bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals in Management Disciplines in Chinese Universities: A Content Analysis
Authors: Lu Hualiang , Xie Zhenying , Xu Guangwei , Cao Xuanwei
Published: March 2023

Under the guidance of the “Education 2030 Framework for Action”, China’s higher education is moving towards internationalization, and there is an upsurge in a movement to strive for the sustainable development of education. However, the level and condition of the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals in management disciplines in Chinese higher education are not well studied. In this study, the content analysis method was used to encode and analyze the curriculum standards of management disciplines in Chinese universities to provide empirical evidence regarding the sustainable development concept of higher education in China. We concluded the following: (1) In general, the SDGs are not embedded broadly and deeply in management disciplines in Chinese universities; however, SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) is the most significantly relevant element, being integrated broadly in many programs and courses of management disciplines. (2) There is a diverse concentration of the integration of SDGs in different management disciplines.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Green Bonds and Sustainable Green Energy: Evidence from the Last Fifteen Years (2007–2022)
Authors: Alsmadi Ayman Abdalmajeed , Al-Okaily Manaf , Alrawashdeh Najed , Al-Gasaymeh Anwar , Moh’d Al-hazimeh Amer , Zakari Abdulrasheed
Published: March 2023

Organizations are shifting their focus towards utilizing green energy in the business process to enhance environmental sustainability. Similar to other business roles, the managerial team in the financial sector has also engaged in environment-friendly operations. A green bond is a new financial approach integrating the protection of the ecosystem into economic profits. This paper analyzes green bonds’ intellectual structure, publication, and networking. The bibliometric statistics utilized in the green bonds emerged from the Scopus database. The research examines published works from the most resourceful nations, institutions of higher learning, scholars, and high-profile publications on green bonds. Additionally, the study maps bibliographic coupling and co-citation to visualize the knowledge network.
The Development of a Life-Cycle-Based Sustainability Index That Incorporates Patient-Centredness for Assessing and Reporting the Sustainability of Healthcare Buildings in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhaij Ali , Jamoussi Bassem , Abu-Rizaiza Asad
Published: March 2023

This study aims to develop and test a life-cycle-based sustainability index that incorporates patient-centredness for assessing and reporting the sustainability of healthcare buildings in Saudi Arabia. The research strategy follows a triangulation method approach to meet the objective of this research. Semi-structured interviews were initially employed in developing sustainable healthcare building indicators based on a previously conducted literature review that explored sustainable building in Saudi Arabia. Then, a scoping review protocol including the Delphi technique was used to develop patient-centredness care, PCC, indicators. Questionnaire surveys were also employed in data collection for industry investigation and patient involvement. Lastly, case study practice tests were conducted involving a specialised hospital and a pre-occupant hospital for indicator verification. A set of sustainability indicators were developed to assess and report the sustainability performance of healthcare buildings. Patient-centredness indicators were also developed and incorporated into the resulting index. A case study practice test was conducted to confirm the feasibility of all final resulting indicators. The research study contributes towards a holistic approach to assess and report sustainability in healthcare buildings incorporating patient-centredness. The objectives of the research include (1) the development of sustainable healthcare indicators (primary indicators); (2) the development of patient-centredness indicators (secondary indicators); and (3) indicator practice tests for validation. The resulting index could be implemented to assess and report sustainability in healthcare buildings, and it could be a pivotal step to shift to sustainable patient-centred healthcare buildings in Saudi Arabia.
The Role of Digital Transformation in the Relationship between Industrial Policies and Technological Innovation Performance: Evidence from the Listed Wind Power Enterprises in China
Authors: Chen Taiming , Chen Xi
Published: March 2023

With the trend of innovation-driven development and the deepening application of digital technology, the role of digital transformation in the relationship between industrial policies and enterprise innovation is becoming increasingly significant, but it has rarely been analyzed in previous studies. In order to fill this research gap, this study takes listed wind power enterprises in China from 2007 to 2021 as a sample, and it combines a large number of relevant policy documents issued by the State Council, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Energy Administration, and other government departments to investigate the impact of digital transformation on the relationship between industrial policies and enterprise technological innovation performance. This study found that both demand-side policy and supply-side policy have significantly promoted the technological innovation performance of enterprises. There is a synergistic effect between demand-side policy and supply-side policy, and demand-side policy strengthens the promotional effect of supply-side policy on technological innovation performance. Moreover, digital transformation can promote the technological innovation performance of enterprises. Further research has found that digital transformation can strengthen the synergistic effect between demand-side policy and supply-side policy and strengthen the positive impact of demand-side policy on technological innovation performance, but that it has weakened the incentive role of supply-side policy.
Sustainable Design Protocol in BIM Environments: Case Study of 3D Virtual Models of a Building in Seville (Spain) Based on BREEAM Method
Authors: Rodríguez Juan Francisco Fernández
Published: March 2023

