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Found 6278 publications
Shared Heritage, Divergent Paths: Heritage Tourism Development in UNESCO Fortified Church Villages of Transylvania, Romania
Publication Name: Heritage
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Romania joined the UNESCO Convention in 1990. The fortified church of Biertan was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993, followed by six additional Transylvanian fortified church villages in 1999. An interesting feature of this heritage landscape is that settlements with different demographic and development trajectories share the same World Heritage designation. In our research, we collected demographic and tourism data from these seven municipalities. Subsequently, a standard questionnaire was sent to municipal decision-makers (mayors) in 2023 to map tourism development in their municipalities. The communication activities of the municipalities were analysed using a content analysis method, which was observation-based and based only on online content. In our experience, there is no common strategy to turn this heritage into a tourist attraction; each of the seven municipalities has faced this challenge separately. The main result of the research was to explore how heritage tourism works in municipalities with different demographic, linguistic-cultural heritage and with different levels of management.
Open Access: Yes
Adaptive differential evolution approaches in real-time optimization of co-generation systems for enhanced energy minimization
Publication Name: Thermal Science and Engineering Progress
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 71
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This paper examines Real Time Optimization (RTO) for an industrial cogeneration plant featuring a tightly coupled multi boiler turbine network, in which fluctuating steam and power demands and fuel price volatility necessitate continual economic re optimization while preserving closed loop stability. Three evolutionary optimizers are Differential Evolution (DE), Hybrid Differential Evolution (HDE), and Adaptive Differential Evolution (ADE) deployed as the supervisory RTO layer above the regulatory controllers, with Model Predictive Control (MPC) regulating boiler pressure (Control Variable 1, CV1) and drum level CV2 and PI or PI loops regulating turbine power. A deterministic, repeatable stress test is introduced through sequential step changes in high pressure steam demand, medium pressure steam demand, power demand, and natural gas price, enabling systematic evaluation of transient adaptability and robustness. Over five boilers and the turbine network, multi run mean and deviation results show that ADE delivers the most consistent overall behavior, yielding smoother operating trajectories, improved tracking, and lower energy usage. Specifically, the total integrated energy consumption is approximately 895 MWh with ADE, compared to 926 MWh with DE and 1259 MWh with HDE, equivalent to reductions of about 3 percent versus DE and 29 percent versus HDE. Control performance improves in parallel the mean boiler pressure (Integral Square Error) ISE CV1 drops by roughly 68 percent relative to DE and 71 percent relative to HDE, while turbine regulation shows substantial enhancement with turbine ISE reduced by about 98 percent compared with DE. Overall, the results demonstrate that adaptive evolutionary optimization strengthens coordination between the RTO and control layers, providing a robust and energy efficient strategy for real time cogeneration operation under dynamic demand and price disturbances.
Open Access: Yes
Mechanical and microstructural performances of hot-mix asphalt modified with recycled polyethylene terephthalate
Publication Name: Results in Engineering
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 29
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The increasing accumulation of plastic waste and the persistent durability challenges associated with conventional asphalt pavements have prompted the search for sustainable material modifications. Among potential additives, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) has emerged as a promising modifier capable of enhancing pavement performance while supporting environmental sustainability. This study investigated the mechanical and microstructural behavior of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) modified with RPET using a drying process. RPET was incorporated at proportions ranging from 0% to 10% of the total mix mass, and the mixtures were evaluated through Marshall stability and flow, uniaxial compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, rutting resistance, dynamic modulus, semi-circular bending, moisture sensitivity, and scanning electron microscopy. Results indicate that RPET significantly improves HMA performance up to an optimal content of 8%. At this dosage, Marshall stability increased from 6.40 to 11.97 kN, while flow decreased from 11.67 to 5.17 mm, demonstrating enhanced stiffness and resistance to permanent deformation. UCS and ITS rose from 1.10 to 1.85 MPa and 0.165 to 0.278 MPa, respectively, and rutting depth declined from 5.0 to 3.0 mm. Additionally, the dynamic modulus increased from 1500 to 2500 MPa, and the SCB increased from 320 to 590 J/m², confirming the enhanced cracking resistance. SEM analysis revealed stronger binder–aggregate interaction at intermediate RPET levels, whereas excessive RPET (10%) caused particle agglomeration and slight performance reductions. The findings show that RPET improves hot mix asphalt mainly through physical reinforcement and microstructural densification, with optimal dosage offering a sustainable way to enhance pavement durability while reducing plastic waste.
