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Using a time-varying parameter vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) model, this study analyzes how inbound tourist arrivals (TOUR) respond to EPU in Australia. Empirical results show that EPU can Granger cause TOUR in most cases before COVID-19, whereas little evidence supports this finding after the pandemic. At the national level, it is found that EPU was the net risk transmitter before COVID-19 but became the net risk receiver after COVID-19, while TOUR was the net risk receiver over March 2007-March 2020 but became the net risk transmitter in the remaining months. The impulse response functions reflect that a 2.81% decline in the total TOUR was observed due to a 1% increase in EPU, which gradually decayed within 9 months for the sub-sample before COVID-19. Similar findings hold at the state/territory level. These findings provide profound evidence for the national and state/territory governments to allocate tourism resources and formulate supportive tourism policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact photonic devices that integrate metasurfaces with light sources have been widely studied. However, experimental demonstrations of a higher efficiency of integration are still lacking. To enhance the efficiency of light sources integrated with metasurfaces, we employed a forward design optimization method and index matching between the light source and metasurface substrate to design metagratings. To optimize the overall diffraction efficiency, we manipulated the degrees of freedom in phase, the lattice constants, and the number of unit cells. The same material was utilized for the nanostructures and substrate (homo-metagrating) for index matching, while Si and GaAs materials were used for working at 1550 and 940 nm, respectively. The experimental homo-metagratings operating at 1550 nm and made of Si exhibited an overall average efficiency of 51.3% at diffraction angles of 60.3°. On the other hand, experimental homo-metagratings operating at 940 nm and made of GaAs exhibited an overall average efficiency of 52.4% at diffraction angles of 49.3°. This suggests that the future integration of metagratings with a polarization-specific laser can further enhance the overall diffraction efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent maritime cybersecurity accidents reveal that shipping is facing increased exposure to cyber threats, especially due to the fast-growing digitalisation of the sector, leaving vessels and their onboard systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. This research aims at evaluating the relationship among the critical dimensions influencing cybersecurity performance in the maritime industry. To achieve this, six critical dimensions related to cybersecurity preparedness are first identified through literature review, namely 'regulations', 'company procedures' from a managerial perspective and 'shipboard systems readiness', 'training and awareness', 'human factor' and 'compliance monitoring' at an operation level. A Likert-scale questionnaire is designed and used to collect empirical data from 133 seafarers and shore-based staff. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is applied to examine the causal relationships between the six dimensions and shipboard cybersecurity performance. The results show that 'regulations' positively influence shipping companies' cybersecurity-related 'procedures', which in turn positively affects 'shipboard systems readiness', 'training and awareness', and 'monitoring'. Further, 'training and awareness' positively influences the cybersecurity performance of ships. The results have profound implications for the shipping industry on how to strengthen their cyber practices in order to improve their cybersecurity performance. Recommendations for future academic research related to maritime cybersecurity are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tax policymaking in China has created conditions for local governments to strategically leverage tax policies (e.g. tax preferences, tax collection and management efficiency, and fiscal subsidies) to have carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions peak before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060. By constructing an endogenous growth model with tax competition, capital mobility, technological innovation, and carbon emissions, this study investigates how tax competition is influencing firm-level behaviour and providing climate-relevant policy implications. It has theoretically demonstrated that this effect depends on technological innovation and operates through the capital mechanism. This finding is empirically confirmed in this analysis using a spatial panel threshold model with fixed effects designed to fit a balanced provincial panel dataset in China over the period 2005–2018. The main results are fourfold. First, provinces with similar carbon emissions intensity (CEI) tend to cluster spatially. That is, a province with a high CEI usually has neighbours with high CEIs. Second, a threshold effect is confirmed, revealing that higher tax collection and management efficiency (lower tax competition) decreases CEI if technological innovation is below the threshold value; otherwise, lower tax competition usually increases CEI. Third, capital mobility is a potential mechanism through which tax competition influences CEI. Specifically, provinces with a high level of technological innovation attract more knowledge- and technology-intensive firms and crowd out firms with low innovation capacities, potentially reducing local CEI. Finally, as indicated in our spatial heterogeneity analysis, the