bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Active Learning to Maximize Knowledge Acquisition in Nursing Students: A Comparative Study
Authors: Moreno Guillermo , Meneses-Monroy Alfonso , Mohamedi-Abdelkader Samir , Curcio Felice , Domínguez-Capilla Raquel , Martínez-Rincón Carmen , Pacheco Del Cerro Enrique , Mayor-Silva L. Iván
Published: January 2024

Background: Nursing students need to acquire knowledge through active methods that promote critical thinking and decision making. The purpose of this study is to analyze whether there are differences in the acquisition of knowledge by nursing students between active face-to-face or virtual teaching methods. Methods: In this comparative study, nursing students enrolled in the psychology course were divided into two groups: a face-to-face group that received active teaching methods and a virtual group. The virtual group was exposed to the Effective Learning Strategy (ELS), which included seminars based on video content through the Virtual Campus and answering questions using the H5P tool. In addition, participants engaged in reflection tasks on the content. Covariate data were collected, and knowledge tests were administered to both groups before and after the course. After three months, subjects were re-evaluated with a final exam to assess content retention. Results: A total of 280 students were randomized. No differences were found in students’ scores at the end of the knowledge test or in their final grades in the subject. Having study habits (b = 0.12, p = 0.03) and social support from relevant people (b = 0.09; p = 0.03) were associated with better post-intervention scores, and inversely with social support from friends (b = −0.12, p < 0.01). Final grades were inversely associated with digital safety literacy (b = −0.101, p = 0.01). No factors were associated with the scores of each group separately. Conclusions: The ELS virtual active learning model is as effective as face-to-face active learning methods for teaching psychology to first-year nursing students. This study was not registered.
When Cell-Mediated Immunity after Vaccination Is Important
Authors: Paganelli Roberto
Published: January 2024

The review by Reeg D [...]
Bathing in Atopic Dermatitis in Pediatric Age: Why, How and When
Authors: Pagliaro Margherita , Pecoraro Luca , Stefani Camilla , Pieropan Sara , Piacentini Giorgio , Pietrobelli Angelo
Published: January 2024

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. The treatment plays an important role in influencing the patients’ quality of life. The basic management consists of appropriate skin cleansing, including bathing and eventually using bathing additives. Recommendations regarding frequency and duration of bathing, water temperature and usefulness of bathing additives are widely different, often leading to confusion among patients. This review aims to give insights into the best bathing practices and the use of bathing additives in atopic dermatitis in children. Several bathing additives, including bleach baths, commercial baby cleansers, bath baby oils and bath salt, appear to be promising adjunctive therapies for atopic dermatitis due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-pruritus and skin barrier repair properties through different mechanisms of action. However, their efficacy and safety are not fully understood in some cases. The usefulness of other bath additives, such as acidic and more natural substances (green tea extracts, pine tar, sodium bicarbonate), is still under investigation. Further studies are needed to determine their optimal use to achieve clinical benefit safely.
Lansoprazole Ameliorates Isoniazid-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Wakai Eri , Shiromizu Takashi , Otaki Shota , Koiwa Junko , Tamaru Satoshi , Nishimura Yuhei
Published: January 2024

Isoniazid is a first-line drug in antitubercular therapy. Isoniazid is one of the most commonly used drugs that can cause liver injury or acute liver failure, leading to death or emergency liver transplantation. Therapeutic approaches for the prevention of isoniazid-induced liver injury are yet to be established. In this study, we identified the gene expression signature for isoniazid-induced liver injury using a public transcriptome dataset, focusing on the differences in susceptibility to isoniazid in various mouse strains. We predicted that lansoprazole is a potentially protective drug against isoniazid-induced liver injury using connectivity mapping and an adverse event reporting system. We confirmed the protective effects of lansoprazole against isoniazid-induced liver injury using zebrafish and patients’ electronic health records. These results suggest that lansoprazole can ameliorate isoniazid-induced liver injury. The integrative approach used in this study may be applied to identify novel functions of clinical drugs, leading to drug repositioning.
Involvement of the Expression of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Schizophrenia
Authors: Kalinovic Raluka , Pascariu Andrei , Vlad Gabriela , Nitusca Diana , Sălcudean Andreea , Sirbu Ioan , Marian Catalin , Enatescu Virgil
Published: January 2024

