In this paper, we constructed a new and robust fixed point iterative scheme called the UO iterative scheme for the approximation of a contraction mapping. The scheme converges strongly to the fixed point of a contraction mapping. A rate of convergence result is shown with an example, and our scheme, when compared, converges faster than some existing iterative schemes in the literature. Furthermore, the stability and data dependence results are shown. Our new scheme is applied in the approximation of the solution to the oxygen diffusion model. Finally, our results are applied in the approximation of the solution to the boundary value problems using Green’s functions with an example. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) buildup and neuronal degeneration. An association between low serum vitamin D levels and an increased risk of AD has been reported in several epidemiological studies. Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) is the active form of vitamin D, and is generated in the kidney and many other tissues/organs, including the brain. It is a steroid hormone that regulates important functions like calcium/phosphorous levels, bone mineralization, and immunomodulation, indicating its broader systemic significance. In addition, calcitriol confers neuroprotection by mitigating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, promoting the clearance of Aβ, myelin formation, neurogenesis, neurotransmission, and autophagy. The receptors to which calcitriol binds (vitamin D receptors; VDRs) to exert its effects are distributed over many organs and tissues, representing other significant roles of calcitriol beyond sustaining bone health. The biological effects of calcitriol are manifested through genomic (classical) and non-genomic actions through different pathways. The first is a slow genomic effect involving nuclear VDR directly affecting gene transcription. The association of AD with VDR gene polymorphisms relies on the changes in vitamin D consumption, which lowers VDR expression, protein stability, and binding affinity. It leads to the altered expression of genes involved in the neuroprotective effects of calcitriol. This review summarizes the neuroprotective mechanism of calcitriol and the role of VDR polymorphisms in AD, and might help develop potential therapeutic strategies and markers for AD in the future. Full article

Food systems are complex and multifaceted, comprising a diverse range of actors, processes, and interactions. Participatory system mapping can be employed to help understand this complexity and support the development of sustainable and resilient food systems. This article shares a participatory mapping approach that has been developed as part of the Climate–Biodiversity–Health (CBH) Nexus project in the Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada. This research pursues two main aims: (1) to ground truth in the CBH system map of food systems, developed with the participation of stakeholders; and (2) to explain how participatory system mapping can be employed to clarify the complexity of food systems in a clear and concise manner for all stakeholders. This research contributes to the literature on participatory system mapping, including critiques of its practical utility, by employing participatory approaches to visualize multi-dimensional and multi-level system maps with an emphasis on verifying that they are clear, understandable/useful, and reliable for diverse stakeholder audiences. Full article

When cultivating on wheat bran or deactivated fungal mycelium as a model of “natural growth”, the ability of Trichoderma to synthesize extracellular L-lysine-α-oxidase (LysO) simultaneously with cell-wall-degrading enzymes (proteases, xylanase, glucanases, chitinases, etc.), responsible for mycoparasitism, was shown. LysO, in turn, causes the formation of H₂O₂ and pipecolic acid. These compounds are known to be signaling molecules and play an important role in the induction and development of systemic acquired resistance in plants. Antagonistic effects of LysO have been demonstrated against phytopathogenic fungi and Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria with dose-dependent cell death. The antimicrobial effect of LysO decreased in the presence of catalase. The generating intracellular ROS in the presence of LysO was also shown in both bacteria and fungi, which led to a decrease in viable cells. These results suggest that the antimicrobial activity of LysO is due to two factors: the formation of exogenous hydrogen peroxide as a product of the enzymatic oxidative deamination of L-lysine and the direct interaction of LysO with the cell wall of the micro-organisms. Thus, LysO on its own enhances the potential of the producer in the environment; namely, the enzyme complements the strategy of the fungus in biocontrol and indirectly participates in inducing SAR and regulating the relationship between pathogens and plants. Full article

This paper investigates the impact of e-commerce participation on household development resilience using a sample of 1229 households in the Shandong and Shaanxi provinces of China in 2022. It constructs the developmental resilience index of farm households from three dimensions of economy, society and culture using the entropy method, and establishes a counterfactual framework using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method. The results suggest that participation in e-commerce has a significant and positive impact on farming household development resilience. The PSM method estimates that participation in e-commerce increases the developmental resilience of farming households by 9.63% compared to non-participation, with economic, social, and cultural resilience increasing by 9.29%, 9.84%, and 9.92%, respectively. The robustness test results confirm the findings. Further analysis reveals that participation in e-commerce enhances farm household development resilience through three mechanisms: improving economic efficiency, network relationship linkage, and risk appetite. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of e-commerce participation on household development resilience varies among farmers with different endowment constraints. In particular, farmers with more years of education and cooperative members benefit more from e-commerce participation, especially live and platform e-commerce. Full article

