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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.)

With the increased use of collaborative robots, a new production model of the human-robot collaborative hybrid assembly cell (HRCHAC) is becoming a new trend in customised production. Collaborative assembly between workers and robots in assembly cells can significantly increase productivity and improve the well-being of workers once the distribution of tasks and resources is optimised. This paper proposes a new integrated task allocation model to better utilise human-robot collaboration to increase productivity and improve worker well-being. The developed model enables the skills of both workers and robots to be fully utilised while ensuring economic efficiency and the effective protection of workers' physiological and psychological health. First, the product assembly process is decomposed into several assembly tasks, and the characteristics of each task are analysed. Second, a bi-objective mixed-integer planning model is developed with the objectives of minimising unit product assembly time and maximising total task matching. The ergonomics-related objectives are considered in terms of both the physiological and psychological fatigue of the worker, and relevant constraints are established. An improved NSGA-II algorithm is developed to determine the final task allocation scheme. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a real industrial case to verify the effectiveness of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy industry has a significant impact on the scarce fossil hydrocarbon resources and on the environment. The burning of natural energy carriers by traditional energy facilities is one of the factors increasing the content of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that entails serious climate changes. Evaluating the efficiency of energy enterprises and the implementation of energy projects requires an integrated approach that considers not only technical and economic aspects, but also the environmental impact. Such approach is especially important in the context of the energy transition and the implementation of circular economy principles. Despite the attention of scientists to the tasks of scientific, methodological, and practical determination of the economic efficiency and environmental consequences of energy projects, the issue of environmental and economic assessment remains relevant, in particular considering resource and environmental efficiency. The purpose of this study is to improve the methodological tools of environmental and economic assessment of energy projects. The authors propose an approach to the assessment of energy projects using an integral indicator. This indicator is calculated based on a system of specific indicators of the natural resource capacity and the environmental compatibility of energy production at the energy facility, considering the regional environmental conditions. The formed approach can be used for environmental and economic assessment and comparison of energy projects, fast-acting measures, and projects for the development of energy enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of wireless technology in common marine engineering applications as a medium for data transaction in measurement and control systems, is not as popular as it should be. This article aims to demonstrate the advantages of using wireless technology in maritime engineering applications through a proposed Wi-Fi based wireless system dedicated to performance and safety monitoring in marine cargo cranes. The system is based on some concepts that were suggested in the earlier literature to perform authenticated data transmission from multiple sensors through using both the ESP-NOW protocol and the WebSerial remote serial monitor. The introduced system will be integrated with an already installed system in order to render the means for implementing effective principles in automation and control engineering, such as functional safety and predictive maintenance. Additionally, this article will highlight the economic efficiency of adopting wireless technology instead of cabling as a medium for data transaction in measurement and control systems in marine engineering applications such as cargo cranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic publishing market is characterized by its oligopolistic market structure. Two aspects are particularly striking: Few large commercial publishers have high market shares in almost all research disciplines. This is reflected in high subscription and publication costs. At the same time, the majority of work for the journals is provided free of charge by researchers. The paradox can be explained by the tremendous importance of leading journals for researchers. Publishers turn this into market power. While key stakeholders in the market are primarily focusing on open access and open science, I argue in this article that competition plays a key role in increasing not only economic efficiency but also diversity and the participation of researchers. One exceptional option would be to shift the now-established "pay per article" system back to subscription models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After Tunisia's independence from France in 1956, the country was engaged in what has been termed the "supply management policy", that is, a maximum mobilization of water resources through large‐scale modern hydraulic infrastructure. Towards the beginning of the 1980s, the country entered a crisis and had to adopt in 1986, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, a "Structural Adjustment Program" (SAP) that prioritized measures to improve economic efficiency and liberalize the economy. Since then, Tunisian water policy has progressively shifted towards "Integrated Water Resources Management" (IWRM). This review critically analyzes the water governance discourses that have framed these policy interventions. I will draw on academic research and official and civil society reports to suggest that these discourses have been "rendered technical", stripping issues of any political (and therefore conflicting) character. When rendered technical discourses raise development projects and policies above the terrain of political contestation, the possibilities of action available to those opposed to them become limited. This depoliticization of development interventions through technical discourses narrows the public space of democratic debate. I will also argue that the "technification" (rendering technical) process is reversible. Opposition groups can challenge technical discourses with a critical approach that can reconfigure and alter the trajectory of governmental programs. However, critical discourses can, in turn, be rendered technical. This article is categorized under:Human Water > Water GovernanceHuman Water > Rights to Water [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global energy era is accelerating ahead of schedule. At the urban level, can large-scale utilization of renewable energy in cities promote energy consumption reduction and economic cost saving, improving energy economic efficiency (EEE)? Based on balanced panel data for 260 prefecture-level cities in China from 2010 to 2020, we used data envelope analysis (DEA) window analysis and difference-in-differences and propensity score matching to evaluate the effect of the New Energy Demonstration City Program on urban EEE. We found that the policy promoted the improvement of urban EEE. However, there is specific regional heterogeneity in the policy effects, with this policy having a more significant effect on EEE improvements in the Northeast, cities with high pollution levels, and cities with high-tech innovation levels. These findings have significant policy implications for supporting the country in promoting the development and utilization of new energy sources to improve EEE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost overruns are a significant issue in infrastructure projects, adversely affecting not only economic performance but also sustainability goals by straining resources and extending project timelines. There is consensus among researchers about the persistence of cost overruns and the importance of accurate estimates. However, there are significant differences in the explanation of the reasons for the overruns. While we recognize the importance of understanding the reasons for cost overruns at all stages of project development, we have focused on the reasons for cost overruns after contract award due to the rarely available real and valid data collected at the source of the information. We analyze the deviations between actual and contracted costs, as well as the dependence of cost deviations of individual project types on the size of the contract. For example, the size of the tunnel significantly affects relative cost deviations, while for standard viaducts or road sections this effect is minimal. The results confirmed