Search Results (3,406)

The implementation of construction 3D printing (3DP) offers a viable approach to enhancing productivity, optimizing material use, and advancing sustainability in infrastructure development, particularly in developing construction markets where economic constraints, labour reliance, and environmental challenges persist. This study proposes and empirically tests a theory-based framework to evaluate the perceived critical success factors (CSFs) shaping readiness for the adoption of 3DP within the Egyptian construction sector. The proposed framework is fundamentally grounded in the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) perspective, wherein Resource and Technology Optimization (RTO) and Innovation and Creativity in Design (ICD) constitute the technological dimension, Strategic Project Management (SPM) and Organizational Support (OS) represent the organizational dimension, and Stakeholder and Client Engagement (SCE), Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives (SEI), and Policy and Regulatory Considerations (PRC) define the environmental dimension. A total of 157 valid responses collected from construction professionals were analyzed using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Because construction 3DP remains at an early, pre-commercial stage of diffusion in Egypt, the survey captures professionals’ perceptions of adoption readiness rather than verified implementation performance. This sample exceeds the requirements of a priori statistical power analysis (n = 103 to detect medium effects with seven predictors at a power of 0.80 and α = 0.05) and the inverse-square-root criterion (n = 137), thereby providing adequate statistical power for the structural estimates. However, generalizability remains bounded by the purposive, single-country sample. The RII findings indicate that inaccurate budgeting and scheduling, limited managerial competence, shortages of skilled labour, cultural resistance, and inadequate awareness constitute the most significant barriers to adoption. The structural model accounted for 81.6% of the variance in 3DP adoption. Furthermore, all hypothesized relationships were positive and statistically significant, with 95% confidence intervals excluding zero; SPM (β = 0.4851), RTO (β = 0.4195), and SCE (β = 0.3343) were identified as the most influential determinants, followed by OS, ICD, SEI, and PRC. Discriminant validity was supported by both the Fornell–Larcker and heterotrait–monotrait (HTMT) criteria, and full collinearity diagnostics indicated no substantial common-method bias. The results reveal that successful 3DP adoption is determined not solely by technological preparedness, but also by effective alignment of managerial capabilities, resource optimization, stakeholder trust, sustainability orientation, and regulatory support. Beyond prior TOE- and SEM-based 3DP studies, which have largely examined technology acceptance in developed markets or tested aggregate constructs, this study advances the field by disaggregating the three TOE contexts into seven empirically tested CSF constructs, quantifying their relative influence, and providing the first empirically tested adoption framework of this kind for the Egyptian construction sector, grounded in perception survey data. The resulting framework can support the prospective implementation of sustainable construction technologies in infrastructure sectors in developing countries. Full article

The agri-food sector generates significant quantities of by-products and waste biomass, representing both an environmental challenge and an opportunity for resource recovery within a circular bioeconomy. This study developed a decision-support framework for the sustainable valorization of major residues from the Italian agri-food sector. Following a Material Flow Analysis (MFA) of multiple Italian agri-food supply chains, tomato and grape supply chains were selected as representative case studies because they generated the largest quantities of valorizable by-products among the agri-food sectors evaluated, namely tomato pomace and grape marc. MFA based on FAOSTAT and PRODCOM data (2019–2023) was combined with a literature review to assess biomass availability and physicochemical characteristics. The analysis identified tomato pomace and grape marc as the predominant residues. Tomato pomace showed high moisture content (63.34%), balanced organic composition, and a favorable C/N ratio, supporting its suitability for anaerobic digestion with an average biomethane potential (BMP) of 0.143 m³ CH₄/kg TVS. Conversely, grape marc exhibited a carbon-rich lignocellulosic structure, with a carbon content of 47.67%, C/N ratio of 24.73, and BMP of 0.195 m³ CH₄/kg TVS, favoring thermochemical conversion pathways, particularly pyrolysis. The framework also highlights the importance of cascading strategies, prioritizing the recovery of high-value compounds, and pretreatment approaches to improve biomass conversion efficiency. Overall, this approach supports optimized resource recovery and sustainable agri-food waste management. Full article

