Does Green Food Certification promote agri-food export quality?Evidence from China

The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with its HS6-digit export data of agri-food products to quantify the impact of Green Food Certification on export quality. We identify the significant and positive effect of Green Food Certification on export quality. The 2SLS estimation based on instrumental variables and a range of robustness checks confirm the validity and robustness of the benchmark conclusions. Further analysis discloses that Green Food Certification improves export quality by raising agricultural production efficiency and brand premiums. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of Green Food Certification varies across regions, notably improving the quality of agri-food products exported to developed regions and regions with high levels of import supervision. Furthermore, among various product types, Green Food Certification significantly improves the export quality of primary products and products vulnerable to non-tariff measures. The above findings could guide the future development of agri-food quality certification systems, potentially leading to a transformation and promotion of the agri-food trade.

Co-incorporating green manure and crop straw increases crop productivity and improves soil quality with low greenhouse-gas emissions in a crop rotation

In a nine-year field experiment in a wheat-maize-sunflower cropping system in Hetao Irrigation Area,Inner Mongolia,China,organic amendments applied as straw,manure,green manure,and the combination of green manure and straw increased wheat and maize yield,soil aggregate stability,and soil microbial activity in comparison with chemical fertilizer,without changing greenhouse gas emission intensity.

Research on the Impact of China’s Foreign Trade Technology Spillover on Green Total Factor Productivity of Countries Along the“Belt and Road”:Based on the Institutional Quality Threshold Effect

China’s growing trade with countries along the“Belt and Road”Initiative is accompanied by a focus on green development.Based on the panel data from 2007 to 2018,this paper establishes a threshold regression model to empirically analyze the institutional quality threshold effect of China’s foreign trade technology spillover on the GTFP of countries along the“Belt and Road.”The results show that China’s foreign trade technology spillover has a significant institutional quality double threshold effect on the green total factor productivity of the countries along the“Belt and Road.”As the institutional quality of the countries along the“Belt and Road”crosses a specific threshold value,the impact of China’s foreign trade technology spillover on the green total factor productivity of the countries along the“Belt and Road”has a significant positive promoting effect,and corresponding suggestions are put forward.

Research on Quality Management Measures of Green Building Construction

Urbanization has led to the rapid development of the construction industry.However,this has also led to higher requirements for the construction engineering management.Other than the quality monitoring of engineering construction,the energy-saving properties of the building should also be considered.Therefore,a scientific management approach should be adopted to improve green building management.This paper primarily examines the importance of quality management in green building construction,along with the factors influencing it.It also identifies the quality issues present in current green building construction.Finally,it proposes measures for quality management in the green building construction process to facilitate the industry’s healthy development.

Coupling and coordination relationship of tourism inclusive green growth system:Evidence from Shandong Province

Sustainable growth is a prerequisite for high-quality development,and inclusive green growth is regarded as an important way to realize sustainable growth.This paper constructs a tourism inclusive green growth index(IGGI)system based on the 2018 Asian Development Bank IGGI.Using Shandong Province from 2017 to 2019,the entropy weight method is utilized to explore the degree of coupling and coordination among the subsystems of tourism inclusive green growth.The study shows that:(1)the tourism IGGI continues to grow;(2)in the tourism inclusive green growth system,the social equity subsystem shows a trend of steady improvement;and(3)in the system,there is a slight discordance between the economic growth subsystem and the environmental sustainability subsystem.The study aims to provide the scientific basis for the high-quality development of tourism and theoretical support for the field of tourism and environmental sustainability.

