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Several books, studies and videos are available on the Internet on the importance and role of singing in schools and choral singing, and on effective ways of learning songs and choral works. As a result of technological progress, MIDI recordings and digital choral parts are available to choirs and choir leaders to facilitate the rehearsal and learning process. However, what on the one hand seems modern and innovative (digital pianos, audio and video recordings, easy and fast communication, streaming, virtual choirs) can have a negative impact on the other. At international conferences and symposiums, it is common to see choirmasters making hand gestures to sound one or more parts, as a kind of attraction to show off solfa singing. It is not always clear, however, what the intelligent use of solmization can do beyond the two- (three-)part singing or vocal warm-up. The following chapters will point out why reading music with a relative system of solfa is beneficial, and why learning to sing a part or a choral work with the help of piano is less supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of the rapid development of innovation economy promoted by education science and technology, this paper uses the DEA Malmquist index model to build an evaluation index system based on the research object of the Education Science and technology industry of 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019. It makes a static analysis of its input–output efficiency from the aspects of comprehensive efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Also, the Malmquist index method is used to analyse the changes of comprehensive efficiency, technical efficiency and technological progress. It is found that the development of the educational science and technology industry in different regions of China has its own characteristics. The efficiency of educational science and technology in some regions is good, but the growth rate slows down, and some efficiency lags behind, so there is a lot of space for improvement. On the whole, technological progress is an important factor affecting the change in total input–output efficiency. It is suggested that regional cooperation should be strengthened to optimise the allocation of educational science and technology resources. It should accelerate the deployment of next-generation technology to promote overall high-quality development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological discontinuities and dominant design models are among the most heavily researched topics in the strategy and innovation literature. In this paper, we attempt to illuminate the process of technological progress in the automotive industry, one of the most important contemporary industries. Drawing from a unique and archival database, we offer a comprehensive historical analysis of Ford from 1896 to 1906. Specifically, our study shows that an important catalyst for the emergence of internal combustion engine (ICE) technology as the dominant design in the early automobile industry was Ford's technological experimentation. Accordingly, we provide theoretical contributions to the dominant design literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The long waves of Kondratiev and Schumpeter have been absent from the current debate on declining business dynamism. • Based on extensive microeconomic data from 1986 to 2018, the study examines how the ICT revolution has influenced business dynamism. • There are two structural breaks in industrial dynamics in Portugal: an upswing in 1993 and a downturn in 2003. • Counterfactual estimates show that entry and survival become more stringent in the mature stage of a technological revolution, thereby reducing entrepreneurship's long-term disruptive potential. Following Schumpeter, several scholars have shown that development follows long-term waves. These waves are prompted by radical innovations, which, until their full potential is exhausted, spread through incremental innovations and continuous learning and imitation processes. However, the discontinuity of technological progress often goes unnoticed in current debates on productivity slowdown, declining business dynamism and increasing market concentration. Our study, based on extensive microeconomic data from 1986 to 2018, examines how the ICT revolution has influenced business dynamism in Portugal. The Bai–Perron estimates show two structural breaks in industrial dynamics: an upswing in 1993 and a downturn in 2003. Our research also shows that during the late 20th century creative destruction was mainly driven by the expanding ICT sector. After 2003, however, firm dynamics became less turbulent, with less entry and job reallocation. Moreover, despite the increasing performance of a typical high-growth young firm, the incidence of startups has declined in the new century. Our results, therefore, suggest that reduced entry and increased exit risk have likely undermined the long-term disruptive potential of transformative entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marx's account of technical progress has been criticized by philosophers as being a metanarrative, by ecological economists as being unduly strong, by economists as being unduly weak, and by post-Sraffian authors as being ill-founded. This article discusses Marx's account of technical progress in light of these criticisms on a conceptual, theoretical, and empirical level, relying on the apparatus of wage curves. It argues that some of the critiques cannot be sustained, since the criticized positions cannot be attributed to Marx. The remaining critiques, in turn, amount to alternative predictions on the evolution of wage curves which are, however, and in contrast to those of Marx, not in line with empirical evidence, as the estimation of wage curves for thirteen countries from 2000 to 2013 shows. JEL Classification : B14, B24, O33 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workforce education and development are key cornerstones in advancing and maturing the Cell & Gene Therapy sector. A skilled worker shortage can significantly impact and delay progress as well as the quality of output for any developer, thereby negatively impacting a patient's access to life-saving treatments. Several roundtable discussions were held at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) 2023 Annual Meeting to dive deeper into the current state of workforce development and solutions to address this bottleneck. One roundtable discussion was co-hosted by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) and ISCT, which focused on the gap analysis provided for the United States Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) sector, highlighting the lack of skilled workers in manufacturing and quality control. In this manuscript, the roundtable participants continue this conversation, review the roles and staffing requirements in both academic and industry as well as small and large company settings. The adoption of increased manufacturing automation is one promising solution to propel the sector forward. However, automation alone won't replace