510 research outputs found
Business Functions Capabilities and Small and Medium Enterprisesâ Internationalization
Ineffective global expansion can adversely affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) business outcomes. Business leaders are concerned with developing effective global expansion strategies to penetrate potential international markets, thus enhancing sustainability. Grounded in the business management systems theory, the purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to explore strategies that leaders of Sub-Saharan Africa manufacturing SMEs use for global expansion. The participants were five manufacturing value-adding SME leaders participating in export markets. Using Yinâs five steps data analysis process, six themes emerged: (a) enterprise characterization, (b) understanding the enterpriseâs product, (c) intra-enterprise factor-based strategies for export participation, (d) the enterpriseâs external factor-based strategies for successful export venture, (e) global expansion strategies, and (f) serendipitous findings. A key recommendation for SME leaders is to analyze the critical components of their products and prepare to adjust them to the demand dimensions of the target market. The implications for positive social change include the potential to increase the enterpriseâs wealth, increase employment, reduce poverty for all value chain participants, and growth in gross domestic product
Tradition and Innovation in Construction Project Management
This book is a reprint of the Special Issue 'Tradition and Innovation in Construction Project Management' that was published in the journal Buildings
Informationsströme in digitalen Kulturen
Wir sind umgeben von einer Vielzahl an Informationsströmen, die uns selbstverstĂ€ndlich erscheinen. Um diese digitalen Kulturen zu beschreiben, entwickeln medienwissenschaftliche Arbeiten Theorien einer Welt im Fluss. Dabei erliegen ihre Diagnosen oftmals einem Technikfetisch und vernachlĂ€ssigen gesellschaftliche Strukturen. Mathias Denecke legt eine systematische Kritik dieser Theoriebildung vor. Dazu zeichnet er die Geschichte der Rede von strömenden Informationen in der Entwicklung digitaler Computer nach und diskutiert, wie der Begriff fĂŒr Gegenwartsbeschreibungen produktiv gemacht werden kann
2015 GREAT Day Program
SUNY Geneseoâs Ninth Annual GREAT Day.https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/program-2007/1009/thumbnail.jp
A mini review on the development of conjugated polymers: steps towards the commercialization of organic solar cells
This review article covers the synthesis and design of conjugated polymers for carefully adjusting energy levels and energy band gap (EBG) to achieve the desired photovoltaic performance. The formation of bonds and the delocalization of electrons over conjugated chains are both explained by the molecular orbital theory (MOT). The intrinsic characteristics that classify conjugated polymers as semiconducting materials come from the EBG of organic molecules. A quinoid mesomeric structure (D-A â D+ = Aâ) forms across the major backbones of the polymer as a result of alternating donorâacceptor segments contributing to the pullâpush driving force between neighboring units, resulting in a smaller optical EBG. Furthermore, one of the most crucial factors in achieving excellent performance of the polymer is improving the morphology of the active layer. In order to improve exciton diffusion, dissociation, and charge transport, the nanoscale morphology ensures nanometer phase separation between donor and acceptor components in the active layer. It was demonstrated that because of the excitonâs short lifetime, only small diffusion distances (10â20 nm) are needed for all photo-generated excitons to reach the interfacial region where they can separate into free charge carriers. There is a comprehensive explanation of the architecture of organic solar cells using single layer, bilayer, and bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices. The short circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc), and fill factor (FF) all have a significant impact on the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs). Since the BHJ concept was first proposed, significant advancement and quick configuration development of these devices have been accomplished. Due to their ability to combine great optical and electronic properties with strong thermal and chemical stability, conjugated polymers are unique semiconducting materials that are used in a wide range of applications. According to the fundamental operating theories of OSCs, unlike inorganic semiconductors such as silicon solar cells, organic photovoltaic devices are unable to produce free carrier charges (holes and electrons). To overcome the Coulombic attraction and separate the excitons into free charges in the interfacial region, organic semiconductors require an additional thermodynamic driving force. From the molecular engineering of conjugated polymers, it was discovered that the most crucial obstacles to achieving the most desirable properties are the design and synthesis of conjugated polymers toward optimal p-type materials. Along with plastic solar cells (PSCs), these materials have extended to a number of different applications such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and field-effect transistors (FETs). Additionally, the topics of fluorene and carbazole as donor units in conjugated polymers are covered. The Stille, Suzuki, and Sonogashira coupling reactions widely used to synthesize alternating DâA copolymers are also presented. Moreover, conjugated polymers based on anthracene that can be used in solar cells are covered
ATHENA Research Book, Volume 2
ATHENA European University is an association of nine higher education institutions with the mission of promoting excellence in research and innovation by enabling international cooperation. The acronym ATHENA stands for Association of Advanced Technologies in Higher Education. Partner institutions are from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal and Slovenia: University of OrlĂ©ans, University of Siegen, Hellenic Mediterranean University, NiccolĂČ Cusano University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Polytechnic Institute of Porto and University of Maribor. In 2022, two institutions joined the alliance: the Maria Curie-SkĆodowska University from Poland and the University of Vigo from Spain. Also in 2022, an institution from Austria joined the alliance as an associate member: Carinthia University of Applied Sciences. This research book presents a selection of the research activities of ATHENA University's partners. It contains an overview of the research activities of individual members, a selection of the most important bibliographic works of members, peer-reviewed student theses, a descriptive list of ATHENA lectures and reports from individual working sections of the ATHENA project. The ATHENA Research Book provides a platform that encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects by advanced and early career researchers
River Report. State of Lower St. JOhns River Basin, Florida: Water Quality, Fisheries, Aquatic Life, Contaminants, 2023
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/sotr/1013/thumbnail.jp
Chapter 34 - Biocompatibility of nanocellulose: Emerging biomedical applications
Nanocellulose already proved to be a highly relevant material for biomedical
applications, ensued by its outstanding mechanical properties and, more importantly, its biocompatibility. Nevertheless, despite their previous intensive
research, a notable number of emerging applications are still being developed.
Interestingly, this drive is not solely based on the nanocellulose features, but also
heavily dependent on sustainability. The three core nanocelluloses encompass
cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). All these different types of nanocellulose display highly interesting biomedical properties per se, after modification and when used in
composite formulations. Novel applications that use nanocellulose includewell-known areas, namely, wound dressings, implants, indwelling medical
devices, scaffolds, and novel printed scaffolds. Their cytotoxicity and biocompatibility using recent methodologies are thoroughly analyzed to reinforce their
near future applicability. By analyzing the pristine core nanocellulose, none
display cytotoxicity. However, CNF has the highest potential to fail long-term
biocompatibility since it tends to trigger inflammation. On the other hand, neverdried BNC displays a remarkable biocompatibility. Despite this, all nanocelluloses clearly represent a flag bearer of future superior biomaterials, being
elite materials in the urgent replacement of our petrochemical dependence
Environmental Impact and Remediation of Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are a group of metals and metalloids that includes transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides. When released into water, these elements have toxic effects on water quality and surface sediments, affecting environmental parameters such as pH and temperature. Therefore, metals that are harmful to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems pose a significant threat to plants, animals, and human health. As such, there is increased interest in mitigating the harmful environmental impacts of heavy metals. This book provides a comprehensive overview of heavy metals, their impacts on water, soil, food crops, and cosmetics, and techniques for their remediation. It is organized into three sections: âHeavy Metals and Their Effects on the Environment,â âEvaluation of Heavy Metals and Their Risks to Irrigation Water,â and âRemediation of Heavy Metals.
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