bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AGILE APPROACHES, FOR E-BUSINESS SOLUTIONS STRATEGY, AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL
Authors:   Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, Brancu Cristian , Turcu Oana ,   Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, Stefan Marius ,   Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, Popp Madalina ,   Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania
Published: January 2025

Modernity is characterized by major transformations and evolutions, which have penetrated into
the depths of all levels of human existence, in all economic, political and social spheres, thus
significantly increasing the quality of life. The Information Society is the model of society in
which the main good is information itself. Although the accelerated development of information
and communication technologies (ICT) is the process behind the evolution of the information
society, the new model of society means much more than technological progress. In the
technological age, action plans and policies are being developed to meet the challenges, the most
important technology being ICT, which allows information to be processed and conveyed in a
revolutionary way. The information society is the ICT-based knowledge society. Information
society technologies will evolve in the direction of being at the fingertips of the knowledge
process, by generating, storing, and transmitting knowledge. Knowledge is the result of the
information management process, thus promoting innovation, economic development, and
decision-making in an efficient and transparent way. Knowledge and scientific information are
of enormous importance in the global information society, by: supporting innovation, promoting
economic development, making decisions in an efficient and transparent way, at the
governmental level and especially for the implementation and use of intelligent technologies in
the development of the degree of digitization of public services through financing provided by
European funds and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. In order to move on to building
the knowledge society, it is necessary to reduce the digital gap, which accentuates disparities in
development, excluding groups and even countries, from the benefit of information and
knowledge. The limiting factor in development will be related to the human capacity to
assimilate and develop these technologies, to use them in new fields of activity, for new products
and services
Innovation in rural areas – methods to improve the quality of citizens life
Authors:   University of Agronomic Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Creineanu (Sasu) Luminița , Mărcuță Liviu ,   University of Agronomic Sciences and
Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest
Published: January 2025

Innovation in rural development and how it has influenced the increase in the quality
of life of the rural population has always been a challenge. Innovation can be addressed through
the interventions implemented within the measures and intervention areas of the rural
development programs and through certain types of projects. New products, practices, and
processes represent engines for innovation and diversification of agricultural activities, as well
as for improving the competitiveness of the rural economy. The policy tool to support local
needs, in reducing economic and social imbalances and urban-rural disparities and promoting
innovation is the LEADER approach that encourages small-scale innovative actions in all aspects
of rural life (economic, social and environmental). With the help of the information taken and
analyzed from the websites of institutions with a role in the elaboration, management,
implementation, and control of rural development programs in Romania, projects were identified
that encourage innovation through the activities of local action groups at the LEADER rural area
level, financed during 2014 – 2020, the beneficiaries of these projects, the value of the contracts
and their impact on the rural population. Following the analysis, we want to see which type of
projects the innovation took shape and if they helped the evolution of the rural community
concretely
Assessing the Role of Private Investment in R&D on Bioeconomy Growth: A Decade-Long Analysis Across the European Union Countries
Authors:   University of Craiova, Iureș Mugur Victor Constantin
Published: January 2025

In recent years, the bioeconomy has become a significant force driving
sustainable growth within the European Union (EU), seamlessly integrating the
use of biological resources with economic development and innovation. This
study examines how private sector research and development (R&D)
investments influence growth in the EU's bioeconomy, focusing on key factors
such as value added, biomass consumption, and biomass transformation. By
employing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models on a dataset
spanning a decade and covering EU member states, the analysis reveals that
R&D investments substantially contribute to economic performance, positively
affecting both value added and biomass consumption. However, the research
also points out inefficiencies in biomass transformation technologies that
currently diminish their economic impact. These findings highlight the crucial
importance of ongoing R&D investment to spur innovation and enhance the
sustainability of the bioeconomy. The study concludes by emphasizing the need
for targeted policies that support technological advancements in biomass
transformation, balanced regulatory frameworks for biomass consumption, and
increased collaboration between public and private sectors to foster innovation
in bio-based industries
Solutions to improve the energy efficiency of non-residential buildings: Evidence from Romania
Authors:   National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Bitir-Istrate Ioan , Doroftei Laura-Alexandra ,   National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Militaru Gheorghe ,   National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest
Published: January 2025

Energy efficiency in buildings can lead to lower costs and a smaller carbon
footprint. There are now numerous standards, regulations and certifications in place to
encourage the construction of sustainable buildings and the increase of energy efficiency in
existing ones. One such certification platform that provides tools for analysing the
sustainability and energy performance of a building is EDGE. Thus, the aim of this paper was
to investigate the possibility of using this platform for analysing and testing solutions to
increase energy efficiency on a storage building. The results showed that the platform allows
analysing various measures for increasing energy efficiency and displays an approximate
prediction as a result of these measures. By performing simulations in the platform, it is
possible to check and choose the best measures leading to maximizing the energy efficiency of
the building and to plan the investments. The article includes the analysis of a warehouse
chosen as a case study, in which lighting was identified as an area of inefficiency and it was
replaced with a more efficient system, as well as installing a photovoltaic power plant. These
measures led to an increase in building energy efficiency of approximately 17%.
Get Up, Stand Up: Teaching Students about the Challenges of Mobilization
Authors: Asal Victor , Willis Charmaine , Jahanbani Nakissa
Published: January 2025

