bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic and Antibiofilm Properties of Antibiotic-Loaded Thermoresponsive Hydrogels for Root Canal Therapy
Authors: Duque Cristiane , Braga Gabriela Pacheco de Almeida , de Carvalho Juliana Machado , Caiaffa Karina Sampaio , Nunes Gabriel Pereira , Rabelo Rafaela Laruzo , dos Santos Vanessa Rodrigues , Peres Geórgia Rondó , Ribeiro Lucas da Silva , de Camargo Emerson Rodrigues
Published: February 2025

Dental infections can disrupt root development in immature permanent teeth, making traditional endodontic treatment challenging. Apexogenesis, a regenerative approach that promotes natural root development, offers a potential solution. However, issues related to disinfection and material biocompatibility still remain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the synergistic antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of double and triple antibiotic combinations against common oral pathogens, and to incorporate the most effective combination into a thermosensitive hydrogel, to develop an alternative intracanal medication. Antibiotics were tested alone and in combination in planktonic and biofilm conditions of oral bacteria and Candida albicans. The antibiotic combinations with potential antimicrobial synergy were tested on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms in radicular dentin by confocal microscopy. Metronidazole (ME), ciprofloxacin (CI), and fosfomycin (FO) were incorporated into poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL) hydrogels, and their antibiofilm activity was compared to PNVCL hydrogels containing chlorhexidine (CHX) or calcium hydroxide (CH). The cytotoxicity of the hydrogels was assessed on MDPC-23 odontoblast-like cells using metiltetrazolium assays. A statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). The combination of ME + CI + FO showed superior antibiofilm effects in mono- and dual-species biofilms and on biofilms inside dentinal tubules, comparable to CHX. PNVCL hydrogels with ME + CI + FO significantly reduced E. faecalis biofilms in dentinal tubules, exhibiting a higher efficacy than PNVCL + CH. Cytotoxicity tests revealed minimal effects on cell viability for both PNVCL hydrogels with and without antibiotics. In conclusion, ME + CI + FO showed potent antimicrobial synergy and, when loaded in thermosensitive PNVCL hydrogel, demonstrated significant antibiofilm activity and low cytotoxicity. These findings emphasize the potential of this formulation as an effective and biocompatible endodontic medication, especially for the treatment of immature permanent teeth.
Glutamate Receptor Signaling in Retina Müller Cells: Plausible Role in Neurodegeneration
Authors: Oyetayo Bolaji , Mendoza-Silva Yurixi , Subair Temitayo , Hernández-Kelly Luisa C , Felder-Schmittbuhl Marie-Paule , Olivares-Bañuelos Tatiana N. , Ortega Arturo
Published: February 2025

The retinal network relies on glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter involved in the visual cycle. Glutamate transactions are carried out by an array of distinct receptors and transporters distributed across both pre- and post-synaptic neurons and Müller radial glial cells. Glutamate receptors are broadly divided into two types: ionotropic and metabotropic receptors that differ in their molecular architecture and signaling properties. Within the retina, Müller glia cells span across its entire layers and possess specialized features that enable them to regulate glutamate extracellular levels and thus, its neuronal availability. In order to prevent an excitotoxic insult, retina extracellular glutamate levels have to be tightly regulated through uptake, predominantly into Müller glial cells, by a family of Na+-dependent glutamate transporters known as excitatory amino acid transporters. An exquisite interplay between glutamate receptor signaling and glutamate transporter expression and function is fundamental for the integrity and proper function of the retina. This review examines our current understanding of the impact of Müller glial glutamate signaling on glia/neuronal coupling.
Buddhist and Christian Views of Self: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Wang Shipeng , Wang Feifan
Published: February 2025

Buddhism is renowned for its adherence to the principle of “Anatta”, yet it does not merely negate the self. Instead, Buddhism employs a flexible categorization and stratification of the self based on specific value orientations and practical objectives. Although Christian traditions present a variety of perceptions of the self, they align with Buddhism in terms of stratifying the self. In the practical path of self-cultivation, both religions adopt meditation as a spiritual exercise, aiming to manifest the true self. A comparative analysis of Buddhist and Christian meditation practices within the framework of naturalism not only enhances the profound understanding of the self-concept for both parties but also fosters the creative transformation and innovative development of the theories of self within these two religious traditions.
Photovoltaic Waste Generation in the Context of Sustainable Energy Transition in EU Member States
Authors: Nieto Morone María Beatriz , García Rosillo Félix , Muñoz-García Miguel Ángel , Alonso-García Maria del Carmen
Published: February 2025

