bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simple Machine Learning-Based Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Model for Predicting pIC50 Inhibition Values of FLT3 Tyrosine Kinase
Authors: Alcázar Jackson J. , Sánchez Ignacio , Merino Cristian , Monasterio Bruno , Sajuria Gaspar , Miranda Diego , Díaz Felipe , Campodónico Paola R.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presents significant therapeutic challenges, particularly in cases driven by mutations in the FLT3 tyrosine kinase. This study aimed to develop a robust and user-friendly machine learning-based quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model to predict the inhibitory potency (pIC50 values) of FLT3 inhibitors, addressing the limitations of previous models in dataset size, diversity, and predictive accuracy. Methods: Using a dataset which was 14 times larger than those employed in prior studies (1350 compounds with 1269 molecular descriptors), we trained a random forest regressor, chosen due to its superior predictive performance and resistance to overfitting. Rigorous internal validation via leave-one-out and 10-fold cross-validation yielded Q2 values of 0.926 and 0.922, respectively, while external validation on 270 independent compounds resulted in an R2 value of 0.941 with a standard deviation of 0.237. Results: Key molecular descriptors influencing the inhibitor potency were identified, thereby improving the interpretability of structural requirements. Additionally, a user-friendly computational tool was developed to enable rapid prediction of pIC50 values and facilitate ligand-based virtual screening, leading to the identification of promising FLT3 inhibitors. Conclusions: These results represent a significant advancement in the field of FLT3 inhibitor discovery, offering a reliable, practical, and efficient approach for early-stage drug development, potentially accelerating the creation of targeted therapies for AML.
Integrating Analytical Procedures in Routine Practices of Centralized Antiblastic Compounding Units for Valorization of Residual Compounded Drugs
Authors: Aquino Rita Patrizia , Falcone Giovanni , Russo Paola , Dal Piaz Fabrizio , Auriemma Giulia , de Francesco Ferdinando Maria , Cascone Stefania , Nava Eduardo , Del Gaudio Pasquale
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Although extemporaneous formulations of anticancer drug products for personalized therapy are produced according to Good Hospital Pharmacy Manufacturing Practice, the lack of knowledge about drug stability under clinical conditions limits the second-time use of these highly costly medications in clinical practice. Therefore, the residual compounded drugs are considered waste and a cost item that negatively affects the healthcare system. In the context of the ever-increasing interest of the health system in applying practices in line with personalized medicine and spending review policies, this research aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating analytical techniques into daily routine practice. Specifically, the present research focused on fast stability analysis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in antiblastic residual compounded drugs with the purpose of demonstrating their potentialities as a resource for possible second-time use. Methods: Two different subsets of drug products were analyzed, i.e., medicines containing small molecules and medicines containing monoclonal antibodies. In relation to their different physicochemical properties, two analytical approaches were optimized and involved in the stability investigation: HPLC-DAD for small molecules and a combined approach of LC-MS/MS with size exclusion chromatography for monoclonal antibodies analysis. Results: Results underlined that the stability data, as available in the summary of product characteristics related to each medicine, do not completely describe the physicochemical shelf-life of anticancer compounded drugs. Conclusions: In fact, for all tested products, our results suggested a longer shelf-life in comparison to the datasheet, giving hospital pharmacists the possibility to extend the clinical use of compounded drugs, improving the cost–benefit of anticancer personalized therapy.
Correction: Alhakamy et al. Green Nanoemulsion Stabilized by In Situ Self-Assembled Natural Oil/Native Cyclodextrin Complexes: An Eco-Friendly Approach for Enhancing Anticancer Activity of Costunolide against Lung Cancer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 227
Authors: Alhakamy Nabil A. , Badr-Eldin Shaimaa M. , Ahmed Osama A. A. , Aldawsari Hibah M. , Okbazghi Solomon Z. , Alfaleh Mohamed A. , Abdulaal Wesam H. , Neamatallah Thikryat , Al-hejaili Omar D. , Fahmy Usama A.
Published: January 2025

In the original publication [...]
Correction: Pezzano, G. The Medium Is the (Discriminatory) Message: The Medial Epistemic Injustices of Philosophy. Philosophies 2024, 9, 169
Authors: Pezzano Giacomo
Published: January 2025

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...]
Cost-Effective Production of Bacterial Cellulose and Tubular Materials by Cultivating Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans B-11267 on a Molasses Medium
Authors: Parchaykina Marina V. , Liyaskina Elena V. , Bogatyreva Alena O. , Baykov Mikhail A. , Gotina Diana S. , Arzhanov Nikita E. , Netrusov Alexander I. , Revin Viktor V.
Published: January 2025

