bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initiation of Enteral Feeding with Mother’s Own Milk or Donor Human Milk in Very Preterm Infants: Impact on Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Other Prematurity-Related Morbidities
Authors: Avila-Alvarez Alejandro , Fernandez-Gonzalez Sara María , Sucasas-Alonso Andrea , Ansede Alba Sanchez
Published: January 2025

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major complication among preterm infants, and nutrition plays a crucial role in its prevention and management. While the nutritional superiority of human milk over preterm formula is well documented, comparisons of the protective benefits of mother’s own milk (MOM) versus donor human milk (DHM) in preterm infants are lacking. We aim to investigate if and how the use of MOM or DHM at the initiation of enteral feeding influences the development of BPD and other respiratory outcomes. Methods: This study evaluated the incidence of BPD and other prematurity outcomes in a cohort of 159 very preterm infants (≤32 weeks GA) who commenced enteral feeding with either MOM or DHM. Results: Enteral feeding was initiated with MOM in 75.5% of the infants and DHM in 24.5%. The incidence of BPD was 24.8% (39 infants), and 10.4% (16 infants) developed moderate-to-severe BPD. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed no significant differences between the MOM and DHM groups in the rates of BPD, other respiratory outcomes, or key prematurity-related morbidities. Conclusions: Despite the unique bioactive properties of MOM, these findings suggest that DHM is a valid alternative that does not significantly increase the incidence of BPD or other clinical outcomes. Further studies are required to determine the relative contributions of milk volumes and feeding practices to the observed findings.
GABAA Receptors Are Involved in the Seizure Blockage Prompted by a Polyphenol-Rich Extract of White Grape Juice in Rodents
Authors: Maugeri Alessandro , Citraro Rita , Leo Antonio , Russo Caterina , Navarra Michele , De Sarro Giovambattista
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Polyphenols have been suggested to possess anticonvulsant properties, which can be exploited as tools in novel strategies against epilepsy. Along that line, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a polyphenol-rich extract of white grape juice (WGJe) in different rodent models of epilepsy, exploring its putative mechanism of action. Methods: In this study, we employed pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-injected ICR-CD1 mice, audiogenic seizure (AGS)-susceptible DBA/2 mice and WAG/Rij rats. Seizures were monitored and scored, while absence was assessed by electroencephalogram. The open-field test was employed to assess the anxiolytic effects of WGJe. In order to assess the involvement of the GABAA receptor, we used the antagonist flumazenil in AGS-susceptible DBA/2 mice. Computational analyses were employed to evaluate the interaction of the main polyphenols of WGJe and GABAA receptors. Results: Our results showed that the intraperitoneal injection of WGJe hindered tonic seizures in PTZ-injected ICR-CD1 mice. In WAG/Rij rats, WGJe did not elicit any significant effects on spike-wave discharges compared to untreated rats. In AGS-susceptible DBA/2 mice, WGJe significantly hampered both clonic and tonic seizures, as well as induced anxiolytic effects. Interestingly, when administering WGJe with flumazenil to DBA/2 mice, we noted that the observed effects were mediated by the GABAA receptor. Moreover, docking simulations confirmed that the main polyphenols of WGJe are able to interact with the benzodiazepine sites located in both extracellular and transmembrane domains in the GABAA receptor. Conclusions: This study outlines the mechanism underlying the anti-epileptic activity of WGJe, thus supporting its potential role in the management of epilepsy.
The Effects of Slow-Release Dexamethasone in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Vingolo Enzo Maria , Mascolo Simona , Casillo Lorenzo , Calabro Mattia
Published: January 2025

Objectives: to evaluate the efficacy of 0.7 mg dexamethasone intravitreal implant in the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema through mean retinal sensitivity (MRS), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and fixation stability. Methods: patients (n = 50) with DME, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.1 logMAR, and central retinal thickness (CRT) of ≥300 μm determined by optical coherence tomography were treated with 0.7 mg slow-release dexamethasone, and endpoints were evaluated one and three months after the injection. Results: The best corrected visual acuity, BCVA, whose mean values at baseline were 0.42 logMAR, improved significantly post dexamethasone injection, with mean values of 0.20 logMAR at one month and 0.24 logMAR at three months. The mean central retinal thickness, CRT, was 463 µm at baseline increasing to 297 µm at one month, and 315 µm at three months. Mean retinal sensitivity (MRS) was 12.31 dB at baseline. In line with other parameters, MRS also showed significant improvement at one month after slow-release dexamethasone treatment, with a mean value of 15.35 Db and the improvement was sustained at three months after injection, with a mean value of 14.71 dB. Fixation stability was assessed using the area of the third BCEA ellipse. At baseline, patients had an ellipse area of 53.68 degrees. At one month after injection, patients showed an improvement, with a mean ellipse area of 5.23 degrees, which was maintained at three months, with a mean ellipse area of 4.13 degrees. Conclusions: The dexamethasone implant of 0.7 mg met the efficacy endpoint for improvement in MRS, BCVA, CRT and fixation stability.
Chemical Composition, Repellency, and Insecticidal Activity of Pinus halenpenssis Leaf Essential Oil from Morocco on Adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Naimi Imane , Bouamama Hafida , Ba M’hamed Touria
Published: January 2025

Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum are two significant insect pests that affect the quality, quantity, and commercial value of stored products. The aim of this study was to assess the chemical composition, repellency, and insecticidal activity of Pinus halepensis leaf EO on adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The EO of P. halepensis Mill. was extracted using hydrodistillation and analyzed for its chemical composition by GC-MS. The major components identified were 1-nonadecene (25.51%), 1-hexadecene (20.79%), pimaric acid (16.71%), and palmitic acid (12.47%). The repellency test was determined by the area-preference method. P. halepensis EO exhibited significant repellent activity against T. castaneum and R. dominica. It showed high class IV repulsion rates, reaching 63.60% against T. castaneum and 66.50% against R. dominica. The repellent effect was most potent at the highest concentration tested (16 µL/mL), achieving a 100% efficacy against T. castaneum after 4 h and after 3 h against R. dominica. The contact toxicity test was carried out by impregnating filter paper disks with increasing doses of the EO studied. P. halepensis EO was the most toxic against R. dominica (LC50 = 17.11 µL/mL, LC90 = 30.02 µL/mL) and T. castaneum (LC50 = 20.92 µL/mL, LC90 = 32.18 µL/mL) after 96 h of exposure. The ability of P. halepensis EO to repel and eliminate insects suggests that it could be used as a new treatment to prevent insect infestations of R. dominica and T. castaneum.
Controlled-Release Fertilizer Improving Paddy Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Reducing Soil Residual Nitrogen and Leaching Losses in the Yellow River Irrigation Area
Authors: He Jingjing , Wang Ying , Li Hong , Ma Junhua , Yue Xiang , Liang Xiangyu , Hong Yu , Wang Fang , Hu Chenxia , Liu Ruliang
Published: January 2025

The unreasonable application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer leads to high nutrient losses and severe potential of agricultural non-point source contamination, which threatens water quality in the upper Yellow River Basin. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the effects of N application rates and various control measures on rice yield and N leaching in paddy fields in the Yellow River irrigation area. Four treatments were employed in this study, CK (no N fertilizer application, 0 kg N∙ha−1), CRU (controlled-release urea application, 180 kg N∙ha−1), OPT (optimal N fertilizer application, 210 kg N∙ha−1), and FP (N fertilizer application based on farmer experience, 240 kg N∙ha−1), to examine paddy yield, N use efficiency (NUE), N concentrations in leaching water at various soil depths, and N contents along the 0–100 cm depth of the soil profile. The results indicated that the amount of TN leached was 25.14–48.04 kg∙ha−1 after different N applications, and the TN leaching coefficients of FP, OPT, and CRU were 10.88%, 11.27%, and 7.07%. Compared to FP and OPT, the CRU significantly reduced the concentrations of TN, ammonium N (NH4+-N), and nitrate N (NO3−-N) in the surface and soil water, with average TN leaching decreasing by 31.55% and 27.35% in the years 2022 and 2023, respectively. NO3−-N was identified as the primary form of N leached from the paddy fields. Compared to FP and OPT treatments, the CRU treatment increased the average paddy yield by 19.99–20.66% and improved the average NUE by 19.04–16.38%. This study revealed that the application of high amounts of N positively affected soil N leaching, and controlled-release urea demonstrates superior efficacy compared to conventional fertilization. The application of controlled-release urea at a rate of 180 kg N∙ha−1 not only ensures a good paddy yield but also reduce N losses, which should be recommended to local farmers.
Engineering a Cross-Feeding Synthetic Bacterial Consortium for Degrading Mixed PET and Nylon Monomers
Authors: Dharmasiddhi Ida Putu Wiweka , Chen Jinjin , Arab Bahareh , Lan Ching , Euler Christian , Chou C. Perry , Liu Yilan
Published: January 2025

Plastics are indispensable to modern life, but their widespread use has created an environmental crisis due to inefficient waste management. Mixed plastic waste, comprising diverse polymers, presents significant recycling challenges due to the high costs of sorting and processing, leading to ecosystem accumulation and harmful by-product generation. This study addresses this issue by engineering a synthetic bacterial consortium (SBC) designed to degrade mixed plastic monomers. The consortium pairs Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, which uses ethylene glycol (EG), a monomer derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as a carbon source, with Pseudomonas putida KT2440, which metabolizes hexamethylenediamine (HD), a monomer from nylon-6,6, as a nitrogen source. Adaptive evolution of the SBC revealed a novel metabolic interaction where P. putida developed the ability to degrade both EG and HD, while E. coli played a critical role in degrading glycolate, mitigating its by-product toxicity. The evolved cross-feeding pattern enhanced biomass production, metabolic efficiency, and community stability compared to monocultures. The consortium’s performance was validated through flux balance analysis (FBA), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and growth assays. These findings highlight the potential of cross-feeding SBCs in addressing complex plastic waste, offering a promising avenue for sustainable bioremediation and advancing future polymer degradation strategies.
Nano-Grafted Polymer Suspension Stabilizers for Oil Well Cement: Polymerization Innovation Dominated by Acrylamide and Breakthroughs in High-Temperature Applications
Authors: Song Lifang , Wang Chengwen , Liu Jingping , Li Yang
Published: January 2025

