We present an innovative enthalpy method for determining the thermal properties of phase change materials (PCM). The enthalpy-temperature relation in the “mushy” zone is modelled by means of a fifth order Obreshkov polynomial with continuous first and second order derivatives at the zone boundaries. The partial differential equation (PDE) for the conduction of heat is rewritten so that the enthalpy variable is not explicitly present, rendering the equation nonlinear. The thermal conductivity of the PCM is assumed to be temperature dependent and is modelled by a fifth order Obreshkov polynomial as well. The method has been applied to lauric acid, a standard prototype. The latent heat and the conductivity coefficient, being the model parameters, were retrieved by fitting the measurements obtained through a simple experimental procedure. Therefore, our proposal may be profitably used for the study of materials intended for heat-storage applications.

The purpose of this study is to look at the negative environmental impacts and social problems, which require a government response to maintain the sustainability of the palm oil industry. This research uses Online Research Methods (ORMs) to collect data and information through the internet and other digital technologies. The collected data was then coded using Nvivo 12 Plus. The purpose of this study is to fill the research void left by previous researchers by analyzing investment strategies and services in supporting the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Riau Province. This study shows that to support the potential of the palm oil industry to remain optimal, the central and local governments coordinate to provide investment services and pay attention to the sustainability issues of the palm oil industry. Some important aspects to consider are strengthening regulations, an integrated plantation licensing system, improving access to markets, RSPO certification, realization of foreign investment, downstream industry, replanting programme, plantation revitalisation programme, and sustainable plantation partnerships. However, there are still some crucial challenges, particularly land conflicts, climate change, environmental issues, limited technology and innovation, and export market dependence. These challenges may hamper future investment opportunities.

The purpose of this study is to examine how financial slack and board gender diversity affect carbon emission disclosure and how that disclosure affects firm value in energy sector companies that are listed on the Indonesian stock exchange between 2017 and 2021. Annual reports and sustainability sources provide secondary data for this quantitative study. Purposive sampling was employed in this investigation, including nine companies and a five-year observation period. Thus, 45 samples altogether were employed in the present study. The partial least squares approach is the data analysis strategy used in this investigation. The study’s findings indicate that the Gender Diversity Board does not significantly affect carbon emission disclosure and significantly influences firm value. Financial slack significantly affects carbon emission disclosure but does not directly affect firm value. Financial slack and board gender diversity through carbon emission disclosure have no significant effect on firm value.

The food supply chain in South Africa faces significant challenges related to transparency, traceability, and consumer trust. As concerns about food safety, quality, and sustainability grow, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions to address these issues. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool to enhance transparency and accountability across various industries, including the food sector. This study sought to explore the potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing through promoting transparency that enable the achievement of sustainable food supply chain infrastructure in South Africa. The study found that blockchain technology used in food supply chain creates an immutable and decentralized ledger of transactions that has the capacity to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of food products from farm to table. This increased transparency can help mitigate risks associated with food fraud, contamination, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. The study found that blockchain technology can be leveraged to enhance supply chain efficiency and trust among stakeholders. This technology used and/or applied in South Africa can reshape the agricultural sector by improving production and distribution processes. Its integration in the food supply chain infrastructure can equally improve data management and increase transparency between farmers and food suppliers.There is need for policy-makers and scholars in the fields of service delivery and food security to conduct more research in blockchain technology and its roles in creating a more transparent, efficient, and trustworthy food supply chain infractructure that address food supply problems in South Africa. The paper adopted a qualitative methodology to collect data, and document and content analysis techniques were used to interpret collected data. 

Carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) have long been a mainstay of the beverage business but changing consumer tastes and rising health awareness have necessitated a thorough study of the variables impacting consumer choices. This study intends to explore the complex web of customer preferences, purchasing behaviour, and perceptions related to carbonated soft drinks. This research analyses how numerous variables, including gender, affect these preferences and choices via careful examination. The purpose of thepresent research is to determine the perception of consumer influencing customer choice preferences for the consumption of carbonated soft drinks, influence of gender and the role of advertisement in finalizing the choice. It would be helpful to do further research to better understand how these highlighted variables affect purchasing choices, especially gender-based variances. The important influence of gender on consumer behaviour has been acknowledged. For this study, a structured questionnaire was distributed through online social media to individuals of 12–45 years of age from the period of April–May 2023. For analysis of the data collected, SPSS 22.0 was used. The study has confirmed that consumption of Coca-Cola is higher than any other soft drink in almost the entire country. The factors like youthfulness, tradition, status symbol and level of carbonation have different influences on the buying behavior of male and female consumers.