Search Results (1,053)

Background/Objectives The leopard (Panthera pardus), an apex predator listed in CITES Appendix I and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is undergoing severe population declines driven by habitat loss, human–wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. Rapid and reliable species and individual identification is critical for conservation and forensic applications, particularly when analyzing highly processed or degraded seized wildlife products, where morphological identification is often impossible. We aimed to develop and validate a robust multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay combined with a short tandem repeat (STR) system for the species-specific detection and individual identification of P. pardus. Methods The qPCR assay (Ppar Qplex) was designed to target a mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cyt b) fragment for species confirmation, a nuclear marker (PLP) for general Feliformia detection and quantification, and an artificial internal positive control (IPC) to monitor PCR inhibition. The assay’s performance was validated for robustness, specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and reproducibility, utilizing DNA extracted from 30 P. pardus individuals (hair and feces) and tested against 18 related Feliformia species and two outgroups. Individual identification was achieved using a set of 18 STR loci and a sex determination system adapted from previously published Panthera panels. Results Validation demonstrated high specificity for the Ppar Qplex: mitochondrial amplification occurred exclusively in P. pardus samples. The nuclear marker consistently amplified across all 18 tested Feliformia species but not the outgroups. The assay showed high analytical sensitivity, successfully detecting DNA at concentrations as low as 1 pg/µL, with consistent results confirmed across different sample types, replicates, and independent users. Furthermore, the STR multiplex successfully generated 30 unique individual profiles using the 18 polymorphic loci and the sex determination system. Conclusions The combined qPCR assay and STR system provide a fast, sensitive, and highly specific molecular framework for rapid leopard detection, quantification, and individual identification from a wide range of sample types. These tools strengthen forensic capacity to combat wildlife crime and provide critical data to support evidence-based conservation management of P. pardus. P. pardus, an apex predator listed in CITES Appendix I and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is undergoing severe population declines driven by habitat loss, human–wildlife conflict, and illegal trade. Rapid and reliable identification of seized specimens is therefore critical for conservation and forensic applications, mainly when products are highly processed. We developed and validated a multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome b (Cyt b) for species-specific detection. The assay was tested on verified leopard individuals and validated across 18 Feliformia and two outgroup species (Homo sapiens, Canis lupus familiaris). Analytical performance was assessed through robustness, specificity, sensitivity, repeatability, and reproducibility. Mitochondrial amplification occurred exclusively in leopard samples, while nuclear markers amplified consistently across Feliformia but not in outgroup species. The assay’s limit of DNA detection is 1 pg/µL and produces consistent results across replicates, tested types of samples (hair, feces), and independent users, with internal controls confirming the absence of inhibition. In addition, we present the results of successful individual identification using the set of 18 STR loci and the sex determination system. The developed qPCR and STR systems provide a fast, sensitive, and specific solution for leopard detection and quantification, reinforcing forensic efforts against wildlife crime and supporting conservation of P. pardus. Full article

The western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) remains one of the most damaging pests of maize across Europe, including Romania. Reliable integrated pest management relies on monitoring systems capable of capturing adult flight activity under field conditions. This study presents a comparative field evaluation of three monitoring approaches: Virgiwit yellow sticky panels (YSP), pheromone-based CSALOMON^® KLP+ traps, and the automated iScout^® digital monitoring system. Monitoring was conducted at weekly intervals over an eight-week period (20 July–15 September 2025) in four maize fields in western Romania. Capture data were analyzed descriptively to assess relative trap performance and to explore associations with selected meteorological variables. KLP+ traps consistently recorded the highest numbers of adults, while YSP traps reproduced the main seasonal flight patterns. The iScout^® system captured fewer individuals but provided continuous temporal information on adult activity. Correlation analyses indicated generally weak and inconsistent relationships between trap captures and short-term weather variables, reflecting the limitations imposed by weekly manual sampling and site-specific variability. Overall, the results highlight the complementary strengths and limitations of manual and automated monitoring tools and support their exploratory use for characterizing seasonal flight activity and temporal population patterns of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera under field conditions. Further multi-year and device-specific validation is required before automated systems can be fully integrated into operational pest management frameworks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide. While existing screening tools are effective, their high cost and limited availability restrict widespread adoption, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The identification of affordable, non-invasive biomarkers is therefore critical to improve early CRC detection and survival outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed through PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar to identify studies reporting stool- and blood-based biomarkers for CRC detection. Data were extracted using a standardized template, including study details, specimen type, detection method, and diagnostic performance parameters such as sensitivity and specificity. Results: DNA methylation biomarkers demonstrated high diagnostic potential. Syndecan 2 (SDC2) and Short Stature Homeobox 2 (SHOX2) achieved a combined stool sensitivity of 91.35%. Other methylation markers, including NDRG4, SEPT9, and BCAT1, showed a composite sensitivity of 82.7%. Plasma-based methylation markers such as GATA5, FOXE1, and SYNE1 reported sensitivities ranging from 18–47% and specificities of 93–99%. Hypermethylation of SFRP2 and WIF-1 achieved 81.3% sensitivity in CRC and precursor lesions. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were elevated in CRC patients, with stool MMP-9 yielding 72.2% sensitivity and 95% specificity. A stool gene panel (UBE2N, IMPDH1, DYNC1LI1, HRASLS2) reached 96.6% sensitivity and 89.7% specificity, while a methylation-based panel (ALX4, BMP3, NPTX2, RARB, SDC2, SEPT9, VIM) achieved 90.7% sensitivity. MicroRNAs (miR-21, miR-92a, miR-223, miR-182) showed excellent diagnostic performance, with sensitivities exceeding 96% and specificities above 75%. Conclusions: DNA methylation and microRNA biomarkers hold strong promises for non-invasive CRC screening. Multi-marker panels demonstrate superior diagnostic accuracy and may provide a cost-effective, scalable approach for early CRC detection in resource-limited settings. Full article

