Quantitative assessment of plastic waste in rubber plantations through modelling approach

Distinguishing between alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks is important for consumers but defining these categories has proved challenging. Separately, the potential for alcohol-free drinks to change people's responses to alcohol cues may be hindered by people knowing those drinks contain no alcohol. We are grateful to the authors of the two responses to our article. Sinclair's commentary highlights the importance of distinguishing between alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in research, policy and clinical practice, noting our concern that few studies analyse differences between these two product types [1]. We agree on the importance of this distinction. Previous studies, as well as our own forthcoming research, find groups including pregnant women, people recovering from alcohol dependence and parents view the distinction between alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks as important [2-5]. The development of the no/lo drinks market in the United Kingdom (UK) also reflects this as producers launched a wide variety of unsuccessful products with lower than normal strengths before settling on alcohol-free variants of their existing brands as the best fit with consumer demand [6]. It is more difficult to say what should count as an alcohol-free or low-alcohol drink. Guidance from the UK Government states only drinks up to 0.05% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) should be labelled as alcohol-free [7], but this threshold is 0.5% ABV in many other countries [8]. The different definitions of alcohol-free have little direct relevance for levels of intoxication or risks of chronic disease, but are important to people seeking to avoid consuming alcohol altogether. It is, therefore, noteworthy that the UK Government has consulted three times on changing its guidance on labelling no/lo drinks, including on proposals advanced by the alcohol industry to raise the ABV threshold for alcohol-free drinks to 0.5%. The UK Government is yet to respond to submissions to the third consultation which ended in November 2023 [7]. Bowdring's commentary responds to concerns that the deliberately alcohol-like properties of no/lo drinks may prompt cravings among people recovering from alcohol dependence [9]. Bowdring suggests that the same associative learning processes that lead to this ‘cue reactivity’ may, over time, extinguish the craving response if the individual remains abstinent. This is an intriguing possibility that warrants further study. Research might exploit daily diary or ecological momentary assessment designs [10] to explore if the craving response to no-lo drink cues diminishes over time and if this extinction is robust to changes in the drinking context [11]. According to a learning theory analysis, alcohol-related cues evoke an expectation of experiencing the subjective effects of alcohol, and this expectation plays a pivotal role in the development and continued expression of conditioned responses such as craving, attentional bias and alcohol-seeking behaviour [12]. Consistent with learning theory, experimental findings indicate that expectancies underlie at least some aspects of reactivity to cues for alcohol and other drugs [13, 14]. This creates a challenge for Bowdring's argument because consumers of no/lo drinks are fully aware that no/lo drinks do not produce the same subjective effects as drinks containing alcohol. Therefore, one might expect any reactivity to no/lo cues to be underpinned by somewhat distinct mechanisms from those underlying reactivity to ‘real’ alcohol cues. Although this presents a challenge to the idea of using no/lo drinks to extinguish cravings associated with the expectation of consuming alcohol, it leaves in place the potential for no/lo drinks with alcohol-like branding and appearance to elicit cue reactivity, cravings and alcohol-seeking behaviours [15]. Exploring those mechanisms is an important direction for future experimental research. John Holmes: Conceptualization (lead); writing—original draft (equal). Matt Field: Conceptualization (equal); writing—original draft (equal). Colin Drummond: Writing—review and editing (supporting). J.H. has received funding for ongoing, unrelated research on alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks from Alcohol Change UK (ACUK), which received <0.6% of its funds in 2024 to 2025 from Lucky Saint, an organisation that produces and sells non-alcoholic drinks, and owns a pub that sells standard alcoholic drinks. In March 2025, Lucky Saint became an associate member of The Portman Group, a United Kingdom self-regulatory organisation that is fully funded and controlled by the alcohol industry. ACUK has a strict policy of not accepting any funds from, nor being subject to any influence whatsoever from, the alcohol industry, including through its investment portfolio. ACUK has confirmed that it is in full compliance with this policy. N/A.

Selecting the appropriate roof tile based on house specifications and user preferences is often a challenge, especially when facing a wide variety of available products. This study aims to design and develop a web-based Decision Support System (DSS) to assist in selecting roof tiles at the Genteng Bedingin Industry Center in Ponorogo. The method used is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), which allows for pairwise comparison among criteria and subcriteria and evaluates consistency in decision-making. The system considers six main criteria: tile type, price, batten spacing, kluntung size, thickness, and ease of installation, with weights that can be adjusted directly by users. Usability testing using the System Usability Scale (SUS) method involving 15 respondents resulted in a score of 92.48%, indicating that the system is highly user-friendly and delivers logical, needs-based recommendations. This system has proven to be effective in providing accurate and relevant tile selection recommendations and has potential for broader industrial implementation.

