Advancing Open Science
A global leader in open access publishing, supporting research
communities and accelerating scientific discovery
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 

Recent Articles  

26 pages, 10794 KB  
Article
Casein Hydrolysate Peptides Attenuate Immunosenescence and Inflammaging in a D-Galactose-Induced Mouse Model of Aging
by Mengni Cui, Zheng Xu, Jianbo Cheng, Jikun Zhang, Caihong Hu and Yun Zhang
Biology 2026, 15(19), 1741; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15191741 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Aging populations worldwide face increasing burdens from physiological deterioration. Bioactive peptides derived from milk proteins have attracted interest for their biological activities, yet systematic evidence against aging remains limited. Here, we investigated casein hydrolysates in a D-galactose-induced murine aging model. Following eight weeks [...] Read more.
Aging populations worldwide face increasing burdens from physiological deterioration. Bioactive peptides derived from milk proteins have attracted interest for their biological activities, yet systematic evidence against aging remains limited. Here, we investigated casein hydrolysates in a D-galactose-induced murine aging model. Following eight weeks of oral administration at graded doses, we quantified systemic oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokine profiles, hepatic and cerebral histopathology, and multiple immune competence parameters. Our data demonstrate that casein peptides dose-dependently suppressed lipid peroxidation, elevated endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, and rebalanced cytokine networks toward an anti-inflammatory state. Concurrently, peptide treatment attenuated tissue lesions in both liver and brain, while restoring thymus and spleen indices, normalizing T-cell subset distributions, and recovering serum immunoglobulin levels. These findings indicate that oral administration of the casein hydrolysate peptide preparation was associated with improvements in redox homeostasis, inflammatory status, tissue integrity, and immune function in D-galactose-induced aging mice. This work provides mechanistic insights into casein peptides as a multi-target protective agent against age-associated physiological decline, supporting further exploration of their therapeutic potential in aging biology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Immunology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 377 KB  
Review
A Narrative Review of Endoprosthetic Reconstruction for Post-Traumatic Segmental Bone Defects After Fracture-Related Infection
by Roshan Latifi, Yasaman Tavakoli, Fatemeh Kanaani Nejad, Mohammad Poursalehian, Jad Ismail and Robert A. Sershon
Antibiotics 2026, 15(10), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15100974 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Segmental bone loss after fracture-related infection (FRI) may require biological reconstruction, endoprosthetic replacement, or amputation. This narrative review examines antimicrobial management, surgical selection, and outcomes of megaprosthetic reconstruction, with emphasis on adult lower-limb periarticular defects. Evidence is distinguished as direct FRI evidence, mixed [...] Read more.
Segmental bone loss after fracture-related infection (FRI) may require biological reconstruction, endoprosthetic replacement, or amputation. This narrative review examines antimicrobial management, surgical selection, and outcomes of megaprosthetic reconstruction, with emphasis on adult lower-limb periarticular defects. Evidence is distinguished as direct FRI evidence, mixed clinical evidence, or indirect evidence from oncological reconstruction and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Megaprostheses provide immediate structural stability and may facilitate early weight-bearing in selected patients with extensive joint involvement, limited capacity for prolonged rehabilitation, or failed biological reconstruction. However, infection, soft-tissue failure, and mechanical complications remain substantial concerns. The frequently cited PJI incidence of 15–43% comes from heterogeneous megaprosthesis populations and is not an estimate specific to reconstruction after post-traumatic FRI. Small FRI series report encouraging short-term infection control, whereas mixed and megaprosthesis PJI cohorts demonstrate recurrent infection and further salvage surgery. Staged reconstruction is commonly reported, but comparisons between surgical strategies are vulnerable to selection bias, small samples, and inconsistent outcome definitions. Biological reconstruction outcomes provide contextual benchmarks rather than evidence of comparative superiority. Overall, megaprosthetic reconstruction is a reasonable salvage option when the expected benefit of immediate stability and preservation of joint motion outweighs the risks of infection and later implant failure. Treatment should integrate adequate debridement, appropriate systemic and local antimicrobial therapy, viable soft-tissue coverage, host optimization, and shared decision-making; the available evidence does not establish a universally preferred reconstruction algorithm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Segmental Bone Defects in the Context of Fracture-Related Infection: Antimicrobial and Reconstructive Perspectives)
18 pages, 1172 KB  
Article
A New Approach to the Determination of Optimal Locations of Energy Storages to Reduce Power Line Losses
by Stanisław Mikulski and Andrzej Tomczewski
Energies 2026, 19(19), 4665; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19194665 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Connection of a storage installation to the distribution system can result in a reduction in power line losses. However, the effect of the operation of an identical energy storage within different system nodes will be varied. This is particularly noticeable in the case [...] Read more.
Connection of a storage installation to the distribution system can result in a reduction in power line losses. However, the effect of the operation of an identical energy storage within different system nodes will be varied. This is particularly noticeable in the case of branched distribution systems, where, depending on the current transmitted loads, the highest power line losses may occur in other areas of the system. This paper presents a method for selecting the nodes with the greatest potential for reducing power line losses based on the correlation between the energy storage capacity at a given node and the value of losses. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to determine the set of nodes, assuming that the results of power flow calculations for different variants of energy storage deployment in the system will be regarded as input data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Quality Monitoring with Energy Saving Goals—2nd Edition)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 9879 KB  
Review
Recent Advances in Automated Single-Cell Manipulation Platforms: Optical Tweezers, Microfluidics, Microrobots, and Micropipette/Microneedle Systems
by Adnan Shakoor
Automation 2026, 7(5), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/automation7050156 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Automated micromanipulation enables precise, repeatable interaction with single cells and subcellular structures. This review examines four platform archetypes defined by their dominant interaction mechanism: field-mediated optical tweezers, flow-mediated automated microfluidics, mobile microrobots, and fixed-probe micropipette/microneedle systems. Rather than treating them as equivalent robot [...] Read more.
Automated micromanipulation enables precise, repeatable interaction with single cells and subcellular structures. This review examines four platform archetypes defined by their dominant interaction mechanism: field-mediated optical tweezers, flow-mediated automated microfluidics, mobile microrobots, and fixed-probe micropipette/microneedle systems. Rather than treating them as equivalent robot classes, the review compares their working principles, sensing and control architectures, application fit, quantitative performance evidence, and biological trade-offs. Recent advances in closed-loop operation, intelligent perception, multimodal sensing, and hybrid workflows are analyzed, and a standardized set of reporting metrics is proposed to support objective comparison and translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Mechatronic Systems: Advances in Automation, Control, and Robotics)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

