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19 pages, 25977 KB

Open AccessArticle

Microparticles Expressing IL-1β Are Linked to Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline After Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

by Awadhesh K. Arya, Kinjal Sethuraman, Jaylyn Waddell, Abid R. Bhat, Zuha Imtiyaz, Deepa Walia, Yuanyuan Liang, Yong Sung Cha, Yoonsuk Lee, Siamak Moayedi, Douglas Sward and Stephen R. Thom

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7880; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177880 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Immune mediators are elevated due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning but their role in the development of neurological deficits is unknown. Circulating microparticles (MPs) are elevated in response to CO and correlate with the development of neurological complications. We hypothesized that interleukin (IL)-1β [...] Read more.

Immune mediators are elevated due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning but their role in the development of neurological deficits is unknown. Circulating microparticles (MPs) are elevated in response to CO and correlate with the development of neurological complications. We hypothesized that interleukin (IL)-1β is carried by MPs and contributes to the development of neurological sequelae (NS). Blood-borne IL-1β in CO-poisoned patients is almost exclusively carried by MPs. Healthy humans have 0.8 ± 0.8 (n = 27) MPs/μL bearing IL-1β on the membrane surface. IL-1β-bearing MPs obtained from patients at the time of CO poisoning diagnosis who recover (Global Deterioration Score [GDS] = 1 at 1 month) numbered 35 ± 12/μL (n = 27, p < 0.001 vs. control) and patients who sustained NS (GDS > 1 at 1 month) had 75 ± 38/μL (n = 27; p < 0.001 vs. control and CO-recovered groups). Twice as many MPs carry IL-1β cargo as express surface-bearing IL-1β. The concentration is higher post-CO but does not correlate with NS. Those with NS have 43.8 ± 42.0 pg IL-1β /10⁶ MPs, and those with GDS = 1 have 33.0 ± 32.0 pg/10⁶ MPs, versus controls 5.4 ± 0.3 pg/10⁶ MPs, p < 0.001. In a murine CO model, MPs IL-1β cargo follows similar proportions to humans. Pharmacologic blockade of IL-1β using an IL-1 receptor antagonist or neutralizing anti-IL-1β antibody inhibited neuroinflammation and preserved neurological function. Results demonstrate that brain-derived MPs liberated via the glymphatic system to the peripheral circulation activate neutrophils which are the prime generators of IL-1β-bearing MPs that maintain a cycle of neuroinflammation. Targeting IL-1β disrupts MP-mediated inflammation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism and Pharmacological Target of Neuroprotection)

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37 pages, 3773 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Durability of Natural Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer and Alkali-Activated Composites: A Systematic Review of Degradation Mechanisms and Design Controlling Factors

by Rafael Gonçalves Hammes, Thamires Alves da Silveira, Rafaella dos Passos Nörnberg, Rafael Beltrame and Rafael de Avila Delucis

Ceramics 2026, 9(9), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics9090094 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Natural fiber-reinforced geopolymer and alkali-activated composites have emerged as promising alternatives for reducing the environmental impact of cement-based materials; however, their long-term durability remains insufficiently understood. This systematic review evaluates the durability behaviour of natural fiber-reinforced geopolymer and alkali-activated composites based on 42 [...] Read more.

Natural fiber-reinforced geopolymer and alkali-activated composites have emerged as promising alternatives for reducing the environmental impact of cement-based materials; however, their long-term durability remains insufficiently understood. This systematic review evaluates the durability behaviour of natural fiber-reinforced geopolymer and alkali-activated composites based on 42 studies published between 2017 and 2025, identified from 356 records retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science following the PRISMA methodology. The literature analysis reveals a significant increase in research activity in recent years, with 12 studies published in 2025 alone, indicating a growing transition from mechanical-performance evaluation toward durability-oriented design. The reviewed studies investigated multiple degradation environments, including moisture cycling, freeze–thaw exposure, chemical attack, carbonation, and thermal ageing. Across the evidence base, durability performance was mainly governed by the interaction among binder chemistry, pore structure, curing conditions, fiber characteristics, surface treatments, and exposure severity. Notably, the intrinsic surface properties of different natural fibers, including hydrophilic character, surface chemistry, and surface roughness, were found to strongly influence moisture absorption, fiber–matrix adhesion, and susceptibility to alkaline degradation, thereby contributing to distinct durability outcomes among fiber types. Fiber modification strategies and optimized matrix designs were frequently associated with improved interfacial stability and mechanical retention after ageing, whereas excessive fiber contents and poorly controlled moisture transport were recurrent factors contributing to degradation. Despite these advances, the review identified significant methodological limitations, particularly the lack of standardized durability protocols and long-term exposure assessments. Future research should prioritize harmonized testing approaches and integrated durability-based design frameworks to enable reliable prediction of service performance in natural fiber-reinforced alkali-activated composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ceramics in the Circular Economy for a Sustainable World, 2nd Edition)

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14 pages, 252 KB

Open AccessArticle

Neurological Severity and Systemic Biochemical Markers in Relation to Transition to Oral Feeding in Chronic Post-Stroke Dysphagia

by Timur Orhanoglu, Merve Savaş, Senanur Kahraman Beğen, Abdulhalim Senyigit and Hafize Uzun

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(17), 6834; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15176834 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke dysphagia is associated with aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and poor functional outcomes. Although systemic biochemical abnormalities are common after stroke, their contribution to swallowing recovery and transition to oral feeding remains unclear. This study investigated the association of systemic biochemical markers with [...] Read more.

Background: Post-stroke dysphagia is associated with aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and poor functional outcomes. Although systemic biochemical abnormalities are common after stroke, their contribution to swallowing recovery and transition to oral feeding remains unclear. This study investigated the association of systemic biochemical markers with oral feeding transition and swallowing-related functional improvement in patients with chronic post-stroke dysphagia. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 89 patients with chronic post-stroke dysphagia who received enteral nutrition between February 2023 and December 2025. Biochemical parameters and swallowing outcomes, assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS), were retrospectively analyzed. Changes between baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1) were calculated (Δ = T1 − T0). Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of transition to oral feeding and improvement in aspiration severity. Results: Of the 89 patients, 52 (58.4%) achieved oral feeding. Significant improvements in swallowing function were observed following rehabilitation, as reflected by increased FOIS scores and decreased PAS-soft and PAS-liquid scores (all p < 0.001), together with reductions in CRP (C-reactive protein), D-dimer, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count (all p < 0.05). Patients who achieved oral feeding demonstrated greater improvements in PAS scores (both p < 0.001) and a divergent change in vitamin B12 levels (a decrease among those who transitioned versus an increase among those who remained enterally fed) (p = 0.049). In exploratory multivariable analyses, higher NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) scores and lower baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with a lower likelihood of transition to oral feeding (NIHSS OR = 0.78, p = 0.031; vitamin D OR (Odds ratio) = 1.12, p = 0.001), whereas baseline PAS-liquid score was not an independent predictor of transition. In the linear regression analysis of aspiration severity, baseline PAS-liquid score was the strongest predictor of ΔPAS-liquid (B = −0.527, p = 0.001), while lower baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with less improvement (B = −0.021, p = 0.047). Given the limited sample size and the absence of correction for multiple comparisons, the biochemical associations should be interpreted as exploratory. Conclusions: In patients with chronic post-stroke dysphagia, transition to oral feeding was primarily associated with neurological severity, whereas improvement in aspiration severity was most strongly related to baseline aspiration burden. Lower baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D showed exploratory associations with both outcomes. Because 25-hydroxyvitamin D did not change significantly during follow-up and the models were underpowered, this association should be regarded as hypothesis-generating rather than clinically established. These biochemical findings require confirmation in larger prospective studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Neurology)

