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Search Results (6,633)

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Keywords = structured decision making

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25 pages, 14250 KB  
Article
Handling Multimodality in Pareto Set Estimation via Cluster-Wise Decomposition
by Yuki Suzumura, Yoshihiro Ohta and Hiroyuki Sato
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 3655; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083655 (registering DOI) - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
Multimodal multi-objective optimization problems often exhibit one-to-many mappings, where multiple distinct variable vectors correspond to the same objective vector. This characteristic makes Pareto set (PS) estimation difficult, as conventional inverse modeling approaches assume a one-to-one correspondence. This study proposes a cluster-wise PS estimation [...] Read more.
Multimodal multi-objective optimization problems often exhibit one-to-many mappings, where multiple distinct variable vectors correspond to the same objective vector. This characteristic makes Pareto set (PS) estimation difficult, as conventional inverse modeling approaches assume a one-to-one correspondence. This study proposes a cluster-wise PS estimation framework in the variable space. Known solutions are partitioned into locally monotonic clusters using oscillation detection with an amplitude threshold, and independent response surface models are constructed for each cluster. By estimating PS solutions from multiple cluster-specific models for a given direction vector, the method preserves multimodal structures that conventional approaches fail to capture. Numerical experiments on the multimodal benchmark problems MMF1–8 and LIRCMOP1–2 demonstrate that the proposed method achieves equal or better HV and IGD values than the conventional method, while improving decision-space approximation as measured by IGDX in most test cases and suppressing the generation of dominated solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Intelligent Systems—2nd edition)
24 pages, 451 KB  
Article
Words in Action, Governance in Effect: Will Green Finance Reform and Innovation Policies Lead to “Greenwashing” in Enterprises?
by Tianqi Gan, Liangliang Liu, Tingting Wang and Ruixia Yuan
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3690; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083690 - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
Corporate “greenwash” constrains high-quality economic development in China, and its identification and governance constitute a critical step in building a green market and advancing ecological civilization. However, existing studies have primarily focused on the green governance effects of green finance policies, while paying [...] Read more.
Corporate “greenwash” constrains high-quality economic development in China, and its identification and governance constitute a critical step in building a green market and advancing ecological civilization. However, existing studies have primarily focused on the green governance effects of green finance policies, while paying limited attention to whether such policies may induce corporate “greenwash”. Using panel data on A-share listed firms in China from 2011 to 2023, this study exploits the Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones as a quasi-natural experiment and employs a Double Machine Learning model to identify the impact of green finance reform policies on corporate “greenwash” and its underlying mechanisms. The results show that the pilot policy induces corporate “greenwash”, but this effect exhibits significant temporal characteristics and does not persist in the long run. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the aggravating effect is more pronounced among non-state-owned enterprises, non-heavily polluting firms, and large-scale firms. Mechanism analysis reveals that the pilot policy promotes corporate “greenwash” by intensifying external competitive pressure and internal performance pressure, while such behavior can be mitigated through optimizing firms’ internal strategic decision-making and external capital structure. Based on these findings, this study proposes policy recommendations in three aspects, namely establishing a dynamic policy adjustment mechanism, improving the competitive environment, and strengthening corporate governance, thereby providing a policy basis for mitigating corporate “greenwash”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Environmental Responsibility for a Sustainable Future)
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18 pages, 680 KB  
Article
Examining the Relationship Between Perceived Value and Movie Consumption Behavioral Intention: The Mediating Role of Satisfaction
by Nicong Zhao, Xia Zhu and Xiaoquan Pan
Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16040556 - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study addressed a critical gap in understanding the drivers of movie consumption during digital transformation and streaming platform proliferation. It examined the direct effects of three core dimensions—social value, functional value, and emotional value—on movie consumption behavioral intention, alongside the mediating mechanism [...] Read more.
