Search Results (4,564)

Introduction: Market access, pricing, and reimbursement of digital health technologies (DHTs) in Europe are significantly challenged by regulatory fragmentation and various assessment methodologies. Understanding the challenges and priorities of technology developers is essential for developing effective and relevant policy responses. This study explores perceived barriers and developer-driven priorities to inform the development of a harmonized health technology assessment (HTA) framework under the EDiHTA project. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including a scoping review to identify key challenges, a survey of 20 DHT developers, and interviews and focus groups with 29 industry representatives from startups to multinational companies across 10 European countries during 2024. Results: Key challenges included a lack of transparency in reimbursement processes, fragmented HTA requirements, and misalignment between traditional evidence models and the agile development of DHTs. Developers highlighted the need to integrate real-world evidence, consider usability and implementation factors, and provide structured, lifecycle-based guidance. Financial barriers and procedural burdens were particularly significant for small and medium-sized enterprises. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for an HTA framework that reflects the iterative nature of digital development, integrates real-world evidence, and reduces uncertainty for developers. The EDiHTA project aims to respond to these challenges by building a harmonized and flexible approach that aligns with the goals of the European HTA Regulation. Full article

As urbanization accelerates and the availability of arable land declines sharply, building-integrated agriculture (BIA) has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing urban food security and it also promotes the establishment of sustainable urban food production systems. This study focuses on indoor living walls (ILWs) and employs the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy weighting method to construct a comprehensive suitability evaluation model. The model evaluates different spatial layouts across five key dimensions: indoor microenvironment, physiology of vegetable, morphology of vegetable, yield of vegetable and quality of vegetable. The results reveal that among the experimental groups, R2 was classified as suitable, with an average group score of 2.29. The remaining groups were classified as moderately suitable, with descending average scores of 1.64 for R3, 1.43 for R4, and 1.16 for R1. Based on the climatic characteristics of Hainan Province, the optimal configuration is recommended to include a north-facing room, a west-wall planting layout, and a “partial human–vegetable separation” spatial strategy, with an installation height exceeding 1.3 m. Full article

As society ages, there is a growing concern about the comfort and health of elderly people. Although populations around the world, including Slovenia, are rapidly aging, evidence that increasing longevity is being accompanied by an extended period of good health is scarce. An increasing number of older adults live with chronic diseases, functional limitations, or frailty. In 2025, Slovenia launched the project Systemic Approach to Frailty with a Focus on Pre-Frailty for Healthy and Hight-Quality Ageing, within the European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, aiming to address frailty through multidimensional and community-based interventions. In addition to presenting the project framework, this paper provides an analytical preliminary review of existing literature, critically reflecting on research gaps in the field. The main aim of this paper is to explore the possibilities for creating healthy living environments that support the prevention and management of frailty. The project’s core innovation lies in the integration of public health principles into urban planning and design through a structured, community-based approach and the use of the Living Environmental Assessment (OBO) Tool. This tool enables urban planners, municipalities, and local communities to collaboratively evaluate and co-design living environments (e.g., optimizing walkability, green space access, barrier-free design, and social amenities) to build resilience and independence among older adults. Designing inclusive, accessible, and health-promoting environments can help to prevent frailty and improve well-being across all age groups. Full article

Digital portfolios have become an essential assessment tool in project-based and student-centered learning environments. Unfortunately, students exert minimal effort in creating digital portfolios because they find the writing component unchallenging. This issue is concerning since existing research predominantly focuses on the use of pre-existing platforms for building digital portfolios. With this concern, there is an opportunity to explore more challenging approaches to digital portfolio creation. Consequently, this study employs a project-based learning (PBL) approach within a website design and development course, where 176 undergraduate students completed weekly coding tasks culminating in a self-coded digital portfolio. Using a one-group posttest-only research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire that included demographic items and validated scales measuring learning effectiveness and ownership of learning. The survey was administered electronically after students submitted their digital portfolio projects. The results reveal that device ownership shows only weak associations with students’ perceptions, while internet connectivity and self-reported academic performance demonstrate stronger relationships with engagement and ownership of learning. Additionally, prior experience with digital portfolios positively influences students’ engagement, motivation, and ownership of learning. Implications of these findings are discussed for supporting the integration of digital portfolios into technical disciplines. Overall, this study contributes to the literature on PBL methodology, expands our understanding of digital portfolio integration, and underscores the significance of student-centered pedagogies. Full article

