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When recommending products to consumers, it is important to be able to accurately predict how consumers will rate them. However, existing collaborative filtering models are difficult to achieve a balance between rating prediction accuracy and complexity. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to propose an accurate and effective model to predict users’ ratings of products for the accurate recommendation of products to users.

First, we introduce an attention mechanism that dynamically assigns weights to user preferences, highlighting key interaction information and enhancing the model’s understanding of user behavior. Second, a fold embedding strategy is employed to segment user interaction data, increasing the information density of each subset while reducing the complexity of the attention mechanism. Finally, a masking strategy is integrated to mitigate overfitting by concealing portions of user-item interactions, thereby improving the model’s generalization ability.

The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly minimizes prediction error across five real-world datasets. On average, the evaluation metrics root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) are reduced by 9.11 and 13.3%, respectively. Additionally, the Friedman test results confirm that these improvements are statistically significant. Consequently, the proposed model more accurately captures the intrinsic correlation between users and products, leading to a substantial reduction in prediction error.

We propose a novel collaborative filtering model to learn the user-item interaction matrix effectively. Additionally, we introduce a fold embedding strategy to reduce the computational resource consumption of the attention mechanism. Finally, we implement a masking strategy to encourage the model to focus on key features and patterns, thereby mitigating overfitting.

This paper aims to improve the corrosion resistance of AH36 carbon steel, an epoxy resin (EP)-based superhydrophobic coating was prepared on the surface of AH36 carbon steel.

The hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used as nanocontainers, and the corrosion inhibitor L-proline was loaded by negative pressure method and then modified it with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, got functionalized hydroxy carbon nanotubes (KH-CNTs@LP). The KH-CNTs@LP was mixed with the EP, and the KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating was successfully prepared on the surface of the AH36 carbon steel matrix by spraying.

The results showed that the water contact angle of the KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating is 155.2° and the rolling angle is 5°. The KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating had a good corrosion resistance in the pH = 4 corrosion environment, |Z|0.01 Hz was 7.21 × 10⁷ Ω·cm².

The KH-CNTs@LP/EP superhydrophobic coating is pH-responsive and releases L-proline, which increased the impedance of the coating and can effectively improve the protection efficiency of the coating on the metal. The active protection is provided by loaded L-proline inhibitor from KH-CNTs@LP, whereas the passive protection is achieved through the water rejection of superhydrophobic surfaces.

Metadiscourse is an important dialogue technique used in productive knowledge building to help a group evaluate and advance their knowledge progress. Previous studies have identified and defined various types of metadiscourse. However, there is scant knowledge about how different metadiscourse types emerge among different groups or what implicit correlations lie between progressive discourse and metadiscourse. Moreover, research on how different types of metadiscourse influence groups' knowledge advancement and artifacts is still inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to further examine the roles that different types of metadiscourse play in the collaborative knowledge building community on both a fine-grained (i.e. progressive discourse) and coarse-grained (i.e. group knowledge advancement and group artifacts) level.

Data for this study are drawn from the behaviour of undergraduate students participating in a 12-week course at a key university in China. On the fine-grained level, epistemic network analysis (ENA) is applied to illustrate how metadiscourse promotes the development of progressive discourse. On the coarse-grained level, two different chi-square tests are conducted to examine the roles of different types of metadiscourse in groups' knowledge advancement and artifacts.

The analysis allowed several conclusions to be drawn. First, the types of metadiscourse that students most often adopted were reflecting on ideas development (RD) and commenting on ideas (CI); they less frequently adopted setting group goals (SG) and making group plans (MP). Second, most types of metadiscourse correlated with developments in progressive discourse, particularly RD and CI. Third, the metadiscourse types RD, CI and coordinating group efforts (CE) played essential roles in knowledge advancement. Fourth, higher-quality artifacts could be created by using the metadiscourse type reviewing the state of knowledge building progress (RP).

