Items

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  Wildpath: A board game exploring setback and visual language

  When a child gets early eliminated in a game, not only it loses, but it disappears from the fellowship and becomes a spectator. In my research, children and teachers described this silent disconnection as "bodies being present, but the minds are gone". This challenged me to design a game without punitive elimination, where every player, regardless of age, language or reading level can play till the end. The answer is Wildpath, a board game where every element communicates visually. From shapes to color coding, Wildpath brings forward its own wayfinding system to younger audiences.
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  Understanding the Role of Institutions in Co-Recovery: A Service Ecosystem Perspective in Hospitality

  "This dissertation investigates how regulative, normative, and cognitive institutions at the micro-level, shape customer actors' service recovery behaviors, expectations, and co-recovery processes within hospitality service ecosystems. By zooming in on customers during service failures, it identifies which institutions facilitate or constrain the co-creation of recovery solutions when service failure occurs."
• Marketing Management & STP for Carpo

  This paper analyses how Carpo applies the Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning (STP) framework to establish a premium brand in the nuts, chocolate, and coffee market. Since launching in Kolonaki in 2011, Carpo has targeted quality-conscious, experience-driven consumers through high-end products and curated retail environments. The study evaluates how this positioning differentiates Carpo from competitors and supports its expansion strategy. The findings indicate that Carpo’s competitive advantage lies in combining product excellence with experiential branding, enabling strong market differentiation and scalability within the premium segment.
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  MHC Diversity as a Predictor of Population Fitness to Infectious Challenges and mtDNA D-Loop Phylogenetic Patterns in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta)

  Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) act as sentinels at the wildlife–human interface, carrying antimicrobial-resistant and zoonotic pathogens with direct relevance to One Health. Genetic variation is examined across six nesting areas in Greece using 51 archived tissue samples. Two genetic markers are analysed: MHC genes, which govern immune response and reflect disease resilience, and mitochondrial DNA (D-loop), which reveals evolutionary relationships. Through DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis, the project compares allelic diversity and phylogenetic structure across sites, with the aim of understanding population connectivity and isolation among Greek loggerhead nesting populations.
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  Optimization of Mitochondrial DNA Extraction from Challenging Biological Matrices for Forensic and Environmental Applications.
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  Genotoxicity screening and miRNA profiling of extracellular vesicles derived from human infrapatellar fat pad mesenchymal stem/stromal cells

  "miRNA profiling and genotoxicity screening of extracellular vesicles derived from human infrapatellar fat pad mesenchymal stem/stromal cells 1. Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, School of Science & Technology, Deree – The American College of Greece, Athens, Greece 2. Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Greece 3. Department of Orthopedics, UHealth Sports Medicine Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA 4. Diabetes Research Institute & Cell Transplant Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA * equal contribution Introduction: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) have garnered attention for their potential in regenerative medicine due to their immunomodulatory and anabolic properties[1]. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as vehicles for cellular export products, including lipids, proteins, and RNAs (mRNAs and miRNAs), and can modulate the function of other cells at proximal or distal sites[2]. The immunomodulatory, angiogenic, and anabolic capabilities of MSC-EVs are well documented through cargo analysis and preclinical studies, supporting their use instead of MSC in clinical trials [3-9]. Recent studies have shown that EVs may enhance tissue regeneration and could therefore function as a cell-free alternative in injury healing. However, their cargo molecules have not been fully characterized, whereas the genetic toxicity of MSC-EVs remains unknown. Methods: In this study, human MSC-EVs originating from infrapatellar fat pad tissue (IFP) (1 male and 1 female, n=2) were examined for their genotoxicity, by performing two different in vitro cell-based assays. The first assay was based on a well-established nuclear marker of DNA damage, called γH2AX, by exposing human osteosarcoma cells (U2OS) to the EVs and performing immunofluorescence and microscope analysis. The second test, called micronucleus assay, involved the observation and analysis of small nuclei that appear next to the main nuclei of the cells and represent broken DNA fragments enclosed by a nuclear membrane. Results: MSC-EVs from IFP tissue showed distinct miRNA immunomodulatory profiles. Reactome analysis of miRNAs highly present in EVs showed their involvement in the regulation of six gene groups in target cells, particularly the immune system. EVs internalization was confirmed by staining exosomes with a lipophilic dye, before exposing them to the target cells. In parallel, MSC-EVs were shown not to be genotoxic and therefore did not activate a DNA damage response pathway in U2OS cells. Conclusion: Taken together our data show that MSC-EVs show robust miRNA immunomodulatory profiles and do not induce a DNA damage response, suggesting that their cargo does not include factors that could activate this pathway. Based on MSC-EVs strong paracrine immunomodulatory/trophic ‘medicinal’ activities, we propose a viable cell-free alternative to MSC-based therapeutics. References: 1. Caplan, Arnold I. and D. Correa, The MSC: An Injury Drugstore. Cell Stem Cell, 2011. 9(1): p. 11-15. 2. Liu, X., et al., Immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: Targeting immune cells. Front Immunol, 2023. 14: p. 1094685. 3. Qin, Y., et al., Bone marrow stromal/stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles regulate osteoblast activity and differentiation in vitro and promote bone regeneration in vivo. Sci Rep, 2016. 6: p. 21961. 4. Nakamura, Y., et al., Mesenchymal-stem-cell-derived exosomes accelerate skeletal muscle regeneration. FEBS Lett, 2015. 589(11): p. 1257-65. 5. Zhang, J., et al., Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes prevent osteoarthritis by regulating synovial macrophage polarization. Aging (Albany NY), 2020."
• Case Study: Midlands Switchgear Ltd