21 pages, 682 KB

Open AccessArticle

Willingness to Share Smartwatch-Generated Health Data Among a Sample of Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

by Raniah N. Aldekhyyel, Leena M. Shagrani, Shoug M. Albattah, Basmah A. Alghamdi, Adwaa A. Alsalman, Shadin K. Alabbas and Haya E. Alkhlaiwi

Healthcare 2026, 14(17), 2838; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14172838 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, represent an emerging digital health tool that can enhance patient engagement, support patient-provider communication, and enable more personalized, patient-centered care. Understanding public willingness to share health-generated data with healthcare providers is essential for informing digital health implementation [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, represent an emerging digital health tool that can enhance patient engagement, support patient-provider communication, and enable more personalized, patient-centered care. Understanding public willingness to share health-generated data with healthcare providers is essential for informing digital health implementation strategies that prioritize patient trust and active participation in the care process. This study aimed to address this gap by assessing the willingness of a sample of smartwatch users in Riyadh to share their health-generated data and identifying factors associated with this willingness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using venue-based convenience sampling at a large public venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using an electronic self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with willingness to share health-generated data. Results: Among the 391 participants, 168 reported owning a smartwatch and comprised the population for the primary analysis of willingness to share health-generated data. Among smartwatch owners (n = 168), 104 (62%; 95% CI: 54–69%) expressed willingness to share their health-generated data. Among those willing to share, healthcare providers were the most preferred recipients (95%, 99/104), followed by family members and friends (63%, 66/104). Most demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, and behavioral characteristics were not significantly associated with willingness to share; however, in bivariate analysis, previous use of online support groups was significantly associated with greater willingness to share health-generated data (OR 5.00; 95% CI: 1.66–15.10; p = 0.002). None of the predictors included in the multivariable model was independently associated with willingness to share. Conclusions: Most smartwatch users were willing to share their health-generated data with healthcare providers, reflecting positive public attitudes toward integrating this data into healthcare systems. These findings support Saudi Arabia’s digital health transformation initiatives, while highlighting the need to address privacy, trust, and data governance to enable successful implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Patient-Centered Care and Well-Being: Health Communication and Patient Engagement)

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33 pages, 15571 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reliability-Aware Selective Fusion of Visual and Class-Associated Acoustic Data for Concrete-Surface Classification Under Simulated Sensor Degradation

by Shila Fallahy, Nima Rezazadeh, Francesco Caputo, Waqas Akbar Lughmani and Alessandro De Luca

Buildings 2026, 16(17), 3518; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16173518 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Automated concrete-surface classification increasingly employs multimodal sensing, although a wide range of systems assume that all sensors remain continuously available, reliable, and suitable for fusion. This study presents Reliability-Aware Selective Multimodal Fusion (RASMF), an image-first framework in which supplementary acoustic evidence is requested [...] Read more.

Automated concrete-surface classification increasingly employs multimodal sensing, although a wide range of systems assume that all sensors remain continuously available, reliable, and suitable for fusion. This study presents Reliability-Aware Selective Multimodal Fusion (RASMF), an image-first framework in which supplementary acoustic evidence is requested conditionally, assessed for signal-quality anomalies, fused when appropriate, and rejected when necessary. RASMF was evaluated on 4094 class-associated image-acoustic observations using 5 duplicate-aware outer folds and three random seeds under clean, simulated-degradation, and missing-modality conditions. At the nominal 10% acquisition budget, realised acoustic acquisition was 25.67%. Relative to the predefined missing-aware image-first baseline, mean error decreased from 1.9777% to 1.4499%, an absolute reduction of 0.5279 percentage points and a relative reduction of 26.69%, with a two-way bootstrap 95% confidence interval of −1.6220 to −0.0661 percentage points. The mean Brier score decreased from 0.03033 to 0.01688. RASMF produced lower mean error in 12 of 16 simulated-degradation and modality-loss conditions, with 6 condition-specific confidence intervals excluding zero in its favour. Increasing acoustic acquisition progressively reduced mean error and calibration error but increased processing demand; estimated pipeline time was 24.77 ms at the nominal 10% setting compared with 20.60 ms at the nominal 0% setting. A simpler logit stacker achieved a slightly lower mean error of 1.4295%, and the difference from RASMF was not statistically supported. The results therefore support RASMF as an explicit reliability-aware selective decision architecture relative to the designated baseline, without establishing universal predictive superiority over simpler fusion strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization)

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10 pages, 12315 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation and Characterization of Fenofibric Acid-Loaded Electrospun Fibrous Mats

by Enikő Bitay, Gergő Tóth and Zoltán-István Szabó

Nanomaterials 2026, 16(17), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16171111 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Fenofibric acid-loaded microfibrous mats were produced by electrospinning using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a carrier polymer. Fenofibric acid, obtained through alkaline hydrolysis of fenofibrate, was incorporated into PVP solutions and processed under optimized electrospinning conditions to obtain uniform, defect-free fibers. The morphology and average [...] Read more.

Fenofibric acid-loaded microfibrous mats were produced by electrospinning using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a carrier polymer. Fenofibric acid, obtained through alkaline hydrolysis of fenofibrate, was incorporated into PVP solutions and processed under optimized electrospinning conditions to obtain uniform, defect-free fibers. The morphology and average fiber diameter were examined by scanning electron microscopy, revealing homogeneous, continuous fibers. Thermal analysis revealed the disappearance of the characteristic melting endotherm of fenofibric acid following electrospinning, indicating a substantial alteration in its thermal behavior within the polymer matrix. In vitro dissolution tests in artificial saliva showed a markedly enhanced release rate of fenofibric acid from the fibrous mats compared with the pure crystalline form, indicating a significant improvement in apparent solubility. These findings highlight the potential of PVP-based electrospun fiber formulation as an efficient carrier for the active metabolite of fenofibrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanofiber and Nanomaterial Composites: Energy, Healthcare and Beyond)

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13 pages, 973 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Development of Joint Kinematics, Kinetics and Electromyography Activity over 50 m Sprints in Experienced Sprinters

by Roland van den Tillaar, Sam Gleadhill, Pedro Jiménez-Reyes and Ryu Nagahara

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(3), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11030352 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: The aim was to investigate the stride-by-stride development of spatiotemporal parameters, joint kinematics, kinetics, and electromyographic (EMG) activity during a 50 m sprint, providing a comprehensive analysis of the biomechanical and neuromuscular changes throughout the entire sprint. Methods: Fifteen male sprinters (age [...] Read more.

