Production Activity Research Articles

Do climate disasters make farmers more willing to cooperate? Evidence from rural communities in southern China

PurposeThis article aims to explore the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate and explore the mediating effect of social capital.Design/methodology/approachThe study investigates farmers’ willingness to cooperate through a framed field approach and surveys the information of individuals and villages, including climate disasters and social capital, using a structured questionnaire from rural communities in Jiangxi and Sichuan, China.FindingsThe results show that climate disasters and social capital are significant and positive determinants of farmers’ willingness to cooperate. In specific types of climate disasters, drought is positively associated with farmers’ cooperation willingness. Moreover, the mediation effect of drought on farmers’ willingness to cooperate through social capital has been demonstrated to be significant although negative, whereas the mediation effect of flood on farmers’ willingness to cooperate through social capital is significant and positive.Originality/valueFirst, given the limited studies focusing on the impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers’ willingness to cooperate, the authors complement the existing literature through a framed field experiment approach by designing a scenario that every farmer may encounter in their production activities. Second, the study figures out the roles of drought and flood as different kinds of climate disasters in farmers’ decision-making of cooperation and sheds light on the positive impact of climate disasters on small-scale farmers. Finally, this paper provides empirical evidence of social capital as a potential channel through which climate disasters could possibly affect farmers’ willingness to cooperate.

Thermal and functional condition of microbiological laboratory workers when using personal protective equipment against biological factors

Introduction. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) against pathogenic biological agents (PBA) by medical workers in microbiological laboratories is a mandatory requirement for infectious safety, however, low or absent air and vapor permeability of these PPE and their elements can contribute to disruption of the functional and thermal state. The aim of the study is a physiological and hygienic assessment of PPE against pathogenic pathogens based on indicators of the thermal state of the body when modeling the professional activities of microbiological laboratory workers. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the laboratory of personal protective equipment and industrial exoskeletons of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health on 12 practically healthy individuals — male and female medical workers while simulating work activities and sanitary and epidemiological requirements for a microbiological laboratory. Results. The values of skin and body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation levels obtained in the dynamics of the study made it possible to determine the degree of stress in the thermal and functional state of the body of medical workers. The indicators obtained during the experiment were assessed in accordance with current regulatory documents. A number of thermal state indicators obtained during the study had statistically significant differences from their initial values at p<0.05. Conclusions. When using personal protective equipment against pathogenic pathogens under comfortable microclimatic conditions, an increase in some criterion indicators of the examined individuals was noted, in particular to the upper limit of permissible values of thermal state, which indicates the leading influence of PPE on the thermoregulation of the body and necessitates a reduction in the process of production activities and requires limiting the maximum duration of a work shift under given conditions is three hours, followed by a break to restore the thermal state and water-salt balance. Ethics. The study was conducted in compliance with ethical principles and norms, an extract from the minutes of the meeting of the local ethics committee No. 9 dated 11/23/2022 was obtained.

The Possibility of adoption Lean Supply Chain Management (LSCM) activities in the food beverage industry : Exploratory study

The study aims to determine the extent of the possibility of adopting lean supply chain management activities, represented by the activities (lean purchasing, lean supplier, lean production, lean transportation, lean warehousing, and lean customer) in the Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola companies for the production of food beverages in the Kurdistan Region / Iraq, based on two hypotheses. They stipulate the respondents' awareness and possibility of adopting these activities. The questionnaire form was used as a main tool for collecting data. (90) questionnaires were distributed to the managers of departments and units in the two surveyed companies. The number of questionnaires suitable for analysis reached (80) forms. The results of the statistical analysis supported the study hypotheses and showed the possibility of adopting all activities. The researchers suggested adopting all activities and starting with the lean production activity.

ADAPTATION MECHANISMS ARE USED BY THE BODY OF STUDENTS FOR RECOVERY AFTER PHYSICAL EXERTION

The study of the morphofunctional features of the body's adaptation to constantly changing living conditions is considered one of the most important problems of biology and medicine today. The effectiveness of adaptive processes in the body is the primary basis of good health and high productivity. Therefore, the resolution of the unexplained issues of this problem is important for the prevention and treatment of diseases, the search for effective rehabilitation measures. Knowledge of the laws of adaptation of the human body (athlete) to physical exertion is an objective prerequisite for the effective use of physical exercises in the rationalization of physical training aimed at preserving and strengthening people's health, increasing their work capacity, and implementing a genetically programmed longevity program. The defining function of muscle activity is the function of active adaptation of the body to constantly changing environmental conditions. The ultimate goal of this active adjustment is to maintain internal constancy environment, expanding the homeostatic limits of individual physiological constants, ensuring highly productive activity. The most effective means of adaptive change of a person's own nature is systematic physical training. High perfection of mechanisms of neurohumoral regulation functions; optimization of inter-system and intra-system connections; high development of self-regulation in the activity of functional systems. There is a direct relationship between the power of work and the perfection of mechanisms of regulation of functions: the more intensively the body functions under conditions of physical exertion, the greater the tension of regulatory systems; the more perfectly function regulation systems function, the body will be able to develop greater work capacity [1].