that cost overruns are less frequent in standard facilities than in those where the experience factor has little influence on the final cost estimate. For example, deviations in the average value of the contracted costs for highway sections range between −12.1% and 27.9% of the contracted value, and for standardized viaduct projects they range between −16.73% and 6.27% of the contracted value. The type of distribution function of deviations between actual and contractually agreed costs was investigated, and a predictive model for estimating future cost deviations of project programs was presented. The goal is to improve economic sustainability and the related optimization of resources in the development of infrastructure, which contributes to the broader agenda of sustainable development. The results encourage the adoption of improved project documentation and forecasting tools, which are essential for sustainable project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating the relationship between green finance (GF), government environmental governance (GEG), and green economic efficiency (GEE) is essential for developing sustainable development policies. This study uses panel data from 30 provincial administrative regions in China, covering the period from 2011 to 2021, to assess the effects of GF and GEG on GEE through the Spatial Durbin Model. The findings reveal several key points. First, most provinces are in low-low spatial clusters in terms of GEE, though there is a gradual improvement over time. Second, GF significantly enhances GEE, while GEG has a notable inhibitory effect. Third, GF exhibits a positive spatial spillover effect on the GEE of neighboring regions, whereas GEG shows a negative spatial spillover effect. Fourth, these spillover effects are mainly observed in the eastern regions, with little significance in the central and western areas. Moreover, one of the GEG indicators, environmental regulation, demonstrates a positive spatial spillover effect in the eastern region, contrary to the overall negative national trend. In general, this paper examines the interplay among the three variables within a unified analytical framework, filling the gaps in existing research. Furthermore, the paper delineates GEG into environmental regulation and environmental investment, which is a dimension frequently neglected in current research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When is state coercion for the provision of public goods justified? And how should the social surplus of public goods be distributed? Philosophers approach these questions by distinguishing between essential and discretionary public goods. This article explains the intractability of this distinction, and presents two upshots. First, if governments provide configurations of public goods that simultaneously serve essential and discretionary purposes, the scope for justifiable complaints by honest holdouts is narrower than commonly assumed. Second, however, claims to distributive fairness in the provision of public goods also turn out to be more complex to assess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Method Results Conclusions Student‐led clinics generate a range of benefits to multiple stakeholder groups. Students receive important educational opportunities to advance in their training. Patients with limited access to care may access effective care or a higher amount of effective care and so reduce burden on the health care system. The financial viability of student‐led clinics run by universities is uncertain, and establishing this is complicated by the range of stakeholder costs and benefits that may be involved. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence related to the costs and benefits of student‐led clinics and report the methods that have been used to measure these costs and benefits.We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE All, PsychInfo, CINAHL, A+ Education (Informit), ERIC (ProQuest) and ProQuest Education databases for studies that reported the costs and/or economic benefits of student‐led clinics from inception through August 2023. Studies were screened for eligibility, and data were extracted including study characteristics, student‐led clinic description and economic outcomes. A narrative synthesis was undertaken due to the heterogeneity of studies.Of 349 potentially eligible studies, 24 were included. Nine studies (38%) used an outcome description‐monetised approach; four used partial economic evaluation (17%); four employed cost description (17%); two used cost approximation (8%); two used cost analyses (8%); and one was a full economic analysis (4%). Studies examined costs or benefits, from the perspective of a range of stakeholders, but few examined both. Only six studies (25%) had established the clinical effectiveness of their service. Student clinics generate costs for universities in supplying supervision, capital and consumables. Benefits are shared by patients, students, universities and the broader health system, however, economic evaluations to date have largely ignored or not monetised/valued these benefits.Student‐led clinics involve many different stakeholders, each of whom may incur costs and reap benefits. This complicates how we can go about trying to establish the economic efficiency and viability of student‐led clinics. Measurement of both costs and benefits is needed to understand the efficiency of student‐led clinics in comparison to alternatives. Without the full picture, decision‐makers may make decisions that are ill‐informed and lead to a loss of benefit for society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries 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.)

With the implementation of China's carbon reduction policies, the role of thermal power units will transition to a regulating power source. Hence, the electricity market fails to accurately reflect the capacity value of thermal power units, resulting in potential future losses for these units. Therefore, it is imperative to establish a rational capacity compensation mechanism that guarantees the revenue of thermal power units and offers effective investment and construction signals. Therefore, this paper proposes a capacity compensation mechanism for thermal power units based on effective capacity. To achieve this, a two‐layer power source planning model is established. At the upper level of the model, the installed capacity and capacity price of various types of power sources are optimized, while minimizing the operating costs of the planning horizon year under constraints such as annual net profit of units. The lower level focuses on the operation of typical days, optimizing the output of various types of units. Through case analysis, it can be concluded that the proposed model can achieve coordinated planning of capacity and capacity prices for various types of units, effectively ensuring the economic efficiency of the system while safeguarding the revenue of each unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered one of the most prospective new‐generation electrochemical energy storage devices with the advantages of high specific capacity, good safety, and high economic efficiency. Nevertheless, the enduring problems of low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and inadequate cycling stability of zinc anodes, originating from dendrites, hydrogen precipitation and passivation, are closely tied to their thermodynamic instability in aqueous electrolytes, which significantly shortens the cycle life of the battery. Electrolyte additives can solve the above difficulties and are important for the advancement of affordable and reliable AZIBs. Organic electrolyte additives have attracted widespread attention due to their unique properties, however, there is a lack of systematic discussion on the performance and mechanism of action of organic electrolyte additives. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the application of organic electrolyte additives in AZIBs is presented. The role of organic electrolyte additives in stabilizing zinc anodes is described and evaluated. Finally, further potential directions and prospects for improving and directing organic electrolyte additives for AZIBs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil is one of the main resources used by all countries in the world. The ever-growing demand for oil and oil products forces oil companies to increase production and refining. In order to increase net profit, oil producing companies are constantly upgrading equipment, improving oil production technologies, and preparing oil for further processing. When considering the elements of primary oil refining in difficult conditions, such as hard-to-reach or in remote locations, developers face strict limitations in energy resources and dimensions. Therefore, the use of traditional systems causes a number of difficulties, significantly reducing production efficiency. In this study, the authors solve the problem of improving the characteristics of the oil separation process. In their work, the authors analyzed the separation columns of primary oil distillation, identified the shortcomings of the technological process, and searched for technological solutions. Having identified the lack of technical solutions for monitoring the state of the temperature field of the separation column, the authors developed their own hardware–software complex for monitoring the separation column (RF patents No. 2020665473, No. 2021662752 were received). The complex was tested and successfully implemented into production. The study provides an assessment of the economic efficiency of implementation for a year and a forecast of the economic effect for 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a simulation model for determining the most suitable type of microbiogas plant for small local communities on Slovenian farms, focusing on the efficient processing of organic waste. This model uses various input parameters, including different types and quantities of slurry and corn silage. Four different scenarios were developed to represent potential plant sizes, each evaluated using key economic indicators: net present value, breakthrough price, and internal rate of return. A scenario sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effects of changes in investment costs, fluctuations in energy prices, and the addition of corn silage to the anaerobic digestion process. The results highlight significant differences in economic viability across the scenarios, with some demonstrating positive financial outcomes and shorter payback periods and others indicating potential financial risks and longer recovery times under certain conditions. The analysis suggests that smaller micro biogas plants may struggle to achieve profitability without optimizing input ratios or reducing costs, whereas larger plants show more favorable economic indicators, provided certain conditions are met. Furthermore, the economic efficiency improves when adding maize silage to the fermentor mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mariculture has not fundamentally reduced its dependence on resources and the environment; ecological and economic efficiency has become an important target of concern for the sustainable and healthy development of China's mariculture industry. Environmental regulation (ER) is a core tool to realize the synergistic development of economic development and environmental resource protection in mariculture. In this paper, the provincial panel data of China's coastal areas from 2007 to 2020 was selected, and the level of ecological and economic efficiency of mariculture in different provinces of China was measured by using the super slacks‐based measurement–data envelopment analysis model considering the undesirable output of mariculture, and the impact of different ERs on ecological and economic efficiency was explored. It was found that the impacts of different ER methods on the eco‐economic efficiency (EEF) of mariculture may be non‐linearized, and there is also regional heterogeneity in the optimal choice and combination of ER methods to improve the EEF of mariculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a green economy is key to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This paper uses the SBM-GML index, which includes non-desired outputs, to measure the trend of regional green economic efficiency changes and analyze the impact mechanism and realization path of industrial transformation on green economic efficiency. The research results show that advanced industrial structure has a positive influence on green economic efficiency nationwide, while energy utilization structure and energy utilization efficiency have positive partial intermediary effects in the influence path; industrial structure rationalization is also significantly positively related to green economic efficiency nationwide, and the mediating effect of energy utilization is positive. The impact of industrial transformation on green economic efficiency has regional heterogeneity, and the mediating effect of energy use also differs. Among them, the impact effect in the eastern region is basically consistent with the national sample, but is negative in the central and western regions. This paper proposes countermeasures in terms of adjusting the industrial structure, improving energy efficiency, and perfecting industrial and energy policies, which can provide theoretical and practical references for promoting the transformation and upgrading of regional industrial structure, optimizing energy utilization, and advancing the efficiency of the national and regional green economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve maximum carbon reduction during the operation of pure electric buses, the author proposes a re estimation of carbon emissions in international trade based on evolutionary algorithm analysis of electric vehicle green energy regeneration systems. On the basis of analyzing single line scheduling, the author focuses on studying the regional scheduling mode of pure electric buses, and establishes a multi-objective optimization model for pure electric bus regional scheduling considering carbon benefits with the goals of minimizing the number of operating vehicles, minimizing the empty distance, and maximizing carbon benefits. Based on the actual operation data of pure electric buses 146 and 149 in a certain city, the author used an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the regional scheduling problem of pure electric buses according to the characteristics of the model. The results indicate that assuming other conditions remain unchanged, when the price of diesel rises to around 7.9 yuan, its operating costs will exceed those of pure electric buses, and the cost advantage of diesel vehicles will gradually decrease. Other conditions remain unchanged, and when the battery price per vehicle drops to around 300,000 yuan, the operating cost of pure electric buses will be lower than that of diesel vehicles. Conclusion: Under the premise of considering carbon benefits, adopting regional dispatch mode for pure electric buses has better economic efficiency and is more conducive to the promotion of pure electric buses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data management system of health cloud authentication plays an important role in the optimization of logistics vehicle routing. It can not only help logistics vehicles choose the best distribution path, but also save time and cost and improve economic efficiency. At present, logistics has not yet formed a complete service system. High distribution costs and low distribution efficiency limit the development of the entire logistics. The reduction of logistics costs and the improvement of distribution efficiency have become the top priorities of the society. The optimization of the distribution route is the key to cost saving and distribution logistics. It is particularly important to study and optimize the distribution route, because the distribution route affects the logistics transportation efficiency and the loss cost during transportation. Therefore, this paper adjusted the scheduling system of logistics vehicles through a distributed intelligent system, and optimized the path of logistics vehicles according to the improved genetic algorithm, thereby reducing the transportation cost of logistics and improving the efficiency of logistics distribution. This article first explains the definition, classification, and main components of the delivery vehicle routing problem. Then, using cloud authentication path optimization, a distributed intelligent system is constructed. Finally, an improved ant colony algorithm is used to analyze and study the distance constraints of vehicles. By improving the ant colony algorithm, it can be seen that the optimized path pheromone concentration and the optimized sub-function have gradually increased with time. The mean pheromone concentration was 40 %, and the seventh day was 15 % higher than the first. The mean value of the optimized subfunction was 0.34 %, and the seventh day was 20 % higher than the first. The distribution cost and distribution efficiency of the optimized logistics vehicle distribution path were much higher than those of the traditional logistics distribution path. Moreover, the distribution cost of the logistics distribution path was 9 % lower than the traditional one, and the distribution efficiency was 13 % higher. The average smoothness of the optimized logistics path is about 90 %, and the seventh day is 11 % higher than the first day. The average fitness of the optimized logistics path is 88 %, and the seventh day is 14 % higher than the first day. In a word, the data management system can uniformly schedule logistics vehicles and improve the efficiency of distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HVDC is a promising interconnection solution for connecting asynchronous systems and ensuring power control. In Indonesia, a