Although product differentiation strategies in the Hajj and Umrah travel industry have received attention in several studies, research that specifically discusses the limited variety of products in affecting the competitiveness of travel agencies at the local level remains limited. This study aims to analyze the product differentiation strategy for Hajj and Umrah services in facing business competition at PT Bimalyndo Hajar Aswad Bukittinggi Branch. This study employed a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving informants consisting of the branch manager, employees, and pilgrims selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation, and were then analyzed using an interactive data analysis technique through the stages of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings showed that the company had implemented a differentiation strategy based on service quality, such as assured facilities, worship comfort, the use of local muthawif, and a more meaningful travel experience. However, the limited variety of products became the main factor hindering competitiveness and contributed to the decline in the number of pilgrims. These findings contribute to the development of differentiation theory by emphasizing the importance of integrating service quality and product innovation in the religious services industry. The conclusion of this study emphasizes the importance of developing product variety and strengthening marketing communication strategies to enhance the company’s competitiveness. The implications of this study include theoretical contributions to enriching the sharia marketing literature as well as practical implications for actors in the Hajj and Umrah industry in designing more effective differentiation strategies, while also opening opportunities for further research related to digital marketing strategies and service innovation based on pilgrims’ needs.

The relevance of analyzing the range of plant-based milk alternatives is related to the need to consider the dietary needs of people with lactose intolerance, the insufficient variety of lactose-free food products sold by retailers, and the need to meet consumer demand for milk analogues. The study analyzed the range of plant-based milk alternatives in Russian and federal retail chains in Kemerovo. A semi-classical retail audit methodology was used, based on an analysis of the assortment in the retailer’s product catalog. Information on criteria for the range of lactose-free plant-based milk alternatives available on the Kemerovo consumer market, including manufacturer, brand name, nutritional value, and price, is presented. It was found that retailers offer a wide range of lactose-free beverages from a variety of brands and manufacturers. The main types of plant-based beverages were identified, demonstrating that the bulk of the lactose-free beverage range is comprised of grain-based beverages (23%) and soy-based beverages (18%), with fortified beverages (based on various plant-based ingredients, such as cereals, legumes, and nuts) accounting for 35%. Their nutritional value, composition, and price were analyzed. It was demonstrated that the proposed range can satisfy consumer nutritional preferences and the price demand of buyers with varying income levels. The novelty of this research lies in its provision of data necessary for retailers and manufacturers to manage their product range as an element of the marketing mix, as well as for developing new products in light of technological advances and the expansion of the raw material base. The practical significance of this research determines the prospects for expanding the range of lactose-free plant-based beverages.

ABSTRACT The study identified barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties with high resistance and adaptability to saline soils in Kazakhstan’s Aral Sea region from 2021 to 2024. Six varieties were analyzed: Altyn Arai, Bi-41, Inkar, Syr Aruy, ICARDA-52, and Odessa 100. The collection nursery identified the most salt-tolerant genotypes showing high early-stage viability. The hybrid nursery confirmed crossbreeding value, with selected hybrids demonstrating improved resistance over original forms. In breeding nurseries SP-1 and SP-2, early-maturing forms (SP-1) showed advantages under limited moisture, while mid-maturing lines (SP-2) exhibited balanced yield and stress resistance. The study found that the selected barley varieties exhibited stable yields across 4 years, with yields ranging from 3.7 to 4.2 t ha−1. The control nursery (CN) confirmed stability of promising samples, identifying Altyn Arai, Bi-41, and Inkar as the most productive and stable varieties. Altyn Arai produced highest yield (4.2 t ha−1), followed by Inkar and Bi-41 producing 4.1 and 4.0 t ha−1, respectively, surpassing the control by 20%. Bi-41 and Altyn Arai maintained production and salinity tolerance over the years. Selected cultivars were highly adaptable to extensive introduction in saline soils. Breeding trials selected genotypes with strong salt tolerance and stable agronomic traits. Osmotic stress-resistant varieties with excellent productivity under stress had the greatest adaptability potential. The morphophysiological characteristics of barley were strongly affected by growing circumstances, suggesting stepwise nursery selection for consistent yields in saline soils. This study conducted field tests over several years to assess barley varieties’ salty soil adaptability.

