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1 – 10 of 22Kaiyan Yang, Xiaowu Gong, Lanli Bai, Yun Zhang and Na Zhou
This study aims to prepare a low-formaldehyde and environmentally friendly glucose-lignin-based phenolic resin.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to prepare a low-formaldehyde and environmentally friendly glucose-lignin-based phenolic resin.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors directly used lignin to substitute formaldehyde to prepare lignin-based phenolic resin (LPF) with urea as formaldehyde absorbent. To improve the performance of the adhesive, the biobased glucose was introduced and the modified glucose-LPF (GLPF) was obtained.
Findings
The results showed that when the replacing amount of lignin to formaldehyde reached 15 Wt.%, the physical properties of the prepared LPF met the Chinese national standard, and the bonding strength increased by 21.9%, from 0.75 to 0.96 MPa, compared with PF. The addition of glucose boost the performance of wood adhesive, for example, the free phenol content of the obtained GLPF was significantly reduced by 79.11%, from 5.60% to 1.17%, the bonding strength (1.19 MPa) of GLPF increased by 19.3% in comparison to LPF and the curing temperature of GLPF decreased by 13.08%.
Practical implications
The low-formaldehyde and environmentally friendly GLPF has higher bonding strength and lower curing temperature, which is profitable to industrial application.
Social implications
The prepared GLPF has lower free formaldehyde and formaldehyde emission, which is cost-effective and beneficial to human health.
Originality/value
The joint work of lignin and glucose provides the wood adhesive with increased bonding strength, decreased free phenol content and reduced curing temperature.
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Ümran Burcu Alkan, Nilgün Kızılcan and Başak Bengü
The purpose of this study is the development of sustainable and low-formaldehyde emission wood adhesive formulations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is the development of sustainable and low-formaldehyde emission wood adhesive formulations.
Design/methodology/approach
Three-step urea formaldehyde (UF) resin has been in situ modified with calcium lignosulfonate (LS) and/or 1,4 butanediol diglycidyl ether (GE). The structural, chemical, thermal and morphological characterizations were carried out on resin samples. These resins have been applied for particleboard pressing, and UF, UF-LS and UF-GE were evaluated as P2 classes according to EN 312.
Findings
The results show that the improved LS- or diglycidyl ether-modified UF wood adhesives were successful in their adhesive capacity, and the formaldehyde content of the final product was obtained as low as 8 mg/100 g. This paper highlights that the presented adhesive formulations could be a potential eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to formaldehyde-based wood adhesives for interior particleboard production.
Research limitations/implications
Combination of LS and GE resulted in weaker mechanical properties and fulfilled P1 class particleboards due to temperature and duration conditions. Therefore, in situ usage of LS or GE in UF resins is highly recommended for particleboard pressing. Formaldehyde content of particleboards was determined with the perforator method according to EN 12460-5 and all of the particleboards exhibited E1 class. LS was more efficient in decreasing formaldehyde content than GE.
Practical implications
This study provides the application of particleboards with low formaldehyde emission.
Social implications
The developed LS- and diglycidyl ether-modified UF resins made it possible to obtain boards with significantly low formaldehyde content compared with commercial resins.
Originality/value
The developed formaldehyde-based resin formulation made it possible to produce laboratory-scale board prototypes using LS or GE without sacrificing of press factors and panel quality.
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Lucas Ioran Marciano, Guilherme Arantes Pedro, Wallyson Ribeiro dos Santos, Geronimo Virginio Tagliaferro, Fabio Rodolfo Miguel Batista and Daniela Helena Pelegrine Guimarães
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of light intensity and sources of carbon and nitrogen on the cultivation of Spirulina maxima.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of light intensity and sources of carbon and nitrogen on the cultivation of Spirulina maxima.
Design/methodology/approach
Cultures were carried out in a modified Zarrouk medium using urea, sodium acetate and glycerol. A Taguchi experimental design was used to evaluate the effect on the production of biocompounds: productivities in biomass, carbohydrates, phycocyanin and biochar were analyzed.
Findings
Statistical data analysis revealed that light intensity and sodium acetate concentration were the most important factors, being significant in three of the four response variables studied. The highest productivities in biomass (46.94 mg.L−1.d−1), carbohydrates (6.11 mg.L−1.d−1), phycocyanin (3.62 mg.L−1.d−1) and biochar (22, 48 mg.L−1.d−1) were achieved in experiment 4 of the Taguchi matrix, highlighting as the ideal condition for the production of biomass, carbohydrates and phycocyanin.
