Material Supply Research Articles

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of MST, SUT and SWEET transporters in Dendrobium catenatum

BackgroundSugar transporters (STs) play a critical role in the transportation of sugar, participating in plant growth and development, stress/defense responses, and signal transduction processes. Dendrobium catenatum (also known as Dendrobium officinale, hereinafter referred to as D. catenatum) is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb with remarkable medicinal properties and possessing high economic value. Polysaccharides are the primary active components in D. catenatum, exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities. Sugar transporters function as material supplier and may play the essential roles in the polysaccharide biosynthesis, as well as the key reulators in the signaling and responses to abiotic stresses in Dendrobium plants. However, a comprehensive analysis of sugar transporters in D. catenatum remains elusive, thereby hindering our understanding of sugar partitioning within this species.ResultsIn this work, the members belonging to MST, SUT, and SWEET gene families were identified in four Dendrobium plants. A comprehensive study of sugar transporters was conducted in D. catenatum, including phylogenetic relationship, structural arrangement, regulatory networks, expression profiles, and potential functions analysis. Seven sugar transporters were found to be involved in the process of polysaccharide biosynthesis in D. catenatum. Red-blue light is an effective way to enhance the accumulation of polysaccharides, and exerts an influence on the expression of polysaccharide biosynthesis related genes.ConclusionsThis study provide insight into the evolution and functional annotation of sugar transporters in Dendrobium, and establishing a foundation for future functional research of sugar transporters involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis and stress response.

BIM-Based Automatic Extraction of Daily Concrete and Formwork Requirements for Site Work Planning

Material planning is important in construction, for it affects procurement, cost, and schedule. Proper planning of material supply and logistics helps streamline the performance of all tasks through the avoidance of excessive or insufficient material supply. Material planning relies on quantity takeoff (QTO) and project schedules. Conventionally, quantity takeoff was a manual process based on 2D drawings and human interpretation and was error-prone. Presently, with the popularity of Building Information Modelling (BIM), in BIM-based projects, using inbuilt quantity takeoff functions, quantities of work can be generated automatically from BIM models to aid the quantity takeoff. However, if those inbuilt QTO solutions are object-based, then the quantities of works extracted may not meet the requirements of the users in selected cases, e.g., in zone-based construction projects. Also, for estimating daily material requirements, the accuracy of the quantities of work becomes more important, not only for the purpose of efficient planning but also for reducing construction waste. Since works using the same type of material can go overlapping, in addition to estimating the amount of material for each work, the total amount of material for a day must also be calculated. Thus, this research aims to develop a framework for automatic extraction of zone-based concrete volumes and formwork positions for cast-in-place concrete structures using the data in BIM models, followed by linking them with project schedules for estimating daily concrete and formwork requirements. This framework extends the body of knowledge by introducing an innovative algorithm for automatically calculating overlapped areas between concrete members and a rule for naming tasks in the schedule, followed by evaluating the formwork requirements without drawing formwork in a 3D model. A software tool will be developed to achieve the aim, and a case study will be used to validate the proposed framework.

Innovative public strategies in response to COVID‐19: A review of practices from China

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic presented unparalleled challenges to prompt and adaptive responses from nations worldwide. This review examines China's multifaceted approach to the crisis, focusing on five key areas of response: infrastructure and system design, medical care and treatment, disease prevention and control, economic and social resilience, and China's engagement in global health. This review demonstrates the effectiveness of a top‐down command system at the national level, intersectoral coordination, a legal framework, and public social governance. This study also examines medical care and treatment strategies, highlighting the importance of rapid emergency response, evidence‐based treatment, and well‐planned vaccination rollout. Further discussion on disease prevention and control measures emphasizes the importance of adaptive measures, timely infection control, transmission interruption, population herd immunity, and technology applications. Socioeconomic impact was also assessed, detailing strategies for disease prevention, material supply, livelihood preservation, and social economy revival. Lastly, we examine China's contributions to the global health community, with a focus on knowledge‐sharing, information exchange, and multilateral assistance. While it is true that each nation's response must be tailored to its own context, there are universal lessons to be drawn from China's approach. These insights are pivotal for enhancing global health security, especially as the world navigates evolving health crises.