The expression of GPCRs has been associated with schizophrenia, and their expression may induce morphological changes in brain regions responsible for schizophrenia and disease-specific behavioral changes. The articles included in this review were selected using keywords and databases of scientific research websites. The expressions of GPRs have different involvements in schizophrenia, some increase the risk while others provide protection, and they may also be potential targets for new treatments. Proper evaluation of these factors is essential to have a better therapeutic response with a lower rate of chronicity and thus improve the long-term prognosis.
An ADAM10 Exosite Inhibitor Is Efficacious in an In Vivo Collagen-Induced Arthritis Model
Authors: Diez Juan , Selsted Michael E. , Bannister Thomas D. , Minond Dmitriy
Published: January 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There are multiple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs available; however, many patients do not respond to any treatment. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 has been suggested as a potential new target for RA due to its role in the release of multiple pro- and anti-inflammatory factors from cell surfaces. In the present study, we determined the pharmacokinetic parameters and in vivo efficacy of a compound CID3117694 from a novel class of non-zinc-binding inhibitors. Oral bioavailability was demonstrated in the blood and synovial fluid after a 10 mg/kg dose. To test efficacy, we established the collagen-induced arthritis model in mice. CID3117694 was administered orally at 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg/day for 28 days. CID3117694 was able to dose-dependently improve the disease score, decrease RA markers in the blood, and decrease signs of inflammation, hyperplasia, pannus formation, and cartilage erosion in the affected joints compared to the untreated control. Additionally, mice treated with CID 3117694 did not exhibit any clinical signs of distress, suggesting low toxicity. The results of this study suggest that the inhibition of ADAM10 exosite can be a viable therapeutic approach to RA.
The Impact of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Scoping Review
Authors: Le Khang Duy Ricky , Le Kelvin , Foo Felicia
Published: January 2024

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and associated hypopnoea syndromes are chronic conditions of sleep-disordered breathing with significant sequelae if poorly managed, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and increased mortality. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have recently garnered significant interest as a potential therapeutic, attributed to their durable effects in weight loss and glycaemic control in metabolic syndromes, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This has led to significant investment into companies that produce these medications and divestment from traditional gold standard methods of OSA management such as continuous positive airway pressure machines. Despite these sentiments, the impacts of these medications on OSA outcomes are poorly characterised, with no high-quality evidence at this stage to support this hypothesis. This scoping review therefore aims to address the research question of whether GLP-1RAs lead to a direct improvement in OSA and associated hypopnoea syndromes. Methods: A scoping review was performed following a computer-assisted search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central databases. Papers that evaluated the use of GLP-1RA medications related to sleep-disordered breathing, OSA or other sleep-related apnoeic or hypopnoeic syndromes were included. Results: Literature search and evaluation identified 9 articles that were eligible for inclusion. Of these, 1 was a study protocol, 1 was a case report, 1 was an abstract of a randomised controlled trial (RCT), 1 was a non-randomised clinical trial and the remaining 5 were randomised clinical trials of variable rigour. All studies evaluated the outcomes of GLP-1RAs in patients with diagnosed OSA or symptoms suggestive of this condition. Conclusion: This scoping review identified early evidence to suggest that GLP-1RAs may improve OSA as defined by reduction in apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI). This evidence is however conflicting due to contradicting results demonstrated from other studies. Overall, these medications were tolerated well, with minor gastrointestinal side-effects reported in some cases. Of all included studies, the quality of evidence was low, with short lengths of follow-up to identify durable effects of these medications on OSA outcomes and identify adverse events. More rigorous, RCTs with sufficient length of follow-up are required before consideration of formalising these medications into OSA treatment guidelines, frameworks and policies are warranted.
A Concise and Adaptive Sidelobe Suppression Algorithm Based on LMS Filter for Pulse-Compressed Signal of Φ-OTDR
Authors: Shen Wei , Chen Xiaofeng , Zhang Yong , Hu Xin , Wu Jian , Liu Lijun , Deng Chuanlu , Hu Chengyong , Huang Yi
Published: January 2024

A concise and adaptive sidelobe suppression algorithm based on a least mean square (LMS) filter is proposed for pulse-compressed signals of a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (Φ-OTDR) system. The algorithm is suitable for the denoising filtering process of phase coding OTDR (PC-OTDR) systems and mitigates the sidelobe effect due to matched filtering. In a simulation experiment, Rayleigh backscattering (RBS) signals including phase-coded pulse signals are generated and decoded to verify that the LMS algorithm can eliminate the sidelobes more effectively than the windowing method and the recursive least squares (RLS) method. Then, the PC-OTDR system is set up and combined with the LMS algorithm for positioning experiments. The results show that the peak side lobe ratio (PSLR) of the signals can reach −15.86 dB, which is 4.26 dB lower than the raw pulse compressed signal.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Drought-Responsive Pathways and Key Genes of Two Oat (Avena sativa) Varieties
Authors: Xu Weiwei , Guo Laichun , Wang Chunlong , Wei Liming , Wang Qiang , Ren Qinyong , Yang Xiwu , Zhan Chao , Liang Xiaotian , Wang Junying , Ren Changzhong
Published: January 2024

