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Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Educación (Version impresa) is the property of Organizacion de Estados Iberoamericanos (OEI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Shared community scenarios of societal and environmental system changes have underpinned a broad range of research and assessment studies over the past several decades. These scenarios have largely aimed to address specific questions within broad issue areas like climate change or biodiversity and generally provided information on the drivers of change. The consequences of those drivers, such as impacts on society and policy responses, have tended to be left to the research community to investigate, using scenarios of drivers as inputs to their studies, producing projections of a disparate set of relevant output metrics. While this approach has had many benefits, it has fallen short of producing a robust, comparable literature describing outcomes across studies in common metrics. We argue that new scenarios are needed that extend current approaches to be organized around common outcome metrics for the well‐being and resilience of society and ecosystems. We propose an approach that would focus on agreed upon outcomes for well‐being and resilience as well as critical drivers of change, cut across issues and scales in multiple sectors, and draw on new systematic methods of scenario generation and discovery to highlight scenarios that are most critical in understanding societal risks and responding to them. Research derived from this outcome‐based scenario development approach would facilitate improved assessment of risks of and responses to a range of stressors and the multi‐sector interactions they generate. Plain Language Summary: Scenarios are visions of how the world might unfold. They can consist of stories, numerical projections, or both. Typically scenarios describe trends in drivers of change—factors like population and economic growth, how fast technological progress occurs, and changes to the climate system. Historically, small sets of common scenarios have been widely used by the global change research community. Researchers use the scenarios as inputs to project the consequences of the drivers, for example, for agricultural production, water availability, or the costs of decarbonization. We propose that new scenarios are needed that include outcomes (consequences) not just for physical or managed systems, but also for human well‐being and resilience, including health, poverty, and household food, water, and energy security. Further, the scenarios should not only include well‐being outcomes, but be organized around them. That is, scenarios should be designed not necessarily to span a wide range of drivers, but rather to span a wide range of well‐being and resilience outcomes. Designing scenarios around the ultimate outcomes of interest will improve the assessment of risks and responses related to well‐being and resilience. New quantitative methods for generating and identifying scenarios can facilitate this process. Key Points: Community scenarios facilitate research and assessment but have fallen short of producing a literature with comparable outcomesNew scenarios are needed that are organized around outcomes for human well‐being and resilienceWe propose an outcome‐based scenario development approach that would cut across issues, scales, and sectors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a significant import of modern tower yarders has been registered in Bulgaria, where official productivity standards are routinely used for operational planning and control. Given the higher potential of the newer yarder models, the Bulgarian forestry sector has started a review of the older productivity standards dating back to the 1970s. This new endeavor has offered an ideal opportunity for gauging the effect of technological progress in yarder technology. Therefore, the authors have used the very first results achieved during the development of the new standards for conducting a preliminary quantitative comparison between older and newer yarder types. Modern yarders (e.g., Konrad Mounty 4000) are much faster than the older ones (e.g., Koller K300), and their time consumption per cubic meter is half as large, especially on longer distances. At short distances, however, their performance evens out. Regardless of the distance, the installation time of the Konrad Mounty 4000 is twice as short. As they are largely automated, the new machines can be manned by smaller crews (e.g., two workers instead of three) and are easier and safer to operate. Finally, the new machines are equipped with built-in loaders and processors, which allows them to integrate delimbing, crosscutting and stacking within the same work cycle. With older models, a separate team must be deployed for those tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing waste and carbon emissions in the construction industry is a crucial step towards achieving high-quality and sustainable development. This study focuses on 30 provinces in China and employs the Malmquist-Luenberger index model to assess the efficiency of China's construction industry in reducing construction waste and carbon emissions. The temporal evolution characteristics of four major economic regions and provinces in reducing construction waste and carbon emissions from 2010 to 2020 in China are analyzed. The results indicate that the overall ML index in various regions exhibits a fluctuating upward trend. The technological progress index in the eastern region plays a significant role in promoting overall efficiency, and the technological level tends to develop steadily during the research period. The technological progress index in the central region contributes the most to the comprehensive efficiency value. The scale efficiency change index in the western region exhibits a downward trajectory throughout the