Search Results (88)

Background/Objectives: Advancements in DNA profiling have made it possible to retrieve intact DNA profiles from increasingly minute biological samples. This increased sensitivity in DNA detection has highlighted crucial considerations to be made when handling and packing items from the crime scene to minimize potential contamination from either direct or indirect transfer of DNA. To investigate potential DNA transfer between items stored within the same evidence package, we conducted a simulation study with items commonly encountered during forensic casework. Methods: Participants were grouped in pairs, each of them handling the same type of item to simulate the activity conducted at the crime scene. The items were then collected from each pair of participants and stored in the same evidence package for 4 to 5 days. To evaluate the basal DNA transfer between items within the same package, the packed items were not subjected to friction, force, or long-distance movement in this study. Results: We have observed the occurrence of DNA transfer on 39% of the studied items inside the package, which changed the source attribution of the DNA profiles for 10% of the recovered samples. Our results showed that the types of items were associated with the number of transferred alleles and the amount of DNA recovered, while no association was found between the number of transferred alleles and the amount of DNA on the studied items. Conclusions: Taken together, the results from this study reiterate the importance of packing each item from the crime scene separately, especially when packing items together may impact the interpretation of source attribution. Full article

Secure integrated circuits are vulnerable to numerous threats and attacks throughout their lifespan. A noticeable group of these threats is semi-invasive attacks that necessitate removing the package, either from the front or the back. To the best of our knowledge, there has been little research focusing on verifying the package integrity. This paper presents an affordable solution for verifying the package integrity at power-up. This solution relies on an indirect and built-in measurement of the IC’s heat dissipation characteristics, taking advantage of the use of thermal sensors embedded in today’s ICs. Full article

Value chains are facing different challenges, caused by emerging technologies as well as Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 principles. In order to successfully deliver valuable products to their customers, firms have to adapt, transform, and continuously improve their operational processes. Digital technologies will enable digital supply chains which will be decentralized and composed of autonomous modules. Although the elements of the value chain are independent, this paper shows how they affect each other’s performance. In this study, a model which shows how human resources management impacts customers’ satisfaction is presented. Additionally, this model reveals direct and indirect relations between human resources management, processes, supply chain actors, and customers. The conducted study was based on the variance-based method, while the model was constructed using the “PLSPM” package in R software. Additionally, the confirmatory factor analysis was applied for assessing the construct constitution. Taking into account that “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link”, firms can use these findings to seek for performance indicators and problem causes across the whole value chain and not only in one of its elements. Full article

Currently, studies in green infrastructure have developed different wetland park value evaluation systems, and various criteria to measure urban economic development have been proposed. However, these criteria are not widely adopted, and there is a lack of investigation on the relationship between wetland parks and urban economic development. The existing literature indicates that the specific impact factors of wetland parks on urban economic development have not been further explored. Therefore, this study builds on previous theoretical research to develop a conceptual model with 12 hypotheses, followed by a questionnaire survey method to obtain data. The questions have been developed for each of five variables in the conceptual model to validate the research hypotheses that have been contextually modified according to the uniqueness of different wetland parks based on previous classic scales, namely, ecological value, recreational value, resource attraction, a diversified industrial structure, and economic expectation. This study aims to investigate how wetland parks promote urban economic health through ecological value and recreational value, particularly their indirect role in fostering diversified industrial structure, resource attraction, and economic expectations. Structural equation modeling with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 26.0 and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 24.0 has been used for validating the hypotheses. The findings in this paper highlight that recreational value has the most significant impact on a diversified industrial structure that, in turn, has a highly significant positive impact on both resource attraction and economic expectations. In addition, the influence of ecological value on urban economic outcomes largely depends on recreational value as a mediator. Two significant impact pathways have been further identified: (1) from ecological value, recreational value, and a diversified industrial structure to resource attraction; and (2) from ecological value, recreational value, and a diversified industrial structure to economic expectations. Further, the managers and developers of wetland parks need to fully preserve the ecological value of the parks and optimize their recreational value before embarking on new development projects. The theoretical contribution of this paper lies in uncovering the direct and indirect effects of ecological value and recreational value on diversified industrial structure and resource attraction, emphasizing the crucial role of recreational value in driving economic diversification. The practical implications are reflected in providing concrete pathways and strategies for urban planners and policymakers to optimize the ecological and recreational value of wetland parks, thereby promoting urban economic development. Full article

