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This study aims to study the simultaneous treatment of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs).

PET fabrics loaded by TiO₂ NPs were investigated by the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Factors affecting the finishing process such as NaOH and TiO₂ NPs concentrations, finishing duration and temperature were discussed.

The finished PET fabrics imparted new properties such as antimicrobial and ultraviolet protection factor protection, what is undoubtedly will increase the spread of this type of fabric and its use in new areas.

The method used mainly depends on activating the surface of PET fabrics by a chemical method, specifically NaOH to cause partial decomposition, which may lead to an environmental impact.

The obtained results revealed that the simultaneous treatment of PET fabric with NaOH and TiO₂ NPs showed antimicrobial and UV protection properties. They exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity and UV protection efficiency even after five washing cycles, indicating excellent laundering durability.

The approach has simplicity and implementability on an industrial scale without cost investment.

The purpose of this investigation is to determine the nature of the flow field, temperature distribution and heat and mass transfer in a triangular solar collector enclosure with a corrugated bottom wall in the unsteady condition numerically.

Non-linear governing partial differential equations (i.e. mass, momentum, energy and concentration equations) are transformed into a system of integral equations by applying the Galerkin weighted residual method. The integration involved in each of these terms is performed using Gauss’ quadrature method. The resulting non-linear algebraic equations are modified by the imposition of boundary conditions. Finally, Newton’s method is used to modify non-linear equations into the linear algebraic equations.

Both the buoyancy ratio and thermal Rayleigh number play an important role in controlling the mode of heat transfer and mass transfer.

Calculations are performed for various thermal Rayleigh numbers, buoyancy ratios and time periods. For each specific condition, streamline contours, isotherm contours and iso-concentration contours are obtained, and the variation in the overall Nusselt and Sherwood numbers is identified for different parameter combinations.

This study aims to examine the conceptual distinction of two clothing orientations – style orientation and fashion orientation. Style and fashion orientations both express identity and individuality, but the fashion orientation may more strongly reflect materialistic values, which extensive evidence shows are detrimental to well-being. This study investigates how the clothing orientations are associated with materialism and subjective well-being.

The conceptual distinction between style and fashion orientations and their associations with materialism and subjective well-being were investigated via an online survey (N = 4,591) conducted in Germany, Poland, Sweden and the USA. Participants aged 18–65 were recruited based on national representative quotas for age, gender, education and region.

The regression results support a conceptual distinction between the style and fashion orientation. Style orientation was positively associated with subjective well-being compared to fashion orientation. Both the style and fashion orientations were positively correlated with materialism, but the association was much stronger for fashion orientation and materialism exhibited a strong negative association with subjective well-being. Interestingly, materialism moderated the association between fashion orientation and well-being but not between style orientation and well-being.

The four examined countries were Western, and, thus, the findings cannot be generalized to other populations. In addition, this study specifically examined relationships in a clothing context. To enable wider generalization, the relationships tested must be explored in other countries, especially non-Western, and also across other product categories.

The findings of this study can help retailers develop their marketing programs, product and service offerings and specifically their communications more closely targeted to consumers’ clothing orientations.

This study contributes by conceptually distinguishing between clothing style and fashion orientations and investigating their divergent associations to materialism and subjective well-being. This research also raises the question of whether fashion orientation is independent or rather, an aspect of materialism, which has implications for other consumption domains as well.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) (2017, pp. 14–15) identified that “industrialization is the seedbed for entrepreneurship, business investment, technological progress, the upgrading of skills, and the creation of decent jobs.” This placed studying different industrial sectors and their respective clusters, which are key drivers for economy, innovation, and knowledge creation (Slaper, Harmon, & Rubin, 2018), at the forefront of research. This chapter tackles the automobile industrial cluster in Egypt that possesses promising potential yet faces some challenges. It aims to provide an overview of the cluster, alongside underpinning its strengths and obstacles facing it. Moreover, the chapter displays the importance of the labor dimension in increasing the labor competitiveness of the cluster and showcases this through two cases of German automobile manufacturers that pioneered in venturing into the market through employing technical and vocational education and training. In conclusion, recommendations are provided to help in steering the cluster toward success.

Near-surface mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rod is extensively applied in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The mechanical performances of NSM FRP-strengthened RC structures depend on the bond behavior between NSM reinforcement and concrete. This behavior is typically studied by performing pull-out tests; however, the failure behavior, which is crucial to the local debonding process, is not yet sufficiently understood.

In this study, a three-dimensional meso-scale finite element method considering the cohesion and adhesion failures is presented to model the debonding failure process in pull-out tests of NSM FRP rod in concrete. The smeared crack model is used to capture the cohesion failures in the adhesive or concrete. The interfacial constitutive model is applied to simulate the adhesion failures on the FRP-adhesive and concrete-adhesive contact interfaces.

The present method is first validated by two simple examples and then applied to a practical NSM FRP system. This work studied in detail the debonding process, the bond failure types, the location of peak bond stress, the transmitting deformation in adhesive and the morphology of contact zone. The developed method provides a practical and convenient tool applicable for further investigations on the debonding mechanism for the NSM FRP rod in concrete.

A three-dimensional meso-scale finite element method considering the cohesion and adhesion failures is presented to model the debonding failure in NSM FRP-strengthened RC structures. The smeared crack model and the interfacial constitutive model are introduced to develop a convenient approach to analyze the failures in adhesive, concrete and related interfaces. The developed numerical method is applicable for studying the debonding process, the bond failure types, the location of peak bond stress, the transmitting deformation in adhesive and the morphology of contact zone in detail.

