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21 pages, 4103 KB

Open AccessArticle

Model-Centric or Data-Centric Approach? A Case Study on the Classification of Surface Defects in Steel Hot Rolling Using Convolutional Neural Networks

by Francisco López de la Rosa, José L. Gómez-Sirvent, Roberto Sánchez-Reolid, Rafael Morales and Antonio Fernández-Caballero

Sensors 2026, 26(2), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26020612 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Any industrial application that uses convolutional neural networks (CNNs) requires initial data and resources in order to train the models. However, the selection of models must be appropriate to the quality and quantity of the available data and computational resources. This study analyses [...] Read more.

Any industrial application that uses convolutional neural networks (CNNs) requires initial data and resources in order to train the models. However, the selection of models must be appropriate to the quality and quantity of the available data and computational resources. This study analyses the influence of data quantity and quality on the performance of CNN models of different complexity. Image preprocessing and image transformation data augmentation techniques are applied to generate different amounts of synthetic data with which to train the aforementioned models, shedding light on the following question: does the quality and quantity of the data or the depth of the model have more influence? Different experiments are performed using the Northeastern University (NEU) Steel Surface Defects Database, which contains surface defects found in hot-rolled steel. After analyzing the results, the authors conclude that data quality and quantity have a much greater influence than model choice. As resources and time are often limited in industry and the ultimate goal is to maximize profit by increasing efficiency, the authors encourage researchers to carefully consider the industrial application at hand and analyze the available data and resources before selecting CNN models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Intelligent Sensors)

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17 pages, 4129 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals Dynamic Gene-Expression Profiles During Early Embryonic Development of Sichuan Taimen (Hucho bleekeri)

by Yeyu Chen, Zhao Liu, Huanchao Yang, Qinyao Wei, Yanling Chen, Guiliang Liu, Wei Jin and Hua Li

Fishes 2026, 11(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11010057 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

The Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri) is a flagship species for the Yangtze River and is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Successful artificial breeding and conservation efforts are therefore essential for maintaining population stability. The early embryonic stage is the [...] Read more.

The Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri) is a flagship species for the Yangtze River and is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Successful artificial breeding and conservation efforts are therefore essential for maintaining population stability. The early embryonic stage is the foundation of the entire life cycle and is critical for subsequent survival and growth. Here, we aimed to investigate gene-expression profiles across eight developmental stages through RNA-seq sequencing: fertilized egg, embryonic shield elevation, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, neurula, brain differentiation, and hatching. Time-series analysis revealed remarkable gene-expression changes between the cleavage and embryonic shield elevation, gastrula and blastula, and brain differentiation and hatching stages. The expression levels of cell cycle-related genes—including ccn2d, ccna2, cdk11, cdk17, cdka2, cdkl3, plk1, and others—decreased during embryonic development. Genes associated with muscle development, such as myl9, mylk, and tnnc2, were present in all stages and significantly enriched at hatching, while others were nearly absent during early development. In metabolic pathways, genes related to lipid metabolism and glycolysis were significantly expressed in the hatching stage. Regarding immune-related genes, complement genes were notably enriched at hatching, whereas cfh and cfb were expressed throughout development. Genes involved in adaptive immunity, such as mhc I, mhc II, tcr, and T-cell marker genes, were either not expressed or only weakly expressed in all stages. The results can provide insights into regulatory mechanisms underlying early embryonic development in fishes and provide general knowledge about salmonid development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Fishes: Taxonomic Diversity, Conservation Concerns, and Future Directions)

28 pages, 1713 KB

Open AccessReview

Liver Fibrosis and the Risks of Impaired Cognition and Dementia: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Clinical Implications

by Mohamad Jamalinia, Ralf Weiskirchen and Amedeo Lonardo

Med. Sci. 2026, 14(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci14010044 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Liver fibrosis, the progressive accumulation of scar tissue resulting from chronic liver disease, is increasingly recognized as a multi-system condition, the effects of which extend beyond the liver, affecting brain health. Dementia, characterized by progressively impaired cognition sufficient to impede daily functioning, is [...] Read more.

Liver fibrosis, the progressive accumulation of scar tissue resulting from chronic liver disease, is increasingly recognized as a multi-system condition, the effects of which extend beyond the liver, affecting brain health. Dementia, characterized by progressively impaired cognition sufficient to impede daily functioning, is a major global health issue with incompletely defined risk factors and pathogenic precursors. To examine the relationship between liver fibrosis and cognitive outcomes, we conducted a comprehensive PubMed literature search, and human studies published in English were included. Evidence is synthesized on the pathophysiology and clinical significance of liver fibrosis, types of dementia, and studies supporting the association between liver fibrosis and cognitive impairment. Meta-analytic data indicate that liver fibrosis is associated with an approximately 30% increased risk of incident dementia (pooled hazard ratio ~1.3), with progressively higher risks across more advanced fibrosis stages. Putative pathomechanisms, potentially modulated by age and sex, include chronic systemic and neuro-inflammation, insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction, and a perturbed intestinal microbiota–liver–brain axis. Non-invasive liver fibrosis diagnostics, advanced neuroimaging, and biomarkers represent key tools for assessing risk. In conclusion, liver fibrosis is a systemic condition that can affect brain health. Early detection, thorough risk assessment and interventions, such as lifestyle changes, metabolic therapies, and antifibrotic treatments, may help protect neural function. Key research gaps are identified, with suggestions for improving understanding of liver fibrosis’s connection to dementia or cognitive impairment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hepatic and Gastroenterology Diseases)

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23 pages, 2725 KB

Open AccessArticle

Text- and Face-Conditioned Multi-Anchor Conditional Embedding for Robust Periocular Recognition

by Po-Ling Fong, Tiong-Sik Ng and Andrew Beng Jin Teoh

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020942 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Periocular recognition is essential when full-face images cannot be used because of occlusion, privacy constraints, or sensor limitations, yet in many deployments, only periocular images are available at run time, while richer evidence, such as archival face photos and textual metadata, exists offline. [...] Read more.