India is bestowed with a lot of potential to produce all varieties of organic products due to its various agro-climatic regions and traditional knowledge. Rainfed areas are reported to have relative advantage to go for organic farming primarily due to low level of external input use, shorter conversion period and smaller yield reductions compared to irrigated areas. Several studies have reported improved crop yields and economics under organic management in rainfed areas. Furthermore, farming practices such as organic agriculture that preserve soil fertility and maintain or even increase organic matter in soils are in a good position to maintain productivity in the event of drought, irregular rainfall events with floods, and rising temperatures. Soils in organic agriculture capture and store more water than soils of conventional cultivation. Therefore, organic agriculture is one of the adaptation strategies that can be targeted at improving the livelihoods of rural populations that are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and variability.

Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) was introduced in India in the form of hybrids by the private seed industry in 2002. Since hybrid seeds were expensive and its cultivation is input intensive, cotton breeders from the public sector R&amp;D institutes released Bt cotton varieties in 2020 suitable for planting under low input situations. For this first time, this study evaluated the productivity potential of first four Bt varieties viz. ICAR-CICR PKV081-Bt, ICAR-CICR Suraj Bt, ICAR-CICR Rajat Bt, and ICAR-CICR GJHV 374 Bt in a split plot design under rainfed conditions on a Vertisol, sub-group Typic Haplusterts, under four plant densities viz.,0.37 lakh, 0.55 lakh, 0.74 lakh and 1.1 lakh plants/ha. The results indicated that there were significant differences among varieties and plant densities with respect to seed cotton yield, lint yield, boll weight, days to first open flower and earliness index. ICAR-CICR PKV081-Bt was the most productive variety, yielding 2639 kg/ha at 0.37 lakh plants/ha. The interaction (variety × plant density) was significant for seed cotton yield, lint yield and boll density. For varieties, PKV 081 Bt and Rajat Bt, 0.37 lakh plants/ha was optimum whereas for Suraj Bt and GJHV 374 Bt, 0.74 lakh plant/ha was optimum plant density. At densities of 0.74 and 1.1 lakh plant/ha, the plant height increased and the maturity was delayed. The study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate Bt varieties and optimizing planting density to increase the productivity of rained cotton on Vertisols of Central India.

Palm oil from Eleais guinensis is a major source of income to the people of Owerri Imo state. Many local varieties of the fruit exist and farmers are poorly advised on the choice of strains to cultivate. This work compared the oil production ability as well as quality parameters of oils from the three local fruit types, “ABUBA”, “EBEKE” and “OKPURUKA”. Five grams of each fruit type were cooked and processed locally adopting the same method of oil extraction. Results indicate that ‘Abuba’ yielded the highest oil (70mg/5g) followed by ‘Ebeke” (60mg/5g) and “Okpuruka” (54mg/5g). Analyses of the oils from the three stains show that Acid value were 11.78mg/g, 39.27mg/g and 32.26mg/g; Iodine(%), 20.94, 16.50 and 14.50; Moisture(%), 3.40, 3,10 and 3.20; Peroxide(mg/g), 7.40, 5.40 and 6.40; Refractive index/g, 1.464, 1.463 and 1.462 in ‘Abuba, “Ebeke” and “Okpuruka” oils respectively. Value of specific gravity(mg/g) was 1.91 in the three strains. The results indicate that the “Abuba” fruit variety was the best fruit variety in oil production and physicochemical content especially for consumption.

ABSTRACT Control plans are built around diverse monitoring systems that are crucial in implementing a manufacturer’s quality strategy. However, maintaining applicable, relevant, and up-to-date control plans remains challenging due to increasing product variety, changing equipment and processes, and high expert turnover. In the Industry 4.0 context, where quality control is automated, there is a lack of integration between monitoring systems and their associated control plans. This hinders the ability to track the evolution of control plans across their design, configuration, and execution phases. Addressing these challenges, a Reference Data Model (RDM) was developed to map the relationships between quality and production components and monitoring systems. This model generates automated control plans in compliance with industry standards. To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of the control strategy, a Control Plan Performance Effectiveness (CPPE) indicator was proposed to facilitate the control plan review process. The CPPE comprises three metrics – completeness of control, realization of sampling, and quality of control equipment – and supports the Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) strategy by ensuring a ‘first-time-right’ approach to quality control. The application of this indicator was illustrated through two case studies from the semiconductor industry, where the CPPE successfully identified areas of poor detection and redundant control methods.

Engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturers face persistent cost and complexity challenges driven by product variety, including duplicate components, redundant variants, and inconsistent procurement setups. Although enterprise resource planning (ERP) and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems contain detailed Bills of Materials (BOMs) and procurement records, they typically lack portfolio-wide support for systematic cross-product commonality analysis without substantial manual effort. Structured approaches to design reuse and modularization in ETO contexts exist, but lightweight portfolio-level analytics tools operating on exported enterprise data remain scarce, and companies often still rely on ad hoc spreadsheet analyses. This paper introduces product commonality analysis tools (PCATs) and develops and evaluates one such tool in an action-research collaboration with a European ETO laser manufacturer. The PCAT operates on exported enterprise data to provide interactive portfolio-level views of component reuse and cross-product consistency. Usefulness is evaluated through scenario-based think-aloud usability sessions and a functional comparison against Excel workarounds, standard ERP/PLM reporting, and vendor customizations. The results indicate that a lightweight PCAT can integrate into existing ERP/PLM workflows with minimal disruption and reduce the effort required to prepare reusable portfolio views for engineering and procurement reviews.

This study investigates the influence of marketing strategies on customer purchase intentions with special reference to OJIN Bakes, a well-established bakery brand located in Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala. In an intensely competitive food and bakery market, effective marketing strategies are critical for attracting and retaining customers. The research adopts a descriptive research design, and primary data were collected from 100 respondents through a structured questionnaire using convenience sampling. The study focuses on four key marketing variables: product packaging, product quality, service quality, and pricing strategy. Data were analyzed using percentage analysis and presented through tables and charts. Findings reveal that packaging, product quality, and service quality each positively influence about 73–75% of customers' purchase intentions, while reasonable pricing influences approximately 71% of customers. Product variety emerged as the most influential marketing strategy (30%), followed by social media promotion and customer service (25% each), and advertising (20%). The study concludes that an integrated marketing approach encompassing quality products, attractive packaging

Acetic acid represents a pivotal target for CO2 reduction due to its dual function as a carbon-utilization product and industrial feedstock. However, photocatalytic CO2 reduction (PCCR) to acetic acid typically suffers from low acetic acid yields and selectivity, constrained by competing reactions from ethanol and inefficient C-C coupling. Herein, we report a chiral mesostructured ZnIn2S4 (CMZI) photocatalyst that achieves a remarkable acetic acid yield of 962µmol g-1 h-1 with a high selectivity of 97.3%. This performance stems from synergistic chirality-induced spin polarization and sulfur site catalysis. Spin polarization stabilizes the triplet OCCO intermediate to enhance C-C coupling, while sulfur sites on ZnIn2S4 {102} facets thermodynamically and kinetically favor acetic acid formation. This work offers critical insights into catalytic strategies of the efficient synthesis of high-value multicarbon products and expanding the variety of synthetic products from CO2 reduction.

Since 2005, mannoproteins (MPs) have been authorised by the European Community (EU, regulation 2165/2005) as an additive for tartaric and protein stabilisation. However, their effect on colour stabilisation in red wine is still a matter for debate in research due to the nature of the product, timing, dose, and wine variety. In recent years, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) expert working group has been carrying out collaborative work to elucidate the role of MPs in red wine. The aim of the present work is to show the results of the third year of a study in which five laboratories performed the same analyses on the same wines. Three mannoproteins (A, B, C) at two concentrations (20–40 g/hL) were added to two wines (French and Italian). The equilibration period was one week at cellar temperature (15–18 °C). The wines were then analysed at two aging time points: after one month and five months. The analyses consisted of a cold stability test, CIEL*a*b* coordinates, colour parameters (Abs 420–520–620 nm), and a copigmentation index. An analysis of individual anthocyanins and the characterisation of the MPs was also carried out. Results were expressed as the means of four repetitions carried out in five laboratories. Besides slight variations in colorant intensity and CIEL*a*b* coordinates, none of the wines showed differences visible to the human eye. MPs seem to prevent the loss or degradation of molecular anthocyanins at one month aging. The copigmentation index seemed to increase depending mainly on MP typology, with no difference between the two tested doses, indicating that the 20 g/hL concentration may be appropriate for these wines. The stability of the colouring matter was always observed after the MP treatment. However, the multivariate analyses revealed that after five months of aging the MP-C was the most effective for both wines. Finally, the effect on stability of the colouring matter is MP-dependent, the mannose content (&gt;80 %) and molecular weight (37 &lt; kDa &lt; 79) being the critical factors for the effectiveness of MPs in red wine colour stability.

