Agricultural Economics

Age Estimation through Analysis of Suture Synostosis in Forensic Practice: A Mini Review

Age estimation is essential in forensic sciences. The examination of neurocranium suture closure, along with other methods, is used to estimate age in skeletal remains. The aim of this review was to identify in the literature methods used through neurocranial sutures for estimating age and analyze the recommendations by its researchers. One electronic research database, Pubmed, was investigated using the following restricted keywords: “age estimation”, “suture” and “forensic”. A search was conducted in March 2024 resulting in 12 articles being included in the final review. The articles were published between 2010 and 2024. Many studies recommend combining suture age estimation with other methods to improve accuracy in both dry skulls and CT scans, as cranial suture results alone are often insufficient. There is still no consensus on the endocranial versus ectocranial evaluation of sutures, with researchers calling for further studies. Population characteristics also affect results, highlighting the need for broader research. Despite its limitations, cranial suture closure remains valuable, with new technologies offering potential improvements.

The Influence Mechanism and Test of Transformation for Cultivated Land Use on the Economic Resilience of Agricultural Crop Production Industry

Under the current multiple impacts, such as tightening resource and environmental constraints, low agricultural economic benefits and rural labor loss, improving the resilience of the planting economy has become the only way to ensure China’s food security and the stable operation of the social economy. As an important way of agricultural production factor, the transformation of cultivated land has a great influence on the development of the agricultural crop production industry. Based on the elaboration of the logical relationship and influence mechanism of the economic resilience of the agricultural crop production industry, the effect and regional differences of the economic resilience of the agricultural crop production industry are empirically tested by a double fixed regression model. It is found that the economic resilience level of the agricultural crop production industry in China is on the rise, but the regional differences are obvious; the transformation for cultivated land use can significantly promote the economic resilience level of agricultural crop production industry and the results are stable; there is regional and dimensional heterogeneity in the impact of cultivated land use transformation on the economic resilience of agricultural crop production industry. Based on this, we can promote the transformation of cultivated land use from three aspects: production, life, and ecology. Especially, attention should be paid to the orderly promotion of the transformation of farmland utilization in the main grain-producing areas and the improvement of the economic resilience of the agricultural crop production industry. Consolidate regional advantages while driving the improvement of economic resilience in the main grain sales areas’ agricultural crop production industry to achieve the goal of sustainable and stable development of China’s agricultural crop production industry.

Preparation of a New Shape-Stable Phase-Change Material Based on Expanded Perlite, Paraffin, Epoxy, Copper and High-Density Polyethylene

Phase change materials (PCMs) face challenges such as low thermal conductivity and leakage, often addressed through attempts at encapsulation or integration into polymer matrices or porous materials. This study uses expanded perlite to prepare a PCM composite. The perlite is treated with hydrochloric acid to remove impurities and improve its absorption, then impregnated with paraffin at 65 °C, with the addition of copper to enhance thermal conductivity. After drying, the material was coated with epoxy resin to prevent leakage and mixed with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to improve its mechanical strength and facilitate integration with other materials. Characterization techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), evaluate the structure and properties of the composite. TGA results show that acid treatment increases paraffin absorption to 80% by weight, while weight loss tests confirm the effectiveness of the epoxy coating against leaks. A decrease in melting temperatures was observed in all HDPE blends, ranging from 4.72 °C to 9.58 °C, likely due to the integrated elements interfering with the reorganization of the molecular chains of HDPE. Although the preparation improved thermal conductivity, thermal tests revealed that increasing the (perlite/PCM) phase in HDPE is essential for further optimization, highlighting the potential of the composite as an effective energy storage solution for sustainable systems.

The Sum of One’s Parts: Exploring Bone and Dental Age Assessment in Age Estimation Methods

Age estimation (AE) is a fundamental aspect used to establish the biological profile of both living and deceased individuals. This study evaluates AE methods to determine if bone development (BD) methods yield similar results to dental development (DD) and whether methods using samples with similar geographic origins, socioeconomic status (SES), chronology, data specificity, and/or anatomical regions yield consistent results. We hypothesized that BD and DD methods differ in age estimations, although these differences would be minor when methods have similar variables. The sample consisted of 11 immature skeletons from the Hospital Real de Todos os Santos’ collection (18th-century, Lisbon, Portugal) and applied 56 AE methods. The results were compiled into individual-based diagrams, facilitating both within- and between-individual comparisons, including stress-induced changes. This showed that BD methods tended to underestimate age compared to DD methods. BD methods closely aligning with DD methods were mainly based on individuals from lower to middle SES, focusing on areas like the iliac crest and medial clavicle. Findings also suggest that physiological stress might influence AE outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of combining BD and DD methods alongside a detailed pathological and/or chronic stress assessment of human remains when estimating AE to minimize interpretative errors. This care applies to any discipline aiming to profile living or dead individuals, highlighting the importance of controlling for confounding variables, such as disease, in any AE estimation.

