Cost Production Research Articles

The impact of digital infrastructure on the geographical supply chain layout of firms —— Evidence from Chinese microdata

This study investigates how the development of digital infrastructure in China affects the geographical layout of supply chains of listed companies. This work finds that (1) The development of digital infrastructure has led to firms prefer suppliers or customers nearby, rather than looking for distant supply chain partners. (2) The development of digital infrastructure can reduce the costs of the firms, and improve their productivity. However, firms with cost reduction and productivity improvement will not expand the geographical scope of their supply chains. From the perspective of the concentration of supply chains, firms reduce their dependence on the top five customers and suppliers, indicating that with the support of digital technology, firms are willing to seek new partners to achieve closer and more diversified supply chains. (3) Heterogeneous analysis shows that firms with longer operational time, located in developed regions and eastern regions, or in primary and secondary sectors will choose a closer supply chain partner under the influence of digital infrastructure. (4) Extended analysis shows that digital infrastructure in neighboring cities will weaken the preferences of firms in those regions to find supply chain partners nearby.

Biomimetic Plasmonic Nanophages by Head/Tail Self-Assembling: Gold Nanoparticle/Virus Interactions.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), because of their dual plasmonic and catalytic functionalities, are among the most promising nanomaterials for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools for severe diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Bacteriophages, massively present in human biofluids, are emerging as revolutionary biotechnological tools as they can be engineered to display multiple specific binding moieties, providing effective targeting ability, high stability, low cost, and sustainable production. Coupling AuNPs with phages can lead to an advanced generation of nanotools with great potential for biomedical applications. In the present study, we analyzed the interactions between differently sized AuNPs and filamentous M13 phages, establishing an advanced characterization platform that combines analytical techniques and computational models for an in-depth understanding of these hybrid self-assembling systems. A precise and structurally specific interaction of the AuNP-M13 hybrid complexes was observed, leading to a peculiar head/tail "tadpole-like" configuration. In silico simulations allowed explaining the mechanisms underlying the preferential assembly route and providing information about AuNPs' size-dependent interplay with specific M13 capsid proteins. The AuNP-M13 structures were proven to be biomimetic, eluding the formation of biomolecular corona. By keeping the biological identity of the virion, hybrid nanostructures maintained their natural recognition/targeting ability even in the presence of biomolecular crowding. In addition, we were able to tune the hybrid nanostructures' tropism toward E. coli based on the AuNP size. Overall, our results set the fundamental basis and a standard workflow for the development of phage-based targeting nanotools, valuable for a wide spectrum of nanotechnology applications.

Assistance in Cost Classification and Cost Production of Street Food Microenterprises in Bekasi District

Assistance in Cost Classification and Cost Production of Street Food Microenterprises in Bekasi District

Effect of Oats and Millet composition in Gluten-free Nutrient wafer

Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.)] is a widely cultivated staple crop and nutritionally rich cereal grain. The cultivar can tolerate drought and high temperatures, making it suitable for arid and semi-arid regions, especially in Africa and Asia. Millet-based products have numerous health benefits like lowering cholesterol, managing blood sugar, and many others. It is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and various micronutrients. Millet is gluten-free, suitable alternative for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Methods: Low-sugar-gluten-free Pearl millet wafer is a low-moisture baked food prepared from a mixed batter of millet powder, and oats. A waffle iron toaster (1000W) is used to prepare the wafer The nutritional components were analyzed and calorie calculation was done following the Atwater system. The total energy from a 100 gm wafer serving was found to be around 289 calories. Results and Discussions: The product was typically shaped in a square-grooved sheet, with a density around 0.2gm/cc, the matrix is aerated and fluffy. Total final moisture, ash and extracted fat content was also estimated. The average thickness of the wafer was around 5mm. Sensory parameters like crispiness, chewiness and mouthfeel were evaluated on a hedonic scale while the crispiness is correlated to the final moisture content. Product cost was calculated including the energy cost calculation. The cost of the final product was Rs 45/100gm which is at per the marketed wafers. Conclusion: The improved quality was targeted to achieve in a model of low-emission process to reduce the energy cost and increase production efficiency with better nutritional component retention.

Remote work economics: A conceptual review of financial and HR metrics

This review paper examines remote work's economic implications by evaluating financial and HR metrics in remote work environments. It provides an overview of remote work arrangements, identifies key economic drivers behind the shift to remote work, and discusses the impact of remote work on traditional financial metrics such as cost savings and productivity. Additionally, it explores HR metrics specific to remote work environments, including employee engagement, retention, and communication effectiveness. The paper highlights challenges in measuring HR metrics in remote setups and proposes solutions. Furthermore, it discusses the impact of remote work on employee well-being and organisational culture, emphasising the importance of supporting employee success and cultivating a positive remote work culture. The implications of financial and HR metrics in remote work economics are discussed, along with suggestions for future research directions and potential areas for improvement in evaluating remote work economics.

