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This article presents a systematic literature review of technologies and solutions for cattle tracking and monitoring based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific articles published since 2017. The main objective of this review is to identify the current state of the art and the trends in this field, as well as to provide a guide for selecting the most suitable solution according to the user's needs and preferences. This review covers various aspects of cattle tracking, such as the devices, sensors, power supply, wireless communication protocols, and software used to collect, process, and visualize the data. The review also compares the advantages and disadvantages of different solutions, such as collars, cameras, and drones, in terms of cost, scalability, precision, and invasiveness. The results show that there is a growing interest and innovation in livestock localization and tracking, with a focus on integrating and adapting various technologies for effective and reliable monitoring in real-world environments.

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INTRODUCTION: Product design is a key tobacco industry strategy to recruit consumers and hinder cessation. An important technology in tobacco product design is the use of additives including those that create characterising flavours, that is, flavours that are perceived by taste and or smell by the user. To curb youth use, many countries are implementing policies to limit the use of flavours and other additives in tobacco products. This paper reviews the global landscape of tobacco additives policies including those focusing only on flavouring additives, updating a previous review. METHODS: We gathered additives policy data from available online sources of tobacco control policies including parties' reports to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (where WHO refers to World Health Organization), the website Tobacco Control Laws, government websites, searches with the Google search engine and consultations with the WHO to ensure comprehensiveness of the assessment. The policies were classified according to their objective and characteristics: Labelling regulations, sales bans and tobacco product design regulations. We classified and organised the regulations according to their stated intent. RESULTS: We found that 62 countries had tobacco products' additives-related regulations at the regional, national or subnational levels. Most of these regulations focused on flavouring additives especially bans on the selling, importing and manufacturing tobacco products with characterising flavours. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate various global policies addressing additives and/or flavours and a range of definitions of additives and flavours. Establishing common definitions and standards could facilitate cooperation between countries and regions.

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INTRODUCTION: Single cigarette sales at tobacco-selling points of sale (POS) may promote smoking. We explored visibility and availability of single cigarettes in POS around schools in Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru, countries where their sale is banned. METHODS: Between April and July 2023, an observational study was conducted at POS around high schools in urban and rural areas in Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. A sampling frame of schools was generated from public registries, with schools categorised according to their socioeconomic status and randomly selected within socioeconomic strata. A total of 2081 POS were surveyed based on their proximity to these randomly selected schools. Data were collected on the visibility of single cigarettes (any cigarette sticks or open cigarette packs on display and able to be seen by customers were coded as visible) and their availability (ie, whether singles were sold, whether visible or not). RESULTS: Single cigarettes were visible in 37.2% of POS and available in most (84.9%), with neighbourhood stores the primary source. In most (84.1%) POS with visible single cigarettes, they were displayed near candy or toys. Prices of the cheapest single cigarette sticks ranged from US$0.03 in Argentina to US$0.13 in Guatemala. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate widespread availability of single cigarettes in four Latin American countries where their sale is banned. The low price of single cigarettes, and their proximity to candy/toys, may increase the appeal of smoking to youth. Stricter enforcement of bans on single cigarettes, which may serve as a gateway to experimentation and continued smoking, is needed.

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This research proposes an efficient alternative for dehydrating cassava bagasse to address the inherent challenges in the handling, transportation, storage, and preservation of this agro-industrial residue generated in cassava starch production plants. This residue is characterized by high moisture retention, considerable volume, and hydrophilic nature, complicating conventional drying methods. This study evaluates the impact of emerging ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric field (PEF) technologies prior to convective drying to enhance the dehydration efficiency of cassava bagasse, aiming at its valorization and contributing to the sustainability of the cassava starch industry. The findings reveal that pretreatment with ultrasound (US) and pulsed electric fields (PEF) significantly reduces the drying time of cassava bagasse compared to convective drying alone. With probe ultrasound at 26 kHz for 30 min, the drying time is reduced by 72% (3.83 h vs. 14.0 h); with bath ultrasound at 37 kHz for 30 min, it is reduced by 56.0% (6.16 h vs. 14.0 h); and with PEF at 7.5 kV/cm for 30 min, it is reduced by 52.4% (6.66 h vs. 14.0 h). These emerging technologies increased the effective diffusivity and modified the molecular structure of the bagasse, thereby improving mass transfer and drying process efficiency. These results are particularly useful for developing more efficient and sustainable strategies for drying agricultural by-products, with direct implications for the post-industrial treatment of agro-industrial residues with high water content.

