Efficient Option Research Articles

Total Temporomandibular Joint Replacement by Samsid Customized Joint Prosthesis: A Case Report with 16 Years of Follow-Up

AbstractTotal temporomandibular joint replacement (TMJR) is a surgical intervention employed for the management of advanced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, particularly when autogenous grafts are not recommended. With stainless steel implant of glenoid fossa attempted for the correction of ankylosis in the 1960s, total TMJR—which minimizes foreign body reaction and consists of highly biocompatible materials such as Cr-Co-Mo alloy, titanium, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene—began to be applied. These alloplastic prostheses are available in both standardized and customized forms, comprising components for the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa. The present case report presents India's first TMJR in a 12-year-old female patient with TMJ ankylosis. Total TMJR was done in her with India's first customized TMJ prosthesis (Samsid TMJ prosthesis), which was designed and manufactured by the author for the first time in India. This study presents a 16-year follow-up of customized TMJR, addressing TMJ ankylosis. Our research showcases the long-term success of Samsid TMJ prostheses in improving pain, oral function, diet, and overall quality of life. The case report also highlights the potential of Samsid TMJ prostheses as a valuable solution for TMJ patients, emphasizing the importance of tailored solutions for lasting joint function restoration. The results presented indicate that the Samsid patient-fitted total TMJR system remains a secure, efficient, and dependable long-term treatment option for the particular patient demographic examined in this research.

A Novel Approach for Solving the N-Queen Problem Using a Non-Sequential Conflict Resolution Algorithm

The N-Queens problem is a fundamental challenge in combinatorial optimization, commonly used as a benchmark for assessing the efficiency of algorithms. Traditional algorithms, such as Backtracking with Forward Checking (BFC), constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) techniques, Lookahead algorithms, and heuristic-based methods, often face challenges with exponential time complexity, making them less practical for large-scale instances. This paper introduces a novel algorithm, non-sequential conflict resolution (NSCR), which improves performance over traditional algorithms through dynamic conflict resolution. The NSCR algorithm iteratively resolves conflicts among queens by adjusting their positions, aiming to optimize both time complexity and memory usage. While NSCR also operates within exponential time bounds, it demonstrates improved scalability and efficiency compared to traditional methods. A significant strength of the NSCR algorithm lies in its space complexity, which is O(n), and a time complexity that, while typically lower than traditional methods, can reach O(n3) in the worst-case scenario. This linear space complexity is highly advantageous, particularly when dealing with large problem sizes, as it ensures efficient use of memory resources. Comparative analysis with the aforementioned algorithms shows that NSCR offers superior resource management, using up to 60% less memory and reducing runtime by approximately 50%, making it an efficient option for large-scale instances of the N-Queens problem. The algorithm’s performance, evaluated on problem sizes ranging from 8 to 1000 queens, highlights its ability to manage computational resources effectively, despite the inherent challenges of exponential time complexity.

A Comprehensive Review and Recent Trends in Thermal Insulation Materials for Energy Conservation in Buildings

In recent years, energy conservation became a strategic goal to preserve the environment, foster sustainability, and preserve valuable natural resources. The building sector is considered one of the largest energy consumers globally. Therefore, insulation plays a vital role in mitigating the energy consumption of the building sector. This study provides an overview of various organic and inorganic insulation materials, recent trends in insulation systems, and their applications, advantages, and disadvantages, particularly those suitable for extreme climates. Moreover, natural and composite materials that can be used as a low-cost, thermally efficient, and sustainable option for thermal insulation are discussed along with their thermal properties-associated problems, and potential solutions that could be adopted to utilize natural and sustainable options. Finally, the paper highlights factors affecting thermal performance and essential considerations for choosing a particular insulation system for a particular region. It is concluded that the most commonly used insulation materials are found to have several associated problems and there is a strong need to utilize sustainable materials along with advanced materials such as aerogels to develop novel composite insulation materials to overcome these deficiencies.

