Search Results (490)

Direct electrification and hydrogen utilization represent two key pathways for decarbonizing the glass industry, with their effectiveness subject to adequate furnace design and renewable energy availability. This study presents a techno-economic assessment for optimal solar energy integration in a representative 300 t/d oxyfuel container glass furnace with a specific energy consumption of 4.35 GJ/t. A mixed-integer linear programming formulation is developed to evaluate specific melting costs, carbon emissions, and renewable energy self-consumption and self-production rates across three scenarios: direct solar coupling, battery storage, and a hydrogen-based infrastructure. Battery storage achieves the greatest reductions in specific melting costs and emissions, whereas hydrogen integration minimizes electricity export to the grid. By incorporating capital investment considerations, the study quantifies the cost premiums and capacity requirements under varying decarbonization targets. A combination of 30 MW of solar plant and 9 MW of electric boosting enables the realization of around 30% carbon reduction while increasing total costs by 25%. Deeper decarbonization targets require more advanced systems, with batteries emerging as a cost-effective solution. These findings offer critical insights into the economic and environmental trade-offs, as well as the technical constraints associated with renewable energy adoption in the glass industry, providing a foundation for strategic energy and decarbonization planning. Full article

This article provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in cyber risk and cyber risk management, focusing on the mathematical models that have been created to help with risk quantification and insurance pricing. We discuss the main ways that cyber risk is measured, starting with vulnerability functions that show how systems react to threats and going all the way up to more complex stochastic and dynamic models that show how cyber attacks change over time. Next, we examine cyber insurance, including the structure and main features of the cyber insurance market, as well as the growing role of cyber reinsurance in strategies for transferring risk. Finally, we review the mathematical models that have been proposed in the literature for setting the prices of cyber insurance premiums and structuring reinsurance contracts, analysing their advantages, limitations, and potential applications for more effective risk management. The aim of this article is to provide researchers and professionals with a clear picture of the main quantitative tools available and to point out areas that need further research by summarising these contributions. Full article

Background/Objectives: To assess the optical performance of two refractive premium IOLs across pupil sizes and values of corneal spherical aberration (SA). Methods: Two refractive IOLs were evaluated in this study: Tecnis Eyhance and Mini Well. The surface profiles were obtained to calculate the through-object MTF (TO MTF) curves and simulate optotype images. Entrance pupil sizes ranging from 2 to 5.5 and three corneal models were analyzed in the simulation: an average population aberrated cornea, an aberration-free cornea and a post-Lasik myopic cornea. Results: For Model 1 and pupil sizes between 3.0 and 3.5 mm, Mini Well provided acceptable visual quality from far to near distances, whereas Eyhance struggled to maintain visual quality at distances closer than intermediate. For patients with lower-than-normal corneal SA (i.e., more prolate corneas, such as post-hyperopic LASIK) both IOLs exhibited a hyperopic shift in far focus. Conversely, for patients with higher-than-normal corneal SA (i.e., more oblate corneas, such as post-myopic LASIK), the shift occurred in the myopic direction. Despite the implementation of an optimized IOL power to circumvent any shift, the TO MTF nevertheless reflected the interaction between corneal and IOL SA. Furthermore, the Mini Well demonstrated increased tolerance to less negative SA values, while Eyhance exhibited behavior consistent with a monofocal lens for more positive SA values. Conclusions: Surgeons should consider each patient’s corneal asphericity and typical pupil diameter when selecting and calculating the power of the premium IOLs studied, particularly in patients with a history of refractive surgery. Full article

The objective of this study was to perform a preliminary in vitro characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BG112, assessing its safety and technological features for potential application as a culture starter for an industrial fermented dry meat product. In vitro assays assessed its viability, probiotic properties, and safety for use in food formulations. The strain was characterized through morphological and biochemical tests, carbohydrate fermentation profiling, and various in vitro assays based on FAO/WHO criteria for probiotic selection. These included proteolytic activity, auto-aggregation capacity, tolerance to simulated gastric juice and bile salts, antimicrobial activity, and resistance to sodium chloride, nitrite, and low pH. Safety evaluations were also performed by testing antibiotic susceptibility, hemolytic activity, and DNAse production. The results showed that L. plantarum BG112 exhibited strong tolerance to adverse environmental conditions typically found during sausage fermentation and ripening, along with significant inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. The strain also demonstrated no hemolytic or DNAse activity and presented a favorable antibiotic sensitivity profile, meeting key safety requirements for probiotic use. Further studies using meat matrices and in vivo models are needed to validate these findings. This study contributes to the early-stage selection of safe and technologically suitable strains for use in fermented meat products. These findings support the potential application of L. plantarum BG112 as a safe and effective starter culture in the development of high-value, premium fermented meat products, aligned with current consumer demand for health-enhancing and natural foods. Full article