Background: The aim was to investigate the stride-by-stride development of spatiotemporal parameters, joint kinematics, kinetics, and electromyographic (EMG) activity during a 50 m sprint, providing a comprehensive analysis of the biomechanical and neuromuscular changes throughout the entire sprint. Methods: Fifteen male sprinters (age 20.5 ± 1.3 years, body mass 66.8 ± 4.5 kg, body height 1.74 ± 0.06 m, 100 m personal best: 11.24 ± 0.34 s) performed a 50 m sprint, while the spatiotemporal parameters, joint kinematics, kinetics, and EMG activity of nine muscles were measured. Results: The main findings were that the 50 m sprint could be divided into three phases: initial acceleration, transition and maximal velocity and involve tightly coordinated changes across multiple biomechanical domains. The initial acceleration (the first 3–5 strides) was dominated by rapid increases in stride frequency, rapid changes in joint angles, and rising EMG activity in key muscles. In the transition phase (up to ~30–35 m), continued increases in stride length, decreasing contact time, and stabilization of kinematics and EMG activity were the main characteristics. In the maximal-velocity phase, a plateau in velocity, increased flight time, greater reliance on vertical force (an increase in vertical force relative to the horizontal forces), and stabilized neuromuscular patterns were observed. Conclusion: The phased progression supports contemporary biomechanical models of sprinting and emphasizes the importance of both mechanical and neuromuscular efficiency in achieving optimal sprint performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of JFMK: Advances in Athletic Training and Human Performance)

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34 pages, 1076 KB

Open AccessArticle

Portfolio Optimization for Commodity ETFs Under Heavy-Tailed Returns

by Nicholas Appiah, Ali Jaffri, Dilmi C. W. Hettiachchi-Halpe-Kankanamalage and Svetlozar T. Rachev

J. Risk Financ. Manag. 2026, 19(9), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19090677 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

This paper examined whether portfolio-objective choice or forecasting complexity was more consequential in heavy-tailed commodity ETF allocation. Using daily Bloomberg data for 30 U.S.-listed commodity ETFs from 12 December 2018 to 16 December 2024, we compared historical and dynamic mean–variance and conditional value-at-risk [...] Read more.

This paper examined whether portfolio-objective choice or forecasting complexity was more consequential in heavy-tailed commodity ETF allocation. Using daily Bloomberg data for 30 U.S.-listed commodity ETFs from 12 December 2018 to 16 December 2024, we compared historical and dynamic mean–variance and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) portfolios under long-only and long–short constraints. The dynamic framework combined ARMA–GARCH marginals, Student-t innovations, and copula dependence. Minimum-variance and minimum-CVaR portfolios generally produced higher Sharpe, Calmar, and STARR ratios than tangent portfolios across the baseline and robustness analyses. Dynamic estimation produced higher Sharpe, Calmar, and

{STARR}_{0.95}

point estimates for C99 and the tangent portfolios, but none of the historical–dynamic differences remained significant after max-t adjustment. Hill estimates indicated heavy downside tails, while VaR and Expected Shortfall backtests showed no calibration rejections for the minimum-risk portfolios and revealed 95% VaR failures for dynamic tangent portfolios. The long-only minimum-variance and 95% minimum-CVaR portfolios recorded higher Sharpe, Calmar, and

{STARR}_{0.95}

ratios than the 60/40 SPY–AGG benchmark, whereas the benchmark had a smaller maximum drawdown and lower VaR and Expected Shortfall. Overall, portfolio-objective choice was more consistently associated with realized performance than additional forecasting complexity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Risk)

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18 pages, 1707 KB

Open AccessArticle

Visual Integration Mechanisms in Young Adults with High and Low Autistic Traits

by Sara Bertoni, Sandro Franceschini, Simona Carbone, Chiara Filotto, Martina Mancarella, Giovanna Puccio, Andrea Pavan, Simone Gori and Andrea Facoetti

Life 2026, 16(9), 1475; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16091475 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Social interaction requires the efficient extraction and integration of visual information. Although atypicalities in global processing and visual perception have been reported in autism, their relationship with self-reported social-skills-related autistic traits remains unclear. Methods: Using an extreme-groups design, 179 university students completed [...] Read more.

Background: Social interaction requires the efficient extraction and integration of visual information. Although atypicalities in global processing and visual perception have been reported in autism, their relationship with self-reported social-skills-related autistic traits remains unclear. Methods: Using an extreme-groups design, 179 university students completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Individuals with scores at least ±1 SD were selected to form high-AQ (n = 20) and low-AQ (n = 22) groups. Participants completed two complementary psychophysical tasks assessing object perception under increasing visual noise and global–local visual processing. Results: The high-AQ group showed reduced recognition under high visual noise and slower responses under the global-incongruent condition. In the exploratory regression, visual-noise accuracy explained significant variance when entered alone, whereas global-incongruent Navon performance explained incremental variance and was the only significant unique contributor in the final model (R² = 0.280). Conclusions: These findings suggest that, within the selected extreme-AQ sample, AQ Social Skills scores are associated with complementary visual mechanisms responsible for extracting relevant information from noisy environments and integrating spatially distributed visual information into coherent global representations. These behavioural findings are consistent with a possible link between visual processing and self-reported social traits and with theoretical models proposing a role for magnocellular-dependent dorsal visual computations in social perception, although these neural mechanisms were not directly assessed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Objective Tools to Aid the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders)

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20 pages, 17915 KB

Open AccessArticle

Linking Soil Health to Soybean (Glycine max L.) Productivity Under Biochar and Organic Fertilizer Application: Evidence from PCA and Correlation Analyses

by Marianus Evarist Ngui, Yong-Hong Lin, Chia-Chung Wang, Ya-Zhen Xu, Chuan-Chi Chien, Rung-Jiun Gau, Yan-Jia Liou and Chun-Shen Cheng

Agronomy 2026, 16(17), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16171710 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Increasing fertilizer costs, climate-related stresses, and soil degradation caused by the prolonged use of chemical fertilizers threaten the sustainability of agricultural production. Organic soil amendments offer a promising approach to restoring soil health while reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. This study evaluated the [...] Read more.

Increasing fertilizer costs, climate-related stresses, and soil degradation caused by the prolonged use of chemical fertilizers threaten the sustainability of agricultural production. Organic soil amendments offer a promising approach to restoring soil health while reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. This study evaluated the combined effects of biochar and organic fertilizer on soil health and soybean (Glycine max L.) productivity under acidic soil conditions. During the 2024 growing season, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) comprising seven treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times, resulting in a total of 21 pots. The treatments consisted of different combinations of biochar (B) and organic fertilizer (F), applied at rates of grams per 10.5 kg of soil: control (B0F0), B35F70, B35F105, B35F140, B70F70, B70F105, and B70F140. Treatment means were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at p < 0.05. The results showed that the highest soil pH value (5.41) was recorded under the B35F70 treatment at 45 days after amendment of the acidic soil. Application of the B35F140 treatment resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in electrical conductivity (0.23 mS cm⁻¹) compared with the control. Soil organic matter and available phosphorus reached their highest values under B70F140, at 5.25% and 13.87 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, and were significantly greater than those in the control treatment. Soil available iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentrations also increased significantly (p < 0.05) compared with the control, with the B35F70 and B70F70 treatments resulting in the highest Fe (371.29 mg kg⁻¹) and Mn (37.77 mg kg⁻¹) concentrations, respectively. At 100 days after amendment of the reddish-brown acidic soil, exploratory Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to examine relationships between soil health indicators and soybean performance. Soil available phosphorus and potassium exhibited positive associations with soil pH (r = 0.69 and r = 0.65, respectively; p < 0.01). Soybean growth traits, including plant height and number of leaves, were positively associated with seed yield (r = 0.56 and r = 0.77, respectively; p < 0.01). Furthermore, seed yield was positively correlated with SPAD values (r = 0.80, p < 0.01), soil pH (r = 0.56, p < 0.01), available K (r = 0.68, p < 0.01), and Mg (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) further demonstrated clear treatment clustering and consistent positive relationships among soil properties, plant growth traits, and soybean yield variables. The control treatment was clearly separated from all biochar-organic fertilizer treatments along PC1. Among all treatments, B35F140 (3.33 g biochar kg⁻¹ soil + 13.33 g organic fertilizer kg⁻¹ soil) showed the strongest positive association with soil health and plant growth and produced the highest soybean seed yield (10.77 g plant⁻¹). Overall, the combined use of biochar and organic fertilizer improved soil health, soybean growth, and yield, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable strategy for enhancing soybean productivity under acidic soil conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)

