bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Agricultural Projects in Building Sustainable and Resilient Maize Value Chain in Burkina Faso
Authors: Sithole Mupangi , Ng’ombe Assan , Musafiri Collins M. , Kiboi Milka , Sales Tomas , Ngetich Felix K.
Published: December 2023

Poor seed quality and climate change significantly affect the maize value chain in Burkina Faso. To address the challenges, a catalytic project titled “Strengthening resilient seed systems in the maize value chain in Burkina Faso—from research to markets” was initiated to enhance the development of a resilient maize value chain. This study aims to assess the role of the project in developing a sustainable and resilient maize value chain. In this study, we used a mixed approach in design and implementation: qualitative research using key informants’ interviews, secondary data such as baseline survey reports, and lessons learned during the seed value chain greening intervention implemented in the Hauts-Bassins and Cascades regions of Burkina Faso. We analyzed qualitative data following the Gioia method. Kabako, a drought-tolerant hybrid seed variety, doubled crop yields in demonstration plots compared to smallholder farms and regional and national averages. Extension officers and village-based advisors (VBAs) were trained on improved seeds, composting, strip cropping, intercropping, crop rotation, and water management technologies and afterward trained smallholders. The VBAs trained smallholders on proper postharvest management practices and processing. The off-takers acted as the market. However, smallholders also sold their maize products in the informal open markets. The aggregator system was the missing link in Burkina Faso’s maize value chain. There was limited involvement of women in the project. Results obtained from this study are valuable for policymakers and value chain actors in preparing policies and filling missing gaps for exploiting the potential of the maize value chain.
Study on the Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors in the Reuse of National Industrial Heritage Sites in China
Authors: Zhang Yunxing , Yang Meiyu , Li Ziyang , Li Weizhen , Lu Chenchen , Li Zhigang , Li Haidong , Zhai Feifei
Published: December 2023

Industrial heritage is a valuable spatial resource for urban stock updates, and its preservation and reuse play an important role in the transmission of urban history and culture. Typological analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, relevant spatial analysis using ArcGIS 10.8, and geographic probes were employed to explore the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors regarding the current status of the reuse of 196 heritage sites selected from five batches of China’s National Industrial Heritage (NIH) lists. The results reveal the following: (1) The spatial distribution of China’s NIH sites is uneven and cohesive, forming a dense circle with the Yangtze River Delta region and the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region at its core. (2) Three-fourths of the NIH sites have entered the reuse stage, and high-density and relatively high-density clusters have formed in the eastern and central regions. (3) The conservation and reuse directions of China’s NIH sites are mainly divided into publicization and marketization. (4) The spatial distribution differentiation of the reuse of NIH sites is not due to a single cause but, rather, a combination of various contributing factors. Natural geographic and socio-economic factors exert varying degrees of influence on the spatial distribution of reused heritage sites, with tourism resources and government support playing primary roles in shaping this distribution. These findings establish a fundamental database of China’s NIH sites and provide guidance for the current conservation and reuse of industrial heritage.
Strategic Decision-Making for Multi-Period Fleet Transition Towards Zero-Emission: Preliminary Study
Authors: Bieda Bogusław , Książek Roger , Gdowska Katarzyna , Korcyl Antoni
Published: December 2023

Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) struggles with significant policy and operational challenges, particularly concerning collection routes for recyclables and fleet composition. Within the European Union, phasing out traditional fuel-based vocational vehicles, like garbage trucks, in favor of zero-emission alternatives, is mandatory to achieve sustainable development objectives. This paper presents a preliminary study on the problem of multi-period fleet transition from combustive fuels towards more eco-friendly fueling types. Initially developed for energy sector, the MARKAL framework was used here to support the technological transition of the fleet. The mixed-integer program was formulated for the Fleet Transition Problem (FTP), a simplified theoretical problem. The objective of the FTP and a mixed-integer linear program used to solve it is minimizing the overall cost of fleet modernization throughout a multi-phase planning horizon so that the sustainable transition of the fleet can be assured. Computational experiments run on randomly generated data instances affirmed the model’s effectiveness in strategizing fleet transition. This research outlines a multi-period model for transitioning to a zero-emission fleet and demonstrates the FTP’s potential for strategic decision-making. Notably, the study observes consistent reductions in permissible emissions across the planning horizon.
Mechanical and Thermal Effects of Using Fine Recycled PET Aggregates in Common Screeds
Authors: Coviello Cristiano Giuseppe , Lassandro Paola , Sabbà Maria Francesca , Foti Dora
Published: December 2023