Periocular recognition is essential when full-face images cannot be used because of occlusion, privacy constraints, or sensor limitations, yet in many deployments, only periocular images are available at run time, while richer evidence, such as archival face photos and textual metadata, exists offline. This mismatch makes it hard to deploy conventional multimodal fusion. This motivates the notion of conditional biometrics, where auxiliary modalities are used only during training to learn stronger periocular representations while keeping deployment strictly periocular-only. In this paper, we propose Multi-Anchor Conditional Periocular Embedding (MACPE), which maps periocular, facial, and textual features into a shared anchor-conditioned space via a learnable anchor bank that preserves periocular micro-textures while aligning higher-level semantics. Training combines identity classification losses on periocular and face branches with a symmetric InfoNCE loss over anchors and a pulling regularizer that jointly aligns periocular, facial, and textual embeddings without collapsing into face-dominated solutions; captions generated by a vision language model provide complementary semantic supervision. At deployment, only the periocular encoder is used. Experiments across five periocular datasets show that MACPE consistently improves Rank-1 identification and reduces EER at a fixed FAR compared with periocular-only baselines and alternative conditioning methods. Ablation studies verify the contributions of anchor-conditioned embeddings, textual supervision, and the proposed loss design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)

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14 pages, 1984 KB

Open AccessArticle

Scenario-Guided Temporal Prototypes in Reinforcement Learning

by Blaž Dobravec and Jure Žabkar

Mach. Learn. Knowl. Extr. 2026, 8(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/make8010021 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Deep reinforcement learning policies are hard to deploy in safety-critical settings, because they fail to explain why a sequence of actions is taken. We introduce an intrinsically interpretable framework that learns compact summaries of recurring behavior and uses them for case-based decision making. [...] Read more.

Deep reinforcement learning policies are hard to deploy in safety-critical settings, because they fail to explain why a sequence of actions is taken. We introduce an intrinsically interpretable framework that learns compact summaries of recurring behavior and uses them for case-based decision making. Our method (i) discovers global regimes by grouping trajectories into a small set of recurrent patterns and (ii) learns a prototype-conditioned local policy that maps the current short-horizon pattern to an action (“this matches prototype X → take action Y”). Each action is accompanied by a similarity score to relevant prototypes, which provide the explanations. We evaluate our approach on two domains: (1) CarRacing (pixel-based continuous control) and (2) a real voltage-control problem in low-voltage distribution networks. Our results indicate that the method provides clear pre hoc explanations while keeping task performance close to the reference policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Learning)

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22 pages, 12812 KB

Open AccessArticle

bFGF-Loaded PDA Microparticles Enhance Vascularization of Engineered Skin with a Concomitant Increase in Leukocyte Recruitment

by Britani N. Blackstone, Zachary W. Everett, Syed B. Alvi, Autumn C. Campbell, Emilio Alvalle, Olivia Borowski, Jennifer M. Hahn, Divya Sridharan, Dorothy M. Supp, Mahmood Khan and Heather M. Powell

Bioengineering 2026, 13(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13010110 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Engineered skin (ES) can serve as an advanced therapy for treatment of large full-thickness wounds, but delayed vascularization can cause ischemia, necrosis, and graft failure. To accelerate ES vascularization, this study assessed incorporation of polydopamine (PDA) microparticles loaded with different concentrations of basic [...] Read more.

Engineered skin (ES) can serve as an advanced therapy for treatment of large full-thickness wounds, but delayed vascularization can cause ischemia, necrosis, and graft failure. To accelerate ES vascularization, this study assessed incorporation of polydopamine (PDA) microparticles loaded with different concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) into collagen scaffolds, which were subsequently seeded with human fibroblasts to create dermal templates (DTs), and then keratinocytes to create ES. DTs and ES were evaluated in vitro and following grafting to full-thickness wounds in immunodeficient mice. In vitro, metabolic activity of DTs was enhanced with PDA+bFGF, though this increase was not observed following seeding with keratinocytes to generate ES. After grafting, ES with bFGF-loaded PDA microparticles displayed dose-dependent increases in CD31-positive vessel formation vs. PDA-only controls (p < 0.001 at day 7; p < 0.05 at day 14). Interestingly, ES containing PDA+bFGF microparticles exhibited an almost 3-fold increase in water loss through the skin and a less-organized basal keratinocyte layer at day 14 post-grafting vs. controls. This was associated with significantly increased inflammatory cell infiltrate vs. controls at day 7 in vivo (p < 0.001). The results demonstrate that PDA microparticles are a viable method for delivery of growth factors in ES. However, further investigation of bFGF concentrations, and/or investigation of alternative growth factors, will be required to promote vascularization while reducing inflammation and maintaining epidermal health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Biomacromolecules and Biobased Polymers)

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22 pages, 1881 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heterogeneous Spatiotemporal Graph Attention Network for Karst Spring Discharge Prediction: Advancing Sustainable Groundwater Management Under Climate Change

by Chunmei Ma, Ke Xu, Ying Li, Yonghong Hao, Huazhi Sun, Shuai Gao, Xiangfeng Fan and Xueting Wang

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020933 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Reliable forecasting of karst spring discharge is critical for sustainable groundwater resource management under the dual pressures of climate change and intensified anthropogenic activities. This study proposes a Heterogeneous Spatiotemporal Graph Attention Network (H-STGAT) to predict spring discharge dynamics at Shentou Spring, Shanxi [...] Read more.

