Saved Queries

by Jianmin Tang, Kanghua Xian, Jiang Su, Li Lu, Xinru Cai, Yishan Yang, Bo Pan, Tao Ding, Xianliang Zhu, Shengfeng Chai, Rong Zou and Xiao Wei

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8543; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178543 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

The genus Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae) has high ornamental value due to its long flowering period, brilliant flower color, and peculiar floral morphology. Guangxi is the center of ecological diversity of Paphiopedilum, and therefore it is urgent to conduct rescue studies on the genetic resources and genetic structure of this genus in Guangxi. In this study, the genetic diversity of 39 populations from eight Paphiopedilum species in Guangxi was analyzed using ten selected EST-SSR primer pairs and fluorescent PCR amplification. The results show that genetic diversity varied among species, with large differences in expected heterozygosity (He). The highest genetic diversity was observed in P. barbigerum (I = 0.923; He = 0.480), while P. dianthum (I = 0.179; He = 0.098) showed the lowest diversity. From the genus perspective, molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) revealed that 57% of the genetic variation occurred among populations and 43% within populations, with inter-population variation being the main source of genetic variation. From a species perspective, genetic differentiation varied, with inter-individual differentiation ranging from 79% to 95%. The percentage of molecular variance indicated that genetic variation mainly occurred among individuals, which was the main source of total variation. According to the principle of maximum likelihood, the optimal K value was determined to be 6, and 760 Paphiopedilum samples were divided into six subgroups. The results of this study not only identify priority populations for conservation and establish a germplasm repository to preserve existing resources, but also provide references for research on asexual reproduction, seed propagation, and hybrid breeding of Paphiopedilum, thereby promoting the conservation and sustainable utilization of Paphiopedilum germplasm resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Genomics and Genetics: 3rd Edition)

29 pages, 1424 KB

Open AccessArticle

Queue-Theoretic Priors Meet Explainable Graph Convolutional Learning: A Risk-Aware Scheduling Framework for Flexible Manufacturing Systems

by Raul Ionuț Riti, Călin Ciprian Oțel and Laura Bacali

Machines 2025, 13(9), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13090796 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

For the first time, this study presents a cyber–physical framework that reconciles the long-standing conflict between transparent queue analytics and adaptive machine learning in flexible manufacturing systems. Deterministic indicators, utilization, expected queue length, waiting time, and idle probability, are fused with topological embeddings of the routing graph and ingested by a graph convolutional network that predicts station congestion with calibrated confidence intervals. Shapley additive explanations decompose every forecast into causal contributions, and these vectors, together with a percentile-based risk metric, steer a mixed-integer genetic optimizer toward schedules that lift throughput without breaching statistical congestion limits. A cloud dashboard streams forecasts, risk bands, and color-coded explanations, allowing supervisors to accept or modify suggestions; each manual correction is logged and injected into nightly retraining, closing a socio-technical feedback loop. Experiments on an 8704-cycle production census demonstrate a 38 percent reduction in average queue length and a 12 percent rise in throughput while preserving full audit traceability, enabling one-minute rescheduling on volatile shop floors. The results confirm that transparency and adaptivity can coexist when analytical priors, explainable learning, and risk-aware search are unified in a single containerized control stack. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Manufacturing)

21 pages, 1405 KB

Open AccessArticle

Rhizosphere-Associated Bacteria of Saltgrass [Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene] Show Enhanced Ability to Tolerate Saline Environments and Stimulate Plant Growth

by Ángel Mena-García, Alejandro Alarcón, Fernando C. Gómez-Merino, María G. Peralta-Sánchez and Libia I. Trejo-Téllez

Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 2046; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092046 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) tolerant to abiotic stress factors can enhance plant performance when applied under both optimal and stress conditions in crops. In this study, bacterial strains associated with the rhizosphere of the halophyte Distichlis spicata were isolated and characterized for their ability to produce siderophores, solubilize phosphate, synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and exopolysaccharides (EPS), and tolerate salinity. IAA production and antioxidant capacity were further assessed under saline stress. As expected, salinity negatively impacted bacterial growth, IAA biosynthesis, and antioxidant activity—even in strains from a salt-tolerant plant. Nevertheless, all strains except RD2 maintained growth and IAA production in LB broth supplemented with up to 1 M NaCl. Five halotolerant strains (RD2, RD4, RD17, RD26, and RD27) were selected for greenhouse inoculation assays in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings. Inoculation with RD26 significantly enhanced seedling performance, promoting tomato growth, increasing leaf area by 22%, stem diameter by 17%, shoot dry biomass by 30%, and root biomass by 27% as compared to the uninoculated control. RD27 and RD4 also improved shoot biomass by 25 and 23%, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, RD26 was identified as Pseudomonas sp. and RD27 as Zhihengliuella halotolerans. These findings demonstrate that salt stress impairs plant growth-promoting traits in rhizospheric bacteria, yet selected strains such as RD26 and RD27 can significantly promote plant growth. Their use as bioinoculants represents a promising strategy for improving crop performance in saline environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant–Soil–Microbe Interactions)

26 pages, 356 KB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Cap Funding Absorption for Agricultural Investments in Western Romania During the Transition Period

by Flavia Aurora Popescu, Cosmin Salasan, Cosmin Alin Popescu, Imbrea Ilinca Merima, Cristian Iliuță Găină and Florinel Imbrea

Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7895; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177895 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

The research focuses on the National Rural Development Programme (NRDP) during the transition period, assessing the absorption level of sub-measure 4.1, “Investments in agricultural holdings”, which impacts rural development in the agricultural sector in western Romania. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of all selection reports associated with sub-measure 4.1 submitted during the transition period (2021–22) was conducted to investigate a potentially relevant link between the number of beneficiaries identified in the analysed region and their location. Fisher’s exact tests indicate that the null hypothesis, which postulates independence between county and measure in the observed dataset, cannot be rejected. Further empirical analysis was conducted using panel data analysis to identify any relevant regression traits. Tests indicate that funding allocation, the spatial dimension and the temporal dimension are all statistically and substantively significant. Larger budget allocations are associated with a higher volume of proposals. Two out of the four analysed counties systematically outperformed the predicted values in the model by submitting more proposals than would be expected given their budgets. Later application stages yielded a greater number of successful proposals, which is consistent with residual demand capture in sequential competitive calls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)

24 pages, 2164 KB

Open AccessReview

Catalytic and Non-Catalytic Co-Gasification of Biomass and Plastic Wastes for Energy Production

by M. Busto, L. Dosso, F. Nardi, J. M. Badano and C. R. Vera

Catalysts 2025, 15(9), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15090844 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

The management of solid waste and the supply of energy are two of the most important environmental problems of our time. Projections indicate that by 2050, the global demand for electrical energy is expected to increase by 35% and the amount of solid waste generated to increase by 45%. In this context, polymeric waste materials such as biomass and plastics can be valorised through thermochemical processes for the generation of energy. Gasification, which converts carbonaceous materials into syngas, tar, and char, is one of the most promising recycling technologies. The composition and relative quantities of the products are influenced by the process configuration, operating parameters, and the type of fuel used. Tar removal is facilitated by adding specific catalysts to the process. The co-processing of biomass and plastics in the gasification process, called co-gasification, improves the gas yield and reduces solid residues. This review evaluates catalytic and non-catalytic co-gasification of biomass waste and non-biodegradable plastics, with a focus on syngas production and its energy potential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heterogeneous Catalysis for Biomass and Its Derivatives into Chemicals)

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18 pages, 535 KB

Open AccessArticle

Humanizing AI in Service Workplaces: Exploring Supervisor Support as a Moderator in HPWSs

by Temitope Ayodeji Atoyebi and Joshua Sopuru

Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7892; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177892 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded within service-oriented High-Performance Work Systems (HPWSs), understanding its implications for employee well-being and organizational sustainability is critical. This study examines the relationship between AI service quality and job satisfaction, considering the mediating effect of perceived organizational justice and the moderating influence of supervisor support. Drawing on the ISS model, equity, organizational justice, and Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) theory, data were collected from a diverse sample of service sector employees through a cross-sectional design. The findings indicate that higher AI service quality significantly enhances job satisfaction, particularly in environments with strong supervisor support. Contrary to expectations, perceived organizational justice did not mediate the AI-satisfaction link, suggesting that perceived organizational justice constructs may be less influential in AI-mediated contexts. Instead, supervisor support emerged as a key contextual enabler, strengthening employees’ positive perceptions and emotional responses to AI systems. These results emphasize that technological optimization alone is insufficient for building sustainable service workplaces. Effective leadership and human-centered practices remain essential to fostering trust, satisfaction, and long-term engagement in digitally transforming organizations. This study offers practical and theoretical insights into integrating AI and human resource strategies in support of socially sustainable service systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Employee-Centric Approaches to Sustainable Tourism Development, Hospitality, and Tourist Satisfaction)

