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This study aims to analyze the temperature difference between aluminum-based brake disc (ABD) and cast steel brake disc (CSBD) for rail vehicles in the braking process, which is related to the popularization and use of ABD.

Two friction pairs composed of ABD, CSBD and copper-based powder metallurgy brake pad were studied in this paper. The temperature characteristics of the two friction pairs were compared by 1:1 braking test and simulation calculation.

When the speed is 160–250 km/h and the braking pressure is 18 and 29 kN, the calculated maximum temperature of CSBD is 574°C and 681°C, respectively, which is higher than that of ABD 49°C–148°C and 73°C–217°C. Under the test conditions, the maximum temperature of CSBD is 487°C and 624°C respectively, which is higher than that of ABD 63°C–95°C and 63°C–188°C. The temperature difference between ABD and CSBD increases with the increase of braking pressure and speed. The surface temperature distribution of CSBD is “three-peak,” whereas that of ABD is “single-peak.”

This paper reveals the temperature difference between ABD and CSBD and provides data support for promoting the use of ABD.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2024-70320/

Purpose: This study quantitatively assesses the impact of ESG profile on equity value and risk, as well as identifies potential differences occurring in different sectors, based on the data of the Nasdaq Nordic market.

Methodology: To reach this purpose, (i) the stock return and volatility analysis is being conducted (using the methods of paired sample t-test, correlation, etc.), and (ii) panel data models with constant, fixed and random effects are being constructed. The analysis is based not only on the company’s ESG performance but also on a cross-sectoral approach.

Findings: The results revealed that although ESG factors appeared to have a significant impact in most of the constructed models, the impact of these factors varies depending on the sector.

Implications: This research provides a comprehensive and comparative approach to the importance of the ESG profile for investment performance and therefore can be useful both for impact investors making investment decisions in dynamic global financial markets and for companies developing or reforming their ESG strategies.

Limitations: Due to the problem of data availability, the cross-sectoral comparison was performed based on the limited number of sectors. In addition, the limited availability of ESG data in the analysed market did not allow the use of additional methods to assess the impact of ESG.

Future Research: Expanding the data sample and assessing the impact of a company’s ESG profile not only in different sectors but also in different phases of the economic cycle might be the direction for future research.

This study investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and financial performance (FP), and ascertains whether ownership structure (OS) moderates the CSR disclosure–FP nexus.

We distinctly employed the well-established approach of panel data analysis to examine the comprehensive dataset of Shanghai A-share listed firms from 2008 to 2017 with 20,236-full sample and 4,190-disclosed sample firm-year observations. To test the hypotheses, the study used panel regression analysis. The study used CSR disclosure as an explanatory variable and accounting-based performance measures: return on equity (ROE) and earning per share (EPS) as dependent variables. In addition, we used CSR score to determine the extent of disclosure by each firm and employed matched pair sample analysis to check for the robustness of the earlier obtained results.

The findings indicate significant positive association among CSR disclosure and CSR score with ROE and EPS. Further, the CSR disclosure–FP nexus is more pronounced when the OS moderates it.

The results of this study lack generalizability due to its unique setting. A limitation of this paper is that our sample period only covers 2008–2017. Future studies can extend our research to a more recent period to test whether our findings remain valid in other periods.

Our findings suggest stronger CSR disclosure measures to enhance the image of businesses in the eyes of stakeholders. The study findings are consistent and confirm the theoretical basis (stakeholder theory) that Chinese listed firms can be more beneficial from disclosing CSR related information, and they should put more emphasis on the improvement of CSR disclosure.

This research offers empirical evidence that sheds light on the importance of OS as the moderating effect on the nexus of CSR disclosure–FP measures. In doing so, this study’s findings contribute to the literature significantly, along with the regulators and shareholders.

This study aims to better understand the influence of various post-treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of additively manufactured parts for critical applications.

In this study, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) fabricated Inconel 718 (IN718) samples were subjected to various heat treatments, namely homogenization, solution heat treatment and double aging, to investigate their influence on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture mechanism at an elevated temperature of 650 °C. Homogenization treatment was performed at 1080 °C for durations ranging from 1–8 h. The solution treatment temperature varied from 980 °C to 1140 °C for 1 h, followed by double aging treatment.

