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Using think aloud with female adolescents to validate psychological well- and ill-being self-report measures
Get PDFMany existing measures of psychological well- and ill-being are used with young people without testing contemporary adolescent understanding of them. The purpose of this study was to use think aloud interviews to test adolescent understanding of three existing, and one newly created psychological well- or ill-being measures. An initial sample of 40 female participants aged 13–14 years took part in the study. Problematic items were identified based on thematic analysis of adolescent feedback. One item of the Lethargy Scale and one item of the Subjective Vitality Scale were adapted following integration of think aloud findings. The results also indicated that the Brief Serenity Scale was unsuitable for the participants. Subsequently, a second sample of 57 female participants aged 13–14 years completed the think aloud protocol with an alternative measure of serenity, the Child Serenity Scale, and thematic analysis revealed no items were problematic. A 24-item psychological well- and ill-being self-report measure was consequently proposed for use in future research
Corporate Decarbonization via Technology and Management
Get PDFThis study provides a comprehensive overview of key findings on decarbonization, advanced technologies, and management strategies, highlighting emerging themes shaping the field. Advanced technologies enhance carbon reduction through efficiency, real‐time monitoring, and optimizing resource optimization. However, their integration remains challenging due to technological and organizational complexity, necessitating a shift in management strategies. Growing climate regulations and environmental responsibility make decarbonization a strategic business priority. This study synthesizes research to identify key factors influencing decarbonization management and presents a conceptual framework with research propositions for future study. We argue that successful corporate decarbonization requires a holistic approach integrating technology, revised management strategies, and systemic transformation to accelerate the transition towards a net‐zero economy
Advancing Inclusive Knowledge on Green Infrastructure Planning and Management for Policy Integration and Transferability within Local Spatial Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Accra, Ghana
No full textThe Green Infrastructure (GI) concept refers to the strategic interconnection of natural and semi-natural areas in urban areas through networks of natural spaces, including parks, urban forests, coastal areas, wetlands, grasslands, green corridors, and waterbodies. It has emerged as a cornerstone of integrated urban planning. Western nations have increasingly adopted GI into their policy frameworks as a mutually beneficial approach to urban sustainability. In low-income countries such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there remains a conspicuous lack of information on GI planning. This knowledge gap not only limits planning capacity and coordination in SSA but also perpetuates an imbalance in global scientific discourse on GI, hindering the development of contextually responsive, tailored innovation.
The study aims to address this imbalance by critically assessing the transferability potential of the Western GI concept to the SSA context, as well as examining the dynamics of local GI planning and management. Employing a qualitative case study methodology using document review and semi-structured interviews with photo prompts, the study focused on Accra, Ghana. The research uncovers novel insights pertinent to both policy and practice. The analysis reveals that planning policy objectives in Accra are strategically aligned with the Western GI concept principles. It also identifies significant planning gaps, limitations, and local decision determinants. Its findings emphasise and expand the debate on concept transfer into local policies, highlighting the importance of recognising indigenous knowledge and locally attuned adaptations over wholesale transfer of the Western GI concept.
The findings of this study have profound implications for theory and practice, offering valuable insights into the complexities of urban GI planning in SSA. It addresses the existing paucity of research on SSA GI planning and stimulates dialogue on broader GI discourses. It highlights the transferability and adaptability potential of GI in planning policies and advances debates on policy transfer and diffusion. In practice, the decision-making determinants identified can help shape institutional choices, priorities, and funding to promote accountability and compliance in GI planning and implementation. It highlights the lack of an official comprehensive GI strategy in spatial planning and identifies clear policy levers for effective policy integration. Finally, the study contributes to knowledge through a grounded theory and a case study conceptual framework, informed by its empirical findings
Defining the optimal duration of maintenance mitomycin C in intermediate-risk Ta NMIBC: a multicenter retrospective landmark analysis
No full textPurpose: While mitomycin C (MMC) is widely used for intravesical therapy, the optimal maintenance regimen for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) remains unclear. This study assessed the impact of MMC maintenance on recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with intermediate-risk Ta NMIBC and aimed to identify the optimal number of instillations for improved outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analysis of patients with Ta NMIBC treated with transurethral resection and adjuvant MMC across 13 Italian centers (2010–2023). Patients were grouped based on MMC maintenance duration: no maintenance, short-term (≤ 6 instillations), and long-term (> 6 instillations). Kaplan–Meier curves, Cox regression, and CART analysis were used to evaluate RFS and high-grade RFS (HG-RFS). Results: Among 292 patients included, maintenance therapy significantly improved 2-year and 3-year RFS compared to no maintenance (78% vs. 55% and 67% vs. 30%, respectively; p 6 instillations as the threshold for optimal benefit. Long-term maintenance was associated with a lower risk of recurrence (HR 0.23 vs. no maintenance; HR 0.39 vs. short-term; both p 6 instillations) significantly prolongs RFS in patients with Ta NMIBC. These findings suggest that extended MMC regimens may improve patients’ outcomes and should be considered in clinical practice. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and guide evidence-based treatment strategies
Valorization of hops by-product for development of active poly(butylene succinate) film
