Search Results (2,152)

Energy labeling converts otherwise difficult-to-observe product energy performance into standardized and comparable information, thereby reshaping market incentives for energy-efficient production; however, whether these incentives translate into more effective utilization of firms’ quasi-fixed productive capacity remains insufficiently understood. This study examines the impact of the China Energy Label (CEL) on firm-level capacity utilization using 41,106 firm-year observations for 3862 Chinese A-share listed firms from 2001 to 2024. Exploiting the staggered inclusion of product categories in the CEL catalogue, we estimate a multi-period difference-in-differences model with firm and year fixed effects, with capacity utilization (CU) measured using a stochastic frontier production function. We also conduct a battery of identification and robustness checks, including event-study tests, the Sun–Abraham estimator, and leave-one-batch-out analyses. The results show that CEL increases CU by approximately 1.2 percentage points under a specification that accounts for time-varying city- and industry-level shocks. The positive effect persists across a range of identification and robustness checks. Mechanism analyses provide suggestive evidence that CEL is positively associated with green managerial cognition, breakthrough innovation, and internationalization. These findings are consistent with these factors serving as potential channels through which CEL may improve CU. The effect is more pronounced among state-owned and loss-making firms. Overall, the findings indicate that energy labeling can improve production-side efficiency by promoting more effective use of firms’ existing productive capacity. Full article

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of global mortality, which has growing driving interest in dietary natural products for potential chemopreventive and complementary approaches. Cherries (Prunus species) are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, notably anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol. This review aims to examine and discuss current research on the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of whole cherry extracts and their primary flavonols quercetin and kaempferol across various breast cancer subtypes. Preclinical studies indicate that these compounds exert multi-targeted effects by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, and suppressing metastatic pathways. Additionally, these flavonols show potential in reversing multidrug resistance. A whole-food approach highlights the candidate synergistic properties of these phytochemical complexes, but low oral bioavailability and rapid metabolism severely limit their clinical translation. Therefore, utilizing innovative drug delivery systems remains crucial to improving their stability, absorption, and overall therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Portable handheld bioprinters represent a transformative advancement in personalized skin regeneration, bypassing the logistical constraints of stationary lab-based systems by enabling real-time, in situ fabrication of bioengineered constructs directly within the wound bed. This review aims to evaluate the current state of their development and clinical translation. One of the foci is placed on the stringent physicochemical requirements for bioinks, where we examined the critical balance between bioadhesion—facilitated by functional groups—and mechanical cohesion necessary for maintaining structural integrity during deposition, while RGD motifs are considered primarily as promoters of integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Preclinical studies have demonstrated promising effects of bioprinted constructs on wound healing and tissue organization; however, human evidence for handheld and direct in situ skin bioprinting remains limited, and clinical efficacy has yet to be established in controlled studies. Nevertheless, widespread adoption is hindered by inferior printing fidelity relative to stationary counterparts, a lack of standardized GMP-compliant bioink production, and regulatory ambiguity that impedes clear classification as either medical devices or biologics. Practical barriers, including intraoperative sterility assurance and operator training, also remain unresolved. Looking ahead, we discuss how the convergence of, in particular, artificial intelligence for real-time wound morphometry, closed-loop process control, and smart, self-healing biomaterials promises to surmount these obstacles. We conclude that these synergistic innovations may propel handheld bioprinters from experimental prototypes toward clinical tools with the potential to reshape reconstructive surgery and emergency wound care, although their clinical value will require validation in appropriately designed human studies. Full article

Against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical conflicts and deglobalization, how Specialized, Refined, Differentiated, and Innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SRDI SMEs) can overcome resource constraints and achieve sustained growth has become an important research issue. Although prior research has recognized that business ecosystem embeddedness provides SMEs with access to external resources and growth opportunities, the mechanisms through which such embeddedness translates into the growth of SRDI SMEs in turbulent environments remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on resource orchestration theory, this study develops a theoretical model linking business ecosystem embeddedness to SRDI SME growth and examines the mediating roles of proactive organizational resilience and reactive organizational resilience, as well as the moderating role of digital leadership. Using two-wave survey data from 367 Chinese SRDI SMEs, this study tests the proposed hypotheses through regression analysis and bootstrapping. The results show that business ecosystem embeddedness is significantly and positively associated with SRDI SME growth and that proactive organizational resilience and reactive organizational resilience each partially mediate this relationship. Moreover, digital leadership strengthens the relationships between business ecosystem embeddedness and both dimensions of organizational resilience, thereby strengthening its indirect effects on SRDI SME growth through proactive organizational resilience and reactive organizational resilience. The findings provide theoretical insights and practical implications for SRDI SMEs seeking sustained growth in turbulent environments. Full article