A more profound comprehension of the role that metadiscourse plays in the collaborative knowledge building community not only contributes to the literature in the knowledge building field but also carries a significant meaning in regulating community, promoting learner agency and sustained knowledge, and consequently improving collaborative learning performance.

The rapid advancement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) presents significant opportunities for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. However, despite their potential, UAV applications face numerous barriers, including technical, regulatory and safety challenges, which hinder their widespread adoption. While existing research highlights these challenges, it provides limited guidance on comprehensive strategies to address them, which in turn may hinder the wider adoption of UAVs. This study seeks to fill this gap by identifying the multi-dimensional challenges associated with UAVs in AEC and developing a strategic roadmap that offers actionable insights for stakeholders, facilitating safer and more efficient UAV integration.

The 24 interviews were conducted to identify the challenges and potential strategies of UAV applications in the AEC industry. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected text contents, qualitative analysis was used to construct a conceptual strategy roadmap and focus group meetings were used to verify the roadmap.

The primary technical challenges include short battery life, loss of global positioning system (GPS)/compass and UAV magnetic interference. The critical safety risks are collisions, falls and absence of safety awareness among remote pilots and workers. Additionally, some practitioners struggled to meet operational requirements while maintaining the productivity of AEC flight operations. Furthermore, existing remote pilot training programs are generic and lack trade-specific training content.

Despite the valuable benefits and contributions of this study, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations encountered, which are outlined below. It is essential to note that the respondents in this study primarily came from Hong Kong, and the challenges may vary in different countries or regions. However, it is worth mentioning that the study interviewed specialists with international project experience who provided their insights from a global perspective.

This study contributes to a better understanding of the multi-dimensional challenges and strategies of UAV adoption in the AEC industry. The strategic roadmap will guide stakeholders to take proper actions for the safe integration of UAVs into the AEC industry.

This empirical study contributes to understanding stakeholders’ needs and engagement with regard to the new technology adoption. It also proposes a novel strategic roadmap for addressing the challenges through collaborative efforts among all relevant stakeholders, promoting safe and efficient UAV uses in the AEC sector.

This study aims to investigate the metaverse’s capability to foster sustainable tourism through word-of-mouth (WoM), by integrating embodied social presence theory with social identity theory. It aims to unveil how the interplay between metaverse technology and user attributes enhances tourists’ experiences and satisfaction, thereby promoting WoM for sustainable tourism practices.

A scenario-based survey research design was used, comprising a survey of 528 respondents. This study used structural equation modelling to analyse the data, focusing on the relationships between technological features, user attributes, social presence and their combined effect on promoting sustainable tourism through WoM.

Results indicate that the metaverse significantly enhances social presence and tourist satisfaction, which in turn, fosters WoM for sustainable tourism. Key factors include technological attributes (individuality, empathy, naturalness and immersion) and user attributes (prior experience and interest in sustainable practices), which collectively influence the propensity for sustainable WoM, also impacted by prosocial identity and subcultural identification.

This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating the metaverse’s potential in enhancing sustainable tourism promotion through innovative technological engagement. It offers practical insights for destination marketers and service providers on leveraging metaverse technology to engage a wider audience in sustainable tourism practices, marking a significant step towards integrating digital innovations with ecological sustainability efforts.

本研究旨在探讨元宇宙促进可持续旅游的能力, 通过融合具身社会存在理论与社会认同理论, 分析元宇宙技术与用户属性之间的相互作用如何增强游客的体验和满意度, 从而推动可持续旅游实践的口碑（WoM）传播。

采用基于情境的调查研究设计, 对528名受访者进行了问卷调查。本研究运用结构方程模型对数据进行分析, 重点关注技术特性、用户属性、社交存在感及其对通过WoM促进可持续旅游的联合效应。

