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Search Results (618)

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24 pages, 1393 KB  
Article
Digital Capability and the Developmental Returns to Renewable Energy: Cross-Country Panel Evidence on SDG Performance
by Mohammed Saharti
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8364; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168364 - 14 Aug 2026
Abstract
This study asks when renewable energy translates into sustainable-development progress. The central contribution is to show that the aggregate renewable-energy share is a compositionally ambiguous indicator whose developmental meaning depends on a country’s stage of energy modernisation. In an unbalanced panel of 154 [...] Read more.
This study asks when renewable energy translates into sustainable-development progress. The central contribution is to show that the aggregate renewable-energy share is a compositionally ambiguous indicator whose developmental meaning depends on a country’s stage of energy modernisation. In an unbalanced panel of 154 countries (2000–2022) linking the Sustainable Development Report SDG Index to World Bank indicators, two-way fixed-effects estimates with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors show the renewable share to be negatively associated with SDG performance on average. Three results demonstrate that this reflects traditional biomass rather than modern renewable energy: the renewable share correlates −0.81 with clean-cooking access; the renewable association turns from negative in biomass-dependent economies to positive in modern-energy economies; and a modern-renewable-electricity measure carries no negative coefficient, with the penalty concentrated in the social goals, where household air pollution and fuel-collection burdens fall. Digitalisation is positively associated with SDG performance and similarly conditions the renewable association, but it is best read as a correlated marker of modernisation rather than an independent causal lever. All estimates are conditional associations rather than causal effects. The findings imply that renewable-energy investment yields larger developmental returns when sequenced with clean-cooking and digital-infrastructure programmes, particularly in non-high-income countries. Full article
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35 pages, 759 KB  
Review
Between Leaves, Prayers, and Healing Hands: A Cross-Regional Scoping Review of Ritual Healers and Plant-Based Community Knowledge
by Elaine de Lima de Jesus, Maria Fernanda Barros de Oliveira Brandão, Luana Luzia Santos Pires, Erica Letícia Gomes Alves, Anne Júlia Sousa Silva, Ana Claudia da Silva Bahia, Fernanda Lula Figueiredo Cambuí, João Victor Quintas dos Santos, Davyson de Lima Moreira and Ygor Jessé Ramos
Plants 2026, 15(16), 2467; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15162467 - 14 Aug 2026
Abstract
Plant-based healing practices integrate botanical resources, ritual speech, gesture, faith, spiritual mediation, protection, and social recognition within complex community systems of care. This cross-regional scoping review mapped the traceable literature on plant-based knowledge associated with benzedeiras, benzedores, rezadeiras, rezadores, and functionally analogous specialists. [...] Read more.
Plant-based healing practices integrate botanical resources, ritual speech, gesture, faith, spiritual mediation, protection, and social recognition within complex community systems of care. This cross-regional scoping review mapped the traceable literature on plant-based knowledge associated with benzedeiras, benzedores, rezadeiras, rezadores, and functionally analogous specialists. The formal scoping-review corpus comprised 54 records retrieved through structured database searches. A separate contextual layer of 132 supplementary records, identified through citation tracking and targeted searches using emic specialist terms, broadened interpretation but was not treated as methodologically equivalent to the PRISMA-derived corpus. Across the 186 analytical records, 74 harmonized specialist terms and 212 botanical entries associated with therapeutic, ritual, spiritual, or community-based practices were identified. The botanical matrix comprised 68 families and 166 genera, with Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, and Fabaceae as the most represented families. The results reveal terminological diversity, regional asymmetries in documentation, and the predominance of broad labels alongside terms with greater emic density. Plants operate as pharmacological resources, ritual supports, spiritual mediators, instruments of protection, territorial markers, and performative elements of healing. These specialists should be understood as mediators of complex therapeutic systems. The findings represent the indexed and traceable supplementary literature analyzed and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of ritual healing traditions worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ethnobotany)
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35 pages, 2033 KB  
Article
Machine Learning and Data Science for ESG Compliance Measurement in Financial Software Engineering Projects: A Single-Case Socio-Technical Systems Analysis
by Kenneth David Strang and Narasimha Rao Vajjhala
Systems 2026, 14(8), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14080990 - 14 Aug 2026
Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science into organizational evaluation practices creates socio-technical systems in which human rating behavior, organizational templates, regulatory pressure, and analytical algorithms jointly determine what can be measured and learned. This single-case study examines the measurement of [...] Read more.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science into organizational evaluation practices creates socio-technical systems in which human rating behavior, organizational templates, regulatory pressure, and analytical algorithms jointly determine what can be measured and learned. This single-case study examines the measurement of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance in financial software engineering projects, treating one firm’s project evaluation practice as a socio-technical system and applying an open-source data science and machine learning workflow to 207 anonymized archival project records. Correlation analysis revealed near-unity associations between the stakeholder-rated social and governance factors and the overall project score (r = +0.995 and +0.966, p < 0.001), while the environmental factor was unrelated to the score; post-hoc diagnostics (a seven-component principal-component structure, Harman’s screen, selective near-zero same-source correlations, and marker-variable partial correlations) bind, but cannot eliminate, method-based explanations, so the coefficients are interpreted as a descriptive property of the firm’s evaluation system rather than as estimates of relationships between validated, distinct constructs. Exploratory machine learning classifiers performed weakly—kNN at chance (AUC = 0.497) and SVM only modestly above the no-information baseline (accuracy 61.8%)—a result consistent with the constraints that the social subsystem imposes on the learnability of the records it generates, although technical factors, including the dichotomization of the target variable, the modest sample size, and model configuration, cannot be ruled out as contributing explanations; descriptive statistics are reported for all variables, and a diagnostic analysis reconciles the apparent divergence between the near-unity correlations and the weak classification performance by showing that the two rest on different feature sets, the near-redundant social and governance ratings having been withheld from the classifiers. The findings offer a proof of concept and a structured agenda for AI-enabled, project-level ESG measurement in socio-technical systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Socio-Technical Systems)
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19 pages, 6994 KB  
Systematic Review
Inter-Brain Synchronization via Hyperscanning and Frontoparietal Network Modulation During Social Cooperation in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review
by Wilson Alexander Zambrano Vélez, Pedro Gabriel Marcano Molano, Ángela Sharon Fariño Banchón, Julio César Rivera Ruiz, Carlos Alexy Lucas Mero and Yamilex Estefanía Zambrano Carreño
Physiologia 2026, 6(3), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia6030051 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 21
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Inter-brain synchronization (IBS) has emerged as a key indicator of social cognition, reflecting the temporal alignment of neural activities across individuals. This systematic review aimed to determine the neurophysiological markers of inter-brain synchronization and the modulation of Frontoparietal Networks during social cooperation [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Inter-brain synchronization (IBS) has emerged as a key indicator of social cognition, reflecting the temporal alignment of neural activities across individuals. This systematic review aimed to determine the neurophysiological markers of inter-brain synchronization and the modulation of Frontoparietal Networks during social cooperation tasks in healthy adults. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a search was executed across Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and APA PsycInfo. Hyperscanning studies using EEG, fNIRS, or dual fMRI that evaluated dyads in cooperative contexts were selected based on the PICO framework, with methodological quality rigorously assessed through the MMAT. Results: Eleven studies were included, predominantly utilizing fNIRS (72.7%) and undirected statistical coupling metrics. The data reveal a recurring spatial convergence in key nodes of the Frontoparietal Network (FPN), the Mirror Neuron System (MNS), and the Theory of Mind (ToM) network (IFG, dlPFC, rTPJ, and precuneus) during social cooperation conditions. Although evidence suggests preliminary inter-brain coupling within these networks during social cooperation, the high methodological heterogeneity of the studies precludes the establishment of a definitive causal mechanism. Conclusions: Therefore, inter-brain synchronization should be interpreted as an associative correlate and shared computational task state that requires greater experimental and instrumental standardization in future research. Full article
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22 pages, 18016 KB  
Article
Protective Effects of Prenatal Bacopa monnieri Extract Against Valproic Acid-Induced Autism-like Behavioral and Neurohistological Alterations in Mice
by Zainab M. Almalki, Ashwaq H. Batawi, Asma Almuhammadi, Safaa A. Alowaidi, Suad H. Almasoudi, Jehan Alamri and Mona A. AL-Thepyani
Molecules 2026, 31(16), 2783; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31162783 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 221
