1. A personalized approach to understanding food cravings and intake : a study protocolSaša Zorjan, Sašo Karakatič, Marina Horvat, Satja Mulej Bratec, Živa Krajnc, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Studies on food craving and consumption often overlook the interconnectedness of risk factors, assuming uniform mechanisms that drive individuals to (over)consume food. This project seeks to address this gap by leveraging a precision health framework to explore whether multimodal clustering can predict weight and eating outcomes after six months, providing a more nuanced understanding of individual variability. Methods: The project will include a longitudinal study, encompassing several sub-studies where self-report, electrophysiological, and time series dynamic data will be collected at three time points. At baseline, participants will complete comprehensive assessments, including an electroencephalography (EEG) experiment and a one-week experience sampling study (ESM). Machine learning techniques will be employed to uncover distinct participant clusters, characterized by unique patterns of food consumption and weight changes over six months. Markers that best differentiate these profiles will be identified with explainable AI techniques, which aim to make machine learning model outputs understandable by highlighting the key features or patterns driving predictions, enabling personalized insights into key factors contributing to eating behaviors and weight management. Discussion: By exploring the variability of mechanisms influencing food consumption, eating regulation, and weight gain, we aim to uncover subgroups of individuals who are most affected by specific influences, such as stress, emotion regulation difficulties, or sleep deprivation. This project will advance theoretical understanding by integrating multimodal data and emphasizing idiographic methods to capture individual variability. Findings will provide a foundation for future research on precision approaches to eating behaviors and may offer insights into personalized strategies for prevention and management of both normative and disordered eating patterns.
Keywords: food cue reactivity, EEG, experienxe sampling methodology, personalized medicine, achine learning, explainable artificial inteligence
Published in DKUM: 19.12.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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2. Advancing intelligent toolpath generation: A systematic review of CAD–CAM integration in Industry 4.0 and 5.0Marko Simonič, Iztok Palčič, Simon Klančnik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This systematic literature review investigates advancements in intelligent computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD–CAM) integration and toolpath generation, analyzing their evolution across Industry 4.0 and emerging Industry 5.0 (I5.0) paradigms. Using the theory–contextcharacteristics–methodology framework, the study synthesizes 51 peer-reviewed studies (from 2000 to 2025) to map theoretical foundations, industrial applications, technical innovations, and methodological trends. Findings reveal that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning dominate research, driving breakthroughs in feature recognition, adaptive toolpath optimization, and predictive maintenance. However, human-centric frameworks central to I5.0, such as socio-technical collaboration, remain underexplored. High-precision sectors (aerospace, biomedical) lead adoption, while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lag due to resource constraints. Technologically, AI-driven automation and STEP-NC standards show promise, yet interoperability gaps persist due to fragmented data models and legacy systems. Methodologically, AI-based modeling prevails (49 % of studies), but experimental validation and socio-technical frameworks are sparse. Key gaps include limited real-time adaptability, insufficient AI training datasets, and slow adoption of sustainable practices. The review highlights the urgent need for standardized data exchange protocols, scalable solutions for SMEs, and human-AI collaboration models to align CAD–CAM integration with I5.0’s
Keywords: CAD–CAM integration, Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, toolpath optimization, AI, theory–context–characteristics–methodology (TCCM)
Published in DKUM: 09.12.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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3. Can corporate social responsibility contribute to bankruptcy prediction? : evidence from CroatiaAdriana Galant, Robert Zenzerović, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background/Purpose: Companies are becoming aware of the fact that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming the imperative of their sustainable business model despite the potential costs it could generate. Researchers are mostly focused on estimating the relationship between CSR and financial performance where most of the findings indicate their positive relationship. This paper expands existing research and focuses on the relationship between CSR and the risk of bankruptcy using the data from 102 midsize and large companies from non-financial sectors using the data for four years. Research expands existing studies on the EU level according to the fact that most of the existing studies are performed among US companies. Method: Descriptive statistics and SEM-PLS methodology was used to compare and analyze financial data with data collected from 7 groups of stakeholders. Results: Research results indicate that the relation between CSR and the risk of bankruptcy is negative. Conclusion: Becoming a socially responsible company is in the best interest of all stakeholders because CSR activities contribute to financial stability and maintenance of going concern assumption.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, bankruptcy prediction, Altman Z’ score, SEM-PLS methodology
Published in DKUM: 26.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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4. Methodological particularities in research on contemporary childhood in Croatia : a pedagogical – psychological perspectiveSnježana Dubovicki, Tena Velki, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The study aimed to determine the methodological particularities present in research on contemporary childhood. The study methodology involves an analysis of Croatian journals in which the subject of contemporary childhood has been published in the last two years. The inclusion criteria for article analysis were as follows: Social Science discipline, field of Pedagogy and Psychology, participants’ age (from 6 to 14 years) and the visibility of the journal citation. The analysis of the contemporary approach included methodological particularities. The results show that these studies of contemporary childhood do not apply “contemporary” approaches to the examination of childhood.
