Search Results (146)

Smart tourism destinations, embedded by the internet and information and communication technologies, have been improving tourists’ experiences and connectivity. However, Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) still lack knowledge of how digital technologies can enhance their role and bring greater competitive advantage to destinations. In this sense, this study aims to develop an integrated smart tourism destination management ecosystem model that clarifies the relationships between digital technologies, managerial functions, benefits and implementation barriers within the broader smart city context. The study adopts a mixed-review design, combining bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review. Bibliometric mapping was conducted using VOSviewer to analyse co-occurrence networks, thematic clusters and research trends. At the same time, the systematic review, with a systems thinking approach, enabled an in-depth qualitative examination of technological applications, managerial roles and governance implications. Data was gathered from 29 Scopus-indexed articles. The analysis identifies key benefits, including enhanced visitor experiences, improved decision-making and increased destination competitiveness, alongside persistent barriers related to governance, digital literacy, interoperability and cybersecurity. Based on these findings, the study proposes a conceptual ecosystem model that illustrates how DMOs can orchestrate digital technologies to support smart, sustainable and adaptive destination management. This research contributes to the smart tourism and smart cities literature by integrating bibliometric insights with a systems thinking perspective to develop a holistic destination management ecosystem model. Unlike prior reviews that address technologies or outcomes in isolation, this study offers a structured and actionable framework that advances theoretical understanding of smart tourism destinations while providing practical guidance for DMOs engaged in digital transformation. Full article

This study presents a reinforcement learning (RL)-based framework for the aerodynamic optimization of the Lotte airship, combining mid-fidelity dynamic simulations with adaptive learning strategies. To address the complex nonlinear coupling between the hull shape and tail configuration, a staged, data-driven optimization strategy is developed. In the first stage, single-parameter RL experiments are conducted to independently analyze the aerodynamic sensitivity of key design variables. This conceptual stage isolates pure aerodynamic potential, focusing on the unconstrained optimization of the hull’s Bézier parameterized profile, alongside the individual sensitivities of empennage area, longitudinal shift, lift slope factor, and efficiency. These experiments yield a comprehensive sensitivity map, clarifying each parameter’s independent influence on the average lift-to-drag ratio ($\overline{L/D}$) of the airship. In the second stage, the obtained sensitivities are utilized to structure an integrated multi-parameter optimization scenario. Crucially, this unified environment integrates the hull and tail while enforcing rigorous longitudinal trim constraints via a dynamic bisection search. This forces the RL agent to balance system-level aerodynamic recovery against inevitable trim drag penalties. The proposed framework is implemented in MATLAB R2023b using the SILCROAD airship dynamics environment and trained by the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm. Results demonstrate that the initial single-parameter sensitivity extraction not only accelerates algorithmic convergence but also significantly improves the interpretability and physical validity of the final trimmed full airship configuration. This hierarchical approach establishes a systematic path from isolated parameter understanding to holistic, physics-informed aerodynamic design, offering a transferable methodology for future autonomous airship optimization. Full article

Since the 1950s, Türkiye has experienced rapid urbanization and urban expansion followed by continuous planning initiatives, yet these efforts have resulted in significant land degradation and unsustainable urban sprawl. As a remedy, legislators and administrations are increasingly turning to the use of transferable development rights (TDRs), which have arisen as an innovative land readjustment tool and have recently been incorporated into the spatial planning system. This paper examines the effectiveness of TDRs by analyzing the legislative framework and operational rationale of the Turkish model through a hypothetical scenario, while also considering the institutional restrictions that could limit its usefulness as a sustainable planning instrument. By contrasting the scenario model with the framework recently developed through legal reform, this study employs the success factors of TDRs from the literature to assess the effectiveness of the tool integrated into the spatial planning system. Since the new legislation that forms the basis of the TDR model was passed in late 2024, empirical data on completed transactions is currently unavailable, and hence, the analysis used a hypothetical what-if-case scenario model in the local context, the Muratbey-Torbalı district of Izmir. To clarify the rationale behind incorporating the TDR into the planning system, we will first examine its conceptual development within the national legislation, followed by a critical evaluation of the TDR model as established by the recent amendment. Secondly, the study will present a hypothetical TDR model that incorporates the essential components ex-ante and offer guidance for conducting a market-based evaluation of TDRs, considering factors influencing agricultural market values and related standards. The findings demonstrate that there is a lack of legal clarity that stresses the program’s holistic design with sending and receiving locations or TDR-allocation rates. The implementation regulation is challenging to ascertain how transfers impact land use justice, social benefit, and the public interest. Full article

