Source Of Innovation Research Articles

Incorporating a mobile application to support communication about HPV testing among women and professionals: barriers and facilitators from the perspective of health professionals in a middle- and low-income setting in Argentina.

The delivery of positive Human papillomavirus (HPV) test results can have a psychosocial impact and act as a barrier for women to continue the cervical cancer (CC) prevention process. A previous formative research based on a woman's perspective indicated that a mobile app could be an acceptable and appropriate tool to help women obtain information and reduce fears related to a positive result. Based on these findings, we developed an app-based intervention that would function as a support for professionals who offer the HPV test and communicate their results. We report data on the perceptions of healthcare providers regarding the barriers and facilitators to the incorporation, in a low and middle-income context. Qualitative study based on individual semi-structured interviews with health professionals. All the professionals (n =13) took HPV and Pap test samples and provided information on HPV testing, in the public health system of Ituzaingó, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. The themes explored were selected and analysed using domains and constructs of Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Practitioners had a positive assessment of the intervention through most included constructs: adaptability, compatibility, complexity, relative advantage, belief in the validity and robustness of the intervention, innovation source and knowledge and beliefs about the intervention. However, some potential barriers were also identified including: adaptability, tensions for change, relative priority and leadership engagement. Practitioners conditioned the intervention's success to specific adjustments of the app (weight and interface usability), legitimmated institutions' support, and clear and sustained health authorities' commitment and directions. Health professionals had a positive assessment of implementing an app to support the HPV test communication and information provision process, although they conditioned its effectiveness to specific adjustments. The results allow us to identify and develop recommendations for the app to be implemented effectively and sustained over time. The findings of this study have important implications not only for Argentina, but also for other low and middle-income countries, given that the implementation could be adapted, with the aim of improving communication between patients and health institutions in the CC prevention process.

Carob pulp flour as an innovative source of bioactive molecules for the preparation of high-value-added jellies

The rising demand for healthier alternatives to traditional sugary products has driven the exploration of natural substitutes for sucrose. This study aimed to investigate carob pulp flour (CPF) as a viable alternative to sucrose in the production of high-value jellies with enhanced health benefits. Carob pulp flour was spectroscopically characterized, revealing the presence of bioactive molecules, such as natural antidiabetic polyols and polyphenols. Colorimetric tests demonstrated a significant concentration of polyphenolic molecules in CPF, with a remarkable scavenging activity against radical species in both organic and aqueous environments. Jellies based on CPF (CGC) were successfully prepared and exhibited strong antioxidant activity against ABTS (IC50 0.158 mg mL−1) and DPPH (IC50 0.175 mg mL−1) radicals, maintaining their properties over 15 days, unlike the sucrose-based control, which showed no antioxidant activity. The CPF-enhanced jellies consistently demonstrated higher G′ values (in the range 20–35 °C) than the sucrose-based jellies, indicating improved consistency, elasticity, and strong gel properties, even at higher temperatures. Sensory analysis revealed significant differences, with CPF-based jellies displaying enhanced chocolate (2.3 ± 1.0), ripe fruit (2.3 ± 1.8), and caramel odors (2.0 ± 0.9), as well as increased bitterness and astringency, reduced sweetness, and improved texture. Additionally, CPF-based jellies exhibited significant hypoglycemic properties, with dose-dependent inhibitory effects on α-amylase (57.7 %) and α-glucosidase (50.3 %), and a moderate lipase inhibitory effect (48.6 %) at the maximum concentrations tested. The findings of this study highlight the potential of CPF as a functional ingredient in the food industry, offering a healthier alternative to sucrose in jelly production. The inclusion of CPF not only enhances the antioxidant and sensory properties of jellies but also contributes to significant hypoglycemic effects, making it a promising candidate for the development of functional foods with added health benefits.

