Entire Production Research Articles

Cooperation agreements in the food chain: win-win relationships for a more sustainable chain. The case of Mercadona

The aim of this paper is to study the impact of cooperation between operators in the food supply chain. And particularly between two of the operators (retailers and suppliers) whose relationship, given the asymmetry between them, has often been questioned and la­belled as unequal, favouring the stronger party. Specifically, we will analyze the most demand­ing type of agreement for suppliers, as it involves exclusive supply. This paper aims to study whether the collaborative relationships between these two food chain operators benefit both parties equally and, therefore, contribute to the economic sustainability of the chain. To this end, we analyze whether it is worthwhile for a supplier in the retail grocery sector to develop a long-term exclusivity collaboration agreement with a retailer to whom they sell their entire production or most of it (exclusive key retailer account). For this purpose, we have analyzed Mercadona’s suppliers, the largest food distribution company in Spain, at a time when their relationship was based on exclusivity. Through inferential statistics and a logistic panel regres­sion, a comparison of Mercadona’s exclusive suppliers with two control groups (subsector and non-Mercadona intersuppliers obtained by matching) has been carried out. The results suggest that this type of exclusive collaboration agreement, in the case of Mercadona with its exclusive suppliers, is beneficial and profitable for the weaker party, the supplier. Our findings provide evidence that collaboration and cooperation between suppliers and re­tailers can provide a win-win relationship, the key to which is maintaining effective coopera­tion between both parties in order to accomplish common goals.

Antecedents of generative thinking in analytical sociology: the contribution of Tom Fararo 1

ABSTRACT The paper excavates Thomas Fararo’s works and argues that Fararo should be considered among the fathers of contemporary analytical sociology. He is a major thinker of “generativity,” a notion that he contributed to elaborate and that represents a landmark and unifying principle of his entire scientific production. Thus, the paper first documents that Fararo actually forged the idea of “generativity” in the early sixties by proposing, and explicitly defining, the concepts of “generating process” and “generating models”; It then shows the channel through which these notions traveled to contemporary analytical sociology; finally, the paper demonstrates that Fararo saw, earlier than others, the importance of discrete object-oriented simulations for the theoretical study of “generating models”.

ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ БІЗНЕС-ПРОЦЕСІВ НА ОСНОВІ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ ОЩАДЛИВОГО ВИРОБНИЦТВА

The article examines the issue of increasing the efficiency of business processes based on Lean Production technologies. Lean production is a modern management concept aimed at minimizing losses and optimizing enterprise resources. The article compares the efficiency of implementing lean production technologies to optimize business processes at enterprises and the impact of Lean technologies on cost reduction, improvement of the quality of goods and services, and productivity improvement. In particular, the main tools of lean production, such as 5S, kanban, kaizen, standardization of work processes, and their impact on reducing costs, improving product quality, and shortening production cycles are considered. It has been established that the application of Lean technologies helps to identify and eliminate actions that do not add value to the end user, thereby improving the performance of the entire technological production system. The importance of involving personnel in the process of implementing changes and forming a corporate culture focused on continuous improvement are emphasized separately. It has been established that the introduction of Lean Production tools improves the links of the technological cycle and ensures an increase in the efficiency of business processes at the enterprise. The choice of a specific tool depends on the strategic goals of the enterprise, the industry and the level of personnel training. It has been proven that in the national business environment there is a number of barriers that prevent the introduction of lean production technologies, such as: resistance to changes in personnel and management, personnel training, limitations in financial resources, insufficient flexibility of suppliers and untimely provision of resources, as well as instability of the national economy. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of Lean Production allows to significantly increase the efficiency of business processes, reduce costs, improve product quality and increase the flexibility of the enterprise in conditions of instability of the market environment. Key words: lean production, Lean Production, business process efficiency, cost optimization, product quality, production cycles, corporate culture.