Optimization Model of Clothing Production Plan using Branch and Bound Method

The increasing number of clothing activities in Indonesia has resulted in companies having to increase their marketing and production activities in order to obtain maximum profit. One of the factors influencing the growth of basic clothing is the price of the middle class in Indonesia. This can be a strong foundation for a long-term clothing consumer base. One of the businesses engaged in the production of clothing is a garment production business. The problem that is often faced by companies is limited resources such as raw materials, capital, time, etc. Production planning is a process to produce goods in a certain period in accordance with those predicted through the organization of resources. Therefore, production optimization is one way to optimize profit and apparel production. This study aims to apply the Integer Linear Programming model and is completed using the Branch and Bound method to obtain the optimal number of clothing production in order to obtain maximum profit. The conclusion obtained from the research is the application of the Branch and Bound method to the problem of optimizing production planning at PT. GM Tactical to obtain more optimal results compared to the actual production carried out by the company.

Using Game Theory to Explore the Multinational Supply Chain Production Inventory Models of Various Carbon Emission Policy Combinations

This study uses Stackelberg game theory, considering different combinations of carbon emission reduction policies and that high-carbon-emission enterprises may face various carbon emission reduction regulations, to explore the production inventory problems in a multinational supply chain system. The purpose is to determine the manufacturer’s optimal production, shipping, carbon reduction investment, and the retailer’s replenishment under the equilibrium for different carbon emission policy combinations. To develop the production inventory models, this study first develops the total profit and carbon emission functions of the supply chain members, respectively, and then obtains the optimal solutions and total profits of the manufacturer and the retailer under different carbon emission policy combinations through the mathematical analysis method. Further, this study used several numerical examples to solve and compare the proposed models. The results of numerical analysis show that regardless of the increase in carbon price or carbon tax, the manufacturer and retailer will adjust their decisions to reduce carbon emissions. Specifically, an increase in the carbon price contributes to an increase in the total profit of manufacturers, while an increase in the carbon tax reduces the total profit of manufacturers. This study also explores a sensitivity analysis on the main parameters and has yielded meaningful management insights. For instance, in cases where low-carbonization strategies are required, the manufacturer or retailer can effectively reduce the carbon emissions resulting from production or purchasing activities, thereby significantly reducing overall carbon emissions. It is believed that the results of this study can provide enterprises/supply chains with reference to their respective production, transportation, carbon reduction investment, and inventory decisions under carbon emission policies, as well as information on partner selection and how to adjust decisions under environmental changes.

2023 Development and production review

Geopolitical uncertainty remained high in 2023 with Israeli actions in the Gaza strip, the continuing war in Ukraine and tension between China and several neighbouring countries. However, global inflationary pressures, surprisingly, eased during the year, and the prospect of a global recession faded from where it had been in 2022. In Australia continued activism around climate change issues, has impacted project developments and sentiment in the industry remained subdued. This paper looks back at the oil and gas production and development activities in Australia in 2023 providing historical context and trying to understand future implications for the industry. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in Australia remained close to record high levels although, not without problems. Both the Scarborough/Pluto 2 LNG project and the Barossa project continued to have legal and approval hurdles resulting in suspension of some execution activities. Elsewhere other projects continued with their plans, including the Kipper field in the Gippsland Basin, the Crux project in the Browse Basin and the Walyering project in the Perth Basin which was brought online in September 2023. The domestic markets also continued to have unique issues with major concerns about gas supply in the East, stalled developments and failing supply in the Northern Territory, and a renewed ban on any exports (including to other states) of gas from Western Australia.

Piezoelectric Polarization and Sulfur Vacancy Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance of Bi2S3/ZnSn(OH)6 Piezo-photocatalyst.