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors. Oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the neuro-degeneration and behavioral abnormalities associated with ASD. Bacopa monnieri (BM), a medicinal herb with potent antioxidant [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors. Oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the neuro-degeneration and behavioral abnormalities associated with ASD. Bacopa monnieri (BM), a medicinal herb with potent antioxidant and neuro-protective properties, has shown promise in mitigating oxidative damage. This study evaluated the preventive effects of BM extract on behavioral and neuro-histological alterations in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced mouse model of ASD. Pregnant mice received BM extract (400 mg/kg, orally) throughout gestation, while VPA (600 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally on embryonic day 12 (E12). Behavioral assessments included the open field test, righting reflex, three-chamber social interaction, marble burying, and hot plate tests. Oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), were quantified in hippocampal and cerebellar tissues. BM-treated offspring showed significant behavioral improvements, including reduced hyperactivity in the open field test (p < 0.0001), along with restored brain tissue architecture. Moreover, BM extract decreased MDA levels and elevated GSH concentrations, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. In conclusion, Bacopa monnieri extract exerts protective effects against autism-like symptoms by enhancing antioxidant defenses and preserving neural integrity, suggesting its potential as a natural preventive strategy for ASD. Full article
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16 pages, 359 KB  
Article
Social and Functional Risk Patterns and All-Cause Mortality Among US Adults with Chronic Liver Disease
by Chukwuemeka E. Ogbu, Ndukwe J. Kalu, Henry E. Orjiudeh, Nonso Desmond Okeke, Maureen Okafor, Lekhya Kollu, Chinazor Umerah and Philip N. Okafor
Med. Sci. 2026, 14(4), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14040455 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Importance: Chronic liver disease requires sustained engagement with the health system, which co-occurring social and functional risks may disrupt. Whether these risks form reproducible patterns with different mortality associations is uncertain. Objective: To identify social and functional risk patterns among US adults with [...] Read more.
Importance: Chronic liver disease requires sustained engagement with the health system, which co-occurring social and functional risks may disrupt. Whether these risks form reproducible patterns with different mortality associations is uncertain. Objective: To identify social and functional risk patterns among US adults with chronic liver disease and evaluate their associations with all-cause mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants: Nationally representative cohort study of National Health Interview Survey sample adults interviewed from 2011 through 2018 and linked to the National Death Index through 31 December 2019. Participants were aged 18 years or older, eligible for mortality linkage, reported a chronic liver condition, and had no baseline liver cancer. Exposures: Latent class membership derived from 7 binary indicators: poverty, food insecurity, uninsurance, cost-related delayed care, no usual place of care, single-adult household status, and activity limitation. A complete 0- to 7-item count was a secondary exposure. Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause mortality. Survey-weighted Cox models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with sequential demographic, clinical, and liver-specific adjustment. Prespecified sensitivity analyses used 20 multiple imputed data sets, sampling-weighted pseudo-likelihood latent class models, complete-case re-estimation, a fixed 5-year horizon, and class-by-age interaction testing. Results: Among 3407 adults (weighted mean age, 54.0 years; 49.4% female), 529 deaths occurred over 17,297.6 person-years (median follow-up, 5.0 years [IQR, 3.0–7.0]). Four classes were retained: low social and access burden (weighted prevalence, 63.1%); functional limitation with financial strain (13.2%); poverty, single-adult household, and functional limitation (15.0%); and uninsurance with major access barriers (8.7%). Compared with the low-burden class, the functional-limitation/financial-strain class had higher adjusted mortality (HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.34–2.82; p < 0.001); the other 2 classes did not differ significantly. Sampling-weighted latent class analysis after multiple imputation reproduced 97.2% of modal assignments, and the association persisted with attenuation (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.08–2.22; p = 0.02). Each additional risk was associated with higher mortality (exact count: HR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.13–1.36]; imputed count: HR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.10–1.29]). The class-by-age interaction was not significant (p = 0.41). Conclusions and Relevance: Among US adults with self-reported chronic liver disease, social and functional adversity was both cumulative and patterned. A profile combining functional limitation, food insecurity, and cost-related delayed care had the clearest independent mortality association despite largely retained insurance coverage. These profiles are not a validated clinical score, but the findings argue against reliance on any single indicator, particularly insurance status, as a marker of vulnerability. Full article
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28 pages, 506 KB  
Article
Multivariable Associations of Anthropometric and Psychosocial Markers with an Elevated Abdominal Volume Index Among University Students: A Sex- and Academic Program-Stratified Analysis
by Ioana Mihaela Tomulescu, Mihai Ion Marian and Ciprian Brisc
Healthcare 2026, 14(15), 2395; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152395 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 174
Abstract
Background: The Adiposity Volume Index (AVI) is a modern geometric tool for tracking central body fat. However, how it interacts with prenatal markers (2D:4D ratio), advanced anthropometric indexes, and psychological factors across different academic disciplines remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates the sex-specific [...] Read more.
