Potential Impact Research Articles

Changes in oral functions and speech when using custom-fitted mouthguards: An uncontrolled before-and-after study.

Mouthguards are crucial for protecting athletes against orofacial injuries, yet concerns persist regarding their potential impact on oral functions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sports mouthguards on oral functions and speech over time. Thirty national rugby players received custom-fitted mouthguards. Questionnaire responses and speech recordings were collected before mouthguard use and at various intervals after using mouthguards: immediately, 1 week, 2 month, and 6 months. Spectrographic analysis was performed to measure voice onset time (VOT) for /p, b, t, d/ phonemes. Questionnaire responses were assessed with Friedman's test, while VOT changes were examined using one-way repeated measure analysis of variance. Compliance with mouthguard use improved during training and competitions, with consistent wear reported during matches. Over time, speaking difficulties and lisping decreased significantly (p < .001). The perception of nausea improved (p < .001), stabilizing after 1 month (p = .414). Sensations of bulkiness declined (p < .001). Mouth dryness reduced steadily, with no occurrences reported by all players by the end of the study. None of the participants reported bad breath, ulcers, or redness in the mouth. VOT changed immediately after wearing mouthguards (p < .001), gradually regressing toward the baseline, although not completely reaching it. Players held a favorable view of mouthguard use, with comfort and support for mandatory use increasing over time. Custom-fitted mouthguards do not lead to significant long-term disruptions in oral functions. Athletes generally adapt to mouthguard use, reporting improved comfort and greater support for their use.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Factor of Energy Metabolism Disorders in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is based on the development of insulin resistance, which is a disruption to the ability of the tissues to bind to insulin, leading to a general metabolic disorder. Mitochondria are the main participants in cellular energy metabolism, meaning their dysfunction is associated with the development of insulin resistance in T2DM. Mitochondrial function is affected by insulin resistance in various tissues, including skeletal muscle and the liver, which greatly influence glucose homeostasis throughout the body. This review studies mitochondrial dysfunction in T2DM and its impact on disease progression. In addition, it considers the causes underlying the development of mitochondrial dysfunction in T2DM, including mutations in the mitochondrial genome, mitochondrial DNA methylation, and other epigenetic influences, as well as the impact of impaired mitochondrial membrane potential. New therapeutic strategies for diabetes that have been developed to target the mitochondria will also be presented.

Common mental health conditions and considerations in pediatric chronic kidney disease.

The mental health of youth with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasingly recognized as an area of clinical need. The development of mental health concerns is influenced by a range of physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. Some of these factors are common across child development, but some are more unique to youth with CKD. Mental health concerns are associated with increased risk for a range of poor medical outcomes (e.g., adherence, risk of transplant rejection) and quality of life concerns. In this educational review, we discuss the current evidence base regarding the development of mental health concerns in youth with CKD. The review covers multiple domains including mood and anxiety disorders, traumatic stress, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Estimated prevalence and hypothesized risk factors are outlined, and the potential impact of mental health on medical care and functional outcomes are reviewed. Finally, we introduce options for intervention to support positive mental health and offer recommendations for building access to mental health care and improving the mental health education/training of medical professionals.

Programmatic Palliative Care Consultations in Pediatric Heart Transplant Evaluations.

Guidelines advocate for integrating palliative care into the management of heart failure (HF) and of children with life-limiting disease. The potential impact of palliative care integration into pediatric HF on patient-centered outcomes is poorly understood. The present study sought to assess the association of programmatic implementation of palliative care into the heart transplant evaluation process with hospital-free days (HFD) and end of life (EOL) treatment choices. The study included patients less than 19 years of age who underwent a heart transplant evaluation between February 2012 and April 2020 at a single center. Patients evaluated in the programmatic palliative care (PPC) era (January 2016-April 2020) were compared to patients evaluated in the pre-PPC era (February 2012-December 2015). The study included 188 patients, with 91 (48%) in the PPC era and 97 (52%) in the pre-PCC era. Children < 1 year of age at the time of the evaluation represented 32% of the cohort. 52% of patients had single ventricle physiology. PPC was not significantly associated with increased HFD (IRR 0.94 [95% CI 0.79-1.2]). PPC was however associated with intensity of EOL care with decreased mechanical ventilation (OR 0.12 [95% CI 0.02-0.789], p = 0.03) and decreased use of ionotropic support (OR 0.13 [95% CI 0.02-0.85], p =0.03). PPC in pediatric heart transplant evaluations may be associated with less invasive interventions at EOL.