Agricultural Innovations and Adaptations to Climate Change in the Northern Cameroon Region

Adaptation to climate change has remained a major socio-ecological issue in the Northern Region of Cameroon since 1973. Presently, this region is subject to the severe chaos of drought, floods, and ecosystem degradation, causing harm and disrupting climatic patterns. Climate change results in the drying of surface water and crops, threatening food security and the well-being of households. It has a serious impact on the entire agricultural production system at global scale. Here, it is suggested that successive adjustments to deeper systemic and transformational adaptations through efforts from NGOs, the Government, and donors, as well as innovations, are necessary to offset the negative impact of climate change on the agricultural value chain. Therefore, this research aimed to identify adaptation strategies and practices for rural communities and households, who suffer from limited access to these agricultural innovations, for a transformative adaptation. Through surveys and focus group discussions carried out in several villages in the Northern Cameroon Region, this study provides empirical data on emerging agricultural innovations in contrasting socio-economic, agricultural, and ecological contexts. Our findings demonstrate that agricultural innovations fostered at the village level have several characteristics that contribute to adaptation and mitigation of the impact of climate change. To begin with, conservation agriculture is very interesting, because crop residues left on the soil protect it from rainfall and dry winds, and gradually add humus to the top soil. In addition, agroforestry plays an important role for the household regarding ecosystem services, including food supply, soil fertility, protection from erosion, regulation of water regime, and sociocultural value. Generally, heads of households (83%) were more involved in innovative initiatives than other social strata, resulting in unequal access and proximity to agricultural innovations. Furthermore, the results highlight a significant lack of coordination and poor visibility of permanent structures supporting agricultural innovations at local level, weakening the sustainable transformation of adaptation. From a scientific perspective, this study could help build a conceptual relationship between agricultural innovation and sustainability transformation, i.e., a climate-smart agriculture. In practice, it provides levers that can be used to multiply and expedite agricultural innovation processes, water conservation, and livestock sustainability, thus contributing to the sustainability of the whole agricultural system in Cameroon and within the Sahel region of Africa.

Optimization of Wiring Harness Logistics Flow in the Automotive Industry

This paper presents a compelling argument for optimizing the logistics flow of wiring harnesses within the automotive industry to address the rising production demands of vehicle manufacturers. It introduces an innovative assembly line structure specifically designed to boost efficiency and enhance responsiveness to client needs. Drawing from data gathered from an actual assembly line dedicated to producing engine harnesses for K9K engines, this study offers a practical and impactful foundation for its proposed optimization strategies. The new assembly structure effectively merges the benefits of a dynamic line—which emphasizes efficient space utilization and flexibility—with the strengths of a rotary line, particularly in light of the increasing complexity associated with harness production. The paper features a mathematical model that calculates cycle times for workstations within this new system architecture, optimizing the entire production process. Moreover, it illustrates how advanced modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques using WITNESS Horizon Version Release 25.0 can identify necessary adjustments for achieving optimal assembly line balance. Additionally, this research addresses pressing environmental concerns by proposing a robust recycling strategy for the scrap produced during wiring harness manufacturing. By advocating for sustainable practices and responsible waste management, the study highlights the importance of minimizing the ecological footprint of the automotive manufacturing process. In summary, this research provides essential insights and practical solutions for optimizing wiring harness logistics flow in the automotive industry. By implementing these strategies, manufacturers can significantly enhance their production capacity, improve operational efficiency, and maintain competitiveness in an ever-evolving market landscape.

Abstract IA005: Tumor cell-based liquid biopsy to characterize prostate cancer

Abstract Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) hold the promise of comprehensive yet noninvasive molecular characterization of cancer cells during the course of tumor evolution and progression. To dissect the epigenetic profile of prostate CTCs, we undertook paired DNA methylation and RNA sequencing of single CTCs isolated from blood specimens of patients with prostate cancer. Across the genome, our study identified 40 core Partial Methylation Domains (PMDs) that arise early in tumorigenesis and are shared by all individual CTCs across multiple patients. Key among these is a single genomic locus harboring multiple interferon-inducible genes along with all the CD1 gene family members, implicated in innate immunity. Based on mouse models, we propose that early biallelic silencing of multiple genes residing within a single PMD may contribute to the escape from immune surveillance in prostate and potentially other cancers. Studies of CTC heterogeneity within individual patients are limited by the very small number of cells that can be isolated from standard 10ml blood volumes. To enable such analyses, we applied a new high throughput microfluidic platform, capable of processing an entire leukapheresis product, interrogating 2-3 L of blood volume equivalent. Applying this technology to patients with metastatic prostate cancer, we successfully enriched thousands of CTCs from individual cases, enabling the characterization of intra-patient heterogeneity at the level of cell morphology and marker expression, chromosome copy number variation and exome-wide genotyping, and transcriptionally-defined tumor cell subpopulations. Such high-volume microfluidic enrichment of CTCs constitutes a new dimension in liquid biopsies. Citation Format: Daniel A Haber, Shyamala Maheswaran, Hongshan Guo, Joanna Vuille, Shih-Bo Huang, Ben S Wittner, Lecia V Sequist, Richard J Lee, Patricia AR Brunker, David T Miyamoto, Avanish Mishra, Mehmet Toner. Tumor cell-based liquid biopsy to characterize prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Implementation; 2024 Nov 13-16; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(21_Suppl):Abstract nr IA005.

