Search Results (25,591)

The literature has mainly focused on analyzing the relationship of remittances with economic growth and social welfare, neglecting more complex aspects where remittances can have relevant implications. To contribute to the literature, the objective of this research is to examine the dynamic relationship between remittances, capital formation, structural transformation and economic growth in 15 Latin American countries during the period 1996–2019. To meet the objective, a panel vector autoregressive regression (PVAR) model was estimated, focusing on the analysis of the impulse-response function and variance decomposition. The results show a positive effect of remittances on economic growth and capital formation and a negative effect of remittances on structural transformation for initial periods and positive for later periods, framing a non-linear relationship. In addition, it was determined that structural transformation does not have a significant impact on economic growth. Finally, it was found that capital formation has a partial positive effect on economic growth. It is concluded that public policies should generate support mechanisms for the efficient channeling of these resources so that they become engines of growth. Full article

The grooved carpet-shell clam is one of the most economically relevant shellfish species living in the Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic coasts. Previous studies using different types of genetic markers showed a remarkable genetic divergence of the eastern Mediterranean, western Mediterranean, and Atlantic populations, but important details remained unclear. Here, data from six nuclear introns scored for restriction fragment size polymorphisms in eight populations that have not been studied before have been pooled for the analysis with data scattered through three previous studies, totaling 32 samples from 29 locations. The results show lower levels of heterozygosity, higher mean number of alleles, and alleles with restricted distribution in the Mediterranean populations, suggesting the existence of a large, isolated population in the eastern Mediterranean at the middle Pleistocene. The data also confirm the similarity of populations from Tunisia to Western Mediterranean populations. Finally, a genetic mosaic is apparent in the Atlantic coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, with a divergence of Rias Baixas populations from more northern populations and Central Portugal populations. The effects of oceanic fronts, seasonal upwellings, river plumes, and/or fishery management operations could explain this and other features of the Atlantic populations. Full article

Resource curse and environmental regulation are the key bottlenecks that hinder the sustainable development of the resource industry. A reasonable assessment of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environment regulation and resource industry transformation is helpful to promote the decision-making of industrial restructuring in post-development regions. Taking Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China as the research object, panel data related to resources, environment and industry from 2010 to 2021 are selected to evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of regional resource supply security, environmental regulatory pressure and resource industry transformation efficiency, measure the decoupling index among the factors, and use geographic detector technology to identify the constraints affecting factor decoupling. The results show the following: (1) the resource curse effect of Inner Mongolia is not significant, and some resource industries have prominent advantages; (2) the security of resource supply and the transformation efficiency of the resource industry show overall upward trend, the pressure of environmental regulation is basically balanced, and the development level of factors in resource-endowed regions and central cities is relatively high; (3) the spatial and temporal evolution of the decoupling relationship between resource supply, environmental regulation and resource industry transformation is uncertain, and the resilience of regional economic and social governance is poor; (4) resource endowment and resource industry advantages are the key that restricts the decoupling of factors, and the cumulative effect of ecological governance is likely to lead to the randomness of the decoupling of environmental regulation and resource industry transformation. In addition, this study suggests that the post-development areas should pay attention to the classification of resource industry relief, trans-regional economic and social collaborative governance and special resources exploitation. Full article

A multitude of studies have extensively examined strategies for achieving sustainable development in the real estate market. As the pivotal component of land economy, the real estate market plays a crucial role in ensuring its sound operation. However, it is currently undergoing significant adjustments and grappling with rampant speculative activities, resulting in an alarming bubble. By scrutinizing the speculative motivations of different entities, we present a novel perspective on mitigating speculation. Our analysis reveals that digital inclusive finance effectively curbs residents’ and enterprises’ speculative behavior, as evidenced by diminished prevention motivation and investment substitution motivation. Utilizing data from 280 cities, this study measures real estate market speculation by establishing a model that the volatility of the housing market turnover, as a proportion of GDP, deviates from the actual housing demand transactions based on economic fundamentals. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between digital inclusive finance and real estate market speculation, along with its spatial effects. The findings indicate that digital inclusive finance significantly curbs real estate market speculation and has a negative spatial spillover effect. This research provides a novel model and perspective for exploring real estate market speculation while positively impacting sustainable development within the real estate market. Full article

