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.

This study investigates the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on the construction sector in Southeast Asia, focusing on Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Qualitative research approach is used to analyze the implications of Chinese investments in these countries, exploring both the opportunities and challenges faced by Chinese investors. Key research questions address the resilience of the construction sector, the obstacles encountered by investors, and the influence of policy on the construction business. Through interviews with CEOs and senior managers of major construction companies and a review of relevant documents, the study uncovers the economic and geopolitical motivations behind China’s BRI strategy. The findings reveal significant insights into the benefits and drawbacks of BRI financing, providing recommendations for overcoming challenges and leveraging future opportunities in Southeast Asian construction sectors.

In June 2023, the European Union (EU) enacted the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), which requires agricultural products to enter and leave its territory free from deforestation. The regulations apply to seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, wood, and their derivate products grown or raised on land subject to deforestation or forest degradation will be banned from entering the EU market. EUDR will have a significant impact on Vietnam’s Exports of Agricultural Products. Coffee, rubber, wood, and wood products are the main industries in Vietnam affected by this regulation, as the country exports a substantial portion of these products to EU markets. This article examines the impacts of the European Union Deforestation Regulation on Vietnam’s coffee supply chains, discusses possible unintended effects on coffee farmers and farming households, and explores strategies to mitigate these negative impacts while highlighting specific challenges that may arise. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding and management of Vietnam’s agricultural exports, particularly in the coffee sector. Additionally, the article gives some recommendations for improving Vietnam’s laws and policies on deforestation-free products.

Exposure to high-frequency (HF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) has various effects on living tissues involved in biodiversity. Interactions between fields and exposed tissues are correlated with the characteristics of the exposure, tissue behavior, and field intensity and frequency. These interactions can produce mainly adverse thermal and possibly non-thermal effects. In fact, the most expected type of outcome is a thermal biological effect (BE), where tissues are materially heated by the dissipated electromagnetic energy due to HF-EMF exposure. In case of exposure at a disproportionate intensity and duration, HF-EMF can induce a potentially harmful non-thermal BE on living tissues contained within biodiversity. This paper aims to analyze the thermal BE on biodiversity living tissues and the associated EMF and bio-heat (BH) governing equations.

This study investigates the influence of service quality, destination facilities, destination image, and tourist satisfaction on tourist loyalty in the Pasar Lama Chinatown area of Tangerang City. Utilizing data from 400 respondents, the study employed structured questionnaires analyzed through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results reveal that service quality (β = 0.47, p < 0.001), destination facilities (β = 0.33, p < 0.001), and destination image (β = 0.4, p < 0.001) all significantly enhance tourist satisfaction, which in turn has a strong positive effect on loyalty (β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Direct paths also show that service quality, destination facilities, and destination image independently contribute to tourist loyalty. Bootstrapping confirms satisfaction’s mediating role between these factors and loyalty. Practical recommendations suggest prioritizing service quality improvements, facility enhancements, and a positive destination image to foster loyalty and promote tourism sustainability in Pasar Lama, China. These insights assist tourism managers in developing strategies to enhance long-term visitor retention and engagement in the area.