Input Technology Research Articles

Jerusalem Artichoke: Nitrogen Fertilization Strategy and Energy Balance in the Production Technology of Aerial Biomass

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) is a plant with considerable potential for energy generation due to its rapid growth, high biomass yield, and resistance to environmental stresses. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the nitrogen fertilization strategy on the yield and energy balance in the production technology of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) in a perennial cropping system. The article presents the results of a three-year experiment which was conducted in Poland to determine the effect of different N rates (0, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha−1) supplied with mineral fertilizers and liquid digestate on the energy balance in the production of JA aerial biomass. The experiment had a randomized block design with three replications. The demand for energy in JA cultivation reached 16.2–26.3 (year 1) and 2.9–14.6 GJ ha−1 (years 2 and 3). Energy inputs in the cultivation technology were reduced by 17–19% (year 1) and 35–47% (years 2 and 3) when mineral fertilizers were replaced with digestate. Jerusalem artichoke yields were lowest in the technology without fertilization (12.5 Mg ha−1 DM). Dry matter yield increased significantly (by 43–55%) after the application of 75 kg N ha−1, regardless of fertilizer type. The energy output of biomass peaked (230.1 GJ ha−1) in response to a mineral fertilizer rate of 75 kg N ha−1. In turn, the highest energy gain (218.5 GJ ha−1) was noted after the application of digestate at a rate equivalent to 75 kg N ha–1. The energy efficiency ratio was highest in the technology without fertilization (20.1) and after the application of digestate at a rate equivalent to 75 kg N ha−1 (19.7). Regardless of the factors that limit agricultural production, the energy balance of JA biomass production was most favorable when JA was fertilized with digestate at a rate equivalent to 75 kg N ha−1. The results of this study may pave the way for future research on novel agronomic strategies for sustainable bioenergy production, including nutrient recycling.

Modeling hydrogen markets: Energy system model development status and decarbonization scenario results

Hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier and chemical feedstock to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in difficult-to-decarbonize markets such as medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, aviation and maritime, iron and steel, and the production of fuels and chemicals. Significant literature has been accumulated on engineering-based assessments of various hydrogen technologies, and real-world projects are validating technology performance at larger scales and for low-carbon supply chains. While energy system models continue to be updated to track this progress, many are currently limited in their representation of hydrogen, and as a group they tend to generate highly variable results under decarbonization constraints. The present work provides insights into the development status and decarbonization scenario results of 15 energy system models participating in study 37 of the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum (EMF37), focusing on the U.S. energy system. The models and scenario results vary widely in multiple respects: hydrogen technology representation, scope and type of hydrogen end-use markets, relative optimism of hydrogen technology input assumptions, and market uptake results reported for 2050 under various decarbonization assumptions. Most models report hydrogen market uptake increasing with decarbonization constraints, though some models report high carbon prices being required to achieve these increases and some find hydrogen does not compete well when assuming optimistic assumptions for all advanced decarbonization technologies. Across various scenarios, hydrogen market success tends to have an inverse relationship to success with direct air capture (DAC) and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. While most model-scenario combinations predict modest hydrogen uptake by 2050 – <10 million metric tons (MMT) – aggregating the top 10 % of market uptake results across sectors suggests an upper range demand potential of 42–223 MMT. The high degree of variability across both modeling methods and market uptake results suggests that increased harmonization of both input assumptions and subsector competition scope would lead to more consistent results across energy system models. The wide variability in results indicates strongly divergent conclusions on the role of hydrogen in a decarbonized energy future.

Capital Inflow and Technical Efficiency: A Comparative Analysis Between India and China

This article empirically investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the technical efficiency of manufacturing firms in India and China. We apply the first-stage, stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), to the translog production frontier. The first-stage method estimates simultaneously consider exogenous technical efficiency determinants and translog production function factors. We take foreign ownership and foreign inputs as exogenous determinants of technical efficiency with control variables and foreign technology input in the production frontier. Empirical results find that foreign technology shifts the production frontier by enhancing productivity for Chinese firms, not for Indian firms. Furthermore, domestic firms which use foreign inputs and foreign firms are more efficient. JEL Classification: F14, O31, O32

In Code We Trust? Assessing Code’s Role as a Mediator of Power and Ethics Within Journalistic Practice

Coding, at its core, is an act of problem solving. Following this adoption and adaptation of journalistic code, the recent computational turn within newsrooms raises new questions about how and to what degree journalistic values are imprinted into code. Extending this line of scholarship, this special issue, “Opening the Black Box of Code in Journalism: Materiality, Manufacture and Methods,” studies journalistic code. Through the special issue, we explore how values embedded into code can amplify certain ideologies predominant in regions of the world where an emphasis on innovation and technological infrastructure can overshadow important social and cultural factors that shape journalism. The increased codification of newswork has also prompted introspection about the values inscribed into code by its creators, highlighting that these technological inputs are far from neutral.