Reliable forecasting of karst spring discharge is critical for sustainable groundwater resource management under the dual pressures of climate change and intensified anthropogenic activities. This study proposes a Heterogeneous Spatiotemporal Graph Attention Network (H-STGAT) to predict spring discharge dynamics at Shentou Spring, Shanxi Province, China. Unlike conventional spatiotemporal networks that treat all relationships uniformly, our model derives its heterogeneity from a graph structure that explicitly categorizes spatial, temporal, and periodic dependencies as unique edge classes. Specifically, a dual-layer attention mechanism is designed to independently extract hydrological features within each relational channel while dynamically assigning importance weights to fuse these multi-source dependencies. This architecture enables the adaptive capture of spatial heterogeneity, temporal dependencies, and multi-year periodic patterns in karst hydrological processes. Results demonstrate that H-STGAT outperforms both traditional statistical and deep learning models in predictive accuracy, achieving an RMSE of 0.22 m³/s and an NSE of 0.77. The model reveals a long-distance recharge pattern dominated by high-altitude regions, a finding validated by independent isotopic evidence, and accurately identifies an approximately 4–6 month lag between precipitation and spring discharge, which is consistent with the characteristic hydrological lag identified through statistical cross-covariance analysis. This research enhances the understanding of complex mechanisms in karst hydrological systems and provides a robust predictive tool for sustainable groundwater management and ecological conservation, while offering a generalizable methodological framework for similar complex karst hydrological systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)

13 pages, 10805 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Coffee Oil Epoxide as a Bio-Based Plasticizer on the Thermal, Mechanical, and Barrier Performance of PHBV/Natural Rubber Blends

by Rinky Ghosh, Xiaoying Zhao, Marie Genevieve Boushelle and Yael Vodovotz

Polymers 2026, 18(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18020240 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

This work evaluated the effect of coffee oil epoxide (COE), produced from coffee waste, on thermal, mechanical, barrier, and exudation resistance properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/natural rubber (PHBV/NR) blends. Building upon previously published 0.3% COE results, this study examined 0.4% and 0.75% concentrations to optimize [...] Read more.

This work evaluated the effect of coffee oil epoxide (COE), produced from coffee waste, on thermal, mechanical, barrier, and exudation resistance properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)/natural rubber (PHBV/NR) blends. Building upon previously published 0.3% COE results, this study examined 0.4% and 0.75% concentrations to optimize performance. Thermal analysis revealed that COE incorporation significantly enhanced chain mobility, with glass transition temperature depressions of 6.1 °C and 7.4 °C for 0.4% and 0.75% COE formulations, respectively, compared to unplasticized PHBV/NR blends. Crystallinity decreased from 54.5% (PHBV/NR) to 52.6% and 51.9% with increasing plasticizer concentration, while melting temperatures decreased by 3.9% and 4.9%, confirming improved polymer chain mobility. Mechanical properties demonstrated COE’s plasticizing effectiveness, with tensile strength decreasing by 13.3% (0.4% COE) and 16.2% (0.75% COE) compared to PHBV/NR blends. Young’s modulus similarly decreased by 21.0% and 24.0%, while elongation at break improved slightly with increasing COE content. Barrier properties improved substantially across all concentrations: water vapor transmission rates decreased from 4.05 g/m²·h (PHBV/NR) to 1.55 g/m²·h (0.3% COE) and 0.67 g/m²·h for 0.4% and 0.75% COE, attributed to COE’s hydrophobic nature. SEM morphological analysis confirmed improved phase compatibility at 0.40% COE, with reduced rubber droplet size and homogeneous surface morphology. Exudation testing revealed excellent retention (0.21–0.53 wt% loss over 63 days). Results indicate 0.40% COE as optimal, achieving superior barrier properties while maintaining mechanical performance for sustainable packaging applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Degradation and Recycling of Polymer Materials, 2nd Edition)

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23 pages, 7092 KB

Open AccessReview

Toward High-Performance Mg-Matrix Composites: Recent Advances in Ceramic Reinforcement Strategies and Processing Innovations

by Yuefeng Ying, Weideng Wang, Guoqiang You, Yan Yang, Bin Jiang, Lin Yue and Qilin Shao

Materials 2026, 19(2), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020365 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Magnesium matrix composites formed by incorporating ceramic particles into a magnesium alloy matrix can effectively leverage the complementary properties of the matrix and reinforcement. This approach significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the material at both room and elevated temperatures, offering a viable [...] Read more.

Magnesium matrix composites formed by incorporating ceramic particles into a magnesium alloy matrix can effectively leverage the complementary properties of the matrix and reinforcement. This approach significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the material at both room and elevated temperatures, offering a viable solution to the inherent limitations of Mg alloys, such as insufficient absolute strength, stiffness, and poor heat resistance. This article reviews the latest research progress in the field of ceramic particle-reinforced magnesium matrix composites in recent years. First, the current research status of magnesium matrix composites reinforced with different types of ceramic particles is comprehensively summarized. Subsequently, it provides a summary and in-depth analysis of the principles, key technologies, and microstructural characteristics of both mainstream and emerging preparation processes, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the challenges in current research are analyzed, and future cutting-edge directions for developing high-performance ceramic particle-reinforced magnesium matrix composites are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Performance Lightweight Alloy Materials and Their Advanced Forming Technologies)

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13 pages, 1040 KB

Open AccessArticle

Supplemented Feed for Broiler Chickens: The Influence of Red Grape Pomace and Grape Seed Flours on Meat Characteristics

by Manuela Mauro, Alessandro Attanzio, Carla Buzzanca, Marialetizia Ponte, Vita Di Stefano, Ignazio Restivo, Giuseppe Maniaci, Angela D’Amico, Antonino Di Grigoli, Emiliano Gurrieri, Antonio Fabbrizio, Sabrina Sallemi, Luisa Tesoriere, Francesco Longo, Rosario Badalamenti, Aiti Vizzini, Maria Grazia Cappai, Mirella Vazzana and Vincenzo Arizza

Animals 2026, 16(2), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020280 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Intensive broiler chicken farming is one of the most important livestock sectors globally. However, intensive production systems raise concerns about farm sustainability, as well as ensuring animal welfare and product quality. For this reason, identifying novel, high-value-added feed ingredients is crucial. Winery by-products [...] Read more.