research period, and the pure technical efficiency index is a key factor in improving the comprehensive efficiency index. The pure technical efficiency change index and scale efficiency change index in the Northeast region demonstrate a notable surge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When studying the coupling coordination relationship between agricultural eco-efficiency and urbanization, it is crucial to consider food security, especially in a populous country like China. This paper focuses on 31 provinces in China as the research units, covering the time period from 2000 to 2020. Based on the concept of agricultural eco-efficiency, an evaluation index system was developed to include undesirable outputs (carbon emissions), and agricultural eco-efficiency scores were calculated using the SBM–DEA model. An urbanization evaluation index system, covering six dimensions and twelve indexes, was constructed. A comprehensive index of urbanization is measured using the entropy method. On this basis, a coupling coordination model was applied to quantify the relationship between agricultural eco-efficiency and urbanization at the provincial scale in China. The results showed that the agricultural eco-efficiency of all provincial units in China exhibited an overall trend of improvement. Average efficiency followed a spatial pattern of majority grain-consuming areas > grain production–consumption balance areas > majority grain-producing areas. The level of coupling between agricultural eco-efficiency and urbanization is generally low. Currently, no regions have reached the stage of synergy or high-level coupling. Most regions are currently in an antagonistic stage with a coupling degree of 0.3 < C ≤ 0.5. The classification of coupling coordination levels changed from four levels of "severe imbalance", "moderate imbalance", "mild imbalance", and "primary coordination" to "moderate imbalance", "mild imbalance", "primary coordination", and "intermediate coordination". The level of "severe imbalance" disappeared, the level of "intermediate coordination" appeared, and the level of "mild imbalance" became the largest scale level. From the perspective of food security, the proportion of grain production in the categories of "primary coordination" and "intermediate coordination" was less than 10%, and these provinces never achieved self-sufficiency in food production. The proportion of grain production at the "mild imbalance" level reached 62.4%, while the per capita grain production at the "moderate imbalance" level reached 846.7 kg. Provinces with lower levels of coupling coordination have stronger food security capabilities. It can be observed that the weaker the coupling coordination between agricultural eco-efficiency and urbanization, the higher the food self-sufficiency. Based on the research results above, we discussed strategies to enhance agricultural eco-efficiency in majority grain-producing regions by focusing on technological progress and technical efficiency. Additionally, we analyzed approaches to achieve grain self-sufficiency in regions characterized by a high level of coordination between agricultural eco-efficiency and urbanization, considering both production and trade dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beijing is a typical energy-imported city, and the study of energy consumption factors in Beijing is important for the sustainable development of Beijing. There are many influencing factors of energy consumption in Beijing, and the influence degree of each factor differs in different development periods. By constructing the IPAT model of energy consumption change in Beijing, this paper breaks down the factors that cause the change in energy consumption in Beijing into population, affluence, and technological progress. The results show that Beijing is a highly energy-consuming city and the change in energy consumption in Beijing is the superposition of multiple effects. The energy consumption change caused by population growth in Beijing continues to increase through data from 2006 to 2020, but begins to show a downward trend, with a maximum change in energy consumption of 19.8 million tons of standard coal. The largest change in energy consumption is caused by per capita GDP growth, which reached 50.3 million tons of standard coal in 2018–2019, and the effect caused by affluence is greater than the impact of population changes. Technological advances always reduce energy consumption and are increasingly effective. To reduce energy consumption and improve environmental quality, the following two things need to be done: first, to continuously control the population of Beijing, and second, to enhance the development and introduction of innovative technologies for energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While our understanding of long-term trends in material wealth inequality in prehistoric societies has expanded in recent decades, we know little about long-term trends in other dimensions of wealth and about social developments within particular societal segments. This paper provides the first evidence of inequality in relational wealth within the upper societal segment of a supra-regional network of communities in prehistoric Central Europe over the first four millennia BCE. To this end, we compiled a novel dataset of 5000 single-funeral burial mounds and employed burial mound volume as a proxy for the buried individual's relational wealth. Our analysis reveals a consistently high level of inequality among the buried individuals, showing a wave-like pattern with an increasing trend over time. Additionally, our findings show temporal shifts in the size of the upper societal segment. Based on a review of archeological and paleo-environmental evidence, the temporal change in inequality may be explained by technological progress, climate and population dynamics, trade and social networks, and/or sociopolitical transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to