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This study aims to integrate design methods and additive manufacturing with the use of a thermoplastic elastomer certified for medical use and reverse engineering towards a new concept of a customized buttress model with optimized features for the reconstruction of the osteo-dural opening after endoscopic endonasal transtuberculum-transplanum approach.

Additive manufacturing allows making of cost-effective and useable devices with tailored properties for biomedical applications. The endoscopic endonasal approach to the suprasellar area enables the management of different intradural tumours, and the craniectomy at the skull base is generally wide and irregular. Defining an optimal strategy for osteodural defect closure at the preoperative stage represents a significant challenge.

Using the results obtained from a computed tomography analysis, skull base defects were designed to plan the surgical approach. Several concepts of customized buttress models were first built up, initially focusing on thin, flexible edges characterized by different thicknesses. Finite element analyses and design optimization allowed us to achieve the optimal design solution with improved compliance/flexibility for easy intranasal manoeuvrability, maintaining an adequate mechanical stability. As the thickness of the edges decreased, an increase of strain energy values was found (i.e. 1.2 mJ – Model A, 1.7 mJ – Model B, 2.3 mJ – Model C, 4.3 mJ – Model D). However, a further optimization (Model E) led to a significant increase of the compliance (strain energy of 14.1 mJ).

The results obtained from clinical evaluations demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed technical solutions, improving surgery effectiveness.

This study aims to investigate the ammonia-sensing performance of polyaniline/polyethylene oxide (PANI/PEO) and polyaniline/polyethylene oxide/zinc oxide (PANI/PEO-ZnO) composite nanofibers at room temperature.

Gas sensor structures were fabricated using microfabrication techniques. First, onto the SiO₂ wafer, gold electrodes were fabricated via thermal evaporation. PANI/PEO nanofibers were produced by the electrospinning method, and the ZnO layer was deposited by using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on the electrospun nanofibers as a sensing layer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction were performed to characterize the analysis of nanofibers. After all, gas sensing analysis of PANI/PEO and PANI/PEO/ZnO nanofibers was conducted using an experimental setup at room temperature conditions. Furthermore, the impact of humidity (17%–90% RH) on the sensor resistance was actively investigated.

FTIR analysis confirms the presence of functional groups of PANI, PEO and ZnO in nanofiber structure. SEM micrographs demonstrate beads-free, thinner and smooth nanofibers with ZnO contribution to electrospun PANI/PEO nanofibers. Moreover, according to the gas sensing results, the PANI/PEO nanofibers exhibit 115 s and 457 s response time and recovery time, respectively. However, the PANI/PEO/ZnO nanofibers exhibit 245 s and 153 s response time and recovery time, respectively. PANI/PEO/MOx composite nanofibers ensure stability to the NH₃ gas owing to the high surface/volume ratio and decrease in the humidity dependence of gas sensors, making gas sensors more stable to the environment.

In this study, ZnO was deposited via RF magnetron sputtering techniques on PANI/PEO nanofibers as a different approach instead of in situ polymerization to investigate and enhance the sensor response and recovery time of the PANI/PEO/ZnO and PANI/PEO composite nanofibers to ammonia. These results indicated that ZnO can enhance the sensing properties of conductive polymer-based resistive sensors.

Technology acceptance is a measure of that technology’s usefulness. Oil palm is one of the biggest contributors to Indonesia’s revenues, thus fueling its economy. Using remote sensing would allow a plantation to monitor and forecast its production and the amount of fertilizer used. This review aims to provide a policy recommendation in the form of a strategy to improve the added value of Indonesia’s oil palm and support the government in increasing oil palm production. This recommendation needs to be formulated by determining the users’ acceptance of remote sensing technology (state-owned plantations, private plantation companies and smallholder plantations).

This review’s methodology used sentiment analysis through text mining (bag of words model). The study’s primary data were from focus group discussions (FGDs), questionnaires, observations on participants, audio-visual documentation and focused discussions based on group category. The results of interviews and FGDs were transcribed into text and analyzed to 1) find words that can represent the content of the document; 2) classify and determine the frequency (word cloud); and finally 3) analyze the sentiment.

The result showed that private plantation companies and state-owned plantations had extremely high positive sentiments toward using remote sensing in their oil palm plantations, whereas smallholders had a 60% resistance. However, there is still a possibility for this technology’s adoption by smallholders, provided it is free and easily applied.

Basically, technology is applied to make work easier. However, not everyone is tech-savvy, especially the older generations. One dimension of technology acceptance is user/customer retention. New technology would not be immediately accepted, but there would be user perceptions about its uses and ease. At first, people might be reluctant to accept a new technology due to the perception that it is useless and difficult. Technology acceptance is the gauge of how useful technology is in making work easier compared to conventional ways.

