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The world's 300 largest pension funds manage assets for more than USD 21 trillion. A strict orientation to environmental, social, and good governance (ESG) in the investment portfolio of pension funds can play a key role in triggering the economy toward a sustainable transition. Can responsible pension plans be an attractive investment opportunity for young people? Since the performance of pension funds depends on the demographic characteristics of investors, other than the financial results of investment portfolios, this study aimed to test the convenience of ESG-oriented pension plans for young contributors aged 20–29 with different risk propensities and attitudes towards sustainability. The analysis was started using accurate data provided by an Italian pension fund, observed from 2012 to 2022. The methods applied were a Monte Carlo simulation of the individual actuarial balances, the expected utility, and the willingness to pay. The results show that ESG-oriented pension funds are convenient for young people who invest in riskier lines. Still, it is sufficient for a light green preference to persuade young contributors to invest in ESG-oriented funds and balanced lines. The results of the study can support pension fund managers in defining and offering appropriate ESG lines suitable for younger investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is typically divided into meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic categories. Generally, the transition from meteorological drought to other types of droughts is known as drought propagation. When drought propagation occurs, different types of droughts may still exist simultaneously or successively. In this study, compound droughts are divided into three categories: hydrological meteorological compound drought (HMD), meteorological hydrological compound drought (MHD), and simultaneous compound drought (SD). ERA5 and CMIP6 data are used for analysis under historical and future scenarios. Different types of compound droughts have emerged in extreme centers in different basins. Our analysis indicates a significant upward trend in the duration of these three compound droughts from 1979 to 2022. Additionally, our projections under SSP5-8.5 and SSP2-4.5 suggest a substantial increase in the occurrence of various compound droughts. HMD, MHD and SD all show a consistent upward trend under the future scenario above the moderate-drought level. MHDs are projected to experience the most significant increase compared to the historical period in the far-future period (2066–2099) under SSP5-8.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the association between the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) and central obesity, as well as the differences among different age and gender groups, to provide a reference for research on sleep regularity and central obesity in the population. Methods A questionnaire survey and objective sleep monitoring were conducted among individuals aged 40 to 65 who underwent health check-ups at the First People's Hospital of Fuquan city from March to November 2022, ultimately including 522 participants with complete data. The association between SRI and the risk of central obesity was assessed using a non-conditional binary logistic regression model and restricted cubic splines, along with subgroup analyses based on gender and age. Results Among the participants included in the study, 331 individuals (64.41%) were classified as having central obesity. After adjusting for confounding variables, the results from the restricted cubic splines indicated that when the SRI score exceeded 12.61, the risk of central obesity gradually decreased with increasing SRI scores. The non-conditional binary logistic regression model revealed that individuals with more regular sleep patterns had a lower risk of central obesity compared to those with severely irregular sleep patterns. Compared to the lowest SRI quartile (Q1), the odds ratios (OR) for Q3 and Q4 were 0.56 (95%C7: 0.32-0.99) and 0.51 (95%C7: 0.29-0.90), respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that in male participants and those aged 50 and above, the risk of central obesity decreased with more regular sleep patterns. In males, compared to Ql, the OR for Q3 was 0.41 (95%C7: 0.19-0.91) and for Q4 was 0.37 (95%C7: 0.16-0.86). In the population aged =350, the OR for Q3 was 0.41 (95%C7: 0.19-0.89) and for Q4 was 0.31 (95%C7: 0.14-0.71). Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results. Conclusion There is a certain association between sleep regularity, as assessed by the SRI and central obesity. Higher SRI scores are associated with a lower risk of developing central obesity, particularly in males and individuals aged 50 and above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organic farming seems to be one of the best options to offer healthier food and environment in the present situation. However, non availability of promising varieties is a major constraint which inevitably makes us to shift towards traditional varieties. Rice being the major crop grown and consumed in Tamil Nadu, an attempt was made to study the yield potential of different traditional varieties of rice under organic cultivation. Methods: The experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2020-2021 at wetland farms of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiment was laid out in RBD with twelve varieties replicated thrice under SRI method. The treatments consisted of twelve traditional varieties viz., Athur Kichili samba, Garudan samba, Illuppaipoo samba, Milagu samba, Poonkar, Sorna masuri, Thooya malli samba, Thanga samba, Kuzhiadichan, Kullakar, Anaikomban and Thulasi vasa samba. Result: The investigation revealed that significantly higher plant height, number of productive tillers, panicle weight, panicle length, fertility percentage were observed in Kuzhiadichan and Anaikomban which eventually led to higher grain and straw yield. The aforementioned varieties have also fetched higher net returns of Rs. 96,476 ha-1 and Rs. 73,893 ha-1, respectively indicating their suitability under organic