Research pick: The healthy option, with or without ads? - "With or without ads? A question for health apps"

Developers of mobile health applications are making calculated trade-offs in how they earn money, with consequences that extend beyond their balance sheets to the experience, privacy, and accessibility of users, according to research in the International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing that has looked at app markets in Portugal.

‘Mobile health’ refers to smartphone applications that help individuals monitor their health and illnesses, track fitness, access medical advice, or manage treatment. Such tools are widely promoted as a way to improve healthcare efficiency by enabling continuous data collection and encouraging patients to take a more active role in their wellbeing. However, the long-term viability of the commercial apps depends on how their developers monetise patient usage.

The researchers focused on three principal monetisation strategies: upfront download fees, in-app purchases, and in-app advertising. A download fee is a direct payment required before a user can install the app. In-app purchases allow users to pay for additional features or content after downloading, while advertising generates income by displaying promotional material within the app, which might be tailored using personal data.

Each approach carries distinct costs for users. While download fees are explicit and easily understood, advertising-based models introduce indirect costs. These may include time spent viewing adverts, interruptions to the user experience, and concerns about how personal health data may be used to target ads. In-app purchases, meanwhile, can create uneven access to functionality, with some features effectively locked behind paywalls.

The researchers found that advertising commonly substitutes for upfront fees. This reflects a strategic trade-off on the part of the developers: charging upfront generates immediate income but risks discouraging users from installing the app, whereas free access supported by advertising can attract a larger audience, increasing the app’s value to advertisers.

By contrast, in-app purchases tend to complement rather than replace advertising. Applications offering optional paid features are more likely to include ads as well. This allows them to build a broad user base but to boost their income with additional revenue from a subset of users willing to pay for enhanced services.

Cardoso, C., Machado, C.S. and Lemos, N. (2026) ‘With or without ads? A question for health apps’, Int. J. Electronic Marketing and Retailing, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp.362–375.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Global Energy Issues

The International Journal of Global Energy Issues has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Soil and water conservation and ecological restoration in watershed and implications to energy implications and policies
• Optimal scheduling energy for 'wind-solar-load-storage' AC-DC hybrid distribution network system based on multi-agent algorithm
• Enhancing design efficiency of intelligent garden space allocation: an adaptive layout algorithm by multi-objective ant colony optimisation
• The impact of tax burden reduction for electricity quota trading system in China
• Modelling and computer simulation analysis of cascading failure probability of heterogeneous complex power grid for green energy system
• Research on key soil and water loss characteristics and mitigation strategies for power grid projects in Jiangsu plain's water network region

Research pick: Online, all the time? That might be fine? - "The influence of diverse usage motives on the amount of social media use: the moderating effects of age and gender"

There is an assumption that social media use is mainly habitual or driven by addiction-like mechanisms, but findings published in the International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing suggest that engagement with such platforms might be better explained in terms of a person’s structured response to distinct psychological and social needs. The work could have implications for how the platforms, policymakers, and users themselves interpret their time spent online.

The researchers analysed responses from 384 participants about their social media use using Structural Equation Modelling. This statistical approach tests complex causal relationships between psychological factors and observable behaviour. It allowed the team to examine how different motivational variables work together to influence social media use in a way that earlier analyses might have missed.

The work builds on Uses and Gratifications Theory, a framework in media studies that argues that individuals are active agents who choose media platforms to satisfy specific needs rather than passive recipients of content. Within this framework, the researchers categorise motivations for social media use into four groups: coping, social motive, enhancement, and conformity.

“Coping” refers to using social media to manage negative emotional states such as stress, anxiety, or sadness. “Social motive” captures the use of platforms to maintain relationships, communicate with others, and experience a sense of belonging. “Enhancement” describes engagement aimed at increasing positive emotions, enjoyment, or self-esteem. “Conformity” refers to behaviour shaped by external pressure, including following trends or responding to perceived social expectations.

The study demonstrated that coping and social motives are the strongest and most consistent predictors of overall social media usage. This suggests that users tend to spend more time on social media when they are either trying to regulate negative emotions or seeking interpersonal connection. Enhancement motives, linked to enjoyment and self-image, also had a part to play, but their effect was less consistent between users. Finally, conformity, despite its theoretical relevance in earlier research, had only a weak association with overall time spent on platforms.