One of the key problems facing the construction industry concerns the requirement to integrate sustainability criteria that effectively reduce the environmental impact throughout the lifecycles of buildings. For this, it is necessary to use digital tools with the capacity to evaluate the environmental performance of the different solutions proposed through the design process. In this context, the objective of this study was to establish a protocol of sustainable standards defined by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), employing building information modeling (BIM) technology to simplify the integration of these indicators in the initial phases of the design process. This study focuses on a case study associated with the use of BIM technology and the BREEAM method. The results of the analysis enable us to define which of the BREEAM indicators can be integrated into and evaluated in BIM environments in the initial phase of the design process and to identify the environmental improvements and economic costs associated with these indicators. This study concludes that the indicators associated with the geometric and spatial definition of the building are the most influential in improving sustainability in the initial design phase, without requiring significant economic investment. In turn, these are easy parameters to evaluate using BIM, reducing design times compared to the use of traditional tools; this facilitates their involvement in the design phase and enables them to have a real impact on improving the environmental conditions of the final construction.
Treatment of a Food Industry Dye, Brilliant Blue, at Low Concentration Using a New Photocatalytic Configuration
Authors: Drhimer Fatine , Rahmani Maryem , Regraguy Boutaina , El Hajjaji Souad , Mabrouki Jamal , Amrane Abdeltif , Fourcade Florence , Assadi Aymen Amine
Published: March 2023

Food coloring has become one of the main sources of water pollution. Brilliant blue (BB) is one of the dyes used in the food industry. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is increasingly used to decontaminate polluted water from food industries. The objective of this paper was to treat this pollution using a photoreactor at the laboratory (batch) and pilot scales. The photodegradation of the brilliant blue dye, chosen as a model of pollutant, was performed at room temperature in an aqueous solution of titanium dioxide supported on cellulosic paper in the presence of an external UV lamp. The surface morphology of this photoactive tissue was characterized by SEM and FTIR. The performances of two geometric configurations were examined (batch reactor and annular recirculation reactor) in accordance with degradation and pollutant mineralization. The performance of the photocatalytic system was optimized by a parametric study to improve the impact of the different parameters on the efficiency of the degradation process, namely the initial concentration of the pollutant, the TiO2 cycle, the pH of the solution with the recirculating reactor, and the flow rate. The results showed 98% degradation of brilliant blue at the laboratory scale and 93.3% and 75% at the pilot flow rates of 800 and 200 L·h−1, respectively. The supported semiconductor showed good photodegradation ability during BB decomposition, showing that photocatalysis is a promising technique for water purification.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity at a National Scale: A Case Study of Southeast Asia
Authors: Zeng Xiaowei , Yang Xiaomei , Zhong Shuai , Wang Zhihua , Ding Yaxin , Meng Dan , Gao Ku
Published: March 2023

Country-level resource and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) assessments can reveal which countries are off-track on ongoing adaptive management towards the sustainability goals. However, fewer effective methods exist to conduct a comprehensive assessment of RECC at the country-level. We implemented the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to comprehensively evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of RECC from 1990 to 2020, based on the construction of evaluation indicators of regional characteristics derived from remote sensing (RS) and statistical data for 11 Southeast Asian countries. The results show that: (1) In terms of per capita level, most countries in Southeast Asia show a trend of increasing and then decreasing RECC, with lower RECC levels in the east and north, such as Myanmar and Vietnam, and higher levels in the west and south, such as Indonesia and Brunei. (2) In terms of absolute total, most countries in Southeast Asia show a slow increase in RECC, except for Thailand, which slightly decreases, with lower RECC in northern and central counties, such as Laos and Singapore, and higher in other regions, such as Indonesia and the Philippines. Therefore, we recommend that policymakers pay more attention to the control of population size and adhere to a green economic growth model to alleviate the declining trend of recent RECC. This study proposed a comprehensive evaluation method of RECC that address the challenge of assessing different countries with resource and ecological imbalance, which provides potential GIS solutions for in-depth RECC assessment of other countries in the world. Meanwhile, this paper provides insights for Southeast Asian countries to achieve better sustainable development from the perspective of RECC.
Is There a Relationship between Self-Enhancement, Conservation and Personal Tax Culture?
Authors: Hlastec Aleksandra , Mumel Damijan , Hauptman Lidija
Published: March 2023