production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), an innovative measure designed to assess and enhance the smart capabilities of buildings across Europe. Addressing the critical question, 'How can the SRI be effectively documented, made more accessible to European citizens, continuously monitored, and financially supported to enhance its adoption and under-standing?' This research aims to bridge the gap between the conceptual framework of SRI and its practical implementation for the benefit of European citizens. The study introduces the SRI FAQ Initiative, a pivotal effort aimed at demystifying the SRI through the compilation and dissemination of essential questions and answers. The establishment of the SRI Observatory is another significant outcome, documenting the ongoing development of SRI and providing annual out-looks for future advancements. The research employs a multifaceted methodology, incorporating field research, extensive literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, and both digital and roundtable discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Surface water depletion in Odisha tract poses significant challenges for sustainable water management. An important part of the effort to satisfy the growing demand for water is surface water quality control. For that purpose, this study’s primary goal is to assess the surface water quality for drinking and irrigation at nine different locations, via the use of the innovative techniques. In this regard, Drinking Water Quality Index (DWQI), Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) and Spatial reflectance (SR) Indices (I), were considered to determine water suitability for different people’s activities. The samples were collected in the study area during the pre-monsoon season of period 2023–2024. The parameters analyzed: pH, DO, Alkalinity, Conductivity, Nitrate, Phosphate and Hardness. The results were subsequently contrasted with the water quality requirements, as instructed by World Health Organizations (WHO). The major anionic trend is expressed in the subsequent order: NO3 − > PO4 3−. Finally, the analytical results were collected in order to produce the parameters’ numerical geographic distribution using the geographical information system (GIS) environment. According to the results of pH, the obtained average value is recorded as 8.0. This implies that the water is slight alkaline in nature. The results of the DWQI showed that 44.44% shared investigated locations, were classified as excellent to good, and 11% as poor, 22.22% as very poor and, 22.22% is indicated as unsuitable for drinking purpose classes. In addition, the new SRIs that were taken out of the VIS and NIR regions demonstrated a substantial correlation with DWQI, according to the results. The new SRIs and DWQI had R2 correlations with values ranging from 0.65 to 0.82. The results from DWQI and SRI depicts that Nitrate and Phosphate concentration were higher and exceeds the WHO standards. At five sites, which confers as poor water quality, these parameters were recorded very high. Additionally, the main factors causing variations in water quality were fertilizer, organic waste, and soil leaching. Based on the values of R2, the PLSR model generated an evaluation of DWQI that was more accurate. Furthermore, the PLSR model generated accurate predictions for DWQI, with an R2 of 0.82 and 0.85, in the validation and calibration dataset. Hence, PLSR is efficient and provides us with a clear image for evaluating surface water’s fitness for drinking and its regulating elements. This study provides a quantitative framework for assessing surface water suitable potential zones in the chosen region. By identifying the hidden variables influencing water quality, the three approaches work together to maintain their advantages while also offering crucial information for water management. The results allow for the monitoring of restoration measures to be prioritized, the identification of the anthropogenic impact on the five locations (S-(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5)) and the type of anthropogenic pressure associated with each location, as well as the optimization of monitoring programs to reflect significant anthropogenic pressures. The resulting maps and data offer valuable insights for policy makers and water resource managers to develop targeted surface water management strategies. These findings have significant implications for sustainable water resource management in the region, particularly in addressing challenges related to drinking and agricultural water demand and climate change adaptation. A more thorough assessment of the surface water quality would result from the addition of more water quality indicators, such as hydrological, biological, and particular pollutants, to the straightforward and trustworthy assessment scheme that has been suggested.

Rice production in Asia is a cornerstone of global food security. Implementing innovative crop establishment practices and utilizing nano fertilizers can enhance rice yields and mitigate environmental concerns, thereby contributing to a resilient and sustainable food system. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted over 2020 and 2021 that included various methods of application (seed treatment, root dipping, soil and foliar application) of nano fertilizers (nano nitrogen and nano zinc) under different rice establishment methods (conventional paddy and SRI). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test (p ≤ 0.05). The findings showed that the application of 75% N and two foliar sprays of nano-nitrogen and nano-zinc at 25 to 30 and 45 to 50 days after transplanting under System of Rice Intensification method (Treatment T14) was statistically superior in improving growth and yield parameters, grain and straw yield, and in enhancing the quality of rice over other treatments. Studies revealed strong positive correlations between all the measures, with the exception of the proportion of chaffiness and unfilled grains. The results of the stepwise regression analysis revealed the percentage dependence of grain and straw yield on growth, yield, and quality factors.

