Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Trends in the incorporation of antiseptics into natural polymer-based nanofibrous mats
No full textNanofibrous materials represent a very promising form of advanced carrier systems that can be used industrially, especially in regenerative medicine as highly functional bandages, or advanced wound dressings. By incorporation of antimicrobial additives directly into the structure of the nanofiber carrier, the functionality of the layer is upgraded, depending on the final requirement—bactericidal, bacteriostatic, antiseptic, or a generally antimicrobial effect. Such highly functional nanofibrous layers can be prepared mostly by electrospinning technology from both synthetic and natural polymers. The presence of a natural polymer in the composition is very advantageous. Especially in medical applications where, due to the presence of the material close to the human body, the healing process is more efficient and without the occurrence of an unwanted inflammatory response. However, converting natural polymers into nanofibrous form, with a homogeneously distributed and stable additive, is a great challenge. Thus, a combination of natural and synthetic materials is often used. This review clearly summarizes the issue of the incorporation and effectiveness of different types of antimicrobial substances, such as nanoparticles, antibiotics, common antiseptics, or substances of natural origin, into electrospun nanofibrous layers made of mostly natural polymer materials. A section describing the problematic aspects of antimicrobial polymers is also included
Quality of place as the winner of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of quality of life. Will this knowledge strengthen the development of geographical psychology?
Get PDFThe paper is focused on the third wave of the pandemic and its comparison with the first wave in terms of the quality of life of university students in Czechia. In the first wave, the society came together, with solidarity being a prominent manifestation. The third wave differed from the first one in medical (vaccination was already available) as well as social terms. The paper has two objectives, the first is to measure the quality of life and related variables in the third wave of the pandemic and to compare the values found in the third wave with those in the first wave of the pandemic. The second objective is to identify which of the factors related to quality of life are predictors of that quality. The hypothesis assumes different measured values of quality of life for men and women. The measurement yielded knowledge of the high value of quality of place and environmental quality, which can enrich the quality of life epistemology on the one hand and geographical psychology on the other. Trust, health, happiness, quality of place, and safety were identified as factors. The measurement revealed the finding of different quality of life values in the third and first wave of the pandemic. While quality of life values increased in the first wave compared to the pre-pandemic period, both quality of life values and factors decreased in the third wave compared to the first wave. The only exception was one factor that we consider to be a winner of the third wave of the pandemic. The factor that declined in all measurements is considered to be the loser of the third wave of the pandemic. The paper concludes with implications derived from these findings.Slovenská Akadémia Vied, SAV, (VEGA 1/0578/24); Ministerstvo školstva, vedy, výskumu a športu Slovenskej republikyMinistry of Education of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy of Science [VEGA 1/0578/24
Stimuli-responsive thin film composites of conducting polymers and cellulose nanocrystals for tissue engineering
No full textThin composite films comprising two primary representatives of conducting polymers, poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polypyrrole (PPy), with eco-friendly cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were prepared through electrochemical polymerization. The combination of CNC and PEDOT (or PPy) results in the formation of films with highly different surface topography and thickness. Intriguingly, different surface conductivity of PEDOT and PPy was revealed by atomic force microscopy albeit that the electrochemical properties were rather similar. The biological properties of the composites in contact with prospective human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) and cardiomyocytes derived from hiPSC demonstrated good cytocompatibility of both composites and their potential in engineering of electro-sensitive tissues. The as-prepared conducting, eco-friendly and cytocompatible composites are thus promising candidates for biomedical applications where stimuli-responsivity is a crucial cell-instructive property.Jane ja Aatos Erkon Säätiö, J&AE; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA ČR, (23-07425S); DKRVO, (RP/CPS/2022/001)Czech Science Foundation [23-07425S]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/001]; Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundatio
Youth labor market opportunities and challenges in Albania: successful transition from education to employment
