Embedded system vehicle based on multi-sensor fusion

As intelligent driving vehicles came out of concept into people’s life, the combination of safe driving and artificial intelligence becomes the new direction of future transportation development. Autonomous driving technology is developing based on control algorithms and model recognitions. In this paper, a cloud-based interconnected multi-sensor fusion autonomous vehicle system is proposed that uses deep learning (YOLOv4) and improved ORB algorithms to identify pedestrians, vehicles, and various traffic signs. A cloud-based interactive system is built to enable vehicle owners to master the situation of their vehicles at any time. In order to meet multiple application of automatic driving vehicles, the environment perception technology of multi-sensor fusion processing has broadened the uses of automatic driving vehicles by being equipped with automatic speech recognition (ASR), vehicle following mode and road patrol mode. These functions enable automatic driving to be used in applications such as agricultural irrigation, road firefighting and contactless delivery under new coronavirus outbreaks. Finally, using the embedded system equipment, an intelligent car was built for experimental verification, and the overall recognition accuracy of the system was over 96%. Author

Drivers of digital supply chain transformation in SMEs and large enterprises – a case of COVID-19 disruption risk

PurposeDigital transformation in supply chains (SCs) has emerged as one of the most effective ways to minimize SC disruption risks. Given the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global SCs, this study aims to identify and provide empirical evidence about the drivers of digital SC transformation, considering the interactivity between environmental dynamism, technology, and organizational capabilities during the pandemic era.Design/methodology/approachUsing partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), this study examines 923 firms in Vietnam to ascertain the drivers of digital SC transformation between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises, based on the technology–organization–environment (TOE) as an overarching framework.FindingsThis study finds that greater digital SC transformation adoption could be achieved under the interactivity between the TOE components of firms' technological competencies, learning capabilities, and disruptions in socioeconomic environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a multigroup analysis shows that the drivers of digital SC transformation differ between SMEs and large enterprises. SMEs were found to be more motivated by the COVID-19 disruption risk when adopting digital SC models.Originality/valueThis study represents an original and novel contribution from Vietnam as an emerging market to the literature on the impact of COVID-19 on the global value chain. Apart from the unique dataset at the firm level, the analysis of interactions between external and internal drivers of digital SC transformation could provide crucial managerial implications for SMEs to survive major disruptions, such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Developing a resilient healthcare supply chain to prevent disruption in the wake of emergency health crisis

PurposeThe study aims to identify and analyse the drivers of resilient healthcare supply chain (HCSC) preparedness in emergency health outbreaks to prevent disruption in healthcare services delivery in the context of India.Design/methodology/approachThe present study has opted for the grey clustering method to identify and analyse the drivers of resilient HCSC preparedness during health outbreaks into high, moderate and low important grey classes based on Grey-Delphi, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Shannon's information entropy (IE) theory.FindingsThe drivers of the resilient HCSC are scrutinised using the Grey-Delphi technique. By implementing AHP and Shannon's IE theory and depending upon structure, process and outcome measures of HCSC, eleven drivers of a resilient HCSC preparedness are clustered as highly important, three drivers into moderately important, and two drivers into a low important group.Originality/valueThe analysis and insights developed in the present study would help to plan and execute a viable, resilient emergency HCSC preparedness during the emergence of any health outbreak along with the stakeholders' coordination. The results of the study offer information, rationality, constructiveness, and universality that enable the wider application of AHP-IE/Grey clustering analysis to HCSC resilience in the wake of pandemics.

Critical Commentary: Beyond growth and density: Recentring the demographic drivers of urban health and risk in the global south

Debates within urban studies concerning the relationship between urbanisation and infectious disease focus on issues of urban population growth, density, migration and connectivity. However, an effective long-term risk and wellbeing agenda, without which the threat of future pandemics cannot be mitigated, must also take account of demographic forces and changes as critical drivers of transmission and mortality risk within and beyond cities. A better understanding of the dynamics of fertility, mortality and changing age structures – key determinants of urban decline/growth in addition to migration – provides the foundation upon which healthier cities and a healthy global urban system can be developed. The study of how basic demographic attributes and trends are distributed in space and how they interact with risks, including those of infectious disease, must be incorporated as a priority into a post-COVID-19 urban public health agenda. This perspective concurs with recent debates in urban studies emphasising the demographic drivers of urban change. Moreover, it raises critical questions about the microbial and environmental emphasis of much research on the interface of urban health and governance.

