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Introduction: Workplace bullying (WB), encompassing work-related bullying (WRB) and personal bullying (PB), significantly impacts workers and organizational culture. This study explores the broader implications of WB, focusing on its perception when associated with job functions versus when targeted at individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a healthcare facility in northwestern Italy, involving 311 workers who responded to a questionnaire designed to assess the nature of bullying experienced. The survey explored various dimensions of WB, including psychosocial climate, leadership behavior, job satisfaction, and mental health outcomes. Results: Our findings indicated that WRB had a more detrimental impact than PB. Employees exposed to WRB reported lower job satisfaction (F(2, 295) = 59.048, p < .001), higher stress levels, and increased burnout (Emotional Exhaustion F(2, 294) = 40.346, p < .001). WRB was associated with negative perceptions of organizational fairness (F(2, 295) = 38.637, p < .001) and dynamism. PB also showed significant effects, particularly on team dynamics (MDOQ_team F(2, 294) = 52.514, p < .001) and communication (MDOQ_communic F(2, 294) = 15.038, p < .001). Discussion and Conclusions: WB profoundly deteriorates inter- and intra-group processes and undermines organizational culture, potentially affecting its legitimacy and reputation. The study underscores the need for organizational strategies that mitigate WB by promoting positive workplace environments and enhancing managerial practices to prevent bullying.

This paper examines how Rai’s coverage of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal shaped the Italian public understanding of this significant historical event. By analysing television and radio programs from the ArchivioTecheRai database between 2004 and 2024, the research explores how Rai constructed a narrative around the revolution. Five central themes are investigated: the portrayal of the revolutionary process, the legacy of Salazarism, the decolonization process, cultural resistance, and the evolving Portuguese identity. The inclusion of both Italian and Portuguese guests, with diverse experiences and perspectives, enriched Rai’s portrayal of the revolution, offering the Italian public a more nuanced understanding of the event. The study finds that Rai’s comprehensive coverage explored various aspects of the revolution and drew parallels with Italian history; however, the coverage was primarily confined to niche channels, limiting its exposure to a specific audience. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these results for understanding the interplay between media, history, and national identity.

Global fish and seafood consumption is increasing annually, frequently leading to the emergence of food fraud, mainly related to mislabeling and adulteration like, for example, the use of illicit/unauthorized food additives to mask or delay fish spoilage. Among the available diagnostic tools for control purposes, spectroscopic techniques have often been proposed to identify these kinds of illicit practices in fish and seafood products. The presented study aims to test two cheap and portable near infrared (NIR) spectrometers, a handheld MicroNIR and a pocket-sized SCiO, to uncover use of the illicit food additive Cafodos, a mixture of sodium citrate and hydrogen peroxide used to preserve some fish characteristics (like smell, color, na dtexture). The NIR spectroscopy in combination with chemometric approaches, allowed the successfully classification of (81–100%) samples of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) treated with Cafodos. The study highlights the potential of this technique that, by not requiring pre-treatment of samples with further reagents, is cheaper and safer for the environment. In conclusion, the study confirmed the potential of portable devices for rapid NIR spectroscopy analysis to identify food fraud and ensure consumer safety.

(1) Background: High-grade cervical dysplasia is primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Conservative surgery is the preferred treatment approach for this condition. The most commonly employed technique is the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), which involves removing the affected portion of the cervix. Excisional treatments are often curative, and complications are typically rare and minor. (2) Methods: The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is the standard method used for conservative surgery in high-grade cervical dysplasia. It entails the excision of the specific area of the cervix where the abnormal cells are present. The procedure employs a wire loop carrying an electrical current to remove the affected tissue. (3) Results: Excisional treatments, such as LEEP, have shown to be effective in treating high-grade cervical dysplasia. They have a high success rate in eliminating abnormal cells and reducing the risk of cervical cancer. Complications associated with LEEP are infrequent and usually minor. Short-term complications may include bleeding, which can be managed easily. Long-term complications may involve cervical canal stenosis, which can impact fertility. (4) Conclusions: Conservative surgery, particularly the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), is the preferred and effective treatment for high-grade cervical dysplasia caused by HPV infection. It offers a high cure rate with rare and minor complications. While short-term bleeding is a common occurrence, it is manageable. Long-term complications such as cervical canal stenosis may impact fertility. However, an extremely rare and possibly unique complication described in this case is the development of a vaginorectal fistula. This complication is likely due to indirect thermal injury resulting from compromised tissue. Further research is needed to better understand and prevent such complications.

