Future Innovation Research Articles

Incorporating Real Option Value in Valuing Innovation: A Way Forward.

Considerable progress has been made in defining and measuring the real option value (ROV) of medical technologies. However, questions remain on how to estimate (1) ROV outside of life-extending oncology interventions; (2) the impact of ROV on costs and cost effectiveness; and (3) potential interactions between ROV and other elements of value. We developed a 'minimal modeling' approach for estimating the size of ROV that does not require constructing a full, formal cost-effectiveness model. We proposed a qualitative approach to assessing the level of uncertainty in the ROV estimate. We examined the potential impact of ROV on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio as well as on the potential interactions between ROV and other elements of value. Lastly, we developed and presented a 15-item checklist for reporting ROV in value assessment. The minimal modeling approach uses estimates on the efficacy of current treatment and potential future innovation, as well as success rate and length of new treatment development, and can be applied to all types of ROV across disease areas. ROV may interact with the conventional value, value of hope, productivity effects, and insurance value. The impact of ROV on cost effectiveness can be evaluated via threshold analysis. The minimal modeling approach and the checklist developed in this paper simplifies and standardizes the estimation and reporting of ROV in value assessment. Systematically including and reporting ROV in value assessment will minimize bias and improve transparency, which will help improve the credibility of ROV research and acceptance by stakeholders.

Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties of Diospyros mollis Griff.: A Review

Objective/Background The genus Diospyros L. (Ebenaceae) includes about 778 species worldwide, with over 500 of them known for their significant health benefits. Among them, Diospyros mollis Griff. has been used as a tonic and treatment for many diseases related to digestive disorders and intestinal parasites. Furthermore, the fruit has also been used for dyeing silk fabrics. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to provide researchers with important information about D. mollis, particularly regarding its chemical composition and biological effects. This information can support current understanding and future studies to develop novel herbal formulations based on this species. Additionally, this review aims to compile and summarize the available literature on this species, covering its botanical, ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties reported to date. Methods The relevant information on D. mollis was collected via online electronic and databases, including Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, SciFinder, and other scientific databases. Results A comprehensive review of the literature reveals that D. mollis contains various chemical constituents such as naphthalene and naphthoquinone derivatives, triterpenoids, alkaloids, sterols, glycosides, and fatty acid esters isolated from the berry, root, bark, and leaf of this species, with several pharmacological effects and other applications. Many pharmacological effects, such as hyaluronidase inhibitory, anthelmintic, and antiparasitic activities of various extracts and isolated compounds of D. mollis, are reported in this review. The review demonstrates the importance of D. mollis in the treatment of diseases, its application in fabric dyeing techniques, and its traditional use. Conclusion In conclusion, D. mollis emerges as a promising botanical resource with its rich history in traditional medicine and diverse chemical constituents, paving the way for potential future applications and innovations in the field of herbal medicine and drug development.

Sex-specific outcomes in cancer therapy: the central role of hormones.

Sex hormones play a pivotal role in modulating various physiological processes, with emerging evidence underscoring their influence on cancer progression and treatment outcomes. This review delves into the intricate relationship between sex hormones and cancer, elucidating the underlying biological mechanisms and their clinical implications. We explore the multifaceted roles of estrogen, androgens, and progesterone, highlighting their respective influence on specific cancers such as breast, ovarian, endometrial, and prostate. Special attention is given to estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) tumors, androgen receptor signaling, and the dual role of progesterone in both promoting and inhibiting cancer progression. Clinical observations reveal varied treatment responses contingent upon hormonal levels, with certain therapies like tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and anti-androgens demonstrating notable success. However, disparities in treatment outcomes between males and females in hormone-sensitive cancers necessitate further exploration. Therapeutically, the utilization of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during cancer treatments presents both potential risks and benefits. The promise of personalized therapies, tailored to an individual's hormonal profile, offers a novel approach to optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Concurrently, the burgeoning exploration of new drugs and interventions targeting hormonal pathways heralds a future of more effective and precise treatments for hormone-sensitive cancers. This review underscores the pressing need for a deeper understanding of sex hormones in cancer therapy and the ensuing implications for future therapeutic innovations.

