Search Results (2,979)

The Toyota Production System (TPS) was a revolutionary approach to automobile production that influenced companies all over the world. The fight against redundancy is at the core of this approach. The textile industry remains one of the most polluting sectors worldwide, which makes environmental sustainability a key concern. In line with national priorities, companies are striving to balance profitability with sustainability, minimizing defects and reducing waste. This study explores the evolution of textile production systems from TPS principles to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how they can be used from a sustainability perspective. Smartex, a textile start-up recognized as the winner of the Web Summit 2021 competition, was chosen as the focus of this case study. Employing qualitative research methods, including content analysis of interviews, management reports and website data, the study examines the parallels and distinctions between TPS and Smartex’s AI-driven system. The findings highlight how Smartex is revolutionizing the textile industry by leveraging AI to avoid defects and reduce waste, advancing both environmental and commercial objectives. Finally, the implications and limitations of the research are explained. Full article

We examine the relationship between the level of carbon disclosure and analyst forecast accuracy using firm-level data of listed companies in China. We use the reports issued by listed companies, such as financial reports, CSR reports ESG reports, carbon information on company websites, and other relevant reports to proxy for disclosure of carbon information. We find that the level of carbon disclosure is associated with lower analyst forecast error. Further analysis reveals that carbon disclosure levels enhances corporate transparency, which in turn reduces analyst forecast error. The relationship is also stronger for firms that are heavy polluters and have less competitive markets, suggesting that carbon disclosure levels play a role complementary to financial disclosure. In addition, when considering the differences in green cognition of company executives, company size characteristics, and whether or not the CSR report has been certified by a third party, this effect will be different. These results hold after we control for various factors related to firm financial transparency and other potentially confounding factors. Collectively, our findings have important implications for academics and practitioners in understanding the function of the level of carbon disclosure in financial markets. Full article

Contextualization of young carers in early childhood is complex. Biopsychosocial impacts of young caregiving are receiving growing interest, yet the voice and experience of society’s youngest carers (0–5 years) remain absent from the literature. This scoping review explores representation of young carers in their early years (0–5 years), presented as part of a broader program of PhD research undertaken by the lead author. Aiming to influence systematic change in the way young carers are perceived and supported in society, further research is recommended. This will serve to better inform whole family support strategies in the context of young carer policy and practice. This review has been undertaken following JBI guidance for scoping reviews. A comprehensive literature search included publications dated 2014–2024 in Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Eric, Web of Science, and Carers Trust and NSPCC websites. The overall search yielded no studies which met the inclusion criteria. Results were discussed with knowledge users, and content experts with lived experience of caring in early childhood, at all stages of the review process. The absence of relevant research highlights a significant gap in knowledge regarding the way in which the lived experiences of young carers in early childhood are represented and understood. Full article

Based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), a water isotopes detection system was developed to detect the isotopic abundance of water vapor in the atmosphere. A single 1483.79 cm⁻¹ quantum cascade laser (QCL) and a 3120 cm optical path multi-pass cell (MPC) were adopted in the detection system. The selected spectral range, as well as the laser technology used, is particularly interesting for the real-time monitoring of water vapor isotopes in the atmosphere. In this study, a single laser can be used to perform high-sensitivity, rapid investigations of H₂O, H₂¹⁸O, H₂¹⁷O, and HDO absorption lines. Finally, we measured the abundance values of three isotopes of water vapor in the atmosphere and compared them with data from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) website, dedicated to exploring the possibility of in situ monitoring of H₂O isotopes in the atmosphere. Full article

BPC 157, known as the “Body Protection Compound”, is a pentadecapeptide isolated from human gastric juice that demonstrated its pleiotropic beneficial effects in various preclinical models mimicking medical conditions, such as tissue injury, inflammatory bowel disease, or even CNS disorders. Unlike many other drugs, BPC 157 has a desirable safety profile, since only a few side effects have been reported following its administration. Nevertheless, this compound was temporarily banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2022 (it is not currently listed as banned by the WADA). However, it has not been approved for use in standard medicine by the FDA and other global regulatory authorities due to the absence of sufficient and comprehensive clinical studies confirming its health benefits in humans. In this review, we summarize information on the biological activities of BPC 157, with particular reference to its mechanism of action and probable toxicity. This generated the attention of experts, as BPC 157 has been offered for sale on many websites. We also present recent interest in BPC 157 as reflected in a number of patent applications and granted patents. Full article