Shared business understanding and innovation: The role of firm dominant logic in business model innovation

Business model innovation (BMI) is a key source of innovation that may create a competitive advantage for firms. Drawing insights from the activity system perspective of BMI and dynamic managerial capabilities literature, we argue that a firm's dominant logic promotes BMI, which in turn influences firm performance. We further investigate the boundary condition of managerial connections as providers of privileged resources and information. We examine the proposed hypotheses on a sample of 189 Chinese firms. Our findings suggest that firm dominant logic facilitates both novelty- and efficiency-centered BMI. Further, the two types of BMI affect firm performance differently. Specifically, efficiency-centered BMI improves performance, but novelty-centered BMI does not. In addition, managerial connections strengthen the effect of firm dominant logic on novelty-centered BMI but do not significantly influence the effect of efficiency-centered BMI, reflecting differences between novelty-centered and efficiency-centered BMI. This study is thus noteworthy in its contribution to both the BMI and dynamic capabilities literature.

Integrated photon pairs source based on counter-propagating spontaneous four wave mixing in a silicon nitride microring resonator

We report the design of an innovative visible-telecom photon pair source based on counter-propagating spontaneous four wave mixing (CP-SFWM) in a silicon nitride microring resonator. Unlike previous designs, the proposed integrated source achieves automatic phase matching, eliminating the need for dispersion engineering. By employing two lasers at wavelengths of 800 nm and 1550 nm as pumps on opposite ends of the bus waveguides, the resonator generates signal and idler photons at the same wavelengths as the pumps, but propagating in opposite directions. The photon pairs are produced in high-quality factor resonant modes, exhibiting a purity of 1, a brightness of 118.70pairs⋅s−1⋅mW−2, and bandwidths of 157.9 MHz and 79.7 MHz for signal and idler photons, respectively. Our proposal outperforms previous CP-SFWM designs in terms of spectral properties of the photon pairs, emission rate, and scalability, making it an interesting alternative for the implementation of integrated photon pair sources for photonic networks.

Potential uses of silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori L.) in food, feed, and other industries: a systematic review.

The increasing pressures imposed on ecosystems by the growing needs of the human population are stimulus for research into innovative and unconventional sources of raw materials for different industries. This systematic review was carried out to investigate the available literature on the possible industrial uses of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) pupae, a residue of silk production. The review was conducted using an adapted version of PRISMA. After a screening process, 105 articles were obtained and subjected to a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis. It was found that in the last decade there has been a significant increase in the number of papers devoted to the study of the potential use of silkworm pupae in different applications, with a significantly higher number in the last three years of the scope of this review, indicating a growing interest in the subject. From the analysis of the information collected, promising uses in human and animal food, such as fish, mammalian, poultry, swine and companion animals, as well as potential uses for the pharmaceutical industry, were identified. The evaluated research identified compounds with antioxidant activity and important contents of unsaturated fatty acids, which are related to beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, diabetes control, reduction of the risk of developing certain types of cancer and inflammatory activity, among other benefits. One of the most relevant findings is that many studies report a significant concentration of α-linolenic acid in silkworm pupae oil, which is attributed with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-obesity and neuroprotective properties, among others.

When is an SNP not an SNP?

Genomic duplications are important sources of structural change and gene innovation. In humans, the most recent and highly identical sequences (>90% homology, >1 kb long) are known as segmental duplications (SDs). Single-nucleotide variants or single-nucleotide polymorphisms within SDs have not been systematically assessed due to limitations around mapping short-read sequencing data. Single-nucleotide variant rs62486260 was flagged in a study of familial renal stone disease but it was unclear whether it was real or an artifact resulting from the presence of a SD. We describe in silico and wet-lab approaches to investigate this, using segment-specific long-PCR assays, followed by short PCR for Sanger sequencing. Our conclusion was that rs62486260 is an artifact. Our approach can be generalized to deal with other such situations.

Automated design of multi-target ligands by generative deep learning

Generative deep learning models enable data-driven de novo design of molecules with tailored features. Chemical language models (CLM) trained on string representations of molecules such as SMILES have been successfully employed to design new chemical entities with experimentally confirmed activity on intended targets. Here, we probe the application of CLM to generate multi-target ligands for designed polypharmacology. We capitalize on the ability of CLM to learn from small fine-tuning sets of molecules and successfully bias the model towards designing drug-like molecules with similarity to known ligands of target pairs of interest. Designs obtained from CLM after pooled fine-tuning are predicted active on both proteins of interest and comprise pharmacophore elements of ligands for both targets in one molecule. Synthesis and testing of twelve computationally favored CLM designs for six target pairs reveals modulation of at least one intended protein by all selected designs with up to double-digit nanomolar potency and confirms seven compounds as designed dual ligands. These results corroborate CLM for multi-target de novo design as source of innovation in drug discovery.

