Search Results (2,477)

The construction sector contributes to global CO₂ emissions and resource consumption, highlighting the need for sustainable design strategies. In this context, building envelope performance plays a key role, supported by digital technologies. This study proposes an automated BIM-MCDM workflow to select the optimal wall stratigraphy with Aerogel, EPS, and Rock Wool thermal insulation layers. The evaluation indicators are organized into three thematic clusters: Thermal Performance (TPI), Environmental Sustainability (ESI), and Economic Indicators (EI). Insulation alternatives and indicators are modeled in Autodesk Revit, enabling parametric variation in insulation layers and generating multiple stratigraphic configurations. Performance indicators are automatically calculated through a BIM-VPL integration using Dynamo, Microsoft Excel, and Tally. Fully interoperable parametric scripts enable data extraction from the BIM model, regulatory compliance verification, and the transfer of results back to the BIM model. Finally, indicator values are weighted and evaluated using an MCDM analysis based on the AHP method, fully implemented in Dynamo. The results indicate that EPS ranks first due to its strong performance in TPI and ESI, followed by Aerogel, influenced by EI, and Rock Wool, which shows a lower contribution to ESI. This research contributes to data-driven decision-making and the digitalization of sustainability-oriented performance assessment for building envelopes. Full article

Large-scale urban tree donation campaigns are widely implemented worldwide as nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation; however, most programs lack individual-level traceability and post-donation monitoring, limiting accountability and evidence-based management. A fundamental prerequisite for longitudinal survival assessment is the existence of a reliable traceability infrastructure capable of linking individual trees to verified planting records over time. This study proposes and empirically evaluates a participatory digital traceability system that establishes this foundational infrastructure, conceptualized as a distributed data validation architecture for donation-based urban afforestation programs. The framework integrates (i) persistent digital identifiers, (ii) geospatial registration, (iii) distributed multi-stage validation, and (iv) structured citizen reporting, and is operationalized through an installation-free progressive web application (ArborizaCL). The approach was deployed in five real-world campaigns conducted in Valdivia, Chile (May–September 2025), registering 642 trees distributed to 240 participants. A total of 190 georeferenced planting reports were submitted, corresponding to an overall reporting rate of 29.6%. Reporting behavior varied substantially by institutional follow-up strategy: campaigns with active follow-up achieved a mean reporting rate of 54.0%, compared with 13.0% under passive strategies, yielding a 41.0 percentage point difference (315.8% relative increase). Spatial analysis of reported plantings showed a predominance of urban (51.1%) and peri-urban (42.1%) locations, enabling differentiated territorial assessment. These results indicate that while digital infrastructure enables traceability and transparent monitoring, sustained citizen engagement is strongly associated with institutional coordination mechanisms. Beyond environmental monitoring, the proposed framework contributes to information governance by demonstrating how participatory digital traceability systems can support distributed public-sector oversight and outcome-oriented evaluation. The framework provides a transferable methodological basis for strengthening monitoring capacity, transparency, and governance design in publicly funded afforestation initiatives and other distributed civic programs. Full article

The widespread adoption of smart contracts, self-executing agreements on the blockchain, is hindered by the complexity of translating real-world contracts, often written in multiple languages, into their digital counterparts. This paper addresses this challenge by introducing an innovative approach based on Contract Text Markup Language (CTML), an extensible markup language specifically designed to facilitate the automatic generation of smart contracts from multilingual contracts. CTML overcomes traditional method limitations by employing a two-stage transformation process: (1) Contract Abstraction and Markup: CTML redefines grammar rules and incorporates encoding extensions to transform multilingual contracts into structured, marked-up contracts. This process effectively abstracts the essential details of the original contract, enabling language-agnostic interpretation. (2) Domain-Specific Language (DSL) Translation and Smart Contract Code Generation: The marked-up contract is then seamlessly translated into a DSL program, capturing the legal concepts in a machine-readable format. Finally, the DSL program is automatically compiled into executable smart contract code, ready for deployment on the blockchain. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated using a legal contract in both English and Chinese. Therefore, the CTML-based approach can automatically generate smart contracts from multilingual contracts, enabling a more inclusive and accessible smart contract ecosystem. Full article