The real estate market plays a pivotal role in most nations’ economy, showcasing continuous growth. Particularly noteworthy is the rapid expansion of the digital real estate sector, marked by innovations like 3D visualization and streamlined online contractual processes, a momentum further accelerated by the aftermath of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Amidst this transformative landscape, artificial intelligence emerges as a vital force, addressing consumer needs by harnessing data analytics for predicting and monitoring rental prices. While studies have demonstrated the efficacy of machine learning (ML) algorithms such as decision trees and neural networks in predicting house prices, there is a lack of research specifically focused on rental property prices, a significant sector in Brazil due to the prohibitive costs associated with property acquisition. This study fills this crucial gap by delving into the intricacies of rental pricing, using data from the city of São Carlos-SP, Brazil. The research aims to analyze, model, and predict rental prices, employing an approach that incorporates diverse ML models. Through this analysis, our work showcases the potential of ML algorithms in accurately predicting rental house prices. Moreover, it envisions the practical application of this research with the development of a user-friendly website. This platform could revolutionize the renting experience, empowering both tenants and real estate agencies with the ability to estimate rental values based on specific property attributes and have access to its statistics. Full article

Geoparks, via the ABC geotourism concept, represent ideal places to effectively combine natural and cultural heritage, allowing visitors to better understand the country’s history and development. In this way, the sustainable development of local communities is promoted and contributes to the protection of the unique natural and cultural values of the region. Proper presentation of natural and cultural heritage in a geopark is key to developing soft forms of tourism, e.g., geotourism or ecotourism. The paper focuses on Slovak geoparks with a special emphasis on analysing the information availability and presentation of both natural and cultural heritage in these areas from the perspective of potential geopark visitors. Based on the analysis and evaluation of defined categories, including websites, social media platforms, mobile applications, information centres, brochures, educational trails, information panels, and guided tours, results show that, in general, existing geoparks’ promotional materials can be considered the best source of information on heritage and its presentation. On the other hand, the most significant identified shortcomings include insufficient use of mobile applications, a lack of educational activities, and the relatively low quality of existing educational trails. However, considerable differences exist in information access and heritage presentation in Slovak geoparks. Based on the findings, specific measures are suggested as potential solutions to enable the appropriate and correct presentation of heritage in the territories of Slovak geoparks. Their practical application will contribute to the development of Slovak geoparks, increase awareness of heritage located in the areas of individual geoparks, and provide a better understanding of the values of this heritage by the wider public. Full article

As the issues of the world’s overreliance on fossil fuels still remain unresolved, mainstream media play a central role in influencing public attitudes towards energy sources. This article aimed to consider Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals as manipulation means in the news coverage of the 2021–2022 global energy crisis. Using computer-aided text analysis, media framing, discourse, and rhetorical analyses, this paper analyzes 600 news articles published on the websites of the four mainstream media sources from the key countries that were affected by the crisis. The results confirmed emotionalization of the news coverage that occurred through the use of similar rhetorical appeals and emotive language means aimed at inducing positive or negative feelings and shaping public opinion. The UK and US mainstream media appeared to rely more on the opinions of political, business, and energy authorities, highlighting a high level of politicization of their coverage. The findings also indicated polarization of the attitudes in the coverage, with mainly negative narratives about fossil fuels and more positive narratives about renewable energies, which contributed to public opinion manipulation and energy decision-making. This study opens up perspectives for future research on media emotions and rhetorical appeals as powerful manipulation means in applied linguistics, rhetoric, and journalism. Full article

