Advent Research Articles

On quasi-linear reaction diffusion systems arising from compartmental SEIR models

The global existence and boundedness of solutions to quasi-linear reaction-diffusion systems are investigated. The system arises from compartmental models describing the spread of infectious diseases proposed in Viguerie et al. (Appl Math Lett 111:106617, 2021); Viguerie et al. (Comput Mech 66(5):1131–1152, 2020), where the diffusion rate is assumed to depend on the total population, leading to quasilinear diffusion with possible degeneracy. The mathematical analysis of this model has been addressed recently in Auricchio et al. (Math Methods Appl Sci 46:12529–12548, 2023) where it was essentially assumed that all sub-populations diffuse at the same rate, which yields a positive lower bound of the total population, thus removing the degeneracy. In this work, we remove this assumption completely and show the global existence and boundedness of solutions by exploiting a recently developed Lp\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$L^p$$\\end{document}-energy method. Our approach is applicable to a larger class of systems and is sufficiently robust to allow model variants and different boundary conditions.

State Platform Capitalism: The Geopolitical Dynamics of Sustainable Digital Power in the U.S. and China

In the contemporary digital landscape, digital power has emerged as a critical factor influencing global economic and geopolitical dynamics. This study examines the interplay between government regulations and technological innovation in shaping sustainable digital power, focusing on the United States and China. Leveraging the theory of state capitalism, the research integrates these variables into a comprehensive framework to explore their combined impact. Through a detailed literature review, the study highlights the importance of effective regulatory frameworks and continuous technological advancements for enhancing sustainable digital power. Using a robust methodological approach, the findings reveal significant positive relationships between government regulations, technological innovation, and sustainable digital power. The study underscores the necessity of a balanced approach to regulation and innovation to maintain a competitive edge and secure national interests. The contributions of this research are vital for policymakers and industry stakeholders, providing insights into how regulatory policies and technological investments can be optimized to enhance sustainable digital capabilities. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by offering a holistic understanding of digital power dynamics and its implications for global and national strategies. The paper concludes with practical recommendations and directions for future research.

Analyzing Tanker Ship Berthing Delays at Pertamina Refinery Unit II Dumai Terminal

This research investigates the causes and mitigation strategies for tanker ship berthing delays at the PERTAMINA Refinery Unit II Dumai special terminal. The study identifies key issues including dock capacity limitations, adverse weather conditions, insufficient land tank storage, and restrictions on night-time berthing. Data were collected through qualitative research and descriptive analysis involving observations, interviews, and documentation from August 2023 to August 2024. Findings reveal that limited dock capacity and adverse weather significantly contribute to delays, while storage limitations and night-time restrictions further exacerbate the problem. The research highlights the need for dock capacity expansion, improved weather forecasting, enhanced storage management, and safe night-time operational practices. Recommendations include infrastructure upgrades, advanced technological investments, and flexible operational strategies to address these challenges. The study provides valuable insights for improving terminal efficiency and offers a foundation for future research and practical applications in maritime logistics

Validating a Pragmatic Measure of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Delivery: Therapist Reports of EBP Strategy Delivery and Associations with Child Outcome Trajectories.

Pragmatic measures of evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation can support and evaluate implementation efforts. We examined the predictive validity of therapist reports of EBP strategy delivery for children's mental health outcomes. Data were obtained from 1,380 sessions with 248 children delivered by 76 therapists in two county systems. Children (Mage=11.8 years, SD = 3.7) presented with internalizing (52%), externalizing (27%), trauma (16%), and other (5%) concerns. Therapists reported their delivery of EBP strategies on a revised version of the EBP Concordant Care Assessment (ECCA; Brookman-Frazee, et al., Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 48, 155-170, 2021) that included 25 content (e.g., parenting, cognitive behavioral) and 12 technique strategies (e.g., modeling, practice/role-play). On average, 5.6 ECCA session reports (SD = 2.3) were obtained for each client, and caregivers reported symptoms on the Brief Problem Checklist (Chorpita, et al., Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(4), 526-536, 2010) at baseline, weekly over two months, and again at four months. Multilevel models examined whether the mean extensiveness of each EBP strategy predicted trajectories of child outcomes. More individual technique (6 of 12) than content strategies (1 of 25) were associated with outcome trajectories. For techniques, more extensive use of Performance Feedback and Live Coaching and less extensive use of Addressing Barriers were associated with greater declines in total symptoms, and more extensive use of Establishing/Reviewing Goals, Tracking/Reviewing Progress, and Assigning/Reviewing Homework was associated with declines in externalizing symptoms. For content, more extensive use of Cognitive Restructuring was associated with declines in total symptoms. In addition, higher average extensiveness ratings of the top content strategy across sessions was associated with greater declines in total and externalizing symptoms. Therapist-reported delivery of some EBP strategies showed evidence of predictive validity and may hold utility in indexing quality of care.

