Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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A comprehensive bibliometric study of product placement with an ethical emphasis
Get PDFProduct placement, also known as brand placement, has become a practice, in forms of media such as movies, music, games, cartoons and even social media. By increasing brand visibility and creating a sense of credibility for consumers it offers an avenue for advertising that doesn't feel like marketing. In this research study we have utilized methodologies to analyze the framework of the research field and the specific issue at hand by employing VoSViewer software. Our analysis focuses on a sample of 409 documents published between 1995 and 2023. The objective is to provide indicators including publication trends, citation patterns, notable authors, influential journals, and significant keywords. Additionally, we explore the reach of product placement research by examining its dispersion. This study contributes to both understanding and practical knowledge about product placements impact on consumer behavior brand management practices and social media platforms. Lastly. Importantly we emphasize the considerations that should be considered when implementing product placement as a marketing strategy, for any company.Internal Grant Agency of FaME, Tomas Bata University in Zlin [FaME/2023/008
Expectations and outcomes of first-year university students in English language learning
Get PDFStudents' expectations constitute a critical factor that can significantly influence their attendance, performance, satisfaction, and retention in a course. Unfortunately, the existing literature on university students' expectations within academic contexts, and their potential evolution throughout study, remains limited. This study examines students' expectations regarding English courses during their first year at a Czech university, evaluated at two distinct time points. Initial expectations were assessed at the beginning of the winter semester, and follow-up opinions were gathered after the first academic year. The survey revealed discrepancies in students' self-assessed language proficiency and the anticipated versus actual time dedicated to self-study at both the onset and the end of the period. The findings indicate that while several aspects examined in the study were consistent with student expectations, considerable scope remains for improvement. The department's management should guide instructors towards taking responsibility in fostering and facilitating oral communication among students, a task that may occasionally provoke anxiety
Effect of storing conditions on the color of distillate Tuzemák
Get PDFChanges in the color of a Tuzem & aacute;k distillate were monitored over a period of 24 months. The experiment was designed in cooperation with the manufacturer. The manufacturer was looking for a suitable type of bottle to sale the product. Dark and clear glass bottles with Tuzem & aacute;k were stored in two temperature regimes (6 degrees C, 20 degrees C). The bottles were placed i) in a dark room, ii) in a room with daylight and iii) under LED fluorescent lighting. Color changes were monitored during the storage period using a Konica Minolta CM 3500d spectrophotometer. The results confirmed that storage conditions have a significant effect on color stability. The most stable color was observed in Tuzem & aacute;k's samples stored in a dark bottle in a dark room at low temperatures (+/- 6 degrees C). The effect of light and temperature on storage in dark bottles was weaker than in clear bottles. The color of the samples stored in clear bottles at higher temperatures was paler than that of the samples stored in dark bottles at low temperatures
Synthesis of nickel dopped chitosan nanoparticles as a novel platform for electrochemical insulin detection
Get PDFNickel modified chitosan nanoparticles are promising catalysts for the determination of bioanalytes such as insulin, glucose, antibiotics, and ascorbic acid. In this study, we synthesized nickel-loaded chitosan nanoparticles to evaluate their potential as surface modifiers for electrochemical sensors for insulin detection. The nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation of chitosan with tripolyphosphate anions, followed by adsorption of nickel ions via ion-exchange resins and surface chelation. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with EDX analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The catalytic activity of nickel modified chitosan nanoparticles towards insulin oxidation was investigated through cyclic voltammetry. The resulting screen-printed carbon electrode modified with nickel-chitosan nanoparticles exhibited exceptional analytical performance, including high sensitivity (0.09 mA μM), a low detection limit (0.02 μM), and a wide dynamic range (300 nM–5 μM). Additionally, the modified screen-printed electrode demonstrated excellent selectivity, enabling accurate insulin determination in the presence of interferences and in real blood serum samples. These findings highlight the potential of nickel-modified chitosan nanoparticles as a surface modification strategy to enhance the performance of electrochemical sensors insulin detection and pave the way for their application in various bioanalytes determination platforms.North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, (G6106); North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO; European Commission, EC, (09I03-03-V04-00180); European Commission, E
