Estimation of the initial material of spring barley for adaptability to arid conditions of the Stavropol territory

Grain production stabilization is one of the main criteria for the development of agriculture in Russia. In this regard, in modern breeding, when developing varieties, considerable attention must be paid to their adaptability, i.e. parameters that ensure stable productivity in various growing conditions. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the spring barley samples according to the trait ‘yield’ for adaptability to the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory and their further use in breeding work. The material for the study were 86 spring barley samples. In order to determine the stability, there was used a variance coefficient (V%) according to the method of B.A. Dospekhov (2014). The ecological adaptability (bi) and the environment index (Ij) were determined according to the method of S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russell (1966) as presented by V.Z. Pakudin (1984). Homeostaticity (Hom) was assessed according to the method of V.V. Hangildin (1981). Stress resistance was determined according to the equations of A.A. Rosielle and J. Hamblin as presented by A.A. Goncharenko (2005). There were identified the highly productive samples ‘Mamlyuk’ (389 g/m2) and ‘Stirling’ (378 g/m2), possessing high responsiveness to improving environmental conditions (bi = 1.44–1.21), variability (V = 58.9–51,2%) and low stress resistance (Ymin – Ymax = -538–488). Such genotypes are capable of forming high yields in favorable conditions and may be of interest for breeding high-intensity varieties. The samples weakly responsive to changes in growing conditions were distinguished by high stability and homeostaticity according to the trait ‘yield’, namely ‘Nutans 74840’ (Hom = 2.88; V = 38.4%) and ‘Veles’ (Hom = 2.56; V = 38.5%), as well as the adaptable variety ‘Getman’ (Hom = 2.89; V = 40.6%). These samples are the most adaptive to the arid conditions of the Stavropol Territory and regions with similar cultivation conditions. They are recommended for use in breeding work.

SIGNIFICANCE AND PERFORMANCE OF PROPERTY MARKETS IN MALAYSIA

The importance of the global real estate market has been widely debated over the last decade. Prior discussion has focused on various aspects of analysis used to evaluate the performance of the property market, such as statistical analysis, surveys, academic or industrial literature. As a result, it is also necessary to examine the global and Asian property markets while also evaluating the significance and performance of the Malaysian property market in comparison to other Asian markets to determine Malaysia's international contribution to the global property market. The performance of Malaysia's property market from 2015 to 2018 was examined in this study. Data was gathered using Thomson Router Data Stream from Real Capital Analytic, Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA), World Economic Forum, and Transparency International, among others. The study's findings will extend knowledge not only of the performance and significance of the Malaysian property market, but also of GDP growth, inflation rate, market ranking global, competitiveness business environment index, corruption perception, and risk and transparency index in Malaysia and across Asian countries. The overall results indicate that the performance and signs of the Malaysian real estate market were better compared to other Asian and developing markets.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Ecosystem Health of China’s Provinces Based on SDGs

In the context of increasing ecological scarcity, maintaining the balance between natural and artificial capital has become a popular research topic in the field of ecosystem health. From the perspective of coordinating natural and artificial capital and maintaining the balance between human systems and the Earth’s ecosystem, the Ecosystem Health Index (EHI) was developed on the basis of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The EHI consists of the Social Progress Index (SPI), Economic Development Index (EDI), Natural Environment Index (NEI), and a pressure adjustment coefficient. Comprehensive indicator assessment models were used to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of the EHIs in 30 of China’s provinces from 2013 to 2019. A three-dimensional judgment matrix was used to classify the 30 provinces into four basic types. The results show the following: (1) From 2013 to 2019, the EHIs of all provinces improved to different degrees, with 19 provinces achieving a healthy state. (2) Spatially, the EHI showed some regional aggregation in 2013. Provinces with high EHIs were concentrated in the west, followed by those in the east, and those in the central provinces had the lowest EHIs. However, the differences between regions had narrowed by 2019. (3) The spatial distribution patterns of the NEI and the EDI varied widely, and most provinces did not reach a high level of coordination between natural and artificial capital. (4) The environmental pressure in all provinces, except Liaoning, decreased over time. In some cases, excessive pressure decreased the pressure-adjusted EHI, regardless of the EHI value. (5) According to the results of the ecosystem health classification in each province, the factors that hinder ecosystem health vary from place to place.

Exploring the Correlation between Block Vitality and Block Environment Based on Multisource Big Data: Taking Wuhan City as an Example

Block is the basic unit for studying the urban activities of residents, and block vitality is the concrete expression of urban dynamics at the block level. The quality of the block’s residential environment is a crucial medium to satisfy the residents’ pursuit of high-quality life; good block quality is essential for fostering the block vitality and further enhancing the overall vitality of the city. This study used the distribution density of cellular signaling data to quantify block vitality and constructed a block environment index system covering four dimensions—block accessibility, block function, block development degree, and human perception of block environment—innovatively introducing the elements of block environment from the human perspective. Considering the variability of block vitality between workdays and weekends, and between downtown and suburban blocks, this study used a geographically weighted regression model to show the mechanism of the spatial and temporal influence of indicators on block vitality, as well as to suggest how to enhance block vitality at different times of the day based on the influence mechanism. This study was conducted in Wuhan, China. The findings suggest that block vitality exhibited significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. A high-vitality block can be created by enhancing the block’s accessibility, increasing the degree of block construction, and enriching the functional density and mix of functions in the block. A pleasantly green environment with a moderate degree of openness exerted a significant impact on promoting human activity and enhancing block vitality. The creation of high-vitality blocks should also consider the differences in the impact of various elements on block vitality between weekend and workday. For example, amid the surge in travel demand for education venues on weekends, enhancing the accessibility of blocks can significantly increase the vitality of blocks on weekends. We can truly realize the people-oriented approach to build a livable and high-vitality city by adapting to local conditions and time.

