Landscape disruption in a fragmented world: A critical global analysis.

Clinical trials are the backbone of evidence-based medicine. Numerous regulations and oversight mechanisms have been established to ensure ethical conduct and scientific rigor. Clinical trials often fail to represent the full spectrum of global patient populations. Many developing nations lack the infrastructure, funding, and regulatory resources needed to conduct robust clinical research, leaving their most prevalent diseases understudied. Global participation in clinical trials remains highly unequal. Despite this unequal burden of disease, global funding does not reflect this reality, as most funding is allocated to developed nations. This underrepresentation is a significant global disparity, as research-driven solutions in these regions often have the potential to have a higher public health impact. Several barriers have been identified, including stringent sponsor requirements, insufficient regulatory infrastructure, limited clinical research training, and other cultural and systemic factors. Strategies to address global trial disparities have been proposed, such as understanding cultural and socioeconomic barriers and streamlined guidelines to reduce operational obstacles without compromising the scientific quality of the trials. Ideally, governments, in partnership with industry, should develop long-term plans for the progressive development of research infrastructure, including educational programs and dedicated in-house monitoring teams.

Advanced vehicle tracking systems are crucial for the development of intelligent transportation infrastructure, but existing approaches face challenges with real-time visualization, intuitive data interpretation, and effective risk assessment. This paper presents XR-VITS, an Extended Reality Vehicle Intelligent Tracking System that integrates established computer vision-based object detection (YOLO-based detector, internal variant optimized for traffic surveillance), Kalman filtering, homography mapping, and extended reality (XR) visualization techniques into a unified framework for comprehensive traffic monitoring and analysis. The primary contribution of this work lies in the systematic engineering integration of well-established algorithmic components and the comprehensive empirical validation of their combined effectiveness for operator-assisted traffic monitoring, rather than proposing novel detection or tracking algorithms. The proposed system detects and tracks multiple vehicles, maps their trajectories to real-world coordinates, predicts future paths, and assesses collision risks—all visualized through an immersive XR interface. Experimental results demonstrate that XR-VITS achieves 89.3% tracking accuracy (MOTA) while maintaining real-time performance (25 FPS) across diverse traffic conditions, including adverse weather and low-light scenarios. This work targets urban traffic monitoring scenarios where operators must rapidly interpret complex multi-vehicle interactions for safety-critical decision-making. The system’s risk assessment module shows 87.3% precision in predicting potential vehicle conflicts, with XR visualization reducing operator response time by 41.5% compared to traditional interfaces, as validated through a user study with 24 traffic management professionals. This integrated approach bridges the gap between complex traffic data and human comprehension, demonstrating practical applicability for traffic management, autonomous vehicle training, and smart city deployments.

Large-scale photovoltaic (PV)–hydrogen production systems are increasingly regarded as a promising solution for mitigating renewable energy curtailment and supporting the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. However, when connected to weak grids, such systems often suffer from insufficient voltage–frequency support capability and pronounced Direct current (DC) bus voltage fluctuations, which limit their operational stability and practical deployment. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a dual virtual motor coordinated control strategy for PV-based hydrogen production systems, integrating a grid-forming virtual synchronous generator (VSG) with a virtual DC motor (VDCM). By exploiting the complementary dynamic characteristics of grid-side converters and hydrogen production loads, the proposed approach enhances grid support capability while simultaneously providing inertia and damping to the hydrogen production DC bus without relying on additional physical energy storage. Dynamic response analysis is conducted to investigate the influence of virtual inertia and damping parameters on system stability. Simulation results under weak-grid conditions demonstrate that the proposed strategy effectively improves frequency and voltage support performance and significantly suppresses DC bus voltage fluctuations during load and power disturbances. The proposed control framework offers a practical and scalable solution for improving the operational robustness of PV–hydrogen production systems, contributing to the reliable integration of renewable energy and the development of green hydrogen infrastructure.

