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The energy optimization techniques developed for conventional ad hoc networks do not appropriately address the unique features of the wireless embedded sensor networks (WESNs). In the WESN environment, only reducing the overall energy consumption is not considered enough to maximize the life span of the entire network, but maintaining full network connectivity for a sufficiently long period of time is also an important design goal due to the energy constraints of each node. The wireless radio is a major energy user and is often the focus of energy conservation mechanisms, since the nodes communicate in a shared medium (air interface). The medium access control (MAC) layer of the communication protocol stack arbitrates access to the communications link by manipulating the sleep, listen, transmit, and receive states of the radio transceivers. The bursty traffic networks experience long periods of inactivity interrupted by unplanned and often short lived periods of high traffic loads. Currently available MAC protocols cannot meet application fidelity requirements of the bursty traffic networks since they are designed either for networks with periodic traffic or are not sufficiently traffic-adaptive, thereby introducing large multi-hop latency delays to realize network connectivity, overprovision during light traffic conditions, and slow ramp up at the initiation of a high traffic episode. This paper presents enhancements made to the energy efficient MAC protocol which is especially designed for the bursty traffic networks and in the process targets some available communication techniques used in the WESNs for discussion and comparison.

This study aims to identify the factors that influence the willingness of Bangladeshi retail investors to invest in ṣukūk.

The authors surveyed Bangladeshi retail investors using a structured questionnaire to understand their perspectives on potential investment in ṣukūk. The authors considered the behavioral aspects of retail investors and the desired ṣukūk features to analyze the demand side. Factors and regression analyses were performed to identify the persuading factors.

The results indicate that investor awareness is a fundamental factor in potential investments in ṣukūk. Investors perceive the security represented by government and third-party guarantees as a persuasive feature of ṣukūk. The tradability and tenor of ṣukūk also affect the investment intention. Sharīʿah consciousness of the investors also plays a significant role in their investment decisions.

One limitation of this study is that it incorporates potential individual investors only, and precludes institutional investors. In the future, there is scope for research to explore the demand factors impacting institutional investors of ṣukūk in Bangladesh.

The authors expect that the study will aid policymakers and ṣukūk issuers in crafting strategies to cater to the needs of Bangladeshi retail investors.

This study is the earliest research conducted in Bangladesh to determine the factors impacting the willingness of individual investors to make their potential investments in ṣukūk. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has analyzed the desired ṣukūk features from the perspective of Bangladeshi retail investors.

In recent years, governmental regulations and the pressure of non-governmental organizations have convinced corporations to consider sustainable issues in their decisions. A simultaneous design of forward and reverse logistics can keep us away from sub-optimality caused by tackling these two phases (forward and reverse logistics) separately.

Hence, this paper presents a new multi-objective mathematical model for integrated forward and reverse logistics regarding economic, environmental and social issues. A new hybrid multi-objective metaheuristic algorithm is developed to obtain a set of efficient solutions (Pareto solutions). The proposed algorithm hybridizes a well-known, non-dominated genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) with a simulated annealing algorithm.

To validate the algorithm, its results are compared to the obtained solutions from simple NSGA-II with respect to some comparison metrics. The numerical results show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Finally, concluding remarks and future research directions are provided.

By applying a model presented in this paper, one can reach to sustainable and integrated logistics network which considers forward and reverse flow of commodities simultaneously.

Recently, in response to the credit crunch and the increased costs of financing, new solutions for supporting the financial management of supply chains, known as supply chain finance (SCF), have been developed. They exploit the strengths of supply chain links to optimise working capital. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reference framework that links together the objectives leading to the adoption of SCF solutions and several moderating variables.

This paper adopts a multiple case study methodology, analysing 14 cases of the application of SCF solutions among Italian companies.

The main findings are the identification of the different objectives leading to the adoption of SCF; the analysis of the impact of moderating variables (the level of inter- and intra-firm collaboration, the level of the trade process digitalisation and the bargaining power and financial strength of the leading firm) on SCF adoption; and the formulation of a reference framework supporting the effective adoption of SCF solutions.

This contribution is exploratory in nature; theory-testing contributions should be the focus of further research. Also, the sample is limited to Italian companies. Finally, the service provider’s point of view has been marginally taken into consideration in this study.

The article addresses the need for more empirical research on SCF. It provides a reference framework focused on the objectives and moderating variables leading to effective SCF adoption, providing a theory-building contribution on the general topic of SCF and on the specific topic of the adoption process of different SCF solutions.

The purpose of this study is to find an applicable solution for the consolidation of petrified paper after disassembling it to complete other stages of treatment.

The samples were subjected to natural aging by being inoculated with Aspergillus niger until they reached the stage of adhesion and petrification. After that, the leaves were separated, and cellulose nanocrystals were applied, then the leaves were subjected to wet thermal aging for 21 days. Digital microscope, scanning electron microscope, mechanical properties measurement, measurement of color change, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pH measurement were used to evaluate the effects of the cellulose nanocrystal on paper.

The results proved that cellulose nanocrystal (5%) successes consolidation of petrified paper Without affecting its natural, mechanical and chemical properties.

This study was based on the effectiveness of cellulose nanocrystal in strengthening the petrified papers and testing its effect on the physical, mechanical and chemical paper properties.