We study a continuous-review stock management of a retailer for a single item in a limited storage (buffer) in a random environment. The stock level fluctuates according to two independent compound Poisson processes with discrete amounts of items (batches) that enter and leave the storage facility. The storage facility is controlled by a three-parameter base-stock replenishment policy. All items exceeding the storage capacity are transferred to an unlimited foreign facility. In addition, a restricted backlogging possibility is permitted; additional demands for items are lost sales. We further assume a random shelf life, the possibility of total inventory collapse, and a random lead time. Applying Markov theory, we derive the optimal control parameters minimizing the long-run expected total cost. A sensitivity analysis is conducted focusing on the comparison between the pure lost-sales policy and a partial backordering policy. Accordingly, we identify cases where one policy is cost effective compared to the other, particularly with respect to the batch patterns (sign, rate, average, and variability), and the associated costs. Full article

In light of recent advancements in synchrotron radiation technology and nano-technology, there has been a marked increase in the need for ultra-precision nano-positioning mechanisms. This paper presents a method that integrates physical models with multi-objective optimization for developing an optical angle nano-positioning mechanism. We begin by examining the actual motion law of the mechanism, based on kinematic principles. The outcomes from this kinematic analysis facilitate a static analysis of the flexible hinge, identified as a critical component of the mechanism. Subsequently, we establish a dynamic model for the entire mechanism. By employing the physical model as a base and combining it with the optimization algorithm, we identify the optimal design parameters for the mechanism. The design achieves a resolution of 50 nrad and meets the specified requirements. The first-order inherent frequency of the mechanism is approximately 43.75 Hz. There is a discrepancy of 2.63% from the finite element modal analysis results and a 3.33% difference from the theoretical analysis results, validating the reliability of the design method proposed in this study. Full article

Wind and solar power curtailment and the difficulty of peak regulation are issues that urgently need to be addressed in the process of China’s new electric power system. Enterprises with captive power plants (ECPPs) are large-capacity power consumers and producers, with significant optimization and adjustment potential on both the supply and demand sides. This paper aims to promote the active participation of ECPPs in grid supply–demand regulation and proposes an optimization model for the power generation and consumption of ECPPs based on a day-ahead, intra-day two-stage dispatching model. First, targeting demand response scenarios, mathematical models for analyzing the potential of ECPPs to participate in power grid supply–demand regulation are proposed. Then, an optimization model for ECPP generation and consumption with load regulation is established, and a two-stage dispatching model is proposed to fully mobilize the regulation flexibility of ECPPs. Finally, a robust dispatching model considering price uncertainty is established based on information gap decision theory. The case results show that ECPPs can reduce the curtailment rate in a region by approximately 9%, alleviate the peak pressure of the power grid, reduce carbon emissions by 1373.55 tons, and promote low-carbon development for themselves. Meanwhile, considering price uncertainty strengthens the risk resistance capability of ECPPs and provides a basis for their willingness to participate in supply–demand regulation. Full article

Recently, human well-being has emerged as a pivotal concern that affects not only quality of life but also social and economic dimensions. Lighting in office spaces is crucial for the health and cognitive function of occupants, and various methods are used to assess it. However, there is still a lack of research investigating the relationship between lighting satisfaction and its key factors in diverse spaces. This study focused on the office light environment, using quantitative and qualitative data analysis to understand occupants’ satisfaction and the factors influenced by lighting characteristics. According to the results, occupant satisfaction was higher in light environments with illuminance levels exceeding the appropriate illuminance standard. Furthermore, the influx of daylight and its influencing factors, such as daylight exposure and window size, played a significant role in enhancing satisfaction. However, while daylight was a primary source of glare, its mitigation was not solely reliant on installations, such as blinds; architectural designs, including space arrangement, were also crucial in addressing it. Furthermore, the perception of the lighting environment varied based on work behaviors and spatial arrangements, influencing satisfaction with the lighting conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers lighting elements, human behavior, and architectural design is essential in creating a lighting environment for office occupants. Full article