Hydrogen is emerging as a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key industrial sectors. However, its deployment faces significant uncertainties related to technological progress, economic viability, political decisions, and geopolitical dynamics. This study adopts a scenario-based approach to assess the resilience of a hydrogen ecosystem in an industrial hub. A two-step methodology is developed to explore how an optimised multi-energy system would respond to unanticipated disruptions such as fuel price shocks, policy changes, or slower-than-expected technological advancements. First, an integrated capacity expansion and operation model determines optimal system capacities assuming perfect foresight. Second, the resulting energy system is evaluated under an alternative context, where only operational decisions are optimised. Special attention is given to electricity price modelling, due to its crucial impact on electrolytic hydrogen production. Nine scenarios are investigated, reflecting major categories of deep uncertainty relevant to long-term energy planning, including policy directions, technological innovation, and resource availability. Results show that the most pessimistic scenarios in terms of hydrogen cost are also the most robust. Scenarios with more electrolysis capacities are generally more expensive but less sensitive to disruptions. In contrast, scenarios relying on early development of a European hydrogen transportation infrastructure are cheaper but less resilient. For policymakers, these findings highlight the need for coherent strategies integrating electricity and hydrogen systems to balance cost-efficiency, resilience, and environmental goals. Clear strategic direction, combined with support for local hydrogen industries, will be vital to securing Europe’s energy sovereignty and long-term sustainability in the face of evolving uncertainties. • Method to address energy system deep uncertainties with focus on electricity prices. • Unanticipated events, such as new regulations, can strongly affect hydrogen costs. • Hydrogen systems using electrolysis and local renewables are the most resilient. • Policy clarity and support for local industry help strengthen system resilience. • Monitoring economics, infrastructure and demand is key for hydrogen project viability.

Cement-based supercapacitors (CBSCs) represent a pioneering strategy for integrating load bearing and energy-storage functions within construction materials, addressing both the growing demand for renewable energy storage and the urgent need for construction-sector decarbonisation. In this study, a highly interconnected, low-tortuosity porous cement-based electrolyte is developed by coupling hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)–driven chemical foaming with polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) crosslinking, effectively overcoming the inherent trade-off between ionic transport efficiency and mechanical strength in the cementitious systems. The resulting hierarchical porous network exhibits a high porosity of 42%, a reduced tortuosity of 2.8, and a 46.3% enhancement in pore connectivity, collectively facilitating efficient and rapid ion migration. Consequently, the new cement-based electrolyte achieves a high ionic conductivity of 15.6 mS cm −1 while maintaining a compressive strength of 21.9 MPa, outperforming previously reported porous cement-based electrolytes. When assembled into a CBSC device, the system delivers an excellent specific capacitance of 560.4 mF cm −3 and retains 87.3% of its initial capacitance after 2000 charge–discharge cycles, demonstrating good electrochemical stability. Furthermore, the optimized electrolyte enables an energy density of 77.8 Wh m −3 , sufficient for a medium-sized building wall to power a typical household for nearly one-third of a day. Overall, the findings provide an innovative yet practical pathway toward self-powering, energy-efficient, and low-carbon building components, supporting the development of next-generation net-zero civil infrastructure.

Providing radiotherapy services in Nigeria: Strategies and lessons from African countries.

A stratigraphy-informed framework for GHG emission reduction and resource recovery in shield tunnel spoil management

Point-of-care testing (POCT) has expanded rapidly across healthcare systems, increasing both program scale and operational complexity. However, quantitative benchmarking data describing how POCT programs are structured and supported across institutions remain limited. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to characterize POCT program support, including program scope, staffing, operational practices, governance, and challenges. The survey was distributed electronically through professional networks, and 93 institutional responses were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were performed, and derived metrics, including sites per point-of-care testing coordinator (POCC), were used to evaluate the relationship between program scale and staffing. POCT programs demonstrated substantial variability in scale, with wide ranges in the number of testing sites and operator populations. Adoption spanned multiple test categories, and many institutions reported use of multiple platforms for the same assays. Training, competency assessment, and quality management activities were primarily supported by laboratory staff and POCCs, with documentation frequently partially electronic. Median POCC staffing increased with program size; however, sites per POCC also increased significantly across program scale tiers (Kruskal-Wallis P < 0.001). Governance structures and operational responsibilities varied across institutions, and common challenges included staffing limitations, training and compliance burden, multisite coordination, and IT/connectivity constraints. POCT programs are expanding in scale and complexity, but workforce capacity and governance structures have not scaled proportionally. This mismatch creates a cumulative and multiplicative operational burden. These findings provide benchmarking data to inform scalable staffing models, governance strategies, and infrastructure development for sustainable POCT program management.

