Production Space Research Articles

"Games being played": a US exploration of market strategies used by the beverage industry as experienced by food retailers.

The beverage industry's role in undermining nutrition-related population health is a growing global concern. Industry strategies that affect policy, science, and public opinion are increasingly exposed. However, those used in the retail space-known as market strategies-remain largely unspecified. The purpose of this study was to uncover the market strategies beverage companies use with US retailers to secure their influence and control in the primary setting where the public purchases their products-food retail. We conducted a qualitative study based on multiple data sources: 49 interviews with industry insiders, including chain retail managers, independent store owners, and sales representatives and distributors of major food and beverage companies; 15 business files shared by participants, including written beverage marketing agreements and contracts; and 27 purposively sampled, publicly-available industry documents. All data were thematically analyzed. We identified that beverage agreements, which dictate the products, space, marketing, and prices of company products in retail settings, are universal regardless of the retailer's market size. While ubiquitous, the agreement terms, services, and treatment beverage companies provided varied widely-with large US retail chains receiving superior opportunities, such as financial incentives and additional services, and independent and small chain retailers often experiencing disadvantaged, more expensive, non-negotiable terms. Despite this, companies also used several strategies that diminished concerns of differential treatment and thus effectively managed their reputation among independent and small chain retailers. Findings suggest a use of the consolidated power among beverage companies with significant implications for the healthfulness of food retail settings. We conclude by highlighting key policy and legal targets that could be leveraged in the US to address power imbalances in the retailer-beverage company relationship and ultimately shift retail towards promoting public health.

Quantitative Analysis of the Evolution of Production–Living–Ecological Space in Traditional Villages: A Comparative Study of Rural Areas in Tibet

Since the introduction of the rural revitalization strategy by the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017, there have been significant transformations in the production–living–ecological space (PLES) within villages. Evaluating and enhancing villages’ PLES are crucial for fostering sustainable development. Therefore, this study utilized a multi-scale environmental assessment model and mathematical approach to conduct horizontal and vertical nested correlation analyses of indicators at different levels through a path analysis, a Spearman correlation analysis, a variance analysis, the entropy weight method, data simulation, and other methods to establish a “three-dimensional” comprehensive evaluation system for traditional village PLES. The findings indicate the following: (1) The ecological space of traditional villages in Tibet significantly impacts the overall environment of the PLES, with the components’ impact ranked as follows: ecological space > production space > living space. Furthermore, industry and tourism resources show a significant positive correlation with traditional villages’ PLES; (2) There are no significant differences in natural environmental factors, such as air relative humidity, temperature, humidity index, and wind efficiency index among traditional villages in neighboring cities in Tibet. However, they all possess profound ecological and cultural heritage; (3) There are notable disparities in living space between traditional villages in Lhasa and Nyingchi, indicating unbalanced development. It is evident that traditional village construction should not only focus on the development of certain PLES but also pay attention to the balanced development of the overall spatial environment. This study holds great significance for enhancing the living environment of traditional villages in Tibet and promoting sustainable development through protection efforts in these villages.

Application of Odd Chen-Log-Logistic Distribution to Covid-19 Data

This article created the Odd Chen-Log-Logistic distribution from Odd Chen-G family distributions. We derive various statistical features. The parameter estimation theory focuses on selecting the best estimators. We estimate distribution parameters using maximum likelihood, moment, least squares, weighted least, L-moment, maximum product spacing, and minimal distance methods. We will examine Kolmogorov-Smirnov simulation studies that compare estimator efficiency. Finally, we analyze a genuine COVID-19 data set to demonstrate the flexibility of our model and its accuracy compared to other distributions.

