Parthenope University of Naples
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Trends in Antidepressant, Anxiolytic, and Cannabinoid Use Among Italian Elite Athletes (2011–2023): A Longitudinal Anti-Doping Analysis
No full textMental health disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, have become increasingly
prevalent among elite athletes, exacerbated by factors such as competitive pressure
and the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study analyzes trends in
the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and cannabinoids (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC)/cannabidiol (CBD)) among Italian athletes from 2011 to the first half of 2023
(FH2023), referring to anti-doping reports published by the Italian Ministry of Health.
Data from 13,079 athletes were examined, with a focus on non-prohibited medications,
banned substances, and regulatory impacts, including threshold adjustments for THC
since 2013 and the legalization of CBD. The results show fluctuating use of antidepressants/
anxiolytics, with peaks in 2021 and the FH2023, coinciding with post-pandemic
awareness. Positive THC cases rose following regulatory changes, reflecting socio-cultural
trends. Gender disparities emerged, with THC use predominantly among males (e.g., nine
males vs. one female in 2013), though female athletes were underrepresented in testing.
This study highlights the need for personalized, evidence-based strategies that balance
therapeutic efficacy and anti-doping compliance. Clinicians should carefully consider
prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines to address
depression and anxiety and should monitor the risks of CBD contamination. Future research
should adopt longitudinal, gender-sensitive approaches to refining guidelines and
combating stigma in professional sports
Bacterial biofilm detection using a fiber optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer
No full textIn this work, we report about the detection of biofilm growth formation
using fiber optic sensing technology. The optical configuration involved
a fiber optic tip integrating a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). The
simple and cost-effective fabricating process employs standard
single-mode fiber SMF28, a splice with overlap as coupling/re-coupling
element for the fiber modes, and a silver mirror enabling a reflective
configuration to have a miniaturized and compact device. As a case
study, the growth of bacterial biofilm of Pseudomonas alcaligenes was
monitored in real-time during about 60 hours by observing the resonance
wavelength shift of the MZI. The biofilm layer formation was further
confirmed by Atomic Force Microscopy analysis and its thickness
measured. These findings pave the way for the development of highly
sensitive miniaturized probes for the detection of different types of
biofilms, to be applied in a wide range of domains, from biomedical to
industrial fields as well as environmental monitoring
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Management on Fostering ESG Practices and Competitive Perspectives Among SMEs
No full textThe adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices is spreading rapidly among all types of companies.
Although many scholars are interested in the topic, there is not yet a shared framework exploring the factors that encourage
companies—in particular, small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs)—to adopt ESG criteria and the possible expected benefits.
This is probably due to the extreme heterogeneity that characterizes such companies. The contribution of this study derives
from the investigation of two factors considered decisive for SMEs' ability to adopt ESG practices and improve their perception of
competitiveness: artificial intelligence and sustainability management. For this purpose, the well-known
method of partial least
squares structural equation modeling was applied to a homogeneous population of SMEs located in Italy. The results show that
the two investigated factors increase the likelihood of adopting ESG criteria and directly affect competitive perspectives. In turn,
the environment and governance pillars, but not the “S” pillar, affect the competitive perspectives
Techno-economic and environmental analysis of clean hydrogen deployment: A case study of Los Angeles International Airport
No full textThe primary strategy for addressing environmental concerns related to global aviation emissions is transitioning to low-carbon propulsion technologies. Hydrogen (H2) offers significant potential as a sustainable fuel, with anticipated zero to low carbon emissions. This study develops a methodological framework that integrates on-site electrolytic H2 production, storage, and transportation for airport applications. For the first time, the techno-economic feasibility of supplying clean liquid hydrogen (LH2) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to support its transition toward sustainable operations by 2050 is comprehensively analyzed. The results underscore the critical role of integrating long-term H2 storage and short-term battery storage solutions to establish a reliable, self-sustained microgrid system at LAX. The estimated levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) ranges from 7.10 per kilogram of H2 in 2030, decreasing significantly to approximately $3.78 per kilogram of H2 by 2050, showing the viability of deploying clean H2 at LAX. Additionally, this study, for the first time, quantifies the global warming potential (GWP) of clean H2 supply pathways for airport applications, revealing a range of 0.29 to 0.35 kg CO2-eq/kg H2 by 2050, with H2 venting from electrolysis identified as the dominant contributor. The findings emphasize the feasibility of H2 as a sustainable aviation fuel and provide actionable strategies for its implementation at LAX. This work advances the hydrogen aviation field by bridging the gap between the general clean H2 supply chain strategies and the specific needs of the aviation sector, thereby contributing to California's ambitious climate goals. Future research is recommended to address limitations in cost optimization, lifecycle impacts, policy incentives, and safety innovations, enabling the scalable and practical implementation of H2 as a sustainable aviation fuel at airports
Energy Recovery Based on Gasification of Residues for Decarbonisation of the Agriculture Sector
No full textGlobal energy demand is rapidly increasing, with about 80% still met by fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion and climate change. As a renewable alternative, agricultural biomass waste, specifically olive kernels (OK) and olive tree cuttings (OTC), appears to be promising for clean energy production. This study proposes a numerical model in Aspen Plus to simulate combined heat and power (CHP) generation via air gasification of OK and OTC. The gasification model is calibrated and validated by using experimental data available in the literature related to five different operating conditions, obtaining an average deviation of predicted syngas composition from experimental outcomes in the range of 1.23% to 13.26%. The developed model is then used to identify optimal gasification conditions, finding a temperature of 950°C for OK and 900°C for OTC at an equivalence ratio of at least 0.2. If globally available, OK and OTC were utilized this way in 2024, they could produce 20,375 MWh of electricity and 38,829 MWh of thermal energy, potentially cutting CO2 emissions by 16 Mt/yr compared to the use of conventional energy sources
Health-Related Quality of Life and Dietary Supplement Use in Physically Active People and Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textThe use of dietary supplements is widespread among athletes and physically active individuals, yet their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the associations between supplement use, physical activity patterns, and HRQoL in a heterogeneous sample of 537 adults engaged in sports at amateur, professional, or recreational levels. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographics, supplement use, physical activity habits, and quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and independent-samples t-tests to explore relationships between supplement use, body mass index (BMI), motivational variables, and HRQoL outcomes. Results indicated that 46.7% of participants reported consuming at least one supplement or substance, with an average of 1.91 products. The primary motivations included performance enhancement (30.7%) and combined performance and aesthetic goals (12.1%). A significant association emerged between supplement use and the consistency of physical activity over time, as well as the individual’s motivation for engaging in exercise. Participants who maintained stable activity levels and those driven by performance or competitive motives were more likely to use supplements. In contrast, individuals exercising primarily for physical and psychological health were less likely to report supplement use. When comparing HRQoL scores, supplement users showed significantly lower levels of impairment due to emotional issues (RE), social functioning (SF), and bodily pain (BP). Among these variables, only Bodily Pain presented a small effect size, suggesting a meaningful difference between users and non-users. These findings highlight that while supplements are commonly used in athletic contexts, their association with improved quality of life is limited, and may even reflect attempts to manage physical discomfort. Further research is needed to clarify the directionality of these relationships and inform safe and evidence-based consumption