Search Results (126,903)

This article analyses the rise of economic security as a new organising principle of European Union economic governance and examines the extent to which this concept is transforming the traditional model of European industrial and market policy. In the context of escalating geopolitical rivalry, the disruption of global supply chains, technological competition, and energy uncertainty, the EU is gradually shifting away from a purely regulatory approach based on market liberalisation and competition enforcement towards a more active and strategically oriented model of intervention. The study employs a qualitative political-economic research design, combining policy and document analysis with case studies of strategic sectors, including advanced technologies, critical raw materials, energy, and trade-investment instruments. The findings demonstrate that economic security is operationalised through coordinated investment, the support of domestic capacities, and the selective protection of strategic industries. This contributes to the mitigation of systemic risks, the strengthening of technological sovereignty, and the enhancement of supply chain resilience. However, these policies simultaneously create tensions between efficiency, fiscal sustainability, and the integrity of the Single Market. The article contributes to the political economy literature by conceptualising economic security as a hybrid model that merges market integration with strategic public coordination and evaluates its implications for the Union’s long-term competitiveness and economic development. Full article

Ammonia is one of the most important and widely produced basic chemicals worldwide. However, this highly toxic gas is also produced in livestock farming and a variety of industrial processes, posing a potential threat to humans, animals and the environment and also significantly contributing to the formation of persistent particulate matter. The aim of this project was to develop a textile-based adsorber material and to demonstrate a suitable test system for purifying ammonia-contaminated air from production-related sources using the example of pig fattening and PCB production. This aim was achieved through the wash-resistant immobilization of polyacrylic acid on a polyester needle felt at laboratory, pilot plant and industrial scales. In addition, various system concepts have been developed in which air or phosphoric acid can flow through the adsorber textile, whereby in the latter case, the phosphoric acid is both actively involved in ammonia adsorption and also serves to elute the bound ammonia, enabling continuous and low-maintenance operation. Concurrently, the high-quality inorganic fertilizer ammonium phosphate is produced. In summary, an efficient alternative to existing solutions for ammonia minimization has been developed, which is fundamentally characterized by its universal applicability in different load scenarios, including small mobile systems in production facilities with local ammonia pollution, in addition to scenarios for large-scale agricultural operations. Full article

This review examines the renewed strategic relevance of uranium within the evolving global energy system, emphasizing uranium market dynamics, emerging nuclear technologies, and geopolitical realignments. Moving beyond traditional perspectives that treat uranium primarily as a cyclical commodity or focus narrowly on reactor design, the article frames uranium as a critical strategic resource at the intersection of energy security, decarbonization, and industrial transformation. The analysis integrates market fundamentals with technological developments, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced high-temperature reactor systems, and regional policy strategies to provide a holistic perspective largely absent from the existing literature. Quantitative evidence indicates a structurally tightening uranium market, with global reactor demand of approximately 67,500 tU per year and mine production historically meeting only 74–90% of annual requirements. Uranium prices have rebounded from below $20 lb⁻¹ U₃O₈ in 2016 to above $80 lb⁻¹ by late 2023, reflecting supply concentration, long development timelines for new mines, and renewed political commitments to nuclear energy. Demand projections suggest an increase of around 28% by 2030 and the potential for a doubling by mid-century under high-nuclear deployment scenarios. From a technological perspective, while SMRs and advanced reactors may increase uranium consumption per unit of electricity, they substantially expand nuclear energy deployment into new domains, including remote power systems, industrial heat applications, and large-scale low-carbon hydrogen production. Overall, the study highlights a qualitative shift in uranium’s role, positioning it as both a foundational component and a key enabler of integrated low-carbon energy systems spanning electricity, heat, and hydrogen production. Full article

As a three-dimensional in vitro model, organoid technology represents a revolutionary breakthrough in precision medicine. By harnessing the self-organizing capabilities of stem cells within biomimetic extracellular matrices, it enables the generation of miniature tissues that recapitulate key structural and functional characteristics of their source organs. Conventional two-dimensional cell cultures lack tissue architecture and microenvironmental cues, whereas animal models are hindered by interspecies differences and inadequate representation of human pathological heterogeneity. By effectively addressing these limitations, organoids have emerged as powerful platforms that are highly representative of human physiology and disease processes in oncology, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. They demonstrate significant potential for use in drug screening, toxicity assessment, and the development of personalized treatment strategies. Although challenges such as limited vascularization, lack of standardized culture protocols, and ethical considerations remain, the integration of multidisciplinary approaches such as AI-assisted analysis, organ-on-a-chip systems, and 3D bioprinting, together with increasing policy support and industrial advancement, is accelerating the clinical translation of organoid technology. In this review, the construction strategies for and applications of organoid models are systematically summarized, and their value and limitations in disease modeling, precision medicine, and preclinical research are highlighted. Finally, future development pathways driven by multidisciplinary collaboration and standardization are outlined. Full article