Digitalization of the supply chain: transformation factors

PurposeThere is an increasing interest in the supply chain's digitalization, yet the topic is still in the preliminary stages of academic research. The academic literature has no consensus and is still limited to research assessing the supply chain's digitalization of organizations. This study aims to explore the supply chain digitalization drivers to understand the emerging phenomena. More specifically, the authors devised from the literature the most common factors in assessing the readiness in scaling supply chain digitalization.Design/methodology/approachThis study followed a five-phased systematic literature review (SLR) methodology in this research: designing, analyzing, conducting, writing and assessing the quality of the review. The SLR is beneficial for justifying future research regardless of the complex process that requires dealing with high-level databases, information filtering and relevancies of the content. Through analysis of 347 titles and s and 40 full papers, the authors showed and discussed the supply chain digitalization: transformation factors.FindingsThe results generated three main themes: technology, people and processes. The study also generated ten subthemes/primary drivers for assessing the readiness for supply chain digitalization in organizations: IT infrastructure, cybersecurity systems, digitalization reskilling and upskilling, digitalization culture, top management support, digitalization and innovation strategy, integrated supply chain, digital innovation management, big data management and data analytics and government regulations. The importance of each factor was discussed, and future research agenda was presented.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the key drivers of the supply chain digitalization were identified, there is still a need to study the statistical correlation to confirm the interrelationships among factors. This study is also limited by the articles available in the databases and content extraction.Practical implicationsThis study supports decision-makers in understanding the critical drivers in digitalizing the supply chain. Once these factors are studied and comprehended, managers and decision-makers could better anticipate and allocate the proper resources to embark on the digitalization journey and make informed decisions.Originality/valueThe digitalization of the supply chain is more critical nowadays due to the global disruptions caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the surge of organizations moving toward the digital economy. There is a gap between the digital transformation pilot studies and implementation. The themes and factors unearthed in this study will serve as a foundation and guidelines for further theoretical research and practical implications.

An Agenda for Advancing Research and Prevention at the Nexus of Work Organization, Occupational Stress, and Mental Health and Well-Being.

Work characteristics and worker well-being are inextricably connected. In particular, the characteristics of work organization shape and perpetuate occupational stress, which contributes to worker mental health and well-being outcomes. Consequently, the importance of understanding and addressing connections between work organization, occupational stress, and mental health and well-being-the focus of this Special Issue-increasingly demand attention from those affected by these issues. Thus, focusing on these issues in the long-haul truck driver (LHTD) sector as an illustrative example, the purpose of this commentary is as follows: (1) to outline current research approaches and the extant knowledge base regarding the connections between work organization, occupational stress, and mental health; (2) to provide an overview of current intervention strategies and public policy solutions associated with the current knowledge base to protect and promote worker mental health and well-being; and (3) to propose a two-pronged agenda for advancing research and prevention for workers during the 21st century. It is anticipated that this commentary, and this Special Issue more broadly, will both echo numerous other calls for building knowledge and engaging in this area and motivate further research within complementary current and novel research frameworks.

Drivers of e-marketing orientation for entrepreneurs and the self-employed in Jordan: the moderating role of perceived continuity of COVID-19 using the SEM approach

This paper sought to identify what key drivers have shaped the extent of E-marketing orientation (EMO) among entrepreneurs and the self-employed during these 'unprecedented times' in the Jordanian context. The study made use of a previously proposed model and incorporated the perceived continuity of COVID-19 as a moderating factor. The study used cross-sectional quantitative-deductive methods and self-administrated questionnaire. Non-probability convenience sampling was used, and the sample comprised 314 responses from owners, directors, managers, supervisors, the partners of businesses in Jordan. SMART partial-least-squares were used and path analysis reported that perceived relative advantage, level of competition and perceived continuity of COVID-19 scored moderate level of influence, whereas the remaining antecedents scored a low level of variance. Moreover, perceived complexity seen insignificant negative antecedent. Perceived continuity of COVID-19 was seen to directly influence EMO and was identified as a standalone antecedent considering that the moderation paths did not demonstrate any significant influence.

When green recovery fails to consider coal pushback: Exploring global coal rebounds, production, and policy retrenchment post Covid-19

The global green recovery is facing a significant threat due to the escalating consumption of coal and the announcement of new coal development plans by several leading nations. This study presents an overview of post-pandemic coal activities and identifies three types of coal rebound, namely coal use rebound, coal production or power plant expansion, and climate change policy retrenchments, that pose a challenge to global green recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. We delve into the major short-term and long-term factors that underlie the coal rebound by analyzing case studies from eight countries, namely Vietnam, Zimbabwe, China, India, the United States, Germany, Australia, and Indonesia. The findings indicate that in the short-run, energy price volatility induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical crises are the primary factors driving the coal rebound in most countries. We also highlight that the climate-induced coal rebound due to extreme weather could backfire and emerge as a major short-term factor to impede decarbonization efforts. This round of coal rebounds can be attributed to several long-term factors, including the anticipated economic growth in phase-in and established countries, the abundance of coal endowment, the reliance on the coal economy resulting from it, the political influence of coal sectors, the resurgence of geopolitics, and concerns around energy security. It is noteworthy that the return of geopolitics is likely to impact the energy transition for decades to come. The study provides policy recommendations to mitigate coal rebound and enhance the post-pandemic green recovery.

