Industrial Operators Research Articles

Portable food diagnostic devices and methods: A review

AbstractThe instantaneous detection of food quality is of paramount importance as it can help in taking different decisions in real time. These include the decision on consumption, inventory management, maintaining the storage conditions and even to repurpose the food if it cannot be used for the desired application. In this review, different portable food diagnostic devices and methods are studied and compared as consumers are interested in knowing the food's quality before consumption. The quality of food in real‐time will help in avoiding many problems such as the consumption of unsafe food and taking prompt decisions to avoid wastage in the food supply chain. Portable food diagnostic devices provide advantages such as easy to use, compact, handheld, connectivity with smartphone for rapid diagnosis, as well as these devices have the potential to eliminate traditional method problems such as the requirement of a trained user, bulky equipment, and lengthy diagnosis procedure. In this study, different types of portable food diagnostic devices and methods are compared in terms of their working principle, features, applications, and limitations. These devices are classified in three main categories, as composition analysis, safety, and security based on application. Further these devices are subclassified in single/multiple composition analysis devices, toxic, allergen detecting devices, and methods. Portable food diagnostic devices and methods provide a rapid and on‐site diagnosis. However, the success of these devices depends upon their accuracy, simplicity, and cost‐effectiveness.Practical ApplicationsThe study provides comparative analysis of different portable food diagnostic devices, which help in selecting an appropriate device in terms of its accuracy, size and cost suitable under different supply chain scenarios. This will ultimately help in decision making required for minimizing the food losses. These devices will benefit farmers, suppliers, retailers, and operators in food processing industries. The individual users can also use these devices to manage the food quality. The study also provides the limitations of exiting devices and the need of new research for developing more compact devices measuring multiple constituents in the food in a precise and cost‐effective manner.

A probabilistic approach for Dynamic Positioning capability and operability predictions

Determining Dynamic Positioning capability for an offshore vessel is mandatory to identify the environmental forces the system can counteract, together with the operability in a specific operational area of interest. Conventional predictions evaluate the capability as a maximum sustainable wind speed at a predefined encounter angle for a given wind–wave correlation, not reflecting the effective wind and waves occurrence at the site. In this respect, a step forward is provided by the scatter diagram approach, allowing the evaluation of operability in a specific sea area, using a simplified method to predict wind speed from wave parameters. Here, using known wind–waves joint distributions for the long-term environmental conditions further improves the scatter diagram approach, assessing the operability of a Dynamic Positioning system through a Quasi-Monte Carlo sampling of the joint distribution. Analysing the results of the Quasi-Monte Carlo process, it is possible to obtain a site-specific capability plot, allowing the identification of critical wind speeds in a way that is familiar to operators in the offshore industry. The application of this novel method in the case of quasi-static calculations both to a reference supply vessel and a pipe-lay vessel shows the flexibility of the proposed approach for site-specific Dynamic Positioning capability predictions.

Factors influencing green hotel revisit intentions after the COVID-19 in Bangladesh

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing customers’ revisit intentions of green hotels after the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on the existing literatures and interviews of 404 respondents visiting hotels after the pandemic. The partial least square structural equation modeling is used to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings show that green attitude, green personality and personal norms significantly influence post-COVID-19 green hotel revisit intentions.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study may be useful to hotel operators in formulating focused business strategies improving customers’ green hotel revisit intentions and coping with the new normal business environment of the hospitality industry.Originality/valueThe study presents a unique case highlighting how the hospitality business is changing after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study provides important insights for industry operators by integrating attitudes, personality and norms of the customers in examining the green hotels revisit intentions.

Learning-by-Doing Safety and Maintenance Practices: A Pilot Course

This paper presents an educational approach for teaching Industry 4.0 concepts to maintenance and safety operators involved in industrial processes. A Learning-by-doing approach was introduced to assess the impact of learning by doing and knowledge sharing on designing maintenance and safety solutions based on Industry 4.0 concepts to build experience and improve decision-making skills. To this end, we proposed a pilot course to train industrial operators in the field of new technologies so that they could continue their work effectively. Specifically, the development of the course began with a needs assessment of the perspective participants, followed by an outline of the objectives and course structure. The course was adapted to the different educational and technical backgrounds of the participants (i.e., experienced operators who were digital immigrants and non-experienced operators who were digital natives). The results of the course were assessed through a survey, which allowed us to evaluate the operators’ perception of the learning approach and the contribution to improving the operators’ competencies and abilities. The results highlighted that the educational approach facilitated the teaching of maintenance and safety principles, promoting operators’ attention and participation. The difference in the learning level that we observed between the younger and older operators was also highlighted by the survey results. A dichotomy was revealed between the younger operators, who showed a greater understanding of the explained technologies, and the older operators, who required longer learning times. In this way, both types of participant could benefit from mutual collaboration and teamwork to improve their respective weaknesses.