(1) Background: Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition requiring sustained self-management to prevent complications; however, long-term adherence to monitoring, medication, and lifestyle modification remains suboptimal. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies, supported by cloud-based connectivity, offer scalable platforms for structured remote monitoring and patient engagement. This study aimed to design, develop, and validate MyHTCare, a user-centered mHealth application for comprehensive hypertension self-management and connected remote monitoring. (2) Methods: An Agile-based, three-iterative development framework was adopted, incorporating clinical recommendations and inputs from patients, caregivers, and physicians. The application was developed using Flutter and integrated with Cloud Fire store to enable secure cloud-based data storage and real-time synchronization. Core modules included blood pressure tracking, medication reminders, infographic-based lifestyle education, and automated clinical alerts. Content validation involved 10 experts (clinicians and IT professionals) and 30 end users (adults with hypertension or caregivers). Usability was assessed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, and educational materials were evaluated using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for Audiovisual Materials (PEMAT-A/V). (3) Results: End-user validation demonstrated high usability, with mean scores ranging from 4.4 to 5.0 on a 5-point scale. Educational materials achieved 100% actionability and 92–100% understandability. Expert evaluation showed high ratings across usability domains, with acceptability scores exceeding 70%. (4) Conclusions: MyHTCare demonstrated strong content validity and usability, supporting further clinical evaluation to determine its effectiveness in improving blood pressure control and self-management. Full article

Background and Objectives: Sustained weight loss remains one of the greatest challenges in obesity management, as many individuals experience weight regain after initial treatment success. Although early weight loss has consistently been associated with greater overall weight reduction, its relationship with subsequent weight regain in routine clinical practice remains insufficiently characterized. This study examined the association between early weight loss and clinically significant weight regain among adults participating in a lifestyle-based obesity management program. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults receiving structured lifestyle-based obesity treatment at a tertiary care obesity clinic. Early weight loss was defined as the percentage reduction in body weight from baseline to the routinely scheduled third-month follow-up measurement. Clinically significant weight regain at one year was defined as regaining at least 50% of the maximum weight lost from baseline to nadir weight, expressed as the weight regain ratio (WRR ≥ 0.50). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between early weight loss and subsequent weight regain after adjustment for age, baseline body mass index, and baseline body weight. Sensitivity analyses included a female-only model, an alternative weight regain definition (WRR ≥ 0.25), and Firth-penalized logistic regression. Results: Among 79 participants with complete follow-up data, 9 (11.4%) experienced clinically significant weight regain at one year. Conclusions: Greater early weight loss was independently associated with lower odds of clinically significant weight regain (adjusted odds ratio 0.784, 95% confidence interval 0.646–0.950; p = 0.013). The association remained consistent in the female-only analysis and in the Firth-penalized logistic regression. When clinically significant weight regain was alternatively defined as WRR ≥ 0.25, the association remained in the same direction but did not reach statistical significance. Age, baseline body mass index, and baseline body weight were not significantly associated with the outcome. Full article

Coal gangue, a major by-product of coal mining, has long posed significant environmental and resource management challenges. With increasing global emphasis on energy transition and environmental sustainability, the comprehensive utilization of coal gangue has emerged as a critical research and policy priority. This review systematically examines the sources, characteristics, environmental impacts, and integrated utilization pathways of coal gangue. First, the formation mechanisms, mineralogical composition, and physicochemical properties of coal gangue are summarized, with particular attention to hazardous constituents and associated environmental risks, including soil and groundwater contamination, atmospheric pollution, and ecological degradation. Subsequently, current technological approaches for coal gangue management and comprehensive utilization are evaluated, including subsidence areas reclamation and underground backfilling, applications in construction materials and energy conversion, extraction of valuable chemical elements and functional materials, ecological soil engineering, and carbon sequestration. The potential contributions of these pathways to waste reduction, resource efficiency, and low-carbon development are critically discussed. Finally, key environmental, technological, and socio-economic considerations influencing sustainable coal gangue utilization are emphasized. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge and identifies future research directions aimed at advancing environmentally sound, economically viable, and large-scale utilization strategies. The findings are intended to support researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in promoting circular resource systems and sustainable development. Full article

