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Introduction: Efficient resource management is essential for enhancing organizational performance; however, its implementation in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) has received limited academic attention. Taking into account these obvious reasons, this study aims to investigate the influence of resource management practices on the performance of micro and small enterprises in Werabe Town, Ethiopia. Methods: We distributed a structured questionnaire to 265 randomly selected small business operators. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data. Results: The findings indicate low overall MSE performance, driven by inadequate financial, human resource, material, and information management practices. Based on regression analysis, these four factors explain 64.3% of the variations in performance, showing that they have a positive and statistically significant effect. Conclusion: Therefore, improving financial planning, cash flow, and working capital management is crucial for maintaining efficient financial operations. However, financial efficiency alone is not enough; a formal HR planning process, a well-defined job description, carrying out a recruiting and selection, and establishing a pay system are equally crucial. Additionally, streamlining material requirement planning, procurement processes, and inventory control systems ensures resource availability and operational efficiency. Furthermore, pre-made and streamlined information management software is appropriate to improve the flow of information for better decision-making across financial, human, and material resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverse opals with spherical morphologies, fabricated to accommodate a diverse range of material systems, are of significant importance for applications requiring particle-dispersed functional materials with photonic management capabilities. In this paper, hierarchical microspheres (HMs) with tier-1 diameters ranging from 5 μm to 250 μm, and silica or polystyrene as tier-2 microspheres of various diameters, are prepared using microfluidic methods and used as templates for spherical inverse opals. Hierarchical microsphere-based inverse opals (HMIOs), made from various individual materials such as Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZnO, SiO₂, Bi₂O₃, and g-C₃N₄, as well as from composites like Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ and Al₂O₃/TiO₂, are obtained using atomic layer deposition, sol-gel filling, and chemical vapor deposition methods. The wavelength of the reflection peaks induced by the photonic stop band is primarily determined by the periodicity of the pores, while the reflection peak intensity in HMIOs depends on the orderliness of the pores, which increases with their primary diameter. Among the materials, Bi₂O₃/g-C₃N₄ HMIOs exhibit the best photocatalytic degradation performance due to the matched energy levels. MXene-incorporated hydrogenated TiO₂ HMIOs, produced through microfluidic processing, also demonstrate an enhanced photocatalytic degradation rate, which is 1.74 times higher than that of the corresponding material without MXene. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study to investigate the accessibility and frequency of use of magnification systems in endodontics and to evaluate the economic and logistical factors. Methods: A survey comprising of 34 questions, created in Survey Monkey, was sent to 874 clinicians. The survey consisted of three main sections: demographic information, the use of magnification systems, and financial factors. Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests were performed. Results: Of the participants, 42.3% were endodontists, and 57.7% were postgraduate students in endodontics. Nearly 26.1%, 32.7%, and 41.1% reported using a dental operating microscope (DOM), a loupe, and no magnification system, respectively. When asked how long it would take to recoup the cost of the DOM, considering additional charges or patient preferences, the most common response (40%) was 1–2 years. Conclusion: Although the use of magnification systems has become quite widespread today, it is important to increase their use further. The procurement and use of DOMs have not created a long-term financial burden for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining large-sized flaky alumina and spherical alumina as thermally conductive fillers in thermal management materials can effectively establish heat-conducting pathways and significantly increase the system's heat conduction value. Conventional preparation processes typically produce flaky alumina with a small size and a low diameter-to-thickness ratio, often failing to meet the requirements for applications as thermally conductive fillers. By combining the conventional molten salt method with gas-phase fluoride ions, this study produced large-sized, flaky α-Al2O3 with a diameter ranging from 10 to 50 μm, a thickness of 200–500 nm, and a diameter-to-thickness ratio between 80 and 150. This study revealed that as the size of the flaky alumina increases, so does the thermal conductivity value, but the viscosity also rises, and the limit filling rate decreases. When 3% of the large-sized flaky alumina was added to the compounded thermal conductive filler system, the thermal conductivity of the gel increased by 25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant progress has been made in the development of potential therapies for diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the availability of effective clinical treatments remains limited. Herein, we introduce a novel silk-based bioactive material, TPSF, developed by sequentially conjugating Tempol and phenylboronic acid pinacol ester to silk fibroin. This innovative reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging material not only effectively eliminates free radicals and hydrogen peroxide but also readily self-assembles into nanoparticle forms (TPSN). In vitro experiments have demonstrated that TPSN exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activities and cytoprotective effects against ROS-mediated damage. Consistently, in murine models of acute lung and kidney injury, TPSN outperforms the small-molecule antioxidant NAC, exhibiting superior therapeutic efficacy. Mechanistically, TPSN has the capability to reprogram M1-like macrophages toward an M2-like state. Importantly, biocompatibility assays confirm that TPSN has good safety profiles. Consequently, TPSN, characterized by its favorable protective effects and excellent biocompatibility, exhibits considerable promise as a therapeutic intervention for inflammation-related diseases. This innovative strategy, which incorporates multifunctional antioxidant components into the silk fibroin matrix, effectively addresses oxidative stress and acute inflammation. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of modified silk fibroin materials in the management and mitigation of inflammation-led tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Group housing of sows has been extensively studied since the EU banned gestation crating. Well-managed group-housing promotes sow welfare, but the impact varies based on factors such as feeding, group characteristics, and environmental features. Adequate floor space, particularly directly post-mixing, is crucial for social interactions, natural behaviours, and to reduce injuries caused by aggression. The aim of this study was to compare two group-housing systems for gestating sows with respect to productivity, treatment frequency, and removal of sows. Both systems were static but differed in space allowance, quantity of enrichment material and feeding management. System I comprised of large sized pens with deep litter straw bedding, housing in total 40 sows, and System II of smaller sized pens with permanent access to straw, housing 8 to 10 sows. Results: The mean parity number was 3.1 ± 1.3 in both groups. Sows housed in System I with large groups (n = 40) in large pens with deep litter straw gave birth to 16.8 ± 0.33 (Least Squares Means, LSM) piglets, compared to 15.4 ± 0.31 (LSM) for sows in System II kept in smaller groups (n = 8–10) in smaller pens (p = 0.0005). Medical treatments of sows were more frequent (p < 0.001) in System II. The incidence of replacement of sows was comparable in both systems, and there was a high occurrence of sows becoming pregnant during the subsequent insemination in both groups. Conclusions: This study indicated that sows kept in larger groups provided with a larger floor space (a total area of 156 m2, corresponding to 3.9 m2 per sow) and housed on deep straw had a higher number of liveborn and weaned piglets and lower incidence of antibiotic treatments than sows with less floor space (a total area of 24.5 m2, corresponding to 2.5–3.1 m2 per sow) and less bedding/manipulable material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the understanding of life and death among the Iku (Arhuaco) Indigenous people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in northern Colombia. The content presents the findings of research conducted within the Indigenous territory from 2018 to 2020, which facilitated an exploration of the conceptions, material and spiritual practices that the Arhuacos engage in daily around these two concepts. Through ethnographic work and a review of anthropological literature on the Sierra Nevada, the article exposes what I propose to understand as Iku vitality, a notion that expresses the intrinsic connection between materiality and spirituality in the Arhuaco worldview. This connection has a particular continuity with the concept of death and, through experiences in the territory, takes on different expressions that can be interpreted systematically through ethnographic coexistence and various cultural practices employed by the Arhuaco people for the ritual and social management of material loss. This work follows methodological and epistemological principles of an anthropology that, in contexts of death and violence, is dedicated to listening, understanding, and highlighting local interpretations that emerge as comprehensive factors of life's fractures, as well as the forms, times, spaces, and social resources available to confront and reconstruct them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European biobanking infrastructure BBMRI-ERIC was established in the context of European Union science policy to facilitate collaboration between European repositories of biological samples and associated data, or so-called biobanks. To allow the exchange of research materials, the infrastructure has created several platforms for quality management and making materials visible and accessible. In this article, I develop the metaphor of mapping to explore the workings of these platforms. I consider maps as devices for giving directions, as representations of science, and as (symbolic) outlines of the territory of Europe to explore how BBMRI-ERIC's activities in quality management and IT-platforms for making materials visible and accessible (aim to) facilitate circulation. Across the different platforms, efforts to harmonize and integrate European biobanking activities confront both scientific and European tendencies toward fragmentation. The map of a European biobanking community drawn by BBMRI-ERIC consequently both makes and unmakes Europe sketching a Europe of both harmonization and fragmentation. In laying bare these paradoxical effects of the construction of a European biobanking infrastructure, using mapping as a lens shows how, rather than realizing its much-cited role as a "facilitator" for research, BBMRI-ERIC embodies key tensions at the center of efforts to advance "data-based" (big) science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the overall framework of the intelligent electrical sporadic materials management system based on the ubiquitous Internet of Things. The system includes storage equipment and an intelligent management terminal. It makes optimal design for storage equipment and intelligent management terminals. The dynamic modeling of a three-layer supply chain system of power materials is constructed and composed of manufacturers, suppliers, and raw materials. The inventory control strategy of each link in the supply chain of power materials under different cooperation levels is studied by introducing the corresponding adjustment variables. Through the experiment and analysis of the system, it is proved that the system has good performance in label management, resource management, inventory management, disposal management, system management and essential management. The number of concurrent users, response speed, stability and other aspects of the system are excellent. The database is complete, independent, and secure. And the data is objectively reasonable and repairable. The system can lay a specific technical foundation for intelligent management of electrical sporadic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the increasing complexity of natural disasters has highlighted the limitations of existing emergency material assistance systems. To address these challenges, this study proposes a collaborative adaptation mechanism for "peacetime and emergency integration" and develops a supplier evaluation framework. The framework incorporates multi-dimensional indicators such as profit, business credit, regional advantages, and emergency capability. Using a DEMATEL-ANP-based model, supplier L2 is identified as the optimal choice with a weight of 0.285. A fuzzy comprehensive assessment approach is applied to classify emergency materials based on demand urgency, identifying drinking water, rescue tools, medical supplies, and other critical items as priority resources. The evaluation vectors for these materials range from 0.1540 to 0.9909. This study enhances emergency material management through improved information systems, a better control of critical processes, and a unified assurance strategy. It provides theoretical support and practical guidance for more scientific and standardized disaster management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In recent decades, significant advances in information and communication technologies have provided new opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health systems around the world. One of these technologies has great potential for transformation in health management: blockchain technology. By providing a secure, transparent, and immutable platform for storing and transferring information, blockchain can help solve many of the challenges health systems face, including rising costs, insurance fraud, and problems in managing medical records. Therefore, the goal was to design a treatment cost management model based on blockchain technology in Iran's health system. Materials & Methods: The present research was conducted using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. In 2024, the research community comprised professors and senior managers of the health system; based on the data saturation level, the snowball sampling method selected 15 individuals. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis and the Clark and Brown method using MAXQDA software. Results: 14 basic themes were identified in the form of 7 organizing themes and 1 overarching theme, which include economic factors, technological factors, regulatory factors, risk and legal factors, information system management, supply chain and logistics, and management and optimization. Conclusion: Blockchain technology can play an effective role in improving the quality of health services and reducing the financial burden on Iran's health system by improving the management of treatment costs. Investing in this technology and trying to solve the existing challenges can lead to a positive change in the country's health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray Surface Mounted Chip Counter (X-SMDCC) relies on a counting algorithm to count the number of surface-mounted chips, enabling convenient and fast counting. It is an efficient auxiliary equipment for SMT material management. However, most existing counting algorithms use crowd counting algorithms for fine-tuning, without designing a special structure to optimize processing based on the differences and characteristics of data in crowd counting and X-SMDCC, leading to inaccurate counting results under the condition of chip scale change or adhesion. In this work, we propose a cell extraction network to address the issues of scale difference and adhesion, which improves the counting accuracy of X-SMDCC. Firstly, we present a scale-favoring module to handle scale differences between different images, as we notice that the scale difference only appears between different images. Furthermore, we propose a cell extraction module to process adhesive regions since we discovered that the human eye can process adhesive regions through comparison while labeling data. Additionally, we recommend using a shape-constrained inverse distance transform map as a learning target. We conducted numerous experiments on the SMD-Chip-179 dataset and found that our method is significantly superior to current advanced counting methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main features of early caries are the massive colonization of cariogenic bacteria and demineralization of tooth enamel by the acids that they produce. Owing to the lack of effective treatments, the development of anticaries therapeutics with both antimicrobial and remineralizing properties is urgently required. Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNs) are ideal therapeutics for the treatment of early caries because they can mediate photothermal antibacterial activity and subsequently promote remineralization by generating PO43−. However, the dynamic and wet environment of the oral cavity prevents the long‐term adhesion of BPNs to the tooth surface. In this study, using catechol‐modified chitosan and PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA as raw materials, a mussel‐inspired versatile hydrogel, BP@CP5, is presented that can be used to physically load BPNs. BP@CP5 has exceptional injectability and can firmly adhere to tooth surfaces for up to 24 h. Upon irradiation, BP@CP5 can quickly eliminate ≈99% of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis; furthermore, the PO43− generated via degradation also promotes rapid remineralization of enamel slabs. Importantly, the vivo rodent caries modeling results further confirm the excellent caries‐prevention properties of BP@CP5. This study demonstrates that BP@CP5 is a promising anticaries material for caries management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify critical issues in artisanal bakery and pastry production in Italy that could improve food safety and quality. Fifteen voluntary Italian companies underwent on-site inspections and interviews from 2018 to 2021. The inspection concerned the production site characteristics, processing flows, materials, and personnel to pinpoint potential product contamination and record objective data collection through a 126-question demerit scoring system. The examined areas encompassed various aspects, such as the point of sale, management of raw materials and packaging, hygiene practices, finished product quality, sanitization procedures, external spaces, personnel, and other factors impacting food safety and hygiene. Additionally, assessments of the microbiological air quality were carried out. Two cohorts (six and nine companies in 2018-2019 and in 2020-2021, respectively) revealed critical issues in warehouse/packaging (70% non-compliance), finished product/cooling (50% non-compliance), and people/products flow (38% non-compliance). Site visits identified pest management and raw material handling challenges. Significant airborne mold and yeast contamination (30-50 colony-forming units/plate/h) were observed in areas near processing sites or with air turbulence. This study facilitated constructive discussions and proposed solutions with the participating companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a new Lean Logistics tool specifically designed for Engineer and Design-To-Order (ETO and DTO) industrial environments. The new tool, namely Plan For Every Order (PFEO), conceptually derives from the well-known Plan For Every Part used in the automotive serial production context. PFEO is proposed as a tool for industrialization, focusing on the design and logistics optimization of internal material flows at ETO and DTO plants. In the paper, the principles, and concepts behind PFEO are presented and developed. The tool collects information on both suppliers and materials, improving both the management of materials and spaces and communication between the company and suppliers. The operability of the tool is proven in a real business case involving an shipyard. The PFEO has provided a solid database for the development of auxiliary monitoring and visualization tools, the application of which increases order in the warehouse and assembly areas and reduces costs and errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil–water characteristics curves (SWCC) have proved useful in estimating parameters used in modeling unsaturated geotechnical properties of soils including permeability and strength. Either saturation, gravimetric, and instantaneous and initial volumetric water content designation can be used to develop SWCCs. Studies have shown that any of the designations will give good estimates for soils that do not undergo volume change with suction change whereas, for soils that undergo substantial volume change, only saturation and instantaneous volumetric water content designation obtained by incorporating shrinkage curves can give correct estimates. Transition oil sands tailings have fines content that cannot be categorized as sandy or fine materials, and research on volume change with suction change in these materials is limited. In this study, HyProps, Tempe cells, and a chilled-mirror water potential meter were used to measure suction and corresponding water contents for samples that were prepared by mixing coarse sand and Fluid Tailing by ratios that mimic transition zone tailings. Shrinkage tests were also performed to observe the extent of volume change with suction increase. Air Entry Values (AEV) estimated from SWCCs based on gravimetric water content were found to be lower than those estimated from saturation-based SWCCs due to substantial volume changes in these materials with suction increase. The use of saturation water content designation is recommended in estimating AEV for transitional oil sands tailings. This is useful information in predicting the long term unsaturated geotechnical behavior of these materials for environmental management and safety purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the factors that affect how materials age is essential for creating a durable product with long-lasting properties. It is also important to prioritize defining aging parameters that reflect the real-world conditions the materials will encounter. For this study, a range of swimwear materials were selected consisting of a blend of polymer (polyamide/polyester) and elastane in varying ratios. In order to simulate aging conditions, materials were immersed in chlorinated outdoor pool water during the summer season, either in shade or the sun, for 200 and 300 h. The materials were tested for mass per unit area, thickness, tensile properties, and moisture management. A slight mass per unit area increase was observed, rising from 1.0% after 200 h of chlorine and sunlight exposure to 3.7% after 300 h. Thickness increased by 1.7% after 200 h and 3.2% after 300 h of chlorine exposure, with no significant effect of sunlight. Breaking force dropped by 12.4% after 200 h in chlorine and 8.2% in chlorine and sunlight, becoming more pronounced after 300 h (65.7% in chlorine and 65.1% in chlorine and sunlight). The overall moisture management capability declined from 0.4888 to 0.3457 after 200 h in chlorine and 0.3393 with sunlight, dropping further after 300 h to 0.3838 and 0.3253, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, twin stacker crane units have been increasingly integrated into large automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) in shipyards to enhance operational efficiency. These common rail units often encounter conflicts, and the additional time costs incurred during collision avoidance significantly diminish AS/RS efficiency. Therefore, addressing the twin stacker cranes' scheduling