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15 pages, 6073 KB  
Article
Fractal Analysis of Thermally Induced Damage in Volcanic Rocks: Linking Mechanical Behavior and Mineralogical Controls
by Özge Dinç Göğüş, Enes Zengin, Mehmet Korkut, Mehmet Mert Doğu, Mustafa Avcıoğlu, Ömer Ündül and Emin Çiftçi
Fractal Fract. 2026, 10(4), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract10040250 (registering DOI) - 11 Apr 2026
Abstract
Moderate thermal exposure can significantly influence the mechanical behavior of volcanic rocks by inducing microcrack development and altering crack network characteristics. However, quantifying such damage processes remains challenging when relying solely on conventional mechanical parameters. In this study, the evolution of crack network [...] Read more.
Moderate thermal exposure can significantly influence the mechanical behavior of volcanic rocks by inducing microcrack development and altering crack network characteristics. However, quantifying such damage processes remains challenging when relying solely on conventional mechanical parameters. In this study, the evolution of crack network complexity in andesite and andesitic–basaltic rocks subjected to moderate thermal exposure (200 °C) is investigated using fractal analysis integrated with mechanical and mineralogical observations. Six core specimens were tested under uniaxial compression, including three natural specimens and three specimens thermally treated at 200 °C prior to loading. After failure, crack surfaces were digitized and fractal dimensions (D) were calculated using the box-counting method. Petrographic observations and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses were conducted to characterize the mineralogical composition and microstructural features controlling crack development. The results indicate that thermal exposure primarily reduces rock stiffness rather than peak strength. While the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of two specimens remains nearly unchanged after heating, the elastic modulus (E) decreases in all thermally treated specimens. Mineralogical observations reveal a heterogeneous volcanic fabric dominated by plagioclase and pyroxene within a fine-grained groundmass, with secondary calcite phases occurring in veins and pocket fillings. Fractal analysis shows generally lower D values in thermally treated specimens, suggesting crack redistribution and coalescence rather than increased network complexity, consistent with the observed reduction in stiffness and a tendency toward more ductile deformation behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Engineering)
27 pages, 25466 KB  
Article
Decoding the Formation Mechanisms of Sustainable Industrial Heritage Corridors: The Institution–Network–Cluster Model from Jiangsu, China
by Yu Liu and Jiahao Cao
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3757; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083757 - 10 Apr 2026
Abstract
The sustainable conservation of linear industrial heritage corridors remains challenged by a limited understanding of their formation mechanisms and driving forces. Addressing this gap, this study develops a transferable analytical framework to explain the spatio-temporal evolution of such systems. Using Jiangsu Province (China) [...] Read more.
The sustainable conservation of linear industrial heritage corridors remains challenged by a limited understanding of their formation mechanisms and driving forces. Addressing this gap, this study develops a transferable analytical framework to explain the spatio-temporal evolution of such systems. Using Jiangsu Province (China) as a case study and a dataset of 344 industrial heritage sites, we apply an integrated spatial-analytical approach to examine distribution patterns and underlying drivers. The results reveal an evolving dual-axis spatial structure shaped by transportation networks and regional development dynamics, with railway density emerging as a key influencing factor. Furthermore, the interaction of infrastructural, demographic, and institutional variables highlights a synergistic mechanism underpinning corridor formation. Building on these findings, the study proposes a “corridor-as-process” framework, conceptualizing industrial heritage corridors as dynamic socio-spatial products of long-term interactions between institutions, networks, and economic activities. This perspective advances beyond static, descriptive approaches by offering a process-oriented and explanatory understanding of heritage systems. This study contributes to sustainability by providing a spatially explicit basis for adaptive reuse, vulnerability assessment, and differentiated conservation strategies, supporting the integration of heritage preservation within broader regional sustainability transitions. The proposed framework offers a transferable methodological reference for analyzing industrial heritage corridors in comparable global contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development)
31 pages, 3403 KB  
Review
Review on Thermal Stimulation in Deep Geothermal Reservoirs: Thermo-Mechanical Mechanisms and Fracture Evolution
by Kaituo Li, Lin Zhu, Fei Xiong, Jia Liu, Yi Xue, Zhengzheng Cao, Yuejin Zhou, Xin Liang, Ming Ji, Guannan Liu and Faning Dang
Processes 2026, 14(8), 1199; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14081199 - 9 Apr 2026
Abstract
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are a key technology for developing deep geothermal resources, yet they face significant challenges in constructing efficient thermal reservoirs within high-stress, high-strength, and low-permeability crystalline rock formations. Traditional hydraulic fracturing (HF) techniques encounter deep challenges in these environments, including [...] Read more.
