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31 pages, 2397 KB  
Article
Land Use Restrictions and Livelihood Resilience in Ethnic Minority Communities Around the Giant Panda National Park, China: A Configurational Analysis
by Yubo Ma, Guoqing Shi and Yitong Guo
Land 2026, 15(9), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15091665 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Protected areas increasingly reshape land use rules, resource accessibility, and livelihood opportunities for adjacent communities. However, household livelihood resilience under protected-area land use restrictions is rarely explained by a single factor; rather, it is better understood through the combined configurations of spatial constraint [...] Read more.
Protected areas increasingly reshape land use rules, resource accessibility, and livelihood opportunities for adjacent communities. However, household livelihood resilience under protected-area land use restrictions is rarely explained by a single factor; rather, it is better understood through the combined configurations of spatial constraint intensity, natural-capital dependence, social capital, and alternative livelihood capacity. Taking households in five sampled Yi, Qiang, and Hui villages around the Giant Panda National Park in China as empirical cases, this study examines the configurational relationships through which land use restrictions are associated with household livelihood resilience. Based on survey data from 200 households in five sampled Yi, Qiang, and Hui villages, supplemented by participatory rural appraisal and semi-structured interviews, we apply fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to identify configurations associated with both high and low livelihood resilience. The results identify two robust high-resilience pathways: an opportunity conversion pathway characterized by weak spatial constraints and strong alternative livelihood capacity, and a dual-capacity support pathway in which social capital and alternative livelihood capacity jointly support livelihood resilience under natural-capital dependence. A third, less robust configuration is interpreted as a supplementary low-exposure livelihood stability configuration rather than active adaptive resilience. The analysis of low livelihood resilience further identifies a constraint-dependent vulnerability pathway characterized by strong spatial constraints, high natural-capital dependence, and the absence of alternative livelihood capacity. These pathways are closely associated with community-specific spatial locations and livelihood traditions. Rather than treating ethnicity as an intrinsic causal factor, this study interprets it as a socially embedded expression of spatial location, livelihood traditions, and informal institutional resources. The findings further suggest that the role of social capital depends not only on its volume but also on whether it can be converted into governance and livelihood-support functions. This study contributes to protected-area livelihood research by clarifying the configurational relationships through which land use restrictions are associated with household livelihood resilience, and it provides implications for differentiated governance and sustainable land management in national park regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)
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47 pages, 5651 KB  
Review
Towards Sustainable Recovery of Phenolics, Proteins, and Arabinoxylans from Brewer’s Spent Grain Through Deep Eutectic Solvents: Extraction Strategies, Structure–Function Relationships, and Food Biorefinery Perspective
by Mohammad Afzal Hossain, Benjamin T. Lobel, Andrew J. Currie, Costas Stathopoulos and Suwimol Chockchaisawasdee
Foods 2026, 15(18), 3173; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15183173 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the primary by-product of the brewing industry and a low-cost lignocellulosic resource rich in phenolics, proteins, and arabinoxylans (AXs). Conventional recovery methods using acids, alkalis, and organic solvents often involve energy-intensive processes, generate hazardous waste, and limit food-grade [...] Read more.
Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is the primary by-product of the brewing industry and a low-cost lignocellulosic resource rich in phenolics, proteins, and arabinoxylans (AXs). Conventional recovery methods using acids, alkalis, and organic solvents often involve energy-intensive processes, generate hazardous waste, and limit food-grade applications. This review critically examines the evolution of extraction methodologies for BSG bioactives, highlighting the potential of deep eutectic solvents (DES) as sustainable alternatives. Key factors such as solvent chemistry (polarity, pH, and water content) influence bioactives’ recovery and selectivity. Process intensification techniques such as ultrasound, microwave, and pressurised liquid extraction enhance efficiency by reducing extraction time and temperature. The review assesses how various processes modify the structure–function properties of BSG bioactives, including antioxidant activity, protein functionality, and rheological behaviour. A significant finding is that DES research has primarily focused on single compounds, while integrated DES biorefineries for comprehensive valorisation remain underexplored. Future research should therefore prioritise integrated process design that balances recovery, structural preservation, functionality, and sustainability to support scalable, near-zero-waste BSG valorisation for food and nutraceutical applications. Full article
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23 pages, 1093 KB  
Review
Mesenteric Panniculitis and the Gut–Mesentery–Metabolic Axis: A Hypothesis-Generating Narrative Review
by Sorina Ispas, Viviana Maggio, Syed Arman Rabbani, Adil Farooq Wali, Bhoomendra A. Bhongade, Sirajunisa Talath, Imran Rashid Rangraze, Shakta Mani Satyam, Ashot Avagimyan, Karolina Hoffmann, Ioannis Ilias, Anna Paczkowska, Mohamed El-Tanani and Manfredi Rizzo
Biomedicines 2026, 14(9), 2017; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14092017 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder of mesenteric adipose tissue. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. Gut dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, metabolic endotoxemia, glycemic variability (GV), and vascular dysfunction have been implicated in inflammatory and metabolic disorders, but their specific involvement in MP [...] Read more.
Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder of mesenteric adipose tissue. Its pathophysiology remains unclear. Gut dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, metabolic endotoxemia, glycemic variability (GV), and vascular dysfunction have been implicated in inflammatory and metabolic disorders, but their specific involvement in MP has not been established. This narrative review integrates MP-specific clinical evidence with indirect mechanistic evidence from related metabolic, inflammatory, and experimental settings to examine the possible relationships between these mechanisms and MP and their integration within a proposed gut–mesentery–metabolic axis. The literature was reviewed through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant publications from 2018 to 2026, supplemented by earlier foundational studies identified through reference-list screening and targeted searches. Current data suggest that dysbiosis and impaired intestinal barrier function may facilitate microbial-product translocation and lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory signaling, while GV may contribute to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and pro-inflammatory responses. Mesenteric vascular anatomy and impaired regional perfusion may represent additional factors influencing local tissue susceptibility. Recent randomized controlled trials of microbiome-targeted interventions in metabolic disorders have shown heterogeneous effects on glycemic, inflammatory, and microbiota-related outcomes, indicating a need for further investigation of individualized microbiome-directed strategies. Direct evidence that microbial, metabolic, or vascular mechanisms initiate or sustain MP is currently limited. Accordingly, the proposed gut–mesentery–metabolic axis should be interpreted as a hypothesis-generating framework rather than an established causal model. Prospective MP-specific studies integrating microbiome profiling, validated measures of intestinal barrier function, metabolic phenotyping, GV, vascular assessment, and imaging are required to test the proposed relationships. Full article
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38 pages, 30774 KB  
Article
Morphological Factors Shaping the Spatial Vitality of Post-Disaster Commercial Blocks in Yenikent, Türkiye
by Bekir Huseyin Tekin and Idris Can Iriz
Land 2026, 15(9), 1661; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15091661 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Post-disaster reconstruction often prioritises the rapid delivery of housing and infrastructure, yet the long-term everyday performance of commercial environments embedded in recovery plans remains poorly understood. This study investigates why broadly similar post-disaster commercial blocks in Yenikent (Sakarya, Türkiye) have developed markedly different [...] Read more.