Impact and critical factors in Heijunka implementation an action research study

Purpose: Although Heijunka (production levelling or smoothing) is a lean tool designed to balance changing customer needs and production efficiency, this study aims to analyze the impact of Heijunka and identify various factors which can generally affect its successful implementation.Design/methodology/approach: We adopted an action research (AR) approach to analyze the consequences of implementing Heijunka in a factory that successfully operates in a lean environment but faces demand that is increasingly less predictable, and customers who require ever more individualized products at low prices with extremely demanding delivery timescales. An estimation of costs was carried out to compare three alternative production planning scenarios: (1) make to order (MTO) production, (2) weekly levelled production and (3) production with minimal changeovers.Findings: The analysis of the impact of implementing Heijunka in this factory demonstrated that MTO production planning without Heijunka is the most efficient option for the factory. We explore the reasons why Heijunka is not suitable for this factory even though other lean principles and tools have been successfully implemented. In this way we identify the main factors which might influence the successful implementation of Heijunka, such as changeover time, the number of different product types (and lot sizes) and the capacity that the production lines are running at.Originality/value: Based on close collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the field of Operations Management, this AR study provides important information for decision making in lean environments (applying Heijunka or not), as well for the advancement of the academic debate about successful lean implementation nowadays.

Adsorption behavior of cationic dyes on starch nanocrystals: Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic insights from single to multi-component systems

The adsorptive potential of starch nanocrystals (SNCs) was evaluated for the elimination of methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV), and malachite green (MG) from aqueous media in single, binary, and ternary dye systems using batch mode experiments. SNCs were extracted using mild acid hydrolysis to remove the amorphous parts of native granular starch, and they were characterized using different physicochemical methods, such as FESEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, TGA, and pHZPC. The results revealed that the optimal pH for dye removal in both single and mixed dye systems was found to be 9.0. The equilibrium time increased from 5 to 20 min when the system was changed from single to binary, and then further increased to 30 min when the system was changed to ternary. The equilibrium data for single-dye systems exhibited a good fit with the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.98, SEE <3.52 mg g−1), whereas for binary and ternary dye mixtures, the extended Langmuir model provided an accurate representation of the experimental data (R2 > 0.99, SEE <1.33 mg g−1). Among the single, binary, and ternary systems, the highest adsorption capacities were observed for MB, MB in the (MB + MG) binary system, and MB in the (MB + CV + MG) ternary system. The respective adsorption capacities were recorded as 79.55 mg g−1, 61.91 mg g−1, and 43.59 mg g−1. The adsorption of dyes onto the SNCs was inherently spontaneous and endothermic, and adhered to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model in single dye systems as well as mixed dye systems. It can be concluded that the SNCs are capable of being utilized for five consecutive cycles in the adsorption-desorption process for single dye systems and three consecutive cycles for mixed dye systems. This suggests that the SNCs have potential as a sustainable and efficient option for dye removal in mixture systems.

Single-Atom Catalysts with Isolated Cu1-N4 Sites for Atopic Dermatitis Cascade Catalytic Therapy via Activating PPAR Signaling.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common allergic skin disorders affecting over 230 million people worldwide, while safe and efficient therapeutic options for AD are currently rarely available. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation plays a key role in AD's disease progression. Therefore, a novel single-atom catalyst is designed with isolated Cu1-N4 sites anchored on carbon support (Cu1-N4 ISAC), featuring triple antioxidant enzyme-mimicking activities, for efficient AD cascade catalytic therapy (CCT). The excellent superoxide dismutase (SOD)-, glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-, and ascorbate peroxidase (APx)-like activities of Cu1-N4 ISACs enable the sequential conversion of O2•- to H2O2 and then to harmless H2O, thereby protecting keratinocytes from oxidative stress damage. Notably, two novel experimental methods are developed to directly prove the SOD-GPx and SOD-APx cascade catalytic activities for the first time. In vivo experiments show that Cu1-N4 ISACs are more potent than a recommended typical medicine (halcinonide solution). Additionally, RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis reveal that Cu1-N4 ISACs reduce inflammation and inhibit ROS production by activating PPAR signaling, which is aberrantly reduced in AD. Therefore, the synthesized catalytic medicine offers an alternative to alleviate AD and has the potential to serve as PPAR agonists for treating similar diseases.

