Successful Production Research Articles

Development of Target Holder for the First Experiment on an Alternative Route for 64Cu Radioisotope Production by Secondary Neutron Irradiation of a 64ZnO Target

The target holder, as part of the target system for cyclotron-based radioisotope production, plays a crucial role in successful radioisotope production. The target holder has to be designed and developed so that it will not deform or melt should a beam of energetic particles irradiate the target. In this work, we develop and test a target holder for 64Cu radioisotope production. The thermal distribution and structural analysis are simulated using ANSYS software. Based on the ANSYS simulation results, a maximum temperature of 84°C occurred on the titanium foil, while the maximum temperature in the target holder body was 35.6°C when an 11-MeV proton beam with a beam current of 25 μA was bombarded on the target holder. We successfully test the target holder, and for the first time, we experimentally produce a 64Cu radioisotope by secondary neutron irradiation of the 64ZnO target. Using 11-MeV protons with a proton beam current of 25 μA incident on a 1-mm Ti foil for 5 min, we were able to generate secondary neutrons, and then the secondary neutrons irradiated 1 g of the enriched 64ZnO target. Copper-64 produced from the 64Zn(n,p)64Cu nuclear reaction was eventually detected using a portable gamma spectrometer, and its radioactivity was measured using a dose calibrator. For the first time, this experimental study confirmed that as much as 48.8 ± 6.2 MBq/μAh radioactivity of 64Cu was produced with no observed radioactive impurities.

STUDY THE POTENTIAL OF CYANOBACTERIA - ANABAENA VARIABILIS A-1 IN BIOHYDROGEN PRODUCTION

The production of biohydrogen by phototrophic microorganisms is a promising and complex biotechnology that can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, achieving successful biohydrogen production requires identifying active strains with the required characteristics and selecting suitable strategies for improving strains for photobiotechnological hydrogen production. In this study, our aim was to identify promising hydrogen producers among cyanobacteria and understand the mechanisms of this process and the conditions for increasing hydrogen production. We obtained five new strains of cyanobacteria from different ecosystems and evaluated their potential for hydrogen production. Based on our screening, we identified the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis A-1 as having the highest growth rate and biomass yield, which determined its high productivity. We subsequently genetically identified and studied the physiological and biochemical properties of this strain to determine its potential for hydrogen production. Our results showed that Anabaena variabilis A-1 was characterized by high productivity, nitrogenase enzyme activity, and hydrogen release, producing 8.67 μmol H2/mg chl/h of hydrogen in the dark. We also found that this strain released hydrogen 3.7 times more in the dark than in the light, and hydrogen production was observed in the first day after anaerobic cultivation. Addition of 50 mmol NaHCO3 + 25 mmol HEPES to this strain increased hydrogen release by 1.1 times. In conclusion, our study identified Anabaena variabilis A-1 as a promising cyanobacteria strain for biohydrogen production. Its high productivity, nitrogenase enzyme activity, and genetic manipulability make it a suitable model organism for studying various physiological processes and metabolic pathways in photosynthetic cells. We recommend further studies to explore the full potential of this strain for future biohydrogen production.

Design of TOLERANT: phase I/II safety assessment of intranodal administration of HSP70/mB29a self-peptide antigen-loaded autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

IntroductionIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA), immunosuppressive therapies may achieve symptomatic relief, but do not induce long-term, drug-free remission. Meanwhile, the lifelong use of immunosuppressive drugs confers increased risk for malignancy and...

