Reuse Of Resources Research Articles

Analytic Hierarchy Process Optimization of Strategic Resource Management for Sustainable Development: Enhancing International Economic and Commercial Relations through Circular Economy Factors in Open Socio-Economic Systems

This article explores how the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) can optimize strategic resource management for sustainable development, emphasizing circular economy factors in open socio-economic systems. A thorough literature review links existing research in financial security, innovation, and risk management to illustrate the significance of integrating environmental considerations into long-term resource allocation. The proposed AHP framework decomposes complex decision-making into a hierarchical structure that includes both quantitative metrics, such as financial stability and waste reduction, and qualitative concerns, like stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance. Expert evaluations highlight the primacy of environmental and circular economy factors in resource management, closely followed by financial and risk considerations. Waste reduction, resource reuse, and supply chain resilience emerge as top-ranked sub-criteria, underscoring the importance of balancing ecological imperatives with economic viability. The study further highlights digital transformation as an essential enabler of real-time analysis and adaptive resource allocation. Integrating these insights within a broader policy and managerial context offers a roadmap for enhancing international economic and commercial relations, especially in turbulence-prone global markets. The findings suggest that holistic, multi-criteria decision-making—supported by AHP—provides a robust pathway toward sustainable development, promoting resilience and competitiveness in open socio-economic systems.

Asymptotically Optimal Competitive Ratio for Online Allocation of Reusable Resources

Asymptotically Optimal Competitive Ratio for Online Allocation of Reusable Resources

Incorporating Resource Constraints in Health Economic Evaluations: Overview and Methodological Considerations.

It is well known that healthcare resource constraints influence the capacity to deliver care, affecting both the costs and outcomes of medical interventions. If these constraints are not adequately accounted for in economic evaluations, there may be a lack of understanding regarding the full impact of implementing health technologies, leading to decisions being made with suboptimal information. This paper offers an overview of the types of healthcare resource constraints and their potential effects, and introduces a framework grounded in operations research and health economics principles, outlining the methodological considerations for incorporating resource constraints into economic evaluations. Drawing from a literature review and advisory group feedback, three categories of resource constraints were identified: single-use resource constraints, reusable resource constraints and patient throughput constraints. The proposed framework outlines a comprehensive set of steps necessary for effectively incorporating constraints into health economic evaluations and details specific approaches and methodological considerations for each stage to ensure a more accurate and realistic assessment of health interventions. This paper also aims to raise awareness among payers and decision-makers with regards to the limitations of technology evaluations in a resource-constrained health system. Specifically, it suggests that health technology assessment agencies ought to offer guidance on incorporating constraints into the submissions they receive. Moreover, it advocates for a more comprehensive economic evaluation in economic assessments to fully capture an intervention's value.

Exploring the potential of online scientific research to meet modern needs: international perspective

The internet and digital technologies have brought about a significant change in the way scientific research is conducted, marking a paradigm shift in the field. This article explores how the internet has influenced and facilitated scientific research, along with the internal challenges and limitations researchers face in the digital age. Several examples of research and the attitudes of different categories of respondents towards the use of online tools are provided. With the help of online collaboration tools, researchers can work together from different parts of the world, share data in real time, and leverage interdisciplinary synergies to drive scientific progress. Access to vast online databases, journals, and repositories has also enabled researchers to speed up literature reviews and remain up­to­date with the latest scientific explorations. Moreover, the internet has facilitated the sharing of research data, code, and materials, promoting transparency, replication, and reuse of valuable scientific resources. However, online research is not immune to challenges, such as concerns about data quality, reliability, and validity. Online information may contain errors or intentional misinformation. Additionally, the digital divide and uneven global access to internet infrastructure can lead to sampling bias in online research. The article presents the advantages and disadvantages of using online tools for conducting research. It also highlights that the constant emergence of new online tools and platforms requires ongoing adaptation, and factors such as unique web browsing experiences and technological variations can impede the reproducibility of certain online studies. Despite these challenges, the article argues that the internet has become an indispensable tool for scientific research, creating both opportunities and challenges that the scientific community must skillfully navigate. The article aims to provide best practices for improving skills in areas such as data management, digital literacy, and virtual collaboration, which are crucial for the responsible and ethical advancement of scientific research in the digital age.

