Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Highly catalytically active composite of palladium nanoparticles covalently bound to chitosan nanofibers via dialdehyde cellulose
No full textThis study introduces a novel, sustainable method for synthesizing sub-5 nm palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) and covalently binding them to chitosan nanofibers (CHITs) using fully oxidized dialdehyde cellulose (DAC). Notably, the DAC acts not only as a reducing and stabilizing agent for PdNPs, but also as a linker for their rapid and spontaneous covalent attachment to CHITs via Schiff base chemistry. This unique approach yields PdNPs with a narrow size distribution (4.7 ± 0.4 nm) and enables the preparation of a stable nanofibrous composite with excellent catalytic efficiency for 4-nitrophenol reduction (TOFPdNPs = 75.2 min−1, kPdNPs = 1.34 min−1; TOFPdNPs-CHIT = 1.18 min−1). The composite's high reusability, attributed to strong covalent binding, marks a significant improvement over traditional PdNPs composites that rely on weak interactions. This is demonstrated on a model of a catalytic device, reflecting industrial applications.Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet, NTNU; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GAČR, (23-07361S); Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GAČR; Centre of Polymer Systems, (RP/CPS/2024-28/001); Tomas Bata University in Zlín, TBU, (IGA/CPS/2024/002, RP/CPS/2024-28/007); Tomas Bata University in Zlín, TBUCzech Science Foundation [23-07361S]; Centre of Polymer Systems Internal Development Project - Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic [RP/CPS/2024-28/001]; Internal Grant Agency of TBU [IGA/CPS/2024/002]; Centre of Polymer Systems Internal Development Project - Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic [RP/CPS/2024-28/007
Psychological ownership and knowledge sharing: Key psychological drivers of sustainable tourist behavior
Full text linkAs the green transformation sweeps across industries in the digital age, tourism stakeholders face a pressing need to utilize online platforms and digital influencers for sustainability messaging. Drawing on the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability framework, this study investigates the influence of green ownership psychology and green knowledge sharing on tourists' repatronage intentions. It focuses on the mediating role of cooperative green activity programs and the moderating impact of tourists' green trust in social media influencers. Results from a two-wave survey of 602 tourists in Vietnam show that green practices directly increase repatronage intentions. Cooperative green activity programs significantly mediate this relationship, enhancing the impact of green marketing practices on repatronage intentions. Furthermore, tourists' green trust in social media influencers is a crucial moderating factor. It increases the effectiveness of green ownership psychology and green knowledge sharing in influencing repatronage intentions through cooperative green activity programs. The study highlights how the emotional and cognitive aspects of green marketing contribute to tourists' decisions to revisit or continue using tourism services. Offering original insights into the interplay of these elements in green marketing within the tourism industry, this research enriches the application of the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability framework. It provides valuable implications for tourism companies aiming to foster sustainable practices and enhance customer loyalty, highlighting the role of digital influencer engagement and cooperative sustainability initiatives in green marketing strategies
Pumping lemmata for fuzzy languages accepted by jumping and right one-way jumping fuzzy finite automata
Full text linkJumping finite automata represent an interesting kind of automata working discontinuously over their input. They can read any input symbol and jump without restrictions on any other (not yet processed) symbol. Right one-way jumping finite automata start their reading from the first symbol of the input word, their 'jumps' can be performed only in the left-to-right direction and after reaching the end of the input word, they can resume from its left hand side. This modified specification (in deterministic and nondeterministic variants) leads to automata with different computational power. The paper deals with fuzzy versions of these automata and with pumping lemmata for fuzzy languages accepted by them
The protective effect of serum antibodies in preventing SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into cardiac muscle
Full text linkSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with significant cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infection and pulmonary embolism. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of the left ventricle and the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in deceased COVID-19 patients. We conducted a post-mortem examination on 91 individuals who succumbed to COVID-19- related complications. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the myocardium of the left ventricle was analyzed reverse transcription real time PCR (RT-qPCR) (EliGene® COVID19 UKV/SAV RT kit, Elisabeth Pharmacon), and antibody levels in serum were analyzed by serological assays (VIDAS SARS-COV-2 IgM and VIDAS SARS-COV-2 IgG II tests, BioMérieux). Of the heart tissue samples, 44 % tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Our findings indicate that any detectable level of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 reduces the risk of viral penetration into the myocardium by more than fourfold. Specifically, individuals with detectable levels of IgG and IgM antibodies exhibited a significantly reduced presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cardiac tissues (p<0.0001 for IgG and p<0.001 for IgM). Notably, all patients who died from pulmonary embolism had elevated levels of IgG antibodies. The study underscores the protective role of IgG and IgM antibodies in preventing SARS-CoV-2 penetration into cardiac tissues. However, high antibody titers were associated with fatal outcomes such as pulmonary embolism, pointing to the intricate balance of immune response in COVID-19 pathology.Institutional Research Fund of Masaryk University [MUNI/A/1582/2023
