Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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In-situ coating of iron with a conducting polymer, polypyrrole, as a promise for corrosion protection
Get PDFIron microparticles were coated with polypyrrole in situ during the chemical oxidation of pyrrole with ammonium peroxydisulfate in aqueous medium. A series of hybrid organic/inorganic core–shell materials were prepared with 30–76 wt% iron content. Polypyrrole coating was revealed by scanning electron microscopy, and its molecular structure and completeness were proved by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The composites of polypyrrole/carbonyl iron were obtained as powders and characterized with respect to their electrical properties. Their resistivity was monitored by the four-point van der Pauw method under 0.01–10 MPa pressure. In an apparent paradox, the resistivity of composites increased from the units Ω cm for neat polypyrrole to thousands Ω cm for the highest iron content despite the high conductivity of iron. This means that composite conductivity is controlled by the electrical properties of the polypyrrole matrix. The change of sample size during the compression was also recorded and provides a parameter reflecting the mechanical properties of composites. In addition to conductivity, the composites displayed magnetic properties afforded by the presence of iron. The study also illustrates the feasibility of the polypyrrole coating on macroscopic objects, demonstrated by an iron nail, and offers potential application in the corrosion protection of iron. The differences in the morphology of micro- and macroscopic polypyrrole objects are described.Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2024-28/005]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic [22-25734S]; Czech Science FoundationMinisterstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; DKRVO, (RP/CPS/2024-28/005); Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GAČR, (22-25734S
Gender composition at work and women's career satisfaction: An international study of 35 societies
Get PDFDrawing from status characteristics theory, we develop a multilevel model to explain the relationships between gender composition (e.g., female-female supervisor-subordinate dyads, a female majority at the next higher level, and a female majority at the same job level) in the workplace and women's career satisfaction. We hypothesise that working with a female supervisor and a female majority at the same level will be negatively related to women's career satisfaction, while a female majority at the next higher level will be positively related to women's career satisfaction. Moreover, we propose that formal societal (gender-equality) institutions and informal cultural (gender-egalitarian) values, each has a moderating effect on the impact of gender compositions on women's career satisfaction. Our results from a multilevel analysis of 2291 women across 35 societies support the three hypothesised main effects. Whereas institutions that support gender equality weaken the positive effect of working with a female majority at the next higher level, they amplify the negative effect of a female majority at the same hierarchical level. Our findings highlight the complex and paradoxical nature of gender composition effects on women's career satisfaction. We discuss the theoretical contributions of our findings and their implications for the diversity management practices of multinational enterprises.Projekt DEA
Exploring electrospun Nafion nanofibers: Bibliographic insights, emerging possibilities, and diverse applications
Get PDFOver the past several decades, there has been a significant surge in interest regarding the use of organic-inorganic hybrid polymers and nanocomposite membranes. The reasons for this are improved attributes, reduced costs, and the additional stability the influence membrane provides. This Review outlines the various techniques and methodologies used to prepare Nafion and its composites, delineating the promising benefits of the electrospinning process. Electrospinning has emerged as a versatile and promising technique for fabricating nanofibers with unique properties and wide-ranging applications. This study explores the electrospinning of Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer widely known for its exceptional proton conductivity and chemical stability, into nanofibrous structures, unlocking new possibilities yet unknown features of its inherent properties. The morphology and chemical structure of the resulting nanofibers is analyzed. A thorough bibliographic analysis of electrospun Nafion was presented using the PRISMA approach for methodically presenting the report. Network visualization of connected authors and categorizing application-specific publications are also discussed. Moreover, the electrospinning parameters and blends are systematically investigated to optimize the production of Nafion nanofibers for various applications in fuel cells, water treatment, actuators, sensors, and energy harvesting. The challenges involved in electrospinning Nafion, Nafion nanocomposites, and their variants are also presented, with a discussion delineating the future scope. This work concludes by emphasizing the interdisciplinary character of the Nafion polymer and its composites, connecting materials science and the intricate issues presented by various sectors.King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [RSP2024R164]; European Union [CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048, SP2024/087]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering VSB-TUOMinistry of Education, Youth and Sports and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering VŠB-TUO; Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education; King Saud University, KSU, (RSP2024R164); King Saud University, KSU; European Commission, EC, (CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048, SP2024/087); European Commission, E
