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When replacing equipment at its end of life, industries often have the option to select higher efficiency technologies. The choice to invest in an improved piece of equipment rather than a simple in-kind replacement is driven by many factors, including costs, performance, and familiarity with new technology options. Engineering models that account for equipment stock turnover, such as ENERGY 2020, typically assume that this decision is primarily driven by the difference in marginal costs: higher up front capital costs must be, at minimum, balanced by lower lifetime energy costs for an upgrade to be pursued. Stock turnover analysis requires detailed data inputs regarding the costs and performance of new equipment. For simplicity, a common approach is to develop assumed correlations that reflect the trade-off between marginal capital cost and efficiency and compare these to energy prices to select an efficiency level for new equipment. In this study, we present a novel method to develop such trade-off curves based on a technology-explicit approach rather than a qualitative correlation assumption. We generate trade-off curves for two common types of industrial devices: electric machine drive and natural gas steam generation for the case study of the Canadian pulp and paper sector. The curves demonstrate that the efficiency of new devices can be expected to vary significantly based on energy prices. At current energy prices, we find that newly purchased machine drive and steam generation devices would have an optimal efficiency level of 91% and 75%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the imminent transformation of the packaging industry towards paper-based alternatives due to increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic packaging. Topics include major brands leading the shift towards sustainability by adopting paper packaging solutions and innovative technology companies developing eco-friendly packaging alternatives.

Background: The advent of Personalized Medicine (PM) holds significant promise in revolutionizing healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their data. However, its successful implementation requires the seamless integration of innovative technologies and presents formidable challenges in terms of sustainability. To tackle these challenges head-on, the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (ICPerMed) was established, and the IC2PerMed project, as part of this consortium, seeks to foster collaboration between the European Union (EU) and China in the field of Personalized Medicine. Based on the results collected by the project, the objective of this study is to discern the key priorities for the implementation of Personalised Medicine concerning Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Big Data and digital solutions, with a particular emphasis on data management and protection. Methods: A Delphi survey was conducted to gather expert's consensus on the main priorities for actions on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Big Data and digital solutions in the field of Personalized Medicine. Results: The survey identified seven priorities in the area of Big Data and digital solutions, including data interoperability, standards, security measures, and international partnerships. Additionally, twelve priorities were identified for the innovation-to-market process, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, need assessment, and value definition in resource allocation. Conclusions: The effective implementation of new technologies in Personalized Medicine research and practice is essential for the advancement of healthcare systems in both the European and Chinese contexts. The identified priorities play a pivotal role in promoting the sustainability of health systems and driving innovation in the implementation of Personalized Medicine. Addressing challenges related to data interoperability, standards, security, international collaboration, cost-effectiveness, and value assessment is of utmost importance in order to propel the progress of Personalized Medicine in healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic-study is conducted using an innovative technology for paper drying by applying ultrasound mechanism. The advantages include greater energy efficiency, lower drying time and temperature, improvement of the product quality, and it is considered a green technology. The effects of initial moisture content, thickness, and refining condition are studied for different types of pulps (hardwood and softwood) using 23 factorial design of experiments. Analysis of Variance show that in the range of the studied parameters, thickness has the maximum effect on ultrasonic drying time followed by the initial moisture content. In addition, using a linear regression model, a relationships for the total time of drying is provided. The results confirmed that ultrasonic drying is more efficient at higher moisture content and higher thickness of the sample. These results are related to the structural characteristic of the samples such as porosity, pore distribution, and surface roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libri: International Journal of Libraries & Information Services is inviting students currently enrolled in or who have recently completed a master's or PhD degree to submit articles for the "Best Student Research Paper of 2024" competition. The articles should fall within the scope of LIBRI's research focus areas, which include libraries, information management, emerging technologies, indigenous knowledge, data science, information ethics, and more. The winning article will be published in the 2024:4 issue of Libri and the author will receive a €500 award and a complimentary subscription to Libri for 2025. Submissions should be made through the Manuscript Central website and must include a cover sheet with specific information about the student and the paper. Plagiarism and patch-writing are not acceptable, and all submissions will be screened for these issues. [Extracted from the article]

