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Honouring the Maradika: from Kaili kingdoms to a decentralised neo-royal provincial government
No full textMusic, dance and ceremonies associated with Kaili royalty depict the presence of ethnic-specific genres and the exchange of tangible and intangible heirlooms (pusaka) with neighbouring kingdoms. Located in Central Sulawesi, Kaili lands (ngata Kaili) experienced the formation of distinct kingdoms at the periphery of four historical centres, namely South Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, the Sulu Zone and Maluku. With shared practices as an ethnicity (Kaili) and idiosyncrasies with distinct courts, dialects and lineages, Kaili kingdoms maintained a legacy of traditions serving as status signifiers in honour of nobility circles (maradika), and a heritage signifying local customs of each court and links to other kingdoms. The Kaili heritage experienced changes together with the transformations of the Indonesian political climate after independence in 1945, particularly during the national process of centralisation and standardisation of the performing arts during the New Order (Orde Baru) era (1967– 1998), and once again during the process of decentralisation of government operations that gave a greater autonomy to the performing arts after 1998. In view of the dynamic, evolving and adapting role of Kaili performance traditions associated with the nobility, this chapter analyses the forms in three diachronic eras: the Kaili kingdoms before 1945; the centralised national Indonesian government after 1945; and the decentralised neo-royal provincial government in Central Sulawesi after 1998. The chapter considers the following as examples of performing arts development for each era: the Kaili vaino mourning song in remembrance of deceased royalty and the balia healing ritual forms performed for royalty; royal links of the kakula gong-row heritage; and the pajoge maradika royal dance form
Predicting conservation priority areas in Borneo for the critically endangered helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil)
Get PDFThe critically endangered helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) is under threat around its Southeast Asian range due to hunting and habitat loss. Dependant on primary rainforest habitats, the species is thought to be highly sensitive to habitat disturbance. Compounding this is the threat of climate change where equatorial ecosystems, such as those found on Borneo, are predicted to increase in temperature and precipitation. It is therefore important to identify whether the species’ suitable habitats, both now and in the future, are protected from further anthropogenic disturbance. In this study we used species distribution models to assess the extent of suitable habitat for R. vigil across Borneo, an island which has undergone rapid deforestation in recent years, and a stronghold for the species. Using 302 R. vigil occurrence records, four environmental and three land-use cover variables, we modelled R. vigil current habitat suitability, and two future projections under climate change scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for 2041–2060. Our results suggest that a quarter of Borneo's landmass is currently suitable for R. vigil. However, there is a steep decline in the predicted suitable habitat from 335,963 km2 (current scenario) to 73,170 km2 (future RCP 4.5), to 54,839 km2 (future RCP 8.5). Our model predicts that the amount of suitable habitat protected by current protected areas (PAs) and the planned Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative will increase under future climate change, with the HoB protecting > 65 % of R. vigil suitable habitat across all projections. This is likely worsened by future land-use change not included in these models, which is a limitation to our study. We therefore encourage the connectivity of lowland PAs, and the continuation of HoB targets to prevent further decline of R. vigil habitat around Borneo. This study provides the first species-specific spatial assessment of the critically endangered helmeted hornbill distribution in response to climate change across current and planned protected regions in Borneo
Engaging consumers through artificially intelligent technologies: Systematic review, conceptual model, and further research
No full textWhile consumer engagement (CE) in the context of artificially intelligent (AI-based) technologies (e.g., chatbots, smart products, voice assistants, or autonomous cars) is gaining traction, the themes characterizing this emerging, interdisciplinary corpus of work remain indeterminate, exposing an important literature-based gap. Addressing this gap, we conduct a systematic review of 89 studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach to synthesize the AI-based CE literature. Our review yields three major themes of AI-based CE, including (i) Increasingly accurate service provision through AI-based CE; (ii) Capacity of AI-based CE to (co)create consumer-perceived value, and (iii) AI-based CE's reduced consumer effort in their task execution. We also develop a conceptual model that proposes the AI-based CE antecedents of personal, technological, interactional, social, and situational factors, and the AI-based CE consequences of consumer-based, firm-based, and human-AI collaboration outcomes. We conclude by offering pertinent implications for theory development (e.g., by offering future research questions derived from the proposed themes of AI-based CE) and practice (e.g., by reducing consumer-perceived costs of their brand/firm interactions)
Sustainable energy generation from plastic waste: An in-depth review of diesel engine application
