Environmental Practices Research Articles

Sustainable Management of Agrifood Systems: Interdisciplinary Workshop as a Learning Tool in Bioresource Technology in secondary and technical education in Agriculture at ECIT Riachão do Poço, Paraiba, Brazil

This article addresses the project of an Interdisciplinary Workshop, AGROTEC, and the implementation of the sensory garden at ECIT Riachão do Poço, in Paraíba, as an interdisciplinary learning tool for high school and technical students in agriculture, including the topics of bioresource technology. The municipality of Riachão do Poço, located in the state of Paraíba, with a semi-arid tropical climate, is rich in agricultural practices. The objective of the Technical Course in Agriculture at the school seeks to promote a comprehensive and contextualized education. The workshop aimed to integrate knowledge from the disciplines of plant health, agricultural soils, horticulture, olericulture and bioresource technology, providing students with practical and meaningful experiences for their training. The methodology used included holding an interactive workshop, where students could apply theories in a practical environment, encouraging collaboration and active learning. At the end, students also had a class on media content management, disseminating the work carried out in the workshop. The results demonstrated an increase in student motivation, resulting in greater learning, obtaining higher grades than at the beginning of the subjects, in addition to a greater awareness of sustainability and agroecological practices. The project not only enriched the students' education, but also strengthened the school community, demonstrating the success of the interdisciplinary approach in technical education. The experience reaffirms the importance of pedagogical innovations in the training of critical professionals prepared for the challenges of the agricultural sector, especially in the areas of bioresource technology.

Global point cloud registration network for large transformations

Three-dimensional registration is an established yet challenging problem that is key in many different applications, such as mapping the environment for autonomous vehicles, or modeling people for avatar creation, among others. Registration refers to the process of mapping multiple data into the same coordinate system by means of matching correspondences and transformation estimation. Novel proposals exploit the benefits of deep learning architectures for this purpose, as they learn the best features for the data, providing better matches and hence results. However, the state of the art is usually focused on cases of relatively small transformations, although in certain applications and in a real and practical environment, large transformations are very common. In this paper, we present ReLaTo (Registration for Large Transformations), an architecture that addresses the cases where large transformations happen while maintaining good performance for local transformations. This proposal uses a novel Softmax pooling layer to find correspondences in a bilateral consensus manner between two point sets, sampling the most confident matches. These matches estimate a coarse and global registration using weighted Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). A target-guided denoising step is applied to both the obtained matches and latent features to estimate the final fine registration considering the local geometry. All these steps are carried out following an end-to-end approach, which has been shown to perform better than 7 state-of-the-art registration methods in two datasets commonly used for this task (ModelNet40 and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Toyota Technological Institute dataset, KITTI), especially in the case of large transformations.Graphic abstract

The Association Between Corporate Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Awareness, And Job Pursuit Intention

Taiwan, renowned as a global leader in technology, boasts a manufacturing sector that accounts for more than 30%of its GDP. With the growing public knowledge of climate change, there has been a notable rise in environmental awareness among contemporary societies, influencing how businesses are perceived based on their environmental practices. This research targets potential job candidates in the tech sector, employing semi-structured interviews with individuals educated in engineering and related disciplines within Taiwan. It delves into three core questions, aiming to uncover: (1) whether individuals with environmental awareness prefer to work for committed companies to environmental sustainability; (2) if environmentally aware employees can facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices within their companies; and (3) whether a company's dedication to environmental sustainability enhances its appeal to prospective employees, thereby aiding in the recruitment and retention of top talent. Findings indicate that all participants are environmentally aware and eager to support workplace sustainability initiatives. Individuals with employment options often opt for companies with robust environmental reputations. Conversely, those encountering challenges in securing employment tend to prioritize immediate job availability over the environmental standing of the company. The study concludes with several recommendations to foster environmental awareness across various sectors, including government, media, businesses, educational institutions, and individuals.

Nursing practice of guidelines for prevention and control of vascular Catheter-Related bloodstream infections.

