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Found 6374 publications
Micro-mechanical characterization of polymer-modified asphalt mixtures using discrete element modelling with soft-bond and linear contact bond models
Publication Name: Construction and Building Materials
Publication Date: 2025-11-28
Volume: 501
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) mixtures offer improved performance compared with conventional binders, particularly in terms of crack resistance and durability under increasing traffic and environmental loading. However, capturing their micromechanical behavior and failure mechanisms remains challenging owing to their internal heterogeneity and particle-scale interactions. This study utilized the Discrete Element Method (DEM), implemented via the Particle Flow Code (PFC), to simulate Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS) and Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) tests on PMA mixtures with varying specimen sizes and aggregate gradations. Two contact models, Linear Contact Bond (LCB) and Soft Bond (SB), were evaluated to represent tensile fracture and progressive bond degradation. The numerical models were calibrated and validated against the experimental results, which showed a deviation of less than 1.5 % in the compressive strength and modulus across the nine PMA formulations. A strength-size effect was observed and modeled, enabling the conversion of non-standard field core strengths to laboratory-equivalent values. Additionally, a high-resolution image dataset of asphalt surface distress (cracks, potholes, and marking degradation) was developed to support computer vision–based pavement monitoring. The integrated simulation and imaging framework presented in this study offers new insights into microscale failure behavior, supports more accurate field data interpretation, and contributes to intelligent maintenance strategies for resilient pavement infrastructure.
Open Access: Yes
Transforming Industry through E-Commerce: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Publication Name: Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change
Publication Date: 2025-11-25
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Page Range: 1064-1074
Description:
The aim of this paper was to explore the 4.0 industrial revolution and globalization and their role in e-commerce as well as the current challenges facing e-commerce represented by the Coronavirus. The industry had gone through revolutions that contributed to its development, thus creating distinct and qualitative moves in it, and the matter had begun to shift from physical activity to mental creativity. Data for this study were obtained from existing literatures on industrial revolution of Coronavirus. The methodology heavily relied on existing previous literature on the subject being dealt with. The findings indicate that the economy has been affected and closely related to the results of the 4.0 industrial revolution, whether in a trade directly such as electronic commerce or by monitoring trade-related operations, analysing big data, and finding appropriate solutions. Moreover, the accomplishments achieved through them contributed significantly to increasing the benefit to people as the previous revolutions contributed at the time.
Open Access: Yes
Exploring Internal Factors Of Capacity Expansion Decision-Making In Hungarian Family Businesses In Food Industry: Introducing A Novel Model
Publication Name: Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change
Publication Date: 2025-11-25
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Page Range: 3325-3342
Description:
The purpose of the research on which this paper is based was to test and validate the decision-making model previously set up by the authors. The model presents the internal factors influencing the decisions of family businesses regarding capacity expansion and the possible decision outcomes. The distinctiveness of the model is that it presents the internal factors affecting decisions related to capacity expansion, thereby helping family businesses to make decisions. For collecting data, both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used. As qualitative data collection techniques, in-depth interviews and focus group interviews were conducted. As quantitative method, an online questionnaire was used, whose questions were compiled based on previous research of the authors. The questions indirectly assess the internal factors influencing capacity expansion decisions of family businesses and the possible outcome of the decisions. The questionnaire was sent to the VOSZ (National Association of Entrepreneurs), MAPI (Hungarians on the Market Club) and the Association of Family Entrepreneurs, which means approximately 500 addresses. After data cleaning, 135 completed questionnaire were analyzed with SPSS software. In-depth interview was conducted with the heads of five family businesses, whose results were analyzed using tagging and artificial intelligence. The model previously set up by the authors was validated by both qualitative and quantitative research. It can be concluded that the following three internal factors influence the decision of family businesses regarding capacity expansion: socio-emotional wealth, cooperation between generations, and heterogeneous top management team. The family businesses themselves are not necessarily aware of this, so the model enriches the scientific literature and helps in the conscious operation of family businesses.
Open Access: Yes
Infection by SARS-CoV-2 in a rescued serval (Leptailurus serval, Schreber, 1776)
Publication Name: Acta Veterinaria Hungarica
Publication Date: 2025-11-24
Volume: 73
Issue: 4
Page Range: 228-236
Description:
In late November 2021, a male serval (Leptailurus serval) which had escaped from an unknown holding facility was observed in the Bükk Mountains of Northern Hungary. A few days were needed to capture the animal with a live trap, after which it was transported to a national Rescue Centre at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden. The exact origin of the specimen was never identified and apart from being emaciated, it seemed only to be stressed and weakened by the cold weather and starvation. Contrary to the initial fair prognosis, 2.5 days after admittance, the animal rapidly developed pronounced respiratory and central nervous system signs and despite intensive treatment died within a few hours. The subsequent diagnostic investigation revealed that the cause of death was SARS-CoV-2 infection. These diagnostic steps excluded other possible, lethal felid pathogens as causative agents and confirmed that the disease process was attributed to this virus.
Open Access: Yes
Financing football players’ careers from Africa to Europe: Does it follow a pecking order?
