Search Results (540)

Advanced lithography, including electron beam lithography (EBL), X-ray lithography (XRL), and extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), imposes stringent requirements on photoresists in resolution, sensitivity, and process compatibility, thereby driving the development of metal-containing hybrid resists and vapor-phase deposition strategies. However, existing Hf-based dry hybrid photoresists often struggle to provide sufficient dissolution contrast for clean pattern formation under mild development, as unexposed regions are not fully removed. In this work, an ether-containing hafnium-based photoresist was fabricated by molecular layer deposition (MLD). Incorporation of the diethylene glycol (DEG)-derived ether unit modifies the local coordination environment of the hybrid film and enhances the removability of the unexposed regions, enabling removal in 0.1 M HCl. FTIR and XPS analyses reveal that exposure disrupts Hf-O-C coordination motifs and converts the initial hybrid network into a more HfO_x-rich, less soluble framework. This combination of enhanced solubility in the unexposed regions and exposure-induced stabilization in the exposed regions establishes sufficient dissolution contrast for mild-acid negative-tone development. E-beam tests show a critical dose of approximately 250 μC·cm⁻² and reproducible patterning down to 50 nm. These results identify DEG-mediated ether incorporation as an effective route to improving developer compatibility in Hf-based MLD dry resists. Full article

Wet cleaning robots have seen a boost in popularity in recent years, with notable impact on their technical features and portfolio of functionalities. To improve cleaning results as well as to create unique selling points, robot manufacturers introduce and expand on new wet cleaning concepts such as self-regenerating roller mops, close-to-wall operation and floor sterilisation. This paper takes a narrative approach to provide an overview of the development of wet cleaning robots for household usage in the span of the last four years (2022–2025). During this period, significant advancements have been made to increase the wet cleaning potential in household robots, both wet & dry cleaning units and dedicated wet cleaning models. The review focuses on developments that directly enhance wet cleaning performance (e.g., mop kinematics, regeneration and hygiene functions) and deliberately excludes advances that are not specific to wet cleaning (e.g., battery chemistry or generic navigation). As part of the review process, the findings are checked against the current landscape of technical standardisation. Thus, the paper identifies normative gaps which have opened due to the absence of international technical standards for wet cleaning robots. It advises on filling these gaps by establishing and updating testing guidelines to address new developments. Full article

The sustainable recovery of rare earth elements (REE-Y) from electronic waste is critical for clean-energy technologies. Yet, the commercial viability of recovering REE-Y from shredder residue char (SR-char) remains underexplored. Because recovery processes are heavily influenced by operational costs, evaluating economic feasibility alongside metallurgical performance is essential. This study assesses a hybrid physical–chemical process using SR-char, integrating particle size classification and dry magnetic separation with optimized hydrochloric acid leaching. A first-order gross-profit screening model was also developed to evaluate the direct reagent economics of the proposed process. This framework calculates Revenue minus Acid and Neutralization Costs only, excluding capital expenditures (CapEx), labor, utilities, downstream separation losses, and the cost of the magnetic separation step. Results show that magnetic separation at 8000 G pre-concentrated REE-Y to >1800 g/t, and subsequent 10 M HCl leaching (60 °C, 3 h) yielded extractions of ~2000 g/t in the 500–1000 µm fraction. However, the profit model showed that maximizing extraction in the presence of high concentrations of other metals, such as Fe, Ca, and Al, results in net financial losses due to excessive reagent and neutralization costs. We conclude that physical pre-concentration to reduce non-target metal content is a critical commercial prerequisite. This targeted approach reframes the optimization criterion from metallurgical yield maximization to economic feasibility, providing a transferable screening framework for evaluating other complex secondary REE-Y resources where impurity-driven reagent consumption dominates process economics. Full article

