Production Methods Research Articles

Crop type rather than production method determines functional trait composition of insect communities on arable land in boreal agricultural landscapes

Abstract To understand the potential consequences of arable land use changes for insect conservation and ecosystem functioning, it is fundamental to know how insect species with different functional traits respond to crop choice and production method. This study examined the effects of crop type and production method on functional traits of butterfly, bumblebee and carabid beetle communities using species abundance data from 78 fields in Southern Finland. Surrounding landscape composition was also accounted for. The studied traits were associated with dispersal capacity, habitat or diet specialization and phenology—the key determinants modifying species responses to agricultural disturbances and land use changes. Butterfly habitat breadth was narrowest and wingspan shortest in long‐term fallows. Fallows also supported the highest share of butterflies overwintering in early development stages and bumblebees with late‐emerging queens. The tongue length of bumblebees was longest in organic oat fields, probably due to flowering weeds with long corolla. For carabid beetles, the proportion of poor flyers and carnivores was highest in perennial crops and fallows. Carabid beetles overwintering as adults were relatively more abundant in organic than in conventional production, probably due to more intensive tillage in organic fields. In all insect groups, poor dispersers and/or specialists decreased with increasing arable land cover in the surrounding landscape. Increasing the area of long‐term fallows and perennial crops and enhancing within‐field plant diversity while maintaining landscape heterogeneity would promote insect species sensitive to agricultural disturbances and land use changes and their associated ecosystem services in boreal farmland.

Natural Polyhydroxyalkanoates—An Overview of Bacterial Production Methods

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are intracellular biopolymers that microorganisms use for energy and carbon storage. They are mechanically similar to petrochemical plastics when chemically extracted, but are completely biodegradable. While they have potential as a replacement for petrochemical plastics, their high production cost using traditional carbon sources remains a significant challenge. One potential solution is to modify heterotrophic PHA-producing strains to utilize alternative carbon sources. An alternative approach is to utilize methylotrophic or autotrophic strains. This article provides an overview of bacterial strains employed for PHA production, with a particular focus on those exhibiting the highest PHA content in dry cell mass. The strains are organized according to their carbon source utilization, encompassing autotrophy (utilizing CO2, CO) and methylotrophy (utilizing reduced single-carbon substrates) to heterotrophy (utilizing more traditional and alternative substrates).

Unlocking Innovations: Exploring the Role of Kefir in Product Development

Abstract Purpose of Review The current review explores kefir's role in product development, investigating production methods, microbial composition, and health benefits across traditional and industrial processes. Variations in fermentation techniques and microbial diversity, highlighting milk and water kefir's potential as functional foods catering to diverse consumer preferences, have been evaluated. Recent Findings Recent literature underscores the diverse microbial community in kefir grains, which contributes to texture, flavor, and biological properties, including antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Kefir-based products are diverse and include traditional fermented milk drinks and innovative formulations like kefir cheese and powdered starter cultures, with emerging techniques such as spray drying resolving issues in shelf life and storage stability. Summary The beneficial aspect of Kefir makes it a promising avenue for innovation in product development by exploiting fermentation matrices and augmenting it with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics thereby enhancing its functional properties for gut health and diverse diet. Emerging technologies have been critical in tackling the challenges of shelf life and packaging costs. Continuing research and innovation addresses kefir's potential as a functional food, catering to the growing demand for health-oriented and sustainable products.

Nanocrystal cellulose from diverse biological sources: Application and innovations

Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polymer on Earth which is extensively distributed in diverse ecosystems. It is present in higher plants, marine organisms, and also produced through microbial processes in organisms like algae, fungi, and bacteria. From an industrial perspective, the semicrystalline nature of cellulose present in different plant and microbial sources enables the fabrication of various types of nanocellulose, such as nanofibre and nanocrystals, through mechanical disintegration and chemical methods, respectively. Nanocellulose distinguishes itself as a sustainable, nonharmful, and biodegradable polymer. It will enable sustainable development for responsible consumption and production. Possessing a range of excellent properties, it can be seamlessly integrated into various materials. Research on nanocellulose is gaining momentum in response to current issues related to fossil fuels, including concerns about CO2 emissions, plastic pollution, and the need for renewable energy sources. This review addresses nanocrystals production method from cellulose found in agricultural, microbial sources, and its applications in fields such as materials science, electronics, medicine, and environmental science.