Abstract A017: High-throughput microfluidic enrichment of circulating tumor cells from entire diagnostic leukapheresis for comprehensive liquid biopsy

Abstract Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in blood containing a complete set of single-cell analytes, including high-molecular-weight DNA, intact RNA, and both intracellular and cell-surface proteins serve as a promising tool in cancer diagnosis and prognosis through liquid biopsy. However, their clinical utility has been limited by their low blood concentration and inadequate enrichment technology. Diagnostic leukapheresis holds promise for isolating sufficient CTCs, but enriching ultra-rare cells from large, complex fluid volumes remains challenging. To address this, we developed the LPCTC-iChip, a high-throughput microfluidic device that uses high-flow channels and force-amplifying magnetic lenses to deplete hematopoietic cells, allowing tumor epitope-agnostic screening of massive blood volumes. Here, we present the first application of LPCTC-iChip to entire diagnostic leukapheresis products (leukopak) from seven patients with metastatic cancer, processing an average of 5.83 liters of blood per patient. Enumeration and morphology characterization of CTCs using multispectral immunofluorescence imaging identified high CTC yields - a mean of 10,057 CTCs per leukopak and showed notable intra- patient heterogeneity. Nuclear and cell diameter of CTC varies within individual patients, with 67% overlapping in size with patient-matched white blood cells. Paired single-cell DNA and RNA sequencing uncovered subclonal aneuploidy and distinct signaling pathways within CTCs with shared, clonal copy number variation (CNV) patterns. A subset of small aneuploid cells lacking epithelial markers was enriched for neuroendocrine characteristics in prostate cancer samples. The mutations found by FDA-approved genetic tests in either biopsied metastatic lesions or blood-based ctDNA sampling were reproduced by whole exome sequencing of a pool of CNV-confirmed CTCs. In addition, the sequencing revealed additional cancer-related high allele frequency variants that are not detectable with ctDNA or tissue needle biopsies. Overall, this high-throughput CTC enrichment from complete leukapheresis combined with multispectral imaging and single cell sequencing technology enables a comprehensive, cell-based liquid biopsy approach for early cancer detection and therapeutic responses monitoring. Citation Format: Avanish Mishra, Shih-Bo Huang, Taronish Dubash, Risa Burr, Jon F. Edd, Ben S. Wittner, Quinn E. Cunneely, Victor R. Putaturo, Akansha Deshpande, Ezgi Antmen, Kaustav A. Gopinathan, Keisuke Otani, Yoshiyuki Miyazawa, Ji Eun Kwak, Sara Y. Guay, Justin P. Kelly, John Walsh, Linda T. Nieman, Isabella Galler, PuiYee Chan, Michael S. Lawrence, Ryan J. Sullivan, Aditya Bardia, Douglas S. Micalizzi, Lecia V. Sequist, Richard J. Lee, Joseph W. Franses, David T. Ting, Patricia A. R. Brunker, Shyamala Maheswaran, David T. Miyamoto, Daniel A. Haber, Mehmet Toner. High-throughput microfluidic enrichment of circulating tumor cells from entire diagnostic leukapheresis for comprehensive liquid biopsy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Implementation; 2024 Nov 13-16; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(21_Suppl):Abstract nr A017.