New data on the structure of the Laptev Sea flank of the gakkel ridge (Arctic Ocean)

The article provides new data on the structure of the Laptev Sea flank of the Gakkel Ridge. The intensive supply of clastic material from the shelf of the Laptev Sea leads to the development of a thick alluvial cone at the continental foot, which determines the structure of the bottom topography. In the northwestern direction, the influence of the fan decreases and tectonics becomes the main relief-forming factor. The bathymetric survey traced the asymmetrical rift valley of the Gakkel Ridge, the western side of which is complicated by terraces. The presence of fault structures, bottom subsidence and intensive sediment supply, and the widespread development of landslide processes indicate high neotectonic activity of the Laptev Sea flank of the Gakkel Ridge. For the first time in this region, numerous carbonate formations have been discovered, the authigenic cement of which is represented by magnesian calcite or aragonite with an admixture of terrigenous material. Palynological and micropaleontological analysis of carbonate formations indicates the Quaternary formation of authigenic carbonate cement. An important role in the formation of authigenic carbonates was played by diagenetic solutions coming from the sedimentary cover together with methane and products of oxidation of gases and organic matter. Authigenic carbonates were deposited mainly in isotopic equilibrium with bottom water at a temperature of about 0°C. The negative correlation between 87Sr/86Sr and δ13C indicates the presence of at least two different sources of carbonate-forming solutions.

Processed Seafood Sustainability Supply Chain Management Practices: A Comparison of Community Enterprises and SMEs

The purpose of this study was to empirically examine current manufacturing practices of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in processed seafood supply chain management, looking at the size difference between specific manufacturing organizations: community enterprises and SMEs. A survey was undertaken to collect data from processed seafood producers in the Rayong and Chonburi provinces, which are the main areas of processed seafood production in Thailand. The final 32 valid responses provided a response rate of 54.24%. The Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test, a nonparametric test statistic, was utilized to compare the mean difference between the Rayong and Chonburi groups of processed seafood producers. The results indicated that SMEs have a significantly higher potential than community enterprises in terms of plan, source, make and delivery. Semi-structured interviews highlighted issues regarding SSCM practices, such as a lack of knowledge of how to achieve sustainable benefits, a lack of technology use, and the instability of raw material supply from the sea, related to weather conditions, leading to difficulties in production planning and sourcing. The results of this study can be used to reflect the current status of SSCM practices. Therefore, the findings should assist both community enterprises and SMES implement more efficient processes, leading to higher performance.

Instruments of state risk management of innovative import substitution projects

Today, the key priority of state policy is to protect the Russian economy from external threats aimed at reducing the rate of economic growth and scientific and technological development in the country. In these conditions, the primary task facing the state is to overcome dependence on imported supplies of critical goods, components, and raw materials. To quickly solve this problem, it is necessary to intensify innovative activities in the field of import substitution, which, in turn, can be achieved by creating favorable conditions for the implementation of innovative projects to create high–tech products capable of replacing foreign analogues.The subject of the research is the instruments for supporting innovative development in the country in order to ensure economic security. The results consist in the development of a model of the system of state support of innovative activity in order to ensure the economic and technological sovereignty. It is distinguished by the use of the mechanism of public–private partnership for the successful implementation of programs in the field of import substitution of critically important products, components and raw materials. To respond to the risks that may arise during the implementation of such programs, a set of instruments was proposed. They represent a set of measures of state support implementing various options for processing project risks (acceptance, evasion, transfer and distribution).

Simulation of Pseudostellaria heterophylla distribution in China: assessing habitat suitability and bioactive component abundance under future climate change scenariosplant components.

