Technical Capabilities Research Articles

The Relationship between the Technical Capabilities of Revenue Management and Firm Performance

The study investigates the relationship between revenue management technical capabilities and firm performance, focusing on the hotel industry. It formulates hypotheses regarding the impact of market segmentation, demand forecasting, capacity allocation, and information technology on firm and marketing performance. The research employs a questionnaire-based data collection process to gather information from hotel managers, and the study's scales are adapted and validated to ensure reliability. The findings reveal significant relationships between market segmentation and financial performance, providing insights for hotels to optimize their operations and enhance their competitive edge. However, the study acknowledges limitations such as sample size constraints and the cross-sectional nature of the data, Proposing future research directions to overcome these limitations and investigate other factors affecting financial and marketing performance in the hotel sector.

Comparison and analysis of ophthalmic resources and service ability in Shanxi Province in 2014 and 2021

Objective: To compare and analyze the ophthalmic resources and service ability in Shanxi Province in 2014 and 2021, and to provide reference for the development planning of ophthalmology and eye care. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was conducted among all ophthalmic institutions registered in the health administrative department in 11 cities of Shanxi Province by the end of 2014 and 2021 by using the National Ophthalmology Competency Resource Questionnaire (compiled by the Medical Administration and Hospital Authority of the National Health and Wellness Commission). The basic situations of ophthalmic institutions in 2014 and 2021, as well as the human resources, ophthalmic equipment configuration, technology and medical service capabilities, were recorded and compared. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 270 questionnaires for 2014 were collected from 270 ophthalmic institutions, and 292 questionnaires for 2021 from 292 ophthalmic institutions. The institution categories in 2014 (197 general hospitals, 31 eye hospitals and 42 others) were statistically different from those in 2021 (182 general hospitals, 45 eye hospitals and 65 others) (P<0.05). The proportion of doctors with senior titles in ophthalmic institutions increased from 25.5% (346/1 358) in 2014 to 41.7% (580/1 391) in 2021, the proportion of senior technicians increased from 9.4% (14/148) to 25.3% (110/435), the proportion of doctors with junior titles decreased from 42.1% (572/1 358) to 26.5% (369/1 391), and the proportion of junior technicians decreased from 45.3% (67/148) to 39.1% (170/435). There was a significant difference in the distribution of professional titles between doctors and technicians in ophthalmic institutions (P<0.05). The number of doctors (130 to 28), nurses (152 to 50), technicians (33 to 11) and full-time optometrists (44 to 12) in the first-class ophthalmic institutions decreased, the increase of equipment with the ophthalmic A-ultrasound scan system, fundus camera and coherent optical tomography system (35.1%, 28.9% and 25.4%; P<0.05) ranked the top three, and the increase of performing the phacoemulsification procedure, intraocular lens implantation, intravitreal injection and iris surgery (30.2%, 24.7% and 20.7%; P<0.05) ranked the top three in 2021 as compared to 2014. Conclusions: The resources and service ability of ophthalmology in Shanxi Province developed in 2021 in comparison with 2014. However, there were some problems, such as changes in the type and structure of eye institutions, unreasonable proportions of professional titles, insufficient human resources in primary ophthalmic institutions, and slow improvement in the allocation of ophthalmology equipment and technical capabilities.

Digitization of local self-government based on the use of artificial intelligence in the context of sustainable development

The subject of the research is the processes of transformation of modern local self-government public administration based on the development and application of AI-based technologies. The article claims that the rapid development and advancement of digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, made significant impact on public governance at the local level, both in its ‘architecture’ and processes. It is shown that AI encompasses a range of capabilities that are accelerating progress toward the sustainable development and SDGs, while at the same time it may also inhibit some targets within sustainable development. It is emphasized that increasing government’s AI maturity in local self-government requires pairing human and technical capabilities with strategy and governance.

