bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notifications on Anisakis spp. in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) Reported in 2001–2023
Authors: Pigłowski Marcin
Published: June 2024

Anisakis spp. was the most frequently reported parasite in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Notifications relating to it accounted for 73.6% of all notifications submitted in this system between 2001 and 2023 in the hazard category “parasitic infestation”. Using a two-way joining cluster analysis, notifications reported in the RASFF during the period indicated concerning Anisakis spp. were examined by considering the year, notification type, product category, product, notifying country, country of origin, notification basis and action taken. These mainly concerned hake and mackerel from Spain and also anglerfish and mackerel from France (reported by Italy after official controls on the market) and anchovies and scabbardfish from Morocco (sent by Spain after border controls). Products from Spain and France were reported as alerts and information notifications and then were officially detained, withdrawn from the market or destroyed. Fish from Morocco were detained and destroyed. Although the number of Anisakis spp. notifications has decreased significantly in recent years, food safety authorities should continue to be active in this area. Meanwhile, consumers should be aware that the consumption of unprocessed fish should be avoided.
Bioethical Analysis of the Socio-Environmental Conflicts of a Pig Industry on a Chilean Rural Community
Authors: Muñoz-Quezada María Teresa , Pasten Paulo , Landeros Natalia , Valdés Cristian , Zúñiga-Venegas Liliana , Castillo Benjamín , Lucero Boris , Castillo Alexis , Buralli Rafael Junqueira
Published: June 2024

Environmental conflicts, particularly within the pig industry in Chile, pose serious ecological, social, and economic challenges. This study focuses on analyzing the bioethical aspects of the ongoing environmental conflicts at an industrial pig farm in the Maule Region’s rural localities. Employing heuristic and hermeneutic methodologies, the research analyzed over 790 documents, such as environment agency reports, legislation, and community testimonials. The findings underscore severe environmental harm, highlighted by air and water pollution caused by waste and emissions from pig farms. These environmental issues correlate with significant health problems in the community, including respiratory diseases and psychological stress. Furthermore, the study outlines the socio-economic repercussions, such as unsustainable water use and the detrimental impacts on local agriculture and livelihoods. The findings advocate for the enhanced management of natural resources, further scientific investigation, and the adoption of sustainable practices to ensure environmental justice and improve the well-being of impacted communities.
Improvement and Stability of Soil Organic Carbon: The Effect of Earthworm Mucus Organo-Mineral Associations with Montmorillonite and Hematite
Authors: Li Yuxuan , Feng Siyue , Wang Lin , Lei Chencen , Peng Hongbo , He Xinhua , Zhou Dandan , Li Fangfang
Published: June 2024

Improving soil carbon storage and stability plays an important role in the development of sustainable agricultural production and mitigating climate change. Earthworms are widely distributed in soil environments; earthworm mucus (EM) can interact with natural mineral materials to form EM–mineral association, enriching soil carbon storage. However, it is unclear how minerals affect the formation and oxidation degradation of EM–mineral associations. Herein, the interactions between EM and natural mineral materials (hematite ore (HO) and montmorillonite (MT)) were investigated. The carbon stability of EM–mineral associations was analyzed based on their chemical oxidative resistance. EM interacted with HO/MT through ligand exchange, hydrogen bonding interaction, and electrostatic attraction. Compared to EM that was extracted under pH 5.0 (EM5) or 9.0 (EM9), EM obtained at pH7 (EM7) contained more protein and polysaccharide components, and was greatly adsorbed by HO/MT. Moreover, EM showed a stronger sorption affinity to MT than HO. The stronger oxidation resistance of EM–MT than EM–HO was revealed by its higher carbon retention, suggesting the vital role of MT in protecting biogenically excreted organic carbon from degradation. Earthworms in neutral environments could substantially promote the establishment of organo-mineral associations. This study provides guidance for promoting soil carbon sequestration through agricultural management and is beneficial to the sustainability of the soil.
Study on Sustainable Operation Mechanism of Green Agricultural Supply Chain Based on Uncertainty of Output and Demand
Authors: Wang Qianyi , Ni Minghui , Wen Wei , Qi Ruijuan , Zhang Qiwen
Published: June 2024

A future trend in agricultural development is to promote the green transformation of agriculture and realize the transformation from extensive consumption to environmentally friendly consumption. However, in the process of circulating green agricultural products, the output and demand are uncertain, and the cooperation of various entities in the supply chain is unstable, which leads to the risk of interruptions to the supply chain, and then leads to ineffective supply chain operations for green agricultural products. Therefore, under the background of double uncertainty of output and demand, combined with CVaR theory and considering the risk avoidance degree of farmers, a Stackelberg game model of a “firm + farmer” two-level green agricultural product supply chain was constructed, and the supply coordination mechanism was studied. The results show that a benefit-sharing contract can effectively coordinate the supply chain of green agricultural products under the double uncertainty of output and demand and obtain optimal greenness, agricultural input, order quantity, and optimal inventory factors under centralized decision making. The optimal production decisions of farmers and the optimal pricing decisions of companies are obtained under decentralized decision making. The benefit-sharing contract is used to coordinate the supply chain, and the overall incomes of farmers, companies, and the supply chain improved after the coordination. The research results can enrich the relevant research on coordinating green agricultural products supply chains under the uncertainty of output and demand and provide a reference for ensuring the effective and stable operation of supply chains.
Sustainable Use of Digestate from Biogas Plants: Separation of Raw Digestate and Liquid Fraction Processing
Authors: Nowak Mateusz , Czekała Wojciech
Published: June 2024