The increasing consumption of plastics has necessitated the need to find a sustainable solution to reuse PET within common building materials. Recycled PET reinforcement would reduce plastic waste that is difficult to dispose of and CO2 emissions, representing a sustainable solution for generating lighter building materials. The goal of this work was to define a new cementitious mixture design and to study the mechanical and thermal behavior of three typologies of screeds with fine recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregates. A weight percentage of PET of 1%, 2%, and 3% was used. The test results for sustainable screeds (S-Screeds) with waste PET were compared with a reference screed without the addition of plastic. In the fresh state, the workability and the air content were measured, while in the hardened state, the density, thermal conductivity, and compressive and flexural strength were investigated. These properties showed improvement for some tested S-Screeds after the introduction of fine (a few millimeters in size) and irregularly shaped waste plastic aggregates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the presence of a release surface between the cementitious mixtures and the plastic material, even if the mechanical interaction between the matrix and PET still existed.
Effective Communication of Coastal Flood Warnings: Challenges and Recommendations
Authors: Pang Tianze , Penney Heather D. , Wang Xiuquan
Published: December 2023

With the increasing risk of coastal flooding facing coastal communities due to climate change, coastal flood warnings (CFWs) are expected to play a critical role in the protection of people and property to ensure communities’ sustainable development. However, as destructive coastal flooding hazards have caused considerable damage in recent years, the effectiveness of coastal flooding warnings could be questioned considering their objective of disaster risk reduction. Here, we deliver a review investigation of the current CFWs in the USA and Canada based on their setup and dissemination, and a case study of two representative coastal flooding events. Through this review, we found that collaboration between multi-level administration regarding CFW mechanisms has the potential to strengthen these mechanisms, improving their efficacy. We also found that CFWs presented in the media often lacked consideration of public acceptance and practicability in their reports, which may have affected the performance of these CFWs. Meanwhile, the technological limitations and uncertain public acceptance may also reduce the CFWs’ effectiveness in application. Accordingly, the media should further consider the understandability of CFW-related reports. Moreover, emergency information channels should be set in both traditional media and social media for accessible use by residents with different customs. Lastly, starting from the normalized prevention of coastal flood disaster, a consensus of crisis awareness should be built with which the social aspects of the defense against coastal flooding can be established for future environmental sustainability.
Disaster Risk Assessment for Railways: Challenges and a Sustainable Promising Solution Based on BIM+GIS
Authors: Cao Yiming , Lan Hengxing , Li Langping
Published: December 2023

Natural hazards constantly threaten the sustainable construction and operation of railway engineering facilities, making railway disaster risk assessment an essential approach to disaster prevention. Despite numerous studies that have focused on railway risk assessment, few have quantified specific damages, such as economic losses and human casualties. Meanwhile, the mechanism of impact damage from various disasters on railway facilities and the propagation of functional failure in railway systems have not been thoroughly summarized and addressed. Thus, it is essential to conduct effective quantitative risk assessments (QRAs) to facilitate the sustainable design, construction, and operation of rail infrastructure. This paper aimed to review and discuss the systematic development of risk assessment in railway engineering facilities. Firstly, we highlighted the importance of disaster QRA for railway facilities. Next, numerous limitations of QRA methods were concluded after conducting a comprehensive review of the risk assessment research applied to railway facilities, such as bridges, tunnels, and roadbeds. Furthermore, true QRA (TQRA) application in railway engineering has faced several significant challenges. Therefore, we proposed a promising TQRA strategy for railway engineering facilities based on the integration of building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information systems (GIS). The proposed BIM+GIS technology is expected to provide sustainable future directions for railway engineering QRA procedures.
The Contribution of the Agricultural Labour Force in Romania to the Sector’s Economic Performance
Authors: Ursu Ana , Sterie Maria Cristina , Petre Ionut Laurentiu
Published: December 2023

This study aims to assess the quantitative and, above all, the qualitative potential of the agricultural labour force in Romania. In the first part of this paper, analyses will be carried out on the agricultural labour force to identify the potential of countries that attach particular importance to the subject studied and the inter-relationships between them, where agriculture is a major employer. In the second part of the paper, an empirical analysis of labour force statistics will be carried out to assess its potential, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Finally, we want to determine the influence of certain population characteristics on the qualitative potential of the labour force. The bibliometric analysis provides a historical, contextual and evolutionary perspective on previous research and problematic factors in the field, linking the “agricultural labour force” to other issues such as climate change, economic growth, sustainability, education and income. It provides a comprehensive framework and links between the various elements influencing the agricultural sector, strengthening the understanding of the interconnections between labour force and other key variables in the sector.
Safeguarding Cork’s Beauty and Longevity: Innovations in Deposition of Protective Thin Films
Authors: Tiss Belgacem , Martínez-Martínez Diego , Mansilla Catalina , Borges Joel , Andritschky Martin , Cunha Luís
Published: December 2023

