Competitive Products Research Articles

ПИЩЕВАЯ ЦЕННОСТЬ СОКОВОЙ ПРОДУКЦИИ ИЗ ГРЕЙПФРУТА

The purpose of research is to study the nutritional value of grapefruit juice products (reconstituted juice of the trademarks Rich, Ya and juice drink Santal) to clarify and supplement the literature information and identify the most competitive products. Objectives: to study the biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity (AOA) and mineral value of grapefruit juice products. Additional information was obtained on the content of polyphenolic compounds, flavanone glycosides, and antioxidant capacity in drinks. For the first time, the levels of individual mineral elements in these products were determined, mg/kg: Al – 0.31–0.62; B – 0.28–0.48; Ba – 0.04–0.08; Na – 4.7–12.4; Sb – 0.07; Si – 1.0–1.6; Sr – 0.11–0.33; Te – 0.20–0.28 and Zn – 0.15–0.21. The composition of mono- and disaccharides of the studied drinks corresponded to well-known literature data, and their ratio was closest to optimal only in juice. The content of citric acid (11710.3–11920.2 mg/dm3) and antioxidant activity (23.1–29.8 %) did not have sharp fluctuations. The presence of malic acid and potentially hazardous elements (As, Cd, Pb, Hg) in all drinks was not detected. Vitamin C, total polyphenols, naringin and hesperidin, microelements Zn and Cr were contained more in grapefruit juice TM Rich, elements Sr and Te – in juice Ya, Al – in the drink Santal. Based on the results of a study of nutritional value, a competitive advantage was established for grapefruit juice TM Rich. The Santal juice drink was inferior in terms of the amount of biologically active substances to grapefruit juice of both brands.

Friction Stir Welding in Aircraft Structures: Current and Future Prospects

Friction stir welding (FSW) has significant potential to enhance the efficiency of air transportation systems; however, determining and applying its parameters continues to pose challenges. This article review explores current and future challenges, trends, and practices that facilitate the integration of competitive production into new aircraft structure joints. An overview of friction stir welding techniques used for the design and manufacture of aircraft structures are presented, focusing on product optimization through lightweight and high-strength properties. The implementation of various design solutions and advanced manufacturing technologies can enhance metallic fuselage systems’ performance without compromising risk and cost. The paper presents examples of successfully addressed challenges and those driving the development of new practices, design solutions, methods, and tools. Ultimately, aircraft structure joints become more integrated when systems engineering approaches are linked with various design solutions and advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., Vertical Compensation Friction Stir Welding) in a reusable manner, balancing product performance and producibility. Nevertheless, the field remains in active development, posing challenges for research, development, and practice.

Bridging past and present: exploring Cannabis traditions in Armenia through ethnobotanical interviews and bibliographic prospecting

BackgroundCannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) has been widely used by humans throughout its history for a variety of purposes (medicinal, alimentary and other uses). Armenia, with its rich cultural history and diverse ecosystems, offers a unique context for ethnobotanical research about traditional uses of Cannabis. The present work aims to study and preserve the local traditional knowledge about Cannabis in Armenia by conducting interviews with informants and through a literature review.MethodsThe first part of the dataset was gathered with ethnobotanical surveys, through questionnaires conducted with 27 informants. The second part of the data was obtained from a comprehensive bibliographic search in English, Armenian and Russian language. Since the data acquisition was different, the quantitative analyses (calculation of the number of use reports and percentages) were performed separately.ResultsDuring the interviews 52 use reports and 3 vernacular names were recorded, while the bibliographic data from 20 references, provided us with 56 use reports and 17 Cannabis vernacular names, from the 5th century to 2020. Our results indicate that medicinal applications, particularly for human ailments, and fibre use have markedly dwindled, contrasting with earlier epochs. However, the Cannabis seeds continue to be consumed in celebrative and symbolic dishes such as aghandz and tolma.ConclusionsThe recent decline in the medicinal use of Cannabis contrasts with earlier periods when access to pharmacological remedies was limited, and societal views of the plant were more positive. This shift can be partly attributed to the impact of legal restrictions. In contrast, the use of Cannabis seeds for alimentary purposed is importantly maintained nowadays. As medicinal use, fibre use has also declined, largely due to the availability of more competitive modern products. The loss of vernacular names over time, as detected in this study, also reflects the erosion of traditional knowledge, which correlates with diminishing use. Despite the small sample size and limited geographic scope, the combination of two approaches—information from contemporary informants and a systematic bibliographic review—has provided valuable insights into the changes in the traditional use of Cannabis in Armenia, that has not been explored in this way before.

