This paper presents the first complete approach to achieving environmental intelligence support in the management of vegetation within electrical power transmission corridors. Contrary to the related studies that focused on the mapping of power lines, together with encroaching vegetation risk assessment, we realised predictive analytics with vegetation growth simulation. This was achieved by following the JDL/DFIG data fusion model for complementary feature extraction from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) derived data products and auxiliary thematic maps that feed an ensemble regression model. The results indicate that improved vegetation growth prediction accuracy is obtained by segmenting training samples according to their contextual similarities that relate to their ecological niches. Furthermore, efficient situation assessment was then performed using a rasterised parametrically defined funnel-shaped volumetric filter. In this way, m was measured when considering tree growth simulation, while a m error was estimated in encroaching vegetation detection, demonstrating significant improvements over the field observations.
Illegal waste dumping poses a severe challenge to sustainable urban and regional development, undermining environmental integrity, public health, and the efficient use of resources. This study contributes to sustainability science by proposing a circular data feedback loop that enables dynamic, scalable, and cost-efficient monitoring and prevention of illegal dumping, aligned with the goals of sustainable waste governance. Historical data from the Slovenian illegal dumping register, UAV-based surveys and a newly developed application were used to update, monitor, and validate waste site locations. A comprehensive risk model, developed using machine learning methods, was created for the Municipality of Maribor (Slovenia). The modelling approach combined unsupervised and semi-supervised learning techniques, suitable for a positive-unlabeled (PU) dataset structure, where only confirmed illegal waste dumping sites were labeled. The approach demonstrates the feasibility of a circular data feedback loop integrating updated field data and predictive analytics to support waste management authorities and illegal waste dumping prevention. The fundamental characteristic of the stated approach is that each iteration of the loop improves the prediction of risk areas, providing a high-quality database for conducting targeted UAV overflights and consequently detecting locations of illegally dumped waste (LNOP) risk areas. At the same time, information on risk areas serves as the primary basis for each field detection of new LNOPs. The proposed model outperforms earlier approaches by addressing smaller and less conspicuous dumping events and by enabling systematic, technology-supported detection and prevention planning.
Acts of fraud have become much more prevalent in the financial industry with the rise of technology and the continued economic growth in modern society. Fraudsters are evolving their approaches continuously to exploit the vulnerabilities of the current prevention measures in place, many of whom are targeting the financial sector. To overcome and investigate financial frauds, this paper presents STALITA, which is an innovative platform for the analysis of bank transactions. STALITA enables graph-based data analysis using a powerful Neo4j graph database and the Cypher query language. Additionally, a diversity of other supporting tools, such as support for heterogeneous data sources, force-based graph visualisation, pivot tables, and time charts, enable in-depth investigation of the available data. In the Results section, we present the usability of the platform through real-world case scenarios.