bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating Field Data and a Modeling Approach to Inform Optimum Planting Date × Maturity Group for Soybeans under Current and Future Weather Conditions in Kansas
Authors: van Versendaal Emmanuela , Carcedo Ana J. P. , Adee Eric , Sassenrath Gretchen , Dooley Scott , Lingenfelser Jane , Ciampitti Ignacio A.
Published: January 2023

Optimizing planting date by maturity group (PD × MG) is critical to increase productivity and reduce production risks. Understanding the effect of management, not only under current, but also future weather conditions, is even more relevant for developing effective mitigation strategies. This paper provides an analysis of the optimum combinations of soybean PD × MG management in the central-eastern region of Kansas (United States) for both current and future weather conditions. Three geographical clusters illustrating the main environmental and management characteristics were defined within the central-eastern region of Kansas. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator platform was employed to explore PD × MG combinations (PD from mid-April to mid-July; MG from III to VI) comparing current (2011–2021) and future (2042–2052) weather conditions. Overall, early planting dates produce greater yields, but reduce their stability over time (with a 15% increase in yield variation relative to late planting) across the clusters. Late planting dates resulted in a reduction close to 27% for soybean yields relative to those obtained by planting at early dates under current weather conditions. Furthermore, longer maturity groups (IV, V, and VI) resulted in a reduced yield penalty when planting time was delayed under the current weather conditions. However, this combination did not always represent the strategy that maximized yields.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Short Supply Chains in the Agri-Food Sector
Authors: Tsoulfas Giannis T. , Trivellas Panagiotis , Reklitis Panagiotis , Anastasopoulou Anna
Published: January 2023

Short supply chains have recently gained increased attention because of the turbulence in the global environment caused by exogenous influences that create unstable and uncertain conditions. The emergence of short supply chains is of particular importance for sustainable development at large, but also for the viability of vulnerable communities and areas (e.g., remote and isolated, and islands). This paper aims to explore the area of short supply chains focusing on the agri-food sector from a bibliometric standpoint. Towards this end, journal articles listed in the Scopus database were analyzed using the software VOSviewer. We present a broad overview, recent developments, and fundamental ideas in the realm of short food supply chains, which may aid in our comprehension and future research on this topic.
The Impact of Various LED Light Spectra on Tomato Preservation
Authors: Meiramkulova Kulyash , Devrishov Davud , Adylbek Zhanar , Kydyrbekova Assel , Zhangazin Sayan , Ualiyeva Rimma , Temirbekova Aliya , Adilbektegi Gulmira , Mkilima Timoth
Published: January 2023

Major losses of fresh tomatoes happen during post-harvest storage due to prompt senescence and diseases. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effects of different spectra of LED lights on the post-harvest preservation of ascorbic acid, lycopene, and total soluble solids, the weight and size of tomato fruits, as well as to determine the optimal exposure time and distance of irradiation and extension of shelf-life. Therefore, experiments were carried out in a climate chamber with shelves equipped with three different light spectra: red light-emitting diodes, red–blue–white light-emitting diodes, and ultraviolet-light-emitting diodes. Light treatment had a certain positive effect on the firmness, size, and mass of samples. Thus, tomato fruits (Panekra) exposed to the spectra of LED lights demonstrated a better quality of firmness and mass compared to the control samples (non-preserved) of tomatoes. The treatments with RL significantly improved the concentration of lycopene than FL and UV-LED lights, although the highest concentration of lycopene was observed in the control samples for the first 7 days of the storage. After 21 days, the ascorbic acid content in the red spectrum was found to be much higher than in the other two spectra and control samples, coming in at about 1.8 mg/100 mL compared to 1.0 mg/100 mL for the control samples. Total soluble solids also increased significantly after preservation, rising from 3.9 °Brix in the control samples to roughly 7.3 °Brix in samples preserved using the full spectrum after 21 days. Overall, the results of the study demonstrated that tomato preservation using the investigated techniques induced lycopene concentration, ascorbic acid, and total soluble solids concentrations. The results derived from this study provide highly useful information in the field of post-harvest preservation.
Green Finance, International Technology Spillover and Green Technology Innovation: A New Perspective of Regional Innovation Capability
Authors: Cheng Pengfei , Wang Xiaofeng , Choi Baekryul , Huan Xingang
Published: January 2023

