Current courier networks in metropolitan areas are characterised by utilising fleets of vans that perform collection and distribution routes independently. This results in long stem distances, low ...load factors and high environmental costs. Joint delivery systems have the potential to reduce the distances of pick-up and drop-off routes. In this context, parcel lockers can be utilised to transfer goods between vans, electrical vehicles and bikes to improve the efficiency and sustainability of courier networks. This paper presents a model for designing joint delivery networks in urban areas by utilising parcel lockers. This model has a two-level structure: the lower level dealing with multi-depot capacitated vehicle routing problems (MDCVRP) for a set of depots and lockers whilst the upper level being a (minimum-cost) parcel network flow problem (PNFP) considering goods delivered between depots and lockers and the selection of lockers' positions and sizes. A hybrid algorithm integrating a Genetic Algorithm with the Lin-Kernighan Heuristic has been developed. The GA focuses on finding solutions for the PNFP. Once the paths of parcel flow are determined, the LKH optimises vehicle flow. This paper is the first to consider the use of parcel lockers for business-to-business networks in the form of MDCVRP.
Liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique was employed to prepare α-Fe2O3 films for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants. The obtained LPD films were characterized by various surface ...analysis techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that α-Fe2O3 films with porous structure were successfully deposited on the titanium substrates by the LPD process. The UV–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (DRS) analysis showed that the obtained LPD α-Fe2O3 film mainly absorbed visible light, which was advantageous to the utilization of solar energy. Under visible light illumination, the Fe2O3 film electrodes exhibited sensitive photocurrent responses, which were affected by the calcination temperature. Consistent with the photocurrent analysis, the α-Fe2O3 film calcined at 600 °C showed the best photoelectrocatalytic performance, and different organic pollutants such as methyl orange (MO) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) were effectively degraded over the LPD film electrode by photoelectrocatalytic treatment under visible light illumination.
Display omitted
•α-Fe2O3 film is prepared by liquid phase deposition process.•LPD α-Fe2O3 film has a porous structure and absorbs visible light.•Calcination temperature shows a significant effect on the PEC performance of α-Fe2O3 film.•α-Fe2O3 film is efficient for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants.
Liquid phase deposition (LPD) technique was employed to prepare alpha -Fe sub(2)O sub(3) films for photoelectrocatalytic degradation of pollutants. The obtained LPD films were characterized by ...various surface analysis techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that alpha -Fe sub(2)O sub(3) films with porous structure were successfully deposited on the titanium substrates by the LPD process. The UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopic (DRS) analysis showed that the obtained LPD alpha -Fe sub(2)O sub(3) film mainly absorbed visible light, which was advantageous to the utilization of solar energy. Under visible light illumination, the Fe sub(2)O sub(3) film electrodes exhibited sensitive photocurrent responses, which were affected by the calcination temperature. Consistent with the photocurrent analysis, the alpha -Fe sub(2)O sub(3) film calcined at 600 degreesC showed the best photoelectrocatalytic performance, and different organic pollutants such as methyl orange (MO) and p-nitrophenol (PNP) were effectively degraded over the LPD film electrode by photoelectrocatalytic treatment under visible light illumination.
•PHM framework for advanced manufacturing paradigms requires accurate health prognostics.•Mass customization policies integrate production and maintenance for batch orders.•Reconfigurable ...manufacturing policies are designed to adapt to system reconfigurations.•Sustainable manufacturing policies optimize the energy-efficient assets health management.•Service-oriented manufacturing policies achieve profit maximization and dispatching reduction.
Manufacturing paradigms have played their important roles in modern industry. In recent 20 years, production systems of advanced manufacturing paradigms (e.g. mass customization, reconfigurable manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing and service-oriented manufacturing) have been developed to exceed the traditional “mass production” paradigm. The reasons that make system health management especially difficult include individual machine deteriorations, different system structures, diverse production characteristics and exponential scheduling complexity. To address these gaps, we provide a review of the prognostics and health management (PHM) field focusing on prognostics approaches for asset health, and maintenance policies for more “informed” decisions. This paper addresses recent advances in PHM for advanced manufacturing paradigms to forecast health trends, avoid production breakdowns, reduce maintenance cost and achieve rapid decision-making. Furthermore, an in-depth look at future research interests is provided.