Continuous Medicaid Eligibility During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Postpartum Coverage, Health Care, and Outcomes

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), continuous Medicaid eligibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) created a de facto national extension of pregnancy Medicaid eligibility beyond 60 days postpartum. To evaluate the association of continuous Medicaid eligibility with postpartum health insurance, health care use, breastfeeding, and depressive symptoms. This cohort study using a generalized difference-in-differences design included 21 states with continuous prepolicy (2017-2019) and postpolicy (2020-2021) participation in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). State-level change in Medicaid income eligibility after 60 days postpartum associated with the FFCRA measured as a percent of the federal poverty level (FPL; ie, the difference in 2020 income eligibility thresholds for pregnant people and low-income adults/parents). Health insurance, postpartum visit attendance, contraceptive use (any effective method; long-acting reversible contraceptives), any breastfeeding and depressive symptoms at the time of the PRAMS survey (mean [SD], 4 [1.3] months postpartum). The sample included 47 716 PRAMS respondents (64.4% aged <30 years; 18.9% Hispanic, 26.2% non-Hispanic Black, 36.3% non-Hispanic White, and 18.6% other race or ethnicity) with a Medicaid-paid birth. Based on adjusted estimates, a 100% FPL increase in postpartum Medicaid eligibility was associated with a 5.1 percentage point (pp) increase in reported postpartum Medicaid enrollment, no change in commercial coverage, and a 6.6 pp decline in uninsurance. This represents a 40% reduction in postpartum uninsurance after a Medicaid-paid birth compared with the prepolicy baseline of 16.7%. In subgroup analyses by race and ethnicity, uninsurance reductions were observed only among White and Black non-Hispanic individuals; Hispanic individuals had no change. No policy-associated changes were observed in other outcomes. In this cohort study, continuous Medicaid eligibility during the COVID-19 PHE was associated with significantly reduced postpartum uninsurance for people with Medicaid-paid births, but was not associated with postpartum visit attendance, contraception use, breastfeeding, or depressive symptoms at approximately 4 months postpartum. These findings, though limited to the context of the COVID-19 PHE, may offer preliminary insight regarding the potential impact of post-pandemic postpartum Medicaid eligibility extensions. Collection of longer-term and more comprehensive follow-up data on postpartum health care and health will be critical to evaluating the effect of ongoing postpartum policy interventions.

Response of Boro Rice (cv. BRRI dhan89) Yield to Foliar Application of Micronutrients

Insufficient management of nutrients poses a significant obstacle to achieving sustainable rice production in tropical climates. To address this challenge, an investigation was conducted to find the potential impact of micronutrients on enhancing the yield of Boro rice through foliar application. The study was structured using a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Field trials were conducted with three micronutrients (Boron, Zinc and Copper) and involved seven treatments, namely control (NPK), NPK + Zinc, NPK + Boron, NPK + Zinc + Boron, NPK + Zinc + Copper, NPK + Boron + Copper, and NPK + Zinc + Boron + Copper. The addition of zinc, boron and copper led to a notable enhancement in the factors contributing to yield. The maximum number of total tillers hill-1 (11.29), effective tillers hill-1 (10.09), panicle length (24.69), grain panicle-1 (138.36), grain yield (5.43 t ha-1) and straw yield (7.22 t ha-1) was resulted when NPK + Zinc + Boron + Copper applied together. The least grain yield (3.64 t ha-1) was produced in control (NPK) owing to lower number of effective tillers hill-1 (7.46), lower number of grain panicle-1 (118.46) and higher number of sterile spikelet panicle-1 (25.46). The findings suggested that the appliance of NPK combined with Zn, B and Cu yielded superior in BRRI dhan89.