Regional green technological progress is an important driver of regional green technology innovations. To explore in depth the impact of green finance and international technology spillover on regional green technology innovation, this study incorporates green finance, international technology spillover, and green technology innovation into the same analytical framework. In addition, based on a new perspective of regional innovation capabilities, this study analyzes the impact of green finance and international green technology spillovers on green technology innovation. The data were collected in 30 Chinese provinces from 2003 to 2019 and analyzed by a panel fixed-effects model. The interaction between green finance, international technology spillover, and regional innovation capability was investigated to understand the impact of each interaction on green technology innovation. Second, regional innovation capability was used as an intermediary variable to identify its underlying mechanism. Finally, the spatial spillover effect of green technology innovation was analyzed using the spatial Durbin model. We found that: (1) green finance, import trade, outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), and regional innovation capability can promote regional green technology innovation, while inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) has an inhibitory effect on the innovation; (2) the interaction of green finance, international technology spillovers, and regional innovation capacity positively impacts green technology innovation; (3) green finance and international technology spillovers can promote green technology innovation by promoting regional innovation capabilities; (4) and green technology innovations have spatial spillover effects, and innovations in one region can promote the growth of green technologies in adjacent regions. This study provides a reference not only for China but also for other developing countries to promote green technology advancement and achieve sustainable development goals.
Assessing the Challenges and Opportunities of Agricultural Information Systems to Enhance Farmers’ Capacity and Target Rice Production in Indonesia
Authors: Santoso Agung Budi , Girsang Setia Sari , Raharjo Budi , Pustika Arlyna Budi , Hutapea Yanter , Kobarsih Mahargono , Suprihatin Agus , Manurung Erpina Delina , Siagian Deddy Romulo , Hanapi Sidiq , Purba Tommy , Parhusip Dorkas , Budiarti Sri Wahyuni , Wanita Yeyen Prestyaning , Hatmi Retno Utami , Girsang Moral Abadi , Haloho Lermansius , Waluyo  , Suparwoto  , Yustisia  , Sudarmaji
Published: January 2023

Current technological developments make it easier for users to access the information needed in handling their farming. The study’s objectives are to determine the performance of the agricultural information system (AIS) service for rice commodities and the relationship of these service indicators to each other in increasing farmer capacity and rice production in Indonesia. The research was conducted in three rice center provinces, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Yogyakarta, from October to December 2021. The number of respondent farmers is 473 people who have obtained or applied for AIS for at least two years. Survey techniques using purposive sampling with a non-probability method with the criteria used are farmers or officials who have received information about AIS. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis with the help of SmartPLS v.3.2.9 software was performed to see multivariate relationships and continued by using importance performance analysis (IPA) to evaluate the performance of information system attributes. The results showed that the productive age, education level, and experience in rice farming were more than 10 years, enabling the application of AIS in Indonesia by strengthening the internet network and improving the attributes of security services, ease of application, accuracy, suitability, output interpretation, and accuracy, which will increase user loyalty.
Effects of Fitness Dance and Funny Running on Anxiety of Female Ph.D. Candidates
Authors: Zhang Nannan , Sun Fengxin , Zhu Yongsheng , Zheng Qinglan , Jia Changjun , Mao Yupeng , Liu Bing
Published: January 2023

Anxiety has been widely prevalent among female Ph.D. candidates. There is a positive correlation between exercise and mental health promotion. Nevertheless, little is known about the use of fitness dance and funny running to intervene in the anxiety of female Ph.D. candidates. In this paper, the effects of fitness dance and funny running on the anxiety of female Ph.D. candidates were evaluated by a repeated measurement experimental design. We randomly divided the participants into two groups, one group received a fitness dance exercise, and the other received a funny running exercise. The Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to investigate the female Ph.D. candidates’ anxiety. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the effects of a fitness dance group and a funny running group on participants’ anxiety, and to compare the differences between the two groups. Results showed that a 12-week fitness dance and funny running can alleviate participants’ anxiety from severe to moderate. Specifically, fitness dance increased the positive emotional experience of participants’ state anxiety (p = 0.018) and trait anxiety (p = 0.019) at 8-week, and decreased the negative emotional experience of state anxiety (p = 0.012), trait anxiety (p = 0.008), state anxiety level (p = 0.001) and trait anxiety level (p = 0.034) at 12-week. Funny running increased the positive emotional experience of participants’ state anxiety (p = 0.014), and trait anxiety (p = 0.002), and reduced the negative emotional experience of state anxiety (p = 0.043), state anxiety level (p = 0.047) and trait anxiety level (p = 0.022) at 12-week. This study suggests that fitness dance and funny running are healthy behaviors, which can help Chinese female Ph.D. candidates to dissociate from anxiety and stress situations and develop a healthy lifestyle. It is worth noting that the effects of fitness dance on Chinese female Ph.D. candidates’ anxiety are better than that of funny running. Based on the good effects of fitness dance in alleviating the anxiety of Chinese female Ph.D. candidates, future researches can design fitness dance intervention programs combining exercise therapy and psychotherapy according to the anxiety characteristics of female Ph.D. candidates, such as mindfulness fitness dance programs.
Numerical Investigation of a Bionic Vapor Chamber Based on Leaf Veins for Cooling Electronic Devices
Authors: Zhu Shuiping , Zhang Zhilin , Chen Haisheng , Li Yong
Published: January 2023

