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13 pages, 10825 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Algorithm-Optimized Volume Holographic Gratings in Ultra-Thin MiniLED Modules

by Zechao Shen, Yue Zhang, Guoqiang Lv, Zi Wang and Qibin Feng

Micromachines 2026, 17(4), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17040479 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

The design of volume holographic gratings (VHGs) is traditionally based on monochromatic plane waves. However, practical applications often involve light sources with broad wavelength bandwidths and certain emission areas, such as LEDs and MiniLEDs, which cause significant Bragg mismatch and degrade diffraction efficiency. [...] Read more.

The design of volume holographic gratings (VHGs) is traditionally based on monochromatic plane waves. However, practical applications often involve light sources with broad wavelength bandwidths and certain emission areas, such as LEDs and MiniLEDs, which cause significant Bragg mismatch and degrade diffraction efficiency. To address this fundamental challenge, this paper proposes a novel, to the best of our knowledge, genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimization method for VHG design. A ray-tracing analysis model that fully incorporates the spectral and spatial characteristics of extended broadband sources is established. The GA optimizes the grating fabrication angles by minimizing a fitness function defined as the residual energy after diffraction, thereby achieving optimal performance under non-ideal illumination conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a case study: suppressing the high-intensity central beam in an ultra-thin MiniLED backlight module (BLM). Simulation and experimental results show that the GA-optimized VHG significantly reduces the peak irradiance from 5.01 W/cm² to 4.14 W/cm² at an optical distance (OD) of 0.5 mm. This work provides a robust and source-adaptive design methodology for VHGs, with potential applications extending beyond backlighting to areas such as augmented reality, holographic displays, and optical communications. Full article

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19 pages, 10208 KB

Open AccessArticle

Application of the Fast Atmospheric Line-by-Line Code with Aerosol and Cloud Scattering (FALCAS) to TROPOMI Total Column Water Vapour Retrievals in the SWIR Band

by Handeul Son, Dmitry S. Efremenko and Philipp Hochstaffl

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(8), 1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18081180 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Fast radiative transfer models are essential for the efficient processing of hyperspectral satellite data in trace gas retrievals, as full multi-stream radiative transfer simulations are computationally demanding. We present FALCAS (Fast Atmospheric Line-by-line Code with Aerosol and Cloud Scattering), a surrogate forward model [...] Read more.

Fast radiative transfer models are essential for the efficient processing of hyperspectral satellite data in trace gas retrievals, as full multi-stream radiative transfer simulations are computationally demanding. We present FALCAS (Fast Atmospheric Line-by-line Code with Aerosol and Cloud Scattering), a surrogate forward model combining line-by-line radiative transfer with the virtual isotropic scattering layer approximation adopted from FOCAL. FALCAS retains much of the accuracy of full multi-stream calculations while enabling rapid simulations. Previously validated against synthetic spectra from a discrete ordinate radiative transfer model, FALCAS is here applied to real measurements from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) to retrieve total column water vapour (TCWV) in the shortwave infrared band around 2.3

μ

m. Retrieval results are compared to the operational TROPOMI Level-2 TCWV from the CH

_{4}

product. As this comparison is performed against an operational product from the same instrument, it represents an intercomparison rather than an evaluation against an independent reference dataset. FALCAS retrievals show a Pearson correlation coefficient greater than 0.99 with the operational data, and after empirical bias correction, the mean absolute bias across all regions is 1.45 mol m

^{- 2}

(0.12% relative) and the mean RMSE is 39.24 mol m

^{- 2}

(3.85% relative). These results demonstrate that FALCAS shows strong agreement with the operational TROPOMI Level-2 TCWV product, offering substantial computational advantages for large-scale processing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Retrieval and Estimation Methods for Monitoring Air Pollutants via Satellite Remote Sensing)

48 pages, 5363 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Dark Atom Scenario for Direct Dark Matter Investigation

by Pierluigi Belli, Rita Bernabei, Vitaly Beylin, Timur Bikbaev, Artem Kharakhashyan, Maxim Khlopov, Vladimir Korchagin, Andrey Mayorov and Danila Sopin

Universe 2026, 12(4), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe12040116 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

This paper extensively explores the concept of dark atoms, hypothetical stable lepton-like particles with a charge of

- 2 n

(where n is any natural number) that form neutral bound states with n primordial helium nuclei. The discussion begins with the introduction of [...] Read more.

This paper extensively explores the concept of dark atoms, hypothetical stable lepton-like particles with a charge of

- 2 n

(where n is any natural number) that form neutral bound states with n primordial helium nuclei. The discussion begins with the introduction of multiply charged stable particles. Next, the formation and evolution of dark atoms are examined, followed by a review of related constraints. The capture of dark atoms by the Earth and implications for direct dark matter search are subsequently discussed. Then, the quantum-mechanical description of bound states between dark atoms and ordinary nuclei is addressed. Moreover, procedures for systematic comparisons with this model, which have general interest, are presented considering the DAMA published results on the dark matter annual and diurnal modulation signatures as a benchmark. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Dark Matter, Dark Energy and Cosmological Anisotropy)

30 pages, 3194 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mine Pressure Manifestation Under the Coupled Disturbance of Mining Movement and Impact in Close-Range Coal Seams

by Chuanbo Hao, Qiang Ren, Guoqing Wei, Yonglong Zan and Gang Liu

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3839; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083839 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

To address severe mine pressure disasters induced by the coupling of mining-induced dynamic stress and impact disturbance during close-distance coal seam mining, this paper takes the No. 8 and No. 9 close-distance coal seams in the 119 mining area of a coal mine [...] Read more.

