Search Results (18,426)

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is straining terrestrial data center infrastructure, motivating exploration of space-based data centers (SBDCs) as a scalable and energy-efficient alternative. While orbital platforms offer unique advantages, including continuous solar energy, radiative cooling, and global coverage, their practical deployment is constrained by unresolved reliability challenges across the mission lifecycle. This study presents a lifecycle-oriented reliability and risk assessment for SBDCs spanning launch, orbital operation, maintenance, and end-of-life phases, using a structured systems-level analysis of failure modes and operational dependencies. This paper focuses on compute-centric SBDC architectures, treating storage solely as a supporting resource. We identify and classify space-environment-specific risks, including launch-induced mechanical stress, radiation-driven degradation, thermal extremes, and single points of failure in power and communication subsystems. By integrating engineering constraints with economic considerations, we develop a unified risk-chain framework that shows how reliability limitations propagate from component design to system cost and operational viability. The analysis reveals a critical trade-off: achieving terrestrial-grade reliability in orbit requires substantial redundancy and radiation hardening, increasing mass and cost and reducing economic feasibility, whereas lower-reliability designs introduce operational and financial risks that challenge sustainability. These findings establish reliability as the central determinant of SBDC viability, providing an applied foundation for fault-tolerant, modular, and lifecycle-aware design strategies essential for transitioning orbital cloud infrastructure from concept to scalable reality. Full article

Deep learning-powered Street View Imagery (SVI) analytics provides a critical mechanism for smart city perception within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), effectively bridging the gap left by traditional remote sensing in fine-grained street-level observation. Over the years, deep learning-based semantic segmentation of urban streetscapes has become the dominant paradigm. However, when scaling to megacity measurements, current research faces the dual bottlenecks of “computational redundancy” and the “geographical domain shift” caused by the blind application of pre-trained models based on Western datasets. To address these challenges, this study is the first to systematically quantify the performance trade-off between Multi-Task Learning (MTL) and Single-Task Learning (STL) in megacity scenarios. Using this as a baseline, we constructed and validated a “low-computation, high-robustness” framework for streetscape semantic perception and spatial measurement. Relying on an integrated ResNeXt101-FPN MTL architecture and an ultra-low-cost fine-tuning strategy to overcome geographical domain shift, we extracted and analyzed the spatial heterogeneity of five core semantic elements—vegetation, sky, building, road, and vehicle—across the road network within Beijing’s 5th Ring Road. The results indicate the following: (1) We explicitly defined the computation-accuracy trade-off of MTL and STL in megacity perception. While utilizing only 1/5 of the parameters of STL, the MTL framework achieved a 5.34-fold increase in inference speed with a negligible 0.1% loss in overall mean Intersection over Union (mIoU); however, a 27.13% decrease in boundary segmentation accuracy was observed. (2) We established a low-cost, localized correction paradigm to overcome domain shift. Utilizing a minimal annotation cost (only 200 local images) significantly improved cross-domain adaptability, boosting the overall mIoU by 8.92% and significantly mitigating the geographical domain shift problem. (3) Multi-dimensional measurement and spatial analysis revealed a significant spatial decoupling pattern in Beijing’s streetscapes. The visual proportion of vegetation exhibited a pronounced “north-high, south-low” spatial differentiation, whereas built environment elements (e.g., building and road) displayed a typical “center-periphery” concentric gradient. This objectively reflects the spatial inequality of urban street greenery resources and the monocentric development characteristics of the built environment. The proposed framework therefore serves as a low-cost, AI-driven computational paradigm for smart city perception in resource-constrained regions. Furthermore, the revealed spatial heterogeneity offers data-driven insights for formulating sustainable urban renewal policies aligned with SDG 11. Full article

