Systematic Literature Review Of Studies Research Articles

Unlocking the potential of Industry 4.0 in BRICS nations: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

PurposeThis study is intended to introduce and summarise Industry 4.0 practices in BRICS nations (the abbreviation “BRICS” is made up of the first letters of the member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and determine each nation’s current contribution to Industry 4.0 practice implementation based on past literature. As the BRICS countries continue to play an essential role in the global economy, it is significant to understand Industry 4.0, focussing on these emerging economies.Design/methodology/approachTo assess the present research work on Industry 4.0 practices and research studies in BRICS nations, a systematic literature review (SLR) is performed using the articles available on the SCOPUS database. This study is a descriptive analysis based on the frequency and year of publications, the most influential universities, most influential journals and most influential articles. Similarly, this study consists of category analysis based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, research design used, research method utilised, different data analysis techniques and different Industry 4.0 technologies were used to solve different applications in the BRICS nations.FindingsAccording to the analysis of past literature, the primary identified practices are centred on operations productivity, waste management, energy reduction and sustainable processes. It also found that despite the abundance of research on Industry 4.0, the major academic journal publications are restricted to a small number of industries and issues in which the manufacturing and automotive industries are front runners. The categorisation of selected papers based on the year of publication demonstrates that the number of publications has been rising. It is also found that China and India, out of the BRICS countries, have contributed significantly to Industry 4.0-related publications by contributing 61 percent of the total articles identified. Similarly, this study identified that qualitative research design is the most adopted framework for research, and empirical triangulation is the least adopted framework in this field. The categorisation of selected articles facilitates the identification of numerous gaps, such as that 67.14% of the literature research is qualitative.Practical implicationsUnderstanding Industry 4.0 in the BRICS nations helps to identify opportunities for international collaboration and future cooperation possibilities. This study helps to promote collaboration between BRICS countries and other nations, organisations or businesses interested in capitalising on these growing economies' assets and capabilities related to Industry 4.0 technologies. This study helps to provide essential insights into the economic, technological and societal impacts, allowing for effective decision-making and strategic planning for a sustainable and competitive future. So, this contribution links the entire world in terms of the better utilisation of resources, the reduction of downtime, improving product quality, personalised products and the development of human resource capabilities through the application of cutting-edge technologies for nearly half of the world’s population.Originality/valueIn this study, BRICS nations are selected due to their significant impact on the world regarding social, economic and environmental contributions. In the current review, 423 articles published up to August 2022 were selected from the SCOPUS database. The comparison analysis of each BRICS nation in the form of applications of Industry 4.0, the primary area of focus, leading industry working, industry involvement with universities and the area that needs attention are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most recent SLR and meta-analysis study about Industry 4.0 in BRICS nations, which analysed the past available literature in nine different descriptive and category-wise classifications, considering a total of 423 articles. Based on this SLR, this study makes some important recommendations and future directions that will help achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability in BRICS nations.

Molnupiravir Use Among Patients with COVID-19 in Real-World Settings: A Systematic Literature Review.

Molnupiravir (MOV) is an oral antiviral for the treatment of individuals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and at high risk of progression to severe disease. Our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) of evidence on the effectiveness of MOV in reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes in real-world outpatient settings. The SLR was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines and using pre-determined population, intervention, comparison, outcome, time, and study design inclusion criteria. Eligible studies were published between January 1, 2021, and March 10, 2023, and evaluated the real-world effectiveness of MOV compared to no treatment in reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes among outpatients ≥ 18years of age with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nine studies from five countries were included in the review. The size of the MOV-treated group ranged from 359 to 7818 individuals. Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 were dominant in all study periods. Most studies noted differences in the baseline characteristics of the MOV-treated and untreated control groups, with the treated groups generally being older and with more comorbidities. Eight studies reported that treatment with MOV was associated with a significantly reduced risk of at least one severe COVID-19 outcome in at least one age group, with greater benefits consistently observed among older age groups. In this SLR study, treatment with MOV was effective in reducing the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 caused by Omicron variants, especially for older individuals. Differences in the ages and baseline comorbidities of the MOV-treated and control groups may have led to underestimation of the effectiveness of MOV in many observational studies. Real-world studies published to date thus provide additional evidence supporting the continued benefits of MOV in non-hospitalized adults with COVID-19.

