Search Results (22)

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum), though less widespread than soft wheat, is crucial in Mediterranean countries. Agriculture significantly contributes to global climate change by emitting greenhouse gases, particularly nitrous oxide, which accounts for about 6% of global warming because of its long atmospheric lifetime and heat-trapping capacity. Soil fertility is influenced by the interplay of its physical, chemical, and biological properties, which, in turn, affect the production of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas. The yield-scaled N₂O emission index, which measures N₂O emissions relative to crop yield, is used to develop sustainable agricultural strategies. Our study aimed to compare the effects of organic vs. conventional fertilization on durum wheat yield and N₂O emissions across three soils differing in texture. The study was carried out from autumn 2020 to spring 2021 in Portici (Naples, Italy). A factorial combination was applied, involving three different texture classes (clay, sand, and loam) and four fertilization strategies (no fertilization, compost, digestate, and mineral fertilization). Our results highlight that in sandy soil, wheat yield reached its highest values, particularly under digestate fertilization (+74.5%) and, interestingly, with lower cumulative N₂O emissions (−16%). However, in sandy soil, the protein content of kernels was lower, similar to that recorded for the fertilization with digestate. Full article

With the continuous growth of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), the industrial sector has transformed into smart factories, enhancing business competitiveness while aiming for the sustainable development of organizations. Machinery is a critical component and key to the success of production in a smart industrial factory. Minimizing unplanned downtime (UPDT) poses a significant challenge in designing an effective maintenance system. In the era of Industry 4.0, the most widely adopted maintenance frameworks are intelligent maintenance systems (IMSs), which integrate predictive maintenance with computerized systems. IMSs are intelligent tools designed to efficiently plan maintenance cycles for each machine component in a smart factory. This research presents the application of a search algorithm named state space search (SSS) in conjunction with a newly designed IMS, aimed at optimizing maintenance routines by identifying the optimal timing for maintenance cycles. The design began with the development of a new IMS concept that incorporates three key elements: the automation pyramid standard, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors, and a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). The CMMS collects machine data from the maintenance database, while real-time parameters are gathered via IIoT sensors from the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The new IMS concept provides a summary of the total maintenance cost and the remaining lifetime of the equipment. By integrating with SSS algorithms, the IMS presents optimized maintenance cycle solutions to the maintenance manager, focusing on minimizing costs while maximizing the remaining lifetime of the equipment. Moreover, the SSS algorithms take into account the risks associated with maintenance routines, following factory standards such as failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA). This approach is well suited to smart factories and helps to reduce UPDT. Full article

For modern machines, factories and electric and autonomous vehicles, the importance of vreliable electrical connectors cannot be overstated. With an increasing number of connectors being used in machines, factories and vehicles, ensuring their reliability is crucial for comfort and safety alike. One of the key indicators of reliability is the lifetime of connectors. To evaluate the lifetime of electrical connectors, a testing method and a model for calculating their lifetime based on the test data were developed. The results from these tests were compared to failure analysis data from long-term field operations. The findings indicate that the laboratory tests can accurately reproduce the main failures observed in the field. However, such lifetime tests can be time- and labor-intensive. To address this challenge, a data-driven method is proposed that predicts the lifetime of electrical connectors using statistical analysis of electrical contact resistance data collected from short-term tests. The predictions from this method were compared to actual results obtained from long-term tests. A strong correlation was observed between the contact resistance development in short-term tests and the number of failures in later stages of testing. Thus, apart from predicting the lifetime of connectors, this method can also be applied for failure prognosis in real-time operations. Full article