This study addressed a critical gap in understanding the drivers of movie consumption during digital transformation and streaming platform proliferation. It examined the direct effects of three core dimensions—social value, functional value, and emotional value—on movie consumption behavioral intention, alongside the mediating mechanism of satisfaction. Data were collected via questionnaire surveys administered to cinema audiences in Eastern China and through Wenjuanxing online platform, yielding 1089 valid responses. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed employing AMOS 26.0. Findings indicate significant positive direct effects of social value and emotional value on movie consumption behavioral intention. Furthermore, these value dimensions indirectly enhance movie consumption behavioral intention through the mediating influence of satisfaction. In contrast, functional value demonstrates no significant direct effect on either movie consumption behavioral intention or satisfaction. Satisfaction serves as a significant mediator in the relationships between both social value and emotional value, and movie consumption behavioral intention. This study elaborated the distinct pathways through which varied perceived value dimensions operate and empirically validates the mediating role of satisfaction within movie consumption decision-making. For the movie industry, these insights suggest prioritizing social engagement and emotional resonance to optimize offerings, establishing dynamic satisfaction monitoring, and designing member incentives targeting these values to foster sustained behavioral activation. This provides empirically grounded guidance for refining marketing strategies and experiential enhancements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Psychology)
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49 pages, 675 KB  
Review
Automated Assembly of Large-Scale Aerospace Components: A Structured Narrative Survey of Emerging Technologies
by Kuai Zhou, Wenmin Chu, Peng Zhao, Xiaoxu Ji and Lulu Huang
Sensors 2026, 26(8), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26082294 - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
Large-scale aerospace components (e.g., wings, fuselage sections, wing boxes, and rocket segments) feature large dimensions, low stiffness, complex interfaces, and strict assembly tolerances. Traditional rigid tooling and manual alignment struggle to meet the demands of high precision, efficiency, and flexibility in modern aerospace [...] Read more.
Large-scale aerospace components (e.g., wings, fuselage sections, wing boxes, and rocket segments) feature large dimensions, low stiffness, complex interfaces, and strict assembly tolerances. Traditional rigid tooling and manual alignment struggle to meet the demands of high precision, efficiency, and flexibility in modern aerospace manufacturing. This paper presents a structured literature review on the automated assembly of large-scale aerospace components, summarizing advances in three core domains: pose adjustment and positioning mechanisms, digital measurement technologies, and trajectory planning and control. Particular emphasis is placed on two cross-cutting themes: measurement uncertainty analysis and flexible assembly, which are critical for high-quality docking. The review classifies pose adjustment mechanisms into four categories (NC positioners, parallel kinematic machines, industrial robots, and novel mechanisms) and digital measurement into five branches (vision metrology, large-scale metrology, measurement field construction, uncertainty analysis, and auxiliary techniques). It also outlines five trajectory planning and control routes, covering traditional methods, multi-sensor fusion, digital twins, flexible assembly, and emerging intelligent approaches. The analysis reveals that current research suffers from fragmentation among mechanism design, metrology, and control, with insufficient integration of uncertainty propagation and flexible deformation modeling. Future systems will rely on heterogeneous equipment collaboration, uncertainty-aware closed-loop control, high-fidelity flexible modeling, and digital twin-driven decision-making. This review provides a unified framework and a technical reference for developing reliable, flexible, and scalable automated assembly systems for next-generation aerospace structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensors and Robotics)
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25 pages, 4741 KB  
Article
An Edge-Enabled Predictive Maintenance Approach Based on Anomaly-Driven Health Indicators for Industrial Production Systems
by Bouzidi Lamdjad and Adem Chaiter
Algorithms 2026, 19(4), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/a19040286 - 8 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study develops a data-driven framework for predictive maintenance and prognostic health management in industrial systems using edge-enabled predictive algorithms. The objective is to support early identification of abnormal operating conditions and improve maintenance decision making under real production environments. The proposed approach [...] Read more.