Post-disaster reconstruction often prioritises the rapid delivery of housing and infrastructure, yet the long-term everyday performance of commercial environments embedded in recovery plans remains poorly understood. This study investigates why broadly similar post-disaster commercial blocks in Yenikent (Sakarya, Türkiye) have developed markedly different levels of spatial vitality and long-term everyday use. Yenikent is a state-led satellite city developed after the 1999 Marmara Earthquake, where residential, administrative and service functions were relocated to higher ground as part of a planned secondary urban centre. Twenty-five years later, these purpose-built commercial centres display markedly different levels and forms of everyday use, ranging from active neighbourhood service hubs to abandoned urban voids. Using a multiple-case, mixed-methods design, the study analyses all twelve post-disaster commercial clusters (eighteen buildings) through sectional and morphological analysis, a four-indicator Spatial Vitality Matrix (stationary activity, pedestrian flow, physical permeability, and active occupancy), and 88 semi-structured interviews with businesses, users, and neighbourhood headmen. The findings identify three dominant trajectories: (i) relatively robust service hubs sustained by institutional and neighbourhood anchors, (ii) fragile clusters where vitality is concentrated along accessible ground-level edges while upper or internal spaces shift towards storage, institutional, or ancillary uses, and (iii) functionally obsolete complexes associated with peripheral siting, poor topographic adaptation, and weak accessibility. The results further demonstrate that formal occupancy is not necessarily equivalent to spatial vitality: sectional relationships with the terrain, entrance legibility, façade permeability, and the integration of anchors into shared circulation are closely associated with whether commercial spaces sustain everyday activity. Interview evidence additionally reveals case-specific differences in perceived safety and gendered use of internal corridors and courtyards. The study supports a section-sensitive approach to post-disaster commercial development that prioritises topographic adaptation, legible access, active edges, and the integration of everyday anchors into shared spatial networks. Full article
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36 pages, 1188 KB  
Review
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Enhancing Psychological Well-Being in Athletes: A Scoping Review of Randomised Controlled Trials
by Nafih Cherappurath, Halil İbrahim Ceylan, E. Anakha, Saranya T. Satheesan, Deniz Öztürk, Muhammed Ali Thoompenthodi, Masilamani Elayaraja, Rinsa Raj, Raul Ioan Muntean and P. C Firdousiya
Healthcare 2026, 14(18), 2899; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14182899 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained increasing attention in sport psychology due to their potential to enhance psychological well-being and performance-related outcomes among athletes. Despite various systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining mindfulness in athletic contexts, broader scoping evidence mapping randomised controlled trials (RCTs) [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained increasing attention in sport psychology due to their potential to enhance psychological well-being and performance-related outcomes among athletes. Despite various systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining mindfulness in athletic contexts, broader scoping evidence mapping randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of MBIs targeting psychological well-being among athletes remains limited. This scoping review aims to map and synthesise empirical evidence from RCTs examining MBIs and psychological outcomes among athletes, identify methodological and conceptual gaps, and guide future systematic reviews and meta-analytic investigations. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and was reported according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, initially in March 2026 and updated in April 2026. Data were extracted on study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention features, comparator conditions, outcome measures, and key findings. Results: A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The included studies generally reported beneficial effects of MBIs across psychological well-being, emotion regulation, cognitive functioning, and sport-related psychological outcomes among athletes. Beneficial effects were reported for several outcomes, including mindfulness, mental toughness, emotional intelligence, mental well-being, flow state, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, emotional regulation, attention, life satisfaction, and grit. Reductions in psychological distress, particularly anxiety and stress, were also reported in several studies, although findings for anxiety were not consistent across trials. Findings were mixed for some other outcomes, including self-esteem, acceptance, and depression. Improvements were additionally reported in social relationships, pleasure regulation, and overall psychological functioning. Conclusions: The findings suggest that MBIs may offer beneficial effects across multiple dimensions of psychological functioning among athletes, although effects were not uniform across outcomes or interventions. These findings indicate the potential utility of structured MBI programmes within athlete support settings, particularly when delivered by or in collaboration with sport psychologists and mental performance consultants, while highlighting the need for further well-designed RCTs to clarify intervention-specific effects and longer-term outcomes. Full article
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34 pages, 735 KB  
Article
From Content to Travel: How Blogs and Vlogs Shape Destination Diagnosticity and Visit Intention
by Raksmey Sann
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2026, 21(9), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer21090314 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Travel blogs and vlogs increasingly influence destination choices, yet limited research explains how their informational characteristics and planning functions help prospective tourists evaluate less familiar destinations. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework, this study examined how seven travel-content stimuli influence intention to visit Khon [...] Read more.
