Journals
2026 EN
del Pilar Leal Maria · Sotomayor Sandra · Barton Michele
During the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, the wine cellars – some of them considered tourist attractions – have been forced to rethink and reshape their touristic offer. This situation has focused on the wine landscape as the main attraction instead of wine cellars since outdoor activities have been most demanded by tourists eager to escape their cities’ lockdown restrictions. The primary purpose of this paper focuses on understanding the role of wine landscapes in driving the tourism sector in regions where those wineries were still operating. In addition, it aims to understand the management decisions during COVID-19 regarding wine tourism experiences based on wine landscapes and how those decisions might drive local and regional development. To achieve this goal, the present research proposes a comparative analysis of wine cellars in Peru and Spain. Therefore, a qualitative methodology is applied based on three focus groups with 14 wine cellar managers. The analysis focuses on the common elements of local and regional development proposed by Pike et al. ( 2006 . Desarrollo local y regional . Traducción de Noguera, J. (2011). Publicaciones de la Universidad de Valencia) linked to winescapes . The results obtained revealed, how winescapes are crucial elements for contributing to local and regional development. Moreover, they provide insights regarding intangible cultural resources as a mechanism for recovering the tourism sector and how managers could take advantage of them. The conclusions highlight the potential of winescapes for tourism to recover regardless of the country and the ample room for improvement by the wine cellar managers, where the analysis identifies the lack of knowledge and creativity applied to their tourism offer.
Journals
2026 EN
Biagioli Michele · Di Giorgio Cristina · Marchianò Silvia
+12 more
Intestinal fibrosis is a severe complication of Crohn's disease for which therapy remains suboptimal. Probiotics are widely used in the treatment of intestinal inflammation, but all major guidelines do not recommend in favor of their use, with the exception of an 8-strains bacterial formula, which is recommended for the treatment of pouch inflammation in ulcerative colitis. Using this 8-strains formulation as a comparator, we characterized a 9-strains probiotic formulation enriched with Lactobacillus rhamnosus and paracasei in a mouse model of intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. Our findings demonstrated that while both formulations exerted similar protective effects in acute colitis, only the 9-strains probiotic attenuates inflammation and fibrosis in chronic colitis. Mechanistically, we found that the 9-strains formulation remodeled the microbiota composition and the structure of microbiota-derived secondary bile acids, leading to the selective enrichment of those bile acids that act as GPBAR1 agonists, including 3-oxo-DCA, which in vitro directly attenuates activation of intestinal fibroblasts. Confirming the role of this pathway, feeding Gpbar1 ⁻/⁻ mice with 9-strains probiotic formulation abrogates its beneficial effects on inflammation and fibrosis. These findings highlight the importance of microbial metabolites in shaping probiotic efficacy and support the development of probiotic formulations that target host–microbiota interactions through bile acid signaling.
Journals
2026 EN
Petkovski Michele · Knipschild Rik · Gevers Theo
+1 more
Background: Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is characterized by severe and persistent grief that impairs daily functioning. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the first-line treatment but yields only small-to-moderate effects. Imagery rescripting, which targets distressing loss-related memories, is increasingly used for PGD and related trauma complaints. Incorporating deepfake technology into imagery rescripting, i.e. virtual rescripting, may increase emotional engagement and facilitate processing of the loss, potentially improving treatment outcomes. However, this approach has not yet been empirically examined for PGD. Objective: This study aims to explore the potential effectiveness of virtual rescripting in reducing prolonged grief intensity, loss-related unfinished business, grief rumination, guilt, regret, and negative affect, and increasing well-being and positive affect. Methods: A multiple baseline design will be employed (ethics ID: NL-010145). Nine participants will be randomly assigned to a baseline length of five, six, or seven weeks. The intervention phase will span five weeks and include three therapist-guided sessions: (1) introduction, (2) virtual rescripting, and (3) evaluation. Participants will complete weekly questionnaires during both the baseline and intervention phases. Data will be analyzed using randomization tests to compare the intensity levels of the outcomes of interest between the baseline and intervention phases. Conclusions: This is the first study to explore the potential effectiveness of virtual rescripting in PGD treatment, providing preliminary evidence for future large-scale trials to improve bereavement care.