effect of higher tax competition decreasing CEI is only observed in the western region. These findings suggest the need for cross-provincial collaboration in developing taxation policies to ensure these policies help to advance the transition to a low-carbon economy and raise capital entry barriers for high-carbon emission projects in provinces with a low level of technological innovation. Cross-provincial taxation policies can be designed to encourage the transition to a low-carbon economy due to spatial agglomeration and heterogeneity of carbon emissions intensity (CEI). The focus of tax competition should be knowledge- and technology-intensive firms with a high level of technological innovation. Tax competition can be relaxed in China's provinces with a low level of technological innovation to reduce CEI; otherwise, it should be strengthened. The central government in China could usefully raise capital entry barriers for high-carbon emission projects in provinces with low levels of technological innovation and guide local governments to attract more projects with high returns and low carbon emissions to avoid a race to the bottom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-space optical communications hold promising advantages, including a large bandwidth, access to license-free spectrum, high data rates, quick and simple deployment, low power consumption, and relaxed quality requirements. Nevertheless, key technical challenges remain, such as a higher transmission efficiency, a lower transmission loss, and a smaller form factor of optical systems. Here, we demonstrate the viability of circular-polarization-multiplexed multi-channel optical communication using metasurfaces alongside a photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) light source at wavelength of 940 nm. Through the light manipulation with metasurface, we split the linearly polarized incidence into left and right circular polarizations with desired diffraction angles. Such orthogonal polarization states provide a paradigm of polarization division multiplexing technique for light communication. The PCSEL light source maintains a low divergence angle of about 0.373 degrees after passing through an ultra-thin metasurface without further bulky collimator or light guide, making end-to-end (E2E) and device-to-device (D2D) communications available in a compact form. Both light source and modulated polarized light exhibit a − 3 dB bandwidth over 500 MHz, with successful 1 Gbit/s transmission demonstrated in eye diagrams. Our results affirm that metasurface effectively boosts transmission capacity without compromising the light source's inherent properties. Future metasurface designs could expand channel capacity, and its integration with PCSEL monolithically holds promise for reducing interface losses, thereby enhancing efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metasurfaces, a catalog of optical components, offer numerous novel functions on demand. They have been integrated with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) in previous studies. However, the performance has been limited by the features of the VCSELs such as low output power and large divergence angle. Although the solution of the module of VCSEL array could solve these issues, the practical application is limited by extra lens and large size. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate reconstruction of a holographic images using a compact integration of a photonic crystal surface-emitting laser and metasurface holograms designed for structured light generation. This research showcases the flexible design capabilities of metasurfaces, high output power (on the order of milliwatts), and the ability to produce well-uniformed images with a wide field of view without the need for a collection lens, making it suitable for 3D imaging and sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the competitive advantage of the international logistics industry is vital for a country. While most literature addresses the competitive advantage of individual organisations from the resource-based view, relatively few studies assess various governmental influences on providing a competitive advantage to the logistics industry. Drawing on the institutional theory and resource-based view, this study empirically identifies the critical drivers that affect competitive advantage in the international logistics industry. From the initial findings and a review of the relevant literature, this study identifies infrastructure, technology, integration, and regulation as the main drivers. Empirical data were collected from 149 international logistics firms or service providers in Taiwan. The study results show that the logistics industry in Taiwan is satisfied with technology and infrastructure. Using structural equation modelling (SEM), this study finds that regulation and integration have a positive impact on the competitive advantage of the international logistics industry, whereas technology has a positive impact on integration. In addition, based on the results of bootstrapping analysis, integration has a mediating effect on the relationship between technology and competitive advantage of the international logistics industry. Theoretical, managerial, and policy implications are discussed to reinforce the competitive advantage of the international logistics industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortality prediction in paraquat poisoning is a major issue since most prediction rules are inapplicable if the exact ingestion time cannot be determined and/or the serum paraquat concentration is not readily available, as in most countries. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a new prediction rule not requiring these two parameters. We designed a 10-year observational cohort study including all consecutive paraquat-poisoned patients managed in two Taiwanese hospitals. We built one cohort to define and one cohort to validate this prediction rule. Parameters independently related to mortality determined using a multivariate analysis were used to formulate the Acute Paraquat Poisoning Mortality (APPM) score. Overall, 321 paraquat-poisoned patients were included, 156 in the derivation and 165 in the validation cohort. Mortality rates in the derivation and validation cohorts were 73% and 81%, respectively (p = 0.20). The three parameters chosen of 28-day mortality at presentation were urine paraquat level >10 ppm (using a colorimetric sodium dithionite-based test; odds ratio (OR), 12.70; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.64–61.24), white blood cells >13.0 G/L (OR, 5.50; CI, 1.41–21.48) and blood glucose >140 mg/dL [7.8 mmol/L] (OR, 7.45; CI, 1.70–32.86). In the derivation cohort, the area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) of the APPM score did not significantly differ from AUC-ROCs of serum paraquat (0.95, p = 0.25) and the Severity Index of Paraquat Poisoning (0.95, p = 0.33). AUC-ROCs of the APPM score in the derivation and validation cohorts were 0.91 and 0.94, respectively. We built and validated a reliable score to predict 28-day mortality in paraquat-poisoned patients at presentation, independently from the ingestion time and serum paraquat measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paraquat is responsible for an extremely high case‐fatality rate poisoning. Mortality prediction remains a major issue since evidence to support benefits of routinely used treatments is lacking. We aimed to develop an easy‐to‐use prediction flowchart not requiring the ingestion time, for which accuracy is frequently questionable, and to evaluate the effectiveness of routinely used pharmacological therapies on mortality. We designed a two‐centre cohort study including consecutive paraquat‐poisoned adults with confirmed diagnosis based on serum/urine paraquat measurement. We built a flowchart using a multivariate analysis of death predictors and analysed the outcome according to the administered therapies. Overall, 256 patients were enrolled. Mortality rate was 75%. Independent death predictors on admission were serum creatinine (odds ratio [OR], 5.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.97–13.05) and serum paraquat concentration (OR, 2.26; CI, 1.66–3.09). The area‐under‐the flowchart curve was 0.91. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 81.5% and 94.8%, respectively. More survivors than non‐survivors of severe poisoning received methylprednisolone (P = 0.04). While not significantly differing in severity, methylprednisolone‐treated patients had better survival (P = 0.04). To conclude, we defined an efficient flowchart to predict mortality in paraquat poisoning at presentation, even if ingestion time is undetermined. Methylprednisolone seems effective to improve the outcome, especially in the most severe cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early recognition and rapid initiation of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are key to maximising chances of achieving successful return of spontaneous circulation in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), as well as improving patient outcomes both inside and outside hospital. Mechanical chest compression devices such as the LUCAS-2 have been developed to assist rescuers in providing consistent, high-quality compressions, even during transportation. However, providing uninterrupted and effective compressions with LUCAS-2 during transportation down stairwells and in tight spaces in a non-supine position is relatively impossible. In this study, we proposed adaptations to the LUCAS-2 to allow its use during transportation down stairwells and examined its effectiveness in providing high-quality CPR to simulated OHCA patients. 20 volunteer emergency medical technicians were randomised into 10 pairs, each undergoing 2 simulation runs per experimental arm (LUCAS-2 versus control) with a loaded Resusci Anne First Aid full body manikin weighing 60 kg. Quality of CPR compressions performed was measured using the CPRmeter placed on the sternum of the manikin. The respective times taken for each phase of the simulation protocol were recorded. Fisher's exact tests were used to analyse categorical variables and median test to analyse continuous variables. The LUCAS-2 group required a longer time (~ 35 s) to prepare the patient prior to transport (p < 0.0001) and arrive at the ambulance (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. The CPR quality in terms of depth and rate for the overall resuscitation period did not differ significantly between the LUCAS-2 group and control group, though there was a reduction in both parameters when evaluating the device's automated compressions during transport. Nevertheless, the application of the LUCAS-2 device yielded a significantly higher chest compression fraction of 0.76 (p < 0.0001). Our novel adaptations to the LUCAS-2 device allow for uninterrupted compressions in patients being transported down stairwells, thus yielding better chest compression fractions for the overall resuscitation period. Whether potentially improved post-OHCA survival rates may be achieved requires confirmation in a real-world scenario study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses Kaohsiung Port as a case study to evaluate the relationships between port security quality, port service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with