As firms increasingly face sustainability pressures and digital disruption, understanding how digital transformation contributes to long-term competitiveness has become an important research and managerial challenge. However, the mechanisms through which digital transformation enhances sustainable competitiveness remain insufficiently understood, particularly in emerging economies undergoing sustainability transitions. This study develops and empirically tests a sequential sustainability transformation framework by examining the mediating roles of ESG performance and green technology innovation in the relationship between digital transformation and sustainable competitiveness, while also investigating the moderating role of income tax burden. Using panel data from 131 firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand over the period 2021–2024, the study employs panel-data regression models, sequential mediation analysis, and moderation analysis to test the proposed framework. The findings indicate that the relationship between digital transformation and sustainable competitiveness operates primarily through ESG performance and green technology innovation rather than through a direct technological pathway. ESG performance serves as an important intermediary mechanism, while green technology innovation translates sustainability-oriented capabilities into competitive outcomes. The results further reveal that income tax burden positively moderates the relationship between digital transformation and green technology innovation, indicating that this positive relationship becomes stronger under higher levels of income tax burden. This study contributes to the literature by clarifying the sequential organizational mechanisms through which digital transformation is translated into sustainable competitiveness and by identifying income tax burden as a relevant financial boundary condition. The findings provide evidence that sustainable competitiveness is supported by complementary organizational mechanisms rather than technology adoption alone, while also highlighting the role of financial conditions in shaping sustainability-oriented innovation. The findings provide practical guidance for managers and policymakers seeking to integrate digital transformation, ESG-related governance, and green technology innovation to strengthen sustainable competitiveness in emerging economies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dihydromyricetin (DHM), a poorly water-soluble flavonoid with potent antioxidant and skin-rejuvenating properties, exhibits limited skin permeation. This study aimed to develop and characterize DHM-loaded in situ film-forming emulsions (FFE) using Eudragit^® RS 100 as the film-forming polymer to enhance skin permeation while minimizing systemic absorption. Methods: FFE formulations, comprising a DHM-loaded lipid mixture and a Eudragit^® RS 100 polymer solution, were developed using a full-factorial design of experiments varying poloxamer 407 (P407) and octyl cyanoacrylate (O60/20)/N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) concentrations to evaluate drying time, elongation at break, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and dermal permeation. The optimized formulation was further characterized for physicochemical properties, chemical integrity, drug loading, and release behaviour. Results: All formulations were homogeneous and physically stable over 24 h. Drying time was positively influenced by P407 but negatively by O60/20/NMP; P407 reduced dermal permeation, while O60/20/NMP had a biphasic effect without significantly affecting elongation at break and WVTR. The optimized FFE (0.079%w/w O60/20/NMP, without P407) showed rapid drying (2.68 min), elongation >10%, and self-formed nanoscale emulsion droplets from the lipid mixture. FTIR confirmed component compatibility; XRD revealed DHM conversion from a crystalline to an amorphous state. Compared with a system without lipid, FFE exhibited significantly higher moisture content (p < 0.001), a lower swelling index (p = 0.021), comparable occlusive factor (p = 0.68), and followed Higuchi kinetic release. Conclusions: The optimized FFE demonstrated desirable film-forming properties and physicochemical compatibility, offering an innovative formulation strategy with translational potential for topical industries. However, substitution of NMP is recommended for cosmetic formulations. Full article