To apply the Ottawa Model of Research Use to translate the Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Vascular Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections. The Ottawa model of research use is used to provide a framework and guidance. This study was organized by the Nursing Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Engineering University, and the Intravenous Therapy Group was responsible for the implementation of the study. The hospital's intravenous therapy administrators, members of the sedation team, and specialist nurses will be organized to evaluate the importance, exactness, and clinical practicability of 34 entries. Twelve clinical departments and IV therapy clinics with a high number of central venous catheters were used as sites for translating evidence from this project. The evidence-based team assessed the practice environment, potential practitioners, and clinical status of clinical translation of evidence through symposia, review of relevant systems, operational procedures, on-site inspections, and questionnaires. They compare evidence with existing processes and decide on change strategies. Before and after the application of the evidence, there was a significant increase in the knowledge, belief, and behavior of healthcare workers on CLABSI prevention and control, especially in the acquisition of related knowledge (χ2 = 26.648 p < 0.001). The associated implementation rate was also significantly improved, with a significant decrease in CLABSI incidence from 0.29 per 1000 to 0.11 per 1000 (χ2 = 8.625 p = 0.004). The assessment of the integration of issues showed that 8 aspects, including workflow, knowledge mastery, monitoring reports, and aseptic operations, do not meet the qualified standards. Through this clinical change, a perfect prevention and control system has been established, and the level of knowledge, belief, and behavior of medical staff in preventing CLABSI has been improved, while the incidence of CLABSI has been reduced.

Utilizing Data Mining Techniques in Geophysical and Biological Analysis for Assessing Environmental Risks

This study aimed to assess environmental risks using data extraction techniques. It focused on geophysical and biological factors and addressed the urgent need for effective risk management strategies to reduce soil erosion, water pollution, and air quality deterioration. A comprehensive dataset was created through the systematic collection of geophysical and biological data including temperature, soil composition, and biological abundance index. It used equipment such as satellite sensors and mountain transmitting stations. Various statistical tools used include decision trees and random forest algorithms. They were used to analyze data and identify important environmental risk factors. The results showed some interesting insights, revealing that the Neural Network has an accuracy of 95.5%, and the Random Forest algorithm predicts risk with an accuracy of 92.0%. It analyzed the classification of environmental hazard zones and identified high-risk zones, such as Zone A, which contains 10,000 people affected by erosion and Zone D, 20,000 people who were at risk from soil contamination. The study concludes that social media can significantly improve understanding and management of environmental risks. Additionally, it provides a useful framework for decision-makers and stakeholders to promote sustainable environmental practices.

ESG e tecnologia: como empresas divulgam aspectos ambientais, sociais e de governança no mundo digital?

This study aims to verify corporate actions to disseminate environmental, social, and governance practices in the digital world. It was supported by discussions on environmental, social, and governance practices; technology, and communication. The identification of the most responsible companies (2013-2022) was carried out using the corporate reputation business monitor, especially Natura, Itaú Unibanco, and Grupo Boticário. To analyze the pages about environmental, social, and governance practices, the platforms Semrush and SimilarWeb measured statistics and audiences, whereas Nielsen’s 10 heuristics guided the evaluation of user experience.

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Characteristics on Employee Green Behavior: A Moral Emotions Perspective

Shaping green employees is a source of sustainable competitive advantage for enterprises. However, previous studies have lacked consideration of the moral aspects of employee green behavior (EGB), thus ignoring the mechanism of employee moral psychology, especially the important impact of moral emotions on EGB. Based on the affective events theory, we built a moderated mediation model to test how corporate social responsibility characteristics (CSRCs) affect EGB and to explore the role of organizational pride (OP) and the environmental passion climate (EPC) in this process. SPSS25.0 and Mplus8.0 were used to analyze data from 267 valid questionnaires. The results show that CSRCs' positive effect required EGB and OP to play a mediating role in the relationship between them. In addition, EPC had a negative moderating effect on the effect of OP on required EGB. These results expand the theoretical territory of EGB from the perspective of moral emotions. In practice, the results provide a moral motivation for cultivating employees’ ecological literacy and stimulating EGB as well as management strategies for organizational environmental protection practice and green sustainable development.

