bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Incremental Approaches to Enhance Tourism Services in Minor Centers: A Case Study on Naro, Italy
Authors: Nicolini Elvira , Mamì Antonella , Giampino Annalisa , Amato Valentina , Romano Francesca
Published: January 2025

Over the past few years, minor centers have attracted interest from the scientific community and beyond as places to be re-inhabited. They have started being regarded as places of healthy and wholesome living, places that have kept resilience to anthropic actions as well as a sensitive architectural and landscape heritage that can act as a driver for the socioeconomic regeneration of their territories if enhanced. Several initiatives network small neighboring municipalities and link them to various types of tourism (cultural, mountain, experiential, etc.), depending on the areas’ traditions and specific characteristics. However, minor centers are often still unprepared to welcome tourists and struggle to implement services, especially due to the economic deficit resulting from years of abandonment and depopulation. The research described here returns possible expeditious solutions for improving the condition of tourism-related services. Starting from the historical and urban analysis and knowledge acquisition of a specific case study—the Municipality of Naro, in Sicily—we reflected on solutions to be repeated in similar contexts to improve the accessibility and use of the historic center. The aim of the research is to outline a place-based design to improve mobility, water and waste management services, affecting places’ attractiveness. The proposed interventions are modular, increasable in small steps, with budgets suited to the economic possibilities of small centers such as the examined one. This method, due to its incremental and adaptive nature, is working ‘on’ places and ‘for’ places, as well as functions as a possible tool and stimulus for the self-construction of a ‘sustainable society’ that helps the governance of these centers toward a vision of urban valorization. Territories like Naro represent a large part of Italy. They are endowed with resources lacking in heavily urbanized areas yet involved in numerous revitalization policies, including international ones.
Assessing the Carbon Footprint of the 2024 Italian K2 Expedition: A Path Towards Sustainable High-Altitude Tourism
Authors: Senese Antonella , Ahmad Anees , Maugeri Maurizio , Diolaiuti Guglielmina Adele
Published: January 2025

Often considered the most pristine natural areas, mountains are the third most important tourist destination in the world after coasts and islands, contributing significantly to the tourism sector (15–20%). Tourism is economically important for many mountain communities and is among the key drivers of economic growth in mountain regions worldwide. However, these high-altitude places are under increasing pressure from activities such as expeditions and trekking, which can contribute to the degradation of mountain ecosystems. In this study, we focused on the Italian expedition to K2 in July 2024, which celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first ascent in 1954. In particular, we assessed its environmental impact by estimating the expedition’s carbon footprint. We also discussed the different impact compared to the previous Italian expeditions. Overall, the 2024 Italian expedition to K2 had a carbon footprint of 27,654 kg CO2-eq, or 1383 kg CO2-eq per team member that flew from Italy. Air transport (i.e., the flight from Italy to Pakistan via Islamabad) was the largest source of emissions (91.7%, divided into 66.4% for passengers and 25.4% for cargo). Waste incineration was the smallest contributor (1.1%). Instead of using traditional diesel generators, the 2024 expedition used photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, eliminating further local greenhouse gas emissions. At the carbon credit price of 61.30 USD/ton of CO2 or 57.02 EUR/ton of CO2, offsetting the expedition’s emissions would cost 1695 USD or EUR 1577. This approach seems feasible and effective for mitigating the environmental impact of expeditions such as the one performed in 2024 by Italians.
Home–University Travel Plan for Sustainable Mobility: A Comparative Study Between the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Calabria
Authors: Guido Giuseppe , Nalmpantis Dimitrios , Pirri Pierfrancesco , Zinno Raffaele
Published: January 2025

One of the most crucial aspects of urban planning is transport, which allows access to different land uses and mobility within the metropolitan area. However, because they are linked to sustainable development, transport networks have a detrimental impact on economic, social, and environmental factors. To date, there are many regulatory instruments in place that promote the green economy and aim to limit the excessive use of natural resources. Many municipalities are adopting “Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans” with the aim of redesigning areas and traffic flows in cities and encouraging public transport use to reduce urban pollution and make cities more livable. In Italy, moreover, the figure of the mobility manager has been introduced for companies and public bodies whose task is to optimize the systematic travel of their organization’s employees through the drafting and adoption of the Home–University Travel Plan (HUTP), which is a document whose main objective is to incentivize the use of sustainable forms of mobility by defining specific measures that positively impact the community. Mobility management, therefore, emerges as a fundamental approach to developing and implementing strategies to ensure people’s mobility in an efficient manner in relation to social, environmental, and energy-saving purposes. Following these considerations, this paper presents the development of an HUTP for the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece, based on a work already carried out for the University of Calabria (Italy), and a comparative study between these two HUTPs follows. The choice to draft such plans does not respond to regulatory requirements but to a desire to contribute to the paradigm shift required by the new forms of mobility in the university campuses, which represent an attractive pole of considerable importance on the urban and regional territory. The initiatives to foster sustainable forms of mobility described in this document are also identified considering the Sustainable Development Goals, approved by the United Nations and outlined in Agenda 2030, with the aim also of promoting actions to improve the livability of the territory, ensure inclusion, increase collective well-being and increase the sensitivity of the entire academic community to the issue of sustainability.
Organic Geochemical Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Significance of the Permian System Around the Bogda Mountain, Junggar Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Zhou Jiaquan , Li Chao , Song Ziyi , Zhang Xinlei
Published: January 2025

