In the present article, the application of an artificial neural network (ANN) model whose function is the development of plastic instability maps of a medium carbon microalloyed steel during the hot forming process is studied. Secondly, we proceed to create another ANN capable of providing the recrystallized grain size in the steady state resulting from forming deformation. We start from the experimental data of a medium carbon microalloyed steel obtained by hot compression tests with strain rates that vary between 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 3 s⁻¹ and in a range of temperatures between 900 °C and 1150 °C. These experimental data are used to train the proposed ANN and obtain flow curves. Finally, the processing maps are developed by applying the dynamic materials model (DMM), according to which the safe hot forming domains and the plastic instability domains of the studied material are delineated. The comparison between the ANN and the experimental maps is carried out. It is ascertained that the optimal regions of forging in the ANN maps coincide with those obtained in the experimental maps. In addition, a study of the influence of the microstructure on the behavior of the studied steel during hot forming is carried out. Full article

Let $V_n\left(d\right)$ denote the least number, such that every collection of n d-cubes with total volume 1 in d-dimensional (Euclidean) space can be packed parallelly into some d-box of volume $V_n\left(d\right)$. We show that $V_3\left(d\right)=\frac{r^{1-d}}{d}$ if $d\ge 11$ and $V_3\left(d\right)=\frac{\frac{1}{r}+1}{r^d+{\left(\frac{1}{r}-r\right)}^d+1}$ if $2\le d\le 10$, where r is the only solution of the equation $2(d-1)k^d+d{k}^{d-1}=1$ on $\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2},1\right)$ and ${(k+1)}^d{(1-k)}^{d-1}\left(d{k}^2+d+k-1\right)=k^d\left(d{k}^{d+1}+d{k}^d+k^d+1\right)$ on $\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2},1\right)$, respectively. The maximum volume is achieved by hypercubes with edges x, y, z, such that $x={\left(2r^d+1\right)}^{-1/d}$, $y=z=rx$ if $d\ge 11$, and $x={\left(r^d+{(\frac{1}{r}-r)}^d+1\right)}^{-1/d}$, $y=rx$, $z=(\frac{1}{r}-r)x$ if $2\le d\le 10$. We also proved that only for dimensions less than 11 are there two different maximum packings, and for all dimensions greater than 10, the maximum packing has the same two smallest cubes. Full article

Higher education has witnessed continuous growth in online learning, further catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, it is important to transition from remote teaching to sustainable, high-quality and mature online learning practices for impactful student learning. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative multiple case study research that investigated the pedagogical decisions and rationales of educators and digital learning professionals in deliberately designed online learning contexts. Data were collected through 31 interviews, observations and documents from seven interdisciplinary design teams across six UK universities over an extended period. Three themes were constructed to convey key research insights including: (1) embracing a multi-level view of student learning journeys, (2) embedding multiple and diverse ‘voices’ and (3) creating a complex web of social learning opportunities and ‘spaces’. The findings from this study offer a revitalised understanding of pedagogies suggesting holistic and multivoiced approaches to online learning. Findings pointed to the need for narrative-based approaches to online learning design, attention to purposeful hybrid learning spaces and an expansive view of educators’ role. The insights presented in this paper can be enlightening for educators, teaching teams, digital learning teams, academic developers, researchers and university leadership, opening up dialogue and new directions for online learning practices and research. Full article

Using the Urban Network Analysis Tool, the centrality of a road network (closeness centrality, betweenness centrality, and straightness centrality) was calculated, and the POI data of the commercial facilities were reclassified. KDE estimation was used to estimate the centrality of the traffic network, and the correlation coefficient was calculated to explore the spatial relationship between road network centrality and the types of commercial facilities (catering facilities, shopping facilities, residential life facilities, and financial and insurance facilities). The results indicate the following: (1) Closeness centrality displays a discernible “Core–Periphery” pattern, and the high-value areas of betweenness centrality are mainly concentrated around the main arterial roads of the city. In contrast, straightness centrality unveils a polycentric structure. (2) The spatial distribution of commercial facilities demonstrates a notable correlation with the centrality of the road network. From the perspective of centrality, the distribution of residential life facilities is most strongly influenced by road network centrality, followed by financial and insurance facilities and then catering facilities, with the distribution of shopping facilities being the least affected. (3) The centrality of the road network plays a crucial role in shaping the arrangement of commercial facilities. Closeness centrality significantly influences the distribution of residential life facilities, catering facilities, and shopping facilities. Betweenness centrality has a noteworthy impact on the selection of locations for financial and insurance facilities, as well as residential life facilities. Furthermore, areas characterized by better straightness centrality are preferred for the distribution of residential life facilities, financial and insurance facilities, and catering facilities. (4) The centrality of the road network has a greater influence on the arrangement of various commercial facilities than the population distribution. Full article