In order to solve the problem of integrated heat dissipation in electronic chips under continuous high-intensity operation and thus ensure their stable and normal operation, a novel bionic vapor chamber with a composite structure of leaf vein grooves is proposed. Leaf veins produce effective nutrient transport; however, how the wick core of the leaf vein groove porous composite structure affects heat transfer and flow in the vapor chamber remains elusive. In this study, the effects of the groove parameters, including the central groove diameter (D), the ratio of the inner and outer circle diameter (γ), and the number of grooves (N), on the temperature, velocity, and pressure distribution of the bionic vapor chamber were investigated based on a simplified numerical model. The results show that the maximum temperature difference at the condensing surface was reduced by approximately 50% as compared to the conventional vapor chamber, implying better temperature homogeneity. In addition, the heat and mass transfer performance of the vapor chamber improved as parameter γ increased. Moreover, the effects of variations in parameters N and D on the performance of the vapor chamber were competitive, with larger values of parameters N and D enhancing the heat transfer performance of the vapor chamber, and smaller parameter values reducing the flow pressure drop of the liquid. This provides a reference for research on the optimization of bionic vapor chambers.
Low-Carbon Supply Chain Coordination Based on Carbon Tax and Government Subsidy Policy
Authors: Ran Wenxue , Xu Teng
Published: January 2023

To meet the demands of society’s transition to a low-carbon economy, this study analyzes and designs a coordination contract that is suitable for a low-carbon supply chain, under the circumstances of a carbon tax policy and government subsidies; this is to achieve a reduction in emissions and a growth in the total profits of the supply chain, while simultaneously improving the sustainable competitiveness and coordination of the supply chain. Manufacturers and retailers make up the two levels of the supply chain that are the focus of this study. Both centralized and decentralized decision-making models are created using the Stackelberg game method. By analyzing the supply chain decision-making and emission-reduction strategies in both cases, the revenue-sharing contract is designed to achieve the sustainable coordination of the y chain. The results of the numerical analysis show the following: first, that more orders are placed and emissions are reduced under centralized decision-making than under decentralized decision-making; second, that the total supply chain’s profits are higher when all parties comply with the revenue-sharing contract than when there are no contracts; third, that the revenue-sharing contract allows for the free allocation of supply chain gross margins in the enterprise for supply chain coordination.
The Impact of Environmental Regulation on Urban Green Efficiency—Evidence from Carbon Pilot
Authors: Tang Anbao , Xu Ning
Published: January 2023

This article measures the green total factor productivity of 30 provinces (cities) in China from 2008 to 2018 based on the DEA superefficient nonexpected output model, utilizes the carbon emissions trading pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment, and uses the multiperiod double-difference model and spatial econometric approach to test the effectiveness of carbon emissions trading policy. The results found that carbon emissions trading policies can significantly improve the GTFP of the pilot regions through three main approaches: adjusting the energy mix, improving resource misallocation, and promoting green technological innovation. The market mechanism measured by carbon price and the government administrative intervention measured by fiscal dependence will increase regional GTFP. The spatial and temporal evolution pattern analysis and DSDM show a “pollution refuge” effect in the initial stage of carbon emissions trading; however, the carbon trading pilot can form a demonstration effect in neighbouring areas and promote the improvement of GTFP in neighbouring areas afterwards. The study will help enrich the performance evaluation framework of carbon emission trading policies and further improve the institutional construction of the national carbon market.
A Comparison of Students’ Thermal Comfort and Perceived Learning Performance between Two Types of University Halls: Architecture Design Studios and Ordinary Lecture Rooms during the Heating Season
Authors: Elnaklah Rana , Ayyad Yara , Alnusairat Saba , AlWaer Husam , AlShboul Abdulsalam
Published: January 2023

In classrooms, several variables may affect students’ thermal comfort, and hence health, well-being, and learning performance. In particular, the type of learning activity may play a role in students’ thermal comfort. However, most of the previous research has mainly investigated the thermal comfort of students in ordinary classrooms, while less attention has been paid to students’ thermal comfort in classrooms with particular learning activities, such as architecture design studios, where students spend a long time and perform learning activities with high metabolic rates. For this purpose, we compared the thermal comfort and perceived learning performance of students majoring in architecture (n = 173) between two types of university halls, namely, design studios and typical lecture rooms (N = 15). We applied the classroom–comfort–data method, which included collecting physical, physiological, and psychological data from students and classrooms. Data were collected during the heating season (November 2021–January 2022) in a university building in Jordan. We conducted continuous monitoring combined with periodic measures for indoor temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, and air speed. Questionnaires, focus groups, and observations were also used to collect subjective data from students. The results showed statistically significant differences (Δμ = 3.1 °C, p < 0.01, d = 0.61) in indoor temperature between design studios and lecture rooms. Only 58% of students’ votes were within the ASHRAE 55-2107 recommended comfort zone. In design studios, 53% of students felt warm compared to 58.8% of students who had a cold sensation in lecture rooms. Students perceived themselves as more productive when they felt cooler. Our research’s significance lies in its injunction that there must be a special thermal comfort guide for educational buildings that are adapted to the local environment and functions of the spaces, cooperatively.
The Product–Service System Supply Chain Capabilities and Their Impact on Sustainability Performance: A Dynamic Capabilities Approach
Authors: Dewi Dian Retno Sari , Hermanto Yustinus Budi , Tait Elizabeth , Sianto Martinus Edy
Published: January 2023