Creating a well-functioning internal market for biofuels

Abstract State aid for renewable energy is a crucial element in the transition to a carbon-neutral energy system. However, various State aid schemes in different Member States can also lead to undesirable market distortions and hinder cross-border trade. This is particularly so when one Member State provides production aid, and another Member State has a demand side aid scheme or can result from some Member State providing both State aid and GOs for the same commodity. This undermines the level playing field for all actors within the biomethane markets and leads to subsidy competition, instead of product competition. The article addresses these questions and provides for solutions.

The intestinal microbiota in inflammatory bowel diseases

The intestinal microbiota comprises all living microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract and is crucial for its function. Clinical observations and laboratory findings confirm acentral role of the microbiota in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, many mechanistic details remain unclear. Changes in the microbiota and the causal relationship with the pathogenesis of IBD are described and current and future diagnostic and therapeutic options are discussed. Narrative review. The intestinal microbiota is altered in composition, diversity, and function in IBD patients, but specific (universal) IBD-defining bacteria have not been identified. The healthy microbiota has numerous anti-inflammatory functions such as the production of short-chain fatty acids or competition with pathogens. In contrast, the IBD microbiota promotes inflammation through the destruction of the intestinal barrier and direct interaction with the immune system. The balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of the microbiota appears to be crucial for the development of intestinal inflammation. Microbiota-based IBD diagnostics show promise but are not yet ready for clinical use. Probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation have clinical effects, especially in ulcerative colitis, but the potential of microbiota-based therapies is far from being fully realized. IBD dysbiosis remains undefined so far. It is unclear how the many parallel pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms contribute to IBD pathogenesis. An inadequate mechanistic understanding hinders the development of microbiota-based diagnostics and therapies.

Sales Forecasting for New Products Using Homogeneity-Based Clustering and Ensemble Method

Accurate sales forecasting for new products is critical in industries characterized by intense competition, rapid innovation, and short product life cycles, such as the smartphone market. This study proposes a data-driven framework that enhances prediction accuracy by combining homogeneity-based clustering with an ensemble learning approach. Unlike traditional methods that depend on product-specific attributes, our approach utilizes historical sales data from similar products, overcoming attribute dependency. Using K-means clustering, the training data are segmented into homogeneous groups, and tailored ensemble forecasting models are developed for each cluster by combining five machine learning models: Random Forest, Extra Tree, XGBoost, LightGBM, and TabNet. When tested on South Korean smartphone sales data, the framework achieves superior performance, with the optimal ensemble model using four clusters delivering an MAPE of 8.3309% and an RMSPE of 7.8360%, significantly outperforming traditional single-cluster models. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of leveraging data homogeneity and ensemble methods, offering a scalable and adaptable solution for accurate sales forecasting of new products.

MODEL STORYTELLING NARASI PARIWISATA REGENERATIF DI TAHURA NGURAH RAI PEMOGAN

This study examines the regenerative tourism product storytelling model at Ngurah Rai Grand Forest Park (Tahura). Regenerative tourism focuses on environmental restoration, local community empowerment, and creating sustainable experiences that involve tourists. Through a storytelling approach, cultural values, history, and local wisdom narratives are used as key elements in designing unique and competitive tourism narrative products. The study uses a case study approach to deeply understand the social and ecological phenomena occurring at Tahura Ngurah Rai. Data collection techniques include interviews, observations, and literature reviews. The theory of historical commodification (G.J. Ashworth: 1999) serves as the main theory, supported by narrative theory (Gerard Genette, 1980) to design regenerative tourism product narratives based on storytelling. The findings show that the application of the storytelling concept in creating regenerative tourism narratives at Tahura Ngurah Rai not only enhances the economic value of tourism post-Covid-19 but also supports the regeneration of the mangrove ecosystem, community empowerment, and strengthens the image of tourist attractions based on local wisdom. This model provides strategic guidance for tourism managers in integrating sustainability, cultural, and local narrative elements as the foundation for developing tourism narrative products that have a positive ecological impact and gender empowerment.

