Cost-effective Practice Research Articles

Simulation-Based Optimization of Crane Lifting Position and Capacity Using a Construction Digital Twin for Prefabricated Bridge Deck Assembly

The growing adoption of off-site construction methods has increased the critical role of mobile cranes within the construction sector. This study develops a Construction Digital Twin (CDT) framework to optimize crane lifting positions and capacities for the installation of prefabricated bridge decks. By integrating 3D site modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and crane simulations within the Unity game engine, the CDT overcomes the limitations of conventional 2D-based planning by providing a three-dimensional representation of site conditions. An exhaustive search method identifies optimal crane configurations, enhancing precision and efficiency. Simulation calibration using video analysis of real bridge deck installations aligns crane speed and cycle times with actual operations, improving reliability. Case studies demonstrate the CDT’s ability to reduce crane operation costs by 27% when employing a smaller capacity crane while maintaining operational efficiency. Additional DFA-focused simulations with varying deck dimensions revealed a potential 10% cost reduction by optimizing crane operations and deck design strategies. The CDT framework supports early-stage planning, reduces operational risks, and contributes to cost-effective and safer construction practices, offering a scalable solution adaptable to various construction scenarios.

Quality control frequency: Unleashing the truth.

This study investigates the optimal number of quality control (QC) events per day in two scenarios: high-sensitive troponin, requiring three levels of QC materials, and creatinine, with two levels. The aim is to explore how different QC rules and sigma metric values affect the frequency of QC events, considering both analytical performance and the clinical impact of potential measurement errors as severity of harm. Risk-based QC calculations were performed using the QC Constellation tool. Four QC rule schemes (1-3 s, 1-3 s/2-2 s, 1-3 s/2-2 s/R-4 s, 1-3 s/2-2 s/R-4 s/4-1 s) were tested for high-sensitive troponin (catastrophic harm) and creatinine (serious harm). Sigma metric values from 3 to 6 were evaluated to determine maximum run sizes. QC event frequency was estimated for a hypothetical laboratory processing 1,000 samples daily. Maximum run sizes decreased as sigma metric values declined. Correspondingly, the number of QC events per day increased as sigma metric values decreased. For high-sensitive troponin, with its catastrophic severity of harm related to potantial error, more frequent QC was necessary compared to creatinine. Analytical performance and severity of harm significantly influence the required frequency of QC events. Laboratories must consider both factors when designing QC strategies to balance patient safety with operational efficiency. For analytes with high severity of harm, achieving higher sigma metrics is critical to maintain feasible and cost-effective QC practices. A hybrid QC approach combining risk-based and patient-based methods may optimize QC strategies, but standardization of sigma metric calculations is still needed.

Developing a cloud-based WebGIS tool for communicating integrated ecosystem services assessment modeling to conservation stakeholders.

Various modeling efforts have been conducted to evaluate ecosystem services (ES) of agricultural conservation practices but typically these models are too complex for conservation stakeholders to use. This research developed a cloud-based WebGIS tool for communicating integrated ES modeling to conservation stakeholders. The integrated ES modeling was developed by linking farm economic, watershed hydrologic, and soil carbon modeling within a spatial optimization framework for identifying conservation practices to minimize economic costs subject to multiple ES targets including water quality and soil carbon improvement benefits. The WebGIS tool, named "Ecosystem Services Assessment Tool" (ESAT), has a suite of functions to visualize watershed characteristics, summarize the effectiveness of existing agricultural conservation practices, examine the cost, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of future agricultural conservation practices, and further, identify optimal sets of conservation practices for achieving cost-effectiveness. The study area for the integrated ES modeling and WebGIS tool development was the 4,820-km2 Modeste watershed in Alberta, Canada. The ESAT application demonstrated its functionalities to support decision making, particularly in identifying cost-effective conservation practices for achieving sediment, phosphorus or nitrogen reduction, or soil carbon increase target. In the research, conservation stakeholders including municipal and provincial governments, conservation management agencies, and NGOs were actively engaged in data collection, modeling development, WebGIS tool development, and training for the use of the WebGIS tool. Conservation stakeholders assessed that the ESAT is a very useful tool for supporting decision making in agri-environmental programs. However, the WebGIS tool can be further simplified and streamlined to improve the user-friendliness of the ESAT.

