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Recent technological developments have brought about innovations in many fields, such as education, health, economy, and finance. One of these innovations is the concept of digital transformation, which changes the way businesses, institutions, and organizations do business. The concept of digital transformation began with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and brought new technologies to it. The emergence of digital technologies has revolutionized various aspects of society, including education. Digital transformation has emerged as a powerful catalyst that reshapes traditional educational practices and offers new opportunities for teaching and learning. In particular, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the whole world, online education has become very important, and all educational institutions have started to integrate their systems into this change. In addition, with the philosophy of lifelong learning, it has become very easy to access training on digital platforms. In line with this information, this study aims to reveal the developments in the historical process of digital transformation and education between 2000 and 2023 in the Web of Science database and to carry out bibliometric analysis by scanning the articles and books published to determine the most studied topics in the field. To achieve the aim of the study, the keywords "digital transformation and education" were scanned. As a result of this search, 2,739 publications were published. These publications were analyzed according to year, research area, country-based distribution, subject distribution, and the most used keywords. As a result of the research, when the research areas of the articles are examined, it is seen that the most studied area is "Education and educational research" and "business". This situation can be said that digital transformation is a very remarkable subject in the field of education and business. When we look at the distribution according to years, it is clear that the greatest acceleration occurred in the last five years. This shows that digital transformation has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. In terms of countries, the subject is studied more in countries such as Germany, Spain, the United States, and Russia.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been the subject of discussion, and in most cases, it has been seen as a threat to jobs and conventional methods of performing certain activities. As a result, concerns over the preparation of the South African educational systems for the 4IR have been raised. Many industries still lack an advanced understanding of the 4IR, but the concept is already gaining ground in various economic areas. Thus, academics, business professionals, and legislators are paying closer attention to 4IR. The researchers were inspired to examine how the 4IR techniques were applied in South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to advance the growth and development of teaching and learning by this noticeable knowledge gap. To investigate how 4IR technologies improve the growth and development of teaching and learning in South African HEIs, this study used a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. A search procedure, research keywords, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessments of chosen literature were used in conjunction with the SLR approach. Twenty-one documents were retained after selecting them according to their theme and outline objectives. This study found that some South African HEIs have successfully adopted 4IR virtual and contact instruction technologies. The research further found that academics and support staff utilized various 4IR tools. This is done through a virtual or hybrid classroom, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), with different devices to send students messages, schedule Zoom classes, and provide feedback and educational resources. However, the study presented recommendations that academics can use to ensure that the 4IR is effectively integrated to support the expansion and improvement of teaching and learning in HEIs. Future research directions were suggested, and the study came to the conclusion that South Africa could change the direction of the management of the education sector by implementing various 4IR tools in HEIs.

Choice of career is one of the most important decisions that everyone makes in life. This choice in most cases determines placement in the workplace. The determinants of the choices students make career-wise include parents, peers, passion and perceived prospects among others. The choice of career made by individuals have long-term implications on their employability status most especially in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) which aims at raising global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world through applied science and technology. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select five faculties out of the existing thirteen faculties at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Five hundred (500) undergraduates were selected across the five selected faculties using simple random sampling technique with 100 students selected from each faculty. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyse the data collected for the study. The study found out that parental values and expectations has significant influence on the career choice of students and that career choice in turn has significant relationship with their employability prospects. The paper recommended among others the need for students to be allowed to make their career choices based on interest and ability with proper guidance by parents and surrogate parents.

Background: In the education sector, technologies are (or can be) repurposed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to facilitate teaching and learning. However, this shift may impact on learners' access to reading materials and reading motivation. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether Grade 8 English First Additional Language (FAL) learners' motivation to read is influenced by access to reading materials in a traditional classroom setting or through online reading platforms. Method: Likert-scale survey questionnaires were used to measure this relationship. Data from 466 Grade 8 English FAL learners from six South African township schools were collected and SPSS version 25 was used to analyse the data. Results: In traditional classrooms, the findings showed that increased access positively influenced motivation, whereas this effect was not evident in online reading platforms. However, in both settings, motivation increased when learners had access to a diverse selection of reading materials. Finally, the findings indicated a parallel relationship between learners' low motivation and limited access to reading platforms. Conclusion: The study concluded that while traditional classrooms continue to play an important role in global education, the ongoing evolution of technology-based learning platforms has compelled a shift in reading practices toward online platforms, which are reshaping the educational landscape, demonstrating the increasing significance of technology-mediated learning in modern education. Contribution: The authors recommend enhanced collaboration between teachers and learners to devise innovative methods for motivating online reading, ensuring learners' inclusion in the 4IR literacy pedagogy evolution.

This study aims to evaluate the opportunities and limitations of switching from conventional, face-to-face education to online, asynchronous education made possible by the Fourth Industrial Revolution's technology. This transition has been considerably expedited in several nations by the COVID-19 epidemic. Desktop analysis was used to conduct the research, along with non-intrusive approaches, including documentary analysis and conceptual analysis, and reliable sources were consulted. The research findings identified several barriers to the broad implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution asynchronous online education in emerging nations to address COVID-19's effects and keep the needs of the revolution. Among these challenges are poverty and inequality, power shortages, a lack of knowledge, restricted access to technology and the internet in rural areas, and a clear national policy. Despite these difficulties, institutions can increase access to top-notch education by establishing themselves as centres of excellence and innovation through online learning. Therefore, for the infrastructure required to enable the widespread use of asynchronous education, the education sector in emerging nations requires additional resources. Therefore, the study recommends that educational institutions in emerging markets prioritize investments in digital infrastructure and training. This will enable a smoother transition to asynchronous online education. Additionally, policymakers should develop comprehensive strategies that address the digital divide, ensuring equitable access to technology and the Internet, especially in rural and underserved areas. Collaboration between governments, educational institutions, and private sectors is essential for the effective implementation of 4IR technologies in education.

Making the most of online or hybrid teaching platforms is essential to making sure that, in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), higher education settings in developing universities and places are not left behind. While a number of the technological platforms adopted during the COVID-19 lockdown have the potential to reach more kids, they have also overloaded educators and pupils. Therefore, it seems ironic that the same technology that makes it possible for higher education to offer online courses also frequently impedes student progress and places restrictions on the pedagogy of teachers. Regardless of format, the teaching and learning encounter should not come at the expense of caring for the actual student in the ever-changing hybrid teaching model that most tertiary institutions have since adopted. Therefore, the interest of this article is on how 'care pedagogies' might improve online teaching and learning at developing universities. In this sense, the role of university teachers should be reflected not only by the number of students engaged in class content, but also by the embodied cultural capital that students bring to online, face-to-face and hybrid learning spaces.

