Search Results (6,807)

Private investment is critical for post-conflict economic recovery, yet evidence on how specific fiscal policy instruments, such as taxation, borrowing composition, and expenditure types, affect domestic and foreign investment in a post-conflict set-up remains limited. This study examines whether disaggregated fiscal policies are associated with crowding in or out private investment in Rwanda, a post-conflict economy characterized by constrained fiscal space, shallow credit markets, and evolving institutions. Using a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), on quarterly data spanning 1996 Q1–2024 Q4, the analysis captures long- and short-run dynamics between disaggregated fiscal variables, institutional quality, and private investment. The results indicate that direct taxes and domestically financed debt are negatively associated with both domestic and foreign private investment. Externally financed capital spending, on the other hand, is associated with a crowding-in effect, stimulating both local and foreign investment. Lagged measures of institutional quality also enhance investment outcomes, highlighting the conditional role of government in shaping fiscal transmission. These findings demonstrate that fiscal effects are instrument-specific, depending on funding sources and composition, and mediated by institutional and macroeconomic conditions. By integrating disaggregated fiscal analysis with institutional context, this study provides empirically grounded insights for designing fiscal strategies that support private sector-led recovery and sustainable growth in post-conflict and resource-constrained economies. Full article

Background/Objectives: A recent Delphi survey of endocrinologists revealed low consensus regarding the diagnosis of pediatric growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Thus, we sought to describe the various trajectories undertaken by healthy 8–14-year-old youth in the 2 years following testing for GHD at a single major pediatric academic institution. Methods: Electronic health records were reviewed for the current analysis from healthy 8–14-year-old participants enrolled in a prospective longitudinal observational study of parent and youth characteristics associated with youth quality of life and self-esteem over a two-year period following growth hormone (GH) stimulation testing. Participants were grouped according to their peak GH concentration on testing (<7, 7–10, and ≥10 ng/mL), and outcomes included treatment (or not) with GH or other growth-altering hormonal treatments. Results: Of the 115 participants, 27 (23%) had peak GH < 7 ng/mL, 27 (23%) 7–10 ng/mL, and 61 (53%) peaked ≥ 10 ng/mL. Across the three groups, some patients were not offered GH treatment, some were offered yet did not pursue treatment, and some were offered and treated—with further variance provided by GH treatment interruptions, early cessation vs. continued GH treatment, delayed GH treatment start, and treatment with other agents (testosterone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, or aromatase inhibitor) either in lieu of or in addition to GH. Conclusions: Even within the network of a single academic institution, variability is evident in the management of healthy 8–14-year-old short youth following GH stimulation testing. Full article

The growth of vegetable plants is dependent on numerous environmental factors, including the presence of rhizosphere bacteria that produce phytohormones and support mineral uptake. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of symbiotic bacteria belonging to the Rhizobium leguminosarum species and other PGPR bacteria: Bacillus cereus, Chryseobacterium lathyri, and Lysinibacillus fusiformis, on seed germination and plant growth of a few crop species (i.e., white cabbage, broccoli, red pepper, and sugar beet). Three inoculation variants were tested: a mixture of R. leguminosarum strains (R), a mixture of other PGPR bacteria (B), and a combination of both of them (R + B). Biometric parameters such as seed germination, seedling growth, and the length and weight of upper parts and roots were determined. Our results showed diverse responses of the studied crop species to the bacterial mixtures used. In the case of variants R and R + B, the strongest effect of inoculation on seed germination and plant growth was observed. The obtained results indicated the agricultural potential of the analyzed bacterial consortia as biological support for the production of vegetable crops. They also emphasize the need for further research on their effectiveness in various environmental conditions. Full article

After EU accession, Croatia has leveraged the advantages of EU membership, such as access to a large market and EU funds, to accelerate economic growth and reduce the development gap in comparison to advanced EU economies. Although EU membership has stimulated economic growth, it has also brought negative effects, such as labor emigration to more developed EU economies with higher wages and increased inflation due to price convergence and the adoption of the Euro. The weak growth of labor productivity in Croatia is a consequence of the slow transformation towards technology-intensive industries, the dominance of traditional labor-intensive sectors such as construction and hospitality, and the rapid growth of employment in the public sector. The novelty of the research lies in applying an input–output model to estimate direct and indirect labor requirements in Croatia, an example of a small, service-oriented economy that, after joining the EU, witnessed a significant increase in final demand. Research is based on the Eurostat FIGARO database. The increase in gross value added across industries during 2015–2024 is separated into price and real growth effects. Analysis indicates that the current Croatian growth model is unsustainable because of high labor requirements and slow productivity growth. Results imply that European Union membership brings many advantages, but if not coupled with an adequate industrial development strategy, economic growth based exclusively on increasing final demand could reach its limits. Labor constraints and continued demand growth without substantial structural changes could result in rising wages and prices rather than real GDP growth. Full article

