bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dual Impact and Spatial Spillover Effects of the Digital Economy on Urban–Rural Integration
Authors: Bian Jinxin , Tang Decai , Fang Yan
Published: January 2025

With the advent of the information age, the digital economy has become an important force in promoting economic and social development; however, its impact on urban–rural relations remains controversial. The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution trends of both the digital economy and urban–rural integration in China. It focuses on exploring the spatial spillover effects and dual effects of the digital economy on urban–rural integration. Utilizing comprehensive data from 31 provinces spanning from 2000 to 2021, this paper employs multiple econometric models to analyze the intricate relationship between these two phenomena. The key findings indicate that, in the short term, the digital economy has a dampening effect on urban–rural integration, with an estimated total short-term impact of −4.21. Conversely, in the long run, the digital economy significantly fosters urban–rural integration, exhibiting a long-term effect of 0.47. Moreover, the digital economy exhibits notable spatial spillover effects, influencing adjacent areas through mechanisms such as technology diffusion and knowledge dissemination. This spatial spillover effect is pronounced within a radius of one to two provinces or approximately 540 km and gradually diminishes as the distance increases. This paper provides a new perspective for understanding the complex relationship between the digital economy and urban–rural integration with an important reference value for promoting coordinated urban–rural development in China.
Risk in Sustainability Reporting: Designing a DEMATEL-Based Model for Enhanced Transparency and Accountability
Authors: Kazemi Ahmadreza , Mehrani Sasan , Homayoun Saeid
Published: January 2025

The primary concern of research in the area of fraud risk relevant to sustainability reporting lies in understanding the potential for fraudulent or misleading reporting practices and developing strategies and tools to identify and prevent such behaviors. Taking into consideration that significant research has yet to be conducted on fraud risk models associated with sustainability reporting, this study represents an innovative contribution. It uses a mixed-methods approach to design a fraud risk model based on sustainability reporting. Given its type and approach, this research does not posit any hypotheses involving thematic analysis and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method. This study is exploratory and applied, aiming to design a model through a mixed-methods methodology. Therefore, the research is hypothesis-free and instead utilizes a qualitative sample of experts and academics in the field of accounting from Iran and Denmark. The DEMATEL technique identifies key external and internal factors that significantly impact sustainability reporting, including comprehensive internal controls, strong governance and oversight, training and awareness, the utilization of technology, and data analytics. The influence of stakeholders, third-party audits, and the credibility of sustainability reports emerges as particularly significant in this context, exceeding the impact of other factors. These findings underscore that stakeholders, third-party audits, and report credibility to play a more prominent role in shaping sustainability performance compared to other considerations. This would imply that such variables remain key drivers in the perceptiveness and effectiveness of sustainability performance.
Does Local Government Debt Affect Corporate Innovation Quality? Evidence from China
Authors: Ma Xuerong , Chen Xiangfen , Cao Qilong , Wei Haohao
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of local government debt levels on the behavior of individual firms, which is crucial for understanding the systemic risks associated with local government debt and fostering economic vitality. Using data from publicly listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2013 and 2022, this study empirically examines the effect of local government debt on corporate innovation quality. The findings demonstrate that local government debt expansion has a significant negative impact on corporate innovation quality. The negative impact remains robust across endogeneity tests and multiple robustness checks. Channel analysis indicates that as local government debt increases, innovation subsidies and procurement funding led toward firms’ decline, while both tax and non-tax revenue demands indicated firm increases. This resource reallocation contributes to the observed decline in corporate innovation quality. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that regions with lower levels of government intervention and fiscal pressure exhibit a smaller negative effect of local government debt on innovation quality. Finally, examining the economic outcomes reveals that the decline in innovation quality, resulting from current local debt expansion, significantly reduces total factor productivity and firm value in the subsequent year, posing challenges for sustainable corporate development.
Sustainability Assessment of Employing Chemical Recycling Technologies on Multilayer Packaging Waste
Authors: Jasiński Dominik , Djekic Ilija , Dobrović Luka
Published: January 2025

While multilayer plastic is difficult for recycling, innovative technologies and tactics are being developed to improve the process. New technologies in chemical recycling show promising results; however, the net improvement brought to the environment, economy, and society should be assessed for their wider adoption and diffusion. This study focuses on a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) of an innovative process for the sorting and chemical recycling of multilayer plastic packaging waste from post-consumer sources to obtain new packaging for the food industry. The analysis indicated that the packaging made of rPET obtained through depolymerization is environmentally and economically competitive compared to the virgin PET. Packaging made of rPET and rLDPE obtained through delamination usually performed worse (or comparable) than the virgin counterparts. The social impact assessment indicated some areas of concern (e.g., workers’ health and safety risks due to exposure to hazardous substances), as well as potential opportunities (e.g., improved local employment). This paper is the first to present a synergetic approach to the sustainability assessment of chemical recycling technologies to obtain new high-performance packaging solutions. It provides useful insights to academics, managers, and decision makers in the plastic recycling sector whether (and under what conditions) the chemical recycling of multilayer plastic waste is feasible from the environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Despite associated uncertainties, the results are promising as an attractive option for further research, optimization, and upscaling.
Sports and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Review of Their Contribution to the SDGs and Public Health
Authors: Campillo-Sánchez Javier , Borrego-Balsalobre Francisco José , Díaz-Suárez Arturo , Morales-Baños Vicente
Published: January 2025