26 pages, 4423 KB  
Article
Structure-Based Identification of Potential Toll-Like Receptor 3 Agonists for Anti-HBV Applications
by Szu-Hung Chen, Ming-Rui Chang, Yih Ho, Shu-Juan Lin and Hsuan-Liang Liu
Biophysica 2026, 6(5), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/biophysica6050097 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health burden, primarily due to the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected hepatocytes. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) has been suggested to be a promising therapeutic target, as its activation stimulates [...] Read more.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health burden, primarily due to the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected hepatocytes. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) has been suggested to be a promising therapeutic target, as its activation stimulates innate immune responses that facilitate cccDNA clearance. In this study, a structure-based computational approach was employed to identify novel small-molecule TLR3 agonists. A human TLR3 ectodomain (ECD) homodimer model was constructed using homology modeling, revealing a critical cavity at the C-terminal interface, which is responsible for the ligand-binding-induced ECD dimerization. Subsequently, three compounds, ZINC3991624 (Vilanterol) and ZINC95564694 (Naloxegol) from the FDA-approved drug database along with TCM10752 from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database, were identified as potential candidates through docking-based virtual screening, rigorous ADMET evaluation and molecular dynamics simulations. These candidates outperformed CU-CPT17e, the only known TLR3 agonist, by maintaining lower backbone RMSD values, preserving key inter-subunit distances and protein–protein interface area and sustaining C-terminal hydrogen-bonding networks. In conclusion, our study provides a structural basis for the further development of novel TLR3 agonists, offering a promising computational framework for future host-directed immunotherapeutics aimed at HBV cccDNA clearance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Biophysics: Advances in Molecular Dynamics)
17 pages, 1224 KB  
Article
Calcarenite-Derived Lime Mortars Without Externally Added Aggregate: Experimental Validation and Implications for Historical Construction Technologies
by Marco Lezzerini, Maria Pia Riccardi and Stefano Pagnotta
Heritage 2026, 9(10), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9100399 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Conventional lime mortars are commonly described as composite systems based on the functional separation between binder and aggregate. However, some historical mortars show microstructural features suggesting that both functions may derive from a single heterogeneous raw material. The experimental contribution of this study [...] Read more.
Conventional lime mortars are commonly described as composite systems based on the functional separation between binder and aggregate. However, some historical mortars show microstructural features suggesting that both functions may derive from a single heterogeneous raw material. The experimental contribution of this study is the controlled production and testing of a reference mortar in which Panchina calcarenite is the sole solid precursor, supplying both the lime-forming and granular fractions without externally added aggregate. The calcarenite was investigated as a single natural source of both binder-forming and granular constituents: its carbonate fraction provides the precursor for lime formation, whereas its pre-existing siliciclastic fraction is retained as an internally derived granular component. A reference mortar was prepared exclusively from the calcarenite-derived material, while additional formulations contained 5–15 wt.% diatomaceous earth as a reactive siliceous addition. Mineralogical evolution, carbonation behaviour, hardened-state physical properties, and mechanical performance of the mortars were investigated after 12 months of curing. Compressive strengths of 2.0–3.3 MPa were obtained, depending on composition, supporting the technological feasibility of producing mechanically viable mortars without the separate addition of an external aggregate. The results support the feasibility of calcarenite-derived mortar systems in which the same heterogeneous raw material supplies both the binder-forming and internally derived granular fractions, and provide an experimental basis for discussing analogous technological solutions in historical construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials and Heritage)
26 pages, 2103 KB  
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of Mobile Applications for Promoting Healthy and Active Lifestyles During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review
by Laura Massa Alves, Cristiana Mercê, Ana Urbano Morais and Rita Santos-Rocha
Healthcare 2026, 14(19), 3261; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14193261 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are unique stages in a woman’s life, characterised by profound physiological, psychological, and social changes that require continuous adaptation. During these periods, women frequently seek reliable health information to support healthy behaviours and informed decision-making. Advances [...] Read more.
Background: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are unique stages in a woman’s life, characterised by profound physiological, psychological, and social changes that require continuous adaptation. During these periods, women frequently seek reliable health information to support healthy behaviours and informed decision-making. Advances in information and communication technologies have facilitated rapid and convenient access to health-related information through smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices, making mHealth applications increasingly popular as tools to support maternal health. Objective: This systematic review aimed to analyse the effectiveness of mHealth applications in promoting healthy and active lifestyles during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A secondary objective was to identify the key characteristics and functionalities associated with effective mHealth applications. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO) covering publications from 2016 to 2025. Studies were eligible if they included pregnant or postpartum women, evaluated mHealth applications designed to promote healthy and active lifestyles, and compared women using these applications with those receiving usual care, traditional information resources, or no intervention. Outcomes included improvements in physical activity, healthy eating behaviours, sleep quality, and stress management. Only registered or protocol-based randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. Results: Twenty RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The mean methodological quality score was 20.00 ± 1.45. Eighteen perinatal mHealth applications were identified, of which 16 demonstrated effectiveness according to the predefined clinical and/or behavioural outcomes evaluated in the respective interventions. Among the effective applications, the most frequently reported functionalities were health education, followed by personalisation, self-monitoring, feedback, and interaction with healthcare professionals. Regarding app characteristics, information quality was the most frequently identified feature, followed by clinical appropriateness, usability, accessibility, and data security and privacy. Conclusions: Among the applications classified as effective, high-quality health information, clinical appropriateness, data security and privacy, and functionalities such as health education, interaction with healthcare professionals, self-monitoring, personalized feedback, and personalization were frequently observed. Nevertheless, further improvements are needed in the quality of health information, data security and privacy, and the integration of communication with healthcare professionals to maximise the effectiveness of mHealth applications designed for pregnancy and the postpartum period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Virtual Reality Technology and AI in Physical Activity, Rehabilitation, and Health Promotion)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2201 KB  
Article
Long-Term Bending Behaviour of Adhesive CLT Panel-to-Panel Connections
