bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Preliminary Study on Identifying the Predator Community of Invasive Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and Developing Molecular Identification Tools for Testing Field Predation
Authors: Sarkar Shovon Chandra , Milroy Stephen Paul , Xu Wei
Published: February 2025

The tomato potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a significant insect pest of Solanaceae. In early 2017, it was first detected in Perth, Western Australia. The objective of this work was to identify predator species of B. cockerelli occurring in fields of Solanaceae in Western Australia. Predatory insects and arachnids were sampled using sweep netting in some of the major Solanaceae-growing regions in the south-west of Western Australia in 2021 and 2022. Several laboratory feeding trials were conducted to develop PCR primers that could detect the DNA of B. cockerelli in predators that had fed on B. cockerelli rather than on alternative diets. The primers were then used to screen predators collected from the field to identify those that had been feeding on B. cockerelli. In the two years of field sampling, the predators collected represented a broad taxonomic range. The most abundant predator was green lacewing followed by ladybirds. Further, we analysed predators belonging to seven insect taxa (one Neuroptera, two Hemiptera and four Coleoptera) for the presence of B. cockerelli DNA. We found that 45% of the individual insects from all taxa that we caught were positive for B. cockerelli DNA, and Coleopteran predators showed the highest rate of positive results. This is the first report confirming predation on invasive B. cockerelli by the resident predator community in the field in Australia.
Exploring the Associations Between Inflammatory Biomarkers, Survival, and Cardiovascular Events in Hemodialysis Patients and the Interrelationship with Nutritional Parameters—The Experience of a Single Transylvanian Dialysis Center
Authors: Rusu Crina Claudia , Kacso Ina , Moldovan Diana , Potra Alina , Tirinescu Dacian , Ticala Maria , Maslyennikov Yuriy , Urs Alexandra , Bondor Cosmina Ioana
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: In hemodialysis (HD), inflammatory biomarkers are discussed as prognostic markers for survival and cardiovascular events (CVEs). The results of the studies are not uniform and there are particularities related to population groups and comorbidities. In addition, it is known that inflammation determines protein malnutrition and less about the effect of adipose tissue on inflammation in HD. This study investigates the relationship between inflammatory molecules and nutritional biomarkers, and CVE and survival in HD patients. Methods: We included, in an observational, longitudinal study, 65 patients with chronic HD (53 without diabetes and 22 smokers), with a mean age of 60.1 ± 12.4 years. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK), soluble CD163 (sCD163), and fibroblast growth factor 21 were determined. We recorded survival and cardiovascular events for 60 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Hs-CRP was significantly associated with survival (p = 0.014) in the total group. In smokers and former smokers, TNF-α lower than 368.34 pg/mL was associated with better survival. In multivariate analysis, hs-CRP was correlated with adipose tissue biomarkers (p = 0.006), and sCD163 was correlated with total and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.002). In addition, in univariate analysis, sTWEAK was correlated with serum albumin (p = 0.026, r = −0.30). In conclusion, in HD patients, hs-CRP was significantly associated with survival, and low TNF-alpha values in smokers and former smokers were linked to better survival. Hs-CRP was also correlated with adipose tissue biomarkers, CD163 was correlated with total and LDL cholesterol, and albumin was inversely associated with sTWEAK. The relation between inflammatory molecules and adipose tissue biomarkers was less identified in HD patients until now.
The Susceptibility of Two Beauveria bassiana Strains on Rice Pests Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera
Authors: Chen Zhongwei , Mu Hanqing , Peng Yifan , Huo Rui , Xie Jiaqin
Published: February 2025

Entomopathogenic fungi represent a valuable natural resource with significant potential as biological agents for pest management. However, different species or strains of fungi demonstrate varying effectiveness against specific targets. In this study, we assessed the impact of two fungal strains, Beauveria bassiana KN801 and KN802, on the rice planthoppers Ninaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera, in combination with insecticides. Our findings indicate that both B. bassiana strains can effectively infect the nymphs and adults of N. lugens and S. furcifera, resulting in a significantly higher mortality rate compared to the control groups. Notably, the B. bassiana strain KN801 demonstrated greater virulence than B. bassiana KN802 against these pests. However, no significant differences were observed when using different concentrations of the same fungal strain (B. bassiana KN801 or B. bassiana KN802) against these targets. Additionally, both fungi showed a germination rate of over 90% after treatment when combined with several common insecticides like chlorfenapyr and dinotefuran. The combined application of B. bassiana with chlorfenapyr or dinotefuran could improve pest control efficacy for these two pests. This study suggests that the two B. bassiana strains have the potential to infect rice planthoppers N. lugens and S. furcifera, indicating their promise as agents for the control of these pests.
The Influence of the Divergent Substrate on Physicochemical Properties and Metabolite Profiling of Agrocybe cylindracea Cultivation
Authors: Mediatrice Hatungimana , Aimable Nsanzinshuti , Claude Irambona , Fallah Nyummah , Abdelkader Menna-Allah E. , Biregeya Jules , Hu Yingping , Zhang Lili , Zhou Hengyou , Li Jing , Liu Penghu , Lin Zhanxi , Lin Dongmei
Published: February 2025