Sustainable dye extraction: Annatto powder production in a fountain confined spouted bed

AbstractThis study proposes an efficient and sustainable process for annatto powder production using a fountain confined spouted bed. With widespread applications in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, conventional extraction methods face environmental and economic challenges. Our study explores a solvent‐free and eco‐friendly approach using mechanical attrition within a fountain confined spouted bed, offering a cost‐effective solution for annatto cultivation. We systematically investigated the impact of four parameters—fountain confiner position and length, draft tube diameter, and airflow velocity—employing experimental design, multiple regression analysis, particle swarm optimization, and computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method (CFD‐DEM) simulations. The proposed optimization condition shows significantly higher collision intensity, improving annatto powder production compared to other central composite design tests. This study contributes to developing of a sustainable and economically viable method for dye production, with potential implications for annatto‐producing regions globally.

Non-Covalent Cross-Linking Hydrogel: A New Method for Visceral Hemostasis

Excessive blood loss could lead to pathological conditions such as tissue necrosis, organ failure, and death. The limitations of recently developed hemostatic approaches, such as their low mechanical strength, inadequate wet tissue adhesion, and weak hemostatic activity, pose challenges for their application in controlling visceral bleeding. In this study, a novel hydrogel (CT) made of collagen and tannic acid (TA) was proposed. By altering the proportions between the two materials, the mechanical properties, adhesion, and coagulation ability were evaluated. Compared to commercial hydrogels, this hydrogel has shown reduced blood loss and shorter hemostatic time in rat hepatic and cardiac bleeding models. This was explained by the hydrogel’s natural hemostatic properties and the significant benefits of wound closure in a moist environment. Better biodegradability was achieved through the non-covalent connection between tannic acid and collagen, allowing for hemostasis without hindering subsequent tissue repair. Therefore, this hydrogel is a new method for visceral hemostasis that offers significant advantages in treating acute wounds and controlling major bleeding. And the production method is simple and efficient, which facilitates its translation to clinical applications.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Consumer Perceptions of Local Food Market Channels

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on food systems. Despite disrupting conventional markets—such as grocery stores—farmers that focused on short supply chains found new market opportunities. As consumers increasingly became concerned with the safety of in-person shopping, some turned to purchasing directly from farmers and markets that carried products marketed as local, organic, and/or sustainable. With these changes in mind, I ask how consumer perceptions of local food systems (LFSs) changed in the two years after COVID-19. If consumers are more aware of local markets, farmers might reorient production to focus on local supply chains and sustainable production methods. To evaluate consumer perceptions, I use survey responses from residents in five communities in the US South in 2019 and 2022. Using a treatment effects model with propensity score matching, I show that residents became more aware of most local market channels, such as specialty retail stores and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Some residents were also more likely to have a positive perception of markets that provide fresh vegetables to low-income residents. Finally, residents wanted more investment into markets that make fresh, local products more available, such as community-owned groceries and CSA.

Exploring the potential of ammonia and hydrogen as alternative fuels for transportation

Abstract This study investigates the potential of hydrogen and ammonia, as alternatives for transportation fuels to tackle urgent issues concerning greenhouse gas emissions and air quality in the worldwide transportation sector. By examining studies and technological progresses, we evaluate the feasibility of transitioning to these energy options. Through an investigation of production methods, energy efficiency, environmental consequences, and infrastructure requirements, we present both the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen and ammonia as fuel substitutes. We spotlight production techniques such as electrolysis and renewable energy sources that could significantly decrease carbon emissions and air pollutants. Nonetheless, key challenges such as expanding infrastructure, cost-effectiveness, and safety considerations need to be resolved for adoption. Drawing on findings from research and industry developments, this article contributes to publications on transportation solutions while proposing avenues for research efforts and policy initiatives. Existing challenges and limitations are also discussed in details. In conclusion, this research underscores the significance of research endeavors and policy backing to unlock the potential of hydrogen and ammonia as sustainable transportation fuels underscoring their role in mitigating environmental impacts and promoting global sustainability objectives.