This review provides an overview of the various aspects involved in the digestate separation process with a focus on the best solution. The paper discusses the possibility of processing the liquid fraction using membrane separation processes and evaporation. Despite the identical goal of digestate separation, the solutions presented have many differences. These differences affect each process’s capital, operating costs, efficiency, and complexity. Among the selected solutions, the most popular technology for separating digestate is a screw press. Its advantage is the simplicity of its design compared to the centrifuges or filter presses used. In addition to the economic aspect, a definite advantage of mechanical separation is the possibility of using the liquid fraction to reduce the dry matter of the feedstock for biogas plants. Regardless of the chosen technology, striving for the closed-cycle operation of biogas plants and optimizing production processes is now becoming necessary. Proper management of the digestate is a crucial element of the operational efficiency of any biogas plant in case of the sustainable energy. The prepared article will fill some gaps in knowledge and indicate further directions of action. It is necessary to further develop research on methods of digestate separation.
Role of Individual Environmental Consciousness in Industrial Decarbonization Transition
Authors: Köhler Alina , Kauffeld Simone
Published: June 2024

Decarbonization leads to significant transition processes in industrial companies with the aim of achieving sustainable production. The consequences are far-reaching and can affect, among other things, the workplace and the activities of the employees. The readiness for change among employees is seen as a central success factor for the success of the transition to sustainable production. However, it has been unclear to what extent the environmental consciousness of individual employees influences how open employees are to this transition. A total of 427 employees from a company in the steel industry, currently undergoing a transition aimed at sustainable production, were surveyed. It was found that affective environmental consciousness influences the stages of the Transtheoretical Model in which employees find themselves regarding the company’s transition. The results emphasize, among other things, the importance of encouraging individual environmental consciousness in decarbonization transitions for the successful management of these transitions.
Short-Term Prediction of Rural Photovoltaic Power Generation Based on Improved Dung Beetle Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Meng Jie , Yuan Qing , Zhang Weiqi , Yan Tianjiao , Kong Fanqiu
Published: June 2024

Addressing the challenges of randomness, volatility, and low prediction accuracy in rural low-carbon photovoltaic (PV) power generation, along with its unique characteristics, is crucial for the sustainable development of rural energy. This paper presents a forecasting model that combines variational mode decomposition (VMD) and an improved dung beetle optimization algorithm (IDBO) with the kernel extreme learning machine (KELM). Initially, a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is used to categorize PV power data, separating analogous samples during different weather conditions. Afterwards, VMD is applied to stabilize the initial power sequence and extract numerous consistent subsequences. These subsequences are then employed to develop individual KELM prediction models, with their nuclear and regularization parameters optimized by IDBO. Finally, the predictions from the various subsequences are aggregated to produce the overall forecast. Empirical evidence via a case study indicates that the proposed VMD-IDBO-KELM model achieves commendable prediction accuracy across diverse weather conditions, surpassing existing models and affirming its efficacy and superiority. Compared with traditional VMD-DBO-KELM algorithms, the mean absolute percentage error of the VMD-IDBO-KELM model forecasting on sunny days, cloudy days and rainy days is reduced by 2.66%, 1.98% and 6.46%, respectively.
Firms’ Capital Structure during Crises: Evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Alhajjeah Diana , Besim Mustafa
Published: June 2024

This study was conducted using the dynamic panel two-stage least squares system generalized methods of moments (2SLS-system GMM) to examine how UK companies made capital structure decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to expectations, firms opted to reduce their debt exposure during the pandemic. Tobin’s Q was the most significant determinant of capital structure, as it mitigated total debt by 0.25% during the pandemic. This result aligns with the pecking order theory, suggesting that firms prefer internal financing over debt. Simultaneously, combined scores (ESG) and the decomposed environment (E), social (S), and governance (G) scores individually and paired with the COVID-19 dummy negatively affected short-term debt by 0.012%, 0.015%, 0.0068%, and 0.00434%, respectively. This study’s results highlight the significance of firms adopting less debt-heavy policies during periods of heightened uncertainty to effectively manage financial risk. This result underscores the importance of prudent financial risk management strategies for navigating the challenges posed by sudden crises. Our findings suggest that a complex interplay of factors influences capital structure decisions during crises, with debt reduction and prudent risk management emerging as critical strategies.
Impact of Fruit Maturity on Internal Disorders in Vapor Heat Treated Mango Cv. ‘B74’
Authors: Khanal Amit , Ullah Muhammad Asad , Joyce Priya , White Neil , Macnish Andrew , Hoffman Eleanor , Irving Donald , Webb Richard , Joyce Daryl
Published: June 2024

UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) aims to reduce food losses in production and postharvest stages within supply chains. Identifying and addressing contributors to such losses is crucial to their reduction and to overall supply chain sustainability. Internal disorders (IDs) often contribute to postharvest losses and waste of highly perishable fruits like mangoes. Understanding and addressing influencers of susceptibility is limited but essential. Factors potentially associated with the expression of IDs in ‘B74’ mango commercial supply chains were investigated. Over three fruiting seasons (2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23), 43 export supply chains in Australia were monitored from two major production regions, the Northern Territory and North Queensland. Prior to export, the mangoes were subject to a mandatory phytosanitary vapor heat treatment (VHT) in which they were heated with saturated water vapor to a core temperature 46 °C maintained for 15 min and were then assessed for IDs at the end of their shelf life. The predominant IDs observed in the ‘B74’ fruit were flesh cavity with white patches (FCWP) and flesh browning (FB). VHT-induced FCWP, but not FB. Harvest maturity was identified as a predisposing factor. FB was generally positively correlated and FCWP was typically negatively correlated with fruit maturity at harvest. Relatively more-mature fruit was prone to FB irrespective of VHT, and relatively less-mature fruit was susceptible to FCWP post-VHT. Therefore, selective harvesting and/or sorting for optimum maturity after harvest can be practiced minimizing the incidence and severity of these two IDs in ‘B74’ fruit. Thus, dry matter (DM) sorting can contribute to postharvest loss reduction and the general sustainability of mango supply chains.
Decision Support for Carbon Emission Reduction Strategies in China’s Cement Industry: Prediction and Identification of Influencing Factors
Authors: Li Xiangqian , Li Keke , Tian Yaxin , Shen Siqi , Yu Yue , Jin Liwei , Meng Pengyu , Cao Jingjing , Zhang Xiaoxiao
Published: June 2024

China is one of the world’s largest producers and consumers of cement, making carbon emissions in the cement industry a focal point of current research and practice. This study explores the prediction of cement consumption and its influencing factors across 31 provinces in China using the RF-MLP-LR model. The results show that the RF-MLP-LR model performs exceptionally well in predicting cement consumption, with the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) below 10% in most provinces, indicating high prediction accuracy. Specifically, the model outperforms traditional models such as Random Forest (RF), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Logistic Regression (LR), especially in handling complex scenarios or specific regions. The study also conducts an in-depth analysis of key factors influencing cement consumption, highlighting the significant impact of factors such as per capita GDP, per capita housing construction area, and urbanization rate. These findings provide important insights for policy formulation, aiding the transition of China’s cement industry towards low-carbon, sustainable development, and contributing positively to achieving carbon neutrality goals.
Predicting the Global Extinction Risk for 6569 Species by Applying the Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method to the Impact of Future Land Use Changes
Authors: Liu Runya , Ohashi Haruka , Hirata Akiko , Tang Longlong , Matsui Tetsuya , Terasaki Kousuke , Furukawa Ryuzo , Itsubo Norihiro
Published: June 2024

Land use change is considered to be one of the key direct drivers of ecosystem erosion and biodiversity loss. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) serves as a robust tool for environmental impact assessment, featuring an advanced framework and indicators for assessing global biodiversity loss. In this research, we utilized the Species Distribution Model (SDM) to evaluate 6569 species across five taxonomic groups. We simulated habitat change and losses induced by land use changes under sustainable future scenarios from the present to 2100. This enables us to assess spatial extinction risks based on shifts in the global distribution of species. Our findings reveal a global biodiversity extinction risk of approximately 4.9 species/year, equivalent to an extinction rate of 745.9 E/MSY. Notably, higher-risk hotspots have been identified in regions such as South America, South Australia, and New Zealand. Although future sustainable scenarios involving land intensification may mitigate the biodiversity extinction rate, the objective of reaching 10 E/MSY by the end of this century remains a distant goal. By providing a more rational basis for biodiversity loss, the indicators of spatial extinction risk demonstrate the advantage of effectively reflecting regional characteristics.
The Frequency Characteristics of Vibration Events in an Underground Coal Mine and Their Implications on Rock Burst Monitoring and Prevention
Authors: Ren Jianju , Zhang Xin , Gu Qinghua , Zhang Wenlong , Wang Weiqin , Fan Long
Published: June 2024