From Killer to Solution: Evaluating Bioremediation Strategies on Microbial Diversity in Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil over Three to Six Months in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various bioremediation approaches on microbial diversity in crude oil-contaminated soil over three to six months in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The objective was to assess the impact of different bioremediation strategies on microbial populations, particularly focusing on hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria and fungi. Microbial populations were quantified using serial dilution and microbial count techniques. The vapor phase transfer mechanism was employed to estimate hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria and fungi. Bacterial and fungal colonies were incubated for five days, followed by biochemical tests for isolate identification. Fungal pure cultures were observed under a microscope. The study observed a significant increase in microbial populations in soil free of crude oil pollution when bioremediators such as mushrooms and earthworms were introduced. Mushrooms exhibited a 50% increase in hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria (HUB), while earthworms showed a 55% increase in HUB over the three to six-month period. The longer lifespan and nutrient absorption capabilities of earthworms facilitated faster growth. Furthermore, significant growth in the microbial population of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria and fungi was observed in crude oil-polluted soil after employing bioremediation, with the highest growth observed in soil treated with mushrooms at six months, followed by earthworms at six months. Conversely, the lowest microbial population was recorded in soil polluted with 10% crude oil and remediated with earthworms at three months. The results suggest that mushrooms and earthworms effectively increase microbial populations in crude oil-polluted soil. However, mushrooms demonstrated a higher microbial population increase compared to earthworms, especially in terms of promoting the growth of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria (HUB) and hydrocarbon-utilizing fungi (HUF). Based on the findings, it is recommended to prioritize using mushrooms as bioremediation agents in similar environmental restoration efforts due to their superior efficacy in increasing microbial populations, particularly HUB and HUF. This study underscores the potential of mushrooms and earthworms as effective bioremediation agents for restoring microbial diversity in crude oil-contaminated soil, offering insights for sustainable environmental restoration practices in oil-affected regions like Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Managerial insight on triple bottom line reporting – an analysis of the Indian banking sector

Purpose Reporting on triple bottom line (TBL) practices has emerged as an essential aspect in banking sector due to evolving social and environmental concerns. Engaging in social and environmental activities is a strategic means to uphold dynamic alliances with stakeholders and eventually attain sustainable development. Furthermore, perception towards social and environmental practices is strategic to satisfy stakeholders’ interests. This paper aims to examine managers’ perception about reporting on social-environmental performance and its impact on financial performance (FP) in Indian banking sector. Research further assesses moderating effect of gender and experience in influencing the relationship between the constructs and also determines importance and performance of the constructs. Design/methodology/approach A well-structured questionnaire was distributed to 400 bank managers across India’s public, private, regional-rural, foreign and cooperative banks. The collected data were analysed through Smart PLS structural equation modelling. The moderating effect of demographics of bank managers in influencing the relationship was assessed using PLS-multi-group analysis (MGA). Besides, importance performance map analysis (IPMA) was used to understand the importance and performance of the constructs. Findings Findings indicate that bank managers believe that social and environmental activities strengthen relations between banks and stakeholders, resulting in better FP, thereby endorsing the stakeholder theory. Results of MGA suggest that gender and experience of bank managers are not effectual moderators in determining relationship between the constructs. Using IPMA, findings advocate that managers perceive environmental performance as a relatively high performance and a more important construct in influencing FP than social performance. Social implications Research would pave the way for banks to effectively communicate their commitment to sustainable development goals, engage stakeholders and demonstrate their commitment to creating positive social and environmental impacts. Furthermore, managerial perceptions can have a marked effect on customers’ understanding of social and environmental practices. This may influence customer satisfaction, conviction, commitment and constancy. Besides, a better understanding of the performance on social and environmental aspects over and above the FP of banks would facilitate the investors to make more informed and effectual decisions. Originality/value Considering the paucity of studies on the managerial perception of social and environmental activities and determining how the perception affects financial success, this study makes significant contribution to the literature. It would facilitate banks to design appropriate strategies and legislations to incorporate reporting on TBL practices for improved performance analysis. This would eventually ensure profitability along with sustainability in the Indian banking sector.

