True Innovation Research Articles

INNOVATING IN URBAN DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS, SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS FOR THE CITY

The conceptual article invites us to reflect on how innovation doesn’t always require huge investments or technological revolutions. Sometimes the most transformative changes come from simple ideas. It is in simplicity that we often find the greatest potential for change. Implementations such as optimizing routes, reorganizing delivery schedules or using electric bicycles. They show that accessible solutions can transform urban logistics. These small but modest steps, bring great benefits and contribute to sustainability. Likewise, the ability to reimagine our processes, reusing the strategic value of the resources we already have, is to see the familiar with new eyes, reusing the known to create something extraordinary. True innovation cannot flourish in isolation. This is where public-private collaboration becomes important. While companies can lead these efforts, support from the public sector is the direct way to create new opportunities. When we join forces, we generate an ecosystem of change that allows us to integrate these small advances. We believe that innovation is not just for the few, we all have the power to generate great results from small changes.

Pressure to publish introduces large‐language model risks

Abstract Large‐language models (LLMs) have the potential to accelerate research in ecology and evolution, cultivating new insights and innovation. However, whilst revelling in the plethora of opportunities, researchers need to consider that LLM use could also introduce risks. An important piece of context underpinning this perspective is the pressure to publish, where research careers are defined, at least partly, by publication metrics like number of papers, impact factor, citations etc. Coupled with academic employment insecurity, especially during early career, researchers may reason that LLMs are a low‐risk and high‐reward tool for publication. However, this pressure to publish can introduce risks if LLMs are used as a shortcut to game publication metrics instead of a tool to support true innovation. These risks may ultimately reduce research quality, stifle researcher development and incur reputational damage for researchers and the entire scientific record. We conclude with a series of recommendations to mitigate the magnitude of these risks and encourage researchers to apply caution whilst maximising LLM potential.

Prediction of air compressor faults with feature fusion and machine learning

Air compressors are critical for many industries, but early detection of faults is crucial for keeping them running smoothly and minimizing maintenance costs. This contribution investigates the use of predictive machine learning models and feature fusion to diagnose faults in single-acting, single-stage reciprocating air compressors. Vibration signals acquired under healthy and different faulty conditions (inlet valve fluttering, outlet valve fluttering, inlet-outlet valve fluttering, and check valve fault) serve as the study’s input data. Diverse features including statistical attributes, histogram data, and auto-regressive moving average (ARMA) coefficients are extracted from the vibration signals. To identify the most relevant features, the J48 decision tree algorithm is employed. Five lazy classifiers viz. k-nearest neighbor (kNN), K-star, local kNN, locally weighted learning (LWL), and random subspace ensemble K-nearest neighbors (RseslibKnn) are then used for fault classification, each applied to the individual feature sets. The classifiers achieve commendable accuracy, ranging from 85.33% (K-star and local kNN) to 96.00% (RseslibKnn) for individual features. However, the true innovation lies in feature fusion. Combining the three feature types, statistical, histogram, and ARMA, significantly improves accuracy. When local kNN is used with fused features, the model achieves a remarkable 100% classification accuracy, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach for reliable fault diagnosis in air compressors.

"Green" Hemodialysis: The Centralized Acidic Concentrate from the Dialysis Center of Policlinico of Modena

Introduction and aim of the study. The centralized preparation and distribution system of acidic concentrate represents a true innovation in hemodialysis, when compared to acid bags, in terms of convenience and eco-sustainability. The aim of this study is to compare the use of traditional acid bags with the centralized distribution system of acidic concentrate, with particular attention to differences in terms of eco-sustainability and convenience. Methods. At the Nephrology Dialysis and Renal Transplantation Unit of the University Hospital of Modena was installed the Granumix system® (Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany). Data collected before the introduction of the Granumix® system (including the used acid bags, boxes and pallets used for their packaging, liters of acid solution used and kilograms of waste generated from wood, plastic, cardboard and residual acid solution) were compared with those collected after the implementation of the Granumix® system. Factors such as material consumption, volume of waste generated, unused and wasted products, time required for dialysis session preparation and nurses' satisfaction were analyzed to document which system was more environmentally sustainable. Results. Data collected in 2019 at our Dialysis Center showed a consumption of 30,000 acid bags, which generated over 20,000 kg of waste from wood, plastic and cardboard, and approximately 12,000 liters of residual acid solution to be disposed of, with a handling weight by operators reaching nearly 160,000 kg. The use of the centralized distribution system of acidic concentrate resulted in a significant reduction in waste generated (2,642 kg vs 13,617 kg), residual acid solution to be disposed of (2,351 liters vs 12,100 liters) and weights handled by operators (71,522 kg vs 158,117 kg). Conclusions. The acidic concentrate appears to be better suited to the sustainability challenge that dialysis must faces today, particularly due to the significant increase in the number of patients, which leads to a higher number of treatments and, therefore, a growing demand for eco-sustainable products.

