ARUd’A (Università “G. d’Annunzio CHIETI -PESCARA)
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Cooperative behavior and affect heuristic. When the rationality of love matters
No full textA central problem of social theory consists in explaining individual cooperative
behavior. One of the main interpretations is rooted in the rational choice theory,
born from the homo oeconomicus model, which proposes instrumental rationality,
maximization of expected utility and self-interest as unique presuppositions of
individual behavior. These assumptions have been widely criticized, especially
concerning their descriptive adequacy in cases of cooperative behavior. Numerous
empirical evidence shows how individual behavior can be disinterested in these
cases, not based on instrumental calculation and, therefore, explainable on the
basis of other dimensions in cognitive human system and individual action. Based
on the literature developed in the field of cognitive psychology and experimental
economics, the article proposes to analyze cooperative behaviors (conceived in a
broad sense since not necessarily implying shared goals), considering components
of the rationality of a cognitive and emotional nature, using the concept of affect
heuristic. It shows how some emotional behavioral responses (e.g., love, fairness
moods, etc.) can be crucial in explaining individual selfless behaviors and their role in
developing cooperation. Our analysis is developed in the light of a broader cognitive
system and a more extended notion of rationality than the strictly economic one
Rationale and design of ELIXIR, a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of XyloCore, a glucose-sparing solution for peritoneal dialysis
No full textPeritoneal dialysis adoption and technique survival is affected by limitations related to peritoneal membrane longevity and metabolic alterations. Indeed, almost all peritoneal dialysis fluids exploit glucose as an osmotic agent that rapidly diffuses across the peritoneal membrane, potentially resulting in metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. Moreover, glucose-degradation products generated during heat sterilization, other than glucose itself, induce significant morphological and functional changes in the peritoneum leading to ultrafiltration failure. The partial substitution of glucose with osmotic agents characterized by a better local and systemic biocompatibility has been suggested as a potential strategy to innovate peritoneal dialysis fluids. The approach aims to minimize glucose-associated toxicity, preserving the peritoneal membrane welfare and counteracting common comorbidities. In this work, we report the clinical trial design of ELIXIR, a phase III randomized, controlled, blinded outcome assessment study comparing Xylocore®, an innovative formulation based on Xylitol and l-carnitine, to standard glucose-based regimens, in end-stage kidney disease patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; 170 patients will be randomized (1:1) to receive XyloCore® or to continue their pre-randomization peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy with glucose-only PD solutions, for 6 months. The primary study's objective is to demonstrate the noninferiority of XyloCore® in terms of Kt/V urea, for which a clinically acceptable noninferiority margin of −0.25 has been determined, assuming that all patients will be treated aiming to a minimum target of 1.7 and an optimal target of 2.0
«Già parmi d’essere padre beato»: l’amoroso speziale
No full textAnalisi del 'Campanello' di Donizetti, anche in chiave comparativa, con la fonte francese e con un rifacimento dell'opera
«Como sin marido y sin abrigo se viese»: el personaje de la viuda en la novela picaresca”
No full textSe pasa revista a las viudas que figuran en el Lazarillo de Tormes, Guzmán de Alfarache, Buscón, Pícara Justina (entre otros textos), deteniéndose especialmente en el caso emblemático de Antona Pérez, y analizando el recorrido, junto con el cambio de función, de esta tipología de personaje, a medida que el género se desarrolla
Assessing effectiveness of multistage nanomedicines for multidrug therapy of vitiligo.
No full textVitiligo is a chronic cutaneous disorder characterized by skin and hair depigmentation. Drugs that are currently used to treat vitiligo lack of efficacy and had low local accumulation due to the skin barrier properties and drug metabolism/inactivation. Therefore, the topical use of ultradeformable nanomedicines can offer a clinically relevant approach. The aim of this study was the preparation of ultradeformable nanocarriers for the percutaneous co-delivering of khellin and idebenone. The nanocarriers were physicochemical characterized. Namely, average size, size distribution, zeta potential, long-term stability and entrapment efficiency were carried out. Ethosomes made up from phospholipon 90G 1 % (w/v) and ethanol 30 % (w/v), and transfersomes had the best physicochemical properties and stability for skin topical application and were used for further in vitro experiments. The percutaneous permeation studies using human stratum corneum and epidermis membranes demonstrated that transfersomes had the best profiles and improved the delivery of khellin and idebenone across the skin. Primary human melanocytes, HEMa cells, pre-treated with H2O2 were used as an in vitro vitiligo model to test the efficacy of the investigated nanomedicines. The results demonstrated that khellin/idebenone co-loaded ultradeformable nanocarriers stimulated the melanin production and the recovery of normal skin pigmentation. In vivo studies on human volunteers demonstrated a suitable transfersomes safety, thus confirming their relevance for a possible clinical use. Finally, this research evidenced the ductility of the investigated vesicular nanomedicine to effectively co-delivery two drugs, idebenone and khellin, an antioxidant and a furanochromone drug, which seems to be a promising clinical approach for the treatment of vitiligo
Advancing decarbonization through 3D printed concrete formworks: Life cycle analysis of technologies, materials, and processes