Developing a brain inspired multilobar neural networks architecture for rapidly and accurately estimating concrete compressive strength

Concrete compressive strength is a critical parameter in construction and structural engineering. Destructive experimental methods that offer a reliable approach to obtaining this property involve time-consuming procedures. Recent advancements in artificial neural networks (ANNs) have shown promise in simplifying this task by estimating it with high accuracy. Nevertheless, conventional ANNs often require deep networks to achieve acceptable results in cases with large datasets and where generalization is required for a variety of mixtures. This leads to increased training durations and susceptibility to noise, causing reduced accuracy and potential information loss in deep networks. In order to address these limitations, this study introduces a novel multi-lobar artificial neural network (MLANN) architecture inspired by the brain’s lobar processing of sensory information, aiming to improve the accuracy and efficiency of estimating concrete compressive strength. The MLANN framework employs various architectures of hidden layers, referred to as “lobes,” each with a unique arrangement of neurons to optimize data processing, reduce training noise, and expedite training time. Within the study context, an MLANN is developed, and its performance is evaluated to predict the compressive strength of concrete. Moreover, it is compared against two traditional cases, ANN and ensemble learning neural networks (ELNN). The study results indicated that the MLANN architecture significantly improves the estimation performance, reducing the root mean square error by up to 32.9% and mean absolute error by up to 25.9% while also enhancing the A20 index by up to 17.9%, ensuring a more robust and generalizable model. This advancement in model refinement can ultimately enhance the design and analysis processes in civil engineering, leading to more reliable and cost-effective construction practices.

From overgrazed land to forests: assessing soil health in the Caatinga biome.

Overgrazing is the primary human-induced cause of soil degradation in the Caatinga biome, intensely threatening lands vulnerable to desertification. Grazing exclusion, a simple and cost-effective practice, could restore soils' ecological functions. However, comprehensive insights into the effects of overgrazing and grazing exclusion on Caatinga soils' multifunctionality are lacking. This study examines (i) how overgrazing impacts multiple soil indicators, functions, and overall soil health (SH) and (ii) whether natural early forest growth post-grazing exclusion enhances critical soil functions for ecosystem restoration. We compared preserved dense forests, long-term overgrazed pastures (over 30 years), and young fenced-off open forests (three years old) along a longitudinal transect in the Caatinga biome: 36°W (São Bento do Una), 37°W (Sertânia), and 40°W (Araripina). Soil samples from the 0-20cm layer were analyzed for thirteen physical, chemical, and biological indicators for a structured SH assessment, calculating index scores based on soil functions. Forest-to-pasture transition and subsequent overgrazing consistently compacted the soils and decreased nitrogen, carbon (C), microbial biomass C, and glomalin protein, thus degrading the soil's physical, chemical, and biological functions. Regionally, this conversion depleted 14.7MgC ha-1 and reduced overall SH scores by 18%, severely impacting biological functions (e.g., -43% for sustaining biological activity). No significant differences in functions or SH were found between grazed pastures and open forests. SH scores and C stocks were highly interrelated (r>0.5; p<0.001), suggesting that C losses and SH deterioration were closely aligned. We conclude that overgrazing degrades soil multifunctionality and health across the Caatinga biome, with biological functions most severely damaged and legacies obstructing soil recovery for up to three years of grazing exclusion. Future SH studies should include open forest chronosequences with older ages and active restoration practices (e.g., planting trees or green manure) to enhance Caatinga's ecological restoration knowledge and efforts.