Menopause depression: Under recognised and poorly treated.

Menopause is a biological process experienced by all people assigned female at birth. A significant number of women experience mental ill health related to the major brain gonadal hormone shifts that occur in their midlife. There is poor understanding and management of the complex mental ill health issues, with the biological brain hormone changes receiving little formal attention. The current treatment advice is to manage this special type of mental ill health in the same way that all mental ill health is managed. This leads to poor outcomes for women and their families. Many women leave the workforce earlier than expected due to menopause-related depression and anxiety, with subsequent loss of salary and superannuation. Others describe being unable to adequately parent or maintain meaningful relationships - all ending in a poor quality of life. We are a large and diverse group of national and international clinicians, lived experience and social community advocates, all working together to innovate the current approaches available for women with menopausal mental ill health. Above all, true innovation is only possible when the woman with lived experience of menopause is front and centre of this debate.

The Place of Russian Science in Modern Society

The article examines the place of science in modern society and its role as a source of true innovations, an activator of the scientific and innovative process, as well as its significance for society as a whole and its social development. The possibilities of domestic science to activate the innovation process in Russia, increase the efficiency of social production and the level of well-being of the population, as well as in the development of other aspects of social development of society are considered. It is concluded that the position of science in modern Russian society does not allow it to meet the tasks of increasing the efficiency of the functioning of the national economy and improving the well-being of society, taking into account its security

Batteries boost the internet of everything: technologies and potential orientations in renewable energy sources, new energy vehicles, energy interconnection and transmission

Rechargeable batteries, which represent advanced energy storage technologies, are interconnected with renewable energy sources, new energy vehicles, energy interconnection and transmission, energy producers and sellers, and virtual electric fields to play a significant part in the Internet of Everything (a concept that refers to the connection of virtually everything in our physical world to the internet). This promotes the transition of energy to green, low-carbon, safe and efficient. In addition, many past studies had conducted extensive review studies for research on batteries in a disintegrated manner. For example, the studies on review of battery materials and battery states estimation are conducted individually. So far, there is no comprehensive and holistic perspective of battery research combining all different aspects such as materials, structure, manufacturing, and monitoring simultaneously. One possible reason is that the researchers from different backgrounds are working in their respective fields which may not be able to leap advantages of collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary fields for promoting true innovation in battery research. Based on this notion, this article illustrates the contribution of batteries in improving the Internet of Everything under the rapidly evolving living habits. This article also outlines an overview on the specific development of batteries in terms of materials, structure, manufacturing process, monitoring, recycling, service, sales, and policy from the stages of battery design, production, operation and maintenance, and recycling. Some important findings are as follows. Batteries are widely used in many scenarios related to our daily lives, such as automotive industry, aerospace industry, industrial equipment, and energy storage systems. The smart sensors, blockchain, cloud platform, and zero-carbon batteries are the four potential development orientations for smart batteries. A wide range of applications will be available for technologies such as wireless battery management system and reconfigurable battery in the future.

A perspective for identifying intersections among the social, engineering, and geosciences to address water crises

Reliable access to safe water is essential for health, wellbeing, and the livelihoods of people. However, water security innovations benefit when engineering and geoscience decisions consider systemic human, social, and organizational realities, needs, and goals. Indeed, true innovation that leads to water security requires intensively inclusive and iterative processes to occur at multiple scales of analysis across diverse sciences—for this, expertise and knowledge across the varied sciences is essential to facilitate such convergent, transdisciplinary research. Here, we articulate our perspective for identifying points of intersection and working across disciplinary boundaries to address water crises. Our perspective takes a multidimensional view of community, organization, family, and individual resilience in the face of natural and human hazards. It builds upon previous models of cumulative water related risk by nuancing the relationships amongst levels of analysis, and expanding the idea of cumulative impacts to include interactive impacts (e.g., buffering, enhancing, effects and other moderators), mediated effects (i.e., mechanisms of impact), as well as additive and suppressive linkages amongst risk and protective factors.

Community-Centered Epidemic and Pandemic Information and Engagement Platform, the Hive.

