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20 pages, 2891 KB  
Article
Intelligent Optimization of Water Injection in Oil Wells Using an Attention-Enhanced BiLSTM Neural Network
by Zhichao Zhang, Zongjie Mu, Jin Wang, Xu Kang, Panpan Zhang, Shouceng Tian and Tianxiang Zhou
Processes 2026, 14(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14060954 - 17 Mar 2026
Abstract
In China, a majority of the proven crude oil reserves are found in clastic rock reservoirs, which typically exhibit low natural energy levels. Water injection has become the most widely adopted technique for maintaining reservoir pressure and enhancing oil recovery in such formations. [...] Read more.
In China, a majority of the proven crude oil reserves are found in clastic rock reservoirs, which typically exhibit low natural energy levels. Water injection has become the most widely adopted technique for maintaining reservoir pressure and enhancing oil recovery in such formations. However, conventional water injection strategies heavily rely on empirical knowledge, often failing to accurately characterize the dynamic inter-well connectivity between injection and production wells. This limitation hinders the effective management of fluid injection and production processes. To address this challenge, we propose an intelligent optimization method for water allocation in high-water cut, low-permeability reservoirs. Our approach employs a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) neural network to learn the complex patterns from historical injection data in a data-driven manner. Furthermore, we design a well distance and time joint attention mechanism, which is integrated after the dual BiLSTM layers to enhance the model’s ability to capture the critical dynamic relationships among wells. This mechanism decouples temporal pattern recognition and the spatial physical constraints, laying the foundation for interpretable injection strategy optimization. We name this architecture “AttBiLSTM”, which is designed for optimizing injection strategies for individual layers in separate-layer water injection wells (The layer refers to the basic geological unit or flow unit within a vertically heterogeneous reservoir that is delineated and requires independent water injection regulation). Using field data from the Xinjiang Oilfield, we validate the proposed method and compare its performance against traditional water injection schemes and mainstream data-driven models. The experimental results demonstrate that the AttBiLSTM model effectively establishes a nonlinear mapping between the injection volumes and oil production rates, showing strong performance in both production prediction and injection optimization. An independent numerical reservoir simulation verification confirms that the optimized scheme increases well group oil production by over 3.6%, with no premature water breakthrough risk in a 5-year development cycle. This study provides a novel and practical technical framework for efficiently developing low-porosity, low-permeability, and highly heterogeneous reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Petroleum and Low-Carbon Energy Process Engineering)
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15 pages, 276 KB  
Article
Assessment of Autonomic Nervous System Function in Patients with Aortic Stenosis and Diabetes Mellitus
by Mihajlo Farkić, Nikola Marković, Valentina Balint, Maša Petrović, Milovan Bojić and Branislav Milovanović
Diagnostics 2026, 16(6), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060871 - 15 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Aortic stenosis is associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance, while diabetes mellitus is a major contributor to cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Their coexistence may result in more pronounced autonomic dysfunction not fully captured by conventional assessment. This study aimed to compare ANS [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Aortic stenosis is associated with autonomic nervous system (ANS) imbalance, while diabetes mellitus is a major contributor to cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Their coexistence may result in more pronounced autonomic dysfunction not fully captured by conventional assessment. This study aimed to compare ANS function in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), according to diabetes status. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 74 patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for TAVR, including 21 patients with diabetes mellitus. Autonomic function was evaluated using non-invasive ECG-based analysis, incorporating short-term and 24 h Holter-derived heart rate variability (HRV), nonlinear Poincaré plot indices, and deceleration and acceleration capacity. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and standard clinical and echocardiographic assessment were performed. Results: Patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrated significantly lower long-term HRV parameters and reduced nonlinear Poincaré plot indices compared with non-diabetic patients, indicating altered autonomic modulation. Short-term HRV showed similar trends without statistical significance. Echocardiographic severity of aortic stenosis and left ventricular systolic function were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Autonomic dysfunction appears to be more pronounced in patients with severe aortic stenosis and diabetes mellitus, predominantly affecting parasympathetic modulation. ECG-derived autonomic parameters may offer complementary insight into ANS involvement in this population and warrant further investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Imaging and Theranostics)
16 pages, 640 KB  
Entry
Sustainable Built Environments at the Climate–Health Nexus: Mitigating Heat Risks for Urban Well-Being
by Ali Cheshmehzangi
Encyclopedia 2026, 6(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6030060 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 112
Definition
“Sustainable Built Environments at the Climate–Health Nexus” refers to the planning and administration of metropolitan areas that tackle the interconnected problems of public health, climate change, and increasing heat hazards. By highlighting tactics that lessen urban heat islands, increase resilience, and advance equity, [...] Read more.