Kinetic study on the extraction of ethanimidic acid from hibiscus flowers using microwave assisted hydrodistillation

Microwave extraction of active compounds from plants offers an efficient alternative to traditional methods, highlighting the need to investigate its modeling and kinetic mechanisms for comprehensive understanding. This study evaluated kinetic models for the microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) of ethanimidic acid from hibiscus flowers. Experimental data, including ethanimidic acid concentration as a function of time, power, and solid-to-liquid ratio, were analyzed using three-parameter empirical models. The second-order model demonstrated superior accuracy (R² = 0.954), outperforming the first-order model, and effectively described the two-stage extraction process: washing and diffusion. The second-order kinetic model ensures precise control of ethanimidic acid extraction, enabling efficient scalability for industrial production and consistent quality for pharmacological applications, emphasizing sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing practices. This model provides a robust framework for advancing MAHD applications in the industrial production of bioactive compounds, promoting innovation in sustainable technologies, and enhancing the economic feasibility of bioactive compound recovery.

Statistical models for porous asphalt mixtures containing pulverized surface dressed pavement material/low-density polyethylene waste

Porous asphalt (PA) mixtures typically contain a high proportion of coarse aggregates with minimal fine aggregates, along with a binder that creates ample space for water drainage. Since road construction consumes large quantities of aggregates, recycling and reusing materials have become common practices. This study focuses on developing PA by partially replacing traditional aggregates with pulverized surface-dressed pavement material (PSM) and modifying bitumen with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The mixtures were produced using 60/70 penetration grade bitumen modified with 2%, 4%, and 6% LDPE waste and 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% PSM. Adding LDPE waste to the bitumen altered key properties, such as the softening point, penetration, flashpoint, and ductility, resulting in a stiffer binder. Replacing aggregates with PSM reduced both stability and flow, leading to a lower Marshall quotient. Flow values for all trial mixes did not meet AAPA (2004) standards, while stability values slightly decreased as LDPE content increased from 2% to 6%. Despite this, all samples met the AAPA (2004) stability standard. The sample containing 2% LDPE and no PSM exhibited the highest Marshall quotient. Linear regression models were developed from experimental data to highlight the relationships between the measured responses and the variables. These polynomial equations demonstrated a strong correlation, indicated by high coefficients of determination. The study introduces an innovative approach by incorporating PSM and LDPE, largely unexplored in PA production, especially in Nigeria. The major societal benefits include reducing environmental pollution through plastic waste reuse, conserving natural aggregates, and promoting cost-effective construction practices. By advancing the use of recycled materials, this research supports sustainable infrastructure development while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

Sustainable composite insulation panels: investigating diverse alternatives for insulating applications utilizing coconut husk and agro-industrial residue composites

The current economic crisis emphasizes the need for cost-effective and sustainable construction practices, given that the construction sector remains a significant environmental polluter, generating harmful residues and consuming substantial energy and resources. This study investigates the use of agro-industrial waste materials, particularly coconut husk, combined with innovative adhesives such as rice water, rubber wastewater, bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) extract and lime to develop eco-efficient insulation boards. The research focuses on evaluating key attributes including thermal properties, mechanical strength characteristics and resistance to mold growth, while also considering the influence of lime as a factor. Standard testing methods were employed, including thermal conductivity tests to assess insulation efficiency, adhesive strength tests to measure bonding performance and mold resistance tests to compare the durability of different adhesives. The study highlights the potential of utilizing agro-industrial waste materials to produce sustainable insulation solutions, addressing both environmental and economic challenges in the construction sector. Findings indicate that each adhesive type exhibited unique properties with some binders showing promise as viable options for bio-based insulation panels. However, further improvements are needed to enhance the biological resistance of the natural adhesive, possibly by integrating synthetic materials.

