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

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

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

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

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

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

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