Abstract:Rainfall and temperature are key components of Earth's climate system, playing a crucial role in shaping climatic dynamics. As such the current study was initiated to examine historical trends and future projections of precipitation and maximum temperature in Sri Lanka from 1922 to 2022. The 100 years of historical climate data were purchase from the department of meteorology, Sri Lanka to analyze and forecast rainfall and maximum temperature variations in Sri Lanka. Trend analysis of historical data reveals a steady increase in maximum temperature, with an average rise of 1.4°C, particularly pronounced since the 1970s, aligning with global warming trends. Rainfall patterns exhibit significant spatial and temporal variability, with a slight overall decline observed across the island. To enhance the spatial representation of climate variables, the Kriging spatial interpolation method was applied, corroborating the trend analysis and providing detailed insights into regional climate variations. The Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was used and forecasting was done for next 20 years (2022–2042). Future projections predict a further increase of 0.47°C in average maximum temperature over the next two decades, alongside a marginal decline in rainfall levels. These findings contribute to understanding climate variability and potential future trends in Sri Lanka. By integrating spatial interpolation techniques with time-series forecasting models, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of both the spatial and temporal dynamics of climate change in the country, supporting future climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Abstract:This work examined response actions of pastoralists to the effects of climate change and diseases/pest outbreaks in Southeast, Nigeria. Not much is known about the double burden facing pastoralists hence, this study. A total of 120 pastoralists were selected purposively from the 5 Southeast States of Aba, Anambra, Ebony, Enugu, and Imo States. The questionnaire was used for the study, complemented with oral discussion with the pastoralists. Percentages were used to analyze data collection from the field. Results showed that the pastoralists were fully aware of the double burden of climate change and pest/disease menace as indicated by 100% response. Climate change affects herbage growth (87.5%), causes nutritional states (95%), leads to loss of milk (89.1%), and leads to disease outbreaks (99.1%). In response, pastoralists move to safer grounds (95%), diversification of herd (87.5%); restocking (81.6%) among others. Diseases lead to the death of animals, loss of meat quality, abattoir, poor nutrition, and results in food insecurity. They avoid disease-affected areas, burn fields, migration of herbs, use of herbs, and handpicking of ticks among others. Conflicts also unit access to water/pasture sources, closure of migratory routes, road blockade, and death of both animals and man. To adopt pastoralists’ move to so for ground, negotiate with action, provide alternative income sources.
Abstract:This study investigates crop farmers’ knowledge of the risks associated with pesticides; attitude towards handling and the safety practices regarding pesticides use. Quantitative survey was employed in selecting registered crop farmers. A total of 250 crop farmers was randomly selected from a list of 2500 registered crop farmers in the study area. Questionnaire was used to gather information and data were analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results showed that farmers get information on pesticides from their fellow farmers (98%), agro/chemical shops(96.4%), family members(93.6%) among others. Several reasons make the crop farmers use pesticides such as affordability (99.2%), minimal health risks (93.6%), easy to handle (88.4%), chemical content (94%), success stories of other users (98%). The chemicals used are herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides. They have good knowledge of pesticide as they agreed that pesticides can harm the environment with a mean (M) of (M=3.69), affect human health(M=2.90), very dangerous (M=3.51), inhalation is bad (M=2.98), hand wash after mixing/handling (M=3.4), They have near negative attitude to handling pesticides as seen in they open mouth and talk while mixing chemicals evidenced by over 72% responses, store chemicals at home(94%), 90% store at their backyards ,79.2% cannot read manufacturers manuals among others. They engage in certain safety practices such as wearing protective clothes(M=3.45), close the pesticide container wall(M=3.86), mix pesticides in ventilated environment(M=2.51), wear hand gloves (M=2.64), do not mix with bare hand (M=2.84) among others.
Abstract:With population growth, the demand for goods continues to increase. However, the land required for goods production and waste absorption is constrained by supply limitations. This study uses statistics from the Taiwanese government to calculate the ecological footprint from 1991 to 2017. The results show that the ecological footprint, calculated across 23 items in four categories-food, timber, housing and facilities, and energy bio productive land-has gradually increased over time. To analyse the dynamic changes in Taiwan’s ecological footprint, the Markov Switching Model is used to estimate transition probabilities. The total per capita ecological footprint increased from 5.0752 global hectares per person in 1991 to 7.7237 global hectares per person in 2017. The ecological footprint is divided into high and low states. The average value for the high ecological footprint state is 1.4320 global hectares per person, with the Markov chain length ranging between 1.0339 and 6.0574 years, and the probability of remaining in the high ecological footprint state is 0.3064. The average value for the low ecological footprint state is 0.6003 global hectares per person, with the Markov chain length ranging between 2.1864 and 34.6997 years, and the probability of remaining in the low ecological footprint state is 0.8634. The government should focus on the continuously increasing ecological footprint and address the associated pressures on environmental resources and bio productive land by proposing mitigation strategies.