Pseudostellaria heterophylla is used in traditional Chinese medicine, so ensuring an adequate supply of plant material with high levels of bioactive components is important. Using an optimized maximum entropy niche model and assays of bioactive components from cultivation samples, this study started from the plant's natural distribution area and estimated correlations of ecological factors with not only abundance of the plant but also abundance of polysaccharides and heterophyllin B. These correlations were combined with the spatial analysis function in ArcGIS to generate maps of the suitability of different habitats in China for cultivating P. heterophylla under current climate conditions and different models of climate change. The following ecological factors emerged as particularly important for habitat suitability: precipitation of driest month and driest quarter, annual precipitation, annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, and mean temperature of coldest quarter, contributing to a cumulative total of 87%. Under current climate conditions, optimum habitats of P. heterophylla were mainly distributed in the southwestern region (Guizhou) and eastern regions (Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu) of China, and only 0.197×106 km2 of these areas were optimum habitat. In future climate change scenarios, the optimal habitat area of P. heterophylla exhibited an increase across different time periods under the SSP5-8.5 climate scenario. By the 2090s, distribution area of high heterophyllin B content under SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios will increase significantly, distribution area of high polysaccharide content had little change under all three climate scenarios (SSP 1-2.6, 2-4.5, 5-8.5). The center of mass of suitable habitat migrates southwestward under scenario SSP 1-2.6 and SSP 2-4.5, while it migrates northward under scenario SSP 5-8.5. Under the three climate scenarios, the center of mass of suitable habitat migrated consistently with that of high polysaccharide content but differed from that of high heterophyllin B content. These findings provide a crucial foundation for cultivating P. heterophylla with superior medicinal properties, developing adaptive management strategies to enhance conservation efforts, and ensuring sustainable utilization in the face of global climate change.

Project portfolio selection and scheduling problem under material supply uncertainty

Project portfolio selection and scheduling problem under material supply uncertainty

Coordination strategy and contract design of platform supply chain for large-scale sports events with low carbon preference.

The organization of sports events, while generating economic benefits, inevitably imposes significant environmental pressures. Conducting green and low-carbon sports events have become a global consensus. In addressing the carbon emissions and benefit coordination issues on the production end of infrastructure construction for large-scale sports events, we considers the significant role of digital platforms in the industry's low-carbon transformation and upgrade, and innovatively incorporates platforms as decision-making entities and investigates the equilibrium strategies for low-carbon cooperation under three different power structures: one led by the sports events materials supplier, one by the materials distributor, and one by the integrated service platform. Additionally, it designs related cost-sharing contracts. The findings suggest that: centralized decision-making is more conducive to aligning the interests of various entities within the sports events platform supply chain. Different power structures have distinct impacts on overall supply chain profits and carbon emissions. Specifically, the supply chain achieves the highest overall profit under the domination of the integrated service platform, while the lowest level of carbon reduction occurs under the domination of the materials distributor. These results provide strategic insights for the low-carbon development of sports events and the coordinated cooperation within platform supply chain.

Analysis of critical raw materials policy for electrical and electronic equipment: Planning for a truly circular economy

The European Union's objectives under the Green and Digital transitions, are contingent on the decarbonisation of essential sectors such as energy, transportation, and communications. At present, the EU does not have sufficient identified mineral resources, nor processing capacity, to supply many of its strategically defined materials. The success of these objectives hinges on the EU's ability to secure a stable and consistent supply of critical raw materials (CRM). Using a systematic three-part assessment of mandated and non-mandated EU policies, European Commission communications, and a review of CRM, the findings reveal that despite efforts to enhance local supply and diversify foreign sources of CRM, there is a lack of cross-sector coherence across social, economic, and technical aspects of recycling. This is further exacerbated by inefficient retention of waste-hosted critical raw materials. Failure to adopt integrative policy measures may result in the EU's continued dependency on undiversified foreign sources for its supply of critical raw materials, thereby compromising its strategic autonomy as well as the goals of the Green and Digital transitions. Improved design of electrical and electronic equipment and processing of waste from these products could conceivably provide a mechanism for a continuous and retained supply of critical raw materials, culminating in a potentially significant resource stream for the Union. The EU can improve resource efficiency, reduce its dependence on imports, and facilitate a truly circular economy by adopting a comprehensive and symbiotic policy framework that quantifies material resources in waste and that recognises the product design stage as an integral facet of the product recycling stage, herein referred to as “forwardcycling”.