Vegetable production in Subtropical China is distinguished by excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization, frequent irrigation, and multiple crop rotations in a single year. The aforementioned variables are closely related to soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) and methane (CH₄) emissions. Hence, we conducted a field trial to measure N₂O and CH₄ emissions using static chamber–gas chromatograph. Four treatments were used: control (CK) with no fertilizer, 100% chemical N fertilization (CN), the conventional 30% chicken manure N plus 70%CN (CMN + CN), and 30% chicken manure biochar N plus 70%CN (CMBN + CN). The annual cumulative N₂O emissions reached 12.4, 63.5, 111.8, and 44.1 kg N₂O-N ha⁻¹ for the CK, CN, CMN + CN, and CMBN + CN treatments, respectively. Compared to the CN and CMN + CN treatments, the CMBN + CN treatment reduced N₂O emissions by 35.9%–65.7%, while it simultaneously increased the total vegetable yield by 16.1% compared to the CN treatment. Seven seasons mean N₂O emission factors are 1.3% for CN, 3.8% for CMN + CN, and 0.9% for CMBN + CN. The CH₄ emission was negligible, ranging from 0.07 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹ for the CK treatment to 0.8 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹ for the CN treatment. N₂O emissions peaked under the conditions of an interior chamber temperature of around 31.9 °C and the water-filled pore space (WFPS) of the soil being approximately 60%. Future climate change will intensify, triggering higher N₂O emissions from subtropical vegetable fields. CMB can be one of the best substitutes for direct chicken manure application as a soil supplement because it has a beneficial effect on improving vegetable yield and reducing N₂O emissions in Subtropical China. Full article

Reliable and up-to-date training reference samples are imperative for land cover (LC) classification. However, such training datasets are not always available in practice. The sample migration method has shown remarkable success in addressing this challenge in recent years. This work investigated the application of Sentinel-1 (S1) and Sentinel-2 (S2) data in training sample migration. In addition, the impact of various spectral bands and polarizations on the accuracy of the migrated training samples was also assessed. Subsequently, combined S1 and S2 images were classified using the Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) classifiers to produce annual LC maps from 2017 to 2021. The results showed a higher accuracy (98.25%) in training sample migrations using both images in comparison to using S1 (87.68%) and S2 (96.82%) data independently. Among the LC classes, the highest accuracy in migrated training samples was found for water, built-up, bare land, grassland, cropland, and wetland. Inquiries on the efficiency of different spectral bands and polarization used in training sample migration showed that bands 4 and 8 and VV polarization in the water class were more important, while for the wetland class, bands 5, 6, 7, 8, and 8A together with VV polarization showed superior performance. The results showed that the RF classifier provided better performance than the SVM (higher overall, producer, and user accuracy). Overall, our findings suggested that shared use of S1 and S2 data can be used as a suitable means for producing up-to-date and high-quality training samples. Full article

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) cultures from a hospital-wide outbreak in the UK, which lasted for over 12 months, were sequenced. We sought to sequence and genetically characterise the outbreak strain. Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) was performed on 65 K. pneumoniae isolates saved from the outbreak. All isolates were sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION flowcell: 10 isolates, including the isolate with the earliest collection date in 2017, were additionally sequenced on the NovaSeq 6000 platform to build high-accuracy nanopore-illumina assemblies. Among the sequenced strains, 60 were typed as ST628. 96.6% (n = 58/60) ST628 strains harboured a large ~247-kb FIB(K) plasmid carrying up to 11 antimicrobial resistance genes, including the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) gene, bla_CTX-M-15. Clonality between the outbreak isolates was confirmed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing. The outbreak strains were phylogenetically related to clinical ST628 strains identified in 2012, 6 years prior to the outbreak. A rare ESBL K. pneumoniae K2 ST628 strain harbouring a multi-drug resistant (MDR) plasmid encoding the ESBL gene bla_CTX-M-15 was detected across multiple independent wards during the protracted nosocomial outbreak. Surveillance of this strain is recommended to prevent future nosocomial outbreaks. Full article