Design of intelligent agricultural landscape planning and ecological balance control system based on remote sensing images

Abstract With the modernization of agricultural production and the acceleration of urbanization, agricultural landscape planning and ecological balance control have become important issues in promoting sustainable development. Traditional agricultural production methods have problems such as resource waste, environmental pollution, and ecological damage. This article aimed to achieve scientific planning and management of agricultural landscapes, and promote the efficiency of agricultural production, rational utilization of resources, and protection of the ecological environment, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural development. This study first focused on denoising and feature extraction of agricultural remote sensing data images, using remote sensing technology to obtain agricultural landscape information. After that, artificial intelligence was adopted to achieve intelligent agricultural landscape planning, with the goal of maintaining ecological balance and promoting efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable agricultural production. This study took the landscape of a certain city as an example to test the processing effect of remote sensing images, and it was proved that the effect was good. We tested the performance of an intelligent agricultural landscape planning and ecological balance control system based on remote sensing images. According to the experimental results, it can be concluded that the resource utilization efficiency of farmland A monitored by the intelligent agricultural landscape planning system using remote sensing image technology was 82%, while the traditional one was only 60%. This indicated that the collection effect of remote sensing image technology was much better than that of traditional technology. This article comprehensively and timely monitored and evaluated farmland through remote sensing image technology, including crop growth status, soil moisture, nutritional status, etc. The system can provide precise planting and management suggestions for farmers based on this information, and help them optimize farmland layout, crop selection, and irrigation management, thereby improving the production efficiency of farmland and crop yield.

Metabolic Engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for the Production of Flavonoids and Stilbenoids

Flavonoids and stilbenoids, crucial secondary metabolites abundant in plants and fungi, display diverse biological and pharmaceutical activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. However, conventional production methods, such as chemical synthesis and plant extraction, face challenges in sustainability and yield. Hence, there is a notable shift towards biological production using microorganisms like Escherichia coli and yeast. Yet, the drawbacks of using E. coli and yeast as hosts for these compounds persist. For instance, yeast’s complex glycosylation profile can lead to intricate protein production scenarios, including hyperglycosylation issues. Consequently, Corynebacterium glutamicum emerges as a promising alternative, given its adaptability and recent advances in metabolic engineering. Although extensively used in biotechnological applications, the potential production of flavonoid and stilbenoid in engineered C. glutamicum remains largely untapped compared to E. coli. This review explores the potential of metabolic engineering in C. glutamicum for biosynthesis, highlighting its versatility as a cell factory and assessing optimization strategies for these pathways. Additionally, various metabolic engineering methods, including genomic editing and biosensors, and cofactor regeneration are evaluated, with a focus on C. glutamicum. Through comprehensive discussion, the review offers insights into future perspectives in production, aiding researchers and industry professionals in the field.

Obesity-Related Traits Mediate the Effects of Educational Attainment on the Risk of Varicose Veins, Venous Thromboembolism, and Phlebitis.

The extent to which educational attainment (EA) influences the risk of varicose veins (VVs), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and phlebitis occurrence, whether this pathway is mediated by obesity-related traits, and the proportion of their mediation is unknown. A Mendelian randomization (MR) design was used to genetically investigate the causal effects of EA on the risk of VV, VTE, and phlebitis and to assess the mediating effect of obesity-related traits. Causal effects were estimated using primarily the multiplicative random-effects inverse variance-weighted method. This was supplemented by Cochran's Q-statistic, MR-Egger regression, MR funnel plots, and leave-one-out test to evaluate the reliability of the results. For the individual mediation effect, the coefficient product method was mainly utilized to estimate. An increase in genetically predicted EA was associated with a lower risk of VV, VTE, and phlebitis, as well as lower body mass index, basal metabolic rate, hip circumference, and waist circumference. As genetically predicted body mass index, basal metabolic rate, hip circumference, and waist circumference increased, the risk of developing VV, VTE, and phlebitis increased, respectively. Body mass index, basal metabolic rate, hip circumference, and waist circumference were identified as mediators of the protective effects of EA on VV, VTE, and phlebitis. The findings support a causal relationship between higher EA and lower risk of VV, VTE, and phlebitis. Obesity-related traits play a significant mediating role in these pathways, and there are interactions between them, with hip circumference mediating these pathways relatively independently from the other three.

