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This paper analyzes the organizational capabilities associated with new product development of SMEs in manufacturing companies with indicators such as administrative capabilities, functional capabilities (R&D, manufacturing, and marketing), and innovative performance (new product development) in Malaysia. This study develops an extended structural model linking administrative and functional capabilities to new product development. To empirically analyze these relationships, the researchers used a questionnaire-based survey to collect data from the managers of small manufacturing firms operating in Malaysia. A total of 159 usable questionnaires were received via an online survey of SME managers in Malaysia. The questionnaire was subjected to a PLS structural equation modeling analysis to establish quantitative relationships among constructs. This empirical study confirmed four out of the five hypotheses as statistically significant. SMEs will sustain their competitive advantage by integrating and effectively utilizing their capabilities in administration, manufacturing, and marketing resources. The positive but insignificant effect of the relationship between R&D and new product development can be attributed to the small sample size in this study. However, functional capabilities through the combined mean values of R&D, manufacturing, and marketing capabilities positively and significantly affect SMEs' new product development. The research framework offers a practical guide for SMEs to sustain their competitive advantage by integrating and effectively utilizing their administration, manufacturing, and marketing resource capabilities.

This study evaluates the competitiveness of 269 listed firms in the Philippines using an integrated framework that combines multi-criteria analysis, two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN). Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT), the research investigates how functional capabilities in marketing, operations, and human resources influence both profitability-based and market value-based performance. The Enterprise Competitiveness Index (ECI) synthesizes performance (productivity and profitability) and potential (market image, stability, and growth), offering a comprehensive and standardized basis for ranking firms. Results reveal significant misalignments: some firms rank high in short-term performance but low in long-term potential, while others show strong future competitiveness despite current inefficiencies. These insights emphasize the importance of integrated assessments rather than relying solely on financial metrics. Two-stage DEA results further show that many firms convert capabilities into profitability efficiently but struggle to transform that profitability into market value. The DEA–BPNN framework achieves over 90 % predictive accuracy when DEA efficiency scores are included, demonstrating the model's ability to capture non-linear relationships and provide reliable forecasting. This study contributes a novel, theory-driven and empirically validated approach to measuring and predicting firm competitiveness. By integrating ranking, benchmarking, and predictive modeling, it offers a valuable tool for strategic decision-making and performance management in emerging markets.

Background Despite the important role that microorganisms play in environmental processes, the low percentage of cultured microbes (5%) has limited, until now, our knowledge of their ecological strategies. However, the development of high-throughput sequencing has generated a huge amount of genomic and metagenomic data without the need of culturing that can be used to study ecological questions. This study aims to estimate the functional capabilities, genomic sizes and 16S copy number of different taxa in relation to their ubiquity and their environmental preferences. Results To achieve this goal, we compiled data regarding the presence of each prokaryotic genera in diverse environments. Then, genomic characteristics such as genome size, 16S rRNA gene copy number, and functional content of the genomes were related to their ubiquity and different environmental preferences of the corresponding taxa. The results showed clear correlations between genomic characteristics and environmental conditions. Conclusions Ubiquity and adaptation were linked to genome size, while 16S copy number was not directly related to ubiquity. We observed that different combinations of these two characteristics delineate the different environments. Besides, the analysis of functional classes showed some clear signatures linked to particular environments.

Muscle health is a critical component in the struggle against physical frailty and the efforts to maintain metabolic health until the limit of chronological age. Consensus opinion is to evaluate muscle health in terms of muscle mass, strength and functional capability. There has been considerable variability in the components of muscle health which have been investigated in addition to variability in the tools of assessment and protocol for measurement. This is in stark contrast to the validated measurement of bone health across the adult life span. The purpose of this review was to identify indices of muscle mass, strength and functional capability most responsive to change with ageing and where possible to provide an estimate of the rate of change. We suggest lean tissue mass (LTM) or skeletal muscle (SM) is best evaluated from the thigh region due to its greater responsiveness to ageing compared to the whole body. The anterior compartment of the thigh region undergoes a preferential age-related decline in SM and force generating capacity. Therefore, we suggest that knee extensor torque is measured to represent the force generating capacity of the thigh and subsequently, to express muscle quality (strength per unit tissue). Finally, we suggest measures of functional capability which allow participants perform to a greater maximum are most appropriate to track age-related difference in functional capacity across the adult lifespan. This is due to their ability encompass a broad spectrum of abilities. This review suggests indices of muscular health for which reference ranges can be generated across the lifespan.