The main frequency of microseismic signals has recently been identified as a dominant indicator for characterizing vibration events because it reflects the energy level of these events. Frequency information directly determines whether effective signals can be collected, which has a significant impact on the accuracy of predicting rock burst disasters. In this study, we adopted a characterizing method and developed a monitoring system for capturing rock failure events at various strata in an underground coal mine. Based on the rock break mechanism and energy release level, three types of rock failure events, namely, high roof breaking, low roof breaking, and coal fracture events, were evaluated separately using specific sensors and monitoring systems to optimize the monitoring accuracy and reduce the general cost. The captured vibration signals were processed and statistically analyzed to characterize the main frequency features for different rock failure events. It was found that the main frequency distribution ranges of low roof breaking, high roof breaking, and coal fracture events are 20–400 Hz, 1–180 Hz, and 1–800 Hz, respectively. Therefore, these frequency ranges are proposed to monitor different vibration events to improve detection accuracy and reduce the test and analysis times. The failure mechanism in a high roof is quite different from that of low roof failure and coal fracturing, with the main frequency and amplitude clustering in a limited zone close to the origin. Coal fracturing and lower roof failure show a synergistic effect both in the maximum amplitude and main frequency, which could be an indicator to distinguish failure locations in the vertical direction. This result can support the selection and optimization of the measurement range and main frequency parameters of microseismic monitoring systems. This study also discussed the distribution law of the maximum amplitude and main frequency of different events and the variation in test values with the measurement distance, which are of great significance in expanding the application of optimized microseismic monitoring systems for rock burst monitoring and prevention.
Microbial Protein Production Using Lignocellulosic Biomass (Switchgrass) and Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1—A Nitrogen Fixer
Authors: Ayodele Tawakalt , Alarape Kudirat , Bello Ibrahim Adebayo , Tijani Abodunrin , Musiliu Liadi , Hammed Ademola
Published: June 2024

The expanding global population has increased the demand for sustainable protein sources, and microbial protein (MP) has emerged as a promising alternative. However, conventional carbon (glucose) and nitrogen (ammonia, urea) sources needed for MP production pose environmental and economic issues. This study aims to produce protein using lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) as a carbon source and the nitrogen fixation ability of Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1 as a nitrogen source. The study investigates the pretreatment of LCB (switchgrass), enzymatic hydrolysis, protein quantification, nitrogen fixation, glucose utilization and organic acids production. K. oxytoca M5A1 harnessed free nitrogen from the atmosphere and used abundant, cheap glucose from LCB to produce MP and organic acids as by-products. Protein production occurred in two phases: first within the initial 8 h and secondly, within the last 16 h. The highest protein concentration was at 40 h, with approximately 683.46 µg/mL protein content. High-performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC) analysis revealed a dynamic profile of glucose utilization and organic acids (Lactic acid, Propionic acid, Acetic acid, and Succinic acid) production. K. oxytoca M5A1 exhibited an early high rate of glucose consumption, and conversion to organic acids, that were later used for second-phase protein production. The acids profile revealed intra-conversion from one acid to another via metabolic pathways (glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle). Overall, leveraging LCB and the nitrogen-fixing ability of K. oxytoca M5A1 for MP production offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional protein sources, contributing to a sustainable circular economy.
Effects of Olivine Alteration on Micro-Internal Structure and Geomechanical Properties of Basalts and Strength Prediction in These Rocks
Authors: Karaman Kadir , Kolaylı Hasan
Published: June 2024

Understanding the variations of the geomechanical properties of rocks in geotechnical projects from the perspective of their micro-structures and alteration conditions is crucial for ensuring the safety and long-term sustainability of rock engineering (e.g., tunnels, slopes, mining). This study was carried out on basaltic rocks from the Akcakale and Mersin vicinities in Trabzon City to investigate the geomechanical and mineralogical properties in comparison with the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS). This study was conducted in three different locations (A1, M2, and M3) where the basaltic rocks outcrop belongs to the same lithological formation. During this study, quite different results were obtained from the basalt samples taken from different sites and the reasons for these differences were examined by petrographic, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) analyses. Since the number of comprehensive studies on basalts is very limited, this study aims to investigate practical and useful equations in the estimation of the UCS for various alteration conditions. Statistically, significant relationships were observed between geomechanical properties with the UCS and serpentinization rate (SR). This study revealed that the serpentinization of the olivine mineral is the most important factor causing the differences in the experimental results. The proposed equations for estimating the UCS are particularly significant for geotechnical applications where direct sampling is challenging, such as in weak-rock environments.
Sustainable Green Educational Paths in the Italian Higher Education Institutions: A Text Mining Approach
Authors: Deriu Fiorenza , Gallo Raffaella
Published: June 2024

