Search Results (351)

Background: Adopting novel feed ingredients and aligning feeding strategies with these formulations are key to improving aquaculture sustainability. This study assessed the combined effects of alternative protein and lipid sources and feeding regime on growth, nutrient utilization, and body composition of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. Methods: Two isoenergetic and identical digestible protein diets (39%) were formulated: a control (conventional fishmeal/fish oil (FM/FO) and plant proteins, containing 20% FM and 6% FO) and an alternative diet replacing 50% of FM and 25% of vegetable proteins with a blend of poultry by-products, insect meal, and single-cell protein (Corynebacterium glutamicum) and totally replacing fish oil with alternative lipid sources (microalgae and by-product oils). Fish (28 g of initial body weight) were fed for 210 days either to apparent satiety (AS) or under moderate restriction (85% and 65% of AS). The number of fish used was 65 fish per 500 L tank (triplicate for each experimental group). Growth performance, feed conversion, nutrient efficiency ratios, protein retention, and proximate and fatty acid composition were measured. Results: The alternative diet significantly improved growth, feed and nutrient efficiency, and protein retention compared with the control. Whole-body fatty acid profiles of fish fed the alternative diet showed higher contents of nutritionally important fatty acids, including DHA. Restricted feeding at 65% of AS enhanced nutrient efficiency ratios and protein retention relative to 85% and AS, but reduced growth. Feeding to AS produced the highest feed intake and growth but poorer feed conversion and nutrient efficiency. No significant interaction between diet and feeding strategy was observed. Conclusions: Incorporating novel protein and lipid sources can improve sea bass performance and product nutritional value while supporting sustainability. Feeding at ~85% of AS may offer a practical compromise between growth and efficient nutrient utilization. Full article

Remote Indigenous communities experience persistent inequities in access to fresh and nutritious foods due to the fragility of perishable food supply chains (PFSCs). Disruptions across procurement, transportation, storage, retail, and limited local production restrict access to perishable foods, contributing to food insecurity and diet-related health risks. This scoping literature review synthesizes evidence from 84 peer-reviewed, grey, and unpublished sources across fourteen countries to map PFSC management (PFSCM) challenges affecting food access in remote Indigenous communities worldwide and to synthesize reported practices implemented to address these challenges. PFSCM challenges were identified across all supply chain levels, and five categories of reported practices emerged: PFSC redesign strategies, forecasting and decision-support models, technological innovations, collaboration and coordination mechanisms, and targeted investments. These findings informed the development of a multi-scalar conceptual framework comprising seven interconnected PFSCM clusters that organize how reported practices are associated with multiple food access dimensions, including quantity, affordability, quality, safety, variety, and cultural acceptability. This review contributes an integrative, system-oriented synthesis of PFSCM research and provides a conceptual basis to support future scholarly inquiry, comparative inquiry, and policy-relevant discussion of food access and health equity in remote Indigenous communities. Full article

This study aims to gather a sustainable understanding of additive manufacturing and other Manufacturing 4.0 approaches like horizontal and vertical integration and cloud computing techniques with a focus on industrial applications. The DfAM will apply 4.0 tools to gather product feasibility and execution, with CAE—FEM analysis and CAM. This publication focuses on the redesign of a vehicle suspension arm. The main objective is to apply innovative design techniques that optimize component performance while minimizing cost and time. The IDeS method and TRIZ methodology were used, resulting in a composite element, aiming to make the FDM-sourced process a viable option, with a weight reduction of more than 80%, with less material consumption and, hence, less vehicle energy consumption. The part obtained is holistically sustainable as it was obtained by reducing the overall labor used and material/scrap generated, and the IDES data sharing minimized rework and optimized the overall production time. Full article

High-precision calibration of inertial measurement units for automotive safety systems combines fixed automated chamber cycles with semi-manual loading, alignment, and transfer. Motion waste and ergonomic constraints can therefore dominate throughput and cycle time stability. This study redesigns a production calibration workstation using time-and-motion analysis, operator observation, and structured root-cause analysis based on the Ishikawa diagram and the five whys. Three interventions were implemented and validated with pre- and post-measurements: bundled handling that consolidates full-set transfers and reduces non-value-adding motions; a fixture and material handling redesign with a manual lifting aid to reduce physical load and enable reliable single-operator operation; and a modular workstation layout that supports the phased addition of chambers. Total cycle time decreased from 4475 s to 1230 s, a 72 percent reduction, and weekly output rose from 800 to 4500 units without additional staffing or significant automation investment. Overall equipment efficiency improved from 75.3 percent to 85.2 percent, while the quality rate remained at 98.8 percent. Full article