develop a methodology for identifying the institutional development of innovative activity to meet the needs of the national economy. Methodology. The following general scientific and special research methods were used in the research: monographic, logicaltheoretical, statistical, economic-mathematical, system analysis, computational-analytical, abstract-logical methods, and generalization. Findings. According to the methodology of the analysis of the operating environment, the state of institutional development of innovative activity in Ukraine is determined by the construction of the direction of effective development of the national economy in the context of the formation of GDP by capital investments and the number of people employed in the national economy. It was determined that the efficiency line indicates the trends in the formation of innovative activity in the operating environment, which corresponds to the theoretical basis of the Cobb-Douglas-Tinbergen production function for the economy of Ukraine. Originality. For the first time, the mathematical apparatus of the Cobb-Douglas-Tinbergen production function has been tested to determine the level of scientific and technological progress of Ukraine. The methodological provisions of the analysis of the institutional development of innovative activity to meet the needs of the national economy on the basis of the formation of the functioning environment according to the macroeconomic indicators of Ukraine have gained further development. Practical value. The results can be used in the design and implementation of effective strategies for innovative development, as well as the formation of a policy to promote innovation activity in the modern economy. The data obtained in the course of the study can serve as a basis for the development of recommendations and tools aimed at creating a favorable institutional environment for innovation activity, which will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the national economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal for Technology in Theory & Practice / Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis (TATuP) is the property of Oekom Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Quintessenz der Zahntechnik is the property of Quintessenz Verlags GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In China, urbanization is mainly stimulated by resource flows, and industrialization is normally accompanied by an increase in the proportion of the urban population and urban land area. During the process, urbanization at a rapid pace often induces a huge consumption of energy and environmental emissions. Nevertheless, it is also worth considering whether urbanization positively affects urban environment promotion. With a more solid economic foundation, urban subjects will carry out energy conservation and emission reduction (ECER) from various aspects, primarily focusing on technological innovation, advancement of production mechanisms and structural optimization. Along these lines, this study aims to examine urbanization's direct and indirect impact on energy conservation and emission reduction using panel data consisting of 196 Chinese cities for the period of 2011–2018 with a Slacks-based model and transmission mechanism. Study results indicate that urbanization's development can give a direct impetus to ECER, which is quite robust after employing a series of robust tests, including instrumental variable estimation. Besides, urbanization indirectly influences ECER by promoting economic growth, better allocation of resources, internet advancement, and adjusting the employment structure. Further investigation suggests that the relationship between urbanization and ECER is nonlinear, depending on the levels of the above-mentioned mediating variables. Finally, essential policy suggestions are proposed, i.e. promoting high-quality development of urban clusters, accelerating the policies for ECER, and paying more attention to economic growth, resource allocation, internet technology, and employment structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advance is often embodied in capital inputs, like computers, airplanes, and robots. This paper builds a framework where capital inputs advance through (i) increased automation and (ii) increased productivity. The interplay of these two innovation dimensions can produce balanced growth, satisfying the Uzawa Growth Theorem even though technological progress is capital-embodied. The framework can further address structural transformation, general-purpose technologies, the limited macroeconomic impact of computing, and declining productivity growth and labor shares. Overall, this tractable framework can help resolve puzzling tensions between micro-level observations of innovation and balanced growth while providing new perspectives on numerous macroeconomic phenomena. (JEL E22, E23, E24, E25, L16, O33, O41) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity supply reliability in an electricity distribution network is majorly affected due to unexpected power failures and power cuts. A hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) with the optimal size of renewable energy sources can substantially improve power reliability. Therefore, this article develops an objective function incorporating socio‐techno‐economic‐environmental (STEE) factors for HRES optimal sizing to supply reliable power to a rural village. The factors considered in the objective function are namely social (employment generation factor, human progress index, and land cost), technical (excess energy factor, renewable energy portion, and loss of power supply probability), economical (total net present cost, cost of energy, and annualized cost of system), and environmental (emission cost). In this article, for the first time, marine predators algorithm (MPA) based metaheuristic optimizer is devised to address the sizing