Search in Publications
Found 6374 publications
ESG disclosure topics and reporting frameworks: exploratory research across automotive, construction, and energy industries
Publication Name: Discover Sustainability
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and proper measurement of greenhouse gas emissions are becoming increasingly important for industries with substantial environmental impact. This research aims to assess the current state of ESG reporting practices and highlight areas for improvement across the automotive, construction and energy industries operating in the Central Eastern European (CEE) region. To achieve this aim, a multi-industry sustainability disclosure database was created and analyzed through a Python-based text-mining methodology, using term frequency-inverse document frequency and keyword-in-context analysis. The process involved extracting and preprocessing text from 60 sustainability reports for the year 2021, followed by constructing a custom dictionary of key ESG terms aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. The findings reveal considerable variance in the focus of qualitative disclosures across industries, particularly regarding climate change and biodiversity. The investigation underscores the need for enhanced transparency, consistent metrics, and rigorous validation in ESG reporting. The study also provides new insights into the technical possibilities of automated text analysis for sustainability reporting in the CEE region, and highlights key areas where improvement appears necessary.
Open Access: Yes
An interval-valued triangular fuzzy decision analytics model for analyzing surface water quality of urban lakes for sustainable management
Publication Name: Water Reuse
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 4
Page Range: 684-700
Description:
We present a comparative assessment of the surface water quality (SWQ) of two prominent lakes in Udaipur, India: Pichola Lake (PL) and Fateh Sagar Lake (FS), during two distinct seasons, pre-monsoon (PM) and post-monsoon (POM). We measure the physicochemical parameters for assessing the SWQs of PL and FS during the PM and POM seasons. The physicochemical parameters are evaluated (in accordance with the standard specifications) within specified intervals, categorized as excellent, allowable, and unsuitable. For a precise discrimination among the alternatives in a scalable modeling framework while offsetting the uncertainty (imposed due to sample collection and seasonality), the present work uses interval-valued TFNs (IVTFNs). We utilize a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework, incorporating the opinion weight criteria method (OWCM) and root assessment method (RAM), to rank the SWQs of the lakes. The OWCM method provides a reliable outcome under imprecision and limited data, while avoiding the oversimplification of diverse alternatives. RAM offers a realistic treatment of contributions by inferior criteria while rewarding superior performance. We observe that FS demonstrates an inseparable SWQ for both the PM and POM seasons. At the same time, PL reports a significant effect of seasonal changes, where PM performance is found to be better.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.2166/wrd.2025.067
Biological and therapeutic implications of sex hormone-related gene clustering in testicular cancer
Publication Name: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 35
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Gonadotropin dysregulation seems to play a potential role in the carcinogenesis of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT). The aim of this study was to explore the expression of specific genes related to sex hormone regulation, synthesis, and metabolism in TGCT and to define specific hormonal clusters. Two publicly available databases were used for this analysis (TCGA and GSE99420). By means of hard-threshold regularized KMEANS clustering, we assigned TGCT samples into four clusters defined in respect to different expression of the sex hormone-related genes. We analysed clinical data, protein and gene expression, signaling regarding hormonal clusters. Based on whole-transcriptome gene expression, prediction of anti-cancer drug response was made by RIDGE models. Results: Cluster #1 (12–16%) consisted primarily of non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT), characterized by high expression of PRL, GNRH1, HSD17B2 and SRD5A1. Cluster #2 (42–50%) included predominantly seminomas with high expression of SRD5A3, being highly infiltrated by T and B cells. Cluster #3 (8.3–18%) comprised of NSGCT with high expression of CGA, CYP19A1, HSD17B12, HSD17B1, SHBG. Cluster #4 (23–30%), which consisted primarily of NSGCT with a small fraction of seminomas, was outlined by increased expression of STAR, POMC, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B2 and HSD17B3. Elevated fibroblast levels and increased extracellular matrix- and growth factor signaling-related gene signature scores were described in cluster #1 and #3. In the combined model of progression-free survival, S2/S3 tumor marker status, hormonal cluster #1 or #3 and teratoma histology, were independently associated with 25–30% increase of progression risk. Based on the increased receptor tyrosine kinase and growth factor signaling, cluster #1, #3 and #4 were predicted to be sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, FGFR inhibitors or EGFR/ERBB inhibitors. Cluster #2 and #4 were responsive to compounds interfering with DNA synthesis, cytoskeleton, cell cycle and epigenetics. Response to apoptosis modulators was predicted only for cluster #2. Conclusions: Hormonal cluster #1 or #3 is an independent prognostic factor regarding poor progression-free survival. Hormonal cluster assignment also affects the predicted drug response with cluster-dependent susceptibility to specific novel therapeutic compounds.
