Assessment of challenges and strategies for driving energy transitions in emerging markets:A socio-technological systems perspective

The pursuit of improved quality of life standards has significantly influenced the contemporary mining model in the 21st century.This era is witnessing an unprecedented transformation driven by pressing concerns related to sustainability,climate change,the just energy transition,dynamic operating environments,and complex social challenges.Such transitions present both opportunities and obstacles.The aim of this study is to provide an extensive literature review on energy transition to identify the challenges and strategies associated with navigating transformations in energy systems.Understanding these transformations is particularly critical in the face of the severe consequences of global warming,where an accelerated energy transition is viewed as a universal remedy.Adopting a socio-technological systems perspective,specifically through the application of Actor Network Theory(ANT),this research provides a theoretical foundation while categorising challenges into five distinct domains and outlining strategies across these different dimensions.These insights are specifically tailored for emerging market countries to effectively navigate energy transition while fostering the development of resilient societies.Furthermore,our findings highlight that energy transition encompasses more than a mere technological shift;it entails fundamental changes in various systemic socio-economic imperatives.Through focusing on the role of social structures in transitions,this study makes a significant and innovative contribution to ANT,which has historically been criticised for its limited acknowledgement of social structures.Consequently,we propose an emerging market energy transition framework,which not only addresses technological aspects,but also integrates social considerations.This framework paves the way for future research and exploration of energy transition dynamics.The outcomes of this study offer valuable insights to policymakers,researchers,and practitioners engaged in the mining industry,enabling them to comprehend the multifaceted challenges involved and providing practical strategies for effective resolution.Through incorporating the social dimension into the analysis,we enhance the understanding of the complex nature of energy system transformations,facilitating a more holistic approach towards achieving sustainable and resilient energy transitions in emerging markets and beyond.

Surgeon Perspectives on Anastomotic Leaks and FluidAI’s StreamTM Platform: Integrating Qualitative Insights for Technological Innovation

Purpose: This article investigates the critical importance of integrating surgeons’ direct input into the development of innovative technologies that address gaps in surgical care, including those aimed at reducing anastomotic leaks (AL), a major complication in gastrointestinal surgery. While traditional quantitative research methods are prevalent, they often overlook the invaluable insights of the surgeons who manage these complications firsthand. Subjects and Methods: This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 40 surgeons from various specialties, including general, bariatric, colorectal, trauma, hepato-biliary, and thoracic surgery. The interviews were designed to probe the needs of surgeons, challenges currently faced, and gaps in clinical practice, research, and technology for detection and/or management of AL. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which revealed significant gaps in current technologies for early detection and prevention of leaks. Results: Surgeons expressed strong interest in FluidAI’s Stream™ Platform, a non-invasive medical device designed to monitor postoperative drainage fluid in real-time, providing continuous data on AL risk. The ability of this platform to offer early prediction through pH and electrical conductivity analysis was particularly appealing to participants, who emphasized the importance of timely interventions in improving patient outcomes. The study’s findings highlight not only the clinical challenges but also the emotional toll that AL takes on surgeons, underlining the need for innovations that are both data-driven and humanistic. Conclusion: By centering surgeons’ perspectives, this research advocates for a human-centered approach to technological advancement, ensuring that new tools are both clinically effective and aligned with the real-world needs of surgical practitioners.

An Assessment on the Impact of Technological Addiction on Workplace Productivity: Case of the Public Sector in Zimbabwe

With the increasing integration of technology in modern workplaces, concerns have emerged regarding the addictive nature of technology and its potential consequences on employee productivity. This research aims to investigate the impact of technological addiction on workplace productivity within the public sector of Zimbabwe. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and a case study analysis, to examine the prevalence and effects of technological addiction in affecting productivity in the public sector of Zimbabwe. The findings indicate that excessive use of social media, and other digital distractions is a growing concern in the public sector, leading to decreased focus, missed deadlines, and strained teamwork. Factors such as unrestricted internet access, lack of clear usage policies, and inadequate self-regulation contribute to the problem The research outcomes also highlight the need for awareness and interventions to address social media addiction in the workplace, promote healthier technology use, and uphold productivity and employee well-being.

Aiming Far Beyond the Moon--The Third Plenary Session highlights science and technological development

Change is the Chinese moon goddess.Named after her,the Chang'e-6 lunar module returned to Earth this June carrying 1,935.3grams of rocks and dust from the far side of the moon.China's lunar program began as recently as 2007 when Chang'e-I was placed in orbit to create a high resolution 3-D map of the moon's surface.As such,it illustrates China's enviable ability to concentrate its efforts on major tasks.This ability,as Chinese President Xi Jinping has suggested,is one of the major advantages of China's socialist system.