Shale oil and gas resources have become an alternative energy source and are crucial in the field of sustainable oil and gas exploration. In the Junggar Basin, the Permian is not only the most significant source rock, but also an important field in shale oil and gas exploration. However, there are significant differences in the effectiveness of source rocks in different layers. During the Permian, the Bogda region effectively recorded the transition from marine environments in the Early Permian to terrestrial environments in the Late Permian, providing a viable opportunity for studying the Permian source rock of the Junggar Basin. We conducted an analysis of the total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance (Ro), and biomarker compounds of Permian source rocks around the Bogda Mountain. The results indicate that the Lower Permian strata were primarily deposited in a moderately reducing marine environment, with the main organic matter sourced from planktonic organisms. These strata are currently in a high to over-mature stage, evaluated as medium-quality source rocks, and may have already generated and expelled substantial quantities of oil and gas, making the Lower Permian hydrocarbon resources within the basin a noteworthy target for deep condensate oil and gas exploration in adjacent depressions. The Middle Permian Wulabo and Jingjingzigou formations were deposited in a moderately oxidizing marine–continental transitional environment with significant terrestrial organic input. The kerogen type is predominantly Type III, and these formations are presently in the mature to over-mature stage with low organic abundance and poor hydrocarbon generation potential. The Middle Permian Lucaogou Formation was deposited in a moderately reducing saline lacustrine environment, with algae and planktonic organisms as the primary sources of organic matter. The kerogen types are mainly Type I and II1, and it is currently within the oil-generation window. It is characterized by high organic abundance and evaluated as good to excellent source rocks, possessing substantial potential for shale oil exploration. The Upper Permian Wutonggou Formation was primarily deposited in a highly oxidizing continental environment with significant terrestrial input. The primary organic source comprises higher plants, resulting in Type III kerogen. These strata exhibit low organic abundance, are currently in the immature to mature stage, and are evaluated as poor source rocks with limited exploration potential. The information presented in this paper has important theoretical significance and practical value for oil and gas exploration and development in the Junggar Basin.
Carbon Emission Reduction Assessment of Ships in the Grand Canal Network Based on Synthetic Weighting and Matter-Element Extension Model
Authors: Sun Zhengchun , Xu Sudong , Jiang Jun
Published: January 2025

Vessel traffic is an important source of global greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon emissions from ships in the canal network are directly linked to the environmental performance of China’s inland waterway transportation, contributing to the achievement of global carbon reduction goals. Therefore, systematically assessing the carbon emission reduction levels of ships in canal networks is essential to provide a robust foundation for developing more scientific and feasible emission reduction strategies. To address the limitations of current evaluations—which often focus on a single dimension and lack an objective, quantitative representation of the mechanisms driving carbon emission and their synergistic effects—this study took a comprehensive approach. First, considering the factors influencing ship carbon emissions and emission reduction strategies, an evaluation index system was developed. This system included 6 first-level indexes and 22 s-level indexes, covering aspects such as energy utilization, technical equipment, and economic benefits. Second, a novel combination of methods was used to construct an evaluation model. Qualitative weights, determined through the interval binary semantic method, were integrated with quantitative weights calculated using the CRITIC method. These were then combined and assigned using a game-theory-based comprehensive assignment method. The resulting evaluation model, built upon the theory of matter-element topology, represents a significant methodological innovation. Finally, the evaluation method was applied to the empirical analysis of ships operating in Jiangsu section of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. This application demonstrated the model’s specificity and feasibility. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for improving carbon emission reduction levels for inland ships and advancing the sustainable development of the shipping industry.
The Impact and Mechanism of New-Type Urbanization on New Quality Productive Forces: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Gao Xiaotian , Yan Xiangwu , Song Sheng , Xu Ning
Published: January 2025

The development of new-type urbanization (NTU) represents a crucial strategic approach to fostering new drivers of economic growth. Despite its importance, limited research has explored the effects and underlying mechanisms through which NTU influences new quality productive forces (NQPFs), key indicators of emerging economic dynamism. Addressing this research gap, the present study analyzes panel data from 283 Chinese cities spanning from 2009 to 2022, applying a difference-in-differences (DID) model to empirically evaluate the impact of the New-Type Urbanization Pilot Policy (NTUPP) on NQPFs. The findings reveal that the NTUPP has a significant positive effect on NQPFs, a conclusion that is supported by a series of robustness and endogeneity checks. Specifically, the NTUPP’s implementation corresponds to an average increase of 1.1% in NQPFs. The policy facilitates NQPF growth primarily through mechanisms such as talent agglomeration and optimal resource allocation. Notably, the NTUPP is particularly effective in boosting NQPFs at lower initial levels. Since NQPFs inherently reflect green productivity, NTU’s emphasis on green, low-carbon, and civilizational features markedly amplifies the policy’s positive impact on NQPFs, while NTU’s focus on smart urbanization aspects appears to mitigate this effect. These findings contribute valuable empirical insights from the Chinese context, highlighting the potential of NTU to accelerate new economic growth drivers.
Wind Turbine Blade Decommissioning in Brazil: The Economic Performance of Energy Recovery in a Cement Kiln Compared to Industrial Landfill Site
Authors: Ramos Júnior Mário Joel , Medeiros Diego Lima , Batista Azevedo Joyce , dos Santos Almeida Edna
Published: January 2025

