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This study aims to demonstrate the possibility of showing the functionality of complex microbial groups, within ancient structures within a process of refurbishment on a heritage building information modelling (BIM) platform.

Both a qualitative and qualitative research method will be used throughout, as observational and scientific results will be obtained and collated. This path being; phenomena – acquisition tools – storage – analysis tools – literature. Using this methodology, one pilot study within the scope of demolition and refurbishment, using suitable methods of collecting and managing data (structural or otherwise), will be used and generated by various software and applications. The principle methods used for the identification of such micro-organisms will incorporate a polymerase chain reaction method (PCR), to amplify DNA and to identify any or all spores present. The BIM/historical BIM (HBIM) process will be used to create a remotely-based survey to obtain and collate data using a laser scanner to produce a three-dimensional point cloud model to evaluate and deduce the condition, make-up and stature of the monument. A documentation management system will be devised to enable the development of plain language questions and an exchange information requirement, to identify such documentation required to enable safe refurbishment and to give health and safety guidance. Four data sampling extractions will be conducted, two for each site, within the research, for each of the periods being assessed, that being the Norman and Tudor areas of the monument.

From laboratory PCR analysis, results show a conclusive presence of micro-organism groups and will be represented within a hierarchical classification, from kingdom to species.

The BIM/HBIM process will highlight results in a graphical form to show data collected, particularly within the PCR application. It will also create standardisation and availability for such data from ancient monuments to make available all data stored, as such analysis becomes substantially important to enable the production of data sets for comparison, from within the framework of this research.

The expansion of new technologies has induced the digital revolution and paved the way for an innovation-based economy. Digitalization, while blurring real and virtual environments, acts as an incentive for innovation and has been regarded as a tool to tackle the crisis. Its particular acceleration was caused by the lockdown regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social entrepreneurship searches for innovative methods, tools and models to solve pressing social problems. The concept suggests applying business models for implementing social missions. Revenue generated from commercial activities is spent to solve social challenges caused by market imperfection, government inefficiency, disasters, pandemics, wars and economic crises. Advancing technologies, on the one hand, present opportunities for social enterprises and, on the other hand, involve risks to employment, data protection, transformed business model and strategies and changes in society's lifestyle and impose costly digital technologies to be adopted. Social entrepreneurs can create social value by using digital technologies that allow them to reach remote customers, investors or beneficiaries overcoming geographical boundaries or time differences. Yet digitalization can pose a threat to existing jobs as they become redundant; it transforms them or gives rise to new jobs while demanding technological skills and digital literacy. Moreover, enhanced digitalization and effective governmental actions set the stage for the decline of social business. The chapter explores the influence of digitalization on social entrepreneurship and discusses the potential of digital transformation for social enterprises. It examines the risks and opportunities that bring accelerated digitalization to social entrepreneurship.

This study investigates the diversification benefits of multiple cryptocurrencies and their usefulness as investment assets, individually or combined, in enhancing the performance of a well-diversified portfolio of traditional assets before and during the pandemic COVID-19.

This paper uses two optimization techniques, namely the mean-variance and the maximum Sharpe ratio. The naïve diversification rules are used for comparison. Besides, the Sharpe and the Sortino ratios are used as performance measures.

The results show that cryptocurrencies diversification benefits occur more during the COVID-19 pandemic rather than before it, with the maximum Sharpe ratio portfolio presenting its highest performance. Furthermore, the results suggest that, during COVID-19, the diversification benefits are slightly better when using a combination of cryptocurrencies to an already well-diversified portfolio of traditional assets rather than individual ones. This serves to improve the performance of the maximum Sharpe ratio portfolio, and to some extent, the naïve portfolio. Yet, cryptocurrencies, whether added individually or combined to a well-diversified portfolio of traditional assets, don't fit in the minimum variance portfolio. Besides, the efficient frontier during COVID-19 pandemic dominates the one before COVID-19 pandemic, giving the investor a better risk-return trade-off.

To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study that examines the diversification benefits of multiple cryptocurrencies both as individual investments and as additional asset classes, before and during COVID-19 pandemic. The paper covers all analyses performed separately in previous studies, which brings new evidence regarding the potential for cryptocurrencies in portfolio diversification under different portfolio strategies.