Target Product Research Articles

Productivity analysis in oil palm plantations using the objective matrix method: case study PT. Dharma Satya Nusantara Tbk.

PT. DSN Group Tbk, a company operating in palm oil plantations, wood products, and renewable energy, manages a 112,450-hectare palm oil plantation, including 84,566 hectares of core plantation and 27,884 hectares of plasma plantation. This research aims to identify and measure productivity criteria in the palm oil plantation and suggest improvements. The Objective Matrix (OMAX) method was used to evaluate productivity, revealing that the highest productivity index in 2021 was 136.67% in March, while the lowest was -36.67% in September. In 2022, the highest index was 101.67% in August, with the lowest at -35% in May. The Fishbone Diagram identified causes for productivity declines: in 2021, human-related issues were the primary factor, while in 2022, failure to meet production targets was the main concern. Proposed improvements include redesigning harvesting tools to reduce worker fatigue, remapping the plantation, conducting regular checks for fruit quality, maintaining farm equipment, and training workers to prevent over-fertilization.

Green Synthesis of the Triazine Derivatives and their Application for the Benign Electrocatalytic Reaction of Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia.

This work uses green sustainable reactions twice. Firstly, it is microwave synthesis: 2,4,6-tribiphenyl-4-yl-1,3,5-triazine and similar compounds were prepared in a closed microwave reactor in n-octane by the Friedel-Crafts reaction. Second, a hybrid electrocatalyst for the highly demanded electrochemical reaction of nitrate reduction to ammonia (NO3RR) was prepared based on this material. This reaction has great potential to replace the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, and in addition, has independent value for the elimination of nitrate contamination of water resources. As shown in the work, microwave synthesis is an eco-friendly method for the synthesis of complex organic compounds; fast, selective and with a high yield of the target product. The electrocatalyst deposited on the graphite electrode consisted of a layer of 2,4-bis([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-6-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine and related compounds coated with cobalt oxide. The hybrid catalyst was firmly retained on the graphite electrode during NO3RR and the material showed impressive stability with almost no decrease in catalytic activity even after the fifth cycle. Both 2,4-bis([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)-6-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine and the catalyst based on this substance were characterized by SEM, XPS, XRD, UV-vis spectra, cyclic (and linear) voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. This work can serve as a starting point for the development of stable and durable electrocatalysts for NO3RR using triazine derivatives.

Dynamics of combatting market-driven epidemics: Insights from U.S. reduction of cigarette, sugar, and prescription opioid consumption.

Misuse and overconsumption of certain consumer products have become major global risk factors for premature deaths, with their total costs in trillions of dollars. Progress in reducing such deaths has been slow and difficult. To address this challenge, this review introduces the definition of market-driven epidemics (MDEs), which arise when companies aggressively market products with proven harms, deny these harms, and resist mitigation efforts. MDEs are a specific within the broader landscape of commercial determinants of health. We selected three illustrative MDE products reflecting different consumer experiences: cigarettes (nicotine delivery product), sugar (food product), and prescription opioids (medical product). Each met the MDE case definition with proven adverse health impacts, well-documented histories, longitudinal product consumption and health impact data, and sustained reduction in product consumption. Based on these epidemics, we describe five MDE phases: market expansion, evidence of harm, corporate resistance, mitigation, and market adaptation. From the peak of consumption to the most recent data, U.S. cigarette sales fell by 82%, sugar consumption by 15%, and prescription opioid prescriptions by 62%. For each, the consumption tipping point occurred when compelling evidence of harm, professional alarm, and an authoritative public health voice and/or public mobilization overcame corporate marketing and resistance efforts. The gap between suspicion of harm and the consumption tipping point ranged from one to five decades-much of which was attributable to the time required to generate sufficient evidence of harm. Market adaptation to the reduced consumption of target products had both negative and positive impacts. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative analysis of three successful efforts to change the product consumption patterns and the associated adverse health impacts of these products. The MDE epidemiological approach of shortening the latent time to effective mitigation provides a new method to reduce the impacts of harmful products.

