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City-level institutions and perceived entrepreneurial ecosystem’s growth orientation
Get PDFThis study uses both secondary and primary data on perceptions of 1789 ecosystem actors from 17 cities in Europe to perform an empirical analysis of three institutional dimensions: regulatory, cultural values and socio-cultural practices – and tests their association with the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s growth orientation. As a result, we develop a framework for the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s factors and provide policy recommendations for those interested in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s growth orientation in cities. Among other conclusions, the findings suggest a positive association between the socio-cultural practices of environmental sustainability behaviour in businesses with entrepreneurial ecosystem’s growth orientation
Optimizing a photon absorber using conformal cooling channels and additive manufacturing in copper
Get PDFMany of the 70 synchrotron facilities worldwide are undergoing upgrades to their infrastructure to meet a growing demand for increased beam brightness with nanometre‐level stability. These upgrades increase the mechanical and thermal challenges faced by beamline components, creating opportunities to apply novel methodologies and manufacturing processes to optimize hardware performance and beam accuracy. Absorbers are important beamline components that rely on water‐cooled channels to absorb thermal energy from excess light caused by synchrotron radiation or photon beams created by insertion devices, all within a limited volume, to protect downstream equipment and ensure safe, reliable operation. Additive manufacturing (AM) has been shown to meet criteria relevant to synchrotron environments like leak tightness and vacuum compatibility. However, there is a research gap on the heat transfer and pressure drop impact of different AM conformal cooling channel geometries, as well as the print quality of AM copper parts using low‐power infrared lasers and their compliance with absorber requirements. In this study, an intermediate model of a Diamond Light Source photon absorber was optimized to incorporate AM conformal cooling channels, leading to two concept designs named `Horizontal' and `Coil'. When compared with the baseline design, the lightweight Horizontal concept performed the best in this study, with simulations showing a maximum temperature drop of 11%, a calculated pressure drop reduction of 82%, a mass reduction of 86%, and the consolidation of 21 individually brazed pipes into a single manifold. The AM print quality and compliance with the synchrotron environment was examined by producing custom benchmark artefacts and measuring their surface roughness, dimensional accuracy and porosity levels, which are characteristics that can affect heat absorption, structural integrity, thermal conductivity and vacuum performance. The study demonstrates the benefits and addresses outstanding challenges in reducing thermal fatigue, as well as the size, vibrations and energy consumption of AM absorbers
Sustainable Supply Chain Finance: A Multiple Case Study
Get PDFDigitalization and Industry 4.0 are transforming supply chain operations worldwide. However, traditional supply chain finance (SCF) practices often overlook sustainability. This study explores how SCF, supported by Industry 4.0 technologies, can enhance supply chain sustainability by integrating the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. By examining five real-world cases using a qualitative case study approach, we develop a conceptual framework that captures the roles and interrelationships among key actors in sustainable supply chain finance (SSCF). This study employed cognitive mapping to visually synthesize these complex processes. The findings reveal that innovative technologies, stakeholder engagement, and targeted financial incentives can drive sustainable improvements across supply chains. The insights from this research offer valuable guidance for practitioners and policymakers and provide a foundation for future empirical studies
An Exploration of the Personal Experiences of Forensic Scene Investigators’ Daily Work:An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Get PDFPolice officers are significantly more likely than other emergency workers to experience mental health issues (MIND (2015) Blue Light Scoping Survey. https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/4857/scoping-survey.pdf) and significantly more likely than the general population to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (Bell and Eski, Policing 10:95–101, 2015). More specifically, forensic scene investigators (FSIs; also known as crime scene investigators) are a sub-group of police officers who are exposed to distressing material as part of gathering forensic evidence from crime scenes. Recent studies have suggested that FSIs are at risk of high levels of stress and trauma responses (Clark RD, Distelrath C, Vaquera GS, Winterich D, DeZolt E (2015) Critical-incident trauma and crime scene investigation: a review of police organizational challenges and interventions. J Forens Identification 65(6):929–951. https://collected.jcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context=soc-facpub) and (Mrevlje, Rorschachiana 39:1–19, 2018). Despite this, research into the personal experiences of FSIs is sparse. The present study therefore specifically explored the lived experiences of FSIs and their daily work using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Seven FSIs from a specialist unit within a UK police force took part in semi-structured interviews. Two superordinate themes were identified: (i) The psychological impact of being an FSI is high and requires personal sacrifice and (ii) The organisation does not care about reducing our stress—it increases it. All participants talked about the psychological impact of working as an FSI and the need to emotionally detach to be able to function/work in the role. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research
Understanding the challenges of medicine optimisation among older people (aged 60 years and above) from ethnic minority communities with polypharmacy in primary care: a realist review protocol