This study investigated the in vitro replication kinetics and molecular characteristics of five field isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) representing subgenotypes 1b, 1d, and 1f, currently circulating in Hungary. We compared cytopathogenic (cp) and non-cytopathogenic (ncp) biotype pairs using digital PCR (dPCR) and virus titration. While dPCR showed higher genome copy numbers for cp isolates, virus titration revealed comparable or lower infectious titers, suggesting the accumulation of replication-incompetent viral particles during the infection cycle. Molecular analysis identified (novel) amino acid substitutions in Npro, capsid, and NS4B regions, although typical large-scale genome rearrangements were absent. These findings demonstrate that biotype differences are molecularly complex and subgenotype-dependent. Our results emphasize that relying on a few genetic markers is insufficient for biotype categorization, necessitating comprehensive characterization in BVDV surveillance programs. This complexity must be considered when designing vaccines or control programs, especially in regions with diverse circulating strains. Full article

Background and Objectives: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a keystone in gastric cancer (GC) management, allowing treatment customization, including for advanced or metastatic diseases. This review aims to evaluate the critical role of IHC markers, analyzing their efficiency in molecular subclassification and prediction of response to gastric cancer-targeted therapies, while also describing state-of-the-art IHC techniques and perspectives. Results: The major challenges for the GC management were structured in two main sections, as follows: (i) the current paradigm of gastric neoplasia diagnosis, which includes subsections related to the methodological and morphological foundations, the epidemiological dynamics, and risk factors, as well as differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated tumors; and (ii) the progress in 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) application and advanced reagents in gastric cancer immunohistochemistry. Discussion: Considering the role of IHC and DAB, the following topics were successively addressed in seven sections: GC key biomarkers, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and DNA replication mismatch repair (MMR) system, allow direct correlation between tissue morphology and protein expression; intestinal and gastrointestinal differentiation markers; emerging and aggressive histological subtypes; epithelial–mesenchymal transition, E-cadherin, and the process of tumor budding; implementation of innovative procedures in gastric cancer immunohistochemistry; and automation, quality control, and sustainability in the pathology laboratory. Perspectives: The main directions were focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for digital quantification of the IHC signal and also on the expansion of panels to new targets, such as Claudin 18.2 (CLDN 18.2), which redefines treatment approaches in advanced stages. Conclusions: Although faced with technical and biological limitations, immunohistochemistry remains indispensable in modern gastric oncology. The evolution towards digital pathology and the refinement of scoring criteria will transform IHC from a complementary test into a visual tool that is essential for personalizing oncological treatment. Full article

Service industries are fast turning digital, and they are disrupting the manner in which firms organize and relate to their customers. Nevertheless, mechanisms that allow digital capabilities to be converted to better customer experience remain poorly understood, especially in the emerging economies. This paper presents the dual-mediation model to investigate the effects of Digital Supply Chain Integration (DSCI) and capabilities of digital customer engagement (DCEC) on Customer Experience Outcomes (CXO) based on Sustainable Business Model Innovation (SBMI) and Customer Value Co-Creation (CVC) with references to Dynamic Capabilities Theory and Service-Dominant Logic. The data were collected by a cross-sectional survey of 360 managers of the banking, telecom, healthcare, and hospitality organizations in Pakistan and analyzed with the help of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that the customer experience is enhanced well beyond what is feasible alone by means of Sustainable Business Model Innovation due to the Digital Supply Chain Integration, whereas customer experience is enhanced by the Digital Customer Engagement Capabilities through Customer Value Co-Creation. The results also show that the mechanisms of co-creation have the largest impact on the outcome of customer experience. The research is an addition to the body of literature on digital transformation because it illustrates how digital integration, innovation that is focused on sustainability, and relational co-creation can collectively convert digital capabilities into experiential value. The results also provide practical factors that should be considered by service companies when embarking on digital transformation programs to align the programs with sustainability and customer engagement mechanisms. Full article

Small ruminant production is vital for rural livelihoods and food security in Saudi Arabia but faces persistent constraints, including high feed costs, limited veterinary access, low reproductive efficiency, and weak extension services. To address these gaps, a Farm Service Delivery Model (FSDM) was piloted, which involved embedding trained livestock technicians into communities to deliver integrated on-farm services. This study evaluated the impact of the FSDM on 47 farms across three regions over 6–12 months. The key results showed significant improvements: flock size increased by 28%, the lambing rate per ewe doubled from 0.39 to 0.80, twin births tripled, mortality declined from 23.8% to 8.0%, and milk production more than doubled. Economic analysis revealed a benefit–cost ratio of 3.02, indicating high return on investment. Scaling the FSDM nationally could generate up to USD 4.8 billion in added meat and milk value over five years while reducing meat imports by 48%. The model aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and offers a scalable and sustainable pathway to enhance productivity, resilience, and rural income. Policy recommendations include institutional integration, digital innovation, blended financing, and strengthened breeding programs. Full article