The European Union (EU) is witnessing an expansion in solar capacity, aligning with its commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, deploying solar capacity introduces significant environmental complexities, such as managing photovoltaic waste when the modules reach their end of life. This study presents an assessment of PV waste mass generation, integrating the latest data from the revised targets of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of EU Member States presented in December 2023. Annual and cumulative PV waste mass is presented, analyzing the results in terms of the PV capacity deployment in each country and their recycling needs to face the treatment of the generated PV waste. According to the reviewed targets, the analysis reveals significant variations in PV waste mass generation across EU countries. The revisions show a substantial increase in the amount of waste generated in Europe. Lithuania and Ireland are anticipated to face substantial challenges, particularly under the early-loss scenario, whereas Germany, Italy, France, and Spain continue to be the countries that will generate the most PV waste mass in Europe. These findings emphasize the necessity for formulating and implementing effective waste management strategies to address the increasing generation of PV waste and mitigate its environmental impact. Furthermore, the study underscores the need to reassess projections to accommodate evolving energy policies and targets, ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives in this dynamic field.
Special Issue “Financial Analysis, Corporate Finance and Risk Management”
Authors: Santos Eulália , Oliveira Margarida Freitas
Published: February 2025

In an era of rapid economic transformation, evolving regulatory landscapes, and technological advancements, the need for robust financial analytics, effective corporate financial strategies, and risk management frameworks has never been more critical [...]
Copula-Based Risk Aggregation and the Significance of Reinsurance
Authors: Dias Alexandra , Ismail Isaudin , Zhang Aihua
Published: February 2025

Insurance companies need to calculate solvency capital requirements in order to ensure that they can meet their future obligations to policyholders and beneficiaries. The solvency capital requirement is a risk management tool essential for addressing extreme catastrophic events that result in a high number of possibly interdependent claims. This paper studies the problem of aggregating the risks coming from several insurance business lines and analyses the effect of reinsurance on the level of risk. Our starting point is to use a hierarchical risk aggregation method which was initially based on two-dimensional elliptical copulas. We then propose the use of copulas from the Archimedean family and a mixture of different copulas. Our results show that a mixture of copulas can provide a better fit to the data than an individual copula and consequently avoid over- or underestimation of the capital requirement of an insurance company. We also investigate the significance of reinsurance in reducing the insurance company’s business risk and its effect on diversification. The results show that reinsurance does not always reduce the level of risk, but can also reduce the effect of diversification for insurance companies with multiple business lines.
Effects of Emission Variability on Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations in Mainland China
Authors: Lu Wenjing , Li Xiaoying , Li Shenshen , Cheng Tianhai , Guo Yuhang , Fang Weifang
Published: February 2025

Accurately assessing the impact of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on CO2 concentrations is essential for understanding regional climate change, particularly in high-emission countries like China. This study employed the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model to simulate and compare the spatiotemporal distributions of XCO2 of three anthropogenic CO2 emission inventories in mainland China for the 2018–2020 period and analyzed the effects of emission variations on atmospheric CO2 concentrations. In eastern China, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) regions, column-averaged dry air mole fractions of CO2 (XCO2) can exceed 420 ppm during peak periods, with emissions from these areas contributing significantly to the national total. The simulation results were validated by comparing them with OCO-2 satellite observations and ground-based monitoring data, showing that more than 70% of the monitoring stations exhibited a correlation coefficient greater than 0.7 between simulated and observed data. The average bias relative to satellite observations was less than 1 ppm, with the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) showing the highest degree of agreement with both satellite and ground-based observations. During the study period, anthropogenic CO2 emissions resulted in an increase in XCO2 exceeding 10 ppm, particularly in the North China Plain and the YRD. In scenarios where emissions from either the BTH or YRD regions were reduced by 50%, a corresponding decrease of 1 ppm in XCO2 was observed in the study area and its surrounding regions. These findings underscore the critical role of emission control policies in mitigating the rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations in densely populated and industrialized areas. This research elucidates the impacts of variations in anthropogenic emissions on the spatiotemporal distribution of atmospheric CO2 and emphasizes the need for improved accuracy of CO2 emission inventories.
Optimization of Robust and Secure Transmit Beamforming for Dual-Functional MIMO Radar and Communication Systems
Authors: Chen Zhuochen , Li Ximin , Zhu Shengqi
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates a multi-antenna, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) dual-functional radar and communication (DFRC) system platform. The system simultaneously detects radar targets and communicates with downlink cellular users. However, the modulated information within the transmitted waveforms may be susceptible to eavesdropping. To ensure the security of information transmission, we introduce non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology to enhance the security performance of the MIMO-DFRC platform. Initially, we consider a scenario where the channel state information (CSI) of the radar target (eavesdropper) is perfectly known. Using fractional programming (FP) and semidefinite relaxation (SDR) techniques, we maximize the system’s total secrecy rate under the requirements for radar detection performance, communication rate, and system energy, thereby ensuring the security of the system. In the case where the CSI of the radar target (eavesdropper) is unavailable, we propose a robust secure beamforming optimization model. The channel model is represented as a bounded uncertainty set, and by jointly applying first-order Taylor expansion and the S-procedure, we transform the original problem into a tractable one characterized by linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Numerical results validate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach.
Adaptive Cell Scheduling and Negotiation Techniques for 6TiSCH Networks Under Bursty Traffic
Authors: Lee Je-Hyeong , Chung Sang-Hwa
Published: February 2025