Practical implications
Sodium acetate and urea can be considered, respectively, as potential sources of carbon and nitrogen to increase Spirulina maxima productivity. From the results, an optimized cultivation condition for the sustainable production of bioproducts was obtained.
Originality/value
This work focuses on the study of the influence of light intensity and the use of alternative sources of nitrogen and carbon on the growth of Spirulina maxima, as well as on the influence on the productivity of biomass and biocompounds. There are few studies in the literature focused on the phycocyanin production from microalgae, justifying the need to deepen the subject.
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Ganesh Thapa, Yam Kanta Gaihre and Dyutiman Choudhary
The purpose of the study is to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for major chemical fertilizers and revisit the fertilizer subsidy policy in Nepal.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for major chemical fertilizers and revisit the fertilizer subsidy policy in Nepal.
Design/methodology/approach
We surveyed 619 households from six districts and assessed farmers’ WTP for urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP) during the fertilizer crisis. Our study elicited the WTP for fertilizers when fertilizers were not available on the market. A modified payment card approach was used to elicit farmers’ WTP.
Findings
The study found that farmers who buy fertilizer from agrodealers, buy from gray markets, have bank accounts, are willing to take a risk, have strong or medium economic conditions and incur higher travel costs have a higher WTP for fertilizers. Farmers in sampled areas, on average, are willing to pay 31 percent more for urea, 13 percent more for DAP and 19 percent more for MOP than the government recommended fertilizer price.
Research limitations/implications
The design of the payment card and the estimation techniques used to fit the valuation function are likely to influence WTP.
Originality/value
Overall, literature on households’ WTP for fertilizers in developing countries is scarce. Our study contributes to the knowledge of WTP for fertilizers.
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Neeru Bhooshan, Amarjeet Singh, Akriti Sharma and K.V. Prabhu
The role of Technology Transfer Units, examined in this study, was found to be vital to expedite the process of disseminating new varieties and their production technology.
Abstract
Purpose
The role of Technology Transfer Units, examined in this study, was found to be vital to expedite the process of disseminating new varieties and their production technology.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,000 households were surveyed in the sampled states. A probit model was used to analyse.
Findings
Age, education, land holding, tractor use and number of working family members in agriculture were found to significantly affecting adoption of the new seed varieties. Technology transfer through licensing has impacted the adoption of new seed varieties positively by highlighting Punjab possessing the highest adoption and western Uttar Pradesh was majorly adopting the old variety.
Research limitations/implications
The authors believed in farmers’ memory to recall the varietal information of wheat.
Practical implications
The study recommended various incentives to attract the seed industry in UP to minimize the economic loss potentially suffered by them.
Social implications
Quality seeds are germane to increase the productivity of crops, and it is paramount to disburse the seed varieties to the end users in an efficient way to achieve the overall objective of productivity enhancement.
Originality/value
In this context, a study was conducted in three states of India, namely, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP) to find out the adoption rate of newly developed varieties of wheat, HD 3086 after three years (2014–2015) of its commercialization by IARI as well as HD 2967, which was released in 2011.
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Nilam C. Patel, Dipen H. Desai and Paresh N. Patel
This paper aims to develop a novel protocol for the synthesis of disperse dyes derived by a triple cascade reaction with lawsone in presence of Zn acetate as a catalyst. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop a novel protocol for the synthesis of disperse dyes derived by a triple cascade reaction with lawsone in presence of Zn acetate as a catalyst. The developed novel scaffolds have efficient dyeing properties on nylon and polyester fibers.
Design/methodology/approach
This report demonstrates an effectual triple cascade protocol for the synthesis of novel disperse dyes derived from various polynuclear carbaldehyde, urea and lawsone. The Zn acetate was found to be an effective catalyst for this reaction. Their dyeing performance has been studied on nylon and polyester fabrics. The wash fastness, sublimation fastness, color assessment, determination of percentage exhaustion and fixation properties were applied to both the dyed fabrics.
Findings
The obtained results indicate that the Zn acetate is an efficient catalyst for the developed triple cascade protocol. The prepared novel disperse dye greatly impacted their dyeing properties on nylon and polyester fibers. They have shown brilliant shades, higher affinity, adsorption capacity, superior tinctorial strength than the lawsone. The percentage exhaustion value, fixation value, color strength (K/s) value, washing and sublimation fastness properties have been found very well in all dyed nylon samples compared to polyester samples. These results discloses that these disperses dyes are very useful to the growing importance of nylon and polyester fibers.
Research limitations/implications
The present protocol synthesizes the racemic mixture of the prepared molecules.