on-site staff, but will lower the bar to entry for a larger pool of people and require different training. This paper also addresses the workforce development and training paradigm shift as advanced manufacturing techniques are implemented, which will differ considerably based on the type of manufacturing efforts, thus emphasizing the need for a well-thought-out strategy to up-skill and re-skill the technical workforce to adapt to these advancements. Organizations such as ISCT and ARM have a role to play in propelling the field forward, providing awareness and education to stakeholders at all levels, as well as acting as a convener and participating as a key stakeholder in discussions and partnerships between academia and industry towards solutions for training the best personnel for CGT manufacturing. This scope includes novel digital tools and technologies to simplify training to increase access to new talent pools interested in careers in a rapidly advancing sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional expertise is a legitimate cornerstone of modern global culture. The unfolding of the polycrisis, however, arguably destabilizes expertise as a privileged and uniform position of knowledge production. Even sustainability expertise, while considered part of the solution, is arguably part of the problem, due to its structural links to environmentally detrimental technological practices. Hence technology relations in expertise are explored by autoethnography. Expert attitudes towards technology are traditionally demarcated between optimistic technocrats and critical humanists, but a third category is suggested, which embodies determined technology criticism, anti-colonialism and post-professional ethos. This peripheral expert position, labelled spurner, may seem dubious and dark from the point of view of paradigmatic expertise. But since the polycrisis calls for plural and inclusive modes of expertise, peripheral knowledge and skills should be seen as one end in the spectrum of possible sustainable expertise. True plurality means that hardly any final unification or mutual consensus in sustainability expertise seems plausible or even desirable. However, due to the polycrisis, many experts may have to reconsider what role their professions and technological progress in general play in the unfolding events. Recognizing peripheral "grey zone" expertise may foster such self-reflection in individual experts and in expert cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handcraft skills provide premodern cultures with an experiential channel to encounter nature both in humans and in their environment. This essay sketches a dialectical overview – the roots of which can be traced via Hegel back to Heraclitus – of how handcrafts are entangled with other meaning-generating semiotic activities and participate in enriching the experiential content of verbal discourses as well. By eroding the handcraft culture, technical and social progress – realized in practice by the industrial revolution and ideologically supported by the movement of Enlightenment – has injured the experiential content of our language and thus impaired our natura experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural products are pivotal to the national economy, and a comprehensive analysis of brand competitiveness significantly contributes to the support of agricultural structural adjustment and modernization. Focusing on the Yangtze River Delta region of China, this study develops an evaluation index system encompassing four dimensions: core brand competitiveness, brand management, market competitiveness, and innovation in branding. Utilizing a DEMATEL-ISM model, this research elucidates the intrinsic relationships among factors that influence brand competitiveness, resulting in a four-tier hierarchical model. The analysis delineates key factors at superficial, intermediate, and profound levels that influence brand competitiveness. Notably, regional production bases, along with innovations in brand technology and systems, emerge as profound influencers. Drawing on these findings, the study recommends strategies to enhance production foundations, accurately define development trajectories, spearhead technological innovation to foster collective reform efforts, and advocate for institutional advancements to bolster healthy brand growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, polyelectrolytes (PELs) have attracted significant interest owing to a surge in research dedicated to the development of new technologies and applications at the biological level. Polyelectrolytes are macromolecules of which a substantial portion of the constituent units contains ionizable or ionic groups. These macromolecules demonstrate varied behaviors across different pH ranges, ionic strengths, and concentrations, making them fascinating subjects within the scientific community. The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive survey of the progress in the application studies of polyelectrolytes and their derivatives in various fields that are vital for the advancement, conservation, and technological progress of the planet, including agriculture, environmental science, and medicine. Through this bibliographic review, we seek to highlight the significance of these materials and their extensive range of applications in modern times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • It elucidates the advantages and disadvantages of three main clearing methods. • Integrating clearing with others enables single-cell analysis of intact tissues. • Tissue clearing provides perspective in therapeutics. The techniques of tissue clearing have been proposed and applied in anatomical and biomedical research since the 19th century. As we all know, the original study of the nervous system relied on serial ultrathin sections and stereoscopic techniques. The 3D visualization of the nervous system was established by software splicing and reconstruction. With the development of science and technology, microscope equipment had constantly been upgraded. Despite the great progress that has been made in this field, the workload is too complex, and it needs high technical requirements. Abundant mistakes due to manual sections were inescapable and structural integrity remained questionable. According to the classification of tissue transparency methods, we introduced the latest application of transparency methods in central and peripheral nerve research from optical imaging, molecular markers and data analysis. This review summarizes the application of transparent technology in neural pathways. We hope to provide some inspiration for the continuous optimization of tissue clearing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National healthcare systems face multiple challenges, including the increasing demand for care and decreasing availability of healthcare professionals. Digital health technologies represent opportunities that offer improved efficiency, accessibility, and patient care. In this scenario, Digital Therapeutics are technological advancements to treat or alleviate a disease and deliver a medical intervention