Mobilizing people is difficult as indicated in the literature. However, the challenges of mobilization are not always clear to students. The collective action problem and challenges of risk can be difficult to convey to undergraduate students; simply lecturing on the concept may not sufficiently capture the nuances of individual cost-benefit analyses. In this paper, we present a game that engages students by asking them about when and why they would likely participate in a protest. Through asking successive questions attempting to induce nonparticipation, this game illustrates to students why collective action may not happen. Students are also asked to reflect on theoretical explanations of the game by applying the rational actor, structure, and culture framework put forth by Lichbach and Zuckerman (2009). We argue that this exercise effectively conveys the concept of a collective action problem to students by asking them to relate mobilization to their personal preferences and experiences.
Political Science Study Abroad Programs in the Global South
Authors: Nario Rex
Published: January 2025

US students (including political science students) are studying abroad in places that are too similar to the US, which de-emphasizes the appeal of studying abroad in other parts of the world and constrains the field of political science to a heavily Westernized perspective. Political science students are gaining insight from studying abroad in countries that are too similar to the United States, and it will leave out the discussion of critical Global South-related issues and topics. This paper looks into the state of study abroad programs for US students, particularly in the Global South, by analyzing the number of students going to the Global South and looking at how students decide their destinations through theories in international education. It will also examine political science syllabi from both short-term, third-party courses and traditional semester-long courses.
Fostering Critical Thinking in the Age of AI: Why Information Literacy Still Matters
Authors: MacVaugh Kimberly
Published: January 2025

Undergraduate students enter political science classrooms today comfortable with many AI tools and services that promise to aid their learning, writing, and research. Meanwhile, many faculty and librarians view generative AI and related tools with trepidation, concerned about the ways in which they will change higher education, especially in political science. As with all new technologies, there are significant challenges that we must confront as we consider their benefits. Educators must rethink how to foster students’ critical thinking, information literacy, communication, and research skills—typically long-term objectives—in light of rapidly developing apps and programs that aim to reduce effort and provide quick results. This paper from a political science librarian uses the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy to demonstrate the importance of teaching fundamental research and writing skills before offering ideas for how to incorporate AI tools into information literacy building assignments and activities in a constructive way.
How did the Beatles impact cultural movement on different generations?
Authors: Coman Claudiu , Meseșan-Schmitz Luiza , Dobrescu Ada , Bătrânu-Pințea Vlad
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study aims to identify the characteristics of the new generations of Beatles fans who are engaged in online fandoms and to explore how the Beatles continue to have an impact despite the band does no longer exist. To address these objectives, the study answers to the following research questions: Does the perception of the Beatles’ impact at a personal level differ between generations of fans? If so, in what ways does the Beatles’ influence manifest in the younger generation of fans and how does the new generation of Beatles fans define themselves?

Methods

In order to conduct the study, a mixed method design was used, specifically the preliminary quantitative input variant. In the first stage we collected data to identify whether there are differences in perceptions among generations about the impact of the Beatles through an online questionnaire, with closed and open-ended questions. The population was selected non-probabilistic and comprised 788 persons who listen to the Beatles and are members of Beatles fan communities on Facebook. In the second stage, we administered an online questionnaire with open-ended questions and analogy exercises to 23 persons from the same communities, to obtain more in-depth information about the new generation of Beatles fans (aged 18–35).

Results

Quantitative data illustrate that the new generation of fans is less influenced by the Beatles. When this happens, there are two areas where this influence is more substantial: personal development and social interactions. The main elements through the identification take place with the band are lyrics from the late period of the Beatles, with a more profound message and a philosophy of life. Through analogy exercises, qualitative data reflects elements of the social identity of Beatles’ fans. Symbols like animals, plants, and instruments indicate who they are in terms of the groups.