The emotional profile of Slovak freshmen in teaching English as a foreign language
Full text linkThe article focuses on tracing changes in Slovak pre-service TEFL student teachers’ emotional states over the first semester of their university study and detecting possible factors inciting their emotions. It highlights the importance of understanding these emotional states as they significantly impact students’ perceptions of their suitability as educators. A mixed-methods approach was employed to collect qualitative and quantitative data through questionnaires, reflections, and interviews. The sample consisted of 67 non-native Slovak first-year TEFL students. It was found that the students experienced a range of emotions, from initial confusion and worry to eventual joy and contentment. Negative emotions were mainly triggered by the flood of new information and study-related factors, while positive emotions were associated with the supportive attitude of teachers and the freedom of university life.KEGA Agency of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, (KEGA 001UKF-4/2024)KEGA Agency of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic [KEGA 001UKF-4/2024
Analytical approach in designing PID controller for complex fractional order transfer function
Full text linkThe study focuses on the fractional complex order plant model, which has gained popularity in applied mathematics, physics, and control systems. A significant contribution of this research lies in discussing the physical phenomena associated with complex plant models and their impact on system stability and robustness. The main purpose of the method presented in this paper is to tune the controller parameters to ensure the stability and robustness of the system. There are methods presented in the literature for this purpose. One of these methods is to keep the phase curve in the system frequency response flat within a certain range. However, this process is based on equating the derivative of the phase value to zero at a certain frequency and adds great mathematical complexity to the calculations. In this study, reliable analytical formulas are presented for the same purpose using a graphical approach. Since the fractional complex order plant model represents the most general mathematical form, it enables easy creation of other plant models, including integer order and fractional order plant. The reason why this plant is chosen is that this structure can be named as the universal plant, which all other structures can be built by making little variations. For instance, a transfer function having integer, real and/or complex number coefficients and/or orders can be obtained by proper determination of the parameters of the universal plant. A time delay can also be added towards researcher's desire. The main inspiration comes from studying on an inclusive plant. The method in this paper intends to tune the well-known classical Proportional Integral Derivative controller. Thus, effectiveness of the integer order controller on various plants will be shown. This approach provides analytical calculation equations for the physical modifications of plants with integer, fractional, and/or complex coefficients and/or orders. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated visually with different examples that include these different possible situations. The results observed in the changes of the parameters in the transfer functions were also examined. Thus, pros and cons of the variations of integer, fractional, and complex numbers on system parameters have been shown
Perception of Gen Y and Z on bank's financial performance: Exploring managerial capabilities and digital innovation
Full text linkThe inception of digitalization has transformed many organizations. Presently, personal and professional lives are difficult to fathom without the utilisation of digital technologies. For organisations, digital innovation has brought up several opportunities. While most of the previous research considers how digital innovation affected worker productivity, and business performance and emphasised the massive deployment of digital technologies, little research assesses the factors influencing digital innovation. To fill this gap, this study aims to explore the impact of managerial social capital and managerial human capital on digital innovation, and the intervening impact of digital innovation on the connection between firm performance and managerial social capital as well as managerial human capital. To achieve this, 728 bankers in Ghana were conveniently sampled and the structural equation modelling in the PLS approach was utilized to analyse the data. The results showed that managerial social capital and managerial human capital have a substantial impact on digital innovation. Most significantly, digital innovation emerged as a favourable mediator on the managerial social capital and perceived performance affiliation, and the managerial social capital and expected performance connection. The findings urge managers and policymakers to combine the efforts of managerial social capital and digital innovation to increase the performance of banks as digital innovation has become a necessity in today's dynamic and digital era.American Spinal Injury Association, ASI