“China Shock”or China Dividend?-China GVC Participation’s Effects on Trading Partners’Technological Progress

This paper explores the effects of China’s global value chain(GVC)participation on technological progress in trading-partner countries based on estimated data on value-added trade between China and 52 trading partners.We find that,first,although China’s exports lowered the total factor productivity(TFP)of its trading partners(competitive effect),its imports greatly increased trading partners’TFP(effect of scale).This implies that China’s GVC participation is beneficial to its trading partners’technological progress in the form of a considerable technology dividend effect.Second,China’s export dividend effect compensates for the negative effect of Chinese competition on trading partners’technological progress;the innovation effects attributable to China’s imports reinforce the positive effects of scale on technological progress.When innovation is factored in,the China dividend thus becomes further reinforced.Third,China’s merchandise imports have a diminishing positive effect on technological progress in trading partners as geographical distance increases,but trade in services transcends geographical boundaries,and the positive technological progress effect of China’s service imports do not diminish as distance increases.We find that the“China dividend”from China’s GVC participation is a significant contributor to technological progress in partner nations,and China’s imports are conducive to innovation and technological progress in developed countries in the long run.

Integrating GPT into the Journalism and Communication Industries:The Technological Logic,Ecosystem Reconstruction,and Ethical Chal enges

Generative AI,represented by GPT(Generative Pre-trained Transformer),is now leading the technological revolution and is reconstructing the journalism and communication industries'ecosystems because of its powerful generative capacity and diverse range of outputs.While GPT is busy revolutionizing and innovating the production of news content,working patterns,and operation modes,it has also given rise to ethical concerns in regard to news authenticity,data security,humanistic values,and other related aspects.Therefore,it is imperative to initiate strategies and approaches,such as establishing a mechanism for verifying information authenticity,enhancing data security and privacy regulations,and instituting an ethical supervision and governance framework for AI,in order to facilitate the systematic advancement of AI-based news production while reinstating public trust.

Problems and Countermeasures in the Training of Master of Translation and Interpreting Talents in the Context of Technological Empowerment

This paper aims to explore the problems and countermeasures in the training of Master of Translation and Interpreting(MTI)talents in the context of technological empowerment.Through methods such as questionnaires and literature review,the study analyzes the problems in the training of MTI talents under technological empowerment and,by examining the feasibility and applicability of technologies,proposes countermeasures to these problems.The research finds that there are still problems in four areas:training concept,teaching content,research in the current training of MTI talents,and mutual empowerment of technology and education.Four countermeasures are suggested to address these problems,including utilizing technology to promote personalized training and optimize teaching content.This study provides valuable references for future educators to leverage technology in the training of MTI talents.

Trust beyond Technology Algorithms: A Theoretical Exploration of Consumer Trust and Behavior in Technological Consumption and AI Projects

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), establishing customer confidence is crucial for the integration and acceptance of AI technologies. This interdisciplinary study examines factors influencing customer trust in AI systems through a mixed-methods approach, blending quantitative analysis with qualitative insights to create a comprehensive conceptual framework. Quantitatively, the study analyzes responses from 1248 participants using structural equation modeling (SEM), exploring interactions between technological factors like perceived usefulness and transparency, psychological factors including perceived risk and domain expertise, and organizational factors such as leadership support and ethical accountability. The results confirm the model, showing significant impacts of these factors on consumer trust and AI adoption attitudes. Qualitatively, the study includes 35 semi-structured interviews and five case studies, providing deeper insight into the dynamics shaping trust. Key themes identified include the necessity of explainability, domain competence, corporate culture, and stakeholder engagement in fostering trust. The qualitative findings complement the quantitative data, highlighting the complex interplay between technology capabilities, human perceptions, and organizational practices in establishing trust in AI. By integrating these findings, the study proposes a novel conceptual model that elucidates how various elements collectively influence consumer trust in AI. This model not only advances theoretical understanding but also offers practical implications for businesses and policymakers. The research contributes to the discourse on trust creation and decision-making in technology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary efforts to address societal challenges associated with technological advancements. It lays the groundwork for future research, including longitudinal, cross-cultural, and industry-specific studies, to further explore consumer trust in AI.

Research on the Digital Economy,Technological Innovation,and Transformation and Upgrading of the Manufacturing Industry in Shandong Province

Based on panel data from 16 cities in Shandong Province from 2013 to 2022,and grounded in theoretical analysis,this paper constructs a benchmark regression model,a mediating effect model,and a heterogeneity test for empirical analysis.The results show that:(1)the digital economy has a significant positive effect on promoting the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Shandong Province;(2)the digital economy can drive the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry through technological innovation;and(3)the impact of the digital economy on the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry in Shandong Province is evidently heterogeneous.