problem (TSSP) with a collision-free constraint is essential. This paper presents a novel approach to identifying and avoiding collisions by approximating the stacker crane's trip trajectory as a triangular envelope. Utilizing the collision identification equation derived from this method, we express the collision-free constraint within the TSSP and formulate a mixed-integer programming model. Recognizing the multimodal characteristics of the TSSP objective function, we introduce the dung beetle optimizer (DBO), which excels in multimodal test functions, as the foundational framework for a heuristic optimizer aimed at large-scale TSSPs that are challenging for exact algorithms. To adapt the optimizer for bi-level programming problems like TSSPs, we propose a double-layer code mechanism and innovatively design a binary DBO for the binary layer. Additionally, we incorporate several components, including a hybrid initialization strategy, a Cauchy–Gaussian mixture distribution neighborhood search strategy, and a velocity revision strategy based on continuous space discretization, into the improved dung beetle optimizer (IDBO) to further enhance its performance. To validate the efficacy of the IDBO, we established a numerical experimental environment and generated a series of instances based on actual environmental parameters and operational conditions from an advanced AS/RS in southeastern China. Extensive comparative experiments on various scales and distributions demonstrate that the components of the IDBO significantly improve algorithm performance, yielding stable advantages over classical algorithms in solving TSSPs, with improvements exceeding 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Germany, demand for platelet transfusion is maintained or even increasing, despite a decrease in whole blood donations observed in the last decade. The shelf-life of platelet concentrates (PCs) in Germany is 4 days, which can be extended to 5 days if appropriate safety measures are used. This short shelf-life leads to decreased PC availability. Methods: We investigated the impact of PC shelf-life extension on PC shortage, using a mathematical simulation model based on the PC production and delivery statistics of the Frankfurt Institute of the German Red Cross Transfusion Service of Baden-Württemberg-Hessen. We used a 2.2-year dataset for PC production and delivery as input data for a Monte Carlo inventory management simulation, focusing on PC shortage. The model generated the daily stock (expressed as mean number of PC units ± standard deviation), mean PC age at release, mean number of expired PC units, and shortage rates (i.e., requiring the release of more PCs than available), overall and by PC blood group. Results: Over 2.2 years, a total of 74,322 PC units were produced and 62,178 units were released at the Frankfurt Institute; the overall overproduction rate was 19.5%. Shortage rates decrease with an increase in PC shelf-life and/or increase in overproduction rates. At an overproduction rate of 20%, shortage rates would be reduced from 2.8% for a 4-day shelf-life to 0.7%, 0.3%, and 0.2%, for shelf-life lengths of 5, 6, and 7 days, respectively. Extending the PC shelf-life to 6 or 7 days would eliminate shortages almost entirely, including for rare bloods. Conclusion: These results can inform blood services and regulatory authorities on the potential medical and economic impact of extending PC shelf-life to 6 or 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid miniaturization and high degree of integration of modern electronic devices, there is an increasing demand for high-performance polymer-based thermal management materials. SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) are very promising fillers benefiting from their large aspect ratio and ease of constructing thermally conductive networks. However, the traditional random mixing method allows the SiCNWs to form a thermally conductive network only through physical overlap, resulting in a high interfacial thermal resistance. To address this problem, an innovative strategy for in-situ generating continuous network composed of SiCNWs was proposed in this study, in which the SiCNWs was formed through impregnation-sintering process using an inexpensive polyurethane (PU) sponge as a template. The porous skeletons were sintered by numerous SiCNWs, which not only conferred more thermally conductive pathways, but also solved the problem of weak bonding at the SiCNWs random lap interface. On this basis, the SiC skeletons were further used as reinforcement to prepare epoxy (EP)-based composites. Benefiting from the continuous thermally conductive networks composed of SiCNWs, the composites achieved a thermal conductivity (TC) of ∼1.17 W m−1 K−1 at a low volume fraction of 21.18 vol%, which was 548.7 % higher than that of pure EP. In addition, the unique SiCNWs skeletons also facilitated the enhancement of mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composites, providing new insight for the preparation of innovative thermal management materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel linkages and collaborative synergy are critical components of the circular economy (CE). Industry 4.0 technologies, in particular blockchain technology (BT), have the potential to enable and facilitate such relationships. This qualitative study goes beyond earlier isolated investigations by examining micro-, meso-, and macrolevel actors in the CE with an emphasis on BT adoption. Analysis of interview data collected over three years suggests that BT might help tackling microlevel traceability issues through safe data sharing, benefiting simultaneously mesolevel entities through better material management and cost efficiency. Policymakers could use BT to standardise and make data more transparent at the macrolevel, increasing trust and public engagement. This study offers insights on how players may need to adjust and collaborate across domains for a more transparent and decentralised adoption of CE by drawing on the findings at each level. Suggestions for future research directions are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fast fashion principles and mass production within globalised supply chains are pivotal in driving the economic success of the fashion industry, but they also contribute significantly to its severe environmental impacts, which must be mitigated. Digital textile microfactories are innovative small‐scale fully digitalised design and manufacturing systems that present a promising technological solution. These offer the companies that adopt them environmental and economic advantages. However, their widespread adoption in the industry may have unintended consequences. This study hypothesises a rebound effect within the industry and proposes a qualitative modelling approach based on causal loop diagrams. We present a model for identifying rebound mechanisms that may accelerate purchases, along with a mitigation strategy emphasising the consideration of customer behaviour. The contribution of this paper is twofold: Firstly, it provides a starting point for detailed quantitative studies, and secondly, it offers insights for policy‐making towards a sustainable transition in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid advancement of Industry 4.0 necessitates close collaboration among material research institutions to accelerate the development of novel materials. However, multi-institutional cooperation faces significant challenges in protecting sensitive data, leading to data silos. Additionally, the heterogeneous and non-independent and identically distributed (non-i.i.d.) nature of material data hinders model accuracy and generalization in collaborative computing. In this paper, we introduce the MatSwarm framework, built on swarm learning, which integrates federated learning with blockchain technology. MatSwarm features two key innovations: a swarm transfer learning method with a regularization term to enhance the alignment of local model parameters, and the use of Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) with Intel SGX for heightened security. These advancements significantly enhance accuracy, generalization, and ensure data confidentiality