Discussion

The findings extended our understanding of how the Beatles impact the new generation of fans and provide new insights from their social identity, which could serve as a foundation for future research, for scholar interested in exploring the identity of band music fans.
Regenerative fibroblasts derived from autologous skin tissue for the treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome: a case report
Authors: Ma Zhao-Xia , Wu Xing-Fei , Cao Li , Jiao Cheng-Yan , Ma Dai-Ping , Zhao Yun-Hui , Yang Zhi-Xing , Hu Min
Published: January 2025

Background

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, with major symptoms including dry mouth and dry eyes, for which there is no effective treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are effective in the treatment of SS, but the efficacy of allogeneic MSCs is affected by variability among different cell donors, and they are easily cleared by the immune system of the recipient. Autologous MSCs are one of the ideal options for the treatment of SS; however, their function decreases with age. Regenerative fibroblast (rFib) is a type of new MSC obtained through chemical reprogramming technology from skin fibroblasts. In this study, we report the safety and efficacy of intravenous infusion of autologous rFib in a volunteer with SS.

Case report

In March 2021, the volunteer was diagnosed with SS due to positive anti-SSB antibodies, lymphocyte infiltration in the lip gland, dry eyes, and a large area of purpura in both lower limbs. From May 2021 to November 2022, she received allogeneic Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC) therapy (5.0 × 107 UCMSCs per time, totaling 10 infusions), but her condition did not improve. In May 2023, the rFib for the volunteer was prepared, meeting the quality standard of T/CSCB0003-2021 Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Between October 2023 and June 2024, the volunteer received a total of 12 intravenous transfusions of autologous rFib. After the treatments, the volunteer experienced no recurrence of purpura in both lower limbs. Symptoms of dry mouth, dry eyes, and fatigue were relieved. ESR, B lymphocytes, rheumatoid factor IgM, and IgA declined, while the proportion of NK cells increased, and most of the cytokines returned to normal levels. In vitro experiments showed that rFib could significantly inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes after PHA stimulation. No adverse effects were associated with the use of rFib in the volunteer during the clinical trial.

The results of this clinical trial indicate that intravenous injections of autologous rFib are both safe and effective for treating SS. Autologous rFib may be more suitable for treating autoimmune diseases than allogeneic MSCs.
Considering the nutritional benefits and health implications of red meat in the era of meatless initiatives
Authors: Kavanaugh Melissa , Rodgers Diana , Rodriguez Nancy , Leroy Frédéric
Published: January 2025

Driven by perceived health and environmental benefits, initiatives to remove red meat from recommended eating patterns are increasingly being implemented in United States institutions, including schools and hospitals. While these efforts aim to address important issues, they may inadvertently lead to unintended consequences, particularly regarding essential nutrient intake for certain populations. This perspective considers the nutritional value of red meat, examines its potential health benefits, and highlights nutritional risks when intake is reduced or eliminated. Red meat is a nutrient-dense food that provides highly bioavailable protein and several essential micronutrients often lacking in the diet, including iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. These nutrients can be limited or absent in many plant-source foods as well as in some animal-source foods. Red meat’s micronutrient profile is especially valuable for young children and women of reproductive age, including pregnant women. In addition, the protein density of red meat is beneficial for individuals managing obesity and older adults at risk of sarcopenia. Many epidemiological studies suggest potential associations between excessive red meat consumption and increased risk of certain chronic diseases, but this evidence does not conclusively implicate red meat in the development or progression of chronic disease. The nutritional and health implications of reducing red meat consumption must be balanced against the low certainty of evidence used to discourage red meat intake when making dietary recommendations.
Construction of nomogram model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters to predict the degree of pathological differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lian Shu-Min , Cheng Hong-Jing , Li Hong-Jing , Wang Hui
Published: January 2025

Objective

To predict the degree of pathological differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by quantitative analysis the correlation between the perfusion parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and the pathological grades of HCC using VueBox® software.

Methods

We enrolled 189 patients who underwent CEUS and liver biopsy at our hospital from July 2019 to September 2024 and were pathologically confirmed with primary HCC. The Edmondson-Steiner pathological classification system was used as the gold standard for dividing the patients into the low-grade and high-grade groups. The patients were randomly divided into training set and testing set in a ratio of 7:3, in which the parameters of the training set were analyzed by univariate analysis and then stepwise regression to construct the prediction model, and the diagnostic efficacy of the validation model was evaluated by discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability.

Results

A total of 189 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled, including 118 patients in the low-grade group and 71 patients in the high-grade group; they were randomly divided into training set of 128 patients and testing set of 61 patients. The prediction model was constructed by logistic regression in the training set, and the final model included three variables: mTTI, FT, and maximum diameter of a single lesion, resulting in the equation was Y=−2.360+1.674X1+1.019X2+0.753X3(2)+1.570X3(3).The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the training set was 0.831, with a sensitivity of 82.0% and a specificity of 79.5%; the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the testing set was 0.811, with a sensitivity of 81.0% and a specificity of 70.0%.