with evidence-based therapeutic impacts and regulatory approval. Digital Therapeutics are a paradigm shift for physicians, who exercise caution in terms of trust and wide usage. Digital Therapeutics represents an opportunity and a challenge in healthcare system integration. The research investigates the factors explaining physicians' acceptance of Digital Therapeutics. A research model that combines organizational mechanisms derived from Institutional Theory and rational factors derived from the Technology Acceptance model was developed. The model was tested through 107 responses from a survey distributed to the members of the leading Italian scientific society in Diabetology. Literature-based hypotheses were empirically tested through Structural Equation Modelling. The analysis confirmed the influence of Perceived Ease of Use on Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Usefulness on the Intention To Use Digital Therapeutics. Rules and norms impact Perceived Usefulness when considering the influence of the scientific society. Culture and mindset towards innovation within the hospital positively affect Perceived Ease of Use. The readiness of hospital facilities enhances the extent to which physicians perceive the ease of employing Digital Therapeutics in their daily practice. Instead, esteemed colleagues' opinions and guidelines from the scientific society reveal to physicians the value of Digital Therapeutics in patients' care pathways. Institutions should prioritize cultural, normative, and regulative aspects to accelerate physicians' endorsement of Digital Therapeutics. Findings advance the theoretical knowledge around clinicians' adoption of innovative digital health technologies, unveiling the interaction between rational and institutional factors. The results highlight practical implications for healthcare institutions and Digital Therapeutics manufacturers willing to promote their adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality development is the paramount task for comprehensively building a socialist modernized country. The low-carbon city pilot policy, with cities as the unit of action, provides new opportunities for high-quality economic transformation. Based on panel data from 261 cities between 2005 and 2018, this study calculates the level of high-quality economic development in Chinese cities, constructs a multi-period difference-in-differences model, analyzes the impact of the low-carbon city pilot policy on high-quality economic development, and explores the policy's heterogeneous effects on high-quality development in different types of cities and its transmission mechanism. The research findings show that the low-carbon city pilot policy can significantly promote high-quality economic development in cities and has heterogeneous effects in terms of regional differences, city types, and city scale. The effects are relatively greater in the eastern region, non-resource-based cities, and mega-cities. The low-carbon city pilot policy promotes high-quality economic development through mechanisms such as technological progress effects, resource agglomeration effects, and government action improvement effects. Combining theoretical analysis with empirical results, this study proposes policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the low-carbon city pilot policy in promoting high-quality development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The governance of AI, and now generative AI, is becoming a significant issue of concern for intellectual property law and legal regulators across the world. This article addresses this from the perspective of how the law responds when it is perceived as an obstacle to technological development and progress. It demonstrates, through the example of 'safe harbour', the ease with which the legal rights of copyright holders were compromised for technological progress, the problems and public backlash this led to, and how this can be seen to be reflected in a more cautious approach being taken now by some legislators against further weakening the rights of copyright holders in the name of generative AI technology. As a case study of copyright law's reaction to challenges posed by the internet and AI technology, it re-affirms the law's role as a fundamental safeguard of basic rights and the often necessary requirement for it to provide creative and proactive ways to ensure society can enjoy the benefits of technological progress while protecting our normative and practical liberties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is intended to expose the connectedness of green financing and other green policies like renewable energy and technological progress towards identifying the best practice to achieve climate goal cum sustainable environmental development for China within the period 1985–2021. Amid the increased utilization of fossil fuels in China's economic activities and its position as the highest carbon emitting country in the world, China is considered a financial stable economy with access to renewable energy source such as hydroelectric power. For effective research into the objective of this study, the study builds on mechanism of the green finance—renewable—technology and emission nexus with the help of linear dynamics of ARDL bound and VECM granger causality methods. Empirical results from both approaches have given insight to the selected objectives of this study. According to ARDL dynamics: (i) the coefficients of linear (1.802) and non-linear(− 1.860) (i.e. square term) of financial development are positively and negatively connected to the carbon emissions. This confirms the presence of inverted U-shape relationship between the financial development and carbon emissions. (ii) the relationship between hydroelectric power representing renewable energy and CO2 is negative—(− 0.19) and significant at 1% level. This results depicts the reduction power of hydroelectric power on CO2, (iii) also, a negative (− 0.000982) linkage between number of patent application representing technological innovation and environmental development through carbon emissions responses is established. Also, findings from VECM granger causality approach back the findings from ARDL through a nexus between the variables of interest (finance, hydroelectric power, and technology and carbon emissions). Findings point to the ability of green financing to reduce carbon emissions if green financing policies are utilized effectively in regulating carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the toxicological impact on healthy cells and to improve the therapeutic response, many drug delivery systems have been fabricated and analysed, involving the use of different natural and synthetic materials at macro-, micro- and nanoscales. Among the natural materials which have demonstrated a huge potential for the development of effective drug delivery systems, silk fibroin has emerged for its excellent biological properties and for the possibility to be processed in a wide range of forms, which can be compliant with multiple active molecules and pharmaceutical ingredients for the treatment of various diseases. This