Search

A supply and demand mismatch, or imbalance of the amount of supplies in the market, is always an issue and can happen all the time. Capacity sharing is an effective way to address this problem, and the capacity sharing platform facilitates the optimal matching between multiple capacity buyers and sellers. In the context of Industry 4.0, many industries are adopting intelligent algorithms to assist in decision-making. This paper presents an optimal or near-optimal matching algorithm to cope with a large volume of capacity-sharing problems. The fairness of the matching solution is captured by including three objectives from platform, sellers and buyers. In this paper, a 2-dimensional crossover and an order-first mutation are developed and employed with genetic algorithms (GA), including GA and NSGA-II. Additionally, a novel repair mechanism is proposed by considering various constraints to transform infeasible solutions into feasible ones. Two matching schemes are studied based on whether orders from buyers can be split or not. The results show that both algorithms based on traditional GA and NSGA-II are effective for different schemes. In addition, it is found that GA has better performance in the case of 'more sellers' and NSGA-II shows better performance in the 'more buyers' case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sharing economy and new information technologies has promoted the emergence of third-party shared manufacturing platforms (TPSMPs). In the shared manufacturing context, one main challenge to TPSMPs is the matching of manufacturing enterprises with insufficient production capacity (capacity demanders) and those with overcapacity (capacity suppliers), where available capacities of capacity suppliers are within time ranges, and orders of capacity demanders can be split. In this capacity matching problem with capacity time windows and order splitting (CMPCTW-OS), each capacity demander's order needs to be delivered on time, while each capacity supplier can also match with multiple capacity demanders and fulfil orders of the capacity demanders by sequence. A mathematical model for the CMPCTW-OS is developed to maximise the total profit of the TPSMP. Then, we design a two-stage heuristic algorithm to solve this model. In the first stage, the inserting algorithm (IA) is used to obtain an initial feasible solution. In the second stage, the iterated local search (ILS) is applied to optimise and improve the initial feasible solution. Finally, in numerical simulation experiments, the effectiveness of IA-ILS has been verified by comparison with the GUROBI solver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lot-sizing problem aims at determining the products to be produced and their quantities for each time period, which is a difficult problem in production planning. This problem becomes even more complicated when practical aspects such as limited production capacity, bill of materials, and item substitution are considered. In this paper, we study a new variant of the lot-sizing problem, called the multi-level capacitated lot-sizing problem with substitution and backorder. Unlike previous studies, this variant considers substitutions at both the product and component levels, which is based on the real needs of manufacturers to increase planning flexibility. Backorders are allowed, but should be delivered within a certain time limitation. We formulate this problem using a mathematical programming model. A matheuristic approach is proposed to solve the problem. This first generates an initial feasible solution using a relax-and-fix algorithm, and then improves it using a hybrid fix-and-optimise algorithm. The proposed algorithm is calibrated with a full factorial design of experiments, and its efficiency is well validated. Finally, through extensive numerical experiments, we analyse the properties of this new lot-sizing problem, such as the effect of substitution options, and the influence of backorder time limitation, and provide several useful managerial insights for manufacturing companies to save costs in production planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A production plan gives the quantity of products to release on the shop floor in each period, where a period may represent a week or a month. The plan is the basis for negotiating order acceptance and delivery dates with customers and suppliers. The production plan must respect the available capacity on the shop floor, as underloading the shop floor leads to a loss of opportunity, and thus, a loss of competitiveness for the company. To properly manage the production capacity while negotiating with suppliers and customers, the production planners need a tool to accurately estimate the capacity consumption in each period. The computation of capacity consumption requires creating a detailed production schedule which is a complex task. Algorithms that find close to optimal schedules in a complex manufacturing environment are often time-consuming, which is impractical in a negotiation context. We investigate machine learning models to predict capacity consumption. We consider a flexible job-shop as commonly encountered in practice, and proposed several machine learning models. Namely, several variants of linear regression, decision trees, and artificial neural networks. Numerical experiments showed that our models outperform those found by both an exact approach and dispatching rules when computation time is short. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we study the multi-product dynamic lot-sizing problem with capacity constraints and batch ordering. This problem arises in short to medium range production scheduling for several products over a finite number of periods to meet known demand. Each period has a capacity for placing orders, and every order for each product must have a fixed quantity, or batch size, though multiple orders can be placed for each product. We define three mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) models and apply Lagrangian relaxation to formulate the corresponding dual problems by relaxing the capacity constraints. The aim is to identify the dual problem that is the easiest to solve and provides the solution with the smallest duality gap. Subgradient optimisation is applied to solve the preferred Lagrangian dual model, which uses one of two heuristics to find good feasible solutions. We also show that the special case, where the batch sizes for all products are the same, can be modeled as a transportation problem. A set of numerical experiments is designed to compare the performance of the Lagrangian relaxation approach with a commercial MILP solver to identify the version of the subgradient algorithm and the MILP model that provide the best solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain viability (SCV) is associated with systematic and dynamic approaches to responding to COVID-19 disruptions. The supply chain has been disturbed due to the recurrent nature of the pandemic. In the post-pandemic era, large and small- and medium-sized manufacturers have both advantages and disadvantages, complementing each other. This study proposes an agent-based model to simulate the viable situation of heterogeneous supply systems by considering three behavioural rules (i.e. cooperation establishment, win-win cooperation, and cooperation priority). The results demonstrate that the viability will be improved if large manufacturers cooperate closely with small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The viability is also associated with two adjustment parameters of production capacity, indicating that large manufacturers need to become more scalable, flexible, and adaptable to survive a rapidly changing environment. In addition, when the cooperation is more widely-connected, the viability will be higher. When facing severe fluctuations, large and small- and medium-sized manufacturers can cooperate, acting as a 'sponge system' to flatten the fluctuations. Finally, the simulation results of an empirical network also support this conclusion. Therefore, we suggest that a viable supply chain design should consider integrating supply resources to improve the overall viability of the supply system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective operations of closed-loop supply chains (CLSCs) can help companies achieve sustainability goals and boost economic performance. In practice, CLSCs must collect used products, a complex process that is often constrained by collection station capacity. However, how collection station capacity influences the bullwhip effect and the dynamic performance of CLSCs remains unclear. Here, we develop a system dynamics model for CLSCs that integrates traditional manufacturing with remanufacturing and explore the effects