Encyclopedia

Smart agriculture is transforming traditional farming by integrating advanced sensor-based systems, intelligent control technologies, and sustainable energy solutions to meet the growing global demand for food while reducing environmental impact. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of recent innovations in smart agriculture, focusing on the deployment of IoT-based sensors, wireless communication protocols, energy-harvesting methods, and automated irrigation and fertilization systems. Furthermore, the paper explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), computer vision, and big data analytics in monitoring and managing key agricultural parameters such as crop health, pest and disease detection, soil conditions, and water usage. Special attention is given to decision-support systems, precision agriculture techniques, and the application of remote and proximal sensing technologies like hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging, and NDVI-based indices. By evaluating the benefits, limitations, and emerging trends of these technologies, this review aims to provide insights into how smart agriculture can enhance productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainability in modern farming systems. The findings serve as a valuable reference for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working towards sustainable agricultural innovation. Full article

This entry proposes an integrative approach to assessing market power in airport retail environments that highlights the impact of strategic and operational factors on the performance of the enterprise in a regulated and restrictive commercial environment. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), this entry discerns and quantifies important factors determining market power using weights that include price flexibility, consumer conduct, brand value, technological uptake rate, and barriers to entry. To support this qualitative analysis, this entry combines a quantitative countervailing power model (CP_A/E) and a market penetration model (MP_E/A) to determine the levels of retailer penetration in airport authorities and passenger markets. The integration of these models makes it possible to perform a multivariate analysis of market domination, geographical interdependence, and bargaining power. The findings highlight the configurational complexity in strategic positioning in terms of organizational size, dependence levels, and digital preparedness and provide actionable information for airport managers, concession planners, and policymakers determined to maximize lease deals and improve commercial performance in the face of changing risk profiles. Full article

A questionnaire is a structured instrument used in health research to systematically collect data on perceptions, behaviors, and health outcomes. It serves as a fundamental tool for capturing patient-reported outcomes, evaluating treatment effectiveness, and monitoring public health trends. Questionnaires can be administered in various formats, including paper-based, digital, or interactive systems, and must be carefully designed to ensure reliability, validity, and minimal bias. While validated questionnaires facilitate cross-study comparability, new instruments may be needed to address emerging health concerns or specific cultural contexts. Adhering to best practices in survey methodology allows researchers to maximize the utility of questionnaires, ensuring accurate, reproducible, and ethically sound health research. Full article

The various definitions of academic freedom in the United States reflect the influence of social and political norms in its interpretation as both a professional and legal right. Yet, underlying these interpretations is the operational understanding, which includes both legal and professional considerations, that academic freedom is a widely recognized principle that grants professors the autonomy and authority to explore intellectual questions within their academic disciplines, conduct professional work, and express their views in the public sphere without undue interference or suppression. In other words, academic freedom is a foundational principle rooted in legal and institutional frameworks that safeguards professors’ ability to engage in intellectual inquiry, professional practice, and public discourse without undue interference. This principle extends beyond mere professional courtesy. It is recognized as essential to the functioning of higher education institutions and the broader democratic exchange of ideas. The public (including policymakers, industry leaders, media, and students) generally acknowledges academic freedom as an inherent protection that protects from unjustified interferences. By doing so, professors can participate in governance, disciplinary leadership, and extramural activities without the fear of retaliation or coercion. By insulating academic work from ideological, political, or economic constraints, academic freedom maintains the legitimacy and independence of scholarly inquiry in service to both knowledge advancement and the public good. Full article

The primary ingredients in poultry feed, cereals, are among the most widely used crops in worldwide agriculture, with principal staples being wheat, rice, corn (maize), sorghum, barley, oat and millet. The scope of this review is to provide a detailed comparative analysis of the nutritive values of cereal crops, and the antinutrients they contain, with reference specifically to their use for feeding poultry. These cereal crops range in biological value from 55 to 77.7%, in protein digestibility from 77 to 99.7%, and in net protein utilization from 50 to 73.8%. Most essential amino acids, including lysine, are found in cereal grains, whereas the nutritional value of cereals is impacted by antinutritional elements. These include non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), such as pentosans (arabinoxylans) and β-glucan, as well as alkylresorcinols. Around 100 g/kg of pentosans are found in rye, 50–80 g/kg in wheat and 68–92 g/kg in triticale. There are strategies to reduce NSPs and other antinutrients and maximize the effectiveness of utilizing grains in compound feed for poultry. These include the application of enzyme preparations, along with dry and wet extrusion methods, for processing grains. By restricting our narrative to a direct comparison of all major staples for poultry feed, we conclude that further research is required specifically in the area of determining how economically viable it is to feed adult and young chickens with compound feeds containing various cereal crops. Furthermore, we speculate on the utility of employing enzyme preparations and extrudates to maximize feed efficiency. Full article

