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PurposeAlthough the circular economy is widely regarded as an essential strategy for firms, the present understanding of the drivers and outcomes of circular economy implementation is underdeveloped. In this paper, the authors draw on the natural resource-based view and information processing theory to explore how an environmental orientation and digital supply chain platforms promote circular economy implementation, and increase the impact of circular economy implementation on financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors surveyed 249 Chinese firms and used hierarchical regression analysis to test hypotheses.FindingsThe empirical results reveal that three primary modes of circular economy implementation—reinvent and rethink (INV), restore, reduce and avoid (RRA), and recirculate (REC)—are all driven by environmental orientation and digital supply chain platforms. More interestingly, digital supply chain platforms have an inverted U-shaped moderating effect on the relationships between environmental orientation and INV and between environmental orientation and RRA. Most importantly, INV and RRA are positively related to financial performance, whereas REC does not have a significant relationship with financial performance.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the literature on the circular economy by revealing new drivers and outcomes of different modes of its implementation. Additionally, the findings have implications for how firms should frame their circular economy initiatives in the context of the digital revolution.

IntroductionAs a crucial technological tool for ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products, the traceability system is of great importance in the agricultural sector. However, farmers’ participation in the system, especially among small-scale farmers, remains relatively low.MethodsThis study investigates the factors that influence farmers’ intentions to participate in traceability systems by integrating moral norms and policy support into the technology acceptance model (TAM) and using a three-stage approach of structural equation modeling (SEM), artificial neural network (ANN), and necessary condition analysis (NCA).ResultsThe findings indicated that farmers’ intentions were primarily influenced by perceived usefulness. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were strongly affected by moral norms and policy support. To promote farmers’ intentions, it is necessary to achieve at least 75, 66.7, 45.5, and 50% of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, moral norms, and policy support, respectively.DiscussionThese findings provide valuable guidance to government agencies and technology developers in prioritizing adoption strategies. This study not only expands the scope of TAM research, but also represents an early application of a three-stage approach to agricultural technology adoption research.

IntroductionThe primary objective of this study is to examine the factors that affect farmers’ willingness to engage in traceability systems. Traceability systems are widely promoted as technologies that ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products. However, the participation rate of farmers in developing countries remains low.MethodsTo empirically address this issue, the study analyzed structured interview data from 408 fruit farmers in Henan Province, Central China, using structural equation modeling and system dynamics.ResultsThe results indicate that attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, moral norms, and safety awareness are crucial factors influencing farmers’ willingness to engage. It is particularly noteworthy that system dynamics simulations revealed the significant role of improving attitude and subjective norms in promoting farmers’ willingness. Moreover, subjective norms have a positive influence on moral norms. We also found that gender, education, orchard area, income and access to credit have a significant positive impact on farmers’ willingness to engage.DiscussionBy uncovering the internal decision-making mechanisms behind farmers’ engagement in traceability systems, this study extends the research scope of agricultural technology adoption. These findings can serve as a basis for formulating traceability system policies and interventions in China and other developing countries.

The “lemon effect,” which is the result of information asymmetry and barriers to trust, poses serious challenges to the sustainable development of green agricultural products. Therefore, enhancing consumers’ trust is critical to maintain sustainable purchasing behavior. Information transparency has been widely attention as a marketing tool, and previous research related to agricultural products has focused on the visible information. Based on signaling theory, this study takes an invisible information perspective and empirically investigates how production information transparency of green agricultural products affects consumer trust and online purchasing behavior. The results of structural equation modeling analysis show that production technology information transparency and production means information transparency have different effects on the dimensions of consumer trust (in competence and benevolence). Moreover, trust in competence has a significant positive impact on trust in benevolence; they both have significant impacts on consumers’ online green purchase behavior. The results of this study contribute to signaling theory and the product transparency literature, and offer significant implications to practitioners of the green agricultural sectors.

Background and objective Calcaneal Sanders type II or III fractures are highly disabling with significant burden. Surgical treatment modalities include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) techniques and a variety of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches. ORIF techniques are associated with complications and traditional MIS techniques need extensive intraoperative fluoroscopic procedures. The present study aims to investigate the effects of three different minimally invasive internal fixation (MIIF) techniques used to treat Sanders type II intra-articular calcaneal fractures using finite element analyses. Methods A 64-row spiral computed tomography scan was used to observe the calcaneus of a healthy adult. The scanning data were imported into Mimics in a DICOM format. Using a new model of a Sanders type II-B intra-articular calcaneal fracture, three minimally invasive techniques were simulated. Technique A involved fixation using an isolated minimally invasive locking plate; Technique B used a minimally invasive locking plate with one medial support screw; and Technique C simulated a screw fixation technique using four 4.0-mm screws. After simulating a 640-N load on the subtalar facet, the maximum displacement and von Mises stress of fragments and implants were recorded to evaluate the biomechanical stability of different fixation techniques using finite element analyses. Results After stress loading, the maximum displacements of the fragments and implants were located at the sustentaculum tali and the tip of sustentaculum tali screw, respectively, in the three techniques; however, among the three techniques, Technique B had better results for displacement of both. The maximum von Mises stress on the fragments was < 56 Mpa, and stress on the implants using the three techniques was less than the yield strength , with Technique C having the least stress. Conclusion All three techniques were successful in providing a stable fixation for Sanders type II intra-articular calcaneal fractures, while the minimally invasive calcaneal locking plate with medial support screw fixation approach exhibited greater stability, leading to improved enhancement for the facet fragment; however, screw fixation dispersed the stress more effectively than the other two techniques.

