Artiles
Open Access
Review
12 June 2026Beyond Oil: Molecular Breeding for Multifunctional Innovation in Oilseed Brassica
Brassica napus L., one of the world’s most significant oilseeds, is experiencing a paradigm shift from a single-minded focus on edible oil production to a multifactorial approach centered on sustainable agriculture. This review synthesizes the progress in molecular breeding, which has enabled the development of multifunctional B. napus ideotypes. We discuss the genomic plasticity of the crop, based on the genomic mosaicism and allopolyploid origin, which provides a genetic reservoir basis of diversification. Contemporary approaches such as genomic selection, marker-assisted pyramiding, and multi-omics integration are considered in terms of their ability to maximize the properties of multifaceted trait networks, breaking historical trade-offs (e.g., yield vs. quality), and providing new value-added functions. Their success is evidenced by examples, including the development of ultra-high-oil cultivars and multi-colored ornamental varieties. We also describe emerging directions, such as engineering the root architecture of dual-purpose fodder and optimizing seed oil composition with single-cell omics. These molecular tools, combined with precision agriculture technologies, enable the realization of an integrated Agriculture-Processing-Tourism framework. B. napus can move beyond being a commodity and become a personalized crop, capable of fulfilling all three functions in bringing nutritional security, bio-economic diversification, and ecological resilience, and thus, the philosophy of the Grand Food Concept.
Open Access
Review
12 June 2026PIEZO Mechanotransduction in the Cardiovascular System: Physiological Roles and Disease Implications
Mechanotransduction is essential for cardiovascular physiology, enabling cells to sense and respond to mechanical forces such as shear stress, stretch, pressure, and extracellular matrix deformation. Among mechanosensitive ion channels, PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 have emerged as critical regulators of cardiovascular mechanobiology. These large trimeric ion channels convert mechanical stimuli into calcium-dependent electrochemical signals that regulate vascular development, endothelial homeostasis, cardiac remodeling, inflammatory activation, and blood pressure control. Recent advances in structural biology, electrophysiology, and molecular genetics have substantially improved understanding of PIEZO channel architecture, mechanogating mechanisms, and downstream signaling pathways. In the cardiovascular system, PIEZO1 functions prominently in endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, erythrocytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells, where dysregulated signaling contributes to hypertension, fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic injury, and vascular inflammation. This review summarizes current knowledge of PIEZO-mediated cardiovascular mechanotransduction, emphasizing structural mechanisms, physiological functions, disease implications, and therapeutic potential. Emerging computational approaches, including artificial intelligence and machine learning-assisted electrophysiology, are also discussed as promising tools for advancing mechanobiological research, multiscale modeling, and precision cardiovascular medicine.
Open Access
Review
12 June 2026Overview on the Current Global Market and Sustainability of Hydrogen Supply Chain Based on China
Low carbon energy development is a solid requirement for decarbonization and carbon neutralization of the economy. Hydrogen energy is chosen for achieving a large degree of decarbonization in the fields of industrial, transport, and domestic consumptions. This paper provides an overview on the current state of global hydrogen production and demand, summarizes the momentum of green hydrogen development, and analyzes the possible roles of countries in the global hydrogen trade and cooperation. The status and costs of hydrogen production and transportation in China were systematically examined. While China has become the world’s largest hydrogen producer and consumer, it faces a major structural contradiction that the country’s hydrogen resources are unevenly distributed, abundant in the west but scarce in the east, making long-distance transport costs a key bottleneck for its domestic hydrogen energy development. To address these challenges, three strategic scenarios, including eastward hydrogen transmission, international cooperation, and efficient utilization of wind power for hydrogen production, were proposed to reach the goal that by 2050, the share of coal consumption will drop to 30%, and the share of non-fossil energy will increase to 50%. These scenarios will provide data support and strategic references for the precise positioning of China’s hydrogen market and the construction of a sustainable supply chain.