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are a key technology for developing deep geothermal resources, yet they face significant challenges in constructing efficient thermal reservoirs within high-stress, high-strength, and low-permeability crystalline rock formations. Traditional hydraulic fracturing (HF) techniques encounter deep challenges in these environments, including excessively high fracturing pressures, limited fracture network patterns, and the risk of induced seismicity. This paper reviews the multi-scale thermal-mechanical mechanisms, fracture evolution patterns, and control strategies associated with thermal stimulation and permeability enhancement in the modification of deep geothermal reservoirs. Research indicates that thermally induced fracturing triggers intergranular and transgranular cracks at the microscopic scale due to mineral thermal expansion mismatches, which macroscopically manifests as nonlinear degradation of rock strength and modulus. The redistribution of the thermal elastic stress field significantly lowers the breakdown pressure, while matrix thermal contraction increases fracture aperture, leading to an exponential enhancement of permeability following a cubic law. However, the high confining pressure constraints, true triaxial stress anisotropy, and thermal short-circuiting risks present substantial suppression and challenges to the effectiveness of thermal stimulation in deep in situ environments. Different fracturing media, such as water, liquid nitrogen (LN2), and supercritical CO2, exhibit varying advantages in thermal stimulation efficiency due to their unique thermal-flow characteristics. Future research should focus on the thermal-mechanical coupling mechanisms under true triaxial stress conditions, and develop intelligent control strategies for permeability enhancement and thermal short-circuiting risk mitigation. This study synthesizes existing analyses and proposes potential engineering strategies for stimulating deep EGS reservoirs, offering significant strategic value for the development of geothermal energy as a baseload renewable resource. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Systems)
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22 pages, 3732 KB  
Systematic Review
Mapping Urban Socio-Economic Resilience to Climate Change: A Bibliometric Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis of Global Research (1990–2025)
by Irina Onțel, Luminița Chivu, Sorin Avram and Carmen Gheorghe
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3698; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083698 - 9 Apr 2026
Abstract
Urban socio-economic resilience to climate change has emerged as a central research theme as cities increasingly confront interconnected environmental, economic, and social risks. Despite the rapidly expanding body of literature, the conceptual boundaries, thematic evolution, and analytical priorities of this field remain fragmented [...] Read more.
Urban socio-economic resilience to climate change has emerged as a central research theme as cities increasingly confront interconnected environmental, economic, and social risks. Despite the rapidly expanding body of literature, the conceptual boundaries, thematic evolution, and analytical priorities of this field remain fragmented across disciplines, and no prior study has systematically mapped the socio-economic dimension of urban resilience through a combined bibliometric and thematic analysis over a multi-decadal horizon. This study addresses that gap by providing a systematic review of global research on urban socio-economic resilience to climate change, integrating bibliometric and thematic analyses of peer-reviewed publications from 1990 to 2025. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, records were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and subjected to a multi-stage screening procedure that combined automated relevance scoring with mandatory manual validation of the socio-economic dimension, resulting in a final dataset of 5076 publications. The analysis examines conceptual interpretations of socio-economic resilience, dominant climate hazards affecting urban systems, methodological approaches and assessment indicators, adaptation strategies and governance responses, and emerging research gaps. The results reveal a marked acceleration of scientific output after 2015, driven by the Paris Agreement and the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C (2018). The bibliometric network analyses identify adaptation, vulnerability, flooding, and sustainability transitions as the core thematic clusters. The findings trace a paradigmatic trajectory from equilibrist recovery frameworks toward transformative, socio-economically grounded resilience models and reveal persistent gaps in the operationalization of governance, equity measurement, and geographic representation. By synthesizing three-and-a-half decades of scholarship, this review clarifies the intellectual structure of the field and proposes four specific post-2026 research pathways that emphasize longitudinal cross-city comparisons, mixed-methods assessments, sector-specific compound hazard analyses, and governance mechanism studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Ecology and Sustainability)
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43 pages, 1431 KB  
Review
Therapy as a State-Generator: Dynamic Phenotypic Landscapes and Adaptive Stress Circuits in Chemotherapy Resistance of Breast Cancer
by Moon Nyeo Park
Antioxidants 2026, 15(4), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15040459 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Chemotherapy resistance remains a major obstacle to durable cancer control, yet its underlying mechanisms cannot be fully explained by genetic mutations alone. Increasing evidence suggests that therapeutic stress induces dynamic adaptive programs that reshape tumor phenotypic landscapes. Here, we propose a systems-level framework [...] Read more.