While domestic green finance is widely recognized for its role in fostering green innovation and supporting climate change mitigation, the impact of international green finance (IGF) remains critical, particularly for developing economies where external finance inflows can catalyse transitions toward low-carbon development. This study investigates the long-run and short-run effects of IGF on green innovation and further examines the influence of green innovation on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions across a panel of 76 developing countries from 2000 to 2019. Using second-generation panel cointegration and the vector error correction mechanism, our findings reveal a nonlinear long-run relationship between IGF and total innovation, indicating that IGF must exceed a threshold before significantly boosting total innovation in developing economies. We also identify an inverted U-shaped relationship between IGF and green innovation, in which the positive effects of IGF diminish beyond a certain point. Crucially, IGF emerges as a significant driver of CO₂ emissions reduction in both the short- and long-run. While total innovation is associated with increased emissions over the long term, green innovation contributes to a substantial and sustained decrease in CO₂ emissions. These results emphasize the need to design targeted policies that prioritize green innovation and scale up IGF to support sustainable growth in developing countries. Full article

Exploring the spatio-temporal evolution patterns of rapeseed production at the county level in Sichuan Province, China, and analyzing the influence of natural conditions and socioeconomic development based on regional spatial characteristics, can help guide the rational distribution of crop production and provide a reference for the high-quality and sustainable development of the local rapeseed industry. Based on panel data from 2001 to 2023, this study employs GIS spatial analysis to examine the spatio-temporal evolution of rapeseed production in Sichuan and applies a Geodetector model to identify factors influencing its spatial and temporal variations. The results reveal that rapeseed production in Sichuan is concentrated in three main production areas: the northeastern Sichuan region, the middle Sichuan hilly region, and the Chengdu Plain. The dynamic evolution exhibits a composite pattern characterized by the stability and expansion of core areas, alongside breakthroughs and growth in peripheral regions, with increased production observed across 134 counties. The spatial center of rapeseed production shows short-range fluctuations and distinct regional anchoring, oscillating among Santai County, Shehong City, and Daying County, tracing a “Z”-shaped trajectory. Over the 23-year period, the global Moran’s I index ranged from 0.464 to 0.558, indicating a significant spatial clustering trend in rapeseed output among adjacent counties. Local spatial autocorrelation patterns were predominantly H-H, L-L, and L-H clusters. Factor detection identifies labor force availability, fertilizer application intensity, and effective irrigated area as the most influential factors. Interaction detection results consistently exhibit a two-factor enhancement effect. To enhance the rapeseed industry’s performance and efficiency, it is recommended to stabilize production capacity in the three core production areas, leverage central regions to strengthen radiation to the surrounding counties, optimize resource allocation based on clustering patterns, and focus on improving key factors such as labor and irrigation, as well as their synergistic effects. Full article