Advancing athlete health requires a shift from reactive sports medicine toward proactive, personalized, and longitudinal care. This article presents a conceptual framework for an Interdisciplinary AI Center for Longevity and Well-Being designed to integrate Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), wearable sensing, and multimodal analytics into a unified athlete health ecosystem. The manuscript contextualizes the proposed framework with relevant literature across key technical domains and presents a reference edge–fog–cloud architecture together with a proof-of-concept dashboard pipeline to illustrate technical feasibility. Within this framework, heterogeneous data streams from wearable physiological sensors, biomechanical devices, non-invasive biomarker monitors, and environmental trackers are organized to support multimodal analysis and individualized performance intelligence. The paper outlines five target application domains: real-time health monitoring, injury risk assessment, performance optimization, holistic well-being evaluation, and longevity-oriented health management. Privacy-preserving and interpretable AI components, including federated learning, differential privacy, and explainability-oriented design considerations, are presented as key architectural priorities, while several elements are explicitly identified as future development directions. Rather than claiming full real-world validation, this work provides an interdisciplinary blueprint and prototype-informed foundation for future research and implementation at the intersection of computer science, biomedical engineering, and sports science. Full article

Background: Open banking (OB) is rapidly transforming financial ecosystems by enabling controlled data sharing among multiple actors through application programming interfaces (APIs). While this transformation promises innovation and competition, it also introduces complex security challenges that extend beyond purely technical considerations. Despite growing attention in academic and professional domains, existing reviews provide limited integration of security concerns with global adoption patterns and cross regional variation. Methods: This systematic review analyses empirical and conceptual research on security in OB published between 1999 and 2025, capturing early digital banking studies that later informed the development of OB. The literature is structured into three distinct phases: foundational digital banking developments, regulatory formalisation of OB frameworks, and post-implementation expansion of OB ecosystems. A comprehensive search was conducted across major academic databases and scholarly portals, complemented by relevant regulatory and policy sources. Following duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, full-text eligibility assessment, and methodological quality appraisal, 117 studies were retained for qualitative synthesis. Results: The findings reveal recurring security challenges arising from the interaction between technological infrastructures, regulatory frameworks, and user behaviour within OB ecosystems. Technical safeguards such as APIs, strong customer authentication, and encryption are necessary but insufficient when they are misaligned with regulatory implementation and user behaviour. Behavioural factors, including trust, consent understanding, and security-related decision making, play a central role in shaping ecosystem resilience. Based on this synthesis, the study develops a tri-dimensional security framework integrating technological, regulatory, and behavioural dimensions. The bibliometric analysis of 117 studies reveals that technological security dominates the literature (58%), followed by regulatory governance (44%) and behavioural dimensions (42%). However, only 17.9% of studies integrate all three dimensions simultaneously. APIs and authentication mechanisms represent the most frequent technological terms, while PSD2 and GDPR dominate regulatory discourse. Trust and decision-making are the most recurrent behavioural constructs. The relatively low proportion of fully integrated studies confirms a structural fragmentation within OB security research, thereby empirically justifying the proposed tri-dimensional framework. Chronologically, early studies (1999–2015) predominantly focused on technical security mechanisms and regulatory compliance, whereas more recent research (2020–2025) increasingly highlights the interplay between regulatory frameworks and user behaviour, suggesting a shift towards a more holistic understanding of security within OB adoption. Conclusions: This systematic review concludes that integrating technological, regulatory, and behavioural perspectives advances a more comprehensive understanding of security in OB ecosystems. The proposed tri-dimensional security framework provides a structured foundation for future research and supports policy-relevant and practice-oriented security design. Full article