Pengaruh Lama Penyimpanan terhadap Kualitas Sambal Nanas

Pineapple sambal, a traditional dish from Jambi, is known for its spicy and tangy flavors but has a short shelf life due to its high water and acid content. This study analyzes the effect of shelf life on the quality of pineapple sambal (color, aroma, taste, and texture) using a pure experimental method and ANOVA analysis at room temperature (25–30°C) over a period of 1–7 days. The results indicate significant differences in all sensory parameters (p < 0.05). The best quality was observed from the first to the third day, with a significant decline starting on the fourth day. By the fifth day, the fresh aroma shifted to an undesirable sour smell, the texture became mushy, and the color faded due to microbial activity and oxidation. These findings are relevant to the food industry for developing airtight packaging or cold storage solutions. The study concludes that the optimal shelf life of pineapple sambal at room temperature is three days, supporting the preservation of Jambi's culinary heritage and its development into a competitive commercial product.

Quality Control Analysis of Wood Pellet Products at PT XYZ Using the Seven Tools and New Seven Methods

Quality is a factor that determines the success of a product in market competition. PT XYZ, which produces wood pellets, is experiencing problems related to the quality of its products. The company wants to control the quality of its products in order to reduce losses due to product defects. Product quality control is carried out using the seven tools method to determine the causes of defects and the new seven tools method which is used to see the corrective actions that must be taken based on the factors that cause product defects. The results showed that there are 3 types of defects in wood pellet products, namely water content that is too high, less density, and shape that is too small. From the total amount of 12,782 kg of defective products, 34.24% of them are the types of defects of too high moisture content, 30.50% defects of insufficient density, and 35.26% defects of too small shapes. The proposed improvements to prevent errors that can cause product defects can be done by tightening the implementation of company SOPs, improving worker performance and skills, optimizing machine performance, and improving the quality of the raw materials used.

Оцінка ризику акриламіду для здоров’я споживачів та заходи щодо зниження його вмісту в харчових продуктах

The quantitative approach to identify chemical substances, including acrylamide, in foodstuffs is considered to be a key tool for a well-grounded assessment of their risk to consumers' health as well as a quality control criterion which enables food business operators to develop measures aimed at reducing the presence of dangerous contaminants in food products. Aim. Consolidation of the results of implementation of the original analytical method to identify acrylamide in foodstuffs. Materials and Methods. Samples of food products have been tested for acrylamide presence; Shimadzu LC-30A liquid chromatograph and LCMS-8050 mass detector have been used. Results. The EU has recently added many new foodstuffs to its system of monitoring for the presence of acrylamide and is considering a new regulation on acrylamide levels which will introduce maximum restrictions for the EU member states. The level of acrylamide in foodstuffs can be reduced by implementing production procedures based on the principles of hazard analysis and critical control points, which would include monitoring the implementation of the main mitigation measures aimed at reducing the presence of acrylamide as set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/ 2158. As evidenced in practice, the main ways to reduce the presence of acrylamide in foods are the use of raw materials with low levels of substances – precursors of acrylamide, as well as optimization of the technological process by means of proper heat input (combination of time and temperature), or the use of alternative production technologies. Today in Ukraine, the issue of monitoring the presence of acrylamide is not on the agenda and it is not regulated at the legislative level. But, as can be seen from the appeals to our Research and Testing Centre of Toxicology, domestic manufacturers have already started testing their products for the presence of acrylamide, especially those intended for export to the European countries. In the Research and Testing Centre of Toxicology, the HPLC-MS/MS method is used to test food products for acrylamide presence. According to the research results, acrylamide presence exceeded benchmark levels significantly in the samples of shortbread biscuits, sugar biscuits, and potato crisps. Taking into account the conditions for the formation of acrylamide in food products, the recipes of biscuits and potato crisps and the peculiarities of the technological process of their production, it can be assumed that the accumulation of acrylamide in these foodstuffs occurs as a result of their heat treatment (a combination of time and temperature) and due to the presence of ingredients – precursors of acrylamide (wheat flour, reducing sugars, baking powder ammonium bicarbonate, asparagine, etc.) in the recipe. Conclusions. Today in Ukraine, it is urgent to designate a competent authority responsible for monitoring the presence of acrylamide in foodstuffs and informing food business operators about the procedures for reducing its levels, which will enable to ensure the production of safe and competitive food products both on the domestic and European markets. Keywords: acrylamide, safety, mitigation measures, benchmark levels.

Seed microbiome in crop disease management

Abstract Sustainable agriculture needs innovative approaches because of the increasing demand for food in which the plant microbiome helps in increase crop production and protection which leads to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. The microbiome comprises a variety of microorganisms that reside in plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds. In particular, the seed microbiome, which inhabits the seed surface and internal tissues, offers an opportunity to improve plant health and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. They help to tolerate stress and inhibit the pathogens through induced systemic resistance (ISR), production of antimicrobial, volatile compounds and competition for nutrients and space. These beneficial microorganisms within the microbiome are isolated and characterized using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods via modern omics technology called metagenomics. The importance of the seed microbiome in plant defence mechanisms against pathogens and the factors that affect the composition of the microbiome, such as plant genotype, agricultural practices and environmental impact are addressed in detail in this review.

Strategi Pengembangan Koperasi dalam Mengangkat Kesejahteraan Kesejahteraan Masyarakat

The purpose of this Observation is to identify and evaluate external and internal elements and cooperative development tactics that can improve the welfare of the people of Tulungagung Regency. The methodology used in this Observation is qualitative. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observation, and documentation are the methods used to collect data. SWOT analysis is the data analysis method used. Referring to the Observation findings, the researcher came to the following conclusions: The results of the Observation reveal that the approaches that can be taken to build cooperatives and improve the welfare of the people's welfare are: One way to develop the people's economy is by: Utilizing the APBN to provide funding stimulus for business funding for people's economic actors, increasing the number and quality of local products so that they are able to compete in regional and global markets, improving agricultural human resources through funding from financial institutions and private assistance (business partners). This can be done in order to overcome various obstacles in the development of the people's economy: Improving the quality of human resources of people's economic actors through non-formal teaching and practice, continuous teaching and practice for assistants, utilization of appropriate technology (TTG) for the provision of funding for agricultural businesses and equipment, expanding the role of MSMEs and cooperatives in all districts and cities, and utilization of activity funds for profitable economic businesses. Improving the quality and quantity of competitive local products can be done through policies to build a people's economy. In addition, the community rarely relies on government funding assistance, and economic actors rarely rely on middlemen. The IE Matrix Strategy is a strategy analysis used in the growth-driven strategy development model, while the SWOT diagram displays Quadrant I which reveals a favorable situation because cooperatives in the Kedungwaru Tulungagung Area have strengths and opportunities that allow them to maximize their potential and implement strategies that support aggressive growth policies.

Recombinant Fungal Aspartic Endopeptidases: Insights into Protein Hydrolysis and Combined Effect with Pepsin for Animal Feed Application.

