Alginate-silver nanocomposites in the form of spherical beads and films were prepared using a green approach by using the aqueous extract of Ajwa date seeds. The nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ reduction and gelation by ionotropic crosslinking using calcium ions in solution. The rich phytochemicals of the date seed extract played a dual role as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was studied using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 421 nm characteristic of silver nanoparticles confirmed the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The morphology of the nanocomposite beads and film was compact, with an even distribution of silver nanoclusters. The catalytic property of the nanocomposite beads was evaluated for the degradation of 2-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. The degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 1.40 × 10−3 s−1 at 23 ℃ and an activation energy of 18.45 kJ mol−1. The thermodynamic parameters, such as changes in enthalpy and entropy, were evaluated to be 15.22 kJ mol−1 and −197.50 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. The nanocomposite exhibited properties against three clinically important pathogens (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria).
Heavy metal contaminated soil due to industrial, agricultural and municipal activities is becoming a global concern. Heavy metals severely affect plants, animals and human health. A suitable technology is necessary for heavy metals removal because it cannot self-decomposition as organic compounds. Among the various technologies surveyed, phytoremediation is one of the safest, most innovative, environmental friendly and cost-effective approach for heavy metals removal. Nevertheless, traditional phytoremediation practices pose some limitations such as long processing time, unstable treatment efficiency and limited application at large scale. In many methods proposed to improve phytoremediation, integrated phytoremediation has been studied in the recent years. Integrated phytoremediation use chelating agents and phytohormones to enhance phytoremediation. This is an environmentally safe, saving time and relative high effective method. Results showed that the association of a metal ion and a chelating agent to form chelates helps to maintain the availability of metals in the soil for the uptake of plants. Phytohormones supply nutrients for the soil to support vegetable growth. Therefore, integrated phytoremediation is a promising solution to overcome the disadvantages of conventional phytoremediation. It should be taken commercialization and need more applied projects in this field to demonstrate and clarify the real potential of this technology. In view of above, this manuscript reviews the mechanism and the efficiency of integrated phytoremediation for heavy metals in contaminated soil to give an overview of this technology.
After the pandemic (COVID-19), there is a dire need to gain a competitive advantage for tourism organizations which can be accomplished by implementing new technologies to facilitate sustainable healthier services. Given that, the study aims to shed light on the importance of digital leadership to improve sustainable business performance considering the parallel mediation of digital technology and digital technology support in the tourism sector of Pakistan. The sample population consists of technology-based tourism organizations in Pakistan. Cochran’s formula was chosen for sampling, in which 37 organizations with 792 employees were selected for data through a random sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed through structural equation modeling, and findings reveal that digital leadership positively influences sustainable business performance. Furthermore, the mediating role of technological leadership support and digital technologies partially mediates the association between digital leadership and sustainable performance.
Purpose: Drawing on the Resource Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), the study seeks to investigate the impact of Big Data Analytics (BDA) on Project Success (PS) through Knowledge Sharing (KS) and Innovation Performance (IPF). Design/Methodology: Survey data were collected from 422 senior-level employees in IT companies, and the proposed relationships were assessed using the SMART-PLS 4 Structural Equation Modeling tool. Findings: The results show a positive and significant indirect effect of big data analytics on project success through knowledge sharing. IPF significantly mediated the relationship between BDA and PS in IT companies. Originality/Value: This study is one of the first to consider big data analytics as an essential antecedent of project success. With little or no research on the interrelationship of big data analytics, knowledge sharing, innovation performance, and organizational performance, the study investigates the mediating role of knowledge sharing and innovation performance on the relationship between BDA and PS. Implications: This study, grounded in RBV and DCT, investigates BDA’s influence on PS through KS and IPF. Implications encompass BDA’s strategic role, KS and IPF mediation, and practical and research-based insights. Findings guide BDA integration, collaborative cultures, and sustained success.
During and after the Covid-19 outbreak, people’s precautionary measures of not visiting public venues like cinema halls or multiplexes were replaced by watching treasured videos or films in private settings. People are able to watch their favourite video contents on a variety of internet-connected gadgets thanks to advanced technologies. As a result, it appears that the Covid-19 outbreak has had a substantial impact on people’s inclination to continue using video streaming services. This study attempted to establish an integrated framework that describes how people change their health behaviours during pandemic conditions using the health belief model (HBM), as well as the mediating effect of HBM constructs over ECM constructs such as continuous intention to subscribe to OTT video streaming services among subscribers. The study looked at the impact of three perceived constructs, susceptibility, severity, and self-efficacy, on the confirmation/adoption of over-the-top (OTT) video streaming services during the lethal pandemic (Covid-19). The study focused on new OTT video streaming service subscribers, and 473 valid replies were collected. Path analysis and multivariate analytical methods, such as structural equation modelling (SEM), were used to estimate construct linkages in the integrated framework. Perceived severity has been identified as the most influential factor in confirmation/adoption, followed by perceived susceptibility. The results also showed that satisfied users/subscribers are more likely to use OTT video streaming services. The mediators, confirmation/adoption, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction were used to validate the influence of perceived susceptibility on continuance intention. Furthermore, contactless entertainment enhances security for users/subscribers by allowing them to be amused across several internet-based venues while adhering to social distance norms.
This paper aims to investigate the factors of competitive success and examine the relationship between Strategic Management Accounting, management accounting information systems and sustainability performance. This research was conducted with a quantitative approach. The survey involved 125 managers of 4- and 5-star hotels in Bali, Indonesia, a research sample of 154 managers was determined to be given a research questionnaire. Analysis of research data was carried out through Structural Equation Modeling. The results showed that strategic management accounting and Information Management Accounting System had a positive effect on sustainability performance. MAS information also mediates the relationship between strategic management accounting and sustainability performance which can involve a variety of factors. This study only focuses on competitive strategy and MAS information variables, so further research is needed on the sustainability performance of the hospitality industry. The positive relationship between strategic management accounting and social and environmental performance supports the argument that hotels use socio-environmental aspects for their strategic management accounting. Hotel managers also need government regulations and information related to social and environmental issues such as the Indonesian occupational health and safety management system and the Indonesia Green Hotel Award.
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