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This paper aims to investigate the problem of vision based autonomous laparoscope control, which can serve as the primary function for semi-autonomous minimally invasive surgical robot system. Providing the surgical gesture recognition information is a fundamental key component for enabling intelligent context-aware assistance in autonomous laparoscope control task. While significant advances have been made in recent years, how to effectively carry out the efficient integration of surgical gesture recognition and autonomous laparoscope control algorithms for robotic assisted minimally invasive surgical robot system is still an open and challenging topic.

The authors demonstrate a novel surgeon in-loop semi-autonomous robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery framework by integrating the surgical gesture recognition and autonomous laparoscope control tasks. Specifically, they explore using a transformer-based deep convolutional neural network to effectively recognize the current surgical gesture. Next, they propose an autonomous laparoscope control model to provide optimal field of view which is in line with surgeon intra-operation preferences.

The effectiveness of this surgical gesture recognition methodology is demonstrated on the public JIGSAWS and Cholec80 data sets, outperforming the comparable state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, the authors have validated the effectiveness of the proposed semi-autonomous framework on the developed HUAQUE surgical robot platforms.

This study demonstrates the feasibility to perform cognitive assistant human–robot shared control for semi-autonomous robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, contributing to the reference for further surgical intelligence in computer-assisted intervention systems.

As cannabis markets have expanded and nonalcoholic beer sales have grown, craft beverage manufacturers are increasingly interested in alternative beverage markets for product differentiation. This study evaluates consumer perceptions of nonalcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages to explore the market potential.

The study used survey data from 1,094 US beer drinkers to identify consumer willingness to try and general perceptions of cannabis-infused beverages. First, we identified who is most likely to try cannabis-infused beverages using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Then, we identified perceptions of cannabis-infused beverages relative to conventional beer by asking respondents to rate the expected taste, nutrition, safety and price for one of three hypothetical product options: a traditional beer, a cannabidiol (CBD) beverage or a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) beverage. Comparisons across products were then drawn using standard statistical tests.

Approximately 53–56% of beer drinkers in our sample stated they were willing to try cannabis-infused beverages, with age, product knowledge and past purchasing behaviors correlating with this response. Additionally, consumers expected cannabis-infused beverage scores to have similar safety and nutrition metrics to traditional beer but at higher prices. On average, consumers expected CBD- and THC-infused beverages to be $0.33 and $0.98 more expensive per six-pack than a conventional beer, respectively.

With an evolving craft beverage and cannabis landscape, these results provide a glimpse into beer drinkers’ attitudes toward CBD- and THC-infused beverages. The results offer novel insights into the target audience and market potential for cannabis-infused beverages that manufacturers and entrepreneurs can use in their business strategies. Additionally, the findings can be useful to policymakers and public health officials in monitoring this emerging market, informing policy design and designing public health messaging. Lastly, the study opens avenues for future research on consumer perceptions of cannabis versus alcoholic products across academic disciplines.

This study introduces a methodology that combines geographic information technologies and consumer behaviour principles to define, delineate and quantify the trade area (TA) of a bank branch within the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The goal is to design an optimal distribution network tailored to the needs of financial institutions involved in M&A activities.

The paper presents a procedure for TA delimitation, grounded in a theoretical model supported by marketing and consumer behaviour theories, focusing on proximity, purchase frequency and product type.

Addressing a gap in the literature, this study highlights TA delineation as a key element in marketing strategy, exploring its role in establishing optimal distribution networks, particularly for financial institutions engaged in M&A.

For simplicity, the study focuses on a single bank branch, rather than a broader dataset.

The proposed methodology enables more accurate delineation of TAs in M&A processes, mitigating the negative effects often overlooked by banks during mergers and acquisitions.

This approach helps reduce the risk of financial exclusion for vulnerable clients, promoting social and economic equity and fostering a fairer, more cohesive society.