Cork is a sustainable natural material widely used as a wine stopper. However, some other uses, such as wall coverings, flooring, bags and shoes, face UV damage. To mitigate this issue, we explored the deposition of TiO2 and ZnO thin films via magnetron sputtering on glass and cork substrates. Both films displayed uniformity and the lack of any discernible cracks or voids, remained transparent in the visible region, and offered UV protection. Thus, TiO2 and ZnO blocked UV light with a wavelength of up to 310 nm (Eg = 4 eV) and 370 nm (Eg = 3.3 eV), respectively. Exposure tests, under a sun simulator lamp, revealed that the uncoated cork showed noticeable color changes, even when located under a glass substrate. The TiO2 coating did not prevent cork discoloration, while ZnO prevented it. This study highlights ZnO thin films as a durable solution to safeguard cork materials from UV damage and extend their usability.
Village Government’s Risk Management and Village Fund Administration in Indonesia
Authors: Ginting Arwanto Harimas , Widianingsih Ida , Mulyawan Rahman , Nurasa Heru
Published: December 2023

This study examines the application of risk management in managing village funds, motivated by the village government’s efforts to improve financial management. This research focuses on activities involved in village fund management, including planning, budgeting, administration, reporting, accountability, and supervision. This study analyzes how village governments carry out risk management by considering efficiencies, innovation in public resource management, and anticipating and prioritizing potential threats and opportunities. Data collection involved participant observation, interviews, and analysis of written documents, images, and archives. The result shows that risk management is essential for the management of village funds, and avoiding mistakes in rural communities should be part of their planning and participation. This study highlights the importance of adequate human resources, both in regard to quantity and quality, but it is necessary to pay attention to local strengths by utilizing the nature of cooperation and family skills. Overall, the study emphasizes the need to prioritize risk management in managing village funds to encourage accountability and the efficient use of resources.
Optimal Operation of Distribution Networks Considering Renewable Energy Sources Integration and Demand Side Response
Authors: Hachemi Ahmed T. , Sadaoui Fares , Saim Abdelhakim , Ebeed Mohamed , Abbou Hossam E. A. , Arif Salem
Published: December 2023

This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of Demand Side Response (DSR) with renewable integration by solving the stochastic optimal operation problem (OOP) in the IEEE 118-bus distribution system over 24 h. An Improved Walrus Optimization Algorithm (I-WaOA) is proposed to minimize costs, reduce voltage deviations, and enhance stability under uncertain loads, generation, and pricing. The proposed I-WaOA utilizes three strategies: the fitness-distance balance method, quasi-opposite-based learning, and Cauchy mutation. The I-WaOA optimally locates and sizes photovoltaic (PV) ratings and wind turbine (WT) capacities and determines the optimal power factor of WT with DSR. Using Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) and probability density functions (PDF), the uncertainties in renewable energy generation, load demand, and energy costs are represented. The results show that the proposed I-WaOA approach can significantly reduce costs, improve voltage stability, and mitigate voltage deviations. The total annual costs are reduced by 91%, from 3.8377 × 107 USD to 3.4737 × 106 USD. Voltage deviations are decreased by 63%, from 98.6633 per unit (p.u.) to 36.0990 p.u., and the system stability index is increased by 11%, from 2.444 × 103 p.u. to 2.7245 × 103 p.u., when contrasted with traditional methods.
Analyzing the Mechanisms by Which Digital Platforms Influence Family-School Partnerships among Parents of Young Children
Authors: Hsu Pi-Chun , Chen Ru-Si
Published: December 2023

This research delved into the correlation between digital platforms and the dynamics of family-school collaboration within the context of parents with young children in Taiwan. It also examined the roles of parental involvement, teacher-child interactions, and online communication in this model. In the context of Taiwan, a research endeavor was undertaken to elucidate the viewpoints of parents with preschool-age children concerning digital platforms and their associated determinants. A Chinese-translated questionnaire included five latent factors: digital platforms, parental involvement, teacher-child interactions, online communication, and family-school partnerships. Employing a partial least-squares technique, we conducted an in-depth examination of the survey data, focusing on the evaluation of questionnaire latent factor reliability and validity within the measurement model. Subsequently, a path analysis was conducted to examine the hypothesized assumptions in the structural model. The findings indicated significant positive effects, with digital platforms enhancing parental involvement, teacher-child interactions, and online communication, ultimately leading to stronger family-school partnerships. Statistical analyses using a robust dataset consistently confirmed the significance of these associations.
Extraction of Bunkering Services from Automatic Identification System Data and Their International Comparisons
Authors: Watanabe Eisuke , Shibasaki Ryuichi
Published: December 2023

Despite the increased demand for alternative fuel bunkering and the importance of its base formation, quantitative information or statistics on bunkering are very limited due to data availability. This study aims to develop a quantitative method to extract bunkering operations and analyze and compare the actual bunkering operations, such as bunkering service times and starting times in the port area, by extracting anchored vessels using a clustering method and matching them with bunker barges spatio-temporally. The algorithm also reflects the characteristic behavior of bunker barges, including calling at refineries and bunker barge bases. This study then focuses on bunkering in three port areas and compares their characteristics from various perspectives. The study’s key findings reveal variations in vessel types and service times across three port areas, particularly in Tokyo Bay, where shorter service times are observed for containerships and dry bulk carriers due to high fuel prices. Additionally, it highlights differences in bunkering start times, with Tokyo Bay for daytime operations and Singapore Port for a more balanced distribution throughout the day. Furthermore, bunkering locations differ, with Tokyo Bay and Busan Port having most operations at container terminals, while offshore bunkering is prevalent in Singapore Port.
Optimizing Electric Vehicle Charging Station Location on Highways: A Decision Model for Meeting Intercity Travel Demand
Authors: Gulbahar Ibrahim Tumay , Sutcu Muhammed , Almomany Abedalmuhdi , Ibrahim Babul Salam KSM Kader
Published: December 2023