optimization problem of HRES. Three HRES configurations, having different arrangements of diesel generator (DG), biogas generator (BG), battery (BAT), wind turbine (WT), and photovoltaic (PV), are examined utilizing MPA, particle swarm optimization (PSO), salp swarm algorithm (SSA), and genetic algorithm (GA) for optimal configuration. Due to the lowest value of economical and environmental factors and the highest value of the social factor, the PV‐WT‐BAT‐BG‐DG configuration is optimal compared to other investigated configurations with MPA. Comparing the four optimizers, MPA has the best STEE factor values, as well as stronger convergence, greater ability to escape from local minima, and higher ability to approach the global optimum. Additionally, by contrasting it with the PSO result for the three HRES configurations, the MPA result quality is confirmed. Furthermore, the cost of energy (0.1799 $/kWh) of the optimal configuration is less than the latest addressed in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a growing interest in quantum technology globally, there is an increasing need for accessing relevant physical systems for education and research. In this paper we introduce a commercially available on-site quantum computer utilizing superconducting technology, offering insights into its fundamental hardware and software components. We show how this system can be used in education to teach quantum concepts and deepen understanding of quantum theory and quantum computing. It offers learning opportunities for future talent and contributes to technological progress. Additionally, we demonstrate its use in research by replicating some notable recent achievements. [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]

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) aim at the non-invasive investigation of brain activity for supporting communication and interaction of the users with their environment by means of brain-machine assisted technologies. Despite technological progress and promising research aimed at understanding the influence of human factors on BCI effectiveness, some topics still remain unexplored. The aim of this article is to discuss why it is important to consider the language of the user, its embodied grounding in perception, action and emotions, and its interaction with cultural differences in information processing in future BCI research. Based on evidence from recent studies, it is proposed that detection of language abilities and language training are two main topics of enquiry of future BCI studies to extend communication among vulnerable and healthy BCI users from bench to bedside and real world applications. In addition, cultural differences shape perception, actions, cognition, language and emotions subjectively, behaviorally as well as neuronally. Therefore, BCI applications should consider cultural differences in information processing to develop culture- and language-sensitive BCI applications for different user groups and BCIs, and investigate the linguistic and cultural contexts in which the BCI will be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging adulthood is the youth trajectory characterized by self-focus, identity exploration, feeling between adolescence and adulthood, instability, and experimentation. This trajectory was first identified in industrialized individualistic countries with gender equality and technological progress. To measure transition to adulthood, the Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA) was created. Although emerging adulthood is considered universal, adaptations of the questionnaire across the 12 countries show different patterns, and its cross-cultural invariance has been underinvestigated. This study tests IDEA in three collectivistic countries - Armenia, China, and Russia. The sample consisted of 868 students (total male - 152, total female - 716) aged 18 to 29 years old. We tested the questionnaire separately in the three countries to check that this model fits, but we failed to prove it. After that we used a factor-analytic approach to find a common version for the three countries. We got a five-factor correlated model in accordance with the theory, but it was reduced from 31 items to 21, and three items moved to other factors. Finally, we provided measurement invariance and reached configural level. To test the narrower facets of factors we used multi-group alignment and found that variances in six parameters differ, mainly in Instability. Despite the difference in the questionnaire items, we proposed a common model for three countries that we called questionnaire IDEA-collectivistic countries (IDEA-CC). [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]

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 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]

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]

Highly automated shuttle vehicles (SAE Level 4) have the potential to enhance public transport services by decreasing the demand for drivers, enabling more frequent and flexible ride options. However, at least in a transitionary phase, safety operators that supervise and support the shuttles with their driving tasks may be required on board the vehicle from a technical or legal point of view. A crucial component for executing supervisory and intervening tasks is the human–machine interface between an automated vehicle and its on-board operator. This research presents in-depth case studies from three heterogenous living laboratories in Germany that deployed highly automated shuttle vehicles with on-board operators on public roads. The living labs differed significantly regarding the on-board operators' tasks and the design of the human–machine interfaces. Originally considered a provisional solution until the vehicle automation is fully capable of running without human support, these interfaces were, in general, not designed in a user-centered way. However, since technological