shipping companies and freight forwarders in Taiwan. The results indicate that port security quality has a direct and positive impact on both port service quality and customer satisfaction; port service quality has a direct and positive impact on both customer satisfaction and customer loyalty; and customer satisfaction has a direct and positive impact on customer loyalty. However, the impact from port service quality is more significant than that of port security quality. Accordingly, this study suggests that Kaohsiung Port should concentrate on improving its service quality in order to enhance customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modification of the physiochemical properties of titanium surfaces using glow discharge plasma (GDP) and fibronectin coating has been shown to enhance the surface hydrophilicity, surface roughness, cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. This in vivo study aimed to evaluate the bone integration efficacy of a biologically modified implant surface. Two different surface-modified implants (Ar-GDP and GDP-fib) were placed in the mandibular premolar area of six beagle dogs for 2–8 weeks. Three techniques [histologic evaluation, resonance frequency analysis (RFA), and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) evaluation] were used to detect the implant stability and bone-implant contact. The implant stability quotient values of GDP-fib implants were significantly greater than the Ar-GDP implants at 2 and 4 weeks (P<0.01). The bone volume/total volume ratio of GDP-fib implants was greater than the Ar-GDP implants in micro-CT evaluation. A high positive correlation was observed between RFA and micro-CT measurements. At 2 weeks, osteoblasts were seen to line the implant surface, and multinuclear osteoclasts could be seen on the surface of old parent bone. After 8 weeks, a majority of the space in the wound chamber appeared to be replaced by bone. Enhancement of the stability of biologically modified implants was proved by the results of RFA, micro-CT, and histological analysis. This enhanced stability may help fasten treatment and be clinically beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the risks in container shipping operations from a logistics perspective. In the paper, risks associated with the three flows in logistics − information, physical, and payment flow are identified and analysed. Design/methodology/approach - The use of case study method was first explained and justified. Second, risk identification was started with supporting references, several interviews were then conducted to identify and validate the potential risks in container shipping operations. A questionnaire was deployed to collect related data; and the impacts of the risks were then assessed and ranked using the method of risk mapping. Findings - The paper has identified a total of 35 risk factors and classified them into different categories. The paper has also revealed that the risks associated with physical flows have more serious risk impacts than the other types of risks; however, one of the risk factors associated with information flow (shippers hiding cargo information) is the most significant one among all the factors. Originality/value - Although many studies have been conducted on container shipping operational risks, no studies so far have approached this issue from a perspective that inclusively examines all the possible risks and comprehensively evaluates the relative importance of each of them. This study has identified the risks in container shipping operations, and analysed and ranked the level of these risks. The research further "refines" the findings of some previous studies by placing the risk factors addressed therein in a full "risk picture" which was developed systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article determines the quality factors which improve the satisfaction of logistics services, and the specific evaluation items that customers value. Moreover, this study verifies the moderating effect of consumers on the perceived importance of last-mile logistics services, and its impact on logistics service satisfaction. Through a literature review, the conceptual model is determined, and measurement scales are developed. Furthermore, we collect data through online surveys and employ structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression analysis, and importance–performance analysis methods in order to analyze the collected data, and to test the research hypotheses. The findings of this study are as follows. First, the qualities of personal contact, timeliness, and empathy in the fresh food e-commerce logistics service quality evaluation system have a significant positive impact on the fresh food e-commerce logistics service consumer satisfaction, but the delivery quality and information quality are not significant. Second, consumers' perceived importance of last-mile logistics services has a positive and significant impact on the consumer satisfaction of fresh food e-commerce logistics services. Moreover, as a moderating variable, its moderating effect has limitations: it only affects the relationship between information quality, timeliness quality, empathy quality, and consumer satisfaction. Finally, in the three evaluation dimensions of information quality, timeliness quality, and empathy quality, specific items that need to be further improved are identified. This study enriches and supplements the empirical research in the field of fresh food e-commerce logistics, and provides academic literature with a reference value for fresh food e-commerce logistics enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]