Potential Environmental Impacts of a Hospital Wastewater Treatment Plant in a Developing Country

Assessing the quality of a hospital wastewater treatment process and plant is essential, especially if the presence of chemical and biological toxic compounds is considered. There is less literature on hospital wastewater treatment in developing countries because of a lack of managerial awareness and stakeholder cooperation, accompanied by the limited capacity of investment meant to upgrade the existing infrastructures. Limited access to data further hampers the reliable analysis of hospital wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in developing countries. Thus, based on the possibility of collecting a sufficient amount of primary (i.e., field) data, this study performed an assessment of the potential impacts generated by the WWTP of Quaid-Azam International Hospital in Islamabad (Pakistan) considering its construction and operational phases. The major identified impacts were attributed to the energy mix used to operate the plant. Marine ecotoxicity was the most impactful category (34% of the total potential impacts accounted for), followed by human carcinogenic toxicity (31%), freshwater toxicity (18%), terrestrial ecotoxicity (7%), and human non-carcinogenic toxicity (4%). An analysis of potential impacts was combined with an assessment of potential damage according to an endpoint approach. In particular, the endpoint analysis results indicated that human health damage (quantified as DALY) was mainly dependent on the “fine PM (particulate matter) formation” category (51%), followed by “global warming and human health” (43%). Other categories related to human health impacts were human carcinogenic toxicity (3%), water consumption (2%), and human non-carcinogenic toxicity (1%). The other impact categories recorded a percentage contribution lower than 1%. With respect to ecosystem damage, “global warming and terrestrial ecosystems” played a major role (61%), followed by terrestrial acidification (24%), ozone formation (10%), water consumption (5%), and freshwater eutrophication (1%). This study’s findings support an increase in awareness in the hospital management board while pointing out the need to further implement similar studies to improve the quality of decision-making processes and to mitigate environmental impacts in more vulnerable regions. Finally, this research evidenced the need to overcome the existing general constraints on data availability. Consequently, further field work, supported by hospital managers in developing countries, would help in enhancing managerial procedures; optimizing treatment plant efficiency; and facilitating the implementation of circular options, such as sludge management, that often remain unexplored.

The Development of Civic Competence in Higher Education to Support a Sustainable Society: The Case of Latvian Higher Education

When examining the crucial role of civic competence in fostering sustainable societies, economies, and ecosystems, its significance for cultivating responsible and engaged citizens in our ever more interconnected global landscape must be recognized. Notably, education influences the development of civic competence throughout the learning experience at all levels of education. This research aims to explore the evolution of students’ self-assessment in terms of civic competence and its three subcompetences. The objective is to comprehend the present status of students’ self-assessments and explore their potential impact on the formation of a sustainable society. Data were collected for this study using an assessment tool elaborated in the ESF project “Development and Implementation of the Education Quality Monitoring System” for students’ generic competences. The tool, presented in a digital form using the QuestionPro platform, measures six generic competences, including civic competence. A total of 1166 bachelor’s degree students and 354 master’s degree students participated in this study, representing 22 Latvian higher education institutions. This study’s findings indicate that civic competence in the sample is considerably lower than the other generic competences measured, with a greater dispersion of results. The results also highlight specific areas within universities that require improvement during the learning process to cultivate individuals who are sustainable and socially responsible members of society.

Fog Hand Wash Machine to Save Water

The global challenge of water scarcity calls for innovative solutions to conserve this precious resource. In response, the fog hand wash machine emerges as a promising technology aimed at revolutionizing hand hygiene practices while minimizing water consumption. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the fog hand wash machine, detailing its design, functionality, and potential impact on water conservation efforts. By utilizing a fine mist of water droplets, this machine effectively cleans hands with significantly less water compared to conventional hand washing methods. Moreover, its compact size and user-friendly interface make it suitable for various settings, including homes, public facilities, and healthcare environments. The fog hand wash machine not only addresses water scarcity concerns but also contributes to promoting hygiene practices, thereby enhancing public health outcomes. This abstract highlights the significance of integrating innovative technologies like the fog hand wash machine into sustainable water management strategies for a more resilient and water-efficient future. Keywords: Fog hand wash machine, Water-saving technology, Hand hygiene, Water conservation, Sustainability, Public health, Innovation, Environmental impact, Hygiene practices, Water scarcity.