The “metaverse city” is defined as an immersive, interactive, and experiential digital environment that replicates or reinvents elements of physical cities, inserting them into an alternative reality. This concept involves transposing the urban, social, and cultural aspects of real cities into the metaverse, thus creating new ways of interacting with and experiencing urban space. Thus, it is not necessarily a digital replica of a physical city; however, it is invariably distinguished by its immersive nature, offering users a sensory and interactive experience. This concept goes beyond the mere digital replication of a city, evolving into a multifaceted space that integrates urban, social, cultural, and technological elements. It is shaped by digital interactions mediated by social actors (users), whose relationships in the metaverse are influenced by the power dynamics occurring in the virtual environment, much like in physical cities. The metaverse city is not merely an extension of the physical city; rather, it is a digital construct that enables alternative ways of living and relating to urban space. Consequently, it is a dynamic and ever-evolving construct, contingent on the active engagement of multiple social actors and their interactions for its consolidation. without the strategic involvement of diverse social actors, the identity and practices that characterize this contemporary urban entity—made possible by emerging technologies—risk losing their viability. Full article

Circular economy marketing (CEM) represents an innovative approach to aligning business strategies with sustainability objectives. This paper explores the role of CEM as a driver of green marketing innovation, emphasising strategies that minimise environmental impact on business competitiveness while enhancing consumer engagement. Using a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA methodology, we identified 39 high-impact studies across multiple industries, categorising findings into key themes, theoretical frameworks, and marketing strategies. The analysis highlights emerging trends, including the shift toward product-service systems (PSSs), behavioural nudging, transparent sustainability branding, and integration of digital technologies such as AI and blockchain to enhance traceability and consumer trust. Findings reveal that while circular economy marketing presents opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves and build long-term sustainability strategies, significant challenges remain, including scalability issues, consumer scepticism, and risks of greenwashing. Moreover, gaps in standardising impact measurement and industry-specific adaptation hinder wider implementation. Business model innovation, policy support, and collaborative efforts are crucial in overcoming these barriers. This study provides insights for businesses, policymakers, and researchers, highlighting how CEM fosters green innovation and competitiveness. Future research should compare the effectiveness of various strategies to accelerate the transition toward sustainable marketing practices through regulation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in persistent alterations in social cognition, trust, and behavior because of its long-term psychological and neurological effects. By conditioning individuals to associate proximity with risk, the pandemic-induced psychological distance has reshaped human interactions. This distance is enforced through social distancing and public health measures. Ultimately, this process has impacted societal cohesion, interpersonal relationships, and workplace behaviors by reinforcing avoidance behaviors, heightened social anxiety, and altering trust dynamics. An interdisciplinary approach that integrates neuroscience, psychology, and social science is necessary to comprehend these changes to address the challenges of re-establishing pre-pandemic norms. Full article

In this entry paper, we propose a brief analysis of the use of the notion of “paradigm” in sciences in general and in social sciences and sociology in particular. A “paradigm” expresses a worldview and/or a unified perspective—at the level of the scientific community—on a given situation. Paradigms represent a collection of beliefs shared by the scientific community or a set of agreements through which social issues should be understood and interpreted. Full article

Viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages or phages) have a history of use in both biomedicine and basic molecular biology. Here, I briefly outline the pre-1940 use of phages in biomedicine and then more comprehensively outline the subsequent use of phages in determining the basics of molecular biology. Finally, I outline work that appears to form the foundation for a future, phage-enhanced biomedicine that generally extends medicine in the areas of anti-bacterial therapy (including vaccinology), anti-tumor therapy, and understanding the basic process of amyloid-associated neurodegenerative diseases. The following are general conclusions. (1) In the future, the discipline of phage-based biomedicine will be enhanced by more extensive merging with the discipline of basic phage biology (including molecular biology) and evolution. These two disciplines have been separated post-1940. (2) Biomedicine, in general, will be assisted if the focus is on key problems and key observations, thereby leaving details to later work. (3) Simplicity of strategy is a virtue that can be implemented and should be pursued with phages. (4) Capacity for directed evolution provides phages with generative (artificial intelligence-like) means for increasing biomedical effectiveness without using human design. Two related quotes set the stage (references at the end of the text). “But see that the imagination of nature is far, far greater than the imagination of man” (physicist Richard Feynman). “Nature, in all its variations and seeming paradoxes, speaks to those who pay attention and gives hints and clues to basic facts” (a thought attributed to Felix d’Herelle, a self-trained biologist who developed biological phage isolation and characterization). The integration of natural phenomenon-focused basic science and medical practice is an underlying theme. Full article