remote industrial system in Sumatra is experiencing load growth and has the option to draw power from the Sumatra system. However, due to frequency differences, the use of HVDC is crucial. The Generation Expansion Planning has proposed six converters but not their interconnection points. This study will determine the most reliable interconnection locations. The chosen converters are modular multilevel converters (MMCs) with high modularity. The converter reliability modeling considers voltage levels, the number of modules, and redundancy strategies. This modeling is then implemented at the power system level to obtain the best placement at the available high-voltage (HV) substation options. Determining the best placement is based on the optimal reliability index. The optimal placement also includes the option to convert from HV to medium-voltage (MV) interconnection. MV interconnection offers higher flexibility but tends to be more expensive. The availability for HV converters is 99.69%, while for MV converters, it is slightly higher, at 99.81%. Additionally, converting from HV to MV reduces the SAIFI (system average interruption frequency index) from 0.2668 to 0.2284 occurrences per year, lowering the interruption cost from 7.804 million USD to 5.737 million USD per year. The sensitivity of interruption, investment, and maintenance costs shows that converting at least one HV converter to MV remains economical. In this case study, the optimal converter placement includes Area VI–2, recommended for conversion from HV to a more distributed MV configuration, improving reliability and economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the issues of poor economic efficiency and high CO2 emissions in the urea-to-ammonia technology of thermal power plants, this paper innovatively proposes a new ammonia production process for thermal power plants. This process utilizes the waste heat of thermal power plant boilers and conducts urea pyrolysis through two-stage heating to prepare ammonia and cyanuric acid. From this, the prepared ammonia can be used in the denitrification process of thermal power plants, and the prepared cyanuric acid can bring additional benefits to thermal power plants. The optimal process scheme was determined through orthogonal experiments of urea pyrolysis. And with the help of Aspen Plus software, a whole-process modeling analysis of urea pyrolysis experiments was carried out to investigate the influences of the melting temperature, melting time, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the process. The results show that when the melting temperature was 160 °C, the melting time was 45 min, the reaction temperature was 240 °C, and the reaction time is 20 min, which was the best scheme, 18.45% ammonia and 52.35% cyanuric acid could be obtained. Through the combined analysis of the Aspen Plus simulation and urea pyrolysis experiments, it was found that the melting temperature should be controlled within 160–167 °C, the melting time should be controlled within 40–45 min, the reaction temperature should be controlled within 240–245 °C, and the reaction time should be controlled within 15–20 min. Compared with the existing urea-to-ammonia process, this process has the advantages of nearly zero emissions and good economic benefits, thus providing reliable research data support for future industrialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A constitutive model for the determination of anchor bearing capacity based on distributed sensing in geotechnical engineering From 2015 to 2017, as part of his work as head of research and development at Stump‐Franki Spezialtiefbau GmbH, the author devoted himself to the topic of pioneering measurement methods on the basis of Distributed Strain Sensing in geotechnics. One of the first developments was and is the monitoring of grouted bodies on strand grouted anchors. The new findings at that time were presented internationally at the DFI India, 2017 as well as nationally in construction technology, 2017 and locally at the 12th Hans Lorenz Symposium in Berlin, 2016. It was shown that the measurement results of the strain measurement using distributed strain sensing can be used to check over the following years whether the grouted anchors have been overloaded. The author already pointed out at the time that correct interpretation not only requires an understanding of the measuring process used, but also a certain wealth of experience in interpreting the measurement results in the direct context of geotechnics. As part of his work on the DIN standardization committee NA 005‐05‐17 AA Grouted anchors, accompanied by his practical experience, the author has dealt in depth with the question of what exactly is actually measured in the grout body using distributed strain sensing and what conclusions can be drawn about the load‐bearing capacity of grouted anchors on the basis of the measurement results. This article is intended to describe a constituent model on the basis of which further developments are possible for the interpretation of the measurement results with regard to their use as proof of economic efficiency and anchor load‐bearing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the research on the modified Leslie–Gower model has become an appealing topic. Due to economic efficiency and the complexity of discrete models, we investigate a discrete modified Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with prey harvesting in this paper. The stability of fixed points and bifurcations of the interior fixed points are studied. According to bifurcation theory and normal forms, we derived the conditions of codimension 2 bifurcations occurred, including 1:1 strong resonance bifurcation and fold-flip bifurcation. These two bifurcations are unusual in bifurcation analysis on discrete systems. In addition, the continuation curves, bifurcation diagrams, and phase diagrams are used to demonstrate theoretical results. Our study shows the interesting dynamics of this model that are very different from the continuous one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate short-term photovoltaic (PV) power prediction helps to improve the economic efficiency of power stations and is of great significance to the arrangement of grid scheduling plans. In order to improve the accuracy of PV power prediction further, this paper proposes a data cleaning method combining density clustering and support vector machine. It constructs a short-term PV power prediction model based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) optimized Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. Firstly, the input features are determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The feature information is clustered using density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN), and then, the data in each cluster is cleaned using support vector machines (SVM). Secondly, the PSO is used to optimize the hyperparameters of the LSTM network to obtain the optimal network structure. Finally, different power prediction models are established, and the PV power generation prediction results are obtained. The results show that the data methods used are effective and that the PSO-LSTM power prediction model based on DBSCAN-SVM data cleaning outperforms existing typical methods, especially under non-sunny days, and that the model effectively improves the accuracy of short-term PV power prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective water management in oil reservoirs is crucial for maximizing hydrocarbon recovery while minimizing environmental degradation. This paper investigates the potential of innovative chemical techniques to control water production in oil reservoirs and compares these methods with traditional mechanical strategies. By reviewing over 70 case studies extensively, this research provides a detailed evaluation of different approaches to managing water cut. The study reveals that chemical methods, particularly those utilizing advanced polymer-based gels, are generally more effective than mechanical techniques. These methods are especially advantageous in settings with high water cuts and geologically complex reservoirs. Chemical treatments provide greater adaptability and cost-efficiency, significantly reducing the environmental impact compared to mechanical approaches. The primary aim of this research is to analyze the sources of water cut and evaluate common water shutoff operations to enhance reservoir management based on specific challenges, reservoir characteristics, and economic considerations. Our findings suggest using a two-step strategy: starting with mechanical control methods and then applying chemical treatments specifically designed for the reservoir's unique physical properties. This not only improves oil recovery rates but also enhances economic efficiency by extending the reservoirs' lifespan. Future research should focus on developing cost-effective, environmentally friendly chemical solutions suitable for various geological