Open Access: Yes
Population-Level Assessment of Circumferential Flank Waviness Variability Using a ΔW1 Indicator Derived from CMM Measurements
Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 6
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Long-wavelength flank waviness plays a critical role in the excitation behavior of geared transmissions. While coordinate measuring machine (CMM) exports provide detailed geometric information, conventional evaluations typically focus on individual tooth curves and do not quantify circumferential inhomogeneity across teeth. This study introduces a tooth-to-tooth long-wavelength waviness inhomogeneity indicator (ΔW1) derived directly from Klingelnberg-style MKA plot files and demonstrates its behavior on a large industrial dataset comprising 3375 measured gear parts. Each flank curve was detrended using a second-order polynomial fit, and lobe-based waviness amplitudes (W1–W3) were extracted via sine–cosine projection. The proposed ΔW1 metric was defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum W1 values across measured teeth within the same part. To eliminate measurement edge effects, a mid-section evaluation (10–90% of the face width) was additionally performed. Population-level analysis revealed consistent separation between geometrically homogeneous and inhomogeneous parts, with ΔW1 values in the most critical components exceeding 7–9 µm after mid-section filtering. Unsupervised clustering based on ΔW1 and maximum W1 further distinguished a high-variability subset of parts exhibiting systematic long-wavelength modulation patterns. The results demonstrate that circumferential waviness variability can be quantified using standard CMM outputs without additional hardware or specialized measurement procedures. The proposed indicator provides a practical geometric screening tool for large production batches and establishes a reproducible framework for linking detailed flank geometry to manufacturing consistency assessment. Although acoustic validation is outside the scope of the present work, the metric is intended as an NVH-relevant geometric risk indicator for future vibroacoustic correlation studies.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/app16063037
Working While Studying Abroad: Cultural Embeddedness of International Students’ Employment in Hungary
Publication Name: Social Sciences
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Student employment has become an increasingly common feature of higher education, yet research on international students has predominantly approached paid work as an economic necessity. This article examines student employment as a culturally embedded social practice among international students in Hungary, focusing on employment patterns and cultural value orientations. The study applies a mixed-methods design, combining a focus group interview with an online questionnaire survey conducted among international students at a Hungarian university (N = 61). Cultural value orientations were measured using Hofstede’s Values Survey Module, and differences between working and non-working students were analyzed using inferential statistical methods. The results show that international students’ employment is dominated by flexible, low-entry-threshold jobs, particularly platform-based delivery work, while study-related or professional positions remain less common and are associated with higher income levels. Employment participation was significantly related to gender and academic year, with male students and those in higher years of study being more likely to work. Regarding cultural value orientations, a statistically significant difference between working and non-working students emerged only along the masculinity–femininity dimension, with working students displaying more performance-oriented values. The findings highlight that international student employment is associated with both structural constraints and culturally grounded value orientations.
Open Access: Yes
Streaming without borders: How content diversity and flexibility shape perceived exclusivity in cross-border video consumption
Publication Name: Telematics and Informatics Reports
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 21
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The increasing social and economic impact of digitalization is changing customers' expectations of streaming platforms. The research examines the factors shaping Perceived exclusivity in video streaming consumption among Hungarian-speaking residents of Slovakia, a cross-border minority audience operating under linguistic and geographic constraints. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory and consumer value perspectives, the model integrates Content diversity and platform Flexibility to explain why users continue subscribing beyond initial adoption. Using survey data from 370 respondents and Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling, the results show that Content diversity and Flexibility jointly explain 58% of the variance in Perceived exclusivity, with Flexibility mediating the effect of Content diversity. The study contributes theoretically by demonstrating that Perceived exclusivity is not generated solely by access to content, but by the ability to convert available content into usable, personally meaningful viewing experiences under constrained cross-border conditions. By focusing on a national minority context, the study provides a theoretically relevant boundary condition, highlighting how identity, language fit, and access constraints reshape value formation processes in digital media consumption beyond country-specific or platform-level explanations.
