We report the results of MeWO4 ceramics synthesis by the direct exposure of metal (Mg, Ca, Zn, W) oxides mixture to a high-power flux of high-energy electrons. The oxide powder particle sizes are 1–10 microns. The synthesis occurs with high efficiency in less than 1 s without the use of any additional substances and energy sources. The purpose of this work is to establish the main processes that ensure the effective synthesis of MgWO4, CaWO4, and ZnWO4 ceramics from ZnO, CaO, MgO, and WO4 oxides, which differ significantly in their physical and chemical properties. It has been found that the dependence of synthesis efficiency on the electron beam power density and the power density threshold at which synthesis begins varies significantly for simple metal oxides and is very close for the tungstates of these metals. The most probable explanation for the observed effect is redistribution of absorbed radiation energy. WO3 powder particles have a high absorptance of the incident electron radiation. The result is a cascade multiplication of primary electrons into secondary electrons with much lower energy. Secondary electrons are efficiently absorbed by MgO, CaO, and ZnO particles, leading to their efficient decomposition and the formation of a new phase.
Shifting cultivation is a way of life and the major source of livelihood in Mizoram, Northeast India. More than 80% of the rural population traditionally practices shifting cultivation. Since production is largely subsistence-oriented, a significant proportion of people live below the poverty line. This study aims to examine the spatial and temporal changes in shifting cultivation, identify the major drivers influencing it, and analyze its implications for the economy and environment. Data were primarily collected from satellite imagery for four years—2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024—during February and March, which is the period of burning Jhum plots. The data were analyzed using Geographical Information System (GIS) tools, and changes in the area under shifting cultivation were calculated using the exponential growth rate. The study reveals that between 2009 and 2024, the area under shifting cultivation declined by more than 80%. The major factors affecting the decline of shifting cultivation were assessed. These factors were climate variability and change, shortened Jhum cycles, reduced production and productivity, increasing population, higher levels of education, inadequate markets, and greater availability of jobs. Land degradation, reduction of biological diversity and gene pool, and food insecurity were also identified as significant implications. Transforming Jhum plots into permanent agricultural land could make farming practices more sustainable and improve livelihoods.
This paper presents developments in the intelligent control of smart structures for sustainable manufacturing. This study aimed to develop advanced control approaches for the intelligent control of piezoelectric structures and suppression of oscillations. A significant achievement is the development of advanced-control algorithms. Robust control techniques, such as H-infinity control, guarantee system performance and stability in the face of uncertainties and disruptions. The addition of white noise and uncertainty to advanced finite element models is a novel aspect of this study. The outcomes of the analysis were used to present the advances made using this method. This approach is innovative because it employs intelligent control strategies that consider construction optimization by reducing the oscillations and measurement noise. By accounting for modeling uncertainty, these methods optimize construction. Optimizing smart structures makes them more sustainable and ideal for practical applications. The proposed construction is sustainable and creates an innovative design for civil and mechanical engineering applications.
Family-related factors have been consistently linked to children’s academic performance and may also be associated with academic outcomes through psychological processes. Based on this perspective, the present study investigated the association between different family factors (parental involvement, parenting styles, and family functioning) and academic performance among Chinese primary school children. In addition, the potential mediating role of anxiety was examined, as well as whether the associations between these family factors and anxiety differed by student type (students with low versus typical school performance). Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 1083 students in Grades 3–5 and their parents from three primary schools in China, with parental involvement, parenting styles, family functioning, and children’s anxiety assessed via parent-reported questionnaires, along with measures of academic performance. The results showed that parental involvement, parenting styles, and family functioning were each significantly associated with children’s academic performance, and that anxiety played an indirect role in these relationships. Student type did not significantly moderate the relationship between these family factors and anxiety. Overall, the findings highlight the relevance of both the family environment and children’s anxiety in understanding variations in academic performance, and they suggest the importance of considering family- and child-related factors in educational research.
With the global increase in the production and disposal of polymeric waste, it becomes crucial to develop sustainable solutions that promote the circular economy of recyclable materials. This work presents a technical feasibility study for the implementation of a production unit for recycled polymer pellets, using a mixture of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and Polypropylene (PP) as raw material. The proposal aims to map the complete production process, from the collection and receipt of the recycled material to the granulation and sale of the pellets, including the characterization of the materials and the necessary compatibilizers and additives. The definition of production capacity, equipment selection, and industrial layout will also be addressed. The study includes a logistical and financial analysis, even if preliminary, for a hypothetical organization located in the region of São José dos Pinhais—PR, for the processing of recycled PP-PE blend. To carry out this study, basic concepts of industrial engineering design were applied. Information on the process and characteristics of a hypothetical PP-PE formulation was obtained through bibliographic research. The study allowed for important considerations regarding the development of a basic industrial design for processing recycled polymer. Preliminary results indicate existing demand in the metropolitan region of Curitiba (southern Brazil) and potential for job creation, including the use of labor from waste pickers distributed throughout the region.