This paper explores the role of personalisation and predictive marketing in Croatian tourism and analyses how behavioural strategies can enhance the tourist experience and increase visitor loyalty. In today’s competitive tourism market, personalised marketing strategies have become a key factor in attracting and retaining tourists. Based on the theoretical framework and previous research, hypotheses were formulated on various aspects of behavioural marketing, such as the impact of personalisation on destination choice, the perception of marketing effectiveness by different demographic groups and the correlation between tourists’ satisfaction and their willingness to revisit a destination. The aim of this study was to test six hypotheses relating to the personalisation of marketing messages, demographic factors and their correlation with tourists’ willingness to revisit the destination. Using a quantitative methodology, a survey was conducted among 415 tourists who had visited the Croatian city of Vodice. A total of 257 questionnaires were completed. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression models to identify the most important factors influencing tourists’ behaviour and preferences. The results show that personalised marketing messages have a positive impact on tourists’ decision to visit the destination. In addition, this study shows that demographic factors such as gender, age and education significantly influence the perception of marketing effectiveness. Tourists who received predictive marketing messages expressed higher satisfaction with their stay and showed a greater willingness to visit the destination again than those who did not receive personalised offers. These results underline the importance of integrating behavioural strategies into marketing activities to build tourist loyalty and improve the overall tourism experience. Based on the research findings, further application of these marketing approaches is recommended to increase competitiveness and attract more loyal tourists. Full article

This study aims to analyse the effect of partially clogged inlets on the behaviour of urban drainage systems at the city scale, particularly regarding intercepted volumes and flood depths. The main challenges were to represent the inlet network in detail at a rather large scale and to avoid the effect of sewer network surcharging on the draining capacity of inlets. This goal has been achieved through a 1D/2D coupled hydraulic model of the whole urban drainage system in La Almunia de Doña Godina (Zaragoza, Spain). The model focuses on the interaction between grated drain inlets and the sewer network under partial clogging conditions. The model is fed with data obtained on field surveys. These surveys identified 948 inlets, classified into 43 types based on geometry and grouped into 7 categories for modelling purposes. Clogging patterns were derived from field observations or estimated using progressive clogging trends. The hydrological model combines a semi-distributed approach for micro-catchments (buildings and courtyards) and a distributed “rain-on-grid” approach for public spaces (streets, squares). The model assesses the impact of inlet clogging on network performance and surface flooding during four rainfall scenarios. Results include inlet interception volumes, flooded surface areas, and flow hydrographs intercepted by single inlets. Specifically, the reduction in intercepted volume ranged from approximately 7% under a mild inlet clogging condition to nearly 50% under severe clogging conditions. Also, the model results show the significant influence of the 2D mesh detail on flood depths. For instance, a mesh with high resolution and break lines representing streets curbs showed a 38% increase in urban areas with flood depths above 1 cm compared to a scenario with a lower-resolution 2D mesh and no curbs. The findings highlight how inlet clogging significantly affects the efficiency of urban drainage systems and increases the surface flood hazard. Further novelties of this work are the extent of the analysis (city scale) and the approach to improve the 2D mesh to assess flood depth. Full article

Young people under the care of child protection agencies are at increased risk of entering the criminal justice system. Residential youth organisations support young people who are unable to reside with their families or in foster care. Youth workers in these environments ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people in their care, consequently supporting the wellbeing of the overall community. This research explored the views and experiences of Queensland residential youth workers via a focus group interview. The data captured a thick description of service delivery practices. Constructivist Grounded Theory was used to conceptualise a theoretical framework based on the various empirical realities of participants. The findings highlight occasions where complex power dynamics had damaging consequences for youth workers and young people. Participants explored systemic constraints and structural inequalities, thus detailing the implications of top-down organisational structures on their service delivery, safety, and outcomes for young people. Participants were concerned about the implications of interrupted attachment and young people’s progression into crime. Practice recommendations centre around improving the disconnection between front-line realities and systemic hierarchies. Residential out-of-home care service delivery should focus on building community connection and belonging; mental, emotional and physical safety; collaborative care; and support. Full article

