The use of biogas in Eswatini is encouraged by favorable climate and availability of organic waste, with opportunity for renewable energy generation on site with associated health and environmental benefits. This study provides a review of the development of biogas installations with the objective of identifying the relevant factors that determine the success of biogas schemes. The study is based on local experience through a survey of about twenty biogas pilot installations in Eswatni. Data were collected using desk studies, field observations, interviews and focus group discussions. The study revealed that despite the existence of good potential, most of the biogas projects in the past experienced poor performance and were abandoned due to a multitude of factors related to policy, technical, institutional, socio-cultural, climatic and economic factors. Future implementation of biogas projects need to carefully address these relevant factors at both the planning and implementation stages and shall be accompanied by proper feasibility studies with program and project support in order to realize the full benefit and reduce failure rates.
Eghbal Hosseini, Barzan Saeedpour, Mohsen Banaei
et al.
Accurate time-series forecasting of energy consumption and photovoltaic (PV) production is essential for effective energy management and sustainability. Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) are effective tools for learning complex patterns in such data; however, optimizing their architecture remains a significant challenge. This paper introduces a novel hybrid optimization approach that integrates Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to enhance the DNN architecture for more accurate energy forecasting. The performance of GA-PSO is compared with leading hyperparameter optimization techniques, such as Bayesian Optimization and Evolutionary Strategy, across various optimization benchmarks and DNN hyperparameter tuning tasks. The study evaluates the GA-PSO-enhanced Optimized Deep Neural Network (ODNN) against traditional DNNs and state-of-the-art machine learning methods on multiple real-world energy forecasting tasks. The results demonstrate that ODNN outperforms the average performance of other methods, achieving a 27% improvement in forecasting accuracy and a 22% reduction in error across various metrics. These findings demonstrate the significant potential of GA-PSO as an effective tool to optimize DNN models in energy forecasting applications.
Ali Mufraih Albarrati, Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab, Rakan Nazer
This study employed bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database to evaluate Saudi disability research (SDR). From an initial dataset of 17,102 documents (0.54% of global output), the scope was refined to 13,246 data-driven publications for detailed examination. Trends, themes, and collaborations were analyzed using R packages and VOSviewer. Metrics such as citations, total link strength (TLS), and thematic mapping were used to identify key contributors, emerging topics, and international partnerships. Saudi authors demonstrated strong international collaboration, with 59.53% of publications involving co-authorships, particularly with the United States, Egypt, and India. Prolific contributors include Alkuraya, F.S. and leading institutions such as King Saud University. Key motor themes include “quality of life” and “Alzheimer’s disease,” while emerging themes such as “deep learning” and “molecular docking” reflect a shift toward advanced technologies. Machine learning is a trending topic applied in early diagnosis, drug discovery, and rehabilitation of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and epilepsy. These findings underscore the evolving priorities and global relevance of SDR.
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities
Kuo-Chien Liao, Jian-Liang Liou, Muhamad Hidayat
et al.
Pre-flight inspection and maintenance are essential prerequisites for aviation safety. This study focused on developing a real-time monitoring system designed to assess the condition of composite material structures on the exterior of aircraft. Implementing such a system can reduce operational costs, enhance flight safety, and increase aircraft availability. This study aims to detect defects in aircraft fuselages manufactured from composite materials by applying image visual recognition technology. This study integrated a drone and an infrared camera for real-time image transmission to ground stations. MATLAB image analysis software (MATLAB 2020b) was used to analyze infrared (IR) images and detect structural defects in the aircraft’s appearance. This methodology was based on the inspection of damaged engine cowlings. The developed approach compares composite material conditions with known defects before and after repair, considering mechanical performance, defect size, and strength. Simultaneously, tests were conducted on various composite material panels with unknown defects, yielding favorable results. This study underscores an integrated system offering rapid detection, real-time feedback, and analysis, effectively reducing time, and potential hazards associated with high-altitude operations. Furthermore, it addresses blind spots in aircraft inspections, contributing to effective flight safety maintenance.
Engineering machinery, tools, and implements, Technological innovations. Automation
Abstract Background Increasing attention is being paid to the environmental and health impacts of nanoplastics (NPs) pollution. Exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) with different charges and functional groups may have different adverse effects after ingestion by organisms, yet the potential ramifications on mammalian blood glucose levels, and the risk of diabetes remain unexplored. Results Mice were exposed to PS-NPs/COOH/NH2 at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for nine weeks, either alone or in a T2DM model. The findings demonstrated that exposure to PS-NPs modified by different functional groups caused a notable rise in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in a mouse model of T2DM. Exposure to PS-NPs-NH2 alone can also lead the above effects to a certain degree. PS-NPs exposure could induce glycogen accumulation and hepatocellular edema, as well as injury to the pancreas. Comparing the effect of different functional groups or charges on T2DM, the PS-NPs-NH2 group exhibited the most significant FBG elevation, glycogen accumulation, and insulin resistance. The phosphorylation of AKT and FoxO1 was found to be inhibited by PS-NPs exposure. Treatment with SC79, the selective AKT activator was shown to effectively rescue this process and attenuate T2DM like lesions. Conclusions Exposure to PS-NPs with different functional groups (charges) induced T2DM-like lesions. Amino-modified PS-NPs cause more serious T2DM-like lesions than pristine PS-NPs or carboxyl functionalized PS-NPs. The underlying mechanisms involved the inhibition of P-AKT/P-FoxO1. This study highlights the potential risk of NPs pollution on T2DM, and provides a new perspective for evaluating the impact of plastics aging.