Agrocybe cylindracea is an important mushroom highly valued as a functional food for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Many bioactive extracts from A. cylindracea have been found to exhibit antitumor and antioxidant activities. This research investigated the distinct substrates that affected the physicochemical and biocomponent properties and biological efficiency of A. cylindracea. The substrates used were 48% giant juncao grass mixed with 30% Dicranopteris dichotoma grasses, 48% wasted tea leaves mixed with 30% sawdust, and 78% cottonseed hulls, all supplemented with 20% wheat bran and 2% lime. The findings indicated that A. cylindracea grown in the cotton seed hulls had a significant biological efficiency, at 35.8%, followed by the GD + DD (31.5%) and WTL + SD (28.7%). The ash content peaked in the fruiting bodies grown on giant juncao grass and D. dichotoma, while the fat content was highest in those grown on giant juncao grass and D. dichotoma, followed by wasted tea leaves and sawdust. The protein content was significantly higher in the fruiting bodies cultivated on wasted tea leaves and sawdust, followed by cottonseed hulls. The carbon dioxide emissions varied across substrates, with the highest emissions observed during the maturity stage of the fruiting bodies grown on giant juncao grass with D. dichotoma and wasted tea leaves and sawdust. Emissions decreased sharply 110 days after cultivation. Essential metabolites, such as dopamine and caffeine, were enriched in the fruiting bodies grown on wasted tea leaves, sawdust, and cottonseed hulls. In contrast, tyramine and uracil were enriched in those grown on cottonseed hulls.
Rates and Patterns of Town Expansion in China’s 17 Shrinking Tourism-Type Counties
Authors: Jia Shanshan , Li Peiyao , Jia Wenxiao , Chen Xiaorui
Published: February 2025

Vast rural populations squeezed into cities, leaving small townships hollowed out. Even so, some townships’ lands are still expanding. The dilemma of land expansion with a shrinking population raises various challenges including farmland reduction. Much of the current research on the impervious expansion has focused on urban areas, while townships were often neglected. Based on high-resolution satellite data and statistic data in 1993–2018, this study explored long-term township impervious land expansion dynamics and explored the real-world relationship with their population for the 17 first-batch-of-strong-tourism counties in China. The results showed that over the past 26 years, there had been an increasing trend in the impervious areas in 17 counties. There were diseconomies of scale for impervious land expansion, i.e., the township’s land expansion became less efficient with the shrinking population. The impervious area was predominantly converted from cropland (ranging from 16.40% to 71.96%). The expansion in highlands was also increasing, although most of the growth occurred in the lowlands. The expansion patterns were mainly dominated by infilling and edge-expansion during the early stage, after which leapfrogging occurred, and infilling increased again in recent years. Townships with a “closer” accessibility to tourist attractions had the largest and fastest rate of impervious land expansion and an increasing influence of townships. These counties needed customized development with its unique natural conditions. This study could provide data-based evidence for better planning and governing to promote sustainable development worldwide.
Prioritizing Protection and Restoration Areas Based on Ecological Security Pattern with Different Resistance Assignments
Authors: Jia Dingyi , Qiu Weiguo , Guo Rongpeng , Wu Min , Wang Zhanyong , Hu Xisheng
Published: February 2025

Balancing socio-economic development with ecological protection amid rapid urbanization is a pressing global issue. The ecological security pattern (ESP) follows the reciprocal relationship between pattern and function to conserve ecological processes, providing an effective approach to address this problem. However, most studies have adopted a single subjective assignment method for resistance factors, lacking the exploration of the impact of various assignment methods on the ESP. Taking the Fuzhou metropolitan area as a case, this study proposes different resistance assignment methods: favorable, moderate, and unfavorable. By applying circuit theory, it constructs the ESP and identifies critical areas for protection and restoration. The findings show that (1) as the cumulative resistance threshold increases, the area of ecological corridors expands from 171.36 km2 to 1439.24 km2, with the moderate method identified as the optimal resistance assignment approach; (2) significant differences exist in the identification of key corridors under different resistance assignment methods. The moderate method identifies 26 key corridors, spanning a total length of 41.29 km; (3) the key ecological protection areas cover 2469.79 km2, including 13 patches and 26 pinch points, while the key ecological restoration areas cover 14.55 km2, including 7 barriers and 21 breaking points. By pinpointing key ecological areas and proposing targeted strategies, this study can facilitate practical ecological protection efforts, thereby achieving the sustainable development goal of minimizing economic costs while maximizing ecological benefits.
Structural and Rural Transformations and Poverty Reduction in Developing Asian Economies: An International Comparison Among China, the Philippines, and Vietnam
Authors: Chen Qiu , Huang Jikun , Sombilla Mercedita A. , Truong Trang
Published: February 2025