Intensive broiler chicken farming is one of the most important livestock sectors globally. However, intensive production systems raise concerns about farm sustainability, as well as ensuring animal welfare and product quality. For this reason, identifying novel, high-value-added feed ingredients is crucial. Winery by-products (WBPs) are a valuable source of bioactive compounds and can be utilized as functional feed ingredients. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with grape seed meal and grape pomace meal in diets for broilers up to 42 days of age. Three dietary treatments were formulated—grape seed meal (3% and 6%), grape pomace meal (3% and 6%), and a combination (3% seed meal + 3% pomace meal)—along with a standard diet (control). The proximal composition (moisture, protein, fatty acid profile, fats, ash), antioxidant parameters (ROS, GSH, NO, POV), free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS^•+), and total phenolic content of the meat and physical characteristics (color) were assessed. While proximal composition of meat was not significantly influenced by the dietary treatment, some parameters, such as total phenolic content, PUFA levels, and antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, were improved. These results demonstrate enhanced favorable traits improving chicken meat quality and confirm the potential of WBPs as functional feed ingredients, promoting a more sustainable production model aligned with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Products)

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19 pages, 2598 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Biosorption/Desorption of Copper from Solutions Leached from Soils Contaminated by Mining Activity Using Lessonia berteroana Alga Biomass

by Sonia Cortés, Liey-si Wong-Pinto and Javier I. Ordóñez

Minerals 2026, 16(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16010088 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Although mining activities are economically essential, they have led to significant environmental contamination, particularly in northern Chile. The discharge of untreated tailings has impacted coastal and soil ecosystems. This analysis investigates the biosorption and desorption of copper using the dried biomass of Lessonia [...] Read more.

Although mining activities are economically essential, they have led to significant environmental contamination, particularly in northern Chile. The discharge of untreated tailings has impacted coastal and soil ecosystems. This analysis investigates the biosorption and desorption of copper using the dried biomass of Lessonia berteroana, a brown alga, focusing on its reuse over multiple cycles. Biosorption experiments were conducted using synthetic copper sulfate solutions and real leachates (PLS) obtained from historically contaminated soils, obtaining maximum uptakes of 66.1 and 41.1 mg/g, respectively. In addition, four isotherm models—Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R)—were applied to describe equilibrium behavior. In synthetic systems, the Langmuir model described the data better. In the real matrix, the D–R model showed superior performance, indicating a more heterogeneous mechanism and a lower adsorption capacity. Desorption experiments, fundamental to evaluating the recyclability capacity of biosorbents, used HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and C₆H₈O₇ as desorbing agents. These experiments showed high initial efficiency (>95%) for all desorbents, and regeneration remained consistent over five cycles. In real PLS systems, nitric and citric acids maintained high desorption efficiencies with minimal degradation of biosorbent capacity. This study highlights the potential of L. berteroana as a sustainable biosorbent for copper recovery in both controlled and real-world applications, supporting its integration into circular economy strategies for mine-impacted environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Theory and Technology of Biohydrometallurgy)

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18 pages, 2868 KB

Open AccessArticle

AdaDenseNet-LUC: Adaptive Attention DenseNet for Laryngeal Ultrasound Image Classification

by Cunyuan Luan and Huabo Liu

BioMedInformatics 2026, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedinformatics6010005 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Evaluating the difficulty of endotracheal intubation during pre-anesthesia assessment has consistently posed a challenge for clinicians. Accurate prediction of intubation difficulty is crucial for subsequent treatment planning. However, existing diagnostic methods often suffer from low accuracy. To tackle this issue, this study presented [...] Read more.

Evaluating the difficulty of endotracheal intubation during pre-anesthesia assessment has consistently posed a challenge for clinicians. Accurate prediction of intubation difficulty is crucial for subsequent treatment planning. However, existing diagnostic methods often suffer from low accuracy. To tackle this issue, this study presented an automated airway classification method utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). We proposed Adaptive Attention DenseNet for Laryngeal Ultrasound Classification (AdaDenseNet-LUC), a network architecture that enhances classification performance by integrating an adaptive attention mechanism into DenseNet (Dense Convolutional Network), enabling the extraction of deep features that aid in difficult airway classification. This model associates laryngeal ultrasound images with actual intubation difficulty, providing healthcare professionals with scientific evidence to help improve the accuracy of clinical decision-making. Experiments were performed on a dataset of 1391 ultrasound images, utilizing 5-fold cross-validation to assess the model’s performance. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a classification accuracy of 87.41%, sensitivity of 86.05%, specificity of 88.59%,

F_{1}

score of 0.8638, and AUC of 0.94. Grad-CAM visualization techniques indicate that the model’s attention is attention to the tracheal region. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms current approaches, delivering objective and accurate airway classification outcomes, which serve as a valuable reference for evaluating the difficulty of endotracheal intubation and providing guidance for clinicians. Full article

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20 pages, 877 KB

Open AccessArticle

Profiling the Aroma of Grape Spirits for Port Wine Using a Multi-Analytical GC Approach and Sensory Analysis

by Ilda Caldeira, Maria Loureiro, Nuno Martins, Sílvia Lourenço, Maria João Cabrita, Ricardo Silva, Sílvia M. Rocha and Fernando Alves

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(2), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020941 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Port wine production involves the addition of grape spirit to halt fermentation and retain natural sweetness. This spirit, produced by distilling wine and its by-products, must comply with legal standards, including a mandatory sensory assessment. Because grape spirit influences Port wine’s volatile composition, [...] Read more.

