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Abstract This paper proposes a new Topp-Leone Exponentiated Pareto (TLEtP) distribution. The new distribution family is derived by expanding the Topp Leone-G family of distributions with additional positive shape parameters. The corresponding density and distribution functions are derived and shown. Some of the derived mathematical properties of the distribution include quantile function, ordinary and incomplete moments generating function (mgf), hazard function, survival function, odd function, probability weighted moment, and distribution of order statistic. The parameters of the distribution are estimated using Maximum Likelihood method. The proposed distribution’s validity is demonstrated by fitting two sets of real data and comparing the results with two existing same-family distributions, the Topp-Leone Pareto type I(TLPI) and Pareto (P), with the Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), respectively. The comparison of the proposed Topp-Leone Exponentiated Pareto (TLEtP) to the Topp-Leone Pareto type I(TLPI) and Pareto (P) distribution demonstrate that the TLEtP distribution offers a better fit for the data sets than the other two distributions.

Modelling a dataset of 5230 globally listed firms through two statistical approaches reflecting the primary principles of Natural-Resource-Based Theory and Institutional Theory, respectively, this study provides evidence that sustainability initiatives developed by firms are being rewarded in the form of improved Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). Culture has a significant influence on both firm sustainability performance, captured in ESG ratings, and CFP and also interacts with other variables, including industry sector and socio-economic development of a firm’s markets. This study is unique in hypothesising and statistically proving that sustainability is a mechanism that activates the potential of culture to produce CFP. Natural-Resource-Based Theory (NRBT) and Institutional Theory (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983) provide complementary explanations for the relationship between the culture of a firm and its CFP being mediated by sustainability, effectively determining firms’ approach to the use of their resources in a sustainable or unsustainable way. Certain relationships between culture, sustainability performance, and CFP, however, are better explained by Institutional Theory than NRBT.

Contemporary understanding of the impacts of climate change on global drought characteristics (e.g., intensities, extents) is still limited and not well understood. This knowledge is critical because projected changes in climate are expected to impact on future water availability as well as influence decisions on how water resources are allocated. The main aim of this study is to improve understanding of drought characteristics (extents and duration) in the Anthropocene where rapid changes in the environment are caused by the composite influence of human activities and climate change. Multi-scale earth observation data (1980−2020) and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 climate models, which incorporate the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (2040−2070and 2070−2100) are used to assess these characteristics as well as identify climatic hotspots where changes in drought characteristics could drive groundwater hydrology. Results show that towards the end of the 21st century, global land areas under drought will significantly decrease but their durations will not. Generally, there is evidence of significant decline in the proportion of areas that will experience various drought intensities (moderate, severe and extreme drought) in the future and for each category, drought affected areas will not reach 30% on average. Moreover, some regions are potential hotspots of climate–groundwater interactions where drought events could directly impact on groundwater. This is because of the varying degree of strong correlations (positive and negative) between climate and groundwater data in some areas (e.g., Australia, Europe, Southern Africa, Asia). The relatively strong negative correlations in some of these hotspots are indicative of the presence of considerable lags, that could be caused by aridity as well as human groundwater footprints.

The terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) from the previous Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) covers a relatively short period (15 years) with several missing periods. This study explores the boosted regression trees (BRT) and the artificial neural network (ANN) to reconstruct the TWSA series between 1982 and 2014 over the Yangtze River basin (YRB). Both algorithms are trained with several hydro-climatic variables (e.g., precipitation, soil moisture, and temperature) and climate indices for the YRB. The results from this study show that the BRT is capable of reconstructing TWSA and shows Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.89 and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 18.94 mm during the test stage, outperforming ANN in about 2.3% and 7.4%, respectively. As a step further, the reliability of this technique in reconstructing TWSA beyond the GRACE era was also evaluated. Hence, a closed-loop simulation using the artificial TWSA series over 1982–2014 under the same scenarios for the actual GRACE data shows that BRT can predict TWSA (NSE of 0.92 and RMSE of 6.93 mm). Again, the BRT outperformed the ANN by approximately 1.1% and 5.3%, respectively. This study provides a new perspective for reconstructing and filling the gaps in the GRACE–TWSA series over data-scarce regions, which is desired for hydrological drought characterization and environmental studies. BRT offers such an opportunity for the GRACE Follow-On mission to predict 11 months of missing TWSA data by relying on a limited number of predictive variables, hence being adjudged to be more economical than the ANN.

Cacao is an important crop, its beans are key raw materials for the chocolate and cosmetic industries. Ceratocystis wilt of cacao (CWC) caused by Ceratocystis cacaofunesta is a lethal disease for the crop. Therefore, the selection of resistant cacao varieties is one of the viable ways to minimize losses in cacao production. In this paper, we described the identification of a major QTL associated with CWC in an F1 mapping population from a cross between a resistant, “TSH 1188,” and a susceptible genotype, “CCN 51.” A set of 266 trees were genotyped using 3,526 single nucleotide polymorphic markers and then multiple QTL mapping analyses were performed. Two QTLs were identified on chromosomes IV and VI. The major QTL was located at 20 cM from the top position of chromosome VI, accounting for more than 60% of the phenotypic variation. The favorable allele T1, with haplotype GTT, came from the “TSH 1188” parent. It was evident that the haplotype combination T1C2 on chromosome VI was the most significant for resistance, since 93% of resistant trees had this haplotype. The major QTL converged to a genomic region of 739.4 kb that harbored nine candidate genes, including two major classes of resistance genes, which would make them the primary candidates involved in the resistance to CWC. The haplotypes detected are now used to improve the efficiency and precision of the selection of resistant trees in cacao breeding.

Artisanal fishing activity with gillnets to capture the spiny lobster is a common practice along the coastal reefs of Brazil. This research aims to understand the impact that this artisanal fishing practice is having on the coastal reef systems analysing its associated fauna (bycatch) and the stock of the target species Panulirus echinatus. The study compared an area which was subjected to intense gillnet fishing against one were the practice was absent. The analysis of target species using nocturnal visual census demonstrated a significantly higher number of P. echinatus at the site where gillnet use was virtually absent within three sampled habitats, fringe, cave and soft bottom. The analysis of bycatch species from artisanal fishermen’s gillnet landings recorded 4 lobster species and 10 crab species. These decapod species play an important ecological role as detritivores, herbivorous and first consumers within the reef ecosystem as well as being natural prey items for several reef fishes. The study concludes that this non-discriminatory fishing technique impacts directly on populations of P. echinatus, P. argus and P. laevicauda as well as other lobster and crab species which in-turn indirectly affects the ecological role of the tropical coastal reefs of Brazil.