Protein hydrolysis under acidic conditions can improve the product quality, nutrient availability, and cost efficiency, particularly when neutral or alkaline enzymes are ineffective. Six fungal aspartic endopeptidases (FAPs) were recombinantly expressed as active enzymes in Komagataella phaffi, with peak activity between 30-50 °C and pH 3.0-4.0. Despite FAP1 yielding a higher degree of hydrolysis for soy protein isolate (SPI) than FAP4, mass spectrometry analysis revealed similar cleavage preferences for the two peptidases. FAP1 and FAP4 experienced competitive product inhibition (Ki: 2.8 mg mL-1, Km: 3.2 mg mL-1 for FAP1 and Ki: 9.67 mg mL-1, Km: 6.58 mg mL-1 for FAP4). These findings suggest that Ki and Km values, when studied in isolation, do not always predict a peptidase's hydrolytic efficacy. Among the FAPs, FAP6 notably increased soluble protein content in animal feed by ∼3-fold. FAP1, when combined with pepsin, had a positive effect on the hydrolysis of SPI. These results underscore the potential of FAPs to hydrolyze proteins─specifically, animal feed proteins─in acidic environments.

Optimal design of accelerated life test with competitive failure products based on function transformation

Optimal design of accelerated life test with competitive failure products based on function transformation

법인세가 소득분배에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

This paper aims to analyze the effect of corporate tax cut on income distribution in imperfectly competitive product markets and imperfectly information capital markets using Korean corporate panel data from 1999 to 2022. The main empirical results are as follows. The estimate shows that corporate income tax cut reduces the labor share and capital cost share of income and increases the profit share by factor substitution effect and output effect, financial effect from reducing debt financing. The estimate of value-added output effect of corporate tax cut was significant in unlisted companies that have difficulty in taking advantage of profitable investment opportunities with financial constraints in the capital market. On the other hand, the estimate of output effect was insignificant in listed companies without financial constraints. In listed companies without financial constraints, the profit share of income increased by the factor substitution effect and financial effect of corporate tax cut. In unlisted companies with financial constraint, corporate tax cut worsens income distribution but increases economic welfare. In listed companies without financial constraint, corporate tax cut worsens income distribution without increasing economic welfare.

THE PLACE AND ROLE OF THE STATE IN ANTICYCLICAL REGULATION OF THE ECONOMY: SPECIFICITY OF THE CRISIS PHASE

The article examines the place and role of the state in anticyclical regulation in the crisis phase. The process of the cycle, which has the property of being significantly modified, is studied. The specificity of the modification is not limited only to changing the duration of recession and recovery. It is shown that the configuration of the cycle itself and its reproductive functions are changing. The main theories explaining economic cyclicality are studied; qualitative changes that the cycle has undergone in the context of globalization; the regulatory role of the state in anticyclical regulation in the crisis phase; instruments of state anticyclical regulation; mechanisms of anti-crisis state management of socio-economic processes. Qualitative changes that the cycle has undergone in the context of globalization are highlighted. This is significantly influenced by a number of factors, including: monopolistic market structure; state regulation of the economy; scientific and technological progress; the process of internationalization of production.It is proven that the regulatory role of the state is manifested in the fact that for the purpose of anti-cyclical activity, it uses, first of all, budgetary, tax and credit policies. The state influences socio-economic processes by implementing anti-crisis regulation measures, namely: preventing and eliminating insolvency and bankruptcy; overcoming the decline in production; achieving stabilization with further expansion/increase in the volume of reproduction of competitive products and services; increasing employment and creating conditions for the growth of incomes of workers. The state in countries with a developed market economy is not always aimed at its own anti-crisis regulation, taming cyclical fluctuations and stabilizing economic equilibrium. It can and, depending on the socio-economic and socio-political situation, should implement pro-cyclical policies. Despite the fact that crises (recessions) cause considerable economic costs, the market economy from cycle to cycle reaches increasingly higher levels of development, improving not only the material basis, but also the organizational forms of production, distribution, exchange and consumption.