Port wine production involves the addition of grape spirit to halt fermentation and retain natural sweetness. This spirit, produced by distilling wine and its by-products, must comply with legal standards, including a mandatory sensory assessment. Because grape spirit influences Port wine’s volatile composition, this study investigated the odour-active compounds present in several grape spirits intended for fortification. Volatile compounds were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction, concentrated, and analysed using gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC-O) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In GC-O, based on frequency detection, a panel of assessors sniffed the extracts to determine the presence of aroma compounds. The results revealed a wide range of odour-active compounds in grape spirits, belonging to several chemical families such as esters, alcohols, terpenic compounds and acids. These compounds exhibited both pleasant aromas, such as fruity, floral and caramel notes as well as undesirable ones like cheese and foot odour. Most of these compounds originate from the fermentation process and are also found in other unaged distilled beverages, including young Cognac, Calvados and fruit spirits. This research highlights the aromatic complexity of grape spirits and, for the first time, determined the aroma thresholds for 25 of 36 the compounds studied at an ethanol content of 20%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methods and Techniques: Ensuring and Improving Food Safety and Quality)

37 pages, 19894 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Interpretation Center for Conservation and Environmental Education in Ecologically Sensitive Areas of the Tumbes Mangrove, Peru, 2025

by Doris Esenarro, Miller Garcia, Yerika Calampa, Patricia Vasquez, Duilio Aguilar Vizcarra, Carlos Vargas, Vicenta Irene Tafur Anzualdo, Jesica Vilchez Cairo and Pablo Cobeñas

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10010057 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

The continuous degradation of mangrove ecosystems, considered among the most vulnerable worldwide, reveals multiple threats driven by human activities and climate change. In the Peruvian context, particularly in the Tumbes Mangrove ecosystem, these pressures are intensified by the absence of integrated spatial and [...] Read more.

The continuous degradation of mangrove ecosystems, considered among the most vulnerable worldwide, reveals multiple threats driven by human activities and climate change. In the Peruvian context, particularly in the Tumbes Mangrove ecosystem, these pressures are intensified by the absence of integrated spatial and educational infrastructures capable of supporting conservation efforts while engaging local communities. In response, this research proposes a Sustainable Interpretation Center for Conservation and Environmental Education in Ecologically Sensitive Areas of the Tumbes Mangrove, Peru. The methodology includes climate data analysis, identification of local flora and fauna, and site topography characterization, supported by digital tools such as Google Earth, AutoCAD 2025, Revit 2025, and 3D Sun Path. The results are reflected in an architectural proposal that incorporates sustainable materials compatible with sensitive ecosystems, including eco-friendly structural solutions based on algarrobo timber, together with resilient strategies addressing climatic variability, such as lightweight structures, elevated platforms, and passive environmental solutions that minimize impact on the mangrove. Furthermore, the proposal integrates a photovoltaic energy system consisting of 12 solar panels with a unit capacity of 450 W, providing a total installed capacity of 5.4 kWp, complemented by a 48 V LiFePO₄ battery storage system designed to ensure energy autonomy during periods of low solar availability. In conclusion, the proposal adheres to principles of sustainability and energy efficiency and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 8, 12, 14, and 15, reinforcing the use of clean energy, responsible tourism, sustainable resource management, and the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Challenges and Solutions of Sustainable Development in the Ecologically Sensitive Areas or Social Fringe Zones)

14 pages, 1388 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identified Optimal Codons and Phylogenetic Relationship in Pseudobagrus Species Based on Complete Mitogenomes

by Qian Qi, Weixu Jiang, Yanhui Sun, Feng Yang, Chenran Lv, Xiaolong Gao, Liming Zhao, Gao Gao and Cheng Zhang

Animals 2026, 16(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020279 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

The genus Pseudobagrus represents a group of economically and ecologically significant freshwater bagrid catfishes in East Asia, yet its taxonomy remains contentious. This study employed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 15 Pseudobagrus species to clarify their phylogenetic relationships. The mitogenomes ranged from 16,526 [...] Read more.

The genus Pseudobagrus represents a group of economically and ecologically significant freshwater bagrid catfishes in East Asia, yet its taxonomy remains contentious. This study employed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 15 Pseudobagrus species to clarify their phylogenetic relationships. The mitogenomes ranged from 16,526 to 16,647 bp, exhibiting a conserved gene order and significant AT bias (average A + T = 57.85%). All genomes contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a control region. Start codons were predominantly ATG, except for COI (GTG), while stop codons varied among TAA, TAG, and incomplete T--. Codon usage bias favored NNU and NNA codons, and 12 optimal codons were identified in P. albomarginatus. The phylogenetic trees based on concatenated PCGs revealed two major clades. Clade I contained 14 species. Within this clade, P. albomarginatus, P. tenuis, and P. brevicorpus clustered together first, and then this trio grouped with P. ussuriensis. Pseudobagrus trilineatus formed the separate Clade II. These results provide a molecular foundation for species delimitation and systematic revision within Pseudobagrus, supporting the monophyly of the genus while highlighting cryptic diversity and taxonomic complexity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ecology and Conservation)

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12 pages, 450 KB

Open AccessReview

Exploring Vitamin E’s Role in Colorectal Cancer Growth Using Rodent Models: A Scoping Review

by Nuraqila Mohd Murshid, Jo Aan Goon and Khaizurin Tajul Arifin

Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020289 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background: Vitamin E has been studied for its role in reducing the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is a worldwide health concern. A meta-analysis reported that CRC patients have a lower concentration of serum vitamin E, suggesting it to be a risk [...] Read more.

Background: Vitamin E has been studied for its role in reducing the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is a worldwide health concern. A meta-analysis reported that CRC patients have a lower concentration of serum vitamin E, suggesting it to be a risk factor. Although rodent models are widely used in disease research, their application in studying vitamin E as a preventive or therapeutic agent in CRC is not well characterized. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review to examine the available evidence, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) for full-text English original articles published before May 2024, using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and free text. The following search string strategy was applied: (Vitamin E OR tocopherol$ OR tocotrienol$) AND (Colo$ cancer OR colo$ carcinoma) AND (Rodentia OR mouse OR Rodent$ OR mice OR murine OR rats OR guinea OR rabbit OR hamsters OR Animal model OR Animal testing OR animals) AND (neoplasm$ OR “tumor mass” OR tumor volume OR tumor weight OR tumor burden). Data were charted into five categories using a standardized, pretested form. The charted data were synthesized using descriptive and narrative methods. Conclusions: This study highlights that γ- and δ-tocopherols, as well as δ-tocotrienol and its metabolites, were reported to reduce tumor volume and formation in various rodent models. While these results are promising, this scoping review identifies a need for further research to address translational barriers such as dosing, bioavailability, and long-term safety before clinical application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin/Mineral Intake and Dietary Quality in Relation to Cancer Risk)

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19 pages, 1791 KB

Open AccessArticle

School-Based Immersive Virtual Reality Learning to Enhance Pragmatic Language and Social Communication in Children with ASD and SCD

by Phichete Julrode, Kitti Puritat, Pakinee Ariya and Kannikar Intawong

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16010141 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Pragmatic language is a core component of school-based social participation, yet children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder (SCD) frequently experience persistent difficulties in using language appropriately across everyday learning contexts. This study investigated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted, [...] Read more.

