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This study aims to characterise the so-called Sialkoti paper used to produce Pahari drawings preserved today in the Wereldmuseum in Leiden (Netherlands) (WML). These works originate from the Punjab Hills in India (today Himachal Pradesh) and are commonly known as 'Pahari miniature paintings'. The paper upon which these drawings are executed is said to have been produced in Sialkot during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when papermaking was an integral part of an overall regional economy correlated with other sectors such as agriculture and the textile industry. Although the term Sialkoti refers to identified papermills in Sialkot (now Pakistan), the paper from this region is yet to be subjected to a systematic study. This article therefore explores the paper(s) in question through macro- and microscopic observations of structure, pulp and fibres. The study of historical sources, complemented by the analysis of paper samples and fibre identification, has revealed that the pulp would have been prepared from a variety of manufactured products using different technologies, such as rags, cloth, mats, rope and other plant-based materials made from local bast fibres which, once tattered, were recycled to prepare the pulp. Microscopic study reveals that a variety of fibre combinations under different conditions and processing steps were used, in particular sunn hemp fibre (Crotalaria juncea L.), a plant species that has until now rarely been identified in historical paper. In addition, the presence of kenaf and jute fibres, as well as a significant quantity of cotton fibres, have also been demonstrated. To overcome the lack of comparative materials, our work was supported by a comparative study of several materials made from sunn hemp now held in the Ethnobotany Collection at Kew Gardens. Samples were taken from these materials and provided useful reference micrographs for the identification of the WML samples. The quality of the paper used by Pahari artists, as well as the raw materials available and their processing, are discussed in detail. Putting all the data, including technical and historical information into perspective, we conclude that the Pahari artists used a paper of inferior quality compared to other types of paper used for other purposes such as the creation of illuminated manuscripts in the Punjab plains. This study therefore provides useful analytical and material evidence that complements previous historical, technical and anthropological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we aim to document and analyze the long arc of connectivity between China and Latin America. First, using analytical international trade and economic tools, we provide a new economic perspective of the First Globalization–-the Ming and early Qing China's economic and business links with Latin America and Europe. Second, due to U.S. government trade policies toward China in the 1990s, the Second China's Globalization was ushered in with its entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO). During this second phase, China exchanged manufactured goods with minerals and resources from Latin America. Finally, the tough technology and trade stance by the Trump and Biden Administrations prompted China to intensify the third phase of China interaction with Latin America. For the 2020s and beyond, one important pillar of the Third China-Latin America-Europe Globalization is heightened efforts for China to increase its digital-AI, telecommunication and platform business presence and access into the Latin American markets. To enrich our analysis, we will provide Chinese-style digital-AI business and economic models to help illustrate our discussions. Throughout our paper, we want to point out that government policies were instrumental in bringing forth these Three Globalizations that involve China-Latin America-Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing industry often uses 3D scanning technologies to inspect their products. Some of these techniques produce a point cloud that represent a section of the manufactured product. The clouds must be aligned to the model of the product in order to check its quality. Current registration methods are usually affected by dimensional problems or volumetric anomalies. This paper proposes a new method for the registration process aligning the cloud to the model in several steps. The first step is the state-of-the-art method. The second step uses the information acquired in the first one to perform a fine registration in order to not being affected by dimensional defects or little miss alignments in the previous step providing a huge improvement in the measurement of surface defects. In this paper, several techniques are proposed in order to provide a set of tools that the final users can tune to fit their needs. The whole procedure of registration can be run in real-time conditions using the sampling and caching strategies proposed. The methods proposed are tested over more than 10,000 profiles of a rail proving they successfully align the cloud and the model providing better results in the measurement of surface defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Additive manufacturing also known as 3D printing is an evolving advanced manufacturing technology critical for the new era of complex machinery and operating systems. Manufacturing systems are increasingly faced with risk of attacks not only by traditional malicious actors such as hackers and cyber-criminals but also by some competitors and organizations engaged in corporate espionage. This paper aims to elaborate a plausible risk practice of designing and demonstrate a case study for the compromised-based malicious for polymer 3D printing system. Design/methodology/approach: This study assumes conditions when a machine was compromised and evaluates the effect of post compromised attack by studying its effects on tensile dog bone specimens as the printed object. The