Search Results (10,822)

Investigating crack evolution characteristics in expansive soil under dry–wet cycle conditions is essential for analyzing the shallow instability of embankments and roadbeds filled with this type of soil. Indoor tests on remolded expansive soil specimens were performed under dry–wet cycle conditions, and digital image processing technology (PCAS) was used to quantitatively analyze the process of crack evolution. The study examined how initial moisture content, compaction degree, thickness, and expansibility affect crack development in expansive soil. Additionally, the study discussed the mechanism of crack evolution, considering the characteristics of crack structures in expansive soil. The findings suggest that crack development in expansive soil specimens is influenced by various factors including initial moisture content, compaction degree, thickness, and expansibility. The crack ratio increases with the initial moisture content, thickness, and expansibility, but decreases with the compaction degree. Furthermore, a significant linear relationship exists between the attenuation rate of soil strength and the crack ratio. The development of cracks is governed by the variance in soil shrinkage, which leads to the formation of distinct shrinkage centers at various locations and is markedly influenced by the soil’s thickness. This research explores the laws governing the evolution of cracks in expansive soils, elucidating the mechanisms by which these cracks evolve under the influence of various factors. It addresses a significant gap in the theoretical understanding of crack evolution in expansive soils under conditions of multiple influences, thereby offering crucial insights into the characteristics of soil evolution. Full article

The abandonment of inhabited places is a phenomenon widespread on a global scale that has spanned centuries. It has led to the birth of the so-called ‘ghost towns’. These lifeless sites dot the internal Mediterranean and European areas, testifying to the changeability of the human settlements. Through a vision that reverses the paradigm that epitomises the ‘ghost towns’, these places can be transformed from a problem into an opportunity for the development of the territories that host them. The main topic of this article is to present and update investigations performed on three abandoned settlements sited in Portugal, Italy, and Albania in view of their tourist exploitation, considering three different tailored strategies: underwater tourism, dark tourism, and heritage tourism. For each site, we analysed the site history, the abandonment causes, and the territorial-geological features, thus arguing for the possible valorisation and enjoyment approaches with special attention to digital technologies, which are highly underexploited in the sector. This study, which is part of an international research landscape still in the initial stages, falls within the BEGIN project (aBandonment vErsus reGeneratIoN), which aims to develop a multilevel methodological–operational protocol useful in regional, national, EU, and non-EU contexts for the dissemination of knowledge, conservation, regeneration, valorisation, management, and fruition of areas classified as a ‘ghost town’. The research findings can be useful for scholars, practitioners, and local entities entrusted to manage the abandoned towns. Furthermore, the methodological approach followed in this research can supply useful insights into aims to valorise and enjoy worldwide ‘ghost towns’. Full article

Sustainable development has emerged as a paramount priority globally, with the fintech services playing a crucial role in achieving these goals. Although previous research has explored consumer perceptions of novel fintech services, including Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) applications, there remains a knowledge gap regarding the factors influencing adoption among young consumers. This study addresses this limitation by investigating the determinants of BNPL app usage among Saudi Arabian Generation Z consumers, integrating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and DeLone and McLean’s Information Systems Success model. A survey of 380 BNPL app consumers from Generation Z was conducted, and their responses were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence positively impact the intention to continue using BNPL apps. Furthermore, system quality, service quality, and information quality exhibit significant correlations with satisfaction within the IS Success model. The study’s outcomes are expected to inform app developers in designing effective apps that engage digital-native consumers and provide policymakers with insights to enhance fintech services. This research contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge on fintech adoption, intentions, and satisfaction. Full article

There are widespread assumptions to the effect that the real-time data generated through the 5G-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) will improve material traceability and accelerate the global transition to a circular economy (CE), thereby helping to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and carbon neutrality. Many industries, governments, and NGOs are supporting this vision by investing in related digital infrastructure (5G networks, servers, computer hardware, etc.). Conversely, recent literature has highlighted a paradoxical phenomenon known as the CE rebound, whereby sound CE activities end up offsetting environmental gain(s). This challenges the assumption that the new 5G-enabled IoT will be conducive to greater circularity while carrying its own environmental weight. Resorting to applied epistemology—a perspective seldom used in sustainability research—and the global e-waste crisis as an intense case in point, we question the confidence with which actors predict positive outcomes from the CE–IoT nexus. We argue that avoiding circularity rebounds cannot be construed as a matter of methodological development or, by extension, modeling sophistication through real-time data exploitation. Instead, circularity rebounds need to be recognized and theorized as a paradox of knowledge that also narrows sustainability research’s horizons, despite AND because of the 5G-enabled IoT. As per this paradox, advanced digital technologies may well be compounding environmental issues at the same time as they illuminate them. Full article