Sustainable Development of Production–Living–Ecological Spaces: Insights from a 30-Year Remote Sensing Analysis

The rapid pace of urbanization and industrialization has reshaped land use patterns globally, particularly within the interconnected domains of ‘production, living, and ecological spaces’ (PLES). Understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of these spaces is crucial for guiding sustainable development. Although a number of previous studies have explored aspects of their dynamics and driving factors, further investigation is needed to fully understand their long-term spatiotemporal evolution and the broader influences of socio-economic and environmental forces. This study aims to fill that important gap by leveraging advanced remote sensing techniques to analyze PLES transformations over a 30-year period. Using Henan Province, China, as a testbed, this study applies high-resolution Landsat data, land use transition matrices, dynamic degree analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and multiple linear regressions to uncover trends and underlying drivers. The results reveal a substantial reduction in production spaces by 3394.62 km² steady growth in living spaces by 4459.41 km² and complex, non-linear changes in ecological spaces, which decreased by 1067.43 km². Key driving forces, such as economic growth, urbanization, and fiscal policies are identified and discussed. These insights provide a robust framework for sustainable land use planning, with broader implications for rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide.

Potential Conflict Diagnosis, Simulation Optimization and Coordination of Production-Living-Ecological Space in Gully Areas of the Loess Plateau, China

The gully areas on the Loess Plateau have always been ecologically fragile agricultural areas. These areas often face the common problem of intensified conflicts in production-living-ecological space during economic development, and there is an urgent need for systematic spatial governance. This study innovatively developed a full process technical framework of "identification diagnosis - simulation optimization - coordinated governance" for potential conflicts in the production-living-ecological space, and used Huachi County in the gully area of the Loess Plateau as an example for empirical research. Under this framework, we analyzed the transfer patterns of production, living, and ecological space in the research area; Improved the spatial suitability evaluation index system of "multi-dimensional + multi-objective"; The conflict determination matrix was used to identify the scope, scale, type, and intensity of potential spatial conflicts; We conducted spatial optimization simulations under two scenarios: prioritizing ecological protection and prioritizing social and livelihood development, and designed an overall spatial optimization plan; Propose spatial collaborative governance strategies based on the theory of public space governance. Research shows that this framework has good applicability for the research area and is more direct for guiding subsequent spatial planning and policy practice. The potential conflict between production space and ecological space in Huachi County is the most common, the potential conflict intensity between living space and production space is the largest, and the potential conflict risk between living space and ecological space is rising. To coordinate potential conflicts in space, it is necessary to establish a vertical allocation type of spatial function coordination chain of “goal + collaboration + adjustment”, as well as a horizontal negotiation type of spatial configuration coordination chain of “allocation + cooperation + balance”, forming a “double vertical and double horizontal” spatial coordination framework.

Mapping aquaculture in inland continental areas of Brazil using machine learning on the Google Earth Engine

Aquaculture has played a significant and growing role in the provision of food, food security, and job creation, while simultaneously establishing itself as an important agricultural activity subject to increasingly stringent market practices. The generation of spatial information on aquaculture activity in Brazil can support more assertive planning of new enterprises as well as enable the monitoring of this activity over time, fulfilling an agenda of sustainable aquaculture growth in the country. The aim of this article was to map aquaculture areas in the state of Paraná (Brazil) by developing an automated methodology for the extraction of aquaculture ponds. The methodology was implemented on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and utilized satellite images with a spatial resolution of 4.77 m from Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI) Program – Planet. The process involved pixel-oriented classification of satellite images and the utilization of the Random Forest (RF) algorithm for classification, based on 1200 training samples. The accuracy of the mapping and the algorithm was evaluated using Producer Accuracy (PA), User Accuracy (UA), and Overall Accuracy (OA). The mapping achieved an OA of 0.87, with a PA of 0.89 and a UA of 0.96 for the aquaculture class, and a PA of 0.66 and a UA of 0.41 for the non-aquaculture class. 42,369 aquaculture ponds were identified in the study area, covering a total area of 11,515 ha. The ponds had sizes smaller than 0.7 ha and non-circular shapes (compactness 0.70). Around 40% of the identified aquaculture tanks were concentrated in just two out of the ten analyzed mesoregions, accounting for 40% of the water surface area used for aquaculture in Paraná. Considering that the results obtained show potential to fill the gap in geospatial information about state aquaculture, our methodology would provide a broad understanding of the state’s aquaculture framework, definition of regions with capacity for the expansion of aquaculture ponds, accuracy in estimating the state’s productive space, monitoring the improper expansion of aquaculture areas, as well as establishing locations where the pressure on water resources by aquaculture prevents the expansion of this activity. Therefore, this study could benefit public and private organizations, and other stakeholders, by systematically monitoring aquaculture production in the country’s leading fish farming state, contributing to assertive decisions in regions where aquaculture production needs to expand sustainably.