Polyelectrolyte complex membranes for zinc-ion cathode by polymerization of polyaniline

Although lithium batteries dominate the rechargeable battery market, concern over safety and material supply have motivated scientists to develop non-lithium-based alternative such as zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). This work focuses on the development of polyelectrolyte complex-based cathode for ZIBs using a mild aqueous electrolyte such as ZnCl2 instead of KOH and to be further developed into wearable electronics. Composite polyelectrolyte complex electrodes with carbon black and polyaniline (PANI), or manganese oxide (MnO2) as active materials were prepared. The membranes were then further modified by electropolymerization of PANI to enhance the battery performance. Results show that electropolymerization leads to a threefold increase in ZIB performance with increased current density, power density, and specific energy capacity. Zinc chloride (ZnCl2; 1 m) was used as a mild electrolyte instead of potassium chloride (KOH; 6 m) leading to a reduced performance yet allowing for potential use in skin contact and wearable electronics. All the membranes were assembled into ZIB and tested using the battery testing machine. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the morphology of the electropolymerized PANI while attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the chemical nature of PANI.

A Promising Tropical Medicinal Plant: Taiwan as the Production Hub of Japan's Coca Empire.

Before World War II, Taiwan became the second-largest coca leaf production base in Asia, second only to Java, contributing to Japan's position as the world's largest exporter of cocaine. While Japan's opium empire has been the subject of extensive academic inquiry, its coca empire has received far less attention. This article explores Taiwan's role in Japan's dual empire of opium and coca, focusing on the environmental and historical factors that enabled the island to rapidly expand coca production. It finds that, in addition to Taiwan's favorable climate for coca cultivation, the island's long-established tea industry provided mature techniques for harvesting and drying the coca leaves. Furthermore, the sugar company supplied the necessary equipment and capital for the extraction of cocaine, becoming a key resource in the industry's development. Learning from the limitations of the opium monopoly-where raw materials were increasingly constrained by international markets-the colonial government sought to promote self-sufficiency in coca production. This strategy not only ensured a stable supply of raw materials but also allowed the coca industry to balance for the declining incomes from opium as international controls tightened. From all angles, the coca industry met Japan's expectations as a "promising drug."

Spatial variability of lithodynamic characteristics of the Utrish reserve beaches

Beaches are important elements of coastal systems, providing wave attenuation and protection of coastal territories. This article presents the results of a study on the spatial variability of beach deposits in the coastal zone of the State Nature Reserve "Utrish." The work utilizes both field and remote sensing data. It was established that pebble and gravel-pebble accumulative beaches prevail in the coastal zone. The current width of the beach ranges from 5 to 50 meters, with a noticeable predominance of areas less than 12 meters wide. Gravitational coastal processes have a significant impact on the supply of beach-forming material to the coastal zone of the "Utrish" reserve.

Recycling and repair on the Roman frontier: a hoard of mail armour from Bonn

The Roman army was a vast military machine that demanded huge amounts of material and complex supply mechanisms. A 14kg hoard of mail armour from near the Roman legionary fortress of Bonn, Germany, offers insight into the organisation of recycling and repair on Rome's northern frontier. Computed tomography reveals there are at least four garments and suggests a likely date. The authors explore the hoard's context and motivations for its deposition and non-retrieval, arguing it formed a collection of ‘donor’ mail for repairing other mail garments. Its discovery in a settlement outside the military fortress indicates the involvement of local craftworkers. The settlement was abandoned in the mid-third century AD.