(Re)countering multilingualism and refugee-background students in Australian compulsory education

Compared with nations around the world, Australia has one of the highest rates of refugee resettlement per capita. Approximately 40 per cent of newly arrived refugees in Australia in 2018–19 were under the age of 18 and close to 90 per cent spoke a language other than English. Given that education is compulsory until the age of 16 in most states and territories of Australia, young people labelled as refugee-background students (RBSs) are tasked with navigating the English-only education system, in which their multilingualism is often viewed as a barrier; however, there are increasing calls for research to focus on the positive, affirmative practices of RBSs through a strengths-based approach in education, to counter a ‘damage-centred’ and deficit discourse. Thus, this article presents a systematic literature review of studies conducted in Australia with RBSs between 2010 and 2022. Specifically, this review explores the strengths-based multilingual practices of RBSs in compulsory education in Australia. Inspired by RefugeeCrit theory, we seek to highlight strengths-based examples of RBSs multilingual practices as examples of counter-narratives to the prevailing deficit discourse, while remaining attentive to issues of trauma, agency and multilingualism.

Statistical data transformation in agrarian sciences for variance analysis: a systematic review

In statistical analyses, a common practice for enhancing the validity of variance analysis is the application of data transformation to convert measurements into a different mathematical scale. This technique was first employed in 1898 by Edgeworth and remains relevant in current scientific publications despite the proliferation of more modern and advanced techniques that obviate the need for certain assumptions. Data transformations, when appropriately used, can make the model error terms approximate a normal distribution. It is also possible to use the technique to correct the heterogeneity of variances or to render an additive model, ensuring the validity of the analysis of variances. Given that this technique can be hastily applied, potentially leading to erroneous or invalid results, we conducted a systematic literature review of studies in the field of agrarian sciences that utilized data transformations for the validation of analysis of variances. The aim was to check the transformations employed by the scientific community, the motivation behind their use, and to identify possible errors and inconsistencies in applying the technique in publications. In this study, we identified shortcomings and misconceptions associated with using this method, and we observed incomplete and inadequate utilization of the technique in 94.28% of the analysed sample, resulting in misguided and erroneous conclusions in scientific research outcomes.

Student Statistical Literacy as An Initial Study for Sekolah Siaga Kependudukan in Indonesia : A Systematic Literature Review

This study aims to analyze studies on statistical literacy skills in Sekolah Siaga Kependudukan (SSK). Statistical literacy skill is part of mathematical literacy skill which is an assessment of students' mathematical abilities. The method used was a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of all research articles indexed in Scopus, Sinta, Google Scholar, Semantic, and ERIC in the period 2018-2023. The search strategy was adjusted to the selection criteria. It used the PRISMA protocol with study characteristics such as education level, year of publication, research method, sample size, journal indexer, and research location. Data analysis of this study was conducted in a quantitative descriptive manner. The results of this SLR study stated that research related to students' statistical literacy skills has relatively increased research trends over the past five years. The research database that has been published and is the result of SLR research shows that most journal indexers are Q2 rank Scopus and are dominated by qualitative research. The majority of research locations were carried out in Indonesia in accordance with the existence of the Sekolah Siaga Kependudukan, which only exists in Indonesia. Further research recommendations can accommodate statistical research and learning with collaborative modules and student activities so as to improve aspects of statistical literacy skills in the form of interpreting, communicating, evaluating, and making data-based decisions.

Systematic literature review based on the descriptive, bibliometric, and content analysis of renewable energy supply chain for a circular economy

Recently, the renewable energy supply chain has gained momentum as a vital component for clean energy, contributing to a sustainable future for the world. The development of the renewable energy supply chain is directly linked to circular economy targets and practices. This paper presents a systematic literature review of studies that analyze the roles, functions, and application objectives of the circular economy in the renewable energy supply chain. The aim of this review is to investigate key elements of renewable energy supply chains in the circular economy, shedding light on the state of research on the progress of sustainability in renewable energy supply chains, and guiding future research. Mainly, the systematic literature review demonstrates its findings by identifying and mapping the collated literature to reviews and applied studies that support and drive the renewable energy supply chain under the circular economy. This review paper is handled with a systematically descriptive, bibliometric, and content analysis hybrid approach, framed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis methodology on the research topic. Findings show that circular economy applications have gained momentum in the renewable energy supply chain; nonetheless, some deficiencies persist. Redesign-based applications and design for recycling concepts encompass a significant gap in the renewable energy supply chain. Moreover, the current literature lacks outcomes on the applicability of circular economy 10R targets and the interrelationship and scalability of sustainable development goals in the renewable energy supply chain.