Open Access
Article
11 June 2026Processing and Characterization of Hybrid Composite Materials Made of Recycled HDPE and Mechanically Recycled Glass Fiber Thermoset Composites
Household plastic waste and industrial polymer matrix composite material scrap present two scales of problems that can lead to pollution and other environmental issues. Recycling waste and scrap has become increasingly important and has drawn tremendous attention as a promising approach to solving the growing polymer pollution issue. This study aims to create energy-efficient and scalable procedures to manufacture hybrid composite materials using household thermoplastic waste and industrial thermoset matrix composite scrap for the first time to our best knowledge, and evaluate the structural performance of upcycled fiber-reinforced composites. Recycled scrap of pultruded glass fiber vinyl ester composite (rComposite) was mechanically split with an energy-efficient process and subsequently molded with recycled household high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) waste to produce thermoset composite reinforced thermoplastic matrix (rComposite/rHDPE) composites at different rComposite contents, i.e., 20, 27, and 35 wt%. Various characterization methods, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analyses, were performed to evaluate the constituent materials and the molded composite. Mechanical testing was also conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composites with different rComposite contents. It was found that the tensile and flexural properties of the rComposite/rHDPE composite increased with increasing rComposite content. There was a 256% increase in tensile strength and an 885% increase in tensile modulus for the 35%-rComposite reinforced rHDPE composite over neat rHDPE, respectively. Overall, this study presents a potential approach of recycling household plastic waste and polymer matrix composite material scrap by developing a hybrid composite material with great mechanical properties.
Open Access
Article
11 June 2026Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Hydrological Dynamics in the Koliba-Corubal Basin (Guinea and Guinea-Bissau): Modelling Historical and Future Flows by GR4J under CMIP6 Climate Scenarios
The Koliba-Corubal basin, located between Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, is a key area for water resource management, but it is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This article aims to analyze historical and future hydrological trends in this basin using the GR4J hydrological model in order to assess the impact of climate change on water availability. The study is based on past climate data (1981–1993) and future projections from CMIP6 climate models, applied to three climate change scenarios: SSP 126, SSP 370, and SSP 585. The results show a significant decrease in river flows in the basin, with reductions of up to 65.6% by the end of the century, especially under the SSP 370 and SSP 585 scenarios. Dry periods are especially affected, with a marked decline in monthly flows, seriously impacting water resource management for agriculture and drinking water supply. Using Mann-Kendall and Pettitt statistical tests, the study also identifies potential breaks in the time series of flows. The results of this analysis highlight the urgency of adopting climate change adaptation strategies and the need for sustainable water resource management in the Koliba-Corubal basin to meet the challenges posed by these changes.
Open Access
Article
10 June 2026Mullite-Corundum-Al2TiO5 Foamed Ceramics with Extremely Low Thermal Conductivity Induced by Multiple Thermal Resistance
In the context of the global implementation of the dual carbon strategy, enhancing the thermal insulation performance of kiln insulation layers to reduce energy consumption is a highly effective route to achieving energy conservation and emission reduction. In this work, mullite foamed ceramics were fabricated via a direct-foaming method using industrial alumina and white clay as raw materials, and the thermal conductivity was decreased by introducing a secondary phase and increasing the interfacial thermal resistance. The influence of the TiO2 addition on the phase composition, pore characteristics, and properties was systematically investigated by means of XRD, SEM, and EDS. The results indicate that the foamed ceramics are mainly composed of mullite, with minor phases including corundum and aluminum titanate. It has been demonstrated that increasing the TiO2 addition decreased the ceramic’s thermal conductivity, due to the formation of low-thermal-conductivity Al2TiO5 phases and the elevation of the interfacial thermal resistance. The specimen exhibiting the optimal properties is characterized by a porosity of 77.8%, a strength of 1.86 MPa, and a thermal conductivity of 0.216 W/(m·K) (1000 °C), achieved with a TiO2 addition of 6 wt%.
Open Access
Review
10 June 2026Long-Term Impact of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitors on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
The introduction of proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PSCK9) inhibitors has transformed the approach to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This paper aims to determine the longer-term impact of these interventions on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. A systematic search of major databases was conducted to identify randomised controlled trials comparing PCSK9 inhibitors with a placebo. Studies were included if they reported cardiovascular events with a follow-up duration greater than 12 months. Frequentist, Bayesian meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis were utilised to assess the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing MACE. Amongst 11 studies encompassing 52,372 patients, statistically significant reductions were observed in rates of myocardial infarction (risk ratio (RR) 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 0.89, p < 0.01, I2 = 20%), coronary revascularisation (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.91, p < 0.01, I2 = 9.1%) and ischemic stroke (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.87, p < 0.01, I2 = 0%) amongst patients on PCSK9 inhibitors compared to placebo based on random-effects meta-analysis. Trial sequential analysis and Bayesian analysis supported these results, with posterior probabilities that PCSK9 inhibitors improve outcomes for myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation, and ischemic stroke of 83.8%, 82.9%, and 69.4%, respectively. No statistically significant effect was observed for the other outcomes. This meta-analysis demonstrates significant reductions in the rate of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation, and ischemic stroke. Further benefits may emerge with longer-term follow-up and alternate methods of targeting PCSK9.