This systematic review aims to explore the role of sports in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a special focus on SDG 3, which pertains to health and well-being. It seeks to analyze how sports can prevent non-communicable diseases, promote mental and physical health, and offer constructive alternatives for addiction prevention and treatment. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA-NMA 2020 guidelines. The research question was formulated using the PICO framework. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct were searched using appropriate keywords and Boolean operators. Eligibility criteria were applied to select relevant studies, which were then assessed for quality using CASPe and GRADE systems. The review identified that sports significantly contribute to the achievement of multiple SDGs, notably SDG 3, by enhancing physical and mental health, reducing non-communicable diseases, and promoting well-being. From the analysis of the reviewed articles, which include these aspects, it is concluded that sport significantly impacts sustainable development and can be a powerful tool to address public health and social problems. Sports also play a vital role in economic growth, social inclusion, and gender equality. However, challenges such as inequitable access to sports facilities, gender disparities, and environmental impacts of sports activities were highlighted. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted impact of sports on sustainable development, emphasizing its potential to address health and social challenges. It offers evidence-based insights and practical recommendations for integrating sports into sustainable development strategies, highlighting the need for inclusive and environmentally responsible sports policies and practices.
Decarbonization of the Waste Industry in the U.S.A. and the European Union
Authors: Paleologos Evan K. , Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen O. , Mohamed Dina , Al Nahyan Moza T. , Farouk Sherine , Singh Devendra N.
Published: January 2025

Methane (CH4) emissions from the waste industry in the U.S.A. and the European Union (EU) have decreased by over 38% from 1990 to 2021. The success in CH4 emission reduction in the U.S.A. is attributable to two main reasons. Firstly, the increase in the recycling and composting share to 32% of managed waste, thus removing decomposable material from landfills, and secondly, the implementation of methane capture and utilization programs, which have reduced the CH4 released into the atmosphere from 1990 to 2022 by over 60%. By 2022, the EU had reduced landfilling to 23% of the total waste, with waste-to-energy and composting more than double that of their U.S. counterparts, and recycling alone attaining a share of 30%. The EU’s success has been the result of aggressive European legislation requiring biodegradable MSW going to landfills to be reduced by 2035 to 10% of that in 1995, and 65% of packaging waste to be retrieved and recycled by 2025. In terms of N2O emissions, in the EU there was a decrease from wastewater processes from 1990 to 2021, but an overall increase due to waste-to-energy operations, whereas in the U.S.A., both wastewater treatment and solid waste incineration appear to contribute to N2O emissions.
Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Organic and Locally Produced Walnuts: A Choice Experiment Approach
Authors: Jaramillo-Villanueva José Luis , Rahmani Djamel , Gil-Roig José , Carranza-Cerda Ignacio
Published: January 2025

Consumers’ increasing concern for their health, the environment, and ethical aspects of food production has generated a growing demand for organic and local produce. Specific information on consumer preferences, at the regional and product level, is necessary for producers to make better decisions. To investigate consumer preferences and their willingness to pay a premium for locally produced and organic walnut systems, we used a discrete choice experiment. Data were collected using face-to-face questionnaires from a representative sample of 501 walnut consumers from the main cities of Puebla, Mexico. The results showed heterogeneous preferences for different types of walnuts, with higher marginal utility and willingness to pay a premium for locally produced and organic nuts. However, lower preference was identified for the latter, with respect to locally produced nuts. Potential buyers of nuts were people under 40 years of age, with a monthly income of more than EUR 1500, and environmental advocates. Our findings provide producers, sellers, and policy makers with useful information that can guide them in developing successful market segmentation, communication, and pricing strategies for the walnut production and marketing.
Reaching Near-Zero Environmental Impact in Heritage Buildings: The Case of the Wine Cellar of Rocafort de Queralt
Authors: Onecha Belén , Herrador Eduardo , Castillo Rosnery , Bosch Montserrat
Published: January 2025