To cope with the yield loss caused by drought stress, new oat varieties with greater drought tolerance need to be selected. In this study, two oat varieties with different drought tolerances were selected for analysis of their phenotypes and physiological indices under moderate and severe soil drought stress. The results revealed significant differences in the degree of wilting, leaf relative water content (RWC), and SOD and CAT activity between the two oat genotypes under severe soil drought stress; moreover, the drought-tolerant variety exhibited a significant increase in the number of stomata and wax crystals on the surface of both the leaf and guard cells; additionally, the morphology of the guard cells was normal, and there was no significant disruption of the grana lamella membrane or the nuclear envelope. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of waxes and cell-wall components, as well as those of the WRKY family, significantly increased in the drought-tolerant variety. These findings suggest that several genes involved in the antioxidant pathway could improve drought tolerance in plants by regulating the increase/decrease in wax and cell-wall constituents and maintaining normal cellular water potential, as well as improving the ability of the antioxidant system to scavenge peroxides in oats.
Static and Impact Properties of Flax-Reinforced Polymers Prepared with Conventional Epoxy and Sustainable Resins
Authors: Ciardiello Raffaele , Benelli Alessandro , Paolino Davide Salvatore
Published: January 2024

The study assessed the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of composite materials reinforced with flax fibers, employing three distinct resin types. The composite laminates were fabricated using three commercial resins: a conventional epoxy resin, an epoxy resin with a 31% weight concentration of bio-renewable content, and a recyclable methyl methacrylate infusion resin. This aims to assess if there exists a commercially available alternative to the traditional epoxy resin that can reduce the overall carbon footprint of composite materials. To investigate the influence of humidity on the mechanical behavior of the flax layers, a drying treatment was applied to the fibers before the infusion process. Micro-computed tomography analysis revealed that heat treatment resulted in a reduction of porosity, although it did not affect the mechanical response of the composite laminates. Moreover, laminates produced with non-recyclable and sustainable resins exhibited no significant change in tensile and flexural modulus. In contrast, those produced with recyclable resin demonstrated a slight reduction in the strengths of the composite laminates. Conversely, out-of-plane impact tests and repeated impact tests indicated that composites prepared with recyclable and bio-epoxy resin formulations present superior damage resistance to repeated impact compared to traditional epoxy resin.
Affinity-Based Magnetic Nanoparticle Development for Cancer Stem Cell Isolation
Authors: Kuru Cansu İlke , Ulucan-Karnak Fulden , Dayıoğlu Büşra , Şahinler Mert , Şendemir Aylin , Akgöl Sinan
Published: January 2024

Cancer is still the leading cause of death in the world despite the developing research and treatment opportunities. Failure of these treatments is generally associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs), which cause metastasis and are defined by their resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Although known stem cell isolation methods are not sufficient for CSC isolation, they also bring a burden in terms of cost. The aim of this study is to develop a high-efficiency, low-cost, specific method for cancer stem cell isolation with magnetic functional nanoparticles. This study, unlike the stem cell isolation techniques (MACS, FACS) used today, was aimed to isolate cancer stem cells (separation of CD133+ cells) with nanoparticles with specific affinity and modification properties. For this purpose, affinity-based magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by providing surface activity and chemical reactivity, as well as making surface modifications necessary for both lectin affinity and metal affinity interactions. In the other part of the study, synthesized and characterized functional polymeric magnetic nanoparticles were used for the isolation of CSC from the human osteosarcoma cancer cell line (SAOS-2) with a cancer stem cell subpopulation bearing the CD133 surface marker. The success and efficiency of separation after stem cell isolation were evaluated via the MACS and FACS methods. As a result, when the His-graft-mg-p(HEMA) nanoparticle was used at a concentration of 0.1 µg/mL for 106 and 108 cells, superior separation efficiency to commercial microbeads was obtained.
A Study on Defect Detection of Dissimilar Joints in Cu-STS Tubes Using Infrared Thermal Imaging of Induction Heating Brazing
Authors: Lee Chung-Woo , Woo Suseong , Kim Jisun
Published: January 2024

We proposed a novel detection method for identifying joint defects in the brazing process between copper tubes and stainless steel using a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. The brazing joints were created using high-frequency induction heating equipment, and infrared thermal imaging cameras were employed to capture the thermal data generated during the jointing process. The experiments involved 15.88 mm diameter copper tubes commonly used in plate heat exchangers, stainless-steel tubes, and filler metal containing 20% Ag. The thermal data were obtained with a resolution of 80 × 80 pixels per frame, resulting in 4796 normal joint data and 5437 defective joint data collected over 100 high-frequency induction-heating brazing experiments. A total of 10,233 thermal imaging data were categorized into 6548 training data, 1638 validation data, and 2047 test data for the development of the predictive model. We designed CNN models with varying hyperparameters, specifically the number of kernel filters and nodes, to evaluate their impact on detection performance. A comparative analysis revealed that a CNN model structure, exhibiting 98.53% accuracy and 99.82% recall on test data, was the most effective. The selected CNN-based defect prediction model demonstrated the potential of using CNN models to discern joint defects in tube configurations that are challenging to identify visually. This study opens avenues for applying CNN-based models for detecting imperfections in complex tube structures.
Reflecting on the Distinction between Philosophical Daoism and Religious Daoism Based on the Transmission and Transformation of the Concept of “Philosophy”
Authors: Tan Jing , Bao Xiangfei
Published: January 2024