In the modern era, a major avenue of dissemination for cultural and artistic events is through the World-Wide Web, where every such event has a multifaceted distinct digital footprint. This digital footprint is an indicator of how strong the influence of each event is in the public’s perception and to what extent it becomes part of the audiovisual art landscape. This study aims to present how the impact of an audiovisual event may be estimated using quantitative data collected through its online presence. This data-driven approach is made possible through web data extraction techniques and the use of generative artificial intelligence, which allows for structured information extraction from an endless variety of websites. Based on an event’s innate characteristics, web outreach, estimated scope, and thematical popularity, an encompassing impact factor is calculated, which may be used to rank events on the basis of perceived influence. For the purposes of this study, a dataset consisting of thousands of events in Greece was collected over an extended period. These data were used for a computational statistical analysis. Through this process of data collection, impact calculation, and analysis, data-driven insights were derived concerning the landscape of audiovisual art events. Full article

Our health, well-being, and development are intrinsically linked to the preservation of biodiversity. This situation has driven the establishment of numerous treaties, international agreements, and regulatory frameworks that address sustainable food systems from multiple perspectives, including agriculture, food security, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. The objective of this study is to review the potential of wild edible fruits in terms of sustainability and implications for human health. Specifically, this work examines the contribution of these fruits to promoting biodiversity, and their support for sustainable food systems as well as their beneficial role in human health. Additionally, it considers the evolution of relevant international treaties related to the preservation of wild fruits. An in-depth review of international treaties related to the conservation of wild fruits was conducted by consulting information available on official websites of international organizations such as the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among others. Next, a review of the sustainability and health benefits of edible wild fruits was performed. Results showed that although numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of wild edible fruits, there is still a lack of scientific evidence showing that the use of these species could have positive effects not only on human health and well-being but also on the environment and biodiversity. Thus, integrating these fruits into sustainable practices could play a key role in supporting future food security and the well-being of communities. Full article

This article examines energy audit procedures as a crucial instrument for raising building and business energy efficiency in European Union (EU) Member States. Energy audits, which include technical, economic, and environmental aspects, are essential to reaching the EU’s climate targets, which include increasing energy independence and cutting emissions by 55% by 2030. The study highlights how crucial energy efficiency initiatives are to combating climate change, cutting energy use, and advancing sustainable development. A thorough examination of methods, financing sources, and legislative frameworks reveals differences in how Member States carry out directives such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive. A case study on Latvia is included in the article, highlighting the country’s energy audit regulations, implementation difficulties, and successes. This study applied a bibliographic methodology or review of the scientific and other relevant literature, analyzing sources identified through targeted keyword searches in academic databases and a variety of online sources, including official legal websites, handbooks, reports, plans, and other publicly available digital resources. The integration of energy efficiency principles and country performances are compared using data from the Odyssee and Mure databases. The results highlight how important it is to standardize energy auditing practices, promote information sharing across national borders, and move past obstacles like public resistance and budgetary limitations. Policy recommendations to improve energy efficiency and aid the EU’s transition to climate neutrality by 2050 are included in the research’s conclusion. Full article

Food loss and waste is a recurring issue of discussion that food processing companies can no longer avoid. Society, stakeholders, and directives are demanding more and more communication on sustainability issues. However, only just under half of food processing companies stated that they provide consumer information on food waste. However, consumer information is only one way of communicating about food waste. The aim of this study is to identify key themes for relevant online communication on food waste that companies should be communicating to support the German National Strategy for the Reduction of Food Waste and to determine whether companies are already using these themes online. For this purpose, national strategy experts were asked through a questionnaire which topics were relevant according to the national strategy. The websites of 105 food processing companies were analyzed using content analysis to determine the status quo of food waste communication and assessed for relevance according to the national strategy. This paper presents five prioritized clusters of topics for relevant online communication on food waste for companies. The top priorities for communication, Cluster 1, are “Business Goals”, “Business Strategy”, “Process”, “Consumer Information”, “In-house Transparency”, and “Utilization of Remaining Materials”. The status quo shows that 43.8% of the companies provided online content regarding food waste. Through theory-driven content analysis, the three most common topics were identified in relation to food waste, namely the following: “Business Goals”, “Product and Packaging”, and “Consumer Information”. Companies communicated in line with the priority clusters. However, the frequency of topics and the way they are communicated varies widely. Only “Consumer Information” and “Business Goals” from Cluster 1 are commonly communicated. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, there was a decline in publications on food waste, and afterward, more consumer-oriented content was published rather than communicating the relevant topics. Companies are expected to have two objectives in their communication: to communicate with consumers and to be transparent about their targets, data, and utilization of food waste. The results also show differences between subsectors, the occurrence of the topics over time, and examples. The findings are aimed at policymakers, researchers, and companies as a starting point for improving the consistency and transparency of food waste communication in line with the national strategy. The results are also of international interest due to the common challenges of food waste and international food companies. Full article

