Saved Queries

by Victoria Monge-García, Rocío Pérez-González, Sonia Monge-García, Ruth Gasparini-Berenguer, José Sánchez-Payá, Raissa de Fátima Silva-Afonso and José-Antonio Monge-Argilés

J. Dement. Alzheimer's Dis. 2026, 3(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdad3010014 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Psychotic symptoms (PS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are associated with unfavorable prognosis, including accelerated functional decline and reduced survival. Multiple neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the pathophysiology of PS, with the serotonergic system emerging as particularly relevant. Materials and Methods: Between 2010 and 2020, 120 patients with prodromal AD and 26 cognitively healthy controls underwent comprehensive evaluation, including clinical history, neurological and neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture. All participants underwent longitudinal clinical monitoring for a minimum of five years or until the emergence of PS. In February 2024, baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serotonin (5-HT) concentrations were quantified using competitive ELISA (FineTest, Wuhan, China). Results: CSF 5-HT levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.003) in patients who subsequently developed psychosis (n = 49) compared with those who remained free of PS during the 8-year follow-up (n = 19). A threshold of 4.89 ng/mL yielded 80% sensitivity for identifying individuals at risk. Baseline Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI; p < 0.001) and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III; p < 0.009) scores also demonstrated strong discriminative capacity. Conclusions: Measurement of CSF 5-HT and detailed clinical profiling in prodromal AD may provide predictive value for psychosis onset within 8 years of diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report CSF 5-HT findings in AD patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors, Intervention and Prevention of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease)

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14 pages, 1442 KB

Open AccessArticle

Deep Learning-Driven Pathological Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Primary Whole Slide Images

by Zaizai Cao, Zhe Chen, Jiangtao Zhong, Hengchao Chen, Ziming Fu, Zuning Shi, Jingyao Chen, Yajun Yu and Shuihong Zhou

Cancers 2026, 18(6), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18060933 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Accurate preoperative prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a major clinical challenge. This study aimed to develop a deep learning-based whole-slide image (WSI) model and an integrated nomogram to improve individualized LNM risk stratification. Methods: A total of 355 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) WSIs and 282 frozen WSIs from the TCGA-HNSC cohort, along with 329 FFPE WSIs from an external institutional cohort, were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor regions were annotated and tiled into standardized patches. A dual-stage multiple instance learning framework was applied to generate WSI-level predictions. A pathological risk score (path-score) was derived and combined with clinical variables to construct a predictive nomogram. Results: The WSI-level model outperformed patch-level classifiers, with the logistic regression-based model achieving area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.821 in the internal validation cohort and 0.730 in the external cohort. The path-score was independently associated with LNM. The integrated nomogram further improved discrimination, yielding AUCs of 0.865 and 0.786 in the internal and external cohorts, respectively. Calibration and decision curve analyses demonstrated good agreement and meaningful clinical benefit. Conclusions: This deep learning-driven pathology nomogram provides a robust and clinically applicable tool for preoperative prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in HNSCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Methods and Technologies Development)

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20 pages, 2973 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enzymatic Saccharification of Delignified Biomass Intensified by Hydrodynamic Cavitation

by María del Pilar Balbi, Santiago Fleite, Candela González Giqueaux, María Alejandra Ayude and Miryan Cassanello

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062816 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass is a promising renewable resource for sustainable biorefineries, although its commercial use remains limited by the complex biomass structure and process inefficiencies. This work investigates the use of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) as a process-intensification strategy during the washing step following hydrogen peroxide–acetic acid (HPAC) delignification, with the aim of enhancing subsequent enzymatic saccharification to produce glucose. Wood residues from Eucalyptus sp., Tipuana tipu, and Pinus sp. were delignified using HPAC under mild conditions (1:1 v/v glacial acetic acid: 30% w/w H₂O₂ solutions, at 90 °C, 15 g/L, 1 h orbital shake) and washed either by conventional soaking or by HC-assisted recirculation prior to enzymatic hydrolysis using the Novozymes Cellic CTec3 blend at optimal initial conditions (40 FPU/g substrate, pH = 5, and 53 °C). HC applied during washing significantly increased glucose yields and initial hydrolysis rates for delignified angiosperm species. Glucose yields after 28 h increased significantly for Eucalyptus sp. and Tipuana tipu compared to conventional washing, while little effect was found for Pinus sp. Overall, the glucose yield, expressed per 100 g of precursor dry mass, attained 34.5 g/100 g for Eucalyptus sp., 30.2 g/100 g for Tipuana tipu, and only 12.9 g/100 g for Pinus sp. Structural and morphological analyses indicate that the effectiveness of HC is species-dependent and might be associated with fiber disruption and the removal of inhibitory compounds rather than changes in cellulose crystallinity. Implementing HC during the washing step involved 7% extra energy compared to the energy required for HPAC, thus resulting in less energy required per unit mass of glucose generated. These results demonstrate that HC-assisted washing is an effective and energy-efficient intensification step when combined with HPAC, contributing to improved biomass valorization while avoiding harsher pretreatment conditions. Since HC is relatively simple to scale up, the proposed strategy offers an energy-convenient approach for enhancing enzymatic saccharification in sustainable biorefinery processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Sustainable Technologies for Environmental Remediation and Management)

