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Found 6289 publications
Database management teaching methodology solutions using innovative and flipped classroom methods
Publication Name: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Applied Machine Intelligence and Informatics Sami
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: 2026
Page Range: 301-306
Description:
One of the main problems in education is that the time available for completing a given task in class is too limited, so that for this or other reasons (e.g., absences), students fall behind and need to catch up, which results in further loss of time. The mirrored classroom method offers a solution to this problem, with the aim of reducing the time needed for catch-up work. This can be achieved by making video or audio recordings of the teaching material, which can then be shared with the students so that anyone can watch them at any time. The great advantage of this method is that it not only allows students to view and practice the given lesson multiple times, but also allows questions that arise during the learning process to be answered much more quickly. In fact, based on the recorded material, students can even create and solve their own practice exercises. In the flipped classroom, everyone can progress at their own pace, which not only allows for catching up, but also for a kind of preparatory work for the next lesson or class. This method serves both catch-up and talent development, as it allows faster or more interested students to solve additional, more complex tasks, while those who progress more slowly have the opportunity to ask questions without holding back the others. Through several practical examples, the article shows how we implemented education using mirrored classrooms and innovative methods during a series of educational and corporate training sessions.
Open Access: Yes
Sensitivity Analysis of SAC 305 Solder Polycrystal Mechanical Parameters and Predicted Fatigue Lifetime with Different Grain Structures
Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The microstructural behaviours of solder joints during thermomechanical stresses are still not fully understood, and the thermomechanical reliability of solder joints remains a research area for scientists. In many cases, the solder material is modelled as a homogeneous material in Finite Element-based lifetime estimation calculations, while the microstructural effects are neglected. The development of virtual lifetime estimation methods is required; these methods should involve grain structure and therefore provide accurate results for a variety of test cases under thermomechanical loading. This paper presents a meso-scale analysis of lead-free SAC305 solder polycrystals using DAMASK modelling of the grain structure of the solder material and emulating mechanical loading while investigating the mechanical response of the polycrystal. Our finding is that the orientations and grain sizes of the solder polycrystal have significant effects on the mechanical parameters, and these microstructural parameters could not be neglected, because the impact of these also has a very relevant impact on the estimated lifetimes.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/app16020704
Effects of Feasibility Constraints on Optimisation of a Synchronous Reluctance Machine
Publication Name: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 1768 LNNS
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 16-25
Description:
The optimisation of synchronous reluctance rotor topologies using the NSGA-II algorithm has been proven to be an effective method for calculating optimal solutions for various applications. However, increasing the number of design variables defines a vast design space, which necessitates constraints. These constraints reduce the number of possibilities and ensure feasibility; however, it could lead to Pareto-front fragmentation. The previous investigation of the presented machine design’s Pareto front identified such fragmentation. This paper investigates four different optimisation rounds of the same electric machine using the NSGA-II method to check for the cause of fragmentation. While Pareto front fragmentation is not widely covered in the literature for electric machines, this paper focuses on geometric feasibility-induced Pareto front fragmentation, which is solved by implementing a coupled constraint repair operator. The results show that by extending the design variable ranges and rewriting the feasibility constraints, not only can the fragmentation be repaired, but the average torque range of the Pareto front also improved from 779.76 mNm - 1823.83 mNm to 1046.48 mNm - 2149.129 mNm, while the torque ripple range reduced from 22.22% - 65.62% to 7.23% - 48.81%.
Open Access: Yes
Monocular Ground Normal Prediction for the Road Ahead
Publication Name: IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 7
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 1066-1080
Description:
Robust fusion of monocular and inertial data has the potential to offer a low-cost alternative for ground surface normal prediction ahead, compared to more expensive sensors, such as LiDAR. Yet robust camera-based prediction remains challenging, particularly for steep grades and texture-poor, homogeneous road surfaces. To address these issues, we propose an enhanced monocular camera-IMU fusion pipeline incorporating a lightweight transformer-based feature matcher for improved correspondence accuracy, and robust temporal filtering, using a spherical linear interpolation (SLERP) filter, to enhance consistency and reduce drift. To enable rigorous benchmarking and reproducibility, we also standardize the evaluation protocol and release a novel dataset containing synchronized camera, LiDAR, and IMU-derived pose data, specifically captured across diverse incline and decline scenarios. Extensive continuous validation demonstrates that our method significantly improves both accuracy and temporal stability over existing approaches, setting a new state of the art for robust, continuous ground normal estimation ahead.
Open Access: Yes
LCC Estimation of Ballasted Track Superstructure with Wide Sleepers and the Universal Side-Tamping Technology
Publication Name: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 1768 LNNS
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 112-126
Description:
This research addresses the challenges of railway infrastructure degradation, focusing on optimizing ballasted track systems to reduce maintenance costs and improve sustainability. The study explores the application of wide sleepers, ranging from 270 mm to 570 mm in width, to enhance ballast performance by increasing the sleeper-ballast contact area. This optimization reduces stress concentrations, minimizes ballast degradation, slows the accumulation of vertical settlement, and extends tamping intervals, resulting in lower maintenance frequency and operational expenses. A multi-scale modeling approach combining the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Discrete Element Method (DEM) was employed, with laboratory experiments validating the numerical findings. Additionally, alternative maintenance practices, such as side tamping, were suggested to be applied for wide sleeper tracks. LCC analyses reveal that while wide sleepers incur higher initial costs, they yield significant long-term savings, particularly when combined with ballast thickness optimization. By optimizing sleeper geometry, ballast material properties, and loading conditions, the research offers a technically robust and economically viable solution to enhance track durability, reduce infrastructure expenditures, and ensure long-term operational efficiency.
