Javier Nieves, Antonio Serena-Barriuso, Guillermo Elejoste-Rementeria
Metallographic evaluation of nodular cast iron is crucial for quality control in the foundry industry. Traditionally, this process relies on experts who visually interpret microscopic images. This study introduces HawkEye, a comprehensive software solution that automates metallographic analysis using advanced computer vision and deep learning models. Specifically, HawkEye software dynamically adapts its processing workflow based on the input image and its typological classification. The software supports both etched and non-etched specimens and automates the segmentation and classification of graphite nodules, gathering their morphological descriptors; it identifies microstructural phases and provides a global quality assessment. All these functions are embedded into a user-friendly interface designed for both laboratory and industrial use. Nevertheless, the key contribution of this work is the replacement of subjective evaluation with a reproducible, AI-driven approach, which significantly enhances the objectivity, traceability, and scalability of metallurgical analysis. In fact, the proposed approach achieves 99% accuracy in nodule classification compared to manual expert assessment, reduces manual image processing steps, and introduces a novel method for ferrite/perlite measurement in combination with carbide detection using YOLO and SAM models.
In the food industry, bacterial cells usually adhere to equipment surfaces, forming biofilms that may cause persistent contamination. This study aimed to identify the key genes responsible for the stronger biofilm-forming capability of the Listeria monocytogenes LMB 33426 strain compared to that of the L. monocytogenes CICC 21662 strain through comparative genomics. Additionally, the expression of genes and related metabolic pathways of LMB 33426 and CICC 21662 strains were analyzed at the transcriptional level by high-throughput sequencing technology to uncover key differentially expressed genes between planktonic and biofilm cells of those two strains. Subsequently, the key genes found to present differences that were uncovered by those genome-wide and transcriptomic analyses were used to construct gene deletion strains. The crystalline violet assay and motility assay showed that GL002291, GL002712 and lmo1438 genes were involved in the regulation of biofilm formation as well as motility. The hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation ability assay results demonstrated an association between the clpB, lmo1438, and lmo0294 genes and bacterial adhesion. However, no significant differences were found regarding this association in the GL002291 and GL002712 genes. This study elucidates some potential regulatory genes associated with biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes, and laying a theoretical foundation for future research.
<p>The research and development department (R&D) is a necessary and vital organ for all organizations that intend to be active in domestic and foreign markets, and it is of undeniable importance for domestic and international competition as one of the most important factors for achieving the goals of organizations and industries in economic progress and access to commercial markets. Hence, in the present study, the intelligent R&D management model was evaluated with an agility approach, and to this end, the data was collected from 270 participants using a questionnaire, including managers, professors, senior experts, and experts of petrochemical companies. Then, the fitted data, obtained from the structural equation model, was analyzed with the help of partial least squares method using PLS statistical software. The results of the path coefficients showed that there is a significant relationship between the research variables and the evaluation indices of the model fit. Also, it was found that the relevant model has a good fit. Therefore, it can be stated that intelligent research and development management with an agility approach has improved processes, innovation, optimized communication, and also has financial and competitive consequences for the organization.</p>
Despite the mechanisation of the forest industry, the profession of a tree feller is still in demand. A tree feller with chainsaw works under great physical strain on all muscle groups. A distinctive feature of the job is the need to constantly change working postures and the need to hold a fairly heavy petrol-powered chainsaw in your outstretched arms. Facilitating the working conditions of the tree feller by reducing his or her physical fatigue is an urgent task. In order to achieve the purpose of this work, it was necessary to investigate the working conditions at a tree feller's workplace, to study the exoskeleton designs used in different branches of industry, and to formulate the requirements for a chainsaw operator’s exoskeleton design. To achieve the goal and solve the designated tasks, the use of patent information search methods, among scientific and technical literature, comparison, functional-structural-technological analysis, allowed one to establish the currently achieved technical level of exoskeletons and trends in their development. Thanks to the use of the brainstorming method in addition to the aforementioned methods, it was possible to achieve the final result of the work, which consists in the formulation of requirements for an exoskeleton for a chainsaw operator.