Background: The Adiposity Volume Index (AVI) is a modern geometric tool for tracking central body fat. However, how it interacts with prenatal markers (2D:4D ratio), advanced anthropometric indexes, and psychological factors across different academic disciplines remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates the sex-specific association profiles and screening capacity of these parameters in healthy university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 445 students (199 men and 246 women) from Biomedical Sciences (BS), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and Social Sciences and Physiotherapy (SSP) academic programs. Anthropometric indicators (Body Mass Index—BMI, Body Surface Area—BSA, Weight-adjusted Waist Index—WWI, Sagittal Abdominal Diameter-to-Waist circumference Ratio—SAD-to-Waist Ratio), the right-hand digital 2D:4D ratio (R-2D:4D), and Perceived Stress Questionnaire scores (PSQ) were assessed. Data were analyzed using multi-layered linear regression and ROC curve analysis. Results: In male students, BMI, BSA and WWI consistently co-varied with AVI across all academic programs (R2 > 0.978, p < 0.001). In contrast, a major psychosomatic interaction emerged in female students. Among stressed BS students, the linear association model shifted (R2 = 0.313, lost significance), and the prenatal R-2D:4D ratio became a significant negative independent correlate (B = −87.780, p = 0.019). ROC analysis revealed that optimal BMI cut-offs for elevated AVI were 26.96 kg/m2 (AUC = 0.957) for men and 24.89 kg/m2 (AUC = 0.972) for women. Notably, perceived stress was a significant diagnostic marker only for female students (AUC = 0.621, p < 0.001, cut-off = 65.50). Conclusions: Perceived academic stress exhibits a significant concurrent association with abdominal fat distribution patterns exclusively in female biomedical students, co-varying with prenatal endocrine markers within the studied cohort. Furthermore, AVI-driven screening demonstrates that metabolic vulnerabilities in these young adults may accumulate within the conventional normal-weight BMI range for women, emphasizing the potential utility of sex-tailored clinical assessments. Full article
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16 pages, 261 KB  
Article
Kinship Terms in Tan’ean Language of the Manni Ethnic Group and Jaahaai Language of the Mueng’ra Ethnic Group in Southern Thailand
by Karansupamas Engchuan
Genealogy 2026, 10(3), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy10030103 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 229
Abstract
Indigenous languages in Southern Thailand are increasingly affected by modernization, digital communication, and language contact, yet the relationship between kinship terminology, social organization, and linguistic sustainability among Indigenous Austroasiatic-speaking communities remains insufficiently explored. This study addresses three research questions: (1) how Tan’ean and [...] Read more.