settings. Such advancements could significantly refine water management practices in oil fields, leading to better economic and environmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a sustainable landscape of local economies, many researchers have emphasized the importance of field-oriented differentiation in government policies. In particular, the Paris Agreement, based on the bottom-up approach, aims to maximize the participation of all economic agents, in contrast to the top-down approach of the Tokyo Protocol. In response to these global paradigm shifts in the local landscape, local governments in Korea have made significant efforts to adapt to sustainable development during the pilot phase of emission trading scheme (ETS), during the period from 2015 to 2020. This study evaluates the performance of these local government policies in the transition to a carbon-zero economy. Using the general non-radial directional distance function (GNDDF), we found that Gyeongsang Province demonstrated enhanced environmental total factor productivity (TFP) during the pilot project, whereas the Seoul metropolitan area lagged behind due to a lack of governance. As the economic center of Korea, Seoul showed poor environmental performance because of the arbitrary elimination of green belt areas and unchecked land development, resulting in environmental degradation, a trend common in many developing countries facing climate adaptation challenges. To address these urbanization issues, this study concludes that a balanced approach combining stricter regulations with market-oriented promotional incentives is essential for optimizing the transition of local economies to a sustainable landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poland is a major producer of various fruits, including strawberries. As growing consumer awareness of food quality, health, and wellbeing is increasing, farmers are receiving a new market opportunity for organic products of good quality. The integration of microbial solutions into agricultural practices can foster the transition of agricultural farms towards more resilient and sustainable production of quality food. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of novel microbial biopreparations (microbial fertilizing products) containing Bacillus sp., humic acids, and other organic compounds on the economic viability of three strawberry cultivars ('Honeoye', 'Vibrant', and 'Rumba') under organic farming conditions. This study was conducted in 2021 as a field experiment. Irrigated and non-irrigated strawberries were treated with five microbial fertilizing products (K2–K6). The single plot area was 16 m2, with a total of 144 plots. The adopted planting density of strawberries was 30,052 per hectare. K3 treatment was found to be the most universal microbial treatment in terms of positive impact on yields, with significant yield increase on both the non-irrigated (yield increase of 3.76 t·ha−1) and irrigated experiments (yield increase of 5.78 t·ha−1). The K4 treatment on the non-irrigated strawberries resulted in a yield increase of 4.96 t·ha−1, which at the same time had no effect on the yield of the irrigated experiment. On average, application of the K2–K6 combinations on the non-irrigated strawberries resulted in a yield increase from 13.4% (K2) to 33.5% (K4). The irrigated strawberries showed a yield increase from 3.9% (K4—non-significant yield increase) to as much as 36.1% (K3). The highest direct surplus for the non-irrigated strawberries was recorded for the K4 treatment (38,603 PLN·ha−1) and for K3 for the irrigated experiment (42,945 PLN·ha−1). The direct surplus for 'Rumba' and 'Vibrant' was higher than for 'Honeoye' on both the irrigated (22% and 53%, respectively) and non-irrigated (19% and 18%, respectively) experiments. The average profitability index for all tested non-irrigated and irrigated varieties improved when treated with microbial fertilizer products, with profitability indexes of 143.3–168.8% on the non-irrigated plantation and 129.2–169.7% on the irrigated plantation. The tested microbial fertilizing products proved to be valuable products to improve the productivity and economic effectiveness of organic strawberry production. At the same time, their use needs to be adapted to local plantation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of the information and communication technologies (ITCs) and the internet is deeply embedded in all aspects of economic life. With its high economic efficiency and significant green attributes, digitalization provides opportunities for promoting a green economy. However, the effects of digitalization and internet development on China's green economic efficiency are understudied. There is also a gap in research on how digitalization and internet development influence Chinese citizens to choose a green lifestyle from the consumer perspective. This article aims to enrich the research in this field by exploring the effects of internet development on green economic efficiency in China. The article further analyses how digitalization and internet development can encourage citizens to choose a green lifestyle. Drawing on panel data from 257 cities in China spanning the period from 2012 to 2020, this article utilizes the entropy method and the SBM‐GML model to assess the correlation between internet development and green economy efficiency. We also employ the basic regression model, system GMM model, mediation effect model and adjustment model to study the impact of internet development on urban green economic efficiency. The study found that internet development and green economic efficiency face constraints that are inherent in the government's dual economic growth and environmental goals and targets. We also found that digitalization and internet development can promote citizens' adoption of green lifestyles through the fostering of citizen environmental concern and green consumption habits. Further analysis shows that internet development has a more pronounced effect on green economic efficiency in eastern cities, large cities, non‐resource‐based cities and cities with higher economic development. These findings provide useful references for developing countries that promote urban green economic efficiency through digitalization and internet development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The presented results are intended for inclusion in the national methodology for the economic evaluation of railway infrastructure projects. This contribution is focused on the presentation of individual research results aimed at evaluating the socio-economic impacts associated with increasing the safety and reliability of the railway transport route. The goal of the research is to propose and subsequently verify an original approach for assessing the impact of the implementation of investment projects, including measures aimed at increasing the safety and reliability of railway transport routes, on the resulting number of occurrences that happen on the railway in the Czech Republic. The proposed procedure is based on several key documents. In addition to already existing national methodologies, these are mainly the database of occurrences managed by the Railway Administration of the Czech Republic, including approximately 1000 occurrences for each year of the evaluated period (2009–2018), and information on 33 projects on the railway transport route, where the effects of their implementation on the overall frequency of occurrences are examined events in the subject location. The output of the research is a methodical approach for assessing the impact of the implementation of projects aimed at increasing the safety and reliability of the railway transport route. We perceive the impact on the occurrences from the point of view of the frequency of their occurrence and from the point of view of the socio-economic impacts that are achieved as a result of the implementation of the projects. From the point of view of the frequency of occurrence, a reduction in its value of 4.63% was found. As part of the research, the impact on the occurrence of extraordinary events is also assessed in the context of the scope of the railway transport route, both with regard to the length of the reconstructed track and also with regard to traffic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduces a new multibeam survey line model that optimizes geometric relationships to improve the efficiency and accuracy of surveys over complex seabed topographies. Since existing multibeam echosounder systems have limitations in handling complex terrains, this study presents an advanced model to enhance data quality and operational efficiency. By strategically designing survey lines and optimizing coverage strategies, this paper achieves the optimal configuration of survey lines for secondary measurements in marine areas, ensuring high precision and reliability of measurement data. Experimental results show that the new model significantly outperforms existing technologies