Pragmatic language is a core component of school-based social participation, yet children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder (SCD) frequently experience persistent difficulties in using language appropriately across everyday learning contexts. This study investigated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted, school-based immersive Virtual Reality (VR) learning program designed to enhance pragmatic language and social communication skills among Thai primary school children. Eleven participants aged 7–12 years completed a three-week, ten-session VR program that simulated authentic classroom, playground, and canteen interactions aligned with Thai sociocultural norms. Outcomes were measured using the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and the Pragmatic Behavior Observation Checklist (PBOC). While SCQ scores showed a small, non-significant reduction (p = 0.092), PBOC results demonstrated significant improvements in three foundational pragmatic domains: Initiation and Responsiveness (p = 0.032), Turn-Taking and Conversational Flow (p = 0.037), and Politeness and Register (p = 0.010). Other domains showed no significant changes. These findings suggest that immersive, culturally relevant VR environments can support early gains in core pragmatic language behaviors within educational settings, although broader social communication outcomes may require longer or more intensive learning experiences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redefining Education with Immersive Technologies: Transforming Education with AR and VR)

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27 pages, 1134 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Cryptocurrency Dual-Offline Payment Method for Payment Capacity Privacy Protection

by Huayou Si, Yaqian Huang, Guozheng Li, Yun Zhao, Yuanyuan Qi, Wei Chen and Zhigang Gao

Electronics 2026, 15(2), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15020400 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Current research on cryptocurrency dual-offline payment systems has garnered significant attention from both academia and industry, owing to its potential payment feasibility and application scalability in extreme environments and network-constrained scenarios. However, existing dual-offline payment schemes exhibit technical limitations in privacy preservation, failing [...] Read more.

Current research on cryptocurrency dual-offline payment systems has garnered significant attention from both academia and industry, owing to its potential payment feasibility and application scalability in extreme environments and network-constrained scenarios. However, existing dual-offline payment schemes exhibit technical limitations in privacy preservation, failing to adequately safeguard sensitive data such as payment amounts and participant identities. To address this, this paper proposes a privacy-preserving dual-offline payment method utilizing a cryptographic challenge-response mechanism. The method employs zero-knowledge proof technology to cryptographically protect sensitive information, such as the payer’s wallet balance, during identity verification and payment authorization. This provides a technical solution that balances verification reliability with privacy protection in dual-offline transactions. The method adopts the payment credential generation and credential verification mechanism, combined with elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), to construct the verification protocol. These components enable dual-offline functionality while concealing sensitive information, including counterparty identities and wallet balances. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification on 100 simulated transactions show that this method achieves an average payment generation latency of 29.13 ms and verification latency of 25.09 ms, significantly outperforming existing technology in privacy protection, computational efficiency, and security robustness. The research provides an innovative technical solution for cryptocurrency dual-offline payment, advancing both theoretical foundations and practical applications in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data Privacy Protection in Blockchain Systems)

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17 pages, 954 KB

Open AccessArticle

Standardizing Recreational Cannabis Excise Tax Rates in the United States: New Retail Price-Based Measurements by Product Category

by Bing Han, Michael Cooper, Ce Shang and Yuyan Shi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23010114 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Background: Cannabis excise tax structures vary widely across the states in the United States. Standardizing taxes may improve cross-state comparisons and strengthen evaluations of how taxes and prices influence public health outcomes. This study developed category-specific standardized tax metrics for flower, vaping, and [...] Read more.

Background: Cannabis excise tax structures vary widely across the states in the United States. Standardizing taxes may improve cross-state comparisons and strengthen evaluations of how taxes and prices influence public health outcomes. This study developed category-specific standardized tax metrics for flower, vaping, and edible products by incorporating price and tax structure variations using retail scanner data. Methods: We analyzed cannabis retail scanner data from dispensary point-of-sale systems for flower, vaping, and edible products in 12 states with legal recreational markets from Q1 2020 to Q4 2024. Using retail prices and excise tax policies, we converted taxes in different forms across the supply chain into standardized measures and estimated tax incidence (ratio of standardized taxes to retail prices) for each category. We also evaluated the association between standardized taxes and retail prices. Results: Mean standardized excise taxes were USD 32.58/ounce for flower, USD 180.21/ounce for vaping, and USD 0.024/milligram THC for edible products. Corresponding tax incidences were 13.03%, 13.59%, and 13.09%. Standardized taxes and tax incidences varied considerably across states. Category-specific standardized taxes strongly predicted retail prices, supporting their use as an instrumental variable candidate. Conclusions: Category-specific standardized measures of cannabis excise taxes derived from retail scanner data may support cross-state comparisons and pricing policy evaluation. Full article

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23 pages, 359 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Freeze Drying, Hot Air Drying, and Hot Air Drying Preceded by Freezing on Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Technological Properties of Mango Peels

by Sara Marçal, Ana A. Vilas-Boas, Débora A. Campos and Manuela Pintado

Foods 2026, 15(2), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15020333 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Mango peels have great potential for upcycling in the food industry. This study addressed important knowledge gaps regarding mango peel drying, namely, the effect of drying on mango peels’ bound phenolics, and the impact of prior freezing on the composition of hot air-dried [...] Read more.