“Sustainable Built Environments at the Climate–Health Nexus” refers to the planning and administration of metropolitan areas that tackle the interconnected problems of public health, climate change, and increasing heat hazards. By highlighting tactics that lessen urban heat islands, increase resilience, and advance equity, it establishes the built environment as a crucial link between environmental stresses and the welfare of multicultural urban communities. With an emphasis on how urban heat increases health risks and how design might act as a mediator between climate pressures and human well-being, this article explores the relationship between climate and health within the sustainable built environment. It criticizes the enduring “delusions of sustainable architecture”, regarded as metric substitution, which overlook fair health results in favour of sustainability being reduced to certification or spectacle. In this paper, “delusions” refer to two recurring patterns: (1) metric substitution, where carbon/energy performance is treated as a proxy for health protection, and (2) spectacle substitution, where iconic projects stand in for systemic heat-risk reduction. Through a critical examination of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay and Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, the conversation highlights the benefits and drawbacks of landmark sustainability initiatives. These programs highlight the risks of selected resilience, elitism, and dependence on resource-intensive technologies, even as they show technological creativity in lowering thermal stress and establishing microclimatic comfort. The study makes the case for a shift in the sustainable built environment toward design that is systemic, equitable, and health-centred. Including public health outcomes in sustainability measurements, giving everyday resilience precedence over showcase projects, and including governance, equity, and cultural transformation in planning frameworks are all highlighted in the recommendations. The climate–health nexus is used here as an evaluative lens to test whether sustainable built-environment interventions measurably reduce heat exposure and health risk, particularly for vulnerable groups. In a moment of increasing climatic stress, the conclusion urges shedding illusions and making sustainability a lived condition of justice, dignity, and resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Engineering)
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18 pages, 1313 KB  
Review
Association Between Hyperchloremia and Neurological Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review
by Philippa McIlroy, Mahesh Ramanan, Kyle C. White, Kevin B. Laupland, Mark J. Hackett, Gaewyn Ellison and Robert McNamara
Healthcare 2026, 14(5), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14050696 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 178
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Electrolyte disturbances are common in this patient cohort, with serum chloride frequently elevated. Chloride dysregulation may be associated with poor neurological outcomes through mechanisms including paradoxical gamma amino [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Electrolyte disturbances are common in this patient cohort, with serum chloride frequently elevated. Chloride dysregulation may be associated with poor neurological outcomes through mechanisms including paradoxical gamma amino butyric acid receptor excitation, cytotoxic edema, and ferroptosis. The aim of this review was to evaluate the relationship between serum chloride levels and outcomes in patients with TBI. Methods: A literature review was performed to identify all potential studies that reported on serum chloride levels and TBI. All study types and patient groups were included. Studies were included if they reported on serum chloride measurements as well as outcomes such as mortality, surgical intervention, intracranial pressure, and neurological/functional outcome scores in patients with TBI. References and citations were also reviewed. Results: A small number of mostly retrospective studies with modest patient numbers demonstrate an association between high chloride levels and increased mortality in patients with TBI, with this relationship persisting independent of hypernatremia. Recent large, randomized trials showed that balanced crystalloid solutions, despite lower chloride content, may be associated with worse outcomes in TBI patients compared to saline. No studies directly correlated chloride levels with intracranial pressure measurements. Chloride level rather than total chloride load appears more strongly associated with adverse outcomes, with non-hypertonic saline sources contributing substantially to chloride burden. Mechanistic evidence links chloride channel dysregulation to ferroptosis and cytotoxic edema, with sex-specific patterns of transporter expression. Conclusions: Limited available evidence suggests that hyperchloremia is independently associated with increased mortality in TBI though causality remains unestablished. The findings regarding balanced solutions challenge conventional fluid management assumptions and highlight the complexity of chloride’s role in TBI pathophysiology. The absence of studies directly correlating chloride with intracranial pressure represents a critical evidence gap. Future studies with larger patient numbers, prospective designs, and multimodal neuromonitoring should further define these relationships to inform evidence-based chloride management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Care)
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23 pages, 1984 KB  
Article
Sustainable Management of Vocational Education Systems Through Virtual Reality-Based Pre-Training: Evidence from Learning Readiness and Skill Transfer
by Dyi-Cheng Chen, Jui-Chuan Hou and Quan-De Zheng
Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2236; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052236 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 192
Abstract
Vocational education systems face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality skills training while ensuring resource efficiency, safety, and scalability. In machining programs, traditional hands-on training relies heavily on physical equipment, consumables, and close supervision, posing challenges for sustainable management. This study employs a quasi-experimental [...] Read more.
