The SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a framework used to evaluate a company’s competitive position and to develop strategic planning. In the competitive dental sector, it can aid dentists in identifying and analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. This study focuses on senior dental students of the Department of Dentistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, aiming to scrutinize their use of SWOT analysis and assess its application as a tool for evaluating entrepreneurial goals and making career decisions in dental entrepreneurship. The research sample comprises 116 senior dental students (N1) in the final undergraduate year of their dental education, with data collection accomplished through the administration of an e-questionnaire during the obligatory course of “Organization and management of dental practices” in December 2023. The data extracted from the SWOT analysis encompass internal and external factors, gender distinctions, and outcomes derived from Stepwise Binary Logistic Regression concerning predictor markers. The results from the SWOT analysis of 114 valid questionnaires (N2), revealed that participants identified communication skills (50%) and organization skills (49.10%) as their primary strengths, followed by favorable personal traits contributing to goal success (36%). Weaknesses predominantly centered around emotional and personal traits like anxiety (41.20%) and other characteristics, alongside practical challenges such as lack of initial capital (24.60%). Main opportunities included collaboration with experienced dentists (33.30%) and access to training programs (27.20%), while economic instability in Greece (77.20%) and the saturated dentist profession (26.30%) were perceived as significant threats. Gender differences were notable, with female dentists more likely to report organization skills as a strength and anxiety as a weakness. Values such as industriousness, persistence, and ethics were commonly shared, with actions focusing on training programs (57.9%) and gaining experience with experienced dentists (29.8%). Cluster analysis identified two subgroups, with one emphasizing utilizing all available options (n = 49) and the other prioritizing on gaining professional skills and experience (n = 65). Logistic regression indicated that participants valuing industriousness were less likely to explore all available options, while those recognizing personal traits were more likely to do so. The study’s outcomes highlight key predictor factors linked to a proactive orientation in career decision-making among senior dental students. These insights offer valuable implications for educational institutions and career counselors. Full article

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) offers a therapeutic approach to urological patients suffering from idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, with or without incontinence and non-obstructive urinary retention (NOR), who are not responding to or are not compliant with conservative or medical therapies. The exact mechanism of action of SNM is not fully understood but modulation of the spinal cord reflexes and brain networks by peripheral afferents is regarded as the main pathway. Over the years, surgical techniques improved, leading to the development of the modern two-stage implantation technique. The quadripolar lead is positioned percutaneously under fluoroscopy guidance through the third sacral foramen following the trajectory of S3. The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia with the patient in prone position. Current applications of sacral neuromodulation in urology are increasing thanks to the recent improvements of the devices that make this a valuable option not only in conditions such as overactive bladder and non-obstructing urinary retention but also neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Full article

This paper considers the digital transformation of museums and, particularly, the challenges museum professionals face today in the implementation of digital practices. The exploration of the challenges that museum professionals need to address, and the values associated with the “digital” are critical in the context of current and rapid sociocultural and technological changes. This paper reviews a diverse typology of resources—including project reports and deliverables, qualitative and quantitative surveys, academic articles, edited volumes, and chapters—relevant to the implementation of digital practices in the “backstage of museums.” This essay will show that, although digital technologies have acquired a normative presence, organisational and technical challenges in the “backstage” of museums pose systemic problems in their digital transformation. These are systemic problems related to skills and knowledge, and human and financial resource deficits, which result in museum professionals exerting constant effort to keep up with the rapid changes in digital technologies with limited resources at hand and the risks of technological obsolescence and abandonment always present. Situated within the emerging literature advocating for a holistic, ethical, and sustainable digital transformation of museums, this paper draws attention to the implications of the digitalisation of museums in the transition to a responsible and sustainable digital future in a European context. It argues that a relational understanding of sustainability and ethics can be a pivotal first step towards the formation of a digitally purposeful museum in the post-digital era. Full article

