Search Results (971)

Eldana saccharina Walker is a major sugarcane pest in South Africa, primarily controlled with chemical insecticides, though resistance threatens their effectiveness. Laboratory bioassays at the South African Sugarcane Research Institute evaluated the baseline susceptibility of E. saccharina to six concentrations of Coragen^® (chlorantraniliprole). Mortality and larval weight data were analysed using probit analysis to determine LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ values and assess growth inhibition. Mortality and weight reduction increased with concentration, with the highest concentration causing 79% mortality. Full article

In this study, using global liner shipping schedules, UNCTAD’s Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index and Liner Shipping Bilateral Connectivity Index, together with bilateral trade-value data for 2022–2024, we construct a multilayer weighted port-to-port network that explicitly embeds port-level cargo-handling and service organisation capabilities, as well as demand-side routing pressure, into node and edge weights. Building on this network, we apply CONCOR-based structural-equivalence analysis to delineate functionally homogeneous port clusters, and adopt a structural role identification framework that combines multi-indicator connectivity metrics with Rank-Sum Ratio–entropy weighting and Probit-based binning to classify ports into high-efficiency core, bridge-control, and free-form bridge roles, thereby tracing the reconfiguration of cluster-level functional structures before and after the Red Sea crisis. Empirically, the clustering identifies four persistent communities—the Intertropical Maritime Hub Corridor (IMHC), Pacific Rim Mega-Port Agglomeration (PRMPA), Southern Commodity Export Gateway (SCEG), and Euro-Asian Intermodal Chokepoints (EAIC)—and reveals a marked spatial and functional reorganisation between 2022 and 2024. IMHC expands from 96 to 113 ports and SCEG from 33 to 56, whereas EAIC contracts from 27 to 10 nodes as gateway functions are reallocated across clusters, and the combined share of bridge-control and free-form bridge ports increases from 9.6% to 15.5% of all nodes, demonstrating a thicker functional backbone under rerouting pressures. Spatially, IMHC extends from a Mediterranean-centred configuration into tropical, trans-equatorial routes; PRMPA consolidates its role as the densest trans-Pacific belt; SCEG evolves from a commodity-based export gateway into a cross-regional Southern Hemisphere hub; and EAIC reorients from an Atlantic-dominated structure towards Eurasian corridors and emerging bypass routes. Functionally, Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai remain dominant high-efficiency cores, while several Mediterranean and Red Sea ports (e.g., Jeddah, Alexandria) lose centrality as East and Southeast Asian nodes gain prominence; bridge-control functions are increasingly taken up by European and East Asian hubs (e.g., Antwerp, Hamburg, Busan, Kobe), acting as secondary transshipment buffers; and free-form bridge ports such as Manila, Haiphong, and Genoa strengthen their roles as elastic connectors that enhance intra-cluster cohesion and provide redundancy for inter-cluster rerouting. Overall, these patterns show that resilience under the Red Sea crisis is expressed through the cluster-level rebalancing of core–control–bridge roles, suggesting that port managers should prioritise parallel gateways, short-sea and coastal buffers, and sea–land intermodality within clusters when designing capacity expansion, hinterland access, and rerouting strategies. Full article

People with disabilities worldwide encounter barriers to accessing care and support systems. Existing care frameworks often focus on supporting caregivers, operating under the assumption that people with disabilities are largely dependant. However, under a human rights framework it is fundamental to recognise the role that people play, both providing and receiving care, and if care needs are adequately met. This study collects and analyses data from 1001 individuals with disabilities in Bogotá, Colombia, to assess the extent of unsatisfied care needs among this group. We identified individual and household characteristics that are associated with unsatisfied care needs using a multinomial probit and a probit model. The result revealed that 58.7% of participants received an insufficient amount of care, and 7.6% did not receive care at all despite needing it. In total, 66.3% of respondents had unsatisfied care needs. Adults with disabilities experiencing unsatisfied care needs were more likely to be older, male, experiencing functional limitations in daily activities, unemployed, or having lower educational attainment. Notably, 35.7% of respondents also provided care to household members—including children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those who were ill or injured. Findings highlight the need for Bogotá’s care system to recognise people with disabilities as both care recipients and caregivers, and to tailor support mechanisms to meet their diverse needs. Full article