This study develops a data-driven framework for predictive maintenance and prognostic health management in industrial systems using edge-enabled predictive algorithms. The objective is to support early identification of abnormal operating conditions and improve maintenance decision making under real production environments. The proposed approach combines edge-level monitoring, anomaly detection, and predictive modeling to analyze operational signals and estimate system health conditions from high-frequency industrial data. Empirical validation was conducted using operational datasets collected from two industrial production facilities between 2024 and 2025. The model evaluates patterns associated with operational instability and degradation-related anomalies and translates them into interpretable health indicators that can support proactive intervention. The empirical results show strong predictive performance, with R2 reaching 0.989, a mean absolute percentage error of 3.67%, and a root mean square error of 0.79. In addition, the mitigation of early anomaly signals was associated with an observed improvement of approximately 3.99% in system stability. Unlike many existing studies that treat anomaly detection, predictive modeling, and prognostic analysis as separate tasks, the proposed framework connects these stages within a unified analytical structure designed for deployment in industrial environments. The findings indicate that edge-generated anomaly signals can provide meaningful early information about potential system deterioration and can assist in planning timely maintenance actions even when explicit failure labels are limited. The study contributes to the development of scalable predictive maintenance solutions that integrate artificial intelligence with edge-based industrial monitoring systems. Full article
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25 pages, 738 KB  
Article
Investigating Decision-Support Chatbot Acceptance Among Professionals: An Application of the UTAUT Model in a Marketing and Sales Context
by Sven Kottmann and Jürgen Seitz
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2026, 21(4), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer21040113 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study investigates the acceptance of an AI-powered decision-support chatbot among professionals in a marketing and sales context, addressing a gap in technology acceptance research by examining data-intensive decision environments that remain underexplored. Building on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of [...] Read more.
This study investigates the acceptance of an AI-powered decision-support chatbot among professionals in a marketing and sales context, addressing a gap in technology acceptance research by examining data-intensive decision environments that remain underexplored. Building on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the study proposes an extended model incorporating Behavioral Intention, Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Output Quality, Time Saving, Source Trustworthiness, Cognitive Load, and Chatbot Self-Efficacy. An experimental study was conducted with 106 professionals using a chatbot-enhanced business analytics platform to complete marketing KPI analysis tasks. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrate that Behavioral Intention to use decision-support chatbots is significantly influenced by Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Social Influence. Performance Expectancy is strongly driven by Output Quality, Time Saving, and Source Trustworthiness, while Effort Expectancy is significantly shaped by reduced Cognitive Load and higher Chatbot Self-Efficacy. The findings suggest that chatbot acceptance in professional decision-making depends not only on usability and performance beliefs but also on cognitive relief, trust in information sources, and efficiency gains, highlighting important implications for both theory and the design of AI-based decision-support systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies and Marketing Innovation)
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19 pages, 4124 KB  
Article
Prediction of Maximum Usable Frequency Based on a New Hybrid Deep Learning Model
by Yuyang Li, Zhigang Zhang and Jian Shen
Electronics 2026, 15(7), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15071539 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
The reliability of high-frequency (HF) frequency selection technology relies on the prediction accuracy of the Maximum Usable Frequency of the ionospheric F2 layer (MUF-F2). To improve its short-term prediction performance, a novel hybrid deep learning prediction model is proposed, which achieves accurate modeling [...] Read more.