The impact of focused education on diabetic foot care knowledge among adult type 2 diabetic patients: A hospital-based comparative study

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of focused education on diabetic foot care knowledge (DFCK) among adult type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: It is a randomized controlled study which involved 142 type 2 diabetic patients who met the inclusion criteria, whose DFCK were assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Collected data were grouped and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 22. The effect of focused education and general education on the two arms of the study was examined using the mixed analysis of variance, whereas changes in the mean score of the outcome variables were compared using paired t-test. Results: Participants who received focused education improved significantly when compared to the control group on foot-care knowledge (t = 3.08, P = 0.003, effect size = 5.16). The pre-intervention mean standard deviation body mass index (kg/m2) showed a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group (P = 0.005). Participants had statistically significant glucose control post-intervention (P &lt; 0.001), with statistically significant excellent DFCK in the experimental group compared to the control (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Primary care physicians are encouraged to take the center-stage and adopt this cost-effective, easy, and efficient practice of ensuring that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are adequately educated on foot care as key component of diabetic care and health promotion aimed to prevent complications which most likely reduces their quality of life.

Cost-Effective and Sustainable Drug Use in Hospitals: A Systematic and Practice-Based Approach.

Rising healthcare costs challenge the financial sustainability of healthcare systems. Interventional pharmacoeconomics has emerged as a vital discipline to improve the cost-effective and sustainable use of drugs in clinical practice. However, current efforts are often fragmented, highlighting the need for an integrated hospital-wide approach. This study aimed to develop a scalable framework to systematically identify and implement cost-effective and sustainable drug use practices in hospitals. This study was conducted at the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam between December 2022 and July 2023. A novel '8-Step Efficiency Model' was designed to systematically identify and evaluate strategies for cost-effective and sustainable drug use. The process involved identifying high-expenditure drugs, systematically assessing these drugs using the Efficiency Model, and conducting a multi-disciplinary evaluation of the proposed cost-effectiveness strategies. The study assessed 39 high-cost drugs, representing 57% of the Dutch national expensive drug expenditure in 2021. Initiatives for enhancing cost-effectiveness and sustainability were identified or developed for 27 out of the 39 assessed drugs (51% of the national drug expenditure in 2021). Case examples of infliximab (e.g., wastage prevention) and intravenous immunoglobulins (e.g., lean body weight dosing) illustrate practical applications of the framework, resulting in substantial cost savings and improved sustainability. This study presents a systematic scalable model for enhancing the cost-effectiveness of high-expenditure drugs in hospital settings. This approach not only addresses financial sustainability but also promotes the quality of patient care and sustainable drug use. This model could serve as a generic blueprint for other institutions to identify and implement cost-effective and sustainable drug use strategies.

Assessing the Necessity and Cost-effectiveness of Radiology Reports for Plain Hand Radiographs in Outpatient Clinics.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the necessity and cost-effectiveness of radiologists' interpretation of plain hand radiographs for diagnosing and managing different hand pathologies in the plastic surgery outpatient clinic setting. Methods: Through a retrospective cohort study, we identified new patient encounters from January 2021 to December 2022 in an outpatient hand clinic. We included patients with radiology reports that were submitted subsequent to the surgeon's consult note in clinic. Plastic surgeons' interpretations were compared with radiology reports, and findings were categorized as concordant, discrepant (different with no impact on management), or discordant (different with an impact on management). Analysis included radiograph type, underlying mechanism, site of pathology, and hand fellowship training for surgeons. Direct cost was calculated using billing code fees. Results: A total of 241 cases were included in the study: 187 were concordant (77.6%), 53 were discrepant (22%) and only one was discordant (0.4%). Trauma was the predominant reported mechanism (90.5%). Most pathologies were in the phalanges (53.5%), followed by metacarpals (30.7%) and carpals (15.8%). Univariate analysis demonstrated no significant association between radiograph type (P = .829), underlying mechanism (P = .172), site of pathology (P = .482), surgeon's training (P = .551) and concordance with radiology reports. Total direct cost of radiographs reporting in this study was 8477 CAD. Conclusion: The study identified high concordance rates of hand radiograph findings between plastic surgeons and radiologists, with radiology reports rarely impacting patient management. Given the significant patient volume in plastic surgery hand clinics, these findings prompt further considerations in optimizing cost-effective diagnostic practices.