Introduction: Despite the progress made in multidisciplinary care, there has been little improvement in the oncologic outcomes of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). In the latest edition of the TNM staging, “depth of invasion” (DOI) has recently been introduced as one of the criteria for determining the T stage, alongside other factors. DOI is widely recognized as an independent risk factor for nodal metastases and is a crucial consideration in the preoperative staging of OSCCs, along with measurements of tumor thickness (TT). While various diagnostic methods exist for assessing DOI, intraoral ultrasonography (IOUS) has gained popularity for its efficacy in evaluating OSCCs. Methods: This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) in assessing oral cavity lesions compared to histopathological analysis. Results: The results revealed strong reliability in ultrasonographic measurements (ICC TT: 0.94; ICC DOI: 0.97) and distinct ultrasonographic features specific to different oral pathologies. This highlights the potential of UHFUS as a non-invasive imaging tool for precise diagnostic evaluations. Conclusions: Despite limitations such as a small sample size and focus on specific lesions, these promising results suggest that UHFUS could significantly enhance oral lesion diagnostics. Further research involving larger cohorts is necessary to validate and build upon these initial findings. Full article

Natural host defensins, also sometimes termed antimicrobial peptides, are evolutionarily conserved. They have been studied as antimicrobials, but some pharmaceutical properties, undesirable for clinical use, have led to the development of synthetic molecules with constructed peptide arrangements and/or peptides not found in nature. The leading development currently is synthetic small-molecule nonpeptide mimetics, whose physical properties capture the characteristics of the natural molecules and share their biological attributes. We studied brilacidin, an arylamide of this type, for its activity in vitro against fungi (40 clinical isolates, 20 species) that the World Health Organization has highlighted as problem human pathogens. We found antifungal activity at low concentrations for many pathogens, which indicates that further screening for activity, particularly in vivo, is justified to evaluate this compound, and other mimetics, as attractive leads for the development of effective antifungal agents. Full article

This study aimed to develop simultaneous models with universal applicability for the estimation of the main factors of forest stands based on airborne LiDAR data and to provide a reference for standardizing the approach and evaluation indices of main forest factor modeling. Using airborne LiDAR and field survey data from 190 sample plots in spruce (Picea spp.), fir (Abies spp.), and spruce–fir mixed forests in Northeast China, the simultaneous models for estimating the main factors of forest stands were developed. To develop the models, the relationships between mean tree height, stand basal area, stand volume, and the main metrics of the LiDAR data and the correlations between eight quantitative factors of forest stands were considered, and the error-in-variable simultaneous equations approach was employed to fit the models. The results showed that the mean prediction errors (MPEs) of eight forest stand factors estimated by the simultaneous models were mostly within 5%, and only the MPE of the number of trees per hectare exceeded 5%. The mean percentage standard errors (MPSEs) of the estimates, including the mean diameter at the breast height (DBH), mean tree height, and mean dominant tree height, were within 15%; the MPSEs of the estimates of the stand basal area, volume, biomass, and carbon stock per hectare were within 25%; and only the MPSE of the estimated number of trees per hectare exceeded 30%. The coefficients of determination (R²) of the core prediction models for the volume, biomass, and carbon storage were all greater than 0.7. It can be concluded that estimating the main factors of forest stands based on the combination of LiDAR and field survey data is technically feasible, and the simultaneous models developed in this study for the estimation of the eight main stand factors of spruce–fir forests can meet the precision requirements of forest resource inventory, except for the number of trees, indicating that the models can be applied in practice. Full article

The use of biodegradable polymers as matrices in composites gives a wide range of applications, especially in niche areas. The assessment of the effect of the filler content on the change of mechanical properties makes it possible to optimize the composition for specific needs. Biochar was used as a filler in the studied composites with two different biodegradable blends as a matrix. Poly(1,4-butylene adipate-co-1,4-butylene terephthalate)/polylactide/biochar (PBAT/PLA/BC) and polylactide/poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate]/biochar (PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB)/BC) composites with 0, 10, 15, 20 and 30 wt% of biochar underwent mechanical tests. The test results revealed a change in the properties of the composites related to the filler content. The results of the tensile test showed that increasing the biochar content increased the tensile modulus values by up to 100% for composites with 30 wt% of biochar, compared to unfilled matrices, and decreased the elongation associated with the breaking of PBAT/PLA and PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB) matrix composites. The elongation values at break of PBAT/PLA and PLA/(3HB-co-4HB) composites with 30 wt% biochar were reduced by 50% and 65%, respectively, compared to the unfilled matrices. PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB) matrix composites, in contrast to PBAT/PLA/BC, showed a decrease in tensile strength with the increases in filler content from 35.6 MPa for unfilled matrix to 27.1 MPa for PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB)/BC30 composites. An increase in filler content increased the brittleness of the composites regardless of the matrix used, as determined under the Charpy impact-test. This phenomenon was observed for all tested PLA/P(3HB-co-4HB) composites, for which the impact strength decreased from 4.47 kJ/m² for the matrix to 1.61 kJ/m² for the composite containing 30 wt% biochar. PBAT/PLA-based composites with 10 wt% of biochar showed slightly lower impact strength compared to the unfilled matrix, but composites with 30 wt% biochar showed 30% lower impact strength than PBAT/PLA. The complex viscosity value increased with increased filler content. For all composites tested on both polyester matrices, the viscosity decreased with increasing angular frequency. Full article