Altogether, I Discovery, Innovation, and the Victorian Admiralty i reminds us that the encouragement and reception of technology - and of science - is rarely just about enthusiasm or reluctance. REFERENCES 1 Citation: Hardy, Penelope K. "Review of Discovery, Innovation, and the Victorian Admiralty: Paper Navigators by Erika Behrisch." In I Discovery, Innovation, and the Victorian Admiralty i , Erika Behrisch argues that both can be true: mid-nineteenth-century Admiralty administrators were interested in - even enthusiastic about - science and technology but also bound by a responsibility to protect the public purse and a cultural reluctance to communicate openly about their decision-making. [Extracted from the article]

Paper‐based electronics are emerging as a new class of technology with broad areas of application. Despite several efforts to fabricate new types of flexible electronic devices by screen printing of conductive paste, many of them are often nonbiodegradable, toxic, and expensive, limiting their practical use in bioresorbable paper‐based electronics. To address this need, a highly conductive and biodegradable bimodal conductive paste is developed using cost‐effective zinc‐based micro and nanoparticles with a facile low‐temperature sintering process compatible with paper substrates. The two‐step sintering process involves the removal of the insulating zinc oxide layer by spray coating acetic acid followed by a heat press sintering process to ensure the formation of highly packed and continuous metallic traces. The required conditions for the heat press sintering process are systematically studied using electrical, optical, and mechanical characterization techniques. The results of these investigations revealed an ultra‐packed microstructure with high electrical conductivity (0.5 × 105 S m−1) and low oxide content that is obtained with a heat press sintering setting of 220 °C for 60 s. Finally, as a proof of concept, the conductive paste with an optimized sintering process is used to fabricate a wearable wireless heater for remote‐controlled release of therapeutics. The controlled delivery of the system is validated in the practical and on‐demand delivery of antibiotics for eradicating commonly found bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus in dermal wound infections. The biocompatibility of all the materials and manufacturing process is validated by NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells via MTT assay and live/dead staining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repository of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, and the Innovation Center – Cherry presents a well-organized digital library of the institution’s scientific outputs. For the purpose of this paper a research was done on the change in the number of citations contained in the repository, based on data from the external application Authors, projects, publications. The application has integrated parameters for examining the number of citations from Scopus and Web of Science databases. In this paper the change in number of citations from publications which appear in Altmetric – a platform for alternative metric were also used. Two methods of research were applied: the first method examines the change in number of citations for all deposited records of publications in the repository, and the second method enables to examine the change in number of citations on the level of all records of a specific author. The author whose publications were examined for the research via the second method was pronounced the most cited author in the yearly report for 2021 of the Faculty of Chemistry. Both methods examine three types of records with varying levels of accessibility: permanetly restricted, available after an embargo period (green open access) and permanent open access (gold open access). The metadata of all three kinds of publications recorded in the Cherry repository are accessible to the public with strict control of the librarian – repository manager. The research subject of this paper notes the difference that arises in the number of citations of individual records in September 2021 and a year later, in September 2022. The aim of the paper is to present a possible method to establish a correlation between the accessibility of publications and their citation count. There is a special regard to publications in the green open access, which form the basis for monitoring the relevance of the repository to the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, and the Innovation Center as well as to other institutions which are parts of the established infrastructure of repositories in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalonia is experiencing a significant wave of innovation in its schools. After decades of little change, since 2015 there has been a systemic surge of innovation in education that includes hundreds of primary and secondary schools. Almost at the same time, in 2015, the Catalan government enacted a new inclusive school framework based on the Salamanca Statement and subsequent developments (Ainscow, Booth, Slee, Stainback or Pujolàs, among others). This position paper analyses exploratory what is occurring in schools regarding the intersectionality between innovation and inclusion. The preliminary results show that, inclusion often competes and clashes with innovation in concrete school perspectives and practices. Our appraisal is that some schools tend to prioritise innovative practices over inclusive ones and present them as a 'school brand' in order to compete for white middle-class families. At the same time, some (head) teachers avoid implementing inclusive practices because they feel they are related to having more Special Educational Needs (SEN) students and a more complex and less 'competitive' school. The paper concludes by critiquing the setback to inclusive practices due to intersectionality with innovation, and by outlining some recommendations to generate positive synergies between the movements of innovation and inclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy in children, particularly preterms, neonates and infants, is limited by a paucity of good‐quality data from prospective clinical drug trials. A specific challenge is the establishment of valid biomarkers. OMICs technologies may support these efforts by complementary information about targeted and nontargeted molecules through systematic characterization and quantitation of biological samples. OMICs technologies comprise at least genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and microbiomics in addition to the patient's phenotype. OMICs technologies are in part hypothesis‐generating, allowing an in depth understanding of disease pathophysiology and pharmacological mechanisms. Application of OMICs technologies in paediatrics faces major challenges before routine adoption. First, developmental processes need to be considered, including a subdivision into specific age groups as developmental changes clearly impact OMICs data. Second, compared to the adult population, the number of patients is limited as are the type and amount of necessary biomaterial, especially in neonates and preterms. Thus, advanced trial designs and biostatistical methods, noninvasive biomarkers, innovative biobanking concepts including data and samples from healthy children, as well as analytical approaches (eg liquid biopsies) should be addressed to overcome these obstacles. The ultimate goal is to link OMICs technologies with innovative analysis tools, such as artificial intelligence at an early stage. The use of OMICs data based on a feasible approach will contribute to the identification complex phenotypes and subpopulations of patients to improve the development of medicines for children with potential economic advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay argues that the anti-slavery periodical The Liberator cast itself as heir to a revolutionary tradition of Puritan print to sanction its critiques of the American church and state. This reimagination of Puritanism spoke to readers by tapping into desires for spiritual revival within a secularizing public sphere and a print culture shifting from Protestant scarcity to Victorian abundance. By tracking how The Liberator both utilized these new print technologies and imagined their reclamation of Puritanism, this essay ultimately reveals a more ambiguous negotiation between the sacred and the secular in the emergent public sphere than is often supposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of rapid product iteration, companies need simple and effective methods to guide the entire process of product innovation design and enhance their product innovation capabilities. Most research focused on improving one or several steps in the product design process. Although some scholars have proposed methods that guided the entire process, they combined more than three different theories, which increased the difficulty of theoretical learning and the complexity of practical implementation. This paper proposed a product innovation design process composed of three theoretical methods: Kano, Axiomatic Design (AD), and Theory of the Solution of Inventive Problems (TRIZ). This new process guided the entire product design process with fewer theoretical methods, reducing the difficulty of learning and implementation. The paper demonstrated the effectiveness of this method through the design practice of a portable two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle. Additionally, the discussion section explored the method's potential from the design management perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable goal of technological advancement is to go from lab to site through the development of a sensitive, specific and portable sensor for pollution monitoring. Herein, we report a completely portable colorimetric prototype device for the selective monitoring of lead (Pb) pollution, mainly in air, which relies on a new aspect of analysing the colorimetric assays on paper strips by the direct measurement of the retroreflective information, other than the available tedious image analysis methods. Our indigenously developed citrate-functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in cellulose paper strips showed significant localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) peaks in the blue region and with the increase in the Pb concentration, the LSPR band in the blue region decreased and a new peak appeared in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum due to the formation of larger aggregates. The prototype device monitored these spectral changes and accordingly gave the Pb content present in the sample. In this work, we made the sample under study by the acid digestion of one of the widely present air-suspended particulates, i.e., PbO2. The prototype device is a suitable fielddeployable technique for environmental Pb sensing and will open up new perspectives for future advancement in low-cost paper-based sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once considered the "Detroit of paper" for the massive amount of forest products produced in the Pine Tree State, relatively few Maine wage earners now make their living in the industry. Shredding Paper: The Rise and Fall of Maine's Mighty Paper Industry By Michael G. Hillard. [Extracted from the article]