From a policy and design perspective, the work shows that social media usage is more complex than is often assumed in public debate. If social media use is closely tied to emotional regulation and social connectedness, then interventions focused solely on reducing screen time may overlook the underlying psychological drivers of engagement. For some individuals, this might then do more harm than good.

The work also raises the possibility that a blanket approach to restriction or deterrence might not distinguish between different patterns of use. In such cases, the challenge for policymakers and designers should then be to recognise when and why usage becomes disproportionate in more subtle ways.

Kirezli, O. and Aydin, A.E. (2026) ‘The influence of diverse usage motives on the amount of social media use: the moderating effects of age and gender’, Int. J. Electronic Marketing and Retailing, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp.342–361.

New Open Access article available: "Cross-disciplinary learning in environmental engineering and landscape architecture"

The following International Journal of Collaborative Engineering article, "Cross-disciplinary learning in environmental engineering and landscape architecture", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

New Open Access article available: "Virtual influencer marketing: mediating roles of product involvement and brand familiarity"

The following International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing article, "Virtual influencer marketing: mediating roles of product involvement and brand familiarity", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Image retrieval of hand-drawn sketches in Shu embroidery pattern based on CycleGAN and triplet network
• Swimming-assisted training and physical fitness enhancement system based on improved YOLOv5 and improved ST-GCN
• Dynamic identification model of financial fraud of listed companies based on XGBoost and graph neural network
• Smart tourism decision support system based on dual-heuristic algorithms
• Extraction system of BiLSTM-CRF joint transfer learning

Research pick: Teach the world to give - "Understanding inspiration for social entrepreneurship – putting the social back in society"

Research in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business suggests that universities have a bigger role to play in shaping what students go on to do after graduation, particularly in the growing field of social entrepreneurship.

Social entrepreneurship refers to commercial ventures that seek both financial sustainability and social or environmental impact. They are often driven by the urge to address issues such as inequality, poverty, pollution, and climate change. While business schools have expanded their entrepreneurship offerings in recent years, much of that teaching remains focused on conventional, profit-driven models. This study looks at how international experiences can influence students who go on to build organisations with wider social aims.

The research focuses on inspiration theory. This is a framework that distinguishes between being inspired by an experience and being inspired to act on it. This distinction is important as many students may encounter new ideas or problems, but far fewer translate that experience into a new venture. The study looked at 36 student entrepreneurs who launched socially oriented initiatives after periods of study abroad. The results could help explain how the transition from commercial to social occurs finding, as it does, that students consistently described their time abroad as a catalyst, though not a direct cause, of entrepreneurial action.

Many explained how exposure to unfamiliar social and environmental challenges, from obvious inequality to sustainability issues, prompted the students to think about their personal values and priorities. In many cases, this led to what the researchers describe as an entrepreneurial identity. This was a shift in self-perception in terms of who might see themselves as capable of initiating social change, rather than simply reflecting on the problems.

The findings come at a time when universities and policymakers are examining once again how best to prepare students for a globalised economy. If international experiences help bridge the gap between entrepreneurial intention and action, the role of educators may extend beyond cultural exchange into the realm of innovation policy. Traditionally, study abroad may have been perceived as a peripheral enrichment activity but today it might be better integrated fully and deliberately into entrepreneurship education.

Lichy, J. (2026) ‘Understanding inspiration for social entrepreneurship – putting the social back in society’, Int. J. Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 58, No. 1, pp.110–131.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling

The International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Tau protein transmission simulation modelling in Alzheimer's disease integrated with neuro-symbolic learning
• Simulation modelling inverse problems of partial differential equations with physics-informed neural networks

New Open Access article available: "Rehabilitation of pre-loaded reinforced concrete columns exposed to fire using advanced strengthening techniques"

The following International Journal of Critical Infrastructures article, "Rehabilitation of pre-loaded reinforced concrete columns exposed to fire using advanced strengthening techniques", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Business Innovation and Research

The International Journal of Business Innovation and Research has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Nexus between innovation ecosystem and innovation performance
• Women's empowerment and innovations in work behaviour: based on the kaleidoscope model

New Open Access article available: "Analysis of factors affecting college students' academic performance based on linear regression"

The following International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering article, "Analysis of factors affecting college students' academic performance based on linear regression", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Research pick: First the drying then the java jive - "Performance evaluation of a solar greenhouse dryer for coffee drying in the Peruvian high Andes: an energy, exergy, economic, and environmental approach"

A solar-powered drying system that combines greenhouse design with active air circulation could offer coffee producers a more reliable and lower-emission way to process beans after harvest, according to research in the International Journal of Exergy. The conclusion comes from a smooth blend of laboratory modelling and field trials.

