Potential Obstacles Research Articles

Towards a Circular Economy in the Mining Industry: Possible Solutions for Water Recovery through Advanced Mineral Tailings Dewatering

The mining industry is confronted with substantial challenges in achieving environmental sustainability, particularly regarding water usage, waste management, and dam safety. The increasing global demand for minerals has led to increased mining activities, resulting in significant environmental consequences. By 2025, an estimated 19 billion tons of solid tailings are projected to accumulate worldwide, exacerbating concerns over their management. Tailings storage facilities represent the largest water sinks within mining operations. The mismanagement of water content in tailings can compromise their stability, leading to potential dam failures and environmental catastrophes. In response to these pressing challenges, the mining industry is increasingly turning to innovative solutions such as tailings dewatering and water reuse/recycling strategies to promote sustainable development. This review paper aims to (I) redefine the role of mine tailings and explore their physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics; (II) discuss environmental concerns associated with conventional disposal methods; (III) explore recent advancements in dewatering techniques, assessing their potential for water recovery, technical and economic constraints, and sustainability considerations; (IV) and present challenges encountered in water treatment and recycling within the mining industry, highlighting areas for future research and potential obstacles in maximizing the value of mine tailings while minimizing their environmental impact.

A Relationship of Traffic Congestion and Class Attendance Motivation among College Students in Davao City, Philippines

Traffic congestion has been observed to be one of the biggest and most prevalent problems on the society. With the policies’ implementation of face-to-face classes to the schools, numbers of college students frequently travel and mainly experience traffic congestion. Thus, transportation is one of many potential obstacles that students may experience when attempting to attend class particularly, students in Davao City as they are exposed to traffic and their classes need face-to-face interaction as a requirement to the institution. The study focuses on the significant relationship between traffic congestion and class attendance motivation. This study utilized a descriptive-correlational approach to research where it was used to describe the levels of traffic congestion and the levels of class attendance motivation, as well as to assess if there is a correlation between these variables. The 378 gathered results from one of the higher educational institutions in Davao City serves as respondents has indicated that the traffic congestion is highly observed, and class attendance motivation is manifested in high level. Furthermore, it was found in the study that motivation to attend class and traffic congestion are significantly and positively correlated. Hence, the study concluded that there is substantial proof that the motivation of students to attend class is significantly impacted by traffic congestion. The researcher recommend that future researchers widen the scope of the research and use this as a foundation and source of perspective leading as they explore possibilities for enhancing the study and to provide solution to alleviate this concern through implementation of various public and transportation regulations.

The double bottom line of savings banks and credit cooperatives – Insights into lived practice

Abstract Credit cooperatives and savings banks not only fulfill economic purposes, but also pursue social objectives. An orientation towards the common good as part of their hybrid target system leads to positive externalities of their business activities for society, such as the stabilization of the financial sector or the support of vulnerable groups. However, an analysis of current literature and a quantitative study on the lived practice of their social mission show that cooperative and savings banks so far only inadequately communicate the implementation of their values and principles to the public. The article thus offers an insight into the social commitment of Austrian banks and discusses potential obstacles to intensified double bottom line accountability.

Financial market regulation and private law: a new frontier of transnational commercial law

Abstract Global financial markets are among the most extensively regulated markets in the world economy. This poses significant challenges from a private law perspective when regulatory rules interfere with private rights and obligations. This article examines the potential of transnational commercial law (TCL) to provide for a private law framework suited to the regulatory reality in global financial markets. The article finds that, while regulatory aspects are generally excluded from TCL instruments, notable exceptions to this general rule occur. Based on an analysis of the approaches undertaken in the Unidroit Convention of Substantive Rules for Intermediated Securities (Geneva Convention), including the accompanying Legislative Guide, the Unidroit Principles on the Operation of Close-Out Netting Provisions and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Secured Transactions, the article maps out three methods that allow for a reconciliation of private and regulatory rules: (i) the adoption of a flexible private law system including default and conflict rules; (ii) the use of opening clauses to allow deviations from TCL rules in accordance with international regulatory standards; and (iii) a codificatory approach through the development of a comprehensive and systematic legal framework consisting of both private law and regulatory rules. Finally, the article addresses potential obstacles and objections that future TCL instruments will face when addressing regulatory aspects. Overall, the article argues that an efficient financial market requires a foreseeable set of private law rules that—considering the continuous expansion of regulatory law—must address the pressing issues deriving from the interrelation of regulation and private law. However, the adaption of TCL instruments should be limited to common-sense financial market regulation that, even if differing from State to State, generally follows globally shared regulatory goals.