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain one of the most persistent occupational health challenges in the U.S. construction industry, where physically demanding tasks such as heavy lifting, kneeling, and working in awkward postures contribute to elevated injury rates. This study aims to identify significant job-related determinants of MSDs in construction-sector occupations. By integrating publicly available datasets from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) datasets, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted on 344 occupation-condition observations representing 86 construction occupations, yielding a final model that explained 49% of the variance. Ten significant predictors of MSD events were identified and classified as either risk amplifiers or mitigators. Amplifiers included factors such as exposure to noise, disease, hazardous conditions, and time pressure, all of which heightened MSD risk, while mitigators—such as reduced cramped-space exposure and regulated work environments—were associated with lower risk. MSDs resulting from sprains, strains, or tears accounted for 62.8% of all cases, frequently leading to days away from work (36.3%) or job restrictions (26.5%). The findings underscore that ergonomic risk in construction extends beyond physical strain to include scheduling, equipment design, and work organization. These results provide actionable insights for employers and safety professionals to redesign tools, optimize task rotation, and implement realistic work pacing strategies, ultimately reducing MSD incidence and improving productivity in this high-risk sector. Full article

CO₂ emissions continue to rise, along with the associated environmental risks. In response, the United Nations has been promoting the adoption of sustainable practices among businesses worldwide. In parallel, an innovative technology known as additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged over the past four decades. This technology has the potential to be more sustainable than conventional manufacturing (CM) technologies. When metals are used as the material, the process is referred to as metal additive manufacturing (mAM). AM technologies have seven process categories, which include metal mAM processes, most notably powder bed fusion (PBF), directed energy deposition (DED), binder jetting (BJT), material extrusion of metal-filled feedstock, and sheet lamination. Among these, PBF and DED are by far the most widely applied metal AM technologies in both industrial practice and academic research. The use of mAM is increasing; however, is it truly more sustainable than CM? Motivated by this question, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to compare the sustainability impacts of mAM and CM across the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. The evidence shows mixed sustainability outcomes, which are synthesized later in the conclusions. The sustainability comparison is influenced by factors like part redesign with topological optimization (TO), the material and energy mix used, geometric complexity, production volume per batch, and the boundaries adopted. Economic viability remains critical; companies are unlikely to adopt mAM if it proves more expensive than CM as this could threaten its competitiveness. Social impacts are the least studied dimension, and it is difficult to anticipate the changes that might occur because of such a transition. Full article

Multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM) enables integration of multiple materials within single products, but existing design methodologies lack systematic frameworks linking detailed consolidation decisions to product-level functional requirements while preserving functional independence. This paper presents a methodology that extends the conventional design process model with a reverse-traced workflow connecting part-level decisions to higher-level product architecture. By tracing how Design for MMAM (DfMMAM) affects design decisions in reverse, designers can identify the best opportunities to use MMAM based on their project scope. The methodology introduces a Level of Process Integration (LPI) framework based on design novelty that structures redesign scope according to whether changes affect part geometry, component assembly, or function allocation, enabling designers to balance consolidation benefits against validation complexity at each level. Sequential decision-making workflows systematically determine which functions can be co-located within unified components while maintaining functional independence through zone-specific design parameters. The methodology is illustrated through a qualitative case study on trail running shoe design across three integration levels, identifying substantial consolidation potential while establishing the foundation for future quantitative validation. Unlike existing approaches limited to part-level redesign, this framework traces detailed consolidation decisions back to product architecture trade-offs, clarifying redesign scope and validation rigor required at each integration level. By operationalizing the relationship between functional decomposition, physical architecture, and MMAM capabilities, this framework provides designers with structured decision pathways to balance consolidation benefits against redesign complexity at each design phase. Full article

Liquid Crystal Elastomers combine the elasticity of polymer networks with the anisotropic ordering of liquid crystals, thus enabling reversible shape modifications and stimulus responsive actuation. Unfortunately, manual LCE fabrication remains limited by operator-dependent variability, which can lead to inconsistent film thickness and manufacturing times inadequate for a mass production. This work presents a low-cost, automated manufacturing framework that redesigns the mechanical assembly steps of the traditional one-step LCE fabrication process. The design includes rubbing, slide alignment, spacer placement, and infiltration cell assembly to ensure consistent film quality and scalability. A customized Cartesian robot, built by adapting a modified X–Y core 3D printer, integrates specially designed manipulator systems, redesigned magnetic slide holders, automated rubbing tools, and supporting fixtures to assemble infiltration devices in an automated way. Validation tests demonstrate reproducible infiltration, improved mesogen alignment confirmed via polarized optical microscopy, and high geometric repeatability, although glass-slide thickness variability remains a significant contributor to deviations in final film thickness. By enabling parallelizable low-cost production, the designed hardware demonstrates its effectiveness in devising the scalable manufacturing of LCE films suited for advanced therapeutic and engineering applications. Full article

