Search Results (2,995)

The successful deployment of sustainable building construction (SBC) is connected to sound knowledge sharing. Concerning SBC, knowledge sharing has been identified to directly and indirectly increase innovation, environmental performance, cost saving, regulatory compliance awareness and so on. The necessity of enhancing SBC practice globally has been emphasised by earlier research. Consequently, this study aims to investigate knowledge-sharing elements to enhance SBC in South Africa (SA). Utilising a questionnaire survey, this study elicited data from 281 professionals in the built environment. Data analysis was performed with “descriptive statistics”, the “Kruskal–Wallis H-test”, and “principal component analysis” to determine the principal knowledge-sharing features (KSFs). This study found that “creating public awareness of sustainable practices”, the “content of SBC training, raising awareness of green building products”, “SBC integration in professional certifications”, an “information hub or repository for sustainable construction”, and “mentoring younger professionals in sustainable practices” are the most critical KSFs for SBC deployment. These formed a central cluster, the Green Education Initiative and Eco-Awareness Alliance. The results achieved a reliability test value of 0.956. It was concluded that to embrace the full adoption of SBC, corporate involvement is critical, and all stakeholders must embrace the sustainability paradigm. It is recommended that the principal knowledge-sharing features revealed in this study should be carefully considered to help construction stakeholders in fostering knowledge sharing for a sustainable built environment. Full article

This study explores the role of solidarity finance in promoting local development and the empowerment of marginalized communities through financial inclusion and access to community credits. It focuses on how solidarity-based financial mechanisms provide accessible credit with fewer barriers, fostering productive activities and economic resilience. This study employed a quantitative and exploratory design, analyzing data from 51 community funds in Ecuador out of a total of 220 through a self-administered online survey, validated by auditing professionals and answered by community representatives. The 25-item questionnaire gathered data on organizational dynamics, financial practices, and perceptions of sustainability. Descriptive analysis was complemented with an analysis of variance to test hypotheses concerning associativity, self-management, and organizational performance. The results show that while associativity, self-management, and organizational management are perceived as institutional strengths, aspects such as autonomy and solidarity received lower evaluations, suggesting critical areas for strategic improvement. Notably, significant differences emerged between self-management–organization and solidarity–organization groups, emphasizing the importance of associativity (collaboration) in enhancing the sustainability of solidarity finance, which proves to be a vital mechanism for community empowerment and local development; however, its long-term sustainability depends on strengthening internal dimensions, particularly autonomy and solidarity, and reinforcing associativity as a core driver of organizational resilience. Full article