The article presents an evaluation of the behavior of joints in roof sandwich panels with a PIR foam core, under conditions of short-term exposure to high temperatures. The aim of the study was to analyze the temperature field distribution within the joint and to investigate how a slight unsealing of the joint by approximately 3 mm affects the thermal insulation. Experimental studies using thermography and numerical analysis made it possible to determine the impact of slight joint gaps on the temperature distribution on the surface of the panels. The temperature difference between the reference areas and the areas exposed to fire did not exceed 1 °C. Using the finite element method, numerical models of joints with a gap of up to 6.81 mm were created. The thermal transmittance values ranged from 0.187 to 0.196 W/(m²·K), and heat flux density at a 102 °C difference from 19.237 to 20 W/m². Even with slight panel separation, the joint still meets the requirements for insulation and fire resistance. Short-term exposure to 100 °C caused no damage, except from ~1 mm local PIR foam melting, which is harmless. Proper roof installation, in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines ensured the tightness and thermal resistance of the roof. Full article

Major depressive disorder (MDD) was long framed as a single clinical entity arising from a linear stress–monoamine–hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis cascade. This view was shaped by forced swim and learned helplessness tests in animals and by short-term symptom-based trials using scales such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). This “unitary cascade” view has been dismantled by advances in neuroimaging, immune–metabolic profiling, sleep phenotyping, and plasticity markers, which reveal divergent circuit-level, inflammatory, and chronobiological patterns across anxiety-linked, pain-burdened, and cognitively weighted depressive presentations, all characterized by high rates of non-response and relapse. Translationally, face-valid rodent assays that equated immobility with despair have yielded limited bedside benefit, whereas cross-species bridges—electroencephalography (EEG) motifs, rapid eye movement (REM) architecture, effort-based reward tasks, and inflammatory/metabolic panels—are beginning to provide mechanistically grounded, clinically actionable readouts. In current practice, depression care is shifting toward systems psychiatry: inflammation-high and metabolic-high archetypes, anhedonia- and circadian-dominant subgroups, formal treatment-resistant depression (TRD) staging, connectivity-guided neuromodulation, esketamine, selected pharmacogenomic panels, and early digital phenotyping, as endpoints broaden to functioning and durability. A central gap is that heterogeneity is acknowledged but rarely built into trial design or implementation. This perspective advances a plasticity-centered systems psychiatry in which a testable prediction is that manipulating defined prefrontal–striatal and prefrontal–limbic circuits in sex-balanced, chronic-stress models will reproduce human network-defined biotypes and treatment response, and proposes hybrid effectiveness–implementation platforms that embed immune–metabolic and sleep panels, circuit-sensitive tasks, and digital monitoring under a shared, preregistered data standard. Full article

Climate change and increasingly severe weather pose dual pressures on agriculture: to reduce carbon emissions and to manage climate risk. These pressures challenge the transition to green, low-carbon development. On the basis of panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2003 to 2023—a period selected for data continuity and to capture the implementation of major national agricultural and environmental policies—in this study, an evaluation index system for agricultural green and low-carbon development (GAC) was established. This study aims to analyze the impact of climate change risks (CPRI) on GAC, focusing on the moderating role of agricultural insurance (INS) and spatial spillover effects. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: (1) What is the direction and magnitude of CPRI’s effect on GAC? (2) Can INS mitigate this effect? (3) Does CPRI exhibit spatial spillover effects on GAC? Using data from the NOAA and Chinese statistical yearbooks, by employing a model with two-way fixed effects, moderating effect analysis, and the spatial Durbin model, the mechanisms underlying the spatial spillover effects of CPRI and regional heterogeneity were examined, as well as the moderating function of INS. CPRI was found to significantly inhibit GAC, as extreme weather events triggered short-term decision-making among farmers and constrained investment in green technologies. These events reduced the capacity of the soil to sequester carbon. This inhibitory effect was greater in nonmajor grain-producing regions and in eastern China. INS helped reduce negative impacts by providing effective risk transfer mechanisms. Furthermore, CPRI was found to exert harmful spillover effects across different regions, with greater indirect effects than direct effects. In conclusion, CPRI significantly hinders agricultural green transition, a process moderated by insurance and characterized by spatial spillovers. On the basis of these observations, we recommend several policies, including the development of regionally tailored adaptation strategies, the achievement of innovation in agricultural insurance products, and the establishment of collaborative governance frameworks that span regions to address these challenges. Full article

Under China’s “dual carbon” targets and deepening global climate governance, this paper investigates whether and how corporate green transformation (GTF) improves carbon performance (CP). Using panel data on Chinese A-share listed firms from 2008 to 2023 and multiple causal identification strategies (fixed effects, RD, DID and PSM), we find that GTF significantly enhances CP, with stronger marginal effects for firms with poorer initial carbon performance. Mechanism analyses show that carbon disclosure (CD) acts as a positive mediator in the GTF–CP nexus, whereas executives’ green perception (EGP) exerts a short-term suppressing effect. Policy analyses further indicate that the 2012 pilot emissions trading schemes and the 2021 national carbon market amplify the positive impact of GTF on CP, but local “compliance traps” around industry medians suggest strategic use of allowance trading. The study integrates EGP and CD into a cognition–disclosure framework linking GTF and CP and provides evidence on the emission-reduction effects of GTF under evolving carbon policies, with implications for carbon market design and corporate low-carbon governance. Full article

This study quantifies the decarbonisation potential of enhanced material circularity in the EU27 over the 2015–2022 period by integrating material flow data with elasticity-based emissions modelling. Using panel regression and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition, we evaluate the influence of recycling rate acceleration and material intensity decline on material-embedded emissions over the 2015–2022 period. The findings indicate that although recycling rates increased by 42% during this time, virgin materials remain responsible for over 97% of emissions. Decomposition results reveal that intensity improvements—measured as a cumulative LMDI intensity effect of −0.867 log-change units, equivalent to approximately a 58% reduction in emissions—offset most of the upward pressure from growing material demand and shifting composition. Scenario projections to 2050, based on empirically derived elasticities, show that accelerated circular economy pathways—assuming 4% annual growth in recycling rates and a 3% decline in material intensity—can reduce emissions by over 90%. In contrast, baseline policies fall short of net-zero targets. Sensitivity analysis confirms that policy ambition dominates parameter uncertainty in shaping future emissions trajectories. The study highlights the critical role of combined demand-side and supply-side measures in aligning material consumption with climate goals. The study highlights the crucial role of combined demand-side and supply-side measures in aligning material consumption with climate goals and advancing progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Full article

This paper investigates the impact of U.S. monetary policy on capital flows to emerging market economies and examines the role of capital controls in moderating this effect. Using a fixed-effects model with panel data from 19 developing nations spanning 2005Q1 to 2024Q3, we find that U.S. monetary tightening significantly reduces net capital inflows to these economies, undermining stable financing conditions necessary for long-term development. Countries with stronger capital controls are more insulated from these shocks and demonstrate greater financial resilience. This is because well-designed capital controls primarily target volatile short-term flows that are most susceptible to external policy shocks, while leaving stable, long-term productive investment largely unaffected. The study further reveals that during periods of unconventional monetary policy, the negative impact of U.S. policy shocks was more pronounced; short-term capital flows were highly responsive to policy changes, while foreign direct investment remained largely stable; and low- and middle-income nations experienced more severe disruptions than their high-income counterparts. These findings highlight the value of composition-targeted capital flow management in safeguarding financial stability and supporting sustainable development in emerging markets amid external monetary volatility. Full article

Background: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), defined as systemic infection occurring within the first 72 hours of life, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Increasing evidence indicates that the gut may play an active role in systemic inflammation, yet the temporal behavior of fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) during EONS has not been characterized. SCFAs and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are key microbial metabolites involved in epithelial maturation and immune regulation and may provide a non-invasive window into early inflammatory vulnerability. Methods: This pilot prospective longitudinal cohort study enrolled 49 preterm infants (≤32 weeks’ gestation) originally identified as at high risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and subsequently stratified into EONS and non-sepsis groups. Serial stool samples were collected at predefined timepoints (TPs; TP1 ≈ 3 days of life [DoL], TP2 ≈ 7 DoL, TP3 ≈ 14 DoL, TP4 ≈ 21 DoL, and TP5 ≈ 28 DoL). Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to quantify a panel of 12 SCFAs, including BCFAs and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Both absolute concentrations and relative fractions were evaluated, with emphasis on ratio-based metrics (e.g., acetic/propionic acid ratio) and timepoint-specific group contrasts, complemented by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS–DA). Results: At the earliest sampling window (TP1), infants with EONS exhibited distinct early changes in SCFA composition, including a significantly lower median relative fraction of acetic acid (86.6% vs. 94.5% in non-sepsis), while several non-acetate components—including propionic, valeric, and branched-chain acids—were relatively enriched. Acetate-to-non-acetate ratios were markedly reduced in EONS (e.g., acetic/propionic and acetic/isobutyric ratios), indicating an early shift away from acetate dominance. PLS–DA at TP1 demonstrated partial separation between groups, with acetic-acid depletion and non-acetate enrichment among the strongest contributors to discrimination. By later TPs, these early differences narrowed to a small subset of BCFA-related ratios and largely attenuated by the end of the first month. Conclusions: In this pilot cohort of preterm infants, EONS was associated with early, structured alterations in fecal SCFA profiles, characterized by reduced acetic-acid dominance and relative enrichment of non-acetate acids. Dynamic, ratio-based assessment proved more informative than absolute concentrations alone, revealing transient intestinal metabolic signatures accompanying systemic infection. These findings provide the first longitudinal evidence of gut metabolic involvement in EONS and lay the groundwork for larger, multi-center studies integrating SCFA trajectories with microbiome and immune profiling to refine early risk stratification for systemic infection in high-risk neonatal populations. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. has been cultivated for millennia as a source of food and fibre. Increasing demand for functional foods has renewed interest in C. sativa seeds (hempseeds), which are rich in essential fatty acids and amino acids. However, a near-global moratorium on C. sativa cultivation and research throughout most of the 20th century has delayed crop improvement using modern breeding approaches. As a result, genetic loci contributing to key agronomic traits, including with respect to maximizing yield as a seed crop, remain largely unknown. In this study, a feminized segregating F₂ mapping population, derived from a tall parent with spacious inflorescences and large seeds and a short-stature parent with compact inflorescences and small seeds, was phenotyped for key seed and agronomic traits related to yield. A mid-density Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping panel was used to generate a genetic linkage map of 291.5 cM with 455 SNPs. Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping identified major loci for hundred-seed weight—qHSW3, 26.59 percent variance explained (PVE), seed volume—qSV1, 33.24 PVE, and plant height—qPH9, 46.99 PVE. Our results provide novel target regions, associated molecular markers, and candidate genes for future breeding efforts to improve C. sativa. Full article

This paper investigates whether carbon emission intensity influences capital formation in rent-dependent economies, using the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a case study. In contrast to conventional growth models, the study tests carbon lock-in as a driver, rather than an outcome, of investment in rentier states and links it empirically to resource curse mechanisms. Using panel data for six GCC countries over 2000–2022, we estimate a fixed effects investment model and use System GMM as a robustness check. Results show that a one standard deviation increase in CO₂ intensity is associated with a 2.27 percentage point increase in gross capital formation (GCF) (p < 0.01), consistent with carbon lock-in theory, while oil rents have a significant negative relationship with investment (coefficient = −0.271, p < 0.01), in line with resource curse dynamics. The study contributes by embedding carbon lock-in theory in a standard macro panel investment function, treating emissions intensity as a structural regressor alongside oil rents in the specific context of rentier states. A behavioural interpretation is also offered: high-carbon strategies persist because they continue to yield relatively high short-term returns under existing incentives, so investment systems tend to reinforce carbon-intensive pathways. These insights have implications for both theory and practice, suggesting that screening public projects by emissions intensity, greening sovereign wealth portfolios, and phasing out fossil subsidies may help break carbon-intensive investment inertia. Full article

Intergovernmental transfers play a crucial role in shaping the fiscal position of local governments, especially in countries where municipalities, such as those in Poland, exhibit a high dependence on central funding. Recent reforms and the increasing reliance on discretionary revenues transferred from the central budget have motivated a closer examination of how these instruments influence local fiscal sustainability. This article analyses how different types of transfers—general subsidies and targeted grants—affect the fiscal sustainability of Polish municipalities across several dimensions, including autonomy, solvency, efficiency and economic resilience. Using panel data, five sets of models test the crowding-out effect, developmental impact, pro-cyclicality, fiscal discipline, and fiscal replacement mechanisms. Results show that general subsidies crowd out local tax revenues, particularly in less developed municipalities, while targeted grants strengthen the tax base in rural areas. Transfers have mixed effects: targeted grants strongly stimulate investment and support local development but tend to increase debt; general subsidies weaken local tax capacity and reduce fiscal autonomy, although they improve short-term fiscal discipline. In municipalities with limited fiscal independence, transfers act as short-term compensatory tools, fostering dependence on state aid rather than self-reliance. A macroeconomic crowding-out effect also appears, as higher transfers reduce private sector resources. Regarding fiscal discipline, equalization and compensatory subsidies decrease debt levels, whereas targeted grants can raise debt in urban municipalities with co-financing obligations. General subsidies show fiscal replacement effects, substituting local revenue sources. The findings provide insights for designing transfer systems that balance financial support with incentives for local autonomy and sustainable development. Full article