Analysing the skill gaps of plant and equipment operators in building construction projects in Sri Lanka

The construction industry is labour intensive, and hence, skill development of the industry would yield both economic and social returns to the national economy. Among other occupational categories, plant and equipment (P&E) operators in the construction industry have significant importance since the skills and competencies of P&E operators are necessary to be well equipped to serve the higher demand and technological trends. Nevertheless, the available research in the said area is limited. Hence, this study aims to analyse the skill gaps of P&E operators in the perspective of construction professionals in Sri Lankan building construction projects. The study analysed the level of importance and level of satisfaction of P&E operators in the perspective of construction professionals. The research was designed with a quantitative research approach with a questionnaire survey administered among construction professionals with a response rate of 73%. The quantitative analysis depicted that maintenance skills of P&E operators have the highest level of satisfaction by construction professionals with more than 3.77 of mean weighted rating (MWR) and importance with over 3.87 of MWR in the industry. The smartness of handling machines and teamwork were identified as the next two essential and satisfied skills of P&E operators in each category. Out of sixteen skills identified, analytical, mechanical, innovative, and interpersonal skills show a slight skills gap among different categories of P&E operators. Compared to other skills, IT received less importance under each P & E category. Furthermore, the study has concluded the skill gaps in the categories of P&E operators in the Sri Lankan building construction industry. Having identified the gaps, the paper provides the means of measurement to present, which are the most identifiable skills gap of P&E operators in the building construction projects. Propose strategies to enhance the skills of P&E operators to overcome existing issues in the Sri Lankan building construction industry and investigate the skill gap of P&E operators in infrastructure projects can be highlighted as further research areas.

A maturity model for the effective digital transformation of laboratories

PurposeThis paper presents a maturity model for digital transformation effectiveness in laboratories (labs) with education and research purposes.Design/methodology/approachThe model was developed using design science research methodology, expert interviews and case studies.FindingsThe model fulfills three practical goals: (1) to establish comparability of the effectiveness of the digital transformation of labs, (2) to provide lab operators from academia and industry with a guide for (further) transformation and (3) to build initial trust among lab users. In addition, the maturity model contributes to the literature on digital lab transformation by capturing, describing, structuring and evaluating relevant dimensions, items and levels. Model strengths and weaknesses, areas for improvement, international applicability and practical and reusable recommendations are presented as well as the added value in assessing lab functionalities and lab sustainability.Practical implicationsAlthough originally developed as a maturity model driven by lab education, the model is also suitable for the transformation of research labs in manufacturing technology management. Digital labs can efficiently support industry training and research and development activities as well as simulate the development of new processes prior to their implementation.Originality/valueEspecially for these use cases, the authors see application potentials for the use of online labs from an organizational perspective and from the perspective of stakeholders such as industry users and operators with a manufacturing background, who use and develop transformed labs for teaching and research.

Design and Implementation of Smart Glasses with ISMS and Risk Management Functionalities for a Technical Operator

This work aims to describe the design and implementation of smart glasses to be used by industrial operators allowing the display environment related information such as temperature, humidity as well as machine maintenance operations, the associated risks, and Information Security Management System (ISMS) controls. In order to achieve this design, several analyses were conducted in order to determine the optimal design possible namely an external and an internal functional and a risk analysis, in addition to an ergonomic study. Based on the aforementioned study and analyses, a model was created and simulated using the commercial software SoildWorks and ISISPORTEUS. The smart glasses functionalities have been evaluated in a real industrial environment.

Pseudomonas fluorescens group bacteria as responsible for chromatic alteration on rabbit carcasses. Possible hygienic implications.

Bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudomonas are ubiquitous and characterized by a high adaptation capability to different environmental conditions and wide range of temperatures. They may colonize food, sometimes causing alteration. Quite recently, a blue pigmentation due to Pseudomonas fluorescens has been widely reported in mozzarella cheese. In this report, we describe a blue coloration occurred on rabbit meat stored in the refrigeration cell of a slaughterhouse. The alteration was observed after about 72 hours of storage at 4-6°C. Bacteriological analyses were performed, and a microorganism included in the Pseudomonas fluorescens group was identified. The experimental contamination was planned, using a bacterial suspension with 1×108 UFC/ml load to spread on rabbit carcasses. The blue pigmentation appeared after 24 hours of storage in a cell with the same conditions of temperature. The bacterium was reisolated and identified as responsible for the alteration on meat. These findings highlight the importance of considering the members of the genus Pseudomonas and, more specifically, of the P. fluorescens group when the microbiological quality of food is to be ascertained. In fact, even if these bacteria are not considered a public health problem, their presence should be monitored by food industry operators in self-control plans because they may cause alteration in food. In fact, any altered product should be withdrawn from the market in agreement with Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

An Overview of Packaging Waste Models in Some European Countries

Efficient packaging waste management systems are essential considering recent revisions of the European legislation on packaging waste management that sets ambitious targets. European rules aim to deal with the increasing quantities of packaging waste, which cause environmental problems. Consequently, it is necessary to identify functional packaging waste management systems to achieve these targets effectively and efficiently. However, given the heterogeneity of the different packaging management systems, policymakers, scholars, and industry operators struggle to have a comparative view. The number of non-harmonized laws in force across countries, autonomous recycling targets, and constant updates are prominent problems that make it difficult to obtain comparable information for research, business, and policymaking. To fill this gap, our research question consists of assigning responsibilities for prevention, collection, recycling, and recovery and an overview of some models at a glance with respect to the general governance and functioning of the system. We base our research on a multiple-case design since more cases are examined using complementary data collection methods, analysis of the previous literature, reports, legislation, and business and institutional websites. Our results provide insights from the following cases: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. In addition, policy implications emerge as our insights help overcome barriers in the European market’s development caused by the different rules on packaging management and design serving policymakers that aim to harmonize the management of packaging waste. The paper also contains managerial implications for circular economy business models that can be used by managers who aim to design or upgrade their business models according to both recent legislative upgrades and packaging management systems.

Enforcing Hopelessness: Complicity, Dependence, and Organizing in Frontline Oil and Gas Communities.

Fossil fuel companies hold enormous political, economic, and knowledge production power. Recently, industry operators have pivoted from pushing climate denialism to campaigns aimed at individualizing responsibility for climate crisis. In this paper, we focus on one related outcome of such efforts - people's experiences of complicity - here in the context of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production. We ask: How do mobilized activists experience fossil fuel scapegoating, and what does it mean for their goals as they organize against UOG production? We show that even activists fighting UOG production feel complicit in fossil fuel production, and these feelings of complicity diminish their demands for UOG accountability. We argue that these outcomes have been especially pernicious in cultural contexts like that of the United States, where neoliberal ideologies are normalized, centering personal responsibility, individualization, and identification as consumers rather than citizens. We marshal an extensive qualitative dataset and advance a theory of complicity as a way to understand: a) how social movements intersect with neoliberalized patterns of life; b) how experiences of complicity affect activism; and c) how this may contribute to fossil fuel firms' goals of undercutting organizing. We end by examining how a sub-set of activists works to dismantle this complicity narrative.

An Overview of Energy Resource and Future Concerns for Ghana’s Electricity Generation Mix

Energy supply is a critical indicator for the global United Nations initiatives because of its immense contribution to economic development. In essence, identifying the required energy resource coupled with effective policy strategies is essential to sustainable electricity generation. Nevertheless, future electricity supply requires a range of options that must be robust and workable. Globally, the challenge of harnessing the energy resources sustainably needed for effective electricity generation is alarming. Therefore, the ability to supply a country’s electricity based on the availability and affordability of resources is vital for effective governance. In this study, Ghana’s energy resourcefulness and the profound effects on the future mix of electricity generation are qualitatively reviewed. In particular, the study covers the existing and potential energy resources available for sustainable electricity generation. The study revealed that Ghana mainly uses hydro, natural gas, and solar energy, among others, for electricity generation. Additionally, a framework explores a well-diversified generation mix using nuclear, coal, and more renewable energy sources in the long-term. Key issues that emerged for national consideration include the need for effective policy direction and implementation, appropriate financing concepts, fuel availability, political will, and setting. By far, this review sought to emphasize literature gaps by providing a rich and fertile ground as a template for industry operators, policymakers, and future research direction.