The ubiquity of digital devices and the Internet, along with continuing technological innovation, makes it difficult not to rely on them in some capacity, whether for work or play, in our daily lives. This dependence on their usage could impact life satisfaction. Furthermore, the recognition and perception of this dependence could have implications for life satisfaction as well, whether positive or negative. We thus sought to explore how perceptions of dependence and dependent behaviour on digital devices and the Internet affected life satisfaction. We also examined whether one had a greater effect than the other. We conducted three online nationally representative surveys with 7991, 7703, and 8356 Singaporeans, and performed a hierarchical linear regression analysis on the data. The results show significant but weak positive relationships between dependence on digital devices, the importance of the Internet, and life satisfaction. A greater consistent effect on life satisfaction was also observed from the perceptions of dependence compared with dependent behavior. The implications are discussed, with implications for governmental policy strategy for reducing the potential harms of dependence on digital devices and the Internet. Full article

Pore structure heterogeneity of coal reservoirs restricts the diffusion-seepage process of coalbed methane, thereby restricting the production capacity of coalbed methane. Therefore, 10 coal samples from the Linxing area are taken as an objective, and high-pressure mercury intrusion testing was used to describe the pore structure distribution of all the coal samples. On this basis, four single and multifractal models were used to perform fractal calculations, and correlation analysis was conducted on the mercury advance and retreat fractal dimension values to clarify the physical significance of mercury removal fractal dimension values. Finally, the relationship between fractal dimension values of mercury curves and pore structure parameters was clarified, and the applicability of various fractal models in characterizing pore structure heterogeneity was explored. All the samples can be divided into type A and B by using pore volume percentage greater than 1000 nm and the mercury removal efficiency. The T model has universality and the strongest correlation in characterizing the heterogeneity of pore volume distribution in samples. A fractal parameter based on high-pressure mercury injection curve was obtained, and was then used to quantitatively characterize the pore and fracture structure of coal reservoirs. This parameter is used to characterize the complexity of gas and water transport during coalbed methane production, further elucidating the coalbed methane production process under the constraint of pore and fracture structure in coal reservoirs. Full article

The rapid integration of Digital Learning into higher education, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed educational landscapes globally. This qualitative study employs a phenomenological approach, through thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 15 lecturers, to investigate the implementation of a Digital Learning initiative by the Council for Higher Education (CHE) and the Planning and Budgeting Committee (PBC) at a leading institution in northern Israel. Our findings reveal four interconnected domains influencing Digital Learning implementation: educational, personal, cultural and social, and institutional. We found that while Digital Learning enhances pedagogical innovation and accessibility, it also presents significant challenges in terms of technological adaptation and cultural integration. This study provides strategic recommendations for refining Digital Learning strategies and offers unique insights into implementing Digital Learning in a culturally diverse, technologically advanced setting. Key recommendations include developing culturally responsive Digital Learning environments, integrating traditional practices like ‘chavruta’ into digital platforms, and investing in flexible technological infrastructure to support diverse pedagogical approaches within the unique Israeli educational context. Full article