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22 pages, 704 KB

Open AccessArticle

Data-Driven Performance Evaluation and Behavior Alignment in Port Operations: A Multivariate Analysis of Strategic Indicators

by Gabriel de Vico, Charles Jefferson Rodrigues Alves, Miguel Afonso Sellitto and Débora Oliveira da Silva

Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15090345 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

This study investigates how a KPI-based incentive system can enhance behavior alignment and operational performance in complex port environments, addressing the growing need for data-driven governance in public logistics operations. The research analyzes a two-year dataset from 145 navigation teams across 22 Brazilian ports, employing a multivariate approach that integrates cluster analysis, Wilcoxon signed-rank testing, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Results reveal distinct performance tiers, with high-performing ports showing consistent improvement in safety, compliance, and technical availability, while low-performing areas exhibit stagnation or decline. The stability of the three-factor structure—Operational Safety, Technical Availability, and Procedural Compliance—over time confirms the model’s robustness and suggests increasing internalization of performance expectations by teams. These findings demonstrate that incentive systems, when combined with transparent feedback and recognition, can align team behaviors with organizational goals and drive sustained operational improvement. The study contributes a validated, replicable framework for performance management, offering practical guidance for enhancing governance and strategic alignment in high-risk, complex settings. Future studies should explore motivational factors and the model’s applicability across the public sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Strategic Management)

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26 pages, 802 KB

Open AccessArticle

Stress Overload: A Mixed-Methods, Single-Case Exploration of a Principal’s Stress Accumulation, Sleep, and Well-Being over a School Year

by Eleanor J. Su-Keene and David E. DeMatthews

Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15091142 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

Work-related stress and well-being in school leaders is an increasing concern in education. This paper explores how stress accumulates in a principal’s practice over time, challenging the assumption that stress is static or uniformly experienced. We conducted a single-case, mixed-methods study and collected quantitative data on sleep quality, mental health, health behaviors, and leadership self-efficacy along with qualitative data from four semi-structured interviews and two observations with a single principal. Our findings show that while work-stress was manageable, and even positive at times, increasing workload and systemic challenges led to an accumulation of stress that negatively affected Mary’s overall health and leadership self-efficacy. Her appraisal of work-stress was influenced by factors such as control, agency, complexity of the stressor, and alignment with job expectations. We recommend that principal preparation programs include education on stress management, health, and leadership sustainability, and we call attention to school districts and their role in supporting principals under increasingly complex and uncertain conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue School Leadership Well-Being: Stressors, Enablers, and Impact on Leadership Practices and Educational Outcomes)

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14 pages, 838 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fuzzy TOPSIS Reinvented: Retaining Linguistic Information Through Interval-Valued Analysis

by Abdolhanan Aminoroaya, Abdollah Hadi-Vencheh, Ali Jamshidi and Amir Karbassi Yazdi

Mathematics 2025, 13(17), 2819; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13172819 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

In real-world decision-making situations, experts often rely on subjective and imprecise judgments, frequently expressed using linguistic terms. While fuzzy logic offers a valuable tool to capture and process such uncertainty, traditional methods often convert fuzzy inputs into crisp values too early in the process. This premature defuzzification can result in significant loss of information and reduced interpretability. To address this issue, the present study introduces an enhanced fuzzy TOPSIS model that utilizes expected interval representations instead of early crisp transformation. This approach allows the original fuzzy data to be preserved throughout the analysis, leading to more transparent, realistic, and informative decision outcomes. The practical application of the proposed method is demonstrated through a supplier selection case study, which illustrates the model’s capability to handle real-world, complex, and qualitative decision environments. By explicitly linking the method to this domain, the study provides a concrete anchor for practitioners and decision-makers seeking transparent and robust evaluation tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis)