Conspicuous consumption and sustainable consumption are commonly understood as being in contradiction with each other. Yet, scholars have recently become increasingly interested in examining positive relationships between these forms of consumption. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the synergies and contradictions between sustainable and luxury consumption and proposing whether and how conspicuous motives can foster a shift towards sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries in general and Egypt in particular.

This paper is a conceptual note, intended as a starting point and acting as an eye-opener regarding the values inherent in both conspicuous and sustainable consumption and the potential influence that conspicuous motivations could have on the latter.

The paper discusses the possibilities for and limitations of conspicuous motives to foster sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries in the Middle East. The adoption of westernized lifestyles, spreading in Middle Eastern countries, can represent a venue for motivating sustainable consumption behaviours as a means of status distinction. On the other hand, the trickle-down effect and the preconditions of visibility and exclusiveness pose risks on promoting sustainable consumption by addressing conspicuous motives.

The paper suggests that the synergistic interplay between conspicuous and sustainable consumption, as well as barriers and motivations underpinning both constructs, needs to be empirically researched, while factoring in the cultural specifics of the countries under study, as cultural nuances can influence the dynamics of interaction between conspicuous and sustainable behaviours.

Given the salience of the relationship between luxury and sustainable consumption and the focus of most studies on early-industrialized countries, insights regarding the possible influences of conspicuous motives on sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries are warranted. With the scarcity of research examining the ambiguous relationship between conspicuous and sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries, this paper contributes by providing insights about the conditions that can help conspicuous motives promote sustainable consumption in newly industrialized countries.

This research studies the impact of introducing distributed generators (DGs) into a distribution network. The aim of this paper is to optimally site DGs based on economic, environmental and reliability indices are presented.

The considered network was modelled by using the network’s line parameters and capacity of the load bus with the help of Power System Analysis Toolbox. The location of the DG is based on voltage stability index and power loss reduction index. The DG energy sources considered are the diesel generator, solar photo-voltaic (PV) and wind generator, and the objectives were to minimize cumulative cost while maximizing reliability of the network. The Advanced Interactive Multidimensional Modelling System was used for the mathematical modelling.

The obtained results in the cases of introducing renewable energy into a network improves network performance. The benefits of renewable energy on the distribution network measured in terms of electricity production cost, gas emission cost, fuel cost and value of energy not supplied were positive. The research also showed that the total benefit of renewable energy reduces as the price of the renewable generators increases.

This paper introduces a new approach to determining the optimal location of DG for reducing line losses and improved voltage profile. A new cost modelling function based on external grid power transfer cost, technical losses and cost because of the various energies source is also introduced.

The study analyzes brand love in local eco-hijab fashion (LEHF) by discussing the value of collectivism, fashion consciousness, environmental value, religiosity and brand advocacy. LEHF becomes the trend pursued by consumers, so this can create market opportunities to optimize marketing strategies. The focus on LEHF in a sustainable fashion would allow local businesses to develop local values-based companies. This study uses the value attitude-behavior model to analyze data.

This research uses a quantitative survey to obtain data. The questionnaire is spread to 300 respondents with a purposive sampling approach, especially respondents who have worn LEHF.

This study shows that collectivism values, fashion consciousness, environmental values and religiosity influence brand love, while brand love influences brand advocacy related to LEHF. On the other hand, consumers are the target market with a fashion consciousness to follow the trend of hijab clothes. This also shows they wear clothes to fulfill religious values while prioritizing the latest styles.

Since this study focuses on LEHF, this product is only relevant to hijab fashion. This takes into account the potential of Muslim-dominated Indonesian society. The fashion category can be enlarged to include more local products in future studies. A large selection of goods may promote greater use of regional interests.

For business actors, particularly micro and medium firms that are just starting to grow to support the local hijab fashion industry company, this research has managerial implications. This presents a chance for business actors to improve the local economy and opens doors for establishing more employment possibilities. The growth of the regional hijab fashion market offers an opportunity to satisfy the demands of customers who favor regional goods. Brand love in LEHF may foster business revenue growth and help local firms compete favorably with international brands. Marketers for LEHF are anticipated to intensify their efforts to advance socialism, the environment and fashion sensibility. Additionally, LEHF marketers emphasize the importance of religiosity when promoting their products to the target population. Marketers are also aware that the study’s environment is Indonesia, which has 90% Muslim population. Marketers have an excellent opportunity to maximize this scenario.

This study also had social implications. The goal of producing locally made eco-hijabs is to benefit nearby communities and the environment. This aligns with the more general objectives of ethical and sustainable fashion. Sustainable methods are used in production, such as using eco-friendly colors, water conservation and waste reduction. Sustainable manufacturing methods are designed to reduce their adverse effects on the environment and encourage ethical production. Empowerment and community engagement may be involved in the manufacturing of locally-made eco-hijabs. This can entail educating and hiring regional craftspeople or incorporating neighborhood residents in manufacturing.

The study focuses on religiosity and environmental value to further analyze its influence on LEHF. The context of the products analyzed in this study is LEHF, which prioritized local production and strengthened local wisdom through pro-environment. The study used the VAB (value, attitude, behavior) model to analyze the concept.