Background: South African university students face escalating levels of psychological distress driven by academic overload, financial precarity, and social challenges. Health professions students are particularly vulnerable due to the demanding nature of clinical training and repeated exposure to human suffering. Aim: This study aims to propose an Integrated Student Well-being and Resilience Model tailored to the South African health professions education context. Methods: This conceptual paper draws on empirical evidence from South African studies on student mental health, global campus well-being frameworks, and socio-ecological theory. Bronfenbrenner’s Socio-Ecological Systems Theory and a tiered public health approach were synthesized to develop a multi-level model aimed at addressing the academic, financial, and social determinants of student mental health. Conceptual synthesis: The study unequivocally identified a syndemic of interconnected factors predisposing students to depression, which included the interplay of academic rigour and cognitive burnout, financial vulnerability as a determinant of mental health, the crisis of social connection and psychological safety, and institutional failure and the resilience fallacy. Conclusions: The Integrated Student Well-being and Resilience (ISWR) Model is a systemic architecture designed to coordinate institutional governance with the complex psychosocial needs of health professions students. The model provides a holistic, scalable framework for strengthening student well-being within health professions education. By shifting from reactive counselling to proactive, system-level interventions, the model offers a strategic blueprint for creating resilient, supportive learning environments capable of improving student mental health and fostering a healthier future healthcare workforce. Full article

Landfills are complex repositories where macroplastics degrade into MPs. This review examines mechanical, chemical, and biological pathways of plastic fragmentation, as well as the occurrence, characteristics, and removal efficiency of MPs in landfill leachate. We also explore the landfill plastisphere from the perspective of this complex matrix, considering how plastic surfaces and microbial life may potentially converge to form a key biogeochemical interface that could influence carbon and nitrogen transformations. The plastisphere’s complex surface structure drives microbial differentiation. Given its established links to GHG production in soil and water, we propose it likely represents a key contributor to GHG emissions in the more complex landfill environment. To bridge this conceptual gap, we review a mathematical scaffolding encompassing biofilm growth, polymer degradation kinetics, and gas flux, which can as a theoretical baseline requiring future in situ parameterization to evaluate plastisphere-driven biogeochemical interactions. Building on recent advances in monitoring and remote sensing technologies, including IOT networks, UAV imagery, and AI analysis, we outline a low-carbon landfill framework designed to optimize operational controls. This framework is described to simultaneously mitigate MP release and reduce GHG emissions, lowering carbon footprints. Amid surging plastic pollutants, this review underscores the necessity of holistic, integrated mitigation strategies. Full article

The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to enhance sustainability by improving energy efficiency and reducing climate impact. A promising approach is to reduce aerodynamic drag using laminar flow technologies, particularly Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) and Hybrid Laminar Flow Control (HLFC). Previous research has primarily focused on aerodynamic performance, often considering only one technology at a time, using simplified HLFC system design models, and targeting long-range aircraft. This study adopts a more holistic approach by conducting a conceptual design of a short-medium range (SMR) aircraft equipped with both NLF and HLFC. The technologies are applied to the wing and empennage, with detailed HLFC system modelling integrated into the conceptual design process using established methods. A failure analysis is also performed to assess the performance impact of potential malfunctions. Results indicate that combining NLF and HLFC can reduce fuel consumption by 5.9% on the design mission compared to a fully turbulent reference aircraft. Moreover, selectively applying the technologies to specific components enhances fuel savings while reducing system complexity. These findings demonstrate the potential of laminar flow technologies to improve fuel efficiency in SMR aircraft and highlight the importance of integrated aerodynamic and systems-level evaluation. Full article

