Production Model Research Articles

Less But Better—Pork Meat Will Become One of the Luxury Foods of the Future

The global demand for meat is projected to rise, necessitating a transformative shift in the meat industry towards sustainable and emission-neutral production models. For decades, price competition has driven intense rivalry among meat packers, with a focus on cost control and product differentiation. However, anticipated increases in input costs and challenges to meat supply present a unique opportunity for innovation. Meat production faces mounting pressures, particularly in Northern Europe, to transition from traditional industrialized systems to sustainable practices that address climate impacts. Despite substantial investments in alternative proteins, livestock remains an efficient converter of low-value inputs into high-value human nutrition. As meat becomes scarcer, its historical status as a luxury food is poised to resurface, offering a business opportunity for meat packers while prompting Western consumers to adopt more plant-rich diets. Technological advancements such as automation and AI have revolutionized meat production, enabling efficient processes, enhanced meat quality, and reduced environmental impacts. The future of meat production hinges on adopting circular and emission-neutral practices. The industry’s sustainability will depend on balancing efficiency with ecological harmony, transforming meat from a ubiquitous commodity to a luxury symbol of quality. Through technological innovation and a paradigm shift in production philosophy, the meat industry can meet the nutritional needs of a growing global population while adhering to stringent environmental standards.

“Guidance but not the ultimate commandment”: Pros and Cons of Using Pivot Templates in the Audio Description Production Workflow

The need for audio-described audiovisual content is mainly growing due to statutory accessibility required in many countries. Regrettably, despite the popular and legal demand for audio description, broadcasters and producers perceive audio description (AD) as an expensive service with little profit potential. Audio Description Translation (ADT) is an alternative production model that can reduce the time and costs involved in AD production while maintaining quality and increasing the availability of audio-described content in multiple languages. Drawing on a widespread practice of using (pivot) templates in modern subtitling workflows, this article investigates the use of pivot templates in audio description, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of this production model as perceived by audio description translators. Data was collected in an experiment where six participants, five subtitlers, and an audio describer were asked to translate audio descriptions for Spanish films into Polish via an English pivot template. Results based on the thematic analysis of post-task interviews identify two main advantages: (1) personal advantages for the professionals performing the task and (2) external advantages that can benefit, for example, the production workflow, product, and target audience. The personal advantages are reduced time, effort, and responsibility. The external advantages are enhanced script quality and consistency.

Unintended distortion of regulating water use: Evidence from China

AbstractThe Chinese government has been using water efficiency targets to manage commercial, institutional, and industrial water use across the country. This paper argues that water efficiency targets may influence provincial administrators’ preferences in tightening water regulation in cities with higher water use while disproportionately overregulating water use in productive cities to satisfy their efficiency goals. I develop a city‐level production model with water regulation preferences and show that the unintended distortion of water regulation in response to water efficiency targets leads to efficiency loss of resource allocation and further reshapes regional output across cities, especially for productive cities. Using a sample of city‐level water data from 2006 to 2016 in China, this paper empirically investigates the impact of the Three Red Lines (TRL) policy on provincial administrators’ preferences in water use regulation. The results indicate that the elasticity of water regulation in response to the policy is approximately −0.64 to −0.8 and has resulted in tighter water regulations for cities with higher economic outputs. Quantitatively, eliminating water distortions would reshape water use across cities and increase the aggregate output of an entire province by up to 0.069%. The results imply that possible consequences of the political consideration of provincial administrators in satisfying water efficiency targets include inefficiency and inequality in water allocation.

Modeling of biogas production from hydrothermal carbonization products in a continuous anaerobic digester.

The coupling between anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising alternative for sustainable energy production. This study presents a dynamic model tailored for a lab-scale anaerobic digester operating on HTC products, specifically hydrochar and HTC liquor derived from sewage and agro-industrial digestate. Leveraging a modified version of the Anaerobic Model 2 (AM2), our simplified model of four states integrates pH and biomass decay rates into biomass kinetics. Simulation results of the mode were compared with experimental data collected over 164 days from the digester. The obtained results have proven the ability of the proposed model to predict the trend of the biogas production as well as important measured outputs of the bioreactor. The developed model could be used to control and optimize the performance of the digester, which provides potential for bioenergy production from waste streams such as digestate and digestate treated through the HTC process.