To address severe mine pressure disasters induced by the coupling of mining-induced dynamic stress and impact disturbance during close-distance coal seam mining, this paper takes the No. 8 and No. 9 close-distance coal seams in the 119 mining area of a coal mine in Ningxia, China, as the engineering background. Theoretical analysis and FLAC^3D numerical simulation methods were adopted to systematically study the evolution of overburden structure, the manifestation law of mine pressure caused by mining disturbance, and the dynamic response mechanism of roadway surrounding rock under impact load. The findings demonstrate: ① Based on key block theory and elasticity mechanics theory, the stress transfer mechanism of the complete bearing type overburden rock in close-range coal seams was clarified. The calculation model of floor plastic zone depth and additional stress was derived, and the influence mechanism of the bearing state of interlayer rock strata on the stability of underlying coal seam roadways was revealed. ② Comparative numerical simulations of mining schemes revealed that both schemes formed a “goaf pressure relief-workface-coal pillar” load-bearing configuration with “upward subsidence and downward bulging” basin-shaped settlement. Scheme A exhibited significantly increased stress peaks and interlayer plastic zones due to repeated mining-induced stress, substantially elevating the risk of strong mine pressure manifestation and surrounding rock instability. ③ Under 8 MPa cosine impact load with a vibration frequency of 50 Hz (peak particle vibration velocity of 9.57 m/s), compared with the unsupported roadway, the bolt–cable collaborative support system reduced the peak displacement of surrounding rock by over 35% and decreased the shock wave propagation velocity by more than 40%, effectively suppressing the expansion of plastic zones and the transfer of impact energy, while significantly enhancing the impact resistance of the roadway. This study not only provides a systematic theoretical basis for close-distance coal seam mining and rock burst prevention but also offers scientific guidance and technical reference for surrounding rock control and dynamic disaster prevention of roadways in similar close-distance coal seam mining projects, which is of important engineering value for ensuring the safe and efficient mining of underground coal resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Rock Mechanics and Mining Science)

24 pages, 1323 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reduced Chemical Fertilizer Combined with Microbial Inoculants: Implications for Soil Fertility and Profitability in Mediterranean Vegetable Production

by Irene Ollio, David Martínez-Granados, Javier Calatrava, Raúl Zornoza, Eva Lloret, Virginia Sánchez-Navarro, Catalina Egea-Gilabert, Juan A. Fernández, Manuel Conde-Cid, David Fernández-Calviño and Silvia Martínez-Martínez

Agronomy 2026, 16(8), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16080810 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) in southeast Spain evaluated whether reduced mineral fertilization, with or without plant-growth-promoting microorganisms, could maintain crop productivity and modify selected soil indicators in a Mediterranean vegetable rotation. Four treatments were compared: conventional fertilization (T1), reduced fertilization (T2; −30% [...] Read more.

A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) in southeast Spain evaluated whether reduced mineral fertilization, with or without plant-growth-promoting microorganisms, could maintain crop productivity and modify selected soil indicators in a Mediterranean vegetable rotation. Four treatments were compared: conventional fertilization (T1), reduced fertilization (T2; −30% or −50%), reduced fertilization plus bacterial inoculants (T3), and reduced fertilization plus bacterial–fungal inoculants (T4). Crop yields were not significantly affected by fertilization strategy. Potato yields ranged from 55,661 to 60,741 kg ha⁻¹, those of broccoli from 14,928 to 16,797 kg ha⁻¹, and those of melon from 30,815 to 33,423 kg ha⁻¹. Inoculated treatments were associated with some quality responses, including higher potato tuber firmness in T4 (16.0 vs. 13.2 kg cm⁻² in T1), whereas melon soluble solids tended to be slightly lower. Soil analyses showed changes in some nutrient-related indicators, including a 217% increase in NH₄⁺ in T4 and a 0.75% decrease in pH in T3. Reduced fertilization lowered production costs by about 9%. Under the conditions of this field trial, reduced fertilization maintained yield and gross margin relative to conventional fertilization, and inoculated treatments under reduced fertilization showed differences in selected soil indicators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biostimulants for Sustainable Crop Productivity and Protection: From Concept to Application)

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19 pages, 1651 KB

Open AccessArticle

Survival Impact of Textbook Oncological Outcomes and SDHs for Patients with Operable Esophageal Cancer

by Ahmed Alnajar, Nestor Villamizar, Mehmet Akcin, Dao M. Nguyen and Diego Avella-Patino

Cancers 2026, 18(8), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18081253 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background: Disparities in esophageal cancer (EC) outcomes persist, partially due to inequitable access to high-quality surgical care, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. This study evaluates the impact of social determinants of health (SDHs) on achieving textbook oncological outcomes (TOOs) and survival in [...] Read more.

Background: Disparities in esophageal cancer (EC) outcomes persist, partially due to inequitable access to high-quality surgical care, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. This study evaluates the impact of social determinants of health (SDHs) on achieving textbook oncological outcomes (TOOs) and survival in operable EC patients. Methods: Using the National Cancer Database (2010–2021), we analyzed 26,367 stage I–IV A esophageal adeno- and squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. An SDH score (0–4) was derived from income, education, rurality, and hospital type. TOOs were defined as R0 resection, ≥20 lymph nodes examined, no 30-day mortality, and no prolonged hospitalization. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression models assessed predictors of TOOs and survival. Results: Overall, 19% achieved TOOs. Median survival time was 6.4 years for TOO+ versus 3.2 years for TOO−. Patients with favorable SDH had longer survival than those with unfavorable SDHs (median 4.0 vs. 3.5 years), but this disparity was largely confined to TOO− patients. Across stages II–III, low income and treatment at community hospitals were consistently associated with higher mortality among TOO− patients (HRs ~1.08–1.21), whereas SDH factors were largely attenuated among TOO+ patients. Stage-stratified analyses demonstrated that SDH effects were minimal in stage I and IV disease but pronounced in intermediate stages, especially in TOO− patients. Conclusions: TOOs are a powerful modifier of survival disparities in esophageal cancer. While SDH strongly influences outcomes among patients with suboptimal care pathways, achieving high-quality, textbook oncologic care attenuates these effects. Efforts to improve TOO achievement and expand access to high-quality centers may reduce socioeconomic inequities in survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disparities in Thoracic Oncology Patients)

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36 pages, 7426 KB

Open AccessArticle

SPICD-Net: A Siamese PointNet Framework for Autonomous Indoor Change Detection in 3D LiDAR Point Clouds

by Dalibor Šeljmeši, Vladimir Brtka, Velibor Ilić, Dalibor Dobrilović, Eleonora Brtka and Višnja Ognjenović

AI 2026, 7(4), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/ai7040141 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Reliable change detection in indoor environments remains a challenge for autonomous robotic systems using 3D LiDAR. Existing methods often require manual annotation, computationally intensive architectures, or focus on outdoor scenes. This paper presents SPICD-Net, a lightweight Siamese PointNet framework for indoor 3D change [...] Read more.

