Production Centers Research Articles

Forecasting throughput at a transshipment hub under trade dynamism and uncertainty in major production centers

Forecasting throughput at a transshipment hub under trade dynamism and uncertainty in major production centers

Revisiting the Concepts of Centre and Peripheries in Islamic Art with Geographic Information Systems (GIS): the Creations of Western Islamic Societies

Abstract The aim of this paper is to review the concepts of centre and peripheries in Mediterranean Islamic art during the late Middle Ages. Traditionally, the idea of a unique Eastern production centre was widespread in historiographical debates; however, in the framework of current research projects, the need to review the well-established concepts of centre and peripheries has been identified. In this context, this paper considers the geographical distribution of muqarnaṣ in the Mediterranean basin between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries from the Almoravid period. In this framework, a double aspect has been analysed to examine: 1) how muqarnaṣ spread from the Almoravid Empire to other Mediterranean areas, and 2) if those Western muqarnaṣ can be related to the Eastern ones or if, on the contrary, they can be considered an independent manifestation of a new production centre located in an area traditionally considered peripheral. To achieve this aim, a geodatabase including the Mediterranean muqarnaṣ ensembles has been created. Different categorised analyses have been developed with a Geographic Information System (GIS), as well as an element concentration analysis, with the Heatmap plugin in the QGIS software, to determine where the centres with the highest concentrations of muqarnaṣ are located. On the basis of the different analyses, innovative cartographic materials have been developed and are included in the study. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the traditional view of a unique production centre in the case of muqarnaṣ should be discarded.

Indicators of scientific production on Health Policy

Introduction: health and its maintenance constitute one of the main assets of man at any stage of his history. The implementation of health policies is aimed at solving global health problems that affect the population.Objective: characterize the scientific production on Health Policy in SCOPUSMethod: an observational, descriptive, bibliometric study was developed. A total of 229,339 articles were worked on. The SCOPUS database was used to collect the information; especially the SciVal tool for the analysis of information and the study of indicators. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the information.Results: a total of 229,339 articles were analyzed; equivalent to 2,471,305 appointments in the study period. I highlight the year 2023 with the highest number of articles published (31,982; 13.94%). The United States stood out with the highest number of articles published with 79,708 investigations (34.75%). The articles published in the journal BMC Health Services Research stood out with 10,425 investigations (23%). The largest number of articles were located in the health and health services categoryConclusions: scientific production related to Health Policy showed heterogeneous but constant growth, in contrast to the number of citations. The publications were related to the largest centers of scientific production. The research topics were directed with greater interest towards the quality of health services and assistance according to age groups

Farmers' Intentions for Sustainable Fertilizer Practices: A Study of Shallot Farmers

Sustainable fertilizer practices are needed in the context of resource degradation, climate change and population growth. Farmers' decisions to adopt sustainable agricultural practices are influenced by economic, psycho-social and technological availability aspects. This research aims to explain the factors that influence farmers' decisions to adopt sustainable fertilizer practices. The research model uses the basic Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and adds the socio-cultural dimension of farmers. The research was carried out by taking the case of shallot farmers' decisions regarding the use of fertilizer. The research was carried out using a survey approach of 111 shallot farmers taken using proportional sampling in the shallot production center of Brebes Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEMPLS). The research results found that farmers' attitudes towards adopting sustainable fertilizer practices were influenced by factors such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and social influence, while farmers' intentions to adopt sustainable fertilizer practices were influenced by farmers' attitudes and habits. The conclusions of this study have implications for technological development and socio-cultural aspects to scale up sustainable fertilizer practices.

Microstructural and elemental analyses of slags excavated from the Gushishan iron‐smelting site, Sichuan Province, China

AbstractThe Shu Commandery was an important iron production center in southwest China during the Han Dynasty (202 BC‐AD 220). In 2007, archaeologists excavated a Han Dynasty smelting furnace (L1) at the Gushishan site and collected large amounts of smelting remains including slags, furnace bricks, and ores. Scientific analysis of the excavated slags was carried out to ascertain that the Gushishan site was a pig iron smelting site. No flux was used at the Gushishan site, and the site is dated no later than the Eastern Han period. No remains related to iron casting of the Han Dynasty was found at or near the iron smelting sites in southwest China, which indicates a separation between iron smelting and iron casting as characteristics of the industrial layout in this region.