Electric vehicles have emerged as one of the top environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure, particularly determining the optimal locations for charging stations, is essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Most research on this subject focuses on popular areas such as city centers, shopping centers, and airports. With numerous charging stations available, these locations typically satisfy daily charging needs in routine life. However, the availability of charging stations for intercity travel, particularly on highways, remains insufficient. In this study, a decision model has been proposed to determine the optimal placement of electric vehicle charging stations along highways. To ensure a practical approach to the location of charging stations, the projected number of electric vehicles in Türkiye over the next few years is estimated by using a novel approach and the outcomes are used as crucial input in the facility location model. An optimization technique is employed to identify the ideal locations for charging stations on national highways to meet customer demand. The proposed model selects the most appropriate locations for charging stations and the required number of chargers to be installed, ensuring that electric vehicle drivers on highways do not encounter charging problems.
Greening Organizations: The Relationship between Employee Environmental Concern, Perception of Advantages of Eco-Innovations, and Support for Innovation
Authors: Zappalà Salvatore , Radassao Luca , Toscano Ferdinando
Published: December 2023

Environmental sustainability is a relevant challenge for companies, and employees’ perceptions of the advantages of ecological innovation, or eco-innovation, introduced by the company represent an important driver of organizational change adoption. This study examines if employees’ environmental concerns, considered as a general attitude and a value orientation, are related to the perception of the advantages of eco-innovation. Building on climate literature, it also investigates if the climate of support for innovation moderates that relationship. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 Italian workers. A confirmatory factor analysis and a moderation model were tested. Results show a significant positive relationship between employees’ environmental concern and perceived benefits of eco-innovation. Intriguingly, the climate of support for innovation negatively, instead of positively, moderated this relationship. Results suggest that in order to increase the perception of the benefits of the introduced eco-innovations, organizations should consider the whole set of innovations undertaken and address, especially to very concerned and value oriented employees, the unique environmental benefits of those innovations.
Sustainable Transformation Evaluation and Obstacle Factor Analysis of Mature Coal Resource Cities: A Study Using Jinzhong City as an Example
Authors: Guo Xiaojia , Qiao Yu , Li Jinqiang , Chen Xingpeng , Li Ya
Published: December 2023

Transformation and development performance evaluation and obstacle factor research are standard and important bases for measuring the transformation of mature resource cities. Based on the connotation of transformational development, this paper presents the selection of indices for the construction of a measurement index system that covers four aspects: economics, people’s well-being, resources, and the ecological environment. Taking Jinzhong City as an example, this study measures the implementation effect of sustainable development planning in resource cities and applies the entropy-weight TOPSIS method and obstacle degree model to evaluate its transformation and development performance and diagnose obstacle factors from 2007 to 2020. The results are as follows: (1) Jinzhong City has made remarkable achievements in transitional development. In the past 14 years, transformation performance has increased from 0.260 to 0.711, and there has been a change from the fair transformation stage to the good transformation stage. (2) The transformational development of Jinzhong City presents two phases: the initial exploratory phase (2007~2013) and the steadily improving phase (2014~2020). The four systems differ significantly in their drive for transformational development in the two stages. (3) The main obstacle factors for the transformation and development of Jinzhong City show stage differences. However, as a whole, economic development and the ecological environment were the main obstacle factors constraining the transformation and development of the city. Hence, it is essential for mature coal resource cities to improve transformation in the future and construct a long-term mechanism for sustainable development, cultivating continuous alternative industries and improving the ecological environment and the security of people’s livelihoods.
Enzymatic Valorization of Lignocellulosic Biomass—The Influence of Deep Eutectic Solvents and Ionic Liquids on the Activity of Cellulolytic Enzymes
Authors: Wawoczny Agata , Przypis Marta , Gillner Danuta
Published: December 2023

In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the interest in changing lignocellulose processing technologies from harmful and nonecological to more ecological and sustainable. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and ionic liquids (ILs) are green, efficient solvents/catalysts for biomass pretreatment as well as its further transformation. In many cases, they are used together with biocatalysts. Additionally, in processes where DESs and ILs are used for the pretreatment of biomass, before enzymatic transformation, traces of these solvents can influence the activity of biocatalysts. For this reason, it is important to evaluate the effect of novel, green solvents on the activity of enzymes widely applied in the biomass valorization processes. In this work, we present the impact of chosen DESs and ILs, most often applied in biomass pretreatment and transformation, on the enzymatic activity of popular cellulolytic enzymes and enzymatic preparations (namely, cellulases from Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma reesei, and Viscozyme L). The enzymatic activity was investigated in the process of transformation of cellulose or biomass to glucose. The results showed that many of the solvents tested had a negative effect on enzymatic activity, suggesting a separation of pretreatment and enzymatic processes.
The Impact of Investment Efficiency in the Digital Economy on Urban Waste Reduction: Evidence from China
Authors: Feng Hui , Li Yirong , Mu Renyan , Wu Lei
Published: December 2023