Optimization of a novel hydrogen production process integrating biomass and sorption-enhanced reforming for reduced CO2 emissions

Recently, there has been a growing demand for clean and sustainable energy sources to bridge the energy gap. Hydrogen has emerged as an attractive and environmentally friendly energy carrier due to its potential for high energy efficiency and minimal pollution generation, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels. This study proposes and investigates a novel coupled process that utilizes chemical looping technologies for hydrogen production, simultaneously utilizing natural gas and biomass as feedstocks. The primary objective of this research is to develop a process model that maximizes hydrogen production while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. Aspen Plus version 10 was employed to simulate and analyze the proposed process configuration to achieve this. One of the proposed process's key advantages is its competitiveness compared to conventional steam methane reforming (SMR) processes, which are widely used in industry. The novel process offers significant benefits, such as enhanced hydrogen purity and reduced CO2 content in the product gas. The simulation results obtained from Aspen Plus reveal the successful production of highly pure hydrogen with a molar ratio of H2/CO equal to 268 and syngas with a molar ratio of H2/CO approximately equal to 1. Additionally, the process demonstrates the capability to produce highly high-purity hydrogen with a molar ratio of H2/CO equal to 155,000 in three-section reactors.

Expression of goat poxvirus P32 protein and monoclonal antibody preparation.

P32 protein serves as a crucial structural component of Goat pox virus (GTPV), which causes a highly virulent infectious disease in sheep and goats. Despite the fact that P32 has been widely expressed in the previous studies, it is difficult to obtain recombinant P32 efficiently. This study aimed to achieve soluble expression of P32 recombinant protein and to develop its specific monoclonal antibody. The gene fragment of P32Δ (GP32Δ) was synthesized by optimizing the coding sequence of amino acids 1-246 of the known goatpox P32 protein. Subsequently, GP32Δ was cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector for expression and purification, resulting in the successful production of soluble recombinant protein rP32Δ. Utilizing rP32Δ, an indirect ELISA method was established by immunizing 6-week-old BALB/c mice with inactivated GTPV as the antigen. Through hybridoma technology, three monoclonal antibody hybridoma cell lines secreting anti-goat pox virus rP32Δ were screened, designated as 2F3, 3E8, and 4H5, respectively. These monoclonal antibodies, classified as IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b, respectively, with κappa light chains, were characterized following ascites preparation and purification. Indirect ELISA results demonstrated that the ELISA potency of the three monoclonal antibodies exceeded 1:12800. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed specific reactivity of both 3E8 and 4H5 with rP32Δ, while immunofluorescence assays confirmed 3E8's ability to specifically recognize GTPV in cells. The preceding findings demonstrate the successful acquisition of the soluble expressed recombinant P32 protein and its specific monoclonal antibody 3E8 in this study, thereby laying a foundational material basis for the establishment of a GTPV detection method.

Characterization of CrMnNi Steel Powders Obtained via Gas Atomization

To obtain a successful product during additive manufacturing, the powder as a raw material must have the high quality. The purpose of this work is to investigate CrMnNi steel powders obtained by inert gas atomization with nickel content: 3, 6, and 9 wt% and to identify dependencies between the powder size and morphology, solidification structure, and change in chemical composition and thermophysical properties. Particle size distribution is measured by a laser scattering analyzer: d50 value are 82.02, 69.32, and 75.54 μm for powders with 3, 6, and 9 wt%, respectively. Surface tension (ST) measurements are made by maximum bubble pressure method: for steels with 3, 6, and 9 wt% at temperature 1500 °C, ST is 1.01, 1.07, and 1.15 mN m−1, respectively. It is found that the change in particle size affects the chemical composition, the content of the ferromagnetic phase and secondary dendritic arm‐spacing. Changes in the content of elements such as S, O, N, and Mn are determined, depending on the diameter of the particles. The influence of changes in content of S, O, and N on the thermophysical properties such as ST is investigated.