Development of an experimental technique for measuring polar diagrams of adaptive directivity implemented in hearing aids

Nowadays, hearing aids have efficient signal processing options to improve speech intelligibility in noise. This work concerns the characterization of the microphone systems directivity available in hearing aids. In recent decades, "adaptive" directivities have been implemented in hearing aids, thus making it possible to focus on useful sound sources in the hearing aid patient environment. These options use the principles of sound environments detection, acoustic beamforming and noise reduction. Performances of these options can be estimated with subjective methods (as speech audiometry in noise), and objective methods (listening effort, intelligibility indicators as HASPI, SII, STI, etc.). But these methods provide an overall assessment of all the processing involved in speech enhancement and are not designed to characterize the effects of adaptive directivity. We developed an experimental technique based on sound sources separation with phase opposition diffusion (known as "Hagerman" method) to draw polar diagrams of adaptive directivity, for realistic sound environments. We used a sound multi-diffusion system to generate various sound environments with noise and speech sources around an artificial head equipped with hearing aids. The first results show the adaptive directivity effects associated with noise reduction provided by the latest hearing aids generation on everyday hearing scenes.

Evaluation of a Sustainable Production of Encapsulated Chili Pepper Powder (Capsicum pubescens) through Convective and Vacuum Drying

Throughout the world, chili and chili powders are spices of considerable economic importance. Rocoto (Capsicum pubescens R. &amp; P.) is a chili pepper used in Andean cuisine. Fresh chili is perishable and therefore it is convenient to protect the capsaicin, color and other bioactive compounds through preservation methods such as encapsulation. The present study systematically evaluates the technical and environmental aspects of producing encapsulated Rocoto red chili powder using three different wall materials—maltodextrin, rice protein and rice flour—in conjunction with two drying methods, namely convection drying and vacuum drying. Our technical objectives focused on developing an encapsulated product with high heat and vibrant red color, key attributes that significantly influence consumer purchasing behavior. In addition, the study aimed to mitigate the loss of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. After identifying the optimal conditions for each wall material and drying process, a comprehensive environmental assessment was conducted to identify the most efficient and sustainable production methods. The results demonstrate that rice flour encapsulation (20%) in conjunction with hot air drying (40 °C) represents the most efficacious method for the preservation of chili powder’s pungency. This approach resulted in a mere 24% reduction in Scoville units while maintaining the powder’s vibrant red coloration. This method not only preserved key bioactive compounds, including capsaicin, polyphenols and flavonoids, but also significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the product. From an environmental perspective, this approach offers significant sustainability benefits, reducing the overall environmental impact by approximately 72% compared to vacuum drying of unencapsulated chili. The use of rice flour as an encapsulant aligns with sustainability goals, making it the most efficient option for balancing product quality and environmental performance.

Lead (Pb) removal from gold mining-impacted water utilizing palm oil fuel ash (POFA)

Mining, particularly gold mining, is a lucrative industry. However, it poses significant environmental risks, such as releasing heavy metal elements into the soil and water. After gold mines are exhausted, whether they are small or large scale, the excavated sites often need to be repaired. This situation has led to a global concern regarding the presence of heavy metals from mining activities, which are known to be carcinogenic and harmful to living organisms. The concentration of heavy metals in these areas often surpasses safety limits, necessitating advanced treatment methods for their removal, especially lead (Pb) compounds from gold mining waste. One effective treatment method is the adsorption process. This study examined POFA's inherent capacity to remove lead from water contaminated by gold mining without modification. This method was preferred due to its high efficiency and cost-effective option for removing heavy metal compounds. According to the experiment's results, the largest adsorption capacity of 0.816 mg/g was followed by the greatest removal efficiency of 91.837%. The isotherm analysis found that the Langmuir model provided an outstanding fit for the experimental data. Thus, this relationship suggested that on the surface of the POFA, a monolayer and an adsorption process suitable for physical adsorption took place.