Steady and dynamic state simulation of a methanol continuous-flow laboratory reactor for process variable evaluation and event-based thermostat regulation
Get PDFPower-to-X (P2X) converts excess renewable energy into hydrogen and then renewable fuels like methanol, addressing hydrogen storage costs. Methanol synthesis uses catalysts such as Cu/ZnO/Al2O3, with performance influenced by pressure, hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, and temperature. Therefore, accurate modelling, using kinetics like Graaf et al. Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson type model, material, momentum, and energy balances within the reactor, is essential. Based on these models, the performance of methanol synthesis was analysed. Specifically, analysis of bed porosity (εpm = 0.1 – 0.5), stoichiometric ratio of hydrogen-to-carbon (SH = 1 – 3), Gas-Hourly-Space-Velocity (GHSV = 1400 – 8400 h−1), temperature (200 – 280 °C) and pressure (20 – 60 bar) on the methanol synthesis performance for both dynamic and steady-state conditions was performed via COMSOL Multiphysics. This was followed by a thermostatic regulation of the reaction temperature between 239 – 241 °C, model application to simulate an in-house laboratory digital twin Micromeritics reactor, in addition to an industrial-sized reactor
Tailoring of the physicochemical and biological properties of polypyrrole colloids with the help of stabilizers
No full textColloidal systems based on polypyrrole (PPy) have gained significant attention in multiple research fields due to their exceptional potential in both biological applications and energy storage systems. Notably, their properties can be finely tuned by the chosen stabilizers, paving the way for groundbreaking innovations. Thus, the impact of various stabilizers (poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAL), gelatin, culminal and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) on the physicochemical and biological properties of PPy colloids was investigated. The obtained colloids exhibited spherical particles; however, their size varied from 48 to 223 nm. The PPy/PEO colloid demonstrated superior electroactivity, although it was less effective in forming thin films by spin coating. In contrast, all other colloids successfully formed uniform thin films when processed by drop casting and spin coating. The used stabilizers also controlled the cytotoxicity, PPy/PEO and PPy/PVAL expressing the lowest cytotoxicity. Additionally, all the investigated PPy films exhibited excellent cytocompatibility. Thus, this study demonstrates that the use of stabilizers allows very effective control of both biological and physicochemical properties of colloids.The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Czech Science Foundation (23\u201307425S). Parvathy Prasad is grateful to TBU in Zlin for the internal grant IGA/CPS/2025/001 funded from the Resources of Specific Academic Research. Moreover, this work was also funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the EPSILON Programme (TH80020001) within the M-ERA.NET 3 Cofund Call (project BATMAN). Dr. Sonal Gupta and Dr. Kadir Ozaltin are acknowledged for the assistance with UV-Vis analysis and contact angle measurement, respectively.Czech Science Foundation [23-07425S]; TBU in Zlin [IGA/CPS/2025/001]; Technology Agency of the Czech Republic [TH80020001
Carbon quantum dots/polypyrrole nanocomposite film as a quartz-crystal microbalance-based formaldehyde sensor
No full textFormaldehyde is a hazardous indoor air pollutant due to its adverse effects on human health, highlighting the importance of precise monitoring and detection. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites are attractive due to the synergistic behavior of constituents, and hence their films were selected to form a quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor for formaldehyde vapor. The CQDs/PPy nanocomposite film coated on the QCM electrode was fabricated by embedding CQDs into the PPy film through their adsorption from an aqueous medium onto the PPy film. The frequency change was linearly correlated with the formaldehyde concentration. The CQDs/PPy composite film detected a low concentration range of 0.58–5.82 mg L−1, which supports the high sensitivity of the composite film-based QCM sensor. The sensor exhibited good selectivity, reproducibility, stability, and repeatability for formaldehyde detection. The adsorption mechanism was explored. The diffusion of formaldehyde into the PPy and the CQDs/PPy nanocomposite films was studied.This work was supported by The Academy for Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) under a mobility plus project (ASRT-25-03, Title: Carbon quantum dot-functionalized conducting polymer aerogels in photo- and electro-catalysis).Academy for Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) under a mobility plus project [ASRT-25-03
Magnetic and structural analysis of magnetorheological foam fabricated by constraining volumes of foaming process