Additive manufacturing (AM) is positioned at a pivotal moment, where its long-promised advantages, e.g., lower cost, reduced environmental burden, and accelerated production, are increasingly tangible yet unevenly realized across industries and regions. This review synthesizes evidence from AM processes for different materials to clarify the technical and economic levers that drive outcomes. Cost performance is shown to depend strongly on design choices, deposition rate, post-processing requirements, and feedstock pricing. Environmental impacts hinge on material production routes, regional energy mix, build utilization, and the extent of material reuse. Lead-time reductions are most significant when components are redesigned for AM, when high-throughput processes are applied to compatible geometries, and when production is geographically localized. Emerging digital tools including machine learning, in situ monitoring, and digital twins are accelerating process stabilization and shortening qualification cycles, while hybrid manufacturing lines demonstrate the value of integrating near-net-shape printing with precision finishing. Drawing from these insights, a pragmatic roadmap is proposed: align parts and supply chains with the most suitable AM processes, decarbonize and streamline feedstock production, and increase system utilization. When these conditions are met, AM can deliver broad, quantifiable improvements in cost efficiency, sustainability, and global adoption. By consolidating fragmented evidence into a unified framework, this review responds to the growing need for clarity as AM moves toward broader industrial deployment. Full article

Veronicastrum sibiricum (L.) Pennell, a species within the Plantaginaceae family, has a history of traditional application in addressing conditions such as abdominal pain, common cold, sore throat, parotitis, rheumatic discomfort, and snakebite. The plant produces diverse bioactive constituents, including phenylpropanoids, essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Terpenoids, generated via terpene synthases (TPSs), are of particular interest due to their pharmacological properties. Nevertheless, TPS enzymes in V. sibiricum have not been thoroughly investigated. In this research, a transcriptomic strategy was employed to isolate and profile TPS genes from V. sibiricum. Sequencing of the transcriptome produced 107,929 unigenes, among which 42,976 were functionally annotated using public databases. KEGG pathway examination revealed 264 genes associated with terpenoid metabolism, including 12 putative VsTPS genes harboring characteristic TPS domains. From these, VsTPS1 was successfully cloned. Functional characterization established that VsTPS1 operates as a bifunctional enzyme: in vitro, it catalyzes the conversion of FPP to (E)-nerolidol and, to a lesser extent, GPP to linalool. When expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana, however, only (E)-nerolidol was detected, supporting its cytosolic localization and substrate specificity toward FPP. Accordingly, this sesquiterpene synthase was redesignated VsNES1. Co-expression of VsNES1 with HMGR in N. benthamiana markedly increased (E)-nerolidol yields, illustrating an effective strategy for heterologous production. These findings deepen our understanding of the TPS family in medicinal plant V. sibiricum and enable future biotechnological exploitation of terpenoid production in heterogenous plant cells. Full article

Apple leaf diseases can significantly affect the yield and quality of apple crops. However, conventional manual detection methods are inefficient and highly susceptible to subjective judgment, rendering them inadequate for large-scale agricultural production. To address these limitations, this study proposes Mobile-CBSD, a lightweight deep learning model for apple leaf disease detection based on an enhanced version of YOLOv11. First, the original backbone network of YOLOv11 is replaced with MV4_CBAM, a lightweight architecture that improves feature representation capability while reducing model size. Second, the SE attention mechanism is redesigned and integrated into the network to strengthen multi-scale feature fusion. Furthermore, the traditional CIoU loss function is replaced with SIoU to accelerate convergence and enhance localization precision. Experimental results demonstrate that, while maintaining model compactness, Mobile-CBSD achieves an mAP@0.5 of 90.89%, representing a 2.16% improvement over the baseline, along with a 1.02% increase in overall precision. The model size is reduced from 5.4 MB to 4.8 MB. These findings indicate that Mobile-CBSD achieves an effective balance among accuracy, inference speed, and deployability, offering a practical and scalable solution for the efficient monitoring of apple leaf diseases. Full article

