Search Results (1,389)

This paper selects 50 listed commercial banks in China from 2012 to 2023 as research samples, and employs the fixed effects model and Hansen’s threshold regression method to systematically examine the impact mechanism and non-linear characteristics of FinTech development on the profitability of commercial banks. The key findings are summarized as follows: (1) FinTech significantly undermines the overall profitability of commercial banks by reshaping the competitive landscape of the industry and intensifying the technology substitution effect. This is primarily reflected in the reduction in traditional interest income and the erosion of market share in intermediary business. (2) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that large state-owned banks and joint-stock banks experience more pronounced negative impacts compared to small and medium-sized banks. (3) Additional research findings reveal a significant single-threshold effect between FinTech and bank profitability, with a critical value of 4.169. When the development level of FinTech surpasses this threshold, its inhibitory effect diminishes substantially, suggesting that after achieving a certain degree of technological integration, commercial banks may partially alleviate external competitive pressures through synergistic effects. This study offers crucial empirical evidence and theoretical support for commercial banks to develop differentiated technology strategies and for regulatory authorities to design dynamically adaptable policy frameworks. Full article

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a globally important economic fruit with high nutritional value. Fruit peelability, defined as the mechanical ease of separating the peel from the fruit flesh, is a critical quality trait influencing consumer experience and market competitiveness and has emerged as a critical breeding target in fruit crop improvement programs. The present review systematically synthesized existing studies on kiwifruit peelability, and focused on its evolutionary trajectory, genotypic divergence, quantitative evaluation, possible underlying mechanisms, and artificial manipulation strategies. Kiwifruit peelability research has advanced from early exploratory studies in New Zealand (2010s) to systematic investigations in China (2020s), with milestones including the development of evaluation metrics and the identification of genetic resources. Genotypic variation exists among kiwifruit genera. Several Actinidia eriantha accessions and the novel Actinidia longicarpa cultivar ‘Guifei’ exhibit superior peelability, whereas most commercial Actinidia chinensis and Actinidia deliciosa cultivars exhibit poor peelability. Quantitative evaluation highlights the need for standardized metrics, with “skin-flesh adhesion force” and “peel toughness” proposed as robust, instrument-quantifiable indicators to minimize operational variability. Mechanistically, peelability is speculated to be governed by cell wall polysaccharide metabolism and phytohormone signaling networks. Pectin degradation and differential distribution during fruit development form critical “peeling zones”, whereas ethylene, abscisic acid, and indoleacetic acid may regulate cell wall remodeling and softening, collectively influencing skin-flesh adhesion. Owing to the scarcity of easy-to-peel kiwifruit cultivars, artificial manipulation methods, including manual peeling benchmarking, lye treatment, and thermal peeling, can be employed to further optimize kiwifruit peelability. Currently, shortcomings include incomplete genotype-phenotype characterization, limited availability of easy-peeling germplasms, and a fragmented understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Future research should focus on methodological innovation, germplasm development, and the elucidation of relevant mechanisms. Full article

Considering the supply chain of new energy vehicles composed of a local manufacturer, an authorized distributor in the domestic market, and a competitive manufacturer in the export market, this paper studies three different cases of parallel export as well as their decisions about prices, sales scale, and the degree of production differentiation. Three game models are constructed and solved under the cases of no parallel exports (CN), authorized distributors’ parallel exports (CR), and third-party parallel exports (CT), respectively, and the equilibrium analysis is carried out, and finally, the influence of relevant parameters is explored through numerical simulation. It is found that (1) the manufacturer’s decisions on production and sales are influenced by the characteristics of consumer preferences in local and export markets, the cost of differentiated production, and the consumer recognition of parallel exports; (2) the manufacturers’ profits will always be damaged by parallel exports; (3) differentiated production can reduce the negative impact of parallel exports under certain conditions, and then improve the profits of manufacturers; (4) manufacturers can increase their profits by improving the purchase intention of consumers in the local market, improve the level of production differentiation in the export market, or reducing the cost of differentiation. Full article

Geographical Indication labels are an increasingly popular alternative among producers and governments seeking to protect the products and producers of their countries. This trend has grown due to the opening of markets and consumers’ increasing desire to know the origin of the products they purchase. A bibliographic review was conducted, including studies on the feasibility of applying quality labels, the associated challenges, and examples. This review identifies the processes involved in obtaining Designation of Origin and presents a positive perspective on their application. It was concluded that obtaining a differentiated quality label can improve production and quality of life, provided that it is the result of an evaluation of the area’s context and the main actors in production chains. Full article