Open Access: Yes
Driving purchase intentions through visual storytelling: a study of social media platform reels sponsored advertising
Publication Name: Cogent Business and Management
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study explores how social media platforms (for example, Instagram) and Reels-sponsored ads influence what makes consumers stop, watch and decide to buy. Using Consumer Engagement Theory (CET) as a lens, it looks at how people emotionally, cognitively and behaviourally respond to short-form video content. Four key factors were examined: engaging content, scenario-based experiences, user participation and perceived usefulness. Data from 393 active social media platform users in India’s National Capital Region revealed that all four elements positively shaped consumer attitudes, significantly influencing purchase intentions. Notably, relatable and emotionally engaging content had the most substantial impact. Attitude played a central role, bridging how consumers feel about a Reel and what they choose to do next. For marketers, the takeaway is clear: Reels that are visually appealing, useful and invite interaction are more likely to turn engagement into action. The study offers timely insights into how brands can connect meaningfully through short-form video.
Open Access: Yes
Exercise addiction: A review and evaluation of current research and theory
Publication Name: Journal of Behavioral Addictions
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background and Aims: While regular physical activity provides many health benefits, exercise can cause more harm than good when done excessively to the point where a person loses control. This condition has been called various names, but the most accurate term is ‘exercise addiction’ (EA) because it reflects both compulsive behavior and dependence. EA is classified as a non-substance-related addictive disorder, or behavioral addiction, and has been the subject of research for over fifty years. However, it is not officially recognized in major diagnostic systems, mainly due to significant conceptual and measurement challenges. This paper provides an overview of current knowledge on EA, including its causes, assessment issues, epidemiology, associated conditions, negative effects, and options for treatment and prevention. Methods: An evaluation-driven narrative review was conducted which synthesized findings from empirical research and theoretical models adopted across EA research. It critically examined prevailing conceptualizations, methodological challenges, and potential treatment approaches. Results: Epidemiological findings are inconsistent and report inflated prevalence rates, partly due to reliance on self-report instruments that often fail to distinguish pathological exercise from passion. Etiological models emphasize the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and behavioral factors. Negative consequences include physical injury, emotional distress, and social strain. Evidence for effective interventions remains sparse. Discussion and Conclusions: Despite growing interest, progress remains slow. There is a need for larger, longitudinal, and experimental studies to advance understanding. Though not included in the DSM-5, greater clinical awareness is vital for early detection and prevention. EA is clinically relevant but still poorly defined, requiring robust empirical and theoretical work.
Open Access: Yes
The impact of tourism services development on income inequality in Kazakhstan’s regions
Publication Name: Problems and Perspectives in Management
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: 24
Issue: 1
Page Range: 318-331
Description:
This study investigates the relationship between tourism development and income inequality across regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, using regional panel data for 2003–2024. The empirical analysis is based on an unbalanced panel of 16 regions, comprising 367 region–year observations. Fixed-effects regression models are employed to examine how two distinct dimensions of tourism development (tourism services per capita and tourist accommodation places per capita) affect income inequality measured by the regional Gini coefficient. The results indicate that the intensity of tourism service provision does not have a statistically significant effect on income inequality, even after controlling for cross-sectional dependence. In contrast, tourism accommodation infrastructure capacity is positively and statistically significantly associated with regional income inequality across all model specifications. Additional results show that income inequality is significantly influenced by poverty incidence, income polarization, healthcare expenditures, and the share of the rural population. The coefficients on the per-capita tourist accommodation variable are positive across all specifications. This indicates that the growth of this indicator contributes to increased income inequality. Moreover, the coefficients for the indicators ShServPop and ShServPop(–1) are significant. However, they cannot be relied upon, as Pesaran’s test rejects the hypothesis of cross-sectional independence for these specifications. This suggests that the growth of tourism infrastructure may exacerbate, rather than reduce, regional income differences due to capital concentration, skill-labor-oriented employment, and price effects. The results highlight the need for complementary policies that promote inclusive tourism development and mitigate inequality-enhancing effects of tourism-related infrastructure investment.
Open Access: Yes
Doing more with less: the role of institutional quality in enhancing energy efficiency in Italy’s “hard-to-abate” sectors
Publication Name: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics
Publication Date: 2026-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This paper investigates the role of institutional quality in enhancing energy efficiency within Italy’s “hard-to-abate” industrial sectors, which include cement and lime, glass and ceramics, metal, pulp and paper, and refineries. These sectors account for a significant share of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions and face unique challenges in decarbonization. Using a novel dataset from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), covering 329 Italian plants from 2013 to 2019, the study applies the Directional Distance Function (DDF) to measure energy efficiency and explores the impact of institutional quality on energy performance through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression. The analysis highlights greater energy efficiency among multi-plant firms, firms in the pulp and paper sector, and firms located in Central Italy. Regression results further show that institutional quality has a significant positive effect on energy efficiency, especially in competitive markets, among multi-plant and non-innovative firms, in Northern regions, and in the glass and ceramics and metal sectors. This paper contributes to the literature by underscoring the importance of institutional quality in driving energy efficiency in energy-intensive sectors and offers policy implications for promoting industrial decarbonization.
Open Access: Yes