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24 pages, 5800 KB

Open AccessArticle

Uncovering Hidden Prognostic Patterns in Colorectal Cancer Histology Using Unsupervised Learning: A Computational Pathology Study

by Wen-Tong Zhou, Yong Liu, Gang Yu, Kuan-Song Wang, Chao Xu, Jonathan Greenbaum, Chong Wu, Lin-Dong Jiang, Christopher J. Papasian, Hong-Mei Xiao and Hong-Wen Deng

Bioengineering 2026, 13(3), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13030334 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, yet current histopathological diagnostics capture only limited features. This study aimed to discover subtle, prognostically significant histomorphological patterns in CRC tissues using unsupervised deep learning. We developed a framework integrating convolutional neural networks with deep clustering, trained on 23,341 image patches from 493 patients. We identified 30 distinct histomorphological clusters from CRC tissue images. Through univariate and multivariate survival analyses, three clusters (Cluster13, Cluster19, and Cluster24) were consistently associated with patient prognosis. These clusters were integrated with clinical factors (T stage, N stage, and differentiation degree) to construct a prognostic risk model. Patients stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on model predictions showed significant survival differences in both the training set (N = 493) and an independent validation set (N = 2590). Furthermore, logistic regression and multivariate Cox analyses demonstrated that incorporating the three histomorphological clusters alongside clinical factors yielded a modest but statistically significant improvement in predictive performance compared to clinical factors alone, indicating their complementary value for prognosis. This work demonstrates that computational pathology can uncover novel, visually elusive morphological features with independent prognostic value, offering potential to refine CRC patient stratification and inform clinical decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence in Bioengineering: Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions)

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23 pages, 6021 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Sodium Acetate on High-Temperature Gelation Characteristics of Sodium-Modified Calcium-Based Bentonite Water-Based Drilling Fluids

by Rui Liu, Yu Zhao, Huan Wang, Wenjun Long, Junge Zhu and Fengshan Zhou

Gels 2026, 12(3), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12030238 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

As global oil and gas exploration extends to deep and ultra-deep wells, high bottom-hole temperature is prone to deteriorating the gelation and rheological properties of water-based drilling fluids, which manifests as undesirable thickening or thinning at elevated temperatures. Therefore, the development of high-temperature resistant and stable drilling fluids is crucial for ensuring safe and efficient drilling operations, and the enhancement of high-temperature performance is typically achieved by adding drilling fluid treatment agents. The main objective of this study is to apply sodium acetate (SA) to drilling fluid systems, developing an economical and efficient non-polymer treatment agent with dual functions as a composite sodium-modifier and a rheological regulator. By-product sodium acetate (TRSA) is adopted to provide better cost-effectiveness while maintaining equivalent performance, and its universality across seven types of bentonites is verified. Three grades of sodium acetate were added to the bentonites as either composite sodium-modifiers or rheological regulators. After high-temperature aging, rheological parameters, including mud density, plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP), and gel strength, were measured in accordance with standard API methods. The results indicate that adding 2 wt.% TRSA to drilling fluid and subjecting it to hot rolling at 180 °C for 16 h keeps the viscosity at a high shear rate (1022 s⁻¹) nearly unchanged (from 36 mPa·s to 37.5 mPa·s), while increasing the viscosity at a low shear rate (5.11 s⁻¹) from 250 mPa·s to 1400 mPa·s, thereby effectively improving the shear thinning effect of the sodium-modified calcium-based bentonite water-based drilling fluid. Although TRSA increases the filtration loss from 21.8 mL to 30 mL, this can be reduced to 20–25 mL by co-extrusion sodium modification with sodium carbonate or by adding additional TRSA to sodium-modified bentonite. This study provides a novel perspective for significantly improving the gelation characteristics and rheological properties of bentonite suspensions at high temperatures through a special inorganic substance, while realizing resource reuse and cost reduction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Polymer Gels for Oil Drilling and Enhanced Recovery)