Abstract Background Patients' lack of knowledge about their own disease may function as a barrier to shared decision‐making and well‐being. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of written educational materials on breast cancer patients. Methods This multicenter, parallel, unblinded, randomized trial included Latin American women aged ≥18 years with a recent breast cancer diagnosis yet to start systemic therapy. Participants underwent randomization in a 1:1 ratio to receive a customizable or standard educational brochure. The primary objective was accurate identification of molecular subtype. Secondary objectives included identification of clinical stage, treatment options, participation in decision‐making, perceived quality of information received, and illness uncertainty. Follow‐up occurred at 7–21 and 30–51 days post‐randomization. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05798312. Results One hundred sixty‐five breast cancer patients with a median age of 53 years and 61 days from diagnosis were included (customizable: 82; standard: 83). At first available assessment, 52%, 48%, and 30% identified their molecular subtype, disease stage, and guideline‐endorsed systemic treatment strategy, respectively. Accurate molecular subtype and stage identification were similar between groups. Per multivariate analysis, customizable brochure recipients were more likely to identify their guideline‐recommended treatment modalities (OR: 4.20,p = 0.001). There were no differences between groups in the perceived quality of information received or illness uncertainty. Customizable brochure recipients reported increased participation in decision‐making (p = 0.042). Conclusions Over one third of recently diagnosed breast cancer patients are incognizant of their disease characteristics and treatment options. This study demonstrates a need to improve patient education and shows that customizable educational materials increase patients' understanding of recommended systemic therapies according to individual breast cancer characteristics.

This paper introduces two new goodness-of-fit tests for the geometric distribution based on discrete adaptations of the Watson W2 and Anderson-Darling A2 statistics, where the probability of success is unknown. Although these tests are widely applied to continuous distributions, their application in discrete models has been relatively unexplored. Our study addresses this need by developing a robust statistical framework specifically for discrete distributions, particularly the geometric distribution. We provide extensive tables of asymptotic critical values for these tests and demonstrate their practical relevance through a financial case study. Specifically, we apply these tests to analyze price runs derived from daily time series of NASDAQ, DJIA, Nikkei 225, and the Mexican IPC indices, covering the period from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. This work broadens the range of available tools for assessing goodness-of-fit in discrete models, which are essential for applications in finance and beyond. The Python programs developed for this paper are available to the academic community.

This paper introduces two new goodness-of-fit tests for the geometric distribution based on discrete adaptations of the Watson W2 and Anderson-Darling A2 statistics, where the probability of success is unknown. Although these tests are widely applied to continuous distributions, their application in discrete models has been relatively unexplored. Our study addresses this need by developing a robust statistical framework specifically for discrete distributions, particularly the geometric distribution. We provide extensive tables of asymptotic critical values for these tests and demonstrate their practical relevance through a financial case study. Specifically, we apply these tests to analyze price runs derived from daily time series of NASDAQ, DJIA, Nikkei 225, and the Mexican IPC indices, covering the period from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. This work broadens the range of available tools for assessing goodness-of-fit in discrete models, which are essential for applications in finance and beyond. The Python programs developed for this paper are available to the academic community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overtraffic is one of the main keys to air pollution in urban areas. The aim of the present work is to review the approaches and explore the potentiality of AI in reducing traffic pollution in urban areas, ranging over three main areas: the optimization of traffic lights timing to reduce delays, the use of AI-powered drones to monitor pollution levels in real-time, and the use of fixed AI-based sensors to detect the levels of pollutants in the air with the use of AI models to identify patterns in the collected data and predict air quality in near-real time. Some attention was also dedicated to possible problems arising from privacy protection and data security, and the case study of the Piemonte area and of the city of Turin in the north–west of Italy is presented: the current situation is depicted, and possible local future applications of AI are explored. The use of AI has proven to be very promising in all three areas, particularly in the field of optimization of traffic lights' timing and coordination in increasingly larger traffic networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partir de la reducción del presupuesto gubernamental en materia de publicidad oficial, distintos diarios en México, que solían tener una postura editorial leal al gobierno en turno, decidieron tomar otra dirección, comenzando a ejercer un trabajo periodístico crítico y de denuncia tanto hacia la figura presidencial como a personajes del partido político establecido en el poder, Morena. Las históricas prácticas clientelares, acompañadas de la comprensión sobre la forma en la que los medios de comunicación impresos se han relacionado con el aparato gubernamental en México, funcionan como eje para argumentar cómo la cancelación o mutación de las mismas ha hecho que diarios como El Universal, Excelsior o Reforma, ahora se asuman como contrapesos al poder político. En tanto, el ensayo funge como una aproximación contextual y teórica sobre cómo se podría abordar el fenómeno de forma empírica.

