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Search Results (1,787)

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21 pages, 3188 KB  
Article
DSformer for Ship Motion Prediction: A Statistics-Driven Framework with Environment-Adaptive Hyperparameter Tuning
by Haowen Ge, Ying Li, Yuntao Mao, Jian Li, Ziwei Chen, Pengying Bai and Xueming Peng
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(3), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030244 - 23 Jan 2026
Abstract
Given the central importance of maritime logistics to global trade, accurate and efficient vessel motion forecasting is essential for strengthening supply chain resilience and improving operational efficiency. However, traditional physical and statistical models often fail to effectively capture the multivariate, noisy, and strongly [...] Read more.
Given the central importance of maritime logistics to global trade, accurate and efficient vessel motion forecasting is essential for strengthening supply chain resilience and improving operational efficiency. However, traditional physical and statistical models often fail to effectively capture the multivariate, noisy, and strongly coupled nature of maritime dynamics. In this manuscript, we adapt the DSformer architecture for ship motion forecasting, leveraging its dual sampling and dual-attention design to address the multi-scale and cross-variable dependencies inherent in maritime data. Across three real-world datasets, the adapted DSformer reduces prediction error by 23% and training time by 70% compared with 13 state-of-the-art (SOTA) baselines. Moreover, we identify a consistent relationship between sampling strategies and sea states, where dense sampling performs best under stable conditions, whereas moderately sparse sampling with multi-head attention improves robustness under turbulent environments. These results apply the algorithm’s new capabilities to the daily management of maritime logistics. By adapting the architecture to real-world operational settings and optimizing its key parameters, the approach enables efficient, real-time vessel forecasting and decision support across global supply chains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
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23 pages, 51004 KB  
Article
An Intelligent Ship Detection Algorithm Based on Visual Sensor Signal Processing for AIoT-Enabled Maritime Surveillance Automation
by Liang Zhang, Yueqiu Jiang, Wei Yang and Bo Liu
Sensors 2026, 26(3), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26030767 (registering DOI) - 23 Jan 2026
Abstract
Oriented object detection constitutes a fundamental yet challenging task in Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-enabled maritime surveillance, where real-time processing of dense visual streams is imperative. However, existing detectors suffer from three critical limitations: sequential attention mechanisms that fail to capture coupled spatial–channel [...] Read more.
Oriented object detection constitutes a fundamental yet challenging task in Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-enabled maritime surveillance, where real-time processing of dense visual streams is imperative. However, existing detectors suffer from three critical limitations: sequential attention mechanisms that fail to capture coupled spatial–channel dependencies, unconstrained deformable convolutions that yield unstable predictions for elongated vessels, and center-based distance metrics that ignore angular alignment in sample assignment. To address these challenges, we propose JAOSD (Joint Attention-based Oriented Ship Detection), an anchor-free framework incorporating three novel components: (1) a joint attention module that processes spatial and channel branches in parallel with coupled fusion, (2) an adaptive geometric convolution with two-stage offset refinement and spatial consistency regularization, and (3) an orientation-aware Adaptive Sample Selection strategy based on corner-aware distance metrics. Extensive experiments on three benchmarks demonstrate that JAOSD achieves state-of-the-art performance—94.74% mAP on HRSC2016, 92.43% AP50 on FGSD2021, and 80.44% mAP on DOTA v1.0—while maintaining real-time inference at 42.6 FPS. Cross-domain evaluation on the Singapore Maritime Dataset further confirms robust generalization capability from aerial to shore-based surveillance scenarios without domain adaptation. Full article
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19 pages, 2721 KB  
Article
A Portable Extended-Gate FET Integrated Sensing System with Low-Noise Current Readout for On-Site Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7
by Weilin Guo, Yanping Hu, Yunchao Cao, Hongbin Zhang and Hong Wang
Micromachines 2026, 17(2), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17020151 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 29
Abstract
Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors enable label-free and real-time electrical transduction; however, their practical deployment is often constrained by the need for bulky benchtop instrumentation to provide stable biasing, low-noise readout, and data processing. Here, we report a portable extended-gate FET (EG-FET) integrated sensing [...] Read more.
Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors enable label-free and real-time electrical transduction; however, their practical deployment is often constrained by the need for bulky benchtop instrumentation to provide stable biasing, low-noise readout, and data processing. Here, we report a portable extended-gate FET (EG-FET) integrated sensing system that consolidates the sensing interface, analog front-end conditioning, embedded acquisition/control, and user-side visualization into an end-to-end prototype suitable for on-site operation. The system couples a screen-printed Au extended-gate electrode to a MOSFET and employs a low-noise signal-conditioning chain with microcontroller-based digitization and real-time data streaming to a host graphical interface. As a proof-of-concept, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 was selected as the target. A bacteria-specific immunosensing interface was constructed on the Au extended gate via covalent immobilization of monoclonal antibodies. Measurements in buffered samples produced concentration-dependent current responses, and a linear calibration was experimentally validated over 104–1010 CFU/mL. In specificity evaluation against three common foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes), the sensor showed a maximum interference response of only 13% relative to the target signal (ΔI/ΔImax) with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Our work establishes a practical hardware–software architecture that mitigates reliance on benchtop instruments and provides a scalable route toward portable EG-FET sensing for rapid, point-of-need detection of foodborne pathogens and other biomarkers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Biomedical Devices)
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17 pages, 6049 KB  
Article
A Protocol to Shorten Rice Growth Cycle in Plant Factories: An Integrated Study of Light, Planting Density and Phytohormone Regulation
by Gongzhen Fu, Pengtao Zheng, Feng Wang, Jinhua Li, Xing Huo, Yanxia Xiao, Yilong Liao, Manshan Zhu, Chongyun Fu, Xueqin Zeng, Xiaozhi Ma, Le Kong, Leiqing Chen, Xueru Hou, Wuge Liu and Dilin Liu
Plants 2026, 15(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030343 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 54
Abstract
Speed breeding represents a pivotal technology for enhancing crop breeding efficiency. This study systematically examined the regulation of LED light environments, planting density, and gibberellic acid (GA3) on rice growth cycle progression in plant factories, establishing an integrated speed breeding protocol. [...] Read more.
Speed breeding represents a pivotal technology for enhancing crop breeding efficiency. This study systematically examined the regulation of LED light environments, planting density, and gibberellic acid (GA3) on rice growth cycle progression in plant factories, establishing an integrated speed breeding protocol. The experimental design comprised three components: (1) coupling seedling age (9–25 days, variety-dependent) with LED environments and planting densities (25–100 plants/tray); (2) combining light intensity gradients (450 and 900 μmol·m−2·s−1) with photoperiod control; (3) applying GA3 gradients (0–120 ppm) to enhance immature seed germination. Results indicated that high planting densities (>50 plants/tray) prolonged the growth cycle and decreased yield, whereas 25 plants/tray optimally balanced growth cycle shortening and yield maximization. Under short-day induction, Nipponbare (Nip) and Wufeng B (WFB) reached heading at 39 and 58 days after sowing (DAS), respectively. Stage-specific light responses were observed: 450 μmol·m−2·s−1 during the basic vegetative phase (BVP) promoted morphological development, whereas 900 μmol·m−2·s−1 during the photoperiod-sensitive phase (PSP) accelerated tillering and panicle differentiation. GA3 treatment (60 ppm) enhanced the germination rate of immature seeds by 31%. The optimized lightregimes comprised natural light + 900 μmol·m−2·s−1 (NL–900) and 450 μmol·m−2·s−1 + 900 μmol·m−2·s−1 (450–900), combined with density control (25 plants/tray) and GA3-mediated immature seed utilization, shortened the generation time to 54 days and 70 days for Nip and WFB, respectively. This integrated protocol establishes an efficient strategy for rice speed breeding in plant factories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Physiology and Crop Production)
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87 pages, 2191 KB  
Review
Through Massage to the Brain—Neuronal and Neuroplastic Mechanisms of Massage Based on Various Neuroimaging Techniques (EEG, fMRI, and fNIRS)
by James Chmiel and Donata Kurpas
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(2), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15020909 (registering DOI) - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 52
Abstract
Introduction: Massage therapy delivers structured mechanosensory input that can influence brain function, yet the central mechanisms and potential for neuroplastic change have not been synthesized across neuroimaging modalities. This mechanistic review integrates evidence from electroencephalography (EEG), functional MRI (fMRI), and functional near-infrared [...] Read more.