This study is innovative in integrating geographic information science (GIS) metrics into location science, proposing fragmentation analysis to quantify the spatial structure and configuration of TAs. This approach departs from traditional practices, as these specific metrics have not been collectively applied in previous research.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to dramatically change the human approaches to work, and specifically to learning and development. While AI coaching can reduce costs and increase accessibility, it also presents both opportunities and threats to human coaches. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed research on the use of AI in coaching.

A systematic literature review (SLR) method was used to search eight databases for articles produced up to March 2024. Data extraction was conducted, with Quality Assessment undertaken independently, in parallel, using two researchers and a third arbiter. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. A narrative synthesis of a total of 16 quantitative, qualitative or mixed-method studies covering n = 2312.

The SLR identified four key themes: Research design and AI integration, AI usefulness in coaching, impact of AI coaching and ethical considerations. The findings suggest that AI coaches can be effective, accepted, useful and match human coaches in competence for specific tasks.

AI coaching is a growing area of practice and research. This paper brings together the literature and identifies future research priorities and potential next steps in AI coach development.

The paper uses clinical research SLR methods applying these robust processes to the field of organisational research, to set a new standard through the use of a pre-determined research protocol, quality assessment and ROB, well providing a comprehensive literature review of AI coaching.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the complexities of crowdfunding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh, with a focus on its global significance and unique characteristics in Muslim nations. By identifying key challenges such as the lack of a legislative framework, limited understanding of crowdfunding strategies and insufficient knowledge among entrepreneurs, this paper aims to provide recommendations for overcoming these obstacles. Through the analysis of open access articles published between 2015 and 2023, supplemented by occasional non-open access resources, this review seeks to contribute to the understanding of crowdfunding dynamics in emerging economies and inform policy and practice in this area.

A comprehensive review of the obstacles facing crowdfunding in Bangladesh’s SME sector was conducted using a diverse range of literature sources. These included 15 paid journal articles, 49 open-access journal articles, three conference papers, two websites and 11 book chapters. The selection of paid articles was based on criteria such as relevance to crowdfunding and fintech in emerging markets, recentness and influence. The review focused on literature published between 2015 and June 2024, encompassing key developments like the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles were sourced from platforms like Typeset.io, Google Scholar and ResearchGate, with themes categorized by cultural, social, regulatory, technological and economic factors.

This review paper explores the complexities of crowdfunding in the context of SMEs in Bangladesh. It provides insights into its worldwide significance, unique characteristics in Muslim nations and the obstacles encountered in the financial environment of Bangladesh. Crowdfunding has become a prominent worldwide trend, revolutionizing traditional fundraising methods and providing a wide range of funding options for different projects. Nevertheless, the implementation of this technology in Bangladesh, despite its significant role in the worldwide economic sphere, is hindered by various obstacles. The assessment highlights the capacity of crowdfunding to tackle the financial obstacles encountered by SMEs in Bangladesh, which is a crucial sector for the economic progress of the country. The current crowdfunding platforms in Bangladesh, including Projekt.co, GoRiseMe, Fundsme and Oporajoy, encounter reliability problems, which impede the wider adoption of this innovative financial model, despite its tremendous potential. Multiple factors contribute to the lack of popularity of crowdfunding in Bangladesh. These factors comprise the absence of a legislative framework, a poor comprehension of various crowdfunding strategies and a general lack of knowledge among entrepreneurs. The research highlights various obstacles, including limited expertise, insufficient government backing, reputational risk, security weaknesses and the adverse characteristics of crowdfunding, as major hindrances. Moreover, this study investigates the factors that contribute to the lack of acceptance of crowdfunding among entrepreneurs and investors in Bangladesh. Challenges concerning the financial system, regulatory deficiencies and a deficit of confidence arise as crucial elements impeding the efficient exploitation of crowdsourcing. Cultural and behavioral factors, together with technical literacy, significantly influence crowdfunding intentions. To surmount these obstacles and fully use the possibilities of crowdfunding for economic advancement, the assessment puts out a number of suggestions. These factors encompass the requirement for a secure and reliable financial industry, strong development of policies, increased clarity and the incorporation of all individuals and groups. To enhance confidence, safeguard backers’ interests and expedite the adoption of crowdfunding in Bangladesh, it is recommended to implement government intervention, regulatory reforms and integrate blockchain technology. For crowdfunding to thrive in Bangladesh and make a substantial contribution to economic progress, it is necessary for multiple stakeholders to make coordinated and determined efforts. To fully unlock the revolutionary power of crowdfunding in Bangladesh’s SMEs financial landscape, it is crucial to address the regulatory loopholes, improve financial awareness and use innovative technology.