The content production routine in the pandemic context

The COVID-19 pandemic led Brazil to implement social distancing measures, challenging the operation of various organizations. This study aimed to identify how such a context impacted the content production routine in a media and entertainment company. After documentary analysis, interviews, and participant observation, three categories emerged: (i) emergence of guiding and facilitating artifacts; (ii) imposition of new competence, and (iii) emergence of new production models. Findings suggest that the interplay between the influence of artifacts on the ostensive aspect of routines and operational practice required new competencies from the involved actors.

Breaking through the "Tower of Babel": Exploratory Research on the International Communication Practice of Artificial Intelligence Generating News

With the deepening influence of artificial intelligence on the production mode of news and the increasing application of technological innovation in cross-border communication, this study found that artificial intelligence can solve the communication dilemma of language in cross-cultural communication revealed in the myth of the Tower of Babel through language translation and empathetic communication strategies. The literature review section introduces the basic concepts of cross-cultural empathy communication and the practical application of artificial intelligence-generated news in international communication. Multiple case studies were used in the research method, based on the specific practices of major media outlets including Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, China Central Television, Associated Press, New York Times, and CBS in the application of intelligent technology. The research results indicate that the application of intelligent technology in the news production process has significantly improved work efficiency and promoted innovation in news production models at three levels: technical logic, media logic, and capital logic. The conclusion drawn from this article is that the deep involvement of generative artificial intelligence technology in the news production process can help build a new production mechanism that balances efficiency and responsibility and promotes the comprehensive improvement of efficiency and quality in cross-cultural communication. Future research will continue to focus on the empirical application of intelligent technology in news production, further optimizing news production models, and providing new perspectives and methods for developing the media industry.

A multi-stage exponential production model for the assessment of China’s regional electric power supply chain efficiency: Does digital innovation matter?

A multi-stage exponential production model for the assessment of China’s regional electric power supply chain efficiency: Does digital innovation matter?

Estimating the benefits of floodplain restoration to juvenile Chinook salmon in the upper San Francisco Estuary, United States, under future climate scenarios

Many river systems within the Central Valley of California have been disconnected from their floodplains, hypothesized to be partially responsible for declining Chinook salmon populations (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). The primary floodplain of the system, Yolo By‐Pass (known regionally as “Yolo Bypass”), offered an opportunity to examine whether improved connectivity between the floodplain and river could limit negative climate change effects on salmon populations. Specifically, the top of the floodplain (Fremont Weir) is being modified to provide Sacramento River Chinook salmon better access to floodplain rearing habitat. We estimated restoration effects on the Yolo By‐Pass flood regime now and under future climate scenarios using flow rating curves. Additionally, we used temperature and flow‐specific effects on Chinook salmon population dynamics within the Yolo By‐Pass and Sacramento River complex to describe how the restoration project and climate change may interact to affect juvenile Chinook salmon biomass production. Our results indicate that the Fremont Weir restoration project will extend the frequency, timing, and duration of Yolo By‐Pass flooding. Our production model indicates that the modification will result in greater salmon entrainment rates into the Yolo By‐Pass, where salmon growth rates, survival rates, and biomass production were higher when compared to the Sacramento River main stem. The project appears to benefit all regional runs of Chinook salmon, which should help support life history diversity. Our results suggest that the weir modification should benefit native fish from the Central Valley that use floodplain habitat and that these benefits may be resilient to challenges created by a changing climate.

Numerical and Experimental Modal Analysis of a Gyroid Inconel 718 Structure for Stiffness Specification in the Design of Load-Bearing Components.

The study aims to investigate the modal properties of a 60 × 70 × 80 mm gyroid structure made of Inconel 718 with 67.5% porosity. The geometry model for sample production was created using the software PTC Creo, whereas the geometry model for numerical analysis was created using the Python application ScaffoldStructures. FE analysis was performed using ANSYS 2024 R1 software. Free boundary conditions were used in experimental modal analysis to ensure feasibility. The analysis identified the first four natural frequencies ranging from 10 to 16 kHz. The results revealed that the first natural frequency corresponds to the first torsional frequency about the Z axis, the second to the first flexural mode in the XZ plane, the third to the first bending mode in the YZ plane, and the fourth to the first torsional mode about the X axis. Small differences between the results of numerical and experimental modal analysis can be attributed to geometric errors in the manufactured sample, careless removal from the platform, and due to reduction in the complexity of the numerical FE model. Employing modal analysis of a component, the stiffness of a lightweight component can be revealed. In the case of the sample with the cellular structure of gyroid type, relatively high stiffness regarding the material savings was identified, which can be advantageously used in many applications.

The AI revolution with 21st century skills: Implications for the wage inequality and technical change

AbstractWe construct a three‐level constant elasticity of substitution production model. Labour is split into three components: (i) low‐skilled labour, (ii) high‐skilled labour with a traditional education background, and (iii) high‐skilled labour with an AI‐based education background. Rising use of automation in production will cause a rise in the skill premium (wages of both types of high‐skilled workers relative to low‐skilled workers) and AI skill premium (wages of high‐skilled labour with an AI‐based education relative to those with a traditional education background). Dependent on the value of the elasticity, automation may favour high‐skilled workers with an AI‐based education background.

Does Adaptation to Saltwater Intrusion Improve the Livelihoods of Farmers? Evidence for the Central Coastal Region of Vietnam

Saltwater intrusion poses severe threats to rice farming in Vietnam. Farmers can adapt by producing other crops or switching to other production models. This study evaluates the impact of implementing different saltwater-intrusion-adaptation strategies on farmers’ livelihoods by applying propensity score matching to cross-sectional survey data for 414 farmers in the Central Coastal region of Vietnam. We consider both economic and social indicators and find that there is considerable heterogeneity in the outcomes. With the exception of switching to new rice varieties, all adaptation strategies considered in the study significantly increase saline-land productivity, mainly as a result of higher revenues. Moreover, for these strategies, food security is found to be significantly higher, whereas life satisfaction is only higher for those farm households that cultivate vegetables, shrimp, or lotus-fish. Adopting new rice varieties is found to significantly decrease saline-land productivity, whereas the social impacts are not significant.

Private welfare for workers. Corporate welfare at Fiat in the era of Vittorio Valletta (1946-1966)1

ABSTRACT Fiat (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) was for a good part of the twentieth century Italy’s largest industrial company. Historians and sociologists have extensively investigated its productive expansion in the automotive industry, as well as the leading role it played in introducing and applying Taylorist and Fordist techniques of mass production to the Italian manufacturing sector. The analysis of the organization of the social policies that the company established for its employees from the 1920s onward has been, however, less considered. Yet, the complex of welfare, recreational and cultural services made available to workers was so pervasive that it seems interesting to reconstruct its history and assess the impact it had on the lives of employees. It can be argued that the corporate welfare made up by the Turin company during the years when Vittorio Valletta led it (1946–1966) was an integral element of the Fordist model of mass production, aimed not only to counterbalance the strain of assembly line work with social benefits, but also to replicate in daily life the regimentation that office and factory workers experienced in the hours they spent in the mills.

Impact of 4D Seismic Data Assimilation in the Production Forecasting of a Heavy Oil Turbidite Sandstone Field Offshore Brazil

The incorporation of 4D seismic data can be done at model characterization and data assimilation steps, the latter applying the observed data to update the model properties. In this work, we evaluate the impact of 4DS data in the production forecasting results investigating the influence on these distinct steps. We employ a prior model set generated without 4DS data and another prior set with 4DS in the characterisation. We perform, then, the DA in three different ways: (1) using only well history data with a prior set without 4DS; (2) using well history and 4DS data with this same prior set; and (3) using well history and 4DS data with the prior set generated with 4DS data. We employ the Ensemble Smoother with Multiple Data Assimilation method for data assimilation and implement a procedure to adjust the well productivities and injectivities after DA. This work assesses the differences among the three DA cases in terms of field oil production forecasting, model attributes and model misfits, the latter evaluated in terms of the assimilated data set and of a different data set for validation purposes only. We apply the work to a real heavy oil turbiditic field located offshore Brazil. The case application demonstrates a successful data assimilation study on a real field integrating well history and 4DS data. The results show that the utilisation of 4DS in both model characterisation and DA steps brought value to the final uncertainty reduction results. The posterior model ensemble with 4DS data in model characterization and DA provided the lowest model misfits overall to the full data set, being the best choice for application in field production forecasting studies. The case without 4DS data provided significantly more pessimistic field oil production than the cases with 4DS, making very evident the importance of employing 4DS at uncertainty reduction workflows.

Platelet Storage-Problems, Improvements, and New Perspectives.

Platelet transfusions are routine procedures in clinical treatment aimed at preventing bleeding in critically ill patients, including those with cancer, undergoing surgery, or experiencing trauma. However, platelets are susceptible blood cells that require specific storage conditions. The availability of platelet concentrates is limited to five days due to various factors, including the risk of bacterial contamination and the occurrence of physical and functional changes known as platelet storage lesions. In this article, the problems related to platelet storage lesions are categorized into four groups depending on research areas: storage conditions, additive solutions, new testing methods for platelets (proteomic and metabolomic analysis), and extensive data modeling of platelet production (mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and artificial intelligence). This article provides extensive information on the challenges, potential improvements, and novel perspectives regarding platelet storage.

Circular battery production in the EU: Insights from integrating life cycle assessment into system dynamics modeling on recycled content and environmental impacts

AbstractThe European Union (EU) Battery Regulation aims to establish a circular battery production and sets minimum battery material recycled targets for new batteries from post‐production and post‐consumer waste batteries. However, it is uncertain whether these targets can be met due to dynamic market developments and if their compliance results in environmental benefits. Therefore, this study examines the circular battery production in the EU and its impact on material flows and the environment from a market perspective. We combined a system dynamic market model with process models for battery production and recycling, using prospective life cycle assessment. According to our analysis, the projected amount of post‐consumer waste alone may not meet the specified levels of recycled materials due to long battery lifetimes. Thereby, the targets for cobalt are particularly ambitious, with a gap of between 9.8 and 14.6 percentage points for most scenarios. In the case of reduced battery lifetimes, the achievable recycled content across all materials increases by more than 75% in 2032 and by more than 85% in 2037. The avoidance of post‐production waste leads to 9% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to recycling with 100% recycling efficiency. Thus, attributable amounts of post‐production waste and unfavorable prolonged use of batteries create misguided incentives to meet legal targets. Additionally, the delay between production and recycling limits the potential for circular production as this depends significantly on market conditions. Our study highlights, that besides recycling, the industry should especially advance production processes including upstream material extraction and refinement to reduce environmental impacts.

Marine predators algorithm with deep learning based solar photovoltaic system modelling and optimization of green hydrogen production

Green hydrogen production depends on solar energy contains employing renewable solar power to purpose the electrolysis of water, causing the separation of hydrogen and oxygen molecules. This method contains a high potential to address the energy transition challenges caused by weather changes and vital carbon-neutral alternatives. Photovoltaic (PV) based combined energy systems performance as a potential new technological solution for clean and affordable green hydrogen production. Optimizing solar PV systems for the effectual generation of green hydrogen includes maximizing the energy output of solar panels and increasing the entire hydrogen production method. Several researchers and scientists are paid attention to the optimizer and modelling of many blocks developing the PV electrolysis method to acquire the optimum solution. With this motivation, the study presents a new Marine Predator Algorithm with Deep Learning-based Modelling and Optimization of the Green Hydrogen Production (MPADL-MOGHP) technique. The MPADL-MOGHP technique can be employed for determining the optimum operational variables of the water electrolysis procedure relevant to hydrogen (H2) production. Catalyst amount (μg), electrolysis time (min), and electric voltage (V) are the three controlling factors that should be properly detected to increase hydrogen production. The MPADL-MOGHP technique comprises two major stages of operations such as modelling and optimization. Primarily, the DBN model is applied for simulating the water electrolysis procedure designed based on electric voltage, quantity of catalyst, and electrolysis time. Next, the MPA is applied for determining the optimum parameters of the water electrolysis process to maximize the generation rate of the hydrogen. The quantity of catalyst, the electrolysis time, and the electric voltage are applied as decision parameters during the optimization process. The performances of the MPADL-MOGHP system are tested on different aspects. The experimental values highlighted the promising results of the MPADL-MOGHP method over other existing techniques.

A Survey on AI Integration into Industry 5.0

Industry 5.0 (IR 5.0) is a modern production model focused on human-machine collaboration. The goal is to maintain a balance between machine and human interaction, with an emphasis on creative production and customization. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a key role in IR 5.0, enabling intelligent manufacturing and transforming many aspects of society. Technologies such as AI, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR), Big Data Analytics and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are essential to achieve the goals of an intelligent society. This article explores the integration of AI in IR 5.0. However, there are some challenges to overcome such as data security, ethical concerns, employee training, black box AI, etc. Despite its challenges, AI integration to IR 5.0 promises to drive manufacturing automation, efficiency, and customization. To ensure inclusive and sustainable development, the social implications and impacts of IR 5.0 must be carefully considered.

The U-Matrix geometrical model for multi-particle production in high-energy hadronic collisions

Inspired by the picture portraying the KNO scaling violation as an extension of the geometrical scaling violation, the current study proposes a phenomenological model for multi-particle production in hadron collisions based on the geometrical approach and using the U-Matrix unitarization scheme of the scattering amplitude. The model has been fine-tuned and all parameters have been derived from optimal fits to various hadronic multiplicity distributions data in p + pp¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ p\\left(\\overline{p}\\right) $$\\end{document} collisions across a broad range of energies. The results have revealed that our model furnishes a reasonable description of diverse multiplicity distributions at various energies. Besides, they have demonstrated a pronounced violation of the geometrical scaling, which eventually resulted in a significant violation of the KNO scaling. The study has also analyzed the higher-order moments of the multiplicity distribution. We have observed an unexpected overestimation of the fluctuations and correlations between final state particles with increasing energy, particularly above LHC energy. It is claimed that this overestimation is due to statistical fluctuations embedded in the U-matrix scheme. The findings of this study have shed light on the key role of the U-matrix scheme in the impact of collision geometry on multi-particle production processes at high energy.

Material characterization revealing production models of the Late Ming silver hairpins

The Site of Jiangkou in Pengshan, Sichuan province revealed the largest assemblage of silver artefacts ever known in China. These artefacts were collected by Zhang Xianzhong, the rebellion general of the Late Ming and Early Qing period, from Sichuan and adjacent provinces, and sunk in the Minjiang River after his failure in 1644 CE. This research focuses on silver hairpins from this assemblage and explores their production system via detailed typological investigation and material characterization. According to their style, forming techniques and material provenance, the Jiangkou hairpins can be divided into three groups corresponding with three different types of production workshops. The first group was made in independent silversmiths mainly serving non-official civilians. Metallographic analysis shows they were made with varied forming techniques, including forging, folding, casting and welding. They were alloyed with varied amount of copper. The other two types have much more standardized forming techniques and are associated with the commercial workshops capable of mass production and government institutions. The commercial workshops commonly used forging-annealing method to make their hairpins and maintained a well consistent chemical composition across their products. The silver hairpins made by government institutions were all cast into shape, suggesting a highly standardized system. This type of hairpins were mostly found in tombs of royal families and high elites. This research revealed a stratified silver production system in the Late Ming period and demonstrated the strength of material characterization in revealing production organization models.

Dietary Crude Protein Reduction with Addition of Crystalline Amino Acids in Growing Pekin Ducks Housed in Cascading Cages: Influence on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Apparent Nutrient Digestibility

The intensive raising model for meat duck production has widely adopted cascading cages. However, investigations on low-protein diets for Pekin ducks under this model are scarce. Thus, a 3 × 6 factorial experiment was conducted using six dietary crude protein (CP) levels (17.61%, 16.25%, 15.34%, 14.55%, 13.38%, and 12.64%, analyzed) and three cage layers (lower, middle, and upper). The study aimed to examine the effects of dietary CP reduction with crystalline amino acid supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in growing Pekin ducks from 21 to 42 days of age housed at different cage layers. A total of 1620 21-day-old Pekin ducks were randomly divided into 18 groups, each with six replicates of 15 ducks per replicate. Ducks were distributed across different cage layers and were fed one of six experimental diets, respectively, each varying in dietary CP levels but maintaining similar dietary energy and amino acid profiles. The results showed that the reduction in dietary CP levels affected growth performance (p < 0.05), while weight gain, feed intake, and feed/gain of Pekin ducks had no difference among 17.61%, 16.25%, and 15.34% CP groups (p > 0.05). As dietary CP decreased, abdominal fat yield increased (p < 0.05), but breast and leg meat yields were unaffected (p > 0.05). CP intake, nitrogen intake, and nitrogen excretion decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with decreasing dietary CP levels, while apparent nutrient digestibility in Pekin ducks increased proportionally (p < 0.05). Additionally, body weight, weight gain, feed intake, CP intake, nitrogen intake, and nitrogen excretion of Pekin ducks decreased (p < 0.05) due to different cage layers, while carcass characteristics remained unaffected by cage layer (p > 0.05). In summary, it is feasible to reduce the dietary CP level with crystalline amino acid supplementation in growing Pekin ducks from 21 to 42 days of age housed in cascading cages, while the cage layers affected growth performance of ducks. Based on broken-line models, it was determined that the optimal dietary CP requirement for achieving maximum weight gain and feed efficiency in growing Pekin ducks is approximately 15%.