Nanoparticles of the aminopolysaccharide chitosan (ChNPs) are effective delivery platforms for biologically active substances for agrobiotechnological applications and hold great promise for solving precision problems in sustainable and efficient agriculture. This review presents an analysis of research publications during the past 20 years examining methods for producing ChNPs through ionotropic gelation using sodium tripolyphosphate for cross-linking macrochains, which are of practical interest for agriculture. Key aspects of the nanostructure formation process are analyzed, including the influence of the physicochemical characteristics of the aminopolysaccharide, the concentration and ratio of reagents, and ionic cross-linking conditions on the average size, size distribution (polydispersity), and zeta potential of nanoparticles. Particular attention is paid to several approaches proposed in the literature for determining optimal gelation conditions to obtain ChNPs with pre-specified size characteristics. Potential applications of nanostructured preparations based on these nanoparticles for agrobiochemical purposes are considered, including the encapsulation of antifungal, antiviral and antimicrobial agents, pesticides, NPK fertilizers, metal ions, plant extracts, essential oils, etc., to develop biodegradable stimulants for seed germination and plant growth, increased crop yields, and improved agricultural product quality. It is concluded that blocking the protonated amino groups of chitosan with tripolyphosphate anions is undesirable due to the reduced biological activity of the macromolecules and the nanostructured preparations obtained therefrom. An alternative approach for producing ChNPs with high biological activity with neither use of cross-linking agents nor encapsulation of agrochemicals is described. Full article

Modern agriculture faces increasing pressure from rising food demand, resource degradation, and biotic stress factors, highlighting the need for sustainable, non-chemical technologies. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising non-chemical seed-priming technology with potential applications in sustainable agriculture. The present study investigated the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-generated CAP on seed germination and early seedling development in two Solanum lycopersicum genotypes (a common variety and an IdB hybrid) under controlled laboratory conditions. Seeds were exposed to CAP for 1, 2, 3, or 4 min, while untreated seeds served as controls. Early plant performance was evaluated after 47 days by determining germination rate, fresh biomass, dry biomass, and mineral biomass (ash content). CAP exposure duration significantly affected all gravimetric parameters in both genotypes. Among the tested treatments, 1 min exposure consistently produced the highest fresh, dry, and mineral biomass values, whereas longer exposure times (3–4 min) generally reduced seedling growth, indicating the transition from beneficial physiological stimulation to stress-induced inhibition. Despite the more pronounced response observed in the IdB hybrid, the statistical analysis demonstrated that treatment duration, rather than genotype, was the principal factor influencing biomass accumulation. The present results indicate that short-duration CAP treatment represents an effective seed-priming strategy for improving early tomato seedling development. Full article

Chronic infected wounds are often characterized by persistent bacterial colonization, biofilm formation, excessive oxidative stress, and prolonged inflammation, which severely impair tissue regeneration. To address these challenges, a multifunctional wound dressing capable of antibacterial activity and microenvironment modulation was developed. In this study, amide-modified hyaluronic acid (HA-ADH) was used as the matrix, and a dynamic coordination network was constructed via Cu²⁺-hydrazide interactions to form an in situ HA-Cu hydrogel. Curcumin-loaded DSPE-PEG2000 micelles were further incorporated to obtain a pH-responsive composite hydrogel (HA-Cu/Cur). The prepared hydrogel exhibited a porous interconnected structure, along with favorable injectability, self-healing capability, tissue adhesiveness, moderate swelling, controllable degradability, and pH-responsive behavior under acidic conditions. In vitro antibacterial assays demonstrated that both HA-Cu and HA-Cu/Cur effectively inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial activity was associated with disruption of bacterial morphology, depletion of intracellular ATP, and induction of reactive oxygen species, while HA-Cu/Cur showed enhanced performance in antibiofilm activity and oxidative stress-related effects compared with HA-Cu. Cytocompatibility studies revealed that the hydrogel extracts exhibited negligible cytotoxicity toward L929 fibroblasts and RAW 264.7 macrophages, while promoting fibroblast migration and significantly reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, with HA-Cu/Cur showing a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. In summary, the HA-Cu/Cur hydrogel integrates the antibacterial and pro-healing properties of Cu²⁺ with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of curcumin. The hydrogel effectively inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of both E. coli and S. aureus, reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and promoted fibroblast migration, demonstrating its potential as a multifunctional wound dressing for the management of infected wounds. Full article