The purpose of this study is to identify trends of integrative approach in South Korean technology education. A literature review was completed from 131 selected research journal papers published in South Korean academic databases from 2010 to 2018. The review identified four trends. First, research on technology education within STEAM education has steadily increased since 2010, with student-targeted studies comprising the largest share. Second, program development and implementation type was the most frequent regarding the research types. Third, the analysis of school subjects integrated with technology for integrative approach in South Korean technology education showed the most links to science. Fourth, invention was the most common focus in analysis of the content area of technology education, while creation constituted the most common core concept of the new Korean national curriculum. The results of this study shed light on the place of technology education within STEAM education in South Korea and has implications for research and practice for integrative STEAM education in future Korean technology education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a high precision detection method of copper ion (C u 2 + ) concentration based on weak measurement is proposed. The ternary complex formed by C u 2 + with L-tryptophan and phenanthroline reagents has circular dichroism (CD) signal at 605 nm in visible light. The CD signal can be obtained using the intensity contrast as a pointer in the imaginary weak-value amplification scheme. The measured sensitivity and resolution are 0.3417 mrad l/mg and 0.058 mg/l, respectively, which is improved by an order of magnitude compared to the traditional CD measurement method. It is also more accurate and less costly than commonly used C u 2 + detection methods. The C u 2 + concentration detection based on the weak measurement of CD signal detection proposed in this paper not only brings technological breakthroughs in the field of heavy metal ion detection, but also is of great significance in promoting the cross-development of chemistry, biomedicine, and life sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guidelines on Building a Market-Oriented Green Technology Innovation System, which was released by China in 2019, has become a powerful signal to guide the development of green technology innovation (GTI). In the current digital strategy of China, the public media has become a key factor for promoting the transparency of enterprise environmental information. This paper measures the GTI efficiency of the listed paper enterprises in China as well as incorporating media attention into the research framework to explore the influencing factors of GTI of the listed paper enterprises in China during the digital economy era. The results showed that a positive media report had a positive impact on GTI and has become a new driving factor in promoting sustainable production in the digital era. Government support and openness also have a positive impact on GTI. However, negative media reports, environmental regulations, and technological innovation abilities have an inhibitory effect on the GTI efficiency of paper making enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aims at to make a heuristic analysis of energy efficiency performance of Indian paper industry in a non-parametric production theoretic approach. Using the data for 2004–05 to 2013–14, radial and non-radial variants of DEA were employed to estimate energy saving potential and identify the relative position of paper industry across the states. Preliminary analysis in terms of energy intensity scores showed declining trends of energy intensity over the period of analysis for most of the states except states like Assam, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Punjab where it does not decline much. Assuming a variable returns to scale (VRS) technology under the conditions of inherent heterogeneity and market imperfection, the slack-based measure (SBM) reported a much higher energy saving potential than reported by other measures in the study. Further by taking scale efficiency into account, the study documented the higher contribution of pure energy inefficiency in explaining the total energy inefficiency within the paper industry relative to scale inefficiency. Finally, the study recommends the propagation of energy efficiency program through a market-based and regulatory mechanism along with consolidation and technological advancement of individual units, in order to tap vast energy saving potential and thereby ensure the growth and environmental sustainability. Highlights • The paper examined the energy efficiency performance of Indian paper industry. • Both radial (BCC) and the non-radial (SBM) measures of energy efficiency, were applied. • BCC measure reported an energy saving potential of 16%. • SBM measure reported an energy saving potential of 24%, higher than BCC measure. • Scale efficiency implied the relatively higher contribution of pure energy inefficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper is one of the most significant inventions in human civilization, which considerably advanced global cultural development. Pulping is a key step in the conversion of fiber raw materials into paper. Since its inception, pulping has rapidly evolved, continually adapting to technological advancements. Researchers are constantly investigating various types of raw materials for pulping. In this review, some of the materials employed in pulping are outlined, and the fiber content, pulping method, as well as the strength of wood and non-wood crop straw as pulping raw materials are analyzed and discussed. In addition, this review explores the effects of different materials under various pulping conditions and assesses the future trends in raw material selection for pulping while considering the current global environmental pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From Longing to Belonging: A Practical Guide to Including People with Disabilities and Mental Health Conditions in Your Faith Community: Shelly Christensen, ed. (Inclusion Innovations, 2018). xix + 312 pp. Christensen uses her own experiences, research, and disability literature to explore facets of inclusion and exclusion in faith communities. Christensen writes, " I We all have good intentions to be the kind of inclusive community where people with disabilities and mental health conditions feel that they belong. [Extracted from the article]

Rollins reveals neuroscientists' promises to be more branding than substance, a defensive crouch aimed at heading off controversy rather than tackling the immensely complicated interactions between the biological and the social. This conviction has solidified into what Rollins deems the "violent brain model" - an assumption that the brain is locus of violence and criminality. Part I unpacks the research program, specifically the research assumptions and conventions by which neuroscientists squeeze the complexity of crime and violence into the violent brain model. [Extracted from the article]