Fabrication of mango-leaf biowaste mediated green magnetite (Fe3O4@MBE NPs) and modified EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE NCs for enhanced heavy metals sequestration: Characterisation, simulation modelling, mechanism, cost-effectiveness and electroplating wastewater performance

This work reports biogenic green fabricated novel magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4@MBE NPs) coated with mango-leaf biowaste extract and modified disodium ethylenediamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) functionalised nanocomposite (EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE NCs). Several approaches were used to characterise them, and their applicability as nanoadsorbents was exhaustively investigated in batch mode sequestration of Cd(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) from synthetic solutions. The Brunauer Emmett and Teller’s surface areas of Fe3O4@MBE and EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE was determined to be 47.73 and 43.95 m2/g, respectively, with average porous diameters of 10.36 and 7.44 nm, revealing mesoporosity. EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE NCs exhibit soft ferromagnetism with a saturation magnetisation of 40.67 emu/g. Further, EDTA modification creates carboxyl and amino sites, improving adsorption performance. Adsorption was pH dependent, with optimal sequestration at 40 mg/L divalent metal ions, 0.5 g/L nanoadsorbent dosage, and 75 min of reaction duration at 27 °C. Among the simulation models employed, the Langmuir isotherm, pseudo second order kinetic, and Elovich kinetic were the best fitted and offered the highest capability to explain the adsorption process. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity (qmax) of 147.06, 129.87, and 117.65 mg/g for Cd(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) by EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE, respectively, were significantly higher than Fe3O4@MBE (120.48, 102.04, and 95.24 mg/g). The best-suited kinetics precisely describe chemisorption as the primary rate-limiting phase in divalent metal ions adsorption. Thermodynamics approved the endothermic nature and feasibility of divalent metals adsorption, with modest improvement in efficacy at higher temperatures. The ability of EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE to form stable surface complexes with divalent metals enhances adsorption even in the presence of other co-existing ionic species. EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE NCs magnetic separability, improved sequestration upto five recycles, and regenerability of ≥89.07 % demonstrate its cost-effectiveness in heavy metals sequestration. Finally, practicality study confirmed that EDTA/Fe3O4@MBE nanoadsorbent provides a practical and economically efficient option for heavy metals sequestration from electroplating wastewater; thus, it contributed towards UN-2030, SDG No-6.

A qualitative study of the experience of head nurses in supervising nursing staff in the outpatient department

Background Outpatient services were a major aspect of hospital healthcare, primarily due to the prevalent inclination of individuals to seek efficient and expedient treatment options that could be provided within a single day. In this context, the experience of head nurses played a crucial role in providing optimum nursing care under supervision. This study aimed to explore the experience of head nurses in supervising nursing staff in the outpatient department. Method this study used a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology design, and the participants were selected using the purposive sampling method. Result This study recruited a total of 20 head nurses in public and private hospitals in West Sumatra province. The FGD data were analyzed and coded using a total of 102 nodes, which were then used to generate 5 themes and 16 subthemes. The five major themes included the knowledge of head nurses about supervision, the performance appraisal method, the feeling of head nurses when supervising, the supervisor support for supervision, and the expectations of head nurses. Conclusion Clinical supervision in the outpatient department was crucial for the success of nurses in delivering healthcare services. The study revealed that while supervision was essential, head nurses observed that it was often perceived as fault-finding by nursing staff, which could affect individual assessment scores and sometimes led to indifference towards the process.