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The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began in 2019. One of the strategies for pandemic control was mass vaccination. In Brazil, the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (RCV) was produced on a large scale and offered at no charge to the population. The specifications for quality control analyses of RCV included identity and infectivity determination. To validate the results, a reference material (RM) must be analyzed in parallel with the sample vaccine. This research aimed to establish the RM for use in the identity and infectivity assay for RCV. The candidate RM was analyzed using homogeneity and stability studies. The RM was considered homogeneous for identity (cycle threshold (Ct) ≤ 25.19) and infectivity (average x- was 9.25 log10 infectious units/mL). The RM was considered adequately stable for identity during the total period in all studies, being stable at -70, 5, and 22.5 °C for 380, 313, and 14 days, respectively (Ct ≤ 21.81). For infectivity, the RM was stable at -70, 5, and 22.5 °C for 380, 97, and three days, respectively. Since the property identity and infectivity values of the RM were established, the new RM could be used in quality control analysis.

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Introduction: In transitioning from Industry 4.0 to the forthcoming Industry 5.0, this research explores the fusion of the humanistic view and technological developments to redefine Continuing Engineering Education (CEE). Industry 5.0 introduces concepts like biomanufacturing and human-centricity, embodying the integration of sustainability and resiliency principles in CEE, thereby shaping the upskilling and reskilling initiatives for the future workforce. The interaction of sophisticated concepts such as Human-Machine Interface and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) forms a conceptual bridge toward the approaching Fifth Industrial Revolution, allowing one to understand human beings and the impact of their biological development across diverse and changing workplace settings. Methods: Our research is based on recent studies into Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities taxonomies, linking these elements with dynamic labor market profiles. This work intends to integrate a biometric perspective to conceptualize and describe how cognitive abilities could be represented by linking a Neuropsychological test and a biometric assessment. We administered the brief Neuropsychological Battery in Spanish (Neuropsi Breve). At the same time, 15 engineering students used the Emotiv insight device that allowed the EEG recollection to measure performance metrics such as attention, stress, engagement, and excitement. Results: The findings of this research illustrate a methodology that allowed the first approach to the cognitive abilities of engineering students to be from neurobiological and behavioral perspectives. Additionally, two profiles were extracted from the results. The first illustrates the Neuropsi test areas, its most common mistakes, and its performance ratings regarding the students' sample. The second profile shows the interaction between the EEG and Neuropsi test, showing engineering students' cognitive and emotional states based on biometric levels. Discussions: The study demonstrates the potential of integrating neurobiological assessment into engineering education, highlighting a significant advancement in addressing the skills requirements of Industry 5.0. The results suggest that obtaining a comprehensive understanding of students' cognitive abilities is possible, and educational interventions can be adapted by combining neuropsychological approaches with EEG data collection. In the future, it is essential to refine these evaluation methods further and explore their applicability in different engineering disciplines. Additionally, it is necessary to investigate the long-term impact of these methods on workforce preparation and performance.