Creating online, inclusive spaces for learning: ‘Study Together’ with the personal learning advice service

There is a wealth of scholarship on the benefits of synchronous writing sessions for staff and students in higher education (Kornhaber et al., 2016; Eardley et al., 2021; Morley and Aston, 2023). In the Personal Learning Advice (PLA) Service at the Open University UK (OU), we developed bespoke, online study spaces for students from groups currently underrepresented in higher education – known as ‘Study Together’ sessions. The sessions prioritise students from minoritised ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and students with mental health needs who are at risk of poorer study outcomes. This presentation charted the development of Study Together in response to student feedback and evaluation and sought to show the value of ‘targeted’ invitations to engage students with spaces for learning development. Our presentation began by outlining the rationale for a 2022-23 Study Together pilot and its impact on community and belonging for students with mental health declarations (Lavery et al., 2023). We shared our approach to hosting Study Together and the techniques used to create an inclusive, productive study space; we showed how these approaches allowed us to incorporate timed study bursts and reflective practice, building positive study habits among students. Finally, we presented findings from the evaluation of Study Together in 2023-24 and situated this within the wider literature on the benefits of virtual communities of practice for learning. Our presentation spoke directly to the ALDcon24 theme ‘Building inclusive learning development spaces’ and invited delegates to consider the place of virtual, guided study spaces in their own practice.

Sustainable agriculture impacts in urban settings make the case for federal investments [Policy brief

Urban agriculture has flourished in American cities under the care of communities, but its growing popularity faces a number of challenges related to scant funding, insecure land tenure, and environ­mental pollution. Both local and national policy in the U.S. have struggled to adequately address those challenges and meet the demand for fresh food, local production spaces, and resilient communities. In this policy brief, we explore an emerging apparatus to support urban agriculture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture: The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. We describe the relation­ship between urban agriculture’s many bene­fits and future funding, technical assistance, and data collec­tion initiatives through this office. Specifically, we call for consistent, permanent funding that is not subject to the annual federal budget process, which could power more tailored technical assistance programs, reformed granting initiatives, and expanded data collec­tion to inform future policy and practice. Urban agriculture has the potential to transform communities and the future of farming, and federal policy has the potential to provide important support for this transforma­tion. The policies outlined here offer a roadmap for this support.

The Relationship Characteristics and Multi-Gradient Differentiation Between Rural Population and Agricultural Production Space in Typical Ecologically Fragile Areas of China

The Relationship Characteristics and Multi-Gradient Differentiation Between Rural Population and Agricultural Production Space in Typical Ecologically Fragile Areas of China

Self-supporting thin Shells in Italy. Space and Structure of the Industrial Buildings (1930-1970)

In the Twentieth Century, the industrial buildings featured a broad experimentation on the load-bearing structures suited to the production spaces. Among the structural elements explicitly designed for factories were reinforced concrete thin shells. In Italy, where reinforced concrete was the predominant construction technique for the entire century, the evolution of the thin shells for industrial buildings traced a significant story: starting from the introduction of foreign systems and patents in the 1920s, the design and construction of the thin shells gradually stacked to national productive and technological specificities. This paper presents a historical investigation of the application of thin shells in Italy between 1930 and 1970, remarking, thus, the local contribution of Italian contractors and designers in the evolution of both the design solutions and production process. Furthermore, the study presents a systematic historical and technical framework related to thin shells to support the actions of knowledge and safeguard the industrial building heritage.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Territorial Spaces and Its Effect on Carbon Emissions in Qingdao City, China