RATIONALE FOR THE USE OF A HYDRATE FORMATION INHIBITOR IN PRODUCTION WELLS IN WESTERN SIBERIA

Operation of the gas transmission system under hydrate conditions leads to the risk of deposits, changes in operating modes and plugging of pipelines and gas transmission equipment. Inhibitors such as methanol and glycols are mainly used to prevent hydrate formation. Less commonly, small amounts of polymer compounds (kinetic inhibitors) are used, which instead of inhibiting formation work thermodynamically, slowing the rate of formation of gas hydrates. However, the problems associated with excessive methanol consumption and the production of products that do not meet the standards for the content of dissolved methanol remain unresolved. These problems can be solved by improving the technological scheme of gas collection and treatment. The article focuses on the use of methanol as a hydrate inhibitor, which effectively prevents this process. It has been shown that in order to optimize the flow rate of methanol, it is necessary to take into account the salinity of formation water. The urgency of the problem is due to the high risks for the normal operation of wells, since gas hydrates can lead to clogging of equipment and pipelines, which in turn can cause emergencies and shutdown of the entire production. The article describes the current status of field development in Western Siberia, including an analysis of reserves and an assessment of production potential. Seven pay zones have been identified in the field, two of which are associated with the Upper Cretaceous deposits, four with the Upper Jurassic and one with the Middle Jurassic. The authors proposed a method for calculating the optimal amount of methanol required to prevent the formation of gas hydrates. The calculations are based on data on the composition of Cenomanian gas, temperature and other conditions in the field under consideration. The study identified critical points where gas hydrates are most likely to form. This made it possible to accurately calculate the required amount of methanol to maintain the hydrate-free state of the wells. The results of testing in the field of Western Siberia showed that the dosing of methanol is an effective means to prevent hydrate formation.

Application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Method in Assessing the Environmental Impact of New Materials Derived from Waste Polymers in Terms of Sustainability

Sustainable socioeconomic development should provide humans with a suitable environment for safe living. It can be debated whether the term “environment” should be used due to the significant anthropogenic transformation of the environment. Therefore, an essential part of solving environmental problems is innovation. Climate, resource conservation, and environmental protection are recognized worldwide as common challenges. Thus, it is necessary to implement solutions that simultaneously protect the environment and the climate with sustainable and rational use of resources. Related to this issue is the principle of a loop/closed-loop economy. Among other things, it refers to using waste to prepare materials that can be used for other purposes. The use of tools such as LCA (life cycle analysis) contributes to supporting environmental protection. With the LCA method, it is possible to analyze environmental risks and compare new technological alternatives. LCA is a methodology that has been used around the world with great success, especially for studying individual stages of the entire product life cycle. The results of studies that have been conducted in various research centers confirm the possibility of also using the LCA technique for the environmental assessment of new technologies or existing modernized technological processes. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using the LCA method to determine the environmental impact that the potential production and use of new materials will have.

Hybrid Simulation Model of Lifecycle Simulation and Replacement Simulation Considering Carbon Lock-In by Coal-Fired Power Plants

To meet the temperature goal set by the Paris Agreement, cumulative CO2 emissions must be kept below 300 GtCO2. Road transportation accounted for approximately 18% of the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in 2017. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been rapidly adopted by environmentally conscious consumers in many countries to reduce CO2 emissions. EVs have lower emission intensities than do internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) in most parts of the world, except where the penetration of renewable energy is low in the energy production mix. In such places, the CO2 emissions of EVs are larger than those of ICEVs. Despite the obvious need to increase renewable energy sources to reduce CO2 emissions, Japan and many other countries around the world have yet to shift away from fossil fuels. This is due in part to carbon lock-in, which refers to prior decisions related to technologies and infrastructure that constrain the implementation of better paths toward low-carbon technologies. Coal-fired power plants are the most problematic in terms of carbon lock-in because of their high carbon intensities and long physical lives. In addition, because carbon lock-in by coal-fired power plants has a significant impact on the embodied CO2 intensity of grid power, it impacts society through products that use electric power. In this study, we propose a hybrid simulation model of lifecycle simulation and replacement simulation, considering carbon lock-in by coal-fired power plants. In the replacement simulation, we simulated the replacement of end-of-life coal- and oil-fired power plants with renewable energy power plants using a probability called the lock-in rate and estimated the changes in the embodied CO2 intensity of grid power in Japan. In the lifecycle simulation, we evaluated cumulative CO2 emissions from entire product lifecycles of ICEVs and EVs based on three different EV diffusion scenarios. The results showed that the lock-in rate of coal-fired power plants strongly affects the decarbonization effect due to the market diffusion of EVs.

Process Manufacturing Intelligence Empowered by Industrial Metaverse: A Survey.