Indigenous languages in Southern Thailand are increasingly affected by modernization, digital communication, and language contact, yet the relationship between kinship terminology, social organization, and linguistic sustainability among Indigenous Austroasiatic-speaking communities remains insufficiently explored. This study addresses three research questions: (1) how Tan’ean and Jaahaai kinship systems differ in their semantic structures and classificatory patterns; (2) how kinship terms reflect cultural worldviews, social organization, and relational values of the Manni and Mueng’ra communities; and (3) what challenges influence the transmission and sustainability of kinship-related linguistic knowledge. This study aims to comparatively analyze consanguineal and affinal kinship terminology in the Tan’ean language of the Manni ethnic group and the Jaahaai language of the Mueng’ra ethnic group, focusing on how kinship systems encode cultural worldviews, social relations, and adaptive strategies under contemporary change. Guided by Componential Analysis and Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory, this study employed a qualitative ethnolinguistic approach. Data were collected through genealogical elicitation, in-depth interviews, and participant observation with 40 key informants from Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces. The data were analyzed through semantic feature identification and comparative interpretation of kinship structures. The findings demonstrate that, despite shared Austroasiatic heritage, Tan’ean and Jaahaai exhibit distinct kinship systems reflecting different cultural logics. In response to the first research question, the findings reveal that the Manni system resembles the Hawaiian type, emphasizing egalitarian relations, generational categories, and inclusive incorporation of affinal relatives, whereas the Mueng’ra system shows Crow–Omaha characteristics, including generational skewing, gender-specific markers, hierarchical classification, and stronger influence from dominant regional languages. Regarding the second research question, the findings demonstrate that kinship terminology functions as a cultural mechanism for organizing social relationships, identity, and intergenerational obligations, reflecting different models of Indigenous social organization. For the third research question, the study identifies language contact, changing social conditions, and reduced intergenerational transmission as challenges affecting the continuity of Indigenous kinship knowledge. Therefore, the study recommends community-based orthographies, participatory digital learning platforms, and policies supporting Indigenous linguistic rights to strengthen language revitalization, cultural continuity, and Indigenous communities’ capacity to adapt to social transformation. Full article
17 pages, 256 KB  
Article
Anthropological Linguistic Study of Names as Representations of Family and Community Origins and Identity Among the Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria
by Ikenna Kamalu, Ngozi Georginia Ugochukwu and Chisom Paula Ogamba
Genealogy 2026, 10(3), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy10030100 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 392
Abstract
Names and naming are some of the ways by which Igbo families and communities of Southeastern Nigeria construe and express ideation about their origins, kinship, intergroup relations, social and spiritual roles, and identity. The names that most Igbo families and communities bear provide [...] Read more.
Names and naming are some of the ways by which Igbo families and communities of Southeastern Nigeria construe and express ideation about their origins, kinship, intergroup relations, social and spiritual roles, and identity. The names that most Igbo families and communities bear provide information about their ancestry, historical ties, and the experiences and circumstances that define their existence as a distinct people. Among the Igbo, names are not merely a means of identification; they are perceived as carriers of history and social experiences. Igbo communities and families use names to identify the descendants (umu—children) of a particular progenitor, indicate the specific number of in-group members that share common ancestry or social bond (name + number marker), indicate the spatial location of a community, and indicate the spiritual roles of a community or family. Igbo families in particular use the names they bear to frame the social experiences and situations that surround the birth of a child (nwa), peculiar professions associated with a family, and peculiar social, economic or spiritual roles associated with some families, among other uses. Thus, based on the tenets of anthropological/cultural linguistics, this study will examine the social and cultural–cognitive factors that shape how the Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria derive community and family names. While insights from anthropological linguistics provide the framework for the study of the names in the social and cultural contexts, the cognitive dimensions of this study derive from the framework of Cultural Linguistics (CL). This ensures that the cognitive aspects of the names are integrated into the analysis. Many of the existing studies on Igbo names and naming practices have centred chiefly on personal names, while only a handful have focused on community and family names among the Igbo. This study, which draws chiefly from anthropological linguistics (AL) and Cultural Linguistics (CL), aims to address this lacuna. Full article
34 pages, 7884 KB  
Article
Integrated Epidemiological and Extracellular Vesicle Profiling Identifies miR-126-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-92a-3p and SNAIL as Candidate Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardio-Metabolic Risk
by Luis Alberto Gómez-Grosso, Gladis Estella Montoya Ortiz, Jhon Jairo Osorio-Méndez, María Paula Aulestia-Vacca, Shirley Natali Iza Rodríguez and Ana Yiby Forero Torres
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(15), 6966; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27156966 - 3 Aug 2026