The reliability of high-frequency (HF) frequency selection technology relies on the prediction accuracy of the Maximum Usable Frequency of the ionospheric F2 layer (MUF-F2). To improve its short-term prediction performance, a novel hybrid deep learning prediction model is proposed, which achieves accurate modeling of the complex spatiotemporal variation patterns of MUF-F2 by integrating a feature enhancement mechanism, a dual-branch feature extraction structure, and a bidirectional temporal dependency capture network. The hybrid prediction model integrates the Channel Attention mechanism (CA), Dual-Branch Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN), and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory network (BiLSTM). The model is trained and validated using MUF-F2 data from 5 communication links over China during geomagnetically quiet periods and 4 during geomagnetic storm periods, with the difference in the number of links attributed to experimental constraints and the disruptive effects of geomagnetic storms. Its performance is evaluated via multiple metrics, and a comparative analysis is conducted with commonly used prediction models such as the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. Experimental results show that during geomagnetically quiet periods, the proposed model achieves lower prediction errors (Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) < 1.1 MHz, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) < 3.8%) and a higher goodness of fit (coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.94), with the average error reduction across all links ranging 8 from 6.2% to 46.9% compared with the baseline model. Under geomagnetic storm disturbance conditions, the model still maintains robust prediction performance, with R2 > 0.89 for all communication links, as well as RMSE < 0.6 MHz, Mean Absolute Error (MAE) < 0.4 MHz, and MAPE < 3.3%. The study demonstrates that the proposed CA-DCNN-BiLSTM model exhibits excellent prediction accuracy and anti-interference capability under different geomagnetic activity conditions, which can effectively improve the short-term prediction accuracy of MUF-F2 and provide more reliable technical support for HF communication frequency decision-making. Full article
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55 pages, 1465 KB  
Article
Maturity Model for Cognitive Twin-Enabled Sustainable Supply Chains
by Lech Bukowski and Sylwia Werbinska-Wojciechowska
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3635; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073635 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
The growing digitalization of supply chains and increasing sustainability requirements create the need for structured tools that assess organizational readiness for Cognitive Twin (CT) adoption. However, existing digital twin and sustainability maturity models rarely integrate technological architecture, governance, and circularity within a unified [...] Read more.
The growing digitalization of supply chains and increasing sustainability requirements create the need for structured tools that assess organizational readiness for Cognitive Twin (CT) adoption. However, existing digital twin and sustainability maturity models rarely integrate technological architecture, governance, and circularity within a unified framework. To address this gap, the study proposes the Supply Chain Twin Sustainability–Cognitive Maturity Model (SCT-SCMM), a novel framework that explicitly integrates governance structures, sustainability objectives, and a hierarchical system architecture into the assessment of Cognitive Twin readiness. Unlike existing models, the proposed framework captures the interdependencies between technological capabilities, decision intelligence, and governance mechanisms across multiple system layers, providing a systemic perspective on sustainable digital transformation. The framework structures organizational readiness through five interdependent layers: Physical, Control, Communication, Decision-making, and Governance, and defines staged maturity levels reflecting progression toward sustainable cognitive autonomy. This layered architecture enables the simultaneous evaluation of operational automation, digital intelligence, and institutional governance as co-evolving dimensions of Cognitive Twin adoption. The model was developed through a structured literature review and operationalized using a hybrid multi-criteria and fuzzy-based evaluation approach, enabling the evaluation of complex socio-technical systems under uncertainty. The framework was applied in an automated product-to-human warehouse case study to evaluate technological, sustainability, and governance readiness. The results demonstrate the model’s ability to identify maturity gaps, reveal inter-layer dependencies, and prioritize transformation pathways toward more resilient and circular logistics systems. By integrating governance, sustainability, and system architecture into a single maturity model, SCT-SCMM extends existing digital twin maturity approaches and provides a transparent decision-support tool for guiding staged Cognitive Twin adoption in next-generation sustainable supply chains. Full article
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35 pages, 10124 KB  
Article
An Integrated BIM–NLP Framework for Design-Informed Automated Construction Schedule Generation
by Mahmoud Donia, Emad Elbeltagi, Ahmed Elhakeem and Hossam Wefki
Designs 2026, 10(2), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/designs10020043 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