Keywords: contemporary childhood, pedagogy, psychology, qualitative methodology, quantitative methodology
Published in DKUM: 24.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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5. Spiritual[i]ty of children in families and those in residential careGoran Kardum, Ante Grčić, Marina Sablić, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in the spirituality of
children in residential care and children in families. Applying the method of pairs,
children with behavioural problems who are users of residential care and children
from families who are equal in terms of sociodemographic variables were selected
for the sample. After applying a mixed methodology (Spiritual Sensitivity Scale
and Santa Clara questionnaires, and Interpretive phenomenological analysis and
thematic analysis of interviews), we obtained results indicating differences in the
understanding of spirituality between these two groups. Children from residential
care achieved higher results on spirituality questionnaires, and qualitative
methodology determined a greater degree of compassion towards close people as
well as a deeper relationship with the transcendent.
Keywords: spirituality, method of pairs, residential care, children, mixed methodology
Published in DKUM: 18.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 7
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6. Achieving maximum smart readiness indicator scores: a financial analysis with an in-depth feasibility study in non-ideal market conditionsMitja Beras, Krzysztof Stępień, Miha Kovačič, Uroš Župerl, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: For European competitiveness, energy efficiency must be increased. An important part of energy efficiency depends on an efficient building stock—the sector with the greatest potential for energy savings, as more than a third of all primary energy is consumed in buildings. A new instrument, the smart readiness indicator (SRI), is being prepared to accelerate the implementation of smart solutions in buildings and establish a market that would require and accelerate the implementation of such solutions. In this paper, we examine how the SRI score of a shopping center (with an already relatively advanced automation system) changes if we perform an energy optimization worth approximately 6.6 million EUR. As all the upgrades suggested by the SRI methodology cannot be implemented, this paper is the first of its kind to define the maximum feasible SRI score. The necessary measures are elaborated comprehensively, analyzed, and evaluated both technically and financially (IRR, ROI, and payback time). This type of approach is suitable for less developed EU markets without smart grids, DSM, and predictive functions.
Keywords: smart systems readiness indicator (SRI), methodology, smart systems, real estate energy renovations, energy efficiency, financial analysis, smartness
Published in DKUM: 02.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 14
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7. Through the looking glass : methodological features of research of alternative schoolsSnježana Dubovicki, Tomislav Topolovčan, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: On the basis of the analysis of the general characteristics of alternative schools and the methodology of pedagogical research, the comparison and synthesis of the obtained facts were formed. It is pointed out that in the field of pedagogy, the adoption of (positivist) methodology has become a global trend. It emphasizes the uncritical application of research tools from the corpus of quantitative methodology in research of specific educational problems, as well as in research of alternative schools in which the context of the research is significantly different than the one of the conventional public schools.
Keywords: alternative schools, education, research methodology, social and humanistic sciences, teaching
Published in DKUM: 19.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 34
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8. Probability and certainty in the performance of evolutionary and swarm optimization algorithmsNikola Ivković, Robert Kudelić, Matej Črepinšek, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Reporting the empirical results of swarm and evolutionary computation algorithms
is a challenging task with many possible difficulties. These difficulties stem from the stochastic
nature of such algorithms, as well as their inability to guarantee an optimal solution in polynomial
time. This research deals with measuring the performance of stochastic optimization algorithms, as
well as the confidence intervals of the empirically obtained statistics. Traditionally, the arithmetic
mean is used for measuring average performance, but we propose quantiles for measuring average,
peak and bad-case performance, and give their interpretations in a relevant context for measuring
the performance of the metaheuristics. In order to investigate the differences between arithmetic
mean and quantiles, and to confirm possible benefits, we conducted experiments with 7 stochastic
algorithms and 20 unconstrained continuous variable optimization problems. The experiments
showed that median was a better measure of average performance than arithmetic mean, based on
the observed solution quality. Out of 20 problem instances, a discrepancy between the arithmetic
mean and median happened in 6 instances, out of which 5 were resolved in favor of median and
1 instance remained unresolved as a near tie. The arithmetic mean was completely inadequate
for measuring average performance based on the observed number of function evaluations, while
the 0.5 quantile (median) was suitable for that task. The quantiles also showed to be adequate for
assessing peak performance and bad-case performance. In this paper, we also proposed a bootstrap
method to calculate the confidence intervals of the probability of the empirically obtained quantiles.