Sex-specific blood-derived RNA biomarkers for childhood tuberculosis

Confirmatory diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge mainly due to its dependence on sputum samples and the paucibacillary nature of the disease. Thus, only ~ 30% of suspected cases in children are diagnosed and the need for minimally invasive, non-sputum-based biomarkers remains unmet. Understanding host molecular changes by measuring blood-based transcriptomic markers has shown promise as a diagnostic tool for TB. However, the implication of sex contributing to disease heterogeneity and therefore diagnosis remains to be understood. Using publicly available gene expression data (GSE39939, GSE39940; n = 370), we report a sex-specific RNA biomarker signature that could improve the diagnosis of TB disease in children. We found four gene biomarker signatures for male (SLAMF8, GBP2, WARS, and FCGR1C) and female pediatric patients (GBP6, CELSR3, ALDH1A1, and GBP4) from Kenya, South Africa, and Malawi. Both signatures achieved a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 70%, which approaches the WHO-recommended target product profile for a triage test. Our gene signatures outperform most other gene signatures reported previously for childhood TB diagnosis.

Synthesis of New Isoxazolidine Derivatives Utilizing the Functionality of N-Carbonylpyrazol-Linked Isoxazolidines.

Using Ni(II) as the catalyst, electron-deficient 3,5-dimethylacryloylpyrazole olefin was reacted with C,N-diarylnitrones alone for 10 min to prepare novel five-member heterocyclic products, 4-3,5-dimethylacryloylpyrazole isoxazolidines with 100% regioselectivity and up to 99% yield. And then, taking these cycloadducts as substrates, six kinds of derivatization reactions, like ring-opening, nucleophilic substitution, addition-elimination and reduction, were studied. Experimental results showed that all kinds of transformations could obtain the target products at a high conversion rate under mild conditions, a finding which provided the basic methods for organic synthesis methodology research based on an isoxazolidine skeleton.

Novel Catalytic Systems for Condensation of Monoterpene Compounds with Aldehydes (A Review)

New catalysts for the Prins condensation of renewable monoterpene compounds with aldehydes were considered. Effective catalytic systems were functionalized zeolites, oxides, clays, halloysite and carbon nanotubes, organometallic structures and heteropolyacids, which make it possible to obtain target products with high selectivity. A number of compounds synthesized using such systems are used in perfumery, have high pharmaceutical potential and are platform molecules for further synthesis.

Time and Workload Analysis to Determine Total Labor in the Arabica Coffee Harvesting Process

Farmers verify ripe coffee cherries, pick them individually, and place them in the harvest basket in the coffee harvesting process. This task typically takes 7-8 hours. During harvesting, farmers experience a physical workload that impacts their work capacity. This research aims to measure the qualitative and quantitative workload levels of the coffee harvesting process, determine the working time based on the farmers' Human Output Capacity, and calculate the total number of daily workers needed to achieve daily coffee production targets. The determination of the number of daily workers is based on the work capacity of the farmers. Farmers were categorized into two age groups: productive age (30-40 years) and non-productive age (50-60 years). Data observed included heart rate during harvest, heart rate calibration data, subjects' body characteristics, and coffee productivity. The results showed that the heaviest workload, related to verifying ripe cherries, fell into the medium category, with an energy consumption level of 3,370 Kcal per minute. The optimal working time for the coffee harvesting process is 6 hours for workers of productive age and 4 hours for workers of non-productive age. To meet production targets, 9 workers of productive age and 10 workers of non-productive age are required.

Pressed Solid Target Production of 89Zr and its Application for Antibody Labelling.