Artificial intelligence has attracted increasing attention in the construction industry; however, automated time scheduling remains limited in practical applications. Schedule development remains manual, requiring planners to analyze project documents, define activities, estimate durations, and identify relationships based on logical sequence. This process primarily [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence has attracted increasing attention in the construction industry; however, automated time scheduling remains limited in practical applications. Schedule development remains manual, requiring planners to analyze project documents, define activities, estimate durations, and identify relationships based on logical sequence. This process primarily depends on individual experience and skills, making it both time-consuming and prone to human error. From an engineering design perspective, delayed or inconsistent schedule development weakens design-to-construction feedback, limiting the ability to evaluate constructability and time implications of alternative design decisions during early-stage planning. This study proposes an integrated BIM–Natural Language Processing (NLP) framework to automate activity identification, duration estimation, and logical sequencing for construction scheduling. The framework extracts project data from Revit, organizes it into a bill of quantities format, and then generates an activity list, each activity with a unique ID. Using Sentence-BERT (SBERT) embeddings, the framework estimates activity durations based on semantic similarity. The same semantic process is combined with rule-based reasoning to identify logical relationships, including sequences, supported by an Excel-based reference dictionary that includes logical relationships, productivity, and ID structure. Finally, the framework incorporates a crashing module that proportionally adjusts the duration of activities on the longest path to target the project’s completion time without violating relationships. The proposed framework was validated using real construction project data and produced reliable results. By producing a tool-ready schedule directly from design-model information, the proposed workflow enables earlier schedule feedback loops and supports design-informed planning by allowing designers and planners to assess the time consequences of model-driven scope changes. The results demonstrate that integrating BIM and NLP can transform conventional schedules into faster, more consistent processes, thereby supporting the construction industry. Full article
29 pages, 688 KB  
Article
Designing an Integrated SMART Indicator Framework for Urban Green Transitions: Aligning SDGs and ISO 37120 at City Level
by Gabriela Leite, Fátima Carneiro, João Santos, Lígia Conceição and André M. Carvalho
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3624; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073624 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
Urban areas are pivotal to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet sustainability monitoring at the municipal level remains fragmented, difficult to operationalize, and weakly comparable across cities. Although the SDGs provide a comprehensive global agenda and ISO 37120 offers a standardized set [...] Read more.
Urban areas are pivotal to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet sustainability monitoring at the municipal level remains fragmented, difficult to operationalize, and weakly comparable across cities. Although the SDGs provide a comprehensive global agenda and ISO 37120 offers a standardized set of city indicators, municipalities still face practical barriers in translating global targets into actionable, jurisdiction-sensitive, and measurable metrics aligned with local responsibilities and available data. This study addresses this gap by presenting the design of an integrated, target-level urban sustainability assessment framework grounded in SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) principles and explicitly tailored to municipalities in developed-country contexts. The framework contributes (i) a structured procedure for disaggregating and reallocating SDG targets according to municipal responsibilities, (ii) a six-dimension architecture that consolidates SDG targets and ISO 37120 themes into a coherent, governance-oriented structure (Government and Economic Development; Civic & Social Infrastructure; Environment and Climate; Infrastructure and Urban Planning; Health; Urban Living Conditions), and (iii) a SMART-based indicator screening logic that prioritizes feasibility, data availability, and benchmarking potential, thus supporting the green transition in Urban Areas. The framework is empirically examined through validation against sustainability reporting practices of the Porto City Council, quantifying indicator coverage, assessing alignment with municipal mandates, and identifying systematic gaps—particularly in cross-cutting areas such as governance transparency, equity monitoring, and long-term climate adaptation. Overall, the results indicate that the proposed approach strengthens coherence, measurability, and comparability in urban sustainability assessment, supporting evidence-based municipal decision-making, performance benchmarking, and more strategically aligned SDG localization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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22 pages, 6716 KB  
Article
Unveiling the Effectiveness of Traditional Ecological Knowledge: An Insight from Community Forest Management in Kurram Valley, Pakistan
by Kamal Hussain, Fazlur Rahman, Ihsan Ullah, Rafiq Hussain, Rahib Hussain and Udo Schickhoff
Land 2026, 15(4), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040603 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
Forests are vital resources providing various benefits to both the environment and humanity. However, their continuous loss in many parts of the developing world highlights the urgent need for a sustainable and context-specific management model. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)-based successful forest management models [...] Read more.