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The present work deals with developing a method for revalorizing steel residues to create sunlight-active photocatalysts based on iron oxides. Commercial-grade steel leftovers are oxidized under different combinations of pH and temperature (50-90 °C and 3 ≥ pH ≤ 5) in a low energy-intensive setup. The material with the highest production efficiency (yield > 12%) and magnetic susceptibility (χm = 387 × 10-6 m3/kg) was further explored and modified by diffusion of M2+ (Zn and Co) ions within the structure of the oxide using a hydrothermal method to create ZnFe2O4, CoFe2O4 and combined Co-Zn ferrite. (Co-Zn)Fe2O4 displayed a bandgap of 2.02 eV and can be activated under sunlight irradiation. Electron microscopy studies show that (Co-Zn)Fe2O4 consists of particles with diameters between 400 and 700 nm, homogeneous size, even distribution, and good dispersibility. Application of the developed materials in the sunlight catalysis of black liquors from cellulose extraction resulted in a reduction of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (- 15% on average) and an enhancement in biodegradability (> 0.57 BOD/COD) after 180 min of reaction. Since the presented process employs direct solar light, it opens the possibility to large-scale water treatment and chemical upgrading applications.

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This study aimed to investigate the influence of adding an alkalizing agent to the scalding water of a slaughterhouse in Brazil to inactivate hygiene indicator bacteria in pig carcasses. Scalding is critical during carcass processing because slaughterhouses' scalding water is constantly renewed; therefore, it is usually contaminated with organic matter, such as faeces and dirt from the previous carcasses. The treatments evaluated consisted of counting Enterobacteriaceae and mesophilic bacteria in pork jowls at 62 °C, 65 °C, 68 C, and 72 °C after 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 min of simulated scalding at the pHs of 7.0 (control) and 11.0 (after addition of alkalizing agent). Decimal reduction times of hygiene indicator bacteria for all treatments were estimated with different nonlinear bacterial inactivation models. As a result, adding the alkalizing agent did not significantly inactivate most of the bacteria in the studied samples. However, it contributed to the inactivation of some bacteria, mostly belonging to the mesophilic group, at some specific temperatures. The results obtained in the current study can provide useful insights into dealing with pig carcass contamination in a real-world scenario and applying the obtained information in the industrial environment.

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The implementation of Industry 4.0 has integrated manufacturing, electronics, and engineering materials, leading to the creation of smart parts (SPs) that provide information on production system conditions. However, SP development faces challenges due to limitations in manufacturing processes and integrating electronic components. This systematic review synthesizes scientific articles on SP fabrication using additive manufacturing (AM), identifying the advantages and disadvantages of AM techniques in SP production and distinguishing between SPs and smart spare parts (SSPs). The methodology involves establishing a reference framework, formulating SP-related questions, and applying inclusion criteria and keywords, initially resulting in 1603 articles. After applying exclusion criteria, 70 articles remained. The results show that while SP development is advancing, widespread application of AM-manufactured SP is recent. SPs can anticipate production system failures, minimize design artifacts, and reduce manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the review highlights that SSPs, a subcategory of SPs, primarily differs by replacing conventional critical parts in the industry, offering enhanced functionality and reliability in industrial applications. The study concludes that continued research and development in this field is essential for further advancements and broader adoption of these technologies.

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Recently, fish consumption has been increasing; subsequently, the number of by-products has also increased. However, generated residues are frequently discarded, and an appropriate management is necessary to properly use all fish by-products. Fishery by-products are well known for their content of bioactive compounds, such as unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, peptides, enzymes, gelatin, collagen, and chitin. Several studies have reported that fishery by-products could provide significant properties, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiobesity. Consequently, fish discards are of considerable interest to different industrial sectors, including food, nutraceuticals, medical, and pharmacology. In the food industry, the interest in using fishery by-products is focused on hydrolysates as food additives, collagen and gelatin as protein sources, chitin and chitosan to form edible films to protect food during storage, and oils as a source of Omega-3 and useful as antioxidants. Although different studies reported good results with the use of these by-products, identifying new applications in the food sector, as well as industrial applications, remains necessary.