Publication Name: Sport Business and Management an International Journal
Publication Date: 2025-11-24
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Page Range: 657-684
Description:
Purpose – This study examines how professional African footballers finance their international careers and proposes an equitable model for distributing earnings among contributors, using the pecking order theory (POT) as a guiding framework. It seeks to determine whether players’ financing behaviour follows a pecking order and how earnings can be fairly shared among stakeholders to reduce conflict. Design/methodology/approach – Employing a mixed-methods design, the study draws on in-depth interviews with 36 African footballers from across the CAF zones who have played in over 30 professional leagues in UEFA countries. Primary qualitative data is supported by secondary sources, including player profiles, media reports, club websites and academic publications. Findings – The findings reveal that financing players’ careers in Africa follows a pecking order. Footballers initially rely on cheap internal financing sources (family and personal efforts) before turning to external, debt-like and equity-based support (community sponsors, local managers and agents) to pursue professional opportunities abroad. The study proposes a tripartite model for earnings distribution, allocating proportional returns to family, debt contributors and equity stakeholders, based on timing, risk and level of support. This addresses the financing gap and offers a practical solution to disputes over financial entitlements. Originality/value – This research is among the first to systematically apply POT to athlete financing in Africa and propose a model that reflects the informal yet critical roles played by non-institutional actors. By drawing parallels with startup financing, it contributes new theoretical and policy insights into sports migration, career development and conflict resolution in football. It also sets an agenda for further research into athlete financing in other sports and developing regions.
Open Access: Yes
Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease in adults, 1990–2023, and its attributable risk factors: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
Aminu K. Bello
Jasvinder Singh Bhatti
Samah W. Al-Jabi
Maciej Banach
Adel Sharaf Al-Zubairi
Dmitry Abramov
Marjan Ajami
Shoshana H. Ballew
Aleksandr Y. Aravkin
Jesu Arockiaraj
Sajjad Ahmad
Olugbenga Olusola Abiodun
Fadwa Naji Alhalaiqa
Oyelola A. Adegboye
Samar Abd ElHafeez
Khalid A. Alhasan
Morgan E. Grams
Salahdein Aburuz
Lucas Guimarães Abreu
Isaac Yeboah Addo
Mohammadreza Akbari
Bilyaminu Abubakar
Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula
Shereen M. Aleidi
Adedapo Wasiu Awotidebe
Saurav Basu
Hanadi Al Hamad
Syed Shujait Ali
Hubert Amu
Sonu Bhaskar
Sadat Abdulla Aziz
Anayochukwu Edward Anyasodor
M. D.Abu Bashar
Ali Ahmadi
Yazan Al Thaher
Khursheed Aurangzeb
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah
Amiel Nazer C. Bermudez
Maha Moh'd Wahbi Atout
Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader
Nurudeen A. Adegoke
Fahmi Y. Al-Ashwal
Ayman Ahmed
Syed Mahfuz Al Hasan
Awais Altaf
Mohammed Albashtawy
Hansani Madushika Abeywickrama
Domenico Azzolino
Ashagre Molla Assaye
Masoud Aman Mohammadi
Nelson Alvis-Guzman
Rafat Ali
Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani
Hasan Aalruz
Temitayo Esther Adeyeoluwa
Sajjad Ahmad
Mohammed Z. Allouh
Oluwasefunmi Akeju
Najim Z. Alshahrani
Mohammed Ahmed Akkaif
Geminn Louis Carace Apostol
Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader
Wesam Taher Almagharbeh
Ali M. Alfalki
Lauryn K. Stafford
Omar Almidani
Makda Abate Belew
Endale Alemayehu Ali
Mainak Bardhan
Ajay Nagesh Bhat
Khabir Ahmad
Neeraj Bedi
Yuni Asri
Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi
Filippos Anagnostakis
Abhishek Anil
Amir Mahmoud Ahmadzade
Mohamad Amin Bakhshali
Priyadarshini Bhattacharjee
Syed Yusuf Ali
Mohammad Mahdi Bastan
Shahzaib Ahmed
Khaldoon Aied Alnawafleh
Nesredin Ahmed
Muhammad Badar
Shahid Bashir
Hiba Jawdat Barqawi
Salahdein Aburuz
Walter Appati
Mohammed Mehdi Abrar
Bekalu Mekonen Belay
Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani
Ahmed Abdelrahman Abdelgalil
Aram Mahmood Ahmed
Bernard Kwadwo Yeboah Asiamah-Asare
Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani
Maha Moh d.Wahbi Atout
Hasan Aalruz
Syed Anees Ahmed
Sulaimon O. Araromi
Sadat Abdulla Aziz
Mohammed Z. Allouh
Salah Al Awaidy
Johan Ärnlöv
Luis Belo
Ovidiu Constantin Baltatu
Patrick B. Mark
Karem H. Alzoubi
Ziyad Al-Aly
Publication Name: Lancet
Publication Date: 2025-11-22
Volume: 406
Issue: 10518
Page Range: 2461-2482
Description:
Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common and ranks among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. This analysis aimed to present global CKD estimates using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 to inform evidence-based policies for CKD identification and treatment. Methods This analysis focused on adults aged 20 years and older over the period 1990 to 2023, from 204 countries and territories. Data sources used were published literature, vital registration systems, kidney failure treatment registries, and household surveys. Estimates of CKD burden, including deaths, incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), were produced using a Cause of Death Ensemble model and a Bayesian meta-regression analytical tool. A comparative risk assessment approach estimated the proportion of cardiovascular deaths attributable to impaired kidney function and estimated risk factors for CKD. Findings Globally, in 2023, 788 million (95% uncertainty interval 743–843) people aged 20 years and older were estimated to have CKD, up from 378 million (354–407) in 1990. The global age-standardised prevalence of CKD in adults was 14·2% (13·4–15·2), a relative rise of 3·5% (2·7–4·1) from 1990. The region with the highest age-standardised prevalence was north Africa and the Middle East (18·0%; 16·9–19·4). Most people had stage 1–3 CKD, with a combined prevalence of 13·9% (13·1–15·0). In 2023, CKD was the ninth leading cause of death globally, accounting for 1·48 million (1·30–1·65) deaths, and the 12th leading cause of DALYs, with an age-standardised DALY rate of 769·2 (691·8–857·4) per 100 000. Impaired kidney function as a risk factor accounted for 11·5% (8·4–14·5) of cardiovascular deaths. High fasting plasma glucose, body-mass index, and systolic blood pressure were all leading risk factors for CKD DALYs. Interpretation CKD is a major global health issue, with rising prevalence and increasing importance as a cause of death and as a risk factor for cardiovascular death. A better understating of aetiology, appropriate screening, and implementation programmes are needed to translate advances in CKD treatment into improved patient outcomes. Funding Gates Foundation, Wellcome, US National Kidney Foundation, and US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Open Access: Yes
