This paper develops a three-objective portfolio optimization framework for the energy sector that simultaneously maximizes expected return, minimizes volatility, and improves environmental performance, measured by the Environmental Pillar Score. Using NSGA-III and rolling 60-month windows from 2010 to 2024, we analyze the U.S. and European equity markets and extract four representative strategies: Max-Return, Min-Volatility, Max-Environmental, and Balanced. Our findings show that trade-offs between financial performance and environmental impact are systematic and regionally specific. U.S. portfolios generally achieve higher returns with greater risk and lower environmental scores, while European portfolios offer stronger sustainability outcomes and lower volatility. The Balanced strategy proves to be a robust compromise among environmental scores, reduced risk, and moderate returns, offering a viable path for investors seeking alignment between financial and sustainability objectives. These results emphasize the value of multi-objective optimization in designing portfolios that align with both financial and sustainability goals.
This work presents an approach to assessing the risk of interaction between a vehicle and a pedestrian, based on a combination of spatial, temporal, and dynamic information extracted from video images. Pedestrians are detected using a visual detection model, while the distance between them and the vehicle is estimated based on the geometry of a monocular camera. The speed of the vehicle is deduced from optical tracking based on the Lucas-Kanade algorithm. Using data from the World Health Organization on the severity of impacts, we propose a probabilistic formulation that allows us to jointly estimate the probability of collision and the potential severity of injuries. Unlike traditional indicators, which are limited to instantaneous measurements (speed, distance, or time to collision), our model takes into account the cumulative duration during which a pedestrian remains below a critical proximity threshold. This method of integrating temporal exposure provides a more accurate picture of the gradual evolution of danger. Experiments conducted on the JAAD dataset show that this approach allows for a more refined distinction between different levels of risk, particularly in urban situations at intermediate speeds where preventive actions remain possible. The results as a whole highlight the value of simultaneously integrating distance, speed, and exposure time for a more realistic and operational assessment of pedestrian-vehicle risk.
Globalization motivates organizations to adopt modern technologies in order to improve their efficiency. These technologies may impact not only exploration innovation (EXO) but also exploitative innovation (EXI) capabilities, while enhancing organizations’ international performance (IP). Previous studies have mainly focused on examining the impact of technology on sustainability and firm performance. However, these studies have not investigated how adopting these technologies can impact a firm’s innovation capabilities and IP. Bridging this gap, the present study investigates the impact of Industry 4.0 adoption (IA) on EXO, EXI and IP. It also explores the moderating impact of organizational globalization motive (OGM). The data were collected from 217 respondents through a structured questionnaire and analysed using PLS-SEM 3.0 software. The results revealed a positive and significant relationship between IA and EXO, EXI and IP. Additionally, a considerable moderating impact of OGMs has been identified on EXO and EXI. The results will help practitioners in comprehending the significance of IA for their organizations’ IP, especially from a globalization point of view. It also theoretically contributes by advancing the resource-based view and innovation ambidexterity theories in the domain of Industry 4.0.
The worldwide health emergency caused by SARS-CoV-2 has profoundly reshaped healthcare systems and social behaviors, leading many countries to implement digital contact tracing (DCT) technologies. This study assesses Peru's DCT strategy during COVID-19 by analyzing real-world data from 1.66 million users of the Perú en tus manos app, among whom 80,068 cases were confirmed. Although low adoption constrained individual-level tracing, the dataset allowed for an examination of macro-level mobility trends, showing how trip lengths and travel behaviors changed across different policy phases. It also facilitated the analysis of micro-level contact patterns using bipartite stream graphs, identifying that higher temporal connectivity and participation in smaller gatherings were associated with greater infection risk. The research further illustrates how socioeconomic disparities affected mobility and transmission dynamics, as lower-income populations displayed wider movement ranges and higher infection rates than more affluent groups. Beyond its original purpose of notifying individuals about potential exposures, the findings underscore the broader potential of DCT data to guide public health policies, improve resource distribution, and mitigate inequities in pandemic responses, even when user engagement is limited. To support ongoing research, we share a dataset that integrates reconstructed large-scale contact networks with infection statuses, seeking to advance the creation of more effective DCT solutions.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are giving students a whole new way to explore anatomy, making it easier to explore, interact, and understand complex spatial structures. While these tools have great potential, their impact on different levels of user engagement remains unclear. This study examines how VR (IVAL) and AR (AR Anatomy) influence learning experiences by measuring engagement at three stages: basic engagement refers to how interested and usable the tools were, engrossment refers to how emotionally invested and focused they became, and total immersion refers to being fully present and absorbed, with insights gathered from the Immersive User Experience Questionnaire. We conducted a comparative study with 60 medical students to see how their experience levels shaped their interactions with these technologies. The findings show that VR delivers a deeper sense of immersion but has a steeper learning curve, while AR is more accessible for beginners but doesn’t provide the same level of engagement. We found a strong connection between a user’s skill level and how well each technology works for them. More experienced users benefit from VR’s immersive depth, whereas AR offers an easier entry point for those new to interactive learning. This research sheds light on how these immersive tools can support different learning styles and skill levels. It provides practical insights for educators choosing the right technology to enhance anatomy education and improve student engagement.
