The present study was to systematically evaluate different licorice flavonoids (LFs) compounds release behaviors from the single payload hydrogel and LFs extracts hydrogels based on the drug solubility in the release medium (DSRM), intermolecular strength of the hydrogel and the "release steric hindrance" (RSH). Two kinds of LFs (LFs 1: LFs 2 = 5:1, W/W) hydrogels were prepared with Carbopol 940 (CBP) as the thickener, and ten LFs single payload hydrogels were prepared according to the actual content in the LFs 1 extracts. The drug release mechanisms were confirmed by in vitro release experiments and molecular dynamic simulation analysis, and evaluated using novel indicators of ER_{LFs 1/Sin} (the enhancement ratio (ER) of drug release percent of LFs 1-CBP hydrogel to the single payload hydrogel), ER_{LFs 2/ LFs 1} (ER of drug release percent of LFs 2-CBP hydrogel to LFs 1-CBP hydrogel) and ER_{release medium} (ER of drug release percent in different release medium). We found that LFs 1-CBP possessed a significantly higher intermolecular strength and RSH than LFs 2-CBP, resulting in a higher viscosity, which had a positive correlation with the payload content and a negative correlation with the drug release percent. Therefore, the ER_{LFs 2/ LFs 1} values of ten LFs compounds were all higher than 1. For liquiritigenin and retrochalcone with higher DSRM, they displayed similar ER_{LFs 1/ Sin}, ER_{LFs 2/ LFs 1} and ER_{release medium} values (≈1). For formononetin, licoflavone A and licochalcone A with low DSRM, they exhibited ER_{LFs 1/Sin} values >1. The low DSRM was the decisive factor to restrict their release from the single payload hydrogel. The presence of glycyrrhizin acid (GA) in the LFs could facilitate their release from the LFs extracts hydrogel. For isoliquiritin, isoliquiritigenin and glabridin with a lower content in the LFs extracts, they exhibited ER_{LFs 1/Sin} values <1. The RSH predominantly restricted its release. The study provided guidelines for the reasonable design of LFs extracts hydrogel in pharmaceutical topical formulations.

To promote coupling coordination development for regional innovation environment-resource-output-benefit (EROB) composite systems, we propose a data-driven integrated model method for measurement, evaluation, and identification. First, we construct an evaluation indicator system of coupling coordination development of regional innovation EROB composite systems. Second, we apply the entropy method to measure indicator weights and comprehensive development indices of regional innovation composite systems. The coupling coordination degree model is used to calculate and evaluate four subsystems’ coupling coordination development levels. The obstacle degree model is used to identify the main obstacle factors affecting coupling coordination development. Finally, using panel data of the Yangtze River Delta region (three provinces and one city) between 2014–2019 as a case study, we test the integrated model method. The results show that the comprehensive development level of the regional innovation EROB composite system in the Yangtze River Delta region maintained a stable growth trend; the coupling coordination development level among four subsystems continuously improved, with the main obstacle being the innovation resource subsystem. Accordingly, targeted policy suggestions are put forward. This study not only provides theoretical and methodological support for evaluating and optimizing regional innovation composite systems but also provides decision-making support for sustainable and high-quality development of regional economies.

This study develops a data-driven, comprehensive evaluation method to improve the science and technology innovative efficiency of industrial enterprises above designated size (hereinafter “industrial enterprises”). Based on an innovation value chain perspective, a two-stage evaluation index system is constructed. Thereafter, the Pearson correlation coefficient method was used to analyze correlations in the constructed index system. A two-stage network data envelopment analysis model with additional intermediate input was constructed to measure and evaluate industrial enterprises’ science and technology innovative efficiency from three aspects—research and development (R&D), commercialization, and comprehensive efficiencies—to reveal the temporal and spatial evolution. The feasibility and effectiveness of the method was verified using the statistical data of industrial enterprises in 16 cities in Anhui Province, China, from 2011 to 2020. The results show that the comprehensive efficiency of the scientific and technological innovation of industrial enterprises in these cities is at a medium level, and the efficiency development of the two stages is uncoordinated; the two-stage efficiency distribution tends to be “high R&D–high commercialization” and “low R&D–low commercialization”, and targeted countermeasures and suggestions are proffered. This study provides a reference for the sustainable development of industrial enterprises in relevant regions.

Green development is an important connotation of high-quality development and is one of the goals of scientific and technological innovation. This study constructs a data-driven measurement model of the green development efficiency of regional sci-tech finance, measures the green development efficiency of sci-tech finance by using the super-slack-based measure model, and deeply analyses and evaluates the changes in green development efficiency of regional sci-tech finance by calculating Malmquist index. This study calculates the green development efficiency of sci-tech finance in the Yangtze River Delta. Results show that the green development efficiency of sci-tech finance in the Yangtze River Delta is on the rise as a whole and maintains an efficient state, but differences are observed between provinces and cities. This study provides theoretical and methodological support for the evaluation of the green development efficiency of regional sci-tech finance and serves as reference for policy makers and researchers of sci-tech finance.

To address the sustainability challenges faced by the machinery manufacturing industry, this study establishes an emergy-based evaluation framework that integrates four dimensions—economic, social, ecological, and sustainability—to comprehensively assess the sustainability of mechanical manufacturing systems. An empirical study was conducted on the balance shaft housing manufacturing system of AH Axle Co., Ltd. Results reveal that the system exhibits a relatively low net emergy yield ratio (NEYR), with an emergy investment ratio (EIR) of 2.27 and an improved emergy sustainable index (IESI) of 0.44, indicating poor social benefits and weak long-term sustainability. However, through the optimization of finishing and casting processes, the emergy waste rate (EWR) decreased from 12.96% to 9.86%, substantially enhancing overall sustainability. This study not only provides a novel perspective and practical tool for sustainability assessment in mechanical manufacturing systems but also offers significant theoretical and practical implications for promoting green transformation and sustainable development across the industry.