Corporate sustainability commitment in the Middle East and North Africa region: Impact on innovation and firm performance

AbstractThis study examines the effects of corporate sustainability factors (CSFs)—specifically gender diversity, energy practices, and environmental practices—on innovation and their subsequent impact on firm performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By integrating Absorptive Capacity Theory, we explore how these CSFs drive innovation, contributing to broader sustainable development goals. We analyze the impact of innovation on firm performance using the resource‐based view (RBV). Utilizing secondary data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES), we employ a two‐stage instrumental variable regression (IV‐2SLS) to address endogeneity and establish causal relationships. Our findings reveal that stakeholder engagement through gender diversity, energy practices, and environmental practices significantly enhances innovation, which, in turn, drives firm performance. Diverse leadership fosters creativity and innovation, while energy‐efficient and environmentally sustainable practices reduce costs, improve brand reputation, and align with sustainable development goals. These insights underscore essential policy implications for promoting environmental policy, clean production, and sustainable innovation ecosystems. Encouraging MENA firms to engage stakeholders and adopt sustainable practices can drive economic prosperity and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Guru SMP Negeri 2 Babakancikao Purwakarta

Human Resources, especially teachers, have a very large influence and are considered the main key in improving the quality of schools and educational goals. However, there is still a lack of collaboration and cooperation between teachers and between teachers and education staff, and the high rate of absenteeism without obvious reasons is also a significant problem that affects the continuity of learning. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of work environment and work discipline on teacher performance partially and simultaneously at SMP Negeri 2 Babakancikao Purwakarta. The research method used is a quantitative method with data collection techniques through observation, questionnaires and interviews. The sample used was 31 people (saturated sample). Data analysis using multiple linear regression data analyzer with the help of SPSS software version 26. The results of the study show that the work environment has no effect on teacher performance. Meanwhile, work discipline has an effect and is significant on employee performance. Simultaneous hypothesis testing shows that the work environment and work discipline together have a significant influence on teacher performance. This research has important implications for the development of management policies and practices in the educational environment. Good work discipline contributes positively to teacher performance and improves performance to achieve organizational goals..

Are educators and practising midwives working together to support the future workforce?

This series of six articles is inspired by themes arising from the Royal College of Midwives' state of midwifery education report. The series explores the current landscape and challenges in educating the future midwifery workforce, particularly those that relate to the higher education workforce. This penultimate article examines the interplay between the practice and academic environments and the impact this has on both students and staff alike, particularly in the wake of changing standards for student supervision. The article explores whether the nature of being an educator in a health field such as midwifery is unique because of the need to support students through placement challenges when there are limitations on what higher education institutions can realistically influence. It also examines the ‘extra’ responsibilities put on midwifery education staff to support students by way of ‘academic assessor’ roles.

Nonlinear impact of economic policy uncertainty on corporate ESG performance: Regional, industrial and managerial perspectives

The relationship between Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) and corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices has garnered significant attention, yet the nature of this relationship remains unclear. While previous studies have explored linear associations, the potential for nonlinear dynamics and the role of contextual factors have been largely overlooked. This study addresses this gap by investigating the nonlinear relationship between EPU and ESG performance, considering the moderating effects of regional marketization, industry competition, and managerial green perception. Using a comprehensive dataset of Chinese listed companies from 2011 to 2022, we employ quantitative methods including baseline regression analysis, robustness tests, and heterogeneity analysis across different stages of the firm lifecycle. Our findings reveal an inverted U-shaped relationship between EPU and ESG performance, indicating that moderate levels of EPU encourage ESG engagement, while excessive uncertainty leads to declined practices. Furthermore, we find that regional marketization, industry competition, and managerial green perception significantly moderate this relationship, with regional factors exerting the strongest influence. These results contribute to the advancement of theoretical frameworks in sustainable finance and offer valuable insights for managers and policymakers navigating the complex interplay between economic uncertainty and corporate sustainability in diverse contexts.

