Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a promising technological approach for various applications in the biomedical field. Natural polymers, which comprise the majority of 3D printable “bioinks”, have played a crucial role in various 3D bioprinting technologies during the layered 3D manufacturing processes in the last decade. However, the polymers must be customized for printing and effector function needs in cancer, dental care, oral medicine and biosensors, cardiovascular disease, and muscle restoration. This review provides an overview of 3D bio-printed natural polymers—commonly employed in various medical fields—and their recent development.
This study begins the conversation on the impact that applicant CSR orientation has on a major phase of workforce development—employer attractiveness. There is also virtually no research that investigates CSRO and workforce development. Meanwhile, this present research effort provides evidence that there is some basic relationship between CSRO and employer attractiveness. The data comes from 280 participants who are interested in joining the hospitality and tourism industries in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results showed that all four dimensions are significant predictors of employers‘ attractiveness. More specifically, the ethical aspect of CSR has a stronger impact on employers’ attractiveness, whereas discretionary behavior in CSR has the least impact. The implications for academicians, researchers, and managers in the hospitality industry are given in detail.
The Yangjiabu Kite Festival, originating over 2000 years ago in Shandong Province, China, stands as a testament to the enduring cultural heritage and artistic traditions of kite flying. This research explores the historical origins, cultural symbolism, festival format, community engagement, and international exposure of the Yangjiabu Kite Festival, shedding light on its evolution and impact over time. Findings reveal the festival's deep roots in ancient Chinese traditions, its role as a platform for showcasing cultural diversity and craftsmanship, and its significance in promoting tourism, cultural exchange, and soft power projection for Shandong Province. Lessons learned from the Yangjiabu Kite Festival offer valuable insights for cross-cultural application, event management, cultural diplomacy, and community development. Suggestions for future research include comparative studies, longitudinal assessments, audience research, and policy analysis to further explore the dynamics and implications of cultural festivals in a global context. Overall, the research underscores the importance of cultural festivals as vehicles for cultural preservation, tourism promotion, and intercultural dialogue, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation across borders.
In this paper, we modeled and simulated two tandem solar cell structures (a) and (b), in a two-terminal configuration based on inorganic and lead-free absorber materials. The structures are composed of sub-cells already studied in our previous work, where we simulated the impact of defect density and recombination rate at the interfaces, as well as that of the thicknesses of the charge transport and absorber layers, on the photovoltaic performance. We also studied the performance resulting from the use of different materials for the electron and hole transport layers. The two structures studied include a bottom cell based on the perovskite material CsSnI3 with a band gap energy of 1.3 eV and a thickness of 1.5 µm. The first structure has an upper sub-cell based on the CsSnGeI3 material with an energy of 1.5 eV, while the second has an upper sub-cell made of Cs2TiBr6 with a band gap energy of 1.6 eV. The theoretical model used to evaluate the photocurrent density, current-voltage characteristic, and photovoltaic parameters of the constituent sub-cells and the tandem device was described. Current matching analysis was performed to find the ideal combination of absorber thicknesses that allows the same current density to be shared. An efficiency of 29.8% was obtained with a short circuit current density Jsc = 19.92 mA/cm2, an open circuit potential Voc = 1.46 V and a form factor FF = 91.5% with the first structure (a), for a top absorber thickness of CsSnGeI3 of 190 nm, while an efficiency of 26.8% with Jsc = 16.74, Voc = 1.50 V and FF = 91.4% was obtained with the second structure (b), for a top absorber thickness of Cs2TiBr6 of 300 nm. The objective of this study is to develop efficient, low-cost, stable and non-toxic tandem devices based on lead-free and inorganic perovskite.
This study aims to develop and validate a strategic model tailored to the unique challenges and contexts faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ecuador, enhancing their operational efficiency and access to financing. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional design to gather data from a sample of 358 companies. The study revealed that MSMEs are significantly hindered by limited access to financing, lack of managerial skills, and technological gaps. Despite these challenges, MSMEs demonstrated considerable adaptability and resilience, underscoring their critical role in the local economy. The strategic model proposed leverages Porter’s Diamond Model to identify and address the specific competitive and operational challenges encountered by these enterprises. Key findings include the necessity for enhanced financial literacy, simplified regulatory frameworks, and the integration of digital technologies to improve competitiveness. The proposed model focuses on strategic training, fostering innovation, and creating a more supportive financing environment. The implications of this study are profound, suggesting that policymakers and practitioners should streamline regulatory processes, enhance financial and technological support frameworks, and provide tailored training programs. These strategies are intended to bolster the sustainability and growth of MSMEs, contributing to broader economic development. This research contributes to the academic literature by providing empirical evidence on the challenges faced by MSMEs in developing economies and proposing a contextually adapted strategic model to mitigate these challenges, thereby enhancing their economic impact and sustainability.
The study explores improving opportunities of forecasting accuracy from the traditional method through advanced forecasting techniques. This enables companies to optimize inventory management, production planning, and reducing the travelling time thorough vehicle route optimization. The article introduced a holistic framework by deploying advanced demand forecasting techniques i.e., AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Recurrent Neural Network-Long Short-Term Memory (RNN-LSTM) models, and the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) approach. The actual milk demand data came from the company and two forecasting models, ARIMA and RNN-LSTM, have been deployed using Python Jupyter notebook and compared them in terms of various precision measures. VRPTW established not only the optimal routes for a fleet of six vehicles but also tactical scheduling which contributes to a streamlined and agile raw milk collection process, ensuring a harmonious and resource-efficient operation. The proposed approach succeeded on dropping about 16% of total travel time and capable of making predictions with approximately 2% increased accuracy than before.
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