As an emerging thermal insulation material, silica aerogel holds broad application prospects in building energy conservation. Silica aerogel based waterborne coatings are low thermal conductivity, readily applicable and environmentally friendly, offering significant advantages for improving building energy efficiency. However, the inadequate dispersibility and agglomeration tendency of silica aerogel in aqueous polymer systems adversely affect coating properties. To address this challenge, a waterborne polyurethane (WPU) coating incorporating 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-modified organo-bridged silica aerogel (APTES-OBSA) was developed. Integration of organic segments within organo-bridged silica aerogel (OBSA) framework enhanced compatibility of silica aerogel with organic polyurethane chains, thereby reducing aerogel agglomeration. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) surface modification of OBSA introduced amino groups that strengthened interfacial interaction between OBSA-WPU, effectively enhancing aerogel dispersion within the aqueous polyurethane matrix. APTES-OBSA loading achieved 20 wt% in WPU composite coatings. Compared to neat WPU coating, the composite coatings achieved 21.6% reduction in thermal conductivity, 10 °C lower temperature under thermal irradiation, and 26.6% higher adhesion. Additionally, the composite coatings demonstrated enhanced thermal stability and good water resistance. The excellent comprehensive performance positions this material as a promising eco-friendly thermal insulation coating for building energy-saving applications. Full article

Although Ethiopia has an enormous agroecological potential for beekeeping, only 10% of it is realized. As its conventional smallholder production calls for improvement in market relationships, this paper aims at an in-depth analysis of the honey value chain, value share distribution, and leverages for improvement. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, value chain mapping, and margin analysis were used for analysis. The main honey value chain actors were input suppliers, producers (beekeepers), collectors, wholesalers, processors, cooperatives, unions, retailers, and consumers. Agricultural offices, research centers, trade and market development offices, financial institutions, and NGOs are major supporters. The value share of beekeepers using traditional hives is still low, while the largest share goes to improved hive users and wholesalers, respectively. Weak market linkages, high costs and shortage of modern equipment, limited access to credit, lack of legal frameworks and standardized laboratories, absconding, pest infestation, and unsafe use of agrochemicals were the major challenges. Nevertheless, attractive investment policy, global market demand, low capital requirements, and support from NGOs were key opportunities. Improving access to better market, finance and modern inputs, capacity building, legal reform, and a standardized laboratory would help to support the honey value chain and its contribution. Full article

This study examines the entire urban network of Hungary, excluding Budapest, with the primary goal of creating a nationwide cadastre that systematically documents the country’s stock of urban squares found in cities. As traditional elements of the urban fabric, squares typically serve as focal points within a city’s spatial structure, reflecting the maturity of its urban form and embodying its socio-cultural heritage. Yet, in many towns, especially in central areas of cities, squares have not reached their full potential. Their development poses challenges in structural terms (form and spatial relationship with surrounding buildings), compositional terms (continuity of building frontages and design coherence), and functional terms (hierarchical role among public spaces). The absence of literature systematically compiling and analyzing Hungary’s urban squares is notable, given their significance as principal public spaces and indicators of urban life quality. This research addresses that gap by (1) identifying whether the town has a central square, (2) compiling an inventory of their number, (3) grouping 94 representative examples by morphological typology, and (4) selecting a stratified sub-sample of 55 for detailed morphometric and contextual analysis. The resulting typology provides a foundation for further morphological research and offers a reference for spatial planning and development policy. Full article

As a key connection technology in prefabricated buildings, offshore wind power, and bridge engineering, the performance and environmental sustainability of grouted sleeve connections are essential for the long-term development of civil infrastructure. To address the environmental burden of conventional high-strength cement-based grouts, an eco-friendly sleeve grouting material incorporating industrial solid waste was developed. In this study, silica fume (15%) and fly ash (5%) were employed as supplementary cementitious materials, while nanosilica (NS) was introduced to enhance the material properties. Mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, and half-grouted sleeve uniaxial tensile tests were conducted to systematically evaluate the effect of NS content on grout performance. Results indicate that the incorporation of NS significantly accelerates the hydration of silica fume and fly ash. At an optimal dosage of 0.4%, the 28-day compressive strength reached 105.5 MPa, representing a 37.9% increase compared with the control group without NS. In sleeve tensile tests, specimens with NS exhibited reinforcement necking failure, and the load–displacement response closely aligned with the stress–strain behavior of the reinforcement. A linear relationship was observed between sleeve wall strain and reinforcement stress, confirming the cooperative load-bearing behavior between the grout and the sleeve. These findings provide theoretical guidance and technical support for developing high-strength, low-impact grouting materials suitable for sustainable engineering applications. Full article

