Search Results (2,129)

Background: Digital transformation is increasingly present in modern logistics, especially in the context of sustainability and circularity pressures. The integration of technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and automated platforms involves not only infrastructure but also a strategic vision, a flexible organizational culture, and the ability to support decisions through artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems. Methods: This study proposes an extended conceptual model using structural equation modelling (SEM) to explore the relationships between five constructs: technological change, strategic and organizational readiness, transformation environment, AI-enabled decision configuration, and operational redesign. The model was validated based on a sample of 217 active logistics specialists, coming from sectors such as road transport, retail, 3PL logistics services, and manufacturing. The participants are involved in the digitization of processes, especially in activities related to operational decisions and sustainability. Results: The findings reveal that the analysis confirms statistically significant relationships between organizational readiness, transformation environment, AI-based decision processes, and operational redesign. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of an integrated approach in which technology, organizational culture, and advanced decision support collectively contribute to the transition to digital and circular logistics chains. Full article

How do regulatory policies, funding structures, and cross-sector coordination shape knowledge flows and institutional transformation? Focusing on the smart medical device sector in Taiwan, this study explores how governance dynamics accelerate system transformation and foster demand for adaptive and integrative innovation systems. Building on the National Biotechnology Innovation System framework and qualitative system dynamics modeling, the study analyzes institutional interactions through 28 semi-structured interviews and 18 policy documents. Findings identify systemic bottlenecks, including translational gaps, coordination challenges, and barriers for traditional manufacturers. These gaps have enabled tech firms to emerge as system leaders by bridging these institutional gaps. This study extends innovation systems theory by conceptualizing an emergent governance function that addresses institutional gaps. At the policy level, the study highlights the importance of enabling institutional change in governance to address structural fragmentation and support system-wide transformation. Full article

The effective design of logistics platform business models is an important means for platform-type logistics enterprises to gain a competitive advantage. This study employs RRS Logistics as a case study to clarify the dynamic environmental mechanisms of logistics platform business models from the perspective of value co-creation and build a novel structural framework for logistics platform business models with community at their core. The research findings are as follows: First, guided by the idea of “value positioning–value co–creation–value support–value maintenance–value capture”, the conceptual framework of business models is redefined. The key steps in designing logistics platform business models, which can provide guidance and assistance for different logistics platforms, are proposed. Second, the design process for logistics platform business models should be dynamically adjusted in real time according to changes and environmental uncertainty. Third, in the process of transitioning to an ecological platform, logistics platforms’ ecosystem service clusters and ecosystem envelope are key factors in achieving a win–win scenario for all the stakeholders in the community. The case studies show that in logistics platform business model design, methods and key steps based on value co-creation could enhance the core competitiveness of logistics platforms. Full article

Although intracranial hypertension (ICH) has traditionally been framed as simply a numerical escalation of intracranial pressure (ICP) and usually dealt with in its clinical form and not in terms of its complex underlying pathophysiology, an emerging body of evidence indicates that ICH is not simply an elevated ICP process but a complex process of molecular dysregulation, glymphatic dysfunction, and neurovascular insufficiency. Our aim in this paper is to provide a complete synthesis of all the new thinking that is occurring in this space, primarily on the intersection of glymphatic dysfunction and cerebral vein physiology. The aspiration is to review how glymphatic dysfunction, largely secondary to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) dysfunction, can lead to delayed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clearance and thus the accumulation of extravascular fluid resulting in elevated ICP. A range of other factors such as oxidative stress, endothelin-1, and neuroinflammation seem to significantly impair cerebral autoregulation, making ICH challenging to manage. Combining recent studies, we intend to provide a revised conceptualization of ICH that recognizes the nuance and complexity of ICH that is understated by previous models. We wish to also address novel diagnostics aimed at better capturing the dynamic nature of ICH. Recent advances in non-invasive imaging (i.e., 4D flow MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI; DCE-MRI) allow for better visualization of dynamic changes to the glymphatic and cerebral blood flow (CBF) system. Finally, wearable ICP monitors and AI-assisted diagnostics will create opportunities for these continuous and real-time assessments, especially in limited resource settings. Our goal is to provide examples of opportunities that exist that might augment early recognition and improve personalized care while ensuring we realize practical challenges and limitations. We also consider what may be therapeutically possible now and in the future. Therapeutic opportunities discussed include CRISPR-based gene editing aimed at restoring AQP4 function, nano-robotics aimed at drug targeting, and bioelectronic devices purposed for ICP modulation. Certainly, these proposals are innovative in nature but will require ethically responsible confirmation of long-term safety and availability, particularly to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burdens of secondary ICH remain preeminent. Throughout the review, we will be restrained to a balanced pursuit of innovative ideas and ethical considerations to attain global health equity. It is not our intent to provide unequivocal answers, but instead to encourage informed discussions at the intersections of research, clinical practice, and the public health field. We hope this review may stimulate further discussion about ICH and highlight research opportunities to conduct translational research in modern neuroscience with real, approachable, and patient-centered care. Full article