An original design of a simple bioreactor was used to fabricate two tubular, 200 cm long BC structures by culturing Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans B-11267 on a molasses medium. In addition, a tubular BC-based biocomposite with improved mechanical properties was obtained by combining cultivation on the molasses medium with in situ chemical modification by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Moreover, the present study investigated the BC production by the K. sucrofermentans B-11267 strain on the media with different molasses concentrations under agitated culture conditions. The dynamics of sugar consumption during the cultivation were studied by HPLC. The structure and physicochemical properties of BC and tubular BC structures were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thus, the findings indicate that K. sucrofermentans B-11267, when cultivated in a molasses medium, which is such a cheap waste product in the sugar industry, forms a significant amount of BC with a high crystallinity degree. The BC tubular structures demonstrated great potential for their application in biomedicine as artificial blood vessels and conduits for nerve regeneration.
Optimization of Mold Heating Structure Parameters Based on Cavity Surface Temperature Uniformity and Thermal Response Rates
Authors: Qi Xiaolong , Li Jiaxing , Liang Yingjie , Xu Zhonggui , Li Yingru , Xie Zhiyin
Published: January 2025

Rapid heating cycle molding technology has recently emerged as a novel injection molding technique, with the uniformity of temperature distribution on the mold cavity surface being a critical factor influencing product quality. A numerical simulation method is employed to investigate the rapid heating process of molds and optimize heating power, with the positions of heating rods as variables. The temperature uniformity coefficient is an indicator used to assess the uniformity of temperature distribution within a system or process, while the thermal response rate plays a crucial role in evaluating the heating efficiency of a heating system. The thermal response rate of the cavity and the temperature uniformity coefficient are set as optimization objectives to define parameter ranges for orthogonal experiments. The findings indicate that the optimal range for the lateral distance L1 is 20–30 mm, for L2 it is 50–70 mm, and for the vertical distance (h) it is 3–8 mm. The response surface multiple regression equation derived from the orthogonal experiment data demonstrates a model prediction error rate of 1.8% and 2.4%. Additionally, by applying particle swarm optimization to the regression equation, the study identifies an optimal scheme that reduces system energy consumption by 12.5%, achieves a thermal response rate of 0.75 k/s, decreases the temperature uniformity coefficient by 44.6%, and lowers the temperature difference by 52.17%. This optimization ensures efficient heating of the mold cavity, reduces energy consumption, and enhances the uniformity of the surface temperature distribution, ultimately improving the surface quality of the products.
Synergistic Effect of Strontium Doping and Surfactant Addition in Mesoporous Bioactive Glass for Enhanced Osteogenic Bioactivity and Advanced Bone Regeneration
Authors: Chen Ya-Yi , Ma Tien-Li , Chang Pei-Jung , Chiou Yuh-Jing , Chang Wei-Min , Weng Ci-Fen , Chen Chin-Yi , Chang Yu-Kang , Lin Chung-Kwei
Published: January 2025

Mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) is an advanced biomaterial widely recognized for its application in bone regenerative engineering. This study synthesized an MBG powder (80 mol% SiO2, 5 mol% P2O5, and 15 mol% CaO) using a facile sol-gel method with the non-ionic surfactant Pluronic® P123, which acted as a pore-forming agent. MBGs form bioactive surfaces that facilitate HA formation, and the presence of Pluronic® P123 increases the surface area and promotes HA nucleation. Various percentages of strontium (Sr) doping were examined to improve bioreactivity, biological response, and bone formation, with 3SMBG (3 mol% Sr) showing the highest specific surface area. In vitro biocompatibility tests revealed HA formation on all glass surfaces after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), indicated by sheet-like HA morphologies, the presence of PO43− and CO32− functional groups, and the amorphous structure along with SrCO3 crystalline phases corresponding to HA and Sr-HA structures. Sr doping resulted in delayed initial degradation and sustained release of Sr2+, achieving over 95% cell viability. Surfactant-induced mesoporous structure and Sr incorporation synergistically enhance osteocyte induction and formation in vitro. These findings suggest that Sr-doped MBG, particularly with P123-assisted Sr/Ca substitution, optimizes the material’s properties for advanced bone regenerative applications.
Nozzle Pressure- and Screw Position-Based CAE Scientific Process Parameter Setup for Injection Molding Process
Authors: Tseng Ren-Ho , Wen Chien-Hung , Chang Chen-Hsiang , Chen Yu-Hao , Tsai Chieh-Hsun , Hwang Sheng-Jye
Published: January 2025

This study developed a scientific process parameter setup based on nozzle pressure and screw position, with the process parameter search sequence being injection speed, V/P switchover position, packing pressure, and packing time. Unlike previous studies, this study focuses on the scientific process parameter setup of experiments and simulations, as well as on the implementation of calibration. Experiments and simulations had the same trend of results in the scientific process parameter setup. Although the experiments and simulations had the same trend, the machine response caused parameter errors. After setting the time constant of the simulations, injection speed profiles from the experiments and simulations became closely aligned. The simulation results for the injection speed and V/P switchover position became closer to the experiment results than the results of the uncalibrated simulation. The error between the simulated and experimental injection speed was reduced from 20% to 6% after applying time constant calibration. The V/P switchover point error was also reduced from 11% to 5%, highlighting the effectiveness of the time constant to calibrate the simulation.
Performance Analysis of Advanced Metaheuristics for Optimal Design of Multi-Objective Model Predictive Control of Doubly Fed Induction Generator
Authors: Reddy Kumeshan , Sarma Rudiren , Guha Dipayan
Published: January 2025

Finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) is an attractive control method for electric drives. This is primarily due to the ease of implementation and robust responses. When applied to rotor current control of the Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG), FCS-MPC has thus far exhibited promising results when compared to the conventional Proportional Integral control strategy. Recently, there has been research conducted regarding the reduction in switching frequency of FCS-MPC. Preliminary studies indicate that a reduction in switching frequency will result in larger current ripples and a greater total harmonic distortion (THD). However, research in this area is limited. The aim of this study is two-fold. Firstly, an indication into the effect of weighting factor magnitude on current ripple is provided. Thereafter, the research work provides insight into the effect of such weighting factor on the overall current ripple of FCS-MPC applied to the DFIG and attempts to determine an optimal weighting factor which will simultaneously reduce the switching frequency and keep the current ripple within acceptable limits. To tune the relevant weighting factor, the utilization of swam intelligence is deployed. Three swarm intelligence techniques, particle swarm optimization, the African Vulture Optimization Algorithm, and the Gorilla Troops Optimizer (GTO), are applied to achieve the optimal weighting factor. When applied to a 2 MW DFIG, the results indicated that owing to their strong exploitation capability, these algorithms were able to successfully reduce the switching frequency. The GTO exhibited the overall best results, boasting steady-state errors of 0.03% and 0.02% for the rotor direct and quadrature currents whilst reducing the switching frequency by up to 0.7%. However, as expected, there was a minor increase in the current ripple. A robustness test indicated that the use of metaheuristics still produces superior results in the face of changing operating conditions. The results instill confidence in FCS-MPC as the control strategy of choice, as wind energy conversion systems continue to penetrate the energy sector.
Finite Element Analysis of Stress Distribution in Cancellous Bone During Dental Implant Pilot Drilling
Authors: K N Chethan , Shetty Nisha , Shetty Divya , Keni Laxmikant G. , Futane Mohan , Adnur Mahantesh
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: This study investigates stress distribution in cancellous bone during pilot drilling for dental implants using the Cowper–Symonds model. Understanding the biomechanical effects of drilling parameters on bone health is essential for optimizing implant stability and longevity. Methods: A finite element analysis (FEA) approach was employed to simulate the pilot drilling process in cancellous bone. A three-dimensional jawbone model was developed from CT scan data, processed using 3D Slicer, and refined with CAD tools. The drilling simulation incorporated a rigid pilot drill and flexible cancellous bone, utilizing explicit dynamic methods. Stress distribution was evaluated for drilling depths ranging from 6 mm to 16 mm, with mesh density and strain rate effects considered to ensure accuracy. Results: The results showed an increase in stress levels with drilling depth, with maximum stress recorded at 16 mm. Initial contact stress was 17.3 MPa, rising to 228.9 MPa at deeper penetration due to increased interaction between the drill and bone. Stress distribution patterns emphasized the critical role of drilling depth and design parameters in mitigating bone damage. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of optimized drilling protocols and pilot drill design to reduce stress and preserve bone integrity. The findings provide valuable insights into improving implant procedures and demonstrate the utility of FEA as a robust tool for evaluating biomechanical impacts during implant placement. Future research should incorporate cortical bone and thermal effects for a comprehensive analysis.
Analyzing the Drivers Behind Retractions in Tuberculosis Research
Authors: Garcia-Solorzano Franko O. , De la Cruz Anticona Shirley M. , Pezua-Espinoza Mario , Chuquispuma Jesus Fernando A. , Sanabria-Pinilla Karen D. , Chavez Veliz Christopher , Huayta-Alarcón Vladimir A. , Mayta-Tristan Percy , Lecca Leonid
Published: January 2025

Tuberculosis research plays a crucial role in understanding and responding to the necessities of people with this disease, yet the integrity of this research is compromised by frequent retractions. Identifying and analyzing the main reasons for retraction of tuberculosis articles is essential for improving research practices and ensuring reliable scientific output. In this study, we conducted an advanced systematic literature review of retracted original articles on Tuberculosis, utilizing databases such as Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, LILACS, and the Retraction Watch Database webpage. We found that falsification and plagiarism were the most frequent reasons for retraction, although 16% of the retracted articles did not declare the drivers behind the retraction. Almost half of the retracted studies received external funding, affecting not only those specific studies but future funding opportunities for this research field. Stronger measures of research integrity are needed to prevent misconduct in this vulnerable population.
Disclosing the Spirit in Evangelical Leadership Discourse
Authors: Bennet Hadley
Published: January 2025