Conclusion

The regression model constructed by combining multiple parameters can effectively improve the diagnostic performance of CEUS in predicting the pathological differentiation grade of HCC, thus providing a clinical basis and empirical support for the use of CEUS as a diagnostic imaging method for this disease.
Single-epoch power positioning method for multi-beam LEO communication satellites
Authors: Gao Sibo , Ma Chunjiang , Tang Xiaomei , Wang Feixue
Published: January 2025

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communication satellites offer reduced signal loss, fast movement, multi-beam, typically providing single coverage. This paper introduces a novel multi-beam power positioning method for low-orbit single-satellite, addressing the slow convergence and low accuracy of Doppler positioning. It establishes a power observation equation system, initializes with the nearest neighbor algorithm, and refines with the least squares method. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that with good initial values, the method converges in under 10 iterations, achieving 88.06% availability at 20° elevation with errors of 5,331 m (vertical) and 8,798 m (horizontal), and a timing error of 205 μs. At 70° elevation, all users converge with errors of 1,614 m and 1,088 m, and a timing error of 31.3 μs, demonstrating high power positioning availability. The statistical results show that power positioning users can obtain the positioning accuracy of kilometers and the timing accuracy of microseconds, which meets initial timing needs under strong confrontation, enhancing the medium and high orbit satellite navigation.
CSpredR: A Multi-Site mRNA Subcellular Localization Prediction Method Based on Fusion Encoding and Hybrid Neural Networks
Authors: Wang Xiao , Suo Wenshuai , Wang Rong
Published: January 2025

Current research widely acknowledges that the subcellular localization of mRNA is crucial for understanding its biological functions. However, current methods for mRNA subcellular localization based on k-mer frequency features may overlook the sequential information of the sequence, and a single encoding method may not adequately extract the sequence’s features. This paper proposes a novel deep learning prediction method, CSpredR, specifically designed for predicting the subcellular localization of multi-site mRNAs. Unlike previous methods, CSpredR first employs k-mer to tokenize the mRNA sequences, then converts the tokenized sequences into de Bruijn graphs, thereby enabling a more precise capture of the structural information within the sequences. To mitigate the impact of lost sequential information and better capture sequence features, we combine word2vec and fasttext models to extract the features of each node in the graph and retain the sequence order. They can encode the k-mer units in the sequence into word vectors, thus serving as the node feature vectors of the graph. In this way, each node in the graph is assigned a feature vector containing rich semantic information. Subsequently, we utilize multi-scale convolutional neural networks and bidirectional long short-term memory networks to capture sequence features, respectively, and fuse the results as input for a multi-head attention mechanism model. The information from these heads is integrated into the node representations, and finally, the attention-processed data are fed into an MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron) for prediction tasks. Extensive experiments reveal that CSpredR achieves a 2% improvement over the best existing predictors, offering a more effective tool for mRNA subcellular localization prediction.
Lead-Free Ceramics in Prestressed Ultrasonic Transducers
Authors: Scheidemann Claus , Bornmann Peter , Littmann Walter , Hemsel Tobias
Published: January 2025

Today’s ultrasonic transducers find broad application in diverse technology branches and most often cannot be replaced by other actuators. They are typically based on lead-containing piezoelectric ceramics. These should be replaced for environmental and health issues by lead-free alternatives. Multiple material alternatives are already known, but there is a lack of information about their technological readiness level. To fill this gap, a small series of prestressed longitudinally vibrating transducers was set up with a standard PZT material and two lead-free variants within this study. The entire process for building the transducers is documented: characteristics of individual ring ceramics, burn-in results, and free vibration and characteristics under load are shown. The main result is that the investigated lead-free materials are ready to use within ultrasonic bolted Langevin transducers (BLTs) for medium-power applications, when the geometrical setup of the transducer is adopted. Since lead-free ceramics need higher voltages to achieve the same power level, the driving electronics or the mechanical setup must be altered specifically for each material. Lower self-heating of the lead-free materials might be attractive for heat-sensitive processes.
A Robust Cooperative Control Protocol Based on Global Sliding Mode Manifold for Heterogeneous Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems Under the Switching Topology
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Yining , Xiong Shuiping , Liu Xiangbin , Guo Rong
Published: January 2025

This study addresses the completely distributed consensus control problem for the heterogeneous nonlinear multi-agent system (MAS) with disturbances under switching topology. First, a global sliding mode manifold (GSMM) is designed for the overall MAS dynamic, which maintains stability without oscillations during topology switching after achieving the sliding mode. Subsequently, a consensus sliding mode control protocol (SMCP) is proposed, adopting the common sliding mode control (SMC) format and ensuring the finite-time reachability of the GSMM under topology switching. Finally, the proposed GSMM and SMCP are applied to the formation control of multiple-wheeled mobile robots (WMRs), and simulation results confirm their feasibility and effectiveness. The proposed SMCP design demonstrates key advantages, including a simple control structure, complete robustness to matched disturbance, and reduced-order dynamics under the sliding mode.
Smart Practices in Modern Dairy Farming in Bangladesh: Integrating Technological Transformations for Sustainable Responsibility
Authors: Shamsuddoha Mohammad , Nasir Tasnuba
Published: January 2025