This study examines the determinants of goodwill impairment recognition under IFRS 3 in the context of Moroccan listed firms. Using an unbalanced panel covering the period of 2006–2024 and comprising 862 firm-year observations, we employ a three-stage empirical strategy that integrates a Probit model to estimate the likelihood of impairment, a Tobit model to assess the magnitude of the loss, and a Heckman two-step procedure to correct for potential self-selection. The results show that goodwill impairment reflects key economic and financial fundamentals, including revenue growth, book-to-market ratios, and operating performance. However, both real and accrual-based earnings management significantly influence the probability and intensity of impairment, particularly through abnormal cash flows and income-smoothing behavior. Discretionary accruals become significant only after correcting for selection bias, indicating that they do not drive the recognition decision but contribute to determining the size of the impairment once it has been recorded. The findings are robust across multiple specifications and contribute to the broader literature on financial reporting quality under IAS/IFRS, while enriching empirical evidence on managerial discretion and earnings management in emerging-market environments. Full article

The integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into investment strategies represents a potential pathway for advancing financial sustainability and long-term market resilience. The usage of ESG screening techniques in portfolio construction is currently a subject of debate among practitioners and policymakers. This paper introduces a methodology that incorporates ESG scores into a low-volatility, Standard & Poor’s 500 index-based strategy without relying on traditional exclusionary screening. Rather than removing firms based solely on low ESG scores, we treat ESG as a predictive sustainability factor in identifying firms likely to experience extreme return volatility in the subsequent year, using a probit model and Fama–Macbeth estimation techniques. Firms with high ESG scores are found to be less likely to exhibit such behavior, suggesting an inverse relationship between ESG and risk. Our results show that portfolios constructed using this approach achieve higher average ESG scores, maintain returns equivalent to the benchmark, and reduce annualized return volatility by approximately 1.0%, a statistically significant reduction. By reframing ESG from a moral filter into a measurable risk mitigation mechanism, this study demonstrates how sustainability integration can enhance portfolio stability while supporting both financial and societal objectives. The proposed framework offers practical alternative for investors seeking exposure to sustainability-focused strategies while preserving traditional performance objectives. Full article

This study analyzes the relationship between family control and the internationalization of family firms in Mexico. Grounded in the resource-based view and socioemotional wealth theory, it addresses the theoretical problem of how familiness and governance mechanisms influence strategic decisions in emerging markets. Based on 326 observations of family businesses (51) listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) from 2009 to 2016, and using a probit regression model, five hypotheses are tested regarding the effects of family directors, board independence, CEO duality, tenure, and ownership concentration on internationalization. The results show that board independence and chair tenure foster internationalization, while ownership concentration and family directors discourage it. The findings contribute to understanding the need for governance reforms that promote more independence and leadership stability to foment internationalization strategies among family businesses in emerging markets. Full article

Korea’s industrial structure faces a critical challenge: the proportion of high CO₂ emitting industries in the GDP decreased during the 2000–2021 period, whereas their contribution to national CO₂ emissions increased. This study evaluates the impact of the government’s comprehensive support system—encompassing seven areas: tax incentives, general funding, financial support, human resource development, technical support, certification, and public purchase—on technological innovation in high CO₂ emitting industries. Using the Probit model on data from the Korea Innovation Survey 2022 (2019–2021) and a financial statement database of firms, we analyzed firms in high CO₂ emitting industries. The findings reveal that among the various forms of government support, human resources development ranks highest in its positive impact on innovation, followed by tax incentives and general funding. The results suggest that effective climate policy must shift to prioritize targeted technical and knowledge-based assistance to overcome the specific innovation prevalent in high CO₂ emitting industries. Full article

Background and Objectives: Current evidence remains insufficient to determine whether the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on dental health is primarily mediated through oral hygiene and dietary habits or through direct effects of the disorder itself. This study examined the theoretical pathways through which ASD severity and toothbrushing-related and dietary-choice-related factors influence dental health in autistic children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 399 mothers reporting on their autistic children (aged 2–18 years, mean = 7.8). The exclusion criterion was being older than 18 years. Data included parent-reported data about ASD severity, dental health status, willingness to brush teeth, and dietary quality (assessed using the Diet Quality Inventory). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the direct and indirect effects of ASD severity on dental health, with probit regression coefficients estimated using the WLSMV method. Results: Parent-reported variables of ASD severity, diet quality, and toothbrushing willingness together explained 37% of the variance in dental health. The direct effect of ASD severity on dental health was 0.199 (p = 0.039). The indirect effect via toothbrushing was 0.137 (p = 0.006), and via diet quality, it was 0.070 (p = 0.020). The total indirect effect of ASD on dental health was 0.207 (p = 0.026), which was approximately as strong as the direct effect. The associations among the studied variables were statistically equivalent across sex and age groups. Conclusions: Parent-reported ASD severity shows significant association with dental health outcomes, both directly and indirectly, with toothbrushing behavior emerging as the primary mediator. Interventions that promote regular brushing (and, to a lesser extent, healthier eating) may help to reduce the dental health disparities associated with autism. Full article