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12 pages, 986 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structure–Optical Properties and Sustainability Assessment of Carbon Dots Derived from Laurus nobilis Leaves

by Valeria De Matteis, Cristina Baglivo, Silvia Tamborino, Mariafrancesca Cascione, Marco Anni, Paolo Vitali, Giuseppe Negro, Mariaenrica Frigione, Paolo Maria Congedo and Rosaria Rinaldi

Appl. Nano 2025, 6(3), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6030019 - 2 Sep 2025

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) derived from renewable biomass are emerging as sustainable alternatives to traditional nanomaterials for applications in bioimaging, sensing, and photonics. In this study, we reported a one-step synthesis of photoluminescent CDs from Laurus nobilis leaves particularly spread in the Mediterranean area. The resulting nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited average diameters of 3–5 nm and high colloidal stability in water. Structural analysis by X-Rays Diffraction revealed the presence of amorphous graphitic domains, while infrared spectroscopy confirmed oxygenated functional groups on the CD surface. Spectrofluorimetric analysis showed excitation-dependent blue–green emission with a maximum at 490 nm that can be applied also as label agents for cells. The environmental sustainability of the synthetic procedure was evaluated through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), highlighting that the current impacts were primarily associated with electricity consumption, due to the laboratory-scale nature of the process. These impacts are expected to decrease significantly with future scale-up and process optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocompatible Functional Nanostructures for Nanomedicine, Environmental and Energy Applications)

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13 pages, 936 KB

Open AccessOpinion

Microbial Growth: Role of Water Activity and Viscoelasticity of the Cell Compartments

by Alberto Schiraldi

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8508; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178508 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

The complexity of the biochemistry and the variety of possible environments make the subject of the no-growth limits of bacteria a very tough challenge. This present work addresses the problem of applying to the microbial cultures the polymer science approach, which is widespread in food technology. This requires the definition of a “dynamic state diagram” that reports the expected trends of the glass transition of two virtual polymers, which mimic the crowded cytoplasmic polymers and the polymeric meshwork of the cell envelope, respectively, versus the water content. At any given temperature, the water content at the glass transition represents the lowest limit for the relevant molecular mobility. This representation leads one to recognize that the lowest temperature to observe microbial growth coincides with that of the largest freeze-concentrated liquid phase, in line with the values predicted by the Ratkowsky empirical equation. In view of potential applications in predictive microbiology, this paper suggests an alternative interpretation for the highest tolerated temperature and the temperature of the largest specific growth rate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biophysics)

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28 pages, 1859 KB

Open AccessArticle

A New Filtration Model of a Particulate Filter for Accurate Estimation of Particle Number Emissions

by Kazuki Nakamura, Kyohei Yamaguchi and Jin Kusaka

Atmosphere 2025, 16(9), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16091041 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

In the context of increasingly stringent vehicle emission regulations, computer-aided engineering has been indispensable for optimizing the design and the operational strategies of emission control systems. This paper proposes a new filtration model for particulate filters that enables the accurate estimation of solid particle number emissions above 10 and 23 nm in diameter (SPN10 and SPN23, respectively). The model incorporates a persistent slip factor and a linear filtration efficiency of cake layers into the unit collector model proposed by Konstandopoulos and Johnson. This enhancement captures PM escape phenomena, such as a passage through interconnected large pores in filter walls. Simulations using a 1D + 1D two-channel framework with the proposed model successfully reproduced experimental results of SPN10 and SPN23 emissions downstream of a miniature gasoline particulate filter (GPF) tested with a synthetic particle generator. The model was also able to represent the observed continuous emissions during a cake filtration mode. Additional simulations using the same model parameters showed good agreement with experimental data of SPN10 and SPN23 emissions downstream of a full-size GPF tested with a gasoline direct injection (G-DI) engine under 5 steady-state operating conditions. The simulations revealed that particles in the 10–100 nm size range dominated the downstream SPN emissions despite their high filtration efficiency, whereas particles in the 100–200 nm size range were less significant. The proposed model is expected to contribute to the GPF developments to comply with the stringent emission regulations of the upcoming Euro 7. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vehicle Emissions Testing, Modeling, and Lifecycle Assessment)

35 pages, 9984 KB

Open AccessReview

Recent Progress of Liquid Metal-Based Electromagnetic Shielding Materials

by Jialu Suo, Li Guan, Peng Chen, Yujie Zhu, Mengmeng Lin, Yuanhua Hu, Zhen Liu, Shijie Han, Shixuan Han, Zhongyi Bai, Xiaoqin Guo, Biao Zhao and Rui Zhang

