Area Of Management Research Articles

Energy partitioning over an irrigated vineyard in arid northwest China: Variation characteristics, influence degree, and path of influencing factors

In this study, a two-year experiment in an irrigated vineyard was conducted to investigate the variations in energy fluxes (net radiation, Rn; latent heat flux, LE; sensible heat flux, H; and soil heat flux, G) and quantify the influence of arid advection and environmental factors (vapor pressure deficit (VPD), Rn, air temperature, wind speed, precipitation, and volumetric soil water content) on energy partitioning in arid Northwest China. For the diurnal variation, the peak values of the energy fluxes appeared at approximately 14:00, except for G (which appeared at approximately 16:00). LE was the main consumer of daytime (Rn>0) energy during the growing season (average LE/(Rn–G) was 87% and 89% in the two years), even during the shooting and leaf-fall stages. Arid advection, which affects energy partitioning mainly by increasing atmospheric evaporative demand and providing heat energy, contributed 6–60% and 1–56% of the average daytime LE during the two growing seasons, especially at the fruiting stage. Moreover, advection accounted for more than half of average daytime energy imbalances. We found that the arid advection induced by irrigation could be attenuated by selecting a reasonable irrigation time. According to the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, Rn had the strongest direct and positive regulation effect on LE at the half-hourly and daily scales, indicating that LE was limited by energy rather than water in the study area. The influence of Rn on LE gradually weakened with an increase in the time scale, whereas the effect of VPD increased, which may have been due to the smaller time-lag effect between VPD and LE. The diurnal variations in LE at approximately 08:00–19:30 and 19:30–08:00 were mainly controlled by the direct positive effects of Rn and VPD, respectively. The results obtained in this study will provide a better understanding of surface processes and help improve water resource management in arid agricultural areas.

The bumpy road to conservation: challenges and opportunities in updating the Galapagos zoning system

In 2014, the Galapagos National Park Directorate, sponsored by various international non-governmental organizations, initiated a comprehensive marine and terrestrial spatial planning process to improve the management effectiveness of Galapagos’ protected areas. This effort aimed to reconfigure management areas by expanding or redistributing no-take zones to protect Key Biodiversity Areas and ensure the conservation of at least 30% of terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Galapagos. However, this process encountered significant challenges, notably the erosion of fishers' trust following the implementation of a "Marine Sanctuary". This top-down decision resulted in socio-political tension, compelling the Ecuadorian government to delay the implementation of the new marine zoning until there was conclusive scientific data on its socio-economic impact on local small-scale fishers’ livelihoods. This paper examines the achievements and shortcomings of the Galapagos zoning update process, highlighting the successful integration of scientific zoning criteria and the enhanced protection of critical biodiversity areas, together with the reduced support from fishers and legal disputes. To move forward, we recommended a bottom-up approach centered on rebuilding trust among the fishing community via innovative engagement strategies and the introduction of market incentives to promote sustainable practices. Assessing the long-term impact of no-take zones is essential for refining management approaches. Additionally, the application of cutting-edge technology within an adaptive co-management model is recommended to improve fisheries and ecological data gathering and analysis, facilitating proactive and well-informed management decisions. Our suggestions aim to reconcile conservation objectives with the needs and aspirations of the local communities in this iconic archipelago.

Smart City Actions Integrated into Urban Planning: Management of Urban Environments by Thematic Areas

Over the years, the imbalance between population needs and urban spaces’ organized development has been accentuated by increasing urbanization. The implementation of smart city actions began in the 1990s, with the development of integrated solutions in cities, harmonizing social, environmental, and economic aspects. This research measures the impact of thematic areas on smart cities’ management performance. The multi-criteria Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method was used to identify the interdependent relations between smart cities’ thematic areas, structuring a diagram of cause-and-effect relations using threshold quantification values. Considering their degree of importance in smart city management, the thematic areas of technology and innovation, living environment and infrastructure, education and training, and governance and engagement are highlighted. For the degree of influence, the most influential thematic areas are coexistence and reciprocity, living environment and infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and healthcare. Also, the cause-and-effect analysis identified governance and engagement, education and training, and mobility as central thematic areas for smart city management. Finally, the research construct was developed by ranking the thematic areas’ performance in urban space planning.