The systematization of street tree planting in twentieth-century cities went hand in hand with the development of the modern city's managerial system. In the systematization process, tree planting and care was serialized and standardized. To facilitate these procedures, tree locations and conditions began to be surveyed, planned, and recorded on paper. Focusing on street tree planting in East and West Berlin, this article examines the role of different paper formats, technologies, and representations such as lists, plans, maps, and index and edge-notched cards in the evolution of an increasingly regimented urban arboriculture. Paper was intricately related to both the life and death of the trees that it helped to document. As much as the malleable and variable nature and materiality of street trees contributed to an evolution of paper formats to capture the trees' changeable conditions, so the use of paper to control, regulate, and systematize also contributed to standardizing trees, their planting, and their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production systems are being restructured to close production cycles via implementing circular economy (CE) practices. The planted tree industry in Brazil has shown potential for applying CE practices due to its efficient use of resources and inclination towards environmental innovation. However, some gaps and difficulties have been observed in several industrial segments so that the logic of the circular production system is put into practice more effectively and intensely. In this context, the aim was to investigate the use and impacts of CE practices in the Brazilian planted tree industry by sector of operation and scale of enterprises based on the ReSOLVE framework. Data were collected from 34 companies that answered a questionnaire, corresponding to 47.2% of Brazilian planted tree industry companies. Data analysis involved univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, considering the grouping of companies by sector of activity (forest producer, pulp and paper, and timber processing) and scale (small, medium, and large). The results revealed that "pulp and paper" and medium- and large-scale companies had the most significant application of CE practices and reported more significant impacts. [Display omitted] • Explores a segmented analysis of the circular economy by scale and sub-sector groups. • Scores of circular practices and their impacts are presented according to the groups. • The association between circular practices and impacts by group are analyzed. • Propositions to enable the adoption of circular practices are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of new research papers are published each year, making it extremely difficult for researchers to find out what they really want. Existing paper recommendation algorithms cannot effectively address the recommendation of newly published papers due to lack of historical information(e.g., citation information; view log), the so-called cold start problem. Furthermore, in most of these studies, papers are considered in homogeneous or bipartite networks. However, in a real bibliographic network, there are multiple types of objects (e.g., researchers, papers, venues, topics) and multiple types of links among these objects. In this paper, we study the problem of new paper recommendation in the heterogeneous bibliographic network, and a new method called HIPRec, i.e., meta-graph based recommendation model, is proposed to solve this problem. First, the top-K most interesting meta-paths are selected based on the training data. Secondly, a greedy method is proposed to select the most significant meta-graphs generated by merging the meta-paths, which can describe more sophisticated semantics between researchers and papers than simple meta-paths. In the meantime, meta-path and meta-graph based topological features are systematically extracted from the network. Lastly, a supervised model is used to learn the best weights associated with different topological features in deciding the researcher-new paper recommendations. We present experiments on a real bibliographic network, the DBLP network, which show the effectiveness of our approach compared to state-of-the-art new paper recommendation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What constitutes good intelligence is best understood by practitioners but has not been explored through empirical analysis and in the context of a digital age. This paper presents the first research inside all the agencies that form the Australian National Intelligence Community exploring how they are impacted by big data. Intelligence is often opaque to outsiders, yet understanding the characteristics of good intelligence is important to societies that rely on intelligence agencies for national security. This paper reflects the previously unheard perspectives of members of the agencies that form the Australian National Intelligence Community – where there is a significant empirical gap. Semi-structured interviews with 47 participants explored the impact of big data on intelligence and decision-making in Australia. This paper finds that intelligence must meet the following characteristics, many established in historical literature, in order to be considered good intelligence; (i) timely, (ii) purposeful, (iii) actionable, (iv) accurate, (v) provides value-add for an intended audience, and, (vi) is unbiased. This article explores and unpacks each of these characteristics of good intelligence and finds they remain critical in a big data era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently witnessed the rapid development of several emerging technologies, including the internet of things, which lead to a high interest in wireless sensor networks. Tiny sensor nodes are now