This study aims to explore the relationship between the development of the digital economy and urban waste management practices, with a specific focus on their impact on landfill and incineration disposal methods. The research objective is to enhance our understanding of interdependencies in these domains and offer insights for the formulation of more efficient waste management strategies. Through empirical analysis, the study shows a significant influence of the digital economy on urban waste disposal volumes. Moreover, the provided results show a negative impact of the efficiency of digital infrastructure investment on urban waste disposal volumes. These findings suggest that enhancing the efficiency of investment in digital infrastructure could alleviate the strain on waste disposal strategies, thus helping to reduce environmental pollution. The findings of this study provide valuable insights and suggest directions for future research in pursuit of sustainable waste management practices in the evolving context of the digital economy.
Why Do Longtermists Care about Protecting the Environment? An Investigation on the Underlying Mechanisms of Pro-Climate Policy Support
Authors: Law Kyle Fiore , Syropoulos Stylianos , Young Liane
Published: December 2023

Amid the pressing threat of climate collapse, longtermists emerge as a critical group poised to undertake collective action for the planet’s future. This pre-registered, highly powered study (N = 784 U.S. subjects recruited through Prolific) reinforces the association between longtermism and pro-climate attitudes, revealing that longtermists markedly support diverse pro-environmental policies, including those focusing on climate justice for minoritized groups in present-day and future generations. Notably, these associations are consistent after controlling for various demographic indicators, emphasizing their widespread relevance in the US context. Going beyond existing literature, this research delves into the underpinnings of longtermists’ pro-environmental proclivities. Critically, while longtermists exhibit heightened future-oriented concern for themselves and others, it is their capacity to imagine a brighter, more sustainable future and their broadened prosocial reach that elevates their environmental concern above and beyond the influence of demographic differences or other mediating factors. These insights present a promising foundation for cultivating broader pro-environmental engagement, highlighting the role of imagination and prosociality in shaping sustainable action.
Eco-Friendly Transactions: Exploring Mobile Payment Adoption as a Sustainable Consumer Choice in Taiwan and the Philippines
Authors: Niu Han-Jen , Hung Fei-Hsu Sun , Lee Po-Ching , Ni Yensen , Chen Yuhsin
Published: December 2023

This study looks into eco-friendly transactions via mobile payment (MP) adoption in the context of a global emphasis on responsible innovation and sustainable consumption. Focusing on MP adoption in Taiwan and the Philippines and utilizing SPSS and PROCESS tools, we uncover distinct patterns. The Philippines highlights the impact of social factors on hedonic motivations driving MP adoption, whereas Taiwan emphasizes functional aspects, underlining the need for region-specific strategies. By analyzing the interplay between hedonic and utilitarian motives, our research contributes to discussions on environmentally conscious transactional choices in diverse cultural contexts. We emphasize the seamless integration of FinTech innovation and ethical consumer decisions, advocating for sustainable practices in everyday financial transactions. Our findings address contemporary concerns about business ethics, environmental sustainability, and responsibility, offering a roadmap for fostering greener consumer behaviors.
Modeling Mushrooms’ Carbon Dioxide Emission and Heat Exchange Rates for Synergistic Cultivation with Leafy Greens
Authors: Meilleur Marc-Antoine , Bastien Diane , Monfet Danielle
Published: December 2023

The cultivation of mushrooms in controlled environments generates a significant amount of CO2 as a by-product. This presents opportunities for carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment in leafy green production. This study aimed to develop a model for CO2 emission and heat exchange rates that can be used to support the synergistic cultivation of mushrooms and leafy greens. This was achieved by aggregating data from literature with experimental data gathered in two different testing spaces. The average CO2 emission and heat exchange rates for shiitake incubated at 21 °C were determined and a CO2 emission rate model for mixed substrate in incubation was developed based on indoor temperature variations. The results indicated that oyster mushrooms have a notable CO2 enrichment potential, twice that of shiitake in the incubation stage and five times more in fructification. Additionally, oyster mushrooms released a significant amount of heat during incubation. In contrast, shiitake mushrooms with their minimal heat exchange rate during incubation could offer an energy-efficient option for synergistic cultivation with leafy greens in environments where cooling is required year-round. Moreover, it was observed that the CO2 emission rate of a full-scale incubation chamber is strongly correlated with indoor temperature. These findings offer valuable information for modeling the CO2 emission and heat exchange rates of mushroom and leafy green farms.
Evaluation of the Transport Environmental Effects of an Urban Road Network in a Medium-Sized City in a Developing Country
Authors: Auttha Warunvit , Klungboonkrong Pongrid
Published: December 2023

