Production Index Research Articles

Tiered maize and wheat nutrient removal coefficients estimated from available data

AbstractEstimates of cropland nutrient budgets at national to global scale generally rely on regional or global mean coefficients for quantifying nutrients removed in crop yield and by-products. Use of such mean values masks the variability in these coefficients. Using maize and wheat as examples, we assessed variation in nutrient removal coefficients, namely harvest index (HI), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations of crop products (Grain N, Grain P and Grain K respectively) and N, P and K concentrations of crop residues (Residue N, Residue P, and Residue K respectively). Variation in these coefficients was assessed by three categories (Tiers) of estimation. Statistical (mixed-effects) and machine learning (random forest regression) models (Tier 3) were used to predict the coefficients using generally available predictor variables at a global level. Mean prediction accuracies (R2) of the mixed-effects and random forest models were 0.32 for maize coefficients and 0.45 for wheat coefficients when based on a random sub-selection of mainly replicated field experiment data. When predictions were applied to on-farm data only, prediction accuracies were lower (mean R2 values of 0.08 and 0.36 for maize and wheat respectively). Variation in, and dearth of on-farm data for the coefficients contributed to these poor prediction accuracies. Until the limitations of on-farm data are overcome, it is recommended to use Tier 2 (regional) coefficient estimates in country and global cropland nutrient balance and nutrient use efficiency estimates. Where Tier 2 values are not available, then global average (Tier 1) coefficients can be used.

Impact of digital financial inclusion on economic growth: a study on Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to find out the impact of Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) on economic growth [(Industrial Production Index (INDP)] of Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachUsing the monthly data over the period 2018 M12 to 2021 M12, this study applied the Auto-regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to assess the effect of DFI indicators on INDP. The secondary data was collected from the Bangladesh Bank and CEIC Global Economic Data.FindingsThe study found that the majority of DFI indicators are positively associated with INDP. From the short-run ARDL, it is seen that one unit positive increase in Point of Sales Transactions (POST) can increase the INDP by 0.055 units. From the long-run ARDL, it is seen that POST and e-commerce transactions (ECOMT) have a significant positive impact, while Automated Teller Machine Transactions (ATMT) have a significant negative effect on INDP. One unit increase in POST and ECOMT increases INDP by 0.13544 and 0.11611 units, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsDuring the era of the fourth industrial revolution, the findings will be beneficial for policymakers, financial technology service providers, manufacturers, consumers, corporations and investors as they pave the way for a more inclusive approach to financial transactions for economic growth.Originality/valueThe study’s novelty is that it explored the influential DFI indicators and shed light on both short-run and long-run relationships between the indicators and macro-economy from the context of a developing nation.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2023-0306

Relationship between Body Adiposity Indices and Reversal of Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity 6 Months after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

The factors determining the reversal of metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) to metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are not completely elucidated. The present study aims to evaluate body adiposity and distribution, through different indices, according to metabolic phenotypes before and 6 months after RYGB, and the relationship between these indices and transition from MUO to MHO. This study reports a prospective longitudinal study on adults with obesity who were evaluated before (T0) and 6 months (T1) after RYGB. Bodyweight, height, waist circumference (WC), BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHR), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, insulin, glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR were evaluated. The visceral adiposity index (VAI), the conicity index (CI), the lipid accumulation product (LAP), CUN-BAE and body shape index (ABSI) were calculated. MUO was classified based on insulin resistance. MUO at T0 with transition to MHO at T1 formed the MHO-t group MHO and MUO at both T0 and T1 formed the MHO-m and MUO-m groups, respectively. At T0, 37.3% of the 62 individuals were classified as MHO and 62.7% as MUO. Individuals in the MUO-T0 group had higher blood glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, insulin, TC and LDL-c compared to those in the MHO-T0 group. Both groups showed significant improvement in biochemical and body variables at T1. After RYGB, 89.2% of MUO-T0 became MHO (MHO-t). The MUO-m group presented higher HOMA-IR, insulin and VAI, compared to the MHO-m and MHO-t groups. CI and ABSI at T0 correlated with HOMA-IR at T1 in the MHO-t and MHO-m groups. CI and ABSI, indicators of visceral fat, are promising for predicting post-RYGB metabolic improvement. Additional studies are needed to confirm the sustainability of MUO reversion and its relationship with these indices.

