With modern society and the ever-increasing consumption of polymeric materials, the way we look at products has changed, and one of the main questions we have is about the negative impacts caused to the environment in the most diverse stages of the life cycle of these materials, whether in the acquisition of raw materials, in manufacturing, distribution, use or even in their final disposal. The main methodology currently used to assess the environmental impacts of products from their origin to their final disposal is known as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Thus, the objective of this work is to evaluate how much the biodegradable polymer contributes to the environment in relation to the conventional polymer considering the application of LCA in the production mode. This analysis is configured through the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method. In this review, 28 studies were selected for evaluation, whose approaches encompass knowledge on LCA, green biopolymer (from a renewable but non-biodegradable source), conventional polymer (from a non-renewable source) and, mainly, the benefits of using biodegradable polymers produced from renewable sources, such as: corn, sugarcane, cellulose, chitin and others. Based on the surveys, a comparative analysis of LCA applications was made, whose studies considered evaluating quantitative results in the application of LCA, in biodegradable and conventional polymers. The results, based on comparisons between extraction and production of biodegradable polymers in relation to conventional polymers, indicate greater environmental benefits related to the use of biodegradable polymers.
A comprehensive proteomic analysis was carried out to evaluate leaf proteome changes of Brassica napus cultivars as an important oilseed crop inoculated with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens FY32 under salt stress. Based on the physiochemical characteristics of canola, Hyola308 was a tolerant and Sarigol was a salt sensitive cultivar. Gel-based proteomics indicated that proteins related to energy/metabolism, cell/membrane maintenance, signalins, stress, and development respond to salt stress and bacterial inoculation in both cultivars. Under salt stress, Hyola308 launches mechanisms similar to Sarigol, but the tolerance was related to consuming less energy consumption than Sarigol for launching the proper pathway/mechanism. Inoculation with plant growth promoting bacteria promotes relative growth rate and net assimilation rate; causes increase in soluble sugar content (12–32% varing to cultivars and salt treatments), as an osmo-protectant, in leaves of Sarigol and Hyola308 in control and salt stress conditions. The groups of proteins that are affected due to inoculation (18 and14 functional groups in Hyola308 and Sarigol, respectively) are varying to stress-influenced groups (10 and 6 functional groups in Hyola308 and Sarigol, respectively) that might be because of regulating tolerance mechanism of plant and/or plant-growth promoting bacteria inoculation. Furthermore, it is recognized that P. fluorescens FY32 has a dual effect on the cultivars including a pathogenic effect and a growth promoting effect on both cultivars under salt stress.
This study investigates the influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance Disclosures (ESGD) on the profitability of firms, using a sample of 385 publicly listed companies on the Thai Stock Exchange. Data from 2018 to 2022 is sourced from the Bloomberg database, focusing on ESGD scores as indicators of companies’ ESG commitments. The study utilizes a structural equation model to examine the relationships between independent variables; ESGD, Earnings Per Share (EPS), Debt to Assets ratio (DA), Return on Investment Capital (ROIC), Total Assets (TA), and dependent variables Tobin’s Q (TBQ) and Return on Assets (ROA). The analysis reveals a positive relationship between ESGD and TBQ, but not with ROA. Further exploration is conducted to determine if different ESGD levels (high, medium, low) yield consistent effects on TBQ. The findings indicate discrepancies: high and medium ESGD levels are associated with a negative impact on TBQ when EPS increased, whereas low ESGD levels correlate with an increase in TBQ with rising EPS. This nuanced approach challenges the conventional uniform treatment of ESGD in previous research and provides a deeper understanding of how varying commitments to ESG practices affect a firm’s market valuation and profitability. These insights are crucial for firm management, highlighting the importance of ESGD in relation to other financial variables and their effects on market value. This study offers a new perspective on ESGD’s impact, emphasizing the need for differentiated strategies based on ESG commitment levels.
The rise of financial inclusion has notably increased household engagement in risky financial asset allocation, posing challenges to macro-financial stability. This study explored the crucial role of financial literacy in enabling households to effectively engage with complex financial markets and products. Specifically, it examined how different aspects of financial literacy—knowledge, attitudes, and skills—influence both the participation and depth of household investment in risky financial assets in China. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey, which included 32,458 households, this study employed a robust indicator system and regression analysis via STATA 17.0 to assess these impacts. The results demonstrated that enhancements in financial literacy significantly foster increased engagement and deeper involvement in risky asset allocation, particularly through improved financial attitudes. Additionally, the analysis revealed that households led by women show a higher propensity towards risky asset investments than those led by men. These insights suggested the potential for targeted financial education to improve the financial health and economic resilience of Chinese households.
This article explores the landscape of entrepreneurship education in Indonesia amid the wave of digital transformation. The research method uses Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to review research results sourced from journals indexed in Sinta or nationally accredited journals in Indonesia which can be accessed on Google Scholar. The conclusion, (i) Digital transformation-based entrepreneurship education creates a new learning model in colleges with the aim of developing entrepreneurial attitudes and values among young people, especially students, so as to produce entrepreneurial intentions. (ii) Higher education as an entrepreneur education provider must follow the progress of digital transformation in the teaching process of entrepreneurship education so that digital literacy among lecturers and students is getting better. (iii) The participation of stakeholders, the Government, college and the business world, is expected to provide support in policy making, especially curriculum changes in accordance with current circumstances in creating new business actors or entrepreneurial intentions.
In the evolving landscape of the 21st century, universities are at the forefront of re-imagining their infrastructural identity. This conceptual paper delves into the transformative shifts witnessed within university infrastructure, focusing on the harmonisation of tangible physical assets and the expanding world of digital evolution. As brick-and-mortar structures remain pivotal, integrating digital platforms rapidly redefines the academic landscape, optimising learning and administrative experiences. The modern learning paradigm, enriched by this symbiotic relationship, offers dynamic, flexible, and comprehensive educational encounters, thereby transcending traditional spatial and temporal constraints. Therefore, this paper accentuates the broader implications of this infrastructural metamorphosis, particularly its significant role in driving economic development. The synergistic effects of physical and digital infrastructures enhance academic excellence and position universities as key players in addressing and navigating global challenges, setting forth a resilient and forward-looking educational blueprint for the future. In conclusion, integrating physical and digital infrastructures within universities heralds a transformative era, shaping a holistic, adaptable, and enriched academic environment poised to meet 21st-century challenges. This study illuminates the symbiotic relationship between tangible university assets and digital innovations, offering insights into their collective impact on modern education and broader economic trajectories.
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