The Sustainable Development and Resilience of Socio-Economic System: Conceptualization and Diagnostics of Problems in Conditions of Global Challenges and Shocks

Today, the issue of ensuring the sustainable development of socio-economic systems is more relevant than ever. The study used an interdisciplinary approach. Based on this approach, it is proposed to interpret the stability and sustainable development of the socio-economic system in the context of global instability as its ability to recover and reorient itself after the impact of external global shocks and challenges due to adaptive internal drivers. The practical implementation of the author's methodological approach to assessing the sustainability and sustainable development of the socio-economic system on the basis of a retrospective section reveals that the most negative impact of the global financial and economic crisis and hostilities was in the context of actual GDP per capita. decline over the past 15 years. The article highlights the main factors for reducing the stability and sustainable development of the socioeconomic system in the context of the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has its limitations, as it was carried out to a greater extent in the context of the realities and indicators of Ukraine. Similar analyzes are planned for other countries in the future. © 2023 WITPress. All rights reserved.

How value drivers of internet medical business model affect value creation: a configurational approach

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how value drivers of internet medical business model affect value creation through a configurational approach. The internet medical business model (IMBM) is such a business model that integrates online and offline medical services with the driving force of internet technologies covering prediagnosis, in-diagnosis and postdiagnosis. The outbreak of COVID-19 and the support of national policies have boosted the development of internet health care. However, there are still many challenges in practice, such as the unclear innovation path, as well as difficulties in landing and profiting. Academic research has not yet provided sufficient theoretical insights. Therefore, to better explain and guide practice, it is urgent to clarify the innovation path and mechanism of value creation for IMBM. Design/methodology/approachBased on the sample of 58 internet medical firms in China, this paper adopts fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore the configurational effects of IMBM's value drivers on value creation. FindingsBuilding on the business model canvas and the characteristics of internet health care, five value drivers of IMBM are identified, namely, functional value proposition, emotional value proposition, user involvement, resource capabilities and connection properties. And the five value drivers form three configurations, which are, respectively, labeled as resource-driven configuration, user-operated configuration and product-combined configuration. From the perspective of the integration of traditional and emerging theories, such as resource-based view, internet economics and value cocreation, each configuration leads to value creation and improves value results with different mechanisms behind it. Originality/valueFirst, combined with the business model canvas and the characteristics of internet health care, this paper identifies five value drivers of IMBM, thus improving the relevant research on internet health care. Second, based on the configurational effects, this paper discusses the mechanism behind the configurational effects of IMBM's value drivers on value creation, thus expanding relevant research on the value creation of business models. Third, applying fsQCA and combining the advantages of qualitative research and quantitative research, this paper adds to the configurations of IMBM's value drivers that achieve high-value results.

Utilitarian and Hedonic Motivation in E-Commerce Online Purchasing Intentions

This study uses the theory of social learning to investigate the relationship between hedonic and utilitarian motivation and e-commerce online shopping intentions. Based on a literature review, four hypotheses and eight sub-hypotheses are proposed. The study's novelty derives from the study region and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate a correlation between utilitarian and hedonic motivation and online shopping intentions, while information searching is a significant predictor of online purchase intentions. This paper contributes to both the academic and practical fields, and e-vendors can use it as a framework to manage website activity.

Local and regional factors of spatial differentiation of the excess mortality related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania.

COVID-19 revealed some major weaknesses and threats that are related to the level of territorial development. In Romania, the manifestation and the impact of the pandemic were not homogenous, which was influenced, to a large extent, by a diversity of sociodemographic, economic, and environmental/geographic factors. The paper is an exploratory analysis focused on selecting and integrating multiple indicators that could explain the spatial differentiation of COVID-19-related excess mortality (EXCMORT) in 2020 and 2021. These indicators include, among others, health infrastructure, population density and mobility, health services, education, the ageing population and distance to the closest urban center. We analyzed the data from local (LAU2) and county level (NUTS3) by applying multiple linear regression and geographically weighted regression models. The results show that mobility and lower social distancing were far more critical factors for higher mortality than the intrinsic vulnerability of the population, at least in the first two years of COVID-19. However, the highly differentiated patterns and specificities of different areas of Romania resulting from the modelling of EXCMORT factors drive to the conclusion that the decision-making approaches should be place-specific in order to have more efficiency in case of pandemics.