Regulatory and Legal Framework for the Development of the Circular Economy in Ukraine

Ukraine's regulatory framework for the circular economy is in the process of active development, but requires a comprehensive approach that includes both the integration of international standards and the stimulation of domestic initiatives. The main challenges include imperfect legislation, a weak level of business incentives for environmental initiatives, limited financing of environmental projects, and the lack of a single toolkit for implementing circular business models. Military aggression also has a significant impact, slowing down the transition to new economic models. Ukraine is working to harmonize its legislation with EU norms that provide for the integration of circular economy principles. This includes the implementation of European waste management standards, stimulating the reuse of resources, and developing strategies for sustainable economic development. In Ukraine, a circular economy foresight activity has been launched, initiated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Center in Ukraine (RECP Center) within the framework of the EU4Environment program, funded by the European Union with the support of the Government of Germany. The main goal of the circular economy foresight activity in Ukraine is to form a vision of the most appropriate measures for the future of Ukrainian industry, cleaner production and environmental protection. Analysis of the regulatory framework is the basis for determining the key principles, tools and directions for implementing sustainable development and resource efficiency strategies. The article analyzes the main principles of regulatory and legal support for the development of the circular economy of Ukraine, as well as the main tools for its implementation, namely: environmental taxation (the introduction of environmental taxes on pollution, stimulating the use of renewable resources), the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system and financial incentives. The results of the study show that the prospects for implementing a circular economy are significant thanks to the support of international partners, the development of new draft laws, and the growth of public interest in sustainable development.

Dynamic evaluation and sensitivity analysis of China’s industrial solid waste management efficiency based on ecological environment cycle perspective

IntroductionThe recycling and repurposing of industrial solid waste is a crucial element of sustainable development in growing industrialized nations.MethodsAn advanced two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was employed to assess the effectiveness of solid waste management across all 31 provinces in China throughout the period spanning from 2016 to 2022.ResultsThe research findings suggest the following: (1) The circular economy has shown varying degrees of improvement in efficiency across most regions. (2) The average efficiency of the resource reuse stage is not higher than 0.4, indicating significant room for development that requires serious attention. (3) The western region has a higher average solid waste treatment efficiency of 0.65 compared to 0.53 in the eastern region, while the central region falls at a moderate level. Furthermore, this work employed sensitivity analysis to examine the resilience of regional efficiency research and discovered that the overall findings remain statistically significant. Hence, it is imperative to simultaneously enhance the internal administration of businesses and enhance governmental environmental legislation and regulations, with the aim of attaining the utmost optimization of resource recycling.DiscussionThis paper presents policy suggestions for enhancing the solid waste recycling system within provincial government departments, while also establishing the foundation for the expansion of the solid waste treatment industry, which is necessary to accomplish the goal of “double carbon”.

An Energy-Efficient ECG Processor with Ultra-Low-Parameter Multi-Stage Neural Network and Optimized Power-of-Two Quantization.

This work presents an energy-efficient ECG processor designed for Cardiac Arrhythmia Classification. The processor integrates a pre-processing and neural network accelerator, achieved through algorithm-hardware co-design to optimize hardware resources. We propose a lightweight two-stage neural network architecture, where the first stage includes discrete wavelet transformation and an ultra-low-parameter multilayer perceptron (MLP) network, and the second stage utilizes group convolution and channel shuffle. Both stages leverage neural networks for hardware resource reuse and feature a reconfigurable processing element array and memory blocks adapted to the proposed two-stage structure to efficiently handle various convolution and MLP layers operations in the two-stage network. Additionally, an optimized power-of-two (OPOT) quantization technique is proposed to enhance accuracy in low-bit quantization, and a multiplier-less processing element structure tailored for the OPOT weight quantization is introduced. The ECG processor was implemented on a 65nm CMOS process technology with 4KB of SRAM memory, achieving an energy consumption per interference of 0.15 uJ with a power supply of 1V, 64% energy saving compared to the recent state-of-the-art work. Under 4-bit weight precision, the 5-class ECG signal classification accuracy reached 98.59% on the MIT-BIH arrhythmia dataset.