Time series clustering plays a vital role in various analytical and pattern recognition tasks by partitioning structurally similar sequences into semantically coherent groups, thereby facilitating downstream analysis. However, building high-quality clustering models remains challenging due to three key issues: (i) capturing dynamic shape variations across sequences, (ii) ensuring discriminative cluster structures, and (iii) enabling end-to-end optimization. To address these challenges, we propose KDiscShapeNet, a structure-aware clustering framework that systematically extends the classical k-Shape model. First, to enhance temporal structure modeling, we adopt Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KAN) as the encoder, which leverages high-order functional representations to effectively capture elastic distortions and multi-scale shape features of time series. Second, to improve intra-cluster compactness and inter-cluster separability, we incorporate a dual-loss constraint by combining Center Loss and Supervised Contrastive Loss, thus enhancing the discriminative structure of the embedding space. Third, to overcome the non-differentiability of traditional K-Shape clustering, we introduce Differentiable k-Shape, embedding the normalized cross-correlation (NCC) metric into a differentiable framework that enables joint training of the encoder and the clustering module. We evaluate KDiscShapeNet on nine benchmark datasets from the UCR Archive and the ETT suite, spanning healthcare, industrial monitoring, energy forecasting, and astronomy. On the Trace dataset, it achieves an ARI of 0.916, NMI of 0.927, and Silhouette score of 0.931; on the large-scale ETTh1 dataset, it improves ARI by 5.8% and NMI by 17.4% over the best baseline. Statistical tests confirm the significance of these improvements (p < 0.01). Overall, the results highlight the robustness and practical utility of KDiscShapeNet, offering a novel and interpretable framework for time series clustering. Full article

Empirical evidence highlights the critical role of effective school leadership in driving school improvement, enhancing teacher performance, and improving student outcomes. In Omani schools, where adaptive strategies are increasingly essential, the collaborative roles of principals and teachers are pivotal in achieving meaningful educational change. This qualitative study explores how principal–teacher interactions influence teacher leadership development and contribute to overall school improvement. Using a multiple-case study design across eight schools in the Muscat Governorate, in-depth interviews with eight principals and focus group discussions with twelve teachers were conducted to capture diverse perspectives across these settings. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key leadership dynamics and their implications for teacher leadership and school improvement. Findings indicate that principals who act as change agents, offer targeted support, and cultivate a collaborative culture empower teachers to take on leadership roles. Key themes include fostering professional growth, building trust, and addressing systemic challenges. These interactions enhance school culture, classroom practices, and student outcomes, ultimately contributing to sustainable school improvement. The study underscores the importance of collaborative leadership practices and calls for strategies that optimize these dynamics to advance educational outcomes. Future research should explore the broader applicability of these findings across diverse educational contexts to inform policy and practice. Full article

The development of hydrophilic biodegradable polymers is crucial for a range of biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery and prosthetics. Ring-opening polymerization of substituted ε-caprolactone monomers provides an efficient method for the synthesis of polyesters with tailored properties. In this work, a synthetic approach for the preparation of ester- and morpholinoamido-disubstituted ε-caprolactone monomers was developed. Poorly defined polymers were obtained from the monomers, bearing two ester groups due to the competitive transesterification of the pendant substituents. On the other hand, the disubstituted morpholinoamido-ε-caprolactone was polymerized in a controlled manner by ring-opening polymerization, and amorphous homopolymers with a high glass transition temperature (112 °C) and good solubility in water were obtained. Statistical and block copolymers with the unsubstituted ε-caprolactone were also prepared, and DLS analysis of the amphiphilic block copolymers in water shows the presence of self-assembled particles. These results demonstrate the potential of morpholinoamido-functionalized ε-caprolactone derivatives as building blocks for the development of biodegradable polymeric materials for biomedical applications. Full article

This study examines the transformation of communities within Christian churches in late-modern and postmodern social contexts. As a theoretical foundation, it presents changes in the concept of community, with a particular focus on the role of religious communities. Emphasis is placed on community as a social and spiritual resource and on the possibilities for reorganising churches. Three national case studies—an urban Reformed congregation, a small-town Catholic parish, and an ecumenical pilgrimage community—will be used to illustrate the functioning, challenges, and responses of church communities. This research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the results highlight the power of community retention, the importance of personal relationships, and spiritual depth. This study also highlights the theory that the key to church renewal lies in rethinking and consciously building community forms. Digital space, personal networks, and spiritual needs are calling for new models for the church. Full article