This entry describes the methods used to quantify methane emissions from either point or area sources using downwind methods. The methods described could be used as a practical guide to quantify emissions of any trace gas type from either a point or area emission source. Methane is a relatively strong greenhouse gas, its GWP is 25 times larger than CO₂ over a 100-year period, and an increase in methane anthropogenic emissions has been correlated to a changing global climate. Emission estimates that are calculated and used for national inventories are usually derived from bottom-up approaches, however there is now an increasing pressure for these to be validated by direct measurement. Calculating emission rates from downwind measurements has proven to be a versatile and relatively simple approach for direct measurement. Downwind measurement method descriptions are presented here as a practicable guide to quantifying point and area source emissions. Emission quantification is a two-stage process where methane concentration and meteorological data must be measured downwind of a source and then converted to emissions using an atmospheric dispersion model. Only four technology types currently measure in the range typical of downwind methane concentrations: metal oxide sensors, non-dispersive infrared sensors, tunable diode laser absorption spectrometers and optical cavity instruments. The choice of methane measurement is typically determined by the size of the emission source, location and the budget of the project. Meteorological data are essential to quantifying emissions, especially regarding wind speed and direction. In most cases, simple atmospheric dispersion approaches can be used to quantify both area and point emissions using these downwind measurements. Emissions can be generated using limited data (only methane concentration, wind speed, wind direction, and locations are necessary), but quantification uncertainty can be reduced using more input data. Site selection and location of instrument deployment are essential because quantification approaches assume a flat fetch (no aerodynamic obstructions) and constant wind fields. When modeling assumptions are violated, quantification uncertainty can range between +250% and −100% of the actual emission rate. At present there, is no happy medium between modeling complexity and computational time, and this remains the biggest challenge for downwind emission quantification. Full article

Background: Burnout represented a significant employee problem during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experiencing the psychological flow investigated by Csikszentmihalyi might avoid it. Yet, COVID-19 may have contributed to the unattainability of psychological flow for burnout-prone employees. The objective of this study is to determine the COVID-19 achievability of employee flow and, if attained, whether flow resulted in burnout avoidance during the pandemic. Method: This scoping review includes searches of six primary databases (CINAHL, OVID, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science), two searches of one supplementary database (Google Scholar), and one register (Cochrane COVID-19 register) of the keywords “burnout, COVID-19, employees, healthcare providers, psychological flow, Csikszentmihalyi”. Included are peer-reviewed, COVID-19-related, 2020–2025 journal publications. Excluded are duplicates, non-COVID-19-related publications, reports lacking a research study, keywords, or relevant information. Results: In identifying 754 records, five records met the inclusion criteria. Mental healthcare practitioners, nurses, gig workers, corporate professionals, and working parents were the focus of the studies. Quantitative studies showed statistical significance. Qualitative studies showed promise for psychological flow mitigating burnout. Conclusions: Psychological flow was possible during COVID-19 for various employee types, and attaining it permitted burnout avoidance, suggesting a focus on achieving flow in the workplace during pandemics would diminish the incidence of employee burnout. Full article

To enhance financial reporting quality through increased oversight, the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) Section 407 mandates that firms disclose whether their audit committee includes a financial expert or explains the absence of such an expert. The definition of a financial expert has been broadened to encompass not only accounting knowledge but also finance or supervisory experience. Financial experts on audit committees possess an advantage in information access due to their role on the committee and an advantage in information processing because of their superior skills. This combination of skills and access to private information enables audit committee financial experts to achieve superior performance. We review articles that show audit committee financial experts leveraging their information advantage in accounting to improve financial transparency, in auditing to maintain audit integrity, and in corporate governance to enhance monitoring effectiveness. Full article