Cadmium sulfide has been widely used as a conventional n-type window/buffer layer or heterojunction partner in several p-type thin-film solar cells, including CdTe/CdSeTe-, chalcopyrite-, kesterite-, antimony chalcogenide-, tin sulfide- and iron pyrite-based devices. Its success is related to its ability to form suitable heterojunctions, partially passivate absorber surfaces and provide favorable electronic selectivity. However, the parasitic absorption associated with the relatively narrow band gap of CdS, the toxicity and waste-management issues related to cadmium-containing auxiliary layers and the need for improved band alignment have motivated extensive research on CdS-free window and buffer layers. This review summarizes the main efforts devoted to replacing CdS in thin-film solar cells based on absorbers such as CdTe/CdSeTe, CIS, CIGS, CZTS, CZTSe, CZTSSe, Sb₂S₃, Sb₂Se₃, Sb₂(S,Se)₃, SnS and FeS₂. The most investigated alternative materials, including Zn(O,S), ZnS, In₂S₃, ZnMgO, ZnSnO, TiO₂, SnO₂ and SnS₂, are discussed with emphasis on their optical properties, band alignment, interface quality, deposition methods and impact on device performance. The analysis highlights that CdS replacement cannot be treated as a universal material substitution problem. Instead, each absorber and device architecture requires a specific front-interface design, where chemical compatibility, conduction band offset, defect passivation, optical transparency and process-induced interfacial modifications play a decisive role. CdS-free approaches are relatively mature for CdTe/CdSeTe- and CIGS-based solar cells, whereas kesterite absorbers, antimony chalcogenides and SnS still require further interface engineering. In FeS₂, by contrast, buffer-layer substitution remains secondary to the control of intrinsic surface and bulk electronic defects. This review provides a concise comparison of the most relevant CdS-free front/window materials and identifies key challenges for the future design of sustainable thin-film solar cells. Full article

The white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni-Tozzetti) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a highly polyphagous insect pest of global phytosanitary relevance affecting fruit trees, perennial crops, and ornamental plants in temperate and subtropical regions. Its invasive success is largely driven by high thermal tolerance, a wide host range, and strong survival capacity under postharvest handling and cold-chain storage, which greatly enhances its potential for long-distance dispersal through international trade of fresh fruit and plant material. A systematic review and meta-synthesis of 105 scientific studies published between 1958 and 2026 identified key research areas, including geographic distribution and invasion pathways, host plants and varietal susceptibility, temperature-dependent life history, agricultural impact and quarantine risk, chemical and biological control strategies, and the development of phenology-based monitoring and prediction tools using thermal models and pheromones. Although recent official reports do not confirm the presence of P. pentagona in Ecuador, climate suitability modeling and evidence of long-term survival during cold storage indicate a high risk of introduction and establishment, particularly in inter-Andean valleys. Consequently, preventive phytosanitary surveillance and integrated pest management strategies tailored to Ecuadorian Andean fruit production are proposed, emphasizing phenological monitoring, nursery and agro-urban inspections, and the conservation of natural enemies as a foundation for sustainable management of this emerging pest. Full article

Despite growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the construction industry, the literature still lacks a consolidated understanding of how AI functions across the full spectrum of construction supply chain processes. Existing studies are dispersed across different technologies, project stages, and application contexts, making it difficult to identify the intellectual structure of this field, the main areas of AI application, and the barriers that continue to constrain practical implementation. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic review of AI applications in construction supply chains by combining scientometric analysis with qualitative content synthesis. A total of 212 journal articles retrieved from Scopus were analyzed using VOSviewer-based scientometric analysis and qualitative content synthesis. The scientometric analysis maps annual publication trends, keyword co-occurrence patterns, co-cited sources, influential documents, and collaboration networks. The qualitative synthesis further examines how AI supports construction supply chain management across three broad themes: procurement and production optimization, logistics and material management, and collaborative decision-making for resilience and sustainability. The findings show that AI has been primarily applied to demand forecasting, resource optimization, logistics coordination, contract and document processing, computer vision-based monitoring, and multi-agent decision support. However, its practical diffusion remains constrained by fragmented and low-quality data, limited empirical validation, high implementation costs, algorithmic opacity, cybersecurity risks, and unresolved governance and liability issues. Based on these findings, this study proposes a data-centric and phased research agenda that emphasizes benchmark datasets, human–AI collaboration, lifecycle economic evaluation, explainable AI, and multi-stakeholder governance. The study contributes to the literature by integrating fragmented AI-related research into a structured knowledge map and by clarifying future pathways for developing intelligent, transparent, and resilient construction supply chains. Full article