The discourse that revolves around the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Vietnam has witnessed participation from policy makers, business circles, and academics. This study sought to explore the future of Vietnamese workforce's awareness and competencies in meeting labour market needs in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To capture these awareness and competencies, the study used the mixed method. Questionnaires were initially conducted with 800 third- and fourth-year students who were studying in four fields: social sciences and humanities, science and technology, natural sciences, and finance and banking in public and private universities in Ho Chi Minh City. Thirty lecturers and managers from private and state-owned enterprises were then invited to participate in interviews to gain a multidimensional perspective. Analyses showed the large proportion of students had heard of the Fourth Industrial Revolution primarily from the media, which led to a difference in both awareness and behaviour towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The survey students had a positive outlook on employment trends, but felt doubtful and diffident about job-seeking after graduation. From a multidimensional perspective, the study also pointed out obsolete knowledge, traditional teaching, and the shortage of connection between universities and enterprises. The present study provided significant implications for higher educational institutions in the development of future training programmes to prepare the future workforce for the digital economy.

Purpose: This study aims at analyzing the impact of perceptions of the fourth industrial revolution (crisis and opportunity) in the relationship between workers' career attitudes and future learning intentions. Design/methodology/approach: This study analyzed the multiple mediating effect of the perception of the fourth industrial revolution in the relationship between career attitudes and future learning intention using data of 305 Korean workers. As career attitude variables, boundaryless and protean career orientation variables were used, and perception of the fourth industrial revolution was analyzed (opportunity and crisis perception). Findings: Both workers' boundaryless career orientation and protean career orientation influenced future learning intention through the perception of opportunity for the fourth industrial revolution. This result suggested that flexible career attitudes positively recognized the changes of the fourth industrial revolution and had an effect on promoting attitude toward future learning. Research limitations/implications: The study confirmed that workers' flexible career attitudes could promote perception of opportunity rather than crisis in changing situation and strengthen their intention to prepare for the future by mediating this perception. These results suggest that lifelong learning and competency development can be reinforced by facilitating perception of an opportunities for external change for individual career development. Originality/value: Insights for personal career development were provided by analyzing the relationship between flexible career attitudes, which are increasing in importance in the modern society, and perceptions of changes in external environment.

The advent of COVID-19 exposed the lack of readiness for school leaders to cope with demands of leading during a pandemic. Globally, school leaders were not trained to deal with a crisis of COVID-19 proportions. Leaders in the twenty-first century need to have the required skills like the twenty-first century leadership skills and Fourth Industrial Revolution skills. This study investigated how school leaders are handling the challenges of school leadership under the COVID-19 pandemic in the 4IR era. This study adopted a qualitative research approach. An analysis of local and international literature was done to identify gaps. The study revealed that school leaders and teachers have inadequate information and communication technology skills. Leadership preparation programmes are lagging behind in preparing school leaders to lead in a crisis. Furthermore, the study revealed that school leaders and teachers do not establish communities of learning to learn leadership skills from each other. The study has concluded that there is no alignment between the level of readiness for school leaders and leadership skills of the twenty-first century.