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INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have identified pricing strategies that the tobacco industry employs to try to minimise the impact of tobacco taxation, but these studies are mostly about high-income countries. This research examines industry price responses to a recent cigarette tax increase in Mexico, including in the capsule cigarette segment that has expanded rapidly in Latin America. METHODS: Data of cigarette prices and sales in Mexico between October 2018 and September 2021 licensed from NielsenIQ were used following a quasi-experimental design to analyse price changes after excise tax increases with fixed effect models by product. To explore heterogeneous responses, estimates were disaggregated by cigarette attributes such as presence of capsules and market segment. Differential shifting was also assessed. RESULTS: Increasing the tobacco tax from 2011MX$0.35(≈US$0.02) to 2020 MX$0.4944(≈US$0.0283) in January 2020 was associated with an overall 8% cigarette price increase in real terms. However, some cigarette types, including premium to discount segments, exhibited price increases larger than the tax increase, which reduced the relative price of ultra-low-priced cigarettes. Instead of a single hike, prices were gradually raised throughout the first months of 2020 for all cigarette types. A combination of both pricing strategies was employed for capsule cigarettes. The 2021 smaller tax adjustment for annual inflation was fully passed onto consumer, maintaining real prices constant. CONCLUSIONS: The industry's ability to raise prices more than the tax increase and manage these price increases smoothly suggests that there was room for larger tobacco tax increases in Mexico. Future developments on tobacco taxes could consider a fully specific tax structure or minimum taxes to mitigate the adverse effects of market segmentation and differential shifting.

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The present paper explores the biological potential of bioactive compounds present in wine industry wastes, highlighting their valorization to promote sustainability and circular economy. Wine by-products, such as grape pomace and vine shoots, contain a high concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and other phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Both conventional extraction methods, such as solid-liquid extraction, and emerging technologies, including enzyme-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, high-hydrostatic-pressure extraction, and deep natural solvent-assisted extraction (NaDES), are discussed. In addition, the preservation of polyphenolic extracts by microencapsulation, a key technique to improve the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, is addressed. The combination of advanced extraction methods and innovative preservation techniques offers a promising perspective for the valorization of bioactive compounds from wine residues, driving sustainability and innovation in the industry.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent of payments from medical device and pharmaceutical companies to editorial board members of leading otolaryngology journals. METHODS: Editorial board members of the top 10 otolaryngology journals from Google Scholar rankings were identified in this cross-sectional study. Payments between 2017 and 2022 were identified via the Open Payments Database from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. All payment data was adjusted for inflation in 2022 US dollars. Descriptive analyses were performed and journal websites were evaluated for individual editor disclosures. RESULTS: Out of 581 board members, 306 (53 %) received industry payments between 2017 and 2022, median journal percentage 55 % (interquartile range: 26.5 %-73.5 %). A sum of $45.8 million was paid out between 2017 and 2022, comprising $32.0 million in associated research funding, $1.2 million in research payments, $1.4 million in ownership and investment interests, and $11.2 million in general payments. The largest general payments were made out for "services other than consulting and speaking" ($3.9 million), "consulting" ($3.8 million), "travel and lodging" ($0.99 million), "education" ($0.87 million), "royalty or license" ($0.56 million), and "food and beverage" ($0.55 million). Individual editor disclosures were only available for International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology (9 % of all included editors). CONCLUSIONS: Industry payments to editors of otolaryngology journals are not uncommon. We highlight the need for improved reporting of individual editor disclosures for transparency to journal readers and for minimizing biased editorial decisions.

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BACKGROUND: Risk factors that can result in serious injuries or deaths are frequently not understood or prevented because of the traditional way in which organizations approach safety. This is especially true for falls from heights in the construction sector, which remain a leading safety hazard in construction globally. METHODS: A theoretical framework derived from a thorough review of international evidence provided the foundation for the conduct of 50 structured focus groups with a total of 209 participants representing construction workers and supervisors in two main Chilean construction contractor companies and their subcontractors. RESULTS: A total of 627 precursors (risk factors), 56 taxonomies (work tasks/activities), and 622 defenses (prevention actions) were identified. These were classified in three macro dimensions and 13 subdimensions in total, providing a comprehensive framework for the origin, manifestation, and neutralization of such precursors. DISCUSSION: The findings provide a useful framework for understanding of the most critical risks to which workers are exposed and actions to prevent them. This framework should form the basis for the development of practical safety programs and tools such as management and training checklists, and data analysis for early warning signs.

