An appraisal on various hydrogen productions and their CO₂ emissions – a comparison on the Grey, blue and green pathways

The transition to a net-zero economy requires revolutionary change to the fundamentals of economies around the world. The need to decarbonise processes affects almost every aspect of industry and society, with energy, transport, and manufacturing making up some of the most polluting sectors. Many complementary solutions must be realised to surmount such challenges, and one suggestion is the greater use of hydrogen as a fuel or feedstock. For this to occur, hydrogen production must be significantly scaled up without introducing so many emissions as to counteract improvements made downstream. Although hydrogen gas can be found in underground deposits, almost all hydrogen is produced industrially from fossil fuels, notably via steam reforming process (grey hydrogen), which is usually associated with a considerable carbon footprint. Alternative production pathways with a lower carbon footprint have been developed for large-scale production. This perspective examines the impact of large-scale grey, blue, and green hydrogen production methods and their viability as sources of a cleaner fuel for heat and electricity generation.</p

A data augmentation strategy for deep neural networks with application to epidemic modelling

In this work, we integrate the predictive capabilities of compartmental disease dynamics models with machine learning’s ability to analyze complex, high-dimensional data and uncover patterns that conventional models may overlook. Specifically, we present a proof of concept demonstrating the application of data-driven methods and deep neural networks to a recently introduced Susceptible-Infected-Recovered type model with social features, including a saturated incidence rate, to improve epidemic prediction and forecasting. Our results show that a robust data augmentation strategy trough suitable data-driven models can improve the reliability of Feed-Forward Neural Networks and Nonlinear Autoregressive Networks, providing a complementary strategy to Physics-Informed Neural Networks, particularly in settings where data augmentation from mechanistic models can enhance learning. This approach enhances the ability to handle nonlinear dynamics and offers scalable, data-driven solutions for epidemic forecasting, prioritizing predictive accuracy over the constraints of physics-based models. Numerical simulations of the lockdown and post-lockdown phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy and Spain validate our methodology.</p

A Hybrid Approach to Music Recommendations for Improving ADHD Productivity

This study explores the development of a web application designed to enhance focus, motivation, and productivity in individuals with ADHD by inte-grating music recommendation algorithms, task management tools, and note-taking features. Music recommendations were generated using a hybrid approach combining Collaborative Filtering and Content-based Filtering to create tailored playlists based on tracks users “liked” during the procedure. The application was evaluated through a systematic framework using the Pomodoro Technique, where twenty ADHD-diagnosed students (aged 18+) completed two 20-minute sessions, each followed by a 5-minute break in between. In the first session, participants were asked to listen to one of three pre-selected playlists (Lo-Fi, Classical, Binaural Beats) and indicated their preferences by liking tracks while performing focused tasks. Using participants’ selections from the first session, the recommendation model generated a personalized "For You" playlist during the break, which they engaged with under identical condi-tions in the second session. A mixed-methods analysis was then used to combine quantitative data from Likert scale ratings and qualitative feedback from open-ended responses and structured questionnaires. The results of this study revealed significant improvements in all key areas, supporting the effectiveness of personalized music recommendations in academic and professional settings. Future work will focus on refining the application and expanding the recommendation system to accommodate a broader range of musical preferences

Prioritising green logistics practices for the freight logistics industry in Malaysia

Greening the logistics industry in Malaysia is on the national agenda as the industry is the second largest source of carbon emissions. The market pressure for the industry to improve its environmental practices is increasing, while the solutions to decarbonise are considered either too costly or unfeasible to scale. This study identifies the key green logistics practices (GL) in freight logistics, and explores the prioritisation and hierarchical structure of the influential practices. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method is used to rank six key- and sub-criteria of GL, identified from the literature and validated by experts through a questionnaire survey. The relative prioritisation of the GL criteria is found to be highest for green packaging and green procurement. The relative importance of green practices is attributed to the use of technology in transportation, energy optimisation in packaging, green supplier sourcing, eco-friendly purchase and 4R1D packaging. The relatively low prioritisation of many of the other green practices suggests that sustainability is going to be a long-term goal for the freight logistics industry

