Search

Digital transformation has recently introduced itself as a groundbreaking phenomenon with profound impacts on societies, industries, businesses, and even individuals. Accordingly, several studies have attempted to give a literature review or analysis of digital transformation research during the last few years. However, most of them are domain-specific studies based on small data samples or subjective review methods, so we lack a general and robust understanding of the landscape of this field of research across different disciplines and domains. Taking a step toward filling this gap, the current study aims to shape an overall and reliable picture of the research realm on digital transformation. To the aim, a computational method namely topic modeling was applied to two big texts, one of which includes all digital transformation-related publications that were indexed in well-known Scopus and Web of Science databases (8639 documents), and the other one only contains studies that were published by high-quality JCR journals (1264 documents). As a result, 20 and 13 topics were respectively introduced as the underlying themes of the global trends and core knowledge in digital transformation research along with their temporal evolutionary paths throughout the recent years. Also, by comparing these two groups of topics, it was known that there are nine developing trends in this field of research that require more attention and advancements to establish themselves as the core knowledge of the field. Complementing the contributions of previous domain-specific or subjective reviews on digital transformation, this study tries to favor a better understanding of this scholarship through multidisciplinary and multidimensional analyses of digital transformation-related publications by using the topic modeling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are compounds that alter functions of the endocrine system due to their ability to mimic or antagonize endogenous hormones, or that alter their synthesis and metabolism, causing adverse health effects. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a reliable method to assess human exposure to chemicals through measurement in human body fluids and tissues. It identifies new sources of exposure and determines their distribution, thereby enabling detection of the most exposed populations. Blood and urine are commonly used for HBM of EDC, but their interest is limited for compounds presenting short half-lives. Hair appears as an interesting alternative insofar as it provides a large exposure window. For the present study, we evaluated the relevance of hair in determining EDC exposure. With this in mind, we undertook a literature review focusing on the bioanalytical aspects and performances of methods developed to determine EDC in hair. The literature review was performed through methodical bibliographical research. Relevant articles were identified using two scientific databases: PubMed and Web of Science, with search equations built from a combination of keywords, MeSH terms and Boolean operators. The search strategy identified 2949 articles. After duplicates were removed, and following title, abstract, and full-text screenings, only 31 were included for qualitative synthesis. Hair collection was mainly performed in the back of the head and preparation involved two processes: cutting into small pieces or grounding to powder. The off-line LC-MS/MS method remains the main technique used to assess EDC through hair. Differences regarding the validation of analytical methods and interpretation of HBM results were highlighted, suggesting a need for international harmonisation to obtain reliable and comparable results. External contamination of hair was identified as a main limitation in the interpretation of results, highlighting the need to better understand EDC transfers through hair and to develop relevant hair decontamination processes. [Display omitted] • Review of analytical methods for the assessment of EDCs through hair. • Work especially focused on extraction processes and analytical performance. • Discussion about the relevance of hair matrix as a biomarker of exposure to EDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of cost indicators and outcome measures used to measure financial burden in families of children with life-limiting conditions.Methods: A scoping review methodology was used to map the existing literature and provide an overview of available cost indicators and outcome measures. Key medical, economic, and scientific databases were systematically searched to identify relevant articles published in 2000 or later.Results: The database search yielded 7194 records, including 30 articles eligible for final inclusion. Retrieved cost indicators and outcome measures fell into 3 broad categories: direct costs, indirect costs, and financial support. No study comprehensively assessed all 3 categories. Cost indicators used to measure direct costs were grouped into 5 medical and 11 nonmedical out-of-pocket expenses categories, of which 5 were commonly assessed (ie, treatment and diagnostics, travel and transport, accommodation, food, childcare and home help). Half of the reviewed studies included assessments of indirect costs, most commonly estimating work-related income loss by evaluating employment disruptions. Assessments of opportunity costs arising from informal caregiving and of financial support were rarely included.Conclusions: Current estimates of the financial burden faced by families of children with life-limiting conditions are inconsistent and often incomplete, likely resulting in severe underestimations of the costs these families incur. We hope that the framework presented in this article will contribute to a more comprehensive assessment of illness-related financial burden and help guide future policies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Multidimensional links and spatiotemporal variations in LCA remain unresolved. • Multidimensional, dynamic, and spatialized LCA studies are reviewed. • A new idea of fully coupling BD and LCA is proposed, discussed, and prospected. • The BigLCA framework and technical architecture are recommended. • The introduction of BD may render LCA towards scientific decision-making. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method that focuses on measuring indicators and making decisions in the environmental dimension. However, its isolation from economic, social, and other dimensions is difficult to identify the interconnections and interactions between multidimensions; its global and static perspectives fail to capture details of spatiotemporal variations effectively. These challenges limit the application of LCA for actual complex systems with multidimensional interweaving and high spatiotemporal heterogeneity. This necessitates an approach that can well quantify multidimensional links and spatiotemporal variations to close the gap. To this end, we reviewed approximately 150 papers recorded in Web of Science and Scopus databases to present the progress in the integration of LCA with different dimensions, and the development of dynamic and spatialized LCAs, as well as identify key challenges. Based on the literature review, we introduced the implications of big data (BD) for LCA to explore a theory for the coupling of BD and LCA. We specifically proposed a universal methodological framework of big life cycle analysis (BigLCA), including four practices: (1) building a spatiotemporal reference system to represent the study object, (2) developing a spatiotemporal inventory analysis scheme based on a modified multi-flow and multi-node model to calculate and integrate massive data, (3) introducing and combining a multi-layer indicator system and system dynamics model to quantify multidimensional indicators and identify their links, and (4) providing spatiotemporal contribution analysis and iterative sensitivity analysis schemes for scientific interpretation. The approach and framework can facilitate the understanding and discussions of the use of BD in LCA, which provides a new approach to improve the accuracy of indicator measurement and the effectiveness and applicability of decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the vast number of academic products with focus on sustainability being currently generated, it is becoming exceedingly difficult and time-consuming to perform accurate literature reviews that have actual relationship with such a topic and correctly reflect its state of the art. Thus, this work proposes a comprehensive Systematic Literature Review (SLR) design as a novel approach for collecting the body of contributions for any given research field in general and sustainability in particular. This design is guided by a semi-automated procedure that aims at incorporating the best automation features of earlier SLRs and involves available scientific databases, e.g., Scopus and Web of Science. The results of the proposed SLR design include bibliometric analyses, a list of researcher and institution networks, and a qualitative assessment of practical applications of the field of interest. Moreover, the proposed semi-automated approach allows for the inclusion of subject categorization based on the generation of author-density maps and keyword co-occurrence networks. For illustration, the semi-automated SLR design is implemented by thoroughly reviewing the contributions pertaining to the P-graph (Process Graph) framework with a focus on sustainability. The P-graph framework has been applied to multiple areas, such as network design, optimization, and system integration; in particular, the framework has proven to be useful for the development of sustainable systems. Upon execution, the semi-automated SLR design collected 284 contributions related to P-graph, of which 139 were classified as sustainability-related, and further partitioned into specific categories. It is expected that the proposed semi-automated SLR design will help researchers in the sustainability community accelerate the generation of works in that area by rapidly generating accurate literature reviews. [Display omitted] • Presents a novel Systematic Literature Review design with automation tools. • Integrates semi-automated solutions comprehensively in the full review process. • Includes bibliometric-, network-, and text-mining aided content analysis has a high potential for full-automation via AI tools. • Demonstrated the SLR design in the research area of P-graph and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess whether exposure to specific classes of neuroactive non-organochlorine insecticides is associated with diabetes mellitus or related metabolic traits. Eligibility criteria: Any type of epidemiological and human exposure studies providing an exposure contrast to neuroactive non-organochlorine insecticides and a measure of association to diabetes mellitus or related metabolic traits. We will include published peer-reviewed studies in both English and non-English language. Information sources: Articles will be located in the NCBI PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS databases, supplemented with manual searching of reference lists and articles citing the included studies. Risk of bias assessment: Risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using tools from the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology, while the risk of bias at the outcome level will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. Data synthesis and analysis: When studies are sufficiently similar in population, exposure, comparator and effect estimate to meaningfully allow quantitative synthesis, we will perform meta-analysis. Otherwise, results will be summarized qualitatively. The authors are paid employees of their respective institutions. MRHH is a Ph.D. student working under grants from Aarhus University and the National Research Centre for the Working Environment. PROSPERO CRD42017068861. • Neuroactive non-organochlorine insecticides may be associated with diabetes mellitus. • Previous literature reviews on the subject may have missed important studies. • We propose a new systematic review with a comprehensive search strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First academic publications on blockchain in construction instantiated in 2017, with three documents. Over the course of several years, new literature emerged at an average annual growth rate of 184%, surmounting to 121 documents at time of writing this article in early 2021. All 121 publications were reviewed to investigate the expansion and progression of the topic. A mixed methods approach was implemented to assess the existing environment through a literature review and scientometric analysis. Altogether, 33 application categories of blockchain in construction were identified and organised into seven subject areas, these include (1) procurement and supply chain, (2) design and construction, (3) operations and life cycle, (4) smart cities, (5) intelligent systems, (6) energy and carbon footprint, and (7) decentralised organisations. Limitations included using only one scientific database (Scopus), this was due to format inconsistencies when downloading and merging various bibliographic data sets for use in visual mapping software. • Exploratory literature review of 121 academic documents on blockchain in the construction industry. • The review chapter presents 33application categories and is organised into seven subject areas. • Mixed methods approach was adopted which incorporates a qualitative review and quantitative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal work is characterized by difficult working conditions further influenced by organizational, physical, and time constraints which expose seasonal workers to high risks of MSDs. Our aim was to provide an overview of the recommendations and interventions carried out in a seasonal work context to prevent MSDs. To do this, we conducted a scoping review through a systematic electronic search of seven scientific databases and the websites of ergonomics and occupational health and safety organizations. After screening by independent reviewers according to specific criteria sets, we performed qualitative analyses on the 16 studies retained. Findings revealed six categories of transformation targets sought by the interventions/recommendations with the technical devices/physical work environment category being the most reported. We also found it was quite rare for studies to consider the seasonal work context in and of itself when developing and implementing interventions. Our review thus highlights the need to pay attention to intervention processes in order to better understand the influence of seasonality on the measures taken to prevent MSDs in working environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of servitization and PSS by examining 690 selected papers from Web of Science database. Knowledge mapping techniques including collaboration analysis, co-citation analysis and keywords co-occurrence analysis methods are adopted in the bibliometric analysis. Our findings show that China and England are the top two countries publishing more papers, and Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark keep tight collaboration relationships with other regions. We also find that some active researchers play critical roles as interfaces to connect different research groups in the servitization and PSS fields. Some authors of highly cited papers in earlier years gradually turned to other research directions. In addition, 'Digital PSS and servitization', and 'territorial servitization' are found to be emerging trends in recent years. Although the earlier sustainability topics in the servitization field are more associated with eco-design and lifecycle extension, they gradually shift to sustainable business models in recent years. Compared with most of the literature reviews in the field, this study provides insights by revealing the distribution structure of literature, the collaboration relationship and the dynamic change of research trends with a transparent, repeatable and objective procedure. • The trend of interdisciplinary fusion in the field of servitization and PSS is revealed. • China and England are the top two countries publishing the most servitization papers. • Digital PSS and servitization, territorial servitization are two main emerging trends. • Sustainability-related topics are shifting from eco-design to sustainable business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]