Open Access: Yes
Colistin residues and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in agricultural soils: Sources, risks, and remediation strategies
Publication Name: Environmental Research
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 294
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Polymyxins, including colistin, are critical last-line antibiotics, and their environmental dissemination raises One Health concerns. This review synthesizes current evidence on the occurrence, sources, environmental fate, and mitigation of colistin residues and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in agricultural soils, with emphasis on transmission pathways to crops and implications for food safety along the farm-to-fork continuum. Principal inputs from livestock manure, reclaimed wastewater, and wildlife are characterized. Resistance mechanisms, with a focus on plasmid-mediated mobile colistin resistance (mcr), are summarized. Although animal manure may be a significant source of colistin due to its low gastrointestinal absorption, soil concentrations are low, with bioavailability influenced by physicochemical parameters, including pH, clay content, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter content. Low desorption rates limit plant uptake; thus, the primary environmental risk arises from the selection and enrichment of colistin-resistant bacteria and mcr genes in the rhizosphere, as well as splash-mediated deposition of contaminated particles. In farm and arable soils, mcr-1 and mcr-3 have been identified as the dominant variants, with higher prevalence in livestock-associated environments. Their dissemination is primarily driven by horizontal gene transfer rather than clonal expansion, influenced by factors such as soil characteristics, heavy metals, soil treatments, and plant root exudates. Interventions are critically appraised, spanning veterinary stewardship and on-farm hygiene, physical processes, chemical approaches, and biological strategies, along with postharvest barriers that include Good Agricultural Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, washing and sanitization, and bacteriophage biocontrol. Major conclusions are that multi-barrier, context-specific programs can reduce environmental selective pressures and interrupt gene flow while maintaining agronomic viability, yet progress remains constrained by gaps in standardized surveillance (particularly for plant-based foods), and by the limited use of quantitative risk assessment and field-scale validation of remediation technologies. A One Health framework that integrates environmental monitoring with public-health endpoints is needed to guide proportionate policy and practice.
Open Access: Yes
Long-Term Performance Trends and Benchmark Progression in Elite Men’s Swimming Across Five Olympic Cycles (2008–2028)
Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Over the past two decades, Olympic swimming performance has improved. However, less attention has been given to the evolution of Olympic Qualification Time (OQT) standards. This retrospective observational study analyzed event-specific qualification standards for all male pool swimming events. Data were extracted from publicly available documents and competition reports. Descriptive statistics, percentage change calculations, Pearson correlation analysis, and paired-sample t-tests between Olympic cycles from 2008 to 2028 were performed. For 2028, the OQTs were defined as the 14th fastest entry time from the 2024 Olympic Games. Across all events, the mean cumulative reduction in OQTs between Beijing 2008 and Los Angeles 2028 was 2.86 ± 0.54%, corresponding to an average proportional decrease of 0.6% per Olympic cycle, with trend analysis confirming statistical significance (p < 0.001). Event-level analysis revealed the greatest tightening in the 100 m breaststroke (−3.74%) and 100 m butterfly (−3.25%). When grouped by distance, sprint events (50–100 m) showed the strongest overall tightening (−3.57%), followed by middle-distance (200–400 m, −2.08%) and long-distance (800–1500 m, −2.45%). When grouped by stroke, butterfly (−3.28%) and freestyle (−3.20%) showed the largest decrease, whereas individual medley (−2.29%) demonstrated the smallest decrease. A strong positive correlation was observed between OQT tightening and Olympic performance improvement across events (r = 0.74). These findings indicate that OQTs have become demanding and broadly aligned with elite performance progression, providing applied benchmarks for coaches and performance staff.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/app16052341
Foot Progression Angle Modulates Three-Dimensional Lower-Limb Biomechanics in Flexible Flatfoot: Kinematic–Kinetic Patterns and Clinical Implications
Publication Name: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research
Publication Date: 2026-03-01
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Introduction: Foot progression angle affects gait and lowerlimb alignment. Altered angles may increase knee and ankle loading and produce tissue loading patterns previously linked to musculoskeletal injury. This study investigates how different foot progression angles modify knee and ankle biomechanics in young adults with flexible flatfoot. Methods: 28 participants (aged 18–35 years) with flexible flatfoot completed gait trials under three foot progression angle conditions. Kinematic and kinetic variables were analyzed using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. A 1D convolutional neural network was applied to classify progression angle patterns based on flexible flatfoot severity and gait biomechanics. Results: Decreasing foot progression angle reduced the ankle eversion/inversion range and knee abduction and external rotation (p < 0.05). Increasing foot progression angle lowered early stance ankle plantarflexion and increased knee abduction/external rotation (p < 0.05). Kinetically, a smaller foot progression angle reduced peak ankle plantarflexion moment and knee extension moment but increased the first peak of the knee adduction moment and rotational moment fluctuations (p < 0.05). A larger foot progression angle reduced rotational fluctuations and terminal stance knee extension moment (p < 0.05). The convolutional neural network model was most accurate for moderate flexible flatfoot cases, and ankle coronal and knee transverse biomechanics showed the strongest discriminative power. Conclusion: Modifying the foot progression angle can meaningfully alter knee and ankle loading in young adults with flexible flatfoot. Neutral or mild toe-in angles may help mitigate excessive eversion and rotational stress, suggesting a simple noninvasive adjustment that clinicians can incorporate during gait retraining or orthotic prescription. Because biomechanical responses vary across individuals, FPA modification may be the most effective when tailored to patient-specific gait characteristics. In addition, deep-learning-based gait classification shows promise for supporting personalized monitoring and guiding clinical decision-making during rehabilitation.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1002/jfa2.70126