Retail management: Generation Z and their impulsive buying behavior in non-food retails
No full textPaper is focusing on post-covid19 impulsive buying behavior and generation Z in a case of Central European transitional economies. Important is, that generation Z will be become full-fledged consumers with their own income. The aim of the paper is, how they are sensitive on impulsive buying behaviour. Previous research has not yet investigated impulsive buying behaviour on generation Z in the post-covid19 era in Central Europe. Based on literature review, four hypotheses identifying relationships were sets. Research design consists of survey-based quantitative research. The data (n=119) were obtained in 2023 through an online questionnaire survey. For statistical analyses were used p-value and the Pearson Chi-square Test. It was found, there is relationship between reason of impulsive purchase and impulsive buying behavior and relationship between gender and impulsive buying behavior, and it wasn’t found relationship between free funds to spend and impulsive buying behavior. Research was looking into product category which was bought impulsively by generation Z in last 6 months. Most sold product category impulsively were clothes and entertainment. This paper helps marketers with fresh information on which type of products are most impulse purchased in post-covid19 era. With the right marketing tools, it will then be easy for marketers to convince customers to buy these products
Radical and incremental innovations performance in Eastern European SMEs: An empirical study of developed and emerging economies
Get PDFAssessing the effectiveness of radical and incremental innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Eastern European countries is a significant issue in regional economics. In contrast, radical innovation entails the creation of wholly novel goods or organization processes that establish new markets. Progressive enhancements to current goods and processes are referred to as incremental innovation. This study explains the influence of incremental and radical innovation on the performance of SMEs in Eastern Europe. Employing EUROSTAT data from 2012 to 2021 and using regression analysis and a graphical model, the examines basic, radical, and incremental innovation and total researcher performance in SMEs, which could enormously affect business performance in Eastern European countries. Our findings indicate that radical, incremental innovation, and total research are all favorably related to the performance of SMEs and an approach to studying various innovations and their impact on SMEs. The particular performance effects of radical and incremental innovations in Eastern European SMEs might vary considerably, and empirical investigations and comprehensive research are required to provide more specific knowledge and suggestions for them. Our results can contribute to SMEs both theoretically and practically, providing fresh theoretical perspectives for scholars and helpful management consequences for administrators of SMEs in developing countries.Internal Grant Agency (IGA) [IGA/FaME/2023/004
Current state-of-the art review of footwear-ground friction
Get PDFThe most important role of footwear is to ensure safe, functional walking, and foot protection. For the proper functionality of not only the work shoes, the anti-slip behavior of the shoe under various conditions and environments plays an important role in the prevention of slips, trips, falls, and consequent injuries. This article is intended to review the current understanding of the frictional mechanisms between shoe outsoles and various counterfaces that impact the evaluation of outsole slipperiness. Current research focuses on the mechanisms driving outsole friction on different ground surfaces or the definition and description of parameters that influence outsole friction. Subsequently, the review discusses the effect of various surface contaminants on footwear friction. Lastly, challenges and outlooks in the field of footwear outsoles are briefly mentioned.FRC; [FSR-ST.2020/005]; [RO70200003025/2102
Relationship between the transport performance and financial coverage in urban public transport in the Czech Republic
Get PDFThe research presented aimed to compare the transportation performance, as measured by vehicle kilometers, to the operating costs incurred by thirteen transport companies in the Czech Republic from 2010 to 2019. This period was chosen to ensure that our research is not affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The financial coverage of operating costs includes revenues from fares and compensations from city budgets. We utilized data from the annual reports of The Association of Transport Companies of the Czech Republic. Based on the obtained data, we confirmed a positive relationship between the city's population, the extent of transportation performance, and consequently, the total operating costs. This research examined the conflict between the passenger and urban public transport, supported by the European Union's promotion of sustainable urban mobility plans in regional cities