To assess the ergonomic risk level in work systems involving tasks performed with hands or fingers, it is necessary to know the exerted triaxial forces. To address this need, a prototype of a triaxial load cell based on principles of linear elasticity theory and mechanical problems of torsion, bending and axial load is presented. This work includes an analytical strain model for each instrumented point and its solution regarding the applied force to a triaxial load cell. The proposed load cell was calibrated and validated by performing different static experimental tests. As a case study, the applied force in three directions while the thumb activates a cigarette lighter was measured. Triaxial forces and resultant forces were obtained and compared with the parameter of 10 N established by the ergonomic standards as reference values for pressing down with the thumb, finding that the applied forces in eight tests were 23.73 N, 43.51 N, 12.69 N, 14.50 N 20.35 N, 21.67 N, 39.74 N and 46.02 N, exceeding the reference values and establishing a direct relationship with Quervain syndrome. In conclusion, the developed load cell is a valid and reliable alternative to measure many forces that cannot be obtained with commercial devices, allowing the level of ergonomic risk to be determined with great precision. Full article

In recent years, products containing humic acids have been increasingly used in agriculture to improve soil parameters. Quantifying their impact on soil quality is, therefore, of key importance. This study seeks to evaluate the impact of the commercial humic acid product (HA) on the hydrophysical parameters of sandy and clayey soils sampled from different sites in Slovakia. Specifically, the study hypothesizes that humic amendment will enhance particle density (ρ_s), dry bulk density (ρ_d), porosity (Φ), saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s), soil water repellency (SWR), and water retention capacity in sandy and clayey soils. The results of the laboratory measurements were analyzed using NCSS statistical software at a statistical significance of p < 0.05. In sandy soil, there was a statistically significant decrease in ρ_d and K_s and an increase in Φ and a contact angle (CA) after the application of 1 g/100 cm³ HA. At a dose of 6 g/100 cm³ HA, the values of ρ_s, ρ_d, and K_s decreased, and the Φ and CA values increased. In clayey soil, the K_s value significantly decreased by −35.5% only after the application of 6 g/100 cm³ HA. The addition of HA increased the full water capacity (FWC) and available water capacity (AWC) of clayey and sandy soils. The positive influence of HA on the studied soil parameters was experimentally confirmed, which can be beneficial, especially for their use in agricultural production. Full article

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, plays a crucial role in the one-carbon (1C) metabolism, a conserved pathway from microbes to humans. The 1C metabolism, consisting of the folate and methionine cycles, is essential in many biological processes such as nucleotide and protein biosynthesis, cell proliferation, and embryonic development. Despite its functional role, little is known about the 1C metabolism in crustaceans. As part of an ongoing effort to characterize important pathways in Calanus finmarchicus, the biomass-dominant zooplankton in much of the North Atlantic Ocean, we identified transcripts encoding the 1C metabolism enzymes. Using an in silico workflow consisting of a transcriptome mining, reciprocal blasts, and structural analyses of the deduced proteins, we identified the entire set of enzymes in both cycles. The majority encoded for full-length proteins and clustered with homologs from other species. Stage-specific expression was reported, with several transcripts showing high expression in the naupliar stage (e.g., 10-FTHFD, SHMT2) while some methyltransferases (e.g., BHMT, SHMT, DNMT) were more expressed in adults. Overall, this study provides a set of genes which can be used as potential biomarkers of development and reproduction and can be tested in other zooplankters to assess ocean health status monitoring. Full article