in terms of effective coverage area and measurement accuracy, with an average coverage rate of over 95%, higher than existing models, and a weighted average overlap rate of 3.18%, greatly improving the economic efficiency of measurements by reducing redundant coverage and minimizing operational costs. These findings confirm the advantages of the new model in practical applications and offer valuable technical support for advancing seabed mapping technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common retrofitting method for wind farms is the replacement of low-power turbines with high-power ones. The determination of the optimal replacement sequence for the purpose of maximizing revenue is a significant challenge. This paper employs a combination of FLORIS and a sequencing algorithm to simulate the power output resulting from the replacement of 1.5 MW small turbines with 5 MW large turbines. This study demonstrates that the optimal strategy for maximizing the overall power output is to replace the turbines in the first column. When the turbines situated in the first column have already undergone replacement or are unable to be replaced due to the characteristics of the terrain, it would be prudent to prioritize those in the final column. In the case of staggered arrangements, priority should be given to diagonal points that do not have turbines situated behind them. In the case of replacing the same number of large wind turbines, the preferred replacement option has a minimal impact on the power output of the existing small wind turbines, with an estimated reduction of 0.67%. This effectively enhances the economic efficiency of wind farm renovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geometric correction of thermal infrared (TIR) orthophotos generated by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) presents significant challenges due to low resolution and the difficulty of identifying ground control points (GCPs). This study addresses the limitations of real-time kinematic (RTK) UAV data acquisition, such as network instability and the inability to detect GCPs in TIR images, by proposing a method that utilizes RGB orthophotos as a reference for geometric correction. The accelerated-KAZE (AKAZE) method was applied to extract feature points between RGB and TIR orthophotos, integrating binary descriptors and absolute coordinate-based matching techniques. Geometric correction results demonstrated a significant improvement in regions with stable and changing environmental conditions. Invariant regions exhibited an accuracy of 0.7~2 px (0.01~0.04), while areas with temporal and spatial changes saw corrections within 5~7 px (0.10~0.14 m). This method reduces reliance on GCP measurements and provides an effective supplementary technique for cases where GCP detection is limited or unavailable. Additionally, this approach enhances time and economic efficiency, offering a reliable alternative for precise orthophoto generation across various sensor data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-modulus asphalt concrete (HMAC) has been widely used in the surface coating of high-grade pavement. Due to HMAC's modulus being significantly higher than traditional asphalt concrete, the mechanical responses of a pavement structure using an HMAC coating must be notably different from those of a traditional asphalt pavement structure. Moreover, when asphalt surface coating is fixed, the selection of base-course combinations will determine the mechanical response of the whole pavement structure. However, previous studies usually analyzed the mechanical response of pavement structures at limited combinations of base-courses, resulting in difficulties comprehensively understanding the laws of mechanics and effectively optimizing the HMAC pavement structure. Hence, in this study, a total of 108 groups of numerical experiments under six working conditions of base-course combinations are carried out using orthogonal experimental design to investigate the mechanical response of pavement structures using HMAC coatings using the PR MODULE high-modulus additive. The effects of pavement thickness, material modulus, and structural combination on mechanical responses are analyzed for the 108 groups to determine the optimal pavement combinations based on the balance of mechanical response and economic efficiency. The results show the following: The effect of the base layer type on mechanical response is more significant than that of the subbase layer type. Surface and undersurface layer thickness for the granular material base layer; surface and base layer thickness for the asphalt mixture base layer; and base layer thickness, subbase layer modulus, and base layer modulus for the inorganic binder mixture base layer are the key factors for mechanical response. Finally, six recommended HMAC pavement structure configurations for various base-courses are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantity of ecosystem services produced from land cannot be readily measured at the site level needed for participation in ecosystem markets, or at a regional level needed to create ecosystem accounts. This paper applies biological scaling principles to develop a quantity metric in which areas of ecosystem (extent) scale allometrically to ecosystem services (a capacity measure) according to a scaling exponent defined by the fractal dimension of ecosystem vegetation. A key conclusion of this paper is that the quantity of ecosystem services arising from ecosystem degradation and conservation activities cannot be estimated unless information about the space‐filling properties of vegetation is observed and included in the quantity measurement methodology. The paper demonstrates how remote sensing techniques can be applied to systematically measure ecosystem extent and fractal dimension. It illustrates the economic efficiency and environmental outcome implications of such a quantity metric through comparison with current quantity estimation methods that assume isometric scaling. The quantity metric proposed has potential applications to ecosystem accounting. It enables information currently reported in land accounts to be combined with information reported in ecosystem condition accounts to create ecosystem stock accounts measured in physical units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work aimed to compare the chip pile volumes calculated by laser ground scanning, UAV technology, and laser ground measurement and also to determine the accuracy, speed, and economic efficiency of each method. The large chip pile was measured in seven different ways: band measurement, laser measurement with Vertex, global navigation satellite system, handheld mobile laser scanner, terrestrial laser scanner, drone, and smartphone with a light detection and ranging sensor. All the methods were compared in terms of accuracy, price, user-friendliness, and time required to obtain results. The calculated pile volume, depending on the method, varied from 2588 to 3362 m3. The most accurate results were provided by the terrestrial laser scanning method, which, however, was the most expensive and the most demanding in terms of collecting and evaluating the results. From a time and economic point of view, the most effective methods were UAVs and smartphones with LiDAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Ethylene treatment promotes orange coloration in the flavedo of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruit, but the corresponding regulatory mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we identified a C2H2‐type zinc‐finger transcription factor, CitZAT4, the expression of which was markedly induced by ethylene. CitZAT4 directly binds to the CitPSY promoter and activates its expression, thereby promoting carotenoid biosynthesis. Transient expression in Satsuma mandarin fruit and stable transformation of citrus calli showed that overexpressing of CitZAT4 inhibited CitLCYE expression, thus inhibiting α‐branch yellow carotenoid (lutein) biosynthesis. CitZAT4 overexpression also enhanced the transcript levels of CitLCYB, CitHYD, and CitNCED2, promoting β‐branch orange carotenoid accumulation. Molecular biochemical assays, including yeast one‐hybrid (Y1H), electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA), chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP‐qPCR), and luciferase (LUC) assays, demonstrated that CitZAT4 directly binds to the promoters of its target genes and regulates their expression. An ethylene response factor, CitERF061, which is induced by ethylene signaling, was found to directly bound to the CitZAT4 promoter and induced its expression, thus positively regulating CitZAT4‐mediated orange coloration in citrus fruit. Together, our findings reveal that a CitZAT4‐mediated transcriptional cascade is driven by ethylene via CitERF061, linking ethylene signaling to carotenoid metabolism in promoting orange coloration in the flavedo of Satsuma mandarin fruit. The molecular regulatory mechanism