6TiSCH networks adopt the IEEE 802.15.4e-based TSCH protocol to support efficient and reliable communication in low-power and lossy network (LLN) environments. However, under bursty traffic conditions, the traditional minimal scheduling function (MSF)-based scheduling technique cannot effectively handle the traffic load and suffers from packet queue overflow. In this study, we propose two main techniques to solve these problems. The first technique, dynamic cell cycle adjustment, dynamically adjusts the cell addition and deletion cycles based on the link quality and packet queue utilization to prevent packet queue overflow and efficiently use limited cell resources. The second technique, the parent node 6P transaction forwarding technique, is designed to pre-forward cell addition requests to higher nodes along the path when the cell utilization exceeds a set threshold due to traffic spikes at the lower nodes, so that the higher nodes can perform 6P negotiation immediately without waiting for MAX_NUMCELLS cycles. This minimizes the cell addition delay and prevents packet queue overflow. The simulation results show that the proposed technique has a high packet delivery ratio (PDR), low latency, and energy efficiency compared to conventional MSF, IMSF, and LMSF in various traffic environments. In particular, it maintains stable performance while preventing packet overflow under bursty traffic conditions. This work contributes to the optimization of scheduling and cell negotiation in 6TiSCH networks to improve the network efficiency and reliability in IoT environments.
Optimization of Magnetoplasmonic Behavior in Ag/Fe Bilayer Nanostructures Towards Refractometric Sensing
Authors: Carvalho João Pedro Miranda , Dias Bernardo S. , Coelho Luís C. C. , Almeida José M. M. M. de
Published: February 2025

Magneto-optic surface plasmon resonances (MOSPRs) rely on the interaction of magnetic fields with surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) to modulate plasmonic bands with magnetic fields and enhance magneto-optical activity. In the present work, a study on the magnetoplasmonic behavior of Ag/Fe bilayers is carried out by VIS-NIR spectroscopy and backed with SQUID measurements, determining the thickness-dependent magnetization of thin-film samples. The MOSPR sensing properties of Ag/Fe planar bilayers are simulated using Berreman’s matrix formalism, from which an optimized structure composed of 15 nm of Ag and 12.5 nm of Fe is obtained. The selected structure is fabricated and characterized for refractive index (RI) sensitivity, reaching 4946 RIU−1 and returning an effective enhancement of refractometric sensitivity after magneto-optical modulation. A new optimized and cobalt-free magnetoplasmonic Ag/Fe bilayer structure is studied, fabricated, and characterized for the first time towards refractometric sensing, to the best of our knowledge. This configuration exhibits potential for enhancing refractometric sensitivity via magneto-optical modulation, thus paving the way towards a simpler, more accessible, and safe type of RI sensor with potential applications in chemical sensors and biosensors.
Adsorption and Detection of Toxic Gases on CuO-Modified SnS Monolayers: A DFT Study
Authors: Liang Xinyue , Wang Ping , Zheng Kai , Yang Xuan , Luo Meidan , Wang Jiaying , He Yujuan , Yu Jiabing , Chen Xianping
Published: February 2025