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN ENSURING TECHNOLOGICAL INDEPENDENCE IN INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT

The presented scientific article analyzes the role of universities in ensuring technological independence in the context of innovative development. The current trends and key mechanisms by which universities influence the achievement of technological independence of the state are considered, as well as the prospects for the development of this area are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the importance of cooperation between universities and the business community, including active partnerships with industrial enterprises and innovative start-ups. The study also examines educational programs and technological transfers, which are valuable tools for the formation of innovations that contribute to improving the competitiveness of the national economy. The analysis reflects the active role of universities in developing innovative solutions, converting knowledge into successful commercial products and encouraging technological development of the country. Also, within the framework of this study, the importance of developing innovation clusters and technology parks is considered, which contribute to the convergence of science, business and production, and the creation of a favorable ecosystem for innovation. The role of state support for innovative projects and scientific research carried out by universities, financing mechanisms for innovative research and development are considered. The research is an analysis of the current state and prospects for the development of interaction between the academic sphere, business and the state in order to increase technological independence, strengthen innovation and stimulate sustainable economic growth. The results of this study provide material for the development of possible partnership strategies between universities, the business community and the state aimed at ensuring technological independence and sustainable development of the national innovation system, including in order to ensure technological independence and sustainable development of the national innovation system.

Microbial Fermentation and Shelf Life of Potential Biotechnological Products Capable of Pesticide Degradation

The pesticide active ingredient azoxystrobin is widely used in agriculture and has negative effects for the environment and contained organisms. Bacterial strains have been reported to degrade azoxystrobin, but precise methodologies for producing and storing these strains as potential biotechnological products are lacking. The study focused on creating and optimising a non-sterile, small-scale microbial fermentation protocol to produce azoxystrobin-degrading products and to test their shelf life. By testing 14 variants and sampling at three production and two storage time points, the trial demonstrated the successful production and storage of microbial products capable of pesticide degradation. Various measurement parameters such as pH value and organic acids were used to monitor the quality of the microbial products during the production and storage. Further, we developed and validated qPCR assays to rapidly and specifically assess the concentration of the two azoxystrobin degrading strains, namely Bacillus subtilis strain MK101 and Rhodococcus fascians strain MK144. To ensure good specificity, the combination of two qPCR assays targeting two different genome regions was implemented for each strain. The study highlights the significant impact of media selection and bacterial inoculum quantity on the microbial product quality.

Customer-driven innovation: examining the nexus of trust, IT, knowledge absorption, and involvement in NPD success

This paper explores the interplay among trust, IT utilization, knowledge absorption, and customer involvement in new product development and their impact on new product development performance. Based on an empirical analysis of 283 survey responses from global manufacturing firms, the study reveals key insights: (1) Trust and IT utilization positively influence knowledge absorption, with trust having a stronger impact; (2) Knowledge absorption directly enhances new product development performance; and (3) Customer involvement positively moderates the relationship between knowledge absorption and product new product development performance. This study enhances our understanding of new product development dynamics, illustrating how these factors collectively shape successful product development outcomes in the rapidly evolving business landscape.

Pemasaran dan Peningkatan Kualitas Produk Intellimice Classifier dengan Implementasi Strategi STP (Segementasi, Targeting, Positioning)

The STAS-RG laboratory recently launched the Intellimice Classifier product, a groundbreaking innovation in biomedical and pharmaceutical research that offers advanced laboratory mouse classification technology to enhance research efficiency and accuracy. Although this product promises great potential, STAS-RG faces challenges in identifying the right market for this product. This study aims to identify optimal market opportunities by applying the STP (Segmenting, Targeting, Positioning) strategy and using qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and field observations. The study results show that the most effective market segmentation includes healthcare institutions, particularly pharmaceutical companies, focusing on individuals aged 20-50, including students and professionals in related fields. The primary target market is pharmaceutical institutions that require efficient and accurate laboratory mouse classification tools to support their research. Intellimice Classifier is positioned as an advanced solution with competitive pricing, utilizing Sensor Computer Vision technology to meet various specific needs in genetic research, such as classifying the gender, weight, color, and size of mice. This study emphasizes the importance of a deep understanding of the market to design effective marketing strategies and tailor the product to customer needs. These findings provide valuable strategic insights for STAS-RG to formulate a more targeted and adaptive marketing approach, aiming to maximize the product's adoption and success in the ever-evolving market. This approach not only allows STAS-RG to effectively introduce the product but also to meet the specific needs of their target market.