研究结果表明, 元宇宙显著增强了社交存在感、游客满意度和体验感, 进而促进了可持续旅游的WoM。关键因素包括技术属性（个性化、共情、自然性和沉浸感）和用户属性（先前经验和对可持续性的兴趣）, 这些因素共同影响了可持续性WoM的倾向, 同时也受到亲社会身份和亚文化认同的影响。

本研究通过展示元宇宙在通过创新技术参与中增强可持续旅游推广的潜力, 为文献做出了贡献。它为目的地营销人员和政策制定者提供了实际洞见, 关于如何利用元宇宙技术吸引更广泛的受众参与可持续旅游实践, 标志着将数字创新与生态可持续性努力相结合的重要一步。

Este estudio investiga la capacidad del metaverso para fomentar el turismo sostenible a través del boca a boca (WoM), integrando la teoría de la presencia social corporal con la teoría de la identidad social. Su objetivo es desvelar cómo la interacción entre la tecnología del metaverso y los atributos de los usuarios mejora las experiencias y la satisfacción de los turistas, promoviendo así el WoM para prácticas de turismo sostenible.

Se utilizó un diseño de investigación con encuestas basadas en escenarios, con 528 participantes. El estudio empleó modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para analizar los datos, centrándose en las relaciones entre las características tecnológicas, los atributos de los usuarios, la presencia social y su efecto combinado en la promoción del turismo sostenible a través del WoM.

Los resultados indican que el metaverso mejora significativamente la presencia social y la satisfacción del turista, lo que a su vez fomenta el WoM del turismo sostenible. Los factores clave incluyen atributos tecnológicos (individualidad, empatía, naturalidad e inmersión) y atributos de los usuarios (experiencia previa e interés por las prácticas sostenibles), que influyen colectivamente en la propensión al WoM sostenible, también afectado por la identidad prosocial y la identificación subcultural.

Esta investigación contribuye a la literatura al demostrar el potencial del metaverso para mejorar la promoción del turismo sostenible a través de un compromiso tecnológico innovador. Ofrece perspectivas prácticas para los comercializadores de destinos y los proveedores de servicios para aprovechar la tecnología del metaverso para involucrar a un público más amplio en prácticas de turismo sostenible, marcando un paso significativo hacia la integración de las innovaciones digitales con los esfuerzos de sostenibilidad ecológica.

This research conducts bibliometric analyses and network mapping on smart libraries worldwide. It examines publication profiles, identifies the most cited publications and preferred sources and considers the cooperation of the authors, organizations and countries worldwide. The research also highlights keyword trends and clusters and finds new developments and emerging trends from the co-cited references network.

A total of 264 records with 1,200 citations were extracted from the Web of Science database from 2003 to 2021. The trends in the smart library were analyzed and visualized using BibExcel, VOSviewer, Biblioshiny and CiteSpace.

The People’s Republic of China had the most publications (119), the most citations (374), the highest H-index (12) and the highest total link strength (TLS = 25). Wuhan University had the highest H-index (6). Chiu, Dickson K. W. (H-index = 4, TLS = 22) and Lo, Patrick (H-index = 4, TLS = 21) from the University of Hong Kong had the highest H-indices and were the most cooperative authors. Library Hi Tech was the most preferred journal. “Mobile library” was the most frequently used keyword. “Mobile context” was the largest cluster on the research front.

This study helps librarians, scientists and funders understand smart library trends.

There are several studies and solid background research on smart libraries. However, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to conduct bibliometric analyses and network mapping on smart libraries around the globe.

This study is dedicated to investigate why Mainland Chinese students pursuing higher education in Hong Kong are more likely to return to first-tier cities in Mainland China rather than stay in Hong Kong after graduation, despite Hong Kong’s increasing efforts to retain them as talent. By identifying the rationale that leads them to make such a choice, a critical gap in talent retention strategies for emerging education hubs can thus be addressed.