This study addresses the underexplored question of how firms in emerging markets convert internal resources into enterprise competitiveness. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), dynamic capabilities theory (DCT), and signaling theory, this study examines 638 publicly listed Vietnamese firms using a resource–capability–performance framework. A multidimensional enterprise competitiveness index (ECI) is constructed by integrating five strategic pillars—productivity, profitability, image, stability, and growth—which further synthesize into the two dimensions of performance and potential. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is also applied as a complementary method to evaluate the transformative efficiency of functional capabilities (marketing, operations, R&D, and human resources) in terms of profitability- and market value-based performance. The study employs both ordinary least squares multiple regression (OLSMR) and back propagation neural network (BPNN) models to analyze the predictive impact of functional capabilities on firm performance. The results reveal that marketing capability and profitability are the most influential drivers of market value and Tobin's Q, while operational efficiency predominantly influences profitability. R&D capability has no significant effect on market valuation unless innovation is successfully commercialized. Notably, BPNN outperforms OLSMR in predictive accuracy, especially for differentiating high- and low-performing firms. This dual-method approach offers a novel empirical contribution by highlighting the relative and nonlinear impact of functional capabilities on competitiveness in post-COVID Vietnam. The findings underscore the importance of aligning internal capabilities with investor expectations, providing strategic insights for firms seeking to sustain a competitive advantage in volatile, resource-constrained environments.

PurposeMuscular changes induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are well recognized, but knowledge of how NMES influences the physio-biochemical traits of the oldest old is still limited. This study investigated the effect of NMES applied for 12 weeks to the quadriceps muscles of female nursing-home residents aged 75 + on their functional capability and inflammatory, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular traits.MethodsNineteen women regularly taking part in two body conditioning sessions per week were randomized into an electrical stimulation group (ES; n = 10; 30 min sessions, 3 times per week) or a control group (CON; n = 9). At baseline and study week 12, all women performed the 30 s chair stand test (30sCST), the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and the instrumented timed up and go test (iTUG). Resting heart rates, blood pressure, and the blood concentrations of inflammatory and bone metabolism markers were also measured twice.ResultsNMES increased the strength of participants’ quadriceps muscles and their performance on the 30sCST and 6MWT while lowering resting arterial blood pressure and inflammatory marker levels; osteoclast activity showed a tendency to decrease. Changes in the iTUG results were not observed. A multiple regression analysis found that the results of functional tests in the ES group were best correlated with pulse pressure (the 30sCST and iTUG tests) and diastolic blood pressure (the 6MWT test).ConclusionTwelve weeks of NMES treatment improved participants’ functional capacity and inflammatory, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular traits. The ES group participants’ performance on functional tests was best predicted by hemodynamic parameters.

Introduction Insufficient physical activity constitutes one of the most problematic issues in the contemporary society. Data show that seniors should take up physical activity as it considerably affects their health and quality of life. Material and method The study included 76 individuals over 60 years of age who actively participated in social life (Senior Clubs, Country Housewives' Clubs, Folk groups) in south-eastern Poland. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Timed Up and Go Cognitive Test (TUG cog), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), right and left handgrip test, Functional Chair Stand Test (FS test), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were applied in the study. Results It was revealed that male participants (p=0.001), individuals being in a relationship (p=0.02) and subjects who had never had any fractures before (p=0.02) demonstrated higher levels of physical activity. In the examined group, a higher level of physical activity significantly correlated with a higher level of muscle strength of lower limbs (p=0.32) and left handgrip strength (p=0.26), shorter time of covering the distance of 10 metres (p=-0.23) and a higher level of cognitive capabilities (p=0.29). Conclusions Physical activity depends on sociodemographic factors and correlates with functional and cognitive capabilities of seniors. Therefore, it is important to promote active lifestyle among elderly individuals and to draw attention to its positive influence on everyday functioning.