Viewed by 372
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTA), obesity (OB), and cardiovascular disease (CVD), represent a major global health burden and disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations. Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are stable carriers of proteins and regulatory RNAs that may [...] Read more.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTA), obesity (OB), and cardiovascular disease (CVD), represent a major global health burden and disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations. Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are stable carriers of proteins and regulatory RNAs that may reflect endothelial dysfunction and cardiometabolic stress. This study explored plasma-derived EV-associated biomarkers in adults from La Guajira, Colombia, with emphasis on miR-126-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-92a-3p, and SNAIL. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were obtained from a cross-sectional cohort. Representative plasma samples were selected for EVs isolation by size-exclusion chromatography. Vesicles were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, scanning transmission electron microscopy, protein quantification, Western blotting, and bead-based flow cytometry. Candidate miRNAs were identified by small RNA sequencing and validated by stem-loop RT-qPCR. Bioinformatic enrichment analyses were performed using miRNet 2.0 and KEGG pathway analysis. The epidemiological cohort showed a high cardiometabolic burden, with waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index emerging as key markers of central adiposity and metabolic dysfunction. Plasma-derived EVs displayed the expected nanoscale morphology and expressed canonical vesicle markers. Protein cargo analyses revealed EMT- and remodeling-associated proteins, including SNAIL and GAL-3. EV-associated miR-126-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-92a-3p were enriched predominantly in hypertensive and hypertensive-diabetic groups. In an exploratory sub-cohort, CD31-positive EVs showed a trend toward increased expression in individuals with previous myocardial infarction or stroke (p = 0.057). KEGG enrichment analysis linked the identified miRNA signature to pathways involved in endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, vascular remodeling, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix organization. Plasma-derived EVs from individuals with cardiometabolic disorders carry molecular signatures consistent with endothelial stress and vascular remodeling. These findings identify miR-126-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-92a-3p, SNAIL, and CD31-positive EVs as exploratory candidate biomarkers that require validation in larger prospective cohorts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Cardiovascular and Vascular Biology)
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22 pages, 20211 KB  
Article
Evaluating Urban–Rural Disparity of Public Facilities Provision in Chengdu–Chongqing: An Equity Index Approach with Multi-Source Data
by Xuan Liu, Youxin Qian, Guohui Zhou, Guangyu Xu, Junmin Lyu, Legend Zhang and Ergang Wen
Systems 2026, 14(8), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14080903 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 150
Abstract
Urban–rural public facility disparity is a systemic challenge that reflects dysfunctional feedback loops within and across social and technical subsystems. Traditional administrative-unit-based analyses cannot capture such systemic alignments. This study applies the marker-controlled watershed segmentation (MWS) algorithm, the Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) [...] Read more.
Urban–rural public facility disparity is a systemic challenge that reflects dysfunctional feedback loops within and across social and technical subsystems. Traditional administrative-unit-based analyses cannot capture such systemic alignments. This study applies the marker-controlled watershed segmentation (MWS) algorithm, the Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) method, and spatial clustering methods sequentially to dynamically separate urban from rural areas and assess the urban–rural disparity in public facility provisions within the Chengdu–Chongqing economic circle (CCEC). The results indicate: (1) The distribution of public facilities in the CCEC is characterized by significant spatial inequity, predominantly manifested as a substantial disparity between urban and rural areas. (2) A significant misalignment exists between the supply of public facilities and the demands of vulnerable groups. Rural residents, low-income groups, and elderly people are at a disadvantage in accessing public facilities. (3) Rural residents are concentrated in low-income areas and have the most limited ability to obtain public facility services and resources, especially in terms of healthcare facilities. By replacing predefined administrative boundaries with image-derived functional urban–rural patches, the proposed framework enables a more spatially realistic assessment of urban–rural public facility disparities. This approach provides a transferable tool for system-level decision-making in regional planning, particularly for targeting resource allocation in underserved areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Geospatial AI: Systems, Model, Methods, and Applications)
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31 pages, 15318 KB  
Review
Non-Human Primates as a Comprehensive Model for Studying Epigenetic Markers of Aging
by Viktoria M. Petrova, Evgeniia V. Simoroz, Natalia A. Dudko and Jelena Vasilevska
Genes 2026, 17(8), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17080905 - 30 Jul 2026
Viewed by 511
Abstract
Non-human primates (NHPs) serve as indispensable models for aging research due to their evolutionary proximity to humans, conserved epigenetic mechanisms, and lifespans amenable to longitudinal investigation. This review synthesizes age-related epigenetic modifications in NHPs, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding [...] Read more.