Open Access: Yes
Monocular Curb Edge Detection via Robust Geometric Correspondences
Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 24
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Advanced driver-assistance and autonomous systems require perception that is both robust and affordable. Monocular cameras are promising due to their ubiquity and low cost, yet detecting abrupt road surface irregularities such as curbs and bumps remains challenging. These sudden road gradient changes are often only a few centimeters high, making them difficult to detect and resolve from a single moving camera. We hypothesize that stable image-based homography, derived from robust geometric correspondences, is a viable method for predicting sudden road surface gradient changes. To this end, we propose a monocular, geometry-driven pipeline that combines transformer-based feature matching, homography decomposition, temporal filtering, and late-stage IMU fusion. In addition, we introduce a dedicated dataset with synchronized camera and ground-truth measurements for reproducible evaluation under diverse urban conditions. We conduct a targeted feasibility study on six scenarios specifically recorded for small, safety-relevant discontinuities (four curb approaches, two speed bumps). Homography-based cues provide reliable early signatures for curbs (3/4 curb sequences detected at a 5 cm threshold). These results establish feasibility for monocular, geometric curb detection and motivate larger-scale validation. The code and the collected data will be made publicly available.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/app152412922
Improvement of the cantilever test geometry deflection measurement method to assess residual stresses in laser powder bed fusion
Publication Name: Production Engineering Archives
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 31
Issue: 4
Page Range: 474-480
Description:
Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) processes allow for the creation of advanced 3D parts that are difficult to achieve through conventional manufacturing. Defects such as part deformation are a critical issue in L-PBF and seriously affect the industrial adoption of metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes for critical applications. The research community has widely accepted the deformation measurement of known geometries, such as cantilevers or bridges, for the assessment of residual stresses. In this study, quantitative measurements are obtained using a 3D optical scanner on cantilevers with different geometries, in order to study the effect of bar thickness on deformation. Furthermore, this experimental study aims to investigate cantilever deflection measurement methods and compare the obtained deviation parameters. The findings reveal that, in case of cantilever specimens, flatness and curvature attributes measured on surface are more reliable than maximum vertical deflection. The part height plays a primordial role on the deflection, the distortion changes in inverse proportion to the cantilever’s bar thickness.
Open Access: Yes
The impact of asbestos cement pollution in irrigation water on physiological and germination characteristics of Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum seeds
Publication Name: Scientific Reports
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This paper investigates how plants respond to stress caused by asbestos cement products in irrigation water. It presents a thorough evaluation of the exposure and risk factors for plants, water, and soil when exposed to these materials. The experimental results provide empirical evidence of plant stress responses based on physiological and germination parameters. The research is motivated by concerns about environmental contamination from asbestos cement in irrigation water, which can be toxic to plants and lead to soil pollution, negatively impacting vegetation and soil quality. When exposed to asbestos in water, plants experience toxic stress that can inhibit photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and germination. Asbestos can also adversely affect cell division and metabolism, risking plant growth, reproduction, and overall health, as well as making them more susceptible to disease and pests under environmental stress. The paper examines the impact on germination and physiological parameters of Trifolium pratense, Medicago sativa, and Solanum lycopersicum, particularly how they were affected by pre-established concentrations of irrigation water mixed with asbestos cement during a controlled germination experiment. The research methodology was developed in the absence of established global practices, standards, and methods, creating an opportunity for further methodological advancement. The findings could serve as a situational analysis for professionals in environmental plant protection and analytical fields.
