Efficient SC Research Articles

Performance assessment of an eco-friendly tandem solar cell based on double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6

Tandem solar cells have a wider photon absorption range, allowing them to provide better efficiency than single-junction SC. The upper cell absorbs high-energy photons, while the lower cell absorbs low-energy filtered photons. However, in order to obtain affordable, efficient, and long-lasting SC, the absorber layers of the top and bottom cells must be integrated with an adequate bandgap. This research suggests tandem perovskite solar cells as upper band active materials in this setting. The Si homojunction solar cell's performance was improved by investigating the thicknesses of the p−type and n−type layers, doping concentrations, and defect densities. The thickness variation of the perovskite solar cell (100−400nm) is then optimized. To precisely replicate the tandem devices, the estimated spectra of the perovskite SC are optically filtered onto the lower cells. Current matching was achieved by adjusting the thickness of the perovskite sub-cell with different bottom layer thicknesses, and the optimized efficiency of 36.26% for the perovskite/Si tandem device was shown. The discoveries will open the door for the upcoming creation of high−efficiency, low-energy solar cells.

Road Transport Infrastructure and Supply Chain Performance in the Beverage Manufacturing Setting: Does Road Safety Compliance Matter?

Purpose: Despite the growth of literature on SC performance drivers, there is still limited attention on how road transport infrastructure may drive SC performance. This study is conducted to examine the mediating role of road safety compliance in the relationship between road transport infrastructure and SC performance among manufacturing firms in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from the system and knowledge-based view perspectives, a framework was proposed and validated using survey data from the beverage manufacturing firms in Ghana. Data were gathered from 359 managers of firms in Ghana. The model was validated by PLS-SEM. Findings: The results showed a direct significant relationship between road transport infrastructure, road safety compliance, and SCP. The findings further revealed that the influence of road transport infrastructure on SCP is not just a bivariate relationship but also mediated through road safety compliance. The outcome of this study provides evidence that though road transport infrastructure remains crucial to driving SCP, superior SCP could be achieved in the presence of road safety compliance. Originality/value: The outcome of this study offers an important extension to the frontiers of literature on supply chain performance. It also provides practical insight to practitioners in the manufacturing setting by emphasizing the need to pay crucial attention to road safety compliance as well as invest in road infrastructure development in the quest to achieve efficient SC performance of firms.

Towards a better blockchainification of supply chain applications

A supply chain ecosystem is a collection of complex asynchronous events. Blockchain has already found commercial applications in the SC domain, particularly in product tracing and verification. However, there is a lack of uniformity in these approaches. Application-generated data cannot be accessed across the supply chain ecosystem, resulting in data silos. Data silos reduce the opportunity for supply chain process optimizations. This paper does not propose any supply chain solution but a generic framework primarily aimed at reducing the communication gaps among the stakeholders and application developer(s) to build quality solutions. The ideal readers are who want to blockchanify their existing supply chain applications. The proposed framework can add real value to the organization by developing effective SC solutions satisfying application requirements. The framework consists of four stages. In the first stage, it extracts the application requirements and then maps on blockchain following an asynchronous mode of communication among the stakeholders and application developer(s). Next, it discusses how it can combine technologies to achieve the requirements stated in the first stage. Later, it discusses how to perform effective data management. Finally, it proposes a four-stage software build method that can lead to an efficient SC solution. The primary aim of this framework is to reduce communication gaps during solution development and ensure smooth operational data movement across the SC ecosystem, thanks to blockchain. The software development process also embeds eight essential features for a quality solution. The paper is concluded by discussing the technical challenges. • Proposes a generic framework to develop quality supply chain applications. • Framework aims at reducing the communication gap by proposing a communication model. • Framework also aims at reducing data silos by smartly processing data while integrating blockchain with other technologies (such as Internet-of-Things, and Machine Learning). • Finally, the framework recommends a four-stage software build method to develop a production-grade supply chain application.

Scandium-Catalyzed Skeleton Conversion of Lathyrane to Lathyranone-Type Euphorbia Diterpenes

Naturally occurring 1(15 → 14)abeo-lathyrane rearrangement-type diterpene lathyranone A (1) was prepared from lathyrane-type Euphorbia factor L11 (1a) via an efficient Sc(OTf)3/Et2NH-catalyzed α-ketol rearrangement, which was also suitable for the synthesis of lathyranones 2 and 3. This skeletal conversion strategy had the characteristic of biogenetically patterned synthesis and provided a convenient method for accessing naturally rare functionalized lathyranones from lathyranes. Moreover, the absolute configuration of the lathyranone skeleton was confirmed for the first time by the X-ray diffraction of 2.