In the context of a dry port, sustainable operations involve developing and implementing policies and procedures that reduce adverse effects on the environment, advance economic viability, and strengthen social responsibility. Several factors contribute to achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, making it critical to identify the factors influencing the sustainability of dry port operations. This research aims to identify decisive factors associated with economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and to develop a framework for measuring sustainability in dry port operations. The research utilises exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the analytical hierarchical process (AHP) to develop a measurement framework for assessing the sustainability of Ethiopian dry ports. EFA is an effective method with which to identify factors that contribute to sustainable dry port operations. To provide a frame for the critical sustainability performance metrics for dry ports, the AHP approach was used. Data were collected from 300 stakeholders using surveys to identify key factors, and 20 senior experts were involved in validating and rating the most influential factors determining dry port sustainability. This research asserts the most pertinent factors guiding dry port sustainability operations, resource allocation, and decision-making. From an environmental sustainability perspective, critical factors include minimising business-partner impacts, reducing waste, addressing climate change, providing environmental planning education to teams, and implementing measures to protect the national environment. From a social perspective, the factors identified include a resettlement policy, employment opportunities for the community, workplace safety, stakeholder consultation, and top-management guidance. From an economic standpoint, critical factors include value-added services, reduced transportation costs, decreased time, enhanced productivity in the trade supply chain, and profit orientation. The research provides valuable insights with which to guide the development of practices and policies aimed at ensuring sustainable dry port operations, a critical domain of the trade supply chain. Full article

This research investigates the sustainable marketing effectiveness of Poland’s fruit and vegetable industry using a seminal approach to analyze the interconnected dynamics among all factors and highlight pivotal elements through a structural model. Methodologically, the research used a sample of 216 companies utilizing a comprehensive survey to gauge various dimensions of sustainable marketing, including the environmental and social aspects of production, pricing, distribution and promotional activities. The findings reveal a nuanced landscape of sustainability practices within the industry. While there is a commendable level of awareness and some positive strides in certain areas such as employee-focused social aspects, other domains lag significantly, particularly consumer-focused social aspects and sustainable promotional activities. The study highlights the need for a more concerted and integrated approach towards sustainability, emphasizing the necessity of balancing economic goals with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. These insights bear significant implications for both research and practice. Practically, the study offers industry stakeholders a detailed understanding of the current state of sustainable practices pinpointing areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. It underlines the originality and value of employing a sophisticated analytical approach in assessing and enhancing the sustainability of marketing practices in the industry. Full article

Rapid urbanization has made mountain development an important means to alleviate the shortages of construction land on plains, which has significantly affected regional ecosystem services. In-depth research on the impact of urbanization on ecosystem services under altitude gradients is of great significance to clarify the relationship between the two. Based on data from 2000, 2010 and 2020, the urbanization level and ecosystem services of the study area were evaluated. The spatial correlation of ecosystem services was analyzed by Moran’s I. A spatial Durbin model (SDM) was selected to fit the regression. The results show that (1) from 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem services in the study area displayed obvious regional characteristics and aggregation characteristics; (2) in plain areas, the indirect effects of economic, population and land urbanization have a greater negative impact, and compared with shallow mountain areas, deep mountain areas are more negatively affected by economic urbanization and land urbanization; and (3) the significant difference in regression results reflects the rationality of using the spatial Durbin model, as in this paper, and proves the scientific nature of regional coordinated development. The research results provide a reference for the future coordinated development of regional economies and environments. Full article

Culverts fulfill the vital function of safely channeling water beneath railway tracks, highways, and overpasses. They serve various purposes, including facilitating drainage in areas such as watercourses, drainage zones, and regions with restricted ground-bearing capacity. Precast reinforced concrete (RC) box culverts are a popular choice because they are strong, durable, rigid, and economical. However, culverts are prone to corrosion due to exposure to a range of environmental factors and aggressive chemicals. Therefore, enhancing the design and construction of this crucial infrastructure is imperative to effectively combat corrosion and to adhere to modern standards of reliability and affordability. In this study, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) was used to strengthen corroded culverts, with promising potential to improve safety and longevity in these structures. This study compared the behavior of corroded RC box culverts to CFRP-strengthened ones using the finite element method (FEM). It explored the impact of varying the damage thicknesses owing to corrosion, ranging from 0 mm to 20 mm, on the structural performance of the box culverts. The results showed that the CFRP model exhibited a substantial 25% increase in the capacity and reduced the damage compared to the reference model. Moreover, a parametric study was conducted for establishing a cost-effective design, in which numerous CFRP strip configurations were examined for a damaged-culvert model. The results indicated that a complete CFRP sheet was most effective for the maximum design capacity and repair effectiveness. The study’s outcomes provide valuable insights for professionals engaged in enhancing the strength of box culverts, aiming to increase the capacity, enhance the stability, and strengthen corroded culverts. Full article