The concentration of ammonia (NH₃) and the temperature of the air surrounding the rabbit habitat in the farm condition basic health processes such as breathing and feeding. The indoor climate in a rabbit farm is largely conditioned by the ventilation system (air conditioning). The objective of this study was to build a numerical model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in order to evaluate, by numerical simulations, the air dynamics of a rustic farm. After the validation of the computational model, the thermal gradient and ammonia concentration were analyzed under three wind incidence angles (0°, 45°, and 90° with respect to the horizontal Z axis of the facility). The results of the simulations showed that, in the area occupied by the rabbits (AOR), the concentration of ammonia with respect to the source was reduced by 37.3% in the most favorable case (wind direction at 45°), and 21.2% in the least favorable case (wind direction at 0°), and the indoor temperature presented a maximum difference of 2 °C with respect to the outside temperature. Climate control is a more expensive cost in rabbit farm exploitation; dynamics modulation can serve as an auxiliary tool for reducing health risks in rabbits. The use of models based on fluid dynamics allowed us to understand the efficiency of the ventilation system, which must be increased to reduce the found temperature gradient. Through numerical simulation it will be possible to find alternatives to increase the ventilation rate. Full article

Beryl mineralization in the Nugrus-Sikait domain in the South Eastern Desert (SED) of Egypt occurs as disseminated crystals in granitic pegmatite and quartz, as well as pegmatite veins crosscutting mélange schist and ophiolitic rocks. When granitic pegmatite comes into contact with the ophiolitic rocks, phlogopite and amphibole schists are formed due to K metasomatism. The ophiolitic mélange is intruded by leucogranite and related pegmatite along the NNW to NW Nugrus shear zone. Beryl samples have been collected from Um Sleimat, Madinat Nugrus, Wadi Abu Rusheid, and Wadi Sikait. Major oxides and in situ trace and rare earth elements (REEs) of beryl and associated minerals were analyzed through EPMA and LA-ICP-MS, respectively. The investigated beryl, based on its color and chemical compositions, can be classified into the two following types: pegmatitic beryl (type I) and schist-related beryl (type II). The former is colorless to pale green, and is mainly restricted in pegmatite veins; it is poor in Cr₂O₃ (up to 0.03 wt%) and MgO (Nil). The latter, deep green in color, is rich in Cr₂O₃ (up to 0.27 wt%) and MgO (up to 2.71 wt%), and occurs within quartz veins, phlogopite schists, and tremolite schists. The abundant beryl mineralization in phlogopite schists and their related quartz veins suggests that granite and associated pegmatite are the source rocks for the Be-bearing fluids that migrate along the NW-SE trending deep-seated tectonic zone, such as the Nugrus shear zone. Therefore, the formation of beryl in schists is attributed to the interaction of granitic/pegmatitic-derived Be-bearing fluids with serpentinite and gabbro interlayered with mélange schists. Variations in the trace and REE contents of both beryl types (I and II) indicate their two-stage formation from different compositions of Be-rich fluids, where light REEs, Zr, Nb, Ba, and Th decrease from type I beryl to type II. These two phases of beryl could be attributed to the magmatic/hydrothermal fluids associated with the pegmatite emplacement. The early phase of the late-stage magmatic-derived fluids was closely related to magma evolution and pegmatite formation, forming euhedral type I beryl. The late phase of pegmatite-derived fluids was mixed with serpentinite/schist-derived fluids that cause high V and Cr content in type II beryl. The composition of parent magmas of felsic rocks, the high degree of magma fractionation or the late stage melts, fluid compositions (rich in Be, Li, Cs, Rb, K), and alkali metasomatism, as well as the linear NW-SE trending deep-seated shear zone, are all factors possibly influencing beryl mineralization in the SED of Egypt. Full article