designed algorithm removed predetermined specific number of layers from the tensile samples. The samples were visually identical in terms of external physical dimensions even after removal of the layers. Samples were examined nondestructively for density. Additionally, destructive uniaxial tensile tests were carried out on the modified samples and compared to the unmodified sample as a control for various mechanical properties. It is worth noting that the current approach was adapted for illustrating the impact of cyber altercations on properties of additively produced parts in a quantitative manner. It concurrently pointed towards the vulnerabilities of advanced manufacturing systems and a need for designing robust mitigation/defense mechanism against the cyber altercations. Findings: Density, Young's modulus and maximum strength steadily decreased with an increase in the number of missing layers, whereas a no clear trend was observed in the case of % elongation. Post tensile test observations of the sample cross-sections confirmed the successful removal of the layers from the samples by the designed method. As a result, the current work presented a cyber-attack model and its quantitative implications on the mechanical properties of 3D printed objects. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the original work from the team. It is currently not under consideration for publication in any other avenue. The paper provides quantitative approach of realizing impact of cyber intrusions on deteriorated performance of additively manufactured products. It also enlists important intrusion mechanisms relevant to additive manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disabled people can be successfully employed in most production processes, provided that one knows how to exploit their abilities and take into account their limitations in order to give them an appropriate job. However, because the level and type of production must be constantly adapted to the needs of the market, the involvement of disabled people in the production process may also change. Additionally, people with disabilities have limitations as well as additional rights that must be considered. As a result, the organisation and planning of their work, side by side with other employees, becomes more complex. Computer simulations can be a support for organising and planning the involvement of employees with disabilities in production processes. The aim of the article is to show how simulations can facilitate the organisation of work of employees with disabilities, with the changing demand for manufactured products. The paper identifies the factors that should be considered, and then presents how the employment of disabled people can affect the operation of the production line and the commercial image of the company. The study uses a combination of System Dynamics and Discrete Event Simulations. The relevant data for the simulation were derived from a production company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the spatial variation in variety of manufactured consumer goods to study how choice fades across space. We use data on 132 consumer goods and over 800 brands available from a purpose‐designed survey of fixed shops and periodic market stalls in towns and villages in Ethiopia. We find that local consumer choice fades, with fewer varieties in remoter villages. On average, these villages have approximately half the number of available items compared to their nearest market town. A fall in travel time of a half‐hour is associated with 4 extra goods and 9 brands. Variety also increases with inequality and market size. Furthermore, we estimate a model of heterogeneous consumers with a preference for variety and monopolistically competitive traders to disentangle the role of transport costs from the taste for variety, and to assess the consequences for prices. Our model estimates suggest that local consumer prices contain a markup of 8% above source town prices and transport costs. We demonstrate the significant costs to consumers from both low variety and high trade costs. Ignoring such costs means that poverty is underestimated in remote places. In turn, when infrastructure investments raise variety, the likely fall in poverty will be underestimated too. This paper is part of the Economica 100 Series. Economica, the LSE "house journal" is now 100 years old. To commemorate this achievement, we are publishing 100 papers by former students, as well as current and former faculty. Andualem Mengistu is a researcher at the IGC, LSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, the electromagnetic field of the microwave range has been successfully introduced into various branches of the agribusiness industry as one of the most promising and advanced technologies for drying manufactured products. In this regard, the article proposes a new microwave irradiation technique for drying various objects based on a surface waveguide's properties. The paper analyses the main links that make up the surface waveguide as a microwave irradiation system and shows the ways of their implementation. The article describes the advantages of applying a vibratory device for exciting a surface wave, using a re-emitting antenna array, and operating a single conductor with a dielectric coating as a surface waveguide. Such advantages make it possible to introduce microwave drying units with the required distribution of electromagnetic field energy along the irradiated material, small dimensions, high drying quality, and low price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacturing industry often faces challenges related to customer satisfaction, system degradation, product sustainability, inventory, and operation management. If not addressed, these challenges can be substantially harmful and costly for the sustainability of manufacturing plants. Paradigms, e.g., Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, provide effective and innovative solutions, aiming at