Navigating Nepal’s Economic Growth and Carbon Emissions: Insights into the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC)

This research aims to employ the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method within the insight into the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) to verify whether EKC exists in the Nepalese economy. In this research, variables were used, such as carbon emissions per capita, GDP per capita, energy use per capita, trade volume, and urbanization from 1980 to 2021, and the ARDL method was used. The data has been taken in this research except trade volume from the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance, Nepal. The data sets are converted into the natural logarithmic form to minimize the problem of heteroskedasticity. The findings provide compelling evidence for the existence of the EKC in Nepal, that economic growth has an inverted U-shaped impact on carbon emissions. In the early stages of development, economic growth leads to rising carbon emissions, but in the later stages, economic growth becomes associated with declining emissions. Besides economic growth, per capita energy consumption and urbanization emerge as significant drivers of carbon emissions. However, the trade volume is not found to be the driving factor of carbon emissions. The findings of this study have significant policy implications for global climate change issues and Nepal’s transition from an underdeveloped to a developing nation. To achieve harmonious economic growth and emissions reduction, donor countries and agencies to partner with Nepal in its ambitious endeavors. This partnership can take shape through multifaceted support as fueling socio-economic progress that aligns with Nepal’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, ensuring that development and sustainability walk together. This research recommends the government of Nepal electrify the transportation landscape by incentivizing the adoption of electric vehicles, paving the way for cleaner air and a healthier planet, empowering Nepal’s natural guardians by strengthening public and private forest programs, safeguarding invaluable ecosystems and biodiversity and curbing the tide of waste mismanagement through strict regulations and robust enforcement, transforming a potential threat into a source of innovation and resourcefulness. These measures, aligned with sustainable employment generation, can pave the way for a brighter and greener future for Nepal.

Drivers of metaverse adoption for enhancing marketing capabilities of retail SMEs

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rely on a thriving distribution network and digital technologies, including the metaverse, to remain competitive. The retail industry is perceived as a portfolio-based and granular business. Hence, retail SMEs can be a key source of innovation and a major source of growth that need technical flexibility to react quickly to changing customer needs. Therefore, grounded in the TOE framework, this study is undertaken to explore the drivers of metaverse adoption for enhancing the marketing capabilities of retail SMEs. Online surveys were used to gather primary data from 300 marketing practitioners employed in retail SMEs. Subsequently, the data were analysed using quantitative research methodology. The finding reveals that the metaverse is gaining attention from retail SMEs due to its technological, organisational, and environmental drivers, as well as its ability to provide immersive experiences to customers. Thereafter, metaverse adoption enhances the marketing capabilities of SMEs with new sales channels, tailored marketing, and increased customer reach with an understanding of the marketplace focused on customer relations, market research, and cross-management capabilities.

Predicting the Intention to Adopt WhatsApp Groups as an Innovative Source of Business Financing: An Application of the Technology Acceptance Model

The purpose of this study was to examine the intention to adopt the WhatsApp group as a source of business financing. The study incorporated anxiety, perceived content quality (PCQ), perceived system quality (PSQ), and image into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to forecast the adoption level in WhatsApp groups based on these variables. Employing a quantitative research approach, data was gathered through an online questionnaire from 362 respondents in Ghana. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed for data analysis using Amos 27. Findings revealed positive effects of image, perceived content quality, and perceived ease of use on perceived usefulness. Additionally, the study identified that perceived system quality had a significant effect on perceived ease of use, while perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness had significant effects on attitude towards use. Also, perceived usefulness and attitude towards use had significant positive effects on behavioural intention. Finally, the study found that attitude toward use played a partial mediating role in the relationships between perceived usefulness and behavioural intention to use. This empirical paper is one of the first to have tested the TAM in the users' intention to adopt the WhatsApp group as a source of business financing.