Reliable change detection in indoor environments remains a challenge for autonomous robotic systems using 3D LiDAR. Existing methods often require manual annotation, computationally intensive architectures, or focus on outdoor scenes. This paper presents SPICD-Net, a lightweight Siamese PointNet framework for indoor 3D change detection trained exclusively on synthetically generated anomalies, eliminating manual labeling. The framework offers three deployment-oriented contributions: a three-class Siamese formulation separating no-change, changed, and geometrically inconsistent tile pairs; a pre-FPS anomaly injection strategy that aligns synthetic training with inference-time preprocessing; and a stochastic-gated Chamfer-statistics branch that complements learned embeddings with explicit geometric cues under consumer-grade hardware constraints. Evaluated on 14 controlled simulation experiments in an indoor corridor dataset, SPICD-Net achieved aggregated Precision = 0.86, Recall = 0.82, F1-score = 0.84, and Accuracy = 0.96, with zero false positives in the no-change baseline and mean inference time of 22.4 s for a 172-tile map on a single consumer GPU. Additional robustness experiments identified registration accuracy as the main operational prerequisite. A limited real-world validation in one unseen room (four scans, 67 tiles) achieved Precision = 0.583, Recall = 1.000, and F1 = 0.737. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence for Robotic Perception and Planning)

30 pages, 3487 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Hole Expansion Ratio in Advanced High-Strength Steels Using Physics-Informed Machine Learning

by Saurabh Tiwari, Khushbu Dash, Seongjun Heo, Nokeun Park and Nagireddy Gari Subba Reddy

Materials 2026, 19(8), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19081592 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

The hole expansion ratio (HER) is a critical formability metric for advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) in automotive applications; however, its experimental determination is costly and time-consuming. This study presents a machine learning framework for HER prediction using physics-informed synthetic data generation to address [...] Read more.

The hole expansion ratio (HER) is a critical formability metric for advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) in automotive applications; however, its experimental determination is costly and time-consuming. This study presents a machine learning framework for HER prediction using physics-informed synthetic data generation to address data scarcity challenges. A dataset of 300 AHSS conditions was generated based on validated empirical relationships from the literature, incorporating chemical composition, microstructure fractions, and mechanical properties. Multiple machine learning algorithms were evaluated, with the optimized Gradient Boosting model achieving excellent predictive performance on an independent test set (R² = 0.80, RMSE = 5.81%, MAE = 4.93%). The feature importance analysis revealed physically meaningful rankings, with the ultimate tensile strength dominating (40.9%), followed by the bainite volume fraction (15.1%), martensite volume fraction (14.7%), and strain hardening exponent (12.4%). These rankings align with the established metallurgical understanding, thereby validating our synthetic data approach. The results demonstrate that machine learning models trained on physics-informed synthetic data can accurately predict the HER values with errors comparable to the experimental variability, providing a practical tool for accelerated AHSS design and optimization in automotive applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Alloys: Nanostructured Metals, Complex Steels, and Multi-Component Systems)

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18 pages, 281 KB

Open AccessArticle

Not All Digital Innovation Is Equal: Instructional Alignment Differentiates Motivation and Instructional Expectations in Undergraduate Nursing Education

by Raúl Quintana-Alonso, Lucía Carton Erlandsson, Alberto Melián Ortiz and Elena Chamorro Rebollo

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16040627 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Social media environments and meme-based communication are increasingly incorporated into nursing education, yet it remains unclear whether students respond uniformly to digitally embedded instructional strategies. This study examined whether alignment between meme-based instruction and perceived social media learning utility differentiates motivation, perceived academic [...] Read more.

Social media environments and meme-based communication are increasingly incorporated into nursing education, yet it remains unclear whether students respond uniformly to digitally embedded instructional strategies. This study examined whether alignment between meme-based instruction and perceived social media learning utility differentiates motivation, perceived academic impact, and demand for educator presence among undergraduate nursing students. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 458 nursing students from Spanish universities who completed a structured questionnaire assessing perceptions of meme-based instruction, social media learning utility, motivation, perceived academic impact, and expectations of educator presence. Hierarchical regression models examined interaction effects, quadrant comparisons were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis tests, and a sequential mediation model evaluated indirect pathways. Students reported high endorsement of meme-based instruction (M = 4.44, SD = 0.80) and social media learning utility (M = 4.15, SD = 0.80). However, substantial divergence emerged across alignment profiles. Students showing high alignment between meme endorsement and perceived social media utility tended to report higher motivation and different expectations of educator presence, whereas perceived academic impact was primarily explained by additive effects. These findings suggest that digital instructional innovations may not generate entirely homogeneous responses across students and that alignment between instructional format and perceived learning utility is associated with differences in motivational activation and instructional expectations in undergraduate nursing education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Higher Education in the Digital Age: Enhancing Learning, Critical Thinking, and Quality)

14 pages, 3766 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Shifts in Fish Assemblages and Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) Prey Selection in Poyang Lake During the Early Phase of the Decadal Fishing Moratorium

by Yun Zhang, Heng Yin, Fangning Liu, Lingxia Wei, Jiaqiao Weng, Wenzhi Ma, Legen Peng, Yi Huang, Jialing Min, Rongcheng Rao, Ying Yang, Jinxiang Yu and Jianglong Que

Diversity 2026, 18(4), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18040230 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) is the only extant cetacean species in the Yangtze River, a national first-class protected wild animal in China, and a key indicator reflecting the health status of the Yangtze River ecosystem. Environmental changes can induce adaptive [...] Read more.

Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) is the only extant cetacean species in the Yangtze River, a national first-class protected wild animal in China, and a key indicator reflecting the health status of the Yangtze River ecosystem. Environmental changes can induce adaptive trophic responses in animal communities; thus, clarifying the dynamic interactions between fish assemblages and dietary shifts in the Yangtze finless porpoise after the fishing moratorium is critically important. In this study, fishery resources in Poyang Lake were surveyed using triple-layer composite gill nets and cage traps, with samples collected and analyzed accordingly. A total of 81 fish species belonging to 8 orders and 16 families were recorded. Following the fishing ban, the abundance of small-bodied fish species (e.g., Hemiculter bleekeri, Carassius auratus) decreased, while the proportion of piscivorous species among the top ten dominant fish increased from 40% to 60%. DNA barcoding was used to analyze gastric contents of 10 dead porpoises found post-moratorium, and the results were compared with pre-ban data. Gastric content analysis identified 11 prey taxa, and comparative analysis demonstrated that prey selectivity was closely correlated with local prey availability. Concomitant with the structural reorganization of the fish community in Poyang Lake during the early stage of the fishing ban, the Yangtze finless porpoise exhibited adaptive dietary shifts toward benthic and small-bodied fish species, suggesting a potential linkage between these ecological responses. These findings provide direct implications for formulating targeted conservation strategies for this endangered cetacean and highlight the necessity of protecting small and benthic fish populations to ensure their long-term survival. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Fisheries Management in East Asia: Navigating Climate Change, POPs, and Microplastics)

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31 pages, 1502 KB

Open AccessArticle

Authentication and Key Distribution for SAE J1939 CAN Bus Without Security-Designated ECU

by Yufeng Li, Jiajun Xi, Jun Shen and Jiangtao Li

Electronics 2026, 15(8), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15081652 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

As a higher-layer protocol over a controller area network (CAN) or CAN with a flexible data-rate bus, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1939 has been widely adopted in commercial vehicles. Although it supports advanced diagnostics, complex data transmission, and network management in harsh [...] Read more.