Packaging, perception, and acceptability: a comprehensive exploration of extrinsic attributes and consumer behaviours in novel food product systems

SummaryIn today's global markets, the constant arrival of new products represents a challenge for the food industry to offer distinct choices to consumers, primarily due to the parallel sensory attributes and pricing structures of the available food options. Innovators must employ methodologies beyond traditional sensory analysis to ensure the product's success. Researchers must, therefore, explore the entire product experience to understand its influence on consumer behaviours. Food choices are multifaceted, influenced by various factors, including individual physiological and psychological characteristics and intrinsic and extrinsic product attributes. As a result, consumers' decisions are shaped by the multisensory information derived from products they encounter in supermarkets. This review aims to comprehensively examine the factors influencing consumer food choices, from initial product encounters to consumption. The review explores the impact of repetitive tasting on the consumer's attitudes and intentions towards novel products. Additionally, the review investigates which extrinsic attributes capture consumer attention in supermarket settings. It also delves into the effects of extrinsic product attributes on both explicit and implicit emotions and expectations raised about the sensory properties of the product and, ultimately, their purchasing behaviours.

Thermal, structural, and sensory properties of tiger nut oil (Cyperus esculentus L.) – beeswax oleogels flavoured with butter and honey

AbstractThe aims of this study were to prepare butter and honey flavoured tiger nut oil oleogels with beeswax oleogelator and to compare them with the unflavoured control sample. The oleogels prepared with 10 wt% beeswax and 0.5 wt% of each flavour addition were analysed for main physicochemical, thermal, and structural properties. In addition, a trained panel described the samples with 11 sensory descriptive (hardness, spreadability, roasted, liquefaction, rancid, waxy, nutty, butter, honey, cooling, and mouth coating) terms. It was found that the oleogels melt around 52 °C and included β′ type polymorphs. The sensory data proved that the samples were quite well spreadable and had enough hardness to stay as solid-fat samples at room temperature. Further, addition of butter and honey flavours masked the waxy attribute. In conclusion, flavoured tiger nut oil-beeswax oleogels were new and successful products, and future studies with food applications are suggested.

Lewis Acidic VOx Engineered PdAu Nanocatalysts for Efficient Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

AbstractThe development of high‐performance catalysts for formic acid (FA) dehydrogenation is of extreme significance to the successful production of hydrogen under ambient conditions. Despite some encouraging progress, their activity is still unsatisfied than needed. In this work, it is presented that Lewis acidic VOx sites engineered ultrafine PdAu nanoclusters (PdAu‐VOx) perform perfectly for hydrogen production from FA dehydrogenation. Strikingly, the best catalyst — PdAu‐VOx embed in amino‐functionalized hollow mesoporous support (PdAu‐VOx/NHMS) discloses an impressive initial turnover frequency of 14155 h−1 and a low activation energy of 31.2 kJ mol−1 without additives at room temperature, and maintains 100% selectivity and conversion in the tenth cycle reaction. Mechanistic investigations illustrate that VOx species can serve as the Lewis acid sites, which not only regulate the adsorption strength of reactant and intermediate on PdAu, but also reinforce the C─H bond activation within FA molecule, thereby promoting the reaction kinetics for efficient hydrogen production. This work thus provides a strategy for the development of new‐style heterogeneous catalysts with Lewis acid‐base sites applied to a variety of energy‐related catalytic reactions.