A Review on the Effect of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Tribological Properties of Biolubricants.

This review provides a comprehensive and accessible literature review on the integration of nanoparticles into biolubricants to enhance wear and friction regulation, thus improving the overall lubricated system performance. Nanotechnology has significantly impacted various industries, particularly in lubrication. Nanobiolubricants offer promising avenues for enhancing tribological properties. This review focuses on oxide nanoparticles, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), copper oxide (CuO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles, for their ability to enhance lubricant performance. The impact of nanoparticle concentration on biolubricant properties, including viscosity, viscosity index, flash point temperature, and pour point temperature, is analyzed. The review also addresses potential obstacles and limitations in nanoparticle incorporation, aiming to propose effective strategies for maximizing their benefits. The findings underscore the potential of nanobiolubricants to improve operational efficiency and component lifespan. This review aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and professionals in exploring and leveraging nanotechnology's potential in the lubrication industry. This review paper explores the basics of tribology along with its significance, green principles, mechanisms, and energy savings because of friction, wear, and lubrication. Condition monitoring techniques are also explored to achieve brief knowledge about maintaining reliability and safety of the industrial components. Recent advances in tribology including superconductivity, biotribology, high-temperature tribology, tribological simulation, hybrid polymer composite's tribology, and cryogenic tribology are investigated, which gives a thorough idea about the subject.

Should tobacco sales be restricted to state-run alcohol outlets? Perspectives from 10 US alcohol control states.

The ubiquity of tobacco retailers helps to sustain the tobacco epidemic. A tobacco retail reduction approach that has not been tried is transitioning tobacco sales to state-controlled alcohol stores (TTS), which are limited in number and operate under some restrictions, e.g. regarding opening hours or marketing materials. This study summarizes policy experts' and advocates' views of TTS, including (1) advantages and disadvantages; (2) feasibility; and (3) potential implementation obstacles. This study was a qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews. Ten US states with alcoholic beverage control systems wereincluded. The participants comprised a total of 103 tobacco control advocates and professionals, public health officials, alcohol policy experts and alcohol control system representatives, including two tribal community representatives. Interviewees' perspectives on their state's alcoholic beverage control agency (ABC, the agency that oversees or operates a state alcohol monopoly) and on TTS were assessed. Interviewees thought TTS offered potential advantages, including reduced access to tobacco products, less exposure to tobacco advertising and a greater likelihood of successful smoking cessation. Some saw potential long-term health benefits for communities of color, due to the smaller number of state alcohol stores in those communities. Interviewees also raised concerns regarding TTS, including ABCs' limited focus on public health and emphasis on revenue generation, which could conflict with tobacco use reduction efforts. Some interviewees thought TTS could enhance the power of the tobacco and alcohol industries, increase calls for alcohol system privatization or create difficulties for those in recovery. In the United States, transitioning tobacco sales to state-controlled alcohol stores (TTS) could have a positive public health impact by reducing tobacco availability, marketing exposure and, ultimately, tobacco use. However, tensions exist between alcohol control system goals of providing revenue to the state and protecting public health. Should a state decide to pursue TTS, several guardrails should be established, including building into the legislation an explicit goal of reducing tobacco consumption.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR ACCELERATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HVAC SYSTEMS AMIDST CLIMATE CHANGE