of the stochastic capacity constraint of the collection station on the bullwhip effect of CLSCs. We find that, generally speaking, a collection station with looser or more stable capacity constraints tends to reduce bullwhip of CLSCs. However, pertinent interactions emerge between the relevant parameters; in some situations, reducing the capacity level of a collection station may be reasonable and beneficial when the stochastic capacity constraint is very stable, or when customer demand is highly variable. We also consider the partial backlog in return collection, a phenomenon associated with the stochastic capacity constraint of a collection station, and identify a new trade-off between CLSC sustainability and economic performance. Ultimately, our findings provide evidence that will guide managers' plans for the capacity management of return collection in CLSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous allocation of service times and buffer capacities in manufacturing systems in a random environment is a NP-hard combinatorial optimisation problem. This paper presents a sophisticated simulation-based optimisation approach for the design of unreliable production lines to maximise the production rate. The proposed method allows for a global search using a Genetic Algorithm (GA), which is coupled with Finite Perturbation Analysis (FPA) as a local search technique. Traditional techniques based on perturbation analysis optimise decision variables of the same nature (e.g. service time only, buffer capacity only), whereas the proposed technique simultaneously provides an allocation of service times and buffer capacities. One of the main focuses of this paper is the investigation of the persistence or absence of the buffer and service rate allocation patterns which are among the most essential insights that come from designing production lines. The results show the superiority of the combined GA-FPA approach regarding GA and FPA in terms of solution quality and convergence behaviour. Moreover, considering instances ranging from 3 to 100 machines, our numerical experiments are in line with the literature for small instances (as similar allocation patterns are identified in our work), but important differences are highlighted for medium/large instances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by a practical problem, this paper investigates the integrated planning of maintenance operations and workload allocation on a set of machines in a workshop. Given quantities of products to be produced per period on a planning horizon must be processed on unrelated flexible machines. Moreover, each machine has to undergo one or more maintenance operations that must be planned within a given time window and impact products differently. The main goal is to find a feasible plan that satisfies the machine capacity by allocating the production quantities to machines and assigning maintenance operations as late as possible in their time windows. Various original mathematical models are presented. In particular, we propose models that allow maintenance operations and some production quantities to overlap two consecutive periods. Computational experiments based on industrial data show that allowing this overlapping helps the earliness of maintenance operations to be significantly reduced in the most difficult instances, going for example from a total of 14 periods to only 1 period, and by more than 35% on average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PVD technologies, including vacuum arc evaporation and DC-magnetron sputtering, have been utilized in industrial settings since the early 1980s for depositing protective coatings. These coatings encompass a range of materials such as metal nitrides, carbonitrides, oxides, oxynitrides, and DLC, serving diverse applications such as cutting and forming tools, automotive components, and decoration. Vacuum arc evaporation generates a highly energized and ionized particle flux toward the substrate, while "classical" gas-ion-dominated direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) has limitations in generating ionized and energetic species of the sputtered target material. The development of High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) has exhibited significant potential in addressing DCMS's limitations by enabling the production of highly energetic particles. This innovation, with its industrial applicability for protective coatings, was introduced around 2010. This paper aims to provide an industrial perspective on HiPIMS, serving as a guide for scientists and engineers in comprehending and implementing HiPIMS solutions. It covers historical context and fundamental characteristics. Basic features as well as state-of-the-art configurations of PVD systems are also described. Graphical representations of experimental results illustrate HiPIMS features, including operational modes, deposition rate effects, thickness uniformity, and sustainability, particularly in terms of energy efficiency. The discussion focuses on the application prospects, advantages, and constraints of industrially applied HiPIMS protective coatings, emphasizing cutting and forming tools, within the context of the findings presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a practical relevant operational production planning problem in complex manufacturing systems is addressed. In this problem, lots are planned individually to provide a more detailed plan than approaches that only consider production quantities. A three-step approach, which is currently fully integrated and used in a Decision Support System, is then introduced. This work follows the one of Mhiri et al. [2018. "Heuristic Algorithm for a WIP Projection Problem at Finite Capacity in Semiconductor Manufacturing." IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing 31 (1): 62–75] who addressed this problem. We push the approach a step further by introducing new optimisation possibilities through new smoothing rules, whose performance is studied according to different indicators. Furthermore, we present the production planning process in which the decision support tool is embedded and how it bridges the gap between the upper and lower planning levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contemporary Accounting Research is the property of Canadian Academic Accounting Association 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.)

Peach (Prunus persica) is consumed in almost every part of the world due to its unique taste, flavor, and other sensorial characteristics. The peach processing industry discarded many parts of the fruit including stone, seed, and peel as "peach waste" (PW) after separating the fleshy part of the fruit. PW components are an affluent source of protein, micronutrients, bioactive compounds, hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose. This proffer review potentially identifies nutraceutical exploitation with health benefits demonstrated by functional bioactive compounds along with their industrial applications in the field of nutraceuticals, food, feed, and cosmetics. Moreover, Wastewater treatment and biosynthetic development of practically useful products are also discussed. The use of PW for the development and designing of innovative nutraceutical and functional foods with enhanced quality could also be significant for lowering food waste and improving food security and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano tungsten carbide (WC) was synthesized using loose yellow tungsten oxide (WO3) rods, which were derived from violet tungsten oxide (WO2.72) through calcination in dry oxygen. The WO3 rods were then subjected to ball milling with carbon black, followed by carbothermal reduction and carbonization. Unlike conventional methods such as hydrogen reduction or carbothermal reduction, this technique avoids the formation of hydrated tungsten oxides and addresses challenges related to precise carbon control and matching. This streamlined procedure produces nanoscale tungsten carbide particles approximately 150 nm in size, showing great potential for future industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiotic relationships between enterprises help mitigate resource and environmental impacts of industrial activities via exchanging waste or by‐products as material inputs among each other. However, the emergence of such symbiotic relationships under complex driving factors across different geographical scales remains hitherto not well understood. Here, we provide an analytic framework including a random forest model and Shannon index, to systematically describe and explain the scale effects of driving factors underlying the symbiotic relationships. Based on a questionnaire survey for 324 enterprises in Chun'an, a typical