How to reduce construction risks in rural areas: an evolutionary game analysis

PurposeThe construction industry is widely recognized as one of the most hazardous sectors in the world. Despite extensive research on safety management, a critical issue remains that insufficient attention is devoted to safety practices in rural areas. Notably, accidents frequently occur during the construction of rural self-built houses (RSH) in China. Safety management tends to be overlooked due to the perceived simplicity of the construction process. Furthermore, it is essential to acknowledge that China currently lacks comprehensive laws and regulations governing safety management in RSH construction. This paper aims to analyze the behavior of key stakeholders (including households, workmen, rural village committee and the government) and propose recommendations to mitigate safety risks associated with RSH construction.Design/methodology/approachThis paper applies evolutionary game theory to analyze the symbiotic evolution among households, workmen and rural village committee, in situations with or without government participation. Additionally, numerical simulation is utilized to examine the outcomes of various strategies implemented by the government.FindingsWithout government participation, households, workmen, and rural village committee tend to prioritize maximizing apparent benefits, often overlooking the potential safety risks. Numerical simulations reveal that while government involvement can guide these parties towards safer decisions, achieving the desired outcomes necessitates the adoption of reasonable and effective strategies. Thus, the government needs to offer targeted subsidies to these stakeholders.Originality/valueConsidering that during the construction phase, stakeholders are the main administrators accountable for safety management. However, there exists insufficient research examining the impact of stakeholder behavior on RSH construction safety. This study aims to analyze the behavior of stakeholders about how to reduce the safety risks in building RSH. Thus, the authors intend to contribute to knowledge in this area by establishing evolutionary game model. Firstly, this study carried out a theoretical by using tripartite evolutionary game to reveal the reasons for the high safety risk during building RSH. Practically, this research points out the important role of households, workmen and rural village committee in improving safety management in rural areas. Besides, some suggestions are proposed to the government about how to reduce construction safety risks in rural areas.

Pancreatic surgery and tertiary pancreatitis services warrant provision for support from a specialist diabetes team

Pancreatic surgery units undertake several complex operations, albeit with considerable morbidity and mortality, as is the case for the management of complicated acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis. The centralisation of pancreatic surgery services, with the development of designated large-volume centres, has contributed to significantly improved outcomes. In this editorial, we discuss the complex associations between diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic/periampullary disease in the context of pancreatic surgery and overall management of complex pancreatitis, highlighting the consequential needs and the indispensable role of specialist diabetes teams in support of tertiary pancreatic services. Type 3c pancreatogenic DM, refers to DM developing in the setting of exocrine pancreatic disease, and its identification and management can be challenging, while the glycaemic control of such patients may affect their course of treatment and outcome. Adequate preoperative diabetes assessment is warranted to aid identification of patients who are likely to need commencement or escalation of glucose lowering therapy in the postoperative period. The incidence of new onset diabetes after pancreatic resection is widely variable in the literature, and depends on the type and extent of pancreatic resection, as is the case with pancreatic parenchymal loss in the context of severe pancreatitis. Early involvement of a specialist diabetes team is essential to ensure a holistic management. In the current era, large volume pancreatic surgery services commonly abide by the principles of enhanced recovery after surgery, with inclusion of provisions for optimisation of the perioperative glycaemic control, to improve outcomes. While various guidelines are available to aid perioperative management of DM, auditing and quality improvement platforms have highlighted deficiencies in the perioperative management of diabetic patients and areas of required improvement. The need for perioperative support of diabetic patients by specialist diabetes teams is uniformly underlined, a fact that becomes clearly more prominent at all different stages in the setting of pancreatic surgery and the management of complex pancreatitis. Therefore, pancreatic surgery and tertiary pancreatitis services must be designed with a provision for support from specialist diabetes teams. With the ongoing accumulation of evidence, it would be reasonable to consider the design of specific guidelines for the glycaemic management of these patients.