Background: Scrophularia L., a genus of the Scrophulariaceae, is a group of important medicinal plants used for eliminating heat and detoxifying. East Asia has an abundance of potentially medicinal Scrophularia species, and it serves as a secondary diversity center of the genus. However, the genomic resources available for germplasm identification and pharmaceutical exploration of East Asian Scrophularia are insufficient, hindering its commercial and industrial development. Additionally, the interspecific relationships of most East Asian Scrophularia species remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we sequenced the leaves of 25 East Asian species of the genus Scrophularia, assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes, and subsequently performed comparative and phylogenetic analyses on these genomes. Results and discussion: The conserved plastome length of these 25 species ranged from 151,582 bp to 153,239 bp, containing a total of 132 coding genes, including 18 duplicated genes and 114 unique genes. Through genome alignment of these 25 species, 38-53 repeated sequences and 7 shared SSRs were identified, along with regions with high nucleotide polymorphism (Pi), which could potentially serve as molecular markers for species identification. The genome structure, gene content, and arrangement showed conservation, while variations were observed in the IR boundary regions and IGS. Phylogenetic inferences based on whole plastomes or on coding sequences (CDS) only yielded congruent results. We categorized the 25 East Asian Scrophularia species into six distinct clades and further explored their interspecies relationships using morphological characteristics, such as flower color, the relative position of stamens and corolla, and plant height. This could lay a genetic basis for future resource development of Scrophularia in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prolonged dependence on industrial development has accentuated the cumulative effects of pollutants. Simultaneously, influenced by land construction activities and green space depletion, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in cities has intensified year by year, jeopardizing the foundation of sustainable urban development. Prudent urban spatial planning holds the potential to robustly ameliorate the persistent deterioration of the UHI phenomenon. This study selects Jinan City as a case study and employs spatial autocorrelation and spatial regression algorithms to explore the spatiotemporal evolution of urban-rural patterns at the township scale. The aim is to identify key factors driving the spatiotemporal differentiation of Land Surface Temperature (LST) from 2013 to 2022. The research reveals a trend of initially rising and subsequently falling LST in various townships, with low-temperature concentration areas in the southern mountainous region and the northern plain area. The "West-Central-East" main urban axis and the southeast Laiwu District exhibit high-temperature zones. Significant influences on LST are attributed to pollution levels, topographical factors, urbanization levels, and urban greenness. The global Moran's Index for LST exceeds 0.7, indicating a strong positive spatial correlation. Cluster analysis results indicate High-High (HH) clustering in the central Shizhong District and Low-Low (LL) clustering in the northern Shanghe County. Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) outperforms Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Ordinary Linear Regression (OLR), providing a more accurate reflection of the regression relationships between variables. By investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of LST and its driving factors at the township scale, this study contributes insights for future urban planning and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offsite construction is a major approach to promote industrialisation in construction. However, implementation of prevailing industrial solutions is often less adequate and unsatisfactory, especially in renovation projects. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to understand the reasons behind the poor performance in implementation of the industrial solutions. The specific objectives include identifying the prominent barriers and enablers of prefabricated products in renovation projects. This study employed exploratory sequential mixed method. The qualitative data were gathered via semi-structured interviews to collect experiences and perception of experts related to industrial solutions. This was followed by quantitative data collection via questionnaire survey using a seven-point Likert scale. The major barriers and enablers of industrial solutions in renovation projects have been ranked in this study. The findings reveal that immutability of heritage buildings, the tolerances of old buildings and insufficient spaces to ensure construction work ranked the top three barriers for implementing industrial solutions in renovation projects. Moreover, the study identifies the most significant enablers including shorter project schedules, quality improvement and work safety improvement. The novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive presentation of the barriers and enablers of industrial solutions in the renovation project context. Policymakers, designers, and contractors can utilize these findings as guiding principles to enhance decision-making processes and create viable solutions for the obstacles encountered in renovation projects. This study further represents a vital step towards the efficient and effective implementation of industrial solutions in renovation projects, resulting in more sustainable and cost-effective outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The development of the digital economy has a profound impact on industrial economics. The article starts from the perspective of industrial organization theory. The thesis aims to analyze the industrial development of the digital economy and its three structural variables: digital manufacturing industry, digital service industry, and the development of industrial digitization on carbon emission intensity. Method: Based on the data of Input-output Tables with extended tables of 30 provinces, this paper analyzes the industrial development of digital economy and its three structural variables: digital manufacturing industry, digital service industry, and the development of industrial digitization on carbon emission intensity. Results and discussion: The empirical results show that: 1) at the national level, the development of China's digital economy industries has a suppressive effect on carbon emission intensity; 2) in terms of spatial effects, the development of digital economy has significant carbon spillover effects, but digital industrialization and industrial digitization present different spatial effect results; 3) from the analysis of regional heterogeneity, in the northeast, central and western regions, the direction of influence of digital industrialization and industrial digitalization on carbon emission intensity is consistent; in the eastern region, the development of digital industrial service sector and industrial digitalization has a suppressive effect on carbon emission intensity, while digital industrial manufacturing sector presents a pro-increasing effect; 4) Non-linear relationship analysis shows that the development of the digital industrial manufacturing sector has a "promoting and then inhibiting" effect on carbon emission intensity. Overall, the impact of digital industry development on carbon intensity exhibits a "promoting increase, then suppressing, then promoting increase" trend. In conclusion, the findings suggest that China's digital economy industry has entered the low-carbon development stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the interconnections among industrialization, urbanization, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and carbon emissions (CO2e) across 31 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries from 1998 to 2020. In addition, it analyzes how education moderates these relationships. This study employs CO2e as the explained variable, while industrialization, urbanization, and FDI serve as explanatory variables, with education as a moderator. This research utilized Hierarchical regression analysis to examine how education moderates the associations among industrialization, urbanization, FDI, and CO2e. Additionally, to validate the reliability of our results, we utilized the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The results of this study imply that CO2e levels increase with the level of industrialization and urbanization. The pursuit of education also contributed to the increase in CO2e. Moreover, education and industrialization have detrimental effects on CO2e. To fill this gap in the existing literature, this study investigates the relationship between industrialization, urbanization, FDI, and CO2e, a domain with scarce empirical investigations. Furthermore, this study contributes uniquely to the literature by investigating the moderating influence of education on the relationships between independent variables and CO2e. This original aspect of this research aims to enhance our understanding of the complex connections between these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy (DE) is a new driver for enhancing total factor productivity (TFP). Using panel data from 30 provinces in China between 2011 and 2022, this study measures DE and TFP using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method and the Global Malmquist–Luenberger method and further examines the impact of DE on the TFP of industries. The main findings are as follows: (1) DE can significantly improve TFP, though the extent of improvement varies. DE has the greatest impact on the TFP of the service industry, followed by the manufacturing industry, with the weakest effect on the agricultural industry. (2) The enhancement effect of DE on agriculture and the service industry is more pronounced in the central and western regions, while the improvement effect on manufacturing is more evident in the eastern region. (3) DE has facilitated the improvement of TFP in manufacturing industries such as textiles and special equipment manufacturing, as well as in service industries like wholesale and retail. However, it has not had a significant impact on the TFP of industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing and real estate. This study has significant theoretical value and policy implications for China and other developing countries in exploring DE and achieving high-quality industrial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cymbidium faberi, a member of the Cymbidium genus known for its fragrant blooms and graceful foliage, has recently become endangered in the wild due to reproductive challenges. This study aimed to establish systematically a tissue culture system for Cymbidium faberi Rolfe (wild species) by evaluating the effects of various plant growth regulators its propagation stages, including rhizome proliferation, differentiation, shoot strengthening, and rooting. The results showed that 0.5 mg⋅L-1 thidiazuron significantly promoted rhizome proliferation, achieving a proliferation coefficient of 6.08 after 60 days of culture. For adventitious bud induction, 1.92 mg⋅L-1 brassinolide was most effective, inducing 6.43 buds per rhizome with an average bud height of 5.25 mm after 90 days of culture. The optimal strategy for shoot growth was using 3.0 mg⋅L-1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, resulting in an average shoot height of 6.47 cm after 60 days. The highest rooting rate of 87.5% was achieved with 0.5 mg⋅L-1 zeatin, producing an average of 3.5 roots per shoot with an average root length of 3.06 cm. This study successfully developed a propagation system for C. faberi and highlighted the significant role of BL in promoting rhizome differentiation. In conclusion, this study provides a robust propagation method to support the conservation and industrial development of C. faberi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel framework for classifying mesolevel industrial ecosystems, focusing on their roles in reindustrialization and proactive import substitution. The research aims to address the gap in existing literature by offering a detailed categorization of these ecosystems, considering various dimensions like sectoral composition, geographic scope, and nature of linkages among participants. The study employs an expert survey methodology, targeting 180 specialists across different sectors to identify industrial ecosystems with the highest potential for fostering economic transformation. The hierarchical classification methodology used is meticulously detailed, and the rationale behind the selection of survey participants and questions is explained. The survey findings revealed that inter-sectoral and open ecosystems are particularly effective in promoting reindustrialization and proactive import substitution. The results also emphasized the significance of network-structured ecosystems and highlighted the preference for digital and strategic networks business models, alongside half-open innovation models. The study concludes that mesolevel industrial ecosystems play a pivotal role in economic transformation, particularly in the context of reindustrialization and import substitution. Openness, networking, and inter-sectoral collaboration are identified as key traits of ecosystems that significantly contribute to these goals. The paper also suggests potential areas for future research, such as the integration of digital technologies and environmental sustainability considerations in ecosystem classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deploys servicisation as a case study to discuss economists' methods and the confirmation bias issue. Data show the average pattern of structural transformation in developing countries has since the early 1990s been servicisation, and the faster the growth, the greater the servicisation. Data also show that servicisation has been an extremely under-researched topic compared with industrialisation. This is an example of confirmation bias—weak links between theory and facts—that erodes the plausibility of policy advice. The paper analyses methods and their policing, and points to issues to address to reduce risks of confirmation bias by strengthening 'the power of facts'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon emissions in the industrial sector have received widespread attention around the world, and achieving carbon peak in the industrial sector has become an important component of achieving sustainable development. However, there are significant differences in the level of industrial development across different regions in some countries, and a differentiated peak path needs to be formulated accordingly. In this paper, we construct a methodology system for industrial carbon peak, which includes "sector clustering—factor decomposition—scenario analysis—path selection." We design a national industrial carbon peak path at the provincial level and conduct empirical analysis using China as an example. The results show that industrial investment scale is the most important factor promoting the growth of carbon emissions in each plate. The Chinese government's goal of achieving carbon peak in the industrial sector before 2030 is highly reasonable and feasible. By comprehensively considering emission reduction effectiveness and implementation difficulty, the best industrial peak path is selected. The corresponding ratio of China's industrial carbon emissions in 2030 to the benchmark year is most likely to be between 1.043 and 1.054, and the degree of implementation difficulty is moderate. In addition, several differentiated macro-policy recommendations for each cluster's development are proposed based on their actual development, which can provide useful references and guidance for local governments in formulating their development plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the crucial issues confronting China is high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Despite the numerous measures outlined to promote the country's carbon neutrality target, CO2 emissions in the nation continue to increase. This means that more policy options are needed to help improve environmental sustainability (ES) in the nation. Hence, examining the relationship between financial development (FD), foreign direct investment, industrialization, and environmental sustainability in China to provide proper recommendations to drive the carbon neutrality agenda of the nation is deemed fitting. In attaining this goal, time-series data from the period 1990 to 2018 is employed. According to the results, foreign direct investment deteriorates environmental sustainability by promoting more CO2 emissions. This validates the pollution haven hypothesis (PHH). In addition, industrialization and financial development are not friendly to the nation's environmental quality. Furthermore, economic growth and urbanization escalate environmental pollution in the nation. In addition, the interactions between financial development and foreign direct investment and between financial development and industrialization deteriorate the environment in China. Moreover, foreign direct investment and financial development have an inverted U-shaped association with environmental degradation, but industrialization and environmental pollution are not nonlinearly related. The study advocated for the implementation of measures that could help advance the carbon-neutrality targets of the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores the impact of energy natural resource productivity and environmental tax on environmental sustainability in six major CO2‐emitting economies: the Euro Area, China, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, from 1997 to 2019. This analysis aims to reveal novel findings and implications for different energy natural resource productivity types and environmental regulations. We employed data regarding leading national and regional CO2 emitters from 1997 to 2020 to conduct an empirical analysis using the panel non‐linear auto‐regressive distributed lag (NARDL) and panel quantile ARDL (QARDL) methods. The results show that energy natural resource productivity and environmental tax are crucial components in reducing CO2 emissions by controlling for innovation technology and renewable energy consumption. The main findings demonstrate that the impact is stronger in the presence of increased energy natural resource productivity and vice versa. These findings have novel implications for sustainable development and carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the context of market competitiveness and the economic and financial crisis, companies need to optimize their production systems, tracking the raw material from the suppliers until the final product arrives to the consumer. The Lean philosophy assumes a relevant role for today's industries through its concepts and tools, enabling optimization, increasing revenues, and having the principle of not expropriating the environment. This article aims to analyse the level of maturity reached by industries in Luanda regarding the practices and tools of the Lean philosophy. A Lean graphic model was built, measured by the Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) maturity model through qualitative and quantitative research focusing on the statistics of 87 circumscribed industries at Viana Industrial Development Pole in the Economic Special Zone of Luanda region, Angola. Initially was conducted an analysis to see whether Lean practices and tools were used: 5S, OKJust-In-Time, Kanban, Bottleneck Analysis, Jidoka, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, SMED, Gemba, Heijunka, Value Stream Mapping, Hoshin Kanri, and Andon. The next steps were to analyse the following: customer value analysis; value chain analysis; analysis of the use of the pulled production system; and analysis of the use of the continuous production flow analysis of continuous improvement. The result shows these industries using the Lean philosophy at a very low level of maturity. Only the 5S tool was known and used. The JIT, Kanban, and Bottleneck Analysis were moderately used. Only 50% of Lean practices were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of prokaryotic organisms that have been the subject of intense basic research, resulting in a wealth of knowledge about fundamental cellular processes such as photosynthesis. However, the translation of that research towards industry-relevant applications is still limited. To understand the reasons for this contradictory situation, we conducted a quantitative survey among researchers in the cyanobacterial community, a set of individual interviews with established researchers, and a literature analysis. Our results show that the community seems to be committed to embracing cyanobacterial diversity and promoting collaboration. Additionally, participants expressed a strong desire to develop standardized protocols for research and establish larger consortia to accelerate progress. The results of the survey highlight the need for a more integrated approach to cyanobacterial research that encompasses both basic and applied aspects. Based on the survey and interview results as well as our literature analysis, we highlight areas for potential improvement, strategies to enhance cyanobacterial research, and open questions that demand further exploration. Addressing these challenges should accelerate the development of industrial applications based on cyanobacterial research. Cyanobacteria have been the subject of intense basic research, but translation towards industrial applications remains limited. Here, Schmelling and Bross conduct a survey among researchers in the cyanobacterial community, as well as a literature analysis, to highlight potential strategies to enhance cyanobacterial research and accelerate the development of industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study draws attention to the associations between monetary and economic elements and their potential environmental impacts. The study uses time series data from 1960 to 2022 to examine the connection between CO2 emissions, industrial growth, GNE, and inflation in China. The researchers utilized the well-known econometric technique of nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) to examine nonlinear correlations between these variables. The results reveal that GDP, inflation, and economic development influence long-term CO2 emissions. The strong positive correlation between gross national expenditures and economic activity increases CO2 emissions. In the short run, CO2 emissions are positively and statistically significantly affected by inflation. While inflation temporarily affects CO2 emissions, this effect dissipates with time. Industrial activity increases CO2 emissions, and China's fast industrialization has damaged the environment. The energy-intensive fertiliser manufacturing process and fossil fuels increase CO2 emissions. The research shows how government officials and academics may collaborate to create tailored measures to alleviate the environmental impacts of economic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization is occurring at an unprecedented rate in developing countries like Ethiopia, especially with the rapid growth of industrialization. However, this urbanization and industrial development surge puts immense pressure on preparing and implementing city spatial plans. Urban spatial planning plays a crucial role in shaping the development of cities, aiming to create livable and sustainable urban development. The plan-making process and its subsequent implementation often encounter challenges that hinder the realization of planned objectives. Galan and Dukem, cities near Addis Ababa's capital, have seen substantial industrial investment in recent decades. This article explores the challenges associated with urban spatial planning and industrial development while proposing alternative approaches. The paper relies on information gathered from primary and secondary sources, including expert surveys and key informants' interviews. The research highlights that industrial developments have led to significant and uncontrolled changes in urban land use and urbanization in the study areas. Due to the lack of clear planning guidelines and institutional capacity, the study cities are experiencing haphazard development without effective urban spatial plans. Proximity to Addis Ababa has driven the urbanization process through increased investments. The article contends that effective management of urbanization and industrialization can create enjoyable living conditions and foster job growth. Macroeconomic policies, including industrial policies, should pay attention to spatial elements and prevent policy-making processes that are "space-blind". This, however, requires clairvoyance and a high level of expertise, integrating inputs from advocacy planning and community participation to bridge gaps and ensure effective urban spatial plans and industrialization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most Latin American countries entered the ranks of middle-income levels almost simultaneously with Japan and South Korea. However, while Japan and South Korea embarked on the path of economic development through technological innovation and industrial upgrading, Latin America fell into the middle-income trap. By examining the history of industrial and technological development in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, three representative countries in Latin America, this paper finds that the fundamental reasons for Latin America falling into the middle-income trap lie in the tension between the choice of industrialization path and primitive accumulation, as well as the institutional deficiencies in technology and industrial development. Latin America, which has fallen into the middle-income trap, finds it hard to upgrade its technology and is trapped in premature industrialization and the middle-technology trap. It can be said that Latin America has fallen into a double trap, which reinforces each other and forms a solid trap pattern. The warning from the Latin American experience is that late-developing countries need to maintain an open attitude during the process of technological catching up, build a complete technological innovation system, enhance industrial and technological governance capabilities, and seize the window of opportunity for technological and industrial upgrading. Otherwise, there is a significant risk of falling into the middle-income trap and even the double trap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialization is a key element for economic growth in both developed and undeveloped countries. Due to globalization, the cause-effect between industrialization, economic growth and urbanization are changing. This study investigates the relationship between economic expansion, urbanization, and industrialization in Kenya using a quantitative methodology. Using World Bank economic indicator parameters, it focuses on understanding the complex interrelationships between these factors. Vector Autoregression (VAR) modeling is used to analyze the relationships between GDP, urbanization, and industrialization between 1990 and 2018. The Granger causality test is used to determine the causal linkages between GDP, urbanization, and industrialization. Results show that urbanization is increasing steadily across Kenya, with a high population in central, western, Rift valley, and coastal regions. The availability of agricultural land influences urbanization, with a significant positive relationship between the three parameters. The Granger causality test shows a unidirectional relationship between GDP, urbanization, and industrialization. A minimum of 20% is considered as the benchmark for urbanization to reduce both GDP and industrialization. Unplanned and rapid urbanization, accompanied by ecologically unfavorable industrialization schemes, threatens Kenya's biodiversity. The study provides insight into the interconnection between the three pillars of the economy and the statistical models developed are useful in forecasting future trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze 'sharing' as an operational framework for waterfront industrial heritage revitalization in the context of sustainable urban regeneration. This research study was conducted to better understand the public accessibility of heritage preservation projects in a densely populated waterfront urban area and to determine to what extent heritage could be made available to the general public. We examined the development of industrial heritage along Suzhou Creek, Shanghai, and its process of regeneration. The focus area covered a waterway stretch of 19.2 km and an adjacent land area of 11.7 km2 managed as a single planning entity on both sides of the creek. We analyzed the present preservation practices and discovered a growing desire to increase the historical buildings' visibility in the context of urban regeneration. We argue that 'sharing' can serve as a pivotal framework for sustainable waterfront regeneration, as its implementation can (1) increase the public value of waterfront heritage and (2) incorporate comprehensive objectives, design strategies, evaluation methods, and public participation into the space revitalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to scrutinize the industrialization patterns across 36 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) spanning from 1990 to 2021, adopting a club convergence approach. This study employed the Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) index developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The CIP index serves as a yardstick for assessing countries’ effectiveness in manufacturing and exporting industrial goods, facilitating comparisons of industrial competitiveness across nations. The empirical findings derived from the convergence methodology established by Phillips & Sul (2007, 2009) unveiled the absence of convergence in CIP among OIC countries yet delineate the existence of four distinct convergence clusters. Notably, the CIP scores of countries exerted a significant influence on the formation of these clusters, with member states within the same cluster exhibiting comparable CIP performances. This outcome underscored the persistent dual structure characterizing the OIC panel, wherein nations with lower CIP standings failed to converge toward those with higher performance levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are widely released into the environment as a result of increased urban and industrial development in recent years. The bulk of PTEs are cancer-causing and harm human health by producing free radicals. As a result, it is crucial to monitor, evaluate, and limit the effects of the elements on human health. In this study, levels of PTEs (As, Cr, Cd, Ni, Co, and Pb) in pharmaceutical effluents discharged along the Asa River around the Ilorin metropolis and their seasonal variations were evaluated. Water samples were collected from eight different locations over a two-season period along the river and analyzed for PTEs using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Co had mean PTE values in the effluents (both seasons) of 0.0258, 0.0233, 0.00193, 0.0176, and 0.0164 mg/L, respectively, with As and Pb surpassing the WHO standard. Maximum temperature and pH were measured for the physicochemical parameters in the wet season, whereas electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids were seen in the dry season. The average values of the metals in the human risk assessment for carcinogenicity were As > Cd > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co, with As above the recommended threshold in several locations. However, all of the metal hazard indices were < 1, indicating that the waters were suitable for domestic purposes. Nonetheless, the relevant authorities should mandate that pharmaceutical effluents be treated before being released into bodies of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technology, acting as an engine for industrial development, propels the rapid integration of data elements and the swift iteration of digital logistics technology, significantly enhancing logistic resilience. Exploring the impact of digital technology on the resilience of logistics helps strengthen the latter's ability to withstand external shocks. Based on the correlation between digital technology and the resilience of the logistics industry, this study measured their levels in 275 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2020, showing that the former significantly improved the latter, a conclusion which remained valid after robustness tests. The mechanism analysis results showed that promoting industrial collaborative agglomeration was an important part of this process, while the threshold model analysis found that the impact on resilience had nonlinear characteristics. The heterogeneity test results showed that digital technology had a significant resilience-promoting effect in the eastern and northern coastal regions, as well as in the middle reaches of the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Accordingly, it is necessary to accelerate digital technology integration with the logistics industry and formulate differentiated development strategies. This study provides a theoretical foundation for exploring the relationship between digital technology and logistics resilience, as well as policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial development in Canada's oil sands region influences the ambient environment. Some of these influences, such as the atmospheric deposition of emitted particles and gases are well-established using chemical indicators, but the effects of this process on bioindicators examined in field studies are less wellsupported. This study used an extensive dataset available from 1997 to 2019, spatio-temporal modeling (Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation), and data on industrial and non-industrial covariates, including deposition patterns estimated using HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) to determine if changes in sentinel fishes collected in streams from Canada's Oil Sands Region were associated with oil sands industrial activity. While accounting for background variables (e.g., precipitation), estimated deposition of particles emitted from mine fleets (e.g., Aurora North), in situ stacks (e.g., Primrose and Cold Lake), mine stacks (e.g., Kearl), mine dust (e.g., Horizon), road dust (e.g., Muskeg River mine), land disturbance in hydrologically-connected areas, and wildfires were all associated with at least one fish endpoint. While many individual industrial stressors were identified, a specific example in this analysis parallels other work: the potential influence of emissions from both Suncor's powerhouse and dust emitted from Suncor's petroleum coke pile may both negatively affect fish health. Comparisons of fitted values from models with the estimated industrial effects and with deposition rates set to zero suggested some negative (and persistent) influences of atmospheric deposition at some locations, such as the gonadosomatic index (GSI) in the lower Muskeg and Steepbank rivers. While there is evidence of some large differences at individual locations the mean GSI and body condition estimates have improved throughout the region since the beginning of these collections in the late 1990s potentially highlighting improved environmental performance at the facilities, widespread enrichment effects, or interactions of stressors. However, mean liver-somatic indices have also slightly increased but remain low. These results, coupled with others suggest the utility of spatio-temporal approaches to detect the influence and effects of oil sands development at both local and regional scales. [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.)

Floating offshore wind is a promising renewable energy source, as 60% of the wind resources globally are found at depths requiring floating technologies, it minimizes construction at sea, and provides opportunities for industrialization given a lower site dependency. While floating offshore wind has numerous advantages, a current obstacle is its cost in comparison to more established energy sources. One cost-reduction approach for floating wind is increasing turbine capacities, which minimizes the amount of foundations, moorings, cables, and O&M equipment. This work presents trends in mass-optimized VolturnUS hull designs as turbine capacity increases for various wave environments. To do this, a novel rapid hull optimization framework is presented that employs frequency domain modeling, estimations of statistical extreme responses, industry constructability requirements, and genetic algorithm optimization to generate preliminary mass-optimal VolturnUS hull designs for a given turbine design and set of site conditions. Using this framework, mass-optimized VolturnUS hull designs were generated for 10–30 MW turbines for wave environments of varying severities. These design studies show that scaling up turbine capacities increases the mass efficiency of substructure designs, with decreasing returns, throughout the examined turbine capacity range. Additionally, increased wave environment severity is shown to increase the required mass of a given substructure design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of carbon fiber length and content on the rheological properties and performance of coatings used in lost foam casting. The investigation encompassed fiber lengths of 1 mm, 3 mm, and 6 mm and fiber contents of 0.2%, 0.5%, and 0.8%. The effects on coating viscosity, shear stress, coating weight, and surface morphology were meticulously evaluated. The results demonstrate that incorporating carbon fibers significantly enhances coating viscosity and shear stress compared to fiber-free coatings, with more pronounced effects observed at higher fiber contents and longer fiber lengths. Nevertheless, excessive fiber contents and lengths can lead to agglomeration, negatively impacting coating uniformity. The optimal fiber length and content were identified, striking a balance between improved rheological properties and coating performance. These findings provide critical insights for the development and industrial application of high-performance coatings in lost foam casting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study explores the interconnections among industrialization, urbanization, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and carbon emissions (CO2e) across 31 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries from 1998 to 2020. In addition, it analyzes how education moderates these relationships. This study employs CO2e as the explained variable, while industrialization, urbanization, and FDI serve as explanatory variables, with education as a moderator. This research utilized Hierarchical regression analysis to examine how education moderates the associations among industrialization, urbanization, FDI, and CO2e. Additionally, to validate the reliability of our results, we utilized the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The results of this study imply that CO2e levels increase with the level of industrialization and urbanization. The pursuit of education also contributed to the increase in CO2e. Moreover, education and industrialization have detrimental effects on CO2e. To fill this gap in the existing literature, this study investigates the relationship between industrialization, urbanization, FDI, and CO2e, a domain with scarce empirical investigations. Furthermore, this study contributes uniquely to the literature by investigating the moderating influence of education on the relationships between independent variables and CO2e. This original aspect of this research aims to enhance our understanding of the complex connections between these factors.

Countries all over the world focus on industrialization as a foundation for rapid economic development and unemployment reduction. Without stable external and domestic finance, we cannot achieve this goal. Financial volatility has an impact on a country’s industrialization process. The aim of this study is to determine how external and domestic credit volatility affect industrialization in Africa. Data for some selected countries for 1992–2020 was used. The author used the Prais-Winsten regression method with Panel Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) to estimate and analyze the model. Descriptive and quantitative methods of analysis were also used to analyze the long-balanced panel data set for the 17 selected African countries with available data. The results showed a combination of positive and negative effects of financial volatility on industrialization in Africa. The study concludes that domestic credit volatility has adversely affected industrialization in Africa and recommends the development of financial institutions on the continent through recapitalization, skilled manpower development and innovative development of different financial instruments.

Today, zeolitic catalysts play an important role in catalytic processes such as cracking, alkylation, etc. However, shaping these catalysts for industrial applications remains a challenge. Despite extensive research in this area in recent years, the number of studies is limited, and detailed information is scarce. Consequently, this study aims to increase awareness of the challenges associated with catalyst shaping and to contribute to the body of knowledge in this field. Following an introduction to the fundamental concepts and shaping techniques, our focus in this review has been on the binder agent, whereby we have categorized the effects of binders that can influence catalyst performance. We demonstrate that while binders may not necessarily possess catalytic properties, the chemical interaction between the binder and the catalyst, as well as the extrusion process, can significantly impact the physicochemical characteristics of the final catalyst, including its acid characteristics, pore characteristics, distribution of loaded metals, and so on. Moreover, depending on the desired properties of the catalyst, different sequences can be employed to utilize the binder. Finally, we identify research gaps in this domain and present recommendations for future studies.