industrial city in eastern China, we applied this analytical framework. The results show that, first, the quantity of symbiotic relationships exhibits an inversely proportional function across various geographical scales. Second, there exist significant differences in the dominant factors at different scales. Finally, the diversity of importance of factors and the emergence of symbiotic relationships exhibit a consistent trend of fluctuation, providing evidence for the explanatory potential of our proposed analytical framework for the driving mechanisms of emergence. We find that when enterprises are simultaneously affected by multiple driving factors with potent forces (referred to as the diversity of importance), symbiotic behaviors are more likely to occur. Moreover, our results suggest that fostering symbiotic relationships necessitates considering the variations in driving factors across different scales comprehensively and formulating targeted promotional measures tailored to the specific driving factors of different enterprise types. Our proposed framework would help to maximize industrial symbiosis potentials in a specific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortage of superior grade wood fibers is a prime problem faced by Indian pulp and paper industries. As a result, the pulp and paper industry find it difficult to withstand the competition in the market, which had grown extremely competitive. In order to increase the utilization of non-wood fibers resources in the production of high quality eco-friendly papers, dhaincha, a non-wood fiber resource has potential industrial application. In this research, pulp and paper were developed from Sesbania aculeata stem using kraft pulping followed by bleaching. Optimization of conditions for pulping was carried out by Response Surface Methodology. The relationship between three variables and three responses were studied using Box–Behnken experimental design. The developed pulp was evaluated for kappa number, brightness index, viscosity, FTIR and TGA. Then paper was developed by using optimized pulp and evaluated for physical properties. The statistical analysis (ANOVA) was carried out in order to establish the relationship between the concentration of NaOH, Na2S, treatment time and temperature with kappa number, brightness index and viscosity. The physical properties of pulp and developed handmade paper highlights the sustainable use of dhaincha plant in pulp and paper industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Biocomposites are an emerging field in plastic industry. The incorporation of agri‐food waste in conventional or biobased polymer matrices allows the industry to lessen its carbon footprint, while producing recyclable plastic products. In this work, hemp hurd, a byproduct of hemp fiber production process, was used as a filler to prepare novel compostable composites in two different loadings (22% and 32% w/w respectively). Waste hemp hurds were selected due to their abundance and the lack of derived high‐value products. Three different polymers were used, namely poly[(tetramethyleneadipate)‐co‐(tetramethyleneterephthalate)] (PBAT) and poly(tetramethylene succinate) (PBS) as compostable polymers and a polyethylene elastomer for comparison. The bare polymers and prepared blends were then characterized for their structure and morphology by XRD and FESEM, as well as for their wettability, thermal and mechanical properties (namely energy absorbed on impact and flexural modulus). Structural and morphological characterization unveiled the different interactions occurring between hemp and the polymer matrices, suggesting the major impact of the type of used polymer when compared with biomass loading percentages. Mechanical tests showed that both PBAT and PBS blends properties are comparable to those of the pure polymers (i.e., in the case of PBAT the flexural modulus of the pure polymer was 82.2 MPa while the hemp‐loaded blends stood at around 50 MPa, whereas all PBS polymers and blends were 220 MPa, with no statistical difference between samples). These biomaterials have also similar thermal properties with respect to the bare polymers, underlining the promising potential as sustainable alternative to pure polymers. Waste hemp hurds were used to load biodegradable polymers at different percentages. Hemp hurd‐based biomaterials with excellent properties were prepared. Polymer flexural behavior was maintained even after hemp addition. Polymer‐hemp interactions for each polymeric matrix were elucidated. Hemp substitutes up to 32% w/w of polymer without affecting its properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocatalytic membranes have great potential in various industrial sectors, with the immobilization of enzymes being a crucial stage. Immobilizing enzymes through covalent bonds is a complex and time-consuming process for large-scale applications. Polydopamine (PDA) offers a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for enzyme immobilization. Therefore, surface modification with polydopamine as mussel-inspired antifouling coatings has increased resistance to fouling. In this study, α-amylase enzyme was covalently bound to a bioactive PDA-coated polyethersulfone (PES) membrane surface using cyanuric chloride as a linker. The optimal activity of α-amylase enzyme immobilized on PES/PDA membrane was obtained at temperature and pH of 55°C and 6.5, respectively. The immobilized enzyme can be reused up to five reaction cycles with 55 % retention of initial activity. Besides, it maintained 60 % of its activity after being stored for five weeks at 4°C. Additionally, the immobilized enzyme demonstrated increased Michaelis constant and maximum velocity values during starch hydrolysis. The results of the biofouling experiment of various membranes in a dead-end cell demonstrated that the PES membrane's water flux increased from 6722.7 Lmh to 7560.2 Lmh after PDA modification. Although α-amylase immobilization reduced the flux to 7458.5 Lmh due to enhanced hydrophilicity, compared to unmodified membrane. The findings of this study demonstrated that the membrane produced through co-deposition exhibited superior hydrophilicity, enhanced coating stability, and strong antifouling properties, positioning it as a promising candidate for industrial applications. [Display omitted] • α-Amylase was covalently immobilized onto polydopamine-functionalized polyethersulfone membrane. • Surface modification with polydopamine generated a mussel-inspired coating to inhibit fouling. • The immobilization technique effectively preserved the activity of α-amylase enzyme. • The biocatalyst membrane exhibited superior stability and strong antifouling properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of lithium (Li) from complex brines presents significant challenges due to the interference of competing ions, particularly magnesium (Mg2⁺), which complicates the selective separation process. Herein, a strategy is introduced employing charge‐lock enhanced 2D heterogeneous channels for the rapid and selective uptake of Li⁺. This approach integrates porous ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanosheets into Ag+‐modulated sub‐nanometer interlayer channels, forming channels optimized for Li⁺ extraction. The novelty lies in the charge‐lock mechanism, which selectively captures Mg2⁺ ions, thereby facilitating the effective separation of Li from Mg. This mechanism is driven by a charge transfer during the formation of ZnFe2O4/ZnO, rendering O atoms in Fe‐O bonds more negatively charged. These negative charges strongly interact with the high charge density of Mg2⁺ ions, enabling the charge‐locking mechanism and the targeted capture of Mg2⁺. Optimization with Ag⁺ further improves interlayer spacing, increasing ion transport rates and addressing the swelling issue typical of 2D membranes. The resultant membrane showcases high water flux (44.37 L m⁻2 h⁻¹ bar⁻¹) and an impressive 99.8% rejection of Mg2⁺ in real brine conditions, achieving a Li⁺/Mg2⁺ selectivity of 59.3, surpassing existing brine separation membranes. Additionally, this membrane demonstrates superior cyclic stability, highlighting its high potential for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic structure evolution of heterogeneous catalysts during reaction has gained great attention recently. However, controllably manipulating dynamic process and then feeding back catalyst design to extend the lifetime remains challenging. Herein, we proposed an entropy variation strategy to develop a dynamic CuZn−Co/HEOs catalyst, in which the non‐active Co nano‐islands play a crucial role in controlling thermal effect via timely capturing and utilizing reaction heat generated on the adjacent active CuZn alloys, thus solving the deactivation problem of Cu‐based