This study compares the logistics of decommissioning wind turbine blades for energy recovery in a cement kiln (proposed scenario) to industrial landfill site disposal and coke fuel in a cement kiln combined (base scenario) to check the financial cost of the operation in each scenario. The wind farm coordinates, wind turbine blade mass, and logistics costs of the 760 wind farms in Northeast Brazil were used to determine the location of a material processing center (MPC) for wind turbine blade waste. The findings showed that the cost of the proposed scenario was higher than that of the base scenario when a single MPC was considered to serve the Northeast region. However, the proposed scenario was preferable when installing decentralized MPCs to serve the Northeast region. The installation of four additional decentralized MPCs shows that energy recovery is a more favorable technological route in the economic performance for disposing of 96% of the wind turbine blades in operation in the Northeast region, which represents 210,188 tonnes. Therefore, the gradual implementation of MPCs should consider a wind turbine blade decommissioning plan to support the energy recovery potential.
Dynamics and Stability Analysis for Rope-Driven Bridge Pier Damage Detection Robot
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Xie Junjie , Wang Yanlin , Dou Hui , He Yuan , Zhou Keke
Published: January 2025

In order to solve the limitations of the existing bridge pier damage detection equipment, a rope-driven bridge pier damage detection robot (RDBPDR) is proposed. Firstly, the composition of the RDBPDR system was introduced. Secondly, the kinematical and dynamical model of the RDBPDR was established, and the optimization model of rope tension was given. Based on the dynamic model, the evaluation method and index of the stability of the RDBPDR were given. Finally, the distribution of the stability evaluation index of the RDBPDR in the workspace was clarified with an example calculation and analysis. The results show that the stability of the RDBPR gradually decreases from the geometric center to the boundary area in the horizontal section. With the increase in the height of the damage detection platform, the stability of the RDBPDR gradually increases in the vertical direction, but this change is not significant. It provides a basis for detection task planning, overall structure configuration, and prototype testing in the future.
Prediction of Structural Vibration Induced by Subway Operations Using Hybrid Method Based on Improved LSTM and Spectral Analysis
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Xu Guoyuan , Ye Xijun
Published: January 2025

With the rapid expansion of urban subway networks, vibrations induced by subway operations have become an increasingly significant concern for nearby structures. To assess the influence of subway-induced vibrations on nearby structures, it is essential to predict the vibration effects accurately prior to the construction of the subway system. By combining an improved Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model with a spectral analysis, this paper proposes a hybrid method to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of predicting structural vibrations induced by subway operations. The improved LSTM model is composed of BiLSTM, an attention mechanism, and the DBO algorithm. The symmetry inherent in the vibration propagation paths and the structural layouts of subway systems is leveraged to improve the feature extraction and modeling accuracy. Additionally, the hybrid method utilizes the symmetric properties of vibration signals in the spectral domain to enhance prediction robustness and efficiency. Then, the hybrid method is utilized to rapidly achieve highly accurate vibration responses induced by subway operations. The verification results demonstrate the following: (1) The improved LSTM model enhances the ability to recognize patterns in time-series vibration data, leading to improved model convergence and generalization. The improved LSTM mode has a significant improvement in prediction accuracy compared to the standard LSTM network. For numerical simulation and real-world measured signals, values of R2 increased by 3% and 49.37%. (2) The proposed hybrid method significantly reduces computational time while ensuring results consistent with those obtained from the time-history analysis method. Applying the proposed hybrid method for data augmentation enhances the accuracy of the spectral analysis. The hybrid method achieves an improvement of 7% for the prediction accuracy.
On the Symmetric Form of the Three Primes Theorem Weighted by Δ(x)
Authors: Guo Zhen
Published: January 2025

Let x be a large real number, d(n) be the Dirichlet divisor function and Δ(x)=∑n⩽xd(n)−xlogx−(2γ−1)x. In this paper, we consider a weighted form of the three primes theorem: S(N;k1,k2,k3):=∑p1+p2+p3=NΔk1(p1)Δk2(p2)Δk3(p3), where p1,p2,p3 run over primes, k1,k2,k3∈{1,2,⋯,9}, and N is an large odd integer. For the case ki∈{2,3,⋯,9}(i=1,2,3), the others two kj∈{2,3,4} with j≠i, an asymptotic formula for S(N;k1,k2,k3) has been derived, along with a non-trivial upper bound estimate for S(N;k1,k2,k3) when min(k1,k2,k3)=1.
Application of Machine Learning in Cell Detection
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Wang Xiaoyuan , Qian Ruocan
Published: January 2025