Location-based Augmented Reality (AR) refers to educational mobile applications where a layer of digital content overlays the users’ physical environment when the users reach specific geographical locations. Unlike marker-based AR, which relies on predefined visual triggers (e.g., 2D images), location-based AR relies on GPS sensors and other positioning technologies and techniques to overlay digital content such as text, images, 3D models, animations, video, or audio onto the physical world based on the user’s real-time location. This approach transforms physical spaces into dynamic learning environments, enabling students to engage with educational content in a way that is tied to their immediate surroundings, adopting in this way principles of learning theories such as situated learning and place-based learning. Full article

The evolution of tall buildings has been shaped by distinct architectural styles, beginning around 1875 and progressing through various stylistic architectural movements. These changes were driven by advancements in structural engineering and digital design technologies, leading to greater experimentation with form and function. Energy and resource conservation of the late 20th century instigated a noteworthy focus on sustainability. Beyond that, the early 21st century saw a significant shift toward a new breed of tall buildings, a suitable architectural vocabulary for “high-performance” tall buildings, in which sustainability with a focus on energy efficiency is joined with the performance of other active and passive functional systems. This paper presents an overview of high-performance tall buildings by exploring key technologies, materials, innovations, safety, durability, and indoor environmental quality. Strategies that have emerged to address skyscrapers’ environmental and economic challenges are also crucial in such a building. It highlights the importance of optimizing and integrating building systems, improving energy efficiency, minimizing resource consumption, and ensuring long-term occupant health and productivity. Furthermore, this study identifies five key dimensions—structural materials and systems, energy-efficient design, high-performance façades, performance monitoring, and integrating building services systems—demonstrating how these factors contribute to environment-conscious urban development and resilient architectural and engineering design. It is concluded that these buildings are poised to redefine urban environments by leveraging advanced technologies, AI-driven management, IoT interconnectivity, health-focused elements, and climate resilience. Also, tall, high-performance buildings will be increasingly automated to an unknown limit, and AI will play a prominent role in the future. Full article

A mixed-methods approach combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to provide a comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena in healthcare. This approach leverages the strengths of both methodologies to address research questions that cannot be fully answered by a single method. While quantitative data offer measurable patterns and generalizability, qualitative research provides critical insights into the human experiences, cultural contexts, and systemic factors that underlie these patterns, and such elements are often missed by purely statistical analyses. Notably, qualitative components can uncover why interventions succeed or fail in real-world settings, adding explanatory power to quantitative results. By integrating numerical data analysis with in-depth contextual insights, mixed-methods research enables researchers to explore, explain, and generalize findings in healthcare settings more holistically than either method could achieve alone. Full article

Sustainable solutions to the use of petrochemical products have been increasingly sought after in recent years. While alternatives such as biofuels have been extensively explored and commercialized, major challenges remain in using heterogeneous feedstocks and scaling-up processes. Among biofuels, higher alcohols have recently gained renewed interest, especially in the context of upcycling agri-food residues and other industrial organic wastes. One of the higher alcohols produced via fermentation is butanol, which was developed over a century ago. However, the commercial production of butanol is still not widespread, although diverse feedstocks are readily available. Hydrolysis of the feedstocks and scale-up challenges in the fermentation and purification of butanol are recurring bottlenecks. This review addresses the current state of fermentative butanol production and opportunities to address scale-up challenges, including purification. With the significant interest and promise of precision fermentation, this review also addresses some of the recent advances and potential for enhanced fermentative butanol production. Full article

In Japanese organizations, those who join earlier are called senpai (seniors), those who join later are kohai (juniors), and those who join in the same year are called doki (peers). The relationships among senpai, kohai, and doki function as an informal hierarchical structure working in tandem with the formal job-based organizational hierarchy. These relationships are deeply rooted in unique Japanese concepts, such as ba, the Confucian cultural tradition that influenced the formation of Japanese society, and the historical background of large organizations in modern Japan. Specifically, the seamless school-to-work transition due to the batch hiring of new graduates every April creates a similar hierarchical structure to that of senpai, kohai, and dokyusei (classmates) in schools. The balance between the formal job-based hierarchy and informal seniority-based (senpai–kohai–doki) hierarchy has been the base of the stable and harmonious organizational characteristics that enable effective knowledge management and efficient operations but poses challenges in adapting to new environments. Full article