The combination of piezoelectric catalysis and photocatalysis could effectively enhance the carrier separation efficiency and further improve the hydrogen production activity. However, piezoelectric polarization always suffers from a low polarization strength, which severely restricts its actual applications. In this study, we successfully synthesized a novel sulfur vacancy-rich Bi2S3/ZnSn (OH)6 (BS-12/ZSH) piezo-photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution through water splitting. Notably, the piezo-photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate of the 8% BS-12/ZSH catalyst (336.21 μmol/g/h) was superior to that of pristine ZSH (29.71 μmol/g/h) and BS-12 (21.66 μmol/g/h). In addition, the hydrogen generation for 8% BS-12/ZSH (336.21 μmol/g/h) under ultrasonic coupling illumination was significantly higher than that under single illumination (52.09 μmol/g/h) and ultrasound (121.90 μmol/g/h), owing to the cooperative interaction of the sulfur vacancy and piezoelectric field. Various characterization analyses confirmed that (1) the introduction of sulfur vacancies in BS-12 provided more active sites, (2) BS-12 with sulfur vacancies acted as a co-catalyst to accelerate the hydrogen production rate, and (3) the piezoelectric field eliminated the electrostatic shielding and offered an additional driving force, which effectively promoted the separation of electron-hole pairs. This research clearly reveals the synergistic effect between piezocatalysis and photocatalysis as well as offers a promising sight for the rational design of high-efficiency piezo-photocatalysts.

Features of the Implementation of the Concept of Managing Decent Work Conditions at Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Construction Industry

In modern conditions, the development of any industry directly depends on the provision of highly qualified labor resources. Due to the constant shortage of personnel, it is important for employers to implement systematic measures to attract, retain and optimally use the required specialists of various qualifications. It is these tasks that the enterprise solves when organizing personnel work in accordance with the basic principles and ideas of decent work. The construction industry in the Russian Federation is one of the most dynamically developing, making a significant contribution to the country’s GDP, but companies from this sector are faced with a global shortage of both labor and highly qualified specialists. It should also be noted that this sector is considered to be one of the most hazardous, injury-prone and requiring increased attention to occupational and labor safety. The purpose of the study is to identify a set of external and internal factors that determine the features of decent work management at enterprises in the construction industry. To achieve this goal, the methods of interdisciplinary analysis of scientific literature and the regulatory framework, economic analysis and analytical statistics were used. The application of counter modeling made it possible to decompose the theoretical model of decent work management and highlight the real conditions of the production, financial and socio-economic activities of enterprises in the construction complex. The results of the study are related to identifying the role of government policy, the labor market, general trends in the construction industry, vocational professional education, as well as personnel policies within the organization in the process of implementing the concept of decent work. The conclusions drawn may be of interest to managers of construction companies, and human resources and personnel management services for analyzing their own practices and carrying out measures to introduce the principles of decent work at individual enterprises in this economic sphere.

MicroRNAs in microglia: deciphering their role in neurodegenerative diseases

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the role of microRNAs in microglia and their implications in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia, as the resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), are pivotal in maintaining neural homeostasis and responding to pathological changes. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of miRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules, in regulating microglial functions. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), dysregulated miRNA expression in microglia contributes to disease progression through various mechanisms such regulation of gene expression, as modulation of cytokine response and phagocytosis. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how miRNAs influence microglial activation, cytokine production, and phagocytic activity. Specific miRNAs, such as miR-155, are explored for their roles in modulating microglial responses in the context of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The study also discusses the impact of miRNA dysregulation on the transition of microglia from a neuroprotective to a neurotoxic phenotype, a critical aspect in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Legal Protection for Consumers against Food Products not Labeled Halal (Study at Karang Bongkot Market, Labuapi District West Lombok Regency)

This research aims to analyze the form of legal protection for consumers for food products that are not labeled halal. The research method used is empirical legal research, using a conceptual approach, a statutory approach and a sociological approach. Legal protection in the case of food products not labeled halal can be classified in two ways, namely the first by looking at the existence of the Consumer Protection Law which provides guidance and education to consumers to become smarter and more careful consumers in choosing the products they want, p. it can be classified into preventive legal protection. Repressive legal protection, namely the final form of legal protection provided by the State, which can be in the form of fines, imprisonment or other punishments, is by providing legal responsibility for business actors who still do not provide a halal label on their products. We can find legal protection for consumers in the Consumer Protection Law (lex generalis) and the Halal Product Guarantee Act (lex specialist). The protection provided is providing legal responsibility to business actors by imposing administrative sanctions in the form of fines, temporary suspension of production and/or distribution activities, withdrawal from circulation, compensation and even revocation of permits.

Replacing a Cysteine Ligand by Selenocysteine in a [NiFe]-Hydrogenase Unlocks Hydrogen Production Activity and Addresses the Role of Concerted Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Electrocatalytic Reversibility.

