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Abstract: Although the metaverse is still in the early stages of development and implementation, it has the potential to revolutionize the way how businesses can interact with customers through both the virtual and real world. In particular, service industries are already exploring the opportunity to utilize the metaverse to provide more immersive, interactive and engaging customer experiences. However, the holistic overview of the future applications, opportunities, and challenges of a metaverse in the context of service industries from academic and expert perspectives is limited. By employing a multi-perspective approach, this study looks into these unexplored aspects of the metaverse in the context of service industries through informed and multifaceted narratives by leading academics and experts from cross-disciplinary backgrounds from media and communication, education, hospitality, financial services, retail, tourism and healthcare. The main opportunities identified include the development of new experiences, the introduction of novel inter-world interactions, and new business-consumer relations within the metaverse. The key challenges covered include current technological boundaries, limitations of the experiences in the metaverse, health issues, and data privacy, security, and legal issues. The paper concludes with formulating future research agendas and presenting contributions to literature and implications for practice.
Abstract: Infectious diseases originating from viruses are emerging as a major global health concern. The recent epidemic events related to various respiratory viruses, including coronavirus 2, have been reported worldwide and raised much concern. Starting from this point, early detection of infectious diseases plays a crucial role in both preventing their spread and helping the therapeutic treatment of affected patients. Electrochemical and optical biosensors combined with nanomaterials can offer rapid and real-time analysis of viruses in clinical samples; therefore, their application in point-of-care testing for diagnostic purposes has shown considerable progresses in the last few years. Therefore, the proposed review aims to summarize the recent trends in the development of new biosensors, together with their potential applications in detecting the most common viruses. Furthermore, the main challenges and the future perspectives for their use in clinical diagnostics are discussed.
Abstract: Seismology is among the ancient sciences that concentrate on earthquake disaster management (EQDM), which directly impact human life and infrastructure resilience. Such a pivot has made use of contemporary technologies. Nevertheless, there is a need for more reliable and insightful solutions to tackle the daily challenges and intricacies of the natural sciences that stakeholders must confront. To consolidate the substantial endeavors in this field, we undertake a comprehensive survey of the interconnected contemporary technologies. More particularly, we analyze the data communication networks (DCNs) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which are among the main infrastructures of seismic networks. In accordance, we present conventional and innovative signal-processing techniques in seismology. Then, we shed light on the evolution of EQ sensors including the acoustic sensors based on optical fibers. Furthermore, we address the role of remote sensing (RS), robots, and drones for EQDM. Afterward, we highlight the social media contribution. Subsequently, a comprehensive elucidation of the diverse optimization techniques employed in seismology and for prolonging seismic networks is presented. Besides, the paper analyzes the important functions that artificial intelligence (AI) can fulfill in several areas of seismology. Lastly, we guide stakeholders on how to prevent natural disasters and preserve human lives.
Abstract: Novel, environmentally friendly, and clean energy sources have been developed in response to increased global energy demand and the associated effects of global warming produced by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. As a result, the development of renewable and clean energy depends largely on hydrogen as a key component. Even, nanomaterial procured from waste for Hydrogen synthesis can be processed through several biochemical/thermochemical procedures. Variables comprising feedstock characteristics, operation needs and technology availability were examined to support technology choice and system features. Such amendments proceed with costly synthesis and operation strategies, low operating efficiencies, insufficient management along with logistics, as well as lack of operation policies. Perhaps, nanotechnology is now crucial in the creation of nanomaterials for the production of hydrogen as a pertinent origin through renewable energy causatives. Nanomaterials have received a great deal of interest in recent years owing to their unusual mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties on their surfaces. These features had a predominant impact on the evolution of production and storage techniques, as well as the difficulties experienced in bringing the product to market. This article provides an overview of the nanomaterials that contributed to hydrogen synthesis, storage, and usage. This article will cover a wide range of issues, including Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic (PC) reactions, anaerobic digestion, hydrothermal gasification, microbial fuel cells, lifespan evaluation, and future research studies.
