Assessing Firm Readiness to Adopt Cluster-Based Innovative Projects: A Segmentation Analysis

As innovation has garnered substantial attention on corporate success and sustainability, organizations must evaluate internal contexts to determine potential innovative practices and benefits. Firms need to investigate the determining factors of innovation preparedness as organizational innovation practices are catalyzed through internal elements. This study evaluates small and medium firms’ readiness to adopt and execute collaborative innovative projects within a future cluster and its impacts on organizational advantages, intentions, and attributes. Thereby, three dimensions were considered in examining organizational preparedness, namely, climate, culture, and motivation. A total of 70 firms operating in the labeled agri-food sector in Morocco were interviewed and homogenously classified using integrated hierarchical and non-hierarchical algorithms, following a segmentation approach. Three segments were identified, stressing the degree of organizational readiness to undertake innovative projects within future service clusters. The segments varied according to the firm’s sub-sector, experience, and resources. Considering the association of readiness with benefits and practical aims, the results broaden firm preparedness understanding to adopt innovative projects. The results also illustrate the relevance of adapting both innovative and beneficial project arrangements for firms with minor to moderate experience while addressing current issues across different segments.

Perceptions of Live Donor Kidney Transplantation Using Segmentation Analysis and Perceptual Mapping to Understand Differences by Self-Reported Health Status in People on Dialysis

Living donor kidney transplantation is a superior treatment option for those with end stage kidney disease, but most transplants are from deceased donors. Securing a living donor for living donor kidney transplantation requires effective, well-timed communication which many may find difficult or intimidating. This study uses segmentation analysis and an innovative marketing technique called perceptual mapping to create three dimensional models to compare living donor kidney transplant perceptions by self-reported health status in 160 end-stage kidney disease dialysis patients of two hospital-based dialysis units and an online forum through cross-sectional surveys. Findings indicate patients with poor self-reported health status are more concerned with not knowing what to say or being afraid a person would say no to living donor kidney transplantation. They are also concerned about the donor’s ability to care for family or donate in the future. They are, however, more likely to see benefits of living donor kidney transplantation, including the kidney lasting longer and having a greater quality of life. Findings reveal messages that could be emphasized in interventions to enhance the ability to ask for living donor kidney transplantation, especially in those assessed as having poor health status. Segmentation analysis and perceptual mapping methods can provide a more nuanced look at how best to develop intervention content to increase living donor kidney transplant.

A General Framework for Visualization of Sound Collections in Musical Interfaces

While audio data play an increasingly central role in computer-based music production, interaction with large sound collections in most available music creation and production environments is very often still limited to scrolling long lists of file names. This paper describes a general framework for devising interactive applications based on the content-based visualization of sound collections. The proposed framework allows for a modular combination of different techniques for sound segmentation, analysis, and dimensionality reduction, using the reduced feature space for interactive applications. We analyze several prototypes presented in the literature and describe their limitations. We propose a more general framework that can be used flexibly to devise music creation interfaces. The proposed approach includes several novel contributions with respect to previously used pipelines, such as using unsupervised feature learning, content-based sound icons, and control of the output space layout. We present an implementation of the framework using the SuperCollider computer music language, and three example prototypes demonstrating its use for data-driven music interfaces. Our results demonstrate the potential of unsupervised machine learning and visualization for creative applications in computer music.

Retinal Microvasculature and Conjunctival Vessel Alterations in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study

Purpose: To evaluate the conjunctival and fundus retinal vessel density in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and to investigate the relationship between vessel density and clinical indicators.Methods: Twelve patients with SLE (24 eyes) and 12 healthy controls (24 eyes) were recruited. OCTA was used to examine the superficial retina layer (SRL) and deep retina layer (DRL) in the macular retina and conjunctival capillary plexus of each eye. We calculated the density of the temporal conjunctival vessels, fundus microvascular (MIR), macrovascular (MAR) and total MIR(TMI) and compared the results in both groups. We used annular partitioning (C1–C6), hemispheric quadrants, and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study partitioning (ETDRS) to analyze changes in the retinal vascular density. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the association between blood capillary density and clinical indicators.Results: OCTA results showed significant differences in the conjunctival microvascular density (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in MIR, TMI, and MAR in the superficial layers between the SLE and healthy group (p > 0.05). The DRL and DTMI (Deeper TMI) densities were decreased in the macular regions of SLE patients (p < 0.05). In the hemispheric segmentation analysis, the superficial MIR was significantly decreased in the IL (inferior left) region of the SLE patients (p < 0.05), and the deep MIR in the IR (inferior right) region was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). In the ETDRS partitioning analysis, the superficial MIR in the inferior, right, and left subdivisions was significantly decreased in the SLE patients (p < 0.05). In the circular segmentation analysis, the deep MIR in the C1 and C3 regions was significantly reduced in SLE patients (p < 0.05), while the superficial MIR density was decreased only in the C3 region (p < 0.05). The conjunctival vascular density was negatively correlated with the STMI (Superficial TMI) (r = −0.5107; p = 0.0108) and DTMI (r = −0.9418, p < 0.0001). There was no significant correlation between vascular density and SLEDAI-2k (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index−2000) (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Clinically, patients with SLE and patients suspected of SLE should receive OCTA examination in a comprehensive eye examination to detect changes in ocular microcirculation at an early stage.