important parts of a large number of complex systems, with numerous applications, including military, environment monitoring, and surveillance and body area sensor networks. A wireless sensor network builds the core part for IoT. Besides this, lifetime maximization is the biggest challenge in the wireless sensor network. Also, In a wireless sensor network, it is difficult to find an optimal node deployment approach that would minimize costs, be robust to node failures, decrease computing overhead and communication, and maintain a high degree of coverage and network connectivity. There is numerous literature addressed this challenge which is discussed in this paper; still there are lot many challenges yet to be addressed. Considering this scenario, in this paper, we propose a scheduled-based node deployment algorithm using Firefly Optimization (FA) to offer a circumstance where we have a group of target points that satisfy p-coverage and sensor nodes that satisfy q-connectivity, with subject to the selection of the optimal number of a sensor node that has the highest energy and minimum distance. The multiple parameters as no. of sensor nodes, distance, survivability factors, coverage, and connectivity of the sensor nodes are considered for designing the fitness function. A comprehensive statistical analysis is done using the simulation results to prove the proposed scheme's efficiency with other existing state-of-the-art methods under various p-coverage and q-connectivity configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting green hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal discourse in the contemporary energy landscape, driven by pressing environmental concerns and the quest for sustainable energy solutions. This paper delves into the multifaceted domain of C -Suite issues about green hydrogen, encompassing both technological advancements and policy considerations. The question of whether green hydrogen is poised to become the focal point of the upcoming energy race is explored through an extensive analysis of its potential as a clean and versatile energy carrier. The transition from conventional fossil fuels to green hydrogen is considered a fundamental shift in energy paradigms, with far-reaching implications for global energy markets. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art green hydrogen technologies, including fuel cells, photocatalysts, photo electrocatalysts, and hydrogen panels. In tandem with technological advancements, the role of policy and strategy in fostering the development of green hydrogen energy assumes paramount significance. The paper elucidates the critical interplay between government policies, market dynamics, and corporate strategies in shaping the green hydrogen landscape. It delves into policy mechanisms such as subsidies, carbon pricing, and renewable energy mandates, shedding light on their potential to incentivize the production and adoption of green hydrogen. This paper offers a nuanced exploration of C -Suite issues surrounding green hydrogen, painting a comprehensive picture of the technological and policy considerations that underpin its emergence as a transformative energy source. As the global community grapples with the imperatives of climate change mitigation and the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, understanding these issues becomes imperative for executives, policymakers, and stakeholders alike. [Display omitted] • The latest advancements in photo electrocatalysts and fuel cell technologies are reviewed. • The storage and transportation within the realm of green hydrogen energy were discussed. • Policy and strategy for fostering the development of green energy are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Developing sustainable livestock management requires knowledge and monitoring of which habitats within an enclosure the livestock prefers to stay in and in what way they utilise the available habitats. The technology of virtual fencing provides the ability to both monitor and adapt enclosures, thus adding value to the expense related to fencing for farmers and livestock managers. To this end, the possibilities this new technology offers need to be explored and methods developed. In this paper, we explore the monitoring capabilities of virtual fencing technology on a herd of cattle in a coastal dune landscape. We explore to what extent a herd of cattle prefers some habitats over others, and in what way they utilise each of the available habitats. We find clear differences in the amount of time the herd spends in each habitat and in the ways they utilise each habitat. The herd spend a disproportionately large amount of time in salt meadow, and likely spend most of their time there resting and ruminating. We conclude that the method for monitoring of cattle applied in this study, using existing virtual fencing technology, is a relatively precise method useful in year-round monitoring, with room for improvement. There has been an increased focus on new technologies to monitor habitat use and behaviour of cattle to develop a more sustainable livestock grazing system without compromising animal welfare. One of the currently used methods for monitoring cattle behaviour is tri-axial accelerometer data from systems such as virtual fencing technology or bespoke monitoring technology. Collection and transmission of high-frequency accelerometer and GNSS data is a major energy cost, and quickly drains the battery in contemporary virtual fencing systems, making it unsuitable for long-term monitoring. In this paper, we explore the possibility of determining habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns in cattle using low-frequency activity and location data. We achieve this by (1) calculating habitat selection ratios, (2) determining daily activity patterns, and (3) based on those, inferring grazing and resting sites in a group of cattle wearing virtual fencing collars in a coastal setting with grey, wooded, and decalcified dunes, humid dune slacks, and salt meadows. We found that GNSS data, and a measure of