In the current context of a necessary reduction in environmental impact, the reuse of heritage buildings is key. Although architectural rehabilitation already significantly reduces this impact, thermal comfort facilities present several challenges, both due to the huge visual impact they entail, compromising buildings’ historical values, as well as the environmental impact due to machines and ducts and the operating energy consumption. This paper demonstrates, through the case study of the Rocafort de Queralt Wine Cellar, that it is possible to reduce to nearly zero the thermal comfort facilities of converted heritage buildings for public cultural use. This historic building, considered one of the “Wine Cathedrals” in Spain, was built in 1918 and is characterized by its architectural style typical of Catalan modernism. The method applied was in situ monitoring, combined with dynamic simulation with DesignBuilder v7 software and NECADA software v2024, considering four different scenarios of the building: (1) the current state; (2) after passive improvements; (3) after architectural rehabilitation; and (4) subject to the climatic conditions expected for 2050 according to IPCC AR4 A2. The conclusions are surprising. In Scenario 2, 87% thermal comfort is reached with zero facilities, and 100% thermal comfort is reached when the location of cultural activities within the building is changed according to geographical orientation and the season of the year.
Influencing Factors Analysis and Prediction of Gas Emission in Mining Face
Authors: Bao Ruoyu , Feng Quanchao , Lei Changkui
Published: January 2025

Mine gas emission is one of the main causes of gas disasters. In order to achieve the accurate prediction of gas emission, a gas emission prediction model based on the random forest (RF) method was proposed in combination with the analysis of its influencing factors. The prediction results were compared with the support vector regression (SVR) and BP neural network (BPNN) methods, and then they were verified and analyzed through the Dongqu coal mine. The results show that the gas emission prediction model based on random forest has strong generalization and robustness, and RF has a wide range of parameter adaptation during the modeling process. When the number of trees (ntree) exceeds 100, its training error tends to stabilize, and changes in ntree have no substantial impact on the prediction performance. The SVR prediction model has significant bias in both the training and testing stages. Meanwhile, the BPNN model has excellent prediction results in the training phase, but there is a large error in the testing stage, which indicates that there is an “overfitting” phenomenon in the training stage, resulting in weak generalization. The evaluation of variable importance shows that the extraction rate, coal seam depth, daily production, gas content in adjacent layers, and coal seam thickness have a significant impact on gas emission. Meanwhile, through application analysis, it is further demonstrated that the random forest method has high accuracy, strong stability, and universality, and it can achieve good predictive performance without the need for complex parameter settings and optimization, making it is very suitable for predicting gas emission.
Analyzing Urban Air Quality Perceptions: Integrating Socio-Demographic Patterns with Sensor-Based Measurements Using Regression Model and Multidimensional Scaling
Authors: Veres Cristina , Bacos Ioan-Bogdan , Tănase Maria , Gabor Manuela Rozalia
Published: January 2025

In this study, the urban air quality perceptions are explored in the metropolitan area of Târgu Mureș, Romania, emphasizing the interaction between socio-demographic factors, air quality measures, and industrial activity. The research addresses the need to understand how public perceptions align with objective air quality data and industrial influences, aiming to support sustainable urban planning. Data were gathered through a structured survey of 321 respondents and complemented by air quality measurements, including PM2.5 and PM10, and industrial production data. Statistical analyses, such as regression models and multidimensional scaling (PROXSCAL), were applied to identify patterns and relationships between socio-demographic characteristics, perceived air quality, and environmental factors. The results reveal significant links between demographic factors (e.g., age, awareness of local initiatives) and perceptions of air quality, alongside a nuanced interaction between air quality indicators and industrial activity. Respondents frequently identified traffic and industrial emissions as major contributors to air pollution, which was corroborated by sensor data trends. The findings underline the importance of integrating public perceptions with empirical data to design targeted policies and foster community engagement. This comprehensive approach provides actionable insights for improving urban air quality and advancing sustainable practices in mid-sized cities like Târgu Mureș.
Asymmetry Between Queues with Correlated Service and Correlated Arrivals
Authors: Chydzinski Andrzej
Published: January 2025

It is known that a correlation in either the service or interarrival times causes a deterioration in the performance of a queuing system. This study aimed to determine which of the two correlations—in the service times or in the interarrival times—has a stronger influence on the expected queue length, assuming an identical autocorrelation function in both cases. To achieve this goal, a formula for the expected queue length in a system with correlated arrivals was derived first. This new formula, along with a known formula for the expected queue length in a system with correlated service, was used to compare the influence of the two correlations. Various scenarios were studied, such as cases where the common correlation was positive or negative, where the variance of the service or interarrival time was low or high, and where the system load was low or high. Furthermore, both the time-dependent and the steady-state behaviors of the systems were compared. The following two key observations were made. If the impact of other factors on the queue length is minor, then a positive correlation has a worse effect on the queue length when present in service times than in arrival times. On the contrary, a negative correlation has a worse effect on the queue length when present in arrival times than in service times.
Gauge Covariance of the Gap Equation: From the Rainbow Truncation to Gauge Symmetry Constraints
Authors: El-Bennich Bruno
Published: January 2025

The gauge covariance of the quark gap equation is compared for the case of three different quark–gluon vertices: the bare vertex, a Ball–Chiu-like vertex constrained by the corresponding Slavnov–Taylor identity, and a full vertex including the transverse components derived from transverse Slavnov–Taylor identities. The covariance properties are verified with the chiral quark condensate and the pion decay constant in the chiral limit.
On Ulam Stability of Functional Equations in Non-Archimedean Spaces
Authors: Ciepliński Krzysztof
Published: January 2025