As a higher-layer protocol over a controller area network (CAN) or CAN with a flexible data-rate bus, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1939 has been widely adopted in commercial vehicles. Although it supports advanced diagnostics, complex data transmission, and network management in harsh environments, SAE J1939 lacks native authentication mechanisms. Consequently, in-vehicle communication remains vulnerable to replay, spoofing, and injection attacks. In practice, deploying a Security-designated Electronic Control Unit (SeCU) is often deemed necessary to provide robust authentication, as generating and distributing session keys is essential. However, this introduces a single point of failure and renders the SeCU a high-value target for attackers. To address these issues, we propose J1939-ADBE, an authentication and key-distribution scheme that operates without a centralized SeCU. The scheme is built on Authenticated Distributed Broadcast Encryption (ADBE), a tightly integrated construction that augments distributed broadcast encryption with publicly verifiable sender authentication in a shared bilinear setting. By leveraging ADBE, we eliminate the requirement for a SeCU while achieving the desired security goals. Using the Tamarin Prover, we formally verify in the Dolev–Yao model that J1939-ADBE satisfies injective agreement, session secrecy, known-key security, and forward secrecy. Furthermore, the broadcast nature of ADBE reduces the communication cost of key distribution from

O (n)

to

O (| G |)

, where n denotes the number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and

| G |

denotes the number of ECU logical groups. Experimental results show that our proposal is practical for authentication within SAE J1939 networks. Full article

27 pages, 1420 KB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Governance of Pollution Reduction and Carbon Mitigation Through Air Quality Ecological Compensation: Evidence from China

by Zhuo Chen and Qingxuan Bu

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3909; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083909 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Atmospheric pollutants and CO₂ share common origins in fossil fuel combustion, raising the question of whether fiscal incentives targeting air quality alone can indirectly reduce carbon emissions. This study examines this question by evaluating China’s air quality ecological compensation policy, a provincial-level [...] Read more.

Atmospheric pollutants and CO₂ share common origins in fossil fuel combustion, raising the question of whether fiscal incentives targeting air quality alone can indirectly reduce carbon emissions. This study examines this question by evaluating China’s air quality ecological compensation policy, a provincial-level horizontal fiscal transfer mechanism under which cities are rewarded or penalized according to changes in ambient air quality indicators, without incorporating any explicit carbon-related assessment criteria. Using panel data from 268 prefecture-level cities over 2007–2023 and a multi-period difference-in-differences design, we find that the policy significantly reduces the composite pollution carbon index (β = −0.213, p < 0.01), with the effect confirmed by an alternative weighted-average specification (β = −0.153, p < 0.01) and robust to propensity score matching, one-period lagged regression, exclusion of provincial-level municipalities, and exclusion of the COVID-19 period. A two-step mechanism analysis, adopted to avoid post-treatment bias from “bad controls,” reveals that the policy promotes industrial structure upgrading (β = 0.253, p < 0.01), enhances green technological innovation capacity (β = 0.047, p < 0.10), and reduces energy consumption intensity (β = −0.012, p < 0.01). Heterogeneity analysis based on quartile subsamples shows that the synergistic benefits concentrate in cities with stronger fiscal capacity (β = −0.349, p < 0.01 versus insignificant for low-support cities), higher economic development, and greater urbanization (β = −1.558, p < 0.01 for highly urbanized cities), while the policy effect is statistically insignificant in the least-advantaged subgroups across these three dimensions. In contrast, the green coverage dimension reveals an opposite pattern: the effect is strongest in cities with lower green coverage (β = −0.378, p < 0.05) and insignificant in high-coverage cities, indicating diminishing marginal returns where environmental baselines are already favorable. These findings highlight the need for differentiated compensation standards, including tiered compensation coefficients and targeted fiscal support for resource-constrained regions, to ensure equitable governance outcomes. Full article

15 pages, 717 KB

Open AccessReview

Bypass Treatments for Primary Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency: An Update

by David Mantle, Neve Cufflin and Iain P. Hargreaves

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(8), 3526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27083526 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Primary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency results from mutations in genes involved in the CoQ10 biosynthetic pathway. In humans, at least 10 genes (PDSS1, PDSS2 to COQ10) are required for the biosynthesis of functional CoQ10, a mutation in any one of [...] Read more.

Primary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency results from mutations in genes involved in the CoQ10 biosynthetic pathway. In humans, at least 10 genes (PDSS1, PDSS2 to COQ10) are required for the biosynthesis of functional CoQ10, a mutation in any one of which can result in a deficit in CoQ10 status and present as primary CoQ10 deficiency. Furthermore, the genes NDUFA9 and HPDL, whilst not part of the PDSS1, PDSS2 to COQ10 gene sequence, have also been shown to have a crucial role in CoQ10 biosynthesis. A major problem in treating primary CoQ10 deficiencies is the poor bioavailability of supplemental CoQ10, both in terms of lack of absorption from the digestive tract and inability to cross the human blood–brain barrier. Bypass strategies aim to circumvent this problem by using more bioavailable precursor analogues that can enter the cell and be incorporated into the CoQ10 synthesis pathway downstream of the affected enzyme, examples being 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid or vanillic acid, which, in contrast to CoQ10, are small, water-soluble molecules. In this article, we have, therefore, reviewed potential bypass mechanisms for primary CoQ10 deficiencies, PDSS1, PDSS2 to COQ10, together with NDUFA9 and HPDL, using such precursors. Most of the published data relating to the bypass therapy of primary CoQ10 deficiency is derived from cell lines or animal models, and few human studies have so far been undertaken. In addition, further research is required to investigate the potential mechanisms by which bypass compounds such as 4-HB may access the human blood–brain barrier (BBB), for example, using in vitro co-culture BBB model systems incorporating CoQ10-deficient neurons. Overall, the objective of this article is, therefore, to systematically review the available data for each of the primary CoQ10 deficiencies, PDSS1, PDSS2 to COQ10 together with NDUFA9 and HPDL, in particular to identify the clinical potential of such studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mitochondrial Function and Therapies)