In order to contribute to the body of knowledge on sustainable poverty reduction by exploring the relationship between rural and structural transformations and rural poverty incidence in Asian developing countries, this paper selected China, the Philippines, and Vietnam as case studies. Based on a comparison with the provincial data from those three countries, both the graphic and regression analysis suggest that structural and rural transformations matter in rural poverty reduction in these three countries. There is strong evidence showing that raising the share of non-agricultural GDP and the share of rural off-farm employment significantly contributes to rural poverty reduction in all three countries. More importantly, with the expansion of the non-farm sectors in both urban and rural areas, high-value agricultural share has a statistically significant and negative correlation with rural poverty in China and Vietnam over time, while such a negative correlation is much weaker or even does not exist in the Philippines. This paper further concludes with several implications for policymakers to promote inclusive structural and rural transformations.
What Are the Pivotal Factors Influencing Housing Prices? A Spatiotemporal Dynamic Analysis Across Market Cycles from Upturn to Downturn in Wuhan
Authors: Liu Tianchen , Wang Jingjing , Liu Lingbo , Peng Zhenghong , Wu Hao
Published: February 2025

With the new phase of urbanization in China, enhancing urban spatial quality has become a key task in urban development. As an important indicator of residents’ willingness to live, housing prices provide valuable feedback from their perspective for improving spatial quality. Taking Wuhan as a case study, this paper constructs an indicator system with 12 explanatory variables, including a subjective evaluation of buildings generated using deep learning techniques. Using OLS and GWR models, the study analyzes the factors influencing housing prices and their spatiotemporal dynamics in Wuhan’s core urban areas from 2016 to 2024, encompassing the full cycle of housing price fluctuations from an upward to a downward trend. The findings reveal that, as housing prices return to more rational levels, the impact of location factors diminishes, while the influence of community quality factors—such as property fees, green space ratio, and building quality—significantly increases. Factors such as proximity to hospitals also exhibit a certain degree of spatiotemporal complexity. This trend highlights residents’ growing attention to housing quality and living environments, marking a fundamental shift in the behavior of homebuyers. The results of this study provide crucial insights into the evolution of residential preferences and the spatiotemporal dynamics of the housing market. They offer significant theoretical and practical references for understanding residents’ housing needs from their perspective, thereby promoting the healthy development of the real estate market and improving urban spatial quality.
The Role of Anticipated Regret in Farmers’ Land Conversion Decisions
Authors: Doidge Mary , Feng Hongli
Published: February 2025

Conversion of grassland to cropland in the Prairie Pothole Region of North and South Dakota has many environmental consequences, including the loss of important migratory bird breeding grounds, increased agricultural chemical use, and release of sequestered carbon into the atmosphere. While conversion has negative ecological consequences, in years of high crop prices, cropland can generate higher returns than grassland, and farmers therefore face economic incentives for conversion in these years. However, recent research suggests that farmers may not convert land despite the economic incentives to do so. In this paper, we used the results of a framed economic experiment to explore the role of anticipated regret in farmers’ land conversion decisions. We used duration analysis to investigate the effect of anticipated regret salience on the risk of grass-to-crop land conversion and examined the regret participants express ex post about their land use decisions. Our results show that conversion risk from grassland to cropland was lower when anticipated regret was made salient than when it was not. Additionally, farmers expressed more regret about decisions to convert their land than when they left their land in grass. These results suggest that anticipated regret may play a role in farmers’ land conversion decisions, and that encouraging farmers to consider how they might feel about their decisions in the future may lead to lower rates of grass-to-crop conversion. We propose operational policy strategies based on our findings.
Analysis of Ground Subsidence Evolution Characteristics and Attribution Along the Beijing–Xiong’an Intercity Railway with Time-Series InSAR and Explainable Machine-Learning Technique
Authors: Liu Xin , Gong Huili , Zhou Chaofan , Chen Beibei , Su Yanmin , Zhu Jiajun , Lu Wei
Published: February 2025

The long-term overextraction of groundwater in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region has led to the formation of the world’s largest groundwater depression cone and the most extensive land subsidence zone, posing a potential threat to the operational safety of high-speed railways in the region. As a critical transportation hub connecting Beijing and the Xiong’an New Area, the Beijing–Xiong’an Intercity Railway traverses geologically complex areas with significant ground subsidence issues. Monitoring and analyzing the causes of land subsidence along the railway are essential for ensuring its safe operation. Using Sentinel-1A radar imagery, this study applies PS-InSAR technology to extract the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of ground subsidence along the railway from 2016 to 2022. By employing a buffer zone analysis and profile analysis, the subsidence patterns at different stages (pre-construction, construction, and operation) are revealed, identifying the major subsidence cones along the Yongding River, Yongqing, Daying, and Shengfang regions, and their impacts on the railway. Furthermore, the XGBoost model and SHAP method are used to quantify the primary influencing factors of land subsidence. The results show that changes in confined water levels are the most significant factor, contributing 34.5%, with strong interactions observed between the compressible layer thickness and confined water levels. The subsidence gradient analysis indicates that the overall subsidence gradient along the Beijing–Xiong’an Intercity Railway currently meets safety standards. This study provides scientific evidence for risk prevention and the control of land subsidence along the railway and holds significant implications for ensuring the safety of high-speed rail operations.
Invasion Patterns of the Coypu, Myocastor coypus, in Western Central Greece: New Records Reveal Expanding Range, Emerging Hotspots, and Habitat Preferences
Authors: Zevgolis Yiannis G. , Kouris Alexandros D. , Zannetos Stylianos P. , Selimas Ioannis , Kontos Themistoklis D. , Christopoulos Apostolos , Dimitrakopoulos Panayiotis G. , Akriotis Triantaphyllos
Published: February 2025