No full textEvery year, a large number of graduates aim to become part of the labor market. The transition from school to work is an interesting time for many young people, carrying with them the perspective of social and economic independence. Supporting young people at this critical stage of their lives is as important a task as i t is difficult. Despite the global research done in the last 20 years, it is still evident that labor market mechanisms are insufficient to solve the problem of youth integration in the labor market. Through this study, I aim to identify the problems and difficulties faced by young graduates during integration into the labor market,hoping that they will be reflected in policymaking. The study involved 300 graduates from public and private universities. The results have shown that the level of education has a positive impact on the employment rate for the first time for young people. It also turned out that for the unemployment of young graduates one of the main causes is the lack of jobs in their profession, or in some way an oversupply of the market with graduates
Investigation of catalytic activation of peroxydisulfate on cu-doped mesoporous silica-based particles (Cu-BMS) for efficient degradation of methylene blue
Get PDFThe Cu-doped mesoporous silica-based particles (Cu-BMS) were prepared using an evaporation-induced self-assembly sol-gel procedure as a heterogeneous catalyst for the activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS). The formation of well-organized mesoporous structures with amorphous nature and high surface area of 286 m2/g was demonstrated. The catalytic activity of Cu-BMS in the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and the effects of operating parameters, including Cu-BMS dosage, initial PDS amount, initial MB concentration, temperature and initial pH, were investigated in details. The Cu-BMS demonstrated a remarkable catalytic activity (93.5% degradation efficiency within 60 min) and good stability.Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín; Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass; Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, VEGA, (1/0064/21); Horizon 2020, (739566); Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně, UTBEuropean Union [739566]; Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic [VEGA 1/0064/21
Transformational leadership fostering open innovation: A dynamic capabilities perspective
No full textDrawing upon dynamic capability theory, this research examines the role of transformational leadership in fostering open innovation in an emerging economy context in Southeastern Europe. Foremost, the study endeavours to tackle a noteworthy limitation, namely the nascent state of open innovation in the current body of literature pertaining to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using a quantitative survey, we gathered information from 154 Albanian SMEs respondents. Data was analysed using PLS-SEM on the SmartPLS 4.0 version. The results show transformational leadership has a significant relationship with developmental culture and open innovation. In addition, we found that developmental culture mediates the relation between transformational leadership and open innovation. This research provides important practical implications for policymakers, leaders and industry practitioners to develop new business models for innovation diffusion. It requires shifting the focus from traditional innovation approaches towards new solutions to ensure collaboration and knowledge exchange. Existing researchers have highlighted transformational leadership with open innovation in the Western context. However, open innovation is less explored in Southeastern Europe specifically in SMEs which is an important context to unravel the useful insights. Significantly, open innovation became enabler of value creation, improved competitiveness and economic growth.FaME TBU, (IGA/FaME/2023/012
Enhanced Li-ion intercalation kinetics and lattice oxygen stability in single-crystalline Ni-rich Co-poor layered cathodes
No full textSingle-crystalline nickel-rich cobalt-poor layered oxides are promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high safety and competitive cost. However, the severe cation disorder and lithium/oxygen (Li/O) loss during the high-temperature calcination process result in slow Li-ion diffusion and inferior O stability. Herein, a LiNi0.85Co0.05Mn0.10O2 (NCM85) single-crystalline cathode was prepared at relatively lower lithiation temperatures by barium/aluminum (Ba/Al) co-doping. The increase in the c-axis caused by Ba doping with a larger ion radius and the reduction in Li/Ni disorder can enhance the Li-ion diffusion kinetics, while the strong Ba-O and Al-O bonds considerably boost the lattice O stability to alleviate O escape during the charging process. The optimized cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 206.5 mA h g−1 at 0.1C and 115.6 mA h g−1 at 5C. Impressively, 87.5% of initial capacity is still maintained after 500 cycles at 1C in a pouch-type full cell. This finding provides a viable and flexible method to resolve the kinetics and stability issues of other layered oxide cathodes.National Natural Science Foundation of China [U22A20429, 22308103]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [2023M731083]; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesNational Natural Science Foundation of China, NSFC, (22308103, U22A20429); China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, (2023M731083); Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitie
Polylactide-based nonisocyanate polyurethanes: Preparation, properties evaluation and structure analysis
Get PDFThis study investigated the successful synthesis and characterization of nonisocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) based on polylactide. The NIPUs were synthesized by a condensation reaction of oligomers with hard segments (HSs) and synthesized carbamate-modified polylactic acid containing flexible segments (FSs). The oligomers with HSs were prepared from phenolsulfonic acid (PSA) or a mixture of PSA and hydroxynaphthalenesulfonic acid (HNSA), urea and formaldehyde. The mixing of oligomeric compounds with different amounts of formaldehyde was carried out at room temperature. Obtained NIPU samples with different hard segment content were tested for their mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength (TS) of all NIPU samples increased with an increasing amount of HSs, attaining the maximum value at an HS:FS ratio of 1:3. Samples prepared from PSA and HNSA showed higher tensile strength (TS) without significant change in elongation at break compared to the samples based only on PSA. Thermogravimetric analysis data indicated an absence of weight loss for all samples below 100 °C, which can be considered a safe temperature for using NIPU materials. Maximum degradation temperatures reached up to 385 °C. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the existence of expected specific groups as well as the chemical structure of the prepared polyurethanes. DSC analysis showed the existence of two characteristic phase transitions attributed to the melting and crystallization of hard segments in the NIPU samples.Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki, MNiSWCentre of Polymer Systems (Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic), within the project "Strengthening research capacity [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0409, LO1504, 3269/32/P]; Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Educatio
On the possibilities of merging additive manufacturing and powder injection molding in the production of metal parts
Get PDFPurpose: This study aims to enhance merging of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques with powder injection molding (PIM). In this way, the prototypes could be 3D-printed and mass production implemented using PIM. Thus, the surface properties and mechanical performance of parts produced using powder/polymer binder feedstocks [material extrusion (MEX) and PIM] were investigated and compared with powder manufacturing based on direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).
Design/methodology/approach: PIM parts were manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel PIM-quality powder and powder intended for powder bed fusion compounded with a recently developed environmentally benign binder. Rheological data obtained at the relevant temperatures were used to set up the process parameters of injection molding. The tensile and yield strengths as well as the strain at break were determined for PIM sintered parts and compared to those produced using MEX and DMLS. Surface properties were evaluated through a 3D scanner and analyzed with advanced statistical tools.
Findings: Advanced statistical analyses of the surface properties showed the proximity between the surfaces created via PIM and MEX. The tensile and yield strengths, as well as the strain at break, suggested that DMLS provides sintered samples with the highest strength and ductility; however, PIM parts made from environmentally benign feedstock may successfully compete with this manufacturing route.
Originality/value: This study addresses the issues connected to the merging of two environmentally efficient processing routes. The literature survey included has shown that there is so far no study comparing AM and PIM techniques systematically on the fixed part shape and dimensions using advanced statistical tools to derive the proximity of the investigated processing routes.DKRVO, (RP/CPS/2022/003); TBU in Zlin, (IGA/FT/2021/006); Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMTTBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2021/006]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/003
Evaluating an E-government stage model by using SOAR-AHP process
Get PDFE-government is a key component of today's efforts to give citizens improved services. As a result, participation of the general public in government policy is essential to assuring the success of e-government. Thus, when developing any e-government model, the security of personal information must be taken into account. According to earlier research, the developing countries are suffering from implementing e-government to provide e-services for their citizens. They also indicate that the biggest obstacles to implementing e-government in such countries are security and privacy. This study attempts to assess e-government stage model via using SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This is a new and reliable technique for evaluating e-government prior implementing. The AHP is combined with the SOAR analysis in this study's approach to analyze the phases and assess the model's viability. The study's findings demonstrate that the model is workable and appropriate for adoption