平面星体的一类Green-Osher不等式

基于文献[4]的研究,利用平面星体和对偶混合体积的性质证明了平面星体的一类Green-Osher不等式,并得到了该不等式等号成立的充要条件是两平面星体位似。

Effects of Astragalus Powder on Serum Lipid and Body Fat Content of Fast Large-scale Quality Chickens

[ Objective] To study the effects of astragalus powder on serum lipids and body fat contents of fast large-scale quality chickens, and thus provide a theoretical basis for its application in poultry production,[ Method ] All the 180 1-day-old healthy Liangfeng chickens were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 was the control group, fed with basal diet; group 2, group 3 and group 4 were fed with basal diet added with 0.75%, 1.0% and 1.25% astragalus powder, respectively; group 5 and group 6 were separately fed with basal diet added with 1.0% and 1.25% astragalus pow- der, but the astragalus powder was used for 10 d and then was forbidden for 10 d in turn during the whole experiment. The content of triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TCHO）, high-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol （ HDL-C）, and low-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol （LDL-C） were respectively determined when the chickens were 35-day-old and 63-day-old, while the percentage of abdominal fat （PAF） as well as intramuscular fat （IMF） and subcutaneous fat ply （SFP） was measured when the chickens were 63-day-old. [ Result] In 35-day-old chickens, the levels of TCHO were sig- nificantly or very significantly lower in group 3, group 4, and group 6 than in control group （ P 〈0.05 or 0.01 ） ; the levels of LDL-C significantly lower in group 3 and group 6 （ P〈0. 05） ; the level of HDL-C significantly higher in group 5 （P〈0.05）. In 63-day-old chickens, the levels of TCHO and LDL-C were significantly or very significantly lower in group 3, group 4, and group 5 than in control group （ P 〈 0.05 or 0.01 ） while the levels of HDL-C were significantly higher in these groups; the PAF was significantly lower in group 3 （ P 〈 0.05）. [ Condasion] Astragalus powder should re- duce the levels of TG, TCHO and LDL-C, promote HDL-C content, and also play a certain regulative role in deposition of abdominal fat.

Do reproductive hormones explain the association between body mass index and semen quality？

Aim： To examine whether reproductive hormones play a role in the association between body mass index （BMI） and semen quality. Methods： Semen quality and testosterone （T）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） and estradiol （E2） were evaluated in 990 fertile males with age 38.9 ± 9.7 （mean ＋ SD） years recruited from the Chinese general population in 2001 and 2002. Results： Semen quality was reduced among underweight （BMI 〈 18.5） compared with normal （BMI 18.5-24.9） and overweight （BMI 25.0-29.9）, but the associations were independent of reproductive hormones. After adjustment for the potential confounders, underweight men had reductions in sperm concentration （22.4 × 10^6/mL）, total sperm count （52.9× 10^6） and percentage of normal sperm forms （6.9%） compared with men with normal BMI. Being underweight may be a risk factor for low sperm concentration （OR： 4.68, 95% confidence intervals [CI]： 2.01-10.91）. Otherwise, being overweight may be a protected factor for low sperm concentration （OR： 0.25; 95% CI： 0.08-0.83） and low total sperm count （OR： 0.37, 95% CI： 0.15-0.87）. Conclusion： Low BMI was associated with reduced semen quality. The associations between BMI and semen quality were found statistically significant even after adjustment for reproductive hormones. Reproductive hormones cannot explain the association between BMI and semen quality.

Effects of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Postharvest Physiology and Storage Quality of Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.var.Longrum)

The effects of treatment of chlorine dioxide （C1Oz） gas on postharvest physiology and preservation quality of green bell peppers were studied. Green bell peppers were collected in bags and treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg L^-1 ClO2 gas at 10±0.5℃ for over 40 d, and the changes in postharvest physiology and preservation quality of the peppers were evaluated during the storage. The inhibition of rot of the peppers was observed for all the tested ClO2 gas treatments. The rot rates of the treated samples were 50% lesser than those of the control after day 40 of storage. The highest inhibitory effect was obtained after 50 mg L^-1 ClO2 gas treatment, where the peppers did not decay until day 30 and showed only one-fourth of the rot rate of the control at day 40 of storage. The respiratory activity of the peppers was significantly （P〈0.05） inhibited by 20 and 50 mg L^-1 ClO2 treatments, whereas no significant effects on respiratory activity were observed with 5 and 10 mg L^-1 ClO2 treatments （P〉0.05）. Except for 50 mg L^-1 ClO2, malondialdenyde （MDA） contents in the peppers treated with 5, 10, or 20 mg L^-1 ClO2 were not significantly （P〉0.05） different from those in the control. Degradation of chlorophyll in the peppers was delayed by 5 mg L-1ClO2, but promoted by 10, 20, or 50 mg L^-1 ClO2. The vitamin C content, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids of the peppers treated by all the tested ClO2 gas did not significantly change during the storage. The results suggested that ClO2 gas treatment effectively delayed the postharvest physiological transformation of green peppers, inhibited decay and respiration, maintained some nutritional and sensory quality, and retarded MDA accumulation.