We present a survey of outcomes on Ulam stability of functional equations in non-Archimedean normed spaces. We focus mainly on functional equations in several variables (including the Cauchy equation, the Jordan–von Neumann equation, the Jensen equation, and their generalizations), but we also report a result on a general equation in a single variable, which can be applied to the very important linear functional equation. Let us note that one can observe the symmetry between the presented results and the analogous ones obtained for both classical and two-normed spaces.
Gaussian Process-Based Robust Optimization with Symmetry Modeling and Variable Selection
Authors: Feng Zebiao , Ye Xinyu , Huang Weidong , Zhai Cuihong
Published: January 2025

Gaussian process (GP)-based robust optimization is an effective tool in product quality improvement. However, most existing variable selection methods are designed for parametric models and are unsuitable for nonparametric GP models. Additionally, improving the prediction accuracy of GP models with limited design points remains a significant challenge in robust optimization. To address these issues, this article proposes a GP-based multi-stage robust parameter optimization method that integrates symmetry modeling, sensitivity analysis (SA), and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques. First, a modified expected improvement (EI) criterion is introduced to enhance the utilization efficiency of design points. Second, a nonparametric variable selection technique based on SA is developed for GP models to identify significant variables. This method considers both independent variables and their interactions, improving the interpretability of GP models. Finally, the selected variables are used to construct the robust optimization model, and the genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to search for the optimal solution within the feasible domain. Numerical simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparative results indicate that the proposed method obtains more robust optimal input parameter settings compared to existing approaches.
Driver Takeover Performance Prediction Based on LSTM-BiLSTM-ATTENTION Model
Authors: Chen Lijie , Li Daofei , Wang Tao , Chen Jun , Yuan Quan
Published: January 2025

Ensuring the driver’s readiness to take over before a takeover request is issued by an autonomous driving system is crucial for a safe takeover. However, current takeover prediction models suffer from poor prediction accuracy and do not consider the time dependence of input features. In this regard, this study proposes a hybrid LSTM-BiLSTM-ATTENTION algorithm for driver takeover performance prediction. By building a takeover scenario and conducting experiments in the driving simulation experimental platform under the human–machine co-driving environment, the relevant state indicators in the 15 s per second before the takeover request is sent are extracted from three perspectives, namely, driver state, traffic environment, and personal attributes, as model inputs, and the level of takeover performance was labeled; the hybrid LSTM-BiLSTM-ATTENTION algorithm is used to construct a driver takeover performance prediction model and compare it with other five algorithms. The results show that the algorithm proposed in this study performs optimally, with an accuracy of 93.11%, a precision of 93.02%, a recall of 93.28%, and an F1 score of 93.12%. This study provides new ideas and methods for realizing the accurate prediction of driver takeover performance, and it can provide a decision basis for the safe design of self-driving vehicles.
Application of Graph Theory and Variants of Greedy Graph Coloring Algorithms for Optimization of Distributed Peer-to-Peer Blockchain Networks
Authors: Švarcmajer Miljenko , Ivanović Denis , Rudec Tomislav , Lukić Ivica
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the application of graph theory and variants of greedy graph coloring algorithms for the optimization of distributed peer-to-peer networks, with a special focus on private blockchain networks. The graph coloring problem, as an NP-hard problem, presents a challenge in determining the minimum number of colors needed to efficiently allocate resources within the network. The paper deals with the influence of different graph density, i.e., the number of links, on the efficiency of greedy algorithms such as DSATUR, Descending, and Ascending. Experimental results show that increasing the number of links in the network contributes to a more uniform distribution of colors and increases the resistance of the network, whereby the DSATUR algorithm achieves the most uniform color saturation. The optimal configuration for a 100-node network has been identified at around 2000 to 2500 links, which achieves stability without excessive redundancy. These results are applied in the context of a private blockchain network that uses optimal connectivity to achieve high resilience and efficient resource allocation. The research findings suggest that adapting network configuration using greedy algorithms can contribute to the optimization of distributed systems, making them more stable and resilient to loads.
Fast Hadamard-Encoded 7T Spectroscopic Imaging of Human Brain
Authors: Moon Chan Hong , Lieberman Frank S. , Hetherington Hoby P. , Pan Jullie W.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The increased SNR available at 7T combined with fast readout trajectories enables accelerated spectroscopic imaging acquisitions for clinical applications. In this report, we evaluate the performance of a Hadamard slice encoding strategy with a 2D rosette trajectory for multi-slice fast spectroscopic imaging at 7T. Methods: Moderate-TE (~40 ms) spin echo and J-refocused polarization transfer sequences were acquired with simultaneous Hadamard multi-slice excitations and rosette in-plane encoding. The moderate spin echo sequence, which targets singlet compounds (i.e., N-acetyl aspartate, creatine, and choline), uses cascaded multi-slice RF excitation pulses to minimize the chemical shift dispersion error. The J-refocused sequence targets coupled spin systems (i.e., glutamate and myo-inositol) using simultaneous multi-slice excitation to maintain the same TE across all slices. A modified Hadamard slice encoding strategy was used to decrease the peak RF pulse amplitude of the simultaneous multi-slice excitation pulse for the J-refocused acquisition. Results: The accuracy of multi-slice and single-slice rosette spectroscopic imaging (RSI) is comparable to conventional Cartesian-encoded spectroscopic imaging (CSI). Spectral analyses for the J-refocused studies of glutamate and myo-inositol show that the Cramer Rao lower bounds are not significantly different between the fast RSI and conventional CSI studies. Linear regressions of creatine/N-acetyl aspartate and glutamate/N-acetyl aspartate with tissue gray matter content are consistent with literature values. Conclusions: With minimal gradient demands and fast acquisition times, the 2.2 min to 9 min for single- to four-slice RSI acquisitions are well tolerated by healthy subjects and tumor patients, and show results that are consistent with clinical outcomes.
Effects of Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure on Liver Cell Damage, Oxidative Stress, and Gene Expression in Juvenile Crucian Carp (Carassius auratus)
Authors: Li Xiangtong , Huang Yuequn , Li Wenrong , Deng Chaoyang , Cao Weiyuan , Yao Yi
Published: January 2025