The distinction between philosophical Daoism and religious Daoism is widely influential yet highly controversial. The current popular empirical methods often overlook the vicissitude of the concepts underlying the reception history of this distinction. Therefore, this article adopts the method of intellectual history, based on the transmission and transformation of the concept of philosophy, to examine the rationales of the establishment and reception of this Daoist distinction. Here, we present that, though the Confucian tradition of ranking Daoist figures provided soil for this Daoist distinction, the establishment of the dichotomy with terminological awareness should be attributed to the cooperation between Victorian Protestant intellectuals and their late Qing Confucian collaborators. The concept of philosophy that pursues eternal wisdom and truth and traces the origin of all things has played an essential role in the establishment of this distinction. The thought of Laozi and Zhuangzi was valued and preferred in mainland China because of its deemed congruence with this Western concept of philosophy, while other more religious branches of Daoism were belittled. However, the philosophies of anti-metaphysics engender a new paradigm of thinking. On the one hand, under the influence of logical positivism and its successors, natural science has become an excellent model for other studies. In light of empirical methods, the distinction between philosophical Daoism and religious Daoism becomes an erroneous and inefficient metaphysical distinction. On the other hand, inspired by continental philosophers such as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Derrida, scholars gained a new perspective on understanding the thought of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Thus, a new consensus emerges: eternal truth based on concepts and logic distorts the real world of life. According to this, the distinction between philosophical Daoism and religious Daoism is only an imaginary and conceptual distinction, which does not apply to the understanding of living Daoism.
Beauty and Dao: The Transcendental Expressions of Nature from Emerson’s Prose and the Zhuangzi
Authors: Jia Xuehong , Wu Dongyue
Published: January 2024

As an aesthetic resource in ancient China, the Zhuangzi’s description of Dao is similar to the American philosopher Emerson’s experience of beauty, and both reveal that the essence of beauty lies in its inherent vitality, spiritual transcendence, and the unity of multidimensional connotations. Emerson defines beauty as the constitution of all things in the world and believes it to be an expression of the universe. The Zhuangzi proposes the thought of tiandi damei 天地大美 (lit. Great Beauty of heaven and earth) as a manifestation of the function of the wordless Dao. Nature, intact from any human interference, becomes the common intermediary for Emerson and the Zhuangzi to elaborate on the connotations of beauty. The Emersonian definition of beauty originates from the philosophical implication of the world in ancient Greek, whereas the meaning of Great Beauty in the Zhuangzi, which embodies the worship of heaven in primitive religion, is very close to Emerson’s definition of beauty. The pattern of mei 美 consisting of da 大 (lit. great, equivalent to Dao) and yang 羊 (lit. auspice) signifies the natural celestial phenomena predicting good or bad luck and can be seen as synonymous with Dao illuminated by Daoism. By describing such natural imagery as forest, time sequence, dawn, and wilderness, Emerson reveals the vastness, harmony, brightness, and tranquility of beauty, which not only delights the spirit but also brings the human soul back to its natural state and improves personality. Emerson’s illumination of beauty conforms to those of Dao unraveled by the Zhuangzi. Despite the difference between the former’s poetic linguistic feature and the latter’s application of allegorical fables, both resort to visualized language to express internal aesthetic perceptions of the physical nature. Using the approaches of word tracing, textual comparison, and logical analysis, this article identifies the consistency in the original meanings of beauty in both Emerson’s essays and the Zhuangzi first and then goes on to analyze the similarities between their descriptions of natural imagery, so as to hint at the commonality in their understanding of natural beauty and verify the significance of literary language in cross-cultural comparative research.
Church Communication through Websites of Bishops’ Conferences
Authors: Izrael Pavel , Polievková Petra
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the role of conferences of bishops’ websites in facilitating communication within the Catholic Church, focusing on selected countries. The aim is to assess how these websites align with the Church’s mission and engage diverse audiences in the digital age. Analysis of websites from Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic reveals variations in content emphasis, multilingual accessibility, multimedia utilization, and social media integration. These differences reflect cultural and ecclesiastical distinctions, shedding light on how these websites serve as digital gateways to the Catholic Church and public-facing portals for their respective conferences. This research employs the website communication model (WCM) to assess the selected websites. It examines content elements, multilingual support, multimedia incorporation, and social media presence. This study underscores the potential for enhanced utilization of digital platforms in advancing the Church’s mission and expanding its outreach. It highlights the importance of aligning website goals with organizational objectives and engaging diverse audiences effectively. Ultimately, these websites serve as crucial tools for communication, evangelization, and pastoral care within the Catholic Church.
Integrated Assessment of Coastal Subsidence in Nansha District, Guangzhou City, China: Insights from SBAS-InSAR Monitoring and Risk Evaluation
Authors: Wang Simiao , Sun Huimin , Wei Lianhuan , Pi Pengcheng , Zeng Min , Pan Yujie , Xue Zixuan , Jiang Xuehan
Published: January 2024