The current Bangladeshi dairy sector faces many problems related to sustainability indicators from economic, social, and environmental perspectives. In this circumstance, they must combine cutting-edge innovation to overcome growing sustainability concerns and technical revolutions to become smart farms. This study analyzes how dairy farmers might use cutting-edge technologies in their dairy sub-processes to determine the benefits of achieving additional productivity and efficiency. This paper examines precision livestock farming, information analytics, and alternative energy sources to reduce environmental hazards and increase resource efficiency. Using cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics (RPA), Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, system dynamics, and simulation modeling can assist the farmers in improving the results. Analyzing developing country case studies and best practices reveals crucial answers for reconciling sustainability stewardship and operational efficiency. The system dynamics method builds a simulation model and finds the projected results before implementing it in real life. The findings provide considerable waste reduction and productivity gains through technological deployments. The simulation model creates two scenarios of ‘current’ and ‘technology-adopted’ processes to examine the transformational benefits of sustainable practices. A case study method was adopted for this technology deployment to organize a comprehensive strategy that blends technology and sustainability. This study ends with recommendations for dairy farmers and policymakers to create a resilient and environmentally friendly dairy operation to secure the dairy sector’s long-term viability in transforming technologies. Future farms can follow the practical, technical, and policy, as well as recommendations to improve their processes, such as smart farm concepts available in academia and dairy-developed countries.
Study on the Design and Performance of a Seed Discharger for Peanut Plot Breeding Based on the CFD-DEM Method
Authors: Ren Degang , Chang Xueliang , Liu Bing , Yang Yangyang , Li Mengzhu , Wang Dongwei , Gao Zenghui
Published: January 2025

In order to facilitate the peanut plot breeding process, a seed discharger for peanut plot breeding was designed and optimised. Two single stroke cylinders were used for seed replacement and to avoid confusion between different varieties of seeds. The working performance of the seed discharger was simulated by the CFD-DEM method. The simulation results showed that the seed suction hole could adsorb the seeds stably, the adsorption force at the seed suction hole was about 0.02 N, and the seed-clearing time was 0.31 s. When the rotation speed of the seed discharge cylinder was 25 r/min, the diameter of the seed suction hole was 6 mm and the working negative pressure was −5.5 kPa. The developed seed discharger was installed on the test bench to carry out the central composite design experiment, and the test results were analysed and optimised by Design-Expert software. The final parameters of the seed discharger were obtained as follows: rotational speed of the seed cylinder is 25 r/min, the diameter of the seed suction hole is 6 mm, and the working negative pressure is −6 kPa. This indicates that the design of the initial parameters is reasonable. Finally, the seed discharger was tested in the field. The results shown that the 95% confidence intervals for seeding pass rate, multiple-seed rate, and seed missing rate were (88.9557%, 93.1777%), (3.8137%, 6.4597%), and (2.1157%, 5.4777%), respectively, which met the requirements of peanut plot seeding.
Analysis of Olive Detachment Force to Improve Olive Shaker Efficiency Through Branch Modeling
Authors: Macoretta Giuseppe , Luglio Sofia Matilde , Conforti Federico , Abruzzo Michele , Gagliardi Lorenzo , Fontanelli Marco , Raffaelli Michele
Published: January 2025

Mechanical shaking enables efficient harvesting of olives, especially in hilly regions where automated farming is not feasible. This study delves into branch and olive detachment modeling to enhance the efficiency of a hand-held branch shaker. Shaking time, forces, accelerations, olive detachment forces and harvesting efficiency were experimentally measured. The fruit maturity index affected the force needed to detach the olive, with the highest value for olives at the C0 stage of maturity (5.93 N). No difference emerged among the tested shaking times (6 s and 12 s), neither in terms of harvest efficiency (mean 81.17%) nor in terms of damage (rate of 5.30). Therefore, the lower time was considered the most appropriate. Multibody and a Finite Element (FE) models were developed to investigate the branch response and the olive detachment condition. The stresses predicted by the FE harmonic analysis (about 8 MPa), based on the excitation force and shaking frequency measured during the tests, was in line with the measured olive detachment forces (3 to 8 MPa). The shaking frequency and the average branch acceleration in proximity to the shaker hook were 15 Hz and 50m/s2, respectively. Further studies could focus on the impact of the branch shaker on operator health, particularly risks from prolonged vibration exposure.
Spatial–Temporal Dynamics and Drivers of Crop Water Footprint in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Zhenhua , Liu Jian , Li Wenhao , Lin Haixia , Javed Tehseen , Gao Xuehui , Qin Guopeng , Liu Huadong , Wang Hengzhi , Liu Yifan , Ye Hanchun
Published: January 2025