In response to competition and other market challenges, many consumer manufacturing companies are offering Product–Service Systems (PSSs) in order to improve their sustainability performance. This paper aims to examine the relationship between the PSS supply chain (SC) capabilities and sustainability performance. It empirically investigates a framework that hypothesises the impact of seven PSS SC capabilities on sustainability performance. Data were collected from 447 official motorcycle service partners in Indonesia and analysed using structural equation modelling. The findings reveal that innovative service delivery and sustainable product–service capability positively affect sustainability performance, whereas partner development, reflexive control, and re-conceptualisation positively affect sustainable product–service capability. The results also validate that collaboration and knowledge assessment do not directly affect sustainability performance. A contribution of this study is the innovative use of quantitative methods to provide empirical evidence that the PSS SC capabilities can contribute to sustainability performance, directly and indirectly. It also broadens the utilisation of Dynamic Capabilities (DCs) in PSS SC research. The findings also guide managers and decision-makers in the implementation of the PSS SC capabilities required to enhance sustainability performance.
Social Media Marketing as a Segmentation Tool
Authors: Serrano-Malebran Jorge , Vidal-Silva Cristian , Veas-González Iván
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to determine consumer segments based on the acceptance of shoppable ads from fashion brands on online social media platforms. To achieve this objective, we used the technology acceptance model (TAM) to offer a vision of the perceptions of the shoppable ads, attitudes and behaviors of social network users, using social media marketing activities as a background. Second, we searched for fashion social buyer segments using finite mixture partial least squares (FIMIX-PLS). Third, we sought to characterize these consumer segments. A sample of 486 users of social networks who accessed through mobile devices was obtained. The inclusion of social media marketing variables as antecedents of acceptance allowed us, to a large extent, to understand the intention to buy clothing by these social media users. The a posteriori segmentation technique helps to identify different types of users who use shoppable ads and their relationship with age and concerns about privacy, trust and purchases made on the Internet. The results show that, based on the explained variance and model fit, the proposed variables allow us to explain acceptance, with two groups of consumers within the sample being found.
Developing a Sustainable Work Environment for Substitute Teachers: A Multi-Criteria Job Satisfaction Approach
Authors: Glaveli Niki , Manolitzas Panagiotis , Vouzas Fotios , Liassidis Chris
Published: January 2023

Retention of provisional substitute teachers (PSTs) in the teaching profession is an important and timely topic that relates to the sustainability of the schools’ work environment and teaching profession. The present study re-examines these issues using teacher job satisfaction (TJS) as a surrogate variable. More precisely, MUlti-criteria Satisfaction Analysis (MUSA) -a method that combines Multi-Criteria Decision and Importance-Performance Analysis- is applied to a data set of primary school substitute teachers from Greece to assess the contribution of schools’ performance on 5 important aspects of the school environment i.e., opportunities for self-fulfillment, work intensity/load, salary/income, leadership and collegial relations, to overall PSTs JS. The findings indicate that self-fulfillment and collegial relationships contribute the most to PST overall JS, whilst salary/income the least. The results further suggest that self-fulfillment is not only the facet of the work environment that PSTs value the most but also the strong point of the schools’ work environment. The study provides a new strategic perspective on TJS research, as well as evidence-based strategies for improving the quality of work life and attrition rate levels of substitute teachers. Moreover, the theoretical and practical implications of this study are presented and avenues for future research are highlighted.
Design Thinking to Envision More Sustainable Technology-Enhanced Teaching for Effective Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Avsec Stanislav
Published: January 2023