Combined effects of alcohol and lead on cerebrospinal fluid production

Currently, due to the development of industry, a high incidence of heavy metal salt poisoning is observed, especially in people with alcohol dependence. The study aims to investigate the combined effects of these pathogens on the central nervous system. The study demonstrates changes in intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid production in isolated and combined poisoning of lead and ethanol based on experimental models on 10 and 40 days of exposure, 3 main groups were formed – the group of lead salts, ethanol, combined intoxication, after which the main indicators were measured. The effect of separate and combined action of alcohol and lead on cerebrospinal fluid production and haemodynamic indices in experimental animals was studied. It was found at 40-day intoxication indices remained above normal, systemic arterial pressure was 131.8 mmHg, and the rate of cerebrospinal fluid production was 0.073±0.002 ml/min. Combined 10-day combined action of alcohol and lead enhances their excitatory effect, which is characterised by an increase in systemic arterial pressure (to the level of 135.6 mmHg) and general psycho-somatic agitation, the rate of cerebrospinal fluid production was 0.077±0.008 ml/min. The 40-day co-exposure manifested mainly toxic effects of lead, as shown by a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid production of 0.049±0.001 ml/min, and a decrease in blood pressure to a level of 93.6 mmHg. The results of this study will make it possible to develop treatment protocols for patients with ethanol and heavy metal salt poisoning, especially in the field of anti-oedema therapy

Association of different obesity indexes with diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

The objective of this study is to investigate the association between diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and various adiposity indexes, including the visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product index (LAPI), visceral fat area (VFA), and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. 1176 T2DM patients was stratified into normoalbuminuria (NO), microalbuminuria (MI), and macroalbuminuria (MA) groups based on their urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) levels. To analyse the correlation between DKD and VAI, LAPI, VFA, and SFA. Multiple linear, restricted cubic spline (RCS), subgroup analyses, and multinomial logistic regression were employed. After adjusting for confounding variables, UACR levels were positively associated with VAI, LAPI, and VFA. RCS curves demonstrated a J-shaped dose-response relationship between VAI and LAPI levels with UACR levels, while a linear correlation was observed between UACR levels and VFA. Using the NO and MI as reference groups, the MA group was analysed as the observational group. DKD severity was positively associated with VAI, LAPI and VFA. When evaluating DKD prognostic risk, with the low-risk and medium-risk groups serving as reference categories, a significant positive correlation was identified with prognostic risk and VAI, LAPI, and VFA in the high-risk or very high-risk groups. In patients with T2DM, DKD severity and prognostic risk were positively correlated with VAI, LAPI, and VFA levels.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in closed foot and ankle fractures treated with conservative versus surgical management: A nationwide analysis

ObjectivesThough there is extensive research on recovery and outcomes of proximal joint fractures, such as hip and knee, there is a paucity of such research in foot and ankle fractures and a lack of uniform data on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is a retrospective cohort study that seeks to investigate the incidence of VTE following surgically versus conservatively treated foot and ankle fractures MethodsThis study included all adult-patient hospitalizations with International Classification of Disease 10th Revision diagnosis codes related to closed foot and ankle fractures as a primary diagnosis in the National Inpatient Sample, an administrative database part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, for a total of 209,595 cases. Multivariate binary logistic regression was performed to determine the effect of age, gender, past medical history of venous thromboembolism (PMHVTE), Charlson Comorbidity Index, race, surgery, and transfusion of red cell products on the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). ResultsOur study found an overall incidence of DVT and PE to be 0.4 % and 0.3 %, respectively, following foot or ankle fracture. Conservative management was found to have an increased relative risk of DVT and PE of 2.02 and 1.15, respectively. This difference persisted on performing inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis to account for confounders. PMHVTE and requirement of blood transfusion was associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) of 3.41 and 3.217, respectively. Cases identified as Black and Asian/Pacific Islander also had an increased OR of DVT. ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that surgical management of foot and ankle fractures is associated with a lower relative risk of VTE compared to medical management. PMHVTE and transfusion of red cell products increase the odds of VTE following either form of intervention.

