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Implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unarguably demands huge financial investments. However, the United Nations has acknowledged the huge financial gap militating against the implementation of the SDGs worldwide, leading experts to question the possibility of complete implementation of the goals by their terminal dateline of 2030. While the bulk of the finance currently outlaid on the SDGs comes from traditional sources including foreign direct investments (FDIs), there is the need to focus more attention on developing and exploiting impact investments that are more suitable for financing development programmes and projects. In this chapter, the SDG implementation profiles of the 12 Arab West Asia countries concerning the five most targeted SDGs were evaluated and sustainable finance issues were discussed. Secondary data were retrieved from World Bank's DataBank. The data were descriptively analyzed. Based on the profiles generated, debt relief is put forward as a possible impact investment mechanism suitable for funding the SDGs. Specifically, this chapter recommends that outright cancellation of debts based on the debt-for-SGD swap could serve as some of the impact investments needed to boost the global drive for a developed, peaceful, and just world.

Knowledge transfer which refers to the communication of knowledge from a source so that it is learned and applied by a recipient has long been a challenge for knowledge management. The purpose of this study is to understand influencing factors of transactive memory system (TMS) and knowledge transfer.

Drawing on the theories of communication visibility, social distance and flow, this study develops a research model. Then, data are collected from users of the social media mobile App. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is employed to analyze data.

TMS is a valid second-order construct in the social media mobile app context, which is more reflected by credibility. Meanwhile, communication visibility and social distance each have positive effects on TMS which further has a positive effect on knowledge transfer. Flow has a positive effect on knowledge transfer.

Developers of the mobile App should carefully consider the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in supporting TMS and knowledge transfer. They should consider recommendation algorithm so that the benefit of communication visibility can be retained. They should design the feature to classify users based on similarity so as to stimulate users' feeling of close social distance. They should keep on improving features based on users' holistic experience.

This study incorporates the perspectives of communication visibility, social distance and flow to understand TMS and knowledge transfer, presenting a new lens for research.

Recently, powerful instruments for biomedical engineering research studies, including disease modeling, drug designing and nano-drug delivering, have been extremely investigated by researchers. Particularly, investigation in various microfluidics techniques and novel biomedical approaches for microfluidic-based substrate have progressed in recent years, and therefore, various cell culture platforms have been manufactured for these types of approaches. These microinstruments, known as tissue chip platforms, mimic in vivo living tissue and exhibit more physiologically similar vitro models of human tissues. Using lab-on-a-chip technologies in vitro cell culturing quickly caused in optimized systems of tissues compared to static culture. These chipsets prepare cell culture media to mimic physiological reactions and behaviors.

The authors used the application of lab chip instruments as a versatile tool for point of health-care (PHC) applications, and the authors applied a current progress in various platforms toward biochip DNA sensors as an alternative to the general bio electrochemical sensors. Basically, optical sensing is related to the intercalation between glass surfaces containing biomolecules with fluorescence and, subsequently, its reflected light that arises from the characteristics of the chemical agents. Recently, various techniques using optical fiber have progressed significantly, and researchers apply highlighted remarks and future perspectives of these kinds of platforms for PHC applications.

The authors assembled several microfluidic chips through cell culture and immune-fluorescent, as well as using microscopy measurement and image analysis for RNA sequencing. By this work, several chip assemblies were fabricated, and the application of the fluidic routing mechanism enables us to provide chip-to-chip communication with a variety of tissue-on-a-chip. By lab-on-a-chip techniques, the authors exhibited that coating the cell membrane via poly-dopamine and collagen was the best cell membrane coating due to the monolayer growth and differentiation of the cell types during the differentiation period. The authors found the artificial membrane, through coating with Collagen-A, has improved the growth of mouse podocytes cells-5 compared with the fibronectin-coated membrane.

The authors could distinguish the differences across the patient cohort when they used a collagen-coated microfluidic chip. For instance, von Willebrand factor, a blood glycoprotein that promotes hemostasis, can be identified and measured through these type-coated microfluidic chips.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of experience dimensions on the engagement in pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) within nature-based tourism in China. The focus was on sustainable/responsible consumer behaviour by the Chinese Gen Z (18–26 years).