Sustainability gets higher on the policy agenda of many countries in terms of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Unethical tax behaviour diminishes the tax system’s sustainability, but paying taxes is necessary if we want to contribute to society. There is a deeper need to understand the factors that influence taxpayers’ perceptions, personal values and personal tax culture. Previous research by the OECD (2013, 2019) using the World Values Survey (WVS) did not provide a sufficient explanation of all the socio-economic factors associated with personal tax culture. As the behaviour of an individual is shaped by a set of values, and values can provide predictive and explanatory power in the analysis of attitudes, opinions and actions by policymakers, it is necessary for them to understand such when proposing tax morale incentives within the institutional pillar. A literature review showed that the research topics on personal tax culture present specific assumptions and gaps. To contribute to this topic, a conceptual model was developed, and the relationship between personal values (conservation/self-enhancement), measured by the widely accepted and recognised Schwartz’s circular model, and personal tax culture was analysed with the aim of formulating recommendations for policymakers. The survey conducted in Slovenia involved 202 respondents. Based on exploratory factor analysis and the performed correlation analysis, empirical research suggests that a relationship between personal values and personal tax culture as the cornerstones of an individual’s tax-compliant behaviour and their attitude towards the ethics of tax evasion is significant. The correlation between personal values and an individual’s attitude towards the tax system is insignificant. By understanding the relationships between individuals’ personal and tax culture values, policymakers can achieve a greater sustainable tax system.
Evaluation Methods and Optimization Strategies for Low-Carbon-Oriented Urban Road Network Structures: A Case Study of Shanghai
Authors: Chen Chen
Published: March 2023

It is generally believed that the development of mass transportation is an effective and practical path by which to promote low-carbon development. As a form of infrastructure for the development of bus transits, urban road networks directly affect the planning and operation of a bus network. Existing studies have shown that urban road networks affect the layout effect of bus transit from aspects such as the topological network structure characteristics. Based on the existing foundation of research, this study aims to address evaluation methods for quantitative research on the topological structure of road networks, emphasizing that the topological structure characteristics are an important attribute affecting the morphological characteristics of the road network and also a key attribute affecting low-carbonization orientation. Furthermore, this study proposes an evaluation method for the low-carbon friendliness of urban road network structures and constructed a numerical comparison matrix. On this basis, the actual case of the central urban area of Shanghai was selected to conduct an empirical analysis of the evaluation of the low-carbon friendliness of the road network structure. Based on the street (township) as the regional unit scale, four types of evaluation results were obtained, corresponding to different levels of low-carbon friendliness. Based on the above analysis results, a low-carbon-oriented road network structure optimization strategy in Shanghai’s central urban area was further proposed to (1) develop countermeasures for low-carbon transportation development according to local conditions; (2) emphasize the key role of intersection forms in optimizing topology; (3) improve the connectivity level of important road sections; (4) encrypt the road network density in high-density development areas; (5) and combine this with other form of green transportation development to improve low-carbonization levels.
Exploring the Predictors of Teacher Well-Being: An Analysis of Teacher Training Preparedness, Autonomy, and Workload
Authors: Pan Hui-Ling Wendy , Chung Chih-Hung , Lin Yi-Chun
Published: March 2023

Utilizing the job demand-resource theoretical framework, this study expands on previous research by examining the role of teacher workloads in the relationship between teachers’ resources and teacher well-being. The study used data from Taiwanese lower secondary school teachers in the TALIS 2018 survey and conducted a structural equation modeling analysis. The results showed that teacher training preparedness had a direct positive effect on well-being and an indirect effect that was mediated by teaching and student behavior workloads. On the other hand, teachers’ perceived autonomy did not have a direct impact on well-being but was indirectly related to well-being through the teaching workload. Additionally, the study found that teaching and student behavior workloads were negatively associated with well-being. By incorporating workload as a mediator, this study offers new insights into the complex relationship between job demands, resources, and well-being in the teaching profession.
Strigolactone-Mediated Mitigation of Negative Effects of Salinity Stress in Solanum lycopersicum through Reducing the Oxidative Damage
Authors: Faisal Mohammad , Faizan Mohammad , Tonny Sadia Haque , Rajput Vishnu D. , Minkina Tatiana , Alatar Abdulrahman A. , Pathirana Ranjith
Published: March 2023

Soil salinity is one of the main barriers to increasing global food production as it reduces crop growth and productivity. While irrigated lands in arid climates (about 20% of total affected) are more prone to salinization, many other natural and anthropogenic factors contribute to an increase in salinity in arable lands that currently affects over 100 countries and more than one billion ha. Management of agro-ecosystems at every level, including soil, water, and the plant itself, is important in mitigating the effects of salinity. Plant hormones control cellular metabolism, and mediate plant defense response mechanisms against abiotic and biotic stresses. Foliar fertigation with plant growth regulators has been shown to improve growth and metabolism under stress conditions. Strigolactones (SLs) have emerged as a group of novel phytohormones with several functions in plant interactions with microorganisms, plant metabolism, development, and in responding to many environmental cues. The present research addressed SL (GR24) effects on growth, photosynthetic parameters, and oxidative stress in Solanum lycopersicum under salinity stress. Growth indices, photosynthesis and related attributes, antioxidant enzyme activity, and malondialdehyde (a product of lipid peroxidation) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations were compared in unstressed and salt-stressed (NaCl; 150 mM) S. lycopersicum seedlings untreated or treated with GR24 (2 µM). Improved antioxidant enzyme activity, proline (8%) and protein (14%) contents, and photosynthetic (33%) and transpiration (34%) parameters under GR24 treatment result in a significant increase in plant growth parameters, viz., shoot length (29%), root length (21%), shoot fresh weight (31%), root fresh weight (23%), shoot dry weight (26%), and root dry weight (19%). Increased chlorophyll index (14%) and stomatal conductance (16%) in GR24-applied plants under salinity stress results in improved growth and photosynthetic efficiency of S. lycopersicum. Our results add to the existing knowledge of the relatively new function of SLs in mitigating abiotic stress, particularly that of salinity stress in crop plants.
Chiral Symmetry Breaking and the Masses of Hadrons: A Review
Authors: Lee Su Houng
Published: March 2023