Considering the many advantages of using quantiles, including the ability to calculate probabilities
of success in the case of multiple executions of the algorithm and the practically useful method of
calculating confidence intervals, we recommend quantiles as the standard measure of peak, average
and bad-case performance of stochastic optimization algorithms.
Keywords: algorithmic performance, experimental evaluation, metaheuristics, quantile, confidence interval, stochastic algorithms, evolutionary computation, swarm intelligence, experimental methodology
Published in DKUM: 28.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 14
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9. Statistical modeling and optimization of the drawing process of bioderived polylactide/poly(dodecylene furanoate) wet-spun fibersDaniele Rigotti, Giulia Fredi, Davide Perin, Dimitrios Bikiaris, Alessandro Pegoretti, Andrea Dorigato, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Drawing is a well-established method to improve the mechanical properties of wet-spun
fibers, as it orients the polymer chains, increases the chain density, and homogenizes the microstructure. This work aims to investigate how drawing variables, such as the draw ratio, drawing speed,
and temperature affect the elastic modulus (E) and the strain at break (εB) of biobased wet-spun fibers
constituted by neat polylactic acid (PLA) and a PLA/poly(dodecamethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)
(PDoF) (80/20 wt/wt) blend. Drawing experiments were conducted with a design of experiment
(DOE) approach following a 24
full factorial design. The results of the quasi-static tensile tests on
the drawn fibers, analyzed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and modeled through the response
surface methodology (RSM), highlight that the presence of PDoF significantly lowers E, which instead
is maximized if the temperature and draw ratio are both low. On the other hand, εB is enhanced
when the drawing is performed at a high temperature. Finally, a genetic algorithm was implemented
to find the optimal combination of drawing parameters that maximize both E and εB. The resulting
Pareto curve highlights that the temperature influences the mechanical results only for neat PLA
fibers, as the stiffness increases by drawing at lower temperatures, while optimal Pareto points for
PLA/PDoF fibers are mainly determined by the draw ratio and the draw rate.
Keywords: fibers, poly(lactic acid), furanoate polyesters, drawing, response surface methodology, genetic algorithms
Published in DKUM: 24.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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10. Framing the tourist spatial identity of a city as a tourist productMelita Rozman Cafuta, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a methodology for shaping the tourist spatial identity of the city and to take advantage of it to discover alternative urban outdoor spaces. As the number of indoor visitors has been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, open urban areas such as streets, squares and parks have become more important tourist locations. Design/methodology/approach – The assessment methodology consists of two basic steps. In the first step, the authors look for places or points that are carriers of spatial identity. For this purpose, the method of mental mapping is used. In the second step, statistical methods are used to evaluate the spatial suitability for the most common tourist activities. To obtain a holistic picture, a temporal component is included. Findings – The application of the methodology is presented in the form of a case study. The obtained research results provide an insight into the spatial situation of the city of Maribor (Slovenia, Europe). Tourist spatial identity of a city depends on time. Based on the value of spatial sensitivity indicator and the suitability of activities, it is possible to adapt the tourist offer to the temporal component. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is an original perspective on the spatial identity of tourists. The presented approach could be integrated as a good practice in any other city worldwide. It supports the identification of suitable outdoor tourist places that are memorable, cosy, multifunctional and can be recommended by city guides (mobile or printed books). Every city has many hidden gems that tourists have yet to discover
Keywords: urban tourism, evaluation methodology, image of the city, mental mapping, spatial identity
Published in DKUM: 12.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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