The purpose of this study was to examine vegetable consumption and its relationship with lifestyle characteristics among children and adolescents. Data from a health survey administered to a representative sample of 177,091 schoolchildren between the ages of 8 and 17 were employed in this observational, cross-sectional investigation. Physical activity level, screen time, and sleeping patterns were assessed using self-completed questionnaires. Vegetable consumption and dietary habits were analyzed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Adolescents. Participants consuming vegetables more than once daily were categorized as consumers vs. non-consumers. Physical education teachers measured anthropometric and physical fitness factors. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted, and the odds ratio with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated and adjusted for confounders. Vegetables were consumed once or more times a day by more females than males (25.5% vs. 24.0%, p < 0.001). In both sexes, vegetable consumers slept more, ate healthier, spent less time on screens, and had better anthropometric and aerobic fitness measurements than non-consumers. Healthy eating practices, such as regularly consuming fruits, legumes, nuts, and dairy products, were strongly correlated with vegetable intake. For every one-year increase in age, the odds of being a vegetable consumer decreased by 8% and 10% in boys and girls, respectively. Overweight/obese participants had lower odds of being a vegetable consumer by 20%. Increased screen time, inadequate physical activity, and insufficient sleeping hours decreased the odds of being a vegetable consumer by 22%, 30%, and 25%, respectively (all p-values < 0.001). Overall, a healthier lifestyle profile was associated with higher vegetable intake for both sexes among children and adolescents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of prostate cancer treatment, especially in advanced disease. In particular, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (aGnRH) reduce the production of gonadotropin and, therefore, of testosterone. In about 10% of patients, the non-pulsatile stimulation of GnRH receptor initially causes a surge in LH and testosterone, defined as the “flare-up phenomenon”, leading to increased bone pain, spinal cord compression, bladder outlet obstruction and cardiovascular issues. To mitigate this effect, combining a first-generation antiandrogen agent (FGA) with aGnRH is recommended. However, second-generation anti-androgens, such as apalutamide, bind selectively and irreversibly to the androgen receptor (AR), exhibiting a more efficient inhibition of the AR pathway. Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study of 27 patients (pts) with mHSPC, treated at a single center (“Santa Maria delle Grazie” Hospital in Pozzuoli, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Italy) between June 2022 and April 2024. Patients received apalutamide monotherapy for 14 days followed by continuous combination with aGnRH plus apalutamide. Serum PSA and testosterone levels were measured at baseline, at day 14 (after 13 days of apalutamide monotherapy), at day 28 (after an additional 15 days of apalutamide plus a aGnRH), and at day 60. Results: PSA levels decreased from a mean of 45.2 (±63.1) ng/mL at baseline to a mean of 12.6 (±23.4) ng/mL at day 14 and to 3.3 ng/mL (±6.0) at day 28 of treatment. After 14 days of apalutamide monotherapy, 21 patients (77.8%) achieved a >50% PSA reduction and 4 (14.8%) a >90% PSA reduction. The number of patients with undetectable PSA was one (3.7%) at day 14, two (7.4%) at day 28, and nine (33.3%) at day 60. The mean serum testosterone levels were 6.56 (±4.46) ng/mL at baseline, 6.58 (±4.42) ng/mL at day 14, and 2.40 (± 3.38) ng/mL at day 28. No significant difference in PSA and testosterone level reduction during treatment emerged between subgroups of patients with low- vs. high-volume disease. Conclusions: Apalutamide alone is a viable option for mitigating the flare-up phenomenon, avoiding first generation anti-androgen therapy, and it can achieve rapid and deep biochemical control. Full article

Automated quality control plays a critical role in modern industries, particularly in environments that handle large volumes of packaged products requiring fast, accurate, and consistent inspections. This work presents an anomaly detection system for candle jars commonly used in industrial and commercial applications, where obtaining labeled defective samples is challenging. Two anomaly detection strategies are explored: (1) a baseline model using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) as an end-to-end classifier and (2) a hybrid approach where features extracted by CNNs are fed into One-Class classification (OCC) algorithms, including One-Class SVM (OCSVM), One-Class Isolation Forest (OCIF), One-Class Local Outlier Factor (OCLOF), One-Class Elliptic Envelope (OCEE), One-Class Autoencoder (OCAutoencoder), and Support Vector Data Description (SVDD). Both strategies are trained primarily on non-defective samples, with only a limited number of anomalous examples used for evaluation. Experimental results show that both the pure CNN model and the hybrid methods achieve excellent classification performance. The end-to-end CNN reached 100% accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC. The best-performing hybrid model CNN-based feature extraction followed by OCIF also achieved 100% across all evaluation metrics, confirming the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach. Other OCC algorithms consistently delivered strong results, with all metrics above 95%, indicating solid generalization from predominantly normal data. This approach demonstrates strong potential for quality inspection tasks in scenarios with scarce defective data. Its ability to generalize effectively from mostly normal samples makes it a practical and valuable solution for real-world industrial inspection systems. Future work will focus on optimizing real-time inference and exploring advanced feature extraction techniques to further enhance detection performance. Full article

Background: Brain health is a growing public health priority due to the high global burden of neurological and mental disorders. Promoting brain health across the lifespan supports individual and societal well-being, creativity, and productivity. Objective: To address the need for specialized education in this field, the University of Bern developed a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Brain Health. This article outlines the program’s rationale, structure, and goals. Program Description: The one-year, 15 ECTS-credit program is primarily online and consists of four modules: (1) Introduction to Brain Health, (2) Brain Disorders, (3) Risk Factors, Protective Factors and Interventions, and (4) Brain Health Implementation. It offers a multidisciplinary, interprofessional, life-course approach, integrating theory with practice through case studies and interactive sessions. Designed for healthcare and allied professionals, the CAS equips participants with skills to promote brain health in clinical, research, and public health contexts. Given the shortage of trained professionals in Europe and globally, the program seeks to build a new generation of brain health advocates. It aims to inspire action and initiatives that support the prevention, early detection, and management of brain disorders. Conclusions: The CAS in Brain Health is an innovative educational response to a pressing global need. By fostering interdisciplinary expertise and practical skills, it enhances professional development and supports improved brain health outcomes at individual and population levels. Full article