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18 pages, 1046 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between DLCO and Echocardiographic Right Ventricular–Pulmonary Arterial Coupling in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

by Francesca Coppi, Susan Darroudi, Giulia Renda, Alessandra Lodeserto, Arianna Maini, Damiano De Cesare, Youssef Othman, Martina Mercati, Dalia Caleffi, Filippo Gozzi, Francesco Marangi, Dario Andrisani, Federica Andolfi, Alessio Baccarani, Daniela Aschieri, Anna Vittoria Mattioli, Francesco Fedele, Enrico Clini, Stefania Cerri and Gianluca Pagnoni

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(17), 6833; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15176833 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is frequently complicated by pulmonary vascular involvement and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, both of which adversely affect prognosis. The relationship between impaired gas exchange and echocardiographic indices of RV function, particularly the TAPSE/PAPs (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic [...] Read more.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is frequently complicated by pulmonary vascular involvement and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, both of which adversely affect prognosis. The relationship between impaired gas exchange and echocardiographic indices of RV function, particularly the TAPSE/PAPs (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure) ratio as a marker of RV–pulmonary arterial (RV–PA) coupling, has not been fully characterized. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 198 consecutive patients with IPF assessed at a single tertiary referral center between 2020 and 2026; 188 with complete pulmonary function testing were included in the main analyses. The primary exposure was gas exchange, measured by single-breath DLCO% (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide) and stratified into four categories (Normal ≥ 80%, n = 21; Mild 60–79%, n = 56; Moderate 40–59%, n = 70; Severe < 40%, n = 41). The main outcome measures were echocardiographic indices of RV function—TAPSE, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAPs), and the TAPSE/PAPs ratio. Associations were assessed using Pearson’s correlation, one-way ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status, with the Mild group as the reference for categorical analyses. Results: Lower DLCO values were independently associated with higher PAPs (adjusted β = −0.24 mmHg per 1% DLCO, p = 0.004) and with a lower TAPSE/PAPs ratio (adjusted β = +0.005 per 1% DLCO, p = 0.040). Compared with the Mild reference group, patients with Severe DLCO reduction had markedly higher PAPs (+14.6 mmHg, p = 0.002) and a lower TAPSE/PAPs ratio (−0.37, p = 0.002), with attenuated findings in the Moderate category; the small Normal group did not differ significantly from the Mild one. TAPSE alone showed only a weak, non-significant trend (r = 0.195, p = 0.083). Conclusions: In patients with IPF, lower DLCO was independently associated with higher pulmonary artery pressure and, to a lesser extent, with reduced RV–PA coupling (a lower TAPSE/PAPs ratio), whereas RV longitudinal systolic function (TAPSE) appeared preserved. Among pulmonary function parameters, DLCO showed the strongest association with PAPs. In this exploratory, cross-sectional analysis, combined evaluation of DLCO and the TAPSE/PAPs ratio may help characterize right heart involvement in IPF; its value for pulmonary hypertension (PH) screening requires prospective confirmation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Respiratory Medicine)

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20 pages, 515 KB

Open AccessArticle

CipherBench: A Fine-Grained Benchmark Dataset for Algorithm-Level Fragmented Payload Identification

by Jinhui Shen, Kai Liu, Mengnan Zhao, Ziye Yue, Jiaqi Mao and Xiaofeng Li

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(17), 8763; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16178763 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Algorithm-level payload identification (determining the specific encryption algorithm, compression format, or encoding scheme from raw byte fragments) is a foundational capability for ransomware detection, digital forensics, and cryptographic compliance auditing. To the best of our knowledge, no public benchmark dataset simultaneously satisfies three [...] Read more.

Algorithm-level payload identification (determining the specific encryption algorithm, compression format, or encoding scheme from raw byte fragments) is a foundational capability for ransomware detection, digital forensics, and cryptographic compliance auditing. To the best of our knowledge, no public benchmark dataset simultaneously satisfies three essential requirements: algorithm-level label granularity, simulation of real-world network fragmentation, and coverage of the SM2 and SM4 algorithms that have been adopted as ISO/IEC 18033-3 international standards. Existing datasets are either annotated at the application level, use complete flows as classification units, or lack Chinese national cryptographic algorithm samples, preventing reproducible and standardized performance comparisons across different methods. To address this gap, we introduce CipherBench, a benchmark dataset comprising 50 algorithm-level data types organized into seven categories, with 50,000 samples in total. Each sample passes through a random-offset 1024-byte sliding window with zero-padding to simulate payload truncation caused by TCP fragmentation. The dataset is generated following the key-size recommendations of the NIST SP 800-131A standard, with independent random keys and initialization vectors per encryption operation. Each class is annotated with NIST SP 800-22 randomness benchmark metrics and a 9-field metadata record. We calibrate the benchmark through five families of experiments. A fragmentation-versus-non-fragmentation control experiment (

Δ = - 3.01

pp, concentrated in compression) shows that random-offset windowing contributes a quantifiable, well-understood difficulty. Layered difficulty measurement reveals a progressive gradient: encoding and hash classes are nearly perfectly identifiable (≈100%), compression accuracy is strongly header-dependent, and fine-grained inter-cipher classification among symmetric encryption algorithms converges to random levels (4.81% vs. a 5.56% random baseline over 18 real algorithm implementations), consistent with IND-CPA semantic security. Cross-library control experiments further show that classifiers cannot distinguish SM4 ciphertexts produced by independent implementations, and a random-padding probe demonstrates that asymmetric-encryption accuracy collapses from 64.89% to 0.33% when padding leakage is removed. A held-out corpus validation over ten corpus-level partitions (52.06 ± 0.54% vs. 51.79%) rules out plaintext memorization as a shortcut. CipherBench is designed to fill this gap for algorithm-level fragmented payload identification. Full article

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

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23 pages, 2701 KB

Open AccessHypothesis

Modulation of Host Cell Death Signaling Platforms by Plasmodium falciparum: Implications for Eryptosis Regulation and Parasite Survival

by Lina Solís-Castillero, Ricardo Correa, Maria Fernanda Alves-Rosa and Carmenza Spadafora

Cells 2026, 15(17), 1603; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15171603 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Programmed cell death pathways in Plasmodium falciparum remain conceptually fragmented. Over decades, researchers have applied metazoan apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic markers to this deep-branching protozoan, frequently clashing with the reality that the parasite lacks the canonical genetic machinery (such as true caspases or [...] Read more.