313 Many farmers want a prediction of future performance, not necessarily breeding potential

Abstract High heritability is a characteristic of many performance traits in cattle translating to a relatively strong correlation between an (accurate) estimated breeding value for an animal and its (future) production potential. However, the broad sense heritability (i.e., numerator in the formula includes both additive and non-additive genetic variance) is often larger than the narrow sense heritability (i.e., numerator includes only the additive genetic variance) especially for low heritability traits like reproductive performance. Moreover, the repeatability of a trait can be greater again, the difference between the heritability and repeatability is the inclusion of a permanent environmental variance in the numerator. Accurate and pertinent omic-based animal-level features can contribute to an increase in narrow sense heritability owing to a possible reduction in the residual variance; such data can also provide insights into both non-additive genetic variance and the permanent environmental variance. Even at the level of the contemporary group, omic-level data from the likes of bulk blood/saliva/milk sample, can improve how systematic environmental effects are modeled in the mixed model equations thus also reducing the residual variance. The greater heritability will contribute to a strengthening of the correlation between future phenotypic performance potential and estimated additive genetic merit. Importantly, omic measures for individual animals can help predict the permanent environmental effect of that animal capturing the yet untapped contributor to phenotypic variance. Irrespective, predictions need to be replaced by prescriptions; end users are inundated with data yet crave actionable information. Animal breeders have a lush (pardon the pun!) history of distilling estimates of genetic merit for a plethora of traits into a single value per animal (i.e., breeding indexes); this is the first step in transitioning from predictions to prescriptions. Given the familiarity of end users with breeding indexes, the potential exists to develop production indexes to rank commercial animals on future expected performance taking cognizance of genetic and non-genetic effects. Such production indexes align well with the associated breeding index but where the estimates of genetic merit for the traits in question are replaced by estimates of production merit; these estimated production values are the sum of the additive genetic, non-additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. The weighting factors in the production indexes are more short-term using current costs and prices as opposed to breeding indexes which are longer term. In comparison with the breeding indexes, the production indexes can include ancillary information like gender, age, and month of calving/birth. Like breeding indexes, they are updated in real time. Examples of the application of genome-enabled production indexes are guides for valuing animals for purchase or culling.

Food security in Nigeria amidst globalization, economic expansion, and population growth: A wavelet coherence and QARDL analysis

Food security is crucial on a global scale as it provides essential health, social, and economic advantages to the human population. Therefore, to achieve the sustainable development goal of zero hunger (Goal 2), it is imperative to assess the progress of food security, particularly in developing countries. Thus, this reflects on the relative factors affecting food security in Nigeria from 1980 to 2022. The study utilized advanced econometrics approaches such as Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) and Wavelet Coherence (WTC) to analyze the data. Food security is measured using the food production index (FPI), while other variables such as globalization (GLOB), population growth (POP), gross domestic product (GDP) as a measure of economic growth, and inflation are considered. The results of the Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag analysis indicate that in the short-term, globalization has a beneficial impact on FPI at the 0.25 quantile, but it has a detrimental effect on food security at the 0.50 and 0.75 quantiles. Nevertheless, over a prolonged period, the effect is detrimental in all quantiles. Additionally, in the short-term, FPI experiences a beneficial effect from GDP in all quantiles. Over time, GDP has a positive effect on all levels of income distribution. However, in the short-term, the size of the POP has a negative effect on FPI for the 0.25 to 0.75 quantiles. Further discussion is dedicated to policy options and their implications.

Influence of Bust Size and Waist Circumference on Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Voltage Index in Blacks Africans

Background: Several studies have investigated on relationship between anthropometric characteristics andelectrocardiographic left ventricular mass (LVM). These studies, performed mainly in Caucasians, have mostlyfocused on influence of body mass index on left ventricular voltage indices (LVVI), and rarely on bust size and/or waist circumference.Aim: To determine influence of bust size and waist circumference on LVVI in healthy sedentary people of blackAfrican origin.Method: Experimental, prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study including 66 volunteers (20 women) aged 18to 35 years. They were received in morning on empty stomach. Bust size and waist circumference were measuredwith tape measure. Standard electrocardiogram was performed at rest. R and S wave amplitude and QRScomplex duration were measured. Sokolow-Lyon, R in aVL, Cornell and Cornell product indexes were calculated.Correlation was sought between each LVVI and anthropometric characteristics studied.Results: Bust size and waist circumference were positively correlated with LVVI. Correlation with bust size wasstatistically significant for all LVVI except for R in aVL index, while for waist circumference it was only significantwith R in aVL index.Conclusion: This study confirms relationship between anthropometric characteristics and LVVI. Therefore,interpretation of LVM anomalies from LVVI should also take into consideration morphotype of each individual.