The emission of toxic gases such as NO2, NO, SO2, and CO from industrial activities, transportation, and energy production poses significant threats to the environment and public health. Traditional gas sensors often lack high sensitivity and selectivity. To address this, our study uses first-principles density functional theory (DFT) to investigate CuO-SnS monolayers for improved gas sensor performance. The results show that CuO modification significantly enhances the adsorption capacity and selectivity of SnS monolayers for NO2 and NO, with adsorption energies of −2.301 eV and −2.142 eV, respectively. Furthermore, CuO modification is insensitive to CO2 adsorption, demonstrating excellent selectivity. Structural and electronic analyses reveal that CuO modification reduces the band gap of SnS monolayers from 1.465 eV to 0.635 eV, improving the electrical conductivity and electron transfer, thereby enhancing the gas adsorption sensitivity. Further analyses highlight significant electronic interactions and charge transfer mechanisms between CuO-SnS monolayers and NO2 and SO2 molecules, indicating strong orbital hybridization. In conclusion, this study provides a theoretical basis for developing high-performance gas sensors, showing that CuO-SnS monolayers have great potential for detecting toxic gases.
Peak Age of Information Analysis in Systems with Multiple Time-Correlated Traffic Streams
Authors: Manaeva Varvara , Zhbankova Elena , Markova Ekaterina , Samouylov Konstantin
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most dynamically evolving services in the 5G ecosystem. In industrial IoT (IIoT), this service can be utilized to deliver state updates of various equipment to the remote control center for further coordination and maintenance. As a result, one of the critical metrics of interest for such a service is the Age of Information (AoI) and its upper bound—peak AoI (AoI)—characterizing the freshness of information about the state of the systems. In spite of significant attention, these metrics received over the last decade, only little is known regarding the PAoI performance of a single source (e.g., sensor) in the presence of competing traffic from other sources in queuing systems. On top of this, models with batch arrivals and batch services that can be effectively used to represent service performance in modern cellular systems such as 5G New Radio are lacking. In our study, we consider a cellular air interface representing it as a queuing system (QS) in discrete-time with batch arrivals and service and investigate performance of a single (tagged) source in presence of competing traffic from other sources having the same priority, where all the sources are modeled using the switched Poisson process (SPP) characterized by sophisticated correlational properties. We also investigated the impact of several service disciplines on the performance of the tagged source including first-come–first-served (FCFS), last-come–first-served (LCFS), random, and priority-based service. Our results illustrate that, although the qualitative behavior of the mean PAoI is different for different service disciplines, the optimal value of PAoI is insensitive to the choice of the service order. On top of this, we observed that introducing a priority in service to one of the flows may drastically affect the performance of other flows even when the overall load contribution of a single flow is rather limited. Our observations can be utilized to design packet scheduling strategies for 4G/5G cellular systems carrying traffic of state update applications.
Systemism and International Studies
Authors: Barnoschi Miruna
Published: February 2025

This article introduces a Special Issue of Social Sciences on systemism and International Studies. With origins in the philosophy of science, systemism is having a rapidly expanding presence in academe. At the outset, systemism emphasized its status as a meta-method that could be used to assess the degree of completeness and logical consistency achieved by theorizing within respective disciplines of the social sciences. In International Relations, systemism has developed with an increasing emphasis on visualization, which played a modest role at the starting point in philosophy. The preceding shift in attention toward graphic conveyance is in line with tendencies toward a more visually oriented world along any number of dimensions. This introductory article unfolds in five stages. The first stage provides an overview. Stage two will introduce the systemist approach in a more specific way, with emphasis on the content and structure of its diagrams. The third section provides a detailed exposition, via a systemist figure and sub-figures, for a study of the evolving counterterrorism regime complex given its relevance to International Studies. Section four summarizes the other contributions to this Special Issue. The fifth and final section sums up what has been accomplished.
Dialogically Constructing a Culturally Sustaining Multilingual Family Literacies Approach in Early Childhood Settings
Authors: Harris Pauline , McInnes Elspeth , Farndale Amy , Aghayeva Gunay , Depares Lauren , Evans Philip
Published: February 2025

This paper explores a family literacies approach that is being co-constructed in a critical participatory action research project. The project is situated in two culturally and linguistically diverse early childhood settings where the researchers are collaborating with educators and with children and families who have recently arrived in Australia and are learning English as an additional language. In a quest to support and sustain children’s language, literacy, and cultural practices in their home/community languages and in English, we have focused on co-creating multilingual books with the children and their families that are in their languages and about their worlds. This paper examines the affordances and complexities of dialogically co-creating these books for supporting culturally and linguistically sustaining practices in diverse early childhood settings.
The Effects of Urban Land Expansion Intensify Climate Extremes in China’s Urban Agglomerations
Authors: Chen Shihao , Pang Jinfeng , Bian Zongzhen , Men Baohui
Published: February 2025

The rapid expansion of urban land is considered one of the primary factors contributing to the enhancement in climate extremes in both frequency and severity. But the effects of urban land expansion on climate extremes are presently unclear, especially in geographically and climatologically complex China. This study investigates evolution laws of temperature and precipitation extremes from 1960 to 2022 over five national-level urban agglomerations in China and explores evolution trends in those under urban land expansion using the WRF model. The results show that the variation characteristics of temperature extremes over urban agglomerations in China show higher consistency compared to precipitation extremes under global warming and urbanization. Both the intensity and frequency of temperature extremes have significantly increased, but those of precipitation extremes have sometimes decreased rather than increased. Furthermore, both temperature and precipitation extremes will strengthen with urban land expansion. Around 30% of the enhancement in temperature and precipitation extremes can be attributed to urban land expansion. The temperature extremes of urban agglomerations at lower latitudes are more significantly affected by urban land expansion, but no significant spatial distribution law is observed in precipitation extremes. The results of this study could provide a scientific reference for better coping with extreme climate changes in urban areas and achieving sustainable development.
Rebound Effects Caused by Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Private Life and Industry
Authors: Ertel Wolfgang , Bonenberger Christopher
Published: February 2025