Impact of the European proposal to restrict PFAS on modern medical technology and treatment options

Abstract Functionality of state-of-the-art medical devices often depends on high-end materials. Today, a large spectrum of medical devices like heart valves, vascular grafts, sutures or endoscopic devices consist of or incorporate fluoropolymers like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Fluoropolymers offer unique mechanical, electrical and chemical properties. Based on their chemical constitution, fluoropolymers are assigned to the group of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). The aim of the current restriction proposal within Europe (EU) is to limit and/or fully ban the persistent PFAS substances known as forever chemicals. The restriction proposal concerns all PFAS substances beyond further subdividing and evaluating their hazardous potential and with just short-term derogations depending on the application. The consequences of the impending restriction proposal on PFAS is shown from a medical device industry viewpoint. Literature data on annual material consumption and supply chain are collected and evaluated, especially pointing to future problems assuming an entry into force of the pending restriction proposal. Furthermore, the short derogation times are contextualized with current timelines of Medical Device Regulation (MDR) approval processes to highlight the impact on product availability assuming a PFAS ban. Selected examples of affected products illustrate, how patient treatment options are limited by the PFAS restriction. It can be clearly shown that the PFAS restriction will critically affect the medical device sector through collapsed supply chain and insufficient derogation times for product approvals, thus limiting the availability of medical products and setting back the gold standards in medical treatment.

Assessing the Status and Challenges of Sole Proprietor Garment Businesses: Insights for Operational Enhancement

A sole proprietorship is without a doubt, the simplest form of business organization. Garment business on the other hand is considered as one of the most popular ventures among women entrepreneurs in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the status, issues and concerns of sole garment business in Taguig City to serve as basis for a proposal towards enhanced operations. It also attempted to determine the issues and concerns encountered in women entrepreneurs and their employees in the course of running the business. The descriptive method of research was used and it involved twelve (12) proprietors and fifty (50) employees as respondents. The data were analyzed and interpreted using the frequency, percentage, weighted mean and t-test. Results revealed that the respondents strongly agree on objective of the sole garment business, personnel, capital investments, operations requirements, wages and benefits, and supply of raw materials as vital factors for enhanced operations of sole garment business. The null hypothesis that there is no significant difference between the perceptions of the proprietors and employees on the status of sole garment business was accepted when it came to personnel, capital investments, operations requirements and wages and benefits. However, such null hypothesis was rejected when it came to objectives, raw materials supply, and equipment. As to issues and concerns encountered in sole garment business, the need for technologically advanced equipment came first, management style was ranked second, keeping up with fast fashion trend came in third while supply of raw materials was ranked fourth and inadequacy of business capitals came in the fifth rank.

Analisis Produk Kaos Oblong untuk Meminimalisir Defect dengan Metode New Seven Tools di Konveksi Graha Konveksindo

: Graha Konveksindo is a company that operates in the garment industry, where one of the products produced by this company is T-shirts. The aim of this research is to minimize defects by providing recommendations for improvements to T-shirts. This research was carried out using the New Seven Tools method, where this method can identify and find out the causes of defects in T-shirts and provide recommendations for improvement. The recommendations for improvement given are establishing clear procedures and standard standards for measuring color materials and attaching them to the coloring area, increasing cooperation with raw material suppliers who are reliable and provide high quality materials, checking raw material measurements and checking machine conditions. mixer before the production process, using an inspection checklist to ensure that each inspection step has been carried out correctly.

Knowledge and skills required for librarians in Digital Humanities: a literature review

This article is a literature review conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to identify, analyze and synthesize the competencies required of librarians in the Digital Humanities (DH); DH content in Information Science courses and the roles of librarians in DH projects. Competences were identified in all DH activities, particularly technological competences, soft skills, project planning and intellectual property rights. Courses and proposals for DH courses in Information Science were identified, as there are still gaps in training. The roles of librarians were identified at different levels, as suppliers of infrastructure, tools and raw materials, service providers, collaborators and project creators. It is recommended that DH be included both in the formal domain, through its inclusion in Information Science courses, and in the informal domain, through training that allows for lifelong updating.