Multicriteria evaluations for sand production potentials: a case study from a producing oil field in the Niger Delta Basin (Nigeria)

Geomechanical evaluation of three wells in an onshore Niger Delta Oil Field in which some reservoirs have histories of free water production was carried out to predict their potential for sand production. The mechanical characteristics of the reservoirs, such as the Poisson ratio (v), shear modulus (G), elastic modulus (E), bulk modulus (Kb), and bulk compressibility, were calculated using petrophysical parameters such as s-velocity (Vs), p-velocity (Vp), gamma ray index (IGR), the volume of shale (Vsh), porosity (), and pseudo factor (q) derived from wireline logs (Cb). Five geomechanical techniques—porosity, acoustic wave travel time, sand production index, Schlumberger sand production index, and shear modulus to bulk compressibility ratio (G/Cb) were used to forecast the potential for sand production in the reservoirs. The porosity values varied from 14 to 27%, which is below the threshold value of 30% for sand production. The acoustic wave travel time ranged from 81.59 to 89.91s/ft, which is below the threshold value of 104s/ft for sand production. The threshold value for the sand production index was < 2.9 ×106psi. The values for the sand production index fell between 11x 106psi and 12.4 x 106psi, which is below the limits for the onset of sanding. The G/Cb values in the reservoirs across the three wells fell between 1.15 x 1012psi2 and 1.43 x 1012psi2 while the threshold value for the Schlumberger sand production index fell between 1.15 x 1012psi2 and 1.43 x 1012psi2. Only the Schlumberger criterion predicted the potential for likely sand production.

Proximate, total starch,glycemic index, glycmic load and sensory analysis of fufu analogue products from maize residue

Proximate, total starch,glycemic index, glycmic load and sensory analysis of fufu analogue products from maize residue

Determination of the Main Production Factors and Production Predictions of Test Wells in the Offshore Tight Oil Reservoirs in the L Formation of the Beibu Basin Using Multivariate Statistical Methods

This study addresses the challenge of rapidly and accurately predicting the production of test wells in offshore tight oil reservoirs, specifically within the L Formation of the Beibu Basin. This challenge is particularly pronounced in situations where drill stem tests are limited and evaluating each untested well layer is difficult. To achieve this objective, we analyzed fifteen typical test wells in the L Formation, taking into account both geological and engineering factors. Initially, Pearson correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis, and grey relational analysis were used to identify the main production factors. Based on these analyses, two types of production prediction models were developed: one employing the comprehensive production index method and the other utilizing the production coefficient method. The research identified effective permeability, porosity, oil saturation, and shale content as the main production factors for the test wells in the study area. The model verification results showed that the comprehensive production index model performs effectively for the L Formation, with an average prediction error of 20.40% compared to the actual production values. This research is significant for optimizing and stabilizing production in tight oil reservoirs.

Evaluation of a solar-driven adsorption desalination system for Brazilian semiarid region

In this study, the effect of using a hybrid solar thermal-activated adsorption desalination system for brackish water is evaluated under the climatic conditions of the Brazilian semiarid region. The proposed theoretical model utilizes climatic data from the meteorological station in Campina Grande, PB, and adsorptive kinetics data of Fuji Davison RD 260 silica gel to predict the performance indices of the specific daily water production (SDWP), specific cooling power (SCP), and coefficient of performance (COP) performance coefficients over a characteristic day. The SDWP value of 6.26 m3/ton, SCP ranging from 50 to 300 W/kg, and an average COP of 0.5 were obtained, considering variations in global horizontal irradiance in the ACDS system and transient ambient temperature. It was observed that both the production of desalinated water and the refrigeration effect increase with the rise in daily solar irradiance. The variation in the number of solar collectors used in the system and their optimality, as well as the variation in the salinity index of the feed source, impacted the evaluated performance coefficients.