In conventional engineering education, issues such as the discrepancy between virtual and real environments, rigid practical operations, lack of reflective support, and a disconnect between online and offline learning prevail. Digital twin technology, with its high fidelity and real-time interaction features, presents an innovative instructional aid for engineering education. This study developed a digital twin learning system to assist instructors in implementing project-based teaching models in landscaping technology courses. To assess the effectiveness of this system, a quasi-experiment was designed. Seventy students from a vocational high school majoring in landscaping technology in China were recruited as participants. These students were divided into two groups, each consisting of 35 students, with the same teaching pace. The experimental group utilized the system to supplement the instructor’s teaching of landscaping courses, while the control group received instruction through traditional methods. The experiment lasted for eight weeks, comprising a total of 16 classes. Ultimately, the results indicated that students in the experimental group significantly outperformed those in the control group in critical thinking, cognitive load, learning experience, and academic performance. Additionally, this research examined the acceptance of learners toward using the digital twin learning system and its influencing factors based on the Technology Acceptance Model, aiming to provide insights into enhancing engineering education courses teaching effectiveness and targeted technological development. Full article

The increasingly environmental issues pose challenges to the economic development of countries, particularly hindering industrial transformation in developing nations. This study, grounded in the Resource-Based View, examines factors influencing green innovation in high-tech manufacturing firms. Market interactions and digital technologies significantly impact resource investments in green innovation. Using data from Chinese high-tech manufacturing firms from 2007 to 2021, the study reveals that customer concentration negatively affects green innovation, while digital transformation promotes it and mitigates the inhibitory effect of customer concentration. To explain this mechanism, green innovation is divided into green process innovation and green product innovation, and the effect of customer concentration is more pronounced in green product innovation. Further testing discusses the roles of the external environment, internal governance, and manager characteristics. Specifically, product market competition and political resources influence firms’ reliance on major customers, allowing digital technologies to optimize resource allocation for green innovation. In terms of internal governance, flexibility and regulatory strength alter the emphasis firms place on green innovation, with higher governance efficiency reducing dependency on major customers. Managerial characteristics, particularly managers’ rationality, determine the importance placed on digital technologies versus customer demands, leading to varied investment decisions in green innovation. Our findings provide valuable insights for optimizing resource allocation and enhancing green innovation investment, thereby effectively promoting sustainable regional economic development. Full article

Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) has emerged as a groundbreaking technology in molecular biology and diagnostics, offering exceptional precision and sensitivity in nucleic acid detection and quantification. This review highlights the core principles and transformative potential of dPCR, particularly in infectious disease diagnostics and environmental surveillance. Emphasizing its evolution from traditional PCR, dPCR provides accurate absolute quantification of target nucleic acids through advanced partitioning techniques. The review addresses the significant impact of dPCR in sepsis diagnosis and management, showcasing its superior sensitivity and specificity in early pathogen detection and identification of drug-resistant genes. Despite its advantages, challenges such as optimization of experimental conditions, standardization of data analysis workflows, and high costs are discussed. Furthermore, we compare various commercially available dPCR platforms, detailing their features and applications in clinical and research settings. Additionally, the review explores dPCR’s role in water microbiology, particularly in wastewater surveillance and monitoring of waterborne pathogens, underscoring its importance in public health protection. In conclusion, future prospects of dPCR, including methodological optimization, integration with innovative technologies, and expansion into new sectors like metagenomics, are explored. Full article

In an era marked by the expansion of the Internet economy and the intensification of environmental concerns, the convergence of digital finance and green finance has emerged as a significant global trend. China’s Alipay Ant Forest, an innovative green financial product, has successfully quantified carbon emission reductions resulting from users’ green consumption patterns, establishing the first carbon account-based green financial product and pioneering an innovative “green finance plus gamification” model. However, the academic literature has not fully explained the underlying mechanisms that drive consumer engagement with such green financial products. This study, motivated by the academic question of what factors influence consumers’ willingness to use green financial products, employs Ant Forest as a case study and develops a novel structural equation model based on self-determination theory, customer-perceived value, and the technology acceptance model. The model incorporates user type as a control variable and considers autonomy, gamification, and bonuses as key independent variables, with customer-perceived value serving as a mediating variable. Data collection involved 606 participants, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing users’ willingness to engage with green financial products. The findings support the proposed hypothesis, identifying several significant predictors of users’ willingness to use green financial products, with the exception of age. This study advances the theoretical understanding of consumer behavior towards green financial products by integrating self-determination theory, customer-perceived value, and the technology acceptance model, while also offering practical insights for marketing strategies. It explores the interface between digital finance, environmental sustainability, and consumer behavior, highlighting opportunities for financial institutions to leverage Internet applications to promote green financial services and enhance their marketing approaches to influence consumer adoption. Full article