by Houman Ganjali and Thomas Tannert
Buildings 2026, 16(19), 3920; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16193920 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
The growing interest in point-supported cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor systems and the desire for open space designs led to the development of on-site adhesive solutions such as the TS3™ system, which joins panels along their minor-axis direction. Load duration affects the design of [...] Read more.
The growing interest in point-supported cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor systems and the desire for open space designs led to the development of on-site adhesive solutions such as the TS3™ system, which joins panels along their minor-axis direction. Load duration affects the design of such floors at both the serviceability and the ultimate limit states. In the Canadian Standard for Engineering Design in Wood (CSA O86), load-duration effects are considered via a factor that lowers the resistance and a creep factor (KCr = 2.0) that increases the deflection; yet, the long-term behaviour of adhesive connections between CLT panels has not been tested. Here, creep was monitored for fourteen months on TS3™-connected CLT panels loaded in flat-wise bending under dry service conditions. The creep factors were on average below 1.8, not exceeding the CSA O86 creep factor. The residual short-term resistance and apparent bending stiffness after long-term loading were determined as 102% and 108%, respectively, of a reference group, demonstrating that long-term loading had no detrimental effect on the short-term performance. These findings are based on mean-level comparisons for the tested CLT species and stress grade and should be regarded as indicative of the long-term behaviour of TS3™-connected CLT panels in dry indoor conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building with Wood: From Material Advancements to High-Performance Structural Design)
18 pages, 496 KB  
Article
Make It a Golden Skeleton in the Closet: Corporate Environmental Crime and Deterrence
by Matthew Greife, Michael Maume and Brock Ternes
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(10), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15100674 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
A primary goal of criminally prosecuting corporations that violate federal environmental laws is to promote specific deterrence. The idea is that once a company is successfully prosecuted it should be deterred from committing a new environmental law violation. Whether prosecutions do in fact [...] Read more.
A primary goal of criminally prosecuting corporations that violate federal environmental laws is to promote specific deterrence. The idea is that once a company is successfully prosecuted it should be deterred from committing a new environmental law violation. Whether prosecutions do in fact deter companies from committing subsequent environmental law violations is another matter entirely and requires empirical verification. To date, scholarship on this issue regarding corporate environmental crime prosecutions in the United States is lacking. Our paper provides an empirical inquiry into to what extent companies that are prosecuted for environmental crimes in the United States continue engaging in these crimes. Utilizing a dataset of 242 individual companies prosecuted for an environmental crime between 2001 and 2013, we do not find evidence suggesting prosecutions are specifically deterring corporations from violating environmental laws again. In fact, prosecutorial practices may encourage future offending, and fines for environmental law violations will likely need to be increased substantially in order to be an effective deterrent. The companies committing new violations tend to have large revenues, many employees, and prior violations. Thus, while a criminal past can be seen as a skeleton in the closet for certain corporations, it just may be a golden skeleton. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue White-Collar and Corporate Crime)
22 pages, 6804 KB  
Article
Application of a Halophilic Consortium for Saline Phenol Wastewater Treatment and Bioelectricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells: An AI-Driven Evaluation
by Rawan Mohammed Alarishi, Arulazhagan Pugazhendi, Dinesh Kumar Mathew, Babajan Banaganapalli, Kowsalya Palanisamy, Tabreaz Basrur Zainula and Jeyakumar Dhavamani
BioTech 2026, 15(4), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech15040086 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
High organic pollutant load and salinity pose major challenges for the biological treatment of industrial wastewater. This study evaluated an air-cathode microbial fuel cell (AC-MFC) inoculated with halophilic microorganisms for the simultaneous treatment of phenol-contaminated saline industrial wastewater and bioelectricity generation. The AC-MFC [...] Read more.
High organic pollutant load and salinity pose major challenges for the biological treatment of industrial wastewater. This study evaluated an air-cathode microbial fuel cell (AC-MFC) inoculated with halophilic microorganisms for the simultaneous treatment of phenol-contaminated saline industrial wastewater and bioelectricity generation. The AC-MFC was operated at organic loads (OLs) of 1.2, 2.5, 3.2, 4.8, 6.2 and 8.6 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L, with optimum performance at 6.2 g COD/L. In optimal conditions, the system achieved a maximum voltage of 803 mV, power density of 460.6 mW/m2, current density of 573.6 mA/m2, and total and soluble COD removal efficiencies of 90% and 89%, respectively. Complete phenol degradation was achieved within 8 days. High-throughput sequencing revealed dominant halophilic taxa, including Ochrobactrum, Marinobacter, Bacillus and Stenotrophomonas, which may contribute to pollutant degradation and extracellular electron transfer. A Random Forest regression model implemented using Python/scikit-learn was further developed using OL and operational time as input variables to predict treatment and electrochemical performance. The model identified 6.2 gCOD/L as the optimum OL, consistent with the experimental results. Overall, inoculation of halophilic consortium coupled with AC-MFC technology demonstrates potential for simultaneous treatment of saline phenolic wastewater and bioelectricity generation, while artificial intelligence provides a useful tool for process optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology for Wastewater Treatment: Current Situation and Future Prospects)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 1121 KB  
Article
Pluronic F-127-Modified Silica Nanoparticles Stabilize Pickering Emulsions in Eucalyptol–Water Mixtures
by Elisabet Afonso, Marina Fernández-Medina, Érica Cordero-Oyonarte, Alejandra Rubio-Bueno, Pablo G. Argudo, Natalia Sánchez-Arribas, Alejandro Lucia, Francisco Ortega, Ramón G. Rubio and Eduardo Guzmán
Colloids Interfaces 2026, 10(5), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/colloids10050070 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Silica nanoparticles treated with the hydrophilic triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127 were used to stabilize Pickering emulsions in water/eucalyptol mixtures. The particle–polymer dispersions were employed without removal of unadsorbed polymer, so the systems may be co-stabilized by polymer-associated nanoparticles and residual free Pluronic F-127. [...] Read more.
Silica nanoparticles treated with the hydrophilic triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127 were used to stabilize Pickering emulsions in water/eucalyptol mixtures. The particle–polymer dispersions were employed without removal of unadsorbed polymer, so the systems may be co-stabilized by polymer-associated nanoparticles and residual free Pluronic F-127. Emulsion type depended primarily on the oil volume fraction, ϕe: increasing ϕe induced catastrophic phase inversion from oil-in-water to water-in-oil emulsions, whereas variations in Pluronic F-127 concentration had only a modest effect on emulsion type or stability. Emulsion stability, quantified by a destabilization index, increased as the phase inversion region was approached, indicating that formulations near the inversion boundary are the most resistant to gravitational separation. Droplet-size analysis showed approximately constant mean diameters over the investigated ϕe: range, suggesting that the stability trends are not driven primarily by changes in droplet size. A simple mass-balance estimate indicates that free Pluronic F-127 micelles or aggregates may remain in the continuous phase; however, their possible contribution to the observed stability trends cannot be separated from interfacial and droplet-packing effects using the present data. These findings demonstrate that Pluronic F-127-modified silica dispersions provide a simple route to tune emulsion type and stability in an environmentally friendly oil–water system and support their potential use as carriers for essential-oil-based formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surfactants in Solution: 50th Anniversary Edition (SIS 2026))