In recent years, machine learning algorithms have seen extensive application in chemical science, especially in cell detection technologies. Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence, is designed to automatically discover patterns in data. This review provides an overview of cell detection methods such as bright-field microscopy (BL), dark-field microscopy (DL), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and fluorescence detection (FL). We highlight key computational models like support vector machines and convolutional neural networks that significantly enhance the precision and efficiency of automated cell detection. Relevant research applications are discussed, along with future prospects for machine learning in cell analysis.
Bridging the Maturity Gaps in Industrial Data Science: Navigating Challenges in IoT-Driven Manufacturing
Authors: Awasthi Amruta , Krpalkova Lenka , Walsh Joseph
Published: January 2025

This narrative review evaluates the curtail components of data maturity in manufacturing industries, the associated challenges, and the application of industrial data science (IDS) to improve organisational decision-making. As data availability grows larger, manufacturing organisations face difficulties comprehending heterogeneous datasets of varying quality, which may lead to inefficient decision-making and other operational inefficiencies. It underlines that data appropriate for its intended application is considered quality data. The importance of including stakeholders in the data review process to enhance the data quality is accentuated in this paper, specifically when big data analysis is to be integrated into corporate strategies. Manufacturing industries leveraging their data thoughtfully can optimise efficiency and facilitate informed and productive decision-making by establishing a robust technical infrastructure and developing intuitive platforms and solutions. This study highlights the significance of IDS in revolutionising manufacturing sectors within the framework of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), demonstrating that big data can substantially improve efficiency, reduce costs, and guide strategic decision-making. The gaps or maturity levels among industries show a substantial discrepancy in this analysis, which is classified into three types: Industry 4.0 maturity levels, data maturity or readiness condition index, and industrial data science and analytics maturity. The emphasis is given to the pressing need for resilient data science frameworks enabling organisations to evaluate their digital readiness and execute their data-driven plans efficiently and effortlessly. Simultaneously, future work will focus on pragmatic applications to enhance industrial competitiveness within the heavy machinery sector.
Digitalisation of the Tourism Industry and Self-Employment: Challenges of the Gig-Economy
Authors: Stryzhak Olena , Yermachenko Volodymyr , Cibák L’uboš , Sidak Mikuláš
Published: January 2025

The study focuses on the challenges that the gig-economy brings to the labour market. Digitalisation is transforming the nature of labour relations, and the ratio of the employed to the self-employed is changing. By expanding the scope of digital technology and the use of digital platforms, changes are affecting all areas, including the tourism industry. The article assesses the relationship between tourism development, digitalisation, and self-employment indicators. The study covers 112 countries for 2021. The paper uses the Travel & Tourism Development Index, Network Readiness Index and the World Bank’s self-employment indicator. The analysis showed that the features of the relationship between tourism development, digitalisation and self-employment vary across the three groups of countries identified as a result of cluster analysis. The study found that there is a positive relationship between the level of tourism sector development and the level of the country’s digitalisation. The relationship between the level of self-employment and tourism development is variable across groups. The relationship between self-employment and digitalisation was confirmed only for the sample as a whole.
Activation of ClO2 by Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron for Efficient Soil Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degradation: New Insight into the Relative Contribution of Fe(IV) and Hydroxyl Radicals
Authors: Hu Xiaojun , Xing Xiaorong , Zhang Fan , Li Bingzhi , Chen Senlin , Wang Bo , Qin Jiaolong , Miao Jie
Published: January 2025

Recently, the activation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) by metal(oxide) for soil remediation has gained notable attention. However, the related activation mechanisms are still not clear. Herein, the variation of iron species and ClO2, the generated reactive oxygen species, and the toxicity of the degradation intermediates were explored and evaluated with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nFe0) being employed to activate ClO2 for soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal. With an optimized ClO2/nFe0 molar ratio of 15:1 and a soil/water ratio of 3:1, the degradation efficiency of phenanthrene improved 12% in comparison with that of a ClO2-alone system. The presence of nFe0 significantly promoted ClO2 consumption (improved 85.4%) but restrained ClO2− generation (reduced 22.5%). The surface Fe(II) and soluble Fe(II) in the ClO2/nFe0 system was 2.0-fold and 2.8-fold that in the nFe0 system after 2 min. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis, along with quenching experiments, revealed that Fe(IV), HOCl, and •OH dominated phenanthrene degradation in a ClO2/nFe0 system, with oxidation contributions, respectively, of 34.3%, 52.8% and 12.9%. The degradation intermediates of PAHs in the ClO2/nFe0 system had lower estimated toxicity than those of the ClO2 system. The lettuces grown in ClO2/nFe0-treated soil displayed better results in bioassay indexes than those grown in ClO2-treated soil. This study offers new perspectives for the remediation of organic-pollutant-contaminated soil by using metal-activated ClO2 technology.
Interactions among Zinc, Iron, and Paraquat in the Physiological and Toxicological Responses of the Egyptian Cotton Leafworm Spodoptera littoralis
Authors: Shaik Haq Abdul , Siaussat David , Mishra Archana
Published: January 2025