No full textHop by-product powder (HBP), obtained from milling branches, leaves, and discarded cones, was valorized as a functional additive in polybutylene succinate (PBS) films to develop biodegradable antioxidant packaging. The HBP was first characterized for water absorption/desorption capacity and particle size distribution, then separated into three fractions based on fiber size (HBP-S: 63–160 μm; HBP-M: 160–220 μm; HBP-L: 220–710 μm). Total HBP (HBP-T) and each fraction were analysed for chemical composition and antioxidant properties. Four PBS composite films containing 10 wt.% of HBP-T, -S, -M, and -L were produced via melt blending, pelletizing, and compression molding. Their optical, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and water sorption properties were evaluated, together with antioxidant activity assessed by ethanolic extraction and in contact with food simulants. Smaller HBP particles exhibited higher cellulose content (≈79%), greater polyphenol concentration (≈10 mg GAE/gdw), and stronger antioxidant activity (≈14 mg TEAC/gdw). Incorporating HBP enhanced the films' elastic modulus and water absorption, shifting color toward red-yellow hues, particularly with smaller fibers. Fiber size had minimal impact on mechanical and thermal properties or antioxidant retention, suggesting that fractionation may be unnecessary. HBP maintained its antioxidant properties in PBS and demonstrated different release profiles in food simulants. The antioxidant activity of films increased over time, reaching values of 1.7 mg TEAC/gfilm (DPPH, 7 days) and 23 mg TEAC/gfilm (ABTS, 10 days). Simulants C and D1 had a higher capacity to solubilize antioxidant compounds from the film. These findings confirm HBP's potential to enhance PBS films functionality, making them promising for biodegradable antioxidant food packaging
Real-World Efficacy of IL-23 Inhibitors in Psoriasis Affecting High-Impact Areas: Indirect Comparison of Tildrakizumab 200 mg, Risankizumab, and Guselkumab—IL PSO (Italian Landscape Psoriasis)
No full textIntroduction: Psoriasis involving special or high-impact areas (scalp, nails, palms/soles, genitalia) is associated with a disproportionate functional and psychological burden that is often underestimated by conventional severity scores and remains challenging to treat effectively. This study compared the real-world efficacy and safety of three interleukin (IL)-23p19 inhibitors-risankizumab, guselkumab, and tildrakizumab 200 mg-in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with involvement of high-impact sites. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 670 patients treated for at least 52 weeks across 37 Italian dermatology centers. Patients received risankizumab (n = 254), guselkumab (n = 177), or tildrakizumab 200 mg (n = 239) according to approved regimens. Effectiveness was assessed using Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and site-specific Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) scores (scalp, nails, palms/soles, genitalia) at weeks 4, 16, 36, and 52. Safety was evaluated through reported adverse events. Results: Risankizumab demonstrated the fastest and most pronounced reduction in PASI, achieving PASI90 and PASI100 responses in 89.6% and 82.1% of patients at week 52, respectively. Tildrakizumab 200 mg showed a slower onset but comparable long-term efficacy, particularly in nail and palmoplantar psoriasis. At week 52, complete nail clearance (fn-PGA = 0) was achieved in 90.0% of patients treated with risankizumab, 76.7% with tildrakizumab, and 66.7% with guselkumab. Palmoplantar and genital psoriasis showed near-complete resolution across all treatment groups by week 52. Scalp involvement improved markedly with all agents, with lower residual disease observed with risankizumab. All treatments were well tolerated, with infrequent and predominantly mild adverse events and no major safety concerns. Conclusion: In real-world clinical practice, IL-23p19 inhibitors provide high and sustained efficacy in psoriasis affecting high-impact sites. Risankizumab offers faster and deeper responses, while tildrakizumab 200 mg represents an effective long-term option, particularly in patients with higher BMI or more treatment-resistant disease. These findings support a personalized approach to biologic selection based on disease localization, patient characteristics, and therapeutic goals
Lung cancer in women: current evidence and future research priorities
No full text: Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Compared to men, LC in women presents distinct epidemiologic, biological, and clinical characteristics. A large proportion of LC cases in women occur in never-smokers, underscoring the important roles of environmental exposures, genetic susceptibility, and hormonal influences in disease pathogenesis. LC in women also displays unique molecular profiles, with a higher prevalence of actionable alterations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, which inform targeted therapy selection. Despite advances in chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapy, sex-based differences in treatment efficacy, toxicity, and survivorship persist and remain incompletely understood. Additional barriers, including limited access to LC screening and the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, further constrain the application of evidence-based interventions for women. This review synthesizes latest evidence on epidemiology, risk factors, molecular features, screening, treatment outcomes, and survivorship challenges in women with LC with a deep focus on novel approaches to overcome current barriers and disparities to improve prevention, early detection, treatment, and long-term survivorship care
Targeted Therapy for a Rare PDGFRB-Rearranged Myeloproliferative Neoplasm: A Case Report.
No full textAround the world for a better life: job satisfaction and social inclusion of migrants in Southern Italy
No full textPurpose – The present study explores the link between job satisfaction and social integration among immigrants
in the province of Foggia, Southern Italy.
Design/methodology/approach – The analysis relies on an original dataset collected through surveys
administered to migrants. After identifying the determinants of job satisfaction and integration separately, a
recursive system of equations was estimated through the conditional mixed process approach to capture the
causal interaction between the two dimensions.
Findings – The results reveal a complex interaction between job satisfaction and social integration: while
greater integration led to lower tolerance for poor working conditions, improved job satisfaction enhanced the
perception of social inclusion.
Originality/value – The study is the first to examine the bidirectional relationship between job satisfaction and
social integration among migrants using original microdata