Search Results (3,620)

As a highly valued orchid species, Cymbidium ensifolium (C. ensifolium) exhibits a natural flowering period mainly from July to September, which does not align with the market demand and shows low flowering quality, thereby significantly constraining the development of the C. ensifolium floriculture industry. To address this key issue, the study used C. ensifolium ‘Longyan Su’ as the experimental material, with white light as the control and composite light with varying ratios of red and blue light as the treatments, and investigated the influence of light quality on flowering. The results showed that blue light could significantly advance the flowering time, while red light could markedly improve the flower quality. Blue light promoted the accumulation of soluble protein and soluble sugar during flower bud differentiation, while red light enhanced their accumulation during floral organ development. During the flower bud differentiation and development stage, blue light increased the synthesis of abscisic acid (ABA) in leaves, and red light promoted the production of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and zeatin riboside (ZR). The study provides an important foundation and reference for further analysis of the flowering mechanism of C. ensifolium under different light quality treatments, and also provides technical support for flowering regulation of orchids in practical production. Full article

Blue Finance has rapidly emerged as a strategic frontier for channeling capital toward sustainable and resilient ocean economies, connecting financial innovation with environmental governance and climate responsibility. However, its conceptual foundations remain fragmented, hindering theoretical integration and policy application. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric and science-mapping analysis of 217 Scopus-indexed publications (2007–2025), using Biblioshiny (Bibliometrix v4.2.2), VOSviewer v1.6.20, and Gephi v0.10.1 to trace the intellectual evolution, thematic configuration, and research agenda of Blue Finance. The analysis reveals a rapidly consolidating field that has evolved through three distinct phases, anchored in sustainability science but constrained by limited financial integration. The field’s cognitive structure is organized around three interlinked pillars: the climate–environmental interface, sustainability integration and governance, and innovative financial mechanisms enhancing economic resilience. Emerging research hotspots in blue bonds, sustainable finance, and blue justice signal a paradigm shift from normative ecological awareness to actionable, market-aligned resilience. The findings outline a forward-looking research agenda that strengthens theoretical consolidation, governance accountability, and sustainable investment frameworks. This study offers strategic guidance for researchers, investors, and policymakers, positioning Blue Finance as a transformative catalyst that unites innovation, resilience, and equity in shaping the future of sustainable finance. Full article

Esterases are ubiquitous enzymes found in all living organisms, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. They are involved in several biological processes, including the synthesis and breakdown of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and esters; phosphorus metabolism; detoxification of natural and artificial toxicants; polymer breakdown and synthesis; remodeling; and cell signaling. The present review focuses on the most industrially important esterases, namely lipases, phospholipases, cutinases, and polyethylene terephthalate hydrolases (PETases). Esterases are widely used in industrial and biotechnological applications. Notably, the biotechnological production of esters, including methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, vinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, and ethyl lactate, as an alternative to chemical production, represents a multi-billion-dollar industry. Currently, most enzymes (>75%) used in industrial processes are hydrolytic. Among them, lipases and phospholipases are primarily used for lipid modification. Lipases are the third most commercialized enzymes after proteases and carboxyhydrases, and their production is steadily increasing, currently representing over one-fifth of the global enzyme market. Esterases, particularly lipases, phospholipases, and cutinases, are employed in cosmetics, food, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, paints, detergents, paper, and biodiesel, among other industries. Overall, biotechnological production using enzymes is gaining global traction owing to its environmental benefits, high yields, and efficiency, aligning with green economy principles. Full article

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) antigen-based skin tests, known as TB-specific skin tests (TBSTs), have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to test for TB infection (TBI). In light of these new recommendations, we conducted a situational analysis and market assessment to evaluate the utility of testing for TBI in general and of the new TBSTs in South Africa. We found the following barriers to acceptability of testing for TBI overall, regardless of the test: the perceived high prevalence of TBI; prior experiences of poor TB preventive treatment (TPT) uptake, which has led to the removal of TBI tests from the current TPT guidelines; and a poor sensitivity of previous TBI tests in people living with HIV (PLHIV). In addition, further barriers to the new TBSTs in particular were as follows: patient level barriers linked to repeat visits; the need for cold chains; and the need for a strong laboratory system, which reduces the need for point-of-care options. TBI testing was thought to be potentially useful to determine the eligibility for TPT in these use cases: healthcare workers, pregnant women living with HIV and prisoners. One other use case was in the TB diagnoses of children, where it was thought that a positive immunological test (TST/IgRA/TBST) could indicate a TB contact and serve as a ‘rule in’ test to strengthen the evidence for TB disease as a cause. Full article