Sabarmati and its connection with the Harappan port Lothal and the Nal corridor: A study using multi-sensor data, cloud-computing and multi-platforms

Lothal is situated approximately 30 km inland from the Gulf of Khambhat on the western coast of India in Gujarat. It served as a bustling port during the Bronze Age Harappan period (2600 BCE to 1900 BCE) and was connected to a series of Harappan production and distribution centres dotted along the Gulf of Kachchh and the Rann of Kachchh. Artefacts of foreign nature found in Lothal attest to its intercultural trade relation. Further, Lothal is renowned for its well-preserved brick-walled dockyard and warehouse. However, different views for and against the dockyard are available in archaeological literature. This study revisits the dockyard theory from the landscape perspective and integrates information extracted from early maps, multi-spectral and multi-temporal satellite data of different spatial resolutions, and Digital Elevation Models to understand the larger context of the palaeolandscape around Lothal, including both fluvial and coastal areas. The findings offer fresh perspectives on the hydrographic dynamics of the region, highlighting an evident direct connection between Lothal and the former course of River Sabarmati, one of the major rivers in Gujarat that currently flows 20 km east of Lothal. The reconstruction of the palaeolandscape, both fluvial and coastal, complements and verifies certain interpretations related to the dockyard theory, partially bridging the ‘credibility gap’ in the broader discussion and strengthening the arguments in favour of the dockyard theory. Additionally, the study underscores the significance of integrating various types of geospatial data to understand past landscapes. Further investigation of the reconstructed palaeolandscape, particularly the complex hydrographic network including rivers and creeks, of this historically important region has the potential to contribute to new insights into existing archaeological and geomorphological interpretations and may guide us about the past human adaptation to the natural dynamics.

Vulnerability and risk analysis of climate change Impacts on rice production (Oryza sativa L.) in Majalengka regency

Climate change, especially temperature and rainfall shifting can be a threat to the agricultural sector, i.e., the decrease in rice yields in Majalengka Regency as the West Java rice production center. As an anticipatory measure to deal with that problem, a study is needed regarding the level of hazard, vulnerability and risk of climate change impacts in Majalengka Regency. This research aims to identify climate change and examine the level of hazzard, vulnerability and risk of the impact of climate change on rice production in each sub-district in Majalengka Regency. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative. The data used in the analysis of the level of hazard, vulnerability and risk of climate change include temperature, rainfall, production, productivity, planting area, harvested area and farmers' socio-economic data obtained from Statistics Indonesia; Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency; Agriculture Office of Majalengka Regency and other relevant sources, while farmer interview data were used in analyzing strategic adaptation options. The results of the study stated that areas with a very high potential risk of decreasing rice production (Risk Index or RI > 0.80) were in Kertajati District; the risk level of rice production in the high category (RI 0.61-0.80) was in Bantarujeg and Ligung Districts. Meanwhile, areas with a very high level of risk of decreasing rice productivity (IR) > 0.80) are in Bantarujeg District; high-risk level (IR 0.61-0.80) was in the Districts of Lemahsugih, Malausma, Argapura, Kertajati, Jatipuh and Ligung. The adaptation efforts that can be made to reduce the risk of decreasing rice production are the use of superior seeds, crop rotation, intermittent irrigation systems, acceleration of land preparation by mechanization, application of the jajar legowo cropping system, and integrated pest management measures.

The economy of salt production and consumption in Baden-Württemberg (Germany)

The aim of this article is to examine the exploitation of salt and its economic implications in Baden-Württemberg during the Iron Age as well as some wider perspectives on the subject from other areas of Germany. Salt is an important raw material that can have great economic implications and create long-term networks. The salt springs in the area are exploited using the briquetage method. It allows the production not only of salt but also of salt blocks, calibrated objects. The paper presents data on the production and distribution of salt around Schwäbisch Hall, some hypotheses on commercial competition between production centres. It also includes a more general discussion of the impact of the salt economy in the area.