Graphene Quantum Dots from Natural Carbon Sources for Drug and Gene Delivery in Cancer Treatment

Cancer therapy is constantly evolving, with a growing emphasis on targeted and efficient treatment options. In this context, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have emerged as promising agents for precise drug and gene delivery due to their unique attributes, such as high surface area, photoluminescence, up-conversion photoluminescence, and biocompatibility. GQDs can damage cancer cells and exhibit intrinsic photothermal conversion and singlet oxygen generation efficiency under specific light irradiation, enhancing their effectiveness. They serve as direct therapeutic agents and versatile drug delivery platforms capable of being easily functionalized with various targeting molecules and therapeutic agents. However, challenges such as achieving uniform size and morphology, precise bandgap engineering, and scalability, along with minimizing cytotoxicity and the environmental impact of their production, must be addressed. Additionally, there is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of cellular mechanisms and drug release processes, as well as improved purification methods. Integrating GQDs into existing drug delivery systems enhances the efficacy of traditional treatments, offering more efficient and less invasive options for cancer patients. This review highlights the transformative potential of GQDs in cancer therapy while acknowledging the challenges that researchers must overcome for broader application.

Formulation and Characterization of Deep Eutectic Solvents and Potential Application in Recycling Packaging Laminates.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) show promising abilities for the delamination of multilayer packaging films that are used in food packaging and in pharmaceutical blister packs. Due to the complexity of their structure, the recycling of such materials is a challenging task, leading to the easiest or cheapest disposal option of either landfill or incineration. Towards the development of 'green' solvents for efficient waste management and recycling, this research focuses on the preparation of a range of hydrophobic and hydrophilic DESs based on carboxylic acids in combination with various naturally derived aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds as well as amino acids. Chemical and physical characterization of the solvents was undertaken using differential scanning calorimetry, rheometry, and density measurements for the determination of their properties. Subsequently, batches of solvent were tested against different types of consumer packaging to evaluate the ability of the DES to delaminate these structures into their component materials. The laminate packaging waste products tested were Al/PE, PE/Al/PET, Al/PE/paper, and PVC/PE/Al. Separated films were collected and studied to further examine the effect of solvent delamination on the materials. Depending on the DES formulation, the results showed either partial or full delamination of one or more of the packaging materials, albeit there were challenges for certain solvent systems in the context of delivering a broad delamination efficiency. Variables including temperature, agitation rate, mixing time, and solvent ratios were investigated via a Design of Experiments process to assess the effects of these parameters on the delamination outcome. The results showed that the DESs presented in this research can offer an efficient, low-energy, affordable, and green option for the delamination of laminate packaging materials.

Research Advances in Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes for Non-Invasive Medical Applications

Non-invasive medical nanofiber technology, characterized by its high specific surface area, biocompatibility, and porosity, holds significant potential in various medical domains, including tissue repair and biosensing. It is increasingly becoming central to healthcare by offering safer and more efficient treatment options for contemporary medicine. Numerous studies have explored non-invasive medical nanofibers in recent years, yet a comprehensive overview of the field remains lacking. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary of the applications of electrospun nanofibers in non-invasive medical fields, considering multiple aspects and perspectives. Initially, we introduce electrospinning nanofibers. Subsequently, we detail their applications in non-invasive health, including health monitoring, personal protection, thermal regulation, and wound care, highlighting their critical role in improving human health. Lastly, this paper discusses the current challenges associated with electrospun nanofibers and offers insights into potential future development trajectories.

Characterization and Optimization of Crustacean Shell-derived Activated Carbon for Wastewater Treatment Applications