Land use change has always been a significant factor affecting global carbon emissions. Dissecting the characteristics of territorial space evolution and its impact on carbon emissions is crucial for developing low-carbon-oriented territorial space optimization and governance strategies. This paper calculates the carbon emissions associated with territorial spaces in Qingdao from 2000 to 2020, utilizing land use data alongside various statistical data. Based on the accounting results, the evolution characteristics of territorial spaces and their corresponding carbon emissions, as well as the carbon transition dynamics resulting from space transfer, are analyzed. A carbon transition decomposition formula is then proposed to quantify the differential and spatially heterogeneous impacts of changes in space types and socio-economic development on emissions. The results indicate that: (1) the evolution of territorial spaces in Qingdao during 2000–2020 is characterized by an expansion of living space and a contraction of production and ecological spaces; (2) net carbon emissions rose from 313.98 × 104 tons to 1068.58 × 104 tons, with urban production space contributing the most (69.96% in 2020) due to its significantly high emission density. The spatial distribution of carbon emissions exhibited a stable “northwest–southeast” pattern, with increased dispersion and weakened directionality; (3) the transformation of territorial spaces promoted carbon emissions in Qingdao, with the conversion of urban production space to other uses yielding the most favorable carbon transitions, while the expropriation of agricultural production spaces for urban production and residents’ living has resulted in the most detrimental carbon transitions; (4) socio-economic development shapes the overarching pattern of regional emission density changes, whereas space transfers account for local variations. This paper also identifies priorities for spatial optimization and key sectors for emission reduction. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the carbon emission consequences of territorial space transformation in Qingdao, thereby providing valuable insights for regional spatial planning and optimization aimed at promoting low-carbon development.

Study on the Coupling Coordination Degree and Driving Mechanism of “Production-Living-Ecological” Space in Ecologically Fragile Areas: A Case Study of the Turpan–Hami Basin

One of the key conditions for achieving superior regional growth is ensuring the harmonious development of both the layout and functions of territorial space. Territorial space, which includes production space, living space, and ecological space, serves as a critical system and venue for economic, cultural, and social activities in a region. The harmonized growth of production–living–ecological space (PLES) is essential for attaining sustainable development goals. Research on PLES offers a fresh perspective on promoting sustainable development of the spatial domain and the sustainable use of resources. However, studies on PLE functions in ecologically fragile areas are lacking. Therefore, in this study, which adopts a PLES perspective, land-use data are used to classify land according to the dominant functions of production, ecology, and living. Integration of point-of-interest (POI) data with socio-economic data was established to spatially describe indicators at the grid level and create a scoring system for PLES indicators in ecologically fragile areas. Finally, the entropy weight method, holistic assessment methods, coupling coordination degree model (CCDM), and geodetector were employed to explore the coupling coordination relationships and factors influencing PLESs in the Turpan–Hami Basin from 2010 to 2020. The results indicate that the Turpan–Hami Basin consists predominantly of potential ecological space, mainly in the central and northern regions, which are characterized by the Gobi Desert and bare rock landforms. Over the past decade, the PLES framework has seen a notable rise in the allocation of residential and ecological areas, whereas the portion dedicated to production spaces has diminished. The overall coupling coordination degree (CCD) of PLES in the Turpan–Hami Basin is at a coordinated level and gradually increasing. The most significant impact on the degree of PLES coupling coordination is exerted by population and natural factors. The research findings provide theoretical support for the sustainable utilization of resources in the Turpan–Hami Basin and other ecologically fragile areas while also offering scientific evidence to promote the coupling coordination of PLES, thereby contributing to high-quality regional development.