O processo de mudança do uso e cobertura do solo tem atraído grande atenção para seu melhor entendimento e planejamento para evitar impactos negativos como perda de biodiversidade, erosão hídrica do solo, arenização, entre outros. Frente a isto, este estudo objetivou realizar uma análise espaço-temporal, da cobertura vegetal do município de Alegrete localizado no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, através dos Índices de Vegetação pela Razão Simples (RS) e Diferença Normalizada (NDVI) no período compreendido entre os anos 2016 e 2020. Para a determinação dos Índices de Vegetação pela Razão Simples (RS) e Diferença Normalizada (NDVI) foram utilizadas imagens do satélite Sentinel 2A nível 1C para o dia 17/01/2016 e 23/08/2020 (folhas 21JWH, 21JXH, 21JWG e 21 JXG). Foi possível observar que no ano de 2016, há visualmente uma maior quantidade de valores de RS baixos, indicando coloração mais avermelhada na porção noroeste do município que se estende até o centro da imagem e no ano de 2020, houve uma redução na quantidade de vegetação mais desenvolvida e ou mais densa na qual os valores de RS mostraram-se mais uniformes pela área de estudo. Com relação ao NDVI no ano de 2016 não apresentou valores para as classes -1.0 a -0.8 e -0.8 a -0.6, o que demonstra que no ano de 2016 havia mais áreas com vegetação rasteira. Nas áreas onde o NDVI apresentou valores entre -0.6 a -0.4 no ano de 2016, no ano de 2020 estes valores passaram para -1.0 a -0.8, o que pode ser justificado pelo aumento das áreas de solo exposto. Conclui-se que, através da aplicação de conceitos radiométricos e dos índices de vegetação razão simples e NDVI, foi possível realizar uma análise espaço-temporal da vegetação no município de Alegrete para os anos de 2016 e 2020.

To combat food insecurity in Madagascar, organizations have promoted the Système de Riziculture Intensifiée (SRI), or System of Rice Intensification, an agroecological rice-growing technique. However, despite its many benefits, adoption remains low (and disadoption remains high) in Madagascar. To better understand these dynamics, we use data from two surveys of 328 rice farming households in southeastern Madagascar to conduct an analysis of decisions to adopt SRI, as well as look at the differences between adopters and non-adopters. Results show that despite strong intentions to adopt the technique, actual rates of adoption were lower than expected. Indeed, while 89.8% (n = 291) of respondents stated intention to adopt SRI, only 21.6% (n = 60) had trialed it one year later. Results also indicate that exposure to SRI trainings did not have spill-over effects to “untreated” farmers, as nearly all (95%, n = 57) of the farmers adopting SRI had registered for the training, with the majority (89.5%, n = 51) attending some days of training. Reasons given for not adopting SRI included lack of rice seeds deemed suitable by farmers, as well as insufficient labor, time and other resources. Furthermore, using an integrated Theory of Planned Behavior - Technology Acceptance Model framework and structural equation modeling (SEM), we find that perceived behavioral control, training participation and household assets are significant predictors of adoption. This research is important in efforts to better support uptake of improved agricultural practices among food insecure farming populations. It also fills a gap in the literature regarding SRI adoption among lowland coastal farming populations.

The modern stock market is a constantly changing system that quickly reacts to changes in the environment. The recent events have sharply increased the degree of unpredictability and volatility of global development processes, which has significantly influenced the formation activity of such a segment of this market as socially responsible investing (hereinafter referred to as SRI). The article considers the dynamics of the foreign SRI market, analyses the main forms of state support for SDI in foreign countries as the most significant components for the effective functioning of the SRI ecosystem, highlights the major problems of the SRI market at the current stage. It is shown that at present one of the key challenges in the development of the SRI market is lack of a generally accepted integrated methodology, standards and methods for valuation and accounting of the allocation of securities and use of income from them precisely in connection with the ESG (еnvironmental, social, and governance) agenda. It leads to difficulties in assessing the SRI effectiveness, misuse of investments (greenwashing), to decreased trust in the instruments of the SRI market. The development of a unified approach to the system of assessing the effectiveness of SRI, the formation of common criteria and principles of work in the field of responsible investment will contribute to improving the social life of society, solving environmental problems, and more productive economic development of countries.