This study compares Logit, Probit, Extreme Value, and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models using data from 2012 to 2024 in the Taiwan electronics industry. ANN outperforms traditional models, achieving 98% accuracy in predicting financial distress. Two robust distress signals are identified: Return on Assets (threshold: 7.03%) and Total Asset Growth (threshold: −9.05%). The nonlinear impacts of financial distress on variables are analyzed, with a focus on contextual considerations in decision-making. These findings bring attention to the importance of utilizing advanced techniques like ANN for improved predictive accuracy, offering profound clarification for risk assessment and management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Under the urban–rural dual structure, rural children’s health security faces multiple challenges. These stem from geographical disadvantages, inadequate resources, and systemic flaws in medical insurance design. The outpatient cost-sharing policy is a key design to address these issues. Methods: Using data from the 2018 China Household Income Project (CHIP), this study employs Propensity Score Matching, Ordered Probit, Logit, and a Two-Part Model to examine the association between the policy and the health and economic outcomes of rural children. Conclusions: The results show that the policy is significantly associated with better child health scores and a higher probability of reimbursement. These positive associations appear to be connected to three potential factors: higher use of outpatient services, better mother’s health, and greater school-related food and accommodation expenses. In contrast to adult populations, no significant substitution between outpatient and inpatient services was observed for children, suggesting the non-discretionary and rigid nature of pediatric hospitalization decisions. This research provides robust empirical evidence for the policy’s potential benefits, offering important implications for optimizing the child medical security system. Full article

Agricultural green production is vital for sustainable agricultural development and rural revitalization. As a market-oriented financial tool, this study examines the role of agricultural credit in promoting green production behaviors among farmers (FGPB). Using survey data from 537 farmers in Sichuan, Shanxi, and Guizhou provinces, the OLS model is applied to assess the impact of agricultural credit on FGPB. The study employs a 2SLS model to address endogeneity and conducts robustness checks with Tobit and Probit models, alternative dependent variables, and regional fixed effects. The findings reveal that (1) agricultural credit significantly boosts FGPB, increasing it by 5.39%, while reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and plastic films by 0.2338, 0.1751, and 0.2387 levels, respectively. (2) The effect is more pronounced among small-scale farmers, those with higher happiness levels, and those with more farming experience. (3) Agricultural credit also promotes FGPB by encouraging the adoption of green inputs, waste recycling, and the expansion of agricultural socialized service (ASS). (4) Financial accessibility, farmers’ financial literacy, and their abilities of information acquisition can influence their participation in credit transactions. This study provides empirical evidence on the role of agricultural credit in driving FGPB, enriching the literature on financial instruments for green agricultural development, and offers policy recommendations for promoting green transformation through agricultural credit. Full article

The growing interest in no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) wines reflects evolving consumer preferences toward moderation, health, and mindful drinking. This study investigates consumer perception and acceptance of NoLo wines within a traditional wine context (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy), based on a survey of 344 people. Respondents were primarily between 18 and 34 years old. Descriptive results indicated low familiarity and purchase frequency but positive attitudes, especially among women and health-oriented consumers. Nonparametric tests revealed that gender significantly affected familiarity, social acceptance, and willingness to recommend NoLo wines, with women respondents showing higher engagement and acceptance. Age showed a weaker but still significant effect on familiarity, while consumers who regularly consumed NoLo beverages exhibited greater social acceptance and willingness to recommend. In addition, logit and probit models suggested that preference for mid-to-low alcohol levels and prior experience with alcohol-free drinks positively influenced purchase frequency. In contrast, traditional wine consumption habits and expenditure had no significant effects. These findings suggest that while NoLo wine adoption in a premium wine region such as Trentino-Alto Adige is in an emerging phase, it is underpinned by evolving young consumer motivations toward moderation, well-being, and social inclusivity, offering clear opportunities for targeted market development and product innovation. Full article

