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Found 6327 publications
Weed Composition in Hungarian Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) Seed Production: Could Tine Harrow Take Over Chemical Management?
Publication Name: Agronomy
Publication Date: 2022-04-01
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Phacelia tanacetifolia, an excellent cover, green manure and honey crop is now widely cultivated throughout the world. One of its principal European seed production regions is north‐western Hungary, where the recent withdrawal of a potent herbicide, linuron, created a new challenge for many growers. The goal of this study is to identify the main factors determining weed species composition in the phacelia fields of the region and to assess the efficiency of tine harrow and clopyralid herbicide in reducing weed abundance and biomass. We carried out a series of weed surveys across the study region following a two‐level design: (i) we estimated the cover of all weed species in 205 fields (broad‐scale survey, BS); and (ii) in 22 of these fields, we provided more precise biomass measurements (counting the individuals and measuring the dry weights of all weed species) in microplots samples (fine‐scale survey; FS). To characterize the fields, 34 background variables were also collected for all of the studied fields. In both investigations, Chenopodium album was by far the most abundant weed. Within the BS, using a minimal adequate model containing 11 terms with significant net effects, 20.93% of the total variation in weed species data could be explained. The variation in species composition was determined by environmental factors (soil pH, clay and K; precipitation and temperature), non‐chemical management variables (crop cover, preceding crop, irrigation and tillage system) and herbicides (linuron and clopyralid). Variation partitioning demonstrated the dominance of environmental and cultural components in shaping the weed species composition. Although the effect of mechanical treatments was most likely masked in the BS by the soil properties, our FS suggests that tine harrow could efficiently decrease the total number and biomass of weeds and can be a useful tool in the phacelia management of the future.
Open Access: Yes
The beneficial effect of peppermint (Mentha X Piperita L.) and lemongrass (Melissa officinalis L.) dosage on total antioxidant and polyphenol content during alcoholic fermentation
Publication Name: Food Chemistry X
Publication Date: 2022-03-30
Volume: 13
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Our research aimed to create an herbal fermented alcoholic beverage with high antioxidant and polyphenol content. In this study, continuous sampling was performed throughout the fermentation period, and the changes in total antioxidant (TA) and total polyphenol (TP) contents were determined. After processing the raw material, the prepared herbs were added in 0.5 and 1.0 v/v% concentrations to the samples. The TP content of the control sample was between 1.17 and 1.57 mg/g, and the TA content was 2.12 and 2.54 mg/g during the fermentation process. The lemongrass dosage increased 77.86 % the antioxidant and 70.98 % the polyphenol content by the end of the fermentation process. In the best case, the peppermint dosage increased 72.80 % of the antioxidant content and 72.05 % of the polyphenol content. Overall, fermentation combined with herbs dosage could increase the bioavailability of products made from its polyphenol and antioxidant contents and can be used to develop novel functional foods.
Open Access: Yes
Firm performance implications of supply chain integration, agility and innovation in agri-businesses: evidence from an emergent economy
Publication Name: Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies
Publication Date: 2022-03-22
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Page Range: 320-341
Description:
Purpose: This study empirically examines the effect of supply chain integration (SCI) on financial performance (FP) and controls for the mediating effects of supply chain agility (SCA), supply chain (SC) innovation and operational performance (OP). Design/methodology/approach: Through a causal research design, structured questionnaires were used for primary data collection from 217 commercial poultry farms (CPFs) operating in the Bono Region of Ghana. Structural equation modeling was reflectively configured to test the formulated hypotheses. Findings: SCI causes a statistically significant moderate positive variance in OP in terms of cost-effectiveness, order fulfillment rate, operating cycle, inventory turns, business process innovation. SCI is an insignificant weak positive predictor of FP (growth in revenue, profit, return on investment, sales growth) of CPFs operating in Ghana. Furthermore, OP significantly and positively mediates the predictive relationship between SCI and FP. Again, SC innovation significantly mediates the predictive relationship between SCI and OP. However, SCA fails to significantly mediate the predictive relationship between SCI and OP. Research limitations/implications: Focal firms' characteristics were ignored, although they may determine how SCI affects OP and FP in the presence of SCA and SC innovation. Originality/value: Empirically, SCI has no direct impact on FP of CPFs but does so indirectly through the mediating role of OP.
Open Access: Yes
Characteristics of Lead Users in Different Stages of the New Product Development Process: A Systematic Review in the Context of Open Innovation
Publication Name: Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity
Publication Date: 2022-03-01
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Despite the promising ideas of lead users, the success rate of the open innovation process remains low if no proper personal characteristics are attached to the external contributor. The knowledge about the essential characteristic elements of lead users is crucial to select the right lead users in the early stage of the NPD. By filling the research gap, we performed a systematic literature review about the required personal characteristics of lead users. The resulting 45 studies demonstrated that diverse characteristics are required in different stages of an NDP which vary in the consumer and industrial context. According to our research results, we made a contribution to the theory by extending the lead user method in the form of a partial theory. We also found that in the case of incremental innovations, companies apply their technical knowledge and do not require additional expertise from users, while in the case of radical innovations, firms only involve external users with high technological competencies in the development stage of the NDP. We identified similarities and differences of the required lead users’ personal characteristics in the consumer and industrial contexts. Thus, our study provides a better awareness for business leaders on the selection of lead users for their NPD process, reducing the time-to-market ratio of the product and increasing profit.