Polarity Switching As a Technique for Enhanced Electrochemical Treatment of Waste Activated Sludge for Nutrient Recovery

Traditionally, fertilizers have been produced with ammonia (which is produced from the Haber-Bosch process) as the main feedstock. The Haber-Bosch process which requires the reaction of atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen at high temperature and pressure is energy and cost intensive [1]. Only about half fraction of reactive nitrogen in the produced ammonia fertilizers is used by the plants with the rest remaining in the soil as waste [2]. These ‘excess’ nutrients find a way into water bodies and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) as run-offs and this poses a big threat to the nitrogen balance in the environment. This research aims to recover these nutrients primarily nitrogen and phosphorous to produce a low-cost fertilizer of at least compatible potency as commercial fertilizers.Waste Activated Sludge (WAS), the solids obtained from the primary and secondary clarifiers in WWTPs contain a wide range of organic compounds as well as valuable nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen which can account for up to 4% and 9% of dry sludge, respectively [3]. The leachate from landfills can release these nutrients into the environment, raising serious environmental pollution concerns. Therefore, recovering nutrients from WAS presents a significant opportunity towards a nitrogen circular economy.Most of the research in sludge treatment are exclusively focused on improving biological treatment processes like anaerobic digestion and composting which can take anywhere from a month to three months and thermal treatments such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatments [4] which are energy intensive and expensive. This work provides a novel approach to recover nutrients at low energy consumption with nickel based electrocatalysts [5].The hypothesis here is that the alkaline medium will help break the floc structure of the sludge to release the proteins and other organic compounds which will then be hydrolyzed by the nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) group formed on the electrode surface by application of a small voltage sufficient to form NiOOH. The NiOOH is consumed quickly on the surface of the electrode by the organic nitrogen present in solution [6]. Hence, alternating the polarity between two identical nickel electrodes will ensure that NiOOH is always present on the electrode surface. The approach square wave potential pulses also enhance the desorption of species and clean the surface of the electrodes, especially when dealing with a complex mixture of organics that can polymerize in the surface of electrodes during the oxidation/reduction process. The effect of frequency of polarity oscillation, electrode surface area, pH and conductivity on nutrient recovery are being studied and results will be reported at the conference. Since sludge treatment accounts for a sizable portion i.e., close to 60% of wastewater treatment plant operational costs [7], WAS nutrient recovery could also provide economic benefits. This research highlights the potential for electrochemical approaches to address environmental concerns, improve resource efficiency and provide a sustainable solution for sludge management. Acknowledgement This work is funded by the National Science Foundation, EEC Division of Engineering Education and Centers, NSF Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer production (CASFER), NSF 20-553 Gen-4 Engineering Research Centers award # 2133576. References Appl M. The Haber-Bosch heritage: The ammonia production technology. In 50th Anniversary of the IFA Technical Conference 1997 Sep 25 (Vol. 25). Spain: Seville.Galloway JN, Aber JD, Erisman JW, Seitzinger SP, Howarth RW, Cowling EB, Cosby BJ. The nitrogen cascade. Bioscience. 2003 Apr 1;53(4):341-56.Bi W, Li Y, Hu Y. Recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen from alkaline hydrolysis supernatant of excess sludge by magnesium ammonium phosphate. Bioresource technology. 2014 Aug 1;166:1-8.Wu B, Dai X, Chai X. Critical review on dewatering of sewage sludge: Influential mechanism, conditioning technologies and implications to sludge re-utilizations. Water research. 2020 Aug 1;180:115912. Jafari, M., Botte, G.G. Electrochemical treatment of sewage sludge and pathogen inactivation. Appl. Electrochem. 51, 119–130 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-020-01481-6Wang D, Botte GG. In situ X-ray diffraction study of urea electrolysis on nickel catalysts. ECS Electrochemistry Letters. 2014;3(9):H29.Andreoli CV, Von Sperling M, Fernandes F. Sludge treatment and disposal. IWA publishing; 2007.