Mango peels have great potential for upcycling in the food industry. This study addressed important knowledge gaps regarding mango peel drying, namely, the effect of drying on mango peels’ bound phenolics, and the impact of prior freezing on the composition of hot air-dried mango peels. Hence, the effect of freeze drying (FD) (0.10 mbar; −63 °C (condenser temperature); 25 °C (shelf temperature); 96 h), hot air drying (HAD) (65 °C; 48 h), and HAD preceded by freezing (FZ + HAD) (−20 °C; 30 days) on mango peels’ composition, antioxidant capacity, and technological properties was evaluated. Drying did not affect fiber content; however, it caused slight modifications in carbohydrate composition of fiber. Regarding antioxidant compounds, FD, HAD, and FZ + HAD reduced vitamin C by 9%, 53%, and 71%, respectively. FD preserved all free phenolics, while HAD and FZ + HAD decreased most of them, with reductions ranging from 20 to 42% and 17 to 71%, respectively. However, FD, HAD, and FZ + HAD reduced 9, 2, and 6 of the 10 bound phenolics identified, respectively, and decreased their antioxidant capacity. Finally, all identified carotenoids were reduced by FZ + HAD, whereas FD and HAD decreased only violaxanthin. Regarding technological properties, FD showed the highest and lowest oil and water absorption capacities. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that prior freezing exacerbated the loss of antioxidants during HAD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Extraction, Characterization and Application of Functional Ingredients from Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products—2nd Edition)

20 pages, 1589 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Multiphysics Aging Model for SiO_x–Graphite Lithium-Ion Batteries Considering Electrochemical–Thermal–Mechanical–Gaseous Interactions

by Xiao-Ying Ma, Xue Li, Meng-Ran Kang, Jintao Shi, Xingcun Fan, Zifeng Cong, Xiaolong Feng, Jiuchun Jiang and Xiao-Guang Yang

Batteries 2026, 12(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries12010030 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Silicon oxide/graphite (SiO_x/Gr) anodes are promising candidates for high energy-density lithium-ion batteries. However, their complex multiphysics degradation mechanisms pose challenges for accurately interpreting and predicting capacity fade behavior. In particular, existing multiphysics models typically treat gas generation and solid electrolyte interphase [...] Read more.

Silicon oxide/graphite (SiO_x/Gr) anodes are promising candidates for high energy-density lithium-ion batteries. However, their complex multiphysics degradation mechanisms pose challenges for accurately interpreting and predicting capacity fade behavior. In particular, existing multiphysics models typically treat gas generation and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth as independent or unidirectionally coupled processes, neglecting their bidirectional interactions. Here, we develop an electro–thermal–mechanical–gaseous coupled model to capture the dominant degradation processes in SiO_x/Gr anodes, including SEI growth, gas generation, SEI formation on cracks, and particle fracture. Model validation shows that the proposed framework can accurately reproduce voltage responses under various currents and temperatures, as well as capacity fade under different thermal and mechanical conditions. Based on this validated model, a mechanistic analysis reveals two key findings: (1) Gas generation and SEI growth are bidirectionally coupled. SEI growth induces gas release, while accumulated gas in turn regulates subsequent SEI evolution by promoting SEI formation through hindered mass transfer and suppressing it through reduced active surface area. (2) Crack propagation within particles is jointly governed by the magnitude and duration of stress. High-rate discharges produce large but transient stresses that restrict crack growth, while prolonged stresses at low rates promote crack propagation and more severe structural degradation. This study provides new insights into the coupled degradation mechanisms of SiO_x/Gr anodes, offering guidance for performance optimization and structural design to extend battery cycle life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling and Experimental Validation of Batteries)

21 pages, 8441 KB

Open AccessArticle

Calculation of Influence of Maneuverability Conditions on Submerged Water-Jet on Actuator Disk Model

by Dongsheng Yang and Liu Chen

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(2), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020189 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

This study examines the performance variations and flow field characteristics of a submerged water-jet propulsor under complex oblique sailing conditions, providing theoretical insights for propulsor design optimization and ship maneuverability improvement. Both steady and unsteady numerical simulations were performed, with the unsteady analysis [...] Read more.

This study examines the performance variations and flow field characteristics of a submerged water-jet propulsor under complex oblique sailing conditions, providing theoretical insights for propulsor design optimization and ship maneuverability improvement. Both steady and unsteady numerical simulations were performed, with the unsteady analysis employing an actuator disk model. The results indicate that at a positive drift angle of 30°, the propulsor head decreases by approximately 6%, whereas at a negative drift angle of 30°, it drops significantly by 28%. The entropy generation distribution among the propulsor components was analyzed based on entropy generation theory, revealing that turbulent dissipation contributes the largest portion (64%) of the total entropy generation, with the impeller flow passage accounting for 47%. Furthermore, pressure fluctuations on the propulsor housing surface were evaluated under unsteady conditions. The findings show that a twin-jet configuration with an optimal spacing of 1.6D effectively minimizes flow field interference during maneuvering. Overall, the study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the design and hydrodynamic performance of submerged water-jet propulsion systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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20 pages, 544 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intercultural Education Through Spanish Secondary Bilingual and Non-Bilingual Students’ Eyes: Perceptions, Benefits, and Future Impact

by Anna Shemaeva, María Elena Gómez-Parra and Roberto Espejo-Mohedano

Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15010046 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Placed in the broader discourse on Intercultural Citizenship Education (ICitE) this study explores the anticipated impact of bilingual education (BE) on intercultural competence (IC) and global civic orientations associated with intercultural citizenship (ICit) among students in their final year of secondary school (4th-year [...] Read more.