Programmed cell death pathways in Plasmodium falciparum remain conceptually fragmented. Over decades, researchers have applied metazoan apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic markers to this deep-branching protozoan, frequently clashing with the reality that the parasite lacks the canonical genetic machinery (such as true caspases or death receptors) found in multicellular eukaryotes. In this work, we shift the focus from the parasite’s disputed intrinsic death machinery to the host–parasite interaction arena: the active manipulation of the host erythrocyte’s autonomous suicide program, eryptosis. The intraerythrocytic development of P. falciparum generates profound oxidative stress through hemoglobin digestion and free heme release, driving lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of reactive aldehydes such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)—potent signaling molecules that can trigger eryptotic pathways. We integrate existing literature on membrane remodeling, protein export, and lipid raft dynamics to propose a novel Host Protein Sequestration Hypothesis. We suggest that P. falciparum evades splenic clearance by actively dismantling the host cell’s surface death signaling platforms—Clusters of Apoptotic Signaling Molecule-Enriched Rafts (CASMERs)—and pulling these host components inward. We suggest that human FAS (CD95) is internalized by the parasite and physically interacts with Plasmodium lipid-raft scaffolding proteins, preventing it from engaging FasL (CD178) that is either expressed on adjacent erythrocytes or presented within the local splenic microenvironment—an interaction that would otherwise precipitate eryptotic signaling. This perspective offers a fundamentally fresh conceptual framework for understanding malaria survival strategies and highlights a vulnerable, non-canonical therapeutic target. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cellular Pathology)

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46 pages, 1024 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Periodontal and Peri-Implant Status Among Users of Different Inhaled Tobacco and Nicotine Products: A Systematic Review

by Maria Pia Di Palo, Federica Di Spirito, Francesco Giordano, Giuseppina De Benedetto, Roberto Lo Giudice, Federica Piedepalumbo, Gabriele Balsamo, Colomba Pessolano, Marina Garofano, Andrea Marino and Alessia Bramanti

Dent. J. 2026, 14(9), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14090562 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Periodontal and peri-implant diseases are influenced by several risk factors, including smoking. While cigarette smoking (CS) is a well-established risk factor, the impact of heated tobacco products (HTPs), electronic cigarettes (E-Cigs), and waterpipe (WS) remains less clear. This systematic review aimed [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Periodontal and peri-implant diseases are influenced by several risk factors, including smoking. While cigarette smoking (CS) is a well-established risk factor, the impact of heated tobacco products (HTPs), electronic cigarettes (E-Cigs), and waterpipe (WS) remains less clear. This systematic review aimed to update the current evidence evaluating the clinical, radiographical, and inflammatory biomarkers of periodontal and peri-implant status among different untreated adult users of inhaled tobacco and nicotine products. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library was performed for studies published between April 2022 and December 2025. Data were extracted and synthesized qualitatively according to the study protocol (PROSPERO: CRD420261284851). Studies were qualitatively assessed using the Risk-of-Bias in Nonrandomized-I. Results: Thirty-one studies including 3106 subjects were analyzed. CS consistently showed the worst periodontal and peri-implant status, with higher plaque indices, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), marginal bone loss (MBL) and more missing teeth. WS showed parameters comparable to CS and worse than non-smokers, with particularly high plaque accumulation and probing depth, as well as a pro-inflammatory biomarker profile. E-Cigs and HTPs generally exhibited intermediate status; E-Cigs showed increased PD and CAL compared with non-smokers, with elevated bleeding on probing despite a lower gingival index, whereas MBL was notably higher, showing the highest overall values among all smoking categories, exceeding CS. HTPs presented slightly less harmful outcomes than other smokers, but the evidence was limited. Biomarker analysis indicated elevated pro-inflammatory and tissue-destructive markers, particularly in CS and WS. Conclusions: Smoking negatively affects periodontal and peri-implant status, with CS exhibiting the worst impact. E-Cigs and HTPs appear less harmful but are not risk-free. Longitudinal studies are warranted to define long-term effects, particularly on peri-implant status, for which robust evidence was restricted to CS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Periodontal and Peri-Implant Tissues Health Management: 2nd Edition)

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13 pages, 1180 KB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Directional Chromosomal Clustering of Metabolic Pathway Genes as a Layout Prior for Synthetic Construct Design

by Xiaowei Han, Zhixu Qiu, Jiani Hu and Jie Song

BioTech 2026, 15(4), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech15040075 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Metabolic pathway design tools largely address reaction routes and enzyme choice, whereas a complementary set of questions—how pathway genes are arranged on bacterial chromosomes and whether co-directional neighborhoods can inform multi-gene construct layout—has received comparatively little systematic treatment. Here, we present SynPAL (Synteny-Informed [...] Read more.

Metabolic pathway design tools largely address reaction routes and enzyme choice, whereas a complementary set of questions—how pathway genes are arranged on bacterial chromosomes and whether co-directional neighborhoods can inform multi-gene construct layout—has received comparatively little systematic treatment. Here, we present SynPAL (Synteny-Informed Pathway Assembly and Layout), a computational analysis that scores co-directional clustering of BioCyc pathway genes from genomic coordinates (same replicon and strand, intergenic distance ≤ 2000 bp) and translates the resulting scores into design-oriented hypotheses. On a core panel of 55 prokaryotes (887 analyzable pathways), medium or high clustering occurs for 290 pathways (32.7%), with a mean cluster score of 0.432 versus 0.262 under an organism-matched random-gene-set null; 692/887 pathways remain significant after Benjamini–Hochberg false-discovery-rate control at

q < 0.05

. High scores recover classical operons, including nan, bkd, pdxST, and gmd–fcl, under a fixed labeling protocol. Scoring gene-name order in pathway tables instead of coordinates yields substantially higher medium/high rates on the same pathways (80.1% vs. 32.0% on the full 55-organism panel; 90.5% vs. 49.2% on a paired 63-pathway set) and correlates only weakly with coordinate scores (Pearson’s

r = 0.23

), demonstrating that table order is not chromosomal synteny. Pathways are assigned design-readiness tiers T1–T4 as layout hypotheses, and sequence-backed construct drafts were generated for 222 of 224 T1 pathways. An expanded survey of 9071 prokaryotic databases (1629 pathways) shows a similar selective landscape (42.7% medium/high). SynPAL does not select enzymes, predict flux, or report wet-lab expression; it supplies coordinate-based cluster scores, tiers, and draft layouts that can accept a gene list from reaction-network CAD tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computational Biology)

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21 pages, 1644 KB

Open AccessReview

Increase in Healthcare-Associated Infections: Is COVID-19 Responsible? A Narrative Review

by Pietro Crispino, Antonello Viceconti and Valentina Camardo

Microorganisms 2026, 14(9), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14091952 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) showed a significant increase, exacerbated by the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. Antibiotic overuse and infection control practices influenced HAI incidence rates, alongside the rising prevalence of resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic-resistant pathogens [...] Read more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) showed a significant increase, exacerbated by the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. Antibiotic overuse and infection control practices influenced HAI incidence rates, alongside the rising prevalence of resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic-resistant pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections in COVID-19 patients include—in addition to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus—metallo-β-lactamase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. COVID-19 impacted bacterial healthcare-associated infections in various ways, with an increase in the incidence of metallo-β-lactamase-producing, carbapenem-resistant organisms—a trend already noted prior to the pandemic. Furthermore, the pandemic laid the groundwork for future challenges in HAI management, highlighting the need for rigorous infection prevention and control protocols. Poorer outcomes were observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with antibiotic-resistant infections. Although increased infection prevention and control (IPC) measures led to a reduction in certain site-specific hospital-acquired infections, in other contexts, COVID-19 was associated with an increased incidence of bacterial hospital-acquired infections. Further research is needed to determine the cost–benefit ratio of maintaining COVID-19-related infection prevention and control protocols beyond the pandemic in order to reduce the impact of hospital-acquired infections. Furthermore, it is necessary to assess the long-term impact of the high usage of certain broad-spectrum antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Infectious Patients (2026))