The coypu (Myocastor coypus), a semi-aquatic rodent native to South America, has established invasive populations across North America, Asia, and Europe. In Greece, since its initial recording in 1965, the species has been rapidly expanding, forming sizable populations in northern continental regions. However, the extent of its invasion and the environmental drivers shaping its distribution and spatial patterns in western–central Greece remain poorly understood. Here, we address this knowledge gap, aiming to identify and map new coypu records, investigate the relationship between coypu presence and habitat characteristics, and analyze its spatial distribution. Between 2020 and 2023, we conducted 50 field surveys across the study area, documenting direct and indirect evidence of coypu presence. We integrated kernel density estimation, Getis-Ord Gi*, and Anselin local Moran’s I to identify spatial distribution patterns and hotspots of the coypu. Additionally, we analyzed environmental factors including land cover type, total productivity, and geomorphological features to determine their influence on habitat selection. Our findings reveal significant spatial clustering of coypus, with 12 identified hotspots primarily located in protected areas, and highlight tree cover density and productivity variability as key predictors of coypu presence. The suitability of western–central Greece for the coypu appears to be driven by extensive wetlands and interconnected hydrological systems, with hotspots concentrated in lowland agricultural landscapes, providing essential data to guide targeted management strategies for mitigating the ecological risks posed by this invasive species.
Green Space Equality Is Better in Fast-Growing Cities: Evidence from 140 Cities in China
Authors: Huang Baohua , Gu Jiatong , Zhang Mengfan , Feng Zhe
Published: February 2025

Given the critical role of urban green space (UGS) in fostering sustainable urban development, there is a growing focus on assessing levels and inequalities in urban green space exposure. However, the integration of UGS with urban development, particularly in the context of China’s unique national conditions, remains underexplored. This study evaluates the adequacy and equity of urban green space provision in 140 Chinese cities (with built-up areas exceeding 100 km2) using metrics such as the percentage of green space, green space exposure, and the Gini coefficient. Additionally, the study investigates the interplay between natural, economic, and social factors and UGS variables, particularly examining the interrelation of urbanization and green sustainable development within the framework of China’s distinctive land finance policy. The findings reveal that most large Chinese cities suffer from inadequate and inequitable green space provisions, with a clear connection between these deficiencies. The study highlights that factors such as favorable natural conditions, economic growth, urbanization, favorable living conditions, and the unique land finance and transfer system in China can enhance urban green space exposure and equality. This research offers valuable insights and evidence for Chinese central and local governments to devise effective and sustainable greening strategies, aiming to attain high-quality urban development.
Acute Kidney Injury in Patients After Cardiac Arrest: Effects of Targeted Temperature Management
Authors: De Rosa Silvia , Lassola Sergio , Visconti Federico , De Cal Massimo , Cattin Lucia , Rizzello Veronica , Lampariello Antonella , Zannato Marina , Danzi Vinicio , Marcante Stefano
Published: February 2025

Background: Cardiac arrest (CA) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, with survivors often developing post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS), characterized by systemic inflammation, ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), and multiorgan dysfunction. Acute kidney injury (AKI), a frequent complication, is associated with increased mortality and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays. This study evaluates AKI incidence and progression in cardiac arrest patients managed with different temperature protocols and explores urinary biomarkers’ predictive value for AKI risk. Methods: A prospective, single-center observational study was conducted, including patients with Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) post-cardiac arrest. Patients were stratified into three groups: therapeutic hypothermia (TH) at 33 °C, Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) at 35 °C, and no temperature management (No TTM). AKI was defined using KDIGO criteria, with serum creatinine and urinary biomarkers (TIMP-2 and IGFBP7) measured at regular intervals during ICU stay. Results: AKI incidence at 72 h was 31%, varying across protocols. It was higher in the No TTM group at 24 h and in the TH and TTM groups during rewarming. Persistent serum creatinine elevation and fluid imbalance were notable in the TH group. Biomarkers indicated moderate tubular stress in the TTM and No TTM groups. Conclusions: AKI is a frequent complication post-cardiac arrest, with the rewarming phase identified as critical for renal vulnerability. Tailored renal monitoring, biomarker-guided risk assessment, and precise temperature protocols are essential to improve outcomes.
A Study on the Optimal Planning of Forest Ecosystems on Hainan Island in the Context of the Integrated Development of Lakes, Wetlands and Forests
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Keren , Zhang Zixuan
Published: February 2025