Realization of an ultra low power and area efficient SC SAR ADC architecture using single and two step reset methods

Realization of an ultra low power and area efficient SC SAR ADC architecture using single and two step reset methods

Model-based Design of Hardware SC Polar Decoders for FPGAs

Polar codes are a new error correction code family that should be benchmarked and evaluated in comparison to LDPC and turbo-codes. Indeed, recent advances in the 5G digital communication standard recommended the use of polar codes in EMBB control channels. However, in many cases, the implementation of efficient FEC hardware decoders is challenging. Specialised knowledge is required to enable and facilitate testing, rapid design iterations, and fast prototyping. In this article, a model-based design methodology to generate efficient hardware SC polar code decoders is presented. With HLS design process and tools, we demonstrate how FPGA system designers can quickly develop complex hardware systems with good performances. The favourable impact of design space exploration is underlined on achievable performances when a relevant computation model is used. The flexibility of the abstraction layers is evaluated. Hardware decoder generation efficiency is assessed and compared to competing approaches. It is shown that the fine-tuning of computation parallelism, bit length, pruning level, and working frequency help to design high-throughput decoders with moderate hardware complexities. Decoding throughputs higher than 300 Mbps are achieved on an Xilinx Virtex-7 device and on an Altera Stratix IV device.

A 4 bit highly energy and area efficient SC SAR ADC based on a combinational technique with reduced reset energy

A combinational method, based on hybrid and junction splitting techniques, is used to realize a 4 bit high energy efficient SC SAR ADC. The hybrid switching scheme is very energy efficient in which the first three comparison cycles do not consume any energy. In junction split technique, the total value of capacitors does not remain constant. Rather capacitors are appended as bits are being determined successively. The present method combines the features of these two methods to realize an even more energy efficient SC SAR ADC. Reset energy, in some cases, can seriously impact the overall efficiency of a SC SAR ADC. A study has been made about the normal reset energy and two step reset energy for the different cases. A table has been drawn to show the overall energy efficiency for normal conversion, conversion with single step reset and lastly conversion with two step reset for all the architectures.

Selective Extraction of Scandium by a Long Alkyl Chain Carboxylic Acid/Organophosphonic Ester Binary Extractant

ABSTRACTThe organophosphorus extractant 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC88A) is widely used for solvent extraction of rare earth elements in an acidic leaching solution, but stripping of the loaded metals is difficult because of the high affinity between the metals and the extractant. Adding 100 times the concentration of neodecanoic acid (Versatic 10) to the extractant solution reduces the extraction ability for scandium (Sc) and enables quantitative stripping of the loaded Sc with a mild acidic solution, such as a 1 M mineral acid. The loading capacity is dependent on the PC88A concentration, so PC88A is the main species responsible for Sc extraction in the binary mixture. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) of the organic phases suggests a potential interaction between the mixed extractants through the change in the hydrogen bonding. This causes an antagonistic effect and facilitates efficient Sc stripping from the extractant solution, so this method could be used for scandium recovery in industry.

Influence of molecular structure of extractor molecules on liquid-liquid extraction of oxide particles and properties of composites

Interest in particle extraction through liquid-liquid interface (PELLI) technology is motivated by the need to transfer particles directly from the synthesis medium to the device processing medium. This method avoids the difficulty encountered by conventional re-dispersion methods where particles agglomerate during the drying stage. We develop PELLI strategies to transfer MnO2, ZnO and CeO2 particles that are synthesized in aqueous media into 1-butanol using extractors containing phosphonate and carboxylic groups. We demonstrate that, in addition to head-tail (HT) surfactants, molecules containing two hydrophilic end groups (HTH) can also be employed as extractors, a finding that opens new PELLI applications. We demonstrate this new approach using multifunctional HTH molecules as both PELLI extractors, and charged dispersing agents for the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of particles that are transferred to an EPD processing medium. Using the HTH extractors for PELLI, we fabricate MnO2-based bulk electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors (ES) that exhibit superior electrochemical performance. These high active mass loading ES electrodes have a capacitance of 5.7 F cm−2 (157 F g−1) and 2.5 F cm−2 (67 F g−1) at 2 and 100 mV s−1 scan rates, respectively, with low impedance. In another strategy, the use of HTH extractor for particle transfer to screen printing processing medium facilitates the fabrication of efficient thin film SC electrodes. Measurements provide insight into the influence of anchoring groups and extractor molecule structure on the extraction efficiency and electrochemical performance.