The effect of social media on the enterprise learning, innovation and performance, and knowledge management, transformational leadership, and of manufacturing firms in Ghana
Full text linkThis paper evaluates how the performance of manufacturing organizations in Ghana, as well as their capacity for learning, knowledge management, innovation, and transformational leadership, are impacted by social media. In today's highly connected world, social media platforms have become indispensable for fostering dialogue and teamwork, and disseminating information. However, its precise effect on the manufacturing industry has not been well investigated. The management of SMEs was analyzed using a quantitative study design. In-depth information was gathered from experts in the field. Questionnaires were used to obtain cross-sectional data. The Smart PLS instrument was utilized to put the hypotheses to the test. TRL, ORL, KM, and INO were found to have a direct causal relationship. The results demonstrated that innovation served as a mediator between TRL, KM, and enterprise performance. Finally, SOM moderated the relationship between ENTP and INO, as well as KM and INO. The findings of this investigation add to the current body of knowledge by shedding light on the myriad ways in which social media has affected the manufacturing industry. The conclusions of this investigation have important practical consequences for manufacturing companies, guiding them as they make strategic decisions about adopting and utilizing social media platforms to boost enterprise learning, knowledge management, innovation, and performance
Immunohistochemical analysis of 147 cases of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: refining the immunohistochemical profile of LG-ESS on a large, molecularly confirmed series
Full text linkLow-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS) can present diagnostic challenges, due to its overlapping morphological features with other uterine mesenchymal tumors. Misdiagnosis rates remain significant, and immunohistochemical data for LG-ESS are limited to small series and inconsistent antibody panels. This study aimed to refine the IHC profile of LG-ESS by analyzing a large, molecularly confirmed series of 147 cases using a panel of 24 antibodies, including newer markers like transgelin and smoothelin. CD10 and IFITM1, key endometrial stromal markers, were expressed in 86% (92% of those extensively) and 69% (60% of those extensively) of cases, with fusion-positive tumors showing significantly higher expression. Smooth muscle markers (α-SMA, desmin, h-caldesmon, calponin, transgelin) were variably expressed, predominantly in focal or low-intensity patterns, with α-SMA reaching the highest frequency of expression (44%). However, the intensity of smooth muscle marker expression was usually very low. Smoothelin was rarely expressed. Hormone receptors were frequently positive, with PR showing a higher frequency (92% vs. 83%) and intensity than ER. Markers like S-100, HMB45, and CD117 were largely negative; all tumors were p53 wild-type, with preserved SMARCB1/SMARCA4 expression and ALK and ROS1 negativity. This work represents the largest molecularly validated IHC study on LG-ESS, providing a robust diagnostic profile for routine pathology. By addressing key diagnostic limitations and examining newer markers, our study supports a more standardized approach to diagnosing LG-ESS and underscores the value of immunohistochemical panels, particularly in fusion-negative tumors where diagnosis relies on morphological and immunohistochemical interpretation. These findings contribute critical data for improving diagnostic accuracy
Low temperature crystallization behavior of natural rubber by dynamic mechanical analysis
No full textA fundamental study of low temperature crystallization of natural rubber (NR) gum polymer (raw elastomer) was conducted using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in oscillatory shear rheology mode. Isothermal crystallization was followed using DMA for crystallization temperatures ranging from-15 to-35 degrees C, with the maximum rate of crystallization noted at-25 degrees C. After the isothermal crystallization (annealing) for times from 6 to 9 h, DMA heating scans revealed two melting transitions (a and b ) with locations that depended on the prior annealing temperature. The locations of these melting transitions were comparable with literature results for melting peaks by differential scanning calorimetry. At temperatures above these melting transitions, we identified two additional relaxations in the DMA heating trace that did not depend on the prior crystallization history. We also found evidence of the melt memory effect in polymer crystallization, which is discussed. During annealing at-25 degrees C, high cis-1,4 isoprene rubber (IR) showed considerably slower and lower extent of crystallization than NR, and crosslinked NR did not show noticeable crystallization within the 12-h experiment.Center for Frontier Research and Technology of Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd