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Publications - 6674

There is no plan(et) B - environmental “crossroads’ of children’s rights”

Publication Name: Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies

Publication Date: 2023-12-14

Volume: 64

Issue: 1

Page Range: 4-31

Description:

It is an obvious statement that children are disproportionately affected by changes in their environment, due to their incomplete maturity, evolving capacities, vulnerabilities derived from their age and special developmental needs. Changes in temperature, air and water quality, and access to proper nutrition are likely to have more severe and long-term impacts on children’s health, development and well-being, since they basically determine the enjoyment of the right of the child to a healthy environment. The impacts of climate change clearly undermine the effective enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter: UN CRC) and its Optional Protocols, including the rights to life, survival and development (art. 6), to family relations and the right not to be separated from one’s parents against one’s will (arts. 9–10), the highest attainable standard of health (art. 24), an adequate standard of living (art. 27), education (art. 28), freedom from any form of violence or exploitation (arts. 19, 32 and 34–36), the right to recreation and play (art. 31) and the enjoyment of one’s culture (art. 30). The climate crisis has been declared as child rights crisis, although children bear the least responsibility for it. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has clearly identified climate change as one of the biggest threats to children’s health and has urged States Parties to put children’s health concerns at the centre of their climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.1 Despite data and research explicitly

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/2052.2023.00440

Valuation of ecosystem services from forests in Chinese rural areas based on forest resource investment

Publication Name: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

Publication Date: 2025-12-01

Volume: 12

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Forest resources provide rural areas with abundant products and ecosystem services. However, due to difficulties and shortcomings in assessing the ecosystem service value of these resources in rural areas, investors or funding institutions often lack a comprehensive understanding of their true value. Consequently, challenges such as difficulties in securing rural forestry guarantees, limited loan amounts, and inadequate compensation standards have emerged, resulting in severely restricted investments in rural forest resources. This study aims to address these issues by establishing a comprehensive valuation system for the ecosystem services provided by rural forest resources, thereby enabling a more accurate assessment of their value. This study focuses on Muyun She Nationality Township in Fuan City, China, and valuates the ecosystem service value of the forest resources in this locality. The findings reveal that the annual economic value of ecosystem services provided by forest resources in Muyun She Nationality Township amounts to 397,899,293.49 yuan. Direct value constitutes over 63% of the total, with forest by-products contributing the largest share at 32%, followed by forest-related rural tourism at 31%. This underscores the significant contribution of agricultural products and tourism from rural forest resources to the local economy. Moreover, the study highlights the crucial role of rural forest resources in providing agricultural by-products, promoting rural tourism, enhancing rural economic development, and facilitating rural revitalization efforts. In light of these findings, this paper advocates for private-sector investment, expanding financing channels, and developing tourism projects to diversify investment channels for rural forest resources and increase investment amounts.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04674-6

Beyond Lithium: Evaluating Sodium-Ion Batteries for the Next Generation of Electric Vehicles †

Publication Name: Engineering Proceedings

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 113

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Sodium-ion batteries (SIB) are gaining attention as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion technology in electric vehicles (EVs), driven by concerns over lithium’s scarcity, high costs, and environmental impact. This study explores the feasibility of SIBs through a theoretical analysis of recent advancements in chemistry, materials, and electrochemical performance. It compares key factors such as energy density, charge cycles, safety, cost-effectiveness, and supply chain sustainability. While sodium-ion batteries currently offer lower energy density and shorter cycle life, they benefit from abundant raw materials and more sustainable production. Recent breakthroughs in electrode and electrolyte design show promise for improved efficiency and longevity. Sodium-ion technology is not yet a full replacement for Li-ion batteries but presents a viable option for low-cost EVs and stationary storage.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/engproc2025113041

Phylogenetic analyses of Ixodes rugicollis with notes on its morphology in comparison with Ixodes cornutus