A decision support model (DSM) involving a combination of five different prediction models for the environmental effects of transport and the powerful HMADM approach was introduced for the first time to assess the multiple criteria environmental effects of transport in an urban road network of the Khon Kaen Metropolitan Municipality (KKMM) in Khon Kaen City, Thailand. Five mathematical models were adopted to quantify the CO2 emissions (CO2Es), PM2.5 concentration (PM2.5C), CO concentrations (COCs), noise levels (NOLs), and pedestrian accident risk (PAR) values of all road segments in the study area. The FAHP, FSM, and TOPSIS were integrated into the HMADM to estimate the composite transport environmental effect scores (CTEESs) of each road segment. The FAHP was applied to determine the relative weights of each environmental criterion for three land use types, and the FSM was utilized to transform linguistic (fuzzy) scores into numerical (crisp) scores. Both the FAHP and FSM are principally used to deal with uncertain, incomplete, and ambiguous (fuzzy) information that appears during decision-making processes. Finally, TOPSIS was used to estimate the CTEESs of each road segment. An integrated DSM was applied to comprehend and evaluate each individual environmental criterion and the combined environmental criteria for each road segment in the study area. The DSM was employed to rank the problematic locations of all road segments. For instance, the ranking of the top 12 road segments with the greatest CTEESs was 75, 80, 48, 89, 76, 5, 64, 59, 60, 16, 65, and 62. In addition, this DSM can also be used to identify the possible causes of such locations and allocate limited government budgets for the implementation of appropriate remedial measures for resolving such environmental problems due to transport in an urban road network in the study area.
Insight into Spatially Colored Stochastic Heat Equation: Temporal Fractal Nature of the Solution
Authors: Wang Wensheng
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the solution to a spatially colored stochastic heat equation (SHE) is studied. This solution is a random function of time and space. For a fixed point in space, the resulting random function of time has exact, dimension-dependent, global continuity moduli, and laws of the iterated logarithm (LILs). It is obtained that the set of fast points at which LILs fail in this process, and occur infinitely often, is a random fractal, the size of which is evaluated by its Hausdorff dimension. These points of this process are everywhere dense with the power of the continuum almost surely, and their hitting probabilities are determined by the packing dimension dimP(E) of the target set E.
Comparative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Ascochyta fabae under In Vitro Conditions and Their Phytotoxicity on the Primary Host, Vicia faba, and Related Legume Crops
Authors: Barilli Eleonora , Reveglia Pierluigi , Agudo-Jurado Francisco J. , Cañete García Vanessa , Cimmino Alessio , Evidente Antonio , Rubiales Diego
Published: December 2023

Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta fabae, poses a significant threat to faba bean and other legumes worldwide. Necrotic lesions on stems, leaves, and pods characterize the disease. Given the economic impact of this pathogen and the potential involvement of secondary metabolites in symptom development, a study was conducted to investigate the fungus’s ability to produce bioactive metabolites that might contribute to its pathogenicity. For this investigation, the fungus was cultured in three substrates (Czapek-Dox, PDB, and rice). The produced metabolites were analyzed by NMR and LC-HRMS methods, resulting in the dereplication of seven metabolites, which varied with the cultural substrates. Ascochlorin, ascofuranol, and (R)-mevalonolactone were isolated from the Czapek-Dox extract; ascosalipyrone, benzoic acid, and tyrosol from the PDB extract; and ascosalitoxin and ascosalipyrone from the rice extract. The phytotoxicity of the pure metabolites was assessed at different concentrations on their primary hosts and related legumes. The fungal exudates displayed varying degrees of phytotoxicity, with the Czapek-Dox medium’s exudate exhibiting the highest activity across almost all legumes tested. The species belonging to the genus Vicia spp. were the most susceptible, with faba bean being susceptible to all metabolites, at least at the highest concentration tested, as expected. In particular, ascosalitoxin and benzoic acid were the most phytotoxic in the tested condition and, as a consequence, expected to play an important role on necrosis’s appearance.
Stark Broadening of N VI Spectral Lines
Authors: Dimitrijević Milan S. , Christova Magdalena D. , Sahal-Bréchot Sylvie
Published: December 2023

Stark broadening parameters, line widths and shifts, for 15 N VI multiplets are calculated using semiclassical perturbation theory for temperatures from 50,000 K to 2,000,000 K, and perturber density of 1016 cm−3. As perturbers have been taken electrons, protons and He III ions (alpha particles), which are of interest particularly for white dwarfs. Moreover, B III, B IV, B V and B VI ions have been taken as well, due to their significance for proton-boron fusion investigations. An example of the importance of Stark broadening in comparison with thermal Doppler broadening in atmospheres of spectral class DO white dwarfs is also presented. The obtained results are of interest particularly for white dwarf atmospheres modelling and analysis and synthesis of their spectra as well as for laser driven plasma in proton-boron fusion investigations.
The Impact of Innate Components on Viral Pathogenesis in the Neurotropic Coronavirus Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model
Authors: Boylan Brendan T. , Hwang Mihyun , Bergmann Cornelia C.
Published: December 2023