This article offers a theological reflection on the leadership discourse of four senior evangelical leaders in the Church of England. The justification for a discourse-led approach within the discipline of practical theology is that discourse is itself a socially informed practice. Discourse is constructive for meaning-making and has ongoing constituting effect for practice. Thus, any theological bias found in evangelical discourse is of interest since that discourse has a practice-shaping effect. Using the method of content analysis, I undertake an audit of four leadership texts to find out how often God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are referenced. The content analysis reveals a quantitative disparity. The Person of the Spirit is referenced far less, and any references to Spirit are qualitatively limited. These quantitative results offer evidence to suggest that a full account of the Divine Move that is Spirit, and the leading activity of the Spirit, fails to be disclosed in these texts. I suggest that these findings indicate an imbalance in the discourse which I hope prompts evangelicals to further reflect on, and explore, the place of the Spirit in their theology and practice.
Impurity, Moral Substantiality, and Social Control: A Gender Perspective
Authors: Van den Bogaert Alice
Published: January 2025

The notion of impurity is identified in numerous belief systems, ranging from certain religions to nationalisms. Understanding its nature and functioning beyond its concrete objects is therefore a fundamental anthropological question. This work is grounded in anthropology, though it may be of interest to scholars from other disciplines. Impurity has been highlighted by numerous authors in ethnographic and theoretical texts, but a comparison of these various works indicates a lack of theoretical development. We will therefore begin by presenting the various explanations attributed to it, before proposing that the notion of impurity is primarily a knowledge of natural laws causing illness, death, and misfortune, based on the observation of contagion and implying an ontology of moral substantiality. I propose this concept to designate an ontology in which everything is a substance (bodily fluids and food, but also glances, words, and thoughts) and at the same time a moral value, without distinguishing between materiality and symbolism, a proposal inspired by McKim Marriott’s substance-codes (1976). This knowledge has then become a tool of social control, aiming to protect reproduction (social, cosmic, and ontological), through its effective language combining a somatopsychological aspect (disgust reaction) and social rejection.
Estimation of Tree Vitality Reduced by Pine Needle Disease Using Multispectral Drone Images
Authors: Huo Langning , Matsiakh Iryna , Bohlin Jonas , Cleary Michelle
Published: January 2025

Multispectral imagery from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide high-resolution data to map tree mortality caused by pests or diseases. Although many studies have investigated UAV-imagery-based methods to detect trees under acute stress followed by tree mortality, few have tested the feasibility and accuracy of detecting trees under chronic stress. This study aims to develop methods and test how well UAV-based multispectral imagery can detect pine needle disease long before tree mortality. Multispectral images were acquired four times through the growing season in an area with pine trees infected by needle pathogens. Vegetation indices (VIs) were used to quantify the decline in vitality, which was verified by tree needle retention (%) estimated from the ground. Results showed that several VIs had strong correlations with the needle retention level and were used to identify severely defoliated trees (<75% needle retention) with 0.71 overall classification accuracy, while the accuracy of detecting slightly defoliated trees (>75% needle retention) was very low. The results from one study area also implied more defoliation observed from the UAV (top view) than from the ground (bottom view). We conclude that using UAV-based multispectral imagery can efficiently identify severely defoliated trees caused by needle-cast pathogens, thus assisting forest health monitoring.
Framework Using Multicriteria Analysis for Evaluating the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Senvaitis Karolis , Adomavičienė Aušra , Daunoravičienė Kristina
Published: January 2025

This study includes musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk evaluation based on the IMU sensor data gathered from patient-lifting movement performed by healthcare specialists. This is a continuation of previous research focusing on a novel multicriteria statistical model integrating experimental and large-scale statistical datasets. The proposed model estimates MSD probabilities over 5, 10, and 15 years for the neck (0.537 ± 0.156), shoulder (0.449 ± 0.084), and elbows (0.277 ± 0.221). The model enables individual risk profiling, influenced by dynamic parameters that can reduce the long-term risk by up to 70.49%. The model is in its early development stages, i.e., it is the proof of concept that offers a new approach to assessing MSD risk at work using motion tracking data in combination with statistics. Further studies with larger sample sizes and validated criterion weights are needed to refine and validate this approach.
A Fuzzy Control Strategy for Multi-Goal Autonomous Robot Navigation
Authors: Stavrinidis Stavros , Zacharia Paraskevi , Xidias Elias
Published: January 2025

