Fusion surgery involves replacing degenerated intervertebral discs with artificial implants, usually composed of titanium alloys or PEEK, requiring bone grafting to assist tissue growth. This study aims to evaluate numerically 3D-printed porous ceramic implants as a bioactive alternative. Clinical computed tomographies of an adult patient were used to reconstruct the geometry and to assign mechanical properties to L1 and L2 ve...

Climate change necessitates institutions and governments to be guided by principles of collective responsibility. In addressing this global challenge, the active involvement of citizens is essential, fostering the emergence of prosumers - individuals who both produce and consume energy. Public administration plays a pivotal role not only in influencing citizens’ behavioural change but also in promoting and facilitating green i...

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) aim to deliver drug-loaded surface coating upon inflation at specific vascular sites, yet the role of inflation pressure remains to be defined. We implement a new approach combining ex vivo stamping experiments with in silico simulations to study acute coating transfer by commercial DCBs. This methodology comprises 3 essential pillars: (I) DCB resin inflation and slicing into cylindrical segments fo...

The management of package waste has become a critical concern in pursuing sustainable development, particularly within the European context, where environmental regulations and sustainability goals are stringent. This paper presents a comprehensive strategic and efficiency analysis of waste packaging management across Europe, examining current practices, policies, and technological innovations in a sample of countries. The wor...

Fundamental to holobiont biology is recognising how variation in microbial composition and function relates to host phenotypic variation. Sponges often exhibit considerable phenotypic plasticity and also harbour dense microbial communities that function to protect and nourish hosts. One of the most prominent sponge genera on Caribbean coral reefs is Agelas . Using a comprehensive set of morphological (growth form, spicule), ch...