Recognition of viruses invading the central nervous system (CNS) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is crucial to elicit early innate responses that stem dissemination. These innate responses comprise both type I interferon (IFN-I)-mediated defenses as well as signals recruiting leukocytes to control the infection. Focusing on insights from the neurotropic mouse CoV model, this review discusses how early IFN-I, fibroblast, and myeloid signals can influence protective anti-viral adaptive responses. Emphasis is placed on three main areas: the importance of coordinating the distinct capacities of resident CNS cells to induce and respond to IFN-I, the effects of select IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) on host immune responses versus viral control, and the contribution of fibroblast activation and myeloid cells in aiding the access of T cells to the parenchyma. By unraveling how the dysregulation of early innate components influences adaptive immunity and viral control, this review illustrates the combined effort of resident CNS cells to achieve viral control.
Recently Emerged Novel Henipa-like Viruses: Shining a Spotlight on the Shrew
Authors: Caruso Sarah , Edwards Sarah J.
Published: December 2023

Henipaviruses are zoonotic viruses, including some highly pathogenic and capable of serious disease and high fatality rates in both animals and humans. Hendra virus and Nipah virus are the most notable henipaviruses, resulting in significant outbreaks across South Asia, South-East Asia, and Australia. Pteropid fruit bats have been identified as key zoonotic reservoirs; however, the increased discovery of henipaviruses outside the geographic distribution of Pteropid fruit bats and the detection of novel henipa-like viruses in other species such as the shrew, rat, and opossum suggest that Pteropid bats are not the sole reservoir for henipaviruses. In this review, we provide an update on henipavirus spillover events and describe the recent detection of novel unclassified henipaviruses, with a strong focus on the shrew and its emerging role as a key host of henipaviruses.
Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Transmission Clusters and Transmitted Drug-Resistant Mutations in Croatia from 2019 to 2022
Authors: Planinić Ana , Begovac Josip , Rokić Filip , Šimičić Petra , Oroz Maja , Jakovac Katja , Vugrek Oliver , Zidovec-Lepej Snjezana
Published: December 2023

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection is challenging due to the highly diverse HIV-genome. We investigated the genetic diversity and prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) followed by phylogenetic analysis in 270 HIV-1 infected, treatment-naïve individuals from Croatia in the period 2019–2022. The results of this research confirmed a high overall prevalence of TDR of 16.7%. Resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside RTIs (NNRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) was found in 9.6%, 7.4%, and 1.5% of persons, respectively. No resistance to integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) was found. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 173/229 sequences (75.5%) were part of transmission clusters, and the largest identified was T215S, consisting of 45 sequences. Forward transmission was confirmed in several clusters. We compared deep sequencing (DS) with Sanger sequencing (SS) on 60 randomly selected samples and identified additional surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRMs) in 49 of them. Our data highlight the need for baseline resistance testing in treatment-naïve persons. Although no major INSTIs were found, monitoring of SDRMs to INSTIs should be continued due to the extensive use of first- and second-generation INSTIs.
Pressure-Sensitive Walkway System for Evaluation of Lameness in Dogs Affected by Unilateral Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture Treated with Porous Tibial Tuberosity Advancement
Authors: Guadalupi Marta , Crovace Alberto Maria , Monopoli Forleo Donato , Staffieri Francesco , Lacitignola Luca
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate lameness in dogs affected by a unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR) treated with porous tibial tuberosity advancement before surgery and at three different timepoints after surgery, using the GAITRite® system (version 4.9Wr), a pressure-sensitive walkway system that is able to calculate several spatiotemporal gait parameters simultaneously for each limb. The dogs walked on the pressure-sensitive walkway before (T0) and 30 (T1), 90 (T2), and 120 (T3) days after surgery. Pressure measurements (gait lameness score and total pressure index %) were collected for S (treated with porous TTA) and C (healthy contralateral limb) at T0, T1, T2, and T3 and statistically evaluated. An ANOVA test was performed to compare the data, and a value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Twenty dogs (n = 20) of various common breeds and ages with CrCLR were enrolled in the study. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the GAIT4Dog® lameness score (GLS) and TPI% between S and C for each timepoint. Statistically significant differences in the GLS and TPI% between S at T0 and S at T2 and between S at T0 and S at T3 (p < 0.001) were found. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the GAIT4Dog® lameness score (GLS) and TPI% between S and C for each timepoint. Statistically significant differences in the GLS and TPI% between S at T0 and S at T2 and between S at T0 and S at T3 were found. The GLS and TPI% increased statistically significantly from 90 days after surgery compared to the preoperative measurements. Moreover, comparing the GLS and TPI% between the treated limb and the control limb showed that a statistically significant difference remained at each timepoint.
Landscape, Socioeconomic, and Meteorological Risk Factors for Canine Leptospirosis in Urban Sydney (2017–2023): A Spatial and Temporal Study
Authors: Lu Xiao , Griebsch Christine , Norris Jacqueline M. , Ward Michael P.
Published: December 2023