Travel blogs and vlogs increasingly influence destination choices, yet limited research explains how their informational characteristics and planning functions help prospective tourists evaluate less familiar destinations. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework, this study examined how seven travel-content stimuli influence intention to visit Khon Kaen through perceived destination diagnosticity. Survey data from 403 respondents were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling, bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrapping with 5000 resamples, and permutation-based multigroup analysis. Content novelty, content reliability, itinerary information, and attraction information significantly enhanced perceived destination diagnosticity, whereas content understandability, content interestingness, and accommodation information had nonsignificant effects. Perceived destination diagnosticity strongly increased visit intention and transmitted the effects of novelty, reliability, itinerary information, and attraction information. Attraction information produced the strongest direct and indirect effects. Although some relationships displayed different significance patterns across the female and male subsamples, permutation testing identified no statistically significant between-group differences. The findings position perceived destination diagnosticity as a cognitive mechanism through which digital travel content supports destination evaluation and behavioral intention. They also provide practical guidance for destination marketers, tourism businesses, and content creators seeking to develop credible, distinctive, and decision-relevant content for digital tourism platforms. Full article
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19 pages, 5147 KB  
Article
Arabidopsis TPXL Proteins Mediate a Selective Aurora Kinase–Microtubule Association During Cell Division
by Shilin Cao, Yuying Chen, Zongkuan Weng, Haiyun Ren and Pingzhou Du
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 7980; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27187980 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Microtubule organization during cell division requires coordinated regulation by microtubule-associated proteins and protein kinase signaling pathways. In animals, TPX2 (Targeting Protein for Xklp2) regulates spindle assembly by binding to and activating Aurora A kinase. In Arabidopsis, individual TPX2-like (TPXL) proteins have been [...] Read more.
Microtubule organization during cell division requires coordinated regulation by microtubule-associated proteins and protein kinase signaling pathways. In animals, TPX2 (Targeting Protein for Xklp2) regulates spindle assembly by binding to and activating Aurora A kinase. In Arabidopsis, individual TPX2-like (TPXL) proteins have been implicated in Aurora-associated functions, but whether the TPXL family members share common microtubule-associated properties and how TPXL-Aurora interactions differ across the family remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the structural and cellular relationships among the eight Arabidopsis TPX2-like proteins (TPXL1–TPXL8), microtubules, and Aurora kinases. AlphaFold3-based structural prediction indicated that specific interaction sites between TPXL proteins and tubulins were revealed at the three-dimensional structure and atomic level, suggesting that all TPXL proteins contain a conserved TPX2 domain contributing to their predicted tubulin association. Transient expression analyses showed that TPXL1–TPXL8 localized to microtubule arrays during both interphase and cell division. Although microtubule-associated domain is predicted to be conserved across the family, individual TPXL members exhibit distinct localization patterns on spindles and phragmoplasts, suggesting potential functional specialization. Further structural prediction and experimental validation revealed that only TPXL2, TPXL3, TPXL4, and TPXL8 interacted with AUR1 (Aurora 1) and AUR2, whereas no detectable interactions were observed for the other TPXL members or for any TPXL protein with AUR3. Structural prediction of TPXL–AUR1–tubulin complexes were consistent with a possible arrangement in which TPXL proteins contact both AUR1 and tubulin. Together, our findings suggest that Arabidopsis TPXL proteins have broad microtubule association and are coupled with selective Aurora kinase interaction to coordinate microtubule organization, providing a framework for future functional analysis of TPXL–Aurora–microtubule association during plant cell division. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Plant Genetic Research)
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22 pages, 1366 KB  
Case Report
Early Lean Tissue Loss and Nutritional Challenges Following Sleeve Gastrectomy in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report
by Nida Yıldız, Halil Coşkun, Serpil Görçin, Nazlı Batar, Şule Arslan and Halit Tanju Besler
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(18), 6940; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15186940 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Obesity after kidney transplantation impairs graft function, but the time course of lean tissue loss after sleeve gastrectomy in this population is poorly described. Methods: A 46-year-old woman underwent sleeve gastrectomy five years after kidney transplantation and was followed for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Obesity after kidney transplantation impairs graft function, but the time course of lean tissue loss after sleeve gastrectomy in this population is poorly described. Methods: A 46-year-old woman underwent sleeve gastrectomy five years after kidney transplantation and was followed for 33 months with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and three 24-h dietary recalls per visit. Results: Weight fell from 103.4 to 69.4 kg by month 6, with mild regain to 71.9 kg at month 33. BIA-derived fat-free mass, BIA-predicted total muscle mass and BIA-derived skeletal muscle mass reached their lowest recorded values at month 3, each 21.3% below baseline, and were essentially unchanged at month 6; fat-free mass loss corresponded to 34.1% of the weight lost by month 6, above the thresholds proposed for excessive loss in a bariatric cohort which are research rather than clinical definitions. This early loss coincided with three concurrent exposures: energy restriction (521 and 466 kcal/day at months 1 and 3), protein intake below target during a period of aversion to protein-rich foods (33.2 g/day against a 60 g/day target), and absence of structured physical activity; anaemia was present throughout and may have contributed to both. Graft function was clinically stable but not unchanged, with estimated glomerular filtration rate 25% below baseline at month 33 and persistent proteinuria; biopsy was not performed. Conclusions: Early postoperative nutritional vulnerability was temporally associated with substantial lean tissue loss. The estimates are BIA-derived and hydration-dependent, muscle function was not assessed, and the concurrent exposures cannot be separated in a single case, so no causal relationship can be inferred. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics)
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23 pages, 511 KB  
Article
Adaptive Architectures Under Macroenvironmental Turbulence: A Comparative Study of Apple, Amazon, and McDonald’s
by Fatine El Ghali Ghorafi
Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16090431 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Purpose: This study examines how large multinational corporations translate sustained macroenvironmental volatility into deliberate strategic reconfiguration processes, and how adaptive mechanisms differ across business models and sectors under shared environmental pressures. Design/Methodology: The study employs a qualitative comparative multiple-case design with abductive logic [...] Read more.