Efficient allocation and utilization of water resources are critical for the sustainable development of agriculture in arid regions, particularly those heavily reliant on irrigation. Xinjiang, one of China’s major agricultural regions, faces significant challenges in managing water resources due to its arid climate and dependence on irrigation. This study investigates the spatial–temporal dynamics of crop water footprint (CWF) and its driving factors in Xinjiang. Unlike previous studies on Xinjiang that primarily focus on total water footprint, this research emphasizes the crop blue water footprint (CWFB) to provide a more precise assessment of agricultural water allocation and consumption. Using the CROPWAT 8.0 model, the CWF of 14 prefectures in Xinjiang were analyzed for the period 2000–2020. Focusing primarily on the crop blue water footprint (CWFB), the study employed the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model to identify key drivers and their mechanisms. Results reveal that Xinjiang’s average annual CWF is 179.02 Gm3, with CWFB contributing 90.22% and the crop green water footprint (CWFG) accounting for. 10.05%. The CWFB showed an initial increase followed by stabilization, with Southern Xinjiang being the largest contributor, trailed by Northern and Eastern Xinjiang. Among the 14 prefectures, the top seven accounted for 90.46% of CWFB. Cotton, wheat, and maize were the major crops, comprising 47.80%, 23.14%, and 21.45% of the total blue water footprint, respectively. This study identifies the dominant role of economic effect and water use efficiency effect in driving changes in CWFB through its analysis of the driving factors. Understanding the spatial–temporal changes and key drivers of blue water consumption helps regions adjust cropping structures and agricultural water resource allocation patterns to ensure sustainable agricultural development. The findings not only offer valuable implications for policymakers and stakeholders in Xinjiang but also provide references for other arid and semiarid regions facing similar challenges in agricultural water resource management.
Early-Stage Impacts of Irrigated Conservation Agriculture on Soil Physical Properties and Crop Performance in a French Mediterranean System
Authors: Dominguez-Bohorquez Juan David , Wittling Claire , Cheviron Bruno , Bouarfa Sami , Urruty Nicolas , Lopez Jean-Marie , Dejean Cyril
Published: January 2025

The Mediterranean region faces intensified climate change effects, increasing irrigation demands to sustain crop yields and increasing pressure on water resources. Adaptive management strategies such as conservation agriculture (CA) offer potential benefits for soil quality and water use efficiency. However, there is limited research on the short-term effects of this farming system under irrigated Mediterranean climatic conditions. This study aimed to explore the short-term impacts of conservation agriculture (no tillage, cover crops and crop rotation) on the soil properties, water flows and crop and water productivity in a French Mediterranean agrosystem of irrigated field crops, using a multifactorial approach. From 2021 to 2023, maize, sorghum and soybean were grown successively under either conventional tillage (CT) or conservation agriculture (CA), combined with sprinkler irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation or non-irrigated conditions. The dynamics of the surface soil properties (bulk density, penetration resistance, soil temperature), water flows (infiltration, soil evaporation) and agronomic indicators (leaf area index, crop yield, water productivity) were measured across the three cropping seasons. In the pedoclimatic conditions of the study, CA was shown to clearly impact the soil properties, water flows and crop yields, from the first year of adoption. CA practices caused an increased bulk density and soil resistance penetration, leading to decreased quasi-steady ponded infiltration in the surface horizon, particularly in the CA–subsurface drip and CA–non-irrigated conditions. These effects were also reflected in the leaf area index, crop yield and water productivity, with CA showing lower values compared to CT. Crop residues in CA reduced soil evaporation, particularly under sprinkler irrigation. However, this benefit diminished as the residues decomposed, leading to soil evaporation rates comparable to those observed in CT. Agronomic indicators were better under sprinkler irrigation than under subsurface drip irrigation. Overall, compaction emerged as a significant challenge in the adoption of CA, considering its negative impact on crop yields.
An Efficient Method for Detoxification of Organophosphorous Pesticide-Contaminated Soil with Ozonation in Fluidized Bed Reactor
Authors: Antos Piotr , Szyller Barbara , Balawejder Maciej , Józefczyk Radosław , Kowalczyk Karolina
Published: January 2025