To address the practical requirements for in situ equipment restoration, this study investigates a portable and cost-effective approach for the localized repair of SAE 10SAE 1045 components using a 1Cr13 martensitic stainless steel coating prepared via an arc-based additive manufacturing (WAAM) process. The microstructural evolution and tribological response of the layers were analyzed, with a focus on the effects of discrete thermal cycling and controlled solidification inherent to portable arc equipment. The WAAM process produced a refined martensitic matrix with a microhardness of 551.94 HV0.2, which is 2.26 times that of the substrate. Under dry sliding conditions, the 1Cr13 coating exhibited a lower friction coefficient and a reduced wear volume compared to the untreated SAE 1045, primarily through the mitigation of severe plastic deformation. This additive route provides a millimeter-scale reinforcement layer with metallurgical integrity suitable for heavy-duty service, aiming to offer a practical reference for the low-cost, on-site restoration of industrial components. Full article

Using the data of Chinese listed companies from 2011 to 2021 and the Digital Inclusive Finance Index from Peking University, this study investigates the impact of digital finance on the quality of corporate environmental information disclosure from both internal and external perspectives. The findings indicate the following: (1) Digital finance significantly enhances corporate environmental information disclosure quality, a conclusion that remains valid after a series of robustness tests. (2) Mechanism analysis shows that digital finance boosts disclosure quality by enhancing corporate environmental awareness and strengthening external oversight. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows that digital finance more strongly enhances environmental disclosure quality for state-owned enterprises, firms in non-heavy pollution industries, and those located in regions with well-developed digital infrastructure. (4) Economic consequences analysis demonstrates that better disclosure quality, driven by digital finance, boosts a firm’s capital attractiveness, R&D investments, financing conditions, and green innovation. This process also triggers significant environmental spillover effects. The findings enrich theoretical research in digital finance and expand the discussion on enhancing environmental information disclosure. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of four drying methods—open sun drying, solar drying, infrared drying, and microwave drying—on the quality attributes and elemental retention of apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.). Experimental trials were conducted in June 2024 at the Tashkent Institute of Chemical-Technology using equal quantities of fresh apricots. Drying was continued until the moisture content, measured gravimetrically, dropped below 20% (wet basis), followed by spectroscopic analysis to determine macro- and microelement concentrations. Solar-dried apricots showed higher retention of essential nutrients in this experimental trial: potassium (2.37%), silicon (0.538%), magnesium (0.145%), calcium (0.176%), and sulfur (0.152%). In contrast, open sun drying led to significant nutrient degradation and poor visual quality. Microwave drying preserved some micronutrients but resulted in surface scorching due to uneven heating. Infrared drying yielded acceptable results but required substantial energy input. Among all methods, solar drying provided the optimal balance of high product quality and energy efficiency. The drying process required negligible electrical energy owing to exclusive reliance on solar radiation. This method supports sustainable food processing by reducing energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions while preserving nutritional quality. The results highlight solar drying as a promising, eco-friendly technique for preserving the nutritional integrity of agricultural products. These findings offer valuable scientific guidance for selecting appropriate drying technologies in the food processing industry, especially in regions with high solar potential. However, the study is limited to a single fruit variety and seasonal conditions. Full article

Terminalia arjuna (Arjun) is a tropical deciduous tree species significantly valued for its pharmaceutical properties for various heart diseases, as well as its economic role in the sericulture industry. However, the growth performance and physiological responses of T. arjuna under water stress conditions remain largely unexplored, particularly in the context of increasing climate variability and the growing challenges posed by climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the morpho-physio-biochemical alterations, nutrient uptake changes, and adaptive strategies under different degrees of water stress with respect to field capacity ($F_{wc}$), maintained at 100% $F_{wc}$ (control), 75% $F_{wc}$ (mild), 50% $F_{wc}$ (moderate), and 25% $F_{wc}$ (severe). Key growth parameters, including shoot and root length, leaf traits and shoot dry biomass, were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced under the given water stresses. Root dry biomass showed a distinct response, increasing under mild to moderate water stress but failing to sustain its levels under severe stress. Increasing drought severity resulted in a substantial reduction in stomatal density (15–37%), while stomatal size increased (18–49%) under mild to moderate stress but decreased under severe stress. These responses were associated with significant reductions in gas exchange traits (45–75%), whereas water use efficiency increased by 59–99%, reflecting a survival-focused adaptive mechanism. Moderate water stress triggered the stress responses in T. arjuna through high proline accumulation and increased oxidative stress markers. The most critical impact was found under the severe stress with a substantial reduction in leaf relative water content and membrane stability index (MSI), although MSI was sustained above the critical threshold, reflecting cellular protection. Increased stress intensity also altered mineral uptake, decreased major nutrients, and increased potassium and calcium content, indicating an adaptive strategy. These findings suggest a threshold effect, where T. arjuna tolerates mild stress well and activates adaptive morpho-physiological mechanisms under moderate stress but shifts to survival-focused strategies under severe stress. The demonstrated tolerance of Terminalia arjuna to mild–moderate drought suggests that climate-resilient forestry policies and conservation programs should prioritize its cultivation and restoration in drought-prone landscapes while ensuring adequate water management to prevent severe stress and sustain its medicinal and economic benefits. Full article