Purpose: This study examines how large multinational corporations translate sustained macroenvironmental volatility into deliberate strategic reconfiguration processes, and how adaptive mechanisms differ across business models and sectors under shared environmental pressures. Design/Methodology: The study employs a qualitative comparative multiple-case design with abductive logic and a longitudinal perspective covering 2019–2024. Apple, Amazon, and McDonald’s were selected through theoretical sampling for their sector heterogeneity, their shared global regulatory and operational exposure, and their contrasting adaptive architectures—vertical integration, platform diversification, and franchising, respectively—rather than a uniform majority-international-revenue criterion. A corpus of 78 primary and secondary documents was analysed through open coding, axial coding, thematic aggregation, cross-case comparison, and pattern matching. Findings: All three firms converge around digitalisation, regulatory compliance, and sustainability as environmental legitimacy requirements rather than differentiating strategic choices. Divergence emerges in execution mechanisms: Apple deploys anticipatory vertical integration; Amazon converts operational complexity into structural barriers; McDonald’s exploits franchise flexibility for local adaptation while preserving brand coherence. The analysis yields an original Adaptive Reconfiguration Cycle (ARC Framework) comprising five iterative stages, evidenced for each firm across the full cycle rather than only its dominant stage. Theoretical Contribution: The study develops an integrated macroenvironment–capability reconfiguration framework that bridges PESTEL analysis, dynamic capabilities theory, and contingency theory, addressing an under-explored integration gap in each tradition. Three theory-building propositions, generated inductively from the three comparative cases and not presented as empirically established relationships, are advanced together with their moderating conditions. Practical Implications: Firms must institutionalise environmental sensing as a permanent strategic function, treat compliance capabilities as competitive assets, and build adaptive capacity as a standing organisational competency. Originality/Value: This study is among the few comparative analyses to integrate PESTEL trigger structures with dynamic capabilities reconfiguration logic across heterogeneous sectors using longitudinal evidence. The ARC Framework is offered as an analytically transferable, theory-generating model with explicit boundary conditions and testable propositions, rather than as a broadly generalisable one. Full article
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19 pages, 2957 KB  
Case Report
The Long-Term Clinical and Radiographic Evolution of Temporomandibular Joint Involvement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Narrative Review and 15-Year Follow-Up Case Report
by Evgenia Sp. Gogou, Vasileios Chr. Psarras, Dionysios Andrinopoulos and Michail Ger. Tzakis
Children 2026, 13(9), 1211; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13091211 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in childhood and may involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), sometimes with limited clinical manifestations. This report combines a narrative review of TMJ involvement in JIA with a 15-year follow-up of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in childhood and may involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), sometimes with limited clinical manifestations. This report combines a narrative review of TMJ involvement in JIA with a 15-year follow-up of a patient with JIA-associated TMJ disease. The objectives were to summarize current evidence regarding the clinical assessment and management of TMJ involvement in JIA and to describe the relationship between long-term clinical and structural findings in an individual patient. Case Report: A 12-year-old girl with newly diagnosed oligoarticular JIA was referred by the pediatric rheumatologist to the Clinic of Orofacial Pain Management, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. At referral, TMJ involvement was identified despite systemic antirheumatic treatment. The patient presented with orofacial pain, restricted mouth opening, mandibular deviation, multiple painful orofacial sites, maximum interincisal opening of 26 mm, reduced mandibular excursions, marked masticatory muscle tenderness, and an anterior open bite. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated bilateral active TMJ synovitis, early condylar erosions, and anterior disc displacement, with reduction on the right and without reduction on the left. Management comprised systemic antirheumatic therapy together with a structured physiotherapy program and a maxillary stabilization splint. Results: At one-year follow-up, maximum mouth opening had increased to 50 mm, with substantial improvement in mandibular function and symptoms. Fifteen years after the initial TMJ assessment, the patient remained pain-free with satisfactory mandibular function and a maximum mouth opening of 46 mm. Panoramic radiography at long-term follow-up demonstrated bilateral condylar abnormalities, including flattening, osteophyte formation, and intraosseous cystic changes. Because the initial and long-term assessments were performed using different imaging modalities, these findings cannot be directly compared to establish longitudinal structural progression. Conclusions: This case illustrates dissociation between favorable long-term clinical and functional status and substantial structural abnormalities identified at follow-up in a patient with JIA-associated TMJ involvement. It also highlights the limitations of relying on clinical symptoms and function alone to characterize TMJ structural status. The literature supports multidisciplinary management and individualized clinical and imaging assessment of TMJ involvement in JIA; however, prospective studies with standardized serial imaging are needed to better define the relationship between clinical outcomes and structural changes over time. Full article
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16 pages, 5458 KB  
Article
Response Characteristics of Karst Water Level to Precipitation and Hydrological Circulation Patterns in the Jinan Spring Basin, Northern China
by Dalu Yu, Huan Qi, Qingyu Xu, Caiping Hu, Guomeng Guan, Yan Li and Liting Xing
Water 2026, 18(18), 2224; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18182224 - 8 Sep 2026
Abstract
Karst groundwater systems are characterized by highly heterogeneous flow networks, resulting in complex responses of groundwater levels to precipitation variability. The Jinan Spring Basin, one of the most representative karst spring systems in northern China, has experienced substantial changes in spring discharge due [...] Read more.
Karst groundwater systems are characterized by highly heterogeneous flow networks, resulting in complex responses of groundwater levels to precipitation variability. The Jinan Spring Basin, one of the most representative karst spring systems in northern China, has experienced substantial changes in spring discharge due to variations in precipitation, groundwater exploitation, and hydrogeological conditions. However, the temporal scales at which precipitation signals control groundwater-level fluctuations and the mechanisms governing their transmission within the karst aquifer remain poorly understood. In this study, daily precipitation data from 30 meteorological stations and groundwater-level records at Baotu Spring during 2016–2018 were analyzed using global wavelet spectrum (GWS) and wavelet transform coherence (WTC) approaches. The dominant precipitation cycles, scale-dependent precipitation–groundwater relationships, and phase-derived groundwater response lags were quantified to reveal the hydrological response characteristics of the Jinan karst system. Three prominent precipitation periods were identified at 17.37, 29.22, and 330.57 days. Groundwater responses presented clear temporal-scale dependence, with short-period signals showing rapid but localized responses, while intermediate and long-period signals demonstrated stronger and more persistent coherence. The percentage of significant coherence area (PASC) increased from 23.50% at the 0–17.37 day scale to 64.28% at the 29.22–330.57 day scale, indicating that accumulated precipitation rather than individual rainfall events exerts the dominant control on groundwater-level variations. The spatial distribution of response lags revealed that rapid responses (17.37 days) mainly occurred in the southern recharge areas, reflecting preferential recharge through well-developed karst conduits. Intermediate responses (29.22 days) showed a progressive increase in lag time from south to north, indicating the influence of regional groundwater flow and aquifer storage. Long-period responses (330.57 days) were locally enhanced near major faults, suggesting structural controls on deeper groundwater circulation. This study reveals that precipitation signals in the Jinan Spring Basin are transmitted through multiple groundwater circulation pathways with distinct temporal characteristics. The identified multi-scale response patterns provide new insights into the internal structure and hydrological functioning of karst aquifers and offer scientific support for sustainable management of spring water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrochemistry and Hydrogeology)
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23 pages, 2013 KB  
Article
Dual Engines of Adsorption and Biodegradation: Ammonium Nitrogen Removal and Mechanism Analysis by EM-Modified Corn Straw Biochar in Aqueous Solution
by Penghui Wu, Zijie Sang and Ge Zhang
Microorganisms 2026, 14(9), 1976; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14091976 - 7 Sep 2026
Abstract
Agricultural ammonium pollution from farmland drainage and low-value crop straw utilization are two critical rural environmental problems that cannot be solved by single remediation approaches. Herein, a novel composite was prepared by immobilizing effective microorganisms (EM) on corn straw biochar to construct a [...] Read more.