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20 pages, 1672 KB

Open AccessReview

Comparative Effects of Dietary Protein, Creatine, and Omega-3 Supplementation on Muscle Strength, Endurance, and Recovery in Trained Athletes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

by Ziyu Wang, Gang Qin and Byung-Min Kim

Nutrients 2026, 18(6), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18060909 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of dietary protein, creatine, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on muscle strength, endurance performance, and recovery outcomes in trained athletes. A comprehensive literature search across MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus identified randomized controlled trials evaluating these supplements in individuals engaged in structured training for a minimum of six months. Network meta-analysis employing a frequentist random-effects model synthesized direct and indirect evidence, with treatment rankings determined using Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve probabilities. The analysis incorporated 35 trials enrolling 1211 participants. Creatine supplementation demonstrated superior effects for muscle strength (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.63, SUCRA = 82.4%), protein supplementation proved most effective for endurance performance (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.48, SUCRA = 85.2%), and omega-3 supplementation yielded the greatest benefits for recovery outcomes (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.62, SUCRA = 88.7%). Network consistency assessment revealed no significant disagreement between direct and indirect evidence across all outcomes. These findings reveal an outcome-specific efficacy pattern supporting targeted supplementation strategies aligned with primary training objectives in athletic populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Innovative Diet and Health Supplements for Athletic Performance)

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12 pages, 2230 KB

Open AccessArticle

Microwave-Assisted Rapid Synthesis of Metallic Iron Nanoparticles from Triiron Dodecacarbonyl

by Ehsan Ezzatpour Ghadim, Yisong Han and Festus Mathuen Slade

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(6), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16060353 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Zero-valent iron (Fe(0)) nanoparticles have a wide range of applications, including catalysis, energy storage, and even reported roles in human neurochemistry. This study demonstrated that [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] dissolves in N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) within a minute to resolve the dissolution problem of this complex. Dodecylamine (DDA) was used to produce DDA-coated Fe(0) at 383 K in 30 s with a microwave reactor. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) of the Fe(0) profile indicated a pure-phase face-centred cubic (FCC) structure with Fm

\bar{3}

m space group. Varying the synthesis time from 30 s to 5 min did not significantly affect the unit cell parameters (3.5276 (±0.0001) and 3.5391 (±0.0001) Å). Microwave use yielded well-dispersed, pure Fe(0) nanoparticles, and the particle size, shape, elemental analysis, and surface oxidation of the Fe(0) nanoparticles were studied using scanning electron microscopy and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Annular Dark-Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (ADF-STEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed the surface coating of Fe(0) nanoparticles with DDA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to demonstrate the surface adsorption of DDA on Fe(0) nanoparticles. In addition, STEM showed that the average nanoparticle size under the stated synthesis conditions was 25.7 nm. This comparatively straightforward procedure offers advantages over existing practical approaches to the synthesis of Fe(0) nanoparticles, including safety, speed and reaction control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures)

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Graphical abstract

19 pages, 17401 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Sulfidation Temperatures on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance of Fe-Co-Ni-Mo-Cu High-Entropy Alloys

by Yuzuo Liu, Yulong Feng, Zhihao He, Junsheng Yang, Huangchu Chen and Hua Tan

Coatings 2026, 16(3), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16030362 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

In this study, FeCoNiMoCu high-entropy alloy thin films were sulfided at different temperatures ranged from 250 °C to 450 °C by chemical vapor deposition, and the resultant sulfided Fe-Co-Ni-Mo-Cu-S alloys were characterized by means of XRD, SEM, XPS and EDS. HER performance tests were carried out in four electrolyte systems, namely 0.5 M H₂SO₄, 1 M KOH, 1 M KOH + 0.5 M NaCl and 1 M KOH + 1 M Na₂S. The results indicated that the as-prepared electrodes exhibited low HER overpotentials in all four electrolytes, with the optimal catalytic performance consistently achieved at a sulfidation temperature of 350 °C. Among the tested systems, the electrode delivered the best HER activity in 0.5 M H₂SO₄, showing an overpotential of merely 53 mV and a Tafel slope of 86.72 mV dec⁻¹ at a current density of 10 mA·cm⁻². In 1.0 M KOH, the overpotential required to reach the same current density was 98 mV with a Tafel slope of 72.43 mV dec⁻¹. For the mixed electrolyte of 1 M KOH and 0.5 M NaCl, the overpotential at 10 mA·cm⁻² was 142 mV accompanied by a Tafel slope of 49.51 mV dec⁻¹. In contrast, the 1 M KOH + 1 M Na₂S electrolyte yielded an overpotential of 77 mV and a Tafel slope of 84.01 mV dec⁻¹ at the identical current density. HER tests revealed that the sulfidation temperature exerts a significant influence on the formation and distribution of active phases of multi-metal sulfides (e.g., FeS_x, CoS_x, NiS_x, MoS₂) on the electrode surface. The electrodes prepared at an appropriate sulfidation temperature exhibit a larger specific surface area and enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance for water electrolysis. These findings may provide useful references for other researchers in the design and fabrication of high-entropy alloy-based HER catalysts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Entropy Alloys in Surface Engineering: Properties and Performance)