The transverse leakage of leaky surface acoustic waves (LSAWs) occurs on 42°YX-lithium tantalate substrates (42LT), which increases the insertion loss, narrows the bandwidth and flattens the roll-off of band 40/41 SAW filters and duplexers. In this work, LSAW characteristics with different metal materials and thicknesses are calculated by the finite element method (FEM), which determines the IDT material and thickness used for band 40/41 SAW filter design. To deeply understand transverse leakage and suppress it, the effects of different gap and dummy lengths on transverse leakage are simulated and discussed. Then, a new technique of using a wider dummy without any additional lithographic or depositing processes is proposed to suppress the leakage. Its effectiveness is validated by both simulations and experiments. Then, the technique is extended to applications of band 40 and 41 SAW filters. The experimental results show that with the wider dummy structure, the band 40 and 41 SAW filters achieve a more than 0.2 dB improvement in the insertion loss, a wider bandwidth and a steeper roll-off characteristic. This technique may also be extended to the other band SAW filter applications. Full article

Azobenzene photoswitches are fundamental components in contemporary approaches aimed at light-driven control of intelligent materials. Significant endeavors are directed towards enhancing the light-triggered reactivity of azobenzenes for such applications and obtaining water-soluble molecules able to act as crosslinkers in a hydrogel. Here, we report the rational design and the synthesis of azobenzene/alginate photoresponsive hydrogels endowed with fast reversible sol–gel transition. We started with the synthesis of three cationic azobenzenes (AZOs A, B, and C) and then incorporated them in sodium alginate (SA) to obtain photoresponsive supramolecular hydrogels (SMHGs). The photoresponsive properties of the azobenzenes were investigated by UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Upon irradiation with 365 nm UV light, the azobenzenes demonstrated efficient trans-to-cis isomerization, with complete isomerization occurring within seconds. The return to the trans form took several hours, with AZO C exhibiting the fastest return, possibly due to higher trans isomer stability. In the photoresponsive SMHGs, the minimum gelation concentration (MGC) of azobenzenes was determined for different compositions, indicating that small amounts of azobenzenes could induce gel formation, particularly in 5 wt% SA. Upon exposure to 365 nm UV light, the SMHGs exhibited reversible gel–sol transitions, underscoring their photoresponsive nature. This research offers valuable insights into the synthesis and photoresponsive properties of cationic, water-soluble azobenzenes, as well as their potential application in the development of photoresponsive hydrogels. Full article

Our study investigates sustainability and environmental disclosure in Saudi Arabian accounting, focusing on stakeholder accountability. Employing content analysis and close reading, we examine disclosures in the annual reports of 18 companies from 2008 to 2018. Findings reveal limited disclosures, influenced by interpretations of Islam and government emphasis. Despite sector-specific attention to environmental issues, disclosures lack depth. The study offers insights into managerial motivations, highlighting divergent stakeholder priorities and moral obligations. Policy implications suggest mandatory regulations could enhance accountability and encourage comprehensive disclosures. The research underscores the significance of contextual understanding in shaping accounting practices, particularly in regions like Saudi Arabia. Regulatory changes could improve corporate reporting on environmental and sustainability matters, addressing societal needs more effectively. Full article

The synthetic hormone 17α ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is a molecule widely used in female contraceptives and recognized as a contaminant of attention (Watch List) in the European Union due to its high consumption, endocrine effects and occurrence in aquatic environments. Its main source of introduction is domestic sewage where it can be associated with other contaminants such as microplastics (MPs). Due to their characteristics, they can combine with each other and exacerbate their isolated effects on biota. This study evaluated the combined effects of microplastics (MPs) and 17α ethinylestradiol (EE2) on two tropical estuarine invertebrate species: Crassostrea gasar and Ucides cordatus. Polyethylene particles were spiked with EE2 and organisms were exposed to three treatments, categorized into three groups: control group (C), virgin microplastics (MPs), and spiked microplastics with EE2 (MPEs). All treatments were evaluated after 3 and 7 days of exposure. Oysters exhibited changes in phase 2 enzymes and the antioxidant system, oxidative stress in the gills, and reduced lysosomal membrane stability after exposure to MPs and MPEs. Crabs exposed to MPs and MPEs after seven days showed changes in phase 1 enzymes in the gills and changes in phases 1 and 2 enzymes in the hepatopancreas, such as disturbed cellular health. The combined effects of microplastics and EE2 increased the toxicity experienced by organisms, which may trigger effects at higher levels of biological organization, leading to ecological disturbances in tropical coastal ecosystems. Full article