Within UNESCO’s framework for sustainable heritage, this study examines how community engagement shapes the conservation of religious architectural heritage and the continuity of cultural landscapes. Using Sanliqiao Catholic Church in Wuxi, China, as a case study, it explores how heritage value is produced through the interaction of everyday practices, place identity, and participation in governance. Drawing on 19 interviews, field observations, archival materials, historical images, and 216 online comments, the findings reveal how everyday spatial practices sustain the cultural landscape. These practices generate differentiated place identities among believers, residents, and commercial stakeholders. Such identity differences, in turn, influence uneven participation in heritage governance and shape how cultural value is experienced and distributed. Cultural landscape reproduction thus emerges as a dynamic process linking everyday practice, identity formation, and participatory governance structures. The study underscores the critical role of inclusive participation in heritage governance and contributes to broader international debates on socially sustainable heritage management, with implications for similar religious and urban heritage sites beyond the Chinese context. Full article

Ceramic production generates large quantities of fired waste that is durable, non-biodegradable, and increasingly difficult to manage through conventional waste disposal practices. This study analyzes how ceramic waste is transformed into sustainable value in Jingdezhen, China, a city where ceramic production and cultural heritage have developed over more than a millennium. Using a qualitative multiple-case design, this study examines representative cases from three ceramic waste reutilization pathways: industrial reuse, environment-oriented reuse, and craft-based artistic reuse. The analysis shows that ceramic waste creates sustainable value through three interconnected processes: material transformation, economic activation, and cultural re-signification. Industrial cases primarily promote resource recovery and product innovation; public and environmental projects improve environmental awareness by integrating ceramic waste into urban spaces; and artistic practices reinterpret discarded ceramics as a medium for historical reflection, cultural expression, and public engagement. Based on these findings, the study proposes a material economic cultural analytical framework that explains how these value dimensions interact to transform ceramic waste from an environmental burden into a strategic resource. This study goes beyond documenting feasible ceramic waste recycling models by demonstrating that effective circular resource management in heritage-based industrial regions depends not only on technical recycling practices but also on cultural connotations and public recognition, which, together, generate value across environmental, economic, and cultural significance. These findings extend the scope of circular economy research by demonstrating a viable pathway for heritage-based industrial regions to leverage their own cultural heritage in transforming ceramic waste into environmental, economic, and cultural value. They also provide a practical model for other heritage-based regions seeking to align waste management with sustainable development. Full article

Currently, the significance of oil refinery industry is unquestionable because of the increasing demand for petrochemical products, such as fuels, monomers, and organic chemicals. Despite this, apart from high greenhouse gas emissions, numerous oil and natural gas refining processes are distinctly associated with the generation of a considerable amount of Oil Refinery Wastes (ORWs) in different forms, which need proper disposal and valorization. Nonetheless, at present, solid ORWs are mainly sent to landfills. Such a procedure, apart from high disposal costs, results in significant environmental pollution related to the release of chemical contaminants to soil and water environment. Consequently, these pollutants might poison natural flora and digestive systems of animals, thereby contributing to the general degradation of useful land and a serious health risk. To cope with that issue, ORW recycling in cement-based materials might be considered a reliable course of action, as the hardened concrete is capable to bind contaminants that ORW comprises. This article focuses on actual literature knowledge, limitations, and chances in the scope of a comprehensive approach to sustainable management of ORWs through their utilization in cementitious composites. The special emphasis was placed on presenting the impact provided by the addition of ORWs on the numerous performances of cementitious mixes and hardened concrete. The environmental and economic aspects were also discussed, particularly in the scope of CO₂ emission reductions and cost savings. Finally, the proposal for future tests, including investigating the correlation between valorization of ORWs and toxicity of ORW-blended composites, were proposed. Full article

Wearable biosensors have swiftly progressed from stiff laboratory prototypes to flexible, skin-like systems capable of ongoing physiological monitoring. Yet, the active and mechanically intense nature of athletic performance reveals the limits of static device designs made solely through traditional 3D printing. This review offers a thorough analysis of the shift from custom 3D-printed platforms to adaptive 4D-printed wearable biosensors that include time-sensitive, stimuli-responsive materials. We carefully investigate how nanomaterial-engineered transducers, including carbon nanomaterials, MXenes, and metallic nanostructures, improve electrochemical sensitivity, signal stability, and mechanical durability in sweat-based and electrophysiological sensing. Additionally, we examine the integration of thermoresponsive polymers, moisture-activated hydrogels, shape-memory materials, and self-healing networks that support autonomous control of skin–sensor contact, microfluidic sweat management, and structural stability under high mechanical strain. Case studies focused on sports monitoring demonstrate how these innovations enable multimodal measurement of mechanical, chemical, and molecular biomarkers in real time. Lastly, we address manufacturing scalability, regulatory issues, and translational challenges necessary to move from proof-of-concept to clinical deployment. By combining nanomaterial-driven electrochemical precision with 4D-printed mechanical adaptability, this review maps a path toward adaptive, self-regulating wearable platforms that sustain analytical accuracy even under extreme physiological demands. Full article