managing manufacturing operations, and controlling the quality of completed goods offered to the customers. Aiming at that end, this paper endeavors to mitigate the described challenges in a multi-stage degrading manufacturing/remanufacturing system through the implementation of an intelligent machine learning-based decision-making mechanism. To carry out decision-making, reinforcement learning is coupled with lean green manufacturing. The scope of this implementation is the creation of a smart lean and sustainable production environment that has a minimal environmental impact. Considering the latter, this effort is made to reduce material consumption and extend the lifecycle of manufactured products using pull production, predictive maintenance, and circular economy strategies. To validate this, a well-defined experimental analysis meticulously investigates the behavior and performance of the proposed mechanism. Results obtained by this analysis support the presented reinforcement learning/ad hoc control mechanism's capability and competence achieving both high system sustainability and enhanced material reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mercosur and EU countries have a trade affinity due to similarities in consumer preferences (cultural and religious values and common consumption habits) and the existing complementarity in production (distinct climate, North–South hemisphere, and different degrees of added value goods). In this context, this paper evaluates the impact of the EU-Mercosur agreement on the Brazilian economy in terms of gross domestic output, trade, and welfare based on a computable general equilibrium model. To achieve this objective, the method includes two agreement scenario simulations: the first scenario considers the Mercosur-EU agreement including the UK as part of the bloc; in the second scenario, it considers the Mercosur-EU agreement with Brexit. In this way, the scenarios make it possible to analyze not only the gains in trade creation with the formation of the Mercosur-EU agreement but also to identify the effects of trade diversion due to the exit of the UK (BREXIT). For both scenarios, the results point out evidence of the positive effects on trade and the welfare level in Brazil, mainly on manufactured goods and agriculture—grains and crops. The main findings suggest that Mercosur benefits Brazilian trade, making it a strategic partner. Conversely, the paper concludes that Brexit could reduce the Brazilian trade gains from the EU-Mercosur agreement. Comparing the two scenarios, it is possible to observe that the Mercosur-EU gains in the Brexit scenario are smaller than in the alternative scenario. This aspect confirms the hypothesis that there is a negative effect on the Mercosur-EU agreement when Brexit is simulated (scenario 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a metal deposition technique with a fast rate and the possibility of a high volume of deposition. Because of its fast deposition and high heat input, the manufactured products have poor surface quality. This paper presents a study on the machining of Inconel 718 wall-shaped additive manufacturing (AM) products, a necessary step for the improvement of surface quality. Considering the possibility that the characteristics of the milling processes of AM products might differ from those of traditionally manufactured parts, in this research, two types of Inconel 718 were studied and compared: one was manufactured using WAAM, and the other was an Inconel 718 rolled bar (Aerospace Material Specifications 5662). Using the testing procedure, a conventional two-flute cutting tool was used to assess their machinability. For this process, multiple passes were performed at three different heights of the samples. Considering the peculiarities of the AM products, such as their uneven surfaces, dendritic microstructures, and anisotropy, the results were analyzed. After the machining operation, the effects on the products were also studied by analyzing their surface quality. This study found a higher stability in the cutting process for the AMS 5662 samples relative to the WAAM parts with less variability in the cutting forces overall, resulting in better surface quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the digital age, digital services not only provide important intermediate inputs for manufacturing but they also affect the availability of other potentially ICT-enabled high-quality services as intermediate inputs. Therefore, it is particularly important and meaningful to explore the relationship between the liberalization of trade in digital services and manufacturing exports. This paper uses a panel dataset of bilateral exports of 15 manufacturing sectors in 54 countries, from 2014 to 2018, to examine the impact of digital services trade policy restrictions on exports of manufactured goods. The main results suggest that the impact of trade policy restrictions on manufacturing exports is mixed but mainly negative. Moreover, regulatory differences in digital services industries between bilateral country pairs also have a significant negative impact on the export performance of manufacturing industries. In addition, we further examine the heterogeneity of this impact mechanism across different policy areas, manufacturing sectors, and bilateral country-pair groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the effect of being landlocked on international trade flows in the manufacturing sector. The study overcomes the empirical challenge of using a country‐specific variable 'landlocked', within a structural gravity framework in the presence of importer and exporter fixed effects. Results show that the impact of being landlocked for manufactured goods trade is highly negative and statistically significant. Such effect is higher for low‐income landlocked countries compared to high‐income landlocked countries. The impact of being landlocked on manufactured goods trade declined in 2005 compared to 1980. A series of robustness