Revealing the Spatial Interactions and Driving Factors of Ecosystem Services: Enlightenments under Vegetation Restoration

Large-scale vegetation restoration has caused complex changes in ecosystem service (i.e., ES) interactions. However, current analysis on the spatial interactions of ESs and their driving mechanisms remains deficient, limiting the adaptive management in vegetation restoration areas. This study focused on a representative restoration area (Yan’an) to analyze the relationships among carbon sequestration, water yield, baseflow regulation, and soil conservation from 1990 to 2020. Employing the bivariate boxplot and spatial autocorrelation methods, we identified the overall changes and spatial patterns of ES interactions. The geographically and temporally weighted regression (i.e., GTWR) model was applied to elucidate the driving factors of these spatial ES interactions. The results indicated the following: (1) Over the past three decades, synergies between carbon sequestration and water yield emerged as the joint results of spatial ‘low–low’ interactions and ‘high–high’ interactions between the two ESs, while other ES pairs generally exhibited comparatively weaker synergies, due to their spatial ‘low–high’ interactions in southern semi-humid areas. (2) In the northern semi-arid areas, both fractional vegetation cover (i.e., FVC) and climatic factors consistently exerted negative influences on all ‘low–low’ ES interactions, which caused a reduced area in synergies, while in the southern semi-humid areas, FVC suppressed the ‘low–high’ trade-offs between ESs, indicating the adaptability of grassland restoration efforts. (3) The impact of human activities on ES interactions has increased in the last 10 years, and exhibited positive effects on the ‘low–low’ ES interactions in northern semi-arid areas. However, the expansion of trade-off between soil conservation and carbon sequestration warrants attention. This study offers important insights into understanding the spatial interactions among carbon, water, and soil-related ESs in drylands.

Dynamic marine spatial planning for conservation and fisheries benefits

AbstractThe increasing global demand for marine resources raises concerns about sustainable resource management and biodiversity conservation. Spatial closures, such as marine protected areas, can be valuable tools for maintaining and restoring exploited populations. When these spatial closures adopt a dynamic nature being adapted to the changing environment, they can effectively account for factors such as shifting species distributions, which enhances their potential to achieve ecological and socio‐economic objectives. Here, we adapted a decision‐support tool (the software Marxan), typically used for selecting static and permanent areas, to produce management recommendations that integrate permanent and temporal closures to fisheries. Our aim was to compare the outputs of a static network of permanent no‐take reserves with four other dynamic scenarios, including permanent and temporal closures that account for seasonal variations in the populations of species. All scenarios prioritized sites for the conservation of one of the most valuable European fishing stocks, the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). Additionally, we considered 12 other commercially exploited species captured by the Norway lobster fishery. The assessed outputs included retained biomass, area extent, closure type (permanent and seasonal) and opportunity costs within each scenario. We observed that all dynamic scenarios required fewer management areas permanently closed than the static scenario. This resulted in a lower opportunity cost for fisheries but also a higher capacity for biodiversity conservation. Therefore, complementing permanent with temporal closures could enhance biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. The novel dynamic planning method presented here could be applicable to other species, ecosystems and socio‐economic contexts.

A Qualitative Exploration of Rural Older Adults' Experiences With Pain From Chronic Illnesses and Its Treatment.