Chemotherapy resistance remains a major obstacle to durable cancer control, yet its underlying mechanisms cannot be fully explained by genetic mutations alone. Increasing evidence suggests that therapeutic stress induces dynamic adaptive programs that reshape tumor phenotypic landscapes. Here, we propose a systems-level framework in which chemotherapy resistance emerges from the stabilization of interconnected stress-response circuits integrating redox signaling, metabolic reprogramming, and transcriptional plasticity. In this model, cytotoxic therapies function as state-generating perturbations that elevate oxidative stress and activate adaptive buffering systems, including NADPH-dependent redox homeostasis, replication stress tolerance, and integrated stress response (ISR)-mediated translational reprogramming. These adaptive modules collectively expand the accessibility of therapy-tolerant phenotypic states within tumor cell populations. Importantly, these circuits coordinate mitochondrial redox homeostasis, metabolic NADPH regeneration, and epigenetic–transcriptional plasticity to sustain cellular survival under persistent oxidative pressure. Such adaptive redox networks not only stabilize stress-tolerant phenotypes but also create vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. From a translational perspective, this framework suggests that effective strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance should move beyond single-target inhibition and instead focus on circuit-guided therapeutic interventions that simultaneously destabilize redox buffering systems, constrain phenotypic plasticity, and disrupt metabolic stress adaptation. By conceptualizing therapy resistance as a dynamic redox-regulated state-space phenomenon, this model provides a mechanistic foundation for the development of evolution-aware and plasticity-constraining therapeutic strategies. Targeting the coordinated redox–metabolic–translational circuits that maintain tumor adaptability may therefore represent a promising direction for next-generation redox therapeutics in cancer. Full article
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25 pages, 5352 KB  
Article
A Comprehensive Fractal Characterization of Pore Structures in Bituminous Coal Induced by Optimized Acidification
by Yanwei Qu, Feng Chen, Lulu Ma, Peiwen Jiang, Bing Li, Jiangang Ren, Runsheng Lv and Zhimin Song
Energies 2026, 19(8), 1813; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19081813 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 102
Abstract
The efficient recovery of coalbed methane (CBM) is critically constrained by the inherent low permeability of coal reservoirs, a challenge predominantly attributed to mineral blockages within the pore-fracture structure. In this study, the deashing efficacy of several acid solutions (HCl, HNO3, [...] Read more.
The efficient recovery of coalbed methane (CBM) is critically constrained by the inherent low permeability of coal reservoirs, a challenge predominantly attributed to mineral blockages within the pore-fracture structure. In this study, the deashing efficacy of several acid solutions (HCl, HNO3, HF, and CH3COOH) on bituminous coals from the Yushuwan (YSW) and Jiangna (JN) mines was initially assessed to determine the optimal acidizing system. Subsequently, the multi-scale evolution of pore-fracture structures and the fractal characteristics of coal samples treated with the optimized acids were systematically investigated. A multi-analytical approach, integrating scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) with microcrystalline peak-fitting, and low-temperature nitrogen gas adsorption (LT-N2GA), was employed to quantitatively elucidate the underlying transformation mechanisms. The experimental results indicate that HCl and HNO3 emerged as the most effective agents for the YSW and JN coals, respectively. Optimized acidification achieved significant reductions in ash content (specifically, an ash removal efficiency of 83.99% for HCl-treated YSW coal) through the selective dissolution of carbonate and clay minerals, thereby facilitating the exposure of the organic matrix and the induction of extensive dissolution pits and secondary fractures. Although the dissolution-induced collapse of mineral-supported fine pores led to a reduction in both total pore volume and BET specific surface area, the average pore diameter undergoes a substantial increase (e.g., nearly doubling from 9.0068 nm to 16.5126 nm for the JN coal). Furthermore, the reduction in Frenkel–Halsey–Hill (FHH) fractal dimensions (D1 and D2) indicates a decrease in pore-surface complexity and structural heterogeneity. These findings reveal that optimized acidification induces significant alterations in pore structure and mineral composition. The treatment facilitates the conversion of isolated pores into interconnected networks, accompanied by an increase in pore volume and a shift in pore size distribution toward larger dimensions. This research elucidates the mechanisms of mineral dissolution and pore expansion, providing a fundamental characterization of the microstructural evolution of coal in response to acid treatment. Full article
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19 pages, 3111 KB  
Review
A Review of Carbonation of C-S-H: From Atomic Structure to Macroscopic Behavior
by Yi Zhao and Junjie Wang
Coatings 2026, 16(4), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16040448 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 196
Abstract
Calcium–silicate–hydrate (C-S-H), the primary binding phase governing cement paste cohesion, undergoes progressive physicochemical transformation upon carbonation—a process that critically dictates concrete durability in atmospheric environments. When CO2 penetrates the porous cement matrix, it triggers a cascade of degradation mechanisms: calcium leaching decalcifies [...] Read more.