Hainan Island has rich water resources and unique lake ecosystems. Organically connecting lakes and wetlands with forest ecosystems should be considered in order to strengthen biodiversity protection, form a continuous green corridor to promote species migration and gene exchange, and enhance the stability and resilience of the overall ecological system and maximize its benefits. The method of linear programming was used in this study to analyze the forest ecosystem on Hainan Island in China in order to provide a scientific basis for the integration, protection and management of lakes, wetlands and forests. This study points out that the ratio of the area of timber forest, protection forest, special-purpose forest and bamboo forest should be adjusted from the current 68:22.9:7.1:1.8 to 24:72.8:2.5:0.6. The average shadow price of the reasonable use of different forest lands on Hainan Island is 2512.46 CNY/ha and the optimal value of special-purpose forest is 4376.04 CNY/ha, rather than the current 6888.50 CNY/ha. This study also shows that the timber forest, special-purpose forest and bamboo forest on Hainan Island are short-term products, while protection forest, wood-fuel forest, economic forest, open forest land, shrub land, young afforested land and non-forest land are long-term products, for which it is not easy to obtain benefits in the short-term. A combination of long- and short-term forest ecological planning should be considered to maintain the various long-term benefits. This study finally proposes that Hainan Island should reduce its proportion of timber forest area; increase its proportion of protection forest area; focus on the integrated development of lakes, wetlands and forests and biodiversity conservation goals; and pay close attention to the adjustment of forest type structure in order to meet the needs of ecological province construction and sustainable development.
Dual-Band Multi-Layer Antenna Array with Circular Polarization and Gain Enhancement for WLAN and X-Band Applications
Authors: Virdee Bal S. , Aribi Tohid , Sedghi Tohid
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a novel multi-layer, dual-band antenna array designed for WLAN and X-band applications, incorporating several innovative features. The design employs a pentagon-shaped radiating element with parasitic strips to enable dual-band operation. A dual-transformed feed network with chamfered feed strip corners minimizes radiation distortion and cross-polarization while introducing orthogonal phase shifts to achieve circular polarization (CP) at the X-band. A Fabry–Pérot structure, strategically placed above the array, enhances gain in the WLAN band. The antenna demonstrates an impedance bandwidth of 1.8 GHz (S11 < −10 dB) at the WLAN band, with 36% fractional bandwidth, and 4.3 GHz at the X-band, with 43% fractional bandwidth. Measured peak gains are 7 dBi for the WLAN band and 6.8 dBi for the X-band, with favourable S11 levels, omni-directional radiation patterns, and consistent gain across both bands. Circular polarization is achieved within 8.5–10.4 GHz. Experimental results confirm the array’s significant advancements in multi-band performance, making it highly suitable for diverse wireless communication applications.
Leptospira interrogans Associated with the Common Vampire Bat (Desmodus rotundus) from the Neotropical Region of Mexico
Authors: Chong-Guzmán Laura A. , Aréchiga-Ceballos Nidia , Ballados-Gonzáles Gerardo G. , Miranda-Caballero Carlos I. , Grostieta Estefanía , Aguilar-Domínguez Mariel , Romero-Salas Dora , Hernández-Herrera Rosa I. , San Martín-del Ángel Pablo , Lammoglia-Villagómez Miguel A. , Becker Ingeborg , Colunga-Salas Pablo , Cruz-Romero Anabel , Sanchez-Montes Sokani
Published: February 2025

The genus Leptospira includes at least 69 Gram-negative, aerobic spirochetes, of which 25 are pathogenic and associated with a diverse range of mammals, including members of the order Chiroptera. On the American continent, there are six confirmed Leptospira species. Among these, the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus), which ranges widely from northern Mexico to northern Argentina, has been reported to harbor four pathogenic taxa: Leptospira borgpetersenii, Leptospira interrogans, Leptospira weilii, and Leptospira cf. noguchii. All these species are frequently isolated from beef and dairy cattle, suggesting that contact with urine from infected cattle could serve as a potential source of infection for bats. However, previous studies have been limited by small sample sizes and low geographical representation among the countries where they were conducted. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the species of Leptospira associated with D. rotundus populations in five states within the Neotropical region of Mexico. Between 2015 and 2021, 54 bats were collected across five Mexican states. Our analysis identified the exclusive presence of L. interrogans in 13 specimens. The findings are discussed within the framework of a One Health perspective, emphasizing their relevance to understanding interspecies transmission dynamics.
Discovery of a New Starship Transposon Driving the Horizontal Transfer of the ToxA Virulence Gene in Alternaria ventricosa
Authors: Liu Fei , Cheewangkoon Ratchadawan , Zhao Rui-Lin
Published: February 2025

