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Found 6374 publications
Exploring the Impact of Fiber Content on the Mechanical Performance of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Consistency and Compaction Time Analysis
Publication Name: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 1258 LNNS
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 162-174
Description:
The evolution of building materials and technologies is imperative in response to the growing demands for large-scale infrastructure. Steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) has gained widespread usage due to its notable benefits, such as enhanced crack-bridging capacity and increased shear strength, reducing the need for traditional reinforcement. This study investigates the effects of varying fiber content and compaction times on the mechanical properties of SFRC. Laboratory tests were conducted on 24 different concrete mix designs, producing a total of 216 specimens, including blocks, cubes, and beams. The findings indicate that the optimal fiber content and compaction time significantly influence the compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of SFRC. A detailed mathematical and statistical analysis highlights the importance of these parameters, providing insights for optimizing SFRC performance in construction. Future research directions are suggested to enhance further the understanding and application of SFRC in the construction industry.
Open Access: Yes
DECIPHERING THE CRYPTOCURRENCY IMPACT ON TOURISM DYNAMICS: LEGAL INSIGHTS FROM SPAIN, FRANCE, CROATIA, AND THE NETHERLANDS
Publication Name: Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 58
Issue: 1
Page Range: 422-432
Description:
The research delves into the nexus between cryptocurrencies and touristic activity, with a special focus on the facet of legal regulations. The study's objective is to fathom how cryptocurrencies influence the tourism sector, how legal standards bear on transactions involving cryptocurrencies within the tourism industry, and to what extent they render the adoption of cryptocurrencies in tourism feasible. The principal aim is to unravel the interconnection between the employment of cryptocurrencies in tourist services and its concurrent legal governance in four handpicked countries: Spain, France, Croatia, the Netherlands The investigation encompasses, on the one hand, the exploration of legal case studies and, on the other, the evaluation of hypotheses using clustering neural networks to dissect the interrelation between cryptocurrencies and tourism. Clustering was achieved through SOM and PCA methodologies, which, in unison, proffer profound insights into the data's architecture and interconnectedness. The data was collected by scraping with an API key, allowing us to examine all cryptocurrency acceptance points by category in each country. During this process, we employed a big data setup. The research underscores that blockchain technologies, including but not limited to Ethereum's advancements that extend beyond just Bitcoin, are steadily gaining a more influential role in tourism. Furthermore, legal guidelines, especially within the EU, have a significant influence on transactions and operations associated with these digital assets. This becomes paramount as, in the scrutinised region, the count of cryptocurrency and blockchain acceptance venues correlates with the vigour of tourism. Blockchain technologies, which transcend just the realm of Bitcoin and encompass advances like Ethereum, are progressively playing a pivotal role in tourism sector. Legal regulations emerge as a cardinal determinant in the governance of blockchain and cryptocurrency-related transactions and operations. The interplay between tourism and these technologies calls for further investigation, especially against the backdrop of a mutable legal environment. However, a conclusion can be drawn regarding its multiplicative impact on the economic pulse of the tourism sector.
Open Access: Yes
Analysis of Macro- and Microplastic Contaminations in Commercially Available Potting Soil Products
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 116
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 835-840
Description:
Macro- and microplastics have emerged as pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems, yet limited knowledge exists regarding their presence in horticultural substrates. This paper employed qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse seven commercially available potting soil products. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, with PE and PP accounting for over 65% of the detected plastics. Notably, particles measuring approximately 0.008 m were commonly observed, raising concerns about potential environmental accumulation. The paper also revealed significant variability in contamination levels across the samples, with S-2 and S-4 exhibiting the highest microplastic content, including the presence of blue and red synthetic fibres as observed microscopically. Additionally, signs of polymer degradation were detected through the identification of carbonyl peaks. These findings highlight a novel source of pollution within the consumer horticulture domain and provide new insights into plastic uptake pathways, potential risks to plant health, and the need for mitigation strategies to support sustainable agriculture. This work contributes to the growing understanding of microplastics in soil environments and may inform future environmental policy actions.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET25116140
Data-driven lifetime estimation of solder joints with various geometries
Publication Name: Pollack Periodica
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Virtual lifetime estimation of microelectronic devices has become essential, due to the tightening requirements and the trend of electronification. Thermal cycling load cause fatigue crack in solder joints and therefore functional failures. The application of the fatigue models viable in the literature is circumstantial for industrial scale problems. The exploitation of the already existing simulation data in data-driven models is a promising solution for speeding up the virtual lifetime estimation process. This paper benchmarks data-driven methods to predict the lifetime of solder joints with different geometric properties using a dataset originated from finite element simulation results. This case study shows that the nonlinear function fitting and the neural network are applicable.
Open Access: Yes
Emotion-based insights into pro-environmental video campaigns: A study on waste sorting behavior in Ukraine
Publication Name: Environmental Economics
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Page Range: 50-72
Description:
This study aims to examine how different types of pro-environmental video content (featuring humans versus AI-generated characters) influence household waste sorting attitudes and behaviors among Ukrainian residents. The research was conducted in two stages using a mixed-method approach. In the first stage, 102 individuals aged 18-45 watched two videos on waste sorting and completed an online questionnaire. Cluster and variance analyses were performed using Statistica software. In the second stage, 35 participants underwent a laboratory-based emotion analysis using iMotions software, heart rate monitors, and galvanic skin response sensors at the Behavioral Lab of Sumy State University (Ukraine) from May to July 2024. The results revealed that videos featuring real people were more effective in generating interest (average rating: 3.5 vs. 3.2) and emotional engagement, particularly joy and contempt, which were the most frequently expressed emotions. Cluster analysis identified four distinct respondent groups. Cluster 1 (39.2%) - primarily young women - responded positively to human-led videos but showed limited behavioral change. Cluster 2 (19.6%) - women aged 26-35 - reacted positively to both videos and were most willing to adopt waste sorting behavior. Cluster 3 (23.5%) - primarily men - showed moderate engagement and sorted waste occasionally. Cluster 4 (17.6%) - highly educated women - exhibited the least positive responses and were least likely to change their behavior. The emotion analysis confirmed that videos featuring real people elicited stronger emotional responses across all categories, whereas AI-generated videos prompted higher levels of anger but generally weaker engagement.