Monitoring and assessing coastal subsidence is crucial to mitigating potential disaster risks associated with rising sea levels. Nansha District in Guangzhou City, representing global coastal soft-soil urban areas, faces significant challenges related to ground subsidence. However, the current understanding of the status, causative factors, and risk (includes subsidence susceptibility and vulnerability) assessment of ground subsidence in Nansha District is unclear. To address this gap, we utilized the SBAS-InSAR technique, analyzing 49 Sentinel-1A images from December 2015 to June 2019, for systematic ground subsidence monitoring. Subsequently, we assessed subsidence risk using a comprehensive index method and a risk matrix. Our findings indicate that subsidence velocity primarily ranged from −40 to −5 mm/a, with a spatial pattern of increasing subsidence from inland to coastal areas. The cumulative subsidence process unfolded in four distinct stages. The genesis of land subsidence was linked to an endogenous geological context dominated by soft-soil deposition, influenced by external factors such as surface loading and groundwater extraction. High-risk zones were concentrated in key engineering development areas, transportation pipeline trunk lines, and densely populated regions, demanding special attention. This study provides a foundational resource for disaster prevention and control strategies in Nansha District and similar coastal cities.
Estimation of Dissolved Organic Carbon Using Sentinel-2 in the Eutrophic Lake Ebinur, China
Authors: Cao Naixin , Lin Xingwen , Liu Changjiang , Tan Mou Leong , Shi Jingchao , Jim Chi-Yung , Hu Guanghui , Ma Xu , Zhang Fei
Published: January 2024

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in lakes, as a regulatory agent and light-absorbing compound, is a key component of the global carbon cycling in lacustrine ecosystems. Hence, continuous monitoring of the DOC concentration in arid regions is extremely important. This study utilizes the QAA-CDOM semi-analytical model, which has good accuracy in retrieving the CDOM (colored dissolved organic matter) concentration of Lake Ebinur. We chose to invert the CDOM time-series data from May to October during the 2018–2022 period. A DOC estimation model was then established using the linear regression approach based on the CDOM inversion data and the field DOC measurements. In general, the DOC concentration in Lake Ebinur exhibited an increasing trend from 2018 to 2022, typically lower in May and higher in June. When comparing the average values of DOC in Lake Ebinur for the same months across different years, it can be observed that the month of September exhibits the greatest variability, whereas June shows the least variability. In sum, this study successfully retrieved CDOM concentrations for a saline lake within an arid region and developed a DOC estimation model, thereby providing a reference for investigating carbon cycling in typical lakes of arid areas.
Analysing the Impact of Human Error on the Severity of Truck Accidents through HFACS and Bayesian Network Models
Authors: Waskito Dwitya Harits , Bowo Ludfi Pratiwi , Kurnia Siti Hidayanti Mutiara , Kurniawan Indra , Nugroho Sinung , Irawati Novi , Mutharuddin  , Mardiana Tetty Sulastry , Subaryata
Published: January 2024

Truck accidents are a prevalent global issue resulting in substantial economic losses and human lives. One of the principal contributing factors to these accidents is driver error. While analysing human error, it is important to thoroughly examine the truck’s condition, the drivers, external circumstances, the trucking company, and regulatory factors. Therefore, this study aimed to illustrate the application of HFACS (Human Factor Classification System) to examine the causal factors behind the unsafe behaviors of drivers and the resulting accident consequences. Bayesian Network (BN) analysis was adopted to discern the relationships between failure modes within the HFACS framework. The result showed that driver violations had the most significant influence on fatalities and multiple-vehicle accidents. Furthermore, the backward inference with BN showed that the mechanical system malfunction significantly impacts driver operating error. The result of this analysis is valuable for regulators and trucking companies striving to mitigate the occurrence of truck accidents proactively.
A Randomized Pilot Study Comparing the Impact of Strengthening-Based Running Training with Only Running on the Incidence of Running-Related Injuries among Novice Runners
Authors: Nguyen Anh Phong , Abeels Noé , Van Brussel Romain , Pairot de Fontenay Benoit
Published: January 2024