Understanding the metabolic characteristics of pineapple varieties is crucial for market expansion and diversity. This study performed comparative metabolomic analysis on the “Comte de Paris” (BL) and three Taiwan-introduced varieties: “Tainong No. 11” (XS), “Tainong No. 23” (MG), and “Tainong No. 13” (DM). A total of 551 metabolites were identified across the four varieties, with 231 metabolites exhibiting no significant differences between all varieties. This included major sugars such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose, as well as key acids like citric, malic, and quinic acids, indicating that the in-season maturing fruits of different pineapple varieties can all achieve good sugar–acid accumulation under suitable conditions. The differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) that were identified among the four varieties all primarily belonged to several major subclasses, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids and derivatives, and alkaloids, but the preferentially accumulated metabolites in each variety varied greatly. Specifically, branched-chain amino acids (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine) and many DAMs in the flavonoid, phenolic acid, lignan, and coumarin categories were most abundant in MG, which might contribute to its distinct and enriched flavor and nutritional value. XS, meanwhile, exhibited a notable accumulation of aromatic amino acids (L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan), various phenolic acids, and many lignans and coumarins, which may be related to its unique flavor profile. In DM, the dominant accumulation of jasmonic acid might contribute to its greater adaptability to low temperatures during autumn and winter, allowing off-season fruits to maintain good quality. The main cultivar BL exhibited the highest accumulation of L-ascorbic acid and many relatively abundant flavonoids, making it a good choice for antioxidant benefits. These findings offer valuable insights for promoting different varieties and advancing metabolome-based pineapple improvement programs. Full article

Wool has distinctive biological, physical, and chemical properties that contribute to its value both for the sheep and in global fibre and textile markets. Its fibres are primarily composed of proteins, principally keratin and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs). To better comprehend the genes that underpin key wool traits, this study examined the keratin-associated protein 36-1 gene (KRTAP36-1) in Chinese Tan lambs. We identified three previously reported alleles of the gene (named A, B and C) that were present in the lambs studied, with genotype frequencies as follows: 2.0% (n = 5; AA), 6.9% (n = 17; AB), 13.8% (n = 34; AC), 8.9% (n = 22; BB), 33.4% (n = 82; BC) and 35.0% (n = 86; CC). The frequencies of the individual alleles in the Chinese Tan lambs were 12.4%, 29.1% and 58.5% for alleles A, B and C, respectively. The three alleles were in Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium. In an association analysis, it was revealed that allele C was associated with variation in the mean fibre curvature of the fine wool of the Chinese Tan lambs, but this association was not observed in their heterotypic hair fibres. This finding suggests that KRTAP36-1 might be differentially expressed in the wool follicles that produce the two fibre types, and that along with other KRTAP genes, it may be involved in determining fibre curvature and the distinctive curly coat of the lambs. Full article

The present study focuses on the attractiveness and perceived value of differentiated quality labels, such as the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), for agri-food products from Extremadura (Spain). In doing so, it addresses a gap in the scientific literature concerning consumer behavior toward products bearing these certifications. The results show that awareness of these quality schemes is significantly higher among middle-aged and older individuals, underscoring the need for more modern and targeted communication strategies. The findings highlight the strategic role of agri-food marketing in promoting certified products and emphasize the importance of bridging the generational gap in consumer education. Overall, differentiated quality schemes are perceived as strategic tools to enhance the competitiveness of local products, strengthen cultural identity, and foster sustainable rural economies. Furthermore, this study identifies a negative relationship between the consumption of certified products and the awareness of certification and a positive relationship with the willingness to pay a premium. Consumers with greater awareness tend consume these products less, although they are more willing to pay higher prices for items bearing quality labels. Full article