Inference and Impact of Category Captaincy

This paper studies category captaincy, a vertical relationship where retailers delegate shelf placement and pricing decisions of an entire product category to one of the leading manufacturers within that category. These contracts involve preferential treatment given to certain brands within the retailer. However, they are confidential, and empirical analysis has been limited. To study the prevalence and welfare impact of these contracts, I develop a novel approach to infer the presence of captaincy contracts based on preferential treatment in shelf placement and pricing. I first classify retailers into different captaincy types based on a brand × retailer specific quality of shelf placement inferred from a demand model. I then conduct pricing tests and find that captains, in line with theoretical predictions and industry anecdotes, eliminate double markups from their own products but not from competitor products. Comparative statics show that captaincy relationships increase the market share of the captain, but they can also increase consumer welfare by about 5% due to the elimination of double markups on the captain’s products. This paper was accepted by Raphael Thomadsen, marketing. Supplemental Material: The online appendices and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.02039 .

Investigation on a smart textile heating concept for energy consumption-optimised heat transfer

Conventional non-stationary artificial heating methods, such as infrared radiators, have various deficits: The heat fields are small, their range is short, and the installation options are limited. In addition, they are environmentally harmful due to high emissions. To make in- and outdoor areas usable at lower temperatures, an energy consumption-optimized heat transfer is required. In this work we are investigating on an innovative, intelligent, modular textile for indoor and outdoor use. The use of conductive wires, sensors and a data-driven control circuit in the textile enables targeted heat radiation, which can be expanded as required thanks to its modular design. This reduces emissions and precisely controls energy consumption. By developing a demonstrator, the concept of the layered structure of the textile module, including unidirectional radiation and sensor technology, is being investigated. The conductive wires are incorporated into a flexible carrier material using a modified embroidery machine. In the process, the carrier material must meet the previously defined design requirements that are based on the material investigation and preliminary tests on embroidery feasibility. The structure of the intelligent textile is constructed, realized as a prototype, and validated. Through the combination of a heat source and flexible support material, it is possible to bring a competitive product to the market.

Productivity of winter wheat in 6-7-field crop rotations of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe

The purpose of the research is to establish the influence of the structure, content and placement of field crops in 6-7-field crop rotations on their overall productivity, yield and quality of winter wheat in particular. Methods. The technology of growing agricultural crops in the experiment is generally accepted and recommended for the research area. Chemical plant protection agents were used to grow competitive commercial products of winter wheat. Results. The results of research conducted in a long-term stationary field experiment, which was established in 2001, on the study of crop rotations on typical chernozems of unstable moisture in the Left Bank Forest-Steppe during 2016–2021 for six-field and 2016–2022 for seven-field crop rotations, convincingly indicate that the most rational in this subzone was a 6-field crop rotation saturated with winter wheat by 16.7% (soy – winter wheat – sugar beets – spring barley – corn for grain – buckwheat) under the organo-mineral intensification system (predecessor by-products + N60P60K60). Conclusions. The grain yield of winter wheat, which was grown after soybean, buckwheat and winter rapeseed as predecessors under the appropriate set of crop rotations, was in the range of: 5.62–6.02 t/ha, while the protein content in the grain was at the level of – 12.66–13.67%. The economic efficiency of growing winter wheat in the structure of 6-7-field crop rotations was: conditionally net profit – 14.95–16.99 thousand hrn/ha at the level of profitability – 108–125%.

Национальное наследие как фактор роста инновационного потенциала компании

The article is devoted to the implementation of the company's innovative potential, during which the national heritage acts as a contributing factor. In the modern world, innovation acts not only as a source of socio-economic progress, but also asthe basis of a business’s competitive advantage. By developing and implementing innovations, the company improves its position in the market, produces competitive products, and improves its financial and economic results. An enterprise can increase demand for its products by differentiating them and developing new markets. The publishing industry is a sphere of application of innovations, as well as a sphere of popularization in society of innovations in various fields of knowledge and promoting their acceptance by society. Innovation is a way to optimize the activities of an enterprise and increase its competitiveness in the market. The development of a “flexible” approach to business, the development of new management strategies and decision-making in an innovative way, due to constant changes in market conditions, such as the economic situation, changes in sales markets, can be much more effective when accessing the wealth of cultural heritage. This not only solves purely economic problems, but generally supports the course towards strengthening state, cultural, value and economic sovereignty, civil identity based on the spiritual, moral and cultural values of the peoples of the Russian Federation, and the preservation of cultural heritage.