checks further confirm the estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese imports replace locally manufactured products in developing countries. The import of consumer goods from China to West Africa is closely linked to commercial travel, and China's border restrictions during the Covid outbreak put a near-halt to such travelling. Furthermore, the pandemic caused a global logistics crisis that disrupted supply chains with production in China. This paper asks whether Ghanaian manufacturers and artisanal producers could take advantage of these disruptions to enhance their competitive position. Did China's border closure provide space for local Ghanaian producers to thrive? We address this question by drawing on data collected among Ghanaian plastic manufacturers and furniture makers, who have faced tough competition from Chinese imports. Our analysis shows that supply chain disruptions from China led to the substitution of certain products previously imported from China, and these effects were partially sustained after the Covid-induced barriers to imports from China were removed. However, the disruptions were also costly for many Ghanaian producers, as they depended on Chinese intermediary products, tools, and other inputs. This illustrates how economic lives in Ghana and China have become so profoundly intertwined that indiscriminate decoupling is neither possible nor desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern manufacturing technology is dominated by additive manufacturing due to its simplicity, precision, time and material savings, and flexibility in design. The purpose of this study is to propose and print a 3D model of planetary gear trains since these gear trains are more efficient than conventional gear trains and have many advantages. A planet gear trains must have collinear input and output axes in order to achieve compact space requirements. Using even spacing between the planets in a gear train allows both static and dynamic forces to be balanced. It is also possible for multiple planets to produce high torques. Finally, it is capable of providing a wide range of speeds. The printed model performed exceptionally well when it came to performance, and it can be used for both educational and industrial purposes, exhibiting the ability to withstand a high level of stress. The current paper demonstrated the process of 3D printing and the challenges involved in printing planetary gear trains, as well as possible solutions to these challenges. Finally, tolerances were reported as 0.5 mm on the final CAD model, and 0.15 mm on the last updated results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven predictive maintenance (PM) is an approach that leverages advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and sensor data to predict when equipment failure might occur, and to perform maintenance just in time to prevent it, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. In manufacturing, one of the biggest potential applications for intelligent PM systems is tool condition monitoring (TCM). TCM aims to monitor tool wear in real-time, ensuring the quality of the manufactured products and the safety of the surrounding people and equipment. In recent decades, many studies have been carried out on tool condition monitoring for different machining operations such as milling, drilling or turning, and have demonstrated the effectiveness of various AI algorithms. Recent advances in hardware have made it possible for edge devices to run complex AI algorithms locally. This technology is called Edge AI. The Edge AI approach has several key benefits such as reduced latency, scalability, data privacy and security that can accelerate the integration of the PM solution for TCM at the production level. This paper presents the design of an Edge AI system for tool condition monitoring, consisting of state-of-the-art, low-cost components and using open-source software. Based on the proposed design, a prototype was built and tested during milling process. Four machine learning (ML) models and one deep learning (DL) model were run on a low performance edge device. Their predictions were validated. Challenges faced in the implementation are concluded along with directions and suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first generalizable empirical analysis of dual branding, that is, the supply of private labels (PLs) by national brand (NB) manufacturers. The authors compile a unique data set combining the identity of PL suppliers in over 260 packaged goods categories with multiple years of scanner data in the Spanish grocery market to offer several contributions. First, they provide new descriptive insights on the prevalence of dual branding in categories where the manufacturer does and does not have NBs, the longevity of PL supply arrangements, and the differences in PL sourcing across retailers. Second, they integrate the literature on motivators and dissuaders of dual branding and test the impact of relevant manufacturer, retailer, and dyad characteristics on PL supply in NB and non-NB categories. The results reveal a more nuanced empirical reality than is evident from prior research regarding the role of multicategory scope, fighter brands, NB differentiation, and size and positioning of the retailer's PL. Third, they examine the outcomes of PL supply for the NBs of dual branders and find that starting (terminating) PL supply to a retailer significantly benefits (hurts) the relative distribution depth but not the relative share of the dual brander's NBs at that retailer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Even if China and the United States (US) are not heading toward a redux of classic military, Cold war logic, they are locked in an economic confrontation that has quickly turned into a dispute over prospective economic supremacy and heavily driven by technological advances. While the first area of intervention was international trade, progressively, the protectionist policies both nations