Firstly, a conceptual model was suggested, drawn on experiential marketing approach. Secondly, an empirical study (online survey) with a sample of 580 young persons was conducted and data were analysed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

It was revealed that the act and feel dimensions significantly influence experiential value (EV), and EV positively affects satisfaction, significantly impacting arousal and memory. Positive outcomes of experience impact Gen Z members’ engagement in PEBs. Furthermore, arousal and memory play a similar and partial mediating role between satisfaction and engagement in PEB.

The insights gained give support and guidance to tourism destinations and suppliers to promote environmentally friendly behaviour among tourists. This understanding is valuable and useful to industry practitioners in elaborating and implementing the appropriate strategies to stimulate, motivate and promote tourists’ PEB.

This study elaborates an integrative framework, drawn on a marketing approach and establishing a relationship between experiential dimensions and engagement in PEB through the mediating factors of perceived EV, satisfaction, memory and arousal. It provides tourism researchers with new perspective and insights on tourism experience and consumption behaviour.

本研究证实了体验维度对于中国自然旅游地游客的亲环境旅游行为(PEB)的影响。研究对象聚焦于中国Z世代(18 至26 岁)游客的亲环境行为。

本研究基于体验营销, 提出了一个概念模型, 对580名Z世代游客进行了实证研究(在线调查), 并采用结构方程模型（SEM）对数据进行分析。

结果表明, 行动维度和情感维度显著影响体验价值, 体验价值正向影响满意度, 满意度显著影响唤醒度和记忆。体验后的积极结果会影响Z世代游客的亲环境行为的参与。此外, 唤醒度和记忆在满意度和亲环境行为参与之间起平行的部分中介作用。

研究结果可为旅游目的地的管理者和从业者提供借鉴和参考, 以促进游客的环保行为。这对于旅游业从业者制定和采取恰当的策略来促进和激励游客的亲环境行为也具有重要意义。

本研究基于营销方法, 构建了一个整合框架, 并通过体验价值、满意度, 记忆和唤醒度等中介, 建构了体验维度和参与亲环境行为之间的关系, 拓展了旅游体验及消费行为的研究视角。

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar el impacto de las dimensiones de la experiencia en el comportamiento turístico proambiental (CTP) en el turismo de naturaleza en China, centrándose en el comportamiento sostenible y responsable de la Generación Z china (entre 18 y 26 años).

Se propuso un modelo conceptual basado en el enfoque del marketing experiencial. Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo un estudio empírico mediante una encuesta en línea a 580 jóvenes, y los datos obtenidos se analizaron utilizando SEM (Modelado de Ecuaciones Estructurales).

Se encontró que las dimensiones “actuar” y “sentir” tienen una influencia significativa en el valor experiencial, y este último impacta positivamente en la satisfacción, lo cual a su vez influye en la excitación y la memoria. Los resultados positivos de la experiencia turística tienen un efecto en el compromiso de los miembros de la Generación Z con el comportamiento turístico proambiental. Además, tanto la excitación como la memoria desempeñan un papel parcialmente mediador entre la satisfacción y el compromiso en el CTP.

Los conocimientos obtenidos en este estudio brindan apoyo y orientación a los actores del sector turístico para fomentar un comportamiento respetuoso con el medio ambiente entre los turistas y visitantes. Esta comprensión es valiosa y útil para los profesionales del sector al diseñar e implementar estrategias adecuadas que estimulen, motiven y promuevan el comportamiento turístico proambiental.

Este estudio presenta un marco integrador basado en el enfoque del marketing experiencial, estableciendo una relación entre las dimensiones experienciales y el compromiso en el CTP a través de factores mediadores como el valor experiencial percibido, la satisfacción, la memoria y la excitación. Proporciona a los investigadores del turismo una nueva perspectiva y conocimientos sobre la experiencia turística y el comportamiento de consumo.

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new type of sensor which uses microwave metamaterials and direct-coupled split-ring resonators (DC-SRRs) to measure the dielectric properties of solid materials in real time. The sensor uses a transmission line with a bridge-type structure to measure the differential frequency, which can be used to calculate the dielectric constant of the material being tested. The study aims to establish an empirical relationship between the dielectric properties of the material and the frequency measurements obtained from the sensor.