catalysts. Specifically, heat sensitive Co nano‐islands experienced an entropy increasing process of slowly redispersion during the reaction. Under such heat dissipation effect, the CuZn−Co/HEOs catalyst exhibited 95.7 % ethylene selectivity and amazing long‐term stability (>530 h) in the typical exothermic acetylene hydrogenation. Aiming at cultivating it as a catalyst with promising industrial potential, we proposed a simple regeneration approach via an entropy decreasing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaves of Magnoliaceae family plants contain abundant essential oils (EOs), and these species can be used in many fields due to their high industrial, medicinal, and ornamental values. This study aims to identify the main compounds of the EOs from the leaves of five common Magnoliaceae species (Michelia maudiae, Michelia hedyosperma, Michelia macclurei, Manglietia lucida, Manglietia conifer) using hydrodistillation, GC–MS analysis, and in vitro tests. Additionally, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the EOs were also evaluated. The results show that 151 compounds were identified across five species, with sesquiterpenes being dominant. Some key compounds (such as β-caryophyllene, δ-amorphene, β-guaiene, globulol, and β-acorenol) were common among all the species, highlighting their crucial roles in plant physiology and resilience. Other compounds (like valeranone and nerolidol in M. maudiae and β-elemene in M. macclurei) were specific, indicating different functions. Among the five species, the essential oil of M. macclurei contains β-elemene and nerolidyl acetate, and it has the weakest antioxidant activity (IC50 value: 2918.61~21,341.98 μg/mL) but the strongest antibacterial activity (inhibition zone diameter: 8.55 ± 0.93~22.92 ± 0.46 mm; LC50 value: 0.02~0.78 mg/mL). Meanwhile, the EO of M. maudiae demonstrated the best antioxidant activity (the IC50 value was 1283.58~6258.32 μg/mL) and the second-best antibacterial activity (the inhibition zone diameter ranged from 7.61 ± 0.02 to 26.92 ± 0.46 mm, and the LC50 value was 0.03~2.28 mg/mL). Overall, the EO of M. maudiae had the best comprehensive performance. Therefore, the EOs of M. macclurei and M. maudiae showed different performances in biological activity categories, and they could be developed and used in different fields, with the possibility of discovering new applications. This brings inspiration to the potential commercial and industrial uses of sesquiterpenes in Magnoliaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red seaweeds from the coastal shores of Ilo (Peru) are a natural source of high-value compounds beneficial to health due to their high antioxidant capacity. Thus, this work evaluated the effect of water–ethanol mixtures (0, 15, and 30%; v/v) at high temperatures (90, 120, and 150 °C) on the polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenols profile of red seaweed (Chondracanthus chamissoi) during a pressurized liquid extraction process, whose parameters were set at 10 atm, with a single cycle of extraction and a volume of 150%. An increase in temperature and ethanol had a positive effect on antioxidant compounds. Thus, the best processing conditions were established at 150 °C and 30% ethanol, allowing for the extraction of a high polyphenol content (2.04 mg GAE/g dw) and antioxidant capacity (IC50: 7.46 mg/mL, ORAC: 148.98 μmol TE/g dw). High ethanol concentrations (30%) effectively recovered phenolic acids, flavonols, and phlorotannins for the polyphenols profile. However, the use of pure water was more effective in recovering flavonols. Interestingly, using pure water as an extraction solvent at high temperatures allowed for a more significant inhibition of the α-amylase enzyme than water–ethanol mixtures under the same conditions. Finally, the results can be utilized for future industrial scaling and the potential utilization of extracts in developing diabetes treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal gangue identification is the primary step in coal flow initial screening, which mainly faces problems such as low identification efficiency, complex algorithms, and high hardware requirements. In response to the above, this article proposes a new "hardware friendly" coal gangue image recognition algorithm, RRBM-YOLO, which is combined with dark light enhancement. Specifically, coal gangue image samples were customized in two scenarios: normal lighting and simulated underground lighting with poor lighting conditions. The images were preprocessed using the dim light enhancement algorithm Retinexformer, with YOLOv8 as the backbone network. The lightweight module RepGhost, the repeated weighted bi-directional feature extraction module BiFPN, and the multi-dimensional attention mechanism MCA were integrated, and different datasets were replaced to enhance the adaptability of the model and improve its generalization ability. The findings from the experiment indicate that the precision of the proposed model is as high as 0.988, the mAP@0.5(%) value and mAP@0.5:0.95(%) values increased by 10.49% and 36.62% compared to the original YOLOv8 model, and the inference speed reached 8.1GFLOPS. This indicates that RRBM-YOLO can attain an optimal equilibrium between detection precision and inference velocity, with excellent accuracy, robustness, and industrial application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable change in the occurrence of seismic disasters in Sichuan, China. The focus has shifted from Western Sichuan to the previously more stable Southeastern Sichuan. The recent Ms6.0 earthquake in Luxian, Southeastern Sichuan, on 16 September 2021, has once again captured the interest of scholars, who are closely examining the seismogenic environment and potential seismic hazards in the region. We conducted a magnetotelluric (MT) array survey in the Luxian earthquake area to explore the deep seismogenic environment of the 2021 Luxian Ms6.0 earthquake zone and understand the potential effects of industrial extraction on seismic activities. Here are the insights we obtained: Underneath the anticline in the Luxian Ms6.0 earthquake area, there is a structure that mainly exhibits high resistance. On the other hand, beneath the syncline, a structure with medium to low resistance is observed. The epicenter of the mainshock was identified near the intersection of high- and low-resistance media within the Fuji syncline area. Smaller aftershocks that followed the mainshock were mainly concentrated in the low-resistance layers at depths of 3–5 km in the Fuji syncline area. MT survey results have confirmed the existence of a detachment zone in the shallow crust near the epicenter of the Luxian Ms6.0 earthquake. It is believed that this detachment layer played a significant role in the seismogenic process of the Luxian Ms6.0 earthquake. During different stress conditions, this layer became active and caused the compression and faulting of a hidden fault below, resulting in the Luxian Ms6.0 earthquake. After the main earthquake, a series of smaller aftershocks with varying focal mechanisms occurred as the stress fields continued to release. It is important to note that the Luxian Ms6.0 earthquake highlights the ongoing high stress levels in the southern region of the Sichuan Basin. This emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and consideration of potential seismic hazards in the southern Sichuan area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst is commercially employed for methanol manufacturing. The push to enhance the production capacity and reduce CO2 emissions is stimulated by commercial and environmental considerations. Provided that, the present study addressed the assessment of methanol production from the collected CO2-rich off-gas streams in a petrochemical plant by a CAMERE process, which includes a primary reverse water–gas shift reactor (iron-based catalyst) for the conversion of CO2 to CO followed by a conventional methanol reactor (CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst). The feasibility study is conducted by employing a validated mathematical model. The acquired results demonstrate that the new strategy is capable of intensifying methanol manufacturing (more than 15%, equivalent to 52,500 tonnes per year) and reducing CO2 release (more than 56%). As a whole, running the new plant by employing a two-step off-gas transformation to methanol would result in intensified production capacity and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing corn ethanol biorefineries produce about 94% of the ethanol capacity in the USA and currently have surplus production capacity. Expanding feedstocks for existing facilities rather than building new dedicated facilities could provide significant benefits and cost savings. Grain sorghum is