Banana macropropagation in a thermal chamber is an economical technology, effective as a phytosanitary cleaning method, and efficient to enhance seedling production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of corm size (CS) and benzylaminopurine (BAP) on plantain cv. Barraganete seedling proliferation in two propagation environments (PE). The treatments consisted of two levels of BAP (with and without BAP), three CS (2 ± 0.5, 4 ± 0.5 and 6 ± 0.5 kg) and two PE (thermal chamber and raised bed). The variables evaluated were sprouting time (days), multiplication rate (MT) per unit (seedlings per corm) and area (seedlings per m²). Sprouting time was significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the PE, where the thermal chamber advanced shoot emergence by 12 days, with respect to the raised bed. MT of seedlings per corm and m², were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by BAP × AP and TC × AP interactions, where the highest seedling production per corm occurred inside thermal chamber with BAP and 6 ± 0.5 kg corms, while seedling production per m² was higher with 2 ± 0.5 kg corms under the same thermal chamber conditions and with BAP. The main effects results reported that with BAP there were 30 and 31% increases in MT per corm and per m², respectively, relative to the treatment without BAP. Within the thermal chamber the MT per corm and per m² increased by 44% relative to the raised bed. Regarding the effect of CS, larger corms achieved higher individual MT, while smaller corms achieved higher MT per area. The use of a thermal chamber and BAP is recommended for mass production of banana seedlings through macropropagation.

Edible cutlery is a safe alternative that, if adopted, can act as a panacea to plastic pollution. Consumers who believe in a lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS) can motivate others by taking the lead in this direction. This study has explored the psychological variables associated with LOHAS consumers in conjunction with the product attributes of edible cutlery to check whether these variables can influence lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS) consumers to adopt edible cutlery. An empirical study on 210 LOHAS consumers using Partial Least Squares Structure Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Importance Performance Matrix Analyses (IPMA) showed that social consciousness and subjective norms motivate them to adopt edible cutlery in restaurants. This finding has an implication for hospitality businesses using edible cutlery that can target LOHAS consumers with strategies that affect their social consciousness and subjective norm belief for better adoption intentions.

There are a number of issues that can influence elderly life satisfaction, which can mirror their welfare. This study aims to explore the differences in elderly parents’ life satisfaction across socioeconomic characteristics and investigates how the traits of both children and parents associate with elderly parents’ life satisfaction in Thailand. This study uses individual data obtained from Thailand’s National Statistical Organization covering 2008–2015, 2018 and 2020, with a total sample size of 28,494. To investigate the association between children’s and parents’ characteristics, particularly formal education and parental life satisfaction, this study uses ordered logistic regression for the analysis. Our results show that male parents are more likely to have higher life satisfaction than their female counterparts. Parents who are employed, holding a bachelor’s degree, and living with female children are more satisfied with their life. Statistically, children’s formal education demonstrates its importance for their elderly parents’ life satisfaction. This documents the vital role of schooling in improving parental life satisfaction. Moreover, facing the challenge of entering an aging society, government agencies must take a proactive stance on creating jobs suitable for the elderly or retirees to maintain their sense of independence. The evidence of intergenerational mobility reaffirms the importance of children’s education along with their caring ability, which should be strengthened.

Since its introduction to China from India, Chan has become a Buddhist school with Chinese characteristics. In the process of its development, because of its tenet of “special transmission outside of the doctrine that does not establish words and letters”, Chan school encountered difficulties in realizing the practice of living. In recent years, Buddhist masters have made many contributions to the development of Chan School. Master Xuyun’s advocacy of Chan philosophy and practice made it possible to popularize Chan in people’s lives. Master Xuyun’s initiatives to promote the development of Chan School have filled out a complete picture of the history of Chan Buddhism.

This study aims to examine the mediating role of institutional trust (IT) between perceived corruption and subjective well-being (SWB) using data from 1566 households in a developing country. It deploys ordinary least square (OLS) and an ordered logit model within the generalized structural equation model. Results show that individuals who perceived no corruption in a country report more IT and higher levels of SWB. Furthermore, the direct effects of good governance, perceived IT, and the absence of corruption on SWB is also positive. Moreover, satisfaction with hospital services also improves happiness and life satisfaction levels. This study improves and validates how corruption is assessed to support future measures that reduce its harmful effects. Moreover, the masses must have widespread awareness about the critical nature of corruption and IT relative to well-being. This study also highlights the need to develop strong institutions to improve trust and minimize corruption.