During the energy transition, new types of electrical equipment, especially power electronic devices, are proposed to increase the flexibility of electricity distribution grids. One type is the solid-state transformer (SST), which offers excellent possibilities to improve the voltage quality in electricity distribution grids and integrate hybrid AC/DC grids. This paper compares SST to conventional copper-based power transformers (CPT) with and without an on-load tap changer (OLTC) and with additional downstream converters. For this purpose, a corresponding electricity distribution grid is set up in the power system analysis tool DIgSILENT PowerFactory 2022. A DC generator like a photovoltaic system, a DC load like an electric vehicle fast charging station, and an AC load are connected. Based on load flow simulations, the four power transformers are compared concerning voltage stability during a generator-based and a load-based scenario. The results of load flow simulations show that SSTs are most valuable when additional generators and loads are to be connected to the infrastructure, which would overload the existing grid equipment. The efficiency of using SSTs also depends on the parameters of the electrical grid, especially the lengths of the low-voltage (LV) lines. In addition, a flowchart-based decision process is proposed to support the decision-making process for the appropriate power transformer from an electrical perspective. Beyond these electrical properties, an evaluation matrix lists other relevant criteria like characteristics of the installation site, noise level, expected lifetime, and economic criteria that must be considered. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading global cause of mortality and are primarily driven by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Their pathogenesis involves multi-factorial mechanisms, among which low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a causative role. Recent ESC/EAS guidelines advocate for a shift toward new risk estimation algorithms that better emphasize non-fatal cardiovascular events, lifetime risk prediction, and tailored pharmacological approaches, including statin + ezetimibe and triple therapy, in specific cases. Intensive lipid-lowering therapy has been shown to be pivotal, especially in post-acute coronary events. Intracoronary imaging has revealed insights into the composition of plaque and demonstrated the significant regression that can be achieved through the use of statins such as rosuvastatin and atorvastatin. The positive effects of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, particularly alirocumab and evolocumab, on plaque regression, have been demonstrated. Inclisiran, which targets PCSK9 gene expression, significantly reduces LDL cholesterol. The associated challenges include hesitancy to prescribe intensive regimens and limited treatment adherence, highlighting the need for pharmacological combinations to improve therapeutic outcomes. Full article

This article is focused on analyzing roof structure from environmental impact indicators and circularity point of view. The life cycle analysis of the roof structure includes the product phase, transport from the factory gate to the site, operational energy and operational water phase, and an end-of-life phase. Three end-of-life scenarios for built-in materials are designed to observe the reduction in environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the structure. Scenario 1 mainly considers waste incineration, which accounts for almost 77% of the end-of-life phase. In addition, landfilling (15.4%) and recycling (7.7%) are considered. In scenario 2, landfilling accounts for 38.5% and incineration also accounts for 38.5%. Recycling (15.4%) and downcycling (7.6%) are also considered. In scenario 3, recycling and reuse represent 46.1% and 38.5%, respectively. Incineration (7.7%) and downcycling (7.7%) are also considered. The lifetime considered is 50 years and the functional unit is 1 m². One-Click LCA software was used for the analysis. Results for GWP-fossil are 415 kgCO_2eq, 381 kgCO_2qe and 362 kgCO_2eq for scenarios 1, 2 and 3. The circulation score of the roof composition for three scenario is determined to be 2%, 16% and 36%. It can be concluded that the end-of-life phase of the materials influenced these results to a large extent. Full article

Flash converters are suitable analog-to-digital converter architectures for high-speed applications. However, the benefits in terms of the frequency of smaller technology nodes are hampered by variability, which necessitates the use of large transistors. Comparator redundancy was introduced to overcome this trade-off; the best comparators were selected upfront (either at start-up or in the factory), and the unused comparators could be switched off. This work studies the possibility of performing comparator selection in the background concurrently with normal conversion to increase the converter lifetime. Thus, the system can automatically recover its performance from drifts or failures due to aging, temperature, etc. This paper proposes an embedded solution that includes a calibration stimulus generator (which only requires some external passive elements) and develops system design requirements. In addition, mathematical equations and error sensitivities of the system elements were derived. A 6b flash converter is implemented in UMC180nm technology, and transistor-level simulations of the system are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed system. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives have received extensive attention due to their negative effects on the environment and on human health. However, few studies have performed comprehensive assessments of PAHs emitted from pesticide factories. This study assessed the concentration, composition, and health risk of 52 PM_2.5-bound PAHs during the daytime and nighttime in the vicinity of a typical pesticide factory. The total concentration of 52 PAHs (Σ52PAHs) ranged from 53.04 to 663.55 ng/m³. No significant differences were observed between daytime and nighttime PAH concentrations. The average concentrations of twenty-two parent PAHs, seven alkylated PAHs, ten oxygenated PAHs, and twelve nitrated PAHs were 112.55 ± 89.69, 18.05 ± 13.76, 66.13 ± 54.79, and 3.90 ± 2.24 ng/m³, respectively. A higher proportion of high-molecular-weight (4–5 rings) PAHs than low-molecular-weight (2–3 rings) PAHs was observed. This was likely due to the high-temperature combustion of fuels. Analysis of diagnostic ratios indicated that the PAHs were likely derived from coal combustion and mixed sources. The total carcinogenic equivalent toxicity ranged from 15.93 to 181.27 ng/m³. The incremental lifetime cancer risk from inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact with the PAHs was 2.33 × 10⁻³ for men and 2.53 × 10⁻³ for women, and the loss of life expectancy due to the PAHs was 11,915 min (about 0.023 year) for men and 12,952 min (about 0.025 year) for women. These results suggest that long-term exposure to PM_2.5 emissions from a pesticide factory has significant adverse effects on health. The study results support implementing the characterization of PAH emissions from pesticide factories and provides a scientific basis for optimizing the living environment around pesticide factories. Full article