a feedstock with a similar composition to corn, which could be utilized at significant incorporation levels in existing facilities with minimal or no modifications but it is currently only used minimally. To understand the impact of grain sorghum incorporation better we studied mixed corn and grain sorghum fermentation at the laboratory scale and utilized the data generated to develop technical models for the individual grains and for a 50/50 mixture at 119 million kg per year (40 million gal per year). Detailed processing and economic comparisons were developed to determine the overall impact. The results showed significant feedstock savings ($8 million per year) potential for utilization of sorghum relative to corn. Ethanol production cost was reduced by $0.07 per kg of ethanol using sorghum relative to corn. Other potential impacts on coproduct composition and values were also determined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic balance is essential for oocyte maturation and acquisition of developmental capacity. Suboptimal conditions of in vitro cultures would lead to lipid accumulation and finally result in disrupted oocyte metabolism. However, the effect and mechanism underlying lipid catabolism in oocyte development remain elusive currently. In the present study, we observed enhanced developmental capacity in Procyanidin B2 (PCB2) treated oocytes during in vitro maturation. Meanwhile, reduced oxidative stress and declined apoptosis were found in oocytes after PCB2 treatment. Further studies confirmed that oocytes treated with PCB2 preferred to lipids catabolism, leading to a notable decrease in lipid accumulation. Subsequent analyses revealed that mitochondrial uncoupling was involved in lipid catabolism, and suppression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) would abrogate the elevated lipid consumption mediated by PCB2. Notably, we identified peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) as a potential target of PCB2 by docking analysis. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that PCB2 improved oocyte development capacity and attenuated oxidative stress by activating PPARγ mediated mitochondrial uncoupling. Our findings identify that PCB2 intricately improves oocyte development capacity through targeted activation of the PPARγ/UCP1 pathway, fostering uncoupling lipid catabolism while concurrently mitigating oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Products from Polygonum aviculare and Pseudomonas fluorescens with biostimulant activity • Plant extracts with P. fluorescens for treating Melilotus officinalis seed improved germination • Infusions and macerates differed in the concentration of bioactive compounds • Fusion of extracts with bacteria elicits a greater stimulating potential • Mathematical models were developed for the tested seed treatments The empirical evidence indicated that chemicals in plants and selected microorganisms can promote the germination process and determine the growth, viability, survival and yield potential of industrial crop plants. The main objective of this study was exploring the phytochemical and microbiological synergistic activity between plant extracts from Polygonum aviculare L. and beneficial bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens to enhance germination of Melilotus officinalis seeds and improve morphological characteristics of seedlings. The derived plant preparations were analyzed qualitatively, which showed that the aqueous extracts of P. aviculare were characterized by a higher content of phenolic compounds, micro- and macroelements and carbohydrates compared to the macerates, and that no phytohormones were detected in both the infusions and macerates. Pure macerates (MAC), infusions (IF), bacterial cultures (PF) and their mixtures (MAC+PF; INF+PF) were used for seed treatment of test plants. In the control group, lower values of M. officinalis seed germination and seedling growth rates were observed in relation to the applied treatments. The most effective germination rates were obtained after the application of pure infusions (IF) and their mixture with P. fluorescens (IF+PF), while the highest growth rates (including an almost twofold increase in the length of the nostril shoots compared to the control) were obtained after the application of P. fluorescens inoculum (PF) and the mixture of the infusion and these bacteria (IF+PF). The use of modeling, as a tool for predicting germination efficiency, has been shown to provide screening opportunities for identifying the effectiveness of biostimulant treatments. Thereby, this indicates the need to develop such an approach under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing suitable cathodes of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) with robust electrochemical performance and industrial application potential is crucial for the commercialization of large‐scale stationary energy storage systems. Layered sodium transition metal oxides, NaxTmO2 (Tm representing transition metal), possessing considerable specific capacity, high operational potential, facile synthesis, cost‐effectiveness, and environmentally friendly characteristics, stand out as viable cathode materials. Nevertheless, the prevailing challenge of air‐induced degradation in most NaxTmO2 significantly increases costs associated with production, storage, and transportation, coupled with a rapid decay in reversible capacity. This inherent obstacle inevitably impedes the advancement and commercial viability of SIBs. To address this challenge, it is essential to decode the chemistry of degradation caused by air exposure and develop protective strategies accordingly. In this review, a comprehensive and in‐depth understanding of the fundamental mechanisms associated with air‐induced degradation is provided. Additionally, the current state‐of‐the‐art effective protective strategies are explored and discuss the corresponding sustainability and scalability features. This review concludes with an outlook on present and future research directions concerning air‐stable cathode materials, offering potential avenues for upcoming investigations in advancing alkali metal layered oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, food technology researchers have focused on improving the functional properties of proteins; several technologies have been used for this purpose, ultrasound being one of the most promising technologies. For this reason, the effect of ultrasound (20 kHz; 20% and 40% amplitude; 30, 60, and 90 s) on emulsifying properties of proteins from giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantle was studied. Changes in particle size, zeta potential, rheological properties, and micrographs were obtained. Emulsion stability was monitored by determining the size of the droplets as well as changes in their viscosity over 15 days. Treatment with 40% amplitude for 90 s showed lower particle size, and they were consistent with the micrograph images. Protein solutions showed a pseudoplastic behavior, being considered as non-Newtonian fluid. After 15 days of storage, the untreated sample presented a Sauter diameter (3, 2) of 20.06 ± 0.17 µm, while samples treated with ultrasound showed values of 13.64 ± 0.15 µm. The apparent viscosity of emulsions decreased by the ultrasound effect. In this regard, the ultrasound treatment improved the physicochemical and emulsifying features of the squid proteins, showing that it can be a potential technology for industrial applications to improve the functional properties of jumbo squid proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The biological conversion method using immobilized enzymes has become an important means to produce ginsenosides. Among them, the preprepared Zn‐Ni MOF could be used to immobilize glycosyltransferase by specific adsorption for ginsenoside Rh2 production. However, the low enzyme load of Zn‐Ni MOF limited its wide application. In this study, we successfully synthesized the Glu@Zn‐Ni MOF filled with nanospheres by modifying the previously prepared Zn‐Ni MOF with glutamic acid (Glu) through ligand exchange. This modification significantly increased the specific surface area of the Glu@Zn‐Ni MOF and enhanced the material's enzyme‐carrying capacity. After immobilizing glycosyltransferase (UGT) onto the Glu@Zn‐Ni MOF, the UGT@Glu@Zn‐Ni MOF demonstrated improved stability across different pH levels, temperatures, and repeated cycles. After seven cycles, the immobilized enzyme remained at 83.42% of its initial enzyme activity. To further enhance the process, we incorporated immobilized sucrose synthase into the system to form a coupled reaction. This approach not only reduced substrate costs but also increased the yield of ginsenoside Rh2. By optimizing the coupling reaction