progress has been slower than expected, on-board operator interfaces are likely to persist in the mid-term at least. Hence, this research aims to assess the aptitude of interfaces that are in practical use for the on-board operators' tasks, in order to determine the user-centered design of future interfaces. Completing questionnaires and undergoing comprehensive, semi-structured interviews, nine on-board operators evaluated their human–machine interfaces in light of the respective tasks they complete regarding user variables such as work context, acceptance, system transparency, and trust. The results were highly diverse across laboratories and underlined that the concrete system setup, encompassing task and interface design, has a considerable impact on these variables. Ergonomics, physical demand, and system transparency were identified as the most significant deficits. These findings and derived recommendations may inform the design of on-board operator workspaces, and bear implications for remote operation workstations as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy and the pursuit of carbon peak and carbon neutrality have emerged as crucial focal points for China's future development. However, the intricate relationship between the digital economy and carbon intensity remains uncertain. Based on the construction of the digital economy evaluation index system, using panel data for 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019, this study estimates the impact of the digital economy development on carbon intensity by adopting the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) technique. The results show that the digital economy can effectively reduce the carbon intensity. This conclusion was supported by robustness tests. However, the carbon emission reduction effect of the digital economy exhibits heterogeneity with respect to the digital economy dimensions and regions. In addition to digital industrialization and industrial digitization reducing the carbon intensity, the digital economy development carrier has an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship with carbon intensity. Additionally, the digital economy has a more obvious inhibitory effect on carbon intensity in the eastern region. Most importantly, besides the mediating effects of technological progress and financial development, this paper finds that the digital economy can increase carbon intensity through human capital accumulation. These conclusions provide a certain scientific basis for the effective implementation of China's digital economy and carbon peak and carbon–neutral development strategy. [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]

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]

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]

The article discusses how the pace of technological progress and economic model of society will change under the influence of global aging process. It tries to answer the following questions: What could be the driver of an acceleration of technological growth in the forthcoming decades? Is slowdown of technological growth likely to be observed afterwards? What could cause such a slow-down? How could this slowdown affect socioeconomic and sociopolitical relations? What is the relationship between global aging and technological progress? Why is global aging likely to be one of the most important factors affecting technological growth in 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]

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]

Ongoing technological advances have led to the facilitation of specific supply chain operations in general, and military supply chains in particular, in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of military and other operational logistics. In this regard, the robotic exoskeleton system plays a particularly important role, along with other technologies that facilitate the successful conduct of national and multinational military operations within the armies of the North Atlantic Alliance nations. In developing the content of this material, we have taken into account the requirements for the future soldier's behaviour and actions, which include extensive use of the passive exoskeleton to facilitate the transport of each soldier's payload of necessary supplies and weapons, as well as to increase individual mobility during offensive and/or defensive military actions. At the same time, we have highlighted the importance of qualified personnel's use of the exoskeleton system in the carrying out of operational logistic support activities for the fulfillment of missions assigned to the combat forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advancement in digital medical imaging changes the world health care system because various diseases are diagnosed through these technologies. In the Covid-19 phase, telemedicine played a tremendous role in providing remote medical consultation in rural areas. But in remote consultation, various medical images send to a radiologist for diagnosis through the internet. Worldwide has seen a significant surge in digital media attacks that replicate and tamper with the digital image, resulting in a breach of authenticity and ownership. A robust and safe watermarking scheme for NIfTI images has been proposed in this paper. This novel method entails meticulously integrating a watermark in the slice of the NIfTI image. We aim to correctly incorporate the watermark with minimal distortion and retain the medical information of the selected image slice. The proposed method uses LWT transform to transform the image, allowing for surprisingly good modification during insertion. Furthermore, Hessenberg matrix decomposition is applied on the LL sab bands with the image's maximal energy to be retained. Scrambling the watermark before embedding it in the slice is accomplished using the Affine transform. A thorough study of the trade-off between