In today’s digital era, rumors spreading on social media threaten societal stability and individuals’ daily lives, especially multimodal rumors. Hence, there is an urgent need for effective multimodal rumor detection methods. However, existing approaches often overlook the insufficient diversity of multimodal samples in feature space and hidden similarities and differences among multimodal samples. To address such challenges, we propose MVACLNet, a Multimodal Virtual Augmentation Contrastive Learning Network. In MVACLNet, we first design a Hierarchical Textual Feature Extraction (HTFE) module to extract comprehensive textual features from multiple perspectives. Then, we fuse the textual and visual features using a modified cross-attention mechanism, which operates from different perspectives at the feature value level, to obtain authentic multimodal feature representations. Following this, we devise a Virtual Augmentation Contrastive Learning (VACL) module as an auxiliary training module. It leverages ground-truth labels and extra-generated virtual multimodal feature representations to enhance contrastive learning, thus helping capture more crucial similarities and differences among multimodal samples. Meanwhile, it performs a Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence constraint between predicted probability distributions of the virtual multimodal feature representations and their corresponding virtual labels to help extract more content-invariant multimodal features. Finally, the authentic multimodal feature representations are input into a rumor classifier for detection. Experiments on two real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of MVACLNet on multimodal rumor detection. Full article

Federated learning (FL) has emerged as an extremely effective strategy for dismantling data silos and has attracted significant interest from both industry and academia in recent years. However, existing iterative FL approaches often require a large number of communication rounds and struggle to perform well on unbalanced datasets. Furthermore, the increased complexity of networks makes the application of traditional differential privacy to protect client privacy expensive. In this context, the authors introduce FedGM: a method designed to reduce communication overhead and achieve outstanding results in non-IID scenarios. FedGM is capable of achieving considerable accuracy, even with a small privacy budget. Specifically, the authors devise a method to extract knowledge from each client’s data by creating a scaled-down but highly effective synthesized dataset that can perform similarly to the original data. Additionally, the authors propose an innovative approach to applying label differential privacy to protect the synthesized dataset. The authors demonstrate the superiority of the approach over traditional methods by requiring only one communication round and by testing using four classification datasets for evaluation. Furthermore, when comparing the model performance for clients using their method against traditional solutions, the authors find that the approach achieves significant accuracy and better privacy. Full article

Studies comparing treatment outcomes in patients with eating disorders before and during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have yielded conflicting results. Furthermore, no study has yet evaluated treatment outcomes in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa before, during and after the crisis. Hence, this study investigated the outcomes of an intensive Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) program on adolescents with anorexia nervosa consecutively treated before (n = 64), during (n = 37) and after (n = 31) the period of emergency spanning 8 March 2020 to 31 March 2022. Results show consistent and similar iprovements in eating disorder psychopathology, general psychopathology and body mass index-for-age percentiles across all three periods, with approximately 60% of patients maintaining a full response at the 20-week follow-up, suggesting that treatment efficacy remained robust. Overall, the study underscores the effectiveness of intensive CBT-E as a viable treatment option for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, even during and after unprecedented challenges such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Bone regeneration using Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) alongside various engineered scaffolds has attracted considerable attention over the years. The field has seen extensive research in preclinical animal models, leading to the approval of two products and guiding the quest for new materials. Natural and synthetic polymers, ceramics, and composites have been used to fabricate the necessary porous 3D scaffolds and delivery systems for BMPs. Interestingly, all reported applications in the literature are triumphant. Evaluation of the results is typically based on histologic assessment after appropriate staining and radiological modalities, providing morphological identification of the newly formed bone and describing cells and the organic compound. Remarkably, while these evaluation methods illustrate mineralization, they are not capable of identifying hydroxyapatite crystals, the mineral component of the bone, which are crucial for its mechanical properties, structure, integrity, and long-term stability of regenerated bone tissue. This review aims to focus on the different scaffolds used in bone tissue engineering applications and underline the pressing need for techniques that could recognize the presence of hydroxyapatite crystals as well as their characteristics in bone tissue engineering, which will provide a more complete and comprehensive assessment of the successful results. Full article