Blockchain technology empowers the cross-border dual-channel supply chain: Introduction strategy, tax differences, optimal decisions

Fueled by the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain management and international trade, this paper develops a cross-border dual-channel supply chain consisting of a domestic manufacturer, a domestic cross-border e-commerce company, and an overseas physical store. This paper aims to explore the impacts of tax differences, market competition intensity, consumers’ sensitivity to products with blockchain attributes, blockchain technology investment costs, and production quantity deviations on the strategies for adopting blockchain technology. Through simulation analysis, this study compares blockchain investment efforts, wholesale prices, retail prices, and the profits generated by supply chain members across different scenarios. The results show that when production quantity deviations are greater than 0, the domestic manufacturer’s adoption of blockchain technology provides free-riding benefits to other supply chain members, thereby enhancing the overall profitability of the supply chain. However, the introduction of blockchain technology by the domestic manufacturer does not always yield benefits; when the production quantity deviations are less than 0 and the blockchain investment cost coefficient is too high, it decreases the willingness of the domestic manufacturer to adopt blockchain technology. Moreover, from a profit maximization perspective, regardless of the changes in production quantity deviations and whether the domestic manufacturer introduces blockchain technology, both the domestic cross-border e-commerce company and the overseas physical store should adopt blockchain technology. Finally, The five influencing factors mentioned earlier will, to some extent, affect the profits and decision-making of supply chain members, suggesting that these members should vigilantly track these variables.

The technological revolution’s impact on business management

The rapid advancement of technology in the era of the fourth industrial revolution has significantly transformed organizational management practices. This study examines the influence of technological progress on organizational management, specifically analyzing the effects of data analysis and digital management methods in response to these changes. The main objective is to determine how these technological advancements impact enterprises of various sizes in the Czech Republic. The research employed comparative and analytical approaches, utilizing survey data collected from numerous organizations. Concrete methods used in the study include a comprehensive questionnaire survey, comparative analysis, and statistical correlation analysis to assess the significance of technologies based on the classification of enterprise size. The findings demonstrate substantial disparities in the implementation and advantages of technology contingent upon the magnitude of the organization, with smaller and larger enterprises exhibiting enhanced flexibility and deliberate assimilation of novel technologies. The main conclusion is that proficient administration of technology results in competitive advantages and operational efficiencies. Companies are advised to customize their technology strategies based on their available resources and market requirements. Further analysis explores the connections between investments in technology and other organizational elements such as financial resources and personnel, highlighting the importance of developing coherent plans that successfully incorporate technology into the overall structure of the organization.

The Effect of Company Policy, Legal Compliance, and Information Technology on Audit Report Accuracy in the Textile Industry in Tangerang

This study investigates the influence of company policy, legal compliance, and information technology on the timeliness of audit report submissions within the textile industry in Tangerang. Using a quantitative approach with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS), data from a sample of textile companies were analyzed using a Likert scale (1-5). The results reveal significant positive relationships between company policy, information technology, legal compliance, and audit report accuracy. Findings underscore the importance of robust governance frameworks, technological investments, and regulatory adherence in enhancing audit reporting practices. Practical implications include the development of clear policies, strategic IT investments, and rigorous compliance management to improve financial reporting transparency and operational efficiency.