Nonequilibrium Casimir–Polder Force between Nanoparticles and Graphene-Coated Silica Plate: Combined Effect of the Chemical Potential and Mass Gap

The Casimir–Polder force between spherical nanoparticles and a graphene-coated silica plate is investigated in situations out of thermal equilibrium, i.e., with broken time-reversal symmetry. The response of the graphene coating to the electromagnetic field is described on the basis of first principles of quantum electrodynamics at nonzero temperature using the formalism of the polarization tensor in the framework of the Dirac model. The nonequilibrium Casimir–Polder force is calculated as a function of the mass-gap parameter, the chemical potential of graphene, and the temperature of the graphene-coated plate, which can be both higher or lower than that of the environment. It is shown that the force value increases with the increasing chemical potential, and this increase is more pronounced when the temperature of a graphene-coated plate is lower than that of the environment. The nonequilibrium force also increases with increasing temperature of the graphene-coated plate. This increase is larger when the plate is hotter than the environment. The effect is revealed that the combined impact of the chemical potential, μ, and mass gap, Δ, of the graphene coating depends on the relationship between Δ and 2μ. If 2μ&gt;Δ, the magnitude of the nonequilibrium force between nanoparticles and a cooled graphene-coated plate becomes much larger than for a graphene coating with μ=0. The physical reasons explaining this effect are elucidated. Possible applications of the obtained results are discussed.

Torn between Prescription and Innovation

This paper reports on the affordances of corpora in the context of a teaching model that aims to highlight and strengthen the relevance and applicability of (socio-)linguistic content knowledge of World Englishes for university-based teacher education and the ELT classroom. We use large electronic corpora as one resource for the student teachers to explore the spread and extent of use of innovative and variable linguistic structures in Englishes around the world, and to critically examine the fuzzy boundary between errors and variety-specific, innovative linguistic structures. To examine the potential impact that a specific teaching intervention on World Englishes and corpora may have on student teachers’ judgments of the intelligibility and formal correctness of several features of World Englishes, a rating task was administered to an experimental and a control group. Additionally, students of the experimental group were interviewed about their experiences with the corpus intervention and their opinions and attitudes toward the use of corpora for teaching English and, specifically, linguistic variation and innovations in English. The findings suggest that the teaching intervention seems to initiate an increased awareness of the variability of linguistic structures in World Englishes, and supports future teachers in questioning traditional prescriptive norms.

Modelling the determinants of birth tourism demand: a time series analysis

ABSTRACT Birth tourism has been steadily rising in recent years as potential mothers travel across borders with the main purpose of giving birth. However, the economic reasons behind this form of tourism have not been adequately examined in the existing literature. This study explores the determinants of birth tourism by incorporating factors such as the average income of visitors, price level, exchange rate, and infant mortality while accounting for the potential impact of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005 in New Zealand. The variables have been introduced into the model using a standard tourism demand framework and a new dynamic autoregressive distributed lag method has been used in the study. Ultimately, rising income of visitors and exchange rate are reported to boost birth tourism while rising price reduces birth tourism. The result also shows that the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005 has no significant effect on birth tourism, which implies that monetary and financial considerations such as the income of tourists, price level, and exchange are the most important drivers of birth tourism in New Zealand.

A negative trend in abundance and an exceeded mortality limit call for conservation action for the Vulnerable Belt Sea harbour porpoise population

The management and conservation of biodiversity relies on information on both the abundance of species and the potential impact of threats. Globally, one of the largest threats towards marine biodiversity is bycatch in fisheries. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), EU Member States are required to assess the status of species, such as the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), in relation to their abundance and mortality due to bycatch every six years. The Vulnerable (HELCOM) Belt Sea population of harbour porpoise has been surveyed to determine its abundance six times using dedicated aerial or ship-based line-transect distance sampling surveys. Here, we estimated the first trend in population abundance over an 18 year period (2005-2022). Using the most recent abundance estimate, we computed a mortality limit applying the modified Potential Biological Removal (mPBR) method based on the regionally agreed conservation objective to restore or maintain 80% of carrying capacity over 100 years with an 80% probability. Over the past 18 years there has been a strong negative trend (-2.7% p.a.; 95% CI: -4.1%; + 1.3%) in abundance, with a 90.5% probability. The mortality limit was estimated to be 24 animals, which the current bycatch estimates (~900 porpoises/year from the commercial Danish and Swedish set net fishery fleets, with no data from Germany and other fishery types) exceed by far. The frequency and quality of data available on abundance for this population are higher than those available for the majority of marine species. Given the observed population decline and likely unsustainable levels of bycatch, the results presented here provide a strong basis to make informed, evidence-based management decisions for action for this population. Such action is needed urgently, before the dire situation of other porpoise species and populations around the globe is repeated.