A high-temperature resistant suspension stabilizer, SIAM-1, for high-density cement slurry used in deep/ultra-deep well cementing has been successfully developed. This suspension stabilizer is based on the temperature-resistant monomers 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (NNDMA). Meanwhile, two functional monomers, long-hydrophobic-side-chain temperature-sensitive monomers and temperature-resistant monomer-modified nano-SiO2 monomers, were introduced. To enhance the participation of two functional monomers in the polymerization process, a method combining a small amount of acrylamide (AM) and emulsion polymerization was employed, leading to the successful synthesis of SIAM-1 with a high content of functional monomers. The study also explores the effects of polymerization method and AM on the conformational characteristics of the resulting polymers. The results confirm that the polymer structure aligns with the designed configuration, and SIAM-1 demonstrates excellent high-temperature resistance, with a tolerance of up to 210 °C. The optimal dosage of AM was found to be 4% of the total monomer mass. SIAM-1 exhibits excellent high-temperature rheological properties, maintaining a viscosity as high as 128 mP·s at 210 °C. Moreover, it effectively improves the suspension stability of the cement slurry at 210 °C. The density differences in the conventional-density and high-density cement slurries are 0.006 g∙cm−3 and 0.039 g∙cm−3, respectively. This research is beneficial for increasing the viscosity of the cement slurry at high temperatures, effectively preventing the settlement of solid-phase particles under high-temperature and high-pressure well conditions. Consequently, it enhances the cementing effect of deep/ultra-deep wells and reduces cementing-related risks.
Adaptation, Development, and Validation of the Spiritual Community and Togetherness Scale (SCoTS)
Authors: Dabbs Christopher R. , Winterowd Carrie L. , Albright Elizabeth A. , Kolba Tiffany , Etes Tianna , Snyder Bronson K. , Riddle Jeffery Logan , Beker Kidist A.
Published: January 2025

We adapted the SCoTS from the Collegiate Psychological Sense of Community Scale to measure religious/spiritual (R/S) community and belonging among college students. Emerging research indicates that participation and involvement in R/S groups among college students has been associated with their success, quality of life, and well-being. Development of the SCoTS included item reformatting, scale restructuring, exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent/discriminant analyses. Results in Study 1 show support for both one- and two-factor solutions in a sample of 357 university students. We named our loaded factors Belonging and Member Involvement. In Study 2, our confirmatory factor analyses with a sample of 399 university students affirmed a two-factor solution. Analyses showed unique aspects of the SCoTS when compared to similar measures. We end with a discussion of the implications and utility of the SCoTS for clinicians, healthcare providers, and educators.
Accommodation, Fortification, or Conversion? Approaches to Catholic Engagement with Secular Culture
Authors: Vaughan-Spruce Hannah
Published: January 2025

As the Catholic Church declines in the west, critical questions are raised about its engagement with secular culture. Different engagement models have been experimented with since the 1960s, which I term accommodation, fortification, and conversion. Each model can be assessed according to sociological and theological criteria. While the accommodation model seems to have proven itself sociologically ineffective, compounding the challenge of evangelisation, the two remaining models, while offering more positive signals, still await sufficient sociological testing. This article argues that both the fortification and conversion models are more theologically authentic than the accommodation model and proposes that the conversion model, in its particular understanding of the ‘secular’, is likely to see greater evangelistic fruits.
The Influence of the Saints and Blessed of the Catholic Church on the Cultural Heritage of Kraków
Authors: Sołjan Izabela , Gierek Bożena
Published: January 2025

Kraków is a unique city on the map of Europe. As early as 1978, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the first 12 sites in the world. It has been a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities since 1995. The city’s cultural heritage also consists of its religious heritage, including the heritage associated with people who lived in Kraków over the centuries and whom the Catholic Church has recognized as saints or blessed. So far, 23 people closely associated with Kraków have been declared blessed or saints by the Church. Their cult has resulted in the establishment of more than 20 worship centres in Kraków, with two international sanctuaries among them. The legacy of the saints is also the ideas and values they professed, which became evident in the activities they performed. The aim of this article is to present the cultural heritage of these saints, with particular emphasis on their intangible dimension, especially related to the social activity of the saints in the city. This article is based on an analysis of numerous materials devoted to the saints and the cult centres associated with them.
Dervish Hatixhe’s Veneration in Contemporary Albania: Visual Representations, Devotional Practices and Sensory Experiences
Authors: Bria Gianfranco
Published: January 2025