The reliance on open-access sources, influenced by budget constraints and the lack of institutional access, may introduce some bias. However, the inclusion of a few key paid articles, identified through Typeset.io and reviewed for their relevance, aimed to mitigate this limitation and provide a well-rounded analysis.

The practical implications of this review paper are significant for improving crowdfunding adoption in Bangladesh’s SME sector. By identifying cultural, social, regulatory, technological and economic barriers, this paper provides insights for policymakers to design better regulations that ensure security and transparency in crowdfunding. It can also guide crowdfunding platforms to address these challenges, making their models more accessible and reliable. Entrepreneurs and investors can benefit from a clearer understanding of crowdfunding as an alternative financing option. In addition, this paper offers a foundation for future research and the development of fintech solutions tailored to emerging markets.

The social implications of this review paper are crucial for fostering inclusive entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. By addressing the barriers to crowdfunding, particularly for women and marginalized groups, the findings can promote greater access to finance for underrepresented entrepreneurs. This could lead to increased economic participation and empowerment, helping bridge the financial gap for SMEs in underserved communities. In addition, enhancing crowdfunding adoption can drive innovation, encourage community-based projects and support social enterprises, contributing to overall socioeconomic development. The insights can inspire initiatives that make crowdfunding more inclusive, helping uplift disadvantaged groups in Bangladesh’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The originality/value of this review paper lies in its comprehensive analysis of the complexities of crowdfunding for SMEs in Bangladesh, particularly within the context of Muslim nations. By synthesizing existing literature and identifying key challenges such as the lack of a legislative framework, limited understanding of crowdfunding strategies and insufficient knowledge among entrepreneurs, this review offers valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners and researchers. The recommendations proposed, including secure financial practices, strong policies and government intervention, alongside regulatory reforms and blockchain integration, contribute to advancing knowledge and informing strategies to promote sustainable crowdfunding initiatives for SMEs in emerging economies.

Smoke-free prison policies have been introduced in some countries, in part to address very high levels of tobacco use in people in prison. However, relapse rates post-release remain high. This papers aims to improve understanding of post-release smoking and/or vaping behaviour is necessary to inform support for a priority population.

The authors searched health, social science and criminal justice databases for studies about smoking/vaping behaviours among people released from smoke-free prisons. Studies were included if they reported primary data and were published between January 2017 and March 2024 in English; the population was adults/young people (16 yr+) imprisoned or formerly imprisoned, in prisons with comprehensive smoke-free policies; and at least one of the following was reported: pre-release intention to smoke, vape or remain abstinent post-release; smoking/vaping behaviour post-release and factors influencing smoking/vaping behaviour; attempts to quit again following post-release smoking/vaping relapse.

Nine studies met our criteria. The evidence base is small and mainly from the USA or Australia. Evidence continues to suggest that most people resume smoking after leaving a smoke-free prison. No new interventions have been successful in reducing relapse rates. No studies report on vaping post-release, although two studies report on perceived factors affecting smoking relapse post-release from prisons allowing vaping.

Given very high rates of relapse, there remains a significant need to better understand what approaches are feasible and acceptable for reducing return to smoking post-release.

This review updates the limited evidence on smoking behaviours after leaving a smoke-free prison.

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a thorough study of the current research status and trends of Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content (AIGC), which is thriving and exerting significant influences on society, the economy and technology. This study will encompass both the ample opportunities and the array of emerging risks and challenges associated with AIGC. Furthermore, this paper seeks to propose practical optimization strategies to facilitate its continued development.

