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Approximation methods in BV for nonlinear generalized sampling series
No full textWe study a nonlinear version of the classical generalized sampling series within the space of functions of bounded variation. In particular, by means of such operators, in the case of kernels of product and averaged type, we obtain a variation-diminishing type estimate and a convergence result. The problem of the rate of approximation is also addressed
Cognitive frailty: A comprehensive clinical paradigm beyond cognitive decline
No full textCognitive frailty is an emerging concept in research and clinical practice that incorporates both physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Unlike traditional approaches that separate physical frailty and dementia, cognitive frailty treats these domains as interrelated and coexisting, with significant implications for clinical outcomes and predicting cognitive decline. Despite growing recognition of this interrelationship, a dualistic view of physical and cognitive processes persists. The paradigm of cognitive frailty holds promise as a biomarker- like amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles- but with the advantage of identifying risk at a prefrail stage, before clinical signs of MCI or dementia emerge. This review examines the pathophysiological and clinical dimensions of cognitive frailty and promotes for its integration into routine assessments in memory clinics
The relationship between coping strategies, resistant responses, and suggestibility in children
No full textAccording to the interrogative suggestibility model, coping strategies have an important role in determining people’s resistance to leading questions or their accepting of suggestions. In this study, a sample of 95 children aged 11–14 years were assessed for coping strategies and their effect on immediate suggestibility and Resistant Behavioral Responses (RBR) using Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales (GSS1 and GSS2), the Children Responses Inventory for coping strategies and Raven’s Progressive Matrices. The results highlighted that task-oriented and avoidant coping strategies that involve active cognitive efforts to reduce stress and social pressure led to lower suggestibility scores and foster greater resistant responses The effect of the coping strategy, such as Logical Analysis, Problem Solving, Cognitive Avoidance and Acceptance-Resignation, was greater for the second administration of the GSS contributing to a reduction of the levels of suggestibility, Problem-solving strategy was found to be highly significant regarding resistant behavioural responses, which also increased during administration of GSS1, but they did not during the administration of GSS2. Furthermore, it emerged that with increasing age, and using more active coping strategies, the suggestibility levels tended to decrease
Engaging With Fandom and Politics: The Case of Giuseppe Conte’s Fans on Instagram
No full textThe article focuses on the phenomenon of political fandom and its potential impact
on citizens’ political engagement. In particular, our research intends to offer a
contribution to the discussion of possible types of online fan-like attachment to a
political leader. Our case study is the Instagram account @lebimbedigiuseppeconte,
a fanpage celebrating the former Italian Prime minister Giuseppe Conte. We analyzed
posts between 2018 and 2022 with the aim of investigating the evolution of the account
following the change of Conte’s role from the office of Prime Minister—that he held
as an outsider—to the more politicized role of leader of the Five-Star Movement.
Our results suggest that, although in the first phase @lebimbedigiuseppeconte could
not be regarded as a standard type of political fandom, its evolution shows that also
a fanpage born with no apparent political goal and a vocation for entertaining may
become a platform for the diffusion of political contents
Impact of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Storage Conditions on Phenolic Content and Wound-Healing Properties
No full textStorage conditions significantly impact the quality and functional properties of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). This study investigated the impact of light and dark storage on the nutritional quality of Umbrian EVOO and its effectiveness in tissue repair. The research aimed to simulate real-world conditions occurring during transport, retail, and domestic storage. Light exposure accelerated EVOO oxidation, significantly affecting peroxide levels (ranging from 5.19 to 24.30 meq O2/kg of oil), total antioxidant capacity (measured spectrophotometrically, collectively ranging from 399.47 to 684.63 mg TE/kg of oil), and phenolic compound concentrations, particularly secoiridoids, lignans, and flavonoids (measured by HPLC, collectively ranging from 41.92 to 169.74 mg/kg of oil). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were recorded between the control sample and the others in almost all cases, after storage. For instance, both light and dark exposure over a 24-month period resulted in a marked reduction (p < 0.01) in oleocanthal, pinoresinol, luteolin, and apigenin. Pigment levels were also affected, representing a rapid and cost-effective indicator of product oxidative degradation. The loss of phenolic compounds (especially oleacein and oleocanthal, which showed the most significant reductions of approximately 75% and 60%, respectively), impaired the EVOO’s wound-healing properties, affecting key tissue regeneration processes such as keratinocyte migration, hyaluronic acid synthesis, and angiogenesis. Notably, oleocanthal and oleacein, present at higher concentrations in fresh extracts, emerged as the primary contributors to the observed dermal effects and wound-healing processes, demonstrating a significant highest efficacy (p < 0.0001) in promoting wound closure. These findings underscore the critical role of EVOO storage in preserving its sensory properties and labile components with tissue repair and regeneration functions