The Influence of African Rhythms on Modern Music: A Case Study of Afrobeat in Nigeria

This abstract provides a concise overview of the discussion on Afrobeat, encompassing its historical roots, global influence, challenges, and future prospects. Afrobeat, originating from Nigeria, has achieved enduring global recognition for its rhythmic complexities and socially conscious themes. The genre’s journey, marked by collaborations and adaptability, is discussed, along with the challenges it faces, such as commercialization and socio-political complexities. The abstract concludes by highlighting Afrobeat’s potential for future innovation and the importance of educational initiatives in preserving its authenticity.

Generative artificial intelligence in supply chain and operations management: a capability-based framework for analysis and implementation

This research examines the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in general and Generative AI (GAI) in particular in supply chain and operations management (SCOM). Through the lens of the resource-based view and based on key AI capabilities such as learning, perception, prediction, interaction, adaptation, and reasoning, we explore how AI and GAI can impact 13 distinct SCOM decision-making areas. These areas include but are not limited to demand forecasting, inventory management, supply chain design, and risk management. With its outcomes, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of AI and GAI's functionality and applications in the SCOM context, offering a practical framework for both practitioners and researchers. The proposed framework systematically identifies where and how AI and GAI can be applied in SCOM, focussing on decision-making enhancement, process optimisation, investment prioritisation, and skills development. Managers can use it as a guidance to evaluate their operational processes and identify areas where AI and GAI can deliver improved efficiency, accuracy, resilience, and overall effectiveness. The research underscores that AI and GAI, with their multifaceted capabilities and applications, open a revolutionary potential and substantial implications for future SCOM practices, innovations, and research.

A review of GIS applications in public health surveillance

This paper comprehensively reviews Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in public health surveillance. Tracing the historical evolution of GIS in public health, the literature review highlights key concepts, definitions, and frameworks. The role of GIS in disease surveillance is explored, encompassing tracking infectious diseases, monitoring environmental health, emergency response, and surveillance of non-communicable diseases. While GIS proves indispensable in providing a spatial lens for understanding health-related phenomena, challenges such as data quality, privacy concerns, and resource constraints must be addressed. Future directions and innovations, including integrating emerging technologies and improved spatial resolution, promise to propel GIS into a pivotal role in shaping the future of public health surveillance.

Unlocking organizational change: a deep dive through a data triangulation in healthcare

PurposeThe outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare systems, presenting unforeseen challenges that necessitated the implementation of change management strategies to adapt to the new contextual conditions. This study aims to analyze organizational changes within the total hip replacement (THR) surgery pathway at multiple levels, including macro, meso and micro. It employs data triangulation from various sources to gauge the complexity of the change process and comprehend how multi-level decision-making influenced an unexpected shift.Design/methodology/approachA multicentric, single in-depth case study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. Data sources included patient-reported outcome measures specific to the THR pathway and carefully structured in-depth interviews administered to managers and clinicians in two healthcare organizations serving the same population.FindingsDecisions made at the macro level resulted in an overall reduction in surgical activities. Organizational changes at the meso level led to a complete cessation or partial reorganization of activities. Micro-level actions for change and adaptation revealed diverse and fragmented change management strategies.Practical implicationsOrganizations with segmented structures may require a robust and structured department for coordinating change management responses to prevent the entire system from becoming stuck in the absorptive phase of change. However, it is important to recognize that absorptive solutions can serve as a starting point for genuine innovations in change management.Originality/valueThe utilization of data triangulation enables the authors to visualize how specific changes implemented in response to the pandemic have influenced the observed outcomes. From a managerial perspective, it provides insights into how future innovations could be introduced.

Plant-Based Proteins and Their Modification and Processing for Vegan Cheese Production

Plant-based proteins are important macronutrients in the human diet, crucial for cell development in our bodies and for supporting the immune system. Given their nutritional and functional properties, plant-based proteins are excellent candidates for the development of plant-based food. Among other things, plant-based cheese has been identified as a potential enabler for future innovation through improvements in ingredient technology. Unlike traditional dairy cheeses, plant-based cheeses are made from a variety of ingredients such as nuts and legumes that can be fortified with nutrients also found in traditional cheese. Of course, plant-based cheeses still have some nutritional drawbacks, and most of them are processed, which means they contain preservatives, colour additives and high sodium content. Nevertheless, the physicochemical and functional properties of plant-based proteins are of great interest to the food industry and the initial interest in natural sources of plant proteins has recently shifted to the field of modification and processing. This review discusses the natural sources and classification of plant-based proteins and summarises recent studies on processing methods in the production of plant-based cheese.

