Color visually communicates the product’s flavors to consumers and further influences their taste perception. This study explores the perceived taste of tea beverages caused by the logo’s principal colors, using hand-shaken tea beverages in Taiwan as an example. To identify the linkage between the logo color and tea tastes, this study divides the taste of tea beverages into four categories: sweetness, freshness, bitterness, and astringency. Then, the 69 tea beverage logos are allocated into the 14 color sections in the CIELAB color space according to their primary colors. The Correspondence Analysis method is employed to visualize the relationships between the logos and the perceived tastes. The tea tastes are then mapped into the color sections in the CIELAB color space. The analysis results reveal that the sweetness links to logos in the Warm Scheme colors (hue angle from 0 to 59 degrees). The fresh taste is bound with the logo with the Cool White Scheme colors (hue angle from 90 to 149 degrees and brightness >80). Finally, the bitter and astringent tastes link to the logo colors in the Cold Black Scheme colors (hue angle from 60 to 89 degrees, 150 to 329 degrees, and brightness <25). This study expands the color and taste association literature from general food to tea beverages. Our obtained empirical results can be applied to hand-shaken beverage companies to select principal colors for designing logos and packages that align with tea beverages’ perceived tastes to convey brand recognition accurately.
This study investigates the viability and sustainability of proposed landfill sites based on the uncapacitated facility location problem framework utilising the SmartPLS4 Structural Equation Modelling. Investigating the Cape Coast Metropolis, a stratified sampling method selected 400 samples out of which 320 valid respondents were used as the basis for the analysis. Through statistical analysis, significant correlations were identified among community acceptance, environmental impact, facility accessibility, site sustainability, and operational efficiency. However, no significant correlation was found between economic viability and site sustainability. Furthermore, the proposed indirect mediation pathway from operational efficiency to site sustainability via facility accessibility was also statistically insignificant. Employing the use of SmartPLS4 approach in studying the application of uncapacitated facility location problem framework, deepens the understanding of landfill viability and sustainability dynamics. This research contributes to the environmental sciences and sustainability by providing insights into landfill management strategies and emphasising the importance of community engagement and environmental performance in achieving sustainable outcomes. Future research could refine the model by including additional variables like technological advancements and regulatory frameworks, conducting longitudinal studies to track landfill dynamics over time, and undertaking comparative studies across different geographical regions. This could provide insights into management approaches’ applicability. Interdisciplinary collaborations are recommended to address the multifaceted challenges of landfill sustainability.
In this work, the structural transformations of a suboxide vacuum-deposited film of SiO1.3 composition annealed in an inert atmosphere in a wide temperature range of 100 °C–1100 °C were characterized by the reflection-transmission spectroscopy technique. The experimental spectroscopic data were used to obtain the spectra of the absorption coefficient α(hν) in the absorption edge region of the film. Based on their processing, the dependences of Urbach energy EU and optical (Tauc) bandgap Eo on the annealing temperature were obtained. An assessment of the electronic band gap (mobility gap) Eg was also carried out. Analysis of these dependences allowed us to trace dynamics of thermally stimulated disproportionation of the suboxide film and the features of the formation of nanocomposites consisting of amorphous and/or crystalline silicon nanoparticles in an oxide matrix.
Traditional building heating warms entire rooms, often leaving some dissatisfied with uneven warmth. Recently, the personalized heating system has addressed this by providing targeted warmth, enhancing comfort and satisfaction. The personalized heating system in this study is a new enclosed personalized heating system consisting of a semi-enclosed heating box and an insulated chair covered with a thick blanket. The study compares the heating effects of semi-enclosed and enclosed localized heating systems on the body and examined changes in subjects’ thermal sensations. Due to the lower heat loss of the enclosed personalized heating system compared to the semi-enclosed version, it created thermal micro-environments with higher ambient temperatures. The maximum air temperature increase within the enclosed system was twice that of the semi-enclosed system, with the heating film surface temperature rising by up to 6.87 ℃. Additionally, the temperature of the skin could increase by as much as 6.19 ℃, allowing individuals to maintain thermal neutrality even when the room temperature dropped as low as 8 ℃. A two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance revealed differences in temperature sensitivity across various body regions, with the thighs showing a notably higher response under high-power heating conditions. The corrective energy and power requirements of the enclosed personalized heating system also made it more energy-efficient than other personalized heating systems, with a minimum value reaching 6.07 W/K.
Synthetic membranes play a crucial role in a wide range of separation processes, including dialysis, electrodialysis, ultrafiltration, and pervaporation, with growing interest in synthetic emulsion membranes due to their precision, versatility, and ion exchange capabilities. These membranes enable tailored solutions for specific applications, such as water and gas separation, wastewater treatment, and chemical purification, by leveraging their multi-layered structures and customizable properties. Emulsion membrane technology, particularly in pressure-driven methods like reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), has shown great potential in overcoming traditional challenges, such as fouling and energy inefficiency, by improving filtration efficiency and selectivity. This review explores the latest advancements in emulsion membrane development, their adaptability to various industrial needs, and their contribution to addressing long-standing limitations in membrane separation technologies. The findings underscore the promise of emulsion membranes in advancing industrial processes and highlight their potential for broader applications in water treatment, environmental management, and other key sectors.
Endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10,10-Hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepine-3-oxide) is an off-patent insecticide used in agricultural farms. Its usage as a pesticide has become highly controversial over the last few decades. This is due to its reported hazardous nature to health and side effects like growth retardation, hydrocephalus, and undesired changes in the male and female hormones leading to complications in sexual maturity. Endosulfan is the main culprit among all pesticide poisoning incidents around the world. Though the usage of this dreaded pesticide is banned by most countries, the high stability of this molecule to withstand degradation for a long period poses a threat to mankind even today. So, it has become highly essential to detect the presence of this poisonous pesticide in the drinking water and milk around these places. It is also advisable to check the presence of this toxic material in the blood of the population living in and around these places so that an early and appropriate management strategy can be adopted. With this aim, we have developed a sensor for endosulfan that displayed high selectivity and sensitivity among all other common analytes in water and biological samples, with a wide linear concentration range (2 fM to 2 mM), a low detection limit (2 fM), and rapid response. A citrate-functionalized cadmium-selenium quantum dot was used for this purpose, which showed a concentration-dependent fluorescence enhancement, enabling easy and sensitive sensing. This sensor was utilized to detect endosulfan in different sources of water, human blood serum, and milk samples with good recoveries. It is also noted that the quantum dot forms a stable complex with endosulfan and is easy to separate from the contaminated source, paving the way for purifying the contaminated water. More detailed tests and validation of the sensor are needed to confirm these observations.
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