The present study aims to examine profiles of design thinkers in a teacher education programme during technology-enhanced teaching/learning in face-to-face and distance modes. Additionally, it investigates how the design thinking (DT) profiles are related to students’ interpersonal and evaluative skills, as well as how DT profiles predict the level of use of technology. A total of 307 undergraduate students participated in this study. Hierarchical and k-means cluster analysis were adopted to identify the DT profiles, whereas multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was run to study how the DT profiles were related to respective students’ levels of interpersonal and evaluative skills. Subsequently, the individual profiles of all components of DT were examined for group differences using cross-tabulations. Multinomial logistic regressions were run to examine relationships among DT profiles, interpersonal and evaluative skill levels and use of technology. Based on these analyses, three major findings were obtained. These are as follows: (1) Three distinctive DT profiles were revealed underlying a new extensively validated DT mindset. Low importance was given to team learning and knowledge transfer, which points to the lack of behavioural uncertainty; (2) DT profiles differed significantly in their metacognitive perspectives of interaction- and individual-centred tasks, as well as evaluative skills of monitoring, critical thinking and reflection; (3) Interaction-oriented design tasks involving target use of varied technologies were seen to further enhance socialization, facilitate dialogue and reflection, create an immersive experience and aid the understanding and internalization of tacit knowledge. These findings represent a step toward closing critical gaps in the theory and practice of DT and serve as a springboard for instructors and researchers to develop customized metacognitive instructional support for students in technology-enhanced environments for effective knowledge transfer.
Slope Stability Prediction Method Based on Intelligent Optimization and Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Yang Yukun , Zhou Wei , Jiskani Izhar Mithal , Lu Xiang , Wang Zhiming , Luan Boyu
Published: January 2023

Slope engineering is a type of complex system engineering that is mostly involved in water conservancy and civil and mining engineering. Moreover, the link between slope stability and engineering safety is quite close. This study took the stable state of the slope as the prediction object and used the unit weight, cohesion, internal friction angle, pore water pressure coefficient, slope angle, and slope height as prediction indices to analyze the slope stability based on the collection of 117 slope data points. The genetic algorithm was used to solve the hyperparameters of machine learning algorithms by simulating the phenomena of reproduction, hybridization, and mutation in the natural selection and natural genetic processes. Five algorithms were used, including the support vector machine, random forest, nearest neighbor, decision tree, and gradient boosting machine models. Finally, all of the obtained stability prediction results were compared. The prediction outcomes were analyzed using the confusion matrix, receiver characteristic operator (ROC), and area under the curve (AUC) value. The AUC values of all machine learning prediction results were between 0.824 and 0.964, showing excellent performance. Considering the AUC value, accuracy, and other factors, the random forest algorithm with KS cutoff was determined to be the optimal model, and the relative importance of the influencing variables was studied. The results show that cohesion was the factor that most affects slope stability, and the influence factor was 0.327. This study proves the effectiveness of the integrated techniques for slope stability prediction, makes essential suggestions for future slope stability analysis, and may be extensively applied in other industrial projects.
Two-Dimensional-Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping Study Based on Factor Graph Elimination Optimisation
Authors: Wu Xinzhao , Li Peiqing , Li Qipeng , Li Zhuoran
Published: January 2023

A robust multi-sensor fusion simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm for complex road surfaces is proposed to improve recognition accuracy and reduce system memory occupation, aiming to enhance the computational efficiency of light detection and ranging in complex environments. First, a weighted signed distance function (W-SDF) map-based SLAM method is proposed. It uses a W-SDF map to capture the environment with less accuracy than the raster size but with high localization accuracy. The Levenberg–Marquardt method is used to solve the scan-matching problem in laser SLAM; it effectively alleviates the limitations of the Gaussian–Newton method that may lead to insufficient local accuracy, and reduces localisation errors. Second, ground constraint factors are added to the factor graph, and a multi-sensor fusion localisation algorithm is proposed based on factor graph elimination optimisation. A sliding window is added to the chain factor graph model to retain the historical state information within the window and avoid high-dimensional matrix operations. An elimination algorithm is introduced to transform the factor graph into a Bayesian network to marginalize the historical states and reduce the matrix dimensionality, thereby improving the algorithm localisation accuracy and reducing the memory occupation. Finally, the proposed algorithm is compared and validated with two traditional algorithms based on an unmanned cart. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm reduces memory consumption and improves localisation accuracy compared to the Hector algorithm and Cartographer algorithm, has good performance in terms of accuracy, reliability and computational efficiency in complex pavement environments, and is better utilised in practical environments.
Undrained Shear Properties of Shallow Clayey-Silty Sediments in the Shenhu Area of South China Sea
Authors: Wei Ruchun , Liu Lele , Jia Chao , Zhao Hualin , Dong Xiao , Bu Qingtao , Liu Changling , Wu Nengyou
Published: January 2023