The world’s energy matrix faces challenges in replacing fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Pellet production is effective for the correct disposal of agricultural waste through the production of biofuels. The objective of this work was to produce and characterize pellets from blends of pine and coffee straw residues, in addition to their compliance with ISO 17225-6/2021. The biomasses were subjected to analysis of dry and wet base moisture, bulk density, upper and lower calorific value (HCV and LCV dry), immediate, structural and elemental chemistry, chloride content, and thermogravimetric behavior. The pellets were produced in nine blends with the Amandus Kahl pellet mill, model 14-175, being submitted to analysis of productivity, moisture in dry and wet base, HCV and LCV dry, chloride, immediate chemistry, hardness, diameter and length, durability and percentage of fines, the analyses were compared by the Scott-knott test at the level of 95% probability. The blends that presented the best overall performance were 100% pine and a mixture of 87.5% pine and 12.5% coffee straws, especially for the higher calorific value (20.65 and 20.65 MJ/kg), moisture (8.98 and 9.17%), and ash (0.22 and 1%), but had limitations regarding mechanical durability (96.74 and 97.12%). The use of blends in pellet production is promising to promote the sustainable use of agricultural waste and the generation of clean energy. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, severity and treatment needs of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) among a cohort of children in Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Akkar district in northern Lebanon on 1237 school children between 10 and 12 years old (mean age 11.11 ± 0.80 years) who were recruited from eight private schools. Clinical evaluations were performed after teeth cleaning and drying using sterile gauze. Examiners assessed all teeth present in the oral cavity using the MIH index of the EAPD. If MIH was diagnosed, a further grading was made according to the MIH-TNI index. Results: In total, 212 children (17.14% [95% CI:15.0, 19.2]) were diagnosed with MIH. Of these, 200 children with completed documentation were included in the further statistical analysis. Out of the affected cases, mild lesions were the most common at 41% (n = 82). Although males exhibited higher cumulative numbers of affected teeth (52.5%, n = 267), with notably greater proportions in moderate (17.7%) and severe (16.7%) cases, the difference between genders was not statistically significant (p = 0.069). Treatment needs increased with severity, in which mild lesions primarily required preventive care (41.0%), while moderate lesions required restorative treatments (34.0%); in contrast, severe lesions (25.0%) often necessitated extensive interventions, such as crowns, pulp therapies or even extractions. Although descriptive patterns suggested an increase in more complex treatment needs in older age groups, the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.26). Conclusions: The prevalence of MIH observed in this cohort study aligns with internationally reported values. Early detection, preventive management, and timely restorative interventions are essential to minimize the long-term impact of MIH. Full article

This study evaluates the performance of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a non-contact method for assessing railroad ballast fouling. A severely degraded ballast sample was collected from a derailment site. Conventional fouling indices were measured, indicating extreme ballast deterioration and fouling. To establish a quantitative baseline for degradation severity, hyperspectral reflectance data in the Visible–Near Infrared (VNIR) and Near Infrared (NIR) ranges were acquired for field samples under fouled-wet (as-received), fouled-dry (oven-dried), and clean-dry (oven-dried and sieved) conditions. Field spectra were compared with laboratory-fabricated ballast mixtures containing clay and coal fouling agents to ensure the results were not skewed due to the sampling procedure. Spectral similarity analysis using the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) was employed to quantify differences across ballast conditions. The maximum SAM angle reached approximately 0.45 radians between the as-received and clean-dry states in the NIR range, reflecting the combined effects of fouling and moisture. Comparisons between field and laboratory-fabricated samples showed moderate similarity, with SAM angles below 0.30 radians, indicating general agreement between field and laboratory spectra while capturing differences related to fouling agents, moisture retention, and compositional variability. Full article