A 12-year-old female patient, with large nasal bridge, mongoloid slants, clinodactyly, saddle gap of toes, slanting palpebral fissures, and a flat facies with ocular hypertelorism was reported. The patient’s medical history showed intellectual impairment, hypothyroidism, and allergy to penicillin and cow milk. Intraoral examination revealed that there was severe crowding, with Angles class I Dewey’s modification type I. A radiographic examination showed that the root of tooth 44 has sharp dilaceration toward the mesial in the apical third. Impacted canines were measured approximately 17.5 mm from the cusp till root apex. Treatment plan included prescription for pain relief. Oral prophylaxis was followed by root canal treatment and full coverage restoration. Induced eruption was planned. This case report provides insight into various oral conditions associated with Down syndrome (DS). The treatment was challenging and it needed a comprehensive approach with a preventive dentistry practice and regular screening. Dental practitioners should be aware of DS and its effect on oral health with the main focus on an effective treatment plan.
Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities
Abstract Perennial grasses can reduce soil erosion, restore carbon stocks, and provide feedstocks for biofuels and bioproducts. Here, we show an additional benefit, amelioration of regional climate warming, and drying. Growing Miscanthus × giganteus, an example of perennial biomass crops, on US marginal land cools the Midwest Heartland summer by up to 1°C as predicted by a new coupled climate‐crop modeling system. This cooling is mainly caused by the increased duration and size of the Miscanthus × giganteus leaf canopy when compared with the existing vegetations on marginal land, resulting in larger solar reflection, more evapotranspiration, and decreased sensible heat transfer. Summer rainfall is increased through mesoscale circulation responses by 23–29 mm (14%–15%) and water vapor pressure deficit reduced by 5%–13%, lowering potential transpiration for all Midwest crops. Similar but weaker effects are simulated in the Southern Heartland. This positive feedback through the climate–crop interaction and teleconnection leads to 4%–8% more biomass production and potentially 12% higher corn and soybean yields, with greater yield stability. Growing perennials on marginal land could be a feasible solution to climate change mitigation and adaptation by strengthening food security and providing sustainable alternatives to fossil‐based products.
Renewable energy sources, Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade
Botrytis fruit rot and anthracnose are fungal diseases of strawberry. These diseases are a significant contributor to yield losses, requiring farmers to use fungicides frequently to prevent them. The proliferation of botrytis and anthracnose is directly linked to the duration of the presence of free water on the plant canopy, which is generally defined as leaf wetness duration (LWD). LWD is an important measure in determining the risk for these diseases to develop in the strawberry crop. By accurately measuring LWD, the risk of disease can be calculated more accurately, and specific fungicide application recommendations can be given to the farmers. This reduces the frequency with which fungicide is applied and ultimately reduces costs for farmers. There is no standard method to detect leaf wetness, but leaf wetness sensors are widely used for that purpose. These wetness sensors are difficult to calibrate and not very accurate, which reduces their reliability. The objective of this study was to find a better alternative to the commonly used leaf wetness sensors. This study implemented color and thermal imaging-based approaches as a solution to the problem of leaf wetness detection in strawberry plants. The proposed method used deep learning and computer vision techniques to detect leaf wetness from color and thermal images. The deep learning model was highly accurate in detecting wetness when compared with the visual observation of the images. It was also found that leaf wetness could be detected with a high degree of accuracy using deep learning with color images. In the future, using the findings of this study, a portable device can be developed to replace the commonly used wetness sensor with a more reliable imaging-based device.