Reducing academic flying beyond COVID‐19: Drivers, alternatives, and avenues for change

This paper seeks to advance our understanding of the underlying reasons that sustain high levels of academic flying, and examines how a low‐carbon academia with less air travel might come about. Data from 30 interviews with academics showed that expectations of internationalisation, networking, and ideals of a productive academic stand among the strongest drivers of academic flying. These drivers come forth from underlying objectives such as pursuing excellence in research and working towards successful careers. Findings from this research suggest that institutional and cultural change are prerequisites to mainstream practical alternatives to academic flying, such as wider use of digital communication tools, grounded travelling, and low‐carbon conferences and meetings. We see a role for universities, grant‐providing authorities, and other academic organisations to include environmental standards and criteria in internationalisation strategies, the concept of excellence, and funding evaluation processes. From our analysis of academics' experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic, we identify three factors that appear essential in determining whether digital communication tools can substitute for physical presence: (1) desired type of interaction, (2) existing social relations among participants, and (3) number of participants. Finally, we discuss whether and to what extent voluntary guidelines, the adoption of digital tools, and other soft measures may lead to cuts in academic flying at the scale and pace required for meeting climate targets, suggesting that enforcing limits on academic air travel might be unavoidable. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Geographical Journal is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

[Vaccine hesitancy: current status, associated factors, measurement, and approach].

Definition and present status　Vaccine hesitancy, defined as "delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services," is a global public health concern. Specifically, COVID-19 and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy remains a major social challenge in Japan, and effective preventive strategies are urgently required. In this review, we discuss previous studies that have described vaccine hesitancy.Associated factors　Vaccine hesitancy is affected by several factors, primarily psychological variables (referred to as the "3Cs" comprising confidence, complacency, and convenience regarding individuals' perceptions of vaccination) and sociodemographic variables (age, sex, socioeconomic status, race, and social capital). "Behavioral and Social Drivers of Vaccination Framework", developed recently by the World Health Organization, has focused on vaccination-specific beliefs and reports that programs may affect and are likely to have wide applicability in the development of effective interventions.Measurement　Identification of psychological factors associated with vaccination hesitancy is important to establish strategies to increase vaccine uptake. Many scales are available to measure vaccine hesitancy and psychological factors that affect vaccine hesitancy. These scales include different evaluation items, validity, reliability, and availability of validated Japanese versions. Therefore, careful selection of scales based on their intended purpose and the target population in whom the desired intervention is intended are important. A representative 7C scale is widely used globally. It has been translated into more than 10 languages, including Japanese.Approach　Several studies and articles, mainly developed for the European and American populations provide guidelines for selection of evidence-based strategies and interventions to increase vaccine uptake. Evidence-based strategies may be broadly classified into the following categories: (1) Strengthening the healthcare system through implementation of the principles of behavioral science. (2) Development of tailored approaches using systematic listening activities. (3) Provision of evidence-based resources to support healthcare personnel. (4) Utilization of media. Based on findings described by previous studies discussed in this report, it may be important to plan strategies to improve the uptake of each vaccine in Japan, such as those for COVID-19, HPV, and also childhood vaccines.

Vaccine Hesitancy: Obstacles and Challenges.

Purpose of Review: In 2019, vaccine hesitancy (VH) was named as one of the top 10 threats to global health by the World Health Organization (WHO). We highlight the factors affecting VH, the role of VH in limiting vaccine uptake and inability to achieve collective immunity, and possible solutions. Recent Findings: There are still uncertainties and concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, which promote VH and undermine public confidence in immunization. WHO has designed the behavioral and social drivers (BeSD) tools and survey instruments that can be used by countries to assess reasons for poor vaccine uptake in childhood for COVID-19 and plan national vaccination programs to counter these misconceptions. Summary: Vaccines are one of the best preventative measures that public health care has to offer. Evidence from across the world both in high-income countries (HICs) and low/middle-income countries (LMICs) show that VH is a significant phenomenon which is translating into geographical clustering of epidemics. A reasonably high acceptance and coverage rates are necessary for an immunization program to be successful. A context-specific and multifactorial intervention with more high-quality research is needed globally.

