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Nuovi dati dall’area di Porta I ad Agrigento: lo scavo del 2005
No full textIl presente contributo, dopo aver ripercorso la storia degli studi che si sono susseguiti sull’annosa questione della Rupe Atenea
e sull’area di Porta I, discute in particolare l’area archeologica che fu oggetto di scavo nel 2005, sotto la direzione delle Dott.sse
Graziella Fiorentini e Caterina Trombi, definita “a ovest dell’Area Sacra”. Tali ambienti hanno restituito una complessa stratigrafia
e abbondante materiale con un ampia cronologia che copre diversi secoli: dall’Eneolitico al IV a.C. Sulla base dei dati emersi, si
propongono delle interpretazioni conclusive che permettano di aggiornare il quadro su un’area così dibattuta.This paper, after tracing the history of the studies that have followed on the issue of the Rupe Atenea and the area of Porta I,
argues on the archaeological area that was excavated in 2005, under the direction of Drs. Graziella Fiorentini and Caterina
Trombi, defined as “a ovest dell’Area Sacra”. This building has revealed a complex stratigraphy and abundant material with
a broad chronology covering several centuries: from the Eneolithic to the 4th century BC. Based on the data that emerged,
conclusive interpretations are proposed to update the perspective of such a debated area
Developments and dynamics of non-financial reporting in the banking sector: the impact on the Italian context
No full textPurposeThis study explores advancements in non-financial reporting (NFR) within the Italian banking sector over the past five years, assessing the influence of regulatory frameworks such as the European Taxonomy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research aims to understand how sustainability, governance and the integration of financial and non-financial data have evolved in response to regulatory and stakeholder pressures.Design/methodology/approachA multi-method approach is employed, combining bibliometric analysis of NFR literature (2018-2023) with content analysis of NFR from Italian banks. Automated content analysis using Leximancer software identifies key themes, including risk management, sustainability and corporate governance. This multi-method strategy allows for a comprehensive examination of trends and regulatory impacts on NFR practices.FindingsThe findings indicate significant progress in NFR, driven by evolving regulatory requirements and growing stakeholder expectations. The integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria has expanded, enhancing transparency in sustainability practices. Governance structures are increasingly central to managing non-financial risks, and external audits play a crucial role in reinforcing the credibility of NFR reports. The study also highlights the persistent challenge of standardizing reporting frameworks to ensure comparability across institutions.Originality/valueThis research provides a focused analysis of NFR developments within the Italian banking sector, offering insights into their implications for corporate governance and sustainability reporting. By identifying key trends and challenges, the study underscores the pivotal role of NFR in advancing sustainable development in banking. The findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on improving NFR practices and aligning them with global sustainability objectives
Double-balloon enteroscopy evaluation and surveillance in patients with short bowel syndrome
No full textBackground: Safety and usefulness of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) are unknown. DBE could be effective in exploring the residual small bowel (SB) entirely, in monitoring patients receiving teduglutide (TED) treatment and, if necessary, could be operative. Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of enteroscopy in SBS patients. Design: Single center, retrospective. Methods: We collected data on patients with SBS patients undergoing DBE from December 2019 to October 2023. We analyzed the technical success total enteroscopy rates, adverse events, diagnostic yield, and residual SB length measurement. Results: A total of 12 SBS patients (8 females, median age at first enteroscopy, 66 years, interquartile range (IQR) 58–79) were included; among them, 10 received TED therapy (median interval from TED prescription to DBE surveillance 9.1 months (IQR 3.2–32.9)). Overall, 15 DBE procedures (3 retrograde) were performed, all of which were technically successful and completed without adverse events. The overall diagnostic yield was 60% for relevant findings, defined as conditions unknown before DBE. No SB malignancies were detected during the study period. In 80% of cases, a complete visualization of the SB was obtained with a reevaluation of the SB length. The median depth of maximal insertion was 85 cm (IQR 50–187). Conclusion: DBE is feasible, safe, and effective in SBS patients. Total enteroscopy can be frequently achieved with a single approach in these patients, allowing easy diagnostic and oncologic surveillance for SB and colonic malignancy
Response to the Letter to the Editor: "Hypertensive Hypercortisolism: What Does 1.14 μg/dL Really Mean?"
No full textHomeschooling as a Threshold Space: Critical Reflections on Educational Relationships, Places, and Responsibilities
No full textIn this article, homeschooling is theoretically conceptualized as a
“threshold space,” which transcends polarized views of homeschooling
as merely an “alternative” educational approach, emphasizing a potential
dialog between home- and institutional schooling. By situating
homeschooling within this dynamic arena, the study invites critical
reflection on educational relationships, spaces, and responsibilities,
challenging entrenched assumptions about institutionalized education.