Improving work-related musculoskeletal disorders for sewing machine operators in Ethiopia

Objectives. Awkwardly designed sewing workstations in the garment industry cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) that cause global health concerns for industrial sewing operators. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating health risks and improvement interventions for sewing operators in Ethiopia. Methods. The strain index and standardized Nordic musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) questionnaire were used for data collection. Binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data and identify significant factors. Results. The study revealed that operators’ sitting chair design in the sewing section has significant correlation with the occurrence of pain in different body parts, particularly in the upper and lower back body parts with a high odds ratio of more than 93% in the lower and upper back areas. Hence, the sitting chair was redesigned considering the operators’ anthropometric measurements and workstation requirements to improve workers’ safety and productivity. Conclusion. The study concludes that WRMSDs were significant in different body parts so it was crucial for appropriate intervention in redesigning the sewing workstations, particularly the sitting chair, to ensure health and safety of industrial sewing operators. The study therefore recommends implementation of the proposed ergonomic sitting chair to improve operators’ safety and productivity.

Excess load on ships and its effects on stability performance in Nigerian waterways

This research has been carried out to examine the impact of excess shipload on ship performance and stability. The objectives are to analyse the trend of sinking ships in Nigeria occasioned to ship excess load. Secondly, to examine the relationship between load size and ship stability and identify the various factors responsible for ship instability. Data were gathered from operators in the maritime industry using structured questionnaires and interviews as data collection instruments. Four significant stakeholders that can provide information based on their involvement across three strata of management, operation and general cadre were sampled. Pearson Moment Correlation technique has been used to examine the relationship between load size and ship stability, and Analysis of Variance-one was used to identify the various factors responsible for ship instability. The Pearson Moment Correlation technique analysis shows a significant relationship between load size and stability. The analysis of variance revealed that "hogging and sagging" is the most crucial factor among the factors identified for ship instability. It has the highest value of F-ratio of 17.837 with a significance at p<0.05. The research concluded that resultant accidents from the instability of vessels are caused majorly by hogging and sagging of vessels, and notably, the occurrence is much in riverine areas in Nigeria. Loading the vessel has a relationship with the vessel's stability, as depicted from the analysis in this research. Recommendations on how to enhance stability through boat construction, shipbuilding, loading and passenger's use of life jackets, among others were made.

Adsorption Properties of ZSM-5 Molecular Sieve for Perfluoroisobutyronitrile Mixtures and Its Fluorocarbon Decomposition Products

Perfluoroisobutyronitrile (C4F7N), an environment-friendly insulating gas, has excellent insulating properties and has the potential to be used in gas-insulated equipment when mixed with CO2. Selecting suitable adsorption materials to adsorb the decomposition products of the C4F7N mixture can ensure the safe and stable operation of the gas-insulated equipment and the personal safety of the operators in the electric power industry. The adsorption characteristics of the ZSM-5 molecular sieve on C4F7N and its five fluorocarbon decomposition products were investigated by adsorption experiments. The results show that the ZSM-5 molecular sieve has a certain adsorption effect on six fluorocarbon gases; the adsorption performance of C3F6 and C3F8 are the best, with an adsorption efficiency over 85%, while the concentration of CO2 and C4F7N is affected by the ZSM-5 molecular sieve. At the same time, the paper based on the Metropolis Monte Carlo simulation of Materials Studio software found that the ZSM-5 molecular sieve has the strongest adsorption effect on C4F7N molecules and the weakest adsorption effect on CO2 molecules. The stronger the polarity of the gas molecule, the more obvious the adsorption effect of molecular sieve structure on it. As a result, the ZSM-5 molecular sieve could be used in tail gas purification of insulated equipment, as well as to provide solutions for the development and production of protective equipment.