Abstract The separation of fluorinated propane/propylene mixtures remains a major challenge in the electronics industry. Inspired by biological ion channels with negatively charged inner walls that allow selective transport of cations, we presented a series of formic acid-based metal-organic frameworks (MFA) featuring biomimetic multi-hydrogen confined cavities. These MFA materials, especially the cobalt formate (CoFA), exhibit specific recognition of hexafluoropropylene (C3F6) while facilitating size exclusion of perfluoropropane (C3F8). The dual-functional adsorbent offers multiple binding sites to realize intelligent selective recognition of C3F6, as supported by theoretical calculations and in situ spectroscopic experiments. Mixed-gas breakthrough experiments validate the capability of CoFA to produce high-purity (>5 N) C3F8 in a single step. Importantly, the stability and cost-effective scalable synthesis of CoFA underscore its extraordinary potential for industrial C3F6/C3F8 separations. This bioinspired molecular recognition approach opens new avenues for the efficient purification of fluorinated electronic specialty gases.
Shermukhamedov U. Z., Karimova A. B., Abdullaev A. R.
et al.
The article considers two options for the design of an overpass with a beam-cut and a beam-continuous static scheme. An inspection of the technical condition of beam-cut reinforced concrete bridges in operation in Tashkent built in 1970-90 was conducted. Estimating the maintenance costs of overpasses with different static schemes operating for the last 50 years shows that the continuous reinforced concrete option drastically reduces the cost of repair work in operation. This, in turn, has a cumulative effect on the development of the bridge-building industry in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The predicted operating costs of overpasses with different static schemes during operation for 50 years showed that in a continuous reinforced concrete option, 435,803,803 soums are saved annually. The most important thing is that the proposed solution dramatically reduces the cost of repair work. This, in turn, has a cumulative effect on the development of the bridge-building industry in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
GDP of Saudi Arabia has increased from $ 1 billion US dollar in 1972 to more than $300 billion US dollar in 2011. The increase in population from 10 million in 1950 to 28 million in 2010, urbanization represent about 80%. the country consume about 20-25% of it's own oil production about 2.5 million per/daily. This shows that the Saudi policy have given incentive to cars user for longtime and has done little to manage demand or support public transport. The main objective of this paper is place the Saudi model in public transport in the international context and to draw an international prospective of public transport policy and the rational of government intervention in transport sector. The study gives classification models which characterize the industries and form of intervention. Further more the study highlight some of the approaches which adopted by both developed and developing industry at specific time.
The Methods and models use vary from one country and this study had classified intervention in transport sector in five models which are such as models of ownership, regulation, competition, finance system and private public partnership model. In 2011 Saudi Arabia has introduce it First National Transport Strategy, which have adopted many objectives among the most is, to improve efficiency of transport sector, module environmental impact of transport sector, improves safety facilitate the movement of peoples and goods to improve economic activity (MOT 2011). This state shows that no clear objectives to improve public transport policy.
This manuscript focuses on analyzing the growth dynamics of the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) and Silicon Glen in Scotland with a specific emphasis on their approaches to energy, environmental conservation, and economic management. The objective is to provide insights into their sustainable development strategies. In terms of energy, CTSP addresses Taiwan’s energy security and green transformation challenges, while Silicon Glen concentrates on Scotland’s wind energy generation technologies. Both regions prioritize the advancement of renewable energy sources and smart grid technologies. In the realm of environmental conservation, both CTSP and Silicon Glen prioritize environmental protection and sustainability by implementing rigorous environmental monitoring measures. Regarding economic management, CTSP and Silicon Glen serve as vital technology industry hubs in Taiwan and Scotland, respectively, attracting a multitude of high-tech and startup enterprises. This growth is facilitated through various means, including policy support, access to research resources, and robust infrastructure. This manuscript presents a comparative analysis of these two industrial parks, focusing on their environmental and economic management strategies. It aims to elucidate the principles underpinning the sustainable development and economic growth of industrial parks, offering valuable insights to decision-makers and stakeholders involved in the planning of sustainable industrial parks.