Amidst the escalating impacts of climate change, optimizing energy efficiency in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems emerges as a critical imperative. This review explores project management strategies aimed at accelerating energy efficiency in HVAC systems amidst climate change challenges. In response to climate change, the urgency to mitigate energy consumption in HVAC systems has intensified. Project management plays a pivotal role in orchestrating systematic approaches to address this challenge. Firstly, effective project management entails comprehensive planning. This involves conducting thorough energy audits and assessments to identify inefficiencies and prioritize improvement opportunities. Utilizing advanced technologies such as Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) can enhance data collection and analysis for informed decision-making. Secondly, stakeholder engagement is essential for successful project implementation. Collaboration between building owners, facility managers, engineers, and contractors facilitates alignment of goals and resources. Clear communication channels and regular progress updates foster accountability and momentum throughout the project lifecycle. Thirdly, project management methodologies like Agile or Lean can streamline HVAC efficiency initiatives. Iterative development allows for continuous improvement, enabling teams to adapt to evolving requirements and incorporate feedback effectively. Moreover, risk management strategies are vital to anticipate and mitigate potential obstacles. Contingency plans for supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, and unforeseen technical challenges ensure project resilience and minimize disruptions. Lastly, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are indispensable for tracking project performance and verifying energy savings. Utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and performance benchmarks enables stakeholders to measure success and adjust strategies as needed. Effective project management strategies are indispensable for accelerating energy efficiency in HVAC systems amidst climate change. By emphasizing comprehensive planning, stakeholder engagement, agile methodologies, risk management, and continuous evaluation, organizations can navigate challenges and realize substantial energy savings in HVAC operations.
 Keywords: Project Management, HVAC, Climate Change, Energy, Efficiency, Review.

Navigating the intricacies of regulations: Leveraging AI/ML for Accurate Reporting

In the ever-evolving regulatory environment, adhering to reporting standards poses a significant hurdle for organizations spanning diverse sectors. Negotiating the intricacies of regulatory obligations necessitates innovative approaches. This document delves into the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) methodologies to bolster the precision and efficacy of reporting procedures. Through the integration of AI/ML, entities can streamline data analysis, detect patterns, and uphold compliance with regulatory frameworks. This research probes into the potential advantages, obstacles, and optimal strategies linked with the incorporation of AI/ML technologies into reporting infrastructures. Drawing upon a thorough examination of pertinent literature and case studies, valuable insights are offered to aid organizations in proficiently leveraging AI/ML to navigate regulatory intricacies and attain accurate reporting results.

Types of teacher-AI collaboration in K-12 classroom instruction: Chinese teachers’ perspective

AbstractThe advancing power and capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) have expanded the roles of AI in education and have created the possibility for teachers to collaborate with AI in classroom instruction. However, the potential types of teacher-AI collaboration (TAC) in classroom instruction and the benefits and challenges of implementing TAC are still elusive. This study, therefore, aimed to explore different types of TAC and the potential benefits and obstacles of TAC through Focus Group Interviews with 30 Chinese teachers. The study found that teachers anticipated six types of TAC, which are thematized as One Teach, One Observe; One Teach, One Assist; Co-teaching in Stations; Parallel Teaching in Online and Offline Classes; Differentiated Teaching; and Team Teaching. While teachers highlighted that TAC could support them in instructional design, teaching delivery, teacher professional development, and lowering grading load, they perceived a lack of explicit and consistent curriculum guidance, the dominance of commercial AI in schools, the absence of clear ethical guidelines, and teachers' negative attitude toward AI as obstacles to TAC. These findings enhance our understanding of how TAC could be structured at school levels and direct the implications for future development and practice to support TAC.

Application of deep-learning based computer vision in medical image analysis

The analyzing process of medical image has always been a crucial part for disease detection, diagnosis, surgery assisting and drug delivery. With the outbreak of population worldwide and the constant emergence of all types of complicated diseases, doctors nowadays are facing tremendous workloads and having difficulty in making precise diagnoses or performing more assured operations. Many experts have been striving to develop a wide range of techniques based on deep learning to ease doctors burden and improve patients recovery process or survival chances. This general review paper will mainly focus on providing readers with a brief understanding and knowledge about deep-learning based computer vision applied in modern medical image analysis. Several academic journals or books related to computer vision applications in medical image analysis were selected for review. Despite the advantages and convenience of this technique, this review finds out that potential obstacles still exist and can be overcome or amended in the future.