Objective The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D)-printed screw guide-assisted percutaneous metatarsal transverse osteotomy (PMTO) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hallux valgus (HV). Methods A retrospective case analysis was used to collect the clinical data of 21 patients with mild-to-moderate HV admitted to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital between June 2022 and April 2023, all of whom were treated with 3D-printed screw guide-assisted PMTO, and to compare the pre- and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and the 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle (IMA). The duration of surgery and the shortening of the first metatarsal were recorded. The efficacy and function of the patients were assessed via the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Society (AOFAS) forefoot score and visual analogue score (VAS) preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Statistical analysis included normality assessment and internal comparisons (t tests for normally distributed quantitative data and the Mann‒Whitney U test for nonnormally distributed data). Results All patients underwent successful surgery with a mean follow-up of 24.1 ± 2.2 months without complications. The mean HVA and IMA were corrected to 11.2 ± 2.6° and 8.1 ± 1.4° from the preoperative values of 32.2 ± 5.0° and 12.6 ± 1.6°, respectively ( P  < 0.05). The mean shortening of the first metatarsal was 3.2 ± 1.0 mm. The average operative duration was 41.0 ± 2.3 min. The AOFAS forefoot and VAS scores improved from 59.7 ± 3.6 and 6.1 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 89.8 ± 4.3 and 0.7 ± 0.6 at the last follow-up, respectively ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion The use of 3D-printed screw guides, improving the safety and effectiveness of PMTO and shortening the operation time, is an effective, efficient and secure way to correct HV deformities. Level of evidence Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Purpose To investigate the treatment outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis (SA) in progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) patients, to assess the clinical efficacy in PCFD patients after HyProCure removal, and to evaluate safety and effectiveness of SA. Methods In this retrospective study, 202 cases (213 feet) of PCFD patients treated with SA from June 2015 to December 2022 were selected. General data and surgical information were recorded, and clinical efficacy was evaluated through imaging and clinical indicators. Furthermore, for 36 patients (36 feet) who underwent secondary surgery to remove HyProCure, imaging and clinical evaluation indicators at 1-year post-removal were recorded. Complications were also documented. Results The main complications were sinus tarsi pain (91.37%), with partial relief or disappearance of symptoms in some patients after conservative treatment. The imaging indicators improved significantly after SA ( P  < 0.01), and AOFAS score and VAS were significantly improved ( P  < 0.01), with a 100% excellent rate in patients one year after SA. For patients who removed HyProCure, the imaging indicators exhibited a significant improvement at preoperation and post-SA ( P  < 0.01), and no statistical difference was observed between post-SA and post-removal ( P  > 0.05). Regarding clinical indicators, AOFAS score at post-SA was difference compared with preoperation and post-removal separately ( P  < 0.01). However, the difference in VAS between preoperation and post-SA was not statistically significant ( P  > 0.05). Notably, there was a significant improvement at post-removal compared with post-SA ( P  < 0.01). Conclusion PCFD patients showed significant improvement in imaging and clinical evaluations after SA, with no significant flatfoot recurrence in patients who had HyProCure removed. Therefore, the application of HyProCure in SA can be considered a safe and effective surgical treatment for PCFD patients.