Hydrogenases catalyze hydrogen/proton interconversion that is normally electrochemically reversible (having minimal overpotential requirement), a special property otherwise almost exclusive to platinum metals. The mechanism of [NiFe]-hydrogenases includes a long-range proton-coupled electron-transfer process involving a specific Ni-coordinated cysteine and the carboxylate of a nearby glutamate. A variant in which this cysteine has been exchanged for selenocysteine displays two distinct changes in electrocatalytic properties, as determined by protein film voltammetry. First, proton reduction, even in the presence of H2 (a strong product inhibitor), is greatly enhanced relative to H2 oxidation: this result parallels a characteristic of natural [NiFeSe]-hydrogenases which are superior H2 production catalysts. Second, an inflection (an S-shaped "twist" in the trace) appears around the formal potential, the small overpotentials introduced in each direction (oxidation and reduction) signaling a departure from electrocatalytic reversibility. Concerted proton-electron transfer offers a lower energy pathway compared to stepwise transfers. Given the much lower proton affinity of Se compared to that of S, the inflection provides compelling evidence that concerted proton-electron transfer is important in determining why [NiFe]-hydrogenases are reversible electrocatalysts.

Empirical assessment of fuel-wood induced carbon footprint in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Most studies of carbon footprint (CFP) in relation to climate change focus on the generation of greenhouse gases (GHG) by human activities such as electricity, industrialization and transportation in urban areas with little attention on rural areas. Against this background, this study aims to identify sources of Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, and estimate the amount of CFP generated through fuel-wood consumption in Udu LGA of Delta State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 200 households in four (4) rural settlements chosen randomly from 32 villages. Mixed survey technique which involved questionnaires, field observations and measurement were employed to collect data for the study. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Analysis and calculation of CFP. The study reveals that the major source of CO2 emission was fuel wood (82.0%), which is used for various domestic and production activities with an average of 39.58kg consumed by each sampled household; thus, generating between 7.24314 MT daily. The amount of CFP also varies directly with the sizes of the sampled households. The study recommends that alternative sources of clean energy should be developed and utilized for sustainable development of the environment and mitigation of climate change phenomenon.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surface Water of the Lower Mekong River Basin (Vietnam)

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Surface Water of the Lower Mekong River Basin (Vietnam)

Making sense of methods and approaches to user involvement

There has been a dramatic growth in the ways of involving users in various product, service, space, and systems development activities. Various categorizations, listings, and mappings have been proposed for making sense of this user-involvement landscape. The present paper introduces the main types of currently available clarificatory mappings used in design for, with, and by users, as well as the shortcomings associated with them. It then proceeds to elaborate how such mappings could be better organized in the future, stressing the importance of distinguishing between techniques, methods, methodologies, and approaches. While sensible mappings are difficult if not impossible to ever achieve regarding techniques and methods, wider approaches in how designer–user relations are organized in time and space do appear to be amenable to differentiation. We elaborate a typology of nine approach-level user-involvement configurations based on resemblance relations, and how these in turn help make sense of wider research areas.

Improvement of the organizational structure of management agricultural enterprises according to the principles of the market economy

The materials of the scientific publication define the role of marketing principles in the organization of the management structure of agricultural enterprises in the production process. The works of domestic and foreign scientists devoted to the efficiency of agricultural production, the service sector and the market were analyzed. When conducting research on the state of the organizational structure of management of agricultural enterprises based on the principle of marketing, general scientific research methods were used, in particular: a monographic method to identify the problem of adaptation of agricultural enterprises to the market environment, a method of comparative analysis to study the possibilities of adaptation to the market of agricultural enterprises of different sizes, an abstract-logical method with its methods of generalization analysis and synthesis and the method of induction and deduction for the formation of generalizations, conclusions and propositions. A system of the organizational structure of management of agricultural enterprises was established in accordance with marketing principles. The state and further development of the management structure of agricultural enterprises is determined. Presented are topical issues of forming the implementation of agrarian policy in the field of organizational structure of socio-economic and social-labor relations. The optimal system of labor organization in social and labor relations based on the principle of humanization of labor, which offers wide independence to the production enterprise, has been revealed. The conditions that determine the direction of all production and marketing activities of agricultural enterprises, which are based on the principles of marketing are analyzed. All activities of the agricultural enterprise are subject to this concept. The tactics of the marketing concept of an agricultural enterprise, based on the use of defensive and offensive positions, are also proposed. Appropriate conclusions were made that reflect the assessment of the financial condition of agricultural sector enterprises and offer the most effective method of marketing policy activation, which provides an opportunity to obtain more information about the activities of agricultural enterprises, conduct its analysis, and formulate specific proposals for production.