Transformation of agro industrial waste from peanut hulls as an innovative source for sustainable cellulosic dyeing and antimicrobial finish

Transformation of agro industrial waste from peanut hulls as an innovative source for sustainable cellulosic dyeing and antimicrobial finish

Surnames in Local Newspapers and Social Mobility

This study aims to investigate social mobility by introducing an innovative data source: surnames in newspapers. The core hypothesis posits that frequent mentions in newspapers are indicative of greater social relevance. Through the collection of local newspaper data in the municipality of Modena, Italy, from 1921 to 2011, we examine variations in the relative representation of surnames in newspapers with respect to their presence in registry data. The results suggest that surnames in newspapers are not a random sample of the population, supporting the assumption that they reflect social significance. Surnames belonging to privileged groups exhibit a higher representation compared to other social groups. This higher relative representation seems to be transmitted to future generations and converges over time toward the mean, with variations depending on the considered high-status group. This kind of analysis could contribute to identifying different mobility patterns at the local level and represents a useful alternative when established data sources, such as income, education, and occupational data, are not available.

A roadmap to the enzymes from spider venom: biochemical ecology, molecular diversity, and value for the bioeconomy

Spiders are ancient and highly successful predators, which use venom for both predation and defense. Their venoms are complex mixtures of potent biological molecules, emerging as a prolific source of biomolecular innovation in agriculture, biomedicine, and bioeconomy. While small cysteine-rich neurotoxins are typically considered the main components of spider venoms, recent research has shown that spider venoms also contain many high-molecular-weight proteins, especially enzymes. To date, very little is known about the diversity, biochemistry and ecology of these components. Here, we provide the first systematic overview of spider venom enzymes, describing all known examples in terms of their properties and functions in the spider venom system. We argue that the sheer diversity of these neglected spider venom compounds offers significant translational potential and holds great potential for the bioeconomy, reflecting a wide range of technical applications such as industrial production, food processing, and waste management.

An implementation evaluation of a sports-based health intervention for underrepresented middle school youth in Philadelphia.

Multicomponent, community-based programs aiming to improve health behaviors in youth are needed but can be challenging to implement. Research is needed to better understand the factors that facilitate and inhibit effective implementation of these programs especially for youth at increased risk of health disparities. This study aimed to identify and explore the implementation determinants and outcomes of a multicomponent health intervention conducted from 2021 to 2022 for middle school students living in underserved communities in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Mixed methods approaches, including self-report surveys and semi-structured qualitative interviews, were administered to 18 members of the implementation staff at the end of the program, including coaches (n = 7), assistant coaches (n = 2), school champions (n = 6), administrative leaders (n = 2), and a school district administrator (n = 1). Survey and interview questions were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), and interviews were thematically coded following transcription based on 26 CFIR constructs. Innovation source, evidence strength and quality, cosmopolitanism, and the personal attributes of individuals were key constructs associated with implementation effectiveness. Data revealed three multidimensional themes that highlighted broader challenges influencing implementation: (i) broad consensus, different interpretations, (ii) staffing challenges, and (iii) continuity is key. The need for the program was clearly recognized and overall belief in the purpose of the intervention was strong among key program staff and administration. However, issues including limited engagement with training, staffing turnover, and the rotational programming design hindered implementation. Future projects aiming to implement multicomponent after-school time interventions must ensure a consistent vision among partners and continuity in program delivery.

Voice as a Source of Innovation: The Role of Manager Solicitation and Evaluation of Voice

Voice as a Source of Innovation: The Role of Manager Solicitation and Evaluation of Voice

Cultivating Surprising Sources of Innovation Within Your Organization

Cultivating Surprising Sources of Innovation Within Your Organization

Meningkatkan Daya Saing UMKM melalui Analisis SWOT dan NIB

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are critical as the backbone of local economies and a source of innovation in this rapidly evolving economic world. MSMEs have great potential but often face problems such as lack of capital, limited market access, and lack of knowledge of business strategies. This activity report discusses the mentoring efforts made to support MSMEs, specifically "Brewman Coffee", in analysing their business SWOT and helping them to create a Business Identification Number (NIB) to support business legality and growth. The goal of this activity is that MSMEs can prepare themselves to face market challenges and better utilise existing opportunities through this mentoring. The methods used were observation, interviews, training and mentoring, and monitoring and evaluation. The activity results show that partners understand the business strategy to be carried out and can make NIB independently. The next activity is expected that partners can continue to manage legality so that they can compete globally.