This article explores the veneration of Hatixhe, an 18th-century Sufi saint from Tirana, Albania, whose legacy continues to resonate across religious and cultural boundaries. Despite limited historical records, Hatixhe’s sainthood is venerated through hagiographic narratives that portray her as a compassionate healer, spiritual protector, and symbol of resilience. This study investigates the visual, ritual, and sensory dimensions of her shrine, which has become one of the focal points for interfaith devotion in post-socialist Albania. Embodied rituals—such as touching her tomb and lighting candles—allow devotees to connect with her shenjtëri (“sainthood”). Through these acts, Hatixhe’s legacy as a grua e shenjt (“holy woman”) or grua e mirë (“good woman”) is anchored in both religious and cultural contexts, as her shenjtëri integrates local and national values, partly transcending Islamic frameworks. Hatixhe’s teqe, preserved through the efforts of her female heirs during the communist era, serves as a unique testament to a female lineage in Albanian Sufism. By examining the spatial, material, and symbolic aspects of her veneration, this study underscores the significance of Hatixhe’s shenjtëri as a site of blessing and communal solidarity for women, enriching the understanding of their roles in Albanian spiritual and social life.
Machine Learning-Based Cerrado Land Cover Classification Using PlanetScope Imagery
Authors: Rodrigues Thanan , Takahashi Frederico , Dias Arthur , Lima Taline , Alcântara Enner
Published: January 2025

The Cerrado domain, one of the richest on Earth, is among the most threatened in South America due to human activities, resulting in biodiversity loss, altered fire dynamics, water pollution, and other environmental impacts. Monitoring this domain is crucial for preserving its biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study aimed to apply machine learning techniques to classify the main vegetation formations of the Cerrado within the IBGE Ecological Reserve, a protected area in Brazil, using high-resolution PlanetScope imagery from 2021 to 2024. Three machine learning methods were evaluated: Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). A post-processing process was applied to avoid misclassification of forest in areas of savanna. After performance evaluation, the SVM method achieved the highest classification accuracy (overall accuracy of 97.51%, kappa coefficient of 0.9649) among the evaluated models. This study identified five main classes: grassland (GRA), savanna (SAV), bare soil (BS), samambaião (SAM, representing the superdominant species Pteridium esculentum), and forest (FOR). Over the three-year period (2021–2024), SAV and GRA formations were dominant in the reserve, reflecting the typical physiognomies of the Cerrado. This study successfully delineated areas occupied by the superdominant species P. esculentum, which was concentrated near gallery forests. The generated maps provide valuable insights into the vegetation dynamics within a protected area, aiding in monitoring efforts and suggesting potential new areas for protection in light of imminent anthropogenic threats. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining high-resolution satellite imagery with machine learning techniques for detailed vegetation mapping and monitoring in the Cerrado domain.
Potential Impacts of Land Use Change on Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand Under Different Scenarios in the Gansu Section of the Yellow River Basin, China
Authors: Bai Yingchen , Han Conghai , Tang Fangying , Li Zuzheng , Tian Huixia , Huang Zhihao , Ma Li , Hu Xuefan , Wang Jianchao , Chen Bo , Sun Lixiang , Cheng Xiaoqin , Han Hairong
Published: January 2025

The degradation of ecosystem services (ES) poses a significant obstacle to regional sustainable development. Land-use change is widely recognized as a pivotal factor driving the spatio-temporal dynamics of ES supply and demand. However, the future impact of land-use changes on supply–demand risks remains largely unknown. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a study in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin. By integrating Cellular Automata (CA) and an enhanced Markov model within the GeoSOS-FLUS framework, we dynamically simulated land-use changes under three scenarios—the Normal Development Scenario (NDS), Ecological Protection Scenario (EPS), and Rapid Socio-economic Development Scenario (RDS)—spanning from 2020 to 2050. Furthermore, we employed the InVEST model to analyze the spatio-temporal pattern of supply, demand, supply-to-demand ratios, and supply–demand risks for water provision, carbon storage, and soil conservation under all scenarios. Firstly, all scenarios project an increase in built-up land, primarily from unused land, shrubland, grassland, and cropland. Forest land and water bodies remain stable. Secondly, water provision increases, but demand grows faster, leading to supply–demand imbalances, with high-risk areas in the north, central, and east. Soil conservation shows balanced supply and demand with high-risk areas in the north. Carbon storage remains stable, with high-risk areas in the central and east regions. Thirdly, high-risk areas for water provision increase under all scenarios, particularly under the Rapid Socio-economic Development scenario.
LAMT: Lightweight and Anonymous Authentication Scheme for Medical Internet of Things Services
Authors: Lee Hyang Jin , Kook Sangjin , Kim Keunok , Ryu Jihyeon , Lee Youngsook , Won Dongho
Published: January 2025