17 pages, 1028 KB  
Article
Conversion of DNA Copy Number Ratios to Mass Fractions for Quantifying Chicken Adulteration in Duck Meat by Digital PCR
by Sasithon Temisak, Jarupa Tunhyongnoppakoon, Jiranun Boonnil, Ganyarat Thaiwan, Chakkit Tanai, Watiporn Yenchum, Kanjana Hongthong, Nusara Yinyom, Phattaraporn Morris and Pattanapong Thangsunan
Foods 2026, 15(19), 3523; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15193523 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Meat adulteration, particularly the substitution of duck with chicken, threatens food authenticity, consumer trust, and regulatory compliance. However, converting DNA copy number measurements into meat mass fractions remains challenging. This study developed a digital PCR (dPCR)-based quantitative for determining chicken in duck. Singleplex [...] Read more.
Meat adulteration, particularly the substitution of duck with chicken, threatens food authenticity, consumer trust, and regulatory compliance. However, converting DNA copy number measurements into meat mass fractions remains challenging. This study developed a digital PCR (dPCR)-based quantitative for determining chicken in duck. Singleplex and duplex dPCR assays targeting single-copy nuclear genes specific to chicken, duck and the conserved myostatin gene were developed and optimized. Five sets of binary chicken-in-duck mixtures were prepared and analyzed across 0–100% (w/w) to account for biological variability among meat sources. Five conversion approaches were evaluated: two conversion factor approaches based on the chicken-to-duck (kcd) and chicken-to-myo (kmyo) copy number ratios, two corresponding approaches without conversion factors (Nokcdand Myo), and a linear regression model (Std). Quantitative performance of all five conversion approaches was concentration-dependent, and no single approach was optimal across the entire range. Conversion factor approaches generally improved agreement with gravimetrically assigned values at low to intermediate levels but overestimated higher chicken fractions. The Std approach performed well at ≥5% (w/w) but was less reliable at lower levels. Approaches selected based on their quantitative performance were further evaluated across different sample compositions and processing conditions and applied to commercial duck products. Overall, dPCR combined with an appropriate conversion approach may support quantitative determination of chicken in duck meat for food authenticity testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Meat)
13 pages, 254 KB  
Article
Risk and Protective Factors of Food Insecurity Among Children in Low-Income Families in the United States: Application of the Multiple Disadvantage Model
by Tyrone C. Cheng and Celia C. Lo
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2026, 16(10), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe16100156 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
This study investigated relationships between low-income children’s food insecurity and five factors: social disorganization, social structural factors, social relationships, health/mental health, and access to services. A sample of 12,215 low-income children and parents was extracted from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health. [...] Read more.
This study investigated relationships between low-income children’s food insecurity and five factors: social disorganization, social structural factors, social relationships, health/mental health, and access to services. A sample of 12,215 low-income children and parents was extracted from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health. Logistic regression results showed the likelihood of such children’s food insecurity to be associated positively with several factors: racial discrimination, child aged 6–10 years, child aged 11–13 years, child aged 14–17 years, Black child, child’s chronic health condition, family member mental health problem, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation, receipt of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and lunch program participation. As well, children’s food insecurity likelihood was associated negatively with parents’ age and education, neighbor support, parents’ general health and mental health, and receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Research implications include interventions at the individual level (e.g., screening for food insecurity, treatment of sick or mentally ill family members), community level (e.g., food pantries, neighbor support network), and macro level (e.g., advocating for racial/ethnic minorities, expanding cash and food benefits). Full article
17 pages, 731 KB  
Article
Some Salient Features of a (31)-Dimensional Nonlinear Integro-Differential Evolution Equation: Lie Symmetries, Traveling Waves and Conservation Laws+
by Yanga Gaxela, Abdullahi Rashid Adem, Ben Muatjetjeja, Sivenathi Oscar Mbusi, Ahmed H. Arnous and Anjan Biswas
Math. Comput. Appl. 2026, 31(5), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/mca31050207 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
A generalized (3+1)-dimensional Hirota-type nonlinear wave equation is investigated by combining Lie point symmetry analysis, invariant reductions, exact traveling-wave construction, and the direct multiplier method. A potential formulation is introduced under an explicit decay condition that makes the [...] Read more.
A generalized (3+1)-dimensional Hirota-type nonlinear wave equation is investigated by combining Lie point symmetry analysis, invariant reductions, exact traveling-wave construction, and the direct multiplier method. A potential formulation is introduced under an explicit decay condition that makes the nonlocal term well defined. The admitted point symmetries are re-derived from the prolonged invariance criterion, and several symmetry reductions are obtained, including mixed translations, a transverse shear, scaling, and a general traveling-wave phase. The reduced traveling-wave equation admits an affine Riccati representation with hyperbolic, trigonometric, rational, and Bernoulli-type branches under explicit parameter restrictions. The corresponding 3D, 2D, and density visualizations are retained to illustrate the resulting wave profiles. Zeroth-order multipliers are then used to construct local conserved vectors in divergence form. The analysis provides a verified symmetry and conservation-law framework for the proposed higher-dimensional Hirota-type extension and supplies exact solutions that can be used as analytical benchmarks. The transverse-variable reductions and the zeroth-order multiplier family are derived specifically for the present (3+1)-dimensional potential equation, while the Riccati functional forms are used as standard representations rather than claimed as new special functions. Full article
18 pages, 3410 KB  
Article
Molecular-Level Structure Regulation via Sequential Pre-Crosslinking and Friedel-Crafts Hypercrosslinking: Fabrication of Bimetallic Doped Porous Carbon Electrocatalysts
by Yang Du, Shuo Gao and Jinyuan Zhang
Molecules 2026, 31(19), 3510; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31193510 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Owing to high surface inertness and insufficient active sites, traditional carbons cannot anchor and disperse metal species evenly, restricting catalytic activity. Via polymer precursor design, the components, functional groups and pore architecture can be tailored molecularly and preserved upon carbonization, thus regulating carbon [...] Read more.