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease caused by infection with pathogenic Leptospira spp. We described reported clinical cases of canine leptospirosis in the council areas of the Inner West and the City of Sydney, Australia, from December 2017 to January 2023 and tested the association with urban spatial (landscape and socioeconomic factors, community seroprevalence, and urban heat island effect) and temporal (precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature) factors and the cases using log-transformed Poisson models, spatially stratified population-adjusted conditional logistic models, General Additive Models (GAMs), and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. The results suggested that canine leptospirosis is now endemic in the study area. A longer distance to the nearest veterinary hospital (RR 0.118, 95% CI −4.205–−0.065, p < 0.05) and a mildly compromised Index of Economic Resources (IER) (RR 0.202, 95% CI −3.124–−0.079, p < 0.05) were significant protective factors against leptospirosis. In areas proximal to the clinical cases and seropositive samples, the presence of tree cover was a strong risk factor for higher odds of canine leptospirosis (OR 5.80, 95% CI 1.12–30.11, p < 0.05). As the first study exploring risk factors associated with canine leptospirosis in urban Sydney, our findings indicate a potential transmission from urban green spaces and the possibility of higher exposure to Leptospira—or increased case detection and reporting—in areas adjacent to veterinary hospitals.
Phospholipase C Zeta 1 (PLCZ1): The Function and Potential for Fertility Assessment and In Vitro Embryo Production in Cattle and Horses
Authors: Gonzalez-Castro Raul A. , Carnevale Elaine M.
Published: December 2023

Phospholipase C Zeta 1 (PLCZ1) is considered a major sperm-borne oocyte activation factor. After gamete fusion, PLCZ1 triggers calcium oscillations in the oocyte, resulting in oocyte activation. In assisted fertilization, oocyte activation failure is a major cause of low fertility. Most cases of oocyte activation failures in humans related to male infertility are associated with gene mutations and/or altered PLCZ1. Consequently, PLCZ1 evaluation could be an effective diagnostic marker and predictor of sperm fertilizing potential for in vivo and in vitro embryo production. The characterization of PLCZ1 has been principally investigated in men and mice, with less known about the PLCZ1 impact on assisted reproduction in other species, such as cattle and horses. In horses, sperm PLCZ1 varies among stallions, and sperm populations with high PLCZ1 are associated with cleavage after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In contrast, bull sperm is less able to initiate calcium oscillations and undergo nuclear remodeling, resulting in poor cleavage after ICSI. Advantageously, injections of PLCZ1 are able to rescue oocyte failure in mouse oocytes after ICSI, promoting full development and birth. However, further research is needed to optimize PLCZ1 diagnostic tests for consistent association with fertility and to determine whether PLCZ1 as an oocyte-activating treatment is a physiological, efficient, and safe method for improving assisted fertilization in cattle and horses.
Using Clustering, Geochemical Modeling, and a Decision Tree for the Hydrogeochemical Characterization of Groundwater in an In Situ Leaching Uranium Deposit in Bayan-Uul, Northern China
Authors: Li Haibo , Liu Mengqi , Jiao Tian , Xiang Dongjin , Yan Xiaofei , Tang Zhonghua , Yang Jing
Published: December 2023

Uranium extraction through the in situ leaching method stands as a pivotal approach in uranium mining. In an effort to comprehensively assess the repercussions of in situ uranium leaching on groundwater quality, this study collected 12 representative groundwater samples within the Bayan-Uul mining area. The basic statistical characteristics of the water samples showed that the concentrations of SO42− and total dissolved solids (TDS) were relatively high. Through the use of cluster analysis, the water samples were categorized into two distinct clusters. Seven samples from wells W-d, W-u, N01, W10-2, W08-1, W10-1, and W13-1, situated at a considerable distance from the mining area, were grouped together. Conversely, five samples from wells W08-2, W13-2, W01-1, W02-2, and the pumping well located in closer proximity to the mining area, formed a separate cluster. A decision tree-based machine learning approach was employed to discern the influence of various hydrochemical indicators in forming these clusters, with results indicating that SO42− exerts the most substantial influence, followed by Ca2+. The mineral saturation indices from geochemical modeling indicated that, as the distance from the mining area increased, the trend of calcium minerals changed from dissolution to precipitation; iron minerals were in a precipitation state, and the precipitation trend was gradually weakening. In light of these findings, it is clear that in situ uranium leaching significantly impacted the groundwater in the vicinity of the mining area. The prolonged consumption of groundwater sourced near the study area, or its use for animal husbandry, poses potential health risks that demand heightened attention.