Circular economy-based integrated closed-loop farming system: A sensitivity analysis for profit optimization

This study proposes and constructs a model for a closed-loop farming system (CLFS) for pig manure waste reuse under circular economy principles (CEPs) to optimize economic benefits. Pig farming produces waste that harms the ecological environment in Taiwan. However, few studies have focused on pig farming waste within the context of CEPs, where the resource utilization of pig manure waste and CLFS are the main concerns. This study introduces a CLFS with a farming production plan that enhances systematic efficiency and builds a framework for resource reuse, supporting a local living circle. The resource utilization of pig manure waste is integrated into the CLFS, ensuring that the entire pig raising production process operates within the system, maximizing waste utilization to increase economic benefits. A sensitivity analysis is also presented. The results confirm that all counties and municipalities in Taiwan achieved self-sufficiency in pork production, reaching a 100% satisfaction rate for pork demand, and feed prices did not impact the overall CLFS.

Application of circular economy principles to midstream infrastructural sector: A review of strategies for waste minimization and recycling

Circular economy in midstream operations promotes resource reuse, waste reduction, and sustainable pipeline life cycle management. The transition toward a sustainable oil and gas industry needs to be enabled through the adoption of this concept, especially in the midstream sector, where environmental impact is high. This review focuses on practices in the waste minimization and recycling strategy of midstream infrastructure, including material recycling, reuse of processing debris and the conversion of waste into valuables. It underlines potential lifecycle environmental savings and resource efficiency, besides emphasizing on how innovative approaches are important in mitigating the ecological footprint of midstream activities. It also points out the knowledge gaps on practical integration of the circular economy principles within this very industry and came up with actionable recommendations for industry stakeholders. Through the analysis of the most recent published literatures and case studies of successful implementation, it has been indicated that many companies that use these techniques have succeeded in reducing waste output by over 30%. Conclusively, full scrutiny by this review has helped to attain a holistic approach towards sustainability in the oil and gas industry through wider adoption of recycling and sustainable practices in midstream operations.

Synergistic atmospheric influence on the co-pyrolysis of antibiotic sludge and waste bicycle tires: Optimal drivers, products, and pathways

Effective management of antibiotic sludge (AS) is essential for disease prevention. This study investigated the co-pyrolysis of AS with polyurethane (PU) and rubber tires (RT), focusing on its key drivers, synergies, resulting products, and atmospheric (N2 versus CO2) dependency. Composite pyrolysis index indicated superior co-pyrolysis properties of AS with PU or RT in the CO2 atmosphere compared with those in the N2 atmosphere. The strongest synergistic effect occurred at an optimal ratio of 75 % AS to 25 % PU (AP31) or 25 % RT (AR31), regardless of the atmosphere. Real-time gas analysis revealed greater product diversity in N2 than in CO2, with AS-derived products predominating. The co-pyrolysis altered AS nitrogen groups, promoting pyrrolic-N and pyridinic-N formation, and accelerated organic sulfur decomposition. Experimental results combined with univariate and multivariate joint optimizations identified the co-pyrolysis pathways of AP31 (650 – 800 °C) and AR31 (600 – 800 °C), respectively, in the CO2 atmosphere as synergistically optimal for maximizing resource recovery while minimizing waste and pollutant generation. This study provides actionable insights into the synergistic co-pyrolysis of AS with PU or RT, facilitating optimized gas emissions, energy recovery, and resource reuse.