Electronic packaging can transform the chip to a device for assembly. Soldering and bonding are important procedures in the process of electronic packaging. The continuous development of packaging architecture has driven the emergence of improved soldering and bonding processes. At the same time, conventional soldering and bonding processes are still widely used in device packaging. This paper introduces two kinds of technologies in wafer bonding, direct and indirect, expounds on five kinds of die attachment processes, and also describes the process of ball bonding and wedge bonding in wire bonding in detail. Flip chip bonding and methods for making bumps are also described in depth. Bump bonding processes are vital for 3D-SiP packages, and the bonding technology of copper bumps is a research hotspot in the field of advanced packaging. The surface mount technology and sealing technology used in some electronic devices are also briefly introduced. This paper provides insights for researchers studying soldering and bonding in contemporary electronic device packaging. Full article

The main objective of this study was to investigate European consumers’ intentions to purchase cosmetics and detergents with green ingredients made from recycled CO₂. Aiming to better understand both moral and practical criteria of consumers’ intentions, a combination of the Values-Beliefs-Norms and the Theory of Planned Behaviour models served as the basis of this study’s theoretical framework. The combination was extended with risk perception about global warming, scepticism and media influence. Online interviews were conducted with stratified samples based on gender and age distributions in France, Germany, Greece and Spain. Structural equation modelling and moderation analyses were employed to analyse the data. The results indicated that consumption intentions are generated by consumers’ biospheric values and a sequence of risk perception, awareness of consequences, and ascription of responsibility while they are directly determined (in declining order) by perceived behavioural control, personal norms, attitudes and subjective norms. Subjective norms indicated additional indirect impacts on consumption intentions through personal norms and ascription of responsibility. Moderation also indicated that the relationship between perceived behavioural control and consumption intentions is stronger in consumers, who are less sceptical towards ecological claims on packaging, while the relationship between personal norms and consumption intentions is stronger in consumers, who are less influenced by advertisements. Theoretical, managerial and social implications were derived from the results. Full article

This study examined the predictive relationships between Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Mathematics results (representing students’ academic preparation at the secondary school level), university mathematics credits (indicating students’ progress in mathematics-related university courses), gender, and socioeconomic status (SES, measured by school quintile and family income) on student performance in specific university mathematics courses. The endogenous construct, student performance in university mathematics courses, was assessed using final grades from three courses representing progressive levels of mathematical complexity. Previous research had often evaluated these factors in isolation, leaving gaps in understanding how they collectively influenced academic success in South African higher education. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and genders. Data collection relied on institutional records for NSC Mathematics results, university mathematics credits, and course grades. SES information was gathered using surveys capturing school quintile and family income data. Structural equation modelling (SEM), specifically the covariance-Based SEM approach, was employed to analyse these variables’ direct and indirect effects on student performance. The analysis was conducted using the lavaan package in R, enabling the simultaneous assessment of multiple variables and offering a comprehensive understanding of their interrelationships. Results indicated that NSC Mathematics results and university mathematics credits were significant predictors of student success. Additionally, gender and SES were found to moderate these relationships, with performance disparities observed. The findings emphasised the need for a multi-dimensional approach to predicting and supporting student success in university mathematics. Recommendations included the implementation of targeted interventions, such as academic assistance programmes and policy initiatives, to ensure that all students have equitable access to resources and opportunities. Full article