Placed in the broader discourse on Intercultural Citizenship Education (ICitE) this study explores the anticipated impact of bilingual education (BE) on intercultural competence (IC) and global civic orientations associated with intercultural citizenship (ICit) among students in their final year of secondary school (4th-year ESO) in Spain, focusing on differences in perceptions between bilingual and non-bilingual participants. A quantitative methodology was employed, utilising a closed-ended validated questionnaire administered to 2187 students from bilingual and non-bilingual settings across the whole country. The results reveal that bilingual students perceive BE as beneficial for their IC, whereas their monolingual counterparts assign less such utility to BE. We conclude that even though intercultural education is not explicitly taught in the curriculum, it is implicit in bilingual education programmes due to the positioning of the additional language as a medium and lived daily practice with tangible outcomes rather than an academic requirement. We also discovered that within the bilingual students’ group there are lower expectations regarding BE’s impact on the anticipated development of their global civic identity compared to intercultural awareness. The findings indicate that BE offers a context naturally conducive to IC development and has potential for fostering ICit which appears to be untapped. This study has implications for the discussion on the role of BE in education for the 21st century and urges stakeholders to address BE affordances for nurturing ICit by adding the critical citizenship component to it as proposed in the Intercultural Citizenship Education framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fostering Intercultural Citizenship through Education: Burning Topics and Ethical Challenges)

32 pages, 10772 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Robust Deep Learning Ensemble Framework for Waterbody Detection Using High-Resolution X-Band SAR Under Data-Constrained Conditions

by Soyeon Choi, Seung Hee Kim, Son V. Nghiem, Menas Kafatos, Minha Choi, Jinsoo Kim and Yangwon Lee

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(2), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18020301 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Accurate delineation of inland waterbodies is critical for applications such as hydrological monitoring, disaster response preparedness and response, and environmental management. While optical satellite imagery is hindered by cloud cover or low-light conditions, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides consistent surface observations regardless of [...] Read more.

Accurate delineation of inland waterbodies is critical for applications such as hydrological monitoring, disaster response preparedness and response, and environmental management. While optical satellite imagery is hindered by cloud cover or low-light conditions, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides consistent surface observations regardless of weather or illumination. This study introduces a deep learning-based ensemble framework for precise inland waterbody detection using high-resolution X-band Capella SAR imagery. To improve the discrimination of water from spectrally similar non-water surfaces (e.g., roads and urban structures), an 8-channel input configuration was developed by incorporating auxiliary geospatial features such as height above nearest drainage (HAND), slope, and land cover classification. Four advanced deep learning segmentation models—Proportional–Integral–Derivative Network (PIDNet), Mask2Former, Swin Transformer, and Kernel Network (K-Net)—were systematically evaluated via cross-validation. Their outputs were combined using a weighted average ensemble strategy. The proposed ensemble model achieved an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 0.9422 and an F1-score of 0.9703 in blind testing, indicating high accuracy. While the ensemble gains over the best single model (IoU: 0.9371) were moderate, the enhanced operational reliability through balanced Precision–Recall performance provides significant practical value for flood and water resource monitoring with high-resolution SAR imagery, particularly under data-constrained commercial satellite platforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section AI Remote Sensing)

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26 pages, 5961 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Experimental Study on the Performance of L-Shaped CFSTs Connected by Double-Corrugated Steel Plates Under Axial Compression

by Yuqing Yang, Fanchang Kong and Zaigen Mu

Buildings 2026, 16(2), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16020379 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Special-shaped, concrete-filled steel tubes (SCFSTs) enhance the space efficiency of residential structures and improve aesthetics by avoiding exposed columns. However, the flat steel-plate connection sections are susceptible to local buckling. To mitigate this, corrugated steel plates are incorporated to enhance the local buckling [...] Read more.

Special-shaped, concrete-filled steel tubes (SCFSTs) enhance the space efficiency of residential structures and improve aesthetics by avoiding exposed columns. However, the flat steel-plate connection sections are susceptible to local buckling. To mitigate this, corrugated steel plates are incorporated to enhance the local buckling resistance of the structure. This study examines the axial-compression performance and damage characteristics of SCFSTs connected by double-corrugated steel plates (DCP-SCFST) through full-scale static-loading tests. A finite element analysis explores the impact of column height, corrugated plate thickness, material strength, and connection length on the load-carrying capacity of DCP-SCFSTs. The study also presents the sectional strength and design method for these structures. The results indicate that the DCP-SCFSTs exhibit high bearing capacity and ductility under axial compression. The corrugated plates effectively restrain the concrete, markedly improving the buckling behavior of the connection section. Moreover, the corrugation wave size does not significantly affect the bearing capacity, whereas increasing the corrugated plate’s thickness enhances both the bearing capacity and ductility. This is attributed to the indirect confinement effect of corrugated plates. Additionally, the paper proposes design methods for sectional strength and overall stability, offering accurate formulas that offer valuable reference for the design of concrete-filled, corrugated plate members. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)

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24 pages, 1250 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Can Generative Artificial Intelligence Effectively Enhance Students’ Mathematics Learning Outcomes?—A Meta-Analysis of Empirical Studies from 2023 to 2025

by Baoxin Liu, Wenlan Zhang and Fangfang Wang

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16010140 (registering DOI) - 16 Jan 2026

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) shows transformative potential in mathematics education. However, empirical findings remain inconsistent, and a systematic synthesis of its effects across distinct engagement dimensions is lacking. This preregistered meta-analysis (INPLASY2025110051) systematically reviewed 22 empirical studies (46 independent samples, N = 5232) [...] Read more.

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) shows transformative potential in mathematics education. However, empirical findings remain inconsistent, and a systematic synthesis of its effects across distinct engagement dimensions is lacking. This preregistered meta-analysis (INPLASY2025110051) systematically reviewed 22 empirical studies (46 independent samples, N = 5232) published between 2023 and 2025. The results indicated that GenAI has a moderate positive impact on students’ mathematics learning outcomes (g = 0.534). Moderation analysis further revealed that the level of GenAI integration in teaching, sample size, and learning content are the primary factors influencing this effect. The study found that the effect was most pronounced under the creative transformation (CT) integration mode, was significant when applied to geometry learning, and was stronger in studies with small samples or small class sizes; collaborative learning approaches also significantly enhance these mathematics learning outcomes. By contrast, educational stage and intervention duration did not show significant moderating effects. The GRADE assessment indicated that while the overall evidence is supportive, the certainty of evidence is stronger for cognitive outcomes than for non-cognitive domains. The findings also offer a reference for future research on constructing a human–machine collaborative learning environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Teacher Emotion, Pedagogical Agents and Psychological Well-Being: Implications for Student Development)

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