Usage and preservation of Mizo traditional medicine by the people of Chungtlang Village, Mamit District, Mizoram.

Diversity, flexibility, easy accessibility, broad continuing acceptance in developing countries and increasing popularity in developed countries, relative low cost, low levels of technological input, relative low side effects, and growing economic importance are some of the positive features of traditional medicine. In rural India, traditional medicine continues to be the only available form of care. Many communities continue to treat patients using their old methods, unaffected by contemporary medical advancements. Due to their accessibility, affordability, and ease of use, tribal tribes prefer to utilize and consult their own traditional healers. These are likewise thought to be highly effective and without any adverse effects. This paper aims to identify various traditional medicines used for treating illness and infirmities, by taking accounts from the residents of Chungtlang village, Mamit District, Mizoram. The objective here lies in discovering traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses for various infirmities.

Exploring the Impact of Financial Development on Water–Energy Efficiency in Western China

The western region of China is a fundamental ecological protection barrier for China. The conflict between regional economic development and ecological environmental protection has always existed in the region. This study first evaluated the water–energy efficiency (WEE) of 11 provinces in western China from 2011 to 2019 using the super-slacks-based model with undesirable outputs and analyzed their spatiotemporal characteristics. It then investigated the influence of financial development level on WEE. The results indicate that (a) the WEE in Western China was at a relatively low level, showing an upward trend from 2011 to 2016 and fluctuating after 2016; (b) financial development levels had U-shaped impacts on the WEE of Western China, which reduced at first and then rose; (c) increasing technological innovation capabilities and trade openness had positive impacts on WEE in Western China, while urbanization level had a negative effect on WEE; and (d) an examination of robustness using two different methods showed that the test results are consistent with the above conclusions. Therefore, this study has robustness. We also put forward corresponding policy suggestions, such as increasing financial support for clean and low-carbon industries, increasing input in science and technology, vigorously developing cleaner and environmentally friendly foreign trade, and implementing a new type of urbanization strategy, to promote the WEE of Western China.

Nexus between Climate Change, Technological Inputs, Energy Consumption and Cereal Production in India: An ARDL approach

Agriculture is vital to India's economy and food security but is highly vulnerable to climate change. This study examines the impact of rainfall, temperature, arable land, energy consumption, fertilizer, and technology inputs on cereal production in India from 1965 to 2018 using ARDL and Toda-Yamamoto Granger Causality techniques. Results show temperature negatively affects cereal production, while rainfall, arable land, energy, fertilizer, and technology have a positive impact. There is a unidirectional causal relationship between these factors and cereal production. The study suggests adopting modern technology, prioritizing organic farming, educating farmers, investing in agricultural R&amp;D, and developing sustainable irrigation infrastructure.

Measurement of Tourism Ecological Efficiency and Analysis of Influencing Factors under the Background of Climate Change: A Case Study of Three Provinces in China’s Cryosphere

Against the backdrop of climate change and the “dual carbon” goals, enhancing the ecological efficiency of cryospheric tourism is crucial not only for the high-quality development of the tourism industry itself but also for the protection of the ecological environment and the promotion of green sustainable development in the cryospheric region. In light of this, this study, taking climate change as its background and based on the perspective of carbon emission constraints, integrates multidimensional factors such as “climate change, carbon emission constraints, and cryospheric resources” into a unified measurement framework to construct a model for evaluating the ecological efficiency of tourism in the cryosphere. Specifically, the model considers inputs, expected outputs, and unexpected outputs. Subsequently, employing the super-efficiency slack-based measure (SBM) model, this study measures the tourism ecological efficiency (TEE) of three provinces (Xinjiang, Qinghai, Tibet) in the cryosphere from 2013 to 2021 and utilizes the Malmquist–Luenberger index and gray correlation model to reveal their dynamic changes, efficiency decomposition, and influencing factors. The results indicate that: (1) The overall mean of TEE in the cryosphere is between 0.2428 and 1.2142, Over the study period, the average annual growth rate and corresponding confidence interval were 14.74%, (−8.61%, 64.23%), showing a significant fluctuating growth trend. Among them, Xinjiang stands out, with its mean scores ranging from 0.2418 to 1.6229, surpassing the overall average level of the cryosphere. (2) During the study period, the overall dynamic efficiency of tourism ecology in the cryosphere increased by 21.54%, driven by the synergy of technological progress (TC), pure technical efficiency (PET), and scale efficiency (SE). For each province, the dynamic efficiency of tourism ecology has improved, but to varying degrees. (3) Regarding the driving factors of TEE in the cryosphere, each driving factor is closely related to TEE, ranked from large to small as follows: carbon emission structure, level of economic development, infrastructure, intensity of technological input, industrial structure, resource endowment, and environmental regulation. This article holds theoretical and practical significance for promoting the high-quality development of polar tourism and achieving synergistic progress between the economy and environment.

USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

In an environment where international competitive conditions are becoming increasingly difficult in parallel with the changes in science and technology, the importance of developments in information technologies is increasing day by day. This study aims to specify the relative efficiency of European Union countries in the field of information technologies using Data Envelopment Analysis. In this direction, four inputs and four outputs are determined. According to both the CCR and BCC models, Austria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain are the countries that cannot show 100% performance in obtaining information technology outputs with the information technology inputs determined in the study. While Belgium and Poland are effective in the BCC analysis, they are not effective in the CCR analysis. In this case, Belgium and Poland are technically effective in BCC analysis, but can not achieve scale efficiency. Input and output rates of inefficient countries are interpreted by comparing them with best practice benchmarks.

Assessment of Roof Tilt and Building Azimuth for Off-Grid Photovoltaic Power for Buildings in Metropolitan Lagos, Nigeria

The study determined optimum roof tilt and building azimuth for rooftop-based distributed photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria as strategic technological input to alternative power generation and new housing development in Metropolitan Lagos. The energy planning &amp; foresight analysis methodology was used. The data were obtained via literature, Global Positioning System (GPS) systems, energy models and site visits; and comprised manual and satellite imagery, dimensions, roof angles and coordinates of the building structures in the study area (Rows between 0 – 60o, Columns between 0 – 180o; System sizes: 533 kW, 110 kW and 0.547 kW). The results showed solar array yield varied from 768,944 kWh per annum for a 500 kVA system to 780 kWh per annum for a 500 VA system. A five tier rooftop generation template of 245 MWp was consequently developed. Optimal roof tilt and building azimuth angles for the systems were estimated to be 5o and 180o respectively though combinations of azimuth and tilt angles not exceeding 30o tilt and 90o azimuth gave acceptable yields. The study concluded that the optimum roof tilt and building azimuth for rooftop-based distributed photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in the study area were strategic policy intelligence inputs for the renewable power generation and new housing development programmes of the Federal and Lagos State Governments.

Exploring the Chinese public's affective attitudes towards digital transformation in agriculture: A social media-based analysis.

This study utilizes natural language processing techniques and panel vector autoregression methodology, to delve into the perceived attitudes of social media users towards the digital transformation of agriculture, and to assess its impact on total agricultural output and agricultural science and technology inputs. Data related to agricultural digital transformation were collected from Sina Weibo using web crawlers. The SnowNLP model was employed to infer users' attitudes, encompassing both positive and negative aspects. Furthermore, the study delves into the specific themes capturing users' positive attitudes and explores regional variations in focus. The findings reveal a sustained increase in users' interest in agricultural digital transformation since 2013. Positive attitudes primarily center around green development, agricultural intelligence, and global cooperation and innovation. Moreover, the study establishes a significant positive impact of users' positive attitudes on both total agricultural output value and agricultural science and technology investment, highlighting the constructive influence of user support on the agricultural industry's development.