review aims at presenting silk fibroin as an interesting biopolymer for applications in drug delivery systems, exploring the results obtained in recent works in terms of technological progress and effectiveness in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacture of artificial heart valves is very challenging owing to their stringent functional requirements. The latest advances in 3D printing technologies hold great promise to revolutionise the manufacture of artificial heart valves. Recent 3D printing innovations go far beyond the fabrication of anatomical moulds, and unlock unprecedented opportunities to manufacture exquisite architectures, hierarchical bioprinting of cells, complex multi-material assembly, and the creation of biomimetic structures. This provides new avenues to enhance the functionality of artificial heart valves with respect to hydrodynamics, durability, biocompatibility, and the ability to be implanted via a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure. 3D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture of heart valves through the ability to create bespoke, complex constructs. In light of recent technological advances, we review the progress made towards 3D printing of heart valves, focusing on studies that have utilised these technologies beyond manufacturing patient-specific moulds. We first overview the key requirements of a heart valve to assess functionality. We then present the 3D printing technologies used to engineer heart valves. By referencing International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Standard 5840 (Cardiovascular implants – Cardiac valve prostheses), we provide insight into the achieved functionality of these valves. Overall, 3D printing promises to have a significant positive impact on the creation of artificial heart valves and potentially unlock full complex functionality. 3D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture of heart valves through the ability to create bespoke, complex constructs. In light of recent technological advances, we review the progress made towards 3D printing of heart valves, focusing on studies that have utilised these technologies beyond manufacturing patient-specific moulds. We first overview the key requirements of a heart valve to assess functionality. We then present the 3D printing technologies used to engineer heart valves. By referencing International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standard 5840 (cardiac valve prostheses), we provide insight into the achieved functionality of these valves. Overall, 3D printing promises to have a significant positive impact on the creation of artificial heart valves and potentially unlock full complex functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From powering our homes to driving our economies, energy lies at the heart of humanity's complex challenges in the modern era. This paper reviews the evolution of smart energy systems, examining their technological advancements and societal implications while proposing a future design framework emphasizing four key pillars: holistic resource optimization, adaptive intelligence, environmental harmony, and human-centered design. While they offer numerous benefits, such as enhanced energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, smart energy systems also face challenges. These include cybersecurity risks, the complexity of integrating diverse energy sources seamlessly, high upfront costs, and potential compatibility issues arising from evolving technologies. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for unleashing the full potential of smart energy systems and facilitating their global adoption. Abundant opportunities for further research and development exist in this domain, awaiting exploration and advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the logistics industry's green total factor productivity (LGTFP) is a key source of power to achieve its high-quality development (HQD) in China. Technological innovation (TI) and environmental regulation (ER) policies are vital factors that affect the improvement of LGTFP. Although the impact of ERs or TI on LGTFP has been extensively researched, few studies have examined their combined effect. This study utilizes panel data from 30 Chinese provinces during 2006-2020 to estimate LGTFP using the Epsilon-based measure and global Malmquist-Luenberger index. Moreover, this study employs a dynamic spatial Durbin model to explore the influence of TI on LGTFP and its spatial spillovers, as well as the modulatory effect of ER in the relations between TI and LGTFP. The results show that (1) China's LGTFP displays positive spatial spillovers and is influenced by the preceding period's level. (2) In the short term, an improvement in TI levels had a positive effect on local LGTFP, but negative spillovers on neighboring districts. Nevertheless, in the long run, an improvement in TI levels had a notably negative influence on local LGTFP but positive spillovers on adjacent regions. (3) ER had an "inverted U-shaped" modulatory roles with spatial spillovers on the relations between TI and LGTFP in the long-term. These discoveries offer valuable insights into the coordinated development of TI systems and ER policies, enabling the formation of a policy system that aligns with the logistics industry's HQD in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid technological advancements have created opportunities for new solutions in various industries, including healthcare. One exciting new direction in this field of innovation is the combination of skin-based technologies and augmented reality (AR). These dermatological devices allow for the continuous and non-invasive measurement of vital signs and biomarkers, enabling the real-time diagnosis of anomalies, which have applications in telemedicine, oncology, dermatology, and early diagnostics. Despite its many potential benefits, there is a substantial information vacuum regarding using flexible photonics in conjunction with augmented reality for medical purposes. This review explores the current state of dermal augmented reality and flexible optics in skin-conforming sensing platforms by examining the obstacles faced thus far, including technical hurdles, demanding clinical validation standards, and problems with user acceptance. Our main areas of interest are skills, chiroptical properties, and health platform applications, such as optogenetic pixels, spectroscopic imagers, and optical biosensors. My skin-enhanced spherical dichroism and powerful spherically polarized light enable thorough physical inspection with these augmented reality devices: diabetic tracking, skin cancer diagnosis, and cardiovascular illness: preventative medicine, namely blood pressure screening. We demonstrate how to accomplish early prevention using case studies and emergency detection. Finally, it addresses real-world obstacles that hinder fully realizing these materials' extraordinary potential in advancing proactive and preventative personalized medicine, including technical constraints, clinical validation gaps, and barriers to widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to