Aliphatic polycarbonates are a newly emerging class of synthetic biodegradable polymers which are gaining attention due to their applications in biomedical fields including bond fixation, artificial skin, suture filaments, ligature clamps, devices for controlled drug release, bioresorbable prostheses, etc. Aliphatic polycarbonates possess several advantages compared to polyesters (other synthetic biodegradable polymers) that includes their resistance to acidic hydrolysis, thermal and hydrolytic stability, slow degradation rate and non-acidic degradation products. Most widely employed monomer for synthesis of aliphatic polycarbonate is trimethylene carbonate, a six membered cyclic carbonate, and its derivatives. Five-membered cyclic carbonates are not given much attention despite their huge potential as building blocks of biodegradable polymers. Polymerization of five-membered cyclic carbonates is associated with fractional decarboxylation during polymerization that leads to presence of ether linkages alongside targeted carbonate linkages. The demand of polycarbonates is significantly increasing due to their applications in various fields that inspired the improvement of synthesis methods. In this context, ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate (five-membered cyclic carbonates) are polymerized in this study by ring-opening polymerization in the presence of sodium stannate trihydrate as a catalyst. Comprehensive microstructural analysis of the polymers was conducted by advanced one-dimensional (1H, 13C, DEPT-135o, & DEPT-90o) and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC & HMBC). The analysis revealed the co-existence of carbonate and ether units in polymer chain. Conversion and average ratio of carbonate to ether linkages of the polymer chains is quantified by 1H-NMR. Molar mass progression was evaluated by size exclusion chromatography. Selectivity of polymerization of both monomers with regard to polymerization speed, molar mass augmentation and relative ether to carbonate content as a function of polymerization conditions (such as temperature, monomer to initiator ratio, polymerization time and catalyst concentration) are evaluated. The polymers synthesized by ROP of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate are named as poly(ethylene ether-carbonate) and poly(propylene ether-carbonate), respectively. Furthermore, novel amphiphilic biodegradable di- and tri-block copolymers based on ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate as hydrophobic segment while using methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)s and poly(ethylene glycol)s of varying molar masses as macro-initiator, were synthesized. Earlier elution of block copolymer from macro-initiator in size exclusion chromatography (SEC) indicated the successful synthesis of the block copolymers. Ratios of both types of blocks are varied systematically. Liquid chromatography at critical conditions for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks are established to analyze the individual block length of non-critical blocks, and presence or absence of free critical blocks in the samples. Liquid chromatographic critical conditions of polymer synthesized by ROP of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate, poly (ethylene ether-carbonate) and poly(propylene ether-carbonate) respectively, were established for the first time. The established chromatographic critical points of PEG, PEEC and PPEC successfully tracked presence of homopolymers along with estimation of individual block lengths of the block copolymers. The synthesized biodegradable block copolymers can open new possibilities for modern drug delivery systems due to slow degradation rate and non-acid biodegradation products of polycarbonates.
Adolescent character education is extremely important. Promiscuity, rampant rates of aggression against children and youth, robberies against peers, juvenile theft, cheating behaviors, substance addiction, pornography, and the misuse of others' property have all been global issues that have yet to be fully addressed. The article explains the philosophy of adolescent character education, the function of adolescent character education, the urgency of adolescent character education, the factors that affect character education, and the enhancement of adolescent character education for adolescent promiscuity. Attitudes, emotions, will, values, and behaviors are all ingredients in the definition of character education for teenagers.
This study applies Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV) to the study of supply chain capabilities. While the literature in the area of dynamic capabilities (DCs) from supply chain perspective or Dynamic Supply Chain Capabilities (DSCCs) has grown steadily, few important questions have remained unanswered. Specifically, this study seeks to find out the antecedents and consequences of DSCCs. In this study, DSCCs are operationalized based on the framework presented by Teece (2007), as a second-order factor consisting of sensing, seizing, and transforming capabilities. Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and Supply Chain Learning (SCL) are proposed as antecedents of DSCCs. The role of Environmental Dynamism (ED) in the process of capability formation is also considered. Finally, direct and indirect relationship between DSCCs and Supply Chain Performance (SCP) is considered. Indirect relationship is studied using the Operational Flexibility (OFL), Operational Improvement (OIM), and Operational Innovation (OIN) as mediating operational capabilities. Survey research was used to test the hypothesized model. Data were collected from 275 managers working in supply chain and related functions in manufacturing sector of Pakistan. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to validate the measurement model and test hypotheses. Results of the study showed that the research model was generally supported. Sensing, seizing (supply chain agility), and transforming (supply chain adaptability) provide a parsimonious framework for measuring DSCCs as indicated by fit indices in CFA. Results of the hypotheses tests showed that EO and SCL have a positive impact on DSCCs. Furthermore, DSCCs had a stronger direct impact on SCP compared to the indirect impact. 3 This research contributes to the literature by providing a framework for measuring DSCCs. It provides a better understanding of capability levels by empirically showing that capabilities operate at different levels and capabilities at each higher level modify the next level capabilities. It helps develop an understanding about DC-performance relationship in a better way. The study also showed that environmental dynamism does not play a significant role in the relationship between higher-order and lower-order dynamic capabilities. Finally, for executives and managers who are concerned about better managing their supply chains, this study provides insights for how firms can develop competitive advantage through DSCCs.