Vocational education systems face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality skills training while ensuring resource efficiency, safety, and scalability. In machining programs, traditional hands-on training relies heavily on physical equipment, consumables, and close supervision, posing challenges for sustainable management. This study employs a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest measures and a comparison group to examine the effects of VR-based pre-training with 50 first-year vocational students. The findings indicate that VR-based preparation supports learners’ cognitive and experiential readiness and contributes to perceived preparedness for subsequent hands-on activities. No statistically significant differences in posttest performance were observed between groups. VR-based preparatory training supports risk mitigation in learning contexts by enabling cognitive rehearsal and structured procedural familiarization before physical practice. At the system level, VR-based pre-training transforms early-stage trial-and-error learning into a guided virtual environment that incorporates predefined operational sequences, procedural cues, and embedded safety prompts. This approach helps reduce safety risks for inexperienced learners and supports the more strategic use of instructional resources. Rather than establishing generalized or causal effects, the findings provide exploratory, empirically grounded insights derived from a single institutional context, offering a structured reference framework to inform the design, scaling, and validation of future multi-site or longitudinal research in vocational education management. Furthermore, the study explicitly aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). This alignment underscores the study’s relevance to sustainability-focused vocational training initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management for the Future of Education Systems)
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25 pages, 987 KB  
Article
Making Digital Transformation Discussable: An Institutional Action Design Research Approach for Municipal Governance
by Marcel Patalon
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(3), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15030149 - 24 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 275
Abstract
Digital transformation in public administration is shaped not only by technology but also by institutional expectations, legitimacy concerns and uneven local capacities. However, existing qualitative instruments rarely support structured reflection on how these conditions influence digital change. This study develops a modular, theory-informed [...] Read more.
Digital transformation in public administration is shaped not only by technology but also by institutional expectations, legitimacy concerns and uneven local capacities. However, existing qualitative instruments rarely support structured reflection on how these conditions influence digital change. This study develops a modular, theory-informed focus group guide designed to help practitioners articulate institutional influences on municipal digital transformation. Using an Action Design Research framework, institutional concepts were embedded into the guide and iteratively refined across six focus groups with municipal actors. Through recursive Alpha and Beta cycles, the artifact evolved via authentic and concurrent evaluation, integrating practitioner feedback, visual scaffolds and accessible translations of theoretical constructs. Results show that the guide enabled participants to identify coercive, mimetic and normative pressures, surface assumptions across administrative roles and externalize institutional relationships. These patterns point to an institutionally dominant mode of artifact development in which interpretive engagement and legitimacy dynamics shape refinement. The study demonstrates that institutional theory can serve as a productive kernel for qualitative instrument design and offers transferable design principles for developing tools that support reflective, inclusive and socially aware digital transformation in public sector contexts. The resulting artifact, referred to as the Modular Institutional Instrument (MII), is made publicly available to support application in similar governance contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology, Digital Transformation and Society)
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17 pages, 2577 KB  
Article
Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Celaenorrhinus victor (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)
by Yaping Hu, Site Luo, Zhentian Yan, Xiaomin Ge, Le Wang, Xu Zhou, Bin Chen, Hui Ding and Xiao Zheng
Genes 2026, 17(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17020244 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Background: Skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) are a morphologically distinctive lineage within Papilionoidea, yet relationships among many groups remain difficult to resolve, and mitochondrial genomic resources remain limited for some tribes, including Celaenorrhinini. Methods: We sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of [...] Read more.