The virulence gene ToxA has been proposed to be horizontally transferred between three fungal wheat pathogens (Parastagonospora nodorum, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, and Bipolaris sorokiniana) as part of a conserved ~14 kb ToxhAT transposon. Here, our analysis of 2137 fungal species-representative assemblies revealed that the ToxA gene is an isolate of Alternaria ventricosa and shows a remarkable 99.5% similarity to those found in B. sorokiniana and P. tritici-repentis. Analysis of the regions flanking ToxA within A. ventricosa revealed that it was embedded within a 14 kb genomic element nearly identical to the corresponding ToxhAT regions in B. sorokiniana, P. nodorum, and P. tritici-repentis. Comparative analysis further showed that ToxhAT in A. ventricosa resides within a larger mobile genetic element, which we identified as a member of the Starship transposon superfamily, named Frontier. Our analysis demonstrated that ToxhAT has been independently captured by three distinct Starships—Frontier, Sanctuary, and Horizon—which, despite having minimal sequence similarity outside of ToxhAT, facilitate its mobilization. These findings place Frontier, Sanctuary, and Horizon within a growing class of Starships implicated in the horizontal transfer of adaptive genes among fungal species. Moreover, we identified three distinct HGT events involving ToxA across these four fungal species, reinforcing the hypothesis of a single evolutionary origin for the ToxhAT transposon. These findings underscore the pivotal role of transposon-mediated HGT in the adaptive evolution of eukaryotic pathogens, offering new insights into how transposons facilitate genetic exchange and shape host–pathogen interactions in fungi.
Enhancement in the Catalytic Properties of CotA Laccase from Bacillus pumilus via High-Throughput Screening Using Malachite Green as a Pressure
Authors: Li Xiufang , Tian Jieru , Ren Xidong , Wang Junming , Liu Xinli
Published: February 2025

Bacterial laccase exhibits substantial application potential in various fields. In this study, we constructed a mutation library of CotA laccase from Bacillus pumilus using error-prone PCR, and we performed four rounds of enrichment screening under malachite green (MG) pressure. The results demonstrated that the proportions of the four selected mutant strains were significantly increased. The enzyme activities of the four final mutants PW2, PW5, PW4G, and PW6 were 94.34, 75.74, 100.66, and 87.04 U/mg, respectively, representing a significant increase of approximately 2- to 3-fold compared to the wild-type CotA laccase. Notably, PW4 exhibited significantly improved thermal stability at 90 °C and pH tolerance at pH 12.0. Homology modeling analysis revealed that alterations in the amino acid sequence rendered the spatial structure of the enzyme’s catalytic site more favorable for substrate binding. For instance, the substitution of T262A in PW2 and V426I in PW4 shortened the side chains of the amino acids, thereby enlarging the substrate-binding cavity. The G382D mutation in PW2 and PW5 may induce altered protein conformation via spatial steric hindrance or electrostatic interactions, consequently impacting enzyme activity and stability. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing the industrial application of bacterial laccase.
Infection and Prevention of Rabies Viruses
Authors: Chen Shiu-Jau , Rai Chung-I , Wang Shao-Cheng , Chen Yuan-Chuan
Published: February 2025

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease and causes about 59,000 human deaths globally every year. Especially, its mortality is almost 100% in cases where the rabies virus has transmitted to the central nervous system. The special virus life cycle and pathogenic mechanism make it difficult for the host immune system to combat rabies viruses. Vaccination including pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis is an effective strategy for rabies prevention. The pre-exposure vaccination is mainly applied for animals and the post-exposure vaccination is the most application for humans. Although rabies vaccines are widely used and seem to be safe and effective, there are some disadvantages, limitations, or challenges affecting vaccine promotion and distribution. Therefore, more effective, convenient, safer, and cheaper rabies vaccines have been developed or are being developed. The development of novel human rabies vaccine is mainly focusing on vaccines based on a purified Vero cell-cultured freeze-dried rabies vaccine (PVRV). PVRV has been demonstrated to be promising to make the rabies vaccine more effective and secure in animal studies or clinical trials. Moreover, mRNA-based vaccines have been shown to have the potential to enhance the safety and efficacy of rabies vaccines for both animal and human uses.
Correction: Zaki et al. Trichogenic Silver-Based Nanoparticles for Suppression of Fungi Involved in Damping-Off of Cotton Seedlings. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 344
Authors: Zaki Shimaa A. , Ouf Salama A. , Abd-Elsalam Kamel A. , Asran Amal A. , Hassan Mohamed M. , Kalia Anu , Albarakaty Fawziah M.
Published: February 2025

In the original publication [...]
Riboflavin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy in Periodontology: A Systematic Review of Applications and Outcomes
Authors: Fiegler-Rudol Jakub , Łopaciński Maciej , Los Artur , Skaba Dariusz , Wiench Rafał
Published: February 2025