A considerable quantity of microplastic debris exists in the environment and the toxicity of these materials has a notable impact on aquatic ecosystems. In this paper, 50–500 µm polystyrene microplastics (exposure concentrations were 200 µg/L, 800 µg/L, and 3200 µg/L concentrations) were selected to study the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on cell morphology, detoxification enzyme activity, and mRNA expression in the liver tissues of crucian carp juveniles. The results demonstrated that: (1) Different concentrations of PS-MPs cause varying degrees of pathological and oxidative damage to liver tissue cells of crucian carp. The higher the concentration of microplastics, the lower the antioxidant enzyme (CAT, GST, SOD) activity and the greater the tissue cell damage. These results demonstrate a typical dose–effect relationship. (2) Principal component analysis and Spearman’s correlation analysis demonstrated that four components, namely glutathione S-transferase (GST) and its related genes (GSTpi, GSTα), along with catalase (CAT), contributed the most to the observed outcome. These four components demonstrated a relatively high level of responsiveness to PS-MP exposure and can be employed as ecotoxicological indicators of microplastics. (3) This experiment evaluated five genes in three treatments, which found that PS-MPs had different effects on gene expression in the liver and the tested genes were involved in different response pathways associated with virulence. In this study, the toxicity of PS-MPs to crucian carp was determined at the cellular, protein, and mRNA expression levels, and combined with principal component analysis and correlation analysis to identify response sensitivity indicators that provide a scientific basis for ecological risk assessment and the safe use of microplastics.
Shared Decision-Making in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Review
Authors: Grossi Alessandra Agnese
Published: January 2025

Solid organ transplantation entails numerous complex medical and ethical decisions. Shared decision-making (SDM) has been advocated as the optimal model for navigating these decisions, providing a collaborative framework that enhances person-centered care. This approach involves patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in the decision-making process, ensuring that clinical decisions align with patient preferences, values, and individual circumstances alongside clinical indications. This paper reviews the implementation of SDM throughout the transplantation journey, from diagnosis and transplant referral, pre-transplant assessments, waiting lists, to the organ offer, perioperative period, and long-term follow-up. Barriers to SDM include factors at the patient, provider, and system levels, including inadequate patient–provider communication. Effective SDM requires tailored educational resources, prognostic tools, clinician training, collaborative care models, and supportive policies. Additionally, leveraging technology, such as artificial intelligence and mobile applications, can enhance patient engagement and decision quality. SDM promotes equity by involving all patients—including those from more vulnerable groups—in meaningful conversations about their treatment options, thereby mitigating disparities in access and outcomes. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of SDM interventions, the development of comprehensive prognostic tools incorporating patient-reported outcomes, and systemic changes to integrate SDM into clinical practice, aiming to improve patient outcomes and person-centered care.
Quantum-Ordering Ambiguities in Weak Chern—Simons 4D Gravity and Metastability of the Condensate-Induced Inflation
Authors: Dorlis Panagiotis , Mavromatos Nick E. , Vlachos Sotirios-Neilos
Published: January 2025