Background: Skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) are a morphologically distinctive lineage within Papilionoidea, yet relationships among many groups remain difficult to resolve, and mitochondrial genomic resources remain limited for some tribes, including Celaenorrhinini. Methods: We sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of Celaenorrhinus victor using Illumina short-read sequencing. Gene content and organization were annotated, codon-usage patterns were assessed across Celaenorrhinus using relative synonymous codon usage and multiple compositional/selection tests (ENC–GC3s, neutrality, and PR2 analyses), selective constraints were evaluated using Ka/Ks for 13 protein-coding genes, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred with a partitioned maximum-likelihood analysis of 66 complete hesperiid mitogenomes. Results: The circular mitogenome of C. victor is 15,180 bp and contains the typical 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs) plus an A + T-rich control region, with an overall A + T content of 79.64%. Gene order and orientation match those of other Celaenorrhinus and hesperiid mitogenomes. All protein-coding genes use standard invertebrate mitochondrial start codons (with cox1 initiating with TTG) and terminate with complete TAA stop codons. Codon usage is strongly biased toward A/U-ending codons and is broadly similar among five sampled Celaenorrhinus mitogenomes; ENC–GC3s, neutrality, and PR2 analyses indicate a predominant influence of A + T-directed mutational pressure with additional effects beyond base composition. Ka/Ks values for all 13 protein-coding genes were <1, consistent with pervasive purifying selection; cox genes were the most conserved, whereas several NADH dehydrogenase subunit genes evolved comparatively faster. The phylogeny recovered monophyletic Celaenorrhinini and a well-supported Celaenorrhinus clade, placing C. victor as sister to Celaenorrhinus consanguineus, while deeper nodes among major hesperiid lineages showed only moderate support in parts of the tree. Conclusions: This study provides a new mitogenomic resource for Celaenorrhinini and a comparative reference for codon usage and selective constraints within Celaenorrhinus, supporting the placement of C. victor within Hesperiidae while highlighting remaining uncertainty at deeper hesperiid divergences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)
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11 pages, 607 KB  
Article
Association with Uncontrolled Hypertension in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Patients Referred to a Tertiary-Care Center
by Laura Ramlawi, Serge Sicouri, Rhian Touyz, Dimitrios E. Magouliotis, Francesco Cabrucci, Colleen Innes and Massimo Baudo
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 515; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040515 - 18 Feb 2026
Viewed by 357
Abstract
Background: International guidelines recommend tight blood pressure (BP) control in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Hypertension in TAA patients has been associated with an increased rate of aneurysm growth and also with aortic dissection or aortic rupture. We aimed to study [...] Read more.
Background: International guidelines recommend tight blood pressure (BP) control in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Hypertension in TAA patients has been associated with an increased rate of aneurysm growth and also with aortic dissection or aortic rupture. We aimed to study BP control in TAA patients referred by a primary or cardiology provider to a tertiary aortic management program. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 3525 consecutive patients with confirmed TAA diagnosis referred by a primary-care or cardiology provider for management at the Lankenau Aortic Surgical Program between January 2021 and December 2024. Blood pressure was registered using an appropriately sized cuff and a calibrated automated sphygmomanometer. Clinical and demographic data were compared between patients with different stages of hypertension, based on the 2023 ESH guidelines. Results: The overall rate of above-target BP in TAA patients was 54.2% (1911/3525). From the hypertension group, Stage 1 (BP > 140/90) accounted for 53.4% (1020/1911) of patients, with Stage 2 (BP > 160/100) accounting for 12.6% (241/1911) and Stage 3 (BP > 180/110) for 1.8% (35/1911). Among associations of hypertension with demographic data by zip code, no significant differences were observed between groups with respect to race, median household income, or house value. There was a tendency of lower BP in patients from residential areas with higher rates of college graduates compared to those without college education (OR: 0.995; p = 0.059). Conclusions: Hypertension remains both highly prevalent and inadequately controlled in patients with TAA, even within specialized care environments. These findings emphasize the need for a more comprehensive approach to risk factor management to improve outcomes in this high-risk population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Care)
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15 pages, 4762 KB  
Article
Crack Control and Support Optimization of Long-Span Prestressed Concrete Box Girders During SPMT Transportation
by Zhao-Zhong Wang, Wen-Wen Yu and Wen-Huo Sun
Infrastructures 2026, 11(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures11020063 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
The Hong Kong Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link project adopted Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) for the first time for the floating-state loading and transportation of large-span prestressed concrete box girders, allowing the 75 m box girders to be placed on the SPMT [...] Read more.