This study asks how diversified and how competitive banana exports from Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia were during 2020 to 2024, and what risks arise from their market mix. The original contribution is a two-metric approach that jointly applies the Herfindahl Hirschman Index by destination to measure geographic concentration and the normalized Revealed Comparative Advantage to measure relative competitiveness. Using both indicators together creates a clear and reproducible benchmark for policy and firm decisions. A quantitative and descriptive design was applied to official trade data for HS 0803. Results show that Ecuador combined strong comparative advantage with low concentration, which supports regional leadership. Colombia expanded exports while its concentration rose, a sign of greater exposure despite solid performance in Europe. Peru lost shares and became more dependent on a few outlets, yet kept advantages in organic and niche segments. Bolivia displayed extreme concentration centered on Argentina. Practically, the findings support market diversification, staged entry into new destinations, stronger commercial partnerships, and the integration of sustainability and risk management. Theoretically, the study clarifies that diversification and competitiveness are distinct constructs and that assessing both together with transparent indices improves the diagnosis of resilience. Full article

Making smart and sustainable manufacturing operations is a top priority for industries in the era of digitization. Numerous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of attaining sustainability goals by incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies. There is still a scarcity of research in the existing literature on deploying smart and sustainable systems within a smart manufacturing context. This study aims to develop an implementation framework for smart sustainable systems and analyze its impact on business practices. It presents a multiple case study analysis of manufacturing organizations based on secondary data collection. The outcomes of these studies assist in developing a framework for a smart sustainable system structured into five layers. These include identification of the area, establishing a correlation, system integration, development of sustainability 4.0, and analyzing the performance based on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach. The study’s results indicate that implementation of smart sustainable systems leads to enhanced organizational performance, which is particularly seen in the areas of sustainable purchasing, sustainable manufacturing, sustainable logistics, and sustainable marketing. Implementation of smart sustainable operations contributes to achieving economic sustainability 4.0, social sustainability 4.0, and environmental sustainability 4.0. The findings of this research will offer guidance to the academic and business communities in their pursuit of sustainability 4.0. Full article

Silicone implants are widely used in medical applications, particularly for breast augmentation and reconstruction. However, ongoing concerns regarding their long-term safety and biocompatibility necessitate comprehensive characterization. This review critically evaluates the chemical, physical, and biological testing approaches currently used to assess silicone implants, and specifically silicone breast implants, biocompatibility, and highlights the limitations of existing ISO 10993-based protocols, which often apply a one-size-fits-all model. We propose an application-specific framework to improve the relevance and precision of biocompatibility assessments. Chemical analyses, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, provide essential information on polymer structure, integrity, and composition, thereby supporting quality control and market surveillance. Physical characterization methods, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements, assess the surface morphology, hydrophobicity, and potential defects that may influence the host response. Mechanical testing, which evaluates properties such as tensile strength and fatigue resistance, simulates in vivo stress conditions to predict the long-term durability. Biological evaluations guided by ISO 10993 use in vitro and in vivo models to assess cytotoxicity, adhesion, inflammation, and tissue integration. However, these are often not tailored to the implant type, surface features, or duration of exposure. Emerging tools, such as organ-on-a-chip platforms and machine learning models, offer new possibilities for predictive and context-specific evaluation. We advocate a standardized, modular strategy that integrates chemical, physical, and biological testing with clinical data to bridge preclinical assessments and real-world outcomes, with a specific focus on silicone breast implants. The aim of this approach is to improve patient safety, regulatory clarity, and device innovation across the global landscape of silicone implant development. Full article

Soil disinfection is of great significance in reducing soil pests and weeds, overcoming the problem of crop continuous cropping obstacles, and ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products. Soil flame disinfection technology, as a supplementary soil disinfection method that can be incorporated into an integrated plant protection system, has attracted much attention in recent years due to its characteristics of low resistance, greenness, environmental friendliness, and high efficiency. However, soil flame disinfection can also have a certain impact on soil organic matter and microbial communities, which is a core challenge that limits the promotion of flame disinfection technology. Clarifying the mechanism and temperature distribution of flame disinfection, accurately controlling flame disinfection parameters, can not only kill harmful organisms in soil, but also minimize damage to soil organic matter and microbial communities is the current research focus. This paper presents a comprehensive summary and discussion of the research progress regarding the mechanism of soil flame disinfection technology, the distribution of temperature fields, and the precise control technology for disinfection machines. It thoroughly elaborates on the efficacy of flame in eliminating typical soil-borne diseases and pests, the destructive impact of flame on soil organic matter and beneficial microbial communities, as well as the current status of research and development on soil flame disinfection devices. Additionally, it explores the pressing technical challenges that remain to be addressed. The article then discusses the future market prospects of soil flame disinfection equipment, focusing on key technological breakthroughs and opportunities, providing theoretical support for the next research, optimization and promotion of soil flame disinfection technology. Full article