Spor Lesů České republiky, s. p., se správními orgány o včasnou reakci na kůrovcovou kalamitu

The bark beetle calamity that hit the Czech Republic has been reflected, among other things, in the approach of administrative authorities and courts reviewing administrative acts. The article is an expert report that provides information on the judgment of the Municipal Court in Prague, which reflects the current approach of the courts to the assessment of offences consisting in neglect of forest care during the bark beetle calamity. The example of the state entity shows how this entity uses technical and professional security in the case of forest care during a bark beetle calamity. By analyzing the court decision, it was concluded that it is necessary to strictly comply with the obligations of the forest manager or owner to ensure forest protection against bark beetle calamity, but it should not become a precedent against small owners who do not have the personnel and technical capabilities of large forestry companies. According to the conclusions, it is evident that the court decision imposes high requirements on the forest owner, which the small owner is not able to meet. The article invites a discussion on whether the state should take a more active role in measures against bark beetle calamities.

Using open online courses on programming in organizing independent work of students

The article highlights the need to use online courses on programming, including automatic code checking, in organizing independent work of high school students. An overview of open online courses designed to study the Python programming language, implemented on different platforms, is provided. The capabilities of each online course for solving educational problems, such as general training of students in programming, preparation for state exams, developing skills in solving Olympiad problems, organizing project activities, and career guidance for schoolchildren are discussed. The technical capabilities of the platforms on which the courses are presented are analyzed from the point of view of their didactic potential. Forms of organizing independent work of students using online courses on programming are proposed. The general algorithm for solving programming problems is specified taking into account the specifics of using the automatic system for checking and evaluating the solution implemented in online courses.

Constraints on Interstellar Sovereignty

Human space exploration and settlement of other planets is becoming increasingly technologically feasible, while mission concepts for remote and crewed missions to nearby star systems continue to be developed. But the long-term success of space settlement also requires extensions and advances in models of governance. This paper provides a synthesis of the physical factors that will constrain the application of sovereignty in space as well as legal precedent on Earth that likely applies to any crewed or uncrewed missions to other stellar systems. The Outer Space Treaty limits the territorial expansion of states into space, but the requirements for oversight of nongovernmental agencies and retention of property ownership enable the extension of state jurisdiction into space. Pragmatic constraints from historical precedent on Earth suggest that new space treaties will be unlikely to succeed and new global space agencies may have limited jurisdiction over states, while hard constraints of the space environment require adherence to technical capabilities, political feasibility, and long-term sustainability. These factors form a three-prong test for assessing the viability of interstellar governance models. This discussion of interstellar governance is intended to further the conversation about sovereignty in space prior to the first intentional launch of any interstellar spacecraft. Keywords: Space Settlement, Space Colonization, Interstellar Travel, Governance, Outer Space Treaty

Development of an intelligent model for management of the requirements of marketing projects of the pharmaceutical industry

The object of research is the processes of managing the requirements of the marketing project using means of intelligent data analysis and artificial intelligence systems. Marketing projects include a large number of projects of various types, formats and scales. The work considers projects that are initiated at an existing pharmaceutical enterprise that produces drugs for the local market. Over a period of time, the company needs to introduce new dosage forms to the market. It is not about the development of new innovative drugs. Usually, these are new mixtures of known components, but according to the results of global research, adding new components to the formulation gives a new, additional effect. Also, it can be a new form, for example, a spray or syrup for children, etc. Nevertheless, in order to produce such a new product and bring it to the market, to make a profit, it is necessary to conduct a study of the local market in order to find analogues, consumer expectations and predict future cash flows from sales of new drugs. In order to form requirements for the project of creating and manufacturing a new medicinal form, the company initiates marketing projects. Such marketing projects are the subject of research. As a result of the marketing project of the analysis of the drug market, it is necessary to form the contours of a new product and the requirements for the project of creating this product – a new medicinal product. Collecting and forming requirements is not a trivial task. Therefore, in the work, it is proposed to apply means of intelligent data analysis, which will be implemented on artificial intelligence systems. As a result, an intelligent model for managing the requirements of marketing projects of the pharmaceutical industry was developed. The non-triviality of the task of requirements formation is based on the fact that it is multi-criteria. The desired requirements and, accordingly, the future product of the project depend on: the lack of a similar dosage form on the local market, the presence of theoretical and practical pharmacological developments in this direction, the technical and financial capabilities of the enterprise, the expectations of stakeholders and consumers of the product. The use of intelligent tools will allow to avoid a conflict of requirements and to develop a medicine that will not only meet the expectations of all participants of the local pharmaceutical market, but also provide profit to the developing company.

Barriers to the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies within the Australian fashion industry

ABSTRACT The global fashion industry is undergoing rapid digitisation in which new Industry 4.0 technologies are changing the way fashion is designed and produced. The Australian fashion industry is considered to be slow in adopting these new technologies. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the current acceptability of Industry 4.0 technologies and the barriers to adoption within Australia. Data from forty-nine fashion organisations were obtained using a technology acceptance model (TAM) survey and a series of ten semi-structured interviews. The TAM survey results indicate that the industry accepts Industry 4.0 technologies to be useful and somewhat easy to use; however, technologies such as autonomous robotics, sensor and digital twin technologies are currently underutilised. Providing further insight, the interviews highlighted the key barriers to be the lack of industry leadership, misaligned knowledge and skills within higher education, and issues in the accessibility and scalability of technical skills and capabilities.

A Novel Framework to Evaluate the Effect of Strategic Systems Thinking on Sustainable Supply Chain Risks, LARG Capabilities and Performance

Supply chain (SC) disruptions created due to sustainable, social, economic, environmental and technical risks are mitigated by lean, agile, resilient and green (LARG) capabilities across the SC node. This study aims at the assessment and alignment of SC risks and capabilities for a strategic fit of appropriate practices resulting in performance, efficiency and continuity of operations. The novelty of this research work is the investigation of the direct and mediating effects of strategic system thinking (SST) between SC risks, capabilities and performance. A survey comprising of 78 items was administered to 255 managers of Pakistan automotive SC industries. The exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were executed to identify the valid constructs along with their reliability and validity. The structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the conceptual model by establishing the second order constructs. SEM results indicated only technical risks having negative significant effect with performance. In terms of capabilities, the general, efficiency, integration as well as the redundant resources were found to have significant association with SC performance. The SST approach was found to be significantly associated with technical risks and capabilities such as general, recovery and redundancy. The hypothesis of SST as a mediating variable across all factors was not observed to be valid in this research. This study can help in the policy and decision-making as well as strategic assessment, planning, development, positioning and alignment of resources across the sustainable SC. The operations can be influenced positively through system integration and conservation of resources for a sustainable performance. The green, environmental and social risks had higher SC impact and need to be focused upon in Pakistan automotive SC for higher performance and sustainability.

Resource allocation efficiency in 68 county-level traditional Chinese medicine hospitals in China: a data envelopment analysis.

Analysing and evaluating how efficiently health resources are allocated to county-level Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals in Zhejiang Province, this study aims to provide empirical evidence for improving operational efficiency and optimising resource allocation in these hospitals. The study employed a three-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to assess efficiency, using data from 68 county-level TCM hospitals. Four input and five output variables related to TCM services were selected for the analysis. The first-stage DEA results indicated that in 2022, the technical efficiency (TE) of TCM hospitals in Zhejiang Province was 0.788, the pure technical efficiency (PTE) was 0.876 and the scale efficiency (SE) was 0.903. The classification of hospitals into four groups based on the bed size showed statistically significant differences in returns to scale (p<0.001). The Stochastic Frontier Analysis regression results were significant at the 1% level across four regressions, showing that environmental variables such as per capita GDP, population density and the number of hospitals impacted efficiency. In the third stage DEA, after adjusting the input variables, the TE, PTE and SE improved to 0.809, 0.833 and 0.917, respectively. The adjusted mean TE rankings by region were West (0.860) > East (0.844) > South (0.805) > North (0.796) > Central (0.731). There is an imbalance between the inputs and outputs of county-level TCM hospitals. Each region must consider factors such as the local economy, population and medical service levels, along with the specific development characteristics of hospitals, to reasonably determine the scale of county-level TCM hospital construction. Emphasis should be placed on improving hospital management and technical capabilities, coordinating regional development, promoting the rational allocation and efficient use of TCM resources and enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation in county-level TCM hospitals.