Improving the Performance of the Machining Process by Using Ultra‐Advanced Tools in a Clean Turning of Inconel 686 Using the Minimum Quantity Lubrication Method

ABSTRACTThe high tensile strength and high resistance of nickel‐based superalloy 686 against high temperatures and corrosion rates have made it a widely used in important applications such as the aerospace industry, high pollution‐ and corrosion‐resistance equipment manufacturing and petrochemical industry. Therefore, the machining of this advanced alloy with its unique properties is extremely important and can be challenging. Significant increase in input parameters levels, reduction of machining costs, improvement of surface and subsurface properties and clean production are among the issues that should be considered in dealing with Inconel 686 turning operations. Simultaneous application of advanced tools such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) and optimised minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) method and evaluating the results obtained with a wide range of output parameters related to machining process performance and tribological properties can be proposed as an innovation and a solution to this problem in this article. This study analyses several output parameters with different speeds and feeds to evaluate the effect of cutting insert type on machining process performance and tribological properties. The output parameters include tool wear, residual stress, cutting zone temperature, surface smoothness, machining forces and workpiece surface defects. The results indicated that using the optimised MQL method reduces the size of lubricant droplets and increases the surface covered by cooling. With these changes, the performance of the machining process and the parameters related to the surface integrity increase significantly. Among the parameters associated with the performance of the machining process, the PCD tool reduces the cutting zone temperature by 23%, the tool wear by 19% and the machining forces by 18% compared to the PCBN tool. In the parameters related to surface integrity, this method reduces the residual stress by 19% and the surface roughness by 9% compared to the PCBN tool. From the production index perspective, the PCD tool can significantly increase the cutting speed and feed rate, reducing production time and costs.

Cattle manure composting driven by a microbial agent: A coupled mechanism involving microbial community succession and organic matter conversion

Aerobic composting has been used as a mainstream treatment technology for agricultural solid waste resourcing. In the present study, we investigated the effects and potential mechanisms of the addition of a microbial agent (LD) prepared by combining Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus paralicheniformis and Irpex lacteus in improving the efficiency of cattle manure composting. Our results showed that addition of 1.5 % LD significantly accelerated compost humification, i.e., the germination index and lignocellulose degradation rate of the final compost product reached values of 92.20 and 42.29 %, respectively. Metagenomic sequencing results showed that inoculation of cattle manure with LD increased the abundance of functional microorganisms. LD effectively promoted the production of humus precursors, which then underwent reactions through synergistic abiotic and biotic pathways to achieve compost humification. This research provides a theoretical basis for the study of microbial enhancement strategies and humus formation mechanisms in the composting of livestock manure.

On a method of constructing a biaxial multitype conservative chaotic system and an image encryption scheme

On the basis of single axis coupling for constructing conservative chaos, a method for constructing a biaxial multitype conservative chaotic system is proposed. The method constructs more types of chaotic systems with a wider range of traversal. When coupling the Eulerian subbody biaxially, it is discovered that the structural matrix is able to exhibit two different multistates, namely, 0 and the opposite state, 0 and the same state, and depending on the location of the introduced adjustable parameter, the constructed chaotic equations also exhibit multiple types. When the structure matrix exhibits 0 and opposite state, the chaotic equations exhibit three types, which are opposite, one-parameter, and two-parameter types; and when the structure matrix is 0 and the same state, the chaotic equations exhibit the same type, one-parameter, and two-parameter types. The relationship of each pair of adjustable parameters satisfies the structure matrix antisymmetry, which leads to many types of Hamiltonian conservative chaotic systems that can transition between quasi-periodic, hyperchaotic, and chaotic states, all of which pass the NIST test, increasing the diversity of chaotic system choices in image encryption. The chaotic system is applied in image encryption, using Hadamard product matrix permutation, index permutation and four-dimensional pixel diffusion algorithms, and finally generates the ciphertext image. The method of biaxial coupling can construct six different types of chaotic systems, after image encryption, the average value of information entropy reaches 7.9994, the correlation coefficient is close to 0, the NPCR and UACI are close to the ideal values of 99.61 % and 33.46 %, the algorithm can effectively resist the statistical attack, the robustness attack and the differential attack, and the results demonstrate that the algorithm has better security performance.