Drawing on extensive field research in Italy, where homeschooling
is legally recognized yet often marginalized, the article highlights
how this educational choice serves as a generative force for reimagining
education. By examining key issues, such as educational relationships,
learning environments, and parental responsibilities, the
research underscores the potential of homeschooling to illuminate
and question the foundational norms of education, ultimately advocating
for a more nuanced understanding of learning that embraces
diversity and complexity. This work contributes to the cultural critique
of education and promotes a systemic perspective on future educational
practices
EXPLORING COVERT MOTOR PROCESSES: BEHAVIORAL INSIGHTS AND INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS OF TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION
No full textThis thesis investigates the neural and behavioral mechanisms underlying covert motor processes, building on a well-established body of research on motor imagery, motor preparation, and action observation. Traditional methods have primarily relied on the 1 muscle × 1 action (1m1a) approach, in which transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is applied to the motor cortex and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) are recorded from a single target muscle. While informative, this method reduces complex motor representations to isolated joints displacements, neglects intermuscular interactions, and overlooks single-trial variability. To overcome these limitations, the thesis introduces the MultiMEP approach, which records MEPs simultaneously from multiple muscles and applies decoding techniques inspired by multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA). This method captures distributed patterns of corticospinal activity, providing a more ecologically valid and multidimensional perspective on covert motor processes. The experimental studies discussed in this thesis, demonstrate the effectiveness of MultiMEP in decoding different ecological actions during both motor imagery and motor preparation tasks, with accuracies significantly above chance. Eventually, the thesis also examines the effect of visuomotor training on action observation which at the behavioral level is reflected in automatic imitation, particularly its modulation through counter-imitative training. Results challenge standard interpretations of sensorimotor contingency accounts, suggesting greater flexibility in how experience shapes motor representations. Together, these findings highlight both methodological and theoretical contributions for understanding, through other perspectives, motor cognition
Highest oxygen consumption prediction by forced vital capacity in athletes
No full textPurpose: Static spirometry parameters may offer practical alternatives to estimate maximum oxygen consumption (V̇O2max) in athletic populations. This study evaluated forced vital capacity (FVC) as a predictor of V̇O2max across different sports, developing prediction equations for field-based assessment. Methods: Four hundred twenty-two athletes (324 males, 98 females; age 22.9 ± 8.5 years) from cycling (n = 123), swimming (n = 68), triathlon (n = 60), multisport (n = 83), and other sports (n = 88) performed spirometry and maximal incremental testing. V̇O2max was directly measured using breath-by-breath gas analysis. LASSO regression identified predictors, with Bland-Altman analysis assessing agreement. Results: FVC and gender emerged as significant predictors (R2 = 0.690, P < 0.001). The equation V̇O2max (L·min-1) = (FVC × 0.61) + (Gender × 0.86) yielded SEE = 0.65 L·min-1. Including additional variables (Maximum voluntary ventilation, body weight, age) marginally improved prediction (R2 = 0.712) but reduced practical utility. Coefficient of variation between measured and predicted values was 12.1%. Sport-specific analysis revealed highest predictive accuracy in swimmers (R2 = 0.893). Conclusion: FVC provides reasonable population-level V̇O2max estimates in athletes, though individual predictions require caution given substantial unexplained variance (31%). Sport-specific equations, particularly for swimming populations, enhance predictive accuracy. These findings offer practical screening tools for coaches lacking access to metabolic testing equipment, though direct measurement remains the gold standard for individual assessment
Time-specific perturbation of the serotonergic system differentially modulates the transcriptional landscape of hippocampal subregions in female rats
No full textSerotonin (5-HT) is implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, and genetic alterations in the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) are identified as risk factors for increased vulnerability. Beyond its role as a neurotransmitter in the adult brain, 5-HT exerts fundamental functions during early development guiding neuronal maturation and network assembly. Perturbations of serotonergic signaling in these sensitive windows have been associated with long-term changes in brain circuitry and increased susceptibility to psychiatric conditions. The present study aimed to further investigate how the timing of 5-HTT manipulation during perinatal development influences the molecular response, by comparing the effects of transient pharmacological inhibition at specific stages to those seen in constitutive 5-HTT knockout rats. We analyzed transcriptional profiles in the dorsal (dHip) and ventral hippocampus (vHip) of adult females, focusing on pathways relevant to neuroplasticity, microglial activation, microglia-neuron interaction, perineuronal nets, GABAergic signaling, antioxidant and mitochondrial function, and autophagy. Our findings show that both constitutive deletion and pharmacological inhibition of 5-HTT induce long-lasting molecular alterations in the hippocampus, with partly overlapping but also distinct signatures depending on the timing of exposure and the hippocampal subregion. In conclusion, constitutive and time-specific early-life perturbations of serotonergic signaling converge on persistent deficits in hippocampal plasticity, but differ in region- and timing-dependent molecular outcomes. These findings provide a framework to further dissect the mechanisms through which early life serotonergic perturbations shape long-term brain function, offering insights that could guide future research toward more targeted therapeutic approaches
Corporate tax governance: il rischio fiscale nei modelli di gestione d'impresa
No full textIl volume Corporate tax governance: il rischio fiscale nei modelli di gestione d’impresa, curato dal prof. Giuseppe Marino dell’Università degli Studi di Milano, con la prefazione del Viceministro dell’economia e delle finanze, On. Prof. Maurizio Leo, si propone di approfondire la Cooperative Tax Compliance ed il Tax Control Framework alla luce della legge delega n. 111/2023 per la riforma fiscale ed i suoi decreti legislativi di attuazione che hanno ridisegnato il rapporto Fisco contribuente con lo sguardo rivolto ad un futuro in cui prevenire è sempre meglio che curare, quasi si trasformasse in un rapporto in cui l’imposta rappresenta un premio assicurativo. Il contributo multidisciplinare di autorevoli esponenti del mondo accademico e professionale italiano rende il lavoro uno strumento imprescindibile sia per l’approfondimento scientifico che per la gestione dell’impres