Background Flatfoot is a common foot disorder involving progressive foot deformity of the three‐dimensional structures of the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. Currently, Chinese surgeons and patients favor subtalar arthroereisis (SA) due to its minimally invasive and low‐damage characteristics. HyProCure device is widely used. However, there is limited analysis of large sample sizes. This study utilized statistical evaluation with a large sample size to analyze clinical characteristics trends of SA for flatfoot, including baseline indicators, selection of HyProCure size and surgical strategy, complications, and implant removal. This study will enhance the understanding of SA in China. Methods A retrospective analysis of 732 patients (1008 ft) who underwent SA from June 2015 to June 2023, with 509 pediatric and adolescent patients (772 ft) and 223 adult patients (236 ft). Based on the patient's age, patients aged ≤ 18 were included in the children and adolescent group, while adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) patients aged > 18 were included in the adult group. General data was collected, including patient sex, age, side, body mass index (BMI), surgery date, HyproCure size, and surgical data, and trends were analyzed. Postoperative complications and HyProCure removal were collected as outcome measures during follow‐up. Results The age of patients treated with SA was gradually getting younger, with male patients predominating, mainly concentrated in the 11–14 age group. HyProCure 7 has the highest usage rate. In the children and adolescent group, 288 ft (37.31%) only underwent SA. In the adult group, 18 ft (7.63%) only underwent SA. Complications include sinus tarsi pain, peroneal spasms, achilles tendon tension, and muscle strength decline. The complication rate in the children and adolescent group was 5.05%, while in the adult group it was 28.81%. Overall, it was 10.62%. The removal rate of HyProCure in the children and adolescent group is 1.04%, in the adult group is 15.25%, and overall is 4.37%. Conclusions The trend in flatfoot treated with SA was towards children and adolescent male patients, and sinus tarsi pain was the most common complication after SA. The complication rate and removal rate in the children and adolescent group were lower than those in the adult group. HyProCure can be removed without additional adverse effects. We intend to conduct a retrospective analysis of patients with subtalar arthroereisis (SA) to explore the distribution trend of clinical features. First, patient collection began in 2015, and inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were established. Since the best indication of SA is flatfoot patients aged 10–12 years, we decided to compare the two populations of children and adolescents with adults, and to explore the differences between male and female patients. Data collection included general data and surgical data. After data collection, all data is analyzed.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought global poverty to the forefront, and existing research suggests that socially responsible supply chains play an important role in poverty alleviation. However, there is limited research on how to improve the performance of socially responsible supply chains. This study innovatively chooses a dual perspective, i.e., companies and farmers in contract farming, the dominant model of socially responsible supply chains in Chinese agriculture, as the research object. Furthermore, it examines the role of social capital on the performance of socially responsible supply chains, as well as the moderating role of supply chain transparency, in order to find out how to improve the stakeholder performance. The empirical results found that the factors affecting socially responsible supply chain performance differed between the dual perspectives. From the firm’s perspective, all three dimensions of social capital (shared values, communication and reciprocity) have a significant positive effect on socially responsible supply chain performance (income increase), while supply chain transparency only positively moderates between communication and income increase. From the farmers’ perspective, only reciprocity and shared values had a significant positive effect on income increase; interestingly, supply chain transparency negatively moderated the relationship between reciprocity and income increase. This study expands the role of social capital theory, and the dual perspective examination provides insights for performance improvement of companies and farmers in socially responsible supply chains, as well as guidance for promoting sustainable social development.

Purpose Although subtalar arthroereisis (SA) with HyProCure is increasingly utilized for progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD), evidence regarding risk factors for complications remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the influencing factors and correlations of sinus tarsi pain and implant removal in PCFD patients after SA utilizing the HyProCure device. Methods A retrospective study was conducted involving 223 patients (236 ft) diagnosed with PCFD who underwent SA from June 2015 to June 2023. General data and surgical data such as patient gender, age, body mass index (BMI), surgical side, any adjunctive surgeries, length of stay, HyProCure size, and HyProCure depth were collected. Complications were also recorded. Statistical analysis included normality assessment, inter‐group comparisons (t‐tests for normal quantitative data, Mann–Whitney U for non‐normal data, and chi‐square for categorical variables). Spearman correlation analyzed factors associated with sinus tarsi pain and implant removal. Binary logistic regression identified risk factors. Results From 2015 to 2023, a total of 60 cases with sinus tarsi pain, with an incidence rate of 25.42%. Spearman correlation analysis showed that sinus tarsi pain was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.159, p = 0.014), length of stay (r = 0.165, p = 0.011), and HyProCure depth (r = 0.501, p < 0.01). HyProCure removal was positively correlated with HyProCure depth (r = 0.521, p < 0.01) and sinus tarsi pain (r = 0.700, p < 0.01). In the analysis of sinus tarsi pain, the primary risk factor in patients with PCFD was identified as length of stay (OR = 1.456, 95% CI 1.113–1.904) and HyProCure depth (OR = 2.156, 95% CI 1.690–2.750), both of which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the cases of sinus tarsi pain, 36 patients underwent HyProCure removal, leading to an incidence rate of 15.25%. Regarding the removal of HyProCure, the primary risk factor identified was HyProCure depth (OR = 2.531, 95% CI 1.849–3.463), which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In particular, no significant correlation was observed between HyProCure size and sinus tarsi pain or implant removal (p > 0.05). Conclusion In patients with PCFD, length of stay was correlated with the incidence of sinus tarsi pain. Additionally, HyProCure depth was linked to both the incidence of sinus tarsi pain and HyProCure removal. Our research suggests that the prognosis is better for PCFD patients with a shorter length of stay and a reduced HyProCure depth. Level of Evidence: Level III, Retrospective Comparative Study. The risk factor of sinus tarsi pain in patients with PCFD was identified as length of stay and HyProCure depth. Among the cases of HyProCure removal, the risk factor identified was HyProCure depth. These will provide a research basis for the influencing factors of sinus tarsi pain and HyProCure removal.