Zirconium-89 ( 89Zr, t1/2=3.27d) is an important + emitting radionuclide used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) immuno studies due to its unique characteristics and increased demand due to simple and cost-effective production capacity. Production of 89Zr is achieved primarily through solid natural yttrium targets via different target preparation methodologies, such as electrodeposition, pressed foils, and spark plasma sintering. In this study, we have investigated the pressed solid target methodology. The Yttrium Oxide (Y2O3) powder was pressed to pellet form and stacked over a different back support plate, such as platinum (Pt), niobium (Nb), and tantalum (Ta). The target was irradiated with approximately 12 MeV proton beam for 10-60 minutes at 20µA current. The irradiated target was purified through a solid phase extraction method via hydroxamate-based resin by manual or automatic approach. The purified 89Zr was analyzed using gamma scintigraphy, and specific activity was calculated through Deferoxamine (DFO) chelation. 89Zr radionuclide via pressed target was effectively produced with a production yield of 20-30 MBq/µA.h, and the purification was achieved in 35 minutes with (87.46)% average recovery and >98% purity while using automated purification, but manual purification took 2 hours with (91 ± 2)% recovery and >98% purity. The production yield was comparable to the reported pressed target approach. Deferoxamine (DFO) chelation with 89Zr-oxalate was performed with purity >98% and specific activity of 25-30 µCi/mmol. In this study, we explored the production of 89Zr by pressed targets and purification via manual or automated methods with good radionuclide purity. The chelation with DFO or its analog was performed with good labeling efficiency and stability</p>.

Efficient methane oxidation to formaldehyde via photon–phonon cascade catalysis

The oxidation of methane to value-added chemicals provides an opportunity to use this abundant feedstock for sustainable petrochemistry. Unfortunately, such technologies remain insufficiently competitive due to a poor selectivity and a low yield rate for target products. Here we show a photon–phonon-driven cascade reaction that allows for methane conversion to formaldehyde with an unprecedented productivity of 401.5 μmol h−1 (or 40,150 μmol g−1 h−1) and a high selectivity of 90.4% at 150 °C. Specifically, with a ZnO catalyst decorated with single Ru atoms, methane first reacts with water to selectively produce methyl hydroperoxide via photocatalysis, followed by a thermodecomposition step yielding formaldehyde. Single Ru atoms, serving as electron acceptors, improve charge separation and promote oxygen reduction in photocatalysis. This reaction route with minimized energy consumption and high efficiency suggests a promising pathway for the sustainable transformation of light alkanes.

One-step construction of indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines using solid calcium carbide as an alternative to gaseous acetylene

An efficient method for the synthesis of indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines using calcium carbide as an alkyne source, 2-(2-bromophenyl)-1H-indoles as starting materials, and copper as a catalyst is described. The target products are synthesized via Sonogashira cross-coupling/nucleophilic addition tandem reactions. The advantages of this protocol include the use of inexpensive and easy-to-handle solid alkyne source instead of flammable and explosive gaseous acetylene, cheap and readily available raw materials, wide range of substrates, and simple reaction procedure. The method can also be extended to gram scale. In addition, the desired product can also be obtained by one-pot three-component reaction of phenylhydrazine hydrochlorides, o-bromoacetophenones and calcium carbide.

Synthesis of 2‐aminothiazoles containing 3‐hydroxypyran‐4‐one fragment based on condensation of substituted α‐arylaminoketones with thiourea

AbstractCondensation of α‐arylaminoketones bearing 3‐hydroxypyran‐4‐one fragment with thiourea was studied. Based on considered investigation, the method for the synthesis of terarylenes with 2‐aminothiazole bridge was elaborated. The presented process is the first example of construction of thiazole core starting from α‐aminoketone precursor. The advantages of developed approach are easily available starting materials and convenient isolation of target products avoiding chromatographic purification. The structure of one of prepared products was confirmed by x‐ray analysis. The synthetic utility of obtained 2‐aminothiazoles with allomaltol substituent was demonstrated by reaction at amino and hydroxyl groups.

Phthalocyanines Synthesis: A State-of-The-Art Review of Sustainable Approaches Through Green Chemistry Metrics.