In the context of the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, how to achieve the mixed production of fuel vehicles and electric vehicles has become an important issue for the transformation and flexible manufacturing of automotive production lines. This paper addresses the balance problem of the mixed assembly line for electric vehicles and fuel vehicles and proposes a mathematical modeling method based on the product structure differences and workstation sharing. An improved genetic algorithm is designed for optimization. The established optimization model includes mathematical models of process priority relationships, cycle time constraints, synchronization constraints, and exclusive process co-placement constraints, with the optimization goals of minimizing workstation quantity and balancing workstation load. To solve such models, the decoding process of the genetic algorithm is redesigned in the algorithm design. The improved genetic algorithm can be well used to solve the workstation-sharing model. A case study of the chassis assembly line of an automotive manufacturing enterprise is used for verification. The results show that the method considering workstation sharing can effectively reduce the number of workstations, improve the distribution of workstation loads, and increase the utilization rate of the production line, while ensuring the cycle time constraints. The conclusions of this study expand the theoretical framework of the balance problem of mixed assembly lines and provide practical references for the transformation of fuel vehicle production lines into new energy vehicles. Full article

This paper presents an in-depth study on the structural integrity enhancement and machining process optimization of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) hydraulic valve blocks, focusing on the transition from the MK60 to the MK100 design. The research combines finite element analysis (FEA), topology optimization, fixture redesign, and coolant technology improvements to achieve significant performance, productivity, and sustainability gains. The MK100 exhibits a mass reduction of 31.6%, an increase in tensile strength by 29.2%, and a fatigue life extension of 35% compared to the MK60. Pressure losses have been reduced by 38.8%, improving braking system responsiveness. On the manufacturing side, fixture redesign increased production capacity from 240 to 480 parts per shift while reducing cycle time from 16 min to 8 min per lot. The transition from a semi-synthetic emulsion coolant (AquaCut EM-X45) to a bio-based oil (BioLube AL-2200) extended coolant replacement intervals from six months to two years, reduced tooling costs, and increased tool life by 25%. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating computational design methods with advanced machining strategies to achieve measurable mechanical and economic benefits in the automotive industry. Full article

This paper provides a reality check on circular economy (CE) transitions in the creative industries. Climate change has become a dominant theme across the sector, yet the CE has not emerged as a coherent or widely adopted agenda. While manufacturing and construction are increasingly central to CE policy frameworks, creative production remains marginal and inconsistently represented. Drawing on academic literature (2018–2024), national policy strategies, grey sources, and an exploratory online survey, this study identifies recurring patterns across macro-level drivers, sector norms, and niche innovations. Circular activity is concentrated in downstream, material-focused strategies such as recycling and reuse, whereas more transformative approaches (redesign, refusal, and regenerative practice) remain limited. National government CE strategies largely overlook the sector, resulting in weak policy pressure. Sub-sectors such as advertising, gaming, film, and Createch are notably under-researched despite rising digital resource intensity and environmental impacts. Niche innovations rarely scale, and landscape pressures are not translated into regime change. This paper contributes to CE scholarship by offering the first multi-strand, sector-wide analysis of how circular principles are interpreted, applied, and governed across the creative industries, advancing the understanding of CE transitions in non-industrial, hybrid material–digital contexts. Full article

This study presents a computational–experimental assessment of two industrial centrifugal fans used in cement production, focusing on aerodynamic optimization and energy efficiency validation. The first case concerns a Farin Kiln Filter Fan initially constrained by existing inlet duct geometry, which caused vortex formation, flow asymmetry, and a pressure loss exceeding 15%. CFD analyses identified major inlet vortices and asymmetric splitter loading, guiding a redesigned configuration with an expanded fan body (1982–2520 mm), an increased outlet width (1808–1858 mm), and a vortex breaker to stabilize inlet flow. CFD simulations indicated a flow rate of 601,241 m³/h, static pressure of 2200 Pa, and total pressure of 2580 Pa, achieving an 83% efficiency. Field validation confirmed a 34.4% reduction in shaft power, 30% decrease in torque, and 4% gain in efficiency, corresponding to 449 MWh/year energy savings and 180 t CO₂/year emission reduction, assuming 8000 operational hours. The second case involves an Induced Draft (ID) Fan designed for 441,643 m³/h flow at 990 rpm. Transient CFD simulations using the SST k–ω model captured rotor–stator interaction and confirmed the effectiveness of the design revisions in suppressing swirl and flow separation. The optimized design achieved 8653 Pa static pressure, 9203 Pa total pressure, and 83% efficiency under design conditions. Field measurements showed a 26.2% drop in shaft power and 19.6% improvement in efficiency, yielding 2527 MWh/year energy savings and an estimated 1011 t CO₂/year emission reduction. Overall, the CFD-guided redesign framework demonstrated strong alignment between simulations and field measurements, highlighting the method’s practical relevance for improving fan performance and energy sustainability in industrial systems. Full article