Background: Running-related injuries (RRI) are common in novice runners. Reducing early training running volume with strengthening activities may improve RRI without impeding running performance. Objectives: 1. Gather feasibility data for a randomized, controlled trial comparing a strengthening-based program to a conventional running program; 2. Assess RRI; and 3. Assess running performance. Methods: Seventy-four university students (38 females, 21 ± 2.3 years, 68.2 ± 10.8 kg, BMI: 22.6 ± 2.97), all novice runners, were randomized in two groups, i.e., a strengthening and running group (INT) and a running group (CON). The completed sessions, RRI, dropout, and maximal aerobic speed were recorded through an online application. Results: The INT group had 52.6% attrition, while the CON group had 41.7%. The INT group had 56.6% adherence, while the CON group had 45.7%. The Chi-square test showed no significant difference in RRI incidence across groups (CHI2 = 2.958, p value = 0.08). A two-way ANOVA showed no significant difference in maximal aerobic speed across groups (p = 0.822) or before and after training (p = 0.304). Conclusions: This pilot study confirmed the feasibility of this randomized, controlled trial with a needed sample size of 194. However, novice runners had greater attrition rates when starting. Based on those limited data, strengthening activities that replaced running volume did not improve RRI or maximal aerobic speed.
The Cultural Heritage of Montilla and the Printing Press since the Modern Age: Its Evolution and Relationship with Graphic Engineering Boosting the SDGs
Authors: Rey-García José , Calvo-Serrano María-Araceli , Montes-Tubío Francisco de Paula , Bellido-Vela Elena , Triviño-Tarradas Paula
Published: January 2024

On the 550th anniversary of the introduction of the printing press to Spain, it is planned to review this art. Through a literature review, we studied how the printing press has contributed to the dissemination and preservation of cultural and industrial heritage, which are key for knowledge dissemination. The main objective of this study was to characterize the Spanish printing press of the 17th century through the analysis of an etching by Stradanus, relating it to the founding of the first typographic workshops in the rural Andalusian territory, and studying, for the first time, the specific case of Montilla. No scientific research has been carried out so far on this specific case. It was a region of utmost importance in Andalusia at the time due to its relations with the Spanish monarchy. The development of the printing press from inception until today is also analyzed to study the evolution of this type of industry in relation to the times. The printing press was key for the dissemination of culture and knowledge in the Modern Age. It was used to produce books, documents, and etchings, which are key elements for the dissemination of knowledge and the preservation of human heritage. This research has allowed us to comprehend and analyze, for the first time, the process of establishing the printing press in the case of Montilla coinciding with the 450th anniversary of the founding of the first printing press in Spain. This manuscript contributes to the achievement of some of the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), protecting and disseminating the heritage of the typographic industry in Montilla-Moriles.
Exploring Willingness to Pay across Different Passenger Traits
Authors: Džupka Peter , Dráb Radovan , Gróf Marek , Štofa Tomáš
Published: January 2024

In recent years, the transportation landscape has seen a notable shift towards shared mobility, driven by its advantages over traditional systems fraught with inefficiencies. This shift has ushered in demand-responsive transport (DRT) systems, enabled by mobile technology. DRT offers a promising solution for the sustainability of public transport, also for rural Slovakia; however, higher individual journey costs and the necessity for online booking create adoption barriers for this new form. This paper conducts a thorough willingness-to-pay analysis in seven rural Slovak settlements, with the goal of understanding variations and comparing the findings with the existing research. Location, household size, age, car and train usage, and previous experiences with bus transport significantly impact the willingness to pay. Consequently, tailored DRT strategies are necessary for different target groups. To maximize the efficiency of this service, integrating DRT into the regional or national public transportation network is recommended. Insights from this study hold significant implications for policymakers tasked with transforming regional transportation, particularly by integrating DRT into fixed-route bus systems.
Sustainability Trade-Offs in Climate Change Geographies in England
Authors: Sturzaker John , Catulli Maurizio , Kubitz Beate
Published: January 2024

The evidence that climate change is the result of human actions is becoming increasingly stronger, as is the need to take action to limit the worst effects of climate change on the planet. However, politicians continue to equivocate and fail to address the trade-offs which are needed to deliver effective action. In this paper, we report on the potential of bottom-up approaches to transport planning to address the trade-offs between the need to reduce car-based travel and the social consequences of poor mobility options in rural areas. Using the theories of Sustainable Communities and Communities of Practice, we analyse the implementation of the Robin demand-responsive transport service in the West of England, presenting new data relating to the effectiveness of this service in providing low-carbon transport alternatives to rural residents. We find that the Robin is indeed effective, and that it has worked better in one location, where engagement with potential new users of the service has been prioritised. We conclude that such bottom-up transport options can be transformative, subject to the support of key stakeholders and integration with top-down systems of governance.
Improving Sustainability, Climate Resilience and Pandemic Preparedness in Small Islands: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Moncada Stefano , Nguyen Luca
Published: January 2024