Prior research has focused on the technical and institutional challenges of blockchain adoption. However, little is known about how blockchain ventures claim categorical space in the market and how such domain positioning influences their visibility and evaluation. This study investigates the relationship between strategic domain positioning and market recognition among blockchain-based ventures, with a particular focus on applications relevant to e-commerce, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi). Drawing on research on categorization, legitimacy, and the technology lifecycle, we propose a domain lifecycle perspective that accounts for the evolving expectations and legitimacy criteria across blockchain domains. Using BERTopic, a transformer-based topic modeling method, we classify 9665 blockchain ventures based on their textual business descriptions. We then test the impact of domain positioning on market recognition—proxied by Crunchbase rank—while examining the moderating effects of external validation signals such as funding events, media attention, and organizational age. Our findings reveal that clear domain positioning significantly enhances market recognition, but the strength and direction of this effect vary by domain. Specifically, NFT ventures experience stronger recognition when young and less institutionally validated, suggesting a novelty premium, while DeFi ventures benefit more from conventional legitimacy signals. These results advance our understanding of how categorical dynamics operate in emerging digital ecosystems and offer practical insights for e-commerce platforms, investors, and entrepreneurs navigating blockchain-enabled innovation. Full article

Green and low-carbon development of supply chains represents a practical approach to addressing climate change and enhancing corporate competitiveness. From the perspective of the relationship between policy subsidies and channel power structures, this paper constructs Stackelberg game models under four different scenarios to conduct theoretical analyses of the optimal strategies, supported by numerical simulations. The research findings reveal the following. (1) Under the product subsidy policy, the enhancement of consumers’ green preference will lead to a green premium, and in the case of the technology subsidy policy, consumers’ green preference will inhibit wholesale prices and retail prices. However, there is a threshold in the manufacturer-led case, and a “green premium” is also claimed when this threshold is exceeded. (2) The effects of the product subsidy policy and the green technology level subsidy policy on prices are opposite, where an increase in the product subsidy will increase the wholesale price and retail price, while an increase in the green technology level subsidy will reduce the wholesale price. The technology subsidy policy has a more significant effect on the promotion of green technology. (3) The power of supply chain channels will directly affect corporate profits, and the leader of the supply chain often has higher profits. Compared with product subsidies, technology subsidies can inhibit the channel power of retailers. Full article

This study evaluates the current Spanish insurance framework for catastrophic flood risk, administered by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS), based on nationwide loss data reported by the CCS for the period 1996–2020. The analysis of historical claims data enables a clear differentiation between frequent, low-cost events and infrequent, high-impact catastrophes. While the CCS has fulfilled a critical role in post-disaster compensation, the findings highlight the parallel need for ex ante risk mitigation strategies. The study proposes a more efficient, two-tier risk coverage model. Events whose impacts can be managed through standard insurance mechanisms should be underwritten by private insurers using actuarially fair premiums. In contrast, events with catastrophic implications—due to their scale or financial impact—should be addressed through general solidarity mechanisms, centrally managed by the CCS. Such a risk segmentation would improve the financial sustainability of the system and create fiscal space for prevention-oriented incentives. The current design of the CCS scheme may generate moral hazard, as flood exposure is not explicitly priced into the premium structure. Empirical findings support a shift towards a more transparent, incentive-aligned model that combines collective risk sharing with individual risk responsibility—an essential balance for effective climate adaptation and long-term resilience. Full article

The integration of intelligent voice-control systems represents a critical pathway for enhancing driver comfort and reducing cognitive distraction in modern vehicles. Currently, voice assistants capable of accessing real-time vehicular data (e.g., engine parameters) or controlling actuators (e.g., door locks) remain exclusive to premium brands. While aftermarket solutions like Amazon’s Echo Auto provide multimedia functionality, they lack access to critical vehicle systems. To address this gap, we develop a novel architecture leveraging the OBD-II port to enable voice-controlled telematics and actuation in mass-production vehicles. Our system interfaces with a Toyota Hilux (2020) and Mazda CX-3 SUV (2021), utilizing an MCP2515 CAN controller for engine control unit (ECU) communication, an Arduino Nano for data processing, and an ESP01 Wi-Fi module for cloud transmission. The Blynk IoT platform orchestrates data flow and provides user interfaces, while a Voiceflow-programmed Alexa skill enables natural language commands (e.g., “unlock doors”) via Alexa Auto. Experimental validation confirms the successful real-time monitoring of engine variables (coolant temperature, air–fuel ratio, ignition timing) and secure door-lock control. This work demonstrates that high-end vehicle capabilities—previously restricted to luxury segments—can be effectively implemented in series-production automobiles through standardized OBD-II protocols and IoT integration, establishing a scalable framework for next-generation in-vehicle assistants. Full article