Anthocyanins, a subclass of flavonoid pigments, impart vivid red, purple, and blue coloration to horticultural plants, playing essential roles in ornamental enhancement, stress resistance, and pollinator attraction. Recent studies have identified B-box (BBX) proteins as a critical class of transcription factors (TFs) involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Despite these advances, comprehensive reviews systematically addressing BBX proteins are urgently needed, especially given the complexity and diversity of their roles in regulating anthocyanin production. In this paper, we provide an in-depth overview of the fundamental structures, biological functions, and classification of BBX TFs, along with a detailed description of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways and bioactivities. Furthermore, we emphasize the diverse molecular mechanisms through which BBX TFs regulate anthocyanin accumulation, including direct activation or repression of target genes, indirect modulation via interacting protein complexes, and co-regulation with other transcriptional regulators. Additionally, we summarize the known upstream regulatory signals and downstream target genes of BBX TFs, highlighting their significance in shaping anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways. Understanding these regulatory networks mediated by BBX proteins will not only advance fundamental horticultural science but also provide valuable insights for enhancing the aesthetic quality, nutritional benefits, and stress adaptability of horticultural crops. Full article

Consumer interest in vegetarian, ethical, and clean-label foods is reviving the use of plant-derived milk coagulants. Cardosins from Cynara cardunculus (“thistle”) are aspartic proteases with strong clotting activity, yet their technological impact in cheese remains under-explored. This study compared a commercial thistle extract (PC) with traditional bovine rennet rich in chymosin (AC) during manufacture and 60-day ripening of Caciotta cheese. Classical compositional assays (ripening index, texture profile, color, solubility) were integrated with scanning electron microscopy, three-dimensional surface reconstruction, and descriptive sensory analysis. AC cheeses displayed slower but sustained proteolysis, yielding a higher and more linear ripening index, softer body, greater solubility, and brighter, more yellow appearance. Imaging revealed a continuous protein matrix with uniformly distributed, larger pores, consistent with a dairy-like sensory profile dominated by milky and umami notes. Conversely, PC cheeses underwent rapid early proteolysis that plateaued, producing firmer, chewier curds with lower solubility and darker color. Micrographs showed a fragmented matrix with smaller, heterogeneous pores; sensory evaluation highlighted vegetal, bitter, and astringent attributes. The data demonstrate that thistle coagulant can successfully replace animal rennet but generates cheeses with distinct structural and sensory fingerprints. The optimization of process parameters is therefore required when targeting specific product styles. Full article