Many tasks in a modern household are performed by machines, e.g., a dishwasher or a vacuum cleaner, and in the near future most household tasks will be performed by smart service robots. This will relieve the residents, who in turn can enjoy their free time. This newly gained free time will turn out to cause the so-called spare time rebound effect due to more resource consumption. We roughly quantify this rebound effect and propose a CO2-budget model to reduce or even avoid it. In modern industry, automation and AI are taking over work from humans, leading to higher productivity of the company as a whole. This is the main reason for economic growth, which leads to environmental problems due to higher consumption of natural resources. We show that, even though the effects of automation at home and in the industry are different (free time versus higher productivity), in the end they both lead to more resource consumption and environmental pollution. We discuss possible solutions to this problem, such as carbon taxes, emissions trading systems, and a carbon budget.
Gluability of Thermally Modified Aspen, Birch, and Poplar Rotary Cut Veneers with Suberinic Acids Adhesive
Authors: Meija Anete , Spulle Uldis , Ramata Luize , Cuccui Ignazia , Allegretti Ottaviano , Paze Aigars , Rizikovs Janis
Published: February 2025

The eco-friendly lifestyle has gained traction at individual and industrial levels, especially following Europe’s “Green Deal”. While the woodworking industry in Latvia has made strides toward waste-free production, wood processing still produces by-products that require effective utilization. Instead of burning these residues for energy, a sustainable option is repurposing birch bark into suberinic acids adhesive, which is environmentally friendly and safe for humans. Research shows that thermally modified aspen, birch, and poplar veneers treated using the Termovuoto process at 160 °C/50 min, 204 °C/120 min, 214 °C/120 min, 217 °C/180 min, and 218 °C/30 min can be bonded with this adhesive and meet the EN 314-2:1993 standard for outdoor applications classified as Class 3 bonding. However, hydrothermally modified veneers treated at 160 °C 50 min do not bond successfully, failing to meet Class 3 requirements.
Escape Rooms in Poland: The Rise and Fall of Big City Entertainment
Authors: Stasiak Andrzej
Published: February 2025

In the second decade of the 21st century, escape rooms became one of the primary forms of leisure entertainment. Poland was one of Europe’s largest and most innovative markets for this type of entertainment. However, two unpredictable events (a fatal fire and the COVID-19 pandemic) resulted in a dramatic decline in the escape room sector. The main aim of this study is to provide an in-depth characteristic of the development of the escape room sector in Poland in 2014–2024, from the creation of the first room through booming popularity to the rapid decline and crisis in recent years. The author used statistical data obtained from the lockme.pl website, an industry report from 2018, their own research, and the available academic and popular science publications. The conducted cause-and-effect analysis allowed for the identification and definition of the main factors that contributed to the escape room sector’s unprecedented development and the factors responsible for its subsequent fall. The obtained results enabled the author to analyse and describe the unique life cycle of the escape room sector in Poland. Furthermore, spatial analysis allowed the author to find certain regularities in the location of this type of attraction, as well as the course of the geographic spread and shrinkage of the analysed phenomenon (in the territory of the country and 10 of its biggest cities). The presented results carry essential theoretical and practical implications. They point, among other things, to the need for the management to take paradoxical, apparently mutually contradictory actions (coopetition) and sometimes measures that might seem completely irrational (planning responses to unlikely threats as part of strategic crisis management).
Artificial Intelligence and Social Well-Being in the Yellow River Basin: A Cultural Lag Theory Perspective
Authors: Song Zhaoxin , Duan Yongfeng , Wang Guanying , Cheng Shuoxun
Published: February 2025

Amid comprehensive reforms, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a vital force in solving people’s problems and enhancing quality of life. Yet, theoretical inquiries into the mechanisms by which AI influences social well-being remain limited. Drawing upon cultural lag theory, this study constructs a social well-being index system based on the Gini coefficient objective weighting method. By integrating a moderated mediation model with a spatial econometric model, it examines the mechanisms and impacts of artificial intelligence on social well-being. The findings reveal that AI induces multiple cultural lags and exerts a U-shaped impact on social well-being. AI enhances well-being through the channels of employment opportunities, human capital, and green innovation, while digital inclusion and foreign direct investment (FDI) further reinforce this relationship. Additionally, AI generates spatial spillover effects on social well-being, and the region’s well-being landscape exhibits convergence. However, both digital inclusion and FDI negatively moderate the convergence process, slowing its overall pace. These insights provide substantial practical guidance for crafting informed policies aimed at elevating public well-being.
Digital Equity and Sustainability in Higher Education
Authors: Drljić Karmen , Čotar Konrad Sonja , Rutar Sonja , Štemberger Tina
Published: February 2025