Suction piles are used to ensure wellhead stability during natural gas hydrate production in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea (SCS). Undrained shear properties of clayey-silty sediments play a critical role in the stability analysis of suction piles. However, it has not been fully studied. This study conducts a series of undrained triaxial shear tests on shallow clayey-silty sediments in the Shenhu area of SCS, and stress–strain curves under different overconsolidation ratio (OCR) conditions are obtained. OCR effects on undrained shear properties of clayey-silty sediments are discussed, and a model to predict the pore pressure coefficient at failure is proposed. Results show that the isotropic compression index is 0.175, and the isotropic swelling index is 0.029. The undrained shear strength is proportional to the effective confining pressure, and the proportionality coefficient is 0.42 for normally consolidated specimens, while the undrained shear strength of OC specimens nonlinearly increases with OCRs increasing. The proposed model aptly predicts the pore pressure coefficient at the failure of clayey-silty sediments of SCS with different OCRs.
The Performance Improvement Mechanism of Cross-Border E-Commerce Grassroots Entrepreneurship Empowered by the Internet Platform
Authors: Fan Zhigang , Zhai Xuanshun
Published: January 2023

In the cross-border e-commerce industry, millions of small and medium-sized sellers have emerged in recent years. With the empowerment of the Internet platform, these grassroots entrepreneurs, which are generally disadvantaged in terms of resources, capabilities, costs, etc., have overcome a number of barriers and acquired more equitable participation opportunities in the fierce market competition. This study explores the performance improvement mechanism of platform empowerment for grassroots entrepreneurs and tests the mediating effect of resource bricolage. After descriptive statistical analysis, applying the common method variance test, and reliability and validity verification of the 336 valid questionnaire sample data, a path analysis of the structural equation model and an intermediary effect test were conducted. The results indicated that the structural empowerment of the platform could significantly and positively improve the entrepreneurial performance of grassroots entrepreneurs, while the psychological empowerment of the platform has no significant effect. In addition, the resource bricolage played a completely mediating role in the impact of platform empowerment on entrepreneurial performance. By deepening our understanding of the platform empowerment mechanism and grassroots entrepreneurs’ resource bricolage behavior, this study provided guidance and reference for the platform to better play its empowerment role and for the grassroots entrepreneurs to achieve their own growth.
The Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity: A Study Based on China’s Provinces
Authors: Xiao Quan , Wang Yu , Liao Haojie , Han Gang , Liu Yunjie
Published: January 2023

Digital inclusive finance is key to China’s agriculture and low-carbon economics. The panel data for China’s 30 provinces were chosen from 2011 to 2019. An SBM GML model was applied in the thesis to measure agricultural green total factor productivity (GTFP), and to determine how Digital Inclusive Finance would affect agricultural GTFP a two-way fixed effect model was created. This study found that, from 2011 to 2019, the advancement of Digital Inclusive Finance could effectively enhance and drive the continuous increase of agricultural GTFP in China. Specifically, agricultural GTFP is increased by 0.288% as a result of every 1% rise in the Digital Inclusive Finance index; Digital Inclusive Finance helps agricultural green technologies advance and become more effective. According to a mechanism test, Digital Inclusive Finance increases agricultural GTFP growth by improving green technology innovation. Further analysis shows that the development of agricultural GTFP is significantly related to the depth and digitalization of Digital Inclusive Finance, but not in terms of its breadth. The above findings provide new ideas and empirical evidence for revealing the connection among Digital Inclusive Finance and agricultural GTFP and, on this basis, designing and improving relevant policies.
Interactive Effects of Rising Temperature, Elevated CO2 and Herbivory on the Growth and Stoichiometry of a Submerged Macrophyte Vallisneria natans
Authors: Zhou Chi , Lv Chaochao , Miao Teng , Ma Xufa , Xia Chengxing
Published: January 2023