Using a structural equation modeling approach, this study has attempted to untangle the underlying pathways on how students’ demographics and pre-college characteristics that reflect academic preparation, combined with major factors formulated in the university environment, affect time to degree. It does so by developing and evaluating a conceptual framework whereupon time to degree is associated with specific observed or latent factors. A properly tailored Multiple Indicator Multiple Causes SEM was used for evaluating the hypotheses made on a sample of 1137 graduates which came from a Greek University of Social and Political Science, Athens, Greece. AMOS and LISREL packages were used for the analysis. The results reveal interesting direct and indirect relationships of the various predictor variables with time to degree. In particular, the great contribution of student performance and academic integration to time to graduation has been highlighted. However, the contribution of the pre-university features is also worthy of attention. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc phosphate (ZnP) cement, glass ionomer cement (GIC), and nano-integrated bio-ceramic (NIB) cement on mineralization when placed in contact with bone tissue-forming cells. Materials and Methods: ZnP cement, GIC, and NIB cement were divided into direct and indirect groups. A total of 72 cement pellets (24 pellets of each test sample) of 3 × 1 mm (width × height) were prepared using polytetrafluoroethylene molds. A total of 3 sample groups were demarcated using 96- cell well culture plates. In the control group, 24 wells were filled with mineralized osteoblasts and 1 µL of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). In test group 1, to show a direct effect, 36 samples were plated with mineralized osteoblasts and 1 µL GCF for 24 h; the cells were directly exposed to cement pellets. A total of 36 samples were immersed in GCF for 24 h; later the supernatant was transferred to the mineralized osteoblasts to demonstrate an indirect effect in test group 2. To assess the mineralization, osteoblasts were stained with alizarin red and later observed under an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences. An independent t-test compared the direct and indirect effects of the ZnP cement, GIC, NIB cement, and control groups on the mineralization of osteoblasts derived from hDPCs. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the ZnP cement, GIC, and NIB cement groups (p < 0.05). ZnP cement exhibited a moderate, NIB cement the least harmful effect, and GIC showed the most harmful effect on the mineralization of osteoblast cells. Conclusions: The biocompatibility of dental luting cements is an important aspect that clinicians should consider during their selection. Nano-integrated bio-ceramic cement showed the least negative effect on the mineralization of osteoblast cells which is beneficial for the cementation of cement-retained implant prostheses. However, further studies are needed to evaluate osteoblast and osteoclast activity in vivo. Full article

In the era of digitalization, the role of IT firms and the capabilities of digital leadership for driving digital transformation and managing environmental dynamism for the proliferation of digital innovation and organizational performance for sustainability are still scant, producing a knowledge gap. To fill this gap, this study aims to investigate the role of digital leadership in enhancing organizational performance, with the mediating impact of digital transformation and digital innovation, and the moderating role of environmental dynamism in the relationship between digital transformation and innovation. To investigate the conceptual model, we used survey data of 416 responses from small, medium, and large IT organizations in Bangladesh and deployed the AMOS 24 package software for the analysis of structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that digital leadership has a significant impact on digital transformation, digital innovation, and organizational performance. Digital innovation partially mediates the relationship between digital leadership and organizational performance. Although environmental dynamism has no significant effect in relation to digital leadership and innovation, it has an indirect influence on the structural model. The results from before and after moderation proved that environmental dynamism might not have a significant moderating effect on relationships, but it has significant power to change other interrelationships and hamper organizational sustainability. Full article

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-opts many cellular factors—including proteins and microRNAs—to complete its life cycle. A cellular RNA-binding protein, poly(rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2), was previously shown to bind to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome; however, its precise role in the viral life cycle remained unclear. Herein, using the HCV cell culture (HCVcc) system and assays that isolate each step of the viral life cycle, we found that PCBP2 does not have a direct role in viral entry, translation, genome stability, or HCV RNA replication. Rather, our data suggest that PCBP2 depletion only impacts viral RNAs that can undergo genome packaging. Taken together, our data suggest that endogenous PCBP2 modulates the early steps of genome packaging, and therefore only has an indirect effect on viral translation and RNA replication, likely by increasing the translating/replicating pool of viral RNAs to the detriment of virion assembly. Full article

Background/Objectives: We present a software package called reflimR (Version 1.0.6), which enables rapid and transparent verification of reference intervals from routine laboratory measurements. Our method makes it easy to compare the results with specified target values and facilitates the interpretation of deviations using traffic light colors. Methods: The algorithm includes three procedural steps: (a) definition of an appropriate distribution model, based on Bowley’s quartile skewness, (b) iterative truncation, based on a modified boxplot method to obtain the central 95% of presumably inconspicuous results, and (c) extrapolation of reference limits from a truncated normal quantile–quantile plot. Results: All algorithms have been combined into one consolidated library, which can be called in the R environment with a single command reflim (x). Using an example dataset included in the package, we demonstrate that our method can be applied to mixed data containing a substantial proportion of pathological values. It leads to similar results as the direct guideline approach as well as the more sophisticated indirect refineR software package. As compared to the latter, reflimR works much faster and needs smaller datasets for robust estimates. For the interpretation of the results, we present an intuitive color scheme based on tolerance ranges (permissible uncertainty of laboratory results). We show that a relatively high number of published reference limits require careful reevaluation. Conclusions: The reflimR package closes the gap between direct guideline methods and the more sophisticated indirect refineR method. We recommend reflimR for the rapid routine verification of large amounts of reference limits and refineR for a careful analysis of unclear or doubtful results from this check. Full article