Resource
2026 EN
Brescini Michele · Antomarioni Sara · Ciarapica Filippo Emanuele
+1 more
The steel industry, which accounts for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces a growing challenge in implementing sustainable practices. Industrial symbiosis is a viable solution that promotes inter-industry collaboration to reutilize waste materials, decrease emissions, and improve resource efficiency. This systematic literature review examines its implementation in the steel industry, emphasizing its environmental, economic, and technical effects. The scientific value-added of this study is its systemic approach, moving beyond localized, discrete waste-exchange analyses to quantify the benefits and barriers of macro-level industrial symbiosis integration across the steel supply chain. The primary finding confirms the essential role of iron and steel production residues (i.e. blast furnace slag and electric arc furnace dust) in highly effective cross-sectoral applications, most notably in the cement and construction industries, leading to substantial CO 2 and cost reductions. Novel applications include residues utilization in wastewater treatment and carbon capture. Despite these benefits, obstacles such as variable by-product quality, regulatory challenges, and substantial initial infrastructure expenses prevent the extensive adoption of industrial symbiosis. Although experimental studies have focused on waste recycling strategies and controlled outcomes, case studies have shown the benefits of its integration across sectors, highlighting resource-sharing networks, energy savings, and material exchanges. Finally, this review highlights that scaling industrial symbiosis requires a shift toward targeted regulatory support, strategic implementation of digital technologies, and a strong focus in future research on life cycle assessment integrated modelling and techno-economic validation to maximize its long-term environmental contribution.
Journals
2026 EN
Cedolin Michele · Bal Alperen
This paper presents a hierarchical simulation-optimization framework for pharmaceutical warehouse allocation, incorporating demand variability and critical medicine prioritization. The proposed approach uses K-means clustering, mixed integer linear programming, and Monte Carlo simulation to overcome the limitations of traditional models by accounting for the stochastic nature of demand and cost for obtaining strategic supply chain decisions. The effectiveness of various network design structures, which incorporate different numbers of warehouses for each region, is evaluated through a comparative analysis of the results obtained from a case study conducted in the Black Sea region of Turkiye. The results show the critical trade-offs between centralized and decentralized network designs under varying cost and demand conditions. Thus, strategically selected warehouses and the optimal number to open were determined for each city. Additionally, the integrated approach presents a hierarchical solution approach for finding efficient solutions to real-world optimization problems.
Journals
2026 EN
Dourte Marine · Hammad Gregory · de Haan Stella
+10 more
Thermoregulatory processes are closely linked to sleep initiation and maintenance throughout the circadian cycle, and may contribute to the increased tendency to nap in older adults. This cross-sectional study examined whether habitual napping in healthy older individuals is associated with altered skin temperature-derived heat-loss dynamics and their relationship with sleep onset. Thirty self-reported habitual nappers and 28 non-nappers (59–82 y) completed a 40-hour multiple-nap protocol under controlled laboratory conditions, with continuous polysomnography and distal-proximal skin temperature gradients (DPG) recordings. DPG was analyzed across scheduled wake episodes and at lights-off preceding each nap opportunity. Habitual nappers exhibited distinct changes in thermoregulatory dynamics compared to non-nappers. Overall, they had a lower DPG during scheduled wakefulness, particularly during the afternoon nap window (14:45–17:30). Their circadian organization of the DPG also differed markedly: they had a higher 24-hour DPG amplitude, a more pronounced 12-hour component, and an earlier DPG phase than the non-nappers. During nap opportunities, shorter sleep onset latency (SOL) was associated with a faster increase in DPG after lights-off in both groups. However, in habitual nappers, sleep onset occurred more rapidly despite a reduced dependence on pre-sleep DPG increase. Together, these findings indicate that habitual napping in older adults is accompanied by altered heat-loss rhythms across the circadian cycle and a reduced coupling between pre-sleep thermoregulatory dynamics and sleep initiation. Circadian-driven thermoregulatory changes may underlie the greater propensity to nap in older adults and differentiate habitual nappers from non-nappers. However, the causal direction of this relationship requires further investigation.
Journals
2026 EN
Moussaoui Dehlia · Hoq Monsurul · Elder Charlotte V.