The masses of hadrons in the vacuum, where the chiral symmetry is restored, and in the medium are generally different even when the changes in the order parameters of chiral symmetry are the same. Here, we first discuss the relation between the hadron masses and the chiral symmetry breaking in approaches based on operator product expansion (OPE). We then discuss what additional changes occur to the hadron masses when going from the chiral symmetry restored vacuum to nuclear medium and/or finite temperature. The work will highlight how we can identify the effects of chiral symmetry restoration from experimental observations.
Design and Analysis of a Wheel−Leg Hybrid Robot with Passive Transformable Wheels
Authors: Shi Yusheng , Zhang Minglu , Li Manhong , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a novel wheel−leg hybrid robot that can be applied on both flat and rugged terrains, it utilizes two passive transformable symmetrical wheels that combine the stability of the circular wheel and the obstacle climbing ability of the legged wheel. To minimize the number of actuators, the transformation process of the wheel is designed to be triggered passively when in contact with the obstacles. A new triggering mechanism is employed to eliminate the adverse effect of the robot’s weight on the transformation torque. The parameters of the wheel are optimized to maximize the climbing ability in low-friction conditions. The robot’s body length and angular velocity are also tuned based on the dynamic model during the obstacle climbing process. The simulation experiment results show that the robot can switch modes stably on terrain with a friction coefficient as low as 0.2, and can climb over an obstacle 3.9 times as tall as its wheel radius.
State-Aware High-Order Diffusion Method for Edge Detection in the Wavelet Domain
Authors: Liu Chenhua , Wang Anhong
Published: March 2023

This paper addresses how to use high-order diffusion to restore the wavelet coefficients in the wavelet domain. To avoid image distortion, wavelets with symmetry are used for image decomposition to obtain the wavelet coefficients of each sub-band. Due to the influence of noise, it is particularly important to obtain the wavelet coefficients, which can accurately reflect the image information. According to the characteristics of wavelet threshold shrinkage and the advantages of the high-order variational method in denoising, a wavelet coefficient restoration scheme is proposed. The theoretical basis of our proposed method is established through the analysis of wavelet threshold theory. To keep the original structure of wavelet coefficients unchanged, we introduce the concept of state quantity of wavelet coefficients and obtain the corresponding state quantity of wavelet coefficients using normalization. The denoising wavelet coefficient is obtained by performing a fourth-order anisotropic diffusion of the state quantities. This paper takes image edge feature extraction as the experimental content and image edges are detected by the module of the wavelet coefficients. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is objectively verified from three aspects: denoising effect, edge continuity, and accuracy. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain continuous and precise image edges. The algorithm presented in this paper also applies to texture images. Compared with other algorithms, the edges image obtained by this scheme shows advantages in terms of noise removal and edge protection.
Gravitational Acceleration Test Results According to Functional Movement Screen and Morphological Symmetry Results of Air Force Cadets
Authors: Jeong Deok-Hwa , Lee Dong-Ryul , Lee Kyu-Lim , Sung Jun-Young
Published: March 2023

Objectives: Strong physical abilities and morphological symmetry are important factors for pilots to withstand aerial G-tolerance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the symmetry difference between cadets by measuring functional movement screen (FMS) and functional leg length of Korea Air Force cadets for the first time and to understand the pass–fail relationship of the G-test by variable. Methods: Altogether, 72 fourth-year cadets (male, 72; mean age, 23.8 ± 0.6) were included in the study, and their body composition, FMS, functional leg length, and G-test results were measured. Results: The G-test results according to the FMS score revealed that the G-test passed (GP) group scored significantly higher than the G-test failed (GF) group in terms of the following: hurdle step (p =0.000), inline lunge (p = 0.006), active straight leg raise (p = 0.001), and T = trunk stability push-ups (p = 0.001). Conclusions The G-test results according to leg length demonstrated a significant difference between both groups. Morphological symmetry of leg length is an important factor in the functional aspect of exercise and exercise persistence. Moreover, a high G-test success rate can be expected if a follow-up study is conducted to improve the symmetry and balance of the body of air force cadets.
A Blockchain-Based Distributed Computational Resource Trading Strategy for Internet of Things Considering Multiple Preferences
Authors: Wang Tonghe , Ai Songpu , Cao Junwei , Zhao Yuming
Published: March 2023

The architecture of cloud–edge collaboration can improve the efficiency of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Recent studies have pointed out that using IoT terminal devices as destinations for computing offloading can promote further optimized allocation of computational resources. However, in practice, this idea encounters the problem that participants might lack the motivation to take over computational tasks from others. Although the edge and the terminal are provided with symmetrical positions in collaborative offloading, their computational resources and capabilities are asymmetric. To mitigate this issue, this paper designs a distributed strategy for the trading of computational resources. The most prominent feature of our strategy is its multi-preference optimization objective that takes into account the overall satisfaction with task delay, energy cost, trading prices, and user reputation of participants. In addition, this paper proposes a system architecture based on the Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) design to give full play to the good distributed technology features of blockchain, such as decentralization, traceability, immutability, and automation. Meanwhile, BaaS delivers decentralized identifier (DID) based distributed identity infrastructure for the distributed computational resource trading stakeholders as well. In the simulation evaluation, we compare our trading strategy based on a matching mechanism called multi-preference matching (MPM) to trading using the classical double auction (DA) matching mechanism. The results show that our computational resource trading strategy is able to offload and execut more tasks, achieving a better throughput compared to the DA-based strategy.
Adaptability of Bony Armor Elements of the Threespine Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus (Teleostei: Gasterosteidae): Ecological and Evolutionary Insights from Symmetry Analyses
Authors: Schröder Margarethe , Windhager Sonja , Schaefer Katrin , Ahnelt Harald
Published: March 2023

Differentiation in the defensive armor of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, is caused by predator-driven divergent selection. Most studies considered armor traits related to swimming behavior, hence combining pre- and post-capture responses to gape-limited predators. Here, we focus exclusively on the defensive complex (DC), the post-capture predator defense. This complex consists of a series of bony elements surrounding the anterior part of the abdomen. Relaxation from predation pressure not only drives reduction of bony elements but is also expected to increase asymmetry in the DC. To test this hypothesis, we used four Austrian freshwater populations that differed distinctly in the formation of the DC. We found significant left–right asymmetries in the DC in the population with a distinctly reduced DC and, surprisingly, also in the population with a significantly enhanced DC. These populations occur in vastly different habitats (stream and lake) characterized by distinct regimes of gape-limited predators (none vs. many). Apparently, both a shift to very low and very high pressure by gape-limited predators can boost asymmetry. We conclude that greater asymmetries in the two populations at the opposite ends of the predatory gradient result from an ongoing process of adaptation to decreased or increased environmental stress.
D-Wave Superconducting Gap Symmetry as a Model for Nb1−xMoxB2 (x = 0.25; 1.0) and WB2 Diborides
Authors: Talantsev Evgeny F.
Published: March 2023

Recently, Pei et al. (National Science Review2023, nwad034, 10.1093/nsr/nwad034) reported that ambient pressure β-MoB2 (space group: R3¯m) exhibits a phase transition to α-MoB2 (space group: P6/mmm) at pressure P~70 GPa, which is a high-temperature superconductor exhibiting Tc=32 K at P~110 GPa. Although α-MoB2 has the same crystalline structure as ambient-pressure MgB2 and the superconducting critical temperatures of α-MoB2 and MgB2 are very close, the first-principles calculations show that in α-MoB2, the states near the Fermi level, εF, are dominated by the d-electrons of Mo atoms, while in MgB2, the p-orbitals of boron atomic sheets dominantly contribute to the states near the εF. Recently, Hire et al. (Phys. Rev. B2022, 106, 174515) reported that the P6/mmm-phase can be stabilized at ambient pressure in Nb1−xMoxB2 solid solutions, and that these ternary alloys exhibit Tc~8 K. Additionally, Pei et al. (Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron. 2022, 65, 287412) showed that compressed WB2 exhibited Tc~15 K at P~121 GPa. Here, we aimed to reveal primary differences/similarities in superconducting state in MgB2 and in its recently discovered diboride counterparts, Nb1−xMoxB2 and highly-compressed WB2. By analyzing experimental data reported for P6/mmm-phases of Nb1−xMoxB2 (x = 0.25; 1.0) and highly compressed WB2, we showed that these three phases exhibit d-wave superconductivity. We deduced 2Δm(0)kBTc=4.1±0.2 for α-MoB2, 2Δm(0)kBTc=5.3±0.1 for Nb0.75Mo0.25B2, and 2Δm(0)kBTc=4.9±0.2 for WB2. We also found that Nb0.75Mo0.25B2 exhibited high strength of nonadiabaticity, which was quantified by the ratio of TθTF=3.5, whereas MgB2, α-MoB2, and WB2 exhibited TθTF~0.3, which is similar to the TθTF in pnictides, A15 alloys, Heusler alloys, Laves phase compounds, cuprates, and highly compressed hydrides.
Enrichment Characteristics of Hazardous Trace Elements in Feed Coal and Coal Ash in Huaibei Area under Leaching
Authors: Wang Degao , Lu Jianwei , Wu Jian , Li Bo , Nyasha Ndhlovu Kataza
Published: March 2023

This research focused on the hazardous elements in the main coal seam of Huaibei coalfield, China. Through collecting 20 feed coal samples from different coal seams of nine coal mines in the region, and combining with XRF, XRD, ICP-MS, and sequential chemical extraction, the mineral composition and the contents of major elements and HEs for feed coal were analyzed. Compared with previous research results, the enrichment characteristics of HEs in feed coal were revealed. The leaching behaviors of Se, Hg, and Pb in feed coal and coal ash under different leaching conditions were analyzed in depth by using a leaching device independently developed. Results showed that, compared with Chinese coals and World coals, the content of other elements, except Se, Sb, Hg, and Pb, in feed coal of Huaibei coalfield were at the “Normal” level, and no “Low” level elements were found; as the acidity of leaching solution decreased, the relative leaching rate of Se (LSe) was gradually increasing, while the LHg and LPb were not obvious; the LSe in feed coal and coal ash had a great relationship with the modes of occurrence of Se. The difference in the Hg content in the ion exchange state in feed coal may be an important reason for the difference in Hg leaching behavior. However, the content of Pb in feed coal had little influence on its leaching behavior. The modes of occurrence of Pb determined that the LPb in feed coal and coal ash was not high. The LSe increased with the increase in acidity of leaching solution and leaching time. The leaching time was the main influencing factor of the LHg and LPb.
Special Issue on “Insights on Ecotoxicological Effects of Anthropogenic Contaminants in Aquatic Organisms”
Authors: Bonaventura Rosa , Zito Francesca , Russo Roberta
Published: March 2023

In human history, many key points have characterized technological progress, such as the use of metals, which began in prehistoric times and continues to the present day, with many industrial uses [...]
Exploration of Synergistic Pesticidal Activities, Control Effects and Toxicology Study of a Monoterpene Essential Oil with Two Natural Alkaloids
Authors: Xu Jianwei , Lv Min , Fang Shanshan , Wang Yanyan , Wen Houpeng , Zhang Shaoyong , Xu Hui
Published: March 2023

With the increasing development of pest resistances, it is not easy to achieve satisfactory control effects by using only one agrochemical. Additionally, although the alkaloid matrine (MT) isolated from Sophora flavescens is now utilized as a botanical pesticide in China, in fact, its pesticidal activities are much lower in magnitude than those of commercially agrochemicals. To improve its pesticidal activities, here, the joint pesticidal effects of MT with another alkaloid oxymatrine (OMT) (isolated from S. flavescens) and the monoterpene essential oil 1,8-cineole (CN) (isolated from the eucalyptus leaves) were investigated in the laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Moreover, their toxicological properties were also studied. Against Plutella xylostella, when the mass ratio of MT and OMT was 8/2, good larvicidal activity was obtained; against Tetranychus urticae, when the mass ratio of MT and OMT was 3/7, good acaricidal activity was obtained. Especially when MT and OMT were combined with CN, the significant synergistic effects were observed: against P. xylostella, the co-toxicity coefficient (CTC) of MT/OMT (8/2)/CN was 213; against T. urticae, the CTC of MT/OMT (3/7)/CN was 252. Moreover, the activity changes over time of two detoxification enzymes, carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) of P. xylostella treated with MT/OMT (8/2)/CN, were observed. In addition, by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the toxicological study suggested that the acaricidal activity of MT/OMT (3/7)/CN may be related to the damage of the cuticle layer crest of T. urticae.
Defensive Molecules Momilactones A and B: Function, Biosynthesis, Induction and Occurrence
Authors: Kato-Noguchi Hisashi
Published: March 2023

Labdane-related diterpenoids, momilactones A and B were isolated and identified in rice husks in 1973 and later found in rice leaves, straws, roots, root exudate, other several Poaceae species and the moss species Calohypnum plumiforme. The functions of momilactones in rice are well documented. Momilactones in rice plants suppressed the growth of fungal pathogens, indicating the defense function against pathogen attacks. Rice plants also inhibited the growth of adjacent competitive plants through the root secretion of momilactones into their rhizosphere due to the potent growth-inhibitory activity of momilactones, indicating a function in allelopathy. Momilactone-deficient mutants of rice lost their tolerance to pathogens and allelopathic activity, which verifies the involvement of momilactones in both functions. Momilactones also showed pharmacological functions such as anti-leukemia and anti-diabetic activities. Momilactones are synthesized from geranylgeranyl diphosphate through cyclization steps, and the biosynthetic gene cluster is located on chromosome 4 of the rice genome. Pathogen attacks, biotic elicitors such as chitosan and cantharidin, and abiotic elicitors such as UV irradiation and CuCl2 elevated momilactone production through jasmonic acid-dependent and independent signaling pathways. Rice allelopathy was also elevated by jasmonic acid, UV irradiation and nutrient deficiency due to nutrient competition with neighboring plants with the increased production and secretion of momilactones. Rice allelopathic activity and the secretion of momilactones into the rice rhizosphere were also induced by either nearby Echinochloa crus-galli plants or their root exudates. Certain compounds from Echinochloa crus-galli may stimulate the production and secretion of momilactones. This article focuses on the functions, biosynthesis and induction of momilactones and their occurrence in plant species.
Metagenome Analysis Identifies Microbial Shifts upon Deoxynivalenol Exposure and Post-Exposure Recovery in the Mouse Gut
Authors: Jin Jing , Zhang Chen , Ren Xiaoxu , Tai Bowen , Xing Fuguo
Published: March 2023