The development of functional yogurt products enriched with plant-derived ingredients and biologically active compounds represents a promising strategy to improve the nutritional, probiotic, and antioxidant properties of fermented dairy foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate how plant-derived ingredients (whole-meal flour from sprouted wheat grain and a protein-rich functional ingredient derived from hemp press cake), used individually or in combination with curcumin- or ergosterol-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass, influence the physicochemical, structural-mechanical, probiotic, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of yogurt products. Two forms of yeast biomass were used as enrichment agents: one containing encapsulated curcumin and the other with a high ergosterol content. Milk mixtures were supplemented with yeast biomass containing 34.0 mg/g encapsulated curcumin or 10.55 mg/g ergosterol. Additionally, whole-meal flour from sprouted wheat grain or the hemp-derived protein ingredient was incorporated into the yogurt products at concentrations of 2–3%. These ingredients were tested both individually and in combination to identify optimal formulations that would confer novel properties to the final products. Based on the conducted studies, it was found that the addition of enriched yeast biomass and the protein ingredient resulted in a denser and more uniform structure in the yogurt products compared to those of the control. The titratable acidity of the experimental formulations ranged from 80.2 to 91.8 °T, while pH values ranged from 3.79 to 4.04. Compared with the control sample, these changes indicate enhanced lactic acid fermentation activity. The number of probiotic microorganisms in the experimental samples reached 1.6 × 10⁷–6.4 × 10⁷ MPN/g, exceeding those of the control by an order of magnitude. The type of plant ingredient used significantly determined the technological properties of the finished product. Compared with the control sample, yogurt products supplemented with the hemp press cake-derived protein ingredient exhibited higher protein content (33–34% on a dry matter basis), increased viscosity (2.5–2.6 Pa·s), and reduced syneresis (values of 16.1 mL). The whole-meal flour from sprouted wheat grain exhibited a more pronounced stimulating effect on the growth of probiotic microflora. Enrichment of yogurt products with yeast biomass also increased antioxidant activity: the AOA (DPPH) value increased to 69–84% compared to ~62% in the control. Biotesting using Paramecium caudatum, a sensitive protozoan model widely used for rapid assessment of biological compatibility, toxicity, and the relative biological value of food systems, demonstrated a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in protozoan growth to 104–106% compared with the control sample, suggesting the absence of toxic effects and the potential bioavailability of yogurt matrix components. This data confirm the potential of using enriched yeast biomass in combination with plant ingredients for creating probiotic yogurt products with improved structural and functional properties. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary vitamin E (DL-α-tocopherol acetate) supplementation on growth performance, biochemical indices, antioxidant capacity, and ovarian development in female Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) broodstock. A total of 180 healthy second-generation individuals (initial weight: 72.63 ± 3.64 kg) were randomly distributed into three groups and fed isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets supplemented with 0 (V0), 1 (V1), or 2 (V2) g/kg vitamin E for 14 months. At the end of the trial, fish in the V2 group exhibited significantly higher final body weight, total length, and girth, demonstrating superior growth performance compared to the V0 and V1 groups (p < 0.05). Plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly enhanced in the V2 group, as indicated by elevated activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity, alongside reduced levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). Biochemical analysis revealed that vitamin E supplementation significantly decreased plasma glucose, urea nitrogen, and alkaline phosphatase levels (p < 0.05), with the V2 group showing a notable increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). Ultrasonographic examination demonstrated that ovarian thickness in both transverse and longitudinal sections was significantly increased in the V2 group (p < 0.05). This morphological improvement was corroborated by significantly higher plasma levels of estradiol and vitellogenin in the supplemented groups, particularly in the V2 group. In conclusion, the current study revealed that dietary 2 g/kg vitamin E supplementation not only promoted growth performance and enhanced antioxidant capacity but also effectively stimulated ovarian development by modulating key reproductive hormones in female Chinese sturgeon broodstock. Full article