Remote Rescue Vehicle

Search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings provide crucial challenges due to the complexity of the environment and the need for information about trapped individuals. This document presents a versatile system equipped with various sensors, including LiDAR, temperature, GPS, GSM, and Wi-Fi modules, designed to assist rescue teams. The system data collection capabilities include high-quality video, audio, and image formats that supplement situational awareness. The LiDAR sensor is used to create detailed 3D models and identify potential hazards and obstacles. The thermal sensor helps in the detection of temperature signatures and enables the identification of surviving or overheated machines. Additionally, the integration of the YOLO algorithm enables real-time object classification, providing critical insights for faster decision-making. The GSM module enables communication with the system. The Wi-Fi module enables high-speed data transmission to ensure that the collected information is quickly transmitted to the rescue team. High-quality video, audio, and image formats offer comprehensive situational awareness, support decision-making, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Navigating the Complexity of Regulations: Harnessing AI/ML for Precise Reporting

In the ever-evolving regulatory environment, adhering to reporting standards poses a significant hurdle for organizations spanning diverse sectors. Negotiating the intricacies of regulatory obligations necessitates innovative approaches. This document delves into the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) methodologies to bolster the precision and efficacy of reporting procedures. Through the integration of AI/ML, entities can streamline data analysis, detect patterns, and uphold compliance with regulatory frameworks. This research probes into the potential advantages, obstacles, and optimal strategies linked with the incorporation of AI/ML technologies into reporting infrastructures. Drawing upon a thorough examination of pertinent literature and case studies, valuable insights are offered to aid organizations in proficiently leveraging AI/ML to navigate regulatory intricacies and attain accurate reporting results.

Comparing Endoscopy and Surgery: A Systematic Review of Early Colorectal Cancer Treatments

Colorectal cancer is a major type of gastrointestinal cancer that significantly contributes to disease burden and mortality, particularly among younger people. Early colorectal cancer refers to the early stages of the disease that require early detection and treatment to improve the overall prognosis and survival. There are various treatment options available for early colorectal cancer, such as endoscopic resection, including methods like transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), or submucosal dissection (ESD), as well as surgical resection, including open and laparoscopic techniques. However, to make informed decisions about which approach is best, it is crucial to thoroughly understand the long-term outcomes associated with each option. We systematically reviewed the PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 2013 to August 11, 2023, to obtain such knowledge. We selected nine for in-depth analysis after carefully reviewing 2761 articles, including those written in English and focusing on human studies. The review focused on individual benefits, merits, and drawbacks, considering the extent of the disease, clinical outcomes, survival, and complication rates. Although endoscopic resection has the advantage of being less invasive and promoting faster patient recovery, it should be noted that its primary objective may not necessarily be achieving complete excision (R0). This is because there are potential obstacles, including inadequate lymph node removal and inaccurate T staging that may prevent the achievement of R0. Nevertheless, it is important to stress that both endoscopic and surgical resection ultimately share the goal of complete excision and curing the patient. Finally, this systematic review emphasizes the need for additional research to fill knowledge gaps, improve clinical decision-making, and promote the application of sophisticated technology. As the landscape of early colorectal cancer treatment evolves, a balanced integration of endoscopic and surgical resection procedures, together with emerging technologies, can improve patient outcomes and increase treatment efficacy.

The Perceived Value of Implementing IFRS for SMEs: An Exploratory Study from the Point of View of Managers in Jordan

The purpose of this exploratory study is to add to the literature on the perceived value of applying IFRS for SMEs standard from the perspective of managers in Jordan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (JSMEs). Based on previous literature and the Value-Based Model Theory, which incorporates the cost-benefit analysis principle, a questionnaire was developed, and 137 valid ones were used to test data regarding the perceived value of appropriateness, possibility, cost, and benefits of implementing IFRS for SMEs standard.The study’s major conclusion found a moderate level of positive consensus about implementation perception; the results also suggested that benefits marginally outweighed implementation costs.The study’s goal is to raise policymakers’ and regulatory experts’ attention to the potential benefits, costs, and obstacles of implementing the standard.this study contributes to international accounting harmonization efforts by demonstrating how Jordanian managers assess the costs, benefits, and opportunities of IFRS for SMEs in JSMEs implementation. This study recommended the following: Expedite the application, conduct thorough IFRS for SMEs awareness and training programs at different levels, and provide financial data for these SMEs in the public interest.Future studies should test new firm variables after the application of this standard and, the reasonable costs and benefits are known.