The Influence of Business Intelligence to Maintain Customer Relationships in Small and Medium Enterprises in Indonesia

The adoption of Business intelligence (BI) has become increasingly prominent among organizations for attracting customers and gaining a competitive edge. This becomes even more important for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which face immense pressure to retain existing customers and attract more customers for survival. This study presents a systematic literature review of studies investigating the impact of BI on customer relations with exclusive focus on Indonesia, which has a growing number of SMEs (also called ‘UMKMs’). By examining 15 papers published between 2013 to 2024, the findings of the study highlight that BI contributes to building better connections with customers and making them feel more engaged and satisfied. This study provides valuable insights for SMEs in Indonesia to adopt BI to attract more customers. The findings of the study also lay the foundation for future research, especially those wanting to perform an empirical investigation.

Challenges and solutions in the development of blockchain applications: Extraction from SLR and empirical study

AbstractData protection is the most prior and valuable concern as stealing personal/organizational data by cyber criminals may arise issues ranging from privacy disclosure to system hacking. Blockchain is considered a top leading technology with the influence to reshape future industries, but like other revolutionary technologies, blockchain has its merits and demerits as well. However, due to its nascent stage, blockchain technology poses numerous challenges that hinder the effective development of blockchain. To uncover this potential hindrance and group the relevant barriers, a total of 12 challenges that may hinder the progress of blockchain application development have been identified from a sample of 52 primary studies. Based on the results of our research, the six challenges are considered critical an account for more than 30% occurrence. The critical challenges are “Lack of Proper Development Tools and Technology,” “Security Precaution Measures,” “Lack of Governance and Standards,” “Lack of Professional Expertise with Essential Skills and Knowledge,” “Lack of Organizational Support,” and “Interoperability Integration.” Using a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) and a questionnaire survey, a list of 65 solutions/practices has been identified to address the challenges that were identified. These solutions/practices will help blockchain developers to address the identified challenges and develop benign blockchain application in future. The results of our questionnaire survey largely align with the findings of the SLR. However, there are variations in the ranking of the challenges between the two datasets. The finding of this paper is to provide insights that can assist in streamlining and optimizing the development process of blockchain applications with greater ease and efficiency.

Performance of clinical, laboratory and imaging features for diagnosing spondyloarthritis-a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

The Berlin algorithm was developed to help diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), but new studies suggest some features typical of SpA are less specific than previously assumed. Furthermore, evidence is lacking for other SpA subtypes (e.g. peripheral SpA). We aimed to review the evidence on the performance of SpA features for diagnosing each SpA subtype. Systematic literature review of studies reporting the diagnostic performance of ≥ 1 SpA feature in patients with suspected SpA. The external reference was the rheumatologist's diagnosis of SpA. Meta-analysis was performed, separately for each SpA subtype, to estimate pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios. Meta-regression assessed the effect of covariates (e.g. feature's prevalence) on each feature's performance. Of 13 844 articles screened, 46 were included. Sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging, damage on pelvic radiographs and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) had the best balance between LR+ and LR- (LR + 3.9-17.0, LR- 0.5-0.7) for diagnosing axSpA. HLA-B27 had an LR+ lower than anticipated (LR + =3.1). Inflammatory back pain (IBP) had low LR + (LR+∼1), but substantially decreased the likelihood of axSpA when absent (LR-=0.3). Conversely, peripheral features and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations showed high LR + (LR+ 1.6-5.0), but were as common in axSpA as no-axSpA (LR-∼1). The specificity of most features was reduced in settings when these were highly prevalent. Limited data precluded a detailed analysis on diagnosing other SpA subtypes. Imaging features and CRP have good diagnostic value for axSpA. However, the specificity of other features, especially HLA-B27 and IBP, is lower than previously known.

