In today’s manufacturing sector, high-quality materials that satisfy customers’ needs at a reduced cost are drawing attention in the global market. Also, as new applications are emerging, high-performance biocomposite products that complement them are required. The production of such high-performance materials requires suitable optimization techniques in the formulation/process design, not simply mixing natural fibre/filler, additives, and plastics, and characterization of the resulting biocomposites. However, a comprehensive review of the optimization strategies in biocomposite production intended for infrastructural applications is lacking. This study, therefore, presents a detailed discussion of the various optimization approaches, their strengths, and weaknesses in the formulation/process parameters of biocomposite manufacturing. The report explores the recent progress in optimization techniques in biocomposite material production to provide baseline information to researchers and industrialists in this field. Therefore, this review consolidates prior studies to explore new areas.

Heat transfer augmentation procedures, such as Heat Transfer Enhancement and Intensification, are commonly used in heat exchanger systems to enhance thermal performance by decreasing thermal resistance and increasing convective heat transfer rates. Swirl-flow devices, such as coiled tubes, twisted-tape inserts, and other geometric alterations, are commonly used to create secondary flow and improve the efficiency of heat transfer. This study aimed to explore the performance of a heat exchanger by comparing its performance with and without the use of twisted-tape inserts. The setup consisted of a copper inner tube measuring 13 mm in inner diameter and 15 mm in outer diameter, together with an outer pipe measuring 23 mm in inner diameter and 25 mm in outer diameter. Mild steel twisted tapes with dimensions of 2 mm thickness, 1.2 cm width, and twist ratios of 4.3 and 7.2 were utilised. The findings indicated that the heat transfer coefficient was 192.99 W/m² °C when twisted-tape inserts were used, while it was 276.40 W/m² °C without any inserts. The experimental results closely aligned with the theoretical assumptions, demonstrating a substantial enhancement in heat transfer performance by the utilisation of twisted-tape inserts. The study provides evidence that the utilisation of twisted-tape inserts resulted in a nearly two times increase in the heat transfer coefficient, hence demonstrating their efficacy in augmenting heat transfer.

It is critical for urban and regional planners to examine spatial relationships and interactions between a port and its surrounding urban areas within a region’s spatial structure. This paper seeks to develop a targeted framework of causal relationships influencing the spatial structure changes in the Bushehr port-city. Hence, the study utilizes Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs), a computational technique adept at analyzing complex decision-making processes. FCMs are employed to identify concepts that act as drivers or barriers in the spatial structure changes of Bushehr port-city, thereby elucidating the causal relationships within this context. Additionally, the study evaluates these concepts’ relative significance and interrelationships. Data was collected through interviews with ten experts from diverse backgrounds, including specialists, academics, policymakers, and urban managers. The insights from these experts were analyzed using FCMapper and Pajek software to construct a collective FCM, which depicts the influential and affected concepts within the system. The resulting collective FCM consists of 16 concepts, representing the varied perspectives and expertise of the participants. Among these, the concepts of management and planning reform, economic growth of the city-port, and port development emerged as the three most central concepts. Moreover, the effects of all influential concepts on the spatial structure change in Bushehr port-city were evaluated through simulations conducted across four different scenarios. The analysis demonstrated that the system experiences the most significant impact under the fourth scenario, where the most substantial changes are observed in commercial and industrial growth and the planning of port-city separation policies.

This study aimed to explore university students' awareness levels about entrepreneurship's role in promoting entrepreneurship in acquiring social and economic balance within Emirati society. A descriptive-analytical method was used, with data gathered from 365 participants through a questionnaire. The findings revealed that university students demonstrated a strong awareness of the impact of entrepreneurship on achieving entrepreneurship in acquiring social and economic balance equilibrium in the UAE. In particular, students from Ajman University expressed highly positive views on the entrepreneurship in fostering this balance. Additionally, the results showed no significant statistical differences in awareness levels based on gender or academic year. However, there were notable differences between students in scientific and humanities colleges, with the significance level below 0.05. The study recommends supporting students in launching entrepreneurial initiatives that contribute to entrepreneurship in acquiring social and economic development. Moreover, efforts should be made to eliminate barriers that hinder the understanding and practice of entrepreneurship.