Therefore, technology acceptance needs to be improved among smallholders by intensively socializing the policies, and through dissemination and dedication by academics and the government.

The social implications of using technology are reducing the workforce, but the company will be more profitable and efficient.

Remote sensing is one of the topics that people have not taken up in a large way, especially sentiment analysis. Acceptance of technology that utilizes remote sensing for plantations is very useful and efficient. In the end, company profits can be allocated more toward empowering the community and the environment.

Gender discrimination exists in various settings globally and harms women’s mental health. This study aims to understand the impact of gender discrimination on hopelessness and emotional vulnerability. Further, we attempted to determine whether benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) moderate the relationships of gender discrimination with hopelessness and emotional vulnerability.

Data from 445 young women from India was gathered from a cross-sectional survey. Measures included gender discrimination inventory, Beck’s hopelessness inventory, emotional vulnerability scale and BCE scale.

Results yielded a significant positive association of gender discrimination with hopelessness and emotional vulnerability. BCEs were negatively related to hopelessness, emotional vulnerability and gender discrimination. Further, gender discrimination predicted increased feelings of hopelessness and emotional vulnerability. However, BCEs do not neutralize the effect of gender discrimination.

It is evident from this study that gender discrimination exists independent of socioeconomic class, domicile and educational qualification, taking a toll on women’s well-being and mental health. Incorporating attitudinal changes at the community and societal level in reducing gender norms responsible for negative outcomes will allow women to function to their full capacity and experience improved mental health.

The research on gender discrimination and its impact on women’s mental health is limited, especially exploring the role of BCEs. Previous studies have indicated that BCEs have protective roles in neutralizing adversities. However, the present study uniquely contributes to establishing the limited role of BCEs in the context of gender discrimination, though it contributes to mental health. The policy and psychosocial implications of the study are discussed.

Renewable energy alternatives and nanoscale materials have gained huge attention in recent years due to the problems associated with fossil fuels. The recyclable battery is one of the recent developments to address the energy requirement issues. In this work, the development of nanoscale materials is focused on using green synthesis methods to address the energy requirements of hybrid electric vehicles.

The current research focuses on developing metal oxide nanoscale materials (NANO-SMs). The Zno-Aloe vera NANO-SM is prepared using the green synthesis method. The developed nanoscale materials are characterized using analysis methods like FESEM, TEM, XRD and FTIR.

The average size of ZnO-Aloe vera mono-crystalline was recorded as 60–70 nm/Hexagonal shape. The nanoscale materials are used for the detection of LPG gases. The sensitivity observed was 48%. The response time and recovery time were recorded as 8–10 s and 230–250 s, respectively. The average size of SnO₂-green papaya leaves poly-crystalline was recorded as 10–20 nm/powder form.

Nanoscale materials are developed using green synthesis methods for hybrid vehicle applications. The nanoscale materials are used for the detection of harmful gases in hybrid vehicles.

This study aims to identify several perspectives that affect the adoption of blockchain technology in India (BCTA) and evaluate their impact. To study the sector’s influence on adoption and the impact of BCTA on the performance of the Indian healthcare supply chain (HSCP) using BCTA as a mediating variable.

In this study, we first developed a conceptual model based on Organizational Information Processing Theory and Technology-Organization-Environment, then formulated hypotheses. Based on this, a questionnaire was developed, and data were gathered from experts in the Indian healthcare industry who were familiar with blockchain technology. AMOS 19 was used to analyze data using structural equation modelling.

All the factors have a significant positive influence on BCTA. Healthcare supply chain factors influenced the adoption most dominantly, followed by technological, environmental, organizational and record-keeping unit factors. Both the public and private sectors of HSCP benefited significantly from BCTA.

This research work is fruitful for healthcare practitioners, top management, academicians and policymakers in assessing BCTA’s impact on the HSCP.

We have attempted to evaluate the possible BCTA impact on HSCP. BCTA as a mediating variable and considering different perspectives for a holistic view of adoption in the Indian context add to this work’s originality.

Despite the reputation of the metal-based porous media for their ability to augment heat transfer as widely witnessed in the literature and practically operating heat exchanging applications, the coexisting penalty of the increased pressure drop demanding increased pumping power poses a major concern that invites the need for an alternate solution to handle this unsought outcome. Therefore, this study aims at providing a better solution to the existing cost and benefit scenarios to benefit a plethora of engineering applications including energy transfer, energy storage and energy conversion.