through adjustments to the reaction conditions and the addition of suitable surfactants and organic solvents, we achieved a yield of 5.41 μg/mL of Rh2. The development and optimization of this material hold significant potential and value for industrial applications in both material enhancement and ginsenoside synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragilariaceae is a paraphyletic family of araphid diatoms commonly used as bio-indicators, in environmental assessments and in paleoenvironmental reconstructions, and with various potential industrial applications. Recent molecular taxonomic research has highlighted significant limitations in traditional morphology-based investigations of these diatom species. Most descriptions of species and genera of the Fragilariaceae present broad morphological character definitions and many diagnostic characters are indistinguishable by light microscopy. In this sense, taxon misidentification is common and could have serious implications for environmental surveys and laboratory experiments. To better understand the diversity of the Fragilariaceae, we (1) performed phylogenetic analyses of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), rbcL and psbC gene sequences, (2) inferred a cladogram from key morphological features used in the traditional identification of Fragilariaceae, (3) tested if the topologies of the tree recovered from the molecular phylogeny, of the tree based on morphology and of the trees constraining to monophyly the genera Sarcophagodes, Pseudostaurosira and Nanofrustulum (together and separately) were significantly different and (4) mapped morphological character states on the ML tree and inferred their evolution based on maximum parsimony. Our results supported the monophyly of a group of Fragilariaceae within small araphid diatoms including the genera Cratericulifera, Plagiostriata, Castoridens, Opephora, Staurosira, Staurosirella, Punctastriata, Psammotaenia,Hendeyella, Stauroforma, Pseudostaurosira sensu Li, Nanofrustulum sensu Li, Serratifera sensu Li and Gedaniella sensu Li. Molecular phylogeny and topology tests suggested that the latest circumscriptions of the genera Sarcophagodes, Pseudostaurosira and Nanofrustulum sensu Morales were not monophyletic. Analyses of the Antarctic strain IMA070A collected during the XXXIV Italian Antarctic Expedition using fine structural features of the frustule and molecular data revealed that this diatom belongs to a distinct lineage within Gedaniella, which we describe here as Gedaniella antarctica sp. nov. Highlights: Fragilariaceae diversity was revealed combining molecular data and morphology. Fragilariaceae displayed cryptic diversity. Gedaniella antarctica represent a new araphid diatom from Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three emerging non-thermal pretreatment methods, including cold plasma, ultrasound, and ozone water, were utilized to pretreat garlic slices before drying process. The garlic slices were then dried by hot air drying at 60 °C. The study investigated the drying kinetics, color, rehydration ratio (RR), allicin content (AC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and microstructure of the garlic slices. The results showed that ultrasound and ozone water pretreatment can significantly enhance drying kinetics. In comparison to untreated samples, garlic slices pretreated with ultrasound for 20 min exhibited a 55.96% increase in moisture effective diffusivity (Deff). Garlic pretreated with ultrasound exhibited the best rehydration properties, yet it retained the lowest levels of allicin content and antioxidant activity. Encouragingly, samples treated with ozone water demonstrated the best nutritional quality properties, with approximately 7.85% higher AC, 25.90% higher TPC, and 12.31% higher antioxidant activity compared to untreated samples. The study also emphasizes notable alterations in the microstructure of garlic resulting from various pretreatments. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing garlic drying processes using emerging non-thermal pretreatment techniques, showcasing their potential for industrial applications and quality enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the optimal hydrogen (H 2) production conditions of the high-efficiency H 2 -producing mutant strain Ethanoligenens harbinense YR-3 (carbon-nitrogen ratio 5.5, phosphate buffer 80 mM, initial pH 6.0, biotin 1.4 mg/L) are obtained by intermittent experiments. The maximum specific H 2 production rate of YR-3 (2.85 mol H 2 /mol glucose) was 1.4 times that of the wild strain ZGX4 (2.04 mol H 2 /mol glucose). The liquid-phase products are mainly ethanol and acetic acid, indicating that the metabolic pathway has not changed. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to compare and analyze the protein map differences between YR-3 and ZGX4. The results show that 1,6-fructose diphosphate aldolase and the flavoprotein in hydrogenase are highly expressed. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the genetic modification of high-efficiency H 2 -producing strains and the improvement of H 2 production capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid changes in the densely distributed lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) reflect the responses of terrestrial water resources to climate change. Timely and accurate monitoring of lake dynamics is essential for formulating adaptation strategies to manage water and protect public facility safety sustainably. Interfered by the numerous glaciers and snow mountains and limited by the acquisition and computing capacities of massive satellite data, annual inventories of all the lakes ranging from mini to large on the TP are still lacking. Here, we annually mapped these lake areas using all the Landsat imagery, a robust algorithm for detecting surface water according to multiple spectral indices, and Google Earth Engine. We further proposed an effective approach for accurately identifying the glaciers, snow, and mountain shadows in satellite imagery by introducing the characteristics of image luminosity and terrain slope, and removing their data noise remained in the lake maps to generate an annual precise dataset (Lake_TP) of the approximately 9,000 lakes over 0.1 km2 on the TP during 1991–2023. We revealed a rapid expansion of lakes with significant spatial heterogeneity, with 6,590 newly increased and 2,851 disappeared lakes found. The total lake areas (554.1 km2/yr) and numbers (77.9/yr) continuously and significantly increased in the period. The growth in lake numbers dominated by small lakes mainly happened before 2005, while the increases in lake areas dominated by large lakes lasted the whole period after 1995. The most significant increases in lake areas and numbers happened in the north of the Inner Basin and Yangtze, the hotspot of lake changes identified in the study. The dataset is expected to promote our understanding of the complete lake evolution process and the dynamic response of the cryosphere to the changing climate. The method proposed is also applicable to continuously monitoring the dynamics of lakes with higher accuracies in other alpine regions around the world. The Lake_TP dataset is publicly available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10686952 (Zhou et al. 2024). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the routing and admission control problem in a parallel queueing system with heterogeneous servers serving multiple types of customers. The system makes admission decision regarding whether to admit a customer upon arrival as well as routing decision of the queue to which the admitted customer is assigned. The objective is to maximize the expected profit, which includes customer-dependent revenues and holding cost and server-dependent cost. We first characterize the structure of the optimal policy for the case with two servers and two types of customers that have the same holding cost. We show that the optimal admission and routing policy has a complex non-monotone structure; however, we show that this non-monotone structure is the result of overlapping of three pairwise dominant policies that have a monotone structure. Utilizing the above structure, we propose three heuristics for the general case of multiple servers and multiple types of customers. Through a numerical study, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our heuristics, and provide conditions under which each heuristic performs well. Lastly, we provide insights on the effect of holding cost on customer rejection and the effect of fixed production cost on capacity allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Advancements in responsive manufacturing have been supporting companies over the last few decades. However, manufacturers now