Calcium–silicate–hydrate (C-S-H), the primary binding phase governing cement paste cohesion, undergoes progressive physicochemical transformation upon carbonation—a process that critically dictates concrete durability in atmospheric environments. When CO2 penetrates the porous cement matrix, it triggers a cascade of degradation mechanisms: calcium leaching decalcifies the C-S-H structure, inducing polymerization of silicate chains from dimeric to longer-chain configurations, while concurrent precipitation of calcium carbonate and amorphous silica gel fundamentally reconstitutes the nanoscale architecture. These nanoscale alterations propagate to macroscopic property evolution, manifesting as initial strength and stiffness gains due to pore-filling carbonation products followed by eventual deterioration as the cohesive binding network deteriorates. This review synthesizes current understanding of carbonation-induced structural evolution, examining the coupled influences of environmental parameters—CO2 concentration, relative humidity, and temperature—alongside C-S-H intrinsic chemistry (Ca/Si ratio, aluminum substitution, and alkali content) on reaction kinetics and material performance. However, significant knowledge gaps persist: predictive models for in-service carbonation rates remain elusive due to the disconnect between idealized laboratory conditions and the heterogeneous, cracked reality of field concrete; the causal linkage between nanoscale C-S-H alteration and macroscale cracking patterns along with physical performance is poorly resolved, and most mechanistic studies rely on synthetic C-S-H, neglecting the compositional complexity of real Portland cement systems. We further propose emerging protection strategies, including surface barrier coatings and low-carbon alternative binders (geopolymers, calcium sulfoaluminate cements, carbon-negative materials such as recycled cement), which demonstrate enhanced carbonation resistance. Future research priorities include developing effective coating barriers for carbonation protection, developing operando characterization techniques for real-time reaction monitoring, deploying machine learning algorithms to bridge atomistic simulations with structural-scale predictions, and establishing long-term field performance databases to validate laboratory-derived degradation models. Full article
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28 pages, 8022 KB  
Article
Quantum-Inspired Variational Inference for Non-Convex Stochastic Optimization: A Unified Mathematical Framework with Convergence Guarantees and Applications to Machine Learning in Communication Networks
by Abrar S. Alhazmi
Mathematics 2026, 14(7), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14071236 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 145
Abstract
Non-convex stochastic optimization presents fundamental mathematical challenges across machine learning, wireless networks, data center resource allocation, and optical wireless communication systems, where complex loss landscapes with multiple local minima and saddle points impede classical variational inference methods. This paper introduces the Quantum-Inspired Variational [...] Read more.