activity, combined with accurate mapping of habitats can be an effective tool in assessing habitat preference. The animals preferred salt meadows over the other habitats, with wooded dunes and humid dune slacks being the least preferred. We were able to identify daily patterns in activity. By comparing general trends in activity levels to the existing literature, and using a Gaussian mixture model, it was possible to infer resting and grazing behaviour in the different habitats. According to our inference of behaviour the herd predominantly used the salt meadows for resting and ruminating. The approach used in this study allowed us to use GNSS location data and activity data and combine it with accurate habitat mapping to assess habitat preference and habitat utilisation patterns, which can be an important tool for guiding management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transition in the sustainable production and processing of polymers poses multifaceted challenges that demand integral comprehensive solutions. Specific problems of presences of toxic trace elements are often missed and this prevents shifting towards eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, substantial research and the development of novel approaches is needed to discover and implement innovative, sustainable production materials and methods. This paper is focused on the most vital problems of the green transition from the aspect of establishing universally accepted criteria for the characterization and classification of eco-friendly polymers, which is essential to ensuring transparency and trust among consumers. Additionally, the recycling infrastructure needs substantial improvement to manage the end-of-life stage of polymer products effectively. Moreover, the lack of standardized regulations and certifications for sustainable polymers adds to the complexity of this problem. In this paper we propose solutions from the aspect of standardization protocols for the characterization of polymers foreseen as materials that should be used in Zero Energy Innovations in Hydrogen Storage. The role model standards originate from eco-labeling procedures for materials that come into direct or prolonged contact with human skin, and that are monitored by different methods and testing procedures. In conclusion, the challenges of transitioning to green practices in polymer production and processing demands a concerted effort from experts in the field which need to emphasize the problems of the analysis of toxic ultra trace and trace impurities in samples that will be used in hydrogen storage, as trace impurities may cause terrific obstacles due to their decreasing the safety of materials. Overcoming these obstacles requires the development and application of current state-of-the-art methodologies for monitoring the quality of polymers during their recycling, processing, and using, as well as the development of other technological innovations, financial initiatives, and a collective commitment to fostering a sustainable and environmentally responsible future for the polymer industry and innovations in the field of zero energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a thorough examination of methane capture from Polish coal mines, contextualized within the framework of the European Union's (EU) climate policy objectives. Through a strategic analysis encompassing the interior of coal mines, the surrounding environment, and the macro environment, this study elucidates the complex dynamics involved in methane emissions and capture initiatives. The key findings include a declining trend in absolute methane emissions since 2008, despite fluctuations in coal extraction volumes, and a relatively stable level of methane capture exceeding 300 million m3/year since 2014. The analysis underscores the critical role of government support, both in terms of financial incentives and streamlined regulatory processes, to facilitate the integration of methane capture technologies into coal mining operations. Collaboration through partnerships and stakeholder engagement emerges as essential for overcoming resource competition and ensuring the long-term success of methane capture projects. This paper also highlights the economic and environmental opportunities presented by methane reserves, emphasizing the importance of investment in efficient extraction technologies. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly regarding the low efficiency of current de-methanation technologies. Recommendations for modernization and technological innovation are proposed to enhance methane capture efficiency and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most advances in the remote sensing of floating marine plastic litter have been made using passive remote-sensing techniques in the visible (VIS) to short-wave-infrared (SWIR) parts of the electromagnetic spectrum based on the spectral absorption features of plastic surfaces. In this paper, we present developments of new and emerging remote-sensing technologies of marine plastic litter such as passive techniques: fluid lensing, multi-angle polarimetry, and thermal infrared sensing (TIS); and active techniques: light detection and ranging (LiDAR), multispectral imaging detection and active reflectance (MiDAR), and radio detection and ranging (RADAR). Our review of the detection capabilities and limitations of the different sensing technologies shows that each has their own weaknesses and strengths, and that there is not one single sensing technique that applies to all kinds of marine litter under every different condition in the aquatic environment. Rather, we should focus on the synergy between different technologies to detect marine plastic litter and potentially the use of proxies to estimate its presence. Therefore, in addition to further developing remote-sensing techniques, more research is needed in the composition of marine litter and the relationships between marine plastic litter and their proxies. In this paper, we propose a common vocabulary to help the community to translate concepts among different