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40 pages, 1026 KB

Open AccessReview

From Antimicrobial Activity to Topical Translation: An Integrated Framework for Testing, Cytotoxicity Assessment and Formulation of Plant Extracts, Essential Oils and Honey

by Diana Constanța Pelea, Laura Maria Endres, Laura Maghiar, Teodor-Andrei Maghiar, Mădălin Florin Ganea, Csaba Nagy, Corina Moisa, Gabriela Ciavoi, Georgiana Ioana Potra Cicalau, Olimpia-Daniela Frenț and Mariana Ganea

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(9), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18091111 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance has renewed interest in plant extracts, essential oils and honey as topical adjuvants, yet antimicrobial potency, host-tissue safety and formulation performance are usually reported in separate bodies of literature, and the material tested is often characterized only superficially. This structured [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance has renewed interest in plant extracts, essential oils and honey as topical adjuvants, yet antimicrobial potency, host-tissue safety and formulation performance are usually reported in separate bodies of literature, and the material tested is often characterized only superficially. This structured narrative review aimed to integrate these dimensions into a single decision-oriented pathway. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection was searched using seventeen predefined strings across fourteen thematic domains, restricted to English-language articles and reviews from 2021 to 2026, with supplementary PubMed/MEDLINE searches, hand-searching, and normative documents from the issuing organizations. Results: The framework comprises seven decision domains: pre-analytical standardization of each matrix class; antibacterial and antifungal testing with matrix-specific controls; biofilm endpoints named according to what they measure; strain selection tiered from reference to clinical and resistant isolates; host safety from monolayer cytotoxicity to reconstructed human epidermis; selectivity, expressed per microorganism and extended to the resident cutaneous microbiota; and formulation performance, with permeation interpreted against a retention rather than a maximization target. Resistance under sub-inhibitory exposure forms an advanced stage. Conclusions: Progression is governed by proposed Go, Conditional Go and No-Go criteria, supported by a matrix-specific control table and a minimum reporting checklist. The framework has not been prospectively validated, and no universal selectivity threshold is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches in Skin Formulation Development and Characterization: Scientific Foundations for Regulatory Transformation)

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29 pages, 3507 KB

Open AccessArticle

Detection-Guided Resilient Consensus Control for UAV Swarms Under Random Denial-of-Service Attacks

by Yue Han, Meini Yuan, Zhiru Li, Jian Shen and Pengyun Chen

Eng 2026, 7(9), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7090451 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Reliable coordination of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms is significantly challenged by random denial-of-service (R-DoS) attacks, which introduce stochastic packet loss, time-varying communication interruptions, and strong concealment. Existing fault-tolerant consensus approaches typically assume known attack information or treat attack detection, topology recovery, and [...] Read more.

Reliable coordination of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms is significantly challenged by random denial-of-service (R-DoS) attacks, which introduce stochastic packet loss, time-varying communication interruptions, and strong concealment. Existing fault-tolerant consensus approaches typically assume known attack information or treat attack detection, topology recovery, and control design as separate processes, resulting in limited resilience under dynamically evolving attack conditions. To address this issue, this paper proposes a detection-guided resilient consensus control framework for UAV swarms under R-DoS attacks. A dual-dimensional statistical detection method is developed by jointly modeling packet reception rate (PRR) and inter-arrival time (IAT), enabling real-time identification of attack-induced anomalies through spatio-temporal feature fusion. Based on the detection results, a distributed topology reconstruction strategy is designed, incorporating redundant node identification and cluster-based dynamic communication reconfiguration. The communication graph is adaptively updated via online adjustment of adjacency and Laplacian matrices, and robustness guarantees for the resulting consensus process are analytically established. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation experiments under both single-leader and multi-leader architectures demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately detect attacked nodes, effectively reconstruct the communication topology, and maintain stable formation coordination under severe R-DoS attacks. The position tracking error is constrained within 0.4 m, validating the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed framework. This study is limited to defensive cyber-resilience in a closed hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment and does not address reconnaissance payloads, weaponization, target selection, or operational attack execution. Unlike methods that assume known attack schedules or treat detection, topology recovery, and control separately, this study focuses on their online coupling under unknown random packet loss; its validation is limited to the stated closed HIL impairment model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Technologies and Applications for Unmanned Systems)

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21 pages, 12886 KB

Open AccessArticle

Forecasting Dam Storage Volume Using a Hybrid RNN Model Empowered by Tunable Q-Factor Wavelet Transform and Metaheuristic Optimization

by Turker Tugrul

Water 2026, 18(17), 2184; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18172184 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

It is universally acknowledged that water is essential for the survival of humanity. Therefore, the effective utilization and sustainability of water resources are of paramount importance. Driven by this necessity, this study develops predictive models for the Çubuk2 Dam, which supplies drinking water [...] Read more.

It is universally acknowledged that water is essential for the survival of humanity. Therefore, the effective utilization and sustainability of water resources are of paramount importance. Driven by this necessity, this study develops predictive models for the Çubuk2 Dam, which supplies drinking water to Ankara, using historical data on temperature, precipitation, humidity, reservoir volume, and water level. The models were constructed using deep learning, optimization, and wavelet decomposition techniques, which have garnered significant attention from researchers in recent years. Specifically, Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Random Forest (RF), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Tunable Q-Factor Wavelet Transform (TQW) methods were utilized. RNN was employed both as a standalone model and hybridized as RNNRF and RNNPSO, with TQW applied to all models to enhance predictive performance. Furthermore, ten different input scenario structures were established using Mutual Information (MI). To evaluate model performance, the Correlation Coefficient (R), Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE), Performance Index (PI), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) metrics were adopted. The results demonstrated that the hybrid models yielded highly effective outcomes and that Mutual Information successfully identified optimal model input structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Techniques for Hydrologic Modelling and Forecasting)

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13 pages, 1290 KB

Open AccessArticle

Utilization of Guarana Agroindustrial Waste as a Source of Antimicrobial Compounds for Human Pathogenic Bacterial Removal in Wastewater Sample

by Erickson Oliveira dos Santos, Cleideane Cunha Costa, Pedro Luis Sosa Gonzáles, Priscila Pauly Ribas and Carla Estefani Batista

BioTech 2026, 15(4), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech15040076 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

The guarana seed peel (GSP), an agroindustrial waste, was characterized for its chemical composition and evaluated for its antimicrobial activity as a potential source of antibacterial compounds for wastewater disinfection using UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of GSP, its raw extract (GSPE), and its [...] Read more.