Non-convex stochastic optimization presents fundamental mathematical challenges across machine learning, wireless networks, data center resource allocation, and optical wireless communication systems, where complex loss landscapes with multiple local minima and saddle points impede classical variational inference methods. This paper introduces the Quantum-Inspired Variational Inference (QIVI) framework, which systematically integrates quantum mechanical principles (superposition, entanglement, and measurement operators) into classical variational inference through rigorous mathematical formulations grounded in Hilbert space theory and operator algebras. We develop a unified optimization framework that encodes classical parameters as quantum-inspired states within finite-dimensional complex Hilbert spaces, employing unitary evolution operators and adaptive basis selection governed by gradient covariance eigendecomposition. The core mathematical contribution establishes that QIVI achieves a convergence rate of O(log2T/T1/2) for σ-strongly non-convex functions, provably improving upon the classical O(T1/4) rate, yielding a theoretical speedup factor of 1.851.96×. Comprehensive experiments across synthetic benchmarks, Bayesian neural networks, and real-world applications in network optimization and financial portfolio management demonstrate 23–47% faster convergence, 15–35% superior objective values, and 28–46% improved uncertainty calibration. The principal contributions include: (i) a rigorous Hilbert space-based mathematical framework for quantum-inspired variational inference grounded in operator algebras, (ii) a novel hybrid quantum–classical algorithm (QIVI) with adaptive basis selection via gradient covariance eigendecomposition, (iii) formal convergence proofs establishing provable improvement over classical methods, (iv) comprehensive empirical validation across diverse problem domains relevant to machine learning and network optimization, and (v) demonstration of the framework’s applicability to optimization problems arising in wireless networks, data center resource allocation, and network system design. Statistical validation using the Friedman test (χ2=847.3, p<0.001) and post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Holm–Bonferroni correction confirm that QIVI’s improvements over all baseline methods are statistically significant at the α=0.05 level across all benchmark categories. The framework discovers 18.1 out of 20 true modes in multimodal distributions versus 9.1 for classical methods, demonstrating the potential of quantum-inspired optimization approaches for challenging stochastic problems arising in machine learning, wireless communication, and network optimization. Full article
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25 pages, 4504 KB  
Article
Discrete Element Modelling of Thermal Evolution of Forsmark Repository for Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal and Long-Term Response of Discrete Fracture Network
by Jeoung Seok Yoon, Haimeng Shen, Arno Zang and Flavio Lanaro
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3592; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073592 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 226
Abstract
Long-term safety assessment of deep geological repositories for spent nuclear fuel requires explicit evaluation of thermo-mechanical (TM) processes induced by decay heat and their influence on fractured host rock. A safety-relevant, though low-probability, scenario concerns shear reactivation of fractures intersecting deposition holes, which [...] Read more.
Long-term safety assessment of deep geological repositories for spent nuclear fuel requires explicit evaluation of thermo-mechanical (TM) processes induced by decay heat and their influence on fractured host rock. A safety-relevant, though low-probability, scenario concerns shear reactivation of fractures intersecting deposition holes, which could compromise canister integrity if displacement exceeds design limits. This study presents a three-dimensional discrete element modelling approach to analyze the thermal evolution of the Forsmark repository (Sweden) and the associated long-term response of a discrete fracture network (DFN) during the post-closure phase. The model explicitly represents repository panel, deterministic deformation zones, and a stochastically generated fracture network embedded in a bonded particle assembly representing the rock for Particle Flow Code (PFC) numerical simulations. Time-dependent heat release from spent nuclear fuel canisters is implemented using a physically based decay power function. A deposition panel-scale heat-loading formulation accounts for deposition-hole and tunnel spacing. Two emplacement scenarios are analyzed: (a) a simultaneous all-panel heating scenario, used as a conservative bounding case, and (b) a sequential panel heating scenario representing staged emplacement and closure. The simulations show that temperature and thermally induced stress evolution are sensitive to the emplacement and closure sequence. Sequential heating produces a more gradual thermal build-up and lower peak temperatures than simultaneous heating, indicating that thermal and stress perturbations in the host rock can be influenced not only through repository design, but also by operational strategy. Thermally induced fracture shear displacement displays a systematic temporal response. Fractures located within the deposition panel footprint develop shear displacement rapidly during the early post-closure period, reaching peak values at approximately 200 years, followed by gradual relaxation as temperatures decline. The average peak shear displacement on fractures is on the order of 2–3 mm, while fractures outside the panel footprint show smaller early-time displacements and a more prolonged long-term response. All simulated shear displacements remain more than one order of magnitude below the commonly cited canister damage threshold for Forsmark of approximately 50 mm, even for the conservative simultaneous heating case. These results indicate that thermally induced fracture shear is unlikely to cause direct mechanical damage to canisters. At the same time, the persistence of residual shear displacement after heating implies permanent fracture dilation, which may influence long-term hydraulic properties and indirectly affect processes such as groundwater flow and canister corrosion. The modelling framework and results presented here were conducted for review purposes independently from the Swedish safety case, and provide a mechanistic basis for evaluating thermally induced fracture deformation in crystalline rock repositories and contribute to bounding the role of thermo-mechanical processes in the safety assessment of spent nuclear fuel disposal at Forsmark. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress and Challenges of Rock Engineering)
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29 pages, 547 KB  
Article
MRHL: Multi-Relational Hypergraph Learning for Next POI Recommendation
by Sai Zhao, Caisen Chen and Shuai He
Electronics 2026, 15(7), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15071528 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 165
Abstract
With the rapid advancement of location-based services, next Point-of-Interest (POI) recommendation has emerged as a critical task in personalized mobility modeling and recommendation systems. It aims to predict users’ future locations based on their historical trajectories, thereby enhancing the personalization and intelligence of [...] Read more.