A new horizon for neuroscience:terahertz biotechnology in brain research

Terahertz biotechnology has been increasingly applied in various biomedical fields and has especially shown great potential for application in brain sciences.In this article,we review the development of terahertz biotechnology and its applications in the field of neuropsychiatry.Available evidence indicates promising prospects for the use of terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging techniques in the diagnosis of amyloid disease,cerebrovascular disease,glioma,psychiatric disease,traumatic brain injury,and myelin deficit.In vitro and animal experiments have also demonstrated the potential therapeutic value of terahertz technology in some neuropsychiatric diseases.Although the precise underlying mechanism of the interactions between terahertz electromagnetic waves and the biosystem is not yet fully understood,the research progress in this field shows great potential for biomedical noninvasive diagnostic and therapeutic applications.However,the biosafety of terahertz radiation requires further exploration regarding its two-sided efficacy in practical applications.This review demonstrates that terahertz biotechnology has the potential to be a promising method in the field of neuropsychiatry based on its unique advantages.

Technological mineralogy and environmental activity of zinc leaching residue from zinc hydrometallurgical process

Chemical, physical, structural and morphological properties of zinc leaching residue were examined by the combination of various detection means such as AAS, XRF, XRD, M？ssbauer spectrometry, SEM-EDS, TG-DSC, XPS and FTIR. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure （TCLP） was used to investigate the environmental activity of zinc leaching residue for a short contact time. The phase composition analysis indicated that the zinc leaching residue mainly consists of super refined flocculent particles including zinc ferrite, sulfate and silicate. The physical structural analysis showed that it has a thermal instability and strong water absorption properties. The results of TCLP indicated that the amounts of Zn and Cd in the leaching solution exceed 40 and 90 times of limit, respectively, which demonstrate that this residue is unstable in weak acidic environment for a short contact time.

Research on Current Situation,Symptoms and Protection Technological Measures of Ancient Trees in Surging Waves Pavilion,China

The paper had studied growth situation and disease symptoms of ancient trees in Surging Waves Pavilion.There were 14 ancient trees belonging to 10 genera of 9 families,with tree age of 120-260 years.These trees had been well protected generally.There were 9 ancient trees growing well,occupying 64.29%,which were Ginkgo biloba,Cupressus funebris Endl.,Podocarpus macrophyllus,Zelkova schneideriana Hand.-Mazz,Cinnamomum camphora(L.)Presl,Buxus sinica,and Wisteria sinensis(Sims)Sweet.There were 5 ancient trees needing to be protected preferentially,occupying 35.71%,including Ligustrum lucidum,Osmanthus fragrans and Pterocarya stenoptera.The disease symptoms were trunk rot and hollow structure.Based on these symptoms,the paper had proposed protective measures for Ligustrum lucidum and Osmanthus fragrans:① enclosing eroding holes on the trunk;② clearing up eroded woodiness on the surface of trunk,disinfecting and applying anti-corrosion protectants;③ filling eroded holes of the trunk.Protective measures for Pterocarya stenoptera included:① clearing up the inner part and interior walls;② disinfecting the inside and interior walls of holes;③ applying anti-corrosion protectants.

Technological Paths for Improving Grain Comprehensive Productivity ——Taking Henan Province for Instance

[Objective] This paper aimed at exploring technological paths for improving grain productivity based on the conditions and production practice in Henan Province.[Method] The status and dynamics of grain production in Henan Province were analyzed as a whole.[Result] The total production of grain in Henan Province had generally shown a tendency of ascent.Total grain production in Henan Province was 54 370 thousand t,which was 2.5 times of the total grain production in 1978,as 20 974 thousand t.The growth of grain production was more and more relying on the improvement of grain yield per unit area.[Conclusion] This research had provided theoretical basis for the improvement of grain production in Henan Province as well as for the grain production of the whole country.

Research on Technological Support System of Control and Management of Rural Tourism Safety

As the sources of overt and covert potential safety hazards were widespread, the safety control and management of rural tourism became more complicated and difficult, which required more for technological support of rural tourism safety management. Based on the latitude of technological support, from the perspective of management practice of rural tourism safety, through analysis on inner symbiosis of management and technological support of rural tourism safety, the paper had studied three parts of control and management system of rural tourism safety, which were rural tourism safety identification, rural tourism safety isolation and control, and rural tourism safety treatment and solution; and the connotation of technological support during safety management had been discussed from the three aspects. It hoped to serve as reference for tourism safety management and control, so as to promote healthy, stable and sustainable development of tourism.