The effect of the ratio of male to female Broodstock on the production of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Seed

This research was conducted from November to December 2023 at the Production Centre of Pangkajene Fish Seed Institute, Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the ratio of male and female broodstock on tilapia seed production, and to determine the ratio of male and female broodstock that produce the most seed production. The design used was a completely randomised design with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The data obtained were presented in the form of graphs and tables. The effect of treatment was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test. The results of the analysis showed that the ratio of male to female broodstock had a significant effect on tilapia fry production (P < 0.05) Sig = 0.034. The highest seed production was found in treatment C (1 male: 4 females) with an average production of 71,000 seeds. Treatment B (1 male: 3 females), 51,000 seeds, treatment D (1 male: 5 females), 34,000 seeds and treatment A (1 male: 1 female) with an average production of 21,000 seeds. It can be concluded that the ratio of male to female broodstock has a significant effect on the production of nila fish fry (Oreochromis niloticus). The highest fry production was obtained in the ratio 1 male; 4 females.Keywords: Broodstock; Production; Ratio; Seed; Tilapia

Study of the Procurement of Landscape Plant Nurseries in Sukamantri Village Tamansari Sub-district Bogor Regency

Abstract Nurserymen play an important role in the landscape industry by producing and providing plants according to the required specifications. Sukamantri Village is one of the centers of landscape plant production and sales in Bogor Regency. The main problem faced by the nursery is the fluctuating demand for landscape plants, which can cause a shortage or excess of plant stock. This research was conducted in Sukamantri Village, Tamansari Sub-district, Bogor Regency, from November 2022 to February 2023. This study aims to obtain information on the variety of plants in the nurseries and analyze the problems in order to obtain recommendations for the development and sustainability of the nursery. Data obtained through surveys, interviews, and secondary data. They were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using the SWOT approach regarding internal and external factors in the procurement of landscape plants. The results show the variety of plants includes indoor and outdoor ornamental plants, herbal plants, and fruit plant seedlings. The problem faced is the decline in domestic and foreign sales. Some of the recommended strategies include developing human resource skills, improving production technology, better planning production, promoting on social media, and expanding the market by strengthening networks.

Modification of Ti3C2Tx nanostructure with KH2PO4 and chitosan for effective removal of strontium from nuclear waste.

Nanostructure titanium carbide MXene (Ti3C2Tx) was modified with KH2PO4 and chitosan to effectively remove strontium from nuclear wastewater. Nuclear waste includes radionuclides of uranium, thorium, strontium, and cesium, which are classified depending on the concentration of radionuclides. Nuclear waste with a high strontium concentration is the production waste of radiopharmaceutical production centers. Ti3C2Tx was synthesized from Ti3AlC2 using HF40% and HF in situ (MILD-Ti3C2Tx) in 24h at 313.15 and 333.15K. Morphology, structure, and functional groups were investigated using the XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR, and BET analyses. The Sr(II)'s adsorption capacity on Ti3C2Tx-HF and Ti3C2Tx-HF in situ was obtained as 61.9 and 253.5mgg-1, respectively (temperature, 298.15K; pH, 7.00; contact time, 180min; and Sr(II) concentration, 150mgl-1). Ti3C2Tx-HF in situ showed fourfold adsorption due to more hydroxyl functional groups and larger interlayer spacing. Ti3C2Tx was modified with KH2PO4 and chitosan to investigate the mechanism of change of Sr(II)'s adsorption capacity, which increased to 370 and 284mgg-1, respectively. The structural results of modified Ti3C2Tx showed that the surface functional groups increased when modified with chitosan. In addition, modification with KH2PO4, through encapsulating large amounts of KH2PO4 between Ti3C2Tx layers, increased the possibility of Sr(II) diffusion between layers and electrochemical interactions with hydroxyl groups, and thus, increased its adsorption. Some experiments were designed to investigate the effect of parameters like initial concentration of Sr(II), contact time, temperature, and pH solution, as well as modified- and unmodified-Ti3C2Tx on adsorbent. The results revealed that the adsorption process of Sr(II) with pristine and modified-Ti3C2Tx follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich heterogeneous isotherm model. Freundlich model isotherm indicates the presence of various functional groups on the surface and between the pristine and modified Ti3C2Tx layers. Electrostatic reactions and intra-sphere complexation were the two dominant mechanisms of the adsorption process.