With the rapid advancement of location-based services, next Point-of-Interest (POI) recommendation has emerged as a critical task in personalized mobility modeling and recommendation systems. It aims to predict users’ future locations based on their historical trajectories, thereby enhancing the personalization and intelligence of recommendation systems. Despite the promising progress, two key challenges remain insufficiently addressed. First, many existing methods overlook the dynamic evolution of user trajectories across multiple perspectives, resulting in entangled representations that fail to capture user intent accurately. Second, they often ignore the latent synergy across diverse perspectives, which limits the effective utilization of complementary information for recommendation. To address these issues, we propose a novel framework called MRHL. MRHL constructs multiple hypergraphs to represent distinct views of user behavior, including interaction frequency, time decay, and geographical proximity. An enhanced hypergraph convolutional network is employed to effectively model the high-order relationships within them. We propose a cascaded enhancement fusion mechanism that progressively integrates multi-view hypergraph representations to enrich the semantic information of user representations. In addition, a multi-relational contrastive learning strategy is developed to capture the consistent signals across different views, thereby enhancing the robustness and discriminative capability of user and POI representations. Extensive experiments on three public datasets consistently demonstrate that MRHL outperforms a range of strong baselines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Deep Learning for Graph Neural Networks)
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24 pages, 3164 KB  
Article
Research on Evolution Characteristics and Dynamic Mechanism of Global Photovoltaic Raw Material Trade Network Under the Carbon Neutrality Target
by Yingying Fan and Yi Liang
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3574; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073574 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 247
Abstract
With the acceleration of the global energy transition, the photovoltaic industry has become a significant force in the promotion of green development, and photovoltaic raw materials play a crucial role in this process. In this paper, 177 countries during the period of 2001 [...] Read more.
With the acceleration of the global energy transition, the photovoltaic industry has become a significant force in the promotion of green development, and photovoltaic raw materials play a crucial role in this process. In this paper, 177 countries during the period of 2001 to 2024 were taken as the research subjects, with a focus on polysilicon and silicon wafers as components of upstream photovoltaic raw materials. Through a combination of the evolutionary analysis of nodes, the overall structure, and the three-dimensional structure with an exponential random graph model, the evolution and dynamic mechanisms of the global photovoltaic raw material trade network are explored. The study reveals the following: (1) The global PV raw material trade volume tended to increase from 2001 to 2024. (2) The global photovoltaic raw material trade network showed a tendency towards the “enhanced dominance of core countries and denser trade connections,” with the trade volume between core countries continuously expanding and the network density, average clustering coefficient, and connection efficiency increasing annually, which is a reflection of the globalization and regional cooperation of the global photovoltaic industry. (3) From the weighted out-degree and in-degree ranking evolution of the global photovoltaic raw materials trade network, it can be seen that China consolidated its core position, while Southeast Asian countries tended to transfer their processing and manufacturing links. The status of the United States and traditional industrial powers gradually declined, which is a reflection of the restructuring of the global industrial chain along with regional geopolitical agglomeration effects. (4) Internal attributes such as the national economic level, population size, and urbanization rate, as well as external network effects such as common language and geographical proximity, significantly influence the formation path of the photovoltaic raw material trade network. Moreover, the network exhibits distinct heterogeneous complementarity mechanisms and path dependence characteristics, with a structural evolution that tends toward stability and cooperative relationships showing significant time inertia. Overall, the global trade volume of photovoltaic raw materials continues to grow, and the core positions of major countries such as China, the United States, and Germany remain prominent but show a transitional trend towards Southeast Asian countries. The strengthening of the level of coordination and cooperation among global photovoltaic raw material producers to ensure supply chain stability, promote resource sharing and technological progress, and achieve the sustainable development of green energy policies is necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Neutrality and Green Development)
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17 pages, 5640 KB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of River Systems in Typical Plain River Network Region
by Mengjie Niu, Qiao Yan, Lei Wang, Mengran Liang and Haoxuan Liu
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3556; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073556 - 4 Apr 2026
Viewed by 316
Abstract
The plain river network region is faced with ecological and environmental challenges such as insufficient hydrological connectivity and degradation of ecosystem services under the influence of urbanization and human activities, and therefore attention needs to be paid to river network changes in this [...] Read more.
