In the era of artificial intelligence, smart clothing, as a product of the interaction between fashion clothing and intelligent technology, has increasingly attracted the attention and affection of enterprises and consumers. However, to date, there is a lack of focus on the demand of silver-haired population’s consumers for smart clothing. To adapt to the rapidly aging modern society, this paper explores the influencing factors of silver-haired population’s demand for smart clothing and proposes a corresponding consumer-consumption-need theoretical model (CCNTM) to further promote the development of the smart clothing industry. Based on literature and theoretical research, using the technology acceptance model (TAM) and functional-expressive-aesthetic consumer needs model (FEAM) as the foundation, and introducing interactivity and risk perception as new external variables, a consumer-consumption-need theoretical model containing nine variables including perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, functionality, expressiveness, aesthetics, interactivity, risk perception, purchase attitude, and purchase intention was constructed. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the Chinese silver-haired population aged 55–65 using the Questionnaire Star platform, with a total of 560 questionnaires issued. The results show that the functionality, expressiveness, interactivity, and perceived ease of use of smart clothing significantly positively affect perceived usefulness (P < 0.01); perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, aesthetics, and interactivity significantly positively affect the purchase attitude of the silver-haired population (P < 0.01); perceived usefulness, aesthetics, interactivity, and purchase attitude significantly positively affect the purchase intention of the silver-haired population (P < 0.01); functionality and expressiveness significantly positively affect perceived ease of use (P < 0.01); risk perception significantly negatively affects purchase attitude (P < 0.01). Through the construction and empirical study of the smart clothing consumer-consumption-need theoretical model, this paper hopes to stimulate the purchasing behavior of silver-haired population’s consumers towards smart clothing and enable them to enjoy the benefits brought by scientific and technological advancements, which to live out their golden years in comfort, also, promote the rapid development of the smart clothing industry.

This research explores the interactions within supply chains in the manufacturing sector, with a special emphasis on the distinctive obstacles encountered by the mosquito coil industry. The study is motivated by the need to comprehensively understand and address the multifaceted challenges encountered by manufacturers in their supply chain processes. The mosquito coil industry holds significant importance in Malaysia, primarily due to the country’s tropical climate, which is conducive to mosquito proliferation and the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Nowadays, there are growing complexities and disruptions experienced by the mosquito coil sector’s supply chain, prompting an in-depth investigation. The main objective is to identify the challenges and resilience strategies employed by manufacturers in this sector, providing an understanding that contributes to the broader discourse on supply chain dynamics. Employing a qualitative case study methodology, this research engages in extensive data collection through interviews, document analysis, and direct observations within the selected mosquito coil manufacturing entity. This methodology allows for an immersive exploration of the challenges faced, revealing insights into the factors influencing the supply chain dynamics. The study reveals a wide array of challenges, from obtaining raw materials to managing distribution logistics, underscoring the unique complexities specific to the sector. As a result, the research identifies and analyzes resilience strategies implemented by the mosquito coil manufacturer to mitigate challenges, such as procurement challenges faced in financial related issues, logistical complexities occurred from recent years’ worldwide pandemic, production disruptions from company’s human resource-related issues, global factors from the company’s competitors and market challenges, and technology integration from rapid technological advancements. Thus, implications of this study extend beyond the mosquito coil sector, contributing valuable knowledge to the academic community, practitioners, and policymakers involved in supply chain management. The research not only addresses the identified challenges but also serves as a foundation for enhancing the overall understanding of manufacturing supply chain dynamics, thereby fostering informed decision-making for improved industry resilience.

The SMARTER model, an innovative educational framework, is designed for blended learning environments, seamlessly integrating both online and face-to-face instructional components. Employing a flipped classroom methodology, this model ensures an equitable division between online and traditional classroom interactions, aiming to cultivate a dynamic and collaborative learning atmosphere. This research focused on developing and rigorously evaluating the SMARTER model’s validity, practicality, and effectiveness. Adopting a research and development (R&D) approach informed by the methodologies of Borg, Gall, and Gall, this study utilized a mixed-methods strategy. This encompassed a robust validation process by experts in design, content, and media, alongside an empirical analysis of the model’s application in actual educational settings. The aim was to comprehensively assess its effectiveness and practicality. The findings from this study affirm the SMARTER model’s validity, practicality, and effectiveness in improving students’ information literacy skills. Comparative analysis between a control group, taught using a traditional expository approach, and an experimental group, educated under the SMARTER model, highlighted significant improvements in the latter group. This effectiveness underscores the model’s capacity not only to efficiently deliver content but also to actively engage students in a collaborative learning process. The results advocate for the model’s potential broader adoption and adaptation across similar educational contexts. They also establish a foundation for future research aimed at exploring the SMARTER model’s scalability and adaptability across diverse instructional environments.