Background/Objectives. This manuscript presents an overview of advances in oncological radiotherapy as an effective treatment method for cancerous tumors, focusing on mechanisms of action within metabolite–antimetabolite systems. The urgency of this topic is underscored by the fact that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide: as of 2022, approximately 20 million new cases were diagnosed globally, accounting for about 0.25% of the total population. Given prognostic models predicting a steady increase in cancer incidence to 35 million cases by 2050, there is an urgent need for the latest developments in physics, chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacy, and strict adherence to oncological vigilance. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the relationship between the nature and mechanisms of past diagnostic and therapeutic oncology approaches, their current improvements, and future prospects. Particular emphasis is placed on isotope technologies in the production of therapeutic nuclides, focusing on the mechanisms of formation of simple and complex theranostic compounds and their classification according to target specificity. Methods. The methodology involved searching, selecting, and analyzing information from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as from available official online sources over the past 20 years. The search was structured around the structure–mechanism–effect relationship of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The manuscript, including graphic materials, was prepared using a narrative synthesis method. Results. The results present a sequential analysis of materials related to isotope technology, particularly nucleus stability and instability. An explanation of theranostic principles enabled a detailed description of the action mechanisms of radiopharmaceuticals on various receptors within the metabolite–antimetabolite system using specific drug models. Attention is also given to radioactive nanotheranostics, exemplified by the mechanisms of action of radioactive nanoparticles such as Tc-99m, AuNPs, wwAgNPs, FeNPs, and others. Conclusions. Radiotheranostics, which combines the diagnostic properties of unstable nuclei with therapeutic effects, serves as an effective adjunctive and/or independent method for treating cancer patients. Despite the emergence of resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, existing nuclide resources provide protection against subsequent tumor metastasis. However, given the unfavorable cancer incidence prognosis over the next 25 years, the development of “preventive” drugs is recommended. Progress in this area will be facilitated by modern medical knowledge and a deeper understanding of ligand–receptor interactions to trigger apoptosis in rapidly proliferating cells. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acrylamide is a probably carcinogenic to humans that naturally forms during the thermal processing of foods. An individual’s lifestyle—especially dietary habits and physical activity—may influence the severity of acrylamide’s adverse health effects. This study aimed to examine the relationship between adolescents’ dietary and exercise behaviors and their dietary acrylamide exposure and associated health risks. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 370 high school students in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Nutrition Exercise Behavior Scale (NEBS) and a retrospective 24-h dietary recall questionnaire. Acrylamide exposure was calculated based on food intake to estimate carcinogenic (CR) and non-corcinogenic (target hazard quotient: THQ) health risks and analyzed in relation to NEBS scores. Results: Findings indicated that while adolescents are beginning to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, these behaviors are not yet consistent. Emotional eating and unhealthy food choices still occur. Higher acrylamide exposure and risk values were observed in boys and underweight individuals. This can be explained mainly by the fact that boys consume more of certain foods—especially bread, which contains relatively higher levels of acrylamide—than girls do, and that underweight individuals have lower body weights despite consuming similar amounts of food as other groups. Bread products emerged as the primary source of daily acrylamide intake. Positive correlations were found between NEBS total and subscale scores and acrylamide exposure and health risk values. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significant association between adolescents’ health behaviors and acrylamide exposure. These results underscore potential public health concerns regarding acrylamide intake during adolescence and emphasize the need for targeted nutritional interventions to reduce risk and promote sustainable healthy behaviors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding the impact of dietary habits in terms of obesity, health outcomes, and functional decline is critical in Europe’s growing elderly population. This study analyzed trends in Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, obesity prevalence, and grip strength among middle-aged and elderly Europeans using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Methods: Data from four SHARE waves (2015–2022) across 28 countries were analyzed. Dietary patterns were assessed through food frequency questionnaires classifying participants as MD-adherent or non-adherent where adherent implies daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and occasional (3–6 times/week) intake of eggs, beans, legumes, meat, fish, or poultry (an unvalidated definition of the MD pattern). Handgrip strength, a biomarker of functional capacity, was categorized into low, medium, and high groups. Body mass index (BMI), self-perceived health (SPHUS), chronic disease prevalence, and CASP-12 scores (control, autonomy, self-realization, and pleasure evaluated on the 12-item version) were also evaluated. Statistical analyses included descriptive methods, logistic regressions, and multiple imputations to address missing data. Results: A significant majority (74–77%) consumed fruits and vegetables daily, which is consistent with MD principles; however, the high daily intake of dairy products (>50%) indicates limited adherence to the MD, which advocates for moderate consumption of dairy products. Logistic regression indicated that individuals with two or more chronic diseases were more likely to follow the MD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.21, confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–1.32), as were those individuals who rated their SPHUS as very good/excellent ([OR] = 1.42, [CI] = 1.20–1.69). Medium and high maximal handgrip were also strongly and consistently associated with higher odds of MD adherence (Medium: [OR] = 1.44, [CI] = 1.18–1.74; High: [OR] = 1.27, [CI] = 1.10–1.48). Conclusions: The findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults are more likely to adhere to the MD dietary pattern if they have more than two chronic diseases, are physically active, and have a medium or high handgrip. Although an unvalidated definition of the MD dietary pattern was used, the results highlight the importance of implementing targeted dietary strategies for middle-aged and elderly adults. Full article