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29 pages, 21410 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sealing Performance of Liquid Films in Composite Textures with Elliptical Dent–Herringbone Groove of Centrifugal Pump

by Xinfu Liu, Cong Wang, Chunhua Liu, Chao Zhou, Zhongxian Hao, Haocai Huang, Shouzhi Huang and Songbo Wei

Lubricants 2026, 14(4), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14040168 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

To improve the lubrication stability of centrifugal pump mechanical seals under high-speed and high-pressure conditions, a composite texture combining elliptical dimples and herringbone grooves is proposed. The Hybrid Groove–Ellipse (HGE) configuration aims to enhance hydrodynamic pressure generation and mitigate thermal accumulation within the [...] Read more.

To improve the lubrication stability of centrifugal pump mechanical seals under high-speed and high-pressure conditions, a composite texture combining elliptical dimples and herringbone grooves is proposed. The Hybrid Groove–Ellipse (HGE) configuration aims to enhance hydrodynamic pressure generation and mitigate thermal accumulation within the sealing interface. A thermohydrodynamic (THD) lubrication model with cavitation was established, and the coupled governing equations were solved using the finite volume method over 600–6000 rpm and 0.1–1 MPa. The lubrication performance of circular, rectangular, and two elliptical textures was systematically evaluated to identify their hydrodynamic characteristics. The ellipse with major axis parallel to the flow direction exhibited the most favorable pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity. Based on this geometry, the HGE structure was developed. Compared with conventional herringbone grooves, the HGE texture increases local pressure buildup, improves the load-carrying-to-leakage ratio, and modifies cavitation distribution. The maximum interface temperature is reduced by approximately 10–20% under high-speed conditions, with improved temperature uniformity. These results demonstrate that geometric coupling can enhance both the hydrodynamic and thermal performance of mechanical seals. Full article

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35 pages, 1113 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intelligent UAV-UGV-SN Systems for Monitoring and Avoiding Wildfires in Context of Sustainable Development of Smart Regions

by Dmytro Korniienko, Nazar Serhiichuk, Vyacheslav Kharchenko, Herman Fesenko, Jose Borges and Nikolaos Bardis

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3908; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083908 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Advancing environmental monitoring through coordinated autonomous systems is central to sustainable smart region governance and data-driven territorial management. The article presents an engineering-oriented architecture and deployment methodology for an integrated wildfire monitoring and response system that combines unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground [...] Read more.

Advancing environmental monitoring through coordinated autonomous systems is central to sustainable smart region governance and data-driven territorial management. The article presents an engineering-oriented architecture and deployment methodology for an integrated wildfire monitoring and response system that combines unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and stationary sensor networks (SNs). We formalise hub-and-spoke infrastructure placement as a mixed-integer optimisation problem that accounts for platform types, endurance, travel times and logistical constraints, and propose a practical pre-processing pipeline (confidence scoring, resampling, Kalman/median filtering, strategy fusion) for heterogeneous telemetry and imagery. The system couples multimodal neural network processing (image backbones, clustering and time-series models) with online resource-allocation and mission-planning mechanisms to prioritise UAV/UGV sorties and dynamically select launch sites. The article describes scenario-driven operational modes (early warning, alarm verification, autonomous local extinguishing, post-fire recovery, sensor-gap compensation, and inter-hub reinforcement), defines validation protocols (synthetic experiments, precision/recall/F1, and hardware-in-the-loop testing), and proposes KPIs to assess environmental, social, and economic impacts for smart regions. The contribution is a reproducible, deployment-focused blueprint that bridges conceptual UAV–UGV–SN research and practical implementation, highlighting trade-offs in reliability, communication redundancy, and sustainability, and outlining directions for simulation, field pilots and algorithmic refinement. Full article

17 pages, 2534 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structure-Guided Identification of Phytochemical OCT2 Inhibitors and Their Functional Relevance to Cisplatin-Induced Cytotoxicity

by Hyerim Song, Kyeong-Ryoon Lee, Hui Li, Mi-Kyung Lee and Yoon-Jee Chae

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040486 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background: Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates the renal uptake of cisplatin and is a principal contributor to its dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. Despite reports of OCT2 inhibition by various phytochemicals, the structure–activity relationships (SARs) governing inhibition and their functional implications remain poorly understood. [...] Read more.

Background: Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) mediates the renal uptake of cisplatin and is a principal contributor to its dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. Despite reports of OCT2 inhibition by various phytochemicals, the structure–activity relationships (SARs) governing inhibition and their functional implications remain poorly understood. Methods: We systematically evaluated OCT2 inhibitory activity across a structurally diverse library of 146 phytochemicals, including anthraquinones, flavanols, stilbenes, and isoflavones, using Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells stably overexpressing OCT2. Structure–activity relationships were analyzed using non-parametric statistics and multivariate logistic regression, and functional relevance was assessed via cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity assays. Results: Inhibitory activity varied widely across the library, with potent inhibitors identified across multiple chemical scaffolds. Non-parametric statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in overall activity distributions among scaffold classes. Notably, chemical substituent patterns, rather than core scaffold identity, were the primary drivers of OCT2 inhibitory potency. Methoxylation was consistently associated with enhanced OCT2 inhibition, particularly within isoflavones, although its impact varied across structural scaffolds. The selected OCT2 inhibitors markedly reduced cisplatin-mediated cell death in OCT2-expressing cells but not in mock-transfected controls, confirming an OCT2-dependent mechanism of protection. Conclusions: This study establishes a structure-guided framework linking phytochemical OCT2 inhibition to nephroprotective potential and identifies methoxylation as a major determinant of OCT2-targeted intervention strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding Drug Disposition: The Interplay of Absorption, Distribution, and Excretion Processes, and Transport Mechanisms)