The development of infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative has had a significant impact on post-conflict reconstruction in Asia and Africa. However, the Initiative’s reliance on bilateral government-to-government agreements has had the effect of marginalising affected communities from project governance. This paper explores how a state-centric model engenders governance distortions in fragile institutional environments. It draws evidence from the Thar coalfield development in Pakistan, the Kyaukpyu port project in Myanmar, the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka to support this investigation. Each case demonstrates that rapid infrastructure deployment without meaningful community consultation produces displacement, environmental degradation, and erosion of citizen trust in state institutions. It also examines civil society responses across three areas: domestic litigation that challenges procedural deficiencies in environmental and land acquisition processes; transnational advocacy campaigns that link local grievances to international human rights discourse; and mobilisation strategies rooted in culturally specific claims to territory and belonging. An analysis of the African Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations reveals that neither organisation has successfully transitioned from facilitating dialogue among member states to establishing enforceable standards governing infrastructure investment. Four reforms are proposed: the institutionalisation of community voice through tripartite project committees, the mandating of cultural heritage assessments alongside environmental review, the development of regional investment protocols with accessible grievance mechanisms, and the embedding of conflict sensitivity into project design where historical injustices shape contemporary land tenure.

Climate change, characterized by the increasing frequency and intensity of hydrometeorological disasters, has become a serious threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Indonesia. Pandeglang Regency, particularly Mandalawangi Village, is one of the areas significantly impacted by floods and extreme weather, disrupting food productivity and the socio-economic conditions of the community. This study aims to analyze the implications of climate change on food productivity and identify community adaptation strategies for maintaining livelihoods amidst increasing disaster risk. The study employed qualitative methods with a single instrumental case study approach. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation, then analyzed using data reduction techniques, data presentation, and conclusion drawing using source triangulation. The results indicate that climate change triggers increased extreme rainfall, leading to flooding, agricultural land damage, disruption of the planting calendar, increased pest infestation, and decreased rice productivity. Nevertheless, food availability in Mandalawangi Village can still be maintained through commodity diversification, utilization of upland rice, distribution of superior seeds, development of irrigation infrastructure, and various forms of government transfers. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening farmers' adaptive capacity and agricultural policies responsive to climate change to maintain sustainable food production and the well-being of rural communities.

The research examines the mediating role (through digital technologies) of the relationship between social media and hospitality performance in Jordan. As the scope of using online platforms to engage customers, their services, and communication with brand has intensified, knowledge of their direct and indirect effects on performance has become more relevant particularly as the digital transformation redefines operations within the hospitality sector. The study was done with a quantitative, cross-sectional research design where a structured questionnaire was given to 167 professionals working in hospitality related organizations in Jordan. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the received data. It has been established that social media has strong direct influence on the performance of the hospitality industry, and its influence seems to be better mediated by means of the use of digital technologies. It is worth mentioning that the digital integration proves to be a strong mediator that has contributed to the impact of social media on customer satisfaction, service quality, and operational efficiency. These findings highlight the strategic value of integrating digital technologies in the social media models in a bid to initiate sustainable performance gains. The study adds value to the literature in that it empirically proves the concept of digital integration as a dynamic capability, as well as introduces a model that can be applied to the development policy of the hospitality sector in emerging economies. It also provides valuable professional knowledge to managers and policymakers in the hospitality industry by indicating that they should invest in the infrastructural development of technology, digital solutions, and workforce skills to take full advantage of the potential of social media. Through digital innovations coupled with social media strategies, the hospitality organizations in the emerging economies such as Jordan will be in a position to leverage sustainable growth and competitive edge in the digital age.

This study investigated the effect of exchange rate and trade liberalization on economic growth in Nigeria from 1986 to 2025 using Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) as a proxy for economic growth, while Exchange Rate (EXNR), Trade Openness (TROP), and Tariff Rates (TARFS) served as indicators of exchange rate management and trade liberalization. The study aimed to examine the long-run and short-run relationship between exchange rate, trade liberalization, and economic growth in Nigeria within the study period. The study adopted an ex post facto research design because the investigation relied on historical and already existing macroeconomic data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, National Bureau of Statistics, and World Development Indicators database. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was employed as the estimation technique after conducting Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root and Johansen cointegration tests. The theoretical framework of the study was anchored on the Classical Theory of International Trade, Heckscher–Ohlin Theory of International Trade, and Krugman’s Theory of Trade Liberalization. The findings revealed the existence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables, while trade openness and tariff reforms exerted positive long-run effects on economic growth. However, exchange rate instability exerted negative effects on economic growth and the short-run effects of the explanatory variables remained weak and statistically insignificant. The study concluded that trade liberalization promotes long-run economic growth in Nigeria despite the adverse effects of exchange rate instability and structural rigidities. The study therefore recommended stable exchange rate management, improved infrastructural development, policy consistency, export diversification, and strengthened institutional frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of trade liberalization policies in Nigeria.