Environmental sustainability from a decoupling point perspective

Combatting climate change is of global importance. The fact that all UN member nations have agreed on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is testament to this. The manufacturing industry plays a crucial part in meeting these goals. However, if manufacturing firms are to improve in terms of sustainability, such efforts must be reconcilable with their ability to make profit. Hence, sustainability efforts must be adapted to firms’ individual context and competitive priorities.Focusing on environmental sustainability, this paper is the first to empirically investigate and compare the commitment to environmental sustainability practices (ESPs), and the outcomes of such practices, across make-to-order (MTO) and make-to-stock (MTS) manufacturing plants. Furthermore, the paper investigates whether the customer order decoupling point moderates the relationship between characteristics of lean and agile manufacturing and ESPs. Hypotheses are developed based on extant literature and tested. The results indicate that MTO plants experience more benefits related to manufacturing and financial performance from their ESPs than MTS plants. The data also show that the association between ESPs and the outcomes of such practices are more robust for MTO plants than they are for MTS plants. Plausible explanations for these results are discussed and the findings of the paper are connected to the contemporary topic of smart manufacturing, as well as potential policy implications. Suggestions for future research are also provided.

Evolving Practice Patterns of Young Retinal Specialists: A Five-Year Comparison of Treatment and Surgical Preferences

PurposeTo describe trends in demographics and practice patterns of young retina specialists over a five-year follow-up period. DesignA cross-sectional study of young retinal specialists conducted through an online social media platform to evaluate practice patterns for common conditions. MethodsAn anonymous survey was performed among U.S.-based young retinal specialists from a variety of practice environments in early stages of practice between August and September 2022. Results were compared to survey results from 2017. ResultsIn 2022, the survey population included 358 members with 101 respondents compared to 44 respondents in 2017. Most respondents preferred bevacizumab as first-line treatment for foveal-involving diabetic macular edema (DME) (60%), vein occlusions (54%), and macular degeneration (56%). Aflibercept was more popular as first-line for DME patients with poor vision (51%) compared to those with good vision (18%). For proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) without macular edema, respondents prefer panretinal photocoagulation alone (43%) or in combination with anti-VEGF (48%) over anti-VEGF alone (10%). Respondents repaired rhegmatogenous retinal detachments using combined vitrectomy-buckle (20%), primary scleral buckle (10%), and pneumatic retinopexy (PR) (10%). The percentage of respondents who have used PR at least once increased significantly from 2017 to 2022. From 2017 to 2022, more respondents use masks (29.5% to 82.8%) and post-injection antibiotics (2.3% to 16.0%) when performing injections while a smaller minority use topical gel anesthesia (34.1% to 15.5%). ConclusionsSurvey results suggest more providers are more likely to observe good visual acuity in diabetic edema and use laser alone in PDR without edema. In addition, longitudinal trends show increased use of PR, masks and post-injection antibiotics, and decreased use of topical gel anesthesia.

Barriers and enablers to nurse-initiated care in emergency departments: An embedded mixed methods survey study

BackgroundIncreased demand, wait times and length of stay have seen many emergency departments implement nurse-initiated protocols In New South Wales, Australia, 74 nurse-initiated protocols have been developed for implementation. The aim of this paper is to identify the barriers and enablers to nurses’ use of these protocols to inform and maximise future implementation. MethodsData were collected via surveys informed by the theoretical domains' framework and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). Descriptive statistics summarised quantitative data and content analysis was performed on qualitative data. Results were integrated and classified as barriers or enablers to nurses’ use of protocols. ResultsThe nurses’ response rate was 82 % (n = 76) and doctors 72 % (n = 34) Six categories were generated; one barrier (lack of resources), three enablers (patient and organisational benefits, nurses’ motivation, nurses’ desire to develop their practice) and two were both a barrier and enabler ( nurse confidence and the work environment). ConclusionEmergency nurses are highly motivated to use nurse-initiated protocols to positively impact patient outcomes. However, a lack of resources, time, access to education and confidence are barriers to use that need to be addressed when designing implementation.