Less But Better—Pork Meat Will Become One of the Luxury Foods of the Future

The global demand for meat is projected to rise, necessitating a transformative shift in the meat industry towards sustainable and emission-neutral production models. For decades, price competition has driven intense rivalry among meat packers, with a focus on cost control and product differentiation. However, anticipated increases in input costs and challenges to meat supply present a unique opportunity for innovation. Meat production faces mounting pressures, particularly in Northern Europe, to transition from traditional industrialized systems to sustainable practices that address climate impacts. Despite substantial investments in alternative proteins, livestock remains an efficient converter of low-value inputs into high-value human nutrition. As meat becomes scarcer, its historical status as a luxury food is poised to resurface, offering a business opportunity for meat packers while prompting Western consumers to adopt more plant-rich diets. Technological advancements such as automation and AI have revolutionized meat production, enabling efficient processes, enhanced meat quality, and reduced environmental impacts. The future of meat production hinges on adopting circular and emission-neutral practices. The industry’s sustainability will depend on balancing efficiency with ecological harmony, transforming meat from a ubiquitous commodity to a luxury symbol of quality. Through technological innovation and a paradigm shift in production philosophy, the meat industry can meet the nutritional needs of a growing global population while adhering to stringent environmental standards.

Optimization of Raw Material Inventory using Always Better Control (ABC) Analysis and Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) Method Approach in the Warehouse of a Bolt Manufacturing Factory in Indonesia

There is a problem in the raw material procurement process at the Contractor Company, such as running out and excess stock of raw materials, as well as difficulties in determining how many raw materials to order that meet the company's economic value. Running out of raw material stock results in delays in production activities, while excess raw material stock can fill warehouse capacity, thereby increasing storage costs. To overcome this problem, research was carried out using a quantitative descriptive method to determine the level of production cost efficiency and production effectiveness level in order to achieve optimization of raw material supplies using Always Better Control (ABC) Analysis and the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) Method at Bolt Companies. ABC analysis plays a role in determining which raw materials have the highest level of demand and the EOQ method plays a role in determining the amount of raw materials to be ordered in order to meet the company's economic value. The research results show that the combination of ABC Analysis and EOQ Method can reduce ordering costs and raw material inventory. There are 4 items out of 10 raw material items that are included in Category A or the most prioritized category. From the results of calculations using the EOQ method, the Bolt Company can save total orders and raw material inventory (TIC) in the period January to December 2023 amounting to IDR 2,147,403,-.

Programming aliphatic polyester degradation by engineered bacterial spores.

Enzymatic degradation of plastics is a sustainable approach to addressing the growing issue of plastic accumulation. The primary challenges for using enzymes as catalysts are issues with their stability and recyclability, further exacerbated by their costly production and delicate structures. Here, we demonstrate an approach that leverages engineered spores that display target enzymes in high density on their surface to catalyze aliphatic polyester degradation and create self-degradable materials. Engineered spores display recombinant enzymes on their surface, eliminating the need for costly purification processes. The intrinsic physical and biological characteristics of spores enable easy separation from the reaction mixture, repeated reuse, and renewal. Engineered spores displaying lipases completely degrade aliphatic polyesters and retain activity through four cycles, with full activity recovered through germination and sporulation. Directly incorporating spores into polyesters results in robust materials that are completely degradable. Our study offers a straightforward and sustainable biocatalytic approach to plastic degradation.

Enhanced Capability of Hydrogen Evolution Photocathode by Laminated Interface Engineering of Co/MoS2 QDs/pyramid-black Si.

We present a novel and stable laminated structure to enhance the performance and stability of silicon (Si) photocathode devices for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. First, by utilizing Cu nanoparticle catalysts to work on a n+p-black Si substrate via the metal-assisted chemical etching, we can achieve the black silicon with a porous pyramid structure. The low depth holes on the surface of the pyramid caused by Cu etching not only help enhance the light capture capability with quite low surface reflectivity (<5%) but also efficiently protect the p-n junction from damage. To improve the charge migration efficiency and mitigate parasitic light absorption from cocatalysts at the same time, we drop casted quantum dots (QDs) MoS2 with the size of nanometer scale as the first layer of catalyst. Hence, we then can safely electrodeposit cocatalyst Co nanoparticles to further enhance interface transfer efficiency. The synergistic effects of cocatalysts and optimized light absorption from the morphology and QDs contributed to the overall enhancement of PEC performance, offering a promising pathway for an efficient, low cost, and stable (over 100 h) hydrogen production photocathode.