Practical implications
Developed protocol can be used for various other triple cascade processes. Also these molecules can be used for dyeing of other fabrics.
Social implications
With the help of commercialization of prepared molecules, it may provide the better alternative of the current disperse dyes. This may affect the various segments of society.
Originality/value
This report represents a novel protocol for the synthesis of modified novel disperse dyes with an efficient dyeing properties on nylon and polyester fibers.
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Mohd. Nishat Faisal, Lamay Bin Sabir and Khurram Jahangir Sharif
This study has two major objectives. First, comprehensively review the literature on transparency in supply chain management. Second, based on a critical analysis of literature…
Abstract
Purpose
This study has two major objectives. First, comprehensively review the literature on transparency in supply chain management. Second, based on a critical analysis of literature, identify the attributes and sub-attributes of supply chain transparency and develop a numerical measure to quantify transparency in supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the PRISMA approach. Utilizing SCOPUS database past eighteen-year papers search resulted in 249 papers to understand major developments in the domain of supply chain transparency. Subsequently, graph theoretic approach is applied to quantify transparency in supply chain and the proposed index is evaluated for case supply chains from pharma and dairy sectors.
Findings
It can be concluded from SLR that supply chain transparency research has evolved from merely tracking and tracing of the product towards sustainable development of the whole value chain. The research identifies four major attributes and their sub-attributes that influence transparency in supply chains, which are used to develop transparency index. The proposed index for two sectors helps to understand areas that need immediate attention to improve transparency in the case supply chains.
Originality/value
This paper attempts to understand the development of transparency research in supply chain using the PRISMA approach for SLR. In addition, development of mathematical model to quantify supply chain transparency is a novel attempt that would help benchmark best practices in the industry. Further, transparency index would help to understand specific areas that need attention to improve transparency in supply chains.
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Yajun Chen, Zehuan Sui and Juan Du
This paper aims to focus on the research progress of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in the aviation field in the past few years. The paper provides certain…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on the research progress of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in the aviation field in the past few years. The paper provides certain literature review supports and development direction suggestions for future research on intelligent self-healing coatings in aviation.
Design/methodology/approach
This mini-review uses a systematic literature review process to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings that have been researched and applied in the field of aviation in recent years. In total, 64 articles published in journals in this field in the last few years were analysed in this paper.
Findings
The authors conclude that the incorporation of multiple external stimulus-response mechanisms makes the coatings smarter in addition to their original self-healing corrosion protection function. In the future, further research is still needed in the research and development of new coating materials, the synergistic release of multiple self-healing mechanisms, coating preparation technology and corrosion monitoring technology.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the few systematic literature reviews on intelligent self-healing anti-corrosion coatings in aviation. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the topical issues of such coatings and present their views and opinions by discussing the opportunities and challenges that self-healing coatings will face in future development.
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Qing Liu, Yun Feng and Mengxia Xu
This paper aims to investigate whether the establishment of commodity futures can effectively hedge systemic risk in the spot network, given the context of financialization in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate whether the establishment of commodity futures can effectively hedge systemic risk in the spot network, given the context of financialization in the commodity futures market.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing industry association data from the Chinese commodity market, the authors identify systemically important commodities based on their importance in the production process using multiple graph analysis methods. Then the authors analyze the effect of listing futures on the systemic risk in the spot market with the staggered difference-in-differences (DID) method.
Findings
The findings suggest that futures contracts help reduce systemic risks in the underlying spot network. Systemic risk for a commodity will decrease by approximately 5.7% with the introduction of each corresponding futures contract, since the hedging function of futures reduces the timing behavior of firms in the spot market. Establishing futures contracts for upstream commodities lowers systemic risks for downstream commodities. Energy commodities, such as crude oil and coal, have higher systemic importance, with the energy sector dominating systemic importance, while some chemical commodities also have considerable systemic importance. Meanwhile, the shortest transmission path for risk propagation is composed of the energy industry, chemical industry, agriculture/metal industry and final products.
Originality/value
The paper provides the following policy insights: (1) The role of futures contracts is still positive, and future contracts should be established upstream and at more systemically important nodes in the spot production chain. (2) More attention should be paid to the chemical industry chain, as some chemical commodities are systemically important but do not have corresponding futures contracts. (3) The risk source of the commodity spot market network is the energy industry, and therefore, energy-related commodities should continue to be closely monitored.
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Jinwei Zhao, Shuolei Feng, Xiaodong Cao and Haopei Zheng
This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.
Design/methodology/approach
In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.
Findings
This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.
Originality/value
The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.