identify research trends and technological evolution in the polymer three-dimensional (3D) printing process that can effectively identify the direction of technological advancement and progress of acceptance in both society and key manufacturing industries. Design/methodology/approach: The Scopus database was used to collect data on polymer 3D printing papers. This study uses bibliometric approach along with network analytic techniques to identify and discuss the most important countries and their scientific collaboration, compares income groups and analyses keyword trends. Findings: It was found that top research production results from heavy investments in research and development. The USA has the highest number of papers among the high-income countries. However, scientific production in the other two income groups is strongly dominated by China and India. Keyword analysis shows that countries with lower incomes in certain areas, such as composite and bioprinting, have fallen behind other groups over time. International collaborations were suggested as mechanisms for those countries to catch up with the current research trends. The evolution of the research field, which started with a focus on 3D printing processes and shifted to printed part designs and their applications, was discussed. The advancement of the research topic suggests that translational research on polymer 3D printing has been led mainly by research production from higher-income countries and countries with large research and development investments. Originality/value: Previous studies have conducted performance analysis, science mapping and network analysis in the field of 3D printing, but none have focused on global research trends classified by country income. This study has conducted a bibliometric analysis and compared the outputs according to various income levels according to the World Bank classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the advancements and future prospects of biosensors, which are devices used for monitoring healthcare, environmental safety, and food quality. It discusses the history and evolution of biosensors, emphasizing the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly options. The article also mentions the potential of additive manufacturing techniques and the integration of biosensors with IoT technology and machine learning. It provides valuable insights into the current state and future directions of biosensor technology. Additionally, the document includes references to scientific articles and books on related topics, such as achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems and wearable sensors for personalized predictions of clinical laboratory measurements. [Extracted from the article]

Amidst an unprecedented period of technological progress, incorporating digital platforms into diverse domains of existence has become indispensable, fundamentally altering the operational processes of governments, businesses, and individuals. Nevertheless, the swift process of digitization has concurrently led to the emergence of cybercrime, which takes advantage of weaknesses in interconnected systems. The growing dependence of society on digital communication, commerce, and information sharing has led to the exploitation of these platforms by malicious actors for hacking, identity theft, ransomware, and phishing attacks. With the growing dependence of organizations, businesses, and individuals on digital platforms for information exchange, commerce, and communication, malicious actors have identified the susceptibilities present in these systems and have begun to exploit them. This study examines 28 research papers focusing on intrusion detection systems (IDS), and phishing detection in particular, and how quickly responses and detections in cybersecurity may be made. We investigate various approaches and quantitative measurements to comprehend the link between reaction time and detection time and emphasize the necessity of minimizing both for improved cybersecurity. The research focuses on reducing detection and reaction times, especially for phishing attempts, to improve cybersecurity. In smart grids and automobile control networks, faster attack detection is important, and machine learning can help. It also stresses the necessity to improve protocols to address increasing cyber risks while maintaining scalability, interoperability, and resilience. Although machine-learning-based techniques have the potential for detection precision and reaction speed, obstacles still need to be addressed to attain real-time capabilities and adjust to constantly changing threats. To create effective defensive mechanisms against cyberattacks, future research topics include investigating innovative methodologies, integrating real-time threat intelligence, and encouraging collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancement in technologies such as robotic industries and artificial intelligence bring fear among human being that jobs will be substituted by robots. Base on the panel data of 28 China's manufacturing industries, this research analyzed the impact of technical progress bias on employment. First, we calculate the technical progress bias index of 28 industries base on the stochastic frontier model with transcendental logarithm function found 16 industries were toward the skilled labor while the remaining 12 industries were toward the unskilled labor. Second, the empirical results show that technical progress bias has a positive impact on the total manufacturing employment and significant positive effect on the unskilled labor, while no significant impact on skilled labor employment. Third, the threshold effect test proves that if taking industry value-added per capita or R&D capital stock as threshold variable, the threshold about the impact exist, making the impact on skilled labor was insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the number of senior citizens has grown, along with the burden of old age, and aging has hampered economic growth. The advent of the digital age has led to the emergence of the digital economy as a new engine for economic growth. This paper uses DEA-Malmquist index model to measure the total factor productivity growth rate of 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, and uses the moderating effects model to empirically investigate the relationship between the digital economy, aging and total factor productivity, and to verify whether the development of the digital economy can mitigate the negative impact of aging on total factor productivity. The results show that aging inhibits total factor productivity growth, and the digital economy can promote total factor productivity growth. Digital economy can alleviate the negative impact of aging on total factor productivity growth, and has a moderating effect. Digital economy plays a moderating role by improving the level of human capital and facilitating technological progress. The regional heterogeneity analysis shows that the moderating effect of the digital economy exists in the eastern and western regions and the southern region, but not in the central