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This work assessed the psychosocial risks of 124 workers from the plywood industry in Ecuador's Amazon region. Two psychosocial risk assessment (PRA) methods were selected due to their widespread use in Ecuadorian organisations: FPSICO from the Spanish National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the "Psychosocial Risk Assessment Questionnaire" (PRAQ) from the Ecuadorian Labour Ministry. Therefore, two surveys of 89 and 58 items were applied to evaluate nine scales and eight risk dimensions for FPSICO and PRAQ, respectively. Results show that according to FPSICO, the main psychosocial risks were detected in the scales of working time (WT), variety and content (VC), and workload (WL), with a prevalence of 34.8 % and 41.7 %. For PRAQ, the margin of action and control (D4), load and work rate (D1), and leadership (D3) were the most affected dimensions, with a risk prevalence between 29.1 % and 43.6 %. Although there is a lower risk prevalence in the rest of the scales and dimensions assessed, improvement actions are needed in the short term. Furthermore, the findings suggest an association between gender and risk prevalence, especially in the dimensions of Leadership (D3), Skills development (D2), and Self-perceived health (D8.8), where being a woman increases the likelihood of suffering from these conditions by up to three times. In addition, a brief comparative analysis was conducted, looking for coincidences in the scales that each PRA instrument assesses and the prevalence of the psychosocial risks detected.

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A novel modification technique employing a layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method, integrated with a pressure-assisted filtration system, was developed for enhancing a commercial polyethersulfone (PES) microfiltration (MF) membrane. This modification involved the incorporation of tannic acid (TA) in conjunction with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The effectiveness of the LbL method was confirmed through comprehensive characterization analyses, including ATR-FTIR, SEM, water contact angle (WCA), and mean pore size measurements, comparing the modified membrane with the original commercial one. Sixteen variations of PES MF membranes were superficially modified using a three-factorial design, with the deposited amount of TA and GO as key factors. The influence of these factors on the morphology and performance of the membranes was systematically investigated, focusing on parameters such as pure water permeability (PWP), blue corazol (BC) dye removal efficiency, and flux recovery rate (FRR). The membranes produced with the maximum amount of GO (0.1 mg, 0.55 wt%) and TA as the inner and outer layers demonstrated remarkable FRR and significant BC removal, exceeding 80%. Notably, there was no significant difference observed when using either 0.2 (1.11 wt%) or 0.4 mg (2.22 wt%) in the first layer, as indicated by the Tukey mean test. Furthermore, the modified membrane designated as MF/TA0.4GO0.1TA0.4 was evaluated in the filtration of a simulated dye bath wastewater, exhibiting a BC removal efficiency of 49.20% and a salt removal efficiency of 27.74%. In conclusion, the novel PES MF membrane modification proposed in this study effectively enhances the key properties of pressure-driven separation processes.

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A scoping review of publications about commercial milk formulas intended for or consumed by children 12-36 months (CMF 12-36) was conducted. This review aimed to comprehensively map the existing literature, identify key concepts in the field and understand its evolution through time. A total of 3329 articles were screened and 220 were included, published between 1986 and 2024. Most works were published after 2016 (70.0%) and in high-income countries (71.8%). Original studies were the vast majority (81.8%) of publications. Most publications dealt with feeding practices or analysed the composition and/or contamination of specific products (44.1% and 35.9%), but since the late 2000s, publications about marketing, policy, legislation, and consumer perception started to appear. Most published works (65.5%) did not focus exclusively on CMF 12-36 and included formulas for other demographics or other foods. About half of the works (55.5%) did not consider CMF 12-36 to be a breast milk substitute. We found 81 distinct product denominations used to refer to CMF 12-36, Growing Up Milk was the most common (25.9%). CMF industry was involved in 41.8% of all analysed works, and industry participation and funding were not always clearly informed (22.5% lacked a conflict of interest statement, and 25.5% did not present any information about funding). In the last decade, publications about CMF 12-36 have increased in volume and diversified in scope and subject matter. CMF-industry participation has always been and still is present in the field, so possible vested interests should be taken into account when appreciating the literature.