Despite reductions in bacterial infection and enhanced success rate, the widespread use of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in implant dentistry is controversial. This use has contributed to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, along with creating significant health and economic burdens. The basic mechanisms that cause implant infection can be targeted by new prevention and treatment methods which can also lead to the reduction of systemic antibiotic exposure and its associated adverse effects. This review aims to summarize advanced biomaterial strategies applied to implant components based on anti-pathogenic mechanisms and immune balance mechanisms. It emphasizes that modifying the dental implant surface and regulating the early immune response are promising strategies, which may further prevent or slow the development of peri-implant infection, and subsequent failure. Full article

The global incidence of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is on the rise, fueled by factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, socio-economic factors, and ethnic backgrounds. T2D is a multifaceted condition often associated with various health complications, including adverse effects on bone health. This study aims to assess key biomarkers linked to bone health and remodeling—Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-Β Ligand (RANKL), and Glycoprotein Non-Metastatic Melanoma Protein B (GPNMB)—among individuals with diabetes while exploring the impact of ethnicity on these biomarkers. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a cohort of 2083 individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds residing in Kuwait. The results indicate significantly elevated levels of these markers in individuals with T2D compared to non-diabetic counterparts, with OPG at 826.47 (405.8) pg/mL, RANKL at 9.25 (17.3) pg/mL, and GPNMB at 21.44 (7) ng/mL versus 653.75 (231.7) pg/mL, 0.21 (9.94) pg/mL, and 18.65 (5) ng/mL in non-diabetic individuals, respectively. Notably, this elevation was consistent across Arab and Asian populations, except for lower levels of RANKL observed in Arabs with T2D. Furthermore, a positive and significant correlation between OPG and GPNMB was observed regardless of ethnicity or diabetes status, with the strongest correlation (r = 0.473, p < 0.001) found among Arab individuals with T2D. Similarly, a positive and significant correlation between GPNMB and RANKL was noted among Asian individuals with T2D (r = 0.401, p = 0.001). Interestingly, a significant inverse correlation was detected between OPG and RANKL in non-diabetic Arab individuals. These findings highlight dysregulation in bone remodeling markers among individuals with T2D and emphasize the importance of considering ethnic variations in T2D-related complications. The performance of further studies is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop interventions based on ethnicity for personalized treatment approaches. Full article

Compared to regions with lighter pollution, the areas heavily affected by pollution in China face more severe environmental problems due to rapid economic growth, which creates a greater urgency for government and corporate environmental requirements. This study innovatively applies mediation and threshold models to explore the potential correlation between green technology innovation, types of environmental regulation, and provincial-level green total factor productivity (GTFP). Additionally, it examines inter-regional differences, determines threshold effects, and introduces regional heterogeneity and mediator variables. The research findings demonstrate that progress in green technology innovation significantly impacts the improvement of provincial-level GTFP. Further mechanism analysis reveals the crucial role of environmental regulation in facilitating sustained enhancement of GTFP through green technology innovation. The promotion of GTFP is more pronounced in eastern and central provinces compared to western regions, and the positive influence of green technology innovation varies significantly among provinces. By investigating the regional differences of polluted areas and introducing mediating variables, this paper explores the environmental regulation mechanism, which has important guiding significance for formulating more effective environmental regulation policies, promoting green technology innovation, and improving GTFP. Full article

