Deepening big data sustainable value creation: Exploring the IPMA and NCA perspectives

[EN] The impact of big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) on firms’ sustainable performance (SP) is exerted through a set of underlying mechanisms that operate as a ‘black box.’ Our previous research demonstrated that a serial mediation of supply chain management capabilities (SCMC) and circular economy practices (CEP) is required to improve SP from BDAC. However, further insights regarding the role of BDAC in the processes of SP creation can be provided by deploying complementary analytics techniques, namely the importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) and the necessary condition analysis (NCA). This paper runs these techniques on a sample of 210 Spanish companies with the potential for circularity and environmental impact. The results show that BDAC are essential for achieving SP. However, companies still have enough room for improvement to take further advantage of these capabilities. Additionally, BDAC are a necessary (must-have factor) and sufficient (should-have factor) condition for the rest of the variables in the model. Furthermore, high levels of BDAC are required to reach excellence in SP.Riggs, R.; Felipe, C.; Roldán, J.; Real, J. (2023). Deepening big data sustainable value creation: Exploring the IPMA and NCA perspectives. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 37-38. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/201696373

Opening the black box of big data sustainable value creation: the mediating role of supply chain management capabilities and circular economy practices

Purpose – This article examines the mechanisms through which big data analytics capabilities (BDAC) contribute to creating sustainable value and analyzes the mediating roles that supply chain management capabilities (SCMC), as well as circular economy practices (CEP), play through their impact on sustainable performance. Design/methodology/approach – Following a literature review, a serial mediation model is presented. Hypotheses regarding direct and mediating relationships are tested to determine their potential for sustainability impact and circularity. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has been applied for causal and predictive purposes. Findings – The results indicate that big data analytics capabilities do not have a direct positive impact on sustainable performance but influence indirectly through SCMC and CEP. Originality/value – Although some authors have addressed the associations between IT business value, supply chain (SC), and sustainability, this paper provides empirical evidence related to these relationships. Additionally, this study performs novel predictive analyses.Junta de Andalucía US-126445

Effect of chronic stress on running wheel activity in mice

Acute and chronic stress have been reported to have differing effects on physical activity in rodents, but no study has examined a chronic stress protocol that incorporates stressors often experienced by rodents throughout a day. To examine this, the effects of the Unpredict- able Chronic Mild Stress (UCMS) protocol on voluntary running wheel activity at multiple time points, and/or in response to acute removal of chronic stress was determined. Twenty male Balb/c mice were given access and accustomed to running wheels for 4 weeks, after which they were randomized into 2 groups; exercise (EX, n = 10) and exercise with chronic stress using a modified UCMS protocol for 7 hours/day (8:00 a.m.-3:00p.m.), 5 days/week for 8 weeks (EXS, n = 10). All mice were given access to running wheels from approximately 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. during the weekday, however during weekends mice had full-time access to running wheels (a time period of no stress for the EXS group). Daily wheel running distance and time were recorded. The average running distance, running time, and work each week- day was significantly lower in EXS compared to EX mice, however, the largest effect was seen during week one. Voluntary wheel running deceased in all mice with increasing age; the pattern of decline appeared to be similar between groups. During the weekend (when no stress was applied), EXS maintained higher distance compared to EX, as well as higher daily distance, time, and work compared to their weekday values. These results indicate that mild chronic stress reduces total spontaneous wheel running in mice during the first week of the daily stress induction and maintains this reduced level for up to 8 consecutive weeks. How- ever, following five days of UCMS, voluntary running wheel activity rebounds within 2–3 days