<h4>Objectives</h4>The improvement of the manufacturing industry's total factor productivity depends not only on innovation factor double circulation, but also on cross-border mobility to a large extent.<h4>Methodology</h4>This paper constructs a model that demonstrates the impact of innovation factor double circulation and cross-border flow on the manufacturing industry's total factor productivity, and it seeks to estimate this impact by using panel data from China's manufacturing industry taken from the period 2009-2020.<h4>Findings</h4>It finds the path dependence of innovation factors significantly increased their double circulation cost, and did not significantly improve the manufacturing industry's total factor productivity.<h4>Conclusion</h4>It finds the path dependence of innovation factors significantly increased their double circulation cost, and did not significantly improve the manufacturing industry's total factor productivity. Cross-border flow improves the marginal efficiency of innovation factors, realizes the spatial agglomeration of high-end innovation factors and greatly promotes the double circulation of innovation factors in a way that effectively improves the manufacturing industry's total factor productivity.<h4>Implications</h4>These conclusions have profound policy implications: cross-border flows can promote the incremental adjustment of innovation factors; fully release the development potential and toughness of the dual circulation of innovation factors; and are essentially conducive to improving the manufacturing industry's total factor productivity.
An important problem for pharmaceutical and toxicological laboratories is quick and accurate determination of mixtures of active pharmaceutical ingredients in various samples, including blood samples. This article shows the simultaneous quantitative analysis and identification of two common pharmaceutical ingredients (paracetamol and ibuprofen) on a SCION LC 6000 liquid chromatograph with a diode array detector. As a result of the experiment, it was shown that with the help of a diode-array detector with multi-wavelength function, it is possible to determine both substances in one injection. Excellent linearity and repeatability of the SCION HPLC-DAD was demonstrated with low RSD values and high R2 values.
Obesity has caused serious health and economic problems in the world. Cordyceps guangdongensis is a high-value macrofungus with broad application potential in the food and bio-medicine industry. This current study aimed to estimate the role of C. guangdongensis lipid-lowering compound formula (CGLC) in regulating fat and lipid accumulation, gut microbiota balance, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents, and expression levels of genes involved in fat and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. The results showed that CGLC intervention markedly reduced body weights and fat accumulation in HFD mice, improved glucose tolerance and blood lipid levels, and decreased lipid droplet accumulation and fat vacuole levels in the liver. CGLC decreased the ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes and increased the relative abundances of Bacteroides (B. acidifaciens) and Bifidobacterium (B. pseudolongum). In addition, CGLC treatment significantly promoted the production of SCFAs and regulated the relative expression levels of genes involved in fat and lipid metabolism in liver. Association analysis showed that several species of Bacteroides and most of SCFAs were significantly associated with serum lipid indicators. These results suggested that CGLC is a novel candidate formulation for treating obesity and non-alcohol fatty liver by regulating gut microbiota, SCFAs, and genes involved in fat and lipid metabolism.
Abstract The majority of manufacturing tasks are still performed by human workers, and this will probably continue to be the case in many industry 4.0 settings that aim at highly customized products and small lot sizes. Technical systems could assist on-the-job training and execution of these manual assembly processes, using augmented reality and other means, by properly treating and supporting workers’ cognitive resources. Recent algorithmic advancements automatized the assessment of task-related mental representation structures based on SDA-M, which enables technical systems to anticipate mistakes and provide corresponding user-specific assistance. Two studies have empirically investigated the relations between algorithmic assessments of individual memory structures and the occurrences of human errors in different assembly tasks. Hereby theoretical assumptions of the automatized SDA-M assessment approaches were deliberately violated in realistic ways to evaluate the practical applicability of these approaches. Substantial but imperfect correspondences were found between task-related mental representation structures and actual performances with sensitivity and specificity values ranging from 0.63 to 0.72, accompanied by prediction accuracies that were highly significant above chance level.
Ricardo J. Díaz Armas, Noemí Rabassa Figueras, Desiderio Gutiérrez Taño
et al.
La comprensión de los antecedentes del nivel de apoyo de los residentes al turismo es de crucial importancia para las autoridades locales, para los responsables políticos y para los empresarios, debido a que el éxito y la sostenibilidad de todo proyecto turístico depende del apoyo activo de la población local. Así, se ha afirmado que para que la industria turística sea sostenible en una comunidad debe haber una amplia participación comunitaria, así como una continua eva- luación de las percepciones de los residentes, con el objetivo de que el desarrollo turístico se mantenga consistente con el carácter y valores locales.