Potential of culturing microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oculata with aquaculture wastewater for simultaneous aquafeed production and wastewater remediation

Aquaculture expansion has resulted in nutrient pollution in aquatic ecosystems, primarily due to nitrogen-rich effluents, leading to eutrophication and degraded water quality. Although conventional wastewater treatment methods are effective, they are often costly and environmentally risky. Microalgae offer a promising alternative, enabling both wastewater remediation and the production of nutrient-rich biomass. However, most research has mainly focused on nutrient removal efficiencies, with relatively little attention given to the quality of the microalgal biomass and its suitability for simultaneous aquafeed production. This study evaluates the growth, nutritional content, and nutrient removal efficiencies of Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) and Nannochloropsis oculata (N. oculata) in synthetic aquaculture wastewater (AW). The findings reveal that both species showed significant growth in AW and F/2 media, with N. oculata reaching the highest cell density (17.6 × 10⁶ cells/mL) in AW. After seven days, C. vulgaris removed 83.7 ± 0.42% of nutrients in AW and 78.0 ± 4.35% in F/2, while N. oculata achieved 71.3 ± 1.50% and 72.3 ± 10.0%, respectively. Biomass from both species was also rich in protein (35.9–57.4%) and carbohydrates (12.7–40.9%). Particularly, N. oculata produced 46% dw protein and 40.9% dw carbohydrates in aquaculture wastewater, with protein levels higher than most previously reported values in such conditions. Additionally, with over 71% nutrient removal in only seven days, a longer culture duration and higher initial biomass inoculum could further enhance the efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of N. oculata and C. vulgaris for sustainable aquaculture, effectively treating aquaculture wastewater and producing high-quality aquafeed biomass, thereby supporting environmentally friendly and cost-effective practices.

Addressing the 2050 demand for terrestrial animal source food

The high emissions intensity of terrestrial animal source food (TASF) and projected increasing demand in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have spurred interest in the development of animal-free alternatives and manufactured food items that aim to substitute for meat, milk, and eggs with the promise of reduced environmental impact of producing food. The developing world is the source of 75% of global emissions from ruminants and will house 86% of the world’s human population by 2050. The adoption of cost-effective, genetic, feed and nutrition practices, and improving livestock health in LMIC are seen as the most promising interventions to reduce emissions resulting from projected increased TASF demand though 2050. Genetic improvement is a particularly attractive approach to productivity enhancements, as such improvements are permanent and cumulative. Alternative proteins may play a role in addressing demand for affordable sources of nutrient-dense foods, however, price will be a major factor influencing adoption given 3.1 billion people globally (42%) were currently unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021. Additionally, there is currently a mismatch between the location of alternative protein companies, and both projected increased TASF demand and emissions. To date, the vast majority (>81%) of these companies are based in high-income countries. The sustainability implications of replacing TASF with alternative proteins at scale needs to consider not only environmental metrics but also the wider economic and social sustainability impacts, given the essential role that livestock play in the livelihoods and food security of approximately 1.3 billion people.

How could payments for U.S. climate-smart farming practices change the regional adoption of conservation practices?

Abstract Recent U.S. policies have promoted climate-smart farming practices. However, little is known about the costs of practice adoption or the regional allocation of support. The primary objective of this study is to identify cost-effective agricultural practices for climate mitigation and determine where practices might be targeted regionally. This study uses average regional abatement cost curves for six mitigation practices to analyze how conservation funding could incentivize adoption. Using a social benefit threshold of $51 per metric ton, we estimate that for all practices studied, except cover crops, there are regions where the average cost of reduction is less than the social benefit threshold, meaning that greenhouse gas could be cost-effectively mitigated or sequestered at regional levels given more adoption of these practices. For the purposes of conservation targeting, we outline the regions where the adoption of these practices is potentially the most cost-effective.