security, imperceptibility, and robustness utilizing performance measures viz. NC, PSNR, SNR, and SSIM have been given. The simulation findings have been validated against image processing threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies Argentina's economic growth trajectory between 1962 and 2019. To achieve this, we analyze the pattern of technological progress deduced from the dynamics of labor productivity and the output capital ratio. Between 1962 and the mid 1980s, technical change was Marx biased (for example, labor saving and capital consuming), which resulted in decreased profitability. From then and until 2008, technological change has been Hicks neutral with increased profitability. Afterward, profitability resumes the negative trend until the end of the analyzed period. The structural change observed since the middle 1970s is associated with a halving of the average rate of capital accumulation, greater macroeconomic volatility, and changes in development models. [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 aim of this paper is to analyze the significant changes within the European beverage industry between 2011 and 2020. This period was characterized by a complex interplay of economic, technological, and socio-cultural factors that influenced the sector. During this decade, there were notable shifts in employment structures, market trends, production innovations, and responses to both global and regional economic challenges. Different national strategies led to workforce expansion in Malta and reductions in Poland and Denmark. Technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and increased awareness of sustainability prompted strategic adaptations, production restructuring, and the creation of new market segments. Significant changes in the top 10 countries by the number of active companies include growth in Spain, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The financial performance across countries such as Germany, Italy, and Romania highlight a dynamic and evolving market landscape. This analysis underscores the resilience and adaptability of the European beverage industry in the face of varying national responses and market conditions. [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]

This brief essay on nonobviousness originates from a series of conversations, emails, and preliminary drafts between Dmitry Karshtedt and myself that, sadly, never got a chance to fully evolve. We were exploring what the law says, and perhaps should say, about inventions that are technologically small advances, yet unmotivated by prior art. As Dmitry so aptly framed it, “The question we’re dealing with is, what if everyone thought that something was really hard or unworkable, but turned out to be a straightforward, minor improvement? Obvious or no?” This essay puts to paper our exploration of this question. The law’s emphasis on the cognitive approach to nonobviousness typically grants protection for such inventions, but there are policy reasons to be skeptical of granting patents for minor inventions. In the end, protection may, on net, be warranted for inventions unlikely to be created. Ultimately, the definition of technological progress in the nonobviousness context should include overcoming substantial cognitive barriers, even if the resulting invention is simple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The external business environment exhibits many uncertainties with the continuing changes in technological progress, political environment, and consumption behavior. This has made companies recognize the significance of addressing environmental issues to remain competitive in the modern global market. Thus, much attention is given to the supply chain to ensure environmental factors are considered during supplier selection. However, the process of selecting the right suppliers to enable green supply chain management is proving difficult. This paper presents a novel approach using fuzzy influence diagrams to identify key green supplier selection criteria, combined with multi-criteria decision making to evaluate alternatives. The fuzzy influence diagram derives priority supplier capabilities by modeling interrelationships and uncertainties. The multi-criteria technique then ranks suppliers based on prospect values. A case study of furniture manufacturer supplier selection validates the proposed method. Compared to existing models, this integrated approach reduces subjective weight bias and improves handling of complex criteria dependencies and uncertainties. The results demonstrate state-of-the-art performance in identifying ideal green suppliers. This technique can enhance sustainability efforts across supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pioneering work of John Barkley Rosser Jr. (1948-2023) in various subfields of economics emphasizes the fact that economic and social phenomena are inherently nonlinear and often discontinuous. From this standpoint, Barkley has contributed substantially to a paradigm shift in economic theory and modelling. Both his influential research work and his unceasing survey work on different approaches and schools of thought in economics and social science, carried out through the lens of complexity theory, have succeeded to develop a broader view on economic thinking and continue to inspire many researchers worldwide. The articles in this issue cover a number of research areas and themes that were central to Barkley's work, from technological progress to evolutionary competition between firms, from regional science to income inequality, from environmental economics to more general macroeconomic themes, such as bubbles and crashes, financial instabilities and policy issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic paper (E‐paper) relies on reflecting ambient light to achieve information display, which mimics the appearance of printed papers, but owns the features of conventional electronic displays. The