Forests are vital resources providing various benefits to both the environment and humanity. However, their continuous loss in many parts of the developing world highlights the urgent need for a sustainable and context-specific management model. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)-based successful forest management models have been reported in many regions of the world. Most of these practices are de facto and have been exercised for generations without any formal documentation. Their effectiveness needs to be documented to conserve this precious heritage and to highlight significance. This study is an attempt to investigate the effectiveness of TEK in communal forest management and conservation systems in Kurram Valley, Pakistan. A qualitative research design was adopted, combining field observations, semi-structured interviews with community key stakeholders, focus group discussions (FGDs), and the analysis of official and revenue records. The study results reveal the active role of TEK-based forest governance in maintaining balance between utilization and forest conservation. Communal ownership plays a vital role in empowering the community to make more independent decisions. The active indigenous institutions govern forest management and conservation practices with high efficacy. The prevailing conservation and utilization mechanisms have been constructively designed to maintain regrowth and prevent unsustainable exploitation. However, weakening of traditional institutions over time in certain localities has led to deterioration in forest sustainability, which reflects broader challenges in community-based conservation systems. Overall, TEK-based forest management plays a positive role in local forest conservation practices, and may provide useful insights for improving forest policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Systems and Global Change)
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18 pages, 2634 KB  
Article
Evidence-Grounded LLM Summarization for Actionable Student Feedback Analysis
by Zhanerke Baimukanova, Yerassyl Saparbekov, Hyesong Ha and Minho Lee
Information 2026, 17(4), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17040351 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
Analyzing large-scale student feedback is critical for higher education quality assurance, yet manual analysis is inefficient and subjective. This paper proposes an integrated framework that unifies supervised classification, unsupervised clustering, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to produce evidence-grounded and actionable insights. Ensemble-based supervised models [...] Read more.
Analyzing large-scale student feedback is critical for higher education quality assurance, yet manual analysis is inefficient and subjective. This paper proposes an integrated framework that unifies supervised classification, unsupervised clustering, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) to produce evidence-grounded and actionable insights. Ensemble-based supervised models perform thematic classification, while multi-encoder embedding fusion enables unsupervised discovery of coherent feedback clusters. A multi-stage RAG module integrates category predictions and cluster structure to retrieve representative evidence and generate transparent summaries with citation traceability. The framework is evaluated on student feedback collected from a Central Asian university and two public benchmarks, EduRABSA and Coursera course reviews, covering seven thematic categories. The supervised ensemble achieves 83.0% accuracy and 0.829 Macro-F1 on the primary dataset, while unsupervised clustering attains a silhouette score of 0.271 under the best fusion strategy. Independent evaluation on external benchmarks yields ensemble accuracy of 81.1% on EduRABSA and 49.8% on Coursera, confirming the framework’s adaptability across diverse educational contexts. By leveraging supervised labels and unsupervised structure, the proposed framework enables evidence-grounded, category-aware LLM-based summaries that faithfully reflect the diversity and distribution of student feedback and support actionable educational decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI Technology-Enhanced Learning and Teaching)
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20 pages, 1234 KB  
Article
Lightweight Real-Time Navigation for Autonomous Driving Using TinyML and Few-Shot Learning
by Wajahat Ali, Arshad Iqbal, Abdul Wadood, Herie Park and Byung O Kang
Sensors 2026, 26(7), 2271; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26072271 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
Autonomous vehicle navigation requires low-latency and energy-efficient machine learning models capable of operating in dynamic and resource-constrained environments. Conventional deep learning approaches are often unsuitable for real-time deployment on embedded edge devices due to their high computational and memory demands. In this work, [...] Read more.
Autonomous vehicle navigation requires low-latency and energy-efficient machine learning models capable of operating in dynamic and resource-constrained environments. Conventional deep learning approaches are often unsuitable for real-time deployment on embedded edge devices due to their high computational and memory demands. In this work, we propose a unified TinyML-optimized navigation framework that integrates a lightweight convolutional feature extractor (MobileNetV2) with a metric-based few-shot learning classifier to enable rapid adaptation to unseen driving scenarios with minimal data. The proposed framework jointly combines feature extraction, few-shot generalization, and edge-aware optimization into a single end-to-end pipeline designed specifically for real-time autonomous decision-making. Furthermore, post-training quantization and structured pruning are employed to significantly reduce the memory footprint and inference latency while preserving the classification performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieved a 93.4% accuracy on previously unseen road conditions, with an average inference latency of 68 ms and a memory usage of 18 MB, outperforming traditional CNN and LSTM models in efficiency while maintaining a competitive predictive performance. These results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach in enabling scalable, real-time navigation on low-power edge devices. Full article
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26 pages, 3673 KB  
Article
Integrating Multi-Source Stakeholder Data in a Participatory Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework for Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Greece)
by Aikaterini Eleftheriadou, Athanasios P. Vavatsikos, Christos S. Akratos and Maria Evridiki Gratziou
Waste 2026, 4(2), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste4020011 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
Sewage sludge management remains a critical challenge in Greece, where increasing regulatory pressure, environmental constraints, and limited stakeholder participation complicate regional decision-making. In particular, the revision of regional Waste Management Plans requires decision-support approaches that are both technically robust and socially legitimate. This [...] Read more.