At 650 °C, the as-built sample showed the minimum strength but demonstrated the maximum elongation to failure compared to the heat-treated samples. The strength of the IN718 superalloy increased by 20.26% to 34.81%, while ductility significantly reduced by 65.26% to 72.89% after various heat treatments compared to the as-built state. This change is attributed to the enhancement in grain boundary strength resulting from the pinning effect of the intergranular δ-phase.

The study observed that the variations in the fracture mechanism of LPBF fabricated IN718 depend on the duration and temperature of heat treatment. This research provides a thorough overview of the high-temperature mechanical properties of LPBF fabricated IN718 subjected to different homogenization times and solution treatment temperatures, correlating these effects to the corresponding changes in microstructure.

This paper aims to improve the permeability and antifouling of polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes, the PSF matrix was modified by incorporating sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF).

Systematic investigations were conducted on the synergistic effects of a pore-forming agent, coagulation bath temperature and SPSF doping in the casting solution on blended ultrafiltration membranes. The chemical composition of the membranes was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and surface roughness of the membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The hydrophilicity of the membrane surface was analyzed using a contact angle meter. The permeability and antifouling properties of the blended membranes were also investigated through filtration experiments.

The results indicated that the blended ultrafiltration membranes demonstrated an optimal overall performance when PVP-K30 content was 5.0 Wt.%, coagulation bath temperature was 30°C and SPSF content was 2.4 Wt.%. In comparison to a pure PSF ultrafiltration membrane, there was a significant increase in pure water flux (390.7 L·m⁻²·h⁻¹) by 2.2 times, while bovine serum albumin retention slightly decreased to 93.8%. In addition, the flux recovery rate improved by 2.1 times (71.4%) compared to that of the original PSF ultrafiltration membrane.

The method provided a simple and practical solution for improving the antifouling and permeability of PSF ultrafiltration membranes.

SPSF was anticipated to serve as an excellent modification additive for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes with superior properties.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of light intensity and sources of carbon and nitrogen on the cultivation of Spirulina maxima.

Cultures were carried out in a modified Zarrouk medium using urea, sodium acetate and glycerol. A Taguchi experimental design was used to evaluate the effect on the production of biocompounds: productivities in biomass, carbohydrates, phycocyanin and biochar were analyzed.

Statistical data analysis revealed that light intensity and sodium acetate concentration were the most important factors, being significant in three of the four response variables studied. The highest productivities in biomass (46.94 mg.L⁻¹.d⁻¹), carbohydrates (6.11 mg.L⁻¹.d⁻¹), phycocyanin (3.62 mg.L⁻¹.d⁻¹) and biochar (22, 48 mg.L⁻¹.d⁻¹) were achieved in experiment 4 of the Taguchi matrix, highlighting as the ideal condition for the production of biomass, carbohydrates and phycocyanin.

Sodium acetate and urea can be considered, respectively, as potential sources of carbon and nitrogen to increase Spirulina maxima productivity. From the results, an optimized cultivation condition for the sustainable production of bioproducts was obtained.

This work focuses on the study of the influence of light intensity and the use of alternative sources of nitrogen and carbon on the growth of Spirulina maxima, as well as on the influence on the productivity of biomass and biocompounds. There are few studies in the literature focused on the phycocyanin production from microalgae, justifying the need to deepen the subject.

This study aims to measure social enterprises’ (SEs’) social objectives under the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, and explore the impact of SEs’ social objectives on their choices of legal forms.

This study used semi-structured questionnaires followed up by field interviews and observations of the sampled SEs. The survey sample includes 80 participants of Social Entrepreneurs Stars Competition in Zhejiang Province of China. The authors conduct content analysis to measure the objectives of SEs. The authors also perform descriptive analysis, chi-square test and regression analysis on the data.