A variety of production and applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) lead to an increased risk of lung inflammation and fibrosis. Pulmonary immune cells play a vital role in protecting the delicate structures of gaseous exchange against invasion from nanoparticles. Accumulating studies demonstrate a close relationship between immune cells and lung injury by CNTs. CNTs can directly or indirectly activate immune cells to accelerate the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators via various signaling pathways. Immune cell-regulated lung tissue injury, in combination with inflammatory response, dysregulated wound repair, and fibroblast proliferation, leads to ongoing tissue remodeling and formation of fibrotic foci seen in end-stage pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, more insight is needed to integrate basic immune mechanisms into translational research and finally new therapies of CNTs-induced respiratory toxicity. In this article, functional alterations of immune cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, T cells, etc., that are implicated in the initiation and progression of inflammation and fibrosis in CNTs-exposed lungs are summarized and discussed by databases searched (e.g. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) and the inclusive dates of the search (up to 2025). This review would provide comprehensive insights into the mechanistic understanding of lung inflammation and fibrosis induced by CNTs.

A database of over 15,000 strain design publications reveals a conserved set of metabolic engineering targets across microbial hosts and products.

A nationwide assessment of heavy metal accumulation in rapeseed across China: Distribution patterns, driving factors, and safety thresholds.

Extensive growth in the production of nanoparticles (NPs) together with increased usage in a variety of consumer products has introduced potential health risks amongst organisms, humans and ecosystems. Unique physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles facilitate their entry, bioaccumulation and subsequent interaction with biounterfaces in diverse cellular systems. These nano bio-interfaces occur in different cells/organ systems and contribute to selective toxicity through a cross talk amongst couple of mechanisms viz. oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, DNA damage and redox signaling pathways. Present review describes the role of these mechanisms especially in teratogenicity induced by metallic nanoparticles. Available data suggests that generation of ROS and oxidative stress are the predominant mechanisms of NP induced materno-fetal toxicity. They do trigger inflammatory responses in the fetus and lead to structural abnormalities. Exposure to NPs induces apoptosis and DNA damage that result in fetal cytotoxicity. Autophagy has been recognized as a major form of cell death encountered during pregnancy in NP treated models. It may involve oocytogenesis, implantation, placentation, embryogenesis and preterm delivery. Vascular signaling and toll like receptors are also involved in the feto-toxicity of NPs. It is concluded that mechanism based high throughput in vitro screening of NPs can predict the genesis of teratogenicity. A better understanding of teratogenicity induced by NPs is not only essential for health risk assessment but also for the design and synthesis of novel and safer nanomaterials.

Thermo-irreversible konjac glucomannan gels: Preparation, mechanism, and applications.

The controlled assembly of gigantic polyoxometalate (POM) clusters remains one of the most formidable challenges in molecular self-assembly, as it is highly dependent on delicate synthesis parameters that can yield a wide variety of products. In this study, we report the synthesis of a series of unprecedented wheel-shaped molybdenum-blue (MB) clusters directed by organophosphonate (L) and acetate ligands, resulting in a new range of giant MB-type POMs: {Mo136Na4}, {Mo120}, {Mo118Na2}, {Mo118}, and {Mo157}. These structures, constructed from fundamental {Mo1}, {Mo2}, and {Mo8} building blocks, exhibit new features of organic ligand coordination on their exterior surfaces. Notably, the {Mo157} framework acts as a host capable of capturing the fully reduced ε-Keggin-based {Mo16} guest. It represents the first pure dodecameric Mo wheel reported to date. Systematic variation of reaction parameters─including ligand type, concentration, solvent composition, and precursor identity─enabled precise control over cluster topology, revealing competitive coordination between organophosphonate and acetate ligands. Structural analyses unveiled new connection modes involving reduced edge-sharing {e-Mo2} units and their derivative {Mo3L2} motifs, which reinforce the overall cage architecture. Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy confirmed the structural integrity of these assemblies in solution. This work not only expands the library of gigantic MB clusters but also establishes a new strategy for their controlled construction using anchored organophosphonate ligands. The resulting clusters exhibit significantly enhanced solubility in organic solvents compared with traditional MB species, offering new opportunities for postsynthetic modification, improved interactions with biomolecules, and diverse applications.