In response to the global imperative of environmental sustainability, higher education institutions play a pivotal role in shaping a green-conscious society. This study delves into the landscape of Italian university education, analyzing the green educational offer and examining the degree programs with a dedicated focus on environmental sustainability promoted during the academic year 2021–2022. For this purpose, we employed statistical-textual analyses techniques to examine the texts describing the educational objectives and the expected professional outcomes after the completion of the study paths for 179 Italian green degree courses (BA and MS), analyzing a corpus resulting in 144,709 occurrences. In particular, the multifaceted nature of the green educational approach, including its multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary orientation, attention to territorial dynamics, intersectoral collaboration, and the balance between theoretical and applied training, are studied. The results reveal an integration of these crucial elements within the Italian university educational offer. This research addresses the growing importance of environmental sustainability in higher education and provides insights into how Italian universities contribute to this global discourse. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on refining educational strategies, aligning with global sustainability goals, and fostering a generation of environmentally conscious and skilled professionals.
Quantitative Approaches for Analyzing the Potential Effectiveness of Vietnam’s Emissions Trading System: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tang Anh Quynh , Mizunoya Takeshi
Published: June 2024

Carbon pricing initiatives have been developed globally in recent decades. Among carbon pricing initiatives, direct carbon pricing, particularly the emissions trading system (ETS), has attracted the interest of stakeholders and nations. With its ambitious potential for climate change mitigation, Vietnam has considered establishing a domestic ETS. However, studies on the effectiveness and impact of Vietnam’s ETS are scarce. This study reviews the quantitative approaches to assessing Vietnam’s ETS and evaluates the methodologies, limitations, and challenges of current quantitative assessments such as the simple reduced-form emission projection method, computable general equilibrium (CGE), input–output analysis (IOA), and multi-criteria analysis. CGE and IOA are highly recommended to obtain comprehensive results. However, IOA is more capable of avoiding numerous assumptions, complicating the use of CGE. This study recommends directions for possible innovative improvements for utilizing IOA in future research on Vietnam’s ETS; thus, suggesting a competent approach for effectively analyzing ETS.
Simulation of Dynamic Path Planning of Symmetrical Trajectory of Mobile Robots Based on Improved A* and Artificial Potential Field Fusion for Natural Resource Exploration
Authors: Kozhubaev Yuriy , Yang Ruide
Published: June 2024

With the rapid development of new-generation artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technology, mobile robot technology has been widely used in various fields. Among them, the autonomous path-planning technology of mobile robots is one of the cores for realizing their autonomous driving and obstacle avoidance. This study conducts an in-depth discussion on the real-time and dynamic obstacle avoidance capabilities of mobile robot path planning. First, we proposed a preprocessing method for obstacles in the grid map, focusing on the closed processing of the internal space of concave obstacles to ensure the feasibility of the path while effectively reducing the number of grid nodes searched by the A* algorithm, thereby improving path search efficiency. Secondly, in order to achieve static global path planning, this study adopts the A algorithm. However, in practice, algorithm A has problems such as a large number of node traversals, low search efficiency, redundant path nodes, and uneven turning angles. To solve these problems, we optimized the A* algorithm, focusing on optimizing the heuristic function and weight coefficient to reduce the number of node traversals and improve search efficiency. In addition, we use the Bezier curve method to smooth the path and remove redundant nodes, thereby reducing the turning angle. Then, in order to achieve dynamic local path planning, this study adopts the artificial potential field method. However, the artificial potential field method has the problems of unreachable target points and local minima. In order to solve these problems, we optimized the repulsion field so that the target point is at the lowest point of the global energy of the gravitational field and the repulsive field and eliminated the local optimal point. Finally, for the path-planning problem of mobile robots in dynamic environments, this study proposes a hybrid path-planning method based on a combination of the improved A* algorithm and the artificial potential field method. In this study, we not only focus on the efficiency of mobile robot path planning and real-time dynamic obstacle avoidance capabilities but also pay special attention to the symmetry of the final path. By introducing symmetry, we can more intuitively judge whether the path is close to the optimal state. Symmetry is an important criterion for us to evaluate the performance of the final path.
Optimal Harvesting Strategies for Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products with Nonlinear Harvesting Terms
Authors: Zhang Yaning , Hao Lina , Zhang Shan
Published: June 2024

Forest resources are renewable, and the rational exploitation and utilization of forest resources are not only conducive to sustainable development on a population scale, they can also lead to higher economic benefits. Based on the actual timber harvest problem, this paper establishes the joint harvest model of timber and non-timber with nonlinear harvest items. In the numerical simulation, by comparing the existing proportional harvest model, it is concluded that the optimal harvest strategy of nonlinear harvest items in this paper can obtain larger ecological benefits and be more conducive to the sustainable development of a population. Firstly, using the qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations, the dynamic behavior of the model is studied, and the existence and stability of the equilibrium point of the model are proven. Secondly, the optimal control solution is obtained by using the optimal control theory. Finally, the optimal harvesting strategy of timber and non-timber products is given based on the numerical simulation results, and a comparison of the effects of different parameters on the optimal harvest strategy, which provides a certain theoretical basis for the sustainable development of the ecological economy of forestry, is carried out.
The Effect of a High-Performance Work System on Organizational Innovation Performance: The Mediating Effect of Employees’ Intrinsic Motivation and the Moderating Effect of Person–Organization Fit
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhu Lingfeng , Jin Xiu
Published: June 2024