Strategi Peningkatan Profitabilitas Warung Bakso Mie Ayam: Analisis Keuangan dan Pengelolaan Kerugian

This article aims to analyze the financial management of Warung Bakso Mie Ayam Pak Tukul and seek solutions to enhance the business's profitability. The focus is on the constraints in cost control and irregular financial recording, which lead to uncertainty in financial performance. To address this issue, relevant financial management and accounting theories are used, including cost control principles and effective accounting practices. Data were collected through direct observation and semi-structured interviews with the owner and employees. Observations focused on operational processes, inventory management, and financial recording practices, while interviews included questions about the challenges faced and strategies implemented. The analysis results indicate that the warung experiences significant income fluctuations and losses in certain months, due to the lack of an effective cost control system and irregular financial recording.This study concludes that the implementation of a simple accounting system and tighter cost control can help improve financial conditions. Additionally, menu diversification by adding new options, such as bundling discounts and cost-effective digital promotions, along with risk analysis related to the implementation of these new strategies, can help enhance profitability sustainably.

‘It's not just a matter of taking the drug. It's about changing the way you function in your society too’: Narratives of power and resistance in the lived experiences of opioid agonist therapy consumers in regional Victoria, Australia

Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) has initiated extensive discussion regarding its efficacy, cost-effectiveness and best practice delivery. Although this discussion has been dominated by pharmacologists, clinicians, pharmacists and public policy-makers, there is increasing interest in examining OAT consumer experience and voice, particularly regarding consumers’ navigation and experience of the social field of their treatment. Concerned with the expression and circulation of power and resistance, Michel Foucault's work offers rich resources for examining OAT consumers’ experience and navigation of the social field of their treatment, including the administration of OAT as a harm reduction and social welfare intervention and consumers’ efforts to shape their relationships with medical and allied health professionals and other stakeholders. In the case of this study, Foucault's conceptions of power provide a productive means to critically interrogate the experience of 16 OAT consumers participating in pharmacotherapy treatments within a community pharmacy model in regional Victoria, Australia. Through the application of Foucauldian analyses of subjects and power to OAT participant accounts, precisely what the participant responses in our study have shown is that the relationship between OAT practitioners and consumers is neither always oppositional nor binary. Findings suggest that practitioners must pay attention to the everyday interactions they have with consumers (and others)—to how they communicate, listen, understand, present and provide solutions. Interactions with consumers should be treated as sites that produce complex power relations with moral and ethical implications for subjects, including consumers, practitioners and other stakeholders. Both practitioner and consumers need to remember that they are both productive subjects locked in a complex assemblage of practices and social discourses that circumscribe the social field of opioid treatments.

Improving Reproductive Success in Captive Marmosets Through Active Female Choice.

The recent upsurge in the use of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) as a desirable model for high-priority biomedical research has challenged local and global suppliers struggling to provide sufficient numbers of marmosets for large-scale projects. In laboratories, random male-female pairings are often unsuccessful, with intervals of several months before attempting alternate pairings. Here we address this challenge through a behavioral task that promotes self-directed female selection of potential mates to increase the efficiency of breeding in captive marmosets. We created a partner preference test in which nulliparous females (n = 12) had the opportunity to select between two eligible males (n = 23) at a time, in a forced choice test. In this test, both males and females displayed sexual solicitations. However, the females displayed a clear preference for one male by directing affiliative behaviors toward him including proceptive tongue-flicking, approach, and grooming. Her preference remained consistent across three consecutive test sessions. This method resulted in a 2.5-fold improvement in breeding success within 90 days compared to random pairings. This cost-effective and straightforward pairing practice can be used to enhance breeding efficiency in both small and large marmoset colonies.