The plain river network region is faced with ecological and environmental challenges such as insufficient hydrological connectivity and degradation of ecosystem services under the influence of urbanization and human activities, and therefore attention needs to be paid to river network changes in this region and the synergistic benefits of natural–social–economic multidimensional factors. This study took the Lixiahe region, a typical plain river network region, as the research object, using Mann–Kendall, spatial autocorrelation analysis, random forest, multiple validation and Granger causality test of key drivers to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of its river network from 2013 to 2025 and quantify driving mechanisms from natural, social and economic factors. The results showed that: (1) From 2013 to 2025, the Lixiahe Plain river network region tended to be trunk and artificial, with the number and connectivity of river networks showing an upward trend while the curvature of river network decreased significantly. (2) The Global Moran’s I index of the Lixiahe Plain river network decreased from 0.612 to 0.534, indicating a continued weakening of spatial agglomeration in the water area and exhibiting characteristics of edge fragmentation. (3) Random forest analysis showed that socioeconomic factors dominated recent river network change in the Lixiahe Plain. Economic factors mainly influenced quantity-related indicators, while social factors were more important for meander degree and connectivity in several ecologically sensitive counties. Multilevel validation demonstrated the robustness and generalization ability of the model. Granger causality analysis further indicated that GDP, road network density, freshwater aquaculture area, and agricultural output statistically preceded changes in key hydrological indicators. These findings suggest that river network management in plain river network regions should move beyond quantity-based engineering expansion and adopt a multi-indicator, spatially differentiated approach. Integrating river quantity, morphology, and connectivity into management can better support the balance between socioeconomic development and ecological protection and promote the sustainable optimization of river network. Full article
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20 pages, 2528 KB  
Article
Utilizing Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data and the CGAN to Identify Key Drought Factors Influencing Maize Across Distinct Phenological Stages
by Hui Zhao, Jifu Guo, Jing Jiang, Funian Zhao and Xiaoyang Yang
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(7), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18071085 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 258
Abstract
Drought is one of the major disasters constraining crop production. The accurate identification of the dominant environmental factors that drive drought stress at different growth stages of maize is essential for developing stage-specific and precise water management strategies, enhancing drought resistance, and ensuring [...] Read more.
Drought is one of the major disasters constraining crop production. The accurate identification of the dominant environmental factors that drive drought stress at different growth stages of maize is essential for developing stage-specific and precise water management strategies, enhancing drought resistance, and ensuring food security. However, a key challenge is quantifying the nonlinear interactions among multiple environmental factors. This study focuses on the rain-fed agricultural region of Northwest China. To address the limited availability of drought event samples in this region and the inadequacy of traditional statistical methods in capturing complex inter-factor relationships, we integrate a small-sample modeling framework based on an improved Conditional Generative Adversarial Network (CGAN) with an attribution framework that employs SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) for interpretability analysis. We incorporate ten environmental factors derived from multi-source remote sensing: temperature (Tmax, Tmin, Tmean), precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ET), soil moisture at 0–10 cm (SM0–10) and at 10–40 cm (SM10–40), and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIFmax, SIFmin, SIFmean). Sample sets were established for different maize phenological stages. The CGAN model was employed to achieve high-precision estimation of maize drought severity levels, while the SHAP method was used to quantitatively analyze the dominant factors and their contributions at each phenological stage. The results show that the CGAN model achieved coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.963, 0.972, and 0.979 for the seedling, jointing–tasseling, and maturity stages, respectively, demonstrating excellent nonlinear modeling capability under small samples. SHAP analysis reveals a clear dynamic evolution of dominant factors across phenological stages. Evapotranspiration (ET) dominated in the seedling stage, reflecting the primary role of surface water–heat balance, while the jointing–tasseling stage transitioned to a co-dominance of ET, topsoil moisture (SM0–10), and minimum SIF, indicating intensified crop transpiration and physiological stress under the meteorological drought framework, and the maturity stage shifted to an absolute dominance centered on mean temperature (Tmean), highlighting the critical impact of heat stress. This study provides a data-driven quantitative perspective for understanding maize drought mechanisms and offers a scientific basis for formulating differentiated drought management strategies for different growth stages. Furthermore, it demonstrates the potential of integrating CGAN with SHAP for agricultural remote sensing and drought attribution research in data-scarce regions. Full article