region and the northern region. Furthermore, the digital economy has a moderating effect on both the high and low aging groups. The research in this paper not only helps to evaluate the productivity effects of the digital economy, but also has important implications for finding ways to mitigate the negative effects of aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of the research is the transformative impact of digital platforms on traditional market structures. Qualitative research is used to gain a deep understanding of how traditional market structures are impacted by digital platforms. Interviews with eight participants highlight the shift towards gig and freelance work, the erosion of traditional employment protections, and the emergence of new business models facilitated by technological advancements. The study adopted thematic analysis to analyze the collected data. The study reveals that digital platforms have significantly lowered barriers to market entry and fostered economic inclusion. As a result, the initial costs of starting a business have significantly decreased. However, they have also introduced complexities surrounding labor rights and necessitated a re-evaluation of regulatory frameworks to address monopolistic practices and ensure fair competition. This is due to the lack of labor regulations protection for freelance workers compared to traditional employment. The study stresses the need for agile, forward-looking, and internationally coordinated regulatory approaches to effectively govern digital platforms, balancing innovation with the protection of consumer and worker rights. Such an approach should aim to address the current challenges but also anticipate future developments by ensuring that regulations evolve in tandem with technological advancements without stifling innovation. Furthermore, fostering technological literacy among lawmakers, adopting adaptive regulatory frameworks, and ensuring the inclusion of diverse perspectives are crucial steps towards achieving effective governance of digital technologies. The findings contribute to the ongoing dialogue on digital governance, offering insights for policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders in crafting regulations that harness the benefits of digital platforms while mitigating their negative impacts on society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the objective assessment of sport development in socio-economic environments, considering the challenges faced by the industry. These challenges include disparities in regional investments, limited market participation, slow progress towards sports professionalization, and insufficient technological innovations. To tackle these challenges, we suggest implementing an integrated evaluation model that follows the DPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, States, Impacts, Responses) framework and incorporates comprehensive socioeconomic indicators. Subsequently, we utilized the Entropy power method and TOPSIS (Order Preference Technique for Similarity to an Ideal Solution, TOPSIS) analysis to comprehensively assess the progress of competitive sports development in 31 provinces and cities in China. Additionally, we recommended further developments in competitive sports and proposed precise strategies for promoting its growth. The framework and methodology developed in this paper provide an objective and scientifically based set of decision-making guidelines that can be adopted by government agencies and related industries in order to create successful plans that promote the sustainable growth of competitive sport. This is expected to bolster the nation's global influence, enhance social unity, and fuel economic expansion. The findings of this study offer policymakers valuable insights regarding competitive sports and can advance the development of the sports sector in China, thus making it a crucial driver of regional socio-economic progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a new automated system that blends multi-satellite information and citizen science data for reliable and timely observations of lake and river ice in under-observed northern regions. The system leverages the Google Earth Engine resources to facilitate the analysis and visualization of ice conditions. The adopted approach utilizes a combination of moderate and high-resolution optical data, along with radar observations. The results demonstrate the system's capability to accurately detect and monitor river ice, particularly during key periods, such as the freeze-up and the breakup. The integration citizen science data showed added values in the validation of remote sensing products, as well as filling gaps whenever satellite observations cannot be collected due to cloud obstruction. Moreover, it was shown that citizen science data can be converted to valuable quantitative information, such as the case of ice thickness, which is very useful when combined with ice extent derived from remote sensing. In this study, citizen science data were employed for the quantitative assessment of the remote sensing product. Obtained results showed a good agreement between the product and observed river status, with a Critical Success Index of 0.82. Notably, the system has shown effectiveness in capturing the spatial and temporal evolution of snow and ice conditions, as evidenced by its application in analyzing specific ice jam events in 2023. The study concludes that the developed system marks a significant advancement in river ice monitoring, combining technological innovation with community engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the factors influencing specialization in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, a critical element of national competitiveness. We utilized a revealed comparative advantage matrix to evaluate technological specialization across countries and employed a three-way fixed-effect panel logit model to examine the relationship between AI specialization and its determinants. The results indicate that the development of AI technology is strongly contingent on a nation's pre-existing technological capabilities, which significantly affect AI specialization in emerging domains. Additionally, this study reveals that scientific knowledge has a positive impact on technological specialization, highlighting the necessity of integrating scientific advancements with technological sectors. Although complex technologies positively influence AI specialization, their effect is less pronounced than that of scientific knowledge. This suggests that in rapidly advancing fields, such as AI, incorporating new scientific knowledge into related industries may be more advantageous than simply advancing existing technologies to outpace competitors. This insight points nations toward enhancing AI competitiveness in new areas, emphasizing the vital importance of both scientific and technological capabilities, and the integration of novel AI knowledge with established sectors. This research offers critical guidance for policymakers in less technologically and economically developed countries, as these nations may not have the technological infrastructure required to foster AI specialization through increased technical complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on firm- and customs transaction-level data from 2000 to 2006, this study employs the translog cost function to measure the capacity utilization of Chinese firms. It then uses a difference-in-differences (DID) model combined with propensity score matching (PSM) to examine the impact of global value chain (GVC) participation on capacity utilization. The empirical results show that GVC participation has a significant positive impact on firm capacity utilization and that this impact lasts for a long time. Our results are robust after considering several potential problems. Mechanism testing reveals that GVC participation improves firm capacity utilization by expanding market demand and promoting technological progress. Heterogeneity analysis shows that GVC participation has a more significant impact on general trade firms, private firms, high-tech industry firms and firms in the western region of China. This study reveals that GVC participation can effectively ameliorate China's overcapacity, providing new ideas for achieving overcapacity governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) is increasingly permeating public consciousness as it has gained more popularity in recent years, especially within the landscape of academia and libraries. AI in libraries has been a trending subject of interest for some time, as within the library there are numerous departments that serve a role in collectively contributing to the library's mission. Consequently, it is imperative to consider AI's influence on the digital preservation of historic documents. This paper delves into the historical evolution of preservation methods driven by technological advancements as, throughout history, libraries, archives, and museums have grappled with the challenge of preserving historical collections, while many of the traditional preservation methods are costly and involve a lot of manual (human) effort. AI being the catalyst for transformation could change this reality and perhaps redefine the process of preservation; thus, this paper explores the emerging trend of incorporating AI technology into preservation practices and provides predictions regarding the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in preservation for the future. With that in mind, this paper addresses the following questions: could AI be what changes or creates a paradigm shift in how preservation is done?; and could it be the thing that will change the way history is safeguarded? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of renewable energy consumption, total factor productivity (TFP), income, imports, and exports on consumption-based CO2 emissions in Turkey from 1990 to 2019, utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL) method. The findings indicated that the use of renewable energy, total factor productivity and exports negatively influence CO2 emissions. On the other hand, the positive impact of income and imports on CO2 emissions was found. The negative impact of renewable energy consumption and total factor productivity highlights the importance of implementing environmentally friendly measures in the energy sector (particularly raising the proportion of renewable energy in overall energy consumption) and technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though network analysis has a long history in both natural and social sciences it has emerged as a new method in psychology in recent years. Unlike medical disorders, mental disorders are not observable in laboratory. However, we can identify them by the way of observable symptoms. According to the network perspective, a disorder occurs when an external event triggers a psychological symptom. Activated symptom also interacts with other symptoms and forms a pattern of symptoms. Network approach criticizes traditional categorical diagnostic approach and focuses on symptom organization. Probably, treating the most effective symptom will accelerate recovery process and provide more effective treatment. Network analysis can be used in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Psychological networks provide opportunities to investigate direction of the relationship among symptoms, comorbidity, external triggers of psychological symptoms, effectiveness of treatment, comparison of symptom pattern according to sample characteristics. Despite the utility of psychological networks, accuracy of them has been questioned and certain methods to prove accuracy of networks proposed as response. Technological progress in recent years enabled network analysis to be more eligible in psychology. R Statistics software is very useful in network analysis which is totally free and open sourced and supported by many additional packages. This review article aims is to provide information about usage of network analysis in psychology, especially in clinical research. In the first part historical and theoretical background of network analysis was introduced and in the following parts structure, validity of psychological networks and R Statistics Software which is used for conducting network analysis were explained briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Three-dimensional reconstructions of state-of-the-art high-resolution imaging are progressively being used more for preprocedural assessment in thoracic surgery. It is a promising tool that aims to improve patient-specific treatment planning, for example, for minimally invasive or robotic-assisted lung resections. Increasingly available mixed-reality hardware based on video pass-through technology enables the projection of image data as a hologram onto the patient. We describe the novel method of real-time 3D surgical planning in a mixed-reality setting by presenting three representative cases utilizing volume rendering. Materials: A mixed-reality system was set up using a high-performance workstation running a video pass-through-based head-mounted display. Image data from computer tomography were imported and volume-rendered in real-time to be customized through live editing. The image-based hologram was projected onto the patient, highlighting the regions of interest. Results: Three oncological cases were selected to explore the potentials of the mixed-reality system. Two of them presented large tumor masses in the thoracic cavity, while a third case presented an unclear lesion of the chest wall. We aligned real-time rendered 3D holographic image data onto the patient allowing us to investigate the relationship between anatomical structures and their respective body position. Conclusions: The exploration of holographic overlay has proven to be promising in improving preprocedural surgical planning, particularly for complex oncological tasks in the thoracic surgical field. Further studies on outcome-related surgical planning and navigation should therefore be conducted. Ongoing technological progress of extended reality hardware and intelligent software features will most likely enhance applicability and the range of use in surgical fields within the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study conducted by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) explored the future of the planning profession by surveying planning professionals in 2020 and again in 2022. The study found that the most pressing challenges for planners remained consistent, with a focus on creating inclusive, healthy urban environments and addressing climate change. The importance of data analysis and technical skills was emphasized, and there was a belief that planning is at a critical juncture and the role of planners has never been more important. The study also highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for planners to adapt to new ways of working, including increased use of technology. Overall, the study suggests that while the challenges remain similar, there is a shift in how planners perceive the best ways to address them. [Extracted from the article]