Small islands are often disproportionately impacted by external shocks, and the manner in which they build resilience is increasingly important in the face of climate change and health crises, thus impacting the attainment of their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper discusses the results of a systematic literature review (PRISMA protocol) that set out to examine which resilience-building measures are adopted by small islands to overcome the incidence of two shocks happening simultaneously: climate change and COVID-19. This is in line with the objectives set by SDG 13 (targets 13.1/13.3) and SDG 3 (targets 3.8/3.d). While 16,369 studies fulfilled the criterion of jointly assessing pandemic, health and climate, only 662 of these mentioned small islands. Moreover, 42 studies fulfilled additional screening criteria. Within these studies, we examined whether a planetary health approach, which recognises the links between environment and health systems, was adopted. The results show that in small islands, and for such shocks in tandem, a planetary health approach is scarcely considered. However, specific actions to strengthen resilience were documented to have been effective when facing climate and health crises, which we categorised as: (i) the management of short-term risks; (ii) community actions; (iii) local government support; and (iv) long-term strategic planning.
Identifying Optimally Sustainable Foods: A Four-Dimensional Analysis of Sustainable Foods in the American Diet
Authors: Hooker Kayla , Sanjeevi Namrata , Monsivais Pablo
Published: January 2024

A holistic understanding of food sustainability is vital for making socially and environmentally conscious food choices. Sustainable diets have been defined by four dimensions: health, economics, environment, and society. The purpose of this study was to determine how metrics for nutritional quality, monetary cost, environmental impact, and social and cultural acceptability of foods and beverages vary across and within food groups and to identify which foods and beverages are optimally sustainable according to these metrics. Data from the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) was linked with frequency of consumption, nutrient density, environmental impact, and cost data from publicly available databases. A sustainability index, based on the four dimensions, was developed to quantify overall sustainability. Nutrient density was correlated negatively with environmental impact and frequency of consumption but positively with cost (p < 0.001). Out of 5964 items, 165 were identified as optimally sustainable. Sustainability index scores varied within each food group. Less than 1% of optimally sustainable items were Dairy products, while 62% were Protein Foods—of which 92% were Plant Proteins. Few foods and beverages met the criteria to be considered optimally sustainable. However, Plant Protein foods may generally strike the best balance among these four indicators of sustainability. A holistic understanding of food sustainability is necessary to facilitate nutritious and environmentally conscious dietary choices that adhere to other needs, personal values, and preferences.
Export of Environment Goods from China, Importing Countries’ Energy Mix, and Carbon Emission Intensity
Authors: Huo Weidong , Chen Xiaoxian , Zhou Yacheng
Published: January 2024

Facing the rising global temperature, China, the largest annual carbon emitter, is constantly fulfilling its obligations and acting to inject Chinese impetus into global climate action. Under this background, this paper uses an IV-TSLS regression model to empirically explore the impact of China’s Environment Goods Export (CEGE) on the Carbon Emission Intensity of Importing Countries (CEIIC), including a sample of 187 countries, covering the period from 2012 to 2020. We find that the CEGE can reduce the CEIIC by changing the energy mix of importing countries. All five categories of environment goods classified by their protection functions can significantly reduce the CEIIC. Among them, the goods used for the disposal and recycling of waste and pollutants, emission monitoring, and renewable energy projects have the most powerful inhibition effect. The inhibition effect of the CEGE on the Carbon Emission Intensity (CEI) in South America is the greatest, followed by Africa, Oceania, and Asia, while this effect is insignificant in European and North American countries. The CEGE has a stronger inhibition effect on the CEI of non-APEC countries than APEC countries. The CEGE has a far greater inhibition effect on the CEI of six economic corridor countries than the other countries.
Biotechnological Potential of Oil-Tolerant Strains for Possible Use in Bioremediation
Authors: Bertović Barbara , Šabić Runjavec Monika , Todorović Nolla , Zgrebec Ivan , Vuković Domanovac Marija
Published: January 2024

The release of oil into the environment represents a pervasive problem stemming from oil exploration, accidents, transportation and releases from landfills, storage facilities or industrial plants. Compared to conventional and costly techniques, bioremediation is an attractive and promising alternative, as it can selectively degrade pollution without affecting the natural features of the site and the flora and fauna living there. In this study, the isolation, identification and characterization of autochthonous bacterial strains from a crude oil-contaminated soil sample was carried out under batch conditions over a period of 28 days. The initial colony forming units value for bacteria was 1.15 × 109/g of soil. The results show that the activity of bacteria was highest at a pH of 7.25. Based on morphology, biochemical tests and an analysis of MALDI TOF, isolated autochthonous bacterial species were identified as Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas chlororaphis. Since allochthonous bacteria are not highly efficient in a new environment due to their low adaptability and competition with indigenous microorganisms, these autochthonous microorganisms play a pivotal role in enhancing the bioremediation process on an applicable, industrial scale. This advancement aligns with the principles of sustainable development and the green economy, as purified soil is suitable for rational reuse in the environment.
Does New Urbanization Promote Urban Metabolic Efficiency?
Authors: Liao Bin
Published: January 2024

Existing studies have paid less attention to the impact of new urbanization (NU) on urban metabolic efficiency (UME). This paper empirically tests the mechanism and the effect of NU on UME based on China’s panel data from 2008 to 2020, using China’s NU pilot as a quasi-natural experiment. The study draws the following conclusions: (1) NU can significantly promote UME. (2) NU can promote UME for cities in neighboring regions. (3) The effect of NU on UME presents the heterogeneous characteristics of eastern region > central region > western region, non-urban agglomeration cities > urban agglomeration cities, and is greater in central cities than in non-central cities. (4) Mechanism analysis shows that NU can promote UME through six paths: promoting urban–rural integration and regional synergistic development, reducing urban sprawl and energy mismatch, strengthening urban–rural population mobility, and green innovation division of labor. The above results are not only conducive to incorporating UME into NU’s appraisal system but also to making UME, which can reflect the quality of urban development in a more comprehensive and systematic way, a performance measurement tool for NU.
Public Perceptions of Alternative Protein Sources: Implications for Responsible Agrifood Transition Pathways
Authors: Amoneit Madita , Weckowska Dagmara , Preiss Myriam , Biedermann Annette , Gellrich Leon , Dreher Carsten , Schreiner Monika
Published: January 2024

Our agrifood systems require transformation to meet today’s challenges, especially the growing demand for protein. Promising alternative protein sources include algae, crickets and jellyfish, but little is known how the public perceives these future options. We argue that to identify responsible pathways for the protein transitions, the public’s views need to be explored. Consequently, the aim of this study was to understand public perceptions of three alternative future pathways for protein transition. Our survey of 474 respondents in Germany showed that the consumption of algae in the future is perceived as possible and more probable than the consumption of animal-based sources of proteins such as cricket and jellyfish. Gender, age, geographical location and food habits were found to influence these perceptions. Reflecting on the differences in the public perceptions of three alternative protein sources, we discuss how inclusive these future visions are and how to manage the innovation and transition responsibly.
Energy Performance Analysis and Study of an Office Building in an Extremely Hot and Cold Region
Authors: Liu Yunbo , Wang Wanjiang , Huang Yumeng , Song Junkang , Zhou Zhenan
Published: January 2024

China is committed to reaching peak carbon by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. The goals of reducing energy consumption and building a “beautiful China” are being urgently pursued in China. The building studied in this paper is located in the city of Turpan, where the problem of excessive energy use among buildings is significant due to the region’s hot summers and cold winters. Additionally, the fact that the office building studied in this paper has an east–west orientation is significant: the building’s main façade is oriented to the west, comprising a large area of single-layer glass curtain wall. Based on this, this paper proposes optimization strategies from two perspectives of renovation and new construction. Four design options are proposed at the retrofit level: glazed circular curtain wall; glazed enclosed curtain wall; west-facing double-glazed curtain wall circulation combined with south-facing light from the east; recycling of windows on the inside of the exterior glass curtain wall. These suggestions focus on retrofitting the glass curtain wall on the west elevation of the building. Two design options are proposed at the new-build level: west-facing south-oriented light and west-facing north-oriented light. These suggestions were primarily built around the idea of changing the orientation of the windows on the west elevation. The results show that the optimal solution is to implement the west-facing double-glazed curtain wall circulation combined with south-facing light from the east. This program shows a 64.14% reduction in heating energy consumption, a 77.12% reduction in cooling energy consumption, and a 69.67% reduction in total energy consumption. The above research has improved the deficiencies in the performance-based energy efficiency retrofit of office buildings in the region and provided new ideas and suggestions for policymakers and designers to build energy-efficiency retrofits in the early stages.
Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Unit: Exploration of Middle School Students’ SDG Knowledge
Authors: Koçulu Aslı , Topçu Mustafa Sami
Published: January 2024

Perhaps the largest lesson in our time is to teach students how to sustain our world’s resources while improving well-being for people all over the world. Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the curriculum for K-12 education would help middle students understand why the world’s resources are important, how the world should be treated and protected, and how they play a vital role in its future. However, there is a lack of curriculum material to put into practice regarding SDGs at K-12 levels. This study set out to address this need through design-based research, leading to the development and evaluation of the application of a learn–think–act approach-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unit. This unit was implemented over 8 weeks to help enhance middle school students’ SDG knowledge. Participants were a group of 20 7th grade students attending an environmental education and climate change elective course at a public school in Turkey. Data on SDG knowledge were collected from students through semi-structured interviews before and after the application of the unit. Transcriptions of the interviews were analyzed with deductive content analysis based on the rubric. The results revealed that a learn–think–act approach-based Sustainable Development Goals unit enhanced middle school students’ SDG knowledge.