Medical Internet of Things (IoT) systems can be used to monitor and treat patient health conditions. Security and privacy issues in medical IoT services are more important than those in any other IoT-enabled service. Therefore, various mutual authentication and key-distribution schemes have been proposed for secure communication in medical IoT services. We analyzed Hu et al.’s scheme and found that an attacker can impersonate legitimate sensor nodes and generate illegitimate session keys using the information stored in the sensor node and the information transmitted over the public channel. To overcome these vulnerabilities, we propose a scheme that utilizes physically unclonable functions to ensure a secure session key distribution and increase the computational efficiency of resource-limited sensor nodes. In addition, the proposed scheme enhances privacy protection using pseudonyms, which we prove using a formal security analysis tool, ProVerif 2.05.
Adaptive Exoskeleton Device for Stress Reduction in the Ankle Joint Orthosis
Authors: Iziumov Andrey , Hussein Talib Sabah , Kosenko Evgeny , Nazarov Anton
Published: January 2025

Treating ankle fractures in athletes, commonly resulting from training injuries, remains a significant challenge. Current approaches to managing both non-surgical and postoperative foot and ankle disorders have focused on integrating sensory systems into orthotic devices. Recent analyses have identified several gaps in rehabilitation strategies, especially regarding gait pattern reformation during recovery. This work aims to enhance rehabilitation effectiveness for patients with ankle injuries by controlling load distribution and monitoring joint flexion/extension angles, as well as the reactive forces during therapeutic exercises and walking. We developed an exoskeleton device model using SolidWorks 2024 software, based on data from two patients: one healthy and one with an ankle fracture. Pressure measurements in the posterior limb region were taken using the F-Socket system and a custom electromechanical sensor designed by the authors. The collected data were analyzed using the butterfly parameterization method. This research led to the development of an adaptive exoskeleton device that provided pressure distribution data, gait cycle graphs, and a diagram correlating foot angles with the duration of exoskeleton use. The device demonstrated improvement in the patients’ conditions, facilitating a more normalized gait pattern. A reduction in the load applied to the ankle joint was also observed, with the butterfly parameter confirming the device’s correct operation.
Stroke Classification in Table Tennis as a Multi-Label Classification Task with Two Labels Per Stroke
Authors: Fujihara Yuta , Shimada Tomoyasu , Kong Xiangbo , Tanaka Ami , Nishikawa Hiroki , Tomiyama Hiroyuki
Published: January 2025

In table tennis, there are various movements involved in hitting a ball, which are called strokes, and these are an important factor in determining the contents of a game. Therefore, research has been conducted to classify these types of strokes using video gameplay data or inertial sensor information. However, the classification of strokes from actual videos of table tennis is more difficult than general action recognition tasks because many strokes display strong similarity. Therefore, this study proposes a multi-label stroke classification method, assigning multiple classes per stroke. Specifically, multi-labeling is performed by assigning two types of labels—namely the player’s posture and the rotation and velocity of the ball—to one stroke. By changing the head of the action recognition model to adopt multiple outputs for stroke classification, the difficulty in each classification task is reduced and the accuracy is improved. As a result, when performing multi-labeling classification with a conventional action recognition model, the accuracy of the validation data was improved by up to 8.6%, and the accuracy of the test data was improved by up to 18.1%. In addition, when two types of input—namely video and 3D joint coordinates—were used, the accuracy of the validation and test data was higher by 17.1 and 5.4% for 3D joint coordinates, respectively, confirming that 3D joint coordinates are effective.
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Well Logs Guided by Rock Physics and Its Interpretation
Authors: Zhang Ji , Liu Guiping , Wei Zhen , Li Shengge , Zayier Yeheya , Cheng Yuanfeng
Published: January 2025

The refinement of acquired well logs has traditionally relied on predefined rock physics models, albeit with their inherent limitations and assumptions. As an alternative, effective yet less explicit machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged. The integration of these two methodologies presents a promising new avenue. In our study, we used four ML algorithms: Random Forests (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT), Multilayer Perceptrons (MLP), and Linear Regression (LR), to predict porosity and clay volume fraction from well logs. Throughout the entire workflow, from feature engineering to outcome interpretation, our predictions are guided by rock physics principles, particularly the Gardner relations and the Larionov relations. Remarkably, while the predictions themselves are satisfactory, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis uncovers consistent patterns across the four algorithms, irrespective of their distinct underlying structures. By juxtaposing the SHAP explanations with rock physics concepts, we discover that all four algorithms align closely with rock physics principles, adhering to its cause–effect relationships. Nonetheless, even after intentionally excluding crucial controlling input features that would inherently compromise prediction accuracy, all four ML algorithms and the SHAP analysis continue to operate, albeit in a manner that seems irrational and starkly contradicts the fundamental principles of rock physics. This integration strategy facilitates a transition from solely mathematical explanations to a more philosophical interpretation of ML-based predictions, effectively dismantling the traditional black box nature of these ML models.
The Case of the Maldives: Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Luxury Consumers’ Behavior Toward Sustainability?
Authors: Marinakou Evangelia (Lia)
Published: January 2025