Purpose Artificial intelligence (AI) and building information modelling (BIM) have transformed the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry in developed countries, but their adoption in Ethiopia's road infrastructure management remains limited. Empirical evidence on adoption benefits, challenges and a context-specific strategic framework for developing countries is limited. This study addresses this gap by exploring the necessity of AI-BIM integration and identifying how it can be effectively implemented in Ethiopia. Specifically, it investigates: (1) professional perception on the benefits and challenges of AI-BIM adoption, (2) critical dimensions for adopting AI-BIM integration and (3) the development of a context-specific strategic framework to guide AI-BIM adoption. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a mixed-method exploratory design, combining a narrative literature review and structured questionnaire survey to investigate AI-BIM adoption in Ethiopian road infrastructure management. The literature review synthesises fragmented theoretical and empirical insights to identify six interrelated strategic dimensions, while the survey captures practitioner perceptions of adoption benefits and challenges. Data were collected from 33 professionals from the Ethiopian Road Administration (ERA) and the Addis Ababa City Road Authority (AACRA) using purposive and convenience sampling. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics to determine key patterns and priorities, and qualitative insights were thematically synthesised. The integration of findings follows a triangulation approach, enabling the development of a context-specific, empirically grounded, and practically applicable AI-BIM adoption framework. Findings Road infrastructure management practices in Ethiopia are conventional and fragmented. The findings highlighted the potential benefits and challenges of adopting AI-BIM integration. Six critical strategic dimensions were synthesised into a context-specific strategic framework tailored to Ethiopia's road sectors. Research limitations/implications This study provides timely, context-specific insights; however, it is limited by the sample size and focus on selected road sectors and technologies. The findings are primarily context-specific and may not be directly generalisable. Future research could expand the empirical scope, incorporate additional emerging technologies, and validate the framework in other sectors and geographical contexts. Practical implications The proposed framework offers structured and actionable guidance for policymakers and practitioners, emphasising phased implementation, capacity building and interdepartmental collaboration to enable successful AI-BIM adoption. Social implications The study promotes the adoption of AI-BIM integrations to support digital transformation, enhances transparency, improves service delivery, and contributes to sustainable road infrastructure development outcomes. Originality/value This study contributes evidence-based, context-specific insights and a strategic framework for AI-BIM adoption in Ethiopia, bridging the gap between global technological advancement and local implementation realities. It contributes practical guidance for policymakers and practitioners in developing countries rather than theoretical innovation.

Tunnels are critical components of transportation infrastructure, particularly in seismically active regions where their performance governs network functionality and resilience. This study presents a unified analytical-numerical framework to evaluate the seismic response, damage behavior, and post-earthquake functionality of tunnels across four regions: Al Sharqiyah (Oman), North Gyeongsang (South Korea), the Himalayan region and Sichuan (China). The methodology integrates analytical solutions with finite element simulations (MIDAS GTS NX software) to capture soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects under varying seismic conditions. Tunnel performance is assessed using deformation parameters, damage index, fragility curves, and functionality indicators such as capacity loss and serviceability reduction. Results show a transition from deformation-controlled behavior in low seismic regions to brittle and fault-driven responses in high seismic zones. Numerical models predict higher deformation demands compared to analytical solutions. The proposed framework enables performance-based tunnel design and supports resilient infrastructure development under diverse seismic environments.

