Coordination and integration among farms within agri-food chains are crucial to tackle the issue of fragmentation within the primary sector, both at the European and national level. The Italian agri-food system still complains about the need to aggregate supply to support market dynamics, especially for niche and quality products that characterize the Made in Italy. It is well known that the Italian agri-food sector is closely linked to the relationship between agriculture on one hand and culture/tradition on the other, which is reflected in the high number of quality products that have obtained EU PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) recognition. The development of vertical forms of coordination has found significant support in recent years from the integrated supply chain design approach, which is increasingly becoming an essential tool for implementing rural development policies. In this context, the study provides a comparison between companies that have joined the Integrated Supply Chain Projects of the Rural Development Program and those that have not applied. The aim is to highlight any differences in order to understand policy impact. The analysis is based on the Emilia-Romagna region Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data, and the sample consists of more than 2 thousand farms. The statistical analysis conducted compares treated and non-treated using the Welch-t-test for independent unmatched samples. The main results show higher values for treated farms when structural variables are analyzed, like the utilized agricultural area or the agricultural work unit. In general, higher balance sheet performances emerged for treated farms. In conclusion, this study shows that the Integrated Supply Chain Projects represent a worthwhile tool both to increase cooperation, food quality, and to enhance a competitive agricultural sector.

The coupling coordination degree model is used to analyze the change law of the inherent coupling relationship between the forest economy and the ecological environment system in Heilongjiang Province from 2006 to 2018 and its causes. The results show that by combining the coupling relationship with the relative priority of under-forest economic development, the coupling relationship change can be divided into three stages, the coupling coordination degree from 2006 to 2009 is mainly on the verge of imbalance, and the under-forest economic development lags behind the development of the ecological environment. From 2010 to 2012, the coupling coordination degree changed from the reluctant coupling stage to the stage on the verge of imbalance, and the forest economy was ahead of the ecological environment development. From 2013 to 2018, the degree of coupling and coordination was in the reluctant coupling stage, and the under-forest economy and the ecological environment continued to develop in synchronize and in harmony. Therefore, according to the research results, it is proposed to establish the principle of ecological priority, adhere to the development of characteristics, improve the level of science and technology, and rationally develop the under-forest economic industry, so as to promote the coupling and coordinated development of the under-forest economy and ecological environment system in Heilongjiang Province.

In this study, the development of rinnenkarren systems is analyzed. During the field studies, 36 rinnenkarren systems were investigated. The width and depth were measured at every 10 cm on the main channels and then shape was calculated to these places (the quotient of channel width and depth). Water flow was performed on artificial rinnenkarren system. A relation was looked for between the density of tributary channels and the average shape of the main channel, between the distance of tributary channels from each other and the shape of a given place of the main channel. The density and total length of the tributary channels on the lower and upper sections of the main channels being narrow at their lower end (11 pieces) and being wide at their lower end (10 pieces) of the rinnenkarren systems were calculated as well as their average proportional distance from the lower end of the main channel. The number of channel hollows was determined on the lower and upper sections of these main channels. It can be stated that the average shape of the main channel calculated to its total length depends on the density of the tributary channels and on the distance of tributary channels from each other. The main channel shape is smaller if less water flows on the floor for a long time because of the small density of the tributary channels and the great distance between the tributary channels. In this case, the channel deepens, but it does not widen. The width of the main channel depends on the number and location of the rivulets developing on channel-free relief. The main channel becomes narrow towards its lower end if the tributary rivulets are denser and longer on the upper part of the main rivulet developing on the channel-free, plain terrain and their distance is larger compared to the lower end. The channel hollows develop mainly at those places where the later developing tributary channels are hanging above the floor of the main channel. Thus, the former ones are younger than the latter ones. It can be stated that the morphology of the main channels (shape, channel hollows, and width changes of the main channel) is determined by the tributary channels (their number, location and age).

The developmental dilemma of infant and toddler care is examined from a family perspective, and in-depth analyses of infant and toddler care are conducted using Family Systems Theory and Cultural Capital Theory,which are essential to the holistic development of children, the balance between family and work, and the sustainable development of society and the economy.The developmental dilemmas of infant and toddler care are discussed in depth from the family perspective, and solutions are proposed accordingly. By applying family systems theory and cultural capital theory to analyze the root causes and influencing factors of the problem, it provides useful thoughts and suggestions for improving infant and toddler care practices.