Get PDFBackground Across many countries, the number of older people from ethnic minority communities is growing due to ageing populations and migration trends. In England and Wales, the population of older people from ethnic minority communities, particularly those aged 60 and above, is also increasing. This demographic change, often accompanied by the prevalence of polypharmacy in these communities, presents unique challenges in the context of medicine optimisation. Failure in this context can lead to exacerbated health disparities, non-adherence, and inappropriate prescribing (whether over or under). Building on the MEMORABLE study exploring medication management in older people, this review aims to understand the complexities of medicine optimisation, exploring what works and does not work, when and under what circumstances for older people from ethnic minority communities. Key possible areas include cultural backgrounds, traditional beliefs, and systemic barriers that may influence medicine optimisation. Methods The review will follow the five-step realist approach that firstly establishes initial programme theories to highlight the expected context, mechanisms, and outcomes. Then a formal search for evidence will be conducted. The third step involves the selection and appraisal of studies screened by title, abstract/keywords and full text based on exclusion/inclusion criteria. Then data from these studies will be extracted, recorded, and coded. The final step will synthesise this information, to test, refine, and expand our initial programme theories and generate context-mechanism-outcome configurations to better understand medicine optimisation in these communities. Discussion This review will be conducted in line with the RAMESES reporting standards. By explaining what works, for whom, and in what contexts, the review will generate theory-informed insights into MO for older people from ethnic minority communities with polypharmacy in primary care. These findings can support the development of culturally responsive, person-centred interventions. Results will be shared through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at relevant national and international conferences
Uncertainty in Software Development Projects: A Review of Causes, Types, Challenges, and Future Research Directions
Get PDFIn a rapidly evolving business landscape, the success of software development (SD) projects is increasingly impacted by uncertainty, which poses significant challenges for project managers. Despite the known influence of uncertainty on project outcomes, its types, causes, and challenges in software remain inadequately understood. This review conducts a systematic analysis of previous related SD projects and related research to clarify these aspects, ultimately identifying key research gaps and proposing future research directions. By adopting a mixed-methods review that integrates scientometric analysis and systematic review methods, this study analysed 60 articles from the Scopus database. The results reported nine causes, six types, and nine challenges associated with uncertainty in SD to provide insights for project managers and researchers in understanding and managing uncertainty more effectively. Additionally, this study proposes four areas for further research to enhance focus and innovation in SD project management
Towards a scalable cacao pod husk biorefinery: Understanding the effects of process conditions on phenolic antioxidant extraction and residual solid properties
Get PDFCacao pod husk (CPH) is a potential source of phenolic-based antioxidants and lignocellulosic compounds. Sample pretreatments and extraction conditions were investigated to understand their effects on extraction yields and implications for industrial-scale CPH biorefinery. All processing parameters showed significant effects (p-value 0.92). CPH extracts contained 3.3–215.1 mg GAE/g dw of phenolics, 0.01–0.38 mg Cy3GE/g dw of anthocyanin and 0.86–22.5 mg TE/g dw of antioxidant activity, making it useful as antioxidants. CPH solid residues, rich in lignocellulosic compounds (23 % of lignin, 37 % of cellulose and 22 – 26 % of hemicellulose), volatile matter (62–65 %) and fixed carbon (21–25 %), are promising as pyrolysis or activated carbon precursors. These findings offer recommendations for large-scale extraction, including maximising CPH solid residue for bioenergy and activated carbon production, integrated into CPH biorefinery units
Exploring big data analytics adoption for sustainable manufacturing supply Chains: Insights from a TOE-guided systematic review
Get PDFThe importance of Big Data Analytics (BDA) has drawn much attention as the need for sustainability in manufacturing supply chains grows. However, a systematic understanding of the evolving landscape at the intersection of BDA, manufacturing supply chains and the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability is still missing. In response, the study aims to synthesise the existing literature to unearth the potential benefits of BDA to enhance sustainability and to clarify barriers constraining its widespread adoption. A systematic review of 64 peer-reviewed articles reveals a growing trend in BDA research related to sustainable manufacturing supply chains. The findings are thematically analysed and categorised according to how BDA influences ecological, social, and economic sustainability within these supply chains. Moreover, to comprehensively elucidate the landscape, the research leverages the Technology-Organisation-Environment framework to effectively frame organisations’ multifaceted challenges on their journey to embrace BDA. An integrated framework is proposed to elaborate holistically on BDA applications for sustainability. This review presents a vital reference for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike, facilitating a deeper understanding of how BDA can be harnessed to unlock sustainability in manufacturing supply chains and pave the way for more informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment
Assessments of sustainable chemicals and bioenergy potentials of selected lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks in Poland via physicochemical characterisation and pyrolysis
Get PDFThe varied physicochemical properties of biomass feedstocks influence their behaviour during thermochemical conversion to produce carbon-based fuels and chemicals. In this study, five common Poland-based lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks - oxytree trimmings, pinewood sawdust, vegetal sorghum, coffee waste, and mixed forestry residues were selected for detailed characterisation and intermediate pyrolysis to assess their sustainable chemicals and bioenergy potentials. Proximate analysis showed volatile matter contents ranging from 67.9 wt% (forestry residues) to 79.4 wt% (pinewood), with fixed carbon showing the opposite trend. Intermediate pyrolysis was conducted between 400 and 600 °C in a fixed-bed reactor using fast heating rates (200–300 °C/s) and a vapour residence time of ∼2.2 min. Gas yields increased with temperature, while liquid and biochar yields decreased. Pinewood gave the highest gas yield across all temperatures, reaching 26.9 wt% at 600 °C, while forestry residues yielded the most solid products (40.6 wt% at 400 °C). Thermogravimetric analyses of the feedstocks and their biochars showed progressive devolatilisation and increasing fixed carbon, reaching 80.8 wt% for pinewood biochar at 600 °C. Liquid yields followed the trend: coffee waste > pinewood > oxytree > forestry residues > sorghum. Woody biomass gave biochars with high fixed carbon and thermal stability, suitable for carbon sequestration, soil enhancement, or use as solid fuels. Coffee waste produced nitrogen-rich biochar with potential for fertiliser use, and fatty acid-rich oils suitable for biofuel upgrading. Phenol- and sugar-rich liquids from woody feedstocks have potential uses in resins, biochemicals, and fermentation. These results support tailored pyrolysis strategies to enable the strategic valorisation of Poland's biomass resources
Synchronisation and chaotic dynamics in breathing-soliton laser
No full textWe review our recent advances in the study of breathing solitons in ultrafast lasers, uncovering fascinating fractal dynamics in nonlinear systems, the intricate structure of synchronisation regions, a new state between synchronous and desynchronised phases in resonant systems, and a new pathway to chaos
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