Effective project selection is a critical determinant of success for Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), particularly in automotive environments defined by high technical complexity and constrained resources. Because these selection tasks involve competing priorities, they are fundamentally multi-criteria decision-making (MCDA) problems that directly impact a company’s economic performance. This paper proposes a hybrid decision-support framework that integrates the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with a normalized scoring model. In this approach, classical AHP pairwise comparisons are used to derive consistent criteria weights, while project alternatives are evaluated on a 1–10 normalized scale to ensure the model remains scalable and practical for an industrial setting. The framework was empirically validated through a case study in an automotive company evaluating twelve DFSS project concepts. The results reveal that experts prioritize Product Quality (33%) and Cost/Functionality (33%) above all other factors, with these two criteria accounting for 66% of the total decision weight. Furthermore, the study established classification rules where projects scoring above 7.2 showed high implementation potential, while those below 5.2 were frequently discontinued. This structured approach enables a transparent and justifiable prioritization process that supports economic and operational sustainability by significantly reducing wasted engineering hours and prototype costs. Full article

Italy is one of Europe’s largest consumers of wood pellets, while domestic production remains comparatively limited. In parallel, wood chips (WC) represent a strategic biofuel for power generation, where particle size distribution (PSD) affects handling and storage. Conventional PSD assessment relies on time-consuming methodology. This study proposes a patent-pending image-processing approach (Shadow Size Distribution—SSD analysis) for PSD classification of WC under bulk conditions. One hundred samples were characterized via both standard analysis and SSD. PSD data were aggregated into fine and coarse macro-fractions and used to define binary class labels. Multivariate analyses (PERMANOVA, PCA) and Support Vector Classifier (SVC) models were employed to evaluate the discriminative capability of SSD features. PCA revealed coherent relationships between PSD macro-variables and key shadow descriptors, particularly shadow number and area. The best SVC configuration achieved 0.77 test accuracy, with strong recall for coarse samples. Although overall performance was constrained by dataset size and imbalance, the results demonstrate that SSD features retain meaningful granulometric information, supporting further development toward automated, in-line PSD monitoring systems. From a sustainability perspective, the proposed SSD-based approach enables faster and potentially in-line monitoring of biomass quality, supporting more efficient combustion processes, reduced emissions, and improved resource management in bioenergy systems. Full article

Gold, as a critical material with both financial and industrial value, is widely used across numerous fields such as finance, aerospace and medical care. Under the global background of increasing geopolitical risks and the advancement of high-tech industries, the demand for gold continues to grow steadily. The main raw materials for extracting gold are mainly divided into ore and electronic waste. Currently, conventional cyanidation remains the dominant industrial method for gold recovery. However, issues such as pollution and high toxicity of cyanide tailings are driving global efforts to explore environmentally friendly alternatives. Therefore, the development of green and efficient gold extraction technology has become a global research hotspot. This article focuses on cyanide-free leaching technologies, providing a detailed review of their current developments, advantages, and limitations, and proposing future trends in gold extraction. The future development directions of gold extraction include the development of thiosulfate–glycine leaching systems, the combination of multi-technology collaborative processes such as ultrasonic assistance and biological treatment to enhance efficiency, the strengthening of microbial metallurgy technology, and the construction of a resource recycling system for electronic waste. This review provides new insights and development directions for extracting gold for sustainable development. Full article

Acorns (Quercus spp.) are an underutilized forest resource with recognized nutritional and bioactive potential, making them promising candidates for the development of sustainable plant-based functional foods. This study aimed to valorize acorns through the formulation of two novel acorn-based products, a plant-based beverage, and a pudding, and to assess their nutritional properties, sensory acceptability, and, for the beverage, refrigerated shelf-life stability. The beverage was optimized as a neutral-flavored milk alternative, using sodium alginate as a natural clean-label stabilizer to enhance emulsion stability and physicochemical properties. The final formulation exhibited low energy density and a lipid profile rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, contributing to its nutritional and functional value. Throughout 63 days of storage at 4 °C, sodium alginate effectively prevented phase separation and supported the retention of antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by stable ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total phenolic content, although ABTS radical scavenging activity declined over time. No microbial growth was detected during storage, confirming the adequacy of the applied thermal treatment and aseptic filling procedures applied. The acorn-based pudding, developed by adapting a traditional egg-based recipe, functioned as a proof of concept illustrating the technological versatility of acorns across distinct plant-based matrices, exhibiting a nutritional profile comparable to commercial counterparts and high consumer acceptability. Overall, this work demonstrates the technological feasibility and versatility of incorporating acorns into plant-based food matrices, supporting their potential as sustainable ingredients for the development of innovative value-added foods and contributing to the valorization of forest resources. Full article