Background: Wearable movement sensors can measure upper limb (UL) activity, but single variables may not capture the full picture. This study aimed to replicate prior work identifying five multivariate categories of UL activity performance in people with stroke and controls and expand those findings to other UL conditions. Methods: Demographic, self-report, and wearable sensor-based UL activity performance variables were collected from 324 participants (stroke n = 49, multiple sclerosis n = 19, distal UL fracture n = 40, proximal UL pain n = 55, post-breast cancer n = 23, control n = 138). Principal component (PC) analyses (12, 9, 7, or 5 accelerometry input variables) were followed by cluster analyses and numerous assessments of model fit across multiple subsets of the total sample. Results: Two PCs explained 70–90% variance: PC1 (overall UL activity performance) and PC2 (preferred-limb use). A five-variable, five-cluster model was optimal across samples. In comparison to clusters, two PCs and individual accelerometry variables showed higher convergent validity with self-report outcomes of UL activity performance and disability. Conclusions: A five-variable, five-cluster model was replicable and generalizable. Convergent validity data suggest that UL activity performance in daily life may be better conceptualized on a continuum, rather than categorically. These findings highlight a unified, data-driven approach to tracking functional changes across UL conditions and severity of functional deficits. Full article

This article presents an initial effort to systematize two interrelated research fronts within ecological economics (EE): ecological microeconomics and ecological macroeconomics. In response to the field’s transdisciplinary and plural nature—attributes that, while enriching, may limit its political influence—the article proposes a conceptual delineation of these two domains as a means to strengthen EE’s analytical identity and facilitate dialogue with other economic approaches. Ecological microeconomics focuses on the material and energy intensity of economic activity, the complementarity of natural capital in production processes, and the redesign of consumption and firm behavior under ecological constraints. Ecological macroeconomics, in turn, centers on the biophysical limits to growth, the concept of sustainable and optimal scale, and the integration of environmental variables into macroeconomic indicators and policy frameworks. The article argues that both fronts, despite their distinct emphases, are united by the need for long-term structural change and a normative commitment to sustainability. Together, they offer a coherent basis for rethinking prosperity within the ecological boundaries of the Earth system. Full article

This paper introduces a new conceptual framework for interpreting urethral retro-resistance pressure (URP) as a dynamic, intra-procedural tool—ΔURP—for evaluating external urethral sphincter (EUS) engagement during injection therapy. With renewed interest in therapies that directly target the EUS, there is a critical need for real-time functional feedback at the site of action. This conceptual review re-examines URP in the context of emerging EUS-targeted treatments—such as bulking agents, regenerative injections, and neuromodulatory interventions—and proposes a dynamic model (ΔURP) to measure changes in sphincteric resistance as a functional biomarker during intervention. We review the anatomical, neurophysiological, and histological features of the EUS complex; trace the clinical rise and decline of URP; and compare its utility to conventional diagnostic tools. ΔURP, defined as the change in URP from baseline, is explored as an objective measure of EUS function. We outline its potential applications in guiding therapy, evaluating response, and standardizing outcomes across treatments. Conventional urodynamic measures fail to isolate distal sphincter function. In contrast, URP directly challenges the EUS and, when combined with imaging or procedural tools, may provide real-time feedback on sphincter engagement. When reframed as a dynamic, motion-based readout, URP may fill a critical gap in procedural urology—offering a physiologic signal of therapeutic engagement during EUS-targeted interventions. ΔURP has the potential to revive and repurpose a once-abandoned method into a clinically actionable biomarker for next-generation continence care. Full article

