Development of a Multi-Criteria Design Optimization Methodology for Automotive Plastics Parts

The plastic industry is undergoing drastic changes, due to the customer sustainability perception of plastics, and the eruption of new processes (such 3D printing) and materials (such as renewably sourced resins). To enable a fast transition to high-quality, sustainable plastic applications, a specific methodology could be a key competitive advantage. This novel methodology is focused on improving the objectivity and efficiency of plastic production and the design review process. It is applicable to discrete optimization events in any product lifecycle milestone, from concept design to serial production stages. The methodology includes a natural way to capture plastic-related knowledge and trends, oriented towards building a dynamic “interaction matrix”, with a list of potential optimizations and their positive or negative impacts in a comprehensive set of multi-criteria evaluations. With an innovative approach, the matrix allows the possibility to incorporate a business strategy, which could be different at every lifecycle stage. The business strategy is translated from the common “verbal” definition into a quantitative set of “Target and Restrictions”, making it possible to detect and prioritize the best potential design optimization changes according to the strategy. This methodology helps to model and compare design alternatives, verify impacts in every evaluation criteria, and make robust and objective information-based decisions. The application of the methodology in real cases of plastic material design optimization in the automotive industry has provided remarkable results, accelerating the detection of improvement methods aligned with the strategy and maximizing the improvement in product competitiveness and sustainability. In comparison with the simultaneous application of existing mono-criteria optimization methodologies (such as “Design to Cost” or “Eco Design”) and subjective expert-based reviews, the novel methodology has a reduced workload and risks, confirming its potential for future application and further development in other polymer-based products, such as consumer goods or packaging.

CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY DESIGNS WITHIN THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY

The negative effects of rapidly changing living standards in the world have become more visible in the last 10 years. The increase in production and consumption, depending on the main factor of the gradual increase in population, has expanded the framework of industrial areas. Increasing waste materials and depleted resources have begun to be dealt with within the waste management discipline. Sustainability is; It is interested in the characteristics of the measures that should be taken in a way that will not reduce the consumption and welfare levels of the people in the future compared to the present. These concepts, which offer positive concrete effects in the life processes of societies, act together; It has produced useful results with reuse, recycling and recovery methods. In this study, the usability of some solid waste materials in contemporary jewelry designs will be discussed in the upcycling process, which is evaluated within the scope of reuse. Since the beginning of the 1990s, pre- and post-production waste controls and recycling studies have been carried out in the jewelry sector, and sensitivity has been started to be increased. Along with the sector, the work carried out by contemporary jewelry designers at the level of global awareness is also geared towards sustainability. The designers preferred to use upcycling as a contribution to waste management -even on a small scale- in the materials, production methods and production stages to be used in their products. This attitude is related to the fact that waste materials evolve into a piece of jewelry other than their original use, and emerge directly as a design product. In addition, it has provided an effective popularity on the society in terms of environmental benefits and artistic features. Keywords: Contemporary, sustainable, waste, jewelry, design

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF GEM PRODUCTION: AN APPLICATION OF THE ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS

The gems, jewelry, and precious metals sector is essential for developing regions with this activity and there is a high degree of informality in the mining and trading gemstone sectors. The present study analyzed data from the production process of precious stones in the Brazilian national market. We identified the importance of the factors contributing to the quality of the gemstone production process concerning mining, cutting, and marketing, under the scope of sustainable chain development. A list of references was used to select thirteen significant factors in the precious stone production process that contributed to the sustainable development of the chain related to mining, cutting, and marketing. We used a multicriteria decision model applying the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to consider the degree of importance of the production stage process of gemstones and the factors that impact the sustainable development of the production chain. In applying the model to the production stages, the criteria and sub-criteria factors were considered. The results suggest that sustainable development is highly related to gem mining (44.7%, rank 1), moderately related to gem cutting (32.5%, rank 2), and there is little relationship to gem marketing (22 .8%, rank 3), considering the criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives. The requirement related to the technical qualification and skill of the lapidary is the most critical factor in the production process. The second most important factor is commercialization, followed by the preservation of the mining area and the valuable life of the mine.

Ethnobotanical and Chemical Studies on Gezo Molasses from Quercus brantii Lindl. Acorns in Turkey

Oak molasses, called “Gezo,” have been produced by the local people of Southeastern Anatolia. In this study, the ethnobotanical characteristics, production stages, health effects, and chemical composition of Gezo were determined. Traditional Gezo molasses is produced from the acorn of Quercus brantii Lindl. The survey was carried out in seven provinces with large populations. Molasses samples were collected from local producers in the region alongside the local names, usage, sorting, and grading methods used by the local people. The total contents of phenolics and flavanoids were found to vary between the range of 1.60–2.56 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and 0.62–0.72 mg rutin (RE) per g of Gezo molasses, respectively. Gezo displayed scavenging activity against DPPH radicals ranging from 7.57 to 9.44 µM Trolox/g. The CUPRAC assay results showed that molasses also possessed reducing power activity with a value of 8.57–10.20 µM Trolox/g. Gezo is typically consumed by local people as a breakfast food. However, it is also used for medical purposes to treat bronchitis, cough, asthma, and diabetes. The region’s oak species are used by locals for fuel, feed, handicrafts, and games.

The impact of mycotoxins on dairy cow health and milk production

В статье представлены материалы о влиянии микотоксинов на здоровье и продуктивность молочного скота. В настоящее время наибольшую опасность для здоровья животных представляют яды микроскопических грибов — микотоксины, что требует разработки методов их устранения по всей цепочке — от поля до потребителя. Известно, что споры грибов, продуцирующих токсины, живут в почве и оттуда передаются растениям, а затем зёрнам. Микотоксины — это вторичные метаболиты грибов, такие как афлатоксины (AF), продуцируемые видами Aspergillus, фумонизины (FUM), зеараленон (ZEN), токсин T-2 (T-2) дезоксиниваленол (DON), продуцируемый видами Fusarium, охратоксин A (OTA), продуцируемый видами Penicillium, и многие другие. Потребление кормов, загрязнённых этими токсинами, вызывает у животных микотоксикозы, которые характеризуются рядом клинических признаков в зависимости от вида токсинов. У животных снижается продуктивность и поедаемость кормов, увеличивается восприимчивость к различным заболеваниям. Существует две формы микотоксикозов: острые микотоксикозы, возникающие из-за потребления высокой разовой дозы микотоксинов, и хронические микотоксикозы из-за постоянного потребления низких уровней микотоксинов в течение продолжительного времени. Хронический токсикоз, вызванный низким уровнем воздействия микотоксинов в течение продолжительного времени, представляет собой более распространённую проблему для здоровья животных и качества пищевых продуктов для людей. В целом объёмистые корма и зерновые компоненты, входящие в состав рациона, подвержены загрязнению афлатоксинами на всех этапах производства кормов, таких как сбор, транспортировка, хранение, переработка и упаковка. В последнее время учёные стали уделять больше внимания загрязнению кормов микотоксинами и механизмам борьбы с разными группами токсинов. Основной задачей при производстве кормов является снижение концентрации токсинов на всех этапах — от поля до рациона животных. This article focuses on the effect of mycotoxins on dairy cow health and productivity. To this day toxins produced by various fungi are one of the most serious dangers for cattle. It is known that spores usually contaminate plant and later grain material from soil. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites such as aflatoxins (AF) produced by Aspergillus spp., fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 (T-2), deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by Fusarium spp., ochratoxin A (OTA) produced by Penicillium spp., and many others. Toxin-contaminated forage causes mycotoxicoses of different severity depending on toxin type. Livestock shows low productivity and appetite but high susceptibility to diseases There are two types of mycotoxicoses: acute mycotoxicoses, caused by high concentration of toxins and the chronic ones, occurring due to constant long consumption of low toxin levels. Chronic toxicosis is a more common problem for animal health and food quality. Bulk and grain feed are highly affected by aflatoxins at such production stages as harvesting, transporting, storage, processing and packaging. Lately scientists drew more attention to toxin contamination issue and methods controlling their accumulation. The main task when producing forage is to reduce toxin concentration at all the production stages.