Accelerating Optimal Synthesis of Atomically Thin MoS2: A Constrained Bayesian Optimization Guided Brachistochrone Approach

AbstractA machine learning (ML) guided approach is presented for the accelerated optimization of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis of 2D materials toward the highest quality, starting from low‐quality or unsuccessful synthesis conditions. Using 26 sets of these synthesis conditions as the initial training dataset, our method systematically guides experimental synthesis towards optoelectronic‐grade monolayer MoS2 flakes. A‐exciton linewidth (σA) as narrow as 38 meV could be achieved in 2D MoS2 flakes after only an additional 35 trials (reflecting 15% of the full factorial design dataset for training purposes). In practical terms, this reflects a decrease of the possible experimental time to optimize the parameters from up to one year to about two months. This remarkable efficiency was achieved by formulating a constrained sequencing optimization problem solved via a combination of constraint learning and Bayesian Optimization with the narrowness of σA as the single target metric. By employing graph‐based semi‐supervised learning with data acquired through a multi‐criteria sampling method, the constraint model effectively delineates and refines the feasible design space for monolayer flake production. Additionally, the Gaussian Process regression effectively captures the relationships between synthesis parameters and outcomes, offering high predictive capability along with a measure of prediction uncertainty. This method is scalable to a higher number of synthesis parameters and target metrics and is transferrable to other materials and types of reactors. This study envisions that this method will be fundamental for CVD and similar techniques in the future.

Promoting coordinated spatial governance of mega-cities in China via spatial organization of metropolitan areas

Super large-sized cities and very large-sized cities (“mega-cities” for short) have become the backbone of China's socio-economic development, but they also face outstanding challenges of "urban diseases" due to their high concentration. In comparison to their foreign counterparts, China's mega-cities possess unique characteristics such as rapid growth, high population density, and large numbers of residents. They naturally have the attributes of metropolitan areas due to an administrative management system of an urban system within city territory. Promoting coordinated spatial governance of mega-cities via spatial organization of metropolitan areas not only helps mega-cities better allocate resources at a larger scope and helps expedite the transformation of development patterns, but is also crucial for better implementing new-type urbanization strategies. In response to the issues in China’s previous research and practices related to mega-cities and metropolitan areas, leveraging the “Critical Technology for Spatial Optimization of Metropolitan Areas of City Clusters” of the national key R&D plan in the “14th Five-year Plan” period, we have employed a scientific approach that combines data and models to propose spatial governance strategies. These strategies encompass both the overall metropolitan area level and the cross-border regional level. Our primary focus lies in optimizing the spatial layout of the “three domains” – ecological space, production space, and living space, facilitating functional dispersal, enhancing spatial patterns, adjusting land use structures and spatial resource allocation, coordinating rail transit and the organization of functions along transit lines, and innovating service management for improvement of administrative efficiency. Through the implementation of these diverse measures, we aim to establish a comprehensive composite collaborative system.

‘Grand designs?’ Investigating the cultural and spatial logics of Channel 4’s media hub workspaces in Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow

This article explores the evolving spatiality of media production through an analysis of recent developments in UK broadcaster Channel 4’s move to a multi-site operating model. Historically, media buildings have served as landmarks of power and influence, embodying the aspirations and identities of media organisations and, as such, offer a fruitful lens for the specific exploration of the spaces of contemporary media production. Through a detailed analysis of Channel 4’s decision-making process, site selections and the significance of the chosen buildings within areas with an urban regeneration focus, the study investigates the complex interplay between media industry dynamics, regional development policies, and wider political and economic forces. Drawing on a range of academic literature and evidence from media, industry and policy reporting, the article highlights the strategic motivations behind Channel 4’s decentralisation efforts, positioned by the organisation as an effort to address diversity in terms of nations and regions representation but significantly shaped by political factors. However, it also raises critical questions about the long-term sustainability, economic viability and cultural impact of these relocation decisions. The article discusses how Channel 4’s regional media spaces and decentralisation reflect the impermanence and crisis facing Public Service Media, emphasising the shifting power dynamics within the media landscape and the need for adaptive strategies in an increasingly volatile industry environment. By examining the evolving investment in media buildings, this research contributes to a growing body of research seeking to understand the complex dynamics shaping contemporary media landscapes and urban environments.