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15 pages, 1700 KB

Open AccessArticle

Duodenal Lymphomas: Comprehensive Evaluation of Endoscopic Features and Clinical Outcomes in a Tertiary Center

by Zhiyu Yan, Yuheng Zhang, Congwei Jia, Yan Zhang, Shengyu Zhang and Aiming Yang

Diagnostics 2026, 16(8), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16081173 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Duodenal lymphomas (DLs) are a rare subset of gastrointestinal lymphomas with incompletely characterized clinicopathological features due to low incidence and diagnostic challenges. This study assessed DL survival outcomes, characterized clinical/endoscopic features, and identified prognostic factors. Methods: This was a retrospective [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Duodenal lymphomas (DLs) are a rare subset of gastrointestinal lymphomas with incompletely characterized clinicopathological features due to low incidence and diagnostic challenges. This study assessed DL survival outcomes, characterized clinical/endoscopic features, and identified prognostic factors. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of patients undergoing endoscopic examinations between 1 November 2002 and 1 November 2022 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, with a subsequent histopathological diagnosis of DL. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and Cox proportional hazards modeling was used for survival analyses. Results: Sixteen patients (32%) had indolent B-cell lymphoma, 20 (40%) had aggressive B-cell lymphoma, and 14 (28%) had T-cell lymphoma. Diarrhea and weight loss were more common in patients with T-cell lymphoma. The most common endoscopic appearance was mucosal granularity, and 40% of patients had mass lesions. The median OS was 24.1 (95% CI: 13.3–117) months, with 1- and 5-year survival rates of 68.0% (95% CI: 56.2–82.2%) and 33.8% (95% CI: 22.3–51.44%), respectively. In multivariable analysis, a granular appearance (HR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.11–0.99, and p = 0.049) and taking chemotherapy (HR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07–0.69, and p = 0.01) were associated with better OS, while T-cell lymphoma (HR: 9.19, 95% CI: 2.12–32.83, and p = 0.003) and stage IV lymphoma (HR: 12.76, 95% CI: 1.70–95.66, and p = 0.013) were associated with worse OS. Conclusions: This first integrated study provides new information on the clinical, endoscopic, and prognostic features of DL. While no specific clinical or endoscopic feature is diagnostic of DL, DL must remain in the differential diagnosis of any patient presenting with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Complex Digestive Diseases: Diagnosis and Management)

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23 pages, 1350 KB

Open AccessReview

Precision and Personalized Medicine in Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems: Integrating AI Approaches

by Sesha Rajeswari Talluri, Brian Jeffrey Chan and Bozena Michniak-Kohn

J. Pharm. BioTech Ind. 2026, 3(2), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpbi3020009 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Personalized transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) represent a transformative approach in precision medicine by enabling patient-specific, non-invasive, and controlled therapeutic administration. Conventional transdermal patches are limited by fixed dosing, passive diffusion, and interindividual variability in skin permeability and metabolism, often leading to suboptimal [...] Read more.

Personalized transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) represent a transformative approach in precision medicine by enabling patient-specific, non-invasive, and controlled therapeutic administration. Conventional transdermal patches are limited by fixed dosing, passive diffusion, and interindividual variability in skin permeability and metabolism, often leading to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Recent advances in materials science, nanotechnology, microneedle engineering, and digital health have enabled the development of next-generation personalized TDDS capable of programmable, adaptive, and feedback-controlled drug release. Smart wearable patches integrating biosensors, microfluidics, microneedles, and wireless connectivity allow real-time monitoring of physiological and biochemical parameters, enabling closed-loop drug delivery tailored to individual metabolic profiles. Nanocarriers such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and stimuli-responsive hydrogels further enhance drug stability, penetration, and controlled release, while 3D-printing technologies facilitate patient-specific customization of patch geometry, drug loading, and release kinetics. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools are increasingly being employed to predict drug permeation behavior, optimize enhancer combinations, and personalize dosing regimens based on pharmacogenomic and pharmacokinetic data. Despite these advances, regulatory complexity, manufacturing standardization, long-term biocompatibility, and cybersecurity considerations remain critical challenges for clinical translation. This review highlights recent innovations in personalized TDDS, discusses their clinical potential, and examines regulatory and technological barriers. Collectively, these emerging smart transdermal platforms offer a promising pathway toward adaptive, patient-centered therapeutics that can significantly improve treatment efficacy, safety, and compliance. Future research should focus on integrating multimodal biosensing, advanced biomaterials, scalable manufacturing strategies, and robust regulatory frameworks to enable clinically validated, fully autonomous transdermal systems that can dynamically adapt to real-time patient needs in diverse therapeutic settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Drug Discovery, Delivery, and Manufacturing)

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6 pages, 181 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Efficacy of Different Attractants for Surveillance of Synanthropic Flies Across Seven Zoogeographical Regions of China

by Chao Wang, Taotian Tu, Xiaojuan Ma, Xiaojing Shen, Hong Tao, Yujuan Fan, Kaiwang Li, Xiaomei Zhou, Shoujiang Li, Wuhan Liu and Qiyong Liu

Insects 2026, 17(4), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17040421 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Accurate identification of fly species composition and their responses to attractants is critical for risk assessment and targeted vector control. To evaluate the efficacy of different attractants in surveillance and their species-specific trapping biases, a standardized field study was conducted from June to [...] Read more.

Accurate identification of fly species composition and their responses to attractants is critical for risk assessment and targeted vector control. To evaluate the efficacy of different attractants in surveillance and their species-specific trapping biases, a standardized field study was conducted from June to September 2021 across seven representative cities in China’s major zoogeographical regions: Xining, Ürümqi, Yanji, Beijing, Chongqing, Kunming, and Sanya. Cage traps baited with either fish offal or sugar–vinegar solution were deployed, supplemented by hand-net collection. A total of 134 traps were set, yielding 2132 flies belonging to 21 species. Fish offal captured 1961 flies (91.9%), significantly more than the 101 flies (4.7%) caught with sugar–vinegar solution (χ² = 1582.3, p < 0.001). Lucilia sericata was the dominant species (885 individuals, 41.51%), followed by L. cuprina (178, 8.35%), Sarcophaga portschinskyi (127, 5.96%), and Sarcophaga africa (100, 4.70%). High-risk taxa (Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae) were almost exclusively attracted to fish offal. Our findings demonstrate that protein-based baits, such as fish offal, are substantially more effective than traditional sugar–vinegar solutions for capturing epidemiologically relevant fly species across diverse ecological zones in China. We recommend prioritizing proteinaceous attractants in national fly surveillance programs and advocate for routine species-level identification to enable risk-informed vector monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Insect Pest and Vector Management)

10 pages, 1203 KB

Open AccessBrief Report

Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Assemblages in Urban Recreational Interdunal Lagoons of Veracruz, Mexico

by Luis A. Ortíz Carbajal, Jose L. Bravo Ramos, Sergio Ibáñez-Bernal and Dora Romero Salas

Parasitologia 2026, 6(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia6020021 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Urban coastal wetlands constitute important ecological interfaces where human activities, wildlife, and arthropod vectors interact, potentially increasing the risk of pathogen transmission. In the city of Veracruz, Mexico, several interdunal lagoons have been incorporated into urban areas and are intensively used for recreational [...] Read more.