Background: Aging is associated with increased adiposity, sarcopenia risk, and metabolic vulnerability. Digital tools may enhance adherence to nutritional strategies, but their impact on detailed body composition remains insufficiently explored. Methods: This 6-month prospective controlled longitudinal intervention study included 60 middle-aged and older adults. All participants received a smart watch and smart scale for self-monitoring. The control group attended evaluations only at baseline and study completion, while the intervention group received monthly follow-up and remote feedback. Body composition was assessed using multi-frequency BIA. Statistical analyses included paired tests, effect sizes, correlations, and linear mixed-effects models. Results: Significant reductions were observed in BMI (p < 0.001), fat mass (p = 0.003), and visceral fat (p = 0.003; Cohen’s d = 0.41). The sarcopenic index improved (p = 0.001), while skeletal muscle mass remained stable. ECW increased significantly (p = 0.010). Age was inversely associated with the magnitude of improvement. Mixed-effects modeling confirmed a time-dependent reduction in visceral fat independent of age and sex. Conclusions: A 6-month digitally assisted nutritional monitoring program was associated with favorable changes in adiposity, muscle quality, and hydration status. Multi-frequency BIA provides valuable integrative markers for monitoring nutritional interventions in aging populations. Full article

Engineering Materials courses are characterized by dense conceptual content, cumulative knowledge structures, and heterogeneous student learning trajectories. Existing teaching reform studies often focus on isolated instructional techniques or digital tools, while paying limited attention to the systemic organization of learning activities, assessment, feedback, and instructional decision-making. This study proposes a system-oriented teaching framework for an undergraduate Engineering Materials course within an urban underground space engineering program. The framework conceptualizes course instruction as a closed-loop process driven by continuous learning evidence and feedback regulation. The framework was implemented in an undergraduate Engineering Materials course with 50 students over a 16-week semester using a learning management platform. Multiple sources of process data were collected, including platform access records, assignment submissions, weekly quiz performance, pre- and post-course concept assessments, instructor feedback logs, and instructional adjustment records. The results indicate that the proposed framework supported timely instructional regulation and adaptive responses to heterogeneous learning states. Observable improvements were found in student engagement patterns and assessment outcomes across the semester. Mean concept test scores increased from 55.7 to 72.2. Students with lower initial scores gained an average of 22.3 points, compared to 11.8 points for their higher-performing peers. A total of 312 feedback messages were delivered, with a median latency of three days. These improvements were observed in association with the implementation of the framework, although causal attribution is limited by the non-experimental, single-cohort design. The study provides an exploratory case showing that system-oriented teaching design may offer a coherent and practically feasible approach for enhancing engineering education in data-rich instructional environments, while also contributing to the application of systems thinking in teaching reform. Full article

Aeropalynology, the monitoring and interpretation of airborne pollen, has become increasingly relevant in Latin America as allergic rhinitis and asthma rise alongside rapid urbanization, land-use change, and climate variability. Yet the region’s capacity remains heterogeneous: long-standing traditions in the Southern Cone coexist with emerging programs in tropical and Andean settings, and many series are not translated into standardized products useful for clinical care or public health. We conducted a structured literature review guided by PRISMA 2020 to synthesize the historical evolution, current monitoring infrastructure, dominant pollen taxa, and translational outputs reported across Latin American countries. Evidence indicates that Mexico currently represents the most mature aeropalynological ecosystem in the region, supported by multi-site monitoring, open weekly reporting (REMA), multiple city-level pollen calendars, and emerging computational approaches for pollen identification. Across countries, recurrent high-impact taxa include Cupressaceae, Fraxinus, Platanus, Olea, Poaceae, Urticaceae, Amaranthaceae, Rumex, Ambrosia, and Parietaria, with local dominance shaped by biogeography and urban vegetation. Key gaps include limited long-term continuity outside a few cities, variable methodology (sampler type, taxonomic resolution, units, thresholds), and scarce linkage of pollen exposure metrics with clinical outcomes. Future priorities include harmonized volumetric monitoring, interoperable data standards, routine publication of pollen calendars and thresholds, integration with meteorology for forecasting, and expansion of digital decision-support tools to improve prevention and management of allergic respiratory diseases in Latin America. Full article