Digital equity, grounded in principles of equity and the ethics of care, is essential for ensuring quality higher education. It facilitates access, supports sustainability, and promotes inclusive education by addressing the technological dimensions of education. This study explores the relationship between digital equity and sustainability in higher education. A total of 167 students enrolled in initial teacher education programs at the University of Primorska, Faculty of Education, completed a questionnaire featuring the Digital Equity in Higher Education Scale and the Sustainability in Higher Education Scale. To achieve this study’s objectives, a principal factor analysis was conducted to validate the scales, and a multiple linear regression was employed to develop a predictive model. The findings revealed that digital equity in higher education comprises five dimensions as follows: (i) access to teachers who support the use of digital technology; (ii) access to digital technology and opportunities for its use; (iii) access to digital resources; (iv) access to culturally relevant software and applications; and (v) access to open-access resources. Sustainability in higher education encompasses two dimensions as follows: (i) collaborative problem solving and (ii) socioemotional aspects of sustainability. These dimensions interact in a complex manner. Key predictors of digital equity and sustainability included access to and use of digital technology, as well as collaborative problem solving. Importantly, this study highlighted the critical role of skilled teachers in facilitating the effective use of digital technology.
The Role of Flower Strips in Increasing Beneficial Insect Biodiversity and Pest Control in Vineyards
Authors: Durak Roma , Materowska Martyna , Hadley Renee , Oosterhuis Lynda , Durak Tomasz , Borowiak-Sobkowiak Beata
Published: February 2025

In ecosystems that have been disturbed by agricultural management, ecosystem services such as adequate pest control are also disturbed. Exploiting interactions between beneficial insects and plants can contribute to improving ecosystem service delivery and biological control. One of the effective methods of naturally increasing the biodiversity of beneficial insects on crop plantations is the use of plant strips. The aim of our work was to demonstrate the role of flower strips in the sustainable management of vineyards. In particular, the relationship between the composition and flowering time of plants in flower strips and beneficial insects such as predators, parasitoids, and wild pollinators from Central Europe and the Western USA was shown. Most plants used for flower strips belong to the Asteraceae family. The most attractive to beneficial insects were Eriogonum niveum, Ericameria nauseosa, and Purshia tridentata in the USA, while in the vineyard in Poland they were garden plant species but also native species, especially Erigeron annuus, Taraxacum ssp., and Polygonum persicaria. The planned replacement of flowering times of plant species was observed from March to October, which ensured continuity in the availability of food for beneficial insects. Appropriately selected plants can attract selected species of predators and parasitoids, which can regulate the number of a specific pest species. Diversifying agricultural ecosystems is a promising pest control strategy that reduces pesticide use and thus supports sustainable agriculture.
Data Science and AI for Sustainable Futures: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Shaddick Gavin , Topping David , Hales Tristram C. , Kadri Usama , Patterson Joanne , Pickett John , Petri Ioan , Taylor Stuart , Li Peiyuan , Sharma Ashish , Venkatkrishnan Venkat , Wadhwa Abhinav , Ding Jennifer , Bowyer Ruth , Rana Omer
Published: February 2025

Advances in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) offer unprecedented opportunities to provide actionable insights, drive innovative solutions, and create long-term strategies for sustainable development in response to the triple existential crises facing humanity: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The rapid development of AI models has been the subject of extensive debate and is high on the political agenda, but at present the vast potential for AI to contribute positively to informed decision making, improved environmental risk management, and the development of technological solutions to sustainability challenges remains underdeveloped. In this paper, we consider four inter-dependent areas in which data science and AI can make a substantial contribution to developing sustainable future interactions with the environment: (i) quantification and tracking progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; (ii) embedding AI technologies to reduce emissions at source; (iii) developing systems to increase our resilience to natural hazards; (iv) Net Zero and the built environment. We also consider the wider challenges associated with the widespread use of AI, including data access and discoverability, trust and regulation, inference and decision making, and the sustainable use of AI.
Towards Decarbonization: Sustainable Incentives in a Price-Competitive Maritime Supply Chain with Environmentally Conscious Shippers
Authors: Yang Lijuan , Liao Fangcheng , He Yong
Published: February 2025

Transitioning carriers to low-emission technologies requires huge investment, and subsidies have proven to be efficient tools in overcoming cost barriers. In this study, game-theoretic models were formulated to study the impact of subsidies on carbon emissions reduction with green shippers in a price-competitive environment. Equilibrium solutions for three scenarios were derived through model analysis, followed by numerical analyses. The results indicate the following: (1) Government subsidies are effective and advantageous for decarbonization with carrier competition but will lower service prices, profits, and social welfare. (2) Intensified price competition leads to increases in carbon emissions, service prices, and social welfare while decreasing demands and profits in some scenarios. (3) Shippers’ green preferences have a positive effect on carbon emission reduction, profits, and social welfare. These findings provide valuable managerial insights for both the government and shipping companies in promoting a more sustainable environment.
The Ovary as a Target Organ for New Generation Bisphenols Toxicity
Authors: Głód Paulina , Smoleniec Joanna , Marynowicz Weronika , Gogola-Mruk Justyna , Ptak Anna
Published: February 2025