A total of 12,702 documents in Scopus, CNKI and Altmetric.com databases are analyzed in this paper. The visualization tools of CiteSpace and Netdraw are used to systematically analyze AIGC from macro, meso and micro perspectives based on bibliometric indicators. The analysis is combined with altmetrics indicators to identify hotspots in AIGC-related research and predict future development trends. Finally, substantive optimization suggestions for the development of AIGC are put forward.

Research has found that firstly, both domestic and international research in the field of AIGC is actively catching up with the pace of the era. Institutions and authors recognize the indispensability of collaboration, leading to the emergence of interdisciplinary cooperation trends. Secondly, at the thematic research level, both domestic and international studies cover the overall trends of AIGC, including technology, applications, challenges and coping strategies. However, international scholars tend to focus more on technological breakthroughs, while domestic researchers emphasize the formulation of national laws and regulations. Finally, through the analysis of hotspots and trends, it is predicted that future research will focus more on addressing the legal issues regarding the originality of AIGC, enhancing its interactivity, optimizing its applications, emphasizing ethical considerations and efficiently addressing major social issues such as pandemics using AIGC technology. Corresponding optimization strategies are proposed to ensure the development of AIGC is consistent with global consensus and values, creating a beneficial environment for its sustainable development.

Firstly, this paper integrates data from three databases and uses multiple software tools to conduct a comparative analysis of the research trends in AIGC from both domestic and international perspectives. Secondly, this paper not only analyzes the academic influence of AIGC-related research through bibliometric indicators but also combines altmetrics indicators to explore the public’s attitude toward AIGC. This method systematically reveals the overall development trends, leading institutions and researchers, thematic research areas, hotspot evolution and future development trends of AIGC-related research, providing theoretical references for subsequent scholars in AIGC research. Additionally, this paper helps governments, institutions and organizations to precisely and wisely formulate policies and investments, as well as to effectively comprehend the development trends of AIGC and promote the advancement of AIGC technology and applications.

The aim of this study is two-fold: (1) to promote a model of youth participatory research and offer a window of understanding into how it can be enacted and (2) to understand youth perspectives on youth empowerment. This study asks: “how can youth help us understand youth empowerment?”

The study applies youth participatory action research (YPAR) and interpretative phenomenological analysis. The study illustrates how to enact a model of YPAR by engaging youth in the process of research in a youth-serving community non-profit organization.

This study sets out to make two important contributions, one methodological and one theoretical: First, the study contributes to our understanding of the opportunities and benefits of youth-engaged, peer-to-peer research. Specifically, this study promotes a model of youth participatory action research and knowledge making processes, and the associated social and formal benefits for youth. By extension, this study illustrates an approach to engage youth in formal contexts which has implications for both management and organizational studies and education. Finally, the study extends our understanding and conceptualization of the phenomenon of youth empowerment (as informed by youth perspectives).

The study offers insight into how to conduct youth participatory action research and specifically how to address two limitations cited in the literature: (1) how to authentically engage youth including how to share power, and (2) how to perform youth participatory action research, often critiqued as a black box methodology.

Housing finance is frequently difficult to provide in developing nations due to unstable macroeconomic conditions and a lack of supportive legal, technological and regulatory frameworks (Lea and Bernstein, 1996). Governments in these countries have, therefore, created a range of organizations and initiatives to improve the flow of capital to the housing market on a footing that is affordable to their populations given the household income levels (Ram and Needham, 2016). Housing, however, is by its very nature a significant investment requiring a considerable capital outlay at the onset (Dasgupta et al., 2014). This makes acquiring it challenging, particularly in underdeveloped nations where saving tendencies are quite low partly because of low-income levels (Keller and Mukudi-Omwami, 2017). As a result, many developing nations struggle with severe housing issues that lead to slums, overcrowding and related health issues.