Background: Riboflavin (vitamin B2) has emerged as a promising photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to its strong absorption of blue light and favourable safety profile. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of riboflavin-mediated PDT in periodontology, specifically examining its antimicrobial effects and potential to improve clinical outcomes compared to conventional or other PDT-based treatments. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Studies published in English within the last 10 years were considered, where riboflavin served as the primary photosensitizer for dental treatments. Data extraction focused on study design, photosensitizer concentration, light source parameters, and clinical or microbiological outcomes. The risk of bias was assessed independently by two reviewers using a predefined scoring system. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, all demonstrating a low risk of bias. Riboflavin-mediated PDT consistently reduced microbial biofilms and pathogen viability in periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and endodontic models. Although some studies reported slightly lower efficacy compared to chlorhexidine or toluidine blue–based PDT, riboflavin-mediated PDT exhibited advantages such as minimal staining, low cytotoxicity, and enhanced collagen crosslinking. However, most studies were in vitro or small-scale clinical trials, limiting conclusions on long-term effectiveness. Conclusions: Riboflavin-mediated PDT shows promise as a safe adjunctive therapy for periodontal infections. Larger, well-designed clinical trials with standardized parameters and extended follow-up are needed to further evaluate its efficacy and optimize treatment protocols for routine clinical application.
pH-Dependent Drug Delivery Systems for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Authors: Gvozdeva Yana , Staynova Radiana
Published: February 2025

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease, are becoming a growing global problem due to the limitations of current treatments, which fail to address the needs of patients effectively. UC is characterized by the widespread inflammation of the mucosal lining, affecting both the rectum and the entire length of the colon. Over the past forty years, traditional treatments for IBDs have primarily relied on anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressive medications. Treatment could be more effective if drugs could be specifically targeted to act directly on the colon. Conventional drug delivery systems for IBDs encounter numerous challenges on their way to the colon, such as physiological barriers and disease severity. To address these issues, pH-dependent carriers have emerged as a promising advancement, offering a more effective and tolerable treatment for UC. These carriers enable localized, targeted action, reducing side effects and preventing the premature clearance of drugs from inflamed colon tissues. pH-responsive systems are a leading approach for targeted drug release in colitis treatment as they take advantage of the varying pH levels throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). By incorporating pH-sensitive polymers, they ensure drug protection and controlled release in the lower GIT. This review will discuss the advantages and limitations of pH-dependent drug delivery systems for colon-targeted drug delivery.
Integrating In Vitro Dissolution and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling for Generic Drug Development: Evaluation of Amorphous Solid Dispersion Formulations for Tacrolimus
Authors: Karakitsios Evangelos , Angelerou Maria-Faidra-Galini , Kapralos Iasonas , Tsakiridou Georgia , Kalantzi Lida , Dokoumetzidis Aristides
Published: February 2025

Objectives: Tacrolimus, a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II drug, is widely used for transplant patients to prevent graft rejection. To enhance its bioavailability, amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) formulations were developed and evaluated. The release properties of several ASD-based tacrolimus formulations were studied using an in-house USP IV dissolution method. Methods: The pharmacokinetics of a promising test product were compared with the commercially available Advagraf® in a pilot clinical bioequivalence study with 12 healthy subjects. A previously published PBPK model for tacrolimus was validated using in vivo data and then applied to predict the human pharmacokinetics of several ASD-based tacrolimus formulations. Results: This study compares the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters—AUC, Cmax, and Tmax—of Advagraf® and a test formulation using two methodologies: one incorporating the dissolution profile directly into the PBPK model and the other utilizing the DLM approach. The results show that both methods provided accurate predictions for Cmax and Tmax, with the dissolution profile approach underestimating AUC slightly, while the DLM method predicted AUC adequately. Sensitivity analysis refining the DLM scalars in the Ileum and Colon led to optimized predictions of PK parameters. Furthermore, this study explores the use of PBPK modeling to predict in vivo behavior for additional tacrolimus formulations, highlighting the influence of formulation composition, such as the inclusion of Eudragit-S100, on dissolution profiles and bioavailability. Conclusions: This study evaluates formulations with different compositions and manufacturing characteristics; key factors that could influence their performance in the body were identified. These insights—spanning qualitative, quantitative, and manufacturing aspects—can greatly simplify the development of generic drugs, offering strong evidence of the critical role that physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling can play in the early phases of generic drug development, especially in designing and assessing biopredictive dissolution methods.
Decoding Anomalous Diffusion Using Higher-Order Spectral Analysis and Multiple Signal Classification
Authors: Iglesias Martínez Miguel E. , Garibo-i-Orts Òscar , Conejero J. Alberto
Published: February 2025

Anomalous diffusion is characterized by nonlinear growth in the mean square displacement of a trajectory. Recent advances using statistical methods and recurrent neural networks have made it possible to detect such phenomena, even in noisy conditions. In this work, we explore feature extraction through parametric and non-parametric spectral analysis methods to decode anomalously diffusing trajectories, achieving reduced computational costs compared with other approaches that require additional data or prior training. Specifically, we propose the use of higher-order statistics, such as the bispectrum, and a hybrid algorithm that combines kurtosis with a multiple-signal classification technique. Our results demonstrate that the type of trajectory can be identified based on amplitude and kurtosis values. The proposed methods deliver accurate results, even with short trajectories and in the presence of noise.
Novel Biobased Double Crystalline Poly(butylene succinate)-b-poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) Multiblock Copolymers with Excellent Thermal and Mechanical Properties and Enhanced Crystallization Behavior
Authors: Yang Haidong , Feng Shiwei , Qiu Zhaobin
Published: February 2025