No full textPlastic consumption has increased significantly over the previous few decades and it is one of the most significant sources of waste in many countries. Recycling and energy recovery methods are just two methods for dealing with plastic waste. As a result, the process of converting waste plastic into energy and its application in the diesel engine was reviewed in the present study. The pyrolysis process could be utilized to use plastic waste efficiently. The waste plastic is converted to liquid oil, gas, and solid by using this process. This article reviewed the application of plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) in diesel engines regarding its properties and effects on the fuel's performance, combustion, and emission parameters. PPO typically has a lower sulfur concentration than standard diesel fuel. Plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) improves cylinder pressure, brake power, and brake thermal efficiency while lowering fuel consumption when blended with diesel. Emissions can also vary depending on combustion characteristics, fuel quality, and engine technology. The literature on emission assessments yields conflicting results regarding nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon emissions from PPO. However, because of the higher oxygen concentration, carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) often decrease. Finally, the study recommended a 10%− 90% mix of PPO-diesel as an alternative fuel for the engine with no modifications; this concentration may be increased by adding additives/nanoparticles in the fuel or modifying the engine
Continuities and discontinuities in the cultural evolution of global consciousness
Get PDFGlobal consciousness (GC), encompassing cosmopolitan orientation, global orientations (i.e. openness to multicultural experiences) and identification with all humanity, is a relatively stable individual difference that is strongly associated with pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours, less ingroup favouritism and prejudice, and greater pandemic prevention safety behaviours. Little is known about how it is socialized in everyday life. Using stratified samples from six societies, socializing institution factors correlating positively with GC were education, white collar work (and its higher income) and religiosity. However, GC also decreased with increasing age, contradicting a ‘wisdom of elders’ transmission of social learning, and not replicating typical findings that general prosociality increases with age. Longitudinal findings were that empathy-building, network-enhancing elements like getting married or welcoming a new infant, increased GC the most across a three-month interval. Instrumental gains like receiving a promotion (or getting a better job) also showed positive effects. Less intuitively, death of a close-other enhanced rather than reduced GC. Perhaps this was achieved through the ritualized management of meaning where a sense of the smallness of self is associated with growth of empathy for the human condition, as a more discontinuous or opportunistic form of culture-based learning.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis’
Structural vaccinology, molecular simulation and immune simulation approaches to design multi-epitopes vaccine against John Cunningham virus
No full textThe JCV (John Cunningham Virus) is known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a condition that results in the formation of tumors. Symptoms of this condition such as sensory defects, cognitive dysfunction, muscle weakness, homonosapobia, difficulties with coordination, and aphasia. To date, there is no specific and effective treatment to completely cure or prevent John Cunningham polyomavirus infections. Since the best way to control the disease is vaccination. In this study, the immunoinformatic tools were used to predict the high immunogenic and non-allergenic B cells, helper T cells (HTL), and cytotoxic T cells (CTL) epitopes from capsid, major capsid, and T antigen proteins of JC virus to design the highly efficient subunit vaccines. The specific immunogenic linkers were used to link together the predicted epitopes and subjected to 3D modeling by using the Robetta server. MD simulation was used to confirm that the newly constructed vaccines are stable and properly fold. Additionally, the molecular docking approach revealed that the vaccines have a strong binding affinity with human TLR-7. The codon adaptation index (CAI) and GC content values verified that the constructed vaccines would be highly expressed in E. coli pET28a (+) plasmid. The immune simulation analysis indicated that the human immune system would have a strong response to the vaccines, with a high titer of IgM and IgG antibodies being produced. In conclusion, this study will provide a pre-clinical concept to construct an effective, highly antigenic, non-allergenic, and thermostable vaccine to combat the infection of the John Cunningham virus
Out of the way, human! Understanding post-adoption of last-mile delivery robots
Get PDFThe pace of technological development is exceeding expectations and transforming the landscape of last-mile delivery. This study investigates how users' post-adoption behavior in using delivery robots is formed. Based on the task-technology fit (TTF) model, we present a research model that includes both direct and indirect factors that have been previously overlooked in the literature. We collected data from 550 users of delivery robots. Our structural equation modelling results show that two hedonic- (i.e., gratification and anthropomorphism) and three utilitarian- (i.e., service quality experience, delivery task requirements, and user-facing technology performance) driven factors predict perceived TTF in using delivery robots. Value-in-use and trust have sequential mediating effects that connect perceived TTF and service reuse likelihood and word-of-mouth recommendation. Our findings suggest ways to improve last-mile delivery robot strategies and provide practical implications for the industry
Experience first: investigating smart wearable technology acceptance among elderly citizens with Smart Wearables Technology Acceptance Model (SWTAM)