The Hong Kong Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link project adopted Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) for the first time for the floating-state loading and transportation of large-span prestressed concrete box girders, allowing the 75 m box girders to be placed on the SPMT fixture in a multi-point support manner. To prevent concrete cracking during transportation, this paper studies the stress and deformation characteristics of large-span box girders under a multi-support system through a combination of theoretical research, numerical calculation, and field testing. Based on crack control of box girders, a SPMT vehicle arrangement and segmented jacking method are proposed. The results show that the SPMT vehicle group arrangement range at both ends of the box girder should be controlled within 1/3 of the box girder span; during the jacking process of the box girder, the torsion of the box girder caused by the differential oil pressure in segmented jacking should be controlled, and synchronous jacking should be adopted as much as possible; the SPMT vehicle arrangement and jacking should control the support force to be smaller closer to the mid-span. The research results have been successfully applied in the Hong Kong Tseung Kwan O project and can provide technical reference for similar projects. Full article
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16 pages, 2091 KB  
Article
Genetic Variation in the Main Cultivar Collection of Castanea henryi Revealed by Genome Resequencing
by Yifan Wang, Xueting Yuan, Jinhui Yang, Xibing Jiang, Shipin Chen, Hui Chen and Yu Li
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48020173 - 3 Feb 2026
Viewed by 379
Abstract
Castanea henryi is an important economic tree species in China. Its nutrient-rich nuts play a key role in raising farmers’ income in mountainous areas, promoting forestry industry development, and maintaining ecological balance, thereby providing significant economic and ecological value. To systematically elucidate the [...] Read more.
Castanea henryi is an important economic tree species in China. Its nutrient-rich nuts play a key role in raising farmers’ income in mountainous areas, promoting forestry industry development, and maintaining ecological balance, thereby providing significant economic and ecological value. To systematically elucidate the genetic characteristics of major C. henryi cultivars in China, this study conducted phenotypic trait measurements on 42 cultivars collected from Taining and Jian’ou in Fujian Province. Combined with whole-genome resequencing technology and using the C. henryi genome as a reference, systematic analyses were carried out. The results indicated that the Jian’ou group (HJO) generally exhibited superior performance in key fruit phenotypic traits compared to the Taining group (HTNC), with greater phenotypic diversity observed within the HJO group. Clustering analysis of phenotypic traits further revealed a cross-geographic convergent clustering pattern among the 42 C. henryi cultivars. Further analysis revealed that the overall genetic diversity of the 42 C. henryi cultivars was relatively low (observed heterozygosity: HJO = 0.0275, HTNC = 0.0194). Notably, parameters such as heterozygosity, minor allele frequency, nucleotide polymorphism, and polymorphic information content were slightly higher in the Jian’ou group compared to the Taining group. Divergent selection signal analysis (Fst top 5%) identified 3129 genomic regions under divergent selection. Genes within these regions showed homology to 1205 Arabidopsis thaliana genes, reflecting adaptive divergence driven by differential historical selection pressures between the two groups. Population genetic structure analysis indicated that the two regional groups exhibit high genetic similarity and low differentiation. This study reveals low genetic diversity and high genetic background homogeneity among C. henryi cultivars, findings that could inform the design of future breeding strategies. Full article
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28 pages, 7576 KB  
Article
Analysis of the Influence of Gradation Difference on the Stability of Dump Slope Based on Triaxial Test and Numerical Simulation
by Tianlong Zhou, Kegang Li, Jiawen Liu, Jian Meng, Mingliang Li, Rui Yue and Dong Tian
Eng 2026, 7(2), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7020068 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 350
Abstract
Instability in dump slopes frequently induces landslides, a process governed by complex factors. To investigate the impact of gradation composition on dump slope stability, four distinct gradations were designed, and large-scale laboratory triaxial tests were conducted to characterize their strength and deformation behaviors [...] Read more.
