Search Results (36)

This study critically explores theoretical concepts of fluidity in architectural design, addressing its positioning, challenges, and evolving role within digital-era developments in scientific research over the past three decades. The aim of this article is to critically review the fluidity research gap in architectural design, shifting the concept away from ambiguous and inconsistent formal metaphors toward recognizing its importance within the interdisciplinary context of digitization and networking. The research method employs a four-level content analysis based on a deductive approach. The development of an interdisciplinary conceptual framework of fluidity is examined, alongside its changing scope, meanings, and positioning within the field of architectural design research. The study employs the definition and systematization of key terms and spatial aspects to trace the transformation of fluidity. This is achieved through the analysis of a selected corpus of peer-reviewed scientific articles, structured along cultural and technological lines of thought. The results reveal (1) the manner in which fluidity is situated within the domain of architecture in relation to adjacent scientific fields, along technological and cultural lines, and (2) the manner in which corresponding spatial aspects and demands for new forms of knowledge in architectural design have emerged and transformed from predominantly formal and expressive interpretations and metaphors towards a more operational and methodological role. This paper contributes to architectural design research through the development of a structured conceptual and analytical framework that positions fluidity within architectural inquiry. The study addresses the opportunities and challenges of conceptualizing the continuous variability of the notion of fluidity and the spatial aspects it is based on in architectural design processes in response to cultural and technological transformations. Furthermore, the study extends fluidity beyond its role as a design language for articulating complex spatial formations and their experiential implications by establishing a conceptual bridge between digital notions of fluidity and constructural design thinking, thereby reframing fluidity as a performative condition that structures access, movement, and exchange within evolving socio-technical flow systems. Full article

Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a vital role in Africa’s economic development; however, the rapidly expanding body of literature on this topic remains highly fragmented. This dispersion creates a significant research problem, obscuring structural evolution, persistent thematic gaps, and collaborative networks within the field. To address this, a bibliometric analysis is necessary, as it provides an objective, macro-level methodology capable of synthesising vast amounts of publication data and uncovering hidden intellectual structures that traditional systematic reviews cannot easily capture. Consequently, this study maps the development of FDI research in Africa by analysing and visualising scientific publications to reveal the structure, evolution, and interdisciplinary nature of the field, identifying leading scholars, collaboration networks, and core thematic areas. Using data from the Scopus database, the study examines 2003 documents through Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The findings are presented in three sections. The descriptive analysis shows a steady rise in FDI publications from 1986 to 2024, with strong growth in the past two decades. The most productive institutions are in South Africa and Nigeria, while major contributing countries include South Africa, the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. Keyword and collaboration analyses highlight themes such as Sub-Saharan Africa, economic growth, capital flow, renewable energy, and natural resources. Ultimately, this mapping goes beyond descriptive trends to provide critical analytical insights, revealing a significant thematic shift from traditional economic paradigms toward sustainable development and environmental economics. Practically, these findings offer strategic guidance for policymakers and investors by identifying key institutional hubs and regional knowledge gaps. Scientifically, the study establishes a foundation for future research by directing attention toward underexplored, emerging issues such as climate resilience, digital transformation, and subnational FDI dynamics. Full article

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors have become central to international trade, transforming how firms, industries, and governments engage in global markets. This study conducts a systematic literature review to synthesize current knowledge on the ESG–trade nexus. Using content analysis, three key thematic clusters were identified: (i) ESG in supply chains and logistics, (ii) ESG in export performance and international competitiveness, and (iii) ESG and trade within geopolitics, energy, and resource security. The synthesis reveals that ESG has evolved from a voluntary corporate initiative into a structural determinant of global competitiveness, resilience, and legitimacy. Building on these findings, the study proposes an integrative ESG–Trade framework, which conceptualizes ESG as a multidimensional governance ecosystem comprising (i) institutional and regulatory, (ii) technological and operational, and (iii) geopolitical and strategic dimensions. This framework explains how sustainability regulations, digital transformation, and global political economy dynamics co-evolve to shape trade flows and industrial upgrading. The study highlights the need for greater regulatory coherence and strategic ESG integration while offering a foundation for future interdisciplinary and empirical research on sustainable trade governance. Full article