The Shanker distribution, a one-parameter lifetime distribution with an increasing hazard rate function, is recommended by Shanker for modelling lifespan data. In this study, we examine the theoretical and practical implications of 2-component mixture of Shanker model (2-CMSM). A significant feature of proposed model’s hazard rate function is that it has rising, decreasing, and upside-down bathtub forms. We investigate the statistical characteristics of a mixed model, such as the probability-generating function, the factorial-moment-generating function, cumulants, the characteristic function, the Mills ratio, the mean residual life, and the mean time to failure. There is a graphic representation of density, mean, hazard rate functions, coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis. Our final approach is to estimate the parameters of the mixture model using appropriate approaches such as maximum likelihood, least squares, and weighted least squares. Using a simulation analysis, we examined how the estimates behaved graphically. The simulation results demonstrated that, in the majority of cases, the maximum likelihood estimates have the smallest mean square errors among all other estimates. Finally, we observed that when the sample size rises, the precision measures decrease for all of the estimation techniques, indicating that all of the estimation approaches are consistent. Through two real data analyses, the suggested model’s validity and adaptability are contrasted with those of other models, including the mixture of the exponential distributions and the Lindley distributions . Full article

A wide range of volatile organic solvents, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ketones, are used in the production of paints, and they comprise more than 30% of the ingredients of paints. The present study was designed to evaluate the occupational exposure to 15 volatile organic compounds (VOCs, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, styrene, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-nonane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, n-butyl acetate, n-octane, n-decane, dichlorofluoromethane, and acetone) in Iranian paint production factories and subsequently, the associated health risks. The samples were collected from the respiratory zone of workers using the NIOSH 1501 method, and their qualitative and quantitative characterization was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, respectively. The individual concentrations of VOCs ranged from 23.76 ± 0.57 µg m⁻³ (acetone) to 92489.91 ± 0.65 µg m⁻³ (m,p-xylene). The predominant compounds were m,p-xylene (up to 92489.91 ± 0.65 µg m⁻³), ethylbenzene (up to 91188.95 ± 0.34 µg m⁻³), and toluene (up to 46088.84 ± 0.14 µg m⁻³). The non-cancer risks of benzene, n-nonane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, xylene, and ethylbenzene surpassed the reference value in most of the sectors. In addition, total lifetime risks of cancer were in the range of 1.8 × 10⁻⁵–3.85 × 10⁻³, suggesting that there was a risk of carcinogenesis in all studied sections, mainly due to ethylbenzene and benzene. Considering their high exposure concentrations and their associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, biological monitoring of workers and the use of technical and modern engineering control measures are recommended. Full article

Korea was one of the major consumers of asbestos in the late 1900s, and asbestos-related disease patients have been reported continuously to date, owing to long disease latency. Several studies have been conducted to predict the future incidence of malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer in Korea, but little is understood about the latency time. Therefore, the aim of this study is to estimate the latency period of malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer in Korea and its determinants. We obtained information from the Environmental Health Centers for Asbestos in Korea on the history of asbestos exposure and demographic characteristics of 1933 patients with malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. In our study, the latency periods for malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer were 33.7 and 40.1 years, respectively. Regardless of the disease type, those with a history of exposure related to the production of asbestos-containing products or asbestos factories had the shortest latency period. In addition, we observed that those who worked in or lived near asbestos mines tended to have a relatively long disease latency. Smoking was associated with shorter latency, but no linear relationship between the lifetime smoking amount (expressed in pack years) and latent time was observed. In addition, the age of initial exposure showed a negative linear association with the latency period for mesothelioma and lung cancer. Full article