Agricultural ammonium pollution from farmland drainage and low-value crop straw utilization are two critical rural environmental problems that cannot be solved by single remediation approaches. Herein, a novel composite was prepared by immobilizing effective microorganisms (EM) on corn straw biochar to construct a synergistic adsorption–biodegradation system, and its nitrogen removal mechanism was systematically investigated at structural and molecular levels. Metagenomic analysis detected a complete set of heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) functional genes (amoA, hao, napA, nirK, norB, nosZ) in the isolated strain Bacillus thuringiensis A1, revealing the genetic potential of this strain for ammonium biodegradation. EM modification optimized biochar pore structure and increased the equilibrium adsorption capacity to 1.215 mg/g, which was 66.4% higher than that of pristine biochar (0.73 mg/g). Sterilization control tests indicated that physicochemical adsorption occupied the dominant position in ammonium removal, while microbial biodegradation acted as an auxiliary removal pathway. Importantly, the synergistic relationship between the two pathways should be interpreted cautiously, since autoclaving may subtly alter biochar physicochemical properties, and direct paired characterization of viable composites before and after sterilization is technically unavailable. Kinetic and thermodynamic results further validated the improved adsorption performance after modification. Overall, EM immobilization promoted ammonium adsorption via pore optimization, while pore-confined microbes achieved sustainable HN-AD biotransformation, jointly realizing synergistic nitrogen removal. This study provides a mechanistic reference for the optimized design and application of biochar–microbe composites in agricultural nitrogen pollution control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbes in Wastewater Treatment)
38 pages, 78558 KB  
Review
Detection and Capture of Volatile Fluorinated Compounds Using Porous Materials
by Jiejing Hou, Xinlei Tao, Ce Zhang, Zidan Zhang, Huihui Kong, Qingmin Ji, Hengdao Quan and Harald Fuchs
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(17), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16171125 - 7 Sep 2026
Abstract
Volatile fluorinated compounds (VFCs) are indispensable to modern industry, yet their potent greenhouse effects pose critical environmental challenges. Functional porous materials, ranging from zeolites and semiconductor oxides to metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and other advanced porous materials, have emerged as [...] Read more.
Volatile fluorinated compounds (VFCs) are indispensable to modern industry, yet their potent greenhouse effects pose critical environmental challenges. Functional porous materials, ranging from zeolites and semiconductor oxides to metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and other advanced porous materials, have emerged as versatile platforms for VFC sensing and capture, leveraging their structural tunability, ultrahigh surface areas, and designable pore chemistry. This review provides a systematic summary of recent advances in porous materials for VFC management. For sensing, we examine transduction mechanisms (chemiresistive, optical, and gravimetric approaches) with emphasis on structure–signal relationships. For capture, we evaluate adsorptive performance across VFC subclasses, highlighting design principles that govern selectivity and capacity. Based on recent achievements, we assess persistent gaps between laboratory-scale achievements and practical deployment. Possible pathways toward integrated sense-and-capture systems are also explored. By bridging fundamental materials science, this review highlights cross-cutting design strategies that may accelerate the development of next-generation VFC management platforms. Full article
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36 pages, 1730 KB  
Article
A Multiscale Mechanistic Framework Linking Infection Dynamics, Oxidative Chemiexcitation, and Ultraweak Photon Emission
by Horace T. Crogman, Gisela Alvarez, Peace U. Clement, Rohan B. Sonawane, Rakshitha Chidananda, Huzaif Khan, Kwame Eshun, Eugene Joseph and Daniel B. Erenso
Biophysica 2026, 6(5), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica6050087 - 7 Sep 2026
Abstract
Ultraweak photon emission (UPE) provides a noninvasive optical signature of oxidative chemistry, but the relationship between infection-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and photon emission remains mechanistically uncertain. Here, we develop a multiscale framework linking pathogen dynamics, immune activation, signaling ROS, emission-relevant oxidative chemistry, [...] Read more.