Effect of Different Temperatures on Microbes and Its Quality of Green Pepper During Circulation

[Objective] The aim was to study on effect of different temperatures on microbes and its quality of green pepper during circulation. [Method] Measurement was conducted on change of colibacillus, salmonella, Listeria number, and its quality of green pepper stored at 9 and 20 ℃ respectively. The green peppers stored at 9 ℃ for 16 d were under simulated sale. In addition, effects of microbe number of green peppers stored at 20 ℃ for 4 d by different washing methods were measured. [Result] Indices of green pepper were different when green peppers were stored for 16 d at 9 ℃ and sold at 20 ℃ after 16 d storage. Specifically, under the former condition, sensory quality, weight-loss rate, Vc content, chlorophyll content and soluble protein were 4.1, 1.79%, 95.6, 20.3, and 93.3 mg/100 g; under the latter condition, the corresponding indices were 3.3, 3.87%, 81.2, 16.5, 85.6 mg/100 g, respectively. Colibacillus numbers for green pepper stored 16 d at 9 ℃, sold for 1 d at 20 ℃ after 16 d storage and stored for 4 d at 20 ℃ were 46, 3.2×103 and 3.1×104 cfu/g; during the test, salmonella and Listeria were not found; colibacillus in green pepper could be eliminated by 1×10-3 ml/L of chloros and most colibacillus in green pepper could be cleared away by 1 drop/L of detergent and running water. [Conclusion] Stored at 9 ℃, quality of green pepper could be better preserved and colibacillus propagation could be controlled.

Green coffee bean extract improves obesity by decreasing body fat in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective:To evaluate possible lipid catabolism and body fat regulation effects of 3-caffeoylquinic acid in Green coffee bean extract(GCBE) in high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice.Methods:Obesity was induced in mice using a HFD for four weeks.Then,mice were fed only HFD or HFD with GCBE at 50,100,and 200 mg/kg.Fatty acid synthesis mechanism regulation of body fat was investigated through real-time PCR and Western blot assay.Body fat reduction was measured through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results:In HFD-induced obese mice,GCBE treatment significantly decreased body weight gain,liver weight and white adipose tissue weights with regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis hormones,like adiponectin and leptin.GCBE treatment decreased mR NA expression levels of adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism related genes in adipose tissues and the liver,and decreased the corresponding protein expression.Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements were used to compare body fat between mice on high-fat and those treated with GCBE.GCBE treated mice had a lower fat mass compared to HFD alone fed mice and relative body weight and fat mass were markedly decreased.Conclusions:GCBE has a potential anti-obesity effect with lowering body fat accumulation by regulating adipogenesis and lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins in WAT and liver.

Side Wall Effects on the Hydrodynamics of a Floating Body by ImageGreen Function Based on TEBEM

A novel numerical model based on the image Green function and first-order Taylor expansion boundary element method(TEBEM), which can improve the accuracy of the hydrodynamic simulation for the non-smooth body, was developed to calculate the side wall effects on first-order motion responses and second-order drift loads upon offshore structures in the wave tank. This model was confirmed by comparing it to the results from experiments on hydrodynamic coefficients, namely the first-order motion response and second-order drift load upon a hemisphere, prolate spheroid, and box-shaped barge in the wave tank. Then,the hydrodynamics of the KVLCC2 model were also calculated in two wave tanks with different widths. It was concluded that this model can predict the hydrodynamics for offshore structures effectively, and the side wall has a significant impact on the firstorder quantities and second-order drift loads, which satisfied the resonant rule.