This study aims to explore the effect of using three distinct silicate- and aluminate-rich rock powders—granodiorite (GDP), alkali-feldspar granite (AFGP), and mafic metavolcanic (MMVP)—sourced from Egypt’s largely unexploited Eastern Desert geological resources, as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in concrete production. Rock samples were processed into ultrafine powders (1.4–1.5 μm average particle size) and utilized as partial cement replacements at 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% by weight. These rock powders were confirmed to meet ASTM C618 requirements for natural pozzolans, qualifying them as viable SCMs. Pozzolanic activity was confirmed through Strength Activity Index (SAI) testing, with values of 79%, 82%, and 76% for GDP, AFGP, and MMVP, respectively, all exceeding the 75% minimum threshold required by ASTM C618. Fresh concrete workability decreased progressively with increasing rock powder content. Mechanical testing demonstrated optimal replacement levels of 9% for GDP and AFGP, and 6% for MMVP, achieving 28-day compressive strength improvements of 14.1%, 16.0%, and 14.9%, respectively, compared to plain Portland cement concrete without any rock powder replacement (control mix). Splitting tensile strength increased by 14.7%, 12.7%, and 16.3% at optimal dosages. Microstructural analysis via SEM revealed enhanced matrix densification and reduced porosity through physical filler effects and pozzolanic reactions. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed reduced Ca/Si ratios, indicating enhanced calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel formation with superior binding characteristics. Results demonstrate that these previously unexploited rock powders effectively function as sustainable SCMs, reducing cement consumption by up to 12%, offering significant environmental benefits through reduced CO₂ emissions and efficient utilization of natural geological resources in sustainable construction practices. Full article

As global resource depletion and environmental challenges continue to intensify, the circular economy has emerged as a critical strategy for firms pursuing sustainable development. This study integrates the perspectives of circular economy, the resource-based view (RBV), and stakeholder theory, and incorporates a system dynamics approach to construct a causal feedback model of circular economy systems. First, through a comprehensive literature review and systems thinking, this study develops a causal loop diagram (CLD) that captures the dynamic interactions among key elements, including firms, resources, design, products, consumers, recycling, and waste, thereby illustrating the underlying mechanisms of circular economy operations. Subsequently, the CLD is transformed into a structural equation model (SEM), and empirical analysis is conducted using 134 valid questionnaire responses. The results indicate that significant and positive causal relationships exist among the constructs. In particular, resource-based design advantage is identified as the core driving factor of the system, influencing waste reduction through circular recycling and resource circulation mechanisms. Moreover, the interaction between reinforcing feedback loops and balancing feedback loops forms a dynamic equilibrium within the circular economy system. The findings not only validate the theoretical framework of circular economy systems but also provide practical implications for firms in terms of resource allocation, product design, and recycling management, thereby facilitating resource circulation and sustainable development. Full article

Forest fires are an increasing environmental challenge in Southern Europe, requiring reliable tools for assessing both fire-induced disturbances and subsequent ecosystem recovery. This study presents an integrated satellite-based system for automated monitoring of post-fire forest dynamics. The system combines multispectral data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat (TM, ETM+, OLI, OLI-2) with thermal anomaly information from MODIS and VIIRS within a unified processing framework. It is structured into two modules: Post-Fire Disturbance (PFDMO) and Post-Fire Recovery (PFRMO). The methodology builds on a validated algorithm integrating the Disturbance Index (DI), Vector of Instantaneous Condition (VIC), and Direction Angle (DA), enabling automated multi-temporal analysis from fire detection to recovery assessment. The system was applied to three wildfire-affected areas in Bulgaria under different environmental conditions. Results reveal substantial spatial variability in disturbance and recovery, with PFDMO values ranging from −5.17 to +10.16 and PFRMO values from −2.25 to +7.40. The results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed system for monitoring post-fire forest dynamics and illustrate its potential to support informed decision-making in forest management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource use. The main contribution of the system lies in the integration of disturbance and recovery assessment within a single automated and scalable workflow based on freely available satellite data. Full article

In recent times, the importance given to versatile functional nutrition has increased, escalating interest in fermented foods and their potential health benefits. Fermentation is an ancient method frequently used to develop functional and bioactive products. Fermented microalgae and their biomass are important sustainable biotechnological resources for increasing the nutritional value, healthiness, and functionality of foods and for producing high-value-added bioactive compounds. The fermentation of microalgae encompasses the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar or organic substances by a range of microorganisms, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The fermentation process can activate numerous beneficial mechanisms by enhancing the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in microalgae. Lactic acid bacteria are widely used in food fermentation due to their safety and metabolic versatility. Their ability to produce organic acids, enzymes, and bioactive metabolites makes them suitable for modifying microalgal biomass. This review aims to provide a detailed and critical evaluation of fermented microalgae, including health effects, functional enhancements, bioactivities, and industrial applications. Full article

The digital transformation of construction processes has highlighted the need for integrated and sustainable automation frameworks, particularly in public-sector infrastructure planning where cost estimation, documentation, and approval workflows remain fragmented. This study proposes OnlinePlan, a computational and system-level framework that operationalizes a regulation-compliant cost estimation process within an integrated digital platform. The framework integrates heterogeneous data sources, category-specific engineering models, and regulatory transformations into a structured workflow that combines the Standard Construction Cost Estimation System, the Construction Planning and Budget Documentation System, and the Highway Maintenance Budget Planning Information System, with interoperability to PlanNET. A real-world dataset of 74 projects is used to evaluate system performance against traditional workflows. The results demonstrate zero computational deviation (0.00%) and significant efficiency improvements, with total processing time reduced by approximately 75.7%. Statistical validation confirms strong significance (t = 35.09, p < 0.001) and an exceptionally large effect size (Cohen’s d = 7.85), indicating substantial practical impact. The findings reveal that the primary contribution of construction automation lies not only in computational acceleration but in the integration of estimation, documentation, and approval processes into a workflow-governed digital system. This study contributes a scalable and interpretable framework for sustainable construction automation, advancing ICT-enabled decision-making, resource efficiency, and institutional transparency in infrastructure management. These dimensions are explicitly interpreted as measurable indicators of sustainability in public-sector infrastructure management. The primary contribution lies in the integration of estimation, documentation, and approval workflows into a unified system, rather than in the formulation of new cost equations. Full article

Building healthy communities requires organizational arrangements that center on resident and community assets while using data to guide decisions. This study examines how the Evidence2Success framework was implemented in three communities, Kearns, UT, Mobile, AL, and Memphis, TN, to understand how citizen-led asset mapping, coalition processes, and funding strategies shape youth well-being efforts. Using an interpretive case-study design, we analyzed process-evaluation interviews, implementation milestones and benchmarks, strengths-and-concerns reports, and community case materials to trace how coalitions mobilized assets, reoriented institutional resources, and adapted evidence-based programs. The results show that broad, cross-sector Community Boards completed most implementation tasks, increased participation by people of color, and developed more inclusive decision-making structures that addressed historical inequities. Coalitions also strengthened data-use capacities, employing youth survey results and local qualitative input to select priorities, braid funding, and make culturally responsive adaptations while maintaining program fidelity. Overall, the findings suggest that when evidence-based planning frameworks are embedded within asset-based, resident-governed structures, communities can build sustainable organizational arrangements that support youth well-being and advance more equitable local systems. Full article

With the rapid development of the edible fungus industry, the environmental pressure and resource waste caused by the massive generation of fungal residue have become increasingly prominent. Meanwhile, heavy metal wastewater pollution and the growing demand for clean energy pose dual challenges to sustainable development. This study focuses on Auricularia cornea var. Li. fungal residue, exploring the establishment of a multi-level resource utilization pathway integrating “porous carbon material preparation—heavy metal adsorption—photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.” Firstly, the Auricularia cornea var. Li. residue-based porous carbon material was examined by combining hydrothermal carbonization, activation and slow pyrolysis. In optimal conditions, the porous carbon obtained yielded a surface area of 675.56 m²/g and formed a composite pore structure consisting of micropores with coexisting micropore and mesopore. Secondly, we performed batch adsorption experiments to study the effects of solution pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time and the adsorption behavior via fitting adsorbing kinetic models. Under optimal conditions, Cd(II) removal efficiency reached 92.36% and an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 92.47 mg/g. We used Cd(II) adsorbed porous carbon as a cadmium source and converted into a CdS photocatalyst using a hydrothermal sulfidation process. The CdS prepared using sodium sulfide as a sulfur source gave an average hydrogen evolution rate of 668.01 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ and showed higher photocatalytic performance for water splitting to produce hydrogen. Full article