Water scarcity is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions, yet its implications for communal goat production systems remain insufficiently documented. This study assessed communal goat farmers’ perceptions of water scarcity and identified factors influencing this challenge in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was administered to 218 smallholder goat farmers, and data were analysed using SPSS (v29). A ranking index was employed to prioritise production constraints, goat functions, and water sources. Additionally, water samples from dams, streams, and rainwater were analysed for key physicochemical parameters. Results showed that theft (index = 0.233) was the most important production constraint, followed by parasites/diseases (0.219), predators (0.211), and water scarcity (0.187), which consistently ranked fourth across seasons. Despite this ranking, farmers perceived water scarcity to have substantial impacts on production, including increased disease prevalence (46.3% severe), mortality (45.0% severe), reduced weight at maturity (61.9% severe), increased trekking distance to water sources (59.2% severe), and reduced feed quality (54.6% severe). Farmers generally perceived water as clean and non-saline; however, laboratory analysis revealed poor quality, with pH values ranging from 9.14 to 10.72 and turbidity exceeding recommended thresholds (<5 NTU) in most dam and stream samples. Water accessibility was limited, with goats travelling an average of 5.85 km to dams and 7.71 km to streams. Key drivers of water scarcity included reduced rainfall (50.9%), lack of government intervention (49.1%), and drying of dams (40.4%). The study highlights a critical mismatch between perceived and actual water quality and demonstrates the multidimensional impacts of water scarcity on goat health, productivity, and welfare. Future research requires longitudinal studies linking water quality to goat health outcomes, intervention research on farmer education, low-cost water-treatment technologies, governance studies of water infrastructure, and economic analyses quantifying productivity losses. Full article

Industrial control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) production remains constrained by a shortage of compound-resolved evidence from full-scale plants, where wood furnish, amino resin chemistry, heat transfer, gas flow, and wet gas cleaning act simultaneously. Here, we analysed more than 20,000 synchronized operating records from a full-scale single-stage flash-tube MDF dryer at an industrial SWISS KRONO production line and linked total VOC (TVOC) measurements from flame ionization detection with Fourier-transform infrared speciation on the cleaned stack. Five compounds—α-pinene, 3-carene, limonene, methanol, and formaldehyde—accounted for more than 80% of the resolved VOC signal. Process–state contrasts showed that higher digester residence time, discharge screw speed, adhesive amount, urea amount, dryer inlet temperature, and scrubber–water temperature increased one or more representative compounds, whereas higher hardwood share, additional flue-gas supply, and higher scrubber–water pH decreased them. Limonene, methanol, and formaldehyde were substantially more process-sensitive than α-pinene. An exploratory decorrelation step further showed that a drying/throughput domain explained about half of the variability of the screened process space. The study therefore identifies the small set of compounds and operating domains that most strongly govern the cleaned dryer-stack signature and provides a mechanistically grounded prioritization framework for follow-up causal experiments, source apportionment, and emission-mitigation design in industrial MDF manufacture. Unlike product or chamber emission studies, this work links the compound-resolved FTIR/FID chemistry of the final cleaned industrial stack with synchronized production variables; it therefore addresses a scale-integration gap by transforming routine compliance-type exhaust monitoring into a process-diagnostic framework for ranking emission sources, abatement-sensitive variables, and mitigation experiments. Full article

This study presents pedagogical innovations in the undergraduate course Postharvest Technology and Quality Management at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), where project-based learning (PBL) is used to integrate academic quality assurance and sustainability education, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study adopts a descriptive multiple-case approach to analyze five representative student projects and their alignment with the SDGs. The projects address real-world postharvest challenges, including quality preservation, renewable energy use, and food loss reduction. A qualitative cross-case analysis based on SDGs mapping criteria was used to evaluate project alignment and societal outcomes. Representative student projects demonstrate how inquiry-driven learning enhances technical competence and research skills. Quantitative outcomes include a reduction in weight loss from 27.1% to 18.8% in coated tomatoes, increased weight loss up to 46.37% under severe mechanical damage in zucchini, and significant firmness reduction in bruised apples (53.23 N to 21.64 N). Hybrid infrared–hot air drying improved drying efficiency by reducing drying time and enhancing moisture removal, while banana coating experiments showed reduced moisture loss and delayed ripening. The analysis shows that all five projects align with at least two SDGs, with SDG 12 addressed in 100% of the cases. The curriculum is explicitly aligned with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). The study highlights the societal relevance of course-based projects through their contribution to SDG-related challenges and emphasizes the role of mentorship, teamwork, and experiential learning infrastructure in sustaining effective PBL implementation. Cross-case comparison highlights common sustainability contributions, including a reduction in postharvest losses, adoption of natural preservation methods, and improvements in energy-efficient processing. The findings highlight the potential of course-based PBL as a context-specific approach for integrating sustainability into undergraduate education. Full article