BackgroundA falls prevention programme has been initiated in balneotherapy at Balaruc-les-Bains.AimsTo determine the health profiles of subjects who are at risk of falls, over 65 years of age and attending balneotherapy.MethodsQuestionnaires were used to evaluate people on their fear of falling. Fatigue was assessed by visual analog scale as well as by functional status over the past 12 months. EQ-5D-3L, the IPAQ questionnaire and Fried’s frailty scale were all used. Patients’ functional capabilities were tested using the Unipedal stance test, the TUG test, the SPPB, the Tandem walking test and the isometric manual grip strength test.ResultsOut of the 1471 patients (72.45 years ± 5.10), the women (67%) were tested. In the last 12 months, 485 of these 1471 patients fell (33%) and 37% of them suffered a severe injury. 45–50% of these subjects are now in good health. Women had a significantly higher impaired perception of their health than men (0.02 < p < 0.0001). According to Fried’s criteria, 10.2% of the population is considered frail, with a significantly greater number of women (p < 0.0001). Static equilibrium was subnormal (less than 12 s during the TUG). The number of steps in tandem position discriminates individuals and gender as does the speed of moving from A to B and muscular strength.ConclusionsMore than one-third of the subjects (more women than men) aged 65 or older visiting the Balaruc-les-Bains health resort are pre-frail or frail. They all have a recent history of falls, suffer from impaired muscle strength, and have balance and gait disorders.

Purpose This study aimed to identify and validate the information content and functional capabilities of a smartphone-based application for the self-care of patients with urinary tract stones. Methods and materials First, by reviewing studies and urology-oriented books, studying 214 medical records, and consulting with specialists, the information items and basic capabilities of the application were identified, and in the next stage, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed based on the information obtained from the previous step. Then, experts' opinions were considered to confirm the validity and reliability of the questionnaire; the designed questionnaire was distributed among various participants. Finally, the application's leading information elements, contents, and functional capabilities were explored by analyzing the questionnaire results. Results To conduct the survey, 101 patients with Urinary Stone Diseases (USD), 32 urologists and nephrologists, 11 nurses, and six other specialists were recruited. After analyzing the results of the filled questionnaire, 21 information elements and nine surveyed capabilities that were more important than others were selected to be used in designing the application. Some of the principal information elements that were used in the application design include: the cause of various stones in the body, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, treatments of various stones, the role of environmental factors in the treatment, the role of nutrition in the treatment and formation of stones, and different diagnostic methods. Some of the important features of the application include: medication and fluid intake reminders, laboratory test reminders, radiography and periodic examination reminders, surgical history, and easy access to medical centers for information. The mean score of information elements was 75.07 from the patients' perspective, 65.09 from the physicians' perspective, and 80.09 from the nurses' perspective. Also, the mean score of application capabilities was 31.89 from the patients' perspective, 30.37 from the physicians' perspective, and 35.09 from the nurses' perspective. The difference in the mean scores of the above variables was statistically significant ( p  < 0.05) in both layers. Conclusion In this study, informational and functional needs and capabilities were presented for designing a mobile-based application that helps in disease management in patients with urinary tract stones.

The relationships between different functional fitness performance and abdominal obesity among the elderly have not been widely discussed in the literature. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between functional fitness test performance and abdominal obesity in Taiwanese elderly people. A total of 22,399 items of data from the National Physical Fitness Survey Databases in Taiwan (NPFSD 2014-15) were reviewed and analyzed. The quartiles of functional fitness test results were identified as the dependent variable in the multiple linear regression analysis to examine the association between functional fitness and abdominal obesity status. The results showed that body balance (odds ratios (ORs) listed from 1.18 to 2.29, p < 0.05) and flexibility (ORs listed from 1.23 to 2.16, p < 0.05) were critically associated with abdominal obesity. However, measurements related to muscle strength revealed the limited effect sizes for abdominal obesity. From a disability prevention perspective, the development of muscle strength in the elderly should be emphasized and encouraged to maintain their daily capabilities instead of satisfaction with a lean body.