Factores que influyen en la internacionalización de la empresa hortícola en cadenas globales de valor

Agri-food trade has evolved from the local to the international level, and this requires companies in the sector to constantly update their skills so they can join global value chains. The purpose of this study is to present the factors that have influenced the in-ternationalization of horticultural smes in these chains. A qualitative approach was used, through structured interviews, by means of a case study. The factors found in-cluded the standards of quality that companies must be able to meet to international-ize, upgrades made to add value to their products, satisfying government and foreign buyers’ requirements, and governance, which varies according to the size of the com-pany. It is concluded that investment in machinery, technology, training, and product diversification has positively boosted the companies’ internationalization and upward mobility.

Analysis of labor force, capital and production outputs of border territories of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on economic growth

Border areas can play a crucial role in market integration and infrastructure development between Central Asian countries, thus creating favorable economic growth and regional cooperation conditions. This study aims to assess the economic impact of border areas between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, focusing on their role in enhancing market integration and infrastructure development to foster regional growth and cooperation. Focusing on labor and capital as essential production drivers, this study employs a sophisticated panel data regression model to explore the Cobb-Douglas production function’s application in these border territories. The research findings indicate that regions’ elasticity towards capital and labor inputs vary, necessitating differentiated economic strategies. For capital-intensive areas, we recommend prioritizing investments in infrastructure and technology to boost production outputs. Conversely, in regions where labor significantly influences production, the emphasis should be on human capital development through education, training, and improved labor market conditions. The study’s insights into the evolving trade relations between the two countries underscore the need for flexible economic policies to enhance regional integration and cooperation. This research not only fills a crucial knowledge gap but also offers a blueprint for leveraging the diverse economic landscapes of Central Asia’s border areas in future policy-making and regional economic strategy.

Evaluating thermal comfort in a vascular interventional radiology laboratory: Utilizing an onsite measurement approach

A vascular interventional radiology (VIR) laboratory is a specialized medical environment designed for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures focused on blood vessels. In this facility, healthcare practitioners employ diverse imaging technologies such as fluoroscopy and angiography to visualize blood vessels and conduct minimally invasive interventions. This research examines the thermal comfort within a VIR laboratory through the field measurements. Assessing thermal comfort in a VIR laboratory supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing the welfare and working conditions in the healthcare settings (SDG 3 and SDG 9). This effort also aligns with SDG 11 by advocating for sustainable urban environments through the optimization of indoor environmental conditions. The gathered data brings to light notable disparities in air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity, underscoring the absence of homogeneity in the laboratory setting. It's evident that 67% of the spaces within the VIR laboratory will induce a "cool" sensation among medical staff members in standby mode, with the remaining 33% causing a "slightly cool" sensation. Both the Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) indices for thermal comfort deviate from the established ASHRAE 55 standard, emphasizing the considerable hurdles in achieving the desired thermal conditions. By integrating findings from this study into policy frameworks, stakeholders can prioritize investments in infrastructure and technology aimed at enhancing thermal comfort standards in healthcare facilities. This proactive approach not only fosters a conducive environment for medical procedures but also advances progress towards achieving key SDGs.

Impact of auditing information technology modernization on corporate technological innovation investment: The roles of risk perception and internal control

This paper uses China's Golden Audit Project as a quasi-natural difference-in-differences experiment to empirically test the impact of the increasingly information technology-dependent national audit process on corporate technological innovation. The empirical results indicate that the process significantly increases the level of corporate technological innovation, which is amplified by improving the level of internal controls. These conclusions have important implications for understanding the economic consequences of improved auditing technology.

Decolonisation and South African Psychology research 30 years after democracy

On the occasion of 30 years of South African democracy, we reflect on the current state of Psychology research in South Africa. We conducted a situational analysis of all papers appearing in the South African Journal of Psychology ( SAJP) and abstracts in PsycINFO with the keyword ‘South Africa’ over the last 5 years and compared the results with a previous review that used the same methodology. Findings show an increase in papers using ‘hard’ science approaches and a decrease in systems-oriented theories. Assessment remains a major topic. While COVID-19 and climate change featured, there remains a lack of or low focus on several key psycho-social issues experienced by South Africans. People living in poorer provinces and young and older people are under-represented in knowledge production. Collaborations or comparisons with other African or South American countries have decreased. Positively, production is being spearheaded by South African scholars or people affiliated with South African institutions. Using a decolonising lens that foregrounds epistemic justice, we conclude that substantial work remains to be done for knowledge production in South African Psychology to fulfil the decolonising imperative of distributive epistemic justice.