Impact of Integrated Pest Management Technology Input and Yield Disparities on Cotton Crop in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra: Principal Component Approach

Impact of Integrated Pest Management Technology Input and Yield Disparities on Cotton Crop in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra: Principal Component Approach

Influence of “the Belt &amp; Road Initiative” on regional logistics development in China based on DID model

As a booster of the national economy and a catalyst of industrial development, the logistics industry uniquely maintains stable economic operations and promotes industrial structural adjustment. The development of China’s logistics industry has broadened the international market and accelerated the exchange and cooperation of logistics industries between different countries. The “Belt &amp; Road Initiative” will continue to provide impetus for the development of China’s logistics industry, which can guarantee the infrastructure interconnection of the logistics industry and ensure the fundamental implementation of the initiative. Based on theoretical analysis and the panel data of 30 provinces in China during 2005–2020, whether the “Belt &amp; Road Initiative” had obvious policy effects on regional logistics development in China was analyzed. The empirical research results showed that the “Belt &amp; Road Initiative” could accelerate the high-quality development of the logistics industry in the provinces along the route during the research period. Industrial proportion, per capita GDP, import and export amount of goods, investment in fixed assets of the whole society, and science and technology input positively affected the development of regional logistics industries. The regression coefficient of the energy structure in the logistics industry was negative but not significant. The research results have important decision-making reference values in promoting the regional advantages of modern logistics industries, promoting the convenience of logistics trade, improving the scientific and technological level of the logistics industry, and using other exogenous policy variables to boost the high-quality development of modern logistics industries under the background of the “Belt &amp; Road Initiative”.

How to drive sustainable economic development: The role of fintech, natural resources, and social vulnerability

The advancement of digital technology, the deepening of economic globalization, and the escalating geopolitical tensions have heightened the focus of policymakers and researchers on fostering sustainable economic development. Employing an analytical framework of "DrivingForce-State-Response," this study aims to investigate the impact of fintech, natural resources, and social vulnerability on sustainable economic development. Utilizing the AHP and TOPSIS models alongside cross-sectional data from the 31 provinces of mainland China in 2022, the research reveals that the eastern region exhibits the highest level of sustainable economic development, trailed by the central region, with the western region lagging behind. Notably, capital input in financial technology, the natural resource conversion rate, and social resilience emerge as pivotal factors driving sustainable economic progress across the three dimensions.These may include initiatives to enhance capital investment in fintech, optimize resource conversion practices, and bolster social resilience through targeted interventions such as healthcare, education, and social assistance programs. Additionally, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among regions could help mitigate disparities and promote inclusive growth across the mainland.

Characteristics and potential of tidal swamplands for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivation

Abstract The characterization and potential of tidal swamps as a source of sorghum crop production (Sorghum Bicolor L. Moech), is the first research conducted in tidal lands, considering that so far sorghum has been widely planted in dry land. Aims to identify the biophysical character of the land, and multiply the potential, and technology of sorghum cultivation in tidal lands. Conducted in Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, from August 2022 - April 2023. Land suitability analysis refers to 1:250,000 scale maps, 1:50,000 scale soil type maps, and soil analysis as the basis for determining technological inputs for successful site-specific sorghum cultivation. The results showed the biophysical character of tidal land with pH &lt;5, has low nutrient content, imperfect water management, and proven to have good potential for sorghum growth. The application of dolomite as much as 1000 kg/ha and manure 5000 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha urea, 100 kg/ha SP-36, and 50 kg/ha KCL according to the results of soil analysis, proved that sorghum can produce 3.07 t/ha in tidal land, and almost the same as production in a dry land.

Value chain analysis of a women‐dominated wild‐caught mud crab fishery

AbstractA value chain analysis (VCA) is a cost‐effective tool to guide targeted value chain development interventions to address social wellbeing and environmental performance. Examining value chains through a gender lens can help design and implement interventions that enhance opportunities for women in the fisheries and address gender inequalities in the sector. We conducted a VCA in 2015 of the wild‐caught mud crab (Scylla serrata) fishery in Bua Province, Fiji. We found five main players involved in the selling of mud crabs – fishers, traders, retail shops, restaurants and exporters. The value chain was dominated by Indigenous (iTaukei) women fishers (88.1% of fishers) and characterised by low technological input, targeted largely for domestic markets or consumption, and with limited value‐adding activities. Although most women harvested mud crabs on a part‐time basis, it was an important source of income for most with 30% relying on it as their main livelihood. Despite being a lucrative commodity, there are several bottlenecks in the fishery – the relative informality of relationships amongst players in the value chain, the independent livelihood‐driven harvest behaviours of fishers, and opportunistic sale of products. As a result, the fishery did not meet the demands of the domestic market. Our study concluded the gendered‐skewness in the fishery increases the vulnerability of the chain to declines in economic productivity because of its reliance on irregular suppliers, and gender‐based constraints. However, the low frequency and intensity of harvesting and use of low technological harvesting methods meant the fishery was not over‐exploited and likely sustainable.