ABSTRACT: With its more sustainable production mode and higher healthy food supplying, cultivated meat is gradually regarded as the promising alternative meat food in future by human beings. Most of the countries in the planet had participated in the cut-throat competition for sustainable protein searching, especially for the regions with low food self-sufficiency rate. In this paper, by reviewing the commercial market participation, product development stage, and technical research progress related to cultivated meat in detail, we demonstrated the industrialization progress of cultivated meat and explored the challenges of cultivated meat in the near future. 1) Seeded cell and serum free medium were the basic raw materials, which were directly related to the food safety regulation, production cost control and productivity improvement; 2) Bioreactor and regulation were the cornerstone of industrialization, which were closely related to the capacity expansion, product marketing; 3) Technological improvements in taste, texture, safety, scale, cost were the foundation of realizing product iterative upgrade and market acceptance.

Abstract The supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was a green alternative to improve the low bioavailability of insoluble drugs. However, it is difficult for SAS process to industrialize with limited production capacity. A coaxial annular nozzle was used to prepare the microcapsules of aprepitant (APR) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by SAS with N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent. Meanwhile, the effects of polymer/drug ratio, operating pressure, operating temperature and overall concentration on particles morphology, mean particle diameter and size distribution were analyzed. Microcapsules with mean diameters ranging from 2.04 μm and 9.84 μm were successfully produced. The morphology, particle size, thermal behavior, crystallinity, drug content, drug dissolution and residual amount of DMF of samples were analyzed. The results revealed that the APR drug dissolution of the microcapsules by SAS process was faster than the unprocessed APR. Furthermore, the drug powder collected every hour is in the kilogram level, verifying the possibility to scale up the production of pharmaceuticals employing the SAS process from an industrial point of view.