This paper addresses the complex problem of multi-goal robot navigation, framed as an NP-hard traveling salesman problem (TSP), in environments with both static and dynamic obstacles. The proposed approach integrates a novel path planning algorithm based on the Bump-Surface concept to optimize the shortest collision-free path among static obstacles, while a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is employed to determine the optimal sequence of goal points. To manage static or dynamic obstacles, two fuzzy controllers are developed: one for real-time path tracking and another for dynamic obstacle avoidance. This dual-controller system enables the robot to adaptively adjust its trajectory while ensuring collision-free navigation in unpredictable environments. The integration of fuzzy logic with TSP-based path planning and real-time dynamic obstacle handling represents a significant advancement in autonomous robot navigation. Simulations conducted in CoppeliaSim validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, demonstrating robust navigation and obstacle avoidance in realistic environments. This work provides a comprehensive framework for solving multi-goal navigation tasks by incorporating TSP optimization with dynamic, real-time path adjustments.
Sleep Posture Detection via Embedded Machine Learning on a Reduced Set of Pressure Sensors
Authors: Peruzzi Giacomo , Galli Alessandra , Giorgi Giada , Pozzebon Alessandro
Published: January 2025

Sleep posture is a key factor in assessing sleep quality, especially for individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where the sleeping position directly affects breathing patterns: the side position alleviates symptoms, while the supine position exacerbates them. Accurate detection of sleep posture is essential in assessing and improving sleep quality. Automatic sleep posture detection systems, both wearable and non-wearable, have been developed to assess sleep quality. However, wearable solutions can be intrusive and affect sleep, while non-wearable systems, such as camera-based approaches and pressure sensor arrays, often face challenges related to privacy, cost, and computational complexity. The system in this paper proposes a microcontroller-based approach exploiting the execution of an embedded machine learning (ML) model for posture classification. By locally processing data from a minimal set of pressure sensors, the system avoids the need to transmit raw data to remote units, making it lightweight and suitable for real-time applications. Our results demonstrate that this approach maintains high classification accuracy (i.e., 0.90 and 0.96 for the configurations with 6 and 15 sensors, respectively) while reducing both hardware and computational requirements.
Building Academic Integrity: Evaluating the Effectiveness of a New Framework to Address and Prevent Contract Cheating
Authors: Guruge Deepani B. , Kadel Rajan , Shailendra Samar , Sharma Aakanksha
Published: January 2025

Academic integrity is a cornerstone of education systems, yet the rise of contract cheating poses significant challenges for higher education institutions. Current approaches to managing contract cheating often lack the comprehensive structure needed to address the complexities of modern cheating methods. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed Three-Tier Framework (TTF), designed in our previous study to combat contract cheating. The proposed framework comprises three tiers: awareness, monitoring, and evaluation. It engages stakeholders within the system and encourages a proactive and collaborative stance against contract cheating while reinforcing a culture of academic honesty. The evaluation focuses on three key aspects: the clarity of the framework’s functions and objectives, the potential challenges in implementing the proposed monitoring process, and the perceived limitations in detecting and mitigating contract cheating through this framework. Supervised and unsupervised assignments are considered, excluding the option of e-proctoring, as some students encountered difficulties setting up necessary tools and software for online exams. Survey results reveal a broad consensus among respondents, who expressed strong confidence in the clarity and effectiveness of the framework and its monitoring procedures. These positive perceptions were consistent across respondents, regardless of their prior experience or familiarity with contract cheating. Although the overall feedback was positive, concerns were raised regarding implementing the framework in current educational settings. Specific challenges cited include tight timelines and the increased workload associated with the new procedures, emphasising a need for additional guidance, training, and institutional support to ensure effective adoption. The proposed framework incorporates an instructor dashboard designed to streamline academic workflow and simplify the monitoring process introduced in this framework. The survey results confirm that the framework can be adopted to address the unique needs of academics and diverse educational environments; however further research is needed to explore its applicability across the broader higher education community.
Comparison of Perceived Achievement of Complex Thinking Competency Among American, European, and Asian University Students
Authors: Vázquez-Parra José Carlos , Lis-Gutiérrez Jenny Paola , Henao-Rodriguez Linda Carolina , George-Reyes Carlos Enrique , Tramon-Pregnan Claudia Lorena , Del Río-Urenda Susana , B. Chio Ma Esther , Tariq Rasikh
Published: January 2025

Despite the growing focus of educational institutions on students’ practical abilities beyond theoretical knowledge, the perception that students have of their competencies is crucial for their effective application in professional contexts. Accordingly, this paper reports a study of 435 university students attending ten universities in eight countries in the Americas (Chile, Colombia, Mexico), Asia (Pakistan and the Philippines), and Europe (Spain, Finland, and Serbia). The goal was to measure their perceptions of their achievement of complex thinking competency and its sub-competencies. The intention was to identify how cultural, educational, and socioeconomic differences among countries account for the variances in the students’ self-assessment of competencies, impacting their professional preparedness. The study focused on the competency of complex thinking, considering its critical importance in solving current environmental problems. The analysis employed the non-parametric Brown–Forsythe statistical test and Bonferroni correction, given the non-normality and heteroscedasticity of the data. It was found that (i) there is no statistically significant difference by gender; (ii) there are statistically significant differences in all types of thinking per country, geographical area (continent), and Human Development Index (HDI).
Evaluation of Sanitary and Environmental Impact of Plant Protection Practices in Vineyards of Southwestern France: Organic and Conventional/Integrated Agriculture
Authors: Grimene Chaima , Mghirbi Oussama , Le Grusse Philippe , Bord Jean-Paul
Published: January 2025