Agricultural pollutants co-interact and affect the vital functions, stress tolerance, resistance, immunity, and survival of insect pests. These metal–herbicide interactions have inevitable but remarkable effects on insects, which remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of the interactions among zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and paraquat (PQ) at a sublethal dose on the physiological response of the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. Co-exposure to Zn and Fe improved leafworm survival (100% at 10–20 mg, 85% at 40 mg) compared to separate exposures. Low Zn/Fe/PQ toxicity likely stemmed from metal complexes having efficient chelating activity, enhancing resilience. Low exposure to Zn, Fe, and Zn/Fe increased food intake and larval weight and affected frass production. Interestingly, the combined application of Zn/Fe/PQ increased larval and pupal weight in surviving individuals. Zn/Fe was found to be crucial in the ecdysis of larvae into pupae, resulting in reduced larval mortality and a prolonged pupal ecdysis duration (% days). Providing important information regarding physiological responses and pest management, this study demonstrated the realistic conditions caused by the interactions of biological trace elements, such as Zn and Fe, with PQ. A disc diffusion susceptibility test in hemolymph bacteria revealed differences among Zn, Zn/Fe, and Zn/Fe/PQ, suggesting that their interaction might play an immunomodulatory role in S. littoralis.
Neurotoxicological Effects of Some Mycotoxins on Humans Health and Methods of Neuroprotection
Authors: Kuć-Szymanek Aleksandra , Kubik-Machura Daria , Kościelecka Klaudia , Męcik-Kronenberg Tomasz , Radko Lidia
Published: January 2025

Food contamination with mycotoxin-producing fungi increases the risk of many diseases, including neurological diseases closely related to the neurotoxicity of these toxins. Based on the latest literature data, we presented the association of common Fusarium mycotoxins with neurological diseases. Articles from 2001 to 2024 were analyzed. The mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of the described mycotoxins were presented. They are mainly related to the increase in oxidative stress in neuronal cells, which leads to higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, enzymatic activity as GST, GPx, CAT and SOD and neurotransmitter dysfunction (5-HT, serotonin, dopamine and GABA). At the end of the article, based on the literature data, we attempted to present ways to mitigate mycotoxin neurotoxicity using mainly natural substances of plant origin. The data in this review focus on the Fusarium mycotoxins most frequently found in food and will be useful as comparative information for future studies. It is important to conduct further studies to mitigate the neurotoxic effects of Fusarium mycotoxins in order to reduce the development of diseases of the nervous system.
Antioxidant Response as a Candidate Prognostic Factor for Dengue Hypotensive and Hemorrhagic Complications: Results from a Nested Case-Control Study in Colombia
Authors: Lozano-Parra Anyela , Herrera Víctor , Villar Luis Ángel
Published: January 2025

Dengue infection has been associated with oxidative stress (OS) induction; however, whether such a response predicts the development of complications remains unknown. We conducted a case-control study (1:2 ratio) nested within a cohort of febrile patients with a presumptive or confirmed diagnosis of dengue. Incident cases were patients who developed hypotension or severe bleeding during the follow-up, whereas controls did not. Total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) were quantified in serums obtained ≤96 h from disease onset. The association between each biomarker and complications was evaluated by estimating adjusted odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression. We evaluated 132 patients (median age: 19.0 years; 58.2% males). TAS and SOD were higher among cases than controls (2.1 versus 1.7 mM and 6.7 versus 6.0 U/mL, respectively), and the opposite was observed for GPx (128.1 versus 133.7 mmol/min/mL); however, none of these contrasts reached statistical significance. In the multivariate analysis, higher levels of TAS and SOD were associated with a higher likelihood of complications up to 3.5 mM (OR = 2.46; 95%CI: 1.10–5.53) and 8.0 U/mL (OR = 1.69; 95%CI: 1.01–2.83), respectively. GPx did not show an association with hypotension or severe bleeding. Our results suggest that the induction of OS during the acute phase of dengue infection might be a prognostic factor of hypotensive and hemorrhagic complications.
Rethinking Urban Greening: Implications of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design for Enhancing Perceived Safety in Baitashan Park, Lanzhou
Authors: Hou Fei , Hedayati Marzbali Massoomeh , Maghsoodi Tilaki Mohammad Javad , Abdullah Aldrin
Published: January 2025