In the proposed design, the opposite arm of the bridge transmission line is loaded by DC-SRRs, and the distance between DC-SRRs is optimized to minimize the mutual coupling between them. The DC-SRRs are loaded with the material under test (MUT) to perform differential permittivity sensing. When identical MUT is placed on both resonators, a single transmission zero (notch) is obtained, but non-identical MUTs exhibit two split notches. For the design of differential sensors and comparators based on symmetry disruption, frequency splitting is highly useful.

The proposed structure is demonstrated using electromagnetic simulation, and a prototype of the proposed sensor is fabricated and experimentally validated to prove the differential sensing principle. Here, the sensor is analyzed for sensitivity by using different MUTs with relative permittivity ranges from 1.006 to 10 and with a fixed dimension of 9 mm × 10 mm ×1.2 mm. It shows a very good average frequency deviation per unit change in permittivity of the MUTs, which is around 743 MHz, and it also exhibits a very high average relative sensitivity and quality factor of around 11.5% and 323, respectively.

The proposed sensor can be used for differential characterization of permittivity and also as a comparator to test the purity of solid dielectric samples. This sensor most importantly strengthens robustness to environmental conditions that cause cross-sensitivity or miscalibration. The accuracy of the measurement is enhanced as compared to conventional single- and double-notch metamaterial-based sensors.

Concrete-filled double skin tube (CFDST) columns are considered one of the most effective steel-concrete composite sections owing to the higher load carrying capacity as compared to its counterpart concrete-filled tube (CFT) columns. This paper aims to numerically investigate the performance of axially loaded, circular CFDST short columns, with the innovative strengthening technique of providing stiffeners in outer tubes. Circular steel hollow sections have been adopted for inner as well as outer tubes, while varying the length of rectangular steel stiffeners, fixed inside the outer tubes only, to check the effect of stiffeners in partially and full-length stiffened CFDST columns.

The behaviour of these CFDST columns is investigated numerically by using a verified finite element analysis (FEA) model from the ABAQUS. The behaviour of 20-unstiffened, 80-partially stiffened and 20-full-length stiffened CFDST columns is studied, while varying the strength of steel (f_yo = 250–750 MPa) and concrete (30–90 MPa).

The FEA results are verified by comparing them with the previous test results. FEA study has exhibited that, there is a 7%–25% and 39%–49% increase in peak-loads in partially stiffened and full-length stiffened CFDST columns, respectively, compared to unstiffened CFDST columns.

Enhanced strength has been observed in partially stiffened and full-length stiffened CFDST columns as compared to unstiffened CFDST columns. Also, a significant effect of strength of concrete has not been observed as compared to the strength of steel.

This study aims to examine the risk-resistant role of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the capital market, focusing on an organizational standpoint. Furthermore, it aims to offer management decision advice to companies seeking protection against stock market risks. Conclusions obtained through this research have the potential to enrich the economic consequences of ESG performance, provide practical implications for enhancing corporate ESG performance, improving corporate information quality and stabilizing capital market development.

Based on the data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2020, this study examines the risk-resistant function of ESG performance in the capital market. The impact of ESG performance on management behavior is analyzed from the perspective of organizational management and the three mechanisms of pre-event, during the event and post-event.

This paper demonstrates that companies that effectively implement ESG practices are capable of effectively mitigating risks associated with stock price crashes. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the inhibitory effect of ESG performance on stock price crash risk is more pronounced in nonstate-owned enterprises and enterprises with higher levels of marketization. After controlling for issues such as endogeneity, the conclusions of this paper are still valid. The mechanism analysis indicates that ESG performance reduces the risk of stock price crash through three paths of organizational management: pre-event, during the event and post-event. That is, ESG performance plays the role of restraining managers’ opportunistic behavior, reducing information asymmetry and boosting investor sentiment.

This paper provides new insights into the relationship between ESG performance and stock price crash risk from an organizational management perspective. This study establishes three impact mechanisms (governance effect, information effect and insurance effect), offering a theoretical basis for strategic corporate decisions of risk management. Additionally, it comprehensively examines the contextual differences in the role of ESG performance, shedding light on the specific domains where ESG practices are influential. These findings offer valuable insights for promoting stable development in the capital market and fostering the healthy growth of the real economy.

With the rapid development of technology, 360° panorama on mobile as a very convenient way to present virtual reality has brought a new shopping experience to consumers. Usually, consumers get product information through virtual annotations in 360° panorama and then make a series of shopping behaviors. The visual design of virtual annotation significantly influences users' online visual search for product information. This study aims to investigate the influence of the visual design of virtual annotation on consumers' shopping experience in the online shopping interface of 360° panorama.