The article presents a three-stage methodology for calibrating 3D printing using mSLA technology, aimed at improving dimensional accuracy and print repeatability. The proposed approach is based on procedures that enable the collection and analysis of numerical data, thereby minimizing the influence of the operator’s subjective judgment, which is commonly relied upon in traditional calibration methods. In the first stage, compensation for the uneven illumination of the LCD matrix was performed by establishing a regression model that describes the relationship between UV radiation intensity and pixel brightness. Based on this model, a grayscale correction mask was developed. The second stage focused on determining the optimal exposure time, based on its effect on dimensional accuracy, detail reproduction, and model strength. The optimal exposure time is defined as the duration that provides the highest possible mechanical strength without significant loss of detail due to the light bleed phenomenon (i.e., diffusion of UV radiation beyond the mask edge). In the third stage, scale correction was applied to compensate for shrinkage and geometric distortions, further reducing the impact of light bleed on the dimensional fidelity of printed components. The proposed methodology was validated using an Anycubic Photon M3 Premium printer with Anycubic ABS-Like Resin Pro 2.0. Compensating for light intensity variation reduced the original standard deviation from 0.26 to 0.17 mW/cm², corresponding to a decrease of more than one third. The methodology reduced surface displacement due to shrinkage from 0.044% to 0.003%, and the residual internal dimensional error from 0.159 mm to 0.017 mm (a 72% reduction). Full article

By analyzing interfacial dynamics between soybean oil concentrations and soy protein isolate (SPI), this study established their impact on Pickering emulsion stability. Two optimal soy protein-based emulsions (EM60 with 60% oil phase; EM75 with 75%) were identified as lipid substitutes in silver carp surimi products. The results revealed that uniformly spherical droplets in EM60 enhanced interparticle interactions at emulsion interfaces. Compared to EM75 addition, EM60’s finely dispersed droplets improved gel network compactness in the surimi matrix. This increased water-holding capacity (WHC) by 12.037% and gel strength by 2414.168 g·mm. EM75 addition significantly enhanced gel whiteness by 0.8483 units (p < 0.05). It also demonstrated superior physical filling effects in sol state, reinforcing structural rigidity. As unsaturated lipids, soybean oil substitution for saturated fats (e.g., lard) contributes positively to human health. Pre-emulsified soybean oil yielded stronger structural rigidity in surimi sol than direct oil addition. Post-gelation, significant increases were observed in gel strength (+828.100 g·mm), WHC (+6.093%), and elasticity (+0.07 units). Collectively, SPI-based emulsions offer novel insights for healthy lipid substitution in surimi gels. They elucidate differential impact mechanisms on texture, WHC, whiteness, and microstructure. This provides theoretical guidance for developing premium healthy surimi products. Full article

Consumers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for high-quality extra virgin olive oils (HQ-EVOOs) with specific sensory or nutraceutical properties, and originating from particular botanical or geographical origins. Regarding geographic origin, Italy is one of the main producers, with many local production areas, each characterized by its own distinctive typicity. The aim of this study is the chemical, sensory, and nutraceutical profiling of HQ-EVOO produced over two production years in Montespertoli (province of Florence) by 12 producers involved in the “MontEspertOlio” project, funded by the Tuscan Region. Oils were produced based on a production process previously defined and specifically applied to this territory. The shelf-life of the oil was also evaluated over a 12-month period. Legal quality parameters were analyzed according to EU regulation. Phenolic compounds, tocopherols, fatty acid composition, and volatile compounds were analyzed using HPLC-DAD, HPLC-FLD, HS-SPME-GC-MS, and GC-FID, respectively. Finally, sensory analysis was conducted using the Panel Test method. Results showed that Montespertoli HQ-EVOO is characterized by distinctive sensory and chemical traits that fully match consumer preferences, even across two production years characterized by different growing conditions. The shelf-life performance was excellent over 12 months, also showing a protective effect of greater bottle sizes against oxidation. Full article