In this work, we elaborate further on a (3+1)-dimensional cosmological Running-Vacuum-type-Model (RVM) of inflation based on string-inspired Chern-Simons(CS) gravity, involving axions coupled to gravitational-CS(gCS) anomalous terms. Inflation in such models is caused by primordial-gravitational-waves(GW)-induced condensation of the gCS terms, which leads to a linear-axion potential. We demonstrate that this inflationary phase may be metastable, due to the existence of imaginary parts of the gCS condensate. These are quantum effects, proportional to commutators of GW perturbations, hence vanishing in the classical theory. Their existence is quantum-ordering-scheme dependent. We argue in favor of a physical importance of such imaginary parts, which we compute to second order in the GW (tensor) perturbations in the framework of a gauge-fixed effective Lagrangian, within a (mean field) weak-quantum-gravity-path-integral approach. We thus provide estimates of the inflation lifetime. On matching our results with the inflationary phenomenology, we fix the quantum-ordering ambiguities, and obtain an order-of-magnitude constraint on the String-Mass-Scale-to-Planck-Mass ratio, consistent with previous estimates by the authors in the framework of a dynamical-system approach to linear-axion RVM inflation. Finally, we examine the role of periodic modulations in the axion potential induced by non-perturbative effects on the slow-roll inflationary parameters, and find compatibility with the cosmological data.
Review of Methods for Studying Viruses in the Environment and Organisms
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Ma Tong , Chen Zhiyuan , Liu Yang , Wang Kexin , Liu Guangxiu , Li Kesheng , Chen Tuo , Zhang Gaosen , Zhang Wei , Zhang Binglin
Published: January 2025

Recent decades have seen growing attention on viruses in the environment and their potential impacts as a result of global epidemics. Due to the diversity of viral species along with the complexity of environmental and host factors, virus extraction and detection methods have become key for the study of virus ecology. This review systematically summarises the methods for extracting and detecting pathogens from different environmental samples (e.g., soil, water, faeces, air) and biological samples (e.g., plants, animals) in existing studies, comparing their similarities and differences, applicability, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Additionally, this review discusses future directions for research in this field. The aim is to provide a theoretical foundation and technical reference for virus ecology research, facilitating further exploration and applications in this field.
RNA Virus Discovery Sheds Light on the Virome of a Major Vineyard Pest, the European Grapevine Moth (Lobesia botrana)
Authors: Debat Humberto , Gomez-Talquenca Sebastian , Bejerman Nicolas
Published: January 2025

The European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) poses a significant threat to vineyards worldwide, causing extensive economic losses. While its ecological interactions and control strategies have been well studied, its associated viral diversity remains unexplored. Here, we employ high-throughput sequencing data mining to comprehensively characterize the L. botrana virome, revealing novel and diverse RNA viruses. We characterized four new viral members belonging to distinct families, with evolutionary cues of cypoviruses (Reoviridae), sobemo-like viruses (Solemoviridae), phasmaviruses (Phasmaviridae), and carmotetraviruses (Carmotetraviridae). Phylogenetic analysis of the cypoviruses places them within the genus in affinity with other moth viruses. The bi-segmented and highly divergent sobemo-like virus showed a distinctive evolutionary trajectory of its encoding proteins at the periphery of recently reported invertebrate Sobelivirales. Notably, the presence of a novel phasmavirus, typically associated with mosquitoes, expands the known host range and diversity of this family to moths. Furthermore, the identification of a carmotetravirus branching in the same cluster as the Providence virus, a lepidopteran virus which replicates in plants, raises questions regarding the biological significance of this moth virus to the grapevine host. We further explored viral sequences in several publicly available transcriptomic datasets of the moth, indicating potential prevalence across distinct conditions. These results underscore the existence of a complex virome within L. botrana and lay the foundation for future studies investigating the ecological roles, evolutionary dynamics, and potential biocontrol applications of these viruses in the L. botrana–vineyard ecosystem.
Jet Injection of Naked mRNA Encoding the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Induces a High Level of a Specific Immune Response in Mice
Authors: Kisakov Denis N. , Karpenko Larisa I. , Kisakova Lyubov A. , Sharabrin Sergey V. , Borgoyakova Mariya B. , Starostina Ekaterina V. , Taranov Oleg S. , Ivleva Elena K. , Pyankov Oleg V. , Zaykovskaya Anna V. , Dmitrienko Elena V. , Yakovlev Vladimir A. , Tigeeva Elena V. , Bauer Irina Alekseevna , Krasnikova Svetlana I. , Rudometova Nadezhda B. , Rudometov Andrey P. , Sergeev Artemiy A. , Ilyichev Alexander A.
Published: January 2025

