Artiles
Open Access
Review
03 July 2026A Review of the Application Progress of Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring in the Precision Treatment of Hypertension
Hypertension affects many patients worldwide, and its precise treatment is the focus of clinical research. Currently, conventional clinical methods for monitoring blood pressure can only intermittently measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure and cannot monitor important hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and arterial elasticity, thereby affecting the formulation of individualized treatment plans. In recent decades, the emergence of non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring methods has addressed these clinical challenges. These methods use non-invasive methods to monitor parameters such as cardiac pumping function, vascular resistance, and volume status, helping clinicians better understand the pathophysiology of hypertension and facilitating a shift from “empirical blood pressure reduction” to “precision treatment based on hemodynamics”. This article aims to introduce the technical principles, main parameters, and clinical applications of non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring, with a focus on discussing its clinical value in hypertension classification, formulation of individualized treatment plans, assessment of treatment effects, and management of special populations. Based on this, future application and development directions are proposed, aiming to provide references and evidence for the clinical practice of precise hypertension treatment.
Open Access
Article
03 July 2026Analyzing the Impact of Riverbed Aggradation and Degradation on Flood Inundation Scenarios in an Ungauged River Using Hydrological and Hydraulic Model
Flooding is a recurrent and destructive natural hazard in Nepal, particularly in ungauged river basins where the lack of hydrological observations increases modeling uncertainty and where sediment-induced riverbed changes significantly influence flood behavior. Most flood models assume river courses remain constant. This is not true for rivers that constantly alter due to silt deposition and erosion. Ignoring these may lead to inaccurate flood predictions. This study examines the impact of long-term riverbed elevation changes on flood magnitude and risk in the Bakra River, a watershed in eastern Nepal characterized by limited data availability. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool was used to simulate runoff and sediment yield, and the one-dimensional Hydrologic Engineering Center–River Analysis System model was utilized to analyze hydraulic and sediment motion. The nearby Kankai River was used to calibrate and test the Soil and Water Assessment Tool model. The model performed well, with NSE = 0.77, R2 = 0.79 during calibration (2010–2014), and NSE = 0.78, R2 = 0.83 during validation (2015–2019). Simulating sediment with the same flow conditions yielded a good match (R2 = 0.89). After that, calibrated parameters were calculated Bakra River water and sediment capacity. For return periods of 2, 25, 50, and 100 years, flood frequency analysis yielded design discharges of 78 m3/s, 245.7 m3/s, 328.2 m3/s, and 397 m3/s. Based on Digital Elevation Model terrain data and Manning’s roughness coefficient, the Hydrologic Engineering Center–River Analysis System hydraulic model was employed. The Hydrologic Engineering Center–River Analysis System sediment model showed 41 years of riverbed alteration using the same calibrated geometry. The data showed that degradation was the predominant process, with the river’s aggradation reaching 2.1 m and its degradation 4.0 m. Floods are modeled with varying return periods using new river morphologies. Changes to the riverbed demonstrated differences in flood area size, depth, and risk. Overall, flooded regions got smaller, but very high hazard zones got roughly three to five times bigger than when the bed didn’t alter. Aggradation raised water levels and decreased channel capacity, creating high-speed and scouring zones around bridges. The study may assist in planning and managing the Bakra River and other similar study reaches to prevent future floods.
Open Access
Article
03 July 2026Multi-Objective Optimization Design of An Integrated Energy System with Ice Storage Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
This study proposes an integrated energy system that combines photovoltaic power, wind power, battery storage, and ice storage to meet the electricity and cooling demands of buildings. The model for the ice storage tank incorporates the nonlinear ice-melting characteristics. An improved Multi-Objective Proximal Policy Optimization algorithm is employed for multi-objective optimization. In a case study of an office building in Shanghai, the optimization results demonstrate that the proposed method reduces daily operating costs by 6.52% and improves the CO2 emission reduction rate by 9.54%. The results demonstrate that the synergistic operation of electrical and ice storage effectively maintains supply-demand balance across different seasons. Sensitivity analysis further reveals that a 40% reduction in the unit cost of ice storage leads to a 5.7% decrease in battery capacity and a significant drop in grid dependency from 28.9% to 15.3%, highlighting the critical role of reducing ice storage costs in improving the system’s economic viability and renewable energy integration capability.