Comparative studies of the Surface Chemistry, morphology, and physicochemical properties of crustacean shells activated chemically using acid (H2SO4) and base (KOH) were investigated. Following the activation, samples of acid and base activated Periwinkle shells (PSAAC and PSBAC), Clam shells (CSAAC and CSBAC), whelk shells (WSAAC and WSBAC), and a 1:1 Clam/Whelk composite Shells (CWSAAC and CWSBAC) were obtained. The properties investigated were moisture content, specific gravity, surface area, porosity, ash content, carbon yield, fixed carbon, FTIR, and SEM-EDX. The findings demonstrate the good physicochemical qualities of activated carbons made from Periwinkle, Clams, Whelks, and a Clam/Whelk composite by acid and base activation for the treatment of wastewater. Among them, the Clam acid-activated carbon (CSAAC) demonstrated exceptional physicochemical qualities with a surface area of 1277 m2/g, moisture content of 1.4%, ash content of 8.3%, carbon yield of 87%, and fixed carbon of 63.7%. On the other hand, the Clam Shell Base-Activated Carbon (CSBAC) exhibited a greater porosity of 0.88, indicating that it could be a more efficient option for adsorption in wastewater treatment. Both base- and acid-activated carbons generally showed modest ash contents; however, at 12.3%, Whelk Shell Base-Activated Carbon (WSBAC) had the highest ash concentration. The bulk densities of acid- and base-activated carbons were almost identical. The bulk densities, from highest to lowest, were CSBAC &gt; CSAAC &gt; CWSBAC &gt; CWSAAC &gt; PSBAC &gt; PSAAC &gt; WSBAC &gt; WSAAC, with values ranging from 0.687 g/cm³ to 0.454 g/cm³. The porosity of the samples, ranked in descending order, was CSBAC &gt; PSBAC &gt; CSAAC &gt; CWSAAC &gt; PSAAC = CWSBAC &gt; WSAAC &gt; WSBAC, with values from 0.88 to 0.59. FTIR and SEM-EDX indicated that all samples were successfully converted to activated carbon. The results of this study demonstrate that it is possible to chemically activate crustacean shells using either an acid or a base without sacrificing the effectiveness of the activated sample that is produced, which can be used to remove adsorbates from wastewater samples. As a result, the selection of activation is widened since the natural abundance of precursors exists.

Patient Profile-Based Management with Nintedanib in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

A severe and progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unknown etiology with poorly defined mechanisms of development. Among the currently prescribed pharmacological interventions for IPF, nintedanib demonstrates the ability to decelerate the deterioration of lung function and yield positive clinical outcomes. Multiple randomized placebo-controlled trials have confirmed the efficacy and acceptable safety profile of nintedanib. Real-world evidence studies also support the use of nintedanib in IPF, being an efficient and well-tolerated treatment option. It has the potential to stabilize the disease progression in patients with ILD. Patients with IPF frequently have comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, which can exacerbate the course of disease, reduce quality of life, and decrease treatment adherence. For well-informed decision-making, it is important for healthcare professionals to recognize the position of nintedanib therapy in IPF with comorbidities. The gastrointestinal adverse effects, notably diarrhea, dominate the nintedanib safety profile. These can be effectively controlled by closely monitoring side effects, administering anti-diarrheal and anti-emetic drugs, reducing the nintedanib dose, and discontinuing it in case of severe symptoms with an option to reintroduce the treatment after side effects subside. Symptomatic interventions and monitoring of liver enzymes may reduce the occurrence of permanent treatment discontinuations.

The impact of pressure rate on the physical, structural and gamma-ray shielding capabilities of novel light-weight clay bricks

The present study focuses on investigating the gamma-ray protection features of clay bricks for potential use in radiation shielding fields. The study examined the physical and structural features that affect the performance of these stones in shielding γ-rays. The density (ρ, g/cm3) of the clay bricks samples was measured utilizing the MH-300A density meter. Additionally, the mineral structure within the annealed pressed clay samples was identification the XRD spectrometry. Moreover, the morphology and elemental chemical composition for the annealed bricks were examined using a Thermo Scientific Prisma E, USA field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in conjunction with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. Besides, the shielding features of the clay bricks were analyzed using the experimentally measurements (by NaI (Tl) scintillation detector), XCOM software, and Monte Carlo Simulation over the γ-ray energy interval of 0.033–1.332 MeV. The findings of the study indicate that an increase in the pressure rate within the clay bricks samples leads to the rise in their density (from 1.62 to 1.87 g/cm3). This increase in density is accompanied by a decline in both porosity (Φ, %) (from 34.75 to 26.21 %) and water absorption (K, %) (from 26.21 to 14.74 %) factors. Furthermore, the increase in pressure rate from 7.61 to 114.22 MPa also results in an increase in the linear attenuation coefficient (μ, cm−1) of the clay bricks under study. This is achieved by increasing the μ values from 0.39 to 0.43 cm−1, from 0.13 to 0.15 cm−1, and from 0.09 to 0.10 cm−1, at 0.081, 0.511 and 1.173 MeV, respectively. The synthetic bricks offer a lead-free and efficient option for protection, making them ideal for use in nuclear facility start-ups or in areas with radiation exposure.