The hallmark feature of empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is failure to retrieve oocytes from apparently mature follicles despite adequate ovarian stimulation and appropriate ovulation triggering. Although considered uncommon, with a reported prevalence ranging from 0.2% to 7%, EFS may have a profound clinical and psychological impact and can recur in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. Modern classification systems divide EFS into genuine and false forms. Genuine EFS is potentially associated with intrinsic abnormalities involving luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) signaling, oocyte competence, and cumulus–oocyte interaction, whereas false EFS is primarily attributed to pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic factors resulting in inadequate trigger exposure. Borderline EFS represents a third phenotype characterized by incomplete or partial impairment of final oocyte maturation. This review examines the pharmacodynamics of ovulation-triggering agents, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist protocols, and dual-trigger strategies, and their roles in regulating final oocyte maturation. The molecular aspects of periovulatory signal transduction and the mechanisms of LHCGR activation, epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like pathways, and meiotic resumption in relation to EFS etiopathogenesis will be described. The impact of patient-dependent conditions like obesity, poor ovarian reserve, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and pituitary response on trigger response will be assessed. New approaches like post-trigger monitoring of hormones and rescue treatment with gonadotropins represent a valuable method for avoiding cycle cancellation in patients at risk. Overall, EFS is increasingly regarded not as a single disorder but as a heterogeneous spectrum of periovulatory dysfunction arising from pharmacological, endocrine, and intrinsic ovarian factors that impair completion of final oocyte maturation. Full article

Sonoplasma treatment (SPT), which combines hydrodynamic cavitation with low-temperature plasma discharge in water, has been proposed as an advanced oxidation process for reducing biological contamination. By generating physical stressors and reactive oxygen species, including hydrogen peroxide (HP), SPT may inactivate microorganisms, but its effects on stress-resistant filamentous fungi remain insufficiently characterized. We examined two phytopathogenic fungi with contrasting pigmentation: melanized Alternaria alternata and hyaline Fusarium solani. Spore suspensions were exposed to direct and indirect SPT at 30 kHz, and viability, biomass accumulation, conidial production, allelopathic activity, and pigmentation-associated spectral responses were assessed immediately after treatment and after storage. Fungus F. solani showed greater susceptibility, with reduced colony-forming capacity and suppressed biomass production, although surviving propagules showed increased sporulation. In contrast, A. alternata maintained viable growth under the tested conditions and showed stimulation of growth-related and reproductive endpoints, together with darker colony pigmentation. These responses are consistent with pigmentation-associated tolerance to SPT-induced physical and oxidative stress, but do not establish melanin as the sole causal mechanism. SPT efficacy against filamentous fungi is therefore species-dependent and may be limited when resistant melanized taxa are present. Full article

Vertical cross-layer propagation of hydraulic fractures is critical for the efficient stimulation of interbedded sandstone reservoirs in the Lianggaoshan Formation. To investigate the vertical fracture propagation mechanisms and controlling factors in this complex lithological setting, a three-dimensional (3D) numerical model was established using the continuum–discontinuum element method (CDEM) based on the typical “mudstone–sandstone–mudstone” geological structure of the Lianggaoshan Formation. The effects of geological parameters, including interlayer stress contrast, vertical stress contrast, elastic modulus ratio, and reservoir thickness, as well as engineering parameters, including fluid viscosity and injection rate, were systematically evaluated. The results show that interlayer stress contrast is the primary factor restricting vertical fracture growth. As the interlayer stress contrast increases from 2 MPa to 8 MPa, the fracture morphology gradually changes from effective cross-layer propagation to complete containment within the sandstone layer, while the injection pressure at 300 s increases from 55.91 MPa to 58.90 MPa and the fracture width increases from 4.58 mm to 5.05 mm. In contrast, vertical stress contrast has a limited influence under the horizontal-stratification conditions investigated. Increasing fluid viscosity and injection rate can enhance intra-fracture net pressure and promote interface breakthrough. When the fluid viscosity increases from 5 mPa·s to 50 mPa·s, the breakdown pressure increases from 61.05 MPa to 69.59 MPa and the fracture width increases from 4.79 mm to 6.37 mm. When the injection rate increases from 0.6 m³/min to 3.6 m³/min, the breakdown pressure increases from 58.57 MPa to 63.35 MPa and the fracture width increases from 4.28 mm to 5.17 mm. Based on the Effective Vertical Propagation Index (EVI), three vertical propagation modes were identified: restricted vertical propagation, partially effective cross-layer propagation, and effective vertical propagation. Gray Relational Analysis (GRA) revealed the following sensitivity ranking: interlayer stress contrast > injection rate > fluid viscosity > elastic modulus ratio > reservoir thickness > vertical stress contrast. For reservoirs with a typical 4 MPa stress barrier, effective vertical breakthrough can be achieved when the fluid viscosity exceeds 25 mPa·s or the injection rate reaches 3.6 m³/min. These findings provide quantitative guidance for optimizing fracturing parameters in interbedded sandstone reservoirs. Full article