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used to enhance cultural heritage experiences, yet limited research explains how technological characteristics translate into sustainable cultural tourism intention (SCTI) through cognitive, experiential, and affective processes. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated framework combining the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) framework, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Flow Experience Theory. Data were collected from 360 Thai and international tourists at UNESCO World Heritage destinations in Thailand and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results supported all 14 direct hypotheses. Information Presentation Quality (IPQ) had the strongest effect on Perceived Usefulness (PU), whereas Innovation Factors (IF) had the strongest effect on Flow Experience (FE). PU and FE contributed to Emotional Cultural Attachment (ECA) and Sustainable Cultural Tourism Intention, with ECA also exerting a significant effect on SCTI. Mediation analysis further showed that Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) transmitted the effects of technological stimuli to subsequent cognitive and experiential responses, while FE and ECA served as complementary mechanisms linking VR experiences to SCTI. The significant FE-specific indirect effects further confirmed the experiential pathway, while IPQ showed a stronger total indirect effect on SCTI than IF. These findings extend VR tourism research by demonstrating an interconnected cognitive–experiential–affective mechanism through which technological characteristics contribute to sustainable cultural tourism intention. The study also provides practical guidance for heritage authorities, destination managers, and VR developers seeking to design informative, immersive, and culturally meaningful VR experiences that support responsible tourism and heritage conservation. Full article

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, requiring innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Cell culture models are essential tools in cancer research. While traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures are widely used because of their accessibility and simplicity, they inadequately represent the tumor microenvironment. This review provides a molecular perspective on the biological differences between 2D and 3D cancer models, emphasizing extracellular matrix signaling, mechanotransduction, metabolic adaptation, tumor heterogeneity, and therapeutic resistance rather than a general comparison of culture systems. It discusses the limitations of 2D models and highlights the advantages of 3D systems, including spheroids and organoids, for more accurately recapitulating the tumor microenvironment and improving the predictive value of anticancer drug testing. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the roles of 2D and 3D cell culture methods in oncology. The literature was searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from 2015 to 2026 using keywords including “2D cell culture,” “3D cell culture,” “spheroids,” “organoids,” and “cancer.” Studies were eligible for inclusion if they addressed cancer research using 2D or 3D cell culture models and provided relevant experimental, preclinical, or translational evidence, particularly regarding tumor microenvironment, extracellular matrix signaling, cellular interactions, therapeutic response, or molecular mechanisms. Studies unrelated to cancer or 2D/3D culture models, duplicate records, and publications lacking relevant primary data were excluded. Study selection was performed by screening titles and abstracts followed by full-text assessment according to the predefined eligibility criteria. Seminal studies were also included when considered relevant to the conceptual framework of the review. Findings were synthesized narratively without quantitative analysis. 2D cultures limit cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interactions, reducing the applicability of findings to in vivo conditions. In contrast, 3D cultures better reproduce oxygen and nutrient gradients and cellular interactions, providing a more realistic representation of the tumor microenvironment. Recent advances in 3D systems have improved predictive accuracy for drug screening and personalized medicine. Both 2D and 3D culture methods possess unique strengths and limitations. Used in complementary ways, they can improve the translation of in vitro findings to in vivo and clinical applications, accelerating progress in cancer research and therapeutic development. Full article

The development of effective delivery systems remains an important challenge in modern pharmaceutical and biomedical research, driving the development of biocompatible materials with versatile functional properties. This review provides an integrated overview of chitosan-based delivery systems, focusing on chitosan nanoparticles, chitosan derivatives, and hybrid systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between the structural and functional characteristics of chitosan-based systems and their potential applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. In addition to established applications, emerging approaches involving nucleic acid delivery, gene therapy, theranostics, and other biomedical applications are discussed. A further focus of this review is the consideration of critical quality attributes relevant to the development of GMP-oriented chitosan-based systems, providing a perspective that links material characteristics with quality and translational requirements. By integrating these aspects, this review highlights the versatility of chitosan as a platform for the development of innovative pharmaceutical and biomedical delivery technologies. Full article