disciplines and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federated learning (FL) is a collaborative artificial intelligence (AI) approach that enables distributed training of AI models without data sharing, thereby promoting privacy by design. However, it is essential to acknowledge that FL only offers a partial solution to safeguard the confidentiality of AI and machine learning (ML) models. Unfortunately, many studies fail to report the results of privacy measurement when applying FL, mainly due to assumptions that privacy is implicitly achieved as FL is a privacy-by-design approach. This trend can also be attributed to the complexity of understanding privacy measurement metrics and methods. This paper presents a survey of privacy measurement in FL, aimed at evaluating its effectiveness in protecting the privacy of sensitive data during the training of AI and ML models. While FL is a promising approach for preserving privacy during model training, ensuring privacy is genuinely achieved in practice is crucial. By evaluating privacy measurement metrics and methods in FL, we can identify the gaps in existing approaches and propose new techniques to enhance FL's privacy. A comprehensive study investigating "privacy measurement and metrics" in FL is therefore required to support the field's growth. Our survey provides a critical analysis of the current state of privacy measurement in FL, identifies gaps in existing research, and offers insights into potential research directions. Moreover, this paper presents a case study that evaluates the effectiveness of various privacy techniques in a specific FL scenario. This case study serves as tangible evidence of the real-world implications of privacy measurements, providing insightful and practical guidelines for researchers and practitioners to optimize privacy preservation while balancing other crucial factors such as communication overhead and accuracy. Finally, our paper outlines a future roadmap for advancing privacy in FL, combining traditional techniques with innovative technologies such as quantum computing and Trusted Execution Environments to fortify data protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of rapid technological advancement, the pharmacy sector is undergoing a significant digital transformation. This review explores the transformative impact of digitalization in the global pharmacy sector. We illustrated how advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and online platforms are reshaping pharmacy services and education. The paper provides a comprehensive overview of the growth of online pharmacy platforms and the pivotal role of telepharmacy and telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it discusses the burgeoning cosmeceutical market within online pharmacies, the regulatory challenges faced globally, and the private sector's influence on healthcare technology. Conclusively, the paper highlights future trends and technological innovations, underscoring the dynamic evolution of the pharmacy landscape in response to digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of urbanization has brought new challenges to the ecological environment, and the promotion of green technology innovation and development is widely recognized as an essential method to achieve cities' economic benefits and environmental protection. This paper examines whether the new urbanization pilot policies (NUP) increase green technology innovation (GTI) from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. This paper examines the impact of new urbanization on GTI by analyzing data from 285 cities in China between 2010 and 2021, using the multi-period DID model with the implementation of NUP as an exogenous policy shock. The study results indicate that NUP significantly affects GTI, and the conclusion still holds after the parallel trend test, placebo test, and other robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the NUP significantly enhances GTI in low environmental pollution, non-resource-based, Medium-sized, and Central Region cities. The test of moderating effect shows that NUP has a "linkage effect" with the government's environmental attention, financial investment in innovation, and regional talent pooling. The findings of this paper provide empirical evidence and decision-making reference for promoting NUP and sustainable development of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsampling has revolutionized pharmaceutical drug development and clinical research by reducing sample volume requirements, allowing sample collection at home or nontraditional sites, minimizing animal and patient burden, and enabling more flexible study designs. This perspective paper discusses the transformative impact of microsampling and patient‐centric sampling (PCS) techniques, emphasizing their advantages in drug development and clinical trials. We highlight the integration of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS) strategies for analyzing PCS samples, focusing on our research experience and a review of current literatures. The paper reviews commercially available PCS devices, their regulatory status, and their application in clinical trials, underscoring the benefits of PCS in expanding patient enrollment diversity and improving study designs. We also address the operational challenges of implementing PCS, including the need for bridging studies to ensure data comparability between traditional and microsampling methods, and the analytical challenges posed by PCS samples. The paper proposes future directions for PCS, including the development of global regulatory standards, technological advancements to enhance user experience, the increased concern of sustainability and patient data privacy, and the integration of PCS with other technologies for improved performance in drug development and clinical studies. By advancing microsampling and PCS techniques, we aim to foster patient‐centric approaches in pharmaceutical sciences, ultimately enhancing patient care and treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]