Emergency Management of Animal-Related Injuries in Children: An Observational Multicenter Italian Study
No full textObjectives: Animal-related injuries (ARIs) represent a common reason for emergency department (ED) visits in children. Limited data regarding treatment in Italian EDs are available. The aims of the study were to assess the epidemiological features of these patients and to investigate the association between their characteristics and therapeutic approaches, particularly antibiotic prescription. Materials and methods: Patients presenting to 13 pediatric EDs from 11 Italian regions because of ARIs were prospectively enrolled for 20 months. Patients' clinical data, injury characteristics, and performed treatment were recorded. Results: We enrolled 442 patients aged 6.1 years (3.9) who were grouped in non-insect-related injuries (non-IRIs, n=236) and insect-related injuries (IRIs, n=206). Most injuries occurred in an outdoor setting during the afternoon. Except for IRIs, the most frequently involved animals were pets, mostly dogs (91.5%). In 59.1% of cases, the injury extent was <15 mm. The antibiotic prescription was more likely in children presenting with a lesion by a wild animal [odds ratio (OR): 5.8 (CI 95%: 1.27-26.57), P=0.02], in those with lacerations [OR: 2.90 (CI 95%: 1.13-6.54), P=0.01], and in those with larger injuries [OR: 2.66 (CI 95%: 1.49-4.76), P<0.01]. Antibiotics were more frequently prescribed in non-IRIs compared with IRIs (P<0.001), whereas IRIs more commonly received oral or topical steroids, topical antibiotics, or antihistamines (P<0.001). Conclusions: Most pediatric ARIs require limited emergency management. Antibiotic prescriptions are more likely in large lesions determined by wild animals. Monitoring non-IRIs and IRIs may provide useful information to improve and uniform therapeutic management and to plan public health preventive interventions
Current Enzooticity of Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum in Central and Southern Italy
No full textDirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum are major parasitic nematodes of dogs. Many environmental and phenological changes have recently modified their geographic patterns in many countries; thus, this study has updated the distribution of D. immitis and A. vasorum in dog populations of selected regions of Central and Southern Italy. Also, collateral data on other endoparasites affecting the study population have been collected. Blood and fecal samples collected from 2000 dogs were tested using Knott’s test and copromicroscopy (i.e., Baermann’s and fecal flotation tests), respectively. Binomial logistic regression was performed to evaluate statistically significant associations between positivity for D. immitis and/or A. vasorum and potential risk factors. Overall, 35 (1.7%) and 62 (3.1%) dogs were positive for microfilariae of D. immitis and first stage larvae (L1) of A. vasorum, respectively, while 3 (0.1%) were co-infected by both nematodes. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria repens were found in 148 (7.4%) dogs, while at the flotation, eggs of Ancylostomatidae, Trichuris vulpis, and ascarids were found in the feces of 323 (16.5%), 249 (12.4%), and 172 (8.6%), dogs, respectively. Overall, 217 (10.8%) and 44 (2.2%) dogs were positive for eggs of Capillaria aerophila and Capillaria boehmi. The presence of cardiorespiratory clinical signs or non-specific signs, history of travel, and an age of >4 years old were significantly associated with positivity for D. immitis, while A. vasorum was significantly recorded in dogs with cardiorespiratory signs, or with a history of mollusk ingestion or permanent outdoor housing. These results confirm that D. immitis is enzootic in the investigated regions of Central and Southern Italy, even where it was rare/undetected until recently. Indeed, although some dogs positive for D. immitis had a history of travel in enzootic areas, the majority of them were never moved, indicating that they acquired the parasite in the region where they live. Additionally, A. vasorum is stably enzootic in the study areas, as also are other extraintestinal nematodes (i.e., D. repens and C. aerophila) that are more frequently detected today than in the past. A high level of vigilance and routine parasitological screening are necessary, considering the high prevalence of intestinal parasites in owned dogs that are also co-infected by respiratory parasites. The implementation of chemoprevention against D. immitis in dogs living in the examined area should be encouraged
Advances in the valorization of brewing by-products
No full textBeer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage worldwide, and its production involves the generation of a huge volume of by-products (i.e., spent grain, spent hop, and spent yeast). This review aims to highlight the main properties of these by-products as a valuable source of biomolecules (i.e., proteins, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, phenolic compounds, and lipids) and the biorefining methods used in the last decade for their valorization. The pros and cons of the technologies employed will be shown, highlighting which of them could be more ready for the transition to an industrial scale, and which applications (e.g., food and feed, bioenergy, biochemicals, and biomaterials) are the most feasible