Impact of surface tension, viscosity, pump settings, and nozzle size on filling process capability and accuracy in high-concentration biopharmaceuticals

Filling is the final critical unit operation in the manufacturing process of liquid biological drug products. This paper thoroughly investigates the influence and mechanisms of peristaltic pump settings, nozzle size, product surface tension and viscosity on the biopharmaceutical filling processes based on the established filling process model of surrogates. Our study highlights the significant role of pump settings in influencing filling process capability indexes, in addition to their primary function of regulating flow rate. Surface tension minimally impacts flow behavior but significantly regulates the final dropʼs behavior, with lower surface tension increasing dripping tendencies. Viscosity proves crucial; higher viscosity intensifies friction and head loss of filling flow in tube/nozzle, causing pressure and flow rate losses, more pronounced dripping, and worse filling accuracy. Furthermore, nozzle size moderates the impact of pump settings, surface tension, and viscosity on filling performance. Larger nozzles help mitigate these effects, contributing to enhanced stability in filling performance under challenging conditions. For high-concentration biopharmaceuticals with elevated viscosity during filling, utilizing larger nozzles and reducing pump speed could achieve enhanced Cpk values and improved filling accuracy. Understanding the complex interactions among these factors is vital for optimizing the biopharmaceutical industry, promoting cost-effective practices, and enhancing production efficiency.

Potential of novel Rhizobium strains as biofertilizer for improved groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivation in Eastern India

ABSTRACT Comprehensive assessments were conducted on eight fast growing, novel Rhizobium isolates, short listed from a preliminary selection of 68 isolates obtained from root nodules of groundnut plants grown in diverse agro-climatic regions of eastern India. Additionally, two conventional rhizobia strains, viz. IGR6 and GN2, (collected from the Nodule Research Center, BCKV), were utilized for comparative analysis. Cluster analysis, based on carbon utilization and biochemical parameters, grouped all the test isolates with an average similarity level of 73%. The ability of the isolates to utilize a wide range of carbon sources, including hexoses, pentoses, and disaccharides, confirms their fast-growing nature. Further analysis through 16S rDNA extraction and nucleotide sequencing revealed that the promising fresh isolates exhibited 95–99% similarity to known Rhizobium species in public databases. When evaluated in pot culture experiments using new alluvial soil from the Gangetic Plains in eastern India, the native fresh isolate NRA1(PP355674) outperformed other isolates and conventional strains in terms of nodulation efficiency, plant dry matter production, and plant nitrogen uptake. This study highlights the significant potential of native Rhizobium isolates to surpass conventionally used strains in biological nitrogen fixation, supporting the development of sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective agricultural practices.

The influence of residual asphalt material in the mechanical behaviour of soil-RAP mixtures for use in paving

ABSTRACT The evaluation of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)’s suitability for pavement layers, optimises resource use, reduces environmental impact, and supports cost-effective practices. In this sense this study aimed to characterise soil-RAP mixtures to ensure they meet the quality standards required for pavement applications. The study examined two types of soil mixtures: one soil-RAP aggregates and the other soil-virgin aggregates (VAM) to understand the impact of residual asphalt binder on aggregate particles. Various mass contents (30%, 50%, 70%, and 90%) were tested alongside conventional soil-gravel mixtures with equivalent proportions and gradation of RAP and VAM. Additionally, the study investigated the effect of adding 2% cement on the performance of both recycled soil-RAP mixtures and conventional soil-gravel mixtures. The analysis includes granulometry, Atterberg Limits, MCT (Miniature, Compacted, Tropical) classification, soil chemical characterisation and microscopic images, compaction in Modified Proctor Energy, CBR, Resilient Modulus tests and stress–strain analysis. The results have revealed that the residual asphalt binder, surrounding RAP aggregates, has reduced the soil mixtures’ strength for different RAP contents. However, the study demonstrated that the addition of cement rendered the soil-RAP mixture feasible, enabling the application of the studied mixtures of RAP to constitute subbase and base layers.