Leisure-time physical activity,anthropometrics,and body composition as predictors of quality of life domains after spinal cord injury:an exploratory cross-sectional study

The objective of the current work was to examine the relationships between quality of life(QOL)domains in persons with spinal cord injury(SCI)and their levels of weekly leisure-time physical activity(LTPA),anthropometric variables,and body composition variables.This exploratory cross-sectional study consisted of baseline data collected as part of a randomized clinical trial at a VA Medical Center and SCI center.A convenience sample of 36 community-dwelling persons with SCI participated in the current study.Outcome measures included the World Health Organization Quality of Life Short Form(WHOQOL-BREF),Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Spinal Cord Injury(LTPAQ-SCI),anthropomorphic measures(waist,hip,and abdominal circumference),and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry(DXA)to quantify regional and total body composition.Multiple regression models suggested that engagement in LTPA accounted for 35.7%of the variance in physical health QOL,33.5%in psychological QOL,14.2%in social relationships QOL,and 38.2%in environmental QOL.Anthropometric measures accounted for 11.3%,3.1%,12.0%,and 6.7%of the variance in these QOL indices,respectively,and DXA indices accounted for 18.7%,17.5%,27.4%,and 21.9%.Within these models,the number of minutes of heavy LTPA per day uniquely predicted physical health QOL,the number of mild LTPA days per week uniquely predicted psychological QOL,and the amount of mild LTPA per day uniquely predicted environmental QOL.Bivariate analyses also suggested that android and trunk fat,as well as supine waist and abdominal circumferences,were positively associated with social relationships QOL.Encouraging individuals with SCI to engage in LTPA may robustly enhance multiple aspects of QOL while reducing the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic morbidities associated with SCI.Moreover,this may lead to a further understanding of how QOL may impact longitudinal intervention trials.The study protocol and procedures were reviewed and approved by the McGuire VA Research Institutional Review Board(IRB#02152,approval date August 9,2015;IRB#02375,approval date May 2,2018).

From the Green's Function in Tight-Binding Representation to Interatomic Many-body Potentials

In this paper, we deduce the analytical form of many-body interatomic potentials based on the Green's function in tight-binding representation. The many-body potentials are expressed as the functions of the hopping integrals which are the physical origin of cohesion of atoms. For thesimple case of s-valent system, the inversion of the many-body potentials are discussed in detail by using the lattice inversion method.

Effects of Amount of Green Manure Returned to Field on Yield and Quality of Flue-cured Tobacco

The effects of amount of green manure returned to field on yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco were studied by field experiment. The results showed that significant positive correlation existed between tobacco leaf yield and small or moderate amount of green manure returned to field. Path analysis showed that moderate amount of green manure returned to field affected yield and quality of tobacco leaves, small green manure returned to field mainly affected leaf yield, while large amount of green manure returned to field mainly affected leaf quality. Therefore, the effect of moderate amount of green manure returned to field on yield and quality of tobacco leaves was best, and moderate amount of green manure returned to field was recommended in production of flue-cured tobacco.

Improvement of Fiber Quality by Distant Hybridization in the Green Cotton

In order to improve fiber quality of green cotton,a wide hybrid was used between a green fiber cotton and Sea Island cotton.The results show that the hybrid F1 plants were stable,but F2

TECHNIQUES ABOUT DIRECT OPTIMIZING CONTROL OF GREEN SAND QUALITY

Green sand casting is still a main method in the world at present and it isvery significant to develop the technology of controlling green sand quality. A new concept, fromcontents test to contents control, is advanced. In order to realize the new idea, a new method toon-line test active clay and moisture of green sand - double powers energizing alternately (DPEA)method is put forwards. The principle of the new method is to energize standard sand sample with ACand DC powers and to test the electric parameters, and then, to calculate active clay and moistureof green sand by using artificial neural network (ANN). Based on this new method, a directoptimizing system for controlling green sand quality is developed. Techniques about testing andcontrolling methods, hardware and software are discussed.