Особливості формування виробничого потенціалу підприємств харчової промисловості

The study aims to determine the characteristics of the production potential of food industry enterprises, assess their current state, and determine directions for increasing the efficiency of production potential in martial law conditions. The research methodology involved using existing modern scientific and empirical achievements and recommendations regarding the peculiarities of the formation of the production potential of food industry enterprises. Official statistical data were used to analyze the size and scope of production, the efficiency of using labor resources, and the volume of capital investments. The time range covered 2021-2023. Indicators characterizing the efficiency of the functioning of enterprises include the volume of manufactured and sold products, the value of which increased by 15.5% and 20.6%, respectively. The number of workers employed in the production of products tended to decrease (-6.8%). The main problems accompanying food enterprises as a result of hostilities were loss of relations with suppliers, lack of stable sales directions for manufactured products, reduction in the number of personnel due to the mobilization of part of the employees, reduction in the number of personnel due to departure abroad; instability of the credit and financial sphere (high interest rates on loans, instability of the national monetary unit); absence or instability of the supply of raw materials and materials, including gas, electricity, water; occupation of territories where enterprises operate. Despite the troubles, food industry enterprises restored the pre-war level of capital investment and exceeded it by 4.3%. The state needs to focus its efforts on the following areas: financial and credit and tax incentives and infrastructure support to increase the production potential. The following programs have already been implemented and are operating to support enterprises affected by military actions: loans for working purposes at 1% per annum; an increase in the provision of state guarantees to 80; increasing the limit under the “5-7-9%” program to 150 million hryvnias; conclusion of international trade agreements for the export of manufactured products; reduction of dependence on imported raw materials; quotas for the import of products that have a higher competitive position compared to domestic types of products; reduction of bureaucracy; referral of employees to retraining and training; stimulation of innovations, etc. Keywords: production potential, resources, size and scale of activity, food industry enterprises.

Advancing biorefineries with ultrasonically assisted ionic liquid-based delignification: Optimizing biomass processing for enhanced bio-based product yields

Encouraging sustainable business needs utilization of bio-based substrate for green manufacturing of chemicals and fuels to achieve sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. One of the abundantly available bio-based substrates is lignocellulosic (LC) biomass, which requires effective pretreatment to fractionate into its structural biocomponents to maximize biorefinery potential. This study addresses the use of an inexpensive ionic liquid (triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate) [T2220][HSO4] in an ultrasound-assisted process as an environmentally acceptable pretreatment method for the delignification of LC biomass, specifically rice straw (RS). Using ionic liquid (IL)-assisted (IL, acid-IL, and alkali-IL) pretreatment procedures, the effects of IL volume, sonication time, and temperature were methodically examined for RS delignification. To evaluate the compositional changes in pretreated and raw RS, instrumental analyses were carried out. The maximum rates of 47 %, 55 %, and 64 % for the only IL, acid-IL, and alkali-IL treatments demonstrated the effect of temperature, operating time, and IL concentration on the delignification efficiency. The alkali-IL pretreatment was noteworthy for achieving a 64 % delignification rate under optimum values of IL volume (8.65 mL), sonication time (123 min), and temperature (82 °C). Artificial neural networks (ANN) and response surface methodology (RSM) were used for process modeling and optimization. With an accuracy of 0.989 in correlation coefficient, the ANN model outperformed the RSM regression model regarding forecasting delignification performance. Biorefinery of renewable biomass resources ensures the sustainable supply of materials, chemicals, and fuels. The delignification and downstream product recovery technologies are major limiting factors in the commercialization of biomass processing. The suggested [T2220][HSO4]-based ultrasonic approach provides a viable way to boost biomass valorization efficiency, which in turn improves economical and sustainable biorefinery and aids in the shift to green bio-based production.