From Remote Sensing to Artificial Intelligence in Coral Reef Monitoring

This review comprehensively covers the development of viable unmanned underwater vehicles based on their technical capabilities, in particular those designed to conduct research exploration in underwater ecosystems and address environmental issues through analysis of coral reef vulnerability. The most important elements to be obtained are in situ data samples for analysis and characterization, supported by molecular biomarkers and marine ecology indicators. The following aspects are considered in this study: first, the geographic distribution of coral reefs for the study of marine ecology and molecular biological approaches for the detection of biomarkers to evaluate the vulnerability of coral reefs are detailed; then, the technologies currently available for the study of coral reefs are briefly described, ranging from large-scale capture to local-scale capture directly in the study region, taking advantage of remote sensing systems assisted by aerial technologies, marine vehicles, and artificial intelligence for the mapping, monitoring, and management of coral reefs as well as the characterization of their vulnerability; following this, existing marine vehicle technologies are generally explained, including a categorical description and an updated and highlighted list of innovative and robust marine vehicles that have been used in coral reef applications; the technical capabilities of such vehicle throughout the missions they have been subjected to are presented based on bibliographic references; finally, this review promotes multidisciplinary work to integrate the developments in the associated knowledge areas in order to obtain synergies in the face of challenges related to the massive scale of coral reef degradation worldwide.

Opportunities to Apply Human-centered Design in Health Care With Artificial Intelligence-based Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been proposed to provide a novel opportunity to increase screening for DR. While it is paramount to ensure AI has adequate technical capabilities to perform accurate screening, it is also important to assess how to best implement such technology into clinical practice. Human-centered design offers a methodology to understand the real-world context and behaviors of individuals, engage stakeholders, and rapidly prototype and test solutions, enhancing usability and avoiding unintended consequences. This review describes the methodology of human-centered design, examining how it has been used within a variety of health care contexts, with a particular focus on how it has been used to implement an AI-based DR screening program. Further research is needed to understand the best strategies to implement and evaluate AI in health care.

Потенциальные угрозы, связанные с применением искусственного интеллекта в преступных действиях

The article is devoted to the issues of assessing the threats associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the implementation of criminal actions, taking into account the rapid development of technical capabilities and areas of application of modern neural networks, since the degree of readiness for counteraction directly affects the effectiveness of such counteraction and the efficiency of its application.

Electron Dissipation and Electromagnetic Work

AbstractWith the increase in technical capabilities of computer simulation in recent years, it has become feasible to quantify the degradation of fluid scale plasma and electromagnetic energies in favor of increases of internal energies. While it is understood that electromagnetic energy can be exchanged with fluid scale velocities, it is the pressure strain interaction that exchanges energy between fluid motions and internal energy. Here using simulations of both turbulence and reconnection we show that for electrons, the pressure strain and electromagnetic work are closely related and are frequently comparable when appropriate time and spatial averaging is applied. Otherwise, the instantaneous spatial averaged pressure strain and electromagnetic work are nearly equal for slowly evolving systems, like the reconnection case, while they differ significantly in rapidly evolving systems, like the turbulence case. This clarifies the relationship between these two quantities, which are each frequently used as measures of dissipation.