The organizational system is directly associated with overall organizational management and sustainability. The reason is that the organizational system has a strong relationship with organizational performance. One of the most important functions of the organizational system is the high-performance work system, which is the system that manages the employees so that they can maximize their functions, this study focuses on the importance of a high-performance work system in order to achieve organizational goals and increase performance. In particular, a high-performance work system is directly related to innovation performance that secures the competitive advantage of organizations. Based on such background, this study focused on how a high-performance system improves innovation performance. Unlike previous studies, rather than simply focusing on variables exploration or main effect verification, we provided and verified the research model related to the process by which innovation performance occurs. Specifically, this study aimed to investigate whether high-performance work systems in organizations enhance employees’ innovation performance and examined the mediating role of employees’ intrinsic motivation in enhancing innovation performance. In addition, we investigated the moderating role of employee person–organization fit in high-performance work systems and employee intrinsic ation directly. To validate this model, we collected data from 309 members of Chinese SMEs. We found that high-performance work systems positively affect employees’ innovation performance through a person–organization fit and that employees’ person–organization fit significantly moderates the relationship between high-performance work systems and employees’ intrinsic motivation directly. Overall, this study expands the scope of research on the enhancement of employee innovation performance and provides a theoretical basis for related research, which is also a contribution of this study.
Exploring the Path of Green Innovation and High-Quality Development of Influential Regional Enterprises Based on the Analysis of the Dynamic QCA Method and MATLAB Sustainability Prediction
Authors: Liu Qijia , Kim Yeong-Gil
Published: June 2024

This study examines the multifactor linkage effects behind the differences in the sustainable development of green innovation of local enterprises in the spatio-temporal dimension so as to provide an important reference for the practice of sustainable development of green innovation of local enterprises. An analytical framework for the sustainable development of green innovation of local enterprises is established, and the dynamic QCA method is applied to analyse the provincial-level panel data of China from 2012 to 2021 to explore the linkage effect of each factor on the time axis, and to explore the differences of multifactors on the time axis. The study found that different factors may have different influence effects in different contexts. Firstly, while market demand is an important influencing factor, its role relative to economic drivers and social environment factors may be relatively limited in some contexts. Second, high levels of foreign investment and demand for innovation in the service sector have a significant impact on green innovation in local firms. At the same time, with the growing consumer preference for green products, green preferences in market demand have also begun to become an important factor influencing firms’ green innovation. Meanwhile, in the spatial dimension, the provincial coverage has obvious regional differences. This requires local governments to fully consider the actual situation of the region when formulating relevant policies, and promote green innovation according to local conditions. This experiment is the first attempt to use the joint application of dynamic QCA and MATLAB for the study of green innovation in local enterprises, exploring the consistency in the longitudinal time dimension.
Cross-Reactive Antibodies to the NS1 Protein of Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Are Absent in the Sera of Patients with Tick-Borne Encephalitis
Authors: Kravchuk Bogdana I. , Khlusevich Yana A. , Chicherina Galina S. , Yakimenko Valeriy V. , Krasnova Elena I. , Tikunova Nina N. , Matveev Andrey L.
Published: June 2024

Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV) is a member of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) complex of the Flaviviridae family. Currently, there are no data on the cross-reactivity of antibodies to the NS1 proteins of OHFV and TBEV. Such data are of major interest for monitoring viral encephalitis of unknown etiology due to the increasing geographical distribution of OHFV. In this study, a recombinant OHFV NS1 protein was produced using the Escherichia coli expression system and purified. The recombinant OHFV NS1 protein was recognized by specific mice immune ascetic fluids to the native OHFV NS1 protein. A Western blot analysis and ELISA of the recombinant NS1 proteins of OHFV and TBEV were used to study the cross-reactivity of antibodies from immune ascites fluid obtained from OHFV-infected mice and mAbs against TBEV NS1. Anti-TBEV NS1 mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been shown to not be cross-reactive to the OHFV NS1 protein. Sera from patients with confirmed tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) were examined by ELISA using recombinant OHFV NS1 and TBEV NS1 proteins as antigens. It was shown for the first time that cross-reactive antibodies to the OHFV NS1 protein were not detected in the sera of TBE patients, whereas the sera contained antibodies to the TBEV NS1 protein.
A Review of Atypical Cutaneous Histological Manifestations of Herpes Zoster
Authors: Daruish Maged , Cazzato Gerardo , Markiewicz Dorota , Taibjee Saleem , Fortarezza Francesco , Calonje Eduardo
Published: June 2024