Sustainable Last-Mile Logistics in Economics Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

In recent years, many cities throughout the world are facing the impact of last-mile logistics and the resulting rise in urban traffic and pollution. Effects on the environment have been curbed by these dynamics. Urban traffic has a considerable impact in terms of noise emissions, road safety and air pollution: hence, both public and private parties should undertake innovative solutions for reducing the negative effects of last-mile logistics and improving their operational effectiveness. This study aims to provide a systematic literature review of studies having as their main topic environmentally sustainable last-mile logistics with the perspective of economic studies. The review of the literature reveals that the majority of recent studies have been based on engineering and urban planning approaches. Costs and benefits of last-mile logistics are approached with a public economics focus, gathering details from the different papers, starting with the business studies and then exploring the technology-oriented ones. This study aims to detect the different topics and policies discussed in the literature, and it suggests how to incorporate them in creating new measures and policies for last-mile logistics in the urban area, or for revamping current ones.

Prevalence and predictors of sustained remission/low disease activity after discontinuation of induction or maintenance treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic and scoping review

BackgroundTo determine the prevalence of sustained remission/low disease activity (LDA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), separately in induction treatment and maintenance treatment studies, and to identify predictors of successful discontinuation.MethodsWe performed a systematic literature review of studies published from 2005 to May 2022 that reported outcomes after TNFi discontinuation among patients in remission/LDA. We computed prevalences of successful discontinuation by induction or maintenance treatment, remission criterion, and follow-up time. We performed a scoping review of predictors of successful discontinuation.ResultsTwenty-two induction-withdrawal studies were identified. In pooled analyses, 58% (95% confidence interval (CI) 45, 70) had DAS28 < 3.2 (9 studies), 52% (95% CI 35, 69) had DAS28 < 2.6 (9 studies), and 40% (95% CI 18, 64) had SDAI ≤ 3.3 (4 studies) at 37–52 weeks after discontinuation. Among patients who continued TNFi, 62 to 85% maintained remission. Twenty-two studies of maintenance treatment discontinuation were also identified. At 37–52 weeks after TNFi discontinuation, 48% (95% CI 38, 59) had DAS28 < 3.2 (10 studies), and 47% (95% CI 33, 62) had DAS28 < 2.6 (6 studies). Heterogeneity among studies was high. Data on predictors in induction-withdrawal studies were limited. In both treatment scenarios, longer duration of RA was most consistently associated with less successful discontinuation.ConclusionsApproximately one-half of patients with RA remain in remission/LDA for up to 1 year after TNFi discontinuation, with slightly higher proportions in induction-withdrawal settings than with maintenance treatment discontinuation.

Concomitant coronary artery disease development in identical twins: a case report and a systematic literature review

Abstract Case summary: Two 47-year-old monozygotic male twins presented to a tertiary hospital with chest pain (having a 3-month difference in their presentation). They were both smokers without any other standard modifiable risk factor or positive family history. Coronary angiograms of both twins demonstrated concordant coronary anatomy and obstructive CAD in two major epicardial coronary vessels with nearly identical lesions. Lipoprotein(a) [lp(a)] levels were substantially elevated in both twins (170 and 120 mg/dl respectively). Aiming to explain the almost identical CAD observed, next-generation whole-exome sequencing analyses were performed; however, no disease-causing CAD- or lp(a)-related mutation could be identified. Background The occurrence of CAD is strongly affected by genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Currently, a growing yet heterogeneous body of evidence reports the development of concomitant CAD in identical twins; however, no systematic approach has been attempted so far to gather and quantify the existing evidence. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted by searching for original studies in PubMed, WebOfScience and Scopus databases through February 28, 2023 to identify every study reporting the incidence of CAD in monozygotic twin pairs according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and predetermined eligibility criteria (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TWXKP). Results Our search yielded 28 eligible studies encompassing a total of 37 monozygotic twin pairs suffering from CAD and presenting (simultaneously most of them) with acute coronary syndrome (mean age of presentation: 46 years, male percentage: 78%). Coronary angiograms demonstrated lesion and anatomy concordance at a 86% and 79% of the twin pairs, respectively. Concordance of the standard modifiable (environmental) cardiovascular risk factors was identified in at least 75% of the twin pairs, whereas only 4 genetic polymorphisms were identified (i.e., erythrocyte/leucocyte, ACE, LDLR, APOB genes and HLA polymorphisms). Conclusion This is the first systematic literature review of studies reporting identical twin pairs who suffer concomitantly from CAD. Most pairs shared similar environmental risk factors; however, their premature CAD could not be sufficiently explained in most cases leading us to speculate underlying (non-recognized) epigenetic interplay. Monozygotic twin studies -unbiased by age effects- can provide insights into CAD heritability on the grounds of their ability to disentangle the traditional dyad of genetic and environmental factors. Given the limited evidence on disease-causing mutations in the eligible studies, future twin studies are warranted to shed light on non-investigated genetic polymorphisms [such as lp(a)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms] and investigate the within-pair epigenetic drift through novel biomarkers of epigenetic regulation.PRISMA flow diagram of the reviewConcordance of CAD-related risk factors