This study examines luxury tourists’ behavior toward sustainability in the aftermath of the pandemic, with a particular focus on the Maldives, a destination renowned for both its luxury offerings and commitment to sustainable practices. A qualitative approach was employed, featuring structured interviews with one hundred European tourists who had visited the Maldives and stayed at luxury resorts, alongside semi-structured interviews with three tour operator managers who sell the destination. In addition, secondary data provided by the tour operator were used to support the analysis and triangulate the data for more robust findings. The results show a significant shift in consumer attitudes: luxury travelers have become increasingly sensitive to sustainability and the protection of the environment since the pandemic. The tourists in the sample reported heightened awareness of their personal environmental impact and a greater desire to mitigate it. Furthermore, participants expressed a willingness to pay a premium for environmentally sustainable services and products, demonstrating a clear preference for businesses that can substantiate their eco-friendly practices through credible certifications and accreditations. These findings highlight the growing importance of sustainability in shaping luxury consumer behavior in the post-pandemic era.
Does Smart City Construction Inhibit Corporate Financialization? Evidence from China
Authors: Hu Hao , Ye Zi
Published: January 2025

Against the backdrop of funds flowing from the real economy to the virtual economy, the trend of corporate financialization is becoming more and more obvious. Establishing how to guide enterprises to return to their main business is the key to guaranteeing the sustainable development of the economy. Considering the promulgation of new accounting standards in 2007 and the availability and completeness of listed company data, this paper takes A-share listed companies from Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets in China from 2008 to 2022 as research samples. This paper takes China’s smart-city pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment and constructs a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) model to empirically analyze the impact of smart city construction on corporate financialization. According to the study, smart city construction can significantly inhibit corporate financialization. Specifically, this paper measures corporate financialization by the proportion of financial assets to total assets, and empirical results show that when the city where the enterprise is located is selected as a smart city pilot, the degree of corporate financialization decreases by 0.7%. After a series of robustness tests, this conclusion still holds. Mechanism analysis indicates that smart city construction can inhibit corporate financialization by alleviating financing constraints and improving profitability. Heterogeneity analysis shows that smart city construction has a stronger inhibitory effect on corporate financialization in the central and western regions, state-owned enterprises, management shareholdings, industries with a high degree of competition, and enterprises in the growth and maturity stages. On the one hand, the research results of this paper can help us to understand the influencing factors of corporate financialization, avoid the excessive financialization of enterprises, and promote the sustainable development of enterprises. On the other hand, it also tests the policy effect of smart cities and provides help for the subsequent policy formulation of smart city construction.
Trauma Exposure Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Symptoms in Hispanic American College Students
Authors: Argueta Andrea , Zetino Yesenia L. , de Dios Marcel A. , Olvera Norma , Fan Weihua , Arbona Consuelo
Published: January 2025

Background: Exposure to traumatic experiences has been positively associated with college students’ academic difficulties and psychological distress. However, little is known about the traumatic events experienced by Hispanic college students. This study examined the types of lifetime traumatic events experienced by Hispanic college students, including immigration enforcement-related events, and the association between events and psychological distress. Methods: College students (N = 1112) completed self-reported measures assessing lifetime traumatic experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and depression symptoms. Results: Most participants (81%) were born in the US, and most (84%) reported that at least one parent was foreign born. Hispanic students reported similar types of traumatic events reported by the general population of college students in previous studies. In addition, many students reported immigration-related potentially traumatic events. The following types of traumatic events were most strongly associated with greater levels of psychological distress: sexual assault or molestation, life-threatening illnesses or accidents, verbal abuse, physical or verbal bullying or mistreatment, directly experienced immigration enforcement events, and having witnessed physical or verbal abuse of someone close. Conclusions: It is important that clinicians use a broad definition of potentially traumatic events in the identification and treatment of Hispanic college students who may have experienced PTSD or depression symptoms following major life events, including immigration enforcement events.
The Genome Sequences of Baculoviruses from the Tufted Apple Bud Moth, Platynota idaeusalis, Reveal Recombination Between an Alphabaculovirus and a Betabaculovirus from the Same Host
Authors: Harrison Robert L. , Jansen Michael A. , Fife Austin N. , Rowley Daniel L.
Published: January 2025