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17 pages, 12731 KB

Open AccessArticle

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes and Ciprofloxacin Using Coral-like β-Bi₂O₃

by Thomas Cadenbach, María Isabel Loyola-Plúa, Freddy Quijano Carrasco, Maria J. Benitez, Carlos Reinoso, Alexis Debut and Karla Vizuete

Molecules 2026, 31(6), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060963 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Contamination of water bodies caused by increasing human and industrial activities poses a serious threat to human health and environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for green and efficient remediation strategies. In this study, a facile hydrothermal synthesis followed by controlled calcination was developed to fabricate phase-pure α- and β-Bi₂O₃ with a unique coral-like hierarchical morphology as visible-light-active photocatalysts. Phase selectivity was achieved by tuning the calcination temperature, yielding pure β-Bi₂O₃ while preserving the hierarchical structure. Optical characterization revealed a narrower bandgap for β-Bi₂O₃ (2.24 eV) compared to α-Bi₂O₃ (2.75 eV), favoring visible-light absorption. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated using Rhodamine B as a model pollutant, where β-Bi₂O₃ achieved complete degradation within 240 min, significantly outperforming α-Bi₂O₃. The degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the catalyst exhibited excellent robustness and reusability. To further demonstrate applicability toward persistent contaminants, Methyl Orange (MO) and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) were employed as additional model pollutants. The coral-like β-Bi₂O₃ showed high visible-light activity toward MO, including complete removal under acidic conditions. Moreover, efficient degradation of CIP was achieved at neutral pH, with 90% removal within 150 min and complete degradation after 240 min. Overall, these results highlight coral-like β-Bi₂O₃ as an efficient standalone photocatalyst for visible-light-driven degradation of dye and pharmaceutical pollutants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Materials: Synthesis Strategies and Environmental Applications)

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19 pages, 1226 KB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Sustainable Construction Implementation in Ethiopia’s Commercial Building Sector

by Meheretab Yigzaw, Asregedew Woldesenbet, Solomon Belay and Asmamaw Shiferaw

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2813; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062813 (registering DOI) - 13 Mar 2026

Abstract

Determinants of sustainable construction in developing economies remain under-examined empirically. This study identifies the predictors of Sustainable Construction Implementation (SCI) in Ethiopia’s commercial building sector using survey data from 65 purposively selected stakeholders, including contractors, consultants, developers, and public regulators. Multiple linear regression was applied to test six explanatory variables: Stakeholder Engagement, Policy and Institutional Support, Financial and Economic Factors, Awareness and Training, Technological Capacity, and Regulatory and Implementation Challenges. The model was statistically significant (F (6, 58) = 19.260, p < 0.001) and explained 66.6% of the variance in SCI (R² = 0.666). Only Policy and Institutional Support (β = 0.357, p = 0.004) and Regulatory and Implementation Challenges (β = 0.284, p = 0.012) were significant predictors. Financial, technological, and stakeholder-related variables were not statistically significant when governance factors were controlled. The findings demonstrate that sustainable construction adoption in Ethiopia is structurally governance-driven rather than market-driven. Strengthening regulatory clarity, enforcement capacity, and institutional coordination is therefore likely to yield greater implementation gains than incentive-based or awareness-focused strategies alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)

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1381 KB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Comparative Analysis of Drying Techniques on Mineral Retention and Quality of Apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.)

by Sarvar Rejabov, Botir Usmonov, Komil Usmanov, Jaloliddin Eshbobaev, Bekzod Madaminov, Abbos Elmanov and Zafar Turakulov