Instability in dump slopes frequently induces landslides, a process governed by complex factors. To investigate the impact of gradation composition on dump slope stability, four distinct gradations were designed, and large-scale laboratory triaxial tests were conducted to characterize their strength and deformation behaviors under varying confining pressures. Concurrently, numerical models of dump slopes with these four gradations were established using Particle Flow Code (PFC) to simulate rainfall infiltration processes. Through a comparative analysis of particle contact force chains, pore water pressure evolution, particle displacement under varying rainfall durations, and safety factors under natural and rainfall conditions, the mechanisms governing the influence of gradation composition on slope stability were elucidated from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Results indicate the following: (1) Gradation composition significantly affects the strength and deformation characteristics of dump materials. Sample group 3 (with a fine-to-coarse particle ratio of 4:6) exhibited the highest strength among the four test samples, with peak deviatoric stresses of 610 kPa, 1075 kPa, and 1539 kPa under confining pressures of 200 kPa, 400 kPa, and 600 kPa, respectively. Its corresponding shear strength parameters were a cohesion of 38.45 kPa and an internal friction angle of 32.55°. In contrast, sample group 4 (fine-to-coarse ratio of 6:4) showed the lowest strength, with peak deviatoric stresses of 489 kPa, 840 kPa, and 1290 kPa under the same confining pressures, and shear strength parameters of c = 25.35 kPa and φ = 30.02°. (2) Gradation modulates contact forces and failure modes via a “skeleton-filling” mechanism. (3) Gradation plays a critical role in controlling pore water pressure evolution and the seepage characteristics of the dump slope model. Among the four designed gradations and their corresponding numerical models, Model 3 was characterized by the highest contact forces and the lowest pore water pressure. It exhibited the highest stability under both natural and rainfall conditions, with safety factors of 1.70 and 1.22, respectively. Conversely, Model 4 showed weak particle contact forces and high pore pressure, demonstrating the poorest stability. It yielded safety factors of only 1.25 and 1.02 under natural and rainfall-saturated conditions, indicating that it represents the least favorable gradation composition. These findings provide valuable references for the optimization of dumping processes and stability control in similar engineering projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Chemical, Civil and Environmental Engineering)
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41 pages, 1578 KB  
Review
Separation Strategies for Polyphenols from Plant Extracts: Advances, Challenges, and Applications
by Sasa Savic, Sanja Petrovic and Zorica Knezevic-Jugovic
Separations 2026, 13(2), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations13020046 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 603
Abstract
Polyphenols are a structurally diverse group of plant secondary metabolites widely recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective properties, which have stimulated their extensive use in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products. However, their chemical heterogeneity, wide polarity range, and strong interactions [...] Read more.