In April 2023, the government of Changshu City, in Jiangsu Province, China, announced that it would officially use digital Chinese Yuan (E-CNY) as a method of wage payment to the government and state-owned enterprises staff starting in May. With the gradual improvement and application of E-CNY technologies, such as no electricity, no internet payment (offline payment), and the programmability of smart contracts, E-CNY will be officially used in China. CNN said China is on the verge of a cashless society. The advantages of E-CNY have a positive role in promoting the Chinese government’s implementation of the development goals of a low-carbon and sustainable economy. However, artificial intelligence (AI) trust concerns are the primary bottleneck in the current development based on intelligent algorithms and digital information technology. AI trust concerns are affecting the scope of use of E-CNY, and it may need to achieve effective scale-use, making it promote low-carbon and sustainable development. From the industry perspective, this article selects the housing rental enterprises, which are challenging to develop and energy-intensive, to analyze the theoretical approach and practical impact of E-CNY in promoting the low-carbon and sustainable development of China’s rental housing economy. Meanwhile, from the perspective of Chinese consumers, the impact of AI trust concerns on E-CNY in promoting low-carbon and sustainable development is analyzed in this article.

In order to understand the finishing effect of Waterborne Acrylic Paint under different painting methods and amount, bamboo-laminated lumber for furniture was coated with waterborne acrylic paint, then the effects of different painting methods and amount on the drying rate, smoothness, hardness, adhesion and wear resistance of the paint film were investigated. Further, the mechanism of film formation was described by thermal property analysis using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimeter. The results show that different painting methods have little effect on film properties, the drying time of primer and topcoat are not affected by them, which is 8/8.5 min for primer surface/solid and 6.5/7 min for topcoats. The film surface hardness and adhesion can reach B and 0 grade, the best wear resistance of the film is 51.24 mg·100 r⁻¹ when using one-layer primer one-layer topcoat. Different coating amount has great influence on film properties, the drying speed of the film increases with the increase of the painting amount. The film properties reach the best when the painting amount is 80 g/m², while too little painting amount leads to the decrease of hardness, and too much leads to the wear resistance weaken. Thermal analysis of the primer and topcoat show that water decomposition occurs at 100 ℃ and thermal decomposition of organic components occur at 350 ℃. Topcoats have better thermal stability than primers higher than that of topcoat, the topcoat displayed better thermal stability than the primer.

Weather is almost inevitable and plays an important role in determining the duration of construction projects. The construction industry ultimately thrives upon the physical input, put in by the labours. The majority of the construction projects are executed in the outdoor environment and hence face a high impact of weather conditions. This study therefore evaluated the influence of weather conditions on construction workers’ productivity in Jos, Plateau State and proceeded to make recommendations geared towards the improvement of construction workers’ productivity in Jos. The study was conducted through the direct observation method. Three hundred and ninety-six (396) works were purposively sampled in selected working sites. The outcome shows that during dry weather, there was considerably less significant productivity of manual excavation. In contrast, a large increase in blockwork and plasterwork productivity was observed with a percentage difference of 33%, 56.3% and 61%, respectively. On the other hand, during wet weather conditions, the labour productivity for manual excavation increases, whereas it decreases for block work and plasterwork with percentages difference of 58%, 40% and 47%, respectively. Besides, relative humidity and wind speed have no impact on labours’ productivity in dry and wet weather. Besides, the temperature has the most decisive impact on workers’ productivity. Moreover, wind speed and humidity have a lower influence on workers’ productivity. The construction industry stakeholder in Jos, Nigeria, would benefit from this study’s recommendations for reducing the influence of weather on the building sector. Besides, the output can be extended to other regions having similar characteristics.