Statistical Analysis and Several Estimation Methods of New Alpha Power-Transformed Pareto Model with Applications in Insurance

This article defines a new distribution using a novel alpha power-transformed method extension. The model obtained has three parameters and is quite effective in modeling skewed, complex, symmetric, and asymmetric datasets. The new approach has one additional parameter for the model. Certain distributional and mathematical properties are investigated, notably reliability, quartile, moments, skewness, kurtosis, and order statistics, and several approaches of estimation, notably the maximum likelihood, least square, weighted least square, maximum product spacing, Cramer-Von Mises, and Anderson Darling estimators of the model parameters were obtained. A Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed techniques of estimation of the model parameters. The actuarial measures are computed for our recommended model. At the end of the paper, two insurance applications are illustrated to check the potential and utility of the suggested distribution. Evaluation using four selection criteria indicates that our recommended model is the most appropriate probability model for modeling insurance datasets.

What We See When Invited To Look Differently: Critical Reflections On Socially Engaged Photography

The conversation is the result of multiple exchanges around different projects and contexts of practice undertaken by Anthony Luvera over the course of his career. Driven by a desire to explore Socially Engaged Photography (SEP) within an expanded critical framework, Gary Bratchford and Anthony Luvera discuss the logics of neoliberalism; representational responsibility; the use of data as a mode of address in the context of SEP; the politics of the ‘invitation’; and the triangulated partnership between subject, photographer, and audience as productive space for political engagement.

Crypto/Space: Computational parasitism, virtual land grabs, and the production of Web3 Exit zones

This paper explores how so-called ‘Web3’ blockchain projects are materially and socially constituted. A blockchain is an append-only distributed database. The technology is being hyped as applicable for a whole range of industries, social service provisions, and as a fix for economic disparities in communities left behind by mainstream financial systems. Drawing on case studies from our ongoing research we explain how, despite being virtual, Web3 projects are dependent on clearly defined spaces of production from which they derive their speculative value. We conceptualise this relationship as Crypto/Space, where space and blockchain software are mutually constituted. We consider how Crypto/Spaces are produced in three ways: 1) how project developers are adopting a parasitic relationship with host locations to appropriate energy, infrastructure, and local resources; 2) how projects enable ‘virtual land grabs’ where developers are engaging in land acquisitions, and associated displacement of local people, with no real intention to use the land for the declared purpose; and 3) how blockchain technology and speculative finance imaginaries are inspiring new anarcho-capitalist crypto-utopian ‘Exit zones’, often in the Global South. Far from being a zero-sum virtual game world, we argue that cryptocurrency projects are parasitic, often requiring predation on poor and otherwise marginalised communities to appropriate resources, onboard new users and enable favourable regulation.

Landscape ecological risk assessment and driving factor analysis in southwest china.

Landscape ecological risk assessment and ecological network construction are of great significance for optimizing territorial functions and reducing regional ecological risks. Based on the production-living-ecological space perspective, this study evaluated the spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of landscape ecological risk and its driving mechanism in Southwest China and constructed a landscape ecological network. The results showed that the proportions of ecological space, production space and living space to the total space in 2020 were 74.35%, 24.55% and 1.10%, respectively. The industrial production space had the highest growth rate, increasing by 9.8 times from 2000 to 2020. During the study period, the average value of the ecological risk index ranged from 0.2 to 0.21 for the whole landscape. The geographical distribution of ecological risk zones showed significant differences, with risk zones showing a transition from high-risk and low-risk to medium-risk zones. A total of 105 ecological corridors and 156 ecological nodes have been constructed in the 2020 ecological network. The northeastern part of the study area needs better landscape connectivity and should be focused on ecological protection. Random Forest (RF) and Geodetector modeling showed that anthropogenic disturbance and land use levels have strong explanatory power for the evolution of ecological risk in the landscape. The interactions between anthropogenic disturbance, natural climate and regional economy are essential factors in the spatiotemporal differentiation of ecological risk. This study provides scientific references for ecological risk research and the promotion of high-quality development in Southwest China.

Evolutionary characteristics of production, living, and ecological spaces and related environmental effects in Urumqi, Northwest China

Evolutionary characteristics of production, living, and ecological spaces and related environmental effects in Urumqi, Northwest China