Towards Social Justice: Investigating the Role of Labor, Globalization, and Governance in Reducing Socio-Economic Inequality within Post-Communist Countries

In the midst of contemporary global challenges, including the repercussions of the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and transitional shifts, a notable surge in attention toward income inequality has materialized, garnering significant focus from both national and international entities. The urgency surrounding this issue is amplified by the imperative need for economic sustainability, recognizing poverty and inequalities as fundamental global security threats. Particularly within Europe, the persistent disparities in living standards, evident across and within countries, serve as potent indicators of enduring poverty and inequality. These concerns underscore potential barriers to the European Union’s pursuit of convergence and cohesion, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which prioritize addressing poverty (SDG 1) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) for sustainable development. This study aims to scrutinize the dynamics of income inequality, concentrating on post-communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Employing panel data analysis, the research identifies and tests variables influencing income inequality in the region, specifically emphasizing labor market structures, globalization, economic development, and governance mechanisms, which hold particular relevance for the region’s context. The primary findings underscore the potential impact of enhancing these sectors in mitigating income inequality within the specified region. These insights provide a foundation for informed policy-making, presenting opportunities to address and mitigate inequalities effectively. They pave the way for fostering pathways toward greater equality and equitable socio-economic development within post-communist nations, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Overview of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Their Applications, Sources, and Potential Impacts on Human Health

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) belong to a group of synthetic compounds that have recently raised concerns about human health and environmental quality due to their great prevalence, degradation resistance, and potential toxicity. This review focuses on the applications of PFAS and their effects on human health. Specific emphasis has been laid on (i) the application/use of PFAS, (ii) sources and distribution of PFAS in diverse environmental compartments, and (iii) the impact of PFAS on human health. Significant health effects on humans are associated with exposure to PFAS, i.e., immunotoxicity, thyroid and kidney disorders, cancer, etc. Conclusions obtained from PFAS studies demonstrate that inadequate evidence should not be used to justify delaying risk reduction steps for PFAS alternatives. PFAS can be determined in different environmental matrices using both traditional analytical approaches, i.e., liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and semi-quantitative and passive sampling, and advanced analytical methods with colorimetric, spectrofluorimetric, and electrochemical detection. Traditional methods are costly and not broadly available, while the emerging, cost-effective methods are less sensitive and unable to meet regulatory exposure limits. There is still a significant number of studies to be performed to fully comprehend the real contamination by PFAS.

A Preliminary Evaluation of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPPs) as a Potential Approach to Evaluating Prognosis in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients and Its Implication in Tumour Angiogenesis: A 7-Year Single-Centre Study.

Breast cancer (BrC) is a highly prevalent tumour among women. The high incidence and mortality rate of BrC prompts researchers to search for new markers that will provide information on the possible impact of the therapy on the risk of cancer-related events. This study aimed to investigate whether the level of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) may have a potential impact on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in BrC patients with early-stage cancer. Additionally, we tried to assess the relationship between AOPPs and angiogenic parameters. In this study, the pre- and post-treatment AOPP levels were examined in the serum of 70 newly diagnosed BrC women. The receiver operating characteristic curve identified pre- and post-treatment AOPPs to be above 9.37 μM and 10.39 μM, respectively, as the best cut-off values to predict the risk of cancer relapse. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that pre- and post-treatment AOPPs above 9.37 μM and 10.39 μM were associated with significantly poorer OS. The uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis highlighted that lower levels of pre- and post-treatment AOPPs were associated with a longer duration without relapse or cancer-related death. A positive correlation between concentrations of pre-treatment AOPPs and vascular endothelial growth factor A, and negative correlations with levels of soluble forms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 and 2, were found. In conclusion, AOPPs appear to have an important role in predicting cancer-related events and may potentially serve as a simple prognostic marker in clinical practice.