Driven by escalating environmental concerns, synthetic chemistry faces an urgent need for a green revolution. Green chemistry, with its focus on low environmental impacting chemicals and minimized waste production, emerges as a powerful tool in addressing this challenge. Metrics such as the E-factor guide the design of environmentally friendly strategies for chemical processes by quantifying the waste generated in obtaining target products, thus enabling interventions to minimize it. Phthalocyanines (Pcs), versatile molecules with exceptional physical and chemical properties, hold immense potential for technological applications. This review aims to bridge the gap between green chemistry and phthalocyanine synthesis by collecting the main examples of environmentally sustainable syntheses documented in the literature. The calculation of the E-factor of a selection of them provides insights on how crucial it is to evaluate a synthetic process in its entirety. This approach allows for a better evaluation of the actual sustainability of the phthalocyanine synthetic process and indicates possible strategies to improve it.

Optimasi Desain Geometri Lereng Material Old Dump Pada Usaha Penggalian Ulang Pit X PT. Bukit Asam Tbk

In doing slope design, it is necessary to pay attention to slope geometry and soil shear strength. Determination of slope geometry design also considers the balance between height and slope and production benefits. Research was conducted to analyze slope stability through physical and mechanical properties testing, limit equilibrium, and probabilistic Monte Carlo methods. The surface area of the Overburden stripping area in the 2024 RKP design is 8,172.79 m2. The production target is 2,000,000 tons of coal with a volume of overburden material that must be stripped of 29,000,000 BCM and obtained a Stripping Ratio value of 14.5. The results of the evaluation of the overall slope of the Old Dump material with an overall slope height of 66.582 m, a slope width of 447.69 m, an overall slope of 8.32˚ and a bench width of 25 m, a bench height of 6 m with a comparison ratio of 1:3 and a single slope angle of 18.43˚. Then the redesign was carried out and obtained recommendation results of 64.799 m overall slope height, 303.33 m slope width, 13.02˚ overall slope, and 25 m bench width, bench height at elevation 131-110 of 8 m with a comparison ratio of 1:2, single slope 26.57˚ and at elevation 110-50 of 8 m with a comparison ratio of 1:1.5, single slope 33.69˚.

Unveiling the surface of carbon black via scanning probe microscopy and chemical state analysis

Carbon black (CB) has wide range of industrial applications, including in the manufacturing of automobile tires, rubber products, inks, and plastics. To improve the properties of the target products and establish recycling systems, it must be fully characterized. However, characterization of CB is challenging owing to its structural complexity and the limitation of conventionally used experimental techniques, especially for surface structures at the nanoscale. In this study, we characterized the surface structures of two commercial CB via atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopy. Analysis of well-dispersed aggregates on atomically flat solid surfaces revealed primary particles of diverse sizes. The particle surfaces lacked edges, grooves, and steps that should be observed between stacked graphene sheets, which contradicts the widely accepted crystallite model. Observed images suggest that the graphene sheets exhibit a size distribution, inferring that multiple non-uniformly sized small graphene sheets are stacked turbostratically, with each sheet displaying a localized curvature rather than the ideal planar form. Varying size of sheets and curvature indicate the presence of a decent number of edges terminated with hydrogen and oxygen-containing functional groups. This interpretation was corroborated by conventional spectroscopic techniques: Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption, and infrared absorption spectroscopy.

Significant Promotional Effect of Nb Doping in Bifunctional Pd/WOx Nanocatalysts on One‐Step Benzene Hydroalkylation