Prediction of critical liquid loading time for water-producing gas wells: Effect of liquid drop rotation

After more than 20 years of continuous development, part of the wells in the Moxilei-1 gas reservoir located at the Sichuan Basin have entered the middle–later production stage. With the continuous decline in formation pressure and production rates, some of the gas wells have entered the potential period of liquid loading, while some have already suffered water plugging. Currently, the field engineers usually carry out some corresponding drainage measures after the occurrence of liquid loading in the gas well, which will first affect the production progress of the gas field, then increase the difficulty in drainage and reduce the drainage effect afterward. On the basis of Pan’s model for evaluating critical liquid-carrying flow rate, the influence of liquid drop rotation was considered in the new model. Further, combined with the Arps production decline equation, a prediction model of liquid loading timing was deduced. Taking a typical well in the Moxilei-1 gas reservoir as an example, based on the early-stage production data of the gas well, the model was used to predict the liquid loading timing accurately. The model can predict the possibility and timing of liquid loading in gas wells at different production stages. It can check the gas wells with potential liquid loading, so as to reduce the workload for field workers. Furthermore, it can predict the potential liquid accumulation and its timing in advance, so as to guide the field workers to prepare for drainage in advance.

No Evidence of the Vertical Transmission of Non-Virulent Infectious Salmon Anaemia Virus (ISAV-HPR0) in Farmed Atlantic Salmon

The nonvirulent infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV-HPR0) is the putative progenitor for virulent-ISAV, and a potential risk factor for the development of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA). Understanding the transmission dynamics of ISAV-HPR0 is fundamental to proper management and mitigation strategies. Here, we demonstrate that ISAV-HPR0 causes prevalent and transient infections in all three production stages of Atlantic salmon in the Faroe Islands. Phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin-esterase gene from 247 salmon showed a clear geographical structuring into two significantly distinct HPR0-subgroups, which were designated G2 and G4. Whereas G2 and G4 co-circulated in marine farms, Faroese broodfish were predominantly infected by G2, and smolt were predominantly infected by G4. This infection pattern was confirmed by our G2- and G4-specific RT-qPCR assays. Moreover, the HPR0 variants detected in Icelandic and Norwegian broodfish were never detected in the Faroe Islands, despite the extensive import of ova from both countries. Accordingly, the vertical transmission of HPR0 from broodfish to progeny is uncommon. Phylogenetic and statistical analysis suggest that HPR0 persists in the smolt farms as “house-strains”, and that new HPR0 variants are occasionally introduced from the marine environment, probably by HPR0-contaminated sea-spray. Thus, high biosecurity—including water and air intake—is required to avoid the introduction of pathogens to the smolt farms.

Experimental Study on Type and Accuracy Optimization of Sand Control in Sand-Producing Heavy Oil Well

This paper proposes a set of methods for selecting the type of sand control screen and optimizing the accuracy in heavy oil Wells, which take into account the requirements of sand control and productivity protection in heavy oil Wells. Sand retaining experiments are carried out with slotted screen, wire wrapped screen and metal filter screen under the condition of oil and water mixed sand carrying flow. In order to optimize the sand control screen suitable for heavy oil well, this paper uses the weighted average method to quantitatively evaluate the flow performance, sand retention performance and oil conductivity of the screen. Then, repeat the experiment by changing the accuracy of the screen to optimize the accuracy. The experimental results show that the permeability of the three kinds of sand control screens is about 2μm2 when only heavy oil plugging occurs. Under the combined plugging action of formation sand and heavy oil, the slotted screen has the highest permeability, and its conductivity to heavy oil is 10% higher than that of the other two screens. The silk-wound screen has the best sand retention performance, with a sand retention rate of more than 90%. Through the quantitative evaluation of the sand control performance of three kinds of screens in different production stages of heavy oil Wells, the slit screen is selected as the optimal screen. For simulated formation sand with a median particle size of 250μm, the optimal sand control accuracy is 200μm. This paper provides a quantitative optimization method of screen type and accuracy for sand control design of sand-producing heavy oil Wells, so as to maximize the productivity under the premise of ensuring sand-producing control of heavy oil Wells.