Advancements in Biochar Modification for Enhanced Phosphorus Utilization in Agriculture

The role of modified biochar in enhancing phosphorus (P) availability is gaining attention as an environmentally friendly approach to address soil P deficiency, a global agricultural challenge. Traditional phosphatic fertilizers, while essential for crop yield, are costly and environmentally detrimental owing to P fixation and leaching. Modified biochar presents a promising alternative with improved properties such as increased porosity, surface area, and cation exchange capacity. This review delves into the variability of biochar properties based on source and production methods and how these can be optimized for effective P adsorption. By adjusting properties such as pH levels and functional groups to align with the phosphate’s zero point of charge, we enhance biochar’s ability to adsorb and retain P, thereby increasing its bioavailability to plants. The integration of nanotechnology and advanced characterization techniques aids in understanding the structural nuances of biochar and its interactions with phosphorus. This approach offers multiple benefits: it enables farmers to use phosphorus more efficiently, reducing the need for traditional fertilizers and thereby minimizing environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and P leaching. This review also identifies existing research gaps and future opportunities for further biochar modifications. These findings emphasize the significant potential of modified biochar in sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of the Impact of Globalization Trends in the Digital Economy on Business Management and Administration Systems of Enterprises

Aim. This study aims to investigate the impact of globalization trends on the business management and administration systems. Methodology. The scoping review of the literature included 123 articles through desk research and in-house material. Upon categorizing typologies as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed, an assessment was made regarding the performance and consequences of globalization from 1990 to 2022. Results. Developing country managers are more likely to depend on international sales as a means to augment revenue, due to the greater saturation of sales in developed markets. Developed economies focus on advanced, possibly automated production methods, whereas developing nations employ the digital economy to compete in less automated industries. This creates a more specialized global market..E-commerce in the digital economy makes it easier for developing nations to enter the global market and reach a global audience. In their pursuit of financial gain, corporations based in affluent nations are more likely to employ sophisticated production methods, while those situated in developing countries are more likely to utilize less advanced ones. A number of prevalent issues and trends—including economics, politics, emerging markets, corporate social responsibility, and emerging markets—were recognized as critical for the development of global markets. While past research has focused on globalization's effects on developed economies, this study examines emerging country managers' unique difficulties and opportunities. The emphasis on expanding international sales and potential manufacturing process reduction can inform management approaches in similar situations. Conclusion. The recommendations underscore the critical necessity for further investigation into the aforementioned impacts across diverse economies, ranging from developing to developed. Although this study encountered difficulties due to inconsistent and limited data, it established a strong foundation for subsequent investigations in the field through the application of operationalization, methodologies, and analyses discovered in the business literature.

Analysis of large-scale high-quality graphene production and applications

Graphene, a single-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, is the thinnest and strongest material known to mankind. It has excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, making it a promising material for a wide range of applications in electronics, optoelectronics, energy storage, and more. With the increasing demand for graphene in various applications, large-scale and high-quality graphene production has become a significant challenge. While early methods of graphene production involved mechanical exfoliation, this method is limited in terms of scalability and yield. To meet the increasing demand for large-scale production of graphene, various methods have been developed in recent years, including chemical vapor precipitation, epitaxial crystal growth, graphene oxide reduction and solvent exfoliation and so on. This study aims to introduce several existing methods for the mass production of graphene with high quality and analyzes the advantages and disadvantage involve thereof. The findings in this paper may provide a valuable reference for the industrial-scale production of graphene.