Background: This study aims to compare the logistical challenges of Home Health Care (HHC) services in Portugal and Brazil, highlighting the structural and operational differences between both systems. Methods: Guided by an abductive research approach, data were collected using a semi-structured survey with open-ended questions, applied to 13 HHC teams in Portugal and 18 in Brazil, selected based on national coordination recommendations. The data collection process was conducted in person, and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results: The results reveal that Portugal demonstrates higher productivity, stronger territorial coverage, and a more integrated inventory management system, while Brazil presents greater multidisciplinary team integration, more flexible fleet logistics, and more advanced digital health records. Despite these strengths, both countries continue to address key logistical aspects, such as scheduling, supply distribution, and data management, largely through empirical strategies. Conclusions: This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of international HHC logistics by emphasizing strategic and systemic aspects often overlooked in operational studies. In practical terms, it offers insights for public health managers to improve resource allocation, fleet coordination, and digital integration in aging societies. Full article

Despite the importance of financial literacy, particularly in sustaining and improving rural agriculture, it is documented in the literature that little is known about financial literacy, particularly in rural communities in developing countries. Responding to the calls for research to address this gap, the current study investigates how financial literacy relates to access to funding, innovative service adoption, and sustainable food production among agricultural food producers in Nigeria’s rural communities. A probability sampling technique was used to draw 460 samples from registered rural farmers in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchored Borrower’s Programme for food production in Edo State, Nigeria. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis, while descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse the demographic data of the respondents. The outcomes suggest that financial literacy has significant links with access to funding, innovative service adoption and sustainable food production among agricultural food producers in Nigerian rural communities. Based on the outcomes, it is concluded that financial literacy significantly influences sustainable food production in Nigerian rural communities. As such, there is a need for the Nigerian government and financial authorities to embark on a financial literacy drive to increase financial literacy, particularly in light of ever-evolving disruptive financial technologies. Full article

Research concerning green marketing has predominantly focused on consumer behavior. However, aspects such as the extent to which Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) embrace green marketing values, their ability to implement the green marketing mix, and the integration of green marketing into their business culture are critically important. This research aims to provide the 4P (product, price, place, and promotion)-focused green marketing literature with a measurement tool to assess how SMEs implement green marketing practices. The study employed a descriptive design and possesses an exploratory nature. Scale development involved two stages: First, analyses were conducted on a pre-test sample of 159 individuals, revealing the initial scale structure. Second, these analyses were repeated on a larger group of 387 participants. The scale was finalized by confirming the consistency of results across both analyses. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 24 were utilized for descriptive statistics and the scale development process. The final validated 12-item scale demonstrates a robust three-factor structure (“Environmental Promotion”, ”Green Packaging”, and ”Green Distribution”), explaining 62.6% of the total variance. The scale exhibits excellent psychometric properties, including high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.912), strong model fit from Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and both convergent and discriminant validity, as indicated by an Average Variance Extracted (AVE) value of 0.605. The scale is deemed applicable to larger populations. Full article

The emission and presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the indoor air of houses and factories has been a growing topic of debate in the industry and related research fields. Given the extended times people in modern society spend indoors, monitoring VOCs is crucial due to the associated potential health hazards, with formaldehyde being particularly noteworthy. Wood and wood-based panels (WBPs) (the latter constituting a significant segment of the wood-transforming industry, being widely used in furniture, construction, and other applications) are known sources for the emission of VOCs to indoor air. In the case of the WBPs, the emission of VOCs depends on the type and species of wood, together with industrial processing and addition of additives. This review integrates perspectives on the production processes associated with WBPs, together with the evolving global regulations, and thoroughly examines VOC sources associated with WBPs, health risks from exposure, and current analytical methods utilized for VOC detection. It comprises an overview of the WBP industry, providing relevant definitions, descriptions of manufacturing processes and adhesive use, analysis of legal constraints, and explanations of VOC source identification and describing analysis techniques utilized for VOCs in WBPs. Full article