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly recognized as strategic alternatives and complements to grey infrastructure for addressing water-related challenges in the context of climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity decline. This article presents a critical, theory-informed review of the state of NbS implementation in European water management, drawing on a structured synthesis of empirical evidence from regional case studies and policy frameworks. The analysis found that while NbS are effective in reducing surface runoff, mitigating floods, and improving water quality under low- to moderate-intensity events, their performance remains uncertain under extreme climate scenarios. Key gaps identified include the lack of long-term monitoring data, limited assessment of NbS under future climate conditions, and weak integration into mainstream planning and financing systems. Existing evaluation frameworks are critiqued for treating NbS as static interventions, overlooking their ecological dynamics and temporal variability. In response, a dynamic, climate-resilient assessment model is proposed—grounded in systems thinking, backcasting, and participatory scenario planning—to evaluate NbS adaptively. Emerging innovations, such as hybrid green–grey infrastructure, adaptive governance models, and novel financing mechanisms, are highlighted as key enablers for scaling NbS. The article contributes to the scientific literature by bridging theoretical and empirical insights, offering region-specific findings and recommendations based on a comparative analysis across diverse European contexts. These findings provide conceptual and methodological tools to better design, evaluate, and scale NbS for transformative, equitable, and climate-resilient water governance. Full article

Enterprise architecture (EA) provides a strategic foundation for aligning business processes, IT infrastructure, and organizational strategy, enabling firms to navigate uncertainty and complexity. In developing economies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant challenges in maintaining financial resilience and sustainable growth amidst frequent disruptions. This study investigates how EA-driven change events affect SME financial performance by activating three key adaptive mechanisms: improvisational capability, flexible IT systems, and organizational culture. A novel classification of EA change triggers is proposed to guide adaptive responses. Using survey data from 291 Pakistani SMEs collected during the COVID-19 crisis, the study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to validate the conceptual model. The results indicate that improvisational capability and flexible IT systems significantly enhance financial performance, while the mediating role of organizational culture is statistically insignificant. This study contributes to EA and sustainability literature by integrating a typology of EA triggers with adaptive capabilities theory and testing their effects in a real-world crisis context. Full article

Video surveillance systems have become pervasive in contemporary society, prompting growing concerns about their psychological and behavioral effects on individuals. This study investigates how perceived surveillance influences self-censorship and behavioral regulation in monitored environments, drawing on the conceptual framework of panoptic self-regulation and surveillance-induced anxiety. A structured questionnaire was administered to 358 university students, and data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to validate latent constructs, followed by ordinal logistic regression and mediation analysis to test key hypotheses. The results indicate that individuals who perceive higher psychological pressure due to surveillance are more likely to modify their behavior, exhibiting heightened self-awareness and restraint. Additionally, belief in the active monitoring of surveillance footage significantly amplifies behavioral vigilance. The perception of the technological omnipresence of surveillance further intensifies psychological discomfort, which mediates behavioral change. These findings conceptualize video surveillance as a socio-technical system that exerts behavioral influence through internalized psychological mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of considering the unintended consequences of surveillance technologies on autonomy and freedom, and it suggests that regulatory frameworks should account not only for legal compliance but also for the psychological impact of surveillance. The results provide empirical support for viewing surveillance systems as dynamic regulators of human behavior. Full article

Miami, Florida, renowned for its cultural richness and coastal beauty, also faces the concerning challenges created by urban heat islands (UHIs). As one of the hottest cities of the United States, Miami is facing escalating temperatures and threatening heat-related vulnerabilities due to urbanization and climate change. Our study addresses the critical issue of mapping and investigating UHIs in complex urban settings. This study leveraged Planet satellite data and Landsat data to conceptualize and develop appropriate mitigation strategies for UHIs in Miami. Utilizing the Planet satellite imagery and Landsat data, we conducted a combined study of land cover and land surface temperature variations within the city. This approach fuses remotely sensed data to identify the UHI hotspots. This study aims for dynamic approaches for UHI mitigation. This includes studying the status of green spaces present in the city, possible expansion of urban green spaces, the propagation of cool roof initiatives, and exploring the recent climatic trend of the city. The research revealed that built-up areas consistently showed higher land surface temperatures while zones with dense vegetation have lower surface temperatures, supporting the role of urban green spaces in surface temperature reduction. This research can also set a robust model for addressing UHIs in other cities facing rapid urbanization and experiencing mounting temperatures each passing year by helping in assessing LST, land cover, and related spectral indices as well. Full article