revealed here represents a significant step toward developing strategies for improving the quality and economic efficiency of citrus crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate load forecasting is essential for the efficient and reliable operation of power systems. Traditional models primarily utilize unidirectional data reading, capturing dependencies from past to future. This paper proposes a novel approach that enhances load forecasting accuracy by fine tuning an attention-based model with a bidirectional reading of time-series data. By incorporating both forward and backward temporal dependencies, the model gains a more comprehensive understanding of consumption patterns, leading to improved performance. We present a mathematical framework supporting this approach, demonstrating its potential to reduce forecasting errors and improve robustness. Experimental results on real-world load datasets indicate that our bidirectional model outperforms state-of-the-art conventional unidirectional models, providing a more reliable tool for short and medium-term load forecasting. This research highlights the importance of bidirectional context in time-series forecasting and its practical implications for grid stability, economic efficiency, and resource planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Port efficiency has different meanings for various stakeholders. This paper examines the existing studies on the efficiency types and analysis perspectives. Most studies focused on traditional port efficiencies (i.e., the technical, allocative and economic efficiency). Some extended these traditional types by considering ships' time in port and the negative environmental impacts. The majority of studies assessed port efficiency from the perspective of port authorities, managers, and operators. Few did it from the perspective of the users and the public. Even fewer noticed the possible conflicts between the port service level and its profitability. This highlights the need for port efficiency analyses to balance the interests of different stakeholders. Frontier methods are popular in port efficiency evaluation, but publications extending or combining different methods are still very rare. Several issues are identified, including the consistencies between decision-making units and the selection of input/output variables, the nature of port services, the extension and combination of these methods, and the impacts of new developments and occurrences, which can be the direction of further studies. • 301 studies on port efficiency analysis are reviewed from types and perspectives. • Majority assessed port traditional efficiency from the perspective of port. • Analysing efficiency from different perspectives needs more attentions. • Frontier methods are widely used, new approaches with combined methods are rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sturgeon farming poses an interesting decision: give priority to highly prized caviar or meat. Indeed, sturgeons are mainly reared in aquaculture to produce caviar. However, the economic profitability of a sturgeon farm also depends on the existence of a meat market. Meat is still an important product for sturgeon farmers once the stock of caviar-producing females has been established. This paper takes a case study approach and analyses how an Italian producer addresses the trade-off, adopting a methodology that measures the value of the economic productivity of production inputs, e.g., the measure of the profitability of the inputs, and compares them with the costs of the inputs and the prices of the outputs. This analysis is the first attempt, to our knowledge, to adopt an economic analysis to address this choice problem, based on a very representative case study. This helps monitor whether the farm's production choices are economically efficient and effective and whether and how those can be improved. The results show that the farm maximizes profit but does not reach its optimal production level. This implies that both (1) producing more output and (2) a further switch to caviar production for less meat are economically efficient production strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of logistics development on the economy covers many aspects, such as production, cost, employment, international trade, etc. It is an indispensable part of the modern economy, which helps to improve overall economic efficiency and social prosperity. This study studies the spatiotemporal dynamic evolution characteristics of China's logistics development from 2008 to 2018 and explores its impact on economic growth in multiple dimensions of time and space. The research findings indicate the following: (1) From 2008 to 2018, China's logistics development level (LDL) exhibited a clear upward trend. The differences between the eastern, central, and western regions showed fluctuating downward patterns, ultimately converging towards a high-level concentration. Concerning spatial distribution, China's logistics development demonstrated a trend towards the west and south. However, the spatial pattern of "strong in the east and weak in the west " has existed for a long time. Moreover, the "T-shaped" pattern between coastal provinces and those along the Yangtze River Basin deepened, and the LDL in the central and western regions significantly improved. (2) The advancement of China's LDL effectively promotes its economic growth, confirming that the Belt and Road Initiative enhances the role of logistics development in driving economic growth. Regarding regional differences, logistics development positively influences economic growth in the eastern and western regions, with a less significant impact on the central region. Regarding the strength of influence, logistics development has a more substantial effect on promoting high-ranking provinces in the entire country, the eastern region, and the central region, as well as boosting economic growth in low-ranking provinces in the western region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes mathematical foundations for music theory and composition. While mathematical methods have proven effective in music theory, a deficiency in rigorous mathematical foundations often leads to ad-hoc constructions and a reliance on intuitive notions with inexplicit definitions. The proposal introduces a comprehensive environment for encoding musical phenomena, as well as a theory of musical parameter. Drawing from the methodologies of (Mazzola, Guerino. 2002. The Topos of Music: Geometric Logic of Concepts, Theory, and Performance. Basel: Birkhäuser Verlag), the proposed framework aims to extend his theory of forms to accommodate a wider class of musical structures. Additionally, I advocate for a framework characterized by “comprehensive comprehension” (accommodating a broad class of musical objects), “explicit encoding” (capturing essential features of objects), and “limited ontological commitments” (minimizing posited ontological primitives). These three aspects aim to ensure the framework's generality, explicit representation of structure, and economic efficiency in theoretical constructions. Minimizing ontological commitments also has the benefit of facilitating easier comparisons between entities. This approach is motivated by the desire for a highly versatile framework that enables systematic and standardized construction methods without constraining the intended domain of discourse. To achieve these goals, the paper introduces a mathematical theory of structure grounded in topos theory. By offering a unified and systematic approach, this work contributes to establishing a more rigorous and standardized basis for mathematical music theory. This, in turn, fosters a deeper understanding of musical phenomena and enables more robust theoretical constructions and compositional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a context of increasing pressure on water resources and severe aridity; expansion in the reuse of naturally treated wastewater can be a viable and low-cost solution particularly for irrigation forests, green non-fruit trees, fabric crops, industrial oils, and non-edible raw crops. Wastewater treatment is increasingly recognized as a potential means in El-Wahat El-Bahariya in Egypt. However, investment decisions concerning the reuse of treated wastewater in irrigation needs to be justified in terms of financial and economic feasibility and profitability. Therefore, this research study aims to conduct a cost–benefit analysis (CBA) of an investment project "reuse treated wastewater in irrigation compared to other modes of water irrigation projects. The CBA results revealed that the cost of the initial investment for the production of treated water used for irrigating green non-fruit trees, Bamboo trees, and Cactus in Sekem El-Wahat, is economically efficient with 88% compared to the exploitation of aquifer groundwater for irrigating the same crops. That project allows for an economic gain of about 4,428.5 €/ha compared to the cost of producing aquifer ground water in Sekem Farm El-Wahat is estimated at 10,800 €/year. Substituting the use of aquifer ground water for irrigating crops with reuse of treated wastewater helps reducing energy consumption and offers great financial benefits to the beneficial communities. A net benefit of the reuse of treated wastewater project is largely positive with NPV equivalent to 4599 €/year with a medium economic efficiency (BCR) of about 0.44. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of varying amounts of grape pomace (GP) on Muscovy ducklings performance, digestibility of nutrients, immunological response, caecal microbiota, and carcass traits were studied from 7 to 70 days of age. Four experimental groups (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 % GP) comprising 200 unsexed 7-day-old ducklings were randomly assigned. The study found that diets supplemented with GP significantly improved economic efficiency, feed conversion ratio, body weight, and weight gain, with the 2.5% and 5.0% GP groups showing the most significant improvement. Duckling diets supplemented with varying levels of GP significantly enhanced digestibility coefficients (organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and nitrogen-free extract) and intestinal lactobacillus counts than the control group. Also, the study found that ducklings fed 2.5 and 5.0% GP showed significantly improved blood parameters compared to the control group. Duckling fed varying levels of GP showed increased phagocyte index, immunoglobulins (A, G, and M), and blood antioxidant parameters (total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) compared to the control group. The opposite trend was observed for feed consumption and Prominently, intestinal total bacterial count, Escherichia coli, and Proteus spp counts were significantly decreased. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation with 2.5 or 5.0% GP in duckling diets improved duckling productive performance, nutrient digestibility, hemato-biochemical pramateres, and immunological response, with 2.5 or 5.0% GP being the optimal inclusion level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 150 unsexed one-day old Arbor acers broiler chicks were randomly divided into five experimental groups. Each group consisted of 30 chicks distributed among 3 replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. The control group (G1) received a basal diet (yellow corn-soybean meal diet). Groups 2 and 3 received the basal diet after replacing 25% of yellow corn with whole de-pitted low grade dates meal (WDDM), either without (G2) or with (G3) multienzyme mixture (xylanase, β-glucanase and cellulase). Moreover, Groups 4 and 5 received the basal diet after replacing 50% of yellow corn with WDDM either without (G4) or with (G5) multienzyme mixture. The experiment prolonged for 6 weeks and the birds received starter diet from 0 to 3 weeks of age and grower diet from 4 to 6 weeks of age. The results revealed that replacing 25% of yellow corn with WDDM plus enzyme mixture supplementation (G3) significantly increased body weight and body weight gain compared to G2, G4 and G5. However, broilers of G2 exhibited higher body weight than those fed WDDM in place of 50% of yellow corn without enzymes supplementation (G4), and surpassed those fed WDDM in place of 50% of yellow corn with enzymes (G5). Despite of the slight decrease of BW of G2, G3, G4 and G5 as compared with the control group (G1) (92.83, 98.49. 85.58 and 90.93 vs. 100%, respectively), however, because of the high cost of yellow corn and low cost of WDDM, the relative economic efficiency compared to the control group was better for all groups received WDDM without enzymes (105% and 109% for G2 and G4, resp.) or with enzymes (115% and 113% for G3 and G5, resp.). The diet contained WDDM instead of 25% of yellow corn fortified with enzymes (G3) also improved feed conversion ratio and digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, and crude fiber. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in crude protein digestibility or feed intake among the experimental groups. However, replacing 25% or 50 %of corn with WDDM plus enzymes increased cholesterol and LDL without affecting triglycerides or HDL levels. Nevertheless, there were no significant effects on liver and kidney functions, antioxidant capacity, or hematological parameters. In conclusion, based on the relative economic efficiency and on the local availability of WDDM compared to imported yellow corn, replacing from 25% up to 50% yellow corn with whole low grade de-pitted dates meal plus enzymes mixture may be recommended for practical application in broiler diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aviation sector needs to become climate neutral with net zero emissions by 2050 in order to meet the Fly the Green Deal targets. Hydrogen has been identified as a potential energy source that could help the sector meet these ambitious targets. This study evaluated a new hybrid-electric hydrogen aircraft concept against conventional Jet-A1 and power-to-liquid (PtL) aircraft concepts in terms of economic and environmental impacts. The assessment methods that we adopted were adapted specifically for this purpose. The life cycles of the aircraft were modeled using discrete event simulations, and the results show that the hydrogen concept has similar costs to the conventional PtL concept and double the life-cycle CO2-equivalent savings compared to the conventional Jet-A1 concept. As such, the method allows early comparison of different aircraft concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an automated approach to the technology selection of High-Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC) Offshore Substations (OHVS) for the integration of Oil & Gas (O&G) production and Offshore Wind Farms (OWF) based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques. Due to the complex regulatory landscape and project diversity, this is enacted via a cost decision-model which was developed based on Knowledge-Based Systems (KBS) and incorporated into an optioneering software named Transmission Optioneering Model (TOM). Equipped with an interactive dashboard, it uses detailed transmission and cost models, as well as a technological and commercial benchmarking of offshore projects to provide a standardized selection approach to OHVS design. By automating this process, the deployment of a technically sound and cost-effective connection in an interactive sandbox environment is streamlined. The decision-model takes as primary inputs the power rating requirements and the distance of the offshore target site and tests multiple voltage/rating configurations and associated costs. The output is then the most technically and economically efficient interconnection setup. Since the TOM process relies on equivalent models and on a broad range of different projects, it is manufacturer-agnostic and can be used for virtually any site as a method that ensures both energy transmission and economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory automation with robot-assisted processes enhances synthetic biology, but its economic impact on projects is uncertain. We have proposed an experiment price index (EPI) for a quantitative comparison of factors in time, cost, and sample numbers, helping measure the efficiency of laboratory automation in synthetic biology and biomolecular engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on panel data from 16 prefecture-level cities in Shandong Province from 2011 to 2020, the paper utilizes the super-efficiency SBM model with undesirable outputs to measure the green economic efficiency of each city. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and the natural breaks method are applied to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution of green economic efficiency. Lastly, a panel Tobit model is used to analyze the factors affecting green economic efficiency. The study's outcomes are as outlined below: (1) The green economy efficiency of the 16 cities in Shandong Province showed an overall increasing trend from 2011 to 2020. However, there is a noticeable disparity in green economic efficiency among cities, with developed cities exhibiting relatively higher levels of efficiency. (2) The proportion of cities with high green economic efficiency steadily increases, and these highefficiency regions gradually cluster around the provincial capital and the eastern coastal areas. While there is heterogeneous clustering of green economic efficiency, the degree of this heterogeneity decreases over time. (3) Social security, economic development, and technological advancement significantly enhance green economic efficiency, whereas the industrial structure noticeably impedes efficiency. Environmental regulations and urbanization levels have a less pronounced impact on efficiency. Drawing from these findings, this chapter presents targeted policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]