Owing to high surface inertness and insufficient active sites, traditional carbons cannot anchor and disperse metal species evenly, restricting catalytic activity. Via polymer precursor design, the components, functional groups and pore architecture can be tailored molecularly and preserved upon carbonization, thus regulating carbon microstructure, surface properties and active centers efficiently. This work focuses on the synthesis and structural tuning of polystyrene-based precursors using a three-step procedure of pre-crosslinking, Friedel-Crafts hypercrosslinking, and activation. The materials possess abundant mesopores ranging from 7 to 30 nm, which serve as an ideal platform for the efficient anchoring of metal ions and mass transfer during the subsequent carbonization and functionalization processes. Based on the strong adsorption and exchange ability of sulfonic acid groups, transition metal ions such as Co, Ni and Fe were uniformly doped on the surface of nanoparticles and carbonized at 300–600 °C in an air atmosphere to realize the conversion of the polymer skeleton to a carbon matrix and the in situ formation of metal species into oxide nanoparticles. At the application performance level, the prepared Co/Ni bimetallic-carbon-doped material exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity in the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction. The overpotential is only 0.3478 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. After 50 cycles of cyclic voltammetry, the voltage fluctuation is only 0.026 V. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Electrochemical Reactions, Mechanisms and Sensing Applications)
36 pages, 10415 KB  
Article
Retrieval-Augmented System Architecture Generation for Model-Based Systems Engineering Using Task-Oriented Functional Semantics
by Chenghui Fu, Yue Cao and Yu Liu
Systems 2026, 14(10), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14101236 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Automated system architecture generation is a key task in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), where requirement and functional models need to be transformed into a physical architecture composed of selected components and port-level connections. However, this task remains challenging because functional information is often [...] Read more.
Automated system architecture generation is a key task in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), where requirement and functional models need to be transformed into a physical architecture composed of selected components and port-level connections. However, this task remains challenging because functional information is often semi-structured and distributed, and is represented at a different level of abstraction from physical architectures. Existing knowledge-driven methods provide systematic and traceable reasoning but require labor-intensive formal modeling and rule definition, whereas direct Large Language Model (LLM)-based generation improves automation but may suffer from component hallucination and low interpretability. To address these limitations, this study proposes a retrieval-augmented system architecture generation approach using Task-Oriented Functional Semantics (TOFS). TOFS is constructed from SysML requirements and functional models through an LLM-based process, and represents system goals, functions, logical entities, ports, and engineering constraints in a unified representation. Based on TOFS, a hybrid component retrieval method is proposed, which integrates interface matching, parameter constraint matching, and semantic matching to retrieve candidate components from an engineering component library. TOFS and the retrieved component sets are then jointly organized as the generation context to guide LLM-based architecture generation. A hydronic heating control system is used as a case study, and scenario-based comparative experiments demonstrate improved component retrieval performance, functional completeness, and engineering validity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Systems Engineering in the Age of Digital Transformation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 42212 KB  
Article
Flat-IIN: Instance Image Navigation Based on 2D Multi-Channel Semantic Maps and Driven by Vision-Language Models
by Weicheng Wang, Rui Lin, Jian Hu and Cong Yu
Sensors 2026, 26(19), 6251; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26196251 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Instance Image Navigation (IIN), an embodied navigation task, requires an agent to autonomously explore unknown environments and navigate to the vicinity of a target object indicated by an image. The core challenges are efficient semantic exploration without prior maps and accurate target discrimination [...] Read more.
Instance Image Navigation (IIN), an embodied navigation task, requires an agent to autonomously explore unknown environments and navigate to the vicinity of a target object indicated by an image. The core challenges are efficient semantic exploration without prior maps and accurate target discrimination among similar objects. Existing methods are mainly divided into modular approaches and 3D Gaussian splatting methods; the former lack semantic guidance, while the latter rely on pre-built maps, unsuitable for online navigation. To address this, this paper proposes Flat-IIN, a modular framework using 2D multi-channel semantic maps and a vision-language model (VLM). It constructs multiple 2D maps and integrates Multi-View Active Semantic Exploration, Global Backtracking, and VLM-based Frontier Exploration. These collaboratively leverage the maps to accomplish IIN. Experimental results on the Habitat-Matterport 3D semantic dataset show that Flat-IIN achieves a success rate of 0.794 and success weighted by normalized inverse path length of 0.331. These results demonstrate competitive navigation performance and validate its effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multimodal Sensing, Fusion, and VLMs for Scene Understanding and Robot Vision)
20 pages, 438 KB  
Article
Design and Multi-Objective Optimization of Coordinated Maintenance Scheduling Systems for Dry Bulk Terminals
by Tongtong Xu, Shiwei Gong and Kang Wang
Designs 2026, 10(5), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/designs10050109 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Coordinated maintenance at dry bulk terminals requires balancing maintenance execution with the stability of available operating capacity. This study formulates a bi-objective scheduling model that maximizes maintenance-duration workload and minimizes temporal variation in maintenance-induced capacity occupation under line-conflict and capacity constraints. A multi-objective [...] Read more.
Coordinated maintenance at dry bulk terminals requires balancing maintenance execution with the stability of available operating capacity. This study formulates a bi-objective scheduling model that maximizes maintenance-duration workload and minimizes temporal variation in maintenance-induced capacity occupation under line-conflict and capacity constraints. A multi-objective differential learning algorithm with a hybrid offspring strategy (MODL-HOS), built on a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D), combines base-guided discrete variation, random perturbation and periodic population response. Validation separates exact small-instance benchmarking from comparative evaluation on larger task tables. Four fixed small instances are evaluated against complete Gurobi Pareto objective sets using 30 search seeds per instance. A separate comparison uses 16 medium and large task tables, five search seeds per table and four algorithms, each with 20,100 candidate evaluations. MODL-HOS retains a measurable small-instance approximation gap. On the larger tables it achieves the lowest aggregate mean empirical normalized inverted generational distance (nIGD), 0.028520, and highest mean empirical hypervolume ratio, 96.04%. Six-test Holm correction supports a hypervolume advantage against all three baselines, while the empirical nIGD advantage is significant only against the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II). The findings support conditional comparative performance; the empirical ratios do not certify optimality, and validation across terminal configurations and with practitioners remains necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design Sensitivity Analysis and Engineering Optimization, 2nd Edition)
30 pages, 2357 KB  
Article
RRT-Guided and Spatial Attention-Based TD3 Deep Reinforcement Learning Method for Safflower Filament Harvesting Path Planning