Graphene's Potential in Electronic Devices: Characteristics, Applications, Challenges, And Solutions

This comprehensive overview explores the multifaceted world of graphene, a two-dimensional crystal structure composed of a single layer of carbon atoms, and its applications in electronic devices. The discussion begins with an introduction highlighting the remarkable potential of graphene in the field of electronics. Section 2 delves into the basic characteristics of graphene, including its atomic structure, excellent electronic properties, optical and thermal attributes, high conductivity, and mobility, as well as its mechanical strength and flexibility. It also briefly outlines the fundamental methods of graphene preparation. Section 3 delves into the application of graphene in electronic devices, covering topics such as graphene's role in Field Effect Transistors (FETs), including carrier control characteristics and the basic principles of FETs. Additionally, it explores the prospects of graphene in FET technology, its application in flexible electronic devices, and its integration into optoelectronic devices. Section 4 addresses the dilemmas and solutions faced by graphene electronic devices, such as issues related to the preparation process and stability, the impact of defects and impurities, and current solutions to overcome these challenges. Finally, the conclusion underscores the immense potential of graphene in revolutionizing electronic devices while recognizing the ongoing efforts for future innovations in this field.

Innovation of Business Models in the Digital Era: A Case Study of the New Generation Digital Platform of the Information Network

Business model innovation in the digital age is an important exploration carried out by various industries to adapt to market demand, driven by the trend of digitization. This paper takes the new generation digital platform of the Information Network as a case study to deeply study its business model innovation practice and its position in the digital era business model innovation. By analyzing the development history, core structure, functions, and user and market impact of the platform, the unique value of the platform in business model innovation has been revealed. At the same time, a detailed analysis of the evolution of information network business models, core value chains, profit models, and competitive strategies comprehensively presents the diversity and innovation of information network digital platform business models. In practice, the impact of e-commerce, sharing economy, mobile payments, and financial technology on business model innovation was explored, highlighting the diversified paths of business innovation in the digital age. Finally, through in-depth analysis of innovative strategies such as customer value, data-driven decision-making, and multi-channel integration, insights are provided for future business model innovation in the digital age.

Resistive Memory Devices at the Thinnest Limit: Progress and Challenges.

The Si-based integrated circuits industry has been developing for more than half a century, by focusing on the scaling-down of transistor. However, the miniaturization of transistors will soon reach its physical limits, thereby requiring novel material and device technologies. Resistive memory is a promising candidate for in-memory computing and energy-efficient synaptic devices that can satisfy the computational demands of the future applications. However, poor cycle-to-cycle and device-to-device uniformities hinder its mass production. 2D materials, as a new type of semiconductor, is successfully employed in various micro/nanoelectronic devices and have the potential to drive future innovation in resistive memory technology. This review evaluates the potential of using the thinnest advanced materials, that is, monolayer 2D materials, for memristor or memtransistor applications, including resistive switching behavior and atomic mechanism, high-frequency device performances, and in-memory computing/neuromorphic computing applications. The scaling-down advantages of promising monolayer 2D materials including graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, and hexagonal boron nitride are presented. Finally, the technical challenges of these atomic devices for practical applications are elaborately discussed. The study of monolayer-2D-material-based resistive memory is expected to play a positive role in the exploration of beyond-Si electronic technologies.

Effect of Remote and Virtual Technology on Home Dialysis.

In the United States, regulatory changes dictate telehealth activities. Telehealth was available to patients on home dialysis as early as 2019, allowing patients to opt for telehealth with home as the originating site and without geographic restriction. In 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 was an unexpected accelerant for telehealth use in the United States. Within nephrology, remote patient monitoring has most often been applied to the care of patients on home dialysis modalities. The effect that remote and virtual technologies have on home dialysis patients, telehealth and health care disparities, and health care providers' workflow changes are discussed here. Moreover, the future use of remote and virtual technologies to include artificial intelligence and artificial neural network model to optimize and personalize treatments will be highlighted. Despite these advances in technology challenges continue to exist, leaving room for future innovation to improve patient health outcome and equity. Prospective studies are needed to further understand the effect of using virtual technologies and remote monitoring on home dialysis outcomes, cost, and patient engagement.