The French wine industry is spread across the country and represents 789,000 ha (2023). Over 20% of the plant protection products (PPPs) sold in France are used in viticulture on less than 4% of the French UAA (Utilized Agricultural Area). The share of wine estates with organic farming certification has risen sharply, reaching 9% of French vineyards in 2016. The position occupied by the wine sector on both the national and international scale confirms the need to examine the impacts of different management practices in viticulture on human health and the environment. This study presents an approach to the assessment of plant protection practices in vineyards based on indicators of plant protection pressure and risk. It was carried out on wine-growing farms in the southwest of France, surveyed according to the two farming systems: conventional/integrated and organic. The main objective of this study was to compare the health and environmental impact of the PPPs used in these two farming systems. The impact assessment result of wine-growing plant protection practices shows that some pesticides and molecules used in organic farming, especially those based on copper and sulfur, are more harmful than products used in conventional/integrated farming, in particular to the environment. For this reason, all stakeholders involved in pesticide management should recognize the health and environmental impact of PPPs in order to reduce and to control their toxicity risks to public health and the natural environment.
The Impact of Tourism on the Resilience of the Turkish Economy: An Asymmetric Approach
Authors: Sekreter Mehmet Serhan , Mert Mehmet , Cetin Mustafa Koray
Published: January 2025

The impact of tourism on economic growth is a subject of interest to researchers as well as policy makers. Numerous studies have explored this relationship, often arriving at varying conclusions depending on the methods employed. Most of these studies, however, assume a symmetric relationship between tourism and economic growth. In this study, the Hatemi-J asymmetric causality test was used to test for short-run asymmetric causality between tourism receipts and economic growth in Turkey for the period 1990–2023, and unidirectional causality was found between the increase in tourism incomes and economic growth and between the decrease in tourism incomes and economic contraction. Additionally, the hidden co-integration test was applied to examine the asymmetric relationships between them in the long run, and the results reveal that an increase in tourism revenues provides resilience to the economy by mitigating contraction during economic downturns. This study contributes to the field by addressing the interaction of tourism and the economy in Turkey from an asymmetric perspective and by revealing previously unobserved relationships. The results provide partial support for the tourism-led growth hypothesis. In the long term, it is recommended that policymakers design tourism strategies aimed at enhancing resilience to economic shocks, thereby also strengthening the national economy. Diversified markets and products, well-structured incentives, and sustainable tourism practices are key elements in achieving this goal.
The Formation of New Quality Productivity of Agriculture Under the Perspectives of Digitalization and Innovation: A Dynamic Qualitative Comparative Analysis Based on the “Technology-Organization-Environment” Framework
Authors: Luo Wei , Zuo Shanxiang , Tang Shengfa , Li Changgui
Published: January 2025

The formation and development of new quality productivity of agriculture can effectively promote agricultural sustainability and modernization. In order to explore the multiple paths of the formation of new quality productivity of agriculture, using the panel data of 30 provincial levels in China from 2012 to 2021, based on the “technology-organization-environment” framework and dynamic QCA method, this paper explores how seven factors such as agricultural technology innovation, digital infrastructure, innovation policy support, the formation of e-commerce industry, marketization level, green finance, and rural culture modernization interact to promote the formation of new quality productivity of agriculture. The findings reveal that none of the above seven factors can promote the formation of new quality productivity of agriculture, and agricultural technological innovation and digital infrastructure are becoming more and more important to the formation of new quality productivity of agriculture over time. The high new quality productivity of agriculture formation models can be categorized into four types: TOE empowers new business model development-driven, government–market–culture triple-driven, market-oriented efficient transformation of technological achievements-driven, and deep integration of agricultural technological innovation and emerging agricultural business models-driven. The configurational results exhibit significant regional effects, with diverse pathways for the formation of new quality productivity of agriculture across different provinces.
Balancing Tourism Development and Sustainability: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach in Tofino over 15 Years
Authors: Dodds Rachel
Published: January 2025