Capability Building on Green and Renewable Energy- Related Financial Literacy in México
Publication Name: Empowering Development with Strategic Accounting Organizational Economic and Sustainable Impacts
Publication Date: 2025-11-19
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 227-259
Description:
Transition to green energy systems requires not only technological advancement but also cross- sector financial education among stakeholders at all levels of society. This study presents a comprehensive framework for green energy financial literacy program design considering México's unique socioeconomic context, cultural environment, and regional variations. It is estimated that implementation of such programs would increase adoption of renewable energy by 35- 40% over five years, creating about 150,000 new green economy jobs. The research contributes to the existing literature in sustainable finance education and provides actionable policy suggestions for policymakers, schools, and financial service providers in México and other emerging economies pursuing energy transition go.
Open Access: Yes
INTEGRATING OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH USING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES: The case of Building Information Modelling
Publication Name: Integrating Occupational Safety and Health Using Digital Technologies the Case of Building Information Modelling
Publication Date: 2025-11-18
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 1-133
Description:
This book is designed to help practitioners understand the growing potential for the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to improve Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) outcomes in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations sector. Through a series of cutting-edge practical cases, an international team of researchers and practitioners examine the benefits, barriers, and challenges associated with the introduction of new digital information technologies in OSH settings. Covering training, risk identification, site planning, site monitoring, emergency planning, and accident investigation, the book shows how the use of BIM paves the way for better streamlining of prevention planning, by making it more visible and understandable. The BIM applications presented allow for OSH to be closely linked to production, thus creating the conditions for an effective integration of OSH within the construction processes associated with building, operations, and management. The book introduces BIM as an enabler of improved OSH performance in construction projects. Precise BIM applications are presented, which are directly related to OSH performance. Backed by research, the BIM applications are presented in a practical manner, making them easily applicable by the construction project professional, as well as informative for the academic researcher.
Open Access: Yes
Érzelemfelismerés mozgáselemzéssel: az emberi és a gépi feldolgozás összehasonlítása
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2025-11-16
Volume: 166
Issue: 46
Page Range: 1803-1809
Description:
Introduction: The relationship between human emotions and their bodily expressions has been receiving increasing attention in psychology and cognitive sciences. Emotions are not only expressed through verbal and facial cues but also through posture, gestures, and movement patterns. Motion analysis is one of the possible methods for identifying emotions; however, there is currently no clear consensus on which method is the most suitable for this purpose. Objective: The aim of this study is to systematically review motion analysis methods used for emotion recognition and to compare human-based and artificial intelligence-based approaches. Method: This study follows a systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol. The initial search identified 7699 scientific articles from various databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 relevant studies were selected for detailed analysis. The research examines different motion analysis techniques, their applicability, and their accuracy. Results: A total of 9 different motion analysis methods were identified in the literature, of which 4 utilized artificial intelligence for emotion recognition. These methods differ in terms of data processing techniques, applied technologies, and accuracy in detecting emotions. Discussion: Motion analysis is a promising tool for studying emotions; however, no universally applicable technique currently exists. Artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in emotion recognition, yet challenges remain in algorithm development and handling individual differences in emotional expression. Conclusion: Currently, there is no single, universally accepted motion analysis technique for emotion identification. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool, but it has limitations when used alone. The most reliable approach appears to be the application of multidisciplinary methods, which combine human observation, classical motion analysis, and machine learning techniques. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(46): 1803–1809.
Open Access: Yes