operate in a context of continuous uncertainty. This research paper explores a mechanism where companies can "elastically" provision and deprovision their production capacity, to enable them in coping with repeated disruptions. Such a mechanism is facilitated by the imitability and substitutability of production resources. Design/methodology/approach: An inductive study was conducted using Gioia methodology for this theory generation research. Respondents from 20 UK manufacturing companies across multiple industrial sectors reflected on their experience during COVID-19. Resource-based view and resource dependence theory were employed to analyse the manufacturers' use of internal and external production resources. Findings: The study identifies elastic responses at four operational levels: production-line, factory, company and supply chain. Elastic responses that imposed variable-costs were particularly well-suited for coping with unforeseen disruptions. Further, the imitability and substitutability of manufacturers helped others produce alternate goods during the crisis. Originality/value: While uniqueness of production capability helps manufacturers sustain competitive advantage against competitors during stable operations, imitability and substitutability are beneficial during a crisis. Successful manufacturing companies need to combine these two approaches to respond effectively to repeated disruptions in a context of ongoing uncertainties. The theoretical contribution is in characterising responsive manufacturing in terms of resource heterogeneity and resource homogeneity, with elastic resourcing as the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shrinkage method is one of the earliest and most widely used mining methods in China's underground mines, but shrinkage mining is often accompanied by a number of problems and safety hazards. With the continuous improvement of the filling process and filling material preparation and transportation technology, the application of trackless equipment such as drill jumbo and LHD (Load-Haul-Dump), and the continuous promulgation of mine safety and environmental protection policies, a large number of mines have transformed from the shrinkage method to the filling mining method. Suichang Gold Mine has improved its technical and economic indexes after transformation from the mine shrinkage method to the filling method. Its daily production capacity has increased from 30 t/d to 110 t/d, the dilution rate has decreased from 40% to 10%, the comprehensive recovery rate has increased from 95% to 98%, and the cost saving and revenue increase in the middle section of the test area of +180 m~+240 m has totaled 18,151,000 RMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the role of the absorptive capacity of Vietnamese manufacturing firms in facilitating the link from Japanese spillovers to the productivity of local firms in the manufacturing sector. By using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and threshold regression model with dynamic panel data from 2005 to 2018, the paper finds the following points. Firstly, the appearance and operation of Japanese firms can bring the positive horizontal labour effect and backward competition effect but it also brings the negative backward labour effect. Secondly, the absorptive capacity of domestic firms can help reduce the negative spillover effects and increase the positive spillover effects. Finally, if domestic firms cannot reach a threshold of absorptive capacity, they will suffer from Japanese spillovers while if they meet the threshold of absorptive capacity, they can enjoy the externalities from the operation and cooperation with Japanese firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leadership greatly determines to which side a nation tilts. A nation is progressive if the leaders are foresighted and translates the policies into concretely positive action. In the same way, a nation is considered to be retrogressive if the leaders are bereft of ideas that could move the nation in the right direction or lack the capacity of translating good ideas into reality. Growth of nation is not measured merely by its procreative ability that is manifested in population boom; but by the economic growth founded on adequate employment of knowledge economy. Such growth is reflected in the production and export capacity of such a nation. It is such consistent advancement in production and not consumption that leads to development. However, sustainable development is seen as a pointer to how far all-round transformation is essential ingredient in the overall leadership of a nation. The African cultural heritage is rich with imitable leadership values that ought to be revived. Such values surely aid sustainable development. It goes to say that leadership bereft of sustainable development leaves nothing to be desired. In that vein, the researcher aims at unravelling the crucial role of leadership values in the development of any African nations particularly Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East African Community (EAC) has had a chequered history, evidenced by multiple changes of names and objectives, and a hiatus lasting more than two decades following a collapse in 1977. It was resuscitated in 1999 by its founding members (Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya). That four other partner states have since joined is a clear testament to the effectiveness of its overhaul. The community is regulated by the EAC Treaty which promotes collective actions in several areas of mutual interests. Plagued by an ongoing access-to-medicines conundrum, EAC governments have considered collective action as recommended by the Treaty. This effort began around the 2010s when policy measures aimed at exploring collective solutions were adopted with a view to replacing reliance on importation and external drug donation with a gradually developed regional pharmaceutical production capacity. EAC policies such as the Policy/Protocol on TRIPS Flexibilities, the Medicines Registration Harmonisation Initiative, the Draft Anti-Counterfeit Policy, and a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan of Action (EAC PMP) have since been developed to achieve this ambitious goal. Using both doctrinal and empirical (semi-structured interviews) methods, this paper examines the EAC PMP – the 'be all' of the policies. The priority actions outlined under the plan's six pillars and presented as a bankable pathway to self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical production are critiqued. The paper finds considerable implementation of the drug harmonisation theme, while the others (leveraging TRIPS flexibilities, ensuring coherence, and boosting research and development and technology transfer) remain largely unimplemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of abrasive grain images in diamond tools serves as the foundation for assessing the overall condition of the tools, encompassing crucial aspects of diamond abrasive grains like the quantity, size, morphology, and distribution. Given the intricate background textures and reflective characteristics exhibited by diamond images, diamond detection and segmentation pose a significant challenge. Recently, numerous defect detection methods based on machine learning and deep learning have emerged. However, several issues persist, such as detection accuracy and the interference caused by intricate background textures. The present work demonstrates an efficient classification and segmentation network algorithm that combines Swin-Unet with SAM (Segment Anything Model) to alleviate the existing problems. Specifically, four embedding structures were devised to bridge the two models for iterative training. The transformer blocks within the Swin-Unet model were enhanced to facilitate classification and coarse segmentation, and the mask structure in SAM was refined to enable fine segmentation. The experimental results show that under a small sample dataset with complex background textures, the average index values of ACC (accuracy), SE (Sensitivity), and DSC (Dice Similarity Coefficient) for the classification and segmentation of diamond abrasive grains reached 98.7%, 92.5%, and 85.9%, respectively. Compared with the model before improvement, its ACC, SE and DSC increased by 1.2%, 15.9%, and 7.6%, respectively. The test results, based on four different datasets, consistently indicated that this model has excellent segmentation performance and robustness and has great application potential in the industrial field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vibration-based fault diagnosis of rotating machinery, strong impulse noise constitutes a widely encountered source of external interference, thereby posing significant challenges to the