Water scarcity, climate change, population growth, and rising water demand highlight the urgency of adopting effective water conservation measures. The transition from traditional irrigation systems, such as flood irrigation, to modern ones, like drip irrigation, is often seen as a panacea to improve irrigation efficiency and address water shortages. Despite the flourishing literature on the efficiency gains achieved by shifting to drip irrigation, trade-offs associated with replacing traditional irrigation systems with modern irrigation technologies remain unexplored. Building on this gap, this paper provides a systematic literature review to analyze the current state of knowledge and research on the trade-offs associated with this transition. The review analyses not only the possible effects on agricultural productivity and irrigation efficiency at the farm scale, but also the environmental implications and socio–economic consequences that may emerge at a larger scale. We found that while studies conducted at the field-level emphasize clear benefits associated with the adoption of drip irrigation, including higher crop yields and improved water use efficiency, basin-scale analyses reveal drawbacks, including increased consumptive use, reduced return flows for ecosystem processes, and more generally limited real water savings. Overall, our findings stress the need for more holistic, multi-scale, and interdisciplinary approaches to assess the impact of irrigation modernization, along with the need for policy frameworks that balance agricultural productivity gains with sustainable water management. Full article

Climate change is intensifying fire regimes, thereby challenging forest ecosystems and making it more difficult to predict the fate of burned trees. The significant ecological impacts of latent tree mortality remain poorly understood. In this study, we reviewed the scientific literature on latent tree mortality in conifer forests following wildfires or prescribed fires. A total of 2294 papers published between 2000 and 2024 were identified from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Using the PICO selection method, we included 16 relevant studies in the final analysis. These studies are based on field assessment, excluding remote sensing and controlled laboratory conditions. Our research revealed that latent mortality results from multiple forms of damage and environmental stressors that disrupt hydraulic function and carbon allocation, increasing tree vulnerability to secondary biotic and abiotic stressors. The discussion is structured around four thematic areas: physiology, ecophysiology, dendrochronology, and silviculture. This approach contributes to a deeper, interdisciplinary understanding of latent tree mortality. However, predicting it remains difficult, reflecting persistent knowledge gaps. Despite the limited literature on this specific field, our review highlights the need for integrated physiological indicators, such as sap flow, transpiration, nonstructural carbohydrates and glucose concentration, as well as long-term monitoring along many growing seasons to better assess tree survival after fire. Full article

This study investigates the perceptions of economics students from Romania’s Central Region regarding the global phenomena of globalization, localization, and slowbalization (GLS), analyzed through the lens of environmental, economic, and educational sustainability. The research highlights a high level of awareness and understanding of globalization and localization, while the concept of slowbalization remains relatively unfamiliar and often perceived with uncertainty or neutrality. Most respondents view globalization as the most sustainable model for long-term economic development, emphasizing its contributions to international trade, market expansion, investment flows, and access to global education and research. At the same time, localization is recognized for its role in preserving cultural identity, strengthening local economies, and addressing pressing environmental issues through low-carbon solutions. Regarding educational sustainability, students support a hybrid model that balances global exposure with the appreciation of local knowledge and traditions—a glocal approach particularly endorsed by master’s students. The study also reveals statistically significant differences between undergraduate and graduate respondents, indicating more mature perspectives among those in advanced studies. The paper could help in course design and lesson engagement and concludes by recommending curricular reforms in economic education and proposing future interdisciplinary, comparative, and qualitative research to deepen understanding of GLS dynamics, particularly in the context of emerging global trends and technological transformations. Full article

Since 2005, landscape ecology has emerged as a structured scientific field in the Democratic Republic of Congo, notably shaped by the contributions of Professor Jan Bogaert. The evolution of research in this field can be divided into three main phases. The first phase (2005–2012) focused on the quantitative analysis of forest fragmentation using Geographic Information Systems and landscape metrics. From 2013 to 2019, research approaches broadened to include the social sciences, marking a shift toward a socio-ecological perspective on landscapes. Since 2020, the field has increasingly adopted holistic frameworks that integrate climatic factors and forward-looking modeling. Key research themes now include ecological flows across landscape mosaics, land-use dynamics, and the anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems. However, several challenges persist, including the lack of long-term temporal datasets, uneven geographic coverage, and limited integration of local knowledge systems. Notable advances have been made through high-resolution remote sensing and participatory methods, although their application is still limited by technical and financial constraints. This manuscript advocates for stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, improved field methodologies, and the development of context-appropriate tools to support sustainable and locally grounded landscape management in the Congolese context. Full article

This article provides a comprehensive review of gas flow behavior in low-permeability geological media, focusing on its implications for the long-term performance of engineered barriers in underground radioactive waste repositories. Key mechanisms include two-phase flow and gas-driven fracturing, both critical for assessing repository safety. Understanding the generation and migration of gas is crucial for the quantitative assessment of repository performance over extended timescales. The article synthesizes the current research on various types of claystone considered as potential host rocks for repositories, providing a comprehensive analysis of gas transport mechanisms and constitutive models. In addressing the challenges related to multi-field coupling, the article provides practical insights and outlines potential solutions and areas for further research, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle these challenges and push the field forward. In addition, the article evaluates key research projects, such as GMT, FORGE, and DECOVALEX, shedding light on their methodologies, findings, and significant contributions to understanding gas migration in low-permeability geological media. In this context, mathematical modeling becomes indispensable for predicting long-term repository performance under hypothetical future conditions, enhancing prediction accuracy and supporting long-term safety assessments. Finally, the growing interest in gas-driven fracturing is explored, critically assessing the strengths and limitations of current numerical simulation tools, such as TOUGH, the phase-field method, and CODE_BRIGHT. Noteworthy advancements by the CODE_BRIGHT team in gas injection simulation are highlighted, although knowledge gaps remain. The article concludes with a call for innovative approaches to simulate gas fracturing processes more effectively, advocating for advanced modeling techniques and rigorous experimental validation to address existing challenges. Full article