CONVENTIONAL WRITTEN CORRECTIVE FEEDBACK FOR EFL LEARNERS' WRITING SKILL ENHANCEMENT

English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners around the world have access to various tools for their writing skill enhancement. Those tools are commonly accessed with automated written corrective feedback to help them minimize the errors in writing due to its time efficiency. Additionally, the examples of the written corrective feedback used by EFL learners are commonly Grammarly, Hemingway app, and AI grammar checker. However, they fail to address the pointed needs of EFL learners in writing skill enhancement where English is not the native language, such as the practices in non-native developing countries. Due to writing skill enhancement as the aim of this study, the EFL learners' participation is crucial to its efficacy by conventional model, instead of the automated one. To answer this issue, this study presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) analysis of conventional written corrective feedback as learning as the appropriate model for EFL learners' writing skill enhancement as the reflective practices in light of the shortcomings for EFL learners' writing skill enhancement in Indonesia. This SLR study demonstrates that the conventional written corrective feedback has the potential to support the Indonesian EFL learners' writing skill enhancement by comparing current practices of the corrective feedback as learning for EFL learners in Indonesia with national practices and international ones dealing with non-native developing countries reported in the literature. The conventional written corrective feedback is expected to be an efficient sustainable model to enhance the EFL learners' writing skill because of its empowering organic form.

Nutrient Intake and Status in Children and Adolescents Consuming Plant-Based Diets Compared to Meat-Eaters: A Systematic Review.

Health authorities increasingly recommend sustainable and healthy diets rich in plant foods and with moderate amounts of animal foods. However, there are concerns about whether such diets can meet all nutrient requirements, especially in children and adolescents, who have relatively high nutrient needs for growth and development. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the nutrient intake and status of children and adolescents (2-18 y) consuming plant-based (i.e., vegetarian and vegan) diets compared to those of meat-eating children following a systematic literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2022. Mean intake and status data of nutrients were calculated across studies and benchmarked to dietary reference values and cut-off values for nutrient deficiencies. A total of 30 studies were included (15 in children 2-5 y, 24 in children 6-12 y, and 11 in adolescents 13-18 y). In all diets, there were risks of inadequate intakes of vitamin D and calcium. Children consuming meat had a risk of inadequate folate and vitamin E intake; and mean fiber, SAFA, and PUFA intakes were not in line with the recommendations. Children consuming plant-based diets risked inadequate vitamin B12, iron, and zinc intakes. In contrast to vegans, vegetarian children may not meet the recommended intakes of fiber, SAFA, and possibly PUFA, but their mean intakes were more favorable than in meat-eating children. Although the data are limited and need further validation, our findings indicate that there are risks of nutritional inadequacies in all diet groups. Therefore, increasing consumption of a variety of plant-based foods, in combination with food fortification and supplementation where needed, is recommended for children and adolescents to have sustainable and nutritionally adequate diets.

Risk Factors for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review and Expert Consensus.