Background: This structured narrative review summarizes and critically appraises evaluated childhood obesity prevention programs implemented in European countries and published between 2015 and 2024. Methods: Systematic searches for PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar, complemented by research registries, were conducted year-by-year and independently screened by two reviewers. Results: Five multinational/international programs were identified alongside multiple national initiatives delivered in family, school, community, healthcare, and digital settings. Overall, interventions consistently improved intermediate outcomes—such as selected dietary behaviors, physical activity participation, knowledge, and parental self-efficacy—more than anthropometric endpoints. Effects on BMI/BMI z-score or overweight/obesity prevalence were heterogeneous and frequently small or non-significant, especially for short-duration, single-setting educational interventions. More favorable anthropometric outcomes were commonly reported in long-term, population-scaled physical activity or community-based programs as well as in multidisciplinary healthcare-supported approaches; however, these strategies were typically resource-intensive and sometimes showed differential effectiveness across socioeconomic or cultural groups. Conclusions: The evidence indicates that single-setting or short-term interventions may improve selected behavioral outcomes but are generally insufficient to produce sustained effects on anthropometric measures without integration into broader, multi-level strategies. It is needed to integrate families, schools, communities, and health services with explicit attention to sustainability and equity. Technology-supported tools may strengthen reach and continuity when embedded within comprehensive prevention frameworks. Full article

As secondary educational environments face increasing volatility due to systemic resource constraints and pedagogical uncertainty, understanding the behavioral mechanisms of teacher agency has become paramount. While traditional teacher education has emphasized the execution of standardized curricula, the current era demands a fundamental shift toward adaptive expertise and psychological resilience. This study investigates the processes by which 28 secondary pre-service physical education teachers (PSTs) navigate instructional resource deficits through the lens of adaptive behavior (bricolage) and ecological teacher agency. Utilizing a qualitative case study design, I collected data from two universities in Seoul, South Korea, through reflective journals, revised lesson plans, and micro-teaching video analysis reports over a full 15-week semester. The results identified five coordinates of an adaptive instructional design compass: (1) Facing Constraints, (2) Resource Mining, (3) Contextual Engineering, (4) Simulation, and (5) Reflective Participation. These coordinates represent a transformative behavioral process where PSTs convert environmental deficits into professional assets. The findings reveal distinct adaptation styles based on psychological dispositions: the analytically oriented group (Group A) prioritized structural redesign through digital tools, while the narratively oriented group (Group B) utilized human-centric somatic metaphors and virtual rehearsals to bridge the epistemic void. Crucially, this research suggests that teacher adaptation is not a mere technical adjustment but a dynamic behavioral achievement of agency that ensures the long-term instructional quality of physical education. I propose that teacher education programs should incorporate “Safe Deficit” simulations—carefully calibrated instructional constraints—to trigger adaptive behavior and ensure that future educators can thrive in unpredictable pedagogical contexts without the risk of professional burnout. Full article