The guarana seed peel (GSP), an agroindustrial waste, was characterized for its chemical composition and evaluated for its antimicrobial activity as a potential source of antibacterial compounds for wastewater disinfection using UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis. UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of GSP, its raw extract (GSPE), and its purified extract (GSPP) identified 36 compounds, including catechin and its oligomers: a B-type procyanidin dimer, pavetannin B6 (trimer), and cinnamtannin A2 (tetramer). Principal component analysis (PCA) separated GSPE from GSPP along PC2, and the purification step concentrated flavonoids—mainly catechin and its oligomers—in GSPP. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against the human pathogens Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, causing gastroenteritis and invasive disease, and Staphylococcus aureus, causing skin and invasive infections. In real wastewater, GSPE (500 mg L⁻¹) reduced total coliforms by up to 81 ± 7% and E. coli by up to 74 ± 7% within 180 min. Confocal microscopy with the LIVE/DEAD^® BacLight™ kit (Thermo Fhisher, Eugene, OR, USA) confirmed loss of membrane integrity in GSPE-treated Escherichia coli, and disc diffusion with GSPP produced inhibition zones of 9–11 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium at 5 mg per disc. These results show that guarana seed peel—currently discarded—is a viable source of catechin-rich antibacterial extracts for wastewater disinfection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Biotechnology in the Fight Against Human Diseases)

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24 pages, 7007 KB

Open AccessArticle

Degeneracy-Aware Intensity-Assisted LiDAR–Inertial Odometry with Adaptive Photometric Weighting

by Peng Ding, Fengyu Liu, Peng Zheng and Weiwei He

Electronics 2026, 15(17), 3970; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15173970 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

LiDAR–inertial odometry (LIO) is accurate in structurally rich environments but can become weakly observable in tunnels, stairways, and open terrain. This study introduces a degeneracy-aware, intensity-assisted LIO method that uses LiDAR reflectivity as an internal sensing modality without requiring a camera. Raw returns [...] Read more.

LiDAR–inertial odometry (LIO) is accurate in structurally rich environments but can become weakly observable in tunnels, stairways, and open terrain. This study introduces a degeneracy-aware, intensity-assisted LIO method that uses LiDAR reflectivity as an internal sensing modality without requiring a camera. Raw returns are projected onto a normalized panoramic intensity image, and image patches are selected according to their ability to complement the uninformative directions identified from the geometric information matrix. Point-to-plane, photometric, and inertial residuals are then fused in an iterated extended Kalman filter. Unlike fixed-scale intensity fusion, the proposed strategy adjusts the photometric residual scale according to the number of weak geometric directions and smooths this scale temporally. Experiments on the Newer College, ENWIDE, and GEODE datasets show that adaptive scaling reduces translational ATE RMSE, defined as the sequence-level root-mean-square of pose-wise translational absolute pose errors, by 11–40% on four ablation sequences. On GEODE-Stairs, the method obtains an ATE RMSE of 0.26 m, which is 46.9% lower than that of COIN-LIO. It also achieves the lowest ATE RMSE on each of the four tunnel sequences, with values ranging from 0.30 to 0.33 m. Mean processing times range from 15 to 25 ms per scan, corresponding to an average throughput of 40.0–66.7 scans/s on the evaluated platform. These results indicate that degeneracy-conditioned intensity fusion improves LIO robustness while maintaining average throughput compatible with real-time operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Navigation and Intelligent Perception Technology for Unmanned Systems)

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21 pages, 605 KB

Open AccessReview

The State of Form: Origin, Meaning, and Agency in Architecture

by Simone Giostra

Architecture 2026, 6(3), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6030156 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Architecture is arguably the human activity most directly invested in giving form to material objects and spaces. Across cultures and historical periods, architectural practice has been inseparable from the deliberate shaping of matter into useful and meaningful configurations. Over the past two decades, [...] Read more.

Architecture is arguably the human activity most directly invested in giving form to material objects and spaces. Across cultures and historical periods, architectural practice has been inseparable from the deliberate shaping of matter into useful and meaningful configurations. Over the past two decades, however, form has appeared to lose its centrality within architectural discourse. Social, environmental, and technological agendas increasingly displace formal inquiry, reframing form as secondary, insufficient, or ethically suspect—a condition further intensified by the proliferation of AI-generated images. This article reviews the development of form in Western architectural culture by retracing three enduring lineages of formal logic—normative, generative, and aesthetic—rooted respectively in Platonic idealism, Aristotelian materialism, and Kantian aesthetics. While this genealogical framework offers conceptual clarity, it also reveals persistent tensions concerning the origin, agency, and value of form. Recent hybrid practices challenge the sufficiency of any single lineage, pointing instead toward a relational understanding of form as a mediating protocol between social values, material realities, and perceptual experience. The article advances a field-based model in which architecture operates within a dynamic space defined by these three poles, proposing form as an active and indispensable instrument of architectural thought and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Architectural Theory and Design)

25 pages, 1488 KB

Open AccessArticle

Container Orchestration with Kubernetes for ROS-Based Robot Software

by Nicholas Hopf, Rafael Arrais, Pedro Melo, Armando Sousa, David José Castro and Pedro Estela

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(17), 8761; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16178761 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Robot Operating System (ROS) applications are growing increasingly complex and distributed, incorporating multi-node architectures, real-time communication, and compute offloading to cloud or edge resources. Despite advances in containerization, large-scale robotics deployments often rely on ad hoc provisioning, updating, and scalability strategies. This paper’s [...] Read more.

Robot Operating System (ROS) applications are growing increasingly complex and distributed, incorporating multi-node architectures, real-time communication, and compute offloading to cloud or edge resources. Despite advances in containerization, large-scale robotics deployments often rely on ad hoc provisioning, updating, and scalability strategies. This paper’s key contribution is a module extension for an existing ROS-focused container framework that leverages Kubernetes’ capabilities—controlled rolling updates, ROS-adapted readiness checks, distributed workload management, and embedded observability—to bridge cloud-native practices with robotics development. The result is a unified tool that streamlines the entire ROS DevOps cycle. Experimental validation demonstrates stable operation with minimal message loss across diverse ROS communication patterns, including tests on an industrial mobile manipulator system. By simplifying orchestration and monitoring, this approach enables roboticists to concentrate on application logic rather than deployment and networking complexities. Full article

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

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19 pages, 879 KB

Open AccessArticle

Differences Between Habitual Low and Normal Carbohydrate Intake in Body Composition and Maximal Isometric Strength in Resistance-Trained Men

by Sergio Añasco Saca, Lilia Soifer Velásquez, Alexander Javier Iman Torres, Michelle Lozada-Urbano, Delsi M. Huaita Acha, Antonio Castillo-Paredes, José Antonio Pino Arango and Jose Jairo Narrea Vargas

J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2026, 11(3), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk11030351 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Most studies evaluating low-carbohydrate diets in resistance-trained individuals have focused on short-term ketogenic interventions. Whether habitual carbohydrate intake maintained under free-living conditions is associated with body composition and muscle strength remains unclear. Therefore, this study compared body composition and maximal isometric strength [...] Read more.