Introduction: Massage therapy delivers structured mechanosensory input that can influence brain function, yet the central mechanisms and potential for neuroplastic change have not been synthesized across neuroimaging modalities. This mechanistic review integrates evidence from electroencephalography (EEG), functional MRI (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to map how massage alters human brain activity acutely and over time and to identify signals of longitudinal adaptation. Materials and Methods: We conducted a scoping, mechanistic review informed by PRISMA/PRISMA-ScR principles. PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate were queried for English-language human trials (January 1990–July 2025) that (1) delivered a practitioner-applied manual massage (e.g., Swedish, Thai, shiatsu, tuina, reflexology, myofascial techniques) and (2) measured brain activity with EEG, fMRI, or fNIRS pre/post or between groups. Non-manual stimulation, structural-only imaging, protocols, and non-English reports were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted study, intervention, and neuroimaging details; heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, so results were narratively synthesized by modality and linked to putative mechanisms and longitudinal effects. Results: Forty-seven studies met the criteria: 30 EEG, 12 fMRI, and 5 fNIRS. Results: Regarding EEG, massage commonly increased alpha across single sessions with reductions in beta/gamma, alongside pressure-dependent autonomic shifts; moderate pressure favored a parasympathetic/relaxation profile. Connectivity effects were state- and modality-specific (e.g., reduced inter-occipital alpha coherence after facial massage, preserved or reorganized coupling with hands-on vs. mechanical delivery). Frontal alpha asymmetry frequently shifted leftward (approach/positive affect). Pain cohorts showed decreased cortical entropy and a shift toward slower rhythms, which tracked analgesia. Somatotopy emerged during unilateral treatments (contralateral central beta suppression). Adjuncts (e.g., binaural beats) enhanced anti-fatigue indices. Longitudinally, repeated programs showed attenuation of acute EEG/cortisol responses yet improvements in stress and performance; in one program, BDNF increased across weeks. In preterm infants, twice-daily massage accelerated EEG maturation (higher alpha/beta, lower delta) in a dose-responsive fashion; the EEG background was more continuous. In fMRI studies, in-scanner touch and reflexology engaged the insula, anterior cingulate, striatum, and periaqueductal gray; somatotopic specificity was observed for mapped foot areas. Resting-state studies in chronic pain reported normalization of regional homogeneity and/or connectivity within default-mode and salience/interoceptive networks after multi-session tuina or osteopathic interventions, paralleling symptom improvement; some task-based effects persisted at delayed follow-up. fNIRS studies generally showed increased prefrontal oxygenation during/after massage; in motor-impaired cohorts, acupressure/massage enhanced lateralized sensorimotor activation, consistent with use-dependent plasticity. Some reports paired hemodynamic changes with oxytocin and autonomic markers. Conclusions: Across modalities, massage reliably modulates central activity acutely and shows convergent signals of neuroplastic adaptation with repeated dosing and in developmental windows. Evidence supports (i) rapid induction of relaxed/analgesic states (alpha increases, network rebalancing) and (ii) longer-horizon changes—network normalization in chronic pain, EEG maturation in preterm infants, and neurotrophic up-shifts—consistent with trait-level recalibration of stress, interoception, and pain circuits. These findings justify integrating massage into rehabilitation, pain management, mental health, and neonatal care and motivate larger, standardized, multimodal longitudinal trials to define dose–response relationships, durability, and mechanistic mediators (e.g., connectivity targets, neuropeptides). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Therapy in Neurorehabilitation)
19 pages, 2755 KB  
Article
Fractional Modelling of Hereditary Vibrations in Coupled Circular Plate System with Creep Layers
by Julijana Simonović
Fractal Fract. 2026, 10(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract10010072 (registering DOI) - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 56
Abstract
This paper presents an analytical model for the hereditary vibrations of a coupled circular plate system interconnected by viscoelastic creep layers. The system is represented as a discrete-continuous chain of thin, isotropic plates with time-dependent material properties. Based on the theory of hereditary [...] Read more.
