We report a method for effectively and homogeneously incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the form of double-wall (DWCNTs) and multi-wall (MWCNTs) structures into commercial paints without the use of additives, surfactants, or chemical processes. The process involves the physical mixing of the nanotubes and polymers using the cavitation energy of an ultrasonic bath. It is a simple, fast method that allows for uniform distribution of carbon nanotube bundles within the polymer for direct application. Due to the hydrophobic properties of the carbon nanotubes as grown, we used paint samples containing 0.3% by mass of both types of CNTs and observed an improvement in waterproofing through wettability and water absorption through immersion tests on the samples. Different solvents such as water, formaldehyde, and glycerin were used, and the results showed an increase in paint impermeability of 30% and 25% with the introduction of DWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively. This indicates a promising, economically viable, and revolutionary method for applying nanotechnology in the polymer industry.
This study investigated the relationship between telecommunications development, trade openness and economic growth in South Africa. It determined explicitly if telecommunications development and trade openness directly impact economic growth or whether telecommunications strengthen or weaken the link between trade openness and economic growth using the ARDL bounds test methodology. The findings reveal that both telecommunications development indicators and trade openness significantly and positively impact South Africa’s GDP in the short and long terms. The study also found that control variables like internet usage and gross fixed capital formation significantly and positively influence GDP. Conversely, inflation was found to consistently affect GDP negatively and significantly. The findings from the ARDL cointegration analysis affirm a long-run economic relationship between the independent variables and GDP. The study also established that telecommunications development slightly distorts trade in the foreign trade-GDP nexus in South Africa. Despite this, the negative interaction effect is not substantial enough to overshadow the positive impact of trade openness on economic growth. From a policy perspective, the study recommends that South African policymakers prioritise enhancing local goods’ competitiveness in global markets and reducing trade barriers. It also advocates for improving the accessibility and affordability of telecommunications technologies to foster economic development.
Integrated risk value response is designed to reduce threats and increase opportunities, especially in terms of running the spun pile method innovation process in accordance with the ISO 56002:2019 standard. Implementing innovation can reduce risks and increase the competitiveness of the company. The method of making or producing spun piles is the research area examined in this study. Questionnaires were distributed to workers in precast concrete companies and most of them were involved in each spun pile production line in the company in order to identify the risk factors that existed in the production line for the spun pile manufacturing method. 30 respondents were workers from organizations in the positions of Director, Manager and Staff. The risk values and impacts are mapped for each dimension to the activity details and it is found that there are 5 high risks as dominant ones, mainly risks with codes R41, R10, R4, R37, and R36. Based on a survey, the highest risk of 30% was found in the stressing & spinning dimension, which is recommended for the innovation process. Innovation is conducted with 5 innovation processes, mainly identifying opportunities, creating concepts, validating concepts, developing solutions, and deploying solutions. Recommendations for improvements are made with preventive and corrective actions that must be taken from every aspect of the spun pile production method activities. Innovation recommendations are also proposed to monitor production activities in real-time utilizing existing information and communication technology. Handling of spun pile waste material must also be implemented with certain methods and produce products that add value for the company. Ultimately, to increase the company’s competitiveness by increasing assets, it is recommended to increase the company’s intangible assets. The company’s intangible assets encompass IPR ownership in the form of Patents and Copyrights.
This research delves into the urgent requirement for innovative agricultural methodologies amid growing concerns over sustainable development and food security. By employing machine learning strategies, particularly focusing on non-parametric learning algorithms, we explore the assessment of soil suitability for agricultural use under conditions of drought stress. Through the detailed examination of varied datasets, which include parameters like soil toxicity, terrain characteristics, and quality scores, our study offers new insights into the complexities of predicting soil suitability for crops. Our findings underline the effectiveness of various machine learning models, with the decision tree approach standing out for its accuracy, despite the need for comprehensive data gathering. Moreover, the research emphasizes the promise of merging machine learning techniques with conventional practices in soil science, paving the way for novel contributions to agricultural studies and practical implementations.
Regional differentiation in the Russian Federation is considered to be high in terms of gross regional product (GRP) per capita level, growth rate, and other indicators. Inefficient use of region-specific spaces entails redistribution processes in order to maximize positive agglomeration effects throughout the country. These encompass economic restructuring based on production value-added chain extension and expanding inter-regional collaborative linkages. Besides, it is vital to assess the opportunities of individual Russian territories for participation therein. The research goal is to develop a scientifically based methodology to determine promising sectoral composition of the regional economies and that of spatial interactions. Such methodology would consider the feasibility of combining “smart” industrial specializations, regional resource potential, prevailing contradictions in the economic, innovative, and technological development of the country’s internal space. The proposed methodological approach opens the way to exploit the existing regional economic potential to the full, firstly, via establishing sectoral priorities of the region regarding the regulatory factors for the territorial capital to have a major effect on the increased potential GRP level; secondly, through benchmarking performance of the available development reserves within leading regions from homogeneous groups having similar characteristics and factor potentials; thirdly, via developing inter-regional integration prospects in terms of regional potential redistribution to ensure growth in potential gross domestic product. An extensive analytical and applied investigation of the proposed methodological approach was carried out from 2014 to 2020. Diversified estimates were obtained for a wide range of indicators due to evidences from 85 Russian regions and 13 types of economic activity. Such an integrated approach allows revealing actual imbalances and barriers that impede regional development, ensures the efficient use of production factors, and enables to trace ways to implement transformation policies and design effective regulatory mechanisms. The results provide arguments in favor of strengthening inter-regional connectivity and supporting inter-regional cooperation. This insight not only contributes to the academic discourse on complex development of a territory but also holds practical implications for policymakers and regional planners aimed at ensuring comprehensiveness and robustness of the evaluation supporting the decision-making process.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the perception types of workplace spirituality among nurses. Method: To achieve this, Q methodology was applied, selecting 34 Q samples from a total of 102 Q statements extracted. The Q samples were distributed among 40 nurses and categorized into a normal distribution. A 9-point scale was used for measurement, and the data were analyzed using the pc-QUANL program. Results: The four types identified were ‘reflective type’, ‘nursing-oriented type’, ‘relationship-oriented type’, and ‘spirituality-oriented type’. Conclusion: The four types derived in this study classify nurses’ perceptions of workplace spirituality for establishing a nurse’s workplace spirituality that provides integrated nursing care. This categorization can serve as foundational information when planning workplace spirituality programs, considering each type’s characteristics.
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