The intelligent goal of process manufacturing is to achieve high efficiency and greening of the entire production. Whereas the information system it used is functionally independent, resulting to knowledge gaps between each level. Decision-making still requires lots of knowledge workers making manually. The industrial metaverse is a necessary means to bridge the knowledge gaps by sharing and collaborative decision-making. Considering the safety and stability requirements of the process manufacturing, this article conducts a thorough survey on the process manufacturing intelligence empowered by industrial metaverse. First, it analyzes the current status and challenges of process manufacturing intelligence, and then summarizes the latest developments about key enabling technologies of industrial metaverse, such as interconnection technologies, artificial intelligence, cloud-edge computing, digital twin (DT), immersive interaction, and blockchain technology. On this basis, taking into account the characteristics of process manufacturing, a construction approach and architecture for the process industrial metaverse is proposed: a virtual-real fused industrial metaverse construction method that combines DTs with physical avatar, which can effectively ensure the safety of metaverse's application in industrial scenarios. Finally, we conducted preliminary exploration and research, to prove the feasibility of proposed method.

Integrated Characterization of Expanding-Solvent Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (ES-SAGD) Processes by Using a Heat-Penetration Criterion within a Unified, Consistent, and Efficient Framework

Summary The hybrid solvent-steam injection [e.g., expanding-solvent steam-assisted gravity drainage (ES-SAGD)] is the most promising method to enhance heavy oil recovery; however, it is quite a challenge to reproduce the experimental measurements and in-situ observations because of the complicated multiphase flow behavior resulting from the coupled mass and heat transfer. In this work, an integrated technique has been developed and applied for the first time to dynamically and accurately characterize an ES-SAGD process within a unified, consistent, and efficient framework. By taking the competitive impact between heat energy and solvent dissolution, a generalized heat-penetration (HP) criterion has been derived and integrated with a numerical simulator to characterize the dynamics of solvent/steam chamber propagation conditioned to the production profiles during hybrid solvent-steam processes. This generalized HP criterion allows us to not only dynamically calculate temperature profiles beyond a solvent/steam chamber interface (SCI) but also accurately and pragmatically quantify mass and heat transfer inside the diluted oil drainage zone as well as the solvent/steam chamber. Also, comprehensive effects of the thermally sensitive co/countercurrent flows are examined with a series of multiphase relative permeabilities. Such an integrated technique has been successfully validated by reproducing the measured solvent/steam chambers in 3D physical ES-SAGD experiments. Good agreements between the simulated and measured production profiles (i.e., injection temperature, pressure, and flow rate) have been made throughout the entire production period. Not only have the measured solvent/steam chambers been reproduced but also sensitivity analyses have been performed to investigate the influences of multiphase flow behavior, solvent concentration, and grid dimension. It is found that the diffusion/dispersion coefficients and thermal properties are dependent on temperature and solvent concentrations, competitively affecting the calculated temperature distributions. Moreover, gas-liquid relative permeabilities can impose a significant impact on the SCI moving velocity as well as the oil drainage front. Such an integrated approach considerably reduces the simulation uncertainties and complexities, offering a straightforward and effective means of dynamically reproducing the observed solvent/steam chambers within a unified, consistent, and efficient framework.

The supply chain capitalism of AI: a call to (re)think algorithmic harms and resistance through environmental lens

ABSTRACT Artificial Intelligence (AI) is woven into a supply chain of capital, commodities and human labour that has been neglected in critical debates. Given the current surge in generative AI – which is estimated to drive up the extraction of natural resources such as minerals, fossil fuels or water – it is vital to investigate its entire production line from a critical infrastructural perspective. Drawing on the supply chain capitalism, a concept coined by Anna L. Tsing in 2009, this paper contributes to critical AI studies by investigating the structure of AI supply chains, taking into account the mining, electronics, digital and e-waste industry. This paper illustrates how the supply chain capitalism of AI is precipitating geographical asymmetries connected to contested struggles in México by focusing on a key element of these chains: data centres. In times of climate emergency, this paper calls to reconsider algorithmic harms and resistance by investigating the entire capitalist production line of the AI industry from critical and environmental lens.

Automating the Recycling Process in PLM: A Case Study from the Automotive Sector

The world is in the grip of a very hard challenge these last few years: the conservation of the environment. To reduce waste, we are initiating actions and recycling methods. Our study will focus on the automotive sector, which generates different types of waste, recyclable and non-recyclable. The article explores the innovative integration of product lifecycle management (PLM) from the beginning of life (BOL) to the end of life (EOL) stages, with the goal of creating a comprehensive recycling process. The automotive sector serves as a compelling case study to showcase the practical application of this holistic approach. The study illustrates how aligning BOLandEOLinPLMcanlead to sustainable practices in the automotive industry. The results reveal a remarkable synergy between designing eco-friendly products, efficient manufacturing, and responsible disposal. The article emphasizes the significant environmental and economic benefits of optimizing the entire product lifecycle by connecting these stages. The article presents an automated model embedded within the PLM tool as a notable outcome, reflecting the combined process. The automated model embodies a futuristic vision that seamlessly integrates sustainable practices into product development and management, highlighting the immense potential for industries to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.