Segmenting children’s active school travel behaviour: insights on caregivers’ perceived risks and social norms

PurposeActive school travel (AST) programmes aim to change commuting behaviour to improve children's physical and mental health. However, very limited health education programmes for children use segmentation to create tailored solutions that understand the specific characteristics of each group of children and their caregivers in order to yield better results. The aim of this study is to use a statistical segmentation analysis (two-step cluster analysis) to gain insights on the examination of specific groups to design future health education interventions and campaigns that can improve children's health.Design/methodology/approachGuided by the Ecological and Cognitive Active Commuting (ECAC) framework, a market segmentation analysis was performed. An online survey was designed to collect data from caregivers of children between 5 and 12 years attending school and responsible for taking the child to and/or from school in Victoria and Queensland, Australia. Using 3,082 responses collected from Australian caregivers of primary school children, a two-step cluster analysis was performed.FindingsAnalysis revealed the most important variables for group formation were previous child walking behaviour, distance from school and caregiver income. Perceived risk of the physical environment was the most important psychographic segmentation variable for group formation, followed by social norms. Four distinct groups with different characteristics were identified from the analysis.Originality/valueThis is the first study that applies the ECAC framework to perform market segmentation in the AST context. Results revealed four market segments that demand different tailored solutions. Findings shed light on how to better design AST interventions and campaigns to promote children's health using segmentation techniques.

Consumer Preferences for Cheese with Focus on Food Safety—A Segmentation Analysis

This research work analyzes Albanian urban consumer preferences and purchasing behavior related to cheese, focusing on food safety and related attributes, including origin, packaging, and certification. This paper is based on a structured survey targeting urban consumers. The analysis consists of a two-step cluster and descriptive statistics. The clustering was based on key sociodemographic variables, namely, gender, education, and age. The results show that the local cheese is preferred to imported cheese, and the main sources of food safety guarantee are the producer name/brand and knowing the seller. Most consumers across all five identified clusters preferred buying unpacked cheese to packed cheese. The cluster of educated female consumers preferred to buy cheese mainly in supermarkets compared to other clusters that preferred convenience shops. Consumer clusters with a university education appeared to be more informed about both HACCP and ISO compared to other (less educated) consumer clusters. Low trust in state institutions to guarantee food safety calls for the need to strengthen their capacities, professionalism, and awareness engagement with consumers.

Kerley A-lines represent thickened septal plates between lung segments in patients with lymphangitic carcinomatosis: confirmation using 3D-CT lung segmentation analysis

Purpose Kerley A-lines are generally apparent in patients with pulmonary edema or lymphangitic carcinomatosis. There are two main thoughts regarding the etiology of Kerley A-lines, but no general agreement. Specifically, the lines are caused by thickened interlobular septa or dilated anastomotic lymphatics. Our purpose was to determine the anatomic structure represented as Kerley A-lines using 3D-CT lung segmentation analysis. Materials and methods We reviewed 139 charts of patients with lymphangitic carcinomatosis of the lung who had CT and X-ray exams with a maximum interval of 7 days. The presence of Kerley A-lines on X-ray was assessed by a radiologist. The A-lines on X-ray were defined as follows: dense; fine (< 1 mm thick); ≥ 2 cm in length, radiating from the hilum; no bifurcation; and not adjacent to the pleura. For cases with Kerley A-lines on X-ray, three radiologists agreed that the lines on CT corresponded with Kerley A-lines. The incidence of A-lines and the characteristics of the lines were investigated. The septal lines between lung segments were identified using a 3D-CT lung segmentation analysis workstation. The percentage of agreement between the A-lines on CT and lung segmental lines was assessed. Results On chest X-ray, 37 Kerley A-lines (right, 16; left, 21) were identified in the 22 cases (16%). Of these, 4 lungs with 12 lines were excluded from analysis due to technical reasons. Nineteen of the 25 lines (76%) corresponded to the septal lines on CT. Of these, 11 lines matched with automatically segmented lines (intersegmental septa, 4; intersubsegmental septa, 7) by the workstation. Two lines (8%) represented fissures. Four lines corresponded to the bronchial wall/artery (3 lines, 12%) or vein (1 line, 4%). Conclusion Kerley A-lines primarily represented thickened and continued interlobular septal lines that corresponded to the septa between lung segments and subsegments.

COVID-19 Vaccine Segments in Australia: An Audience Segmentation Analysis to Improve Vaccine Uptake

BackgroundKnowing your audience is the first step in an effective public health communication campaign. While previous studies provide broad categories of public intentions to get a COVID-19 vaccine, few systematically segment and identify effective ways to engage with distinct publics to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake. MethodsUsing data from a national sample of Australian public (N = 1054) and based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a latent class analysis of 23 items was undertaken to identify COVID-19 audience segments for potential future message targeting. FindingsWe found five different segments on COVID-19 vaccine intentions: Vaccine enthusiasts (28%), supporters (26%), socials (20%), hesitant (15%), and sceptics (10%). While the vaccine hesitants have concerns about safety and side-effects of the vaccine, the sceptics hold additional concerns about the need for a vaccine and dismiss the health risks. Vaccine socials hold less favourable attitudes towards a COVID-19 vaccine but are willing to get one to protect others. These audience segments differ on demographic variables and in their level of trust in mainstream media, scientists and health experts, social media, and family and friends. In particular, we found the most vulnerable—the poor and undereducated—may need further help in understanding the need and importance of COVID-19 vaccination.InterpretationUnderstanding the COVID-19 vaccine attitudinal and information seeking characteristics of these sub-publics will help inform appropriate messaging campaigns to reach out to vaccine hesitant and sceptics for promoting vaccination. It provides insight into what types of message framing may be effective, through which platforms messages should be provided, and by which trusted sources.