Introduction: Most studies evaluating low-carbohydrate diets in resistance-trained individuals have focused on short-term ketogenic interventions. Whether habitual carbohydrate intake maintained under free-living conditions is associated with body composition and muscle strength remains unclear. Therefore, this study compared body composition and maximal isometric strength between recreationally resistance-trained men with a habitual low or normal carbohydrate intake. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in 53 recreationally resistance-trained men aged 18–35 years. Habitual dietary intake was assessed using three non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. Participants were classified as having low (<3 g/kg/day; n = 28) or normal (3–5 g/kg/day; n = 25) carbohydrate intake; participants also reported maintaining their respective dietary pattern for at least three months. Body composition was estimated using the Ross and Kerr anthropometric model, whereas fat mass was calculated using the Martin equation. Maximal isometric handgrip and knee extension strength were also assessed. Between-group comparisons were performed using Welch’s t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression models were adjusted for age, height, and relative energy intake. Sensitivity analyses were additionally adjusted for relative protein intake. Results: Participants with a habitual low carbohydrate intake presented significantly lower adipose mass (β = −2.42 kg; 95% CI: −4.49 to −0.35; p = 0.02), adipose percentage (β = −4.64%; 95% CI: −7.47 to −1.80; p < 0.01), fat mass (β = −2.33 kg; 95% CI: −4.08 to −0.57; p = 0.01), and body fat percentage (β = −4.06%; 95% CI: −6.52 to −1.59; p < 0.01) than participants with a normal carbohydrate intake. No significant differences were observed in muscle mass, handgrip strength, or absolute knee extension strength after adjustment. In sensitivity analyses additionally adjusted for relative protein intake, associations with adiposity were attenuated and no longer statistically significant, whereas low carbohydrate intake was associated with lower absolute and relative handgrip and knee extension strength (all p < 0.05). No significant associations with skeletal muscle mass were observed. Conclusions: In recreationally resistance-trained men, habitual carbohydrate intake below 3 g/kg/day was associated with lower adiposity in the primary analyses; however, these associations were attenuated after additional adjustment for relative protein intake. Conversely, associations with lower maximal isometric strength emerged after adjustment for protein intake, while no associations with skeletal muscle mass were observed. These findings suggest that the associations of habitual carbohydrate intake with adiposity and muscle strength may be influenced by overall dietary composition and should be interpreted cautiously given the cross-sectional design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of JFMK: Advances in Physical Exercise for Health Promotion)

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26 pages, 5172 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Thrips Object Detection and Counting Algorithms in Leaf Backgrounds

by Dongxue Huang, Ming Lei, Zhiliang Zhang, Zhangzhang He, Wei Zhan and Yu Zhang

Agronomy 2026, 16(17), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16171709 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Thrips are major minute pests that threaten crop growth, and their early and accurate detection is of great significance for pest monitoring and precision control. Existing image-based thrips detection studies have mainly focused on insects captured on sticky traps, whereas direct detection of [...] Read more.

Thrips are major minute pests that threaten crop growth, and their early and accurate detection is of great significance for pest monitoring and precision control. Existing image-based thrips detection studies have mainly focused on insects captured on sticky traps, whereas direct detection of thrips on plant surfaces under complex leaf-background conditions remains relatively underexplored. Moreover, in leaf-background images, thrips are extremely small, have indistinct contours, and are susceptible to interference from noise such as leaf textures and spots, resulting in insufficient detection and counting accuracy. To address these issues, this study proposes SCIC-DEIM, a small-object thrips detection model based on the end-to-end detector DEIM. First, leaf-background thrips images were collected at Jingchu University of Technology to construct a dataset containing 5618 images and 47,726 thrips instances. Second, focusing on three key aspects—background redundancy suppression, target response enhancement, and detail information recovery—the SCIC-DEIM model was developed. Specifically, the SCConv and IIA modules were introduced into the backbone network to construct SCIStage, and CARAFE was adopted to replace conventional upsampling operations. Experimental results show that, compared with DEIM, SCIC-DEIM improves Precision, mAP@50, and mAP@50:95 by 2.4, 2.0, and 2.9 percentage points, respectively, while reducing GFLOPs by approximately 20.6%. It also achieves improved MAE, RMSE, and R² values compared with DEIM. The proposed algorithm demonstrates strong capability in small-object thrips detection under leaf-background conditions and can provide a methodological reference for intelligent monitoring of tiny pests on leaf surfaces in protected agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Digital Agriculture, Smart Farming and Crop Monitoring)

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20 pages, 3146 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of a Second PIP Motif Reveals New Insights into PCNA Recognition by Yeast CAF-1

by Ian Hall, Iain M. Davies, Stephanie A. Limaye, Ivy L. Williams, Cael E. Carlson, Trevor J. Snetsinger, Andy E. Agbakpo, James W. Checco and Lynne M. Dieckman

Biomolecules 2026, 16(9), 1274; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16091274 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential sliding clamp that coordinates nearly all DNA-templated processes. It does so by recruiting a diverse array of factors to DNA through PCNA-interacting protein (PIP) motifs on PCNA-binding proteins. Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) is a [...] Read more.

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential sliding clamp that coordinates nearly all DNA-templated processes. It does so by recruiting a diverse array of factors to DNA through PCNA-interacting protein (PIP) motifs on PCNA-binding proteins. Chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1) is a histone chaperone that deposits histones onto silent regions of the genome immediately following DNA replication. PCNA recruitment of CAF-1 to the replication fork is essential for nucleosome assembly and epigenetic inheritance. In yeast, CAF-1 recruitment to PCNA is assumed to be facilitated using one PIP motif. Here, we identify a second PIP motif in CAF-1, designated PIP1, located within the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region of the protein. Binding kinetics demonstrate that the PIP1 motif sequence binds PCNA with substantially lower affinity than the previously characterized PIP motif, designated PIP2. Structural and binding data reveal PIP1 as an extended PIP motif, in which C-terminal flanking residues make extensive, atypical contacts with PCNA that significantly increase its affinity. Neither PIP1 nor PIP2 alone is required for CAF-1–mediated gene silencing in vivo, but simultaneous disruption of both abolishes CAF-1 function. Together, these findings suggest CAF-1 engages PCNA multivalently and provide new insight into how PCNA selectively recognizes binding partners during nucleosome assembly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biophysics: Structure, Dynamics, and Function)

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17 pages, 918 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Payment Infrastructure and Nigerian Cross-Border Banking Liquidity Resilience Across West Africa: Evidence from Nigeria

by Pascal Nkwodimmah, Ochei Ikpefan and Folasade Adegboye

Economies 2026, 14(9), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/economies14090381 (registering DOI) - 3 Sep 2026

Abstract

Nigeria’s digital economy has expanded rapidly, underpinned by growth in digital payments. This study investigates the influences of digital payment infrastructure growth on the liquidity reliability of cross-border banking systems within the West Africa region. Existing literature predominantly examines the effects of digital [...] Read more.

Nigeria’s digital economy has expanded rapidly, underpinned by growth in digital payments. This study investigates the influences of digital payment infrastructure growth on the liquidity reliability of cross-border banking systems within the West Africa region. Existing literature predominantly examines the effects of digital payment on liquidity in Nigerian banks; however, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the influence of digital payment channels on liquidity resilience within multinational banks operating in varying regulatory environments in the West African region. This study takes advantage of monthly time-series data from 2011 to 2021 and employs an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework to assess the short-run and long-run dynamics of digital payment infrastructure and the liquidity behavior of Nigerian cross-border banks. The results indicate that digital channels have different effects. In the long run, modern digital payment channels, especially electronic fund transfers, make liquidity more stable. Traditional channels, on the other hand, have weaker or short-term effects. The findings have significant implications for policymakers and regional regulatory harmonization within West African economics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Banking, Financial Inclusion, and Age at Risk)

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