Optical, structural and thermal properties of hybrid PVA/CaAl2ZrO6 nanocomposite films

This report focuses on fabrication, characterization, and fundamental optical, structural and thermal properties of PVA/calcium aluminum doped zirconate (CaAl2ZrO6) nanocomposites (NCs) films. The PVA-NCs with different amounts viz., 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% of calcium aluminum zirconate (CaAl2ZrO6) have been fabricated using solvent casting technique. The NC films structural and morphology have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. TEM result indicates that the size of nanoparticles (NPs) lies in the range 10-23nm.. Thermal studies have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The optical properties of NCs has been investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy, where the optical study reveals an increased refractive index from 1.22 to 2.23 at a wave length of 300 nm, where as the band gap energy (E-g) is reduced from 5.01 to 3.32 eV for PVA to PVA/8wt% CaAl2ZrO6, respectively. The dielectric studies, optical conductivity measurements and Urbach energy analysis also supports the dopant dependent optical property, tuning of PVA/CaAl2ZrO6 NC films to enable effective material property engineering to suit specified application requirements

Evaluation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) extracts on human T lymphoblastoid cell line

This paper reports on an investigation of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of khat extract using a human T lymphoblastoid cell line (CEM). Exponentially growing CEM cells were cultured for 12 h in the presence of khat extract (0-2000 μg ml-1). Statistically significant, dose-dependent increases in; CEM cell death at dose (> 400 μg ml-1), in DNA damage at dose (>200 μg ml-1) and in micronuclei frequency, at dose (>200 μg ml-1) were observed. The genetic damage effects of khat extract on human cell line observed in this study could serve as a major contribution towards the understanding and creating of awareness of an increased risk of cancer amongst long-term khat consumers

Productization of construction consultancy services

Construction services are considered to still being a traditional industry that hasn’t developed much for a long time. Construction consultancy services are classified as one of knowledge-intensive business services that employ professional competences to deliver customer value. Methods used in product manufacturing are studied in the context of service development and production and found to be very beneficial in systemizing of services. In this research, different practices and techniques studied such as modularity and platform delivery of services in the context of service conceptualization. The concept of service co-creation is also studied as a method that enable customer processes and collaborative service delivery. This study of case companies propose the utilization of product structure for construction consultancy services with different methods to achieve efficient services offering and delivery. The study used the available literature of service productization with focus on knowledge-intensive business services and analyses of the current state of case companies in different areas of commercial and technical service structure. It’s also researched how services are offered, clarified and described for the customers. Findings show a low level of service systemization among the case companies with some interesting productization efforts in one of the cases. The offering process in most cases is following the traditional customer responsive form in the construction business and highly project centric. Although different challenge found to be hindering the development process of construction services, great potential is found utilizing the product structure. The key components required for achieving the productization of construction consultancy services have been identified based on the literature review and analyses of the results of the cases. The key components identified include different methods and practices that aim to clarify the services offering, increase the value perception, systemize and standardize the service process

Poly (o-anisidine) Encapsulated K2ZrO3 Nano-core based Gelatin Nano Composites: Investigations of Optical, Thermal, Microcrystalline and Morphological Characteristics

A series of Gelatin/poly-o-anisidine coated K2ZrO3 polymer nanocomposite were fabricated by varying the poly-o-anisidine (POA) coated K2ZrO3 viz 0, 1, 2, and 4 wt% using the solvent casting method. From High-resolution transition electron microscopy (HRTEM) results it is cleared that the average size of the prepared nanoparticles and polymer coated nanoparticles are around 18-20 and 95-100 nm respectively, and the polymer coated nanoparticles are spherical in shape, and form a core shell. The phase purity and microcrystalline behavior of the prepared nano particles, POA coated nanoparticles and gelatin nanocomposites were analyzed by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscope SEM] and energy dispersive spectroscopy EDX] were employed for the analysis of the surface morphology and the elemental composition of the prepared nanoparticles and nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to assess the physical interactions between the components in nanocomposites. The thermal stability and effect of polymer coated nanoparticles on glass transitions temperatures were studied by using Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) respectively. From UV-Visible spectroscopy studies it is clear that, with increase in POA coated K 2ZrO (3) nanoparticles concentration from 0 to 4 wt % in a gelatin matrix, the band gap energy (E-g) value drops from 4.13 to 2.16 eV, and the refractive index rises from 1.529 to 3.25