Research on the optimization of proportions for synchronous grouting material in composite muck during shield tunneling

To tackle the challenge of onsite resource reuse of composite muck, which relies on a shield tunneling section in the case of Nanjing Metro Line 7, this paper examines the effects of component substitution and varying proportions of factors on slurry properties through laboratory tests and multiobjective modeling. From a practical application perspective, the potential of using composite muck as a synchronous grouting material for shield tunneling was explored. In reference to the common mixed strata encountered in shield tunneling construction in the Nanjing area, a general slurry mixing ratio suitable for various mixed strata conditions was derived. The research results indicate the following optimized mixing ratios for the composite muck slurry: a water-to-binder (cement + fly ash) ratio of 0.76, a cement-to-fly ash ratio of 0.53, a binder-to-soil (silty clay + silty fine sand + river sand) ratio of 0.67, a clay (i.e., silty clay)-to-sand (i.e., silty fine sand + river sand) ratio of 0.4, and a substitution ratio (i.e., silty fine sand/silty fine sand + river sand) of 0.2. This slurry is feasible for practical applications and can reduce construction costs by 38.13%. The obtained general mixing ratio for the composite muck slurry, suitable for various mixed stratigraphic conditions, essentially meets onsite construction requirements (the bleeding rate is controlled within a low range of 1.1–3.1%, and the maximum compressive strength reaches up to 6.76 MPa at 28 days), with reasonable costs. It streamlines construction by eliminating the need for onsite screening of muck, allowing for the direct onsite reuse of composite muck in shield tunneling.

One-step self-activated carbon adsorbent with synergistic micropore-mesopore structure for exceptional SF6/N2 separation performance

The capture and recovery of SF₆ from exhaust gases in the electronics industry through adsorptive separation offer a sustainable pathway toward resource reuse and environmental protection. The core challenge lies in developing adsorbents with rapid adsorption kinetics and exceptional selectivity. In this study, we present a novel one-step synthesis of PC-xMgO carbon materials via the self-activation of a potassium citrate (PC) precursor, facilitated by MgO nanosheets acting as spatial barriers. This approach yields a synergistic micropore-mesopore structure that enhances SF₆/N₂ separation. The inclusion of MgO prevents the aggregation of PC-derived carbon nanosheets, resulting in an ideal pore structure that combines micropore confinement with mesopore diffusion. This synergy optimally balances gas adsorption capacity, separation selectivity, and diffusion rate. Notably, the PC-0.5MgO adsorbent achieves an impressive SF₆ adsorption capacity of 2.19 mmol g−1 (0.1 bar) and a high selectivity factor of 506 (10 % SF₆/N₂) at 298K, outperforming all previously reported carbon-based adsorbents. Additionally, dynamic breakthrough tests on binary gas mixtures confirm its outstanding separation performance, yielding 99.9 % pure SF₆ with a productivity rate of 1.05 mol kg−1 at 298K—a threefold increase over the best reported data. This advancement provides a new perspective for designing efficient adsorbents aimed at SF₆ mitigation.

Integrating Lean Management and Circular Economy for Sustainable Dentistry

The increasing focus on environmental sustainability has prompted the healthcare sector, including dentistry, to reconsider waste management practices. Dental offices generate various waste streams from outdated technologies, including single-use plastics, hazardous materials, and digital waste. This scoping review explores how integrating circular economy principles with lean management practices can enhance sustainability and operational efficiency in dental clinics. Using the PRISMA methodology, the review identifies 30 articles that passed the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist from 2000. Circular economy principles focus on reducing waste and maximizing resource reuse, while lean management seeks to improve efficiency and minimize process waste. Together, these approaches can significantly reduce resource consumption and enhance recycling efforts in dental practices. Despite barriers such as high technology costs, regulatory constraints, and limited recycling infrastructure, case studies highlight successful implementation in healthcare settings, demonstrating improved environmental and operational outcomes. Collaboration between dental professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders is essential for promoting the adoption of these sustainable practices.

Integrating Circular Economy Practices for Sustainable Maritime Tourism Development in Bone Regency, Indonesia

This study analyzes the application of circular economy principles in the development of marine tourism in Bone Regency, Indonesia, using a qualitative case study approach involving local government representatives, community members, and tourists. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and field observations to understand the integration of circular economy practices, including waste management, resource reuse, and local community empowerment. Findings highlight both opportunities and challenges in implementing sustainable tourism, such as limited funding and infrastructure. However, effective practices, such as community-led recycling initiatives and government support in waste treatment, underscore the potential for circular economy models to enhance environmental sustainability and local economic benefits. The study concludes that a circular economy framework, supported by multi-stakeholder collaboration, can provide a path toward sustainable marine tourism, offering insights for policymakers and researchers aiming to balance environmental and economic goals in tourism development.