Due to the limited endurance of UAVs, especially in scenarios involving large areas and dense target nodes, it is challenging for multiple UAVs to complete diverse tasks while ensuring timely execution. Toward this, we propose a cross-platform system consisting of an aircraft carrier (AC) and multiple UAVs, which makes unified task planning for included heterogeneous platforms to maximize the efficiency of the entire combat system. The carrier-based UAV swarm mission planning problem is formulated to minimize completion time and resource utilization, taking into account large-scale targets, multi-type tasks, and multi-obstacle environments. Since the problem is complex, we design a decoupled framework to simplify the solution by decomposing it into two levels: upper-level AC path planning and bottom-level multi-UAV cooperative mission planning. At the upper level, a drop point determination method and a discrete genetic algorithm incorporating improved A* (DGAIIA) are proposed to plan the AC’s path in the presence of no-fly zones and radar threats. At the bottom level, an improved differential evolution algorithm with a market mechanism (IDEMM) is proposed to minimize task completion time and maximize UAV utilization. Specifically, a dual-switching search strategy and a neighborhood-first buying-and-selling mechanism are developed to improve the search efficiency of the IDEMM. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of both the DGAIIA and IDEMM. An animation of the simulation results is available at simulation section. Full article

In the context of urban decarbonization, multi-energy microgrids (MEMGs) are gaining increasing relevance due to their ability to enhance synergies across multiple energy vectors. This study presents a block-based MILP framework developed to optimize the operations of a real MEMG, with a particular focus on accurately modeling the structure of electricity and natural gas bills. The objective is to assess the added economic value of integrating a battery energy storage system (BESS) under the assumption it is employed to provide implicit flexibility—namely, bill management, energy arbitrage, and peak shaving. Results show that under assumed market conditions, tariff schemes, and BESS costs, none of the analyzed BESS configurations achieve a positive net present value. However, a 2 MW/4 MWh BESS yields a 3.8% reduction in annual operating costs compared to the base case without storage, driven by increased self-consumption (+2.8%), reduced thermal energy waste (–6.4%), and a substantial decrease in power-based electricity charges (–77.9%). The performed sensitivity analyses indicate that even with a significantly higher day-ahead market price spread, the BESS is not sufficiently incentivized to perform pure energy arbitrage and that the effectiveness of a time-of-use power-based tariff depends not only on the level of price differentiation but also on the BESS size. Overall, this study provides insights into the role of BESS in MEMGs and highlights the need for electricity bill designs that better reward the provision of implicit flexibility by storage systems. Full article

The increasing demand for plant-based foods has led to significant growth in the availability, at a retail level, of plant-based cheese analogue products. This study presents the first comprehensive benchmarking of commercially available plant-based cheese analogue (PBCA) products in the Irish market, comparing them against conventional cheddar and processed dairy cheeses. A total of 16 cheese products were selected from Irish retail outlets, comprising five block-style plant-based analogues, seven slice-style analogues, two cheddar samples, and two processed cheese samples. Results showed that plant-based cheese analogues had significantly lower protein content (0.1–1.7 g/100 g) than cheddar (25 g/100 g) and processed cheese (12.9–18.2 g/100 g) and lacked a continuous protein matrix, being instead stabilized largely by solid fats, starch, and hydrocolloids. While cheddar showed the highest hardness, some plant-based cheeses achieved comparable hardness using texturizing agents but still demonstrated lower tan δ_max values, indicating inferior melting behaviour. Thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry presented a consistent single peak at ~20 °C across most vegan-based variants, unlike the dual-phase melting transitions observed in dairy cheeses. Sensory analysis further highlighted strong negative associations between PBCAs and consumer-relevant attributes such as flavour, texture, and overall acceptability. By integrating structural, functional, and sensory findings, this study identifies key formulation and performance deficits across cheese formats and provides direction for targeted improvements in next-generation PBCA product development. Full article

As a key enabling technology for energy transition, the smart grid is propelling the global power system to evolve toward greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Based on the three-dimensional analysis framework of “technology–policy–application”, this study systematically sorts out the technical architecture, regional development mode, and typical application scenarios of the smart grid, revealing the multi-dimensional challenges that it faces. By using the methods of literature review, cross-national case comparison, and technology–policy collaborative analysis, the differentiated paths of China, the United States, and Europe in the development of smart grids are compared, aiming to promote the integration and development of smart grid technologies. From a technical perspective, this paper proposes a collaborative framework comprising the perception layer, network layer, and decision-making layer. Additionally, it analyzes the integration pathways of critical technologies, including sensors, communication protocols, and artificial intelligence. At the policy level, by comparing the differentiated characteristics in policy orientation and market mechanisms among China, the United States, and Europe, the complementarity between government-led and market-driven approaches is pointed out. At the application level, this study validates the practical value of smart grids in optimizing energy management, enhancing power supply reliability, and promoting renewable energy consumption through case analyses in urban smart energy systems, rural electrification, and industrial sectors. Further research indicates that insufficient technical standardization, data security risks, and the lack of policy coordination are the core bottlenecks restricting the large-scale development of smart grids. This paper proposes that a new type of intelligent and resilient power system needs to be constructed through technological innovation, policy coordination, and international cooperation, providing theoretical references and practical paths for energy transition. Full article