The rapid increase of electric mobility is challenging the deployment design and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a scalable, sustainable, operationally reliable, and regulation-compliant manner. Although advances in both digitization and artificial intelligence in recent years have made smarter charging solutions possible, today’s approaches tend to concentrate on individual technical parts without considering holistic views. This paper introduces an AI-driven integrated management model for sustainable EV charging infrastructures, composed of four interconnected layers, namely, Eco-Design, Digital Tools, Risk Management, and Governance. In particular, each layer focuses on specific aspects of functionality, including environmentally friendly design decisions, digital monitoring capabilities, proactive risk reduction, and strategic coordination. Compared with existing approaches that address isolated technical or operational aspects, the proposed model provides an integrated, multi-layer architecture that unifies eco-design, digital intelligence, risk management and governance, offering a more holistic and scalable foundation for sustainable EV charging infrastructures. It represents the conceptual output of a structured integration of existing technologies, design principles and governance needs. Considering that fragmented, solution-specific advances are reduced by including interdependencies between layers, the model allows us to better integrate technical operations, resilience mechanisms and sustainability goals. The model is theoretical and offers a scalable point of reference for researchers, as well as infrastructure operators and politicians. Full article

The increasing number of vehicles in cities reduces the efficiency of parking infrastructure and increases traffic congestion, making it challenging to achieve sustainable transportation goals. This situation necessitates a re-evaluation of urban mobility systems in conjunction with spatial organization and digital technologies. This article examines smart parking systems as “data-oriented spaces”, analyzing their impact on urban mobility, energy efficiency and spatial organization from a multidimensional perspective. The research adopts a qualitative, multi-level approach, structured through a comprehensive literature review, a comparative analysis of five international case studies and a conceptual synthesis of the findings. The data obtained were evaluated using criteria such as technological infrastructure, spatial structure, sustainability performance and user interaction. The findings reveal that smart parking systems not only serve as vehicle storage but can also function as digital–spatial interfaces that direct urban data flows. This study presents a conceptual framework that treats smart parking systems as data-oriented architectural spaces, offering a holistic approach to the design of sustainable urban mobility infrastructures. This perspective allows for redesigning parking structures as adaptable, data-oriented architectural systems that optimize circulation patterns, reduce search-related emissions, increase spatial efficiency and support sustainable urban mobility networks. Full article

This study develops an integrated decision-support framework to advance green supply chain management (GSCM) by systematically linking Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, environmental product innovation, corporate performance, and strategic alternatives. Employing the Analytic Network Process (ANP), the proposed model captures complex interdependencies and feedback relationships across life-cycle value chain stages, enabling a holistic evaluation of sustainability-oriented strategies. A Delphi panel comprising 15 experts from academia, industry, and government is used to validate the evaluation criteria and network structure. The empirical results indicate that eco-friendly design, energy and resource efficiency, and carbon–climate management are the most influential drivers shaping green supply chain performance. Moreover, operational and sustainability performance are found to exert greater strategic importance than short-term financial performance, highlighting GSCM as a long-term capability-building approach rather than a cost-centered initiative. To enhance analytical adaptability, this study proposes a conceptual extension integrating neural feature extraction (NFE) signals with ANP-based expert weights. The NFE module is not empirically trained or validated; rather, it illustrates a theoretically consistent mechanism for incorporating data-driven feature signals into structured multi-criteria decision frameworks. Empirical validation of the NFE component is proposed as a future research direction. Full article

As virtual reality technologies evolve toward widespread adoption in education, industry, and social communication, their increasing complexity exposes new and often overlooked security challenges. Immersive environments collect continuous multimodal data, including motion tracking, gaze, voice, and biometric indicators that extend far beyond traditional computing attack surfaces. This paper synthesizes recent research (2023–2025) on cybersecurity, privacy, and behavioral safety in virtual reality (VR) systems, identifies the main vulnerabilities, and proposes a unified defense architecture: the three-layer VR Security Framework (TVR-Sec). Through comparative review and conceptual integration of 31 peer-reviewed studies, three interdependent protection domains emerged: (1) System Integrity, securing hardware, firmware, and network communications against spoofing and malware; (2) User Privacy, ensuring the ethical management of biometric and behavioral data through federated learning and consent-based control; and (3) Socio-Behavioral Safety, addressing harassment, manipulation, and psychological exploitation in shared virtual spaces. The framework situates VR security as a multidimensional adaptive process that combines technical hardening with human-centered defense and ethical design. By aligning cyber–human protections through an AI-driven monitoring and policy engine, TVR-Sec advances a holistic paradigm for securing future immersive ecosystems. Full article