This study aimed to analyze healthy and sustainable city-related news articles in South Korea to identify key themes in media discourse and their temporal changes, and to examine their alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was a retrospective observational study using text mining and topic modeling of news articles from a nationwide news database spanning 2004-2024. News articles (n = 15,137) containing the term "healthy city" were collected from the BIGKinds news big data system. After data preprocessing, Latent Dirichlet Allocation topic modeling was applied to identify main themes. Topic temporal changes were analyzed through linear trend analysis, and topics were evaluated for SDG relevance. Ten main topics were identified through topic modeling: eight related to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and two to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Topics showing significant increase over time included urban planning, policy governance, and policy evaluation. Interest decreased significantly in region-specific development, physical activity infrastructure, and local tourism. Notable gaps were found in addressing WHO-emphasized SDGs 2, 6, 12, and 13. South Korean media discourse on healthy cities has shifted from physical infrastructure development to urban planning and governance. While strongly aligned with SDG 11, findings suggest the need for a more balanced approach that addresses gaps in environmental sustainability while maintaining effective governance.

This study aims to examine the infrastructure planning process based on local conditions and potential, the role of the village government in supporting the development of local porang potential, and the efforts of porang farmers to develop a value chain to increase their income in Kindang Village, Kindang Subdistrict, Bulukumba Regency. This study employs a descriptive qualitative method using a case study approach. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation from 20 informants (village government officials, porang farmers, porang traders, and community leaders), as well as through document analysis of the village medium-term development plan (RPJMDes), the village development work plan (RKPDes), and the village fund budget (DDS). Thematic data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results show that although planning has been carried out in a participatory manner through village meetings, its effectiveness remains limited. The main finding highlights that road quality, especially farm roads, is a key factor in optimizing the value chain and selling price of porang. Limited access increases distribution costs and weakens farmers’ bargaining position, so the economic potential has not been fully utilized. Therefore, strong synergy between participatory planning, strengthening the role of the village government, and infrastructure development oriented toward agricultural production needs is essential to sustainably improve farmers’ income.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the twenty-first century, reshaping economies, industries, and societies. The rapid development of large language models, multimodal systems, cloud infrastructures, and intelligent agents has elevated several organizations to the forefront of this technological revolution. Among them, OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, NVIDIA, and Microsoft have established themselves as influential architects of the intelligent era through their distinctive contributions to research, hardware, software ecosystems, and enterprise applications. This editorial examines the historical evolution, strategic roles, organizational functions, competitive advantages, and future trajectories of these five leading companies. Particular attention is devoted to their technological innovations, commercial ecosystems, ethical considerations, and long-term visions. Through SWOT analysis, the article evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by each organization in an increasingly competitive environment. The study further explores the emergence of agentic AI, robotics, personalized intelligence, and artificial general intelligence (AGI), which are expected to define the next phase of technological advancement. Despite differences in organizational philosophy and business models, these companies share a common mission of expanding the capabilities of intelligent systems and integrating AI into healthcare, education, hospitality, finance, transportation, and scientific discovery. Their collaborations and rivalries are likely to determine the pace and direction of innovation over the coming decades. Understanding these organizations provides valuable insights into the technological forces that are shaping the future of humanity and the emergence of a new intelligent civilization.

ABSTRACT This study examines the road to Jerusalem and its transformation in the 1960s, from an historically significant route for pilgrims and travelers that embodied deep cultural, religious, and historical layers, to a modern highway, leading to the new capital of the young state of Israel. This transformation, led by landscape architect Arye Dvir, involved substantial modifications that altered the physical landscape as well as the travel experience, integrating scenic and cultural elements into the road’s expansion. Drawing on archival materials, aerial imagery, historical maps, and an interview with Dvir, the study situates the road within broader discourses on landscape architecture, heritage preservation, and national identity. Looking at other scenic highways abroad highlights the road’s unique role in shaping collective memory and national symbolism, thus offering new perspectives on infrastructure development within cultural landscapes.

This study sought to highlight the importance of infrastructure development as the fundamental pillar upon which various economic sectors depend, including the tourism sector, which is considered one of the most promising alternatives to the hydrocarbon sector in Algeria. The study presented and analyzed the main indicators of tourism infrastructure in Algeria over different periods extending from 1995 to 2024. It also included a comparative analysis of these indicators with their counterparts in several neighboring countries. The findings revealed that Algeria does not devote sufficient attention to either the infrastructure sector or the tourism sector, despite their significant role in promoting economic development. The results also showed that Algeria ranks relatively low in several global indicators related to tourism and infrastructure. Furthermore, the comparison with neighboring countries demonstrated that the performance of Algeria’s tourism sector remains limited and does not reflect the country’s abundant resources and potential.