Background: Global immunization programs continue to rely on needle-based injections despite persistent concerns regarding sharps disposal, accidental injuries, and the technical skill required for accurate intradermal administration. Needle-free jet injectors (NFJIs) are an alternative delivery method in which narrow, high-velocity liquid jets penetrate the skin without a needle. Contemporary designs, ranging from single-use disposable-syringe injectors to digitally controlled electromechanical devices, address historical safety issues and meet current WHO and FDA device expectations. Methods: Evidence from engineering analyses, preclinical modeling, and clinical trials was reviewed to characterize how jet velocity, nozzle structure, and formulation rheology influence skin penetration and drug dispersion. Published vaccine studies were examined for antibody responses, seroconversion, and reactogenicity compared with needle–syringe injection. Field vaccination campaign data from national campaigns and operational reports were evaluated to describe implementation steps, acceptability, and implementation constraints. Results: Published studies evaluating vaccines, including inactivated influenza, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, and measles, report antibody titers and seroconversion rates after NFJI administration that are comparable to those achieved with conventional intramuscular or intradermal needle injection. Needle-free delivery was associated with operational advantages in several immunization programs, including reduced sharps waste and improved vaccination rate during high-volume immunization campaigns. Local and systemic reactogenicity follows expected patterns, with slightly higher injection-site responses in some NFJI studies. Imaging and mechanical data confirm that jet performance depends on nozzle geometry and controlled pressure pulses. At the same time, formulation stability remains a critical determinant of successful jet-based vaccine administration, particularly for protein antigens, adjuvanted formulations, and emerging mRNA vaccines that may experience transient shear stress during high-velocity injection. Evidence from vaccination campaigns further indicates that needle-free jet injectors reduce sharps waste, simplify vaccine handling and administration procedures, and support rapid vaccine delivery in large-scale immunization programs. Conclusions: Needle-free jet injectors are a practical alternative to traditional needle-based injections for some vaccines. Their main benefits include enabling intradermal dose-sparing strategies, reducing reliance on sharps disposal methods, and enabling the efficient vaccination of large groups without compromising immunogenicity. Future research should define the physicochemical stability limits of biologic formulations subjected to jet injection and evaluate digitally controlled injectors capable of precise pressure modulation and adjustable delivery parameters. In addition, needle-free jet injection eliminates needle penetration and sharps handling, which may reduce needle-associated anxiety and improve vaccine acceptability among individuals with needle aversion. Full article

Background: Frailty is highly prevalent among older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and strongly predicts disability and mortality after cardiac events. Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves prognosis, frail older patients often face barriers to participating in in-person programs. eHealth-based, home-delivered CR programs incorporating tele-rehabilitation and remote monitoring may improve accessibility, yet evidence regarding their effectiveness on frailty status remains limited. Methods: We designed a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group trial enrolling people ≥65 years recently hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) and/or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Participants were randomized 1:1 to an eHealth home-based tele-rehabilitation program or the usual care. The primary endpoint is frailty prevalence at follow-up, defined by an Essential Frailty Toolset (EFT) score ≥3, with co-primary outcomes being between-group differences in the mean levels of EFT and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores after 3–6 months. Secondary endpoints include mortality and hospitalization, among others. Results: The full protocol and study procedures are reported. Between May 2024 and December 2025, 589 patients were screened at the two Italian centers involved; 442 met eligibility criteria and 209 were enrolled and randomized. Baseline characteristics were largely comparable between groups. The mean age was 77 ± 9 years, 70% were male, and 55% had ACS. Lower-than-expected enrollment was mainly attributable to refusal related to difficulties in using digital devices. Conclusions: This randomized trial will evaluate whether a multidomain, eHealth-based CR intervention can reduce the prevalence or degree of frailty in older people after AHF or ACS. We report the study protocol and baseline characteristics of the enrolled cohort, highlighting the challenge of digital illiteracy in contemporary older populations. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed healthcare education, increasing the shift to digital tools and establishing a hybrid curriculum blending online learning with traditional clinical practice. This study aims to understand how this shift impacts the educational growth and skill building of nursing students. A qualitative approach was conducted to understand the experience of Hong Kong nursing students adapting to online learning during the pandemic and beyond. Fifty nursing students were interviewed, and Colaizzi’s phenomenological method revealed key themes in their learning narratives. The analysis revealed four distinct themes characterizing the students’ experiences: (i) Learning on their terms: the mandated shift in healthcare reflecting a lack of agency during the educational transition; (ii) Knowledge without touch: the perceived incompetence of the COVID-19 nursing cohort, highlighting anxieties regarding a lack of hands-on clinical proficiency; (iii) Words left unsaid: The weight of insecurity, indicating a decline in interpersonal skills due to isolation; and (iv) Beyond the perfect algorithm: the unrehearsed art of care, describing the difficulty in translating digital simulations to complex, human-centric patient care. Findings show that while digital progress ensured continuity in education, it also contributed to reduced clinical confidence, weaker communication skills, and shifts in how nursing students approached their learning. Consequently, the post-COVID environment demands that training programs evolve to address these specific deficits. Advancing the existing pandemic-era nursing literature, this study emphasizes the need for diverse, targeted teaching methods to mitigate these gaps. By intentionally bridging theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical practice, educators can better support student wellbeing and help restore the confidence and competence required of future graduates. Full article