Measurement inaccuracy reported via the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database for an implantable pulmonary artery pressure sensor: recalibration direction and magnitude results

Abstract Introduction Remote monitoring using an implantable pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) sensor (CardioMEMS HF system) in patients with heart failure (HF) has been consistently shown to reduce HF hospitalizations [1]. The success of this approach relies on the accurate measurement of diastolic PAP (dPAP) over time to allow early interventions such as diuretic intensification [2]. However, it remains unclear how the measurement accuracy changes over time after the initial calibration at the time of device implantation. Purpose This study aims to identify measurement inaccuracy events and to quantify the magnitude and direction of required device recalibration for CardioMEMS devices as reported in a large-scale regulatory device database. Methods We used the publicly accessible Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) data maintained by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The summary search was performed for the CardioMEMS pulmonary artery pressure sensor for the entire product life cycle from January 2009 to February 2024 [3,4]. The entries related to the measurement accuracy under ‘Device Problems’ categories were obtained. Tested accuracy was reported to have been within ±10mmHg of a reference pressure measurement throughout simulated use for 10 years [5]. Normal range for dPAP is ~8mmHg to 15mmHg [6]. Results A total of 2656 entries were obtained. Following categories were identified for the reported entries: device sensing problem (N=999, 38%); incorrect measurement (N=1349, 52%); incorrect measurement, inappropriate waveform (N=279, 11%), and incorrect, inadequate, or imprecise results or readings (N=29, 1%). After excluding 56 entries for missing information, 2600 entries were included for the analysis. A total of 1676 (64%) entries reported the need for recalibration of the CardioMEMS device. A mean PAP difference (defined as the difference of the mean PAP reference value measured at the time of recalibration minus the CardioMEMS reading obtained during the reference measurement) is shown in Figure 1. Compared to the reference pressure values at the time of recalibration, 488 (29%) of CardioMEMS readings were higher and 1188 (71%) were lower. The absolute recalibration pressure difference was 14.5 ± 9.3 mmHg (mean ± standard deviation, range 0.02-59.3 mmHg). The recalibration by more than 10 mmHg was reported in 1040 (40%) entries. Conclusions Suspected measurement inaccuracy with CardioMEMS device is not uncommon and often necessitate recalibration. Almost one-half (40%) of the recalibrations required more than 10 mmHg correction. These results should inform clinicians to consider recalibration along the course of CardioMEMS monitoring if there is discordance between clinical assessment and the values from the device.Figure 1.Figure 2

A Review of Research Progress on the Impact of Information Asymmetry on Green Consumption

Abstract: This paper discusses the impact of information asymmetry on green consumption and sustainable consumption. It emphasizes the importance of information in promoting green consumer behavior and highlights the role of media publicity and evaluation systems in shaping consumer perception and decision-making. The paper also explores the influence of government policies and subsidies on green consumption, noting that government intervention can benefit the entire green product industry chain. The authors suggest that in order to reduce the impact of information asymmetry, comprehensive and high-quality information should be provided to consumers, and consumers should be educated on information filtering and processing. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for further research on the quantitative assessment of green information dissemination, the influence of green information on consumer psychology and behavior, and the role of government information in promoting green consumption. It calls for a multi-party linkage mechanism to drive the sustainable development of green consumption.

Testing a nutrient composition threshold model to classify brands for marketing restrictions.

