Social media influencer marketing has emerged as an essential marketing strategy in the online interactive environment. This study investigates the impact of influencer-consumer fit (ICF) on behavioral intentions; intention to co-create brand value (ICC) and purchase intention (PI), with the serial mediation of influencer authenticity (IA) and attitude toward brand (ATB). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to followers of social media influencers in Pakistan. The data were collected from 421 female followers of social media influencers through survey and partial least squares—structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. The findings reveal that ICF impacts IA, while the latter impacts ATB. ATB in turn impacts behavioral intentions. The direct effects suggest that ICF impacts consumers’ PI but not the ICC. However, with the serial mediation of IA and ATB, the relationship becomes significant. The findings of this study may assist managers in building brand strategies to achieve excellence in a highly dynamic and competitive market by leveraging the power of influencer marketing.
The idea of a smart city has evolved in recent years from limiting the city’s physical growth to a comprehensive idea that includes physical, social, information, and knowledge infrastructure. As of right now, many studies indicate the potential advantages of smart cities in the fields of education, transportation, and entertainment to achieve more sustainability, efficiency, optimization, collaboration, and creativity. So, it is necessary to survey some technical knowledge and technology to establish the smart city and digitize its services. Traffic and transportation management, together with other subsystems, is one of the key components of creating a smart city. We specify this research by exploring digital twin (DT) technologies and 3D model information in the context of traffic management as well as the need to acquire them in the modern world. Despite the abundance of research in this field, the majority of them concentrate on the technical aspects of its design in diverse sectors. More details are required on the application of DTs in the creation of intelligent transportation systems. Results from the literature indicate that implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) to the scope of traffic addresses the traffic management issues in densely populated cities and somewhat affects the air pollution reduction caused by transportation systems. Leading countries are moving towards integrated systems and platforms using Building Information Modelling (BIM), IoT, and Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to make cities smarter. There has been limited research on the application of digital twin technology in traffic control. One reason for this could be the complexity of the traffic system, which involves multiple variables and interactions between different components. Developing an accurate digital twin model for traffic control would require a significant amount of data collection and analysis, as well as advanced modeling techniques to account for the dynamic nature of traffic flow. We explore the requirements for the implementation of the digital twin in the traffic control industry and a proper architecture based on 6 main layers is investigated for the deployment of this system. In addition, an emphasis on the particular function of DT in simulating high traffic flow, keeping track of accidents, and choosing the optimal path for vehicles has been reviewed. Furthermore, incorporating user-generated content and volunteered geographic information (VGI), considering the idea of the human as a sensor, together with IoT can be a future direction to provide a more accurate and up-to-date representation of the physical environment, especially for traffic control, according to the literature review. The results show there are some limitations in digital twins for traffic control. The current digital twins are only a 3D representation of the real world. The difficulty of synchronizing real and virtual world information is another challenge. Eventually, in order to employ this technology as effectively as feasible in urban management, the researchers must address these drawbacks.
This study investigates the influence of service quality, destination facilities, destination image, and tourist satisfaction on tourist loyalty in the Pasar Lama Chinatown area of Tangerang City. Utilizing data from 400 respondents, the study employed structured questionnaires analyzed through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results reveal that service quality (β = 0.47, p < 0.001), destination facilities (β = 0.33, p < 0.001), and destination image (β = 0.4, p < 0.001) all significantly enhance tourist satisfaction, which in turn has a strong positive effect on loyalty (β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Direct paths also show that service quality, destination facilities, and destination image independently contribute to tourist loyalty. Bootstrapping confirms satisfaction’s mediating role between these factors and loyalty. Practical recommendations suggest prioritizing service quality improvements, facility enhancements, and a positive destination image to foster loyalty and promote tourism sustainability in Pasar Lama, China. These insights assist tourism managers in developing strategies to enhance long-term visitor retention and engagement in the area.
Edible cutlery is a safe alternative that, if adopted, can act as a panacea to plastic pollution. Consumers who believe in a lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS) can motivate others by taking the lead in this direction. This study has explored the psychological variables associated with LOHAS consumers in conjunction with the product attributes of edible cutlery to check whether these variables can influence lifestyle of health and sustainability (LOHAS) consumers to adopt edible cutlery. An empirical study on 210 LOHAS consumers using Partial Least Squares Structure Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Importance Performance Matrix Analyses (IPMA) showed that social consciousness and subjective norms motivate them to adopt edible cutlery in restaurants. This finding has an implication for hospitality businesses using edible cutlery that can target LOHAS consumers with strategies that affect their social consciousness and subjective norm belief for better adoption intentions.
The fast-growing field of nanotheranostics is revolutionizing cancer treatment by allowing for precise diagnosis and targeted therapy at the cellular and molecular levels. These nanoscale platforms provide considerable benefits in oncology, including improved disease and therapy specificity, lower systemic toxicity, and real-time monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. However, nanoparticles' complicated interactions with biological systems, notably the immune system, present significant obstacles for clinical translation. While certain nanoparticles can elicit favorable anti-tumor immune responses, others cause immunotoxicity, including complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA), cytokine storms, chronic inflammation, and organ damage. Traditional toxicity evaluation approaches are frequently time-consuming, expensive, and insufficient to capture these intricate nanoparticle-biological interactions. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have emerged as transformational solutions to these problems. This paper summarizes current achievements in nanotheranostics for cancer, delves into the causes of nanoparticle-induced immunotoxicity, and demonstrates how AI/ML may help anticipate and create safer nanoparticles. Integrating AI/ML with modern computational approaches allows for the detection of potentially dangerous nanoparticle qualities, guides the optimization of physicochemical features, and speeds up the development of immune-compatible nanotheranostics suited to individual patients. The combination of nanotechnology with AI/ML has the potential to completely realize the therapeutic promise of nanotheranostics while assuring patient safety in the age of precision medicine.
The history of organic polymers is a remarkable journey from the discovery of natural materials like rubber and silk to the development of sophisticated synthetic polymers that have transformed industries and modern life. This comprehensive review article presents a detailed account of the evolution of organic polymers. It begins with the early uses of natural polymers and explores key breakthroughs, including the invention of Bakelite, nylon, and neoprene. The theoretical foundations of polymer science, laid by Hermann Staudinger, are discussed, and the post-war surge in polymer development is examined, including the introduction of polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC. Notable advances in polymer chemistry, such as isotactic polypropylene and silicone polymers, are highlighted. The article also delves into the development of high-performance polymers like Kevlar and carbon-based materials, offering insights into their applications. Moreover, it discusses the current trends in polymer science, emphasizing sustainability and biodegradability. As the world continues to rely on polymers for numerous applications, this review provides a historical perspective and a glimpse into the future of organic polymers, where innovations are expected to shape various aspects of technology, healthcare, and environmental protection.
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