Non-human primates (NHPs) serve as indispensable models for aging research due to their evolutionary proximity to humans, conserved epigenetic mechanisms, and lifespans amenable to longitudinal investigation. This review synthesizes age-related epigenetic modifications in NHPs, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation, and evaluates their alignment with human epigenetic markers. Epigenetic clocks developed on human data demonstrate robust predictive capacity in NHPs, and numerous age-associated methylation patterns are evolutionarily conserved. However, most epigenetic changes exhibit pronounced tissue specificity, with only a limited number of markers showing cross-tissue and cross-species consistency. Critical modulating factors such as sexual dimorphism, social hierarchy, environmental stressors, and early-life adversity significantly influence epigenetic aging trajectories. Current research remains restricted to a narrow subset of NHP taxa, predominantly macaques and baboons; expanding to include great apes would deepen our understanding of primate epigenetic aging. Advancing the field requires integrating multi-tissue, multi-species, and multi-omics approaches, including single-cell resolution analyses, to distinguish conserved mechanisms from lineage-specific adaptations. Such an integrative framework is essential for translating epigenetic discoveries into clinical interventions. By leveraging the unique advantages of NHPs, controlled interventional studies, longitudinal multi-tissue sampling, and causal mechanistic dissection, researchers can bridge basic discovery and therapeutic development. This approach promises to refine our understanding of aging biology and guide the rational design of next-generation therapeutics, from epigenetic modulators to lifestyle interventions, ultimately paving the way for personalized strategies that extend both lifespan and healthspan. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Epigenomics)
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10 pages, 241 KB  
Perspective
Problems and Challenges with Analysis of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) in Animal DNA
by Aleksandra Figura and Magdalena Gryzinska
Animals 2026, 16(15), 2321; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152321 - 28 Jul 2026
Viewed by 302
Abstract
The number of households with pets has been steadily increasing in recent years, highlighting the growing social and economic importance of companion animals. The increasing role of animals in human life and the need for biodiversity protection have contributed to growing interest in [...] Read more.
The number of households with pets has been steadily increasing in recent years, highlighting the growing social and economic importance of companion animals. The increasing role of animals in human life and the need for biodiversity protection have contributed to growing interest in animal DNA analysis, although it still remains less developed than human forensic genetics. Current research focuses on genetic identification, parentage verification, biodiversity monitoring, and wildlife forensic investigations. DNA identification methods have evolved from restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, which is currently one of the most widely used approaches due to its high sensitivity, discriminatory power, and the possibility of multiplex amplification. Recent advances include the implementation of massively parallel sequencing (MPS/NGS), sequence-based STR typing, and integrated SNPSTR systems, which significantly improve the interpretation of complex and degraded samples. Despite challenges associated with PCR artefacts, stutter formation, allelic imbalance, and interpretation of low-template DNA, STR markers remain valuable tools in forensic analyses, conservation genetics, and combating illegal wildlife trade. Continued development of new marker panels, standardized nomenclature systems, and bioinformatic approaches is essential for improving the effectiveness and reliability of animal genetic identification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)
37 pages, 861 KB  
Article
Longitudinal Trajectories of Cognitive Control and Theory of Mind in Amnestic and Non-Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: Prospective Associations of Objective Sleep Duration
by Areti Batzikosta, Magda Tsolaki, Paschalis Steiropoulos, Georgia Papantoniou, Ioanna Giannoula Katsouri, Maria Sofologi, Glykeria Tsentidou, Athanasios Voulgaris, Stave Vergopoulou, Konstantinos I. Bougioukas and Despina Moraitou
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(15), 5780; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15155780 - 23 Jul 2026
Viewed by 415
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sleep disturbances are increasingly implicated in age-related cognitive decline and may contribute to heterogeneity in cognitive and social–cognitive functioning in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether longitudinal actigraphy-derived sleep parameters predict social cognition, including theory of mind (ToM), across [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sleep disturbances are increasingly implicated in age-related cognitive decline and may contribute to heterogeneity in cognitive and social–cognitive functioning in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether longitudinal actigraphy-derived sleep parameters predict social cognition, including theory of mind (ToM), across amnestic (aMCI) and non-amnestic (naMCI) MCI subtypes. This study examined longitudinal trajectories of cognitive control and ToM in individuals with aMCI and naMCI and healthy older adults, and investigated whether actigraphy-derived sleep indices prospectively predict subsequent cognitive control and higher-order social cognition across these groups. Methods: A total of 179 participants (46 healthy controls, 75 aMCI, 58 naMCI) were assessed across three waves over approximately 16–20 months. Actigraphy-derived sleep indices were obtained using wrist actigraphy. Cognitive control was assessed with Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System subtests, whereas ToM was evaluated through