The USDA-ARS collection of insect viruses at Beltsville, MD, USA, contains samples of an alphabaculovirus from larvae of the tufted apple bud moth, Platynota idaeusalis Walker, as well as a presumptive betabaculovirus from the same host species. The viruses in these samples—Platynota idaeusalis nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate 2680 (PlidNPV-2680) and Platynota idaeusalis granulovirus isolate 2683 (PlidGV-2683)—were characterized by electron microscopy of their occlusion bodies (OBs) and determination and analysis of their genome sequences. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the OBs revealed morphologies typical for alphabaculoviruses and betabaculoviruses. Sequencing viral DNA resulted in circular genomes of 121,881 bp and 106,633 bp for PlidNPV-2680 and PlidGV-2683, respectively. Similar numbers of ORFs (128 for PlidNPV-2680, 125 for PlidGV-2683) were annotated, along with ten homologous regions (hrs) in the PlidNPV-2680 genome and five intergenic regions of tandem direct repeats (drs) in the PlidGV genome. Phylogenetic inference from core gene alignments suggested that PlidMNPV-2680 represents a unique lineage within the genus Alphabaculovirus, while PlidGV-2683 was grouped with clade b betabaculoviruses. A comparison of the PlidNPV-2680 and PlidGV-2683 genomes revealed a 1516 bp region in PlidNPV-2680 that exhibited 97.5% sequence identity to a region of the PlidGV-2683 genome, suggesting that recombination had occurred recently between viruses from these lineages.
Awareness and Behaviors of Beijing Residents Regarding Wetland Conservation
Authors: Mo Lichun , Yan Botao
Published: January 2025

Wetlands are among the most important ecosystems worldwide, playing an irreplaceable role in maintaining ecological balance and ensuring human well-being. This study conducted a questionnaire survey of 1008 residents across 16 districts in Beijing to systematically analyze their awareness, attitudes, and behaviors regarding wetland conservation. The results indicate that the majority of residents hold a positive attitude towards wetland conservation, with over 90% supporting the expansion of wetland areas and 82% considering wetland protection more important than economic development. Regarding willingness to pay, residents tend to prefer small donations, with the highest proportion willing to contribute less than CNY 100 annually, while 92.5% expressed a willingness to support wetland conservation through volunteer work. Residents’ behaviors are significantly influenced by the geographical location and functional configuration of wetlands, with higher visit rates observed at wetlands closer to urban areas, such as Shichahai Wetland and Summer Palace Wetland. This study also reveals that public awareness of wetland ecological functions is lacking, particularly in terms of biodiversity conservation and water quality improvement. The findings provide a scientific basis for enhancing wetland conservation policies and improving public awareness and actions for wetland protection in Beijing.
In-Situ Remediation of Heavy Metal–Contaminated Sediments Using the Resuspension Technique
Authors: Javid Masoumeh , Mulligan Catherine N.
Published: January 2025

Heavy metal pollution in sediments and soil is an unavoidable anthropogenic issue with implications for quality of life and is a major long-term remediation challenge. This paper aimed to evaluate an in-situ remediation technique (resuspension) for sediment that may be employed in a variety of contaminated site cleanup programs. Surface sediment samples were obtained from a shallow harbor on the St. Lawrence River, in Canada in 2019. Harbor sediment from the St. Lawrence River in Quebec is anthropogenically polluted by metals. Various experiments were performed using a designed reactor to evaluate sediment resuspension remediation technology. The method is based on sediments with a higher specific surface area that adsorb more metal contaminants. Therefore, the objective was to remove this fraction by the resuspension technique. Results showed that the levels of seven metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were reduced by removing only 2.63% of the sediment. Removal efficiency values varied from 3.48% for Cd to 32.4% for Cu). The results of the sequential extraction tests imply that the resuspension technique is capable of decreasing the risk of remobilization of heavy metals in the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, this method could potentially be used to remediate metal–contaminated sediment with minimal sediment removal.
Analysis of Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Drought in Transboundary Watersheds of Northeast Asia Based on Comprehensive Indices
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Liu Fei , Quan Donghe , Zhu Weihong , Yu Hangnan , Jin Ri
Published: January 2025

Drought, as an extreme climatic event, is considered one of the most severe natural disasters worldwide. In Northeast Asia, the frequency and intensity of drought have been exacerbated by climate change, causing significant negative impacts on the region’s socioeconomic conditions and agricultural production. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution and trends in drought in transboundary river basins in Northeast Asia from 1990 to 2020, using meteorological station data and remote sensing data. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) were employed to assess drought characteristics, and a comprehensive analysis of the SPEI and VCI indices was conducted to evaluate drought severity under different land cover types. The results indicate that (1) in the past two decades, both the SPEI and VCI indices have shown an increasing trend in the basin, with moderate and mild droughts being predominant. (2) High and extreme droughts mainly occur in forest areas, accounting for 17.91% and 10.76%, respectively, followed by farmland.
Discrimination of Spatial and Temporal Variabilities in the Analysis of Groundwater Databases: Application to the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, France
Authors: Bousouis Abderrahim , Bouabdli Abdelhak , Ayach Meryem , Lazar Hajar , Ravung Laurence , Valles Vincent , Barbiero Laurent
Published: January 2025