Correlation Study on Body Size,Sexual Behavior and Semen Quality of Dezhou Donkey

[ Objective] The study was to explore whether the body size, sexual behavior of male donkey had certain correlation with reproductive traits. [ Method] The data of body weight, body size and sexual behavior of male donkey during production were collected, combining with the semen quality data of ejaculation volume, density, motility and frozen-thawed semen motility were conducted the statistical analysis. [ Results] （ 1 ） Single ejaculation volume had a positive correlation with body height （r = 0. 423, P = 0. 044） and penis circumference （r = 0. 495, P = 0. 043 ） , and total number of sperm per ejaculate had a positiw： correlation with body weight （r = 0. 444, P = 0. 036） and scrotal circumference （r = 0. 520, P = 0. 039） ; （2） Ejaculation volume was negatively correlated with mount times （r = -0. 159, P = 0. 035） and erection time （r = -0. 181, P = 0. 023）, semen density was negatively correlated with mating time （r = - 0.211, P = 0.004）, and total sperm count was negatively correlated with erection time （r = - 0. 159 , P = 0. 047）. [Condusion ] The quality of semen had a certain correlation with body size, body weight and sexual behavior.

Certain Grain Food Patterns Are Associated with Improved 2015 Dietary Guidelines Shortfall Nutrient Intakes, Diet Quality, and Lower Body Weight in US Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2010

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify commonly consumed grain food patterns in US adults (≥19 years old;N = 14,384) and compare nutrient intakes, with focus on 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines’ shortfall nutrients, diet quality, and health parameters of those consuming various grain food patterns to those not consuming grains. Methods: This study conducted secondary analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2010. Cluster analysis was used and identified 8 grain patterns: 1) no consumption of main grain groups, 2) crackers and salty snacks, 3) yeast breads and rolls, 4) cakes, cookies, and pies, 5) cereals, 6) pasta, cooked cereals and rice, 7) quick breads, and 8) mixed grains. Results: Adults consuming “cereals”, “pasta, cooked cereals and rice”, and “mixed grains” had a better diet quality compared to no grains. Consuming many, but not all, of the grain food patterns resulted in less saturated fat and lower added sugars. Adults consuming “cereals”, “pasta, cooked cereals and rice” and “quick breads” had greater dietary fiber intake vs. no grains group. Calcium intake was increased in the cereals group, while magnesium intake was greater in adults consuming “cereals” and “pasta, cooked cereals and rice” vs. no grains. Vitamin D (D2 + D3) intake was higher in adults consuming “cereals”, “pasta, cooked cereals and rice”, and “mixed grains” vs. no grain group. Adults consuming “pasta, cooked cereals and rice” had lower body weights (79.1 ± 0.7 vs. 82.5 ± 1.2 kg;P = 0.009) and waist circumference (95.2 ± 0.6 vs. 98.2 ± 1.0 cm;P = 0.004) in comparison to those consuming no grains. Conclusions: Certain grain food patterns are associated with greater 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines’ shortfall nutrients, better diet quality and lower body weights in adults. Additionally, certain grain food patterns are associated with lower intake of nutrients to limit, including saturated fat and added sugars.

Body Size as an Indicator of Health for Green Turtles at the TCMP （Tobago Cays Marine Park）, Eastern Caribbean

Gazetted in 1997, The TCMP （Tobago Cays Marine Park） is the only marine protected area within the territorial boundaries of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Sea turtles are an important species in TCMP, and because their globally endangered status have become the focus of an in-water monitoring program, primarily for green turtles （Chelonia mydas）. Preliminary assessment indicated that the TCMP contains an important foraging aggregation of sub-adult green turtles. Since then two additional years of data has been collected; this data was analyzed to assess the health of the turtle population. The data also indicated that the weight was predictable according to carapace width and length and that the population is dominated by larger sub-adults.