Pesticides, essential for controlling pests and weeds, significantly boost agricultural productivity. However, their excessive use leads to substantial contamination of environmental matrices, including soil and water. Organophosphorus compounds, which constitute more than 30% of the global use of insecticides and herbicides, are particularly concerning, and their widespread application raises alarms among environmentalists and regulatory agencies due to their high toxicity to aquatic organisms. Therefore, to avoid the spread of these compounds within the environment, the contaminated sites may be treated with various methods. This study explored a soil detoxification procedure utilizing gaseous ozone. As a representative of organophosphorus pesticides, chlorfenvinphos was utilized as soil contaminant. This compound is still reported to occur in a number of environmental matrixes. The method used in this study involved the exposure of the soil matrix in a fluidized state to an ozone-enriched atmosphere. The ozonation procedure enabled the removal of the pesticide from the soil matrix. During its oxidation, some degradation products were detected; in particular, they included 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid and 2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-ethanone, whose presence was confirmed by a GC-MS system and the NIST database. However, they also underwent degradation. Moreover, on the basis of stereoselective reaction of Z and E isomers, the pesticide degradation pathway was proposed. Additionally, the efficacy of this detoxication method was evaluated using a combination of chronic and acute toxicity tests, employing Eisenia foetida earthworms as bioindicators. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that organophosphorus herbicides containing unsaturated bonds in their structure, including glyphosate, can be removed using this method.
Epidemiology of Xylella fastidiosa in Ibiza and Formentera: A Comprehensive Study of Insect Vectors and Transmission Dynamics
Authors: Llompart Miquel , Cifre Josep , Olmo Diego , Juan Andreu , Castellà Francesc , Jiménez Sergio , Sabaté Jordi
Published: January 2025

Xylella fastidiosa (XF) is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for severe plant diseases affecting a wide range of host plants, some of them important crops. Since 2017, only the pauca subspecies (ST80) have been identified in Ibiza. XF is naturally transmitted by xylem sap-feeding insects; among them, only Philaenus spumarius (PS) and Neophilaenus campestris Fallén (NC) have been reported as potential insect vectors for XF in Ibiza. This study aims to investigate the dissemination of XF and to propose effective control strategies. The crops and the surrounding vegetation were sampled for potential vectors. DNA from insects was extracted and amplified by three qPCR methods, allowing subspecies identification. The results confirmed the continuous presence of adults of PS and NC in Ibiza and Formentera from May to December with important populations. During the summer period, PS captures predominantly took place within the surrounding woody vegetation adjacent to the plots. The main host plant for PS was Pinus halepensis Miller in Ibiza and Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata (Guss.) Nyman in Formentera. In Ibiza, off the total PS captures, 4.47% tested positive for XF. These results confirm that PS is the main vector of XF on these islands, both in terms of captures and the percentage of positive insects for XF. In Formentera, despite the presence of potential vectors and the proximity and contact with Ibiza, no XF-positive insects were found, confirming the absence of the bacterium on the island.
COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Histological Features
Authors: Salzillo Cecilia , Marzullo Andrea
Published: January 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted several cardiovascular complications, including myocarditis, which can be a significant cause of sudden cardiac death in young people. SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause cardiac muscle inflammation through direct mechanisms, such as viral invasion of myocardial cells, and indirect mechanisms, such as the systemic inflammatory response. Myocarditis can lead to life-threatening electrical dysfunctions and arrhythmias. Although post-infection myocarditis is more common, rare cases of post-vaccination myocarditis have also been reported, especially with mRNA vaccines. However, these post-vaccination cases tend to be mild and self-limiting, with a good response to treatment. Despite the associated risks, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, significantly reducing the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections and related heart complications. It is crucial to continue surveillance and research to better understand the association between COVID-19, myocarditis and sudden cardiac death in the young and improve prevention and intervention strategies. In this literature review, we analyzed the pathogenetic mechanisms and histological features of myocarditis associated with COVID-19 and its vaccination, and focused on the correlation with sudden cardiac death.
Factors Affecting the Success of Ovum Pick-Up, In Vitro Production and Cryopreservation of Embryos in Cattle
Authors: Salek Farzaneh , Guest Alysha , Johnson Chinju , Kastelic John P. , Thundathil Jacob
Published: January 2025

Increasing global demand for animal proteins warrants improved productivity by genetic selection of superior cattle and faster dissemination of genetics. Availability of more progeny for genomic selection should maximize chances of identifying animals with desirable traits and increase selection pressure. OPU and IVP of embryos using these oocytes will substantially increase calves produced compared to conventional embryo transfer (ET). The OPU-IVP technology not only supports genetic improvement but also contributes to reducing environmental impacts of livestock production systems by improving efficiency and optimizing resources, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. However, there are several factors influencing the success of OPU-IVP. This review is focused on these factors and the impacts of in vitro culture conditions on the lipid content of embryos and potential role of L-carnitine, a lipolytic agent, on developmental competence of IVP embryos. The documented effects of L-carnitine and current knowledge regarding regulation of the Hippo signaling pathway suggest that supplementation of embryo culture media with L-carnitine will increase post-thaw survival of IVP embryos and their subsequent developmental competence by regulating lipid metabolism, production of reactive oxygen species, and Hippo signaling. Therefore, this review highlights current advancements in the field of OPU-IVP and potential areas for refining culture conditions to yield developmentally competent embryos that survive cryopreservation procedures.
Sensory Reconstruction of the Fossil Lorisid Mioeuoticus: Systematic and Evolutionary Implications
Authors: Anderson Holly E. , Lis Adam , Lundeen Ingrid , Silcox Mary T. , López-Torres Sergi
Published: January 2025