Despite Türkiye’s high agricultural potential, consumer interest in organic foods remains limited. Understanding the motivations of Turkish consumers who prefer organic foods is crucial for expanding the domestic organic market. This research aims to explain consumers’ attitudes and purchasing behaviors toward organic agricultural products by utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theories and examining the impact of health, environmental, economic, and social motivations on these attitudes and behaviors. Research data were obtained from online surveys conducted with 952 adult consumers across Türkiye. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used in the analysis of the data. Research results show that females purchase more organic agricultural products than males, and consumer aged 36 and over purchase more organic agricultural products than those aged 18–25. In the research, health-related, environmental, economic, and social motivations were found to be statistically significant in terms of consumer attitudes. It has been determined that social motivations are statistically significant in the purchasing behavior of organic agricultural products. The results show that a positive attitude towards organic agricultural products has been formed, but only social motivations can motivate consumers to purchase. The results indicate that the attitude and perceived behavioral control dimensions of the TPB, when considered in conjunction with the value- and norm-based explanations of the VBN, provide a more holistic explanation of organic product consumption. These findings highlight the importance of developing marketing strategies that center on social motivations and value-based communication. Furthermore, Turkish consumers’ economic constraints and product price differences also influence their purchasing decisions. In this context, incentives for low-income groups, such as discount campaigns and promotions, are recommended. Full article

Aquatic product value-added trade constitutes a vital component of agricultural food security. Particularly in developing coastal nations, aquatic products serve as the backbone of the agricultural sector. However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities not only disrupt the global marine aquatic products value chain but also accelerate the degradation of marine ecosystems and the depletion of marine resources, posing severe challenges to sustainable fisheries and environmental governance. In 2022, the World Trade Organization reached a consensus on fisheries subsidy negotiations, while regional agreements such as the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) incorporated fisheries into relevant provisions under environmental rules. This indicates that high-standard environmental trade agreements are emerging as crucial tools for cross-border fisheries governance. This study employs open economy theory and a deep text protocol database to conduct an empirical analysis of the impact of high-standard bilateral environmental provisions on the interconnections within the aquatic products value chain. Findings reveal that environmental provisions significantly strengthen these linkages by lowering market access barriers, promoting technology spillovers, and reinforcing horizontal and vertical labor division. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the extent of these effects varies with trade provisions, political distance, and network position. These insights offer new perspectives for seafood exports and upstream–downstream coordination in aquatic products, providing policy implications for regions seeking to enhance their value chain advantages. Full article

This paper explores the café–gym symbiosis mode in Xi’an and its key influencing factors. Taking 63 sub-districts in the seven main urban districts of Xi’an as an example, based on the Dianping.com data of 753 cafés and 335 gyms and survey data from 492 questionnaires, this paper uses methods such as the symbiotic degree, symbiotic coefficient, and binary logistic regression model. On the basis of evaluating the symbiotic model between cafés and fitness centers, it explores the key factors influencing the symbiotic model of cafés and fitness centers. The results showed that cafés and gyms in Xi’an have a variety of characteristics, including agglomeration, correlation, complementarity, and combination, laying the foundation for a symbiosis between them. Among the subject symbiosis modes in Xi’an, point symbiosis was the main symbiotic organization mode. Simultaneously, the proportion of the point symbiosis mode was higher in the urban–rural transitional area than in other areas (traditional inner-city areas, mature built-up areas, emerging expansion areas). An asymmetric reciprocal symbiosis mode dominated the symbiotic behavior mode of entertainment industry objects in Xi’an. In terms of the total weekly entertainment consumer and the additional entertainment consumer dimensions, in the asymmetric reciprocal symbiosis mode, the proportion of cafés having a large impact on gyms was the highest: 60.00% and 62.86%, respectively. However, from the composite index dimension, in the asymmetric reciprocal symbiosis mode, the proportion of gyms having a large impact on cafés was the highest: 39.13%. From the symbiotic interface, the physical space within urban residential areas, office areas, commercial areas, and other main material spaces was the important basic support force for the symbiotic development of urban culture and the entertainment industry. The influence of the symbiosis mode of the culture and entertainment industry has stability. From the perspective of the symbiotic environment, cultural and creative elements, government policies, and consumer spending on entertainment foster the formation of an asymmetrical mutualistic symbiosis model between cafés and gyms. Conversely, factors such as marketization, globalization, and demographic factors inhibit its development. These findings offer valuable insights for urban planners and businesses, which help optimize the layout of the urban entertainment industry. Full article