In pursuit of sustainability in machining titanium alloys using phosphonium-based halogen-free ionic liquids as potential metalworking fluid additives

In recent years, researchers have investigated ionic liquids (ILs) as suitable metalworking fluids (MWFs) additive. Most commonly used ILs contain halogen anions, which creates issues related to corrosion and toxicity. However, phosphonium-based halogen-free ILs (HF-ILs) provide a safer alternate with enhanced biodegradability and minimal adverse effects on the environment. This research examines the potential of HF-ILs as an additive to canola oil. In this research two halogenated ILs [BMIM][PF6]- and [BMIM][BF4]- and one halogen-free IL ([P6,6,6,14][i(C8)2PO2]-) were added 1 % by volume in canola oil. First, the thermophysical properties of these synthesized MWFs were evaluated. Result concluded that the HF-ILs reduced contact angles on both the workpiece and the cutting tool surfaces by 12– 15 % compared to pure canola oil. Whereas, improved the thermal conductivity by 10.5 %. Furthermore, the machining operation was carried out at two cutting speeds (80 and 100 m/min) and feed (0.1 and 0.2 mm/rev) to analyse the effect of synthesized MWFs under the minimum quantity lubrication method. Findings concluded that phosphonium-based halogen-free IL showed better cutting performance, with reduction in tool wear, cutting temperature by 10–33 %, and surface roughness by 34−46 %. Additionally, this approach supports a "greener" and more sustainable work environment by lowering MWF consumption by using minimal quantity lubrication, reducing tool wear and surface roughness which helps in cost reduction and product rejection for any manufacturing industry.

In vitro evaluation of ruminal digestibility and fermentation characteristics of local feedstuff-based beef cattle ration

Background: Optimum productivity of beef cattle is achieved with adequate feed supply, both in quality and quantity. Consumption of local feedstuff Neptunia plena L. Benth and Leersia hexandra Swartz as a ration by the animal subject is expected to promote cost efficiency and production, as well as provide essential nutrition needs. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), N-NH3 production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) in beef cattle. Methods: Feed and rumen inoculum samples were prepared and analyzed for their proximate contents. There were five treatment groups based on the diet received by beef cattle. In vitro approaches were used to determine the DMD, OMD, N-NH3 production, and VFA in beef cattle. The research was conducted in the Laboratory of Feed Nutrient Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture, Diponegoro University, Semarang. The data were analyzed using ANOVA at a significance level of 95%, and a Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results: The results showed that the highest DMD (P&lt;0.05) was derived from T5 (56.47%), followed by T4 (56.45%) and T3 (55.90%). T5=62.40% significantly (P&lt;0.05) generated the highest OMD followed by T4=61.95% and T3=60.82%. This treatment had the highest N-NH3 value, namely 5.02 mM, compared with T3=4.55 mM, T4=4.50 mM, T2=4.22 mM, and T1=3.99 mM. Furthermore, T5 had the highest VFA (P&lt;0.05) compared with T4, T3, T2, and T1 with the value of 150.5, 133.0, 130.5, 130.0, and 123.5 mM, respectively. Conclusions: The local feedstuff-based ration contributed to beef cattle production.

PERHITUNGAN HARGA POKOK PRODUKSI DENGAN METODE FULL COSTING DAN VARIABLE COSTING PADA UMKM D’CIWIL CIRENG KRIWIL VAVA HOUSE DI PALEMBANG

Production price is all costs related to a product which some of them are elements of production cost such as raw materials, direct labour, and overhead manufactory. This cost production is used by the business owner to determine the selling price which will be sold to consumers. Production price will determine the earned income level, if the price production determination is incorrect, the income determination will also be incorrect. There are some methods used in determining the production price, those are full costing method and variable costing method. The location of this research was at D’Ciwil Cireng Kriwil Vava House, Jalan Sentosa Lorong Sriraya 6 No. 39 Rt. 42 Rw. 15, Kelurahan Plaju Ulu, Kecamatan Plaju Kota Palembang, South Sumatera. This research was carried out by comparing full method costing and varible costing method. Full costing method was the most appropriate method for D’Ciwil Cireng Kriwil Vava House micro, small and medium enterprise, because it included all elements of cost incurred and had been divided, so that the calculation of price production would be more appropriate and accurate and also could increase the profit of D’Ciwil Cireng Kriwil Vava House micro, small and medium enterprise with the determination of the right selling price.