DeepDrive: A braking decision making approach using optimized GAN and Deep CNN for advanced driver assistance systems

Reduction of the number of traffic accidents is a vital requirement in many countries over the world. In these circumstances, the Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) mechanisms utilization is currently exposed as a possible solution to recompense human limits. It is crucial to create a braking decision-making model in order to produce the optimal decisions possible because many braking decision-making approaches are launched with minimal performance. An effective braking decision-making system, named Optimized Deep Drive decision model is developed for making braking decisions. The video frames are extracted and the segmentation process is done using a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). GAN is trained using the newly developed optimization technique known as the Autoregressive Anti Corona Virus Optimization (ARACVO) algorithm. ARACVO is created by combining the Conditional Autoregressive Value at Risk by Regression Quantiles (CAViaR) and Anti Corona Virus Optimization (ACVO) models. After retrieving the useful information for processing, the Deep Convolutional Neural Network (Deep CNN) is next used to decide whether to apply the brakes. The proposed approach improved performance by achieving maximum values of 0.911, 0.906, 0.924, and 0.933 for segmentation accuracy, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Modeling of Critical Food Supply Chain Drivers Using DEMATEL Method and Blockchain Technology

The main purpose of this paper is to identify the critical drivers of the food supply chain (FSC) in the Indian context and find cause–effect relationships among the identified drivers using a decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-based method. After a review of the literature and discussion with food chain experts, fourteen drivers have been identified for this study. Critical drivers and their causal relationships are explored through the cause-and-effect diagram. Results of this study show that the drivers namely "Shift towards a sustainable food system in India” (D7), "Social requirements on food security and safety” (D13), and "Growing attention towards food SCM amidst pandemic Covid-19” (D1) are the top three critical and influential drivers. It has been observed that limited research studies are done to identify and analyze the FSC drivers specific in the Indian context. Recent advancements in Blockchain technology have paved the path for improving the performance of the food supply chain with appropriate Blockchain technology intervention. Blockchain technology (BT) can be a new driver in the FSCM. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for the implementation of Blockchain technology in the food supply chain. This paper attempts to draw the attention of policymakers to develop a new sound policy with the help of Blockchain technology to ensure food security. © 2023, The Institution of Engineers (India).

The Drivers and Inhibitors of COVID-19 Vaccinations: A Descriptive Approach

The SARS-COV-2/ COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge affecting hundreds of millions globally. The COVID-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan in China in 2019 has continued to pose a health concern and economic meltdown across the globe. Globally, numerous vaccines have been successfully rolled out against many vaccine-preventable diseases at all stages of human development. Despite the number of approved SARS-COV-2 vaccines, the seeming success in the global rollout, and the inoculation of billions globally, COVID-19 vaccination interventions still need improvement. However, for total control and eradication, there is a need to review the campaign methodologies to identify the drivers and inhibitors of COVID-19 vaccinations to promote booster uptake. Questions concerning the acceptability of the covid-19 vaccination were posed to respondents using a convenience sample method. This study contributes to the African vaccination literature and descriptively shows the drivers and inhibitors of COVID-19 vaccination. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Riders on the Storm: Amplified Platform Precarity and the Impact of COVID-19 on Online Food-delivery Drivers in China

The global COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately intensified the precariousness of insecure work. This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on platform-based food-delivery drivers in China, particularly focusing on labor conditions. Drawing on 52 in-depth interviews with drivers from top Chinese food-delivery platforms, this article shows that the precarity of drivers' work and life is dramatically amplified by the pandemic, resulting in escalating work insecurity, financial instability, and subservient class identity. More specifically, drivers struggle with increased physical risks, livelihood crisis and inflamed racism. All this results from the reorganization of algorithmic labor process and management facilitated by the coalition of food-delivery platforms and Chinese states, which results in surged workload, unpaid labor, uncompensated prolonged production time and extra investment in production assets.

Identification of key drivers for improving inventory management in pharmaceutical supply chains

Existing literature on optimizing inventory levels in pharmaceutical supply chains has focused on a limited set of drivers. However, the global supply chain disruptions produced by the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for a more nuanced picture of the inventory management drivers in this sector to identify profitable inventory configurations while fulfilling demands and safety margins. To address this gap in the literature, this paper identifies key drivers impacting inventory levels and develops a framework for assessing inventory configurations in pharmaceutical supply chains. The framework is tested using a single case study approach. The case study showed that while external and downstream supply chain factors were recognized as being critical to pursuing inventory reduction initiatives, internal factors prevailed when making inventory management decisions. The framework developed in this paper may assist practitioners in identifying the most important factors impacting inventory levels within a specific pharmaceutical supply chain configuration and is in use in the industry today. © 2023, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to German Academic Society for Production Engineering (WGP).