Mycenaean vitreous artifacts, such as beads and relief plaques, are highly susceptible to degradation, which can significantly alter their visual characteristics and pose challenges to their taxonomy. The visual manifestation of corrosion on vitreous artifacts, especially glass and faience, has often led to their misclassification, which, in turn, has a significant impact on their interpretation by researchers, often resulting in misleading notions. The present paper constitutes part of an overall study, implemented within the framework of the project, Myc-MVP: Mycenaean Vitreous Production, A Novel Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Resolving Critical Taxonomy Issues, which has employed a combination of established, state-of-the-art scientific methods to analyze and identify the specific compositional changes occurring at different spatial dimensions within surface layers, with the overarching aim of contributing to our understanding of the degradation mechanisms of vitreous artifacts and the relevant implications for the archaeological record. Importantly, these findings will yield useful data in devising strategies for the proper classification, management, and preservation of vitreous artifacts in the future. The present study focuses on investigating the relationship between the compositional changes in a subset of 12 (of the overall 126 objects entailed in the project) corroded vitreous artifacts from Mycenaean contexts in the Aegean and the way these are manifested visually, with the application of X-ray fluorescence and LED microscopy. We aim to decipher the nature of corroded objects with the aid of focused analysis. This study delves into degradation processes in glass artifacts, highlighting preservation variations and environmental influences like burial. Coloration, attributed to copper and cobalt oxide, shows some correlation with preservation quality. These chromophore agents potentially induce thermal stresses and corrosion. The complex interplay between chemical composition, environmental conditions, and preservation status underscores the need for comprehensive research. Analyzing the full artifact set using complementary techniques promises deeper insights for secure material classification and cultural heritage preservation. Full article

Identification of the mechanism of changes taking place in energetic materials (EMs) is one of the most important issues in the rational design and use of EMs. Due to the extremely rapid nature of these changes, reliable monitoring and real-time analysis are extremely difficult. Hence, analysis of the mechanism of such processes often has to rely on adaptation of classical methods or on comparison of the initial and final states of the EM. In this critical review, we focus on current approaches to the methodology of investigating the mechanisms of processes taking place in EMs, showcasing viable experimental strategies, points of uncertainty, and adaptations of classical instrumental methods. Full article

In this study, we present the Method of Spectral Redundancy Reduction (MSRR) for analyzing OES (optical emission spectroscopy) data of dry etching processes based on the principles of spectral clustering. To achieve this, the OES data are transformed into abstract graph matrices whose associated eigenvectors directly indicate anomalies in the data set. We developed an approach that allows for the reduction in temporally resolved optical emission spectra from plasma structuring processes in such a way that individual emission lines can be algorithmically detected, which exhibit a temporal behavior different from the collective behavior of the temporally resolved overall spectrum. The proportion of emission lines that behave consistently throughout the entire process duration is not considered. Our work may find applications in which OES is used as a process-monitoring technique, especially for low-pressure plasma processing. The major benefit of the developed method is that the scale of the original data is kept, making physical interpretations possible despite data reductions. Full article

This study addresses the effects of densification at varied pelletization temperatures on the novel Malaysian Khaya senegalensis wood-derived pellets biomass fuel characteristics. The lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the biomass fuel characteristics of this species prompted the research. By addressing this knowledge gap, this study explores the impact of temperature variations on key fuel properties, contributing to the optimization of sustainable biomass fuel production in manufacturing and materials processing. Khaya senegalensis wood, grown and harvested in Malaysia, was pelletized at different temperatures to analyze the calorific value, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon, bulk density, and moisture contents of the pellets. The experimental data revealed a significant relationship between temperature and these fuel properties. Pelletizing at 75 °C produced the highest calorific value of 19.47 MJ/kg and the maximum fixed carbon content of 10.04%. A low ash level of 4.26% was achieved via pelletizing at 75 °C. According to the results, 75 °C produced the best thermophysical properties. These findings provide valuable understanding of how pelletization temperature influences fuel pellet thermophysical properties, a critical aspect in optimizing fuel pellet production, storage, advancing renewable energy resource utilization, and, finally, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. Full article