Global climate changes are affecting organisms and their interactions in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, such as the increase in temperature and CO2 concentration. Herbivory interaction is a very important part of nutrient cycle and energy flow in freshwater ecosystem, and climate changes may directly or indirectly affect aquatic plants, aquatic herbivores and their interactions. In this study, we explored the effects of the rising temperature, elevated CO2 concentrations and herbivory by an herbivorous snail (Radix auricularia L.) on a submerged plant (Vallisneria natans L.). Our results showed that herbivory, temperature, and CO2 had specific effects on snail and plant growth, statistically there was only one interaction-a reduction in leaf number. Under different experimental conditions, snail herbivory always has negative effects on biomass accumulation and growth of V. natans. Moreover, the increases in temperature also inhibited its growth. Snail herbivory reduced the content of total carbon and total nitrogen of V. natans in all treatments, while the total phenols content increased. Our findings indicate that the rising temperature, elevated CO2 concentrations and herbivory have interactive effects on the growth and stoichiometry of submerged macrophytes, but further research is needed between aquatic plants and aquatic herbivores to aid prediction the impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems.
Aggregation Stability and Carbon Pools in Extremely Kaolinitic Soils from the East Coast of Brazil as Affected by Land Use Changes
Authors: Ercole Tamires Maiara , Gomes João Bosco Vasconcellos , Motta Antônio Carlos Vargas , Ferreira Mozart Martins , Inda Alberto Vasconcellos , Mancini Marcelo , Curi Nilton
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differential response to land use changes between native forest and croplands regarding the quantitative soil variables of aggregate weight classes and different carbon pools in extremely kaolinitic soils from the east coast of Brazil. In the soil A horizon, the total (TOC) and dissolved (DOC) organic carbon contents were analyzed. In the 0–0.08 m soil layer, the weight and the organic carbon content (Cag) were determined for six size aggregate classes. The mean differential (Δ) of each property for each area was calculated. Overall, the TOC and DOC were greater in the native forest sites over the counterpart cultivated sites within each area. The ΔDOC of all the five areas were negative. The ΔCag of the 1–2 mm and 0.053–0.105 mm soil aggregate classes of Sooretama were the only ones with mean positive values. The ordination of the five areas by the ΔCag in the six soil aggregate size classes isolated Coruripe as the area with the most negative differentials, because of the forest conservation and management of the cropland. The differentials of organic carbon between forest and agricultural use of the analyzed properties did not reveal a possible effect of soil texture.
Corporate Reporting on Food Waste by UK Seafood Companies: Literature Review and an Assessment of Current Practices
Authors: Al-Tamimi Mohammad , Azure John De-Clerk , Ramanathan Ramakrishnan
Published: January 2023

Over 10% of the world’s population is undernourished, yet 1/3 of all food produced each year is lost or wasted. Such a level of inefficiency in the global food system has a significant economic, social, and environmental impact which has elicited calls for urgent global action. This paper responds to this call by developing an interdisciplinary framework focusing on legal, regulatory, accounting, and reporting frameworks to improve the prevention or reduction of food loss and waste (FLW). Mobilising a literature review, this paper advances a three-pronged suggestion for tackling FLW in UK seafood companies: the development of technological solutions in the form of sensors; the enactment of a comprehensive legal and regulatory reporting template for seafood companies; and finally, the development of accounting standards that mandate reporting beyond the current Food and Waste Accounting and Reporting Standard by the Water Resources Institute (WRI), which is modelled on voluntary compliance.
Assessments of Heavy Metals Accumulation, Bioavailability, Mobility, and Toxicity in Serpentine Soils
Authors: Abdul Rashid Sheila Rozalia , Wan Yaacob Wan Zuhairi , Umor Mohd Rozi
Published: January 2023

Accumulation of heavy metals is a concerning issue due to their known persistence in the ecosystem, and there are standard limits established for their maximum allowable concentrations in soils. However, heavy metal accumulation coming from serpentinite soils often exceeds the regulatory values, and there is a lack of knowledge regarding their bioavailability, mobility, and toxicity in the environment. This research applied novel selective sequential extraction and leaching procedures to assess the gaps in knowledge regarding heavy metals accumulation on serpentinite topsoil derived from a few states in Peninsular Malaysia. Based on the total digestion method, the concentration of all studied heavy metals except Mn exceeded the site screening levels issued by the Department of Environment, Malaysia (DOEM). The Geo-accumulation Index categorized Cr, Cd, Ni, and Co as extreme contamination and Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mn as unpolluted to moderate contamination. From the extraction results, Cd was found bounded 100% to a residual fraction. Meanwhile, Ni, Co, and Cr were mostly (≥92%) found to be bound to a residual fraction, with the remaining percentages distributed within non-bioavailable fractions (crystalline Fe oxides, poorly crystalline Fe oxides, and Mn oxides). Nevertheless, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mn contaminants showed an increase (1–9%) in bioavailability and mobility fractions (soluble–exchangeable, surface-adsorbed, and organic matter) which pose a threat to the environment. The toxicity of the heavy metals greatly surpassed the DOEM standards; however, it was still below the global USEPA toxicity control. This research concluded that, even though the toxicity level of the topsoils had not exceeded the global toxicity limit, the accumulation of heavy metals in the serpentinite soils needs to be addressed due to its high concentration and its being potentially bioavailable and mobile in the environment.
The Economic Impact of Green Credit: From the Perspective of Industrial Structure and Green Total Factor Productivity
Authors: Chen Cai , Zhong Shunbin , Zhang Yingli , Bai Yun
Published: January 2023