This review analyzes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) production and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted using the Web of Science (2020–2026), resulting in 225 included studies. Buffalo production is a multipurpose system that generates value through milk, meat, hides, manure, draft power, and animal-assisted services, with greater longevity than most livestock species. Economically, it supports income diversification, resource efficiency, and functions as a financial asset that can be sold to cover unexpected expenses. Socially, it enhances food security by providing nutrient-dense products, particularly milk with bioactive compounds associated with potential health benefits, and promotes women’s participation in livestock management and household economies. Environmentally, buffalo systems efficiently utilize low-quality forages, are adapted to marginal conditions, contribute to wetland conservation, and provide ecosystem services. These contributions align with several SDGs (1, 2, 5, 8, 12, 13, and 15). However, sector expansion is constrained by limitations in nutrition, management, veterinary services, and reproductive efficiency, as well as environmental challenges related to methane emissions and life cycle impacts. While global methane emissions from buffalo are lower due to their smaller population, emission intensity remains system-dependent and represents a critical challenge. In conclusion, water buffalo production represents a multifunctional and context-dependent system with significant potential to support sustainable development, although targeted innovations are required to improve productivity and address environmental challenges. Future research should integrate One Health and One Welfare approaches, develop long-term studies, and expand research under diverse experimental and field conditions to better characterize the potential health implications of buffalo-derived products. In addition, strengthening circular economy strategies, including region-specific diets to reduce emissions, remains a priority. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are critical for promoting rational antibiotic use. While early implementation outcomes have been reported, extended follow-up sustainability and the impact on high-priority broad-spectrum antibiotics in South Korean secondary/tertiary hospitals require further validation. This study aimed to evaluate the extended outcomes and sustainability of an ASP over a 14-month period. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study analyzed ASP activities from January 2025 to February 2026 at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Interventions included prospective audit and feedback (PAF) for restricted antibiotics and recommendations for prolonged prescriptions (≥14 days). Primary outcomes were the monthly rejection rate of restricted antibiotics and the acceptance rate of ASP interventions. Secondary outcomes included the days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient–days for meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam (Pip/Taz). Results: During the 14-month period, the ASP intervention acceptance rate increased significantly from a mean of 72.0% in the implementation phase (January–April 2025) to 81.2% in the stabilization phase (May 2025–February 2026) (p = 0.035). The DOT for Pip/Taz decreased significantly from 169.4 to 151.8 per 1000 patient–days (p = 0.002), with a significant negative correlation identified between the intervention acceptance rate and Pip/Taz consumption (r = −0.625, p = 0.017). Although overall meropenem DOT showed seasonal fluctuations without reaching statistical significance across phases, a year-over-year comparison revealed a 7.5% reduction in meropenem DOT (January–February 2025: 54.8 vs. January–February 2026: 50.7 per 1000 patient–days). The rejection rate for restricted antibiotics declined from 3.8% to 2.6%, suggesting that clinicians increasingly self-regulated inappropriate prescribing attempts. Conclusions: The ASP demonstrated extended follow-up sustainability with a significant reduction in the consumption of key broad-spectrum antibiotics. A progressive increase in clinician acceptance of ASP interventions from 72.0% to 81.2%, combined with a concurrent decline in the restricted antibiotic rejection rate, reflected a measurable shift in institutional prescribing culture and confirmed the successful transition to a stabilized program. These findings support the necessity of sustained multidisciplinary ASPs, even in resource-limited settings, to combat antimicrobial resistance effectively. Full article