Fostering regional intelligence from the ground up: a selection of case studies from EU projects

This paper argues that sustainable development and regional intelligence can be markedly advanced through the strategic application of bottom-up initiatives, emphasizing participatory vision setting, collaborative production, and resource acquisition via crowdfunding and cooperatives. The study explores how these components are practically implemented within the context of three HORIZON2020 EU projects spanning the period from 2019 to 2024: citizen science hubs, makerspaces, and community bioenergy initiatives. By examining these projects, the paper identifies and analyzes the key elements of regional intelligence that are strengthened through bottom-up approaches. Qualitative analysis reveals that community-based initiatives grounded in citizen science principles play a pivotal role in enhancing citizen trust, transparency, and public engagement. The establishment of citizen science hubs facilitates inclusive decision-making processes and empowers local communities to actively participate in scientific endeavors, thereby fostering a deeper integration of local knowledge into regional development strategies. Moreover, makerspaces, as platforms for collaborative production, promote principles of the circular economy by encouraging resource reuse and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. They also serve as catalysts for user-driven innovation, facilitating the creation of customized solutions tailored to local needs. Finally, community-driven bioenergy initiatives contribute to sustainable energy production, diversify energy sources, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and enhance regional resilience. Cooperatives play a crucial role in improving organizational efficiency and sustainability, enabling local stakeholders to scale initiatives, maximize impact, and promote equitable distribution of benefits, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity. The findings underscore the critical importance of bottom-up strategies in advancing sustainable development goals through increased regional intelligence. By integrating these initiatives into regional policies and practices, policymakers can leverage local knowledge and resources to address complex challenges, promote innovation, and build resilient, inclusive communities capable of navigating future challenges.

Performance Analysis and Novel Cross-Flow Scheme of Low-Temperature Multi-Effect Distillation for Treating High-Mineralized Mine Water

Low-temperature multi-effect distillation (LT-MED) can be used to desalinate and demineralize highly mineralized mine water, facilitating the recycling and reuse of water resources. This study conducted a simulation of LT-MED technology for treating highly mineralized mine water using Aspen Plus and proposed a novel cross-flow optimization scheme. Initially, the impact of operational parameters such as process configuration, number of evaporation effects, and steam input on the gained output ratio (GOR) and scaling risk of a conventional LT-MED system was analyzed. It was found that the number of effects and heating steam flow rate had the most significant influence on GOR, while different processes exhibited limitations regarding GOR and scaling trends. To address these issues, this paper introduced a cross-flow operation process that combined forward, backward, and parallel flow. The simulation results indicated that, under conditions of eight effects, a maximum evaporation temperature of 70 °C, a temperature difference between adjacent effects of 4 °C, and a feed temperature of 45 °C, the cross-flow process—where the feed was introduced from the sixth effect—achieved the highest GOR and significantly reduced scaling risks compared to parallel and backward flow configurations. Finally, to further utilize low-pressure exhaust steam from the final effect of the cross-flow LT-MED system, mechanical vapor compression (MVC) and thermal vapor compression (TVC) were integrated into the LT-MED process. The thermodynamic performance of the coupled system was analyzed, and the simulations demonstrated that the coupled system outperformed the standalone use of either TVC or MVC, with the LT-MED-MVC-TVC system showing superior performance overall.