An Overview of Hydrothermally Synthesized Titanate Nanotubes: The Factors Affecting Preparation and Their Promising Pharmaceutical Applications

Recently, titanate nanotubes (TNTs) have been receiving more attention and becoming an attractive candidate for use in several disciplines. With their promising results and outstanding performance, they bring added value to any field using them, such as green chemistry, engineering, and medicine. Their good biocompatibility, high resistance, and special physicochemical properties also provide a wide spectrum of advantages that could be of crucial importance for investment in different platforms, especially medical and pharmaceutical ones. Hydrothermal treatment is one of the most popular methods for TNT preparation because it is a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly water-based procedure. It is also considered as a strong candidate for large-scale production intended for biomedical application because of its high yield and the special properties of the resulting nanotubes, especially their small diameters, which are more appropriate for drug delivery and long circulation. TNTs’ properties highly differ according to the preparation conditions, which would later affect their subsequent application field. The aim of this review is to discuss the factors that could possibly affect their synthesis and determine the transformations that could happen according to the variation of factors. To fulfil this aim, relevant scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, etc.) were searched using the keywords titanate nanotubes, hydrothermal treatment, synthesis, temperature, time, alkaline medium, post treatment, acid washing, calcination, pharmaceutical applications, drug delivery, etc. The articles discussing TNTs preparation by hydrothermal synthesis were selected, and papers discussing other preparation methods were excluded; then, the results were evaluated based on a careful reading of the selected articles. This investigation and comprehensive review of different parameters could be the answer to several problems concerning establishing a producible method of TNTs production, and it might also help to optimize their characteristics and then extend their application limits to further domains that are not yet totally revealed, especially the pharmaceutical industry and drug delivery.

The Internet Doesn't Exist in the Sky: Literacy, AI, and the Digital Middle Passage

AbstractThis article utilizes speculative and visual storytelling alongside interdisciplinary research on artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic oppression to engage in a thought experiment on how literacy studies might refuse the oppressionist logics currently undermining the possibilities of AI in literacy education. As technological advancements in education will only continue to increase and as society is yet to ascertain the parameters of an ethical AI system, it is paramount to analyze the past and present and contemplate potential futures, especially those that do not result in violence against Black and Brown peoples. To engage in speculation, we employ Endarkened Storywork (Toliver, 2022) to present an empirically driven, futuristic, science fiction narrative from two perspectives: (1) a US, Black girl who is forced to participate in AI‐structured secondary schooling and (2) a Black girl in Haiti who is forced to live in a country polluted by technological byproduct. This narrative, which is grounded in academic research and news editorials, is accompanied by comic art and followed by a companion analysis detailing the theoretical backdrop of the story. By utilizing multiple methods of scholarly distribution, we provide multiple entry points for readers to engage with this work. We offer a means for readers to see—via story, art, and scholarship—the potential impacts of AI on Black people globally. Additionally, by situating this article in the creative and scholarly realms, we strategically deconstruct traditional forms and methods of knowledge production that have constrained academic research and rendered invisible alternative forms of data representation.

Assessment of Safe Vegetable Cultivation at Jashore in Bangladesh: Evidence from Country Bean, Cucumber and Pointed Gourd Cultivation

The study was designed to assess the present status and methods of safe vegetable production at farm level in selected areas of Jashore during January-May, 2023. For the study ninety sample farmer were selected by stratified sampling from three sub-district of Jashore. Average farm size was 0.79 ha in study area. Farmer doing different agronomic management such as weeding, irrigation, spraying, de-topping, stalking, earthing up etc. Farmer used different methods simultaneously such as insecticide spray, bio-pesticide, sex pheromone, yellow trap, white trap, hand picking etc. for controlling insect pest. About sixty-four percent farmer sprayed synthetic pesticide and rest of them used bio control method such as bio-pesticide (bio-chamak, eco-mac, bio-envir, bio-cin), sex pheromone trap, yellow trap and hand picking for control insect pest in their fields. About fifty-eight percent farmer used bio-fertilizer along with organic fertilizer (manure, vermin compost) and seventy-eight percent farmer used chemical fertilizer for vegetable cultivation. Total production cost of country bean was Tk.3,36,579 ha-1, cucumber was Tk.3,25,915 ha-1 and pointed gourd was Tk.4,40,106 ha-1. Among the cost item labor cost was highest. Average yield of country bean was 30.60 tha-1, cucumber was 30.08 tha-1 and pointed gourd was 41.60 tha-1. Highest benefit cost ratio was cucumber (2.13) followed by pointed gourd (2.07) and country bean (1.50), that means safe vegetable cultivation also profitable. Farmer awareness, havoc attack of pest and insect were the main problem for safe vegetable cultivation. Market facilities, demand, value chain, proper price for organic vegetable, and farmer motivation can promote and enhance safe vegetable cultivation.