The Effect of Technology Transfers on Productivity Increment in Japanese Overseas Manufacturing

Technological innovation and technology transfer play an important role in enhancing the productivity of MNEs, especially the Japanese overseas manufacturing subsidiaries. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between R&amp;D cost, technology purchase, and total factor productivity change and regression models with the survey data of Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry on Overseas Business Activities conducted over 2021-2023. Basic and Trend Surveys were combined to create a sample of 1,798 affiliates across 38 countries with variables such as R&amp;D spending, Technology Transfer payments, capital stock growth, and employment growth. The evidence presented suggests that both technology and R&amp;D payments enhance productivity improvement for the company, and the estimated returns on R&amp;D investments is 0.54 Yen (JPY) for every JPY spent and technology transfer payments 0.76 JPY. The regression results also show a synergistic relationship between technology and R&amp;D payments indicating that affiliates involved in both processes report higher levels of efficiency. In addition, the study also focuses on geographical specialization of technology transfer and R&amp;D in industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, where major expenditure on R&amp;D is done across the globe and particularly in United States and in Europe.

The reinforcement of reaction-bonded boron carbide via adjusting SiC morphology controlled by carbon sources

Reaction-bonded boron carbide (RBBC) composites have great potential for large-scale industrial production owing to their low cost and flexible product size. In this work, RBBC composites with various carbon additions were fabricated by liquid Si infiltration. The morphology of carbon sources is decisive for the morphology of reaction-formed SiC grains at 1550 °C. The effects of carbon sources on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The as-prepared composites achieve a flexural strength of up to 575 MPa and a fracture toughness of up to 5.1 MPa/m2. The enhancement of the strength and toughness was attributed to the formation of defects-containing nano-SiC grains and continuous ceramic skeletons composed of boron carbide and nano-SiC. In addition, high aspect ratio plate-like SiC grains also allow a considerable improvement in the mechanical properties, even if they are not uniformly distributed.

Combinatorial metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis for menaquinone-7 biosynthesis.

Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a form of vitamin K2, supports bone health and prevents arterial calcification. Microbial fermentation for MK-7 production has attracted widespread attention because of its low cost and short production cycles. However, insufficient substrate supply, unbalanced precursor synthesis, and low catalytic efficiency of key enzymes severely limited the efficiency of MK-7 synthesis. In this study, utilizing Bacillus subtilis BSAT01 (with an initial MK-7 titer of 231.0 mg/L) obtained in our previous study, the glycerol metabolism pathway was first enhanced to increase the 3-deoxy-arabino-heptulonate 7-phosphate (DHAP) supply, which led to an increase in MK-7 titer to 259.7 mg/L. Subsequently, a combination of knockout strategies predicted by the genome-scale metabolic model etiBsu1209 was employed to optimize the central carbon metabolism pathway, and the resulting strain showed an increase in MK-7 production from 259.7 to 318.3 mg/L. Finally, model predictions revealed the methylerythritol phosphate pathway as the major restriction pathway, and the pathway flux was increased by heterologous introduction (Introduction of Dxs derived from Escherichia coli) and fusion expression (End-to-end fusion of two enzymes by a linker peptide), resulting in a strain with a titer of 451.0 mg/L in a shake flask and 474.0 mg/L in a 50-L bioreactor. This study achieved efficient MK-7 synthesis in B. subtilis, laying the foundation for large-scale MK-7 bioproduction.

An Ultralight Composite Current Collector Enabling High-Energy-Density and High-Rate Anode-Free Lithium Metal Battery.

Anode-free lithium (Li) metal batteries are promising alternatives to current Li-ion batteries due to their advantages such as high energy density, low cost, and convenient production. However, the copper (Cu) current collector accounts for more than 25 wt% of the total weight of the anode-free battery without capacity contribution, which severely reduces the energy and power densities. Here, a new family of ultralight composite current collectors with a low areal density of 0.78mg cm-2, representing significant weight reduction of 49%-91% compared with the Cu-based current collectors for high-energy Li batteries, is presented. Rational molecular engineering of the polyacylsemicarbazide substrate enables enhanced interfacial interaction with the sputtered Cu layer, which results in excellent interfacial stability, flexibility, and safety for the obtained anode-free batteries. The battery-level energy density has been significantly improved by 36%-61%, and a maximum rate capability reaches 5 C (10mA cm-2) attributed to the homogeneous Li+ flux and smooth Li deposition on the nanostructured Cu layer. The results not only open a new avenue to improve the energy and power densities of anode-free batteries via composite current collector innovation but, in a broader context, provide a new paradigm to pursue high-performance, high-safety, and flexible batteries.