Tržišta električne energije u zemljama zapadnog Balkana i dalje nisu u potpunosti liberalizovana, pa se stoga mogu uočiti različiti stepeni otvorenosti tržišta električne energije od zemlje do zemlje, pa čak i unutar zemlje, za šta je Bosna i Hercegovina očigledan primjer. U Republici Srpskoj, formalno-pravni uslovi za otpočinjanje procesa otvaranja tržišta električne energije su se stekli stupanjem na snagu Zakona o električnoj energiji, krajem 2007. godine i Pravilnikom o snabdijevanju kvalifikovanih kupaca i postupku promjene snabdjevača, koji je stupio na snagu krajem 2014. godine. Ipak do otpočinjanja stvarnog procesa otvaranja tržišta električne energije nije došlo sve do stupanja na snagu Pravilnika o izmjenama i dopunama Pravilnika o snabdijevanju kvalifikovanih kupaca i postupku promjene snabdjevača, koji je stupio na snagu u martu 2019. godine. U radu se najprije ispituju i analiziraju do sada sprovedene aktivnosti na liberalizaciji tržišta električnom energijom, i daje ocjena u pogledu dosadašnjih rezultata. Dalje se analiziraju potrebni uslovi i pitanja koja se nameću pred sprovođenje daljeg otvaranja tržišta električne energije u Republici Srpskoj. Na kraju, u tekstu se analiziraju najvažnije aktivnosti koje očekuju sve relevantne činioce, u prvom redu Vladu RS, potom resorno ministarstvo i RERS, snabdjevače kao i privredne subjekte koji aktivno učestvuju u oblikovanju tržišta električne energije u cilju pripreme tržišta za dalje otvaranje i ostvarenja uslova za njeno uspješno okončanje
Energy industries. Energy policy. Fuel trade, Economics as a science
Nina Bozic Yams, Valerie Richardson, Galina Esther Shubina
et al.
There is a growing consensus around the transformative and innovative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. AI will transform which products are launched and how new business models will be developed to support them. Despite this, little research exists today that systematically explores how AI will change and support various aspects of innovation management. To address this question, this article proposes a holistic, multi-dimensional AI maturity model that describes the essential conditions and capabilities necessary to integrate AI into current systems, and guides organisations on their journey to AI maturity. It explores how various elements of the innovation management system can be enabled by AI at different maturity stages. Two key experimentation stages are identified, 1) an initial stage that focuses on optimisation and incremental innovation, and 2) a higher maturity stage where AI becomes an enabler of radical innovation. We conclude that AI technologies can be applied to democratise and distribute innovation across organisations.
The scientific publication is devoted to highlighting the peculiarities of the legal nature of the constitution. The authors consider the structure and content of the constitution of the state in the context of its functions. The specificity of the content of the newest constitutions in the history of world constitutionalism is considered. The correlation between the constitution and the state policy is established. Modern approaches to understanding the nature of the constitution are considered. The legal nature of the Constitution of Ukraine is determined. Proven, the main and still unresolved issue is the ambiguity of what is proposed to adopt: a new Constitution, a new version of the current Constitution, amendments and additions to the current Constitution. Although paradoxical, in Presidential speeches, these terms are used repeatedly as synonyms. However, legally they are completely different concepts. This terminological confusion carries a great danger of loss of landmarks and prevents a clear statement of the problem in a purely legal area. We believe that the constitutional process is too politicized today. In our opinion, the acutest political struggle is underway for adopting a form of constitution that is convenient for one of the parties. But in fact – for power – everyone wants a maximum of power. Including through their Constitution enforced in some way. However, the Basic Law should be adopted not from the conjuncture considerations of political expediency but be a complete legal document, taking into account the achievements of the world jurisprudence, with the strict observance of all the prescribed legal procedures. After all, the constitution should be the main document of the state, at least for a decade.
Carmen Leyva Fontes, Anelis M. Marichal González, Ismary Álvarez Leyva
Se presenta una propuesta metodológica que contribuye al ordenamiento urbano y ambiental a nivel de barrio o consejos populares, pues los planes generales de ordenamiento territorial y urbanismo no llegan a ese grado de definición. De esta forma los grandes problemas que afectan las ciudades pueden desarticularse en grupos de problemas, localizarse en espacios de menor escala, y así ser identificados y solucionados por la comunidad. Se emplearon métodos teóricos y empíricos; estos últimos incluyeron encuestas a especialistas y vecinos de la comunidad, a partir de lo cual se definieron los nuevos indicadores que caracterizan la problemática ambiental. El aporte radica en una propuesta de elementos metodológicos que incorporan un conjunto de indicadores para caracterizar con objetividad la problemática estudiada y elaborar planes de acción encaminados al mejoramiento ambiental de los consejos populares. Los resultados de la investigación sirven de base documental para elaborar planes parciales con un nivel de definición mayor a escala de consejos populares.
The research aims to map and analyze food scarcity or surplus based on the food availability at migrant area in Wonogiri, Central Java. The rapid rural assessment and focus group discussion were used for detecting and exploring any food plant that is good and appropriate to the characteristics of migrant area. The condition of food availability in the Wonogiri regency could be stated to be surplus. The highest surplus was located in Giriwono sub-district and the lowest surplus in Bulukerto sub-district. Most of the sub-districts in Wonogiri subdistricts reached an IFI score < 0.5 (index of composite food security) in which
it could represent a secure condition.
Economic growth, development, planning, Regional economics. Space in economics