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) have emerged in Latin America as an alternative to conventional market-driven certification, offering a community-based framework to validate sustainable agricultural and social practices. Rooted in collective responsibility and dialogue between producers, consumers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and state institutions, PGS aim to empower smallholders by reducing certification costs and strengthening agroecological transitions. This review examines their development across diverse Latin American contexts, highlighting both their innovative potential and the persistent challenges that limit their scalability and formal recognition. A literature-based approach combined with a stakeholder analysis was employed, integrating case studies from Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and other countries. To systematize findings, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths) frameworks were applied, assessing strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of producers and consumers and formulating strategies to enhance resilience and legitimacy. Results show that PGS foster social capital, technical learning, and access to local markets; however, they are constrained by high time commitments, reliance on voluntary labour, uneven participation, and limited consumer awareness. The analysis indicates that the most promising pathway is a combination of growth strategies, including leveraging short supply chains, community-based fairs, and digital platforms, with recovery strategies centred on consumer education and producer capacity building. More conservative strategies remain crucial in specific contexts: redistributing workloads, introducing compensation for administrative tasks, and strengthening conflict mediation can help preserve system viability when engagement or resources are scarce. Defence strategies, aimed at reinforcing autonomy and reducing dependence on external actors, are better conceived as long-term goals under current conditions. Full article

Nowadays, the development of efficient water treatment processes is increasingly driven by the need to provide solutions for contaminants of emerging concern. Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) based on diamond electrodes can be part of innovative removal concepts. However, expensive substrates, energy-intensive chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of diamond, and market availability complicate matters for diamond electrodes to gain traction in the water treatment sector. In addition, it has to be stated that the mining and complex processing of necessary substrates like Si, Ti, Nb, or Ta need a significant amount of fresh water, which counteracts the need for more sustainability in the field of EAOPs. In this context, a ceramic-based boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode is presented, which addresses this dilemma. The presented concept of the so-called interdigitated double diamond electrode (iDDE) consumes 14–46% less energy in batch-mode experiments to degrade an organic model molecule compared to standard BDD technology in a poorly conductive electrolyte (κ < 350 µS/cm). Laser-induced micro-structuring of the BDD layer reduces the interelectrode spacing (IES) of the iDDE to below 50 µm. The structuring approach at the micrometer scale enables the treatment of electrically low-conductivity electrolytes more energy efficiently, while reducing the need for a supporting electrolyte or a proton exchange membrane. Degradation experiments and Raman measurements reveal different properties of an iDDE compared to standard BDD technology. The iDDE concept highlights the need to understand the significance of non-uniform current density distributions on the general electrochemical activity of BDD electrodes. Full article

Agroecology is recognized as a resilient agricultural system amid the ecological crisis, but also as a social movement working towards better livelihoods for farmers. In Burkina Faso, the dynamics among actors promoting agroecology are not well understood. Effective governance of the agroecological transition necessitates a deeper comprehension of the interactions and networks involved. This study aims to identify, characterize, and analyze local actors and their networks to enhance governance for agroecological transition, focusing on two north and south-west regions of Burkina Faso to highlight regional differences. Using the Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS) as a conceptual framework, we conducted a literature review and facilitated focus group discussions during a workshop with stakeholders. Key participants include farmers, service providers, researchers, policymakers, NGOs, and organizations, which engage in political and technical interactions. The results show that the governance landscape is fragmented with public policies at both strategic and operational levels failing to effectively engage mainstream actors or translate into actionable support for agroecological practices. To transition agroecology from a fragmented niche to a widely adopted system, there is a critical need for consistent support for farmers, including knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and marketing strategies. Full article

Perceived overqualification represents a persistent structural challenge in contemporary labor markets and has garnered increasing scholarly attention in organizational behavior research. Informed by COR theory, we examine the psychological mechanism through which perceived overqualification leads to cyberloafing, introducing frustration as a mediator in this relationship. Furthermore, the moderating effect of opportunities for development on this indirect relationship is investigated. A two-stage questionnaire survey was conducted at a two-week interval, using a sample of 301 employees from ten companies in Guangdong and Guangxi, China. The results indicate that employees who view themselves as overqualified adopt cyberloafing by heightening the feeling of frustration. Notably, opportunities for development attenuate the indirect effect of perceived overqualification on cyberloafing via frustration. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of resource dynamics among overqualified employees and offer practical implications for the effective deployment and engagement of surplus talent in organizations. Full article