effective extraction of diagnostic information. In this context, an adaptive reweighted-Kurtogram (ARKurtogram) method is proposed. The bearing transient fault signatures are accurately extracted through two aspects – that is, precise frequency band division and robust band selection indicator. Specifically, we use the dual-tree complex wavelet packet transform (DTCWPT) as the band division tool and propose the sub-bands rearranged and ensemble DTCWPT which addresses the band disorder problem, yields far richer band division patterns and maintains excellent performance of DTCWPT in signal decomposition. Meanwhile, we introduce a robust indicator characterizing periodic fault impulses to accurately select the fault band. In comparison with the classical kurtosis and the advanced reweighted-kurtosis, this indicator is insensitive to strong external impulse noise and its calculation process contains a sliding window averaging approach which makes the calculation entirely automated without human intervention. The validity of the ARKurtogram is investigated with the analysis of vibration signals measured from fault-injection experiments. The comparisons with the classical fast Kurtogram method and the advanced Autogram method highlight the advantages of the method in extracting bearing transient fault signatures from complex signals with strong external impulse noise. It shows high potential in the application of industrial bearing fault diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing rate of urbanization across the world with various emerging opportunities and challenges that need effective management systems for achieving the basic objectives of sustainable urban transition. Likewise, the practices of urbanization in Ethiopia need to be effectively managed to minimize the multiple relevant socioeconomic and environmental challenges. The country has been undertaking industrial park development over the past decade as a key policy tool for promoting sustainable industrialization. However, there is a huge research gap regarding the contribution of industrial park development in the effort to achieve sustainable urban transition within the specific context of the country. Hence, the present study intends to scrutinize the existing challenges and role of industrial parks in managing them by considering the purposively selected parks with respective cities in the study area. The study applied exploratory mixed methods of data collection and analysis. Accordingly, it came up with the major findings on the current environmental, economic, social, and governance challenges impeding sustainable urban transition in Adama and Hawassa cities; and the significant contributions of the resident industrial parks in minimizing the challenges. Using the discussed and interpreted facts that have been derived from the findings, the authors suggest pertinent strategic measures that need to be emphasized to enhance the potential contribution of industrial park development in fostering the country's urban transition within the notion of sustainability while minimizing the challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nachrichten aus der Chemie is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department 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.)

This paper mainly studies the collaborative operation of a cross-border e-commerce supply chain composed of manufacturers, e-commerce platforms and foreign warehouses. Firstly, the decision models of transnational e-commerce enterprises based on decentralized, centralized, and hybrid modes are established. The sensitivity of the contract and each determining variable is analyzed using the simulation method. Through the joint contract of "revenue sharing + volume discount," the production efficiency of the enterprise and the logistics service of the international warehouse can be improved. The genetic algorithm combined with simulated annealing was adopted. Finally, a concrete example is given to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. The results show that the member departments can work together better under centralized decision-making compared to the decentralized management mode. Manufacturers to increase production capacity and improve the level of logistics services in overseas warehouses will help improve the profitability of cross-border e-commerce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the key equipment in modern tunnel construction and underground engineering, the technology of cantilever roadheader is also constantly innovating to adapt to more complex and diversified geological conditions. However, due to the uncertainty of geological environment and the limitations of the equipment itself, the cantilever roadheader still faces many challenges in practical application. Based on the actual situation of the mine, the mechanical mining test study of cantilever roadheader was carried out. Firstly, the research on the cuttability of rock mass was carried out, and it was found that the cuttability of the mine from shallow to deep orebody showed a trend of changing from difficult to easy. Based on the rock breaking capacity, equipment pure cutting capacity, mine actual production capacity and equipment cost performance, the equipment selection of cantilever TBM was carried out. Finally, the field industrial test shows that the mechanical driving roadway has the good forming effect and little influence on surrounding rock. The relevant research results can provide useful reference for the practical application of the cantilever roadheader under similar ore body conditions, and promote the technical progress in the field of mechanical mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights An interlaminar ultrafine spraying method was proposed for monolayer graphene oxide (GO) modified CFRP nanocomposite laminates. The well‐dispersed monolayer GO nano‐solutions were prepared by multi‐level dispersion and then sprayed on carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg by the ultrafine atomizing technique. A series of GO/CFRP laminate specimens with different GO loadings were fabricated for our fracture toughness tests and SEM characterization. The test results indicated that the Mode I fracture toughness (GIC$$ {G}_{\mathrm{IC}} $$) was enhanced by 140% with quite a low fraction of monolayer GO nanosheets. The distinct toughening effect at such a low level of nano‐contents was attributed to the sufficient quantity of monolayer GO nanosheets and also a uniform distribution, which was found to be more important than the volume/weight fraction as the principal structural parameter. Thus, the proposed interlaminar toughening approach owns the virtues of good effectiveness and especially low cost owing to the largely reduced weight percentage of nanographene, showing a promising potential of industrial scale‐up. Proposed an interlaminar ultrafine spraying method for monolayer GO nanosheets. Found that the quantity of GO nanosheets is vital in polymer toughening. Realized significant toughening with extremely low loadings of monolayer GO. Provided a way with high toughening effect and low cost for industrial scale‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial shale oil resources in China are abundant. However, its development in China is still in the early stages. And its scale of transformation and production systems is still being explored. Currently, reservoir numerical simulation on shale oil reservoirs faces two main challenges: (1) multiscale flow of matrix–microfracture–hydraulic fractures in shale oil reservoirs and (2) bidirectional coupling of reservoir–wellbore–nozzle systems. This paper proposes a self‐flow model for horizontal shale wells that describes multiscale fractures and production controlled by the nozzle. The model integrates the embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM), pipe flow model, and nozzle flow model. The accuracy of the model has been validated through comparisons with other reference models and field data. Then, this study analyzes the effects of different natural fracture densities, horizontal section lengths, number of fracturing stages, and nozzle diameters on the production capacity during the self‐flow period. The results indicate that reservoirs with developed natural fractures can enhance the development efficiency during the self‐flow period, and appropriate horizontal section lengths and fracturing stages contribute to achieving maximum economic benefits in development. Additionally, smaller nozzle diameters lead to longer self‐flow periods and higher cumulative production. The research findings of this paper can be applied to simulate the production of hydraulic fractured horizontal shale wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]