Innovative polygon trend analysis for the monthly rainfall in the Mae Klong River Basin, Thailand

ABSTRACT Historical fluctuations in hydroclimatic variables can reveal important information about water resource changes in any basin. The innovative polygon trend analysis (IPTA) method was used to analyze 45-year rainfall data from eight monitoring stations in the Mae Klong River Basin, Thailand. The IPTA graphics were developed for the mean monthly rainfall and the standard deviation of the monthly rainfall for each station. In addition, the IPTA results were compared with the Mann–Kendall (MK) test and the Sen's slope method. The IPTA graphics showed no regular polygon for any rainfall station, which indicated variability of rainfall over the years. The IPTA method showed increasing trends for the month of April while decreasing trends in the month of October for the majority of the stations (7 of 8). A good agreement for detection of trends was found between the IPTA method and the MK test. Both the methods found trends (increasing/decreasing) for 69 months (72%) and showed no trend for 27 months (28%) out of a total of 96 months. The findings of this study could benefit water supply and management, drought monitoring, and agricultural production activities in the Mae Klong River Basin in the future.

Design and Implementation of Time Point Approval and Dynamic Monitoring for Rural Illegal Occupation of Farmland for Constructing Houses

Abstract. The illegal occupation of farmland for building houses has impact not only on the land resources, but also the agricultural production, ecological environment, and food security. In order to protect farmland resources, maintain stable agricultural production activities and improve ecological environment, this paper designs and implements a time-point approval and dynamic monitoring solution and system for the problem of rural illegal occupation of farmland for constructing houses by comprehensively utilizing the satellite remote sensing technology (RS) and geographic information system technology (GIS). The result shows that the time-point approval and dynamic monitoring system can identify the illegal construction of houses accurately, thus this work can curb the generation of new illegal houses, and support the special governance of the construction of illegally occupied farmland effectively and continuously.

Market-driven land use in the Legal Amazon

The impact on ecosystems resulting from the introduction of productive activities is a consensus worldwide. However, some analyses have veered away from scientific rigor in favor of other interests. This phenomenon becomes evident when considering productive activities within the Amazon Biome. The diversity in soil structure and vegetation justifies this study and underpins its conclusions. We aimed to assess the impact of livestock farming and soybean cultivation in the state of Mato Grosso, which partially resides within the Amazon Biome. This analysis stems from the promotion of soybean production for animal feed due to the prohibition of meat and bone meal, a regulation that emerged following the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) event. The results indicate that the prohibition of meat and bone meal in animal feed as a preventive measure against BSE transmission did not influence deforestation in the Legal Amazon in the analyzed region. Similarly, it did not affect the growth of the cattle herd, land income costs, variations in soybean prices in the international market, or beef prices in Brazil. Soybean cultivation did impact deforestation in the Legal Amazon. Government policies related to deforestation were effective in reducing encroachments on the Legal Amazon. Importantly, the most significant expansion of anthropogenic land use occurred within the Cerrado Biome of Mato Grosso rather than within the portion of the Amazon Biome.

Research on Optimization of Financial Performance Evaluation of Energy Enterprises under the Background of Low-Carbon Economy

The development of human society and the production and operation activities of enterprises have brought about global warming, resulting in frequent natural disasters. It has become the consensus of all countries in the world to develop a green and low-carbon economy. Under this background, enterprises, as the main body of economic activities, especially energy industry enterprises, should optimize and upgrade the traditional production and operation mode with high pollution, high consumption, and low output to a high-efficiency and low-pollution mode, and pay attention to the co-ordinated development of economic benefits, social benefits, and ecological benefits. Financial performance evaluation indicators have become the main basis for senior leaders of energy industry enterprises to make decisions and evaluate the low-carbon economic benefits of enterprises. This paper constructs a set of financial evaluation index systems of energy industry enterprises under the background of a low-carbon economy from four dimensions: profitability, asset quality, debt risk, and business growth. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to measure the comprehensive contribution of financial indicators of low-carbon production and operation. The purpose of this study is to provide scientific financial management decisions for energy enterprises to reduce costs and increase the efficiency and low-carbon operation under the background of a low-carbon economy. The research results show that the comprehensive evaluation index system after the traditional financial evaluation index of energy industry enterprises is integrated with the evaluation index of a low-carbon economy can help enterprises make more correct and effective financial decisions in the process of survival, development, and growth, and, at the same time, the financial evaluation index of a low-carbon economy should pay more attention to the indicators with a higher comprehensive contribution, so as to effectively promote the low-carbon operation efficiency of enterprise production, management, and sales. Compared with other research results, this paper innovatively constructs a financial management decision-making index system for measuring the low-carbon operation of energy enterprises in theory, which has important value in guiding energy enterprises to reduce costs and increase the efficiency and low-carbon operation in practice.