Sewage sludge management remains a critical challenge in Greece, where increasing regulatory pressure, environmental constraints, and limited stakeholder participation complicate regional decision-making. In particular, the revision of regional Waste Management Plans requires decision-support approaches that are both technically robust and socially legitimate. This study develops and applies a participatory, data-driven multi-criteria decision analysis framework to evaluate sustainable sewage sludge management strategies in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The framework combines structured stakeholder participation with quantitative performance assessment, enabling transparent, reproducible, and systematic comparison of alternative sewage sludge management options. Four realistic sludge management alternatives—composting fr agriculture, forestry use, land restoration, and thermal drying with energy recovery were assessed against fifteen economic, environmental, and social sub-criteria. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to forty-four representatives from five stakeholder groups: utilities (water and sewerage service providers), local authorities, scientists/experts, end-users, and citizens. Group preferences were aggregated using equal group weighting to ensure balanced representation. The results show that environmental and economic criteria outweigh social aspects. The highest mean weights were assigned to compliance with environmental requirements for products derived from the disposal method (0.105) and compliance with stricter national environmental legislation (0.104), followed by energy intensity (0.097), installation cost (0.065), and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost (0.061). Overall rankings identified composting and thermal drying as the most preferred options, followed by land restoration and forestry use; sensitivity analysis (±10% variation in sub-criterion weights) confirmed ranking stability. The proposed framework enhances decision transparency by embedding measurable criteria and stakeholder inputs within a structured analytical process. From a policy perspective, it addresses participation gaps in Greek waste planning and offers a transferable decision-support tool for future regional planning. Further extensions may include integration with life cycle assessment and cost–benefit analysis to support adaptive updates under circular economy objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Converting and Recycling of Waste Materials)
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31 pages, 14120 KB  
Article
Model Updating of a Tower Type Masonry Structure Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods and Evaluation of Its Earthquake Performance on 6 February 2023
by Hakan Erkek
Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1452; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071452 - 7 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study aims to determine the current seismic resistance of two masonry minarets that were severely damaged during the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, while also evaluating whether a model-updating approach based on experimental dynamic characteristics can reliably capture the actual seismic behavior [...] Read more.
This study aims to determine the current seismic resistance of two masonry minarets that were severely damaged during the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, while also evaluating whether a model-updating approach based on experimental dynamic characteristics can reliably capture the actual seismic behavior and collapse mechanism of such structures under real earthquake conditions. The dynamic characteristics of the minarets were identified using Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) based on previous in-situ vibration measurements. These characteristics were used to calibrate finite element models through a model-updating process employing Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. The initial modal analyses revealed discrepancies of up to 13.7% in natural frequencies and 9.7% in mode shapes. After applying MCDM methods to a wide set of model variants, these differences were reduced to 2.0% and 9.2%, respectively, improving the agreement between numerical and experimental results. Once the most representative models were obtained, nonlinear seismic analyses were performed using actual ground motion records from the earthquake. The results included evaluations of peak displacements, base shear forces, and principal stresses. The concentration of principal stresses near the transition zone showed good qualitative agreement with the observed collapse locations, indicating a reasonable consistency between numerical results and observed damage patterns. These findings demonstrate the value of integrating OMA-based model updating with MCDM methods and support a data-driven framework for assessing the seismic performance of historical masonry structures. Full article
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