This study investigates the drivers of green production practices among forest-cultivated ginseng growers in Jilin Province, China, by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. Based on survey data from 369 households in the major production regions of Tonghua, Baishan, and Yanbian areas, an Ordered Probit model and a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) algorithm are employed for cross-validation. The results indicate that growers’ cognitive traits (awareness of green production standards and ecological/quality safety) and willingness (acceptance of price premiums for green products) are the most stable and critical drivers. Policy incentives (e.g., certification subsidies and outreach) not only directly promote green practices but also exhibit synergistic effects through interactions with resource endowments and psychological cognition. Regional heterogeneity is evident: Tonghua shows policy–market co-drive, Baishan is dominated by ecological constraints and safeguard policies, while Yanbian relies more on education and individual resources. Accordingly, this study proposes a differentiated policy system based on diagnosis–intervention–evaluation to support the high-quality development of forest-cultivated ginseng industry and ecological-economic synergies. Full article

Reducing farmland abandonment and improving land resource utilization efficiency are critical pathways for safeguarding national food security. This study aims to identify the mechanism through which Land Consolidation (LC) affects farmers’ abandonment behavior at the land parcel scale, providing empirical evidence for improving LC policies and optimizing abandonment governance strategies. Using micro-survey data from 5014 land parcels in Sichuan Province collected in 2024, this study employs Probit, IV-Probit, and other econometric models to conduct empirical analysis, combining mechanism tests and heterogeneity analysis to systematically evaluate the suppression effects of LC. The results show that: (1) On the whole, LC significantly inhibits farmers’ abandonment behavior, with a notable decrease in the probability of abandonment for renovated land parcels. (2) The mechanism analysis indicates that LC alleviates farmers’ resource constraints and labor bottlenecks by expanding parcel size, operational scale, and improving the degree of land parcel consolidation, thereby reducing abandonment risk. (3) The heterogeneity analysis reveals that LC shows stronger suppression effects on abandonment behavior in flat land parcels, remote land parcels, and among ordinary farmers. In conclusion, LC is not only an essential measure for improving land quality and agricultural production efficiency but also a key policy tool for reducing farmers’ abandonment, stabilizing land use, and ensuring food security. Future efforts should promote targeted consolidation strategies, strengthening differentiated governance for varying land attributes and farmer types to achieve accurate and efficient abandonment management. Full article

Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains a significant threat to poultry production in China. Layer specialized households (LSHs)—characterized by medium-scale operations (1000–15,000 birds)—are particularly vulnerable due to frequently suboptimal biosecurity measures. Cooperative prevention and control (CPC) strategies, including unified disinfection and joint monitoring, present a viable method for reducing HPAI risks. However, participation among LSHs remains low. Objectives: This study seeks to identify the key determinants influencing LSHs’ willingness to participate in CPC measures against HPAI, and further compare these driving factors across villages with versus without a documented history of HPAI outbreaks. Methods: A survey of 130 LSHs was conducted in two Chinese villages: Village A (with HPAI history) and Village B (without HPAI history). Data on socio-economic characteristics, production practices, and attitudes were collected via structured questionnaires. An Ordered Probit model was employed to analyze determinants of willingness to participate, measured on a 5-point ordinal scale. Results: Full-sample regression analysis demonstrated that older age, higher educational attainment, risk-tolerant attitudes, larger household scale, and higher annual household income exerted a significantly positive impact on the willingness to participate in the program. Surprisingly, greater knowledge of avian influenza exerted a significant negative effect. Regional subgroup analyses identified distinct drivers: in Village A (with HPAI history), prior experience of bird deaths positively influenced willingness, whereas longer breeding experience had a negative effect. In Village B (no HPAI history), frequent social interaction and greater breeding experience emerged as positive determinants. Conclusions: The findings underscore the critical role of regional context and specific household characteristics in shaping LSHs’ willingness to cooperate. Policy interventions to promote CPC should be regionally tailored: in previously affected areas, leveraging past outbreak experiences and ensuring equitable compensation is essential; in unaffected areas, fostering social networks and demonstrating CPC benefits through peer influence are more effective. Full article