+3 more
High rates of pelvic pain have been reported in trans individuals on testosterone, but the pathophysiology of pain and the potential role of testosterone are unclear. The aim of this exploratory study was to determine whether the proportion of pelvic pain in trans adolescents is different among those on testosterone therapy compared to those who are not. Secondary objectives were to determine the characteristics, potential contributing factors, impact, and treatment of pelvic pain in trans adolescents. An online cross-sectional study about pelvic pain was conducted among trans individuals assigned female at birth, aged 12 and over, and who had sought care at our institution since 2017. Among 102 participants, 79 (77.5%) reported having experienced pelvic pain over the last 6 months. The proportion of individuals who reported pelvic pain was lower in individuals on testosterone ( n = 43/62, 69.4%) compared to those not on testosterone ( n = 36/40, 90%), with a difference in proportion of −20.6% (95% CI −35.4 to −5.9%, p = 0.006). Half of participants reported school or work absenteeism and two thirds missed extracurricular activities because of pelvic pain. A wide range of treatment options were used, with variable rates of reported effectiveness. Pelvic pain is frequently reported by trans adolescents. This exploratory study found a lower proportion of pelvic pain in trans adolescents using testosterone therapy compared to those who were not. Nevertheless, this study was limited by a small number of participants, its cross-sectional nature, and the risk of recruitment bias, thus limiting its generalizability. Longitudinal studies are required to better understand the development and evolution of pelvic pain in trans adolescents.
Journals
2026 EN
Campos Rodrigues Luís · Riera-Spiegelhalder Mar · Navarro Francisco
+8 more
Urban rivers play an important role in managing flood risks from intense precipitation events, which are expected to increase with climate change. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a green-grey approach to flooding in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain. The analysis focuses on hydromorphological adjustments of the temporary stream Torrent de la Piera , primarily aimed at enhancing its natural flood conveyance capacity and reducing overflow along its margins. During past periods of intense rainfall, this stream has overflowed, flooding adjacent roads and sidewalks and disrupting traffic and pedestrian access. An ex-ante cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is applied to assess proposed adaptation measures, including raising the right riverbank with an earthen levee and widening the riverbed at select cross-sections. The analysis compares implementation and maintenance costs with the benefits of reduced flood damage to residential and commercial buildings and infrastructure, based on an initial flood risk assessment under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios for the period 2024–2065. Results indicate the potential of the proposed interventions to significantly reduce flood exposure and associated economic losses. This study emphasizes the importance of a hybrid adaptation approach, considering co-benefits, local constraints, and resilience to extreme events to enhance flood protection, societal acceptance, and economic efficiency.
Resource
2026 EN
Inchingolo Angelo Michele · La Forgia Alessandra · Fiore Arianna
+7 more
Early childhood caries (ECC) is influenced by a combination of nutritional, social, and genetic factors and may develop as early as 6–12 months of age. While breastfeeding is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits, its role in the development of ECC remains controversial, with conflicting evidence reported in the literature. This narrative review explores the relationship between breastfeeding and the risk of ECC in children under six years of age. Relevant studies published in the scientific literature were identified through searches of major biomedical databases, and the available evidence was analyzed with particular attention to feeding practices, duration of breastfeeding, and associated risk factors. The reviewed literature suggests that exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6–17 months of life is generally associated with a reduced risk of dental caries. Conversely, prolonged breastfeeding beyond 24 months appears to be linked to an increased risk of severe ECC, especially when combined with frequent sugar consumption and inadequate oral hygiene practices. Dietary habits and socioeconomic status emerge as important confounding factors significantly affecting ECC risk. Public health recommendations should balance the well-established benefits of breastfeeding with strategies aimed at preventing ECC. Promoting early oral hygiene measures, reducing sugar intake, and carefully monitoring prolonged breastfeeding may contribute to lowering the risk of ECC in young children.
Journals
2026 EN
Cedri Maria Claudia · Bansia Harsh · Amici Adolfo
+8 more
The striking blue hue of live Homarus americanus , known as the American lobster, arises from the interaction of astaxanthin with the carotenoprotein α‐crustacyanin. The mechanism underlying the bathochromic shift of the chromophore from its unbound red form (λ max = 472 nm) to the blue protein‐bound form (λ max = 631 nm) is the subject of attention from the food and nutraceutical industries for the development of versatile food colourants. Here, we present sample purification and characterization of the α‐ and β‐crustacyanin pigments from the American lobster for crystallographic studies and cryo‐EM. Moving from H. gammarus to H. americanus for complex isolation, together with an integrated biophysical characterization, resulted in the production, for the first time, of α‐crustacyanin crystals that diffracted to 6.3 Å resolution at ⟨ I /σ( I )⟩ = 1.0 and high‐quality negative‐stain and cryo‐EM images.
International Union of Crystallography