With hydropower supplying nearly 94% of Ethiopia’s electricity, the national power grid is extremely vulnerable to recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall. To mitigate this risk, this study examines the wind power potential across five specific locations: Arerti, Sela Dingay, Debre Berhan, Mega, and Gode. By combining on-site mast measurements with datasets from NASA and the Global Wind Atlas, we evaluated wind characteristics at industry-standard hub heights of 80 m and 100 m. The analysis focused on wind power density (WPD), Weibull stability parameters (k and c), and directional consistency. The results indicate that Gode and Mega are the premier choices for commercial development, showing average speeds above 8.5 m/s and power densities exceeding 500 W/m2 at the 100 m level. Gode stands out as the most reliable site, with a Weibull shape factor (k) of 2.8 and a scale factor (c) of 9.1 m/s. We modeled a standard 3 MW turbine while factoring in a 20% loss for real-world conditions; this yielded net annual energy productions of 9461 MWh (36% CF) for Gode, 9040 MWh (34.4% CF) for Mega, and 8619 MWh (32.8% CF) for Arerti. While Sela Dingay and Debre Berhan have lower initial yields, their feasibility improves significantly when using towers taller than 80 m. Wind rose data reveals that Gode and Arerti have highly unidirectional flows, which simplifies turbine micro-siting. Notably, Arerti provides a unique economic advantage due to its location right next to existing 132/230 kV transmission infrastructure and industrial load centers. Overall, these findings provide a definitive technical roadmap for Ethiopia to diversify its energy portfolio and meet its Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) objectives. Full article

Green innovation is a crucial aspect of an enterprise’s core competitiveness and long-term sustainable development, garnering significant attention from both academic scholars and industry practitioners. However, while existing research has primarily focused on green innovation at the organizational level, the mechanisms driving green innovation behaviors at the individual level have not been thoroughly explored in the literature. This study is grounded in the classic Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theoretical framework and highlights the interplay between job demands (such as environmental ethics and corporate environmental strategies) and job resources (such as green human resource management practices and green transformational leadership). It also integrates individual-level characteristics, specifically green mindfulness and connectedness to nature, to construct a multidimensional interactive model aimed at uncovering the complex mechanisms driving employees’ green innovation. To achieve this, the study employs fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The findings suggest that no single condition is necessary for employee green innovation. However, connectedness to nature consistently appears across all core configurations, indicating a prominent “enabling” effect. This suggests that employee green innovation is an active and proactive form of environmentally responsible behavior, largely driven by individuals’ emotional affinity with nature. Additionally, connectedness to nature serves as a foundational source of intrinsic motivation for environmental awareness and acts as a catalyst across multiple pathways. Configurational analysis reveals an equifinal pattern, identifying three distinct motivational pathways: (1) Self-motivation Combined with Resource Support; (2) Self-motivation Combined with Job Demands; and (3) Triple Interaction of Demand, Resources, and Individuals. This study possesses both theoretical and practical significance in systematically examining green innovation behaviors at the individual level. Full article

Accurate prediction of shipping freight indices, represented by the Baltic Dry Index (BDI), is crucial for operational decision-making and risk management in the shipping industry. Existing models mainly rely on historical time-series data and often overlook the influence of unstructured information such as market sentiment. To address this limitation, this study proposes a dynamic freight rate prediction framework integrating a shipping text sentiment index. First, a shipping news sentiment index is constructed using a RoBERTa-based pre-trained model to quantify the impact of market sentiment on freight rate fluctuations. Second, the BDI series is decomposed and reconstructed through Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) and Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering to extract multiscale features. Finally, a deep learning based multi-step prediction model is developed by incorporating the sentiment index into the forecasting process. Empirical results show that the proposed model significantly outperforms benchmark models without sentiment information in terms of MAE, RMSE, and R², and demonstrates greater robustness under extreme market conditions. These findings provide a novel methodological framework for improving freight rate forecasting accuracy and offer practical decision support for shipping enterprises. Full article