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We conducted a systematic literature review of studies focusing on adult patients classified as having SLE-related PAH by searching the electronic databases Embase, Medline, Medline in-progress, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Ichushi Web, Kmbase, and KoreaMed. Based on the findings, we conducted a Delphi survey to build expert consensus on issues related to screening for PAH in patients with SLE and on the importance and feasibility of measuring the identified factors in clinical practice. We included 21 eligible studies for data synthesis. Sixteen factors were associated with an increased risk of SLE-PAH: pericardial effusion, serositis, longer duration of SLE, arthritis, acute and subacute cutaneous lupus, scleroderma pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy, diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide in the lungs (DLCO) <70% predicted, interstitial lung disease, thrombocytopenia, and seven serological factors. Six factors were associated with a decreased risk of SLE-PAH: malar/acute rash, hematologic disorder, renal disorder, higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score, and two serological factors. Among these, there were six risk factors on which the panelists reached strong or general consensus (peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity on echocardiography >2.8 m/s, pericardial effusion, DLCO <70% predicted, scleroderma pattern on nailfold capillaroscopy, brain natriuretic peptide >50 ng/l, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide >300 ng/l). The Delphi panel confirmed the need for a screening tool to identify patients with SLE at high risk of developing PAH and provided consensus on the importance and/or practicality of measuring the identified factors. The risk factors we identified could be used in a screening algorithm to identify patients with SLE with a high risk of developing PAH to facilitate early diagnosis, which could improve prognosis and management of these patients.

Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease in Identical Twins: Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is multifactorial and strongly affected by genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors. Several studies have reported development of concomitant CAD in identical twins. We report a case in which a pair of Caucasian male monozygotic twins presented almost concomitantly with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and had concordant coronary anatomy and identical site of occlusion. We performed a systematic literature review of PubMed, Web Of Science and Scopus databases from inception until 28 February 2023 of case reports/case series reporting the concomitant development of CAD in monozygotic twins. We found 25 eligible case reports with a total of 31 monozygotic twin pairs (including the case from our center) suffering from CAD and presenting (most of them simultaneously) with ACS (mean age of presentation: 45 ± 12 years, males: 81%). Coronary angiograms demonstrated lesion and anatomy concordance in 77% and 79% of the twin pairs, respectively. Screening for disease-related genetic mutations was performed in six twin pairs leading to the identification of five CAD-related genetic polymorphisms. This is the first systematic literature review of studies reporting identical twin pairs suffering from CAD. In summary, there is high concordance of coronary anatomy and clinical presentation between monozygotic twins. Future monozygotic twin studies-unbiased by age effects-can provide insights into CAD heritability being able to disentangle the traditional dyad of genetic and environmental factors and investigate the within-pair epigenetic drift.

Implementation of information and communication technologies in fruit and vegetable supply chain: a systematic literature review

PurposeInformation and communication technology (ICT) implementation has demonstrated usefulness in supply chain coordination and efficiency optimization in various industries and sectors. This study investigates the extent of ICT deployment in fruits and vegetable supply chains (FVSC) from “farm-to-fork” to ensure food security.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology and identified a total of 99 journal articles ranging from 2001 to April 2023 for analysis. The reviewed articles have been classified based on the framework proposed from the perspective of food security. Bibliometric and content analysis is carried out with the final list of articles to extract useful insights.FindingsThe findings reveal that ICT implementation in FVSC is a relatively new research area; researchers have started investigating several aspects of ICT in FVSC through varied research methodologies. Experimental research aimed at addressing food safety and condition monitoring of fruits and vegetables (FV) has started to gain traction while theory building is yet to gain traction in the literature reviewed. Findings indicate further research is required on technologies like blockchain (BCT), artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), especially on key objectives such as food security, and the triple-bottom-line approach of sustainability. It also indicates that implementing relevant ICTs in FVSC can help delay, if not avert, the food crisis predicted by Malthusian theory.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used only well-established databases to ensure quality of the studies examined. There is a possibility of missing out on articles from other sources not considered. As a result, future SLR studies may employ additional databases, such as Springer Link, Taylor and Francis, Emerald Insight and Google Scholar. Other methodologies such as expert interviews and extra empirical methodologies may also be employed to give a more balanced picture and insights into ICTs implementation in FVSC.Practical implicationsThis study offers a summative detail of the status of ICT implementation in FVSC and can serve as a reference guide for stakeholders in developing strategies for efficient FVSC management. This research work highlights the impact of ICT implementation in FVSC on the four pillars of food security which include improved availability, accessibility, utilization and stability.Originality/valueThis study focuses on ICT implementation for food security in FVSC. The SLR highlights the gaps and proffers potential solutions that enhance global efforts on food security through ICT-enabled reduction in food waste and food loss in FVSC.