A 2 × 3 between-subject design was planned to help explore whether different display model of annotation (i.e. negative polarity and positive polarity) and different background transparency of annotation (i.e. 0% transparency, 25% transparency and 50% transparency) may affect users' task performance and their subjective evaluations.

(1) Virtual annotations with different background transparency affect user performance, and transparency has better visual search performance. (2) Virtual annotation background display mode may affect the user operation performance; the positive polarity of the virtual annotation is more convenient for the users' visual searching for product information. (3) When the annotation background transparency is opaque or semi-transparent, the negative polarity display is more favorable to the users' visual search. However, this situation is reversed when the annotation background transparency is 25%. (4) Participants preferred the presentation of positive polarity virtual annotations. (5) Regarding the degree of willingness to use and ease of understanding, participants preferred the negative polarity display for 0% background transparency or 50% background transparency. However, the opposite result was obtained for 25% background transparency.

The findings generated from the research can be a good reference for the development of virtual annotation visual design for mobile shopping applications.

1. Virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode are two essential attributes of 360° panoramas.

2. This study examined how virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode influence user performance and experience.

3. It is recommended to use a translucent or opaque annotation background with a negative polarity display.

4. Virtual annotation presentation with 25% background transparency facilitates consumer searching and comparison of product information.

5. Users prefer a positive polarity annotation display.

Virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode are two essential attributes of 360° panoramas.

This study examined how virtual annotation background transparency and background display mode influence user performance and experience.

It is recommended to use a translucent or opaque annotation background with a negative polarity display.

Virtual annotation presentation with 25% background transparency facilitates consumer searching and comparison of product information.

Users prefer a positive polarity annotation display.

Online reviewers' identity information is an essential cue by which consumers judge reviews on ecommerce platforms. However, few studies have explored how prior anonymous reviews and focal reviews affect reviewers' preference for anonymity. The purpose of this paper is to investigate why reviewers seek anonymity in terms of prior anonymous reviews and focal reviews.

Based on restaurant reviews collected from meituan.com, one of the largest group-buying ecommerce platforms in China, this study employed logistic regression to examine how prior anonymous reviews and focal reviews are associated with reviewers' preference for anonymity.

Results show that the volume and sequence of prior anonymous review are positively associated with the likelihood of reviewers' preference for anonymity, whereas focal review valence is negatively correlated with this preference. Focal review length is positively correlated with reviewers' preference for anonymity but negatively moderates the roles of review valence and prior anonymous reviews on this preference.

This study expands the information disclosure literature by exploring determinants of user identity disclosure from a reviewer perspective. This research also offers a methodological contribution by employing a more accurate measure to calculate reviewers' preference for anonymity, enhancing the empirical results. Lastly, this work supplements the online review literature on how prior anonymous reviews and focal reviews are associated with reviewers' identity disclosure.

In response to growing concerns over the negative consequences of Internet addiction on adolescents’ mental health, coupled with conflicting results in this literature stream, this meta-analysis sought to (1) examine the association between Internet addiction and depressive symptoms in adolescents, (2) examine the moderating role of Internet freedom across countries, and (3) examine the mediating role of excessive daytime sleepiness.

In total, 52 studies were analyzed using robust variance estimation and meta-analytic structural equation modeling.

There was a significant and moderate association between Internet addiction and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, Internet freedom did not explain heterogeneity in this literature stream before and after controlling for study quality and the percentage of female participants. In support of the displacement hypothesis, this study found that Internet addiction contributes to depressive symptoms through excessive daytime sleepiness (proportion mediated = 17.48%). As the evidence suggests, excessive daytime sleepiness displaces a host of activities beneficial for maintaining mental health. The results were subjected to a battery of robustness checks and the conclusions remain unchanged.

The results underscore the negative consequences of Internet addiction in adolescents. Addressing this issue would involve interventions that promote sleep hygiene and greater offline engagement with peers to alleviate depressive symptoms.

This study utilizes robust meta-analytic techniques to provide the most comprehensive examination of the association between Internet addiction and depressive symptoms in adolescents. The implications intersect with the shared interests of social scientists, health practitioners, and policy makers.