The phenomenon of prey switching is prevalent in the natural world and represents a strategic adaptation of predators to their environment. Neoseiulus bicaudus, a native predatory mite found in Xinjiang, serves as a natural enemy to numerous small pests. The utilization of Tyrophagus putrescentiae as an alternative prey for the mass breeding of N. bicaudus is employed to fulfill the demands of enhanced breeding efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Following the introduction of mass breed N. bicaudus into the agricultural ecosystem, there was a switching in the prey of N. bicaudus from Ty. putrescentiae to Tetranychus turkestani. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of prey switching at various stages on N. bicaudus. This study employed the age-stage, two-sex life table to assess the life parameters of N. bicaudus undergoing prey switching at different stages. The results showed that the survival rate of N. bicaudus was significantly decreased, the developmental period was significantly prolonged, the fecundity was improved during prey switching, and the intrinsic rate of increase of N. bicaudus was significantly decreased. The negative effects of prey switching in larva and deutonymph stages were greater than those in protonymph and adult stages. The stage and age of N. bicaudus undergoing prey switching were positively correlated with the male ratio, and negatively correlated with the total preoviposition period and the mean generation time. The comprehension of prey switching effects on N. bicaudus can enhance our understanding of the predator adaptation to environmental changes and contribute to the artificial rearing and application of natural enemy. Full article

Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4 (BoGHV4) is a member of the Gammaherspivirinae subfamily, Rhadinovirus genus. Its natural host is the bovine, and it is prevalent among the global cattle population. Although the complete genome of BoGHV4 has been successfully sequenced, the functions of most of its genes remain unknown. Currently, only six strains of BoGHV4, all belonging to Genotype 1, have been sequenced. This is the first report of the nearly complete genome of Argentinean BoGHV4 strains isolated from clinical cases of abortion, representing the first BoGHV4 Genotype 2 and 3 genomes described in the literature. Both Argentinean isolates presented the highest nt p-distance values, indicating a greater level of divergence. Overall, the considerable diversity observed in the complete genomes and open reading frames underscores the distinctiveness of both Argentinean isolates compared to the existing BoGHV4 genomes. These findings support previous studies that categorized the Argentinean BoGHV4 strains 07-435 and 10-154 as Genotypes 3 and 2, respectively. The inclusion of these sequences represents a significant expansion to the currently limited pool of BoGHV4 genomes while providing an important basis to increase the knowledge of local isolates. Full article

On 22 April 2022, a M_w 5.7 earthquake was generated near Stolac (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The mainshock was succeeded by several aftershocks, three of which were significant. Two M_b 4.3 earthquakes occurred on 23 April 2022, and a M_w 4.8 earthquake was generated on 24 April 2022. Available data from fault mechanism solutions revealed that the mainshock activated a reverse fault, while the aftershock generated a normal fault with a right-lateral component. The Balkan Peninsula stands as one of the most active geodynamic areas in Central and Eastern Europe due to its location within the collision zone between Eurasian and African tectonic plates and the Anatolian microplate. Recorded earthquakes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are related to the energy generated by the subduction of the African tectonic plate under Eurasia. Furthermore, the seismicity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly its southern part, is profoundly influenced by the subduction of the Adriatic microplate under the Dinarides. The Dinarides are a mainly fold and thrust belt that extends from the Southern Alps in the northwest to the Hellenides in the southeast and make dominant the tectonic system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this study, two pairs of SAR images obtained from the Sentinel-1 satellite mission were utilized to generate satellite LOS surface displacements using the DInSAR method. Moreover, LOS displacements were decomposed into vertical and east–west horizontal components by combining ascending and descending satellite orbits. Ultimately, the InSAR results were analyzed and compared with the data obtained from the CROPOS CORS GNSS station in Metković (MET3). Full article

In Japan, many workers are exposed to chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and nutritional imbalance. They tend still to go to work when ill, leading to decreased work performance and productivity, which has become a major social problem. We conducted a human entry study with the aim of finding a link between these two factors and proposing an optimized diet, believing that a review of diet may lead to an improvement in labor productivity. In this study, we used subjective accomplishment (SA) as a measure of productivity. First, we compared nutrient intake between groups with high and low SA using data from a health survey of 1564 healthy male and female adults. Significant differences were found in the intake of 13 nutrients in males and 15 nutrients in females, including potassium, vitamin A, insoluble fiber, and biotin. Recommended daily intake of these nutrients was determined from survey data. Next, we designed test meals containing sufficient amounts of 17 nutrients and conducted a single-arm intervention study (registration code UMIN000047054) in Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Healthy working adults (males and females aged 20–79 years) were recruited and supplied with test meals, which were eaten once a day 5 days a week for 8 weeks. SA was significantly higher and daytime sleepiness (DS) was significantly lower after lunch on workdays in younger participants (under 60 years) when they ate the test meals as breakfast or lunch. Our results suggest that SA and DS, which change daily, are strongly influenced by the meal eaten before work, and that taking the 17 nutrients may help prevent presenteeism and improve labor productivity. Full article