by Bangbang Chen, Xiangdong Liu, Liqiang Wang, Baojian Ma and Kejia Zhuang
Sensors 2026, 26(19), 6250; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26196250 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Path planning for safflower filament harvesting is a critical component for ensuring the efficient operation of robotic harvesting systems. This paper proposes a path planning algorithm named SA-TD3-RRT, which integrates the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT), Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (TD3), and [...] Read more.
Path planning for safflower filament harvesting is a critical component for ensuring the efficient operation of robotic harvesting systems. This paper proposes a path planning algorithm named SA-TD3-RRT, which integrates the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT), Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (TD3), and a spatial attention mechanism to achieve hierarchical planning of safflower filament harvesting paths. In the RRT component, techniques including adaptive step size, goal-biased sampling, and Douglas-Peucker path simplification are introduced. Specifically, the adaptive step size strategy converts the fixed step size into a dynamically adjustable extension step, effectively improving both the search real-time nature and path quality of the algorithm. The purely random sampling is replaced with goal-biased sampling, guiding the search tree growth toward the goal while suppressing redundant nodes, thereby reducing path planning time. Post-processing techniques such as Douglas-Peucker are employed to significantly reduce path complexity and improve path quality. In the reinforcement learning component, a spatial attention module is added, enabling dynamic perception of obstacle distribution. A spatial awareness term is introduced into the reward function to obtain more favorable spatial attention rewards. Additionally, the smoothed RRT path is injected into the experience replay buffer as expert demonstrations, realizing policy guidance based on imitation learning. Simulation results show that under favorable operating conditions, the proposed algorithm reduces the planned path length by 85.64%, 82.69%, and 92.55% compared to TD3, DDPG, and PPO algorithms, respectively, and shortens the path planning time by 17.68% relative to the original TD3 algorithm. In a three-dimensional environment, the planned path length is reduced by 8.29% compared to TD3, and the planning time is decreased by 81.24%, reaching 4.72 s. Although the current results are based on rigorous evaluation and demonstration in a high-fidelity simulation environment that abstracts from unstructured planting conditions, the proposed SA-TD3-RRT algorithm consistently achieved significant performance gains over the baseline. This simulation-based feasibility study provides a solid algorithmic foundation and key parameter benchmarks for future deployment on physical harvesting platforms, effectively bridging the gap between algorithmic innovation and practical agricultural robotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensors and Robotics)
36 pages, 2265 KB  
Article
A Multi-Strategy Adaptive Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Solving the Traveling Salesman Problem
by Kezong Tang, Meilin Ouyang and Ru Yuan
Appl. Syst. Innov. 2026, 9(10), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/asi9100208 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Traditional ant colony optimization (ACO) often suffers from insufficient initial pheromone information, premature convergence, and limited adaptability across problem scales when solving the traveling salesman problem (TSP). This study proposes a multi-strategy adaptive ant colony optimization algorithm, termed MSA-ACO. Unlike hybrid ACO methods [...] Read more.
Traditional ant colony optimization (ACO) often suffers from insufficient initial pheromone information, premature convergence, and limited adaptability across problem scales when solving the traveling salesman problem (TSP). This study proposes a multi-strategy adaptive ant colony optimization algorithm, termed MSA-ACO. Unlike hybrid ACO methods whose added strategies are governed by separate or predetermined rules, MSA-ACO uses smoothed normalized pheromone entropy as a shared internal search-state signal. This signal coordinates search-stage switching, exploitation preference, pheromone evaporation intensity, heuristic-information dependence, and the adaptive 3-opt budget under scale-dependent control profiles. A rank-weighted multi-elite initialization method and candidate-restricted hierarchical 2-opt/3-opt search are further incorporated to improve early guidance and solution refinement. Experiments on 35 TSPLIB instances show that MSA-ACO attains the best-known solution on 22 instances and achieves an average best-solution deviation of 0.17%, compared with 3.87% for ACS and 5.27% for MMAS. Its maximum deviation is 1.22%, and the deviation remains within 1% on 33 instances. Nonparametric tests confirm significantly better overall solution quality than ACS and MMAS. Under equal distance-query budgets, MSA-ACO obtains the lowest mean tour length on st70, kroC100, and kroA150, with significant improvements over ACS-based local search on kroC100 and kroA150. Component-wise ablation and sequential timing results reveal instance-dependent component effects and identify 3-opt as a major source of computational cost as well as an important refinement mechanism on the larger instance. Moreover, compared with the fixed 1000-iteration setting, the scale-segmented iteration budget reduces average running time by 28.06–83.75% across four representative instances, while still attaining the BKS on eil76 and ts225 and yielding mean deviations of approximately 0.30% and 0.20% on ch150 and kroA200, respectively. Overall, MSA-ACO provides an effective scale-aware optimization framework for symmetric TSPs, combining consistently high solution quality with controlled computational effort across different instance scales. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Applied Mathematics)
15 pages, 262 KB  
Opinion
Dungeons & Dragons in Schools: An Underexplored Opportunity for Early Anxiety Support
by Brad Hatton and Marie House
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(10), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16101795 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Adolescent anxiety presents a growing challenge for schools, with emotional difficulties affecting educational engagement, attendance and wellbeing before some pupils meet thresholds for specialist mental health support. This creates a need to investigate accessible and non-stigmatising forms of early support within schools. Emerging [...] Read more.
Adolescent anxiety presents a growing challenge for schools, with emotional difficulties affecting educational engagement, attendance and wellbeing before some pupils meet thresholds for specialist mental health support. This creates a need to investigate accessible and non-stigmatising forms of early support within schools. Emerging TTRPG research has described experiences involving social connection, confidence, self-expression and emotional exploration, but direct evidence concerning secondary-aged pupils experiencing emerging or subthreshold anxiety remains limited. This opinion paper brings together findings from existing TTRPG research, mechanisms identified in broader psychological theory and related narrative approaches, and propositions concerning how these may operate through school-based TTRPG participation. Its contribution is a conceptual model linking components of TTRPG participation with five overlapping proposed mechanisms: narrative distance; psychological safety and social connectedness; intrinsic motivation and agency; identity exploration and self-efficacy; and cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation. The paper also outlines an illustrative school-based delivery model and a staged agenda for future research. These pathways are theoretically plausible rather than empirically established, and TTRPG participation should not be assumed to reduce anxiety or replace specialist assessment or treatment. Initial research should establish feasibility, acceptability and safety, including potential adverse experiences, before psychological or educational outcomes are evaluated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roleplaying Games and Wellbeing)