Urban coastal wetlands constitute important ecological interfaces where human activities, wildlife, and arthropod vectors interact, potentially increasing the risk of pathogen transmission. In the city of Veracruz, Mexico, several interdunal lagoons have been incorporated into urban areas and are intensively used for recreational activities; however, information on their mosquito fauna remains limited. This study aimed to characterize mosquito species composition, abundance, and diversity in three urban recreational interdunal lagoons in Veracruz. Adult mosquitoes were collected weekly during the rainy season (June–September) 2023 using CDC light traps. Specimens were identified based on morphological characters using standard taxonomic keys, including genitalia dissections for male specimens when necessary. Species richness, sampling completeness, and community structure were evaluated using non-parametric richness estimators, diversity indices, species accumulation curves, and similarity analyses. A total of 1465 adult mosquitoes belonging to 11 species and five genera were collected. Mosquito assemblages were characterized by low species richness and a marked dominance of Culex panocossa and Culex quinquefasciatus across all lagoons. Diversity indices were low, and species composition showed a high degree of similarity among sites. Notably, Uranotaenia apicalis was recorded for the first time in the state of Veracruz, expanding its known geographical distribution. These findings indicate that urban interdunal lagoons support simplified mosquito communities dominated by disturbance-tolerant species, highlighting their potential epidemiological relevance and the need for targeted vector surveillance in urban coastal environments. Full article

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32 pages, 1594 KB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Equipment Coordinated Scheduling Considering Dynamic Changes in Truck Handover Points Under Hybrid Traffic in Automated Container Terminals

by Suosuo Huang, Fang Yu, Qiang Zhang and Yongsheng Yang

Eng 2026, 7(4), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7040181 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

With the rapid maturation of autonomous driving technology, the hybrid traffic of Internal Container Trucks (ICTs) and External Container Trucks (ECTs) has become a major trend in Automated Container Terminals (ACTs), imposing higher demands on the interaction efficiency between trucks and Yard Cranes [...] Read more.

With the rapid maturation of autonomous driving technology, the hybrid traffic of Internal Container Trucks (ICTs) and External Container Trucks (ECTs) has become a major trend in Automated Container Terminals (ACTs), imposing higher demands on the interaction efficiency between trucks and Yard Cranes (YCs). This paper proposes a comprehensive optimization strategy for the coordinated scheduling of ICTs, ECTs and YCs under hybrid traffic. First, a task combination strategy for ICTs is designed to improve ICT utilization by pairing delivery and retrieval tasks across yard blocks. Second, a Chebyshev-motion-based coordination strategy for YC gantry and trolley movements is developed to reduce travel time and optimize handover points. Third, a mixed-integer programming model is formulated to minimize total energy consumption. An Improved Hybrid Genetic Algorithm (IHGA) is then developed, incorporating chaotic initialization, simulated annealing-based mutation, and dual local search to enhance convergence and solution quality. Simulation results confirm that the proposed model and strategy effectively reduce the total energy consumption of task execution, and the designed algorithm outperforms comparative algorithms in both optimization capability and convergence speed. Overall, the research provides theoretical support for future automated terminal development and practical guidance for achieving efficient and sustainable port operations. Full article

39 pages, 533 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Extension of the Weibull Distribution with Application in Quantitative and Reliability Sciences

by Shoaib Iqbal, Bassant Elkalzah, Zawar Hussain and Farrukh Jamal

Symmetry 2026, 18(4), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18040659 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

The main focus of this paper is to introduce a new probability model. Specifically, this paper presents a modified form of the Weibull distribution and investigates its various statistical properties, such as moments, moment-generating functions, reliability functions, quantile functions, and inequality measures such [...] Read more.

The main focus of this paper is to introduce a new probability model. Specifically, this paper presents a modified form of the Weibull distribution and investigates its various statistical properties, such as moments, moment-generating functions, reliability functions, quantile functions, and inequality measures such as Bonferroni and Lorenz curves. It also investigates the mean absolute deviation and entropy. Distributions of order statistics, reversed order statistics, and upper record values are also obtained. Additionally, univariate and bivariate moment structures are considered. The model parameters are estimated via the maximum likelihood method under simple random sampling and ranked set sampling, allowing an empirical evaluation of efficiency and reliability. Graphical representations exhibit the flexibility of the model, capturing various shapes in the probability density and hazard rate functions. To measure the practical quality of the model, actuarial metrics are used. A comparative analysis based on insurance, biomedical, and reliability datasets demonstrates the empirically improved performance and stability of the proposed new model for these specific datasets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Mathematics)

28 pages, 26837 KB

Open AccessArticle

KA-IHO: A Kinematic-Aware Improved Hippo Optimization Algorithm for Collision-Free Mobile Robot Path Planning in Complex Grid Environments

by Chunhong Yuan, Yule Cai, Haohua Que, Yuting Pei, Xiang Zhang, Jiayue Xie, Qian Zhang, Lei Mu and Fei Qiao

Sensors 2026, 26(8), 2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26082416 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Autonomous path planning in obstacle-dense environments remains challenging for swarm intelligence methods due to infeasible initialization, insufficient exploration–exploitation balance, and poor trajectory smoothness for real-robot execution. To address these issues, this paper proposes a Kinematic-Aware Improved Hippo Optimization algorithm (KA-IHO) for mobile robot [...] Read more.