Healthcare supply chain management: literature review and some issues

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the causal linkages among supply chain practices, effectiveness of supply chain performance (SCP) and organizational performance (OP) in Indian healthcare industries.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is helpful in developing a framework for linking a healthcare supply chain practice to its OP, and thus identifies how such a linkage can be connected to the effectiveness of SCP. Such effort also enables the authors to derive a set of recommended supply chain practices for SC performance.FindingsFrom the literature review, this paper finds that, in the context of Indian healthcare industries, efficient SC performance may play a critical role for overall OP improvement, as there is a close interrelationship between supply chain management (SCM) practices and SCP that may have a more significant effect on OP improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe principle limitation of the paper is that it is performed only in a particular industry and with a questionnaire survey which could be extended in future for other industries also. Another limitation of the paper is that it is focused only on the SCP of medical device and equipment supply chain which is a small portion of the whole healthcare supply chain, and therefore requires further research covering various other domains of healthcare supply chain. Another limitation of the study is that the sample survey has been taken from only one respondent per company at one point of time which may create biasness in the results. Thus, future research should collect data through multiple members from the organization.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to know the effect of SCM practices on healthcare SCP and provides a practical and useful tool to evaluate the extent of effectiveness of SCP and finally their impact on the healthcare OP. Finally, this study provides conceptual and descriptive literature regarding SCM practices that leads to improvement in healthcare performance.Social implicationsThis study adds to the knowledge on healthcare SCM performance by exploring the relationship between supply chain practices, healthcare SCP and healthcare OP and by developing and testing a research framework thus help in improving patient satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study attempts to show how the potential benefits of supply chain practices can no longer be ignored in healthcare supply chain.

Influence of Coordination Mechanisms on Logistics Outsourcing Performance based on the Supply Chain Strategic Fit

본 연구의 목적은 화주와 물류기업의 물류 아웃소싱 관계에서 제품 특성과 공급망 전략 적합성 그룹들이 사용하는 협력방법과 물류 아웃소싱 성과에 대한 영향을 고찰하는 것이다. 제품 특성은 기능성 제품과 혁신적 제품으로 구분하였고 공급망 전략은 효율적 공급망(Efficient SCM)과 시장 대응적 공급망(Market responsive SCM)으로 구분하였다. 또한 공급망 성과에 영향을 미치는 협력 방법에 관한 선행 연구를 정리하고 공급망 관리에 사용된 다양한 협력방법을 물류 프로세스 동기화, 정보공유, 계약 방식, 조직 의사소통 방식, 정보기술의 5가지 영역으로 구분하였다. 연구 모델과 2가지의 연구 가설을 설정하여 회귀분석을 통해 실증분석을 하였다. 그 결과, 기능성 제품과 효율적 공급망 전략 그룹에서 정보공유와 조직 의사소통 방식이 물류 비용 성과에 영향을 미치며, 혁신적 제품과 시장 대응적 공급망 전략 그룹에서 정보공유가 물류 품질 성과에 영향을 미치는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구 결과에 의하면 물류 아웃소싱 관계는 비용 절감을 위해 상호 협조적 관계로 이익 공유 개념에 집중하기 보다는 조직간의 유대 관계나 의사소통을 통해 문제를 최소화하거나 계약 연장을 통해 관계를 유지하기 위한 정보공유와 같은 협력방법을 사용한다고 볼 수 있다.The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of relationships among the coordination mechanisms on logistics service outsourcing performance within the product-supply chain combination groups, with a specific reference to the Fisher’s product-supply chain model. Based on literature review of the studies concerning about the fitness between the product and supply chain strategy, logistics outsourced product is categorized into functional and innovative, while logistics strategy is classified into efficient and market responsive SCM. By means of reviewing and summarizing the previous studies on the effect of coordination mechanisms on SCM performance, five sub-coordination mechanisms are selected such as logistics process synchronization, information sharing, contract type, organization participation and communication, information technology. A conceptual model is developed and two hypotheses are empirically examined using the statistical analysis such as multiple-regression. In the functional product and efficient SC strategic Fit group, organization participation and communication, information sharing make influence to the logistics cost performance. Information sharing make influence to the logistics cost performance in innovative product and market response SC strategic Fit group. In order to reduce the logistics cost, the organization participation and communication are more important coordination measures than making profit-sharing by making the process efficient. This result shows that we might minimize the troubles between shipper and Logistics Service Provider by means of the organization participation and communication and 3PL wants to sustain and extend the contract in the logistics outsourcing relationships. To improve the logistics quality, process synchronization and customer’s required information are more useful, especially in the case of the innovative product. As the logistics outsourcing environment is changed, future research is required continuously.