Abstract Background Maintaining a consistent sleep and wake time is often reported as a key component of circadian rhythmicity and quality sleep. However, the impact of sleep onset and offset time variability on overall sleep outcomes are underreported in elite athlete populations. This study investigated the relationship between sleep onset and offset time variability using the sleep regularity index (SRI) and measures of sleep and well-being in professional rugby union athletes. Twenty-three professional male rugby union athletes (mean ± SD, age: 23 ± 3 y) underwent sleep monitoring via wrist actigraphy for three weeks during a pre-season phase of training and completed a daily wellness questionnaire. Median SRI was calculated and used to stratify the trainees into two quantile groups: >76.4 SRI (Regular, n = 11) and

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common tumor. Our group has previously reported that sorcin (SRI) plays an important role in the progression and prognosis of HCC. This study aims to explore the mechanism of SRI inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis. Bioinformatics analysis, co-IP and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the relationship between SRI and STAT3. MMP and Hoechst staining were performed to detect the effect of SRI on cell apoptosis. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins and NF-κB signaling pathway were examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry when SRI overexpression or underexpression in vivo and in vitro were found. Moreover, inhibitors were used to further explore the molecular mechanism. Overexpression of SRI inhibited cell apoptosis, which was attenuated by SRI knockdown in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we identified that STAT3 is an SRI-interacting protein. Mechanistically, SRI interacts with STAT3 and then activates the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. SRI interacting with STAT3 inhibits apoptosis by the NF-κB pathway and further contributes to the proliferation in HCC, which offers a novel clue and a new potential therapeutic target for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to explain the relationship between ESG and financial performance. It utilises a new method for constructing an ESG portfolio with a high exposure towards ESG that eliminates the inherent correlation between size and ESG. In that perspective, a zero initial investment portfolio that goes long in responsible companies and short in irresponsible companies is adopted; hence, developing a 'Responsible Minus Irresponsible' (RMI) factor mimicking portfolio. A pricing anomaly test on this portfolio suggests that ESG exerts superior financial performance, mostly as a result of a significant lower market risk. Performing a cross-sectional analysis of different factor models on an international set of company returns indicates a negative effect of ESG on expected returns. However, the ESG factor becomes insignificant once multiple factors are introduced as explanatory variables. Consequently, ESG represents a pricing anomaly but does not act as an independent risk factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing group of institutional investors use divestment strategically to deter misconducts that are harmful for the climate and society. Based on Kantian ethics, we propose that divestment represents investors' universal and absolute moral commitment to socially responsible investing (SRI). Following categorical and hypothetical imperatives and reciprocity as a norm, we hypothesize how institutional investors' commit to SRI through a divestment strategy against ethically reprehensible behaviour of banks, especially when these investors represent banks themselves. Using a hand-collected database of the revelation dates of enforcement actions on banks, we find evidence that banks are less likely to divest equity holding on banks with misconduct (fined banks) than their non-bank institutional investors peers. Banks that commit to invest responsibly by signing for the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are not significantly more likely to divest on fined banks stocks than non-signatory banks. Moreover, divestment of fined banks whose own legitimacy to operate is in question is not significantly different from non-fined banks divestment. We find that European banks are more inclined to sell their holdings permanently on fined banks than their United States peers. Therefore, bank's moral commitment to SRI via divestments is influenced more by cultural and reciprocity norms than their moral commitment to participate in the PRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maintaining a consistent sleep and wake time is often reported as a key component of circadian rhythmicity and quality sleep. However, the impact of sleep onset and offset time variability on overall sleep outcomes are underreported in elite athlete populations. This study investigated the relationship between sleep onset and offset time variability using the sleep regularity index (SRI) and measures of sleep and well-being in professional rugby union athletes. Twenty-three professional male rugby union athletes (mean ± SD, age: 23 ± 3 y) underwent sleep monitoring via wrist actigraphy for three weeks during a pre-season phase of training and completed a daily wellness questionnaire. Median SRI was calculated and used to stratify the trainees into two quantile groups: >76.4 SRI (Regular, n = 11) and < 76.4 SRI (Irregular, n = 12). Results: The regular sleep group showed significantly longer total sleep duration (p = 0.02, d = 0.97) compared to the irregular group (7:42 ± 0:29 vs. 7:18 ± 0:20 h: min per night, respectively). Furthermore, while not statistically significant, the regular sleep group showed greater sleep efficiency and less wake episodes compared to irregular sleepers, as demonstrated by moderate effect sizes (d = 0.71 and 0.69, respectively). Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that minimizing variability in sleep onset and offset time is beneficial for increasing sleep duration and may improve sleep efficiency during pre-season training in elite male rugby union athletes. This study provides evidence for the importance of including sleep-wake routines as a key component of sleep education interventions. Key Points: •When compared to irregular sleepers, regular sleepers demonstrated significantly longer total sleep duration (∼ 24 min per night) over a three-week period (> 9 h more of total sleep). •Regular sleepers experienced fewer wake episode during the night, and had moderately higher sleep efficiency than irregular sleepers. •The median sleep regularity index in this male, professional rugby cohort was 76.4, considerably lower than that reported in previous reports of elite team sport athletes. •This study provides further support for the inclusion of promoting regular sleep-wake routines as a key component of sleep hygiene education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor, one of the most common and lethal cancer-related tumor deaths worldwide, with cell proliferation playing a key role. In this study our western blot results and data from TAGC demonstrate a strong association between Sorcin (SRI) overexpression and poor outcomes in HCC. Moreover, SRI overexpression was remarkably effective in promoting proliferation in vitro and increasing tumor growth in vivo, which were attenuated by knocking down SRI. Mechanistically, SRI regulated vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB) through PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signal pathway. Overall, our study indicates that SRI stimulates HCC growth by controlling VEGFA/B, which presents a fresh insight into the pathogenesis of hepatocarcinogenesis and a new therapeutic target for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Pearl River is the property of Pearl River Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article, we use a meta‐analysis to examine the performance of socially responsible investing (SRI). We find that, on average, SRI neither outperforms nor underperforms the market portfolio. However, in line with modern portfolio theory, we find that global SRI portfolios outperform regional subportfolios. Moreover, high‐quality publications, publications in finance journals and authors who publish more frequently on SRI are all less likely to report SRI outperformance. In particular, we find that including more factors in a capital market model reduces the likelihood that a study will find SRI outperformance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses climate change's impact on drought in Iran's Dez Basin. It introduces the Hydro-Meteorological Drought Index (HMDI), integrating the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Standardized Runoff Index (SRI). Using Climatic Research Unit Time Series (CRU TS) data (1980-2012) and downscaling forecasted data from three CMIP6 models (2020-2052) for SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, we employ the rainfall-runoff Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning Hydrological Bureau's Water Balance Model (HBV)-Light model to predict future streamflow. Drought characteristics are analyzed. Under SSP5-8.5, CanEsm5 shows substantial temperature and runoff increases, notably in Bakhtiari and Borujerd sub-basins (63% and 56%). Future droughts are expected to intensify, particularly under SSP5-8.5. The most severe HMDI-derived drought (HMDI 12) in Borujerd station is projected to increase from -43.44 to -44.05. SSP5-8.5 is likelier to cause severe and prolonged HMDI-derived droughts than SSP1-2.6 or the historical period. The analysis suggests that normal drought levels will persist, while mild and severe drought levels will rise in the future. HIGHLIGHTS Using CMIP6 to assess the impact of climate change.; Using compound drought index to monitor hydrological and meteorological drought.;

Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) has been growing massively recently. The Indonesia Stock Exchange has launched several indexes regarding companies concerned about Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG). Despite the development of the capital market and business, studies about investors' decisions to invest in SRI products are still limited. The present study aims to investigate the drivers of SRI participation of Indonesian investors. Young people have dominated the number of Indonesian investors. Hence, this study focuses on students as the target population, especially in Yogyakarta. This research is explanatory research, which seeks a causal relationship between the variables. The sampling technique used is convenience sampling. The data was collected through an online questionnaire spread to university students in Yogyakarta. Multiple regression analysis is employed to test the data. Financial literacy and knowledge of SRI positively and significantly impact investment intention in SRI. This research contributes to the literature by adding empirical results on how SRI knowledge and financial literacy affect intention in SRI participation. The result can be used as a reference for financial sector and capital market stakeholders to boost investment in SRI.