AVA-YOLO: image-based multiscale feature fusion enhanced perception model for snow avalanche detection

Abstract The global climate change has led to frequent occurrences of snow avalanche disasters. However, the significant variations in scale and shape during the avalanche process, and complex background imagery pose significant challenges to automated detection efforts. There is an urgent need to combine advanced deep learning technology to research automatic detection and recognition of avalanches in the field. In this paper, a novel deep learning model based on YOLOv8 improved multi-scale detection called AVA-YOLO is proposed to solve this problem. In AVA-YOLO, a key component, AKA (AKConv Combined Attention) module was designed and developed. This module combines the deformable convolutional properties of AKConv with the state-of-the-art self-attention module Exponential Moving Average, aiming to better perceive the feature map information of different shaped avalanches and to enhance the global relevance, thus improving the utilization of the information. Secondly, a new multi-scale sensing network structure was designed by increasing the number of detection heads to four and introducing the AKA module into the key positions of the network, while the association between model layers was newly designed to enhance the fusion of shallow and deep information to improve the detection accuracy. Experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of AVA-YOLO, achieving 95.7% mAP50 and 75.6% mAP50:95 detection accuracies, as well as an F1 score of 0.92. Finally, a number of experiments were conducted to demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed model in comparison to other versions of YOLO, which will further exploit the potential of webcams as an underutilized technical capability in snow avalanche intelligence and portable monitoring.

Analysis on the application of FMEA in 'instrument and equipment surface cleaning and disinfection' in hospitals based on standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management.

To analyze the application of 'instrument and equipment surface cleaning and disinfection' in hospitals based on standardization and the management of cleaning and disinfection information systems. Employees and all cleaning and disinfected instruments and equipment from 56 inpatient departments in our hospital were selected as the subjects of observation. The period before the intervention (January 2023) was designated as the control group, while the period after the intervention (July 2023) was designated as the study group. In the control group, the instruments and equipment under routine management were disinfected. The research team applied the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method to clean and disinfect the surfaces of instruments and equipment on the basis of standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management. Employees' theoretical knowledge points and operational skill scores before and after the intervention were compared and evaluated. The changes in the risk priority coefficient (RPN) values of high-risk factors were analyzed. Fifty-six clinical medical staff from 56 inpatient departments in the hospital were selected to evaluate the clinical satisfaction of the cleaning and disinfection management of instruments and equipment before and after the intervention, and the clinical satisfaction of the two groups was compared. The scores of theoretical knowledge and operational skills of the staff in the research group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The passing rates of theoretical knowledge and operational skills in the control group and the research group were 44.64 and 94.64% respectively, and 55.36 and 96.43%, respectively. The qualified rate of theoretical knowledge and operational skills of staff in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The RPN scores of medical personnel, environment, system and system guarantee factors in the control group were 80, 80, 80, and 100, respectively. The RPN scores of medical personnel factors, environmental factors, system factors and system guarantee factors in the research group were 6, 24, 24, and 36, respectively. Through standardization and cleaning and disinfection information system management, the theoretical knowledge and technical operation capabilities of cleaning can be effectively improved.

Research on Influencing Factors of Catch-Up in Complex Product Systems: Taking the China Manned Space Engineering Application System as an Example

In the face of escalating global competition in science and technology, complex product systems (CoPS) have emerged as a significant indicator of comprehensive national strength. The exploration of the catch-up phenomenon holds substantial implications for subsequent development of CoPS. Existing CoPS research often focuses on a single engineering task (such as high-speed rail) and market logic (such as the telecommunications industry), examining the catch-up phenomenon from a single or hard-power perspective. However, the China Manned Space Engineering Application System (CMSEAS), with its significant international influence and dual characteristics of scientific research and engineering development, presents a different scenario. Its market value is difficult to be reflected in a short time, making the relevance of existing research limited. This study selected CMSEAS as a case, and acquired data through interviews, internal meetings, on-site observations, official websites, archives, and other forms. Based on grounded theory, open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and a saturation test were carried out, and a catch-up model of CoPS was constructed by considering various influencing factors. The results show that the catch-up is driven by five major factors: support force is the basic condition for its gradual growth; the management system, technical capability, and human resource are interdependent and serve as the direct drivers of the catch-up; and social influence plays a significant role in propelling the catch-up indirectly. Notably, the setup of a general department, interaction among different factors, cultural soft power, and social influence serve as useful complements to previous studies.