Selection of an Inert Gas System for the Transportation of Direct Reduced Iron

Direct reduced iron (DRI) can create significant risks such as ignition, explosion, and fire because of the oxidation reaction in case when DRI undergoes spontaneously heating and comes in contact with oxygen or water. For this reason, the transportation of DRI is classified as a dangerous task of which the inert process should be done in the ship’s holds. Many studies have been conducted on the production and production stages of DRI and other areas of use of inert gas, but no studies have been conducted on the safe transportation of this cargo by ships. This study analyzes the criteria and alternatives for selecting the inert gas system for the benefits of investors and shipowners in the shipping industry. The intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS (IF-TOPSIS) method is implemented to conduct the decision-making process. As a result of this study, preferences for candidate inert gas systems are modelled. Port facility nitrogen generator is selected as the most suitable inert gas system among alternative inert gas systems based on predetermined criteria.

Imported One-Day-Old Chicks as Trojan Horses for Multidrug-Resistant Priority Pathogens Harboring mcr-9 , rmtG and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Genes.

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical issue that is no longer restricted to hospital settings, but also represents a growing problem involving intensive animal production systems. In this study, we have performed a microbiological and molecular investigation of priority pathogens carrying transferable resistance genes to critical antimicrobials in one-day-old chickens imported from Brazil to Uruguay. Bacterial identification was performed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Sensititre. Antimicrobial resistance genes were sought by polymerase chain reaction and clonality was assessed by PFGE. Four multidrug-resistant (MDR) representative strains were sequenced by Illumina and/or Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Twenty-eight MDR isolates identified as Escherichia coli ( n = 14), Enterobacter cloacae ( n = 11) and Klebsiella pneumoniae ( n = 3). While resistance to oxyiminocephalosporins was due to bla CTX-M-2 , bla CTX-M-8 , bla CTX-M-15 , bla CTX-M-55 and bla CMY-2 , plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance was associated with qnrB19 , qnrE1 , and qnrB2 genes. Finally, resistance to aminoglycosides and fosfomycin was due to the presence of 16S rRNA methyltransferase rmtG and fosA -type genes, respectively. Short and long-read genome sequencing of E. cloacae ODC-Eclo3 strain revealed the presence of IncQ/ rmtG (pUR-EC3.1, 7400-pb), IncHI2A/ mcr-9.1 / bla CTX-M-2 [pUR-EC3.2, ST16 (pMLST), 408,436-bp] and IncN2/ qnrB19 / aacC3 / aph(3’’)-Ib (pUR-EC3.3) resistance plasmids. Strikingly, the bla CTX-M-2 gene was carried by a novel Tn 1696 -like composite transposon designated Tn 7337 . In summary, we report that imported one-day-old chicks can act as Trojan horses for the hidden spread of WHO critical priority MDR pathogens harboring mcr-9 , rmtG and extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes in poultry farms, which is a critical issue within a One Health perspective. Importance section Antimicrobial resistance is considered a significant problem for global health, including within the concept of "One Health", therefore, the food chain is a link that connects human and animal health directly. In this work, we searched for microorganisms resistant to antibiotics considered critical for human health in intestinal microbiota of one-day-old baby chicks imported to Uruguay from Brazil. We described antibiotic-resistant genes to antibiotics named as to watch or reserve for the WHO, such as rmtG or mcr9.1 , which confers resistance to all the aminoglycosides and colistin, respectively, among others genes, and their presence in new mobile genetic elements that favor its dissemination. The sustained entry of these microorganisms evades the sanitary measures implemented by the countries and production establishments to reduce the selection of resistant microorganisms. These silently imported resistant microorganisms could explain a considerable part of the antimicrobial resistance problems found in the production stages of the system.