Nanomaterials 2025, 15(17), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171346 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

Electromagnetic shielding materials are pivotal for suppressing electromagnetic radiation and mitigating potential health risks that electronic devices may pose to humans. Beyond health protection, they also hold significant strategic value in safeguarding national information security and maintaining stability. In the research of electromagnetic shielding materials, continuous technological advancements and growing application demands have driven the emergence of various novel materials. Among these, liquid metal (LM) exhibits outstanding properties—including exceptional electrical conductivity, excellent fluidity, and superior deformability—which endow it with substantial potential for application in electromagnetic shielding. Looking ahead, with the continuous advancement in related technologies, liquid metal-based electromagnetic shielding materials are expected to provide effective solutions to key challenges such as electromagnetic pollution and interference. This contribution synthesizes the latest literature. First, it clarifies the nomenclature and classification of liquid metals, as well as the fundamental framework for electromagnetic shielding. Then, it systematically distills recent research advances based on four key design motifs. These motifs include monolithic liquid metal (LM) scaffolds, LM/conductive-filler blends, LM/magnetic particle composites, and architectured multifunctional architectures. Finally, this review identifies current bottlenecks in the field and outlines directions for future development, which aim to achieve ultra-lightweight, broadband, and intelligent LM-based electromagnetic shields. Full article

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13 pages, 2046 KB

Open AccessArticle

High-Resolution Hogel Image Generation Using GPU Acceleration

by Hyunmin Kang, Byungjoon Kim and Yongduek Seo

Photonics 2025, 12(9), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12090882 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

A holographic stereogram displays reconstructed 3D images by rearranging multiple 2D viewpoint images into small holographic pixels (hogels). However, conventional CPU-based hogel generation processes these images sequentially, causing computation times to soar with as the resolution and number of viewpoints increase, which makes real-time implementation difficult. In this study, we introduce a GPU-accelerated parallel processing method to speed up the generation of high-resolution hogel images and achieve near-real-time performance. Specifically, we implement the pixel-rearrangement algorithm for multiple viewpoint images as a CUDA-based GPU kernel, designing it so that thousands of threads process individual pixels simultaneously. We also optimize CPU–GPU data transfers and improve memory access efficiency to maximize GPU parallel performance. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves over a 5× speedup compared to the CPU across resolutions from FHD to 8K while maintaining output image quality equivalent to that of the CPU approach. Notably, we confirm near-real-time performance by processing large-scale 8K resolution with 16 viewpoints in just tens of milliseconds. This achievement significantly alleviates the computational bottleneck in large-scale holographic image synthesis, bringing real-time 3D holographic displays one step closer to realization. Furthermore, the proposed GPU acceleration technique is expected to serve as a foundational technology for real-time high-resolution hogel image generation in next-generation immersive display devices such as AR/VR/XR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holographic Information Processing)

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23 pages, 2252 KB

Open AccessArticle

Responsible Entrepreneurship Through Public Eyes: A Qualitative Exploration of Moral and Sustainable Expectations

by Nuria Toledano and Tetsuya Horie

Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7874; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177874 - 1 Sep 2025

Abstract

This exploratory study analyzes how ordinary citizens from seven European countries perceive and construct the meaning and legitimacy of responsible entrepreneurship. Drawing on a qualitative and social constructionist approach, 104 open-ended interviews were conducted, eliciting participants’ narratives and metaphors about the purpose of business, the figure of the entrepreneur, and the ethical challenges of entrepreneurship. The analysis reveals that most citizens associate entrepreneurship with “growth,” “prosperity,” and positive societal impact, but also express skepticism regarding the authenticity of sustainability claims. Metaphors and narratives show a broad spectrum of public imaginaries: positive images (“captain,” “gardener”) reinforce legitimacy, while negative or ambivalent metaphors signal doubt, ethical tension, or perceived opportunism. The study demonstrates that legitimacy is shaped not only by economic or institutional factors, but by symbolic narratives and ethical expectations rooted in civic discourse. These findings underscore the need for greater public dialogue in defining responsible entrepreneurship and highlight the value of integrating citizens’ voices in entrepreneurship research, policy, and practice. Full article

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