While urban greening is an effective adaptation strategy for building resilient cities, socioeconomic factors and individual perceptions of urban parks play a significant role in enhancing their safety and inclusiveness. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a widely recognized approach for enhancing safety in urban public spaces. However, existing research has largely overlooked the impact of socioeconomic factors and interpersonal needs on shaping perceptions of safety. Baitashan Park is Located in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, China. It is an iconic urban park with significant cultural and recreational value. Despite the park’s popularity, it faces challenges such as uneven accessibility, maintenance discrepancies, and perceived safety concerns, especially among users from the lower socioeconomic status (SES) group. This study examines how SES and interpersonal needs affect the relationship between CPTED principles and perceived safety. Our findings reveal that interpersonal needs significantly mediate the impact of CPTED on perceived safety, with SES playing a moderating role in both the direct and indirect effects. Specifically, the influence of CPTED on perceived safety through interpersonal needs is more pronounced for individuals with higher SES, while the direct effect of CPTED on perceived safety is also stronger for users with higher SES. These results suggest that the effectiveness of CPTED principles can be enhanced by considering the interplay between socioeconomic status and interpersonal dynamics. This study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach to urban park design, integrating environmental, social, and economic factors to promote safety, inclusivity, and well-being for all park users.
Are You My Host? An Overview of Methods Used to Link Bacteriophages with Hosts
Authors: Hyman Paul
Published: January 2025

Until recently, the only methods for finding out if a particular strain or species of bacteria could be a host for a particular bacteriophage was to see if the bacteriophage could infect that bacterium and kill it, releasing progeny phages. Establishing the host range of a bacteriophage thus meant infecting many different bacteria and seeing if the phage could kill each one. Detection of bacterial killing can be achieved on solid media (plaques, spots) or broth (culture clearing). More recently, additional methods to link phages and hosts have been developed. These include methods to show phage genome entry into host cells (e.g., PhageFISH); proximity of phage and host genomes (e.g., proximity ligation, polonies, viral tagging); and analysis of genomes and metagenomes (e.g., CRISPR spacer analysis, metagenomic co-occurrence). These methods have advantages and disadvantages. They also are not measuring the same interactions. Host range can be divided into multiple host ranges, each defined by how far the phage can progress in the infection cycle. For example, the ability to effect genome entry (penetrative host range) is different than the ability to produce progeny (productive host range). These different host ranges reflect bacterial defense mechanisms that block phage growth and development at various stages in the infection cycle. Here, I present a comparison of the various methods used to identify bacteriophage-host relationships with a focus on what type of host range is being measured or predicted.
Functional Verification of Differentially Expressed Genes Following DENV2 Infection in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Chen Xiaoli , Zhou Xinyu , Xie Xiaoxue , Li Bo , Zhao Teng , Yu Haotian , Xing Dan , Wu Jiahong , Li Chunxiao
Published: January 2025

The dengue virus (DENV) is primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti. Investigating genes associated with mosquito susceptibility to DENV2 offers a theoretical foundation for targeted interventions to regulate or block viral replication and transmission within mosquitoes. Based on the transcriptomic analyses of the midgut and salivary glands from Aedes aegypti infected with DENV2, alongside analyses of Aag2 cell infections, 24 genes potentially related to the regulation of Aedes aegypti infection with DENV2 were selected. By establishing transient transfection and overexpression models of Aedes aegypti Aag2 cells, and mosquito target gene interference models, the difference in viral load before and after treatment was compared, and the effects of DEGs on viral replication were evaluated. After overexpressing 24 DEGs in Aag2 cells, 19 DEGs showed a significant difference in DENV2 RNA copies in the cell supernatant (p < 0.05). In adult mosquitoes, knocking down defensin-A, defensin-A-like, and SMCT1 respectively reduced the DENV2 RNA copies, while knocking down UGT2B1 and ND4 respectively increased the DENV2 RNA copies. In this study, to assess the role of genes related to DENV2 replication, and transient transfection and overexpression models in Aag2 cells and mosquito gene knockdown models were established, and five genes, defensin-A, defensin-A-like, SMCT1, UGT2B1, and ND4, were found to have an impact on the replication of DENV2, providing a reference basis for studying the complex mechanism of mosquito–virus interactions.
Bacteriophage and Phage-Encoded Depolymerase Exhibit Antibacterial Activity Against K9-Type Acinetobacter baumannii in Mouse Sepsis and Burn Skin Infection Models
Authors: Borzilov Alexander I. , Volozhantsev Nikolay V. , Korobova Olga V. , Kolupaeva Lyubov V. , Pereskokova Evgenia S. , Kombarova Tatiana I. , Shneider Mikhail M. , Miroshnikov Konstantin A. , Dyatlov Ivan A. , Popova Anastasia V.
Published: January 2025