Productization of construction consultancy services

Abstract. Construction services are considered to still being a traditional industry that hasn’t developed much for a long time. Construction consultancy services are classified as one of knowledge-intensive business services that employ professional competences to deliver customer value. Methods used in product manufacturing are studied in the context of service development and production and found to be very beneficial in systemizing of services. In this research, different practices and techniques studied such as modularity and platform delivery of services in the context of service conceptualization. The concept of service co-creation is also studied as a method that enable customer processes and collaborative service delivery. This study of case companies propose the utilization of product structure for construction consultancy services with different methods to achieve efficient services offering and delivery. The study used the available literature of service productization with focus on knowledge-intensive business services and analyses of the current state of case companies in different areas of commercial and technical service structure. It’s also researched how services are offered, clarified and described for the customers. Findings show a low level of service systemization among the case companies with some interesting productization efforts in one of the cases. The offering process in most cases is following the traditional customer responsive form in the construction business and highly project centric. Although different challenge found to be hindering the development process of construction services, great potential is found utilizing the product structure. The key components required for achieving the productization of construction consultancy services have been identified based on the literature review and analyses of the results of the cases. The key components identified include different methods and practices that aim to clarify the services offering, increase the value perception, systemize and standardize the service process

Remote Sensing in Studying Vegetation Cover, Sudan

This paper aimed at to view some of the studies about the application of remote sensing in Sudan with a focus on vegetation cover in different areas by many of scholars; the integration of remote sensing in the gum Arabic belt; southern Gadarif region; ahable and wad grabou area, white Nile state; east of the Nile Khartoum State, and in the centre during a half-century. Recommendations stated from these studies are; the use of assessment indicators including NDVI, SAVI and PCA –manipulated in color composite and/or unsupervised classification can be used as an appropriate mean for rangeland monitoring and assessment was recommended from the study of North Kordofan state

An Empirical Study on the Impact of Venture Capital Funding on Founders Financial Returns

Venture Capital (VC) finding and Initial Public offering (IPO) are amongst the most major financing events for highly growing companies and given also the importance of founders to the entrepreneurial process and the importance of their financial gain from the companies they founded, this research examined the impact that the VC and IPO amounts have on the founders’ financial gain and the imparity of that impact when compared to the effects on the companies as whole. This research selected 48 United States companies that went for an IPO in the year 2013 to be the sample of this empirical study. To select these 48 companies, all 220 companies that went for an IPO in 2013 had to be examined and pick the companies that had VC involvement, had identified individual founders that stayed until the IPO and were United States-based. Those were the only criteria of exclusion that led me to the sample of 48 companies. The results showed that the founders’ financial return has a negative relationship with the VC/IPO ratio but not significant relationship with the absolute amount of VC funding. The results also showed that for VC amount and VC/IPO ratio the impact on founders’ return were different from the impact on companies’ market capitalisation as a whole

Root Canal Retreatment: A Review of The Prevalence and Factors Related to The Need for Root Canal Retreatment and Its Success Rates (Systematic Review)

Root canal retreatment (RCR) is a critical aspect of endodontic practice, often necessitated by various factors that compromise the success of initial root canal treatments. This literature review synthesizes current research on the prevalence of RCR, associated factors leading to treatment failure, and success rates. Key factors influencing the need for retreatment include procedural errors, anatomical complexities, microbial persistence, and patient-related variables. Procedural factors, such as incomplete cleaning and shaping, inadequate obturation, and the use of outdated techniques, significantly contribute to treatment failures. Microbial persistence, particularly involving resistant strains like Enterococcus faecalis, exacerbates the challenges faced in endodontic therapy. Additionally, demographic factors, practitioner experience, and technological advancements play pivotal roles in determining treatment outcomes. Success rates for RCR vary widely, typically ranging from 70% to over 90%, influenced by the underlying causes of retreatment and the methodologies employed. Understanding these factors is essential for clinicians seeking to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient outcomes in endodontic care. This review underscores the importance of continuous education and the adoption of innovative techniques and materials to mitigate the need for RCR and optimize success rates