throughout the model training and aggregation processes. Implemented within the National Material Data Management and Services (NMDMS) platform, MatSwarm has successfully aggregated over 14 million material data entries from more than thirty research institutions across China. The framework has demonstrated superior accuracy and generalization compared to models trained independently by individual institutions. Industry 4.0 requires collaboration among material research institutions, but data silos hinder progress. Here the authors present MatSwarm, a swarm-learning framework that integrates secure computing and data sharing in the National Material Data Management and Services (NMDMS) platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root canal perforations are frequent but critical complications in endodontic treatments, which can pose a risk of irreversible damage to the affected tooth. These perforations typically occur during root canal preparation or endodontic post placement, presenting significant therapeutic challenges. The main objective in the management of such complications is to seal the perforation, thus preventing bacterial invasion and tooth loss. This report details the case of a 70‐year‐old patient with a perforation in the palatal wall of the middle root section of tooth #11. The treatment approach involved magnification techniques and the application of a bioactive material known as Biodentine. This case underscores the critical role of accurate radiographic evaluation and the use of biocompatible materials in the management of root perforations. Despite inherent challenges, proper diagnosis and planning, combined with appropriate techniques and materials, can lead to satisfactory results, effectively preserving the structure of the tooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilium lancifolium Thunb. is a herbal medicine that is widely used to treat inflammation and lung diseases. In this study, a simultaneous quantitative method was developed for the quality control of BLL using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (HPLC–PDA), and their antioxidant effects were evaluated. Eight regalosides (i.e., regaloside A, B, C, E, F, H, I, and K) were selected as marker substances and separated on a Gemini C18 reversed-phase analytical column by gradient elution with distilled water–acetonitrile mobile phase containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. The method was validated with respect to linearity, sensitivities (limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ)), accuracy, and precision. The antioxidant effects of the extract and each component were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and 2-2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. The coefficients of determination values used as indicators of linearity for all components were ≥0.9999. LOD and LOQ concentrations were 0.10–0.66 μg/mL and 0.29–2.01 μg/mL, respectively. The recovery was 95.39–103.925% (relative standard deviation; RSD ≤ 2.55%), and precision RSD was <2.78%. The HPLC–PDA method was applied to real samples, and all components were detected at 1.12–29.76 mg/freeze-dried g. The evaluation of antioxidant effects showed that regalosides C, E, and K exhibited significant antioxidant effects. Our knowledge will be appropriately utilized in raw material management and conducting clinical and non-clinical studies on L. lancifolium or herbal medicine prescriptions containing L. lancifolium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy / Journal Canadien de la Pharmacie Hospitalière is the property of Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

IntroductionEfficient resource management is essential for enhancing organizational performance; however, its implementation in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) has received limited academic attention. Taking into account these obvious reasons, this study aims to investigate the influence of resource management practices on the performance of micro and small enterprises in Werabe Town, Ethiopia.MethodsWe distributed a structured questionnaire to 265 randomly selected small business operators. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data.ResultsThe findings indicate low overall MSE performance, driven by inadequate financial, human resource, material, and information management practices. Based on regression analysis, these four factors explain 64.3% of the variations in performance, showing that they have a positive and statistically significant effect.ConclusionTherefore, improving financial planning, cash flow, and working capital management is crucial for maintaining efficient financial operations. However, financial efficiency alone is not enough; a formal HR planning process, a well-defined job description, carrying out a recruiting and selection, and establishing a pay system are equally crucial. Additionally, streamlining material requirement planning, procurement processes, and inventory control systems ensures resource availability and operational efficiency. Furthermore, pre-made and streamlined information management software is appropriate to improve the flow of information for better decision-making across financial, human, and material resources.

This study examined research interest in copper materials for caries management. We conducted an exhaustive literature search of English publications on copper materials for caries management. We removed duplicate publications and screened the titles and abstracts to identify relevant publications. Then, we analyzed the bibliometric data of the publications using the Bibliometrix and VOSviewer programs. This study included 75 laboratory studies, six clinical trials, and 17 reviews. Most of the original research studied copper or copper oxide nanoparticles (45/81, 56%). The materials could be doped into topical agents, restorative fillers, dental adhesives, dental implants, and orthodontic appliances. Since the first paper was published in 1980, publication counts gradually increased and surged in 2019. Among publications on copper materials for caries management, the publication counts and citations from 2019 to 2024 accounted for 65% (64/98) and 74% (1677/2255) over the last 45 years. Cocitation analysis revealed that the two main keywords were nanoparticles and antibacterial activity, and their burst strengths (period) were 3.84 (2021–2024) and 2.21 (2020–2021). The topics of the top two publications with the highest citation burst strength (period) are the antimicrobial effect of copper oxide nanoparticles (3.14, 2021–2022) and the dental application of copper nanoparticles (2.84, 2022–2024). In conclusion, this study revealed a growing interest in copper materials for caries management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This review addresses the emerging field of automated packing cells, which lies at the intersection of robotics and packing problems. Integrating these two fields is critical for optimizing logistics and e-commerce operations. The current literature focuses on packing problems or specific robotic applications without addressing their integration. Methods: To bridge this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review of 46 relevant studies, analyzing various dimensions, including the components of robotic packing cells, the types of packing problems, the solution approaches, and performance comparisons. Results: Our review reveals a significant trend towards addressing online packing problems, which reflects the dynamic nature of logistics operations where item information is often incomplete. We also identify several research gaps, such as the need for standardized terminologies, comprehensive methodologies, and the consideration of real-world constraints in robotic algorithms. Conclusions: This review uniquely integrates insights from robotics and packing problems, providing a structured framework for future research. It highlights the importance of considering practical robotic constraints. It proposes a research structure that enhances the reproducibility and comparability of results in real-world scenarios. By doing so, we aim to guide future research efforts and facilitate the development