Road infrastructure underpins Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, yet Public–Private Partnership (PPP) performance is constrained not by inadequate legislation but by persistent weaknesses in enforcement and governance. Transparency deficits across procurement, design management, certification, and toll-revenue reporting have produced chronic delays, cost overruns, and declining public trust. This study offers the first empirical investigation of blockchain–Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration as a transparency-enhancing mechanism within Nigeria’s PPP road sector, focusing on Lagos State. Using a qualitative design, ten semi-structured interviews with stakeholders across the PPP lifecycle were thematically analysed to diagnose systemic governance weaknesses and assess the contextual feasibility of digital innovations. Findings reveal entrenched opacity rooted in weak enforcement, discretionary decision-making, and informal communication practices—including biased bidder evaluations, undocumented design alterations, manipulated certifications, and toll-revenue inconsistencies. While respondents recognised BIM’s potential to centralise project information and blockchain’s capacity for immutable records and smart-contract automation, they consistently emphasised that technological benefits cannot be realised absent credible institutional foundations. The study advances an original theoretical contribution: the Codify–Condition–Capacitate framework, which explains the institutional preconditions under which digital governance tools can improve transparency. This framework argues that effectiveness depends on: codifying digital standards and legal recognition; conditioning enforcement mechanisms to reduce discretionary authority; and capacitating institutions through targeted training and phased pilots. The research generates significant practical implications for policymakers in Nigeria and comparable developing contexts seeking institution-aligned digital transformation. Methodological rigour was ensured through purposive sampling, thematic saturation assessment, and documented analytical trails.

A review of multiphysics coupling numerical modeling techniques for risk assessment in geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

To summarise the symptom clusters (SCs), assessment tools and their evolution at different stages of postsurgical chemotherapy in oesophageal cancer patients, providing reference for future research design and precise symptom management. A systematic search and literature review were conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review Methodology framework and PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Databases searched include PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP Chinese Journal and China Biomedical Literature Database. The search covered the period from database inception to 30 November 2024, and references were traced backward. Patients aged ≥18 years with postsurgical oesophageal cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy; studies focusing on SCs before, during or after chemotherapy; original quantitative research; published in Chinese or English. Exclusion criteria included neoadjuvant or palliative chemotherapy, reviews, conference abstracts and inaccessible full-text articles. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted and cross-checked the data. Content analysis was employed to summarise the SCs, assessment tools and phase-related changes. A total of 11 studies were included (8 in Chinese, 3 in English). Twelve SCs were identified, with gastrointestinal-related, eating-related and physical function-related clusters being the most common. Eleven assessment tools were used, with MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module and its Chinese version being the most frequently applied. Difficulty eating was the most prominent SC before chemotherapy, gastrointestinal symptoms were the most severe during chemotherapy and psychological-physical symptoms dominated in the postchemotherapy phase. The composition of SCs in oesophageal cancer chemotherapy evolves dynamically across different stages. However, the existing evidence is mainly derived from small sample cross-sectional studies, with high heterogeneity in tools and methods. Standardised assessment criteria and longitudinal validation are needed to develop stage-specific, evidence-based interventions that can be widely applied.

Men with erectile dysfunction offered penile prostheses have high satisfaction rates when properly counselled. These devices have undergone significant advancements in design, surgical techniques, and perioperative management, enhancing patient outcomes, satisfaction, and safety. This review summarizes the latest innovations, including novel non-antimicrobial prevention strategies and disposable surgical tools that may reduce infection risks. Furthermore, advances in operative techniques, including safer alternative reservoir placement, have minimized the complications. Additionally, innovations in postoperative management, such as multimodal analgesia and nerve blocks, have improved patient recovery and comfort. Lastly, emerging technologies, including shape-memory alloys and electronic-controlled devices that represent potential future breakthroughs are described.