The COVID-19 pandemic underlined that communities are key in sharing trusted, timely and relevant information especially during a health emergency where the overabundance of information makes it difficult to make decisions to protect one's health. The WHO Hive project grew out of the desire to create a community-centered solution with the potential to change the way credible health information is shared, adapted, understood and used for health-related decision making before, during and after an epidemic or pandemic. The Hive online platform provides a safe space for knowledge-sharing, discussion, and collaboration, including access to timely scientific information through direct engagement with WHO subject matter experts, and the true innovation lies within the platform's ability to leverage the power of communities to crowdsource solutions to community concerns and needs. The platform is equipped with a set of synchronous and asynchronous features and tools to encourage coworking and facilitate cross-sectorial collaboration. The Hive seeks to leverage the expert communities to share resources and knowledge for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and provide an environment that is able to respond to the challenges faced in a complex information ecosystem.

A Study of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”

The theatre of the Absurd includes plays wherein humans are mere puppets full of irrational and illogical thoughts. From Aeschylus to Ibsen, the artists aimed at constructing meaning out of chaos and at gaining a momentary stay at confusion. So drama was then a temporary escape from the utter meaninglessness of life, a brief period when the audiences could dismiss their tensions and enter into a fictional world based on the assumption that man was a rational animal. But, ‘The Theatre of the Absurd’ ruthlessly shattered these notions, advocating instead their view of human being as an isolated existence and to represent life as it moves from nothingness whence it came to nothingness where it must go. The same notion is very much significant in Shakespeare’s line: “Life is a tale told by an idiot Full of sound and fury signifying nothing.” (Act V, Scene 5, Macbeth) Martin Esslin provided justification for the emergence of this new wave in the theatre, in his book: “The Theatre of the Absurd” which attempts to make man face up the world in which he lives and human conditions as they really are. As it was believed that the real dignity of man lies in his ability to face the reality in its senselessness, to accept it freely, without fear, without illusions and to laugh at it. This term is applied to a group of dramatists in the 1950s who shared the same predicament of man in the universe. Incidentally, the word ‘absurd’ is used in music which denotes a ‘jarring note’ or ‘discord’. This research paper is an attempt to study Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” a tragicomedy in two acts, published in 1952, originally in French as En attendant Godot and first produced in 1953. It is a true innovation in drama that successfully depicts the search for meaning in a world of chaos.

Drug delivery breakthrough technologies - A perspective on clinical and societal impact.

The way a drug molecule is administered has always had a profound impact on people requiring medical interventions - from vaccine development to cancer therapeutics. In the Controlled Release Society Fall Symposium 2022, a trans-institutional group of scientists from industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations discussed what a breakthrough in the field of drug delivery constitutes. On the basis of these discussions, we classified drug delivery breakthrough technologies into three categories. In category 1, drug delivery systems enable treatment for new molecular entities per se, for instance by overcoming biological barriers. In category 2, drug delivery systems optimize efficacy and/or safety of an existing drug, for instance by directing distribution to their target tissue, by replacing toxic excipients, or by changing the dosing reqimen. In category 3, drug delivery systems improve global access by fostering use in low-resource settings, for instance by facilitating drug administration outside of a controlled health care institutional setting. We recognize that certain breakthroughs can be classified in more than one category. It was concluded that in order to create a true breakthrough technology, multidisciplinary collaboration is mandated to move from pure technical inventions to true innovations addressing key current and emerging unmet health care needs.

Maximum likelihood estimation for [formula omitted]-stable double autoregressive models

The paper investigates the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) for a first-order double autoregressive model with standardized non-Gaussian symmetric α-stable innovation (sDAR) within a unified framework of stationary and explosive cases. It is shown that the MLE of all parameters, including the stable exponent in the innovation, are strongly consistent and asymptotically normal (with the exception of the intercept for the explosive case). Particularly, the MLE of the parameter in the conditional location is always asymptotically normal, regardless of the stationary or explosive case. This point totally differs from that for linear α-stable AR models in Andrews et al. (2009). Furthermore, it is the first time to provide exact values of the quantities related to the innovation in the asymptotic covariance matrices when the true innovation is the standard Cauchy distribution. Additionally, a modified Kolmogorov-type test statistic is proposed for model diagnostic checking in the stationary case. Monte Carlo simulation studies are conducted to confirm our theoretical findings and assess the finite-sample performance of the MLE and the modified Kolmogorov-type test. An empirical example is analyzed to illustrate the usefulness of sDAR models.