Autonomous path planning in obstacle-dense environments remains challenging for swarm intelligence methods due to infeasible initialization, insufficient exploration–exploitation balance, and poor trajectory smoothness for real-robot execution. To address these issues, this paper proposes a Kinematic-Aware Improved Hippo Optimization algorithm (KA-IHO) for mobile robot path planning. The proposed method integrates four components: an elite safety pool initialization strategy to improve feasible solution generation in dense maps, a hierarchical elite-scout update mechanism to better balance global exploration and local exploitation, anti-stagnation mechanisms including a Population Stagnation Restart strategy and a 10-Direction Radial Micro-Search to guarantee high feasibility rates across all map complexities, and a late-stage Laplacian Line-of-Sight Ironing Operator to reduce path redundancy and improve trajectory smoothness. Comparative experiments are conducted on five reproducible grid maps with different complexity levels (

40 \times 40

and

80 \times 80

), where KA-IHO is evaluated against six representative algorithms, including HO, SBOA, PSO, GWO, ARO, and INFO, over 20 independent runs. The results show that KA-IHO consistently achieves collision-free planning and obtains lower mean fitness values with smaller standard deviations than the compared methods, indicating improved robustness and solution quality. In addition, hardware closed-loop experiments on a differential-drive mobile robot demonstrate that the planned paths can be executed reliably in real environments, with trajectory tracking errors controlled within

\pm 4

cm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Solutions in Pattern Recognition and Intelligent Sensors for Mobile Robots)

22 pages, 7037 KB

Open AccessArticle

Projected Impacts of Extreme Drought on Tilapia Aquaculture in Guangdong, China, Under SSP Scenarios: Climate-Yields Modeling Approach Using Loss Function

by Shunxiang Yang, Yingli Zhang, Zefang Liao and Dengke Cao

Fishes 2026, 11(4), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040232 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

Global warming presents urgent challenges for tilapia aquaculture. This study introduces a tailored loss function to assess long-term impacts under extreme drought, using historical drought data in China as a baseline. The TaiESM1 climate model within the CMIP6 framework is applied to project [...] Read more.

Global warming presents urgent challenges for tilapia aquaculture. This study introduces a tailored loss function to assess long-term impacts under extreme drought, using historical drought data in China as a baseline. The TaiESM1 climate model within the CMIP6 framework is applied to project future conditions under SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585 scenarios, focusing on Guangdong Province (2024–2100). The results indicate a general decline in the frequency of extreme droughts across all scenarios. Under SSP245, technological advancements combined with reduced drought risk may boost yields of tilapia aquaculture of Guangdong to 2.369–2.418 million tons by 2100. In SSP370 and SSP585, while humidity increases, drought risk reduction is less pronounced, resulting in marginally lower yields (2.285–2.408 and 2.300–2.416 million tons, respectively). When a unified loss parameter is applied, projected yields exhibit a U-shaped trend across all SSP scenarios, reaching a minimum under SSP370 in the mid-century period before recovering toward the end of the century, driven by scenario-dependent marginal responses of production to changes in extreme drought risk, highlighting the nonlinearity of climate impacts driven by complex climatic factors and socioeconomic interactions. These findings are subject to uncertainties associated with the use of a single climate model and the simplified representation of drought impacts in the loss-function framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fisheries Economics)

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24 pages, 2090 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Drill String Vibration Characteristics and Structural Optimization During Wellbore Quality Design for Shale Gas and Oil Wells

by He Liu, Yusheng Yang, Haowen Yuan, Suling Wang and Kangxing Dong

Processes 2026, 14(8), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14081256 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

In the extraction of shale gas and oil, the vibration characteristics of the drill string significantly influence wellbore quality, potentially leading to wellbore instability, excessive tool wear, and diminished drilling efficiency. This study tackles the challenges associated with drill string vibrations by developing [...] Read more.

In the extraction of shale gas and oil, the vibration characteristics of the drill string significantly influence wellbore quality, potentially leading to wellbore instability, excessive tool wear, and diminished drilling efficiency. This study tackles the challenges associated with drill string vibrations by developing an integrated technical framework of multi-field coupled dynamic modeling, Sobol-based key parameter identification, and NSGA-II-driven multi-objective structural optimization, and proposes a synergistic vibration suppression strategy combining structural parameter adjustment and hydraulic damper configuration based on multibody dynamics and finite element analysis. Initially, a dynamic model that accounts for the coupling between the wellbore and the drill string is developed to scrutinize the impact of various vibration modes on wellbore quality. Subsequently, detrimental vibrations are mitigated through the optimization of structural parameters, including but not limited to stiffness distribution and the strategic placement of vibration absorbers. Finally, the efficacy of the optimized design is substantiated through numerical simulations and field experiments. The results demonstrate that the optimized drill string achieves a simulation average reduction of 30% in lateral vibration amplitude across the rotational speed range of 60–120 RPM and a simulation average improvement of 25% in the attenuation of axial vibration energy. These enhancements notably bolster drilling stability and elevate wellbore quality. This research furnishes both theoretical and technical underpinnings for the efficient development of shale gas and oil resources. Full article

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20 pages, 5014 KB

Open AccessArticle

Operation of Spark Plugs in a Landfill Gas-Fueled Piston Engine

by Mariusz Chwist and Michał Pyrc

Energies 2026, 19(8), 1915; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19081915 (registering DOI) - 15 Apr 2026

Abstract

This paper analyzes the operation of a spark-ignition reciprocating engine fueled by purified landfill gas (LFG). The engine serves as the prime mover for an electric generator and a heat source within a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit. Experimental data is retrieved [...] Read more.

This paper analyzes the operation of a spark-ignition reciprocating engine fueled by purified landfill gas (LFG). The engine serves as the prime mover for an electric generator and a heat source within a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit. Experimental data is retrieved from the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The findings encompass 3000 operating hours (September–December), a period characterized by evolving spark plug conditions, during which various adjustments and service tasks are performed. This study primarily addresses operational strategies for spark plug maintenance to guarantee CHP system reliability, with a specific focus on electrode degradation and its subsequent effect on engine performance. A significant portion of the research analyzes the wear of eight OEM spark plugs installed during the observation period. Utilizing data from a specific interval (4044 to 4797 h), the study calculates the wear rates for both center and ground electrodes based on volume loss measurements obtained via digital microscopy. The results indicate varied electrode wear across the set. Furthermore, the correlation between spark plug condition, misfire counts, emergency shutdowns, and service intervals is examined. The misfires counter is proposed as a parameter for predicting emergency shutdowns and as an indicator for spark plug adjustment or replacement. Lastly, the paper describes potential causes of accelerated ground electrode wear and suggests probable methods for enhancing component longevity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Research and Applications—3rd Edition)

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