Search Results (64,273)

Quality evaluation in production systems represents a significant challenge in the manufacturing industry, particularly in environments where expert judgment plays a key role in managing the inherent uncertainty of the production system. This study proposes a fuzzy multicriteria decision-making control chart, termed Fuzzy Decision-Making Control Chart based on AHP-Extent and Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (FDMCC-AHPE). The method integrates expert knowledge through triangular fuzzy numbers and a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process supported by Extent Analysis, to define fuzzy decision intervals for quality assessment and subsequently perform a structured analysis to classify the product within a control chart framework. In this framework, expert judgments expressed through linguistic evaluations are systematically translated into triangular fuzzy numbers and processed using FAHP–Extent Analysis, allowing the aggregation of subjective assessments within a structured mathematical decision model. The proposed method was validated in a tannery company, specifically in the retanning process. The industrial case study considers both qualitative criteria, such as surface defects and color uniformity, and quantitative process variables that include bath pH, treatment duration, and processing temperature. The results were compared with an empirical expert-based evaluation and a structured expert assessment supported by a multicriteria decision-making method. The findings demonstrate that the FDMCC-AHPE exhibits greater sensitivity in discriminating between quality states under uncertain evaluation conditions, particularly when samples involve complex evaluation conditions. Full article

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus coagulans DSM 32016 on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters, and nitrogen metabolism in weaned Danube White pigs reared under standard production conditions. While supplementation did not result in statistically significant changes in average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), hematological indices, or serum lipid profile, numerical trends indicated slightly higher ADG, improved FCR, and subtle stabilization of hematological parameters in the probiotic supplemented group. Notably, serum urea concentration was significantly reduced (3.78 vs. 3.21 mmol/L; p = 0.017; Cohen’s d = 1.01), suggesting a potential positive effect on nitrogen metabolism and protein utilization efficiency. These findings are consistent with previous reports that probiotics may exert beneficial physiological effects even in the absence of statistically significant systemic changes. The observed trends highlight the potential of Bacillus coagulans to support growth performance and metabolic efficiency in Danube White pigs, emphasizing the importance of breed and age-specific responses in probiotic supplementation. Full article

Hydrogen-enriched fuel injection in staged gas-turbine combustors is commonly achieved through jet-in-crossflow (JICF) configurations, where flame stabilization is governed by a local balance between flow-induced strain/mixing and chemical reaction rates. This work investigates turbulent reacting JICF relevant to staged combustion conditions using high-fidelity simulations with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) and differential-diffusion effects together with Lagrangian particle statistics. Chemistry model uncertainties are incorporated by using a projection method that maps uncertainty estimates from detailed mechanisms into the model used in this work. Results show that the macroscopic flame topology remains in a stable two-branch regime (lee-stabilized and lifted) and is primarily controlled by the jet momentum–flux ratio J. Visualization of the normalized scalar dissipation rate reveals that the flame front resides on the low-dissipation side of intense mixing layers, occupying an intermediate region between over-strained and under-mixed regions. While hydrogen content does not significantly change the global stabilization mode for the cases studied, uncertainty analysis reveals composition-dependent differences that are not apparent in the mean behavior alone. In particular, visualization in Eulerian (χ, T) state-space analysis and particle statistics conditioned on the stoichiometric surface demonstrate that higher-hydrogen cases observe a lower scalar dissipation rate and exhibit substantially reduced variability in OH production under kinetic-parameter perturbations, whereas lower-hydrogen blends experience higher dissipation and amplified chemical sensitivity. These findings highlight that, even in globally similar JICF regimes, the hydrogen content can modify the local response of the flame to kinetic-parameter uncertainty, motivating uncertainty-aware interpretation and design for hydrogen-fueled staging systems. Full article

Oyster aquaculture offers promising opportunities for diversifying marine production in the Romanian Black Sea, where favorable environmental conditions and recent regulatory developments support shellfish farming. This study aimed to generate baseline data for the cultivation of the Pacific oyster, Magallana gigas, through an in situ experimental trial conducted off Mamaia Bay, Romania. A 50 m experimental long-line system was deployed at 13.5 m depth, and triploid oysters were cultured for one year at two depth horizons (3 m and 6 m). The growth performance, meat yield, Condition Index, microbiological quality, environmental parameters, and epibiotic communities were monitored monthly. Cultivation depth significantly influenced oyster growth, with individuals reared at 6 m consistently achieving a greater wet weight and shell length than those at 3 m. Growth rates peaked during spring, and meat yield values indicated good commercial quality. Environmental monitoring showed strong seasonal variability, with high summer temperatures and reduced dissolved oxygen associated with increased mortality. Microbiological analyses revealed higher bacterial loads during warm months. The Condition Index classified the oysters as generally “fine” to occasionally “special”. Overall, the results demonstrate that Black Sea conditions can support successful cultivation of M. gigas, although seasonal environmental stress and epibiosis require appropriate farm management. Full article