Background: With the increase in the middle-aged population and sedentary lifestyle, a high incidence of obesity has been observed in humans and in animals. Obesity is consequent or correlated to multiple diseases, such as metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), diabetes, dyslipidemia, etc. The attention of many researchers is focused on understanding the specific cellular mechanism and the role of inflammation, particularly chronic, in the development of this pathology as well as its link with dysmetabolic conditions, which seriously affect the survival of both humans and animals. Objective: The aim of this review is to discuss the mechanism responsible for obesity, the specific drugs used in the treatment of this disease, and, considering the link between obesity and inflammation, the possible employment of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a natural lipidic mediator with anti-obesity activity in humans and animals. Materials and Methods: The selection of articles chosen for this review paper was performed through the most important electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar); the specific inclusion criteria were applied systematically each time to ensure that the selection of papers closely aligned. Results: The treatment of obesity is focused on the management of weight through dietary caloric restriction, sustainable nutritional behaviors and long life therapy, which are also useful to prevent comorbidities. Several specific drugs for the treatment of this pathologic condition are available in both human and veterinary medicine. However, considering the documented link between inflammation and obesity, the possible use of PEA, authorized in veterinary medicine as a food supplement, could represent a valid therapeutic strategy in the treatment of human obesity. Conclusions: From studies present in the literature on obesity and its therapeutic approach in both human and veterinary medicine, and considering the importance of natural molecules in health management, the use of PEA as a dietary supplement, for its anorexic and fat-losing properties, could be considered a valid tool to counteract overweight and obesity in humans and animals and to avoid the onset of consequent comorbidities. Full article

Global growth in electric mobility, portable electronics, and renewable energy storage has increased concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of managing end-of-life lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. Although these batteries support the transition to renewable energy, their disposal presents significant challenges. Recycling has emerged as a key strategy to reduce resource depletion, limit pollution, and recover valuable materials. This study systematically reviewed and quantitatively synthesised the literature published between 2000 and 2025, assessing the environmental impacts of battery recycling programs. The review followed PRISMA guidelines to ensure a transparent and rigorous study selection process. Data from peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and policy documents were analysed, focusing on indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, material recovery efficiency, and economic returns. Statistical methods, including Hedges’ g, heterogeneity testing, and sensitivity analysis within a random-effects model, were applied to account for variability across technologies and battery types. The results show that recycling generally lowers emissions and improves resource recovery compared to virgin material extraction, though performance varies. Lead-acid recycling demonstrates stronger environmental benefits due to mature technologies and established systems, while lithium-ion recycling shows positive but lower gains, limited by higher energy demands and less-developed processes. Overall, recycling is essential for reducing environmental impacts and supporting a circular economy, though lithium-ion systems require further technological and policy advancements. These findings can be used by governments to strengthen regulatory frameworks to support recycling industries and invest in advanced lithium-ion recycling technologies to improve efficiency. Despite the existing limitations, the benefits of recycling outweigh the drawbacks, making it a necessary strategy for sustainable battery waste management. Full article

This Editorial introduces the Special Issue “Emerging Technologies for Waste Treatment, Pollution Control and Resource Recovery”, which examines how contemporary environmental engineering is moving beyond conventional end-of-pipe treatment toward integrated, circular, and systems-oriented approaches. The collected contributions address sustainability innovation in textile manufacturing, life-cycle-informed PFAS removal from landfill leachate, fishbone-derived hydroxyapatite adsorbents for heavy metal removal, and constructed wetlands for azo dye degradation. Together, these studies demonstrate that effective waste treatment must be evaluated not only in terms of pollutant removal efficiency, but also by material circularity, secondary environmental burdens, operational feasibility, and long-term contaminant fate. This Editorial highlights key cross-cutting themes, including the valorization of residual materials, the importance of realistic matrices and field validation, and the need to integrate life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and mechanistic investigation early in technology development. It further identifies major research gaps concerning spent media management, regeneration, toxicity, transformation products, and scale-up under variable operating conditions. Overall, this Special Issue proposes a framework in which emerging waste treatment technologies are understood as multifunctional environmental systems that support pollution control, resource recovery, and resilient circular economies. Full article