Abstract:This paper pinpoints how economic policy efficiency and quality of institution have influenced bank deposit growth in Nigeria during the period 1995-2023, after incorporating Taylor’s Principle to assess the responsiveness of policy through different economic regimes. Application of a Markov switching model allows the differential impacts of periods of economic expansion and contraction to be depicted on bank deposit growth, the loan-to-deposit ratios, and liquidity ratios. The findings show that the monetary policy rate, interacting with fiscal variables of government expenditure and tax revenue, exerts regime-sensitive effects on banking resilience. Simultaneously, institutional quality variables of regulatory quality and government effectiveness were observed to be highly influential in shaping bank deposit behavior over the cycle. Other determinants of the stability of banks include economic uncertainty and financial development, the later suggesting deposit protection during contraction. The study, therefore, facilitates priorities in adaptive policy frameworks in Nigeria by striking a proper balance between strong institutional frameworks and flexible economic policies that would ensure resilience in the banking sector across economic fluctuations.
Abstract:Carbon emission is one of the main drivers of global warming, due to which environmental concerns are rapidly increasing. To reduce the issue, nations are moving towards green vehicles, which significantly minimize the impact of transportation on the environment. The study's objective is to investigate the role of green perceived quality and green product availability in the green purchase intention of green automobiles with the moderating role of environmental education. The study is based on quantitative methodology and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used for data analysis. The data was collected from 900 consumers of environmentally friendly vehicles in Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia. The findings show that green perceived quality and product availability have positively and significantly relationships with green purchase intention. Environmental education also moderates the relationship between green perceived quality and green product availability towards green purchase intention. The findings suggest that consumers with environmental education are more likely to consider green attributes like green perceived quality and green product availability when making purchasing decisions. In addition, the importance of environmental education in shaping consumers' attitudes towards green products and their willingness to make sustainable purchasing decisions is also evident. The study recommends that manufacturers improve environmentally friendly automobiles' perceived quality and availability to promote green purchase intention. The study has practical and managerial contribution and implications for the automobile industry and policymakers and advances the attainment of sustainability development goals (SDGs).
Abstract:Achieving sustainability is one of the critical challenges of the 21st century. This study examines the relationships of green resources and green technology with green manufacturing towards sustainability. It also investigates how environmental regulations moderate these relationships. The theoretical framework is based on command-and-control theory, resource-based theory, sustainable manufacturing frameworks and 4R theory. This study employs quantitative research methodology and uses partial least square structural equation modelling was used for the data analysis. Data was collected through Likert scalebased questionnaire from 600 respondents including engineers and managers of the manufacturing units in China and Pakistan. Purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. The finding shows that green resources and green technology have positive relationships with green manufacturing with a beta 0.331, t-statistics 4.249, and pvalue 0.000; and a beta 0.468, t-statistics 6.335, and p-value 0.000 respectively. Similarly, green manufacturing also has a positive and significant relationship with sustainability with a beta 0.610, t-statistics 7.634, and p-value 0.000. The research findings also reveal that environmental regulations play a moderating role in the relationships between green resources and green technology with green manufacturing with a beta 0.323, t-statistics 8.623, and pvalue 0.000; and a beta 0.203, t-statistics 11.364, and p-value 0.000 respectively. The findings provide useful insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to enhance the efficacy of sustainability initiatives in the manufacturing sector using green manufacturing as a tool. Furthermore, it also helps in the advancement of sustainable development goals (SDG-7, SDG9, SDG-12, SDG-13).
Abstract:A sensitive and rapid method was developed to evaluate the flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and phenolic acids in Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (GJE) from various regions, utilizing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of UFLC/QTRAP-MS in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) for simultaneous quantification. The findings revealed that all target constituents were accurately identified in GJE samples, confirming the method's efficacy for the concurrent determination of 21 chemicals. Notable discrepancies in the content of GJE from various places were noted, indicating that geographical differences and similarities, together with processing methods and harvesting time, significantly impact GJE composition. The PCA findings corresponded with the quantitative analysis. GJE from Jurong City, Jiangsu Province, was chosen as the herbal material for further tests due to its active ingredient composition, with Jiangsu Province recognized as the ideal location for GJE cultivation. This study offers a methodological framework for the optimal selection and thorough assessment of GJE quality in various locales.
Abstract:The main features of the aerodynamics of small-sized unmanned aerial vehicles, appearing in flight modes at maximum range and duration and distinguishing this class of aircraft from large-sized vehicles, are currently attracting increased attention. This is due to the increasing use and intensity of application of this class of aircraft. Negative increment of the lift coefficient at low angles of attack, although not quite a common phenomenon, but this behavior of profile characteristics can lead to a significant change in the stability and controllability characteristics of aircraft using such profiles in the design of all-turn rudders, or other surfaces. This can significantly complicate control system algorithms and require the installation of additional sensors. In this paper, based on laboratory experiments, we analyze how the shape of the tail part of the airfoil affects the variation of the lift coefficient at low angles of attack.
Abstract:The development of the circular economy model in Vietnam is still facing several shortcomings. One of the main issues is the lack of participation from farmers, which varies significantly among different localities and regions. This poses a significant challenge for researchers and policymakers who must collaborate to find effective solutions. To address this issue, a study was conducted using survey data from 600 farmers in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. By applying a Binary Logistic Regression model, the study identified nine key factors that affect farmers` participation in the circular economy. These factors include their attitude towards the circular economy, access to credit, level of interaction with agricultural extension staff, subjective norms, agricultural land area, non-agricultural income, education level, age of the household head, and distance from home to the nearest market.