The findings confirm the theoretical discussions that SEs’ choices of legal forms reflect SEs’ strategies toward achieving social objectives. Similar to certain countries, some SEs in China register as nonprofit entities to concentrate on nonprofitable sustainability objectives, while others register as commercial enterprises or hybrid organizations to generate profits. However, some SEs focus on profitable non-sustainability issues and fail to prioritize social objectives over economic objectives. There are positive effects of social entrepreneurs’ background similarity and negative effects of social entrepreneurs’ educational level on their SEs’ choices to register as commercial enterprises.

Due to the small size and nonrepresentative sample this study is based on, the findings need be further tested by a larger sample. SEs in different service domains rely on different types of financial resources (Mair et al., 2012; Doherty et al., 2014). In future research, the model can be expanded to test the effects of service domains and types of financial sources on SEs’ choices of legal forms.

To encourage more societal resources being allocated toward achieving the United Nations’ SDGs, policymakers and SE certification programs are recommended to explicitly incorporate sustainability objectives into the evaluation standards and supportive policies for SEs. Social entrepreneurs who aim to balance the social and economic objectives in their business are suggested to target the population with whom they share similar community background. Training or consulting programs for social entrepreneurs are suggested to provide advice tailored to their socio-economic background and personal experiences.

To the best of the authors’ this study is the first quantitative analysis to identify factors that associate with SEs’ choice of legal forms in China. The authors developed new instruments to measure SEs’ social objectives and service targets, access to financial resources and social entrepreneurs’ social-economic backgrounds.

In the dynamic landscape of 2023, global challenges are amplified by escalating conflicts and the COVID-19 aftermath. Developing nations like Vietnam face a critical juncture, requiring diversified economies for enhanced livelihoods and poverty reduction. However, this growth necessitates increased energy consumption, potentially escalating carbon emissions. Green innovation (GI) emerges as a beacon of hope, offering products and services designed for a minimal carbon footprint. Beyond socio-economic advancement, GI aligns with sustainable development goals. This study aims to  examine the influence of knowledge management (KM) and digitalization (DG) on GI, particularly in sustainable competitive advantage.

Using structural equation modeling and drawing upon a survey administered to 301 Vietnamese enterprises.

The findings illuminate diverse underpinnings between green product and process innovation, unravel the intricate relationship between KM, DG and GI, and provide crucial insights for firms seeking sustainable competitive edges.

This multidimensional approach significantly enriches the understanding of these pivotal elements in contemporary business landscapes.

A foundation in artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among all academic staff is essential for supporting students’ AI literacy effectively. As tools like ChatGPT increasingly influence academic work, educators need to understand prompt engineering and reconsider assessment designs. However, many lack the necessary training or time to engage with courses, limiting their ability to design assessments that leverage these technologies while maintaining academic integrity. This project investigated the impact of prompt training on university academics’ abilities to craft prompts and redesign assessments within a Scottish university. A two-hour workshop on prompt engineering was conducted for academic staff, during which participants graded AI-generated content before and after they received training. Results indicated a significant improvement in the quality of prompts crafted by participants post-training. Qualitative feedback revealed mixed reactions, highlighting both the potential and limitations of AI in academic settings. The study demonstrated the need for ongoing staff development in AI literacy.

This study aims to examine the relationship between leadership behavior, organizational justice, person–organization fit and organizational citizenship behavior in the context of Vietnamese academic libraries. Using social exchange theory, this research indicates the impact of leadership behavior on organizational citizenship behavior. This study also examines the mediating role of organizational justice and person–organization fit in the relationship between leadership behavior and organizational citizenship behavior.

A total of 248 responses are obtained from academic library personnel in Vietnam, which are used to examine the research hypotheses.

The findings partially support the hypotheses because two leadership dimensions significantly influence organizational citizenship behavior, and organizational justice mediates the relationship between relationship-oriented leadership and organizational citizenship behavior. However, person–organization fit does not mediate the relationship between leadership behavior and organizational citizenship behavior.

Results indicate that two types of leadership behavior can significantly impact the organizational citizenship behavior of the librarians. Academic libraries should provide opportunities to librarians to engage in citizenship behavior by implementing organizational justice intervention.

This research contributes to the social exchange theory by integrating leadership behaviors, organizational justice, person–organization fit and organizational citizenship behaviors. Given that no prior studies have investigated the associations among four constructs, the obtained findings are a new exploration.