Mercury removal mechanism of mechanochemical sulfur modified straw coke: Density functional theory calculation and kinetic fitting

Mechanochemical sulfur modified straw coke (S-SC) has broad application prospects for flue gas mercury removal due to its high mercury removal efficiency, low cost, and stable mercury removal products. The density functional theory calculation and kinetic fitting were combined to explore the mercury removal mechanism about the influence of the oxygen-containing functional groups and variable sulfur forms on Hg0 removal by S-SC in the atmosphere with or without SO2 based on the previous experimental study. The results show that oxygen-containing functional groups promote Hg0 adsorption by the naked raw straw coke (NSC), which follows C = O > COOH > C-O. Elemental sulfur (S4) benefits Hg0 adsorption on NSC significantly with Hg0 adsorption energy of −237.5 kJ/mol in the stable form of HgS. C = O will weaken the promoting effect of S4 on Hg0 adsorption but can effectively reduce SO2 and Hg0 adsorption competition. For 21 %-ES-SC, Hg0 adsorption on active sites (mainly chemical adsorption) is the primary control step, and external mass transfer plays an important role. This work deeply elucidates the mercury removal mechanism by S-SC and gives a studying strategy of a combination of micro and macro analysis. It can provide guidance for the development of high-performance flue-gas mercury removal adsorbents.

Therapeutic Applications of Aptamers.

Affinity reagents, or target-binding molecules, are quite versatile and are major workhorses in molecular biology and medicine. Antibodies are the most famous and frequently used type and they have been used for a wide range of applications, including laboratory techniques, diagnostics, and therapeutics. However, antibodies are not the only available affinity reagents and they do have significant drawbacks, including laborious and costly production. Aptamers are one potential alternative that have a variety of unique advantages. They are single stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can be selected for binding to many targets including proteins, carbohydrates, and small molecules-for which antibodies typically have low affinity. There are also a variety of cost-effective methods for producing and modifying nucleic acids in vitro without cells, whereas antibodies typically require cells or even whole animals. While there are also significant drawbacks to using aptamers in therapeutic applications, including low in vivo stability, aptamers have had success in clinical trials for treating a variety of diseases and two aptamer-based drugs have gained FDA approval. Aptamer development is still ongoing, which could lead to additional applications of aptamer therapeutics, including antitoxins, and combinatorial approaches with nanoparticles and other nucleic acid therapeutics that could improve efficacy.

Hydrophobic silicone modified membranes for efficient oil/water separation: Synthesis, fabrication and application

Oil leakage and discharge of organic wastewater have not only threatened the ecosystem, but also greatly aggravated water scarcity. Efficient separation of oil–water mixture has become a global challenge. To solve this issue, various hydrophobic membranes with special wettability have been developed in past decades. Among them, the hydrophobic silicone-modified membranes have attracted much attention due to their low cost, easy processing and large-scale production. Herein, recent progresses of hydrophobic silicone-modified membranes for oil–water separation are reviewed. Basic mechanisms and principles for efficient oil–water separation are presented as a starting point for the discussion. Then, according to the modified silicone polymers or molecules, we give a detail description of their synthesis and briefly introduce the main reactions with the substrate, the typical grafting strategy and fabricating methods. Subsequently, the performance and oil–water application of various hydrophobic membranes modified silicone are introduced. Finally, some problems and challenges faced by silicone modification are summarized and present, and their future development is also prospected.

The Potential Presence of Microplastics in Daily Food and Beverage Consumption May Lead to Alzheimer's disease in The Thai Population

Environmental issues have become a global crisis. The amount of plastic used has relentlessly increased due to its advantages such as low cost production, lightweight, strength and durability. However, high usage of plastic contributes to microplastics, which are small particles that are difficult to detect and may be found in daily food and beverage consumption. Consequently, it is prone to accumulate in our body and affect our organs, including the brain. From recent studies, there are some possibilities that microplastics exposure can promote human brain damage, including Alzheimer’s. Due to microplastic concerns, this study aims to find out the relation between microplastics in daily food and beverage consumption and Alzheimer’s disease in the Thai population by collecting the responses (509 participants) through a questionnaire. The questionnaire uses Likert scales to evaluate the quantities of daily microplastics consumption, packaging, and Alzheimer assessment. As a result, the data revealed that microplastics consumption has a link to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. We show that microplastics consumption and plastic containers are positively correlated for the Thai population. Consequently, in the course of time, it can lead to other causes of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed when microplastics are accumulated in the human body. Moreover, it can raise social awareness through campaigns or policies on plastics used which have to be immediately reduced.