted the predictability. The weighted-flattened Bayesian algorithm significantly improved the rBias by 12.660% (95% CI: 10.131–15.194, p-value < 0.001) and decreased the rRMSE by 2.099% (CI 95% 3.779–0.418, p-value = 0.014) compared to the conventional Bayesian model. Either using one (mid or trough) or two concentrations in Bayesian forecasting yielded comparable rBias and rRMSE. Conclusion: The weighted-flattened Bayesian estimation method with solely one blood level is appropriate for forecasting the vancomycin concentration during therapeutic drug monitoring in critically ill children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Drug Therapy: The Role of Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring)

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22 pages, 4689 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Procedure for Performing Reproducibility Assessment of the Accuracy of Impact Area Classification for Structural Health Monitoring in Aerospace Structures

by Luciano Chiominto, Giulio D’Emilia, Antonella Gaspari, Emanuela Natale, Francesco Nicassio and Gennaro Scarselli

Instruments 2026, 10(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments10010006 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

The principal objective of this work is to develop an optimized procedure that guarantees the reproducibility of results across different applications and laboratories, facilitating potential field applications of methodologies for Structural Health Monitoring in aerospace structures. The focus is to accurately detect and localize impact areas on planar structures using in situ transducers and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. The research concentrates on an aluminum plate where impacts are generated by metal spheres of different masses dropped from a fixed height. The resulting Lamb waves are detected by PZT sensors glued on the surface. Various data processing and feature extraction algorithms are implemented and compared to extract the differences in Time of Flight (ΔToF). The obtained features are used for training ML classification models. Then, the influence of various parameters in signal acquisition and data processing are assessed along with the reproducibility of the results. For this reason, an interlaboratory comparison is conducted in which the trained models are applied to data collected under varying conditions. The experimental results show that the most influencing factors for impact area classification are the algorithm for ΔToF estimation, the number of training points used in ML models, the type of classification model, the distribution of the impact points on the component, and their balance in the classification area. This evidence suggests approaches for reducing both issues, therefore improving the reproducibility of results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Instrumentation and Measurement Methods for Industry 4.0 and IoT)

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23 pages, 4514 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fitness-for-Service Analysis of the Interplay Between a Quarter-Circle Corner Crack and a Parallel Semi-Elliptical Surface Crack in a Semi-Infinite Solid Subjected to In-Plane Bending Part II—The Effect on the Semi-Elliptical Surface Crack

by Mordechai Perl, Cesar Levy and Qin Ma

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1240; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031240 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

The impact of a quarter-circle corner crack on an adjacent parallel semi-elliptical surface crack (SESC) located in a semi-infinite solid subjected to in-plane bending is studied using a 3-D finite element analysis. The stress intensity factor (SIF) distributions along the front of the SESC are evaluated to determine said impact. The SESC’s semi-major axis ranged from a₁ = 10 mm to 30 mm with ellipticities of b₁/a₁ varying from 0.1 to 1.0 for a constant quarter-circle corner crack length of a₂ = 15 mm. Furthermore, several crack configurations are considered where the normalized vertical and horizontal gaps between the two cracks are taken to be H/a₂ = 0.4 and 1.2 and S/a₂ = −0.5 and 1.0, respectively. The results show that the effect of the quarter-circle corner crack on the SESC can be considerable both in amplifying and in attenuating the SIFs along the semi-elliptical surface crack front. Moreover, these opposite effects can occur simultaneously, but in different sections of the SESC’s crack front. The magnitude and pattern of these effects depend on the length and ellipticity of the SESC. It is further concluded that when considering the fitness-for-service of a critical real mechanical component, a complete 3-D analysis is needed to provide a reliable solution for such crack configurations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fatigue and Fracture Behavior of Engineering Materials)

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25 pages, 2254 KB

Open AccessPerspective

Perspectives on Cleaner-Pulverized Coal Combustion: The Evolving Role of Combustion Modifiers and Biomass Co-Firing

by Sylwia Włodarczak, Andżelika Krupińska, Zdzisław Bielecki, Marcin Odziomek, Tomasz Hardy, Mateusz Tymoszuk, Marek Pronobis, Paweł Lewiński, Jakub Sobieraj, Dariusz Choiński, Magdalena Matuszak and Marek Ochowiak

Energies 2026, 19(3), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19030633 - 26 Jan 2026

Abstract

The article presents an extensive review of modern technological solutions for pulverized coal combustion, with emphasis on combustion modifiers and biomass co-firing. It highlights the role of coal in the national energy system and the need for its sustainable use in the context of energy transition. The pulverized coal combustion process is described, along with factors influencing its efficiency, and a classification of modifiers that improve combustion parameters. Both natural and synthetic modifiers are analyzed, including their mechanisms of action, application examples, and catalytic effects. Special attention is given to the synergy between transition metal compounds (Fe, Cu, Mn, Ce) and alkaline earth oxides (Ca, Mg), which enhances energy efficiency, flame stability, and reduces emissions of CO, SO₂, and NO_x. The article also examines biomass-coal co-firing as a technology supporting energy sector decarbonization. Co-firing reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increases the reactivity of fuel blends. The influence of biomass type, its share in the mixture, and processing methods on combustion parameters is discussed. Finally, the paper identifies directions for further technological development, including nanocomposite combustion modifiers and intelligent catalysts integrating sorption and redox functions. These innovations offer promising potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of coal-fired power generation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section I2: Energy and Combustion Science)

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