Edible insects have emerged as a sustainable source of high-quality proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates (including chitin), as well as micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins, and diverse bioactive compounds, thereby making them promising ingredients for functional food applications. Their favourable nutritional profile and low environmental footprint make them attractive ingredients for next-generation food systems. However, processing and preservation remain critical challenges, particularly with respect to the stability of bioactive compounds, lipid oxidation, and protein functional properties such as solubility, emulsifying capacity, and water-holding capacity. This review critically examines recent advances in food processing technologies applied to edible insects, including drying, extraction, fermentation, and microencapsulation, with emphasis on their effects on bioactive compound retention and functional performance. The role of processing strategies in enhancing oxidative stability, protein solubility, emulsifying properties, and overall technological applicability is discussed, alongside safety, regulatory, and consumer acceptance considerations. Overall, this review highlights key technological pathways for the effective valorisation of insect-derived ingredients and outlines future directions for their integration into sustainable and functional food products. In contrast to previous reviews, this work provides a comparative and mechanism-oriented analysis of processing methods, highlighting inconsistencies across studies and identifying key technological trade-offs. Particular attention is given to the relationship between processing parameters and the stability of bioactive compounds. Full article

Over the past 20 years, the iron-activated persulfate systems have been widely used for removing pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from water. However, slow Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycling and precipitation of iron, unless in very acidic conditions, were the main limitations. Thus, two ligand-assisted Fe(III)/persulfate systems, Fe(III)-acetohydroxamic acid (AHA)/peroxydisulfate (PDS) and Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)/peroxymonosulfate (PMS), were comparatively investigated for the degradation of atenolol (ATL) in this study. The experimental results showed that the Fe(III)-NTA/PMS system worked much better than the AHA system. However, the cost of PMS is higher than that of PDS, which should be considered. The primary advantage of the NTA system was its ability to overcome the pH limitations. It worked well over a wide pH range (3.0–10.0), whereas the AHA system could only be used in a narrower pH window (pH 2.4 to 6.5). The investigation of radicals that contributed to ATL degradation revealed that sulfate radicals (SO₄^•−) were dominant in the NTA system, while hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) and SO₄^•− were the primary and secondary radicals in the AHA system. These results provided useful insight into the comparative behavior of two ligand-assisted Fe(III)/persulfate systems for ATL degradation, with the Fe(III)-NTA/PMS system showing clear potential under neutral or near-neutral conditions, while Fe(III)-AHA/PDS may still represent a lower-cost option under acidic conditions. Full article

The hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are becoming a worldwide recognized eco-friendly choice which produces no tailpipe emissions while providing better energy efficiency than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The review delivers an in-depth evaluation of FCEVs through their assessment which focuses on their transportation and power generation functions. The research investigates hydrogen production methods together with storage and distribution systems and vehicle integration practices and performance enhancement techniques. The paper highlights major technical challenges such as high production costs, limited refueling infrastructure, storage inefficiencies, and fuel cell durability. The research uses battery electric and hybrid vehicle comparisons to assess FCEV market competitiveness. The life-cycle environmental impact assessment proves that using clean hydrogen sources and sustainable end-of-life strategies is essential for achieving FCEV operational capabilities. The review examines new electrochemistry materials science and hybridization solutions which have become essential methods for creating better efficiency and durability while decreasing costs. The study shows how policy regulations and collaborative programs fast-track hydrogen adoption through their impact on future hydrogen grid integration and renewable hydrogen production and circular economy methods. The review shows how experts from different fields reached their achievements while still facing challenges to improve FCEVs as fundamental components of environmentally friendly transportation systems and clean energy networks. Full article

Strawberry cultivation generates substantial amounts of agricultural by-products, including spent substrates and plant residues, particularly in hydroponic production systems. However, information on the occurrence and management of these by-products remains limited. This study investigated the generation, disposal practices, and chemical characteristics of by-products from hydroponic strawberry cultivation in two major strawberry-producing regions of Republic of Korea, Nonsan and Jinju. Based on national statistics and field surveys, annual by-product generation was estimated at 605,400 m³ of spent substrates and approximately 25,729 t fresh weight and 6003 t dry weight of plant residues. Disposal practices varied regionally: in Jinju, over 80% of by-products were recycled as compost or feed, whereas in Nonsan, recycling rates were lower and a considerable portion remained untreated or were improperly disposed of. Analyses of 463 pesticides and seven heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, As, Cd, and Hg) confirmed concentrations below the permissible limits, supporting their chemical suitability for potential recycling use. Inorganic analyses revealed high levels of N, Ca, P, and K, suggesting their potential as alternative nutrient sources and as raw materials for recycled fertilizer or soil amendment. Because strawberry by-products are generated continuously throughout the cultivation cycle, their management requires decentralized and long-term strategies. These results provide the first comprehensive assessment of the generation scale, disposal practices, and chemical characteristics of strawberry by-products in Republic of Korea, suggesting their potential as alternative nutrient resources or raw materials for recycled fertilizer or soil amendment under appropriate pretreatment and management. Full article

