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Order picking in warehouses is a labour- and time-intensive logistical process that significantly impacts the efficiency of supply chains. Although technical progress facilitates the automation of specific order picking tasks, human workers remain the primary actors of order picking. Owing to high operating costs associated with manual order picking, its design and management have been increasingly researched for decades. Because manual order picking systems are socio-technical systems, human factors and workers' interaction with technology are essential for operational success. As innovative technologies become increasingly utilised, such as augmented reality or exoskeletons, warehouse managers need to consider the effects of supportive and substitutive technologies on operational outcomes. However, the potentials and obstacles of using technologies in manual order picking require further investigations. Therefore, this study analyses literature content on supportive and substitutive technologies in manual warehouse order picking and investigates the existing state of research in this field. Text mining is employed to enhance the insights regarding the content analysis. Additionally, future research opportunities on the integration of supportive and substitutive technologies are proposed for manual order picking improvement and development of sustainable and human-centered logistics systems, according to the Industry 5.0 vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been acknowledged that global challenges are in the way of delivering responsible innovation, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals – a set of strategic objectives formulated by the United Nations General Assembly, to promote environmentally, societally, and economically-sustainable development. Design higher education has an important role to play in equipping the next generation of professionals with knowledge and skills for tackling pressing system-level challenges. Sustainable design research and ways of integrating emerging technologies in future design higher education curricula have, separately, attracted significant interest in recent years. However, comparatively little effort has concentrated on the role that a broader range of technologies can play in shaping the design higher education provision with system-level sustainability challenges in mind. This article presents an analysis of 180 Design MSc dissertation projects, implemented at a UK higher education institution between 2019 and 2022, focusing on research challenges of societal and industrial relevance. The data set includes a mapping of dissertation projects to relevant technologies, industry sectors, and Sustainable Development Goals. Data analysis suggests a balanced distribution of projects across a range of sustainability goals, although under-represented thematic areas have also been highlighted. The methods adopted for this study, based on a systematic study of relational patterns reflecting associations of dissertation projects with technologies, industry sectors, and sustainability goals, provide a blueprint for future data-driven research on the role played by technologies within student projects in design higher education, with an emphasis on their relevance to sustainable innovation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid advancement of technology, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has undergone significant transformations through the integration of various technologies. Studies are needed to provide a birds-eye view of the technology-oriented STEM education for identifying current status, development trends, and future directions. Purpose: This review aims to explore the characteristics of technology-oriented STEM education in primary and secondary schools, focusing on its status, regional contributions, subject domains, integration levels, outcomes, types of technologies, and research methods. Methods: To conduct this review study, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method was utilized, leading to the identification of 127 empirical studies from databases and selected journals. Results and conclusion: The results, based on a combination of research methods, revealed a notable increase in empirical studies on technology-oriented STEM education. Among the STEM subjects, more than half of the studies emphasized the integration of a single STEM subject, with interdisciplinary integration being dominant. Engineering was observed to be the least integrated subject among the four STEM areas. Learning objectives in the studies emphasized 21st-century skills and STEM skills, while affective research mainly focused on interests, attitudes, and engagement. Student-centered learning, such as inquiry-based learning and game-based learning, along with engineering design, emerged as the most commonly adopted pedagogical approaches. In the realm of technology tools, computational tools were found to be widely embraced in technology-oriented STEM education. Notably, the majority of studies targeted students in upper primary and junior secondary schools, employing mixed research methods. These findings hold significant implications for the design and implementation of technology-oriented STEM education at primary and secondary school levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent advancements in diagnostic imaging technologies have significantly improved the field of dental medicine. This review examines these new imaging techniques and their impact on enhancing accuracy, enabling early detection, and facilitating effective treatment planning in dentistry. Methods: A bibliometric and content analysis was conducted on 61 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from the Scopus database, published between 2019 and 2024. The selection criteria focused on studies exploring advances in dental diagnosis through innovative imaging methods and personalized techniques for identifying oral pathologies. The bibliometric approach analyzed publication trends, while content analysis categorized emerging technologies and their clinical applications. Results: Our findings indicate a notable shift towards integrating cutting-edge technologies, including Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), artificial intelligence (AI), and biosensors. These advancements have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, particularly in complex cases such as periodontal diseases, dental fractures, and oral infections. Studies demonstrate that molecular diagnostics and AI-driven algorithms enhance the personalization of treatment plans, optimizing patient outcomes. Conclusions: Emerging diagnostic technologies have the potential to enhance both the quality and efficiency of dental care. However, their implementation is challenged by high costs, the need for specialized training, and disparities in access. Future research should focus on refining AI-driven diagnostic models, addressing regulatory considerations, and expanding the clinical validation of novel imaging tools. As these technologies evolve, they are expected to increase diagnostic specificity, leading to more precise, patient-centered treatment approaches. Ultimately, these advancements offer substantial opportunities to transform dental practice by providing faster, less invasive, and more reliable diagnoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociocultural mechanisms figure prominently in geographical accounts of economic innovation. At their heart lies a theoretical schema comprising relational assets and market rationality. This paper proposes an alternative epistemological framework for understanding social and cultural geographies of economic innovation by integrating the diverse actors, motives, power dynamics, and contexts that shape contemporary knowledge economies and technoscapes into a coherent theoretical unity. Specifically, three theoretical inquiries are proposed to explore the mutual constitution between socio-spatial dynamics of economic innovation and proliferating meaning systems adopted by knowledge workers, lived material cultures of users, and dialectical power relations inherent in knowledge economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness and readiness of organizations to implement the assumptions