Promoting economic growth while achieving sustainable development is the original purpose of green credit. Based on panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2008 to 2020, we systematically evaluate the economic impact of green credit by exploring the influencing factors, regional differences, and underlying mechanisms. The results show that: (1) Green credit is more prevalent in provinces with higher foreign direct investment (FDI), research and development expenditures (R&D), financial development, urbanization rates, and lower government fiscal spending. At the regional level, green credit issuance gradually decreases as the region moves towards the west. (2) From a national perspective, green credit issuance has a significant impact on local economies. Local GDP increases by 0.482% for every 1% increase in green credit. (3) The underlying mechanisms are the rationalization of intra-industry structure and the improvement of green total factor productivity. These findings are robust against alternative measures of economic growth, quantile regression estimation, and the construction of instrumental variables. Finally, we propose policy recommendations for China’s continued implementation of green credit policies.
Euphorbia neriifolia (Indian Spurge Tree): A Plant of Multiple Biological and Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Chaudhary Priya , Singh Devendra , Swapnil Prashant , Meena Mukesh , Janmeda Pracheta
Published: January 2023

Although India has a well-established and growing economy surrounding synthetic drug chemistry with an antibiotic base, a large part of the population, especially in forested villages and tribal belts, is relying solely on plant-derived drugs. This is due to a lower number of side effects, low chances of resistance development against pathogenic microorganisms, as well as the diversity and affordability of such drugs. In the Indian subcontinents, Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. (EN) is one of the valuable plants from the big family of Euphorbiaceae, which is usually found in rocky and hilly areas. E. neriifolia was found to be useful in curing tumors, abdominal swelling, bronchial infection, hydrophobia, earache, cough and cold, asthma, leprosy, gonorrhea, spleen enlargement, leucoderma, snake bites, scorpion stings, and causing appetite improvement, etc. Different in vitro and in vivo experimental studies were performed to determine the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, wound healing, anti-atherosclerosis, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, anti-psychotic, anti-thrombotic, dermal irritation, hemolytic, analgesic, anti-fertility, diuretic, anti-microbial, anti-diarrheal, and anti-carcinogenic activities of the various parts of EN. Several bioactive compounds, such as euphol, nerifoliol, taraxerol, euphonerins A–G, lectin, etc., were isolated from E. neriifolia and need to be investigated further for various biological activities (cardiovascular and neuronal diseases). In the pharmaceutical sector, E. neriifolia was selected for the development of new drugs due to its broad pharmacological activities. Therefore, in the present review, distribution, classification, morphological and microscopical description, phytochemical investigation, pharmacological activities, medicinal uses, harmful effects, and their treatment were evaluated, especially against different lifestyle-related diseases.
A Deep Graph Learning-Enhanced Assessment Method for Industry-Sustainability Coupling Degree in Smart Cities
Authors: Bian Hengran , Liu Yi
Published: January 2023

The construction of smart cities has been a common long-term goal around the world. In addition to fundamental infrastructures, it also remains important to assess healthy development status of cities with use of intelligent algorithms. Currently, machine learning has gradually been the prevalent technical means to develop digital assessment methods. However, the whole social system can be regarded as a kind of graph-level complex network, in which node entities and their internal relations are involved. To deal with this challenge, this paper takes graph-level feature into consideration, and proposes a deep graph learning-enhanced assessment method for industry-sustainability coupling degree in smart cities. Specifically, an improved graph neural network model is developed to output the industry space aggregation consequence, and a multi-variant regression model is utilized to output the sustainability status level consequence. Taking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) as an example, simulative experiments are carried out on the real-world data collected from realistic society. The obtained results can well prove that the proposed method is able to effectively assess the industry-sustainability coupling degree in smart cities.
Data-Driven-Based Eco Approach for Connected and Automated Articulated Trucks in the Space Domain
Authors: Zhang Xianhong , Li Xiaoyun , Zhang Zihan
Published: January 2023

Since conventional eco approach systems can only achieve longitudinal automation, they may be disabled due to the impedance of the slow-moving vehicle. In addition, they could sacrifice a lot in travel time and it is hard to control the articulated truck with a complex dynamic model. This research presents an enhanced eco approach system for connected and automated articulated trucks, and is able to: (i) overtake slow-moving vehicles for sustainability and mobility; (ii) efficiently optimize the travel duration approaching a signalized intersection; (iii) achieve the trade-off between fuel saving and vehicle mobility; and (iv) improve computational efficiency and optimality for the articulated truck control. To achieve these features, the problem was formulated as an optimal control problem. A longitudinal and lateral coupled truck dynamic model was utilized for enabling the truck to own the automatic overtaking capability. The data-driven-based Koopman operator theory was adopted to globally linearize the truck dynamic model for reducing the computational burden while ensuring optimality. The optimal control problem is transformed from the time domain to the space domain in order for optimizing travel duration and considering the signal timing constraint. A quantitative evaluation was conducted to validate the performance of the Koopman system dynamics. In addition, the simulation experiment was designed to compare the proposed controller against human drivers and the conventional eco approach, which only has longitudinal automation. The results demonstrate that the proposed controller improves the fuel efficiency by 5.12–67.15%, and outperforms the two baseline controllers by 9.09–32.65% in terms of fuel saving. This range is caused by the different arrival times of the ego articulated truck.