The discipline of project management has increasingly influenced the architectural design process by offering structured frameworks for planning, collaboration, and delivery. While architectural design is inherently creative and iterative, it also requires effective coordination among multidisciplinary teams, adherence to client requirements, and alignment with regulatory, budgetary, and temporal constraints. This paper explores the intersection of project management principles and architectural design management, focusing on the processes that govern the conception, development, and realization of design projects. Using a qualitative research methodology grounded in literature analysis and case interpretation, the study identifies how key project management principles—such as scope definition, stakeholder engagement, risk assessment, quality management, and communication control—contribute to the enhancement of design creativity and process efficiency. The theoretical framework integrates design thinking theory and systems theory, emphasizing the balance between creativity and structure in architectural practice. Findings suggest that project management frameworks, when adapted to the design context, improve coordination, mitigate design-phase risks, and foster innovation through managed collaboration. The study concludes by proposing a synthesized model of “Integrated Design Management” (IDM), combining project management discipline with design-oriented flexibility. Keywords: Architectural design management, project management, design process, creativity, coordination, design thinking, systems theory

An integrated Bayesian hydrodynamic framework for quantifying rating curve uncertainty in design flood estimation and flood hazard mapping in a data-scarce urban area.

Bridging strategic design and bi-level operational management for hydrogen supply chains under Cournot game-based producer competition

The digital transformation of preschool physical activities is crucial for improving the quality of physical education in kindergartens, promoting educational outcomes, and supporting national educational development. However, many preschool teachers lack the knowledge and skills required for intelligent teaching, especially in applying artificial intelligence technologies, resulting in superficial and ineffective digital transformation. This issue stems from the insufficient digital teaching abilities of preschool teachers. This study aims to analyze the current state of these abilities, identify influencing factors, and propose practical improvement pathways to support the digital transformation of preschool physical activities. Method: This study employed a questionnaire survey method, adapted from the "Survey on Preschool Teachers' Information Technology Application Abilities" developed by Yang Zhuanhuan and colleagues. Simple random sampling was used to select 150 teachers from the Fengtai District of Beijing. A Likert 5-point scale was used for responses. The scale, including sub-dimensions, met standards (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed a KMO value of 0.872, with Bartlett's test of sphericity indicating significant correlations among variables (X2 = 1285.36, p < 0.001). Further fit indices showed excellent model fit (CFI = 0.968, TLI = 0.956, RMSEA = 0.043). ANOVA and t-tests revealed significant gender differences in the "teaching attitude" dimension (p < 0.05), but no differences in the "knowledge base" dimension based on teaching experience (p > 0.05). The study found that preschool teachers' scores in the knowledge base dimension were significantly higher than in the technology application, instructional design, evaluation, reflection, and organizational management dimensions. 92% of teachers have basic knowledge of digital teaching, and about 70% use multimedia presentations effectively. However, only 15% apply more advanced digital tools. Key challenges include insufficient competence with complex digital tools, a lack of proactive learning, limited theoretical training opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and limited experience sharing among teachers. To address these issues, the study recommends specialized training tailored to practical needs, increased hands-on training, improved equipment and network facilities, and greater teacher collaboration. Teachers' digital application abilities currently exhibit adequate awareness, but weak practice due to insufficient depth in technology application. To support the intelligent transformation of preschool physical activities, it is essential to enhance teachers' digital teaching abilities through three pathways: resource support, capacity building, and ecosystem development.

Industries involved in research and development (R&D) for new product development (NPD) typically employ experts from various disciplines and knowledge domains, including engineering design, art-based design, interface design, information technology, and more. These differences in discipline and experience influence the approaches and solutions taken when addressing problems in NPD projects, such as functionality, aesthetics, usability, manufacturing, and so on. For this reason, an in-depth study was conducted to explore intuitive design thinking behaviour across different knowledge domains. The study employed an empirical method involving the observation of experimental design and Design Protocol Analysis (DPA), conducted with the participation of thirty final-year undergraduate students who were divided into three groups: engineering design (ENG), art-based design (IDE), and interface design (ID). Besides profiling the intuitive design thinking behaviours of these three domain groups, findings also revealed distinct patterns in problem-solving whereby ENG participants emphasized usability with less focus on aesthetics; IDE participants prioritized aesthetics with less emphasis on usability; and ID participants balanced both ergonomic and aesthetic considerations. Based on these findings, the researchers proposed a new model for design management within organizations that employ multidisciplinary designers. This model is intended to enhance the quality of operations in the NPD process and to shorten project durations by reducing repetitive processes caused by rejections at different stages of development.