Abstract: There is an urgent need to switch from fossil to bio-based fuels in the transport sector, particularly in shipping and aviation. The growth of the world's population has resulted in a significant impact on passenger transport, with a noticeable increase in greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of fossil resources and associated risks in all three pillars of sustainability. In this context, new policies, standards and targets have been developed to reduce this environmental damage, which is mainly caused by the use of fossil fuels. Therefore, the alternative of using biofuels seems to be the most appropriate solution, to the extent that important targets have been set and specific directives have been developed for the integration of biofuels in the maritime and aviation sectors. However, to demonstrate that switching to biofuels is indeed beneficial, it is necessary to evaluate new biofuel scenarios from a life-cycle perspective, with particular emphasis on analyses that provide information beyond the present, such as prospective life-cycle assessments. To this end, the focus of this review is on the current trends in the production of biofuels for the marine and aviation sectors, taking into account the main targets set, the existing regulations and directives on the subject, and an analysis of the type of technologies used for their production. It also addresses biofuel Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) scenarios and future LCA approaches, and how these analyses should be carried out to be effective. Finally, key policies, standards and certifications are analyzed. The trends and bottlenecks discussed in this review concerning the actual and future development of the biofuels sector could be used by policy makers and stakeholders to identify efforts that favor the integration of biofuels into the value chain. Furthermore, it could be concluded that the evaluation of the guidelines foreseen in the development of competitive scenarios based on emerging technologies, as well as the adoption of policies and restrictions on the use of fuels, are key conditions to establish the roadmap for the widespread implementation of biofuels.
Abstract: Numerous enterprises employ Generative AI (GenAI) for a plethora of business operations, which can enhance organizational effectiveness. The adoption might be driven by multiple factors influencing the business landscape. Additionally, numerous ethical considerations could impact the deployment of GenAI. This unique study investigated how organizations adopt GenAI and its effects on their performance. Further, this research utilized institutional theory and ethical guidelines for AI design to develop a research framework examining how organizations adopt GenAI and its impact on their performance. A survey of 384 managers from information technology (IT) and information technology-enabled services (ITeS) companies was conducted. Data analysis was done using PLS-SEM to examine and validate the proposed model. The study outcome reveals that institutional pressures, i.e., coercive, normative and mimetic forces, influence the use of GenAI in organizations. It was also found that fairness, accountability, transparency, accuracy and autonomy influence the use of GenAI. Also, the results divulge that the use of GenAI influences organizational performance and is moderated by organizational innovativeness. This study provides insights to developers of GenAI, senior management of companies, the government and IT policymakers by highlighting the institutional pressures and ethical principles influencing the use of GenAI.
Abstract: In the last few decades, the landscape of spine surgery has undergone a paradigm shift with the exponential implementation of emerging technologies, ranging from robotics to artificial intelligence (AI), wearables, and innovative biomaterials. Together, these tools have made it possible to significantly enhance surgical accuracy, identify new disease phenotypes from diverse big data sources, and offer innovative biological treatments. However, as spine care providers embrace innovative tools and techniques, there is an inherent need to address the safety concerns and potential complications associated with these advancements.
Abstract: Advancements in the modern construction industry have contributed to the development of a range of technology-based interventions to improve the safety behavior of front-line construction workers. Notwithstanding the extensive research on safety behavior, there is still a paucity of research on assessing technology interventions of safety behavior to provide an overview of their strengths and limitations. The present study aims to bridge this gap in the literature and identify the main trends of research. Method: A systematic review and critical content analysis are adopted to capture an overview of the state of knowledge on safety behavior technologies. As a result of searching Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases in the period from Jan 2010 to Feb 2023, a total of 359 potential studies went through the systematic screening process and finally, 48 representative studies were selected followed by an assessment of the feasibility and applicability of the safety behavior technologies. Results: It was found that safety behavior technology is characterized by seven technologies including virtual-reality simulation (T1), eye-tracking technology (T2), prediction modeling of safety behavior (T3), computer-based training (T4), drone/sensor-based hazard monitoring (T5), vision-based behavior monitoring (T6), and real-time positioning (T7). Conclusions: This research improves understanding of the status of safety behavior technologies and provides a critical review of their feasibility from the perspective of four assessment criteria including application, limitation, benefit, and feasibility. Practical applications: The categorizations of technologies add value to the body of knowledge in terms of generic requirements for their implementation and adaptation on construction sites.
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