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OBJECTIVE: Although Brazil became the first country worldwide to ban the sale of all tobacco products with any additive that could alter their flavours and tastes in 2012, its implementation was effectively halted by tobacco industry lawsuits, including a constitutional challenge filed in the Federal Supreme Court in 2013. This study aimed at examining, for the first time in the country, the evolution over time of the new registrations of tobacco products with additives that would have been banned if not for the tobacco industry's interference ('counterfactual scenario'). METHODS: We used the newly available public database on the registration of tobacco products developed by the Health Regulatory Agency (from 2008 onwards). All types of tobacco products intended for the domestic market that contained 'banned additives in a counterfactual scenario' and were registered between January 1 and December 31 of each year were selected. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2023, a total of 1112 new registrations of tobacco products with 'banned additives' were recorded. The spread of hookah tobacco registrations started in 2014, and by 2023, the cumulative incidence of registrations containing 'banned additives' was 641. Both manufactured cigarettes and hookah products reached their peaks in new registrations in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: After 12 years since the resolution intended to ban all additives that change the aroma and taste of tobacco products in Brazil, primarily to prevent smoking initiation, the tobacco industry's interference continues to successfully block its implementation. Countries facing similar challenges in tobacco control could consider generating comparable national data that might help expose the adverse impacts of tobacco industry interference on public health.

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This literature review explores cutting-edge microencapsulation techniques designed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of essential oils in dairy products. As consumer demand for natural preservatives rises, understanding the latest advancements in microencapsulation becomes crucial for improving the shelf life and safety of these products. The bibliometric analysis utilized in this review highlighted a large number of documents published on this topic in relation to the following keywords: essential oils, AND antimicrobials, AND dairy products, OR microencapsulation. The documents published in the last 11 years, between 2013 and 2023, showed a diversity of authors and countries researching this topic and the keywords commonly used. However, in the literature consulted, no study was identified that was based on bibliometric analysis and that critically evaluated the microencapsulation of essential oils and their antimicrobial potential in dairy products. This review synthesizes findings from diverse studies, shedding light on the various encapsulation methods employed and their impact on preserving the quality of dairy goods. Additionally, it discusses the potential applications and challenges associated with implementation in the dairy industry. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, food scientists, and industry professionals seeking to optimize the use of essential oils with antimicrobial properties in dairy formulations.

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Productive activities such as pig farming are a fundamental part of the economy in Mexico. Unfortunately, because of this activity, large quantities of wastewater are generated that have a negative impact in the environment. This work shows an alternative for treating piggery wastewater based on advanced oxidation processes (Fenton and solar photo Fenton, SPF) that have been probed successfully in previous works. In the first stage, Fenton and SPF were carried out on a laboratory scale using a Taguchi L9-type experimental design. From the statistical analysis of this design, the operating parameters: pH, time, hydrogen peroxide concentration [H2O2], and iron ferrous concentration [Fe2+] that maximize the response variables: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), and color were chosen. From these, a cascade forward neural network was implemented to establish a correlation between data from the variables to the physicochemical parameters to be measure being that a great fit of the data was obtained having a correlation coefficient of 0.99 which permits to optimize the pollutant degradation and predict the removal efficiencies at pilot scale but with a projection to a future industrial scale. A relevant result, it was found that the optimal values for maximizing the removal of physicochemical parameters were pH = 3, time = 60 min, H2O2/COD = 1.5 mg L-1, and H2O2/Fe2+ = 2.5 mg L-1. With these conditions degradation percentages of 91.44%, 47.14%, and 97.89% for COD, TOC, and color were obtained from the Fenton process, while for SPF the degradation percentage increased moderately. From the ANN analysis, the possibility to establish an intelligent system that permits to predict multiple results from operational conditions has been achieved.

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