Pain is one of the most common concerns among chronically ill older adults. However, access to pain management is not equitable among certain populations, including rural residents. This qualitative study explored rural older adults' experiences with pain and its treatment. Eighteen participants were recruited from rural counties of Alabama, who were age 60+, cognitively intact, community-dwelling, had one or more chronic/serious illnesses, and experienced pain. Open-ended questions were asked in individual interviews, and inductive, thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings revealed the impact of pain (physical limitations, psychological distress, and coping strategies), the impact of COVID-19 (physical/mental health and pain management), challenges in pain management in rural areas (lack of provider and healthcare resources, transportation-related issues, mistrust, and limited insurance coverage) and suggestions to address these challenges. Program and policy-level interventions are crucial in improving the resources and education/training needed for effective pain management for rural older adults.

AI-based Environmental Sustainability: Transforming Conservation Efforts

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has the potential to enhance sustainability efforts in the face growing environmental issues, especially in the areas of resource management and climate change mitigation. This study focuses at how artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental sustainability interact, examining the various ways AI might help solve urgent environmental issues. AI provides innovative methods to maximize utilization of resources, predict environmental trends, and promote accurate decision-making processes through the use of advanced computational algorithms and data analytics. This study analyses multiple applications of AI in environmental sustainability, from pollution prevention and natural resource conservation to climate modelling and renewable energy optimization. In addition, an evaluation is done about moral implications and possible socio-economic effects of AI-driven environmental solutions. Using an in-depth review of the majority of current research by applying case studies, this research identifies significant challenges and opportunities for more research and application while highlighting the revolutionary potential of AI in achieving environmental sustainability goals. Ultimately, the paper encourages ethical application of artificial intelligence (AI) as important part of larger strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change and developing a future that is environmentally conscious.

The role of environmental impact assessments in the establishment and management of marine protected areas under the UNCLOS and the BBNJ Agreement

AbstractThis article analyses the role of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in establishing and managing marine protected areas (MPAs) in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Agreement under the UNCLOS on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). The analysis is conducted by discussing Articles 194 and 205–206 of the UNCLOS and Articles 27–28 and 30 of the BBNJ Agreement. It concludes that the interaction between EIA and MPAs in ABNJ is not only desirable but also critical for the success of MPAs. The BBNJ Agreement operationalises the role of EIAs in establishing and managing MPAs under the UNCLOS by (1) granting EIA an important role in assessing the susceptibility of an MPA to the impact of certain human activities and (2) factoring part of indicative criteria for identifying potential MPAs in the list of criteria to be considered for conducting EIA screening.

Rural and urban differences in the prevalence and determinants of Type-2 diabetes in Bangladesh.

To estimate the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in urban and rural settings and identify the specific risk factors for each location. We conducted this study using data from the 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), sourced from the DHS website. The survey employed a stratified two-stage sampling method, which included 7,658 women and 7,048 men aged 18 and older who had their blood glucose levels measured. We utilized chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression to analyze the association between various selected variables in both urban and rural settings and their relationship with diabetes and prediabetes. The prevalence of T2D was 10.8% in urban areas and 7.4% in rural areas, while pre-diabetes affected 31.4% and 27% of the populations in these respective settings. The study found significant factors influencing diabetes in both urban and rural regions, particularly in the 55-64 age group (Urban: AOR = 1.88, 95% CI [1.46, 2.42]; Rural: AOR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.54, 2.27]). Highly educated individuals had lower odds of T2D, while wealthier and overweight participants had higher odds in both areas. In rural regions, T2D risk was higher among caffeinated drink consumers and those not engaged in occupation-related physical activity, while these factors did not show significant influence in urban areas. Furthermore, urban participants displayed a significant association between T2D and hypertension. Our study outlines a comprehensive strategy to combat the increasing prevalence of T2D in both urban and rural areas. It includes promoting healthier diets to control BMI level, encouraging regular physical activity, early detection through health check-ups, tailored awareness campaigns, improving healthcare access in rural regions, stress management in urban areas, community involvement, healthcare professional training, policy advocacy like sugary drink taxation, research, and monitoring interventions. These measures collectively address the T2D challenge while accommodating the distinct features of urban and rural settings.