Biocomposite materials are widely implemented in various applications in clinical dentistry and orthopedics since it is possible to combine multiple materials by relying on their compatibility. Ceramic-based materials have osteogenic and osteoconductive features owing to their inorganic constituents with dental and bone tissue. β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and bioactive glass have excellent biocompatibility, bioresorbability, and bioactivity. In this study, β-TCP and BG powders were fabricated by spray pyrolysis (SP) and spray drying (SD). These fabrication methods are suitable for the mass production and synthesis of spherical particles. At first, β-TCP and BG spherical particles were synthesized by SP and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). After that, these powders were granulated with the different weight ratios of β-TCP/BG = 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 by SD. The resulting granulation powders were characterized using XRD, FT-IR, and SEM to investigate phase compositions and microstructures. In addition, cytotoxicity was investigated using the MTT assay. Full article

Effectively extracting a lithium-ion battery’s impedance is of great importance for various onboard applications, which requires consideration of both the time consumption and accuracy of the measurement process. Although the pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) excitation signal can inject the superposition frequencies with high time efficiency and an easily implementable device, processing the data of the battery’s impedance measurement is still a challenge at present. This study proposes a fast impedance spectrum construction method for lithium-ion batteries, where a multi-density clustering algorithm was designed to effectively extract the useful impedance after PRBS injection. According to the distribution properties of the measurement points by PRBS, a density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) was used for processing the data of the lithium-ion battery’s impedance. The two key parameters of the DBSCAN were adjusted by a delicate workflow according to the frequency range. The validation of the proposed method was proved on a 3 Ah lithium-ion battery under nine different test conditions, considering both the SOC and temperature variations. Full article

The Portuguese Neonatal Screening Program (PNSP) conducts nationwide screening for rare diseases, covering nearly 100% of neonates and screening for 28 disorders, including 24 inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). The study’s purpose is to assess the epidemiology of the screened metabolic diseases and to evaluate the impact of second-tier testing (2TT) within the PNSP. From 2004 to 2022, 1,764,830 neonates underwent screening using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to analyze amino acids and acylcarnitines in dried blood spot samples. 2TT was applied when necessary. Neonates with profiles indicating an IEM were reported to a reference treatment center, and subsequent biochemical and molecular studies were conducted for diagnostic confirmation. Among the screened neonates, 677 patients of IEM were identified, yielding an estimated birth prevalence of 1:2607 neonates. The introduction of 2TT significantly reduced false positives for various disorders, and 59 maternal cases were also detected. This study underscores the transformative role of MS/MS in neonatal screening, emphasizing the positive impact of 2TT in enhancing sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value. Our data highlight the efficiency and robustness of neonatal screening for IEM in Portugal, contributing to early and life-changing diagnoses. Full article

To detect the moisture of dried Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) berries nondestructively, a near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imager was used for experiments. NIR hyperspectral data were obtained and processed by standard normal variate (SNV) calculation using the MATLAB software v.R2016a. On the basis of the actual moisture of dried Goji berries, the predicted moisture was obtained based on the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm and a prediction model for the moisture of dried goji berries was established. It was found that the moisture of dried Goji berries was responsive to the NIR hyperspectral imager. The established prediction model could accurately predict the moisture of dried goji berries, and its R²-value was 0.9981. The results provide a theoretical basis for the design of non-destructive moisture-detecting equipment for dried Goji berries. Full article