Eng. Proc. 2026, 124(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026124076 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of four drying methods—open sun drying, solar drying, infrared drying, and microwave drying—on the quality attributes and elemental retention of apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.). Experimental trials were conducted in June 2024 at the Tashkent Institute of Chemical-Technology using equal quantities of fresh apricots. Drying was continued until the moisture content, measured gravimetrically, dropped below 20% (wet basis), followed by spectroscopic analysis to determine macro- and microelement concentrations. Solar-dried apricots showed higher retention of essential nutrients in this experimental trial: potassium (2.37%), silicon (0.538%), magnesium (0.145%), calcium (0.176%), and sulfur (0.152%). In contrast, open sun drying led to significant nutrient degradation and poor visual quality. Microwave drying preserved some micronutrients but resulted in surface scorching due to uneven heating. Infrared drying yielded acceptable results but required substantial energy input. Among all methods, solar drying provided the optimal balance of high product quality and energy efficiency. The drying process required negligible electrical energy owing to exclusive reliance on solar radiation. This method supports sustainable food processing by reducing energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions while preserving nutritional quality. The results highlight solar drying as a promising, eco-friendly technique for preserving the nutritional integrity of agricultural products. These findings offer valuable scientific guidance for selecting appropriate drying technologies in the food processing industry, especially in regions with high solar potential. However, the study is limited to a single fruit variety and seasonal conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences)

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15 pages, 820 KB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond the Scale: Effects of Maternal Obesity on Embryo Morphokinetics and IVF Outcomes

by Nir Roguin, Medeia Michaeli, Diana Polotov and Einat Shalom-Paz

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(6), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062182 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Does maternal body mass index (BMI) influence embryo morphokinetics in fresh embryo transfer cycles, and how does this relate to clinical outcomes and obstetric complications? Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 2238 fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles, categorized into four BMI groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Baseline characteristics, stimulation parameters, hormonal profiles, morphokinetic data, and pregnancy and delivery outcomes were analyzed. Results: Higher BMI was associated with more anovulatory infertility and greater endometrial thickness. Peak estradiol and estradiol-to-oocyte ratios declined progressively with increasing BMI, despite preserved oocyte yield and embryo quality scores. Interestingly, the underweight group exhibited a significantly distinct biphasic morphokinetics developmental pattern compared with the overweight and obese groups. Pregnancy rates, including clinical and live birth, did not differ significantly across BMI groups. However, obese women had markedly higher cesarean section rates (51.9% vs. ~25–28% in other groups) and a non-significant trend toward more gestational diabetes. Other perinatal outcomes, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth, were not significantly different. Conclusions: In fresh IVF cycles, a higher BMI does not impair pregnancy achievement but is linked to altered hormonal response and increased obstetric risk, particularly cesarean delivery. These findings highlight the importance of preconception counseling and targeted obstetric management for women with elevated BMI undergoing fresh ET. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Reproductive Medicine & Andrology)

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36 pages, 11335 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Intelligent Hybrid PIDF Enhanced by a Fuzzy Fractional-Order Controller for Robust Load Frequency Regulation in a Two-Area Interconnected Power System

by Saleh Almutairi, Fatih Anayi, Michael Packianather, Mohammad Almutairi and Mokhtar Shouran

Energies 2026, 19(6), 1442; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19061442 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Maintaining frequency regulation in interconnected power systems becomes increasingly difficult in the presence of nonlinear operating conditions. To address this issue, this study develops a hybrid load frequency control scheme in which a fuzzy fractional-order FOPI–FOPD controller is incorporated within a PIDF framework for a two-area LFC system. The controller parameters are optimized using the Dwarf Mongoose Optimization Algorithm (DMOA) and the Catch Fish Optimization Algorithm (CFOA), while the Integral of Time-Weighted Absolute Error (ITAE) is adopted as the performance criterion. The proposed strategy is examined under both linear and nonlinear scenarios, including the effects of Governor Dead Band (GDB) and Generation Rate Constraints (GRC). In the linear case, the DMOA-based design achieves an ITAE of 0.02939 with a tie-line settling time of 13.5478 s, whereas the CFOA-based design produces a bounded and convergent response with an ITAE of 0.03937 and a settling time of 14.4947 s. When GDB nonlinearity is introduced, the DMOA-tuned controller exhibits performance deterioration, yielding an ITAE of 0.1098 and a settling time of 19.0416 s, while the CFOA-tuned design shows more favorable time-domain performance with a lower ITAE of 0.05845 and a bounded settling time of 16.3595 s. These findings indicate that the CFOA-optimized PIDF–Fuzzy FOPI–FOPD controller provides an effective LFC solution under the examined nonlinear operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Innovations in Stability and Control of Power Systems)