A Study of the Impact of Surgical Correction of Left Abomasal Displacement on Fertility Parameters in Lactating Holstein Cows

The left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) is a common condition in dairy cows that can significantly impact their welfare, productivity, and fertility. This study was carried out in Greek dairy farms over a period of 3 years. To ensure early detection, the farmers were trained to accurately identify the disease. The reproductive performance and milk production of 306 cows was assessed by considering the time to the first estrus, the calving-to-conception interval, and the number of artificial inseminations required for the establishment of pregnancy. Uterine health status, the timing of disease diagnosis, and the season of the year were also evaluated. In a separate study, the outcomes of 26 cases where cows suffered LDA and underwent surgical treatment with a delay of at least one week from disease onset, were compared to those of cases promptly treated. The results indicate that even early identification and treatment of LDA affects fertility and milk yield; these impacts worsen with the co-existence of uterine infections of affected. However, in late-treated cases, all reproductive and production indices show significant deterioration. Our findings suggest that timely diagnosis of the disease, preferably by the farmer, ensures minimal losses in cows affected by LDA.

The Influence of Macroeconomic Variables on Non-Performing Finance in Sharia Commercial Banks

One of the advantages of the sharia banking business is financing productive sectors that do not contain haram elements. Financing in the micro, small and medium sectors is a sharia banking financing business line, but there is a big risk of bad credit. In recent years, increasing global and domestic economic uncertainty has led to depreciation of the exchange rate, unstable prices of basic commodities, thereby reducing people's purchasing power. This research aims to examine macroeconomic variables such as the exchange rate, inflation and production index as a proxy for GDP towards NPF of sharia banking. The research uses monthly time-series data and the OLS method. The research results show that macroeconomic variables have an influence on NPF. The research implication is that the stability of macroeconomic conditions can maintain people's purchasing power which can influence the NPF level of sharia banking.

Spatial Patterns of Productivity and Human Development Potentials for Pinus pinea L.

Pinus pinea (stone pine), a Mediterranean species, is valued for its highly nutritious pine nuts and its ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. The species has been increasingly planted in Chile, where its main ecological requirements are met across a vast area. However, new plantations are established without considering social dimensions. Policymakers can regulate private decisions on tree planting through the appropriate design of economic incentives to foster social well-being. The objective of this work was to describe spatial patterns of potential areas for the cultivation of the exotic nut-bearing conifer P. pinea in central Chile and the possible correlation of those patterns with human development indices. Spatial data layers of the municipality development index (MDI), elevation, edaphoclimatic variables, and stone pine nut’s productive potential were overlapped at the municipality scale along 1225 km in central Chile. A spatial principal component analysis (sPCA) was used to integrate multiple dimensions, summarizing covariation structures, and identifying spatial patterns in the study area. Key results showed that spatial patterns of the potential productive index (PPI) were strongly regulated by the spatial pattern of climate and soil variables, whereas the spatial pattern of MDI showed a cryptic pattern and that the three dimensions of MDI—welfare, economy, and education—showed a different spatial movement, especially education and welfare. The results allow us to recommend that public policies boost municipality development through the promotion of P. pinea plantations and should target areas with a high productive potential and low MDI to generate socio-economic improvements. These findings are useful for the strategic spatial planning of the species cropping in Chile.

Performance comparison of alternative volatility models applied to economic indexes: the role of asymmetric effects

ABSTRACT This article examines the empirical relationship between economic indexes – namely the industrial production and the consumer confidence – and their volatility by using the United States data over the periods 1919–2023 and 1960–2023, respectively. To address this topic, several GARCH-family models including volatility feedback and the asymmetric effects are estimated. We find that (i) the industrial production index exhibits asymmetric effects, with significant fitting performance over the standard GARCH model; (ii) the inclusion of t -distributed innovations in the error term improves the fitting performance of the competing models against their counterparts with a normal distribution assumption; (iii) both models tested for the consumer confidence index exhibit similar performance to fit with the data; (iv) by excluding the months during and after the COVID-19 pandemics and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, it leads to the same results and conclusions for both economic indexes. Conditional heteroscedasticity, economic growth, GARCH models, asymmetric effects, volatility feedback