began to implement were directed toward a broader plan to secure a leading edge in the future of technological development. Then, technological decoupling might be a more accurate term to describe the key courses of action to be followed in the forthcoming hegemonic struggle. In this setting, the question arises, what are the risks and opportunities for China in its relation with the Andean Community (CAN)? The departing argument is that the economic tensions between the world's largest economies will cause growing competition. On the one hand, this will provide CAN an opportunity to improve their participation in the global economy, but on the other hand, risks for China for securing resources. The results show that Andean Community (CAN) trade relations with both the US and China follow a typical centre-periphery model. Still, it is noteworthy that China's imports from CAN are almost entirely basic goods, while the US purchases significant amounts of goods that make part of the region's productive diversification efforts since the 1990s. Regarding the opportunities for CAN, through a novel methodology, it was found that there are effectively some added-value manufactures that can substitute trade between China and the US. They represent a huge opportunity for the Andean nations to shift away from primary export dependency to manufactured goods. Regarding risks for China, on the one hand, the largest competition is expected in minerals such as molybdenum and tungsten; and agricultural products such as buckwheat and fish fats. On the other hand, the US has the lead in current LAC exports, given that it exceeds China's current purchases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control charts are an important part of statistical control because they allow the inspection characteristics of manufactured pharmaceutical products to be tracked and controlled. It helps show current processes and status and, if necessary, identifies areas for further development. The investigation and analysis of an initial trend for a few inspection properties of the manufactured chemical 3-O-ethyl 5-Omethyl 2-(2-aminoethoxymethyl)-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-6-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate benzenesulfonic acid is the main focus of the current work. Using the well-known commercial SPC platform for comprehensive SPC analyses. The datasets of the assay and polarization rotation followed the Weibull pattern. While the results of the overall impurities and particle size test data were adopted for Gaussian spreading the Johnson family transformation was implemented for the latter. An exploratory Individual-Moving Range plot is the method used to trend the datasets and capacity analyses were conducted in accordance with that method. Improvements are required to enhance the quality of inspection properties at the preliminary steps since there are signs of a low capability process in the particle size test and the assay to some extent. In addition, the means of the quality tests should be brought to the center since the preliminary data are not in the middle of the specification range. Thus, some inspection characteristics are lower quality than others and need immediate correction and enhancement at the initial stages of the establishment of the manufacturing process and criteria. This perspective highlights the importance of control charts in the examination of the quality of chemically manufactured materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising regenerative therapeutics that primarily exert their effects through secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs – being small and non‐living – are easier to handle and possess advantages over cellular products. Consequently, the therapeutic potential of MSC‐EVs is increasingly investigated. However, due to variations in MSC‐EV manufacturing strategies, MSC‐EV products should be considered as highly diverse. Moreover, the diverse array of EV characterisation technologies used for MSC‐EV characterisation further complicates reliable interlaboratory comparisons of published data. Consequently, this study aimed to establish a common method that can easily be used by various MSC‐EV researchers to characterise MSC‐EV preparations to facilitate interlaboratory comparisons. To this end, we conducted a comprehensive inter‐laboratory assessment using a novel multiplex bead‐based EV flow cytometry assay panel. This assessment involved 11 different MSC‐EV products from five laboratories with varying MSC sources, culture conditions, and EV preparation methods. Through this assay panel covering a range of mostly MSC‐related markers, we identified a set of cell surface markers consistently positive (CD44, CD73 and CD105) or negative (CD11b, CD45 and CD197) on EVs of all explored MSC‐EV preparations. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed distinct surface marker profiles associated with specific preparation processes and laboratory conditions. We propose CD73, CD105 and CD44 as robust positive markers for minimally identifying MSC‐derived EVs and CD11b, CD14, CD19, CD45 and CD79 as reliable negative markers. Additionally, we highlight the influence of culture medium components, particularly human platelet lysate, on EV surface marker profiles, underscoring the influence of culture conditions on resulting EV products. This standardisable approach for MSC‐EV surface marker profiling offers a tool for routine characterisation of manufactured EV products in pre‐clinical and clinical research, enhances the quality control of MSC‐EV preparations, and hopefully paves the way for higher consistency and reproducibility in the emerging therapeutic MSC‐EV field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacity sharing, as a collaborative strategy among manufacturers, aims to alleviate this problem by sharing manufacturing capabilities to meet demand with large fluctuating ranges. This paper explores a novel supply chain network design