The Rise of RNA-Based Therapeutics: Recent Advances and Therapeutic Potential

In recent years, RNA-based therapeutics have emerged as a groundbreaking field, offering innovative approaches for drug development and therapeutic interventions. This review article presents a comprehensive exploration of the advancements in RNA-based therapeutics, focusing on key modalities such as RNA interference (RNAi), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, and other emerging RNA-based therapies. The introduction provides an insightful overview of the potential of RNA as a therapeutic target, highlighting its unique mechanisms of action and its transformative role in precision medicine. Subsequently, the review delves into the intricacies of RNAi, explaining the function of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in selectively silencing disease-associated genes, thereby opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are discussed in detail, elucidating how they target mRNA for degradation or modulation of splicing, offering promising solutions for treating genetic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infections. Additionally, the groundbreaking success of mRNA vaccines is explored, with an emphasis on their role in combatting infectious diseases like COVID-19 and their potential application in cancer immunotherapy and other therapeutic areas. Addressing the critical issue of delivery challenges in RNA-based therapeutics, the review presents various strategies to enhance stability, cellular uptake, and minimize immunogenicity, thereby improving the effectiveness of these therapies in reaching their intended targets. Clinical successes and challenges of RNA-based therapeutics are critically evaluated, providing insights into ongoing clinical trials and approved therapies. Success stories underscore the transformative potential of RNA-based treatments, while safety concerns are addressed, paving the way for safer and more efficient therapeutic applications. The review concludes by exploring future prospects and innovations in the field, highlighting novel delivery strategies, advancements in RNA editing technologies, and the promise of combination therapies to augment therapeutic outcomes. Regulatory considerations and commercialization challenges are also discussed, offering an understanding of the regulatory landscape for RNA-based therapeutics and the potential for market growth. In conclusion, this review article serves as an informative resource for researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical professionals, shedding light on the rapid progress in RNA-based therapeutics and their potential to revolutionize disease treatment. By integrating knowledge from diverse sources, this review contributes to advancing the field and underscores the exciting possibilities of RNA-based interventions in improving patient outcomes and addressing unmet medical needs.

Coronary Artery Surgery: Past, Present, and Future.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most commonly performed and studied major cardiac operation worldwide. An understanding of the evolution of CABG, including the early days of cardiac surgery, the first bypass operation, continuous improvements in techniques, and streamlining of the operation, is important to inform current trends and future innovations. This article will examine how CABG evolved (from techniques to conduits), describe current trends in the field, and explore what lies on the horizon for the future of CABG.

How incumbents respond to the threat of disruptive innovation: an organisational resilience perspective

ABSTRACT Organisational resilience is a crucial ability to help enterprises overcome crises. However, little attention has been paid to how incumbents form organisational resilience to achieve sustainable development under the impact of disruptive innovation. This paper takes Fujifilm's anti-disruption management practice as a case sample. It adopts an inductive single-case methodology to explore the formation process of organisational resilience in incumbents. The results show that: (1) the development of the incumbent firm is reborn through the stages of recovery, rebound, and surpass. (2) at each stage of the growth of the incumbent firm, it adopts proactive strategic changes and agile resource allocation actions. Under this configuration, its organisational resilience evolves from technology-focused organisational resilience, business-focused organisational resilience, and dual-focused organisational resilience. In turn, the incumbent firm captures recovery, rebound, and surpassing capability. (3)the co-evolution between external crises, organisational resilience, and incumbent growth is the critical path to resist the impact of disruptive innovation for the incumbent. This study enriches the theoretical system of disruptive innovation and organisational resilience. It also proposes valuable managerial insights for incumbents to cope with disruptive innovation crises in future innovation markets.

