The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-efficient construction highlights the need to minimize material consumption in civil engineering structures without compromising safety or performance. This study investigates the optimization of steel purlin cross-sections in metal buildings as a means to enhance structural efficiency and environmental sustainability. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method were employed to identify optimal material distributions and evaluate the effects of varying cross-section geometries. Both rectangular and IPE purlin sections were analyzed under realistic loading conditions to compare stress, deformation, and weight performance before and after optimization. The results demonstrate that substantial reductions in material mass, up to approximately 25–30%, can be achieved while maintaining nearly identical stress and displacement responses. These findings confirm that structural optimization effectively reduces both construction costs and environmental impact. The study concludes by recommending the adoption of topology and cross-section optimization techniques in the design of steel structures, particularly in public projects, to promote resource efficiency and sustainable construction practices.
Rural women often start enterprises in sectors that are vital for long-term rural sustainability, but these organizations run the risk of not being properly recognized by public rural development support systems. In this paper, we ask whether existing business support measures meet the needs of rural women entrepreneurs, and if not, what can be improved? Our data consists of recorded interviews with twenty women entrepreneurs from the rural regions of southern Sweden. We asked how they perceive the business support that is provided, used, and needed. We found a gendered mismatch between the forms of public support provided and the support needed by women entrepreneurs in rural areas. The analysis reveals that current business support initiatives often overlook social, cultural, and environmental innovations and enterprises that do not prioritise economic growth as their primary objective, despite their importance for rural viability and development. We argue for a shift towards valuing alternative growth models, broadening eligibility criteria, and simplifying access to funding. As key players in this context, public funds should support long-term sustainability. By embracing the proposed changes, the business support system can be better aligned with the realities of rural entrepreneurship, contributing more meaningfully to rural development and gender equality.
Absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) is a rare cardiac malformation that is almost always associated with a Fallot-type ventricular septal defect (VSD). More rarely, it can occur with an intact ventricular septum or muscular VSD. The limited number of observations reported in the medical literature affects the quality of prenatal counselling given to the families concerned. We report 3 new cases of APVS without Fallot-type VSD, with 1 case associated with a muscular VSD, and have carried out a review of the literature on this rare malformation. Two of the fetuses had hydrops fetalis and one of these two had intra-uterine death. A 16p13.11 microduplication transmitted by the father was found in one fetus whose post-natal evolution was favorable following surgical ligation of an aneurysmal ductus arteriosus. A newborn with hydrops fetalis had a favorable outcome after spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus on the third day of life. Unlike Fallot-type APVS, non-Fallot type APVS is characterized antenatally by the constant presence of a large ductus arteriosus, the absence of aneurysmal pulmonary branches, a high frequency of chromosomal anomalies, but the absence of 22q11 micro deletion. After birth, early closure of the ductus may be indicated in cases of significant heart failure.
Traditional Value Engineering (VE) has long focused on optimizing the function-to-cost ratio but faces limitations in digitalized industrial contexts. Conventional VE lacks integration with advanced technologies, empirical validation in smart environments, and alignment with sustainability and circular economy objectives. The emergence of Industry 4.0—driven by cyber-physical systems, IoT, big data analytics, digital twins, and artificial intelligence—has transformed industrial ecosystems, necessitating a redefinition of VE practices. This study employs a systematic literature review and structured gap analysis to examine the evolution, applications, and challenges of VE across manufacturing, construction, supply chain, and service sectors. The analysis identifies three key deficiencies in conventional VE: (i) absence of integrated digital frameworks, (ii) limited empirical validation in smart environments, and (iii) weak incorporation of sustainability and circular economy principles. To address these gaps, Value Engineering 4.0 (VE 4.0) is proposed as a function-driven, data-intelligent, and human-centric methodology. It is structured around a six-component strategic framework: (1) digital foundations for technological readiness and organizational alignment; (2) smart VE processes leveraging AI, IoT, and advanced analytics for predictive, connected decision-making; (3) an enhanced Job Plan integrating AR/VR, NLP, and blockchain for improved speed, accuracy, and lifecycle alignment; (4) a phased implementation roadmap; (5) real-time DMAIC integration for continuous optimization; and (6) enablers covering leadership, skills, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. VE 4.0 provides both a research agenda and a practical roadmap, enabling organizations to innovate, enhance resilience, and achieve sustainable competitiveness in Industry 4.0 ecosystems.
A brief critical analysis of kinetic models is presented, particularly the quadratic model (QM), highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. A generalized quadratic model (GQM) is proposed that can accommodate the experimental observation that the degradation rate is non-zero in the limit of zero substrate concentration. The limits of this model are outlined by comparison with a more extended kinetic scheme.