of more robust and practical automated packing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced building facades, which include windows, walls, and roofs, hold great promise for reducing building energy consumption. In recent decades, the management of heat transfer via electromagnetic radiation between buildings and outdoor environments has emerged as a critical research field aimed at regulating solar irradiation and thermal emission properties. Rapid advancements have led to the widespread utilization of advanced micro/nanofabrication techniques. This review provides the first comprehensive summary of fabrication methods for heat management materials with potential applications in energy-efficient building facades, with a particular emphasis on recent developments in fabrication processing and material property design. These methods include coating, vapor deposition, nanolithography, printing, etching, and electrospinning. Furthermore, we present our perspectives regarding their advantages and disadvantages and our opinions on the opportunities and challenges in this field. This review is expected to expedite future research by providing information on the selection, design, improvement, and development of relevant fabrication techniques for advanced materials with energy-efficient heat management capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic hydrated salt phase change materials (PCMs) hold promise for improving the energy conversion efficiency of thermal systems and facilitating the exploration of renewable thermal energy. Hydrated salts, however, often suffer from low thermal conductivity, supercooling, phase separation, leakage and poor solar absorptance. In recent years, compounding hydrated salts with functional carbon materials has emerged as a promising way to overcome these shortcomings and meet the application demands. This work reviews the recent progress in preparing carbon-enhanced hydrated salt phase change composites for thermal management applications. The intrinsic properties of hydrated salts and their shortcomings are firstly introduced. Then, the advantages of various carbon materials and general approaches for preparing carbon-enhanced hydrated salt PCM composites are briefly described. By introducing representative PCM composites loaded with carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, graphene oxide, graphene, expanded graphite, biochar, activated carbon and multifunctional carbon, the ways that one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional and hybrid carbon materials enhance the comprehensive thermophysical properties of hydrated salts and affect their phase change behavior is systematically discussed. Through analyzing the enhancement effects of different carbon fillers, the rationale for achieving the optimal performance of the PCM composites, including both thermal conductivity and phase change stability, is summarized. Regarding the applications of carbon-enhanced hydrate salt composites, their use for the thermal management of electronic devices, buildings and the human body is highlighted. Finally, research challenges for further improving the overall thermophysical properties of carbon-enhanced hydrated salt PCMs and pushing towards practical applications and potential research directions are discussed. It is expected that this timely review could provide valuable guidelines for the further development of carbon-enhanced hydrated salt composites and stimulate concerted research efforts from diverse communities to promote the widespread applications of high-performance PCM composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Partially thrombosed aneurysms represent a subset primarily found within large and giant aneurysms. The presence of an intraluminal thrombus can cause an aneurysm to present in different shapes upon angiographic examination. We present a series of five cases of "donut-shaped" aneurysms observed over the past decade at the Clinic for Neurosurgery in the University Clinical Centre of Serbia. Materials and Methods: The management of "donut-shaped" aneurysms was accomplished through endovascular interventions, employing techniques such as the deployment of flow-diverting stents or a combination of stent placement and coil embolization. Results: Four out of five patients underwent endovascular treatment, yielding positive outcomes with complete thrombosis of the aneurysms during follow-up. The fifth patient was successfully diagnosed; however, due to their deteriorating condition, treatment was not feasible. Conclusions: Given the potential life-threatening complications associated with this entity, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial. In our cohort, endovascular interventions demonstrated efficacy in the majority of cases, underscoring the significance of this approach in treating "donut-shaped" aneurysms. Nevertheless, considering the rarity of this condition, further research is justified to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these complex intracranial vascular anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the construction industry, much of the construction process is controlled by materials, and material management has a direct impact on many performance criteria such as cost, time, quality, and efficiency. This study examined the impact on project performance of activities that make up the material management process: planning, supply, logistics, transport, stock, and waste control of building materials. Material management practices were measured using 15 criteria under five different headings, and project performance was measured using 13 criteria under three different headings, through surveys of industry personnel at various construction sites. Multiple regression analyses were performed on the data obtained. The impacts of material management practices on project time, project cost, project efficiency, and waste performance, as well as overall project performance were examined using multiple regression analyses. The analysis showed that material supply, material handling, and stock and waste control had positive impacts on overall project performance, while material planning and material logistics did not have statistically significant impacts. It is concluded that the results of the study will help to better understand the relationship between material management and project performance and will help stakeholders to improve their material management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing-oriented small companies have difficulty performing tasks such as production planning, process management, material management, and quality control suitable for small quantity production of various products to respond to diverse customer demands and changing market environments due to a lack of manpower and facilities. To solve these problems, the government is actively promoting smart factory support projects, and many small companies are participating in this project, and are building and operating MES (Manufacturing Execution System). However, most small companies are unable to build a system that suits the characteristics of the company. In other words, the introduced system is a generalpurpose platform, and MES is not being utilized properly due to the absence of IT experts, the negative perception by existing personnel, and the CEO's neglect. Accordingly, in this study, we presented the causes of MES construction failure and improvement cases of company O., a small manufacturing company located in Daejeon city, where Root Industries is the main axis. That is, major problems in the introduction and operation of existing MES were identified, and improvements derived from the perspective of production workers were applied to the field. As a result, quantitatively, an improvement of 15% to 57% was achieved in terms of productivity, quality, cost, and delivery date, and qualitatively, the workload of both managers and production workers was reduced and work could be handled more easily. These research results can be used as a practical example for the successful construction and operation of MES in Korean small manufacturers producing a large variety of products. In the future, research will be needed to successfully develop MES from the basic level to the upper level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful project delivery is essential for economic growth and infrastructure development. This study looked at construction companies’ management of materials. The improper handling of materials affects how well projects are completed. Inadequate material management could seriously hinder the realisation of projects. 