The theoretical model for analyzing housing finance in Kenya in this study incorporates both demand and supply aspects, drawing from Brueckner’s (1994) framework. This model divides factors influencing demand into certainty and uncertainty conditions faced by households. In terms of certainty, the model considers factors that households can predict reliably. First is income, households are assumed to have stable income, allowing accurate assessment of budget constraints and mortgage decisions. Second is interest rates. While interest rates fluctuate, the model assumes that households have information about current rates, enabling informed decision-making. Finally, existing housing costs, such as rent or mortgage payments, are treated as fixed and predictable, facilitating accurate budget planning. Conversely, uncertainty factors include future income, future interest rates and housing prices. Households face uncertainty regarding future income, which can impact their mortgage repayment ability due to job market changes or unforeseen events. The model does not predict future interest rate changes, which can affect the affordability of mortgages. Furthermore, future fluctuations in housing prices add uncertainty to the benefits of homeownership and mortgage debt. Due to these uncertainties, the model in this study assumes certainty conditions, focusing on households maximizing their utility. In Brueckner’s model, a utility function captures household preferences and well-being linked to consumption choices, specifically between housing (H) and nonhousing goods (N). The utility function helps determine optimal income allocation, influenced by income (M), prices (P) and return on savings (t). The utility maximization problem involves selecting optimal amounts of housing and nonhousing consumption while managing housing credit (C).

The study confirms a significant long-run relationship between house finance and several macroeconomic variables, including interest rates on credit, inflation, unemployment and gross domestic product (GDP). The negative and significant error correction term indicates the presence of an equilibrium relationship, suggesting that the housing finance market in Kenya self-corrects swiftly in response to economic shocks. This efficiency could be attributed to increasing competition among financial institutions or a growing public awareness of housing finance options, implying a relatively well-developed market. Such responsiveness suggests that government policies aimed at influencing housing finance might have a quicker impact. For instance, introducing subsidies to reduce credit rates could rapidly boost housing finance activity (World Bank, 2019). However, the flip side of a fast-adjusting market is potential volatility, where rapid swings in economic factors could lead to significant fluctuations in housing finance availability, posing risks for both lenders and borrowers (Braun et al., 2022). Moreover, a rapid adjustment might not necessarily reflect a perfectly healthy market; it could indicate underlying issues like speculation or easy access to credit, potentially leading to bubbles or financial instability (Agnello et al., 2020).

This study reveals key insights into the determinants of housing finance in Kenya, demonstrating a significant long-run relationship between housing finance and economic variables such as interest rates, inflation, unemployment and GDP. The efficient adjustment of the housing finance market to economic changes suggests that government policies can rapidly influence housing finance, although this responsiveness also implies potential volatility and risks, including financial instability. Policymakers should, therefore, focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability and monitoring the housing market for signs of overheating. Encouraging competition among lenders and diversifying housing finance products can help ensure sustainable market adjustments. Credit interest rates show a modest but positive relationship with housing finance, suggesting that a stable lending environment could stimulate activity. Policymakers should manage credit availability to prevent excessive expansion and instability, enhancing financial inclusion and fostering competition in the banking sector. Inflation positively impacts housing finance, with rising inflation driving demand for real assets like housing. However, significant interest rate hikes by the Central Bank to combat inflation could reduce mortgage affordability. A flexible interest rate policy, along with targeted interventions like subsidized rates for first-time buyers, is necessary to balance market stimulation with inflation control. Unemployment’s negative impact on housing finance underscores the need for robust unemployment benefits and job training initiatives to support financial stability during job losses. Targeted housing finance programs for low- and middle-income earners can also improve mortgage accessibility. The positive correlation between GDP growth and housing finance indicates that economic expansion drives housing demand. Policymakers should prioritize initiatives that promote long-term economic growth, such as infrastructure development and innovation. Finally, the insignificance of savings interest rates in influencing housing finance suggests that traditional monetary policy may have limited effects. Promoting financial literacy and developing tailored savings instruments could strengthen the connection between savings and housing finance over time.