Drying is a critical step in coffee production. Freshly harvested coffee beans typically contain more than 50% moisture. That level must be reduced to about 10% to mould growth and spoilage. Beans that are unevenly dried produce poorer-quality coffee if any coffee at all.

The system looked at the benefits of drying beans in a greenhouse-type structure that traps solar radiation. Such greenhouses can get hotter than conventional drying areas, leading to faster evaporation from the beans. The use of solar-powered fans is needed to move air through the drying chamber, reducing humidity and giving even drying, the researchers suggest.

Trials of this approach demonstrated that beans could be dried from about 50% moisture to close to the requisite 10% in just four days. This meets industry standards for safe storage and transport, the report explains. Key to success is consistent temperature control. Too hot and the flavour compounds in the beans can degrade. If the system is not hot enough then slow moisture loss leads to spoilage.

The study showed that a drying temperature of 52.5 Celsius is optimal, just right for consistent moisture removal without flavour compound compromise. Energy and exergy measures of the process showed an efficiency of 33% and 40%, respectively. The energy efficiency is less representative than the exergy measure. Exergy shows how much useful work is done in the process rather than dissipated as waste heat. A higher exergy efficiency means the system is making better use of the available resources. This is an important consideration in renewable energy applications and environmental audits.

Ayala Gonzáles, J.R., Marcelo-Aldana, D. and La Madrid Olivares, R. (2026) ‘Performance evaluation of a solar greenhouse dryer for coffee drying in the Peruvian high Andes: an energy, exergy, economic, and environmental approach’, Int. J. Exergy, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp.318–333.

International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics to invite expanded papers from 17th International Conference on Global Security, Safetyand Sustainability (ICGS3-26) for potential publication

Extended versions of papers presented at the 17th International Conference on Global Security, Safety and Sustainability (ICGS3-26) (17-18 November 2026, virtual conference) will be invited for review and potential publication by the International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics.

Research pick: Engineering education, does it blend? - "Assessing laboratory designs in CDIO implementation for technology and engineering education via fuzzy TOPSIS approach: evidence in the Philippines"

Universities redesigning engineering courses are being forced to reconsider a long-standing assumption: that learning happens best in a physical laboratory, according to work in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The research suggests that virtual environments may now offer the strongest overall case, though there are important limitations.

The study examined laboratory design within the so-called CDIO framework, the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate framework. This structures engineering education around the full lifecycle of a product or system. In this approach, laboratories are vital to the teaching process rather than being supplementary, as students are expected to apply theory in practical, project-based settings.

Institutions now have a wider range of options to offer than before, from traditional in-person labs to fully virtual platforms as well as hybrid formats and remote labs. Each approach has its pros and cons. Physical labs allow direct interaction with equipment but are expensive and limited in capacity. Virtual labs are more flexible and accessible but depend on stable technology and may reduce face-to-face engagement as well as being by definition anything but hands-on.

To compare the different approaches, the researchers used a structured method known as fuzzy TOPSIS, part of a class of tools designed to evaluate decisions involving multiple, competing criteria. The criteria they considered in their assessment included student participation, academic performance, satisfaction, exposure to technical problems, and the risk of unequal access to technology. The fuzzy element allows them to include subjective judgements, such as levels of engagement, which can be converted into numerical data for analysis. The work also used bootstrap resampling, a statistical technique that tests how stable results remain when inputs vary slightly, this gives them a way to check that the analysis is reliable.

Based on expert assessments, virtual laboratories ranked highest overall, largely due to their flexibility and scalability. Students can access them at any time, while universities can expand provision without the constraints of physical space. The shift reflects changes that have occurred in education since the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to widespread adoption of online learning.

The work does not suggest abandoning physical laboratories, they remain important for learning hands-on skills and collaboration. Instead, the work suggests that a blended approach can be the most beneficial.