Food marketing restrictions often apply nutrient profile models (NPM) to distinguish unhealthy products that should not be advertised, however brand-only marketing remains largely unaddressed. We sought to test a threshold method for classifying packaged food, beverage, or fast-food brands as (non)permitted for marketing, based on the nutrient profile of their product-lines. We retrieved nutrient information from the Nutritrack databases for all products sold by the top 51 packaged food, beverage and fast-food brands in New Zealand, selected by market share. All products under each brand were classified as permitted (or not) to be marketed to children, using the NPM for WHO Western Pacific. The 25%, 50%, 75% and 90% threshold of brands' products permitted to market were compared. The 50% and 75% thresholds were compared to the WHO CLICK method, which is based on assessment of the brand's leading product. The 90% threshold permitted 13% of the brands to be marketed to children. The 25% threshold permitted the marketing of 62% of brands. The 50% and 75% thresholds remained highly sensitive in identifying brands that should not be marketed to children. Comparison to the WHO CLICK method identified that a threshold method is more comprehensive and less arbitrary. A threshold model based on product-line nutrient profiling provides a robust and option for brand classification. The 50% and 75% thresholds may be the most politically preferred options for use in regulation, while remaining highly effective. Brand marketing (e.g. sponsorship) remains largely unaddressed in existing restrictions on unhealthy food and beverage marketing to children.An established Nutrient Profile Model can be applied to a brand's entire product line, allowing calculation of the proportion of products that would not be permitted to be advertised to children.Restricting brand marketing for food and beverage brands with less than 50% or 75% of their products classified as 'permitted to be marketed to children' is a robust and evidence-based method that can be applied in regulation, with potential to mitigate industry challenges.

Cybersecurity Transformation: Cyber-Resilient IT Project Management Framework

In response to the escalating threats of cybersecurity attacks and breaches, ensuring the development and deployment of secure IT products has become paramount for organizations in their cybersecurity transformation. This work emphasizes the critical need for a comprehensive and secure IT project management life cycle that safeguards products from their initial development stages through decommissioning. The primary objective is to seamlessly integrate security considerations into every facet of IT project management life cycles. This work embraces a cyber-resilient IT project management framework and advocates the inclusion of cybersecurity measures in IT projects and their strategic, organized, continuous, and systematic integration throughout the entire product life cycle. It introduces a pioneering framework that harmonizes the cybersecurity risk management process with the IT project management life cycle. This framework delineates a methodical sequence of steps, each encompassing a distinct set of activities. The effectiveness and practical applicability of the proposed framework were validated through a comprehensive case study focused on the Personal Health Record (PHR) system. The PHR case study served as a real-world scenario to assess the framework’s ability to address cybersecurity challenges in a specific domain. The results of the experiment demonstrated the framework’s efficacy in enhancing the security posture of IT projects, showcasing its adaptability and scalability across diverse applications.

An overview of technological challenges in implementing the digital product passport in the textile and clothing industry

Abstract The textile and clothing industry is undergoing a shift towards a circular business model, driven by new European Commission regulations, which mandates that by 2030, textile products available on the European Union (EU) market must be recyclable and sustainable. To facilitate data collection, storage, and sharing throughout the entire product lifecycle and ensure product traceability and sustainability, the use of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will be required. This article presents an analysis of the most commonly known digital data technologies from the perspective of their use in digital garment labelling, describing their advantages and limitations. The analysis is complemented by practical insights gathered from semi-structured interviews with garment producers in the Baltic Sea region. The survey revealed that producers prioritise sustainability and are prepared to digitise product information but are awaiting EU’s clear guidance. Despite the challenges posed by DPP implementation from the global, producer, and customer perspectives, upcoming regulations are seen as providing new competitive opportunities for products and services. Both the technology analysis and the expert survey indicate that QR (quick response)-based smart tags are potentially the most straightforward solution for the initial phase of DPP implementation.

Transfer of pesticides and metabolites in corn: Production, processing, and livestock dietary burden

Corn stover is widely used in livestock feed but has received limited attention regarding its potential risks. In this study, pesticide residues were monitored across 12 provinces in China, and terminal residues of four pesticides, chlorantraniliprole, thiamethoxam, epoxiconazole, and pyraclostrobin, were tested. In addition, the silage processing experiment was conducted. All processing factors (PF) were <1, indicating pesticide degradation. The physicochemical properties of pesticides, especially log P, were related to degradation efficiency. Pesticides with higher log P values showed higher PFs (0.43 to 0.85), indicating lower degradation efficiency. The dietary burden of livestock before and after silage processing was calculated using OECD livestock dietary burden calculator. Results showed that after silage fermentation, the dietary burden was reduced by 28.8 % to 79.2 %. Throughout the entire production and processing process, the fastest degradation of all pesticides in whole corn was primarily observed from the pesticide application time to the harvest time, with some pesticides also showing accelerated degradation during subsequent processing stages. Therefore, in actual production, especially for pesticides which are difficult to degrade, appropriate extension of the safety interval or selection of suitable processing methods can be taken to further reduce pesticide residues in agricultural products.