Sulfur (S) fertilizer is routinely applied together with other macronutrients by farmers across all regions to improve grain yield and quality, but its distinct effects on grain yield and aroma intensity in fragrant rice remain inadequately studied, especially when applied under varying existing soil S levels. This study aimed to determine the effects of S fertilizer application on grain yield and aroma intensity (2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline, 2AP) in fragrant rice grown under varying soil S levels (very low, low, and medium). The premium Thai fragrant rice cultivar KDML105 was grown under field conditions during two cropping seasons in 2021 and 2022 in Surin province, northeastern Thailand. Sulfur fertilizer in the form of (NH4)₂SO₄ was applied at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg S ha⁻¹ at one time with the basal fertilizers phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) under varying soil S levels, using the same protocol in both cropping seasons. Plant growth parameters were evaluated at the tillering stage, and grain samples were harvested at maturity to evaluate grain yield and aroma intensity. The results showed that applying S at rates between 60 and 90 kg ha⁻¹ to soils with very low and low S increased grain yield from 4 to 20% compared to no S application, while no effect of S application was observed for the medium soil S level. The results were primarily attributed to the number of tillers and panicles per hill and the 1000-grain weight in both cropping seasons. Dissimilar effects of S application rates and soil S level were found for grain 2AP content. There was a higher grain 2AP content in the low and medium soil S levels compared to very low S, but the pattern varied according to the S application rate. Applying the appropriate rate of S fertilizer can significantly improve rice productivity, especially when cultivated under S-deficient soil, and higher soil S levels can promote the grain 2AP content of fragrant rice. Full article

Despite the economic importance of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses in Italy, little research has examined how label attributes affect price premiums. For Italian cheese producers, especially those investing in PDO certification, understanding which attributes generate premiums is crucial for sustainable business strategies. This study examined attributes displayed on 420 validated cheese labels collected across Italy in 2022, focusing on hard cheese, fresh soft cheese, and string cheese. A content analysis was conducted to identify and categorize the attributes displayed on cheese labels. Following this, the hedonic pricing method, supported by multiple linear regression analysis, was used to assess the impact of these attributes—along with brand and distribution channel—on product pricing. Our findings reveal that sustainability attributes show particularly strong effects on price premiums. PDO certification generates significant premiums prominently for hard and fresh soft cheeses, cow breed information for string cheese, while specialized retail channels create higher prices for fresh soft and string cheeses. While brand–price relationships are heterogeneous, the study provides evidence of their impact. These insights enable cheese producers, marketers, and retailers to strategically prioritize product attributes, optimize distribution channels, and make informed decisions about brand positioning to maximize value in competitive cheese markets. Full article

Eggshell quality inspection plays a pivotal role in enhancing the commercial value of poultry eggs and ensuring their safety. It effectively enables the screening of high-quality eggs to meet consumer demand for premium egg products. This paper analyzes the surface characteristics, ultrastructure, and mechanical properties of poultry eggshells. It systematically reviews current advances in eggshell quality inspection technologies and compares the suitability and performance of techniques for key indicators, including shell strength, thickness, spots, color, and cracks. Furthermore, the paper discusses challenges in non-destructive testing, including individual egg variations, species differences, hardware precision limitations, and inherent methodological constraints. It summarizes commercially available portable and online non-destructive testing equipment, analyzing core challenges: the cost–accessibility paradox, speed–accuracy trade-off, algorithm interference impacts, and the technology–practice gap. Additionally, the paper explores the potential application of several emerging technologies—such as tactile sensing, X-ray imaging, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy—in eggshell quality inspection. Finally, it provides a comprehensive outlook on future research directions, offering constructive guidance for subsequent studies and practical applications in production. Full article

The literature shows greenspaces generally increase nearby property values, but in Riyadh, this relationship is complex and understudied. Existing studies lack sector-specific analyses across Riyadh’s neighborhoods, overlook the impact of the Green Riyadh Project launched in 2019, and fail to address negative externalities associated with large greenspaces in an arid, privacy-conscious context. Such paradoxical impact of larger greenspaces bordering major roads at the neighborhood edge, unexpectedly reduce property values by 2–4% due to petty crime, congestion, poor upkeep, and privacy concerns, contrasting with 10–18% premiums for properties abutting greenspaces with restricted access in affluent neighborhoods. Global studies typically report positive greenspace effects, so negative impacts in specific Riyadh sectors are surprising. This highlights the city’s unique arid, cultural, and urban dynamics in addressing this research gap. The research uses purposive quota sampling of Riyadh neighborhood greenspaces and a mixed-methods approach of quantitative hedonic pricing analysis combined with qualitative semi-structured interviews with real estate agents. Findings underscore the need for tailored urban planning (e.g., mitigating petty crime, overcrowding, poor maintenance). This suggests the importance of integrating green infrastructure into urban planning, not only for its ecological and social benefits but also for its tangible positive impact on property values. Poor greenspace upkeep and safety concerns can reduce price premiums of abutting properties. Full article