This study delves into the potential impacts of climate change on meteorological and hydrological droughts in the Western Ghats region of South India, a large and humid tropical region. Utilizing three drought indices—the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and Standardized Runoff Index (SRI), we assessed the historical drought patterns and projected future scenarios under different Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios (4.5 and 8.5). This comprehensive analysis encompassed three future time segments (near: 2021–2040, mid: 2041–2070, far: 2071–2100) and compared results with a base period (1989–2018). The study demonstrated that drought propagation is notably faster (around 3 months) in wet, humid tropical regions, highlighting the urgency of understanding its dynamics. Furthermore, the findings indicate that droughts are expected to increase in count and severity (> 100%) in the Western Ghats in future, accompanied by an accelerated propagation rate (around 2 months), with recovery rates for hydrological droughts being notably swift in this region. The study emphasizes the significant influence of regional conditions on drought propagation, leading to variations in its characteristics. Additionally, it underscores the potential of Pearson correlation analysis in providing approximate results for estimating drought propagation periods in the wet, humid tropical regions. These findings are significant in formulating effective risk mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the mounting challenges posed by drought in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies on China's arid and semi-arid regions, particularly the Tarim River Basin (TRB), have shown an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. This research examines the link between meteorological droughts, as measured by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and hydrological droughts, as indicated by the Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) and the Standardized Terrestrial Water Storage Index (STI), over various time scales. Historical data indicate that SPEI drought frequency (DF) was 14.3–21.9%, with prevalent events in the northern oases. SRI DF ranged from 9.0% to 35.8%, concentrated around the Taklamakan and Kumtag Deserts, while STI DF varied between 4.4% and 32.7%, averaging 15% basin-wide. Future projections show an increased DF of SPEI in deserts and a decrease in oases; SRI DF decreased in deserts but increased in oases. STI changes were more moderate. The study also found a higher risk of drought progression from SPEI to SRI in the southwestern and northeastern oases, exceeding 50% probability, while central and eastern TRB had lower risks. The western TRB and inner Taklamakan Desert faced higher risks of SPEI to STI progression, with probabilities over 45%, in contrast to the lower risks in the eastern and central oases. The concurrence of SRI/STI with moderate to extreme SPEI droughts led to a higher probability and area of SRI/STI droughts, whereas consistent SPEI types showed a reduced induced probability and extent of SRI/STI droughts. This study enhances the understanding of drought propagation from meteorological to hydrological droughts in the TRB and contributes to the prevention of hydrological drought to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensification of the regional water cycle resulting from climate change, coupled with the influence of human activities, has brought about alterations in the frequency, scale, and intensity of droughts. In this study, based on hydrological big data and the standardized runoff drought index (SRI), the multi-scale spatiotemporal evolution of hydrological drought in China from 1948 to 2014 was analyzed using the run-length theory and gravity center model. Meanwhile, the hydrological drought hazard index was constructed to analyze the distribution of the hazard levels of drought in China. The results showed that, during 1948~2014, there was an opposite spatial distribution between the average intensity and the average coverage–duration–frequency of drought in the Yellow River Basin, Haihe River Basin and southeastern river basins. The drought situation in most river basins in China has shown an aggravating trend, among which the southeastern river basins, Haihe River Basin, Songliao River Basin and Pearl River Basin have generally shown an aggravating trend. The drought situation in China was severe in the 1950s and 1960s, gradually reduced in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and the drought situation was the mildest in the 1990s. After entering the 21st century, the drought situation began to worsen sharply. Meanwhile, from 1948 to 2014, the hazard level of drought generally presented a pattern of high in the west and north, and low in the east and south. The hazard levels of drought in the northwest and northeast were generally higher, and those in the southwest and southeast regions were generally lower. In general, the hazard levels of drought were relatively high in most areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We study whether the substantial rise in passive ownership reshapes activist shareholders' behavior in sponsoring shareholder proposals, which shareholders use to address issues they believe are crucial for the sustainable growth of a company. Our findings reveal a positive impact of passive investors on the initiation of governance, socially responsible investing (SRI), and an aggregate of both proposals. Interestingly, we show that managerial ability and board co-option potentially moderate their link. In the subsequent analysis, we note a constructive influence of passive investors on post-initiation outcomes, evidenced by an increase in withdrawal and voting percentage of proposals corresponding to heightened levels of passive ownership. These findings suggest that passive investors foster communication between activists and management and endorse the case even when it progresses to the voting stage. More importantly, the market values these proposals positively as reflected in higher observed buy-and-hold returns. Finally, our results are