As critical zones for ecological conservation, national parks necessitate integrated management of transportation corridors (TCs) and ecosystem service value (ESV) to advance ecological civilisation. This study investigates the TC-ESV mutual construction mechanism in the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP). This research employs the TOPSIS method to measure the development level of TCs, applies the equivalent factor method to calculate the ESV, and uses a coupling coordination model and local spatial autocorrelation analysis to evaluate their interaction patterns. The results show that TC development in the GPNP has been increasing, accompanied by a significant rise in ESV. A coupling coordination relationship exists between TCs and ESV, with notable spatial differentiation. TCs not only increase the market ESV by reducing distribution costs and facilitating the outward flow of ESV, they also improve the accessibility of national parks, promote ecotourism and cultural services, facilitate the movement of people and the exchange of knowledge, and enhance the ability of local populations and migrants to realise the ESV in the long term. However, challenges persist, including ESV conversion difficulties and TC construction’s potential impacts on ESV realisation. Therefore, we propose optimised green transport corridors and differentiated ecological compensation mechanisms, and by analysing the interaction between them, the innovation of this paper is to provide an innovative framework for sustainable spatial governance of ESV conversion and TC development in national parks, enriching the interdisciplinary approach. Full article

The continuous evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies presents significant opportunities and challenges within the domain of engineering education. This paper introduces a novel and comprehensive framework that extends the established Engineering Design Process (EDP) by incorporating a modular Digital Twin (DT) structure specifically tailored to smart building IoT applications in education. Unlike previous approaches, our framework enables real-time system feedback, simulation-based design iteration, and hands-on experimentation—all integrated within a pedagogical flow aligned with engineering curricula. It comprises seven distinct phases, providing a complete methodology that guides learners from fundamental concepts to advanced applications, including data visualization, real-time simulation, and system optimization. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework, we design and experiment with a practical use case related to a meteorological station and data, which incorporate IoT-enabled sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers for real-time monitoring of environmental parameters and energy consumption within a smart building campus facility. Additionally, to support EDP extension, a hybrid pedagogical approach is introduced, which combines traditional engineering hands-on education methodologies with DT activities, to further foster experimental learning, iterative system design, and complex systems thinking development. To this end, our approach aims to bridge the gap between theoretical science and engineering knowledge, along with practical application use cases, contributing to a better preparation of future engineers capable of addressing interdisciplinary challenges associated with smart systems and digital transformation within the Industry 4.0 era. Full article

Heat exchangers are critical components in various industrial applications, requiring efficient thermal management to enhance thermal performance and energy efficiency. Longitudinal vortex generators (LVGs) have emerged as a potent mechanism to enhance heat transfer within these devices. A precise knowledge of the thermal performance enhancement of HE through LVGs is missing in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to provide a critical review of both numerical simulations and experimental studies focusing on the enhancement of heat transfer through LVGs to further enhance the knowledge of the field. It begins with elucidating the fundamental principles behind LVGs and delineating their role in manipulating flow patterns to augment heat transfer. This is followed by an exploration of the various numerical methods employed in the field, including computational fluid dynamics techniques such as Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models, Large Eddy Simulation (LES), and Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS). Various experimental methods are then summarised, including differential pressure measuring instruments, temperature measurements, velocity measurements, heat transfer coefficient measurements, and flow visualisation techniques. The effectiveness of these methods in capturing the complex fluid dynamics and thermal characteristics induced by LVGs is critically assessed. The review covers a wide range of LVG configurations, including their geometry, placements, and orientations, and their effects on the thermal performance of heat exchangers. Different from previous reviews that mainly focus on classical configurations and historical studies, this review also emphasizes recent developments in computational fluid dynamics and progress in interdisciplinary fields such as innovative materials, additive manufacturing, surface finishing, and machine learning. By bridging the gap between fluid dynamics, thermal enhancement, and emerging manufacturing technologies, this paper provides a forward-looking, comprehensive analysis that is valuable for both academic and industrial innovations. Full article