Person-centered examination of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase responses to psychosocial stress: Links to preadolescent behavioral functioning and coping

This study adopted a person-centered approach to identify preadolescent salivary cortisol (sC) and alpha-amylase (sAA) co-activation response patterns and examine links to behavioral functioning and coping. Children (N = 151, 51.7% male) were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and one of two randomly-assigned, post-TSST coping conditions: distraction or avoidance. Multi-trajectory modeling yielded four child subgroups. Child internalizing and externalizing positively predicted High sC–High sAA relative to Low sC–Low sAA and Low sC–High sAA relative to High sC–Low sAA subgroup membership, respectively. Low sC–Low sAA children demonstrated more efficient sC recovery when primed with distraction and more protracted sC recovery when primed with avoidance. For High sC–High sAA, internalizing children, the opposite was true. Findings illustrate adjustment-linked variability in preadolescent sC–sAA co-activation response patterns that further articulates for whom effortful coping works to effectively manage stressor-induced neuroendocrine activation.

If the coping fits, use it: Preadolescent recent stress exposure differentially predicts post-TSST salivary cortisol recovery.

This study examined recent stress exposure and effortful coping effects on salivary cortisol (sC) response patterns in preadolescent boys and girls (N = 121, Mage = 10.60 years). Children were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and one of two randomly assigned, post-TSST coping conditions: distraction and avoidance. Piecewise growth multilevel modeling did not link children's recent stressful life events or hair cortisol (hC) levels to sC reactivity, though each interacted with coping condition to predict sC recovery patterns. Children with elevated life stressor and hC levels demonstrated protracted sC recovery when primed with distraction, yet more efficient sC recovery when primed with avoidance. Findings challenge assumptions about universally "good" and "bad" coping by highlighting contexts where each succeed and fail in helping children manage acute stress physiology.

Demonstrating the performance, flexibility and programmability of the hardware architecture of systemic computation modelling cancer growth

Systemic computation SC is a bio-inspired computational paradigm designed to model the behaviour of natural systems and processes. It adopts a holistic view, meaning that apart from a sum of its constituents, the definition of a system should also include the interaction of its elements. SC implies an unconventional massively parallel computer architecture. However, existing software implementations have been limited in terms of performance, flexibility and programmability. This paper extends previous work which introduced the first hardware systemic computation implementation using FPGAs. We present various software enhancements, resulting in a complete and efficient SC programming platform. An SC application modelling the effect of genetic abnormalities and therapeutic approaches on tumour development is demonstrated, confirming that the suggested general-purpose platform performance, flexibility and programmability advantages over a dedicated software model.

Dispersion-flattened supercontinuum light source design at [formula omitted] center wavelength for high resolution optical coherence tomography in ophthalmology

Optimal wavelength light sources are designed for medical imaging to overcome the effects of the dispersion of the sampling medium of biological tissues which contain about 60% water in normal tissues and 90% water in anatomic structures such as in the eye. Based on highly nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (HNL-PCF), two light sources are designed at 1.0μm center wavelength as the influences of the dispersion of the main component of biological tissues on the resolution of optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be eliminated. Using finite element method with a circular perfectly matched boundary layer, it is shown through simulations that the proposed HNL-PCFs offer efficient SC generation for such applications at 1.0μm. By propagating sech2 picoseconds optical pulses having 1.0ps pulse width at a full width at half maximum through the proposed HNL-PCFs, output optical pulses are analyzed by the split-step Fourier method to obtain the spectral properties. Simulation results show that 270m of the proposed HNL-PCF can produce highest 95nm spectrum (10dB bandwidth) or 62nm spectrum (3dB bandwidth). Therefore, the highest longitudinal resolutions in the depth direction for medical OCT imaging is found about 3.3μm (using 10dB bandwidth) or 5.1μm (using 3dB bandwidth), respectively, for biological tissues.

