2024
Authors
Pires, PB; Morais, C; Delgado, C; Santos, JD;
Publication
Driving Green Marketing in Fashion and Retail
Abstract
In today's world, the idea of sustainable fashion is gaining traction. Finding a link between pricing and the purchase of sustainable clothes is the aim of this study. Regression models and t-tests of two independent samples (two-tailed tests) were applied by means of the application of a questionnaire. The study found that consumers' willingness to pay for price increases is related with non-linear (quadratic or exponential) product pricing. The results of this study suggest that consumers are willing to pay higher prices for sustainable clothing. Through an understanding of the relationship between price and consumer behavior, businesses can more effectively align their pricing strategies with the demands of environmentally conscious consumers. © 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved.
2024
Authors
Magano, J; Brandao, T; Delgado, C; Vale, V;
Publication
SUSTAINABILITY
Abstract
A blue jeans brand committed to the environmental cause could position itself as unique and socially responsible and attract environmentally driven consumers. This research study examines the relationship between brand love and consumers' environmental cause knowledge and their willingness to recommend and pay a premium for sustainable blue jeans. To this end, this cross-sectional study comprises a snowball convenience sample of 978 Portuguese respondents, whose data were collected from December 2022 to January 2023. Positive associations between self-expression, brand love, loyalty, environmental cause knowledge, positive word-of-mouth, and willingness to pay a premium for sustainable blue jeans stand out. There are differences in the willingness to pay a premium among generations, education levels, and consumers who are aware of sustainable line extensions and those who are not. The results may be helpful for brands, suggesting their communication should focus on creating increased proximity to consumers by enhancing their values and seeking to link their brands to intrinsic benefits and environmental stakes. This is the first study to incorporate knowledge of the environmental cause into a model linking brand love, brand loyalty, positive word-of-mouth, and willingness to pay a premium for sustainable blue jeans.
2024
Authors
Alves, I; Moreira, AP; Sousa, T; Teles, P; Magalhaes, BM; Goncalves, F; Fernandes, CS;
Publication
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
Abstract
PurposeExergames, which combine digital games and physical exercise, have become increasingly popular for rehabilitation in the health domain. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of exergame rehabilitation on the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgery.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of exergame rehabilitation on the quality of life of cancer patients who had undergone abdominal surgery. Seventy postoperative patients were included, and data collection took place between January 2023 and May 2023. The patients were randomly assigned to either an exergame rehabilitation program (n = 35) or a traditional rehabilitation program (n = 35). The assessed outcome was the quality of life, and data collection occurred at three different time points: upon admission, 48 h postoperatively, and on the 7th day after surgery.ResultsQuality of life was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF Scale. At the third assessment, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (p = 0.016), indicating that the intervention group had a higher quality of life than the control group.ConclusionsThe study showed a positive effect of exergames on the population under investigation. By the 7th day after surgery, the intervention group demonstrated an improvement in their quality of life compared to the control group.Clinical trial registrationCenter of Open Science OSF https://osf.io/286zb/, registered in July, 2023.
2024
Authors
Pinelo, A; Almeida, P; Loureiro, L; Rego, D; Teixeira, S; Mendes, D; Teles, P; Sousa, C; de Matos, N;
Publication
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes and durability of drug -eluting stents (DESs) for the treatment of hemodialysis access outflow stenosis. Material and Methods: A single -center retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients with hemodialysis vascular access outflow stenosis treated with a paclitaxel-coated DES (Eluvia; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) between January 2020 and July 2022. A total of 34 DESs were implanted to treat outflow stenosis in 32 patients. Primary target lesion patency after stent deployment was the main outcome. Comparison between the time interval free from target lesion reintervention (TLR) after previous plain balloon angioplasty (PBA) and that after stent deployment for the same target lesion was considered a secondary outcome. Results: The primary patency at 6, 12, and 18 months was 63.1%, 47.6%, and 41.7%, respectively. The secondary patency rate was 100% at 18 months. The median time interval free from TLR increased from 4.1 to 11.9 months (P < .001). No adverse events were observed during the median follow-up period of 387 days. Conclusions: The patency rates after use of DES for hemodialysis access outflow stenosis were comparable with results for drug -coated balloons and stent grafts, addressing recoil and minimizing the risk of jailing by a covered stent.
2024
Authors
Moura, J; Pinto, C; Freixo, P; Alves, H; Ramos, C; Silva, ES; Nery, F; Gandara, J; Lopes, V; Ferreira, S; Presa, J; Ferreira, JM; Miranda, HP; Magalhäes, M;
Publication
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
Abstract
IntroductionWilson's disease (WD) is associated with a variety of movement disorders and progressive neurological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to correlate baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features with clinical phenotype and long-term outcomes in chronically treated WD patients.MethodsPatients were retrospectively selected from an institutional database. Two experienced neuroradiologists reviewed baseline brain MRI. Functional assessment was performed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) scale, and disease severity was classified using the Global Assessment Scale for Wilson's Disease (GASWD).ResultsOf 27 patients selected, 14 were female (51.9%), with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age at onset of 19.5 (7.1) years. Neurological symptoms developed in 22 patients (81.5%), with hyperkinetic symptoms being the most common (70.4%). Baseline brain MRI showed abnormal findings in 18 cases (66.7%), including T2 hyperintensities in 59.3% and atrophy in 29.6%. After a mean (SD) follow-up of 20.9 (11.0) years, WD patients had a mean score of 19.2 (10.2) on WHODAS 2.0 and 6.4 (5.7) on GASWD. The presence of hyperkinetic symptoms correlated with putaminal T2 hyperintensities (p = 0.003), putaminal T2 hypointensities (p = 0.009), and mesencephalic T2 hyperintensities (p = 0.009). Increased functional disability was associated with brain atrophy (p = 0.007), diffusion abnormalities (p = 0.013), and burden of T2 hyperintensities (p = 0.002). A stepwise regression model identified atrophy as a predictor of increased WHODAS 2.0 (p = 0.023) and GASWD (p = 0.007) scores.ConclusionsAtrophy and, to a lesser extent, deep T2 hyperintensity are associated with functional disability and disease severity in long-term follow-up of WD patients.
2024
Authors
Agra, A; Cerveira, A;
Publication
TOP
Abstract
Wind power is a major source of green energy production. However, the energy generation of wind power is highly affected by uncertainty. Here, we consider the problem of designing the cable network that interconnects the turbines to the substation in wind farms, aiming to minimize both the infrastructure cost and the cost of the energy losses during the wind farm's lifetime. Nonetheless, the energy losses depend on wind direction and speed, which are rarely known with certainty in real situations. Hence, the design of the network should consider these losses as uncertain parameters. We assume that the exact probability distribution of these parameters is unknown but belongs to an ambiguity set and propose a distributionally robust two-stage mixed integer model. The model is solved using a decomposition algorithm. Three enhancements are proposed given the computational difficulty in solving real problem instances. Computational results are reported based on real data.
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