  Business-to-business marketing activities are typically more complex as it must consider technical, economical, and relational factors. Therefore, it is important to understand organizational buying behavior, as businesses select its suppliers not only based on price, but also based on the decision-making units, perceived risks, and long-term value. This paper analyzes and studies the case of Midlands Switchgear Ltd by the roles of its DMU in supplier selection and its market segmentation strategy. Specifically, this paper evaluates the firm’s supplier selection criteria, cross-functional decision-making dynamics, and discusses options for strategic segmentation.
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  Carpo: STP Analysis and Ansoff Matrix Application

  Carpo is a retail store founded in Athens, Greece, offering nuts, coffee, and chocolate. It aims to provide the highest quality, luxurious products with a unique Carpo five senses experience. In 2011, Carpo expanded its market, opening a store in Kolonaki, one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Athens. Then, in 2013, it opened its first international store in London. Presently, the company operates eleven stores. This written report critically analyzes Carpo’s segmentation, targeting, and positioning strategy. The Ansoff Matrix is used to derive four corporate growth strategies, one of which is extensively discussed and applied in Carpo’s marketing mix.
• Improving User Experience in Mobile Banking: A User-Centered Redesign of the Revolut App

  This paper presents a user-centered redesign of the Revolut mobile app using Hartson and Pyla’s “Wheel” lifecycle model. Through interviews and observations with three users, key usability issues were identified, including unclear feedback, difficulty managing multiple currencies, confusing navigation, and limited transaction filtering. These insights informed a set of interaction design requirements focused on simplification, flexibility, and improved communication. The proposed redesign, illustrated through conceptual models and wireframes, enhances usability, reduces cognitive load, and increases user confidence, demonstrating how targeted interaction design can improve both efficiency and trust in mobile banking systems.
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  Study of the Genotoxicity Potential of Creatine Monohydrate Using Human Osteosarcoma Cells

  "Creatine monohydrate is a widely used supplement for enhancing athletic performance. While generally considered safe, concerns have been raised about its potential to promote carcinogenic compounds. This study investigated its cyto- and genotoxic effects on human osteosarcoma (U2OS) cells. Cytotoxicity, assessed using the Trypan Blue assay, showed >98% cell viability, indicating no toxic effects. Genotoxicity was evaluated using γH2AX immunofluorescence to detect DNA double-strand breaks. No DNA damage was observed at concentrations of 1–10 mM. Interestingly, γH2AX staining decreased with increasing creatine concentrations, suggesting a potential genoprotective effect. At 7 mM, cells showed particularly low levels of DNA damage. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and identify optimal protective concentrations."