The internal recycling of iron-rich fine residues is a crucial process for reducing the raw material loss and the carbon footprint in sustainable ironmaking and steelmaking. Traditionally, cement has been used as a binder to ensure the structural integrity of agglomerates during transport and charging. While cementitious binder can achieve the necessary structural support, it contributes significantly to the carbon footprint. This study investigated the effects of alternative biogenic binders and varying compaction pressures on the physical and mechanical properties of agglomerates produced from three different types of fine residues from steel (SR) and cast-iron (FR) production. In addition, the self-reducing capability and degree of metallization of these agglomerates were evaluated through pyrometallurgical experiments in a Tammann furnace. The resulting agglomerates exhibited sufficient mechanical strength and high iron recovery rates. These findings confirm that biogenic binders can effectively replace cementitious binders without compromising the self-reduction performance of the agglomerates. Full article

Soils in industrially influenced areas are often exposed to elevated nickel (Ni) levels due to metallurgical and alumina production activities. In this context, this study evaluated bauxite residue (BR) as an amendment to mitigate Ni availability and mobility in five agricultural soils from the Attica region, Greece, selected according to their pH values. Apart from the pH, soil properties were greatly varied. A very small amount of 1% BR (w/w) was incorporated into soils and batch adsorption experiments with eight Ni concentrations ranging between 1 and 90 mg Ni L⁻¹ were performed, followed by the direct application of the Tessier sequential fractionation scheme. BR addition increased the Ni adsorption capacity of soils, particularly those of low and neutral pH. BR increased the pH of acid soils, thus increasing the negatively charged sites on soil colloids. The Langmuir b_L constant provided indications of advanced Ni surface precipitation in the presence of BR. However, the desorption results suggested that, in addition to pH, Fe-Mn free oxides, noticeably those of amorphous form, controlled Ni fractionation in the studied soils. The mobility factor (MF) showed that the availability of Ni was restricted in all soil–BR mixtures. Yet, the distribution of Ni among the chemically active phases was different depending mainly on Fe-Mn free oxide content. Due to its high content in iron oxides, BR assisted the retention of Ni in soils with low Fe-Mn oxide concentration and increased significantly the Ni proportion extracted from the reducible phase. However, in soils richer in Fe-Mn oxides, BR incorporation resulted in enhanced oxidizable and residual fractions, suggesting stronger Ni binding. The results demonstrate that even a low BR application effectively enhances Ni immobilization by increasing adsorption capacity, shifting Ni toward more stable geochemical fractions, and significantly reducing its mobility, highlighting its potential as a sustainable soil amendment for Ni-contaminated soils. Full article

A novel sustainable supplier selection (SSS) method is proposed to address the interrelation among attributes and the psychological state and risk attitude of decision-makers (DMs). The method integrates proportional interval type-2 hesitant fuzzy sets (PIT2HFSs), a generalized Shapley-based aggregation operator, and a modified regret theory combined with a normalized bidirectional projection (NBP) measure. The aggregation operators handle the correlations among attributes, while the NBP and regret theory reflect DMs’ risk preferences by considering both the best and worst alternatives. An application case study in a manufacturing enterprise, along with sensitivity and comparative analyses, demonstrates the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach. The results indicate that the method outperforms existing approaches in handling attribute interdependencies, decision uncertainty, and human risk behavior, providing a comprehensive and practical framework for sustainable supplier selection in the manufacturing industry. Full article

Laser trackers (LTs) are essential instruments for large-scale equipment assembly and in situ measurement. However, their cooperative targets, Spherically Mounted Retroreflectors (SMRs), are often small, highly reflective, and prone to interference in complex industrial environments, making accurate detection difficult. Compared with generic small-object detection, SMR detection during LT beam reacquisition is further challenged by specular highlights, halo-like blooming, and reflective background clutter, where SMRs may appear as minute bright spots with ambiguous boundaries. In this paper, we propose RBD-YOLOv10n, a lightweight detector tailored for SMRs based on the YOLOv10 framework. To improve robustness while keeping deployment efficient, we introduce three lightweight enhancements across the backbone, neck, and head, including RepNMSC, W-BiFPN, and DEHead. Validated on a custom SMR dataset, our method achieves an mAP@0.5 of 93.24% and an mAP@0.5:0.95 of 78.45%. Notably, the model is extremely lightweight, with 1.98M parameters and a 4.30 MB weight file (stored in FP16). These results show that the proposed method outperforms representative baseline detectors in balancing accuracy and efficiency, supporting practical high-precision LT vision-based SMR reacquisition under industrial conditions. Full article