Spatially enabled yield forecasting is a key component of farm Management Information Systems (MISs) for broadacre grain production, enabling management decisions such as variable rate fertilization. However, such a capability has been lacking for soft (fleshy)-tree-fruit harvest load, with relevant tools for automated assessment having been developed only recently. Such tools include improved estimates of the heat units required for fruit maturation and in-field machine vision for flower and fruit count and fruit sizing. Feedback on the need for and issues in forecasting were documented. A mango ‘harvest forecast engine’ was designed for the forecasting of harvest timing and fruit load, toaid harvest management. Inputs include 15 min interval temperature data per orchard block, weekly manual or machine-vision-derived estimates of flowering, and preharvest manual or machine-vision-derived estimates of fruit load on an orchard block level across the farm. Outputs include predicted optimal harvest time and fruit load, on a per block and per week basis, to inform harvest scheduling. Use cases are provided, including forecast of the order of harvest of blocks within the orchard, management of harvest windows to match harvesting resources such as staff availability, and within block spatial allocation of resources, such as adequate placement of harvest field bin and frost fans. Design requirements for an effective harvest MIS software artefact incorporating the forecast engine are documented, including an integrated database supporting spatial query, data analysis, processing and mapping, an integrated geospatial database for managing of large spatial–temporal datasets, and use of dynamic web map services to enable rapid visualization of large datasets. Full article

Price markups and firms’ Tobin’s Q ratios are widely believed to have been increasing in the past several decades. Various models for the calculation of price markups have been developed, each relying on the historically held definition of the ratio of price to marginal cost; however, all of these have methodological drawbacks, and some of the results they have produced have been poorly reflective of the near past wider macroeconomic experience. This paper defines a new approach for the definition and measurement of markup pricing, and it also avoids some of the issues surrounding the marginal cost approaches by using the measure of economic rent and the capital asset pricing model. The results show limited markup pricing for the UK’s FTSE 100 companies (2018–2023), but that certain real estate, technology/media and financial services/equity investment firms have enjoyed higher price markup levels. An analysis of the business models of these firms is used to qualitatively propose explanations for such markups. This work offers formal proof that that the expected price markup is equal to Tobin’s Q and finds that the empiric market level of markup is near equivalent to the market Tobin’s Q; the differences between the markup and Tobin’s Q at the level of the firm are equally assessed. This work challenges the general consensus that price markups are above one and have been increasing; it may also aid policy makers with respect to taxation policy and regulatory measures, as well as the financial management of firms in decisions concerning capital deployment and portfolio management. The method merits expansion to wider data sets, as well as to those from outside of the UK. Full article

The primary objective of this study is to examine the extent of financial integration between Latin American and US financial markets, particularly in light of recent efforts to foster integration through trade agreements. Spanning from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2019, the sample focuses on major market indices and key sectors. Financial integration is quantified using a DCC multivariate GARCH model, incorporating a smooth transition model, structural breaks, and regression-based approaches. Results indicate increased comovement with the US for main market indices in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, while Brazil shows a decrease. Similar trends are observed in sectoral analyses. This study also reveals heightened correlation post-trade agreements. Structural break analysis highlights significant shifts in dynamic correlations for countries with US free trade agreements. These findings support the argument of increased financial integration, bearing significance for portfolio diversification and international policy formulation. Full article

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the main pathogen causing post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), which mainly targets the body’s immune system and poses a serious threat to the global pig industry. 5-Azacytidine is a potent inhibitor of DNA methylation, which can participate in many important physiological and pathological processes, including virus-related processes, by inhibiting gene expression. However, the impact of 5-Aza on PCV2 replication in cells is not yet clear. We explored the impact of 5-Aza on PCV2 infection utilizing PK15 cells as a cellular model. Our objective was to gain insights that could potentially offer novel therapeutic strategies for PCV2. Our results showed that 5-Aza significantly enhanced the infectivity of PCV2 in PK15 cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PCV2 infection activated various immune-related signaling pathways. 5-Aza may activate the MAPK signaling pathway to exacerbate PCV2 infection and upregulate the expression of inflammatory and apoptotic factors. Full article