Get PDF3D printing technologies are innovating several industrial fields for their ability to produce complex shapes, reduce material use and obtain high-performance structures. Among the possible applications of 3D printing in the civil construction sector, manufacturing formwork for concrete casting is a promising solution for producing thin-walled and complex structures. Given the increasing interest and numerous applications being developed, comprehensive studies on the sustainability of 3D-printed concrete formwork are required to improve the processes and drive low-carbon construction practices. In this context, the present study provides for the first time an evaluation of the environmental and economic sustainability of concrete structures achieved using 3D printed formwork. The research investigates the influence of various factors such as: i) geometry complexity, ii) printing technology (Fused Deposition Modelling and Material Jetting), iii) process parameters, iv) raw materials (PLA, ABS, PVA, Geopolymers, Cements, Clay) v) machines kinematic systems and vi) End of Life alternatives. To perform such an investigation, a parametric CAD model was developed to define structure geometry; furthermore, Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing methodologies were applied to calculate the impacts and cost of the different alternatives. The results showed that a proper choice of the combination of geometry, technology, material, and process parameters is crucial for reducing the carbonization-related impacts associated with 3D-printed formwork production. In addition, reuse and recycling of the formworks cut overall impacts, making 3D printing a sustainable alternative to traditional production processes while allowing greater design freedom
SMA-like syndrome without SMA lesion: Patterns of structural and functional disconnection in a relapsing low grade glioma
No full textIntroduction: Supplementary Motor Area syndrome (SMAs), a severe but transient syndrome inducing contralateral akinesia and language deficits, typically arises from lesion involving the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA). Through a functional and structural disconnection approach, we investigated whether lesion-related neuropsychological symptoms could be explained in terms of hodotopical loss of integrity across the whole-brain connectome. Method: We report a case of a 53-year-old man who underwent resection of the left lateral inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the middle and superior frontal gyri for a low-grade glioma recurrence. Although without SMA lesion, he developed SMA syndrome symptoms, including speech arrest and perseverations, the patient recovered quickly but partially. The resection cavities from the first and second surgery were used as seeds to investigate structurally and functionally disconnected circuits in a Lesion Network Mapping (LNM) analysis. As a control, SMA-complex region was included in LNM analysis. Results: Structural disconnection analysis revealed common disconnections between second surgery resection cavity and SMA region, at the level of the Cingulate and Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus. Also, functional analysis showed greater second surgery induced disconnection in critical hubs of the Fronto-Parietal and Default Mode Networks, as well as functional disconnection involving the spared SMA complex. Discussion: Here the SMA syndrome, emerged despite no SMA lesion, appears to results from an alteration of structural and functional brain circuits, according to the hodotopical theory. We can speculate that disruption of interconnected networks may underlie symptom manifestation in SMA syndrome and may offer a potential framework for studying disconnection-related mechanisms. (c) 2025 Published by Elsevier Ltd
Capillary blood parameters are gestational age, birthweight, delivery mode and gender dependent in healthy preterm and term infants
No full textObjectives: The measurement of blood pH and gas analytes (BPGA), soon after birth, constitutes the first-line standard of care procedure in high-risk newborns. However, no data is available in capillary blood on perinatal bias such as gestational age (GA), weight at birth (BW), delivery mode, and gender. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether in a cohort of healthy preterm (PT) and term (T) infants BPGA were GA, BW, delivery mode and gender dependent, thus affecting BPGA reliability as diagnostic test. Methods: We performed a prospective case-control study in 560 healthy infants (PT: n=115, T: n=445). BPGA was measured within 24-h from birth. Perinatal characteristics, outcomes, and clinical examination were also recorded. Results: PT infants showed higher (p<0.001) carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2), fraction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), base excess (BE), bicarbonate (HCO3), and lower lactate (Lac) levels. When corrected for delivery mode, higher (p<0.001) HbF, BE, HCO3, and lower Lac levels were found. Similarly, higher (p<0.05, for all) pCO2, HbF, BE, HCO3 and lower Lac levels were found between female and male PT and T infants. Repeated multiple logistic regression analysis showed that BPGA was GA, BW, delivery mode and gender dependent. Conclusions: The present results showing that BPGA can be affected by a series of perinatal outcomes open the way to further investigations providing longitudinal BPGA reference curves in the transitional phase, thus empowering BPGA role as a reliable diagnostic and therapeutic strategies efficacy marker
Transition Risk in Climate Change: A Literature Review
Get PDFClimate risk is the negative effect of climate change on several aspects of the environment, business, and society. There are two categories of climate risks: physical risks include direct impacts due to extreme events and chronic changes due to climate modifications that have become commonplace; the transition risk arises from the economic and regulatory adjustments required to shift toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to renewable energy. The problem, in financial terms, is the correct assessment and quantification of transition risk, as it is not univocal in the literature. This research aims to provide a literature review on transition risk that permits filling this gap and identifying the proxies used for its representation and evaluation. Moreover, the analysis considers the critical aspect of the connection between transition and credit risk, as firms exposed to high transition risks may face challenges in maintaining creditworthiness. Results highlight the most commonly used proxies, including carbon pricing, CO2 or GHG emissions, and metrics from various databases. However, the findings emphasize the importance of integrating these indicators with broader factors, such as a company's negative environmental impacts (e.g., waste production and water usage) and delays in technological adaptation from a forward-looking perspective
Il potenziale pedagogico degli sport inclusivi: uno studio esplorativo sulle percezioni degli allenatori
No full textIl contributo presenta i risultati di uno studio esplorativo condotto su
campione di 113 allenatori impegnati negli sport inclusivi, volto a
rilevare le loro percezioni sui processi educativo-formativi e sulle
dinamiche socio-relazionali. Nello specifico, l’attenzione si concentra
sulle attività sportive “modificate”, che prevedono l’adattamento di
regole, strumenti e modalità operative in base alle capacità funzionali
degli atleti, ispirandosi ai principi dell’Universal Design for Learning