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28 pages, 20350 KB

Open AccessArticle

Humic Acid-Stabilized Biogenic FeS Nanoparticles for Cr(VI) Removal Under Simulated Acidic Mine Drainage Conditions: Optimization and Interfacial Transformation Pathways

by Mengjia Dai, Junzhen Di and Min Zhang

Molecules 2026, 31(6), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31060962 (registering DOI) - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

Acidic mine drainage (AMD) poses a severe global environmental threat due to its high acidity and elevated levels of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), for which biogenic iron sulfide (FeS) nanoparticles have emerged as a promising remediation agent; however, their practical application is hindered by aggregation and oxidative deactivation. This research synthesized biogenic FeS nanoparticles via sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and employed humic acid (HA) as a stabilizing agent to enhance Cr(VI) removal performance in simulated AMD conditions. Single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology identified the optimal biosynthetic conditions for FeS: yeast extract powder dosage of 2.2 g/L, Fe/S molar ratio of 0.8, and NH₄Cl dosage of 3.1 g/L. Under these conditions, the material achieved 84.25% Cr(VI) removal, with the Fe/S molar ratio identified as the most influential parameter governing synthesis and performance. Introducing HA at an optimal dosage of 2 mg/L drove marked improvements in both nanoparticle yield and reactivity: FeS yield increased to 1096.26 mg/L, Cr(VI) removal efficiency reached 99.62%, and residual Cr(VI) dropped from 15.75 mg/L to just 0.38 mg/L. Kinetic and isotherm analyses, paired with SEM/TEM imaging and zeta potential measurements, revealed that HA stabilization improved particle dispersion and reduced lamellar stacking, resulting in a surface-controlled Cr(VI) removal process. FTIR and 2D-COS analyses demonstrated that HA-derived oxygen-containing functional groups, including O–H/N–H, C=O, and C–O moieties, played a central role in interfacial interactions during Cr(VI) sequestration. XRD results confirmed that Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) and primarily immobilized as low-solubility CrOOH and Cr₂S₃, while the formation of Fe–Cr spinel-like phases remains tentative without X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) validation. Further investigation via surface-sensitive spectroscopy and dynamic leaching tests is needed to fully assess the long-term stability of the reaction products. Full article

24 pages, 5318 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Potential Wind Sites for Power Integration in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Arerti, Sela Dingay, Debre Berhan, Mega, and Gode

by Solomon Feleke, Mulat Azene, Degarege Anteneh, Wenfa Kang, Yun Yu, Mahshid Javidsharifi, Solomon Mamo, Josep M. Guerrero, Juan C. Vasquez and Yajuan Guan

Energies 2026, 19(6), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19061440 - 12 Mar 2026

Abstract

With hydropower supplying nearly 94% of Ethiopia’s electricity, the national power grid is extremely vulnerable to recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall. To mitigate this risk, this study examines the wind power potential across five specific locations: Arerti, Sela Dingay, Debre Berhan, Mega, and Gode. By combining on-site mast measurements with datasets from NASA and the Global Wind Atlas, we evaluated wind characteristics at industry-standard hub heights of 80 m and 100 m. The analysis focused on wind power density (WPD), Weibull stability parameters (k and c), and directional consistency. The results indicate that Gode and Mega are the premier choices for commercial development, showing average speeds above 8.5 m/s and power densities exceeding 500 W/m2 at the 100 m level. Gode stands out as the most reliable site, with a Weibull shape factor (k) of 2.8 and a scale factor (c) of 9.1 m/s. We modeled a standard 3 MW turbine while factoring in a 20% loss for real-world conditions; this yielded net annual energy productions of 9461 MWh (36% CF) for Gode, 9040 MWh (34.4% CF) for Mega, and 8619 MWh (32.8% CF) for Arerti. While Sela Dingay and Debre Berhan have lower initial yields, their feasibility improves significantly when using towers taller than 80 m. Wind rose data reveals that Gode and Arerti have highly unidirectional flows, which simplifies turbine micro-siting. Notably, Arerti provides a unique economic advantage due to its location right next to existing 132/230 kV transmission infrastructure and industrial load centers. Overall, these findings provide a definitive technical roadmap for Ethiopia to diversify its energy portfolio and meet its Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling, Control and Optimization of Wind Power Systems)

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