English
Understanding the background of the level of support of tourism residents is of crucial importance for local authorities, for policy makers and for entrepreneurs, because the success and sustainability of any tourism project depends on the active support of the local population. Thus, it has been affirmed that for the tourism industry to be sustainable in a community there must be a broad community participation, as well as a continuous evaluation of the perceptions of the residents, with the objective that tourism development remains consistent with the local character and values.
In recent years, graphene-based nanomaterials have been increasingly and widely used in numerous industrial sectors. In the drilling industry, graphene oxide in cement slurry has significantly improved the mechanical parameters of cement composites and is a future-proof solution. However, prior to placing it in a borehole ring space, cement slurry must feature appropriate fluidity. Graphene oxide has a significant influence on rheological parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to study graphene oxide’s influence on the rheological parameters of cement slurries. Thus, this paper presents rheological models and the results of studies on rheological parameters. A basic cement slurry and a slurry with a latex addition were used. The latex admixture was applied at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.03%, and 0.06%. In total, studies were carried out for six slurries with graphene oxide and two basic slurries. The obtained results of studies on the slurries with graphene oxide were compared with the control slurry. It was found that the smallest graphene oxide concentration increased slurry value, some rheological parameter values, plastic viscosity, and the flow limit. Surprisingly, a concentration up to 0.03% was an acceptable value, since the increase in plastic viscosity was not excessively high, which allowed the use of cement slurry to seal the hole. Once this value was exceeded, the slurry caused problems at its injection to the borehole.
Abstract Background Treatments are needed to address the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Clinical trials have failed to produce any AD drugs for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval since 2003, and the pharmaceutical development process is both time-consuming and costly. Drug repurposing provides an opportunity to accelerate this process by investigating the AD-related effects of agents approved for other indications. These drugs have known safety profiles, pharmacokinetic characterization, formulations, doses, and manufacturing processes. Methods We assessed repurposed AD therapies represented in Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III of the current AD pipeline as registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of February 27, 2020. Results We identified 53 clinical trials involving 58 FDA-approved agents. Seventy-eight percent of the agents in trials had putative disease-modifying mechanisms of action. Of the repurposed drugs in the pipeline 20% are hematologic-oncologic agents, 18% are drugs derived from cardiovascular indications, 14% are agents with psychiatric uses, 12% are drug used to treat diabetes, 10% are neurologic agents, and the remaining 26% of drugs fall under other conditions. Intellectual property strategies utilized in these programs included using the same drug but altering doses, routes of administration, or formulations. Most repurposing trials were supported by Academic Medical Centers and were not funded through the biopharmaceutical industry. We compared our results to a European trial registry and found results similar to those derived from ClinicalTrials.gov. Conclusions Drug repurposing is a common approach to AD drug development and represents 39% of trials in the current AD pipeline. Therapies from many disease areas provide agents potentially useful in AD. Most of the repurposed agents are generic and a variety of intellectual property strategies have been adopted to enhance their economic value.
Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Ozcan Gulacar, Alexandra Tan, Charles T. Cox
et al.
To gauge the variability in expert problem-solving strategies for stoichiometry problems, a set of experts in different career tracks were studied with the cohort including 17 graduate students in chemistry, three college chemistry instructors, and seven college graduates working in the industry. The goal of the study was to determine whether variability would be observed based upon experience and career trajectories. The data were collected using interviews and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using the COSINE (Coding System for Investigating Sub-problems and Network) method. Although the method was developed for the analysis of undergraduate problem-solving, it appeared to be effective in examining experts’ problem-solving in chemistry as well. The study revealed similar abilities for succeeding at solving a series of problems, but the strategies were variable for the three cohorts of experts. Specifically, the amount of information used to solve the problems differed across the three cohorts with graduate students focusing more upon each of the specific subproblems within each problem compared to industry chemists utilizing the big-picture approach in lieu of breaking down each problem into respective subproblems. Familiarity with the question types and ability to chunk information were common characteristics observed consistently for the expert participants, which is consistent with existing research.