Background: Although mRNA vaccines encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have demonstrated a safety profile with minimal serious adverse events in clinical trials, there is opportunity to further reduce mRNA reactogenicity. The development of naked mRNA vaccines could improve vaccine tolerability. Naked nucleic acid delivery using the jet injection method may be a solution. Methods: In the first part of the study, the optimal conditions providing low traumatization and high expression of the model mRNA-GFP molecule in the tissues of laboratory animals were determined. Then, we used the selected protocol to immunize BALB/c mice with mRNA-RBD encoding the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD). It was demonstrated that mice vaccinated with naked mRNA-RBD developed a high level of specific antibodies with virus-neutralizing activity. The vaccine also induced a strong RBD-specific T-cell response and reduced the viral load in the lungs of the animals after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The level of immune response in mice immunized with mRNA-RBD using a spring-loaded jet injector was comparable to that in animals immunized with mRNA-RBD encapsulated in LNPs. Results: In this study, the efficacy of an inexpensive, simple, and safe method of mRNA delivery using a spring-loaded jet injector was evaluated and validated. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the jet injection method may be a possible alternative to LNPs for delivering mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Development and Evaluation of the Immunogenic Potential of an Unmodified Nucleoside mRNA Vaccine for Herpes Zoster
Authors: Zhang Shun , Wang Xiaojie , Zhao Tongyi , Yang Chen , Huang Lulu
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Approved mRNA vaccines commonly use sequences modified with pseudouridine to enhance translation efficiency and mRNA stability. However, this modification can result in ribosomal frameshifts, reduced immunogenicity, and higher production costs. This study aimed to explore the potential of unmodified mRNA sequences for varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and evaluate whether codon optimization could overcome the limitations of pseudouridine modification. Methods: We utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to design several unmodified gE mRNA sequences for VZV, considering factors such as codon preference and secondary structure. The optimized mRNA sequences were assessed for protein expression levels in vitro and were subsequently used to develop a vaccine, named Vac07, encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system. The immunogenicity of Vac07 was evaluated in mice. Results: Codon-optimized mRNA sequences showed significantly higher protein expression levels in vitro compared to wild-type (WT) sequences. Vaccination with Vac07 demonstrated immunogenicity in mice that was comparable to, or even superior to, the licensed Shingrix vaccine, characterized by a stronger Th1-biased antibody response and a slightly more robust Th1-type cellular response. Conclusions: Codon-optimized unmodified mRNA sequences may also represent a viable approach for mRNA vaccine development. These optimized sequences have the potential to lower production costs while possibly enhancing the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines. Vac07, developed using this method, shows promise as a potentially more efficient and cost-effective mRNA vaccine candidate for VZV.
Characterization, Quantification, and Molecular Identification of Co-Infection of Canine Parvovirus (CPV-2) Variants in Dogs Affected by Gastroenteritis in Ecuador During 2022–2023
Authors: Loor-Giler Anthony , Santander-Parra Silvana , Castillo-Reyes Sara , Campos Martin , Mena-Pérez Renán , Prado-Chiriboga Santiago , Nuñez Luis
Published: January 2025

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus in canines, and it is mostly spread by touching infected feces. Dogs of all ages can catch it, but puppies are more likely to suffer from it. Severe signs include vomiting, diarrhea with blood, feeling tired, and not drinking enough water. There are three different types of the original CPV-2 that have been found so far, which are CPV-2a, 2b, and 2c. The genome of CPV-2 is about 5.2 kb long and has two open reading frames (ORFs), namely the VP region and the NS region. Based on changes in amino acids at position 426, the VP2 protein distinguishes the gene apart in the VP region. Using a molecular method, this study contemplated the presence of CPV-2 and its variants in dogs that had gastroenteritis, as well as other infections. There were 511 samples tested, and 401 (78.47%) of them were positive for CPV-2. Of these, 144 (25.91%) were positive for the original genotype, 258 (64.34%) for genotype 2a, 343 (85.54%) for genotype 2b, and 167 (41.65%) for genotype 2c. Using the multiplex qPCR for genotyping, CPV-2a and CPV-2b were determined as the most frequent co-infections (16.45%). The three genotypes (2a, 2b, and 2c) were found in the samples examined based on the amino acids at position 426 of the VP2 protein, as demonstrated by the VP2 gene sequencing. Furthermore, it was discovered that in certain samples, a genetic modification at position 297 was connected to the virus’s pathogenicity.
An Enigmatic Wild Passerine Mortality Event in the Eastern United States
Authors: Greening Sabrina S. , Ellis Julie C. , Lewis Nicole L. , Needle David B. , Tato Cristina M. , Knowles Susan , Shearn-Bochsler Valerie , Miller Jaimie L. , Grear Daniel A , Lorch Jeffrey M. , Blehert David S. , Burrell Caitlin , Murphy Lisa A. , Miller Erica A. , Ogbunugafor C. Brandon , Ayala Andrea J. , Thomas W. Kelley , Sevigny Joseph L. , Gordon Lawrence M. , Baillargeon Tessa , Mwakibete Lusajo , Kirchgessner Megan , Casey Christine L. , Barton Ethan , Yabsley Michael J. , Anis Eman , Gagne Roderick B. , Klein Patrice , Driscoll Cindy , Sykes Chelsea A. , Poppenga Robert H. , Nemeth Nicole M.
Published: January 2025