With the megatrend of digitalization, the demand for sensors in previously difficult-to-access scenarios is increasing. Filament-shaped sensors (FSS) are ideal for this demand, especially in applications in which the monitoring of textile structures is the focus. Electrically conductive bicomponent filaments based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer great potential due to their flexible mechanical properties. Through the core-conducting, bicomponent structure, the sensing material is protected from environmental factors such as surrounding conductive materials and external moisture. The insulating material, however, simultaneously complicates the contacting method in order to measure sensing changes in the conductive core. In this work, laser cutting is employed as a technology in order to expose the conductive core of the filaments. The filament is then coated with silver and mechanically crimped, providing both a conductive interface for the data acquisition device as well as a protective layer. Laser parameters (power 20–100 W and speed 5–50 mm/s) are investigated to identify the parameters with the best cutting properties for which the filaments are analyzed visually and electrically. This work provides a robust and reproducible method for contacting core-conducting TPU filaments for strain-sensing applications. This study shows that while the choice of laser parameter influences the morphology of the cut surface, its impact on the resulting linear resistivity is negligible. Full article

There has been a recent uptake in the use of polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), which is an organic thermoplastic polymer, in the manufacturing of various medical devices, implants, and equipment. Finding the best time and procedure for PEEK after sulfonation is the goal of this research. A total of 30 PEEK discs were sulfonated in this study by immersing them in concentrated (H₂SO₄) sulfuric acid for various durations and subsequently treated using various post-treatment techniques. Five experiments were carried out, aimed studying the effect of immersion time (5 s–2 min). The methods used as post-treatment were hydrothermal treatment, immersion in NaOH, and washing with acetone. The sulfonation time was measured, and the post-treatment techniques, surface characterizations, were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Electron Optics Instruments, LLC., West Orange, NJ, USA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) (AFM, Vía Burton, CA, USA), and hydrophilic properties. The results were confirmed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The findings of this study demonstrate that sulfonating PEEK caused a structure with a porous network to form in every sample. As the sulfonation time increased, the porous structure became more noticeable and the concentration increased. As a consequence, the roughness of the surface increased notably, and the modified PEEK surface’s wettability improved noticeably. Hydrothermal treatment was determined to be the most successful way for eliminating the leftover sulfuric acid, and sulfonation for 2 min was determined to be ideal. By understanding the best post-treatment procedures and ideal sulfonation duration, a theoretical foundation for the production of sulfonated PEEK for orthopedic uses may be laid. Full article

It is crucial to identify drought characteristics and determine drought severity in response to climate change. Aiming at the increasingly serious drought situation in the Yellow River Basin, this study firstly selected the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and streamflow drought index (SDI) to analyze the characteristics of drought seasons, then identified the frequency, duration, and intensity of drought based on the run theory, and finally recognized the abrupt changing and driving factors of major drought events in specific years by the Mann–Kendall trend test. The conclusions showed the following: (1) The drought in the downstream of the Yellow River Basin was more severe than that in the upstream. The drought characteristics showed significant regional differentiation and deterioration. (2) The drought intensity and duration had an obvious spatial correlation. Compared with the other seasons, the drought duration and severity in spring and autumn were the most serious, and in winter, they showed an aggravating trend. (3) According to a time series analysis of drought conditions in the Yellow River Basin, the worst drought occurred in 1997–2001 with the least rainfall on record and a sudden rise in temperatures. This study could provide a scientific reference for agricultural drought disaster prevention and mitigation. Full article