Commercialisation of research outcomes depends not only on technological quality but also on the competences through which research organisations identify market opportunities, coordinate stakeholders and translate knowledge into sustainable value. This study identifies and classifies commercialisation competences in research network organisations and develops a time-structured framework for operationalising their contribution to sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI). A structured review of Scopus and Web of Science publications, using predefined relevance criteria, yielded 129 competence formulations. Competence extraction was conducted by one author, while two authors independently synthesised the formulations into 25 conceptually distinct competences: five cognitive, eight functional, four personal and eight meta-competences. The 25 competences were then mapped against the triple bottom line, dynamic capabilities and ESG perspectives through a consensus-based expert assessment. Ten competences were classified as core sustainability-oriented, twelve as enabling and three as neutral. Because this classification is interpretative rather than empirically validated, it is intended as a transparent analytical proposition for subsequent testing. Each competence was linked to an Activity–Process Performance–Outcome (A–S–W) structure based on leading, diagnostic and lagging indicators, producing 75 illustrative indicators. The proposed numerical thresholds are heuristic calibration examples rather than universal benchmarks. The framework connects competence activation with process quality and commercialisation outcomes while incorporating economic, environmental and social dimensions and provides a basis for competence development, performance monitoring and future empirical validation. Full article

In South Africa, the culture and creative industry still faces structural constraints and rapid technological change. While digital infrastructure has opened new paths for creative production, distribution, and commercialisation, the extent to which digital connectivity and innovation translate into tangible, measurable performance in the creative economy remains a question. In this paper, the study investigates the short- and long-run relationships among technological innovation, telecommunications infrastructure, digital services intensity, and the performance of South Africa’s creative economy over the period 1999–2023 using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The study uses patent applications as an indicator of formal innovation, as well as of fixed telecommunications infrastructure, digital services exports, and overall economic activity. The negative and marginally significant long-run association of digital services exports is also observed, while overall GDP is insignificant. The error-correction mechanism is negative and statistically significant, although its small magnitude suggests a slow recovery toward the long-run equilibrium. The study’s results show that the development of the creative economy is not only about increasing overall digital connectivity but also about innovation capacity and technological infrastructure within the creative innovation ecosystem. The study further observes that technological access alone is insufficient to achieve sector-level benefits and that it must be accompanied by stronger innovation support, commercialisation capabilities, and institutional support for creative companies. From a policy perspective, the findings call for greater attention to intellectual property development, innovation capabilities, digital production capacity, and infrastructure to help creative companies translate their technology into business. The study provides time-series evidence on the link between technological innovation, digital infrastructure, and creative economy performance in an African emerging-market context, and it offers policy-relevant insights for developing innovation-led creative sector development in South Africa amid uneven digital and economic development. Full article

Reliable near-coastal localization is difficult because LiDAR and scanning radar fail in complementary regimes: LiDAR provides precise local geometry but loses support over open water, whereas radar preserves long-range observations but suffers from clutter, multipath, and low spatial resolution. We present RACIF-SLAM, a reliability-aware framework that unifies continuous localization and hierarchical occupancy mapping. RACIF-SLAM transforms sensor-native motion increments into a common vessel frame, infers temporally filtered reliability from registration evidence, and applies an innovation gate to suppress the less credible modality under cross-sensor conflict before fusion on $\mathrm{SE}\left(2\right)$. When LiDAR tracking collapses, a radar bridge sustains motion estimation and re-anchors the recovered LiDAR segment without trajectory discontinuity. For mapping, LiDAR retains local occupied/free-space authority, while spatially broadened radar evidence extends support beyond the effective LiDAR range. In the four evaluated near-coastal segments, every reported pose was supported by at least one accepted sensor increment; the dead-reckoning fallback was not invoked. Against synchronized dual-antenna GNSS, RACIF-SLAM achieves a mean ATE of 0.700 m and a 10-frame translational RPE of 0.183 m, reductions of 66.3% and 65.1%, respectively, over the next-best evaluated method. These segment-specific results indicate that evidence-dependent authority transfer can improve localization continuity while retaining fine local map structure. Full article