The fence, a structure made of lightweight materials with openness for the purpose of delineating and protecting specific areas, occupies a significant part of the micro-landscape of the city. This study focuses on fence design centered around urban sidewalks, reflecting socio-cultural changes and diversifying types, along with the development of guidelines for this purpose, aiming to enhance the quality of public design. As a public facility, the fence has functions such as safety and security, spatial partitioning and boundary marking, traffic control and guidance, as well as aesthetic and environmental functions. The government and local authorities have established public design guidelines and developed standard designs to enhance the quality and management of fence designs. In many design guidelines and standard designs, fences are limited to pedestrian fences, bicycle path fences, children's protection area fences, and bridge fences, with similar detailed guidelines for each. To attract tourists, many regions are increasing the installation of suspension bridges, observation decks, and walkways, which expands the areas for fence installation as they develop connecting trails and walking paths. Fence types should be diversified to support the walking of the elderly and to suit various purposes such as installation conditions and tourism, while design guidelines must also be subdivided accordingly. It is desirable to categorize fences spatially into types for walking trails, exploration paths, and waterfront areas; functionally into safety assurance, path guidance, and scenic types; and based on installation conditions into flat, sloped, and curved terrain types.

This study explores the transformation of academic accommodation services at a Canadian post-secondary institution through the integration of service design, systems thinking, and critical disability theory in the people-centred systems change (PCSC) framework. Using a mixed-methods approach combining interviews, operational data, and co-design sprints the research examined how outdated, compliance-driven models can evolve into values-based, learner-centred systems. Key interventions included a tiered intake process, self-directed renewal options, and faculty development modules, resulting in reduced wait times, increased user satisfaction, and improved operational efficiency. Findings highlight how student experience can serve as a leverage point for systemic change and demonstrate that meaningful redesign is possible even within complex institutional environments. This case contributes to growing scholarship on equity-informed service innovation in higher education.

Purpose This study investigates why construction innovations like prefabrication and off-site manufacturing in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry face limited market adoption despite their technical benefits, unlike real estate innovations like “Space as a Service” that gain rapid acceptance. It attributes this disparity to value recognition asymmetry, where property valuation is dominated by locational factors, overshadowing built structure attributes such as design and technology. The research proposes that strategically decoupling the built structure from its location can enable independent evaluation and fairer valuation of property, thereby addressing market imbalance and supporting more informed decision-making among property buyers. Design/methodology/approach A serious board game simulating residential real estate property investment was developed to test this research proposition. Participants act as property investors aiming to maximise their wealth by evaluating and acquiring properties. The game is designed to distinguish investment decisions between coupled and decoupled (representing modular assets) scenarios of location and structure, enabling analysis of how players assess value in each condition. Gameplay sessions and decision-making data were analysed to identify patterns in asset valuation and investment preferences. Findings Results reveal that when the built structure is decoupled from the location, participants demonstrate greater sensitivity to the attributes of the built structure, considering it independently from the location during property purchase decisions. This shift suggests that the current coupling leads to suboptimal decisions where built structure innovations are underappreciated. The decoupling strategy encourages more balanced valuation, potentially increasing acceptance of construction innovations. Originality/value This study provides a novel behavioural simulation-based approach to real estate decision-making and offers evidence for rethinking how construction innovation is assessed. It emphasises integrating real estate market dynamics into the early stages of AEC innovation, design and strategy. The work offers practical implications for design, policy and construction management.

National urban wetland parks serve as key platforms for ecological conservation and recreation, yet the synergistic mechanisms between plant color dynamics and public aesthetic perception remain underexplored. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for evidence-based, climate-resilient landscape design. This study quantifies statistical associations between seasonal color and aesthetic patterns in two national wetland parks (South Dian Lake and Laoyu Lake, Kunming) using Hue–Saturation–Brightness (HSB) color metrics and Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) based on year-round monitoring at 24 sample sites. Regression analysis revealed that overall SBE values ranged from −1.027 to 0.756, indicating medium aesthetic quality, with South Dian Lake outperforming Laoyu Lake, particularly in aquatic plant communities. Seasonal trends showed the highest aesthetic preference in winter (orange–yellow dominant, 0.110) and the lowest in early spring (−0.167, yellow dominant), followed by relatively stable values from late spring to mid-autumn (0.007–0.020) and a secondary peak in late autumn (0.029). Higher SBE scores were associated with a dominant hue ratio of 70–75%, balancing color unity and diversity. We identify an operational plant color configuration—70–75% dominant hue, 20% evergreen foliage and 5–7 color types—that corresponds to higher SBE scores. By translating aesthetic responses into quantitative color targets, this study provides guidance for climate-adaptive planting design and seasonal management in subtropical wetland landscapes under global warming.

