This study documents an investigation of the flow stress properties and microstructural features of Ti6Al4V (ELI) alloy produced using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). Selected heat treatment strategies were applied to the material to obtain different microstructures. The influence of quasi-static strain rates and temperature on the obtained microstructures of this material and their strain hardening properties are documented in this study. All microstructures of the alloy formed in this study were found to be sensitive to quasi-static strain rates and temperatures, where their flow stresses increased with increasing strain rate and decreased for tests conducted at elevated temperatures. The strain hardening rates of the fine microstructures were found to be high compared to those of coarse microstructures. The strain hardening rates for the various forms of LPBF Ti6Al4V (ELI) examined here were found to diminish with increasing test temperature. Though the deformed surfaces of the built samples were largely dominated by adiabatic shear bands (ASBs), the absence of ASBs was noted for all samples tested at a temperature of 500 °C and an imposed strain of 30%.

Helichrysm caespititium is used for the treatment of viral infections and respiratory ailments. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical constituents and antioxidants (using ABTS, DPPH and FRAP) of H. caespititium water and methanol extracts. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, tannins, glycosides etc. Whilst the alkaloids were absent. Quantitative analysis of total phenols using both methanol and water extracts yielded high values of (839,1 and 531) GA/mg indicating rich phytochemical constituents from this plant. Whilst flavonoids from methanol and water extracts yielded (324 and 58) mg GA/mg, respectively. Results obtained from FRAP water and methanol extracts were 20,42% and 2,36% respectively; DPPH water and methanol extracts results were 92,62% and 80,56% respectively; and ABTS water and methanol extracts were 93,64% and 97,68%, respectively. These findings support the potential of H. caespititium as the potential source for the development of antioxidant-based therapies and health-promoting products.

Studies have shown that reducing cooling energy costs and increasing operational efficiency may be achieved by utilizing ice thermal energy storage (ITES) technology while maintaining the thermal requirements in space cooling facilities. Optimal control of the ITES system and integration of renewable energy (RE) sources such as PV and geothermal, depending on the availability of resources and application, can further improve the operation of HVAC's cooling systems and mitigate the increased energy cost required for ice formation and overall cooling energy.This study presented optimal switching control of the ice-build chiller for ITES charging and PV power source. Inputs to the model, simulations, and validations were implemented using the available data, which include the historical exogenous meteorological data, temperatures at the inlet and exit of the plant components, manufacturer's information, and readings from the plant's SCADA chosen for the case study.The main aim of the study was to develop an optimal control model that minimizes the energy consumption and cost in the Ice built chiller and other devices, such as pump fans in the HVAC system, by optimal charge and discharge of the ITES and supplementary utilization of the greener energy source PV source under the time of use (ToU) tariff and desired cooling load demand. The case study for a healthcare building was considered in implementing the model.Simulations were implemented in the MATLAB optimization toolbox with the Solving Constrained Integer Programs (SCIP) solver, which was chosen to address mixed integer programming (MIP) problems. It incorporates algorithms like a branch and cut conflict analysis and pre-solving techniques to handle intricate optimization problems involving continuous and discrete decision variables.The optimal switching control model yields approximately 33 % of energy cost savings during the summer months that involve using the HVAC with ITES compared to the current system control (baseline). Additionally, the ITES temperature remained below 0 °C to maintain thermal requirements as an operation constraint. The inclusion of PV and battery options as a source of power to the pumps accounted for 10–15 % of the overall energy usage of the system. Optimal control of the system to utilize the stored energy during peak pricing and high demand periods eliminated the extreme dependence on grid energy in some instances. Despite the additional capital required for the controller, solar PV, and batteries installation, the study projects a return on investment within two years, with a 20-year lifetime energy cost savings estimate of 35 % if inflation and annual electricity price increases are estimated at 5 % and 10 %, respectively.

PurposeThis study aims to explore organizational factors that impact women’s career advancement. Knowledge of organizational practices that promote or obstruct women’s career progress is vital for women, firms and governments.Design/methodology/approachA total of 237 women participated in the study from the service sector in Johannesburg (South Africa). Participants were selected using a convenient sampling approach. Researchers used a questionnaire, consisting of demographic and open-ended questions, to gather data. Comments were analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach.FindingsFindings reveal that prioritizing women, offering skills development opportunities, providing growth opportunities, assisting women in managing their careers, offering mentorship and having work-family support initiatives are practices that promote women’s career advancement. Conversely, practices that foster stagnation of women’s careers, distrust in women’s leadership abilities, preference for external candidates, people–related malpractices, male domination/preference, lack of role models and work-family balance support, hamper women’s career advancement.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will contribute to women’s empowerment. Organizations should provide a conducive atmosphere by instituting practices that promote their female employees' career advancement. Firms also should intentionally take practical steps to address practices that impede women’s career progression. The results of this study will also help the government to design appropriate policies that will promote the career progression of women employees.Originality/valueThis study presents findings from an analysis of qualitative data collected from 237 women to provide insight into the experiences of women working within the service industry in Johannesburg, South Africa.

PurposeThis study aims to explore the contribution of Enactus sustainability initiatives to youth empowerment and community development, thus analysing how South African higher education institutions can increase student involvement in Enactus projects across all faculties.Design/methodology/approachUsing a systematic literature review approach, the authors searched the Web of Science database for 47 relevant studies, which were found and filtered using the search parameters, and then 33 articles that are strictly relevant to the main topic were chosen as the final corpus.FindingsThe authors found that Enactus facilitates community progress through transformative innovations and students gain valuable skills that increase their employability regardless of their field of study.Research limitations/implicationsThe focus of this study is confined to scholarly evidence acquired from peer-reviewed journals, hence empirical studies could be conducted by using literature from books, theses, bulletins, government white papers and gazettes.Practical implicationsThese findings highlight several merits of Enactus skill-based training such as learning-by-doing, learning from failures and learning from entrepreneurs.Social implicationsThe study findings offer compelling evidence that student transformational innovations could facilitate sustainable development within communities.Originality/valueDespite the crucial contribution of Enactus projects to nation-building worldwide, literature on this phenomenon in the context of South Africa is limited.

Peer-assisted learning (PAL) encompasses the active acquisition of knowledge and skills among students in similar social settings where teaching one another enables reciprocal learning. Sameyear/ level PAL (SPAL) is applied in theoretical and clinical teaching across medical disciplines worldwide and is regarded as a teaching and learning strategy promoting self-directed learning. However, it is unclear if SPAL is supporting the academic progress and skills development of students placed on extended curriculum programmes (ECP) in health sciences education (HSE) effectively. This paper focuses on ECP tutors and tutees’ experiences of SPAL on their academic, personal and professional development. Six qualitative, semi-structured group interviews were conducted with 41 ECP students (14 tutors and 27 tutees) after they had participated in SPAL sessions. Findings indicate that SPAL supports ECP students not only academically, but also improves graduate attributes and leadership development, and promotes adapting to higher education through the establishment of communities of learning. Embedding structured SPAL sessions into ECPs in HSE was found to be central to the success of this teaching and learning strategy.gy.