Hydrogen (H) is the most abundant element in the solar system. In the Earth’s interior, it primarily exists in the form of hydrogen gas, water, atomic hydrogen, and hydroxyl groups. Hydrogen gas, as a clean energy source, is widely distributed within the Earth and is mainly generated through serpentinization, with minor contributions from water radiolysis, rock fracturing, biological activity, etc. Hydrogen sequestration occurs mainly through clay adsorption, entrapment under rock layers, dissolution in water, and fluid inclusions. Besides being present as pore water, hydrogen in the deep Earth predominantly resides in minerals as point defects related to hydrogen species (e.g., OH⁻, H⁺). During the Earth’s evolution, substantial hydrogen was stored in the deep Earth through accretion, and surface water has been transported into the Earth’s interior via subducting slabs; meanwhile, it can migrate upward through magmatic activity and mantle plumes. The inputs and outputs constitute the global hydrogen cycle. Hydrogen concentration and distribution are highly heterogeneous across the crust, mantle and core. The upper mantle is likely mostly dry, while the Earth’s core is potentially a large reservoir of hydrogen. Small amounts of hydrogen can profoundly influence the physicochemical properties of the Earth’s interior materials, as well as the dynamic processes within the Earth’s interior. Full article

Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a well-established marker of heat-induced reactions in sugar-rich foods. However, its accumulation in raisins in response to clean-label pretreatments and its association with consumer sensory perception remain unclear. This study investigated the influence of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) pretreatment, cultivar (BRS Clara and BRS Vitoria), and storage conditions (4, 25, and 35 °C) on HMF formation in raisins and on their sensory implications. Cultivar influenced physicochemical properties, but neither cultivar nor pretreatment significantly affected HMF levels after drying. During storage, HMF formation followed predominantly zero-order reaction kinetics, with Q10 values (7.33–8.39) confirming strong temperature dependence, and pronounced accumulation at 35 °C. Sensory analysis showed that flavor was the main driver of consumer perception, with burnt sugar notes more frequently cited as a disliked attribute in samples stored at higher temperatures, whereas samples stored at lower temperatures retained attributes closer to time zero. Pearson correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive association between HMF and the burnt sugar descriptor (r = 0.86, p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that EVOO pretreatment can improve drying efficiency without promoting HMF formation, and highlight the value of the combined chemical–sensory approach to assess quality changes in raisins from tropical-adapted grape cultivars. Full article

An automated air-conditioner cleaning system was developed as a retrofit solution for conventional split-type units to reduce residual moisture in the evaporator section and suppress post-shutdown microbial accumulation. The system was integrated with an 18,000 BTU h⁻¹ air-conditioner and implemented using an Arduino-based closed-loop control platform with temperature and relative humidity monitoring. After shutdown, the indoor fan was operated under low-, medium-, or high-speed conditions to remove retained moisture from the cooling coil. System performance was evaluated in an 18 m³ test room through measurements of electrical consumption, operating cost, relative humidity, and microbial contamination in room air and on the evaporator coil before and after system installation. Low-speed operation showed the lowest current demand, power consumption, and electricity cost, with corresponding values of 0.36 ± 0.01 A, 79.2 ± 0.8 W, and 0.47 THB per 150 min. Post-shutdown humidity reduction was achieved under all tested conditions, while the high-speed mode provided the fastest drying response, reducing relative humidity to approximately 60% within 120 min. In the room air, the greatest reduction in airborne fungi after shutdown was observed at low speed, whereas the greatest reduction in airborne bacteria was observed at medium speed. On the evaporator coil, the strongest bacterial suppression was obtained at low speed, where the bacterial count after 24 h decreased from 633.33 ± 34.27 CFUs before installation to below the detection limit after installation. These results indicate that the proposed system reduced moisture retention and microbial contamination with minimal energy consumption. Full article