This study focuses on the geometric and geophysical characterization of sedimentary landslides in the Laguna del Amor area, located in Chota-Cajamarca (Peru). The main objective was to identify key static factors related to landslide susceptibility, including slope angle, soil composition, and groundwater flow, prioritizing the areas affected by landslides. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was the geophysical method selected because of its effectiveness in delineating subsurface geometries, detecting water content, and assessing mass movements. The methodology combined geophysical analysis (ERT), field geology, and photogrammetry to develop a detailed subsurface model. The results indicate a rotational landslide mainly composed of weathered shales and limestones, with highly saturated zones that increase the area’s hazard level. The investigation also identified significant variability in landslide depth throughout the study area, highlighting the importance of these factors in geotechnical risk assessment. This interdisciplinary approach not only contributes to geological knowledge of the area but also provides critical information for mitigation and risk management strategies in landslide-prone areas. Full article

Fluid flow and heat transfer in porous media have been extensively studied due to their importance in numerous industrial and environmental applications. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of numerical and experimental approaches, presenting a multiscale perspective that bridges molecular, pore, and macroscopic levels. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying principles governing these processes, as this knowledge is essential for optimizing and innovating applications ranging from energy systems to environmental engineering. The review synthesizes key theoretical frameworks, including Darcy’s law, the Brinkman equation, and volume-averaging methods, offering a robust foundation for interpreting complex interactions in porous media. A novel aspect of this work is the integration of experimental and numerical insights to address challenges such as heterogeneity, anisotropy, and scale effects, demonstrating their complementary roles in advancing this field. Additionally, the review highlights emerging methodologies, including advanced pore-scale modeling, the lattice Boltzmann method, and machine learning, as transformative tools for overcoming existing limitations and exploring future directions. By identifying critical knowledge gaps and proposing innovative solutions, this article serves as a vital resource for researchers and practitioners, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and paving the way for cutting-edge advancements in the study of fluid flow and heat transfer in porous media. Full article

Interdisciplinary knowledge flow provides methodological and theoretical support for solving complex problems in higher education. Based on Darcy’s law, this study constructs a three-dimensional analysis framework for knowledge slope, knowledge stickiness, and flow medium, and combines it with bibliometric methods to analyze key words, references, and other information in 10 journals in JCR 1 or 2 higher education research (HER) fields from 2000 to 2022, so as to explore the characteristics and mechanisms of interdisciplinary knowledge flow in HER. The results show that, in the process of interdisciplinary knowledge flow in HER, the spillover amount of knowledge exchange between HER and other disciplines/fields is less than the absorption amount, and the direction of knowledge flow is knowledge-importing. The phenomenon of reciprocal assimilation between HER and other disciplines/fields is significant, and the knowledge network shows the characteristics of family resemblance. Interdisciplinary knowledge flow in HER is influenced by three factors, among which knowledge slope plays a promoting role, knowledge stickiness plays a hindering role, and the flow medium has a gatekeeper effect in the process. Full article

Optimising existing knowledge sets and encouraging the integration of interdisciplinary study findings can facilitate the advanced functions of biodiversity required for sustainable urban landscapes. Urban Green Spaces (UGS) can reach across an urban landscape, including indoor environments. The existing and traditional knowledge sets and practices for urban development and greening provide extensive and pertinent guidance; they are however variably implemented. More recent and advanced knowledge sets where properly utilised can optimise and provide advanced function. When adequately brought together, advanced sustainability for urban landscapes can significantly improve global sustainability performance. This article uses the final step of classic grounded theory to contextualise, verify and define refined wilding as a substantiating concept for functional biodiversity as theory for urban landscapes and for sustainable urban development. Refined wilding works toward wild refined UGS that functionally connect across an urban space and landscape, including positive influential flows with grey and transparent spaces. Where used to guide urban design, strategies, vision and goals this concept can provide (i) a conceptual framing that optimises and encourages an organisation of interdisciplinary and advanced knowledge, improving and advancing sustainable urban development, and (ii) a specificity, and overarching and comprehensive guidance for various UGS types toward the positive outcome of functional biodiversity. Functionally biodiverse UGS and landscapes require lower maintenance and perform at an advanced level for human health, economic development, the natural environment, and built or paved environments and landscapes. In turn, addressing how human activity and modification of urban landscapes can significantly degrade human health and the natural environment, or underachieve. Refined wilding (i) substantiates functional biodiversity as a positive outcome for urban landscapes, with a balance between ecological functions and functions for human populations; (ii) considers quality, function, and connectivity of and between UGS and spaces where UGS could be introduced or improved; (iii) enables an improvement, and addresses common barriers to UGS accomplishing advanced functions for urban sustainability; (iv) encourages urban wilding by functional native and non-native selections, and natural and semi-natural UGS; (v) positively influences and is influenced by grey (built environment) and transparent spaces (blue/aquatic and air). Full article