Materials based on polymer hydrogels have demonstrated potential as innovative Fenton catalysts for treating water. However, developing these polymer-supported catalysts with robust stability presents a significant challenge. This paper explores the development and application of polymer-supported heterogeneous Fenton catalysts for the environmental remediation of wastewater, emphasizing the enhancement of metal incorporation into catalysts for improved efficiency. The study begins with an introduction to the heterogeneous Fenton process and its relevance to wastewater treatment. It further delves into the specifics of polymer-supported heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, focusing on iron oxide, copper complexes/nanoparticles, and ruthenium as key components. The synthesis methods employed to prepare these catalysts are discussed, highlighting the innovative approaches to achieve substantial metal incorporation. Operational parameters such as catalyst dosage, pollutant concentration, and the effect of pH on the process efficiency are thoroughly examined. The catalytic performance is evaluated, providing insights into the effectiveness of these catalysts in degrading pollutants. Recent developments in the field are reviewed, showcasing advancements in catalyst design and application. The study also addresses the stability and reusability of polymer-supported heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, critical factors for their practical application in environmental remediation. Environmental applications are explored, demonstrating the potential of these catalysts in addressing various pollutants. The Conclusions offers future perspectives, underlining the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the field, and the importance of further research to enhance the efficacy and sustainability of polymer-supported heterogeneous Fenton catalysts for wastewater treatment. Full article

Paratuberculosis, or Johne’s disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic granulomatous enteritis affecting both domestic and wild ruminants. The agent was also found in wild mammals such as wild boar (Sus scrofa); however, the role of wild mammals in the epidemiology of MAP is unclear. During the research period, 941 free-ranging wild boar (S. scrofa) legally hunted in two locations in the central–eastern region of Portugal were examined. Ninety-seven wild boars exhibited one or more gross lesions and were tested for the presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis using acid-fast staining, mycobacterial culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathological examination. Forty-five animals (46.4%, 95% CI: 36.5–56.3%) were identified as infected, as indicated by positive results in culture and/or PCR. The findings revealed that the most significant risk factor was being a juvenile compared to yearlings and adults (OR = 10.2, 95% CI: 2.2–48.0). Based on our results, 37.9% (n = 11) of the infected animals were considered suitable for human consumption. Our findings offer novel insights into mycobacterial infections in wild boar populations in Portugal and suggest that wild boar could be a source of human infection if zoonotic potential is considered. Full article

The use of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) for wastewater treatment has emerged as a promising biotechnology. A sodium alginate nucleus (SAN) incorporated into the AGS system can enhance aerobic granulation. Two important parameters influencing AGS formation and stability are the organic loading rate (OLR) and C/N ratio. In this study, AGS containing the SAN was cultivated under different OLR and C/N ratios. Through morphological analysis, physicochemical properties, and water quality analysis, the effects of the OLR and C/N ratio on the rapid formation and performance of AGS containing the SAN were investigated. The results showed that the most suitable OLR and C/N ratio in the SAN system were 1.4–2.4 kg/(m³∙d) and 10–15, respectively. A recovery experiment of sodium alginate (SA) showed that the group that formed AGS generally had a higher recovery efficiency compared with the group that did not form granular sludge. This work explored the suitable granulation conditions of AGS containing the SAN, and the results provide a theoretical basis for future practical applications. The recycling of SA as presented in this study may broaden the application prospects of SA. Full article

Environmental pollution caused by marine engines fueled with fossil fuels is a matter of growing significance. The search for renewable and clean energy sources and improvements in the way fossil fuels are burnt aims to reduce the environmental impact of these engines. For this purpose, fatty acid methyl esters were produced from pure canola oil using KOH-assisted methanol-based transesterification with a maximum yield of 90.68 ± 1.6%. The marine engine’s model was created with CONVERGE software, followed by experimental verification. This paper examines the blended fuel characteristics of a diesel engine with biodiesel blends (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) at different loads of engines (50%, 75%, and 100%). It also explores the variation in these characteristics of B10 (10% biodiesel–diesel blends) at three different load conditions and four different EGR rates (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The results indicate that the addition of biodiesel to diesel fuel reduces CO, HC, and soot emissions, while increasing NO_x emissions. Additionally, the EGR rate decreases NO_x emissions but results in higher levels of soot, CO, and HC emissions. Finally, response surface methodology was used to elicit the engine’s characteristics. It was determined that the optimum experimental operating conditions were 100% engine load, 6.9% biodiesel addition, and 7.7% EGR. The corresponding BTE, BSFC, NO_x, and HC emissions were 38.15%, 282.62 g/(kW-h), 274.38 ppm, and 410.37 ppm, respectively. Full article