Early Supplier Involvement Challenges in New Product Development Projects: a Bibliographic Overview of Lean Production in the Automotive Industry

Abstract The research is based on a literature review focused on early supplier involvement in new product development processes while working towards Lean production, especially for the automotive industry, where all actors must be fast and accurate. For practitioners, early supplier involvement is a topic that deserves serious attention since it impacts on decentralisation, promoting gains in quality, quantity, and execution time, as well as cost reduction and/or the acquisition of technical knowledge in developing products and production processes. The authors first introduce the key concepts, issues, and theoretical foundations concerning early supplier involvement challenges and new product development within organisations that affect their core processes and outsourcing strategies when seeking collaboration to develop more sophisticated technologies that a new product requires. The authors critically explore these issues, especially concerning earlier supplier involvement and its connection to the Lean philosophy, pursuing process tunning, considering production quantity, quality, and time, as well as avoiding penalising interruption within the automotive industry. The study provides the first critical review of potential challenges for a successful early supply involvement and, consequently, a successful new product development process decentralisation and the acquisition of technical knowledge in developing products and production processes needed to satisfy customers.

Isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of a water-soluble polysaccharide derived from Phellinus baumii Pilát mycelia

This study involved the successful production of mycelial polysaccharides by optimizing submerged culture conditions of Phellinus baumii Pilát. Then, the investigation focused on the composition and chemical structure of the water-soluble polysaccharide from P. baumii Pilát mycelia (PBMP) by extraction and purification. Specifically, this study indicated that a water-soluble PBMP fraction 1 (PBMP1) was isolated from PBMP. Moreover, this study discovered a PBMP1 isolated from PBMP, which was found to have the monosaccharide compositions comprised of fucose (Fuc), glucose (Glc), and galactose (Gal) despite the absence of proteins. Subsequently, the composition and structure of PBMP1 were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, methylation reaction, gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The composition and structure of PBMP1 were characterized in this study, revealing an α-glycosidic bond conformational linkage with 1,4-Glc residues and 1,6-Gal residues forming the backbone. Additionally, a highly branched hetero-polysaccharide was identified with a non-reducing terminus of Fuc containing 1,3,4- and 1,4,6-Glc branching. The findings of this study offer valuable insights and information that can be utilized by researchers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to advance the field of P. baumii Pilát product development. Moreover, these results have significant implications for future large-scale mass production and functional applications of PBMP1 products.

Enhancing hydrovoltaic power generation with carbon spheres coated on nickel foam/polyethylene terephthalate substrate

The present study aims to assess the viability of hydrovoltaic impact as a potential method for energy generation. This methodology utilizes the capillary action of water in devices composed of nickel (Ni) foam/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates coated with hydrothermally synthesized carbon spheres at various temperatures (180, 200, and 220 °C). The prepared materials and devices were analyzed using a range of analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The SEM images revealed the spherical morphology of the carbon particles and their presence on Ni foam, whereas the XRD patterns indicated that the carbon spheres were amorphous. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl functional groups in all the samples. The performance of the devices was assessed by electrochemical tests, including open-circuit potential (OCP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The device coated with carbon spheres synthesized at 180 °C demonstrated enhanced performance with an elevated OCP value of 0.077 V, increased surface charge area, lower resistance to water, and reduced charge transfer resistance. These findings indicate the successful production of hydrovoltaic energy by utilizing the capillary action of water in carbon-sphere-coated Ni foam/PET devices.

Modularity and new product performance: the role of new product development speed and task uncertainty

Similar to the advantages of product modularity to a firm’s overall performance, new product modularity could provide advantages to the new product development process and result in its success in the marketplace. Accordingly, this study investigates the effect of new product modularity on its financial and market-related performance (new product performance). To identify processes underlying this effect, NPD speed and task uncertainty have been considered as its mediator and moderator, respectively. In this vein, survey data from 190 Iranian manufacturing firms have been gathered and research hypotheses have been examined using structural equation modelling and bootstrapping approach. The results of this study reveal that new product modularity improves NPD speed and new product performance. Additionally, NPD speed is found to have a partial mediating role between new product modularity and performance. Finally, this study empirically shows that the positive effect of new product modularity on new product performance amplifies in tasks marked by heightened uncertainty. The findings of the current study highlight the determinant role of modular strategy and NPD speed in developing successful new products.