The incorporation of artificial intelligence, multi-sensor perception, and cyber-physical control into mining operations offers tremendous opportunities for increasing productivity, safety, and sustainability. However, present frameworks focus on discrete subsystems rather than providing a unified, safety-constrained optimization method that has been verified in both surface and underground environments. This paper describes a scalable, hierarchical autonomous mining architecture that incorporates sensor fusion, edge intelligence, fleet coordination, and digital twin-based decision support. It is designed to operate in GNSS-denied conditions and extreme climatic constraints common to Nordic mining environments. A mathematical modeling approach formalizes vehicle dynamics, drilling mechanics, and multi-agent fleet coordination inside a safety-constrained multi-objective optimization formulation. The framework is validated using Monte Carlo simulation with uncertainty measurement, sensitivity analysis, and statistical hypothesis testing. The preliminary results show improvements over a typical baseline, with productivity increasing by approximately 24.3% ± 3.2%, energy consumption decreasing by 12.8% ± 2.5%, and safety risk decreasing by 48.6% ± 4.1%. A sensitivity study identifies localization accuracy, communication delay, and optimization weighting as the primary system performance drivers. The suggested framework serves as a reproducible and transferable reference model for next-generation intelligent mining systems, having direct applications to both industrial deployment and future research in autonomous resource extraction. Full article

A ternary CdS–MoS₂–rGO photocathode was developed to enhance visible light-driven hydrogen evolution through interfacial heterostructure engineering. The composite was fabricated via a solution-based deposition method followed by thermal conversion, resulting in crystalline CdS and MoS₂ phases that were uniformly integrated within a conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework. Structural and surface analyses (XRD and XPS) confirmed the coexistence of Cd²⁺, Mo⁴⁺, and S²⁻ chemical states without detectable secondary phases. Photoelectrochemical measurements revealed that the ternary architecture significantly improves charge separation efficiency and interfacial charge-transfer kinetics compared to binary and single-component films. The CdS–MoS₂–rGO photocathode exhibited the highest photocurrent density, reduced charge-transfer resistance, and favorable Tafel slope under visible-light irradiation (0.25 sun, neutral electrolyte). Gas chromatography measurements verified that these electrochemical enhancements translate into increased hydrogen production rates, following the trend: CdS–MoS₂–rGO > CdS–rGO > MoS₂–rGO >> rGO. Applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) analysis further confirmed improved photon utilization efficiency in the ternary system. The enhanced performance is attributed to synergistic integration of CdS (light harvesting), rGO (rapid electron transport), and MoS₂ (catalytic edge sites), which suppresses recombination and accelerates proton reduction kinetics. These findings demonstrate that rational multi-component heterostructure design is an effective strategy for improving hydrogen evolution rate under mild operating conditions. Full article

Poultry litter represents a promising feedstock for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD), offering potential benefits for both on-farm energy supply and organic waste management. This opportunity is particularly relevant in resource-constrained countries, where limited access to reliable energy and inadequate waste management remain critical challenges. This study investigates the integration of poultry litter-based biogas production into a decentralized energy system supplying a poultry farm and a nearby household in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A techno-economic optimization framework based on mixed-integer linear programming is used to determine the cost-optimal configuration of the energy system. The results show that anaerobic digesters are only selected when constraints on poultry litter disposal are introduced. Total annual system costs increase from approximately 2680 EUR·y⁻¹ in the unconstrained scenario to 3720 EUR·y⁻¹ when up to 50% of the poultry litter is valorized locally through AD. Increasing biogas production primarily substitutes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for heating and progressively reduces electricity purchases from the grid. Overall, the analysis indicates that anaerobic digestion is currently not economically competitive when evaluated solely on energy supply benefits, mainly due to the high capital cost of digesters. However, when waste management objectives or external investment support are considered, poultry litter-based biogas systems can contribute to integrated energy–waste management strategies and support circular resource use in small-scale agricultural systems. Full article