Open Access: Yes
A novel Gustafson–Kessel based clustering algorithm using n-Pythagorean fuzzy sets
Publication Name: Systems and Soft Computing
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 7
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The Gustafson–Kessel (GK) algorithm, an extension of the fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering method, effectively handles non-spherical clusters but struggles with uncertainty in membership assignments. To address this limitation, we propose the n-Pythagorean Fuzzy Gustafson–Kessel (n-PyGK) algorithm, which incorporates an inherent hesitation degree to enhance clustering performance. The proposed algorithm is evaluated on both synthetic and real-world datasets, including the Iris dataset, using nine clustering metrics. We analyze its behavior under varying parameter settings and compare its performance with traditional clustering algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate that n-PyGK offers improved clustering accuracy and greater flexibility in parameter selection, enabling optimal performance for specific clustering indices.
Open Access: Yes
High precision experimentally validated adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system controller for DC motor drive system
Publication Name: Scientific Reports
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The control of a dc motor drive system is performed using two Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers, mostly comprising the outer (speed) and inner (torque) loops. However, the tuning of the PI controllers is challenging, because of the significant overshoot and substantial settling time. The overshoot cannot be absolutely removed without sacrificing the speediness. In this paper, an experimental implementation of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) based high-precision controllers for a dc motor drive system is presented for eliminating the overshoot contemporaneously improving the settling time. In this regard, for fair comparison, Bode Plot method is used for obtaining most satisfactory values of Kp and Ki of both the controllers and the performance of the proposed ANFIS controllers is compared with the tuned PI controllers. For the sake of validation, an experimental setup, a 2-quadrant dc motor drive based on DS1104 R&D controller board from dSPACE is used. The designed ANFIS controllers are implemented and also authenticated using simulations. The obtained simulation as well as experimental results indicated that the ANFIS controller successfully eliminates the overshoot and significantly improves settling time. Thereby, outclass the tuned PI controllers by giving experimental results as 0% overshoot and just 0.18 s settling time.
Open Access: Yes
Beyond Traditional Metrics: Developing and Validating a Multidimensional Scale for Consumer Financial Well-Being
Publication Name: Psychology and Marketing
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 42
Issue: 12
Page Range: 3141-3161
Description:
This paper proposes a scale for measuring consumer financial well-being (CFW), covering its dimensions and consequences. The holistic nature of the scale is a significant improvement on the existing measures of CFW, which cover only a few dimensions, such as debt and financial distress, without focusing on the consequences of CFW. The paper follows a rigorous process spanning five studies: Study 1, qualitative research aiming to generate and reduce items for the new scale; Studies 2 and 3, empirical analyses of data from India and the United Kingdom, respectively; Study 4, establishing the scale's nomological validity by testing its theoretical connections with mindful consumption and life satisfaction as outcomes; and Study 5, an experiment aiming to reinforce the scale's nomological validity by testing the effect of prevention focus (vs. promotion focus) as an antecedent for CFW. Utilizing the frameworks of dual-process and multiple discrepancies theories, the scale proposed by this paper consists of a four-factor solution (financial security, financial preparedness and satisfaction, financial resilience, and financial wisdom). On one hand, the study provides vital implications for marketing managers who want to encourage sustainable and responsible consumption patterns. Second, it informs marketing managers who want to design marketing or educational interventions that aim to improve CFW by developing financial wisdom. Third, our scale can assist financial planners with measuring and improving their clients' financial well-being and provides them with unconventional tools (e.g., financial wisdom) for doing so.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1002/mar.70029