EU Energy Law: Insufficient for the 1.5-Degree Celsius Limit—The Examples of EU Emissions Trading and Hydrogen Policies

This article examines the extent to which the current EU climate protection law fulfils the 1.5-degree limit from Article 2 of the Paris Climate Agreement. To this end, a qualitative governance analysis is applied. On this methodological basis, the main instrument for fossil phasing-out—the emissions trading scheme—and the promotion of hydrogen are discussed as examples. The results show that the EU must further intensify its efforts on its territory and cooperate with other countries since the reformed ETS 1 and ETS 2, the SCF and the CBAM are not sufficiently effective to stay within the 1.5-degree limit of the Paris Agreement. This is also the case with regard to hydrogen policies. The primary focus of energy law on the ETS is therefore fundamentally convincing; however, it should be implemented more consistently, for example, in terms of the breadth of the approach, closing loopholes and the level of ambition.

Upcycling of Waste Poly(ethylene terephthalate) into 2,4-Pyridine Dicarboxylic Acid by a Tandem Chemo-Microbial Process

This study presents a chemo-microbial cascade process for the upcycling of waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) into valuable compound 2,4-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (2,4-PDCA). Initially, waste PET undergoes efficient hydrolysis to terephthalic acid (TPA) with a high yield of 92.36%, catalyzed by p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The acid catalyst exhibits excellent reusability, maintaining activity over five cycles. Subsequently, a one-pot, two-step whole-cell conversion system utilizing genetically modified Escherichia coli strains (E. coli PCA and E. coli 2,4-PDCA) converts the generated TPA into 2,4-PDCA. By integrating the PET hydrolysis module with the 2,4-PDCA biosynthesis module, the study achieves an impressive overall efficiency of 94.01% in converting challenging PET waste into valuable 2,4-PDCA. Our research presents a rational design strategy for PET upcycling and 2,4-PDCA synthesis methods. This research provides a systematic approach to PET upcycling, demonstrating its feasibility and potential for industrial application.

Price and Output Response of Major Food Grains of Nadia District of West Bengal

The price and output response of food crops is a critical area in agricultural economics as this interaction refers to how the quantity of food grains supplied responds to changes in market prices. This research investigates the surplus ratios and price elasticities for rice, lentil, and gram in the Nadia district of West Bengal. Two hundred farmers were interviewed in different villages of the district and information was collected regarding socio-economics, marketed surplus and, selling price, etc. Further, elasticity and a modified version of the Raj Krishna model have been employed. The findings reveal that for rice, the ratios of gross, net marketed, and marketable surplus are 69.59%, 55.46%, and 16.27%, respectively. The gross marketed surplus ratio decreases with a reduction in farm size, while net marketed and marketable surpluses increase as farm size expands. For lentils, the gross and net marketed surplus ratios are recorded at 66.64% and 65.57%, with an average marketable surplus of 35.30%. Marginal gram farmers have a gross marketed surplus ratio of 80.33%, slightly lower than the overall average of 81.12%, whereas larger farms exceed this average, with ratios of 82.19% and 83.18%. Output elasticities for rice are positive and exceed unity for both marginal and large farms, at 1.03 and 1.45, respectively, though slightly below unity at 0.85 for small farms. The average elasticity for rice across all farm sizes is 1.12. Lentil output elasticities are also positive and greater than unity for marginal and large farms (1.00 and 1.07, respectively) but fall below unity at 0.78 for medium farms, with an overall average of 0.91. The output elasticities for gram remain consistently positive and above unity across all farm sizes, averaging 1.09.

Exploring the Values of Sustainability and the Cost of Going Green: A Case of Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)

Despite the expansion of BREEAM and the benefits of adopting sustainable building practices, there are concerns that the cost of going green may outweigh the benefits. Whilst previous studies have not provided adequate clarity in this regard, there is consensus among scholars that BREEAM provides indirect benefits that can be considered as added value. This paper aims to investigate the potential cost implication and benefits of sustainable building practices from the lens of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) in the UK. Adopting survey research strategy, questionnaires, and interviews with 34 construction industry professionals in Southeast England were conducted to investigate their perceptions of BREEAM, the extra value it contributes to projects, and the possible limitations hindering its wider adoption. Findings show that while there is an upfront investment associated with achieving BREEAM certification, the benefits of such certification include added values such as improved environmental performance, increased market appeal, improved indoor air quality, reduced carbon emissions, and lower operational costs. This study validates the need to encourage wider adoption of sustainable building practices and promote the use of the BREEAM methodology in the UK. This research provides a foundation for future research and development in this area, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development.

State of the ART: Drug Screening Reveals Artesunate as a Promising Anti-Fibrosis Therapy

Fibrosis is a progressive pathological process that severely impairs normal organ function. Current treatments for fibrosis are extremely limited, with no curative approaches available. In a recent article published in Cell, Zhang and colleagues employed drug screening using ACTA2 reporter iPSC-derived cardiac fibroblasts and identified artesunate as a potent antifibrotic drug by targeting MD2/TLR4 signaling. This study provides new insights into strategies for exploiting existing drugs to treat fibrosis.