Facility Management (FM) has increasingly focused on integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with the Internet of Things (IoT), known as digital twins, in large-scale development projects. Effective BIM integration in FM requires improved cooperation among participants across various project stages. This digital revolution aims to enhance planning, construction, and asset management efficiency, benefiting all parties. However, BIM utilization in FM is limited by incomplete owner understanding, insufficient data accessibility, and stakeholders’ unfamiliarity with BIM procedures and standards. Despite recognizing BIM’s significance, the FM industry faces significant implementation challenges. Facility managers often lack a comprehensive understanding of BIM’s benefits in streamlining operations and enhancing cost efficiency, as well as the necessary skills for its use. Addressing these barriers requires developing an Employer’s Information Requirements (EIR) document at a project’s outset, providing a strategic plan and vision for all involved parties. BIM and IoT are pivotal technologies for transitioning to efficient building operations and crucial for reducing time, costs, and operational challenges throughout any project. This research aims to establish a digital trio workflow, integrating BIM, EIR, and IoT to maximize stakeholder benefits. It explores how preparing the EIR through stakeholder communication can improve design processes, sustainability, efficiency, cost, and time, especially for megaprojects. Full article

This paper elicits and analyzes the main requirements for Smart Pedestrian applications designed to enhance the pedestrian experience in urban environments by offering optimized walking routes, improved accessibility, and support for social inclusion and connectivity. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative insights with quantitative data analysis based on surveys conducted in two strategically selected urban areas of Nicosia, Cyprus. Through the survey, the requirements and potential use of Smart Pedestrian apps are investigated while accounting for the quality of service of the urban infrastructure in a medium-sized city context. Additionally, the study contrasts the current smartphone applications, as they predominantly facilitate vehicular transportation, with the potential use of ICT/ITS to support pedestrians for sustainable mobility. The findings reveal a significant demand for a Pedestrian Smartphone app, driven by its ability to provide relevant information on optimum pedestrian routes, as well as act as a citizen’s voice for spotting infrastructure problems and improving the pedestrian network. Further, it is also revealed that limitations in the pedestrian infrastructure substantially restrict walking preferences, emphasizing the need for urgent city-level urban planning solutions to support active mobility. Additionally, the research carried out underscores the importance of a sustainable business model to support the successful deployment of Smart Pedestrian apps. Ultimately, the results of the study suggest prioritizing a smart technology leverage with a crowdsourcing social network business model to promote pedestrian mobility, thereby reducing vehicular dependence, enhancing public health, and improving the quality of life. Such an approach would act as catalyst for policymakers to concentrate on sustainability by investing in digital technology for integrated pedestrian networks, fostering the emergence of genuine smart cities. Full article

This paper presents an all-digital and configurable resolution time-to-digital converter (TDC) with low process–voltage–temperature (PVT) sensitivity for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) applications. The proposed TDC offers configurable resolution, allowing it to provide an appropriate conversion resolution according to the system’s requirements, thereby optimizing overall system performance. In addition, because the proposed TDC has high immunity to process–voltage–temperature (PVT) variations, it provides more stable time-converting results. The proposed design uses 0.18 μm CMOS technology, and the measurement results demonstrate a resolution ranging from 36 ps to 1193 ps, with a conversion range from 0.1 ns to 36 ns and an average error of 20.59 ps. Furthermore, the proposed TDC is implemented in an all-digital manner, making it highly suitable for system integration. Full article

To improve the problem-solving capabilities of students, this study explored using interactive digital teaching materials based on animation and manga. A classroom teaching system was developed based on teaching material using a manga format. Students from a national university and a science and technology university in southern Taiwan were recruited. A questionnaire survey was administered for data collection. A total of 104 valid samples were collected; the data were analysed using SPSS 17.0. Two statistically significant models could be used to predict learning outcomes, and the highest R2 value was 52.5%. The utilisation of interactive multimedia teaching materials based on animation and manga helped students apply knowledge to solve practical problems, cultivating their problem-solving capabilities. The findings differed from previous studies; models developed in this study could be used to determine the effects and relationships of multiple factors. Full article