The narrow conceptualization of capitalism is increasingly challenged as destinations recognize the need to integrate equity and resilience into tourism development. Increasingly, destinations have been using tourism to move away from extractive industries and there is no shortage of literature outlining the need for a more inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of tourism development considerations. Whether destinations are actually moving towards the more sustainable development of tourism is not always evident and rarely are studies of destinations undertaken over time. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine qualitative research spanning 15 years using a multi-stakeholder approach to understand impacts, issues, and solutions relating to tourism development in Tofino, Canada. Tofino has achieved notable advancements in financial, natural, and social capital but continues to face gaps in addressing other dimensions of the Community Capitals Framework (CCF). Insights from this research to focus on social, human, and built capital earlier on in tourism planning and development may help other destinations who partially or fully depend on tourism for their livelihood. This paper addresses real-world tourism development challenges and encompasses multiple stakeholder views on sustainable development, socio-political responsibilities, governance, leadership, destination management, policies, and other practices.
Innovation in Agricultural Water Pricing Systems in China Based on Irrigation Benefits
Authors: Feng Xin , Liu Zixuan , Li Kui , Jiang Wenlai , Liu Yang
Published: January 2025

The comprehensive reform of agricultural water prices is an important component of China’s agricultural water conservation strategy and is highly important for ensuring national water security and sustainable agricultural development. Given the difficulty in raising water prices due to the limited carrying capacity of farmers in the reform, there is a pressing need to consider the implementation of agricultural water price sharing as a potentially viable strategy. Based on the grain production data from 2000 to 2018, the proportion of agricultural water prices borne by farmers and governments in different regions were calculated via the C-D production function method and the “Mitchell scoring + Expert scoring” method in the study. The results revealed that the average sharing coefficient of irrigation benefits for grain crops in China is 0.245. The sharing proportion of agricultural water prices for farmers in seven major geographical regions are ranked as follows: Northwest China (0.467) > Central China (0.427) > Southwest China (0.389) > Northeast China (0.358) > North China (0.319) > East China (0.312) > South China (0.163), while the sharing proportion of the government is 0.533, 0.573, 0.611 0.642, 0.681, 0.688, and 0.837. We proposed a systematic approach that directly ties cost distribution to the benefits received, and determined the proportion of agricultural water prices shared by farmers and governments, which is in line with the farmers’ economic interests and psychological demands. Furthermore, suggestions were proposed regarding the implementation of a rational agricultural water price-sharing policy.
Study of Arsenic Contamination in the Caplina Basin, Tacna, Peru: Arsenite and Arsenate Analysis Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Mori Sosa Luis Johnson Paúl , Morales Cabrera Dante Ulises , Florez Ponce De León Walter Dimas , Hinojosa Ramos Edwin Antonio , Torres Ventura Amparo Yashira
Published: January 2025

This study examines arsenic contamination in the Caplina Basin, Tacna, Peru, focusing on arsenic speciation and associated risks in surface waters. Arsenic concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total arsenic levels ranged from 0.0304 mg/L to 0.0730 mg/L across all monitoring points, exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 10 µg/L (0.01 mg/L) for drinking water. Arsenite (As(III)), the most toxic and mobile species, reached levels up to 0.0154 mg/L, posing a significant concern at Point 7, characterized by acidic pH (3.82) and high conductivity (1456 µS/cm). Arsenate (As(V)), less toxic but predominant under alkaline conditions, peaked at 0.0260 mg/L at Point 6 (pH 8.42). Organic species such as dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsenic acid (MMA) were also detected, indicating active methylation processes and anthropogenic influences. The risk assessment revealed carcinogenic risk values ranging from 2.56 × 10⁻⁵ to 6.28 × 10⁻⁵, below the USEPA threshold (1 × 10⁻⁴), but significant for prolonged exposure. Non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) values ranged from 0.09 to 0.21. These findings highlight severe public health implications and emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive strategies, including continuous monitoring, targeted treatment technologies, and community education, in order to guarantee water quality in vulnerable areas.
Animal Models for Human-Pathogenic Coronavirus and Animal Coronavirus Research
Authors: Xiao Fenglian , Hu Jincheng , Xu Minsheng , Wang Di , Shen Xiaoyan , Zhang Hua , Miao Jie , Cai Haodong , Wang Jihui , Liu Yaqing , Xiao Shan , Zhu Longchao
Published: January 2025

Coronavirus epidemics have posed a serious threat to both human and animal health. To combat emerging infectious diseases caused by coronaviruses, various animal infection models have been developed and applied in research, including non-human primate models, ferret models, hamster models, mouse models, and others. Moreover, new approaches have been utilized to develop animal models that are more susceptible to infection. These approaches include using viral delivery methods to induce the expression of viral receptors in mouse tissues and employing gene-editing techniques to create genetically modified mice. This has led to the successful establishment of infection models for multiple coronaviruses, significantly advancing related research. In contrast, livestock and pets that can be infected by animal coronaviruses provide valuable insights when used as infection models, enabling the collection of accurate clinical data through the analysis of post-infection pathological features. However, despite the potential insights, there is a paucity of research data pertaining to these infection models. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of recent progress in the development of animal models for coronaviruses that cause diseases in both humans and animals and suggest ways in which animal models can be adapted to further enhance their value in research.
Optimizing Tongue Fluid Sampling and Testing Protocols for Enhanced PRRSV Isolation from Perinatal Swine Mortalities
Authors: Osemeke Onyekachukwu Henry , Machado Isadora , De Conti Elisa , Musskopf Mariah , Mil-Homens Mafalda Pedro , Stutzman Samuel , Guo Baoqing , Petznick Thomas , Silva Gustavo De-Sousa-E , Gauger Phillip , Zhang Jianqiang , Linhares Daniel C. L.
Published: January 2025