robust to instrumental variable analysis using Russell reconstitution as an exogenous shock. Taken together, our study offers broad implications that passive investors can indirectly engage in promoting sustainable practices by encouraging activist investors to sponsor governance and socially responsible proposals, a collaborative approach where shareholders contribute to sustainability efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to obtain appropriate indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi types and determine the right dosage of phosphate fertilizer to increase rice yields under the System of Rice Intensification Cultivation. The research design used a factorial randomised block design with three replications. Factor I was a type of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus sp. 2, Glomus sp. 3, and Sclerocystis sp) on Agam river sand media with the number of spores being 120 spores per 100 grams of sand media. The dose of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was1.6 tons/ha or 15 g/plant. Factor II was the dose of phosphate fertilizer (P = 0%, P1 = 25%, P2 = 50%, and P3 = 75%) of the recommended dose which was applied for each treatment at these rates:: P = 0 g/plot, P1 = 20 g/plot, P2 = 40 g/plot, and P3 = 60 g/plot. The data was analsed for variance using the SAS program. The results showed that Glomus sp. 3 with 50% phosphate fertilizer efficiency had statistically significant different results (p <0.05) for plant height, number of tillers, number of panicles, number of filled grains, weight of 1000 seeds, and yield per hectare compared to the other treatments. The nutrient content of paddy fields pH, CN-ratio, total N, P available and CEC showed a statistically significant difference between the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi types and the P fertilizer efficiency treatment. No statistically significant difference was found in the CN ratio between Glomus sp. 3 and Sclerocystis sp., but there was a statistically significant difference from Glomus sp. 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the scheduling plan for extreme hydrological events and severe drought and flood risks in the Minjiang River Basin, this paper employs the standardized runoff index SRI and standardized precipitation index SPI to identify and analyze the severe flood and drought risks in Minjiang River Basin according to the historical observation data of the basin.The results are as follows.①First, according to the drought and flood analysis on the time scale of year, there are four typical years in total including the typical drought years of 2003 and 2004 and the typical flood years of 1998 and 2016.The flood occurrence frequency is relatively low in the areas with high drought frequency in the Minjiang River Basin.②Second, according to the seasonal time scale analysis of drought and flood, the risk years of severe drought and flood in Minjiang River Basin in four seasons can be obtained, in which the spring and summer are dominated by extreme drought, and the autumn and winter are dominated by extreme flood.Meanwhile, the Z value of the four seasons SPI3 in Minjiang River Basin has a certain changing trend except in spring.In summary, the research results can provide basic data and technical support for coping with extreme hydrological events of drought and flood in the Minjiang River Basin in the future, and formulating emergency dispatching plans for severe drought and flood risks.

In this digital era, the rapid development of the financial industry has significantly impacted several factors, including financial technology. Fintech services have become the focus of new technology applications, and one of the impactful fintech sectors is crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a funding model that provides individual investors or a pool of investors to business owners of various new business ventures or social and cultural projects. Based on the crowdfunding phenomenon, there are currently many investors who are interested in funding several types of businesses. However, many investors or business owners are still unfamiliar with crowdfunding schemes, resulting in a lack of confidence in the funding schemes offered. In addition, crowdfunding aligns with the principles of Islamic finance, which avoids usury and promotes the equitable distribution of welfare. This research, based on published studies and indexed by Scopus, focuses on bibliometric research to explore the conceptual development of Islamic crowdfunding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grant-making foundations commonly use financial returns on investment in support of a public purpose. Recently, more attention has been given in academic research to the role of foundations as sustainable investors. According to the concept of socially responsible investing (SRI), foundations should integrate their social purposes into their investment strategies. However, foundations are also required to comply with national legal frameworks. Our research interest lies in those investment funds that are specifically developed for foundations in Germany. In this study, we answer two research questions: First, what are the characteristics of the market for foundation investment funds in Germany? Second, to what extent are foundation investment funds useful for foundations pursuing an SRI strategy? We build on a full sample comprising all 52 German foundation investment funds that are currently available and then use data from MSCI to apply a sustainability rating for these funds. With these data, we evaluate the financial performance of foundation investment funds in relation to their sustainability ratings. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) was used to reduce complexity in the dataset and detect similarities among a set of objects. Our findings differentiate between two distinct clusters of foundation investment funds. The first "discrete" cluster represents the majority of funds, and these funds are generally smaller with lower performance and lower levels of SRI conformity. The funds in the second "attached" cluster are generally larger, more diversified, and have higher performance. Finally, we call for further research offer implications for both fund managers and foundation asset managers. Plain Language Summary: Shortcommings in sustainable investing through foundation investment funds Grant-making foundations commonly use financial returns on investment in support of a public purpose. Recently, more attention has been given in academic research to the role of foundations as sustainable investors. According to the concept of socially responsible investing (SRI), foundations should integrate their social purposes into their investment strategies. However, foundations are also required to comply with national legal frameworks. Analyzing the performance of specific foundation investment funds in Germany we find two distinct clusters. The first "discrete" cluster represents the majority of funds, and these funds are generally smaller with lower performance and lower levels of SRI conformity. The funds in the second "attached" cluster are generally larger, more diversified, and have higher performance. This study highlights the need for foundations to develop their own SRI investment policies and thoroughly check the investment vehicles they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, investors have shown significant interest in responsible investment products, including sustainable and ESG screened index funds. A natural concern for prospective investors in such funds is that a sustainable fund might underperform its classical unscreened counterpart. This paper argues that this underperformance risk can be analyzed by way of an option to exchange one asset for another, and we derive a simple formula that quantifies the fair annual insurance premium for covering this risk. Only a single parameter is needed to apply the formula. This parameter – a relative index volatility – is readily estimated from market data. Our empirical work utilizes data from BlackRock's ETF (iShares) universe to estimate the cost of insuring against underperformance risk of some common ESG screened funds. We find that the fair cost of underperformance insurance typically corresponds to sacrificing in advance between 0.5% and 3.0% of the annual return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the comparison of stock performance as measured using the return and risk of stock portfolios of ethical and non-ethical companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Portfolio formation using a single index model during 2016-2019. The data analysis technique uses an independent sample t-test with a significance level of 5%. The results showed that there were no differences in portfolio return and risk. The average portfolio return is 0.22% for ethical stocks and 0.27% for non-ethical stocks. There is also no significant difference in portfolio risk, 0.87% for ethical stock portfolios and 0.99% for non-ethical stocks. This research has implications for investors who are interested in ethical stocks where they don't have to worry about high portfolio risk and low returns because the results show that the SRI KEHATI index stock portfolio provides the same level of risk and return as the LQ45 index stock portfolio.

Rice stands as an important staple crop in Indonesia and Asia, prompting endeavors to enhance its production. One such technology, aimed at intensifying rice cultivation, involves optimizing plant density utilizing the "jajar legowo" system. This research was conducted within community rice fields located in Pasar Ambacang, Kuranji District, Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia, spanning from February 2020 to June 2020. The primary objective of this study was to assess the potential of the jajar legowo planting system, in conjunction with varying dosages of kieserite, to increase lowland rice yields. The study employed a two-factor experiment in a completely randomized design. The first factor is the jajar legowo types: A (25 cm x 12.5 cm x 50 cm) and B (25 cm x 25 cm x 50 cm). The second factor involved different kieserite dosages, comprising three levels (0, 150, 300 kg.ha-1). Each treatment combination was replicated four times. Our investigation unveiled that rice panicle length reached 27.20 cm under the influence of jajar legowo type A with a kieserite dosage of 150 kg.ha-1. Conversely, with the application of jajar legowo type B alongside a kieserite dose of 300 kg.ha-1, the rice panicle length increased to 27.88 cm. The highest yield was obtained with jajar legowo type A at a dose of 300 kg.ha-1, producing 5.35 tons.ha-1. It is recommended to implement the jajar legowo type A cropping pattern with the addition of 150 kg.ha-1 of kieserite, or jajar legowo type B with the addition of 300 kg.ha-1 of kieserite.

In this research work, copula-based methodology is adopted to analyze the hydrological drought frequency. Standardized Runoff Index SRI was calculated using monthly-streamflow data for 50 years of two gauging stations in the northern region of Iraq. The drought duration and severity were extracted using run theory. Three Archimedean family and Gaussian copulas were used and compared to select the most appropriate copula model for bivariate frequency analysis of hydrological-drought characteristics. The dependence between drought duration and drought severity was estimated by Pearson's, Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau correlations. Various probability distributions were utilized to determine the best fit marginal distributions for drought characteristic variables based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-squared statistics. Uni-variate and joint return periods were estimated and compared. Generally, the results indicate that Archimedean copulas performed better than the Gaussian copulas. Exponential and Weibull distributions are the best fit for drought duration and severity, respectively, except for drought severity in case of the 9-month time scale at Lesser Zab region, where lognormal distribution was chosen. The current study can give helpful information for droughtrisk assessment and water-resource management under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]