Purpose The construction industry is undergoing a transformation driven by the need to optimize workflow, maximize value and eliminate waste – principles outlined in the transformation-flow-value (TFV) model, widely regarded as the theoretical cornerstone of Lean Construction. Lean Construction 4.0 builds upon these principles by integrating advanced technologies and digitalization to create a more efficient, responsive and human-centered construction process. Within this context, autonomous inspection robot systems hold immense potential to transform the construction industry by automating essential tasks that are often hazardous and non-value-adding. Design/methodology/approach This paper introduces a human-centered design framework for autonomous inspection robot systems, which is validated through a case study, addressing the need for human-centered design, value-driven development, adaptability and information flow management in robot-driven system development. Findings A case study demonstrates the framework's application, showing that the robot inspection system significantly improved usability, enhanced information flow efficiency, minimized human involvement in hazardous inspection tasks and increased value generation. Originality/value The framework integrates principles of human-centered design, lean startup methodology and agile development, guiding developers through four distinct phases: empathize and define, ideate and prototype, develop and deploy and monitor and improve.

Rapid advancements in advanced materials, composites, nanotechnology, and smart manufacturing are reshaping modern engineering applications across aerospace, healthcare, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors. While technological progress in these domains has been extensively studied, limited attention has been given to the human resource (HR) systems required to sustain and scale such innovation. This study presents an interdisciplinary perspective that connects advanced materials research with strategic human resource management practices. The paper examines how emerging materials technologies influence workforce skill requirements, organizational learning, and research-driven culture. It highlights the growing demand for multidisciplinary competencies, continuous upskilling, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms in materials-intensive organizations. The study further explores the role of HR in enabling sustainable materials innovation through green HRM practices, ethical research governance, and data-driven talent management. Advanced manufacturing environments, such as additive manufacturing and AI-assisted material processing, are discussed as key drivers of workforce transformation, requiring adaptive job design and change management strategies. By linking materials innovation with HR capability development, this research emphasizes the importance of aligning human capital strategies with technological objectives. The paper concludes that effective HR frameworks act as a critical enabler in translating advanced materials research into long-term organizational performance and sustainable engineering outcomes. The findings contribute to both engineering management and HR literature, offering insights for researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers engaged in technology-driven organizations.

In the context of digital transformation, the global economy is facing unprecedented changes in the field of labor. The digitization of labor and the transformation of professions is an ambivalent process that simultaneously opens up new opportunities and creates structural risks. Automation, platform employment, and flexible forms of work are transforming the professional structure and creating both new opportunities and risks. The digitalization of work is causing qualitative changes in the structure of employment. Professions based on routine tasks and low digital skills are disappearing—cashiers, archivists, dispatchers, telemarketers, call center operators. They are being replaced by automated systems, algorithms, and chatbots. On the other hand, the labor market is in dire need of specialists with competencies in IT, data analytics, cybersecurity, digital design, and digital project management. These professions are showing steady growth in demand even in conditions of economic instability. In this regard, it is reasonable to consider the dynamics of the growth in the number of freelancers in Ukraine and Azerbaijan until 2025. The labor market is changing rapidly: routine professions are disappearing, new forms of employment are emerging, and competition for digital skills is intensifying. These processes require flexible and responsible policies aimed at reducing digital inequality, developing 21st-century skills, and adapting legislation to the realities of the digital economy. Thus, only a human-centered approach to the digitalization of labor, where priority is given to social sustainability, inclusiveness, and accessibility, can ensure not only increased efficiency but also real sustainable development. The article analyzes key trends in the digitalization of labor, changes in the job market, and the social consequences of these processes. Particular attention is paid to a comparative analysis of the situation in Azerbaijan and Ukraine.