10 pages, 313 KB  
Article
The Temporal Relationships Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Social Anxiety: A Cross-Lagged Panel Study
by Yonggang Feng and Lanxiang Peng
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(10), 1797; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16101797 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Empirical evidence increasingly supports an association between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and social anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents, although their temporal relationship remains inadequately established. To address this gap, the present study employed a cross-lagged panel design to examine the longitudinal relationships between NSSI [...] Read more.
Empirical evidence increasingly supports an association between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and social anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents, although their temporal relationship remains inadequately established. To address this gap, the present study employed a cross-lagged panel design to examine the longitudinal relationships between NSSI and social anxiety symptoms. The final analytic sample consisted of 614 Chinese adolescents aged 13–18 years (53.09% girls), who completed three waves of assessments at six-month intervals using standardized self-report measures of NSSI, social anxiety, and rejection sensitivity. Longitudinal analyses controlling for prior symptom levels and gender showed that social anxiety at Time 1 significantly predicted subsequent NSSI at Time 2. A reciprocal relationship between social anxiety and NSSI was also observed across subsequent measurement waves. Furthermore, rejection sensitivity showed a significant indirect effect in the longitudinal association between social anxiety and subsequent NSSI. These findings highlight the longitudinal and reciprocal associations between social anxiety and NSSI among Chinese adolescents and suggest that rejection sensitivity may represent an important psychological pathway linking social anxiety to subsequent NSSI. Intervention strategies targeting NSSI may therefore benefit from considering co-occurring social anxiety symptoms and rejection sensitivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health Psychology)
17 pages, 1268 KB  
Article
Molecular Dynamics Analysis of Linoleic Acid Retention in a Preformed Amylose Inclusion Structure
by Yunguo Lin, Yong Wang, Chengwei Zheng, Chuanjie Chen, Xin Zheng and Shuiying Cai
Processes 2026, 14(19), 3162; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14193162 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Previous molecular dynamics studies have examined the conformational stability and concentration-dependent complexation of amylose–LA systems, but persistence after explicit removal of a host–guest distance restraint has not been directly addressed. Here, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine linoleic acid (LA) retention [...] Read more.
Previous molecular dynamics studies have examined the conformational stability and concentration-dependent complexation of amylose–LA systems, but persistence after explicit removal of a host–guest distance restraint has not been directly addressed. Here, atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine linoleic acid (LA) retention in a preformed 27-residue amylose inclusion structure at 363 K. A 400 ns pull-restrained trajectory was followed by four 100 ns post-pull runs in which the amylose–LA distance restraint was removed while the amylose glycosidic dihedral restraints remained active; all four runs were initiated from the same structural endpoint with independently assigned initial velocities. LA remained closely associated with amylose in all four runs. Across the run means, the amylose radius of gyration was 0.923 ± 0.011 nm, the minimum amylose–LA heavy-atom distance was 0.316 ± 0.004 nm, the contact count within 0.45 nm was 92.7 ± 1.8, and the O3n–C5n+3 cavity descriptor was 1.268 ± 0.003 nm. Direct amylose–LA hydrogen bonds were rare, whereas preserved cavity geometry and distributed close contacts characterized the retained state. Although the extent of host conformational relaxation varied among runs, it did not lead to sustained guest loss over the sampled 100 ns period. These results indicate that short-timescale LA retention in this preorganized complex is characterized by preserved cavity geometry and close host–guest contacts, while direct amylose–LA hydrogen bonding remains rare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Process Engineering)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 2258 KB  
Article
Oxidation-Resilient Structural Modifications in Nickel- Functionalized 3D Graphene: Perspectives for Hydrogen Storage Applications
by Filippo Fincato, Ylea Vlamidis, Markus Leitgeb, Georg Pfusterschmied, Ulrich Schmid, Valentina Zannier, Silvia Rubini, Stefan Heun and Stefano Veronesi
Hydrogen 2026, 7(4), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen7040146 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Porous materials represent a versatile solution for several applications. Indeed, the recent development of a new material, named 3D graphene, which combines the exceptional characteristics of graphene with a three-dimensional structure, opens perspectives for applications where a high surface-to-volume ratio is beneficial. Here, [...] Read more.
Porous materials represent a versatile solution for several applications. Indeed, the recent development of a new material, named 3D graphene, which combines the exceptional characteristics of graphene with a three-dimensional structure, opens perspectives for applications where a high surface-to-volume ratio is beneficial. Here, we explore the functionalization of 3D graphene with nickel (Ni) nanoparticles (diameter <15 nm) as a strategy to enhance hydrogen storage capabilities and oxidation resilience. Samples have been hydrogenated by supplying molecular or atomic hydrogen, and hydrogen storage performance was assessed through thermal desorption spectroscopy. Optimal sample performance is achieved after annealing at temperatures of 900–950 °C. Sample functionalization with Ni NPs enhances the hydrogen uptake by about 70%. Afterward, oxidation effects were systematically studied by exposing the samples to atmospheric oxygen, followed by further hydrogenation experiments. We observed that the adsorption peak at 350 °C is oxidation-resilient and increases up to 85% compared with before exposure to air. Moreover, the oxidation impact is fully recovered after successive annealing at 900 °C. The morphology and structural properties of the pristine and Ni-functionalized samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to analyze the surface chemical composition of the functionalized samples. Our results indicate that Ni functionalization influences both hydrogen adsorption and oxidation behavior, with potential implications for improving the stability of the material, especially for hydrogen storage applications. Full article
21 pages, 4047 KB  
Article
The Impact of Stock Land Redevelopment Level on Urban Resilience and its Conditional Patterns: Evidence from 289 Chinese Cities
by Zhiyuan Liu and Xiuli Feng
Land 2026, 15(10), 1854; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15101854 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
As urban development shifts toward the redevelopment of existing built-up space, understanding how stock land redevelopment relates to urban resilience is increasingly important. Yet whether this relationship varies across redevelopment states and urban contexts remains insufficiently understood. Using land transaction records and panel [...] Read more.