The Effect of Using Superior Rice Seeds on The Income of paddy Farmers in The Production Center of Bangka Island; Propensity Score Matching Based Analysis

The Effect of Using Superior Rice Seeds on The Income of paddy Farmers in The Production Center of Bangka Island; Propensity Score Matching Based Analysis

Impacts of Climate Change on Logistics and Supply Chains

While the global public is struggling with Covid-19 and the subsequent inflation, war and energy crisis, climate change has turned into a forgotten crisis. However, with the increasing number of disasters caused by extreme weather events in different continents of the world, climate change has started to attract attention all over the world. Extreme weather events such as global warming, floods and hurricanes, which are the result of global climate change, not only affect the lives of societies, but also affect logistics and supply chains. The first spots to see the effects of extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change are the production centers in different parts of the world and the international logistics sector, which ensures that the goods produced in these facilities reach the markets. By this study, the qualitative effects of climate change on supply chains were investigated and this research is expected to shed light on the effects of climate change on international logistics activities.

1950~60년대 문화영화 애니메이션 연구

This paper argues for the need to re-catalog animations in cultural films produced by the National Film Production Center, which are fading into the mists of Korean film history. Given the center’s obligation to promote national policies, it is essential not only to specify when these cultural films were made but also to accurately identify the artists involved in the animations. However, the basic information varies among institutions that introduce these cultural films. First, the role of short animations produced by the National Film Production Center from the 1950s to the 1980s is examined in this paper, with their inception and decline being analyzed through articles published in each era. This paper argues that the first cultural film animation should be identified not as “Cartoon of Killing Rats” (September 1959), but as “Acacia Tree Growing in Korea” (April 1959). Moreover, the migration of animators from the National Film Production Center to private film companies and the government’s dismissive attitude towards cartoons are cited as reasons for the decline. Finally, the relationship between the animations in cultural films and contemporary short animations featured in Daehan News (Korean News) is explored. This paper advocates to expand the research horizons of the cultural films.

A micro-geoarchaeological look at adaptive and glocal socio-economic aspects: the case of Middle Bronze Age Tel Dor, Israel

Adaptative mechanisms used by coastal urban Middle Bronze Age (MBA) settlements in the southern Levant are regularly studied from the point of view of maritime connectivity. Here we look into the adaptive mechanisms of MBA Tel Dor by investigating the utilization of geogenic (rock, soil, sediment) resources for construction — materials used for wall foundations, mudbrick superstructure and wall plaster — and for pottery making. The composition and fabric of archaeological materials were compared to those of local natural sediments from two boreholes. The results show that stones for wall construction relied on the local kurkar, that red-coloured mudbricks were produced from local Carmel coast sediments, while beige-coloured mudbricks were produced by mixing local red sediments with non-coastal calcareous rock fragments, and that wall plaster was made of non-coastal geogenic marl. From a small pilot sample of pottery, six petrofabrics were identified, including the local Carmel coast, along with five other, distant, production centres. These characteristics suggest that while the site’s inhabitants utilized local resources, they were firmly interconnected with regional, ‘global’, Mediterranean networks, suggesting MBA Dor was a glocalized society, and that diversification of resources served as a promotor of resilience for this coastal society, allowing it to thrive for millennia.

Semen microorganisms’ prevalence in tabapuã bulls

The study objective was to characterize the microbiological aspects of raw semen from Tabapuã bulls kept in a semen production center. Five Tabapuã bulls were used, and four ejaculates were collected using the artificial vagina method. Bacterial colonies were quantified and identified by morphotintorial analysis (Gram staining) and identification tests for bacterial isolates. Among the twenty semen samples collected, bacteria genera were identified: Citrobacter sp. (3.03%); Corynebacterium sp. (3.03%); Enterobacter sp. (9.09%); Escherichia sp. (9.09%); Klebsiella sp. (9.09%); Providencia sp. (3.03%); Pseudomonas sp. (12.12%); Staphylococcus sp. (45.46%) and Streptococcus sp. (6.06%). It was possible to observe and identify the microbial agents present in the semen samples.

