Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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24 pages, 1469 KiB  
Article
Effective Practices for Implementing Quality Control Circles Aligned with ISO Quality Standards: Insights from Employees and Managers in the Food Industry
by Ana Beatriz Silva de Lima, Claudia Editt Tornero Becerra, Amanda Duarte Feitosa, André Philippi Gonzaga de Albuquerque, Fagner José Coutinho de Melo and Denise Dumke de Medeiros
Standards 2025, 5(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards5010006 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 787
Abstract
Quality control circles (QCCs) are a proven method for fostering continuous improvement through employee involvement. However, the implementation process and organizational impact of QCCs in the food industry remain underexplored. This case study evaluates the implementation of QCCs by examining the benefits and [...] Read more.
Quality control circles (QCCs) are a proven method for fostering continuous improvement through employee involvement. However, the implementation process and organizational impact of QCCs in the food industry remain underexplored. This case study evaluates the implementation of QCCs by examining the benefits and challenges perceived by employees and managers, assessing QCC alignment with ISO standards, and providing actionable recommendations to optimize QCC implementation. Using a mixed-methods approach, the employee findings indicate that QCCs promote continuous improvement, enhance productivity, foster a positive culture of quality, and strengthen engagement and responsibility for product and process quality. Employees felt that their ideas were valued and that they received constructive feedback from leadership. However, they also identified challenges related to training and resource availability. From a managerial perspective, the ISO diagnostic tool revealed a 78.28% compliance rate with the QCC program planning, quality procedures, action plans, quality management system alignment, and documentation. Non-conformities included insufficient monitoring solutions, absence of effectiveness indicators, lack of risk assessments, and insufficient resources. Although managers acknowledged benefits such as improved engagement and communication, challenges such as limited human resources, high demand, and resistance to change were also noted. This paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing future QCC cycles and for creating a structured implementation process. Full article
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31 pages, 3582 KiB  
Review
Towards Life Cycle Assessment for the Environmental Evaluation of District Heating and Cooling: A Critical Review
by Kevin Autelitano, Jacopo Famiglietti, Marcello Aprile and Mario Motta
Standards 2024, 4(3), 102-132; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards4030007 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1613
Abstract
District heating and cooling networks represent a compelling energy system solution due to their capacity to integrate renewable energies and leverage local surpluses of thermal resources. The meticulous design and optimization of network infrastructure are imperative to fully exploiting the potential of these [...] Read more.
District heating and cooling networks represent a compelling energy system solution due to their capacity to integrate renewable energies and leverage local surpluses of thermal resources. The meticulous design and optimization of network infrastructure are imperative to fully exploiting the potential of these energy systems. The Life Cycle Assessment of district heating and cooling networks for the purpose of environmental sustainability is a crucial and increasingly demanded aspect, particularly in light of the progressively stringent European regulations. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology could offer an evaluation throughout the entire life cycle of such networks. The proposed review scrutinizes the application of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to evaluating the environmental profile of district heating and cooling systems. The methods, findings, and challenges are examined through a literature review and case study analysis. The results highlight variations in the climate profile influenced by the network generation type and multifunctionality approaches. The analysis revealed a range of emission factors, spanning from 11 gCO2eq/kWhth to 470 gCO2eq/kWhth for district heating and 6 gCO2eq/kWhth to 64 gCO2eq/kWhth for district cooling. The discussion emphasizes integrating district heating and cooling network management considerations and addressing methodological challenges. This study concludes by proposing future research directions for developing a universal LCA-based tool for district heating and cooling network analysis. Full article
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28 pages, 822 KiB  
Review
Improving Indoor Air Quality through Standardization
by John Saffell and Sascha Nehr
Standards 2023, 3(3), 240-267; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards3030019 - 3 Jul 2023
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5406
Abstract
Human beings experience a large fraction of their exposure to air pollutants in indoor environments. Air pollution is a large environmental health risk, and exposure to ambient air pollution and indoor air pollution contribute equally to the total number of fatalities worldwide. Although [...] Read more.
Human beings experience a large fraction of their exposure to air pollutants in indoor environments. Air pollution is a large environmental health risk, and exposure to ambient air pollution and indoor air pollution contribute equally to the total number of fatalities worldwide. Although legislative authorities have established limit values for ambient outdoor air and stack emissions, there are inconsistent and variable national and regional limit values for gaseous substances and airborne particulate matter in the built environment (schools, homes, healthcare facilities, offices, and other public spaces). This lack of regulation is unsurprising, because indoor spaces are characterized by complex air chemistry, and their construction materials and types of activities vary significantly. The current understanding of indoor pollutants, including short-lived oxidants, degradation of VOCs, particle formation, and particle composition, is incomplete. It is necessary to identify and assess emerging pollutants and their toxicity, and to consider new consumer products and green construction materials and their impact on indoor air quality (IAQ). Learning from IAQ surveys and audit protocols, research methodologies should be regularized for cross-research comparisons. Some indoor air quality guidance and standards have been written, and several more are in development, with the international ISO 16000 series of indoor standards leading the way for improving indoor air data quality. The WHO has established some ambient air limit values which can mostly be translated into indoor limit values. The built environment needs to harmonize energy efficiency, thermal comfort and air quality standards and guidance. In this review, we discuss the next steps for improving international, regional and national standards and guidance, leading to better and more complete indoor air quality regulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Standards in Environmental Sciences)
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15 pages, 838 KiB  
Review
Review of the International Systems of Quantities and Units Usage
by Peter Glavič
Standards 2021, 1(1), 2-16; https://doi.org/10.3390/standards1010002 - 16 Apr 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6358
Abstract
The International System of Quantities has to be used by scientific and engineering journals as well as by authors of their articles, conference papers, and corresponding books, especially textbooks. This paper describes the historical development and the state of the art of international [...] Read more.
The International System of Quantities has to be used by scientific and engineering journals as well as by authors of their articles, conference papers, and corresponding books, especially textbooks. This paper describes the historical development and the state of the art of international communications in science, engineering, technology, production, and sustainable development. The International System of Quantities (ISQ) which systematically elaborated on the standards of the International Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical Commission on quantities and units (ISO/IEC 80000) still needs to be generally accepted and used. The list of standardized base and derived quantities with their symbols, and rules for terminology of other quantities are presented. In addition, names and symbols of base, derived, and “compound” units for these quantities are given. The most frequent mistakes and some recommendations about the use of quantities, units, prefixes, quantity value expressions, numbers, and symbols of chemical elements are shown, too. The standards shall be available in open access. The lack of standardized quantities regarding science, engineering, and economics is drawn to attention. Further development of the international systems of quantities and units could bring substantial synergies worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers to Celebrate the Inaugural Issue of Standards)
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