Globalization and market saturation have led Portuguese textile companies to seek international markets not only for growth but also to contribute to their country’s international image. This study aims to explore how the internationalization of the Portuguese textile sector into the Chinese market contributes to Portugal’s destination image and identify the critical success factors in this process. The research follows an inductive, qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with two groups of companies: those already operating in China (n = 5) and those preparing to enter the market (n = 5). The interviews were thematically analyzed to extract key patterns and insights. The findings reveal that successful companies operate in the luxury segment, rely on prior international experience, and often use local intermediaries. Firms planning to internationalize highlight quality differentiation, brand authenticity, and innovation as strategic advantages. These insights support the role of niche positioning and cultural adaptation in building both commercial success and a refined international image of Portugal. This study contributes to the literature by linking internationalization and destination branding through industry-specific case evidence and offers practical implications for managers targeting emerging markets like China. Full article

This study evaluated the authenticity of olive oil in canned tuna products from the Slovenian market using both official methods, including fatty acid (FA) profiling, determination of the equivalent carbon number difference (ΔECN42), and sterol analysis, and an advanced method: stable carbon isotope analysis (δ¹³C) of FAs obtained through compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA). Results from both methods confirmed that all 10 samples were authentic, as per the limits set by EU Regulation 2022/2104 and supported by the scientific literature. Method performance was further evaluated by adulterating the olive oil from the canned tuna with 5–20% vegetable oil (VO) or hazelnut oil (HO). While FA analysis struggled to differentiate adulterants with similar FA profiles, CSIA of FAs significantly improved detection. However, distinguishing between VO and HO blended samples remained challenging. PLS-DA analysis further supported the potential of using δ¹³C values of FA for food authentication. Storage of adulterated samples also influenced FA composition, leading to significant changes in MUFA/PUFA ratios and δ¹³C values, which became less negative, likely due to oxidative degradation. In summary, the combination of official and advanced methods, supported by chemometric analysis, offers a robust approach to ensuring the authenticity of olive oil in canned tuna. Full article

Sanghuangporus spp. are medicinal fungi with significant therapeutic value, but their taxonomic ambiguity and frequent market adulteration have hindered their standardized utilization. In this study, untargeted metabolomics based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was employed to systematically analyze the metabolic profiles of three Sanghuangporus species: Sanghuangporus. sanghuang (SS), Sanghuangporus. vaninii (SV), and Sanghuangporus. baumii (SB). A total of 788 metabolites were identified and classified into 16 categories, among which 97 were common differential metabolites, including bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polysaccharides, and terpenoids. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and OPLS-DA) revealed distinct metabolic patterns among the species. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the differential metabolites were mainly involved in flavonoid and isoflavonoid biosynthesis. Notably, SV and SB exhibited significantly higher levels of several key bioactive compounds, including Apigenin and D-glucuronolactone, compared to SS. These findings highlight substantial interspecies differences in metabolic composition and pharmacological potential, providing a scientific basis for species authentication, quality control, and medicinal development of Sanghuangporus. Full article

China’s timber market is very complex and heterogeneous, and is experiencing the impact of the construction of national reserve forests and the downturn in the real estate sector. By setting up a partial equilibrium model which reflects the heterogeneity of China’s wood market, not only difference among domestic timber groups can be identified, but the dissimilarity of imported timber can also be differentiated from the aspects of species and sources. This model is capable of capturing the effects of macroeconomic conditions, forestry sector policies, and trade cost variations on China’s timber market structure. According to simulations of supply shocks, China’s large-diameter log capacity enhancement will have a noticeable crowding-out effect on imported timber, suggesting the diameter of logs is an important factor for market entities to make trade-offs between domestic and imported timber. Amidst both supply and demand shocks, the equilibrium quantity changes in China’s domestic small-diameter logs and imported timber are dominated by demand shocks, whereas the equilibrium quantity change in China’s domestic large-diameter logs is dominated by supply shocks; moreover, only domestic large-diameter logs realize quantity increase in double shocks; this improves China’s domestic timber supply structure, and is a good example of “opportunities in crisis” in the face of negative demand shocks. Full article