Open Access
Article
03 July 2026Strain Analysis for Grain Refinement and Mechanical Behaviour of AA5083 Processed Through Equal Channel Angular Pressing Technique
A metal forming technique called equal channel angular pressing is used to produce alloys and metals with ultrafine grain and nanocrystalline structure. Using this method, grain refining to the nano or submicron-scale is possible in materials with high strain super plasticity without affecting the size of the workpiece. One of the greatest techniques for creating bulk materials with ultra-fine grains is equal channel angular pressing. During this procedure, metal is continuously pushed through a channel die that has been particularly made with intersecting channels at different angles. The material is pass through a die in this procedure that has two channels that meet at a particular angle. Finer grains are formed as a result of the material’s deformation when it passes through the die. The creation of ultra-fine grains is influenced by a number of die design characteristics. The effects of processing route, corner angle, channel angle, and number of passes in die design on grain refinement. After comparing the results of several parameters, it was found that (90°) is the ideal channel angle for producing the maximum shear strain, and this strain reduces as the channel angle increases. The die was designed and produced in the lab with ideal design specifications, including a corner angle of (20°) and a channel angle of (90°). The mechanical characteristics of AA5083 were examined both before and after the Equal Channel Angular Pressing method. This study examines and analyses the mechanical behaviour of AA5083 that is treated through the use of an ECAP die that has ideal design specifications. Pressing was done between 0 and 2 times when using the (BC) path. According to the results, the grain size decreased from 480 nm to 170 nm, and the tensile strength increased from 225.8 MPa to 358.4 MPa after two ECAP runs.
Open Access
Article
02 July 2026A Multi-Scale Assessment of Estuarine Fish Communities in Irrawaddy Delta
This study quantitatively analyzes fish community responses to environmental gradients in Myanmar’s Irrawaddy Delta. Integrating beta-diversity partitioning, Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN), single-season occupancy modeling, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and species co-occurrence network analysis, we identified primary environmental filters shaping ichthyofaunal structure. Spatial comparison between Bogale and Pyapon ecosystems revealed fundamentally distinct communities driven predominantly by species turnover (87.1%). Network topologies further demonstrated a significant spatial restructuring of biological interactions, with the primary network hub role shifting from the highly sensitive Tenualosa ilisha in the upper estuary to the highly adaptable Macrognathus zebrinus in the lower delta. Furthermore, SEM established a substantial structural connection between environmental stress and biological assemblage response (β = 0.99), suggesting water quality as the ecosystem’s master driver. TITAN and occupancy models demonstrated an “estuarine enrichment” effect, where primary network hubs (Tenualosa ilisha, Coilia neglecta) reached peak occupancies only beyond high salinity thresholds (>18.16 ppt). However, escalating water temperatures act as a critical limiting factor, with a strict thermal boundary identified at 27.6 °C, beyond which sensitive taxa populations rapidly decline. These findings provide direct implications for adaptive fisheries management, underscoring the necessity of monitoring osmotic and thermal change-points to protect vital fisheries from compounded climate change impacts.
Open Access
Review
01 July 2026Organoid Models of Liver Fibrosis: Bridging Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms with Biomarker Discovery
Fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, progressive tissue stiffening, and ultimately organ dysfunction. It represents a common endpoint of chronic injury in multiple organs, including the liver, lung, kidney, and heart, and contributes substantially to global morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence indicates that genetic susceptibility and dynamic epigenetic regulation play important roles in determining individual responses to chronic injury and in shaping fibrogenic signaling pathways. Despite its clinical significance, effective therapies remain limited, partly due to an incomplete understanding of the complex cellular interactions and molecular mechanisms that drive fibrotic disease. Traditional experimental models, including two-dimensional cell cultures and animal systems, often fail to fully recapitulate human tissue architecture and disease complexity. Organoid technology has emerged as a promising platform for modeling human diseases in vitro. Organoids are three-dimensional multicellular structures derived from stem cells or primary tissues that self-organize to mimic key structural and functional aspects of native organs while preserving important genetic and epigenetic characteristics of the originating tissue. Recent advances have enabled the development of organoid-based models that capture critical features of fibrosis, including epithelial injury, fibroblast activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These systems provide powerful experimental platforms for investigating molecular mechanisms of fibrosis, studying the influence of genetic and epigenetic regulatory networks, and identifying candidate biomarkers associated with disease progression. This review summarizes current progress in the use of organoid systems to study fibrosis across different organs. The advantages and limitations of these models are discussed, and emerging technologies that may enhance their physiological relevance and utility for biomarker discovery and anti-fibrotic drug development are highlighted.