The ability to rapidly respond to wildlife health events is essential. However, such events are often unpredictable, especially with anthropogenic disturbances and climate-related environmental changes driving unforeseen threats. Many events also are short-lived and go undocumented, making it difficult to draw on lessons learned from past investigations. We report on the response to a mortality event observed predominantly in wild passerines in the eastern United States. The event began in May 2021 when wildlife rehabilitators and private citizens reported large numbers of sick and dead juvenile birds, mostly presenting as single cases with neurologic signs and/or ocular and periocular lesions. Early efforts by rehabilitators, veterinarians, state and federal wildlife agencies, and universities helped gather public reports and fuel rapid responses by government agencies. Collective efforts included live bird and carcass collections; submission to diagnostic laboratories and evaluation; information sharing; and coordinated messaging to stakeholders and interested parties. Extensive diagnostic evaluations failed to identify a causative pathogen or other etiology, although congruent results across laboratories have helped drive further investigation into alternative causes, such as nutritional deficiencies. This report highlights the strengths of a multi-agency, interdisciplinary investigation while exposing the need for an operational framework with approaches and resources dedicated to wildlife health.
Assessment of Future Climate Change in the Huaihe River Basin Using Bias-Corrected CMIP5 GCMs with Consideration of Climate Non-Stationarity
Authors: Fu Xiaohua , Wang Pan , Cheng Long , Han Rui , Dong Zengchuan , Li Zufeng
Published: January 2025

The Huaihe River Basin is particularly vulnerable to climate change. This paper first evaluated interpolation methods for different meteorological elements, followed by an assessment of the simulation performance of various Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) Global Climate Models (GCMs) for these elements. We then applied the Improved Quantile Mapping (IQM) method for bias correction of the GCMs. Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of future climate change in the Huaihe River Basin. The results show the following: (1) The radial basis function interpolation method is the most effective for rainfall, while Kriging performs best for air temperature. (2) The HadGEM2-AO model provides the most accurate rainfall simulations, MIROC-ESM best simulates maximum air temperature, and HadGEM2-ES is most effective for minimum air temperature. (3) The IQM method outperforms other approaches for bias correction of climate variables in the basin. (4) Future projections show an increase in both rainfall and air temperature, with more pronounced rises under the RCP8.5 scenario. Additionally, rainfall and maximum air temperature show considerable spatial variation across emission scenarios, while minimum air temperature consistently exhibits an upward trend.
Methods for increasing the demand for continuous education when training company personnel
Authors:   Department of Management and Business, Surgut State University, Surgut, Kanareiko Diana Aleksandrovna
Published: January 2025

In the current world, knowledge changes so quickly that it can become obsolete even
before the end of the training period; therefore, updating it is crucial. Timely updating
of the content of the program when training employees, as well as experimental
testing of the hypothesis to increase the eff ectiveness of its elements, is facilitated
by the use of the so-called “product approach”. In this regard, the author presents a case analysis in search of answers to questions related to companies fi nding ways to
increase webinars attendance by company personnel. The practical signifi cance of
the study lies in the fact that, using a product approach, it is possible to fi nd a balance
between two areas of interest: business goals and the educational value of the
training solution.
Influencia de la actividad probiotica de Lactiplantibacillus plantarum en el agua de cultivo de camarones Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931
Authors: Macías Barre Jimmy , Palma Mora Manuel , Arteaga Chávez Fátima , Navatrrete Álava Jhonny , Marcillo Alcivar Yadira , Cueva Navia Tommy
Published: January 2025

El empleo de probióticos en el agua de cultivos acuícolas ha representado mejoras sustanciales en los rendimientos y en la calidad del agua. En este estudio se evaluó el desempeño del probiótico Lactiplantibacillus plantarum en el cultivo del camarón Penaeus vannamei entre las etapas de desarrollo nauplio a juvenil. Se utilizaron 10.000 nauplios distribuidos en dos tratamientos, desarrollados en estanques de cemento hasta llegar a la etapa de postlarva, cuando fueron traslados a estanques de geomembranas. En el tratamiento T1 se administró el probiótico en el agua de cultivo con una concentración de 109 UFC/ml, en una dosis inicial de 10 ml, que se incrementó gradualmente cada 15 d hasta alcanzar 50 ml; el tratamiento T2 (control) no recibió probiótico. Las variables evaluadas fueron: peso final (PF), longitud total final (LT), conversión alimenticia (FCA) y tasa de mortalidad (TM). Los resultados para T1 fueron: 4,42 ± 0,2 g (PF); 8,04 ± 0,12 cm (LT); 0,88 (FCA) y 10% (TM). Mientras que para T2 se alcanzaron los siguientes valores 3,76 g ± 0,2 (PF); 7,04 cm ± 0,13 (LT); 0,91 (FCA) y 40% (TM), encontrándose que en el T1 las variables PF, LT y TM tuvieron diferencias significativas con respecto al T2. Los valores promedio de los parámetros abióticos fueron: oxígeno disuelto 5,22 (T1) y 5,73 mg/L (T2); temperatura 29,2 (T1) y 29,9°C (T2); y pH 7,32 (T1) y 7,2 (T2). Se concluye que el uso del probiótico L. plantarum en el agua del cultivo es una alternativa viable para mejorar la producción de camarones P. vannamei durante su etapa de crecimiento.