Polyphenols are a structurally diverse group of plant secondary metabolites widely recognized for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective properties, which have stimulated their extensive use in food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic products. However, their chemical heterogeneity, wide polarity range, and strong interactions with plant matrices pose major challenges for efficient extraction, separation, and reliable analytical characterization. This review provides a critical overview of contemporary strategies for the extraction, separation, and identification of polyphenols from plant-derived matrices. Conventional extraction methods, including maceration, Soxhlet extraction, and percolation, are discussed alongside modern green technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction. Particular emphasis is placed on environmentally friendly solvents, including ethanol, natural deep eutectic solvents, and ionic liquids, as sustainable alternatives that improve extraction efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The review further highlights chromatographic separation approaches—partition, adsorption, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, and affinity chromatography—and underlines the importance of hyphenated analytical platforms (LC–MS, LC–MS/MS, and LC–NMR) for comprehensive polyphenol profiling. Key analytical challenges, including matrix effects, compound instability, and limited availability of reference standards, are addressed, together with perspectives on industrial implementation, quality control, and standardization. Full article
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21 pages, 746 KB  
Review
Nitrous Oxide-Hydrocarbon Liquid Propellants for Space Propulsion: Premixed and Non-Premixed Systems
by Eunwoo Jung, Eun Sang Jung and Minwoo Lee
Aerospace 2026, 13(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13010104 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 683
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted increasing attention as an oxidizer for space propulsion systems due to its non-toxic nature and favorable handling characteristics. Its relatively high vapor pressure allows self-pressurization, while its wide storage temperature range makes it attractive for a [...] Read more.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has attracted increasing attention as an oxidizer for space propulsion systems due to its non-toxic nature and favorable handling characteristics. Its relatively high vapor pressure allows self-pressurization, while its wide storage temperature range makes it attractive for a range of space applications. In parallel with broader efforts to identify alternatives to conventional toxic propellants, numerous studies have investigated liquid propulsion systems based on N2O combined with hydrocarbon fuels, spanning both premixed fuel blends and non-premixed bipropellant configurations. This review summarizes experimental and system-level studies on N2O–hydrocarbon propellant combinations, including ethylene, ethane, ethanol, propane, acetylene, methane, dimethyl ether, and propylene. Results reported by different research groups reveal clear differences among propellant combinations in terms of vapor pressure, thermal stability, chemical reactivity, and ignition delay. These differences have direct implications for injector design, mixing strategies, ignition mechanism, and system safety. By bringing together recent results from the literature, this paper aims to clarify the practical trade-offs associated with fuel selection in N2O-based premixed and bipropellant systems and to provide a useful reference for the design and development of future space propulsion concepts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
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35 pages, 3598 KB  
Article
PlanetScope Imagery and Hybrid AI Framework for Freshwater Lake Phosphorus Monitoring and Water Quality Management
by Ying Deng, Daiwei Pan, Simon X. Yang and Bahram Gharabaghi
Water 2026, 18(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18020261 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Accurate estimation of Total Phosphorus, referred to as “Phosphorus, Total” (PPUT; µg/L) in the sourced monitoring data, is essential for understanding eutrophication dynamics and guiding water-quality management in inland lakes. However, lake-wide PPUT mapping at high resolution is challenging to achieve using conventional [...] Read more.
Accurate estimation of Total Phosphorus, referred to as “Phosphorus, Total” (PPUT; µg/L) in the sourced monitoring data, is essential for understanding eutrophication dynamics and guiding water-quality management in inland lakes. However, lake-wide PPUT mapping at high resolution is challenging to achieve using conventional in-situ sampling, and nearshore gradients are often poorly resolved by medium- or low-resolution satellite sensors. This study exploits multi-generation PlanetScope imagery (Dove Classic, Dove-R, and SuperDove; 3–5 m, near-daily revisit) to develop a hybrid AI framework for PPUT retrieval in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. PlanetScope surface reflectance, short-term meteorological descriptors (3 to 7-day aggregates of air temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and sea-level pressure), and in-situ Secchi depth (SSD) were used to train five ensemble-learning models (HistGradientBoosting, CatBoost, RandomForest, ExtraTrees, and GradientBoosting) across