Open Access
Article
01 July 2026From Autonomy to Self-Determination: Intra-Familial Forms of Communication and Identity Perspectives in Situations of Rare Disability
This study explores communication, autonomy, and self-determination in individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS), a rare genetic condition characterised by severe intellectual disability and the absence of speech. AS is associated with severe developmental delay, motor disorders, epilepsy, hyperactivity, and a characteristically cheerful disposition. Communication is significantly impaired: expressive language is virtually absent, while receptive language is retained, giving rise to the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The qualitative methodology draws on ethnographic fieldwork conducted with families, comprising six home observation sessions and sixteen semi-structured interviews with parents, childminders, or educators. The analysis examines the role of AAC and a form of ‘everyday communication’ through the lens of autonomy and self-determination. Although AAC has been recognised by the United Nations since 2006, it remains underused in everyday contexts owing to constraints of time and complexity. Multimodal communication relies on interpersonal interaction (gestures, eye contact, routines), thereby promoting functional autonomy (mobility, eating) and identity formation. Autonomy begins with survival (basic needs), under constant supervision necessitated by associated risks, and gradually evolves towards the expression of preferences (leisure activities, choices) through a co-constructed relationship. Self-determination incorporates relational and social dimensions through the progressive development of a positive identity despite dependence. In conclusion, AAC complements ‘everyday communication’ in supporting self-expression beyond the family sphere. Self-determination is grounded in meaningful exchanges that sustain identity notwithstanding intellectual disability. The recommendations aim to extend AAC to social contexts and to contextualise autonomy within an inclusive support framework.
Open Access
Review
01 July 2026Residual Stress Characteristics in Additive/Subtractive Hybrid Manufacturing: A Review
This review methodically expounds on the genesis, distribution characteristics, and control methodologies of residual stress (RS) in additive/subtractive hybrid manufacturing (A/SHM). RS, originating from non-uniform temperature fields during manufacturing, rapid solidification of the molten pool, and complex thermal cycling, are key factors causing component deformation, performance degradation, and even cracking. It is evident that significant limitations are imposed on the industrial implementation of A/SHM technology in the domain of high-end equipment manufacturing. This review methodically unveils the influence patterns of process conditions, such as scanning strategies and laser parameters, on RS distribution. It elucidates the intrinsic relationship between microstructural evolution and RS and summarizes effective approaches to regulating RS through process optimization, post-heat treatment, and material modification. This paper proactively proposes a development direction for precise RS regulation through intelligent monitoring and control. This approach provides a theoretical foundation and technical support to enhance the reliability of A/SHM components and advance their industrial applications.
Open Access
Article
30 June 2026Endocranial Volume Estimates for Sts 25 (Australopithecus cf. africanus)
Sterkfontein specimen Sts 25 is filled with calcified sediment and still partly encased in matrix. The only published endocranial volume estimate for this specimen (350–375 cm3) falls outside the range of variation for Australopithecus africanus adults. The purpose of this study was to estimate Sts 25’s endocranial volume and to explore the usefulness of parietal regressions for estimating brain size in other fragmentary hominin specimens. We used single-variable and multivariate polynomial regressions and combined chimpanzee/early hominin comparative samples to predict endocranial volumes for Sts 25 and 10 fragmentary hominin specimens from six chord and arc variables. Point estimates for Sts 25 ranged between 412–501 cm3, with random-effects means and 95% prediction intervals of 453 cm3 (393–512 cm3) from single-variable regressions and 446 cm3 (377–514 cm3) from multivariate regressions. New endocranial volume estimates ~450 cm3 for Sts 25 are consistent with values for other A. africanus specimens with similar dimensions of the vault and basicranium. Volume estimates for Sts 58 (468–559 cm3) and MLD 1 (509–595 cm3) are larger than previous estimates for these specimens and help refine the A. africanus range. Endocranial volume estimates for other crania are largely consistent with existing predictions, establishing the value of these polynomial regression equations for estimating brain size in early hominins.
Open Access
Article
30 June 2026Does the Whanganui River Own Itself?
Since it was introduced, the legal personhood of Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River—located in the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand) has often been associated with the broader international discourse on rights of nature. This article focuses on one specific aspect of this association: the extent to which legal personhood can be said to result in ‘self-ownership’ for the Whanganui River. The legal personality of the river has been recognized by the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017, which is intended to give effect to a Treaty of Waitangi settlement between Whanganui iwi (a collective terms for Māori tribal groups associated with the river) and the New Zealand Government (or ‘Crown’). The purpose of the Act means that it is necessary to have an understanding of te ao Māori (the Māori world) and tikanga Māori (Māori law and custom), and of the relational values and ontology that provide its foundations, in order to understand the legal personhood of the river. In tikanga Māori, concepts such as whakapapa (ancestral genealogy) and whanaungatanga (a relational ethic of kinship) are fundamental. These concepts encompass more-than-human nature and directly challenge the human/nature dichotomy that sits at the heart of Western property law. To support the inquiry into the extent to which legal personhood can be said to result in self-ownership for the Whanganui River, this article is divided into three parts. In the first part, some key principles of tikanga Māori are introduced, and the relationship of these principles to certain Western jural concepts that are relevant to ownership is discussed. In the second part, ownership of freshwater is discussed. In the third and final part, the question of self-ownership is considered in the light of the preceding discussions.