Clinopodium nepeta (L.) Kuntze is a medicinal and aromatic species of the Lamiaceae family, rich in phenolic compounds; however, studies regarding its in vitro culture, growth regulation properties and secondary metabolism remain limited. The present study investigated the effects of three adenine-type cytokinins: 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), meta-topolin (m-TOP), and BAP riboside (r-BAP), applied at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mg L⁻¹, on shoot proliferation, biomass accumulation, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity in C. nepeta shoot cultures. The phenolic constituents of hydromethanolic shoot extracts were subjected to qualitative profiling using UHPLC–DAD–ESI–MS, while antioxidant potential was evaluated using spectrophotometric assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP). All tested cytokinins stimulated shoot proliferation and biomass growth compared with the control; of these, m-TOP demonstrated the most pronounced positive effect, characterized by high multiplication rate and improved shoot morphology. UHPLC–DAD–ESI–MS analysis revealed the presence of numerous caffeic acid derivatives including rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acids, salvianolic acid derivatives, and flavonoid glycosides; their accumulation was strongly influenced by cytokinin type and concentration. Notably, rosmarinic acid, the dominant phenolic constituent in the treated shoots, reached 23.28 mg g⁻¹ DW under m-TOP treatment, i.e., an approximate 20-fold increase compared with the control. The extracts from shoots cultured on cytokinin-supplemented media exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity, which correlated with increased phenolic content. These relationships were confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA). Hence, C. nepeta shoot cultures represent an efficient in vitro system for biomass production and phenolic compound biosynthesis, and the selection of cytokinin type is a critical factor modulating both morphogenetic and metabolic responses. Full article

Reliance on mineral fertilization in papaya cultivation raises sustainability concerns and drives demand for validated organic alternatives. This study tested whether integrating humic substances (HS) and sugarcane filter cake (FC) would stimulate photosynthetic physiology, upregulate carbon metabolism gene expression, and increase fruit yield in ‘Golden’ papaya while outperforming conventional NPK fertilization. A 12-month field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of four HS doses (0, 90, 180, and 270 mL plant⁻¹) combined with two FC doses (0 and 60 kg plant⁻¹) plus an NPK control, measuring photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, relative expression of rbcL, ACC oxidase, invertase, relative growth rate, and fruit yield. Combined HS and FC increased chlorophyll a by up to 205%, chlorophyll b by 277%, and carotenoids by 208% relative to unamended controls. Gene expression was strongly induced: rbcL reached 202-fold, invertase 156-fold, and ACC oxidase 84.8-fold above control values. Photosynthetic rate followed a quadratic dose-response peaking near 90 mL plant⁻¹ HS. Fruit yield nearly doubled under the optimal combined treatment (115 t ha⁻¹) compared with unamended controls (62 t ha⁻¹) and NPK fertilization (66 t ha⁻¹). These results confirm that HS and FC act synergistically as dual-purpose amendments, improving soil fertility while biostimulating papaya physiology through coordinated upregulation of photosynthetic capacity and carbon partitioning toward reproductive sinks. Full article

Wild grasses such as Aegilops cylindrica are a promising source of epiphytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties and those that contribute to biocontrol. Two bacterial strains from the phyllosphere of A. cylindrica were isolated and identified as Bacillus mojavensis WP4 and Bacillus siamensis WS6. Both strains produced auxins (1.56–5.09 μg/mL) and siderophores and dissolved phosphates. They inhibited the growth of F. culmorum in vitro and increased the biomass of wheat seedlings by up to 2.9 times, although the effects were variety-specific (Tulaykovskaya 10 variety). Neither strain exhibited multiple drug resistance. B. mojavensis WP4 and B. siamensis WS6 are multifunctional strains that stimulate plant growth and exhibit biocontrol activity against F. culmorum during the germination stage. But visible protection of young plants (not seeds) was not observed; however, bacterial treatment restored photosystem II activity (Fv/Fm and Y(II)) in infected plants. Microscopic examination confirmed root colonization. Future research should focus, on the one hand, on conducting experiments in greenhouses and under field conditions, and on the other hand, on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between the bacterium (Bacillus sp. strain), the plant (wheat), and the phytopathogen (F. culmorum). Full article