With the unexpected onset of COVID-19, governments across the world responded with a range of preventive measures, including the imposition of lockdowns. To mitigate the adverse effects of lockdowns arising from supply chain shocks and employment loss, governments worldwide chose to implement policies to stimulate their economies and keep them working. This study assesses the impact and effectiveness of four of these packages in Bangladesh, employing a mixed-method approach. These packages include “salary support for workers in export-oriented RMG industries”, “working capital loans for affected industries and service sectors”, “working capital loans for cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises”, and initiatives for “revitalizing the rural economy and job creation”. Each package was examined individually because of their differences in beneficiary groups, implementation methods, and individual objectives. Quantitative analysis involved propensity score matching (PSM), the difference in difference model (DID), and structural equation modelling (SEM). Stakeholders, including policy implementers, Bangladesh Bank officials, policy analysts, academics, workers, and beneficiaries, contributed to the qualitative analysis through extensive key-informant interviews, providing a comprehensive assessment of intervention outcomes. Ultimately, the results show that the packages achieved their socio-economic relief objectives for beneficiaries. The research examined both positive impacts and challenges in their implementation. It suggests that all four packages successfully achieved their goals, such as providing social and economic support, sustaining livelihoods, addressing marginalized groups’ needs, ensuring survival for large industries and small businesses, and promoting employment. In order to better address future shocks, establishing a beneficiary database integrated with the national system is recommended for smoother policy rollout. Despite acknowledged limitations, including challenges in beneficiary identification, data availability, and time constraints, the study’s unbiased estimations provide valuable insights to guide future policy directions in similar situations. Full article

Aquaculture serves as a source of protein and livelihood and is an alternative to capture fisheries, thereby reducing pressure on the wild. However, aquaculture tends to be limited by sustainability issues, which include overdependency on fishmeal, the high cost associated with fishmeal, the environmental impact of aquaculture activities, which may be detrimental to aquatic lives and the environment, and the use of antibiotics to treat diseases, which may have an adverse effect in their host or the environment. Efforts are being made toward attaining practical ways to enhance aquaculture sustainability. One such effort is using functional feed additives in feed formulation. Functional feed additives are dietary ingredients incorporated in feed formulations, not only for the usual provision of basic nutritional requirements as offered by traditional feed but also for growth and health enhancement; environmental and economic gain. This review emphasizes the importance of incorporating functional feed additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, and phytogenics. This study evaluates and presents holistic information on functional additives, their roles in enhancing aquaculture sustainability, and the challenges encountered in their application. Full article

In this work, an experimental analysis of the performance of a cross-flow turbine, commonly referred to as a Michell–Banki turbine (MBT), is carried out for small-scale hydropower production in rural areas located in developing countries to support their social and economic development activities. The study investigates how the efficiency of the MBT is influenced by the presence or absence of a nozzle, along with variations in the internal guide vane (GV) and its angle. The runner had 26 blades that were arranged symmetrically in the periphery between two circular plates. The designed MBT had the ability to generate a maximum of 100 W of power at a water flow rate and a head of 0.009 m³/s and 0.6311 m, respectively. The experimental tests were carried out using a hydraulic bench. The turbine efficiency without the inner GV was found to be higher than that of the turbine with the inner GV; i.e., it was found that the utilization of the GV did not enhance the efficiency of the MBT due to the occurrence of a choking effect. A maximum hydraulic efficiency of 85% was achieved in the turbine without an inner GV in comparison with the efficiency achieved (77%) with this device and an optimum opening angle of the GV of 24° (75% of opening). In this regard, the GV design should be carefully carried out to improve the MBT efficiency. Additionally, the effect of the GV shape on the MBT performance should be experimentally investigated to obtain a more general judgment regarding the role of this device. Full article

In the digital transformation era, digitalization integrates deeply into production, bolstering output efficiency and economic value. Through stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), this research positions digitalization as an input in the production function, dissecting its elasticity impact on capital, labor, and output. The effect of digitalization on total factor productivity change (TFPC) is explained by comparing TFPC with and without digitalization. Findings reveal that digitalization’s integration into economic growth displays a U-shaped trajectory, with initial productivity setbacks transitioning to long-term benefits as industries adapt. The periodic complementarity and substitution between digitalization and labor, along with a weak substitution relationship with capital, illustrate that, as a production factor, digitalization dynamically interacts with other factors, both complementing and substituting them. This dynamic interplay highlights the intricate role that digitalization plays within the production function. Furthermore, digitalization has played a crucial role in China’s TFP growth, which also highlights the lack of other technological progress. Meanwhile, the pace of digital transformation presents scalability challenges, evident in the fluctuating scale efficiency change (SEC). Policymakers are advised to address these early stage challenges through supportive measures, ensuring smoother digital transitions. Concurrently, industries should embrace this non-linear transformation, emphasizing adaptability to maximize digitalization’s long-term advantages. Full article