Exploring Landscape Values and Willingness to Pay for Perceived Ecosystem Services: The Case of Malampaya Sound, a Socio-Ecological Production Landscape and Seascape

Since the 1990s, the Philippines has established numerous protected areas aimed at preserving regions with distinct biological and ecological characteristics. However, transitioning towards a more comprehensive approach to managing these protected areas, one that effectively conserves biodiversity while also supporting the welfare of local communities, remains a formidable task. Understanding the sources of the goods and services upon which communities rely, whether directly or indirectly, and their perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is a crucial aspect that can inform decision-making for both protected area managers and policymakers. This research specifically examines the mapping of landscape values as perceived by local communities within Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLS) in the Philippines. Using survey questionnaires administered to 114 randomly selected participants, the study identifies the ESs within MSPLS and maps the associated landscape values. The respondents were tasked with assigning values to the ESs using a typology of 14 landscape values, and their willingness to pay (WTP) to enhance the ESs within MSPLS was also investigated. Analysis of socio-demographic data, the identified ESs, and the perceived landscape values was conducted to uncover significant relationships between the variables. Our findings reveal that the respondents prioritize provisioning services, particularly fisheries, agriculture, and agroforestry. Regarding landscape value preferences, economic value is most prominently perceived (37.4%), followed by subsistence value (30.8%) and life-sustaining value (6.8%). This study further unveils the socio-economic factors influencing the ranking of ESs and trends in WTP for ES improvements in Malampaya. Additionally, a potential payment for ecosystem services scheme in MSPLS is estimated at PHP 532,000, approximately USD 10,600.

Spatial downscaling analysis of GPM IMERG precipitation dataset based on multiscale geographically weighted regression model: a case study of the Inner Mongolia Reach of the Yellow River basin

The Inner Mongolia Reach of the Yellow River Basin is characterized by a relative scarcity of meteorological stations. While satellite precipitation products can complement observations from meteorological stations, their limited spatial resolution restricts their efficacy in regional studies. This study utilizes the GPM IMERG precipitation dataset, considering various factors that influence the spatial distribution of precipitation, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), elevation, slope, aspect, and topographical relief, to construct a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model. A spatial downscaling method for the GPM IMERG precipitation dataset is proposed, and its reliability is validated through an accuracy assessment. Moreover, the scale differences in the impact of different factors on the spatial pattern of precipitation in the Inner Mongolia Reach of the Yellow River Basin are scrutinized. The results indicate that: 1) The downscaled GPM IMERG precipitation data (1 km × 1 km) exhibit enhanced accuracy compared to the pre-downscaled data (approximately 11 km × 11 km). The correlation coefficient, Bias, and RMSE of the annual precipitation data after downscaling of GPM IMERG are 0.865, 6.05%, and 68.50 mm/year, respectively. For the monthly downscaled precipitation data, the correlation coefficient, Bias, and RMSE are 0.895, 6.09%, and 16.25 mm/month, respectively. The downscaled GPM IMERG precipitation dataset exhibit high accuracy on both annual and monthly temporal scales. 2) Different factors demonstrate localized effects on precipitation in both dry and wet years. Elevation is the dominant factor influencing the spatial heterogeneity of annual precipitation. The findings from this study can provide technical support for hydrological modeling, drought monitoring, and water resource management in data-scarce areas of the Inner Mongolia Reach of the Yellow River Basin.

The Impact of Compressing MBA Courses on Student Satisfaction: Empirical Results

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is the most popular graduate degree available. It is valuable to those who work in a wide range of business management areas or to prospective entrepreneurs. Many universities have developed compressed 8-week semesters to better meet student needs. Critics question instructor course delivery and student learning. We examine the impact of compressed semesters on MBA student satisfaction and learning in both face-to-face and online courses. Five instructors were assigned courses to be taught in a 16-week semester, followed by the same courses in an 8-week semester. At least one section of the courses was taught in face-to-face and/or online formats. Student satisfaction was measured via transactional distances as well as by their willingness to recommend the course to a friend. A total of 602 responses were obtained, of which 402 were usable. Stepwise multiple regression was used to measure satisfaction. Logistic regression was used to determine which factors influenced students to recommend the course to a friend. The results indicated that there was no reason to believe that there was a significant difference in student satisfaction, nor in their willingness to recommend the course. We also did not find a difference in learning outcomes.