A new class of dual metal and N doped carbon catalysts with well‐defined porous structure derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has been developed as a high‐performance electrocatalyst for ...oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Furthermore, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) device based on the as‐prepared Ni/Co and N codoped carbon as air cathode catalyst achieves a maximum power density of 4335.6 mW m−2 and excellent durability.
Catalytic pyrolysis has been emerging as a promising strategy to tackle solid pollution induced by waste plastics, whereas achieving high selectivity of targeted products like valuable light ...aromatics remains a huge challenge. In this work, a novel protocol that combing waste plastic conversion and greenhouse gas CO2 utilization was proposed for the first time. Different metal (Fe, Ni, Co, Mn, Ag, and Cu)-modified HZSM-5 zeolites were fabricated and then used as catalysts for the catalytic pyrolysis of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with CO2 as the reaction atmosphere. The introduction of CO2 enhanced the selectivity of aromatic hydrocarbons from LDPE catalytic pyrolysis in comparison with a N2 atmosphere, and a high liquid yield of more than 70% containing aromatic hydrocarbons, alkanes, and olefins was obtained with CO2 catalytic conversion to CO over a nickel-modified HZSM-5 catalyst. In addition, the total selectivity of aromatics was 56.82% with that of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) being 43.63% at 550 °C. Compared with untreated HZSM-5, the metal-modified HZSM-5 catalyst also enhanced anticoking performance during catalytic reactions with the assistance of active CO2 molecules. Besides, the involved catalytic reaction mechanism was also interpreted. The current work may offer a fresh route to the chemical recycling of waste plastics with simultaneous green CO2 reutilization, advancing the development of catalytic conversion of hydrogen-rich solid waste into value-added products.
Our understanding of the biogeochemistry of mercury (Hg) in high-altitude aquatic environments remains limited. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is one of the Earth’s most significant continental-scale high ...lands, yet much remains unknown about the Hg bioaccumulation and biomagnification in these pristine ecosystems. In this study, 166 wild fish samples of 13 species were collected from 13 rivers and lakes across the southern TP. Total Hg (THg) and methyl-Hg (MeHg) concentrations in the axial muscle of fish ranged from 25.1 to 1218 ng g–1 of wet weight (median ± average deviation of 100.5 ± 149.2 ng g–1) and from 24.9 to 1196 ng g–1 of wet weight (median ± average deviation of 90.7 ± 137.0 ng g–1), respectively. Hg concentrations varied greatly within and between species. The fish Hg concentrations were then linked to the limited available environmental Hg data and special geochemical characteristics in the region, such as Hg loading, pH, low temperature, and high ultraviolet (UV). The long lifespan and slow growth of the fish under the low-productivity environments may be the major biological factors that help to build up the fish Hg levels comparable to those observed in wild fish growing in human-impacted areas. δ13C signals suggested that pelagic fish had higher Hg concentrations, but no relationship was found between the Hg concentrations and the trophic levels. Zooplankton and benthic amphipods had typically higher percentages of MeHg compared to the previously reported values, suggesting the efficient transfer of MeHg from the base of the aquatic food web. This study sheds some light on the geochemical and biological controls of Hg bioaccumulation in fish and biomagnification in the aquatic food web in arid high-altitude environments.
It was common for brands to use different numbers of endorsers in marketing practice. Nevertheless, research on brand endorsers' quantity has not yielded a uniform consensus. The previous research ...about brand endorsers mainly focuses on the appeal of endorsement, brand category, and endorser characteristics, paying less attention to the impact of cultural factors, particularly self-construal. This study delves into selecting brand endorsers across diverse cultural regions for the same brand.
Drawing on the principles of self-consistency theory and self-construal theory, our research, conducted through three distinct experiments, reveals that consumers tend to hold more favorable opinions about brands endorsed by a single individual. Furthermore, self-consistency emerges as a crucial mediating factor in this phenomenon. Additionally, self-construal is an essential factor among consumers from various cultural backgrounds.
Consumers with an independent self-construal exhibit more favorable brand perceptions when it comes to single-endorser brands compared to their counterparts with an interdependent self-construal. Conversely, individuals with an interdependent self-construal demonstrate a more positive disposition towards brands with multiple endorsers than those with an independent self-construal.
This research not only enriches and extends our theoretical understanding of the impact of the number of brand endorsers on consumer brand attitudes but also provides valuable practical insights for optimizing the selection of brand endorsers for companies.
PDF