As urban development shifts toward the redevelopment of existing built-up space, understanding how stock land redevelopment relates to urban resilience is increasingly important. Yet whether this relationship varies across redevelopment states and urban contexts remains insufficiently understood. Using land transaction records and panel data for 289 Chinese cities from 2014 to 2023, this study combines fixed-effects estimation with XGBoost-SHAP analysis to examine the average association and conditional predictive patterns. Higher redevelopment levels are positively associated with overall urban resilience in the baseline estimates. Under the baseline two-year specification, the dimension-specific association is strongest for economic resilience, although the relative strength of the economic and ecological associations varies across alternative lag structures. Among the redevelopment features, scale intensity and cumulative extent receive the largest SHAP and permutation-importance attributions. More importantly, the predictive contribution of scale intensity is greater at medium cumulative extent than at low cumulative extent but declines at high cumulative extent. A similar non-monotonic pattern emerges across project-density states, while the magnitude of these conditional differences varies across regions and urban-agglomeration tiers. These findings characterize stock land redevelopment as a state-dependent process and highlight the relevance of redevelopment conditions and urban context to differentiated land governance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)
58 pages, 4915 KB  
Article
Geopolitical Weaponization of Energy: Implications for European Energy Security and NATO Strategic Preparedness
by Nicolae Daniel Fita, Gheorghe Mircea Horgos, Ilie Utu, Mila Ilieva Obretenova, Dumitru Braga, Dragos Pasculescu, Viorica Hlusov, Teodora Lazar, Corina Gutu-Chetrusca, Aurelian Nicola, Florin Muresan-Grecu and Adrian Mihai Schiopu
Energies 2026, 19(19), 4663; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19194663 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Energy can become an instrument of geopolitical coercion when asymmetric dependencies, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and limited resilience allow energy resources, supplies, prices, technologies, or infrastructure to be strategically exploited. This study examines these mechanisms and their implications for European energy security and NATO strategic [...] Read more.
Energy can become an instrument of geopolitical coercion when asymmetric dependencies, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and limited resilience allow energy resources, supplies, prices, technologies, or infrastructure to be strategically exploited. This study examines these mechanisms and their implications for European energy security and NATO strategic preparedness, using Romania as an eastern-flank case study. A coercion–vulnerability–resilience framework is developed by integrating geopolitical assessment, energy-dependency analysis, critical-infrastructure vulnerability, scenario analysis, and quantitative measurement constructs. The study operationalizes energy coercion through a six-stage pathway linking dependence creation, signaling, coercive action, domestic transmission effects, and negotiation. The Romanian case indicates that energy security depends not only on domestic resource availability but also on infrastructure protection, diversification, storage, system flexibility, investment implementation, cybersecurity, and regional interconnection. The composite indices presented in the study are synthetic methodological demonstrations rather than empirically estimated national scores, while the empirical analysis relies on referenced statistical, institutional, and macroeconomic evidence. The framework shows how resilience measures can reduce exploitable dependencies and strengthen Romania’s contribution to European energy security and NATO strategic preparedness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Energy Economy and Finance)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 8345 KB  
Article
SurdoMed: A Morphology-Aware Lexical Mapping and Avatar Architecture for Kazakh Sign Language
by Botagoz Zhussupova, Saule Kudubayeva, Rakhila Turebayeva, Said Alimbayev and Yernar Seksenbayev
Information 2026, 17(10), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17100969 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Automatically mapping written Kazakh to dictionary-linked Kazakh Sign Language (KSL) lexical signs is difficult because inflected forms often do not match canonical entries in limited digital lexicons. Surdo Med combines Kazakh natural-language processing, Dimskis notation, reusable avatar animation components, and a web interface [...] Read more.
Automatically mapping written Kazakh to dictionary-linked Kazakh Sign Language (KSL) lexical signs is difficult because inflected forms often do not match canonical entries in limited digital lexicons. Surdo Med combines Kazakh natural-language processing, Dimskis notation, reusable avatar animation components, and a web interface for medical-domain lexical learning. This study evaluates morphology-aware lexical concept recovery rather than complete Kazakh-to-KSL translation. The primary benchmark uses naturally occurring inflected tokens from the official UD Kazakh-KTB test split that map uniquely to a frozen medical concept inventory. Across 373 supported inflected tokens, direct lookup recovered 1.61% of target concepts, a rule-based baseline recovered 45.31%, and contextual Stanza lemmatization recovered 97.86% (sentence-cluster bootstrap 95% CI: 96.29–99.19%). Recovery remained 96.85% after deduplicating surface–lemma pairs and 94.80% when macro-averaged across 52 lexical concepts. An external analysis using published KSL lexical material showed 20.0% overlap with the medical inventory; within supported items, Stanza recovered 6/6 root tokens versus 3/6 for direct lookup. These results support morphology-aware normalization for dictionary-linked KSL concept recovery. Avatar linguistic quality and educational effectiveness require separate human evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Natural Language Processing and Applications: Challenges and Perspectives)
25 pages, 2798 KB  
Article
The Impact of Fishery Industry Agglomeration on the Green Development Efficiency of Aquaculture: Evidence from Provincial Panel Data in China
by Bo Wang, Xinran Lv, Shaofeng Zhang and Haiting Li
Sustainability 2026, 18(19), 10064; https://doi.org/10.3390/su181910064 (registering DOI) - 1 Oct 2026
Abstract
Promoting fishery industry agglomeration (AGG) is an important initiative to realize the green development efficiency of aquaculture (GEE) in the new era. This paper uses panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2022. It employs the double fixed effect model [...] Read more.
Promoting fishery industry agglomeration (AGG) is an important initiative to realize the green development efficiency of aquaculture (GEE) in the new era. This paper uses panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2022. It employs the double fixed effect model and the mediating effect model to examine the impact of AGG on GEE. The results show that AGG has a positive effect on GEE. The green empowerment effect of homogeneous agglomeration is greater than that of heterogeneous agglomeration. In terms of specific agglomeration types, the positive effects of all types except the single tertiary industry agglomeration and the co-agglomeration of the primary and tertiary industries are statistically significant. There are obvious regional differences in the agglomeration effect, and the green dividend of agglomeration in the Yangtze River Basin and inland areas is more prominent. The agglomeration has the characteristics of diminishing marginal returns, and only the regions with a good green foundation can fully release the agglomeration advantages. Human capital and technological innovation play a partial intermediary role, and industrial structure upgrading has a masking effect. At this stage, the ecological orientation of industrial upgrading is insufficient to offset some of the positive effects of agglomeration. Based on this, it provides empirical support for differentiated cultivation of fishery green industrial clusters and smooth transmission channels of green elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
More Articles...

Open Access Journals

► Browse by Indexing ► Browse by Subject ► Selected Journals
Explore All Journals...

Highly Accessed Articles

Latest Books

More Books and Reprints...

News

1 October 2026
MDPI as Platinum Sponsor for STM Dinner & Conference 2026
30 September 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #39 - Peer Review Week, Chief Publishing Officer, Tu Youyou Award, OASPA & AI
29 September 2026
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine—Where Breakthroughs Meet Open Sciences
More News & Announcements...

Blog Posts

More From Our Blog...

Topics

More Topics...
loading...

Selected Special Issues

Selected Collections

Back to TopTop