Bisphenols (BPs) are a group of organic compounds used extensively in plastics, coatings, and epoxy resins; they have been of concern recently due to their endocrine-disrupting effects. Among these, bisphenol A (BPA) is the most studied. Regulatory measures, such as the ban on BPA use in baby bottles by the European Union and its restricted use in thermal paper, reflect the growing awareness of the health risks of BPA. To mitigate these risks, analogs such as bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), and others (BPAF, BPAP, BPB, BPP, BPZ) have been developed as alternatives. Despite their intended safety, these analogs have been detected in environmental media, including indoor dust and thermal receipt paper, as well as in human biological samples. Studies report their presence in urine at levels comparable to BPA, with BPS and BPF found in 78% and 55% of samples, respectively. In addition, BPs have been found in human follicular fluid (FF) at concentrations that could exert some paracrine effects on ovarian function and reproductive health. With the increased global production of BPs, occupational exposure and environmental contamination also increase. This review summarizes what is currently known about the effects of BPs on the ovary and the mechanisms by which PBs exert ovarian toxicity, with a particular focus on oogenesis, folliculogenesis, and steroidogenesis. Further, this review emphasizes their influence on reproductive functions and the need for further biosafety evaluations.
Climate Change and Health Risk Perception in the Community: A Study in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area
Authors: Susanna Dewi , Abdullah Hasmah , Herdianti  , Fadlirahman Rafi Aflah
Published: February 2025

(1) Introduction: Indonesia is vulnerable to climate change’s impact. To adapt better, a study about community knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward climate change is needed. This research aims to determine the perception of the health impacts caused and how urban communities (in the Jakarta area) respond to climate change, using a cross-sectional study to see the relationship between knowledge and attitudes towards behavior related to climate change. (2) Methods: This study used descriptive, analytical, observational, and quantitative methods with a cross-sectional design. In addition, the procedures were conducted in the Jakarta metropolitan area using a Google Form platform distributed through social media. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software. (3) Results: The results showed that attitudes had a significant association with behavior toward climate change. Respondents had good knowledge of climate change but had negative attitudes and bad behavior. In addition, the impacts felt by the community were increasing heat waves, air pollution, and worsening health conditions. Most respondents were confident and believed that Indonesia could withstand these impacts. (4) Conclusions: Respondents in this study showed good knowledge of climate change and had a positive attitude towards adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts. However, this is not reflected in their behavior because they predominantly show poor results. The government should be able to encourage changes in people’s behavior so that they are better prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change.
Covariation of Amino Acid Substitutions in the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein gp120 and the Antisense Protein ASP Associated with Coreceptor Usage
Authors: Pavesi Angelo , Romerio Fabio
Published: February 2025

The tropism of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) is determined by the use of either or both chemokine coreceptors CCR5 (R5) and CXCR4 (X4) for entry into the target cell. The ability of HIV-1 to bind R5 or X4 is determined primarily by the third variable loop (V3) of the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120. HIV-1 strains of pandemic group M contain an antisense gene termed asp, which overlaps env outside the region encoding the V3 loop. We previously showed that the ASP protein localizes on the envelope of infectious HIV-1 virions, suggesting that it may play a role in viral entry. In this study, we first developed a statistical method to predict coreceptor tropism based on Fisher’s linear discriminant analysis. We obtained three linear discriminant functions able to predict coreceptor tropism with high accuracy (94.4%) when applied to a training dataset of V3 sequences of known tropism. Using these functions, we predicted the tropism in a dataset of HIV-1 strains containing a full-length asp gene. In the amino acid sequence of ASP proteins expressed from these asp genes, we identified five positions with substitutions significantly associated with viral tropism. Interestingly, we found that these substitutions correlate significantly with substitutions at six amino acid positions of the V3 loop domain associated with tropism. Altogether, our computational analyses identify ASP amino acid signatures coevolving with V3 and potentially affecting HIV-1 tropism, which can be validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Bovine Leukemia Virus and Human Breast Cancer: A Review of Clinical and Molecular Evidence
Authors: Blanco Rancés , Quezada-Romegialli Claudio , Muñoz Juan P.
Published: February 2025