In recent years, extensive research has focused on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance. While past studies have explored this connection, they often faced challenges in quantitatively assessing the effectiveness of CSR initiatives. However, advancements in research methodologies and the development of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) measurement dimensions have led to the creation of more robust evaluation criteria. These criteria use ESG scores as primary reference indicators for assessing the effectiveness of CSR activities. This study aims to utilize ESG indicators from the ESG InfoHub website of the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TSEC) as benchmarks, comprising 15 items from the environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) dimensions to form the CSR effectiveness indicators and predict financial performance. The data cover the years 2021–2022 for listed companies, using return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as measures of financial performance. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence in recent years, the applications of machine learning and deep learning (DL) have proliferated across many fields. However, the use of machine learning to analyze ESG data remains rare. Therefore, this study employs machine learning models to predict financial performance based on ESG performance, utilizing both classification and regression approaches. Numerical results indicate that two deep learning models, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), outperform other models in regression and classification tasks, respectively. Consequently, deep learning techniques prove to be feasible, effective, and efficient alternatives for predicting corporations’ financial performance based on ESG metrics. Full article

This study introduces a novel evaluation framework for predicting web page performance, utilizing state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of web quality assessment. We systematically identify and analyze 59 key attributes that influence website performance, derived from an extensive literature review spanning from 2010 to 2024. By integrating a comprehensive set of performance metrics—encompassing usability, accessibility, content relevance, visual appeal, and technical performance—our framework transcends traditional methods that often rely on limited indicators. Employing various classification algorithms, including Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Logistic Regression, and Random Forest, we compare their effectiveness on both original and feature-selected datasets. Our findings reveal that SVMs achieved the highest predictive accuracy of 89% with feature selection, compared to 87% without feature selection. Similarly, Random Forest models showed a slight improvement, reaching 81% with feature selection versus 80% without. The application of feature selection techniques significantly enhances model performance, demonstrating the importance of focusing on impactful predictors. This research addresses critical gaps in the existing literature by proposing a methodology that utilizes newly extracted features, making it adaptable for evaluating the performance of various website types. The integration of automated tools for evaluation and predictive capabilities allows for proactive identification of potential performance issues, facilitating informed decision-making during the design and development phases. By bridging the gap between predictive modeling and optimization, this study contributes valuable insights to practitioners and researchers alike, establishing new benchmarks for future investigations in web page performance evaluation. Full article

Background: Progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease; however, knowledge regarding renal function in the general population is low. We aimed to determine factors necessitating CKD education in the general population. Methods: Participants for a health promotion seminar were recruited via the Sugiura Memorial Foundation website and Sugi Pharmacy stores. Those who agreed to participate in the seminar were included in the questionnaire survey after a health seminar. Results: Out of 1548 participants, 1050 answered all questionnaire items, resulting in a valid response rate of 67.83%. Multivariable analysis revealed that sex (OR = 0.611), pharmacy consultations (OR = 0.661), receiving a blood test within 1 year (OR = 0.268), awareness of blood pressure (OR = 0.038), and knowledge of blood glucose level (OR = 0.099) were factors for unawareness of renal function. Conclusions: This study suggests that female individuals unaware of their blood pressure or glucose levels, those who have not had a blood test within 1 year, and those who have not sought health consultations need education on renal function. Full article