Acinetobacter baumannii is a widely distributed nosocomial pathogen that causes various acute and chronic infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this study, the activities of the K9-specific virulent phage AM24 and phage-encoded depolymerase DepAPK09 were assessed using in vivo mouse sepsis and burn skin infection models. In the mouse sepsis model, in the case of prevention or early treatment, a single K9-specific phage or recombinant depolymerase injection was able to protect 100% of the mice after parenteral infection with a lethal dose of A. baumannii of the K9-type, with complete eradication of the pathogen. In the case of delayed treatment, mouse survival decreased to 70% when injected with the phage and to 40% when treated with the recombinant enzyme. In the mouse burn skin infection model, the number of A. baumannii cells on the surface of the wound and in the deep layers of the skin decreased by several-fold after treatment with both the K9-specific phage and the recombinant depolymerase. The phage and recombinant depolymerase were highly stable and retained activity under a wide range of temperatures and pH values. The results obtained contribute to expanding our understanding of the in vivo therapeutic potential of specific phages and phage-derived depolymerases interacting with A. baumannii of different capsular types.
Post-Vaccination Anaphylaxis in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pennisi Flavia , D’Amelio Anna Carole , Cuciniello Rita , Borlini Stefania , Mirzaian Luigi , Ricciardi Giovanni Emanuele , Minerva Massimo , Gianfredi Vincenza , Signorelli Carlo
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Vaccines have been recognized as one of the most effective public health interventions. However, vaccine-associated anaphylaxis, although rare, is a serious adverse reaction. The incidence of anaphylaxis related to non-COVID-19 vaccines in adults remains underreported. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to estimate the incidence of post-vaccination anaphylaxis across various vaccines in adults. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies on anaphylaxis following vaccination in adults (≥18 years), excluding COVID-19 vaccines. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO in advance (ID CRD42024566928). Random-effects and fixed-effects models were used to pool data and estimate the logit proportion, with the logit-transformed proportion serving as the effect size, thereby allowing for the calculation of event rates. Results: A total of 37 studies were included in the systematic review, with 22 studies contributing to the meta-analysis, representing a combined population of 206,855,261 participants. Most studies focused on influenza vaccines (n = 15). Across all studies, 262 anaphylactic cases were reported, with 153 cases related to influenza vaccines, followed by herpes zoster virus vaccines (38 cases) and yellow fever vaccines (29 cases). Td/Tdap vaccine had the lowest rate (0.0001 per 100,000 participants). The overall random-effects model yielded a logit proportion of −10.45 (95% CI: −12.09 to −8.82, p < 0.001), corresponding to an event rate of 2.91 events per 100,000 subjects (95% CI: 0.56 to 14.73). Sensitivity analysis showed a higher incidence for influenza, hepatitis vaccines, and in vulnerable populations. Conclusions: Anaphylaxis following vaccination in adults is rare but varies by vaccine type. Strengthened monitoring and preparedness are essential, especially in non-medical settings, to ensure a rapid response to anaphylaxis and maintain public confidence in vaccination programs.
Immunotherapeutic Potential of the Yellow Fever Virus Vaccine Strain 17D for Intratumoral Therapy in a Murine Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Nazarenko Alina S. , Biryukova Yulia K. , Trachuk Kirill N. , Orlova Ekaterina A. , Vorovitch Mikhail F. , Pestov Nikolay B. , Barlev Nick A. , Levaniuk Anna I. , Gordeychuk Ilya V. , Lunin Alexander S. , Demyashkin Grigory A. , Shegai Petr V. , Kaprin Andrei D. , Ishmukhametov Aydar A. , Kolyasnikova Nadezhda M.
Published: January 2025

Objective: We evaluate the immunotherapeutic potential of the yellow fever virus vaccine strain 17D (YFV 17D) for intratumoral therapy of pancreatic cancer in mice. Methods: The cytopathic effect of YFV 17D on mouse syngeneic pancreatic cancers cells were studied both in vitro and in vivo and on human pancreatic cancers cells in vitro. Results: YFV 17D demonstrated a strong cytopathic effect against human cancer cells in vitro. Although YFV 17D did not exhibit a lytic effect against Pan02 mouse cells in vitro, a single intratumoral administration of 17D caused a delay in tumor growth and an increase in median survival by 30%. Multiple injections of 17D did not further improve the effect on tumor growth; however, it notably extended the median survival. Furthermore, preliminary immunization with 17D enhanced its oncotherapeutic effect. Conclusions: Intratumoral administration of yellow fever virus vaccine strain 17D delayed tumor in a murine model of pancreatic cancer. The fact that YFV 17D in vitro affected human cancer cells much more strongly than mouse cancer cells appears promising. Hence, we anticipate that the in vivo efficacy of YFV-17D-based oncolytic therapy will also be higher against human pancreatic carcinomas compared to its effect on the mouse pancreatic tumor.
Incidence and Heritability of Gastric Carcinoma in the Belgian Shepherd Dog Population in The Netherlands
Authors: Hugen Sanne , Limpens Citlalli , Robben Joris H. , Fieten Hille , Mandigers Paul J. J.
Published: January 2025