Through semi-structured interviews among 20 Mainland Chinese students have recently graduated from Hong Kong institutions, this study analyzes the two-way push and pull factors between Hong Kong and first-tier cities in China, elucidating how international students are influenced by various factors and make the common decisions to go to first-tier cities rather than Hong Kong after graduation.

The study reveals that while Hong Kong’s favorable visa policies and sector-specific employment opportunities serve as significant pull factors, they are outweighed by the comparative advantages of first-tier cities in mainland China. The comparative advantages of first-tier cities in China, including stronger economic incentives, better social integration prospects and more attractive talent recruitment policies, ultimately determine students' destination choices.

One major limitation lies in the relatively small and specific sample size, which may not fully capture the diversity of experiences among the targeted population. Moreover, the potential destinations of graduates are not limited to Hong Kong or the first-tier cities in China.

This research extends the traditional two-way push-pull theory by integrating comparative advantage analysis, offering a nuanced framework to evaluate international student mobility and talent retention dynamics. The research simultaneously provide insights for policymakers and higher education institutions to refine talent retention strategies, enhance the appeal of emerging education hubs and better align policies with global student mobility trends.

This study investigates the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in information literacy curricula using library e-resources to enhance information literacy self-efficacy (ILSE) of students in two universities in Indonesia, in Java Island (University A) and Sumatra Island (University B).

A comparison of the effectiveness of the approach in the two universities forms the focus of the study, which has adopted a single group quasi-experimental design which was conducted in one online teaching-learning session. The authors compared the pre-test and post-test scores of 65 library and information science (LIS) students from both universities.

The results show that the treatment enhanced ILSE effectively. After the treatment, University A students performed better than those at University B.

The factors which affected the success of PBL using library e-resources have not been identified in this study, a task for a future qualitative research study.

This study will both inspire the use of library e-resources in learning activities and promote ILSE.

Integrating PBL with library e-resources provides opportunity to identify the advantages of library e-resources in supporting student ILSE, resulting a better learning achievement.

This study examines the influence of investor protection on stock price crash risk (SPCR) in Asian economies.

This study used yearly data from 432 nonfinancial companies publicly listed firms in six countries (i.e., China, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore) from 2007 to 2020 to investigate the relationship between investor protection and the risk of stock price crashes. The hypothesis was tested using a generalized least square panel regression.

The results suggest that investor protection significantly affects SPCR in Asian economies. Furthermore, the findings show that the stocks of firms whose investors received the best protection were less prone to crash in developed Asian economies. However, in developing Asian economies, the stocks of firms whose investors received the best protection were more prone to crashes.

It provides awareness and understanding of how the level of investor protection affects SPCR, which could be useful for decision-makers and professionals across a spectrum of financial and non-financial institutions, such as portfolio managers and traders in commercial banks, investment banks and mutual funds. This knowledge enables informed decision-making and the formulation of effective policies to manage stock market volatility.

This study appears to be the first of its kind to focus on the link between investor protection and SPCR within the specific context of developed and developing Asian economies.

This study aims to investigate the impact of geopolitical risk (GPR) on supply chain concentration (SCC) and the roles of operational capabilities and resources in this relationship.

Secondary longitudinal data from multiple sources is collected and combined to test for a direct impact of GPR on SCC. We further examine the moderating effects of firms’ operational capabilities and resources (i.e. firm resilience, operational slack and cash holding). Fixed-effect regression models are applied to test the hypotheses, followed by a series of robustness tests to check the consistency of the results.

Consistent with the tenets of resource dependence theory, our analysis reveals a significant negative impact of GPR on SCC. Moreover, we find that this adverse effect is attenuated for firms with higher levels of resilience, more operational slack and greater cash holdings. Further analysis suggests that maintaining a diversified supply chain base during heightened GPR is associated with a firm’s improved financial performance.

This study contributes to the supply chain management (SCM) literature by integrating GPR into the supply chain risk management framework. Additionally, it demonstrates the roles of diversification and operational resources in addressing GPR-induced challenges.