The encapsulation of pesticides within nanoparticles is a promising approach of advanced technology in sustainable agriculture. Lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) was encapsulated by the ionotropic gelation technique into chitosan (CS)/tripolyphosphate (TPP) and CS/alginate (ALG) matrixes. CS-LC nanoparticles were characterized, and their efficacy was then evaluated against the key pest of soft fruits in Europe and the United States, Drosophila suzukii. The encapsulation efficiency (74%), nanoparticle yield (80%), polydispersity index (0.341), zeta potential (−23.1 mV) and particle size (278 nm) were determined at the optimum conditions. FTIR confirmed the cross-linkage between CS and TPP/ALG in the nanoparticles. The optimum formula recommended by the fractional factorial design was associated with the formulation variables of CS of high or low molecular weight, cross-linking agent (TPP), LC concentration (1.5% w/v) and stirring rate (1500 rpm), showing the highest desirability value (0.5511). CS-LC nanoparticles of the lowest particle size (278 nm) exhibited the highest percent mortality of D. suzukii males (86%) and females (84%), exceeding that caused by the commercial product (Karate-zeon^® 10% CS) at 2 HAT. This is the first work to use the ionic gelation technique to make LC nanoparticles, to the best of our knowledge. The encapsulation of chemical pesticides within biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles could be helpful for establishing a sustainable IPM strategy with benefits for human and environmental health and the lifetime of pesticides. Full article

Corrosion is considered to be the most severe problem facing alloys and metals, one that causes potentially dangerous industrial issues such as the deterioration of buildings and machinery, and corrosion in factory tanks and pipelines in petroleum refineries, leading to limited lifetime and weak efficacy of such systems. In this work, novel CeO₂-nanoparticle-loaded carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was successfully prepared by using a simple method. The structural configuration of the prepared CeO₂-nanoparticle-loaded CMC was investigated by FE-SEM/EDX, TEM, FT-IR, and thermal analyses. The corrosion protection proficiency of uncoated and coated mild steel with CeO₂-CMC systems in 1.0 M HCl solutions was studied by E_OCP-time, EIS, and PDP tools. Moreover, the relationship between the structure of coating films and their corrosion protection was confirmed by DFT calculation and MC simulation. The obtained findings from the studied methods showed that the prepared CeO₂-CMC-coated films reported high corrosion resistance. The protection capacity augmented with ceria presents an increase of up to 3% to achieve 98.4%. DFT calculation and MC simulation confirmed the influence of the chemical construction of coated films on its protection capacity, which was in accordance with the experimental results. Full article

This study examined if the associations between lifetime history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) and unhealthy alcohol use or mental health problems differ by location of living (rural vs. urban). The lifetime history data of TBI with LOC, location of living, unhealthy alcohol use (binge drinking, heavy drinking), and mental health problems (depression diagnosis, number of poor mental health days) were sourced from the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factory Surveillance Surveys, and the final sample included 16,941 respondents. We conducted multivariable logistic regressions to determine the odds ratios for each of the five outcomes between individuals living in rural vs. urban areas and between individuals with vs. without a lifetime history of TBI with LOC. No interaction between location of living and lifetime history of TBI with LOC was observed for any outcomes, indicating rurality did not modify these relationships. Living in a rural area was associated with decreased binge drinking or heavy drinking but not mental health outcomes. Lifetime history of TBI with LOC was associated with an increased risk of binge drinking, heavy drinking, depression diagnoses, and poor general mental health, regardless of location of living. Our findings support the need for TBI screenings as part of mental health intake evaluations and behavioral health screenings. Though rurality was not associated with mental health outcomes, rural areas may have limited access to quality mental health care. Therefore, future research should address access to mental health services following TBI among rural residents. Full article

Reliability performance, especially the lower confidence limit of reliability, plays an important role in system risk and safety assessment. A good estimator of the lower confidence limit of system reliability can help engineers to make the right decisions. Based on the lifetime of the key component in a typical satellite intelligent power distribution system, the generalized fiducial method is adopted to estimate the lower confidence limit of the system reliability in this paper. First, the generalized pivotal quantity and the lower confidence limit of reliability for the key component are derived for the lifetimes of the exponential-type and Weibull-type components. Simulations show that the sample median is more appropriate than the sample mean when the lower confidence limit of reliability is estimated. Moreover, the lower confidence limit of reliability is obtained for the typical satellite intelligent power distribution system through the pseudo-lifetime data of the metallic oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. The lower confidence limit of reliability for this power distribution system at 15 years is 0.998, which meets the factory’s reliability requirement. Finally, through the comparison, a hot standby subsystem can be substituted with a cold standby subsystem to increase the lower confidence limit of the system reliability. Full article