tasks involving non-literal language comprehension, metaphor and proverb interpretation, higher-order mentalizing, and emotion recognition. Longitudinal trajectories were examined using mixed-design ANOVAs, and prospective sleep effects were tested using longitudinal path models. Results: Both cognitive control and ToM declined over time in the MCI groups, whereas healthy controls showed relative stability. Subtype differences in cognitive control emerged primarily in higher-order planning and rule-monitoring processes, with naMCI showing greater impairment. ToM revealed a clearer and more consistent gradient (healthy controls > aMCI > naMCI), particularly in higher-order inferential tasks. Among the actigraphy-derived sleep indices, only TST prospectively predicted later ToM performance, whereas prospective associations with cognitive control were limited and inconsistent. Conclusions: Reduced sleep duration was prospectively associated with poorer subsequent performance in higher-order social cognition, independently of the executive-control measures examined. These findings highlight phenotypic heterogeneity across MCI subtypes and suggest that objectively measured sleep duration may serve as a clinically relevant longitudinal marker of social–cognitive vulnerability. Future studies are needed to determine whether interventions targeting sleep duration are associated with improved social–cognitive outcomes. Full article
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Article
EEG Markers as a Tool for the Individualization of Education and Optimization of Social Interventions for Children from Alcohol-Affected Families
by Małgorzata Chojak and Marta Czechowska-Bieluga
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(7), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16070769 - 22 Jul 2026
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Background: Children growing up in alcohol-affected families are exposed to chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), emotional insecurity, and environmental instability, all of which may influence neurodevelopmental processes. Numerous EEG markers have been proposed as indicators of attentional regulation, emotional functioning, and [...] Read more.
Background: Children growing up in alcohol-affected families are exposed to chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), emotional insecurity, and environmental instability, all of which may influence neurodevelopmental processes. Numerous EEG markers have been proposed as indicators of attentional regulation, emotional functioning, and stress responsivity; however, their relative diagnostic and practical value remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to verify whether commonly reported EEG markers remain valid indicators of neurofunctional difficulties in children from alcohol-affected families, to establish their hierarchy of importance, and to determine how identified neurofunctional profiles may inform the sequencing of educational interventions and the development of individualized support plans used by educators and social workers. Methods: The study included children aged 6–10 years from alcohol-affected families (n = 20) and a control group from non-dysfunctional family environments (n = 25). Resting-state EEG recordings were conducted under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, with analyses focused on the eyes-open condition. Quantitative EEG (qEEG) indices included global, frontal, prefrontal, and midline Theta–Beta Ratio (TBR), frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), temporal beta stress and parietal beta2 tension. EEG preprocessing was performed using EEGLAB and included artifact rejection, filtering, epoch segmentation, and spectral power analysis. Group differences were analyzed using Welch’s t-tests with Benjamini–Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons. Results: The analyzed EEG markers differed in their ability to distinguish children from alcohol-affected families and controls. The strongest effects were observed for Theta–Beta Ratio (TBR) measures, particularly in frontal and prefrontal regions, indicating impairments in attention regulation, executive functioning, and self-control. Elevated temporal beta stress and parietal beta2 tension reflected increased physiological arousal and chronic stress. In contrast, frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), commonly associated with depressive emotional processing, was not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. The obtained findings enabled the establishment of a hierarchy of neurofunctional markers, with attentional and executive-function indicators demonstrating greater importance than markers related to depressive symptomatology. Conclusions: The EEG profile of children from alcohol-affected families is characterized primarily by chronic stress, heightened physiological activation, and impaired attention regulation rather than by neurophysiological patterns associated with depression. The results suggest that educational difficulties in this group may stem mainly from deficits in attention control, inhibitory processes, and cognitive flexibility. Consequently, educational interventions should prioritize learning strategies, attentional training, and self-regulated learning skills. The identified hierarchy of EEG markers may also support the development of individualized educational plans and social-support programs, including participation in structured extracurricular activities and interventions aimed at strengthening executive and learning-related competencies. However, given the pilot nature of the present study and the relatively small sample size, these findings should be considered preliminary. Replication in larger, more diverse, and independent cohorts is necessary to confirm the stability, reliability, and generalizability of the identified neurofunctional profile and the proposed hierarchy of qEEG markers before they can be recommended for broader educational and social applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroeducation: Bridging Cognitive Science and Classroom Practice)
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