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This paper presents an educational virtual reality (VR) game and experiments with different methods of including it into the teaching process. The purpose of this research study is to discover if immersive VR games can be used as an effective pedagogical tool if blended with traditional lectures by assisting learning gain, memory and knowledge retention while increasing edutainment value.

This research design comprises three different methods of learning: lecture-based involving lecture slides, infographics, and a video, game-based involving an immersive VR game of oil rig exploration, and the combination of lecture and game-based. Participants of each method filled up a questionnaire before and after participation to measure the learning gain, memory, and knowledge retention.

From the predominant findings of the study, the combined method demonstrated a significant increase in learning gain, memory, and knowledge retention and maybe a potentially suitable pedagogical tool.

Limitations of the study include findings based on one VR game with a specific educational topic, additionally, it is suspected that having different participants for each of the three methods may have slightly affected the results, albeit to a limited extent.

Findings of this study will provide evidence that VR games can be used alongside traditional lectures to aid in the learning process. Educators can choose to include VR games into their curriculums to improve the educational delivery process.

This research contributes to ways of incorporating VR games into educational curriculums through findings of this study highlighting the combination of VR games with lectures.

This paper presents the second part of the investigation on resistance to elevated temperatures of a proposed hybrid composite concrete (NCSF-Crete) mix. The composite including nano metakaolin (NC) and steel fibers (SF) in addition to regular concrete components has proven -in the first published part-earlier promoted fresh concrete behavior, and to have reduced loss in compressive strength after exposure to a wide range of elevated temperatures. This presented work evaluates another two critical mechanical characteristics for the proposed composite -namely- splitting and bond strengths.

A modified formula correlating splitting and compressive strength (28 days) based on experiments results for NCSF is proposed and compared to formulas derived for regular concrete in different design codes. Finally, both spitting and bond strengths are evaluated pre- and post-exposure to elevated temperatures reaching 600 °C for two hours.

The proposed NCSF-Crete shows remarkable fire endurance, especially in promoting bond strength as after 600 °C heat exposure tests, it maintained strength equivalent to 70% of a regular concrete control mix at room temperature. Improving residual splitting strength was very significant up to 450 °C exposure.

Obvious deterioration is monitored in splitting resistance for all concretes at 600 °C.

This proposed composite improved elevated heats resistance of the most significant concrete mechanical properties.

Using a more green and sustainable constituents in the composite.

The proposed composite gathers the merits of using NC and SF, each has been investigated separately as an addition to concrete mixes.

Nano-Clay (NC) is reported as a candidate partial replacement for cement, due to its abundance and relatively low cost - beside reported promotion of different concrete properties. On the other hand, Steel Fibres (SF) has proven to have a positive effect on post fire exposure residual strength of concrete. This paper aims to present the outcomes of a comprehensive research program assessing a hybrid mix between NC and SF in concrete mixtures (NCSF-CRETE).

Physical chemical and physical characterization of NC is performed using different tools as XRF spectrometer, and TEM micrograph. Fresh concrete properties of NSCF-CRETE as slump and air content are investigated. Enhancement in permeability using NSCF is verified by comparing its resistance to the penetration of chlorides resistance with regular concrete mix. Besides, the proposed NCSF-CRETE compressive strength is evaluated compared to mixes with NC and SF each used separately at different curing ages. Besides, NSCF and compared mixes are exposed to an indirect fire testing program – two hours exposure – for: 300, 450 and 600°C. Degradation in compressive strength was investigated after exposure to different temperatures and percentage of residual strength is reported.

Results indicated an improved performance of NCSF -CRETE of about 40% compared to regular concrete in compressive strength at normal conditions. This improvement extended to its behavior when subjected to indirect fire exposure NSCF also maintained 40% more strength than the residual in regular concrete mix – which suffered severe damage – after 2 h exposure to 600°C.

Using NCSF-Crete allows retrofitting the structure after exposure to such drastic conditions.

Islamic tourism has developed rapidly since 2001, and Jordan has embraced this movement and encouraged the construction of important infrastructure around mausoleums. Based on an analysis of official speeches and on fieldwork with tourism specialists, the impact of Islamic tourism on political and geopolitical matters in Jordan will be considered. Leaning on different scopes and levels of analysis, it will be shown that the promotion of Islamic tourism in Jordan not only bears a major economic impact on the country, but also permits it to rewrite its national history for internal and international political purpose. Further, the discussion considers how other countries are being targeted by this new kind of tourism, and the limits of its potential development.

Solid waste (SW) is the result of rapid urbanization and industrialization, and is increasing day by day by the increasing number of population. This thesis paper emphasizes on the prediction of SW generation in the city of Dhaka and finding sustainable pathways for minimizing the gaps in the existing system.

In this paper, the survey of different questionnaires of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) was conducted. The data of SW generation, for few years of each month, in the city of Dhaka were collected to develop a model named Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The ANN model was used for the accurate prediction of SW generation.

At first, by using the ANN model with the one hidden layer and changing the number of neurons of the layer different models were created and tested. Finally, according to R values (training, test, all) the structure with six neurons in the hidden layer was selected as the suitable model. Finally, six gaps were found in the existing system of solid waste management (SWM) in the DSCC. These gaps are the main barrier for the better SWM.