This work highlights on the property of stacked woven wire mesh porous media such as their stacking types, porous conditions and thickness scenarios that can potentially result in distinct trade-off scenarios. A vertical channel is numerical modelled by using REV scaled modelling technique using Darcy-Forchheimer and local thermal non-equilibrium models to illustrate the possibilities of this variety of trade off scenarios between the desirable heat transfer and the unsought flow resistance.

This work illustrates the advantages of wire mesh-based porous medium and its distinct potential in controlling the existing trade-offs between the cost and benefit aspects. It is found that by varying the features of wire mesh porous media, the interplay between the conflictingly existing characteristics can be much easily handled specific to distinct requirements associated with variety of engineering applications.

The study emphasizes on a new solution or methodology to handle the penalty of pressure drop associated with metal-based porous media. Through this study, a novel approach to control the ultimately costing pumping power at the benefit of increased heat transfer is provided considering various requirements that could be associated with any thermal management systems. Various possibilities and potentials of wire mesh porous media are illustrated highlighting on their benefit of ease with which the mentioned goals can be achieved.

This paper aims to analyze the impact of sustainability measures taken during the design and construction phases, by examining two categories of sustainability: energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions and material selection and waste management. These aspects are examined from the perspectives of long-term building performance and maintenance practices, as well as user/tenant satisfaction.

This study includes a literature review related to the two topics under consideration, followed by a comparative case study analysis of four projects to determine practical validity. All case studies in this paper used a semi-structured survey with various project stakeholders, which helped the authors identify measures taken as well as obstacles and challenges during the process.

According to the four case studies, adequate attention should be paid to the two areas of interest during a project’s design and construction phases. Including case studies from around the world (four case studies from three different countries) offers insights into effective sustainability practices in building design and construction, providing instances of successful implementation and emphasizing the obstacles and potential when incorporating sustainability into the design and construction phases.

The findings also show that design and construction participants and companies should reduce waste generation and carbon emissions. In addition, they should make decisions on material selection to enhance projects’ sustainability and to contribute to creating a habitable planet for the future.

The influence of the design and construction phases on long-term project sustainability is of major importance and concern to users, owners, designers, contractors and facility managers. This study illustrates the necessity of including sustainability measures in the design and construction phases, highlighting the importance of sustainability in building design and construction through effective implementation techniques and interdisciplinary teamwork to realize sustainable goals.

Organizations are continually improving their practices to improve operational performance. They already employ Lean Manufacturing techniques (LM) to reduce unnecessary waste. Industry 4.0 techniques enhance operational performance in association with LM. Despite the proven benefits of LM principles and the advancements offered by Industry 4.0 technologies, many organizations struggle to integrate these approaches effectively. This research paper explores how LM principles can be combined with Industry 4.0 technologies to provide valuable guidance for businesses looking to adopt lean automation strategies.

A systematic literature review on LM and Industry 4.0 was done to investigate the possible technical integration of both methods. Ninety-two articles are extracted systematically from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. This study states a systematic literature review, including quantitative analysis of bibliographic networks and cluster analysis, to identify emergent ideas and their further implementation.

The research findings highlight the positive impact of integrating lean production with Industry 4.0 techniques, benefiting organizations in achieving their goals. A lean automation integration framework is proposed based on the literature review and the findings.

This study provides industry administrators and practitioners valuable guidance for enhancing organizational productivity. These implications can provide businesses with competitive advantages, enhance customer satisfaction, and enable them to adapt to the dynamic demands of the contemporary business environment.

This literature review study has substantially contributed to the technological integration of lean and Industry 4.0. The work has also identified potential emerging areas that warrant further research.

Countries globally have implemented policies or regulations promoting greater gender diversity in boardrooms. We investigate whether gender diversity on corporate boards leads to higher Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) commitment through these disclosures.

Using 16,659 firm-year observations across 42 countries for the years 2019 and 2020, we use disclosure data from the Refinitiv database to measure the sample firms’ stated commitment to sustainable development.

Our data provide useful comparative information on the countries, legal jurisdictions and types of SGDs currently being disclosed. Our analyses reveal that gender diverse boards are associated with greater levels of SDG disclosures, with such commitment being more significant when there is more than one woman on the board. We also find that women board members are associated most with the PEOPLE and PLANET groups within the SDGs, and our results are robust to additional analyses and endogeneity concerns.

Although gender diversity has been examined within a corporate social responsibility and ethical, social and governance lens, this examination needs to be extended to the SDGs, given the latter’s multi-year horizon and involvement from governments, the private sector and a very broad cross-section of the global community. Our results reinforce global calls for increasing gender representation at the highest levels of organisations to meet the expectations of a greater range of stakeholders in terms of SDG commitment.