291 employees from Habitat and Building Concepts Limited and Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited made up both the study's population and sample, which used descriptive survey research design. Information from the respondents via standardised questionnaire were regressed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Result shows transportation (.03+1.82), purchasing (.03+0.73), and storage (.03+1.11), had a favourable and significant impact on project delivery. While planning (03-0.15) had a negative but minor impact on project delivery. The study advises Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited and Habitat and Building Concepts Limited accordingly. Managers should manage materials adequately and decide on efficient means of transportation, procurement, and storage.

With the rapid development of electronic technology and large-scale integrated circuit devices, it is very important to develop thermal management materials with high thermal conductivity. Silicon carbide whisker-reinforced copper matrix (Cu/SiCw) composites are considered to be one of the best candidates for future electronic device radiators. However, at present, most of these materials are produced by high-temperature and high-pressure processes, which are expensive and prone to interfacial reactions. To explore the plating solution system suitable for SiCw and Cu composite electroplating, we tried two different Cu-based plating solutions, namely a Systek UVF 100 plating solution of the copper sulfate (CuSO4) system and a Through Silicon Via (TSV) plating solution of the copper methanesulfonate (Cu(CH3SO3)2) system. In this paper, Cu/SiCw composites were prepared by composite electrodeposition. The morphology of the coating under two different plating liquid systems was compared, and the mechanism of formation of the different morphologies was analyzed. The results show that when the concentration of SiCw in the bath is 1.2 g/L, the surface of the Cu/SiCw composite coating prepared by the CuSO4 bath has more whiskers with irregular distribution and the coating is very smooth, but there are pores at the junction of the whiskers and Cu. There are a large number of irregularly distributed whiskers on the surface of the Cu/SiCw composite coating prepared with the copper methanesulfonate (Cu(CH3SO3)2) system. The surface of the composite is flat, and Cu grows along the whisker structure. The whisker and Cu form a good combination, and there is no pore in the cross-section of the coating. The observation at the cross-section also reveals some characteristics of the toughening mechanism of SiCw, including crack deflection, bridging and whisker pull-out. The existence of these mechanisms indicates that SiCw plays a toughening role in the composites. A suitable plating solution system was selected for the preparation of high-performance Cu/SiCw thermal management materials with the composite electrodeposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze the importance of inventory control and management, especially regarding the components used in industrial machinery maintenance. The methodology used was based on a quantitative approach, descriptive scope, and non-experimental cross-sectional design. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Clustering techniques were employed to evaluate both the quantities consumed and the frequency of usage, to efficiently categorize the components according to their distinctive attributes. This approach is proposed as an objective guidance that will significantly contribute to improving effectiveness and sustainability in the overall management of spare parts inventories. The developed methodology allowed for a detailed description of spare parts behavior; 1,753 references of spare parts used in the maintenance of industrial equipment in a food factory during the period from the second half of 2021 to the first half of 2022. The highest production peaks were recorded during this time, highlighting consumed quantities and usage frequencies, guiding the material management teams in making decisions about spare parts storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor-quality antimicrobial medicines continue to proliferate across supply chains, threatening patients' health and safety, especially in lowand middle-income regions. This article discusses consequences and risks of antimicrobial resistance and other ways in which antimicrobial medicines can be of poor quality and recommends regulatory and policy reforms to help maintain supply chain resilience and quality of antimicrobial medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid globalization of the world economy has required companies to become increasingly competitive. One of the factors that contribute to reducing operational costs and, consequently, helps to improve company performance is inventory management and is mainly based on demand forecasting. This represents a key factor in the management of different areas of organizations, being fundamental in managing the logistics chain, especially in inventory management, customer service levels and purchasing planning. This research project aims to test the applicability of the ARIMA, exponential smoothing and Holt-winters models for forecasting demand for spare items in a company in the steel sector. The data used in this work were extracted from the SAP material management module software. The total base available was 327.924 registered items and 42.548 were analyzed as they had a consumption history from Jan/2012 to Dec/2022. A process of classifying the consumption history was carried out as Regular, erratic, intermittent and irregular. To run the prediction models, the RStudio software was used. To measure the performance of the prediction models, the MAE metric was used. The objective of the work was achieved and it was identified that the best demand forecast model was the Hot winter with trend and seasonality model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteomyelitis is a devastating disease caused by microbial infection in deep bone tissue. Its high recurrence rate and impaired restoration of bone deficiencies are major challenges in treatment. Microbes have evolved numerous mechanisms to effectively evade host intrinsic and adaptive immune attacks to persistently localize in the host, such as drug-resistant bacteria, biofilms, persister cells, intracellular bacteria, and small colony variants (SCVs). Moreover, microbial-mediated dysregulation of the bone immune microenvironment impedes the bone regeneration process, leading to impaired bone defect repair. Despite advances in surgical strategies and drug applications for the treatment of bone infections within the last decade, challenges remain in clinical management. The development and application of tissue engineering materials have provided new strategies for the treatment of bone infections, but a comprehensive review of their research progress is lacking. This review discusses the critical pathogenic mechanisms of microbes in the skeletal system and their immunomodulatory effects on bone regeneration, and highlights the prospects and challenges for the application of tissue engineering technologies in the treatment of bone infections. It will inform the development and translation of antimicrobial and bone repair tissue engineering materials for the management of bone infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, the healthcare system and the global supply chain were exposed to an unpredicted event, which increased awareness about the need of more effective strategies to support decision‐making process and to empower safety barriers. In this work, a combined scientometric and systematic review was performed to analyze tools and methodologies able to combine resilience with more traditional risk assessment, learning from the experience posed by the COVID‐19 crisis. Bibliometric and literature content analyses were carried out focusing on resilience management upon the incoming of an unexpected event. The systematic analysis of the methods and models developed on the basis of different pandemic waves provides a natural guide for future research development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of the green energy transition by reducing reliance on fossil fuels has fueled the burgeoning demand for lithium‐ion batteries in grid‐level energy storage systems and electric vehicles. The growth of portable electronic devices has also contributed to this exponential demand, creating both logistical and environmental challenges in the supply of raw materials such as lithium and the management of end‐of‐life batteries. Current recycling methods for spent batteries are both energy‐intensive and inefficient. To address these issues, a green approach using organic acid mixtures has been proposed to reclaim lithium from spent cathodes and recover and purify graphite from spent anodes, while also regenerating its structure. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through the use of organic acid mixtures to leach and reclaim lithium from NCM 622 batteries. On the anode side, a curing–leaching strategy using organic acids is employed to purify spent graphite, which is subsequently calcined to enhance its interlayer structure conducive to better intercalation of Li+ and improve electrochemical performance. Additionally, recovered graphite is tailored with carbon using water bath carbonization to repair structural defects caused by lithium intercalation and improve electrochemical performance while augmenting the regenerated graphite's quality, equipping it to be reused in batteries or upcycled applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of material management on the survival of block molding firms in a selected Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. This study collected data from 100 block molding enterprises from a population of 229 registered businesses in the block molding industry through survey research. To collect data from the respondents, a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale was used. Cronbach's Alpha was used to validate the reliability of the variables utilized in the study. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the responses were represented using a simple percentage technique. PLS-SEM was used to analyze inferential statistics. The result showed that the coefficient of material procurement (β = 0.114, t = 5.195, p = 0.05) was found to have a significant positive relationship with blockproducing-business survival. It also showed that the coefficient of inventory control (β = 0.837, t = 5.514, p = 0.05) was found to have a significant positive relationship with block-producing-business survival. The results further showed that the coefficient of material management (β = 0.965, t = 4.838, p = 0.05) was found to have a significant positive relationship with block-producing-business survival. The study concluded that a cohesive material management strategy can strengthen longevity. It advocated, among other things, that block-producing enterprises implement an integrated approach that harmonizes material procurement and inventory control in order to capitalize on the synergistic benefits of material management. This entails creating complete material management plans that optimize the whole supply chain, from sourcing to storage and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum is the pillar industry of the national economy, but safety accidents are frequent all over the world. The government attaches more importance to the safety production management of enterprises to reduce the occurrence of accidents that infringe on personal safety. The management of emergency supplies, which can effectively respond to the occurrence of safety production accidents, is a key measure for handling emergency accidents. Rapid response to accidents means reducing accident rescue costs and protecting personal and property safety. This paper proposes a material stochastic model with the randomness of accident demand for materials. The enterprise and the government can obtain the material management scheme and the quantitative evaluation standard of accident preventive measures from the model results respectively. The model covers as many accident scenarios as possible through multi-scenario modeling to reduce the impact of accident uncertainty. Finally, the feasibility is proved by an example of a petroleum enterprise in Zhoushan City. When the accident demand fluctuates randomly between 80% and 120%, the model proposes a material management scheme that the dispatching time of materials and the cost in rescue work do not exceed 31.33 min and 11.68 million CNY respectively. With the assistance of the model, the enterprise saves the cost of safe production and improves the efficiency of rescue. The government has strengthened the supervision and evaluation of enterprise safety production management. Finally, the mission of protecting the property and life safety of the people will be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the widespread application of composite materials in various industrial fields, accurate prediction of their thermal conductivity has become crucial. Traditional models, based mainly on equilibrium thermodynamics, fail to adequately describe the thermal behavior of composite materials under non-equilibrium conditions. This paper introduces a novel thermal conductivity prediction model based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics, focusing on entropy production adjustments and thermal conductivity prediction considering entropy production. By thoroughly analyzing the microstructure and interface characteristics of composite materials, this study aims to enhance the accuracy of thermal conductivity predictions and provide theoretical support for efficient thermal management of composite materials. The results indicate that this model effectively predicts the thermal conductivity of composite materials under non-equilibrium conditions, offering high practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a construction project, the need to conduct effective and efficient material management is urgent since it takes up to 60% of the project budget. Most of the material tracking uses tag-based technology by attaching RFID, GPS, or UWB to the materials. This method is found to be effective in tracking the material in construction projects. However, there is still a manual job of putting the tag into each of the materials and problems related to the signal quality and infrastructure requirements. As an alternative way to do material tracking, point cloud processing can be used. This paper aims to develop an efficient approach to accurately detect concrete pipe precast material, calculate its numbers, and produce valuable data for material inventory management. The data was taken by a mobile laser scanner of a site-specific infrastructure project in Sydney. The resulting data was sparse and occluded because it was taken only from one side to replicate the actual scanning process in a construction project. The automated process has been conducted by matching the material based on its geometric feature of the 3D material model. The proposed approach can provide some spatial information such as location (x, y, z global coordinate), orientation of each material, and the number of materials. The result can detect up to 78.5% of the material. The difference between actual and predicted global coordinates is 0.75m which is acceptable for material location in a large infrastructure project. This data can be reconstructed in a 3D detail of the site project in the Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform in its actual location. The implementation of this method serves as an initial stage toward achieving synchronization between the physical construction and its corresponding digital twin in the field of construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]