Bridging the gap: integrating AR and VR production line training to enhance furniture carpentry students’ understanding of production processes

ABSTRACT Large-scale furniture production involves complex manufacturing processes and methods. However, Taiwanese schools face limitations in terms of space and equipment, restricting students from engaging in furniture prototype creation or small-batch production. As a result, students often struggle to grasp practical aspects of large-scale furniture production, leading to a partial understanding of manufacturing processes and methods. To bridge this gap, this study introduces Augmented Reality (AR) technology and miniaturized furniture production lines in a school’s woodshop. AR can be used to guide students through miniaturized production stages, emphasizing semi-automated furniture production features. Additionally, Virtual Reality (VR) technology is combined to provide an immersive experience of real-world, large-scale furniture production, allowing students to understand processing scenarios and conditions in facilities of other countries. In an experiment involving 30 first-year students, an experimental group (15 participants) received mixed AR and VR instruction, while a control group (15 participants) received traditional teaching methods. Findings reveal that AR and VR integration enhanced students’ comprehension of differences between the school workship and overseas large-scale furniture production facilities. This strategy improved their furniture production knowledge, and fostered adaptability to various production conditions and methods.

Experimental study and numerical simulation on porosity dependent direct reducibility of high-grade iron oxide pellets in hydrogen

The transition to more environmentally friendly steel production methods has intensified research into hydrogen-based direct reduction (HyDR) of iron oxide pellets. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the kinetics of the reduction process, the evolution of porosity and the resulting microstructural changes on the reduction behavior of high-quality pellets during HyDR of iron ore at different temperatures. A modified mathematical model is developed based on the shrinkage kernel model, taking into account both mass and heat transport in a hydrogen atmosphere. The effects of temperature, particle size and time on the reduction behavior of the pellets are investigated. The simulated results are validated and discussed by the results of a batch of iron oxide pellets consisting of ten almost spherical pellets subjected to the direct reduction process with pure hydrogen. The results show that the total energy input to the HyDR process is a complex balance of factors, including chemical reaction rates, diffusion dynamics and entropy generation. The increase in free volume and simultaneous decrease in pore diameter reflect the dynamic nature of the microstructure, which includes additional free volume and defects due to the volume discrepancies and associated stresses between the reactant and product phases. Furthermore, the data show that higher temperatures accelerate the reduction reactions, especially the transformation of wustite into metallic iron. This phase transition is characterized by a significant volume change that cannot be accommodated by elastic deformation alone, leading to the development of lattice defects such as cracks, creep pores and dislocations that serve as stress relief mechanisms. The trends for porosity change at 950 °C and 1000 °C observed in the experimental results are correct and in good agreement with the numerical and simulated results.

China’s ecological footprint via biomass import and consumption is increasing

As China’s economic and population demands grow, the need for biomass imports rises, presenting challenges for sustainable development and global ecosystem protection. Here we examine China’s increasing influence on global ecosystems through its biomass product consumption and trade using the Human Appropriation of Net Primary Productivity framework, analyzing data from 2004 to 2017 with projections until 2050. In 2017, China was the world’s largest biomass consumer, consuming approximately 1.75 petagrams of carbon per year, projected to rise by 317.6% by 2050, highlighting China’s major role in global ecosystem stress. Our findings also show an increase in biomass imports from lower-middle-income and low-income countries between 2004 and 2017, and these imports are expected to continue increasing by 402.9% in 2050. The analysis reveals that domestic product demand and changes in foreign production efficiency are key drivers of this trend, suggesting the need for China to shift towards more efficient trade practices and support cleaner production methods internationally.