The body temperature of lizards is strongly influenced by the thermal quality of microhabitats, exploiting the favourable environmental temperatures, and avoiding exposure to extreme thermal conditions. For these reasons, reptile populations are considered to be especially vulnerable to changes in environmental temperatures produced by climate change. Here, we study the thermal physiology of the critically endangered Anelo Sand Dunes Lizard (Liolaemus cuyumhue Avila, Morando, Perez and Sites, 2009). We hypothesise that (i) there is a thermal coadaptation between optimal temperature for locomotor performance of L. cuyumhue and its thermal preference; (ii) L. cuyumhue lives in an environment with low thermal quality; and (iii) a rise in environmental temperatures due to global warming will impose a decrement in locomotor speed represented by lower warming tolerance and narrower thermal safety margins, increasing their already high vulnerability. We recorded field body temperatures ([T.sub.b]), preferred body temperatures ([T.sub.pref]), the operative temperature ([T.sub.e]), and the thermal sensitivity of locomotion at different body temperatures. Our results indicate that this lizard is not currently under environmental stress or exceeding its thermal limits, but that it is thermoregulating below [T.sub.pref] to avoid overheating, and that an increase in environmental temperature higher than 3.5 [degrees]C will strongly affect the use of microhabitats with direct sun exposure. Key words: climate change, vulnerable, Liolaemus cuyumhue, Anelo Sand Dunes Lizard, thermal sensitivity, locomotion, optimal temperature. La temperature du corps des reptiles est fortement influencee par la qualite thermique des microhabitats, l'exploitation de temperatures ambiantes favorables et l'evitement de conditions thermiques extremes. Pour ces raisons, les populations de reptiles sont considerees etre particulierement vulnerables aux variations des temperatures ambiantes decoulant des changements climatiques. Nous etudions la physiologie thermique d'une espece de lezard en danger critique, Liolaemus cuyumhue Avila, Morando, Perez et Sites, 2009. Nous postulons que (i) il y a coadaptation thermique entre la tem-perature optimale pour la performance locomotrice de L. cuyumhue et sa temperature de predilection, (ii) L. cuyumhue vit dans un milieu de mauvaise qualite thermique et (iii) une hausse des temperatures ambiantes causee par le rechauffement planetaire entraînera une baisse de la vitesse de locomotion representee par une tolerance plus faible au rechauffement et des plages de securite thermiques plus etroites, rehaussant la vulnerabilite deja elevee de l'espece. Nous avons enregistre la temperature du corps sur le terrain ([T.sub.b]), les temperatures du corps de predilection ([T.sub.pref]), la temperature operative ([T.sub.e]) et la sensibilite thermique de la locomotion a differentes temperatures du corps. Nos resultats indiquent que ce lezard n'est pre-sentement pas assujetti a un stress environnemental et que ses limites thermiques ne sont pas depassees, mais qu'il fait preuve de thermoregulation pour se maintenir a des temperatures inferieures a sa [T.sub.pref] afin d'eviter la surchauffe, et qu'une hausse de plus de 3,5 [degre]C des temperatures ambiantes aura une forte incidence sur l'utilisation de microhabitats caracterises par une exposition directe au soleil. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : changement climatique, vulnerable, Liolaemus cuyumhue, lezard, sensibilite thermique, locomotion, temperature optimale., Introduction Ectotherms are not capable of producing and using metabolic heat for thermoregulation, and thus regulate their body temperature by behaviourally exploiting thermal resources (Bogert 1959). Through behavioural thermoregulation, ectotherms [...]