Malay Cultural Heritage Preservation Through Seni Tekat Motif On Kerongsang Tok Design

Seni Tekat is a form of embroidery on cloth, usually velvet, using gold threads, and has been an important form of cultural expression throughout history. The art of seni tekat embroidery is a treasure inherited from our famous ancestors in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. In Malaysia, Seni Tekat is a work-related skill heritage hand decorated with gold or silver thread embroidery sewn on a velvet base cloth according to a certain motive or pattern. The design senses of the motifs found in the gold thread art are inspired by the design composition of the pattern that borrows the design that is sourced from nature available in Malaysia. This form of embroidery has been down through generations, and it continues to be an important aspect of Malaysian culture. Preserving cultural heritage through Seni Tekat is a way of ensuring that the tradition does not disappear with time. Seni Tekat is an important part of Malaysian culture, and it must be preserved for future generations. Seni tekat can be used in several ways to ensure that the tradition continues to thrive. By creating Kerongsang Tok design using seni tekat motifs, and incorporating it into modern designs, the art of knotting can remain an integral part of Malaysian culture for years to come. The most important objectives of this research are to create an innovative source of inspiration for the Kerongsang Tok design and to preserve the Malay heritage of culture via the new design of Kerongsang Tok inspiration. The ideation process, which has a direct relationship to the fundamentals of Kerongsang Tok design, forms the basis of this design research. The process of creation starts with the design of the Kerongsang Tok, which is developed incorporating Malay patterns to complement its new source of inspiration. A survey has been conducted to determine which design is the best, with input from academics, students, goldsmiths, and jewellery designers. Based on the poll outcomes, an innovative inspiration for the Kerongsang Tok design was created. This study will help to preserve Malaysia's legacy, provide an educational resource for future generations, and promote an awareness of our unique cultural heritage.

Revenue Diversification on Financial Sustainability of Public Universities in Kenya

Public universities play a critical role through academic empowerment of the citizens and actively participating in knowledge dissemination and research in society. However, despite being the centers of knowledge creation and development, one of the significant challenges facing public universities in Kenya is financial sustainability. This is evidenced by growing debt from financial institutions, unremitted statutory deductions, and shrinking government grants. Whereas proponents of sound financial management practices including revenue diversification hold the practices as possible solutions for financial sustainability of every organization, few studies have been done to ascertain this position in Kenyan public universities. Therefore, this paper sought to assess the effect of revenue diversification on financial sustainability of Kenyan public universities. The study used modern portfolio theory and financial sustainability model to discuss the variables. A descriptive research design was adopted while targeting 41 public universities for the study. Random sampling approach was applied to select 22 out of the 41 public universities. Using a secondary data collection template, secondary panel data was collected from the office of auditor general for the financial years 2018/2019 to 2022 / 2021.The study found revenue diversification had a negative significant impact on financial sustainability using gearing ratio and a positive significant effect on financial sustainability using sustainability ratio in Kenyan public universities. The study recommends that public universities should explore innovative alternative sources of revenue and close revenue-generating units whose marginal costs are higher than marginal revenues.

Essential Oils from Native Brazilian Plants of the Genus Eugenia as an Innovative and Sustainable Source of Active Ingredients for Food Systems and Human Health and Well-Being

Brazil is home to some of the world’s greatest biodiversity, providing an immeasurable number of new opportunities and unexplored sources of native plants for the development of products, extracts, foods, and compounds of social and economic interest. Among these, plants of the genus Eugenia stand out because of the large number of species found in Brazilian territory, many of which are endemic and exclusive to Brazil. These plants have emerged as potential sources for obtaining essential oils with relevant biological activities. In this context, the present review provides an overview of essential oils derived from the main native plants of Brazilian socio-biodiversity from the genus Eugenia with food value (Eugenia stipitata, Eugenia dysenterica, Eugenia involucrata, Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia klotzschiana, Eugenia uniflora, and Eugenia pyriformis) and their phytochemical profile and health beneficial effects. The compiled data showed that the essential oils of these plants are composed mainly of sesquiterpenes and, in smaller quantities, monoterpenes and other compounds. These compounds contribute to different biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiparasitic effects. These findings demonstrate that the essential oils of Brazilian native plants of the genus Eugenia can be a promising raw material for active ingredients to develop innovative and sustainable food products, drugs, and cosmetics.