Design Around Bundle Patent Portfolio Based on Technological Evolution

Product innovation can be achieved by analyzing leading products patents in the market.Different methods have been proposed for design around patent,commonly using the elimination or replacement of a single patent element However,the existing research fails to restore the position and function of the design around object in the original patent portfolio of enterprises,which often leads to the phenomenon of evading one patent and violating another.This paper proposes a method for design around patent through using the fusion of technologies of the evolution theory and bundle-type patent portfolio analysis in the initial stage of product development.The object system is analyzed to select technical opportunities through the evolutionary path of technologies and functional trimming methods to achieve circumvent barriers of bundle-type patents.The bundle patent portfolio is analyzed for the product evolution with a radar map.The technological evolution path is combined with the TRIZ innovation method to identify and solve the design problem.Patentability of the new design is evaluated using the patent system rules for innovative scheme difference from the original patent portfolio.The method is verified in a case study for the design of a glass-wiping robot.The design solution has been patented.

Technological Innovation Characteristics and Capacity Enhancement Ways for the Agricultural Science and Technology Enterprises in Beijing City

From the perspective of innovation mechanism,capital,personnel,achievements and conversion,this study analyzes the current situation of technological innovation in Beijing agricultural science and technology enterprises,and summarizes the characteristics including single financing channel of R&D funds,low conversion rate of innovative products,unbalanced distribution of technology and innovative talents,the underestimated position of enterprises as the main body of technological innovation,the large gap of innovation achievements between developed provinces and Beijing.At last,this study puts forward the ways to improve technological innovation ability in Beijing agricultural science and technology enterprises as follows:developing technological innovation strategies;improving the R&D expenditure and expanding the financing channels;perfecting the mechanism of professional personnel training in agricultural technology innovation;enhancing the level of innovation performance management;establishing and improving the corporate culture of innovation and cultivating technology innovation spirit.

Patented Biologically-inspired Technological Innovations: A Twenty Year View

Publication rate of patents can be a useful measure of innovation and productivity in fields of science and technology. To assess the growth in industrially-important research, I conducted an appraisal of patents published between 1985 and 2005 on online databases using keywords chosen to select technologies arising as a result of biological inspiration. Whilst the total number of patents increased over the period examined, those with biomimetic content had increased faster as a proportion of total patent publications. Logistic regression analysis reveals that we may be a little over half way through an initial innovation cycle inspired by biological systems.

Technological risk regulation of the subgrade base stability in permafrost areas

Maintenance and risk estimation of a weak roadbed condition during the construction period are described.Risk-management procedure for unstable,weak soils is proposed through adjusting the technological loads and real-time monitoring of their influence.The efficiency of implementing maximum allowable vibroloads and the drainage system for strengthening weak soils is shown in the example of the Northern Latitudinal Railway area.

Technological Options to Ameliorate Waste Treatment of Intensive Pig Production in China:An Analysis Based on Bio-Economic Model

Ameliorating waste treatment by technological improvements affects the economic and the ecological-environment benefits of intensive pig production. The objective of the research was to develop and test a method to determine the technical optimization to ameliorate waste treatment methods and gain insight into the relationship between technological options and the economic and ecological effects. We developed an integrated bio-economic model which incorporates the farming production and waste disposal systems to simulate the impact of technological improvements in pig manure treatment on economic and environmental benefits for the case of a pilot farm in Beijing, China. Based on different waste treatment technology options, three scenarios are applied for the simulation analysis of the model. The simulation results reveal that the economic-environmental benefits of the livestock farm could be improved by reducing the cropland manure application and increasing the composting production with the current technologies. Nevertheless, the technical efficiency, the waste treatment capacity and the economic benefits could be further improved by the introduction of new technologies. It implies that technological and economic support policies should be implemented comprehensively on waste disposal and resource utilization to promote sustainable development in intensive livestock production in China.

Technological system for sustainable development of Chinese agriculture

Along with the rapid development of economy, Chinese agriculture with a long history is facingthe challenge from environment. So, the technological system for sustainable development of agriculturewith Chinese characteristics, which are based on the eco-economic principle, should be establisbed throughusing the approach of system engineering, carrying on the cream of Chinese traditional agricultural tech-niques and adopting modern agricultural techniques. The sustainable development should be realized on thebasis of sound cycles of economy and ecology and coordinated development between environmental protectionand economic growth or exploitation and regeneration of natural resources.