problem considering capacity sharing with third-party manufacturers. Specifically, the problem involves location choices for owned manufacturing plants and distribution centers and the selection of third-party manufacturers. Third-party manufactured products can only be shipped to distribution centers, whereas products from plants can be shipped directly or through distribution centers to customer zones. In this network, customer demand and the product prices of third-party manufacturers are assumed to be uncertain. To address uncertainties, we formulate a distributionally robust chance-constrained model for the problem. The probability distributions of the uncertainties are characterized using Wasserstein ambiguity sets. The incorporation of chance constraints serves to enhance the level of satisfactory customer demand. To ensure tractability, we reformulate the distributionally robust model as a solvable model employing duality theory. Finally, we conduct numerical experiments based on a real-life manufacturing company to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results confirm that the proposed model reduces the cost standard deviation by an average of 21.9% and increases reliability. Our study can present a reliable framework for designing a capacity-sharing supply chain network for manufacturing enterprises that optimizes cost while improving customer satisfaction by over 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface finish has a significant impact on the properties (e.g., fatigue strength and corrosion resistance) of manufactured products; consequently, industries seek to quantitatively evaluate the surface finish of their products. The surface finish of test specimens, made of the aluminum alloy A L 7075 − T 6 , has been measured with a confocal microscope, where the ensemble of collected experimental data has been analyzed by the following four methods of surface texture quantification: (i) arithmetical mean height S a ; (ii) root mean square height S q ; (iii) maximum height S z ; and (iv) ten-points height S 10 z. This paper addresses automated prediction of surface quality by an artificial neural network (ANN) that has been used to classify the analyzed values of surface textures based on the concept of pattern recognition. The best surface textures are determined by relying on the performance of the ANN model, which depends on the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of the test data. The results show that, for small variations in surface finishing, the test method S 10 z most accurately predicts quality of surface textures, which is followed by the test method S a. • Investigating the status of the surface for controlling the quality of manufacturing processes such that poor surface quality can be reliably detected. • For managing the production process, recall and precision of the AI model could deliver more accurate evaluation. • Other surface texture parameters,(e.g. Sz and S10z) may be capable of delivering a better insight into the surface of a component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofoam products have attracted considerable attention lately because there is a growing demand for green/sustainable products. To this end, various biobased foams have either been developed or are currently in development, e.g., bio-based polyurethanes (PUs), polylactic acid (PLA), starch, and polyhydroxyalkanotates (PHAs). Indeed, significant progress has been made; however, challenges still persist, for example, biobased foam products have poor processability, inferior compatibility, thermal and strength properties. In this review, we focus on five biofoam products: namely bio-based PUs, PLA, starch, PHAs, and cellulose biofoam products, along with their properties and performance, as well as their manufacturing processes. Further efforts are still needed to unlock the full potential of these bio-based products and meet the goal of complementing and gradually replacing some of their fossil-based counterparts. Finally, the challenges, as well as arising opportunities of future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is an extensively used additive manufacturing method with the capacity to build complex functional components. Due to the machinery and environmental factors during manufacturing, the FDM parts inevitably demonstrated uncertainty in properties and performance. This study aims to identify the stochastic constitutive behaviors of FDM-fabricated polylactic acid (PLA) tensile specimens induced by the manufacturing process. Design/methodology/approach: By conducting the tensile test, the effects of the printing machine selection and three major manufacturing parameters (i.e., printing speed S, nozzle temperature T and layer thickness t) on the stochastic constitutive behaviors were investigated. The influence of the loading rate was also explained. In addition, the data-driven models were established to quantify and optimize the uncertain mechanical behaviors of FDM-based tensile specimens under various printing parameters. Findings: As indicated by the results, the uncertain behaviors of the stiffness and strength of the PLA tensile specimens were dominated by the printing speed and nozzle temperature, respectively. The manufacturing-induced stochastic constitutive behaviors could be accurately captured by the developed data-driven model with the R2 over 0.98 on the testing dataset. The optimal parameters obtained from the data-driven framework were T = 231.3595 °C, S = 40.3179 mm/min and t = 0.2343 mm, which were in good agreement with the experiments. Practical implications: The developed data-driven models can also be integrated into the design and characterization of parts fabricated by extrusion and other additive manufacturing technologies. Originality/value: Stochastic behaviors of additively manufactured products were revealed by considering extensive manufacturing factors. The data-driven models were proposed to facilitate the description and optimization of the FDM products and control their quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