This paper describes the analysis of electrodermal activity (EDA) in the context of students’ scholastic activity. Taking a multidisciplinary, citizen science and maker-centric approach, low-cost, bespoken wearables, such as a mini weather station and biometric wristband, were built. To investigate both physical health as well as stress, the instruments were first validated against research grade devices. Following this, a research experiment was created and conducted in the context of students’ scholastic activity. Data from this experiment were used to train machine learning models, which were then applied to interpret the relationships between the environment, health, and stress. It is hoped that analyses of EDA data will further strengthen the emerging model describing the intersections between local microclimate and physiological and neurological stress. The results suggest that temperature and air quality play an important role in students’ physiological well-being, thus demonstrating the feasibility of understanding the extent of the effects of various microclimatic factors. This highlights the importance of thermal comfort and air ventilation in real-life applications to improve students’ well-being. We envision our work making a significant impact by showcasing the effectiveness and feasibility of inexpensive, self-designed wearable devices for tracking microclimate and electrodermal activity (EDA). The affordability of these wearables holds promising implications for scalability and encourages crowd-sourced citizen science in the relatively unexplored domain of microclimate’s influence on well-being. Embracing citizen science can then democratize learning and expedite rapid research advancements. Full article

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are high-value biodegradable polyesters with thermoplastic properties used in the manufacturing of different products such as packaging films. PHAs have gained much attention from researchers and industry because of their biobased nature and appropriate features, similar to conventional synthetic plastics. This review aims to discuss some of the recent solutions to challenges associated with PHA production. The implementation of a cost-effective process is presented by following different strategies, such as the use of inexpensive carbon sources, the selection of high-producing microorganisms, and the functionalization of the final materials to make them suitable for food packaging applications, among others. Research efforts are needed to improve the economic viability of PHA production at a large scale. Haloferax mediterranei is a promising producer of PHAs due to its ability to grow in non-sterile conditions and the possibility of using seawater to prepare the growth medium. Additionally, downstream processing for PHA extraction can be simplified by treating the H. mediterranei cells with pure water. Further research should focus on the optimization of the recycling conditions for the effluents and on the economic viability of the side streams reutilization and desalinization as an integrated part of PHA biotechnological production. Full article

The effect of exposure of soft wheat buns to Ultraviolet-C radiation (UV-C, 253.7 nm) was studied as an alternative to conventional treatments to control fungal spoilage and prolong shelf life. To identify the most suitable operating conditions, the study included preliminary tests on the permeability of films to UV-C irradiation, and on treatment antifungal efficacy on target microorganisms (Penicillium digitatum and Saccharomycopsis fibuligera) in Petri dishes. A 125 µm T9250B film (Cryovac^® Sealed Air S.r.l), commercially available for long-life bread treated with ethanol and conditioned in a modified atmosphere, was selected to pack buns before the UV-C treatment. The study was carried out along with the observation of the fungal growth of buns artificially inoculated with suspensions of P. digitatum and S. fibuligera, treated under UV-C at a distance of 25 cm between bread and the 15 W UV-C source, in comparison to untreated buns used as control. Estimation of fungal growth as well as sensory evaluation was made 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days after the treatment. UV-C treated buns showed a noticeable reduction of fungal spoilage and kept a tender texture for up to two weeks after packaging. UV-C treatment represents a good opportunity for the bakery industry, reducing costs and ensuring a prolonged shelf life of a commercial product, respecting the health and hedonistic expectations of the customers. Full article