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92 pages, 3288 KB  
Review
Molecularly Targeted Therapies in Oncology: Mechanisms, Resistance, and Combination Strategies
by Klaudia Giercuszkiewicz-Haśnik, Beata Morak-Młodawska and Małgorzata Jeleń
Molecules 2026, 31(7), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31071195 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 269
Abstract
Targeted therapies are reshaping oncology by enabling treatment selection based on actionable molecular alterations, improving precision, and reducing unnecessary toxicity. This review provides an up-to-date overview of current targeted treatment modalities and the medicinal chemistry principles that support their discovery and optimization. We [...] Read more.
Targeted therapies are reshaping oncology by enabling treatment selection based on actionable molecular alterations, improving precision, and reducing unnecessary toxicity. This review provides an up-to-date overview of current targeted treatment modalities and the medicinal chemistry principles that support their discovery and optimization. We synthesize evidence on small-molecule and biologic strategies spanning receptor and non-receptor kinases and their major signaling axes (PI3K-AKT-mTOR and RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK), apoptosis regulation (BCL-2 family), DNA repair via poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition, and epigenetic or metabolic targets including histone deacetylases (HDACs), bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins (BET), and mutant isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDH1/2). Across these areas, we summarize recurrent resistance mechanisms and the rationale for combination or sequential approaches. Biologic targeted therapy is discussed in parallel, including immune checkpoint blockade, antibody–drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies (BsAb), and cell therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, with emphasis on biomarker-guided patient stratification. Finally, we outline emerging directions beyond canonical nodes, including modulation of the p53-MDM2/MDM4 axis, ferroptosis control through AIFM2/FSP1, and innate immune pathways such as CD47-SIRPa and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Overall, the field is shifting from single-target inhibition toward integrated strategies that combine precise molecular targeting with an understanding of signaling network dynamics, resistance evolution, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis of Anticancer Agents for Targeted Therapy)
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21 pages, 1798 KB  
Article
Evolutionary Characteristics of Water Resource Governance Policies in China: Based on a Quantitative Textual Analysis
by Min Wu, Xiang’an Shen and Zihan Hu
Water 2026, 18(7), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18070862 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 259
Abstract
Water governance faces growing challenges from climate change, pollution, and increasing demand, rendering policy evolution a critical research focus. This study analyzes the evolutionary characteristics of China’s national water resources governance policies from 1988 to 2025 through an integrated quantitative textual analysis. Based [...] Read more.
Water governance faces growing challenges from climate change, pollution, and increasing demand, rendering policy evolution a critical research focus. This study analyzes the evolutionary characteristics of China’s national water resources governance policies from 1988 to 2025 through an integrated quantitative textual analysis. Based on 154 authoritative policy documents, the study employs Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modeling, semantic network analysis, and a tripartite policy instrument coding scheme (command-and-control, market-based, and public participation instruments). The results reveal three key findings: a significant shift in policy attention from early administrative control toward system-oriented governance emphasizing watershed/ecological protection, conservation, and technology; a persistently imbalanced instrument mix with command-and-control tools remaining dominant, despite gradual diversification after 2000; and a three-stage evolutionary trajectory from administrative framework building (1988–1999), through comprehensive management and diversification (2000–2015), to collaborative innovation and basin/ecology integration (2016–2025). This study contributes a long-term empirical perspective on water policy evolution in an emerging economy, demonstrates an integrated textual-analytic approach, and provides actionable insights for optimizing policy mixes through strengthened incentive compatibility, substantive participation mechanisms, and coherent governance-aligned instrument portfolios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance)
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