Open Access: Yes
Additive manufacturing of rubbers: A new frontier in polymer science
Publication Name: Rubber Materials Fundamentals Sustainability and Applications
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 601-640
Description:
This chapter delves into the advanced realm of additive manufacturing (AM) applied to elastomers, focusing on their unique properties, historical significance, and modern technological applications. Elastomers, particularly natural rubber (NR), have been integral to manufacturing since the 16th century, exhibiting remarkable flexibility, elasticity, and resilience due to their viscoelastic polymer chains. As the field of AM progresses, new possibilities for elastomers in creating complex, detailed components have emerged. Techniques like VAT photopolymerization (VAT) and extrusion-based 3D printing have expanded the versatility of these materials in industries ranging from healthcare to automotive. The chapter explores the evolution of AM technologies, from the early developments in rapid prototyping to modern methods like fused deposition modeling (FDM), digital light processing (DLP), and direct ink writing (DIW). These advancements have unlocked new potentials for elastomers, enabling customized, precise part fabrication with reduced waste. Challenges such as high viscosity in photopolymer resins, adhesion issues, and material compatibility are discussed, alongside the strategies to overcome them, including the incorporation of fillers, cross-linking methods, and rheological control. Furthermore, the chapter highlights ongoing research in optimizing elastomer formulations for improved mechanical properties and the development of advanced elastomeric materials for specialized applications in additive manufacturing.
Open Access: Yes
FAMILY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FROM HUNGARY
Publication Name: Central European Business Review
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
Page Range: 23-40
Description:
Family firms, accounting for 60% of European private sector jobs, play a critical role in advancing business sector sustainability through their practices and employment characteristics. This study examines family entrepreneurs’ attitudes toward sustainability using quantitative methods and the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Annual Population Survey (APS) dataset from Hungary. Businesses were categorised into nonfamily, one-person, and family enterprises. After analysing the reliability of sustainability-related questions, two indices measuring attitudes toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability were constructed: a comprehensive index allowing compensation between dimensions and an aggregate evaluation index. Using one-way ANOVA, we compared sustainability indices across the business categories. Results revealed no significant differences in sustainability performance, irrespective of the indicator used. Robustness was confirmed with four control variables (gender, educational attainment, entrepreneurship phase, and number of jobs created), none of which indicated significant differences. No significant correlations emerged between sustainability indices and entrepreneurs’ age. These findings align with prior analyses, indicating no marked differences in sustainability attitudes between family and non-family firms. Two factors may explain these results: Hungary’s market dominance by microbusinesses due to disrupted business traditions during the socialist era and GEM’s focus on entrepreneurship, favouring smaller entities like sole proprietorships. Implications for Central European audience: This study underscores the need to continuously develop sustainable business attitudes. It also offers a recent literature review, providing valuable insights for Central European researchers, corporate leaders, and family business managers.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.18267/j.cebr.399
Unveiling the impact of service attributes and review scores on sentiment: A deep learning and feature engineering approach to UberEats reviews
Publication Name: International Journal of Engineering Business Management
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study investigates the impact of SERVQUAL dimensions (Assurance, Reliability, Tangibles, Empathy, and Responsiveness) and review scores on customer sentiment. We analyze a large dataset of 920,407 UberEats reviews from the Google Play Store, classifying sentiment based on star ratings and using a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to predict sentiment from review content. Using text mining and sentiment analysis, the study employs robust feature engineering techniques to extract and quantify SERVQUAL components from customer reviews. The LSTM model demonstrated high accuracy (89.64%) in predicting sentiment, validating the alignment between predicted and assigned sentiments. Our analysis reveals that all SERVQUAL dimensions and review scores have a positive and significant impact on overall sentiment. Specifically, the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression results highlight Empathy as the most influential SERVQUAL component, followed by Responsiveness, Reliability, Tangibles, and Assurance. Furthermore, review score emerged as the strongest predictor of customer sentiment. These findings provide actionable insights for service providers aiming to enhance customer satisfaction by optimizing key SERVQUAL dimensions and addressing review score trends.
Open Access: Yes
Will this be the next step? A systematic review of 3D printing in footwear biomechanics
Publication Name: Footwear Science
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Page Range: 127-142
Description:
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology enables designers to push the limits of their creativity, creating new possibilities for high-performance footwear. With advancements in engineering and a deeper understanding of biomechanics, researchers have designed footwear with complex structures comprising various materials. These materials and structures exhibit diverse physical properties and are used in physical activity, sports rehabilitation and competitive athletics. This article offers a systematic review of the biomechanical responses to advancements in 3D-printed footwear research from the past decade, focusing on three key domains: injury prevention, comfort, and athletic performance. Current research suggests that adjusting material stiffness or incorporating specific design elements in 3D-printed footwear can modulate plantar pressure distribution, which plays a crucial role in injury prevention, while also enhancing comfort. However, a consensus has yet to be reached regarding the impact of such footwear on athletic performance. Owing to the heterogeneity of research methodologies, the effectiveness of these designs may be significantly influenced by the design specifics, materials used, and individual user differences. Further systematic research and long-term clinical trials are crucial to advancing this field.
Open Access: Yes