The clinical and histopathological features of herpes zoster (HZ) are usually straightforward. Atypical histological presentations, in the absence of the classical viral cytopathic changes, are well documented and can make the diagnosis of HZ extremely difficult. Herein, we review the existing literature on atypical cutaneous histological manifestations of the disease, with emphasis on the subtle clues, use of immunohistochemistry, and potential pitfalls.
Elevated Inflammation Associated with Markers of Neutrophil Function and Gastrointestinal Disruption in Pilot Study of Plasmodium fragile Co-Infection of ART-Treated SIVmac239+ Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Nemphos Sydney M. , Green Hannah C. , Prusak James E. , Fell Sallie L. , Goff Kelly , Varnado Megan , Didier Kaitlin , Guy Natalie , Moström Matilda J. , Tatum Coty , Massey Chad , Barnes Mary B. , Rowe Lori A. , Allers Carolina , Blair Robert V. , Embers Monica E. , Maness Nicholas J. , Marx Preston A. , Grasperge Brooke , Kaur Amitinder , De Paris Kristina , Shaffer Jeffrey G. , Hensley-McBain Tiffany , Londono-Renteria Berlin , Manuzak Jennifer A.
Published: June 2024

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium spp., are endemic in similar geographical locations. As a result, there is high potential for HIV/Plasmodium co-infection, which increases the pathology of both diseases. However, the immunological mechanisms underlying the exacerbated disease pathology observed in co-infected individuals are poorly understood. Moreover, there is limited data available on the impact of Plasmodium co-infection on antiretroviral (ART)-treated HIV infection. Here, we used the rhesus macaque (RM) model to conduct a pilot study to establish a model of Plasmodium fragile co-infection during ART-treated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, and to begin to characterize the immunopathogenic effect of co-infection in the context of ART. We observed that P. fragile co-infection resulted in parasitemia and anemia, as well as persistently detectable viral loads (VLs) and decreased absolute CD4+ T-cell counts despite daily ART treatment. Notably, P. fragile co-infection was associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1). P. fragile co-infection was also associated with increased levels of neutrophil elastase, a plasma marker of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, but significant decreases in markers of neutrophil degranulation, potentially indicating a shift in the neutrophil functionality during co-infection. Finally, we characterized the levels of plasma markers of gastrointestinal (GI) barrier permeability and microbial translocation and observed significant correlations between indicators of GI dysfunction, clinical markers of SIV and Plasmodium infection, and neutrophil frequency and function. Taken together, these pilot data verify the utility of using the RM model to examine ART-treated SIV/P. fragile co-infection, and indicate that neutrophil-driven inflammation and GI dysfunction may underlie heightened SIV/P. fragile co-infection pathogenesis.
Dynamic Changes in Viral Loads during Co-Infection with a Recombinant Turkey Herpesvirus Vector Vaccine and Very Virulent Marek’s Disease Virus In Vivo
Authors: Ding Tian , Xiong Min , Xu Yang , Pu Xing , Wang Qin-sen , Xu Mo-ru , Shao Hong-xia , Qian Kun , Dang Hai-bin , Qin Ai-jian
Published: June 2024

Marek’s disease (MD), caused by the Marek’s disease virus (MDV), is a common infectious tumor disease in chickens and was the first neoplastic disease preventable by vaccination. However, the vaccine cannot completely prevent virulent MDV infections, allowing both the vaccine and virulent MDV to coexist in the same chicken for extended periods. This study aims to investigate the changes in viral load of the very virulent strain Md5 and the rHVT-IBD vaccine in different chicken tissues using a real-time PCR assay. The results showed that the rHVT-IBD vaccine significantly reduced the viral load of MDV-Md5 in different organs, while the load of rHVT-IBD was significantly increased when co-infected with Md5. Additionally, co-infection with Md5 and rHVT-IBD in chickens not only changed the original viral load of both viruses but also affected the positive rate of Md5 at 14 days post-vaccination. The positive rate decreased from 100% to 14.29% (feather tips), 0% (skin), 33.33% (liver), 16.67% (spleen), 28.57% (thymus), 33.33% (bursa), and 66.67% (PBL), respectively. This study enhances our understanding of the interactions between HVT vector vaccines and very virulent MDV in chickens and provides valuable insights for the future development of MD vaccines.
Acquired Hemophilia A after SARS-CoV-2 Immunization: A Narrative Review of a Rare Side Effect
Authors: Castelli Roberto , Gidaro Antonio , Manetti Roberto , Castiglia Paolo , Delitala Alessandro Palmerio , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Pasca Samantha
Published: June 2024

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare bleeding disorder (1.4 per million inhabitants per year) caused by neutralizing antibodies against factor VIII. Although uncommon, these autoantibodies can cause a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Several conditions are linked with AHA; based on an EACH2 study, 3.8% of AHA could be connected to infection. In the last four years, most humans have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 infection or have been vaccinated against it. Whether or not COVID-19 immunization might induce AHA remains controversial. This review aims to evaluate the evidence about this possible association. Overall, 18 manuscripts (2 case series and 16 case reports) were included. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, as also happens with other vaccines, may stimulate an autoimmune response. However, older individuals with various comorbidities are both at risk of developing AHA and of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccine must always be administered because the benefits still outweigh the risks. Yet, we should consider the rare possibility that the activation of an immunological response through vaccination may result in AHA. Detailed registries and prospective studies would be necessary to analyze this post-vaccine acquired bleeding disorder, looking for possible markers and underlying risk factors for developing the disease in association with vaccination.
Enhancing Water Management: A Comparative Analysis of Time Series Prediction Models for Distributed Water Flow in Supply Networks
Authors: Pires Carlos , Martins Mónica V.
Published: June 2024