Speculation in investment in technology firms: a trust-based perspective

PurposeWe analyze the role of trust as a driver of speculative investment decisions in technology firms.Design/methodology/approachStructural Equation Modeling analysis in the context of blockchain technology supports our hypotheses.FindingsOur findings indicate that a general propensity to trust technology leads to trusting beliefs in a service based on technology and that trusting beliefs in a technological service leads to a higher propensity to invest in any firm associated with that service. In addition, we show that in a non-technological context, there is no evidence for such an effect of trusting beliefs in a service on investment decisions. These results support the notion that trusting beliefs are facilitators of speculative investment in technology firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe research advances knowledge about the influence of trust in technology on investment decisions; its findings can help build new theoretical models regarding investment decisions using Fintech.Practical implicationsFor investors, it is important to realize the potential bias identified in this study, so they can actively avoid adhering to it, thus avoiding exposure to unnecessary risk. Further, beyond individual investors, investment firms take active measures to avoid biases in their own decision-making. Banks and investment firms can help guide their clients about trust-based bias when building their investment portfolio.Originality/valueAlthough trust in information systems has been studied extensively, research on the relationship between trust in technology and decisions to invest in technology-related firms is limited.

Technology as a solution to the supply chain problems in the United States: What more can be done?

The study examined the critical role of technology in addressing supply chain challenges in the United States, with a focus on identifying gaps and exploring opportunities for improvement. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing literature and empirical studies, the research uncovered key supply chain challenges faced by firms in the U.S., including issues related to counterfeit goods, logistics inefficiencies, environmental concerns, inaccurate demand forecasting, and cyber-security threats. Also, the study examined the role of emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, big data analytics, and machine learning in enhancing supply chain resilience and agility. This study highlighted the contributions of these technologies in promoting transparency, traceability, sustainability, and efficiency across various aspects of supply chain management. By synthesizing insights from diverse sources and datasets, the study provided valuable recommendations and strategies for leveraging technology to address supply chain challenges effectively. These recommendations covers areas such as investment in advanced technologies, collaborative data sharing platforms, integration of sustainability metrics, predictive analytics for risk management, and supply chain resilience planning.

Decomposition of carbon emissions and companies’ willingness-to-pay for Green Fund: evidence from the manufacturing sector in Busan, South Korea

ABSTRACT The impact of carbon neutrality on the manufacturing sector, through regulatory and carbon pricing mechanisms, pushes companies toward environmental-friendly management. This paper seeks to examine the manufacturing sector’s willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the Busan Green Fund, an initiative designed to incentivize companies to adopt green management practices in Busan Metropolitan City. Three industries with the highest level of CO2 emissions are selected utilizing the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method. Companies in these three key industries are surveyed regarding their WTP, beyond their energy costs, for the Busan Green Fund. The study also investigates the characteristics of these companies. The average WTP is an 11.1% premium on energy costs. The regression results show that WTP is significantly influenced by the level of investment in energy-saving technology and company size. Based on our analysis of CO2 emission trends within the manufacturing sector, policy implications are suggested for sustainable development via the operation of a dedicated fund.

Sustainability of fishing cooperatives in the Gulf of Mexico: A case study

Small-scale fishing, characterised by small groups of people working with basic technology and little investment, is an important economic activity in regional and global contexts. In Latin America, inland fisheries play a very important socio-economic role, providing food and income to local families, alleviating poverty, and contributing to social well-being. They are often structured as a social cooperative, as a way to ensure productivity. Cooperatives tend to be sustainable, and their performance can be judged from the impact they have on the social, economic, and environmental spheres. The aim of this study was to measure the sustainability of inland fishing cooperatives in Mexico from these three viewpoints. Though cooperatives generally show a medium-high level of sustainability, on account of their historical background and their contribution to social and economic indicators, our results revealed some weaknesses in terms of environmental indicators, which are locked in a negative relationship with economic ones. Social indicators, however, were positively related with the other two. The sustainability of fishing cooperatives today faces various challenges, as political decision-making tends to favour the social and economic dimensions over the environmental one.

