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The three-dimensional (3D) printing of functional composite materials has gained tremendous interest in recent years. Nevertheless, research on 3D printing of luminescent composite materials is very limited, and the mechanical properties of such 3D-printed composites are poor. Herein, we report the preparation and characterization of a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composite that, when 3D printed, exhibits enhanced toughness and high solid-state fluorescence quantum yield. Incorporation of only 1 wt% pyrene butyric acid modified cellulose nanofibers (PBA-m-CNF) and 10 wt% thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) into PLA led to 223% increase in toughness and 21% increase in tensile modulus of PLA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microcomputed tomography ([micro]-CT) analysis of the fractured cross-sections of 3D printed composites revealed a ductile failure mode. The PLA/PBA-m-CNFl/TPUlO 3D printed composite also exhibited a high solid-state fluorescence quantum yield of 38.35%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show both enhanced mechanical properties and high solid-state fluorescence emission for 3D printable PLA. Such functional PLA composites could have potential applications in the fabrication of complex-shaped sensors, optical light pipes, etc. KEYWORDS 3D printing, composite, fluorescence, nanocellulose, poly(lactic acid), toughness, 1 | INTRODUCTION Additive manufacturing (AM) has garnered tremendous interest in various applications, including electronics, aerospace, biomedical, construction, etc [1,2] There are various AM techniques, and ISO/ASTM 52900 standard classifies [...]

Byline: Jitin. Bajaj, Shashikant. Verma, Vivek. Chaudhary, Namrata. Khandelwal, Jayant. Patidar, Ketan. Hedaoo, Mallika. Sinha, Mukesh. Sharma, Rajeev. Kukrele, Diya. Bajaj, Nishtha. Yadav, Shailendra. Ratre, Vijay. Parihar, Prashant. Yadav, Pawan. [...]

Well-functioning supply chains for medicines and other health products are vital for a health system's goals of ensuring access, quality, and efficiency. However, in several countries the performance of government-run supply chains for health products remains subpar. The widespread adoption of digital technology presents new opportunities for enhancing the performance of the health product supply chain. This paper aims to provide a practical and systematic analysis of digital initiatives within health product supply chains. It provides examples of successful digital interventions in each of the Enable, Plan, Source, and Deliver categories of the Supply Chain Operations Reference model. The examples provide clear evidence that the use of digital technology in the health supply chain can improve access and affordability; in some instances, use of digital technology can lead to faster health product adoption and alter the overall architecture of decision making. While many digital interventions in the public sector supply chain target the collection of data and its analysis and use for reporting, the long-term effectiveness of digital solutions hinges on their ability to enhance the agency of supply chain actors. A thorough and systematic inquiry about the logic model of how a particular digital solution enhances agency and improves accountability is essential at the outset. In developing roadmaps to prioritize and sequence digital solutions in health supply chains, governments should start by asking where lack of information is the primary constraint impeding supply chain performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the factors affecting the acceptance of Fin-tech payment services by urban women of Tier-2 cities in India. The study extends the well-known theory, UTAUT-2, with perceived credibility and explores the moderating role of risk in understanding the adoption behaviour of Fin-tech payment by urban women of Tier-2 cities. The research model was empirically tested on 604 respondents. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique was employed to test the proposed model in the study. Facilitating conditions emerged to be the strongest determinant followed by perceived credibility. Lack of trust or credibility in the service as well service provider was also found to be a crucial determinant in framing the attitude of an individual and affecting the behavioural intentions of the female customer. The results of our study also revealed that perceived credibility/trust is also an important determinant of technology adoption in urban women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White rust disease caused by a biotrophic oomycete Albugo candida is one of the most serious impediments in realizing the production potential of Brassica juncea. Due to the obligate nature of the pathogen, R-gene-based resistance is unstable as the newer virulent races emerge quickly. For this, a deep understanding of the molecular basis of resistance is essential for developing durable resistant varieties. In this study, we selected one susceptible cultivar, 'Pusa Jaikisan' and its single R gene based resistant NIL, 'Pusa Jaikisan WRR as the source of understanding the defense mechanism in B. juncea against A. candida. Comparative histochemical analysis at 12 dpi showed higher callose deposition in the resistant cultivar than in the susceptible which hints towards its possible role in defense mechanism. Based on the biochemical markers observation, total protein was found to have a negative correlation with the resistance. The antioxidant enzymes (POX, CAT, and SOD) and non-enzymatic ROS scavenging compounds such as polyphenols and proline showed a positive correlation with the white rust resistance. Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) total chlorophyll and total carotenoids were also found to be more abundant in the 'Pusa Jaikisan WRR'. Based on the heat map analysis, PAL was identified to be the comparatively most induced enzyme involved in the defense mechanism. The polyphenol oxidase, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids were also found to show higher activity in the 'Pusa Jaikisan WRR'. Furthermore, to study the defense response of 'Pusa Jaikisan WRR' compared to 'Pusa Jaikisan' against A. candida infection, the gene expression analyses of salicylic acid (SA)-marker PR protein genes (PR1 and PR2) and jasmonic acid (JA)-marker PR protein genes (PR3 and PR12) were done by qRT-PCR. Based on the results, PR2 emerged as the best possible gene for defense against A. candida followed by PR1. PR3 and PR12 also showed positive correlation with the disease resistance which may be due to the JA pathway acting complementary to the SA pathway in case of B. juncea-A. candida interaction. This provides evidence for the JA-SA hormonal crosstalk to be synergistic in case of the white rust resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kanha National Park has a high potential for the development of ecotourism. The Present Study was Carried out to explain the factors influencing Ecotourism Development in and around Kanha National Park, India. Data were collected using an offline survey from those households and Business enterprises that have Significant interactions with Ecotourism Activities, tour Guides and local Business owners located near Kanha National Park. A total of 365 responses were considered to meet the selection criteria. Structured Equation Model (SEM) and Path Analysis were used to test the Proposed Research Model. The Results of the Structured Equation Model Show that Infrastructure Facilities, Managerial Factors, and Potential Attractions along with Socioeconomic Factors were positively associated with the Ecotourism Development in and Around Kanha National Park and the model has better predictive power for the development of ecotourism in the area. The study proposed a model based on the factors influencing ecotourism development in the area. The model has its empirical value. Sustainable ecotourism development in Kanha National Park requires a balanced approach that considers ecological conservation, local community participation and responsible tourism practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]