Dynamic VSI Max-EWMA control chart for joint monitoring of time-between-events and amplitude in high-quality manufacturing processes

Control charting methodologies for surveillance of an event frequency and amplitude are essential in manufacturing and industrial operations. There are some existing research works regarding the independent monitoring of the two values. Nevertheless, concurrently surveillance of an event’s frequency and amplitude may prove to be more practical and effective. This study introduces the maximum exponentially weighted moving average (Max-EWMA) scheme with variable sampling interval (VSI) strategy (denoted as VSI Max-EWMA scheme) for the concurrent surveillance of both the frequency and amplitude of an event. The VSI strategy enables the VSI Max-EWMA scheme to adjust its sampling interval dynamically, switching between long and short intervals using the position of the current sample. Similar to the existing Max-EWMA scheme, the VSI Max-EWMA scheme’s statistic corresponds to the maximum of the absolute values of two EWMA statistics, i.e., one for monitoring the frequency and another for tracking the amplitude of an event. Note that the frequency is expected to conform to an exponential distribution, whereas the amplitude is anticipated to adhere to a gamma distribution. The suggested approach aims to improve the speed of identifying changes in the event’s frequency and/or amplitude. The performance analysis demonstrates that the VSI Max-EWMA scheme surpasses its existing counterparts in identifying minor and medium changes in the process based on the average time to signal (ATS) criterion. Lastly, we demonstrate the utilization of the suggested scheme by using integrated circuit chips dataset in the Electrical and Electronics industry, and demand and sales data of an automotive industry. For the integrated circuit chips dataset applied in this paper, the VSI Max-EMWA scheme detects its first OC signal at the 12.5-time units, which is quicker than the Max-EWMA scheme at 17-time units

Associations between neighborhood compactness, perceived accessibility to urban amenities, and mental distress of older adults in a high-density city

Neighborhood compactness has been identified as a sustainable approach for fostering social relationships. However, existing studies have not clearly demonstrated whether neighborhood compactness in high-density cities directly influences the mental distress of community-dwelling older adults, or whether it indirectly influences mental distress through perceived accessibility to urban amenities (PA). Using a composite score of three dimensions (depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social isolation) to measure mental distress, and applying a mediation model within a cross-sectional design involving 947 older adults (aged ≥ 60) with at least mild symptoms in Hong Kong, our findings suggest an indirect pathway between neighborhood compactness, PA, and mental distress. Neighborhood compactness was positively associated with PA (B = 7.791, p &lt; 0.001), and PA was negatively associated with mental distress (B = −0.12, p = 0.017). However, no direct impact of neighborhood compactness on mental distress was found. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that neighborhood compactness and PA supported older females but not males. These results align with our hypothesis that (1) neighborhood compactness may not always be beneficial for older adults with mental distress in high-density cities unless compactness itself enhances PA and facility usage to support community-dwelling individuals, and (2) gender differences may result in varying interactions and perceptions of urban amenities and the built environment. To support the concept of “aging in place” in the future, urban plans aimed at enhancing neighborhood compactness and its social impacts should focus on addressing social inequality, including strategies to improve urban design, social participation, and gender-specific protocols, so that older adults can achieve better community awareness, environmental satisfaction, and facility usage, ultimately reducing mental distress

Collapsed European oyster reefs must be restored at ecosystem scales

European native oyster (Ostrea edulis) reef ecosystems are collapsed but were once a dominant feature of European seascapes. Recent restoration efforts, while increasing, remain diminutive compared to the ecosystem's former extent and what is required to restore functioning oyster reef ecosystems. A functioning European native oyster reef ecosystem requires larval connectivity at the metapopulation scale to ensure sustained recovery of resilient oyster reef ecosystems and biodiversity. To meet international nature recovery targets, restoration goals must therefore move beyond consideration of native oysters as features of habitats and toward their consideration as biogenic ecosystems, several hectares in size and functionally connected. As member states of the European Union seek to develop their Nature Restoration Plans in response to the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR), it is critical in the case of European native oyster reef ecosystems, that the recently established historical baseline is referred to, such that native oyster reefs are appropriately defined for future implementation of the NRR and the EU Habitats Directive

Under-representation of ethnic minorities in the buildings sector: A qualitative study

Buildings is a challenging sector to decarbonise, responsible for around one-third of the UK’s energy use, and in dire need to upskill and diversify the workforce. Ethnic minorities remain massively underrepresented in the sector especially at higher levels, in academia and industry, which play a vital role in the development and deployment of energy-efficient technologies to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainability goals. The sector requires interventions to harness the talents of all to achieve its carbon reduction target by 2050. The study presented here aims to draw out the needs and preferences of ethnic minority professionals from academia and industry, working in the building sector, for their career progression. Through in-depth interviews, this study highlights the formal and informal support mechanisms available to these individuals and provides actionable insights for organizations and employees to improve work experiences whilst aligning with the 2050 decarbonization target

Women’s Bargaining Power and Children’s Nutritional Status: Evidence from Indonesia

Child stunting is a serious challenge in Indonesia, one of the largest middle-income countries in the world. Beyond the influence of bio-behavioral determinants, mothers’ bargaining power in the household is expected to have an overarching contribution to stunting, particularly as the primary caregivers of their children. Using a dataset from the fifth wave of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5), this study examines whether and to what extent a mother’s bargaining power influences children’s nutritional status. The study uses the instrumental variables method to correct the potential endogeneity of the mother’s bargaining power. Results suggest that children of mothers with higher intrahousehold bargaining power have a lower prevalence of stunting and better anthropometric outcomes. However, other members of the household matter, in the sense that improved outcomes are evidenced when the mother exercises her choice in decision making in a more consensual manner, by consultation with other household members.HIGHLIGHTS- In Indonesia, higher women’s bargaining power enhances child nutritional long-term outcomes.- Child nutrition improves when women make decisions jointly with other family members.- Boys appear to be the main beneficiaries of mothers’ higher bargaining power.- Policies to increase women’s agency need to consider family support and social norms

Inter-individual differences in the blood pressure lowering effects of dietary nitrate: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled replicate crossover trial

Purpose: Dietary nitrate supplementation increases nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and reduces blood pressure (BP). Inter-individual differences in these responses are suspected but have not been investigated using robust design, e.g., replicate crossover, and appropriate statistical models. We examined the within-individual consistency of the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on NO biomarkers and BP, and quantified inter-individual response differences.Methods: Fifteen healthy males visited the laboratory four times. On two visits, participants consumed 140ml nitrate-rich beetroot juice (~14.0mmol nitrate) and, on the other two visits, they consumed 140ml nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (~0.03mmol nitrate). Plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations were measured 2.5 hours post-supplementation. NP was measured pre- and 2.5 hours post-supplementation. Between-replicate correlations were quantified for the placebo-adjusted post supplementation plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and pre-to-post changes in BP. Within-participant linear mixed models and meta-analytic approach estimated participant-by-condition treatment response variability.Results: Nitrate-rich beetroot juice supplementation elevated plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and reduced systolic (mean:-7mmHg, 95%CI: -3 to -11mmHg) and diastolic (mean:-6mmHg, 95%CI: -2 to -9mmHg) BP versus placebo. The participant-by-condition interaction response variability from the mixed model was ±7mmHg (95%CI: 3 to 9mmHg) for systolic BP and consistent with the treatment effect heterogeneity =± 7mmHg (95%CI: 5 to 12mmHg) derived from the meta-analytic approach. The between-relicate correlations were moderate-to-large for plasma nitrate, nitrite and systolic BP (r=0.55 to 0.91).Conclusions: The effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on NO biomarkers and systolic BP varied significantly from participant to participant. The causes of this inter-individual variation deserve further investigation. Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05514821. <br/