Open Access
Review
10 June 2026Central Metabolism-Responsive Biosensors for Monitoring, Screening, and Engineering in Microbial Production
Central metabolism includes essential pathways such as glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Beyond the canonical pathways, it also involves byproduct formation, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and cofactor homeostasis, forming the metabolic backbone that supports cellular growth and biosynthesis. Conventional analytical methods often fail to provide real-time information in living cells, limiting their utility for guiding metabolic engineering. In this context, biosensor-assisted approaches have emerged as powerful tools for the real-time, non-destructive detection of intracellular metabolites and metabolic fluxes, while also enabling dynamic regulation of metabolic networks. In this review, we summarize recent advances in biosensors targeting key metabolites, cofactors, and regulatory nodes across central metabolism, with an emphasis on their design principles and applications in metabolic monitoring, high-throughput screening, and dynamic regulation for improved bioproduction. We also discuss current challenges related to sensor performance and implementation, and highlight the possibilities of integrating biosensors with omics, metabolic modules, and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide insights into future opportunities for biosensor development.
Open Access
Review
09 June 2026Smart Manufacturing for Production Flexibility in Industry 4.0–5.0: A Systematic Review, Gap Analysis, and Framework
Smart manufacturing has emerged as a key enabler of industrial digital transformation, fostering intelligent, interconnected, and adaptive production systems. At the same time, production flexibility has become a strategic imperative for managing demand volatility, supply chain disruptions, and mass customization requirements. Despite substantial advances in Industry 4.0 and the transition toward Industry 5.0, the literature remains conceptually fragmented and largely technology-driven, with limited integration of organizational, human-centric, and sustainability perspectives. This study presents a systematic literature review of smart manufacturing for production flexibility, synthesizing existing research across major enabling technologies and industrial application domains. The review identifies three critical gaps in the current body of knowledge: (i) the lack of a unified and multidimensional conceptualization of production flexibility, (ii) insufficient integration between cyber–physical infrastructures and socio-technical systems, and (iii) the limited incorporation of human-centricity and sustainability as core design principles. The findings demonstrate that production flexibility should be viewed not as a direct technological outcome, but as an emergent system-level capability arising from the dynamic interaction of digital technologies, organizational structures, and human intelligence. To address these gaps, the study proposes a seven-stage Smart Manufacturing–Production Flexibility (SM–PF) transformation framework encompassing digital connectivity, system integration, intelligent analytics, adaptive automation, autonomous systems, human–AI collaboration, and ecosystem integration. The framework conceptualizes the evolution of flexibility from conventional operational adaptability toward anticipatory, reconfigurable, cognitive, and ecosystem-level capabilities. This study contributes an integrated theoretical foundation and a structured roadmap for future research and industrial transformation in smart manufacturing.
Open Access
Review
09 June 2026Statistical and Machine Learning Approaches to Production Optimization in the Brewery Industry
Production collapse in brewery operations is a major industrial challenge marked by sustained declines in output, efficiency, and capacity utilization due to interacting technical, operational, managerial, and external constraints. This systematic review synthesizes existing literature on the root causes of production decline in the brewery and beverage industry, with emphasis on developing economies. Guided by the PRISMA framework and drawing from major scientific databases, the study examines empirical evidence on critical production bottlenecks. The review compares traditional mathematical models with advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques for root cause identification, highlighting their complementary strengths in interpretability and predictive accuracy. It further evaluates optimization and what-if scenario analysis as decision-support tools for translating predictive insights into practical production improvements. Evidence shows that scenario-based optimization can enhance output, reduce downtime, and improve resource allocation in brewery systems. Despite progress, gaps remain, particularly the absence of integrated root-cause, ML, and optimization frameworks and limited validation rigor. By consolidating fragmented findings and outlining future research directions, this review provides a structured foundation for developing robust, data-driven productivity recovery strategies and strengthening sustainable performance in brewery operations.