Type of the article: Research ArticleModern defense environments demand sustainable, knowledge-driven training systems that adapt to technological, organizational, and strategic challenges. This study explores the sustainability of military distance learning in Lithuanian military education and its role in enhancing adaptability and resilience. It assesses how digital, knowledge-based systems support long-term effectiveness and flexibility. Sustainability refers to maintaining scalable, resilient education under changing conditions. Adaptability is the ability to adjust learning processes and technologies, while resilience ensures institutional stability and performance during disruptions. The study employs fuzzy logic integrated with the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to analyze interdependencies among eight critical factors of sustainable distance learning. A structured expert survey was conducted in 2024 with 17 Lithuanian military education specialists, all holding Ph.D. degrees and possessing extensive academic and practical experience in e-learning, instructional design, and technology management. The analysis revealed that technological infrastructure, instructional design, and scalability function as primary causal drivers shaping learner engagement and institutional support. Quantitative results show that technological infrastructure exerted the highest influence weight (0.187), followed by instructional design (0.162), while psychological support acted primarily as an effect factor. These findings confirm that sustainable distance learning enhances adaptability by ensuring uninterrupted access to training, flexible pacing, and integration of emerging digital tools. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that sustainable military distance learning serves as a strategic enabler of knowledge transfer, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, thereby strengthening both the adaptability and institutional resilience of military education systems.AcknowledgmentWe acknowledge the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania for financial support in publishing this article.

The rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in printing technologies is changing the work of industries and the educational paradigm. This research paper explores the manner in which the printing curriculum can be efficiently managed and re-engineered in order to address the changing needs of AI-powered production space. It follows the development of printing education throughout history and determines how AI can transform design, workflow, and quality management, and suggests a competency-based structure in which curriculum is redesigned. The study is based on the international case-studies that indicate that those institutions which integrate AI-enabled technologies, including predictive analytics, computer vision, and generative design, can attain the quantifiable efficiency, student engagement, and creative innovation. It discusses the necessity of the faculty development, modernizing the infrastructure, and the robust industry-academic partnership to guarantee the topicality and sustainability of the curriculum. Socio-technical and ethical aspects are also tackled in order to encourage responsible AI usage in education. The results bring in a strategic representation of creating adaptive, information-based and innovation-driven printing programs that fulfill the technological progress with the capacity to be creative and ethically accountable.

Ensuring the timely completion of construction projects is vital for overall efficiency. This study aims to identify, classify, and rank the main factors of delay in Egyptian oil and gas construction projects related to project stakeholders. A mixed-methods approach was used to Sharkia collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was gathered from 71 sector respondents. Expert interviews refined the delay factors from the literature to 20 for contractors, 17 for owners, and 13 related to consultants. Financial difficulties, late payments to suppliers and subcontractors, and supplier material delivery delays were the significant causes related to the contractor. Delays associated with owners came from ineffective contractor selection and government regulations. Consultants contributed to delays in finalizing drawings and designs. To provide a deeper understanding of the interrelationships among these factors and their collective effect on project delay, a structural model was developed and evaluated. The structural model demonstrated that deficiencies in project planning, design management, and owner decision-making collectively contribute to delays. This provides a basis for developing integrated management approaches to mitigate future delays and improve project performance in Egypt’s oil and gas construction sector.

Retrofitting the UK building stock is a key priority due to the importance of achieving sustainability goals, preferably before 2050. This goal will not be achieved without reducing energy consumption and making houses more comfortable, healthier, and cheaper to heat. One of the key challenges of building retrofit is skill shortage. The retrofit industry will need a number of professionals under the roles of retrofit assessors, coordinators, and designers. However, the existing university programmes do not directly produce retrofit professionals. Most construction-related university programmes do not emphasise or introduce retrofits. To address this skill shortage, this paper proposes a master’s programme in retrofit, which is directly aimed at producing retrofit professionals. Two specialisations are recommended under the master’s programme, namely architectural design and project management, with accreditations from relevant professional bodies. The objective is to produce a market-ready graduate who can be directly employed as a retrofit assessor, coordinator, or designer. Ten syllabuses related to retrofit professional courses were analysed to design the syllabus of the proposed master’s programme. The master’s programme will help to produce industry-ready retrofit professionals through either physical or online delivery methods.