Enhancing Single-Plane Fluoroscopy: A Self-Calibrating Bundle Adjustment for Distortion Modeling.

Single-plane fluoroscopy systems with image intensifiers remain commonly employed in a clinical setting. The imagery they capture is vulnerable to several types of geometric distortions introduced by the system's components and their assembly as well as interactions with the local and global magnetic fields. In this study, the application of a self-calibrating bundle adjustment is investigated as a method to correct geometric distortions in single-plane fluoroscopic imaging systems. The resulting calibrated imagery is then applied in the quantitative analysis of diaphragmatic motion and potential diagnostic applications to hemidiaphragm paralysis. The calibrated imagery is further explored and discussed in its potential impact on areas of surgical navigation. This work was accomplished through the application of a controlled experiment with three separate Philips Easy Diagnost R/F Systems. A highly redundant (~2500 to 3500 degrees-of-freedom) and geometrically strong network of 18 to 22 images of a low-cost target field was collected. The target field comprised 121 pre-surveyed tantalum beads embedded on a 25.4 mm × 25.4 mm acrylic base plate. The modeling process resulted in the estimation of five to eight distortion coefficients, depending on the system. The addition of these terms resulted in 83-85% improvement in terms of image point precision (model fit) and 85-95% improvement in 3D object reconstruction accuracy after calibration. This study demonstrates significant potential in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of fluoroscopic imaging, thereby improving the overall quality and effectiveness of medical diagnostics and treatments.

Assessment of the potential habitat suitability and ephedrine quality of two Ephedra species in China under climate change

Ephedra sinica and Ephedra intermedia are important medicinal plants and critical raw materials for ephedrine extraction in the pharmaceutical industry. Climate change will affect their distribution and quality. In our study, information on E. sinica and E. intermedia was collected through wilderness and online surveys. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, we determined the contents of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. We then utilized the maximum entropy model to assess the potential impact of future climate on the distribution and quality of the two Ephedra. The results showed that the two Ephedra species were predominantly found in the arid and semiarid regions of northern China. The suitable habitats and quality area of E. intermedia will be severely degraded under RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 conditions and the results for E. sinica are the opposite. The accumulation of chemical components in E. sinica depends on the precipitation of the wettest month (Bio13) and soil sand content, while the accumulation of chemical components in E. intermedia depends on the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (Bio10) and the precipitation seasonality (Bio15). Overall, the research results provide the basis for the two high-quality Ephedra species for conservation and sustainable resource development.

The Impact of Environmental Regulation on Collaborative Innovation Efficiency: Is the Porter Hypothesis Valid in Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration?

Under the advocacy of sustainable and innovation-driven development, the potential impact of environmental regulation on collaborative innovation has become a controversial issue. This article uses panel data from 16 cities in the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration from 2011 to 2021 to analyze the impact of environmental regulation on collaborative innovation efficiency. First, this study uses the two-stage DEA model to analyze each city’s industry–university–research collaborative innovation efficiency. Then, the impact of environmental regulation on collaborative innovation is analyzed using the Tobit model. The results show that in the temporal dimension, the collaborative innovation efficiency of each city shows an upward trend. This demonstrates the outstanding effectiveness of transforming knowledge into technology for economic development. In the spatial dimension, the collaborative innovation efficiency of this urban agglomeration shows a “high in the center and low in the surroundings” pattern. The Tobit regression model shows that environmental regulation significantly impacts collaborative innovation in the Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomeration. Command-and-control environmental regulation policies have a threshold effect on collaborative innovation, verifying the Porter hypothesis that appropriate environmental regulation promotes innovative activities. The results provide an initial basis for formulating regional environmental policies to achieve a win–win situation for innovation and sustainability in underdeveloped regions.

First record of the fountain bladder snail Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda: Hygrophila) in Morocco

Alien and invasive species pose a significant threat to global biodiversity, causing costly economic and environmental damage. Recent field surveys in northern Morocco have led to the discovery of the fountain bladder snail Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), providing the first evidence of its occurrence in North Africa. The exotic species is currently only known from one locality in Morocco, future surveys may reveal its presence elsewhere. It is essential to monitor its spread within invaded areas and conduct studies to improve our understanding of its biology, ecology, and potential impact on native communities in North African freshwaters.