Boosting water flux and dye removal: Advanced composite membranes incorporating functionalized AC-PAA for wastewater treatment
Get PDFThis study addresses the challenge of enhancing dye removal and antifouling properties in wastewater treatment by developing a composite membrane incorporating poly(acrylic acid)-functionalized activated carbon (AC-PAA) into a polyethersulfone (PES) matrix. The activated carbon was functionalized using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP), followed by hydrolysis to introduce hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) chains. The AC-PAA composite was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, confirming successful grafting and functionalization. Compared to pristine PES, the addition of 0.5 wt% AC-PAA led to significantly enhanced water flux (54 L/m2h vs. 30 L/m2h) and superior dye removal, achieving 63 % for methyl orange and 67 % for methylene blue at alkaline pH. Poly(acrylic acid) was selected for its carboxyl groups, which enhance adsorption capacity and antifouling characteristics. In addition to effective dye removal, the composite membranes were antifouling, with a flux recovery ratio of 72 %. Response surface methodology optimized parameters, confirming highest performance at pH 11 and 6 bar. AC-PAA functionalized membranes are an efficient solution in wastewater treatment, increasing dye removal and antifouling capacity versus current membrane technologies.National University of Sciences and Technology, NUST; University of British Columbia, UBC; NRPU; Higher Education Commision, Pakistan, HEC; Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, EHUHigher Education Commission of Pakistan (NRPU) [6020
On the consequences of AI bias: when moral values supersede algorithm bias
Get PDFPurpose: This study responded to calls to investigate the behavioural and social antecedents that produce a highly positive response to AI bias in a constrained region, which is characterised by a high share of people with minimal buying power, growing but untapped market opportunities and a high number of related businesses operating in an unregulated market.
Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on empirical data from 225 human resource managers from Ghana, data were sourced from senior human resource managers across industries such as banking, insurance, media, telecommunication, oil and gas and manufacturing. Data were analysed using a fussy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).
Findings: The results indicated that managers who regarded their response to AI bias as a personal moral duty felt a strong sense of guilt towards the unintended consequences of AI logic and reasoning. Therefore, managers who perceived the processes that guide AI algorithms' reasoning as discriminating showed a high propensity to address this prejudicial outcome.
Practical implications: As awareness of consequences has to go hand in hand with an ascription of responsibility; organisational heads have to build the capacity of their HR managers to recognise the importance of taking personal responsibility for artificial intelligence algorithm bias because, by failing to nurture the appropriate attitude to reinforce personal norm among managers, no immediate action will be taken.
Originality/value: By integrating the social identity theory, norm activation theory and justice theory, the study improves our understanding of how a collective organisational identity, perception of justice and personal values reinforce a positive reactive response towards AI bias outcomes.Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata Unversity, (IGA/FaME/006/2023, IGA/FaME/008/2024)Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata Unversity, Zlin [IGA/FaME/006/2023, IGA/FaME/008/2024
Time series pattern recognition via SoftComputing
No full textIn this paper we develop two methods that are able to analyze and recognize patterns in time series. The first model is based on analytic programming (AP), which belongs to softcomputing. AP is based as well as genetic programming on the set of functions, operators and so-called terminals, which are usually constants or independent variables. The second one uses an artificial neural network that is adapted by backpropagation. Artificial neural networks are suitable for pattern recognition in time series mainly because of learning only from examples. There is no need to add additional information that could bring more confusion than recognition effect. Neural networks are able to generalize and are resistant to noise. On the other hand, it is generally not possible to determine exactly what a neural network learned and it is also hard to estimate possible recognition error. They are ideal especially when we do not have any other description of the observed series. This paper also includes experimental results of time series pattern recognition carried out with both mentioned methods, which have proven their suitability for this type of problem solving.Ostravská Univerzita v Ostravě, (SGS23/PĜF/2011, MSM 7088352101); Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT, (GACR 102/09/1680); European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, (CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0089