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most prevalent food-associated mycotoxins, and is known to cause a variety of adverse health effects on human and animals. Upon oral exposure, the intestine is the main target organ of DON. The current study unraveled that DON exposure (2 mg/kg bw/day or 5 mg/kg bw/day) can significantly reshape the gut microbiota in a mouse model. The study characterized the specific gut microbial strains and genes changed after DON exposure and also investigated the recovery of the microbiota upon either 2 weeks daily prebiotic inulin administration or 2 weeks recovery without intervention after termination of DON exposure (spontaneous recovery). The results obtained reveal that DON exposure causes a shift in gut microorganisms, increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides vulgatus, Hungatella hathewayi, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 28-4, while the relative abundance of Mucispirillum schaedleri, Pseudoflavonifractor sp. An85, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Firmicutes bacterium ASF500, Flavonifractor plautii, Oscillibacter sp. 1-3, and uncultured Flavonifractor sp. decreased. Notably, DON exposure enhanced the prevalence of A. muciniphila, a species considered as a potential prebiotic in previous studies. Most of the gut microbiome altered by DON in the low- and high-dose exposure groups recovered after 2 weeks of spontaneous recovery. Inulin administration appeared to promote the recovery of the gut microbiome and functional genes after low-dose DON exposure, but not after high-dose exposure, at which changes were exacerbated by inulin-supplemented recovery. The results obtained help to better understand the effect of DON on the gut microbiome, and the gut microbiota’s recovery upon termination of DON exposure.
Resolution of Cosmological Singularity in Hořava–Lifshitz Cosmology
Authors: Czuchry Ewa
Published: March 2023

The standard ΛCDM model, despite its agreement with observational data, still has some issues unaddressed, such as the problem of initial singularity. Solving that problem usually requires modifications of general relativity. However, there appeared the Hořava–Lifshitz (HL) theory of gravity, in which equations governing cosmological evolution include a new term scaling similarly as the dark radiation term in the Friedmann equations, enabling a bounce of the universe instead of initial singularity. This review describes past works on the stability of such a bounce in different formulations of HL theory, an initial detailed balance scenario, and further projectable versions containing higher than quadratic terms to the original action.
Yukawa–Casimir Wormholes in f(Q) Gravity
Authors: Mishra Ambuj Kumar , Shweta  , Sharma Umesh Kumar
Published: March 2023

Casimir energy is always suggested as a possible source to create a traversable wormhole. It is also used to demonstrate the existence of negative energy, which can be created in a lab. To generalize this idea, Yukawa modification of a Casimir source has been considered in Remo Garattini (Eur. Phys. J. C 81 no.9, 824, 2021). In this work, we explore the Yukawa–Casimir wormholes in symmetric teleparallel gravity. We have taken four different forms of f(Q) to obtain wormhole solutions powered by the original Casimir energy source and Yukawa modification of the Casimir energy source. In power law form f(Q)=αQ2+β and quadratic form f(Q)=αQ2+βQ+γ, where α,β,γ are constants and Q is non-metricity scalar, we analyze that wormhole throat is filled with non-exotic matter. We find self-sustained traversable wormholes in the Casimir source where null energy conditions are violated in all specific forms of f(Q), while after Yukawa modification, it is observed that violation of null energy conditions is restricted to some regions in the vicinity of the throat.
Epstein–Barr Virus B Cell Growth Transformation: The Nuclear Events
Authors: Zhao Bo
Published: March 2023

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is the first human DNA tumor virus identified from African Burkitt’s lymphoma cells. EBV causes ~200,000 various cancers world-wide each year. EBV-associated cancers express latent EBV proteins, EBV nuclear antigens (EBNAs), and latent membrane proteins (LMPs). EBNA1 tethers EBV episomes to the chromosome during mitosis to ensure episomes are divided evenly between daughter cells. EBNA2 is the major EBV latency transcription activator. It activates the expression of other EBNAs and LMPs. It also activates MYC through enhancers 400–500 kb upstream to provide proliferation signals. EBNALP co-activates with EBNA2. EBNA3A/C represses CDKN2A to prevent senescence. LMP1 activates NF-κB to prevent apoptosis. The coordinated activity of EBV proteins in the nucleus allows efficient transformation of primary resting B lymphocytes into immortalized lymphoblastoid cell lines in vitro.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Clinical Signs in Cats and Dogs from Confirmed Positive Households in Germany
Authors: Michelitsch Anna , Allendorf Valerie , Conraths Franz Josef , Gethmann Jörn , Schulz Jana , Wernike Kerstin , Denzin Nicolai
Published: March 2023