of Industry 5.0, as well as to identify the benefits and challenges associated with this process. The paper makes an original contribution by combining empirical analysis with the proposal of a practical model, enabling a better understanding of the technological and social transformation process in Polish organizations. The article presents an original model for implementing the assumptions of Industry 5.0, integrating technological, social, and organizational aspects, offering a comprehensive approach to transformation towards sustainable and human-centered development. The study was conducted among 556 Polish companies from five sectors: IT, automotive, industrial, service, and banking/financial, using a non-random sampling method and data analysis through techniques such as association rules and hierarchical clustering. The research results indicate that most organizations are familiar with the basics of the Industry 5.0 concept (25% full knowledge, 66% partial knowledge), but only a portion is engaged in the transformation process (59%), which typically takes place gradually (53%). The most commonly reported benefit of Industry 5.0 by organizations was improved product and service quality (73%), while the most frequently cited challenges included the need for staff training (58%), ensuring data and network security (53%), and modernizing infrastructure and systems (52%). Benefits such as improved product quality, increased production efficiency, and cost optimization are primarily recognized by companies in the IT and industrial sectors. At the same time, challenges such as the need to modernize infrastructure and ensure data security, as well as implementation costs, remain significant barriers, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises. The research findings have practical significance as they provide companies and decision-makers with guidance on effective planning and implementation of actions related to the implementation of Industry 5.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, a vital resource for life, is increasingly threatened by industrial activities that contribute significantly to water pollution. Industrial wastewater, rich in organic substances, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals from sectors like manufacturing, mining, and petrochemicals, poses significant health and environmental risks. Understanding its physicochemical and microbial properties is essential for effective treatment. Technological advances in wastewater treatment, including membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, biological treatments, electrochemical treatments, adsorption, and hybrid systems, have enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of contaminant removal while ensuring treated water complies with regulatory standards. Large-scale implementation of innovative solutions, such as zero liquid discharge systems and integrated treatment approaches, has demonstrated the potential for significant water savings and pollutant reduction, particularly in high-demand industries. These technologies also promote sustainability through resource recovery, such as nutrient recycling and energy generation, fostering circular economy practices. Beyond environmental benefits, effective wastewater treatment contributes to socio-economic development by ensuring water security, improving public health, creating employment opportunities, and reducing the costs associated with water scarcity and pollution. Smart monitoring and control systems optimize treatment processes through real-time data and predictive analytics. Addressing the environmental impact of industrial wastewater requires robust regulatory frameworks, public awareness, and collaborative efforts to ensure the preservation of water quality, the protection of ecosystems, and the safeguarding of public health for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Advancing sustainable agriculture is crucial for achieving Goal 2: Zero Hunger, as it ensures that food production is efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically viable in the long term. Sustainable agriculture encompasses a range of practices, policies, and technologies that contribute to achieving this goal. By focusing on the significance of sustainable agriculture and fostering a deeper understanding of the complex challenges associated with achieving Zero Hunger, this overview emphasizes the need for multi-dimensional strategies that encompass environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability in agricultural systems. Furthermore, it explores the potential of emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, agroforestry, and digital platforms to revolutionize food production while minimizing environmental impact. Through a nuanced analysis of best practices and policies, the goals is to inspire collaborative efforts and informed decision-making toward building resilient and sustainable food systems that can effectively address the global challenge of hunger and malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next-generation non-invasive biochemical wearables hold promise in transforming healthcare by providing real-time, continuous monitoring of biochemical markers. Non-invasive methods include smart tattoos, microneedle patches, wearable biosensors, flexible bioelectronics, implantable sensors, smart textiles, and smart contact lenses. A comprehensive picture of an individual's health can be detected via critical markers such as glucose, lactate, cortisol, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from sweat, saliva, tears, breath and interstitial fluid (ISF)-based, non-invasive and minimally invasive biosensors using these advanced technologies. Personalized insights for enhancing their functionality are possible by integrating them with AI and big data analytics for early disease detection and proactive health management. This study explores the potential of futuristic biochemical wearables, their current status, underlying technologies, potential associated applications and challenges, and their positioning as transformative solutions in personalized healthcare for redefining the future of healthcare monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fourth agricultural revolution (or Agriculture 4.0) promises to lead the way to an agricultural sector that is smarter, more efficient, and more environmentally and socially responsible. Digital and data generating tools are seen as critical enablers for this transformation and are expected to make farming more planned, predictive, productive, and efficient. To make this vision a reality, agricultural producers will first adopt and use the technologies, but this is easier said than done. Barriers such as limited digital infrastructure, low (digital) literacy, low incomes, and socio-cultural norms are major factors causing sub-optimal access to and use of digital technologies among smallholder farmers. Beyond these use challenges of access and usage, limited evidence exists to support the notion that extant digital technologies add enough value to provide substantial benefits for targeted farmers. In this paper, we unravel insights from a six-year digital agriculture innovation project which was implemented to develop and deploy multi-modal digital tools for the control of a major banana disease. By reaching over 272,200 smallholder farmers in Rwanda through a smartphone app, unstructured supplementary service data, a chatbot, and other ancillary channels, we assessed various assumptions regarding intrinsic motivation, incentives, and skills retention among the target digital tool users. These insights suggest that embedding digital innovation requires intentional user-engagement, proper incentivization of next-users, and targeted communication to foster adoption. We present ten (10) salient, but non-exhaustive, lessons to showcase the realities of developing and delivering digital tools to farmers over an extended period, spanning from ideation, development, and testing to scaling stages. The lessons are relevant for a broad audience, including stakeholders across the digital innovation space who can utilize our experiential notes to guide the development and deployment of similar digital innovations for improved outcomes in smallholder farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]