This paper presents an analytical model for the hereditary vibrations of a coupled circular plate system interconnected by viscoelastic creep layers. The system is represented as a discrete-continuous chain of thin, isotropic plates with time-dependent material properties. Based on the theory of hereditary viscoelasticity and D’Alembert’s principle, a system of partial integro-differential equations is derived and reduced to ordinary integro-differential equations using Bernoulli’s method and Laplace transforms. Analytical expressions for natural frequencies, mode shapes, and time-dependent response functions are obtained. The results reveal the emergence of multi-frequency vibration regimes, with modal families remaining temporally uncoupled. This enables the identification of resonance conditions and dynamic absorption phenomena. The fractional parameter serves as a tunable damping factor: lower values result in prolonged oscillations, while higher values cause rapid decay. Increasing the kinetic stiffness of the coupling layers raises vibration frequencies and enhances sensitivity to hereditary effects. This interplay provides deeper insight into dynamic behavior control. The model is applicable to multilayered structures in aerospace, civil engineering, and microsystems, where long-term loading and time-dependent material behavior are critical. The proposed framework offers a powerful tool for designing systems with tailored dynamic responses and improved stability. Full article
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26 pages, 2403 KB  
Article
Assessment of Psychological Effects of the Built Environment Based on TFN–Prospect–Regret Theory–VIKOR: A Case Study of Open-Plan Offices
by Xiaoting Cheng, Guiling Zhao and Meng Xie
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18021104 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 61
Abstract
As people spend more time indoors, the impact of the built environment on psychological health has attracted growing attention. Yet existing studies often have difficulty capturing decision-makers’ reference dependence and loss aversion under uncertainty. To bridge this gap, we propose an evaluation framework [...] Read more.
As people spend more time indoors, the impact of the built environment on psychological health has attracted growing attention. Yet existing studies often have difficulty capturing decision-makers’ reference dependence and loss aversion under uncertainty. To bridge this gap, we propose an evaluation framework comprising three first-level criteria—Outdoor Environment, Physical Comfort (including thermal, lighting, and color environments), and Acoustic Comfort—and determine combined weights by integrating subjective analytic hierarchy process (AHP) judgments with objective entropy weighting based on triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs). We further incorporate prospect–regret theory to represent loss aversion, expectation-based reference points, and counterfactual regret/rejoicing, and couple it with the VIKOR compromise ranking method, forming an integrated “TFN + Prospect–Regret + VIKOR” approach. The proposed method is applied to four retrofit alternatives for an open-plan office floor (approximately 1200 m2), each emphasizing outdoor environment, physical comfort, acoustic comfort, or no single priority. Experts assessed the schemes using fuzzy linguistic variables. The results show that lighting conditions, thermal comfort, color scheme, and internal noise control receive the highest comprehensive weights. Extensive sensitivity analyses across value/weighting functions and regret-aversion parameters indicate that the ranking of alternatives remains stable while exhibiting clearer separation. Comparative analyses further suggest that, although the overall ordering is consistent with baseline methods, the proposed model increases score dispersion and improves discriminative power. Overall, by explicitly accounting for decision-makers’ psychological behavior and information uncertainty, the framework enables robust and interpretable selection of retrofit schemes for existing office spaces. Full article
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13 pages, 1265 KB  
Article
The Physical Spectrum of a Driven Jaynes–Cummings Model
by Luis Medina-Dozal, Alejandro R. Urzúa, Irán Ramos-Prieto, Ricardo Román-Ancheyta, Francisco Soto-Eguibar, Héctor M. Moya-Cessa and José Récamier
Entropy 2026, 28(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/e28010127 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 128
Abstract
We analyze the time-dependent physical spectrum of a driven Jaynes–Cummings model in which both the two-level system and the quantized cavity mode are subject to coherent classical driving. The time-dependent Hamiltonian is mapped, via well-defined unitary transformations, onto an effective stationary Jaynes–Cummings form. [...] Read more.