On a global scale, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a serious threat to the health of the human population. Not only humans can be infected, but also their companion animals. The antibody status of 115 cats and 170 dogs, originating from 177 German households known to have been SARS-CoV-2 positive, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the results were combined with information gathered from a questionnaire that was completed by the owner(s) of the animals. The true seroprevalences of SARS-CoV-2 among cats and dogs were 42.5% (95% CI 33.5–51.9) and 56.8% (95% CI 49.1–64.4), respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression accounting for data clustered in households, for cats, the number of infected humans in the household and an above-average contact intensity turned out to be significant risk factors; contact with humans outside the household was a protective factor. For dogs, on the contrary, contact outside the household was a risk factor, and reduced contact, once the human infection was known, was a significant protective factor. No significant association was found between reported clinical signs in animals and their antibody status, and no spatial clustering of positive test results was identified.
The Anti-Dengue Virus Peptide DV2 Inhibits Zika Virus Both In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Castro-Amarante Maria Fernanda de , Pereira Samuel Santos , Pereira Lennon Ramos , Santos Lucas Souza , Venceslau-Carvalho Alexia Adrianne , Martins Eduardo Gimenes , Balan Andrea , Souza Ferreira Luís Carlos de
Published: March 2023

The C-terminal portion of the E protein, known as stem, is conserved among flaviviruses and is an important target to peptide-based antiviral strategies. Since the dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses share sequences in the stem region, in this study we evaluated the cross-inhibition of ZIKV by the stem-based DV2 peptide (419–447), which was previously described to inhibit all DENV serotypes. Thus, the anti-ZIKV effects induced by treatments with the DV2 peptide were tested in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Molecular modeling approaches have demonstrated that the DV2 peptide interacts with amino acid residues exposed on the surface of pre- and postfusion forms of the ZIKA envelope (E) protein. The peptide did not have any significant cytotoxic effects on eukaryotic cells but efficiently inhibited ZIKV infectivity in cultivated Vero cells. In addition, the DV2 peptide reduced morbidity and mortality in mice subjected to lethal challenges with a ZIKV strain isolated in Brazil. Taken together, the present results support the therapeutic potential of the DV2 peptide against ZIKV infections and open perspectives for the development and clinical testing of anti-flavivirus treatments based on synthetic stem-based peptides.
Development of TaqMan Real-Time PCR Protocols for Simultaneous Detection and Quantification of the Bacterial Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum and Their Specific Lytic Bacteriophages
Authors: Bertolini Edson , Figàs-Segura Àngela , Álvarez Belén , Biosca Elena G.
Published: March 2023

Ralstonia solanacearum is the causal agent of bacterial wilt, one of the most destructive diseases of solanaceous plants, affecting staple crops worldwide. The bacterium survives in water, soil, and other reservoirs, and is difficult to control. In this sense, the use of three specific lytic R. solanacearum bacteriophages was recently patented for bacterial wilt biocontrol in environmental water and in plants. To optimize their applications, the phages and the bacterium need to be accurately monitored and quantified, which is laborious and time-consuming with biological methods. In this work, primers and TaqMan probes were designed, and duplex and multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocols were developed and optimized for the simultaneous quantification of R. solanacearum and their phages. The quantification range was established from 108 to 10 PFU/mL for the phages and from 108 to 102 CFU/mL for R. solanacearum. Additionally, the multiplex qPCR protocol was validated for the detection and quantification of the phages with a limit ranging from 102 targets/mL in water and plant extracts to 103 targets/g in soil, and the target bacterium with a limit ranging from 103 targets/mL in water and plant extracts to 104 targets/g in soil, using direct methods of sample preparation.
Orthopoxvirus Circulation in an Endemic Area in Brazil: Investigation of Infections in Small Mammals during an Absence of Outbreaks
Authors: Domingos Iago J. S. , Rocha Kamila L. S. , Graciano Jessica M. , Almeida Lara R. , Doty Jeffrey B. , Paglia Adriano P. , Oliveira Danilo B. , Nakazawa Yoshinori J. , Trindade Giliane de S.
Published: March 2023

Vaccinia virus (VACV) is the causative agent of an emerging viral zoonosis called bovine vaccinia (BV). Several studies have documented characteristics of VACV infections in Brazil; however, the manner in which this virus is maintained in wildlife remains unknown. This work investigated the presence of viral DNA and anti-orthopoxvirus (OPXV) antibodies in samples collected from small mammals in a VACV-endemic area in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the absence of current outbreaks. Samples did not show amplification of OPXV DNA in molecular tests. However, 5/142 serum samples demonstrated the presence of anti-OPXV neutralizing antibodies in serological tests. These data reinforce the involvement of small mammals in the natural cycle of VACV, highlighting the need for further ecological studies to better understand how this virus is maintained in nature and to develop measures to prevent BV outbreaks.