Assessing the Impact of Sustainable Independent Oil Palm Cultivation on Rural Development: A Case Study of Angkola Sangkunur Sub-District, South Tapanuli Regency

This study evaluates the impact of sustainable independent oil palm cultivation on rural development in the Angkola Sangkunur sub-district, South Tapanuli Regency, Indonesia. The research focuses on five key aspects: legal, technical cultivation, environmental management, labor, and institutional factors. Data was collected through a combination of primary and secondary sources, with primary data obtained via questionnaires distributed to a probability-based sample of 165 respondents. The analysis employed multiple linear regression to assess the influence of each aspect on regional development, with hypotheses tested using both F-tests and t-tests. The results reveal that the technical cultivation and institutional aspects exert a significant positive influence on rural development, underscoring the critical role of advanced agricultural practices and strong governance structures. While legal and environmental management aspects also have positive effects, their impact was not statistically significant, indicating that these factors may require further development or longer timeframes to manifest significant outcomes. Conversely, the labor aspect showed a negative but statistically insignificant effect, suggesting that the costs associated with implementing sustainable labor practices may pose challenges for smallholder farmers. This study concludes that enhancing technical capabilities and institutional frameworks offers the most immediate and substantial benefits for rural development in the region. However, a holistic approach that also addresses legal, environmental, and labor issues is essential for achieving long-term sustainability. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers focused on sustainable agriculture and rural development.

MSK ultrasound imaging–assisted clinical examination

Musculoskeletal disorders are a significant global health concern, affecting over 1.71 billion individuals worldwide, with a considerable impact on quality of life and economic burden due to healthcare costs and productivity losses. In the United Kingdom, approximately one-third of the population suffers from musculoskeletal disorders, underscoring the need for effective diagnostic and management strategies. Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging emerges as a preferred diagnostic modality, offering a balance between technical capabilities and cost-effectiveness, owing to its non-invasive nature, portability and lack of radiation exposure. However, the operator-dependent nature of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging necessitates specialised training for medical and healthcare professionals. The integration of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging into traditional clinical examinations, known as ultrasound imaging–assisted clinical examination (UIACE), enhances traditional diagnostic processes by providing immediate visual feedback, facilitating a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of musculoskeletal conditions. This approach not only refines diagnosis in cases with ambiguous symptoms or overlapping signs but also significantly improves patient reassurance and management strategies. In addition, incorporating musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging into medical education through ultrasound imaging–assisted clinical examination offers students a dynamic, interactive learning experience, fostering a deeper understanding of clinical anatomy and examination skills. By advocating for its systematic inclusion in the undergraduate medical curriculum, the study highlights the potential to enhance the competence and confidence of future professionals in utilising ultrasound imaging, ultimately improving patient outcomes in musculoskeletal care.

Building strategic human capabilities that drive performance

In the current study, we contend that one way in which the management of people and work impacts organization performance is through building capabilities. More specifically, expanding beyond the traditional HR systems–organization performance research literature, we examine how HR flexibility, technical HRM, strategically-oriented HRM, and workforce strategic importance build a specific type of capabilities, namely organization strategic human capabilities, which in turn drives organization performance. Within a global, cross-industry sample composed of 9,923 individuals from 505 for-profit organizations, HR flexibility, strategically-oriented HRM, and workforce strategic importance were found to have positive effects on organization strategic human capabilities. Our findings also indicate that both technical and strategically-oriented HRM affect organization strategic human capabilities indirectly through HR flexibility. Furthermore, in addition to its positive effect on organization strategic human capabilities, workforce strategic importance was found to moderate HR flexibility’s positive effect on organization strategic human capabilities. Finally, within a subsample composed of 8,060 individuals from 284 for-profit organizations, organization strategic human capabilities were found to be a key proximal precursor of organization performance.