Ultraweak photon emission (UPE) provides a noninvasive optical signature of oxidative chemistry, but the relationship between infection-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and photon emission remains mechanistically uncertain. Here, we develop a multiscale framework linking pathogen dynamics, immune activation, signaling ROS, emission-relevant oxidative chemistry, chemiexcitation-capable intermediates, electronically excited molecular states, and wavelength-resolved UPE. Chemiexcitation is represented as incoherent Lindblad pumping, allowing stochastic oxidative reactions to populate molecular excited states without assuming coherent ROS-driven optical excitation. The model was evaluated using literature-constrained oxidative inputs for healthy, severe COVID-19, and sepsis conditions, together with Latin Hypercube uncertainty propagation, Sobol sensitivity analysis, fixed-ROS counterfactual testing, spectral robustness analysis, and a pathway-level PMA/DPI intervention consistency test. Two admissible oxidative-to-photon mappings produced sharply different quantitative predictions from the same clinical ROS inputs. Under a high-gain structure, 9.01-fold and 13.86-fold oxidative increases produced 42.21-fold and 89.02-fold increases in peak UPE, whereas a saturating structure compressed the same inputs to 1.445-fold and 1.450-fold. Local elasticity remained near 1.7 under the high-gain mapping but declined to 0.011 and 0.005 at the COVID-19 and sepsis inputs under the saturating mapping. At fixed ROS, downstream parameter uncertainty produced more than a 200-fold spread in predicted UPE under the high-gain structure. Sobol analysis identified the saturation scale, emission-relevant oxidative lifetime, and signaling-to-emission conversion as the dominant contributors to output variance. In a pathway-level consistency test, a subset of high-gain realizations reproduced the reported DPI/PMA residual-UPE interval under physically admissible residual oxidative drive, whereas none of the sampled saturating realizations did. The model also predicted a progressive redistribution of spectral intensity toward longer wavelengths with increasing oxidative burden, although absolute spectral centroids remained dependent on the assumed spectral representation and emitter weighting. These results show that current ROS measurements constrain the direction of the UPE response more strongly than its quantitative magnitude and do not identify a unique universal ROS-to-UPE transfer function. Full article
30 pages, 796 KB  
Article
Digital Leadership and the Innovation Process in Libyan Organizations: The Mediating Roles of Technological Readiness and Organizational Sustainability
by Abdulnasser Ali Altabouli and Ayşem İyikal Çelebi
Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 9176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18179176 - 7 Sep 2026
Abstract
Digital transformation has become essential for organizations seeking long-term sustainability, innovation, and resilience. However, empirical evidence from developing countries remains limited, particularly in oil-dependent economies where modernization and diversification are often constrained by weak institutions and governance challenges. To address this gap, this [...] Read more.
Digital transformation has become essential for organizations seeking long-term sustainability, innovation, and resilience. However, empirical evidence from developing countries remains limited, particularly in oil-dependent economies where modernization and diversification are often constrained by weak institutions and governance challenges. To address this gap, this study examines the relationship between digital leadership (DL) on the innovation process (IP) in Libyan organizations, with technological readiness (TR) and organizational sustainability (OS) as mediating mechanisms. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 423 employees and managers working in medium and large organizations across key sectors, including energy, banking/finance, telecommunications, and other service industries. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to validate the measurement model, followed by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships. The results show that DL is significantly associated with TR and OS, but does not have a significant direct association with IP. Instead, significant indirect associations between DL and IP were observed through TR and OS, suggesting that the relationship between DL and innovation is linked with technological readiness and sustainability-oriented organizational capabilities. The study contributes to the literature by showing that DL functions as an enabling strategic capability rather than merely as a managerial approach to technology adoption. Its association with IP was observed primarily through the indirect relationships involving TR and OS, suggesting that transferable digital leadership practices may support broader organizational transformation by strengthening the capabilities through which innovation is generated and implemented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Management)
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