$Background$: In the grain logistics context, pre-processing operations such as reception, pre-cleaning, drying, storage, and shipping are performed at farm, collecting, intermediate, sub-terminal, and terminal storage units to preserve quality, reduce losses, and add value in the products. However, high transportation costs and limited static storage capacity reduce the selling prices. The objective of this article is to maximize profit associated with pre-processing, storage, and transportation along the grain flow in Brazil. $Methods$: A generic post-harvest logistics network is represented as a graph connecting producers, multi-level storage units, agribusiness facilities, and ports. A multi-period, multi-level mathematical model is applied in a case study framework explored in three scenarios, covering pre-cleaning, drying, storage, and transportation costs from production areas to commercialization nodes. $Results$: In all three scenarios, road transport resulted in transportation costs ranging from approximately US$ 49 million to US$ 492 million, mainly over long distances. $Conclusions$: The location and static capacity of collecting and intermediate storage units strongly influenced transport, storage use, CO₂ emissions, and post-harvest efficiency. Also, the flow concentration increased heavy-vehicle traffic, reducing overall logistics performance. Full article

High litter moisture content (LMC) in poultry houses is a primary driver of footpad dermatitis, elevated ammonia emissions, and bacterial proliferation. These conditions directly compromise broiler welfare and productivity. Existing monitoring methods, including oven-drying, contact-based sensors, and near-infrared spectroscopy, suffer from invasiveness, single-point limitation, or surface-only measurement. This study investigates ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar as a non-contact sensing modality for estimating the LMC of cedar wood shaving bedding under controlled laboratory conditions. A four-phase experimental program was conducted. Phases 1–3 characterized signal–moisture relationships across 0–50% LMC, manure simulant contamination, and bedding structural changes (loose, compacted, caked). Phase 4 tested whether UWB radar can estimate litter LMC when a stationary broiler body obstructs the beam under combined contamination and structural conditions. A progressive feature engineering approach and an SVC-gated mixture-of-experts regression architecture were used to address each confounding factor. Full technical details are provided in the Methods Section. Under clean conditions, the baseline model achieved $R^2=0.97$ and RMSE = 2.48% LMC. Under combined realistic conditions (manure contamination, caked bedding, centered carcass), the full pipeline achieved $R^2=0.91$ and RMSE = 4.53% LMC, with 98.8% bird detection accuracy from the radar signal alone. These laboratory findings suggest that the UWB radar can sense litter moisture through a stationary broiler body. The results support its potential as the sensing core of a non-contact monitoring system for precision poultry farming. Full article

This five-month epidemiological investigation evaluated pre-slaughter welfare, carcass-processing practices, and post-mortem lesion prevalence in 1012 cattle and 413 pigs slaughtered in Enugu State, Nigeria. Direct observations and post-mortem inspections were conducted following OIE standards. Animal welfare was markedly compromised. Cattle were dragged from the lairage to kill floor, restrained in lateral recumbency for over 30 min before bleeding, and slaughtered without stunning. Pigs were transported tied to motorcycles and processed on unsanitary floors. The lairages lacked roofing, clean water, and adequate drainage. Carcass handling was unhygienic, with meat processed near maggot-infested drains and transported in open vans or motorized tricycles used to commute passengers and cement. Of all cattle examined, 45.3% (458/1012) exhibited gross lesions attributable to contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP, 15.5%), fasciolosis (18%), liver abscessation (6.6%), ascariasis (4.6%), and bovine tuberculosis (0.5%). No lesions were detected in pigs. Lesion occurrence differed significantly (p < 0.05) by sex (males = 44.1%, females = 66.7%), age (<4 years = 54.1%, ≥4 years = 45.4%), breed (White Fulani = 45.5%, others = 36.7%), slaughterhouse location, and season (rainy = 45.2%, dry = 45.5%). Temporal analysis showed the highest lesion rate in April (68.3%), declining to 37.7% in May. Lesions of CBPP and fasciolosis were significantly more frequent in young cattle and during the rainy months (p < 0.05). These findings reveal systemic welfare violations and disease endemicity within the municipal abattoirs surveyed. The combination of poor pre-slaughter welfare, unhygienic meat handling, and high prevalence of zoonotic and economically important livestock disease lesions highlights urgent public health concerns. Strengthening abattoir infrastructure, enforcing pre-slaughter animal welfare and hygiene regulations, mechanizing slaughter processes, and instituting continuous surveillance within the One Health framework are essential for ensuring meat safety and public health security in Nigeria and beyond. Full article