Call to action: Blueprint for change in acute and critical care nursing

Herein, we propose a blueprint for action to completely measure and recognize the care provided by acute and critical care nurses to be incorporated into policy that shapes and supports practice. We address the nature of nurses’ work by identifying nine practice domains, hospital practice environment assumptions, and expected outcomes. Nurses’ work, as a cross-system process, needs to be included in hospital-based core measures to fully reflect nurses’ impact on patient care. We call for a balanced measurement portfolio focused on patient/family-, unit-, and systems-level outcomes. We focus on what nurses do and what patients and their families can expect rather than only on the elimination of select adverse events. We provide a way forward to allow measure development and implementation with incentives for their use. This approach to making nurses’ contributions and impact on outcomes visible will enhance acute and critical care nursing practice and benefit patients and their families.

Classification and Structural Analysis of Value Chain Contracts for Biodiversity Conservation in the European Union

Enhancing biodiversity is crucial for ensuring food security and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. To this end, agri-environmental and climate schemes (AECS) and innovative contracts are implemented to promote biodiversity conservation and Ecosystem Services. Studying the implemented contracts and their characteristics can lead to improving their performance and efficiency. This paper examines the value chain contracts covered in three European projects and classifies them based on their contractual, financial, environmental and biodiversity characteristics. The design of the contracts was analyzed and seven categories were identified regarding the structure of the value chains and the interplay among stakeholders within these contracts. Our findings underscore the significant role of the private sector in preserving biodiversity and financing environmental practices, complemented by the public sector's contribution in motivating farmers and raising consumer awareness.

Effect of steam curing regime on the mechanical properties, drying shrinkage, and microstructure of mortar in high-altitude areas with low air pressure

Low air pressure in plateau regions impacts the microstructure and macroscopic properties of cement-based materials by altering water transport. However, the efficiency of steam curing, a frequently-used curing approach, under these conditions has been inadequately studied. This work compares the effects of steam curing on the mechanical properties, drying shrinkage, and microstructure of cement-based materials at low air pressure. Results show that low air pressure decreases the compressive strength and increases the drying shrinkage of steam-cured mortar due to reduced hydration and increased total pore volume. Optimally, a steam curing temperature of 40°C to 60°C minimizes thermal damage, and a pre-curing time of 3 hours yields the best mechanical properties and drying shrinkage. Additionally, a field case confirms the effectiveness of the proposed steam curing regime; the demolding strength of precast beams meets engineering standards, and drying shrinkage fluctuates significantly with daily temperature changes. Notably, a 25.30 % difference in 90-day drying shrinkage between steam-cured and non-steam-cured specimens underscores the necessity of steam curing in high-altitude areas. These findings are crucial for optimizing steam curing practices in low-pressure environments.

Exploration of the roles of awe at temple sites: findings from structural equation modelling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

ABSTRACT This study investigates the antecedents and outcomes of feelings of awe experienced at heritage locations using a structural equation modelling-fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method. Based on the stimulus-organism-response framework, this research proposes an integrated model by examining the relationship between stimuli (natural environment and religious culture) and the emotional (e.g. awe) and cognitive (e.g. cultural attachment and subjective well-being [SWB]) organism they inspire, which subsequently increases tourists’ responses (e.g. tourist loyalty). The survey data were collected from 398 tourists visiting four heritage temples in Guangdong Province, southern China. The results demonstrate that awe significantly influences cultural attachment, SWB, and tourist loyalty. In particular, the study highlights the importance of cultural attachment and SWB as significant drivers of tourist loyalty. Furthermore, these factors mediate the relationship between awe and tourist loyalty. The study emphasises the central role of the natural environment and religious practices in evoking feelings of awe. Moreover, it examines the impact of word-of-mouth in shaping the relationship between cultural attachment and tourist loyalty. In addition, the research proposes configurations to enhance tourist loyalty. Moreover, it empirically tests the effect of multiple outcomes on awe, thereby contributing to the achievement of heritage tourism.