Assessing the Core Resources in the Environmental Management System From the Resource Perspective and the Contingency Perspective

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first objective is to examine the core resources that make environmental management system (EMS) a potential basis of sustainable competitive advantage from the resource-based view of the firm. The second objective is to investigate the set of core resources from the contingency perspective. Particularly, experience in implementing other manufacturing systems and the stage of EMS implementation were tested as the contingency factors. The proposed model and its related hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling on a large-scale database consisting of 1453 respondents. The results showed that it is the tacit resources within an EMS, in the form of top management team's strategic perception, cross-functional cooperation, and environmentally responsible suppliers, which help explain firmspsila operational performance. The findings provided the general principles in investment decisions of EMS. However, the results also demonstrated that the pattern of the core resources varies across firms with different experience in other manufacturing systems and at different stages of EMS implementation. As a result, there is no standard bundle of critical resources for each firm. Rather, firms need to tailor their resource investment decisions in light of these factors beyond the general principles.     

Surface functionalization of ceramic membranes with 3-aminopropyl groups using the sol-gel method

Planar ceramic Al₂O₃ membranes were functionalized with polysiloxane and polysilsesquioxane layers containing 3-aminopropyl groups using the sol-gel method. SEM images show the formation of polysiloxane or polysilsesquioxane layers on the membrane surfaces with the thickness of 0.35 and 4.4 nm, respectively. Infrared spectroscopy data confirmed the presence of the polysiloxane network and functional groups introduced during the synthesis. Measurements of the contact angles on the membrane surfaces showed that the hydrophilicity of the active layer is practically independent of the type of the structuring agent (tetraethoxysilane or 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane), and the introduction of the methyl groups increases the hydrophobicity of the surface layer. According to the filtration studies, all functionalized membranes are capable of retaining Cu(II) ions during filtration of diluted solutions due to the complexation of the amino groups in the selective layer with these ions.     

Embedded discontinuity finite element method for modeling of localized failure in heterogeneous materials with structured mesh: an alternative to extended finite element method

In this work we discuss the finite element model using the embedded discontinuity of the strain and displacement field, for dealing with a problem of localized failure in heterogeneous materials by using a structured finite element mesh. On the chosen 1D model problem we develop all the pertinent details of such a finite element approximation. We demonstrate the presented model capabilities for representing not only failure states typical of a slender structure, with crack-induced failure in an elastic structure, but also the failure state of a massive structure, with combined diffuse (process zone) and localized cracking. A robust operator split solution procedure is developed for the present model taking into account the subtle difference between the types of discontinuities, where the strain discontinuity iteration is handled within global loop for computing the nodal displacement, while the displacement discontinuity iteration is carried out within a local, element-wise computation, carried out in parallel with the Gauss-point computations of the plastic strains and hardening variables. The robust performance of the proposed solution procedure is illustrated by a couple of numerical examples. Concluding remarks are stated regarding the class of problems where embedded discontinuity finite element method (ED-FEM) can be used as a favorite choice with respect to extended FEM (X-FEM).     

The antimony-iron-niobium (Sb-Fe-Nb) system

Phase equilibria were established in the Nb-Fe-Sb ternary system for an isothermal section at 600 °C. Investigation of the phase relations was based on light optical microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction experiments on arc-melted bulk alloys, which were annealed up to 1400 h. One ternary compound was observed: NbFeSb (MgAgAs type) without a significant homogeneity region at 600 °C. Except for NbFe_2−y , mutual solid solubilities at 600 °C were found to be very low, for example, <1 at.% Fe and <1 at.% Nb in the binary Nb antimonides and Fe antimonides, respectively. The binary Laves phase NbFe_2−y with the MgZn₂ type exhibits an extended homogeneity region dissolving at 600 °C up to 7 at.% Sb in the ternary without change of its structure type.     

Identification of cheese mite species inoculated on Mimolette and Milbenkase cheese through cryogenic scanning electron microscopy

Samples of Mimolette (France) and Milbenkase (Germany) cheeses traditionally ripened by mites were analyzed to determine the mite species present on each sample. Scientific literature was reviewed to understand which mite species most commonly infest cheese. Morphological features possessed by mites were then studied to understand what unique characteristics are required to ensure accurate identification. After identification and compilation of a detailed key of stored food mites (subclass Acari, order Astigmata) and their delineating features, the mites were viewed through a cryogenic scanning electron microscope. It was determined that Mimolette cheese is inoculated with Acarus siro L. The features studied to identify this mite species included idiosomal length and shape, setae length and arrangement, leg size, placement of anus and genitals, and solenidia shape. The Milbenkase cheese is inoculated with Tyrolichus casei Oudemans, which was evident after viewing the same features used to identify A. siro and the supracoxal seta shape. With this knowledge, further research can be conducted on the 2 cheese varieties to understand what chemical, physical, and microbial changes occur within the cheeses because of mites. It is important to identify the mite species present on each cheese variety to improve our understanding of their role in creating the distinctive characteristics that set these cheeses apart from others.     

Porous silicon in solar cell structures: a review of achievements and modern directions of further use

Porous silicon, which is being obtained by electrochemical etching of silicon wafers in electrolytes on the base of hydrofluoric acid, recently attracted the attention of specialists in photovoltaics even more due to a number of its unique properties. However, at present, acceptable results are obtained for the use of porous silicon as antireflecting coating for silicon solar cells only. In the present paper, previous experience of the use of por-Si in the silicon solar cells has been reviewed. On the base of examination of the porous silicon properties, a number of new directions of improvement of photoconversion efficiency of structures with optimized layers of porous silicon are proposed. The results of numerical calculations carried confirm perspectiveness of use of porous silicon for efficiency improvement for different types of silicon solar cells. These can be increased of their internal quantum efficiency, expansions of operating spectral range toward ultra-violet and infrared spectrum range, decrease of losses of photogenerated power due to the influence of bulk and surface recombination.     

Surface Structure,Spectroscopic and Photocatalytic Activity Study of Polyaniline/TiO2 Nanocomposites

PANI （polyaniline） as a promising conducting polymer and photosensitizer has been used to prepare PANI/TiO2 （polyaniline/TiO2） nanocomposite as photocatalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles with size of 5-100 nm were encapsulated by PANI via the ＂in situ＂ polymerization of aniline on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles. IR, SEM, EPR techniques were used to characterize the mechanism of electron interaction in PANI/TiO2 nanocomposite. The resulting PANI-modified TiO2 composites exhibit significantly higher photocatalytic activity than that of neat PANI on degradation of MB （methylen blue） aqueous solution under UV irradiation.     

Design,Synthesis and Evaluation of a Series of 1,5-Diaryl-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazones as Inhibitors of the YAP-TAZ/TEAD Complex

Starting from our previously reported hit, a series of 1,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex. Their binding to hTEAD2 was confirmed by nanodifferential scanning fluorimetry, and some of the compounds were also found to moderately disrupt the YAP-TEAD interaction, as assessed by a fluorescence polarization assay. A TEAD luciferase gene reporter assay performed in HEK293T cells and RTqPCR measurements in MDA-MB231 cells showed that these compounds inhibit YAP/TAZ-TEAD activity to cells in the micromolar range. In spite of the cytotoxic effects displayed by some of the compounds of this series, they are still good starting points and can be suitably modified into an effective and viable YAP-TEAD disruptor in the future.