Teo, R.H., Sardual, R.M., Pangandoyon, H.F., Arranguez Jr., M.D., Lim, J.H.P., Villamor, F.E., Burgos, N.P. and Himang, M.M. (2026) ‘Assessing laboratory designs in CDIO implementation for technology and engineering education via fuzzy TOPSIS approach: evidence in the Philippines’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 8, pp.1–20.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning

The International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Assessing laboratory designs in CDIO implementation for technology and engineering education via fuzzy TOPSIS approach: evidence in the Philippines
• Optimisation of intelligent English grammar error correction based on multi-strategy Pinyin detection and hierarchical enhancement

Research pick: Word up! - "Optimisation of intelligent English grammar error correction based on multi-strategy Pinyin detection and hierarchical enhancement"

A language-correction system tailored to the specific challenges faced by Chinese learners of English is described in the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. The system combines advanced Pinyin detection and hierarchical data augmentation strategies to address long-standing issues in the accuracy and efficiency of language correction tools used by non-native English speakers.

Chinese learners of English frequently encounter issues influenced by the structure and phonetics of their native language. One of the most pressing obstacles is the misidentification of Pinyin, the romanised phonetic representation of Chinese characters. When Chinese proper nouns such as “Zhangsan” or “Beijing” are written in English, they can be erroneously flagged as spelling mistakes by existing checkers. These misclassifications disrupt the flow of writing and can mislead learners into thinking their use of these names is incorrect. Research indicates that almost two-thirds of Chinese learners encounter these kinds of errors.

The new system resolves this issue by integrating a dual-strategy Pinyin detection algorithm. It pairs syllable tree matching with linguistic rule-based methods to identify and correctly treat Pinyin terms as legitimate parts of the text. It achieves 99.95% accuracy and can process more than 5000 words per second. Such speed makes it viable for real-time use in education and the workplace.

By using hierarchical data augmentation, the same system can also highlight genuine errors in article usage, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense, aspects that are not always accounted for in the current systems. This grammar correction model uses a transformer-based architecture to treat grammar correction as a sequence-to-sequence task. It demonstrated high accuracy on datasets focused on common errors made by Chinese learners, around 85-90% for article misuse, subject-verb agreement, and verb tense issues.

English remains the lingua franca of the modern world. For millions of learners, mastering its complexities can be a daunting task. Traditional grammar checkers are often unable to account for the specific errors that arise from the structural and phonetic differences between English and the learner’s native language. This new system seeks to address that problem.

Song, L. (2026) ‘Optimisation of intelligent English grammar error correction based on multi-strategy Pinyin detection and hierarchical enhancement’, Int. J. Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, Vol. 36, No. 8, pp.21–48.

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing are now available here for free:

• Modelling the demand trend for automobile parts using machine learning methods
• Artificial bee colony algorithm with hyperbolic spiral-based local search
• Precision depth of anaesthesia estimation through machine learning and regression method: an intriguing case study unveiling the future
• Age and gender prediction using Haar cascade algorithm and fine-tuned CNN framework
• Dynamic knowledge expansion: real-time text classification with deep convolutional neural networks

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Higher Education and Sustainability

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Higher Education and Sustainability are now available here for free:

• Fabric of change: insights from Gen Z college students on government's role in promoting sustainability in fashion
• Confidence level and school experiences of final year undergraduates of computer science in South-West Nigerian universities
• Critical reflective teaching praxis: lessons from oral hygiene educators in South Africa
• Curating historical green learning competency: the ECHO-sustainability pedagogy design
• Stakeholders' perception of inclusive and quality technical and vocational education training in the Sunyani municipality of Ghana

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Big data-driven athlete selection and training optimisation system fusing graph neural network and ensemble learning
• A quantitative evaluation model of English classroom interaction fairness driven by modal data distillation
• Construction of UAV trajectory prediction model based on 5G communication and image recognition technology
• Vision-guided autonomous hydrogen refuelling system based on multi-scale recognition and force-position hybrid control
• Improving student success rate: an optimisation model for language proficiency prediction based on a random forest classifier

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy are now available here for free:

• Optimally distributed generator placement and phasor measurement unit integration for enhanced distribution system performance: a particle swarm optimisation-based approach
• Hierarchical classification of dynamic carbon emission factors based on improved support vector machine
• A peak carbon emission prediction method for enterprises based on IoT blockchain and grey neural network
• Distributed generation planning method for active distribution network based on frog leaping algorithm
• Online identification method of power grid load sensitivity based on adaptive Kalman filter
• A time series-based method for predicting electricity demand in industrial parks
• Multiple fault diagnosis method for regional power grid based on DTS simulation system
• A multi-objective optimisation configuration method for photovoltaic access microgrid energy storage capacity based on improved genetic algorithm
• New energy charging pile installation layout method based on terminal load demand fusion processing
• A detection method for electricity theft behaviour in low-voltage power stations: multi-source data fusion
• Capacity optimisation configuration of active distribution network under distributed photovoltaic access
• A method for monitoring and early warning of meteorological disasters in cross regional large power grid based on Doppler radar data

New Open Access article available: "Regional social capital and the accumulation of physical capital by informal enterprises in India"

The following International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management article, "Regional social capital and the accumulation of physical capital by informal enterprises in India", is freely available for download as an open access article.

It can be downloaded via the full-text link available here.

Research pick: Transparency and trust in the age of deepfake ads - "Navigating ethical dilemmas: the role of deepfake technology in modern advertising campaigns"

A study into the use of deepfake technology in advertising has found that public acceptance of synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence (AI) is closely tied to how familiar someone is with technology and the way such content is framed. The research, published in the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, raises questions for regulators and advertisers alike regarding transparency and trust.

Deepfakes are images, videos or audio recordings created or altered using AI to make someone appear to say or do things they never actually did or to fabricate a happening. In terms of deepfaking a person and what they might say, the technology uses neural networks and autoencoders to alter facial features and to map expressions, voice, and movements to spoken words that may have been generated by an AI trained on the person’s voice. The technology is advancing rapidly and outstrips conventional CGI, audio and image editing tools.

In the age of scrollable social media and split-second soundbites, deepfakes that are near-perfect have the potential to distort reality and alter public opinion in ways that old-school propaganda and smear campaigns never could.

The research highlights both commercial potential and ethical risks. In advertising, synthetic media could enable personalised campaigns, virtual brand ambassadors, and faster content production. But researchers warn that the same capabilities challenge assumptions that video and audio content reflect reality. In fast-moving online environments, such material can be widely shared before its authenticity is questioned, increasing the risk of deception and reputational harm.

The survey results discussed in this paper suggest that younger respondents and those with greater tech savvy were more open to deepfake advertising, although most still expressed ethical concerns. Men were generally more receptive than women, but concerns over manipulation and consent were seen across demographics.

One key finding was the effect of language. Participants responded more positively to the term “artificial media” than “deepfake”, suggesting that terminology can shape perceived legitimacy and ethical acceptability even when the underlying technology is identical.

Verma, S., Mourya, P. and Rastogi, P. (2026) ‘Navigating ethical dilemmas: the role of deepfake technology in modern advertising campaigns’, Int. J. Artificial Intelligence Governance and Human Rights, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp.92–108.

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Information and Communication Technology

The International Journal of Information and Communication Technology has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• Design and optimisation of museum cultural and creative products based on cultural big data analysis
• Data-driven teaching quality monitoring with a transformer-GNN hybrid
• Polyphonic music melody generation model based on inverse reinforcement learning algorithm
• Design of interactive English learning system driven by big data
• Precise identification and traceability of fake e-commerce reviews integrating multimodal semantic understanding

Free sample articles newly available from International Journal of Learning Technology

The following sample articles from the International Journal of Learning Technology are now available here for free:

• Investigating the adoption of e-learning as a sustainable solution in higher education using the TAM model
• A multi-criteria course recommendation system based on the skyline BNL and top-kws algorithms
• A practical study on the use of MOOC for geo-informatics education on the edX platform
• Implementation of educational gamification in blended learning environment: experiments of field from multi-trial in medical sciences groups
• Development and validation of the online learning experience scale for art majors in Chinese tertiary education

Free Open Access issue published by International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering

The International Journal of Computational Systems Engineering has published an Open Access issue. All of the issue’s papers can be downloaded via the full-text links available here.

• A practical study of a gamified motivational curriculum for physical education based on optimal interactive artificial intelligence
• An improved BERT model feature representation method for defect text classification in power system