Novel biobased double crystalline poly(butylene succinate)-b-poly(butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PBS-b-PBTh) multiblock copolyesters with excellent thermal and mechanical properties were prepared from two hydroxyl-terminated PBS-diol and PBTh-diol prepolymers via a chain extension reaction. Both PBS and PBTh segments were semicrystalline, with the aliphatic PBS segment being the soft segment while the aromatic PBTh segment was the hard segment. In the case of PBS-b-PBTh, the two segments were partially miscible in the amorphous region; moreover, the melting temperature of each segment still remained very high compared with that of each homopolyester PBS and PBTh. The melt crystallization behavior of both segments was enhanced in the case of PBS-b-PBTh, which was attributed to different mechanisms. The crystal structure study revealed that both segments crystallized separately and showed the characteristic diffraction peaks, respectively. Compared with that of PBS, PBS-b-PBTh displayed a significant increase in the elongation at break while still maintaining a relatively high break strength. This research provides some new insights to synthesize biobased polyesters with excellent thermal and mechanical properties, which should be interesting from a sustainable viewpoint.
Reshaping Chemical Manufacturing Towards Green Process Intensification: Recent Findings and Perspectives
Authors: Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: February 2025

The chemical industry faces major challenges despite recent progress in the transition to more environmentally friendly processes. Sustainable industrial chemistry relies on the optimization of protocols and downstream processes such as extraction, purification, and drying. Process intensification, which includes non-conventional techniques and continuous manufacturing, has emerged as a key strategy to improve efficiency and environmental impact. Technologies such as ultrasound, microwaves, mechanochemistry, and reactive extrusion offer improved performance but face scalability and proprietary barriers. Flow chemistry offers additional benefits, including smaller reactors, lower energy consumption (from 40 to 90%), and increased safety through continuous, automated reactions. However, implementing these methods requires overcoming engineering, economic, and regulatory hurdles. Biphasic catalysis and sonochemical activation in liquid–liquid systems are promising approaches for scalable reactions under mild conditions. The pharmaceutical industry, a major source of waste, has shown resistance due to high validation costs and complex regulations. Fortunately, international regulatory institutions have introduced programs to facilitate the introduction of advanced technologies. Future perspectives emphasize the integration of modular, intensified processes with digitalization and smart manufacturing. Collaborative, transdisciplinary research will be crucial for accelerating commercialization and addressing sustainability challenges in chemical production.
Quick Combustion Optimization for Utility Boilers Using a Novel Adaptive Hybrid Case Library
Authors: Yu Cong , Chen Shuo , Yu Haiquan , Zhu Yukun , Wang Qiang , Liao Guangting , Shi Ling
Published: February 2025

To achieve carbon neutrality, thermal power plants must undertake heavier peak shaving tasks; consequently, utility boilers will be required to operate under frequently changing operating conditions. In light of this new circumstance, a combustion optimization decision that is executed more rapidly is necessary. A novel online combustion optimization framework is proposed for the combustion system of utility boilers. First, a robust filter for extracting high-quality steady-state data samples is designed and executed. Then, the K-means algorithm is used to divide the cleaned sample space and construct the working condition case library. Based on the constructed library, the boiler combustion model is constructed using the XGBoost algorithm. Therefore, the corresponding optimization case library can be established using the multiobjective optimization algorithm and working condition case library. To further capture the phenomenon of data distribution migrating as the operating conditions change, an adaptive update strategy for the combustion system is proposed, including online querying and data and model updates. The findings of this study conducted on a 660 MW utility boiler show that the proposed online optimization method can effectively decrease NOx emissions and improve combustion efficiency in approximately 2 milliseconds.
Curved-Layer Slicing and Continuous Path Planning for Multi-Axis Printing of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Structures
Authors: Li Yamin , Shi Chenyang , Yan Xin
Published: February 2025

Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) additive manufacturing technologies have successfully overcome the limitations of traditional autoclave forming, offering significantly enhanced design freedom. However, one of the remaining key challenges is the planning of continuous printing paths that align with a defined fiber orientation vector field within FRC structures. This paper introduces a comprehensive framework for multi-axis curved-layer printing of 3D FRC parts. First, a novel multi-axis curved-layer slicing method based on deformed space mapping is proposed. This approach ensures that the sliced curved layers are as parallel as possible to the intended fiber orientations, improving the alignment between the printing process and fiber direction. Next, a vector field-driven printing path planning method for each curved layer is developed, which guarantees that the generated printing paths conform to the specified fiber orientations while also ensuring continuous material deposition. Additionally, a new algorithm for generating support structures tailored to curved layers is proposed, preventing material collapse during the printing process. The effectiveness of the proposed slicing method, path planning, and support structure generation are validated through extensive experiments and simulations, demonstrating their potential to significantly improve the performance and versatility of FRC additive manufacturing.