The need to constantly improve the quality and properties of manufactured products leads to the development of hybrid materials that combine different elements, complementing one another. Fiber-reinforced mortar is one of those products, as the fibers are used to improve cementitious materials' flexural weakness. Experimental data on different metallic fibers dispersed in mortar demonstrate the correlation between early-age rheological properties and long-term mechanical strength. Both quantities depend on the ratio of the solid volume fraction of the fiber to a critical solid volume fraction characteristic of the form factors of the fiber. It is demonstrated that both effects arise from the packing stress of the fibers in the mortar when their concentrations are close to their maximum packing fraction. Geometrical arguments are used to explain how this critical volume fraction is related to the fiber form factor. Then, it enables the building of master curves using geometrical arguments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logistics services are integral to urban economic activity, and delving into the spatial distribution traits and evolutionary pathways of various kinds of logistics service node facilities (LSNF) is markedly valuable for understanding a city's functional spatial makeup and refining the spatial layout of logistics services. This study quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes the spatial congregation and spreading characteristics of diverse LSNFs in Wuhan in 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2020, employing kernel density analysis, average nearest neighbor index, mean center, and distance distribution frequency, seeking to characterize the spatial evolution characteristics of LSNF, alongside examining the trends in distances to city cores, principal adjoining roads, and production and consumption sites. The following conclusions were made: (1) Between 2011 and 2020, various types of LSNFs in Wuhan experienced a pattern characterized by the noticeable coexistence of spatial expansion and agglomeration, particularly visible after 2014. The degree of agglomeration is classified in a descending order as follows: CWC, STN, PSN, and PDN. (2) An "absolute diffusion" phenomenon characterizes the distribution of distances between various kinds of LSNFs and city cores or neighboring roads, with the lion's share of high-frequency distribution zones spreading beyond city cores by 5–10 km, and a majority of the LSNFs being situated within 1 km from adjacent roads. (3) While the LSNF collective exhibits a stronger tendency towards the consumption facet, it reflects a surrounding of industrial production sites on the production facet and locations of manufactured goods consumption on the consumption facet, followed by locations of agricultural product consumption and comprehensive consumption sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembly of surfactants into complex structures is key to the performance of many formulated products, which form a significant fraction of the world’s manufactured goods. Here we adopt the dissipative particle dynamics simulation approach to explore the self-assembly process of surfactants, with the aim of understanding what information can be obtained that may correlate with an increased zero-shear viscosity of surfactant based products. To this end we experimentally measured the zero-shear viscosity of mixed micelle systems comprised of cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and sodium lauryl sarcosinate (SLSar), as a function of the CAPB/SLSar mass ratio and pH, and characterised the early stages of self-assembly of the same systems computationally. From simulation we identify three distinct behaviors in the micellar self-assembly process (logarithmic, linear and cubic growth) which we find show some degree of correlation with the experimental zero-shear viscosity. Owing to the relatively short simulation times required, this may provide formulation scientists with a practical route to identify regions of interest (i. e. those with a desired zero-shear viscosity) prior to synthesising de novo (potentially natural) surfactants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a theoretical generalisation and solution of a current scientific and applied problem which develops theoretical principles, methodological approaches and scientific and practical recommendations for improving the mechanism of labour efficiency management in terms of innovation-oriented development of enterprises. It is substantiated that in the conditions of innovation-oriented development of ecosystems, including enterprises, the disclosure of the essence of labour efficiency requires introduction of a dual quantitative–qualitative approach: on the one hand, labour efficiency reflects the ratio of the manufactured products (tangible and intangible benefits) and corresponding living labour costs (quantitative aspect) and, on the other hand, it is the result of using productive abilities of people, characterised by manufactured products of a particular consumer quality with the creation of added value (qualitative aspect). Conceptual bases of improvement of the mechanism of labour efficiency management at enterprises were developed. They are based on certain tasks, functions, principles, methods of labour efficiency management and the formed system of factors of influence and the revealed factors and reserves of an increase in labour efficiency. They presuppose development and realisation of the corresponding programme, which aims to: optimise total labour costs; improve quality of products at a constant mass and satisfaction with the work process of all its participants; ensure positive changes in material well-being and quality of life on the basis of the formation of modern innovation infrastructure of the enterprise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]