Background: The pharmaceutical sector in Pakistan has grown over a period with export potential, however, there are certain barriers in the framework that regulate the growth and export of domestically manufactured pharmaceuticals. The purpose of this study was to highlight the current challenges that hinder the export of pharmaceuticals, especially to the countries with stringent regulatory authorities (SRA), as perceived by the domestic pharmaceutical industry experts, and to highlight the facilitators that may help to resolve the identified challenges. Methods: In a qualitative study, the data were collected from the consented experts from the pharmaceutical industries in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. Industrial experts with a minimum of 10 years of experience and who were serving at managerial levels or above were recruited through purposive sampling. The semi-structured interviews were conducted for the collection of data from industrial experts. Thematic content analysis was applied to conclude the data. Results: Data analysis generated 4 themes and 16 codes. The export of pharmaceuticals, despite having greater potential was regarded as poor, which was attributed to the following: (a) inadequate industrial research and development, particularly on new molecules (b) non-compliance with the cGMP standards, (c) absence of high-tech equipment, (d) unwillingness of the pharmaceutical companies for bioequivalence studies on their generics, (e) unavailability of locally manufactured active pharmaceutical ingredients, (f) disruption in the supply of imported raw material, (g) poor international market perception about local pharmaceutical products and (h) lack of support from regulatory in process expedition. The respondents also suggested the measures for overcoming the above challenges to boost the export of domestic pharmaceuticals and expand their international market share in countries with SRA. Conclusion: Export from Pakistan to the SRA countries can be enhanced with mandatory bioequivalence studies during generic registration. The pharmaceuticals export could effectively contribute to the national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus on aerosol analysis in the Levantine Region is driven by climate-change impacts, the region's increasing urban development and industrial activities, and its geographical proximity to major dust-source areas. This study conducts a comparative analysis of aerosol optical depth data from Aqua/MODIS and AERONET during different periods between 2003 and 2023 at four stations: IMS-METU-ERDEMLI (Mersin/Türkiye) (2004–2019), CUT-TEPAK (Limassol/Cyprus) (2010–2023), Cairo_EMA_2 (Cairo/Egypt) (2010–2023), and SEDE_BOKER (Sede Boker/Israel) (2003–2023). The objective is to evaluate the variability and reliability of AOD measurements between satellite and ground-based observations and to determine how well they represent regional climatology. The highest percentage of measurements within the expected error envelope was observed at the IMS-METU-ERDEMLI station, indicating the best agreement between MODIS and AERONET data at this location. The Seasonal-Trend Decomposition using Loess (STL) method revealed consistent spring and summer peaks influenced by dust transport from the Sahara and the Middle East, with lower values in winter. The study also considers the influence of cloud fraction on MODIS measurements and includes aerosol classification. A statistically significant slight positive trend in AOD values was identified at the IMS-METU-ERDEMLI station. Conversely, no significant trends were detected at the other stations. The results of this study agree with those of previous research on the impact of long-range dust transport on regional aerosol loadings, emphasizing the importance of integrating satellite and ground-based observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of the optimized three-section squared-off cascade is compared with that of a match abundance ratio cascade (MARC) for the enrichment of 92Mo and 100Mo isotopes from their natural composition to 99.99%. Two codes, namely, 3SQC–PSO and MARC–PSO, are developed for optimizing 200 centrifuge cascades using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The objective function is to maximize the cascade capacity, recovery factor, and the D-function and to minimize the total interstage flow. A comparison of the results shows that a MARC is able to enrich 100Mo with the highest recovery and production capacity. Due to the fact that more than one separation step is required for the separation of 92Mo, a MARC is beyond the capability to separate it to 99.99%, but a squared-off cascade is capable of making this. Therefore, if the goal is the separation of all or some of isotopes of an element, the squared-off cascade is the preferred option for economical industrialization and reducing installation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As resources become increasingly scarce and environmental demands grow, the recycling of products at the end of their lifecycle becomes crucial. Disassembly, as a key stage in the recycling process, plays a decisive role in the sustainability of the entire operation. Advances in automation technology and the integration of Industry 5.0 principles make the balance of human–robot collaborative disassembly lines an important research topic. This study uses disassembly-precedence graphs to clarify disassembly-task information and converts it into a task-precedence matrix. This matrix includes both symmetry and asymmetry, reflecting the dependencies and independencies among disassembly tasks. Based on this, we develop a multiobjective optimisation model that integrates disassembly-task allocation, operation mode selection, and the use of collaborative robots. The objectives are to minimise the number of workstations, the idle rate of the disassembly line, and the energy consumption. Given the asymmetry in disassembly-task attributes, such as the time differences required for disassembling various components and the diverse operation modes, this study employs an evolutionary algorithm to address potential asymmetric optimisation problems. Specifically, we introduce an advanced multi-objective discrete bee algorithm and validate its effectiveness and superiority for solving the disassembly-line balancing problem through a comparative analysis with other algorithms. This research not only provides innovative optimisation strategies for the product-recycling field but also offers valuable experience and reference for the further development of industrial automation and human–robot collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the industrial era, production equipment serves as an essential mother machine. In the global manufacturing industry, components such as laptop computers, mobile phones, and automotive parts all strive for aesthetic appearance. Taiwan's machine tool industry plays a significant role globally. Faced with the constantly changing market environment, the development and competitive advantage of CNC machines are crucial topics for manufacturers. Domestic manufacturers of computer numerical control machines should move towards the integration of automated equipment to accommodate various advanced parts processing procedures. Smart manufacturing will become the trend of the industry in the future. This study invited experts from academia, industry, and research institutions to conduct expert interviews. Their opinions were compiled and analyzed, supplemented by fuzzy Delphi analysis to establish the development trends of various modules. The feasibility and demand of the product's functional technology for industrial development were analyzed under three research dimensions and eight technical items. A total of 26 key sub-technical items were identified, achieving an expert consensus level of over 80. Furthermore, the importance ranking was analyzed using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, and the consistency tests were passed with C.I. < 0.1 and C.R. < 0.1. Finally, the obtained importance ranking of the hierarchical structure was used to predict the future development of computer numerical control machines through a technology roadmap, helping manufacturers use it as a reference model for future development trends to enhance market competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change presents a substantial impediment for the global community and prompts policymakers worldwide to prioritize environmental goals when defining national development strategies. Prioritizing these goals is particularly challenging for governments of developing economies still relying on fossil fuels, foreign capital, and industry contribution to GDP. This study examines the relationships between carbon dioxide emissions, industry value added, financial development, and electricity generation in 15 Central and Eastern European countries from 1995 to 2021. To achieve this objective, we examined stationarity and cointegration and employed a vector error correction model to investigate causalities between the variables, along with a variance decomposition analysis. Our findings suggest that the short-run unidirectional causalities exist from industry value-added to carbon dioxide emissions and from carbon dioxide emissions to financial development and electricity generation. Long-term causality exists between carbon dioxide emissions and industry value added. The findings shed light on the challenges and opportunities these countries face in transitioning to climate neutrality and meeting the decarbonization targets. Within this context, the findings underscore the significance of crafting customized strategies for these economies to navigate the complex landscape of climate change while promoting sustainable industrial, electricity and financial sector development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mexican Journal of Economics & Finance / Revista Mexicana de Economia y Finanzas is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas 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.)

Ilex latifolia Thunb., a plant of significant economic and medicinal value, is both edible and medicinal. Assessing the climate suitability for I. latifolia has profound implications for advancing medical progress and enhancing the quality of human life. This study comprehensively utilized data on the field distribution of I. Latifolia, as well as corresponding climatic, topographical, and soil data at these distribution points, with the aid of future climate data predicted by global climate models, and employed the MaxEnt model to predict and analyze the climate suitability areas of I. latifolia under three greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585). The research covers the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, suitable growth range, and influencing factors from the present to the end of the 21st century (2041–2100). The predictive results of the MaxEnt model indicate that, under current climatic conditions, the main suitable growth areas for I. latifolia are concentrated in the southeastern part of China, especially in the provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang. However, facing the challenges of future climate change, it is expected that the moderately high suitable growth areas for I. latifolia will show a trend of gradual reduction. The primary climatic factors crucial for I. latifolia's growth are annual precipitation (1469.05 to 4499.50 mm), the lowest temperature in the coldest month (−18.72 to 3.88 °C), seasonal precipitation changes (11.94 to 64.69 mm), and topographic slope (0.37 to 3.00°), with annual precipitation being the most influential. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis for the introduction of I. latifolia and offer important reference information for the artificial cultivation, resource development, and achievement of sustainable industrial development of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the investigation and creation of a new non-traditional raw material base for wall ceramics for the south of Russia is shown in connection with the decreasing availability of traditional raw materials—loams. Characterizations of the mineral and chemical constituent rock formations of the rocks composing the dumps of coal waste heaps and enrichment plants are given. A serious constraint for the industrial development of coal wastes is the requirement for a great variety of mineral constituents. The chemical and mineralogical compositions and the pre-firing ceramic properties of the waste coal heaps are studied and presented in detail. It is mentioned that fine and thin materials contain coal in an increased amount; due to this, they cannot be considered as the main raw material for the production of wall ceramics. The materials of the medium-sized grain group (2.0–5.0 mm, sifting) can contain up to 2–3% of coal and are most often represented by a mixture of mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones, with the predominance of one or another type of rock. The granulometric composition and the content of large-grained inclusions, molding moisture, plasticity, cohesiveness, desiccation properties, and air shrinkage were studied and determined. It is concluded that the middle group of waste coal heaps in particular are of the greatest interest as a basic raw material for the production of wall ceramic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]