Get PDFAs the population ages, there is a greater demand for health care services and support, especially through smart wearable technology to monitor the elderly’s health, at the same time resolving the psychological, psychosocial, and mobility inadequacies. This study looked at the aspects that may have helped older people embrace smart wearable technologies to expedite and promote the use of smart wearable technology. After consulting the earlier related studies, a structural equation modeling-based model of smart wearables acceptance for elderly citizens will be developed. This model will include an extra construct—individual context—by including elements such as anxiety and self-efficacy. This study mainly focused on developing countries, which as Malaysia in this case, as the available studies on the acceptance of smart wearable technology are still lacking in our country. The population of this study is mainly older adults with basic knowledge of Smart Wearable Technology or users of the technology. In the data collection phase, 300 datasets were collected, and 266 examples were used for model validation after data filtering in the data processing phase. The validity and reliability of the constructs in the model were assessed through the method of partial least squares. In the assumption testing, normality and common method variance were applied. For further assessment, convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, and indicator reliability (outer loadings) were all used to evaluate the measuring model. Difficulties with collinearity, path coefficients, confidence intervals, and effect size (f2) were also evaluated for the structural model’s validation. The findings of this study identified a few factors that significantly impact older people's desire to employ smart wearable technology in both positive and negative ways, where external factors seem to be more having a significant effect on perceived usefulness when compared with perceived ease of use. Furthermore, perceived values are better factors to be explored in influencing the decisions of the elderly
Leader humility and employee service performance: examining the role of meaningfulness in Work, thriving at work and trust in the leader
No full textAlthough the effectiveness of leader humility has been established, there remains a research gap regarding its impact on employee service performance in different industries and cultural contexts. This study examines the perceived influence of leader humility on employee service performance, considering the mediating effects of meaningfulness in work and thriving at work and the moderating effect of trust in a leader. The research focuses specifically on the banking and telecom industries in Bangladesh. Conservation resource theory is the underpinning theory and test of the proposed model. This study investigates how leader humility promotes employee service performance by enhancing meaningfulness in work and thriving at work.
Additionally, this study explores the contributions of trust in leaders and leader humility to improve meaningfulness in work. A quantitative research approach is adopted, utilizing a survey instrument adapted from existing studies. Non-probability sampling techniques are employed to collect data from the target respondents. The measurement and structural model analysis are conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). At the same time, the sequential mediation impact of meaningfulness in work and thriving at work and the moderated mediation impact of trust in leaders is analyzed using the PROCESS Macro in SPSS.
The hypotheses are validated through a matched manager-employee questionnaire sample comprising 306 participants from two Bangladeshi service companies operating in the banking and telecom sectors. Study findings demonstrate that leader humility improves employee meaningfulness, thriving at work, and service performance. This finding suggests that humble leaders can create a workplace where employees feel purpose, personal growth, and better service. This study also shows that thriving at work mediates the association between meaningfulness in work and employee service performance. This finding shows that meaningful work motivates employees to thrive, improving service performance. This study also finds that meaningfulness and thriving at work sequentially buffer the association between leader humility and employee service performance. Leader humility directly affects meaningfulness, which affects thriving at work and service performance. Trust in the leader also moderates the relationship between leader humility and employee outcomes. This study's noble finding shows that leader humility affects meaningfulness and thriving at work depending on trust in a leader. Trust in the leader influences how well leader humility promotes meaningful work experiences and employee thriving. This study analyzes Bangladesh's banking and telecom sectors, revealing their distinctive dynamics. This discovery makes the results more applicable and has practical implications for these industries. These findings highlight how leader humility improves staff well-being and performance. This study explains leader humility and its contextual factors. This study has theoretical and managerial implications. These consequences are thoroughly investigated, providing practical insights for leaders and companies in comparable situations
Last screens of Malaya: preserving the traditional wayang pacak through documentaries
No full textIn recent decades, cultural heritage and archiving have become vital for preserving and making heritage more accessible. Improving techniques for preservation is essential for safeguarding a country’s intellectual and economic wealth, enabling better conservation, cost savings, and wider distribution. Cinema, as both physical and intangible cultural property, plays a key role in this process through research-creation, which combines art, theory, and research. This approach also allows documenting intangible cultural heritage, challenging traditional methods by focusing on audience experiences, screening schedules, exhibition formats, and film reception. This paper is the first to discuss Malaysia's traditional 35mm Wayang Pacak using SDG Target 11.4—protecting the world’s cultural and natural heritage—as its framework. It offers insights into the socio-cultural influences, technical evolution, historical development, and characteristics of Wayang Pacak using archival research and case studies. Additionally, it examines the collaborative research-creation process involving academics, filmmakers, and sound specialists in documentary production. Ultimately, this project aims to celebrate and preserve the Wayang Pacak, sharing it with both local and global audiences