Publication Name: Parasites and Vectors

Publication Date: 2023-12-01

Volume: 16

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Background: The subgenus Pholeoixodes contains Ixodes species typically associated with birds that nest in cavities or with carnivorous mammals that are burrow-dwelling. Among ticks infesting the latter, Ixodes rugicollis is regarded as the rarest species in the western Palearctic. Despite the unique morphology of this species, its identification (especially of subadult stages) is difficult, and molecular-phylogenetic data to offer other diagnostic methods and a better understanding of its taxonomy are not available. Methods: In this study, a female and a male of I. rugicollis were collected in Romania. The female was compared morphologically to another female of this species collected in France and to the lectotype of Ixodes cornutus (from Tajikistan), which has similar morphology and host association. Following DNA extraction, two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I: cox1 and the 16S rRNA gene) and two nuclear genetic markers (18S and 28S rRNA genes) of I. rugicollis were amplified and analyzed in a phylogenetic context. Results: Females of I. rugicollis and I. cornutus differed in the shape of their palps, scutum and areae porosae and the size of peritremes, but they were similar in palpal setal length, dental formula and arrangement of anal setae. Measurements of two I. rugicollis females examined were not less different from each other than from I. cornutus. Phylogenetically, I. rugicollis clustered with other members of its subgenus. The topology of all trees showed the position of bat-associated tick species of the subgenus Eschatocephalus among Pholeoixodes species. Conclusions: For the first time to our knowledge, this study provides high-resolution digital pictures of male and female I. rugicollis as well as corresponding molecular data. Morphological comparison of this species with I. cornutus could not resolve uncertainties in the validity of the latter species, which can only be accomplished after collecting new specimens of I. cornutus and consequent molecular comparisons. This study includes the first comprehensive molecular-phylogenetic analysis of western Palearctic Pholeoixodes species based on both nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers and including I. rugicollis. The results of these confirm the phylogenetic position of subgenus Eschatocephalus within Pholeoixodes, justifying the need to merge them to comply with the taxonomic criterion of monophyly. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05718-z

First detection of Ehrlichia cf. ewingii in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Hungary

Publication Name: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica

Publication Date: 2025-09-15

Volume: 73

Issue: 3

Page Range: 144-149

Description:

Abstract: This the first report on the presence of Ehrlichia cf. ewingii in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Hungary. The animal started to show apathy and loss of appetite and subsequently died shortly after being placed in an enclosure with dense vegetation, following a quarantine period. During the diagnostic necropsy, a large volume of reddish pericardial and thoracic effusion was observed resembling heartwater disease. Ehrlichia cf. ewingii was detected from the thoracic effusion by PCR and sequencing. The selenium content of multiple organs (liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscles) were measured, but no increase was found. PCR tests for the detection of adenoviruses from the liver, lungs and spleen were negative. The routine bacteriological culture from the liver did not yield specific results either. To establish a causal relationship between the presence of E. cf. ewingii and the animal's death, further investigations are necessary.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/004.2025.01151

Analyzing perspectives on lifestyle m-health apps: User and non-user insights

Publication Name: Effective Digital Marketing for Improving Society Behavior Toward Dei and Sdgs

Publication Date: 2023-11-14

Volume: Unknown

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 48-67

Description:

The aim of the research is to explore the theoretical background and experiences of using lifestyle (LS) applications from a user perspective. The objective is to identify the reasons for non-usage. To accomplish these research goals, four focus group interviews were conducted with students studying recreation management in the autumn of 2022. The focus group research findings indicated that sports and fitness apps were the participants' most favoured. The evaluation of LS applications identified usefulness, features, accessibility, and accuracy as the most significant factors. More students reported positive effects on their physical and mental health; however, they viewed the applications and smart devices as auxiliary tools. The main reasons for non-use included personal, technical, and usability issues, as discovered by the authors. This chapter provides an in-depth insight into alterations in health practices, incentives and encounters with mobile devices and LS apps, contributing to the field of service literature.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-8984-0.ch003

Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Examining the Relationship between Food Waste Generation and Socio-economic Factors

Publication Name: Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy Water and Environment Systems

Publication Date: 2025-09-01

Volume: 13

Issue: 3

Page Range: 1-16

Description:

Food waste contributes to social inequalities and sustainability issues by worsening resource overuse and environmental harm. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 highlights the importance of reducing food waste to address hunger and promote a sustainable, economically viable global food system. This paper examines the geographic differences in food waste levels among European Union member nations and analyses the associations between food waste and diverse environmental, geographic, social and economic indicators, including Sustainable Development Goals and other sustainability metrics. Using dimensionality reduction methods, nontrivial multivariate connections between food waste and these parameters were identified, allowing for the characterisation of countries based on a few significant factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), applied to food waste data across European Union countries, uncovered three distinct groups: (1) those with elevated food waste in primary production, manufacturing and distribution stages; (2) those with lower waste in these domains yet elevated waste in restaurants and households; and (3) those with all of their food waste components smaller than or equal to the average. The multivariate linear correlation between the PCA factors and socio-economic parameters is nonsignificant, but a few (nonlinear) regularities could be identified: five of the six countries of the first group above are characterised by the population settled mainly on flatland and an above-average supply of meat or fish. Another pattern observed is that former Eastern Bloc countries belong to the third group. The research findings offer valuable insights that can inform the efforts of environmental experts, professionals and policymakers working in the circular economy and waste management domains. This knowledge can facilitate the development of more effective strategies aimed at mitigating food waste and promoting sustainability.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.13044/j.sdewes.d13.0579

Exploring well-being disparities between employees and managers

Publication Name: Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 41

Issue: 2

Page Range: 766-789

Description:

Based on cognitive-behavioral and self-determination theories, this study examined differences in work-related well-being between managers and employees, focusing on perceived stress, life satisfaction, health, and income. It also explored the role of physical activity (PA) and its social support. Structural equation modeling supported the development of a well-being index. The sample included 446 employees and 110 managers, with a female majority (75.7%). Participants completed several demographic questions and two validated psychometric questionnaires, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale, on the Qualtrics research platform. A multivariate analysis of covariance, controlling for age, PA, work environment, and education level, found that managers reported higher perceived income and life satisfaction than employees. However, the variance explained was under 4.0%. No significant interaction was found between gender and job position; however, women in both groups reported lower incomes than men. PA and its social support were positively correlated with life satisfaction and negatively correlated with stress. Childhood PA was linked to current PA, aligning with previous research. These findings suggest that the anecdotal well-being gap between managers and employees is far smaller when key influencing factors are controlled. The cross-cultural and gender-balanced reliability of these findings should be further evaluated.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1080/15555240.2026.2615794

Usability of VR exergaming with 3D audiovisual feedback in rehabilitation engineering

Publication Name: Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

Publication Date: 2026-01-01

Volume: 61

Issue: 1

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Gamified virtual environments are increasingly applied in rehabilitation engineering to improve patient motivation and adherence to repetitive therapeutic training. In such systems, auditory feedback contributes to immersion, task guidance, and reinforcement of motor actions. This paper examines the role of sounds and spatial audio in screen-based virtual reality (VR) exergaming applications used for motor rehabilitation. The audio architecture of game-engine-based systems is discussed with emphasis on realtime spatialization techniques typically limited to stereo panning and distance-based attenuation rather than full acoustic simulation. Three motion-controlled training games-Reflex Ridge, Space Pop, and Just Dance-were used in randomized clinical studies involving patients with Parkinson s disease and poststroke conditions. Results indicate that VR-based exergaming interventions produced significant improvements in motor function, balance, and mobility, while simple spatial audio cues provided sufficient feedback to support engagement and immersive interaction in rehabilitation tasks.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1121/2.0002329