Synthesis of plantain peel powder-based biofilm

The present study investigated the use of ripe plantain peel powder, crude glycerol, vinegar, egg shell powder and cassava starch as source raw materials for producing plantain peel-based biodegradable biofilm (P-BF). The synthesized biofilm was characterized by chemical test (FTIR, GC-MS, morphology test, water absorption property, biodegradation test, solubility test and swelling test) and mechanical test (ultimate tensile test, flexural, hardness test, % elongation and thermogravimetric analysis). Results showed successful production of P-BF. A non-plantain bioplastic (NP-BF) served as control. The FTIR analysis showed eight functional groups; ether, ethene, amine, carboxylic acid, nitriles, methylene, cyclic ester, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols common to hydrocarbons. The biodegradation test showed the P-BF degraded at the same pace as NP-BF which degraded on the 6th day of the test. The mechanical test showed P-BF had higher thermal stability and water absorption property compared to the NP-BF. However, P-BF showed lower ultimate tensile test, flexural, hardness test, percentage elongation compared to the NP-BF. Morphology test showed that there was uneven distribution of constituents materials in P-BF compared to the NP-BF which affected its mechanical properties. In conclusion, the study successfully produced plantain peel-based biodegradable biofilm with good mechanical properties, biodegradability, thermal stability, fair water absorption property.

Optimizing Cross-Functional Teams in Remote Work Environments for Product Development

Remote work settings have significantly increased in the current product development landscape. This change requires a reassessment of the operational, communication, and collaborative methodologies of cross-functional teams in order to guarantee successful product results. It is crucial to optimise these teams in distant environments in order to sustain production, creativity, and cohesiveness. This study investigates methods and optimal approaches to improve the effectiveness of cross-functional teams involved in remote product development.The first part analyses the distinct obstacles encountered by cross-functional teams operating remotely, such as deficiencies in communication, disparities in time zones, and the possibility of diminished team unity. This underscores the need of developing explicit procedures for virtual communication, including frequent video conferences, asynchronous updates, and collaborative platforms that enable immediate interactions and exchange of documents. This research subsequently examines the function of technology in enhancing the efficiency of distant cross-functional teams. It underscores the importance of implementation of strong project management tools and platforms that facilitate the monitoring of tasks, allocation of resources, and management of milestones. In addition, the use of sophisticated communication technologies, including as video conferencing, instant messaging, and virtual whiteboards, being explored as a method to improve immediate cooperation and collaborative problem-solving.

Cross-Functional Team Management in Product Development

It is very necessary for successful product development to have good cross-functional team management in today's business climate, which is more dynamic and competitive than ever before. It is crucial to have cross-functional teams in order to stimulate innovation, improve product quality, and accelerate time-to-market. These teams comprise of people from a variety of departments, including engineering, marketing, design, and operations, among others. In the context of product development, this abstract investigates the relevance of managing cross-functional teams, as well as the issues that come with it and the best practices that may be implemented. Having a wide range of viewpoints, greater problem-solving skills, and enhanced cooperation across a variety of functional areas are just some of the advantages that cross-functional teams provide. A holistic approach to product development that is capable of addressing difficult and varied issues is made possible by these teams, which are meant to incorporate knowledge from a variety of disciplines from different fields. Cross-functional teams are able to produce more creative solutions, better fulfil the demands of customers, and adapt to changing market circumstances because they bring together people who have various abilities and points of view when they are brought together. Nevertheless, managing teams that work across functional boundaries brings a number of issues. One of the most significant challenges is bringing together individuals of the team who have various work styles, goals, and objectives. It is essential to have efficient communication and coordination in order to guarantee that all members of the team are at the same level of understanding and are working towards the same objective. In addition, divergent degrees of knowledge and competing interests may result in misunderstandings and conflicts, which can impede development and have an impact on the morale of the team.