It has become a new trend for the future development of Chinese agriculture to accelerate the transformation from increasing production to improving quality and realizing green growth. This paper uses the sequential DEA to measure the agricultural green total factor productivity (GTFP) of 306 Chinese cities from 1996 to 2017, then tests its convergence. The results show that the average growth rate of Chinese agricultural GTFP is 0.58%; the main driving force coming from technical progress. The convergence of agricultural GTFP has dual characteristics of stages and regions, and the significant σ convergence only exists in the central region during 1996–2003. There is significant β convergence at the national level, in the eastern and central regions, and neither convergence nor divergence in the western region. However, during 2004–2017, only the eastern region had β convergence. Finally, the conditional convergence speed is higher than the absolute convergence, and the eastern region is higher than the central. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study combines the general equilibrium efficient frontier data envelopment analysis (GEEFDEA) approach, which handles fixed-sum CO2 emissions, with the meta-frontier Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index (MMLPI). We use this novel technique to measure the CO2 emission performance (CEP) of 30 of China's provincial-level thermal power industries during 2006–2020, both statically and dynamically, and reveal the drivers of CEP changes. Our proposed approach considers the fixed-sum feature of CO2 emissions and also captures the impact of technology heterogeneity. The empirical results show that the CEP of China's thermal power industry was good during the sample period, showing average annual increases of 2.42%, mainly due to technical efficiency gains and technological progress. The CEP of most provinces grew at various rates, between 0.23% and 8.38%; and the drivers of CEP changes differ between provinces. Policy implications are discussed, such as the need to strengthen technology innovation and optimize production processes to improve CEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses the web crawler method to obtain information on the distribution of commercial bank branches in China and uses the multidimensional fixed-effects model to explore the impact of commercial bank expansion on firm pollution emissions and its mechanism. The findings reveal that commercial bank expansion significantly reduces firms’ pollution emissions and that there is an optimal geographical radius for this suppression effect. The number of commercial bank branches within 20 km of the firm has the biggest inhibiting influence on the firm’s pollution emission, which diminishes as geographical distance increases. This dampening effect remains robust after testing using the instrumental variable method and the Difference-In-Differences method. Examination of heterogeneity demonstrates that the influence of commercial bank expansion on firm pollution emission depends on the degree of regional low-carbon policies and laws, the level of pollution in the industry, and capital intensity of the industry, as well as the firm’s size and ownership. The mechanism test proves that commercial bank expansion reduces firm pollution emissions by promoting technological progress and increasing their investment in pollution reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A core focus of self‐regulated learning (SRL) research lies in uncovering methods to empower learners within digital learning environments. As digital technologies continue to evolve during the current hype of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, the theoretical, empirical and methodological nuances to support SRL are emerging and offering new ways for adaptive support and guidance for learners. Such affordances offer a unique opportunity for personalised learning experiences, including adaptive interventions. Exploring the application of adaptivity to enhance SRL is an important and emerging area of research that requires further attention. This editorial introduces the contributions of seven papers for the special section on adaptive support for SRL within digital learning environments. These papers explore various themes related to enhancing SRL strategies through technological interventions, offering valuable insights and paving the way for future advancements in this dynamic area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological development and environmental patents have become one of the policy options to solve the problem of global warming. With the development of technology, waste recycling can be faster and more environmentally friendly, which can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses. The question of which patents and technologies should be promoted for waste management is an important decision-making and research topic. Given the increasing importance of ecological patents and waste disposal for environmental sustainability, this study examines the impact of technological progress on reducing waste-related greenhouse gas (WGHG) emissions in BRIC countries. The study considers energy generation and transmission-related patents (EPAT), patents to prevent pollution in the production process of goods (GPAT), and waste management-related patents (WPAT) as technological progress indicators. Methodologically, the study the applies novel quantile-on-quantile regression (QQ), Granger causality-in-quantiles (GQ), and quantile regression (QR) for the period from 1997m5 to 2019m12. The findings demonstrate that at higher quantiles, (i) EPAT have a dampening effect on WGHG in Brazil and India; (ii) GPAT have a diminishing effect on WGHG in Brazil, Russia, and India; (iii) WPAT have a diminishing effect on WGHG in Brazil, Russia, and India. Overall, technological progress contributes to WGHG emissions reduction in Brazil and India, while EPAT is not beneficial for Russia, and China cannot benefit from patents. The results suggest that Brazil, Russia and India should financially support and disseminate distinct patents to reduce WGHG emissions and improve waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]