Does Urban Innovation Promote Rural Entrepreneurship? Quasi-Natural Experimental Evidence from Microdata on New Agricultural Subjects

Rural entrepreneurship has injected new vitality into the comprehensive realization of rural revitalization, and exploring the impact of urban innovation and development on rural entrepreneurship is of great significance in promoting the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside and achieving the coordinated development of urban and rural areas. This paper utilizes the panel data of 284 cities in China from 2005 to 2020 and adopts the multi-period double-difference method to test the effect of innovative city pilots on the entrepreneurial level of new agricultural management subjects, so as to reflect the impact of innovation policy on rural entrepreneurship. The study finds that innovative city construction significantly improves the entrepreneurship level of new agricultural business subjects and that the policy effect continues to increase over time, which is still robust after considering endogeneity issues. The above effects are mainly achieved through improving scientific and technological inputs, enhancing credit support effects, and promoting scientific and technological progress. In the heterogeneity test, innovative city construction significantly promotes the entrepreneurship level of new agricultural business subjects in both small and medium-sized cities and cities with a high level of science and education, but significantly inhibits the entrepreneurship level of new agricultural management subjects in large cities and cities with a high level of science and education. At the same time, innovative city development promotes higher levels of entrepreneurship only in agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses, with no significant effect on family farms. This study has important policy references for accelerating innovative city construction and rural revitalization development in China in the new era.

Spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of high quality economic development: Case study of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

With the increase in global economic integration, high-quality economic development (HQED) has become a common goal of all countries. Based on these five development concepts, this paper uses the Gini coefficient, trend surface analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR), the entropy weighting method, and standard deviation ellipse analysis to study the spatio-temporal pattern and driving mechanism of HQED in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This paper examines the spatial and temporal patterns and driving mechanisms of HQED in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) based on five development concepts. The study revealed that (1) HQED is on the rise overall, but at the same time, it highlights the uneven development of multiple dimensions, especially in terms of significant differences in innovation, openness, and sharing. (2) HQED shows a clear center-periphery structure, with Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong as the core high-value areas; the growth rate of HQED capacity in the internal areas is significantly greater than that in the external areas, and HQED is prominent in the cities around Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. (3) Factors such as agglomeration level, human capital, foreign investment, infrastructure development, financial and environmental protection expenditures, and financial inputs, and scientific, and technological inputs have a significant positive effect on HQED, and their interactions are further strengthened. This study reveals the importance of the realization of HQED in the GBA and the promotion of the overall development of the region.

Eco-Efficiency Evaluation of Integrated Transportation Hub Using Super-Efficiency EBM Model and Tobit Regressive Analysis – Case Study in China

The transportation industry is a key area for ecological civilisation construction and low-carbon development. As the core support of the national integrated transportation system, the ecological development level of integrated transportation hub (ITH) is crucial for enhancing the sustainable development capacity of the national integrated transportation. An eco-efficiency evaluation index system of ITH is established in this study and the eco-efficiencies of twenty international ITHs in China are comprehensively evaluated based on the super-efficient epsilon-based measure (EBM) model. Then the panel Tobit regression model is adopted to analyse the influencing factors of eco-efficiency. The results show that the average eco-efficiency of ITHs in China during 2011–2021 declines first and then rises, with a relatively high level overall but not efficient yet, and there is an obvious gradient distribution characteristic in all eco-efficiencies. Among them, Guangzhou ranks first, followed by Haikou, and Harbin ranks last. It is found that integrated transportation efficiency, urban green coverage, level of opening-up and economic development improve eco-efficiency significantly, while urbanisation rate, industrial structure and technology input have a negative impact. The results are consistent with the actual situation, verifying the practicality of models, and can be used to promote the sustainable development of integrated transportation.

Chicas Modernas and Chinas Poblanas: International and National Influences in the Mexican Beer Industry and its Advertisements, 1910–1940

Abstract The Mexican beer industry in general, and advertising in particular, contained both international and national influences. The industry transitioned from significant inputs of capital, technology, and expertise by foreigners during the Porfiriato (1876-1911) to locals carrying out these functions during the Revolution (1910-1940). Advertising in the latter period had Western inspirations, as seen in descriptions of Germanic heritage and images of the Modern Girl. It also had domestic ones, such as native historical figures, contemporary rural types, and Spanish colonial architecture. Some ads even mixed iconography from abroad with that from home. The trajectory of the beer industry as well as its marketing fit in with the political, economic, and social hallmarks of these key periods in Mexican history.