The authors propose that the best model for prediction is 12-6-3, and its training and testing results are given as 0.9972 and 0.80380, respectively. So the resulting prediction is so much close in comparison with actual data. In this paper, the opportunities of those gaps are provided for working properly and the DSCC will find the better result in the aspect of SW problem.

Over the last 50 years, increased attention for personalization paved the way for one-to-one marketing efforts, but firms struggle to deliver on this promise. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a complete picture on personalization, develop a future research agenda and put forth concrete advice on how to move the field forward from a theoretical, methodological, contextual, and practical viewpoint.

This research follows a systematic literature review process, providing an in-depth analysis of 135 articles (covering 184 studies) to distill the (1) key building blocks and components of personalization and (2) theoretical, contextual, and methodological aspects of the studies.

This manuscript uncovers six personalization components that can be linked to two personalization building blocks: (1) learning: manner, transparency, and timing and (2) tailoring: touchpoints, level, and dynamics. For each of these components, the authors propose future research avenues to stimulate personalization research that accounts for challenges in today's data-rich environments (e.g. data privacy, dealing with new data types). A theoretical, contextual, and methodological (i.e. industry, country and personalization object) review of the selected studies leads to a set of concrete recommendations for future work: account for heterogeneity, embed theoretical perspectives, infuse methodological innovation, adopt appropriate evaluation metrics, and deal with legal/ethical challenges in data-rich environments. Finally, several managerial implications are put forth to support practitioners in their personalization efforts.

This research provides an integration of personalization research beyond existing and outdated review papers. Doing so, it accounts for the impact of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence and aims to advance the next generation of knowledge development on personalization.

This paper aims to identify and evaluate the industrial heritage of the Safawi region, which has suffered from neglect and government dispossession. It proposes strategies for documenting and repurposing the Al-Safawi cinema, advocating for its transformation into a historical museum. Repurposing culturally significant structures as museums offers opportunities to address challenges, preserve heritage, promote sustainable urban development, improve local quality of life, and attract tourists.

Employing an inductive approach, this research uses qualitative methods, including detailed descriptive analysis, along with contemporary digital documentation tools such as RTC360 Laser Scanning, Digi Cad 3D, Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, and Photoshop.

The study demonstrates that converting heritage buildings into museums requires minimal alterations to maintain authenticity and historical integrity. These findings provide valuable insights into architectural considerations that inform decision-making processes for museum projects, contributing to discussions on museum standards, practices, and adaptive reuse within the Jordanian context.

This study stands out for its use of advanced digital tools within the Jordanian context, representing a significant advancement in digital documentation practices. Few studies have explored the Safawi area and its heritage, making this research particularly innovative. By advocating for minimal alterations to preserve authenticity, it sets a valuable precedent for museum projects in the country, enhancing efforts in heritage conservation and cultural enrichment. This initiative highlights the evolving landscape of digital engagement in Jordan and its potential implications for cultural heritage management.

This paper aims to study the relationship between consumerism and Subjective Well-being (SWB), exploring to what extent the acquisition of goods contributes to personal happiness and satisfaction. Additionally, it examines the influence of diverse factors like religiosity, marital status, education, age, gender and home ownership, shedding light on their roles in shaping SWB.

This study uses survey data from a sample of the millennial segment in Egypt and employs regression analysis to examine the relationship between consumerism and subjective well-being. To ensure a robust analysis, the researchers categorized SWB into six different categories, and regression analysis was used to test its relation with consumerism and socioeconomic factors.

The analysis shows a consistent positive correlation between consumerism and SWB. Religiosity and marital status significantly impact SWB, while other socioeconomic factors showed mixed or insignificant effects. This highlights the complex link between materialism, societal values and happiness, suggesting policy opportunities to enhance millennial well-being.

The findings raise ideas for sustainable consumption practices to enhance SWB, urging collaborative efforts from institutions and policymakers. The study contributes to understanding SWB through Sen’s Capability Approach, emphasizing the importance of freedoms and capabilities beyond material wealth. It provides empirical insights relevant to shaping policy, education and business practices toward enhancing holistic well-being.

Research in the field has rarely investigated the determinants of SWB, especially in a developing country like Egypt. This study has incorporated six different methods to estimate SWB.

This study focuses on two aspects of academic performance, namely achievement in courses and research performance.

The statistical population of the study consisted of all postgraduate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at Iranian national universities in the academic year 2022–2023. The research method used in this study was the survey method, and the data were collected through a questionnaire. The research sample included 360 Iranian postgraduate EFL students who were selected by proportional stratified sampling.

The results indicated that social capital had a significant, positive effect on the academic performance of postgraduate students. The dimensions of social trust, a subcategory of social capital, had a significant impact on academic performance in general and on course-related achievement and research performance in particular. Intimacy of network, size of social network, quality of network and access to network significantly affected academic performance from most to least, respectively.

The results suggest strengthening intimate relationships and trust in the university environment, fostering continuous interactions between professors and students in informal networks and enhancing social trust for higher achievements at university.

This work has not been submitted or published anywhere else. The value of the study lies in the fact that social capital could lead to stronger relationship, higher motivation, knowledge sharing, support networks, collaborative learning and engagement in learning.