Despite significant advancements in early diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer (BC) remains a major global health challenge. Ongoing research is essential to identify novel risk factors, implement innovative screening programs, and develop personalized treatment approaches. Among the various risk factors, infection with certain oncogenic viruses has emerged as a potential contributor to BC development. Increasing evidence suggests that bovine leukemia virus (BLV) may contribute to zoonotic infections in humans, with a potential role in BC initiation and progression. This review evaluates clinical and experimental data on BLV presence in both malignant and non-malignant breast tissues, exploring potential mechanisms through which BLV may access human breast tissue and contribute to carcinogenesis. Current data reveal a higher prevalence of BLV infection in BC tissues compared to non-tumor tissues, correlating with an increased risk of BC development. In this context, dairy and meat products from BLV-infected animals have been proposed as potential transmission sources. BLV-encoded proteins disrupt key oncogenic pathways, which support their possible role in breast carcinogenesis. However, the interpretation of these findings is limited by potential confounding factors such as genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and dietary influences. Further research, including well-controlled epidemiological studies, longitudinal cohorts, and mechanistic investigations into BLV proteins in human breast cells, is necessary to determine its role in BC development.
Experimental Performance Investigation of an Air–Air Heat Exchanger and Improved Insulation for Electric Truck Cabins
Authors: Dvorak Dominik , Kardos Milan , Gellai Imre , Šimić Dragan
Published: February 2025

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are one promising approach to mitigating local greenhouse gas emissions. However, they still lag behind conventional vehicles in terms of maximum driving range. Using the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system reduces the maximum driving range of the vehicle even further since the energy for the HVAC system must come from the battery. This work investigates the impact of (1) an air–air heat exchanger and (2) an improved thermal insulation of a truck cabin on the heating performance of the HVAC system. Additionally, the required fresh-air volume flow rate to keep the CO2 level within the truck cabin below the critical value of 1000 ppm is factored in. The results show that the two simple measures proposed could increase the energy efficiency of the truck’s HVAC system by 22%. When two persons are present in the truck cabin, a fresh-air volume flow of around 100 m3/h is required to keep the CO2 concentration around 1000 ppm. These results prove that, even with simple measures, the energy efficiency of vehicles’ subsystems can be increased. In the future, more research will be necessary to further improve the energy efficiency of other vehicular subsystems.
Who Eats the Grass? Grazing Pressure and Interactions Between Wild Kangaroos, Feral Goats and Rabbits, and Domestic Sheep on an Arid Australian Rangeland
Authors: Witte Ingrid , Croft David B.
Published: February 2025

This study examined the grazing pressure and interactions between four species of wild kangaroos (Red Kangaroo Osphranter rufus, Common Wallaroo O. robustus, Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus, Western Grey Kangaroo M. fuliginosus), free-ranging feral goats (Capra hircus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and stocked Merino sheep (Ovis aries). The study site comprised two contiguous pairs of stocked and unstocked paddocks, one a sloping run-off zone, the other a flat run-on zone, covering a total area of 2158 ha. These paddocks on Fowlers Gap Station in far north-western New South Wales, Australia, are representative of the arid chenopod (Family: Chenopodiaceae) shrublands stocked with sheep. Sheep and red kangaroos dominate the mammalian herbivores by biomass. The study examined the relative grazing pressure exerted by the seven species of mammalian herbivores in stocked and unstocked conditions, where only sheep were confined, across a three-year period that included rain-deficient (drought) months. The effects of climate (especially rainfall and temperature) and herbivore density on the standing biomass of pasture were teased out at a macro-scale. Herbivory at a micro-scale was examined using open and exclosed plots with detection of herbivore species by fecal deposition and time-lapse videography. Sheep exerted the highest grazing pressure and there was no compensatory increase in grazing pressure by other herbivores in unstocked paddocks. Rainfall was a key driver of pasture biomass and condition and loss by senescence typically outweighed grazing pressure. Grazing effects at a micro-scale were plot-specific and complex. The results are discussed in relation to the sustainable management of rangelands for production and wildlife.
Pasikliauti Stanislovu Górskiu ar… Stanislovu Górskiu? Alberto Goštauto ir Jono Chojeńskio diskusijos dėl teismų tvarkos Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje (1535–1536) teksto evoliucijos ir datavimų ryšys
Authors: Čižauskas Karolis
Published: February 2025

With this text, two main tasks are being approached. On the one hand, a critical publication of the discussion between Olbracht Gasztołd and Jan Chojeński regarding regarding the judicial system in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is presented. It was based on a collection of documents compiled by the Krakow canon Stanisław Górski, known as the “Górski Archive” (Pol. Teki Górskiego), which contained the earliest manuscripts of this discussion and its later copies. On the other hand, the author delves into an analysis of a rather specific source research problem associated with these texts, namely, how do the various corrections made to the manuscript content and the metatext by Stanisław Górski himself relate to the emergence of the two main dating traditions of these sources (1529 or 1536).