This study highlights the importance of distinguishing the mechanisms driving spatial and temporal variances in groundwater database analyses, with a particular focus on bacteriological contamination processes. Groundwater quality data from the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of France forms the basis of this investigation. Specifically, the SISE-EAUX database includes 3569 groundwater samples collected over various dates from 989 monitoring points. The methodology involves structuring the data into three distinct sets: (1) A spatio-temporal dataset without any conditioning; (2) A spatial dataset that assigns the mean values of each parameter to each sampling point; (3) A temporal dataset that captures deviations from the mean for each sampling point and parameter. These datasets enable a separate analysis of spatial and temporal variances. Principal component analysis (PCA) and parameter hierarchical clustering were used to compare the results, yielding valuable insights into the underlying processes. This analysis helps distinguish between factors related to geological or pedological spatial distributions and those associated with climatic events, such as intense rainfall episodes exhibiting seasonal patterns. Such differentiation enhances the understanding of fecal contamination vectors and nitrate pollution, which are often linked to surface and subsurface runoff in vulnerable catchment areas. While conceptually clear, the practical separation of spatial and temporal variability presents challenges. For example, catchments sensitive to surface water inflows during rainfall events are unevenly distributed across the region, correlating with specific natural environments. As a result, areas of high temporal variability are also well-structured spatially, underscoring the interdependence of these two types of variability. This complexity is exemplified by the behavior of iron, which varies in association with surface and subsurface parameters depending on spatial and temporal contexts. Additionally, asynchronous sampling and varying frequencies across sites lead to discrepancies in the average temporal data acquisition between points. These disparities can influence spatial variability calculations, as temporal variability effects are not entirely removed. Despite these challenges, the distinction between spatial and temporal components is essential for a deeper understanding of groundwater quality mechanisms. This refined approach improves diagnostic precision and supports more targeted and effective water resource management strategies.
Les ambassades grecques à la cour du Grand Roi. Des missions pas comme les autres ?
Authors: Lenfant Dominique
Published: January 2025

Aux Ve et IVe siècles av. J.-C., des cités grecques d’Europe envoyèrent régulièrement des ambassades à la cour du roi de Perse. On indique d’abord ici les particularités et limites de nos principales sources sur le sujet, avant d’analyser successivement les critères de choix des ambassadeurs, les modalités de leur voyage jusqu’au cœur de l’empire, les traits distinctifs de leur séjour à la cour et les conditions de leur retour dans leur cité, avec ses répercussions culturelles. Ces ambassades n’étaient pas des missions diplomatiques comme les autres. Il s’agissait d’une expérience sans équivalent, marquée par la découverte d’un univers nouveau, celui de l’empire perse, avec son territoire immense, son administration vigilante, son organisation logistique, ses richesses matérielles et son roi tout-puissant. Bien que les récits grecs n’y insistent guère, les ambassadeurs surent parfaitement s'adapter aux différences culturelles auxquelles ils firent face.
Isocrate, la théorie de la médiation et l’hellénisation de Chypre à l’époque des royaumes
Authors: Petit Thierry
Published: January 2025

En quoi, pour un Grec d’époque classique, consistait le Kyprios charactèr (Eschyle, Suppl, 281-292) ? Quels pans de l’hellénisme étaient observables dans l’île avant la conquête lagide ? Au-delà de la langue, qui, à elle seule, ne peut constituer un critère absolu de «grécité », la théorie de la médiation, adaptée en archéologie par Pierre-Yves Balut et Philippe Bruneau, permet de distinguer divers aspects d’une civilisation à prendre en compte pour apprécier l’acculturation cypriote à l’hellénisme : le parler, mais aussi les artefacts, les mœurs et les valeurs grecs. On trouve semblable distinction dans un passage d’un des discours cypriotes d’Isocrate, lequel nous servira de fil conducteur.
Bronze Age gold torques from Bulgaria
Authors: Alexandrov Stefan
Published: January 2025

The paper presents 12 gold torques from Bulgaria dated to the last centuries of the 3 rd – first half of the 2 nd millennium BC. Two main groups – with flattened and rolled back ends (Group 1) considered to be chronologically later, and with rolled back and wrapped over the bar ends (Group 2) considered to be earlier, are distinguished. Based on parallels with similar torques from Central‑ and South‑eastern Europe, Anatolia and the Near East as well as with other precious metals finds from the Eastern Balkans some questions related to the existing and the nature of the contacts between the latter and the Aegean during that Early – Middle Bronze Age periods are discussed.
Topographical investigation and magnetometer prospection of the Agighiol tumulus, Tulcea County (4th century BC).
Authors: Zickgraf Benno , Riese Torsten , Teleaga Emilian
Published: January 2025

Tumulul Agighiol a fost cercetat în 1931 după demantelarea neprofesionistă a construcției funerare. Redescoperirea documentației săpăturii arheologice a permis revalorificarea acestui monument, constatându‑se că doar un sfert din tumul a fost cercetat. Pentru a estima potențialul unei săpături arheologice sistematice s‑a efectuat o ridicare topografică detaliată a tumulului și prospecțiunea geomagnetică a suprafeței lui. Ridicarea topografică a evidențiat depresiunea cu margini înălțate corespunzând gropii vechilor săpături. Prospecțiunea geomagnetică a urmărit descoperirea unor eventuale structuri funerare ; urmele construcției funerare au apărut sub formă circulară ; de asemenea, au fost identificate posibile gropi antropice în apropierea tumulului.