We analyze the time-dependent physical spectrum of a driven Jaynes–Cummings model in which both the two-level system and the quantized cavity mode are subject to coherent classical driving. The time-dependent Hamiltonian is mapped, via well-defined unitary transformations, onto an effective stationary Jaynes–Cummings form. Within this framework, we derive closed-form expressions for the two-time correlation functions of both the atomic and field operators. These correlation functions are subsequently used to evaluate the time-dependent physical spectrum according to the Eberly–Wódkiewicz definition, which properly accounts for finite spectral resolution and transient emission dynamics. We show that the external driving leads to substantial modifications of the atomic spectral response, including controllable frequency shifts and asymmetric line shapes. Importantly, we identify a regime in which the driving parameters are chosen such that the coherent displacement induced in the cavity field exactly cancels out the initial coherent amplitude. In this limit, the system dynamics reduce to that of an effectively vacuum-initialized Jaynes–Cummings model, and the standard vacuum Rabi splitting is recovered. This behavior provides a clear and physically transparent interpretation of the spectral features as arising from coherent field displacement rather than from modifications of the underlying atom–cavity coupling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Nonstationary Systems—Second Edition)
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21 pages, 2253 KB  
Article
Feedback-Controlled Manipulation of Multiple Defect Bands of Phononic Crystals with Segmented Piezoelectric Sensor–Actuator Array
by Soo-Ho Jo
Mathematics 2026, 14(2), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14020361 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 36
Abstract
Defect modes in phononic crystals (PnCs) provide strongly localized resonances that are essential for frequency-dependent wave filtering and highly sensitive sensing. Their functionality increases greatly when their spectral characteristics can be externally tuned without altering the structural configuration. However, existing feedback control strategies [...] Read more.
Defect modes in phononic crystals (PnCs) provide strongly localized resonances that are essential for frequency-dependent wave filtering and highly sensitive sensing. Their functionality increases greatly when their spectral characteristics can be externally tuned without altering the structural configuration. However, existing feedback control strategies rely on laminated piezoelectric defects, which have uniform electromechanical loading that causes voltage cancellation for even-symmetric defect modes. Consequently, only odd-symmetric defect bands can be manipulated effectively, which limits multi-band tunability. To overcome this constraint, we propose a segmented piezoelectric sensor–actuator design that enables symmetry-dependent feedback at the defect site. We develop a transfer-matrix analytical framework to incorporate complex-valued feedback gains directly into dispersion and transmission calculations. Analytical predictions demonstrate that real-valued feedback yields opposite stiffness modifications for odd- and even-symmetric modes. This enables the simultaneous tuning of both defect bands and induces an exceptional-point-like coalescence. In contrast, imaginary feedback preserves stiffness but modulates effective damping, generating a parity-dependent amplification-suppression response. The analytical results closely match those of fully coupled finite-element simulations, reducing computation time by more than two orders of magnitude. These findings demonstrate that segmentation-enabled feedback provides an efficient and scalable approach to tunable, multi-band, non-Hermitian wave control in piezoelectric PnCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analytical Methods in Wave Scattering and Diffraction, 3rd Edition)
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39 pages, 5615 KB  
Article
A Method for Reconstructing and Predicting the Volume of Bowl-Type Tableware and Its Application in Dietary Analysis
by Xu Ji, Kai Song, Lianzheng Sun, Haolin Lu, Hengyuan Zhang and Yiran Feng
Symmetry 2026, 18(1), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18010199 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 63
Abstract
To overcome the low accuracy of conventional methods for estimating liquid volume and food nutrient content in bowl-type tableware, as well as the tool dependence and time-consuming nature of manual measurements, this study proposes an integrated approach that combines geometric reconstruction with deep [...] Read more.