Streamlined benefit analysis of products based on the Sustainable Development Goals: Integrating the voice of society into life cycle sustainability assessment

AbstractConducting benefit analyses used to be a controversial endeavor. In the absence of a consistent normative framework, indicators had to be determined on a case‐by‐case basis, requiring time‐consuming stakeholder workshops. The 2030 Agenda provided the missing normative basis to enable the inclusion of benefit aspects in life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA). However, given the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their 169 targets, it has remained unclear which of these targets relate to products and services and should therefore be used as indicators in benefit analyses. Against this background, this paper presents a consistent and well‐defined indicator framework for product‐related benefit analyses, developed through a detailed alignment with the 2030 Agenda and comprising a set of 30 indicators. It also describes how benefit analysis can be integrated into the LCSA methodology to provide a sound, evidence‐based framework for research and policy making: First, it outlines a sustainability self‐assessment tool for corporate researchers and designers, embedded in a Stage‐Gate process as a “voice‐of‐society” perspective. Second, it discusses approaches to improve regulatory impact assessment for policy making, particularly in the area of chemicals management. An illustrative case study shows how the developed benefit indicators can address current shortcomings in socio‐economic analysis methodology, such as an unbalanced focus on the economic impacts and insufficient information on human and environmental impacts. Despite its limitations, such as the inherent focus on societal benefits and existing “blind spots” in the 2030 Agenda, the indicator set has the potential to enrich LCSA studies with previously neglected aspects.

Economic Analysis of Forest Management for Timber Production and Agricultural Production in Hillside Watershed Areas of Madagascar: A Case Study of the Itasy Region

In hillside watersheds, forests play a crucial role in protecting against soil erosion. Not only does forest vegetation cover serve as a biological measure to prevent soil erosion, it also generates income through sustainable management practices. However, there is a scarcity of research that evaluates and compares the profitability of perennial woody crops with that of other agricultural crops by integrating biological aspects within an economic analytical framework in Central Madagascar. In this study, we address this gap by combining a biological growth model that captures complex forest dynamics with economic management data to utilize the discounted cash flow method. We applied this approach to evaluate and compare the profitability of forest management and agricultural crop production in the hillside watershed areas of Central Madagascar, which have experienced severe human-induced soil erosion. Although our results showed that timber production is a profitable option, other agricultural crops generate much higher profits, indicating that financial subsidies alone may not be enough to shift land use toward perennial woody crops. In addition, growing fruit trees such as oranges and mangoes appears to be a much more financially attractive option for local farmers than annual agricultural crop production.

The Effects of Several Forms of Leaf Area Management and Different canopy heights with vertical shoot positioning on Berry Ripening and Wine Quality

The goal of this research was to investigate different canopy heights and canopy management approaches in VSP-trained vineyards on the production of sugar and other substances present in berries and must, as well as on the resulting wine quality. Two sites, one high vigor and one low vigor, were selected for this study, with the following treatments tested: [1] ‘control’, shoots were topped according to standard practices; [2] ‘without lateral shoots’, all lateral shoots were removed; [3] ‘low canopy’, the canopy was shortened to 50 cm below the height of the ‘control’; [4] ‘twisted shoots’, shoots were not hedged, but instead were horizontally twisted along the upper wires.   The ‘low canopy’ treatment revealed little effect on grape ripening parameters, especially in the low vigor trials. Upon sensory analysis, the quality of wine derived from this treatment did not score higher than the control, but rather repeatedly lower. Furthermore, ‘low canopy’ wines exhibited atypical aging notes, and in certain vintages more Berry shrivel was observed during the vegetative season. The ‘twisted shoots’ treatment displayed repeatedly higher YAN values in the must, especially in vineyards with higher vigor, which led to an increase in potential vine fertility. Thus, shortening the canopy was not found to be a suitable technique to delay ripening or improve wine quality. 