Investigation, Determination, and Analysis of Dominant Vegetation in Mining Areas

During the mining process, a large amount of untreated and unusable land, namely mining wastelands, is generated. Ecological remediation in mining areas aims to rehabilitate polluted mining wasteland, thus enabling the reuse of land resources. Phytoremediation technology can effectively restore pollution in mining areas, with the prerequisite of identifying suitable tolerant or dominant plant species, which are typically found in the vicinity of mining sites with a long history of exploitation. This study conducted field surveys and collected samples, followed by laboratory analyses to explore the dominant plant species in the vanadium-titanium mining area of Zhujiabaobao, Panzhihua. Field surveys revealed a low coverage of wild vegetation due to the fragile ecological environment, primarily consisting of low, medium, and high-coverage vegetation types. Based on a comprehensive analysis of 13 dominant plant species in terms of their quantity, quality, morphological characteristics, and potential value, Eriophorum vaginatum, Rumex hastatus, and Dodonaea viscosa were identified as the three most suitable species for ecological remediation in this mining area.

Reaction mechanism study of calcium carbide residue with graphene oxide in aqueous environment: Adsorption properties and mechanical potentials

Graphene Oxide (GO) is widely used, but its hydrophilic properties make it difficult to remove once it enters water and soil environments. In this paper, the adsorption effect of calcium carbide residue (CCR) as adsorbent on GO was investigated through a series of adsorption tests. Adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics, isotherm models, and various characterization techniques were employed to explore the adsorption mechanism. Additionally, the study assessed CCR’s ability to stabilize GO-contaminated soils through unconfined compressive strength tests. The results showed that (1) at T = 303 K, with a pH of 11 and an initial GO concentration of 80 mg/L, CCR demonstrated excellent adsorption performance. (2) The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm and a quasi-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemical adsorption with spontaneous heat adsorption. (3) CCR not only acts as an effective adsorbent for removing GO from wastewater but also has the potential to strengthen GO-contaminated soils. In addition, due to its favorable environmental benefits, this study has a wide range of potential applications in industrial fields such as wastewater treatment, air purification, and energy storage and conversion. This study not only proposes an effective method for removing graphene oxide from aqueous environments, but also provides a new idea for waste resource utilization, which helps to achieve the dual goals of environmental protection and resource reuse.

Synergistic chemical traction and pre-intercalation strategies enable high-quality MnO2 composites for efficient ammonium capture

The δ-MnO2 exhibits an ideal capacitive deionization (CDI) electrode for the efficient removal of ammonium ions (NH4+), owing to its unique layered structure that facilitates effective insertion and extraction of ions. However, MnO2 is constrained by self-aggregation, inadequate electrical conductivity, and sluggish reaction kinetics in practical applications, leading to subpar ammonium removal performance. Here, the polyaniline (PANI) intercalated MnO2 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites (P/M-C-X) were synthesized by a straightforward and swift one-step inorganic/organic interface reaction using the chemical traction effect of aniline. The synergistic effect of the increased layer spacing and the introduced oxygen vacancy after PANI intercalated and the 1D/2D conductive interconnect structure constructed by CNTs can effectively improve the electrical conductivity, promote ions/electrons diffusion, and enhance the charge reaction kinetics. As results, P/M-C-50 exhibits excellent NH4+ removal performance, including the maximum salt adsorption capacity (SAC) (160.0 mg g−1), ultra-high salt adsorption rate (SAR) (1.07 mg g−1 s−1), and good cyclic stability. Furthermore, the comprehension of NH4+ storage mechanism has been enhanced through structural characterization, electrochemical analysis, and theoretical calculation. This study shows that P/M-C-50 has broad potential as a CDI ammonium removal electrode, and lays a solid foundation for the effective recovery and reuse of ammonium resources.

Exceptionally-fast antimony removal by hollow rod assembly of Fe@MnO2 nanosheets: Sequential utilization as aqueous alkaline battery anode

The recovery and reuse of antimony resources is crucial to suppress the increasing antimony pollution. In this study, Fe@MnO2 composite was prepared by continuous redox etching, which showed a hollow rod-like structure stacked of nanosheets with a large specific surface area and rich pore shell structure. It can reach an exceptionally-fast adsorption equilibrium in 200 s, and a maximum capacity of 252.7 mg/g. Adhering to the concept of sustainable development, the waste adsorbent is reused in antimony ion batteries. In electrochemical testing, the used-adsorbent exhibits a high specific capacity of 158 mAh g−1 and excellent stability. This study provides new insights into the removal of antimony and opens new ways for the reuse of resources.