The 2026 ACC/AHA Multisociety Guideline marks a major shift in dyslipidemia management, extending the traditional LDL-C-centered approach to include non-HDL-C, ApoB, lipoprotein(a), triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, inherited lipid disorders, and severe hypertriglyceridemia. The introduction of PREVENT-ASCVD, the renewed use of explicit lipid targets, and the structured integration of risk enhancers and coronary artery calcium support a more individualized approach to cardiovascular prevention. This review critically examines the guideline’s main innovations, with particular attention to the distinction between recommendations supported by cardiovascular outcome evidence and those relying mainly on observational data, surrogate endpoints, or extrapolation. It also compares the US framework with the 2025 ESC/EAS Focused Update, highlighting growing agreement on LDL-C goals but persistent differences in risk estimation, imaging, biomarkers, and treatment pathways. Finally, we discuss unresolved issues involving implementation, adherence, access, cost, health equity, inclisiran outcomes, and emerging lipoprotein(a)-lowering therapies. The guideline’s impact will depend on translating greater precision into timely, feasible, and equitable care. Full article

Bio-based phase change materials (PCMs) can increase transient heat storage in lightweight building envelopes, but their performance depends on the climate, transition properties, layer design, and assumptions used to translate thermal loads into carbon and cost indicators. Although PCM optimization, machine learning surrogates, and lifecycle assessment have each been studied extensively, comparatively few studies combine them while explicitly separating simulation-derived thermal outputs from scenario-dependent environmental and economic post-processing and benchmarking bio-based candidates against paraffin on a common wall area basis. This study develops a simulation-based screening framework for a south-facing office wall model using 18,000 EnergyPlus cases, climate-specific machine learning surrogates, TreeSHAP interpretation, NSGA-II optimization, and scenario-based lifecycle carbon and cost accounting. XGBoost achieved pooled held-out R² values of 0.974 for occupied discomfort degree-hours and 0.978 for total annual thermal demand. For Palermo, the directly re-simulated balanced configuration (T_m = 24.8 °C, L_h = 178 kJ/kg, 22 mm thickness, intermediate position) reduced occupant discomfort by 42.6% and the modeled single-zone total thermal demand by 6.0%. Under the central all-electric scenario (SCOP = SEER = 3.0, grid factor = 0.233 kg CO₂eq/kWh, 25 years), scenario-based net lifecycle carbon was −22.1 kg CO₂eq/m² for the analyzed south wall with an 8.0-year environmental payback, compared with −7.4 kg CO₂eq/m² and 19.2 years for RT28 paraffin. Energy savings did not recover the additional investment; the incremental lifecycle cost was +24.1 EUR/m². The theoretical contribution is a transparent, climate-dependent screening logic that couples surrogate interpretation with explicit evidence boundaries; the applied outcome is a palmitic–capric target-property region prioritized for laboratory validation rather than a deployment-ready product. Only directly re-simulated configurations are used for quantitative applied thermal claims; surrogate-only Pareto points are retained as exploratory screening candidates and are not interpreted as validated optima. The numerical results are specific to the modeled south-wall, single-zone boundary; whole-building and cross-regional application requires local recalibration and direct validation. By linking passive comfort, carbon accounting, material innovation, and responsible pre-experimental selection, the workflow is relevant to the decarbonization objectives represented by SDGs 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13. Full article

Information Technology (IT) projects have historically exhibited low success rates when evaluated narrowly through the “Iron Triangle” of time, cost, and scope. Recent studies emphasize the importance of soft factors—human, psychological, and behavioral dimensions—that logically complement technical and managerial practices. The increasing complexity of digital transformation initiatives has created a demand for intelligent project management systems capable of integrating technical, organizational, and behavioral information into unified decision-support environments. Existing project management frameworks primarily emphasize planning, scheduling, cost management, and resource allocation, while offering limited capability for modeling dynamic human and organizational factors that influence project outcomes. This paper proposes an Adaptive Project Intelligence Framework (APIF), a socio-technical systems architecture that models behavioral signals, organizational conditions, and project performance indicators as interconnected system components within a unified project success ecosystem. This paper proposes a conceptual model for IT project success that integrates mindfulness, creativity, and innovation behaviors. Drawing on the interdisciplinary literature in project management, psychology, and organizational studies, the model highlights how mindfulness fosters resilience and stewardship, creativity enhances decision-making and problem-solving, and innovation behaviors translate ideas into sustainable project outcomes. The paper concludes with implications for practice, limitations, and directions for future research. Full article