AbstractThe development of high‐efficiency heterogeneous bifunctional metal‐acid catalysts with an appropriate metal‐acid balance for the production of cyclohexylbenzene (CHB) via the one‐step tandem benzene hydroalkylation still faces a dilemma because of the difficulty in inhibiting the over hydrogenation of benzene substrate and cyclohexene intermediate and controlling target product selectivity. In this study, Nb‐doped WOx supported Pd nanocatalysts were developed. It has been shown that doping Nb into WOx supports altered surface properties and microstructures of catalysts, resulting in the generation of more surface acidic sites and defective W−Ov−Nb structures (Ov: oxygen vacancies). As‐constructed Pd‐based nanocatalyst with only 0.1 wt % Pd loading and a Nb/(Nb+W) molar ratio of 0.25 exhibited superior catalytic benzene hydroalkylation performance to undoped supported Pd catalyst, with a much higher yield of CHB (35.6 %) at 220 °C. It was authenticated that highly dispersed Pd sites facilitated the dissociation of hydrogen molecules, defective W−Ov−Nb structures were conductive to the surface transfer of active hydrogen species, a large number of acidic sites favored benzene/cyclohexene intermediate adsorption, and abundant Brønsted acidic sites promoted the alkylation between cyclohexene intermediate formed and benzene. Accordingly, excellent cooperative catalysis between Pd sites, acidic sites, and oxygen vacancies contributed to improved catalytic performance of Nb‐doped WOx supported Pd catalysts in benzene hydroalkylation. This research presents an alternative for the creation of low‐cost practical bifunctional metal‐acid catalysts for highly efficient benzene hydroalkylation.

Importance of Competitive Dynamics of Strategic Groups: Opportunities and Challenges

The competitive dynamics of strategic groups perform a major role in shaping the competitive background of industries. Strategic groups are sets of companies within an industry that follow related strategies or have comparable characteristics, such as product offerings, target markets, or geographic scale. Understanding these dynamics is central for firms to spot opportunities and cope with challenges effectively. This paper reviews the literature on the competitive dynamics of strategic groups. It analyses the theoretical underpinnings of competitive dynamics of strategic groups and discusses the central dimensions of the concept, underscoring the importance of competitive dynamics for strategic groups. Our aim is to sum up these perspectives while providing a clear and integrated overview through a systematic literature review. Such systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method. PRISMA is a framework with evidence-based data designed to help authors carry out a systematic literature review. This systematic literature review sought to consolidate knowledge on this topic. A discussion on the theme is carried out, an ensuing conclusion came up and, finally, avenues for further research are recommended.

Quality by design-based development and in vitro evaluation of dual release tablet of etoricoxib and thiocolchicoside: A novel chronotherapeutic approach for arthritis pain management

The traditional drug delivery system is not much effective when treating chronopathological diseases like arthritis. Consequently, there is a gap in the market for a delivery system that can provide an explicit treatment following the chronopharmacology of this disorder. The present study is based on the objective to develop Eudragit coated dual release bilayer tablet designed by the quality by design (QbD) and based on the chronotherapeutic approach. The dual release tablet contained an immediate release layer of etoricoxib and a sustained release layer of thiocolchicoside. The quality target product profile (QTTP) of the formulation was established along with critical quality attributes (CQA). The optimization of the dual release layer was done using a three-level, three-factor Box-Behnken design. A total of thirteen formulations of etoricoxib (ET1-ET13) and thiocolchicoside (TH1-TH13) were developed based on the design composition of etoricoxib, sodium starch glycolate and sodium bicarbonate for the immediate release (IR) layer and thiocolchicoside, HPMC E5 LV and magnesium stearate for the sustained release (SR) layer respectively. The developed dual release layers were compressed to form a bilayer tablet. The bilayer tablets were further coated with pH-dependent polymer Eudragit S-100 to avoid drug release in upper GIT. The initial characterization and drug-excipient interaction studies were performed initially using infra-red (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies (XRD). Formulations showing good micrometric properties, disintegration and drug release were selected for final compression of bilayer tablets. Formulation ET13 showed the fastest drug release (88%) at 15minutes and quick disintegration time (21s). The sustained release thiocolchicoside tablet layer (TH1-TH13) had a hardness that varied from 4.01 to 4.45kg/cm2. Formulation TH12 had the highest hardness, whereas TH6 showed the lowest hardness. The sustained release layer showing 97.63% of drug release after 8hours was selected for the compression to bilayer tablet. The developed dual layer tablets were investigated for quality parameters like hardness, percentage friability, weight variation, disintegration and dissolution. A high level of patient compliance is ensured through the current design as the patient does not need to get out of bed at night to take the medication.