Entrepreneurship Education for the Next Generation of Higher Education in Taiwan

2019/2020 The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) analyzes the status of early entrepreneurship in various countries. Taiwan is higher than other countries’ averages in the national entrepreneurial environment index, such as cultural and social norms, physical infrastructure, market entry control, and internal market vitality, business and legal infrastructure, transformation of research and development results, school-leaving entrepreneurship education and training, on-campus entrepreneurship education and training, government entrepreneurship plans, taxation and administrative systems, government policies and entrepreneurial financing, etc. Starting from 2020, the Ministry of Education has divided the innovation and entrepreneurship courses into two models, namely fundraising practical learning and training course modules and entrepreneurial management and action learning course modules. The themes and implementations of the courses include “Concepts and Practices in Entrepreneurship and Practice Simulation Learning Platform”, “Concept Development and Practice-Business Operation-Company Establishment-Company Closure” and “Concept Proposal-Maker Practice-Business Model Briefing” and other aspects. This article will discuss, in the context of the development and current situation of entrepreneurship education in Taiwan, trends in entrepreneurship education for the next generation of Taiwan, and use examples from Taiwan’s higher education system to promote entrepreneurship education to serve as a reference by education circles in other countries.

Development of measures for assessing mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth based on labour observations

IntroductionMistreatment of women during childbirth is increasingly recognised as a significant issue globally. Research and programmatic efforts targeting this phenomenon have been limited by a lack of validated measurement tools. This study aimed to develop a set of concise, valid and reliable multidimensional measures for mistreatment using labour observations applicable across multiple settings.MethodsData from continuous labour observations of 1974 women in Nigeria (n=407), Ghana (n=912) and Guinea (n=655) were used from the cross-sectional WHO’s multicountry study ‘How women are treated during facility-based childbirth’ (2016–2018). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to develop a scale measuring interpersonal abuse. Two indexes were developed through a modified Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development approach for generating composite indexes. Measures were evaluated for performance, validity and internal reliability.ResultsThree mistreatment measures were developed: a 7-item Interpersonal Abuse Scale, a 3-item Exams & Procedures Index and a 12-item Unsupportive Birth Environment Index. Factor analysis results showed a consistent unidimensional factor structure for the Interpersonal Abuse Scale in all three countries based on factor loadings and interitem correlations, indicating good structural construct validity. The scale had a reliability coefficient of 0.71 in Nigeria and approached 0.60 in Ghana and Guinea. Low correlations (Spearman correlation range: −0.06–0.19; p≥0.05) between mistreatment measures supported our decision to develop three separate measures. Predictive criterion validation yielded mixed results across countries. Both items within measures and measure scores were internally consistent across countries; each item co-occurred with other items in a measure, and scores consistently distinguished between ‘high’ and ‘low’ mistreatment levels.ConclusionThe set of concise, comprehensive multidimensional measures of mistreatment can be used in future research and quality improvement initiatives targeting mistreatment to quantify burden, identify risk factors and determine its impact on health and well-being outcomes. Further validation and reliability testing of the measures in other contexts is needed.

Factors That Can Be Predictors of Carbon Emissions Disclosure

This research is to analyze the role of ISO 14001, performance environment index PROPER, environmental committee, and foreign diversity to carbon emissions disclosure in the plantation company that registered at the Indonesian stock exchange of 2013 to 2019. The data used was 77 companies. The testing of hypotheses uses multiple linear regression with a minimal significance of 5%. this research proves that there is four a variable that has a significant result on the disclosure of the carbon emission in plantation company that is ISO 14001, performance environment index PROPER, environmental committee and Foreign diversity. Three variables have no effect on the disclosure of carbon emissions that is age company, leverage, and return of equity. This research can be used stakeholder to see the company’s responsibilities through their environment to ensure there is no risk in the company’s future performance before reaching their investment decision.

Food Environments and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Incidence

Research into the potential impact of the food environment on liver cancer incidence has been limited, though there is evidence showing that specific foods and nutrients may be potential risk or preventive factors. Data on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registries. The county-level food environment was assessed using the Modified Retail Food Environment Index (mRFEI), a continuous score that measures the number of healthy and less healthy food retailers within counties. Poisson regression with robust variance estimation was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between mRFEI scores and HCC risk, adjusting for individual- and county-level factors. The county-level food environment was not associated with HCC risk after adjustment for individual-level age at diagnosis, sex, race/ethnicity, year, and SEER registry and county-level measures for health conditions, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic status (adjusted IRR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.96, 1.01). The county-level food environment, measured using mRFEI scores, was not associated with HCC risk.

Business Environment in Emerging Market Countries

The business environment of a country or region is an important measure of its economic soft power and an indicator of the strength of its governance. A good business environment attracts foreign investment, which emerging market countries in structural transformation are most concerned about. This article calculates and ranks the business environment index of the 30 emerging market countries (E30). It assesses the trend of the overall business environment and the contributing factors and conducts an empirical analysis of how business environment in these countries affects their economic development. The study shows that the business environment of the E30 countries is closely related to their economic development, albeit with prominent regional differences. Additionally, the quality of business environment is closely related to the strength of government regulation. In the last 5 years, the business environment of the E30 countries has improved in general, and closed the gap with the OECD countries, with Asian countries demonstrating the most conspicuous improvement. Empirical results show that the overall score of the business environment has a significantly positive effect on economic development. Lastly, based on a systematic analysis of the business environment of the E30 countries, the article summarizes the findings and makes projections about future development.