To overcome the low accuracy of conventional methods for estimating liquid volume and food nutrient content in bowl-type tableware, as well as the tool dependence and time-consuming nature of manual measurements, this study proposes an integrated approach that combines geometric reconstruction with deep learning–based segmentation. After a one-time camera calibration, only a frontal and a top-down image of a bowl are required. The pipeline automatically extracts key geometric information, including rim diameter, base diameter, bowl height, and the inner-wall profile, to complete geometric modeling and capacity computation. The estimated parameters are stored in a reusable bowl database, enabling repeated predictions of liquid volume and food nutrient content at different fill heights. We further propose Bowl Thick Net to predict bowl wall thickness with millimeter-level accuracy. In addition, we developed a Geometry-aware Feature Pyramid Network (GFPN) module and integrated it into an improved Mask R-CNN (Region-based Convolutional Neural Network) framework to enable precise segmentation of bowl contours. By integrating the contour mask with the predicted bowl wall thickness, precise geometric parameters for capacity estimation can be obtained. Liquid volume is then predicted using the geometric relationship of the liquid or food surface, while food nutrient content is estimated by coupling predicted food weight with a nutritional composition database. Experiments demonstrate an arithmetic mean error of −3.03% for bowl capacity estimation, a mean liquid-volume prediction error of 9.24%, and a mean nutrient-content (by weight) prediction error of 11.49% across eight food categories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computer)
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19 pages, 1516 KB  
Article
Energy-Dynamics Sensing for Health-Responsive Virtual Synchronous Generator in Battery Energy Storage Systems
by Yingying Chen, Xinghu Liu and Yongfeng Fu
Batteries 2026, 12(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries12010036 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 68
Abstract
Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are increasingly required to provide grid-support services under weak-grid conditions, where the stability of virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control largely depends on the health status and dynamic characteristics of the battery unit. However, existing VSG strategies typically assume [...] Read more.
Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are increasingly required to provide grid-support services under weak-grid conditions, where the stability of virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control largely depends on the health status and dynamic characteristics of the battery unit. However, existing VSG strategies typically assume fixed parameters and neglect the intrinsic coupling between battery aging, DC-link energy variations, and converter dynamic performance, resulting in reduced damping, degraded transient regulation, and accelerated lifetime degradation. This paper proposes a health-responsive VSG control strategy enabled by real-time energy-dynamics sensing. By reconstructing the DC-link energy state from voltage and current measurements, an intrinsic indicator of battery health and instantaneous power capability is established. This energy-dynamics indicator is then embedded into the VSG inertia and damping loops, allowing the control parameters to adapt to battery health evolution and operating conditions. The proposed method achieves coordinated enhancement of transient stability, weak-grid robustness, and lifetime management. Simulation studies on a multi-unit BESS demonstrate that the proposed strategy effectively suppresses low-frequency oscillations, accelerates transient convergence, and maintains stability across different aging stages. Full article
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38 pages, 6647 KB  
Article
ST-DCL: A Spatio-Temporally Decoupled Cooperative Localization Method for Dynamic Drone Swarms
by Hao Wu, Zhangsong Shi, Zhonghong Wu, Huihui Xu and Zhiyong Tu
Drones 2026, 10(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones10010069 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 92
Abstract
In GPS-denied environments, the spatio-temporal coupling of errors caused by dynamic network topologies poses a fundamental challenge to cooperative localization, presenting existing methods with a dilemma: approaches pursuing global optimization lack dynamic adaptability, while those focusing on local adaptation struggle to guarantee global [...] Read more.