Status and prospects of energy efficiency in the glass industry: Measuring, assessing and improving energy performance

The significant share of energy-related emissions in the glass industry necessitates robust energy efficiency strategies. This paper evaluates the status and prospects of energy efficiency by integrating the measurement, assessment, and improvement of energy performance through energy data and modelling. Measurement and assessment are crucial for effective energy management in hard-to-abate industrial sectors, providing insight into the existence and extent of potential energy efficiency gains. The use of appropriate performance indicators allows for comparison across production contexts and the monitoring of improvements achieved through interventions. The benchmarking of a representative sample of container glass furnaces reveals a current potential for improvement of around 10% based on alignment with best practices. Energy modelling is used to map energy flows along the various systems involved in production, thereby identifying major energy losses. Energy efficiency options can then be categorised based on their contribution to improving energy performance, facilitating the identification of solutions that address current bottlenecks. The study discusses promising opportunities arising from improved batch compositions and outlines the role of renewable penetration on the viability of hydrogen use and furnace electrification. The proposed approach can be transferred to other hard-to-abate industrial sectors to drive progress in decarbonisation.

Fed-batch strategies for intensified rVSV vector production in high cell density cultures of suspension HEK293 cells.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) has been increasingly demonstrated as a promising viral vector platform. As the interest over this modality for vaccine and gene therapy applications increases, the need for intensified processes to produce these vectors emerge. In this study, we develop fed-batch-based operations to intensify the production of a recombinant VSV-based vaccine candidate (rVSV-SARS-CoV-2) in suspension cultures of HEK293 cells. A feeding strategy, in which a commercial concentrated medium was added to cultures based on cell growth through a fixed cell specific feeding rate (CSFR), was applied for the development of two different processes using Ambr250 modular bioreactors. Cultures operated in hybrid fed-batch/perfusion (FB/P) or fed-batch (FB) were able to sustain infections performed at 8.0 × 106 cells/mL, respectively resulting in 3.9 and 5.0-fold increase in total yield (YT) and 1.7 and 5.6-fold increase in volumetric productivity (VP) when compared with a batch reference. A maximum viral titer of 4.5 × 1010 TCID50/mL was reached, which is comparable or higher than other processes for VSV production in different cell lines. Overall, our study reports efficient fed-batch options to intensify the production of a rVSV-based vaccine candidate in suspension HEK293 cells.

An intelligent parking allocation framework for digital society 5.0

In recent smart city innovations, parking lot location has garnered a lot of focus. The issue of where to put cars has been the subject of a lot of literature. However, these efforts rely heavily on algorithms built on centralized servers using historical data as their basis. In this study, we propose a smart parking allocation system by fusing k-NN, decision trees, and random forests with the boosting techniques Adaboost and Catboost. Implementing the recommended intelligent parking distribution technique in Smart Society 5.0 offers promise as a practical means of handling parking in contemporary urban settings. Users will be given parking spots in accordance with their preferences and present locations as recorded in a centralized database using the proposed system’s hybrid algorithms. The evaluation of performance considers the effectiveness of both the ML classifier and the boosting technique, and it finds that the combination of Random Forest and Adaboost achieves 98% accuracy. Users and operators alike can benefit from the suggested method’s optimised parking allocation and pricing structure, which in turn provides more convenient and efficient parking options.