Development and experimental validation of analytical structures of some simplest fuzzy PI/PD controllers using Bounded Sum aggregation

In this work, utilization of Bounded Sum (BS) as an aggregation operator has been explored in the modeling of the simplest fuzzy two-term (PI/PD) controllers. Analytical structures of eight distinct fuzzy two-term controllers utilizing Larsen Product (LP) or Mamdani Minimum (MM) inference and Center of Area (CoA) defuzzification have been derived. In addition to modeling, analysis of controllers for their properties is conducted. Simulation studies are carried out on two nonlinear dynamic systems to show the effectiveness of the controllers proposed in this work. Apart from this, a real-time experimentation has also been conducted to test the applicability of the proposed controllers.

Inclusion of Women Architects into the Cultural Field of Spanish Competitions: Struggling for Professional Recognition from the Periphery (1978-2008)

A retrospective look at the architecture competitions held and reported in Spain between the years of transition to democracy and the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008 allows us to verify, from a sociological and historiographical approach, the progressive inclusion of women into the complex and traditionally patriarchal cultural field of the architecture competition. The end of Franco’s dictatorship, and the growing vitality of the Autonomous Regions prompted the call of numerous open consultations throughout the country. These calls continued throughout the last third of the 20th century, until eventually experiencing a decline in the new millennium. These open and anonymous competitions provided a framework in which many women architects were able to ascend through merit, even attaining important positions within the process: firstly, as recognised participants and later as jury members. Highlighting the value of these women’s contribution to architecture has always been subject to disinterest, hesitancy or even outspoken reticence, typical of an eminently patriarchal structure, to which were added those inherent to any competitive structure where the struggle for the domination of symbolic power is inescapable. On the basis of architectural journal articles and illustrative case studies, this paper reviews the published media conditions of this difficult ascent in which the subordinate territories peripheral to the centres of production of architectural culture—Madrid and Barcelona—proved to be a space of opportunity and competition in which to build professional legitimacy. A great deal of Spanish women architects who were regular contestants achieved their recognition through silent logic, far removed from flashy celebrity, an issue that has left a deep imprint on their ways of approaching the practice of their profession, in general, and of participating in the cultural field of the competition, in particular. From this common thinking, this article aims to pay them a well-deserved tribute.

An Oxygen Supply Is Not Enough: A Qualitative Analysis of a Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plant Program in Ethiopian Hospitals.

In response to critical gaps in medical oxygen access, 2 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen production centers were established using an ecosystem-strengthening strategy in Amhara, Ethiopia, in 2019. A qualitative study was conducted to assess enablers and bottlenecks to oxygen access at the hospital level after installation. A variety of hospital staff (clinicians, biomedical professionals, hospital administrators, and procurement teams) across 13 hospitals procuring oxygen from the plants participated in comprehensive, semistructured focus group discussions. A thematic framework analysis approach was used to identify key themes. A total of 101 individuals participated in 26 focus groups in 2021, 2 years after plants were installed. Primary themes were accessibility of supply, affordability, and hospital readiness. Respondents indicated a substantial increase in their hospital's ability to access lower-cost oxygen, with many attributing this to the locality of plants and reduced transportation barriers. However, other challenges persisted, and the emergence of COVID-19 1 year after plant installation and a civil conflict exacerbated supply shortages. Investments in equipment, supplies, and training optimized clinical utilization of oxygen and were highlighted as a need for ongoing investment. To achieve maximum impact, investments in large-scale oxygen systems must be accompanied by strategic plans to transport oxygen, reduce costs to hospitals, and provide support to clinical teams through equipment, supply procurement, and clinical training. These findings support comprehensive ecosystem approaches to strengthening oxygen access for sustainable impact.