Background: Gastric carcinoma in the Tervueren and Groenendael varieties of the Belgian Shepherd dog is commonly recognized and carries a grave prognosis. Information on incidence and heritability is necessary to design an effective selection strategy against this disease. Methods: A database of cases and controls was built including cases with Tier 1 (confirmed via endoscopy or post-mortem) and Tier 2 evidence of gastric carcinoma. From the database, a birth cohort of dogs born in the Netherlands in the period 2000–2010 was used, together with pedigree information to calculate heritability using a mixed models approach. Univariate linear regression was used to test the influence of the gastric carcinoma status of the parents on gastric carcinoma occurrence in offspring. Results: For Tervueren the 10-year cumulative incidence was 4.7%, and for the Groenendael this was 2.1%. There was no sex predilection. The odds of gastric carcinoma were 5.0 (2.4–11.0) in offspring where at least one parent was known to be affected versus at least one parent was known to be unaffected. Heritability, based on analysis using pedigree information from 338 dogs with gastric carcinoma and 159 controls, was 0.53 (SE 0.15). Conclusions: Gastric carcinoma in the Belgian Shepherd Tervueren and Groenendael varieties has a high incidence in the Dutch population and a strong genetic component. Because it is a late onset disease, dogs have often already been used for breeding before they are diagnosed. An effective breeding strategy for reducing disease incidence therefore relies on the identification of genetic risk factors influencing its development.
Isolation, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Bacteria from the Conjunctival Sacs of Dogs with Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Different Regions of Wuhan, China
Authors: Li Yuxin , Wang Yinan , Gao Xin , Luo Lihong , Zhang Bohan , Wang Xiao , Li Jing , Wu Ruijia , He Lixin , Li Wenxuan , Qiu Changwei
Published: January 2025

In order to investigate the bacterial species present in the conjunctival sacs of dogs with bacterial conjunctivitis in Wuhan (Hongshan District, Wuchang District, Jiangxia District, and Huangpi District) and their resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics, samples of conjunctival sac secretions were collected from 56 dogs with bacterial conjunctivitis in various regions of Wuhan. Drug susceptibility testing for aminoglycoside antibiotics was performed on the most commonly isolated gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The expression of two aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes, aacA-aphD and aac (6′)-Ib, and three 16S rRNA methyltransferase genes, rmtB, rmtE and npmA, were analyzed by PCR. The results showed that a total of 123 bacterial strains were cultured from 56 conjunctival sac secretion samples, with Staphylococcus being the most commonly isolated species, followed by Escherichia. Among them, 14 strains of Staphylococcus pseudointermedius were not resistant to tobramycin, amikacin, gentamicin or neomycin, but the resistance rates to streptomycin and kanamycin were 35.71% and 42.86%, respectively. Among them, 14 Escherichia coli strains were not resistant to tobramycin and gentamicin, but they showed high resistance rates to neomycin and kanamycin (both at 50%). The detection rate of the aacA-aphD gene in Staphylococcus pseudointermedius strains was 100%. The detection rates of the rmtB gene and rmtE gene in Escherichia coli were 85.71% and 28.57%, respectively, while the aac(6′)-Ib gene and npmA gene were not detected.
Response of Microbial Communities to Antiviral Drug Stress in Surface Water in Beijing
Authors: Yuan Xin , Sun Shanwei , Wu Rongshan , Kang Yulin , Wu Linlin , Chen Miao , Fan Jingpu , Guo Changsheng , Xu Jian
Published: January 2025

The environmental persistence of antiviral drugs poses serious safety hazards to aquatic ecosystems through their selective pressure on microorganisms, yet the understanding of antiviral drugs’ impact on microbial community structures remains limited. In this study, surface water samples from Beijing were analyzed for antiviral drug concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS, and microbial community abundance was assessed via 16S amplicon sequencing. Employing these methods, we investigated the mechanisms through which antiviral drugs may exert ecological risks via microbial communities. Our findings reveal that antiviral drugs significantly increase the abundance of Enhydrobacter and Nitrospira microbiota. The concentration of DNA polymerase inhibitor is significantly positively correlated with the abundance of Peredibacter, Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Aquabacterium, Alloprevotella, and Ruminococcus. Antiviral drugs were also found to significantly reduce the abundance of digestive system-related functions in organismal systems, while promoting processes associated with carbohydrate metabolism and influencing the metabolic activity of bacterial communities. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that antiviral drugs disrupt the original key microbial communities, with Bdellovibrio and Candidatus omnitrophus emerging as new key microbial communities, indicating that rare microbial communities can also play an important role in maintaining system stability. Total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) were identified as key factors influencing bacterial community shifts. Our findings underscore the potential contribution of wide-scale usage of antiviral drugs to aquatic bacteria, yielding novel perspectives for the sustainable management of urban riverine environments.
The Impact Mechanism of Corporate Water-Saving Behaviors on Consumer Response: A Case Study on High Water-Consuming Corporations
Authors: Zhang Yukuo , Wang Mengjiao , Wang Chunbao , Ji Liya
Published: January 2025

With the increasing awareness of sustainable development and the construction of a water-saving society, many Chinese enterprises, especially those with high water-consuming corporations, have begun to pay attention to water-saving management. This study employs a scenario experiment method, focusing on high water-consuming corporations, to examine the differentiated responses of consumers to both symbolic and substantive corporate water-saving behaviors. The results show that substantive water-saving behaviors significantly enhance positive consumer attitudes and purchase intentions compared to symbolic behaviors. Consumer–company identification mediates the impact of water-saving behaviors on consumer responses. Corporate abilities and water resource conditions in consumer’s location moderate this relationship. These findings underscore the market value of corporate water-saving behaviors and provide guidance for companies in developing effective water-saving practices and marketing strategies.