Get PDFMagnetorheological (MR) foam has become a topic of research interest due to its potential breakthrough in smart soft robotic applications, due to its versatility, high flexibility and durability. In fact, it has controllable properties that could be actively changed, reversibly by manipulating external magnetic fields. The process of magnetizing MR foam is highly dependent on the incorporation and distribution of magnetic particles (CIPs) in the porous structure of the foam. In fact, the resultant properties would be affected by the structural arrangement of the material. Therefore, this study provides an insightful analysis on the microstructure of MR foams and its resultant magnetic properties, after undergoing different constrained volumes of foaming process. The magnetizations of fabricated samples were determined via vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and the morphological characteristic was carried out by using atomic-force microscopy (AFM). The results demonstrate that the magnetic properties of MR foam increased as constrained volumes were applied during foaming process, from free foaming to 50% constrained volume. This indicates the improvement in the magnetic response of MR foams, and higher magnetic saturation due to more localized CIPs in the structure of MR foams. AFM analysis then further supports these findings by showing distinct structural changes in the porous structure of MR foams as the constrained volume during foaming decreased. Consequently, a more compact structure with improved distribution of CIPs has been acquired, which enhances the connectivity between the CIPs and contributes to a more robust magnetic network when MR foam is exposed to applied magnetic fields. This research provides a foundation for further exploration of MR foams, as the improvements are critical for future applications, particularly in robotic fields, requiring high-performance MR foams.Higher Institution Centre of Excellence; Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, MOHE; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, (23H17); Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UT
High VEGF secretion using co and B co-doped bioactive mesoporous glass anoparticles for enhanced angiogenesis
Get PDFThis investigation presents a novel approach to engineering mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) through selective ion doping. This method can significantly potentiate their physicochemical properties and biological performance. We elucidate the effects of boron (B) and cobalt (Co) doping, individually and in combination, on MBGNs’ structural, functional, and biocompatible characteristics. Using microemulsion-assisted sol-gel synthesis, we fabricated MBGNs with sizes ranging from 150 to 250 nm and shapes that shifted from spherical to more irregular shapes upon co-doping, as observed by SEM and TEM. We assessed the materials’ amorphous nature and molecular structure through XRD and FTIR, respectively, noting the preservation of bioactivity-associated Si-O-Si groups. This can influence the nucleation and growth of the mineral phases similar to those found in natural tissues, forming a bioactive coating on the material surface. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms confirmed a mesoporous structure with increased specific surface area upon co-doping. The release behavior of Ca and Si in simulated body fluids studied by ICP-OES indicated alterations after adding Co and B, modifying their release kinetics. Bone regeneration relies on osteogenesis and vascular network formation for nutrient and oxygen supply. This study highlights the synergistic effect of B and Co co-doping, enhancing both angiogenesis and osteogenesis beyond single-ion doping. Biocompatibility studies with MG-63 and HDFa cell lines indicated that B enhanced cell viability, while the viability effect of Co was concentration-dependent. Cytotoxicity was assessed through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays and is shown in high concentrations in the case of reference and B-doped sample, which was significantly reduced in the case of co-doped material. The newly developed nanoparticles showed a 10-fold increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion compared to the control sample (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA), as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in treated cells. Based on present results, the co-doped system shows a strong potential impact on angiogenesis with no effect on cell cytotoxicity.Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MSMT; DKRVO, (RP/CPS/2024-28/007); Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, (739566, VEGA 1/0057/23, SAS-MOST/JRP/2022/482, APVV-20-0322); Horizon 2020 Framework ProgrammeHORIZON EUROPE Widening participation and spreading excellence [739566, APVV-20-0322, VEGA 1/0057/23, SAS-MOST/JRP/2022/482]; European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme [RP/CPS/2024-28/007]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republi
квалитет услуга у омниканалној малопродаји супермаркета
No full textBusinesses have increasingly adopted omnichannel retail strategies to deliver seamless services and enhance customer experiences across multiple channels. However, many have done so without fully understanding customer expectations in the globally integrated market. Despite the rise of new customer expectations compared to traditional services, research on service quality within omnichannel retail remains scarce. This study aims to fill that gap by examining how service quality dimensions manifest in omnichannel supermarket stores. Using a text mining approach, we analyzed 7,216 online customer reviews of omnichannel supermarkets. The findings reveal that while traditional dimensions such as personal interaction, efficiency, and fulfillment remain valuable to customers, new critical dimensions such as integration and compensation have emerged in omnichannel retail. Additionally, the results show that customer expectations have evolved, prioritizing factors beyond price in omnichannel services. Reliability of contact and system availability are essential, while product shortages are identified as the most dissatisfying aspect.Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, CD