Manufacturing Cell and Gene Therapies: Challenges in Clinical Translation.

The safety and efficacy of both cell and gene therapies have been demonstrated in numerous preclinical and clinical trials. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, which leverages the technologies of both cell and gene therapies, has also shown great promise for treating various cancers. Advancements in pertinent fields have also highlighted challenges faced while manufacturing cell and gene therapy products. Potential problems and obstacles must be addressed to ease the clinical translation of individual therapies. Literature reviews of representative cell-based, gene-based, and cell-based gene therapies with regard to their general manufacturing processes, the challenges faced during manufacturing, and QC specifications are limited. We review the general manufacturing processes of cell and gene therapies, including those involving mesenchymal stem cells, viral vectors, and CAR-T cells. The complexities associated with the manufacturing processes and subsequent QC/validation processes may present challenges that could impede the clinical progression of the products. This article addresses these potential challenges. Further, we discuss the use of the manufacturing model and its impact on cell and gene therapy.

The power of modern extraction techniques: A breakthrough in vitamin K extraction from human serum

As a representative of the lipophilic vitamins, vitamin K is one of the most difficult vitamins to analyze. Even modern approaches using mass spectrometry detection cannot be carried out without multi-step, time-consuming, economically, and ecologically demanding sample treatment. These findings suggest an opportunity to develop new modern trends that could shorten and simplify the whole procedure, whereby emphasizing the processing of a large number of samples with an additional focus on more environmentally friendly techniques. We selected and compared the main types of both, modern and conventional approaches for vitamin K analysis in human serum including liquid–liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction on the one hand, as well as supported liquid extraction, Phree™ phospholipid removal plate, miniaturized liquid–liquid extraction, and dispersive pipette extraction on the other hand. The different techniques were compared from an analytical perspective, including parameters such as recovery, limits of detection, and matrix effects, as well as from a non-analytical perspective, including time consumption, cost effectiveness, and manual labor required to perform the procedure. The modern techniques seem to have great advantages. Our results indicate that the Phree™ phospholipid removal plate, and the miniaturized version of the liquid–liquid extraction are the best techniques. This work was also carried out to provide a guide for the extraction of vitamin K while determining it using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique, which may improve sample handling and help to remove potential obstacles in the future.

Urinary bladder catheterisation of female pigs: Influence of bladder content and Escherichia coli urinary tract infection on procedural outcome.

Catheterisation of the urinary bladder is needed in many types of human disease models in pigs. Based on our extensive experience with the pig as an infection model, we here demonstrate an approach of catheterising domestic pigs (40 attempts) and Göttingen minipigs (10 attempts) using a blinded method, that is, without speculums or videoscopes to visualise the urethral opening. The procedure was tested on control animals and pigs with experimental Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (UTI) to assess the potential influence of this condition on procedural outcome. Lastly, we performed cystoscopy in three animals to visualise the route to the urethra and to localise potential anatomical obstacles. All domestic pigs were catheterised successfully in an average of 2 minutes and 23 seconds, and this was not influenced by UTI (p = 0.06) or bladder urine content at the time of catheterisation (p = 0.32). All Göttingen minipigs were successfully catheterised in an average of 4 minutes and 27 seconds. We conclude that blinded catheterisation is a fast and reliable approach that can be performed in pigs with or without UTI with minimal risk of trauma or contamination.