The food industry is increasingly focused on maintaining the quality and safety of food products as consumers are becoming more health conscious and seeking fresh, minimally processed foods. However, deterioration and spoilage caused by foodborne pathogens continue to pose significant challenges, leading to decreased shelf life and quality. To overcome this issue, the food industry and researchers are exploring new approaches to prevent microbial growth in food, while preserving its nutritional value and safety. Active packaging, including antimicrobial packaging, has gained considerable attention among current food packaging methods owing to the wide range of materials used, application methods, and their ability to protect various food products. Both direct and indirect methods can be used to improve food safety and quality by incorporating antimicrobial compounds into the food packaging materials. This comprehensive review focuses on natural and synthetic antimicrobial substances and polymer-based films, and their mechanisms and applications in packaging systems. The properties of these materials are compared, and the persistent challenges in the field of active packaging are emphasized. Specifically, there is a need to achieve the controlled release of antimicrobial agents and develop active packaging materials that possess the necessary mechanical and barrier properties, as well as other characteristics essential for ensuring food protection and safety, particularly bio-based packaging materials. Full article

In this research, bio-based films were developed using polyelectrolyte complexes derived from chitosan and gelatin for packaging fish oil. To further enhance the antioxidant functionality, the films were enriched with gallic acid and orange essential oils, either individually or in combination. Initially, the films were characterized for their physico-chemical, optical, surface, and barrier properties. Subsequently, the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of the films were assessed. Finally, the films were tested as antioxidant cover lids for packaging fish oil, which was then stored at ambient temperature for 30 days, with periodical monitoring of oil oxidation parameters. This study revealed that the inclusion of gallic acid-induced possible crosslinking effects, as evidenced by changes in moisture content, solubility, and liquid absorption. Additionally, shifts in the FTIR spectral bands suggested the binding of gallic acid and/or phenols in orange essential oils to CSGEL polymer chains, with noticeable alterations in film coloration. Notably, films containing gallic acid exhibited enhanced UV barrier properties crucial for preserving UV-degradable food compounds. Moreover, formulations with gallic acid demonstrated decreased water vapor permeability, while samples containing orange essential oils had lower CO₂ permeability levels. Importantly, formulations containing both gallic acid and essential oils showed a synergistic effect and a significant antioxidant capacity, with remarkable DPPH inhibition rates of up to 88%. During the 30-day storage period, fish oil experienced progressive oxidation, as indicated by an increase in the K232 value in control samples. However, films incorporating gallic acid or orange essential oils as active antioxidants, even used as indirect food contact, effectively delayed the oxidation, highlighting their protective benefits. This study underscores the potential of sustainable bio-based films as natural antioxidant packaging for edible fish oil or fresh fish, offering a promising tool for enhancing food preservation while reducing its waste. Full article

Paints and coatings are widely used in various applications such as walls, cars, packaging, and food products. The quality of food packaging is essential due to its direct or indirect contact with food. The demand for high-quality food packaging is increasing due to the higher production and consumption rates. However, containers used in the beverage industry often face problems like scratches and abrasions during transportation. This study aimed to investigate different formulations of external coatings for beverage cans to improve their physical resistance properties and prevent corrosion and surface damage problems. The study involved reacting an acrylic resin with six different amino resins, including methylated melamine, butylated melamine, glycoluril, methylated urea, butylated urea, and benzoguanamine, in various proportions. The results of 25 formulated samples were compared based on properties such as adhesion, durability, and chemical resistance. The outcomes of the study showed significant differences among the crosslinking agents. Among all the crosslinking agents, methylated melamine showed the most favorable results in the analyses, proving effective in almost all tests. Full article