A Mathematical Model for the Growth Dynamics of Demand in the Fashion Industry within the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The outbreak of COVID-19 infection and its effects have not spared any economy on the globe. The fourth variant has just announced its appearance with its high death toll and impact on economic activities. The basic reproductive number R 0 , which measures the transmission potential of an infectious disease, is extremely important in the study of epidemiology. The main purpose of this study was to derive R 0 and assess the stability of the model around its equilibrium points. The motivation was to simulate the effect of COVID-19 on the demand for fashion products and how its application has impacted the COVID-19 pandemic. A five-compartment susceptible-infection-recovery-susceptible-based model was formulated in an integrated environment with application of fashion-based personal protective equipment (FPPEs) and government policy regulation, using ordinary differential equations. Solution techniques included a mix of qualitative analysis and simulations with data from various publications on COVID-19. The study revealed that the disease-free equilibrium was both locally and globally asymptotically stable (LAS and GAS) for R 0 ≤ 1 , while the disease-endemic equilibrium was both LAS and GAS for R 0 ≥ 1 . As the demand for FPPEs increases, R 0 decreases, and vice versa. The sensitivity analysis indicated that R 0 was very sensitive to the rate of application of FPPEs. This confirms the significance of high demand for FPPEs in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 infection. Again, the pandemic has had both positive and negative impacts on the demand for fashion products; however, the negative impact outweighed the positive impact. Another discovery was that government policy stringency was significant in increasing demand for FPPEs. The sensitivity analyses suggested prioritization of FPPEs application together with all recommended PPEs. We recommend inter alia that FPPEs be used together with other nonpharmaceutical interventions. Operators in the fashion industry must be dynamic in adjusting to the new trends of taste for fashion products. Finally, governments should maintain high policy stringency.

Analysis of Business Performance according to the Characteristics of Certified Business Operators in the Rural Convergence Industry in Chungnam

Analysis of Business Performance according to the Characteristics of Certified Business Operators in the Rural Convergence Industry in Chungnam

MDL+ a manufacturing description language to describe and control assembling tasks in industry 4.0

Abstract The assembly of products or components by operators in industries is a complex task with recurring problems. In these processes, operators often make errors that can lead to defective products. Therefore, they need to be inspected later to verify their correct assembly. The main problems are caused by several reasons including high employee turnover, lack of experience in manufacturing specific products or confusion in interpreting instructions to assemble similar components. In this paper, a novel structured language aimed to describe the required actions to manufacture a product in industrial assembly environments is presented. The main contribution is to provide a formal language to feed automatic systems that can verify through visual control whether the actions performed by the operator are carried out following the standard described by this language. In general, the use of this formal language will allow to minimize the negative impact of errors during assembly and to reduce waste in many forms in the industry.

Developing Aviation Smart Campus Through Digital Transformation Strategy: Case Study at Indonesia Aviation Polytechnic

The application of digital technology to business processes brings a new atmosphere in the era of technological disruption. The increasing number of transportation users makes all air transportation industry operators compete to provide services and facilities without neglecting safety. Personnel working in the aviation sector are keys to successful service delivery. Good quality education begins with the management of the aviation campus. The application of ICT or digital technology in aviation schools in the digital transformation era will bring a fresher atmosphere and innovation. This paper aims to make the concept of digital transformation on aviation campuses based on business processes. Based on the dimensions of digital transformation, which consists of 9 aspects, as well as the value chains of the five porters, a matrix for the concept of digital transformation for aviation campuses can be created. By paying attention to customer experience, processes and business models that make it possible to create new businesses; the implementation of Digital Transformation can be achieved. A simple concept of IT Architecture, this paper can provide a plan for making a smart aviation campus

A Review on the Disposal Methods with Intrinsic Environmental and Economic Impacts of Scrap Tyres in Nigeria

The rapid increase in the amount of tyres discarded yearly leads to the problem of scrap tyres littering the country, Nigeria thereby leading to environmental pollution. This paper looks at the extent of the menace scrap tyres has caused, the methods of their disposal and the effects on the environment. The study calls for a concerted effort from researchers, industry operators and regulatory bodies to be up and doing in the disposal of scrap tyres in Nigeria to check the degradation of the environment in its three compartments: air, water and land, with a view to upholding environmental sustainability and embedded economic advantages.

Cement industry – Associated emissions, environmental issues and measures for the control of the emissions

The cement industry though the backbone of modern construction and civilization is associated with the emission of diverse atmospheric pollutants with numerous attendant effects on the balance of ecosystem, human and environmental health and the global climate in general. Despite the huge advantages derivable from the industry, exploitation and processing of cement must be done in a sustainable manner to prevent irreversible damage to human, animal and vegetation health as well as the environment. Research papers were reviewed from different databases like ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Google scholar, and Scopus the chief air pollutants are the inorganic gaseous emissions (carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur SO2), particulates of various size ranges and elemental emissions. The present study carries out holistic review of the cement production process with a view to identifying the principal air pollutants, sources and associated environmental issues. The study also reviews the pollution control measures currently in use and calls for a concerted effort from researchers, industry operators and regulators at working to reduce emissions with a view to upholding environmental sustainability.