Transforming transportation: Embracing the potential of 5G, heterogeneous networks, and software defined networking in intelligent transportation systems

<p>Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) emphasise the significance of vehicle networks. The growing need for services that are safer, more effective, more affordable, infotainment-focused, and sustainable, however, presents difficulties for these networks. To create innovative applications, researchers and businesses are working. Through effectively coordinating vehicle operations, ITS promotes safe driving, efficient traffic flow, and effective route planning. Referring to automobile heterogeneous, autonomous, flexible, and programmable networks is important given the requirement for convergence of technology in communications. For research and network development, new emerging technologies present intriguing gaps. In this paper, we provide an analysis of wireless technology and potential obstacles to delivering vehicle-to-x communication; including linked cars or autonomous vehicles, which that the initial robot to directly impact the everyday Millions of lived individuals. Study investigates the conceptual change in transportation made possible by the incorporation of modern technology into Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), including 5G, heterogeneous networks (HN), and Software Defined Networking (SDN). The incorporation of 5G ensures unparalleled velocity and minimal latency, allowing instantaneous communication between automobiles and infrastructure. Vehicles are easily switched between several network technologies due to heterogeneous networks’ seamless communication structure. Technology developments generated an important increase in the worldwide ITS market from 2018 to 2025. During the same time, the global market for SDN increased significantly, indicating a rising to need for programmable and dynamic network infrastructures. The simultaneous growth patterns in the SDN and ITS industries between 2018 and 2025 indicate to a general shift in the sector toward more intelligence and connectivity. It is predicted that this development continues for future. We pay particular attention to the SDN used in the 5G architecture and how it affects HN.</p>

Assessment of tourism socio-ecological system resilience in arid areas: A case study of Xinjiang, China

Arid regions hold a prominent position as global tourist destination. However, their ecological fragility and sensitivity to economic and social factors make them more susceptible to various disruptive elements, thereby exacerbating the instability of the tourism socio-ecological system. Consequently, there has been a growing focus on tourism socio-ecological system resilience (TSESR) in arid regions. This study has developed a scientific and universally applicable assessment framework to evaluate TSESR in arid regions, considering the system's process mechanisms and dimensions. The framework encompasses four key domains: resistance, recovery, adaptation, and renewal, further divided into twelve criterion layers. This study conducted a case study in 14 prefecture-level units in Xinjiang, China, from 2010 to 2020. An improved TOPSIS model, Gini coefficient, Kernel density estimation, and Obstacle degree model were employed to investigate the levels, spatiotemporal variations, and obstacle factors of TSESR. The research findings indicate that during the study period, the resilience levels of the 14 prefecture-level cities exhibited an overall upward trend with fluctuations. There are notable spatial disparities, yet these disparities are diminishing. Furthermore, factors such as resource endowment, market potential, economic foundation, industrial environment, and human capital represented common obstacles, while unique regional impediments also existed. The TSESR assessment index system can scientifically and comprehensively evaluate resilience levels, offering an adaptive indicators framework for arid regions. It promotes the development of a resilient tourism socio-ecological system, thereby achieving sustainable tourism development.

Investigation of artificial intelligence in SMEs: a systematic review of the state of the art and the main implementation challenges

AbstractWhile the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) in multinational enterprises has been receiving attention for some time, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have recently begun to recognize the potential of this new technology. However, the focus of previous research and AI applications has therefore mostly been on large enterprises. This poses a particular issue, as the vastly different starting conditions of various company sizes, such as data availability, play a central role in the context of AI. For this reason, our systematic literature review, based on the PRISMA protocol, consolidates the state of the art of AI with an explicit focus on SMEs and highlights the perceived challenges regarding implementation in this company size. This allowed us to identify various business activities that have been scarcely considered. Simultaneously, it led to the discovery of a total of 27 different challenges perceived by SMEs in the adoption of AI. This enables SMEs to apply the identified challenges to their own AI projects in advance, preventing the oversight of any potential obstacles or risks. The lack of knowledge, costs, and inadequate infrastructure are perceived as the most common barriers to implementation, addressing social, economic, and technological aspects in particular. This illustrates the need for a wide range of support for SMEs regarding an AI introduction, which covers various subject areas, like funding and advice, and differentiates between company sizes.