Lactarius hatsudake (LH), a great wild endemic fungus, contains rich nutritional components with medicinal properties. The effects of LH on body weight, liver weight, liver injury, blood lipids, and gut microbiota in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks was examined in this research. Though there was no clear impact on weight loss, the findings indicate that LH treatment effectively decreased liver damage caused by HFD, as well as lowered serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additionally, it positively influenced gut microbiota to resemble that of mice on a normal diet. In HFD-fed mice, LH markedly boosted the levels of Parabacteroides, unclassified Muribaculaceae, Oscillibacter, and unclassified Oscillospiraceae, while reducing the abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Erysipelatoclostridium, as well as the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. Further analysis of correlation indicate a possible connection between obesity and gut microbiota. Obesity-related indices show a positive association with unclassified Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Blautia, and Erysipelatoclostridium, while displaying a negative correlation with unclassified Muribaculaceae, unclassified Clostridia vadinBB60 group, Helicobacter, Oscillibacter, unclassified Ruminococcaceae, Parabacteroides, and unclassified Oscillospiraceae. The results suggest that LH can help combat obesity and may have the potential to be utilized as a functional food. Full article

Cumin essential oil chitosan nanocapsules (CENPs) were prepared through the ionic gelation method by blending chitosan (CS) with cumin essential oil (CEO) in different proportions (1:0.8, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4). Subsequently, these nanocapsules were characterized and evaluated for their antibacterial properties to determine the optimal cumin essential oil encapsulation and antibacterial efficacy. The outcomes demonstrated that the highest encapsulation efficiency of CENPs was 52%, achieved with a 1:3 CS/CEO ratio. At this point, the nanoparticles had the smallest particle size (584.67 nm) and a regular spherical distribution in the emulsion. Moreover, the CENPs could release the encapsulated CEOs slowly, leading to efficient inhibition of E. coli and L. monocytogenes over a relatively extended period (24–36 h) compared to the CS and CEO. This research offers a promising approach for the use of nanocapsules in food preservation. Full article

Northern European nations are at the forefront of renewable energy adoption but face challenges in optimizing energy conversion efficiency. There is a lack of detailed understanding of how behavioral factors affect the efficiency of renewable energy conversion in these countries. This study aims to evaluate and compare the renewable energy conversion efficiency of Northern European countries, intending to inform strategic policy making and identify best practices for technology deployment in the renewable energy sector. Employing a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, the study integrates behavioral economic parameters—specifically, the aversion loss and gain significance coefficients—to assess the efficiency of renewable energy conversion, accounting for psychological factors in decision making. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis was conducted, varying the gain significance coefficient while maintaining the aversion loss coefficient at constant levels. This experiment was designed to observe the impact of behavioral parameters on the efficiency ranking of each country. The analysis revealed that Latvia consistently ranked highest in efficiency, irrespective of the gain significance valuation, whereas Iceland consistently ranked lowest. Other countries demonstrated varying efficiency rankings with changes in gain significance, indicating different behavioral economic influences on their renewable energy sectors. Theoretically, the study enhances the DEA framework by integrating behavioral economics, offering a more holistic view of efficiency in renewable energy. Practically, it provides a benchmarking perspective that can guide policy and investment in renewable energy, with sensitivity analysis underscoring the importance of considering behavioral factors. The research offers a practical tool for policymakers and energy stakeholders to align renewable energy strategies with behavioral incentives, aiming to improve the adoption and effectiveness of these initiatives. Full article

The increasing demand for efficient wastewater treatment technologies, driven by global population growth and industrialisation, highlights the necessity for advanced, reliable solutions. This study investigated the efficacy of a slurry photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) for the advanced removal of organic pollutants, quantified via chemical oxygen demand (COD), under natural and simulated solar light irradiation. Employing two variants of iron-doped titania as photocatalysts and a polysulfone-based polymeric membrane for the separation process, the investigation showcased COD removal efficiencies ranging from 66–85% under simulated solar light to 52–81% under natural sunlight over a 7 h irradiation period. The overall PMR system demonstrated COD removal efficiencies of 84–95%. The results confirmed the enhanced photocatalytic activity afforded by iron doping and establish solar-powered slurry PMRs as an effective, low-energy, and environmentally friendly alternative for the advanced treatment of municipal wastewater, with the research providing valuable insights into sustainable water management practices. Full article