Automated performance metrics and surgical gestures: two methods for assessment of technical skills in robotic surgery

The objective of this study is to compare automated performance metrics (APM) and surgical gestures for technical skills assessment during simulated robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Ten novices and six experienced RARP surgeons performed simulated RARPs on the RobotiX Mentor (Surgical Science, Sweden). Simulator APM were automatically recorded, and surgical videos were manually annotated with five types of surgical gestures. The consequences of the pass/fail levels, which were based on contrasting groups’ methods, were compared for APM and surgical gestures. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis and a Bland–Altman plot were used to explore the correlation between APM and surgical gestures. Pass/fail levels for both APM and surgical gesture could fully distinguish between the skill levels of the surgeons with a specificity and sensitivity of 100%. The overall ICC (one-way, random) was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.34–0.88), showing moderate agreement between the methods. The Bland–Altman plot showed a high agreement between the two methods for assessing experienced surgeons but disagreed on the novice surgeons’ skill level. APM and surgical gestures could both fully distinguish between novices and experienced surgeons in a simulated setting. Both methods of analyzing technical skills have their advantages and disadvantages and, as of now, those are only to a limited extent available in the clinical setting. The development of assessment methods in a simulated setting enables testing before implementing it in a clinical setting.

A cost model for the investment feasibility of quality inspection technologies in the Zero Defect Manufacturing era

The current global market forces companies to focus on suitable manufacturing based on zero defect and zero waste strategies. Higher energy prices and critical raw material supply disruptions stimulate the implementation of non destructive inspection technologies for real-time quality assurance, which aims to increase high-quality products and lower production costs via better materials and energy uses. By embracing these advancements, businesses address market dynamics and strategically position themselves for sustained success in a competitive and resource-conscious world. Traditionally, in small and medium enterprises, new manufacturing or inspection equipment is acquired based on a management decision that is, in turn, based in quality purposes and does not focus deeply on the impact on the final factory cost reduction. This research focuses on developing a costing procedure to incorporate the impact of Non Destructive Inspection Technologies into the multistage cost structure for investment decisions. A case study is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the cost breakdown and return on investment for justifying the investment of the Non Destructive Inspection Technology in additive manufacturing machinery. The proposed cost model provides a framework to preliminary assess the viability of Non Destructive Inspection Technologies investments.

Research on the Game Model of Green Technology Investment in a Two-Echelon Manufacturing Supply Chain Under Carbon Tax Regulation

Research on the Game Model of Green Technology Investment in a Two-Echelon Manufacturing Supply Chain Under Carbon Tax Regulation

An overview of the replicability, generalizability and practical relevance of eyewitness testimony research in the Journal of Criminal Psychology

Purpose Before psychological research is used for policy reforms and recommendations, it is important to evaluate its replicability, generalizability and practical relevance. This paper aims to examine these three criteria for published articles in the Journal of Criminal Psychology. Design/methodology/approach Through a literature search for published articles in the Journal of Criminal Psychology related to the topics of the special issue Contemporary Developments in the Retrieval and Evaluation of Witness Testimony: Towards making research more applicable to investigations, this paper identified 158 eligible articles. For each article, this paper extracted variables related to the type of article, reported p-values, type of sample and stimuli, power analyses and conducted analyses and how effect sizes were used and interpreted. This paper analyzed these variables descriptively and conducted a z-curve analysis. Findings In terms of generalizability, the articles examined populations of interest (e.g. offenders, prisoners) and there was no sole reliance on Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich and Democratic samples. However, for replicability, there were currently no replication studies or published Registered Reports and the z-curve analysis indicated a low expected replication rate. Moreover, when examining practical relevance, almost no power analyses were conducted and when they were conducted, they were not reproducible or did not use meaningful effect sizes. Finally, although the majority of studies reported effect sizes, they were oftentimes not interpreted. Originality/value The present study sheds light on the potential societal impact of published articles in the Journal of Criminal Psychology.