Finding My Drumbeat: Applying Lessons Learned from Remo Ruffini to Understanding Astrophysical Transients

As with many fields from fashion to politics, science is susceptible to “bandwagon”-driven research where an idea becomes increasingly popular, garnering a growing amount of “scientific” support. Bandwagons allow scientists to converge on a solution, but when the prevailing bandwagon is incorrect or too simple, this rigid mentality makes it very difficult for scientists to find the right track. True scientific innovation often occurs through scientists willing to march to the beat of their own drum. Using examples in the field of astrophysical transients, this paper demonstrates the importance of supporting scientists in their quest to develop their own personal drumbeat.

China’s 40-Year Quest to Build a Car to Call its Own: Where is the Innovation?

ABSTRACT Over the last several decades, China has developed itself to a large manufacturer and started its way to be an innovator. In this article, we are interested in whether China is on the right track of making true innovation in automobile industry. Through a micro view, we looked at the history of the automobile industry and went through specific firm cases like NIO and BYD. As software and electronic vehicle (EV) become more essential to automotive business, technology firms enter automobile industry; China has an opportunity to compete with other global automakers if it can catch this important industry change. Nevertheless, in the future we can explore more questions like how strong China can be in doing original innovation compared to other countries.

Innovation for Competency Education－A Critical Exploration of Competency and Innovation Discourse

This study discusses whether the concept of competency (core competency, major competency, learning competency) and the classification of competencies in the university innovation support project (which is linked to the 3rd cycle of the university basic competency diagnosis evaluation), are indeed valid. At the same time, the government implemented in the name of autonomous innovation (this is a sentence fragment and doesn’t fit). The purpose of this study is to reflect on whether universities implementing a competency-based curriculum are truly innovating when it comes to education. Although competency is a competency that must be cultivated in all curricula, regardless of whether that entails a general education curriculum or a major curriculum, the basic competency diagnosis evaluation handbook of universities reduces the concept of competency to the concept of generic skills and divides competencies into major and liberal arts education. This tendency has further solidified the dichotomy of the curriculum and has caused distortion within the curriculum structure. For these reasons, it is difficult to find innovation in education in universities that uniformly operate a curriculum based on core competencies according to a given manual for evaluation. However, looking at the case of Minerva University, which is innovating education through competency-based education, we find first that competency is presented as an ability to be cultivated not only in the cornerstone course corresponding to the liberal arts curriculum, but also in the major curriculum. This is different from the dichotomy approach of competencies as taught at Korean universities. Second, the core competency of the University of Minerva is a tool for achieving sub-competence and competency, and through the establishment of HC (Habit of Mind, Foundational Concept), the accessibility and applicability of competency, ease of practice, and measurability are all increased. This enables both instructors and learners to overcome the ambiguity of the core competency concept and to enhance their understanding of core competency as practical knowledge. This is different from the structure of establishing core competencies and sub-competencies of Korean universities. Third, the diagnosis and evaluation of core competencies are conducted through objective evaluation tools and self-rubrics to enable feedback of evaluation results at the level of learners, thereby increasing the reliability of academic achievement results. This is different from the self-reported core competency diagnosis of learners at Korean universities. Despite the advantages of Minerva University’s core competency-based curriculum, Minerva University’s core competency-based curriculum firstly reduces individuals to skills. Second, it takes a segmented approach to core competencies rather than a holistic approach, and finally, it is limited in regards to education because it fosters customized talents which meet the demand, not talents which create social demand. True innovation in education should be achieved through individual learners’ self-innovation, not top-down government-led innovation. In other words, innovation in education begins when learners communicate with the surrounding world based on their knowledge and experience and acquire self-organization skills.

Innovating More Each Day and Every Day: A Confucian Learning Approach to Innovation in the Case of Astronomical Innovations in Fifteenth-Century Korea

Although the question of whether Confucianism impedes or facilitates innovation has long been debated, the mechanisms through which Confucian values influence innovation have been less frequently examined. Given that many East Asian firms today still operate under the influence of Confucian values, understanding these mechanisms can help them foster innovation more effectively. In this paper, we investigate the astronomical innovations made in fifteenth-century Korea under King Sejong, to understand how Confucian values promoted by the Zhongyong can foster organizational learning and innovation. King Sejong and his team of officials devoted substantial efforts and resources to the invention of astronomical instruments and calendrical systems, achieving remarkable developments that often surpassed Chinese antecedents. These innovations were achieved in the midst of dynamic alternations between exploitation and exploration, which were propelled by adherence to the doctrine of Zhongyong—practice, sincerity, and perseverance. In this doctrine, practice motivates learning; sincerity furthers learning; perseverance sustains learning; and together they enable substantive learning that overcomes learning myopia and transcends the boundary between exploitation and exploration. Without sincere and persistent effort to practice what is learned, selfish and myopic desires lead the actors into success or failure traps, preventing them from achieving balance and harmony between exploitation and exploration. Our findings identify the managerial implications from these Confucian values which can help firms overcome conservatism and pursue true innovation each and every day.