Enabling food system innovation: accelerators for change

It is widely accepted that current food systems are not on a trajectory for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the end of the decade. Technological innovation will have a considerable role to play in different parts of the food system; many promising options exist or are in the pipeline, some of which may be highly disruptive to existing value chains. Scaling up the innovations required, at the same time as protecting those who may lose out in the short term, will require a strong enabling environment. Here we apply an existing framework of eight change accelerators to six case studies of historical agricultural innovation. We estimated the degree to which each accelerator had been addressed at some stage in the innovation process, as a measure of the gap between what was needed and what was achieved. For the innovations that are being taken to scale and widely utilized, these accelerator gaps are small. Uptake of other innovations is stalled, and for these we found large gaps for one or more of the eight accelerators. Impactful innovation processes address all eight change accelerators at some point, with different phasing of the accelerators depending on the nature of the technology and on the impact pathway being pursued. This simple framework, when used in combination with narratives of uptake based on theories of change and impact pathways, may provide an effective means of screening future innovation processes to help prioritize and guide investment that can lead to more resilient, sustainable and equitable food systems.

Net-Zero Embodied Carbon in Buildings with Today's Available Technologies.

Greenhouse gas emissions from building construction─i.e., the embodied carbon in buildings─are a significant and growing contributor to the climate crisis. However, our understanding of how to decarbonize building construction remains limited. This study shows that net-zero embodied carbon in buildings is achievable across Japan by 2050 using currently available technologies: decarbonized electricity supply, low-carbon steel, low-carbon concrete, increased timber structures, optimized design, and enhanced building lifespan. The largest emissions savings would come from increased use of timber structures, with annual savings of up to ∼35% by 2050, even in cases where timber replaces low-carbon steel and concrete. Moreover, we show that an expanded domestic timber supply, coupled with responsible reforestation, could improve forest carbon uptake by up to ∼60% compared to the business-as-usual scenario, without the need to increase forest area. This is achieved through a forest-city carbon cycle that transfers carbon stocks of mature trees to cities as building materials and rejuvenates forests through reforestation. Collectively, our analysis demonstrates that the decarbonization of building construction depends not on future technological innovation, but rather on how we design and use buildings with the options we already have.

Portugal’s Crowdfunding: A Systematic Literature Review

This study aims to analyze and classify the evolution of crowdfunding in Portugal from 2014 to 2020, addressing the central question, “What is the evolution of literature on crowdfunding and its research focuses in Portugal?”. Additionally, it investigates, through the sub-question, if crowdfunding is perceived as an alternative form of financing. The methodology employs a systematic review, covering four thematic areas: (1) research focus—concepts; (2) research method—quantitative/qualitative identification; (3) geographical area—countries of study; (4) innovation—future research areas. The research begins with Google Scholar, followed by a more specific search of the B-On database, focusing on the Portuguese context. Results highlight the scarcity of research in Portugal, emphasizing the nascency of crowdfunding in the country. The study reveals the importance of investor behavior, influenced by platform security and regulations. Growth in crowdfunding in Portugal is anticipated, attracting multidisciplinary interest but emphasizing the need for more comprehensive studies. Despite limitations in data availability, the study provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs seeking alternative financing in Portugal, demonstrating crowdfunding as an alternative financing method. Integration of crowdfunding with technology, especially blockchain, is suggested as a potentially disruptive system, paving the way for future research and innovations.

Enhancing SME innovation across European regions: Success factors in EU-funded open innovation networks

This study examines the funding allocations to Open Innovation (OI) networks involving small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and other organizational actors by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation program (2018–2021). Using a unique dataset of program application information at the participant level, the technological, organizational and locational characteristics of SMEs' OI innovation networks are analyzed. Success in securing funding is found to be linked to host regional innovation performance and to technological distance among SMEs and their partners, while organizational distance has a curvilinear effect. Counter to program objectives, partner heterogeneity has some mixed effects. Insights are offered for SMEs on strategic positioning and to policymakers on the design of future innovation policy initiatives.

A review of just‐in‐time learning‐based soft sensor in industrial process

AbstractData‐driven soft sensing approaches have been a hot research field for decades and are increasingly used in industrial processes due to their advantages of easy implementation and high efficiency. However, nonlinear and time‐varying problems widely exist in practical industrial processes. Just‐in‐time learning (JITL) was proposed to solve these problems and has attracted great attention in practical applications. To present a comprehensive review of JITL‐based soft sensor studies and provide detailed technical guidance for new researchers, this paper introduces the recent research on JITL‐based soft sensor modelling methods in the industrial process from three aspects: similarity criterion, sample subset, and local model, which include the whole process of establishing a JITL‐based soft sensor. Moreover, the future research and innovation directions of JITL‐based soft sensors in industrial processes are also prospected.