Entrepreneurship education (EE) is increasingly considered an important tool in promoting sustainable economic development, yet the empirical base for its effect on entrepreneurial intention (EI) is dispersed and not consistent. However, the literature fails to address EE as a direct antecedent of EI and pays little attention to conditional mechanisms that explain how education contributes to shaping entrepreneurial cognition. To address this gap, this article performs a systematic–integrative review of the literature where entrepreneurship education is a moderating variable in entrepreneurial intentionality. Based on PRISMA 2020, peer-reviewed journal papers from 2000 to 2025 were collected through Scopus and Web of Science and systematized with the theory-building integrative method. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, Shapero’s Entrepreneurial Event Model, Social Cognitive Theory and Human Capital Theory, we show in the review that entrepreneurship education primarily moderates how entrepreneurial attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control predict entrepreneurial intention rather than exert uniform direct effects. The results also reveal that the moderating effect of EE is dependent on pedagogical quality, level of experiential depth, extent of cultural fit and institutional support, with strong implications for emerging and collectivist economies. Holistic in approach, the study demonstrates how education for entrepreneurship can focus entrepreneurial intention on sustainable value creation, economic diversification and inclusive development contributing directly to SDGs 4 (quality education), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 9 (industry innovation and infrastructure). The paper introduces a context-dependent conceptual framework, and discusses some implications for sustainability-related educational design and policy. Full article

Background: Parents of preterm infants face significant emotional, informational, and caregiving challenges during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalisation. Educational interventions are increasingly used to support parental readiness; however, considerable variation exists in their content, structure, and delivery. A clearer understanding of these components is essential to inform the development of effective, contextually responsive programmes. Aim: To identify and synthesise the core educational components, programme structures, and embedded parental support needs within NICU-based educational interventions for parents of preterm infants. Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature (January 2010–September 2022) identified 33 studies of high methodological quality. Data were extracted and synthesised using thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching domains were identified: (1) educational content, (2) programme structure and delivery, and (3) parental support needs integrated within educational delivery. The educational content encompassed the NICU environment, infant health and behaviour, caregiving practices, parental well-being, and discharge preparation. Programme structures varied widely in terms of intensity, duration, delivery modality, and facilitator roles, with limited justification for structural choices. Parental support–emotional, relational, and confidence-building–was inconsistently embedded despite evidence of its importance. Established interventions such as COPE, FICare, and FCC have clearer theoretical foundations and more holistic support than most locally developed programmes. Conclusions: NICU educational interventions positively influence parental knowledge, confidence, and parent–infant interaction; however, substantial variation and limited conceptual grounding hinder their comparability and scalability. The evidence base remains dominated by high-income settings, which limits its global applicability. Future research must prioritise theory-informed design, transparent reporting, and context-sensitive adaptation, particularly in under-resourced health systems, to support equitable and effective parental education for families of preterm infants worldwide. Full article

This study explores the impact of low-cost environmental laboratory materials on university students’ knowledge and attitudes toward waste recycling. Anchored primarily in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and informed by Situated Learning and Constructionism, the study conceptualizes low-cost materials as cultural tools that mediate learning through social interaction, authentic contexts, and material transformation. A quasi-experimental design was adopted to evaluate changes in students’ cognitive and affective domains. Findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in students’ knowledge following the intervention, indicating the effectiveness of the instructional approach in enhancing conceptual understanding of recycling. However, no significant change was recorded in students’ attitudes toward waste recycling. While the intervention succeeded in advancing knowledge, which is a foundational element for environmental stewardship, our findings highlight the limitations of cognitively oriented pedagogies in influencing pro-environmental attitudes. Nevertheless, our study underscores the importance of continuing to seek ways of integrating affective, experiential, and context-sensitive learning approaches into environmental education to foster holistic sustainability competencies. Full article