On the question of the appointment of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich (the Elder) as Commander-in-Chief of the Danube Army

The article highlights the issue of the appointment of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich (the Elder) as Commander-in-Chief of the Danube Army by Emperor Alexander II on the eve of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 on the basis of published sources of both official and memoir nature, as well as some archival data. The myth created by Marxist historiography that the Grand Duke had a narrow outlook in military affairs, had neither combat experience nor experience in organizational work, was mediocre, incompetent, etc., is debunked. Meanwhile, Nikolai Nikolaevich received an excellent education, he was taught by the best specialists and professors of that era. He acquired his first practical knowledge of the war and experience as a military engineer in the Crimean War, during the defense of Sevastopol in 1854–1855. The subsequent activity of the Grand Duke in the field of army reform, primarily in engineering and cavalry service, convinces of his undoubted organizational abilities, deep knowledge, true state scope and innovation. He enjoyed great popularity among officers and soldiers of the Russian army, which was greatly facilitated by his character and attentive attitude to people. He knew the upcoming theater of military operations and the future enemy — the Turkish army, because he was able to combine a pilgrimage to the East and the Holy Land in 1872 with reconnaissance purposes. Alexander II, taking into account the totality of the merits of his younger brother, as well as being fully confident in his honest performance of duty, in 1876 appointed the Grand Duke as Commander-in-chief of the Danube Army. At that time, there was no personality equal to him or higher in his qualities as a military commander. The Grand Duke developed operations to force the Danube and the winter crossing of the Balkans and led Russian troops to Constantinople. He received the Field Marshal’s baton and became the 25th and last full knight of the Order of St. George in the history of the Russian Empire.

The potential of automated minibuses in the socio-technical transformation of the transport system

Automated minibuses (AM) are currently deployed in various cities in Europe to assess their technical, social, environmental, and economic performances. The diffusion of AM as an innovation depends on its social acceptance. This study investigates needs and attitudes to evaluate social acceptance. It follows a multi-method approach, both qualitative and quantitative. The results show that AM are not judged by its technical innovativeness, but by its capability to solve problems for people. We conclude that AM have the potential to become a game-changer for transport systems, if mobility needs of increased effectiveness and flexibility are met. These requirements can be fulfilled through the integration of AM as an on-demand, door-to-door service in a MaaS system. This will lead to a true system innovation and increases the potential for AM in the social-technical transformation.

Educational Development and Educational Policies in Pakistan from 1971 to 1977: An Analysis

Education is the most important tool available in modern times for the improvement of civilizations and nationalities. Since the country's founding, education and education policies in Pakistan have both been subject to continuous development and adjustment. The primary objective of this research paper is to gain an understanding of the important developments that occurred in educational policies under the administration of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto from 1971 to 1977. Finding the outcomes of the research is accomplished through the application of qualitative research methods and procedures. Data for this research is collected both in the form of primary and secondary sources. The educational system was one of the areas that was impacted by Bhutto's nationalization policy. The educational reforms have been considered within the context of the nationalization paradigm; nonetheless, the educational reforms have had a more significant influence on the education system in Pakistan. It is recommended that the education policies to be implemented with true spirit and innovations to be introduced in educational policies.

The future of cross-border wholesale payments: Mobilising central bank money across borders

Large-value cross-border payments constitute the life-blood of international trade and commerce and are thus crucial to national economies. This paper explores this high-value payment ecosystem, which has become more complex and expensive following the prudential regulatory reform rolled out in response to the global financial crisis. Recent technology innovations, in particular the emergence of blockchain and distributed ledger technology, have led to the creation of a parallel system of value transfers based on crypto currencies. The combination of cloud computing, software innovations and the increased use of application programming interfaces has enabled the creation of new business and technology models that are innovating this space. On top of this, the arrival of central bank digital currencies may have the potential to support cross-border payments, both retail and wholesale. This paper explores how far these developments can support a better system for large-value cross-border payments, providing a number of examples of real-world business approaches. A critical lens is applied to gaps outside of the technology field, such as central bank policies and liquidity management, which will need to be closed before true innovation can occur at scale.