outstanding characters of E‐paper including visual health, comfortable outdoor viewing and ultra‐low power consumption, attracts increasingly interests in display society. E‐paper technology has evolved slowly in the field of color reproduction and video frame rate, until the arise of electrowetting display (EWD) technology. Benefits from the innately high speed response of microfluidics, EWD enables the displaying of color video content. In this report, the basic physics of electrowetting displays, including electro‐optical response and color reproduction method will be discussed. In this presentation, recent progress on above topics, including printed conductive pillar directed oil motion control and parallax issue in CMY stacked EWD device will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research sets its sight to conceptualize and verify a model that emphasizes relationship between digital finance (DF) and Sustainability-Oriented Organizational Performance (SOP). Outstandingly, it makes many attempts to deepen insight into the mediation mechanisms of Heterogeneous Technological progress (HTP) and Green innovation (GI) in proposed model's postulated constructs. Statistical database was compiled from a paper and pencil survey distributed to a sample of respondents through convenient and snowballing approach. Twostep methodology with SEM was utilized to weigh the measurement and structural models. Results substantiated the markedly positive interconnection between DF and SOP. Its findings and insights learnt from this study would be useful to practitioners looking for sustainable solutions on the route to become innovative businesses. On the other hand, the observations would provide fresh insights to practitioners and policymakers to develop focused strategies in terms of HTP and GI and enact laws and regulations in terms of DF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern context, for a city to be deemed smart, it must extend its focus beyond a mere technological infrastructure to align with the 4T model. This framework encompasses four key components: Technology, Telecommunication, Talent, and Tolerance. The model advocates for a comprehensive approach that transcends purely technological progress, emphasizing that a smart city's successful evolution requires advanced infrastructure, effective communication networks, skilled human capital, and a culture of inclusivity and tolerance. The article presents an analysis of applying the smart city concept and the 4T model in the development of Moscow, Krasnodar, Kazan, Tyumen, Yekaterinburg, and Dubna (Russia). The study aims to determine the application of the smart city and 4T model by their administrations and the difficulties in implementing these strategies. The study is conducted in five Russian cities varying in size and functionality. The research materials are documents describing the development strategy. The authors of the article conduct computer-assisted telephone interviews with residents and city administration employees. They analyze the development strategies of these cities. The authors also identify the positions of the 4T model and directions for the development of a smart city in local development policy. The analysis allows the authors to determine the maturity of local development planning mechanisms considering the 4T model and smart city tools. Since the experience of the five cities different in size and functionality is studied, the results might be of interest to both practitioners and policy theorists striving to involve residents in the formation of local development policies and use of modern technologies to improve their access to city services and increase their influence on the future of their city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Informacion Comercial Espanola Revista de Economia is the property of S.G.E.E.I.P.C., Secretaria de Estado de Comercio, Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering / Revista Brasileira de Engenharia de Produção is the property of Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Scientific efforts are aimed at evaluating and improving quality rather than increasing quantity. Economic growth can be characterized as high quality, when it is inclusive, environmentally friendly, sustainable and effective, ensures technological progress, improves the well-being of society and boosts the competitiveness of country. We propose to distinguish two main dimensions in measuring the quality of economic output, which refer to its generation and effects. Based on this principle, an index of quality of economic output has been calculated for 78 countries spanning from 2005 to 2022. It turns out that underperforming countries struggle to effectively translate the formed economic output quality into high-quality manifestations. On the other hand, they had better prioritize expansion of the production frontier rather than optimize production process itself. In addition, an online platform has been developed for monitoring quality of economic output, performing simulations and processing policies aimed at enhancing the qualitative aspects of economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological progress has made smartphones more than just a communication tool. Nowadays, there are ways to work remotely using a smartphone. Digital advancement and COVID-19 were global milestones for the culture of digital transformation and led to more flexibility and mobility in the workplace. This research aims to study the real experience of smartphone workers. Focus is paid to the e-workforce, comprised of jobholders with work flexibility experience who have formed different postpandemic standards. Six workers led qualitative examinations from Austria to collect unprocessed data for this study. As reported by these results, working from home via a smartphone 'works'. But there are many factors to consider. Notably, smartphones are a vital piece of