Water scarcity poses a significant challenge to social integration and economic development, necessitating efficient water management strategies. This study compares time series forecasting models, both classical, Holt–Winters and ARIMA, and modern, LSTM and Prophet, to determine the most accurate model for predicting water flow in public supply networks. Data from four rural Portuguese locations were used, with preprocessing ensuring quality and uniformity. Performance metrics were evaluated for both medium-term (10 days) and long-term (3 months) forecasts. Results indicate that classical models like Holt–Winters and ARIMA perform better for medium-term predictions, while modern models, particularly LSTM, excel in long-term forecasts by effectively capturing seasonal patterns. Future research should integrate additional variables and explore hybrid models to enhance forecasting accuracy.
Vertical Distribution Patterns of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soil Solution: Insights from a Wetland Trial Site in the Li River Basin
Authors: Gong Chunjin , Han Junlei , Dai Junfeng , Xia Rui , Wan Zupeng , Zhang Shuaipu , Xu Jingxuan
Published: June 2024

Agricultural activities contribute significantly to the pollution of groundwater through the incomplete absorption of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Understanding the vertical migration patterns of N and P in soil solution is crucial for controlling groundwater quality. This study is based on monitoring data of soil solution nitrogen and phosphorus at different depths (30 cm, 60 cm, 100 cm) in the Huixian Wetland Experimental Area in the Li River Basin from March to December 2021. The vertical distribution patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil solution in the study area are elucidated from three aspects: seasonal variations, karst types, and land use. The results indicate that the following: (1) NO3−-N is the predominant form of nitrogen, generally decreasing with increasing soil depth, while NH4+-N concentrations show slight increases and TP concentrations remain relatively stable. Overall, NO3−-N and TN concentrations tend to accumulate at 30 cm and 60 cm depths during both irrigation and non-irrigation seasons, with no distinct distribution patterns observed for NH4+-N and TP. (2) During the irrigation season, the migration distance of NO3−-N in non-karst landforms is mainly at 60 cm, while in peak forest plains, it is mainly at 100 cm, with no clear trend observed in NO3−-N concentrations in peak cluster depressions. In non-irrigation seasons, the distribution of NO3−-N content in non-karst landforms and peak cluster depressions is mainly 30 cm > 60 cm > 100 cm. The downward migration distance of NH4+-N generally follows the order of peak cluster depressions > peak forest plains > non-karst landforms. (3) During the irrigation season, NO3−-N concentrations in paddy fields remain relatively high at 100 cm, while in drylands, NO3−-N concentrations generally follow the pattern of 30 cm > 60 cm > 100 cm but may exhibit anomalous increases or decreases at 60 cm and 100 cm depths during heavy rainfall.
Effects of Coal Mining Activities on the Changes in Microbial Community and Geochemical Characteristics in Different Functional Zones of a Deep Underground Coal Mine
Authors: Xu Zhimin , Zhang Li , Gao Yating , Tan Xianfeng , Sun Yajun , Chen Weixiao
Published: June 2024

For deep underground coal mining ecosystems, research on microbial communities and geochemical characteristics of sediments in different functional zones is lacking, resulting in the knowledge of zone-level mine water pollution prevention and control being narrow. In this study, we surveyed the geochemical distinctions and microbial communities of five typical functional zones in a representative North China coalfield, Xinjulong coal mine. The data indicated that the geochemical compounds and microbial communities of sediments showed distinguishing features in each zone. The microbial community richness and diversity were ranked as follows: surface water > rock roadways > sumps > coal roadways ≥ goafs. Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), Spearman correlation and co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that microbial communities were sensitive and closely related to hydrochemical processes. The microbial community distribution in the underground mine was closely related not only to nutrient elements (i.e., C, S, P and N), but also to redox-sensitive substances (i.e., Fe and As). When it comes to mine water pollution prevention and control, the central zones are goafs. With the increase in goaf closure time, total nitrogen (TN), total organic carbon (TOC) and total sulfur (TS) decreased, but As, Fe and total phosphorus (TP) gradually increased, and the characteristic pollutant SO42− concentration in water samples decreased. Additionally, the sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) had relatively higher proportions in goafs, suggesting goafs were able to purify themselves. In practical engineering, in situ nitrogen injection technology used to expel oxygen and create an anaerobic environment can be implemented to enhance SRB reducing sulfate in goafs. Meanwhile, because coal mine pollution discharge generally only discharges mine water and leaves sediment underground, the pollutants can be transferred to the sediment by strengthening the relevant reactions including the heavy metal solidification and stabilization function of bacteria.