Energy security is a global and strategic issue that is vital to national economic and social development. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has profoundly changed the world’s energy trade structure and brought great challenges to global energy security, especially to the European Union (EU). Under this background, this study tries to construct a conceptual framework for energy security from trade and selects the EU as a case to analyze its energy security evolution at both the regional and national scales. The findings of this paper are as follows. (1) In the context of energy transition, oil and gas remain pivotal components due to their longstanding historical presence. However, they are also the most susceptible elements within the EU’s energy system. (2) The level of oil security within the EU is higher than that of natural gas. The level of oil security in member countries varies considerably, with significant geographic disparities. Aside from the exception of the Netherlands and Denmark, the majority of member countries exhibit a consistently low level of natural gas security. (3) From 1991 to 2021, the EU’s energy security pattern underwent significant changes, exhibiting a general downward trend due to the increased utilization of natural gas. In light of the aforementioned research outcomes, this paper seeks to offer policy recommendations for the enhancement of the EU’s energy security. Full article

Peri-urban areas in the Global South are rapidly transforming due to urban expansion, land commodification, and institutional change. Although diverse theoretical perspectives address these dynamics, existing scholarship remains fragmented. This study systematically reviews how various theoretical frameworks deepen our understanding of peri-urban land transformation, focusing on conceptual and institutional dimensions. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic review was conducted on 120 studies published between 1996 and 2024, sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and additional unindexed repositories. Eligible studies explicitly addressed peri-urban land issues in the Global South and applied theoretical approaches. Data extraction involved detailed coding of study characteristics, theoretical orientations, and thematic insights. Using open and selective coding, 19 thematic codes were identified. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) conceptualizing peri-urban spaces through territorial, functional, and transitional lenses; (2) institutionalization of place; and (3) theoretical interpretations of land transformation grounded in neoclassical, modernization, neo-Marxist, dependency, structuration, institutionalist, and urban political ecology frameworks. Studies were appraised for theoretical rigor, relevance, and potential conceptual bias. Limitations include the exclusion of non-English studies. Findings highlight the need for pluralistic, context-sensitive frameworks, with political ecology offering a particularly integrative analytical lens to examine global–local power dynamics and socio-natural transformations. This review was funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Georg Forster Fellowship, grant no. 1233452). Full article

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly called upon to both respond to and drive societal change. To better understand how HEIs can enhance their ability to innovate, an integrative literature review was conducted, examining the concept of innovative capacity. Key resources, such as social capital and leadership, that support innovative capacity were identified, and the ways in which these key resources interact to give rise to innovation outcomes were explored. The findings were synthesized in a conceptual framework that illuminates the pathways through which the capacity for innovation can be built and leveraged by HEIs. This framework serves as both a theoretical foundation for future research and a practical guide for HEI leaders and policymakers seeking to foster innovation. By leveraging these insights, HEIs can better navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving society and reinforce their role as key drivers of knowledge creation and the complex societal transformations necessary for a sustainable future. Full article

This article reframes sustainability transitions by positioning the deliberate deactivation of fossil fuel infrastructures—such as coal plants, oil fields, and pipelines—as a central mechanism of systemic change. While prevailing approaches often emphasize renewable energy and innovation, they tend to neglect how existing fossil systems are actively maintained by powerful networks. We argue that sustainability transitions require not only building alternatives but also deactivating entrenched fossil infrastructures. To address this gap, we propose an analytical framework that conceptualizes deactivation as a contested socio-political process shaped by antagonistic interactions between fossil blocs—coalitions of incumbent agents defending fossil infrastructures—and emerging deactivation networks working to disable and dismantle them. Drawing on six illustrative cases from diverse contexts, we examine the legal, institutional, narrative, and spatial mechanisms through which deactivation is either enabled or obstructed. We also introduce an interdisciplinary methodology that combines path tracing, social network analysis, and qualitative comparison to analyze how these dynamics between fossil blocs and deactivation networks evolve over time. This article contributes to the sustainability transition literature by demonstrating that the deactivation of fossil infrastructures is a political, material, and justice-oriented process, one that is essential to ending fossil fuel dependency and enabling sustainable futures. Full article