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) remains a major concern for swine health. Isolating PRRSV is essential for identifying infectious viruses and for vaccine formulation. This study evaluated the potential of using tongue fluid (TF) from perinatal piglet mortalities for PRRSV isolation. Four collection protocols were tested: extracting TF from fresh tissues using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS group), extracting TF from fresh tissues using virus transportation medium (VTM group), extracting TF from freeze-thawed tissue (freeze-thaw group), and using tissue homogenates (homogenate group). Two cell lines (ZMAC and MARC-145) and primary alveolar macrophages (PAM) were evaluated for their effect on successful PRRSV isolation. An eligible PRRSV-positive unstable breeding herd in Midwestern USA was chosen for the study. Tongues were collected in 20 batches (~30 mortalities per batch). Within each batch, each tongue tissue was cut into four quarters, with each quarter randomly assigned to one of the four collection protocols and RT-qPCR tested. Virus isolation (VI) was attempted on 10 batches. The mean RT-qPCR cycle threshold (Ct) values for the PBS, VTM, freeze-thaw, and homogenate groups were 21.9, 21.8, 22.6, and 24.8, respectively. The VI success rate was 22.6%, 12.1%, 2.8%, and 2.8% in the PBS, VTM, freeze-thaw, and homogenate groups, respectively. The probability of successful VI was 3.1% and 21.0% in the MARC-145 and ZMAC cell lines, respectively, and 4.8% in the PAM cells. TF from perinatal mortalities is an option for PRRS VI, aiding in PRRSV monitoring and control programs.
Comparative Analysis of Hemagglutination Inhibition and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Tests for Japanese Encephalitis Virus Antibody Detection
Authors: Li Cui , Wan Jianqing , Wang Deli , Xiao Lu , Li Xuni , Zhang Cunshuai , Wang Zhao
Published: January 2025

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), belonging to the Flaviviridae family. Diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis (JE) based on clinical signs alone is challenging due to the high proportion of subclinical cases. The Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) is considered the gold standard for detecting JE-specific antibodies because of its high specificity. However, PRNT is complex, time-consuming, and requires live viruses, limiting its applicability in routine diagnostics. In this study, we compared the sensitivity and correlation of the Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) assay and PRNT for detecting JE antibodies in avian serum samples. We conducted a comparative analysis of the outcomes obtained from the PRNT and HI using 240 serum samples collected from 30 JEV-immunized avian subjects at various time points. Comparative analysis revealed a significant correlation between the HI and PRNT (R2 = 0.9321, p ≤ 0.0001). The Bland–Altman analysis also exhibited favorable concordance between the two assays. Consequently, HI may function as a viable substitute for PRNT in the screening of a substantial number of serum samples.
Clinical Performance of MAGLUMI Diagnostic Tests for the Automated Detection of Dengue Virus
Authors: Peng Bo , Fang Zhonggang , Li Cong , Liu Kun , Wang Ting , Huang Ke , Yang Fan , Huang Yalan , Wu Chunli , Li Yue , Huang Dana , Zhang Qian , Tang Yijun , Liu Xiaolian , Rao Wei , Shi Xiaolu
Published: January 2025

Aims: The screening and diagnosis of dengue virus infection play a crucial role in controlling the epidemic of dengue fever, highlighting the urgent need for a highly sensitive, simple, and rapid laboratory testing method. This study aims to assess the clinical performance of MAGLUMI Denv NS1 in detecting dengue virus NS1 antigen. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the sensitivity and specificity of MAGLUMI Denv NS1 using residual samples. Dengue-confirmed and excluded samples, validated by qPCR, were subjected to testing with MAGLUMI Denv NS1 in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The linear range, endogenous interference, and cross-reactivity of MAGLUMI Denv NS1 were verified, and a consistency analysis with commercial comparator products was carried out. Results: The diagnostic specificity of MAGLUMI Denv NS1 is 98.41% (62/63), and the sensitivity is 98.32% (117/119). It effectively detects various serotypes of dengue virus, with no observed endogenous interference or cross-reactivity. Additionally, the consistency of NS1, IgM, and IgG tests on the MAGLUMI platform compared to commercial comparator reagents reaches 85.71%, 99.25%, and 98.97%, respectively. Conclusions: The MAGLUMI Denv NS1 represents a highly sensitive laboratory testing method capable of enhancing the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of dengue virus infection detection.