Efficient Sc triflate mesoporous-based catalysts for the synthesis of 4,4′-methylenedianiline from aniline and 4-aminobenzylalcohol

Sc triflate mesoporous-based catalysts have been prepared using a two-step strategy (i.e., Atrane method) based on the formation of the hierarchic bimodal porosity in the first step and the formation of Sc triflate complexes at the materials surface in the second step. All solids were analyzed by EPMA, surface area, and pore size values, XRD, TEM, FTIR, and 45Sc NMR static spectra. The catalysts have been investigated in the synthesis of 4,4′-methylenedianiline (4,4′-MDA) from aniline and 4-aminobenzylalcohol. 4,4′-MDA was obtained with selectivities over 85.0% for a conversion of aniline of 31%, at 80°C and after 24h. Using microwaves, selectivities of 90% in 4,4′-MDA were reached in only 3h. Important key parameters influencing the catalytic performances seem to be the scandium content and the nature of the formed Sc species. By replacing formaldehyde with 4-aminobenzylalcohol, the necessity of additional steps for neutralization and separation of the wastes can be eliminated.

Sc(III)-Catalyzed Enantioselective Addition of Thiols to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones in Neutral Water

This report concerns Lewis acid catalyzed enantioselective sulfa-Michael addition in neutral water by using a very efficient Sc(OTf)(3)/bipyridine 1 catalytic system. It is noteworthy that the protocol presented employs water as a reaction medium and allows us to obtain very high stereoselectivity and satisfactory yields for β-keto sulphides deriving from aliphatic thiols. The recovery and reuse of both the aqueous medium and the catalytic system is also reported.

The Effect of Information Technology on Arms‐Length Buyer‐Supplier Relationship

This paper posits that arm’s length buyer‐supplier relationship as the intermediate type between market exchange relations and strategic partnership might be advisable, and information technology may have a role as a mechanism actualizing the effects of such arm’s length relationship by strategic supply‐line diversification. Based on the theoretical analysis on interactive feedback relationships among IT level, buyer‐supplier relationships, and supply chain structure, we suggest a set of advisable buyer‐ supplier relationship type for efficient supply chain management. Also, doing so would be helpful in suggesting a dynamic IT investment and adoption model appropriate for the establishment of productive buyer‐supplier relationship, and further in providing theoretical foundations and practical guidelines on the role and function of B‐to‐B E‐commerce for efficient SC integration.

Octapeptide repeat region of prion protein (PrP) is required at an early stage for production of abnormal prion protein in PrP-deficient neuronal cell line

An abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrP Sc), which is composed of the same amino acids as cellular PrP (PrP C) and has proteinase K (PK)-resistance, hypothetically converts PrP C into PrP Sc. To investigate the region important for PrP Sc production, we examined the levels of PrP Sc in PrP gene-deficient cells (HpL3-4) expressing PrP C deleted of various regions including the octapeptide repeat region (OR) or hydrophobic region (HR). After Chandler or Obihiro prion infection, PrP Sc was produced in HpL3-4 cells expressing wild-type PrP C or PrP C deleted of HR at an early stage and further reduced to below the detectable level, whereas cells expressing PrP C deleted of OR showed no PrP Sc production. The results suggest that OR of PrP C is required for the early step of efficient PrP Sc production.

Driven Evolution of a Constitutional Dynamic Library of Molecular Helices Toward the Selective Generation of [2 × 2] Gridlike Arrays under the Pressure of Metal Ion Coordination

Constitutional dynamics, self-assembly, and helical-folding control are brought together in the efficient Sc(OTf)3/microwave-catalyzed transimination of helical oligohydrazone strands, yielding highly diverse dynamic libraries of interconverting constituents through assembly, dissociation, and exchange of components. The transimination-type mechanism of the ScIII-promoted exchange, as well as its regioselectivity, occurring only at the extremities of the helical strands, allow one to perform directional terminal polymerization/depolymerization processes when starting with dissymmetric strands. A particular library is subsequently brought to express quantitatively [2 x 2] gridlike metallosupramolecular arrays in the presence of ZnII ions by component recombination generating the correct ligand from the dynamic set of interconverting strands. This behavior represents a process of driven evolution of a constitutional dynamic chemical system under the pressure (coordination interaction) of an external effector (metal ions).