Alfalfa is considered the most used forage crop in the world, its main use is for cattle feeding, due to its high nutritional value, specifically in protein and digestible fiber. Currently, the trend in agriculture is to reduce the application of chemicals and among them are fertilizers that pollute soil and water, so the adoption of new technologies and other not so new is becoming a good habit among farmers. Nanotechnology in the plant system allows the development of new fertilizers to improve agricultural productivity and the release of mineral nutrients in nanoforms, which has a wide variety of benefits, including the timing and direct release of nutrients, as well as synchronizing or specifying the environmental response. Biofertilizers are important components of integrated nutrient management and play a key role in soil productivity and sustainability. While protecting the environment, they are a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and renewable source of plant nutrients to supplement chemical fertilizers in the sustainable agricultural system. Nanotechnology and biofertilization allow in a practical way the reduction in the application of chemicals, contributing to the sustainability of agriculture, so this work aims to review the relevant results on biofertilization, the use of nanotechnology and the evaluation of the nutritional composition of alfalfa when grown with the application of biofertilizers.
This paper qualitatively analyzes the connotation of woodland welfare and the changes of woodland welfare that may be caused by the transfer of the right to use, and interprets the welfare improvement caused by the transfer of the right to use of woodland in the ideal state by using the relevant theories and models of microeconomics. Based on the prospect theory and psychological account theory of behavioral economics, this paper analyzes the reasons why the transfer of forestland use right has not been carried out on a large scale in China.
This study is based on the theory of planned behaviour, and its aim is to understand the impact of doctoral pursuit intention on the doctoral preparatory behaviour of female teachers in independent colleges in China, as well as to determine the moderating effect of perceived risk between doctoral pursuit intention and doctoral preparatory behaviour. The participants in the study were female teachers from independent colleges in China, who were recruited between February and March 2024 based on convenience sampling. 776 valid questionnaires were obtained, and the data were analyzed using a hierarchical regression method. According to the results, a doctoral pursuit intention has a significant and positive predictive effect on doctoral preparatory behaviour, while the perceived risk has a significant and negative moderating effect between doctoral pursuit intention and doctoral preparatory behaviour. This indicates that female teachers with high doctoral pursuit intention more actively prepare to pursue a doctoral degree when the perceived risk is low, whereas the doctoral preparatory behaviour of those with high perceived risk shows a limited increase as their doctoral pursuit intention increases. Therefore, female teachers’ pursuit of a doctoral degree should be supported on an individual basis and analysed within the broader context of the transformation of independent colleges.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results and complications of arthroscopic subcapital realignment osteotomy for the treatment of chronic and stable proximal femoral epiphysiolysis (PFE) in an initial series of patients. According to the literature review, the study presents the first description of an arthroscopic technique of this type of osteotomy. Methods: Between June 2012 and December 2014, seven patients underwent arthroscopic subcapital realignment osteotomy for the treatment of chronic, stable PFE. The mean age of the patients was 11 years and four months. Minimum follow-up ranged from 6 to 36 months (mean, 16.5 months). Patients were clinically evaluated according to the Harris Hip Score modified by Byrd and radiographically according to Southwick’s quantitative classification and the epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle. Postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: With regard to the evaluation of the Harris Hip Score Modified by Byrd clinical score, a preoperative mean of 35.8 points and a postoperative mean of 97.5 points were observed (p < 0.05). Radiographically, five patients were classified as Southwick grade II and two as grade III. A mean correction of the epiphyseal-diaphyseal angle of 40° was observed. There were no immediate postoperative complications. One patient developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head, without collapse or chondrolysis at the last follow-up (22 months). Conclusion: The arthroscopic technique presented by the authors for the treatment of chronic, stable PFE resulted in clinical and radiographic improvement of the patients in this initial series.
With its inherent characteristics of decentralization, immutability, and transparency, blockchain technology presents a promising opportunity to revolutionize the South African food supply chains. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized, immutable, and secure nature, offers solutions to these challenges by improving traceability and accountability across the supply chain. This study investigates the role of blockchain technology in enhancing transparency in the food supply chain among small and medium enterprises in South Africa. SMEs form a critical part of the country's agri-food sector but face challenges such as food fraud, inefficient inventory management, and lack of transparency, which impact food safety and trust. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, utilizing the Technology-Organization-Environment framework and Institutional Theory to explain blockchain adoption among SMEs. The results demonstrate that blockchain-enabled practices, such as smart contracts, records traceability, production tracking, and distribution monitoring, significantly enhance supply chain transparency. The findings highlight blockchain's potential to increase operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder trust. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, emphasizing the need for regulatory support and strategic investment in blockchain solutions to promote sustainability and competitiveness in the agri-food sector.
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