In GPS-denied environments, the spatio-temporal coupling of errors caused by dynamic network topologies poses a fundamental challenge to cooperative localization, presenting existing methods with a dilemma: approaches pursuing global optimization lack dynamic adaptability, while those focusing on local adaptation struggle to guarantee global convergence. To address this challenge, this paper proposes ST-DCL, a cooperative localization framework based on a novel principle of closed-loop spatio-temporal decoupling. The core of ST-DCL comprises two modules: a Dynamic Weighted Multidimensional Scaling (DW-MDS) optimizer, responsible for providing a globally consistent coarse estimate with provable convergence, and a specially designed Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Network (ST-GNN) corrector, tasked with compensating for local nonlinear errors. The DW-MDS effectively suppresses interference from historical errors via an adaptive sliding window and confidence weights derived from our error propagation model. The key innovation of the ST-GNN lies in its two newly designed components: a Dynamic Topological Attention Module for actively modulating neighbor aggregation to inhibit spatial error diffusion, and a Dilated Causal Convolution Module for modeling long-term temporal dependencies to curb error accumulation. These two modules form a closed loop via a confidence feedback mechanism, working in synergy to achieve continuous error suppression. Theoretical analysis indicates that the framework exhibits bounded-error convergence under dynamic topologies. In simulations involving 200 nodes, velocities up to 50 m/s, and 15% NLOS links, the ST-DCL achieves a normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 0.0068, representing a 21% performance improvement over state-of-the-art methods. The practical efficacy and real-time capability are further validated through real-world flight experiments with a 10-UAV swarm in complex, GPS-denied scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drone Communications)
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21 pages, 3501 KB  
Article
Subsurface Fracture Mapping in Adhesive Interfaces Using Terahertz Spectroscopy
by Mahavir Singh, Sushrut Karmarkar, Marco Herbsommer, Seongmin Yoon and Vikas Tomar
Materials 2026, 19(2), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020388 - 18 Jan 2026
Viewed by 192
Abstract
Adhesive fracture in layered structures is governed by subsurface crack evolution that cannot be accessed using surface-based diagnostics. Methods such as digital image correlation and optical spectroscopy measure surface deformation but implicitly assume a straight and uniform crack front, an assumption that becomes [...] Read more.
Adhesive fracture in layered structures is governed by subsurface crack evolution that cannot be accessed using surface-based diagnostics. Methods such as digital image correlation and optical spectroscopy measure surface deformation but implicitly assume a straight and uniform crack front, an assumption that becomes invalid for interfacial fracture with wide crack openings and asymmetric propagation. In this work, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is combined with double-cantilever beam testing to directly map subsurface crack-front geometry in opaque adhesive joints. A strontium titanate-doped epoxy is used to enhance dielectric contrast. Multilayer refractive index extraction, pulse deconvolution, and diffusion-based image enhancement are employed to separate overlapping terahertz echoes and reconstruct two-dimensional delay maps of interfacial separation. The measured crack geometry is coupled with load–displacement data and augmented beam theory to compute spatially averaged stresses and energy release rates. The measurements resolve crack openings down to approximately 100 μm and reveal pronounced width-wise non-uniform crack advance and crack-front curvature during stable growth. These observations demonstrate that surface-based crack-length measurements can either underpredict or overpredict fracture toughness depending on the measurement location. Fracture toughness values derived from width-averaged subsurface crack fronts agree with J-integral estimates obtained from surface digital image correlation. Signal-to-noise limitations near the crack tip define the primary resolution limit. The results establish THz-TDS as a quantitative tool for subsurface fracture mechanics and provide a framework for physically representative toughness measurements in layered and bonded structures. Full article
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17 pages, 8308 KB  
Article
Exploratory LA-ICP-MS Imaging of Foliar-Applied Gold Nanoparticles and Nutrients in Lentil Leaves
by Lucia Nemček, Martin Šebesta, Shadma Afzal, Michaela Bahelková, Tomáš Vaculovič, Jozef Kollár, Matúš Maťko and Ingrid Hagarová
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020974 - 18 Jan 2026
Viewed by 222
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (Au-NP) are frequently used as model nanomaterials to study nanoparticle behavior in plants due to their analytical detectability and negligible natural background in plant tissues. However, the feasibility of visualizing the spatial distribution of foliar-applied Au-NP at low exposure levels using [...] Read more.