Biomarkers of vitamin B-12 status in NHANES: a roundtable summary123456

A roundtable to discuss the measurement of vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) status biomarkers in NHANES took place in July 2010. NHANES stopped measuring vitamin B-12–related biomarkers after 2006. The roundtable reviewed 3 biomarkers of vitamin B-12 status used in past NHANES—serum vitamin B-12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and total homocysteine (tHcy)—and discussed the potential utility of measuring holotranscobalamin (holoTC) for future NHANES. The roundtable focused on public health considerations and the quality of the measurement procedures and reference methods and materials that past NHANES used or that are available for future NHANES. Roundtable members supported reinstating vitamin B-12 status measures in NHANES. They noted evolving concerns and uncertainties regarding whether subclinical (mild, asymptomatic) vitamin B-12 deficiency is a public health concern. They identified the need for evidence from clinical trials to address causal relations between subclinical vitamin B-12 deficiency and adverse health outcomes as well as appropriate cutoffs for interpreting vitamin B-12–related biomarkers. They agreed that problems with sensitivity and specificity of individual biomarkers underscore the need for including at least one biomarker of circulating vitamin B-12 (serum vitamin B-12 or holoTC) and one functional biomarker (MMA or tHcy) in NHANES. The inclusion of both serum vitamin B-12 and plasma MMA, which have been associated with cognitive dysfunction and anemia in NHANES and in other population-based studies, was preferable to provide continuity with past NHANES. Reliable measurement procedures are available, and National Institute of Standards and Technology reference materials are available or in development for serum vitamin B-12 and MMA

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure

Contributors and considerations on the circular path to sustainability

To establish themselves as a long-term presence, a firm must be able to navigate and exploit the multitude of opportunities that are available to them. They must be able to navigate a complex and ever-changing landscape, leveraging the opportunities such as those offered by big data and supply chain management while also staying attuned to the shifting priorities and pressures of migrating to a circular economy model. For those firms that can rise to the challenge, the rewards can be well worth the effort. This study presents the work performed in two related projects. The first project, serial mediation model, sets out to describe the mediating effect that circular economy capabilities and supply chain management capabilities have upon the relationship between big data analytics capabilities and sustainable value. Little is known about the process that leverages big data analytics investments toward firm performance, either directly or indirectly. Our results demonstrate that supply chain management capabilities and circular economy practices are central to mediating this relationship and reveal a significant impact of supply chain management capabilities on sustainable performance. Our contribution also underscores the importance of circular economy practices in sustainability performance. Further, the entire mediation sequence emphasizes the importance of digitally transforming key organizational capabilities such as big data analytics enhances supply chain management capabilities, accelerates the adoption of circular economy practices, and thus increases sustainable performance. The first project also used importance-performance map analysis show that circular economy practices, big data analytics capabilities, and supply chain management capabilities are all important for explaining sustainable performance, with circular economy practices having the greatest potential for impact. Following this with necessary condition analysis, the analysis shows that big data analytics capabilities, supply chain management capabilities, and circular economy practices are not only sufficient (should-have) factors, but also necessary (must-have) factors for exceptional levels of sustainable performance. Production and supply chain managers should be made aware that implementing big data analytics capabilities does not directly improve sustainability. Instead, the serial mediation model shows that big data analytics capabilities should be seen as a critical precursor to implementing circular economy models, optimizing operations, and form the basis for long-term solutions. The second project, conditional mediation model, considers the moderating effect that environmental uncertainty has upon the mediating relationship of circular economy practices has upon the impact of information systems capabilities and economic performance. The results of our study confirm the critical mediating contribution of circular economy practices in the relationship between information systems capabilities and economic performance. There is also evidence that higher levels of environmental uncertainty result in lower effects of circular economy performance on economic performance. For managers, the results demonstrate the need to carefully assess the degree of environmental uncertainty prior to committing to investments that allocate resources for fundamental operational transformations. Managers can also increase the likelihood of foreseeing and responding to changes by seeking more inclusive identification and involvement of stakeholders

Alice to practice art of deception on Reagan

Dr. Humberto Garcia writes to Dr. Hector P. Garcia sending him an newspaper article he believed the latter would find interesting. The article, written by Randy Riggs, is entitled “Alice to practice art of deception on Reagan”. The article quotes a coach's comments on the other players being Mexican-American