Synthesis of 6‐R‐N‐aryl‐4‐(trichloromethyl)‐4H‐1,3,5‐oxadiazin‐2‐amines based on N‐(2,2,2‐trichloro‐1‐(3‐R‐thioureido)ethyl)carboxamides: Their spectral characteristics and molecular structure

AbstractIn this work, we report the synthesis of a series of new 4H‐1,3,5‐oxadiazine derivatives. The method of their production is based on the dehydrosulfurization reaction of N‐(2,2,2‐trichloro‐1‐(3‐R‐thioureido)ethyl)carboxamides under the action of a mixture of iodine and triethylamine in DMF. A possible reaction mechanism has been proposed. The target products have been obtained in 58%–75% yield. The structure of the obtained compounds has been confirmed by 1H, 13C NMR, IR spectroscopy data, and x‐ray diffraction analysis carried out for 6‐(tert‐butyl)‐N‐phenyl‐4‐(trichloromethyl)‐4H‐1,3,5‐oxadiazin‐2‐amine.

Enhanced Hydrodeoxygenation performance through novel Al-Doped radial channel Silica-Supported Carbon-Encapsulated nickel catalysts

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) plays a crucial role in upgrading pyrolysis-oil derived from biomass. Here we describe a method for fabricating a carbon-encapsulated nickel metal–acid bifunctional catalyst (Ni@C/RCS-Al) supported on aluminum-doped radial channel silica (RCS-Al). This catalyst exhibits a large surface area and highly dispersed accessible active sites, achieved through a combination of salicylate- and MOF-assisted strategies. The RCS-Al was prepared by a one-pot salicylate-assisted hydrothermal method in an aqueous phase containing an Al source, which is simple, has a high yield, and saves time. The results show that Ni@C/RCS-Al displays a well-defined radial channel pore structure with a mesopore diameter of 31.1 nm, which can significantly increase the number of accessible active sites and accelerate mass transfer. The MOF-assisted strategy leads to the formation of highly dispersed smaller carbon-encapsulated nickel nanoparticle active sites, and Al doping contributes to the adjustable acid sites, demonstrating that Ni@C/RCS-Al is a metal–acid bifunctional catalyst. Importantly, the kinetics study revealed a high reaction constant for the constructed Ni@C/RCS-Al catalyst. Ni@C/RCS-Al demonstrates remarkable performance in HDO, achieving complete m-cresol conversion and 100 % selectivity to the target product methylcyclohexane within a brief period of 75 min (T = 250 °C p = 2 MPa, m-cresol/catalyst (g) = 7.5). This exceptional performance stems from its radial channel pore structure and optimization of metal–acid sites. The thin carbon layer on the Ni surface contributes to its superior stability and water resistance, as verified by an experimental study and DFT calculations. This work opens up a new idea for the application of radial channel silica-supported catalysts in various reactions.

One-pot conversion of xylose to 1,2-pentanediol catalyzed by an organic acid-assisted Pt/NC in aqueous phase.

The direct synthesis of 1,2-pentanediol (1,2-PeD) from renewable xylose and its derivatives derived from hemicellulose is appealing yet challenging due to its low selectivity for the target product. In this study, one-pot catalytic conversion of xylose to 1,2-PeD was performed by using nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) supported Pt catalysts with the assistance of organic acids. A remarkable yield of 49.3% for 1,2-PeD was achieved by reacting 0.1869 g xylose in 30 mL water at 200 °C under a hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa for 8 h in the presence of 0.1 g of 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst and 0.1869 g propanoic acid co-catalyst. The presence of vicinal Pt-acid pair sites on the surface of the 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst exhibited a synergistic effect in promoting the hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol intermediate and subsequent hydrogenation and ring-opening reactions leading to the formation of 1,2-PeD. The addition of organic acids, may serve as both acid catalyst for dehydration of xylose and hydrogen donor for hydrogenation of furfural and furfuryl alcohol, thereby promoting the one-pot conversion of xylose to 1,2-PeD. Remarkably, the 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance and good reusability over five consecutive cycles without significant deactivation.