The fossil record of lorises and pottos (family Lorisidae) potentially dates back to the late Oligocene of Namibia, but a later moderate diversification of this family occurred during the Miocene of Africa and Asia. In the African Miocene, the family Lorisidae is represented solely by one genus: Mioeuoticus. The phyletic position of Mioeuoticus has been a source of debate, as it has been suggested to belong to either the stem of the family Lorisidae or to be further nested within lorisids, as a sister to the African potto clade (subfamily Perodicticinae). Reconstructing the internal sensory anatomy of Mioeuoticus shipmani (KNM-RU 2052) could shed some light on this debate and possibly clarify how modern lorisoid olfactory and visual sensitivity and locomotor abilities evolved. Here, we collected data from the nasal turbinals, bony labyrinths, and orbits of Mioeuoticus shipmani from the early Miocene of Rusinga Island, Kenya. These results are consistent with Mioeuoticus, having developed typical modern lorisid behaviour (i.e., slow locomotion, nocturnal activity pattern) and olfactory abilities consistent with modern representatives. However, the arrangement of the nasal turbinals shows an intermediate state between lemuroids and lorisoids that is most consistent with a basal position of Mioeuoticus within the family Lorisidae or even the superfamily Lorisoidea.
Metabolic and Intestinal Morphometric Responses of Nile Tilapia Fed Diets Containing Soybean and Protease
Authors: Schneider Thamara Luísa Staudt , Scheid Roberta Cristina , Peixoto Nilce Coelho , Lazzari Rafael
Published: January 2025

Proteases facilitate the breakdown of components associated with antinutritional factors. This study evaluated the effects of protease supplementation in Nile tilapia diets on metabolic and intestinal responses. Three diets were tested: soybean meal SM1 (fish meal FM:SM = 1:1), SM2 (1:2), and SM3 (1:3), based on the protein content. All the diets were without or with protease (0.44 g/kg). The fish were randomly allocated to 18 tanks/49 days. In SM3 without protease, an increase in the villus height and width, as well as the number of goblet cells, was observed. Protease supplementation increased the villus height compared to diets without the enzyme. The SM1 with protease resulted in a reduction in the digestive somatic index, but significantly increased the hepatosomatic and intestinal quotient indices. In SM2 with protease, reductions in the amino acid (AA) content and aspartate aminotransferase activity in the liver were observed. In the muscles, supplementation increased the AA concentrations. Higher plasma AA and albumin concentrations were detected in the SM2 and SM3 groups with protease. A significant interaction was found, with SM3 without protease showing lower plasma protein and AA concentrations. In SM2 with protease, higher levels of albumin and globulin were recorded. Protease in soybean meal diets improved the intestinal health and metabolism in tilapia.
Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Authors: Carreira L. Miguel , Alves J. C.
Published: January 2025

The fields of small animal orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation have undergone remarkable advancements, transforming the management of musculoskeletal conditions in companion animals [...]
Development of Three-Dimensional Anatomical Models of Dogs with Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts
Authors: Oliveira Calixto Éverton , Toledo da Fonseca Erika , Campos Pollon Anna Luiza , Chaves de Assís Neto Antônio
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study was to develop three-dimensional anatomical models of dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (CEPSs) using 3D printing, as well as to detail their development process and compare the final models to volume rendering (VR) derived from computed tomography (CT) scans. CT scans in the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format of two canine patients were used—one with splenocaval deviation and the other with right gastrocaval deviation. The images were segmented using 3DSlicer software, generating 3D files in Standard Tessellation Language (STL) format, which were then subjected to refinement and mesh adjustment using Blender software. The models were printed on a J750™ Digital Anatomy™ printer, followed by post-processing in a 2% sodium hydroxide solution for 72 h, with subsequent rinsing to remove support resin residues. The printed models showed colored anatomical structures, including the liver; spleen; kidneys; part of the arterial, venous, and portal circulations; and CEPSs. For comparison purposes, VR of the scans was recreated in the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software. Despite some limitations of the segmentation software, the 3D-printed models effectively represented the anatomy of the patients and the CEPSs, demonstrating good equivalence to the VR.