Coupling effect of impoundment and irrigation on landslide movement in Maoergai Reservoir area revealed by multi-platform InSAR observations

The mountainous areas of Southwest China are crucial regions for hydropower resource development. The unique geological environment and numerous constructed hydropower stations make landslides the primary geological hazard for the region. Therefore, the deformation monitoring and mechanism analysis of reservoir landslides have attracted extensive attention from the academic community. The Maoergai Reservoir (MEGR) is located in the middle reaches of the Heishui River in Sichuan Province, China. Following impoundment, numerous active slopes have arisen in the reservoir area, with the Xierguazi-Mawo landslide complex (XMLC) potentially being the most threatening. In this paper, we first acquired the surface displacement of the MEGR area, before and after impoundment, using time series Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) analysis of the ALOS-1/PALSAR-1, ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 and Sentinel-1 datasets. Then, the three-dimensional (3D) deformation field was inverted by combining multi-track InSAR observations and a topography-constrained model. Results show the presence of 47 active landslides within the 675 km2 reservoir area, a significant increase compared to the seven landslides identified prior to impoundment. Based on the derived 3D velocity vectors, we found that the motion of the XMLC exhibits heterogeneity in terms of spatial and temporal patterns. Further, the displacement time series of all detected active landslides suggests that irrigation and water level fluctuations are two major factors influencing the kinematic behaviors of landslides. Irrigation accelerates landslide movement and thus permanently alters the deformation trend, while water level fluctuations cause seasonal oscillations in the displacement time series with a time lag of approximately 100 days. The above results can contribute to landslide management and prevention in the MEGR area and provide a representation for numerous water reservoirs in southwest China.

Analyzing the applicability of wetland ecological modes in the Minjiang Estuary wetland

Wetlands are badly damaged in many parts of the world. The wetland management of Minjiang Estuary wetland has achieved remarkable results. This provides valuable experience for wetland management in other areas. Minjiang Estuary wetland can achieve the effect, mainly because of the adoption of the water quality management, ecological restoration, and ecological tourism development. However, different management modes have their own scope of application. In order to spread its successes, three differential game modes related to Minjiang Estuary wetland management are constructed, and their equilibrium results are compared and analyzed. Finally, research shows that the amount of water quality control by governments is directly proportional to the resilience of wetlands. The amount of social organization culture is proportional to the degree of better water quality. The amount of development by the government and social organizations is directly proportional to the decrease of investment in the spontaneous tourism industry. When the loss caused by flood or the ecological restoration effect is large, the wetland should adopt the ecological restoration mode. When the increased income or reputation of ecotourism is large, the ecotourism development mode should be adopted. This provides a reference for how to manage wetlands and how to promote the management mode of Minjiang Estuary wetland to other areas more effectively.

Optimization of consumer decisions and the impact of selected factors on purchasing behavior in polish e-commerce

The article aims to present consumer behaviour in the process of purchasing goods and services in online stores in the Polish market. The impact of selected factors determining or discouraging online shopping, as well as influencing the choice of an online store by young consumers representing the "Z" generation, was examined. 100 respondents took part in the pilot study, and women constituted nearly 70% of the surveyed population. Depending on the needs of customers, various factors determine whether they will make purchases online or convince them to choose an online store. Additionally, through the prism of various concerns and their own experiences, they assess factors discouraging online shopping. The results of the analysis can be used in practice when planning an advertising campaign by introducing coordinated and organised activities using one or several different related media. The publication also discusses the impact of online advertising on consumer behaviour in e-commerce, combining an interdisciplinary approach in the areas of management and quality sciences with economics and finance. The study was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2022.