Gold nanoparticles (Au-NP) are frequently used as model nanomaterials to study nanoparticle behavior in plants due to their analytical detectability and negligible natural background in plant tissues. However, the feasibility of visualizing the spatial distribution of foliar-applied Au-NP at low exposure levels using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) remains insufficiently explored. In this study, commercially sourced Au-NP were applied to lentil leaves (Lens culinaris var. Beluga) at a low concentration of 0.5 mg·L−1 using a controlled leaf submersion approach. Leaves were sampled at 1 h, 24 h, and 96 h post-exposure and analyzed by LA-ICP-MS imaging to assess time-dependent changes in gold-associated spatial signals, and to compare elemental distribution patterns with non-exposed controls. Untreated control leaves showed no detectable gold at any sampling time point, confirming negligible native Au background. In treated leaves, LA-ICP-MS imaging revealed an initially localized Au hotspot at 1 h, followed by progressive Au redistribution toward the leaf margins and petiole region by 24 h and 96 h. Gold signals persisted over the full 96 h period, indicating stable association of Au-NP with leaf tissue. Comparative elemental mapping of Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn, and Cu showed no persistent differences in spatial distribution patterns between treated and control leaves as detectable by LA-ICP-MS. This study demonstrates the feasibility of LA-ICP-MS imaging for visualizing the deposition and temporal spatial redistribution of low-dose foliar-applied nanoparticles in intact leaves. The results provide a methodological reference for future hypothesis-driven studies that apply nanoparticles under more controlled conditions, include increased replication, and combine multiple analytical techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanoparticles in the Environmental Sciences)
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23 pages, 5602 KB  
Article
Effects of Soil Structure Degradation and Rainfall Patterns on Red Clay Slope Stability: Insights from a Combined Field-Laboratory-Numerical Study in Yunnan Province
by Jianbo Xu, Shibing Huang, Jiawei Zhai, Yanzi Sun, Hao Li, Jianjun Song, Ping Jiang and Yi Luo
Buildings 2026, 16(2), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020389 - 17 Jan 2026
Viewed by 216
Abstract
Rainfall-induced failures in red clay slopes are common, yet the coupled influence of soil structure degradation and rainfall temporal patterns on slope hydromechanical behavior remains poorly understood. This study advances the understanding by investigating a cut slope failure in Yunnan through integrated field [...] Read more.
Rainfall-induced failures in red clay slopes are common, yet the coupled influence of soil structure degradation and rainfall temporal patterns on slope hydromechanical behavior remains poorly understood. This study advances the understanding by investigating a cut slope failure in Yunnan through integrated field monitoring, laboratory testing, and numerical modeling. Key advancements include: (1) elucidating the coupled effect of structure degradation on both shear strength reduction and hydraulic conductivity alteration; (2) systematically quantifying the impact of rainfall temporal patterns beyond total rainfall; and (3) providing a mechanistic explanation for the critical role of early-peak rainfall. Mechanical and hydrological parameters were obtained from intact and remolded samples, with soil-water retention estimated via pedotransfer functions. A hydro-mechanical finite element model of the slope was constructed and calibrated using recorded rainfall, displacement data and failure surface. Six simulation scenarios were designed by combining three strength conditions (intact at natural water content, intact at saturation, remolded at natural water content) with two hydraulic conductivity values (intact vs. remolded). Additionally, four synthetic rainfall patterns, including uniform, peak-increasing, peak-decaying and bell-shaped rainfall, were simulated to evaluate their influence on pore water pressure development and slope stability. Results show remolding reduced hydraulic conductivity 4.7-fold, slowing wetting front advance and increasing shallow pore water pressure. Intact soil facilitated deeper drainage, elevating pressure near the soil-rock interface. Strength reduction induced by structure degradation (water saturating and remolding) enlarged the slope deformation zone by 1.5 times under same hydraulic conductivity. Simulations using saturated intact strength best matched field observations. The results from this specific slope indicate that strength parameters primarily control stability, while permeability affects deformation depth. Simulations considering different rainfall patterns indicate that slope stability depends more critically on the temporal distribution of rainfall intensity than on the total amount. Overall, peak-decaying rainfall led to the most rapid rise in pore water pressure, earliest instability and lowest failure rainfall threshold, whereas peak-increasing rainfall showed the opposite trends. Our findings outline a practical framework for assessing red clay slope stability during rainfall. This framework recommends using saturated intact strength parameters in stability analysis. It highlights the important influence of rainfall temporal patterns, especially those with an early peak, on failure timing and rainfall threshold. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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