A systematic literature review of studies on women at the top of firm hierarchies: critique, gap analysis and future research directions

PurposeThis study aims to holistically explore the academic literature on female leaders to identify the key topics and dynamics of the field.Design/methodology/approachThe authors systematically review 532 papers to explore the research on female leaders; based on objective and replicable criteria, the authors identify relevant papers and thus ensure the quality of the analysis. The bibliometric analysis and visualization support us in recognizing trends in this topic.FindingsThis study outlines the state of the art over the past decade by synthesizing theoretical contexts and critically discussing the main streams of research on sustainability, firm outcomes and barriers preventing women from reaching the upper echelons. The authors also explore empirical issues and highlight areas that entail new paths for future scholars.Practical implicationsThe research provides novel evidence of the attempt internationally to increase female participation at the top of the firm hierarchy by analyzing firm outcomes, sustainability and the constraints faced by women in achieving these careers.Social implicationsThe results show that the participation of women in leadership roles is not (only) a matter of compliance with current regulations. Through their ability to monitor key social and environmental issues from a long-term perspective and their attention to the internal control systems, companies more effectively pursue their financial and nonfinancial aims.Originality/valueUsing bibliographic and narrative analyses, this study reviews the literature on women at the top of the firm hierarchy with a focus on business research. The authors extend prior studies by investigating a larger pool of firm roles to provide a comprehensive understanding of this widely discussed topic.

Multimorbidity and food insecurity in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Food insecurity is one of the main factors affecting multimorbidity. Previous studies have shown that food insecurity may lead to multimorbidity due to person's inability to consume nutritious diet. However, considering that multimorbidity may cause work-related disabilities and an unstable income, others support the possible effect that multimorbidity has on food insecurity. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine the relationship between food insecurity and multimorbidity in adults. A systematic literature review of studies was performed using the PubMed, EBSCO and SCOPUS for all articles including adults ≥ 18-year-old with multimorbidity living in developed countries published from August 5th until December 7th 2022. Meta-analysis was performed considering results from the fully adjusted model. The methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies. This systematic review was not registered. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency. Four cross-sectional studies involving 45,404 participants were included in order to investigate the possible impact that food insecurity has on multimorbidity. The study findings showed an increased probability of multimorbidity 1.55 (95% CI:1.31-1.79, p<0.001, I2 = 44.1%) among people with food insecurity. Conversely, three of the included studies, involving 81,080 participants concluded that people with multimorbidity, have 2.58 (95% CI: 1.66-3.49, p<0.001, I2 = 89.7%) times higher odds to present food insecurity. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence of a reverse association between food insecurity and multimorbidity. Further cross-sectional studies must be conducted in order to elucidate the association between multimorbidity and food insecurity across age groups and between the two genders.

Disability Caused by Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Critical Valuation Appraisal.

Measuring disability as a concept of impaired global function enables beneficiaries of treatment, the impact of treatment, and targets of health system investment to be rigorously assessed. Measures of disability are not well established for cleft lip and palate. This study aims to systematically review disability weight (DW) studies pertaining to orofacial clefts (OFCs) and identify methodological strengths and shortcomings of each approach. Systematic literature review of studies that met the following criteria: (1) peer-reviewed publication, (2) focus on disability valuation, (3) mention orofacial clefts, and (4) publication January 2001-December 2021. None. None. None. Disability weight method of valuation and the value itself. The final search strategy yielded 1,067 studies. Seven manuscripts were ultimately included for data extraction. The disability weights used in our studies, including those newly generated or taken from the Global Burden of Disease Studies (GBD), ranged widely for isolated cleft lip (0.0-0.100) and cleft palate with or without cleft lip (0.0-0.269). The GBD studies limited their consideration of cleft sequelae informing disability weights to impact on appearance and speech-related concerns, while other studies accounted for comorbidities such as pain and social stigma. Current measures of cleft disability are sparse, inadequately reflect the comprehensive impact of an OFC on function and socialization, and are limited in detail or supporting evidence. Use of a comprehensive health state description in evaluating disability weights offers a realistic means of accurately representing the diverse sequelae of an OFC.