Open Access: Yes
Economic affordability of food as a component of the economic security of Ukraine
Publication Name: Plos One
Publication Date: 2022-03-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 3 March
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Economic security can be considered as an economic aspect of the life of an individual or household that provides the opportunity to achieve financial stability and improve living standards. In this context, understanding the impact of economic affordability of food on the economic security of the country is of great importance. The authors propose to use the indicator of economic affordability of food for in-depth analysis of the economic security of the country. Indicators that determine the level of economic affordability of food products in Ukraine for 2000-2018 are calculated. The regression analysis made it possible to establish a close relationship between the indicators of food expenditures and the level of GDP per capita, between the level of income and expenditure of food of decile groups. Correlation coefficients between the consumption of six basic foodstuffs and the level of per capita income in Ukraine are determined. The obtained indicators, which determine the economic affordability of food, allow us to conclude that there is a lack of economic protection at the level of individual low-income households. Overcoming economic instability and minimizing the possible consequences of the low level of economic affordability of food should become one of the main tasks of Ukraine's economic security.
Open Access: Yes
Jacaranone Derivatives with Antiproliferative Activity from Crepis pulchra and Relevance of This Group of Plant Metabolites
Publication Name: Plants
Publication Date: 2022-03-01
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Jacaranones are a small group of specific plant metabolites with promising biological activi-ties. The occurrence of jacaranones is limited to only a few plant families, with Asteraceae being the most abundant source of these compounds. Therefore, jacaranones can also serve as chemotaxonomic markers. Our phytochemical investigation of Crepis pulchra L. (Asteraceae) resulted in three jacara-none derivatives (jacaranone, 2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxyjacaranone, 2,3-dihydro-2-methoxyjacaranone), and (6R,9S)-3-oxo-α-ionol-β-D-glucopyranoside, fulgidic acid, 12,15-octadecadienoic acid methyl es-ter, scopoletin and apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside. This is the first report on the isolation of jacaranones from a species belonging to the Cichorioideae subfamily of Asteraceae. Jacaranone derivatives were subjected to an in vitro antiproliferative assay against a panel of human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and C33A), revealing high or moderate activities, with IC50 values ranging from 6.3 to 26.5 µM.
Open Access: Yes
The impact of functional food in prevention of malnutrition
Publication Name: Pharmanutrition
Publication Date: 2022-03-01
Volume: 19
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Malnutrition is a serious condition that develops when the human body is deprived of or does not obtain the right amount of vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and some other essential substances that the body needs to function. It can have a significant impact on people's health including stunted growth, low body weight and muscle wasting. Purpose: This study is aimed to determine the factors that could cause malnutrition in humans, something that is considered as a major global issue nowadays and is associated with negative aspects on patient's activities. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted on the Google Scholar database, Medline and PubMed up to the 11of December 2021. All studies reporting an association between foods and malnutrition were included. Results: The search yielded 637 references, included 52 clinical trials, 11 meta-analysis, 45 randomised clinical trials (RCT) and 201 reviews. Among the manuscripts, 25 studies provided evidence for the association between malnutrition and micronutrients. The results showed that in addition to insufficient intake of the essential nutrient, several chronic diseases including gastrointestinal tract diseases, cancer and sometimes post-surgery complications are also associated with malnutrition. Conclusion: Only a limited number of studies reported a direct link between functional foods and malnutrition, which all agree that there is clear evidence in favour of functional foods being effective in preventing and reducing the impact of malnutrition. Other studies looked at for this review would suggest that they may even be effective in improving the quality of life.
Open Access: Yes
Barriers to Blockchain Adoption in the Circular Economy: A Fuzzy Delphi and Best-Worst Approach
Publication Name: Sustainability Switzerland
Publication Date: 2022-03-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 6
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Blockchain can help to fundamentally alter aspects of circular economy (CE) activities and overcome pressing sustainability issues. Nevertheless, limited studies have investigated the barriers to blockchain adoption in the CE. This study aims to close the knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive review of the barriers hampering the adoption and integration of blockchain technology in the CE. An integrated approach based on fuzzy Delphi and best-worst methods has been applied to analyze and rank the barriers. Sixteen barriers to blockchain adoption in the CE were identified from the academic literature and validated by a panel of experts. The findings from the fuzzy Delphi technique identified ten significant barriers for further analysis. Then, using the best-worst method, the optimal weights were determined based on the experts’ judgment to recognize the importance of each barrier. The findings from this method showed that a lack of knowledge and management support, reluctance to change and technological immaturity are the most significant barriers. In contrast, the least significant barriers are investment costs, security risks, and scalability issues. Theoretically, this study is the first to apply an integrated approach combining fuzzy Delphi and best-worst techniques to prioritze the barriers to blockchain adoption in the CE. It also provides valuable insights for managers and decision-makers that can be used to optimize blockchain implementations in the CE.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/su14063611
Biologia Futura: potential of different forms of microalgae for soil improvement
Publication Name: Biologia Futura
Publication Date: 2022-03-01
Volume: 73
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Products derived from microalgae have great potential in diverse field. As a part of the enhancing agriculture application, various forms of microalgae applications have been developed so far. They are known to influence soil properties. The various forms of application may enhance soil in more or less similar manner. They can help improve soil health, nitrogen, and phosphorus content, and even carbon sequestration. Thus, overall, it can enhance fertility of the soil.
Open Access: Yes