Euphorbia tirucalli, commonly known as Aveloz, is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for its purported antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumoral properties. However, scientific evidence regarding its systemic in vivo effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system, remains limited. This study investigated the impact of oral E. tirucalli latex ingestion on cardiac hemodynamics and associated molecular alterations in normotensive Wistar rats. Animals received water (control) or E. tirucalli latex (13.47 mg/kg) by oral gavage for 15 days. Hemodynamic parameters were assessed through noninvasive blood pressure monitoring and direct measurements of left ventricular systolic (LVSP) and end-diastolic pressures (LVEDP), cardiac cycle duration, rates of pressure development (dP/dt_max and dP/dt_min), and the left ventricular relaxation constant (Tau). Oxidative stress and inflammation were evaluated by plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), respectively, while reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis were analyzed in isolated cardiomyocytes. Although systemic blood pressure remained unchanged, E. tirucalli increased LVSP, LVEDP, cardiac cycle duration, and dP/dt_max, while reducing Tau. These alterations were accompanied by elevated AOPP and MPO levels, increased cardiomyocyte hydrogen peroxide, and higher rates of early apoptosis, indicating that E. tirucalli latex alters cardiac hemodynamics and promotes oxidative and inflammatory cardiac injury. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a recognized human carcinogen, and topical sunscreens remain the primary strategy for photoprotection. As community pharmacies represent trusted sources of skincare products, evaluating the composition of sunscreens distributed through this channel is particularly relevant. This cross-sectional market analysis investigated UV filters used in sunscreen products available in Lithuanian community pharmacies in November–December 2025. Products were identified through online pharmacy catalogs and assessed for labeled Sun Protection Factor (SPF), number and type of UV filters, and filter combinations in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. A total of 467 products from 98 brands were included, and 26 distinct UV filters were identified. Triazine derivatives predominated, particularly bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (64.67%) and ethylhexyl triazone (58.03%). Most products (61.67%) were labeled SPF ≥ 50 and contained multiple UV filters (mean 4.29 ± 1.66), with significantly more filters in SPF ≥ 50 formulations (p < 0.001). These results indicate that sunscreen products available in Lithuanian pharmacies are dominated by high-SPF formulations and selective multi-filter systems, providing region-specific insights relevant to regulatory oversight and consumer exposure assessment. Full article

Qinghai Province shoulders the heavy responsibility of serving as China’s ecological security barrier. In the process of implementing the “ecological priority” strategy, the green development of grassland animal husbandry in Qinghai Province plays an especially important driving role. To systematically reveal the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics and core driving mechanism of Green Total Factor Productivity (GTFP) and provide a decision-making basis for the green transformation and high-quality development of regional animal husbandry, this paper, based on relevant data from 2010 to 2024 in Qinghai Province, constructs a measurement and influencing factor index system for the GTFP of grassland animal husbandry. Then, it conducts a systematic analysis of the temporal evolution and spatial differentiation characteristics of the GTFP of grassland animal husbandry in Qinghai Province using methods such as trend surface analysis and standard deviation ellipse. Subsequently, the influencing factors are discussed through the geographic detector model. The research findings are as follows: (1) During the study period, the GTFP of grassland animal husbandry in Qinghai Province shows an overall upward trend. Spatially, it presents a regional pattern of “strong in the north and stable in the south,” with the migration center moving towards the northeast and the distribution becoming more concentrated. (2) The level of fiscal support for agriculture, accessibility of transportation, the degree of environmental governance and the degree of digitalization play core driving roles in the process of GTFP climbing in grassland animal husbandry. (3) Interaction analysis shows that the explanatory power of any two influencing factors in the study area is higher than that of a single factor, and the interaction between the level of fiscal support for agriculture and the degree of environmental governance is the most significant. Therefore, the key to improving the GTFP of grassland animal husbandry in Qinghai Province lies in the coordinated allocation and linkage of financial support for agriculture and environmental governance. At the same time, this study can provide reference value for the green transformation and high-quality development of plateau grassland animal husbandry. Full article

Metallurgical-grade silicon (MG-Si) is an important source material for many industrial applications, including the manufacture of alloys, solar photovoltaics, and electronics. The process to refine raw materials into MG-Si is energy-intensive, with the predominant method of submerged-arc furnaces requiring energy consumption of approximately 11–13 kWh/kg Si. Recent research has discussed promising methods for reducing the energy required for the silicon production process, including the use of molten-salt electrolysis (MSE), a technique that offers potential savings in energy consumption without requiring carbon inputs for the process. This paper presents a techno-economic study of a potential industrial-scale MSE plant for MG-Si production to evaluate the trade-offs between capital and operating costs of the system. Capital costs are sourced from recent MG-Si plants and an existing cost model developed for MSE processes that includes the size of the plant and the operating temperature among its inputs. The results show that MSE technology has the potential to be an economically cost-competitive option for MG-Si production if the technology successfully scales to industrial production and matures enough to allow for financing costs similar to that of a comparably sized submerged-arc furnace plant. Full article