eight feature-group regimes that progressively extend from bands-only, to combinations with spectral indices and day-of-year (DOY), and finally to SSD-inclusive full-feature configurations. The inclusion of SSD led to a strong and systematic performance gain, with mean R2 increasing from about 0.67 (SSD-free) to 0.94 (SSD-aware), confirming that vertically integrated optical clarity is the dominant constraint on PPUT retrieval and cannot be reconstructed from surface reflectance alone. To enable scalable SSD-free monitoring, a knowledge-distillation strategy was implemented in which an SSD-aware teacher transfers its learned representation to a student using only satellite and meteorological inputs. The optimal student model, based on a compact subset of 40 predictors, achieved R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 9.82 µg/L, and MAE = 5.41 µg/L, retaining approximately 88% of the teacher’s explanatory power. Application of the student model to PlanetScope scenes from 2020 to 2025 produces meter-scale PPUT maps; a 26 July 2024 case study shows that >97% of the lake surface remains below 10 µg/L, while rare (<1%) but coherent hotspots above 20 µg/L align with tributary mouths and narrow channels. The results demonstrate that combining commercial high-resolution imagery with physics-informed feature engineering and knowledge transfer enables scalable and operationally relevant monitoring of lake phosphorus dynamics. These high-resolution PPUT maps enable lake managers to identify nearshore nutrient hotspots, tributary plume structures. In doing so, the proposed framework supports targeted field sampling, early warning for eutrophication events, and more robust, lake-wide nutrient budgeting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
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25 pages, 4813 KB  
Article
Cardiac and Vascular Adaptation During Pregnancy in Asian and Caucasian Women: Insights from a Prospective Cohort Study
by Andrea Sonaglioni, Irene Sutti, Giuditta Ferrara, Marta Ruggiero, Giovanna Margola, Gian Luigi Nicolosi, Stefano Bianchi, Michele Lombardo and Massimo Baravelli
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(2), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020756 - 16 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ethnicity is associated with differences in cardiac structure and function in non-pregnant populations, but pregnancy-specific data—particularly for myocardial deformation—remain limited. We investigated whether ethnicity influences cardiac geometry, biventricular and biatrial mechanics, hemodynamics, and carotid vascular indices in healthy women during the third [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Ethnicity is associated with differences in cardiac structure and function in non-pregnant populations, but pregnancy-specific data—particularly for myocardial deformation—remain limited. We investigated whether ethnicity influences cardiac geometry, biventricular and biatrial mechanics, hemodynamics, and carotid vascular indices in healthy women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: In this prospective, monocentric study, 80 healthy women with singleton third-trimester pregnancies were enrolled, including 40 Asian and 40 Caucasian women matched for age and body mass index. All participants underwent standardized clinical and laboratory evaluation, comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography with Doppler, speckle-tracking analysis of both ventricles and atria, and bilateral carotid ultrasonography. Logistic regression analyses were performed in Asian women to identify correlates of supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 70%) and enhanced left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS > 20%). Results: Age and gestational age were similar between groups, whereas body surface area was lower in Asian women (1.65 ± 0.12 vs. 1.77 ± 0.15 m2, p < 0.001). Asian women exhibited smaller left ventricular dimensions and volumes but higher LVEF (median 71.6% vs. 66.4%, p < 0.001). Heart rate and blood pressure were comparable, whereas stroke volume [45.5 ± 9.6 vs. 68.0 (48.9–110) mL, p < 0.001] and cardiac output (3.9 ± 0.9 vs. 4.9 ± 0.8 L/min, p < 0.001) were lower in Asian women, who also demonstrated higher total peripheral resistance and lower ventricular–arterial coupling (0.31 ± 0.09 vs. 0.37 ± 0.07, p = 0.001). Speckle-tracking echocardiography revealed higher LV-GLS (21.9 ± 1.9% vs. 20.5 ± 2.0%, p = 0.002), higher LV global circumferential strain, enhanced right ventricular longitudinal strain, and higher reservoir strain of both atria in Asian women. Carotid ultrasonography showed smaller common carotid diameter and cross-sectional area in Asian women (10.7 ± 2.5 vs. 13.7 ± 2.3 mm2, p < 0.001). In regression analyses, supranormal LVEF was independently associated with smaller LV end-diastolic diameter (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.97), while enhanced LV-GLS was independently associated with lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00–0.87). Conclusions: Ethnicity is associated with multidimensional differences in cardiac geometry, myocardial mechanics, vascular load, and carotid structure in healthy third-trimester pregnancy. Ethnicity-aware interpretation and tailored reference ranges may improve the accuracy of echocardiographic assessment during late gestation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cardiology)
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