The structure and the biological significance of the Olivinae fasciculate ornamentation known as "American Shoulder" (after its presence in the American olives) are investigated for around 20 Western Atlantic / Gulf of Mexico / Caribbean species. The applicability of the "Chevron Paradigm" by Tursch & Greifeneder (2001) to the subchannel area is questioned and contrary evidence is proposed. A robust correlation between lip thinning phases and the generation of the typical American Shoulder features is observed: their coincidence with rapid growth stages as reported by Strano (2017) is plausible but wasn't established decisively in absence of destructive investigations. The issues of intraspecific and interspecific variability are addressed thanks to an extensive photographic coverage, and a new general description of the peculiar pattern emerges from the investigations. The initial identification of some specimens included in this study is questioned on the basis of their subchannel pattern, hinting at its possible use as an accessory character in species determination, and suggesting to include exhaustive descriptions of American Shoulder patterns in new nomenclatural acts involving the (sub)genus Americoliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global fish and seafood consumption is increasing annually, frequently leading to the emergence of food fraud, mainly related to mislabeling and adulteration like, for example, the use of illicit/unauthorized food additives to mask or delay fish spoilage. Among the available diagnostic tools for control purposes, spectroscopic techniques have often been proposed to identify these kinds of illicit practices in fish and seafood products. The presented study aims to test two cheap and portable near infrared (NIR) spectrometers, a handheld MicroNIR and a pocket-sized SCiO, to uncover use of the illicit food additive Cafodos, a mixture of sodium citrate and hydrogen peroxide used to preserve some fish characteristics (like smell, color, na dtexture). The NIR spectroscopy in combination with chemometric approaches, allowed the successfully classification of (81–100%) samples of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) treated with Cafodos. The study highlights the potential of this technique that, by not requiring pre-treatment of samples with further reagents, is cheaper and safer for the environment. In conclusion, the study confirmed the potential of portable devices for rapid NIR spectroscopy analysis to identify food fraud and ensure consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's adolescents represent an elective target in addressing environmental challenges. Education is a key factor in achieving a sustainable future for them. However, formal education can represent a challenge when youths are its target, as they are considered the "interactive generation". Game-based learning, and, in particular, Digital Educational Escape Rooms (DERs), have emerged as innovative methods in education, with promising applications in environmental sustainability studies. In this study, we developed 14 Digital Escape Rooms using the Social Cognitive Theory of Bandura as a theoretical framework. These were focused on environmental education and we tested them on a sample of 411 students (aged 12–18 years; 158 female, 38.4%). A one-group quasi-experimental research design was adopted, carrying out a pre-test post-test analysis. Each participant completed assessments at two time points: before engaging in the escape rooms (T0) and after (T1). The assessment tools included the Goal Assessment Scale (GAS) and the Perceived Climate Self-Efficacy Scale. Our findings revealed no significant gender differences in goal achievement. However, at T0, females exhibited higher levels of perceived climate self-efficacy in both individual and collective dimensions. Instead, the Digital Escape Rooms appeared particularly effective in increasing self-efficacy among male participants. These results suggest that Digital Escape Rooms hold potential for enhancing environmental self-efficacy, although gender differences in baseline efficacy levels warrant further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancements in managing stage III melanoma have involved the implementation of adjuvant therapies alongside a simultaneous decrease in the utilization of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) following positive sentinel node biopsy (SLNB). Methods: This retrospective study from the University of Turin's Dermatology Clinic analyzed relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) among stage III melanoma patients (n = 157) who underwent CLND after positive SLNB versus those who did not receive such procedure. Results: Patients without CLND had a median RFS of 49 months (95% CI 42-NA), while CLND recipients showed 51 months (95% CI 31-NA) (p = 0.139). The 48-month OS for non-CLND patients was 79.8% (95% CI 58.2–91.0) versus 79.2% (95% CI 67.5–87.0) for CLND recipients (p = 0.463). Adjusted Hazard Ratios through inverse probability treatment weighting revealed the impact of CLND to be insignificant on RFS (aHR 0.90, 95% CI 0.37–2.22) and marginal on OS (aHR 0.41, 95% CI 0.13–1.21). Conversely, adjuvant therapy significantly reduced the risk of relapse (aHR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25–0.84), irrespective of CLND. Conclusions: This study corroborates the growing evidence that CLND after positive SLNB does not enhance RFS or OS, while emphasizing the crucial role of adjuvant therapy, be it immunotherapy or targeted therapy, in reducing the risk of relapse in melanoma patients with positive SLNB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Adjuvant therapy with targeted therapy or immunotherapy has become the standard of care for fully resected stage III–IV melanoma. In this scenario, real-world data are needed to relate the actual effectiveness and safety of these regimens with the evidence provided in the clinical trials. This study provides clinicians and researchers with the results of an Italian single-center real-world experience on the use of adjuvant therapy in resected stage III–IV melanoma patients. Our findings confirm the real-world effectiveness and safety of adjuvant regimens, yet underscores the need for further research to explore biomarker-based predictors for relapse and to assess the translation of improved relapse-free survival into long-term overall survival benefit. This study was carried out at the Dermatologic Clinic of the University of Turin, Italy, to assess the effectiveness and safety of adjuvant therapy in patients who received either targeted therapy (TT: dabrafenib + trametinib) or immunotherapy (IT: nivolumab or pembrolizumab) for up to 12 months. A total of 163 patients participated, including 147 with stage III and 19 with stage IV with no evidence of disease. The primary outcomes were relapse-free survival (RFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS). At 48 months, both TT and IT approaches yielded comparable outcomes in terms of RFS (55.6–55.4%, p = 0.532), DMFS (58.2–59.8%, p = 0.761), and OS (62.4–69.5%, p = 0.889). Whilst temporary therapy suspension was more common among TT-treated patients compared to IT-treated individuals, therapy discontinuation due to adverse events occurred at comparable rates in both groups. Predictors of relapse included mitoses, lymphovascular invasion, ulceration, and positive sentinel lymph nodes. Overall, the proportion of BRAF-mutated patients receiving IT stood at 7.4%, lower than what was observed in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recensione di Jonathan Marks, Why are there still creationists? Human evolution and the ancestors, Cambridge, Medford (MA), Polity Press, 2021, pp. 112.