equipment for respondents in finishing tasks, but while smartphones offer substantial advantages, using them at home for work is not without challenges. These devices can become an unwelcome distraction at the very least and a legal and operational risk at worst. Smartphones increase mobility and flexibility, as well as the flow of workplace communication, but they also cause distractions in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum sensing technologies provide future cities with unimaginable techniques for solving their complex problems. Quantum sensors, through the utilization of quantum effects such as superposition, entanglement, and tunneling, can provide an unmatched level of sensitivity, precision, and durability against traditional sensing technologies. This study explores the potential applications of quantum sensing in four critical urban infrastructure domains: water, energy, transport, and construction. Throughout this study, we determine the most promising quantum sensing technologies for each domain. Besides, we discuss the technical progress of these sensors and the advantages they have in comparison with classical devices, as well as the organizational issues cities can face when implementing these sensors. Our results indicate that quantum sensing will be a critical enabler of future smart cities, generating advanced monitoring, control, and decision-making capabilities across various sectors. Nevertheless, taking advantage of this potential will demand the close partnership of cities, industry, academia, and policymakers to guide the complicated adoption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the scale, distribution, and structure of scientific and technological resource allocation, the basic characteristics of scientific and technological resource allocation in Chengdu–Chongqing–Mianyang were analyzed, and the relevant panel data of the three places and the whole region were analyzed using the data envelopment analysis (DEA)-Malmquist index model, spanning the period of 2010–2019. The results show that the overall efficiency of scientific and technological resource allocation in Chengdu–Chongqing–Mianyang shows an upward trend during the study period, which is attributed to the significant increase in the rate of technological progress. The rapid growth in Chongqing and Mianyang is attributed to good policy support, rapid renewal of facilities and institutions, and improved management experience. The relative slowdown in the rate of technological progress in Chengdu may be due to industrial restructuring, coupled with a shift in economic technology from high growth to high quality development. At the same time, Chengdu–Chongqing–Mianyang region is more inclined to cultivate its own R&D capabilities, and the accumulation and upgrading of innovation management technologies are insufficient to meet its innovation needs. Finally, the study proposes countermeasures to improve the efficiency of science and technology resource allocation in Chengdu–Chongqing–Mianyang from macro and micro perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, green finance is incorporated into the theoretical framework of technological progress bias to investigate the internal mechanism of green finance influencing environmental technological progress bias and the cleaning of industrial structure. Quantitative analysis is carried out by parameter calibration and numerical simulation. The results show that the environmental technology progress bias has obvious path-dependent characteristics. By means of financing scale and financing cost, green finance influences the relative profit, R&D behavior choice and environmental technology progress preference of the two types of R&D firms and then influences the cleaning of industrial structure through direct productivity effect, indirect price effect and market size effect. Only when the proportion of financing scale of clean R&D departments or the interest rate subsidy exceeds a certain critical value, can green finance successfully induce the occurrence of clean technological progress and promote the cleanliness of industrial structure. However, when the proportion of financing scale or interest rate subsidy of clean R&D departments is lower than a certain critical value, the improvement effect of green finance on the output value of clean industry is offset by the effect of polluting technological progress, which is not conducive to the clean industrial structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy storage systems are essential in modern energy infrastructure, addressing efficiency, power quality, and reliability challenges in DC/AC power systems. Recognized for their indispensable role in ensuring grid stability and seamless integration with renewable energy sources. These storage systems prove crucial for aircraft, shipboard systems, and electric vehicles, addressing peak load demands economically while enhancing overall system reliability and efficiency. Recent advancements and research have focused on high-power storage technologies, including supercapacitors, superconducting magnetic energy storage, and flywheels, characterized by high-power density and rapid response, ideally suited for applications requiring rapid charging and discharging. Hybrid energy storage systems and multiple energy storage devices represent enhanced flexibility and resilience, making them increasingly attractive for diverse applications, including critical loads. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent technological advancements in high-power storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries, recognized for their high energy density. In addition, a summary of hybrid energy storage system applications in microgrids and scenarios involving critical and pulse loads is provided. The research further discusses power, energy, cost, life, and performance technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]